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Human Relations Commission
The Human Relations Commission receives, investigates and passes on complaints related to discrimination in housing, employment or use of public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identification, and educates the public in order to prevent discrimination and foster equal opportunity. The Commission also addresses incidents of bias that may lead to tension between racial, ethnic, and other groups.
HRC Mission Statement:
We support the mission of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PA HRC) established by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PA HRA): to conduct investigations of discrimination, and upon findings of discrimination, to issue cease and desist orders and impose such other remedies available pursuant to the PA HRA.
We have the authority to educate the public in order to prevent discrimination in all forms and foster equal opportunity; we have the authority to address incidents of bias that may lead to tension between racial, ethnic and other groups.
Through education and community engagement we seek to raise awareness, foster respect and inclusivity, learn from each other, and recognize the visible and invisible attributes of all people. Our collective goal is to foster a community where everyone feels empowered to tell their own story, stand up to hate and discrimination, and where members are held accountable for the effects of their words and actions. We strive to ensure that everyone who lives in, works in, visits, or passes through Swarthmore feels recognized, safe, and treated with mutual respect, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, language ability, disability, or other identity.
Preparing to have Difficult Conversations About LGBTQIA+ issues”
As part of our mission to educate the public in order to prevent discrimination, the Swarthmore Human Relations Commission (HRC) has organized a 4-part Community Conversation series facilitated by Danielle N. Gadson, Ph.D., Stephen A. Sheridan, MPA and Teresa M. Boyer, Ed.D. “Preparing to have Difficult Conversations About LGBTQIA+ issues” is the third in a series of four community conversations that explores discrimination and unconscious bias in our town. All community members are encouraged to participate.
Members of the Swarthmore Human Relations Commission:
Japbir Gill ('24), Chair (hrcswarthmore@gmail.com)
Melissa Kennedy ('22)
Jasmeet Ahuja ('22)
Shaun Eyring ('23)
Clair Oakes (25')
Links from the HRC
Delaware County: Recognizing Juneteenth in Delaware County
Delaware County Daily Times: Juneteenth in Delaware County
Swarthmorean: Juneteenth Then and Now
Juneteenth/Beyond Reading List: BLM Reading List
Black Owned Businesses in Delaware County (From Swarthmore Senior Citizen Association’s Website): https://swarthmoreseniors.com/black-owned-businesses
NAACP: https://naacp.org/
BLM: https://blacklivesmatter.com
Pride Month
Swarthmore College LGBTQ+ Page: https://www.swarthmore.edu/lgbtq
Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/about/
Youth.Gov https://youth.gov/feature-article/june-lgbt-pride-month
The Advocate: https://www.advocate.com/
Queerty: https://www.queerty.com/
Mental Health Resources
For both the communities we are recognizing through Pride Month and Juneteenth Celebrations and those who feel the pain of the last year during these times.
The Attic Youth Center: Philadelphia organization exclusively serving lesbian, gay, transgender, queer, and questioning youth. The Attic’s Resources Page is comprehensive.
Delaware County Mobile Crisis (24/7): 855-889-7827
Delaware County Warmline/Telehealth Helpline (mental health non-crisis/emergency): 855-464-9342
Delaware County Warm Handoff Certified Recovery Specialist (local drug and alcohol treatment resources and support, 24/7): 610-619-8616
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-464-9342 and Crisis Text line: 741741
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: https://afsp.org/mental-health-and-covid-19?covid19&gclid=CjwKCAjwtdeFBhBAEiwAKOIy5ziayzAV4dyR0P-gi3ndJqXtQNTu3KQnw3ZojW-p5eGpmWm0koAW0hoC5_kQAvD_BwE
SAMHSA: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
REGISTER HERE for "What It Means To Be An Ally In Your Community" March 22, 2023 7-8:30 PM, Swarthmore Borough Hall, 121 Park Ave, Council Room.
As part of our mission to educate the public in order to prevent discrimination, the Swarthmore Human Relations Commission (HRC) has organized a 4-part Community Conversation series facilitated by Danielle N. Gadson, Ph.D., Stephen A. Sheridan, MPA and Teresa M. Boyer, Ed.D. The first three conversations focused on race and LGBTQIA issues. The fourth and final session brings it together in “What It Means To Be An Ally In Your Community.” The conversation explores how to be an effective, thoughtful, and useful supporter to fellow neighbors who identify as *BIPOC, **LGBTQIA, and other marginalized communities. Participants will discuss allyship as a verb and will leave the session with tools and resources for practicing allyship in daily life.
*BIPOC - Black, Indigenous, People of Color; **LGBTQIA - Lesbian,Gay, Bisexual,Transgender,Queer/Questioning,Intersex,Asexual
Free Library of Philadelphia
https://libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/tag/free-library-of-pride
Read
Selected reading from the Rainbow Roundtable-American Library Association:
https://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/1331 (kids and teens)
https://www.glbtrt.ala.org/overtherainbow/ (adults)
Learn
LGBTQ America: A Theme Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer History from the National Park Service.
https://www.nps.gov/articles/series.htm?id=4DFF8155-1DD8-B71B-0B4C2713F34EA25C
Lambda Legal: national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of LGBTQ people everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
Visit
History pin-lgbtq America
Act
Philly-area LGBTQ advocacy and support organizations:
https://www.galaei.org/mission
https://www.rhd.org/morrishome/