Puerto Rico governor creates island's 1st LGBT advisory body

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Puerto Rico's governor has created the island's first government advisory board to champion LGBT issues and protect the rights of that community.

Gov. Ricardo Rossello said Wednesday that he's striving to make the U.S. territory more diverse and inclusive. He is leader of a party known for being socially conservative.

Currently transgender students and people who work in the island's Senate are not allowed to use the bathroom or clothing that corresponds to the gender with which they identify. However same-sex marriage is legal in Puerto Rico and transgender people are allowed to change their gender on their driver's license, although not on their birth certificates. %

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Rossello said the board will submit a progress report every six months.

Associated Press