Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/215277
Sarasota News Leader November 22, 2013 OPINION Page 86 each other's lives in the most difficult of cir- State anti-discrimination laws do not afford cumstances, and dignity in interacting with such protection, so many cities and counties around the Sunshine State have adopted local healthcare providers. ordinances to provide that security. As with Shelin did not get everything he wanted. He the DPR, the cities of Sarasota and Venice had asked that the ordinance be open to even already have such an ordinance. part-time Sarasota The commission has residents, not just charged the county At its heart, the DPR is about those who live here attorney with invesyear-round. Given the equality and dignity … the right of couples tigating the laws in large number of snow- who might not be married to participate other counties in birds who winter here more fully in each other's lives in the most Florida. He likely will and might experi- difficult of circumstances, and the dignity give them his report ence a hospitalization it affords each in interacting with early next year. or even death, this healthcare providers. However, we urge the seemed a logical and County Commission fair request. He also asked that those in the registry be allowed to to not just be a follower. Have the county participate in parent-teacher conferences if attorney look outside the state, if necessary, a partner had school-age children. These are to find the most protective anti-discrimination issues that can be discussed further by the ordinances to use as a model for Sarasota. commission and, we hope, added to the ordi- We believe the county would be wise to nance at a later time. distinguish itself as a leader in developCommission Chairwoman Carolyn Mason ing comprehensive protections for all of its citizens. Seeking to simply stay within the was the principal catalyst for the countywide parameters of other Florida counties' actions DPR. In fact, we believe the unanimous vote will not do that. — following some skepticism on the part of a few commissioners in previous board dis- No citizen of Sarasota County is more or less cussions on the ordinance — is a testimony deserving of protection against the prejudices to the high regard in which she is held by her of others. For equality to exist, rights cannot be afforded to some but not to others. peers on the commission. We hope that high regard continues as she next advocates for the passage of a countywide human rights ordinance. Mason has publicly stated her desire to pass such an ordinance to protect members of the LGBT community from discrimination in housing and employment. The Domestic Partnership Registry was a good first step for the commission in fostering that equality. Passage of a human rights ordinance is the logical next step in creating the secure and inclusive community that all who live here deserve. We hope it is done sooner rather than later. %