Musician arrested on sex charges
Charles L. Cohen, a Center City musician, was arrested Sept. 28 after allegedly arranging to meet someone whom he thought to be a 14-year-old boy for the purpose of engaging in oral sex.
Cohen’s arrest was part of a sting operation organized by law-enforcement authorities.
On Sept. 28, Cohen traveled to a shopping complex in Upper Providence Township, where he planned to meet a youth. Instead, he was arrested by a detective, according to a press release issued by Montgomery County District Attorney Risa V. Ferman.
Cohen is an electronic musician who received a Pew Fellowship for the Arts in 2011. He’s been featured in numerous publications. He plays the Buchla Music Easel, a synthesizer, and was scheduled to perform on tour in London earlier this month.
Cohen, 70, was charged with criminal attempt of deviate sexual intercourse with a child, unlawful contact with a minor and criminal use of a communication facility.
As of presstime, Cohen remained incarcerated at Montgomery County Correctional Facility. Bail was set at $100,000 cash.
His preliminary hearing was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 21 before Magisterial Judge Walter Gadzicki. Additional information was unavailable.
Officer remains on city payroll
Matthew Zagursky, a Philadelphia police officer who was caught on tape uttering anti-LGBT slurs, remains on the city payroll as officials consider his discipline.
Zagursky’s base salary is $64,495 annually, said Officer Leeloni Palmiero, a police spokesperson.
During a recent traffic stop, Zagursky criticized the motorist’s “faggot-ass” windshield wipers and made other pejorative remarks relating to the LGBT community.
Zagursky also pressured the motorist to purchase tickets to a police and firefighters charity event.
Shortly after the video surfaced in August, Zagursky, a nine-year veteran, was placed on desk duty. His service revolver and police-identification card also were taken from him.
Palmiero said the matter is under thorough review.
“The case is still under investigation with the Internal Affairs Bureau of the department,” Palmiero said in an email. “Once they’ve made a ruling, along with their suggestions (or disciplinary action), this will be presented to Commissioner [Charles H.] Ramsey. Unfortunately, we do not know how long this will take and it’s completely dependent on the investigators — as I am sure they are looking to be as thorough as possible.”
AIDS Law Project fundraiser slated
A Halloween-themed fundraiser will be held for the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania, a nonprofit that provides free legal services to people with HIV/AIDS in the region.
The party is set for 6-9 p.m. Oct. 29 at Bahdeebahdu, 1522 N. American St. in Northern Liberties.
The affair will be catered, costumes are optional and The Bearded Ladies Cabaret will provide entertainment.
“All year long, the AIDS Law Project works on vitally important cases, like fighting discrimination in health care,” said Ronda B. Goldfein, executive director of the law project. “Boo! is an opportunity to have a lot of fun while raising money to support our work.”
Tickets are $100 and can also be purchased in bundles. Five tickets will be sold for $450, 10 tickets for $800 and 20 tickets for $1,500.
For more information, call 215-587-9377 or email [email protected].
— Timothy Cwiek
Health history conference has LGBT focus
For those interested in the LGBT community’s response to the stigma of mental illness and AIDS, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and William Way LGBT Community Center are hosting a health history conference.
Called “Fighting Back: Defending the LGBT Mind and Body in Pennsylvania,” it takes place from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 18 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St., and from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 19 at the historical society, 1300 Locust St.
Tickets cost $30 for general admission, $15 for students or are free to members of the historical society or William Way.
Workshops include everything from a conversation with two LGBT leaders about early AIDS experiences in communities of color to the community challenge to the American Psychiatric Association and John Fryer’s historic speech.
For a full schedule of events, visit http://hsp.org/fighting-back-defending-the-lgbt-mind-and-body-in-pennsylvania-program.
To purchase tickets, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/e/fighting-back-defending-the-lgbt-mind-and-body-in-pennsylvania-tickets-18471290126.
Lecture on LGBT politics after marriage
A New York University professor of politics and public policy will speak from 8-9:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Swarthmore. It’s free and open to the public.
Patrick J. Egan, a 1992 graduate of Swathmore, will host a discussion in Science Center, Room 101, on the direction of LGBT political movements in the wake of marriage equality.
Egan will cover how marriage equality has changed the daily lives of gays and lesbians and what the next steps for nondiscrimination should be.
For more information, contact Gina Ingiosi at [email protected].
Women sought for breast and cervical cancer research
A new academic study is looking for lesbian, bisexual and queer women to complete a survey answering questions about cancer screening usage.
Current research suggests sexual-minority women face a greater risk of developing breast and cervical cancer. This study will look for specific factors that may affect whether women in a sexual minority seek screenings.
Participation is anonymous and takes about 15 minutes. The Harvard University Institutional Review Board has approved the survey, which is available here: https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_ddjLl9mIWahrqTz.
— Paige Cooperstein