[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/blog\/governor-wolfs-monumental-step-to-discourage-discrimination\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/blog\/governor-wolfs-monumental-step-to-discourage-discrimination\/","headline":"Governor Wolf’s Monumental Step to Discourage Discrimination","name":"Governor Wolf’s Monumental Step to Discourage Discrimination","description":"Governor Tom Wolf signed two executive orders on April 8th preventing Pennsylvania agencies from discriminating against state […]","datePublished":"2016-04-13","dateModified":"2021-05-18","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/author\/loren-speziale\/#Person","name":"Loren L. Speziale","url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/author\/loren-speziale\/","identifier":17,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Loren-L-Speziale-headshot-150x150.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Loren-L-Speziale-headshot-150x150.jpg","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Gross McGinley, LLP","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/logopng-00436945-e1531508982151.png","url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/logopng-00436945-e1531508982151.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/LGBT-Rights-Photo.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/LGBT-Rights-Photo.jpg","height":800,"width":800},"url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/blog\/governor-wolfs-monumental-step-to-discourage-discrimination\/","about":["Blog"],"wordCount":280,"keywords":["Advising the LGBTQ Community","Corporate HR Policies and Procedures","Employment Law","LGBT Rights"],"articleBody":"Governor Tom Wolf signed two executive orders on April 8th preventing Pennsylvania agencies from discriminating against state employees and contractors on the basis of sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity. Notably, one of the orders addresses Commonwealth employees and the other addresses the grants and procurement process of the Commonwealth.The Governor\u2019s recent actions are in response to several States proposing bills and passing laws that allow for government employees and faith-based organizations to discriminate against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population under the guise of \u201creligious freedom\u201d. \u00a0Some of these states are already experiencing the detrimental effects of these laws on their economies, including the recent decision by PayPal to pull its project in North Carolina.This is the first deliberate step taken by Governor Wolf in discouraging discrimination against the LGBT community.\u00a0 There is an expectation that this action by Governor Wolf may have a positive effect on the state\u2019s economy by encouraging business in the Commonwealth.\u00a0 Further, this action may reignite discussions by the state legislature with regard to HB 300.\u00a0 HB 300, which has been sitting in the state legislature since 2013, provides for “freedom from discrimination in \u00ademployment, housing and public accommodation; defining ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity or expression’; and further providing for unlawful discriminatory practices, for prohibition of certain real estate practices, for powers and duties of commission, for educational program and for construction and exclusiveness of remedy.”While these Executive Orders impact only Pennsylvania agencies, business owners as a whole should be aware of local ordinances that similarly prohibit discrimination against the LGBT community.\u00a0 These local ordinances have been passed by numerous municipalities in Pennsylvania, including Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Resources","item":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Governor Wolf’s Monumental Step to Discourage Discrimination","item":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/blog\/governor-wolfs-monumental-step-to-discourage-discrimination\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]