Rep. Brian Sims co-sponsoring bipartisan Fairness Act to protect LGBT Pennsylvanians

PHILADELPHIA, May 18 – State Rep. Brian Sims, D-Phila., is co-sponsoring the bipartisan Pennsylvania Fairness Act, reintroduced this week in the House by Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, which would protect LGBT Pennsylvanians from discrimination in in the workplace, housing and public accommodations.

The bill (H.B. 1410/S.B. 613) would include sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in the types of discrimination banned statewide.

Sims said, "Now is the time for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to act. We, as a legislature, owe it to the people we serve to act swiftly and substantively to protect LGBT Pennsylvanians from legal discrimination. For decades the legislature has allowed LGBT individuals to be legally fired from their jobs, evicted from their homes, and refused service strictly because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Every day the legislature fails to act, it diminishes the values upon which Pennsylvania was founded.

"More than 40 local governments across Pennsylvania have taken a stand against legal discrimination – including last week's passage in Camp Hill, a Republican suburb of Harrisburg. The Fairness Act has continued to have more than 70 percent public support for nearly a decade. There have been ongoing discussions with previous opponents to find common ground on this important issue. Reflecting the strong support of Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth, there is broad bipartisan support with 73 co-sponsors in the House and 16 in the Senate.

"Therefore, I join Representative Frankel in urging Speaker Turzai to refer this legislation to a committee where it will receive a fair hearing and consideration."

Sims is in his third term representing the 182nd Legislative District, which includes Rittenhouse, Fitler and Logan squares, the Gayborhood and parts of Washington Square West, Bella Vista, Hawthorne, Graduate Hospital and Queen Village.

Sims' district office is located at 21 S. 12th St., Suite 182, Philadelphia; phone 215-246-1501. In addition to his website -- www.pahouse.com/Sims -- he provides information to constituents through his legislative Facebook and Twitter pages: www.facebook.com/RepBrianSims and www.twitter.com/repsims.