YMCA merger talks stalled, non-discrimination policies differ

Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA has policies to protect gay rights — but a potential merger with the YMCA of the Triangle could threaten those rules.

Residents and local officials have written letters to media organizations and created an online petition to oppose any merger requiring the Chapel Hill branch to adopt the Triangle YMCA’s non-discrimination policy, which doesn’t address sexual orientation.

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro branch board members voted in December to form a committee to consider a merger.

But no formal decisions regarding the merger have been made, said Dabney Grinnan, chairwoman of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA board of directors.

She said affiliation with the Triangle Y would be beneficial because Orange and Chatham County residents could have access to more resources and programs.

“We would become a member of their larger organization,” she said. “Such a collaboration would allow us to do a better job of addressing social needs.”

But a merger could fall through because of the discrimination controversy, said former Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA board member Sam Magill.

Magill said the preliminary merger discussions have focused on the policies, and financial and management issues have yet to be explored.

“The pace of these series of conversations has been glacial, and I have no reason to believe that they will pick up any time soon,” he said.

Though the Triangle policies do not address it, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA applications clearly state that equal opportunity will be ensured for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees and members.

Town officials have said they want to maintain that policy.

“I’m certain that the board is doing what they need to make the best administrative choice, but my main concern is that we don’t go backwards in our policies,” said Carrboro Alderwoman Lydia Lavelle.
“The membership is urging the board members to make sure that if and when a decision is made, we keep those same non-discrimination policies.”

Mia Day Burroughs, a Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA member and local school board member, said the merger will have her support as long as employees remain protected by the policy.

“As long as they continue to receive the benefit of employment protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation, I’m content with how things are,” she said.

“If at any point people who work at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Y are instead covered by the policies of the Y of the Triangle and aren’t protected, I will continue to be outspoken and I will resign my membership.”

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