Something “Wicked” this way comes
Family Portrait: Stephanie Acevedo
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Scouts continue creating controversy
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June 21-27, 2013
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Vol. 37 No. 25
Local becomes first lesbian Latina federal judge
Justice still elusive in murder of gay S. Philly man
By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com
By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com Around this time last year, 30year-old Michael J. Fox was getting ready for his return to the world of artistic roller skating, hoping to regain momentum from his glory days as an award-winning skating champion. Fox, however, would never get to lace up his skates again. He was found dead in his South Philadelphia apartment June 22, the victim of a murder. Fox lived in an apartment on the corner of Eighth and Christian streets and was found in a pool of blood on his bedroom floor. According to an autopsy, he died of blunt-force trauma to the head. One year later, his killer has yet to be apprehended. Fox was an openly gay man who enjoyed hair styling, makeup, fashion and spending time with his friends and family. Fox’s mother, Diane Fox, said the aspiring stylist and make-up artist was a pleasure growing up. “He had a great sense of humor. Michael had great timing. He was very creative, whether it was in art or singing,” Diane said. Fox grew up in South Jersey but eventually moved to Philadelphia. He worked at Gap stores in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, winning a number of workplace awards. Fox graduated from Oak Crest High School in Mays Landing, PAGE 14 N.J., and went
A MEANINGFUL MEAL: Keith Lucas (center), executive chef at Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutritional Alliance, dished on the lunches at MANNA’s 10-millionth-meal celebration with Mayor Michael Nutter and MANNA executive director Sue Daugherty. Staff, volunteers and clients turned out for the June 17 luncheon, held at MANNA headquarters at 23rd and Ranstead, to celebrate the agency’s predicted 10-millionth-meal delivery this summer. MANNA provides nutritional meals to people with life-threatening illnesses, including HIV/AIDS. Photo: Scott A. Drake
A longtime Philadelphia judge has officially become the first openly lesbian Latina to sit on the federal bench. The U.S. Senate confirmed Nitza Quiñones Alejandro June 13 to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. She is the first LGBT Hispanic person to be confirmed to the federal bench, and only the seventh LGBT federal judge nationwide. President Obama nominated Alejandro for the judgeship in November, supported by both Pennsylvania U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey (R) and Bob Casey Jr. (D). Alejandro served as a Philadelphia Common Pleas Court judge since 1991. She received
both her bachelor’s in business administration and law degree from the University of Puerto Rico. The Senate also confirmed Berks County Common Pleas Court Judge Jeffrey Schmehl to the federal bench. Casey said in a statement that he was pleased to see the bipartisan decision to bring Alejandro to the federal court, adding her service and story could provide a positive example. “Nitza’s life as a lawyer, judge and civic leader make her a true American success story,” Casey said. “Her 21 years on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas have prepared her well for a seat on the federal bench, and I’m confident she’ll serve the Eastern District of Pennsylvania well.” Toomey added that Alejandro’s diverse courtroom and civic expePAGE 12 riences will be
Victims of the night: Stories of trans sex workers By Victoria A. Brownworth Special to PGN First in a series Tiffani and I are standing a few feet from the doorway to Club Upscale, a big, almost block-long taupe-colored building with curved black awnings over blacked-out windows. The streetlight a few yards down from the club door is out and it seems excessively dark on the block. I shiver slightly, but I’m not cold. Tiffani’s smoking a cigarette and talking. I’m leaning against my car. I’m trying to listen, but I’m feeling a little bit nervous and a whole lot white. We’re near the corner of Germantown Avenue and some little side street without a sign, about a block from Broad and Erie in Nicetown. It’s Friday night and no one knows I’m here with Tiffani except Tiffani. Suddenly I feel scared, remembering what happened the night I met her. People go in and out of the club. The music blasts, then ebbs, but there is always that kind of thumping reverb surrounding us. Occasionally, Tiffani will call out to someone she knows as they head toward the club and they wave and then make some sign in my PAGE 8 direction. Who’s that white lady with you? I wave *Author’s note: Pronouns represent the gender chosen by the interviewees unless otherwise noted.
GOIN’ TO THE CHAPEL: Pope Cubby (from left) “formally attached” Sisters staffer Frannie and patron Peg at Sisters’ “Big Gay Wedding Weekend” June 15. The two-day event began last Friday to raise funds for such initiatives as next weekend’s bus trip to Harrisburg to rally for marriage equality. Friday served as a bachelor and bachelorette party, while on Saturday couples could “wed” in the downstairs chapel — for the night, the weekend or eternity — getting a keepsake certificate and rings. Photo: Scott A. Drake