Guess who’s coming to dinner?
Family Portrait: Bridget O’Loughlin
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Final farewells of the year
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Dec. 30, 2011 - Jan. 5, 2012
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Top Stories 2011 PGN Staff This past year was one of highs and lows, progress and setbacks for the LGBT community. There has been increased visibility, with progress on LGBT rights at the local and national level. Sexual and gender minorities gained protections from discrimination in several local municipalities, the Obama administration implemented the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and more out candidates ran for public office. In the “needs improvement” column, Pennsylvania has yet to pass a statewide nondiscrimination law for LGBTs, the Phillies were the only local sports team to make an “It Gets Better Video” and there were numerous arrests for child-sex abuse, both recent and from years past, in the Catholic church, athletic departments and, in one case, the athletic department of a Catholic school. A few stories date back further than 2011 — and will likely linger through 2012 and
beyond — including the city’s dispute with the Boy Scouts over the building they occupy and the proposed LGBT-friendly senior housing center. As the year comes to a close, PGN revisits the stories that impacted the community or just caught our eye. We promise to follow up in 2012. LOCAL LGBT measures spread across PA In 2011, eight Pennsylvania municipalities made strides for LGBT equality with the adoption of ordinances banning LGBT discrimination. With a statewide LGBT nondiscrimination bill stalled for years, local residents have taken the issue into their own hands, with many of the successful measures first proposed by residents of the towns. Equality Pennsylvania took a leadership role in the effort, working closely with elected officials to craft and move forward
the bills. This year’s victories were secured in Haverford, Conshohocken, Bethlehem, Springfield, Newtown, Whitemarsh and Jenkintown. In December, Susquehanna Township became the first Central Pennsylvania municipality in nine years to approve such a measure. The state is now home to 26 municipalities that prohibit LGBT discrimination, with several more considering following suit. Additionally, Allentown and Easton approved domestic-partner laws this year. With those successes, Pennsylvania now has five municipalities that offer such programs. Philly couple faces deportation The federal ban on same-sex marriage hit home for one Philadelphia couple this year. Anton Tanumihardja, a native of Indonesia, is facing deportation after several failed attempts at political asylum based, among other factors, PAGE 5
Sims gets Victory Fund endorsement By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Out Pennsylvania House of Representatives candidate Brian Sims got the backing this week of a national LGBT political group. The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund endorsed Sims in his bid to represent Pennsylvania’s 182nd District. If elected, Sims would be Pennsylvania’s first openly LGBT state lawmaker. Vi c t o r y F u n d endorses LGBT candidates for local, state a n d f e d e r a l o ffi c e across the nation. In order to qualify for the endorsement, candidates must demonstrate “community support and a realistic plan to win,” and back LGBT civil-rights efforts, as well as privacy and reproductive-freedom issues. Sims said the application for the endorsement was an arduous PAGE 15
WEIR WITH THE CHORUS: Three-time U.S. national champion and two-time Olympian Johnny Weir (center, in red hat) performed as part of the “Holidays Dreams on Ice” tour, along with the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus, Dec. 23 at the University of Pennsylvania Class of 1923 Arena. Weir was joined on the ice by colleagues U.S. bronze medalist Ashley Wagner, Skate America bronze medalist Armin Mahbanoozadeh, Junior Grand Prix bronze medalist Samantha Cesario, U.S. silver medalist Brandon Mroz and three-time Israeli national champion and 2010 Olympian Tamar Katz. Photo: Patrick Hagerty
HIV funding fallout continues Colours to receive $135,000 AACO cites shifting priorities to reach those with HIV for treatment and prevention messages, less focus on testing low-risk populations By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com HIV/AIDS service organizations in the area have been reassessing their options following last week’s announcement that a number of agencies would not receive funding from a federal prevention program. The High Impact HIV-Prevention Services awards list was unveiled Dec. 19, with Action AIDS and The Colours Organization Inc. being zero-funded. However, PGN learned this week that Colours will receive $135,000 from the program, funding that was put on hold in light of the death of the organization’s executive director. The money for the program comes from the Centers for Disease Control and is distributed by the AIDS Activities Coordinating Office. CDC revised its prevention funding for health departments this past summer, funneling dollars to cities and states most affected by the disease, with a focus on “high-impact” services that present the greatest opportunity to “significantly reduce new infection.” CDC spokesperson Scott Bryan said the agency is “maximizing the impact of HIV-prevention funding and HIV-prevention efforts by increasing funding in areas with the greatest need. This new funding approach will help maximize the collective impact by directing resources to jurisdictions with the greatest needs and supporting interventions with the greatest, most lasting impact.” The program allocated about 75 percent of the funds toward testing efforts, with the rest going to support risk reduction, education and other programs. The funding program PAGE 6