What is The Ordinance Project?

Hi, I'm Austin Williams. As a doctoral student of American History at the University of Missouri Kansas City, I’ve spent the last year and a half studying Kansas City’s efforts to pass anti-discrimination legislation for members of the LGBT community. With the help of Stuart Hinds and the staff at The Gay and Lesbian Archive of Mid-America (GLAMA), I’ve pored through thousands of primary sources and digitized dozens of hours of VHS footage.

I have been blessed to meet many of the activists and politicians directly involved in Kansas City’s fight for civil rights. People have invited me into their homes and shared their stories over cups of coffee. THE ORDINANCE PROJECT is our collective effort to capture their memories on film.

Why tell this story?

As the AIDS epidemic reached its peak in the late 1980s, the myths and misunderstandings of how HIV could be spread fueled pervasive homophobia. In an era when the mere rumor of being lesbian or gay was enough to get you fired from your job, the fear of this disease and its association with gay men was frequently pointed to as a justification for discrimination.

Homophobia and the fear of AIDS were not only intertwined-- they were inseparable. But as the events surrounding this ordinance make clear, the focus on AIDS also meant that discrimination against gays and lesbians could no longer be ignored.

Over the course of one month, the Kansas City Council's Finance Committee heard nearly a dozen hours of public testimony regarding this matter. Supporters and opponents orchestrated massive campaigns, flooding City Hall with phone calls, letters, and demonstrations. Perhaps the most important aspect of this story is the fact that the ordinance initially failed to pass. It would take three more years of campaigning and controversy before "sexual orientation" was added to the city's Civil Rights Ordinance.

Why now?

Kansas City's story is unique. It may be the only city that ever attempted to amend its Civil Rights Ordinance to include gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and  persons with HIV/AIDS at the same time. In many ways, however, this story is also representative of events that have taken place in cities all across the nation over the last 30 years.

June 2018 will mark the 25th anniversary of “sexual orientation” being added to  Kansas City’s Civil Rights Ordinance. Unfortunately, many of the key individuals involved in this fight were lost during the height of the AIDS epidemic. Those who are still with us are now in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. People cannot forget about this key chapter in Kansas City's history. The time to tell this story is now.  

How can I help?

• Make a Contribution. Any amount is greatly appreciated.
• Share your stories! If you were a part of this debate or know somebody who was, we would love to talk to you about your memories and experiences.
• Donate pictures/videos/materials to The Gay and Lesbian Archive of Mid-America (GLAMA).
• Tell a friend about this project by sharing this link www.theordinanceproject.com

Who will be interviewed?

Interviews will encompass all sides of the debate, including the supporters, opponents, and the city council members who voted on this highly contested piece of legislation.

Who is already involved with the project?

• Jon D. Barnett: Co-founder of ACT UP/KC & Human Rights Ordinance Project
• Michael Bates: Former Director of the Kansas City Human Relations Department
• Joanne Collins: Former Kansas City Council Member
• Jim Giles: Community Volunteer & Co-founder of UMKC Gay & Lesbian Student Alliance 
• Stuart Hinds: Curator of the Gay and Lesbian Archive of Mid-America
• Carl Hippensteel: Member of Pink Triangle Political Coalition and ACT UP/KC
• Lea Hopkins: Christopher Street Association
• Jim Hull: Co-Founder of ACT UP/KC
• Carolyn MacDonald: Longtime LGBT Community Ally
• Kay Madden: Co-founder of Pink Triangle Political Coalition
• Mark Manning: Co-founder of the Big Bang Buffet
• Linda May: Co-Chair of Mayor Cleaver's Commission on Lesbian and Gay Concerns
• Steve Pierce: Gay Talk & Committee Member of The Greater Kansas City AIDS Council
• Bill Pryor: Noted Kansas City Filmmaker
• Keith Spare: Longtime LGBT Community Activist
• Jamie Rich: Director of the Kansas City LGBT Film Festival
• David Weeda: Co-founder of the Human Rights Ordinance Project (HROP)

  We Can't Wait. The Time to Tell This Story is Now.