Gender Identity and Expression

West Lafayette City Council voted 5-2 today to add Gender Identity and Expression to its Human Relations Ordinance! Hopefully this will push Purdue University forward on joining its peer institutions and its city.

Please, consider attending the Purdue Student Government meeting on this Wednesday, October 6th at 7:00pm in KRAN G18. A resolution urging Purdue University to add Gender Identity and Expression, as well as Genetic Information, will be voted on then. Also, please consider contacting your PSG Senator to support this resolution (contact information available at http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~psg/senators/).

Below is the Citizens for Civil Rights press release on the West Lafayette City Council's vote today.

Thank you,
Nicholas Goldsmith
President
Queer Student Union
Purdue University

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PO BOX 2461

West Lafayette, IN 47906

www.nlci.com/ccr

Press Release:  5. October 2010

CONTACT:  Randy Studt, Political Action Chair

gnwmann@aol.com / 765-532-2006 – cell

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 West Lafayette City Council Extends Civil Rights Protections


On Monday, October 4th, the West Lafayette City Council extended nondiscrimination protections based on gender identity, gender expression and veterans' status.  The measure sponsored by Council President Ann Hunt and Mayor John Dennis was approved five to two.

With this addition, West Lafayette joins Bloomington and Indianapolis in rejecting discrimination based on gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation.  Areas covered by the resolution include housing, employment and public accommodations. The change was proposed by the West Lafayette Human Relations Commission chaired by Charlie Shook.

West Lafayette HRC Chair Charlie Shook pointed out, "This was truly a community-wide effort.  We had very strong support from Councilor Hunt and the Mayor from the beginning. This again affirms that West Lafayette is an inclusive, safe and diverse community. "

Citizens for Civil Rights Political Action Chair Randy Studt stated, "I applaud the city council on taking a firm stand on behalf of nondiscrimination for all. "

In addition to the hard work of the West Lafayette Human Relations Commission, this measure was supported by a coalition of Citizens for Civil Rights, Pride Lafayette, the Greater Lafayette Chapter of PFLAG, ACLU-Indiana Greater Lafayette Chapter and the Purdue Queer Student Union.