Stay sought in implementation of Conshohocken law
James D. Schneller, co-founder of Philadelphia Metro Task Force, wants a Montgomery County judge to suspend the implementation of Conshohocken’s LGBT civil-rights law, pending Schneller’s legal challenge of its validity.
On April 26, Schneller filed a “petition for stay pending appeal” with Judge Bernard A. Moore.
There is no deadline for Moore to issue a ruling.
The law went into effect in July 2011. It forbids discrimination against LGBTs in the areas of housing, employment, public accommodations and public education.
Violators face a maximum fine of $1,000, and up to 90 days in jail, for each offense.
Schneller contends the law infringes on protected religious freedoms, harms children and fosters the spread of diseases.
Moore dismissed Schneller’s legal challenge in March on the basis that it lacked standing. But Schneller filed an appeal of the dismissal, which is pending in state Superior Court.
Michael J. Savona, the borough attorney, said the borough won’t be able to accept any bias complaints for investigation if the stay is issued.
Savona currently is coordinating training efforts for members of the Conshohocken Human Relations Commission, which was formed to investigate local bias complaints.
If the stay is issued, the training efforts would be suspended, Savona added.
“It’s very unfortunate that Mr. Schneller cannot accept that Conshohocken wants to protect all of its citizens from discrimination,” Savona told PGN. “Mr. Schneller can’t seem to let go of the idea that Conshohocken did something that was reasonable, legal and appropriate.”
Schneller couldn’t be reached for comment.
Schneller also has filed a request with Moore to permit him to proceed as a pauper during the appellate process. Moore hadn’t ruled on that request, at press time.
— Tim Cwiek
Come out for the cure
LGBT breast-cancer survivors are invited to participate in the opening ceremonies of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure breast-cancer 5K run/walk May 13 at the Art Museum.
The annual event opens with survivors walking in solidarity down the steps, and out survivors Susan DiPronio and Gloria Casarez are looking for other community members to help them unfurl the rainbow flag during the walk.
“This is one of the only events that doesn’t have a real gay presence and we know there are a lot of LGBT survivors so we want to get more people involved,” DiPronio said.
Casarez last year brought small rainbow flags for LGBT survivors to carry and is planning for the contingent to carry a larger flag down the steps next week.
Interested participants can meet Casarez and DiPronio at 6:30 a.m. at the bottom of the steps.
For more information, email DiPronio at [email protected].
— Jen Colletta