Harrisburg, PA -The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) has released the following statements affirming its commitment to enforcing Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination laws.
“The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) celebrates 70 years this year,” said PHRC Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW. “Passed in 1955, nine years before the Civil Rights Act of 1964, it provides prohibits discrimination based on race (including traits associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles); color; religious creed (all aspects of religious observance and practice, as well as belief); ancestry; age (over 40); sex (including pregnancy status, childbirth status, breastfeeding status, sex assigned at birth, gender identity or expression, affectional or sexual orientation, differences in sex development); national origin; familial status (only in housing); disability; the use, handling, or training of support or guide animals for disability; or retaliation in education, employment, housing, commercial property, and public accommodation. Regardless of what happens nationally, Pennsylvanians can be assured that under Pennsylvanian laws, they are protected. Pennsylvania was founded on the principles of tolerance and peace. It will remain a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds and lifestyles.”
“The PHRA ensures that our jobs and the mission of the PHRC remains unchanged,” said Alana Burman, PHRC Director of Policy, Intergovernmental Affairs, & Mediation. Since 2023, the PHRA’s regulations clearly explain the definition of sex to provide protections for sex assigned at birth, gender identity or expression, affectional or sexual orientation, and differences in sex development. In many ways, the work that PHRC does is more important than ever as we are the only agency many people can turn to with the freezing of civil rights investigations at a federal level.”
“The PHRC enforces two state laws that prohibit discrimination, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act, nothing that happens on a federal law can change that,” said Adrian Garcia, PHRC Director of Enforcement. “The PHRC staff will continue its work of investigating all claims of discrimination. If you feel you have experienced illegal discrimination, you have 180 days from when the alleged discrimination happened. To file a complaint, call 717-787-4410.”
About the PHRC: The PHRC enforces state laws that prohibit illegal discrimination. Information and resources are also available on the PHRC website. Follow the PHRC on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
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