Dozens of local LGBT supporters gathered inside the Miami-Dade County Commission chambers Tuesday to push for equal protection for those who identify as transgender.
County commissioners are considering an ordinance to protect members of the transgender community from discrimination at work and at home.
"They're the ones that are afraid to be themselves and be out there living their lives," Save.org's Tony Lima said. "These people are being denied services, losing their homes and being denied work and the opportunity to work."
Miami-Dade County was one of the first in Florida to pass laws that protect the LGBT community. Some supporters of the transgender community said they didn't realize the were being left out.
"They've absolutely no legal recourse. People who are LGB do based on sexual orientation but the language 'gender identity and expression' is lacking and that leaves out people who are transgender and non-conforming," said activist Charo Valero.
Lima's group has been working for the last 18 months to update the ordinance, which he says will allow the county to catch up.
"Broward County already has protections, as do other counties throughout the state, Miami-Dade County being such a diverse place, it's time everyone is equally protected," Lima said.
