LGBT Community Working on Nondiscrimination Initiative
By: Melinda Barrett
Updated: January 21, 2013
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) A statewide campaign is spreading the word about LGBT discrimination, and they made a stop in St. Joseph to help strengthen their core.
"Trying to get LGBT nondiscrimination, in the workplace, employment and in housing here in Missouri," said Monica Nelson, Missourians for Equality, co-founder.
Because discrimination against race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry and age is already prohibited, and Missourians for Equality are wanting to expand the states nondiscrimination policy to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
"We just feel like that's an inherent thing that they can't change, and they deserve to be who they are, and still be able to get jobs, and housing just like anyone else," said Nelson.
Missourians for Equality was founded in July of last year, and are working to bring equality to the LGBT community by putting the initiative on the ballot in November of 2014.
They are hosting five kick-off events throughout the state to get the word out and move forward with the policy.
"Simply because it's human rights, it's equality, it's about being fair," said the event organizer, Melody Patton.
Melody Patton organized an event in St. Joseph to introduce people to Missourians for Equality and help get more people on board, because she feels it's necessary for future generations.
"Basically because I'm a mother, and the laws as they stand, there is discrimination, there's a whole class of people who aren't protected. I don't want to have to take the chance my children having to face that sort of discrimination later," said Patton.
And with her efforts, she plans to help accumulate the nearly 100,000 signatures needed to get this issue on the ballot.
"I plan on petitioning the community for signatures and helping to train others to do the same, and just help make people aware of the issues and help educate. Basically, how can loving somebody be wrong," said Patton
"Trying to get LGBT nondiscrimination, in the workplace, employment and in housing here in Missouri," said Monica Nelson, Missourians for Equality, co-founder.
Because discrimination against race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry and age is already prohibited, and Missourians for Equality are wanting to expand the states nondiscrimination policy to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
"We just feel like that's an inherent thing that they can't change, and they deserve to be who they are, and still be able to get jobs, and housing just like anyone else," said Nelson.
Missourians for Equality was founded in July of last year, and are working to bring equality to the LGBT community by putting the initiative on the ballot in November of 2014.
They are hosting five kick-off events throughout the state to get the word out and move forward with the policy.
"Simply because it's human rights, it's equality, it's about being fair," said the event organizer, Melody Patton.
Melody Patton organized an event in St. Joseph to introduce people to Missourians for Equality and help get more people on board, because she feels it's necessary for future generations.
"Basically because I'm a mother, and the laws as they stand, there is discrimination, there's a whole class of people who aren't protected. I don't want to have to take the chance my children having to face that sort of discrimination later," said Patton.
And with her efforts, she plans to help accumulate the nearly 100,000 signatures needed to get this issue on the ballot.
"I plan on petitioning the community for signatures and helping to train others to do the same, and just help make people aware of the issues and help educate. Basically, how can loving somebody be wrong," said Patton
