Family Portrait: Ian Morrison on drag and Mummery PAGE 31
Anti-gay harassment continues for gay couple PAGE 2
Gift suggestions for those who like to slip between the covers PAGE 27 Dec. 4-10, 2015
Since 1976
PGN Philadelphia Gay News HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
Vol. 39 No. 49
Philly activists ask governor to pledge to end AIDS By Paige Cooperstein paige@epgn.com
ACTION ON AIDS: Former Congressman Joe Sestak met with staff, supporters and clients of ActionAIDS Tuesday at the agency for a World AIDS Day event. Sestak spoke about HIV awareness and the obstacles that must be overcome to ensure full equality for the LGBT community. “LGBT rights are one of the most pressing social issues of our time, requiring us to be relentless in our fight for equality,” Sestak told the crowd. Sestak is running for the Democratic nomination for Senate next year, under the theme of walking in the shoes of Pennsylvanians. “By electing leaders who walk in the shoes of their LGBT constituents, we will continue to fulfill the founding fathers’ dream of a nation that always strives to create a more perfect union,” he said. Photo: Scott A. Drake
MontCo marriage dispute resolved By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com A settlement has been reached in a dispute involving about 120 same-sex marriage licenses issued by Montgomery County Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes. The state Department of Health has agreed to accept the actual marriage-ceremony dates of about 120 same-sex couples who received marriage licenses from Hanes in 2013. “It’s all been resolved,” Hanes said. “I’m very pleased with this outcome and I don’t anticipate any future issues. I’m really happy it’s worked out well for everyone. I’m also gratified that I helped further LGBT progress, because it meant so much to so many people.” On Dec. 1, Hanes submitted a memorandum to Montgomery County Orphans Court Judge Lois E. Murphy, informing her of the agreement. The Department of Health issued a statement to PGN noting that it filed a
joint application with Hanes to discontinue his appeal to the state Supreme Court of the ruling prohibiting him from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. “In resolving this matter, the parties have agreed that Mr. Hanes will record as valid the date of the actual marriage ceremony of these couples, which the Department of Health will not challenge,” the department said. Hanes issued the licenses in the summer of 2013, even though marriage equality wasn’t enacted in Pennsylvania until the following year, due to the Whitewood ruling. As a result, some same-sex couples who received marriage licenses from Hanes couldn’t receive employer-based health benefits, nor file joint tax returns. About two years ago, Hanes filed an appeal in state Supreme Court, seeking a judicial order recognizing the actual marriage-ceremony dates of the same-sex PAGE 14 couples who received
Dozens of activists from ACT UP Philadelphia boarded a bus Tuesday on World AIDS Day for the two-hour drive to Harrisburg. They were on their way to hear Dr. Rachel Levine, physician general of Pennsylvania, speak on the state Health Department’s policy goals for HIV. The activists want Wolf to commit to ending AIDS in Pennsylvania by 2020, a pledge that governors in New York and Washington made for their states last year. Jeff Sheridan, Wolf’s press secretary, told PGN he couldn’t offer a timeline for if or when the governor might commit to a pledge. He said the administration views Levine’s speech “as a way to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in Pennsylvania and continue the conversation as we move into the New Year.” “This is something that’s hugely important to the governor,” Sheridan said. Levine discussed issues that affect people living with HIV that Wolf has tackled since taking office, including eliminating the asset test to determine eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, called SNAP, and increasing funding for the housing trust fund.
ACT UP organizers said they do not anticipate Wolf making any formal commitment regarding HIV/AIDS until the Republicancontrolled legislature resolves issues over the state budget with Democrats and the governor. Still, they noted the importance of Levine’s speech in Harrisburg on World AIDS Day.
“It finally means we have a governor that takes HIV and AIDS seriously,” said Jose de Marco, longtime organizer with ACT UP Philadelphia. “All people’s lives are valuable. This is a public-health issue.” De Marco said the state should help health-care professionals prioritize screening patients for those who may be at risk PAGE 14 of contracting HIV, espe-
LGBT director re-appointed By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Mayor-elect Jim Kenney this week announced Nellie Fitzpatrick will remain at the helm of the Office of LGBT Affairs. Kenney announced the appointment at a press conference at City Hall Wednesday. Fitzpatrick was appointed to the position by outgoing Mayor Michael Nutter in January 2015. She succeeded Gloria Casarez, inaugural director since 2008. Casarez died in October 2014 from complications of cancer. Fitzpatrick previously was the LGBT liaison in the District Attorney’s Office, where she served as an assistant district attorney and prosecutor in the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit.
Fitzpatrick said she took over the office with two primary goals, which guided her first year of work. “I wanted to institutionalize the work that has been done so it can be built upon going forward and also to close the gap between the ‘L,’ ‘G’ and ‘T’ and, PAGE 14