pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976
Vol. 41 No. 25 June 23-29, 2017
Family Portrait: Mark Dann has a global plan PAGE 31
High court refuses SEPTA case PAGE 2
HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
Pulse anniversary prompts reintroduction of PA gun-control bill
Magical musical season announced
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Murderer of gay man on death row: Prides goes off with few setbacks ‘Get it over with’ By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Richard R. Laird, the murderer of gay artist Anthony V. Milano, recently told a federal judge to get his execution “over with” if he continues to receive ineffective legal representation. Laird conveyed his desire in a recently disclosed letter to U.S. District Judge Jan E. DuBois. In the letter, Laird, 53, noted he’s been on death row for almost 30 years. “For close to 30 years now, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has housed me in solitary confinement, while
deciding whether or not to put me to death,” Laird wrote. Laird added that he’s lost confidence in his court-appointed appellate attorneys. But when he asked them to consider stepping aside, they declined. “While your honor, the attorney for the commonwealth and [my] counsel play your games of wits and skills, I suffer the daily effects of solitary confinement,” Laird wrote. “Therefore, whether it be death or effective representation, I pray your honor moves swiftly and gets it over with,” he concluded. PAGE 16
RAINBOW RACERS: About 300 people participated in the first-ever Pride Run Philly, a 1.5-mile fun run before Sunday’s Pride Parade. The top-three finishers of the Pride Run — Steven Orellana, Eloy Munoz and Colin Bodels — received a cash prize and free registration for the 2018 race, which will expand to a 5K. Photo: Scott A. Drake
By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: Pride partiers converged last Friday night for the Pride Kick-Off Party, spanning several blocks of the Gayborhood, including outside Woody’s. The annual block party featured dancing, music, food and drinks, games and more. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Despite occasional showers Sunday, the Philly Pride went off with few issues. Franny Price, executive director of Philly Pride Presents, called this year’s festivities as “the best in 29 years.” She said almost 25,000 people attended the parade and festival combined. The 29th-annual event was originally scheduled for June 11 but organizers rescheduled so it wouldn’t conflict with the National March for Equality and Unity in Washington, D.C. Price said the event being held on Father’s Day didn’t affect attendance, but did impact some other elements of the day. “I don’t think it affected the attendees
as much as it affected some of the venues we need to work with,” Price said. “We usually are able to get more floats for the parade but a lot of the drivers didn’t want to come into Philly [on Father’s Day]. Our tables were also late that day because it was Father’s Day.” She added Pride will not be held on Father’s Day in the future. For the first time, the parade kicked off with a 1.5-mile run, organized by William Way LGBT Community Center, Lez Run Running Club and Out Philadelphia Athletic League. The sold-out event had 260 racers run from Camac and Locust streets to the festival at Penn’s Landing. “I was so impressed — looking at the dispositions and the smiles on [the runners’] faces and I’m thinking PAGE 15
Allentown to consider conversion-therapy bill By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Legislation was introduced this week that could make Allentown the next municipality to ban conversion therapy for minors. Out Allentown City Council member Candida Affa submitted the bill at the body’s Wednesday meeting. It has to be considered by a committee before Council
can weigh in, but advocates are hopeful for its swift passage. To be successful, legislation in Allentown needs the support of four members of Council and the administration of Mayor Ed Pawlowski. Five of Affa’s colleagues joined her as cosponsors, and Pawlowski is also in support. The only councilmember not cosponsoring is Roger MacLean.
“He hasn’t said he’s opposed, but decided not to be a cosponsor,” explained Adrian Shanker, executive director of BradburySullivan Community Center. The center organized the legislative effort. The National Center for Lesbian Rights drafted the bill along with Philadelphia firm Jerner & Palmer. Both agencies provided services on a pro-bono basis. “We were happy to provide pro-bono ser-
vices in doing research, reviewing and revising the ordinance,” said Jerner & Palmer partner Tiffany Palmer. “Pennsylvania, unfortunately, doesn’t have a state legislature that has been able to pass any progressive LGBT-rights legislation — ever. So the fact that cities, municipalities and local governments are taking up this task is a great thing for our state.” PAGE 7 The legislation would