The Out List
All about Pride
Family Portrait: Bob Lawson
PAGE 61
PAGES 10-11, 24-29, 61-63, 68-69, 83-84
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June 7-13, 2013
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Vol. 37 No. 23
SEPTA to drop gender markers next month
Penn finds improvements among HIV-poz trans community
By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com
By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com A new study out this week from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found that HIVpositive transgender people were just as likely to adhere to medicine and care regimens as other positive communities. The study, published May 30 online in “Clinical Infectious Diseases,” found that outcomes were improving among transgender individuals who were HIV-positive. The study looked at 36,845 patients from 13 HIV Research Network clinics between 2001-2011. Of the sample size, 285 patients self-identified as transgender. The trans patients had similar rates of retention, adherence to antiretroviral therapy and HIV suppression as non-trans patients, suggesting a reversal from previous studies that showed HIV-positive trans populations were less likely to stay in care and on medications. During the 10-year period, transgender patients were retained in care 80 percent of the time, compared with 81 percent each for self-identified men and women. About 76 percent of trans patients received ART, compared with 77 percent of men and 73 percent of women. And 68 percent of trans people achieved HIV suppression, compared with 69 percent of men and 63 percent of women. PAGE 50
OUT ON TOP: Construction workers put one of the final pieces on the exterior of the John C. Anderson Apartments Wednesday in a “topping-out” ceremony in the Gayborhood, signaling a milestone in the construction of the LGBTfriendly senior residences, expected to wrap up by the end of the year. Mayor Michael Nutter was scheduled to participate but was unable to attend due to Wednesday’s Center City building collapse, but other guests included Councilman Jim Kenney, John Dougherty and the Hon. Dan Anders. Photo: Scott A. Drake
After years of discussions, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority will finally discontinue gendermarker stickers on their monthly and weekly trail and trans passes starting July 1. The discussion came about a year after Philadelphia City Council passed a resolution calling for an end to the gender-marker system. Efforts to abandon the system were largely led by Riders Against Gender Exclusion, which contended the markers discriminated against transgender and gender nonconforming riders. Philadelphia’s transit system has used the designated male and female stickers since the 1980s. SEPTA will implement a New Payment Technology system in 2014 but announced last year that it would do away with the gender markers before then. Many LGBT activists hailed the end to the policy but some contended the decision should have come years ago.
“It’s long overdue and that it’s still taking so long points to how SEPTA really values the LGBT people who pay fares and taxes to support the system,” said LGBT activist Kathy Padilla. Padilla referenced a lawsuit SEPTA filed in 2009 in Common Pleas Court that claimed the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations did not have jurisdiction to investigate bias complaints against the transit agency. “SEPTA’s assertion that they are not covered by the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance before the Philadelphia Human Relations Commission to further delay this rather simple change is appalling and should be a warning to LGBT people who might consider working there,” Padilla added. But, she said the new move will finally put SEPTA more in line with the rest of the city’s proLGBT policies. “The progress made by the city of Philadelphia in valuing its LGBT citizens is nothing short of amazing. It’s sad that SEPTA has chosen to resist the arc of history PAGE 48 for so long,”
Philly Pride Presents celebrates 25 years By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com At least 10,000 people are expected to flock to Philadelphia for the June 9 Pride Parade and Festival and, this year, organizers are expecting the entertainment and partici-
pants — including a villainous reality star, a new DJ and a group of firefighters — to be even hotter than the weather. Philly Pride Presents executive director Franny Price said the weekend-long celebration will start with the second annual kick-off party from 6-11 p.m. June 7 on 12th street
between Walnut and Spruce. “The kick-off party is going to be a lot of fun. We are excited about that because we will have a lot of amusement and it is a great way to kick off Pride weekend,” she said. Attendees will be able to play miniature golf, ride a mechanical PAGE 28
What’s happening around town this Pride weekend?
AIDS EDUCATION MONTH FOCUSES ON THE YOUTH Photo: Scott A. Drake Page 5
Gayborhood Block Party: The party is back for its second year, 611 p.m. June 7 on 12th Street between Walnut and Spruce. Celebrate the beginning of Pride weekend with games, music, food and drink specials.
Philadelphia Dyke March: The annual Dyke March begins with a rally at 3 p.m. June 8 at Kahn Park at 11th and Pine streets, followed by the 4 p.m. march. After, enjoy with live performances and free water ice.
Homecoming: The William Way LGBT Community Center will celebrate local activists from 6-10 p.m. June 8 at 1315 Spruce St. Tickets are $35-50.
Pride Parade: The 25th annual parade steps off from 13th and Locust at noon June 9, headed for Penn’s Landing. Pride Festival: After the parade, head to the festival to see Omarosa
and gay mentalist Bob Lawson. The festival runs noon-6 p.m. Admission is $10, and wristbands will be sold at the gate and at Friday’s block party. — compiled by Angela Thomas