LGBT Groups and Allies from Around Pennsylvania Sign on to Unity Pledge to Prevent the Rollback of LGBT Rights

LINK to this Statement: http://equalitypa.org/?p=2414

Harrisburg - November 22, 2016 – Today groups representing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community and allies released a unity pledge to fight against any rollbacks of LGBT rights in the coming years. After a hard fought election cycle, many groups are concerned that LGBT rights may be on the chopping block in the new administration. These groups are pledging to fight to protect LGBT rights that have been so difficult to gain in recent decades.

Groups continue to sign on as the pledge is circulated around the state. If your organization would like to sign on, please email: info@equalitypa.org.

The Unity Statement reads as follows:

A Unity Promise

We have never been more proud to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pennsylvanians. We have never been more committed as true allies to LGBT people and the cause of equality.

We will always reject politics fueled by hatred, racism, resentment, bigotry, and misogyny. And we know so many Pennsylvanians are with us. They are allies who are true supporters of fairness and equality and willing to take action and vote and speak about these issues.

We believe that Pennsylvania must always be a refuge of justice and opportunity for people of all walks, talks, ages and aspirations – regardless of how you look, where you live, what language you speak, or who you love.

LGBT Pennsylvanians and their allies have fought long and hard to pass local nondiscrimination ordinances, educate elected officials and the public about nondiscrimination and bullying and hate crimes and issues important to the health of everyone in the LGBT alphabet. Together we have stopped mean-spirited legislation set to punish same sex couples and their children and called-out those who would spread lies and hate about LGBT people. And we will continue to defend our people and our progress. We are not going to allow one election to reverse so much progress at the height of our historic diversity.

We will be reaching out to federal, state and local officials to evaluate how the new Administration in Washington, DC will potentially impact funding and recognition of ongoing state programs that ensure the health and well-being of LGBT Pennsylvanians, and federal enforcement of laws affecting the rights of people living in our state. We will maximize the time during the presidential transition to defend our accomplishments using every tool at our disposal.

Our values and our commitment to fighting for fairness and equality have not changed. America is greater than any one elected leader or political party. We will not be dragged back into the past. We will lead the resistance to any effort that would shred our social fabric or our Constitution.

LGBT people have not always been a part of the public life or history of Pennsylvania and America. But they have always been there. We are a part of the fabric of this great state and nation and we will not go backwards quietly or without a very loud fight. That is our promise.

Signers:

Equality Pennsylvania

Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center

LGBT Center of Central PA

Alder Health Services

SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania

Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley (Bethlehem, PA)

Upper Delaware GLBT Center, Inc. (TRIVERSITY)

PFLAG Pittsburgh

PRIDE AT WORK-PA Chapter

UFCW Local 1776 OUTreach

Equality Fest / York LGBT Center in York, Pennsylvania

Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley

Mazzoni Center

Make The Road Pennsylvania

ACLU of Pennsylvania

Proud Haven

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.