Issue
New protected classes and updates to the city's anti-discrimination code.
City Council
A plan to simplify the city code's language on protected classes isn't final yet. Council held off on its final vote after the legal department advised waiting for technical changes, a council member said. Those changes weren't named. For now, council will discuss the legislation again at its next committee meeting.
City Council
Residents' protections against discrimination could be gathered into one master list in city code. Now, council has moved that bill out of committee, sending it to a vote at a legislative session. It covers housing, employment, and public accommodations. It would also preserve the civil rights agency's power to act against policies that seem neutral but have a discriminatory impact.
City Council
Landlords increasingly ask for a housing history, and some reject applicants with gaps or past shelter addresses, a city official said. The city's human relations commission wants to make housing status a protected status in city code. However, two council members worried about an undue burden on landlords and the city. The final vote is set for Sept. 30.
City Council
Council voted in favor of adding LGBTQIA+ people as a protected class in the city code. The bill also makes it a low priority to enforce state and federal laws that criminalize parts of LGBTQIA+ identities. That includes laws on drag performance, Pride flags, and restroom use. It's a response to growing threats to LGBTQIA+ civil rights at UPMC, in some states, and federally.
City Council
Last week, UPMC said it will end gender-affirming care for patients under 19. Now, council has unanimously urged Governor Shapiro to affirm trans people's right to affordable gender-affirming care and protect providers from federal persecution. A council member also introduced an ordinance against denying medical care over gender identity or expression. Such care is currently fully protected under Pennsylvania law.
City Council
A proposed charter change would ban discrimination in how the city conducts its business. Since its first reading on Jan. 22, council has added sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and more to the protected groups. A council member said the new language better matches existing city policy. The measure won unanimous preliminary approval, and a final vote is set for Feb. 4.