Employment Discrimination
BACKGROUND & CURRENT STATUS
Representative Karla Drenner (D-86) introduced the Georgia Fair Employment Practices Bill in 2011. House Bill 630 is cosponsored by a total of 70 members of the House of Representatives, including 57 Democrats, 12 Republicans and 1 Independent. This legislation would amend state labor laws to add safeguards from discrimination in public employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity. All 174,000 employees working for the State of Georgia would be protected from discriminatory hiring and firing practices. If the legislation passes, Georgia would join twenty-one states that protect public employees based on sexual orientation and twelve states that protect based on gender identity.
Georgia Equality has successfully ensured the passage of Employment Non-discrimination ordinances for employees of Savannah, East Point, Clarkston, Doraville, Atlanta, Athens-Clarke County, Decatur, DeKalb and Fulton Counties, and Grady Health System. We are working to expand these protections to more municipalities across the state, using these victories as momentum for passing a state-wide employment non-discrimination law.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Talk to your local city council members or the human resources department at your place of employment about the importance of having an employment non-discrimination policy including sexual orientation and gender identity - you can contact Georgia Equality for assistance
- Talk to your state lawmaker by setting up an “in-district” visit. By using the talking points below and sharing your personal stories, you can help create fairness in the workplace
- Email or call your state lawmaker and urge him or her to support HB630
- Stay informed by joining our Action Email List
- Join Georgia Equality. Our work is not possible without the financial support of people like you who care about equality and fairness in the workplace
