The Town Council of Apex is the 9th local government to enact local protections for LGBTQ residents this year.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2021

James Michael Nichols | Equality NC | james@equalitync.org

Adam Polaski | Campaign for Southern Equality | adam@southernequality.org | 610-306-7956

APEX, NC – Today the Town Council of Apex, NC voted to pass an LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance, which protects residents from discrimination in a range of areas including sexual orientation, gender identity, and natural hair styles. The ordinance ensures protections in employment and places of public accommodations – such as restaurants, businesses, and hospitals.

Studies show that one-third of LGBTQ people – including three-fifths of transgender people – have experienced discrimination in the past year. Polling shows that 67% of people in North Carolina support protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination.

In the same meeting, the Town Council adopted two proclamations: One to celebrate LGBTQIA Pride Month and another to honor Juneteenth.

This year, nine communities in North Carolina have passed LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances: Asheville, Buncombe County, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Durham, Greensboro, Hillsborough, and Orange County – plus Apex from today.

The Apex victory comes the same week that the NC is Ready campaign, led by Equality NC and the Campaign for Southern Equality, released a new video celebrating the steps forward that NC communities have taken on LGBTQ equality in 2021. View the new video here.

Kendra R. Johnson, Executive Director of Equality North Carolina, said:

"Equality NC is thrilled that Apex elected officials are joining the fight to create a safer, more compassionate North Carolina for our most vulnerable community members. This is a movement in the truest sense of the word: marginalized North Carolinians desperately need their elected officials to step up for them, and all eyes are on the cities that haven't yet passed these protections. It's on all of us to build a North Carolina where we can all truly feel safe."

Allison Scott, Director of Impact & Innovation at the Campaign for Southern Equality, added:

"Leaders in Apex really showed up this week for residents who are LGBTQ or Black today, enacting not just affirmative proclamations – but also passing tangible policies that will make the town a more equitable, inclusive place to live and visit. We're glad to see local leaders in Apex and all across North Carolina speaking out for the inherent dignity and equality of all people, especially now during Pride month. Other cities, towns, and counties should follow in their footsteps."

Equality North Carolina and the Campaign for Southern Equality, NC-based organizations that work toward LGBTQ equality, urge local elected officials to pass LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances through NC is Ready for LGBTQ Protections (www.ncisready.org).

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Equality North Carolina builds LGBTQ+ power through advocacy, education, and uplifting the stories of queer and trans North Carolinians in pursuit of racial and social justice. www.equalitync.org

Based in Asheville, NC, the Campaign for Southern Equality promotes full LGBTQ equality across the South. Our work is rooted in commitments to equity in race, gender and class. www.southernequality.org