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Compiled By GayToday
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Atlanta, Georgia—Atlanta has become the first city in Georgia to enact a comprehensive non-discrimination law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity.
City Council member Cathy Woolard authored the bill and spearheaded its passage in the Council on December 4 by an overwhelming vote of 14 to 1. On December 12, Mayor Bill Campbell signed the measure, which covers private employment, housing and public accommodations. |
 Atlanta City Council member Cathy Woolard led the fight for passage of the ordinance |
Woolard became Georgia's first openly gay or lesbian elected official in 1997 with support from the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and the Georgia Equality Project, and is the only openly gay or lesbian member of the Council. She is also a leading candidate for president of the City Council in 2001.
"All of Atlanta's citizens deserve equal protection from unfair discrimination in all of its forms and that is what this inclusive law is about," said Woolard.
"Those who supported this common-sense measure can be proud of this triumph for all of Atlanta. This legislation, which brings our non-discrimination ordinances in line with other major cities across the country, is a tribute to our city's core values of fairness and equality."
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The new law ensures that all Atlantans will be protected from discrimination based on religion, race, gender, disability, marital status, family status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and age.
Prior to its enactment, citizens were covered by a patchwork of protections that had large gaps, especially in the areas of sexual orientation and gender identity--and no one had the right to pursue legal action against perpetrators of discrimination. Significantly, the new law expressly includes a private right of action.
"The enactment of this new non-discrimination law is a victory for all of Atlanta's families and a testament to the progress we can make for equal rights when gay and straight public servants work openly and honestly together. Council member Woolard deserves enormous credit for the law's passage," said Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund Executive Director Brian K. Bond.
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Gainesville, Florida & State of Oregon Pass Gay Equality Measures
Related Sites:
Victory Fund
Councilwoman Cathy Woolard
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"Also, the inclusiveness of the legislation advances the growing public understanding that faith and fairness go together -- that religious liberty and freedom from all forms of discrimination are complimentary values."
Georgia is one of 39 states that does not yet protect its residents from job discrimination based on sexual orientation. As federal laws also do not yet offer such protection, Atlanta's new local non-discrimination law provides city residents with their only current line of defense against this form of bias
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