Democratic presidential candidate
Hillary Rodham Clinton on Tuesday backed an LGBT protections bill in
Florida.
The bill, titled the Competitive
Workforce Act, would ban discrimination based on sexual
orientation and gender identity in the areas of housing, employment
and public accommodations.
“LGBT Floridians deserve to live
their lives free from discrimination – and establishing
comprehensive nondiscrimination protections would be a critical step
forward for both Florida and the nation,” Clinton said in a
statement given to the Miami
Herald.
“I'm heartened to see the business
community working hand in hand with both Republicans and Democrats to
turn words into action. This is a win-win for both Florida families
and the state’s economy. As president, I will fight for full
federal equality for LGBT Americans and ensure protections like these
become the law of the land nationwide,” she added, a reference to
the Equality Act currently before Congress.
Clinton released her statement just
hours before a state Senate committee blocked SB 120 from proceeding.
While technically alive, the bill's supporters concede there is
little hope of passage this year.