MIAMI, Fla. (Sept.
4, 2002) – Miami-Dade County’s Human Rights
Ordinance, the target of a repeal effort by a small coalition
of religious organizations, will be the subject of a panel discussion
at Florida International University on Thursday, Sept. 5.
Organized by FIU’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender
Concerns Subcommittee, the event will feature a range of panelists
speaking to the legal, ethical and historical aspects of the
ordinance. The panel discussion will take place just five days
before the county’s scheduled vote on the repeal.
“Some 40,000 students, faculty and staff cross our campuses
each day, most of them Miami-Dade County residents, and we feel
this is a valuable opportunity to give them more information
to consider as they vote on the Human Rights Ordinance approaches
on Sept. 10,” said Subcommittee Chair Kate Kominars. “It’s
important that everyone understand the issues behind this ballot
issue and the ramifications for a repeal for our residents,
our economy and our community.”
The panel moderator will be Dr. Ivelaw Griffith, dean of the
FIU Honors College.
Those scheduled to be part of the
panel include:
- The Hon. Greg Ulman, Miami Shores City Councilman
- Jorge Mursuli, executive director, People for the American
Way-Florida
- Heddy Peña, Co-Chair, No to Discrimination Campaign
- Jacqueline Baker, field coordinator, SAVE Dade
- The Rev. Donna Schaper, Coral Gables Congregational
The event, which is scheduled from Noon to 2 p.m., will be held
in Room 243 of the Graham Center Building and is free and open
to the public. For more information, call (305) 348-2434.