DELRAY BEACH, FL–The Delray Beach City Commission unanimously voted to enact an LGBT-inclusive civil rights ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, genetic information, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, pregnancy, familial status, or age. The vote came as a culmination of work by the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (PBCHRC), which has successfully proposed similar ordinances throughout the state.
“Delray Beach is a first-class city with a diverse community,” Mayor Cary Glickstein said in a statement. “This ordinance lets people know that Delray Beach is open for business for everyone and that we oppose prejudice and discrimination of all kinds.”
Delray Beach becomes the fifth Palm Beach County to enact such an ordinance, joining Boynton Beach, Greenacres, Lake Worth, and West Palm Beach.
The PBCHRC has said it would continue to fight against discrimination against the LGBT community, recognizing that there is still much more to do, even with the United States Supreme Court’s ruling making same-sex marriage legal last week.
“While marriage equality is now the law of the land across America, the state of Florida lacks statewide laws prohibiting discrimination against LGBT people in employment, housing, and public accommodations,” said PBCHRC. “Therefore, until Congress or the Florida Legislature takes action, local LGBT advocacy rights organizations such as PBCHRC must continue to work with county and municipal leaders to protect our community from discrimination.”