HARRISBURG WITH MORE ON THIS PROPOSAL. TOM. WELL, JERRY AND LORI, THIS BILL WOULD PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST SEX, SEXUAL IDENTITY OR ORIENTATION, IN THIS CASE, GENDER IDENTITY AND EXPRESSION. IT GOT THROUGH A PROCEDURAL HURDLE EARLIER TODAY WITHOUT ANY OPPOSITION, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS SOME CONCERN THAT THERE MAY BE AMENDMENTS TO THE LEGISLATION. BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO LOOK AT THIS BILL SAY THEY NEED TO SEE IT PASSED AS A MATTER OF PROTECTING PEOPLE. THEY SAY RIGHT NOW IT’S A MATTER OF REGULATION TO PREVENT DISCRIMINATION IN THOSE CATEGORIES, NOT A MATTER OF LAW. AT THE LGBT CENTER OF CENTRAL PA, THERE’S A FOOD BANK FOR THE COMMUNITY, WITH MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO USE IT BEING MEMBERS OF THE QUEER COMMUNITY WHO STRUGGLE TO GET BY. WE KNOW THAT LGBTQ FOLKS ARE AT HIGHER RISK FOR BARRIERS TO HEALTH CARE, HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, NOT BECAUSE OF WHO THEY ARE, BUT BECAUSE OF DISCRIMINATION. DISCRIMINATION IS REAL AND CRUEL AND NEEDS TO BE MADE ILLEGAL UNDER STATE LAW. REPUBLICANS OPPOSED TO THE FAIRNESS ACT SAY THE ACT ITSELF COULD CREATE PROBLEMS FOR SCHOOLS THAT HAVE SET THEIR OWN POLICIES ON GENDER SPECIFIC BATHROOMS OR SPORTS TEAMS, AND FOR HOSPITALS THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE GENDER AFFIRMING CARE OR PROCEDURES. WE’RE GOING TO FIGHT AGAINST THIS BILL BECAUSE OF THAT, BECAUSE OF THESE CONSEQUENCES. AND REALLY, THIS BILL IS GOING TO CREATE MORE VICTIMS THAN IT PROTECTS DEMOCRATS LIKE IZZYW SMITH WILL ARGUE THE LEGISLATION ENSURES MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY ARE PROTECTED NO MATTER WHO IS GOVERNOR OR RUNNING. THE STATE’S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION. IT’S OUR JOB TO ALWAYS BE EXPANDING LIBERTY, EXPANDING RIGHTS AND EXPANDING FREEDOM HERE IN PENNSYLVANIA. THE BILL WAS QUEUED UP FOR A THIRD AND FINAL READING. A VOTE IN THIS CASE EARLIER TODAY. IT DID GET THROUGH A HURDLE, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WITHOUT GETTING ANY AMENDMENTS TACKED ON. WHEN THIS BILL COULD GO UP FOR A VOTE, THOUGH REMAINS TO BE DETERMINED BY LEADERSHIP. WI
House lawmakers advancing bill to enshrine LGBTQ+ protections into law
Updated: 7:49 PM EDT Mar 24, 2026
House Democrats are seeking to again pass legislation that would bar discrimination against sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression, which are aimed at protecting the LGBTQ+.The bill advanced on Tuesday for a final reading and vote in the House, which is controlled by a narrow Democratic majority.Amber Barnes, executive director of the LGBT Center of Central PA, said the legislation would protect people in the queer community in Pennsylvania, as current measures falling under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.Barnes said the center helps a number of people in the Harrisburg area struggling with issues like housing, employment, and healthcare and the Fairness Act could help alleviate those issues. “Many of our participants are either unhoused or at risk for being unhoused, and luckily, we have a really wonderful housing program here through the LGBT Center in Harrisburg that supports folks. But, you know, that doesn’t help everyone under the umbrella of need,” she said.A final vote has not been scheduled in the House.
HARRISBURG, Pa. —
House Democrats are seeking to again pass legislation that would bar discrimination against sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression, which are aimed at protecting the LGBTQ+.
The bill advanced on Tuesday for a final reading and vote in the House, which is controlled by a narrow Democratic majority.
Amber Barnes, executive director of the LGBT Center of Central PA, said the legislation would protect people in the queer community in Pennsylvania, as current measures falling under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
Barnes said the center helps a number of people in the Harrisburg area struggling with issues like housing, employment, and healthcare and the Fairness Act could help alleviate those issues.
“Many of our participants are either unhoused or at risk for being unhoused, and luckily, we have a really wonderful housing program here through the LGBT Center in Harrisburg that supports folks. But, you know, that doesn’t help everyone under the umbrella of need,” she said.
A final vote has not been scheduled in the House.