A.G. Gancarski
Given that many proponents of expansion of Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance were disappointed that the most recent push toward HRO expansion ended up short of that goal, it’s interesting that the official position of the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality has been to laud the positive policy outcome from the debate: the Mayoral Directive, issued in January by Lenny Curry, which protects city workers and vendors.
That position, stated before, was reinforced in a Monday morning email in which the group “share[s] the language of the non-discrimination policy that has been released by the Mayor’s Office! For the first time the updated language from the City of Jacksonville’s Employees Services Anti-Harassment Policy and Complaint Procedure includes “sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.”
The email focuses on the incorporation of vendors in Curry’s departmental directive also:
It’s also important to note that, “These policies apply to all applicants, employees (regardless of employment category or status), or anyone representing the City of Jacksonville on business such as a volunteer, contract worker, or vendor.” That means all City of Jacksonville vendors, of which there are over 18,000, will be required to abide by this policy as well.
Many, including some directly linked with the JCE effort, say in private conversations that Mayor Curry’s moves don’t go far enough. The email has some language reflecting that position as well: “While this updated City policy will protect hundreds of LGBT citizens from discrimination at work, our work is definitely still not done. This is a good first step, but until all of our LGBT citizens in Jacksonville are protected from discrimination in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodations, our work will not be complete.”
With the HRO expansion likely on the backburner until the sales tax referendum, this email serves multiple functions. Rallying the troops is one. Declaring victory on a policy outcome is another.
In negotiating the waters of the HRO expansion, Curry has gotten pressure from individuals who support HRO expansion, to be sure, but organizationally the JCE has lauded Curry’s moves. This email is just another example of that strategy from the JCE, which seems to prioritize maintaining a relationship with the mayor’s office over a more pyrotechnic approach.
