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A transgender petition is attempting to get the attention of City Commissioners. The petition currently being circulated would bar the city from offering resident protections beyond those included in Florida’s Civil Rights Act. The Civil Rights Act does not mention sexual orientation or gender identity. In January, commissioners voted to include the phrase “gender identity” in the anti-discrimination ordinance that guarantees equal access to housing, employment, public accommodation and credit. The inclusion sparked opposition from conservatives, religious leaders and small business owners. The groups of people collecting signatures at businesses around the community insist they are only opposed to sections of the ordinance that allow transgender individuals to use bathrooms of their gender identity rather than born identity.

City Commissioner, Jeanna Mastrodicasa says the ordinance could affect the protection of the whole community.

She says the groups who are putting the petitions together are not using fair tactics in the campaign against the ordinance.

Mastrodicasa says without the ability to petition, our government would not be as efficient as it is now.

When questioned about the issue, Mastrodicasa does not believe it is an anti-gay project.

She says if the ordinance gets put on the ballot, educating the community will be their first step.

Mastrodicasa does not feel our community should stand for something like this.