Montgomery County officials issued an anti-discrimination proclamation earlier this month which “denounces all forms of bigotry against our residents as well as visitors to the county” Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Jamila Winder said as quoted by The Reporter.

The announcement was made during a June 3 Montgomery County Pride flag-raising ceremony, which was attended by Lori Schreiber, an Abington Township Ward 14 commissioner.

“In 2024 … it’s long past due that those protections are made into the law, and so here in Montgomery County we are committed to enshrining these same protections for all citizens,” Winder said.

Winder and Montgomery County Commissioners Vice Chairman Neil Makhija, both Democrats, are reportedly pushing for “The Fairness Act,” House Bill 300 and Senate Bill 150, which seeks to prohibit “discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,” according to a description from the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats. 

House Bill 300 – The Fairness Act

This legislation will prohibit discrimination in our state based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.

In the landmark 2020 decision Bostock v. Clayton County, the United States Supreme Court ruled that an employer cannot discriminate against an individual because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. While this decision was an historic victory for civil rights, it does not prevent someone in our state who identifies as LGBTQ+ from being denied housing, education, or access to public accommodations simply because of who they are or who they love.

Senate Bill 150 – Prohibiting discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression

This legislation will prohibit discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. No Pennsylvanian should be fired from a job, or denied housing, or excluded from public spaces because of who they are.

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act prohibits discrimination in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodations based on an individual’s race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, education status, handicap, or disability.  The Act does not cover sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, however.  As a consequence, members of Pennsylvanian’s LGBTQ community still face discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations.  It is well past time for the General Assembly to act to address this injustice. 

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