Council Considering Human Rights Ordinance

[Dan OMalley]

Lakewood City Council's Committee on the Whole voted 7-0 Monday night to recommend adoption of proposed Ordinance 1-16, a comprehensive human rights ordinance that will prohibit discrimination in employment, public accommodation and housing based on one's sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. As I mentioned at the meeting Monday, most residents and business owners with whom I've spoken about this ordinance are surprised to learn it isn't already the law.

The ordinance is important for two main reasons: 1) Unfortunately, real discrimination exists for our LGBT citizens, and the government should protect against that kind of harm. Ideally, these protections would exist at the federal or state level, but they don't, so I'm proud Lakewood is taking action. 2) It sends a clear message once and for all that Lakewood is a welcoming place where everyone is a part of the community. The city government has unfortunately sent mixed messages in this regard over the years.

Council will consider adoption of this ordinance at our meeting Monday, June 20th at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium. I continue to welcome input on this pending legislation.

[Michael Deneen]

This should pass easily.
I'm disappointed that we didn't already have this on the books.....so I'm glad Dan is tackling the issue.

I hope someday soon this becomes "Law of the Land" throughout the US. Your civil rights shouldn't be determined by your zip code.

[Stan Austin]

This is a good and necessary ordinance. I think all of Council will deserve kudos.

And, as a political junkie, this might serve as a template for future Council action.

Stan Austin

[Michael Deneen]

I think all of Council will deserve kudos.

Not really. Five of them were on Council last year and failed to pass this. They were too busy botching the hospital deal.

[Lori Allen _]

I am glad to hear about Council's decision. Maybe now Council can look into some problems in their individual wards. Perhaps wards 3 and 4, ( Dan O'Malley and John Litten), can look into the gangs and the graffiti in their wards. Ward 3,I believe,is the worst. I think we now have 3 gangs in Lakewood. Problems don't go away by ignoring them. They tend to grow into bigger problems.

[Amy Martin]

We've come a long way since Ryan Demro relegated the gay flag to fly at the recycling center on Berea Road. Or, as he called it, the "gay flagpole" . .

[Stan Austin]

Was Ryan Demro a precursor to Ted Cruz?

[Michael Deneen]

We've come a long way since Ryan Demro relegated the gay flag to fly at the recycling center on Berea Road. Or, as he called it, the "gay flagpole" . .

Was Ryan Demro a precursor to Ted Cruz?

Demro destroyed whatever small chance he had in Lakewood by jumping on the anti-gay bandwagon.
He should have known better....the world was about to change, and he put himself on the wrong side of history.
I hope the remaining five council members from last year are held equally accountable....the hospital will be their "big gay flagpole".

[Lori Allen _]

Demro was straight and clean and believed in transparency and telling the truth. He was too honest for this bunch. I'm pretty sure he was run out of council. He was probably the last of the good guys, at least until the end of what I believe is Summers' brutal, authoritarian reign of terror. I believe if Summers' does not want someone in office or someone to be working at City Hall, it doesn't fly. I believe he will make sure it doesn't fly.

Hence Summers' & Company's theme song, let us all sing along with the ensemble!



Now, everyone go worship and pay tribute to your Lord, Lord Lakewood!

[Amy Martin]

Wow, Lori - I'm shocked that you would call Demro a "good guy". You have no idea of the pain he caused Lakewood's gay community. And the hatred that was spewed forth at the Council meeting regarding the gay rights ordinance at the time was demeaning and hurtful. His incitement of hate at that meeting is something that I will never forget.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Wow, Lori - I'm shocked that you would call Demro a "good guy". You have no idea of the pain he caused Lakewood's gay community. And the hatred that was spewed forth at the Council meeting regarding the gay rights ordinance at the time was demeaning and hurtful. His incitement of hate at that meeting is something that I will never forget.

Ryan Demro and I rarely agreed on items, but he was one of the people working with Mayor George that pushed to finish the skate park. He also slowed down the pace of most things by asking questions, and debating them in open council sessions, which we could use much more of in this day and age. I find it amazing on complicated issues, that council emerges from wherever in complete lock step.

Ryan, was also not afraid to debate constituents in open forums. He actually loved it and use it often to his advantage. But then came Burgess and Burgess, say nothing, dumb down electorate, try to ignore the elections until last second, and never discuss in an arena where you cannot control the conversation. Lakewood, Ohio, USA

Dan O'Malley thank you for your work on bringing the city's rules and regulation up to the 21st Century.


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[Amy Martin]

Bigotry does not trump the skate park. Sorry, Jim - you're on the wrong side of this issue. We left that meeting in tears. Demro goaded the crowd into a frenzy of hatred and bigotry. It was even covered on the local news. Politics shouldn't be used to promote a religious agenda, and that's the argument that Ryan Demro kept making. It was wrong then and certainly would not be tolerated today.

And you are willing to give him a pass because of the skate park? I am so disappointed.

[Lori Allen _]

First let me say that I am NOT anti-gay, however, politics should not be used to promote any kind of agenda. It is most disappointing to me that in this modern age, we still have persons out there that hate the LGBT community. Many of these hateful people sit their ass in a pew at church every week and pray to god, but hate others because others lifestyles don't match theirs. I have NO use for these kinds people at all. That being said, at least Demro did not run the city into the ground by sitting on his ass and doing nothing like the current administration appears to be doing. He also did not give OUR hospital away for what appears to be pennies on the dollar to his buddies in his "Company", with no open bidding process, which is required by law.

I also hope that wards 3 and 4, Dan O'Malley and John Litten will be able to get time to look into the gang activity and graffiti in their wards.

[Dan Alaimo]

Would we be where we are to day in the destructive and divisive hospital debate if there were more voices on Council willing to stand up against the group think peer pressure? I would hope so. Demro went way over the line on one issue (maybe more; I wasn't paying close attention at the time), but he served a useful public service in other ways. We need more like him, albeit without the prejudice.

[Jim O'Bryan]

And you are willing to give him a pass because of the skate park? I am so disappointed.

Amy

I was the most outspoken critic of his BS and the "Gay Flag" and the flagpole. My argument was legendary, I branded it the RPDBGFP "Ryan Patrick Demro Big Gay Flagpole" that was picked up by LGBT groups all over the country. No one was more outagged at his idea to place it at the City Dump or the Skating Rink, both of them are slams at the community. I have to be honest, at the same time I hate all flags on flag poles outside of the stars and stripes and maybe the state flag. If the stars and stripes do not cover LGBT Community, if it does not cover the MIA, the Vets, then we have all failed as Americans.

Back to RPD, we have talked many times since he accused me of "ruining his life" he has always been honest with his thoughts, and owned his remarks. Something sadly missing in this city in this day and age.

I cannot forget the RPDMGFP, but I can also appreciate some of the OK things he did. People are complicated, I can cope.

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