pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976
Vol. 42 No. 14 April 6-12, 2018
Family Portrait: Gregory Montagnino is a jack of all trades PAGE 23
Social Security ruling to determine same-sex marriage benefits PAGE 5
HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
L7 reborn PAGE 19
I’m From Driftwood marks storytelling milestone
Mazzoni Center stands by new CEO: ‘The right choice for us’
Kenyatta brings in endorsements as Deering ‘focusing on what people need’ in 181st district race By Adriana Fraser PGN Contributor Political advocate and Democratic strategist Malcolm Kenyatta appears to be edging out his closest competitor in the primary race for state representative of Pennsylvania’s 181st House District after securing a series of key endorsements. Kenyatta’s most recent endorsement comes from state Sen. Sharif Street of the Third District, which includes North Central Philadelphia, Nicetown, Tioga, Logan, Lower Germantown, Olney, Fern Rock, Crescentville, Roxborough, East Oak Lane, East Hunting Park, East Wyoming and Melrose Park Garden. “Malcolm has proven himself to be a leader,” Street told guests last week during his birthday party, which doubled as his own political fundraiser at the Divine Lorraine Hotel on North Broad Street. “He’s proven himself to be someone who gets things done, and he’s proven he has a love for North Philadelphia,” he added in a press statement. During that fundraiser, Street emphasized his need for a partner in Harrisburg to help pass effective legislation. “People ask why Malcolm, and why this race is so important... One candidate has distinguished himself as ready to take on this important role and that’s Malcolm Kenyatta.” Kenyatta is one of six other candidates looking to fill the 181st District seat, which covers parts of North and North Central Philadelphia, Yorktown, Francisville, Glenwood, West Popular, Northern Liberties and Old Kensington. Rep. W. Curtis Thomas has held the seat since 1989. Thomas is now retiring, and has also endorsed Kenyatta. Other Democratic candidates include Alex Deering, Lewis PAGE 15
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By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com
A BONNET ON IT: Luis Martinez and Terry Gsell show off their winning entries in front of guest judges and emcee Henri David (back) during the South Street Razzle Dazzle portion of the annual Easter contest April 1 in Head House Square. After the parade down South Street, hundreds gathered to hear the Philadelphia Freedom Band and to compete in one of the many categories, from best-dressed family to best bonnet. Martinez and Gsell moved to Philadelphia two years ago and this was their first Easter parade. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Philly hospitals among most LGBTfriendly in the nation By Jason Villemez PGN Contributor Nine Philadelphia-area health-care facilities are national leaders in LGBT patient care, according to the 2018 Healthcare Equality Index, an online survey conducted by the Human Rights Campaign. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Hospital, Mazzoni Center, Temple University Hospital and Einstein Medical Center were among those that received a perfect score on a 100-point scale for criteria ranging from nondiscrimination policies, LGBT-specific patient care, employee benefits and engagement with the LGBT community. Four Philadelphia facilities received perfect scores in 2017. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital scored 70 out of 100 points on the survey. Hahnemann University Hospital, Cooper University Heath Care and Kennedy
University Hospital did not participate. Jefferson had previously scored 100 points in 2016 and 55 points in 2017. “ T h o m a s J e ff e r s o n U n ive r s i t y Hospitals has set a goal to be a LGBT Healthcare Quality Leader on the HRC’s annual Healthcare Equality Index (HEI),” Chief Diversity Officer Joseph Hill told PGN. “Plans include ramping up efforts around existing staff education and supplier diversity. “Our mission is to care for all with dignity and respect and to break down barriers to health equity.” The HEI is a “roadmap” to equal care for LGBT patients, HRC President Chad Griffin said in a statement. It is “crucial that institutions continue to demonstrate that the march toward full equality is not slowing down,” Griffin said. “The 626 participants in this year’s HEI continue this march in partnership with the LGBT community, and we commend them for their leadership.” PAGE 15 The HEI began in
Mazzoni Center is standing by incoming CEO Lydia Gonzalez Sciarrino amid demands by the Black and Brown Workers Cooperative that she resign, at least partly due to her non-LGBT status. “We stand with Lydia. She’s the right choice for us,” Mazzoni Center communications director Larry Benjamin told PGN. “We don’t discriminate against people because of who they are.” Mazzoni board president Christopher Pope noted that Gonzalez Sciarrino ran a health center of similar size in her previous position and that she also impressed the board because of “her ability to work with people from different backgrounds and her ability to institute processes for better efficiency of the organization. She “is committed to the LGBT community and she’s fully aligned with the mission of Mazzoni Center,” Pope told PGN. But the co-founders of the Black and Brown Workers Cooperative (BBWC), who say they represent nearly 400 workers in Philadelphia, aren’t budging. “The days of people who are not from our communities coming in to take up a considerable amount of power in our communities is over,” said BBWC cofounder Shani Akilah. “That is non-negotiable. There’s nothing she can say to make her presence acceptable at all.” Akilah said a community-rooted organization such as Mazzoni Center must have leadership reflecting those it serves. “A white, straight cis woman is not fit to lead Mazzoni, no matter how much experience she claims to have,” said Akilah. “The one thing she does not have and will never be able to have is lived experience.” Abdul-Aliy Muhammad, cofounder of BBWC and a former Mazzoni Center staffer, said the board of directors doesn’t have the best interests of clients at heart. The board “has been failing us for years. That’s partly the reason why the cooperative exists — because of PAGE 8