Supporters of SOGI ordinance outline campaign plan

A petition seeking to overturn Springfield's expanded nondiscrimination ordinance has yet to be certified, but a plan to defend the new protections already is in motion.

City Council voted 6-3 on Oct. 13 to approve the ordinance, which makes it illegal to refuse someone a job or deny them housing or publicly-available services based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Opponents, including some operating as a group called Springfield Citizens United, vowed to repeal the bill and have submitted more than 2,500 signatures in an effort to force a public vote.

Monday, about 150 supporters of the bill gathered to hear about plans for a political campaign to defend the ordinance if it goes to the ballot in April.

The campaign committee, organized under the name One Springfield, is in the process of registering with the Missouri Ethics Commission, according to Stephanie Perkins, deputy director of PROMO, a statewide advocacy group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality.

But Perkins said the group already has commitments for $5,000 each in funding from the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of the Ozarks and Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays of the Ozarks. PROMO has committed to donating $10,000, Perkins said, along with an additional $10,000 of in-kind support, which could come in the form of staff time or materials.

"These are all significant amounts for these organizations that are committed to defending this ordinance," Perkins said, adding that she still expects to be outspent by those seeking to repeal the ordinance.

Perkins said much work remains to be done, but the plan being developed "will be a structured campaign."

Group member Kellie Rohrbaugh outlined some of that plan Monday. In addition to efforts targeting frequent voters and traditional campaign ads, the group plans to use social media, testimonials and letters to the editor to spread its message.

"It's stories that change people's hearts and minds," said Kathy Munzinger, president of PFLAG of the Ozarks. "It becomes personal."

Some opponents of the nondiscrimination bill have said it violates their religious freedoms by preventing them from operating a business according to their religious beliefs. Others have raised concerns that the law would allow sexual predators to use women's restrooms or have questioned whether discrimination against gay and lesbian residents actually occurs.

Perkins cautioned those in attendance Monday not to paint opponents with a broad brush. Although some of the opposition has come from people affiliated with local churches, "we have a lot of really great, LGBT-friendly churches in Springfield" as well, Perkins said.

Rohrbaugh reiterated the point: "Do not fall into the trap of believing that one church or another is for it or against it. ... Don't discount anyone."

Those in attendance Monday cited a range of reasons for becoming involved in defense of the ordinance.

"I'm a part of the community. I live in Springfield. I live here," said Dominiece Hoelyfield. "You can't get up and do your job without the basic protections afforded to everyone else but not to you."

Hoelyfield, who is black and a lesbian, plans to pitch in with fundraising, canvassing and other efforts and hopes "to reach out to other queer people of color and bring them to this forum."

J. Kent Martin said he thinks the group should stress the importance of the ordinance if the city hopes to attract national corporations and others that value a diverse workforce.

"If we want Springfield to thrive in the future, we have to do away with discrimination," he said.

Retired political science professor Ed Janosik compared the effort to adopt protections based on sexual orientation to earlier efforts to abolish slavery, give women the right to vote and protect the civil rights of African-Americans and other minorities.

"The interesting thing is the same damn people, the same frame of mind, are always saying 'No'," he said. "This is just another step."

Janosik, who is 96, will be 97 by the time the issue potentially goes to a vote in April.

"I can't go out and knock on doors anymore, but if they need a speaker anywhere I'm happy to do that," he said, adding that he plans to stump for votes at The Montclair, the retirement community where he lives.

"I know how to get people registered, help them request absentee ballots," he said.