WHY DOES LEON COUNTY NEED THIS ORDINANCE?
Unlike many municipalities and counties throughout Florida (most recently Tampa and Gainesville), the LGBT Community has no legal recourse for discrimination in Leon County. Unlike other types of discrimination, LGBT discrimination cases do not have an available means of legal redress. There are no state or federal protections. A case can only proceed if there is a city or county ordinance prohibiting LGBT discrimination. That is why we need to add these protections to the County Code, thereby ensuring protection for all of the citizens of Leon County.
In September, 2009, the Knight Foundation released the "Soul of the Community" survey identifying "openness" to gays and lesbians a weakness in Tallahassee. This study also finds that communities who successfully demonstrate their openness to diversity have great success in retaining people and jobs in their community. You can read the survey results on our website.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT THIS CAUSE?
Email, call or write to your local Leon County Commissioners and let them know that you support this proposal! You can send an email to all of the Leon County Commissioners by using our EASY contact form.
While you're at it, talk to your friends, family, co-workers and everyone you know about the importance of this proposal! Use the links to the right to download our fact sheet, print copies and pass them around!
I HAVE QUESTIONS! WHO CAN ANSWER THEM?
It's important that you fully understand the context of the Human Rights Ordinance. For more information, please contact us.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Transgender Civil Rights Project tracks state and local trans-inclusive legislation. In 2002, 36.8 million people - a mere 13% of the United States population - lived in a jurisdiction with a transgender-inclusive anti-discrimination law. By 2008, that number has increased to 39% of the United States population. It's time to add Tallahassee-Leon County to that growing list. Read the report online.
Equality Florida publishes a list of local human rights ordinances throughout Florida. Take a peek and see what we're missing in Leon County!
