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Josephs signs on to bill that would end discrimination in housing

HARRISBURG, April 18 -- State Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., is renewing her efforts to end discrimination in employment, housing and credit based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Josephs is co-sponsoring a bill that would end this practice, and has said as State Government Committee chairwoman she will hold public hearings on the legislation.

"Most likely this bill will be referred to my committee, and when that happens, I intend to have hearings across the state to raise the level of public discussion on this issue because I am certain that a great majority of legislators and Pennsylvanians hate discrimination and want to be fair to everyone," Josephs said.

The legislation, which has yet to be introduced, would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the categories of discrimination already banned by Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act. The law already bans discrimination based on race, color, familial status, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, handicap or disability, or the use of a guide or support animal when necessary.

"We've made progress to that end," Josephs said. "A few years ago, I was able to help secure enactment of a bill that added sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of groups of people who are protected under the hate crimes law, but there's more to be done. It's possible to discriminate against these groups of people regarding housing and employment without consequence or condemnation, and it has to stop."

Josephs noted that 17 states already protect against this kind of discrimination, including neighboring New York, New Jersey and Maryland. In addition, many major Pennsylvania employers have policies prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, as do 14 major municipalities, including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Harrisburg, State College and York.

"It's well past time for the rest of the state to join in offering our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered residents the same protections afforded to every other citizen," Josephs said.

The State Government Committee reviews legislation on issues ranging from voting and elections to campaign finance reform, lobbyist disclosure and civil rights. As chairwoman, Josephs sets the committee's legislative agenda.