Allegheny County Passes Inclusive Anti-Discrimination Bill

The Allegheny County Council voted Wednesday evening, July 1st 2009, to approve the Allegheny County Human Relations Ordinance, legislation that will ban discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression with limited exceptions. Although similar protections have been in place in the City of Pittsburgh for over 20 years, this week’s ordinance marks the first time these protections will be extended to County borders. This is a historic step forward and true cause for celebration.
 
The bill, which passed by an 8-6 vote, established a county-wide Human Relations Commission that will be responsible for investigating claims of discrimination. The ordinance is set to become law once it is signed by County Executive Dan Onorato on Thursday, June 9, 2009.
 
The Coalition for the Allegheny County Human Relations Ordinance, along with many other individuals, worked with County Executive Dan Onorato and County Council this week to modify the bill after a previous amendment was found to include an unreasonably broad loophole per religious exemptions. The final amended language, while explicitly stating an exemption by religious organizations, sidesteps the issue of organizations that receive tax-payer funds. This language allows for further dialogue on this particular issue.
 
LGBT rights organizations from across the state also praised the Ordinance for its inclusive protection of trans-gender individuals.  The Coalition for the Allegheny County Human Relations Ordinance called the new legislation “the highest standard of trans-inclusive language in the Commonwealth.”  The county is now the fifteenth municipality in the state to grant protection to LGBT individuals.
 
The coming focus for Steel-City Stonewall Democrats now turns to the upcoming November 3rd, 2009 General Election.  The upcoming  State-wide Judicial Elections are key to the pursuit of progressive goals in Pennsylvania.  In the race for Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Superior Court Judge Jack Panella is running against Superior Court Judge Joan Orie Melvin for the lone vacancy on the Supreme Court.  Joan Orie-Melvin is the sister of State Senator Jane Orie who is one of the major proponents of anti-equality efforts in the Pennsylvania Senate.  Conservatives will control the PA Supreme Court if Joan Orie Melvin wins the Supreme Court race.

Another key race is Tom Michelow for County Council District 1.  He is a progressive candidate who is running against an incumbent (Matt Drodz) who voted against the non-discrimination ordinance.  Please get involved by donating to or volunteering for Tom’s campaign. On Facebook, you can check him out at -http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29497746798&ref=mf

Checks can be sent to:

            Neighbors for Michalow
            213 S. Birmingham Avenue
            Pittsburgh, Pa 15202
 
For the past year, our community has worked with determination and persistence to bring this day about. Throughout this process, we have formed important relationships, and the unique collaboration between LGBT organizations, allies, grassroots activists, and public officials will continue to serve as a model of effective partnership. We thank all those involved, particularly Council Members Burn, DeFazio, Cleary, Fitzgerald, Macey, Martoni, Robinson and, of course, the prime sponsor Amanda Green. We also thank County Executive Dan Onorato and his staff for lobbying in support of the Ordinance in recent weeks.
 
While the individuals and groups involved in this effort are numerous, several groups and grassroots outlets offered frequent input into the process in recent days: Speakers at the Council meeting, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, the Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission, ACLU-PA, Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh, Equality Advocates PA, GLCC Pittsburgh, GLEC Group, New Voices Pittsburgh-Women of Color for Reproductive Justice, One Church Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania NOW, PERSAD Center, Steel-City Stonewall Democrats, Trans Working Group, Women’s Law Project, Women & Girl’s Foundation of PA. Bloggers also were a vital part of getting information to the community and include pghlesbian.com, pghcomet.blogspot.com, thomascwaters.com amongst others.
 
We will continue to work for equality at the local, state and national levels. But, before we get back to work, let’s take this moment to celebrate and affirm that together, we can move equality forward for our entire community-LGBT and straight.
 
Thank you for your support!
Coalition for the Allegheny County Human Relations Ordinance

www.steel-city.org

Steel-City Stonewall Democrats
SMC 1015, 5032 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15289