Issue Position: LGBT Equality

Issue Position

Steve is an avid supporter of LGBT rights in the Commonwealth. One of the first things he did after assuming office was to join the LGBT Equality Caucus in Harrisburg. Steve worked side by side with other progressives and allies of equality to promote fairness for all of Pennsylvania's citizens.

With national momentum for equality and protections for the LGBT community, Steve, and his fellow colleagues kept pushing for the only right and decent thing to do here in our own Commonwealth. In early 2013, Steve co-sponsored legislation introduced by Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) HB300 that would make discrimination against a member of the LGBT community illegal.

It's outrageous that in the year 2016 a person can be fired from their job or evicted from their apartment for simply being a member or a perceived member of the LGBT community. Although, this bill has been introduced in previous terms, for the first time it is now incredibly close to garnering the necessary amount of support in both chambers for possible passage.

After the U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down the Federal "Defense of Marriage Act', Steve partnered with State Rep. Brian Sims (D-Philadelphia) during the 2013-2014 Legislative Session to introduce HB1686 that would allow for Marriage Equality in the Commonwealth. This bill would repeal Pennsylvania's version of the Federal "Defense of Marriage Act' and remove Pennsylvania from the role of interfering in the love between two people. Steve has co-sponsored legislation to deal with bullying in our schools.

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