Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs

03/31/2021

Celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility in Philadelphia. Trans people deserve their roses today and everyday! 🌹🌹🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

01/27/2021

Pennsylvania's LGBTQ+ community needs the General Assembly to pass the #EqualityAct. This is a civil rights issue and should not continue to be put off by the legislature.

Rep. Brian Sims and I were hoping today would be different. It’s not often we can vote on the #EqualityAct to the Pennsylvania constitution to protect Pennsylvanians from being fired, evicted, discriminated against REGARDLESS OF Race, color, creed, disability, identity or s*xual orientation! Yet EVERY colleague across the aisle voted NO to a measure that every state surround us has already implemented! The #PaHouse has much more work to do so everyone is welcomed and protected! Many members of the Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus promised to call up the bill soon. We’re watching and waiting ...

12/09/2020

Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs

Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs

Join the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs as we virtually speak out on issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community here in Pennsylvania. Register to speak via zoom or join us on Facebook Live as we hear from LGBTQ Pennsylvanians about their experiences on issues such as: discrimination, education equity, aging services, access and quality of health services and housing among others. This is our opportunity to hear from you!

12/09/2020

LGBTQ+ Town Hall

Join the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs as we virtually speak out on issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community here in Pennsylvania. Register to speak via zoom or join us on Facebook Live as we hear from LGBTQ Pennsylvanians about their experiences on issues such as: discrimination, education equity, aging services, access and quality of health services and housing among others. This is our opportunity to hear from you!

12/01/2020

The Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs marks World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day is a time to recommit to the fight to end HIV and AIDS, to show support for people living with HIV and to remember those we’ve lost as a result of AIDS or related illnesses.

11/23/2020

Congratulations to our 2nd Commission Class for being sworn in to a new term on Friday, November 20th! Thank you to Governor Tom Wolf, Secretary Rachel Levine and Deputy Secretary Sari Stevens for joining us!

11/20/2020

Governor Tom Wolf

On Transgender Day of Remembrance, Frances and I grieve the lives lost to hatred and bigotry.

Every Pennsylvanian deserves to live without fear of violence simply for being themselves. Today is a stark reminder to us all that we must continue to fight against LGBTQ discrimination.

10/26/2020

Happy Ace Week from Gov. Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs!

Learn more about aces here: https://acesandaros.org/learn/the-as*xual-umbrella

Thank you Gov. Tom Wolf for recognizing #AceWeek and showing every ace person in #Pennsylvania that they matter!

10/11/2020

Happy National Coming Out day!

10/08/2020

S*xual Health

All Pennsylvanians should stay home as much as possible and minimize contact with others to reduce the spread of COVID-19. During this extended public health emergency consider utilizing risk reduction strategies to protect your health and the health of your s*x partner(s). S*x, which may include oral, vaginal or a**l s*x is a normal part of life and should always be with the consent of all parties involved.
-Stay healthy PA!

All Pennsylvanians should stay home as much as possible and minimize contact with others to reduce the spread of COVID-19. During this extended public health emergency consider utilizing risk reduction strategies to protect your health and the health of your s*x partner(s).  S*x, which may include ...

10/01/2020

This LGBTQ History Month, we celebrate and honor the LGBTQ Pennsylvanians throughout history and today that make our commonwealth to be a better place for everyone. Our legacies will not be erased.

#LGBTQ #PALGBTQ #LGBTQHistoryMonth

09/25/2020

Pennsylvania Department of Health has launched a new app: COVID Alert PA where users can access COVID-19 information, check in and report any symptoms, and receive information about testing. The app also can alert you if you are entering an area with a high COVID-19 case count. By sharing the latest news about COVID-19 in the state, the app helps people stay informed!
Download the app today and let your phone join the fight against this dangerous virus!

09/18/2020

Wishing you a sweet new year!

09/16/2020

Q***r the Census LGBTQ Virtual Town Hall Tonight at 7PM!

In the 2010 U.S. Census, it is estimated that 16 million people weren’t counted correctly. Those under-counted people were disproportionately those who experience oppression, who lack visibility. Being counted means being heard. It means having our needs met. That’s why the LGBT community cannot stand to be an under-counted population any longer.

Actor Theo Germaine (The Politician), Pennsylvania's Second Lady Gisele Fetterman, and Pennsylvania State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta will talk about why we need to come together to #Q***rTheCensus! Register here to join us for a conversation about creating a world where we all count: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nyKjcN1XTYWTspdnjmLH5w.

09/15/2020

Pa. Commissions: Pass Bill to End LGBTQ Discrimination in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, joined by the Commissions on African American Affairs, Latino Affairs, Asian Pacific American Affairs, and Women, sent a letter to the General Assembly last week urging passage of legislation to amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) to include protections for s*xual orientation and gender identity.

The Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, joined by the Commissions on African American Affairs, Latino Affairs, Asian Pacific American Affairs, and Women, sent a letter to the General Assembly last week urging passage of legislation to amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) to includ...

09/10/2020

www.dhs.pa.gov

In order to address the growing rates of su***de in Pennsylvania, Governor Wolf announced the formation of a statewide Su***de
Prevention Task Force. Check out the report and if you're feeling unsafe please call one of the phone number below for help.

National Su***de Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255
En Español 1-888-628-9454
Crisis Text Line - Text PA to 741741
🏳️‍🌈Trevor Lifeline - 1-866-488-7386
🏳️‍🌈Trans Lifeline - 1-877-565-8860
Veteran’s Crisis Line -1-800-273-TALK (8255)

09/08/2020

Join the conversation! #q***ryouth #Allies

Exciting news!

E3 is proud to with the one and only GeeXella to provide this amazing, FREE, virtual workshop to q***r youth!

09/08/2020

Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs

08/24/2020

Honoring and celebrating the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson on what would've been her 75th birthday.
Marsha P. Johnson was born on August 24th, 1945, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. After graduating high school in 1963, she moved to New York City’s Greenwich Village, a burgeoning cultural hub for LGBTQ+ people. Here, she legally changed her name to Marsha P. Johnson. Her middle initial—“P.”—allegedly stood for her response to those who questioned her gender: “Pay It No Mind.”

A beloved and charismatic fixture in the LGBTQ+ community, Johnson is credited as one of the key leaders of the 1969 Stonewall uprising— widely regarded as a critical turning point for the international LGBTQ+ rights movement. The following year, she founded the Street Transvestite (now Transgender) Action Revolutionaries (STAR) with fellow transgender activist Sylvia Rivera. STAR was the first organization in the U.S. to be led by a trans woman of color and was the first to open North America’s first shelter for LGBTQ+ youth.

08/07/2020

Another zoom Commission meeting in the books. Thanks to all who joined!

08/04/2020

PA CARES | federal CARES Act information for Pennsylvania

If you're struggling to make monthly payments due to COVID-19, help is available:

🏠 COVID-19 mortgage and rent relief: phfa.org/PAcares
🏢 Property tax and rent rebate: revenue.pa.gov/PTRR
📃 Report illegal eviction: on.pa.gov/AGcomplaint
💳 Additional financial resources: on.pa.gov/2Jb8UYp

PA CARES information for Pennsylvania; rental assistance, mortgage assistance.

07/31/2020

Governor Tom Wolf

School governing boards and administrators will determine if school buildings reopen and if classes resume in person, remotely, or a combination of the two.

The best way to find out about these local decisions is to contact your school’s governing board or administration.

07/30/2020

Gov. Wolf Releases Statement in Response to Spread of Misinformation, Attacks on LGBTQ Community

“Rep. Diamond’s press release is nothing more than a thinly veiled attack on the LGBTQ community and the commonwealth’s Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine, a transgender woman, and a nationally respected leader in public health, whose bravery and resolve in the face of constant attacks is laudable.”

Governor Tom Wolf released the following statement in response to the latest spread of hate and misinformation by Representative Russ Diamond.

07/22/2020

Gov. Wolf Issues Statement on Hate Targeting Transgender Pennsylvanians

“Hate has no place in Pennsylvania, even in the smallest transphobic joke, action or social media post. I’m calling upon all Pennsylvanians to speak out against hateful comments and acts, including the transphobia directed at Dr. Levine and all Transgender people in our great commonwealth.” - Tom Wolf

In response to a post made on Facebook by the Bloomsburg Fair mocking Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine, Governor Tom Wolf made the following statement

07/21/2020

Bloomsburg Fair fundraiser dunk tank targeting Rachel Levine criticized as ‘transphobic’

The leadership of the Bloomsburg Fair knew they were catering to Transphobic sentiments when they chose to impersonate Dr. Levine. Marginalized communities know when we are being targeted and will not be gas-lit into thinking this was just about Dr. Levine's position as Secretary of Health. In times of crisis and pain LGBTQ individuals are united in pushing back against Transphobia of any kind. Commissioners believe that the health and safety of Pennsylvanians should not be undermined due to these toxic and personal attacks.

The fair's post included photos of someone dressed in an attempt to resemble Dr. Rachel Levine, along with the statement of "wonder why so many were trying to dunk you".

07/15/2020

Celebrate International #NonBinary People's day and continue to challenge the social construct of gender.

07/14/2020

Governor Tom Wolf

A little over a month ago, I met with leaders of Black communities in Philadelphia and Harrisburg to discuss ways we can improve law enforcement.

Today, I signed two bills that will take steps toward making our commonwealth safer for every Pennsylvanian.

HB 1841 and HB 1910 require law enforcement officers to have:
✅ Pre-employment background checks
🧠 Mental health evaluations

This is just a start. We must continue to implement reforms that fight systemic racism and oppression.

07/10/2020

Gov. Wolf Announces Protections from Foreclosures and Evictions Through Aug. 31

Gov. Wolf Announces Protections from Foreclosures and Evictions Through Aug. 31

Governor Tom Wolf today signed a new executive order that protects homeowners and renters from eviction or foreclosure until Aug. 31, if they are waiting for assistance from a new program administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency or are not already receiving relief through one of sever...

07/07/2020

Renters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for relief through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

Renters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for relief through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

Starting June, 20, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will be accepting applications via their website until Sept. 30.

06/29/2020

LGBTQ Aging in PA – A Virtual Town Hall with Secretary Robert Torres

The Department of Aging is committed to ensuring that Pennsylvanians of all s*xual orientations and gender identities are able to grow older with access to resources and services that are inclusive, culturally sensitive, and LGBTQ-affirming.
Please join us and the Department of Aging for a virtual town hall on Wednesday, July 15th from 10-11:30 AM.

06/29/2020

Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs's cover photo

06/25/2020

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

We remember Pennsylvanian Dominique Rem’mie Fells, who was murdered in Philadelphia earlier this month.

Black Trans Lives Matter. Pennsylvania was founded on the principles of tolerance and freedom, and needs to be a safe place for everyone.

We do not stand for hate.

06/24/2020

Celebrating Transgender Pride at state capitol! The lights and Pride flag will remain until the end of Pride month if you would like to get your own cool photos!

06/24/2020

Aging Details

Thank you Secretary Robert Torres from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging for your commitment to the LGBTQ community.

The Wolf Administration is committed to making the commonwealth a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for all Pennsylvanians. The Department of Aging is dedicated to ensuring the same experience for every older adult, including people in the LGBTQ community and other marginalized groups who ha...

06/22/2020

Proudly flying over the state Capitol 🏳️‍🌈