Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, and Appalachian regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to the southeast, Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, Lake Erie and the Canadian province of Ontario to the northwest, New York to the north, and the Delaware River and New Jersey to the east.
Pennsylvania is the fifth-most populous state in the nation with over 13 million residents as of 2020. It is the 33rd-largest state by area and it ranks ninth among all states in population density. Nearly half the population (6.09 million) is concentrated in the southeastern Delaware Valley metropolitan area, centered around Philadelphia, the state's largest and nation's sixth most populous city; another one-third of the state's residents live in Greater Pittsburgh (2.37 million) in the southwest. Pennsylvania's three largest cities are Philadelphia (1.6 million), Pittsburgh (302,971), and Allentown (125,845). Other major cities include Erie, Reading, Bethlehem, and Scranton. The state capital is Harrisburg.
Pennsylvania's geography is highly diverse: the Appalachian Mountains run through its center, while the Allegheny and Pocono Mountains span much of the northeast; close to 60% of the state is forested. While it has only 140 miles (225 km) of waterfront along Lake Erie and the Delaware River, Pennsylvania has more navigable rivers than any other state, including the Delaware, Ohio, and Pine Creek.
Pennsylvania was one of the thirteen British colonies that would eventually form the United States. It was founded in 1681 through royal land grant to William Penn, son of the state's namesake; the southeast portion was once part of the colony of New Sweden. Established as a haven for religious and political tolerance, the Province of Pennsylvania was noteworthy for its relatively peaceful relations with native tribes, innovative government system, and religious pluralism. Pennsylvania's governing framework inspired the U.S. Constitution, which, along with the Declaration of Independence, was drafted in Independence Hall in Philadelphia; the city also hosted the first and second Constitutional Convention that led the American Revolution. Pennsylvania became the second state (after Delaware, which had previously been a part of Pennsylvania as the three lower counties) to ratify the Constitution on December 12, 1787.
Attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community in Pennsylvania
Attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community in Pennsylvania reflect a blend of increasing public support and evolving legal protections, along with ongoing challenges and advocacy efforts.
- Public Opinion
Public support for LGBTQ+ rights in Pennsylvania has been steadily increasing:
- Same-Sex Marriage: A 2022 Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) poll found that 68% of Pennsylvanians support same-sex marriage, while 29% were opposed and 3% were unsure.
- Non-Discrimination Protections: The same PRRI poll indicated that 77% of Pennsylvania residents supported an anti-discrimination law covering sexual orientation and gender identity.
These figures suggest a strong majority of Pennsylvanians favor equal rights and protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Legal Protections and Policies
Pennsylvania has made significant strides in legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals:
- Statewide Non-Discrimination: In June 2023, Pennsylvania explicitly banned discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Municipal Protections: Major cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, and Reading have enacted local ordinances banning such discrimination.
- Executive Orders: Since 1975, Pennsylvania governors have issued executive orders protecting LGBTQ+ state employees from workplace discrimination.
- Pending Legislation: In April 2023, the Pennsylvania House passed the Fairness Act (HB300), which would explicitly ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
However, challenges remain. A lawsuit filed in 2025 by two public school districts and several parents challenges the state's antidiscrimination protections for gay and transgender individuals, arguing that the regulation exceeds legislative intent.
- Community and Advocacy
Pennsylvania hosts a vibrant network of organizations supporting the LGBTQ+ community:
- William Way LGBT Community Center: Serving Philadelphia since 1975, it offers social groups, counseling, and cultural programs.
- The Attic Youth Center: Provides support services for LGBTQ+ youth in Philadelphia.
- The Pennsylvania Youth Congress: A coalition advocating for LGBTQ inclusion through community advocacy and civic education.
The Pennsylvania Youth Congress
- The Welcome Project PA / SAGA: Offers LGBTQIA+ services, mental health support, and diversity training.
The Welcome Project PA
These organizations play crucial roles in providing resources, support, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals across the state.
- Ongoing Challenges
Despite progress, the LGBTQ+ community in Pennsylvania faces ongoing challenges:
- Legal Disputes: The aforementioned lawsuit challenging antidiscrimination protections highlights the fragility of recent legal gains.
- Political Controversies: In 2023, Senator John Fetterman faced backlash for rescinding support for the William Way Community Center after criticism from an anti-LGBTQ+ group, illustrating the impact of political pressures on LGBTQ+ initiatives.
- Transgender Rights: Debates continue over transgender individuals' participation in sports and access to gender-affirming care, reflecting broader national discussions.
History of the Pennsylvania Flag
The flag of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania features a deep blue background with the state's coat of arms prominently emblazoned in the center. The coat of arms consists of a central shield topped with an American Bald Eagle. The shield is supported by two black horses, one on each side. The eagle, a national symbol of the United States, and the color blue represent Pennsylvania's loyalty and allegiance to the USA. The shield contains three symbols: a sailing ship, a plow, and three sheaves of wheat. The ship is believed to represent Philadelphia's commerce, the plow signifies Chester County's agricultural industry, and the wheat represents Sussex County's wheat fields. Sussex County was originally part of Pennsylvania but is now part of Delaware. Beneath the shield is an olive branch and a corn stalk, symbolizing peace and prosperity. A red banner with bold black text bearing the words, "virtue, liberty and independence" is draped beneath the shield.
The Pennsylvania State Flag is one of the oldest in the Union, having been adopted in 1778. Although it has undergone some minor adjustments since its introduction, the Pennsylvania coat of arms has remained essentially unchanged from the original design created by Caleb Townes. Townes was a Quaker from Philadelphia with strong links to William Penn. Penn, also a Quaker, is well known as the founder of Pennsylvania; he obtained the land that is now Pennsylvania from the British crown. The state's name pays tribute to William Penn and the wooded landscape of the state. Sylvania is a Latin word meaning woods, so the state's name signifies "Penn's Woods."
Pennsylvania's landscape is dominated by the northeastern end of the Appalachian Mountain range, which constitutes a large part of the state. It is located in both the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the USA. The state has a coastline on Lake Erie (therefore Canada) and is bounded to the north and east by New York and New Jersey, across the Delaware River. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's largest city, is at the southeastern tip of the state, on the Delaware River. The capital city, Harrisburg, lies inland to the west. The Mason-Dixon line separates the state from Maryland and West Virginia, while Ohio lies to the west.
Pennsylvania is one of the 13 founding states of the USA. Its land was disputed between the British and the Dutch in the 17th century when these empires were claiming land and settlements such as New Amsterdam, which became New York. It was highly valued for its natural resources, especially its forests. Eventually, the Commonwealth was settled by William Penn and other Quaker settlers. Later economic development included coal mining, steelmaking, and shipbuilding. The state features stunning scenery, dominated by the Appalachian Mountains.
External links
- Wikipedia article: Pennsylvania
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