PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL’S HISTORIC LGBTQ+ EQUITY HEARING ADDRESSES KEY DISPARITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES

(Philadelphia, PA) – Yesterday, Councilmember Rue Landau, Vice Chair of the Legislative Oversight Committee, gathered members of the LGBTQ+ community for Philadelphia’s first-ever LGBTQ+ Equity Hearing in the City Council Chambers. This groundbreaking event focused on identifying and addressing key disparities in housing, employment, education, and healthcare that affect LGBTQ+ Philadelphians, aiming to build a path toward a more inclusive and equitable city.

The hearing featured a diverse panel of community members, service providers, academics, and advocacy leaders who shared their experiences and insights. Councilmember Landau welcomed the community to participate in this historic dialogue, encouraging public testimony to bring forward the voices and stories of LGBTQ+ individuals directly impacted by these disparities.

“As the first openly LGBTQ+ member of City Council, I was honored to lead the discussion on the disparities faced by LGBTQ+ Philadelphians, particularly in housing, healthcare, education and employment,” said Councilmember Rue Landau. “Today’s hearing was a critical first step in the city’s ongoing commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for its LGBTQ+ community members.”

Quotes from testimonies at the hearing can be found below:

• Naiymah Sanchez, ACLU Organizing Director, said “It is vital that we not only promote safe and inclusive educational environments and continue to support policies like Policy 252 but actively engage in practices fostering acceptance and understanding that protect and supports the growth of all students.”
• “We need systemic change to ensure that every LGBTQ+ youth can access stable and affordable housing. Every night, too many of our youth are left vulnerable and exposed,” said Jasper Liem, Executive Director of The Attic Youth Center, “Young LGBTQ Philadelphians also report feeling unsafe in the adult shelter system due to their perceived gender and sexuality.  We cannot stand by while they fall through the cracks of a broken system.”
• “It’s essential to recognize that these challenges are not isolated; they are interwoven and impact the development of our young people in their formative years,” said Hazel Edwards, Trans Services Program Manager at GALAEI, “The interconnectedness of health disparities and human services issues cannot be overlooked. When schools fail to provide adequate support for LGBTQ+ youth, the consequences extend far beyond the classroom.”
• Rosemary Thomas, the Director of Operations for the Penn Medicine Center for Health Equity Advancement and Program for LGBTQ Health, said “The health and health care disparities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Philadelphia are urgent and must be addressed with comprehensive and culturally informed solutions. We must increase access to culturally affirming providers, develop standardized guidelines for LGBTQ+ care, collect reliable population data, address financial barriers, and support the LGBTQ+ healthcare workforce.”
• Christy Mallory, J.D. and Legal Director & Renberg Senior Scholar of Law and Policy, The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, submitted written testimony, stating “Research confirms that LGBTQ people across the country, including in Pennsylvania, continue to experience discrimination, harassment, and other issues related to employment despite existing legal protections. Research also shows that these experiences are likely taking a toll on LGBTQ people and employers within the city, as well as on local and state governments. These findings indicate the need for continued efforts to both understand and address issues faced by LGBTQ people in Philadelphia workplaces.”

Watch the full hearing at this link: Committee on Legislative Oversight 10-29-2024