But as Rose pointed out, Title VII does not include public accommodations (like retail stores and restaurants) while the state’s Human Relations Act does. In the past, Pennsylvanians could have brought a Title VII lawsuit against their employer to allege discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. More than 50 Pennsylvania municipalities, including Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, have passed local protection ordinances, although legal experts and advocates say those laws are at risk because of a proposal in Harrisburg. The Republican-controlled General Assembly has declined several times to amend these laws - which were most recently updated in the 1990s - to add gender identity and sexual orientation as protected classes. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (which covers employment, public accommodations and housing discrimination) and the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act provide protections based on race, color, religion, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, and disability. The commission investigates complaints from Pennsylvanians who believe they’ve experienced illegal discrimination in five areas: employment, education, housing, public accommodations, and commercial property. If the commission substantiates the claim, victims may be awarded financial restitution for lost wages or damages. ‘People assume we already have these protections’ Clayton County granted federal employment protections to LGBTQ people in June 2020, but no such federal protections exist regarding housing or public accommodations.In addition to providing recourse, the new guidance is “also about seeing the humanity in all people,” Lassiter said. Seth Grove (R-York), who leads the committee on state government where the Fairness Act has been referred, has refused to allow the bill to come up for debate or a vote.The U.S. The most recent bill, also called the Fairness Act, was reintroduced in June by state Rep. Republicans have majorities in both the state house and senate. Statewide nondiscrimination legislation has been introduced in Harrisburg for decades, including this session.
In the rest of the state, however, LGBTQ residents are still at risk for such discrimination.
Dixon said “If we respect and love everyone, then I think we owe it to ourselves and our children to make a clear stance that we will not accept discrimination,” while Schupp-George said that “Pennsylvania is the only state in the Northeast that doesn’t have a state-wide nondiscrimination law… neighboring towns have already done this.”īecause of local ordinances such as Chambersberg’s, roughly one-third of Pennsylvania residents live in areas where LGBTQ people are protected against discrimination in housing, employment and public accomodations. Residents Bob Dixon and Beth Schupp-George also spoke during the public comment session. It was an issue for a lot of daycare centers around here… this will give me peace of mind that I have someplace to go, if need be.” When my son was born seven years ago, we had trouble finding a daycare center who would take him because he had two moms. It is beyond time for the General Assembly to follow suit and provide these basic, essential protections for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians.”Ĭhambersburg residents and civic leaders worked with the Pennsylvania Youth Congress on the ordinance, which passed with a 7-3 vote in Town Council.Ĭhambersburg resident and parent Melissa Mattson told the Council during the nearly four hours of public comment, “I am in support of this ordinance because discrimination does happen. “We are very proud of Chambersburg Town Council for acting to protect LGBTQ individuals in their community from discrimination and have appreciated the opportunity to provide guidance on this undertaking throughout the exploratory process. “Once again, small town communities in our commonwealth are stepping up to meet the needs of their residents,” said Preston Heldibridle, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Youth Congress. Pennsylvania remains the only state in the region that does not have statewide LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections. The municipality is among at least 70 in the state of Pennsylvania to approve nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people in employment, housing and public accommodations. The Town Council of Chambersburg, a 22,000-person borough about 50 miles southwest of Harrisburg, voted to adopt an LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance on September 20.