The Suburban and Rural Alliance of Pennsylvania was launched today, April 2, as a statewide network for the purpose of advocating for nondiscrimination ordinances in communities across the state. Currently, Pennsylvania has no statewide nondiscrimination law which protects on the basis of sexuality or gender identity. This makes it perfectly legal to deny someone housing, employment, or services because of their sexuality or gender identity. Thirty townships and cities within Pennsylvania have their own inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances, but only one-third of the state’s population is covered by these ordinances. Pennsylvania is the only Northeastern state where it is still legal to deny basic services to someone based upon sexuality or gender identity. There are more townships and communities with individual nondiscrimination ordinances in Pennsylvania than any other state in the nation.
The Suburban and Rural Alliance of Pennsylvania, or SARA PA, has been formed in order to connect local advocates for nondiscrimination policies from across the state to develop strategies for bringing nondiscrimination ordinances to their communities. SARA PA has launched a website with information on the passage of the thirty nondiscrimination ordinances currently in place, and information on advocating for a nondiscrimination ordinance in Pennsylvania communities without one at present.
Montgomery County is currently in the process of writing a nondiscrimination ordinance. There are nine townships within Montgomery County which have nondiscrimination ordinances in place now, protecting 30% of Montgomery County’s residents. With the implementation of the new nondiscrimination ordinance, an additional 563,245 Pennsylvanians will be protected against unemployment, lack of housing, and denial of services because of their sexuality or gender identity.
Inclusive Nondiscrimination Ordinances in Pennsylvania in Order of Adoption (From SARA PA)
- 1982: Philadelphia (1982/2002)
- 1983: Harrisburg
- 1990: Pittsburgh (1990/1997)
- 1998: York
- 2001: Lancaster
- 2002: Erie County, Allentown, New Hope Borough
- 2003: Scranton
- 2006: Lansdowne Borough, Swarthmore Borough, Easton, West Chester Borough
- 2007: State College Borough
- 2009: Allegheny County, Reading
- 2010: Doylestown Borough, Lower Merion Township
- 2011: Haverford Township, Conshohocken Borough, Bethlehem, Springfield Township, Newtown Borough, Whitemarsh Township, Jenkintown Borough, Susquehanna Township
- 2012: Cheltenham Township, Abington Township, East Norriton Township, Upper Merion Township