On Thursday, Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-12) along with 26 other State Representatives sent a letter to Governor Wolf urging him to rescind the policy update that provides for Pennsylvania birth certificates to include gender neutral language for noted parents.

In 2017, the Pennsylvania Department of Health updated the birth certificate forms to include spaces for one or two “Parents”, rather than the gendered language of “Mother” and “Father”.

This change is gender inclusive as it makes these forms accessible to couples of the same gender and those parents who do not identify along a gender binary. In the past, for example, a lesbian couple would have to put (as able) one parent name in the “Father” designation.

The letter is here below. News outlets have begun reporting on the letter, such as here by Fox 43.

Governor Wolf and Acting Secretary of Health + Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine are openly supportive of LGBTQ inclusion. We will continue to monitor this development and work to provide education to legislators on the importance of government forms being inclusive and accessible to all.

The International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is held in local communities and campuses across the nation to memorialize those who have been killed due to anti-transgender bigotry. Many victims of anti-transgender violence have been invisible in their communities and attackers not often brought to justice. The 19th Annual TDOR brings together communities to mourn and honor victims of anti-transgender hate crimes and as a call to action towards the respect of all people regardless of gender identity or expression.

There have been at least 25 murders of trans people in the United States this year. On Tuesday, October 31st, Candace Towns was killed in Macon, GA. She was 30 years-old. 

In Pennsylvania, we mourn and remember Maya Young, 25. She was recently stabbed to death in Philadelphia on February 20, 2016. In 2015, Pennsylvania mourned London Chanel, 21, and Kiesha Jenkins, 22, both black trans women who were killed in Philadelphia. In July 2013, another young trans woman, Diamond Williams, was brutally murdered in Philadelphia. The court case is ongoing in her murder. There have been countless known slayings of transgender people because of their identity around the world since last year. The TDOR website memorializes the murders of over 75 transgender individuals we are aware of in this past year.

Over 25 organized vigils have been held in communities throughout the commonwealth for TDOR in recent years. This was a large increase from just a few events held in Pittsburgh and Southeastern Pennsylvania before 2013.

November is also Transgender Awareness Month. Many communities are not just mourning those lost to violence, but celebrating and lifting up the lives of transgender people. There are wonderful educational and community events set to take place throughout Pennsylvania. Several student organizations are holding Transgender Awareness Weeks. Trans Day of Visibility is annually on March 31st.

Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigils in Pennsylvania

November 20th, 2017

Allentown
Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center (522 West Maple Street), November 20th, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Host: Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
More Information

Annville
Lebanon Valley College (Miller Chapel Lobby), November 20th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: LVC Freedom Rings
More Information

Bethlehem
Lehigh University (Williams Global Commons), November 20th, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Host: Spectrum at Lehigh University
More Information

Bethlehem
Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley (1401 Greenview Drive), November 21st, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Hosts: Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley, Lehigh Valley Renaissance
More Information

Bloomsburg
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania (KUB Fireside Lounge), November 15th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: Bloomsburg University of PA LGBTQA Resource Center

Bradford
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (Wick Chapel), November 14th, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Host: Pitt-Bradford Pride Alliance
More Information

Carlisle
Dickinson College (Social Hall West), November 20th, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Host: Dickinson College LGBTQ Services
More Information

Collegeville
Thomas Paine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (3424 Ridge Pike), November 20th, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Host: Thomas Paine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
More Information

Erie
Erie County Courthouse (140 West 6th Street), November 19th, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Host: TransFamily of NWPA
More Information

Glen Mills
The Green Church (1501 Middletown Road), November 20th, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Host: PRYSM Youth Center of Delaware County, Imago Dei, The Green Church

Greensburg
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg (Campana Chapel), November 15th, 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Host: Pitt Greensburg GSA
More Information

Harrisburg
Pennsylvania State Capitol – Main Steps (3rd and State Streets), November 20th, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Host: TransCentral PA
More Information

Johnstown
Penn Highlands Community College (101 Community College Way), November 20th, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Host: Penn Highlands Community College GSA
More Information

Lancaster
Franklin & Marshall College (College Center – Atrium), November 20th, 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Host: SAGA and the ADWC

Lancaster
Grace Unitarian Universalist Church (1947 New Holland Pike), November 20th, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Host: Grace Unitarian Universalist Church
More Information

Lewisburg
Bucknell University (Science Quad), November 14th, 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Host: Bucknell GSA
More Information

Meadville
Diamond Park, November 20th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: Pennsylvania Equality Project
More Information

Milford
TriVersity Center (201 West Harford Street), November 20th, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Host: TriVersity
More Information

Philadelphia
Penn LGBT Center (3907 Spruce Street), November 15th, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Host: Penn LGBT Center, Penn CAPS
More Information

Philadelphia
Not One More: Rally and Silent March: Starts at Philadelphia City Hall (3 South Penn Square) and ends at the William Way Community Center, November 20th, 4:30pm – 6:00pm
Host: The Trans Equity Project – a program of GALAEI
More Information

TDoR Vigil: William Way Community Center (1315 Spruce Street), November 20th, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: William Way Community Center
More Information

Pittsburgh
Persad Center (5301 Butler Street), November 20th, 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Hosts: TransPride Pittsburgh, Judah Fellowship, Persad Center, Trans YOUniting, and SisTers PGH
More Information

Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh (William Pitt Union Patio + Lawn), November 16th, 9:00pm
Host: Pitt Rainbow Alliance

State College
Penn State University (Old Main Lawn), November 16th, 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Host: Commission on LGBTQ Equity
More Information

State College
Allen Street Gates (Allen Street and College Street), November 19th, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Host: Centre LGBTQA Support Network

Washington
First Presbyterian Church (100 East Wheeling Street), November 20th, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: Washington County GSA, Inc.
More Information

Williamsport
Lycoming College (The Quad), November 20th, 9:15pm – 10:15pm
Host: Lycoming College GSA
More Information

West Chester
Unitarian Congregation of West Chester (501 South High Street), November 20th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: Unitarian Congregation of West Chester
More Information

York
Union Lutheran Church of York (501 South High Street), November 20th, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Host: Union Lutheran Church of York
More Information

November 2017 Transgender Awareness Events

Lewisburg: Lexi Adsit
Bucknell Unviersity (Commons), November 16th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: Bucknell GSA, LACOS, and Unite & Inspire
More Information

Philadelphia: GenderTalk
Claudia Cohen Hall (249 South 36th Street), November 15th, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: Penn Non-Cis
More Information

Pittsburgh: The “THIC Event” (Trans History in Color)
Sanctuary Pittsburgh (5015 Penn Avenue), November 20th, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Host: Garden of Peace Project
More Information

Titusville: Tyler Titus
University of Pittsburgh at Titusville (McKinney Commons), November 20th, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
More Information

State College: Penn State Trans Visibility Month
Wednesday, November 1st — Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, reception at 4:30 p.m., keynote speech at 5 p.m., 233B HUB-Robeson Center
Monday, November 13th — Transgender Information Exchange/HUB Takeover, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Ground Floor Stage, HUB-Robeson Center
Tuesday, November 14th — Pennsylvania Youth Congress (PYC) Panel Discussion, 7 p.m., 104 Rackley Building. PYC is an advocacy organization dedicated to eliminating discrimination against LGBTQ youth through public policy initiatives.
Tuesday, November 14th — Third Way Collective Transgender Clothing Exchange, 1-4 p.m., location TBA
Wednesday, November 15th — “Discovering Crystal,” movie and panel discussion, 6 p.m., 102 Paterno Library (Foster Auditorium). The film chronicles the beginning of one teen’s transition process. A discussion with the director and Crystal’s family will follow the viewing.
Thursday, November 16th — “How to Support Your Transgender Employees — an Update from Intel Corporation,” 8-9:30 p.m. Join us online at https://meeting.psu.edu/ler_webinars/.
Sunday, November 19th — Community Transgender Day of Remembrance, 1 p.m. at the Allen Street gates
More Information

If you would like to add your event to this page, please email us at info@payouthcongress.org.

The International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is held in local communities and campuses across the nation to memorialize those who have been killed due to anti-transgender bigotry. Many victims of anti-transgender violence have been invisible in their communities and attackers not often brought to justice. The 18th Annual TDOR brings together communities to mourn and honor victims of anti-transgender hate crimes and as a call to action towards the respect of all people regardless of gender identity or expression.

This year in Pennsylvania, we mourn and remember Maya Young, 25. She was stabbed to death in Philadelphia on February 20, 2016. Last year, in 2015, Pennsylvania mourned London Chanel, 21, and Kiesha Jenkins, 22, both black trans women who were killed in Philadelphia. In July 2013, another young trans woman, Diamond Williams, was brutally murdered in Philadelphia. The court case is ongoing in her murder. There have been countless known slayings of transgender people because of their identity around the world since last year. The TDOR website memorializes the murders of over 75 transgender individuals we are aware of in this past year.

Over 25 organized vigils were held in communities throughout the commonwealth for TDOR each year in 2014 and 2015. This was a large increase from just a few events held in Pittsburgh and Southeastern Pennsylvania before in 2013.

November is also Transgender Awareness Month. Many communities are not just mourning those lost to violence, but celebrating and lifting up the lives of transgender people. There are wonderful educational and community events set to take place throughout Pennsylvania. Several student organizations are holding Transgender Awareness Weeks.

Transgender Day of Remembrance in Pennsylvania

November 20th, 2016

Annville
Lebanon Valley College (Miller Chapel), November 15th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: LVC Freedom Rings

Allentown
Muhlenberg College (Egner Chapel), November 21st, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Host: Muhlenberg College Trans Advocacy Coalition
More Information

Athens
Unitarian Universalist Church of Athens (112 North Street), November 20th, 11:30am – 12:30pm
Host: Unitarian Universalist Church of Athens

Bloomsburg
Bloomsburg University (Multicultural Center), November 18th, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Host: Bloomsburg LGBTQA Resource Center
More Information

Bradford
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (Wick Chapel), November 18th, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Host: University of Pittsburgh at Bradford LGBTS Alliance
More Information

Carlisle
Dickinson College (28 North College Avenue), November 20th, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Host: Dickinson College LGBTQ Services

Collegeville
Thomas Paine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Collegeville (3424 Ridge Pike), November 20th, 7:00pm – 7:45pm
Host: Thomas Paine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Collegeville
More Information

Erie
Bel-Aire Clarion (2800 West 8th Street), November 20th, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Host: TransFamily of NWPA
More Information

Glen Mills
Imago Dei MCC (1223 Middletown Road), November 17th, 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Host: PRYSM Youth Center
More Information

Harrisburg
The Pennsylvania State Capitol Steps (3rd and State Streets), November 20th, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Host: TransCentral PA

Indiana
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, November 17th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: IUP Pride Alliance

Kutztown
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania – Old Main Concourse, November 17th, 11:00am – 3:00pm
Host: GLBTQ Resource Center, Lambda Delta Xi, and Allies
More Information

Lancaster
Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster (538 West Chestnut Street), November 20th, 10:00am – 11:15am
Host: Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster
More Information

Lewisburg
Bucknell University (Olin Science Quad), November 17th, 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Host: BSU, GSA, and the Bucknell Office of LGBTQ+ Services

Philadelphia
Penn LGBT Center (3907 Spruce Street), November 16th, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Host: Penn LGBT Center
More Information

Philadelphia
Drexel University (Peck Lawn – 32nd and Market Streets), November 18th, 9:00am – 10:00am
Host: Drexel University Office of Inclusion
More Information

Philadelphia
William Way Community Center (1315 Spruce Street), November 20th, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Host: William Way Community Center
More Information

Pittsburgh
Carnegie Mellon University – The Cut (5000 Forbes Avenue), November 17th, 11:30am – 3:00pm
Host: CMU Allies
More Information

Pittsburgh
PERSAD (5301 Butler Street), November 20th, 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Host: TransPride Pittsburgh
More Information

Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh – William Pitt Union Lawn (3959 Fifth Avenue), November 17th, 9:00pm – 10:00pm
Host: Pitt Rainbow Alliance

Selinsgrove
Susquehanna University, November 20th, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Host: Susquehanna University GSA
More Information

State College
Penn State University Park – Old Main Steps, November 17th, 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Host: CLGBTQE, LGBTQA Student Resource Center, University Libraries Diversity Committee, and the LGBTA Student Roundtable
More Information

Reading
Calvary United Church of Christ (640 Centre Avenue), November 19th, 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Host: Reading Pride Celebration
More Information

Washington
First Presbyterian Church (100 East Wheeling Street), November 20th, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: Washington County GSA, Inc.
More Information

West Chester
West Chester University (Sykes Union), November 18th, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Host: Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA)
More Information

West Chester
Unitarian Church of West Chester (501 South High Street), November 20th, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Host: LGBT Equality Alliance
More Information

November 2016 Transgender Awareness Events

Philadelphia: GenderTalk
Penn LGBT Center (3907 Spruce Street), November 17th, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Host: Penn Non-Cis
More Information

Lewisburg: Lourdes Hunter
Bucknell University (Rooke Chemistry Buliding), November 15th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: GSA, ATHENA, BSU, and BIPP
More Information

Pittsburgh: Trans Voices
BOOM Concepts (5139 Penn Avenue), November 20th, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Host: Garden of Peace Project
More Information

If you would like to add your event to this page, please email us at info@payouthcongress.org.

Statement from the Pennsylvania Youth Congress on the General Assembly Passage of HB 229
Criminalization of Cyberbullying Expected to Harm Minority Youth Most

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Youth Congress expresses its concern with the unanimous passage on Monday of HB 229 from the State Senate. The legislation, championed by Rep. Ron Marsico (R-105), was approved by the State House of Representatives in a 193-5 vote in February 2015, and now awaits approval from Governor Wolf. The cyber-harassment bill provides for the specific criminalization of sexual-based cyberbullying – by both adults toward minors, and minors toward other minors.

The Pennsylvania Youth Congress recognizes the importance of diverse legal methods in addressing bullying and harassment. However, criminalization laws directed toward young people often are disproportionately and misapplied to youth of color, LGBT youth, and youth with disabilities. Further, the Pennsylvania Youth Congress calls for increased efforts toward bullying prevention and positive behavior support, to curb this type of behavior from occurring in the first place.

The Pennsylvania Youth Congress lauds the intentions and hard work of Rep. Marsico and others supporting this legislation. While HB 229 includes a provision for youth to be directed to a “diversionary program” before being placed into the juvenile justice system, school safety data does not provide evidence that it will be evenly applied to minority youth.

“In the rush to criminalize this behavior, we tend to pull ourselves away from meaningful violence prevention,” said Jason Landau Goodman, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Youth Congress. “We are failing as a state when we prioritize reactive crime bills over proactive legislation to help secure positive futures for young Pennsylvanians. We need to send students engaging with this destructive behavior to school support staff – not funnel more into prison.”

“Bullying and harassment in schools should be addressed through proactive approaches to improving school climate,” said Nathan Smith, GLSEN’s Director of Public Policy. “We are disappointed that the Pennsylvania legislature has chosen to address these serious issues through the criminal justice system.

“GLSEN does not support policies that criminalize youth, particularly when those policies disproportionately affect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, who are three times as likely to have been involved with the criminal or juvenile justice system as a result of school-related infractions.“

The United States Department of Education – Office of Civil Rights found that there exists a significant racial discrepancy between students being referred to law enforcement (Civil Rights Data Collection 2014). Additionally, their report identified Pennsylvania was among 11 states in the country which have a rate higher than the national average of suspending more black students than white students. While non-white students comprised less than 30% of the Pennsylvania public school enrollment in 2011-2012 school year, the Office of Civil Rights identified that 93% of out-of-school suspensions were issued to them. Both black and hispanic Pennsylvania students were more than twice as likely to face suspension as were their white peers.

The Pennsylvania Youth Congress joins with the Pennsylvania Safe Schools Partnership, in a renewed call for the General Assembly to vote on the Pennsylvania Safe Schools (PASS) Act, HB 156. The PASS Act is the most supported safe school bill in state history, which garnered 106 co-sponsors last session in the House. HB 156 awaits action in the House Education Committee.

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