The Human Rights Ordinance in Irvine

I was reading the ballot arguments for and against Measure N in the Voter Information Pamphlet distributed by the Orange County registrar for Tuesday’s ballot. I find a clear distinction in the way the arguments are presented.

The city attorney’s impartial summary says that “this initiative would delete any references to sexual orientation (in the city’s Human Rights Ordinance).”

The argument for Measure N says the issue is special protections for homosexuals, not discrimination, and proceeds to give examples of how that’s true and reasons why the Human Rights Ordinance needs to be amended.

The argument against the measure signed by the City Council defending its ordinance tells me that the “people of Irvine” enacted this “nationally acclaimed Human Rights Ordinance.” I don’t know about you, but I didn’t vote for it.

The mayor tells me that a “handful . . . of extremists seek to destroy this ordinance.” Yet the press reports that 7,000 Irvine signatures qualified N for the ballot. Since when did 10% of the voters become a “handful of extremists?” Only 8,500 voters showed up at the last school board election.

Why does the City Council insist on name-calling rather than dealing with the issue as the city attorney outlined it? I would encourage everyone to read the arguments for and against and then let the mayor know how you feel on Tuesday.

LINDA HIGGINBOTTOM

Irvine