Upper Moreland Passes Anti-Discrimination Ordinance

UPPER MORELAND, PA — Joining an increasing number of municipalities in the county and state, Upper Moreland has passed an Anti-Discrimination ordinance, aimed at protecting the rights of the LGBTQ community.

The township became the 21st municipality in Montgomery County to pass a similar measure when they voted on the issue on Monday night.

The vote, introduced by Susan E. Worth LaManna, was unanimous.

The new ordinance will create a new Upper Moreland Human Relations Commission to address issues of civil rights. It also formally prohibits discrimination in "housing, commercial property, and public accomodation" based on sexual orientation or gender identity, while codifying other protections.

The move was praised by local leaders, including State Sen. Maria Collett, who added that more needed to be done.

"While this is great news, it underscores the shameful fact that Pennsylvania still does not have a statewide nondiscrimination law in place," she said Wednesday.

A bill — Senate Bill 613 — has been introduced in the state legislature that would do just that.

Nearby, Phoenixville and Kennett Square were among two of the area's first municipalities to pass a similar local measure back in March 2017.