One Step Closer: OKC City Council makes remarkable 7-2 vote towards workplace equality

Last month, the Oklahoma City council voted an astonishing 7-2 to protect municipal employees from job discrimination by adding just two words; “sexual orientation,” to their nondiscrimination policies for public employees. The resolution specifically prevents LGBT employees from being fired solely on their sexual preference.

The measure was brought to vote by Ward 2 City Councilman, Dr. Ed Shadid. Two Council members voting against the measure were Skip Kelley and Larry McAtee.

“I am gratified that the City Council saw through the lies that were told to them this morning,” said Scott Hamilton at an event held that evening at the Cimarron Alliance office. “All the people who voted for it did so regardless of all the negative thinking.” Hamilton is the Executive Director of the Cimarron Alliance whose mission is, “To support educational efforts that validate personal identity, promote public enlightenment, and advance equality for LGBT Oklahomans.”

Hamilton thanked some of the Oklahoma City ‘pioneers for equality’ who, without their ongoing efforts and fight towards equality, these changes would have never been made. Specifically, he mentioned the work of Margaret Cunningham, Nathaniel Batchelder and Mr. Bob Lemon, but there are many more that have fought this fight for many years.

The vigorous discussion at the Nov. 15th council meeting included citizens with extremely conflicting opinions on LGBT equality. Some of the council admitted that regardless of how they felt about the measure, constituent feedback changed their mind.  Many citizens admitted that they had not known that an Oklahoma citizen can still be legally fired from his or her job or evicted from a rented property solely on the basis of sexual orientation.

“I think this will give the Norman city officials the inspiration they have been hoping for,” said Tulsan Laura Belmonte, Ph.D., Vice President and Co-Founder of TEN (The Equality Network). “Norman even includes gender identity.” Belmonte was invited by Norman to present the TEN municipal database in June, 2010. The database includes policies from Oklahoma towns such as Altus, Vinita, Miami, McAlister, Del City and now Tulsa. “We can’t just go to these city officials and ask them to do this just because it’s the right thing to do,” adds Belmonte. “We have to have the statistics and data to make a compelling statement as to why these rights are necessary.”

Hamilton also recognized many others in saying, “I am so proud of having so many straight allies. Today we made a great stride to becoming a big league city.” Many guests came by the Cimarron office to celebrate.

Former state Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth had these words to say, “When I saw the 7-2, I focused on the 2, but we have to realize that others have different opinions than we do.” Roth went on to say, “As for Skip Kelly, I hope someday you are with us. To the rest of the city, I say ‘thank you.”

Larry Cassill, who currently resides in Oklahoma City said, “This Bethany boy never thought he would see the day!”

For more information or how you can support Cimarron Alliance, visit their website at www.cimarronalliance.org or call (405) 495-9300.