PA Senate Committee Advances LGBT Anti-Discrimination Bill
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- A bill that would provide protection to members of the LGBT community in housing and employment cleared a Senate committee Wednesday.
The state Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee approved a bill that would add sexual orientation, gender identity or expression to the list of things for which discrimination in housing and employment is prohibited.
Ted Martin, executive director of Equality Pennsylvania, says legislation like this made it through a state House committee several years ago, but this time, it appears the bill has legs.
"I think that there is more momentum. I think that the world has changed. I think legislators are looking at this issue much more seriously and more fully. And I think that they've learned the LGBT community in many ways, because people have gotten to know folks, they've talked to people. And I think that's all important."
Martin says he's optimistic for passage of the bill in the full Senate but a spokeswoman for the majority leader says it's unclear if a vote will be taken before lawmakers' scheduled summer recess.