CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – According to Fairness West Virginia, all 12 mayors of West Virginia towns with LGBT nondiscrimination ordinances have united in an open letter calling on the state Legislature to act now on SB 391.

The letter reads:

President Carmichael,

As the elected mayors of West Virginia’s 12 communities with LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances, we write this open letter to ask you to take up Senate Bill 391, which would make the kind of inclusivity found in our towns and cities available to every West Virginia resident.

These ordinances have not harmed commerce as some detractors might assert. To the contrary, they have fostered an inclusive and vibrant business environment. They have helped us to market ourselves to job creators as modern, forward-looking communities that are open to all. In some cases, they have generated positive national — and even international — media coverage for West Virginia.

Religious freedom has not suffered in our communities, either. We are proud of the diversity of religious thought and expression found in our churches, mosques, synagogues and other houses of worship.

These types of inclusive policies help us make our communities into places where our children might want to stay after they have completed their education. As West Virginia continues to lose population, we must listen to the younger generation when they tell us they value policies that make the LGBTQ community feel safe and secure.

Perhaps most importantly, this is just the right thing to do. We can all agree that we should treat others as we wish to be treated. No one wants to be evicted from their homes, fired from their jobs, or refused service at a business simply because of who they are.

Our communities have led the way on this issue, but together we only represent about 11 percent of the state’s total population. We ask you to please place this vital bill on the agenda for the Judiciary Committee as soon as possible.

Sincerely, 
Amy Goodwin, Mayor of Charleston 
Steve Williams, Mayor of Huntington 
Robert Rappold, Mayor of Beckley 
Bill Kawecki, Mayor of Morgantown 
George Karos, Mayor of Martinsburg 
Jim Auxer, Mayor of Shepherdstown 
Scott Rogers, Mayor of Charles Town 
Wayne Bishop, Mayor of Harpers Ferry
J.L. Campbell, Mayor of Sutton
John Manchester, Mayor of Lewisburg
Glenn Elliott, Mayor of Wheeling 
Melanie Dragan, Mayor of Thurmond

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