The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) has released its report on racism and discrimination in Philadelphia’s LGBTQ Community. The PCHR had held a public hearing in October 2016 in response to reports of racial tension and discrimination within Philadelphia’s LGBTQ population. The newly-issued report, Addressing Racism and Discrimination in Philadelphia’s LGBTQ Community, summarizes PCHR’s findings from this public hearing and issues recommendations for how to best bring resolutions to the problems raised by LGBTQ community members at the October hearing.
The report states that “marginalization on the basis of race, class, and gender identity, is a disturbing reality for many, particularly when experienced in spaces that should be considered safe for these very individuals.” The report goes on to identify four recommendations to being remedying the marginalization and mistreatment of LGBTQ people of color.
Recommendation 1 – Bar owners and staff must receive training on the City of Philadelphia’s Fair Practices Ordinance (FPO) and implicit bias
Recommendation 2 – Board members, directors, management and staff of the Mazzoni Center and Philadelphia FIGHT must receive training on the FPO and implicit bias. It is recommended that other non-profits serving the LGBTQ population voluntarily participate in these trainings as well.
Recommendation 3 – The Independent Business Alliance (IBA), Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, should provide training in leadership development for prospective and new board members
Recommendation 4 – Nonprofits that receive city funding to provide services to the LGBTQ community must conform to the non-discrimination provisions of the FPO and the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) requirements included in their professional service contracts with the City of Philadelphia.
In the report, the PCHR pledges to provide oversight for the implementation of their recommendations and to provide training on the city’s anti-discrimination laws.
To read the full report, click here.
To access resources from the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, click here.