GSPCGP Builds Up Steam for Civil Rights Bill in Pennsylvania, October Vote Pending (July 2003)

The Gertrude Stein Political Club of Greater Pittsburgh (GSPCGP) urges Pennsylvanians to call, write, and organize in favor of two pending Pennsylvania civil rights bills.

On June 11, Pennsylvania state senators Joe Conti (Rep) and Allen Kukovich (Dem) introduced bills to outlaw discrimination against lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgendered individuals. The bills, numbered SB 706 and SB 707, cover housing, employment, and higher education. This legislation will add sexual orientation and gender expression to the categories of people already covered under the PA Human Relations Act and the PA Fair Educational Opportunities Act. As of July 11, 20 state senators have signed on as co-sponsors of these two bills, bringing them close to the 26 votes needed to win passage in the state senate. A vote may come as soon as October 2003.

The PA Human Relations Commission supports the language in these bills, a condition demanded by legislative leaders to pass these bills. GSPCGP urges everyone in SW Penna. to contact their state legislators in favor of these laws. The following senators from the Metro-Pittsburgh area are co-sponsors: Jay Costa, Jim Ferlo, Allen Kukovich, Gerald LaValle, Barry Stout, and Jack Wagner. John Pippy, Mary Jo White, and Jane Orie are not so far.

To find your senator, click here.

The bill tracker for SB 706 and SB 707 regularly updates the list of co-sponsors. These bills can be checked to see whether your senator has signed on.