Knowledge is Power, allies! Here is a quick overview of the progress being made towards comprehensive LGBTQ Equality in the state of Florida. Want to know how you can get involved? TAKE ACTION NOW!
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Employment Discrimination in Florida
The Williams Institute recently published a report which estimates approximately 328,000 LGBTQ Floridian employees are vulnerable to discrimination. The report highlights documented evidence that LGBT people face employment discrimination across the country, including Florida and that adding characteristics to the Florida Civil Rights Act to protect people from discrimination based on their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression would have no noticeable impact on the State Commission’s Budget. You can read the full report here: Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Florida
Human Rights Ordinance
Updates Courtesy of the Human Rights Campaign:
As of August 14, 2014 at least 200 cities and counties prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression in employment ordinances that governed all public and private employers in those jurisdictions. This list does not include those cities and counties that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity for city and county employees — such policies do not affect private employers in those jurisdictions. Cities and Counties that Prohibit Discrimination Based on Gender Identity in Public and Private Employment, By State.
Florida
Atlantic Beach, City of (only)
Alachua County
Broward County
Gainesville, City of
Gulfport, City of
Key West, City of
Lake Worth, City of
Leon County
Miami Beach, City of
Monroe County
Palm Beach County
Pinellas County
Orlando. City of
Tampa, City of
Volusia County
West Palm Beach, City of
The Equality Act
On July 23, 2015, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and Rhode Island Representative David Cicilline, together with lead co-sponsors Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), introduced the Equality Act, a bill to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing, credit, education, and jury service. It also prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex by those receiving federal funding and in public accommodations. Read the FAQs from Lamba Legal
Allies in the News
02.05.16 Fellow Ally, Pastor Reginald Gundy, pens An awakening to what it means not to discriminate, featured in the Orlando Sentinel
12.28.15 Fellow Ally, Rabbi Joshua Lief, speaks to Forward about How Jewish Leaders Can Keep the LGBT Debate Honest
11.30.15 After years of opposition, Reverend R.L. Gundy of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, speaks on First Coast Connect about the importance of updating the Jacksonville Human Rights Ordinance
08.15.15 Chevara Orrin pens Equality Florida Guest Blog: “Spray Paint, Racism and Homophobia Collide at Pensacola’s Graffiti Bridge”
07.30.15 Pat Geraghty, President and CEO of Florida Blue, writes guest column for the Florida Times-Union on the importance of statewide protections for the LGBTQ Community of Florida
04.30.15 Ally, Gary Chartrand, receives OneJAX Humanitarian Silver Medallion for his work in education and advocacy in Jacksonville
03.01.15 Featured article in Arbus Magazine HRO: Good for Business
We Are Allies 