Jan 26, 2015
#DiscriminationExists: Equality NC Joins National Campaign to Update State Nondiscrimination Laws
RALEIGH, NC (Jan. 26, 2015) – Equality NC, North Carolina’s largest LGBT advocacy organization, today joined the Equality Federation, alongside 29 other statewide LGBT groups today to launch #DiscriminationExists, a week-long education campaign to highlight the fact that despite recent victories for the freedom to marry many states still need to update their laws to protect LGBT people from discrimination.
North Carolina is one of 29 states that has no law protecting state employees and teachers from discrimination in the workplace.
“Nobody should be fired or experience discrimination for being LGBT. This education campaign is a reminder that LGBT people are an integral part of our society as family members, neighbors, friends and colleagues and should be treated fairly” said Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director of Equality Federation.
Polls show that 73% of people in North Carolina believe that gay and transgender people should have clear protections from discrimination. While recent court rulings and local ordinances provide some varying protections, the landscape remains a patchwork leaving many LGBT people and their families vulnerable.
Equality Federation is currently working with state equality groups, business leaders, faith leaders, and community members to be sure the laws are updated.
North Carolina is among many states across the country that are working to pass or update statewide nondiscrimination laws as well as secure nondiscrimination protections at the local level through municipal ordinances.
Equality Federation and Human Rights Campaign recently released the State Equality Index which details the stark reality that millions of Americans are left without protections. The report gives each state a score card based on their level of nondiscrimination protections. (http://hrce.org/sei)
GET INVOLVED: Learn more at http://www.discriminationexists.org.
For more information about Equality Federation, current state laws, stories of discrimination in states around the country, planned events and the #DiscriminationExists social media campaign please visit discriminationexists.org, or contact Mark Snyder, Communications Director, at mark@equalityfederation.org /617.416.0552.