Title
Authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold hearings examining disparities experienced by the LGBTQ+ community and exploring solutions to achieving equity for LGBTQ+ Philadelphians.
Body
WHEREAS, Philadelphia has long been at a vanguard of LGBTQ+ protections, and major advancements in proactive LGBTQ+ legislation, executive action, and public and private funding for services nationally and locally have been made as a result of advocacy by revolutionary leaders who demanded equal treatment and justice; and
WHEREAS, Despite these substantial gains, inequities persist for LGBTQ+ people in access to quality and affordable housing, mental and physical health care and public health, fair treatment in the criminal justice system, education, and many other facets of life as a result of systemic discrimination and violence against the LGBTQ+ community, which can contribute to poorer health and wellbeing overall; and
WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ people face higher barriers to accessing and maintaining safe, stable, and affordable housing. Nationally, an estimated 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+. According to the Williams Institute, in Pennsylvania, 21% of Transgender people report having experienced some form of housing discrimination, such as being evicted from their home or denied a home or apartment because of being Transgender, and 10% reported that they experienced homelessness in the past year because of being Transgender; and
WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ people are more likely to experience food insecurity. 26% of LGBTQ+ adults in Pennsylvania reported not having enough money for food in 2021 as compared to 13% of non-LGBTQ+ adults; and
WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ people are more likely to experience workplace discrimination. Nearly half (47%) of LGBTQ+ respondents from Pennsylvania to a recent survey reported experiencing workplace discrimination or harassment because of their sexual orientation or gender identity at some point in their lives. More specifically, 17...
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