Voters rejected a charter amendment, 58 percent to 42 percent, that would have removed the city’s anti-discrimination protection for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender residents. Charter Amendment 1 sought to strip away any equal-rights protections for employment, housing, credit and public accommodations not included in the state’s Civil Rights Law. Gays and lesbians are not included under the state law. Local gay activists rallied in Gainesville to oppose Tuesday’s vote, which they regarded as a key battle with Christian conservatives, who have mounted similar campaigns in other states. …

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