pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976
Vol. 42 No. 7
Feb. 16-22, 2018
Family Portrait: James Claiborne knows his black history and art
HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
The Flyers recognize two LGBT activists
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Dinner with “The Humans”
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LGBT attorney disbarred in Pennsylvania
Lehigh official signs LGBTinclusive order
By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com
By Brittany M. Wehner brittany@epgn.com
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court this week ordered the disbarment of Robert P. Tuerk, a local LGBT advocate who previously was disbarred as an attorney in Florida. Tuerk was the first out candidate to seek a judgeship on Philadelphia Traffic Court. He also was a member of Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia and served on the Police Liaison Committee. But for several years, Tuerk faced difficulties relating to his law license, stemming from a 1985 arrest for an LGBT-related morals charge in Philadelphia. Tuerk hasn’t been convicted of a crime, and his 1985 charges subsequently were expunged. But in October 2015, Tuerk’s PAGE 12 law license was sus-
The Lehigh County executive signed two administrative orders Wednesday that aim to protect and promote equality. The orders will ensure the county holds vendors accountable to high standards of equal protection under the law as well as expanding the county’s antidiscrimination language for county employees. The first order specifically updates the counties equal employment opportunity clause to align it more with state language. It now includes the terminology “gender identity” and “gender expression,” terms not included prior to the order. “It’s an effort to modernize the county’s employment policies to include protected classes,” said Joshua Siegel, a spokesperson for the Lehigh Office of the County Executive. The Equal Employment Opportunity policy now includes gender identity and expression in the policy, alongside the prohibition of discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, political affiliation and disability. The second administrative order updates the contract compliance process to ensure those who receive contracts from the county are also following a similar standard of ethical behavior. When awarding contracts or grants, county employees cannot discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. “We want to ensure that the county is rewarding firms that have the best employment practices and protect their employees,” Siegel said. “This administration is committed to promoting the prosperity and economic growth of all business and citizens of the county of Lehigh, regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, age, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or disability,” the administrative notice from Lehigh County Executive Phillip Armstrong reads. Armstrong was recently elected the county executive and PAGE 14
LEATHER ART LOVERS: The Black and Blue art exhibit currently on display in the lobby of the William Way LGBT Community Center had a special party Feb. 11 in honor of the artists and the visitors to Philadelphia last weekend. The night before the event was the Mr. and Ms. Leather competition at The Bike Stop. About 50 people attended the rainy-day show. The exhibit wiill be up through Feb. 23. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Lovitz speaks on upcoming NGLCC conference By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com The senior vice president of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) participated in a panel discussion Wednesday at the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau’s annual diversity luncheon. PHL Diversity, a division of PHL CVB, hosted its annual Business Opportunity Luncheon at the Rittenhouse Hotel. NGLCC’s Jonathan D. Lovitz was among the panelists during the networking event. “Action News” co-anchor Nydia Han moderated the discussion, which also included Kevin J. Johnson, the meeting planner for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and Kenny Roberts, director of corporate affairs for the United States Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce. The panelists spoke on their organization’s respective conferences coming to Philadelphia. Lovitz spoke with PGN prior to the event about the NGLCC’s upcoming conference in Philadelphia, adding he was honored to attend the luncheon.
“Every day in my job, I feel like it is a privilege and an honor that I get to speak for the LGBT business community, and then when I get to join my colleagues and link our resources and our experiences together, it’s something very special and something I don’t take lightly.” The NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference will be held in Philadelphia for the first time Aug. 14-17. More than 1,300 business professionals and government officials are expected to attend the three-day conference at the Philadelphia Downtown Marriott. The event provides educational opportunities, networking and leadership programming for professionals. “It is the largest LGBT business event in the world
and it attracts business owners and corporations from over 15 countries to host cities and we’re thrilled that it’s in Philadelphia,” Lovitz said. “Among the many reasons why we selected Philly is its proven track record on diversity. It’s a city that celebrates different walks of life and puts a premium on bringing communities together.” Lovitz added that, historically, the NGLCC tries to bring people together to affect the most change. “Philadelphia feels like the perfect place to have that conversation.” The point of the conference, he said, is “to assert the economic strength, power and opportunity of the LGBT business community.” “We’re excited for the business owners here to have a chance to PAGE 14