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Victory! Broward
County Bans Gender Identity Based Discrimination
Equality Florida is a proud partner
in a coalition of local community activists and organizations
who have been working hard to include "gender identity &
expression" and "pregnancy" in the list of protected classes. We
want to thank all of our coalition members,
including:
American Veterans for Equal Rights
Broward Human Rights Initiatives
Broward County Health Department
Broward Sheriffs Office
Care Resource
Congregation Etz Chaim
Dolphin Democrats
Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus
Fight Out Loud
Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida
Human Rights Campaign of South Florida
Hairstylists for Humanity
NAACP Fort Lauderdale
National Center for Lesbian Rights
Pride South Florida
Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
SunServe
Sunshine Cathedral MCC
Transgender Equality Rights Initiatives
Unite Fort Lauderdale
Commissioner Ken Keechl - Broward County
Adrian Reesey- Chair of Broward County Human Rights Board
Commissioner Joe Angelo- City of Wilton Manors
Commissioner Suzanne Boisvenue- City of Oakland Park
Dean Trantalis |
This afternoon, Broward County became the
tenth municipality in Florida to ban discrimination based on
gender identity and expression to the Human Rights Ordinance.
This is a huge victory for everyone in Broward County who values
diversity and who values Fairness. Today Broward has once again
sent a strong message that discrimination will not be tolerated.
The amendment provides vital protections in the workplace, in
housing, and in public accommodations for transgender people,
one of the most vulnerable and persecuted groups in our
community. It also outlaws harassment against people, gay and
straight, who do not fit traditional gender stereotypes and as a
result may become the victims of harassment and violence.
Ken Keechl, Broward's first openly gay county commissioner, was
the lead sponsor of the amendment. "I am proud of my colleagues
for once again recognizing that discrimination is always wrong
and that the people of Broward county have the freedom to live
in a place where their civil rights are protected," said Keechl.
Broward joins nearly a dozen municipalities across Florida that
have banned discrimination based on gender identity and
expression including Gainesville, Gulfport, Palm Beach, Miami
Beach, Key Westand others.
Congratulations Broward County and congratulations to us all!
For more information, contact: Tobias Packer, Equality Florida
Field Organizer, at tobias@eqfl.org or 305-924-1899.
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