FROM THE OFFICE OF LEHIGH COUNTY COMMISSIONER AMY ZANELLI
Commissioner Zanelli: Hate Has No Home in Lehigh County, Celebrates Nondiscrimination Order; Endorses Wild for Congress
ALLENTOWN – Lehigh County department heads are now responsible for making sure that nondiscriminatory practices are used throughout their projects and programs.
Standing beside a “Hate Has No Home Here” banner, Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong, Commissioner Amy Zanelli and Adrian Shanker, executive director of the Bradbury Sullivan LGBT Community Center, announced and issued an administrative notice Wednesday. The action directs department heads to “ensure that discrimination by reason of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or disability does not exist” in the county’s selection of contractors, in hiring workers or in any labor associated practices.
“Many members of the LGBTQ community are fear stricken as our rights and protections have been threatened at the federal level,” Zanelli said. “Today is proof that we don’t need another hero. We are running, we are winning, and we will continue to legislate against hate.”
“There’s never a wrong time to do the right thing,” said Armstrong. “I think it’s time we do the right thing,” he said. “We will make these changes in our policies and we will pursue equal treatment for everyone.”
The administrative notice, prepared by Lehigh County Solicitor Sarah M. Murray, affirms the administration’s commitment to nondiscriminatory practices when hiring, subcontracting, promoting workers or when awarding or selecting contracts or grants by any of the Lehigh County departments, offices and bureaus.
Zanelli called on Northampton County, state and federal lawmakers to join Lehigh County in supporting nondiscrimination and to strengthen protections against discrimination in any form.
“Amy’s speech brought tears to my eyes.,” said Pennsylvania State Representative Jeanne McNeill who represents Lehigh Valley’s 133rd District. “I plan to continue to fight for this on other levels. I will be contacting people in Harrisburg and see what avenues we can take and what direction we can take.”
“I am so proud that the county has done this,” said Susan Wild, a candidate for Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District. “I think that adding freedom of gender expression and identity as a criterion for doing business with the county is essential. I really believe that the Lehigh Valley has a very progressive core that is waiting to be awakened and this is a really important step in doing that. I’m really proud of Phil Armstrong and Amy Zanelli.”
Zanelli took the opportunity today to endorse Wild’s candidacy. “I think Susan is the strongest candidate to win in November, so I am putting my support behind her now,” Zanelli said.
Information provided to TVL by:
Carolynn Fedor
