Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} In a unanimous vote on Nov. 28 the Jenkintown Borough Council passed a new anti-discrimination bill for Jenkintown residents.
In an 11-0 vote, the new bill outlaws discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender residents in housing, commercial property, employment, and public accommodation; according to the Montgomery News.
“I want to come and voice my gratitude to council for even considering what many townships are shying away from,” said Jenkintown resident Mary Mulderrig. “I may be in the minority, but I truly appreciate what you’re doing.”
Over 100 members of the community packed into Jenkintown Borough Hall to hear council’s vote on the bill and many were divided over whether the bill was necessary.
“Why would you want to normalize a behavior that is so unhealthy to its participants? How could you folks possibly vote for such a measure,” said John Stanton.
“There’s no difference,” said Ricky Bunker, saying it’s important to have communities “push this forward.”
There are various concerns among residents. Some are worried about the costly litigation if the new bill is legally challenged and others are more worried about which bathroom transgendered people would use – men’s or women’s?
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Jenkintown is now one of 25 municipalities in Pennsylvania to create an LGBT anti-discrimination law. A decision in the House and Senate to include LGBT standards in Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Act is pending. Currently, the act prevents discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, age, and national origin.
