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Lack of Republican support for anti-discrimination bill necessitates tabling it

Josephs vows to keep fighting for fairness

HARRISBURG, Sept. 23 – State Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., is expressing disappointment because she had to table a bill that would have prevented discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

On Monday, the House State Government Committee of which Josephs is chairwoman, met with the intent to report out H.B. 1400. It was the first time that such legislation had made it to the committee consideration phase of the legislative process. However, a consensus could not be reached on the bill after Republican members of the committee balked.

"I am greatly disappointed that we could not get protection for gay men and lesbian women in employment, housing and public accommodations out of committee," Josephs said. "In this time of national crisis when the Republican administration looked the other way and handed us a financial tsunami that could equal the Great Depression of 1929, we cannot afford to make anyone a second-class citizen.

"Studies have shown that no matter where they live or their party registration, age, gender or ideology, a majority of Pennsylvanians support House Bill 1400. So, in essence the legislators opposed to this legislation are voting against their constituents' wishes and are instead siding with a narrow-minded special interest that wants to protect their ability to discriminate," Josephs said.

A recent poll reported that 86 percent of Pennsylvanians believe that there should be workplace equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people, 84 percent supported laws prohibiting their discrimination in housing and 89 percent favored equal access to public accommodations.

"I will not rest until there is justice and fairness for our gay brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, friends, colleagues and co-congregants. This battle has just begun," Josephs promised.

In an effort to address the concerns had by opponents of the legislation, Josephs asked them to submit language that would resolve their objections. However, she received nothing, in spite of repeated requests and their claims that the bill would hinder the practice of religion.

"I am the leading First Amendment proponent in the General Assembly. I would not do anything to limit anyone's right to practice the religion of his or her choice, but when I asked opponents repeatedly over eight or ten months for an amendment that would protect religious freedom, they gave me nothing. I have to believe they are simply being obstructionist. They should be embarrassed," she said.

Pittsburgh, Erie County and Philadelphia are among the 14 Pennsylvania communities that ban anti-gay discrimination, but about three-fourths of the state's more than 12 million residents live in communities that do not provide such protection.

Nationwide, 20 states – including neighboring Maryland, New Jersey and New York – already have laws in effect or due to take effect that ban job discrimination based on sexual orientation. Twelve states, including New Jersey, have laws banning job discrimination based on gender identity.

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