As it stands today, members of the LGBTQ community have no legal protection from discrimination in the state of Pennsylvania. But if Lansdale Borough Council passes its much-discussed human relations ordinance during the scheduled business meeting Wednesday, the borough will join a collective of municipalities that have taken it upon themselves to offer protections within their borders.
Should the ordinance pass, Lansdale would join Whitemarsh, Ambler, New Hope, Doylestown, Lower Merion, Conshohocken and 38 other localities across Pennsylvania who've adopted similar legislation. Lansdale's ordinance reads, in part:
"The Borough Council of the Borough of Lansdale hereby declares it to be the public policy of the Borough to foster equality and equal opportunity for all citizens, regardless of actual or perceived race, color, age, religious creed, ancestry, sex, national origin, handicap or use of guide or support animals because of blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, or because of an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression in all matters effecting employment, housing and commercial property and public accommodation, and to safeguard the right of all persons to remain free of discrimination or discriminatory practices in any of the foregoing aspects of their lives.”
Origins of the Human Relations Ordinance
The efforts to create the legislation began in late February, when Lansdale Borough Councilman Leon Angelichio and Lansdale Mayor Garry Herbert each were approached by residents regarding discriminatory incidents that had occurred. At that point, Angelichio and Herbert decided to collaborate in the hopes of finding a solution.
"We were moving in the same direction, but based on different information from different people,” said Herbert, who then reached out to Angelichio to see if he was interested in teaming up. "We looked at the other communities around us, and discovered that most of them already had a human relations commission established. ... We were this glaring hole.”
"This is legislation that is aimed at dealing with an issue that is not isolated to a single incident, but is much more prevalent than most people would like to admit,” Angelichio said. "I've been contacted numerous times prior to introducing this legislation and even more times since we've begun speaking about it.”
"We have a compelling interest to ensure that the growth of our community continues to be in a positive and inclusive direction,” Herbert said. "It is our compelling interest to ensure that everyone is treated equally.”
The Shield and the Sword
In addition to offering protections against discrimination, the ordinance also forms a five-person human rights commission, which will privately hear issues between residents and businesses in an attempt to mediate an acceptable solution for all parties. Borough council would seek nominations for commission members, open to any borough resident or business owner.
"My hope is that we have people who are already interested in serving," Angelichio said. "My ideal candidate is easy: a Lansdale resident or business owner, period.”
"Ideally, someone with a background in sociology or psychology,” Herbert added.
"I'd like to see this board selected within 30 days of legislation being passed,” Angelichio said. "Another 60 days to introduce the instructional components, and the hope is to have operational status by Jan. 1.”
Additionally, all mediation will be kept private, to protect all parties and encourage mediation.
"The last thing we want is for this commission to be used as sword," said Herbert. "We want it to be a shield.”
But should the "shield” fail, and the involved parties are unable to resolve their issues, the "sword" surfaces in the legal protections that afford the victim the right to pursue the case in court, seek damages and additional outcomes.
"There is deep-rooted racism and bigotry in some people. That is reality,” Herbert said. "Some of them won’t change, and that is also reality. Without this ability, someone could languish in never being able to defend themselves, and that feels wrong.”
Not Without Resistance
Though the legislation generally has been received favorably, a small group of residents have expressed concerns about the ordinance both online and at committee and council meetings. Most of the concerns deal with the allocation of time and resources, as well as perceived government overreach.
"Opposition to this ordinance has been well thought-out and has been respectfully presented,” said Angelichio. "Most discussion has been about implementation and logistics and actual costs to the borough. I'm not sure that anyone has said to me, personally, that they oppose the legislation because they are not sympathetic or have a distaste for those that are protected by this legislation.”
Borough Council President Denton Burnell added that most of the initial concerns were addressed during committee meetings and a special meeting held June 26, and no issues have been brought to council since that time.
Meeting Date and Time
Lansdale Borough Council will vote on the proposed ordinance during their monthly business meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, August 15 at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall
