Family portrait: Holly Johnson stirs it up paGe 29
A year in LGBT film reacp
The National Museum of American Jewish History is looking for LGBTQ stories for a 2015 exhibit.
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Dec. 26, 2014-Jan. 1, 2015
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PGN Philadelphia Gay News HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
Vol. 38 No. 52
Top stories 2014 By PGN Staff
In PGN’s “Top Stories” recap last year, we reveled in 2013 being the best year yet for marriage equality. Little did we know that an astounding 19 new states would sanction same-sex marriage in 2014, including Pennsylvania. While legal opinions and subsequent wedding bells topped the LGBT news cycle this past year, there was a wealth of other LGBT headlines — some good, some bad — that are setting up this coming year to be another newsmaker.
MOMENTOUS MARRIAGE MOVEMENT
Pennsylvania welcomes marriage equality
TRANS LIVES MATTER: About 50 people marched from the Gayborhood to District Attorney Seth Williams’ office Dec. 22, calling for transparency in the homicide investigation of transwoman Nizah Morris. The vigil was held 12 years to the day after Morris was found with a fatal head wound at 16th and Walnut streets, shortly after a police courtesy ride. The homicide remains unsolved. The crowd, which included former state Rep. Babette Josephs, chanted “Trans lives matters” and “Release the records” as they marched, in reference to ongoing efforts for full public access to all documents regarding the case and investigation. Photo: Scott A. Drake
On May 20, Pennsylvania became the 19th state to legalize same-sex marriage. That afternoon, U.S. District Court Judge John E. Jones 3d handed paGe 16
COMMUNITY
Mourning the loss of Gloria Casarez Philadelphia lost one of its strongest leaders this year. Gloria Casarez, the city’s director of LGBT affairs, died Oct. 19, more than five years after being diagnosed with cancer. She was 42. Casarez oversaw the city’s Office of LGBT Affairs since 2008, having previously served as executive director of Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative. During her tenure, Philadelphia was named to the top of paGe 18
nellie Fitzpatrick named city’s new LGBT director By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com
Mayor Michael Nutter has announced that the District Attorney’s LGBT liaison has been chosen to succeed the late Gloria Casarez as the new director of
Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs. Helen “Nellie” Fitzpatrick will make the move to the position effective Jan. 20. The decision comes in the wake of Casarez’s passing Oct. 19 after a long battle with cancer. Casarez was the first person to helm the position upon its creation by Nutter in April 2008. “I am honored to join this administration,” Fitzpatrick said. “I promise to work tirelessly to ensure the legacy of Gloria Casarez and the work of the entire administration is carried out and set as the foundation for future administrations to come.” Fitzpatrick, 34, says she has witnessed firsthand the many-layered challenges LGBT community members face, whose experiences are shaped not only by sexual orientation or gender identity but also by race, color, national origin, etc. “Only when we organize and build community around these differences are we truly able to foster safety, demand accountability and create a paGe 22
FIGHT FOR JUSTICE Hate crime sparks outcry
A Center City gay-bashing in September brought a harsh spotlight to the lack of LGBT hate-crimes protections in Pennsylvania. A local gay couple on their way to dinner was beaten Sept. 11 by a group of people walking by, in an incident that appeared to have been sparked by the couple’s sexual orientation. The attack sparked a manhunt for the assailants via social media, and a local Twitter user was credited with identifying the suspects. On Sept. 24, Kathryn Knott, Kevin Harrigan and Philip Williams were arrested and released on bail the following day. A
judge last week upheld all charges against the trio — aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and criminal conspiracy — and ordered them to stand trial. Reaction to the assault was swift and vast. paGe 19 An October rally drew