OUT ADVOCACY NETWORK URGES SUPPORT FOR COMPETITIVE WORKFORCE BILL

Proposed law would prohibit discrimination on the basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity TAMPA, FLORIDA - 11/10/2009 - OUT Advocacy Network urges support for the Florida Competitive Workforce Bill, a bill being introduced for the 2010 legislative session. The bill will be introduced in the Florida Senate by Dan Gelber (D-Miami Beach) and in the Florida House of Representatives by Kelly Skidmore (D-Boca Raton). The Competitive Workforce Bill is being collectively supported by a group of organizations, including Organizations United Together (OUT) Advocacy Network, ACLU of Florida, the Anti-Defamation League, Equality Florida, Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, SAVE Dade and other LGBT and allied organizations throughout the state. Building upon anti-discrimination legislation introduced in the Florida Legislature each year since 2007, the Florida Competitive Workforce Bill would prohibit anti-LGBT discrimination in the workplace, in housing, and in public accommodations by simply adding "sexual orientation" and "gender identity and expression" to Florida's civil rights laws. "In these difficult economic times, it is more important than ever that action be taken to ensure fair competition in the workplace, and that there be an end to discriminatory practices in Florida," said Ted Howard, Executive Director of OUT Advocacy Network. Organizations United Together (OUT) held a training for local organizations and local leaders from throughout South Florida in Fort Lauderdale over the weekend on grassroots organizing and fundraising skills. The training participants recruited dozens of phone bank volunteers and raised thousands of dollars to build a public education effort on the issue of discrimination in Florida. There will be a community strategy session to discuss this legislation on Saturday, December 12, 2009 in downtown Orlando. OUT Advocacy Network is the advocacy arm of Organizations United Together (OUT), a federation of local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied organizations dedicated to achieving equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Floridians. By connecting and empowering local organizations throughout the state to share resources, skills and knowledge, OUT aims to forge statewide strength to achieve common goals. OUT's vision is a Florida free of prejudice and discrimination where all people have full legal, political and social equality.