HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP/KDKA) – A Pennsylvania state lawmaker made it public that he’s gay while at a news conference with other Democrats to urge passage of legislation that adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the state’s hate crime law.

Tuesday’s announcement by Allegheny County Sen. Jim Ferlo makes him the first sitting Pennsylvania state senator who is openly gay, and the third state lawmaker.

Ferlo isn’t running again, and he’ll leave the Senate on Nov. 30 after 12 years. Ferlo also notes that he’s never denied being gay.

“I’m gay,” Ferlo said. “Get over it. I love it. It’s a great life.”

Ferlo made the remarks at the Capitol rally.

The new push for the legislation comes after a high-profile altercation in Philadelphia that left two gay men injured. Police initially called the case a potential hate crime, but Pennsylvania’s hate-crime statute doesn’t cover crimes motivated by anti-gay bias.

Defense lawyers say anti-gay bias didn’t motivate their clients.

You May Also Be Interested In These Latest News Stories

[display-posts category=”news” wrapper=”ul” posts_per_page=”4″]

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page

Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)