Cleveland thumbs nose at GOP with trans restroom ordinance
In the midst of the national debate of transgender rights that centers on which restrooms trans people can use the Cleveland City Council has passed an ordinance that allows transgender persons to use restrooms that conform to their gender identity.
The action comes less than a week before the Republican convention convenes in the city.
“The proposed legislation initially made a violation a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by a $1,000 fine or 90 days in jail. The amended version [which was passed] requires that complaints be filed with the Cleveland fair housing court. Ignoring civil penalties – which would be left to the discretion of a municipal judge – would trigger a first-degree misdemeanor charge,” according to Towleroad.com.
The Human Rights Campaign praised the passage of the ordinance update in the face of the GOP platform committee’s draft document that contains several anti-LGBT and anti-trans statements.
HRC officials said, “’While national Republican leaders are doing everything possible to relegate LGBTQ people to second-class citizens, the Cleveland City Council is standing up and sending the world a different message -- that Cleveland is a welcoming city and won’t tolerate discrimination against transgender people,’ said HRC Senior Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs JoDee Winterhof. ‘We commend City Council members for setting a pro-equality example for other cities and states by soundly rejecting the dangerous, fear-mongering rhetoric many anti-equality activists are peddling across the country.’
“’This action by the City Council delivers on the promise of the Gay Games,’ said Alana Jochum, Executive Director of Equality Ohio. ‘Cleveland is now a world class city with laws that foster a culture of inclusion. When the world is watching Cleveland on television, whether it’s the NBA Finals or the Republican National Convention, they’re seeing a city that is welcoming of LGBTQ people.’”
The Gayly – July 14, 2016 @ 1:30 p.m.