Challenge to Conshohocken LGBT ordinance dismissed
A Montgomery County judge this week dismissed a legal challenge to Conshohocken’s LGBT civil-rights ordinance that was filed by the co-founder of an anti-LGBT group in the region.
In a one-page ruling, Judge Bernard A. Moore said co-plaintiffs James D. Schneller and Philadelphia Metro Task Force lacked legal standing to pursue the claims raised in the legal challenge.
The ordinance, enacted in April 2011, extends anti-bias protections to LGBTs in the areas of housing, employment, public accommodations and public education.
Discriminators face up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine for each violation.
Schneller wanted Moore to invalidate the ordinance because he said it would be harmful to children, foster the spread of diseases and infringe on protected religious freedoms.
But Michael J. Savona, the borough solicitor for Conshohocken, said neither Schneller nor Philadelphia Metro Task Force had legal standing to challenge the ordinance because they couldn’t demonstrate any adverse affects from it.
Schneller couldn’t be reached for comment on Moore’s March 12 ruling.
In a previous interview, Schneller indicated that he would appeal an unfavorable ruling to Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, which he has 30 days to do.
Savona expressed agreement with Moore’s ruling.
“I’m pleased that the court reached the correct result,” Savona told PGN. “I’m hoping Mr. Schneller will forego an appeal, and not waste any more of the borough’s time or money pursuing a case that the court has determined he doesn’t have any standing to pursue.”
Mary Catherine Roper, senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Pennsylvania, expressed approval of Moore’s ruling.
“The law is very settled that these ordinances are an appropriate way for local municipalities to protect their citizens,” Roper told PGN. “The outcome should never have been in question.”
— Tim Cwiek
ASIAC gets new space
ASIAC moved to a new office earlier this month in an effort to make its services more directly accessible to the Asian community.
The organization, formerly in North Philadelphia, is now located at 1711 S. Broad St., in South Philadelphia.
“This will allow us to have better access to the Asian community in Philadelphia and a more streamlined approach to case management,” said executive director Kevin Huang.
The office is located directly across from Health Center 2 and is within walking distance of the Tasker-Morris stop on the Broad Street Subway.
Office hours remain the same.
Get ready to dine out
In advance of next month’s international Dining Out for Life, organizers are staging a new contest to help spread the word about the fundraiser.
Supporters of the effort, which began in Philadelphia more than 20 years ago to raise funds for HIV/AIDS causes, can submit a 60-second video explaining why they “dine out for life” to be entered for a three-day trip for two to one of the dozens of cities that participate in the annual fundraiser. The city with the most entries will also receive a prize.
Full contest rules are available at www.diningoutforlife.com.
Philadelphia’s Dining Out for Life, hosted by ActionAIDS, will be held April 26.
Roast a leader
Equality Pennsylvania board president Adrian Shanker will celebrate his 25th birthday next month with a roast to raise funds for the LGBT-rights organization.
The April 1 brunch, held at The Palace Center in Allentown, will feature roasts by Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan, Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski and other local politicos, as well as live music and a silent auction.
Tickets are $30 per person.
For more information, email [email protected].
Nominate your hero
Big changes are in store for Delaware Valley Legacy Fund’s upcoming HEROES event.
The annual fundraiser, previously held in the fall, will this year be from noon-3 p.m. June 3 at Sofitel, also a new venue. The format for the party will also change, with this year’s event presented as a brunch buffet.
Organizers are calling for submissions for the HEROES awards — which will be presented to an outstanding individual, youth, straight ally, nonprofit and corporation.
Nomination forms can be found at www.dvlf.org. All nominations are due by March 31.
— Jen Colletta