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Puerto Rico Governor Signs Local ENDA, Domestic Violence Bills

Puerto Rico Governor Signs Local ENDA, Domestic Violence Bills

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Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla signed into law an employment nondiscrimination act protecting LGBT Puerto Ricans.

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Puerto Rico's Democratic governor, Alejandro Garcia Padilla, today formally signed into law a bill that protects LGBT Puerto Ricans from discrimination in employment, reports the Associated Press. Padilla also signed a law that extends domestic violence protections and services to gay and lesbian couples.

Earlier drafts of the antidiscrimination bill, passed by both the House and Senate this month, included discrimination protections in housing, governmental services, public accommodations, and private entities. But those provisions were stripped from the bill after heavy lobbying by religious groups, according to the AP.

Padilla's signature on the domestic violence expansion follows the lead of San Juan mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, who earlier this month issued a mandate requiring the capital city's police department to provide equal protection and access to such support services to all citizens, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

Padilla campaigned on a platform that included LGBT equality, and indicated early in the legislative process that he would sign the antidiscrimination bill.

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Sunnivie Brydum

Sunnivie is the managing editor of The Advocate, and an award-winning journalist whose passion is covering the politics of equality and elevating the unheard stories of our community. Originally from Colorado, she and her spouse now live in Los Angeles, along with their three fur-children: dogs Luna and Cassie Doodle, and "Meow Button" Tilly.
Sunnivie is the managing editor of The Advocate, and an award-winning journalist whose passion is covering the politics of equality and elevating the unheard stories of our community. Originally from Colorado, she and her spouse now live in Los Angeles, along with their three fur-children: dogs Luna and Cassie Doodle, and "Meow Button" Tilly.