Pgn072613

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Divas do it better

Answers to immigration and same-sex-marriage questions

Family Portrait: Anna Aagenes PAGE 19

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July 26 - Aug. 1, 2013

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Vol. 37 No. 30

Trans woman stabbed to death, suspect arrested

MontCo opens new marriage debate By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The Register of Wills in Montgomery County this week became the first in the state to issue a marriage license to a samesex couple. On Wednesday morning, D. Bruce Hanes issued marriage licenses to at least two lesbian couples. Pottstown residents Loreen Bloodgood and Alicia Terrizzi, together for 18 years, were the first to receive a license, followed by Sasha Esther Ballen and Diana Lynn Spagnuolo of Wynnewood.

Police found the remains of Diamond Williams in a Strawberry Mansion lot last week. Charles Sargent faces murder and other charges. By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com A MOTHER’S PRIDE: Alice Hoagland reacted to the standing ovation she received after the screening of “The Rugby Player” July 20 at Ritz East. The QFest audience honorable mention winner focused on Hoagland’s son, Mark Bingham, the openly gay rugby player who was among the passengers who sought to overtake Flight 93 from terrorists on 9/11. Hoagland participated in a Q&A after the documentary, telling audience members about everything from her son’s rugby injuries to her experience listening to the flight-data recorder from Flight 93.

A transgender woman was murdered and dismembered last week in the city’s Strawberry Mansion section. On July 20, police arrested and charged 43-year-old Charles Sargent with the murder, as well as possession of an instrument of crime and abuse of a corpse. Sargent allegedly stabbed and dismembered 31-year-old Diamond Williams of Philadelphia July 13.

According to police spokesperson Officer Tanya Little, police received a phone call July 17 about a possible crime scene on the 2100 block of North 32nd Street. “Upon arrival, officers located a crime scene inside the residence, a possible homicide,” Little said in an email. “However, a victim was not located inside the location. Through further investigation by Central Detectives, they were able to develop a suspect and ultimately a victim.” Police Public Affairs commanding officer Lt. John Stanford said PAGE 3

Photo: Scott A. Drake

MARRIAGE IN MONTCO: The Rev. Craig Andrussier speaks with members of the media July 24 in Norristown after performing a marriage ceremony for a lesbian couple. Earlier in the day, the couple obtained a same-sex marriage license from Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes, who is defying the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. The legal weight of their union is yet to be determined. Photo: Associated Press/Matt Rourke

Hanes waived the three-day requirement for the nuptials to be performed for Bloodgood and Terrizzi, and the pair was joined in a North Wales ceremony Wednesday by the Rev. Craig Andrussier. Hanes told PGN the previous day that he had planned on issuing a marriage license to a different lesbian couple that day but that the couple backed out. When asked if he would issue a marriage license to other same-sex couples who applied, Hanes said: “The answer is yes.” “I only issue marriage licenses, I don’t marry people,” he added. PAGE 12 Montgomery County

Judge allows Liberty Place demonstrations By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com

A judge last week ruled that protestors who espouse antigay and anti-women views are permitted to demonstrate near a busy Center City property. Common Pleas Judge Ellen Ceisler ruled July 19 that it would be a free-speech violation to band the Israelite School of Universal Practical Knowledge, which bills itself as a religious organization, from demonstrating outside Liberty Place at 16th and Chestnut streets. Liberty Place Retail Associates, L.P., filed a civil suit in May seeking to bar ISUPK from demonstrating on its property. A temporary injunction was PAGE 16

RALLYING FOR RESPECT: Director of LGBT Affairs Gloria Casarez led about 100 participants at a July 23 rally at Love Park in demanding an end to violence against the transgender community. The demonstration, organized by GALAEI and Mazzoni Center, was in response to last week’s slaying of Diamond Willams, a transgender woman, who was remembered by friends and community leaders at the rally. While a suspect in Williams’ murderer has been arrested, protestors called for continued attention to the numerous unsolved homicides of other local transwomen. Photo: Scott A. Drake


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