For the sixth legislative session, an LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination bill covering employment, housing, and public accommodations was introduced in the State Senate. Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) and Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia) are again prime sponsors of the bill, now SB 613. Upon reintroduction, the bill has 16 co-sponsors, which includes three […]
PA Trans Youth Roundtable Forms
In the immediate aftermath of the US Departments of Justice and Education withdrawing their Title IX guidance supporting transgender student inclusion, the Pennsylvania Youth Congress convened an emergency state meeting of young trans Pennsylvanians in Harrisburg. This meeting welcomed over 20 trans youth from all across the state to meet […]
Pennsylvania Comes Out for Freedom 2016
The Second Annual Pennsylvania Comes Out for Freedom event was held in the State Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday, October 26, 2016. The event is a formal community observance of both LGBTQ History Month and National Coming Out Day in our State Capitol. This year, speakers included Former State Rep. Mike […]
Pennsylvania Birth Certificate Update
On August 8, 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced it has updated its policy on how an individual can change the sex marker on their birth certificate. The new policy allows for a Pennsylvanian to amend their birth certificate’s sex marker through a note from a physician stating they have […]
June Non-Discrimination Update
LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination legislation has languished for over a decade in the General Assembly. A comprehensive non-discrimination law would protect LGBT people from discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations – just as it does for 11 enumerated characteristics today. In an attempt to see at least one protection through for […]
Governor’s LGBT Workgroup Formed
The Governor’s LGBT Workgroup has been formed to bring together senior staff in the Gov. Wolf’s administration to work on important policy issues for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians. The group is chaired by Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine, and includes senior staff from nearly a dozen state agencies. Also at the table […]
Physician General Dr. Levine on World AIDS Day
Today on World AIDS Day 2015, Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine held a press conference in the State Capitol to highlight the HIV/AIDS healthcare to be advanced in Pennsylvania. The brief event was held in the Capitol Media Center at 3:30pm. Dr. Levine noted how “World AIDS Day is held on the […]
Deputy Secretary Hannah Smith-Brubaker Sworn In
Hannah Smith-Brubaker was sworn in this morning as the Deputy Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA). Smith-Brubaker is the former President of the Pennsylvania Farmers Union and operates a farm with her wife and family in Juniata County, Village Acres Farm and Foodshed. She is also a past […]
Gov. Wolf Attends First LGBT Community Event
On Friday, May 15, Gov. Tom Wolf made his first appearance as governor at an LGBT community event. The Mazzoni Center held their annual fundraiser, “Elixir: The Cure for the Common Gala” at the Fairmount Water Works. More than 400 attendees gathered for the evening to celebrate the Mazzoni Center’s […]