Georgia’s 18th jurisdiction to pass such an ordinance.
June 4, 2024 (Gwinnett County, GA) – Today, in a 4-1 vote, the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners passed a nondiscrimination ordinance– providing critical protections to LGBTQ folks and other marginalized groups. Gwinnett County became Georgia’s 18th jurisdiction to offer such protections to those who live, work, and visit there. This ordinance will protect nearly 1 million Georgians from discrimination in employment and public accommodations, bringing the total number of Georgians protected by local ordinances to 2.2 million people.
“Thanks to the hard work of local advocates in Gwinnett and the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, the passage of this ordinance ensures nearly 1 million more Georgians are now provided the necessary protections from discrimination that we all deserve,” said Jeff Graham, Georgia Equality’s executive director. “All of us at Georgia Equality are proud to have been involved in this work, as we continue pushing for the passage of these protections in more cities and counties across Georgia.”
Jerry Gonzalez, CEO of GALEO and GALEO Impact Fund, said: “Thanks to the Gwinnett County Commission for their work on this. With Gwinnett County being one of the most racially and ethnically diverse communities in Georgia, this ordinance will provide invaluable protections for many communities beyond just the LGBTQ community. We are grateful that Gwinnett County has taken this important step to ensure that all Gwinnett residents will be protected from discrimination.”
Gwinnett County Commissioner Kirkland Carden said: “Protecting civil rights is a great way to start pride month. Adding article 14 to the Gwinnett County Code of Ordinances solidifies our commitment to inclusion and equality for all Gwinnett residents. I commend the staff in our Law and Planning and Development for work in writing this ordinance and the work they’ll do to enforce it.”
Atlanta was Georgia’s first city to pass a nondiscrimination ordinance over 20 years ago, and the second did not come until Doraville in 2018. Since then, Athens-Clarke, Augusta-Richmond, and DeKalb Counties, along with the cities of Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, North High Shoals, Savannah, Smyrna, Statesboro, and Tucker have all passed nondiscrimination ordinances.
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Founded in 1995, Georgia Equality is the state’s largest advocacy organization working to advance fairness, safety and opportunity for Georgia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, and our allies.