#ENDA MUST remain fully inclusive!
There may be 60 votes to pass ENDA in the Senate, but we must be sure it remains fully inclusive and protects trans persons!
LGBT Discrimination: Exploring Laws and Policies
Breaking News: State Rep. Brian Sims Pens Open Letter to Senator Toomey
State Rep. Brian Sims, D-Phila., the first openly-gay elected member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature penned an open letter today to Senator Patrick Toomey, R-Pennsylvania, urging the Senator to openly declare his support for the federal Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA). A vote in the U.S. Senate on ENDA has been scheduled for next week.
Senator Toomey wants to hear from you!
This message was sent out by Equality PA: Senator Toomey’s offices are open once again, and their call lines are open to hear from folks like you who support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)! That’s why we are having another day of action this Saturday to show Senator Toomey the tremendous support for ENDA in Pennsylvania. Can you join us? With no clear federal law prohibiting workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or[Read More…]
PA Reps Sims & Mullery to introduce ban on anti-gay ‘conversion therapy’ for minors
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 17 – State Reps. Brian Sims, D-Phila., and Gerald Mullery, D-Luzerne, plan to introduce a bipartisan bill to protect Pennsylvania children by banning mental health providers from engaging in anti-gay “conversion therapy” for minors. State Sen. Anthony H. Williams, D-Phila./Delaware, recently introduced a similar bill (S.B. 872). “Just last month, New Jersey’s Republican governor and Democratic legislature worked together to ban this practice. The governor there cited ‘a litany of potential ill effects[Read More…]
Why Statewide Nondiscrimination in Pennsylvania Matters
I have often had folks question if gays and lesbians are really discriminated against enough that a state law protecting them in employment, housing and public accommodations is necessary. They say, “But I’ve never heard of someone being discriminated against.” This story comes from Florida, but the same could happen here in Pennsylvania: A Florida condominium association says it won’t allow gay or unmarried heterosexual couples to purchase a home in its development, stating that[Read More…]
Focus on Olympic Boycott Misses the Big Picture
I want to address first, the fallacy that Johnny Weir and Blake Skjellerup have any business thinking their idea means much just because they are Olympic athletes. If Blake would choose to remain in the closet out of financial considerations, why would he think that having one’s life placed in danger is not a reason to put a halt to the Olympics being held in Russia? They would do better to pressure the IOC to move the Games to a safer place.
PA House member, Sims calls for censure over ‘God’s law’ comment, but gets denied..
Our work is to elect individuals who will work for everyone in Pennsylvania without bias for favoring one minority position. Our work is to make our voices heard to our currently elected officials. They need to hear from us- personal letters, phone calls, and meetings. Our work is to be engaged, because it will take all of us to create a better Pennsylvania.
Religious Extremism in Pennsylvania
Progressives in Pennsylvania seek a stronger presence in government but seem to fail to go after the real enemies of progressive causes here. Let’s be clear about what Religious Extremism looks like. If you mention Sharia Law, it is easy to find most people get nervous, and many conservatives have gone so far as to try and outlaw Sharia Law here in the US, but in reality, what Metcalfe is suggesting is the Christian equivalent to Sharia Law.
EQPA Applauds Congressman Dent for Co-sponsoring the Safe Schools Improvement Act
Harrisburg – Following a meeting with Equality Pennsylvania President, Adrian Shanker, and a delegation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) leaders in the 15th Congressional District, Congressman Charlie Dent (R-PA-15) has agreed to become the latest co-sponsor of the Safe-Schools Improvement Act. Equality Pennsylvania members have also called the Congressman’s office asking him to co-sponsor this bill. The Safe Schools Improvement Act, sponsored by Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education[Read More…]
Poll Shows Pennsylvania’s Small Businesses Strongly Support Employment Non-Discrimination Laws Protecting LGBT Workers
The poll, conducted April 8-17, 2013 by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, also found that the vast majority of small business owners already thought laws existed to protect gay and transgender people. In terms of federal law, a striking 84 percent of entrepreneurs thought it was illegal to make employment decisions based on one’s sexual orientation or gender identity. In terms of state law, 78 percent of small business owners believed it was illegal to fire or refuse to hire someone because they are gay or transgender.