Onslaught of anti-LGBT bills in 2017 has activists 'playing defense'

Release Date

05/31/2017

Source

Written By: Susan Miller

Even in some states that saw a flurry of “good bills,” the failure of these to win approval was disappointing, activists say.

Florida, for example, had nearly a dozen pieces of legislation that would have provided discrimination protections, stronger anti-bullying laws and a ban on conversion therapy. None passed.

“It’s gone from will it hurt you to do the wrong thing to will it hurt you not to do the right thing,” said Nadine Smith, CEO and co-founder of civil rights group Equality Florida.

The most sweeping of the bills, the Florida Competitive Workforce Act, would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing and in public places like restaurants.

Read the full article here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2017/06/01/onslaught-anti-lgbt-bills-2017/102110520/

Onslaught of anti-LGBT bills in 2017 has activists 'playing defense'

In the News

Past time for Scott to honor vow to act against LGBT discrimination -

Faith leaders call on Gov. Rick Scott to honor Pulse victims with executive order -

Faith leaders, LGBTQ community request action from Gov. Scott -

Orlando faith leaders call on Rick Scott to sign anti-discrimination order -

Orlando faith leaders call on Rick Scott to protect LGBTQ state employees -

Pulse survivor: Gov. Scott 'cold,' 'out of step with community' -

LGBTQ activists call for more protection from Scott -

Gay, black leaders speak about finding their place -

Pulse mom to Rick Scott: Prove LGBTQ hate has no place in Florida -

Activists, political leaders criticize Scott on LGBTQ issues -

Advocates call out Rick Scott for failing to sign LGBTQ anti-discrimination order after Pulse -

Fla. Dems, Equality Florida say Rick Scott ‘broke promise’ to protect LGBTQ employees -

LGBTQ activists say Rick Scott promised to ban discrimination and never delivered -

Democratic Lawmaker Says Florida Gov. Scott Used Zika, Hurricane as Excuses to Not Sign Promised LGBT Protections -

Frustration mounts over Gov. Scott's failure to sign order protecting LGBTQ public employees -

Equality Florida CEO recalls 1993 March on Washington -

Onslaught of anti-LGBT bills in 2017 has activists 'playing defense' -

Publix to insure legally married same-sex employee couples regardless of state laws -

Bill that would end discrimination against LGBT community in Florida introduced -

Florida Republican and Democratic Legislators Renew Attempt to Protect Against Gay Bias -