Erie councilman Brzezinski suggests LGBTQ+ sanctuary city designation be put to voters
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Erie City Councilwoman Susannah Faulkner wants Erie to declare itself a sanctuary city for LGBTQ+ individuals.
A Faulkner-sponsored resolution on City Council’s Wednesday meeting agenda seeks to help make that happen.
But one of Faulkner’s City Council colleagues, Ed Brzezinski, has suggested that voters should decide whether that comes to fruition or not, via a ballot question.
Previous coverage: Councilwoman Susannah Faulkner, others pursue LGBTQ+ sanctuary city designation for Erie
A Brzezinski-sponsored resolution, also on Wednesday’s City Council agenda, requests that City Solicitor Ed Betza “explore the steps necessary to place Erie, Pa. as a sanctuary for LGBTQIA+ individuals and families on the ballot as a referendum allowing the electorate to vote on the proposal.”
Betza said he would have to research whether such a ballot question is even legal under Pennsylvania law.
Faulkner, who is a member of Erie’s LGBTQ+ community, announced earlier this month that she would like to have Erie pursue the designation, as Kansas City, Missouri, West Hollywood, California, and other cities have done to oppose state and/or federal actions to restrict rights for gay and/or transgender people.
Several members of Erie’s LGBTQ+ community attended City Council’s July 5 meeting to express support for Faulkner’s suggestion.
Library display controversy
Faulkner’s proposed resolution comes in the wake of recent controversy surrounding the Erie County library system; a display featuring LGBTQ+ children's books was ordered to be moved from the entrance of the Children's Library at Blasco in late June at the request of Erie County Public Library Director Karen Pierce.
Read With Pride display: Library officials order removal from Blasco Library children's section
According to Pierce, county officials received public complaints about the display’s location.
Blasco’s librarians opted to take down all displays in the Children's Library rather than take down or move the "Read With Pride" display in question.
Dozens of members of Erie’s LGBTQ+ community, on June 26, took part in a “read-in” protest at Blasco; a member of the Erie County Library Advisory Board also resigned over the display’s removal and four other board members have called for the display's return.
LGBTQ+ protest: Read-in staged at Blasco Memorial Library to restore Read With Pride display
Faulkner: Designation 'a logical next step'
Faulkner said Brzezinski’s resolution came as a surprise.
https://fb.watch/lRmdjEtYOs/
“He did not consult me about this. We will discuss on Wednesday whether a ballot question on something like this is even feasible for a third-class city (in Pennsylvania),” Faulkner said.
“I’ve put forward this resolution, and I’ve consulted (Gov. Josh Shapiro) and worked with various community leaders and lawyers both in Erie and outside of Erie,” Faulkner said. “This seems like a logical next step.”
Brzezinski could not be reached for comment.
City Council meets Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Bagnoni Council Chambers at City Hall, 626 State St. City Council meets Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Bagnoni Council Chambers at City Hall, 626 State St. The meeting can be viewed on Facebook and YouTube.
Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ETNflowers.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie councilman wants to explore LGBTQ+ designation as ballot question
