Mayor Jim Kenney of Philadelphia signed three bills into law that will create citywide rules for public institutions regarding the safety of, and accommodations for, transgender and non-binary people.
Signed on Thursday, the new laws require that youth organizations implement a policy that protects transgender or gender non-binary children from bullying and discrimination. City properties are also now required to provide a gender-neutral bathroom in all of their facilities.
Related: Florida prosecutor who fought marriage equality may be Trump’s impeachment spokesperson
This means that Philadelphia’s buildings, including city hall “will have at least one gender-neutral bathroom,” while “youth organizations like schools, sports clubs and recreation centers will implement nondiscriminatory practices for the LGBTQ community.”
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
According to the Philadelphia website, “Philadelphia is one of the country’s most LGBT-friendly cities with a long history of tolerance.”
ACLU’s Trans Justice Program advocate coordinator Naiymah Sanchez, a native Philadelphian, was one of the most recognized champions for the law, and spoke highly of them. “I’m ecstatic, being a Philadelphian, being someone who went to school here and was a trans teen here.”
The laws are expected to go into effect starting in the New Year. Mayor Kenney said to KYW Radio, “The bills are a testament to the city’s continued commitment to centering the experience and safety of transgender, and gender non-conforming people.”
As government officials, we must advocate for our marginalized communities. These progressive bills protect the rights of our LGBTQ+ community by ensuring that City services are accessible to people of all genders and sexual identities. pic.twitter.com/uGaR6pur98
— Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) October 31, 2019
