C.R. bus ads focus on gender identity, sexual orientation, race

CEDAR RAPIDS — Colorful ads on Cedar Rapids Transit buses aim to raise awareness about barriers that arise based on gender identity, sexual orientation and race.

The messages, placed by the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission, are intended to raise awareness about civil rights, especially in housing and employment.

'We want people to be more compassionate, more open and more aware,' said LaSheila Yates, executive director of the commission. 'We want people to think and reflect on everyone's human element. People want to be treated with civility, dignity and respect.'

The commission began working with Houck Transit Advertising and the Cedar Rapids transit office on the ads in April. They will remain on buses through the end of the month.

While the goal is to raise awareness about all protected classes, the emphasis is on gender identity and sexual orientation because they are relatively new to the city code, Yates said. Also, the ads promote the commission as a resource, not just an enforcement entity, said Yates, who also is the city's chief diversity officer.

One ad features outlines of gender neutral people shaded as a rainbow.

'Gender identity can't determine where you live or work,' it reads.

Another shows outlines of same-sex couples holding hands: 'Sexual orientation can't determine where you live or work,' is the message.

Another focuses on race: 'Skin color can't determine where you live or work.'

A fourth ad focuses on barriers to housing with a picture of hurdles stating, 'race,' 'disability,' 'maternity leave' and 'national origin.' The ad asks, 'What's preventing you from getting housing?'

The campaign's tone of compassion and awareness comes amid nationwide outrage about hate crimes and debate about civil rights.

A shooter who said he was inspired by Islamic State gunned down 49 people last month at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla. President Barack Obama called that an act of terror and hate. Countless rallies have been held following deaths of black men at the hands of law enforcement, while last week a suspect in the killing of five Dallas police officers said he hated whites and wanted to kill white officers, authorities said.

Meanwhile, more reports are surfacing of offenses and ostracizing of those questioning their gender identity.

All of the ads include the commission's phone number and website as a resource for more help.

Residents should contact the commission at (319) 286-5036 or through its website at cedar-rapids.org/CivilRights if they think they are subject to unfair treatment in housing, employment, education, public accommodation or credit. The commission identifies protected class as age, color, creed, disability, familial status, gender identity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex and sexual orientation, as well as association and retaliation.

'Stand against discrimination' bumper stickers soon will pop up around the city, Yates said.

'There's tough conversations that need to happen, but have it in a way that doesn't devalue someone's lived experience,' Yates said. 'Those experiences are valid.'