BREAKING: Charlotte Approves LGBT Rights Bill!

After hours of public testimony which included the usual ranting plus some literal screaming about Jesus, and an actual half-rapped anti-LGBT poem presented by a 12 year-old, tonight the Charlotte City Council approved an LGBT rights ordinance.

From the Human Rights Campaign:

Tonight, TurnOut! Charlotte, a partnership of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Equality North Carolina, and MeckPAC, hailed the leadership and vision of the Charlotte City Council for voting to advance city-wide non-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity, in public accommodations, vehicles for hire, and in government contracting. The ordinance passed by a vote of 7 to 4 with the strong support of newly-elected Mayor Jennifer Roberts, who has been a leading voice for the ordinance in her campaign and since she’s taken office.

“The City Council’s vote today sends a clear message that discrimination has no place in Charlotte,” said HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse. “Everyone, regardless of who they are, should have the legal right to feel safe in their community, and we commend the City Council for standing with us on the side of fairness and equality in the Queen City.”

“As North Carolina’s oldest and largest LGBT advocacy organization, Equality North Carolina is pleased to see Charlotte’s elected leaders take a step in the right direction on non-discrimination,” said Crystal Richardson, Director of Advocacy for Equality NC. “We are proud to stand with Mayor Roberts and members of the Charlotte City Council in this victory for equality. This ordinance guarantees equal protection under the law for all, regardless of who they are or who they love.”

“Today’s vote is a reminder that a majority of American’s support nondiscrimination,” said MeckPAC Chair Jamie Hildreth. “And that all should be treated with dignity, respect and equality. MeckPAC thanks our Turnout! Charlotte partners, Mayor Roberts and City Council for ensuring that LGBT residents can feel safe and at home in Charlotte.”

Stand by for the deafening sadz.

Hey guess what Charlotte, we just did it. #CLTequality

— Equality NC (@equalitync) February 23, 2016

Austin, Autry, Kinsey, Eiselt, Lyles, Mitchell & Mayfield impose insane bathroom & LGBT ordinance on Charlotte. #dontdoitcharlotte — DontDoItCharlotte (@NotInCharlotte) February 23, 2016

King John came out at the Charlotte City Council, asking to be recognized as gender Royal. #dontdoitcharlotte pic.twitter.com/3tex2zumQ2

— Tami Fitzgerald (@tamifitzgerald) February 23, 2016

,q b sac be k the best of the jrrrre — DontDoItCharlotte (@NotInCharlotte) February 22, 2016

Tami Fitzgerald is here y’all. #CLTequality #cltcc #ncpol pic.twitter.com/bDhgDNPDSe

— Equality NC (@equalitync) February 23, 2016

UPDATE: Here are the first few nutters to testify plus two of the good guys. I’m hoping to find video of the “king.”