Hammond Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr. has announced that the Hammond City Council will consider an ordinance amending section 34.231 of the Hammond Municipal Code pertaining to the addition of sexual orientation and gender identity to the powers and duties of the Hammond Human Relations Commission. This amendment, sponsored by Councilwoman at Large Janet Venecz, will be on the agenda for the May 22, 2017 Hammond City Council meeting.
Under section 34.321 (A) The Commission is to: (1) Study the relationships between persons of various races, sexes, gender identities, sexual orientations, creeds, abilities and nationalities within the City of Hammond, and to advise and assist the various departments of the City in matters involving relationships between the groups to the end that discrimination will not exist in the City; (3) Study, investigate and take action in regards to any condition having an adverse effect upon relations between persons of various races, sexes, gender identities, sexual orientations, creeds, abilities and nationalities; 5) Solicit the cooperation of the various racial, ethnic, disabled, LGBTQIA, woman’s rights and religions groups within the community in order to improve the quality of communications and understanding within the community; (2) (4) (6) (7) and (8) will remain the same.
“This ordinance was last amended in 1986,” stated Mayor McDermott. “Since then, we have worked diligently to ensure that the rights of all our residents are protected regardless of their sex, race, religion, abilities, sexual orientation or gender identity. The City of Hammond is a welcoming city that will not tolerate discrimination against any person or group.”
The Hammond Human Relations Commission was created in 1970 to assist in the elimination of discrimination in the city. The Commission consists of 9 members appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council.