by Rex Wockner
Voters in Gainesville, Fla., rejected an amendment March 24 that would have repealed the city's law that protects GLBT people from discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations and credit services.
Charter Amendment 1 failed 42 percent to 58 percent.
"Gainesville voters overwhelmingly rejected a fear-based campaign of lies and misinformation and stood up for protection from discrimination against (LGBT) people," said ACLU of Florida attorney Shelbi Day. "Voters sent a clear message that the discrimination stops right here, right now."
Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan thanked the organization Equality Is Gainesville's Business "and the hundreds of tireless volunteers who represented the true values of Gainesville."
"These volunteers demonstrated the diversity and expertise within our community, representing such groups as the NAACP of Alachua County, the Human Rights Campaign, the ACLU of Florida, the University of Florida Student Senate and others," she said.
