Volume 1 • Issue 3
September 3, 2014
Wilton Manors Scores 80 on HRC Equality Ranking; Commissioners Outraged By Steve Bower
The Human Rights Campaign has given Wilton somewhat positively in matters of equality but has not Manors a score of 80 out a possible 100 on its MEI recently undertaken efforts to change law or policy to [Municipal Equality Index] Scorecard. It’s a ranking be more inclusive.” commissioners are not very happy about. The latest change to city policy came in September “We’re talking about image,” said Commissioner of 2013 when commissioners approved an ordinance Tom Green, who called the score “ridiculous” and that requires firms doing business with the city to something the city needs to respond to. “They’re provide the partners of their LGBT employees with not doing it objectively is part of the criticism,” said the same healthcare benefits as partners of their Mayor Gary Resnick. heterosexual employees. The city scored a 0 on the In 2013, Wilton Manors got a score of 82 on the city contractor benefits ordinance. The city already MEI. Some of the other has non-discrimination and “To be honest, I think this is a equal benefits regulations in rankings that year were: Tucson, 90; Tallahassee, 84; waste of staff time [to respond its code of ordinances. Oakland Park, 85; Las Vegas, In the category of 91; Fort Worth, 91; Austin, to this],” Resnick said. “Leadership’s Public Position 100; Salt Lake City, 87. The on Equality” the city got a scores for 2014 have not been officially released yet possible 3 out of 5. It’s unknown why only a 3 was but the Gazette was able to obtain a copy. given – HRC did not return calls for an interview – “[HRC stated] we have no gay liaison to the mayor. but city officials here often make public statements Why do we need that?” asked Green. Mayor Gary in support of equality. Most recently, the city issued Resnick is gay. The only heterosexual members of statements supporting the recent court rulings against the five-person commission are commissioners Ted the state’s ban on gay marriage. Galatis and Scott Newton. The city also lost points “I know I speak for our entire city when I say we for not having a human rights commission. The city’s applaud the ruling by Monroe County Circuit score included 5 bonus points out a possible 20. Judge Luis Garcia declaring the ban on marriage “To be honest, I think this is a waste of staff time equality in Florida unconstitutional,” said Resnick in [to respond to this],” Resnick said. After that, Green the press release. volunteered to head-up the city’s response to the In June, Resnick appeared with Robert Boo, CEO survey. “I brought this topic up a year ago and it was of The Pride Center at Equality Park, on CBS 4 batted-down,” he said. to promote the city’s annual Stonewall parade and The survey also stated “City leadership has engaged festival, an event that commemorates the Stonewall
Riots of 1969. “If you look at Wilton Manors, we not only accept our diversity but it actually makes us a stronger community. We’re one of the most desirable communities in the country because we’re not just accepting but we embrace our diversity,” said Resnick during the interview.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • WWW.WMGAZETTE.COM • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1
soflagaynews //
SouthFloridaGayNews // SFGN.com //
9.3.2014 // 21