LOCAL NEWS
Athens non-discrimination policy approved Measure bans bias against gay, trans government employees
By ERIC ERVIN Friday, June 09, 2006

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees of the unified government of Athens-Clarke County are now protected against discrimination following an unanimous vote June 6 by the Athens-Clarke County Commission.

�It think it�s a great step for the county in reaching out to all employees,� said Johanna Kiehl, president of Just Equal, an Athens gay rights group. �We�re very, very pleased.�

The amendment, which adds sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy status to the local government�s non-discrimination policy, was swiftly approved by the Athens-Clarke County Commission without any discussion. County officials placed it on the consent agenda, which is a grouping of legislation normally passed by only one vote.

�The commission was all satisfied with the wording,� said Athens-Clarke Mayor Heidi Davison. �There was no discussion.�

Davison said the measure became effective immediately.

Members of Just Equal said they had been lobbying county officials to amend the policy for about a year. They applauded the commission for changing the policy, and said the county�s next step would be to offer domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples.

�It�s my hope that the commission will bring up the domestic partner benefits issue,� Kiehl said.

Davison said there are no immediate plans to place domestic partner benefits on the agenda, but she welcomes the idea and she expects the issue to come up in the future.

In amending the county�s non-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation, Athens-Clarke County joins the Georgia counties of Bartow, DeKalb, Gordon and Miller and the cities of Atlanta, Decatur, East Point, Pine Lake, Tybee Island and Savannah, according to Georgia Equality, the state�s largest gay political group.

�We are continuing to win and gain equality on the grassroots level and every victory is a significant one for us,� said Chuck Bowen, executive director of Georgia Equality, in a press release.