pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976
Vol. 42 No. 45 Nov. 9-15, 2018
Family Portrait: Marquise Lee is a storyteller with his own story PAGE 23
Pets of PGN
HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
PAGES 12-13
PAGE 21
PAGES 8-9
Kenyatta wins in landslide
Philly’s first out trans police officer buried as a man
By Adriana Fraser adriana@epgn.com
By Adriana Fraser adriana@epgn.com Maria Gonzalez spent the last 15 years of her life as a woman. Her dying wish was to be buried in a pretty dress while wearing red lipstick and matching nail polish, according to a relative who was her primary caregiver. But on the day of her funeral, family and friends said goodbye to her ashes, which were placed in a wooden box adorned with white and blue flowers. A blue ribbon wrapped around the flowers next to a metal pendant that read: “Dad.” Gonzalez did not include her funeral wishes in her will and didn’t put her request in writing. Gonzalez’s ex-wife, Chrissy Hernandez Gonzalez, and daughter, Celina Huber, organized the service, even though they were not supportive of her living as a woman, said family members who were close to them. “Family life was difficult for Maria,” said Linda Greiser, Gonzalez’s sister. “When she came out, [Hernandez Gonzalez] kicked her out of the house and wanted nothing to do with her. There wasn’t much of a relationship between my sister and [Huber] for 15 years. She made attempts, but nothing worked.” “Maria expressed to me numerous times that if her ex-wife or daughter were in charge of her funeral, she would have the worst funeral ever. Unfortunately, she never put anything into writing,” Greiser said. Gonzalez was the first openly transgender officer in the Philadelphia Police Department. She died Oct. 12 from lung disease at age 71. Gonzalez joined the PPD in 1967. She spent 21 years on the force in North Philadelphia’s 23rd District, which included a stint on horseback as a mounted officer. For 15 years, Gonzalez served as a firearms instructor at the Police Academy. In 2004, she publicly announced her transition after delivering a letter to a supervisor announcing her decision to live and work as a woman. Gonzalez was transferred to the Differential Police PAGE 12
Election recap
Making “Boy Erased” visible
With more than 95 percent of the vote, Malcolm Kenyatta will be the first LGBTQ person of color to serve as a Pennsylvania state representative. Kenyatta pulled in 20,722 votes against challenger T. Milton Street, who got only 1,014. At age 28, Kenyatta is also the youngest representative to fill the 181st District seat that covers North and North Central Philadelphia, Yorktown, Francisville, Glenwood, West Poplar, Northern Liberties and Kensington. He campaigned largely on a platform to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour, in addition to proposing a fair-funding formula for public schools and solutions for the systemic poverty PAGE 9 that plagues his district. “My heart is so full. What this race proves is anything is possible,” Kenyatta told PGN after his win Tuesday night. “There were no black, gay elected officials that I could look up to. I hope there are kids out there who say that they want to serve one day and there won’t be barriers to do that because of how they identify or who they love. I hope this starts a ripple effect of trans people and black and brown people who will say they can run — and they can win.” PAGE 8 More than 150 supporters joined Kenyatta at his elec-
PA elects LGBTQ allies
MALCOLM KENYATTA (LEFT) WITH PARTNER DR. MATTHEW MILLER. KENYATTA IS THE FIRST GAY PERSON OF COLOR TO BE ELECTED TO THE PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Federal judge urges settlement talks in foster-care dispute By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com A federal-appellate judge this week urged city officials and Catholic Social Services to avoid protracted litigation by resolving their legal dispute regarding CSS’ refusal to place foster children with same-sex couples. “This cries out for some type of resolution,” said Third Circuit Judge Thomas L. Ambro during oral arguments Nov. 6. “As I look at this case, it seems like people are trying to get together. I don’t know why we hit this constitutional wall.” In March, city officials stopped referring foster-care children to CSS after published reports disclosed the agency wouldn’t place children with same-sex couples. City officials said CSS’ policies violate the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance, which bans LGBT bias in public accommodations. But two months later, CSS filed suit against the city, claiming violations of its constitutional rights to freedom of speech and religion. During a 75-minute court proceeding, Lori H. Windham, an attorney for CSS, told Ambro the agency would like to resolve its differences with the city. “CSS doesn’t want to be in federal court,” she told Ambro. “Unfortunately, the city has dug in its heels.” PAGE 6
OUT OF THE ATTIC: Dominique Jackson (left), star of the critically acclaimed series “Pose,” and Attic Youth Center executive director Carrie Jacobs share a moment during the center’s 25th-anniversary gala Nov. 3 at the Crystal Tea Room. Jackson received The Attic’s OK2BU Role Model Award. More than 400 people attended the event that also included recognition of former Attic youth Dena Underwood, who performs Friday nights at New Hope’s Cub Room. Her family band, The Underwoods, performed at the gala. Photo: Scott A. Drake