PENNSYLVANIA: Over 100 Lawmakers Cosponsor Broad LGBT Rights Bills

Over one hundred Pennsylvania legislators have cosponsored bills that will extend housing and workplace anti-discrimination protections to LGBT citizens. The bills have 77 sponsors in the House and 25 in the Senate.

The bills will end the last vestige of legal discrimination in Pennsylvania, "discrimination based on an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression," said Rep. Dan Frankel, a Pittsburgh-area Democrat. "I'm pleased to announce that, for the first time, these bills will be introduced at the same time with prime sponsors from both parties," he said. One-hundred members of the General Assembly, a record number that represents all corners of the state, sponsored the bills, Frankel said. The widespread support stems from the fact that ending discrimination based on sexual orientation is not a partisan issue, according to Rep. Chris Ross, R-Chester.

Openly gay state Rep. Brian Sims spoke at a press conference announcing the legislation: "On days like today — with the type of equality advocates, activists and warriors that I am joined by on stage — we show once again that the American spirit, the American dream and, most importantly, the American values demand that we as a commonwealth finally evolve." (Via Towleroad)