A law that would end discrimination against gay, bisexual, and trans-gender people in Pennsylvania has been in limbo in the State Legislature for the past eight months. House Bill 300, which would amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression,” was passed by the Pennsylvania House State Government Committee by a vote of 12-11 on March 11. The bill is now in the House Appropriations Committee but according to Andy Hoover, Legislative Director of the ACLU of PA, currently there is not enough support for the bill to bring it to the floor for a vote. This is in spite of the fact that Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny County) introduced HB 300 with a record 79 co-sponsors from both parties.

Specifically the bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in housing, employment, and public accommodations. Currently the PHRA provides basic legal protection against discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, handicap or disability, education and the use of a guide dog. Fourteen municipalities have some form of LGBT protection, but nearly 80 percent of Pennsylvania’s population is not covered by those local ordinances. Twenty states have laws against discrimination based on sexual orientation, and 13 of those states also have gender identity or expression protections.

Recently West Virginia and North Dakota passed similar legislation. “What’s needed is a grass roots campaign to let Representatives know that we need this bill,” Hoover says. He noted that the month of December is a good time to meet with Representatives while they are at home in their districts.

For talking points and other information about HB 300 go to: www.endlegaldiscrimination.org.