Newly sworn-in Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts has pledged that early next year city lawmakers will consider legislation that would extend civil rights protections to people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
“Discrimination is never right. The business community understands this and has been a leader in LGBT nondiscrimination,” read a statement issued by Roberts. Natalie English of the Charlotte Chamber told the Charlotte Business Journal, “We have strong feelings about having an inclusive community. Consideration of an ordinance is probably a good way to do that.”
A nondiscrimination ordinance was rejected by the Charlotte City Council earlier this year, partly because some pro-equality members thought it did not go far enough. Following municipal elections in November, however, it is significantly more likely that expanded protections will be passed.