Less than two months after a brutal antigay assault in Philadelphia’s City Center saw a gay couple put in the hospital, the city council unanimously passed an ordinance that imposes elevated punishments for violent attacks based on gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability status.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the council voter 17-0 on Thursday to approve the measure, which will impose jail sentences of up to 90 days and fines up to $2,000 for those found guilty of committing a hate crime. Philadelphia Mayor Nutter is expected to sign the ordinance, according to the Inquirer.