The group will work with Mayor Goodwin on LGBTQ related policies and procedures.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Mayor Amy Goodwin says citizens of Charleston have a responsibility to their families to make sure that it is an LGBTQ inclusive community.

Goodwin, in her first term as mayor, and other city leaders continued to take steps to make sure that is the case on Thursday when Charleston’s first LGBTQ working group was announced.

The group, made up of 14 individuals from all walks of life, will work directly with Goodwin to offer recommendations and help develop LGBTQ related policies and procedures in Charleston.

“We are really excited for everything going on,” Billy Wolfe, the chair of the group said. “We are so appreciative for Mayor Goodwin. What this is to me, it this is listening. This is listening to your constituents.”

Wolfe, who is also the Communications Outreach Specialist for Fairness West Virginia said the group will start meeting monthly in June, which is Pride Month.

Those issues that the group will work on include establishing an anti-bullying youth council, developing anti-bullying and harassment policies for City Parks and Recreation facilities, developing LGBTQ-awareness training modules for City employees and reviewing City health insurance coverage to ensure it is LGBTQ-inclusive.

“This is making sure that city government services are there for everybody equally and that Charleston continues to not only meet but set the standards for everybody else on how to be inclusive,” Wolfe said.

The city has taken steps in the past for inclusiveness for the LGBTQ community. In 2007, Charleston became the first city in West Virginia to pass a nondiscrimination ordinance relating to housing, employment, and public accommodations.

Wolfe said he is encouraged by the progress being made at the municipal level on LGBTQ inclusiveness as 12 communities in West Virginia have passed non-discrimination ordinances.

“It’s important to remember in most of West Virginia you can be fired, you can be denied housing, you can be refused services because of who you are and who you love,” Wolfe said.

“That’s wrong and we don’t do that here in Charleston.”

The working group consists of doctors, PR professionals, principals, ministers, Charleston Police and more including Kay Albright, Ashir Coillberg, Caitlin Cook, Jerry Comer, Chris Gosses, Jake Jarvis, Dr. Brad Marple, Ebony Matthews, Carling McManus, Jessi Redden, Natasha Stone, Tina Stinson, Barry Turley, and Wolfe.

Wolfe said anyone is welcome to join the group and can do so by contacting him.

He said that one of the first things the group will try to tackle is the city’s health care plan for employees and to make sure people are aware of who people are and respecting each other’s pronouns.