Despite Federal efforts towards equality by legalizing same-sex marriage in all 50 states, Florida is still perpetuating segregation and hate. It is completely legal for an employer to fire or not hire someone for being gay or a landlord to deny housing to a transgender tenant in 45% of the state where there are no laws in place to protect LGBT rights.
A coalition of bipartisan lawmakers, yes—some of them are Republican— and some of Florida’s biggest employers have presented a bill designed to eradicate the separation by supporting the Florida Competitive Workplace Act. After being heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee the bill died. This was the first time the bill was actually heard after being presented 9 other times.
Based on past viewpoints of the much more conservative Republican-controlled Senate, it is speculated that even if the bill made it through this initial process, it would have died in the Senate. Further, Gov. Rick Scott hasn’t specifically addressed the bill in the past year, but given his belief history on gay rights, it’s unlikely he would’ve signed it, anyway.
The bill was designed to be as simple as possible in hopes of it actually passing. It would have added gender identity and sexual orientation to the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992.
Yet, social conservatives in Judiciary Committee got hung up on the idea of transgenders using bathrooms and the threats of potential frivolous lawsuits. Ironically, in the areas where such laws already exist there hasn’t been a rise in frivolous lawsuits or bathroom troubles there has however been a continued problem in Florida with hate crimes against LGBT including housing and work place discriminations, and whatever behavior spirals from this ugliness.
As a female and a straight one, if that matters or makes any difference, which I believe does not have any relevance, I find this behavior concerning and here is my reasoning. This nearly impossible law to change makes it easy and acceptable to discriminate against another, thereby almost encouraging or at the very least supporting this kind of un-unifying hate-driven behavior. The Golden Rule states to: “Do unto others as you would have done unto yourself”. This human law is one that is known to be consistent across religions proving this human law to be a know fact that when the Golden Rule is violated, the perpetrator actually hurts the self, breeding hate, distrust, ugliness within the self and to others, all around.
Just because something is a law or acceptable by the state or government doesn’t mean it is right. It is the responsibility of individuals to think for themselves and act accordingly. Here are some tips to help you do that.
- Open your eyes
- Be informed
- Be present
- Do your own homework
- Draw your own conclusions
- Do your best to act in ways that glorify the highest of intentions
- When you think you don’t know what is right, listen to and follow your heart and you will never be lead astray
Peace and unification is human nature. Newton’s law states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction and this goes for your thoughts, actions and intentions. What you put out there is what will come back to you; therefor, love breed’s love and hate breed’s hate. So, act in ways that strengthen our relationships with each other (and therefore the self).
Expanding on this legal injustice, this is raising some serious questions. For example, why would lawmakers make it easy for their own people to be un-unified and hateful? Why would they stand to let this kind of hate persist? Would this serve a purpose to them and what exactly does this kind of behavior do to the self and our country as a whole? I want to point out that these bodies of lawmakers are very intelligent people and I do not believe they are overlooking things or making silly mistakes, especially on this issue that has been going on for a very long time now. But why would they want to make it easy for us to breed hate within ourselves? And then make that law near to impossible to change? I thought American was a place of love and peace and that is our highest mission.
I urge you to observe things around you with a keen watchful eye. Ask questions and do your own research. Unifying with each other will only make each individual stronger and it’s what we must do. Diversification is beautiful and breeds strength. Love your neighbor as yourself even when your neighbor is different than you. Keep asking questions and create love. Peace to you.
Tony Ray Baker
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Tony Ray
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