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Social Action - City of Plano Equal Rights Ordinance

Events

#PlanoERO: Rev. Patrick Price and Vicki Verinder Speak at Plano City Council Meeting - 2/23/2015 see: LINK

Congregation Passes Resolution Supporting Plano Equal Rights Ordinance see: LINK

Community UU Church Hosts Interfaith Press Conference in Support of Plano's Equal Rights Ordinance see LINK

Background

On December 8, 2014, the Plano City Council updated the City's Non-Discrimination Ordinance to include additional groups of people as deserving protection against discrimination in public accommodations, housing, employment, city contracting and from unlawful intimidation, retaliation and coercion in the city of Plano. From the ordinance:

"Public Policy Declaration. It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the City of Plano, Texas that all persons subject to its jurisdiction should enjoy equal human rights and that discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, familial status or United States military/veteran status, is detrimental to the peace, progress and welfare of the city."

The ordinance provides for exemptions for 1) religious, political, non-profit and private club organizations, 2) educational institutions, 3) U.S. and Texas governmental bodies and 4) employers of less than 15 employees. It also provides for 1) gender-specific restrooms, locker rooms, dressing rooms, etc., 2) a waiver provision and process and 3) complaint, investigation and conciliation processes.

To see the full text of the Plano Equal Rights Ordinance, follow link to "Ordinance No. 2014-12-7" in the Plano Municipal Code & Ordinances, December 2014.
Also, more information can be found on the City of Plano's Equal Rights Ordinance page (including FAQ's) at: www.Plano.gov/ERO.

Opposition

Plano Citizens United (www.planoequalrights.com) is a group that was formed to oppose the ordinance. They have submitted over 7,000 signatures on a petition to rescind the current Plano Equal Rights Ordinance. The validity of the signatures are currently being certified by the City of Plano. If at least 3,822 signatures are validated, the City Council will decide to either accept or reject the petition. If accepted, the council will then either 1) place the issue on the May election ballot or 2) rescind the current Equal Rights Ordinance.

City Council Action

The Plano City Council is scheduled to formally certify the petition signatures and possibly take other actions at their regular meeting, Monday evening, February 23rd beginning at 7:00 pm at Plano City Hall.

What Can I do to Support the Ordinance

 Name  Title  Email
 Harry LaRosiliere  Mayor
 mayor@plano.gov
 Lissa Smith  Mayor Pro Tem - Place 4  lissasmith@plano.gov
 Ben Harris  Deputy Mayor Pro Tem - Place 2  benharris@plano.gov
 Pat Miner  Council Member, Place 1  patminer@plano.gov
 Andre' Davidson  Council Member, Place 3  adavidson@plano.gov
 Jim Duggan  Council Member, Place 5  jimduggan@plano.gov
 Pat Gallagher  Council Member, Place 7  patgallagher@plano.gov
 David Downs  Council Member, Place 8  daviddowns@plano.gov
  • Attend the February 23rd City Council meeting. Please wear RED to the meeting to show solidarity with the Ordinance.
  • Write a letter to the editor of Piano Star Courier: editorial@starlocalmedia.com
  • Write a letter to the editor of Community Impact Newspapers (note, they do not publish letters per se but may use quotes or call for follow up on related stories): kwadsworth@impactnews.com, llibby@impactnews.com
  • Write a letter to the editor of the Dallas Morning News: www.dallasnews.com/opinion/send-a-letter
  • LIKE these pages on Facebook: People in Support of the Equal Rights Policy of Plano TX, Plano Citizens for Equality and Gay & Lesbian Alliance of North Texas.
  • If you are a Plano citizen, confirm your voter registration status or register to vote 30 days prior to the May 9th election.
  • Talk to your friends and neighbors using the information from presented at the Special Congregational Meeting.
  • Become a Deputy Voter Registrar: Go to Collin County Elections Office 2010 North Redbud Boulevard, McKinney, TX 972-547-1990
  • Organize and participate in registering voters.
  • Organize and participate in Get Out The Vote (GOTV) activities.
  • Send a high res photo with a short statement supporting the ordinance to the North Texas Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GALA) at photos@galantx.org
  • Collect and send photos from supporting business, faith and community leaders to GALA also at photos@galantx.org
  • Join GALA on April 13 at Freedom Advocacy Day in Austin sponsored by Equality Texas.

If the issue is approved by City Council put on the ballot, a PAC will be formed by supporters of the Equal Right Ordinance. There will be opportunities to volunteer your time and resources as the process progresses. Look to future Community Church communications or website for information updates.

To get the latest updates on this important issue or for more information email our Social Action Committee at: uusinaction@communityuuchurch.org

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