Summertime is sporting time in the LGBT community
The great debate in gay relationships: Is mainstream America ready for equality?
Family Portrait: Samantha Giusti
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June 3-9, 2011
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Vol. 35 No. 22
Homelessness bill draws opposition By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com A bill recently introduced by Councilman Frank DiCicco has drawn sharp criticism from advocates for the homeless. Bill 110386, introduced May 12, would amend the “sidewalk behavior” section of the Philadelphia Code to give law enforcement more authority to arrest individuals living on the streets. As the current law stands, before issuing a violation or taking “coercive action” against COUNTRY MEETS CITY: About 400 LGBT dancers strapped on their cowboy someone who is lying, sitting or obstructboots last weekend for the annual convention of the International Association of ing a sidewalk or soliciting near a buildGay/Lesbian Country Western Dance Clubs, held in Philadelphia. The 18th annual ing entrance, an officer must first issue an convention brought together dancers from across the country who spent Friday participating in dance workshops led by experts from the United States and Canada, oral warning to move, followed by a written and Saturday put their talents to the test in line dance, couples and team competiwarning — stipulations that DiCicco’s bill tions. The event generated about $15,000 in fundraising, half of which will go to would remove. the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, and the other half of which will be DiCicco’s measure would also lift the split between the William Way LGBT Community Center and The Attic Youth Center. requirement that, before taking action, offiPhoto: Scott A. Drake cers must attempt to determine whether the person is in need of medical or social-service assistance, instead making the connection to social services contingent solely which enforces the upon whether the officer determines the By Jen Colletta state’s nondiscrimina- person is in need. jen@epgn.com tion law, Glassman said the move was a natuStephen Glassman handed in his resignaral one, precipitated tion letter last week after a successful run as by the recently elected Pennsylvania’s highest-ranking openly gay Republican administraofficial. tion. Glassman is set to begin a new venture as Gov. Corbett will president and CEO of the nonprofit design have the opportunity to agency Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, tapping into his 25-year career nominate a current commissioner as chair or fill one of the two vacancies on the comas the owner of an architectural firm. After eight years as chair of the mission and then nominate that individual. PAGE 6 Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Glassman will remain
Glassman reflects on state service
Currently, if the officer believes the person is in need of homeless-assistance services, mental-health treatment or drug and alcohol rehabilitation, the officer contacts an Outreach Team, which evaluates the individual’s needs, and the officer is not permitted to arrest the individual without the presence of an Outreach Team; in the proposed bill, that stipulation is also dropped, and the dispatch to an Outreach Team is optional. DiCicco did not return a call for comment. Project H.O.M.E., which provides street outreach, housing opportunities and other homelessness-assistance services, has launched an online petition to press Council to oppose the measure. The agency’s executive director, Sister Mary Scullion, said the bill is especially unfortunate in light of the city’s previously successful approach to homelessness. Of the nation’s 10 largest cities, Philadelphia has the least number of people per capita living on the street, Scullion said. “Philadelphia has PAGE 15
Easton gets DP benefits By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The city of Easton became the fifth in the state last week to approve domesticpartner benefits for same-sex partners of city employees. The Easton City Council unanimously approved a domestic-partner measure in a vote May 25. Mayor Sal Panto is scheduled to sign the bill next week.
After taking the vote, the councilmembers received a standing ovation from the packed room. No member of the public spoke out against the measure at the meeting. The measure was first introduced in April by Councilman Michael Fleck and passed out of committee last month. Pennsylvania Diversity Network vice president Adrian Shanker, who, along with president Liz Bradbury, PAGE 6
CLASSIC COLORS: LGBT soccer club Philadelphia Falcons celebrated Memorial Day weekend with its annual Liberty Classic Tournament May 28 at Edgely Field. The fourth-annual event brought together several dozen co-ed LGBT and ally soccer players who braved Saturday’s heat for the day-long tournament. The final standings, in order, were the lime, pink, blue, orange, jade and yellow teams. Photo: Scott A. Drake