The fate of Fayetteville's "119"

“I’ve spent most of my career fighting for equality, diversity and inclusion,” said Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan in a speech given November 14, at the NWA Center for Equality Gala. “And most of you know that.”

“Without equality, diversity and inclusion, there is no freedom – and we are here tonight to celebrate equality.”

Jordan has become a well-known political figure in all of Arkansas, and in The Gayly’s entire region for his fight for equality when, with Alderman Matthew Perry and after a marathon meeting, the Fayetteville, Arkansas city council passed an anti- discrimination ordinance that bans discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodation, based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The measure (119) passed by a vote of 6-2 in the early hours of August 20.

The measure was brought to the council originally by Perry.

During the August debate, the council amended the ordinance to exclude all tax-exempt properties, and places of worship, from being covered by the law. State and federal law prohibits discrimination based on someone’s age, gender, disability, race or religion. But in Arkansas there are no state-level non-discrimination laws that cover the other categories, including sexual orientation and gender identity.

However, all good things must be questioned…apparently. Last month it was announced that The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce had officially called for a repeal of the new law and a group called “Repeal 119” gathered enough signatures to put the ordinance on hold and force a Dec. 9 special election to determine the fate of the ordinance.

At the NWA Gala, the mayor went on to say in his speech, “Your work in equality certainly reaches far beyond the borders of this city and I want to thank those who spoke that night [in August] - what heart and what courage.”

Citizens shared stories that night in August of their fears of being fired or having been fired, evicted or other types of discrimination for being gay.

“Some say we don’t discriminate in this town and I thought, ‘but we always need equality.’”

Jordan went on to tell a personal story of himself about being born with a birth defect, how kids took his lunch money and beat him up when he was a young boy.

“They call that bullying now. You can let it shape you or you can let it shape and mold you in a way that you will spend your life helping and serving others, and this is my story.”

The crowd cheered and clapped through most of Jordan’s speech.

“The mayor gave an amazing speech that day and as I recall I was in tears,” said J. Alec Zander. “I do see a day when we don’t put this on folks.”

The people of Fayetteville will vote on December 9th to determine the fate of City Ordinance 119.

By Robin Dorner, Editor in Chief

The Gayly – December 7, 2014 @ 3:45pm