Sunday, January 18, 2009

What would Crist do with gay rights bill?

James Hipps:

Representative Kelly Skidmore (D-Boca Raton) has filed legislation to update Florida’s laws covering employment, housing and public accommodations to prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, familial status or marital status.

It's unclear how Florida Gov. Charlie Crist would respond to such legislation, but gay rights advocates are hopeful.

“Governor Crist has been a leader on civil rights over the years,” said Council Vice President Deidre Newton. “We hope he will consider this an issue of fundamental fairness.”.... no action has yet been taken on the Council’s request.

There's no guarantee the bill will reach Christ's desk, so perhaps that's why he hasn't expressed an opinion. 2009 will be the third straight year the bill has died in committee or not been given a hearing.

States with laws protecting against discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment:

Washington, DC
Colorado
Hawaii
Illinois
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Oregon
Rhode Island
Vermont
Washington
Wisconsin

States with laws prohibiting discrimination against gays based on sexual orientation in housing:

California
Connecticut
Hawaii
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Rhode Island
Vermont
Wisconsin

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