Lawmakers said the intent of the ‘Fairness Act’ is to add the LGBTQ community into Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Act, which protects against discrimination for reasons like race, gender, or religion. Opposition to the bill said it goes past protecting against discrimination.
State Representative of the 82nd district Paul Takac said, “To ensure that people are treated equally in terms of employment, in terms of education, in terms of housing.”
Supporters say particularly protection in the workplace.
Takac said, “40 percent of workers who identify as LGBTQ have reported experiencing unfair treatment at work. Not being hired, being fired, being harassed.”
"This is not new territory, 25 states across the country have already adopted similar measures. So, why should Pennsylvanians be held back? Why should we always go to the back of the line as far as progress,” Local activist with the Keystone Alliance Gay-Life Newsletter Philip Bayush said. "If this bill passes it's not going to be the end of the world just like when marriage equality became legal in all 50 states.”
Supporters argue this bill does not take rights away from anyone.
“This bill is not giving any group special rights,” Bayush said. “It's just treating every Pennsylvanian with dignity and respect.”
Those opposing said the bill should not use the word ‘discrimination’ in the language.
State representative of the 78th district Jesse Topper said, “When we change the definition of the word discrimination and expand it to include disagreement of thought that's where you get into some pretty problematic legislation.”
Opposition to the bill said their concerns are forcing doctors to assist in gender reassignment even if they disagree for medical or religious reasons. They said another concern is trans athletes playing sports in their non-biological sex.
“Which also creates a safety concern and a concern for many in our caucus,” Topper said. “While we certainly appreciate that no one should be fired or discriminated against in the workplace we believe that this language goes far beyond those protections.”
State representatives say if the fairness act does pass through the state senate, they believe it will have Governor Josh Shapiro's approval.
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