The Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus celebrates the passage of a comprehensive Human Rights Ordinance by the Jacksonville City Council that bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity & expression. We congratulate those who worked to secure this victory!
A half a decade in the making, successful passage was secured by a coalition of Jacksonville LGBT residents, business owners and other community and spiritual leaders. While this does have exemptions for federally-defined religious organizations, amendments to put the HRO to a referendum vote as well as remove protections for transgender individuals were both defeated. The mayor has stated that he would allow it to become law without his signature.