Meeting to Discuss LGBT Issues in PA

Members and supporters of Pittsburgh’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community will meet tonight to discuss the status and future of LGBT rights in Pennsylvania.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and Equality Pennsylvania have already held five of such sessions across the state, discussing possible legislation affecting LGBT rights during this legislative session.

ACLU of PA Legislative Director Andy Hoover says the LGBT community has faced adversity in the state legislature for several sessions and he doesn’t expect that to change.

“For this coming session, I certainly expect that the anti-gay side will again try to pass a Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage,” says Hoover. “We’ve defeated that three times and I’m confident we can defeat it again.”
However, Hoover says pro-LGBT legislation, such as an anti-discrimination bill, has also failed in the past.

Hoover says there are many “swing voters” from Western Pennsylvania, so he hopes the local LGBT population can convince them to pass such a measure.

The meeting is open to the public and will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church.