Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
4 <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County supports the right of local governments to articulate their own <br /> community values of inclusion without interference or suppression by the General <br /> Assembly; <br /> NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does <br /> hereby support the Non-Discrimination Policy implemented by the <br /> Charlotte City Council and joins them in striving for social justice for all. <br /> This the 22nd day of March 2016. <br /> Commissioner Price asked if this resolution simply states that the BOCC is in support of <br /> Charlotte. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said yes. <br /> Commissioner Rich said she understood that if Charlotte proceeds with litigation, <br /> Orange County would join them. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said that is a separate petition and depending on what happens, <br /> such a petition may be brought forward. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin referred to Commissioner Price's point, saying he had <br /> previously asked about adding transgender discrimination to the Orange County ordinance, <br /> and that County Attorney John Roberts had said such an addition was unnecessary as the <br /> ordinance already covered such discrimination. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if he is remembering this correctly. <br /> John Roberts said for a number of years Orange County's enforcement officers have <br /> treated transgender issues as part of the sexual orientation language in the Orange County <br /> ordinance. He said the current ordinance offers protection to Orange County citizens in this <br /> matter without adding additional language. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin suggested that the Board consider some type of public <br /> statement that the Orange County ordinance, as written, does protect transgendered people <br /> and all that may face discrimination because of sexual orientation. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is a group that the County has tried to add as <br /> protected but failed to do so as the State would strike it down. <br /> John Roberts said that language has been modified by the legislature and it will be <br /> seen in their legislative agenda packet in April. He said the General Assembly is being asked <br /> to pass legislation that will protect all. <br /> Greg Wilder, County Manager's Office, said the current language, that is included in the <br /> legislatives issues work group, relates to gender identity and sexual orientation. He said the <br /> language is based on the prior attorney's interpretation and John Roberts said now that this <br /> covers it all. <br /> John Roberts said he takes a broader view of the definition of sex and gender and <br /> allows enforcement officers to protect all the citizens of Orange County. <br /> Chair McKee said if this resolution was to oppose the legislature interfering in local <br /> affairs, then he could support it. He said this resolution seems to indicate an alignment with, or <br /> a following suit of, Charlotte. He said Charlotte is not unified on its ordinance and this <br /> ordinance does much more than just dictate who can use which bathroom. He said it <br /> specifically takes out "showers, bath houses, YMCAs and YWCAs" and could mean camps, <br /> dormitory-lodging facilities. He said he has some issues with Charlotte's ordinance. <br /> Chair McKee referred to Section 12-58 of the Charlotte ordinance, which included <br /> prohibited acts. He said this section violates this first amendment. He said the resolution is <br /> well written and he thanked Commissioners Jacobs and Dorosin for their work. He said the <br />