On Tuesday, the Alachua County Commission approved amendments to its human rights ordinance that, among other things, prohibited discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
University of Florida President Bernie Machen and his wife Chris were two among many people who emailed commissioners before the meeting, urging them to support the changes to the ordinance.
The Machens’ email on Tuesday mentioned Alachua County’s atmosphere of equality and acceptance and pointed out that the county’s ordinance didn’t yet extend anti-discrimination protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.
“We believe that these people, like all groups who have historically faced poor treatment and inequalities because of who they are, deserve these protections. As a result, we urge you to amend the ordinance to specifically forbid discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression,” the couple wrote.
Here is the full text of the email, which is available for viewing at the commissioners’ email archive:
Dear Commissioners,
We feel grateful to live in Alachua County, with its beautiful natural areas, diverse population and especially, its atmosphere of equality and acceptance. Such an atmosphere is grounded the leadership of our local governments, and we applaud the county for its progressive and longstanding human rights ordinance.
However, while the ordinance prohibits discrimination in many forms, it does not extend its protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We believe that these people, like all groups who have historically faced poor treatment and inequalities because of who they are, deserve these protections. As a result, we urge you to amend the ordinance to specifically forbid discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
We know that you share our belief that all people deserve to treated with the same respect and fairness. While this amendment can’t guarantee that outcome, it will increase its prospects. We thank you for your sensitivity and support for equality for everyone in our community.
Sincerely,
Bernie and Chris Machen