Equality PA Endorses State Legislative Candidates

Harrisburg - Equality PA is proud to announce the endorsement of 15 outstanding candidates for the Pennsylvania State Assembly. Each endorsed candidate has a strong record of supporting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community and will fight for equal rights for gay and transgender people from seats in the state legislature.

Equality PA endorses the following candidates running for election in the primary election on April 26, 2016:

State Senate

Sen. Larry Farnese, SD01
Sen. Judith Schwank, SD11
Sen. Rob Teplitz, SD15

State House

Rep. Jake Wheatley, HD019
Rep. Adam Ravenstahl, HD020
Rep. Ed Gainey, HD024
Joe Szpara, HD046
Mary Popovich, HD058
Rep. Kevin Schreiber, HD095
Linda Weaver, HD150
Sekela Coles, HD164
Rep. Michael O'Brien, HD175
Rep. Brian Sims, HD182
Rep. Donna Bullock, HD195
Rep. Mark Cohen, HD202

Jessica Rothchild, president of Equality PA, explained that each of these candidates will fight for gay and transgender people when they are in office. "Each of the candidates Equality PA is supporting today has made specific commitments to fight for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Pennsylvanians in the state legislature. For years, lawmakers in Harrisburg have denied LGBT Pennsylvanians the most basic protections from discrimination. In 2016, Pennsylvanians have the opportunity to send representatives to Harrisburg that will champion Equality PA's number one legislative priority: the passage of the Pennsylvania Fairness Act, which would update the Commonwealth's nondiscrimination laws to include LGBT people in discrimination protections in the workplace, housing, and public accommodations."

This year's primary endorsements represent a mix of legislators who have a history of supporting LGBT people and candidates who would add important new voices to the Pennsylvania State Assembly. Equality PA works each year to elect candidates who support full equality for LGBT people, and this year is no exception. The Pennsylvania Legislature is the only state legislature in the nation with an LGBT Equality Caucus. By supporting these candidates, Equality PA aims both to protect important legislators fighting for the LGBT community and to further grow the LGBT Equality Caucus in Harrisburg.

ABOUT EQUALITY PENNSYLVANIA

With 60,000 members across the commonwealth, Equality Pennsylvania is the leading organization advancing equality and opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Pennsylvanians.

Twitter- @EqualityPA

Facebook- facebook.com/equalitypa