(Philadelphia, PA) – Yesterday, Councilman Lou Landau, Vice Chair of the Legislative Oversight Committee, gathered members of the LGBTQ+ community for Philadelphia’s first LGBTQ+ Equity Hearing in the City Council Chambers . This groundbreaking event focuses on identifying and addressing key disparities in housing, employment, education, and health care that impact LGBTQ+ Philadelphians, paving the way to a more inclusive and equitable city. It is intended to build.
The hearing included a diverse panel of community members, service providers, academics, and advocacy leaders who shared their experiences and insights. Councilman Landau welcomed the community to participate in this historic conversation and encouraged public testimony to tell the voices and stories of LGBTQ+ individuals directly affected by these disparities.
“As the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the City Council, I was honored to lead the conversation about the disparities faced by LGBTQ+ Philadelphians, especially in housing, health care, education, and employment,” said Councilmember Lou. Landau said. “Today’s public hearing was an important first step in the City’s continued efforts to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for members of the LGBTQ+ community.”
Quotations from testimony from the hearing can be found below.
“In addition to continuing to promote safe and inclusive educational environments and support policies like Policy 252, we continue to promote acceptance and understanding that protect and support the development of all students,” said ACLU Organizing Director Naima Sanchez. It is important that we actively engage in practices that promote this.” “Systemic change is needed to ensure that all LGBTQ+ youth have access to stable, affordable housing.” “LGBTQ youth in Philadelphia are also at risk within the adult shelter system because of their perceived gender and sexuality,” he said. “We cannot stand by and watch them fall through the cracks of a broken system.” “These challenges are not isolated. It’s important to recognize that they are intertwined and impact the development of young people during their formative years,” said Hazel Edwards, GALAEI’s Trans Services Program Manager. “Health disparities and human services. The interconnectedness of the issues cannot be overlooked. When schools fail to provide adequate support for LGBTQ+ youth, the impact extends far beyond the classroom.” Penn Medicine Center’s Health Equity and LGBTQ Health Program “The health and healthcare disparities facing LGBTQ+ individuals in Philadelphia are urgent and must be addressed with comprehensive, culturally-based solutions,” said Rosemary Thomas, Director of Operations at Philadelphia. ” he said. We will increase access to culturally affirming health care providers, develop standardized guidelines for LGBTQ+ care, collect reliable population data, address economic barriers, and support LGBTQ+ health care workers. I have to. ” Christy Mallory, J.D., director of legal affairs at the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, and Lemberg senior scholar of law and policy, submitted written testimony. , and other employment-related issues despite existing legal protections. The study also shows that these experiences are likely harming the city’s LGBTQ people, employers, and even local and state governments. These findings demonstrate the need for continued efforts to understand and address the issues faced by LGBTQ people in Philadelphia’s workplaces. ”
Watch the full hearing at this link: Legislative Oversight Committee October 29, 2024
