Item B: Annual Meeting with Human Rights Commission

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HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM FY 2006 ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS GENDER IDENTITY CODE REVISION AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROJECT The decision by the commission was made only after reviewing a substantial amount of feedback from the community and hold- ng a special session devoted entirely to the topic In taking this action, the commission honored the request of the Lane Gender Task Force, a group of transgender community members working on gender identity rights and issues. Mem- bers of the group provided compelling testimony that the major- ity of the larger community does not yet appreciate the need for legal protection based on gender identity or realize the level of discrimination that many transgender people experience. The Lane Gender Task Force expressed concerns that further public debate at this time could harm the community's efforts to se- cure equal legal protection and instead asked for assistance with a collaborative, broad, multi-faceted community education cam- paign In November 2003, the commission created the Gender Identity Work Group, which worked to educate the City or- ganization and community on transgender issues. In Decem- ber 2004, the group received permission from the Human Rights Commission to develop draft code language and be- gan this work in January 2005. The Gender Identity Work Group forwarded a draft language proposal to the Human Rights Commission in May 2005 Further public testimony from transgender community mem- bers indicated a difference of opinion on code language re- garding public accommodation practices in showers, locker rooms, and other sex-segregated spaces. Transgender com- munity members worked together on code language that was acceptable to all involved. However, concern about for- warding code language was growing. On March 7, 2006, the Human Rights Commission made the extremely difficult deci- sion not to forward to the Eugene City Council draft legisla- tion amending the City Code to include protection for people who experience discrimination based on gender identity. The commission also voted to work with allies on education that helps further community awareness on gender identity issues. The commission voted to form a subcommittee of the Education and Outreach Committee to work with the Lane Gender Task Force to develop and implement an education program The subcommittee goals are a part of the commission's FY 2007/2008 work plan. Page 14 FY 2007/2008 Work Plan FY 2006 Annual Report and Eugene Human Rights Commission