A group of advocates are planning a Harrisburg rally in late October to pressure elected officials to protect rights for LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians.

Organizers say they’re holding the Oct. 26 event to demand equal rights and access to gender-affirming health care and to shield same-sex marriage. These steps, they say, are all the more important in a time when protections are being rolled back.

“The basic rights of LGBTQ+ people are under vicious attack every day across our state and nation,” Jason Landau Goodman, board chair of the Pennsylvania Youth Congress, said in a statement. “That is why we are coming together to demand action from our government officials.”

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What are the event details?

The event planners say it will begin with a march around the capitol at 1 p.m. Oct. 26. After that, attendees will rally, with speakers to be announced.

Organizers say they are coordinating buses and carpool transportation so as many people can participate as possible. They’ve released a sign-up form so people can opt into updates.

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What do organizers hope to accomplish?

The groups involved say they’re demanding action to make sure LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians have equal access to housing, jobs, health care and public spaces.

They’re also condemning health networks, including UPMC and Penn State Health, for no longer providing gender-affirming care to minors in response to pressure from the Trump administration.

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Finally, they want commonwealth lawmakers to pass bills that would safeguard gay marriage, ban therapies that attempt to change a child’s sexual orientation and protect LGBTQ+ people under the state’s hate crime laws.

Bethany Rodgers is a USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania investigative journalist.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Rally for LGBTQ rights planned at PA capitol