New Hope PA passes trans inclusive anti-discrimination ordinance
From: PAGenderRights@aol.com
Contact: Mara Keisling (mara@keisling.com)

NEW HOPE, PA, September 10, 2002

Tonight the Borough Council in New Hope Pennyslvania became the newest
municipality to take a stand against discrimination and pass an
anti-disrimination ordinance that protects people based on both their gender
identity (with gender expression appropriately included in the definition)
and sexual orientation. The vote was unanimous. (One member was absent.)

The Council President, Richard Hirchfeld, noted that the aim of the ordinance
was not just to protect people, but to send a message to other municiaplities
that this type of protection should be implemented everywhere. In addition
to passing, Ordinance 2002-4, the Council strongly "put our money where our
mouth is," by passing a resolution amending all Borough personnel policies to
conform to the new law. Additionally, they authorized letters to be sent
from the Council and Mayor to all "local, state and federal representatives
of the borough" encouraging them to adopt anti-discrimination protections
based on gender identity and sexual orientation at those levels.

The Council and the Mayor made as strong a statement of support for our
rights as was possible. Even the police chief testified during the public
comment period about how important the new law was and how proud he was to
live in New Hope because of its commitment to diversity. The Mayor and the
six present council members even attended the post-vote party at a local
restaurant.

No one spoke in oppostion to the ordinance.

The effort was led by Councilperson Geri Delevich, though clearly every
member of the Council deserves our thanks.

On the activist side of the equation, special thanks need to go to Doug Shaps
of Outfront (and other members of Outfront such as our own Kathy Padilla),
Stacy Sobel of the Center for Lesbian and gay Civil Rights. These individuals
and groups have worked tirelessly on this and several other local
ordinances--including the recently passed Philadelphia ordinance--insisting
and insuring that in each case transgender people were included in the
process and the result. And thanks to Kathy Copelin of the Human Rights
Campaign.

Because of all these folks and others, more specifically
transgender-inclusive ordinances have passed this year than in any other year
to date. Also Pennsylvania has more municipalities in which we are protected
(7) than any other state. (California is second with five.)

And the year is not over yet.

Expect at least one more local ordinance to be passed this year in
Pennsylvania.

Any one who is interested in having a local non-discrimination ordinance
passed in your local area, please contact us and we will provide you with
contacts as well as technical assistance (organizing, legal, testimony, etc.)
and support. Whatever you need.

Things are really going well for us this year in Pennsylvania. Let's keep it
rolling.