Vessel

As most of you already know, Ben Gray, had introduced an amendment to the City of Omaha’s employment non discrimination ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. The ordinance will apply to all employers with more than 6 employees and any business who contracts with the City.
 
The testimony at the public hearing last week before the City Council could not have gone any better.  Now that things seem to be moving in a very positive direction in terms of this amendment becoming a reality, there has been an increase in anti-gay sentiment voiced to the City Council.
 
It is imperative that the City Council hear from as many constituents as possible by either phone or email (or both).  Although, phone is preferred by the Council, please feel free to email as well.
 
When you contact the Council, please make sure that you express support for the inclusion of both orientation and identity and expression in the amendment and please include any story of employment discrimination you have experienced.
 
A district map can be located on the City Council’s website at: http://www.cityofomaha.org/citycouncil/images/stories/distmaps/council_060809.pdf.  If you don’t already know which Council member represents your district, please take a look at the map, so you can focus most of your attention on your Council member.
 
We’re all hoping for a unanimous vote, but that will require that all our voices to be heard.
 
You are also encouraged to write your Council member on behalf of any of your business interests at 1819 Farnam Street, LC-1, Omaha, NE 68183 or via fax at 444-5263.
 
The City Council Members by District are:
 
District #1: Pete Festersen
Pete.Festersen@ci.omaha.ne.us
444-5527
 
District #2: Ben Gray
Ben.Gray@ci.omaha.ne.us
444-5524
 
District #3: Chris Jerram
Chris.Jerram@ci.omaha.ne.us
444-5525
397-1898 (business #)

District #4: Garry Gernandt (Council President)
GGernandt@ci.omaha.ne.us
444-5522
 
District #5: Jean Stothert
Jean.Stothert@ci.omaha.ne.us
444-5528
 
District #6: Franklin Thompson
FThompson@ci.omaha.ne.us
444-5523
 
District #7: Tom Mulligan
Tom.Mulligan@ci.omaha.ne.us
444-5526
 
PLEASE CALL ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH, IF POSSIBLE, as the Council meets again on Tuesday afternoon and we need to make our rational presence known to overshadow the fringe anti-gay calls.
(Not my writing, email I received today)