PA LGBTQ Advocates Release Landmark Statewide Legislative Agenda

HARRISBURG, Pa. - PA's only Pennsylvania-based statewide LGBTQ advocacy organization in Harrisburg released its second comprehensive LGBTQ legislative agenda. The LGBTQ Legislative Agenda from the Pennsylvania Youth Congress (PYC) provides a robust narrative on 21 specific priority areas for the General Assembly to advance LGBTQ equality, equity, and inclusion across the commonwealth. In total, 45 individual bills are recommended for introduction this coming session in both the House and Senate. PYC's first legislative agenda was released in December 2019.

Over 750,000 LGBTQ Pennsylvanians live across every community in our commonwealth. Many face serious, compounding inequities and disparities that result in devastating outcomes. Preventing and addressing violence and discrimination are among the highest priorities in the legislative agenda. The first nondiscrimination bill for sexual orientation was introduced in 1976, and bills for both gender identity and sexual orientation have been introduced every session since 2003. Though explicitly LGBTQ-inclusive local nondiscrimination protections now cover 38% of Pennsylvania's population, a majority do not have them. While nondiscrimination protections would provide a major impact in improving and saving the lives of LGBTQ Pennsylvanians, numerous other policies are critically needed. The legislative agenda details other key issues that deal with hate crimes and a conversion therapy ban for minors, but also issues that do not often get large-scale public attention, like instituting protocols for transgender individuals in state prisons and county jails, prohibiting nonconsensual surgeries on intersex children, and reforming vital document processes like death certificates.

Preston Heldibridle, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Youth Congress, said, "The time is now for the General Assembly to come together to advance legislation helping everyone in our communities thrive with equal protection under the law. We recognize that with a divided government, legislation explicitly impacting LGBTQ Pennsylvanians has a tough road ahead. Yet, we must persist in moving forward conversations with legislators about the devastating results of the General Assembly's inaction on the lives of LGBTQ Pennsylvanians. Providing this education is critical to helping shift more lawmakers and members of the public to truly understand the urgency of enacting responsible public policy impacting LGBTQ people. We refuse to let those who wish for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians to be extinguished from public life dominate the headlines in Harrisburg. While they introduce cruel bills meant to rile up folks on the fringe, we will be more coordinated than ever before in promoting sensible reforms for our economy, safety, education, and health."

The report additionally includes details on four state budget priorities and two points on visibility related to resolutions and LGBTQ inclusion on the state Capitol grounds. Following the narrative sections, there is a full checklist of the bills PYC recommends the introduction and passage of. Of the 90 total bills highlighted for introduction, only 53 were introduced in the previous 2023-2024 legislative session. PYC encourages returning lawmakers to reintroduce legislation they have championed before, and for new General Assembly members to come forward to work with advocates in ensuring the additional 37 bills are filed in the new session.

The Pennsylvania LGBTQ Legislative Agenda is available on PYC's website here: https://payouthcongress.org/legislativeagenda/

In the 2023-2024 legislative session, 71 bills and nine resolutions were introduced that would have had a positive impact on LGBTQ Pennsylvanians, and 14 bills were introduced that would have harmed LGBTQ Pennsylvanians. Of those LGBTQ-related bills introduced last session, six positive bills and two resolutions were passed by the state House, and two anti-LGBTQ bills were passed by the state Senate. For the 11th consecutive legislative session, no substantive LGBTQ legislation was enacted into law by the General Assembly. Two years ago, HB 2125 was signed into law on as Act 73 of 2022, which removed 'homosexuality' from the crimes code. While removing any negative law is vital, it is not the same as establishing affirmative protections for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians.

PYC will continue to feature an LGBTQ legislative tracker on its website this session here: https://payouthcongress.org/legislationtracker/

The Pennsylvania LGBTQ Legislative Agenda is being shared with members of the General Assembly and Governor's office.

The new agenda was informed by issues raised at the nine State of LGBTQ+ Pennsylvania Town Halls hosted by PYC in October and November 2024, and through recent meetings of the Pennsylvania Coalition of LGBTQ Organizations, a network of over 50 LGBTQ community organizations facilitated by PYC.

PYC will soon announce the distribution of new local government LGBTQ policy guides for county commissioners, municipal government officials, and school boards to advance LGBTQ inclusion.

The Pennsylvania Youth Congress advances freedom and justice for young LGBTQ Pennsylvanians by advocating for responsible public policy. Established in 2011, PYC represents citizens working toward safer schools and thriving communities across the commonwealth. PYC is PA's only Pennsylvania-based statewide LGBTQ advocacy organization headquartered in Harrisburg.

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