West Palm Beach Strengthens Law Prohibiting Discrimination by City Contractors

July 5, 2016

At this evening's meeting, the West Palm Beach City Commission unanimously voted to amend the city's procurement code to require contractors doing business with the city to expressly prohibit  discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. The ordinance also covers other protected classes, including race, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability and marital status.

The action was taken at the request of  the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, the County's most effective civil rights organization. Over the past twenty-eight years, the organization has succeeded in having local public officials enact more than 110 laws and policies providing equal rights and benefits for women and minorities.

"During the past year, public officials throughout  across our country have been taking steps to weaken civil rights laws by carving out exceptions," said Rand Hoch, President and Founder of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council.  "In contrast, under Mayor Jeri Muoio's leadership, the City of West Palm Beach continues to move forward on civil rights."

 "West Palm Beach has been and continues to be committed to protecting the rights of all protected groups," said Mayor Jeri Muoio. "Discrimination of any kind must not be tolerated in our community nor in the laws that govern us."  For a copy of West Palm Beach City Ordinance No. 4643-16 , click here.

Rick Scott Can Redeem Himself by Helping LGBTs Fight Employment Discrimination

http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/rick-scott-can-redeem-himself-by-helping-lgbts-fight-employment-discrimination-7865572#!.

Rick Scott Can Redeem Himself by Helping LGBTs Fight Employment Discrimination

By Jerry Iannelli, Broward-Palm Beach New Times reporter 

June 22, 2016

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi staked a sizable chunk of her political career on trying to ensure that same-sex couples were never allowed to marry. 

Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg

The "promotion of family continuity and stability is a legitimate state interest," Bondi once wrote in a legal brief. Translated from Bondi-speak, she was just implying that same-sex parents aren't fit to have children. She's also argued that the state does not need to pay lawyers who defend plaintiffs in gay-marriage cases. But Bondi's longstanding stance on gay-rights didn't stop her from declaring herself a "fierce defender of the LGBT community" in the wake of this month's shooting at the LGBT nightclub Pulse in Orlando, in which 49 people were killed. It also took Gov. Rick Scott 48 hours to use the words "gay" or "LGBT" whatsoever. 

 

Those facts are inexcusable. But Rand Hoch, founder of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, which fights to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity in Florida, says that Scott's administration can do more than pray to help the state's LGBT community heal: He can instead right a longstanding wrong, by passing laws to protect LGBT people from job discrimination.

Hoch said that in the past, his group has sent Scott's administration two letters asking the governor to sign an executive order banning LGBT employment discrimination in state jobs and contracting. Hoch says he didn't hear back either time. But in the wake of Orlando, Hoch is now pounding on the governor's door a third time, begging him to award LGBT people the most basic of civil rights. And to even give him the courtesy of responding to his letter.

"I didn't think it was going to be difficult," Hoch said. "When Scott got in, we sent a letter to his transition team. But we never heard back." Then, on Scott's first day in office, the governor signed an anti-job- discrimination ordinance into law - it just didn't include anything about LGBT people, or, oddly, disabled people, either."

"Orlando reopened the door for our request," Hoch said.  "As soon as we saw him understanding the bigger issue, we thought, 'Let's see what we can do.'" Hoch has even written the order out for Scott, using the existing law he signed on Day One of his term. All he'd need to do now is sign the new one.

To view PBCHRC's Correspondence with Governor Scott, 

click here. 

But Scott isn't alone in his silence. Hoch said his group sent former Florida Governor Charlie Crist exactly 12 letters during his tenure. Crist, he says, did not bother to respond once.

"There were rumors that he might be gay, and so a lot of times when you have those type of rumors out there, you want to ignore doing anything," Hoch said. "But that was before he got booted out of the Republican party. I think if Charlie Crist was governor now, he'd clearly issue an executive order."

Nationally, 32 states do not have ordinances banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, though Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties have enacted discrimination bans at the county level.

"I'd be thrilled to have someone like Pam Bondi or Rick Scott or some other Republicans say its important to include LGBT people," Hoch said. "Now is their chance to back up their words with some action - to prove that LGBT people are part of this community."

But, he says, he'd be stunned if Bondi professed to having a true "change of heart" when it comes to gay people.

"Evolution does happen," he said. "But it's really hard. Just a couple of weeks ago, she was fighting not to pay the attorneys who won in federal court. It would be a very quick turnaround."

We've asked Rick Scott's office straight-up why he hasn't taken action on this. We still await the governor's reply.

Palm Beach County Commissioners Proclaim LGBT Pride Month

  

June 7, 2016

LGBT community leaders and activists were on hand this morning as the Palm Beach County Commission issued a proclamation marking the 47th anniversary of the Stonewall riots and declaring June as LGBT Pride Month in Palm Beach County.


The proclamation, which was presented by Commissioner Melissa McKinlay, was co-accepted by PBCHRC Secretary Rae Franks, Compass CEO Tony Plakas and Metropolitan Community Church Pastor Rev. Dr. Lea Brown.

"We are all Americans. Period. We live in a country that stands for freedom, justice and equality for all.  We shall not discriminate on race, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation," said Commissioner McKinlay. "I am proud to support a resolution that stands for all of these things."

"The Stonewall riots in New York City served as the catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States," said PBCHRC Founder and President Rand Hoch.  "On that night in June of 1969 when harassed by the police officers who raided the Stonewall Inn, beleaguered gay, lesbian and transgender patrons finally fought back."

Shortly thereafter, riots occurred as LGBT and supportive New Yorkers joined the fray, denouncing the longstanding and unwarranted actions of the New York City Police Department.

"The rest is history," said Hoch. "Our history"

President's Message - June 2016

MESSAGE FROM PBCHRC'S PRESIDENT & FOUNDER

June 1, 2016

This month is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.  Around the world, LGBT people and our allies will be celebrating in honor of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, the tipping point in the United States in our movement for equal rights.

On Tuesday, June 7, Palm Beach County Commissioners will proclaim June "LGBT Pride Month." Leaders and activists from PBCHRC, COMPASS, Metropolitan Community Church and other local LGBT organizations will be on hand to accept the proclamation.  Please join us at  9:30 a.m. in the 6th Floor County Commission Chamber at the Palm Beach County Robert Weisman Governmental Center, 301 N. Olive Avenue in West Palm Beach. Thanks go out to County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay for making this happen.

 As usual, we have a lot to be proud of and May 2016 was a fabulous month for PBCHRC!

PBCHRC Treasurer Dan Hall and Victor Espidol

  

Three high school seniors - Daniel Brassloff, Victor Espidol and Melanie Camejo Coffigny - were presented with the 2016 Daniel S. Hall Social Justice Awards. Each year, PBCHRC awards the  scholarships to college-bound student advocates for the LGBT community.  Kudos to Daniel, Victor and Melanie.

PRCHRC Rae Franks (center) with her Diversity Honors Award

Longtime PBCHRC Secretary Rae Franks was presented with one of the 2016 Diversity Honors Awards by the Harvey Milk Foundation.  Rae was recognized for her tireless efforts on behalf of the county's LGBT community for more than 25 years.

Finally, Hillary Clinton's campaign staff appointed me, along with eight other Floridians, to serve on the Platform Committee for the Democratic National Committee. This appointment marks the third time the Democratic Party has called upon PBCHRC to help shape the party's platform.  In 2004, then-PBCHRC Vice President Deidre Newton served on the Platform Committee at the request of the John Kerry campaign.  PBCHRC research assistant Michael Ira Thayer also served in that capacity in 2008 at the request of Hillary Clinton.    

I am looking forward to participating in the Platform Committee meetings and attending the Democratic National Convention in July. (This will be my seventh convention!)

Since 1988, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Voters Alliance has been screening candidates for public office, making endorsements and educating public officials for the sole purpose of amending and enacting LGBT-inclusive laws and policies.  Our endorsements are made upon consideration of how candidates have voted on LGBT issues and how they have supported the Palm Beach County LGBT community. 

Throughout Palm Beach County, it is illegal to discriminate against LGBT people with regard to employment, housing and public accommodation.  In addition, the following public employers have taken steps to prohibit discrimination based on "sexual orientation" and/or "gender identity or expression": Atlantis, Belle Glade, Boca Raton,  Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Greenacres, Haverhill, Hypoluxo, Juno Beach, Jupiter, Lake Clarke Shores, Lake Park, Manalapan, Pahokee, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Shores, Riviera Beach, Royal Palm Beach, South Bay, Tequesta, Wellington and West Palm Beach. as well as for Palm Beach County, the School District of Palm Beach County,  Palm Beach State College, Florida Atlantic University,  the Port of Palm Beach, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, the Office of the Tax Collector, the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser, the Office of the Supervisor of Elections, the Office of the Public Defender, the Office of the State Attorney, the Palm Beach County Sheriffs' Office, the Office of the Clerk and Comptroller, Seacoast Utility Authority, the Solid Waste Authority, Palm Tran, the Palm Beach County Children's Services Council and the South Florida Water Management District.

In fact, there are now more than 110 local ordinances, resolutions, collective bargaining agreements and policies providing Palm Beach County's LGBT residents and visitors with equal rights, protections and benefits.  A complete list  can be found by clicking on the "Laws & Policies" tab on the PBCHRC web site's home page.

Within the last few months, 11 candidates endorsed by the PBCHRC Voters Alliance have been elected to office. These include: State Attorney Dave Aronberg, Boynton Beach Mayor Steven B. Grant, Lake Worth Mayor Pam Triolo, Lake Worth City Commissioners Andy Amoroso and Scott Maxwell, Rivera Beach City Councilwoman Tanya Davis Johnson, Wellington Village Councilmen John McGovern and Michael Napoleone and West Palm Beach City Commissioners  Shanon Materio, Sylvia Moffett and Paula Ryan.

Tanya Davis Johnson 

Newly-elected Riviera Beach City Councilwoman Tanya Davis Johnson is now the 11th openly LGBT person to hold elective office in Palm Beach County.  Over the years, five openly LGBT candidates we have helped elect have served as mayors.  Three others have served as vice mayors and three have served on city commissions or city councils.

In May, we began interviewing - and endorsing - judicial candidates.  Over the next two months, we will be interviewing more than 40 candidates whose names will appear on the ballots in Palm Beach County this year.  So far, the following candidates for upcoming elections have been endorsed:

President - Hillary Clinton 

U.S. Senator - Patrick Murphy 

U.S. Congressman (Dist.20) - Alcee Hastings 

U.S. Congresswoman (Dist.21) - Lois Frankel 

U.S. Congressman (Dist. 22) - Ted Deutch 

State Senator (Dist. 31) - Jeff Clemens

Public Defender - Carey Haughwout 

Supervisor of Elections - Susan Bucher 

Tax Collector - Anne Gannon 

County Commissioner (Dist. 5) - Mary Lou Berger 

Circuit Circuit Judge (Group 4) - Gregory Tendrich 

County Court Judge (Group 7) - Marni Bryson 

County Court Judge (Group 11) - Gregg Lerman

To learn more about the candidates, click on their names.

A complete list of the PBCHRC-endorsed candidates - including those who have already been elected this year - can be found by clicking on the "Endorsements" tab on the PBCHRC web site's home page.

Fortunately, it is not  "all work and no play" for PBCHRC's leaders and supporters.

On the evening of July 2, PBCHRC supporters, elected officials and candidates for office will gather for our Summer Soirée at the fabulous architecturally unique home of retired attorney and art collector Jeffrey P. Ganek. Thanks to the incredible work done by PBCHRC Treasurer and our Board Members, the Summer Soirée -- like this year's Winter  Fête -- SOLD OUT before we could even design printed invitations!

Special thanks go out to our Summer Soirée underwriters:  State Attorney Dave Aronberg, Paul Bernabeo and David Cohen, Christopher Caneles and Stephen Nesbitt, Echo, Daniel S. Hall, The Law and Mediation Offices of Rand Hoch, P.A.,Tony Jaggi and Donald Watren, Wood Kinnard and Alberto Arias, Mittleman Eye, Stephen Mooney and Scott Velozo, George J. Palladino and Jerrold St. George, Randy Perkins, Joseph Pubillones Interiors, Sandy James Fine Food & Productions, David Silvers, Robert Simeone, Law Offices of W. Trent Steele, Steinger, Iscoe & Greene, and  Don Todorich - Corcoran Group R.E

Our next major social event will be the Winter Fête will be held on January 14, 2017, so please mark it on your calendar and watch for tickets going on sale after November's General Election.

Finally, special thanks go out to West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio, who was the first mayor in Florida, and the second in the nation, to ban travel on city business to North Carolina and Mississippi - two states that have enacted horribly discriminatory laws.  Mayor Muoio also is working toward providing trans-related care to any municipal employees in need.

Since 1988, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council has worked diligently on behalf of the LGBT community. With your support, we will continue to do so in the years to come.  And, as always, PBCHRC will keep you posted on our progress.

Judge Rand Hoch (retired), 

President and Founder

This paid electioneering communication, which is independent of any party, candidate or committee, is produced, sponsored and paid for by the The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Voters Alliance.

The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Voters Alliance. 

Post Office Box 267, West Palm Beach, Florida 33402 

(561) 358-0105

Palm Beach County LGBT Activist Selected For DNC Platform Committee

By John McDonald, South Florida Gay News

June 28, 2016 

Photo: BrowardPalmBeach.com

When the Democratic Party holds its annual national convention next month, Palm Beach County’s LGBT community will be well represented.

Rand Hoch, founder and president of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, is a member of the DNC’s platform committee. Hoch spoke to SFGN Monday morning, via telephone, about his duties on the committee.

“It’s an impressive process going on,” said Hoch, a retired judge.

When asked how the platform committee intended to reach out to supporters of Bernie Sanders, the Vermont Independent, Hoch said it requires patience and understanding.

“It’s listening to their concerns,” Hoch said. “We as Democrats have a lot more in common than we have differences. Bernie Sanders has brought a lot of new people into the party. How we integrate those new ideas with the party’s platform is what our committee will have to work on.”

Hoch said that while important, the platform committee is second to the rules committee in terms of power. Former U.S. Congressman Barney Frank, a gay man, is co-chair of the DNC rules committee.

According to Hoch, Florida’s delegation to the convention contains 29 delegates who identify as LGBT. Deidre Newton, a lesbian and state committeewoman for the Palm Beach County Democratic Party, is joining Hoch in Philadelphia. The Democratic National Convention is July 25-28.

Hoch said currently there is a lot of drafting of party documents. He expected the “final crunch” of the party platform to occur during an October meeting in Orlando.

This will be Hoch’s seventh Democratic National Convention. His first time was in 1976 when the party nominated Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter, who went on to become the 39th President of the U.S.

Palm Beach County Commission Proclaims LGBT Pride Month

June 6, 2016


LGBT community leaders and activists were on hand this morning as the Palm Beach County Commission issued a proclamation marking the 47th anniversary of the Stonewall riots and declaring June as LGBT Pride Month in Palm Beach County.


The proclamation, which was presented by Commissioner Melissa McKinlay, was co-accepted by PBCHRC Secretary Rae Franks, Compass CEO Tony Plakas and Metropolitan Community Church Pastor Rev. Dr. Lea Brown.

"We are all Americans. Period. We live in a country that stands for freedom, justice and equality for all.  We shall not discriminate on race, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation," said Commissioner McKinlay. "I am proud to support a resolution that stands for all of these things."

"The Stonewall riots in New York City served as the catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States," said PBCHRC Founder and President Rand Hoch.  "On that night in June of 1969 when harassed by the police officers who raided the Stonewall Inn, beleaguered gay, lesbian and transgender patrons finally fought back."

Shortly thereafter, riots occurred as LGBT and supportive New Yorkers joined the fray, denouncing the longstanding and unwarranted actions of the New York City Police Department.

"The rest is history," said Hoch. "Our history."

PBCHRC will be well-represented at the Democratic National Convention

The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council will be well-represented at this summer's Democratic National Convention. 

Former PBCHRC Board Member Anne Gannon, a longtime ally of the LGBT community who currently serves as the Constitutional Tax Collector for Palm Beach County and former PBCHRC Vice President and Board Member Deidre Newton, an out woman who serves as the Democratic State Committeewoman for Palm Beach County, were elected to  serve as delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

                  Anne Gannon

 

PBCHRC Founder and President Rand Hoch, who served as Florida's first openly gay judge in the mid-1990s, was appointed by the Clinton campaign to serve on the Democratic Party's Platform Committee.

Former Congressman Barney Frank with Rand Hoch and Deidre Newton 

Gannon, Newton and Hoch are longtime supporters of Hillary Clinton. Last November, Clinton was endorsed by the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Voters Alliance. 
 

Rand Hoch presents Hillary Clinton with 

 the PBCHRC Voters Alliance endorsement letter

 

Over the years, the Democratic Party has relied on PBCHRC activists to help shape the party's platform. 

In 2004, then-PBCHRC Vice President Deidre Newton was tapped by John Kerry's presidential campaign to serve on the Platform Committee. 

PBCHRC research assistant Michael Ira Thayer was recruited by the Hillary Clinton campaign to serve on the Platform Committee in 2008.

Florida's 291 member delegation to the 2016 Democratic National Convention includes 246 delegate, 18 alternates and 9 members of each of the three standing committees: Platform Committee, Rules Committee and Credentials Committee.  

The Florida delegation includes 29 LGBT Democrats, including Florida Democratic Party First Vice Chair Alan Clendenin, who is running for Hillsborough County School Board and Broward County's Democratic State Committeeman Ken Evans.

The Democratic National Convention will be held in Philadelphia from July 25 to July 28.