New Report Shows Florida Cities Are Providing LGBT Protections Not In State Law

[RKP5637]

http://news.wgcu.org/post/new-report-shows-florida-cities-are-providing-lgbt-protections-not-state-law

A new report reveals local governments in Florida are passing laws protecting LGBT communities, even though the state hasn’t put any protections in place.

According to the Human Rights Campaign, Florida cities ranked slightly above the national average for LBGT inclusion in municipal law.

The group looked for local non-discrimination laws and domestic partner registries, among other things.

Catherine Oakley, who authored the report with the Human Rights Campaign, surveyed 15 cities in Florida.

She said local laws are important for the LGBT community because state law doesn’t ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and doesn’t recognize same sex relationships.

“In Florida, the protections people have are really coming from the county and local level,” Oakley said. “So, I think Florida is a really great example of how work at the municipal level can really make a difference in people’s lives.”

[dlwickham]

1. that's all fine and dandy

but what happens when you move to a city that doesn't offer the same protections?

piecemeal laws don't work in the long run

[RKP5637]

2. Yep, it is definitely not a solution, not al all, and is really not true equality at all. It is

a start, but not a solution. My thought is if enough do this, maybe at the state level they will get off their duff and think more about equality for all. That said, I have heard there are discussions now at the state level to at least, possibly, have domestic partnerships recognized statewide. Even that is not true equality, but would be a significant start to correct the wrongs IMO.

[NYC_SKP]

3. It's a good thing. Anyone who pisses off at incremental progress is just getting in the way.

Like people who whine that ACA isn't single payer, who would almost (it seems) prefer nothing to something.

Fuck it, I'll bet the LGBT who benefit from the piecemeal protections are happy for them.

K/R for this post.

[RKP5637]

4. Here, several cities have passed LGBT protection and partner registries, now, the

entire county has. And, in a number of cases, there was no opposition.

The rational by the city/county leaders was separatism and lack of diversity do not in the big picture benefit the populace. It causes many to turn away from the city/county as being hostile, even if they are not the target of discrimination ... lack of diversity just demonstrates to many a narrow-minded place.

And, thinking in strict financial terms, they said, it benefits the city/county by making it a more welcoming place for all.

I've been amazed at some of these decisions. Granted, the US is certainly not the worse place in the world, but civil rights in the US have always been a tremendous struggle. We preach about equality to the rest of the world, but yet very often practice discrimination, persecution and a lack of diversity within our own borders.

Civil rights are always incremental, chipping away at the hatred one piece at time 'till it breaks through for diversity.