WILTON MANORS–City Commissioner Justin Flippen has introduced a resolution to have Wilton Manors become one of the first cities in Florida to formally support the Equality Act (H.R. 3185/S. 1858) introduced in Congress by Representative David Cicille (D-RI) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR).

“Wilton Manors has a strategic plan dedicated to strong community identity and pride that is diverse and open to all,” said Commissioner Flippen.  “Our city’s support of the Equality Act is consistent with the goals and objectives of our strategic plan, and Wilton Manor’s historical advocacy of equality from the municipal to Federal levels is something I am proud to continue.  Besides, it’s the right thing to do. The Equality Act promotes fairness and modernized Federal law by banning anti-gay and gender-based discrimination.”

The Equality Act has approximately 168 co-sponsors in the House and 39 co-sponsors in the Senate and would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other forms of discrimination.  The Wilton Manors resolution urges passage of the Equality Act and will be sent to the Broward League of Cities, Broward County Legislative Delegation, Congresswoman Lois Frankel, and U.S. Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio.

The Equality Act would protect the LGBT and gender nonconforming community from discrimination in employment, housing, education, credit, public accommodations, jury service, and Federally funded programs. The Equality Act would also update the law to add protections against discrimination on the basis of sex where protections are not already in existing law.  The Act includes protection of those associated with this community, such as children of LGBT people.

The city resolution is scheduled to be voted on at tonight’s Wilton Manors City Commission meeting which begins at 7:00 PM.