Atwater's support gives big boost to Florida gay-rights legislation

Legislation that would ban discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation passed a Florida Senate committee after a major addition to the list of co-sponsors: state Sen. Jeff Atwater, who is in line to become the next Senate President.

Atwater represents much of coastal Broward, including all or parts of Fort Lauderdale, Hillsboro Beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Lighthouse Point, Sea Ranch Lakes and Wilton Manors. The chief sponsor is state Sen. Ted Deutch, who represents Coconut Creek and Deerfield Beach. State Sens. Nan Rich, D-Weston, and Jeremy Ring, D-Parkland, are also co-sponsors.

The measure would prohibit discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on sexual orientation. It would add the protection to existing law banning discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability and marital status.

Despite the committee vote, the anti-discrimination legislation doesn't have a realistic chance of becoming law this year. It still has several more committees it needs to clear in the Senate and the House hasn't moved the companion piece of legislation - and it's less than four weeks until adjournment. See Atwater's support gives big boost to Florida gay-rights legislation
Sun-Sentinel.com, FL