A bill to prevent discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation or gender identity will have its first state Senate hearing Monday, Feb. 8. It’s called “The Florida Competitive Workforce Act." Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth actually keep tabs on Florida companies that are not inclusive.
The bi-partisan bill in the Florida Legislature would amend the “Florida Civil Rights Act” to include protections for LGBT people in the state.
Gina Duncan with the nonprofit advocacy organization Equality Florida said companies that are fully inclusive have a competitive advantage. She said millennials want to work for companies like that.
"Millennials are looking for those kind of companies and a reputation to be an open and welcoming and inclusive place for all workers," said Duncan.
And Sam Lemes agrees with Duncan. He’s a transgender student at Florida Gulf Coast University. Lemes said LGBT millennials talk about employers online.
"We make it known," said Lemes. "You’ll find, if you’re like on Tumblr or something, whole lists of transgender inclusive work places and ones that aren’t."
Equality Florida said 41 municipalities are protected at the local level by nondiscrimination laws. But this would be the first statewide law closing the gap for people still vulnerable to discrimination.
