Following hours of debate and months of discussions and input from advocacy organizations, the city council of Charlotte, North Carolina passed an LGBT non-discrimination ordinance by a 7-4 vote.
“As the business voice of the LGBT community, the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and our local affiliate the Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce, we are grateful for the City Council’s vote to protect and welcome LGBT citizens who live, work, and create a profound economic impact in Charlotte,” remarked NGLCC Co-Founder and President Justin Nelson following Monday night’s vote.
“In too many cities hardworking LGBT Americans can still be fired from their jobs, evicted from their homes, or denied service in restaurants and shops simply for being who they are. NGLCC will continue asserting the economic benefits of intentional inclusion along with our affiliate chambers from coast to coast. We will continue to fight for the passage of similar laws and ordinances that make it possible for all citizens to achieve the American Dream.”
Preceding this vote, the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, in consultation with the Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce, sent a letter to the Mayor and City Council urging them to pass the ordinance. The letter, which can be read below, once again demonstrates the positive, powerful outcomes that can be achieved when national policy priorities are activated and amplified on the local and state level by NGLCC affiliate chambers.
Despite last night’s victory, NGLCC knows that the fight for LGBT equality is far from over, and even small victories continue to receive harsh challenges. Even before a single vote was cast, North Carolina’s Republican governor, Pat McCrory, threatened that the state legislature would take swift action against Charlotte if lawmakers passed the LGBT non-discrimination ordinance. This political tug-of-war between state and local legislatures will continue to hurt LGBT Americans and cause political and economic instability until Congress passes a federal non-discrimination act.
Read the letter here.
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The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the business voice of the LGBT community and is the largest global not-for-profit advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people. NGLCC is the exclusive certification body for LGBT-owned businesses. www.nglcc.org
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jonathan D. Lovitz
Vice President of External Affairs
National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce® (NGLCC)
jlovitz@nglcc.org | 1.954.695.5896
Skype: jlovitznglcc
