FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2020
CONTACT: Phil Perry, Communications Director
954.298.5515
FLORIDA LGBTQ+ DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
CALLS ON JACKSONVILLE TO IMMEDIATELY FIX HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE
JACKSONVILLE, FL – Yesterday an Appeals Court struck down Jacksonville’s ordinance banning discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity because the city’s Office of General Council never bothered to write the amended ordinance.
The ordinance passed the City Council in 2017 on a 12-6 margin. Mayor Lenny Curry did not veto or sign the bill saying at the time that “I said then and continue to believe additional legislation was unnecessary. But … a supermajority of the City Council decided otherwise.”
Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Legislative Director Nathan Bruemmer issued the following statement on the news of the court ruling:
“This is an incredibly disappointing setback for Jacksonville’s vibrant LGBTQ community. Despite Mayor Curry’s previous comments about the ordinance, it ensured LGBTQ residents could live their daily lives without fear of discrimination in employment, housing, or public accommodations. Jacksonville’s City Council and the Curry Administration must immediately rectify the situation. Every day lost is another day LGBTQ residents can be fired from their job or kicked out of their home.”
Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Communications Director Phil Perry reacted to the development:
“Jacksonville’s diverse, welcoming community is one of the reasons it became my chosen home. I know we’re better than letting tens of thousands of our LGBTQ neighbors live in limbo. Discrimination has no place in our community. Our lawmakers must act swiftly to ensure every resident is protected from discrimination.”
The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, represents lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Floridians to the Florida Democratic Party (FDP). The Caucus has 21 chapters across Florida, from Pensacola to Jacksonville to Miami. More information is on our website, https://www.lgbtqdems.org.
