Philadelphia Expands Discrimination Protection

On March 23, 2011 Philadelphia expanded the protections afforded by its Fair Practice Ordinance (Ordinance) to include victims of domestic and sexual violence, genetic information, familial status, and life partnership. The Ordinance is applicable to virtually all employers in Philadelphia. Companies with one or more employees, exclusive of immediate family, are required to abide by the Ordinance. All agencies and departments of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia also are required to abide by the Ordinance.

The Ordinance provides protection in employment, disability and public accommodations, and housing. Under the Ordinance, individuals may not be discriminated against on the basis of certain protected characteristics. The protections afforded by the Ordinance prior to March 23, 2011 included: gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, and handicap.¹ The recent changes approved by