After 22 years of advocacy, protections for LGBTQIA+ Pennsylvanians passed out of the Pennsylvania House 102-98.
Next, the bill must be passed by the Pennsylvania Senate before it can go to the Governor’s desk.
About The Fairness Act
The Fairness Act, also known as House Bill 300 PN 1135 (D-Kenyatta, D-Frankel, D-Mayes, D-Benham), would add sexual orientation and gender expression to the list of protected classes under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
If you’re wondering how anyone could oppose anti-discrimination protections for Pennsylvanians, one lawmaker that voted against the bill in the Judiciary Committee explained they’re worried the law would force a grocery store manager to hire an applicant who dressed in animal costumes to slice deli meat even if they refused to take their mittens off.
Arguments made in the House debate against codifying protections for LGBTQIA+ into statutory law were more nuanced.
Opponents claimed HB300 was unnecessary because regulations issued by former Governor Wolf and the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Bostock affirmed that sex-based discrimination included discrimination based on both sexual orientation and gender identity.
This argument is misleading.
The Fairness Act is Necessary, Good Law
While it’s not currently legal to discriminate against LGBTQIA+ Pennsylvanians due to these protections, HB300 would codify these protections into statutory law, protecting LGBTQIA+ Pennsylvanians in the event a future Governor issued new regulations or the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Bostock.
Existing protections are not a reason to oppose HB300. The vulnerability of those protections is the reason The Fairness Act is necessary—especially as attacks on LGBTQIA+ equality continue to rise.
Take Action
The number of lawmakers who expressed opposition to HB 300 during the House debate means state Senators need to hear that you support this bill.
Please contact your Senator and urge them to support The Fairness Act!
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Women’s Law Project is a non-profit public interest law center in Pennsylvania devoted to advancing and defending the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQ+ people in Pennsylvania and beyond.
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