Discussion on transgender protections moves forward in Pinellas

Discussion on transgender protections moves forward in Pinellas

The Pinellas County Commission on Aug. 6 voted unanimously to move forward with a discussion to include transgender citizens in protections enveloped within its human rights ordinance. The move comes five years after the commission voted to include protections based on sexual orientation, but opted to not include the terms “gender identity” within the ordinance.

The discussion will concern the replacement of the word “sex” in the current human rights ordinance with the word “gender.” That small change in language would expand protections to transgender people if they face discrimination in several forms, such as job termination, denial of housing or if they are banned from public accommodations simply because of their gender identity.

It’s a way to protest discrimination that many transgender residents of Pinellas County do not have. There are protections, however, already in place in some cities, like Gulfport.

While the commission unanimously agreed to move forward with the discussion and the public hearing, it’s not a guarantee that the commission will vote to approve the language change. The Aug. 20 meeting could potentially bring out many who oppose the update to the HRO, especially the religious community.

But commissioners were very vocal about ensuring religious freedoms in the ordinance, meaning that the law would not apply to religious institutions. It would also not affect businesses with fewer than five employees or public schools.
Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida, expressed her thanks to the commission on Facebook.

“Kudos to the Pinellas County Board of Commissioners,” she said. She also encouraged people who support the ordinance to attend the Aug. 20 meeting. St. Petersburg resident Todd Richardson spoke at the meeting on behalf of Equality Florida.

The Aug. 20 meeting begins at 6 p.m. on the fifth floor of the Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court St., Clearwater.

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