Victory in Mecklenburg County! Board of Commission Passes Inclusive Nondiscrimination Ordinance

Today the Mecklenburg County Commissioners voted unanimously to finalize passage of a nondiscrimination ordinance that protects residents and visitors from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, natural hairstyle, and other characteristics in employment and public accommodations. The vote was unanimous.

Sixteen jurisdictions in North Carolina have now passed nondiscrimination ordinances unanimously, with bipartisan support, in 2021. Mecklenburg County is the fifth county in the state to do so, joining Wake, Durham, Buncombe, and Orange. 

Kendra R. Johnson, Executive Director of Equality NC, said today:

“Tonight is a major milestone for LGBTQ protections in North Carolina. It’s so incredibly important to see the passage of this ordinance, which will do so much for our communities – especially in Mecklenburg County, where Charlotte has been found to be the second-most dangerous city for trans people in the country.  We thank the commissioners for this important victory.”

Polling shows that 67% of people in North Carolina support protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination. Studies have shown that 1 in 3 LGBTQ people – including 3 in 5 transgender people – have experienced discrimination in the past year. 

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.