The city of Wilton Manors, Florida has
approved a resolution that urges Congress to approve a federal gay
protections bill.
Resolution 3460 was approved
unanimously by city commissioners at its Tuesday, September 22
meeting.
The resolution says the city urges “all
members of congress to support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act
(ENDA), which would prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual
orientation or gender identity.”
During the bill's first House hearing
Tuesday, openly gay representatives Barney Frank and Tammy Baldwin
urged lawmakers to approve the bill.
“Trying to get a job or join the
military has not been the hallmark of radicalism,” Frank said,
referring to the claims of opponents who have labeled the bill part
of a “radical agenda.”
A majority of Fortune 500 companies
have already adopted policies that protect gay and lesbian workers.
Baldwin said it was time “to bring our laws in line with the
reality of American life.”
If approved, the law would exempt the
military, religious groups and small businesses with fewer than 15
employees.
The resolution to support ENDA was
introduced by Wilton Manors Vice Mayor Justin Flippen, gay weekly
South
Florida Blade reported.
“All forms of government should not
discriminate and we need to send that message to the federal
government,” Flippen told the paper. “We urge our local members
of Congress to support this legislation.”
Wilton Manors, the “Island City,”
is neighbored by gay mecca Fort Lauderdale.