A motion for an ordinance establishing a Human Relations Authority could be removed from this week’s Butler City Council agenda if progress is made on a compromise.
Councilwoman Kathy Kline requested the motion be added to the agenda for city council’s regular October meeting on Thursday. However, Kline hopes representatives both for and against the measure will commit to work together at tonight’s agenda-setting meeting.
“It’s not something that I want to decide, it’s something that those who are for and those who are against have to decide,” Kline told our newsroom during an interview Monday. “If they are willing to continue to talk through the language and have one more meeting, I’m comfortable with pulling my motion and not yet voting on it on Thursday.”
If a Human Relations Authority is formed, the group would look to ensure all city residents and business owners are in compliance of an anti-discrimination ordinance that was originally created by the group PFLAG, which stands for Parents, Friends, and Family of Lesbians and Gays.
The ordinance was initially rejected by council in 2011 but was brought back up this summer after the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Florida. Religious leaders and business owners are worried the ordinance will infringe upon their freedom of religion, while those in favor insist there are clauses in places that protect religious freedom.
Kline believes the main point of contention between those in favor of the ordinance and those opposed is a lack of clarity regarding facility accommodations.
“We know how the law can be interpreted,” Kline said. “Someone can take a simple little phrase and twist it and get it to what they want to say. Let’s take that guesswork out. Let’s work on that wording.”
If people of opposing viewpoints on the ordinance cannot come to an agreement to continue meetings to reach a compromise, Kline said she will leave her motion on Thursday’s agenda and there will be a vote.
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