Tens of thousands of visitors will flood Philadelphia the summer after next for the Democratic National Convention — the nexus of which is taking place just blocks from the Gayborhood.
The City of Brotherly Love was chosen last week to host the 2016 DNC, a significant feather in the city’s cap, as the event shines an international spotlight on the host city. Most DNC events, which will take place the week of July 25, 2016, are headquartered at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St.
“The convention is quite frankly in the middle of the Gayborhood,” said Ted Martin, executive director of Equality Pennsylvania. “You can’t walk outside the convention without being in the middle of such an incredible community of LGBT people. I think it’s going to be hard for Democrats and people attending to not pay attention to that.”
“Things that are good for the businesses of Philadelphia are good for the LGBT businesses of the city as well,” added Sara Jacobson, president of Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club. “One of the reasons that Philly is at the top of everyone’s list as a great place to live and visit is our vibrant gay scene. There are many LGBT-owned restaurants and shops downtown, and we expect our terrific gay bars to be full.”
Julie Coker Graham, executive vice president of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the DNC will provide ample opportunity to highlight LGBT businesses, and the city’s LGBT-friendly policies and programs.
“We expect local LGBT businesses would benefit from the LGBT contingent that will be part of the DNC attendees (Gay & Lesbian Chamber), especially considering the proximity of many of them to the Pennsylvania Convention Center,” she said, noting that the PHLCVB provides LGBT information at its hospitality desk at the convention center, as well as through local hotel concierge teams. “This is a great chance for us to showcase our city’s LGBT resources and acceptance as a model for which other groups can expect to experience when they meet in Philadelphia.”
While the city’s LGBT community will be highly visible, the community’s issues will also play a role, Martin said.
The 2012 DNC marked the first time that same-sex marriage became an official plank of the party’s platform, at a time in which only six states and Washington, D.C., sanctioned marriage equality. Three years later, same-sex marriage is legal in 37 states plus D.C. and, with a seminal U.S. Supreme Court ruling expected this summer, that number could drastically increase by the 2016 DNC.
“I think LGBT issues will probably play a greater role [than in 2016],” Martin said, “in the sense that, if we keep going on the same path, it will be par for the course: ‘This is what we stand for,’ ‘This is what we believe in.’ There will be prominent LGBT candidates — the governor of Oregon will be there and she’s LGBT; it’ll just be part of the tapestry of the whole thing. But, there are still issues that need to be talked about. States like Arkansas are passing right-to-discriminate laws, and they’ll likely still be on the books. The discussion will certainly be there.”
Jacobson noted that, just like in President Obama’s recent history-making State of the Union address — the first time a president used the words “lesbian,” “bisexual” and “transgender” in such an address — LGBT inclusion in the DNC should be a standard.
“It is no longer a historical anomaly to have LGBT equality or concerns specific to the transgender community mentioned in a nominating speech or the State of the Union,” she said. “We expect to continue to be part of the conversation. We expect to be at the table, and we expect to be part of the positive change that comes out of the convention. And Liberty City will definitely be part of the celebration.”
The DNC is tasked with selected the party’s presidential nominee.
Jacobson said she sees the next Democratic candidate being willing to build on the LGBT victories won under Obama’s tenure — such as the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” passage of LGBT-inclusive hate-crimes legislation and the burgeoning marriage-equality movement.
“All you need to do is look to the past four years under the Obama administration to see how important it is to have the support of the president for our issues,” Jacobson said. “We believe these gains will not be lost, but more work remains. Top of the list for LGBT equality is trans-inclusive federal nondiscrimination legislation. In places without statewide protections, like Pennsylvania, you can still lose your house or your job, just for being LGBT.”
If Pennsylvania has not adopted an LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination law by the time of the DNC, Martin said he intends to use the occasion to draw attention to that issue.
“Rest assured, I’ll be highlighting that to any reporter who’s there. And I’ll be happy to remind any of the candidates,” Martin said.