Governor Tom Wolf encouraged the General Assembly to pass bipartisan legislation that extends anti-discrimination protections for LGBT individuals.
The Pennsylvania Fairness Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation. Republican Sen. Pat Browne and Democrat Sen. Larry Farnese are the co-sponsors of the bill in the State Senate. Democratic State Cong. Dan Frankel is the sponsor of the bill in the House.
In the northeastern United States, Pennsylvania is the only state without a law that protects LGBT community from discrimination.
Based on recent surveys, over 70% of Pennsylvanians support legislation providing same protections for the LGBT community.
Discrimination against LGBT community is “simply wrong”
On Monday, Wolf said Pennsylvanians have been requesting the General Assembly to create fairness for employment, housing and other services under state law.
According to him, Pennsylvania Fairness Act hasn’t been brought to a vote despite broad bipartisan support. He emphasized, “Our nation has made great progress in recent years, and marriage equality is now the law of the land.”
