In response to “Sims to challenge Babette Josephs in 182nd Dist. ,” Sept. 9-15:
It would be great to have an LGBT legislator in Harrisburg. But why isn’t Brian running from his home address on 20th Street in the soon-to-be-open legislative seat of Kenyatta Johnson? Then we’d have Babette, a longtime LGBT supporter, and Brian. — More Info Needed
Brian lives in the 182nd District. Besides, it’s time for Josephs to step aside. She is no longer effective in Harrisburg. — QueerX Editor’s note: According to Brian Sims, he has lived in the 182nd District, at 12th and Rodman streets, for the past year. He owns a house at 20th and Christian streets with his ex.
The question is, why move from the property you own and called home in a district with an open seat just to run against a progressive woman incumbent, particularly when there are only 42 women in the 253-member legislature? Doesn’t sound like a “diehard feminist.” — Real Feminist
Um, seriously, running against Babette instead of from your own district? Bad idea. Why not have two strong voices in the House on progressive and LGBT issues when your district has an open seat?
No thanks, not going to lend support to Brian. Like him, but if this is the type of decisions he makes, he’s more about Brian than the issues. — Anne2
It’s strange how negatively people can react to someone who works really hard for a lot of people. I have always liked Babette, voted for her, and will always think highly of her, the same way he seems to. But I’m ready to live in a district where there’s not only leadership on liberal issues but someone who can begin to move them also. She’s fought so many fights that she doesn’t seem to be able to work with anyone any more. Thank you for starting so much of this, Rep. Josephs, but it looks like there’s finally someone strong enough to fill your shoes! — FeelsRight
The only reason why Babette would be perceived to be ineffective is because she’s pushing against the brick wall that is the Pennsylvania legislature. I highly doubt Sims will have a greater ability to convince the Appalachian cave trolls that dominate our legislature to do the right thing. And whoever made the point about the legislature’s gender imbalance, good call. This is one queer (trans) woman who is supporting Babette. — JordanGwendolynDavis
On a slightly off topic and not to sound shallow, but Sims is very cute. — Joey “Chris” Hagan
This is how we thank someone for years and years of service to the gay community? “It’s because of people like Babette that I’m able to run” … and so I choose to stab her in the back and run against her? Yeah, that’s the kind of loyalty I’m looking for in my representative. Not! — Rich W