STAR CITY — “Sometimes you just need to do the right thing,” said DeeDee McIntosh at the closing of the proposal she presented to Star City Town Council this week.
McIntosh, a Star City resident, stood during the special presentations section of council’s meeting to propose an ordinance to protect minority groups.
“I’m here to ask the council to consider, and hopefully adopt, an ordinance for non-discrimination against people similar to what the state has,” McIntosh said.
According to McIntosh, the state of West Virginia has human rights laws in place to protect several minority groups; however, residents of West Virginia are not protected from discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation or veteran status.
She asked that Star City adopt an ordinance that would offer town residents legal protection from discrimination, not only based on the factors addressed in the state law, but also from discrimination based on the aforementioned factors state law does not cover.
“People look to local governments first, before they look to the states,” McIntosh said.
She contended that it is pertinent for council to consider her proposal because, as of now, LGBTQ+ state residents are legally susceptible to firings, evictions and being denied service in businesses as a result of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
“It’s time to change that,” McIntosh said.
She also said her proposal is relevant to Star City economically.
“I know that we’re always looking for revenue sources for the town,” McIntosh said, “and this is an issue that many companies look at.”
McIntosh pointed out the growth the Star City area is experiencing.
“Legal discrimination sends the wrong signal to companies considering locating [here],” she said, “because they need to recruit the best, and they want their employees to be treated fairly and welcomed. We do that in Star City, so I want to make sure that it’s legally protected.”
McIntosh added that communities similar in size to Star City, such as Harper’s Ferry and Sutton, “have very enforceable, very complete ordinances which give protections [against discrimination]. I think it’s time we consider doing something like that.”
McIntosh told council the ordinance would provide protection at no expense to the town of Star City. She also clarified that the ordinance would not criminalize discrimination, but “it allows those people who may live in Star City … to have a legal right to be protected.”
The council decided the issue will be further discussed at a later ordinance committee meeting, but for the time being, changes to the personnel handbook will be made to include the updated terminology that McIntosh used in her presentation.
The alterations to the handbook will be added to the agenda and ruled on at the next Star City Town Council meeting on Feb. 11.
by Olivia Murray, For The Dominion Post
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