3/12/09

From Sara Van Wormer, Project Coordinator 

 

Speaking on behalf of MPIPP, I delivered a 10 minute presentation to Kalamazoo City Commission members and nearly 200 Kalamazoo citizens Monday night recommending that they adopt a local LGBT anti-discrimination ordinance. The presentation included multiple statistics about the mental health and medical consequences of discrimination as well as issues particular to the transgender population. The talk was well received and many attendees expressed interest in MPIPP and gratitude for the work done by the project. Special thanks to volunteers Mary Pelton-Cooper, Mary Wassink and Melissa Grey for their excellent contributions toward the Kalamazoo effort.

The Kalamazoo City Commission will continue to hear comments and concerns about the ordinance until March 26th. They offer this question to help guide feedback, “Should the proposed expansions of the city ordinance addressing discrimination be approved by the City Commission? Why or why not?”

You can send responses to questions@kalamazoocity.org or leave a voicemail message on the Anti- Discrimination Hotline, (269) 552-6089. You may use the following talking points when leaving feedback with the city:

Studies dating back to 1999, show that transgender people across the US experience high rates of verbal harassment, physical violence, and employment and housing discrimination

The UCLA School of Law found that between 16 to 68 percent of gay people have experienced unfair employment practices based solely on their sexual orientation

An average of 40% of transgender people have reported some kind of job discrimination: up to 56% were reportedly fired, 47% were denied employment, a third were harassed, and 1 in 5 were denied a promotion based on their gender identity

15 different studies showed that 40% of transgender people were unemployed, with one study reporting 72%: an average of 25% were denied housing, evicted or otherwise treated unfairly because of their identity and they experience disproportionate rates of homelessness and poverty

Research shows that discrimination has been connected to increased levels of tension, depression, anxiety, anger, sadness, hostility, decreased self-esteem, elevated blood pressure and other chronic health problems

Over 40% of the transgender population has experienced some form of physical abuse or violence, 80% have suffered verbal abuse or harassment, and almost half feel unsafe at any given time

Multiple studies have shown that up to two thirds are already struggling with high rates of substance abuse, depression and suicidal thoughts or attempts and one study showed that approximately 33% of all transgender youth have attempted suicide – for people who are already experiencing rejection by certain members of society, the impact can be, quite literally, life-threatening.

All law-abiding residents should be allowed to earn a living and not be harassed or hurt based on who they are

Nearly 90% of Americans believe someone should not be fired based only on their sexual orientation

And finally, MPIPP in the press:

Kalamazoo city commissioners listen to public input on plan to reinstate anti-discrimination ordinance
http://michiganmessenger.com/14504/kalamazoo-city-commissioners-listen-to-public-input-on-plan-to-reinstate-anti-discrimination-ordinance

Large Turnout for Debate Over City’s Controversial Gay Rights Ordinance
http://wkzonews.blogspot.com/2009/03/large-turnout-for-debate-over-citys.html
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Sara Van Wormer, Project Coordinator for MPIPP