AVA VAN VALEN (REPORTER): The Competitive Workforce Act would protect people from being fired from their jobs, denied housing, or denied basic acomodations simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

REV. JOE PARRAMORE: I believe it's important that we raise a moral standard, that we raise a moral voice. We have a basic tenet in faith of treating others as we wish to be treated, of loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. And at the end of the day, that's what this legislation is all about. Can we accept our LGBTQ community like we accept ourselves? They are part of Florida.

VAN VALEN: Nearly 40 percent of Floridians live in cities without civil rights protections. 

Previously:

Conversion therapy survivor to Minnesota news station: I risked “getting physically assaulted” for not showing “masculine mannerisms”

Massachusetts media lift up voices of those the state's anti-trans ballot referendum would impact most

Maine newspaper editorial boards call on Gov. Paul LePage to protect LGBTQ youth from dangerous conversion therapy