Charlotte to hold Monday forum on expanded LGBT ordinance

The city of Charlotte is holding a forum Monday night to discuss changes to its non-discrimination ordinance, which would include adding protections for gay, lesbian and transgender residents.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee is hosting the forum, which will feature speakers who support and oppose the expanded ordinance. The speakers include business owners and parents, the city said.

Last March, City Council voted 6-5 against expanding the ordinance. The main point of contention was a provision in the ordinance that would allow transgender residents to use either men’s or women’s bathrooms.

Council members are scheduled to discuss the ordinance again at a Feb. 8 dinner meeting. There will be no public comment during that meeting and no vote.

A vote on the ordinance hasn’t been scheduled, but it could come later that month.

Monday’s forum won’t replace the ability for the public to comment before the actual council vote.

City Attorney Bob Hagemann said Friday that there have been no changes made to the ordinance since it was rejected last year.

The proposal would prohibit most private businesses from discriminating against anyone who is gay, lesbian or transgender. It would apply only to customers.

In theory, a business could refuse to hire someone because they are gay. But they couldn’t refuse to serve a gay customer.

Last year’s ordinance would have allowed someone who is transgender to use the bathroom of the sex of which they identify. That provision was the most controversial.

This story was originally published January 29, 2016 at 5:10 PM with the headline "Charlotte to hold Monday forum on expanded LGBT ordinance."