North Carolina County Protects Gay Workers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. () -- Mecklenburg County, which is North Carolina's most populous county, voted Tuesday to add sexual orientation to it's nondiscrimination policy. Republicans strongly opposed the measure but the change was still approved 6-3.

With the new policy in place, the county is no longer allowed to discriminate on basis of sexual orientation when it comes to hiring and personnel decisions. The county already has similar laws for discrimination based on age, race, sex, religion, and national origin.

Commissioners Chairman Parks Helms stated: "This is to say who we are," he said. "This is what we believe." 

Mecklenburg County is following a number of other North Carolina counties that have passed similar anti-discrimination policies in the past. Durham and Orange counties also offer domestic partner benefits.