Tampa weighs protections for transgender individuals

By CHRISTIAN M. WADE | The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA – Should transgender individuals be protected under the city’s code?

Tampa’s Human Rights Board believes so and on Thursday asked the city council to consider extending the protections offered to other minorities to transgender groups.

The board wants to extend laws already prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based on sexual orientation, sex, race and religion to include transgender individuals.

Chairman Philip Dinkins told council members that the board has been discussing the issue for about a year and decided to request the changes.

“We believe Tampa should continue its strong record on human rights issues by updating its code to protect transgender individuals,” he said Thursday “It would have a positive impact on the city’s economic development.”

Mayor Pam Iorio said she supports the human rights board’s recommendation.

“I am against discrimination of any kind,” Iorio said.

At least 13 states across the country and 16 municipalities in Florida, as well as some Fortune 500 companies, have extended such protections to transsexuals, transvestites and any others with a gender identity that differs from their sex assigned at birth.

Lawyers for the Obama administration are also drafting proposed federal guidelines that would prohibit workplace discrimination against transgender federal employees.

Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida, said transgender individuals can fired, denied service in restaurants and stores or prevented from renting or buying property because Tampa lacks basic protections for residents based on gender identity or gender expression.

She praised the city’s efforts to expand antidiscrimination laws.

“This is what big cities do to protect their citizens,” she said. “It’s a positive step.”

Council members took no action on the board’s request, but directed the city’s legal department to come back to council in 30 days with a proposed ordinance.

Several council members voiced their support Thursday for extending the protections.

“We should not tolerate any form of discrimination in our community,” John Dingfelder said.

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