Mayor Michael Nutter has announced that the District Attorney’s LGBT liaison has been chosen to succeed the late Gloria Casarez as the new director of Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs.
Helen “Nellie” Fitzpatrick will make the move to the position effective Jan. 20. The decision comes in the wake of Casarez’s passing Oct. 19 after a long battle with cancer. Casarez was the first person to helm the position upon its creation by Nutter in April 2008.
“I am honored to join this administration,” Fitzpatrick said. “I promise to work tirelessly to ensure the legacy of Gloria Casarez and the work of the entire administration is carried out and set as the foundation for future administrations to come.”
Fitzpatrick, 34, says she has witnessed firsthand the many-layered challenges LGBT community members face, whose experiences are shaped not only by sexual orientation or gender identity but also by race, color, national origin, etc.
“Only when we organize and build community around these differences are we truly able to foster safety, demand accountability and create a more equal and inclusive Philadelphia,” Fitzpatrick said.
She said her candidacy for the position grew organically from her role in the DA’s Office, where she served as an assistant district attorney, alongside the liaison position. When she was asked if she was interested in the job, she said she saw an opportunity to continue and expand upon the work she was doing in a more official capacity.
“When I became the DA liaison, I was also managing a full case load. The work was voluntary and done mostly on my own personal time. However, as time went on, my liaison work began to take over most of my day, and it truly became my life’s passion to work for the LGBT community.”
Nutter said Fitzpatrick’s record made her a natural fit for the position.
“I am proud that Nellie has agreed to join our team and serve the city as director of LGBT Affairs. Nellie brings to this role a deep understanding of and commitment to the LGBT community and diversity. Her experience as the LGBT liaison at the District Attorney’s Office, paired with her work in the community, makes her an ideal addition to our team,” Nutter said. “Nellie has a proven track record of coalition-building. We are eager for the energy and enthusiasm that she will infuse into our diverse city, including prioritizing inclusiveness.”
Fitzpatrick said her mission is to “make Philadelphia a more safe and equitable place for the LGBT community.”
At the DA’s Office, she has made considerable progress with the Philadelphia Police Department in making the city a safer place for LGBTs. Among other accomplishments, she worked closely with the police to strengthen ties between the department and the LGBT community, revised policies, procedures and forms to be law-conforming and LGBT-inclusive, served as the point person on police investigations of crimes affecting LGBT victims and advocated for statewide LGBT-inclusive hate-crime legislation.
As for making Philadelphia more equitable, Fitzpatrick sees policy and education as the keys to achieving that aim.
While she was unable to comment on any policy specifics, she did say that good policy is “the foundation” for equity and that her office would see if any improvements could be made within city government.
Among her top priorities will be educating Philadelphians on the accomplishments of her predecessor, Casarez.
“Gloria was not one to brag about what she got done; she accomplished a lot behind the scenes, a lead-from-behind type person, a truly inspirational leadership model,” she said. “But I think it is very important that everyone knows what she did — the change and growth that occurred over the course of her tenure. People need to know what has been done, so they know what to demand going forward.”