Winston-Salem City Council Takes Steps Toward LGBTQ Nondiscrimination Protections
Tonight, March 22, LGBTQ people in Winston-Salem are one step closer to being protected from discrimination. At their meeting tonight the Winston-Salem City Council unanimously voted to make initial advances toward an LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance, fueling statewide momentum for LGBTQ equality.
The nondiscrimination package passed tonight takes several steps forward:
It codifies the nondiscrimination standard set in the 2020 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County, meaning that LGBTQ people will be protected from discrimination under local “sex” discrimination protections – which include a Fair Housing ordinance and an ordinance prohibiting discrimination in city employment. That means that Winston-Salem now interprets its nondiscrimination policies to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in city employment and in housing.
It establishes clear LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination protections in city employment and encourages private employers to follow this lead and not discriminate against LGBTQ people.
The Council also moved to study the question further, requiring the City Attorney to take on research over the next several months and then return to the Council with next steps on more fully protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination in places of public accommodations, as well as enforcement mechanisms.
The City Attorney said tonight, “The goal of this is to be Phase One, with the understanding that Phase Two in 100 days will result in more specific requirements with regard to the private sector and answer questions around enforcement.”
Since January, 6 communities have passed strong LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances: Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Durham, Greensboro, Hillsborough, and Orange County. Many other communities have begun discussions, too, including Buncombe County, Boone, Charlotte, and more.