Glendale chamber introduces new task force

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Glendale chamber introduces new task force

By Lauren Serrato, Glendale Star Staff Writer

Business News | May 7, 2021

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The Glendale Chamber of Commerce created a new task force to further enforce equality, which includes a LGBTQ inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance in the city of Glendale.

The ordinance would prohibit discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. The task force will be responsible for promoting and speaking with business leaders, community leaders and other stakeholders to educate and build support for the ordinance.

“What’s exciting is I’ve got more than two thirds of my chamber board directors who are engaged in this task force that represent a kind of broad group of industry segments,” said Robert Heidt, president of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce.

“Their purpose is going to be understanding LGBTQ inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances, what it is about equal protections and working to engage a broad selection of our stakeholders across the community, and how we can craft an ordinance that protects all people in Glendale equally.”

In Arizona, eight other cities have passed nondiscrimination ordinances. The state, however, has no statewide law barring discrimination against LGBTQ people in employment, housing and public accommodations.

As Glendale is the largest city in the West Valley, Heidt said this task force is in no way special treatment toward the LGBTQ community, but rather a way to ensure protection and equal treatment for everyone in the workplace.

“We as a community are recognizing there’s different needs within different segments of our community. But one of the needs around the LGBTQ community has not been met, which is protection in the workplace, accommodation and things of that nature,” Heidt said.

“The goal would be for us as a group to work through what this will look like, moving towards working with the city to adopt a non-discrimination ordinance that includes all people, including LGBTQ. And what that ultimately will do is continue to position Glendale to succeed.”

As of now, the task force has 13 people who will officially begin meeting in May. Additionally, there are several partners who will take part in the task force.

Heidt said once the group starts its meetings, if it finds it necessary, additional members will be added to the task force.

“We’re convening a group of leaders and stakeholders to have the conversation and so if there are folks that we need to engage at the table or others that need to be a part of the conversation, I have great confidence the group will identify who those are and look to add those different voices,” he said.

While Heidt said the task force will be beneficial for the continued push for equality in Glendale and throughout the state, he added the city will also benefit financially and from a business perspective.

“We certainly see economic development and growth,” Heidt said, specifically referring to large companies coming to Glendale looking to break ground with a list of criteria. “Within that, inclusivity is a huge part of the conversation. And so when an organization is working with site selectors to locate companies, if we don’t have that as part of our DNA, as part of our culture and our community, even if we have the best site, the best everything, and one of their top priorities is inclusivity, we lose.”

Heidt admitted the city of Glendale is not completely there yet in terms of complete and equal treatment within the workplace.

“This is where we recognize as a city we’re not quite there, and there’s a little bit of work to do. And so, as a Chamber, we take that role very seriously, and we’re working to cultivate that conversation of what it might look like for Glendale and how it can benefit us as we continue to move forward,” he said.

Kate Kochenderfer, chair of the Glendale Chamber Board of Directors, agreed.

“Adopting a nondiscrimination ordinance that is inclusive of all people, including LGBTQ people, positions Glendale to succeed. As a city, Glendale must leverage the same competitive advantages that inclusivity provides to our neighboring cities to attract the top talent, business and events we need to thrive,” Kochenderfer said in a press release.

With any new task force or initiative, there are going to be those who question its benefits or success. Heidt admits there are community members that have called to express their distaste for the task force, stating that it will make the city “look bad.”

“I understand why they may feel that way, but doing nothing makes the city look bad because we recognize that this is a conversation that needs to be had. Diversity and inclusion is vital. It’s an attribute to embrace everyone of all walks of life and all backgrounds, wherever people come from, that’s what makes us unique and that’s what attracts people to our community, that’s what enriches us,” Heidt said.

Despite those that question the task force, Heidt said it’s necessary and will hopefully allow people to recognize the issue altogether.

“It’s the right thing to do and, unfortunately, with everything that’s going on in our world today around diversity and inclusion, surprisingly there’s people who do not understand or recognize the discrimination that could occur or has occurred,” he said.

Looking forward, Heidt said he hopes the task force will one day not be needed.

“A task force is not meant to live on forever in time. It’s meant to assemble, work through conversation to challenge an issue,” Heidt said. “So, my hope in a year would be that we have done our work and due diligence to present the case of why Glendale needs a nondiscrimination ordinance. If not the chamber, then who else will do this work?”

For more information on the task force, visit glendaleazchamber.org.

– Staff writer Lauren Serrato can be reached at lserrato@timespublications.com

This story was originally published on the Glendale Star.

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