June is Pride month and there is so much to celebrate! Despite the year in quarantine and isolation, Georgia Equality has refused to pump the breaks, continuing to advance LGBT rights throughout our state. 

We first acknowledge those who have come before us. The LGBT community has a vast history that both transcends and maintains roots in race, religion, class, and regional cultural traditions. Pride is about understanding who we are, expressing ourselves, and embracing our voice. This month we take the time to reflect and to celebrate where we have been and where we hope to be. 

Georgia Equality has been instrumental in passing comprehensive non-discrimination ordinances in 12 cities,  has successfully stopped all anti-LGBTQ legislation in Georgia for the 8th year in a row,  and continues to be a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Georgia Equality contiunes to be a driving force at the Georgia State General Assembly, helping to protect your right to vote, and the rights of our transgender children statewide; all of this being achieved on the heels of our crucial engagement in the 2020 general and run-off elections.

But while there have been huge gains, there is still much work to be done. The recent attacks on voting rights, the passage of Senate Bill 202, and the attack on the rights of trans youth athletes will likely persist. This will require Georgia Equality and our community at large to continue to be persistent and diligent in the fight for a more fair and just state. 

As we all celebrate our pride, let us also continue with the forward momentum, picking up the torch that was lit for us years ago. Let’s continue to take a stand, using our voices and utilizing our resources to advance fairness, safety and opportunity for the LGBTQ community and our allies throughout the state of Georgia. 

“I am here to offer some clarity and context to the piece of legislation up for consideration. I want to dispel any notion that a Non-discrimination Ordinance(NDO) offers any special rights to any specific group. What this ordinance does is take a good look at existing laws that protect people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. It strengthens laws that protect our brave men and women who serve in our military, residents whose origins are outside of the United States, women, and those who are differently-abled.

An NDO offers an inexpensive, less time-consuming, local remedy to address the patchwork of federal statutes that only protects some people. An NDO speaks to the lack of state recourse and overall strength of our civil rights protections by addressing valid cases of discrimination.

When it comes to erroneous and fear tactics to mischaracterize a non-discrimination ordinance, I have heard it all! Many who speak against a non-discrimination ordinance when asked if they have even read the piece of legislation. They say they have not. 

We understand that their concerns are real, but many who oppose are trying to validate their points with “What Ifs”. And it is taking the focus away from the large number of people who these types of laws are meant to protect. (People of color, residents whose Origins are outside of the United States, our brave men and women who serve in our military, women, and those who are differently-abled)

Here are the most asked questions and concerns when talking about a non-discrimination ordinance.

This nondiscrimination ordinance does not change how churches or private entities that have memberships are run. It only speaks to those entities if they have a rental or commercial space. * Federal accommodation laws already cover many recognized groups. The non-discrimination ordinance just extends these rights to people of color and people who are part of the LGBT community.

This nondiscrimination ordinance does not affect school sports. In cities that have passed a non-discrimination ordinance, no one has used it to challenge School sports. That is a matter that is left up to the local school board, not the city Commission.

Just as today, it is against the law to intentionally main or harm anyone in a public space or bathroom, after a non-discrimination ordinance is passed it will still be illegal. The 21 states that have NDO protection have not experienced an increase in public safety incidents. It is important to understand that mischaracterizing and demonizing a subset of the community is shameful and is a centuries-old tactic to discriminate. 

Many of you on the commission grow up experiencing segregation. These are similar mischaracterizing and demonizing tactics that created institutionalized school segregation and forced my grandparents to use water fountains and bathrooms that said for coloreds only.

 Finally, small businesses do not have to change their business structure to accommodate. 

What a non-discrimination ordinance can offer your community

Georgia is one out of three states Without workplace protections. We’re one out of five states without any public accommodation laws. This NDO would also help expand protections to combat our state’s weak housing protection laws. Again, understand that these are not special rights. 21 states and over 300 cities Across the Nation have these protections. 12 of those cities are Georgia cities. These laws aim to protect our small businesses, employees, and patrons. 

Most cities that have passed a non-discrimination ordinance have only experienced, a handful of cases per year. With little too limited stress on the local hearing officer. * Business owners and Institutions after the passage of an NDO just agree that outward discrimination, in any form, is bad. 

Non-discrimination ordinance has also made cities more attractive to large business industries and event opportunities. Savannah is referencing their passage of their non-discrimination in their hospitality campaigns. Atlanta was able to secure their Super Bowl bid because of their non-discrimination ordinance and they are currently referencing their non-discrimination ordinance for their FIFA World Cup bid.

In Closing

This is not a nonpartisan issue, conservatives and liberals have agreed that this is a basic way to deter discrimination at a local level.

I hope each of you commissioners understands that there is no compromise and being comprehensive. This about civil rights and all of our individual civil liberties.

Macon doesn’t have a duty to be like any other city that has passed a non-discrimination ordinance, but you do have a duty to all of your citizens of Macon.”

-DeMarcus Beckham, Southern Field Organizer

He, Him, His

Georgia Equality | Equality Foundation of Georgia