Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the City of Atlanta are committed to the fair treatment of all Atlantans, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ) residents, workers and visitors. The LGBTQ capital of the South, we are proud that a diverse and thriving LGBTQ community chooses to call Atlanta home. We work hard to best serve all LGBTQ individuals who live, work, and play in Atlanta.

In addition to the many services and cultural opportunities available in Atlanta, from arts and culture to dining, nightlife, and community events, the City offers employment benefits tailored to the needs of its LGBTQ employees and has a comprehensive set of non-discrimination laws, which prohibit sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination by business establishments, by commercial housing agents, and by service providers in Atlanta. We were proud to install the permanent Rainbow Crosswalks (intersection of 10th St NE & Piedmont Ave NE) in 2017, dedicated in remembrance of the 49 LGBTQ+ lives lost in the horrific 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting.

Since 2013 Atlanta has had the proud distinction of having a perfect 100% score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index. In 2018, Atlanta also achieved MEI “All-Star” status—the only Georgia city to do so—for scoring above 85 despite being in a state with no LGBTQ-inclusive state-level protections. See our most recent results .

Thế giới cá Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms appointed the City’s first full-time LGBTQ Affairs Coordinator in early 2018. The Coordinator works with City of Atlanta officials and the Mayor’s LGBTQ Advisory Board to better the LGBTQ community.

Malik Brown, LGBTQ Affairs Coordinator
(404) 546 – 2235
mkybrown@atlantaga.gov

Mayor’s LGBTQ Advisory Board 
The LGBTQ Advisory Board to Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is composed of citywide LGBTQ leaders and advocates.     The 34-member body makes recommendations to the Mayor that help shape the City’s policies and engagements with Atlanta’s LGBTQ communities.

Corrections LGBTQ Liaison: 

Captain Kamula McKnight-Butler
(404) 865 – 8039 
KMcKnight@AtlantaGa.Gov

Non-Discrimination Laws:

All City of Atlanta non-discrimination laws prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, parental status, familial status, national origin, age and disability. The non-discrimination laws are set forth in .  

Thế giới cáThe City’s non-discrimination laws apply to a multitude of situations, including the following:

1. All City of Atlanta decisions and actions 
   City of Atlanta Bill of Rights and numerous sections of the Atlanta Code of Ordinances, including Sections 114-121, 114-452(5), 114-166(a), 3-502 and 142-12(b)(1)
2. Employment decisions by private employers located in Atlanta who have at least ten employees 
   Atlanta Code of Ordinances Sections 94-111 and 94-112
3. Housing decisions, including real estate sales and rentals, where the individual or company making the decision owns at least four properties for sale or rent in Atlanta 
   Atlanta Code of Ordinances Section 94-91 thru Section 94-97
4. Decisions about selection or treatment of customers by businesses that provide goods or services to the public (often referred to as “public accommodations”) in Atlanta, including hotels, restaurants, bars, banks, theaters and amusement parks. 
   Atlanta Code of Ordinances Section 94-68 and Section 10-224(a)
5. Decisions regarding potential exhibitors or patrons by anyone leasing the Atlanta Cyclorama or the Atlanta Civic Center.
   Atlanta Code of Ordinances Section 46-1(b) and Section 46-37
6. Employment, subcontracting and union membership decisions by contractors doing business with the City. 
   Atlanta Code of Ordinances Sections 2-1381, 2-1414 and 2-1466
7. Decisions regarding sale of alcohol or other products by an individual or company licensed to sell alcohol in the City. 
   Atlanta Code of Ordinances Section 10-223

Human Relations Commission: 

Thế giới cáThe City of Atlanta’s Human Relations Commission (HRC) investigates and hears complaints regarding discrimination, makes recommendations on how to resolve such complaints, and initiates activities in keeping with its mission. The HRC focuses its efforts on the elimination of discrimination in public accommodations, private employment and housing. Some of its functions are as follows:

• Receive, investigate, and make recommendations to the Mayor and the appropriate City agency for the resolution of complaints alleging discrimination 

• Initiate actions to test, investigate, and file complaints regarding violations of the Human Relations Code

• Conduct studies and recommend needed ordinances and resolutions

• Develop human relations plans and policies for the City of Atlanta

• Investigate conditions that may lead to tension and conflict among racial, religious, and national groups and recommend remedial actions as may be needed

• Convene conferences on public accommodations, private employment, and housing and work with leaders in these fields in developing programs of voluntary compliance and enforcement of the Human Relations Code

To report acts of discrimination in public accommodations, private employment and housing, please fill out the Human Relations Commission Complaint FormThế giới cá and return it to the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services.  

LGBT 101 for Housing Shelters

Homeless shelters located in the City of Atlanta must provide services to individuals and families without regard to actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.  is a training manual that assists shelters with understanding and abiding by LGBTQ non-discrimination requirements. The manual was developed by the City of Atlanta, in conjunction with a team of religious and secular leaders who specialize in providing homeless and/or LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) services. The Atlanta Human Relations Commission and Georgia Equality have transformed the manual into a training, which is being presented to emergency shelters across the City.