March 31
(Please see response from a hotel official below the letter).
In light of the passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the boards of NSPA and JEA have sent a letter to the JW Marriott Hotel in Indianapolis, site of the 2016 Fall National High School Journalism Convention:
March 31, 2015
Philip Ray
General Manager
JW Marriott Indianapolis
10 S West St.
Indianapolis, Ind. 46204
Dear Mr. Ray,
Our associations are scheduled to hold the 2016 Fall National High School Journalism Convention Nov. 10-13, 2016 at the JW Marriott. A contract was signed in October 2012.
On behalf of the boards of directors of the National Scholastic Press Association and the Journalism Education Association, we are writing to express our concern about the potential civil rights implications of Indiana’s new Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
We expect that as guests of the Marriott, our projected 4,500-plus student delegates, staff, exhibitors, speakers and other convention-related attendees will not be subjected to negative treatment as a result of the new law.
To that end, can you provide us with written assurance that our attendees not be subject to any form of discrimination on the part of the hotel, its staff and in-house vendors, and specifically, based on the guest’s sexual orientation?
Second, do the Marriott International Corporation and Host Marriott Services Corporation each have specific policies that prohibit discrimination against LGBT hotel guests and each corporation’s staff? We’d appreciate being provided with a copy of any policies.
The NSPA and JEA boards are going to release this letter, and your response, to our memberships. We look forward to your reply.
Best regards,
Diana Mitsu Klos Kelly R. Furnas
NSPA executive director JEA executive director
Diana@studentpress.org Furnas@jea.org
612-625-7359 785-532-7822
____
Same day response from Anne Dunlavy, director of sales and marketing at the JW Marriott Indianapolis:
JW Marriott Indianapolis statement: “JW Marriott Indianapolis has always been, and will continue to be, committed to providing inclusive service and hospitality at our hotel and restaurantsâ€.
Marriott International also shared this statement: “Marriott International is a hospitality company providing public accommodations like many others. We welcome all people as our customers and employees regardless of race/ethnicity, religion, culture, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation. In addition, we are proud of our commitment to diversity, fairness and nondiscrimination.â€
Also, I am pleased that in a live interview that began today (3-31-15) at 11 a.m., Governor Pence announced that he is requesting legislation be added to the RFRA Bill that protects all people from discrimination. He has asked legislators to work around the clock and have the language to him before the end of the week.
In addition to this new announcement, we are pleased to share the “Indianapolis Declaration of Non-Discrimination.†As seen Monday evening on CNN, Mayor Ballard was not supportive of the initial SB 101. To combat the issues with the original RFRA SB 101, the Mayor and Indianapolis City Council executed this executive order. Within the document, please note the following:
The City hereby affirms its policy that no vendor, contractor, grant recipient, or anyone receiving public funds or benefits of any kind shall discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, or United States military service veteran status, and any breach of this policy shall continue to be considered a material breach of the relationship with the City.
Finally, you can specifically direct them to the link Indy Welcomes All! I am available to set-up a conference call to discuss further and have copied our Visit Indy partners to join as well. I look forward to helping you alleviate all concerns that you and your leadership team might have.