LGBT rights in Pennsylvania

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== LGBT Rights in Pennsylvania ==

LGBT rights in Pennsylvania have evolved significantly over the years. Pennsylvania, known as the "Keystone State," has seen a gradual shift towards greater acceptance and legal recognition of LGBT individuals and their rights.

Legal Status[edit | edit source]

Same-Sex Sexual Activity[edit | edit source]

Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Pennsylvania since 1980. The state repealed its sodomy laws, which had criminalized consensual same-sex relations.

Same-Sex Marriage[edit | edit source]

Same-sex marriage became legal in Pennsylvania on May 20, 2014, following the decision in the case of Whitewood v. Wolf. The ruling by Judge John E. Jones III declared the state's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, making Pennsylvania the 19th state to legalize same-sex marriage.

Adoption and Parenting[edit | edit source]

Same-sex couples in Pennsylvania have the right to adopt children. The state allows both joint adoption and second-parent adoption, ensuring that LGBT individuals and couples have the same parenting rights as their heterosexual counterparts.

Anti-Discrimination Protections[edit | edit source]

Pennsylvania does not have a comprehensive statewide law that explicitly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, several municipalities, including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg, have enacted local ordinances that provide such protections.

Employment[edit | edit source]

In the absence of statewide protections, LGBT individuals in Pennsylvania are protected under federal law. The Supreme Court of the United States ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) determined that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is a form of sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Housing and Public Accommodations[edit | edit source]

Similar to employment protections, housing and public accommodation protections for LGBT individuals are provided at the local level in various municipalities. These local ordinances prohibit discrimination in housing, public accommodations, and other areas.

Hate Crimes[edit | edit source]

Pennsylvania's hate crime laws do not explicitly include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. However, efforts have been made to amend the state's hate crime statutes to include these categories.

Conversion Therapy[edit | edit source]

Several municipalities in Pennsylvania have banned conversion therapy for minors. These bans prohibit licensed mental health professionals from engaging in practices aimed at changing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity.

Public Opinion[edit | edit source]

Public opinion in Pennsylvania has shifted significantly in favor of LGBT rights over the past few decades. Polls indicate growing support for same-sex marriage and anti-discrimination protections among the state's residents.

Related Pages[edit | edit source]

Categories[edit | edit source]

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