City Council last week unanimously voted on a bill to strengthen penalties for local businesses that discriminate.
Councilman Derek Green introduced the bill in November to amend the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations Fair Practices Ordinance, giving PCHR authority to issue cease-and-desist orders to businesses found to have violated the nondiscrimination ordinance. Green was not immediately available for comment but told PGN last month he introduced the bill based on attending an Oct. 25 PCHR hearing in which community members discussed instances of racism and discrimination they experienced in the Gayborhood. Additionally, the councilman cited news accounts and conversations with friends and contacts in the LGBT community.
In an email, mayoral spokesperson Ajeenah Amir said Mayor Jim Kenney plans to sign the bill, the last step needed before it can go into effect.
PCHR Executive Director Rue Landau told PGN investigations would be conducted on a case-by-case basis to determine when PCHR would file cease-and-desist orders, and the length of time a business would have to cease operations.
“Under extreme circumstances, the commission can utilize this power, whether it’s employment, housing or places of public accommodations,” Landau said.
Frank Iannuzzi, the legislative director for Green, said the bill would work to not only prevent discrimination but also to urge businesses to “embrace their obligation to serve the public, employ people and lease their properties fairly.”
“Our hope is that the more significant penalty being added on — at a time when attention has returned to this ongoing issue of discrimination — that businesses [will] take the opportunity to be proactive about addressing not just explicit discrimination but also latent and inadvertent discrimination, both among their employees and at the level of their business practices,” Iannuzzi said.
City Director of LGBT Affairs Amber Hikes said the Office of LGBT Affairs was “honored” to testify in support of the bill at a Health and Human Services committee hearing last month. While her office does not have the jurisdiction to carry out the bill’s provisions, Hikes noted, “the Office of LGBT Affairs, as always, will support PCHR’s efforts and aid them in addressing the specific needs of the LGBT community.”
“The beauty of this bill is that its reach stretches far beyond the LGBT community,” Hikes said in an email to PGN. “It touches all Philadelphians as a declaration that discrimination does not belong here. For LGBT people in particular, this legislation comes at an essential time when individuals throughout our community are calling for action, leadership and a clear response to the challenges posed by racism, discrimination and prejudice. Councilman Green’s bill is both symbolic and substantive as a demonstration that our legislators are listening and in solidarity with LGBT Philadelphians. That is both inspiring and encouraging as we continue to work hard for the liberation of our entire community.”