Five members of the Spokane Human Rights Commission have resigned, including the board's chairman who helped forge the city's first human rights ordinance.

Most are leaving for personal reasons, but two cite burnout and frustration.

"I've had enough," said Frank Cikutovich, who is stepping down as chairman. "I've done as much as I can do as a commissioner." He served two years, beginning just as the human rights ordinance was being created. The ordinance outlaws discrimination based on such factors as sex, race and religion. Cikutovich helped incorporate protections based on sexual orientation into the law. That part of the ordinance is now being challenged by a citizens' group seeking signatures to put the issue to a public vote. "It pretty much burned me out," he said about his work on the ordinance. "I worked on it start to finish." And, as one of the 15 commission members, he couldn't pursue other political work because the commission is an arm of the City Council. "Now that I'm on my own, I can do whatever I want," Cikutovich said. "I didn't like being under the council." Cikutovich said he expected more support. "No council person or mayor would come to talk to us," Cikutovich said. "The only person who showed up at our retreat was (city Councilwoman) Cherie Rodgers." Resigning member Robert Lloyd also expressed frustration. "It's just not being able to work with City Hall," Lloyd said. "You're always looking over your shoulder, and who needs it? We're still working on human rights. I think I can do a better job outside than inside." Vince Lemus, the city's human rights specialist who works with the commission, said he wasn't aware of any frustration or complaints by commission members. "It's news to me. Their correspondence didn't indicate that," Lemus said, looking at resignation letters from Ben Cabildo, Lloyd and Lorenzo Herman. He's awaiting letters from Cikutovich and Judith Mason. The openings provide a chance to fill unrepresented gaps, he said. "We have no representation of the Native American community and no representation of the elderly, the over 65," Lemus said. Anyone interested in applying for the volunteer position must be at least 18, live in the city and have an interest in human rights. Mason, who served two terms and is bowing out for personal reasons, said it's rigorous and rewarding work. But it comes with a price. "I felt we weren't understood, perhaps even (considered) threatening, that we would bring hard issues to the City Council," she said. "I am actually pretty darn proud of a majority of the City Council members for taking the human rights ordinance seriously." Passing it was a huge step for the community and the council, she said. For the next wave, she'd like applicants to understand the nuances of the job. "It's about waking up the city, not to just see cultural diversity, but to respect them and want them here," she said. "I really question if anyone wants anyone different here." But if you care about the community and you don't expect a smooth ride, it's rewarding, she said. "We're a very open and lively, volatile group," she said. "A lot of emotions come out with us. We're all frustrated. We all want things to move faster." Cikutovich said the departure of a third of the commission members wasn't planned. It was just time to move on. He plans to launch a nonprofit human rights group, called the Center for Social Justice, that he will run out of his law office. He's still got a fight ahead. Equal Rights, Not Special Rights, an opponent of offering protection based on sexual orientation, is fighting the human rights ordinance. It's working to collect more than 3,000 signatures to allow voters to decide if sexual orientation should be protected.

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