Cabbie fined for discrimination
A judge with the Philadelphia Parking Authority this week ruled in favor of a gay couple who said they were ejected from a taxi because of their sexual orientation.
Mark Seaman, director of development at Philadelphia FIGHT, and his partner, Daniel, entered a PHL Taxi at the Philadelphia International Airport on Dec. 30 but, when Seaman put his arm around his partner, he said the driver pulled over, saying, “You can’t do that in here.” The driver told them to exit the vehicle and drove away with the door still open.
The PPA fined the driver $100 for “refusal of service without a good cause” but the driver appealed, leading to this week’s trial, during which Seaman and his partner testified, and the driver served as his own attorney.
Seaman said he was satisfied with the judge’s ruling but is still concerned about the taxi company itself, which he said has not been apologetic for the incident and, to his knowledge, does not have any LGBT-sensitivity training for its employees.
The couple also filed a complaint with the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, which is pending.
Job market panel
LGBT-affirming Doylestown Presbyterian Church, 127 E. Court St., will host “Facing the Challenges of Today’s Changing Job Market” from 9 a.m.-noon June 12.
The panelists will discuss the current job market and offer tips for those who are unemployed, lack job security or are planning to reenter the job market.
A continental breakfast will be served.
For information, call (215) 348-3531.
Gay marriage panel
The COLOURS Organization Inc. will host its next community forum at 6 p.m. June 14 at Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad St.
This month’s forum will center on same-sex marriage, with a specific focus on the LGBT people of color community.
For more information, visit www.coloursorganization.org.
LGBTs on screen
Local public-television channel MiND TV, which is running an entire month of LGBT programming in June, will showcase some of the best submissions in its LGBT shorts program from 6:30-8 p.m. June 16 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.
MiND issued a call this spring for LGBT community members to submit five-minute short films on LGBT topics, which will air at 8 p.m. June 23 and 26.
For more information or to view complete LGBT scheduling on MiND TV, visit www.mindtv.org.
LGBT youth prom
The Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative and The COLOURS Organization Inc. will sponsor the 15th annual Alternative Prom from 8 p.m.-midnight June 18 at the Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St.
The event, themed “Sugar Rush,” is geared toward LGBT youth who want to experience prom in a welcoming and safe environment.
Tickets, on sale at GALAEI, COLOURS, The Attic Youth Center and Giovanni’s Room, are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
For more information, call (215) 851-1822.
Ball for HIV awareness
The COLOURS Organization Inc. will host “I Know My Status Mini-Ball” at 6 p.m. June 19 at Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad St.
The event will feature free HIV testing, as well as a host of HIV-awareness resources, amid a backdrop of ball-culture activities, including music by DJ Robbie Rob Blahnik, commentary by Father Jay Blahnik and a runway competition.
— Jen Colletta