The city widely seen as one of the most diverse and accepting in Pinellas County became the second in the county to include sexual orientation and gender identity to its anti-discrimination laws earlier this month.
Dunedin city commissioners okayed an addition to the city’s human rights ordinance (HRO) through a second reading during the first week of June.
The ordinance previously required city hotels, restaurants, and other public establishments to give equal access to their facilities regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex or national origin. Now the list actively includes sexual orientation and gender identification and expression.
The only other city in Pinellas County to include both sexual orientation and gender identity in its anti-discrimination laws is Gulfport.
Only two people spoke to the commission before the unanimous vot. One speaker had some questions concerning wording, and Ray Dabkowski, who lives in Dunedin with his partner, wanted to thank the commission.
“Our marriage is grandfathered in and remains valid,” Dabkowski said, referring to the marriage he and his partner had in California before the Prop 8 decision by that state’s Supreme Court in May.
Dabkowski said the measure makes him and other LGBTs feel more comfortable in Dunedin but admits that it’s still a far cry away from full equality.
“But [this ordinance] sends a signal to others that this is a good place to live and work,” Dabkowski said.
Dunedin City attorney John Hubbard told the commission that the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity could make anti-discrimination laws more difficult to enforce. However, after Commissioner Julie Ward Bujalski questioned Hubbard about the county’s so-called protections for transgender individuals, Hubbard admitted that protection was lacking.
The county ordinance does not include gender identity or expression in its HRO and Hubbard said that transgender people are the most likely group to be targeted for hate crimes and discrimination in housing and employment.
Advocacy group Equality Florida hailed the decision by the commission as a huge victory and hopes more cities soon follow suit.
