Family Portrait: Deborah Zubow fights for rights PAGE 29
Challenges to Sims’ petitions are withdrawn PAGE 2
Since 1976
Art show celebrates heroes and martyrs in the LGBT community
SEPTA case goes to PA Supreme Court
PAGE 25
Show Me Love
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Mar. 25-31, 2016
PGN Philadelphia Gay News HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
Vol. 40 No. 13
Accused killer of trans woman continues to seek freedom By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com
SHOWING HIS PRIDE: Philly Pride Presents’ Chuck Volz and Franny Price gave Gov. Tom Wolf a Pride pin Sunday at the Keystone Pride Conference in Harrisburg. The governor thanked the approximately 50 attendees at the annual gathering of Pride coordinators for their contributions to the local and state economies. After a few remarks, he walked around the room shaking hands and taking photos. For more coverage, see page 8. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Charles N. Sargent, accused of the gruesome slashing death of trans woman Diamond Williams, continues to seek his freedom. Sargent, 46, allegedly stabbed to death Williams in July 2013, after a sexual encounter. Sargent claims Williams demanded payment for oral sex, which Sargent refused to pay. According to Sargent, Williams became violent and he stabbed her to death in self-defense. Later, he dismembered Williams’ corpse with an ax and deposited her body parts in a nearby vacant lot in Strawberry Mansion. He’s accused of murder, abuse of a corpse and related offenses. According to published reports, Sargent had prior violent encounters with trans women in Philadelphia. But the alleged encounters weren’t reported until after Williams’ death.
Hearing delayed for two accused in Maya Young murder The woman and man accused of murder in the fatal stabbing of transgender woman Maya Young will face preliminary hearings May 3, after a hearing slated for March 23 was continued. Tiffany Floyd, 24, and Jose Pena, 19, both face charges of murder and conspiracy. They have been denied bail. Floyd remains in custody in Riverside Correctional Facility while Pena is in Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility. He was moved from Summit Academy, a juvenile facility. Police charged Floyd and Pena in relation to the Feb. 20 fatal stabbing of Young in Frankford. Around 11:50 p.m. on that date, police responded to reports of a stabbing near 4900 Griscom St. When officers arrived, they found Young suffering several stab wounds to the neck and chest. They transported her to Aria Health Frankford, where officials pronounced her dead. n — Paige Cooperstein
Last month, Sargent filed a petition with the court, seeking his freedom. The petition is entitled “Justification Summary to Exonerate My Burden.” The petition indicates that Sargent continues to believe his actions were justified, and that he should be released from incarceration. The petition also cites numerous biblical passages, and claims to be sealed with the “holy spirit.” In prior filings, Sargent asked to be released on the basis that he’s been denied his Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial. A recurring theme in Sargent’s filings is that his actions with respect to Williams were justified under the circumstances. In one filing, Sargent indicated he’d like to speak with Williams if such an opportunity could be possible. As of presstime, Sargent’s request for freedom remained pending with Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Lillian H. Ransom. PAGE 16 In December, Ransom
Police seek entry into LGBT residence By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com
BINGO BUDS: Keith Ockimey (from left), Kurt Douglass and Kevin Cotten were all smiles at AIDSFund’s annual Black Tie GayBINGO! March 19 at Loews Philadelphia Hotel. The event drew 270 guests and raised $50,000 for the agency, which disperses funding to HIV/AIDS organizations in the region. The event featured a silent auction, Bingo games, awards presentation, dinner and dancing. The next GayBINGO! is an 80s-themed event March 26 at Gershman Y. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Two members of an LGBT household have filed complaints against Philadelphia police after several officers attempted to gain entry into their residence without a search warrant. On March 18, Zena McDonnell and Angel Young filed complaints at the 16th Police District, which covers West Philadelphia. The incident occurred at 7 p.m. March 15 at their residence on the 4000 block of Haverford Avenue in Powelton. Multiple police officers attempted to gain entry, and shined spotlights into several windows on the first and second floors of the residence, according to McDonnell. McDonnell, 34, said she repeatedly refused the officers’ demands to gain entry, explaining to them that they didn’t have a search warrant signed by a judge. After about 30 minutes, the officers left. The PAGE 20 incident left residents