Post by Logan on Apr 17, 2016 4:33:22 GMT -6
West Virginia now has 9 cities with LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances
It worked in Houston. That’s where social conservatives won their first battle using the bathroom predator myth, an argument that alleges allowing transgender people to use the restrooms that correspond with their gender identity would result in men putting on dresses, sneaking into women’s restrooms and sexually assaulting women and children. In November 2015, Houston residents voted 61 percent to 39 percent against an equal rights ordinance, following a campaign that alleged the ordinance would result in bathroom assaults.
It also worked in North Carolina, and in other states. North Carolina is facing backlash from across the country after passing a law that would require transgender people to use the bathrooms that correspond with the gender on their birth certificate, also after conservatives waged a similar campaign.
Playing to people’s fears, instead of relying on a fact-based argument, is a well-tried approach in politics. But in the battle for LGBT rights, it hasn’t worked in nine cities in West Virginia.
Charleston was the first city to enact an LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance. The ordinance passed unanimously in August of 2007. At the time, Mayor Danny Jones said, “Hopefully other cities will follow.”
See more at: www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20160417/west-virginia-now-has-9-cities-with-lgbt-inclusive-nondiscrimination-ordinances
It worked in Houston. That’s where social conservatives won their first battle using the bathroom predator myth, an argument that alleges allowing transgender people to use the restrooms that correspond with their gender identity would result in men putting on dresses, sneaking into women’s restrooms and sexually assaulting women and children. In November 2015, Houston residents voted 61 percent to 39 percent against an equal rights ordinance, following a campaign that alleged the ordinance would result in bathroom assaults.
It also worked in North Carolina, and in other states. North Carolina is facing backlash from across the country after passing a law that would require transgender people to use the bathrooms that correspond with the gender on their birth certificate, also after conservatives waged a similar campaign.
Playing to people’s fears, instead of relying on a fact-based argument, is a well-tried approach in politics. But in the battle for LGBT rights, it hasn’t worked in nine cities in West Virginia.
Charleston was the first city to enact an LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance. The ordinance passed unanimously in August of 2007. At the time, Mayor Danny Jones said, “Hopefully other cities will follow.”
See more at: www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20160417/west-virginia-now-has-9-cities-with-lgbt-inclusive-nondiscrimination-ordinances