Hillsborough won't increase discrimination protection for gay employees

[Shana A]

Hillsborough won't increase discrimination protection for gay employees

By MIKE SALINERO | The Tampa Tribune
Published: December 16, 2009

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/dec/16/hillsborough-wont-increase-discrimination-protecti/news-breaking/

TAMPA - Commissioner Kevin Beckner's voice rose today as he realized he would not win his battle to change county policy to ensure all gay and transgender county employees are protected from harassment.

Beckner, the only openly gay commissioner, was livid when Commissioner Jim Norman opposed his motion to include sexual orientation and gender identification as protected classes under the commission's employment policies.

"And I hope that if this motion passes that the headlines are very clear in the newspapers and the media that this board has passed a discriminatory anti-harassment discrimination policy," Beckner said. "How ironic is that?"

also

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/local/fellow-hillsborough-commissioners-rebuff-kevin-beckners-move-to-prohibit/1059425