Miami Beach Will Improve Its Gay Rights Ordinance

When it comes to gay rights in Florida, the Miami Beach is an island of awesomeness. It's almost like discovering a San Francisco in a sea of Alabama. In 1992, city commissioners were among the first to advocate protecting LGBT folks from workplace discrimination. This past Wednesday, the commission unanimously...

By Natalie O'Neill

October 16, 2009

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When it comes to gay rights in Florida, the Miami Beach is an island of awesomeness. It's almost like discovering a San Francisco in a sea of Alabama. In 1992, city commissioners were among the first to advocate protecting LGBT folks from workplace discrimination. This past Wednesday, the commission unanimously passed a first reading to improve the ordinance.

Sponsored by Miami Beach Commissioner Victor Diaz, the improvements will sharpen the ordinance's existing language. It will clarify definitions of gender identity and expression. And it will add phrases about on-the-job dress code policy. (The language is still being drafted.)

CJ Ortuño, executive director of SAVE Dade, says, "It's more comprehensive and more in touch with what's happening nationally."

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