Pittsburgh Gets Real

Group calls bipartisan anti-discrimination bill a major win for LGBTQ community

PITTSBURGH — A bipartisan bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives is being called a major win for the LGBTQ community.

“It just gives a sense of hope and peace of mind for our community members who have been waiting for equal protection under the law,” said Sarah Rosso, executive director of the Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation.

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman said this bill marks the side of history people need to be on.

“You can’t be denied a job. You can’t be fired from a job. You can’t be denied housing or service,” he said. “It’s something we could all embrace. It makes us all equal. It makes us the American ideal.”

The reality is that it is an uphill battle in the Senate, where the bill heads next.

“We know this is going to be a long road ahead. This is not going to be an easy win,” Fetterman said.

Groups like the American Principles Project said they are staunchly opposed to the bill, calling it “radical ideology which would sacrifice the rights of women and people of faith to advance an extreme sexual agenda.”