June/July 2020 Volume 31 Issue 3 www.TransCentralPA.org [email protected] c/o MCC of the Spirit 2973 Jefferson Street Serving the Transgender Community of Central Pennsylvania since 1989 Harrisburg, PA 17110 Announcements Harrisburg Meeting is Saturday, July 11th at 8:00. Unfortunately, we cannot meet at the MCC of the Spirit that day and are looking for another venue in Harrisburg. Nevertheless, we are very excited and thankful to host our first in-person support group meeting since the pandemic began. If you plan to attend, you MUST sign- up beforehand. There will not be a hosted dinner preceding the meeting. We will adhere to all protocols set by the state and city. Prior to the meet- ing, we will send everyone an outline of the meeting and a list of the proto- cols that we will follow. Individuals not following the protocols will be di- rected to leave. We thank you for Supreme Court win for LGBTQ community, see page 12 complying with these directives for mation and support. Census Day was April 1 and the the safety of all. Please email us with Press & Journal, the publisher of the completion date for the U.S. Census questions at [email protected]. data collection is July 31. local LGBTQ paper ‘The Central Click Here to Signup for Harrisburg Voice’ regrettably must shut down Meeting due to economic conditions after 166 In a statement earlier, on Pennsylva- nia’s Census website, have been de- years of publishing. TransCentralPA York Virtual Meeting is Saturday, layed, including mobile questionnaire thanks them for their incredible dedi- July 25th. Join the Rainbow Rose assistance, non-response follow-up Center and TransCentralPA as we cation throughout the years to our community. operations and collaboration with hold the York Transgender Support group quarters administrators, who Group Online. Join us from 8:30- TCPA Annual Membership Dues work to count people living in loca- 10:00pm on Zoom. Zoom is a free, are $20. Dues are used to pay for tions such as college campuses, nurs- online video conferencing program meeting space, program literature, ing homes and prisons. The Census that is easy to use. If this is your first our website and our affiliation with Bureau will continuously reassess the time joining us, please sign up for and support of community groups and situation as related to new corona- access and the password. Zoom is a activities such as Common Roads, virus prevention We need to under- free, online video conferencing pro- the Community Center, Central Penn- stand the needs of The LGBTQ com- gram that is easy to use. To connect sylvania Pride, etc. Please continue munity and data is a big part of it.” via a computer, laptop, tablet or to support our organization and ef- Red Roof Inn Discount. We have smart phone, click on this link a few forts by joining or renewing your negotiated a rate of $42.99/night for minutes prior to the meeting to down- membership—we are making a dif- load the software. You'll be prompt- ference! TranscentralPA members and guests. ed to download the software needed To take advantage of this special of- to run it on your device. To connect Questions About Updating Gender fer, call the hotel directly at (717) 939- by voice simply dial +1 301 715 8592. Markers or gender designation on PA 1331 and use the CP code ‘609306’. IDs or driver's licenses and would like You'll be asked for the meeting ID Send Us Your Input! Got a Question number and password. Click on the to talk to a supportive person inside of PennDOT before moving forward with or Announcements? Maybe you’ve signup sheet above to request the seen a great article or have an event the process? Inquiries about chang- password. to share? Photo’s are always appre- ing the gender designation on PA IDs ciated and if you would like them pub- Parents of Transgender Individu- or driver's licenses, contact alecamp- als, please email us at fami- [email protected] or call 717-787-0485. lished in the next TCPA Newsletter. E [email protected] for infor- -mail us at [email protected].
From the President
As I reflect over these past few have been asked to shelter in place, months at the impact that COVID -19 withdraw from social interaction, has had on so many, the struggles avoid physical contact, stay six feet that we all have had to endure as a apart and robbed of our ability to be community, as a nation, I think to my- there for loved ones in their time of self what is that one precious ele- need. ment of our lives that has been im- These are all significant and mean- pacted the most over these past few ingful examples of what is so pre- months, that one aspect of our lives cious to the very fabric of society, that we all had taken for granted until and our lives, and all share a com- it was gone and now seek to find a mon element. Each in its own way way to once again regain. give us reason to think about what is Many have been disappointed over truly important. So, what has living the cancelation or postponement of a through the COVID – 19 Pandemic highly anticipated event such as a made so evidently clear as truly the vacation, a concert, a sporting event most important aspect of life. The Holly Evans or even attending a wedding. Others single element of life that brings us by the cancelation of a conference, the most joy as people, the one that so often simply expected, so often graduation ceremony, or gathering gives us a reason to wake up and go overlooked, and so often taken for we had been looking forward to. The about our day. The one element that granted, until now. As we are asked loss of these activities or events, indi- has common threads in our struggles to keep six feet apart, avoid physical vidually and on their own, is a minor and in our victories, in every celebra- contact, avoid large gatherings, and inconvenience to our daily lives. tion and sorrow. This loss has been Stay home we are stripped of that Has it been the impact of losing a job felt by us all and in many ways. By one essential, intangible element that some much harder than others. Its or having one’s income drastically makes us human, that gives us impact has been there all the time but reduced, due to an employer forced strength. The inability to gather and to close their doors or drastically re- has been made so much more evi- be with one another in close contact duce their staff, as this can rob one of dent these past few months. What is with each other in the ways we have that one intangible item that we have their sense of security or independ- so often come to expect, challenges simply taken for granted and have ence? These impacts have forced us in a way we are not accustomed. hence had stripped away. many to seek assistance from food Our need for social interaction, as banks, churches, and the govern- We as humans are social creatures. well as the Love and emotional sup- ment at a time when these very safe- We are instantly drawn to each other port of others is so very important in ty nets are stretched thin. We have and need the love, support and ener- every part of our lives. Whether it is all had to subsequently re-prioritize gy that emanates from being with experienced in simple everyday activ- our spending to simply get by. This those around us, and those we love. ities, such as giving a hug to some- impact has truly been felt by many The inability to be there for one an- one who has had a bad day, or hold- during this pandemic and has forced other in times of joy or sorrow, to ing one’s hand when they are sick individuals and families to choose come together to celebrate accom- and in need of that love and support, food or meds over clothing or rent. plishments, to share ideas and expe- or in deeper ways by coming together This pain has been displayed publicly riences, to offer one another love and in difficult times working side by side over news casts while being felt in support in times of need, to me, has taking on a challenge. silence by many in their homes as been that one thing that we have tak- As we go forward and rise from this they have tried to make ends meet. en for granted and for which has pandemic, reach out to friends and been taken from us. It’s the very en- Has it been the inability to visit a fam- family, reach out to your neighbors, ergy that we draw from others when ily member or loved one in a hospital and reach out to fellow members of we attend Celebrations of Joy and or nursing home as they have closed the LGBTQ community as many of accomplishment and the very their doors to families and visitors for them have had to deal with this loss strength and support, we convey to fear of spreading the virus leaving along with the struggles inherent of others when we are with them to help loved ones to suffer alone; while oth- our acceptance by society as a them through difficult times and times ers who may be deemed “essential” whole. of sorrow. It is that act of social sup- and / or who may have been exposed Remember there is always tomorrow! are now left to self-quarantine, avoid port and being there for one another that makes us who we are through And yes we will get through this!! contact with family and friends. Or is acts of love, compassion, celebration, it the loss of a loved one who passed during this time either because of and support for one another. COVID-19 or of some other illness That intangible feeling, we both give - Holly and our inability to properly grieve the and receive by our ability to come loss as we are denied the ability to together to be there for one another, gather and pay our last respect. We to me, is the one element of our lives
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Meet Zoey Tur, Inside Edition's First Transgender Reporter Sadie Gennis, TV Guide Inside Edition has hired Zoey Tur as Tur is following in the footsteps of Ja- a part-time special correspondent, a net Mock, who hosts the pop culture move the program boasts makes her program So POPular! on MSNBC's "America's first transgender television streaming service Shift and who ap- reporter." pears regularly on MSNBC, as well as Orange Is the New Black's Laverne "They took a chance on me. They Cox, who regularly co-hosts The View. were worried, but CBS and syndica- "Those are my heroes," Tur says. tion are overjoyed," Tur tells The Ad- vocate. However, the reporter says that her position at Inside Edition is an even The 54-year-old, who rose to fame as a helicopter reporter covering O.J. bigger step forward for the transgender community. "This is not Simpson's 1994 Bronco chase, will some little trial balloon thing like make her Inside Edition debut inter- viewing Dana Vahle, another MSNBC is doing streaming Janet Mock. They've made a commitment to transgender helicopter reporter who me and let's just say there are bigger covered the infamous car chase. But things in Zoey's future. ... The doors Tur insists she was not hired to just report LGBT stories. "I am not cover- are now open to other transgender journalists." ing stories as a transgender report- Zoey Tur er," Tur says. "I'm a reporter who is But that was not always the case. transgender. Otherwise it would be When Tur began taking hormones to executive producer for Inside Edition. like having a black reporter only cov- transition, "Janet Mock didn't have a "And I said, 'Charles, do you want to er stories about blacks or a Hispanic show, Orange Is the New Black wasn't make history?" Tur recalls. Upon reporter covering stories about His- yet on Netflix. There was no visibility," Lachman learning there weren't any panics." Tur says. "I was told I shouldn't transi- transgender TV reporters in the coun- try, he hired her on the spot. "The "I came out to be on television as a tion, and if I did I'd never work again. That really bothered me." whole thing took three minutes," Tur person, as a woman," she adds. "And says. this can be a great thing for my com- But everything changed last week munity." when Tur met Charles Lachman, the Willam Makes History With Emmy’s Acting Nomination Mikelle Street, Out Reporter Looks there's another achievement This of course isn't the first drag for the drag herstory books; RuPaul's queen to be nominated for an Emmy Drag Race alum Willam has broken — or to win, were Willam to go all the new ground by becoming the first way. RuPaul has notably won many drag performer to be nominated in an as a host while Delta Work has also acting category at the Emmy Awards. won one for her work in the hair de- partment at Drag Race. Raven was Any true fan of Drag Race knows that nominated for her work in the prior to appearing on the biggest drag pageant in the world, Willam was no makeup department as well. stranger to the small screen. Out of Willam is up against Leith M. Burke, drag, the performer had appeared on a co-star in Eastsiders, as well as multiple shows and had no problem Tristan Rogers from Studio City, Len- rattling those off while in the Werk ny Wolpe from After Forever, and Room. Most notably, she played a Grogory Zarian from Venice. recurring role on Nip/Tuck. But since The show is also nominated for best the show, the actor has continued digital drama series and best writing working in Hollywood, recently team for a digital drama among other launching her own talk fashion- awards. centric talk show with Quibi — obvi- Willam XXXX? ously, the most notable project post- Race was a cameo in the Academy comedy Eastsiders. On the show, which Awards-winning A Star Is Born. That is available for streaming on Netflix, she in mind, it's kind of not surprising that plays Douglas or Gomorrah Rayon. Up the performer is up for an Emmy. for Best Supporting Actor in a Digital Drama Series, this year could see the The nomination comes for Willam's actor clench her first Daytime Emmy work in the final season of the dark Award.
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Philly Pride Canceled, Transgender 'Rock Star' Is Will Go Virtual Maine High School's Jennifer Amell, PGN Valedictorian Executive Director of Philly Pride Pre- Trudy Ring, Advocate Reporter sents, Franny Price, announced today To Syd Sanders, who believes he’s in an email that Philadelphia’s in- the first transgender high school vale- person Pride celebration, Philly Prid- dictorian in Maine and possibly in the eDay, is canceled this year due to U.S., his greatest achievement is COVID-19. However, Philly Pride will simply being himself. go virtual on Sunday, June 14, 2020, following a trend in online celebra- “I just am who I am,” he recently told tions. The Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT the Bangor Daily News. “I would Community Center announced that probably be dead if I couldn’t be who Lehigh Valley Pride would go virtual I was. I just have to be myself.” this year, as well as countless cities Sanders ranks at the top of his class Syd Sanders across the world via the fully broad- at Belfast Area High School. He casted Global Pride 2020. transferred there as a freshman after Regional School Unit 71. In class, she The decision to cancel or postpone beginning his transition in eighth said, he is “a rock star, modeling a Pride hung in the balance of whether grade while going to school on genuine fascination about each of his or not the city would allow public Isleboro, an island off the Maine subjects.” events this summer, said Price. Philly coast, as he wanted to have a fresh Pride Presents had begun lining up start and simply be accepted as male He also has a long list of extracurricu- venues and locking in vendors for a without anyone realizing he was lar activities. He was a member of the possible on-location event for July and trans. school’s gay-straight-trans alliance all through high school, class president then August. Yet, the city would push “Over time, people found out,” he back potential public events every two for his junior and senior years, and said in the interview. “When I came Belfast’s representative to Boys State weeks until it finally decided that it out as trans, publicly, to everyone, would not be allowing any public — the first transgender student select- and started living as a boy, they had ed; the other participants voted him events until at least the first week of no choice but to support me.” September. “It’s very frustrating,” said senator there. Outside school, he has Price, “it’s been very stressful and That could be because he’s not only been on Belfast’s Climate Change we’ve all been anxious [about making a high achiever but an outspoken Committee, acted and worked as a the decision].” one, the Daily News notes. “I have a stage manager in community theater, naturally loud, combative personality, and helped put together the Belfast “It’s going to be a really fun day virtual- so it’s hard to stay hidden for long,” Pride Parade. ly,” said Price. PrideDay will be jam- Sanders told the paper. “There are Sanders has been accepted by Har- packed with broadcasted entertain- lots of conservative people at Belfast. ment and community events. It will vard University. He’s finishing high But the thing is, I’ve just gained their school via Zoom, as are his class- kick off at 10 a.m. with the 5K Fun Run respect somehow. I feel that even — details for viewing the run will be mates, because of the current health people who disagree with who I am, situation. That means they won’t have made available on Philly Pride Pre- they still respect me. I don’t know sents’ Facebook page. Then, at 1 the traditional graduation ceremony entirely why. But that’s what hap- either. p.m., 6ABC.com will broadcast Philly pened.” Pride events. At 4 p.m., Philly Pride “It’s a very lonely way to graduate,” he Presents will broadcast their yet to be Teachers and administrators were full said, but he saw positive aspects as announced programming. Then, cele- of praise for Sanders. “Syd Sanders well. “I really feel that this is bringing brations will culminate in Miss Philly is an extraordinary person, with a my generation together,” he said. “I’m LGBT Pride, a drag show featuring depth of understanding, passion, and trying to think of this as a way we can Philly’s best performers. This year commitment unusual for someone so find some solidarity and come togeth- marks the 30th anniversary of this young,” said Mary Alice McLean, su- er in the future.” event and Philly Pride Presents will be perintendent of his school district, honoring four drag stars who have loyally participated every year but When asked if the live event could be are registered for Pride Day, they will have not yet held a title — Les Harri- rescheduled, Price said, “Anything be admitted to Outfest free of charge. son, Sandy Beech, Finesse A. Ross can happen, who knows? Maybe if If people are only registered for the and Marcello Brening Barrera. [the city holds] events in July and parade, they will be admitted to the Price is additionally calling on spon- nothing drastic happens, maybe they 2021 parade free of charge. Addition- sors, vendors and participants in other will allow it. But, right now, they’re not ally, vendors registered for both Prid- Pride committees to submit either a giving any permits.” eDay and Outfest will be admitted freely to PrideDay 2021. picture of a 15-second video spot to Price maintains hope that Outfest will include both in the 6ABC broadcast still happen since it is scheduled for and in Philly Pride Presents’ broad- October 11 of this year and after the cast. city’s September deadline. If people
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Caitlyn Jenner Says Transitioning Was Much Harder Than Training for Olympics Sarah Young, Independent Caitlyn Jenner has said that transi- tioning from male to female was “much harder” than training for the Olympic Games. Speaking on BBC Radio 4 podcast Don’t Tell Me The Score, the for- mer athlete, who won a gold med- al in the Men's Decathlon at the 1976 Olympics, said that coming out as a transgender woman in Skittles Gives Up Its Colors to 2015 was her greatest achieve- Honor the Rainbow Flag for ment. Pride Month The 70-year-old added that while her Olympic success was appreci- Alex Bollinger, LGBTQ Nation ated by many, her transition pro- Skittles will be selling limited edition packs voked “hatred”. of color-less candies for Pride Month in a “I trained 12 years for the Games. nod to the rainbow flag, with part of the pro- I trained 65 years to transition in ceeds going to an LGBTQ organization. 2015. It was harder to do, it was June is Pride Month, which means that a lot less accepted,” Jenner said. of companies will be slapping rainbows on “Everyone loved the Games, a lot their products. But Skittles are already rain- of people when they see you tran- bow-colored, so they’re giving up their col- sition hate your guts. Look at the ors instead. quotes on Instagram. By far that Caitlyn Jenner “During PRIDE only #OneRainbow matters. was a lot more difficult.” That’s why we are giving up our rainbow to The former reality TV star, who show support for the LGBTQ+ community!” previously appeared on Keeping given it away to trans organiza- the candy brand says in an Instagram post. tions. A lot of them are extraordi- Up With The Kardashians with The colorless Skittles Pride Packs will be now ex-wife Kris Jenner, also re- narily appreciative of it. On the oth- er hand, they’re having their big available in Share Size Packs and Medium vealed that she believes her in- Stand Up Pouches at some Walmart and tense sports training was an at- fundraiser and say 'Oh please don’t show up you’re too controversial’.” CVS locations in the U.S. in June, and one tempt to run from gender dyspho- dollar from every sale (up to $100,000) will ria. Jenner also shared her position on be donated to GLAAD. “A lot of the training was really the debate regarding transgender athletes, saying that she believes Longtime readers of LGBTQ Nation might running away from the issues I remember that Skittles did the same thing had,” Jenner admitted. the Olympic Committee was doing a “good job” and that trans people in 2016 to celebrate Pride in London. I remember getting up the next should be allowed to compete. But this is the first time that Pride Skittles morning, didn’t have a stitch of will be available in the U.S., according to clothes on, walking to the bath- “The International Olympic Commit- tee is the only organization who GLAAD, helping to raise money at a time room, medal sitting there on the when many LGBTQ non-profit organiza- table, put the medal around my have taken this issue seriously for many, many years,” Jenner said. tions are facing steep budget shortfalls as neck, looking in the mirror and I in-person fundraisers get canceled. go, ‘What have you just done? Am “I think the most important thing is I stuck with this person the rest of people that are different, people “The funding that GLAAD receives from the my life?’ It was scary.” that are dealing with trans issues Skittles Pride Packs will support our news and campaigns program, which tells culture Jenner added that while she has and stuff like that – I think they de- serve an opportunity to play sports. -changing stories of LGBTQ+ people and received a lot of support from the issues across the media year-round,” said LGBT+ community, the criticism “Sports was very, very good to me. GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis. she has faced from trans-rights We should not deny them of that activists over her political views opportunity." “This year when many LGBTQ+ people will and support of US President Don- be unable to gather at large Pride events, ald Trump “does hurt”. it’s so important that brands, notables, and other allies find authentic and creative ways “Has it been easy? Not even to show that they stand with our communi- close,” she said. ty.” “I’ve raised about $2.6m (£2m),
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A Step Toward Equity for Philly’s Trans and Nonbinary Students Jennifer Amell, PGN
Last week, the Philadelphia School District announced that nonbinary and transgender stu- dents would now be able to make system-wide name and pronouns changes on the Google Class- room platform without parental consent. This change is due in part to classrooms having to go virtual in wake of COVID-19 and also to a policy adopted by the school district called Policy 252, which was adopted by the Phila- delphia School District in June 2016 and “ensures safety, equity, and justice” for all trans and gen- der-nonconforming students. I had a student last year who had was scary,” they said, “but I’m al- an initial name change that showed so someone who has spoken out Nick Palazzolo, who identifies as up in the system as a name in pa- about my experiences. Personal queer, is a teacher at Central rentheses, like a nickname. And it storytelling can make a really big High School in North Philadelphia, took several months more before difference for a lot of folks.” a four-year university preparatory they fixed that so that their name magnet school. During his tenure, “In terms of testifying,” continued was read correctly throughout the Luebbert, “I wanted to be both Palazzolo has taught numerous entire system.” students who are trans, gender- thankful for Policy 252 but also nonconforming or nonbinary. Maddie Luebbert, a nonbinary wanted to ask the school district Palazzolo explained that when teacher at Kensington Health Sci- to step up and enforce it because one of these students logs into ences Academy, said that the ex- there’s almost nothing in place to their virtual classroom, they might perience of a student seeing their enforce the policy across the dis- very well be confronted with their dead name on display for the entire trict. It’s pretty much up to individ- dead name. class to read can not only lead to ual principals or individual teach- “mental and emotional anguish,” ers and students to even point out The initial problem with their dead but could also out the student to that it exists.” name appearing on Google their classmates. It was Luebbert, Classroom may stem from the Luebbert’s testimony was met in fact, who first noticed this prob- with good reception from the way in which the student went lem of display names on Google about notifying the school, said school board. “This is a big win Classroom and decided to rectify not only because I was surprised Palazzolo. “It depends on how this issue by bringing it to the at- [the student] made that change. If and pleased that we presented an tention of school board member, issue and they fixed it very quick- they did it at all levels, the change Mallory Lopez Fix. was made, and I assume that ly, but I think it also provides a would have synced up with On April 30, Luebbert had the op- great opportunity for people to Google Classroom. For example, portunity to testify in front of the know about Policy 252.” school board about this issue. “It
Suicide Resources People dealing with gender identity issues are not immune from other sources of depression and mental illness. There is help available to you with bearing the unbearable. IN A CRISIS, CALL the local and national resources first. It is best to make contact via phone or in person; emailing often does not provide the immediate response needed in an emergency. These are the professionals and organizations trained to help you during a crisis. You are not alone. National Suicide National Hopeline Network The Trevor Project Prevention Lifeline 24/7 Support 24/7 Support 1-800-SUICIDE 800-784-2433 800-273-TALK 1-866-488-7386 800-273-8255 Page 6
The Philadelphia Transgender Wellness Conference Postponed until 2021 Jennifer Amell, PGN This week, the Mazzoni Center regretfully announced that the Philadelphia Transgender Well- ness Conference (PTWC), which was supposed to be held on June 23-25 2020, will now be post- poned until August 19-21, 2021. The postponement was a decision made in the wake of the pandem- ic. While the Mazzoni Center acknowledges that this decision was indeed a difficult one and that it will be met with some disap- pointment, it was made in order to secure the safety and health of all the trans, gender-nonconforming and nonbinary volunteers, spon- sors, presenters and exhibitors who make the PTWC possible. our community comes together. But community building experiences The PTWC began in 1991 and more than anything, I am looking available in other ways and will was started by trans woman of forward to celebrating in 2021 announce details at a later date.” color Charlene Arcila, who unfor- when we will hopefully be able to tunately passed away in 2015. Alexis Mayer attended the 2019 come together safely under one Arcila planned a day-long event to Philadelphia Trans Wellness Con- roof and celebrate PTWC’s 20 year both give trans people a sense of ference. After hearing about the anniversary.” community and to educate on postponement, Mayer posted a trans issues, said the Mazzoni For many, said Benjamin, the picture from last year and a cur- Center’s Director of Communica- PTWC is one of few opportunities a rent picture on Instagram. “The tions Larry Benjamin. “Last year, year for folks to be themselves and photo on the left was July 25, we had 8,000 attendees from engage with programming that is 2019, the first day of the Philadel- around the world,” said Benjamin, designed for them. “I met a young phia Trans Wellness Conference,” “— every state in the U.S. and Black trans man from Alabama,” wrote Mayer, “Less than a year every continent except Antarctica. recounted Benjamin, “he had driv- has passed but I don’t recognize It is so diverse, you’ve got the en up for the conference for the the life I lived before. That day gender spectrum, you’ve got all first time. He said, ‘I want to thank marked the beginning of a whole races, young folks and old folks.” you all’ because, until he walked new world. Friends like so few I The conference takes place over into the conference that morning, had known before. Sisters, family, three days and features hundreds he had never seen a real live trans connection. I discovered ‘Lexi’ of workshops from trans, gender- person but himself. Imagine how and from that point forward I have nonconforming, and nonbinary alienating that was! And then he become so much more than I ever speakers and educators. It is also came into this place where there’s could have believed. The loss of a rare opportunity for this commu- like 8,000 people who look like him this year’s conference is painful, nity to network and gain valuable and get him. For me, that was a and the missed opportunity to support, said Benjamin. transformational moment, and it build our knowledge and commu- made me understand why this con- nity is pitiable, but it does not “I have been involved with the ference was so important.” have to keep us from being there conference every year since its for one another. We can support inception, as both an attendee COO Manley hinted that there will our siblings. We can learn from and a staff member,” said the be some virtual programming in those who have gone before. It Mazzoni Center’s COO Alecia lieu of this year’s conference. “I am will not be the same, but when all Manley who represents one-third hopeful for the creative connections this passes we will be stronger for of the interim leadership team, “I our alternative virtual programming what we have faced as a family.” have seen the tremendous impact will offer,” said Manely, “We will be this conference has and the spe- looking for ways to make some of cial space that is created when PTWC’s educational content and
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Warrant Issued for Suspect in the Murder of Dominique Rem’mie Fells Jennifer Amell , PGN “People have been donating a lot of $128,000 of a $150,000 goal. Grant flowers. Rem’mie would have loved and Keen’s campaign cites that it is all the colors,” said Alonda Talley, a “coordinating directly with” Morris current resident of Morris Home — Home and funds will be “given direct- the only recovery residence for trans ly to staff and residents.” and gender-nonconforming individu- Talley told PGN that Morris Home als and Dominique Rem’mie Fells’ always felt like a “safe place” and that last known address. Fells, a Black she wouldn’t choose anywhere else trans woman, was found stabbed and to recover. dismembered last Monday, June 9, on the banks of the Schuylkill River. In a Facebook post, Stephens said: As of Tuesday night, the Philadelphia “Every dollar of that money should Police issued a warrant for the arrest fund the educational pursuits of Mor- of Akhenaton Jones, 36, who was an ris Home residents, not Morris acquaintance of Fells. Home’s operating costs,” adding, “a Dominique Rem’mie Fells portion of that money should help “During an already difficult time,” said residents pay for items they need to Celena Morrison, executive director feel validated.” of the City’s Office of LBGT Affairs, also knew that she wanted to be a “when many communities have been fashion designer. Fells was creatively Morris Home was contacted for a dealing with both a pandemic and gifted and could draw just about any- statement but was unable to provide national uprisings calling for racial thing, but she was usually busy one by press time. and social justice, the murder of sketching patterns for her future cloth- This Sunday, Morrison organized a Dominique Rem’mie Fells was espe- ing lines which Talley said she wanted grief session intentionally structured cially painful.” to both design and model someday. to center the experiences of Black Thousands gathered in Brooklyn this Talley also remembered that Fells LGBTQ members and other people weekend to honor Fells and Riah Mil- would cut sweaters into halter tops of color in honor of Fells. The Office ton, another Black trans woman who and always wear shorts even if it was of LGBT Affairs partnered with coun- was shot and killed in the process of cold outside. One time, Talley recalled cilors and facilitators from the Thera- a robbery on June 9. The Human with laughter, Fells got a blonde wig py Center of Philadelphia, Depart- Rights Campaign (HRC) reports that, and used a marker to color the strands ment of Behavioral Health, the Intel- in the United States, there have been blue. She even dressed a mannequin lectual disAbility Services, the City’s 14 additional violent killings of trans and made a shoe rack out of shoe Office of Faith-Based and Interfaith or gender-nonconforming folks in boxes in her room at Morris Home. Affairs, and the William Way LGBT 2020, and at least 26 deaths in 2019. Every time she closes her eyes, said Community Center. These victims, said the HRC, were Stephens, she can see Fells walking “It is important that we make a com- either killed because of an anti- toward her — “statuesque” and mitment to hold space for collective transgender bias or because they “always dressed to the nines, ready to grief and healing when these trage- were forced to live riskier lives, as work on herself.” Stephens said Fells dies occur,” said Morrison. trans people are disproportionately moved like a peacock, with color and homeless, poverty-stricken, unem- vibrancy and life. For her part, Stephens said she is ployed, and/or engaged in survival still fearful that additional violence will sex work. According to an HRC re- Stephens said that Fells was desper- be perpetrated against the Black port entitled “Dismantling a Culture of ate to overcome her struggle with ad- trans community. Violence: Understanding Anti- diction and that Fells referred to her disease as a “monkey on [her] back.” “We’re hearing a lot of chanting and Transgender Violence and Ending screaming that trans lives matter,” the Crisis,” four out of every five anti- Around mid-December, both Talley and Stephens recalled that Fells left said Stephens, “This would be the transgender homicides are trans perfect time for law enforcement to women of color. the program at Morris Home and re- lapsed. validate that. I really hope law en- “But, Rem’mie wasn’t set out to be forcement is moving forward with all another statistic,” said Kendell Ste- Talley said that Fells was very close to of their might because the sheer bru- phens, a woman of trans experience her family, to her mother especially. tality of this crime is absolutely fright- who previously interned at Morris Since Fells’ death, her family asked for ening.” Home. “Rem’mie dreamed big,” said a modest $1,000 to help with funeral Stephens, “She was vibrant and viva- costs, and they have, as of press time, cious, sweet and confidant. She was received over $122,000 in donations. invested in her future and inspired Erin Grant and Kris Keen also people because of her willpower and launched a GoFundMe campaign to gusto.” raise money for Morris Home; this Talley said everyone who knew Fells campaign has since received over
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Gay Widower Wins Historic Victory for Social Security Benefits in Federal Court Alex Bollinger, LGBTQ Nation
A federal judicial magistrate ruled that a widower is entitled to survivor benefits after the death of his hus- band of 43 years, which the Social Security Administration had denied him because they were not legally married long enough. U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona Magistrate Judge Bruce Macdonald ruled that Michael Ely qualified for survivor benefits follow- James Taylor and Michael Ely ing the death of his husband James A. Taylor, even though they were denied him the benefits because survi- cal benefits because they were un- only legally married for six months. vors must have been married to their lawfully barred from marriage for deceased spouses for at least nine most of their relationships,” Lambda “It is gratifying to have the court today months. Despite Ely and Taylor’s 43- Legal’s Peter Renn said in a state- recognize the 43 years of love and year relationship, they were not legally ment. commitment that my late husband married long enough. and I shared, rather than looking only “Many same-sex couples were in lov- at the date on a marriage certificate “We got married as soon as the law ing, long-term, and committed rela- that we were denied for most of our permitted,” Ely said. “My husband paid tionships for decades — and they lives,” Ely said in a statement. into Social Security with every shouldn’t be treated as strangers in paycheck, and I know he can rest easi- death simply because they were una- Ely and Taylor have been in a rela- er now knowing that I, at last, will start ble to marry for most of that time. No tionship since 1971. receiving the same benefits as other one should be penalized for being the widowers.” victim of discrimination. The denial of “My husband was the love of my access to these critical benefits can life,” Ely said. “Like other committed In court, the Social Security Admin- have dire consequences, with some couples, we built a life together and istration argued that it was applying the of our class members experiencing cared for each other in sickness and law neutrally and had not discriminated homelessness.” in health.” based on sexual orientation. Same-sex couples in North Caroli- He said that they would have gotten Macdonald disagreed. na and Washington are suing the married, except it was illegal in Arizo- Social Security Administration for na, the state they called home, until “Because the duration of marriage re- similar reasons. 2014. They got married a month after quirement is based on an unconstitu- a judge overturned the state’s ban on tional Arizona law, it cannot withstand marriage equality, and six months scrutiny at any level,” he wrote in his later Taylor passed away after a bat- decision. tle with cancer. “The unconstitutional infringement on Ely applied for Social Security survi- Mr. Ely and Mr. Taylor’s fundamental vor benefits, which are based on a right to marriage is now being perpetu- deceased person’s income but given ated further by the denial of Mr. Ely to to their spouse if the spouse outlives obtain survivor’s benefits.” them. “This is a tremendous victory for many But the Social Security Administration surviving same-sex spouses nation- wide who have been locked out of criti-
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Someone Keeps Destroying an Australian Beach Town’s Pennsylvania Rainbow Crosswalk Becomes Trailblazer Bill Browning, LGBTQ Nation in LGBTQ Data Collection Jennifer Amell, PGN
This morning, Gov. Tom Wolf an- nounced that the Department of Health will include sexual orientation and gender identity questions on case history investigations after contact with those who test positive for COVID-19. Data means information, and infor- mation leads to the identification of areas of need. Sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) were not de- mographic data questions asked on the 2020 Census. Respondents were Wollongong, Australia’s rainbow Brown told the local press. only able to signify a same-sex house- crosswalk has been repeatedly van- The vandal had other ideas, howev- hold, but this does little to account for dalized, but the city’s leadership re- er. gender expression or sexual orienta- fuses to back down. Every time the tion. A lack of LGBTQ data presents culprit defaces it, the city cleans and “Disappointingly, the skid marks have problems when it comes to assessing repaints it. re-appeared blacker and thicker than needs and allocating resources, but before,” local resident Jeremy Boul- Police still have no idea who is doing now Pennsylvania’s government is ton wrote on a petition to town au- trying to rectify these issues. it and now nearby residents are de- thorities. “Local residents continue to manding the town install cameras to hear burnouts occurring on the Rain- Pennsylvania’s Department of Health catch the anti-LGBTQ vandal in the bow Crossing from surrounding is an early adopter of the new data act. streets, well after 10 p.m.” collection platform called Sara Alert. During the unveiling, acting Lord Within this platform, the department Boulton demands that the city install requested to modify the system to in- Mayor Tania Brown shared her pride traffic cameras to capture the culprits in the project, when it was unveiled clude fields designed to collect SOGI and fulfill the mission of the cross- on Christmas Eve. data. Additionally, the department has walk: to counteract homophobia and asked six health organizations within “This is personal to a lot of people in hate speech. the state to include SOGI data in their the community,” she said. “It is an “We call upon Wollongong City Coun- electronic health records. “The Wolf important visible symbol and there cil to install CCTV cameras to cap- Administration,” said the governor’s are people in our community who are ture the number plates and faces of office, “will only partner with organiza- still very much affected by homopho- the homophobic vandals who pur- tions and entities through our re- bia. The trolls will always be out posely leave skid marks on the rain- sponse to COVID-19 that have an es- there, so having a physical symbol to bow crossing,” he wrote. “Installation tablished commitment to non- show that everyone is welcome is so and monitoring of CCTV cameras at discriminatory practices.” Wolf hopes important.” this location would prove that Wollon- that other states will follow Pennsylva- The trolls, however, didn’t take the gong City Council is serious about nia’s lead in this groundbreaking solu- remarks to heart and within weeks accepting the diversity of its commu- tion to a lack of LGBTQ data. the crosswalk had been vandalized. nity.” Out Pennsylvania Rep. Malcolm Ken- Brown pointed out that the location For now, the town continues to clean yatta praised the governor’s efforts. had a very slow speed limit and the off the crosswalk each time the culprit “The COVID-19 health crisis has mag- town had simply had to spend “a little strikes. nified and intensified the many ongo- bit of extra money on some colored ing disparities among our nation’s mi- paint.” nority groups, especially as it relates to sexual orientation and gender iden- The paint, however, wasn’t able to be tity,” said Kenyatta, “In our fight to cleaned easily and the skidmarks combat these inequities, we must be wore it away. Eventually, the city re- deliberate in our approach, and I ap- moved it altogether. Thanks to plaud Governor Wolf for doing just that weather conditions, it wasn’t able to by mandating that health care records be replaced until April. for testing account for LGBTQ patients “We’ve now used more durable paint receiving quality care.” and it’s not going anywhere,” See ‘Data’ on page 16...
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Mazzoni Center Makes Structural Staff Changes Jennifer Amell, PGN
On Friday, leadership at the Mazzoni doesn’t mean that six people are los- Center announced proposed chang- ing their jobs, however. Some of es to its current staff structure. these proposed cuts are being made Though this restructuring will result in the loss of jobs, the Mazzoni Center’s to positions that are currently vacant. Interim Leadership Team — which is In 2017, a majority of eligible staff at comprised of Chief Operating Officer Alecia Manley, Chief Medical Officer the Mazzoni Center elected to have Nancy Brisbon, MD, and Chief Finan- the healthcare, public sector and cial Officer Racquel Assaye — ar- property services union, Service Em- gues that it is in the interest of sus- ployees International Union (SEIU) taining health services that so many represent their interests. The interim LGBTQ Philadelphians rely on well CEO Steve Glassman at the time into the future. made a pledge to “negotiate in good Mazzoni Center provides vital health faith with the union in an attempt to and social services to LGBTQ folks find agreements and common ground of the last few months: facing the un- living in Philadelphia. Some staple and continue building a workplace precedented challenge of maintaining services include family medical care, that is supportive of staff as well as services in a global pandemic.” women’s and adolescent health, patients and clients.” community health featuring a youth When asked if these structural chang- In 2019, after two years of negotia- drop-in clinic, gender-affirming care, es were made due to a lack of funding tions, SEIU negotiated higher wages mental and behavioral health, as well or a lack of resources, Assaye replied for Mazzoni Center employees, a as support groups. Some new initia- it was due instead to redundancies at tuition reimbursement program and tives include testing for COVID-19 the organizational level. “We’ve been even paid leave for gender-affirming and the very recent initiative to ad- taking a look at some of the positions surgeries. minister at-home tests for HIV via a we had and a lot of it had to do with mobile unit that is deployed through- efficiencies,” said Assaye, “and how Now, Mazzoni is ensuring SEIU out the city. positions really impacted or supported agrees to the proposed structural “Since we accepted the leadership client services and where we found changes, and, for the positions that role at Mazzoni Center in December overlap or things of that nature.” are held by current employees, Maz- zoni has promised to offer layoff pro- 2018,” read the press release, “the All of Mazzoni Center’s services for the visions as outlined by the union. Interim Leadership Team has been community will be left unaffected, as looking at ways of ensuring that Maz- the changes will take place in adminis- “For positions affected that are held zoni Center is prepared to meet the trative positions rather than direct ser- by union members, we intend to fol- needs of our patients and clients vice positions. “When we were looking low the provisions of our collective while preserving the longterm stability at the structure and evaluating the bargaining agreement and to comply of our programming and services. changes that we wanted to make, we with any applicable bargaining obliga- While making our operations more had a couple of goals in mind,” said tions, including following Mazzoni’s responsive to the needs of the com- Manley, “We want to have a minimal layoff provisions to provide a softer munities we serve in a sustainable impact to direct services.” landing for employees whose posi- way has always been our overall tions are being eliminated, as appro- The staff changes will affect five union goal, it has become particularly criti- priate.” cal in light of the unexpected events jobs and one non-union job. This
www.AlderHealth.org Improving the Health of All
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Supreme Court Win for LGBTQ Community Tim Cwiek, PGN
LGBTQ+ advocates are hailing to- day’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that existing federal law forbids job dis- crimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The 37-page decision, issued June 15, is considered a major victory for LGBTQ rights in the area of employ- ment law. The decision, known as Bostock vs. Clayton County, declares that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — which makes it illegal for employers to discriminate because of a worker’s sex — also covers sexual orienta- tion and gender identity. “An employ- er who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender violates the following statement: “There are truly pains to make crystal clear what Title VII,” the decision states. no words to describe just how elated I LGBT people already know — that am. When I was fired seven years ago, sex discrimination and LGBT discrim- The 6-3 decision, written by Justice I was devastated. But this fight became ination are inextricably intertwined,” Neil Gorsuch, upholds lower-court about so much more than me. I am sin- Robinette said. “There is no way to rulings that said discrimination based cerely grateful to the Supreme Court, discriminate against an LGBT person on sexual orientation and/or gender my attorneys, advocacy organizations without discriminating against them identity was a form of sex discrimina- like the Human Rights Campaign, and based on their sex. In my opinion, tion. every person who supported me on this this decision will have far-reaching “An employer who fires an individual journey. Today, we can go to work with- effects, beyond simply employment for being homosexual or transgender out the fear of being fired for who we law. I have so many clients who are fires that person for traits or actions it are and who we love. Yet, there is more elated because their cases were would not have questioned in mem- work to be done. Discrimination has no stalled and now can move forward bers of a different sex,” Gorsuch place in this world. And I will not rest due to this decision.” wrote. “Congress adopted broad lan- until we have equal rights for all.” Robinette said today’s ruling means guage [in 1964] making it illegal for Local civil-rights attorneys emphatically federal law now provides antibias an employer to rely on an employee’s praised today’s decision. protections for LGBTQ employees sex when deciding to fire that em- Angela D. Giampolo, who litigates throughout the entire country, even ployee. We do not hesitate to recog- though many locales haven’t enacted many LGBTQ antibias cases, was nize today a necessary consequence explicit LGBTQ protections for em- “thrilled” with the decision. “I’m thrilled of that legislative choice: An employ- ployees. er who fires an individual merely for to see the ruling come down,” Giampolo being gay or transgender defies the told PGN. “Every LGBTQ worker within Robinette noted that federal appeals law.” the Commonwealth who believes they courts have been split on the issue were discriminated against due to their since 2017 when the U.S Court of Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence sexual orientation or gender identity Appeals for the 7th Circuit became Thomas and Brett Cavanaugh dis- now has a mechanism to seek relief — the first to rule that gay men and les- sented. even if they are in a county or munici- bians should be covered by the 1964 The decision is a personal victory for pality that doesn’t have protections.” Civil Rights Act. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, based in Gerald Bostock, who was fired from a “I am so happy that the Supreme Court county job in Georgia after he joined did the right thing,” said Julie Cho- New York, ruled for Zarda in 2018. But the U.S. Court of Appeals for the a gay softball team. The decision al- vanes, a local trans attorney. “This is 11th Circuit, based in Atlanta, ruled so encompasses the cases of Donald such a helpful ruling for my clients and Zarda and Aimee Stephens, who are all members of the LGBT family. And it against Bostock. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, based in deceased. Zarda was a skydiving is a solid opinion with a 6-3 majority Cincinnati, ruled for Stephens. instructor in New York who was fired and written by Justice Gorsuch — who after telling a client he was gay. Zar- was thought to be on the conservative Alito, writing more than 100 pages in da passed away in October 2014. side of the Court.” dissent for himself and Thomas, ac- Stephens was a funeral director in cused the court’s majority of writing Michigan who was fired after coming Justin Robinette, a local civil-rights at- torney, called today’s decision legislation, not interpreting law. “The out as trans. She died in May 2020. question in these cases is not wheth- “historic.” Bostock, a former child-welfare ser- “The Supreme Court goes to great vices coordinator in George, issued See ‘Court, part II’ on page 13...
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...‘Court, part II’ from page 12 our rights. The court has caught up to said HRC President Alphonso Da- the majority of our country, which al- vid. “No one should be denied a job er discrimination because of sexual ready knows that discriminating against or fired simply because of who they orientation or gender identity should LGBTQ people is both unfair and are or whom they love. For the past be outlawed,” Alito wrote. “The ques- against the law. We celebrate the two decades, federal courts have tion is whether Congress did that in LGBTQ people, including our clients determined that discrimination on the 1964. It indisputably did not.” Aimee Stephens and Don Zarda, as basis of LGBTQ status is unlawful Writing separately, Kavanaugh as- well as Donna Stephens, Aimee wife, discrimination under federal law. To- serted: “We are judges, not members and Bill Moore and Melissa Zarda, day’s historic ruling by the Supreme Don’s former partner and sister, who Court affirms that view, but there is of Congress.” moved these cases forward after they still work left to be done. In many as- Kavanaugh added: “Instead of a hard died.” pects of the public square, LGBTQ -earned victory won through the dem- people still lack nondiscrimination Esseks added: “Our work is not done. ocratic process, today’s victory is protections, which is why it is crucial brought about by judicial dictate — There are still alarming gaps in federal civil rights laws that leave people — that Congress pass the Equality Act judges latching on to a novel form of to address the significant gaps in fed- particularly Black and Brown LGBTQ living literalism to rewrite ordinary eral civil rights laws and improve pro- people — open to discrimination in meaning and remake American law. tections for everyone.” Under the Constitution and laws of businesses open to the public and tax- payer-funded programs. Congress Annise Parker, president & CEO of the United States, this court is the wrong body to change American law must affirm today’s decision and up- LGBTQ Victory Institute, echoed in that way.” date our laws to ensure comprehensive HRC’s sentiments. “Millions of and explicit protections for LGBTQ peo- LGBTQ people across the country The Trump administration had ar- ple and all people who face discrimina- have feared losing their jobs and their gued that the definition of “sex” in the tion.” livelihoods because of their sexual 1964 Civil Rights Act didn’t encom- orientation or gender identity and to- Donna Stephens, Aimee Stephens’ pass “sexual orientation” or “gender day’s landmark ruling is a powerful identity.” wife of 20 years, issued this statement: “My wife Aimee was my soul mate. We step forward toward ending that reali- “The ordinary meaning of ‘sex’ is bio- were married for 20 years. For the last ty,” Parker said. “But [today’s] ruling is specifically tied to employment and logically male or female; it does not seven years of Aimee’s life, she rose it remains legal for LGBTQ people to include sexual orientation,” the U.S. as a leader who fought against discrim- Justice Department argued. “An em- ination against transgender people, be discriminated against in restau- rants, hospitals and other public ac- ployer who discriminates against em- starting when she was fired for coming commodations. It is time for the U.S. ployees in same-sex relationships out as a woman, despite her recent thus does not violate Title VII as long promotion at the time. I am grateful for Congress to pass the Equality Act and finally end legalized discrimina- as it treats men in same-sex relation- this victory to honor the legacy of tion against LGBTQ people in Ameri- ships the same as women in same- Aimee, and to ensure people are treat- sex relationships.” ed fairly regardless of their sexual ori- ca, and for states to pass nondiscrim- entation or gender identity.” ination laws that provide accessible Congress has debated LGBTQ civil avenues for legal recourse. The best rights for decades but repeatedly de- Aimee Stephens, prior to her death, way to secure these protections is to clined to enact explicit antibias pro- shared the following statement when ensure LGBTQ elected officials are in tections for LGBTQ workers. The discussing a possible ruling in her fa- the halls of power to influence the Democratic-controlled House passed vor: “Firing me because I’m debate and change hearts and the Equality Act last year — which transgender was discrimination, plain minds. While the ruling is an im- would provide LGBTQ protections in and simple. And I am glad the Court portant moment in our movement for areas such as employment, housing, recognized that what happened to me equality, we cannot fully celebrate as credit, education, and public accom- is wrong and illegal. I am thankful that we continue to protest the racism and modations. But the Republican- the Court said my transgender siblings police brutality that Black people, in- controlled Senate has not considered and I have a place in our laws. It made cluding Black LGBTQ people, face it. me feel safer and more included in so- every day in America. The ruling is a James Esseks, director of the ciety.” step toward justice, but it is a remind- ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project, noted Melissa Zarda, sister of Don Zarda, er of the discrimination people of col- the enormity of today’s LGBTQ victo- issued the following statement “My or, and especially Black people, con- ry. “This is a huge victory for LGBTQ brother Don was my rock, my every- tinue to face despite legal protections equality,” Esseks said, in a state- thing. I stood in the Supreme Court to under Title VII. As the unforgettable ment. “Over 50 years ago, Black and honor his memory and to continue the Marsha P. Johnson once said: ‘No Brown trans women, drag queens, fight for fairness. What happened to pride for some of us without liberation and butch lesbians fought back Don was wrong. People in our country for all of us.’ Our nation has much against police brutality and discrimi- already knew this, and now there is no work to do.” nation that too many LGBTQ people question.” Three Philadelphia officials issued still face. The Supreme Court’s clarifi- statements extolling today’s decision. cation that it’s unlawful to fire people The Human Rights Campaign also because they’re LGBTQ is the result praised today’s decision. “This is a of decades of advocates fighting for landmark victory for LGBTQ equality,” See ‘Court, part III’ on page 14...
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‘Court, part III’ from page 13... and living conditions for lesbian, gay, included and given a fair shot. The bisexual, transgender, and queer peo- protections of the Equality Act bring Mayor Jim Kenney issued this state- ple. We will continue to advocate for us much closer to the inclusion we ment: “I am encouraged by today’s LGBTQ people in all areas of City gov- need for the American Dream to be Supreme Court decision regarding ernment.” accessible to every LGBT American. employment discrimination against LGBTQ people across the United Rue Landau, executive director of the “Business will continue to be the cat- States. In Philadelphia, our LGBTQ Philadelphia Commission on Human alyst for positive change for Ameri- communities were already protected Relations, issued this statement: “The ca’s diverse and marginalized com- under local laws, but found them- Supreme Court’s decision finally ends munities. At NGLCC and Out Leader- selves vulnerable when they left city the patchwork of LGBTQ employment ship, we have nearly 400 corporate limits. That’s why it was so critical protections across the country. Today, and government partners that already that the Supreme Court affirm protec- we can say all LGBTQ people in Ameri- understand the economic imperative tions for LGBTQ people across the ca have the right to be who they are in of inclusivity within their company nation. the workplace without the fear of being and throughout their supply chains. fired. This is especially important for Just as we saw a patchwork of mar- “LGBTQ communities here in Phila- LGBTQ people of color who often face riage laws ultimately evolve into a delphia and across the country have discrimination based on their intersec- unified protection of the freedom to experienced incredible pain in recent tional characteristics. In Philadelphia, marry, we will always advocate for a weeks following the killings of their we have been protecting LGBTQ peo- coast-to-policy of inclusive workplac- transgender siblings—Tony McDade, ple from discrimination in employment, es and business environments where Nina Pop, Dominique Rem’mie Fells, housing and places of public accommo- all LGBT Americans are able to Riah Milton, and too many others. dation for almost 40 years. The Phila- achieve their full potential.” These losses came at a time when delphia Commission on Human Rela- the community would normally be tions is elated that it is now explicitly The National Minority AIDS Council celebrating the joyous occasion of clear for the rest of the country that, ‘An issued this statement: “Yesterday, Pride Month. And while today’s news employer who fires an individual merely millions of LGBT Americans went to will not take away the pain so many for being gay or transgender defies the bed fearing the loss of their jobs be- are feeling, I hope it brings some law.’ We will continue to fight for com- cause of their sexual orientation or sense of comfort that our country is prehensive statewide and national gender identity. As a result of today’s slowly making progress. The Court’s LGBTQ protections in housing and decision, those same Americans will decision is a critical step in protecting public accommodations.” go to bed tonight knowing that they members of our LGBTQ communities no longer have to be fearful of losing from discrimination that is still perva- The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber their jobs. In the absence of a func- sive throughout the nation. Today, we of Commerce (NGLCC), along with its tioning Senate, we are sadly becom- celebrate this momentous ruling with partner Out Leadership issued this ing more dependent on a conserva- our LGBTQ community members.” statement “[We] are elated the Su- tive court for full civil rights. And, preme Court has ensured a state- while today is an historic day for Celena Morrison, executive director sanctioned license to discriminate will LGBT Americans, we know that this of the city’s Office of LGBT Affairs, not be issued in this country’s work- journey won’t be completed until the issued this statement: “Today, the places. The LGBT community is a vital full spectrum of rights are afforded to Supreme Court of the United States part of the American economy and de- LGBT individuals. We will continue to delivered its opinion on employment serves equal treatment under the law. fight against this administration’s un- discrimination protections for LGBTQ The NGLCC and Out Leadership will relenting attacks against transgender people across the country. The opin- continue to advocate for our communi- Americans, especially discriminatory ion affirmed what we in the city of ty’s right to live their lives free from dis- health practices, and we will continue Philadelphia have long known to be crimination in their places of business to fight against the ugly health crisis true: our LGBTQ communities need and in their local communities, which known as racism, which continues to and deserve the protection of full this decision now affirms. grip our nation.” equality under the law. “This decision is a step forward for U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle “The City of Philadelphia has proudly LGBT rights in the United States, and (D-Philadelphia) issued this state- been a home for our vibrant LGBTQ reminds all of us that the protections for ment: “Today is a landmark day in communities, with strong laws in other minority groups, including people the history of our country. The U.S. place protecting us from discrimina- of color, the differently-abled, and wom- Supreme Court has ruled it is illegal tion in employment, public accommo- en, must also be upheld and strength- for an employer to fire someone be- dation, and housing. We are glad to ened. This decision brings national at- cause of their sexual orientation or see this affirmed on a national scale. tention to many of the inequities that gender identity. Finally, all LGBTQ+ “After weeks of mourning following have kept law-abiding LGBT citizens individuals have equality in the work- the killings of our trans siblings, we from achieving all they can. We are place. are glad our communities now have a now renewed in our determination to see the United States Congress now “This is special for those of us who victory to celebrate — even if it is have been longtime advocates of long overdue. The Office of LGBT pass The Equality Act, enshrining these and other essential protections into fed- equality. When I was a new member Affairs and the City of Philadelphia of the Pennsylvania State House remain as committed as ever to the eral law. Our economy simply does not achieve all it can unless everyone is mission of fostering equal working See ‘Court, part IV’ on page 15...
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‘Court, part IV’ from page X... uals simply because they are gay or added. transgendered. In the 6-3 opinion, back in early 2009, I cast the decid- Justice Gorsuch wrote that, with re- “Today’s opinion will have a long ing vote in committee to ban spect to Title VII, ‘An employer who term impact on employers who are LGBTQ+ discrimination in the work- fires an individual merely for being gay subject to Title VII – those having 15 place & housing in the state. I was or transgender defies the law,’” Turner or more employees. Regardless of stunned by the amount of hateful said, in a statement. contrary state laws, such employers emails and calls I received because may not discriminate against individu- of my vote. Shamefully, the bill never “In the last several years, lower federal als in employment decisions because passed the full state legislature and it courts have differed on whether the they are gay or transgender. Those still hasn’t over a decade later. But prohibition of sex discrimination in Title that do, violate Title VII and are sub- today’s Supreme Court ruling once VII prohibited discrimination based on ject to legal actions against them that and for all resolves what our state sexual orientation and transgender could be very costly. There will no legislature never did: You cannot be status. To make the issue even more doubt be cases for the next several fired for who you are or who you complicated, the Equal Employment years addressing religious liberty is- love.” Opportunity Commission, the federal sues that will be raised by some em- agency that enforces Title VII, has in- ployers in defense of such Title VII Elaine Turner, a nationally- terpreted and enforced Title VII as for- claims. Employers with less than 15 recognized labor attorney, conveyed bidding any employment discrimina- employees will continue to be gov- her views on today’s decision. tion based on gender identity or sexual erned by applicable state and local “Bostock is an historic decision that orientation. The dispute among the anti-discrimination laws,” Turner con- resolves whether Title VII of the Civil EEOC and the several lower federal cluded. Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimi- courts has now been resolved by the nation in employment against individ- United States Supreme Court,” Turner
Mom Celebrates Her Transgender 6-year-old with a Gender Reveal Party Alex Bollinger, LGBTQ Nation A mother held a gender reveal party I should just stab myself in the throat.” to celebrate her transgender 6-year- Lynn said that she wasn’t ready for old’s gender. that, but she drove to the Gap to buy Earlier this month, a woman named girls’ clothes for Avery, telling her Zoe Lynn posted pictures on Face- “about how she CAN be a girl. That book of her daughter jumping out of a people feel the way she does. That box holding pink balloons. The box we have friends and family that were said, “It’s a…,” reminiscent of a gen- born and people thought they were der reveal party. one way but they always felt another.” Then they went to the bookstore to “So, as the proud mommy of a six year old girl, I’d like to introduce you get books for transgender kids. to my daughter, Avery,” Zoe Lynn But all the while, Lynn wasn’t feeling wrote. comfortable herself – she was being strong to save her daughter’s life. Lynn wrote about her journey to ac- cepting her daughter for who she is. Zoe & Avery, Lynn “I’ve CRIED over this,” she wrote. “I fell in love with a baby boy for years Her daughter was assigned male at ty. and had to let that go. I had to mourn birth and Lynn said that she thought the memories of naming my child and that she was “open-minded” about Last year, Avery told her dad before gender. When the girl wanted a prin- school, “My life didn’t turn out the way the ‘boy’ things she will probably spend the rest of her life And now, cess dress at age two, Lynn bought it I planned. I think I should just stab less than a year later, she’s sharing for her. When her daughter wanted to myself in the throat.” take musical theater lessons and her daughter’s gender with the world “I have never felt a worse feeling in trying to forget. I cried because I wear a dress, Lynn said she and her my body. How. How can a 5-year-old KNOW that my child’s life is going to husband supported her. who doesn’t even know a fraction of be so SO much harder than other “I don’t believe clothes or colors or what the world is or what life or death kids’ lives now.” toys have genders,” she wrote. She is, even think like that?” Lynn wrote. “But then I stopped crying,” she wrote. and her husband “have always made She asked Avery what she meant af- that clear and kept all the choices “Because as much as I feel I’ve strug- ter school, and Avery said that it was gled, it will be so much harder for her. open.” “a secret.” But after some prodding, And while we already have a few peo- But keeping the choices open when it the kindergartner came out as ple in our lives who are vocally unsup- comes to gender expression, she transgender. portive – we have an INCREDIBLE, wrote, is different from accepting that “I was supposed to be a girl but I’m a AMAZING group of people that have your child is a different gender identi- boy,” the five-year-old said. “So I think never made her feel more loved.”
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...‘Data’ from page 10 LGBTQ.” A Rising Trans Actress Was Executive Director of Allentown’s “A challenge for those who know Just Cast to Play the Lead Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community what it means to be on the mar- Center Adrian Shanker said, “It is gins of society is that we get poli- Role in the “Saved by the very difficult to prioritize health equity cies that are targeted and specifi- Bell” Reboot during a crisis, however, it is incredi- cally bad for our community,” ex- Daniel Villarreal, LGBTQNation plained Kenyatta, “The other thing bly important that health equity is Transgender actress Josie Totah has that happens is that you get com- central to the COVID-19 response. been cast in the upcoming reboot of the pletely ignored. In some ways, That’s why we are so proud of Gov. ’90s-era teen dramedy series Saved By that’s worse. When we look at the Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health the Bell as Lexi, “a beautiful, sharp- comorbidities, we see who is get- Dr. Rachel Levine for making this tongued cheerleader and the most popu- ting hurt worse than most by announcement which ensures data lar girl at Bayside High who is both ad- COVID-19. We’re just not tracking collection on COVID-19’s disparities mired and feared by her fellow students.” impacting the LGBT population in it and that’s a problem.” Totah will act alongside two actors from our state. Those who suggest, Alongside Wolf’s mandate to in- the original series, Mario Lopez and Eliz- wrongly, that the virus doesn’t dis- clude SOGI data, Kenyatta is also abeth Berkley. Lopez and Berkley will criminate lack an understanding of in the process of introducing a bill reprise their original roles as macho jock how the social conditions of our lives called Data for LGBTQ Live. Earli- A.C. Slater and headstrong feminist Jes- leave historically marginalized popu- er this year, Kenyatta hosted a sie Spanno, respectively. lations more vulnerable to COVID- census fair at Temple’s Liacouras 19.” With this major announcement Center in order to get folks count- Reports haven’t revealed whether To- today, Pennsylvania will be collect- ed. What he realized at this event tah’s character will be cisgender or trans, ing data that can help keep LGBT was that the LGBTQ community but her casting in a lead role still repre- people safe from this dangerous vi- wasn’t getting any support at the sents a step forward in mainstream TV rus. federal level. “Where the federal and especially groundbreaking in a show “It used to be hard to explain why level drops the ball, as we’re see- targeted towards a predominantly teen- health data collection for LGBTQ+ ing right now with COVID-19,” said age audience. people was important,” said NFN Kenyatta, “I think it’s going to be The reboot will revisit the fictional Bay- Scout, deputy director of the Nation- incumbent upon folks at the state side High School after former grad- al LGBT Cancer Network, “Now with level to try to pick it up.” Thus, he turned-governor of California, the wise- COVID-19, it’s become crystal clear. drafted the Data for LGBTQ Live cracking and always-scheming Zack At least half a dozen states have bill which will “gauge how truly Morris, starts sending displaced students started to step up to do better on accessible opportunities such em- from recently closed low-income high collecting SOGI data, but Pennsylva- ployment, health and mental care, schools to the state’s higher-performing nia’s announcement today sets a economic mobility, and other state schools, including Bayside. new standard for the rest of the social services are to LGBTQ resi- country to follow. I hope hospital ad- dents.” It’s unclear when the reboot will air. ministrators all over the country are Kenyatta said that most current Transgender actress Jessie Totah will listening; it’s time to include SOGI in information on the LGBTQ popula- play Lexi, a lead cheerleader in the re- routine demographic data collection tion is anecdotal, based on individ- boot of the '90s teen series, Totah on on all health records.” uals’ lived experiences. “But, gov- “The Wendy Williams Show” Historically, however, many in the ernment decisions are made by Totah, who previously acted in multiple LGBTQ community have been reti- data,” said Kenyatta, “ — at least television shows under the name J.J. cent to release personal information good government decisions. If Totah, began her career as a child actor on their sexual orientation or the nu- we’re not collecting it, we’re basi- on the Disney Channel show Jessie. She ances of their gender identity. Ken- cally saying to LGBTQ folks that appeared in four episodes of Glee as the yatta weighed in on these concerns: they don’t matter, that their lived youngest member of the New Directions “We still live in a state where, de- experiences don’t matter.” and had a starring role in Mindy Kaling’s pending on where you live, you can “This movement for data justice is short-lived NBC comedy Champions as be fired simply because of who you not new to me, I didn’t start it,” Michael, an outspoken 15-year-old who are. We know that’s still a major con- finished Kenyatta, “But, I think that made non-stop theater references, was cern.” at every level of government, we somewhat prissy, and naively viewed That said, Kenyatta believes stead- have to be asking the question, New York as a magical city. fastly that collecting data is far more ‘How can we understand the Torah came out as a transgender woman important than anxiety around the needs of all of our constituents?’ in an August 2018 article for Time. She issue. “I don’t have grave concern, Data is a big part of it.” wrote that she felt “like I let myself be frankly, about this information being COVID-19 derailed the rollout of shoved into a box,” adding, “I realized used in a nefarious way,” said Ken- Data for LGBTQ Live, but the lan- over the past few years that hiding my yatta, “I have a greater concern that guage is written and the bill is true self is not healthy. I know now, more people can continue to minimize the ready. Kenyatta and his team are than ever, that I’m finally ready to take amount of folks in Pennsylvania and just waiting for the right moment to this step toward becoming myself. I’m in the nation who identify as “introduce it with a real bang.” ready to be free.”
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