Cleveland Stonewall Democrats Congratulates Cleveland City Council for its Unanimous Passage of Transgender Protection

Cleveland - At 7:44 this evening the Cleveland City Council approved an ordinance protecting the employment, housing and public accommodation rights of transgendered individuals in the City. The unanimous vote was met by enthusiastic applause within Council Chambers.

Cleveland Stonewall Democrats Vice President for Political Strategy, Robert Rivera commented, "This is an historic and proud moment for the City of Cleveland and for Stonewall Democrats. Every one of our endorsed candidates not only voted for the ordinance, but took it upon themselves to play significant leadership roles in driving the ordinance toward passage."

Foremost among those Councilmen were Jay Westbrook [D-18] and Joe Cimperman [D-13], both of whom spoke in favor of passage before the vote was taken. Councilman Westbrook pointed out that "when the Mayor signs this into law tomorrow, the full weight of the City of Cleveland will be standing with . . . those who have experienced the hard hand of discrimination." Councilman Cimperman then rose and declared that this is a "fundamental issue of human rights" and although the legislation may be imperfect, it is a big step toward full equality. "We will continue to make this a city that welcomes everyone."

John Farina, Stonewall Democrats Vice President for Fundraising was asked about the unanimity of the vote and responded that "we ve worked hard to elect candidates who support equality and this past election proved to them that voting in favor of the Domestic Partner Registry had no effect on their re-election bids."

Cleveland Stonewall Democrats is particularly proud of the relationships that have been forged over the years with our endorsed candidates and look forward to building on this great moment with the other members of Cleveland City Council, as well.

Stonewall Democrats is also grateful for having the opportunity to work together with the following organizations for the successful passage of this historic legislation: TransFamily of Cleveland, the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Service Center of Greater Cleveland, Ask Cleveland, Equality Ohio, and the Cleveland Chapter of the ACLU.

The ordinance to protect transgendered people was introduced a year ago. Since that time 98 transgendered people lost their lives because of their gender identity. Cleveland Stonewall Democrats is proud to have enthusiastically supported the legislators who, tonight, made good on their campaign promises to do all within their elected powers to bring equality to the City of Cleveland.