HRC to be trained in Haverford
Members of Haverford’s recently appointed Human Relations Commission will be trained by state officials on their new duties, a township official said recently.
“The HRC members will be trained,” said C. Lawrence Holmes, a member of Haverford’s board of commissioners. “The board of commissioners is fully behind this, and we’re looking forward to the ordinance’s implementation.”
The ordinance that established the panel was enacted in February 2011. Preparations for the upcoming U.S. Open golf tournament in Haverford have contributed to a delay in the training, and not the legal challenge pending in Commonwealth Court, Holmes said.
Seven HRC members, appointed in February, will be trained by the state Human Relations Commission.
The legal challenge is being pursued by anti-LGBT activist James D. Schneller.
Lou DeVecchis, an openly gay township resident who advocated for the ordinance, said the training is “long overdue.”
“I’m very concerned because there are no openly LGBTQ members on the HRC,” he added. “So the training is absolutely crucial.”
DeVecchis also was concerned that Haverford’s police department has no openly LGBTQ officers, to his knowledge.
“The HRC will work closely with the police, so there should be a qualified police liaison to the HRC,” he said.
The ordinance bans discrimination in employment, housing, commercial property and public accommodations and allows for penalties of up to $5,000 per act.
— Tim Cwiek
Mazzoni starts drop-in art-therapy classes
Whether you’re a skilled artist or a beginner, art therapy is something that people of all skill levels can benefit from, and the local community will now have a new outlet for such interests.
Art therapists John Lutz and Clint Steib will host open-studio drop-in Creative Art Therapy sessions from 6-7:30 p.m. every Wednesday in June at Mazzoni Center, 21 S. 12th St., on the eighth floor.
The classes were previously held in a 10-week cycle for which registration was required, but Mazzoni Center is trying the open-studio format to allow community members to experience the classes without the longterm committment.
The classes are $10. For more information, call Lutz at 215-563-0652 ext. 535.
PGMC hosts fundraiser
The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus will present its second annual Pride Drag Revue on June 6 at ICandy, 254 S. 12th St.
The event, which will start at 8 p.m., will feature an informal cabaret to celebrate Philly Pride Present’s 25th anniversary.
Admission to the fundraiser is $10, and all proceeds will go towards scholarships for PGMC members to cover member dues, concert tuxedos and other expenses.
Visit www.pgmc.org.
Stimulus gives back
Stimulus Gives Back, the volunteer arm of LGBT-events company Stimulus Productions, is looking for volunteers to assist in a day of service at Cradles to Crayons, which provides essential items for homeless and low-income youth.
The group will volunteer from 12:45-3 p.m. June 1 at 30 Clipper Road in West Conshohocken, sorting and packaging clothing, books, toys and other items.
Space is limited for volunteers, so email [email protected] to participate.
Drag, fundraising at casino
Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutritional Alliance will be the beneficiary of the fundraising “Sugarcoated Celebrities,” 6-9 p.m. June 6 at SugarHouse Casino, 1001 N. Delaware Ave.
The event will feature Brittany Lynn and her Drag Mafia performing a diverse selection of pop hits. Admission is $10, with half of the proceeds going to support MANNA’s mission of providing nutritional meals to those with terminal illnesses.
Guests will receive one free cocktail and free appetizers, as well as $10 free play for all new members.
For more information, visit www.mannapa.org.
GALAEI celebrates sex
The Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative is celebrating National Masturbation Month with Philly’s Masturbate-a-thon 2013 and Creamium party from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. May 31 at Ruba Social Club, 416 Green St.
Admission is $5-$10 on a sliding scale and all proceeds will go to GALAEI’s PleasureRush! and ScrewSmart.
The event will be styled as a sex-positive game show.
Email [email protected].
— Angela Thomas