POLITICAL

City of Miami Commission votes for equality

SAVE Dade commends City of Miami Chairman Commissioner Joe Sanchez for introducing a resolution last month to stand behind the Skidmore Civil Rights Bill, which protect Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. The Miami City Commission unanimously passed the resolution, officially acknowledging Miami’s support in amending the Florida Civil Rights Act to include “sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy and familial status” to groups protected under the Act.

“I wish we lived in a world where we didn’t need to have laws to protect people from discrimination,” said Chairman Sanchez.  “Unfortunately, there are far too many who would be denied a job, housing or public accommodation based on discriminatory views.”

Currently, the bill is at a standstill in the Florida Legislature. Chairman Sanchez’ decision to introduce the resolution, along with the City Commission’s vote to pass it, sends the powerful message to elected officials in Tallahassee that our local leaders believe the time for LGBT individuals to be equal and protected is now. Because of Chairman Sanchez’ initiative, the visible support of a city as large and vital to Florida as Miami may begin building momentum and influence in Tallahassee. It may help sway those who hold the bill’s outcome in their hands to vote in its favor.

SAVE Dade appreciates Chairman Sanchez and the rest of the Commission for understanding the importance of acceptance. When SAVE Dade first reached out to Chairman Sanchez, he was eager for the opportunity to help push Florida towards equality. As a Cuban American – a background that is traditionally rooted in social conservatism – Chairman Sanchez represents a new generation of forward-thinking leaders who truly understand that diversity is what makes our country great. Presently, Chairman Sanchez is running for Mayor of Miami with a constituency that is made up of a variety of races, backgrounds, religions and orientations. It is important for Miami to cultivate  leaders with the ability to stand for civil rights and who will support pro-equality legislation.

SAVE Dade’s Executive Director CJ Ortuno and James Dunn, a volunteer and member in SAVE Dade’s Political Committee, first lobbied Chairman Sanchez for backing on a domestic partnership ordinance for Miami-Dade. He has expressed his commitment to help support the ordinance as well. Both Commissioners Sarnoff and Regalado have also expressed verbal support for the ordinance, while Commissioner Gonzalez and Spence-Jones both are in the process of securing meeting times. 

 “In Miami, in all of America, our diversity is our strength – it is what we must embrace,” said Chairman Sanchez. “Instead of discriminating against people, we need to be unified in our effort to make this world a better place to live in.”