Indie♥Ogden

I cry for Ogden at 9:49 AM

Last night i cried for Ogden. The mayor of Ogden vetoed an anti-discrimination bill on the grounds that it violated religious freedom. Well, i am here to say that discrimination violates our human rights, our rights to love and our rights to freedom of expression. No one should ever be turned away from a job, a place to live or any basic human rights because of their sexual orientation. If something like this is allowed to happen what's next? Ogden is the first city in Utah to fail to pass these ordinances, falling far behind the 11 other cities/municipalities which have already passed these protections.

The FBI Analyzed 14 years of hate crime data and found that gays and lesbians are more than twice as likely to be attacked in a violent hate crime as Jews or blacks; more than four times as likely as Muslims; and 14 times as likely as Latinos. Furthermore, hate crimes against gay people increase in the wake of anti-gay legislation and the FBI has found an increase in hate crimes in Utah. Recently young boys and girls who were bullied because of their sexual orientation have committed suicide all over the nation. I hope that we can all agree that when anyone is attacked, demonized or discriminated against it damages our hope for the a peaceful future.

Mayor Godfrey says “This is a colossal waste of our time,”. Well, i beg to differ and i hope you do to because protecting Ogden's citizens from discrimination should never be a waste of time . In this day in age we should be striving to be a more accepting, generous and loving society and this bill is only going to set us back. Freedom of religion should NEVER mean freedom to discriminate.

But hope is not lost there is still a little time to sway the decisions of Brandon Stephenson, Doug Stephens and Neil Garner. Call and email these men and tell them why discrimination is never okay.

Brandon Stephenson
Home Phone: 801-399-1419
Council Office: 801-629-8153
brandon@ogdenmunicipalward2.com

Doug Stephens
Home Phone: 801-393-9796
Council Office: 801-629-8153
Email: dougstephens@ogdencity.com

Neil Garner
Home Phone: 801-392-4075
Council Office: 801-629-8153
neilgarner@ogdencity.com

for info on gay hate crime statistics go HERE
Article on the rise of hate crimes in Utah HERE
Article on why FBI gay hate crime statistics don't add up HERE

Labels: anti-discrimination bill, gay rights, lgbt, mayor godfrey, ogden, ogden blog, ogden events, ogden utah, utah blog

Anonymous said on March 10, 2011

I sent them emails thanks for writing this

Amy Wicks, Ogden City Council, At-Large Seat C said on March 11, 2011

Thanks for posting this Mikki.
I love your blog.

There should be one small clarification- the mayor did not veto the two ordinances regarding discrimination in housing and employment based upon sexual orientation or gender identity. He indicated he would, before the Ogden City Council even had a chance to discuss them- but we DID pass them by a 4-3 vote. Once they land on his desk in a number of days he can choose to sign them or veto them as he has vowed to do. It would them be up to the Council to muster five votes to over ride his veto.

mama mouse said on March 11, 2011

thank you for the clarification! i just hope that the council can over ride his veto. but mostly i hope that he doesn't veto it at all.