Pennsylvania Could Debate A Non-Discrimination Law For LGBTQ People

Pennsylvania may be on the verge of banning discrimination against LGBTQ people.

The adoption process has been difficult, very lengthy and very costly for LGBTQ people in New Jersey so far. A bill has been approved to facilitate access to adoption for LGBTQ parents who have used donor genetic material to have a child.

The Democratic Party regained the majority of both houses in Virginia in the 2019 election. A few days ago, five pro-LGBTQ bills were introduced to the legislators.

At 55, Laurie Jinkins became the first woman and also the first lesbian Speaker of the Washington House of Representatives. Elected last year, she took office on January 14, 2020. She succeeds Representative Frank Chopp.

Here’s another victory to add to the list of LGBTQ rights in the first month of 2020! Utah approved the “conversion therapies” ban!

Tennessee lawmakers are beginning the new year by increasing discrimination against LGBTQ families.

In 2018 the Michigan Department of Civil Rights reported 44 cases of discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.

However, the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act introduced in the state in 1976 doesn’t protect LGBTQ people. The listed categories that are protected from discrimination are religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, family status, and marital status.

Therefore, as you can see, there is no protection based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

In 2011, the city of Holland, Michigan has already tried to include the LGBTQ community in the anti-discrimination ordinance, but it didn’t work. The bill was rejected by a 5-4 vote.

This time there is a new mayor in town, Nathan Bocks, who is in favor of the amendment.

After Minneapolis and Duluth, Minnesota recently banned “conversion therapies”, Utah could prohibit it too.

There are some super positive things going on in Minnesota and it feels good at the end of the year, especially as we’re going to be tipping into the presidential elections in 2020 that’ll probably be much less fun.