The West Palm Beach City Commission unanimously supported a resolution urging the Florida Legislature to support a bill that will protect LGBT people from workplace discrimination.

“After more than a decade, there finally appears to be bipartisan support for protecting LGBTQ Floridians from discrimination in the workplace,” said Jeri Muoio, Mayor of West Palm Beach. Passing SB 438 would be a great first step towards full equality for LGBTQ  Floridians.”

The Chair of the Republican Party of Florida, State Senator Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota), introduced the Florida Inclusive Workforce Act. It gave local LGBT activists hope it would have a chance at passing in the Republican-dominated Florida legislature.

“Palm Beach County Human Rights Council is proud to have the support of the West Palm Beach Commission on this bill,” said Meredith Ockman, a board member of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council. “We are hopeful that our statewide bill, FIWA (SB 438), will garner the same support in Tallahassee.”

West Palm Beach joins a growing list of cities passing similar resolutions including Lake Worth, Miami Beach, and North Bay Village. 

Some LGBT activists have come out in opposition to the bill because it only covers discrimination in the workplace, leaving the fight for housing and public accommodations for another day.   

There also appears to be confusion over whether FIWA protects the transgender community.

But FIWA is clear in that it adds both sexual orientation and gender identity to Florida’s Civil Rights Act.  

Additionally, a coalition of local trans groups came together releasing a statement of support.

Visit SFGN.com/FIWA for more coverage from SFGN.