Pittston has become the 31st municipality in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to adopt a non-discrimination ordinance. The small city of about 8,000 is the first in Luzerne County and second in northeastern Pennsylvania to adopt this type of local law.
In our democracy, there is a sharing of power between three branches of the government and also between the states and the Federal Government. Issue advocates may seek a singular decision from the highest court in the land that “changes everything,” but this is inconsistent with the very foundation of how our democracy works. Progress on an issue must occur at the state level, as well as at the Federal level simultaneously, and within public sentiment and cultural change must accompany legislative and legal victories.
A proposal submitted by councilman Jim Kenney would mandate gender-neutral bathrooms in addition to men’s and women’s restrooms for any newly constructed or renovated city-owned buildings and require transgender health benefits for city employees. Kenney said: It can be an awkward and embarrassing situation” for anyone who may “feel more like a woman, but can’t use the women’s room. These functions should be fair for everybody. A very true sentiment, even if his word choice[Read More…]
This is a perfect project for anyone seeking to add issue advocacy work to their resume or experiences. It is a well defined project with specific goals and enough flexibility for someone who is highly motivated to make this project be a huge success.
In the coming weeks, pro-equality Senators and Representatives will introduce bills prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity for the State of Pennsylvania.
I simply want to highlight the shift in Far Right efforts to protect beliefs rather than protecting the exercise of religion, and the ramifications it can have towards creating the ability to legally segregate and discriminate.
The show provides an inviting glimpse into not only the life of this one man, but into the history of our country and all of Americans as a people and as a country. I urge everyone to see this wonderful play. Sit there, in the audience and feel Thurgood addressing you directly, and allow that interaction to prompt you to consider history, the present and the future.
I urge Pitt to get to work quickly on a thorough, fair, and comprehensive policy. While efforts are progressing, it is far from fast enough. The Pitt situation is also complex. As a university, it has students, staff and faculty all to be considered. This ruling seems to apply directly to employment discrimination, but it could have other ramifications as well.
I’ve added a link in my blogroll for the Transgender Law and Policy Institute. This is a wonderful website with a ton of useful information regarding trans law and policy. Check it out!
Statement of Equality Pennsylvania on the University of Pittsburgh’s Non-Discrimination Policy for the Transgender Community and the Need for Calm Harrisburg – Over the past several weeks, Equality Pennsylvania has been very carefully monitoring and watching the situation surrounding the University of Pittsburgh’s non-discrimination policy and how it impacts the transgender community. We have spoken with quite a few people on what is happening, and among them we have discussed ways to find solutions.[Read More…]