Developed by Family Equality Council in Partnership with Equality Pennsylvania, Legal Resource Helps LGBTQ Community Protect Their Families.
November 8, 2017 — For Immediate Release
NEW YORK, N.Y. and Philadelphia, Pa. — Family Equality Council and Equality Pennsylvania are pleased to release a new legal guide for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) families living in Pennsylvania. This resource provides LGBTQ-headed families and LGBTQ adults considering forming families with detailed and accessible explanations of the current status of federal and state law, including recognition of same-sex marriages, parental rights, adoption, applying for documentation for children, nondiscrimination protections, school policies, healthcare, parental leave, and more. The guide also includes a list of legal documents it is recommended that all LGBTQ families secure in order to ensure their rights and wishes are respected.
“Legal protections for LGBTQ families vary dramatically from state to state, and Pennsylvania has very few laws in place to protect LGBTQ families from discrimination in education, employment, housing, healthcare, and public accommodations,” says Denise Brogan-Kator, Chief Policy Officer for Family Equality Council. “This new resource will help families in Pennsylvania understand the steps they can take to protect their families.”
The result of a partnership between Family Equality Council and Equality Pennsylvania, the family law guide reflects both organizations’ commitment to defending LGBTQ families from discriminatory legislation, and advancing legal and lived equality for LGBTQ individuals and their families in Pennsylvania.
“Equality Pennsylvania continues to advocate on behalf of LGBTQ families’ rights in both legislative advocacy and administrative policy,” according to John Dawe, Interim Executive Director for Equality Pennsylvania. “We are grateful to our community partners, especially the Family Equality Council, our regional community centers, and legal services providers.”
Family Equality Council and Equality Pennsylvania will continue to work tirelessly to support LGBTQ families and to educate elected officials.
Download a PDF copy of this free resource here: https://form.familyequality.org/pa-lgbtq-family-law-guide/
About Family Equality Council
Family Equality Council advances legal and lived equality for LGBTQ families, and for those who wish to form them, through building community, changing hearts and minds, and driving policy change. Family Equality Council believes every LGBTQ person should have the right and opportunity to form and sustain a loving family, regardless of who they are or where they live. Learn more at familyequality.org.
About Equality Pennsylvania
With 60,000 members across the state, Equality Pennsylvania is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s largest organization advocating for and advancing equality and opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Pennsylvanians. Learn more at equalitypa.org.
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Media Contacts:
Ed Harris, Chief Communications Officer, Family Equality Council
646.880.3005 x117, eharris@familyequality.org
John Dawe, CNP, CFRE, Managing Director, Equality Pennsylvania
215.731.1447 x104, jdawe@equalitypa.org