HRC’s Sultan Shakir and Marty Rouse, EqPA’s Ted Martin, ACLU’s Andy Hoover, EqPA’s Allyson Hamm, and Jesse Salazar from the staff of PA Senator Bob Casey
Earlier this week, I was on-hand for a town hall meeting on GLBT issues in Philadelphia. HRC’s Regional Field Organizer, Sultan Shakir, a Philly native, was also on-hand.
HRC has teamed up with Equality Pennsylvania and ACLU-PA to conduct meetings across the Keystone state to inform PA’s LGBT community members and their allies about the state of equality in their state, as well as to hear from them about their concerns.
The William Way Community Center’s 2nd floor was standing room only to hear from PA’s GLBT leaders as well as some of Philadelphia’s elected officials.
What struck me most about this evening meeting was how informed and engaged Philly’s GLBT community is.
We heard from a gay veteran who was grateful for where we are on the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. We heard from young people eager to see more racial diversity in our movement. We heard from elected officials who were going out of their way to show their support for GLBT issues.
As Equality Pennsylvania gears up for the legislative battle to stop a constitutional amendment on the definition of marriage going forward, it also continues its strategic work to pass non-discrimination ordinances all across this battleground state.
The Human Rights Campaign is proud of our partnership with Equality Pennsylvania and thank them for their continued work for equality for all.
