Several counties in Florida have passed specific laws to protect the LGBT community from discrimination. However, no such laws are statewide in Florida. Instead, the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) enforces the state civil rights law. This agency also provides an official state channel for filing discrimination claims. It is a crucial step forward for the state.

Several states have enacted legislation to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, but the details of these laws vary from state to state. Some states have a ban on discrimination in housing, public accommodations, and employment. Others have laws that prohibit curriculum based on sexual orientation or gender identity in public schools. These laws cover more people than the federal law does.

Despite these laws, there is still a considerable divide in public opinion on these issues. A majority of adults support policies to protect transgender individuals, but the gap in opinions is wide. In particular, there are significant differences between younger adults and seniors. Younger adults are far more likely to support laws that protect transgender individuals than their older counterparts. However, a large gap remains on the issue of gender identity in elementary schools. This is a sign that there is still some level of opposition to instituting gender identity policies in the classroom.

In general, support for laws to protect the LGBT community has risen over the past few years. This trend has been strongest among Democrats, but there is also a trend among Republicans. Republicans are more likely to support laws that protect the LGBT community, but there are significant differences between conservative and moderate Republicans. In addition, Republicans who believe that gender is determined by sex assigned at birth are more likely to believe that religious views have influenced them. However, more than three-quarters of Republicans oppose religious exemptions for gays. This is higher than the rate of opposition for liberal and moderate Democrats.

Support for these policies is also high among Americans who identify with other religions. There are solid majorities among Jews, Hindus, and Buddhists to support these laws. Support is higher among Americans who have some college experience. However, white evangelical Protestants are the least likely to support these laws. In addition, Americans who identify with New Age religions support these laws.

In addition, many states have passed local nondiscrimination laws, which cover more people than the federal law. Florida local laws cover more people than Hawaii, New Hampshire, and Maine. The Florida Competitive Workforce Act is a bipartisan law that updates the state’s civil rights law. This law protects the LGBT community from discrimination in the workplace.

In Florida, these laws have grown steadily in recent years. They now cover nearly sixty percent of the state’s population. However, fewer than twenty percent of Florida counties have enacted specific laws to protect the LGBT community. These local laws are becoming standard in Florida. This is a sign of the growing acceptance of diversity in Florida communities.