Ald. Schulter signs on to trans ordinance

By Gary Barlow

Staff writer

Influential North Side Ald. Gene Schulter (47th Ward) signed on last week as the third lead co-sponsor of a proposed Chicago ordinance to outlaw discrimination based on gender identity and expression.

Schulter's support, combined with that of the other two co-sponsors-Alds. Bernie Hansen (44th Ward) and Billy Ocasio (26th Ward)-boosts the proposal's chances for quick action in the City Council.

"I've been a big proponent of making sure that everyone is equally protected," Schulter said. "This is a privilege for me."

Miranda Stevens-Miller, political director of It's Time Illinois, the group leading the effort to pass the ordinance, said Schulter contacted ITI to tell them he wanted to help lead the push for City Council passage.

"He asked to come on as one of the lead sponsors," Stevens-Miller said. "We think it's really wonderful."

Schulter, whose ward includes much of heavily-GLBT Andersonville, said the ban on discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations is overdue in Chicago.

"We've gotten a few calls and emails in my office on the issue," he said. "We should be protecting people's civil rights."

Schulter said he's already begun lobbying for the bill at City Hall.

"I've got a call in to the mayor's office," he said. "We're assembling a kit of information for city council members and plan to get that out to them as soon as possible. Bernie, Billy and myself will be out bringing people up to speed."

Though Mayor Richard M. Daley has yet to take a public position on the proposal, Schulter said he expects the mayor's support. The mayor has indicated to Stevens-Miller and other advocates in the past that, in principle, he supports banning discrimination against transgendered people.

"I'm hopeful the mayor will be on board," Schulter said.

ITI has urged Chicagoans to write Daley in recent weeks to urge him to press for quick action on the proposal. Schulter said advocates could also help educate aldermen on the issue.

"I'm encouraging people to reach to their alderman," he said.

The measure is currently before the council's Human Relations Committee, chaired by Ocasio. Hearings have yet to be scheduled but Schulter indicated that he will press for action in the near future.

"We really want to get this out of the City Council as soon as possible," he said.