Without state law, Pa. towns tackle anti-gay bias

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania state lawmaker who has long championed a bill to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity says he’s optimistic for its chances in the future.

Allegheny County state Rep. Dan Frankel’s bill attracted a record 71 co-sponsors, including two Republicans, and even passed narrowly out of the State Government Committee. But it again died at the end of the most recent legislative session.

Some local municipalities and counties are acting in the absence of legislative action. So far 18 have passed their own local human relations ordinances, and about a dozen are actively considering it.

The issue’s arisen most recently in the Philadelphia suburbs, where Doylestown passed an ordinance in August and the Lower Merion Township commissioners adopted one earlier this month.