Legislation to ban discrimination against gay or transgender people in Jacksonville could be introduced at next week's City Council meeting.
The change is being backed by a group of business organizations and former elected officials who are framing it largely as a tool for promoting business growth.
The bill would bring Jacksonville into the same posture as other large Florida cities by formally forbidding discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations — places like restaurants and hotels — based on a person's sexual orientation or sexual identity.
"You shouldn't be able to fire someone because they're gay. You shouldn't be able to do that in Jacksonville," said former Mayor John Delaney, who has been active in assembling supporters for the legislation.
Jacksonville already has legislation that bans discrimination based on factors including race, gender and nationality, and the new measure would add sexual orientation and identity to that list.
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