York Human Relations Commission discusses local LGBTQ protections and hate crime legislation gaps

The No Hate in Our State Town Hall meeting took place on September 4, 2025, in York City, Pennsylvania, focusing on the ongoing efforts to combat discrimination and promote inclusivity for the LGBTQIA community. The meeting featured discussions on local initiatives, existing protections, and the gaps in legislation affecting marginalized groups.

The session began with a call for unity among community members, emphasizing the importance of collaboration over division. A speaker highlighted the need to recognize common challenges rather than focusing on differences, using the metaphor of pineapple on pizza to illustrate the point. The speaker urged attendees to unite against discrimination and bigotry, rather than viewing law enforcement as adversaries.

Christina from the Rainbow Grove Center shared insights into their initiatives aimed at fostering LGBTQIA inclusion. The center provides educational training for schools and businesses, peer support groups, and advocates for policy changes to protect LGBTQ rights in York County. Their goal is to create affirming spaces and combat discrimination through education and community support.

The conversation then shifted to local protections for LGBTQIA individuals, led by a representative from the Human Relations Commission. They noted that while there are mechanisms in place to address discrimination in housing, employment, and education, there is a significant lack of awareness among the LGBTQIA community regarding these protections. The representative expressed concern that many individuals may not trust the system or may have had negative experiences in the past.

A critical point of discussion was the limitations of Pennsylvania's hate crime legislation, which currently does not include protections for LGBTQIA individuals. The representative explained that existing laws only cover specific categories such as race and religion, leaving gaps for other marginalized groups. This has led to frustration within the community, as incidents motivated by bias against LGBTQIA individuals cannot be classified as hate crimes under current state law.

The meeting concluded with a call to action for local hate crime legislation, similar to that in Philadelphia. While acknowledging that local laws would only classify hate crimes as misdemeanors, attendees were encouraged to pursue these measures to amplify the demand for change at the state level. The collective message was clear: the community seeks recognition and protection against discrimination, urging state lawmakers to take action on this pressing issue.