Kiss-in at Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A will be bombarded by same-sex PDA this weekend.
Organizers of the Philadelphia Dyke March will stage a “kiss-in” protest at 8 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Chick-fil-A location at 2204 S. Columbus Blvd., part of a nationwide action against the fast-food chain.
The action comes after Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy last month spoke out against same-sex marriage. His company has donated to a number of antigay causes.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/499777980038430/.
Murder suspect commits suicide
The man accused of shooting to death another man in the Gayborhood committed suicide last month.
Philadelphia police reported that the suspect, who has not been identified, shot and killed himself in York.
He is suspected of shooting to death 30-year-old Isaiah Summers earlier in July at a residence at 233 S. 13th St.
The murder suspect is the son of the victim’s girlfriend, and police say the homicide resulted from “domestic discord.”
A landlord discovered Summers’ body in the second-floor apartment July 16. Police believe the murder took place up to a week prior to the discovery.
Contest documents vacant lots
A group of activists pressing for the city to take action on the estimated 40,000 empty lots in Philadelphia is calling on residents to get involved.
Take Back Vacant Land, a coalition of more than 40 faith, labor and community groups including ACT UP Philadelphia, is organizing a Best Lot/Worst Lot contest through Aug. 31.
Residents can submit photos of a vacant city lot that either depicts a successful use of the property or one that detracts from their community.
Winners will receive gifts cards to home- and yard-improvement stores and the lots deemed the worst of the worst will receive clean-up services.
The coalition is urging Councilwoman Maria Quiñones Sanchez to reintroduce legislation that would create a Philadelphia Land Bank to be used to convert empty lots into productive spaces.
Contest participants can submit up to three photos, a description of the site and their contact information to [email protected]. Entries are also accepted at www.facebook.com/CampaignToTakeBackVacantLand or Take Back Vacant Land c/o Liberty Resources, 714 Market St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106.
There is no entry fee.
Run for the center
The William Way LGBT Community Center is looking for exercise enthusiasts to stretch their legs and raise funds for the center.
The organization is gathering a team to participate in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon Sept. 16.
The marathon is held annually in dozens of cities to raise funds for myriad nonprofits.
This marks the first time the center will be featured as an official charity.
Runners can gather pledges that will go to the center, and non-runners can also support by donating for every mile the team runs.
Half-marathon runners already signed up to participate in the event can still join the team.
For more information, visit www.waygay.org or contact Paul Blore at [email protected] or 215-732-2220.
For more information on the marathon, visit runrocknroll.competitor.com/philadelphia.
— Jen Colletta