Palm Beach Human Rights Council: Call to Action to End Discrimination For Students and Employees in Schools
Open Letter From:
Rand Hoch
President and Founder
Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, Inc
Dear GLBT Ally,
Yesterday the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council wrote asking you to contact your legislators in our effort to amend the Florida Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual harassment.
Today's message addresses the other bill we are promoting in Tallahassee. If enacted, this bill will amend the Florida Educational Equity Act to prohibit discrimination against students and employees in Florida's public education system -- from kindergarten through college.
House Bill 609 is sponsored by Representative Shelley Vana (D-West Palm Beach ) and Co-Sponsored (so far) by Representatives Mary Brandenburg (D-West Palm Beach) , Susan Bucher (D-West Palm Beach), Ari Porth (D-Coral Springs) and Priscilla Taylor (D-West Palm Beach).
IF YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE IS NOT YET A CO-SPONSOR, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR TODAY.
For a link to the House Web Page for the bill, which includes a list of current sponsors as well as a link to the complete text of the bill, please go to:
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h0609__.doc&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0609&Session=2007
The companion bill in the Senate, S 2574, was introduced by Senator Ted Deutch (D-Boca Raton). The bill number was just assigned, so there are no Co-Introducers so far. For a link to the Senate Web Page for the bill, please go to: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/index.cfm?Mode=Bills&SubMenu=1&BI_Mode=ViewBillInfo&Year=2007&BillNum=2574
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATOR AND ASK HIM OR HER TO SIGN ON AS A CO-INTRODUCER TODAY.
For your convenience, "talking points" are included below.
The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council has hired lobbyist Todd Parrish to assist in Tallahassee.
We have been told by many legislators that they do not want to be flooded with e-mails, snail-mail and phone calls on this matter. The most effective way to assist in our efforts is to call the legislators that you know personally and ask them to sign on as Co-Sponsors or Co-Introducers. For those legislators with whom you have a more remote relationship, you may be better off putting something in writing, requesting a meeting
Please do whatever you can do as soon as possible, and keep us posted on your progress.
Thank you.
Rand Hoch, President and Founder
Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, Inc.
P.S. Despite the unjustified firing of Largo's City Manager last week, neither HB 609 nor S 2574 includes "gender expression" or "gender identity". Since harassment of students based on gender expression has been a problem in certain parts of our state, PBCHRC wanted to include "gender expression" in this bill. However, supportive Legislators told us that our best chance for progress would be to first get "sexual orientation" included. Therefore, PBCHRC deferred to their legislative expertise.
________________________________________
TALKING POINTS ON H.B. 609 and S 2574,
BILLS TO AMEND THE FLORIDA EDUCATIONAL EQUITY ACT
TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES
IN FLORIDA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS (KINDERGARTEN THROUGH COLLEGE)
BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Enumeration is the essential device used to make the duty not to discriminate concrete and to provide guidance for those who must comply.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the Court in Romer v. Evans, 517 U.S. 620 (1996)
- - - - - - -
The Florida Educational Equity Act provides, "No person in this state shall, on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, or marital status, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any public K-20 education program or activity, or in any employment conditions or practices, conducted by a public educational institution that receives or benefits from federal or state financial assistance."
The Florida Educational Equity Act does not prohibit discrimination against students and employees of public K-20 schools based on sexual orientation.
"Sexual orientation" means the condition of being heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual.
H,B. 609 and S 2574 would add "sexual orientation" to the list of protected classes in Florida Educational Equity Act.
Polling data for the past thirty years has consistently shown that Americans overwhelmingly support legislation prohibiting discrimination in employment and housing based on sexual orientation.
In May 2006, the Gallup organization asked 1,002 randomly selected adults aged 18 and above whether homosexuals should have "equal rights in terms of job opportunities." 89 percent of Americans favored equal employment rights. Only 9 percent disagreed.
Anti-discrimination laws should provide the same protections regardless of where one works or attends public school in the Florida.
Many Florida public schools have written policies or statements specifically prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or provide procedures for filing complaints of discrimination based on sexual orientation. These public schools include, but are not limited to the following:
School Districts: the School Districts of Broward, Clay, Columbia, Escambia, Jefferson, Lee, Leon, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Pinellas, St. Johns, Sarasota, Suwannee, and Volusia Counties.
State Universities: Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, the University of Central Florida, the University of North Florida, the University of South Florida, the University of West Florida and the University of Florida.
Community Colleges: Brevard Community College, Broward Community College, Central Florida Community College, Florida Keys Community College, Hillsborough Community College, Indian River Community College, Lake-Sumter Community College, Miami-Dade College, Manatee Community College, Palm Beach Community College, St. Johns River Community College, Santa Fe Community College, Seminole Community College, South Florida Community College, and Valencia Community College.
For further information contact Palm Beach County Human Rights Council President and Founder Rand Hoch at (561) 804-9399 (home/office) or 358-0105 (cell) or the Council's lobbyist in Tallahassee Todd Parrish, who can be reached at (407) 761-8906.
The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, Inc. is dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
The Council promotes equality through education, advocacy, direct action, impact litigation, and community outreach.
To keep informed of our activities:
Click on the PBCHRC logo at the top of this email to be directed to our website, http://www.blogger.com/www.pbchrc.org
Rand Hoch
President and Founder
Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, Inc
Dear GLBT Ally,
Yesterday the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council wrote asking you to contact your legislators in our effort to amend the Florida Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual harassment.
Today's message addresses the other bill we are promoting in Tallahassee. If enacted, this bill will amend the Florida Educational Equity Act to prohibit discrimination against students and employees in Florida's public education system -- from kindergarten through college.
House Bill 609 is sponsored by Representative Shelley Vana (D-West Palm Beach ) and Co-Sponsored (so far) by Representatives Mary Brandenburg (D-West Palm Beach) , Susan Bucher (D-West Palm Beach), Ari Porth (D-Coral Springs) and Priscilla Taylor (D-West Palm Beach).
IF YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE IS NOT YET A CO-SPONSOR, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR TODAY.
For a link to the House Web Page for the bill, which includes a list of current sponsors as well as a link to the complete text of the bill, please go to:
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h0609__.doc&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0609&Session=2007
The companion bill in the Senate, S 2574, was introduced by Senator Ted Deutch (D-Boca Raton). The bill number was just assigned, so there are no Co-Introducers so far. For a link to the Senate Web Page for the bill, please go to: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/index.cfm?Mode=Bills&SubMenu=1&BI_Mode=ViewBillInfo&Year=2007&BillNum=2574
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATOR AND ASK HIM OR HER TO SIGN ON AS A CO-INTRODUCER TODAY.
For your convenience, "talking points" are included below.
The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council has hired lobbyist Todd Parrish to assist in Tallahassee.
We have been told by many legislators that they do not want to be flooded with e-mails, snail-mail and phone calls on this matter. The most effective way to assist in our efforts is to call the legislators that you know personally and ask them to sign on as Co-Sponsors or Co-Introducers. For those legislators with whom you have a more remote relationship, you may be better off putting something in writing, requesting a meeting
Please do whatever you can do as soon as possible, and keep us posted on your progress.
Thank you.
Rand Hoch, President and Founder
Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, Inc.
P.S. Despite the unjustified firing of Largo's City Manager last week, neither HB 609 nor S 2574 includes "gender expression" or "gender identity". Since harassment of students based on gender expression has been a problem in certain parts of our state, PBCHRC wanted to include "gender expression" in this bill. However, supportive Legislators told us that our best chance for progress would be to first get "sexual orientation" included. Therefore, PBCHRC deferred to their legislative expertise.
________________________________________
TALKING POINTS ON H.B. 609 and S 2574,
BILLS TO AMEND THE FLORIDA EDUCATIONAL EQUITY ACT
TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES
IN FLORIDA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS (KINDERGARTEN THROUGH COLLEGE)
BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Enumeration is the essential device used to make the duty not to discriminate concrete and to provide guidance for those who must comply.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the Court in Romer v. Evans, 517 U.S. 620 (1996)
- - - - - - -
The Florida Educational Equity Act provides, "No person in this state shall, on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, or marital status, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any public K-20 education program or activity, or in any employment conditions or practices, conducted by a public educational institution that receives or benefits from federal or state financial assistance."
The Florida Educational Equity Act does not prohibit discrimination against students and employees of public K-20 schools based on sexual orientation.
"Sexual orientation" means the condition of being heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual.
H,B. 609 and S 2574 would add "sexual orientation" to the list of protected classes in Florida Educational Equity Act.
Polling data for the past thirty years has consistently shown that Americans overwhelmingly support legislation prohibiting discrimination in employment and housing based on sexual orientation.
In May 2006, the Gallup organization asked 1,002 randomly selected adults aged 18 and above whether homosexuals should have "equal rights in terms of job opportunities." 89 percent of Americans favored equal employment rights. Only 9 percent disagreed.
Anti-discrimination laws should provide the same protections regardless of where one works or attends public school in the Florida.
Many Florida public schools have written policies or statements specifically prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or provide procedures for filing complaints of discrimination based on sexual orientation. These public schools include, but are not limited to the following:
School Districts: the School Districts of Broward, Clay, Columbia, Escambia, Jefferson, Lee, Leon, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Pinellas, St. Johns, Sarasota, Suwannee, and Volusia Counties.
State Universities: Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, the University of Central Florida, the University of North Florida, the University of South Florida, the University of West Florida and the University of Florida.
Community Colleges: Brevard Community College, Broward Community College, Central Florida Community College, Florida Keys Community College, Hillsborough Community College, Indian River Community College, Lake-Sumter Community College, Miami-Dade College, Manatee Community College, Palm Beach Community College, St. Johns River Community College, Santa Fe Community College, Seminole Community College, South Florida Community College, and Valencia Community College.
For further information contact Palm Beach County Human Rights Council President and Founder Rand Hoch at (561) 804-9399 (home/office) or 358-0105 (cell) or the Council's lobbyist in Tallahassee Todd Parrish, who can be reached at (407) 761-8906.
The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, Inc. is dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
The Council promotes equality through education, advocacy, direct action, impact litigation, and community outreach.
To keep informed of our activities:
Click on the PBCHRC logo at the top of this email to be directed to our website, http://www.blogger.com/www.pbchrc.org
