Delaware County Strengthens LGBTQ+ Rights

By: Paul Goldberg, Senior Editor | JRL CHARTS – LGBT Politics

DELAWARE, PA — (December 6, 2025) — Delaware County has officially expanded legal protections for LGBTQ+ residents, becoming the latest county in Philadelphia’s suburban ring to adopt a proactive nondiscrimination ordinance amid ongoing national political tensions.

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The unanimous vote by the county’s all-Democratic council empowers the Delaware County Human Relations Commission — created earlier this year — to investigate, mediate, and adjudicate discrimination complaints involving sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

Protections apply to housing, employment, education, and public accommodations.

Part of a Growing Civil Rights Movement in Pennsylvania

Delaware County is now the third major suburban county — joining Montgomery and Chester Counties — to establish LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination protections at the local level, filling policy gaps as federal rhetoric puts LGBTQ+ rights under the microscope.

Statewide, more than 79 local governments — including Philadelphia — have passed similar protections, according to the Pennsylvania Youth Congress, a leading LGBTQ+ youth advocacy organization.

“Now almost an entire half of the state is protected by a local human relations commission,” — Kyle McIntyre, Organizer of Delco Pride

Stronger Than Current State Rules

While Pennsylvania’s state regulations discourage anti-LGBTQ discrimination, state law still does not explicitly prohibit bias based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Delaware County’s new ordinance closes that gap, putting clear and enforceable LGBTQ+ protections directly into county law.

Residents will also be able to file complaints locally, without first navigating slower state-level processes through the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

County Leaders Call It “Good Local Government”

Council Chair Monica Taylor praised the ordinance, emphasizing the need for local governments to act when greater protections are lacking.

“This ordinance reflects what good local government should be,” she said Wednesday.

Work began in August, but the measure temporarily paused for legal review to ensure strong enforcement standards and accessible complaint procedures.

Budget Concerns Still Linger

Not everyone is fully comfortable with the new mandate. County Controller Joanne Phillips, set to join the council in 2026, cautioned that commission enforcement could become costly as Delaware County braces for a potential 19% property tax increase next fiscal year.

Supporters argue the cost is justified — preventing discrimination locally could ultimately reduce litigation expenses and protect residents before harms escalate.

What This Means for LGBTQ+ Residents

• Local enforcement of LGBTQ+ civil rights

• Explicit legal protections where state law remains vague

• Regional trend of county-level safeguards expanding outward from Philadelphia

• A strong statement of institutional support during a volatile national climate

With Pennsylvania’s suburban counties steadily adopting LGBTQ+ protections, advocates say the message is clear: Equality cannot wait for Washington.

Stay locked to JRL CHARTS – LGBT Politics for the latest in LGBTQ+ civil rights protections as communities nationwide take action.

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