Sexual Orientation Question Angers Christian Conservatives
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
November 19, 2006 - 11:00 am ET

(Tallahassee, Florida) Conservative Christian groups have begun an intensive lobbying campaign against a new questionnaire for prospective high-level gubernatorial appointees.

The questionnaire, which was prepared by Senate staff, asks the would-be appointees if they have ever been the subject of a complaint or investigation for discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender, race, religion or national origin.

The groups want sexual orientation removed from the list.

"If you are a devout Christian who has ever opposed the radical homosexual agenda, you need not apply for a job with the administration of the new Florida governor," the head of the Tampa-based Florida Family Association told supporters in an e-mail this week.

The organization is behind an attempt to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

The group says that because the state does not include sexuality in the list of categories covered by state human rights law it should not be included in the questionnaire for possible aides to the governor.

The Family Association is urging its members to lobby Senate President Ken Pruitt and other senators to remove sexual orientation from the list of questions. The list was prepared to help the Senate in its confirmation process.

A spokesperson for Pruitt said changes to the questionnaire would not be made, if at all, before January. Governor-elect Charlie Crist takes office Jan. 2 but is likely to have determined many of his key appointees before then.

Crist has not weighed in on the controversy but has said he intends to hire staffers who broadly reflect Florida's diversity.

Among other questions the form asks appointees if they have ever been arrested for drunken driving or whether a coworker has ever filed a complaint of "workplace misconduct" against them.
©365Gay.com 2006