(Wichita, KS)—
Civil rights protect us from discrimination when buying a home or applying for a job, but Wichita doesn't have a civil rights ordinance on the books.It was repealed more than a decade ago, now a local group wants it back. But they want the new ordinance to also include sexual orientation.
"Its time, its time for our community to recognize, honor and protect the diversity that we embody," said Reverend Jackie Carter, who's pushing for the ordinance change.
Carter was one of several people to speak out before Wichita City council members Tuesday, urging them to reinstate a city-wide civil rights ordinance.
"Wichita was on the forefront of the civil rights movement," Carter said. "We were one of those first six cities in Kansas that actually said its important that all people are viewed the same."
That city ordinance was established in 1977. It even included rights for sexual orientation, which was a unique move at the time. But it didn't last long. The sexual orientation designation was taken out a year later, and then the entire ordinance went away in 1999.
"Wichitans are very surprised that we don't have a civil rights ordinance, they think its always existed." said Kansas Equality Coalition Chair Kerry Wilks
No one on today's council was on the board in 1999. Still, members know the civil rights of Wichitans are already protected thanks to federal and state legislation.
"States override cities anyway and there is one that is on the books, and its a state ordinance." said Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer.
The Kansas Equality Coalition feels its not enough, and its pushing for sexual orientation to be included as well.
"In housing it does matter." Carter said. "More often than not people are told you just won't fit in our housing development or whatever it is."
The group is hopeful a change will happen in the near future.
Wichita City council members took no action on the issue. Some members did ask for more information about the history of the civil rights ordinance, and why it was repealed.
