Subscribe to Breaking NewsChicago considers set asides for LGBT businesses
, Contributing writer 07.30.2009 4:31am EDT
Business & Technology
Out gay Chicago alderman Tom Tunney has reintroduced a proposal to add contract set asides for LGBT businesses in addition to the set asides that already exist for women and racial minorities.
Tunney made a similar proposition in 2003 that died almost immediately, but this time around city lawyers seem more willing to explore the issue.
If the plan is accepted, Chicago may be the first city to qualify LGBT businesses for minority contract set asides.
Read the full story in the Chicago Sun-Times.
i think that will be wonderful for all and it is good thing so let other see good example thank you
I can’t say I’d be completely content if I won a contract BECAUSE of my sexual orientation. I’d feel the same way if I were a woman, or black, and won a contract for that reason alone.
What if I don’t necessarily want to bring my sex life into contract negotiations? Why can’t the business that puts forth the best deal win the contract? Unlike many other situations (such as those of women and blacks), it seems like it would be somewhat difficult to “systematically deny contracts” to gay-owned businesses; how can the city tell which are from those that aren’t?
I agree: if we want equality, demand equality, not special treatment. Somehow, when money becomes part of the equation, I think that governments are going to follow their wallets and not (potential) sexual sensibilities when conducting business.
BRAVO,CHICAGO ALDERMAN TOM TUNNEY
KEEP IT UP.
PUREENERGY312
SAMUEL DANIEL LOVELESS
Lincoln, let me be the first to say that you’re an idealist. It would be nice if any human being wouldn’t need special set-asides for their race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity however there is one fact that remains: we, as homosexuals, are systematically denied contracts or jobs based on our sexual orientation. In a Dog-eat-Dog economy how are we supposed to stay competitive when we aren’t recognized as equals by the majority with which we compete? This legislation is a major step forward although I agree that a time in which sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or ethnicity is not a qualifier rather your competency, skill, work ethic and communication skills are key factors. Sadly the truth remains that most businesses and individuals still view the former identifiers as qualifiers.
Is there currently a disproportionate number of straight-owned businesses getting contracts?
We keep repeating we don’t want special rights but wouldn’t this put us in the SPECIAL RIGHTS category? Yes, white str8 men have dominated to the point that we have to force them to hire outside of their circle. I am all for everyone getting a fair chance but what ever happened to hiring someone based on ability? It is sad that my orientation, gender, or color has ANYTHING to do with being able to get the job done. I don’t see that set asides are a step forward. How about changing the contract so that there would be no indication of gender, race, or orientation so each had to be evaluated on ability only?
oh wow, wish this could be done here in Pittsburgh