Progress in Pennsylvania!
March 13, 2009
This week, for the first time ever, members of the Pennsylvania House State Government Committee passed a bill that would add sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to the state’s existing anti-discrimination laws. The bill (House Bill 300) will now move to the full Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Marty Rouse, HRC's national field director, applauded this action as the fruit of the LGBT community's coordinated efforts to change the Pennsylvania legislature:
This historic moment is an exciting opportunity and represents a significant state and federal partnership. In 2006, HRC worked strategically with our local allies to help elect a fair-minded majority to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Pennsylvania was under attack by right-wing conservatives, and we responded by removing them from office. Now we’re seeing the tangible results of our electoral work in 2006. The work is far from being over.
HRC congratulates Equality Advocates Pennsylvania and Jake Kaskey, their policy and outreach coordinator, for their leadership in navigating the legislative process. We look forward to continuing to support the work of expanding equality in the state. Kaskey said today:
Thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people across Pennsylvania thank members of the State Government Committee for their commitment to basic fairness. This legislation has broad support from all corners of Pennsylvania, so we look forward to the bill moving to the floor of the State House for a vote.
HRC is asking supporters of equality in Pennsylvania to join Equality Advocates Pennsylvania at the upcoming Rock The Dome rally in Harrisburg on March 17th. Stay tuned for updates as the bill moves to a vote by the full House of Representatives!
