The City Council is set to consider a resolution that would ask the Legislature to expand the definition of those protected by the discriminatory practices law.
The resolution ads categories of "ancestry, disability, gender identity, military status, and sexual orientation."
It is sponsored by council members Carol Berz and Ken Smith.
The resolution says:
WHEREAS, Chattanooga is a City of Creativity and Diversity; and
WHEREAS, the duly elected legislative authority of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is the City Council thereof; and
WHEREAS, the duly elected legislative authority of Chattanooga, Tennessee is
authorized to adopt ordinances relating to its property, affairs and local government; and
WHEREAS, the legislative authority deems it essential to provide realistic and
reasonable local discrimination protections; and
WHEREAS, such discrimination protections should be as inclusive as possible to reflect
modern day diversity efforts so that all individuals are respected and afforded equal treatment,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHATTANOOGA,
TENNESSEE, that it is hereby urging the Tennessee General Assembly to consider amending
the definition of “discriminatory practices” as set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated § 4-21-
102(4) to include the following characteristics: ancestry, disability, gender identity, military
status, and sexual orientation.