State Rep. Dan Frankel (D-23rd Dist.) released a video for the “It Gets Better” project this week, becoming the first state lawmaker in Pennsylvania to do so.
Frankel is the lead sponsor of HB 300, which seeks to amend the state’s nondiscrimination law to include sexual orientation and gender identity as classes protected from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations.
In his one-minute video, Frankel references the measure and its broad support, speaking directly to struggling LGBT youth.
“You are not alone. There are adults who care and want to help. There are more supportive people than you may think, even in small towns and rural areas. Seven out of 10 Pennsylvanians think it should be illegal to fire someone just for being gay or transgender, and many communities around the state have already made that the law for their area.”
Frankel noted that while he doesn’t expect his bill to become law overnight, he pledged “it will happen.”
The bill is set to come up for a hearing before the House Democratic Policy Committee Sept. 19.