Equality Pennsylvania backing Governor Tom Wolf's Re-Election

HARRISBURG, PA – Equality Pennsylvania, the commonwealth's leading organization fighting for LGBTQ fairness, equality, equity, and justice, has endorsed Governor Tom Wolf for re-election as Pennsylvania Governor in a unanimous vote of the organization's endorsement committee and governing board.

"Governor Wolf and his administration have done more in his first term than any other prior administration to advance equity and inclusion for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians," said Interim Executive Director John Dawe of Kingston. "At our urging, he created the Pennsylvania lnteragency LGBT Working Group that brings together departments within the Commonwealth. From Aging and Health to Transportation and Veterans Affairs, leaders from these departments work with Equality Pennsylvania and other community organizations to improve services to LGBT Pennsylvanians and their families."

Pennsylvania remains the only state in the Northeastern United States that does not protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. There is also no federal law.

"In the face of attempts to stall non-discrimination legislation in Harrisburg, Governor Wolf took matters into his own hands by prohibiting any agency or entity that receives grants or contracts from the Commonwealth from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation, gender expression, and identity, among other areas," said Board President Mason Lane of Philadelphia.

Governor Wolf wrote in his endorsement request: "I recognize that the LGBTQ community deserves equal benefits and the same state services as everyone else, which is why I have fought to expand state health care benefits for LGBTQ employees. To that end, I am proud to have worked with Equality Pennsylvania to create the Interagency Working Group."

Dawe, who works with LGBTQ leaders from across the nation on state-focused advocacy, said the policies and infrastructure to advance LGBTQ rights in Pennsylvania has been an example for dozens of other states. "They see the commitment of Governor Wolf and use that to push their state's administration to do what is happening in Pennsylvania."

"We're facing an uphill battle, but we are excited to endorse Governor Wolf who will work tirelessly to safeguard what we have already achieved and to ensure that we continue to make our commonwealth more inclusive.  We are sure that Governor Wolf will continue to fight for the LGBTQ community. He has certainly earned our endorsement," Dawe added.

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