Anti-discrimination ordinance passes in Haverford Township
Haverford became the 20th municipality in Pennsylvania to pass an anti-discrimination ordinance Monday, when the board of commissioners voted 5-4 in favor on a second and final reading of a measure introduced in November by Commissioner Larry Holmes.
The ordinance creates a local Human Relations Commission and bars discrimination in housing, commercial property, employment and public accommodations based on race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, handicap or disability and use of guide or support animal. Additionally, the ordinance includes a provision for sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, not covered in the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and federal law.
The ordinance includes an exception for religious corporations or associations not supported in whole or in part by government appropriations. Additionally, complaints are limited to the past 180 days.
A number of minor changes were made since the first reading last month, such as lowering the maximum penalty from $10,000 to $5,000 and expanding the range of members from seven to 11. Revisions also make clear that the board of commissioners must approve expanded procedures not spelled out in the ordinance.
The solicitor’s office determined there was “no appreciable change to overall policy,” which would have required another first reading.
Democrats Rob Trumbull, Dan Siegel and Republicans Bill Wechsler and Mario Oliva joined Holmes in supporting the proposal, while Republicans Stephen D’Emilio, Jim McGarrity, Jeff Heilmann and Chris Connell voted no.
The vote took place in a crowded room about equally divided in opinion, judging from the many speakers who expressed support and opposition during a lengthy public forum. Speakers ranged from Diane Gramley, president of the conservative American Family Association, and the Rev. Craig Roshaven of Main Line Unitarian Church, who said many Christians favored such ordinances.
Even though he voted against it, Connell credited Holmes for presenting “a bold ordinance. It took a lot of emotions. ... I do applaud him for standing up and bringing such an ordinance to this table.”
Holmes thanked the gay and lesbian couples, all the people “who stood up and exposed their lives to us, and told us about things they’ve suffered, and asked us to make this a better township for them. ... I appreciate my colleagues’ courage on this vote, but it is the people who spoke tonight who I honor.”
“I’m so happy,” said Lou Devecchis, the resident who initially requested legislation to protect members of the LGBT community.