Commissioners in Orange County, Fla., voted unanimously on Tuesday to extend health and other workplace benefits to the partners and children of gay county employees.
The new policy will give life, medical and dental benefits to gay county employees’ families on Jan. 1. Gay workers will receive the same benefits given to heterosexual employees.
“It’s time for the change and a matter of tolerance,” Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said.
In November 2010, commissioners voted to extend its anti-discrimination laws, adding marital status, sexual orientation and gender identity to other protected statuses in private sectors of business and housing.