Non-Discrimination Ordinance Passes In Mecklenburg County

CHARLOTTE, NC — The Mecklenburg County Commission passed a non-discrimination ordinance Tuesday with a unanimous vote.

Discussion over the ordinance took several months and weighed state and federal laws into its language. According to WBTV, Mecklenburg County is now the13th local government in the state to approve LGBT anti-discrimination language in an ordinance.

The ordnance includes the following:

• Gender identity and gender expression - Having or being perceived as having gender-related identity, expression, appearance, or behavior, whether or not that identity, expression, appearance, or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the sex assigned to that individual at birth.
• Natural hairstyle - Any hair texture, color, type or style of wear historically associated with race or national origin.
• Protected Class - A person’s race, gender, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, familial status, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression), veteran status, pregnancy, natural hairstyle or disability.
• Sexual orientation - A person’s actual or perceived emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to other people which includes, but is not limited to, heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality.

“It’s the beginning. We have to continue to do this. I swear tomorrow there will be somebody that will be discriminated against. And we have to keep fighting for the dignity of our neighbors," Commissioner Pat Cotham said during the meeting.

The ordinance applies to employment and public accommodations

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