pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976
Vol. 42 No. 26 June 29 - July 5, 2018
National LGBT Chamber of Commerce conference preps for Philly
Family Portrait: Jerry Rice PAGE 19
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HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
Gay-owned art gallery opens in New Hope
Boyertown trans-friendly ruling to be challenged
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Presbyterian Church approves pro-LGBT measures By Adriana Fraser adriana@epgn.com
HIP HOP AT THE TROC: The Trocadero Theatre hosted Hip Hop for Philly on June 26 in cooperation with Philadelphia FIGHT’s AIDS Education Month and Children’s Hospital. More than 1,500 people, aged 14-23, were tested for HIV or or attended education sessions in order to secure a ticket. Photo: Scott A. Drake
The United States Presbyterian Church has approved several LGBTQ-specific overtures at its biennial General Assembly, affirming religious freedom without discrimination for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The Rev. Jesse Garner III, minister at The First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, said the denomination is stepping away from the historical teachings of discrimination and moving toward being more inclusive and welcoming to all. “The historic teachings of the church stigmatized LGBT people,” Garner said, adding the church has been moving toward greater inclusivity. “The church has finally come around to being more serious about welcoming all in worship and in the posi-
tions within the church.” The denomination now denounces discrimination on the basis of religious freedom. In item 11-15 introduced at the 223rd General Assembly that took place June 16-23, it affirmed that the principle of religious freedom “should not mean the right to discriminate against or impose one’s views upon others. In our commitment to be disciples of Jesus Christ, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is called to stand against oppression and in support of human dignity for all people.” Item 11-12 proposed at the General Assembly affirmed its commitment to the full welcome, acceptance and inclusion of transgender people, people who identify as gender-nonbinary and those of all gender identities. The church is committed to “stand for the right of people of all gender identities to PAGE 8
Man accused of drag-queen attack ‘remorseful’ By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com A man accused of attacking a local drag queen is requesting placement in a diversionary program, which would allow him to avoid jail time. Carmelo Villanueva’s preliminary hearing was scheduled for June 26 before Municipal Court Judge Gerard A. Kosinski. The
judge postponed the matter until Sept. 11 due to defense attorney Philip Steinberg’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program request. Prosecutor Mayra Reyes didn’t object to a postponement. Outside the courtroom, Steinberg said his client is remorseful and willing to pay restitution costs to Aloe Vera, whose legal name is Anthony Veltre. “My client is legally and mor-
ally responsible to pay restitution for the victim’s injuries,” Steinberg told PGN. “He’s never wavered in his desire to do so.” “Mr. Villanueva has embarked on a journey to clean up his act,” Steinberg said, noting that Villanueva is gainfully employed and has enrolled in anger-management classes. “He wants to find out what caused him to punch a friend and break the
person’s jaw,” Steinberg said. “He want to get to the bottom of what caused that to happen.” Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition is a program that offers an alternative to incarceration for first-time offenders as approved by the D.A’s Office. Requirements of the program may include payment of restitution to the victim, PAGE 2 attendance in
VILLANUEVA
Legislation to replace gendered language in city tax forms By Adriana Fraser adriana@epgn.com Mayor Jim Kenney signed two bills into law that replace gendered marital signifiers on two city tax forms in an effort to make the legislative code more inclusive. The legislation, introduced by Derek Green, will replace the terms “husband,” “wife,” “widow” and “widower” with the non-gendered term “spouse” on the Realty Transfer Tax and Senior Citizen Low Income Special Tax Provisions forms. Green said the previous terminology wasn’t representative of the progressive
nature of Philadelphia. “People are able to marry who they want regardless of gender identity and expression. We shouldn’t have things in the code that are vestiges to an older time,” he said. “Replacing language that makes reference to husband and wife is language that sends a message that we are progressive in fighting for the protections of every citizen.” The Human Rights Campaign reported that more than 50 percent of LGBT Americans live in states where they risk being fired, denied housing or refused services. Only 19 states and Washington,
D.C., explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Pennsylvania is not among them. Rue Landau, executive director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations and the Fair Housing Commission, said the new legislation affirms the city’s antibias policy. Gendered language has serious legal consequences, she added. “We are the only state in the Northeast where same-sex marriage is legal and we don’t have statewide-equality laws. After same-sex marriage became law, having the term husband and wife anywhere in
the code creates unnecessary legal obstacles,” Landau said. Kenney said the use of gendered language in such ordinances has historically created barriers for the LGBTQ community, where partnerships are not always properly reflected by the terms “husband and wife.” “The inclusion of gender-neutral language will help to streamline legal proceedings and demonstrates Philadelphia’s status as a city that ensures acceptance and equality for all its citizens, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation,” Kenney said. n