Refuses to include sexual orientation as part of diversity
Photo: Florida Gov. Rick Scott , shuns state LGBT employees. Courtesy, bruceritchie.blogspot.com
ByJEREMY JONES
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – It only took a few hours into his first day in office for Florida Gov. Rick Scott to shun state LGBT employees. Shortly after being sworn in Jan. 4 as the state’s 45th governor, Scott issued an executive order addressing diversity in state government, but refused to include sexual orientation as part of that diversity.
Last month, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (PBCHRC) requested Scott include sexual orientation when addressing matters of diversity. The Council, a nonprofit organization founded in 1988, is dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
In a Dec. 6 letter to Scott’s transition team, PBCHRC President Rand Hoch requested that the incoming governor’s first executive order address equal opportunity in state employment.
“By doing so on the day you take office, you will assure all Floridians that the State of Florida is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in state government to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, pregnancy or marital status,” Hoch wrote.
While the council’s request was for an inclusive order, Scott instead issued Executive Order 11-04, which narrowly limited Florida’s non-discrimination policies to only include race, gender, creed, color and national origin. “Gov. Scott’s limited view of diversity is very discouraging,” said Hoch. “Gov. Scott did not even include all of the classifications listed in the Florida Civil Rights Act – let alone sexual orientation and gender identity.”
The Florida Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status. In addition, Florida courts have also determined that pregnancy is a protected classification. “It is disappointing that Gov. Scott did not include LGBT Floridians in his executive order. He campaigned on his promise to create and retain jobs in Florida. Creating jobs and getting our economy going means making Florida competitive and attracting talent to our state,” said Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida. “These basic protections already cover more than half of Florida’s population through local policies and have the support of nearly 90 percent of the public.
It is time to ensure full equality exists statewide.”
While the governor’s decision to not include sexual orientation in the order is disheartening, Smith said it is too early to make sweeping assessments of how the Scott administration will respond to future matters affecting the LGBT community. She says Equality Florida has allies in Tallahassee on both sides of the aisle who are helping make the case for equality.
Smith also said that it is important that the community continue to push Gov. Scott and elected officials to build bipartisan support for the Florida Competitive Workforce Act that was recently introduced by Sen. Nan Rich.
Rich filed legislation aimed at bringing jobs to Florida. The Competitive Workforce Act (SB 346) would eliminate discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations.
Major employers in Florida have adopted comprehensive non-discrimination policies and are working closely with Equality Florida to encourage others to do the same. These companies include: BlueCross BlueShield of Florida; Pepsico, Sweetbay Supermarket; Carlton Fields; jetBlue Airways; Citi and Wells Fargo. Most recently, Leon and Orange counties have adopted similar protections.