By a 5-1 vote, the Tampa City Council today voted to expand its human rights ordinance to protect people from discrimination based on "gender identity and expression."

Charlie Miranda cast the lone dissenting vote after expressing concern about disruptions at work caused when someone comes to work dressed as one gender one day and another gender the next. Linda Saul-Sena was absent, but she voted in favor of the expanded protections two weeks ago during a preliminary vote when the rule change passed unanimously with little discussion. On that day, only a handful of people spoke on the issue, and all favored the change.

Today was different. More than 50 people lined up to speak, with transgender people and their supporters on one side of the room, and clergy members and their supporters on the other. Among the opponents was Todd Marks, a Republican candidate for the District 57 state House of Representatives. He said he objected to the change for moral reasons.

Janet Zink, Times staff writer

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