Rights for Transgender People in Gainesville: Introduction

Hearing stories of discrimination from members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and particularly Transgender community (LGBT) in Gainesville, in May 2006 Commissioner Craig Lowe motioned to refer the issue to the Equal Opportunity Committee (EOC).

The EOC presented a proposal to the City Commission to draft an ordinance adding gender identity to the list of protected classes against whom discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing practices, and credit opportunities is prohibited by Chapter 8 of the Gainesville Code of Ordinances.

Gender Identity is a person’s inner sense of being male or female, or the expression of a gender identity with or without regard to the individual’s designated sex at birth.

“The City of Gainesville has finally reached a level of understanding about the issues concerning transgender individuals and has had the wisdom to make the decision and the move to protect their rights,” Commissioner Lowe said.