pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976
Vol. 41 No. 43 Oct. 27 - Nov. 2, 2017
• Philadelphia Foundation gets $16M donation • Seth Williams: Take five PAGE 2
HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
LGBT History Month Randy Wicker: An unsung hero of the LGBT-rights movement
Margaret Cho to headline First Person Arts Festival
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Amended CHIP bill advances
Philly again a top achiever on HRC city scorecard
By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com
By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Philadelphia again received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index. Philadelphia has garnered the top score every year of the initiative, which debuted in 2012 to measure LGBT-friendly policies and programs. Philadelphia is one of three cities, along with New York City and San Francisco, to earn a raw 100 score and 16 bonus points, which were given for areas like trans-inclusive city services and an enforcement mechanism in the city’s nondiscrimination law. Cities cannot surpass a 100; with bonus points included, Pittsburgh (97) and Allentown (91) also were given a 100. The average for Pennsylvania was 75, above the national average of 57, and last year’s state average of 70. Other Pennsylvania cities’ raw scores were: Carlisle (70), Erie (37), Harrisburg (54), New Hope (76), Reading (64), State College (71) and Wilkes-Barre (58). In New Jersey, the only city to achieve a 100 was Jersey City. Overall, of the 506 cities rated, 68 reached a 100, including bonus points. Eighty-six cities in states that lack LGBT nondiscrimination laws, such as Pennsylvania, scored higher than the national average. “Cities big and small, in red and blue states alike, are continuing our progress toward full equality, regardless of the political drama unfolding in Washington, D.C., and in state legislatures across the country,” HRC President Chad Griffin said in a statement. “Today, the MEI serves as a vital tool for business leaders and municipal officials alike when it comes to economic development. CEOs know that in order to attract and retain the best employees, they must grow their companies in places that protect LGBTQ citizens from discrimination and actively open their doors to all communities.” n
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UPHILL BATTLE: About 20 drag queens donned their favorite heels and raced up Mechanic Street in New Hope for charity. About 500 spectators turned out to New Hope Celebrates’ annual High Heel Drag Race Oct. 22 in which local queens had to run carrying a pumpkin, decorate it and return to the starting line. Contestants took part in a meet-and-greet at an after-party at The Logan Inn. Funds from a 50/50 and T-shirt sales benefited NHC. Photo: Scott A. Drake
The state Senate this week passed a bill to reauthorize the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program that includes a stipulation that funding cannot be used for gender-confirmation surgery. The 37-13 vote on Wednesday came a day after lawmakers voted to limit the scope of the bill’s impact on trans youth. A previous version of H.B. 1388 would have banned state funding for all trans-related health services within the state CHIP. But an Oct. 24 amendment limits the funding ban to gender-confirmation surgery; all other trans services, including counseling and hormone therapies, would be covered. After Wednesday’s vote, the bill will go to the state House for consideration. PAGE 19 CHIP provides health
LGBT progress flourishes in Woodbury By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com “Education and visibility are the keys to equity in any environment,” said Tony Doran, president of Woodbury Community Pride. Both are goals of the Pride group, which formed this spring and, in the last few months, has helped usher in impressive inroads for LGBT equality in the South Jersey town. On Oct. 24, Woodbury Council unanimously approved three ordinances: a citywide nondiscrimination measure that includes sexual orientation and gender identity; another LGBT-inclusive regulation that bans discrimination in public contracting; and a third that establishes a Human Relations Commission to enforce nondiscrimination and promote public education. At its Oct. 10 meeting, the council named City Administrator Scott Carew its inaugural LGBTQ Municipal PAGE 19
NETWORKING NIGHT: The Pyramid Club’s LGBT Committee hosted a networking event Oct. 19 at the Center City social club. Staged in partnership with the Philadelphia Bar Association and LGBTQ Employees at Penn, Bridging Connections Across the LGBT Community also sought to raise awareness of Out4STEM. The organization aims to connect local LGBT youth interested in careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics with mentorship and support. Photo: Scott A. Drake