A Five-Person Town Just Took a Huge Stance on LGBT Rights

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Even though Thurmond, West Virginia only has five residents, they’re actively fighting for equality. The town voted on Monday “to enact an ordinance extending discrimination prohibitions on employment, housing, and public accommodations to LGBT individuals.” The statewide non-discrimination measure that’s already in place does not offer such protections to LGBT people.

Even though residents do not have a need for the ban on employment discrimination — Thurmond has no employers — they agreed that the town’s inclusivity and progressive politics could set a precedent for others to follow.

Council member Tight Bullock toldThe Huffington Post: "If the smallest city can pass it and come together unanimously and be of one mind about something, then I don't think it's too hard that other people can come together and provide protections that should be provided on a statewide level. We don't have to agree or disagree on necessarily what marriage is or anything like that. This bill is about not being able to fire people based on their gender and sexual orientation. And I think almost everyone should be able to agree on something like that."

Bullock went on to explain that West Virginia’s state motto is Montani temper library, which means, Mountaineers are always free. "I think that passing this ordinance is living up to that ideal that all West Virginians are free and we're free from discrimination,” he added. “We're free from fear of being fired for our gender or our sexual orientation."

We hope small towns and cities all across America will soon agree.