Charleston, SC City Council Passes Nondiscrimination Ordinance

[ccharles000]

Just in:


Just moments ago, we made history. The Charleston City Council passed legislation that prohibits discrimination in matters of public accommodations and housing to include protection for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) Charlestonians.

All across South Carolina, we are celebrating this historic victory for all families as Charleston joins Columbia as the second city in the state to enact such nondiscrimination ordinances.

These pro-business ordinances are consistent with the values of Charlestonians; they send the clear message that Charleston welcomes families from all walks of life.

This groundbreaking success is a result of many months of work by a collaborative team, led by SC Equality and including representatives from the Alliance for Full Acceptance (AFFA), Stonewall Democrats, Log Cabin Republicans, and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Working together, these five groups educated city council members on the importance of these ordinances and guided the proposed legislation to passage.

Prior to today's vote, the City did not have a public accommodations ordinance. The ordinance that was passed prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, or sexual orientation. The vote also expanded the City's existing housing nondiscrimination ordinance to add age and sexual orientation. In both ordinances, the definition of sexual orientation includes gender identity or expression.

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14249/breaking-news-charleston-sc-city-council-passes-nondiscrimination-ordinance

[napi21]

1. Holy "S"! South Carolina???? I lived there for 6 years and I can't believe what has happened to

that State! Their Gov. is an adulterer, their Lt. Gov. is gay, and now they, of all possible States, are heading to approve non-discrimination laws?????? Damn. I have to admit, I would never have thought it possible!

[Are_grits_groceries]

4. In 2008,

an out lesbian almost defeated a white male incumbent in Congressional District #1. Linda Ketner used her own money, and came oh so close. The DCCC didn't even try to help her until the very end.

In SC, one would assume that she wouldn't even have come close. You will never figure out this state.

[ccharles000]

2. kick

[virgdem]

3. This is a surprise...

South Carolina is and has been one of the most conservative states. I lived in Charleston for a short time in the mid 1970's, and as much as I loved the history and ambience of the place, my main impression of the place was that they were still fighting the Civil War. I don't know if Charleston has outgrown its provincialism, but I will always remember it as being a very charming, but backward city.

[Are_grits_groceries]

5. Charleston is home to the 'aristocracy'

of the state. They refer to the Civil War as 'The Late Unpleasantness.' If they don't like someone, the will 'polite them to death.' When they are so overly pleasant, watch your back. This is in contrast to people who are just normally polite. You WILL be able to tell the difference.

The grande dames of the city are particularly dangerous. I had a friend who had to work with them for some charity. He thought they were talking about Hurricane Hugo when they mentioned the war (TLU). He said it aloud to them. I told him he was lucky to be alive.