TALLAHASSEE
In another test of Florida’s changing views on sexual equality, lawmakers this week filed legislation to prohibit discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Floridians in the workplace, housing and public accommodations.
Rep. Holly Raschein, R-Key Largo, filed a measure in the House (HB 33) and Sen. Joseph Abruzzo, D-Boynton Beach, filed a bill in the Senate (SB 156).
The legislation, known as the Florida Competitive Workforce Act, would extend the state law to prohibit discrimination against Floridians based on sexual orientation or gender identity, adding it to similar prohibitions against discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or marital status.
It could protect an estimated 536,000 LGBT Floridians, according to Equality Florida, a major gay rights advocacy group.
Nadine Smith, CEO of Equality Florida, said there is currently no state law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Most people are actually surprised to discover these protections don’t already exist because it seems such common sense,” Smith said. “Updating the law will help ensure that all people in our state have the opportunity to be judged on their job performance and qualifications, nothing more, nothing less.”
Supporters also say polls have shown a majority of Floridians favor anti-discrimination measures to protect LGBT citizens.
But that doesn’t mean the bill will be viable in the 2015 Legislature. Similar measures, backed by Raschein and Abruzzo, in the 2014 session year died in their original committees without a hearing.
The 2015 Legislature is even more conservative than its predecessor and has a larger majority of Republicans.
Supporters, though, say they expect the proposal to draw bipartisan support. Raschein’s bill in 2014 had 10 GOP co-sponsors, including Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota.
Additionally, a coalition of 19 Florida employers, including Walt Disney World, CSX Corp., Darden Restaurants, Florida Blue, Haskell, Home Shopping Network, Marriott, Tech Data Corp., Wells Fargo and Winn Dixie, are supporting the legislation for the coming session.
The supporters note that 84 percent of the nation’s largest companies already have comprehensive anti-discrimination policies based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
They also said 17 states and 170 cities – including some in Florida – have passed similar anti-discrimination measures.
Abruzzo said if the measure passes, it will help Florida in its continuing quest to improve the state’s economy.
“In order to remain economically competitive in a global marketplace, Florida must provide an environment that is welcoming to all,” Abruzzo said. “Recruiting and retaining talent regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity will only serve to enhance our reputation and augment our economic viability.”
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LOSER OF THE WEEK: Rick Scott. After announcing his “Sunburst” project to place all of his administration emails in the public, it turns out Scott was using a private email account to conduct state business, according to records released to The Associated Press this week. Scott used a Google email account to discuss public policy and legislation _ after saying the private email account was only used for communication with his family. The Google email account was the subject of a lawsuit brought by a Tallahassee attorney who contended Scott was using private communications to discuss public business.
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