PGN Nov. 4 -10, 2016

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pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

Vol. 40 No. 45 Nov. 4-10, 2016

Family Portrait: Ryan Rodgers is stylin’ in the Gayborhood PAGE 41

Cosby asks again for a dismissal

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Return to Eastern Standard Time this weekend

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

Dr. Frank Mugisha to discuss the plight of LGBT Ugandans

OutLaw: Supreme Court takes on transgender rights

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State antibias LGBT groups make final push to the polls intake form under fire By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission says it will investigate LGBT antibias complaints under certain circumstances. But an intake form used by PHRC has raised questions regarding its commitment to eradicating antiLGBT workplace bias. The form, which is available online, is entitled “Employment Discrimination Questionnaire.” The form instructs complainants alleging bias on the basis of “sex” to check a box to identify as “male,” “female” or “pregnant.” Justin F. Robinette, a Berwyn-based civil-rights attorney, blasted the form. He said discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity is a form of sex discrimination. The intake form’s boxes for sex discrimination should include options for sexual orientation and gender identity, he said. Robinette also noted that many LGBT complainants are gender-fluid, and don’t identity as “male” or “female.” “Ironically, the form promotes gender-stereotyping, which the agency should be striving to PAGE 21

The walls and desks inside 212 S. 12th St. bear signs reading “Stronger Together” and “LGBT for Hillary Clinton and Katie McGinty,” while a life-size cutout of the Democratic presidential nominee in front of a rainbow flag adorns a front window. The former site of Café 12 is now headquarters for Liberty PA, an LGBT political-action committee that has kicked its get-outthe-vote efforts into high gear in the days leading up to the Nov. 8 election. “We’re seeing a lot of enthusiasm,” Liberty PA executive director Trevor Powell said this week about local LGBT voters. On weeknights, Liberty PA volunteers phone bank at the office, and on weekends go door to door to local homes, shops, bars and more to encourage voters to turn out at the polls. Volunteers do not need any experience, Powell noted. Scripts and phones are provided for phone banking, which starts around 5:30 p.m. during the LIBERTY PA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TREVOR POWELL week, and volunteers are given IN FRONT OF THE ORGANIZATION’S GAYBORHOOD instructions on in-person canvassOUTPOST AT 212 S. 12TH ST. Photo: Scott A. Drake ing.

The organization was founded in 2002 and rejuvenated in 2014 to support the successful election of Gov. Tom Wolf. Now, Liberty PA is urging LGBTs and allies to back Clinton and McGinty, the latter of whom is looking to unseat Republican incumbent Sen. Pat Toomey. “Pat Toomey paints himself as a very moderate, fair-minded politician but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Powell said. “He rode into office on the Tea Party wave; he isn’t a friend to the LGBT community. Katie McGinty has been a strong ally for us and she will be in the Senate.” McGinty will be one of several candidates shaking hands in the Gayborhood at a Nov. 4 candidate pub crawl organized by Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club and supported by Liberty PA. Joining the crawl will be singer Cyndi Lauper, actor Debra Messing of “Will & Grace,” Gov. Ed Rendell and Liberty City’s slate of endorsed candidates. The group will start at 9 p.m. at Knock and proceed to Tabu, UBar, Tavern on Camac, Woody’s and Boxers. PAGE 21 “It’s a good

New LGBT contingent to march in Veterans Parade By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com LGBT military members and veterans, as well as their family, friends and supporters, are invited to march in this weekend’s Philadelphia Veterans Parade. The parade, which started last year, kicks off at noon Nov. 6 from 16th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Participants will march down Market Street and conclude at Sixth Street. The LGBT contingent will carry a banner, and partici-

pants are encouraged to wear military-pride clothing. The group will gather starting at 11 a.m. For more information on the event, visit https://www. facebook.com/events/1817588778517672/. The effort is being organized by local veterans Dante Austin and Greg Seaney-Ariano. The pair connected at Philadelphia Pride this year and began a conversation about the need for increased awareness about the contributions of LGBT servicemembers and veterans. “We’ve been making major progress, and I think everybody — not just LGBT populations — needs to know

what our LGBT servicemembers have sacrificed, especially people who went in before ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ was repealed,” said Austin, referring to the military’s ban on openly gay servicemembers. That policy was officially lifted in 2011. Austin served from 2009-15 in the Army’s 56th Stryker Brigade, a military-intelligence company. Seaney-Ariano spent eight years with the VR-64 Condors in the Navy. He came out to his captain in his exit interview. “I did my job to the best of my ability and I think that’s PAGE 21 what garners respect,” said Seaney-

Out & About Thinking Queerly Dining Out Film Reviews Street Talk Day in the Life of ... Crossword Queer Faith Mombian Get Out and Play Gayborhood Crime Watch Gettin’ On 40 Years Ago Mark My Words Out Money Scene In Philly Family Portrait News Briefing Editorial Which parts of PGN are your favorites? Answer our survey from Oct. 7-Dec. 7 and you could win a $100 gift card! PAGE 19


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