Pennsylvania officials push to protect LGBTQ rights

(WHTM) — Pennsylvania was once first in the nation when it comes to protecting the rights of LGBTQ citizens. The problem is, advocates say, that it was 50 years ago, and the Commonwealth has fallen far behind.

This anniversary is a significant milestone in the LGBTQ civil rights movement in both Pennsylvania and the nation.

Fifty years ago, Milton Shapp, Pennsylvania’s first Jewish Governor, signed an executive order protecting state workers from sexual orientation discrimination. Pennsylvania was the first state in the nation to grant such protections.

Years later, is Pennsylvania still the pinnacle of protecting LGBTQ rights?

“Certainly not first in the nation, and I’d argue we’re pretty far behind,” said Rep. Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny County). “That to me is sad.”

Since Shapp’s executive order, no governor has signed an actual law protecting the LGBTQ community from being fired or denied housing because of their orientation.

“It’s a piece of legislation that’s been introduced over and over,” said Rep. Benham.

The House passed the Fairness Act bipartisanly last session, but the Republican-controlled Senate didn’t move it and declined to comment as to why.

“This is absolutely a no-brainer because this is a Commonwealth that honors dignity, freedom, work, to be honest,” said Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El (D-Lancaster County). “To be honest, I love talking to you, but I don’t know why we’re even having this conversation. We should have passed this bill before I got to be a legislator, so we can get to real complicated problems.”

Many might wonder if a law is necessary. In 2025, are folks really being fired or kicked out of their homes for being LGBTQ?

“Yes, they are,” said Mark Segal, an LGBTQ activist. “They still are. I get calls from people literally sometimes crying, saying, ‘I lost my job. They found out I’m gay, and I’m being thrown out. Where do I go?’ I still get those calls today, 50 years later. That’s what the Fairness Act would change.”

Interestingly, Milton Shapp was not ‘Milton Shapp.’ He was born Milton Shapiro, but he changed his name, in fear of anti-semitism.