Here’s an important follow-up to my most recent post, on the subject of the anti-discrimination ordinance that passed yesterday in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The two conservative “pro-family” organizations mentioned in that post aren’t the only ones who think that this matter is so important that it ought to go before the voters. Indeed, the Lincoln Independent Business Association also holds this position. Here’s their statement:

The Lincoln Independent Business Association (LIBA) has not taken a position for or against the fairness ordinance which is scheduled for a City Council vote on May 14. However, we feel that putting the question on the ballot for a vote of the people would be appropriate.

Just a few days ago, Mayor Beutler encouraged Lincoln residents to take an online survey regarding the city budget, stating in a press release that “we need everyone at the decision-making table.” LIBA agrees with Mayor Beutler. Important city issues deserve everyone’s attention and input. The LIBA Board of Directors believes the fairness ordinance qualifies as one of these important city issues.

On May 7, a seven-hour public hearing on the fairness ordinance took place, which had approximately 100 people speak their minds on the ordinance. At the public hearing a clear public consensus did not exist. LIBA’s diverse membership has not come to a consensus on this issue either.

What seems more in line with building community consensus is that the fairness ordinance be put to a vote of the people. This approach would be more consistent with Mayor Beutler’s plan to move Lincoln forward with the input of all Lincolnites.

I post this here in its entirety because it is so horrific and idiotic that I wouldn’t want to be accused of only posting some of it or distorting it in any way.

Let’s think about this for just a second.

The ordinance adds lgbtq individuals to the list of those who cannot be discriminated against on the basis of who they are. As this organization points out in their own words in their own statement on their own website, it’s a “fairness ordinance.”

And they want to ask the voters to vote on whether or not fairness should be the law of the land in Lincoln, Nebraska because some people who spoke out about the issue didn’t reach a consensus on it. They attempt to mask how horrendous this sounds by disguising it in rhetoric about moving forward with everyone’s input and attaining community consensus. But their position, at bottom, is that it’s the voters who must ultimately decide whether or not fairness is acceptable.

I understand that some people don’t like lgbtq individuals; they don’t want them to get married, adopt children, live near them, work in their offices, or look at them on the street. They think they’re icky. They might not feel the same way about Latinos, or African-Americans, or Asians, or Jews, or Mormons, or Catholics, or whomever … but they also might. And the position of the Lincoln Independent Business Association is that a) this is perfectly fine and b) if enough people feel this way, then discrimination against minorities groups is not only acceptable but also the right course of action for the city.

Fairness, the LIBA believes, is really just whatever 51% of people say it is.

In their statement, they say they haven’t taken a position. But they clearly have … and it’s appalling.