CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte City leaders passed the Non-Discrimination Ordinance by a 7 to 4 vote on Monday night, adding more protections for the LGBT community.
The voting was the result of a renewed push that came almost a year after City Council voted down similar proposed changes.
In March 2015, the council voted 6-5 rejecting amendments that would have put gender identity and sexual orientation under protected classes in the city’s non-discrimination ordinance.
The purpose of the law was to stop discrimination against people due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and family or marital status.
As of now, companies can refuse business to someone based on their sexual preference.
The changes would have added to who is protected when at places like public restrooms, restaurants, or taxi cabs. This included transgender persons using public bathrooms associated with how they present.
The list of who is protected currently includes race, color, religion, and national origin.
Charlotte is one of three cities among the nation’s 20 largest without an LGBT non-discrimination ordinance. More than 200 local governments have passed protections similar to the one Charlotte rejected, including Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Myrtle Beach and Charleston.
Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts pledged to expand the city’s non-discrimination ordinance to include protections for gay, lesbian and transgender people during her mayoral campaign. She became Mayor in December, after the amendments were already rejected.
“I also want to show that this is great for business. To let people be who they are and to make sure they’re treated equally and fairly.”
