Philadelphia Passes Sweeping LGBT-Inclusive Reform (Penn: 2013, credit, tax credit)

[jay5835]

Nice. Now, how long until this comes to Pgh?

Philadelphia Passes Sweeping LGBT-Inclusive Reform | Advocate.com

A new piece of legislation aims to make Philadelphia one of the most LGBT-friendly cities in the world, according to Mayor Michael Nutter.

The bill, which Nutter signed into law Thursday, which mandates that all new or renovated city-owned buildings include gender-neutral restrooms in addition to men's and women's bathrooms, offers tax credits to companies that provide LGBT-inclusive employee benefits, amends the city's nondiscrimination ordinance to be inclusive of gender identity, and offers some relationship recognition rights for same-sex couples.
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Philadelphia Passes Sweeping LGBT-Inclusive Reform | Advocate.com

[Geeo]

This could probably come up in Peduto's first term once it begins in January. It helps that the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce was behind it, and it's probable that the business community here would also support.

The bigger issue is Pennsylvania wallowing as a backwater as the only northeastern state without marriage equality. That is an embarassment. With guys like Daryl Metcalf (R-Cranberry) in power, we may remain a backwater for some time.

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by Geeo

The bigger issue is Pennsylvania wallowing as a backwater as the only northeastern state without marriage equality. That is an embarassment. With guys like Daryl Metcalf (R-Cranberry) in power, we may remain a backwater for some time.

While I'm all for marriage equality & think the Philadelphia initiative is a good one (though the gender neutral bathrooms is a bit of a stretch), saying that 1 issue that directly effects a very small percentage of the population itself makes PA a wallowing backwater in general is a bit of a ridiculous assertion.

[AaronPGH]

Originally Posted by Geeo

The bigger issue is Pennsylvania wallowing as a backwater as the only northeastern state without marriage equality. That is an embarassment. With guys like Daryl Metcalf (R-Cranberry) in power, we may remain a backwater for some time.

Agreed. If PA doesn't solve the horrible gerrymandering job that has been stuck to us by the GOP soon, I don't have a lot of hope for state-wide improvements.

[steindle]

Originally Posted by UKyank

While I'm all for marriage equality & think the Philadelphia initiative is a good one (though the gender neutral bathrooms is a bit of a stretch), saying that 1 issue that directly effects a very small percentage of the population itself makes PA a wallowing backwater in general is a bit of a ridiculous assertion.

I mean... (a) This is certainly not the sole example of backwardness in the state of Pennsylvania. And (b) the estimate of gay population in the U.S. is something like 5-10%, I believe. Jewish people are about 2%, if I recall. If a state explicitly barred Jewish people from marriage... yeah, that would be a backwater. I don't see a massive distinction here, but I'm an unapologetic lefty.

[Geeo]

It affects more than just the gay community. Discrimination is bad for business and for everyone else. Companies want to hire the best people, and they will be at a disadvantage if those people don't want to live in a state without marriage equality when the neighboring state has it.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by UKyank

While I'm all for marriage equality & think the Philadelphia initiative is a good one (though the gender neutral bathrooms is a bit of a stretch), saying that 1 issue that directly effects a very small percentage of the population itself makes PA a wallowing backwater in general is a bit of a ridiculous assertion.

If you're a part of this minority group, though, as I happen to be, then it really sours your opinion on the Commonwealth in general when the electorate here has consistently elected admittedly homophobic people such as Metcalfe, Santorum, Corbett, etc. into positions of power.

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

If you're a part of this minority group, though, as I happen to be, then it really sours your opinion on the Commonwealth in general when the electorate here has consistently elected admittedly homophobic people such as Metcalfe, Santorum, Corbett, etc. into positions of power.

I agree absolutely, if I was directly affected this would be at the top of issues that concern me too; I was merely pointing out that any one issue doesn't make you a. 'backwater'; if that was the case then most of the rest of the planet would likewise be a 'backwater' as well

[pman]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

If you're a part of this minority group, though, as I happen to be, then it really sours your opinion on the Commonwealth in general when the electorate here has consistently elected admittedly homophobic people such as Metcalfe, Santorum, Corbett, etc. into positions of power.

metcalfe does not hold statewide office, santorum lost his, and corbett didn't run on it

[Clark Park]

Hey ... excuse a lurker from Philly joining in.

The positive pro-LGBT initiatives here in The City Of Brotherly Love And Sisterly Affection did not happen overnight. It took years of community organizating, political action, building alliances with other communities, education, activism. Many people are not aware that the very first gay rights demonstration in America took place in this city in 1965 ... four years before the Stonewall Uprising. We are either the first or second city in North America to have an LGBT-friendly senior affordable housing facility.

I've only been to The 'Burgh (what we Philly people call it) once years ago and was thoroughly impressed ... in fact your city is much more beautiful than ours because of it's topography and physical setting, and the people are friendlier and more polite. Your museums and cultural amenities would give credit to a much larger and more important city.

Here's an idea: let's do something to p-ss off Daryl Metcalfe royally!!!