CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A group of West Virginia leaders is urging other municipal officials as well as state lawmakers to pass laws prohibiting discrimination against LGBTQ residents.
Lewisburg Mayor Beverly White, Shepherdstown Mayor Jim Auxer and Matthew Sutton, the chief of staff to Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin, recently participated in a roundtable on nondiscrimination ordinances in West Virginia. Each city has passed a law protecting residents from discrimination in employment, housing and public spaces because of their sexual orientation. According to advocacy group Fairness West Virginia, 15 cities in the state have such policies in place.
Lewisburg leaders approved its nondiscrimination ordinance in February 2016. White, who hosted the roundtable, said the city has benefited from the policy.
“We have had numerous people say that they feel safe here,” she said. “People want to feel safe where they are, and I try to always make a point that Lewisburg is inclusive, and we welcome you with open arms.”
White said allowing discrimination not only discourages people from moving to different areas but also impacts future generations.
“We’re not teaching our children to be successful if we just keep our little window of this is what we look like, this is who we are,” she said. “They’re going to go into the world and not be equipped to even work with diverse people unless we embrace all people that we are here.”
The leaders also spoke about the economic effects of nondiscrimination policies; White noted companies want to be located in communities that prioritize inclusiveness.
“We’re really clamoring for workers,” Auxer added. “To not be inclusive would be counterproductive.”
South Charleston became the 15th city this year to have a nondiscrimination policy in place; the city council in July approved the related ordinance.