Michael A. Hellman: Equality delayed is equality denied

In a proud moment on May 2, Pennsylvania House legislators passed House Bill 300, The Fairness Act, to extend protections for all Pennsylvanians against discrimination because of “race, color, religious creed, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age or national origin by employers, employment agencies, labor organizations and others … .”

Co-sponsor Rep. Jessica Benham, D-South Side, says: “The passage of this act of the House is yet another step to ensuring that every Pennsylvanian is treated with dignity and respect. This bill is as simple as it is substantive. It only extends protections that are already granted to individuals on the basis of other categories. And it creates no new rights.”

This revision to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act adds six critical words of inclusive language to keep everyone safe from discrimination. Equal rights are essential to be assured for all citizens including LGBTQ+ citizens.

How long must some Americans wait until they are all equal?

Pennsylvania’s founding principles, first established by William Penn, are described as freedom, tolerance and innovation. Currently in Pennsylvania LGBTQ+ persons have no comprehensive protections from discrimination and can be fired and denied housing or public accommodation just for being who they are. All people must be free to pursue their lives to the fullest. Liberty is freedom and independence, and all LGBTQ+ people should have the privilege and right to enjoy them.

Co- sponsor Sen. Steven Santarsiero, D-Bucks, says: “It’s not OK that my 19-year-old son does not have the same rights in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania as his 23-year-old brother and his 25-year-old sister.”

This is a personal issue that may affect any Pennsylvania family.

The pursuit of happiness is not possible with the presence of fear. Many LGBTQ+ people live in fear every day because they lack legal protections legislated to provide the basic rights that other citizens enjoy.

“There are so many people across this commonwealth who know exactly what it’s like to be treated unfairly simply because of who they are and how they identify,” says Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Philadelphia, another sponsor.

At a recent Fairness Act rally in Harrisburg, Kendall Stephens of Philadelphia, a trans woman of color, said: “My journey was fraught with profound barriers of bigotry and prejudice designed to impede on my ability to thrive.

“In the summer of 2011 I came home and witnessed what I thought was a yard sale. Instead, upon closer inspection I see that it is my own belongings that had been tossed out into the street by my landlord, who had discovered I was transgender and wanted to enact a heinous act of cruelty on me, and I ended up categorically homeless.”

Stories like Kendall’s and countless others must stop. The Fairness Act will provide basic legal protections against discrimination for all Pennsylvania citizens by upholding the founding principles that were established by William Penn. Equality delayed is equality denied.

Now is the time for action to protect life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all Pennsylvanians. I call on the Senate to quickly consider and pass this legislation and send it to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk.

Michael A. Hellman is chair of advocacy and legislation for the Western Pennsylvania LGBTQ+ Older Adult Advocacy Team.