Gov. Wolf Supports Fairness Act, Highlights Need for LGBTQIA+ Protections Under State Law

Harrisburg, PA - June 15, 2021- Governor Tom Wolf joined state lawmakers and members of the LGBTQIA+ community to reintroduce the Fairness Act. The Fairness Act is bipartisan legislation that extends non-discrimination provisions in state law to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender expression or identity.

"This legislation is long overdue in our commonwealth and will provide needed protections to members of our LGBTQIA+ community," Gov. Wolf said. "As public servants, we have a duty to all of our constituents, to ensure that their rights are protected, and their interests are served. It is past time for our commonwealth to stop ignoring this infringement on the rights of LGBTQ Pennsylvanians and pass the Fairness Act."

While some nondiscrimination protections exist at the municipal, state and federal levels to protect gender identity or expression and sexual orientation, there is no comprehensive nondiscrimination protection that covers employment, housing and public accommodations.