Downtown Harrisburg in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

LGBTQ+ Policies Under Gov. Milton Shapp

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, December 24, 2022

1. LGBTQ Policies Under Gov. Milton Shapp Marker

Inscription. In 1975 Milton Jerrold Shapp (1912-1994) was the first governor in the U.S. to prohibit discrimination toward LGBTQ+ state employees. Shapp went on to establish the Pa. Council for Sexual Minorities, the first governmental body in the nation devoted to developing public policy for the LGBTQ+ community. He issued a proclamation for Gay Pride Week in 1976 and later expanded the nondiscrimination policy to companies with state contracts.

Erected 2021 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1975.

Location. 40° 15.907′ N, 76° 53.129′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Downtown Harrisburg. It is at the intersection of North 3rd Street and North Street, on the left when traveling south on North 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 620 N 3rd St, Harrisburg PA 17101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,

and in the Susquehanna Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pennsylvania State Archives and The State Museum of Pennsylvania (within shouting distance of this marker); The State Museum of Pennsylvania (within

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shouting distance of this marker); Pennsylvania's Liberty Bell Replica (within shouting distance of this marker); The Nature Conservancy (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Capitol Building (about 500 feet away); Old Brick Capitol (about 500 feet away); Present State Capitol Building (about 500 feet away); Old Midtown Harrisburg Historic District (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Pennsylvania State Archives (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. LGBTQ historical markers installed in Harrisburg to honor trailblazers in PA. October 11, 2021 article in The Burg.

Excerpt: In 1974, Shapp met with activist Mark Segal, which is believed to be the first meeting of a sitting governor with a gay activist, according to the history project’s findings. Shapp later appointed a task force to study and advise him on improving public policy for LGBTQ people, Loveland said. Shapp then issued an executive order
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, December 24, 2022

2. LGBTQ+ Policies Under Gov. Milton Shapp Marker - wide view
The Capitol is visible in the background.
in 1975 banning discrimination in employment for LGBTQ state employees, making Pennsylvania the first state in the nation to do so, he added. In 1976, he created the Pennsylvania Council for Sexual Minorities, the first official governmental body in the United States for improving public policy for LGBTQ people, according to the history project.

(Submitted on December 24, 2022.)

2. Milton Shapp was America’s first equality Governor (Out in Jersey, Oct. 19, 2018).

Excerpt: In April of 1975, a groundbreaking event occurred in the fight for gay and lesbian equal rights. In Pennsylvania, a state not generally known for liberal politics, a courageous and progressive Governor, Milton J. Shapp, signed an executive order. It banned discrimination in state government. This was the first state in the nation where a governor had taken such action. It would be another four years before another state would take such a bold move.

(Submitted on December 24, 2022.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,073 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 24, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.