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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Babette Josephs |
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Josephs participates in equal rights forum in Lancaster
LANCASTER, March 9 – State Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., participated in a community discussion Monday about legislation that would amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to extend protections to residents who are discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. The forum was organized by the Lancaster City Human Relations Commission.
Josephs is a co-sponsor of the bill (H.B. 300) and is chairwoman of the committee -- the House State Government Committee -- that passed out the bill. House Bill 300 would add employment, housing and public accommodation based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression to the list of prohibitions in the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
"When my committee reported out this legislation, it made history. This bill was the first pro-LGBT legislation in Pennsylvania to be sent to the House floor," Josephs said. "We're making progress. Hearings were held statewide last session, and we reported out the bill last spring.
"We've been fighting to enact this legislation, which is sorely needed to ensure that no Pennsylvanian is discriminated against when it comes to employment, housing or public accommodation," Josephs said. "We cannot afford to make anyone a second-class citizen, including our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered friends, family and neighbors. Our state and nation face difficult problems, from violence on our streets and in our homes, a lack of quality education and health care and a crumbling infrastructure, to pollution, global warming, drug use and crime. We need everyone's contribution to help address these challenges; we can’t relegate anyone to second-class status."
Josephs said the legislation also would protect heterosexual Pennsylvanians from being fired based on their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
"The committee vote was a first step toward making state law more fair and just, and making Pennsylvania more economically competitive," she said. "We are surrounded on three sides by states that ban anti-gay discrimination. Maryland, New Jersey and New York have this competitive advantage over us when it comes to attracting and retaining businesses and residents."
In total, 20 states already have laws in effect or due to take effect that ban job discrimination based on sexual orientation. Twelve states have laws banning job discrimination based on gender identity. Within Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Erie County and Philadelphia are among the 14 Pennsylvania communities that ban anti-gay discrimination, but about three-fourths of the state’s more than 12 million residents live in communities that do not provide such protection.
Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Act already bans discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, a non-job related handicap or disability, or the use of a guide or support animal due to a person being blind, deaf or having a physical handicap.
The bill has more than 70 bipartisan co-sponsors in the House, including all members of the majority leadership.
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