SPLC ACTION FUND: Florida Affirms LGBTQ+ Civil Rights, Will Enforce Bostock Ruling

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Yesterday, the Florida Commission on Human Relations, the Florida state agency responsible for enforcing state civil rights, reiterated that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal in the state of Florida, and that it will enforce the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County, protecting LGBTQ+ persons from discrimination.

The following statement is from Scott McCoy, interim deputy legal director with SPLC Action Fund:

“We commend the Florida Commission on Human Relations for committing to investigate claims of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination and protect the civil rights of the LGBTQ+ community under state law. Anti-LGBTQ+ bias is real and harms thousands of Floridians and their families, making it more difficult for them to get and keep a job, housing, healthcare and an education.  LGBTQ+ people in Florida can finally turn to the FCHR for help.

“Florida’s LGBTQ+ community deserve equal access to employment, housing, healthcare and public accommodations. We applaud the FCHR for this progress and urge other southern states to follow Florida’s lead.”