Top News

Sharpsburg official: failure to adopt ordinance is a setback for LGBTQ community

SHARPSBURG, Pa. — Sharpsburg council last week decided not to adopt an ordinance that would have created a Human Relations Commission.

The ordinance would have added civil rights protections for the LBGTQ community and other groups.

If you want to receive BREAKING NEWS ALERTS, please download our WPXI News App. You can also follow WPXI on Facebook and Twitter.

Sharpsburg Council member Brad Truman told Channel 11 News he’s disappointed by council’s 4-3 vote.

He wanted the borough to follow the lead of Pittsburgh, Ross Township and Mount Lebanon, which have adopted similar measures.

“The LGBTQ community does not have that full suite of protection as most other other bodies and groups have,” Truman said.

Allegheny County already offers discrimination protections to the LGBTQ community, but the proposed ordinance would have made it possible for residents in Sharpsburg to file complaints directly to the borough concerning being fired, evicted or denied public accommodation because of how they identify.

Sharpsburg solicitor Mike Witheral explained the ordinance was voted down because it lacks an effective enforcement mechanism.