By Steve Plunkett
The city’s workers are now protected against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, just like their counterparts in Palm Beach County government, the town of Palm Beach and Wal-Mart stores nationwide.
Only one resident spoke at the Sept. 10 public hearing. Bill Whiting said someone egged his house for the first time in his 32 years here after he emailed Boca Raton City Council members not to listen to the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, to him “an elitist, out-of-town political lobby,” which sought the changes.
“This isn’t an issue about fairness or human rights. It is an attempt to pervert an age-old reverence for families that’s universally recognized as a cornerstone of society,” Whiting said.
Council members thought otherwise.
“With pride and respect for the city of Boca Raton employees and someone who was not unduly influenced or pressured but proud to bring forward these ordinances, I’m going to make a motion to adopt Ordinance 5250,” council member Constance Scott said.
“Basically these ordinances and this resolution provide equal treatment and benefits for our city employees, and I think it’s the right thing to do,” Deputy Mayor Susan Haynie said.
Council member Anthony Majhess, who joined the unanimous vote on the anti-discrimination measure, opposed giving insurance and other benefits to domestic partners of municipal workers because of the money involved.
“Eighty-three percent of Palm Beach County’s domestic partnerships or participants that receive benefits are heterosexual. And I don’t believe that was [Human Rights Council President] Rand Hoch’s or Constance’s intent,” Majhess said.
Mark Buckingham, the city’s human resources director, told council members earlier this year that extending benefits to domestic partners could cost $155,000 to $180,000 each year if 2 percent of the employees sign up.
The nonprofit, nongovernmental Human Rights Council started lobbying Boca Raton last fall after City Council members refused to sign a $1.2 million hazardous waste cleanup agreement because it included an LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination clause.
In August, the Palm Beach Town Council voted to offer health and dental insurance and other benefits to domestic partners starting Jan. 1. Town staff had recommended against extending benefits because of its extra $72,510-a-year cost.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the largest U.S. employer outside of the federal government, also announced in August it will offer health insurance and vision care to domestic partners of U.S. employees starting next year.
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