This week the city of Atlantic Beach moved ahead with a potential update of its Human Rights Ordinance.
By a vote of 3-2, the Atlantic Beach City Commission passed a first reading of an expanded ordinance.. which could soon be changed to protect the city’s LGBT community from discrimination in jobs, housing and public accommodations.
The Atlantic Beach ordinance is being closely watched by those on the First Coast still pushing for the city of Jacksonville to update its Human Rights Ordinance.
A vote on an expanded HRO in Jax failed in 2012.
The HRO matter is an issue in the current Jacksonville mayor’s race as well so the Atlantic Beach vote may well factor in to Jacksonville’s politics going forward.
Chevara Orrin of the local group Straight Allies, Dan Merkan, chair of the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality, and Judy Sheklin, Jacksonville Coalition for Equality legislative chair, joined Melissa Ross for more on the HRO issue.
You can follow Melissa Ross on Twitter @MelissainJax.
