LGBT Protection Requested in Gettysburg Borough

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Local resident Chad-Alan Carr, founder and president of Gettysburg Pride, and Jason Landau Goodman, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Youth Congress, asked the Gettysburg Borough Council to enact citizen protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity at the borough council meeting on Monday night.

091419 1438 ResidentsRe1

Carr said when he was given a key to the city from Mayor Streeter he was told that key would “open any door.” Carr asked the borough to “allow this key to open the door to dialog to LGBT protection in the borough. Eyes are on us; We need a policy,” he said.

Goodman said there is no state law protecting people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, so local governments in the state have stepped up.

Goodman pointed out that 20 states and many other localities in Pennsylvania have already passed such legislation.

Goodman said legislation would send a strong signal to Harrisburg while protecting residents, workers, and tourists right now.

“In a small town, perception is everything,” said Carr. By taking a step forward you as a borough council would be saying all are welcome here and we will not allow discrimination,” he said.

In reply to the request, borough council president Susan Naugle said “We do see Gettysburg as a welcoming community,” and that the council would schedule a conversation on the issue for a future meeting.

Councilmember Patti Lawson said she felt pride when she saw Gettysburg Pride Week.

Councilmember Wes Heyser asked whether the U.S. Fair Housing Act of 1968 already protected people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Goodman replied the interpretation of that act changed over time. “Nothing is guaranteed until it’s specifically put into the statute; we need to have these specific classes spelled out,” he said.

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Charles (Chuck) Stangor is Gettysburg Connection's Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief. I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at cstangor@gettysburgconnection.org.

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