37 Lawmakers
Cosponsor New Florida ENDA Bill

Thirty-seven Florida lawmakers have sponsored a bill that would prohibit discrimination against gays and lesbians in public and private employment, housing, and public accommodations.

Sen. Ted Deutch introduced a measure which would amend the Florida Civil Rights Act and the Fair Housing Act to include sexual orientation, according to the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council.

Florida would join 20 other states and the District of Columbia in enforcing an antidiscrimination bill. The bill, introduced in the state house by Rep. Kelly Skidmore, would also prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression.

Both lawmakers filed their antidiscrimination bills at request of the Palm Beach County HRC.

"Since there is no statewide law, well over half of all Floridians who face this type of discrimination have no legal recourse," said Ran Hoch, president of the organization. According to the press release, while many Republicans in the conservative state legislature have privately supported the bill, no Republicans have acted as cosponsors of the bill. Republican governor Charlie Crist has not indicated whether he will sign the bill if it passes the legislature. (The Advocate)