Monday night, the Charlotte City Council will again discuss expanding the city’s non-discrimination ordinance to include protections for LGBT individuals. But the council will not vote tonight on the provision.
The proposed expansion would make it illegal for businesses to refuse service to customers based on five additional characteristics: marital status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
Tonight, during its dinner meeting, the council will hear from city staff about the ordinance and answer any questions about its legality.
Republican lawmakers have questioned if Charlotte has the authority to enact the expansion, including state Representative Dan Bishop. Last week, he sent the council a four page letter stating his belief the proposal would exceed the city’s authority and would be overturned in court. Bishop ended the memo by writing the city could be on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees.
The Charlotte city council voted this measure down last Mach in a 6 to 5 vote. But two new members have joined the council since then. And they both say they’ll vote for the expanded non-discrimination ordinance.
Still, opponents aren’t giving up on fighting the measure. And have scheduled a press conference tonight at government center.
The actual vote has not yet been scheduled but is expected to take place on February 22.
