Equal Rights Bill Advances in the House

On Wednesday Pennsylvania came one step closer to providing basic protection against discrimination to its gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender citizens. HB 300, which would amend the PA Human Relations Act to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression,” came before the PA House State Government Committee and, by a narrow margin of 12-11, was reported out. The bill must still go before the House Appropriations Committee and then to a full vote before becoming law.

Read the Patriot News’ account of the vote here.

With anti-equality forces working hard to defeat this bill, we need all fair-minded Pennsylvanians to let their representatives in Harrisburg know that the time has come (in fact, it came and went years ago) to pass this legislation. The Value All Families Coalition – of which the ACLU is a member – will be holding a lobby day and rally this coming Tuesday, March 17th. Lunch and free bus transportation from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh will be provided. For more information, click here. Join us and raise your voice in support of equality for all!

Becca in Harrisburg

Press Release on Vote

HB 300 Roll Call Vote

In Favor:

Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia)
Louise Bishop (D-Philadelphia)
Brendan Boyle (D-Philadelphia, Montgomery)
Mike Carroll (D-Luzerne, Monroe)
Mark Cohen (D-Philadelphia)
Lawrence Curry (D-Philadelphia, Montgomery)
Florindo Fabrizio (D-Erie)
Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny)
Robert Freeman (D-Northampton)
Michael O’Brien (D-Philadelphia)
Frank Oliver (D-Philadelphia)
Greg Vitali (D-Delaware)

Opposed:

Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre, Mifflin)
Jim Cox (R-Berks)
Tom Creighton (R-Lancaster)
Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland)
Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield, Elk)
Glen Grell (R-Cumberland)
Tim Krieger (R-Westmoreland)
David Millard (R-Columbia)
Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks)
Kathy Rapp (R-Forest, McKean, Warren)
Brad Roae (R-Crawford)

Not Voting:

John Galloway (D-Bucks)
Jaret Gibbons (D-Beaver, Butler, Lawrence)
Rick Taylor (D-Montgomery)