Phil Ammann
Osceola County is the latest in Florida to approve a Human Rights Ordinance to protect gay and transgender people from discrimination in the workplace, housing and public accommodations.
In a prepared statement, the Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce coalition applauded the Osceola County Commission for its unanimous vote Monday night. Osceola joins 10 other counties and 22 municipalities statewide offering anti-discrimination ordinances.
“Thirty-three Florida counties and municipalities now offer anti-discrimination protections for the LGBT community, allowing for residents to live and work without fear of being fired,” said Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce Campaign Manager Patrick Slevin. “The time is now for the Sunshine State to pass statewide legislation so all LGBT Floridians are protected, which is why 34 large employers and more than 400 local businesses have signed onto a petition supporting the Florida Competitive Workforce Act.”
Bills filed in 2015 by Florida State Sen. Joe Abruzzo, a Boynton Beach Democrat, and Republican State Rep. Holly Raschein of Key Largo seek to modernize Florida’s anti-discrimination law by adding protections for sexual orientation and gender identity.
The bills, known collectively as the Florida Competitive Workforce Act, is backed by the Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce (FBCW), a coalition of 34 major Florida employers, including several Fortune 500 companies, as well as more than 400 local businesses.
Although 55 percent of Floridians live in areas with protections in employment, housing and public accommodations for gay and transgender people, there is no uniform statewide law. Employers contend such legislation is necessary for Florida to attract and retain the best talent and new jobs.
Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce is promoting the protections as a sound business strategy, helping the Sunshine State maintain its competitive advantage in today’s marketplace.
Florida Counties with Human Rights Ordinances in place include Alachua, Broward, Hillsborough, Leon, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pinellas, and Volusia. Municipalities statewide are Atlantic Beach, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Dunedin, Gainesville, Greenacres, Gulfport, Key West, Lake Worth, Largo, Leesburg, Miami Beach, Miami, Oakland Park, Orlando, St. Augustine Beach, Sarasota, Tampa, Tequesta, Venice, Wilton Manors, and West Palm Beach.
The total population of these counties and municipalities is nearly 10.5 million of Florida’s 19 million residents, or 55 percent.
