ELKINS — Elkins City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would prohibit discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations and establish grounds for a “private right of action,” leading the way for Elkins to join more than 20 other West Virginia municipalities with similar ordinances in place. Ordinance 348 would prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, veteran status, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations. According to Ordinance 348, the City’s Rules and Ordinance Committee received a presentation from Fairness West Virginia on Sept. 2, proposing City Council consider and adopt an anti-discrimination ordinance. Schneider stated that Ordinance 348 would be a “win, win, win” for Elkins. The Elkins City Council will meet again on Oct. 2 at the Phil Gainer Community Center.