Florida Faith Leaders Celebrate Victory for over 800,000 LGBTQ Floridians
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT
Michelle Nealy, mnealy@faithinpubliclife.org, (202) 735-7123
Austin Schuler, aschuler@faithinpubliclife.org, (540) 280-3393
Joey McKinnon, jmckinnon@faithinpubliclife.org, (843) 364-4403
Florida Faith Leaders Celebrate Victory for over 800,000 LGBTQ Floridians
Tallahassee, FL — Florida’s Commission on Human Relations has announced its plans to implement the Bostock v. Clayton County decision in Florida. This action means that Florida’s more than 800,000 LGBTQ residents will now be protected under state law against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
Rev. Joe Parramore, New Journey Ministries, Tallahassee:
“As a gay man and a pastor, I am beyond grateful that the state of Florida has held up the rights and dignity of myself and my LGBTQ family. While we must remain vigilant, a WIN is a WIN and reason to celebrate, today! Commissioner Monica Cepero of the FHRC is to be commended for her fortitude in bringing the motion forward. Faith Leaders across Florida have advocated for such protections for years.”
Rev. Terri Steed Pierce, Joy Metropolitan Community Church, Orlando:
“Together, the people of Florida that have sought equal protection under the law for the LGBTQ+ community have finally broken through the stone walls that have kept us separate and unprotected as LGBTQ+ people. Our persistence has paid off. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to protect all Florida citizens regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Joey McKinnon, Florida Director, Faith in Public Life:
“By extending long-sought protections to LGBTQ Floridians in employment, housing and public accommodations, a hard-fought victory has been realized. The faith community has been on a journey that has seen hundreds of faith leaders and clergy call for fairness and treating others as we wish to be treated, particularly in the wake of the Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando five years ago. I’m excited to see the State of Florida make a critical advancement on this journey.”
###
Faith in Public Life is a national movement of clergy and faith leaders united in the prophetic pursuit of justice, equality and the common good. Together, we are leading the fight to advance just policies at the state and federal level. Our network of 50,000 leaders engage in bold moral action that affirms our values and the human dignity of all.