Resolution 160293

..Title Welcoming and encouraging PayPal and other businesses that support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA) to relocate to Philadelphia, a City which has always been on the forefront of non-discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. ..Body WHEREAS, Philadelphia is committed to the economic empowerment and equality of all Philadelphians regardless of their gender identity and/or sexual orientation; and WHEREAS, LGBTQIA communities are and have been an important and integral part of Philadelphia's history, culture and economic development; and WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is proud to be one of the first cities to have an established, flourishing and visible Gayborhood in the core of Center City; and WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is the national birthplace of LGBT civil rights action starting with a 1964 sit-in Dewey's Diner located on 219 S. 17th St., and the first Annual Reminder demonstrations in 1965 at Independence Hall; and WHEREAS, In November 2015, almost 86,000 Philadelphians voted to amend the city's Home Rule Charter, permanently establishing the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Affairs; and WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Human Relations Commission ensures LGBTQIA communities are protected against discrimination in housing, employment, and City services, under the Fair Practices Ordinance; and WHEREAS, LGBTQIA communities and LGBTQIA owned-businesses continue to face discrimination and oppression in other U.S. states and cities; and WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia was named by the Human Rights Campaign as the best large city in the United States for LGBT equality; and WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia currently hosts more than 266 registered LGBTQIA businesses under the Independence Business Alliance; and WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is committed to setting progressive new policies and passing legislation that supports, grows and attracts LGBTQIA businesses and communities; and WHEREAS, Of Fortune 500 companies, 93 percent include sexual orientation in non-discrimination policy, 73 percent include gender identity and non-discrimination policy, 56 percent publicly committed to the LGBT community and 51% have organizational LGBT competence; and WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia has enacted all policies and commitments such as those described above; and WHEREAS, In April 2016, Governor Tom Wolf announced that he will sign an executive order prohibiting discrimination by state contractors against people who are lesbian, gay or transgender; and WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia seeks to be an inclusive and diverse City that is attractive to LGBTQIA communities, LGBTQIA businesses, and businesses that value the inclusion of LGBTQIA communities; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we encourage PayPal and other businesses that support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA) owned-businesses to relocate to Philadelphia. ..End