May 2010: State news briefs

May 2010: State news briefs

Leon County adds sexual orientation to HRO
The Leon County Commissioners voted 5-2 to pass an LGBT-inclusive Human Rights Ordinance in May. The change adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the protections covered by the ordinance and also adds those protections to the county’s personnel policy. The measure was controversial, with more than 80 people speaking at a public hearing on the changes. Commissioners Jane Sauls and Bryan Desloge voted against the measure.
 
Transgender candidate running for Congress

A conservative, transgender candidate is throwing her hat in the ring, running in the Republican primary for Congress. If she wins the primary, Donna Milo will face off against U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston, one of the House’s most liberal Democrats. The race is in the 20th Congressional district, which covers parts of Miami stretches into Broward County, including the gay neighborhood Wilton Manors. Milo, 48, is Cuban-American and the youngest of nine children.

Gay teen named prom ‘queen’
A Flanagan High School senior suspended by his Pembroke Pines high school for wanting to wear a dress to his prom was named “Prom Queen” at a Pridelines Youth Services gay prom. The event held at the Florida International University’s Biscayne Bay campus earned Omar Bonilla—who won the title as “Allison Rodriguez”—plenty of publicity, but at a price. His family disowned him just hours after his win. Bonilla told the Miami Herald he has no regrets.

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