US: Orlando outlaws discrimination againt trans people
Orlando has extended its anti-discrimination laws to cover transgender people.
The Orlando City Council passed a resolution on Monday amending the city’s human rights ordinance, adding gender identity and expression to a list of protected characteristics.
It is now illegal to discriminate in the city based on sexual orientation, race, disability, sex, national origin, religion, age, marital status, or gender identity and expression under the law.
Gina Duncan of Equality Florida told the Orlando Sentinel: “It cannot be overstated how important this is. For the first time, we have an anti-discrimination ordinance that protects all people.”
The group said in a statement: “The amendment to add Gender Identity and Expression to the City of Orlando’s Human Rights Ordinance passed unanimously on its second reading; it will now become law.
“Kudos to Equality Florida Transgender Inclusion Director Gina Duncan for shepherding this important change. Thank you to Mayor Dyer, Commissioner Sheehan, and the entire commission for your leadership.”
Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer remarked on the uncontroversial nature of the meeting, comparing it to angry scenes 12 years ago, when the law was amended to include sexual orientation.
He said: “We’ve gotten to the point where we can do — with very little controversy — things we ought to be doing, so I’m very proud of that.”
In June this year a trans woman was found burned to death behind a dumpster in Fort Myers, Florida.
