Results tagged “equalrights”

In most parts of Pennsylvania, it is still perfectly legal for an employer to fire someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Likewise, a person can be evicted or denied housing. This denial of basic civil rights needs to end, and thankfully, a bill (House Bill 300) was introduced on March 4th in the House of Representatives which would add sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to the list of protected classes under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. The Act currently protects against discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, handicap or disability, education, and the use of a guide dog. The bill was proposed by Dan Frankel (D), a representative from Allegheny County, and has a whopping 79 co-sponsors, from both parties and from all across the state.

        

Barack Obama's presidential win was somewhat bittersweet for the GLBT community, since punitive ballot measures like Proposition 8, which denies same-sex couples the right to marry, passed in California. But this weekend, people in cities all over the country (including Philadelphia, where the marcher tally reached almost 5000) resiliently rallied and joined together in protest. People of all ethnicities, ages and backgrounds chanted, sang, held hands, prayed, and gathered peacefully to demand their rights.

Philly, we are so proud of you.