ORDER-2015-72 : Amending Melrose Revised Ordinances, Ch. 15, Article X, Human Rights Commission, Sec. 15-50, Policy Statement as set forth herein.

Transcript (~4 min @ 11:55)

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▶ 11:50 Speaker 12: Yes. Yes.

▶ 11:57 Speaker 8: That Order passes.

▶ 11:59 Speaker 4: vocês. Ordinance 20-02-10-7. Ordinance 20- attended by Melrose Revised Ordinances Chapter 15, Article 10, Human Rights Commission Section 15-50 Policy Statement as set forth herein.

▶ 12:11 Speaker 1: This order was recommended for passage by the Legal and Legislative Committee.

▶ 12:16 Speaker 9: Motion for passage. Second.

▶ 12:18 Speaker 1: Alderman McAteer-Margolis moves for passage. The motion is seconded by Alderman Byrd. Is there discussion relative to this order? Alderman Medeiros.

▶ 12:28 Monica C. Medeiros: Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to point out that I had had some questions at the Legal and Legislative committee that were addressed to our city solicitor, Robert Van Campen. He has responded, and there is a memo that's been in IQM 2 for some time, but there was also some further clarification that he had sent via email, and that has been added to IQM 2, but it was recent. In particular, my question was for clarification about whether this proposed amendment would make any additional changes uh or is just consistent with the state law that has been that's existing and he um responds to alderman wright the chairman of legal and legislative frank i am attaching correspondence in an effort to clarify alderman Medeiros question to alderman Bird proposed amendment to section 15-50 of the code of ordinances in an effort to further clarify the contents of my letter please be aware that the amendments proposed by alderman bird are intended to reflect those changes which the legislature has made to a number of existing statutes in the area of gender identity and ensure that the policy statement of the human rights commission is consistent with what the legislature has previously passed have a good weekend rob i just want to point out that that's there i also just wanted to take a moment to say that as we consider this

▶ 14:04 Monica C. Medeiros: this, we are not just looking to add some new areas to protect, but also to reaffirm those that we already protect. And I just want to point out that this bit says in our code, and the proposed changes will read, this policy shall ensure equal opportunity to each person regardless of race, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital, family, or military status, source of income or disability, where unlawful discrimination exists in housing, employment, education, public accommodations, city services, insurance, banking, credit, and health care. And I just want to point out that these are all here and are equal in nature and that they all, and I'm sure we all agree, deserve to be upheld and protected, recognizing that there are some instances where, for instance,

▶ 15:06 Monica C. Medeiros: perhaps people who feel they need protection under say gender identity or gender expression some things may be in conflict with beliefs expressed through religious Creed and I just hope that we all feel free and everyone feels free to express their opinions and their beliefs equally so thank you thank you for the

▶ 15:43 Speaker 12: discussion relative to the order would you call the roll please yes yes yes yes