| News Item | |
Philadelphia City Council Prohibits Gender Identity Discrimination
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 16,
2002
Contact: Stacey Sobel 215-731-1447 ext.11
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.- The Philadelphia City Council passed legislation today that expands the
City's Fair Practices Ordinance to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity in
housing, employment and public accommodations. The Council passed the measure by a
15 to 2 vote.
The bill, which was introduced by Councilman Frank DiCicco (D) and thirteen other Council
members, amends the current law that already prohibits discrimination on the basis of
sexual orientation, among other categories. The City Council’s Committee
on Law and Government unanimously approved the legislation on May 9, 2002.
Mayor Street is expected to sign the bill. This will make Philadelphia the second largest
city in country and the sixth jurisdiction in the state to pass this type of legislation.
Currently, Erie County, Allentown, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and York prohibit discrimination
in housing, public accommodations and employment based on a person's gender identity.
Stacey Sobel, Executive Director for the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights, who
spoke in favor of the legislation at the Committee hearing said, “Statewide
protections do not exist. Therefore, it is incumbent upon local jurisdictions to do the
right thing by protecting all of its most vulnerable inhabitants and visitors. This
legislation is fair. It is needed. It is just.”
Tiffany Palmer, the Center’s Legal Director added, “This legislation will
provide attorneys with the necessary tools to fight for their transgender clients who have
been discriminated against in Philadelphia.”
In the last year alone, ten percent of the people who sought the Center's assistance
identified themselves as transgender. Transgender individuals have asked the Center
for help on a wide variety of issues. The two of the most frequent requests for legal
assistance from transgender people relate to incidents of employment and public
accommodation discrimination.
The Center advocated for the bill’s passage with other organizations including
OutFront!, the Pennsylvania Gender Rights Coalition and the National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force.
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The Center advocates equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals in
Pennsylvania through direct legal services, education and policy reform.
The Center for Lesbian and Gay
Civil Rights
1211 Chestnut Street, 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Main number: (215) 731-1447
Legal Hotline: (215) 731-1447
Fax: (215) 731-1544
