The Bilerico Project | Daily experiments in LGBTQ

Broward County Commissioners unanimously voted to oppose Amendment 2, Florida's dangerous and deceptive "Marriage Protection" Amendment today. The amendment is on the ballot in November and would not only define marriage as "between a man and woman" in the state constitution, but would also strip away domestic partnership registries and benefits around the state.

According to the Sun-Sentinel Political Blog:

Commissioner Ken Keechl, the board's first and only openly gay member, said he was concerned Amendment 2 could wipe out the county's work on domestic partnerships. The domestic partners of county employees can be covered by health insurance, contractors who offer domestic partnership coverage can receive preferential treatment in bidding and gay couples who register their relationship are granted the same rights as married couples at county facilities such as hospitals and jails.

Broward County has a track record of supporting LGBT rights. The county has had an anti-discrimination ordinance in place since 1995 and created their domestic partnership registry in 1999. The commission also recently expanded the anti-discrimination ordinance to protect transgender residents. As Commissioner Suzanne Gunzburger said:

No one should have less rights just because of who they love.

A special thanks to the Broward County Commission for once again reaffirming the inclusive and welcoming nature of our community (take note, Mayor Naugle).

To help in the fight against Amendment 2 and help protect the rights of all Floridians, please go to www.SayNo2.com.