Sexism Rife at City Hall, Councilwoman Says : Government: Laura Chick says some of her colleagues passed around ‘dirty pictures’ and made off-color remarks.

Los Angeles Councilwoman Laura Chick Thursday called City Hall the “most sexist, good-old-boys work environment” she had ever been in and accused some of her male colleagues of passing around “dirty pictures and dirty cartoons” during council meetings.

Chick’s comments came during a speech at a luncheon honoring women police officers and in an interview shortly afterward. The luncheon was attended by Mayor Richard Riordan, Police Chief Willie L. Williams and several other top city officials.

Her speech drew isolated applause from 130 or so administrators, police commanders and others guests, some of whom praised Chick after the luncheon for her comments. About half the audience was women.

During her address, Chick told the women officers that she understands what it is like to work in “an arena that has traditionally and historically been one for men.” Chick is one of four women on the 15-member panel.

Her remarks caused a buzz among audience members, and Chick said: “Have I shocked you?”

During the interview, Chick said that in the two years she has been in City Hall, some of her colleagues have made her feel uncomfortable by making “off-color” jokes, passing “dirty pictures and dirty cartoons” and making condescending remarks during council meetings.

Chick said that on at least one occasion when a female council member stood to speak out against a proposal in the council chambers, a male council member was heard saying: “It must be that time of month again.” She declined to name any of the men.

Chick, who represents the West San Fernando Valley, suggested that all council members be required to take “gender sensitivity” training, similar to courses being given to top managers of the Los Angeles police and fire departments.

Some female and male council members, as well as female department heads, echoed Chick’s comments. But no one was willing to identify the men who they feel have perpetuated the “good-old-boys work environment.”

“She is absolutely right,” said Councilwoman Rita Walters, who has been on the council for four years and who attended the luncheon. “It’s very much the old-boys club.”

Walters said that even male department heads--her subordinates--have spoken to her and other female council members in condescending tones, indicating to her that they believe that “the issues that female council members espouse are . . . not serious issues.”

A top female city official who appears before the council on an almost regular basis agreed that the environment in City Hall has made her uncomfortable.

“There are many instances where the male members of the council have had better access to information than female members,” said the official, who asked not to be named.

But some city officials said the environment is not much different from any large business, and others said the atmosphere at City Hall is improving.

Councilwoman Ruth Galanter, an eight-year council veteran, described City Hall as “the most sexist work environment I’ve been in.” But she said it is reflective of the atmosphere in many places outside government.

“It’s a microcosm of society,” she said.

All of the women who complained about sexism at City Hall said it has not hampered them from accomplishing their goals. But most said it has made them work harder than their male counterparts.

Councilman Mike Hernandez said he understands the comments of Chick and others but believes that the problem has lessened with the influx of younger, more liberal council members. He said debate of sexual harassment and other gender-related issues has forced the council to confront the problem.

“I understand the comments,” he said. “I think there could be more sensitivity on the floor.”

Indeed, in the past three years, City Clerk Lee Martinez and Councilman Nate Holden have been accused by other city workers of sexual harassment. Both have denied any wrongdoing. Martinez was temporarily removed from his post, but was reinstated by the city’s Civil Service Commission in 1993. Holden faces a civil trial in January.

In an interview, Holden said he has not heard any sexist remarks made in the council chambers but believes that the sexist attitudes of some men are not as prevalent as they were many years ago.

He added that he believes female council members have an equal share of the power in City Hall because they each have one vote and each have been assigned to chair council subcommittees.

Holden also said male council members “have to be sensitive to the women or they won’t get their votes.”