Chamblee to protect gay workers
By April Hunt
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chamblee has become the latest Georgia city – all of them at least partially in DeKalb County – to prohibit discrimination against gay and lesbian municipal workers.
Atlanta, Clarkston, Decatur and Doraville are the other cities in the state to offer such protection to workers.
“If you’re gay or lesbian, you shouldn’t be fired if you put up a picture of your partner,” said councilman Mark Wedge, who sponsored the resolution after hearing about such fears from gay friends who work in the private sector. “That shouldn’t happen to anybody.”
City Council passed the measure unanimously last month. No residents spoke out for or against the resolution, and the city has not had any complaints from gay or lesbian employees.
The bulk of the debate came from a skeptical council, where the majority of members had to be convinced that adopting the resolution would not pave the way for approval of gay-marriage or benefits for same-sex partners, Wedge said.
Although Wedge said he was motivated by fairness, many advocates of expanding the non-discrimination policies often point to a 2002 study that suggests that it helps with economic development and revitalization.
Economist Richard Florida argued in his study that the so-called “creative class” of knowledge workers seek out cities and jobs that showcase that sort of tolerance.
Chamblee, a former industrial and railroad town seven miles north of Atlanta, has been working to redevelop into a hot-spot for such workers and businesses for several years.
Still, such the policies remain more common in the private sector, typically at larger companies.That’s why Georgia Equality applauded the city of about 10,000 people for its vote.
“Actions such as that taken by the City of Chamblee prove that these protections have become a standard part of operating any municipality or business,” said Jeff Graham, head of the statewide gay rights’ group. “Discrimination in any form is simply unacceptable in the workplace.”
Wedge modeled the local law on one passed last year in neighboring Doraville, which also extends protection to transgender employees. There was not enough support on council to add that protection in Chamblee, though Wedge said he hopes to revisit the issue in the future.
In addition to Doraville, only Atlanta and Decatur offer such protection to transgender workers, or those whose outward appearance or gender identity doesn’t match their gender at birth.
“We are trying to reinvent and reinvigorate our city,” Wedge said. “This is for our future.”
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