Kenyatta applauds historic move to remove homosexuality from PA Crimes Code

HARRISBURG, July 8 – State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., praised the fact that homosexuality has been removed from the PA Crimes Code by the PA General Assembly. The bill now awaits the governor’s signature. 

“Removing homosexuality from the Crimes Code was about a couple centuries overdue, but a big deal nevertheless” Kenyatta said. “As one of three openly LGBTQ members of the General Assembly, I am happy that this is finally happening in Pennsylvania after a years-long fight.”

Kenyatta continued, “It is my hope that this will be another step towards destigmatizing LGBTQ+ individuals and protecting the community from possible future court decisions.”

“When Justice Thomas concurred in the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade he mentioned Lawrence v. Texas, which ruled that sodomy laws are unconstitutional, as a decision the court should overturn. Should the court do that and had this language remained in the Crimes Code it would have presented a grave threat to LGBTQ Pennsylvanians,” Kenyatta said.

“Today we remove that cloud of shame and fear to create a Pennsylvania that is fair for all.”