New England is well represented within the newly formed organization Mayors Against LGBT Discrimination. On January 18, two days before the presidential inauguration, 172 mayors from 42 states formed the bipartisan coalition to “secure LGBT nondiscrimination protections locally even if they’re not advancing federally.”
At its launch meeting, the Center for American Progress announced that it will release a report “explaining a variety of options for nonlegislative actions that local governments can take to protect LGBT people. As of now only 32 states provide LGBT protections. Included among the list is to issue nondiscrimination protections for city and county employees and in public services; prevent discrimination and expand opportunities through grants and contracts; and establish LGBT liasons, commissions, and advisory boards,” according to a January 28 Advocate website report.
In New England, Massachusetts leads the region with 12 cities’ leaders signed on. Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine each have two. Mayors in New Hampshire and Vermont have yet to sign on.
Notably, among those signed on nationally are several mayors in North Carolina, Mississippi, Texas and other states where statewide anti-discrimination laws are brewing or already on the books.
“North Carolina’s House Bill 2 was referenced multiple times during the meeting by mayors as an example of what can happen to a state’s economy and public standing when discrimination is legalized. North Carolina lost a reported $329.9 million in revenue and more than 730 jobs. Mayors expressed concern that the same could happen in Texas if the state passes the anti-LGBT bill recently filed,” reports the Advocate.
For those in cities not yet in the coalition, you can put your mayor in contact with a Mayors Against LGBT Discrimination representative by asking your mayor to visit the sign on web page.
New England cities with mayors who’ve taken the initiative thus far include:
Massachusetts
Joseph Curtatone, Somerville
Robert Dolan, Melrose
Kimberley Driscoll, Salem
Kevin Dumas, Attleboro
Jon Mitchell, New Bedford
Alex Morse, Holyoke
David Narkewicz, Northampton
Joseph Petty, Worcester
Domenic Sarno, Springfield
Linda Tyer, Pittsfield
Martin Walsh, Boston
Setti Warren, Newton
Rhode Island
Jorge Elorza, Providence
Donald Grebien, Pawtucket
Connecticut
Scott Kaupin, Enfield
Michael Passero, New London
Maine
Joseph Baldacci, Bangor
Ethan Strimling, Portland
