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Local Groups Call On Winston-Salem To Pass Non-Discrimination Ordinance

Downtown Winston-Salem. WFDD file photo.

Local advocates are urging the City of Winston-Salem to pass a non-discrimination ordinance as quickly as possible. 

A coalition of citizens and organizations has asked the city to enact a non-discrimination ordinance that would provide protections for LGBTQ residents and others.

Following the expiration of a ban on these rules by local governments, Greensboro recently joined several other communities in reinstating such protections. 

The Winston-Salem coalition is asking to have City Council enact a broad ordinance as soon as possible, and to include what they say are often overlooked individuals.

Chris Smith, a member of the coalition, says in a news release, “Most people don't realize that individuals can be denied healthcare, lose jobs or face other forms of discrimination for things like wearing a natural hairstyle or being pregnant.”

Last December, a Winston-Salem venue denied a gay couple's request to host their wedding there. 

According to the news release, almost 500 residents have signed a petition asking the city to move forward with an ordinance, and a number of state and local organizations have signaled their support.

Neal Charnoff joined 88.5 WFDD as Morning Edition host in 2014. Raised in the Catskill region of upstate New York, he graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1983. Armed with a liberal arts degree, Neal was fully equipped to be a waiter. So he prolonged his arrested development bouncing around New York and L.A. until discovering that people enjoyed listening to his voice on the radio. After a few years doing overnight shifts at a local rock station, Neal spent most of his career at Vermont Public Radio. He began as host of a nightly jazz program, where he was proud to interview many of his idols, including Dave Brubeck and Sonny Rollins. Neal graduated to the news department, where he was the local host for NPR's All Things Considered for 14 years. In addition to news interviews and features, he originated and produced the Weekly Conversation On The Arts, as well as VPR Backstage, which profiled theater productions around the state. He contributed several stories to NPR, including coverage of a devastating ice storm. Neal now sees the value of that liberal arts degree, and approaches life with the knowledge that all subjects and all art forms are connected to each other. Neal and his wife Judy are enjoying exploring North Carolina and points south. They would both be happy to never experience a Vermont winter again.

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