$5,000 reward for Danny’s shooter
The owner of Danny’s Midnight Confessions, an adult boutique shop in the Gayborhood, is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the man who recently shot a Danny’s employee.
The incident took place July 18 at the shop, 133 S. 13th St. The suspect entered the store and made a derogatory remark about its LGBT merchandise before leaving and returning a moment later to inquire about heterosexual material. When the employee was leading him to that section, the suspect pulled out a gun and, after a brief struggle, shot 31-year-old Kevyn Mines.
Store owner Danny Liss, who called the incident a hate crime, posted the award with the Citizens Crime Commission last week.
The suspect is described as black, between 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-9, with a thin build. At the time of the incident, he was wearing glasses and a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt with “USA” on the front.
Anyone with information should call 215-546-TIPS.
Elder Initiative looking for input
The LGBT Elder Initiative is asking for community input in advance of a community discussion on Alzheimer’s and dementias this fall.
The short survey asks respondents their thoughts and concerns about cognitive health, caregiving and the impacts of Alzheimer’s and dementias. The results will be used to identify the topics addressed at the Nov. 14 “Aging Mind 102.”
Access the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/JG9MJT7.
The event will be held at United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, 1709 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. The session is a follow-up to 2013’s “Aging Mind 101.”
Businesses urged to register for DNC
Vendor registration is now open for businesses and service providers looking to get involved in next summer’s Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Event organizers are prioritizing diversity and are urging LGBT, minority, women, veterans, disabled and other diverse business owners to apply for potential contracts. Vendors that will be issued contracts include IT, research companies, travel agencies, legal services catering, AV production, entertainment and more.
“Our goal is to make this convention the most inclusive yet and we encourage any business and suppliers interested in participating to register,” said Kevin Washo, executive director of the Philadelphia 2016 Host Committee.
Applicants will be listed on the Host Committee 2016’s Vendor Directory, which will be sent to the DNC Committee for its selections and to third parties holding events associated with the convention.
Some vendors will be selected through a request-for-proposal process, posted online at www.phldnc.com, which also has the vendor-registration form.
— Jen Colletta
Trial date set in Voyeur case
A trial date has been set in the case of Kelly Martin, a South Philadelphia woman who’s suing Voyeur Nightclub after falling inside the building and sustaining serious injuries.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin 10 a.m. March 7 in Room 646 of City Hall. The presiding judge hasn’t been announced.
In July 2012, Martin fell inside Voyeur, allegedly due to slippery conditions caused by an accumulation of liquid, glass and debris.
She sustained fractures to her right arm, requiring extensive surgery, according to her lawsuit.
She’s seeking more than $50,000 in damages, claiming the club operated in a dangerous manner.
The popular night spot, located at 1221 St. James St., has a large LGBT clientele.
Deadlines in the case recently were extended due to a medical procedure that Martin requires.
Neither side had a comment for this update.
Scouts seek deposition in abuse case
The Boy Scouts of America wants a Philadelphia judge to compel a deposition in a lawsuit accusing the organization of facilitating child molestation.
Patricia Evasew claims her son Thomas was molested by his then-Scoutmaster, leading Thomas to commit suicide.
She’s suing BSA and its local affiliate, BSA Chester County Council, for more than $50,000 in damages.
The former Scoutmaster, Charles “Chris” Morris, no longer volunteers in Scouting. He denies the accusation.
BSA wants to obtain the deposition of Thomas’ brother, Joseph Evasew, who reportedly had access to Thomas’ personal computer.
But Joseph has cerebral palsy, and his attorneys allegedly won’t produce him for a deposition, according to court records.
A hearing on the dispute has been set for 1 p.m. Aug. 10 in Room 246 of City Hall. The presiding judge hasn’t been announced.
Neither side had a comment for this update.
Deadline set in ADA challenge
A federal judge has set an Aug. 14 deadline for both sides in the Kate Blatt antibias case to supplement their positions on the Americans with Disabilities Act’s exclusion of gender-identity disorder as a protected disability.
On July 28, U.S. District Judge Joseph F. Leeson Jr. said he needs the supplemental material, in light of the U.S. Department of Justice’s position that he avoid ruling on the issue.
Blatt, a Pottsville trans woman, is suing Cabela’s Retail Inc. for job discrimination.
She claims Cabela’s discriminated against her on the basis of her disability — gender dysphoria — by denying her access to a female restroom and a female name tag.
Part of Blatt’s lawsuit challenges the ADA’s exclusion of gender-identity disorder as a protected disability. She contends that Congress acted unconstitutionally 25 years ago when enacting the exclusion.
Cabela’s is located in Hamburg and specializes in outdoor sports items. Blatt worked there as a seasonal stocker between September 2006 and March 2007.
The ADA protects those with disabilities from discrimination in private employment, public accommodations and governmental services.
— Timothy Cwiek