BECKLEY, W.Va. — A first reading of a proposed non-discrimination ordinance for the city of Beckley will take place on Tuesday.
Because of the expected higher-than-normal public attendance for this week’s Common Council regular session, Mayor Robert Rappold decided to move the event from the downtown Council Chambers site to the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center on Armory Dr.
In November, Rappold formally asked council members to consider an ordinance prohibiting housing and employment discrimination against those who identify as LGBTQ. A similar measure was proposed in 2014, but ultimately was tabled amid community opposition.
The Beckley Human Rights Commission voted on Dec. 6 to amend the city code to designate LGBTQ as a protected class, and the drafting of the ordinance then commenced under the direction of Commission attorney Robert Dunlap. A majority of council members have expressed support for the proposal, which is expected to be similar — if not virtually identical — to ordinances passed by 12 other West Virginia municipalities.
Tuesday’s Common Council session at the convention center is scheduled to begin at 6:30.