The first meeting of the city of Dover Human
Relations Commission was held on April 29th. The fifteen-member
commission was created to promote and develop an environment of fairness
and respect among the diverse citizens of Dover. One of the appointees
was Phyllis Levitt an advocate for the arts, humanities, civil liberties
and a long time supporter of the lesbian and gay community. She said,
“The first meeting went very well. It was an opportunity for the
commission to get to know each other. I think it’s a wonderful group
of people.”
When asked whether she
was aware of any openly lesbian or gay members of the newly appointed
commission she replied, “It didn’t come out in introductions through
what people were saying. They spoke of human rights, women’s, and race
issues. I was the only one to speak about gay and lesbian issues. But,
people tend to not repeat what has already been said.”
Levitt is past Chair of
the Delaware Humanities Forum, has served on the Synagogue Congregation
Beth Sholom Community Outreach, is a current Board member of the ACLU of
Delaware, and is a retired Chairwoman of the Dover High School English
department. Ms. Levitt also testified on behalf of House Bill 99 earlier
this year. The bill, passed by the House, proposes including sexual
orientation language in Delaware anti-discrimination code. The chances
of a Senate vote on the bill this term are decreasing as it is held in
the Small Business Committee by Senator Robert Venables.
Dover Senator John C.
Still III, serves on the Small Business Committee and is opposed to HB
99. Under redistricting Senator James T. Vaughn would also serve parts
of Dover. He had not come out in support of HB 99 and was unable to meet
supporters in favor of the bill during two weeks of lobbying. When asked
whether this was a reflection of how the Dover community felt about its
lesbian and gay citizens Levitt replied, “I hope not. Remember that
Dover Representative Nancy Wagner was part of the one vote margin that
passed the bill in the House.”
Doug Marshall-Steele, a
representative of The Gay and Lesbian Project, said, “I wish more gays
and lesbians were involved. But, Phyllis Levitt is a valuable ally to
the gay and lesbian community and has our interests at heart.” Levitt
later said, “Unfortunately, a lot of people are apathetic. They just
don’t get involved. I’ve never been apathetic. I believe if you have
something to say you should say it.”
Councilman Reuben
Salters explains the origins of the Human Relations Commission; “The
idea blossomed as a result of a crisis in the city of Dover more than a
year ago. A young African American man lost his life while in police
custody. It caused an outcry from many Dover citizens. As a result of
this several ideas were put forth to improve open communications between
races.”
One of those ideas was
to establish a Dover Human Relations Commission patterned after the
state commission of the same name. Councilman Gene Ruane was
instrumental in conducting research and drafting a proposal. Ruane
explains, “This is a positive approach to help people understand each
other better. Our commission would be sensitive to the community and
reflect its diversity.”
Ruane further says,
“However, the city does not have civil rights statutes. They exist at
the state level and are enforced that way.
This group will become a referral organization and is not
empowered to provide remedy through the courts. The Human Relations
Commission will work by coordinating education programming,
celebrations, and activities that will honor the fact that we are a
diverse community.”
Ruane was a member of
the selection committee for the commission. The criteria for the
selection process concentrated primarily on having representatives by
sex and race. Sexual orientation was not considered criteria. Ruane
said, “If people had suggested that to those of us doing the
interviews it would have been additional information that would have
been taken into account. Unless somebody self identifies you can’t
make that determination. We did know that some of the people we were
selecting had sympathies with the gay and lesbian community.”
There
are fifteen members on the Human Relations Commission. The Council
President appoints ten members and the Mayor appoints five. Members will
eventually serve three-year staggered terms. Five current members’
terms will end in one year and another five will end in two years. All
will be eligible for reappointment. Anyone interested in learning more
can call the Dover City Clerk’s Office at 302-736-7008.
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