Pgn022015

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Borgata launches LGBT tourism initiative

Here we Cho again PAGE 23

Family Portrait: Pam Grier, flower girl

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LGBT leaders from Israel to visit Philly PAGE 5 Feb. 20-26, 2015

Since 1976

PGN Philadelphia Gay News HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

Vol. 39 No. 8

Man accused of murdering lesbian waives prelim hearing By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com

HEARTS ON THEIR SLEEVES: Seventeen eligible bachelors put themselves up for auction Feb. 12 at Boxers to raise funds for AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania. “Thanks to the hard work of Sean Doan, Dr. Josh Moore, Juan Baez and their wonderful team of dedicated volunteers, the V15 Bachelor Auction raised more than $5,500 for the AIDS Law Project,” said agency executive director Ronda Goldfein (pictured). “Boxers was jam-packed with bachelor bidding, and the place was full of good cheer for an important cause.” Donations are still being accepted at gofund. me/V15BAuction. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Philly gears up for Dem convention By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Tens of thousands of visitors will flood Philadelphia the summer after next for the Democratic National Convention — the nexus of which is taking place just blocks from the Gayborhood. The City of Brotherly Love was chosen last week to host the 2016 DNC, a significant feather in the city’s cap, as the event shines an international spotlight on the host city. Most DNC events, which will take place the week of July 25, 2016, are headquartered at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St. “The convention is quite frankly in the middle of the Gayborhood,” said Ted Martin, executive director of Equality

Pennsylvania. “You can’t walk outside the convention without being in the middle of such an incredible community of LGBT people. I think it’s going to be hard for Democrats and people attending to not pay attention to that.” “Things that are good for the businesses of Philadelphia are good for the LGBT businesses of the city as well,” added Sara Jacobson, president of Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club. “One of the reasons that Philly is at the top of everyone’s list as a great place to live and visit is our vibrant gay scene. There are many LGBT-owned restaurants and shops downtown, and we expect our terrific gay bars to be full.” Julie Coker Graham, executive vice president of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, PAGE 20

The defendant accused of murdering Kim Jones, a North Philadelphia lesbian who was shot in the head while waiting for a bus to work, was in court Wednesday. Randolph Sanders chose to waive his right to a preliminary hearing. Sanders’ attorney, Michael Coard, said he would not dispute the commonwealth’s first-degree murder charges against his client. “We waived today’s preliminary hearing because today was about allegations, not evidence,” said Coard. “And we concede, based on the allegations, not the evidence, that the commonwealth has enough.” Thus, no evidence was presented by the assistant district attorney, Mark Levenberg. The defense will not have a chance to dispute any of the evidence until the formal arraignment, when the prosecution’s discovery package is revealed. Outside the courtroom, Coard would not comment about whether Sanders would plead guilty. He also declined to comment on what is presumed to be the primary motivation for the crime — tension in Sanders’ and Jones’ work relationship because of Sanders’ alleged theft of funds from the children and family-advocacy organization they both worked for, Turning

Points for Children. Levenberg also would not comment on the alleged motive but said, “It’s pretty clear that he planned it and prepared for it, and perpetrated a horrible killing. I think his waiver demonstrates the defense agrees there is evidence to go to trial.” Levenberg also said he didn’t think that Jones’ sexual orientation or her marrying a woman a couple months before her death had anything to do with the crime. Jones, 56, was shot in the back of the head Jan. 13 at the corner of 12th and Jefferson streets near Temple University. Jones was listening to gospel music through headphones while waiting for a SEPTA bus when police say Sanders, 36, approached from behind and shot her. Surveillance video captured a man alleged to be Sanders fleeing the scene into the subway. The next hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. March 11 at the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. n

DVLF honors community leaders By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com The Delaware Valley Legacy Fund announced it will honor six leaders in the community for their work in advancing the rights of LGBTs in the area. Now in its ninth year, the DVLF HEROES Awards celebrates the character of its recipients and encourages others to act heroically. This year’s brunch and awards ceremony will be held 12:30-3 p.m. April 12 at Hotel Monaco, 433 Chestnut St.

“All of this year’s HEROES have been selfless and courageous in advancing the rights of the LGBT community,” said DVLF executive director Samantha Giusti. “They are all perfect examples of what it means to make a difference in the lives of others and the community we live in.” This year’s honorees include a posthumous Lifetime Legacy Award presented to Gloria Casarez. The other HEROES are Community Awardee Ian Morrison, Straight Ally Awardee Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel, Youth Awardee Micah PAGE 3 Rodriguez, Nonprofit

“Day in the Life of” is a monthly feature that tells the unique, day-to-day stories of local LGBT PAGE 14 community members. Meet this month’s subject: Jim Donovan


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