pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976
Vol. 40 No. 22 May 27 - June 2, 2016
Family Portrait: Andrew Woolley walks the line
PAGE 29
Conference Convo: Philly in national spotlight
HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
• NLGJA • Out & Equal • Creating Change
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Prides, performers and parties: Summer Guide 2016
Cosby to stand trial in assault on lesbian
Victims sue gay-bashing trio for $500K
By Paige Cooperstein paige@epgn.com
By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The victims of a 2014 gay-bashing case in Philadelphia have filed a civil suit against their attackers. Zachary Hesse and Andrew Haught filed suit May 17 in the Court of Common Pleas against Kathryn Knott, Kevin Harrigan and Philip Williams. The three were involved in a September 2014 attack on Hesse and Haught at 16th and Chancellor streets that left the couple badly injured. Harrigan and Williams took plea deals that allowed them to avoid potential jail time but Knott took her case to trial and was convicted of four misdemeanor charges. She is three-and-a-half months in to her five-10month sentence. The suit was filed Tuesday by the firm Kline & Specter. The suit requests a total judgment in excess of $500,000; there are 10 counts against the three defendants, each of which includes a request for judgment in excess of $50,000. “The charges in the criminal trial were about the punishment of the defendants’ actions under the criminal,” Andrew Youman, attorney for the couple, told PGN last week. “The D.A. brought those charges. The civil system is about compensation, and that’s what this case is about: compensation for everything they have been through as a result of the conduct of the defendants.” The counts against Harrigan are assault and battery regarding Hesse and assault regarding Haught. Knott faces a charge of assault and battery for her interaction with Hesse and assault for Haught. The suit charges Williams with assault and battery for Haught and assault for Hesse. All three face a count of negligent infliction of emotional stress for each victim, and restatement of tortes for each victim. The suit, which requests a jury trial, reiterates the details of the incident Haught and Hesse relayed on the stand during Knott’s trial in December. The couple says they were walking in Center City when they encountered the trio and a group of their friends. They say Harrigan called Hesse a “dirty fucking faggot” PAGE 16
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GAY-LA GUESTS: Community members dished, dined and danced May 20 at Mazzoni Center’s annual Elixir gala. Held for the first time at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s Lubert Plaza, the event raised $170,000 for the LGBT health facility, with a net gain of $135,000, making it the organization’s most successful fundraiser ever. Brian Sanders’ JUNK performed, and awards were given to Stonewall Sports and the Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Comedian Bill Cosby will stand trial on all charges against him related to allegations of sexual assault from a lesbian former employee of Temple University, a Montgomery County judge ruled May 24 after a three-and-a-half-hour preliminary hearing. If convicted of aggravated indecent assault, he could face up to 10 years in prison. Cosby waived his formal arraignment scheduled for July 20, meaning he does not have to appear in court again until the start of the trial. It’s likely that date will be delayed by several defense motions. “Thank you,” Cosby told Cheltenham Township District Judge Elizabeth McHugh at the end of the proceeding, in his only time publicly addressing the court. Andrea Constand has accused Cosby, 78, of drugging and sexually assaulting her at his Cheltenham home in PAGE 22
Deborah Cox to headline Philly Pride By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Singer and actor Deborah Cox will be the main attraction at this year’s Philly Pride. The Canadian-born performer is best known for her platinum-selling, award-winning R&B/dance albums. Her 1998 song “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” holds a record as one of Billboard’s longest-running number-two hits. She has also starred in films like “Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns” and “Hotel Rwanda,” as well as acclaimed Broadway musicals like “Jekyll & Hyde,” “Josephine” and an upcoming stage adaptation of the hit film “The Bodyguard.” “It’s exciting,” Philly Pride Presents executive director Franny Price said about this year’s headliner. “This is a star. She’s has all those hits and she’s a big advocate for our community. Plus, she sounds good too.”
Cox has long been a vocal LGBT ally and has headlined a number of LGBT Pride celebrations, including in Chicago and Atlanta. Cox will head an entertainment lineup that also features out comedian Jessica Kirson, LGBT and gender-nonconforming dance troupe and Oxygen TV reality stars The Prancing Elites, dance-pop singer Jade Starling from Pretty Poison and rock band Betty, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. “It’s exciting that we have so many starring acts this year,” Price said. The Philly Pride Parade kicks off June 12 at 11:30 a.m., a half-hour earlier than usual, from 13th and Locust streets. The festival gates at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 S. Columbus Blvd., will open at noon. For more information and a detailed list of performers, visit www.phillygaypride. org. n
ATTORNEY GLORIA ALLRED APPLAUDED THE JUDGE’S RULING IN THE BILL COSBY CASE OUTSIDE MONTGOMERY COUNTY COURTHOUSE TUESDAY Photo: Paige Cooperstein