State physicians want a statewide law to prohibit sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination

The following is a statement from Scott Shapiro MD, president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society and a practicing cardiologist in Montgomery County. Dr. Shapiro announces PAMED's support for the Pennsylvania Fairness Act (HB 1510 / SB 974), which would update the Human Relations Act to ensure that no one can be fired from a job, turned away from a business, or evicted from a home just for being gay or transgender.

Over the weekend, an LGBT nightclub in Orlando became the site of horrific violence and death. We grieve with Orlando for the LGBT community that has-for too long-been the target of hate crimes and violence.

That's why-in the midst of this earth shattering attack- we want to announce our support for protecting LGBT people from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodation.

No person should ever face discrimination for any reason, but yet in Pennsylvania many members of the LGBT community do. And, so far, those who discriminate against these Pennsylvanians can do so within our state borders without any legal consequences coming from the state.

Today, the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) stands with Equality PA to support the Pennsylvania Fairness Act (HB 1510 / SB 974), sponsored by Rep. Dan Frankel (D-23), Rep. Tom Killion (R-168), Sen. Larry Farnese (D-01), and Sen. Pat Browne (R-16) as well as many other members of the Pennsylvania Legislature.

When a person is discriminated against, poor health ranging from mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, to chronic illnesses such as heart disease can develop. Numerous studies show that LGBT individuals have, on average, worse health outcomes than similar non-LGBT peers. That's why PAMED's House of Delegates consisting of physicians from all regions of the state voted last fall to advocate for policies that expand access and eliminate health care disparities for LGBT Pennsylvanians.

This law will also protect LGBT physicians and physicians-in-training from discrimination in employment settings as well.

Pennsylvania's physicians urge our state legislature to act now by moving the Pennsylvania Fairness Act and getting it to Governor Wolf's desk this session.

Gay and transgender Pennsylvanians are our patients.  They are family members, neighbors, co-workers, and friends.  And, they deserve to be treated the same as anyone else.

To learn more about PAMED, visit its web site at www.pamedsoc.org or follow on Twitter @PAMEDSociety. Members of the media are encouraged to follow Chuck Moran on Twitter @ChuckMoran7.