New Florida Bill Would Protect Anti-Trans Discrimination in the Workplace

"Few states exemplify this trajectory more clearly than Florida, where adult transgender health care remains heavily restricted and a criminal bathroom ban is already in force. Now, two Florida lawmakers have unveiled a novel escalation: legislation that would make it illegal for state, county, and local employers to discipline or fire employees who harass or bully their transgender coworkers under the guise of "belief.""

"The bill, House Bill 641, would enact a sweeping set of new workplace protections for employees who oppose transgender people. It states that a state, county, or local employee "may not be required" to refer to another person using that person's preferred pronouns if those pronouns "do not correspond to that person's sex." It would bar such employers from including any gender options other than "male" or "female" on job applications,"

Anti-transgender measures have escalated and many state bills are moving toward the national level. Florida enforces heavy restrictions on adult transgender health care and a criminal bathroom ban. House Bill 641 would create broad workplace protections for employees who oppose transgender people, prevent state, county, and local employees from being required to use coworkers' preferred pronouns, and bar employers from offering gender options beyond male or female on job applications. The bill would prohibit workplace training related to gender identity or sexuality, including in private workplaces. The proposal would also block discipline or firing for employees who harass or bully transgender coworkers by invoking belief, creating major impacts for hospitals, health agencies, and public employers.

Read at Truthout