The Problem

 

In Pennsylvania, members of the LGBTQ community can be fired, denied loans, and refused service at a hotel, library, or hospital simply because of who they are. While twenty-two other states have already enacted anti-LGBTQ discrimination policies, there are still no state-wide protections in place to prevent anti-LGBTQ discrimination in PA. Out of the over 2,500 municipalities in the Commonwealth, only 206 Townships and Boroughs have implemented policies to end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and within the borders of the 152nd House District, only one municipality has implemented these policies: Upper Dublin.

 

Transgender individuals also suffer from harassment in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. According to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, 74% of transgender Pennsylvanians reported experiencing harassment or mistreatment on the job, and 26% reported losing their job simply for being who they are. Due mainly to employment discrimination, transgender Pennsylvanians report higher rates of poverty than the general population: 12% of transgender respondents had an income of $10,000 or less, compared to a rate of 4% within the total population. As if this isn’t bad enough, 15% of transgender respondents were refused medical care due to their gender identity.

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My Solution

 

We need to ensure that there are statewide protections for all members of the Pennsylvania LGBTQ community. If elected, I will work towards drafting necessary legislation such as job protection policies, equal housing opportunity regulations, and laws prohibiting anti-LGBTQ discrimination. I will fight for job training for members of the LGBTQ community, as well as equal lending regulations. An economy only works when everyone gets an opportunity to work within it, and each and every member of the LGBTQ community must be granted equal economic opportunity if our society is to truly succeed.

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References

 

“Ending Discrimination.” Equality Pennsylvania,

www.equalitypa.org/what-we-do/ending-discrimination/

 

“Municipalities with LGBTQ-Related Ordinances.” Equality Pennsylvania,

www.equalitypa.org/municipalities-with-nondiscrimination-ordinances/.

 

“State-by-State History of Banning and Legalizing Gay Marriage.” ProCon.org,

www.gaymarriage.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=004857&print=true.