Judge denies confidentiality request
A federal judge has denied a request to seal records in a transgender civil-rights lawsuit, even if both sides in the dispute agree the records should be sealed.
On June 22, U.S. District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno denied the joint request, stating that court procedures normally grant public access to legal records.
The case involves transwoman Janis Stacy, who filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit last year against LSI Corp., an Allentown-based electronics firm.
Stacy, of Kunkletown, alleges she was wrongfully terminated from her engineering job at LSI, because of her disability, sex and gender identity.
Robreno said he would revisit the confidentiality issue if a revised request were made, specifying a valid reason for sealing a record or set of records.
Katie R. Eyer, an attorney for Stacy, declined to comment on Robreno’s ruling.
Shannon H. Paliotta, an attorney for LSI, also declined to comment.
Earlier this year, Robreno cleared the way for Stacy’s disability claim to move forward, noting that, in some cases, Gender Identity Disorder can be disabling, and thus protected from bias.
The case is in the discovery phase of litigation.
— Tim Cwiek
Forum looks at trans-health issues
The Greater Philadelphia Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Program is sponsoring a community symposium on trans-related health issues from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 20 at Thomas Jefferson University’s Hamilton Building, 1001 Locust St., Room 505.
The event will examine the gaps between transgender individuals and their healthcare providers.
Panelists include Mazzoni Center medical director Robert Winn, co-founder of Trans-Health Information Project Dr. Ben Singer, TIP health education coordinator Aamina Morrison, The Colours Organization’s Promise coordinator Andrew Lamour Harrington, founder of People of Hope Trans Conference Jaci Adams and licensed clinical social worker Alison Wharton.
The conversation will be followed by a networking social with a light dinner and drink specials.
For more information, call Charles Tyson at 704-345-5143 or Jules Chyten-Brennan at 646-678-2132.
LGBT rally at Love Park
LGBTs and allies are invited to a community rally to speak out against anti-LGBT hate crimes this weekend.
The event will be held from noon-3 p.m. Sept. 10 at Love Park.
The idea was conceived by Katrina Hicks, a community member who said she was attacked because of her gender identity last month in Northeast Philadelphia.
Hicks said she was verbally harassed and had eggs thrown at her by a group of at least six males, one of whom she knew.
“We were going to hang out, and I just didn’t know they were hateful like that,” Hicks said. “My other friend was with me and tried to stick up for me and they ended up beating him up. But if he hadn’t been there, I probably would be in the hospital right now.”
For more information on the rally, search “A Rally on Gay Bashing” on Facebook.
Lib City looks back, forward
LGBT political group Liberty City Democratic Club will gather its members for a fall retreat from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.
The club will review its progress over the past year and discuss upcoming plans, including membership expansion, fundraising, get out the vote initiatives and the endorsement process for the next election.
A free lunch will be provided, and the event will be followed by a happy hour at a local bar.
For more information or to RSVP, visit www.libertycity.org/forms/retreat.
Benefit screening for antiviolence efforts
Women in Transition, which works with women struggling with domestic-violence and substance-abuse issues, will host a fundraising benefit, “Behind the Lens: An Evening with Women Filmmakers” at 6 p.m. Sept. 20 at WHYY, 150 N. Sixth St.
The event will include the screening of “Barbie Nation: An Unauthorized Tour,” as well as a question-and-answer session with the filmmaker. A light dinner will be provided.
Tickets are $55, or two for $100, and $25 of each ticket is tax-deductible.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.helpwomen.org or call 215-564-5301 ext. 125.
— Jen Colletta