Editor’s note: This story has been updated with news of deferral.
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 urge them to pass the amendment.
The NDO applies to all cities and unincorporated areas in DeKalb County, including Tucker. In June, the Tucker City Council issued a proclamation recognizing Tucker Pride Month and honoring the work of Tucker Pride, the city’s LGBTQ+ organization.
The Employee Relations and Public Safety Committee of the board was set to discuss the amendment on Oct. 20, but it was deferred two weeks to give the committee and legal department more time for review.
The committee meeting on Nov. 5 begins at 9 a.m. and can be live streamed on DCTV Channel 23.
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