SEXUAL ORIENTATION DISCRIMINATION BARRED BY BILL

February 8, 2013

Sexual orientation and gender identity or expression would be added to the list of ways in which people couldn't be discriminated against under a bill filed Thursday in the House by two freshman legislators. The Florida Civil Rights Act already bans discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age and marital status, and the bill (HB 653) would add the other items. The law also already bans discrimination based on "handicap," and the measure filed this week would change that phrase to disability. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Holly Raschein, a Key Largo Republican, and Rep. Joe Saunders, a Democrat from Orlando, who is one of two openly gay legislators elected last year. A Senate version of the bill (SB 710) is sponsored by Sen. Joe Abruzzo, D-Wellington.

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2/8/13


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