Editorial: Transgender ordinance takes stand against bigotryAugust 19, 2013, 5:25pm
Tampa Bay has made great strides in recent years toward ensuring that people cannot be denied a job, housing or public services because of bigotry. But discrimination still occurs, and the Pinellas County Commission can take another significant step tonight toward inclusiveness. The commission should approve an ordinance that protects people from discrimination because of their gender identity, which would protect transgender individuals.
Pinellas commissioners had an opportunity to add gender identity to the county's human rights ordinance five years ago when they voted to include a ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation. But after hearing from critics, Commissioner Susan Latvala's motion to add gender identity received no support from her colleagues. Since then, the community and the commission in particular have become more aware of the challenges facing transgender individuals, and three of the seven commissioners have taken office since the 2008 vote.
