A man in lipstick, high heels?
New county law says its OK
Published Jauary 4th, 2008
By John Johnston
Managing Editor
County Commissioners have unanimously approved new rules that prohibit
discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based
on gender identity or expression.
The amendments to county ordinances add gender identity to a list
of protected classes that include race, sex, color, religion, national
origin, handicap, familial status, sexual orientation and marital
status – in sum, so-called “transgendered” or “transsexual”
persons are now protected.
Which would, according to Commissioner Mary McCarty, permit a man
to come to work in high heels and lipstick, and not be subject to
any official reprisals.
What will upset opponents is that the rules apply to both the public
and private sectors. The new laws cover most real estate transactions,
together with both public and private employers with 15 or more employees.
And it went into effect New Year’s Day.
"No one should be fired, harassed, or denied promotion simply
because they don't fit the stereotypes for masculinity or femininity,"
said Palm Beach County Human Rights Council President Rand Hoch after
the vote.
State Level
Senator Ted Deutch (D-Boca Raton) has reintroduced bill (SB 572)
to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. That bill
has been co-sponsored by another Palm Beach County Senator, Dave Aronberg
(D-27).
State Rep Kelly Skidmore of Boca Raton has also introduced a bill
to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity,
and gender expression in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
Skidmore’s HB 191 has picked up co-sponsorship support from
four other Palm Beach County representatives: Susan Bucher (D-88);
Maria Sachs (D-86); Priscilla Taylor (D-84); and Shelley Vana (D-85).
John Johnston can be reached at 561-549-0833, or at jjohnston@bocanews.com.
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