Bloomington Human Rights Commission Seeks Human Rights Award Nominations

Bloomington, Ind. – The Bloomington Human Rights Commission (BHRC) is seeking nominations for its 2020 Human Rights Award.  Nominations of individuals or groups who have made specific, significant contributions to improving civil rights, human relations, or civility in our community are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 6, 2019.

The BHRC especially welcomes nominations of people or organizations who have successfully ensured rights to equal access to housing, employment, or education; equal access to community life for people with disabilities; or those who have done exemplary work and advocacy in increasing civility in our community.

Bloomington’s human rights record has received national recognition. For the last four years, Bloomington has been awarded a perfect score by the Human Rights Campaign on its Municipal Equality Index (MEI) -- the only city in Indiana to do so. The index evaluates how well a city supports the LGBTQ+ people who live and work there through its laws, policies, and services.

“As Bloomington continues to be a welcoming beacon in the State of Indiana, we celebrate those who make a difference in our community with their commitment to social justice,” said Ryne Shadday, chair of the BHRC.  “Future generations will look to those who fought for their rights and won hard-earned victories in race relations, LGBTQ+ issues, women’s rights and much, much more. We are proud to recognize those who have long served our community, state, and nation, and continue our work in their honor.”

Some past recipients of the Human Rights Award include PRIDE, the Bloomington Police Department’s Downtown Resource Officers, Bloomington High School North, Bloomington United, New Leaf/New Life, Charlie Dupree and Virginia Hall, Clarence and Frances Gilliam, the Council for Community Accessibility, Congressman Frank McCloskey, WFHB Community Radio, Doug Bauder, Lillian Casillas, Helen Harrell, and the Rev. Bill Breeden.  

The Human Rights Commission is designed to enforce Bloomington's Human Rights Ordinance in a fair and timely manner, to educate community members about their rights and responsibilities under various civil rights laws, to raise awareness on all human rights issues, to ensure that contractors and subcontractors on city jobs pay employees applicable common wages, to ensure that the City, as an employer, governmental entity and provider of public accommodations, complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and to provide the community with information about the ADA.

The recipient(s) of the BHRC’s Human Rights Award will be honored at a public ceremony. Nomination forms are available online or through the Bloomington Human Rights Commission, at human.rights@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3429.