The nation’s seventh president was more than just a pretty face.
A Peace Corp member talks about how Senegal has beaten the odds and kept AIDS infections below the continental average
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Jan. 18-24, 2013
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Vol. 37 No. 3
Philly Pride to introduce new winter event By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com
UNITING IDENTITIES: Dozens of queer Jewish community members gathered at a home at 8th and Lombard streets Jan. 13 to discuss issues arising from the intersection of identities. The Queer Jewish Forum event, co-promoted by Spectrum Philly and Moishe House, featured a workshop led by ScrewSmart on LGBT Jewish history followed by a presentation by Rabbi Rebecca Katherine Hirsch that explored contemporary approaches to Judaism. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Israeli LGBT officials bring work to Philly By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com The Consulate General of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic Region hosted Israel’s leading LGBT-equality organization in Philadelphia last week. Two representatives of The Aguda, the Israeli National LGBT Taskforce, discussed their work in Israel and abroad Jan. 11 with a host of local LGBT leaders, including Rep. Brian Sims (D-182nd Dist.), Mazzoni Center executive director Nurit Shein, businessman Mel Heifetz, Equality Forum executive director Malcolm Lazin, William Way LGBT Community Center executive director Chris Bartlett and attorney Abbe Fletman. The Aguda was founded in 1975 by six individuals who were at the frontier of LGBT rights in Israel. According to chairperson Shai Doitsh, Israeli law has come a long way since that time in terms of LGBT rights. “In 1975, the law in Israel was to criminalize gay sex. Although no one was ever
arrested because of it, it was still illegal, which made it a very tough social problem,” Doitsh said. Since its founding, the focus of The Aguda has changed tremendously, he added. “The organization started as ‘GL’ to now ‘LGBTQ. We started as a human-rights and advocacy organization and realized that we needed to work in other fields to create a community like social services and legal aid.” Doitsh considers The Aguda a “one-stop shop” for the LGBT community. “Every need that the community has, the organization is there to give it, “ he said. While Israel has evolved on LGBT-rights issues, Doitsh said his agency is committed to ensuring that the legal landscape remains steady. “Israel is one of the most advanced countries in the world with LGBT rights, so our attention is basically on the parliament to make sure that we will remain equal,” he said. Doitsh said both PAGE 8
Be prepared to lace up those boots and bundle up with coats, scarves and hats, as the organizers of the usually sweltering summer Pride are ready to bring a new coldweather event to the Philadelphia LGBT community. Philly Pride Presents will host the inaugural Winter Pride from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 22 at Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn’s Landing. Executive director Franny Price said the decision to have a winter event grew from the lack of LGBT-focused events during the chillier months. “I think it will be nice to have something in the winter,” she said. “Ice skating is one
thing that if you turn it into an event, people will come out, and we are hoping people do. Some people only come out for events and some people who have been inside all winter might have cabin fever.” After seeing fireworks at the rink, Price decided the area would be the perfect place for a winter LGBT event. “The skating rink is beautiful and it’s huge. It can hold up to 600 people at one time,” she said. According to Price, individuals will be provided a safe environment to ice skate with their partners, families and friends. “You can be yourself and not worry about others making negative remarks. Partners can hold hands while ice skating. PAGE 16 Our LGBT families will
Appeal in Milano case spotlights victim’s intoxication By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Legal pleadings that seek a new trial for one of the killers of gay artist Anthony Milano argue that jurors should have been informed of Milano’s intoxication at the time of his death. Frank R. Chester and Richard R. Laird killed Milano in December 1987, after luring him from a Bristol Township tavern into a secluded wooded area. Several hours later, police found Milano’s body, his throat hacked out with a box cutter. Chester and Laird were eventually arrested, each blaming the other for the murder. Prosecutors called it an antigay hate crime, partly because both men indicated antigay animus while inside the tavern. In May 1988, a Bucks County jury convicted both men of murder in the first, second and third degrees and sentenced them to death. Chester and Laird also were convicted of kidnapping and related misdemeanors. But jurors never heard about a toxicology report stating that Milano had between nine and 13 drinks shortly
FRANK CHESTER PGN file photo
before his death, and attorneys for Chester are making an issue of that alleged omission. Knowing the extent of Milano’s intoxication might have persuaded jurors that he wasn’t kidnapped, thus avoiding a second-degree murder conviction for Chester, according to the pleadings. In Pennsylvania, a criminal homicide constitutes murder of the second degree if committed during the course of a felony, such as kidnapping. PAGE 12