Meanwhile, SCOTUS is chipping away at the very rights we fought so hard to obtain back in the seventies. On June 18, they upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors in a 6-3 decision. By doing this, they didn’t just ban healthcare - they sent a message that trans kids don’t count. 

“Pennsylvania is a better place when it’s fair. And right now, too many Pennsylvanians can legally be discriminated against because of who they are, because of how they identify in critical aspects of their lives, including housing, including education, and winning public accommodations.” PA State Representative Malcom Kenyatta (D-Philly)

In this edition of our ongoing series Judging the System, we’re shining a rainbow spotlight on LGBTQ+ rights in Pennsylvania from legacy to legislation, from protest to precedent.

These aren’t just distant legal battles.  Here in Berks County, LGBTQ+ kids and families live in a state where protections are not guaranteed.

On June 17, the Pennsylvania House voted 107–90 to pass Governor Josh Shapiro’s bold infrastructure plan with HB1364, a bipartisan push to repair roads, strengthen bridges, and invest in public transit for all 67 counties, including ours here in Berks.

In a party-line vote, Berks County State Representatives Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (PA 129), Manny Guzman (PA 127), and Jacklyn Rusnock (PA 126) stood in solidarity with their Democratic colleagues to advance HB 1549, a bill to raise the minimum wage.  Meanwhile, local Republicans: Gillen (PA 128), Weaknecht (PA 5), Maloney (PA130), Barton (PA 124), and Zimmerman (PA 99) voted against the measure.

Harvard is sharing FREE classes. Here are the ones we recommend.

Since 2015, Berks County has seen the number of registered Democratic voters drop faster and Republican numbers rise steeper than the rest of Pennsylvania. It’s a trend that should

Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz just scored a landslide legislative victory with the unanimous House passage (203–0!) of HB 1072 – The Taxpayer Relief Act. Her bill ensures