Civil Rights press release. August 13, 2015Goshen News and Elkhart ruthWe began a community conversation about civil rights last Tuesday night at the GoshenTheater. And over many hours at that public forum, and through many personal conversations and email exchanges before and since then, the City of Goshens electedofficials listened to the public. We have heard you.Although the conversation was difficult for many on both sides, even painful for some, either in giving their own testimony, or listening to testimony of others, it was the start of conversation of hearing one anotherboth ways. !ears of insecurity and safety for "G#T people due to the lac$ of civil rights protections are real. %o are the fears of others who believe they will be forced to violate their religious conscience if compelled to provide services to "G#T people.&opefully, those against adding the four words 'sexual orientation( and 'gender identity(to the citys human rights ordinance tried to listen to the stories of Goshen residents who feel marginali)ed, and those hoping to add the four words tried to hear the concerns of people wanting to live out their faith in the mar$etplace. * believe that as difficult as it was, there was progress. #ecause some people too$ significant ris$ in giving their testimony, there needs to be more constructive conversation in the future.There were several common themes we heard+ ,ost people, even those who thought a gay-lesbian relationship is sinful, said they did not believe in discrimination in relation to housing, employment and public accommodations. And most people at the meeting Tuesday wanted a different outcome when the amendment to the human rights ordinance was considered by the City Council.,any wanted it passed. others wanted it buried forever.* give credit to Councilman /eremy %tutsman. &e was a true community leader as he wor$ed to the 00th hour to find compromise between two sides of the City Council on the amendment. /eremy was focused on finding a positive solution.* am not na1ve. * $now that anything * say or do at this point will be considered political, especially in this election year. &owever, we need to all wor$ hard at hearing one another. 2emocrats, 3epublicans, *ndependents and nonvoters need to wor$ for the common good. That has been and is what continues to ma$e Goshen a great place to live.%o is there a possible path forward4 *f so, what is it4*n my argument against a council resolution that offered no current avenue for civil rights protections, * said it was not enough to simply say 'We dont believe in discrimination, but we also wont do anything if it happens.( * believe we must ta$e action on behalf of Goshens vulnerable residents. And * have decided to do so.!"R#, * will issue an 5xecutive 6rder. &ere are some things that will be included+ The City of Goshen has never 7to my $nowledge8 discriminated on the basis of 'sexual orientation( or 'gender identity,( but our hiring policy does not yet include those four words. ,y 5xecutive 6rder will add them. *n this action, we will be following the %tate of *ndiana, which also offers this assurance to current and future state employees. * cant mandate that all 7non9religious8 employers in the City of Goshen include the four words, but if our City Attorney advises us that we can include this encouragement, we will do so. *n /uly, the federal 5:ual 6pportunity 5mployment Commission 7556C8 ruled that charges of discrimination for 'sexual orientation( and 'gender identity( may be filed as sex discrimination. City Attorney "arry #ar$es believes the Goshen Community 3elations Commission 7C3C8 already has the authority, and 'may( accept charges of discrimination for 'sexual orientation( and 'gender identity( under the new 556C ruling. ,y 5xecutive 6rder will 2*35CT the C3C to do so. This will allow the C3C to use its current investigatory process to accept and investigate complaints of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The 5xecutive 6rder also will re:uire 'mutual voluntary mediation( when cases ofdiscrimination based on sexual orientation or 'gender identity( are believed to have been substantiated. *n %outh #end and #loomington, there have been a very small number of cases filed. And after investigation, most of them were unsubstantiated. Where voluntary mediation has been offered, they have found good cooperation. ,ost employers do not want a reputation of discrimination.%ome will critici)e my 5xecutive 6rder, arguing it is not necessary to commit the C3C toinvestigate allegations of discrimination, because there havent been any. To that, * answer, of course there havent been any cases, because until the recent 556C ruling, there were no grounds for such protection in the %tate of *ndiana. *n addition, if indeed there are no cases, then it wont cost them any time or money, which should address another concern raised by critics.*f City Council members oppose ma$ing any additional financial resources available in the C3C budget 7if necessary for the very few discrimination cases expected8 for this new responsibility, then * will ma$e those resources available through the budget of the #oard of Wor$s.#EC$N%, To avoid shifting the C3C away from its important wor$ and adding a substantial burden, * will as$ commission members to establish an ad hoc committee to recommend how to establish next steps to better understand the issues and concerns that were raised in flyers distributed, and in testimony given at the town meeting a wee$ ago. Among the issues * will as$ that ad hoc committee to address+What method of conversation will be most instructive and constructive4 &ow can we foster an atmosphere in which all will feel comfortable and safe sharing their perspectives4 &ow can we address the many :uestions that have been raised4 &ow can the city de9politici)e the process4 And how can we communicate about this issue in a way that maintains the momentum for positive change and continues to portray Goshen as a city that welcomes all, and values their human dignity enough to assure that human rights are extended to all4*n conclusion, it is my hope and belief that the good people of Goshen can and will find a way to ensure e:ual treatment for all. And * welcome those who share this vision to remain engaged in this process.Allan ;auffman, ,ayor of Goshen