On Thursday, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf is expected to issue executive orders that seek to close gaps created by the state legislature’s lack of action on LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination legislation.
State law prohibits discrimination in public and private sectors on the basis of such factors as religion and race but efforts to include LGBT protections have long stalled. Wolf told a Pittsburgh radio station Wednesday he will issue an executive order to prohibit LGBT discrimination in state contracting. He will also re-issue an order adopted by former governors banning LGBT discrimination in state hiring.
Wolf did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“Though these are important steps in banning some discrimination in the workplace, LGBT Pennsylvanians still face discrimination in private industry, in housing and business services,” said Equality Pennsylvania executive director Ted Martin. “These executive orders underscore the need for comprehensive nondiscrimination legislation, and we encourage the legislature to act on the Fairness Act.”
Gov. Milton Shapp first instated an order in 1975 banning sexual-orientation discrimination against state employees, which Gov. Ed Rendell extended in 2003 to include gender identity.