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Over the past few days or so, I have posted a number of blog entries about the changing Allegheny County nondiscrimination ordinance. Earlier today, a local and state-wide coalition of Rights organizations released a statement about the county’s legislation which is expected to be voted upon tomorrow, July 1, 2009. an amendment will be introduced by the legislation’s sponsor, Amanda Green, which will ensure religious liberties, and also grant some of the strongest nondiscrimination protections available anywhere in the state. While both sides of the issues (gay rights activists and the religious right) may not be entirely happy since the new amendment provides something to each of the two sides, the bill is an excellent compromise that does exactly what the bill set out to accomplish in the first place.

Green’s amendment adjusts the bill to be fully constitutional, and will remove language that places the county in a position to favor one faith tradition over another. At the same time, the religious exemption is adequately broad so as to meet the needs of that community.

To me the most exciting part of the legislation is that the bill provides the strongest protection for transgender protections anywhere in the state. This sets  us up our region, to be ahead of many other states, as well as leading the rest of Pennsylvania. Protection for transpersons is extremely important especially in the area of employment, where the unemployment rate may be as high as 35%, with 60% of transgenders earning less than $15,300, and experiencing higher than average rates of employment termination.

Since the election last November, Gay rights issues such as Marriage Equality, Hate Crimes protections, nondiscrimination, employment protections, adoption rights, DADT, ands DOMA have been at the fore front of the national discourse. Same-sex marriage especially, has energized the radical religious right, and the progress made (6 states now offer same-sex marriage) had caused many groups such as the American Family Association to issue an all out war against any legislation seen as providing anything to the GLBTQ communities. Even individuals, who might otherwise agree that discrimination is employment would be unjust, have chosen to take a hard line  stance against anything deemed a part of the “gay agenda.” They fear that treating all people fairly will somehow open the door to same-sex marriage. But Marriage Equality is a struggle with enough momentum of its own.

Nondiscrimination protections are tremendously important because they cover all residents, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and even straight. These protections set the stage for a good work and living environment which is essential to companies looking to grow and expand in Pennsylvania.

As equally important as the ordinance itself, the work of the GLBTQ communities and their allies was tremendous. As evidenced in the statement released today, as well as statements earlier this week, these groups have worked in unison to achieve a goal benefiting everyone. Traditionally, it hasn’t always been this way in Western Pennsylvania, but this progress demonstrates the growing strength and connectedness of the GLBTQ and Rights advocacy communities here as well as across the state.