York advocates press city council for local hate-crime ordinance after state law excludes LGBTQ people

York City

At a public town hall hosted by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and York City''s Human Relations Commission, community leaders and residents urged York City Council to adopt a local hate-crime ordinance after panelists said Pennsylvania''s state law does not cover sexual orientation or gender identity. The petition to begin that local process was on display at the meeting and organizers asked attendees to sign.

Panelists said the gap in state law leaves LGBTQ people without the same statutory protections afforded to victims targeted for race, color, national origin or religion.

"In the state of Pennsylvania, the hate crime legislation falls under intimidation, and it covers race, it covers color, country of origin, and religion," said Claire Toomey, executive director of the York City Human Relations Commission, describing the legal gap. "It doesn't cover LGBTQ. It doesn't cover disability. It doesn't cover women."

Toomey and other speakers argued that a local ordinance, even if limited to misdemeanor penalties under state limits, would send a political and prosecutorial message that the city recognizes bias-motivated attacks and supports victims.

"Philadelphia has a local hate-crime ordinance, but because it is not recognized at the state level it can only be prosecuted as a misdemeanor," Toomey said. She said the local misdemeanor example carries up to 90 days in jail and fines up to $2,000, and that York''s effort is intended to build momentum for statewide change as well as to signal the city''s stance to the district attorney and federal partners.

Organizers at the meeting said they will present the petition and draft ordinance language to the York City Council president and to council committees. Attendees who left contact information were told they would receive email alerts and a public notice when the item goes to a council meeting so supporters can attend the vote.

Why this matters: Panelists said the absence of statewide protections for sexual orientation and gender identity can discourage victims from reporting crimes and hamper prosecutors'' ability to treat bias as an aggravating factor in prosecutions. A local ordinance, they say, can provide symbolic and procedural support while advocates continue to press for change in Harrisburg.

Organizers asked people to sign the petition after the meeting and to watch for a public notice about the council hearing. "Make sure everybody signs the petition when you leave," Toomey said. "We're going to present that and really press it."