Pennsylvania - Keshet

The work to safeguard our Jewish and LGBTQ+ rights in Pennsylvania has never in more urgent. While LGBTQ+ rights are being attacked federally, our states must uphold protections. The torah teaches us to pursue justice, tzedek tzedek tirdof. This value is clear: Jews must work for a world in which LGBTQ+ people and all people can live in dignity.

Harmful bills targeting LGBTQ+ individuals threaten our safety and fundamental rights. Together, we can stand against discrimination and fight for policies that protect everyone in our state. Judaism teaches us that:

The Jewish value Rachamim – Compassion teaches us to have empathy, especially for those facing discrimination, and to take action because everyone deserves to live safely and in dignity.
Every person is created b’Tzelem Elohim, in the Divine image.
The principle of pikuach nefesh – saving lives – demands that we act to protect LGBTQ+ youth and adults from harm.
Families who advocate for their children’s dignity and safety deserve our full support.

Across the state, Jewish communities are uniting to reject narrow definitions of identity and to advocate for a future where everyone can thrive. Young people deserve the freedom to embrace their whole selves without fear or limitation, and no one should face discrimination simply for being who they are.

RESOURCES

2026 Bills to Watch

(Information from the ACLU)

SB 9/HB 1849: Banning Trans Girls from School sports (Reject)

This bill would ban transgender girls and women from participating on athletic teams or in sports designated for “females, women, or girls.” This ban would apply to students participating in all forms of athletic teams sponsored by a public primary or high school, a public institution of higher education, or any school or institution where students or teams compete against a public school or college.

SB 843/HB 1033: Ban on Gender Affirming Care for youth (Reject)

This bill would restrict access to life-saving gender affirming care procedures for minors by classifying these procedures as “unsafe and damaging.” This bill infringes on the freedoms of trans youth and their families to make the necessary medical decisions with their doctor.

HB 2103: Nondiscrimination Protections (Support)

Support HB 2103: This bill seeks to extend nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

HB 1902: Hate Crime Definition Expansion (Support)

This bill seeks to expand hate crime definitions to include acts that target people because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, giving protections to LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians.

HB 1800: Equal Marriage (Support)

This bill seeks to redefine marriage in the state code to officially include same-sex couples.

Pro-LGBTQ+ Laws

Second-parent adoption for unmarried couples
Nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people in employment, housing, and public accommodations
Nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ state employees
Nondiscrimination law protecting LGBTQ+ students
Health insurance providers are banned from excluding coverage for transgender-specific care
State Medicaid policy related to coverage for transgender people
Trans inclusive health benefits for state employees
Conversion therapy ban covering LGBTQ+ youth
Ability to change gender marker on Driver’s Licenses and Birth Certificates
Gender-neutral option on driver’s licenses
Health insurance providers are banned from excluding coverage for transgender-specific care
State Medicaid policy related to coverage for transgender people
Trans inclusive health benefits for state employees

Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws

No adoption or foster care nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents
No nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people in credit/lending or jury service
Broad religious exemption law which weaponizes religion as justification for LGBTQ+ discrimination
No anti-bullying law protecting LGBTQ+ students
State curriculum not required to be LGBTQ+ inclusive
No nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ youth in the child welfare system
No shield law protecting access to transgender health care
No hate crimes law protecting LGBTQ+ people
Gay/trans panic defense is not banned
State criminalizes transmission of HIV
No gender-neutral option on birth certificates
No legal name change process