“This commission will help move Howard County forward and will identify best practices to affirm members of the gay and transgender community; recommend initiatives to support LGBTQIA+ families and children; and advise us on policy and programs that impact our gay and transgender community, and on how to improve outcomes for underserved and at-risk members of the LGBTQIA+ population,” said County Executive Ball in his opening remarks in front of a crowd that included members of the LGBTQ Workgroup, county employees, members of the county’s Human Rights Commissioners and LGBTQ activists and allies as well as elected officials, representatives and candidates.
He added, “The Commission will support, plan, and help execute events, like PRIDE, to celebrate and affirm our community.”
The plan requires the approval of the county council and will be filed in July.
The commission will have the following responsibilities:
Besides County Executive Ball, speakers at the event included Yolanda Sonier, Administrator of the Office of Human Rights and Equity; Byron Macfarlane, Register of Wills; Bob Ford, Howard County Human Rights Commission; Jumel Howard, President of PFLAG- Howard County and community member Vicki Weiss Vivrette.
Later that evening, the George Howard Building was bathed in rainbow-colored lights
The texts of Calvin Ball’s remarks as well as those from some of the other speakers are shown below.
Good morning and
happy PRIDE!
That makes our work here even more important, to serve as a beacon and a model for other
* Recommend initiatives to support
LGBTQIA+ families and children; and
* Advise us on policy and programs that
impact our gay and transgender community, and on how to improve outcomes for
underserved and at-risk members of the LGBTQIA+ population.
–Dr. Calvin Ball, County Executive
Today is a great day for Howard County’s LGBTQIA+ community and,
indeed, for everyone who calls this county home. We’re here to celebrate the
introduction of legislation that will give our community a permanent seat at
the table and connect us in a lasting way with those who control the levers of
government in our county whose decisions have a direct impact on our lives.
Every day, our community evolves and grows. We discover new ways to understand ourselves and embrace living lives of honesty, authenticity, and happiness. This is all our community has ever wanted – a chance to seek a life of fulfillment and love without anyone putting barriers in our way. But as the rainbow coalition of queer people grows, as we gain allies among our families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers, there are forces at work, using more extreme tactics and rhetoric to hold us back.
But this is not Texas. This is not Carroll County. This is Howard
County. Today, we are saying loud and clear that queer voices will be heard, we
will have our say in our government, and we will have a seat at the table. We
are sending a message, especially, to our young people, who need now more than
ever to hear from those of us in positions of leadership, that we see them and
will do everything we can to give them a safe, healthy, and nurturing
environment to grow and achieve their potential.
I’ve always been proud to be a lifelong Howard Countian. But I’m
especially proud today. Thank you to our County Executive for making this
timely commitment – both as we celebrate Pride Month, and as we see rising
hateful rhetoric in our country and in our county – and I am calling on all
five members of our County Council to pass this legislation unanimously, in a
bipartisan way, to make it absolutely clear that here, in this special place, every
life has value and meaning, and yes, love trumps hate.
I’m honored to be here today and to serve as this county’s first openly LGBT+ elected official. I may be the first, but I certainly will not be the last.
–Byron Macfarlane, Register of Wills and first openly LGBTQ+ person to be elected in Howard County
I am a commissioner on
the Howard County Human Rights Commission, a member of COVE—the Coalition Opposing
Violence and Extremism—and a member of the County Executive’s LGBTQ Workgroup.
We have recently
witnessed a disturbing and alarming uptick in anti-LGBTQ legislation and
incidents around the country. From a failed attempt to disrupt a Pride
celebration in Idaho, to storming into a drag queen storytelling session in
California, to over 200 bills in state legislatures aimed at stripping the
rights of LGBTQ people especially trans kids—these are wake-up calls.
Moreover, at one
political party’s convention in Texas this past weekend, language was added to
their platform that “homosexuality is an abnormal lifestyle choice” and that party
opposes “all efforts to validate transgender identity.”
To be clear, Howard
County is not immune to anti-LGBTQ hate. As a commissioner on the Human Rights
Commission and Chair of the Hate Bias Committee, I’ve been made aware of an
increasing number of hate bias incidents. Unfortunately, privacy restrictions
prevent me from discussing them.
A welcoming sign that
featured a rainbow was chopped down and stolen from a Clarksville church.
The LGBTQ+ community
has made progress over the years but because of these distressing actions we
seem to be slipping back to the 1970s and 80s.
And lately the far right is using the word “groomers” to stoke more fear
of LGBTQ+ people. This rhetoric leads directly to the increase of hatred and
bullying in our schools and elsewhere, suicide as well as violence. We must be
ready to thwart these efforts and call out hate when we see it.
An LGBTQIA+ Commission
in Howard County would serve as a watchdog for these homophobic and transphobic
actions. We would inform the county government of the needs of the LGBTQ community
and make recommendations to the County Executive and Council for action if feasible.
Having an LGBTQ+ focus
as part of the county’s government would raise awareness and would hopefully
lead to measures to stem the tide of hate and inequality. Thank you.
–Bob Ford, Member of the Howard County Human Rights Commission
My name is Becki, and
I am married to my wife Kirsten. We live in Elkridge and together with our
co-parents raise two young boys and a rising college freshman. I am honored to
serve on this commission, alongside several other community members and friends
who have bravely advocated for the LGBTQ community, long before I ever came
out, and often in the face of significant hate and discrimination.
What I hope to bring
to the work of this commission is my perspective as a woman, who is married to
another woman, and is parenting children in a blended family. What I hope to
elevate is a better understanding that our identities as parents are not just
about our sexual orientation, but sexual orientation is a key piece of our
identity that should be recognized.
It is about teaching
our children that love is love, that everyone deserves to give and receive
love, and that they deserve to hear and read stories about families that look
just like theirs. That our family should never feel ashamed for being proud of
who we are.
Having grown up in a
community that was not accepting or affirming, I know how important these
messages are to our youth and neighbors. I hope this commission can bring folks
together from all walks of life and encourage meaningful dialogue and progress.
Thanks again to everyone who worked so hard to make this possible. I look
forward to serving with you.
–Becki Weiss Vivrette, Community Member
____
In the LGBTQ
community, there is a sense of labeling us as other, but that’s not always
true. We’re your students and your teachers. We’re business owners, family
members, and friends. We’re in the community that you live in as well.
A community like Howard County being able to provide the resources and support for people in the LGBTQ community to build that table and have this Commission and share what our actual concerns are with the community – rather than have the community decide what to deal with regarding us – it’s a very different feeling and a very positive feeling.”
– Jumel Howard, President of PFLAG Howard County.
____
As we close, Howard County prides itself on embracing people from all walks of life and treating them with dignity, respect, fairness and humanity. However, there is still progress to be made.
This was highlighted through the work of the LGBTQ+ Workgroup on ways that Howard County can improve.
Personally, Working alongside the group
taught me so much about the diverse needs of this non-monolithic community and
I can say I’ve become a better ally and advocate.
The Office of Human Rights and Equity offers year-round workshops about Humanity and Activism, and we often hear from the community “I want to take action. But I don’t know where to begin.” And What can I do to be a better ally? Well, here are a few steps you can take:
* Be inclusive. Don't make assumptions
* Honor people’s chosen pronouns.
* Believe and embody a spirit that all people should be treated equally, with dignity and respect.
* Lastly, support this important legislation to ensure the voices of all our residents are being heard, feel welcomed, protected and have equitable opportunities
–Yolanda Sonnier, Office of Human Rights and Equity Administrator
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| Photo courtesy of Howard County Government |
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