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Human Rights Commission hears fair housing events, public calls for new men's and labor commissions
Summary
The Human Rights Commission heard a Fair Housing Committee call to action for education events, a public comment proposing a men's commission and a labor rights commission, and introduced a new resilience and equity staff member to manage an opioid abatement grant.
The Tulsa Human Rights Commission on Monday heard committee updates and public comments that included a push for new commissions focused on men's mental health and labor rights, and an announcement of a new city staffer who will coordinate the city's opioid abatement response grant.
Casey Boggs, chair of the Fair Housing Committee, said the committee is supporting a series of free fair-housing education events, including a tenant-directed session and an April 1 event for tenants, landlords and realtors. "Tons of opportunities, feel free to check them out. They're free and if you are a realtor they offer hours for that," Boggs said, encouraging commissioners to help promote the events and a planned town-hall this fall focused on veterans and housing.
Public commenter Aaron Griffith urged the commission to consider recommending two new civic bodies: a men's commission to address male-focused mental-health and suicide prevention issues, and a labor rights and relations commission to give workers a dedicated voice on wages, workplace safety and discrimination. "I think that the men's commission would help a lot to address those problems... our suicide rate eclipses [the homicide rate]," Griffith said, asking the commission to consider adding the proposals to future agendas.
Commissioners clarified the Human Rights Commission does not itself create new city commissions and noted jurisdictional limits. A vice chair summary repeated Griffith's main points and advised that broader action would need to be referred to the mayor and council for consideration.
The commission also introduced Natalie, a new staff member in the Department of Resilience and Equity who will coordinate the city's opioid abatement response grant. "I have a large background in behavioral health. I worked for the Creek Nation for eight and a half years, and then spent the last... in nonprofit," Natalie said, describing her experience and role.
The commission approved previous meeting minutes. A motion to approve was moved and seconded on the record; the chair recorded the vote as "Aye" with one abstention and the minutes were approved.
Ending: Commissioners requested the public follow up with written suggestions and noted they will invite the mayor or staff back if action items require council or mayoral consideration.
