Legislation that would extend anti-discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ people across Pennsylvania cleared a critical committee hurdle in the state House on Monday, 22 years after the bill was first introduced.
The bill, which now goes to the House floor for a vote, would simply add sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to the list of protected classes under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
The House Judiciary Committee approved the measure on a party-line vote of 12-9.
The proposal inspired emotional and passionate rhetoric from supporters, while Republican members of the committee suggested it would infringe on the religious convictions and freedom of individuals and institutions and lead to unintended consequences.
Following the vote, the bill’s co-prime sponsors, Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Philadelphia, Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny, embraced its original sponsor, Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny.
The legislation would allow people who believe that they have been discriminated against because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer the ability to file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
Three Pennsylvania counties and 70 municipalities have anti-discrimination ordinances that prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in employment, housing, or public accommodations.
While the bill would only extend existing protection already granted to people based on sex, religion, or national origin to LGBTQ+ people, several Republican lawmakers introduced anti-LGBTQ+ themes to the discussion. #lgbtq_civil_right