Metro passes non-discrimination ordinance
Allie Diffendal
Issue date: 9/25/09 Section: News/Features

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An ordinance prohibiting the Metropolitan Government from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity through its employment practices passed by a 24-15 vote in its third and final reading at Metro Council's Sept. 15 meeting.

The first legislation of its kind in Tennessee, the non-discrimination ordinance (Bill No. BL2009-502) passed six years after a similar bill introduced by then Metro Council member Chris Ferrell was defeated by former Vice Mayor Howard Gentry in a dramatic tie-breaking vote.