Fla. Gov. Urged To Ban Anti-Gay Discrimination
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: January 20, 2007 - 12:01 am ET
(Tallahassee, Florida) Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) is being urged to issue an executive order prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in state employment.
In a letter to the governor, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council says that executive orders have been used in 28 states to ensure equal employment opportunities for the LGBT community - Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Council President and Founder Rand Hoch, in the letter, suggests Crist use Governor Arrnold Schwarzenegger's Executive Order as a model.
"Throughout his long career in public service, Charlie Christ has been a leader on civil rights," said Hoch.
"As Florida's Attorney General, he proposed and worked to pass the Marvin Davies Civil Rights Act which now provides the Attorney General the authority to take action when a pattern or practice of discrimination has occurred or when discrimination is an issue of great public interest."
In May, 2006, Gallup reported that 89% of Americans agreed that gay men and lesbians should have equal rights in terms of job opportunities.
Crist easily won the Florida gubernatorial race last November.
Throughout the campaign was dogged by questions about his sexuality. The rumors that he is gay began several years ago but intensified after he began the race to replace Jeb Bush.
Early in the campaign when asked about the rumors a radio show Crist insisted he is straight. Nevertheless, appearing on another station, independent gubernatorial candidate Max Linn said it was common knowledge in Tallahassee that Crist is gay.
The governor's office acknowledged receipt of the Council's letter but had no comment on it.
Please see http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/01/011907florida.htm for full details on this story.
Posted: January 20, 2007 - 12:01 am ET
(Tallahassee, Florida) Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) is being urged to issue an executive order prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in state employment.
In a letter to the governor, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council says that executive orders have been used in 28 states to ensure equal employment opportunities for the LGBT community - Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
Council President and Founder Rand Hoch, in the letter, suggests Crist use Governor Arrnold Schwarzenegger's Executive Order as a model.
"Throughout his long career in public service, Charlie Christ has been a leader on civil rights," said Hoch.
"As Florida's Attorney General, he proposed and worked to pass the Marvin Davies Civil Rights Act which now provides the Attorney General the authority to take action when a pattern or practice of discrimination has occurred or when discrimination is an issue of great public interest."
In May, 2006, Gallup reported that 89% of Americans agreed that gay men and lesbians should have equal rights in terms of job opportunities.
Crist easily won the Florida gubernatorial race last November.
Throughout the campaign was dogged by questions about his sexuality. The rumors that he is gay began several years ago but intensified after he began the race to replace Jeb Bush.
Early in the campaign when asked about the rumors a radio show Crist insisted he is straight. Nevertheless, appearing on another station, independent gubernatorial candidate Max Linn said it was common knowledge in Tallahassee that Crist is gay.
The governor's office acknowledged receipt of the Council's letter but had no comment on it.
Please see http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/01/011907florida.htm for full details on this story.
