In a standing vote to show honor, Philadelphia City Council members unanimously approved a resolution Thursday to name the 200 block of South 12th Street “Gloria Casarez Way.”
The tribute recognizes Casarez’s work as a longtime LGBT advocate. She served as the inaugural director of the city Office of LGBT Affairs among other work, and died last year from breast cancer.
“She meant so much to the people of Philadelphia,” said Councilman Mark Squilla, who represents the First District, including the Gayborhood, and sponsored the resolution.
“It’s a great honor for Gloria, who stood up for all people of Philadelphia, but especially for the LGBT community,” he said.
Casarez’s mother, Elisa Gonzalez, and several cousins and friends applauded the move to name South 12th Street between Walnut and Locust streets. That span includes 12th Street Gym, the façade of which features a recently completed mural celebrating Casarez’s work.
Rue Landau, executive director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, and Nellie Fitzpatrick, director of the Office of LGBT Affairs, attended to show support.
Council also honored another contributor to the LGBT community at its Dec. 3 meeting.
Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell presented a resolution of recognition to Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel, the outgoing police LGBT liaison. He will leave the Philadelphia Police Department in January to take a post as the first Diana A. Millner Youth Justice Fellow with the Stoneleigh Foundation.
Blackwell and others commended Bethel for his work to address the “school-to-prison pipeline in Philadelphia.”
Before receiving his recognition, Bethel told PGN it was an honor to be recognized on the same day as Casarez.
“It’s just great,” he said. “The unique part of it is we’re all together at one time. It brings LGBT issues into the forefront.”
Bethel said there was a time when LGBT issues would have been addressed in a back room, or somewhere less public than City Council’s chambers.
“It demonstrates we are moving toward a level of equality where no one feels they can’t stand up and represent themselves,” he said.
Bethel said he’s most proud of Directive 152, which set guidelines for proper police interactions with transgender and gender-nonconforming people, and last month’s creation of the Greater Philadelphia Gay Officer Action League, called GOAL, which he called “one of the shining jewels” of his tenure.
“It’s a start to take on LGBT issues inside the department,” Bethel said, adding LGBT officers could serve as advocates with the public and “become a force within the city.”