{"id":135633,"date":"2026-03-11T17:30:16","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T17:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/135633\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T17:30:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T17:30:16","slug":"pennsylvania-advances-lgbtq-protections-hiv-law-reform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/135633\/","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania advances LGBTQ+ protections, HIV law reform"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lawmakers in Pennsylvania<\/a> advanced employment protections for LGBTQ+<\/a> and HIV-positive workers. Those were among eight bills that cleared the House Judiciary Committee that were supported by equality advocates.<\/p>\n

Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ<\/a>+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate’s email newsletter.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cAs lawmakers, we have a responsibility to ensure our laws reflect both our shared values and the realities of today,\u201d said House Judiciary Committee Chair Tim Briggs, a Democrat. \u201cThese bills address longstanding gaps in our statutes, protect vulnerable communities, and ensure our justice system treats people fairly while keeping Pennsylvanians safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chief among the bills was the Fairness Act<\/a>, sponsored by out Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta<\/a>. The Democratic bill updates Pennsylvania\u2019s anti-discrimination law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression in housing, education, and public accommodations.<\/p>\n

Republicans<\/a> complained the bill was advanced with too little discussion. GOP Rep. Stephanie Borowicz complained she was \u201cbeing marginalized in committee and you can\u2019t even ask a question.\u201d She also referenced LGBTQ+ employees as \u201ca perversion of God\u2019s creation<\/p>\n

Related: Malcolm Kenyatta on breaking barriers and making Pennsylvania Black queer history<\/a><\/p>\n

Related: Philadelphia Democrat under fire for anti-LGBTQ+ comments in race against gay incumbent<\/a><\/p>\n

But Kenyatta said that rang untrue.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou cannot be a bully and the victim,\u201d he posted<\/a> on Instagram<\/a>. In committee, he said Borowicz should feel glad that she is not part of the \u201cmicroscopically small\u201d group of Pennsylvanians who need the protections and face discrimination.<\/p>\n

The committee also advanced a bill<\/a> eliminating certain parts of Pennsylvania law criminalizing HIV status and making sure the statute reflects the current scientific understanding of how the virus spreads. A House resolution designating Feb. 26 officially as \u201cHIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other legislation would outlaw the use of the \u201cLGBTQ+ panic\u201d defense in court, forbidding the use of the sexuality of a victim to justify a crime. \u201cJustice should never hinge on prejudice,\u201d said Rep. Ben Sanchez, the bill\u2019s sponsor. \u201cThis legislation ensures that bias against LGBTQ+ individuals cannot be used as a legal strategy to excuse or justify acts of violence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Related: New Doc Chronicles the Inspiring Story of Gay Politician Malcolm Kenyatta<\/a><\/p>\n

Another bill<\/a> from Sanchez would eliminate public notice requirements for legal name changes after transitioning. Kenyatta also carried through the committee a bill<\/a> formally eliminating language in the Pennsylvania statute that still defines marriage as only including unions between men and women.<\/p>\n

The Judiciary Committee also moved bills from Rep. Dan Frankel that would enhance police training for investigating hate crimes<\/a> and expand penalties for violating the rights<\/a> of people based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or national origin.<\/p>\n