PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Democratic lawmakers in Harrisburg are again pushing for discrimination protections for people in the LGBTQ community.
Some municipalities in Pennsylvania have LGBTQ discrimination protections, but supporters say it shouldn’t matter what ZIP code one lives in. No one in the commonwealth should be fired or refused housing based on their sexual orientation, which is why lawmakers are advocating for the passage of the Fairness Act.
“We need a comprehensive, legal solution to ensure that all Pennsylvanians can have lives without fear of discrimination and harassment based on who they are and who they love,” said Gov. Tom Wolf, who is calling on the General Assembly to send the bill to his desk to be signed into law.
Among the bill’s supporters is state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta of Philadelphia.
“When it is mentioned that there were only three openly out LGBTQ members of this General Assembly, that is not a cause for celebration,” he said. “That is an indictment of what is wrong. Over and over and over again the people who are most impacted are not in the room where the decision is being made. And we are told we can depend on allies who show up when it’s time for a photo but refuse to allow the simple piece of legislation to come to the floor.”
Meanwhile, Wolf issued an executive order on Tuesday reinforcing protections for LGBTQ employees. The order updates the state’s policies on workplace sexual harassment, adding training and management directives. It also adds sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes under the state’s sexual harassment policies.
Although supporters are hopeful the reintroduced Fairness Act will pass, opposition by Republican lawmakers is expected.