Miami-Dade approves transgender rights measure

MIAMI (AP) – The Miami-Dade County Commission has approved an ordinance that would ban discrimination against transgender men and women.

The commission on Tuesday voted for the measure that would expand the county’s law that prohibits discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations to include transgendered people. It already bans discrimination based on gender, religion, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation.

The Miami Herald reports that the county is the 21st Florida municipality to enact such a measure.

Opponents say if people can determine their own gender it will make it easier for sex offenders to commit attacks in public restrooms.

Supporters call the opponents’ bathroom argument a red herring, saying the ordinance will not change which bathroom people are allowed to use.