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Equality Florida - page 4

Florida House takes up “Pastor Protection” Act.

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The Florida House of Representatives on Tuesday began its consideration of legislation to ensure clergy members, ministers and other “religious organization” employees could legally refuse to perform gay marriages. The bill (HB 43), which has been called the “Pastor Protection Act,” is being billed as a “conscience protection” measure by its sponsor, state Rep. Scott Plakon.  The bill was on “special order” Tuesday, meaning members could ask questions of Plakon and offer amendments. Debate and a final vote of the chamber on…

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Dead again: Senators kill anti-LGBT discrimination bill

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A motion to reconsider a contentious bill banning discrimination against LGBT people failed in a Senate panel Tuesday, signaling its virtual demise for the 2016 Legislative Session. On a voice vote, the Judiciary Committee deadlocked again on a procedural move to bring the bill (SB 120) back, one day after the bill died on a 5-5 vote. Sens. Aaron Bean, Lizbeth Benacquisto, Jeff Brandes, Wilton Simpson and Kelli Stargel, all Republicans, still opposed the bill. In favor were committee Chairman Miguel Diaz de…

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LGBT anti-discrimination bill on life support after contentious vote

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A bill to prohibit gender- and sexuality-based workplace discrimination died momentarily in a Senate panel on judicial affairs, before being brought back to life by legislative maneuvering. Monday afternoon’s meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee was likely the most controversial of 2016, in both form and in substance. Senators took up SB 120, a bill supporters are calling the “Competitive Workforce Act,” which aims to amend the state’s Civil Rights Act to prohibit employment, retail and other discrimination against people because of…

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Legislature considers anti-discrimination bill for LGBT rights

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When it comes to LGBT issues, Florida’s Republican lawmakers are known more for trying to keep transgender people out of bathrooms, protect pastors from marrying same-sex couples and seek exemptions for private adoption agencies who don’t want to place children with gay and lesbian couples. But this year, some Republican lawmakers are backing a bill that would give lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents the protection against discrimination. “It’s a breakthrough for the South. It’s of huge significance that a…

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LGBT protections won’t be going into Hillsborough County’s Charter

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

At the end of the night at the Hillsborough County Center in downtown Tampa, both sides got what they wanted, but it was hardly a united community. The Hillsborough County Charter Review Board voted 11-1 Tuesday night against amendment the county’s charter to prohibit discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgendered people. If it had been approved, it would have to go before Hillsborough voters next year. With LGBT activists joining up with Christian conservatives in advocating that the board not…

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Patrick Murphy gets pummeled on Facebook after defending his vote on Syrian refugees

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Last week, Jupiter Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Patrick Murphy joined 46 other House Democrats in voting for the SAFE Act, which requires new screening requirements on refugees from Syria and Iraq before they can enter the United States. That vote came despite a vow by President Obama to veto the legislation if it ultimately arrives at his desk. Not surprisingly, his vote was immediately denounced by Alan Grayson, his chief opponent in the Democratic Senate primary, who said Murphy was “cowering in fear…

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‘Religious freedom’ bill to prevent gay adoptions refiled for 2016

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State Rep. Julio Gonzalez filed his first bill of the 2016 legislative year on Wednesday, and it was a doozy: a proposal to give immunity to certain businesses who wish not to render certain services on grounds of “religious freedom,” including private child-placement agencies. Specifically, the bill amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1998 to read that an entity owned by a religious institution is “not required to produce, create, or deliver a custom product or service that would be contrary…

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