Senate panel approves Deutch’s gay rights bill

Published April 14th, 2008

FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Florida Senate Commerce Committee last week approved a bill sponsored by State Sen. Ted Deutch (D-Boca Raton) that prohibits discrimination against gay men and lesbians in employment, housing and public accommodations.

“Human rights should extend to all of us,” said the senator, adding that the bill had wide bi-partisan support.

“This measure would codify in law the expectations of a level playing field all of us expect in the job market, the housing market and elsewhere. It extends dignity where previously there was none.”

"Today's vote is truly historic," said Rand Hoch, president of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council. "This demonstrates that Florida lawmakers are finally beginning to understand the need for a statewide law prohibiting discrimination faced by the GLBT community.”

‘Thanks in great part to Senator Deutch, who helped enlist the Republican support, for the first time in Florida history, we are beginning to truly build momentum for an anti-discrimination bill," said Hoch.

The legislation, first introduced in 2007 by Senator Deutch, passed the Senate Commerce Committee by a vote of 7 to 1. Senators Alex Diaz de la Portilla (R-Miami), Charlie Justice (D-St Petersburg), Victor D. Crist (R-Tampa), Rudy Garcia (R-Hialeah), Jeremy Ring (D-Margate), Burt Saunders (R-Fort Myers) and Gary Siplin (D-Orlando) all voted in favor.