North Carolina county protects gay workers (16074)

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North Carolina county protects gay workers
 Outtraveler Staff
          
          May 19, 2005
          
        
Outtraveler Staff
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       Commissioners in North Carolina's most populous county voted to add sexual orientation to its nondiscrimination policy despite vehement objections from Republicans.

The new policy means Mecklenburg County cannot discriminate in hiring and personnel decisions on the basis of sexual orientation as well as race, color, sex, religion, national origin, and age. The change was approved 6-3 on Tuesday.

Republican Dan Bishop said Democrats provoked controversy over the policy change to draw attention from a planned tax increase. Commission chairman Parks Helms said Republican reaction to the agenda item showed why it was needed. "This is to say who we are," he said. "This is what we believe."

Other North Carolina counties and cities have passed similar antidiscrimination policies, and two counties--Durham and Orange--offer domestic-partner benefits. (AP)     

        
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North Carolina county protects gay workers

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North Carolina county protects gay workers

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The Latest

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