Today, City Council unanimously passed a bill that would make permanent the Mayor’s Office of LGBT Affairs. This was the final hurdle the bill faced in Council.
The bill, introduced by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, now moves to Mayor Michael Nutter’s desk to be signed. Nutter has previously endorsed the legislation.
“To a community who too often faces discrimination, it is imperative for them to have a direct line to the mayor and City Council,” Reynolds Brown said. “Making this office permanent sends a continued message that, while we have more work to do, we are absolutely up to the challenge.”
Once signed, voters in the November general election must then ratify the bill.
The ballot question Philadelphians would be asked to consider is: “Shall The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to establish and define the functions of the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Affairs, headed by a Director of LGBT Affairs?”
The measure would essentially make the office immune to closure by any future mayoral administrations.
“I am extremely proud of the bill passed today by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown and her colleagues, and grateful for her continued dedication to making Philadelphia a city that values and protects all of its citizens,” said Helen Fitzpatrick, director of the Office of LGBT Affairs. “Today’s bill is an opportunity for Philadelphia to continue to lead the nation toward equality for all. The bill represents far more than a change to the charter. It symbolizes our ongoing commitment as a city, and as a society, to the equal and fair treatment of our LGBT citizens.”
Nutter created the office in 2008 and named Gloria Casarez the first director. The office was designed to serve as a conduit between the LGBT community and City Hall. Casarez died this past fall and, during her tenure, she coordinated outreach among LGBT community members, the police department and the District Attorney’s Office, launched the raising of the rainbow flag to commemorate LGBT History Month and represented LGBT interests in legislative and policy matters.
Fitzpatrick took over the post early this year.