What is Fair Pocatello?
Fair Pocatello is the campaign dedicated to defeating Proposition One, the ballot measure designed to repeal Pocatello’s Non-Discrimination Ordinance. The people behind the campaign believe that all residents should be treated fairly and equally by the laws of the city. Voting NO is the right thing to do because it protects the basic freedoms and makes sure this continues to be the case.
According to Idaho law, it’s currently legal to fire someone or deny them housing simply because they are gay or transgender. That’s why in Pocatello they took matters into their own hands and passed an ordinance that ensures every honest , hardworking person in the city has the opportunity to earn a living and provide for their family.
Connie Stopher
As individuals we all have the right to feel safe, accepted, and loved, especially in our own communities. When people are treated with fairness and kindness, everyone benefits. When people are treated with hate and cruelty everyone suffers. I whole heatedly support the nondiscrimination ordinance because I want to live in a community where everyone can live without the fear of persecution for simply being who they are.
I moved to Pocatello about 15 years ago. I’ve lived in many places and Pocatello is where I choose to call home. I’m married with two dogs, a graduate of ISU, and love it here.
Diane Michel
I am the blessed mother of a lesbian. When we relocated to Idaho, she had not come out to us yet. She started high school as a transplanted 11th grader who needed to adjust to many changes quickly. She had a rough first year and was taunted by her classmates at times and struggled with depression. She left Idaho to go out of state to college after graduation.
The nondiscrimination ordinance is invaluable in keeping our bright, motivated young people of Idaho in Idaho. For that to happen, they need to feel they have opportunities that are fair and equal, and they need to feel safe.
In addition to being a parent and community member, I am a licensed professional counselor. I have had numerous experiences with teens and adults who have been harassed because of their sexual orientation, perceived orientation or gender identity. They often live in fear of what will happen next. It’s heartbreaking and unnecessary. The non-discrimination ordinance is a positive step towards the changes that need to occur in our city and state to ensure non-discrimination.
Kevin Lish, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF
Our family moved to Pocatello in 1967 in time for me to begin 1st grade. I have always been extremely proud to live in Pocatello and have the opportunity to complete my education here graduating from Poky in 1980, as did my Dad in 1957. Pocatello has always been a welcoming and fair community to attend school, work, raise a family and live. When our Nondiscrimination Ordinance passed last June, I was again proud of Pocatello doing the right thing to make sure all Pocatellians have the same rights. As I think about my last 46 years living here the passage of this ordinance is completely in line with the proud history that is Pocatello.
I also knew how important it was to our LGBT community, which I am a proud member. In 1997, over several months, I experienced a problem in the work place. A corporate jet was fueled and a HR team came to Pocatello to support me and stop the unfair treatment. Not all Pocatellians work for a Fortune 500 company that can fuel a corporate jet, but all Pocatellians deserve the same rights provided by our Ordinance. Please join me in voting NO May 20th.
Ron Gallegos
I moved to Pocatello in the mid-70s and at that time diversity was non-existent. I had difficulty being excepted by most but not all employees. My future was in the hands of individuals that had not worked with somebody of a different color. I left the company that I had worked for 16 years; I had lost hope of ever advancing.
Diversity is coming to Idaho; in fact it has already arrived. I am in favor of treating everyone with the respect and compassion they deserved. We as a state most recognize that we are behind the times. It’s only a matter of time before this state will be forced to catch up with the rest of the company. Why wait?
Bill Lynn, Bannock Co. Sheriff, Ret.
As the retired Sheriff of Bannock County, it is with a great deal of pride in our community and a strong belief in the important work that Fair Pocatello is undertaking that I lend my strongest possible endorsement to Fair Pocatello. As Fair Pocatello works with all fair minded people to address the issues in Pocatello’s Proposition 1 which is designed to repeal Pocatello’s Non-Discrimination Ordinance, we must call upon each other to vote “no”. We have worked too hard and have come too far to let this measure pass.
After having served as a law enforcement officer for over 35 years prior to my retirement, I have seen discrimination in every shape and form. I have also seen that when an individual or a group takes a proactive role in an effort to stop discrimination, the results from those wanting to continue down the same old road use the same scare tactics we are hearing now. We often hear those opposed quoting only carefully selected passages from the Bible or other works, and turning a deaf ear to other passages in those same works that calls on all of us to love, understand, and embrace our brethren, even when we have differences.
I urge every citizen of Pocatello to join with Fair Pocatello as we prove to everyone that discrimination in any form is not what Pocatello believes in. Together we will make a difference.
Susan Matsuura
That was my reaction – fear. Please, please, tell no one. As the mother of a gay child, this is what I told my son. What are my fears? Someone, somewhere will treat him badly, hurt him, humiliate him, scorn him. This is why I support the nondiscrimination ordinance in Pocatello. I want our city to be a welcoming place for all people, and I want the fear to go away.
As a mother, I often transfer the love for my child to concern for all those who are like him or in a similar situation. Their mothers must have comparable feelings. I am not so naive to think a change in laws will change the hearts of people, but history has shown that a change in laws precedes a change in attitudes.
Abby Jensen
I was born and raised in Pocatello, but moved away right after high school. I’ve returned to Idaho many times since then, but I’ve avoided Pocatello because I fear how I will be treated because I am a trans woman. I would like to return someday knowing that the law protects me and, even more importantly, that the people of Pocatello value fairness and equality.
Chris Cole
I support the nondiscrimination ordinance because it’s nobody’s business who I love off the clock. As a TV journalist, it’s not right that I should be afraid to be in public with my partner, and it’s not right that I should be afraid I will get fired if anyone finds out who I spend my time with after work. Why should my quality of work be determined by who I choose to share my life with?
I got valuable insight as a member of the media, reporting on the ordinance hearings. I learned there are far too many people in this city afraid every day for something others should have no say about.
I am often afraid to speak out on this issue. I’m afraid viewers will harass me (or worse) or submit their opinions of me to our station, but I am most afraid others will not see that it gets better. There is a great support system in Pocatello. If one person sees me making a difference, even while I’m feeling endangered in a high-profile position, it’s worth it.
Thanks You!
Are you interested? Write here:
contact@fairpocatello.com