Kate Clinton headlines New Jersey Pride
Professional Portrait: Jeanne Chiaradio
PAGE 31
June is AIDS Education Month
PAGE 33
PAGE 6
May 25-31, 2012
����������
��� ������������ �������� �����������������������������������������
Vol. 36 No. 21
Philly kicks off Obama Pride Council OKs site sale for LGBT senior residences
By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Days before the start of Pride month, supporters of President Obama mobilized to launch their own Pride initiative. “Obama Pride: LGBT Americans for Obama” kicked off this week in cities across the country, including at a launch party Tuesday night at Woody’s. “This is about engaging the LGBT community in our efforts on the ground,” said Jamie Citron, Obama for America National LGBT Vote Director, about the new campaign on a conference call this week. “One of the most powerful tools this campaign has is our ground team and the volunteer teams we’re building across the country. We want to make sure LGBT communities are a core part of the program and the team as we move forward towards victory in November. It’s not just about voter turnout, it’s about making sure the LGBT community is part of the effort on the ground.” The Philadelphia celebration included backing from local LGBT activists and advocates, as well as remarks by Wade Davis, an openly gay former National Football League player. Davis played for the Tennessee Titans, PAGE 22 Seattle Seahawks and
By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com
OUT FOR OBAMA: Openly gay former NFL player Wade Davis (left) speaks to the crowd at Woody’s Tuesday night for the local kickoff of LGBT Americans for Obama. More than 120 people attended to hear about ways to get involved with the new campaign, which seeks to mobilize LGBT voters around the country to take an active role in the president’s re-election. Other speakers included out nominee for the Pennsylvania House Brian Sims and Jeff Marootian, director of LGBT and ethnic outreach for the Democratic National Committee. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Bill seeks to end Planned Parenthood funding, HIV tests By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com
ALLIES IN ACTION: Mazzoni Center education manager Louie Ortiz (from right) acknowledged the work of Nueva Esperanza Academy Charter School teacher Katie Dickerson and The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf employees Tina Pakis and Michael Canfield, this year’s Ally Award recipients at the May 18 Elixir gala. About 240 people gathered at the Loews Hotel. The event raised about $65,000 for Mazzoni Center. Photo: Scott A. Drake
The state legislator who has been at the forefront of the fight against LGBT and women’s rights this week introduced a measure designed to defund Planned Parenthood, which could have implications for the agency’s HIV work. Pennsylvania Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R12th Dist.) on Wednesday submitted legislation titled the “Whole Woman’s Health Funding Priority Act,” which would mandate that health facilities that provide abortion services, largely thought to be targeted at Planned Parenthood, be placed at the bottom of the state’s health-funding priorities. Planned Parenthood’s abortion services account for just 3 percent of its program-
ming, but Metcalfe’s bill could prevent funding for other agency services, such as HIV and STD testing and counseling, cancer-prevention services and affordable birth control for low-income families. Last year, the agency provided more than 200,000 STD tests and 40,000 cervical-cancer screenings in Pennsylvania. More than 120,000 individuals seek services from the Commonwealth’s 42 Planned Parenthood agencies annually. Metcalfe’s measure, which has 34 cosponsors, was authored by Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion agency that also crafted similar legislation that passed in Arizona earlier this year. A number of other states are also currently considering measures to defund Planned Parenthood. ■
City Council last week unanimously approved legislation that will authorize the sale of the city property on which an LGBTfriendly senior living facility is slated to be constructed. Council adopted Resolution 120449 May 17, to allow the Redevelopment Authority to execute the redevelopment contract for the facility, planned for 249-257 S. 13th St. The project is being spearheaded by the Dr. Magnus Hirschfield Fund with developer Pennrose Properties. The RDA board earlier this month voted unanimously to sell the land, initiating the Council measure. Councilman Mark Squilla (D-1st Dist.) introduced the bill during last Thursday’s session, and the rules PAGE 22
Ravi gets 30 days in jail By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The former Rutgers University student at the center of the Tyler Clementi case will serve less than a month in prison for his crimes. A New Jersey judge on Monday sentenced Dharun Ravi to 30 days in prison for his role in spying on his roommate, which a jury found to be motivated by bias. Ravi will report to the Middlesex County prison May 31 to begin his sentence. Reportedly, he’ll only spend 20 days in the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, as state regulations automatically truncate a 30-day sentence with 10 days for good behavior. PAGE 30 Prosecutors have said