Title
Resolution Supporting Michigan Civil Rights Commission Resolution of Oct 12 2010 Against Hatred and Intolerance
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor and the Ann Arbor community, of which the University of Michigan is an integral part, have a long-standing and proud history of leadership in advocating for the civil and human rights of all community members. Active and out transgender, bisexual, lesbian and gay (TBLG) leaders have played a vital role in the City's history:
· In September 1971 on their Ann Arbor campus, the University of Michigan instituted the first staff office for sexual-orientation concerns established within an institution of higher learning in the United States, and continues to provide such an office to this day (the UM Spectrum Center).
· In June 1972 the Ann Arbor City Council proclaimed "Gay Pride Week", the first such action by a municipal governing body in the United States.
· In July 1972 the City of Ann Arbor became the first municipality in the nation to include "sexual orientation" in a local Human Rights Ordinance as one of several categories protected from discrimination and to extend these protections broadly to employment, housing and public accommodations.
· In April 1974 Ann Arbor became the first municipality or jurisdiction in the United States to elect an out-of-the-closet lesbian or gay person to any public office, with the election of Kathy Kozachenko to Ann Arbor City Council.
Whereas, In the City of Ann Arbor, it is illegal to discriminate against any person on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, whether actual or perceived;
Whereas The actions of Assistant Attorney General Shirvell, including bullying, stalking and harassment are not consistent with the Ann Arbor Human Rights Ordinance;
Whereas, On October 12, 2010 the Michigan Civil Rights Commission unanimously passed a resolution condemning the conduct of Assistant Attorney General Andrew Shirvell, specifically for conduct targeting Christopher Armstrong, an openly gay University of Michigan student leader; and
Whereas, On October 13, 2010 the Ann Arbor Human Rights Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City of Ann Arbor City Council issue a statement in support of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission resolution, adopted October 12, 2010, regarding the anti-gay harassment of a UM student leader by an Assistant Attorney General of the State of Michigan;
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council expresses our support of the resolution adopted by the Michigan Civil Rights Commission on October 12, 2010;
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council calls upon the Attorney General as Michigan's chief law enforcement officer to join with the Michigan Sheriffs Association, the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, the Michigan State Police and the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan in their support of the hate crime bill that has already been passed by the Michigan House of Representatives; and
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council calls on the Michigan Legislature to put public safety first and pass the proposed comprehensive hate crime and school anti-bullying laws currently before the Michigan Senate.
Sponsored by Councilmember Sandi Smith