Savannah Votes to Protect LGBT City Employees From Discrimination

The City Council of Savannah, Ga., Thursday approved an ordinance will protect current and prospective city government employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The vote by the mayor and members of the council was unanimous, according to Georgia Equality.

For adding "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the list of protected characteristics in the city's nondiscrimination ordinance, Savannah received praise from the LGBT activist group, which said in a statement:

"Savannah has long enjoyed a reputation of being a welcoming and diverse city, and this ordinance is an important step toward ensuring lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people feel safe and protected when visiting or residing in Savannah. Georgia Equality will continue to work with members of the City Council and the Mayor to add additional, necessary protections for LGBT people to city code."

In 2004, Savannah's government petitioned the state of Georgia to not adopt a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.