Family Portrait: Braxton McCloud: All the world’s a stage
Bethlehem film fest gains new support
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Memorial and fundraiser announced for Donna Mae
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July 31 - Aug. 6, 2015
Since 1976
PGN Philadelphia Gay News HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
Vol. 39 No. 31
LGBT victim-advocate position created By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com
WE ARE THE CHAMpIONS: Members of the red “Got the Runs” and yellow “Come On My Base” teams congratulate one another after the championship of the Stonewall Kickball Sunday League July 26 at Marconi Plaza. The red team took home the crown in an 8-1 victory, after which players from throughout the league congregated at North Shore Beach Club for an after-party. Registration closed this past weekend for the kickball league’s fall season, which starts Aug. 27. Photo: Scott A. Drake
The Center City Crime Victim Services of Philadelphia has created a new LGBT victim-advocate position, following the receipt of a state grant. CCCVS, which is responsible for servicing the Gayborhood and Chinatown, is now accepting applications for the fulltime position. The primary responsibility of the job is to foster a sense of safety and support among victims in the LGBT community in the hopes of increasing crime reporting and participation in the criminal-justice process. Additionally, the advocate will work to raise awareness and education about victims’ rights throughout the city and state. CCCVS executive director Sherry Hunter said she had wanted to create the position for several years now, but it was not possible until the agency received grant funding. “I’ve been wanting to do this for years,
but we just haven’t had the funding until now,” Hunter said. “When a grant opportunity came up through Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, we applied.” Hunter said the agency learned it received the grant earlier this month, and she hopes to fill the position by Sept. 1. The impetus to create the new position arose from a number of LGBT people who have been victimized in the Gayborhood contacting CCCVS. “We have a lot of contact with people that have been assaulted there,” Hunter said. “It’s obvious to us that there is a need in that community.” Several years ago, CCCVS hired a Mandarin-speaking advocate to address constituents in the Chinatown area. According to Hunter, that move was a big success, and she is optimistic the LGBT advocate will have similar results. “More people started speaking out because there was someone who is familPAGE 17 iar with their culture,”
Local support varies for Equality Act By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com More than 200 federal lawmakers have signed on to the first-ever federal Equality Act — which would prohibit anti-LGBT discrimination in a number of sectors — including a number of local legislators. The 165 cosponsors include
Congressmen Brendan Boyle (D-13th Dist.), Matt Cartwright (D-17th Dist.), Chaka Fattah (Second Dist.), Michael Doyle (14th Dist.) and Robert Brady (First Dist.) from Pennsylvania. However, neither Sens. Bob Casey (D) nor Patrick Toomey (R) cosponsored the Senate version. A member of Casey’s staff told PGN the senator “has not yet
decided whether or not he’s going to support it since it was just introduced,” but that he will release a statement on the legislation in the coming weeks. The legislation would amend a number of federal laws to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in public accomPAGE 17 modations,
Scouts lift ban on gay adults By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com The Boy Scouts of America’s national executive board voted this week to allow gay adult employees and volunteers into the organization, but local units will be permitted to exclude them due to a religious exemption.
Scouting units include Boy Scout troops, Cub Scout packs, crews, teams and groups. About 70 board members attended a July 27 meeting and teleconference in Irving, Texas, when the new policy was approved. About 79 percentof the board approved the policy, which goes into effect immediately.
Two years ago, the organization lifted its ban on gay youth. But LGBT advocates say that local units banning gay adults also create a hostile environment for gay youth. There are about 100,000 BSA units throughout the country, and the majority are religiously PAGE 17
SUMMER SIZZLER: Stogie Joe’s was packed Tuesday night for Queers on the Avenue, a monthly traveling happy hour for LGBTs and allies in the East Passyunk Avenue area. This month’s event was staged in collaboration with Independence Business Alliance, the local LGBT chamber of commerce. More than 100 guests enjoyed food and drink specials, networking and the opportunity to learn about both groups. Photo: Scott A. Drake