Jax ministers talk HRO referendum with Mayor Lenny Curry

In the wake of the Community Conversations on the Human Rights Ordinance, Lenny Curry has been in the process of meeting with the business community and the faith community. The latter conclave between Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and local ministers on Friday morning was marked as a “private meeting” on Curry’s public schedule.

But it dealt with a public subject: the expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance to the LGBT community.

The matter already has two active bills in City Council: the referendum measure introduced by Bill Gulliford on Wednesday, and the traditional measure filed by Tommy Hazouri on Thursday.

Many pastors who oppose expansion of the HRO on various grounds have come to advocate a referendum, led by Kenneth Adkins, who notably called Councilman Hazouri “demon-possessed” after we reported that his bill was introduced.

Demon possession wasn’t the subject of the meeting Adkins and other pastors had with Curry, but the HRO referendum was.

Curry, Adkins said, is not committing to the referendum.

“He is listening, reflecting, thinking, and praying about the best way to move our City forward,”  Adkins said.

Meanwhile, if the HRO passes, the church community is committed to moving forward with a ballot measure, said Adkins, who adds that their numbers are strong and diverse.

“Since it only takes about 25,000 to appeal it, there were pastors in the room representing 30,000 members in their flocks. That was the message given to the Mayor,” Adkins said.

Adkins described the ministers as “leading pastors from both black and white churches” who have pledged support for the Gulliford referendum.

As well, Adkins fleshed out another claim he has made in recent days: pressure on pastors not to participate in a pro-referendum news conference.

“Fred Newbill did disclose to the group and to the Mayor that it was Tommy Hazouri who tried to pressure him into not attending a news conference,” Adkins said.

Hazouri’s office denied that happened.

Newbill, who spoke at Curry’s inauguration and chaired a committee during the Curry administration’s transition period, was the point man at a Dec. 10 news conference calling for a ballot measure on HRO expansion.

Meanwhile, the mayor’s office reiterated, via statement, Curry’s previously stated position.

“The mayor is not committing to any position. As he stated at the final Community Conversation, his learning continues, which includes meetings with persons who have made requests, reviewing feedback cards, resource materials, etc.,” spokeswoman Marsha Oliver said.

In an email to staff this week, Curry told them they did a “great job on the Community Conversations,” suggesting that he’s comfortable with the process thus far.