Right now in Pennsylvania, it's legal to fire, deny housing or refuse service at a public business to someone just because they are gay or transgender.
No one should have to fear losing their job or home or risk being denied services, simply because of who they are or whom they love. That's why we're working to pass critical legislation to update our laws and protect all Pennsylvanians from discrimination, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
If you agree that discrimination is not a Pennsylvanian value, send a message to your legislators now urging them to support the Pennsylvania Fairness Act, legislation that will protect all Pennsylvanians from discrimination, and help support create a more welcoming and inclusive state.
Dear [Representative],
As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to support the Pennsylvania Fairness Act—a bill that will update Pennsylvania's 1955 Human Relations Act by adding just six words to ensure all people, including gay and transgender people, are protected from discrimination in the Commonwealth.
[Your comment will be added here]
In addition to bringing common sense fairness to Pennsylvania, updating the Human Relations Act will make the state a stronger economic competitor in attracting the highly skilled millennial workforce. As the sixth largest state economy in the country—and still the only state in the Northeast without these basic protections—Pennsylvania's economy stands at a crossroads for its competitive edge if we do not foster a workplace that is welcoming to all people. Updating the law to include sexual orientation and gender identity and expression will ensure Pennsylvania's businesses can attract and retain the best and the brightest talent.
In fact, more members of the business community are making nondiscrimination part of their business model. Recent reports show that 91 percent of Fortune 500 companies including all 23 Fortune 500 companies located in Pennsylvania have sexual orientation nondiscrimination policies already on the books.
Pennsylvania's current and future workforce deserves to be judged based on their qualifications to do their work—nothing more, nothing less. Let's work together to ensure that Pennsylvania is open for business for everyone and is as vibrant as possible in attracting qualified workers.
I urge you to support the Pennsylvania Fairness Act.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
