Pinellas Extends Legal Shield To Gay People, Bisexuals

By TBO.COM | Staff
Published: April 23, 2008

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CLEARWATER - Gay people, lesbians and bisexuals will receive legal protections against discrimination under Pinellas County's human rights ordinance.

The county commission voted 4-2 Tuesday night to approve a controversial ordinance amendment that adds "sexual orientation" in the protection against discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations. Commissioner John Morroni was absent.

Commissioners also asked county staff to research possibly expanding the ordinance to include transgender people, including transsexuals and cross-dressers.

St. Petersburg adopted a similar ordinance amendment in 2002.

Tampa passed such a measure in 1991, but voters repealed it the following year. The city began enforcing the law again in 1993 after the Florida Supreme Court ruled the repeal petition had too few valid signatures.

Hillsborough County commissioners repealed such protections in 1995 and have refused to restore them.