We have a long, proud history of supporting and protecting our LGBTQ+ community. Here is a timeline of LGBTQ+ progress in Chapel Hill:
The Town elects the first openly gay person in the South to Town Council: Joe Herzenberg was first elected in 1987, and again in 1991 (and was selected as Mayor Pro-tem).
The Chapel Hill Town Council held a public forum on 3/2/1994 to discuss the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance proposal.
The Town creates a domestic partner registry
The Town adds "sexual orientation", "gender identity", and "gender expression" to the list of characteristics protected in the Town’s equal employment opportunity policy.
Council meeting to consider placing the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act on its legislative agenda.
The Town elects its first openly gay mayor, Mark Kleinschmidt.
Town Council passes resolution condemning the General Assembly’s discriminatory Senate Bill 2 (Session Law 2015-75).
Town Council passes resolution calling for repeal of the discriminatory Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act (House Bill 2).
The Town elects its first openly lesbian Council Member, Karen Stegman (who was selected as Mayor Pro-tem in 2021).
Town creates LGBTQ+ Liaison to the Town Manager and LGBTQ+ Police Liaison positions.
Transgender-inclusive health care benefits added to the Town’s 2018-2019 Benefits Digest.
Town officially creates LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group and charge.
Chapel Hill becomes among the first (with the Towns of Hillsborough and Carrboro and Orange County) to adopt an ordinance prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations and employment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
Chapel Hill Town Council passes resolution a resolution in solidarity with Chapel Hill's LGBTQ+ community in response to Senate Bill 49.