Wake County Commission Begins Discussion on Nondiscrimination Ordinance, Kicking Off Important Week for LGBTQ Residents in the Triangle
RALEIGH – Today the Wake County Board of Commissioners began discussion on a nondiscrimination ordinance that would protect residents and visitors from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and natural hairstyle, and more in employment and public accommodations. The discussion comes a day before the Raleigh City Council plans to hold a similar work session on protecting residents from discrimination (on Tuesday, October 12).
Wake County and Raleigh are the fourteenth and fifteenth local governments to take action on LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination protections this year.
On Monday, October 18 the Board will hear public comment on the ordinance and take a vote. Prior to the meeting, advocates, community members, and elected officials will hold a press conference to speak about the impact of the ordinance and the momentum that has built across the state for nondiscrimination protections in 2021. If you’d like to attend, please contact Adam Polaski at adam@southernequality.org for full details.
WHAT: Press conference on nondiscrimination ordinances in Wake County and Raleigh
WHEN: Monday, October 18, 1:00pm ET
WHO: Elected officials, advocates, and community leaders
WHERE: Wake County Justice Center – exact location to be announced
RSVP: Adam Polaski, adam@southernequality.org
Allison Scott, Director of Impact & Innovation at the Campaign for Southern Equality, said today:
“It was heartening to hear the Wake County Commissioners express their commitment to creating a community where all people can thrive and feel welcome. For the Commission to take this step on National Coming Out Day – when LGBTQ people nationwide are sharing their stories and being visible – was especially powerful. We urge the Commission to listen closely to community members’ voices next week – and to pass the ordinance without delay. No one in North Carolina should feel vulnerable to discrimination 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.