Ban on discrimination adopted by Augusta, joining Atlanta, Savannah, Athens
Augusta on Tuesday became the approximately 15th Georgia jurisdiction to adopt a non-discrimination ordinance.
The Augusta Commission adopted the ordinance with no fanfare, approving it and about 30 other items unanimously as a group with no discussion, joining Atlanta, Savannah, Athens, Statesboro, Tybee Island, Fulton County and at least nine metro Atlanta municipalities to adopt similar bans on discrimination.
"Congratulations, Augusta," said Augusta attorney Matthew Duncan, head of Equality Augusta, which pushed for the ordinance. "Our city leaders have declared our community to be one where anyone can be who they are, raise their family and earn a living regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity."
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The discrimination ban goes beyond the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, to protect rights many have fought for years to achieve, he said. "The path that led us to today's vote was cleared by countless civil rights advocates over many decades, and we are grateful to have been able to contribute to their efforts."
The Augusta ordinance prohibits businesses or individuals from discriminating in providing jobs, goods, housing, accommodations or other services based the following:
Actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, familial status or veteran or military status.
The ordinance declares as civil rights a person’s right to be free from discrimination based on the characteristics.
Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis, who floated a draft nondiscrimination ordinance last year, said the ordinance sends the right message.
"Discrimination of any form has no place in the city of Augusta," Davis said. "Augusta is committed to the values of equity, inclusion and diversity, and the adoption of this ordinance is a tangible way to demonstrate that commitment."
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An Augusta commission working group chaired by Commissioner Francine Scott and co-chaired by Commissioner Jordan Johnson spent months last year developing the ordinance, based on those used in other cities.
Any person or organization found to have committed a violation faces a $500 fine plus fees for legal and mediation services. Anyone found to file a frivolous or unwarranted complaint also may be held responsible for legal and mediation fees.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta-Richmond County approves nondiscrimination ordinance
