04/11/1979 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e D. Agenda Changes 1. East Butte Historic Landmark Area will be Item III. 2. Item VI: Civic Center Project should be labeled Civic Center Project Debt Service Payment. E. Council Support of HB 2424 and SB 629--Manager said a request had been received at Monday's Council meeting by persons opposing the Council IS support of the two bills regarding sexual orientation now at the State Legislature. At that time, Mayor Keller indicated he would allow a statement to be made at this Wednesday's meeting. Mayor Keller indicated requests both for and against Council IS action, and allotted each side five minutes. Those speaking in favor of the Council IS action supporting the bills were as follows: e Constance Newman, 894 West 4th, who said homosexuals are found in all classes and jobs. She said they are working people, but have suffered discrimination from employers because they are homosexual. She said by Council IS support of the bills, it is backing democratic rights and urged the Council to continue its support. Rosemary Batori, 2030 East 19th, spoke on behalf of the Women's Commission. She questioned why the Council was again discussing this issue, as she felt it had been decided at the April 4 Council meeting. Dominick Vetri, representing Eugene Citizens For Human Rights, thanked Council for its support of the bills. He reviewed the progress that was being made by homosexuals although discrimination still exists for them. He said Ballot Measure 51 results indicated only 34 percent of the registered voters expressed their disfavor of the ordinance passed by the Council. He felt the public was beginning to realize that arbitrary discrimination hurts everyone. He reviewed a poll which indicated many companies in the country have adopted a non-discrimination policy toward homosexuals. Many cities and states are taking similar actions. Also, he said laws were being changed within the Internal Revenue Service, Federal civil service, and military to reduce discrimination for homosexuals. He felt civil liberties have generally never fared well at the polls, and hoped the Legislature would give civil rights to homosexuals. Those speaking against Council IS action were as follows: Mike Hilty, 1905 West 34th, spoke on behalf of VOICE, and Maureen Gieber. He said of the total 61 precincts, only one had favored the homosexual ordinance in the May 1978 election. He asked the Council retract its support of the bills because the voters had stated their opposition. He felt it unethical and irresponsible that Council would support the bills in direct contradiction to what the voters e 4/11/79--3 LiLt