LGBT networking event
Women United of Philadelphia and Elements Organization will present “Networking with a Cause” from 5-9 pm. Aug. 19 at Noche Lounge, 1901 Chestnut St., to give LGBTs of color an opportunity to share resources and make professional connections with one another.
The event is also serving as a benefit for Covenant House, which provides services to homeless youth.
Shayna SheNess Israel, co-executive director of the Elements Organization, which stages the annual LGBT Womyn of Color Conference, said the group will collect an array of items for the agency, including new toiletries, new or gently used clothing, educational items like notebooks and bookbags, home items such as blankets and pillows, and resources for new mothers, like diapers and baby clothing.
The African-American Chamber of Commerce of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware is cosponsoring the event.
Public hearing for trans complaint
The Philadelphia Human Relations Commission will hold a public hearing next week in the case of a transgender woman who filed a discrimination complaint against a city agency.
The commission hearing in Dawn Dalpe v. City of Philadelphia Department of Recreation, which was continued from last month, will be held at 10 a.m. Aug. 20 at 601 Walnut St., Suite 300 South.
Dalpe, a seasonal lifeguard with the department, alleges that in 2005, she faced persistent verbal and physical harassment from fellow employees because of her transgender status. She contends the department refused her request to be transferred to a different work site and eventually terminated her without cause.
Benefit for NE gay bar
Voyeur, 1221 St. James St., will host a benefit party from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Aug. 20 for patrons and supporters of House of Blaze, a gay bar in Northeast Philadelphia that was recently shut down.
Special guest Nina Flowers, a runner-up on the first season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” now on Logo’s “Drag U,” will take the stage at 11 p.m. to perform, and the event will also feature performances by Brittany Lynn and Ms. Lisa-Lisa, with music by DJ Reenie Kane.
Blaze Waters, who ran the LGBT club, said the building’s owner, who operates the first-floor Albert’s Café and Sports Bar, tripled his rent and later locked out him and his staff, preventing them from retrieving their personal belongings.
Waters and his supporters have been protesting outside of Albert’s for several weeks, and Waters is currently seeking a new venue.
MANNA seeks volunteers
The Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutritional Alliance is looking for volunteers for the rest of the summer to help prepare and package meals for those facing life-threatening illnesses.
With summer groups and students finishing up their volunteer time in the next few weeks, MANNA is in need of volunteers to fill group and individual shifts from Aug. 16-Sept. 27.
For more information or to set up a time to volunteer, call (215) 496-2662 ext. 120.
— Jen Colletta