City prison system doesn’t track trans inmates
Philadelphia Prison System spokesperson Shawn Hawes recently acknowledged the agency doesn’t track the number of trans inmates housed in its facilities. In an Oct. 20 email, Hawes also said: “We do not have any inmates housed discordant with their genitalia.”
The state Department of Corrections recently identified 147 trans inmates housed in state correctional facilities, including one post-operative trans inmate. All of the pre-operative trans inmates are housed in facilities inconsistent with their gender identity.
Some trans advocates say too many trans inmates in city and state correctional facilities are housed inappropriately, exposing them to undue risk of rape and other violence. Advocates also expressed concern that authorities are non-compliant with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act.
Judge’s emails indicate homophobia
Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane recently released emails associated with state Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin that she described as “raunchy.”
Several emails contain pejorative references to lesbians and suggest that gay men are promiscuous. Other emails depict women in a degrading manner and demean African-Americans.
Eakin has apologized for the emails, stating they don’t reflect his character or views on social issues. However, Eakin’s critics say he should step down from the bench.
Kane unearthed the emails while probing her predecessor’s handling of the Jerry Sandusky child-molestation scandal. Some officials are calling for a special prosecutor to review the entire email scandal brought to light by Kane.
Judge assigned in Morris case
Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Linda Carpenter has been assigned to handle a pending open-records request in the Nizah Morris case.
PGN is requesting Morris dispatch records in the possession of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. In August, the state Office of Open Records ordered the D.A.’s Office to provide the records, since it hasn’t verified that it doesn’t have them.
Rather than complying with the order, the D.A.’s Office filed an appeal in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court.
Morris was a trans woman found with a fatal head wound in 2002, shortly after a “courtesy ride” from Philadelphia police. Her homicide remains unsolved and advocates want a state probe, citing concerns of a cover-up by local authorities.
LGBTQ mission to Israel planned
The Jewish Federations of North America is sponsoring an LGBTQ-themed mission to Israel, scheduled for May 26-June 2. The itinerary includes visits to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Organizers hope many local LGBTQ people will participate.
“Having participated in the 2006 LGBT Philadelphia mission to Israel, I can say participants will be able to experience the spiritual but also the LGBT vibe and culture of Israel,” said David G. Gold, an organizer. “The mission ends when Tel Aviv Pride begins and we expect many of our attendees to stay for Pride. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should not be missed.”
Warren Hoffman, another organizer, added: “Participants will be spending their time in a highly organized way, meeting with various Israeli cultural and political leaders.”
An informational meeting about the mission is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 11 at Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, 2100 Arch St. A presentation will be made by Stuart Kurlander, a lead organizer. Light vegetarian fare will be served. To attend the meeting, RSVP to Julie Colasanti at [email protected] by Nov. 9.
SEPTA appeal still pending
The city’s request for the state Supreme Court to review a lower court ruling exempting SEPTA from the city’s LGBT-inclusive antibias rules remained pending this week.
SEPTA is the region’s mass-transit system, serving more than 650,000 riders daily in Philadelphia, four surrounding counties and parts of New Jersey and Delaware.
In August, state Commonwealth Court issued a controversial ruling, allowing SEPTA to avoid compliance with the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance, on the basis that SEPTA is a state agency.
But the city wants the state Supreme Court to review and overturn the ruling.
If SEPTA is exempted from local antibias rules, many LGBT riders and employees of SEPTA will lose important antibias protections, according to the city.
Also pending with the state Supreme Court is a request by the ACLU of Pennsylvania and Mazzoni Center to file statements in support of the city’s position.
— Timothy Cwiek
Happy hour for queer women in tech
Lesbians Who Tech invites queer women and their allies who work in the technology and start-up fields to come out to a happy hour starting 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19. It takes place at Kensington Quarters, 1310 Frankford Ave.
The event is free to attend. Organizers bill it as a chance to network and share ideas about the industry. Alcoholic beverages will be available.
Lesbians Who Tech started in San Francisco at the end of 2012. It has grown to include more than 9,000 women in 22 cities around the world. For more information, visit www.lesbianswhotech.org.
Event to explore LGBT adoptions
The National Adoption Center is hosting an LGBT Adoption Café from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Wells Fargo Museum, 123 S. Broad St.
The event is free and open to the public.
There will be a panel discussion with adoptive parents from the LGBT community and adoption agency representatives, followed by networking opportunities with current and prospective parents. Drinks and appetizers will be served.
For more information or to RSVP, contact Paige Roller at 267-443-1872 or [email protected].
— Paige Cooperstein