WASHINGTON - The International Foundation for Gender Education applauds the citizens of Gainesville, Florida for their strong show of support for equality. More than 58% of the voters rejected Charter Amendment 1, which would have stripped protections for gender identity and sexual orientation from the city's nondiscrimination laws. Equality is Gainesville's Business brought together a powerful coalition of local and national organizations to prevent this amendment from being enacted.

Transgender people were fraudulently portrayed as a threat to the safety and well-being of residents, despite being one of the most at risk populations for hate crimes and discrimination. Ironically these misleading actions only served to underscore the real need for protections against discrimination. They also illustrated why it is so important to educate, and reach out to the public.

"The people of Gainesville should be proud of their historic stand for equality," said Denise Leclair, executive director of IFGE. "They have made it clear that their city welcomes and respects people of all backgrounds, and that prejudice has no place there."
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The International Foundation for Gender Education promotes acceptance for transgender people everywhere through education. Founded in 1978, IFGE is the largest transgender advocacy organization with members worldwide. Providing educational outreach for the emancipation of all gender variant people from restrictive gender norms, IFGE is a non-profit educational corporation with offices in Waltham, MA and Washington, DC and is recognized by the I.R.S. as a 501c(3) charitable organization .

MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Battaglino
Communications Director

International Foundation for Gender Education
201.840.0368
201.704.2996 (Cell)
stephanie@ifge.org

IFGE | 272 Carrol St NW | Washington DC | 20012 | 202-207-8364

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