Greensboro has joined four other North Carolina cities in passing nondiscrimination ordinances for LGBTQ people.
The actions followed the recent expiration of a ban on such rules by local governments. The moratorium that expired last month was implemented in 2017 as the result of a compromise between Republican legislators and Democratic Governor Roy Cooper to get rid of HB2, the state's 2016 so-called “bathroom bill.”
Greensboro's resolution essentially reinstated protections that had been nullified by the state. Language was added that further defines sexual orientation and gender, and protects people from discrimination based on hairstyles.
Councilmember Michelle Kennedy said the resolution was one step in a longer process of expanding protections in Greensboro.
"For me, this is not symbolism," said Kennedy during debate. "This is a statement and an action in the right direction that pulls back something that was ripped away from us in the passage of HB2 and allows us an opportunity to further expand nondiscrimination ordinances within the city of Greensboro."
City Council unanimously voted to reinstate the ordinances.
As outlined in a news release by Equality NC, Durham, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and Chapel Hill have passed similar ordinances expanding LGBTQ protections.