Some days, I feel just a little bit hopeful...

From David Shove's Progressinve calendar:
"From: David Strand
Subject: Mpls ordinances 8.11 1:30pm

The four following ordinance changes in the article below were in part
initiated and/or are supported by Lavender Greens. We encourage Greens to
communicate their support to their Minneapolis city council people in
support of these four proposals and invite interested party members to
attend the committee meetings in the articles below to show their support.

http://www.skywaynews.net/display/inn_news/news06.txt
City may strengthen domestic partner rights -- and let you use the
opposite-sex bathroom

By Scott Russell
City Councilmember Scott Benson (11th Ward) has introduced a series of
ordinances to strengthen the rights of domestic partners.

The City Council's Health and Human Services Committee will hold public
hearings on two ordinances, including one that would prohibit
discrimination against domestic partnerships in real estate, professional
organizations, public accommodation or public service, including charging
different fees for married couples compared to domestic partners.

A second proposed ordinance would have the city recognize domestic partner
relationships established in other jurisdictions. Domestic partners
registered in New York, for instance, would not have to reregister in
Minneapolis.

The Health and Human Services Committee meets Monday, Aug. 11 at 1:30 p.m.
in Room 317 City Hall, 350 S. 5th St.

The City Council's Public Safety and Regulatory Services Committee will
hold public hearings on two additional ordinances, one that would broaden
the definition of "family" in the housing code. The current code limits
the number of people living in a dwelling to five, unless they are related
by blood, marriage or adoption. Benson's ordinance includes domestic
partners in the definition of family.

Benson also authored an ordinance that would change city restroom
regulations that prohibits people from entering a toilet designated for a
person of the opposite sex. The new code would allow people to use
opposite sex bathrooms, unless it is for "an indecent, immoral or unlawful
purpose."

A Benson aide said the amendment was aimed at transgendered people who
self-identify as the opposite sex.

The Public Safety Committee meets Wednesday, Aug. 13, 1:30 p.m., Room 317
City Hall."