Soon, white, Christian, heterosexual men may be the only unprotected class in Madison, Wisconsin.

The city is considering adding the homeless and atheists to its long list of protected classes, the Wisconsin State Journal reports.

Ald. Anita Weier, 18th District, the City Council’s representative on the Equal Opportunities Commission, on Tuesday will propose prohibiting discrimination against the homeless in the areas of employment and housing, and against atheists in employment, housing and public places, the latter including civic space and places of business and recreation.

The Alderman is not proposing extending protections to the homeless “in civic places.”

That could be because they’ve had a problem with homeless people breaking into the city-county building and using court rooms as toilets.

Feces-at-CCB-jpg

“We have had a few incidents of a homeless person breaking into the courtroom at night and sleeping in the press room that’s right off of the courtroom,” Kelly McConnell, a judicial support clerk, told News 3 in December.

“This person did defecate on the couch that was in the press room and they have since had to throw away the couch.”

Court employees were seeking special protections of their own – from the serial court pooper(s).

The Freedom From Religion Foundation – an atheist, anti-Christian group – would like to see the ordinance as they content in the progressive city of Madison, they experience “discrimination.”

They say religion is protected and no religion should be protected, too.

For employment, the homeless need protection because “they sometimes seek jobs but have no place to store belongings, may not have had an opportunity to shower, or have a street address,” says former Ald. Brenda Konkel, director of the Tenant Resource Center, according to the State Journal.

A PowerPoint presentation from the city lists the various protected classes:

  • Age
  • Arrest Record
  • Color
  • Conviction Record
  • Disability/Handicap
  • Domestic Partnership
  • Family Status
  • Less Than Honorable
    Discharge
  • Marital Status
  • National Origin or
    Ancestry
  • Physical Appearance
  • Political Beliefs
  • Race
  • Religion
  • Retaliation
  • Sex
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Social Security
    Number
  • Source of Income
  • Student Status

“Hopefully, it will free up more people to apply for jobs and housing,” Equal Opportunities Commission president Bill Fetty said.

“This is all part of the larger dialogue we have to have in this city if we’re going to make a dent on this issue.”