Voters Guide
Candidates for US Congress PA-16, PA State Senate, and PA State House were asked about their positions on GLBT issues. Their responses appear below. Please note that Pennsylvania's Primary Election was rescheduled for Tuesday, June 2. For the first time, ALL voters can request an absentee ballot, which can be applied for online. Applications for absentee ballots are due by May 26, and all completed ballots must be physically received by the County's Board Of Elections by no later than June 2 at 8 PM. We strongly encourage everyone to apply for and vote via absentee ballot!
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.
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. </p
US Congress PA 16
Not Responding: Mike Kelly (R-Incumbent)
Anti-Discrimination
Kristy Gnibus (D)
Yes, I support the Equality Act. Our federal law still does not specifically and explicitly prohibit the termination of an individual's employment based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally, LGBT tenants are often evicted from their homes due to an overzealous landlord's dislike of their tenant's choice of a partner and LGBT students are mistreated and bullied in schools across our nation every day. There should be no question as to an LGBT citizen's rights under the law and each passing day without our government instituting these explicit protections is another day that our nation fails to recognize true equality.
"Religious Freedom"
Kristy Gnibus (D)
No, I do not support such legislation because it would rollback critical legal protections for LGBT Americans and their families. The First Amendment Defense Act is destructive legislation that would, in essence, legalize state-sanctioned discrimination and weaken important civil rights protections for our nation's LGBT population.
PA State Senate District 49
Anti-Discrimination
Andre Horton (D)
Yes, I would support the introduction and passage of this legislation at the state and federal level. I have successfully supported the inclusion of sex, sexual orientation and gender identity in the County's Human Relations Ordinance. The categories of sexual orientation and gender orientation are currently not included in the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
It is wrong to ask people if they are a part of one of these protected classes before making a job offer or offering services. I have sponsored legislation like this already and am proud to have appointed a trans woman to the human relations advisory board. Additionally, I support legislation amending the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act so that it prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
Julie Slomski (D)
For far too long, the LGBTQ+ community has been left unprotected by Pennsylvania law. It is frustrating that in this day and age someone could lose their job or housing because of who they are or who they love. It is unacceptable to me that discrimination is still codified in our commonwealth, and as the next Senator for SD-49, I would be honored to introduce and support legislation to end discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community.
Dan Laughlin (R-Incumbent)
I am supportive of the Equality Act.
"Religious Freedom"
Andre Horton (D)
No, I would oppose the introduction or passage of this type of legislation in the PA Assembly, local or Federal government. First Amendment Defense Acts (FADAs) allow people that hold certain religious beliefs about marriage to discriminate against others who don't fit into their religious beliefs about marriage. FADAs distort the meaning of religious freedom as a way to discriminate against others. Such legislation would be disastrous as LGBT individuals could be denied assistance from government employees (causing denial of access to food, shelter, and basic services) and for-profit businesses (affecting access to sick pay and fair housing practices, for example). As an African American man, I know what it's like to be discriminated against and to be locked out of employment. As past president of the NAACP I've handled employee complaints, worked closely with the state human-relations commission and the EEOC. I know all too often that discrimination is alive and well in Pennsylvania. We don't need unneccessary and restrictive policies such as FADAs to empower discrimination.
Julie Slomski (D)
To deny service on the basis of sexual orientation or identity is discrimination. While this has been addressed on a federal level, we need to be proactive in Pennsylvania to end discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, regardless of its form.
Dan Laughlin (R-Incumbent)
I would not support the FADA
PA State House District 1
Anti-Discrimination
Pat Harkins (D Incumbent)
I do support legislation such as the Equality Act. In past sessions I have not only co sponsored legislation but I have held public hearings in Erie so the public can hear what is contained in the legislation and hear how it might affect them. I believe it is the right of all to be treated fairly and equally in all matters especially housing, employment and public accommodation. Bottom line, treat others the way you would want to be treated.
"Religious Freedom"
Pat Harkins (D Incumbent)
I would never support anything like the First Amendment Defense Act and I believe our founding fathers would turn over in their graves if they would see what some people would like to do to the constitution they so brilliantly crafted.
Call these proposals what they are, hate speech. Closed minded people who have a fear of the unknown are who come up with these ideas. In 2020 I would hope we could get beyond judging people for who they love and accept the differences in all of us. We have much deeper issues we should be dealing with at this point in society.
PA State House District 2
Not Responding: Bob Merski (D Incumbent)
PA State House District 3
Anti-Discrimination
Ryan Bizzarro (D Incumbent)
Yes, I absolutely support legislation such as the Equality Act. One of the cardinal pillars of our Constitutional Republic is equal treatment under the law in the public square. To deny anyone employment, housing, or public accommodation due to (assumed or actual) sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression is a very clear transgression of one of our most cherished principles of equality. Private institutions and organizations that do not accept tax dollars are free to do as they will under their own roofs (for better or worse), but in our shared society that belongs to all citizens, LGBTQ people should not be denied equal access to employment, housing, or public accommodation.
"Religious Freedom"
Ryan Bizzarro (D Incumbent)
I am opposed to any legislation that dares to cloak discrimination in the name of religious freedom. The U.S. Constitution very clearly grants everyone freedom of conscience/belief. However, freedom of conscience does not translate into an unqualified freedom of accommodation. One is not free to use their private beliefs to infringe upon the rights of others, nor to cause them harm. To that end, whether as elected officials, or as people hired to serve, government positions are not domains to impose religious beliefs. What is more, tax funded services managed by private organizations do not have the right to impose narrow religious beliefs upon government funded projects. As a person of faith, I am deeply committed to protecting and exercising the freedom of religion in this country. However, I am not confused about what that means-and I am not interested in participating in any legislative effort that would use religion as a tool of discrimination in our shared society or in our rule of law.
PA State House District 4
Not Responding: Curt Sonney (R Incumbent)
PA State House District 6
Not Responding: Brad Roae (R Incumbent)
Anti-Discrimination
Matthew Ferrence (D)
Simply put, that PA currently fails to fully protect the fundamental Civil Rights of the LGBTQ community is an affront to human decency and the values of the Commonwealth. There's no doubt that strong legislation prohibiting any kind of discrimination due to sexuality or gender identity is long overdue in Pennsylvania. While I certainly hope that members of the US Congress will pass the federal Equality Act, as a candidate for the Pennsylvania House I believe we need protections written into our own state laws. We can't wait for the feds. Too many people are suffering discrimination here in NWPA and across the state. We must act to ensure equity and justice.
"Religious Freedom"
Matthew Ferrence (D)
Hiding discrimination behind the thin veil of "religious freedom" devalues us all, and this kind of hateful legislation perniciously insults American concepts of freedom and justice to codify bigotry. Freedom of religion does not give license for discriminatory practice against members of the LGBTQ community. While religious freedom guarantees individuals the right to practice their faith, it does not imply that religious belief can be used as a cover to deny the Civil Rights of others. I would vehemently oppose any legislation similar to the deceptively-titled "First Amendment Defense Act" in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
PA State House District 17
Not Responding: Parke Wentling (R Incumbent)
Anti-Discrimination
Jeff O'Melian (D)
Of course I do!
"Religious Freedom"
Jeff O'Melian (D)
Being a Buddhist myself, I strongly support the 1st Amendment.
