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Friday, October 14, 2005

Ind. Gov't. - Marion County prosecutor "OKs hiring policy on gays"

"Brizzi OKs hiring policy on gays: Following governor's lead, prosecutor formalizes practice of not discriminating" is the headline to this lengthy front-page story in today's Indianapolis Star, by Brendan O'Shaughnessy. Some quotes:

Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi has approved a formal employment policy within his office prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation -- the same move that plunged Gov. Mitch Daniels into hot water with social conservatives.

Brizzi said Thursday his office has followed the anti-discrimination practice for as long as he could remember but finally put it into writing soon after the governor adopted a similar policy for state employees earlier this year.

After the City-County Council defeated a countywide measure banning such discrimination in April, Brizzi said it seemed like the right time to amend his policy to reflect the practice.

"My personal philosophy is that we don't discriminate," said Brizzi, a rising star in the GOP. "We put it in writing because it became an issue. Literally, nothing has changed."

Advocates for a countywide anti-discrimination ban are pointing to Brizzi's and Daniels' policies as they lobby for another vote by the council. Some movement among a few members has given the issue new life.

For background on the unsuccessful Marion County effort, see these ILB entries: 4/26/05 ("Indy Council rejects plan to protect rights of gays") and 9/19/05 ("Advocates seek to revive proposed gay-bias ban").

Today's Star includes the text of the Brizzi policy:

"It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of the Marion County prosecutor to offer equal employment opportunities to persons regardless of race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability or disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran status except when age, sex or physical requirement is a bona fide occupational qualification or as provided by law. All persons will be treated equally with respect to hiring, upgrading, promotion and transfer."
Here is the text of the thus-far unsuccessful Indianapolis-Marion County Proposal 68.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on October 14, 2005 08:29 AM
Posted to Indiana Government | Indiana Law