Monday, March 2, the Charlotte, North Carolina, City Council heard heated arguments, as both proponents and those in opposition spoke to the extremely emotional and controversial city ordinance proposal with regard to non-discriminating legal protections on the basis of “sexual orientation,” “gender identity,” and “gender expression.” Fortunately, at the end of the evening, the adoption proposal failed but only by one vote.
A special thank you to all of you who diligently prayed and acted in response to the two e-alerts we sent out in February on this issue.
Our largest concern in the ordinance was the section that would have allowed transgender people to use public bathrooms of the gender they identify with. Remarkably, even with that portion of the ordinance removed, there were still many in favor complaining that this is not good for the city of Charlotte for recruiting business and even decrying violence at higher rates to the extent of life and death towards gays and transgenders.
Equality NC, proponents for the ordinance, believe that these ordinances are “safe and equitable protections adopted by 17 states and more than 200 local governments across the country with no ill effect, including in Bessemer City, Greensboro, Raleigh and Winston-Salem, and in South Carolina’s Columbia, Charleston and Myrtle Beach.” They will continue to lobby the City Council for these changes and will bring them back to city leaders for future consideration.
We are thankful for the many who signed up to speak in favor of traditional and Biblical family values last night who believe this ordinance would place burdens on religious small business owners and would have endangered our communities.
Now that this ordinance has been stopped in North Carolina’s largest city, we hope other cities are emboldened to continue to boldly stand for religious liberty across North Carolina.
Donna Miller, a former CWA of North Carolina State Steering Committee member and issue specialist on this issue has written of her personal experience. Having witnessed a man exposing himself in a restaurant bathroom left an indelible mark on her life. Public bathrooms are the perfect place for predators to find their victims no matter what age. Click here to read her article.
We rejoice that this ordinance did not pass in Charlotte. Yet, we must pray and remain vigilant in Charlotte, across North Carolina, as well as our nation to protect Biblical values we hold so dear.
“Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:15-16
Other Resources:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article11908907.html
http://equalitync.org/latest/news/charlotte_non_discrimination_ordinance_coalition_responds_to_cltcc_vote/