[News] [WV, USA] City council mulls adding transgender protections

[Stephanie Stevens]

Huntington Herald Dispatch, WV, USA


[7/25/2016]

City council mulls adding transgender protections

By JOSEPHINE MENDEZ


HUNTINGTON - Huntington City Council will consider further amending its non-discrimination ordinance at its next meeting to include the transgender community.

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 25, in City Council Chambers at City Hall.

While Huntington's non-discrimination ordinance already protects against discrimination based on a person's race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, blindness, disability, veteran status and sexual orientation, the amendment would add protection based on a person's gender or identification.

Two years ago council added sexual orientation and veteran status to its list of identifiers protected from discrimination, and ordinances haven't been the only way officials in Huntington have sought to make everyone feel safe and welcome within city limits.

In February, council unanimously approved a resolution that urged the West Virgnia Legislature to amend state code dealing with hate crimes or civil rights violations to extend coverage to include sexual orientation and disabilities.

Then in March, the city launched the Open to All campaign, an initiative by the Mayor's LGBT Advisory Committee, as a way to promote an inclusive environment for the people of Huntington.

As part of the campaign, businesses and organizations are asked to sign the campaign pledge and place a sticker in their windows that identify them as a place that does not discriminate against anyone.

In other business, council will hear the first reading of an ordinance to approve the bid for paving Stamford Park Drive.

Public Works Director Jim Insco said approximately 500 feet of concrete roadway on the road will be replaced.

"Over the years the road has deteriorated and has become nearly impassable," Insco said.

Residents of the area say they've been waiting on this project for quite some time.

"This is the first time that (Stamford Park Drive) has had any large amount of paving in 40 or 45 years," Robert Grant, president of the Stamford Park Homeowners Association, said. "There is still a lot more to do as there is in all parts of Huntington, but we realize we need to get in line and wait our turn,"

Hager Construction LLC of Huntington was the only company to bid on the project for a total cost of $81,441.

The project will be paid for using the Public Works Department's capital improvement budget and will take about 60 days to complete, according to the ordinance.

Council members will also hear the first reading of an ordinance which will allow the Huntington Police Department to continue to supply a school resource officer to Huntington High School.

Some of the responsibilities for the resource officer include instructing students in various aspects of law enforcement, performing law enforcement functions within the school setting, and identifying and preventing diligent behavior, including substance abuse, through counseling and referral.

The Cabell County Board of Education approved the agreement at its last meeting July 19 and will pay the officer an hourly rate of $29.49 with a total anticipated cost of $42,465.60 to the school district.


© Copyright 2016 HD Media Company, LLC, 946 5th Avenue, Huntington, WV

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/city-council-mulls-adding-transgender-protections/article_6ddc2986-b191-5305-ade4-8731b6581733.html