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News Release
For Immediate Release: June 25, 2009
Contact: Diane Gramley 1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355

PA Human Relations Commission Chair Has Ties to Radical Homosexual Activist

(Harrisburg) -- Until recently it was a little known fact that Stephen Glassman, Chairman of the PA Human Relations Commission, was a board member of the radical Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN). Upon the appointment of Kevin Jennings, the founder and former Executive Director of GLSEN, on May 19 to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office Safe and Drug Free Schools, a 1998 article was uncovered that revealed Glassman’s connection to GLSEN and Jennings. The American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide pro-family and education group has faxed Governor Ed Rendell to voice concerns about Stephen Glassman’s connection to such a radical group.

“Many times in the past the AFA of PA has voiced concerns about Stephen Glassman’s agenda in using his position as chairman of the PA Human Relations Commission as a bully pulpit to promote the homosexual lifestyle. However, to discover that he was a former board member of GLSEN is probably the most troubling and poses a greater danger to Pennsylvania’s children,” commented Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.

GLSEN, apparently with the full support of Stephen Glassman, seeks to normalize homosexual acts by teaching children as young as kindergarten that ‘gay is okay’ and if you think you are homosexual, then act upon those thoughts and feelings. GLSEN’s recommended book list has also included books that go into graphic detail of sexual encounters between older men and teenage boys.

When Governor Rendell took office in 2003 he ‘promoted’ Glassman from PA Human Relations Commissioner to Chairman of the Commission.

· Within a few years Glassman was supporting bills that would add ‘sexual orientation and gender identity or expression’ to the PA Human Relations Act and the PA Fair Educational Opportunities Act – the two acts that fall under the responsibility of the PA Human Relations Commission to enforce. Glassman has continued his support of bills like H.B. 1400 last session and H.B. 300 this session, both through testimony and lobbying.

· Each time a Marriage Protection Amendment bill has been introduced in Harrisburg Glassman has worked against its passage. Additionally, in July 2006 Glassman signed onto a letter entitled, ‘Beyond Same-Sex Marriage -- A NEW STRATEGIC VISION FOR ALL OUR FAMILIES & RELATIONSHIPS.” It’s purpose was to “seek to offer friends and colleagues everywhere a new vision for securing governmental and private institutional recognition of diverse kinds of partnerships, households, kinship relationships and families.”

· He has lobbied local municipalities to add ‘sexual orientation and gender identity to their Human Relations Ordinances. Most recently, in November, he was in Pittsburgh testifying before the Allegheny County Council in support of Ordinance 4201-08 – an ordinance that would create a countywide Human Relations Commission and an Allegheny County ordinance which would include ‘sexual orientation and gender identity’ in the list of protected classes.

The AFA of PA has asked Governor Rendell to remove Stephen Glassman from the PA Human Relations Commission.

“In light of this more recent revelation about Glassman, it has become increasingly evident that his continued involvement in the PA Human Relations Commission is not in the best interest of Pennsylvania and the majority of her citizens both young and old,” concluded Gramley.

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