Date:         Sun, 18 Sep 1994 10:24:01 -0400

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>From the Miami Herald, September 14, 1994, without permission.

City passses gay-rights law

By David Kidwell
Herald Staff Writer

Following the savage debate that typically shadows the issue, West Palm
Beach became the third city in South Florida to give sweeping civil-rights
protections to gays and lesbians.

Gays say the measure will save many of their jobs and apartments from
bigoted bosses and landlords.  Opponents, including one city commission,
argue that it validated a deviant lifestyle.

The city commission voted 4-1 late Monday in favor of an ordinance that
prohibits discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations
to anyone based on race, color, religion or sexual orientation.

More than 150 people packed the commission chambers to speak on the issue.

"When you see peopole who bring their children in to say, "I hate fags,'
then you begin to understand why we need this kind of thing," said Jim
Swope, a gay-rights activist in the county.  "We didn't change anybody's
mind last night about anything, and we don't really care to change minds."

"We care to change actions," Swope said.  "And if this gives us the stick
to do it with, then we'll use it."

West Palm Beach joins Miami Beach and Key West as South Florida cities to
pass such an ordinance.  Alachua and Hillsborough counties have adopted
ordinances, and Plam Beach County in 1990 adopted a law protecting gays
from housing discrimination.

West Palm Beach's ordinance provides for a grievance procedure through a
mediator, or through a panel of Legal Aid attorneys.  Violators can be
fined up to $500 a day, and complaints can be filed up to one year after
the incident.



Lawmaker accused of soliciting prostitution

Daytona Beach Shores - (AP) - Rep. Jimmy Charles, D-Ormond Beach, was
arrested after authorities say he tried to pick up an undercover police
officer posing as a prostitute.

"This whole thing was a mistake," said Charles, 33, who's up for
re-election.  "I represent the most destitute area of Daytona Beach, full
of runaways, delinquents, pimps and prostitutes, pedophiles and
homosexuals. As part of my missionary work in my district, I make it a
point to follow what happens in my district.  I pulled over because I
thought the girl was someone who I had helped months ago."

Charles was charged with solicitation late Monday in an (sic) sting
operation that arrested eight other men, according to police.

Charles, a lawyer who is married, said it took him several minutes to
realize she wasn't the same woman.

Police have a videotape and an audio recording of Charles' conversation
with the officer, said police Capt. Fran Monaco.