The citizens of Carlisle have spoken: they will not stand for discrimination of any kind.

On December 9, 2016, the Carlisle Borough passed the LGBT Protection Ordinance, which details protections for the LGBT community.

“The Borough of Carlisle finds that it is of high public importance to adopt appropriate legislation to insure that all persons, regardless of actual or perceived race, color, religious creed, ancestry, sex, national origin, handicap, use of guide or support animals because of blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, or sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, enjoy the full benefits of citizenship and are afforded equal opportunities for employment, housing, commercial property and public accommodation,” the ordinance reads.

At the time of the ordinance’s passage, it was quite the controversial topic.  Beliefs on both sides of the debate were, and remain, strong, and it was the subject of a debate that was followed for months: from the announcement of the ordinance in June, to its passage in December.

On one side of the aisle, there are those who support the ordinance. This side is large in numbers, both of those who reside in Carlisle and those from elsewhere. A petition on Change.org supporting the ordinance has over 1,000 signatures, and Equalitypa.com has voiced its backing of the ordinance.

Even with all of the outside approbation for the ordinance, though, there are some who believe that the ordinance is too much.

Councilwoman Connie Biers described the ordinance as “overkill of nuclear proportions” to the Sentinel in July. “Carlisle has been around 200-plus years; has there ever been any sort of anti-discrimination ordinance?” Biers said to The Patriot. “It’s not like Carlisle has been welcoming to the Native Americans at the Indian School, or the African-Americans in our community, but are you going to force it? I don’t think so.”

Although Biers might have her own reasons for thinking this way, the people most affected by the ordinance have spoken in defense of it.

“Those who have spoken out in opposition to this ordinance are all incredibly lucky people,” Christin Kapp, a community organizer, said to The Sentinel on July 29th. “They don’t have to worry about walking down the street with their spouse, with their significant other. They don’t have to worry about who might see them holding hands, who might catch them kissing, or sharing a tender moment.”

Members of Carlisle’s LGBT community have voiced their support for the ordinance, as have members and allies of the LGBT community from outside of the borough. If the people of Carlisle most affected by this ordinance have stated that it will help them, then there is no way it can be considered “overkill.” After all, they are the ones it is meant to protect, right?

Disclaimer: Articles designated as “Editorial” represent the views and opinions of the author, not the 2016-2017 Periscope staff, CHS Administration, or the CHS student body.