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Act Would Prevent Discrimination Against LGBT Floridians


November 5th, 2013 | WMFE- Florida State Representative Joe Saunders says a bill to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Floridians from discrimination has a good chance of becoming law. The Florida Competitive Workforce Act was announced Tuesday.

[Rep. Joe Saunders, D- Orlando. Photo by Mark Foley, Florida House of Representatives]

HB 239 would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the law protecting Floridians from discrimination in employment, public accommodations and housing.

Orlando Democrat Joe Saunders says the bill has been filed in one form or another for ten years, but now there’s bipartisan support.

And he says the timing is right, after Senators in Washington voted Monday in favor of the Employment Non Discrimination Act.

“The story that’s coming nationally around the Employment Non Discrimination Act is the same story that we’re seeing in Florida," says Saunders.


"Democrats and Republicans are locking arms to say, look it doesn’t matter who you are, it doesn’t matter what your family looks like, if you do an honest day’s work, if you work hard, you’re going to be judged based on that work and only that work.” 

The co sponsor of the Florida Competitive Workforce Act is Rep. Holly Raschein, a Republican from Key Largo.

She says the bill would help draw the best and brightest talent to Florida businesses.

Saunders says the next challenge is to get the bill heard in committee.

 

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