Last week, Magnolia Mississippi’s Board of Alderman voted unanimously to pass a comprehensive nondiscrimination ordinance covering sexual orientation and gender identity. The ordinance protects LGBTQ people from discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations. Additionally, the Board passed hate-crime protections for LGBTQ people. Magnolia is the second city in Mississippi to pass comprehensive non-discrimination protections, following Jackson.
“Magnolia, Miss., is a welcoming, warm place, and I am pleased we have proven that yet again by passing a fully inclusive non-discrimination ordinance,” said Mercedes Ricks, alderman-at-large, in a press release. “As a Magnolia resident, an immigrant, a lesbian and an elected official, today’s vote by the Board of Aldermen has made me very proud of this city, my home.”
Mississippi has no statewide nondiscrimination protection for discrimination against LGBTQ people or hate crime legislation covering sexual orientation and gender identity.
Mercedes Ricks is the only openly LGBTQ official in Mississippi.
