The Women’s Law Project condemns the decision of Borough of Chambersburg to repeal protections for residents who experience discrimination based on their sexual orientation, ethnicity, or gender identity.
Pennsylvania remains the only state in the northeast without statewide protections for LGBTQ+ residents. Chambersburg is one of approximately 70 municipalities that have passed local anti-discrimination laws in response to the lack of statewide protections, and the first to revoke them.
We express support and solidarity to the people of Chambersburg, many of whom were “visibly overcome with emotion” while making impassioned pleas to preserve the ordinance.
The Chambersburg ordinance reportedly extended protections against discrimination toward gay, transgender, and genderqueer people in employment, housing, and public accommodations. It was enacted just four months ago by a Democratic majority and subsequently repealed by a Republican majority.
We also call on the Pennsylvania Legislature to pass the Pennsylvania Fairness Act (HB 300), a statewide non-discrimination statute. This legislation has been implemented in 22 states and repeatedly introduced in Pennsylvania, where the Republican leadership has refused to advance the bill for the last two decades.
Currently, HB 300 is in the State Government Committee. Majority Chair Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) has the power to present the bill for a vote.
Want to Take Action?
Contact Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) and urge him to schedule HB 300 for a vote in the House State Government Committee. You can call Rep. Grove’s Harrisburg office at (717) 783-2655. You can also send him an email, tweet, and/or post on his Facebook page.
Women’s Law Project is a public interest law center in Pennsylvania devoted to advancing and defending the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQ+ people in Pennsylvania and beyond. As a non-profit organization, we can not do this work without you. Please consider supporting our work.
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