Proposition 622 is now set to go before the full City-County Council for a final vote after a heated 5-3 vote in the Rules and Public Policy Committee on Tuesday night.  Monday, December 19th is the scheduled special hearing of the full City-County Council to vote on this proposal.

The controversial measure would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the Human Rights Ordinance, making discrimination illegal for employment and housing in Indianapolis and Marion County.Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts)Heated but controlled debate filled the nearly five hour committee hearing, chaired by Democrat Rozelle Boyd.  "There are many issues and concerns this evening," he stated after marking the fifth hour.

Opponents of the proposal failed to table Proposition 622 in the final moments of the committee hearing.  Ultimately, a 5-3 vote sent the controversial measure to the full council.

David Matthias expressed to the committee some of the frustration that members of the GBLT community are experiencing.  "I am disgusted that in this day and age we are here arguing for equal rights for all the people."

Matthias went so far as to declare, "if this proposition should somehow fail, that very day, I for one, will see to it that any employee of mine that I even suspect of being straight – no matter his or her job performance – will get a pink slip.  Every tenant of mine that I suspect of being straight will get an eviction notice."

Arguments were heated on both sides of the proposal.  Councilor Scott Schneider of District 4 was adamant in his opposition.  "I don't see the discrimination.  I don't believe it to be proven." 

December 15, 2005 has been set by Chairman of the City-County Council as the final vote and showdown for Proposition 622.  There is every indication that the final vote will be very narrow as some councilors have yet to make a firm stance on the proposal.