Orange County Will Offer Equal Benefits to Gay Employees
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
By: Nicole Creston

April 19, 2011 | WMFE - Orange County commissioners today voted unanimously to offer benefits to the families of gay county employees. The change extends to the families of gay employees the same benefit choices available to heterosexual employees.

The choices include health and dental coverage, along with life insurance and other benefits. The new policy is a fulfillment of one of County Mayor Teresa Jacob’s campaign promises.

When the change takes effect on January 1^st, 2012, Orange County residents will join the 5.5 million Floridians who live in cities and counties where family benefits are offered to gay employees.

The city of Orlando already has a similar policy in effect, as does Tampa, Gainesville, Miami Beach and others, along with the counties of Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Monroe.