The Village of Wellington in Palm Beach has amended its Equal Employment Opportunity policy to prohibit discrimination based on both “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” in Village employment. The policy covers the Village’s 258 employees.
The action was taken following a request from the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, a local non-profit organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
“People should not be fired, harassed, or denied promotion simply because they are gay or lesbian, or because they don’t fit the stereotypes for masculinity or femininity,” said Council President Rand Hoch.
Last spring, Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington played host to the world’s first international gay polo league tournament, which was presented by the Gay Polo League.
“The Gay Polo League’s selection of Wellington encouraged the Council to ask the Village to adopt a more inclusive Equal Employment Opportunity policy and to provide family benefits to employees with domestic partners,” said Hoch.
As a result, Wellington’s revised Equal Employment Opportunity Policy now provides protections in conditions of employment for almost every citizen.
“The workplace is an ever changing environment and it our goal to do the right thing by all of the people who work for Wellington,” said Village Manager Paul Schofield. “These changes are a simple recognition that the only thing that should matter in the work place is how well you do your job.” The community has approximately 55,000 residents.
Editor’s note: Richard Gary is a reporter with the South Florida Gay News and this article is used with permission.
