Jacksonville passes updated Human Rights Ordinance

ABOVE: Jacksonville City Hall, photo via Facebook.

JACKSONVILLE | The Jacksonville City Council passed its Human Rights Ordinance (HRO) by a vote of 15-4 June 9 to reinstate protections for LGBTQ residents in employment, housing and public accommodations.

The HRO’s protections were originally enacted in 2017 after passing 12-6, but ruled unenforceable May 1. Florida’s First District Court of Appeals found that while Jacksonville had intended to add sexual orientation and gender identity protections to its existing HRO, the additions were never actually completed.

Republican Mayor Lenny Curry, who did not support the HRO’s expansion in 2017, has indicated he will sign the legislation into law. “The HRO is back because of a technicality in the law,” Curry said last month. “The bill has been law for a number of years. I’ll sign the bill if the City Council corrects the technicality.”

A number of LGBTQ-focused organizations celebrated the passage via social media. JASMYN, which has supported LGBTQ youth in Jacksonville for more than 25 years, thanked city officials and LGBTQ advocates for their prompt response.

“Moments ago the Jacksonville City Council reaffirmed protections from discrimination that cover the LGBTQ community on a 15-4 vote,” the organization shared. “Mayor Curry has indicated he will sign those protections into law. We thank everyone who responded so quickly to the early May ruling by the 1st District Court of appeals that placed our 2017 HRO update in jeopardy.”

Equality Florida, the state’s largest LGBTQ-focused organization, thanked local leaders and called the passage a victory. “Thank you to sponsor Council Member Aaron Bowman, Jacksonville City Council District 3, the seven ordinance cosponsors (!), and local partners like Jacksonville Coalition for Equality,” they shared.

The Florida LGBTQ Democratic Caucus, which represents the interests of LGBTQ Floridians as an arm of the state’s Democratic Party, also celebrated the news in a press release.

“The Jacksonville City Council reaffirmed the principle that every resident should be treated equally and with respect, regardless of who they are or who they love,” Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill shared.

“Without state or federal protections in place, local laws like the one passed today are critical,” he continued. “Jacksonville’s vibrant LGBTQ community can now go about their daily lives without fear of discrimination. We thank the Council for supporting equality.”

Communications Director Phil Perry, a Jacksonville resident, also responded to the news. “No one should ever be fired from their job or denied housing because of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,” he shared. “I’m grateful the City Council said yes to equality and no to discrimination. As we observe Pride Month, let’s also celebrate that Jacksonville is a welcoming community.”

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