Legislation filed at the capitol this week would change state law to include anti-discrimination protection for employees based on sexual orientation. Under current law, workers can't be discriminated against because of their race, religion, color, gender, age, disability, marital status or national origin.
On Tuesday, supporters of the bill called ‘The Competitive Workforce Act’ said many people aren't moving to the state due to discrimination against lesbians and gays in the workplace. Supporters want businesses to make employment decisions based on a person’s job performance, not their sexual orientation.
Bill sponsor Joe Saunders, one of Florida’s first openly gay legislators, says he thinks the Florida House should vote on the bill this year.
"I believe this bill would pass on the floor if it were to get there today, and I think the challenge that we have is the challenge of having the conversation", Saunders said. "This conversation is about equal opportunity and non-discrimination."
Saunders says passage of the bill would grow Florida’s economy by attracting new residents with the promise of non-discriminatory employment. 13 other states have passed similar measures, while 26 Florida municipalities have already adopted sexual-orientation protections at the local level.