CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County commissioners voted 6-3 on Tuesday night to amend their human resources and equal employment policies to include protections on the basis of gender identity and expression.
The policy change was successful, but only so after some interesting and rough debate from the commission dais. Elected officials and activists even took some of their debate online, trading barbs on social networking site Twitter. Here’s some of the best and worst of that online debate, including some online commentary from this writer’s personal Twitter account.
(Note: Like the dais debate itself, some messages below may contain offensive statements.)
So much for the gay/black divide! Comms Ratliffe Dunlap and Fuller Champions for Equality! #cltpol #meckbocc #equalityworks
— Benjamin T. Brown (@Seven634k) October 16, 2013
#MeckBOCC debate tonight on #transgender protex was rough for audience, board members. We must do better at #lgbt education. @equalitync
— Matt Comer (@interstateq) October 16, 2013
What did opponents think of #meckbocc #transgender protections: “Redundant,” “men in dresses,” etc. Shameful: http://t.co/kQ7lusD1tz #lgbt
— Matt Comer (@interstateq) October 16, 2013
#meckbocc employee ladies bathroom sign- new policy allowing men who work for Mecklenburg to use them. Ladies beware! pic.twitter.com/msLvv90dwk
— Bill James (@meckcommish) October 16, 2013
An interesting debate moment tonight over transgender issue. #meckbocc Leake asked ‘how you can tell’ and Ratliff discusses looks. #ncga
— Bill James (@meckcommish) October 16, 2013
My 1st resolution that I +ed 2 the agenda passed 6-3 in favor of non-discrimination in our HR policy. I can sleep good tonight. #meckbocc
— Kim Michele Ratliff (@kim4Commission) October 16, 2013
The word “perceived” threw me off. I just couldn’t wrap my head around what that covers. #MeckBOCC
— Matthew Ridenhour (@mridenhour) October 16, 2013
@qnotescarolinas Would love to debate that on technicalities. LGBT community doesn’t fully agree all the time on what “gender” is #meckbocc
— Greg Kudasz (@MeckReal) October 16, 2013
@qnotescarolinas The community often refers to “sex” as what the parts are,”gender” as what is in the mind. Is that what #meckbocc thinks?
— Greg Kudasz (@MeckReal) October 16, 2013
The word “trans” anything is not in the now approved policy. #meckbocc
— Greg Kudasz (@MeckReal) October 16, 2013
@MeckReal The policy as written will cover transgender workers who are discrim against due to bias against their gender expression/identity
— Matt Comer (@interstateq) October 16, 2013
@MeckReal Policy would also cover *any* worker not sufficiently masc or fem “enough” for a supervisor’s expectations & thereby targeted
— Matt Comer (@interstateq) October 16, 2013
‘Actual or perceived gender’ – a phrase born of identity politics. Girls can be boys, boys can be girls. Absurdity of immorality. #meckbocc
— Bill James (@meckcommish) October 16, 2013
Under Demo #meckbocc county policy a man can dress in drag and invade the ladies room #ncga #ncpol #cltcc #cmsbd girl employees beware.
— Bill James (@meckcommish) October 16, 2013
Bill James just called “us” #emotional Damn right. Hearing you spew your ignorance brings forth lots of emotions #equalityworks #meckbocc
— Chris Speer (@jupitersmorning) October 16, 2013
Ratliff: anybody who’s been discriminated against is gonna feel emotional. #amen #equalityworks #meckbocc
— Chris Speer (@jupitersmorning) October 16, 2013
We know what race and birth sex are but it’s more dicey with identity. #meckbocc should understand before voting. Though I am for protection
— Greg Kudasz (@MeckReal) October 16, 2013
“providing these protections at the local level are important.” –@sbishop2 of meckpac on providing #LGBT workplace protections | #meckbocc
— Equality NC (@equalitync) October 16, 2013