Mecklenburg County Takes Step Toward Nondiscrimination Ordinance; Advocates Urge Final Passage
Mecklenburg County is poised to be the thirteenth North Carolina jurisdiction to protect residents from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, natural hairstyle, and more.
CHARLOTTE – Today the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners voted to advance an LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance, after hearing public comment from residents about the impact of these critical protections. Advocates urge the County Commission to swiftly finalize the nondiscrimination ordinance, which requires a final vote. If approved, Mecklenburg County would become the thirteenth local government in North Carolina to approve LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination protections.
The ordinances ensure protections in private employment and places of public accommodations – such as restaurants and businesses – from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and natural hairstyle. Studies have shown that 1 in 3 LGBTQ people – including 3 in 5 transgender people – have experienced discrimination in the past year.
The vote comes two months after Charlotte, the largest city in NC, passed its own ordinance in a unanimous, bipartisan decision. The new ordinances also mean that 20.95% of the NC population live in communities with LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination protections. Polling shows that 67% of people in North Carolina support protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination.
Kendra R. Johnson, Executive Director of Equality North Carolina, said:
"Tonight's discussion reaffirms the importance of LGTBQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances, in Mecklenburg County and across the state. Measures like these will make Mecklenburg County a better place, especially for people with multiple layers of marginalization. We applaud the Commissioners for taking this action, and we encourage them to pass this NDO swiftly."
Allison Scott, Director of Impact & Innovation at the Campaign for Southern Equality, said today:
“It’s great to see the Mecklenburg County taking this step toward protections that will make the county a safer, more inclusive place to live, work, and visit. Now Commissioners must finalize the vote and join 12 other communities across North Carolina with strong nondiscrimination ordinances on the books. It’s time to ensure that no one is left vulnerable to discrimination in our state.”
Local organizing in Mecklenburg County has been led by Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte Black Pride, Charlotte Pride, The Freedom Center for Social Justice, LGBTQ+ Democrats of Mecklenburg County, and Transcend Charlotte.
Through the NC is Ready for LGBTQ Protections campaign, led by Equality North Carolina and the Campaign for Southern Equality, a diverse array of voices has spoken out for LGBTQ protections at the local, state, and federal levels. Learn more at www.ncisready.org.