EASTON, Pa. – At its Thursday night meeting, Northampton County Council appointed 12 individuals to its new human relations commission for one-, two- and three-year terms. The human relations commission was created through legislation on March 19. Included in that ordinance was an extension of non-discrimination protections.
The ordinance makes it illegal to discriminate in employment, housing, health care, education and public accommodations based on protected classes. This includes race, religion, sex, veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity and domestic violence victim status.
The human relations commission will investigate discrimination allegations and impose possible penalties, such as fines or restitution. Thursday night’s action appointed the individuals to implement those non-discrimination protections.
Northampton County Council approved an ordinance that extends non-discrimination protections and creates a human relations commission.
Two Bethlehem residents — Sylvia Keverenge and Grace Crampsie Smith — were appointed for one-year terms, while Peter Hristofas and Victoria Opthof-Cordaro were appointed to two-year terms. The eight people who received three-year terms are Patricia Baranowski, Reginald Belon, Thomas Raymond Dubreuil, Arlene Ifill-Leon, Elena Kenney, Ron Moyer, Jessica Teel Sadler and Marc Singer.
Director of fiscal affairs
Another resolution approved county Executive Tara Zrinski’s appointment for director of fiscal affairs. Deborah Watlington will receive a $109,063 annual salary following an approved amendment.
Pride Month
Commissioners approved a resolution supporting LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
The resolution urges all Northampton County residents “to celebrate and build a culture of inclusiveness and acceptance” not only during June, but every month.
The resolution states that Pride Month raises awareness and provides support and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community and serves as opportunity for county residents to “become educated, engage in dialogue, strengthen alliances and build understanding.”
Although “remarkable progress toward acceptance and equality” has been made, the bill notes the LGBTQ+ community continues “to face discrimination, intolerance, and hate.”
This year marks the 57th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn uprising in New York, which occurred June 28, 1969. This uprising sparked the gay rights movement, according to the legislation.