Shut Up & Dance HRC dinner
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Family Portrait: Lauren Rile Smith talks Tangle PAGE 35
Hot and playing the field
Diamond Williams’ killer asks to toss confession PAGE 5
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Mar. 13-19, 2015
Since 1976
PGN Philadelphia Gay News HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
Vol. 39 No. 11
LGBT history exhibit opening this summer By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com
At a press conference Tuesday, William Way LGBT Community Center executive director Chris Bartlett, joined by Mayor Michael Nutter and other prominent members of the community, gathered to announce the launching of a new LGBT history exhibition at the National Constitution Center to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Annual Reminders this summer. “Speaking Out for Equality: The Constitution, Gay Rights and the Supreme Court” will open June 5 and run through Sept. 7. The exhibit will include information on pivotal court cases, artifacts and personal stories to chronicle the debate over gay rights. The exhibit will be the centerpiece of a weeklong 50th-anniversary celebra-
tion of the first Annual Reminder Day, public demonstrations held every July 4 from 1965-69 in front of Independence Hall, and the first protests for LGBT equality in the nation. The Reminder Days are considered the precursor to the Stonewall Riot in New York City. Bartlett said the exhibit is historic in several ways. “It is the first time that LGBT history, viewed through a constitutional frame, is being explored at a national museum,” said Bartlett. “It’s also historic given the time frame of the American LGBT civil-rights debate, with a major LGBT civil-rights case to be handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court while the exhibit is open in June. “LGBT history is truly coming of age,” he added. Also in attendance was one of the PAGE 17 demonstrators from HISTORY IN THE MAKING: A press conference was held Tuesday to unveil the “Speaking OUT for Equality” exhibit opening in June at the National Constitution Center. The exhibit, produced in partnership with William Way LGBT Community Center, will trace local LGBT history, with a focus on the Annual Reminder Days, the nation’s first LGBT-rights demonstrations, held 1965-69 in front of Independence Hall. The city will mark the 50th anniversary of the demonstrations this July 4 weekend. Mayor Michael Nutter was on hand for the press conference and was joined by REMINDER 2015 committee members Scott Barnes (from left), Chris Bartlett, Tami Sortman, Bob Skiba, John Cunningham, Rich Wilson and David Acosta. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Guilty verdicts for Black Madam By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com A jury on Monday found Padge Victoria Windslowe, a transgender hip-hop artist who calls herself the Black Madam, guilty of giving a fatal buttocks injection. After two days of deliberations, the jury returned the guilty verdict early Monday afternoon. They found Windslowe guilty of third-degree murder in the 2011 death of British tourist Claudia Aderotimi, an exotic dancer who came to the United States to undergo the procedure, intended to enlarge and enhance the buttocks. She was also found guilty of aggravated assault in connection with another injection that landed a woman in the hospital. Windslowe will be sentenced June 11 in Room 1107 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. PAGE 17 Windslowe testified
Locals have strong showing in SCOTUS filings SHAMROCK SHAKE: About 275 people turned out for Guerrilla Queer Bar March 6 at City Tap House in University City, including The Welcoming Committee Philly’s co-community manager Joshua Durando (from left), volunteer alumni manager Christian Myers and co-community manager Sherri Davis. The traveling LGBT party takes place in a nonLGBT space each month. “The beauty of GQBs taking place in a different neighborhood is we attract new people every time,” Durando said. “It’s a great way for us to meet more LGBTQs in Philly, diversify our TWC family and continue our mission of creating safe spaces all around the city.” The next GQB is April 3. Join at thewelcomingcommittee.com/philly to find out the next location. Photo: Brooke Lutz
By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court have been set for next month in the case that could bring marriage equality nationwide, and court filings in support have been pouring in — including a number that include local supporters. Dozens of friend-of-the-court briefs were submitted March 6 urging SCOTUS to rule in favor of marriage equality. Among the briefs was one by about 400 businesses and corporations. That filing was written by Philadelphia-based firm Morgan Lewis and Bockius and included local signatories Independence Business Alliance, the region’s LGBT chamber of commerce; Philadelphia’s Pepper Hamilton law firm, Aramark and Jazz Pharmaceuticals; and
Allenton’s Air Products and Chemicals. About 300 conservative leaders submitted a brief, which was signed by former Republican Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge. About 200 Democratic members of Congress also filed a brief, which included U.S. Sen. Bob Casey from Pennsylvania, as well as Pennsylvania Congressmembers Brendan Boyle, Bob Brady, Matt Cartwright, Michael Doyle and Chaka Fattah. A coalition of 17 states submitted a filing, which included Pennsylvania, signed by Attorney General Kathleen Kane. Another was submitted by 226 mayors and several-dozen cities. Philadelphia was among the cities, as were Emsworth and Lancaster in Pennsylvania and Irvington and Princeton in New Jersey. PAGE 17 Mayor Michael Nutter