New Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican and teabagger, has issued a non-discrimination order for state employees that not only fails to include sexual orientation and gender identity, but also leaves out some categories that are already protected under state law.
The South Florida Gay News reports that Scott’s nondiscrimination order includes only “race, gender, creed, color and national origin.” The Florida Civil Rights Act – which is state law and trumps Scott’s order — includes “race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status.”
Gay-rights advocates had lobbied Scott to include sexual orientation and gender identity in his nondiscrimination order. Needless to say, they are disappointed:
“Governor Scott’s limited view of diversity is very discouraging,” said Rand Hoch, president of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council. “Governor Scott did not even include all of the classifications listed in the Florida Civil Rights Act — let alone sexual orientation and gender identity.”
More on Scott from the Wonk Room:
Scott positioned himself as a social conservative during his election campaign, although he rarely addressed equality issues on the stump. He reiterating his support for the state’s now defunct anti-gay adoption law, saying he opposed to “single sex adoption” and insisting that “Children should be raised in a home with a married man and a woman.” His campaign website also says that marriage should be between one man and one woman. During his well publicized brawl with primary challenger and former Attorney General Bill McCollum, Scott attacked McCollum for endorsing the “pro-homosexual rights candidate Rudy Giuliani for president in 2008.″
Thanks for picking up the news.
You wrote:
“Governor Scott’s limited view of diversity is very discouraging,” said Scott Hoch, president of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council. ”
“Scott: Hoch is a professional golfer. I’m “Rand” Hoch, Presdient and Founder of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council.
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@Rand: Sorry for the error. It’s been fixed.
I dont like Rick Scott, I didnt vote for him. All I have to say to florida and those who DID vote for him. When things get bad, and women no longer can work, and you start complaining about how bad things are getting. Remember. YOU GOT WHAT YOU VOTED FOR. Maybe next time you will be a little bit smarter than to choose a fool like this man.
NPR reported that Rick Scott spent $70 million of his own money [!] to win the governorship.
His way of putting a dollar value on discrimination, I suppose.
Geez.
This guy ain’t wastin’ any time. He immediately says look over there, and everybody does. Meanwhile, he’s probably already get his greedy little fingers all over contracts and state business to feed his bank account.
This is gop s.o.p.
This is a scary sign of things to come for State of Florida employees who happen to be older or disabled or gay.