Philadelphia Gay News Vol. 34 No. 43
Honesty Integrity Professionalism
Oct. 22 - 28, 2010
Arrests made in Breakfast Club murder
Judge upholds DADT order, gay enlistments commence By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Former Lt. Dan Choi, one of the most visible faces in the fight to repeal the military’s ban on openly gay servicemembers, stood in line at a Times Square Army recruitment office in New York City Tuesday night, hours after a judge in California refused the federal government’s request to keep “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in place. U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips denied the Department of Justice’s request for a stay of the injunction that she handed down earlier this month that ordered the immediate cease of discharges, suspensions and investigations under the ban. On Wednesday, the DOJ filed an appeal to Phillips’ order with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The rulings came in a case filed several years ago by the Log Cabin Republicans that went to trial this past summer. In her verdict, Phillips said “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” violates servicemembers’ constitutional rights to free speech and due process. Although the government is appealing the ruling, the Pentagon announced Tuesday that it had instructed recruiters to allow See DADT, Page 17
Man stabbed in Gayborhood A man was stabbed early Wednesday morning in the Gayborhood, and his alleged attacker now faces attempted murder charges. Police were called to the 200 block of South 13th Street at 2:30 a.m. Oct. 20 for a report of a stabbing. Police spokesperson Officer Jillian Russell said the victim was stabbed in the chest and transported to Jefferson University Hospital, where he is listed in critical condition. Police arrested Eugene Simon, 32, of the 3600 block of North 15th Street, and charged him with attempted murder, aggravated assault and related offenses. Russell said the altercation appears to have been related to an “argument over drugs.” See STABBING, Page 26
By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer
SUNDAY STROLL: Participants in the 24th annual Philadelphia AIDS Walk traveled over the Falls Bridge Oct. 17 for the second leg of the course, heading back to the Art Museum. About 15,000 walkers and runners turned out for the event, which raised about $350,000 for AIDS Fund, which distributes the money to area HIV/AIDS service organizations. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Investigation continues in Blahnik murder By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer
the overall house mother for House of Blahnik. Blahnik was found Oct. 11 by her boyNo arrests have been made yet in the friend inside their home in the 1800 block murder last week of a transgender woman of Manton Street. Police say Blahnik was strangled to death by a pillowcase. There in South Philadelphia. Police are continuing to investigate the was no sign of forced entry. Police are declining to comment on homicide of 31-year-old Stacey Blahnik, a possible motive for the killing or the description of any suspects yet. The local LGBT community joined together Saturday night to remember Blahnik in a candlelight vigil at Love Park. Following Blahnik’s funeral Tuesday morning, more than 100 people gathered at the William Way LGBT Community Center REMEMBERING STACEY: Stacey Blahnik’s friends, family to pay tribute to her. and House of Blahnik family members gathered Oct. 19 Robert Burns, at the William Way LGBT Community Center after Blahnik’s e x e c u t i v e d i r e c funeral to celebrate her life. The local transwoman was tor of The Colours murdered last week, and the identity of her killer is still Organization Inc. and unknown. A slideshow played throughout the tribute, with photos of Blahnik serving as a backdrop to the gathering. Photo: Scott A. Drake
See BLAHNIK, Page 26
Two women were arrested this week in connection with the killing of a woman outside an LGBT party last month. Police arrested Sharonda Cheeves, 23, and Jesslyn Williams, 22, on Oct. 19. Cheeves was picked up at her house in the 800 block of Foulkrod Street and Williams, of the 7300 block of Buist Avenue, turned herself in to police. As of press time, both were still in police custody. Cheeves and Williams allegedly drove a car repeatedly into a crowd outside Club Motivation in North Philadelphia in the early morning of Sept. 4. Alisha Moore, 27, was killed in the melee. Club Motivation, also known as The Breakfast Club, frequently hosts LGBT ballroom events, and the club was in the midst of such a party when the inci- SHARONDA CHEEVES (TOP) AND JESSLYN dent occurred. WILLIAMS Police spokesperson Lt. Ray Evers said Cheeves and Williams took turns driving the car as they circled the block around the club, at Eighth and Dauphin streets. Cheeves allegedly drove Williams home before returning to the club and driving into the crowd again, killing Moore. Cheeves was charged with murder, vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, leaving the scene, reckless endangerment, seven counts of aggravated assault and related charges. Williams was charged with three counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, leaving the scene, driving under the See MURDER, Page 26