On Sunday, October 26, hundreds gathered on the steps of the PA Capitol for the first march and rally for LGBTQ+ rights in over 10 years. The day was organized by LGBTQ+ rights groups, calling for equal protections, access to care, and leadership from elected officials in countering hate and discrimination directed to the LGBTQ+ community. LAMPa staff attended the rally, as a show of support. Daniella Garber, LAMPa’s Advocacy Fellow, reflected on the importance of faith communities having a presence at events like this. “I spoke with a mom there whose daughter had worked at Bryn Mawr the previous year,” Garber said. “She mentioned that the school chaplain, had helped her daughter deal with a loss she experienced. It was meaningful to me to make a connection over the importance of spiritual care at that event.”

In solidarity and support of this movement, LAMPa organized and delivered a letter signed by 237 faith leaders from diverse religious traditions across Pennsylvania will be delivered to state lawmakers urging them to pass comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians and other policies that protect and support LGBTQ+ people in the Commonwealth.

The letter, titled “Faith Leaders for an Inclusive PA,” is signed by clergy and faith leaders from Christian, Jewish, Unitarian Universalist, and other faith communities. It underscores the moral and spiritual imperative to protect all Pennsylvanians from discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations — regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. “We believe in this kind of holy inclusion,” the letter reads, “and we want everyone to know that all children of God are welcome in our congregations. We call on Pennsylvania lawmakers to make the same claim of welcome and inclusion for our Commonwealth.”

Despite growing public support for LGBTQ+ rights, Pennsylvania remains the only state in the northeast without statewide laws explicitly protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination. This unprecedented show of unity from faith leaders across the state sends a clear message: people of faith support equal protection for all.

Currently, lawmakers have introduced the Fairness Act and updated hate crimes legislation in both houses of the General Assembly. The letter urges actions on these and other policies that support the rights and protections of LGBTQ+ communities.

As LAMPa staff and volunteers delivered hard copies of letters to every office in the Assembly, they were met with welcome and support from lawmakers and staff. Michele Mitchell, member of LAMPa’s Policy Council, was warmly received by Representative Tim Brennan (29th District – Bucks County), who is a co-sponsor of the Fairness Act. calling the interaction a “bright spot” in his day.

Pennsylvanians can amplify the impact of the rally and letter by writing to their legislators urging them to support and pass the Fairness Act.