Voters Guide
Candidates for US Senate, US Congress PA-16, PA Governor, and PA State House were asked about their positions on GLBT issues. Their responses appear below.
These were the questions for all candidates:
Anti-Discrimination
Do you support the passage of legislation such as the Equality Act, which would protect LGBT individuals from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodation? Please explain.
"Religious Freedom"
Do you support legislation such as the so-called First Amendment Defense Act (introduced in the US Senate in March of 2018) that would allow individuals, government officials or government agencies to deny providing goods and services to LGBT individuals because of religious beliefs. Please explain.
Other
What would you like to let the Erie area LGBT community to know?
Compiled by Michael Mahler
All candidates in a race are asked the same questions. Responses are entered as received, without any changes, including correction for typographical errors. Pertinent information that does not come directly from the candidate will use reliable and verifiable sources, and appears in italics with "Editors' note" preceding the quote.
US Senate
Not Responding: Lou Barletta (R), James J Christiana III (R)
Anti-Discrimination
Robert P Casey Jr (D-Incumbent)
I am a co-sponsor of the Equality Act.
"Religious Freedom"
Robert P Casey Jr (D-Incumbent)
No. While we are a nation that was founded on the rights of individuals to worship as they choose, it is unacceptable to discriminate against individuals or a minority group. Places which provide services to the public should accommodate LGBTQ individuals just as they serve every other person.
For example, I signed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in support of this position, as it relates to the Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. This case deals with this issue directly.
Other
Robert P Casey Jr (D-Incumbent)
I have long been a supporter of the LGBTQ community going back to my days as Pennsylvania's Auditor General, where I instituted the state government's first anti-discrimination policy that covered gender identity. I also called for the end of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the Defense of Marriage Act, and publicly supported marriage equality before Obergefell vs. Hodges established that same-sex couples had the fundamental right to marry..
One of my proudest moments as a Senator is when I recommended Judge Nitza Quinones Alejandro to serve as a federal judge in the Eastern District of PA. Judge Quinones Alejandro made history as the first LGBTQ Latina to serve on a federal bench. I will continue to actively seek diversity in appointments, in not only gender and race, but also look towards promoting qualified members of the LGBTQ community to positions where they can further enrich our communities.
During my time in office, the LGBTQ community has been a strong partner in fighting bullying in schools, cracking down on hate crimes, and pushing for non-discrimination legislation. I'd be honored to have the support of the Northwest PA LGBTQ community as we continue the work of securing civil rights for every Pennsylvanian.
Lou Barletta (R)
[Editors Note: We received no response from Mr Barletta, but are sharing his remarks about marriage equality:"the Supreme Court has no business redefining the basic definition of what marriage truly is. This ruling undermines the ability of states to govern themselves, and imposes fundamental beliefs from one state onto another." (quoted in PennLive.com June 26, 2015)
US Congress PA-16
Not Responding: Robert Multari (D), Mike Kelly (R-Incumbent)
Anti-Discrimination
Ron DiNicola (D)
Yes, I do support passage of the Equality Act. I also believe that all members of the LGBTQ+ community deserve equal treatment and I support the right to Constitutional right to marry as decided by the US Supreme Court in Obergefell v Hodges, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Safe Schools Improvement Act, the Student Non-Discrimination Act, the Tyler Clementi Education Anti-Harassment Act, and the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act.
Chris Rieger (D)
I would wholeheartedly support and co-sponsor the Equality Act, adding sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classifications under the Civil Rights Act. Business owners, landlords, employers, and proprietors of places of public accommodation should not be granted license to discriminate merely because the law is currently silent. The law should be amended to reflect advances we have made in the push for full equality.
"Religious Freedom"
Ron DiNicola (D)
No, I do not support the First Amendment Defense Act. This act is attempt to override the Obergefell v Hodges decision and would discriminate against LGBTQ+ people.
Chris Rieger (D)
I would not endorse or sponsor such legislation that would allow discrimination under the guise of religious belief and practice. The First Amendment prohibits government infringing on the free exercise of one's religious beliefs. It does not allow private citizens to use their religious beliefs to prejudice others in places of public accommodation.
Other
Ron DiNicola (D)
I want the Erie LGBTQ+ community to know that I will always fight against and oppose any policies and laws which try to roll back or restrict their rights. When I was the Chairman of the Erie County Democratic Party, I was one of the first public leaders to call for enactment of the Erie County Human Relations Commission.
Chris Rieger (D)
Our nation has made remarkable strides in the last 25 years in the push for equality for the LGBT community. Progress, however, has been slow in other areas, such as adoption rights, the moral repulsion of conversion therapy, and dealing with the tragic state of suicide among members of the community. If elected, the Erie LGBT community will always have a voice in Washington.
Mike Kelly (R- Incumbent)
[Editors Note: Rep. Kelly has never responded to our candidate surveys, but we would have provided information on his positions and remarks. In this guide we provide this excerpt from the Human Rights Campaign, regarding legislation which Kelly has introduced: "The Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act was introduced in the House of Representative by Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), and in the Senate by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) on April 4, 2017... There are no such safeguards against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.
"In the absence of such federal protections, the door has been left open for adoption or foster care providers to deny adoption or foster care placements with qualified, LGBTQ individuals or same-sex couples on the basis of their personal religious objections. The Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act would exacerbate this problem and deny LGBTQ people the few protections they have in states that have prohibited anti-LGBTQ discrimination in state funded child welfare programs and adoption and foster placement."~From "What is the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act? " Human Rights Campaign, Last Updated: April 20, 2017)
PA Governor
Not Responding: Laura Ellsworth (R), Paul Mango (R), Scott R Wagner (R)
Anti-Discrimination
Paul Mango (R)
[Ed. note: Paul Mango is characteriziing Sen. Scott Wagner's support of the antidiscrimination Senate Bill 1307 as Wagner's "bathroom bill". One of Mango's TV ads asserts "Wagner's bill puts our children's safety and privacy in jeopardy."]
Scott R Wagner (R)
[Ed. Note: Scott Wagner is a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 1307, which would have amended the state's Human Relations Act to include sexual orientation, gender identity/expression to the list of prohibited forms of discrimination in terms of housing and employment]
Thomas W Wolf (D-Incumbent)
Pennsylvania remains one of the only states in the country that does not protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination. From my first days in office, I've urged the General Assembly to pass the PA Fairness Act. This act would add protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to existing bans on discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation.
Despite broad, bipartisan support for the PA Fairness Act, the bills have been blocked from a vote in the General Assembly. In the face of this stalled legislation, I took matters into my own hands by signing two executive orders that prohibit any agency under my jurisdiction, or any entity that receives grants or contracts from the commonwealth from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation, gender expression, and identity, and gender identity and expression, among other areas.
I also 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. These protections and benefits will greatly expand the economic and social well being of the LGBTQ community.
I will continue to push for passage of the PA Fairness Act and will explore all other potential avenues to further protect the rights of the LGBTQ community.
"Religious Freedom"
Thomas W Wolf (D-Incumbent)
I do not support the First Amendment Defense Act. LGBTQ people have a fundamental right to be protected from discrimination in all areas of life. I am committed to continuing my fight for these protections and I will oppose any legislation that threatens the rights of the LGBTQ community.
Other
Thomas W Wolf (D-Incumbent)
Long before I was Governor, I stood up for full marriage equality because I strongly believe that government should not be in the businesses of denying two people who love each other the right to enter into a marriage and enjoy the love and benefits that come with it.
PA State House District 1
Anti-Discrimination
Pat Harkins (D-Incumbent)
I have always supported equal rights for all and proudly co sponsored and will vote for passage of HB 300 when it comes before the house for a vote.
"Religious Freedom"
Pat Harkins (D-Incumbent)
While that is a federal piece of legislation and I have no vote on it at this time, I would oppose it if something similar were to land in the Pa house. In my opinion these kinds of legislation are devisive and simply add to more discrimination in society.
Other
Pat Harkins (D-Incumbent)
In my twelve years in the legislature I have worked tirelessly, introduced legislation, held hearings and co sponsored legislation dealing with workers rights, anti bullying and fairness for all. Going forward I will continue to advocate for issues that impact everyone in a positive way in society. I have always been a supporter of LGBT and will continue to be.
PA State House District 2
Not Responding: Timothy P Kuzma (R), Laban A Marsh (R)
Anti-Discrimination
Jay Breneman (D)
Yes, but more than this I will sponsor and vigorously support and defend every piece of legislation that will secure justice and equity for our LGBTQIAP+ citizens in all aspects of life and livelihood.
Rick Filippi (D)
I completely support the Equality Act and other similar legislation which would protect the LGBT community in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodations. Further, I support civil unions and the right for people to be free to live their lives without prejudice and discrimination, particularly in the areas where the government has an interest in protecting our citizens.
Bob Merski (D)
Yes. Equality is a right, not a privilege. No one should be denied housing, employment, or access to basic necessities because of their sexual or gender identity.
"Religious Freedom"
Jay Breneman (D)
Absolutely not. I will use every resource at my disposal to protect the rights and humanity of all our citizens in all realms including the market place and when accessing government services. Anything less would be a denial of equality.
Rick Filippi (D)
I would totally and completely oppose any legislation such as the so-called "First Amendment Defense Act." It is nothing more than government sanctioned discrimination against our citizens.
Bob Merski (D)
No. The First Amendment was designed to protect the people from tyranny and governmental action; it is not a tool for discrimination.
Other
Jay Breneman (D)
I have been and always will be an ally who will go to any lengths to secure protections, fairness, and equality. I am not just looking for your support or your vote, I am asking for you to work with me in the years ahead so that we can tackle substantive and lasting change. You can learn more about me by going to www.JayBreneman.org or by calling or texting me at 814-580-VOTE. Together we will give Erie a true progressive voice in Harrisburg.
Rick Filippi (D)
Many of you know me. As Mayor of the City of Erie I worked to end entrenched discrimination at City Hall. Against many odds, I fought to modernize the civil service testing system for the City's police and Fire Departments to obtain even a small amount of diversity. We were unfortunately unsuccessful and the problem remains as appalling as ever with disgraceful numbers of minorities in both Departments. As a lawyer, I have handled many civil rights cases resulting from primarily employment discrimination. As your state legislator in the 2nd District, I will continue the advocacy of all of our citizens' rights to equal protection under the law.
Bob Merski (D)
My wife and I strive to be allies to the LGBT community and to all communities that have historically been marginalized.
PA State House District 3
Anti-Discrimination
Ryan Bizzarro (D-Incumbent)
Yes, I would support legislation like the Equality Act. People's sexual orientation and gender identity should not be discriminated against in housing, employment, nor public accommodation. Gender and sexuality unfold in each person naturally. That there is a diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities is something to be celebrated and responsibly nurtured. In a free society, like ours, laws should enumerate what the Constitution enshrines: that all people are created equal, each with inalienable human rights. As a country we have not always lived into our stated ideals of liberty and equality. The historic discrimination of LGBT people is a tragic part of our nation's story. But our movement towards full equality is a testament to the best of what we can be, together.
"Religious Freedom"
Ryan Bizzarro (D-Incumbent)
I do not support legislation like the First Amendment Defense Act. The United States Constitution enshrines freedom of belief, not absolute accommodation of personal conscience. That is an important distinction. When personal conscience is exercised in such a way that it harms or discriminates against others in the public square, it violates who we are as American citizens. In truth, there is a reason we distinguish between public and private organizations. In public spaces, we all agree to pursue equality not by religious laws or doctrines, but by the principles of the Constitution. Very specifically, that means we do not impose our religious or philosophical beliefs (or standards) on others when providing goods or services to the public. Faith communities are free to believe and practice what they do within their sacred spaces. But when theology becomes civil law, we become the very thing democracy resists: theocracy and tyranny.
Other
Ryan Bizzarro (D-Incumbent)
I want the greater Erie region to know that I support full equality for LGBT people. As I talk to people throughout the Commonwealth, it strikes me that many people just assume that LGBT people have equal protection under the law. That, we know, is not true. In order to move equality measures forward, Pennsylvania needs to elect more LGBT-supporting people to every branch of government. So long as LGBT-friendly elected officials are in the minority, like in the House and Senate, our advocacy and voting efforts do not make it into civil law. It is for that reason, that I not only humbly ask for your support, but I also ask that we work together to change the face of government in its entirety. Pennsylvania can and should be a place of full equality for LGBT people. Only by getting out the vote will we make that happen.
PA State House District 4
Not Responding: Curt Sonney (R-Incumbent)
PA State House District 5
Not Responding: Brad Roae (R-Incumbent)
Videos
Paul Mango anti LGBT ad - Posted Apr 23, 2018
