July 3-9, 2015
Since 1976
PGN Philadelphia Gay News HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
Vol. 39 No. 27
Marriage equality comes to America By Jen Colletta and Ryan Kasley jen@epgn.com, ryan@epgn.com Marriage equality is now a nationwide reality. In a landmark vote June 26, the U.S. Supreme Court found that the U.S. Constitution guarantees same-sex couples the right to marry. The ruling mandated marriage equality in the states that had yet to sanction it, making the United States the 21st country to fully allow same-sex marriage in all jurisdictions. The 5-4 opinion, issued in Obergefell v. Hodges, was written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, who found that denying same-sex couples marriage rights constitutes “a grave and continuing harm.” “The imposition of this disability on gays and lesbians serves to disrespect and sub-
ordinate them,” he continued. “The Equal Protection Clause, like the Due Process Clause, prohibits this unjustified infringement of the fundamental right to marry.” Joining Kennedy were Justices Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan. Dissenting was Chief Justice John Roberts, Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia, who wrote a scathing dissent calling the decision a “threat to American democracy.” President Barack Obama was among the countless public figures who hailed the historic ruling. In an address outside the White House, Obama called the decision a “victory for America.” “This decision affirms what millions of Americans already believe in their hearts: When all Americans are treated as equal, we are all more free,” the PAGE 28
Philly reacts to SCOTUS ruling By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com
ity in America, including here in Philadelphia.
From all corners of the country, LGBTs and allies spent Decision Day celebrating marriage equal-
Independence Mall Dozens of local organizations
MAYOR NUTTER ADDRESSES THE PHILLY CROwD ON INDEPENDENCE MALL Photo: Jen Colletta
Special Section on LGBTQ Older Adults: 16 — Honoring our history 17 — A personal journey 17 — Maintaining financial independence
18 — Planning for care
19 — Living independently, with community 20 — The Americans with Disabilities Act at 25 24 — Resources for aging, living independently
THOUSANDS CELELBRATE IN FRONT OF THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING IN wASHINGTON, D.C., THE MORNING OF THE DECISION Photo: Scott A. Drake
sponsored a Decision Day rally at Independence Mall Friday evening, which drew hundreds of supporters. Before a backdrop of Independence Hall, a handful of community and political leaders took to the podium, including Mayor Michael Nutter, who had stepped off a plane from Rome less than a half-hour before the rally. “Buongiorno,” he greeted the crowd, which joined in cheers when the mayor announced the city had quickly raised the rainbow flag outside City Hall after the ruling. Nutter noted that, while the community and its allies should celebrate the ruling, they shouldn’t lose sight of the other battles still to be won. PAGE 28
Marriage Equality 29 — A Day in D.C. 30-31 — Philly comes out for marriage
32-33 — From the steps of SCOTUS 34 — Locals react to the ruling 35 — A historic NYC Pride
FRANK KAMENY AT THE ORIGINAL PROTESTS (CLOCKwISE FROM TOP LEFT), AT INDEPENDENCE HALL 45 YEARS LATER, BARBARA GITTINGS AND THE STATE HISTORICAL MARKER
Annual Reminders 36 — Annual Reminders take their place in history
37 — Historical context of the 1960s 38 — Out & About Annual Reminder Day weekend 38 — William Way
marks its own anniversary 39 — Focus on the marchers 40 — Judy Shepard on her pioneering journey