There’s Nothing Fair About a Fairness Ordinance
In 2019, Bowling Green was on the brink of overhauling the city municipal code by expanding discrimination protection to include “gender identity and sexual orientation.”
The measure would have empowered the Bowling Green Human Rights Commission with unprecedented authority to investigate sexual orientation/gender identity complaints, hold hearings, and employ attorneys and committees to carry out it’s work.
The Commission could have:
- requested subpoenas, through the Circuit Court, to compel witnesses to testify
- imposed fines, including compensation for “humiliation and embarrassment.”
According to the ordinance, violators could be charged with a misdemeanor, and if convicted, fined and/or imprisoned for 30 days.
This proposed law is called a “Fairness Ordinance.” You can read it here.
Origins
Efforts to bring a Fairness Ordinance to Bowling Green began in 2017 when City Commissioner Brian “Slim” Nash, introduced a motion for its adoption. No other commissioner seconded the motion and the effort failed to move forward.
In 2019, Nash introduced a Fairness Ordinance again. This time, the motion was seconded by current City Commissioner Dana Beasley Brown. The effort ultimately failed with a 3-2 vote against its adoption.
Evolution
Nash lost his re-election campaign in 2020 and no longer holds a seat on the City Commission. Dana Beasely Brown continues to serve on the Commission and is up for re-election on November 8.
Commissioner Carlos Bailey was elected in 2020, and in his interview with WKYUFM expressed concern about a Fairness Ordinance being voted down “a second time.” He goes on to say in his interview with WBKO that “if there needs to be something else in place to ensure that there’s no discrimination in our community, let’s put in place.”
One Vote Away
With Bailey’s implied support of a Fairness Ordinance, and Brown’s established record supporting such an initiative, the November 8 election presents a crossroads for our community. Fairness proponents are one vote away from passing the ordinance.
Of the 11 City Commission candidates, only four state they will not vote for the initiative: Sue Parrigin, Melinda Hill, Sandy Jones Boussard, and Stephanie Matthews.
If Fairness proponents win three seats on the City Commission, the ordinance will be brought forth again, and will undoubtedly pass.
No Reported Cases of Discrimination
Despite all of the energy invested in discussing a Fairness Ordinance, it appears no sexual orientation/gender identity discrimination complaints have been ever been filed. In 2019, Richard Nelson, executive director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, made this point during his presentation to the Bowling Green City Commission. More recently, inquiries with the Bowling Green Human Rights Commission about such claims were unreturned.
“Fairness” Decision on the Ballot
Federal discrimination laws already exist. No local initiative is necessary to protect a special class. On November 8, voters will decide whether our community stands for equal rights for all, or special rights for some. For those who value freedom and liberty, the choice is obvious. Vote Conservative: Sue Parrigin, Melinda Hill, Sandy Jones Boussard, and Stephanie Matthews.