World

US: Former Florida Governor promises to ban LGBT discrimination if elected

Jul 29 2014
Written by Tatiana Herrera

Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced last Tuesday that he will sign five executive orders benefiting the LGBT community on his first day back in office if he’s elected in November.

Crist served as a Republican governor from 2007 to 2011 and is now running as a Democrat.

During his time as a member of the Republican party he pushed for a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Florida.

In 2008, he voted for the successful Amendment 2, which enshrined a ban against same-sex marriage in Florida’s constitution.

Crist later said he regretted this decision: “I made a mistake. I’m not perfect … please don’t hold me to that standard. And I’m sincerely sorry. I understand when it’s necessary to say I was wrong. That‘s the journey I’m on … and I’m still on it.”

In 2013 Crist announced his support of same-sex marriage.

Crist is now promising to sign orders banning discrimination against gay and transgender employees at agencies under his control and their contractors.

Furthermore, he would require equal pay for women and would order agencies under his control to require that contractors pay employees at least $10.10 an hour.

Crist has long been the subject of rumours about his sexuality, and was accused of paying off male sexual partners to keep quiet about relationships.

He was prominently featured in the 2009 documentary, Outrage, which looked into the opposition of gay rights by closeted politicians in the US.