Waxman celebrates Pa. House passage of The Fairness Act

HARRISBURG, May 2 – State Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., today celebrated the passage of The Fairness Act in the PA House of Representatives.

It’s still legal in PA for LGBTQ+ people to be denied housing, education, or access to public accommodations based on their sexual orientation or gender identity,” Waxman said. “Today, the House is extending the same protections outlined in the PA Human Relations Act to ensure no one is treated like a second-class citizen. It’s time to protect all Pennsylvanians and create a welcoming atmosphere for people from all walks of life.”

The PA Human Relations Act prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, disability, age, and other aspects of an individual’s identity. The Fairness Act would extend these protections to LGBTQ+ individuals and prevent anyone from discriminating against others based on their gender or sexual identity.

The landmark 2020 decision on Bostock v. Clayton County by the United States Supreme Court ruled that an employer cannot discriminate against an individual because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This bill ensures that this historic victory is codified and extends to Pennsylvanians.

If signed into law, PA would join 23 other states in the nation that welcome and protect LGBTQ+ people.

For more information, those interested can contact Waxman’s district office at 215-246-1501.

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