Discrimination

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Florida faith leaders and members of the LGBTQ community came together Monday to make one request of Governor Rick Scott:

"To make good on his promise to enact non discrimination protections for LGBTQ workers employed by the state of Florida. It is a simple request," the Rev. Rudolph Cleare said.

It is a promise, the group claims, the governor made when he came to visit Orlando more than year ago and just days after the Pulse Nightclub massacre.

Under Florida law, it's still legal to deny housing, refuse service and fire people from their jobs because they identify as LGBTQ, says the Rev. Terri Steed Pierce. Equality Florida and other LGBTQ advocates have been asking Scott for months to add "gender identity" and "sexual orientation" to anti-discrimination protections for state employees.

"Saying he promised to do something after Pulse and the gay community is still waiting, a congregation of Orlando faith leaders Monday called on Gov. Rick Scott to sign an executive order banning anti-gay discrimination in state government.

Central Florida’s faith leaders called on Gov. Rick Scott on Monday to honor a pledge his aides reportedly made in the weeks after the Pulse massacre to protect LGBT state employees from discrimination.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- LBGTQ activists say Governor Rick Scott broke his promise to do more to protect against discrimination after the Pulse night club shootings.

Brandon Wolf, a survivor of the shooting, says even in the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in recent history, little to no progress has been made in the state.

One year ago I witnessed hell. Standing in a dark bathroom at Pulse nightclub, I choked down tears, held onto a dozen trembling bodies, and breathed in gun smoke. We were unarmed; we were under attack.

But the sad reality is, the LGBTQ community is no stranger to attacks. In 2017, it is legal for Floridians to be denied housing, public accommodations, and even fired simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In the 21st century, employers can hand us a pink slip for the person we fall in love with.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Officials with Equality Florida and the Florida Democratic Party are criticizing Gov. Rick Scott for failing to issue an executive order protecting LGBTQ individuals from employment and housing discrimination.

Leon County Democratic Party Chairman Andy Janecek said the Legislature as a whole has failed the LGBTQ community when it comes to protecting employment rights.