Ahead of Wednesday evening’s Community Thread on the possible expansion of Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance to cover the LGBT community, we look at how the politics of the issue has changed in the past few years on “First Coast Connect” with University of North Florida political science professor Matt Corrigan and WJCT reporter Lindsey Kilbride. We also spoke with Melanie Stewart Bentley, the clinical research coordinator with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Florida Jacksonville Physicians Inc., about two upcoming studies in need of female volunteers and Jane Lanier with St. Vincent’s Foundation about the upcoming Mary Awards.
HRO Politics
Three City Council committees debated and voted on the HRO expansion this week ahead of Tuesday’s final vote by the full council. In committee, 10 council members have voted to expand the HRO, which also happened in 2014 when the council rejected the expansion. Corrigan and Kilbride talked about the differences since the last time the issue was discussed, including stronger support by JAX Chamber this time around.
UF Health OB-Gyn Studies
UF Health Jacksonville is looking for local women to participate in two studies. One involves a new oral contraceptive and the other involves women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome.She said women who are interested in participating should call her at (904) 633-0066.
The Mary Awards
The Mary Awards honors seniors in high school who are involved in the faith community and have attained recognition in one of four areas: academics, leadership, athletics and volunteerism/philanthropy.
Nominations are due Feb. 18. The awards dinner will be held April 20 at 6:30 p.m. at San Jose Country Club. Each winner will receive a $1,000 cash gift from St. Vincent’s HealthCare.
Producer Kevin Meerschaert can be reached at kmeerschaert@wjct.org, 904-358-6334 or on Twitter at @KMeerschaertJax.
