The Human Rights Commission voted Thursday night to co-sponsor a picnic and provide an educational booth at a Gay Pride picnic June 5.
The vote appeared to be unanimous, with only commissioner Melissa Tjeerdsma abstaining. Another five of the 11 commissioners were absent, with Susan Barta arriving after the vote due to another commitment. Although Commission Chairman Monique Scarlett called for a voice vote, it wasn't clear that every member actually spoke. Scarlett said the vote passed.
The issue arose after AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer Don Drew said he had been approached at Sunday's "Faces of Siouxland" Multicultural Fair by several people asking if the commission would co-sponsor the picnic with Jones Street Station, a Sioux City bar. Karen Mackey, the commission's executive director, did not make a recommendation on co-sponsoring the event. The commission sponsored the fair.
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Complete article at Sioux City Journal : http://bit.ly/kmj843
