With a set of changes to the changes to Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance set for another vote Tuesday, do the protections still apply to the group intended?

The Rules Committee voted Monday to consider a substitute bill moving forward.  Rather than protect from discrimination based on “sexual orientation, gender identity or expression” the new version put forth by Councilman Warren Jones applies only to “sexual orientation”.

“A few words can always have a big difference,” says WOKV Legal Analyst Mark Rubin.

Rubin says this new wording could still achieve one of the fundamental goals behind the changes- drawing in new business to Jacksonville.  He says not much would actually change if the protection is passed because there are already protections for workers based on orientation.  But that doesn’t mean the change should be voted down.

“We could be looked at by the rest of the country and potentially international parties that are looking to relocate as saying ‘Hey, this is not a progressive city’,” he says.

Rubin says it can be difficult to gain enough support for a measure like this because so many interests are competing to have their efforts rewarded.

“Emotions are involved, political persuasions are involved, religious persuasions are involved.”

But he says it is healthy for the city to have this debate nonetheless.

On Tuesday, the RCD/PHS Committee will decide whether to also accept the substitute bill.  Council President Stephen Joost told WOKV he expects this will easily happen.  The proposal will not actually appear before the full City Council until next month.