Improving the standard for equality across Pa.
With the swift passage of the Equality Act by the House of Representatives, it’s clear that passing a federal non discrimination law to protect LGBTQ people is a priority. The Senate now has an opportunity to make significant headway on the issue of equality.
As the mayor of Monessen, I was proud to be the first city in Westmoreland County to pass an ordinance to protect our LGBTQ communitymembers. In January, we joined more than 60 municipalities in Pennsylvania that have passed non discrimination laws. That’s more local laws than any other state in the country. But our residents shouldn’t have to rely on city statutes to protect them.
Standards for equality shouldn’t change as Pennsylvanians travel from one city to the next. The cur-rent patchwork of laws is unsustainable and leaves too many people behind. We need a federal law to make sure that LGBTQ Americans are protected in all of our communities inall 50 states.
A recent survey found that more than 1 in 3 LGBTQ Americans faced discrimination of some kind in the past year, including more than 3 in 5 transgender Americans. More than half of LGBTQ people saidthey experienced harrassment or discrimination in a public place such as a store, transportation or a restroom.
Most states, including Pennsylvania, lack comprehensive statewide protections, leaving millions of people vulnerable.
It’s the job of Congress to pass legislation that protects all Americans. Our Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., should listen to his constituents and publicly support a federal nondiscrimination law. He should make it a priority. All Americans, including LGBTQ people, should be able to go about their daily lives without fear.
Momentum for LGBTQ equality is building. More than 8 in 10 Americans favor a law that would protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in jobs, public accommodations and housing — including 68% of Republicans.
I think we can all agree that we’re ready to see our LGBTQ friends and neighbors treated with dignity and respect.
Like all Americans, LGBTQ people deserve to live free from discrim-ination and harassment. Opponents of LGBTQ equality continue to file discriminatory bills in states across the country in an attempt to undermine existing protections in adoption, marriage and access to health care and businesses. A federal law would ensure that all LGBTQ Americans can live, work and access public spaces free from discrimination, no matter what state they call home.
Mr. Toomey has announced that he plans to retire from the Senate in 2023. Before that, I urge him to show leadership. We need Republicans to stand on the right side of history and support protections for the LGBTQ community.
Across the political spectrum, Americans can agree that our nation is at its best when all people are free to work hard and prosper. LGBTQ people are our friends, neighbors, family and co-workers. They work hard, serve in the military and pay taxes. When it comes to employment, housing, business and government services, they should betreated like everyone else.
I hope Mr. Toomey will join his colleagues on both sides of the aisle and declare support for a federal law.