There were cheers and even a few tears from residents as the Munster Town Council passed a long-awaited human rights ordinance Monday, joining at least a dozen municipalities in Indiana with similar laws.
With cheers for residents who spoke in favor of the ordinance and colorful "We Are Munster" signs in the packed council chambers, We Are Munster community group leader Paul Rotatori was thrilled with the outcome.
"The council listened to its residents and saw the benefit to the town, ensuring people can live life without fear and discrimination," he said. "This puts a huge welcome sign on Munster."
It is now illegal in Munster to obstruct someone from entering a business, entering into a contract, obtaining and maintaining employment or participating in any type of program or service available to the general public on the basis of race, sexual preference, disability or gender identity.
Hammond passed a similar ordinance a year ago, about two weeks after Gov. Mike Pence signed the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law.
Munster resident Amy Sandler, who had been turned down for a family membership at a local health club because it did not recognize her same-sex marriage under its definition of a family, approached the council a year ago about protecting the rights of residents against discrimination by a business.
"Please do what's best for Munster," she said, urging the council to pass the ordinance.
She got her wish. The Council voted 4-1 in favor of the ordinance.
Anyone found in violation are subject to a $500 fine — a sticking point for Councilman Joe Simonetto who was the lone vote against the ordinance.
Simonetto said he was "very concerned" about due process if the town identifies a violation of the ordinance. He said he could support the human rights ordinance if the town hires a human resources director with the experience to administrate the law. He also expressed concern over language involving gender identity specific to restrooms.
Council President John Reed said the ordinance is not ambiguous relative to restrooms or locker rooms in that they are still gender specific.
"This ordinance ensure no one receives special treatment because everyone will be treated equally," he said.
Reed praised the spirited debate among Munster residents on all sides of the issue as it was contemplated and debated over the past year.
"Munster has a sophisticated population where we can do that," he said, adding that a legal challenge to the law is a possibility.
"Let's put our money where our mouth is," he said.
Matt Maloney, a local Realtor, told town officials that showing the world Munster values the rights of all people will build economic momentum. He noted that he has sold $3.5 million worth of property in Munster recently, mostly young professionals who work in Chicago, and didn't want to see that momentum lost if the ordinance failed to pass.
As the owner of a local dental practice, Councilman Andy Koultourides echoed the potential economic gain, saying, "We need to do everything to support the growth of the local economy."
A number of local businesses have publicly supported the ordinance, including Munster's largest employer, Community Hospital, and its top tourist draw, Three Floyds Brewery.
A pair of residents spoke against the ordinance, offering opinions that an individual's religious liberties should be respected and that the U.S. Constitution already provides sufficient protections to individuals and groups who may be subject of discrimination
Councilman David Nellans said there should be uniformity to such laws, but is simply not the case, so Munster had to act. He described the human rights ordinance as a "living, breathing, document" created in the best interest of the community.
Last week, the Valparaiso Human Relations Commission sent a proposed human rights ordinance to the Valparaiso City Council for its consideration.