Octubre es
LGBTQ+ History Month
This October is the 17th annual celebration of LGBT History Month, a month-long recognition of important moments in the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The dedication reminds the world of the role models in the LGBT community and their contributions to creating the political, economic, socio-cultural, and legal world we live in today.
Initially, the month was chosen to include National Coming Out Day on October 11 and the anniversary of the first LGBT march on Washington on October 14, 1979. Now, the celebration includes Sprit Day on October 20, a day to wear purple in support of LGBT youth; Ally Week, a week to celebrate allies against LGBT bullying; and the anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s murder on October 12, 1998, an event which began the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
The Pennsylvania Senate Democrats applaud the efforts taken to recognize LGBT history and ask supporters to celebrate this history by engaging with stories of LGBT figures.
PA Fairness Act Press Conference & Rally :: April 2023
PA Senate and House Democrats rallied alongside the Lieutenant Governor, advocates, and members of the LGBTQIA community to demand fairness and protections under the PA Fairness/Non-Discrimination Act.
PA Fairness Act + Leyes vigentes
La histórica sentencia del TSE de 2020 en el caso Bostock contra el condado de Clayton dictaminó que un empleador no puede discriminar a una persona por su orientación sexual o identidad de género, pero no aborda el acceso a la vivienda, la educación o los alojamientos públicos.
En 2023, sigue siendo legal que a los ciudadanos LGBTQ+ de Pensilvania se les niegue la vivienda, la educación o el acceso a alojamientos públicos por su orientación sexual o identidad de género; podemos cambiar eso aprobando la Ley de Equidad de Pensilvania.
La Ley de Equidad de Pensilvania codificará la protección de todos los ciudadanos de Pensilvania en la legislación estatal, protegiéndolos contra cualquier posible revocación de la sentencia Bostock por parte del Tribunal Supremo.
Pensilvania es el único estado del noreste del país que carece de leyes contra la discriminación de las personas LGBTQ+.
Ohio y Virginia Occidental son los únicos estados limítrofes con Pensilvania que no tienen leyes contra la discriminación de las personas LGBTQ+.
La aprobación de la PA Fairness Act convertiría a Pensilvania en el 24º estado de EE.UU. en codificar las protecciones contra la discriminación de las personas LGBTQ+ en la legislación estatal.
Sólo 3 de los 67 condados (Allegheny, Erie, Filadelfia) tienen una ordenanza que prohíbe la discriminación por orientación sexual o identidad de género en el empleo privado, la vivienda y los alojamientos públicos.
Alrededor del 35% de los ciudadanos de Pensilvania están plenamente protegidos contra la discriminación por motivos de orientación sexual o identidad de género, y sólo están protegidos por ordenanzas municipales y del condado. La PA Fairness Act extendería estas protecciones a TODOS los residentes del estado.
Honoring Stonewall 50th Anniversary
On June 28, 1969, a mass protest broke out in front of the Stonewall Inn in New York City against the discriminatory practice of the police raiding bars that were frequented by members of the LGBT community.
The demonstration gathered more attention and community support as members of the community clashed with police forces for the following six days, leading the “Stonewall Riots” to become one of the most-well known catalysts for the LGBT Rights Movement in the United States.
50 years after this iconic display of community solidarity against discrimination, we recognize and honor the elders of the
LGBT Rights Movement who have lived their lives to ensure that LGBT+ Rights are indeed counted as Human Rights for all.
Stonewall Riots
In the early hours of June 28, 1969, New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in Greenwich Village in New York City. The raid sparked a riot among bar patrons and neighborhood residents as police roughly hauled employees and patrons out of the bar, leading to six days of protests and violent clashes with law enforcement outside the bar on Christopher Street, in neighboring streets and in nearby Christopher Park. The Stonewall Riots served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.
Susan Atlas & Mary Groce
Frank Potopa
Steve Getzow
Roosevelt Adams
PA Senate Refuses to Pass LGBT Pride Month Resolution for 3rd Year in Row. Senator Street Recognizes LGBTQ+ Pioneers for Years of Activism
Harrisburg, Pa. − June 7, 2019 − For the third year in a row, Senator Street (D-Philadelphia) attempted yesterday to offer a Unanimous Consent Resolution on the floor of the Senate recognizing June as LGBT Pride Month, and for the third year in a row, it was rejected by Senate leadership. This year was particularly important, as it also celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, who many in the LGBTQ+ Community recognize as the start of the modern LGBTQ+ civil rights movement.
“I was Pleased to be joined by pioneers of the LGBTQ+ community on Wednesday to offer a Resolution, honoring and commemorating pride festivities in Philadelphia and across commonwealth,” said Senator Street. “Unfortunately, Republican leadership did not see fit to allow it to proceed. However, I’m optimistic and hopeful attitudes around the commonwealth and Capital are improving, due, in no small part, to the work of our pioneers which will not be in vain. Both the LGBTQ community and allies like myself are undeterred and will continue to build upon their great legacy.”