Florida group
seeks gay rights law

Members of the Orlando [Fla.] Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Committee are calling for Orange County officials to pass a law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in matters of housing and hiring, the Orlando Sentinel reported Monday. State and federal laws do not protect against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and there's been an increase in hate crimes against gay men and lesbians. However, Orange County mayor Rich Crotty is blocking the proposal. He and his top legal adviser say there is no evidence that gay men and lesbians are being discriminated against. Michael Slaymaker, cofounder of the antidiscrimination committee, told the newspaper that such a position is absurd. "If we show that we're not tolerant of different minority groups or don't want to address their concerns, what does that say about our community?" Slaymaker said. The effort to secure an ordinance in Orange County began two years ago, shortly after a bitter fight in Orlando to extend the city's discrimination codes to protect gays and lesbians. (Advocate.com)