UPDATE July 11, 2023 DeKalb County passed its own nondiscrimination ordinance today 7-0. At the public hearing this morning, five people spoke in favor, non spoke to oppose. With passage, the unincorporated areas of the county join Atlanta, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, and Tucker in providing protection against discrimination. UPDATE June 24, 2023 DeKalb County will vote its own NDO to cover the unincorporated parts of the county on July 11. Here are some useful links to show your support: www.dekalbcountyga.gov/board-commissioners/board-commissioners www.dekalbcountyga.gov/board-commissioners/public-participation www.dekalbcountyga.gov/meeting-calendar UPDATE, June 13, 2023 The city's video of the meeting (see below for an index): pub-tuckerga.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=b926ff99-79df-448a-94d8-8f3e6a3bd25e It was a long meeting. Here is an index of highlights and lowlights: Initial public comment - 6:34 Second read begins - 32:20 Anne Lerner reviews the recent text revisions - 33:59 Public hearing - 1:06:05 Mayor requests amendments - 2:01:58 Mayor has more to say - 2:23:34 Question is called and seconded - 2:50:33 Mayor leaves the meeting - 2:50:52 Vote - 2:51:25 Mayor get's his vote recorded anyway - 2:52:50 Media reports: www.wabe.org/city-of-tucker-passes-non-discrimination-ordinance-in-a-growing-push-for-lgbtq-protections-in-georgia/ decaturish.com/2023/06/atucker-mayor-fails-to-block-nondiscrimination-ordinance/ www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/tucker-passes-non-discrimination-law-after-four-years-of-talks/ar-AA1cuDTD www.fox5atlanta.com/news/tucker-mayor-walks-out-of-meeting-as-council-votes-on-non-discrimination-ordinance UPDATE, June 12, 2023 IT PASSED! The Unlawful Discrimination ordinance passed by a vote of 6-0 after the Mayor left the room while the seconded motion to vote was on the table. Thank you to the City Council for their work and support. We are especially grateful to council members Lerner, Rece, and Schroeder for working through the ordinance for the last year. Anne Lerner did a wonderful job of presenting the ordinance and defending it from the Mayor's "amendments". Thank you to all the supporters that came out tonight. And, thank you to all those that stuck with us and contributed their time and talents over the last four years. This affirms that Tucker is the great place we already know it to be. We are especially grateful to council members Lerner, Rece, and Schroeder for working through the ordinance for the last year. UPDATE, June 7, 2023 FINAL HEARING SET FOR JUNE 12, 7PM AT CITY HALL. The Unlawful Discrimination ordinance is on the city's June 12 agenda for second read and public hearing. The agenda calls for a 40 minute public hearing, with 20 minutes allocated for each side, and with speakers alternating between sides. This is not the city's usual format for public hearings; but, it was the format followed at the first hearing. After the hearing the council will debate and should vote on the ordinance. Please be there to show your support. If you haven't already done so, please email your support to the Mayor and all council members. See the ACT page for information. There are several revisions to the ordinance since it was last published on May 8. Please see the DRAFT ORDINANCE page for the revised ordinance. UPDATE, May 25, 2023 The mayor's unfortunate comments and his intended "town hall" event attracted local news coverage of the NDO movement: www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/05/24/tucker-non-discrimination-law-still-limbo-after-opposition-mayor/ www.11alive.com/article/news/local/tucker/tucker-may-comments-on-lgbtq-community/85-16633385-80f1-4c38-9bad-6ac48bf729ee?ref=exit-recirc decaturish.com/2023/05/tucker-mayor-will-give-away-tickets-to-nondiscrimination-ordinance-town-hall/ UPDATE, May 21, 2023 The city's video recording of the May 8 meeting and hearing can be seen at the link below. It was a long meeting. Here are the points of intere st: Public Comment @ 18:00. Councilperson Lerner's presentation @ 48:58. Public Hearing @ 1:19:54. Mayor Auman's opposition presentation (some may find offensive) @ 2:43:12 pub-tuckerga.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=88f5bc5c-44c5-4468-9ada-bc3375e412bb If you have trouble with that link, try www.tuckerga.gov/documents/index.php and scroll the calendar to the May 8 meeting. You may find the video link there. Remember to speak your support at the public comment section of the city council meeting tomorrow, 7pm, We are still hoping for a vote on the ordinance at the June 12 meeting. Check back here for updates. UPDATE, May 9, 2023 Thank you for your inspiring turnout last night. Whether you spoke or witnessed, your presence was powerful. The last-minute change of public hearing rules was confusing and unfortunate. But, we rolled with it and presented well. We need you to hang on for a few more weeks. We are still hoping for final vote on June 12. Keep checking for updates. We'll post new information when we have it. "Decaturish's" coverage of the May 8 hearing: decaturish.com/2023/05/tucker-nondiscrimination-ordinance-hearing-draws-large-crowd-to-city-hall/ UPDATE, May 6, 2023 Here is our understanding of the procedure on May 8: The May 8 meeting will be "first read" and a public hearing. Council will not vote on the ordinance at this meeting. They will likely schedule it for vote at the June 12 meeting. There will be two opportunities to speak on Monday, first during the public comment period at the beginning of the meeting, and second at the public hearing after the ordinance is read into the record. Even if you do not wish to speak, your presence lending support at the meeting will be powerful. First opportunity. The public comment period lasts 20 minutes. It is held early in the meeting, usually after the Mayor's opening remarks. Public comment can be on any subject of interest to the city. That means we can speak about the ordinance at this time. Each person's time is limited to two minutes. People are called to speak on a first-come-first-served basis. There will be a sign-up sheet posted on the table inside the meeting room door. The 20 minute time limit is designed to limit the number of people allowed to speak. Sign up for public comment opens at 6 pm. Be there before 6 to sign up. Second opportunity. After the ordinance is read into the record, the council will have an opportunity to speak, and then the floor will be opened to the public to speak. There will be time for people to speak for the ordinance and time for people to speak against it. The amount of time allotted for this is yet undecided. It may be limited to 10 minutes for each side; but, we are hearing it may be increased to 20 minutes for each side. There is no personal time limit for this; but, we need to make our points concisely and leave time for others to speak. May 22 Council meeting, 7 pm. We do not expect the ordinance to have second hearing and vote at the May 22 meeting. However, this public comment period at this meeting will provide us another opportunity to voice our support. June 12 Council meeting, 7pm. This is the meeting where we expect the ordinance to be brought up for a vote. There is no legal requirement for a second public hearing at this meeting. That will be up to Mayor and council to decide. However, this public comment period at the beginning of this meeting will provide us another opportunity to voice our support. Your attendance at this meeting to display support is important. Please plan to be there. Right now. Please remember to email your support to Mayor and council. They need to know they have our support when they cast their votes for this ordinance. Please remind your friends and neighbors to send their support as well. We know they are already hearing from the opposition; so, a few minutes of your effort will make a difference. Please continue to check this site for further information. We'll post it here as we have it. UPDATE, May 4, 2023 City Council meeting agenda for May 8 includes the proposed "Unlawful Discrimination" ordinance. Council members Lerner, Rece, and Schroeder have added the proposed "Unlawful Discrimination" ordinance to the May 8 City Council meeting for "first read". This is the first step toward adoption. The ordinance will be read into the record at this meeting. It will not be voted upon at this meeting. Vote will be held at a later meeting, usually the following month. We don't have the date yet for that. There will be a 20 minute public hearing on the ordinance on May 8. Please attend the meeting to show your support. A local church is planning to oppose the ordinance; so, your show of support is important. Arrive early to sign up to speak. Here are a couple of great ways to show your support:
Check back with us for further updates. UPDATE, May 1, 2023 WANF (channel 46) Reports on the NDO. www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/05/01/residents-support-possible-non-discrimination-ordinance-tucker/ UPDATE, April 26, 2023 decaturish.com/2023/04/tucker-residents-urge-city-council-to-pass-nondiscrimination-ordinance/ UPDATE, September 27, 2022 At the September 26 city council work session, Council Member Anne Lerner, along with four members of the Non-discrimination Working Group, reported their work and presented their draft "Equitable and Inclusive Practices" ordinance to the mayor and council. The Mayor and Council Members Lerner, Schroeder, and Weaver were present in the room, Council Members Monferdini and Orlando attended via video conference. Council Member Rece was unable to attend. Council Member Lerner led the presentation and explained that the working group met several times during the months of May through September. The draft ordinance is a result of their work, with input from a range of Tucker citizens including members of Tucker Open Door. Council discussed the ordinance thoroughly in a several-hour question-and-answer session that lasted until midnight. It is our understanding that some revisions will be considered as a result of the discussion. The city's work session agenda packet, including the draft presented at the meeting is available on the City's website here: pub-tuckerga.escribemeetings.com/FileStream.ashx?DocumentId=6583 We also have a copy posted here on our Draft Ordinance page. At this writing Tucker Open Door believes there is enough support in council to adopt the ordinance. We do not yet have a date for the first read at a public meeting. We will share that information when we receive it. UPDATE, July 29, 2022 Members of Tucker Open Door met with members of city council and the NDO working group. We can report that work is progressing on the ordinance, with the intent of adoption in the fall, under the title "Equitable and Inclusive Practices". UPDATE, June 5, 2022 Sources within the city report the working group has met three times, aiming toward an October Council vote. UPDATE, April 13, 2022 On April 11, council member Anne Lerner announced the formation of a working group to study the NDO. As of this post, we have no clear information on the charge or deadline for the working group - other than a "late summer" presentation. We'll update when we know more. See the link below for more information on the working group. /tuckerobserver.com/2022/04/12/city-council-member-anne-lerner-announces-ndo-working-group/ UPDATE, October 15, 2021: tuckerobserver.com/2021/10/15/editorial-tucker-mayor-frank-auman-gaslights-supporters-of-non-discrimination-ordinance/ UPDATE, October 13, 2021: At the October 12 City Council meeting, with a last-minute addition to the agenda, Tucker's city government made a public "statement of values" against discrimination and embracing diversity. The sentiment expressed in their resolution is commendable. While the resolution is a step in the right direction, it is not an enforceable ordinance. The resolution acknowledges the foundational premise of a non-discrimination ordinance - that all should have equal access to employment, housing and public accommodations. Yet, it provides no process for addressing or resolving instances of discrimination and provides no means of enforcement. It is important to have a legally enforceable ordinance because this resolution is only a formal "statement of values" of the City. After two years of diligently answering questions and educating the Mayor and City Council members, it’s a testament to the power an election year holds that the Tucker Open Door community was able to make the non-discrimination ordinance a pivotal issue in our local elections. Over the last two years we have emphasized that passing a non-discrimination ordinance is something our community supports. We now have a commitment to create and pass an NDO from at least one current Council member, a Mayoral candidate, and numerous candidates in each district. We look forward to joining the surrounding cities of Doraville, Decatur, Clarkston, Chamblee and Dunwoody in ensuring that all of our residents are protected from discrimination under the law by working with the City Council to pass an NDO in which we can all take pride. docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=https://www.tuckerga.gov/document_center/resolutions/10-12-21+Signed+Resolution.pdf&hl=en_US tuckerobserver.com/2021/10/12/tucker-city-council-approves-non-discrimination-resolution/ www.ajc.com/neighborhoods/dekalb/tucker-adopts-non-discrimination-resolution-critics-say-it-has-no-teeth/B7DNDTRKEJBHTJRIX2BARSYTN4/ CANDIDATES SUPPORT NON-DISCRIMINATION ORDINANCE Robin Biro, candidate for Mayor: I support the nondiscrimination ordinance, and pledge to place it on the council agenda for consideration within my first 60 days as Mayor, once elected. Not only is it crucially important to protect people who live and do business here in Tucker from discrimination, but it is also important for Tucker economically to be competitive with the surrounding municipalities who have already passed such measures and are already attracting new businesses and industries by having these protections in place. www.robinfortucker.com Christine Bloodworth, candidate for District 1 Council Post 2: I support an NDO and always have. The local agenda groups and organizers presented the nondiscrimination proposal to the current mayor and council over two years ago with NO RESOLVE. Enforcing an NDO should have been resolved, yet instead was met with no priority or concern to the community's needs. The resolution recently proposed is rather embarrassing and holds minimal merit to those in support of an NDO. A concrete and well-defined NDO needs to go into effect within 60-90 days, and given that the majority of candidates and the public support it, there should be no further delay. voteforbloodworth.com/ Shawn Woods, candidate for District 1 Council Post 2: To make it plain for any consumer of my response, I want it on the record that I am appalled that the current Mayor of Tucker has labeled this necessary and vital piece of legislation as ‘divisive”. Every Tucker resident or any citizen that does business within our city or enjoys any of our parks or activities should know that Tucker is an inclusive city that not only welcomes them; but does everything within its legislative power to protect and hold dear. It is for this reason that I promise and fully commit to doing the following: (A) If elected by the citizens of District 1 Post 2, I will request of the Mayor elect that the Non-Discrimination Order, as drafted; be placed on an agenda within 30 days of the seating of the new City Council. This matter is requested regardless of the position of the Mayor on the subject. I hereby request that the Non-Discrimination Order be brought forward for discussion for first and second readings and I will vote in the affirmative for passage. (B) I further urge the current Council to deal with this issue now. If the Non-Discrimination Order is heard now (prior to the election) and defeated then if elected, I will request of the Mayor that it again be placed on the agenda within 30 days of the seating of the new City Council. I believe that the City of Tucker is an inclusive city with much to offer. Perhaps 20 years ago this may have been a divisive issue but in 2019 when it was presented and certainly today, it cannot be called so. There is nothing divisive about ensuring that every citizen feels protected and has the full backing of the City Council to prove that. www.shawnwoodsfortucker.com/ Imani Barnes, candidate for District 2 Council Post: I feel we need to look at the draft written and formulate it to best fit all citizens in Tucker. I will fight to have the NDO taken to a work session and discussed amongst the city council to be voted on from all council members. The NDO has been passed in surrounding cities with no repercussions and would benefit Tucker to show the all inclusivity of our city. This is one of my top issues and will continue to be until it has been discussed and voted upon at the city council meetings. As an LGBTQ+ representative, I stand on passing the NDO in Tucker. joinarmswithbarnes.com/ Cara Schroeder, candidate for District 2 Council Post: Our city of Tucker and District 2 continue to grow with new residents. New residents who bring more diversity to our community. Tucker has always been an inclusive community. If I am elected to the city council, I will be a representative of all constituents of District 2 and I will support a Non-Discrimination Ordinance (NDO) for the City of Tucker. My goal is to ensure all residents, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, background, sexual orientation, or gender identity have a voice in city affairs. I stand with the LGBTQIA community. Inclusion is a primary platform of my campaign. Discrimination has no place in the City of Tucker. Empowering all residents strengthens all of Tucker. www.carafortucker.com/ Alexis Weaver, candidate for District 3 Council Post: I am an enthusiastic supporter of a Non-Discrimination Ordinance and ally of my LGBTQ neighbors. Discrimination has absolutely no place in our city. Tucker residents should know that the city has their back and is committed to protecting them. I commend my neighbors who have been such strong advocates for this essential ordinance. We must keep working together to ensure Tucker is a truly safe and welcoming community! www.alexis4tucker.com/ UPDATE, April 25, 2021: Other Georgia cities make progress, as Tucker falls behind. www.projectq.us/city-by-city-movement-to-protect-lgbtq-people-spreads-across-georgia/ UPDATE, July 24, 2020: Savannah is the latest Georgia city to pass a nondiscrimination ordinance. Read here. UPDATE, July 10, 2020: Cities around the state are progressing on non-discrimination ordinances . Here is an update from AJC.com: Despite court victory, LGBT boosters gird for more fights in Ga UPDATE, June 24, 2020: Well-known real estate marketplace website Zillow now indicates non-discrimination protections on its listings. Zillowgroup.com states, "Zillow believes everyone deserves a safe, affordable home, free of discrimination. Federal law does not provide those protections. That’s why Zillow is shining a spotlight on towns and cities that have LGBTQ+ protections, and those that don’t. Information on LGBTQ+ housing, employment and public accommodation laws is now available on all Zillow home listings across the nation." People searching Zillow for home listings will now see that our neighboring cities provide protections currently unavailable in Tucker, which may result in lower prices for our homes. Tucker must act now to remedy this disadvantage before the Tucker real estate market is affected. Read more here and here. UPDATE, June 23, 2020: The Georgia Legislature passed a hate crimes bill, HB 426. Read the AJC article here. It will be sent to the Governor to sign. On June 8 the Tucker City Council unanimously passed a Resolution asking the State to pass the Hate Crimes Law. We are pleased that our Mayor and Council took this important stand. We challenge them to back up their words with local action against discrimination by adopting a non-discrimination ordinance for the City of Tucker. UPDATE, June 20, 2020: This weekend we launched the Tucker Open Door Program. This allows you to easily identify which Tucker Businesses are open to all. Look for the Tucker Open Door logo displayed at local businesses. Be sure to support these stand out businesses. Click here to learn more. Contact us to add your business. UPDATE, June 15, 2020: Today the Supreme Court acknowledged employment rights for LGBTQ persons under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. This is an important and long-overdue acknowledgment of the basic civil rights of LGBTQ Americans to earn a living. Here is the written opinion. Here is an article from NPR , another from CNN, and this one from Georgia Equality. Of course, this does not end all discrimination. Only two days ago the Trump administration eliminated discrimination protections for transgender Americans under the Affordable Care Act. Also today, the city of East Point became the latest Georgia city to adopt a non-discrimination ordinance. Read about it here. UPDATE, June 13, 2020: The Decatur-ish Twitch program features a discussion of the non-discrimination ordinance proposed for Tucker. The discussion runs from minutes 17 to 41. See it here. |
We Love Tucker...
...and we want it to be its best self.
We believe discrimination has no place here.
We believe the doors of opportunity in Tucker should be open to all persons of good will.
We believe we can accomplish more by working together.
So, a group of dedicated Tucker citizens is working to get the city to adopt a Non-Discrimination Ordinance.
So far, the Mayor and City Council have not acted.
Will you join us in helping them understand why this is needed and why it will help Tucker be an even better place to live?
We believe discrimination has no place here.
We believe the doors of opportunity in Tucker should be open to all persons of good will.
We believe we can accomplish more by working together.
So, a group of dedicated Tucker citizens is working to get the city to adopt a Non-Discrimination Ordinance.
So far, the Mayor and City Council have not acted.
Will you join us in helping them understand why this is needed and why it will help Tucker be an even better place to live?
"This ordinance is important to me and my family because not only are we allies, we have close family members and many friends in the LGBTQIA community. I believe that this ordinance would go a long way in creating the kind of welcoming and open city Tucker should be."
Rachel N.
Here is a quick summary of the draft ordinance:
Purpose
This ordinance is designed to protect everyone living, working, and doing business in the City of Tucker from discrimination in employment, housing, and providing goods and services.
Models
This ordinance is modeled on the ordinances recently adopted by the cities of Chamblee, Clarkston, and Doraville.
Protection
Everyone is protected by this ordinance, because we all fit into one or more of these specified categories:
Actual or perceived race, color, religion, religious expression, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), ancestry, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.
Exemptions
The ordinance would not apply to a religious organization, private fraternal and benevolent association or society, or a nonprofit private club.
Process
A complaint under the ordinance must be filed with the city clerk within 90 days of the alleged act of discrimination. A $50 filing fee is required, but that fee may be waived later in the process.
A hearing officer, who must be an attorney with experience in constitutional law and employment discrimination, will review the complaint and either dismiss it or refer it to a mediator for voluntary non-binding mediation between the complainant and the alleged violator.
If the issue isn’t resolved in mediation, the complaint is referred back to the hearing officer. If the officer finds a violation has occurred, the offender can face a $500 fine for the first violation, $1,000 for the second violation and $1,500 or the suspension/revocation of the business permit/license, or cancellation of city contract for subsequent violations. If the hearing officer recommends suspension or revocation of the offender’s business license, the city council would have the final decision in the matter. The burden of proof shall be by a preponderance of the evidence.
Finally, either party, if still not satisfied, can appeal to the DeKalb County Superior Court.
Cost
The Mediator’s fees and the Hearing Officer’s fees will be assessed to the non- prevailing party unless the Hearing Officer determines that circumstances warrant assessing the cost in some other manner.
Purpose
This ordinance is designed to protect everyone living, working, and doing business in the City of Tucker from discrimination in employment, housing, and providing goods and services.
Models
This ordinance is modeled on the ordinances recently adopted by the cities of Chamblee, Clarkston, and Doraville.
Protection
Everyone is protected by this ordinance, because we all fit into one or more of these specified categories:
Actual or perceived race, color, religion, religious expression, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), ancestry, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.
Exemptions
The ordinance would not apply to a religious organization, private fraternal and benevolent association or society, or a nonprofit private club.
Process
A complaint under the ordinance must be filed with the city clerk within 90 days of the alleged act of discrimination. A $50 filing fee is required, but that fee may be waived later in the process.
A hearing officer, who must be an attorney with experience in constitutional law and employment discrimination, will review the complaint and either dismiss it or refer it to a mediator for voluntary non-binding mediation between the complainant and the alleged violator.
If the issue isn’t resolved in mediation, the complaint is referred back to the hearing officer. If the officer finds a violation has occurred, the offender can face a $500 fine for the first violation, $1,000 for the second violation and $1,500 or the suspension/revocation of the business permit/license, or cancellation of city contract for subsequent violations. If the hearing officer recommends suspension or revocation of the offender’s business license, the city council would have the final decision in the matter. The burden of proof shall be by a preponderance of the evidence.
Finally, either party, if still not satisfied, can appeal to the DeKalb County Superior Court.
Cost
The Mediator’s fees and the Hearing Officer’s fees will be assessed to the non- prevailing party unless the Hearing Officer determines that circumstances warrant assessing the cost in some other manner.
Logo by Brandy Wright - Designer and Real Estate Agent
bwrightdesigns@gmail.com
bwrightdesigns@gmail.com