Wake County Commission Unanimously Passes LGBTQ-inclusive Nondiscrimination Ordinance
North Carolina’s largest county joins 13 other communities in passing NDOs in 2021, ensuring protections for more than two million North Carolinians.
RALEIGH – Today the Wake County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to pass 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 and makes Wake County, the most populous county in North Carolina, the fourteenth jurisdiction to advance a comprehensive nondiscrimination ordinance in 2021.
On Tuesday, October 19 the Raleigh City Council will vote on adopting similar protections after hearing public comment on this issue.
Kendra R. Johnson, Executive Director of Equality NC, said today:
“At the beginning of 2021, every LGBTQ person in our state was left vulnerable to discrimination – but now, ten months in, local nondiscrimination ordinances protect millions of residents. Actions like today’s vote in Wake County signals undeniable momentum for LGBTQ equality and a major cause for celebration.”
“Now, it’s time for state and federal lawmakers to take notice. North Carolinians should be protected no matter where they live or travel, and that requires action from the NC General Assembly and from our U.S. Senators.”
Matt Calabria, Chair of the Wake County Commission, said today:
“Wake County is a welcoming and inclusive community where we care about all of our residents and visitors. Our nondiscrimination ordinance helps ensure that all people are treated fairly and that no one is discriminated against because of who they are.”
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.