Opinion: Human rights, simply defined

The discrimination that gays and lesbians face in their daily lives is so pervasive that more and more local governments are stepping in to help them out. Ordinances in cities and counties throughout Florida and the nation are straightforward and track other human rights protections. In other words: Don't discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.

St. Petersburg is the latest city to enter this policy debate, and City Council members, who talked about the issue in a workshop Tuesday, would be wise to follow those simple principles. Homosexuals and lesbians are still subject to such scorn and prejudice that they are often turned away from employment and housing. One doesn't have to embrace a homosexual lifestyle to appreciate that all humans deserve basic freedoms and protections.

A human rights ordinance does nothing more and nothing less than to provide such protections, and it deserves swift approval. That cause will not be helped either by the narrow religious intolerance that council member Bill Foster brings to the debate or by the freewheeling attempt by the Tampa-based Equality Florida homosexual rights advocacy group to write "self-image" into local laws. Foster is entitled to his religious beliefs, but should remember that in his role as council member he is elected to represent all citizens -- not just those he thinks are righteous. On the other hand, Equality Florida threatens to undermine its own cause by asking for an ordinance that protects not just a class of people but a particular disposition or style of dress. Its proposed definition even includes: "having or being perceived as having a self-image or identity not traditionally associated with one's biological maleness or femaleness." Exactly what does that mean?

St. Petersburg can protect all citizens from discrimination, and its community from a potentially hysterical public debate, if its council members will just stick with the prudent course followed by so many other communities. Ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. Period.

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