Mar 2, 2015
Equality NC, Charlotte Non-Discrimination Ordinance Coalition seeks passage of LGBT non-discrimination protections
Charlotte Non-Discrimination Ordinance Coalition to host March 2 media event calling on Charlotte City Council to pass “vital protections now”
Charlotte, NC (March 2, 2015) – The Charlotte Non-Discrimination Ordinance Coalition (CNDOC), consisting of local, state, and national organizations, including Equality NC, is calling on North Carolina’s largest city, Charlotte, N.C., to update its non-discrimination ordinances to protect gay, transgender, and other citizens, from arbitrary discrimination in public accommodations and other city services.
The updates would add protected classes — sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and marital or family status — to four of the city’s ordinances: Public Accommodations, Commercial Non-Discrimination, Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee and Passenger Vehicles for Hire.
The Charlotte City Council will consider these updates during its Monday, March 2nd meeting.
In anticipation of the meeting, the CNDOC, which includes the Mecklenburg LGBT Political Action Committee (MeckPAC), Equality NC, the Charlotte Business Guild, Genderlines, LGBT Democrats of Mecklenburg County, Straight Allies Charlotte, and the Human Rights Campaign, will host a press conference on Monday, March 2, at 10:30 a.m., at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center (600 E. 4th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202).
The media event will feature spokespersons from the coalition groups, as well as members of Charlotte’s LGBT, faith, and business communities.
In a joint statement released today, the CNDOC is calling on Charlotte to “pass these vital protections.”
“More than 200 cities in states across the United States—including Columbia, SC, Greensboro, NC, and Charleston, SC — have already passed and successfully implemented these ordinances, without negative consequences,” said coalition representatives. “It is finally time for Charlotte to catch up with its peers and pass these vital protections now that can help shield our neighbors from arbitrary discrimination. Updating these ordinances will not only strengthen the community by fostering an atmosphere of dignity, respect, and inclusivity, but also send a strong message that Charlotte is a welcoming place to live, work, and raise a family.”
Charlotte is one of only three of the nation’s 20 largest cities that does not have inclusive non-discrimination ordinances protecting LGBT people in public accommodations and fair housing.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jonah Hermann, Equality NC, (920) 860.1416, jonah@equalitync.org
Scott Bishop, MeckPAC, (704) 968.8269, sbishop2@carollina.rr.com