Doylestown considers expanding anti-discrimination protections

Proposed law would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Philadelphia, Allentown and New Hope already have similar laws.

Monday night the Doylestown Borough Council will decide whether to pass an anti-discrimination ordinance to add sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression to the existing state and federal civil rights laws.

The ordinance would protect people, says Det Ansinn, Council President of Doylestown Borough.

“Let’s say you were discriminated against for housing – someone wasn’t going to rent to you because you were involved in a gay relationship, because of your orientation. This ordinance would make that type of discrimination not permitted in the Borough.”

Ansinn says the ordinance has a lot of community support and he won’t be surprised if it passes unanimously.

Opponents say the ordinance is intended to validate the homosexual, bisexual and transgender lifestyles. They assert being gay is a choice and so should not be included in anti-discrimination laws.

Sixteen other jurisdictions in Pennsylvania – including New Hope, Allentown and Philadelphia – have passed already similar ordinances.