PBCHRC Asks Boca's Bigots to Rescind "Opt Out" Ordinance

Council calls on Boca to rescind ordinance

By Anne Geggis, Sun-Sentinel Staff Writer

September 26, 2012

The president of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council called on members of the Boca Raton City Council to rescind an ordinance that preserves the city's right to discriminate against employees for sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.


City officials say that Boca Raton's anti-discrimination policy meets state and federal guidelines.

Opting out of the county's version of that policy was part of an ordinance the Boca City Council unanimously passed in January 2011.

But the issue emerged this week when Boca Raton refused to join a proposed agreement that would pay the city about $235,000 to handle emergency responses to hazardous materials.

Council President Rand Hoch wrote to each of the City Council members Wednesday that such a stance, "subjects each and every one of you to being considered the five most prejudiced and bigoted public officials in Palm Beach County, if not the state."

City Council member Mike Mullaugh wouldn't rule out including homosexuals and the trans gendered in the city's discrimination policy, but it won't happen because of county demands.

"We will decide what we do ourselves," he said.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-09-26/news/fl-palm-digest-0927-20120925_1_official-rules-and-application-band-members-boca-city-council