Not everyone is equal in Chattanooga.

Despite the marriage equality ruling, our LGBTQ neighbors can legally be discriminated against in most areas of daily life and are still not equal.

Housing

It's legal to refuse to rent, sell, or give a loan to an LGBTQ person just because of who they are.

Services

It's legal to refuse to serve an LGBTQ person in any place of public accommodation.

Employment

It's legal to fire an LGBTQ person, refuse to hire them, or deny them a promotion.

Medical Care

It's legal to refuse to provide counseling services to an LGBTQ person, and legal to deny medical coverage/care.

Education

It's legal to discriminate against students based on their LGBTQ status and local school non-discrimination and anti-bullying policies do not extend to LGBTQ students.

So, how do we fix it?

The solution is simple - the City of Chattanooga must pass an Equality Ordinance.

This ordinance will:

• Reaffirm that existing federal court rulings protecting LGBTQ people apply in our city.
• Allow LGBTQ people to use existing systems for reporting discrimination and seeking justice.​

Learn how you can help

Why should we?

Because no one should have a license to discriminate.

Saving lives

Equal rights for LGBTQ citizens can literally save lives.

Think about what your life would be like if you couldn't get a job, find a place to live, or get a good education because of who you are and the way you were born.

One result? Suicide rates due to discrimination are incredibly high in the LGBTQ population. For example, 44% of transgender people have attempted suicide before the age of 24.

A stronger economy

Evidence hows that equal rights for LGBTQ citizens affects the economy of a region.

In areas that have equality, economies are stronger.

When states or cities don't support their LGBTQ population, businesses may choose not to locate there, visit, or even shut their doors and leave. When North Carolina passed an anti-LGBT law, billions of dollars were lost across the state.

What does our community have to say?

On February 21st, 2018, the Hamilton County Commission declared our community to be a "Bias-Free Zone". They resolved that "there is no place for hatred, racism, religious intolerance, and/or bias to flourish within Hamilton County, Tennessee."

Local business owners, faith leaders, nonprofit organizations and community members just like you agree with the commission. See their statements below.

see all statements of support

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