Are you thinking of moving to Pennsylvania? If you ask a gay or lesbian real estate agent about the LGBT community in the state, you may be surprised to learn that many cities in Pennsylvania are very welcoming. The state itself legalized same-sex marriage in May of 2014 following the Whitewood v. Wolf case. Prior to that, Philadelphia offered a domestic partnership registry.
Other LGBT Rights in the State
One of the things that many gay and lesbian couples want to know before moving is how adoptions are handled. In Pennsylvania, second-parent adoption by same-sex couples has been legal since 2002. That year, the state also passed a law defining LGBT hate crimes, but unfortunately, information touching on another subject was included in the bill. This caused the state supreme court to strike the law. New hate crime legislation has yet to be passed.
An executive order, the first in the country, was issued in 1975 protecting LGBT people from discrimination in the workplace. This order was updated in 2003 to include gender identity.
Where do you want to live?
There are a number of great cities in Pennsylvania. Of course, many live in Philadelphia, which is known for its large LGBT population and its gayborhood of Washington Square. But there are many other cities that are also great for gays and lesbians.
Pittsburgh, for example, has a large number of different LGBT organizations and is a great city for those who want to get involved in their local community. All of these groups are working together to bring more equality to the city, state, and country.
Then there’s Reading, a city that’s practically a giant gayborhood itself. It has a large LGBT population and is one of the most welcoming cities. The Centre Park Historic District is of particular note due to its LGBT-owned businesses, shops, and theater.
Doylestown, located near Philadelphia, is a nice suburb with fewer than 10,000 residents. If you’re looking for an LGBT-friendly large town that has a fairly short commute to Philly, this is the place. It’s also only a couple of hours from New York. The city has its own great art community, too.
Erie, Pennsylvania, also has its own LGBT neighborhood in Glenwood Heights. This area’s historic homes are reasonably priced and provide access to some great nightlife.
Finally, there’s Easton. Like Doylestown, commuting to Philadelphia or New York City from Easton is a snap, so it’s a great location for anyone who doesn’t want to live in a huge city.