Pennsylvania Senators look to protect worker gender identity, expression in workplace
Senators Steven Santarsiero (D-Bucks) and Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia) argued in their new bill that in Pennsylvania, no one should be fired from a job, or denied housing or excluded from public spaces because of who they are. Their bill is a reintroduction of Senate Bill 150, which was co-sponsored by over 10 Senators.
In Pennsylvania, the Human Relations Act prohibits discrimination in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodations based on an individual's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, education status, handicap or disability. However, the act does not cover sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
'Pennsylvania should be seen as a place that welcomes any individual who wants to work hard, succeed, and contribute to our economy without the fear of being fired, refused services or denied something as basic as a place to live because of who they are,' The legislation reads. 'Surveys repeatedly show that over 70% of Pennsylvanians agree.'
The Senators argued that while there has been an increase in the number of Pennsylvania municipalities that have passed non-discrimination ordinances, without a statewide law, there are individuals across the Commonwealth who risk not being protected. The legislation noted that other states have already passed similar bills safeguarding an individual's sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
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