County to consider fairness ordinance addition to existing human rights law
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette
(UPDATED Jan. 22 with draft of proposed ordinance) Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014, 7:30 a.m. — Nelson Fiscal Court today will discuss updates to the city and county’s human rights commission ordinance that adds fairness ordinance legal protection against discrimination for “sexual orientation (real or perceived) or gender identity (real or perceived).”
The 18-page draft ordinance offers the same penalties for discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity with those for racial discrimination. The revised language has been added to drafts of the city and county’s joint human rights ordinance both governments approved in 1986.
The joint city-county ordinance addresses discrimination in housing, employment, accommodation, resort or amusement, and financial practices.
The Human Rights Commission of Nelson County reviews discrimination complaints and has the power to investigate those complaints and take legal action if needed.
Nelson Fiscal Court meets at 9 a.m. today in the Fiscal Court meeting room on the second floor of the Old Courthouse.
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