Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Charleston Steps Forward


This story comes to us from ISBL's Chief-Papi-In-Residence, Carlos.

It seems that the Charleston City Council passed ordinances expanding the city’s existing policy prohibiting discrimination in housing to include age, sexual orientation and gender identity. Yes, the LGBT community just got a few more protections down Charleston way.

And, in addition, the council passed a public accommodations ordinance that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, age or sexual orientation.

While this all sounds lovely and hopeful, and i am grateful for each little foothold, or in this case toehold, the LGBT community, especially those of us in South Carolina, gain, I was dismayed to discover that Charleston is only the second city to add sexual orientation and gender identity to those protected form discrimination. The first such city was Columbia.

Hopefully others will follow suit. Maybe, one day, even Smallville.

6 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:53 AM

    That is good to hear and let's hope more follow very very soon.

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  2. Congrats on that!!

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  3. Bob, I know it is a painfully slow fight down there, so I'm happy each time I hear that one of the major cities in the south takes a baby step forward for GLBT people.

    It won't always be like this. Keep up the fight. Your fight there is even more important than our fight here. Eventually, we will prevail. I don't know if it will be in our lifetime, but someday we will all have equal protection and equal rights under the law.

    I hope you and Carlos have a wonderful holiday tomorrow!

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  4. Good to hear. I know it is happening slowly, but at least it is happening. Have a great Thanksgiving.

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  5. It's progress. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Carlos!

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