On Tuesday, Miami-Dade County Commission voted to include protections against discrimination based gender identity and expression in its Human Rights Ordinance. In an 8-3 vote that followed a four-hour public hearing, commissioners approved the inclusion of these protections in employment, housing and public accommodation.
"With today's victory, more than 50% of Floridians are protected from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, giving a major boost to our ongoing efforts to pass these protections statewide," said Stratton Pollitzer, Deputy Director of Equality Florida, on Tuesday. "Now, all people who live or work in Miami-Dade County can continue to provide for their families without fear of losing their job or being denied housing just because of who they are."
According to WPLG Local 10 News, one Miami-Dade commissioner attempted to introduce an amendment that would exempt gender identity and expression protections in public restrooms, but the amendment failed. The vote makes Miami-Dade the 28th municipality in Florida to add protections for transgender and gender non-conforming residents.