Housing Discrimination Against Families Must Be Stopped
Letter to the Editor by Lizzette Gamero – Palm Beach
Some may imagine housing discrimination in the following ways: A Hispanic woman being told a unit is no longer available when the property manager hears her accent. An elderly man denied housing because the manager views him as a liability. While these scenarios do happen, it is important to remember another group that often faces discrimination as well: parents, grandparents and (or) guardians.
Under the Fair Housing Act, a person cannot be denied housing based on their familial status. This means, it is illegal for property owners to discourage or flat out refuse housing to someone who is pregnant or has children under the age of 18.
April is Fair Housing Month, and 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Florida’s parents work hard to raise our future generation. Let’s work together to support families and to make sure housing discrimination does not detrimentally impact their lives. Join us in working toward a better Florida for all who live and work here!
Commissioner Appointments and Reappointments
Governor Crist has appointed Loyda “Lizzette” Gamero of West Palm Beach to the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Upon Senate confirmation, she will serve until September 30, 2010.
Governor Crist has reappointed the following individuals to the Commission. Upon Senate confirmation, they will serve until September 30, 2012.
- Gayle Cannon – Lake City
- Donna Elam – Orlando
- Billy Whitefox Stall – Panama City
To learn more about our new and returning Commissioners, please click here.
Cannon continues as rights champion
Tony Britt
Lake City Reporter
April 21, 2009
Lake City resident Gayle Cannon was reappointed as a Florida Commission on Human Relations commissioner by Gov. Charlie Crist. The Florida Commission on Human Relations was established in 1969 and is the state agency charged with enforcing the Florida Civil Rights Act and Fair Housing Act.
Upon Senate approval, Cannon will serve a four-year term, expiring Sept. 30, 2012. She has served eight years – two terms – as a commissioner.
“I am very pleased to be reappointed,” Cannon said. “I had asked for that. This actually begins my third term.
“Normally I would not have requested to be reappointed, but because this year with all the budget problems and shortfalls in the economy, there are very specific things our commission needs as far as funding and how we operate. I felt like I could contribute.”
She said working on the committee requires a lot of work and outreach, but they are a small agency and they only operate within a small area of the law.
“It takes a lot of work and effort on our part to make sure the legislature knows what we’re doing and how we’re doing it, so they can help us out to do the work we’re doing,” Cannon said. “The work we’re doing is within employment law and fair housing.”
She said this is the Commission’s 40th anniversary and they’re celebrating the work of Florida’s participation in civil rights laws.
The Commission consists of 12 commissioners of various racial, religious, ethnic, social, economic, political and professional groups within the state, all appointed to four-year terms by the governor subject to Senate approval.
“We are honored to have the opportunity to continue our work with Commissioner Cannon,” said Derick Daniel, executive director of the commission. “Her proven dedication and commitment to human relations and civil rights will continue to provide us with a valuable perspective to integrate into our agency. I look forward to working with her to improve the quality of life for the people of Florida.”
Cannon moved to Columbia County from Melbourne 10 years ago.
This article was published in the Lake City Reporter and can be viewed here.
Fair Housing Month
When people think of housing discrimination, their minds may drift to scenarios such as a black man who is told that a unit is no longer available once the property manager views the color of his skin or a disabled woman who is told that her guide dog violates the complex’s “no pets” policy.
However, there is another group that faces discrimination as well, but is often forgotten: parents, grandparents and (or) guardians. Under the Fair Housing Act, a person cannot be denied housing based on their familial status. This means, it is illegal for property owners to discourage or flat out refuse housing to someone who is pregnant or has children under the age of 18.
April is Fair Housing Month, and 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the Florida Commission on Human Relations. We encourage everyone to spend this month of reflection and celebration to learn their housing rights under state and federal civil rights laws. When individuals arm themselves with information, they are able to recognize unfair housing practices and they are equipped with the knowledge needed to end them. Join us in working toward a better Florida for all who live and work here!
- Commissioner Watson Haynes
St.Petersburg
To learn more about Fair Housing and Commision events during this month of celebration, visit http://fchr.state.fl.us/about_us/40th_anniversary/fair_housing_month
Women’s History Month: The Journey Continues
Letter to the Editor by Commissioner Elena Flom – Cocoa Beach
When it comes to fairness and equality, women have come a long way. Now, more than ever, women are holding leadership positions and being afforded long-awaited opportunities in both the public and private sectors. Much progress has been made, but there are still existing disparities in the United States that must be recognized and eliminated! According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women still earn only 77.5% of the hourly earnings of men. Perhaps even more disturbing is the fact that women continue to face harassment, violence and bullying in the workplace, in schools and at home.
March is Women’s History Month, and 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Florida Commission on Human Relations, the state agency charged with enforcing Florida’s civil rights laws. During these times of honor and celebration, I encourage you to reflect upon the many successes of women in the past, to explore the issues women face today and to take action to prevent discrimination against women in the future. If we work together, we can promote fairness and equality for women living and working in Florida; and ensure a better future for our daughters and granddaughters.
- Commissioner Elena M. Flom Ed.D
Florida Commission on Human Relations
Commissioner Elena Flom of Cocoa Beach is pictured with Governor Crist.
2009 Elder Summit
In honor of Older Americans Month, the Florida Commission on Human Relations and the Florida Department of Elder Affairs will be hosting the 2009 Elder Summit on Tuesday, May 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Tallahassee Senior Center (1400 North Monroe Street). The 2009 Elder Summit will address ageism and discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations for seniors and other issues older Americans face.
This event is open to the general public and will feature brief presentations from agency leaders followed by a panel discussion and a question and answer portion.
Advanced registration is required. There is a fee of $6 for food. Checks can be made out to the Tallahassee Senior Center. For more information, please contact Janine Rogers-Harris by telephone at (850)488-6680 or via email at communities@elderaffairs.org.
Florida House and Senate Adopt Resolution Recognizing Commission’s Anniversary
On March 5, the Florida Senate adopted SR 420 and the Florida House adopted HR 9017, which recognized the fortieth anniversary of the creation of the Florida Commission on Human Relations and commended the Commission on its many significant accomplishments. The resolution was sponsored by Senator Arthenia Joyner and Representative Geraldine Thompson.
“The Commission has spent the last forty years improving the lives of those who live and work in Florida. We are thrilled to be recognized for the hard work of the Commission over the past four decades,” said Derick Daniel, Executive Director. “We hope that the Commission’s anniversary will encourage people to learn about Florida’s civil rights laws, to get involved with their communities, and to create change for future generations.”
The Florida Commission on Human Relations, established in 1969, is the state agency charged with enforcing the Florida Civil Rights Act and Fair Housing Act. The purpose of these laws is to protect the people of Florida from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status or familial status. Fair treatment, equal access and mutual respect are the benchmarks of the Commission’s commitment. Through education, outreach and partnerships, the Commission works to prevent discrimination and foster mutual understanding in communities statewide.
For more information visit http://fchr.state.fl.us
The Tuskegee Airmen: A Tribute to Blacks in Aviation
Join the Florida Commission on Human Relations, Tallahassee Community College, and Black Male Achievers to learn more about the lives of the Tuskegee Airmen. This event will be facilitated by Dr. Norm Jackson, and the special invited guests are former Tuskegee Airmen Lt. Titus Hall and Col. Willie Jenkins. For more information, please contact Cornelius Brownlee at cornelius.brownlee@fchr.myflorida.com or 850-488-7082.
When: February 24, 2009 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Tallahassee Community College
Student Union Ballroom
444 Appleyard Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32304
Black History Month
The Florida Commission on Human Relations would like to recognize the countless African-American individuals who have, in spite of adversity, enhanced the quality of life in America, in areas ranging from business to recreation, education and civil rights. All of these pioneers, both well-known and obscure, serve as an inspiration for us all.
In our own state, we have such examples as Mary McLeod Bethune, partial founder of Bethune-Cookman College, who refused to believe that race and social class were the sole determiners of a person’s success. By following that belief, Ms. Bethune served as a delegate and advisor to national conferences on education, child welfare and home ownership, and became the first black woman to serve as head of a federal agency.
As Carter G. Woodson said upon his establishment of Black History Week in 1926, “What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate and religious prejudice.” The Commission is dedicated to achieving the goals of these great, historical leaders and creating a harmonious Florida for both current and future generations.
“Discrimination Through the Eyes of Our Youth” PSA Contest
2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Florida Commission on Human Relations, Florida’s civil rights agency. As part of the celebration, we are inviting high school students (grades 9-12) to submit a 25 second video public service announcement (PSA) regarding human and civil rights and what it means to them. Topics that can be covered include color, race, age, sex, disability, national origin, religion, familial/marital status, housing and employment. Complete contest information, including rules and a contest overview, is available at http://fchr.state.fl.us/outreach/40th_anniversary_psa_contest
FINAL PSAs ARE DUE MAY 1, 2009.
For more information, please contact Nakia Beasley (nakia.beasley@fchr.myflorida.com) or Leah Barber-Heinz (leah.barber@fchr.myflorida.com).
