Advocacy organizations are calling on DeKalb County residents to advocate for the passage of an amendment to the county’s non-discrimination ordinance (NDO) to further protect LGBTQ+ residents.
DeKalb County passed its first-ever NDO in 2023. The NDO prohibits “the practice of discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information, familial status, political affiliation, political opinion, sexual orientation, parental status, gender identity, marital status, or protective hairstyle in places of public accommodation is contrary to the public welfare, health, safety, and morals of the residents of DeKalb County.”
Violation of the ordinance can result in a six-month suspension of a business license.
While the current ordinance prohibits anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in public spaces like restaurants and stores as well as county employment, it does not protect the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination in non-county employment and in housing.
The proposed amendment would close these gaps and provide comprehensive protections for the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized groups, according to advocates. The amendment has been sponsored by commissioners Robert Patrick, Michelle Long Spears, and Ted Terry.
Organizations like Georgia Equality, the state’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group, and the DeKalb County LGBTQ+ Democrats are encouraging DeKalb residents to contact their commissioner and encourage them to pass the amendment.
The DeKalb County Commission could be considering the amendment as soon as Tuesday, Oct. 20. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. and can be live streamed on DCTV Channel 23.
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