FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | May 6, 2013
Contact: Victoria Martin
vmartin@payouthcongress.org
Phone: 717-743-1035
LGBT NONDISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION TO BE REINTRODUCED IN PENNSYLVANIA
The introduction of HB 300 and SB 300 to be announced tomorrow, May 7, 2013
HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC) supports the reintroduction of House Bill 300 and introduction of Senate Bill 300 in the Pennsylvania General Assembly on May 7, 2013. The bills will amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to provide protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations. HB 300 will be re-introduced for the fifth time by Rep. Dan Frankel (D-23) – who is joined by a second prime sponsor, Rep. Chris Ross (R-158) – with a total seventy-seven cosponsors. SB 300 will be introduced by Sen. Pat Browne (R-16) and Sen. Larry Farnese (D-1) as prime sponsors with twenty-three total cosponsors. A press conference will be held at the Pennsylvania Capitol at 10am on Tuesday to introduce the bills.
PSEC is greatly appreciative of all the cosponsors who have come forward to support the bills, and welcomes new cosponsors to these bills in the coming weeks. With a record number of 100 legislators supporting LGBT nondiscrimination protections, the progress of HB 300 and SB 300 represents nearly forty years of tireless efforts by countless community leaders.
The first Pennsylvania nondiscrimination bill inclusive of sexual orientation was introduced in 1976 by a Rep. Norman Berson (D-187) from the Lehigh Valley – with only two cosponsors. There have been twenty-two nondiscrimination bills introduced since which have been inclusive of sexual orientation and/or gender identity. In 1975, Pennsylvania became the first state government in the nation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation for its employees through an executive order by Gov. Milton Shapp. Every Pennsylvania Governor since, Republicans and Democrats, has reissued the order – except for the current Gov. Tom Corbett. Fifteen states prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
Thirty municipalities in Pennsylvania have enacted local nondiscrimination ordinances inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity protections since 1982. The first to pass local ordinances were the cities of Philadelphia (1982), Harrisburg (1983), and Pittsburgh (1990). Most recently, local organizers have independently pressed twelve suburban municipalities including Lower Merion Township (2010) and Abington Township (2012) to adopt nondiscrimination ordinances. While these local laws protect just over 30% of the state population, a vast majority of Pennsylvania residents can legally be fired, denied public accommodations, and kicked out of their homes, simply for being, or perceived to be, LGBT.
In the private sector, LGBT nondiscrimination policies have become standard practice to recruit and retain the best and brightest workers – regardless of who they are. There are 434 (88%) Fortune 500 companies that have adopted a nondiscrimination policy inclusive of sexual orientation protections and 282 (57%) Fortune 500 companies have done so inclusive of gender identity protections. Every Fortune 500 company in Pennsylvania has an LGBT inclusive nondiscrimination policy.
PSEC understands that HB 300 is being prepared to go to a House Committee helmed by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-12). Chairman Metcalfe has previously introduced several pieces of anti-LGBT legislation, including bills to constitutionally ban marriage equality in Pennsylvania. He will likely block any progress of HB 300 bill this session.
PSEC Executive Director Jason Landau Goodman said, “while every state in New England has now embraced marriage equality, Pennsylvania is absolutely the last place in the Northeast United States with essentially no protections for LGBT people. In 2013 – it is unacceptable at how behind the times we are on civil rights in the Keystone state. HB 300 and SB 300 are good for businesses, our communities, and our families. We must do all we can to support the swift passage of an inclusive nondiscrimination bill in Pennsylvania.”
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