Keystone Equality Condemns Passage of PA Senate Bill 9 as a Direct Attack on LGBTQ+ Rights Harrisburg, PA —
Keystone Equality strongly condemns the passage of Pennsylvania Senate Bill 9 (SB9), a discriminatory piece of legislation that undermines the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians.
SB9, which passed the Senate this week, is a regressive bill that seeks to limit opportunities and inclusion for transgender and non-binary individuals.
“This bill is a thinly veiled attempt to legislate bigotry,” said Liz Bradbury Board President of Keystone Equality. “It sends a dangerous message that transgender and non-binary people are second-class citizens in our Commonwealth. We cannot and will not stand by while our community is attacked by those who are supposed to represent all Pennsylvanians.”
SB9, if signed into law, would not only erode civil liberties but would also create real harm—endangering the physical and mental well-being of already marginalized communities.
The bill flies in the face of previously established medical guidance, public consensus on equality, and the lived experiences of Transgender and nonbinary individuals and families across Pennsylvania.
Keystone Equality joins civil rights organizations and constituents across the state in urging representatives to stop the advancement of this bill.
“Allies are known for their actions,” added Wendy Cheesman, Board Secretary. “The people of Pennsylvania deserve leaders who protect our rights and focus on real issues, not those who
exploit misinformation and dubious statistics to divide us. Keystone Equality will continue to endorse candidates who truly support the rights of LGBTQ+ and all constituents”
About Keystone Equality Keystone Equality is a statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization dedicated to building a more just and equitable Pennsylvania through education, policy advocacy, and community engagemen
Keystone Equality congratulates the city of Allentown's city council for unanimously cosponsoring and passing a resolution to protect transgender healthcare
See this resolution by clicking here.
Keystone Equality is working to support cities, counties, and other political subdivisions to pass nondiscrimination ordinances similar to the recent passage in Lehigh County.
To see the full text of Lehigh County's fully inclusive and very progressive nondiscrimination ordinance that was passed in February 2024, click here.
2025 Pennsylvania Supreme court retention election is coming up!: learn more ABOUT THE Canidates
What other offices are up for election in 2025?: Current election season
2024 general election results: 78 candidates endorsed by keystone equality to take office
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Mary Gay Scanlon
United States House of Congress District 5
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JUDY SCHWANK
Senator in the General Assembly District 11
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Arvind Venkat
Representative in the General Assembly District 30
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Izzy Smith Wade- El
Representative in the General Assembly District 49
OUR MISSION
Keystone Equality empowers LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians so they can have a strong political voice in PA.
Through voter mobilization, electoral advocacy, and political organizing, Keystone Equality centers LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians in the fight for equality, equity, and inclusion on the basis of sexual orientation, gender and gender expression identity across our state.
Keystone Equality has filed for 501(c)(4) nonprofit status.
Who WE ARE
Keystone Equality’s volunteer board and volunteer committees are a diverse and ever growing group of committed Pennsylvania LGBTQ+ advocates and allies who believe Pennsylvania-based leadership and community based activism will make a difference.
We believe collaboration must be accountable, transparent, and genuine. We can and will succeed as Pennsylvanians who are standing with and for Pennsylvanians.
We are Keystone Equality, and we are in this together!
WHAT WE FIGHT FOR
Whether it is the protecting your right to marry the person you love, or campaigning for LGBTQ+ employment nondiscrimination, or advocating for the ability of transgender youth to gain the benefits of the best public education possible, Keystone Equality stands with and for all LGBTQ+ people residing in Pennsylvania.
As queer individuals ourselves, we know the concerns you have. As advocates, we understand the issues that are involved.
That’s why we are political activists, why we work on PA statewide and municipal legislative projects, why we bring voters information on LGBTQ+ issues, and why we work with local, statewide, and national elected officials and community organizations to ensure you and those you care for are protected from harm.
VOLUNTEER
Are you good at networking? Maybe you are a social media guru! Do you like public speaking? Or are you just good at typing, spreadsheet creating, or proofreading? Perhaps you simply want to learn about advocacy …
Contact Keystone Equality now to volunteer and help achieve victory!
Keystone Equality is Pennsylvania’s statewide political organization working to advance LGBTQ+ equality, civil rights, and equity by empowering change within our communities and across local, state, and federal government. Over 500,000 LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians deserve equal rights under the law.
Keystone EQUALITY
Keystone Equality acknowledges that there are ever growing and changing terms that identify sexual and gender minority communities and strives to provide advocacy that will not leave anyone out. Keystone Equality works inclusively for and fully acknowledges the rights of all people in the extended Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Pansexual, Asexual, Two Spirit, Gender Diverse, Nonbinary, plus other communities.
In this website these many communities are indicated by the shortened acronym LGBTQ+.
Please DONATe
Keystone Equality exists because of the support of people like you.
Please help by donating through our secure Zeffy site here or if you prefer to send a check, contact: Chair@keystoneequality.org or call 610-432-5449
Please note that Keystone Equality is a 501c4 organization and as such your contribution is not tax deductible.
