TIP invites discussion on trans violence
The Trans-Health Information Project, a program of GALAEI, is inviting trans individuals and allies for a community discussion on violence facing the trans community.
The discussion will take place 6-8 p.m. March 11 at TIP, 149 W. Susquehanna Ave. Refreshments and SEPTA tokens will be provided.
The event comes after three young trans women of color were killed in the city in the last year. Kiesha Jenkins and Londyn Chanel were murdered last year, and Maya Young was stabbed to death last month. Two arrests were made in her murder last week.
For more information about the TIP event, call 267-457-3912.
— Jen Colletta
Grand-jury report reveals widespread clergy abuse
Last week, a state grand jury released a 147-page report documenting widespread clergy abuse of children with the Archdiocese of Altoona-Johnstown. The report was unveiled during a press conference by state Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane.
The report contends that about 50 priests and other religious leaders sexually abused hundreds of children over a 50-year period. Most of the cases spotlighted in the report involved same-sex abuse.
The report suggests local authorities should have been more diligent in prosecuting the suspected abusers. But it also notes that high-ranking church officials concealed the abuse, thus hindering prompt prosecutions.
“Priests were returned to ministry with full knowledge that they were child predators,” the report states.
Despite identifying hundreds of cases of suspected child abuse, the report doesn’t recommend any criminal prosecutions, noting the length of time that elapsed since the alleged abuse occurred.
Instead, the report recommends an abolishment of the statute of limitations on prosecuting child sexual abuse in Pennsylvania, so that future abuse cases can be prosecuted without an imposed deadline.
New deadline set in AIDS suit
An April 9 deadline has been set for AIDS Care Group to respond to an antibias suit filed by Dr. Emmanuella Cherisme.
Cherisme, a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, worked at AIDS Care Group in 2013. However, she left her job after allegedly experiencing sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of her race, gender and national origin.
Cherisme is seeking in excess of $150,000 in damages, along with legal fees and costs. A jury trial has been requested. The matter remains pending before U.S. District Judge Nitza I. Quinones Alejandro.
AIDS Care Group, based in Delaware County, was formed in 1998 and serves as a comprehensive health-services agency for people with HIV/AIDS.
Attorneys in bullying case file amended complaint
Attorneys for a bisexual girl who alleges extensive bullying at her former school in Pennsylvania have filed an amended complaint in federal court.
S.B. alleges the anti-LGBT bullying at the Bangor Area School District was so extensive, she sought refuge at a school in New Jersey, where she’s doing much better.
Her parents, Tammy and Russell Bittenbender, are suing BASD for more than $150,000 in damages.
Their attorney, Jason D. Schiffer, recently filed an amended complaint, giving more details about the alleged gender stereotyping S.B. experienced by O.G., a classmate.
“On several occasions, S.B. would play football with male students and would be subjected to a barrage of sexually charged comments from O.G., such as being called a ‘lesbian’ and a ‘slut,’” the complaint stated. “It is believed that O.G. called S.B. these names because playing football with males did not conform to the gender stereotype that O.G. had for females. O.G. did not call any of the male students ‘lesbians’ or ‘sluts’ because they were playing football. S.B. decided to stop playing football with the male students as a result of the repeated harassment at the hands of O.G.”
A jury trial has been requested, and the case remains pending before U.S. District Judge Lawrence F. Stengel.
Settlement conference in Blatt case
A telephonic settlement conference was held March 1 in the Kate Blatt antibias lawsuit. Details of the conference were unavailable at press time.
Blatt, a transgender woman, is suing Cabela’s Retail Inc. for firing her, allegedly after she complained about not being allowed to use a female restroom and not being provided with a female name tag.
Blatt worked as a seasonal stocker at Cabela’s outlet in Hamburg, Pa.
In her suit, Blatt also challenges the constitutionality of the Americans with Disabilities Act’s exclusion of gender-identity disorder as a protected disability.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry S. Perkin participated in the settlement conference, according to court records.
Neither side had a comment for this update.
Jewish Pride to gather
Jewish Pride, an LGBT affinity group of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, is holding a social event later this month.
“Jewish Pride is having a happy hour get-together and we’re looking forward to having everyone come out for a drink, a nosh and some schmoozing at Knock,” said David G. Gold, an organizer. “Come hear about upcoming events and an update about our upcoming Pride Mission to Israel.”
The event will be held 5-7 p.m. March 16 at Knock Restaurant and Bar, 225 S. 12th St. Cost of admission is $10. For more information, contact Warren Hoffman at [email protected].
— Timothy Cwiek
Scholars, activists discuss post-marriage LGBT movement
The University of Pennsylvania is hosting a panel this month on the direction of the LGBT movement after the U.S. Supreme Court decision that created marriage equality nationwide.
“After Obergefell: What’s Next for the LGBTQ Movement” takes place from 4:30-6 p.m. March 22 in Room 110 of the Annenberg School for Communication, 3620 Walnut St.
Speakers include Elicia Gonzales, former executive director of GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization; Craig Konnoth from the University of Pennsylvania Law School; Gary Mucciaroni, interim chair of political science at Temple University; and Lisa Duggan, associate professor of history and American studies at New York University.
Serena Mayeri, professor of law and history at Penn, will moderate the discussion.
For more information, visit http://ow.ly/ZablK.
Edie Windsor gets social-justice award
Edie Windsor, the Philadelphia native whose case at the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act, will receive a social-justice award next week from the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW).
The group is hosting the award dinner at 6 p.m. March 14 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert St., Washington, D.C.
Roberta Kaplan, Windsor’s lawyer, will also be honored.
The awards form part of the Washington Institute, which takes place every three years as a way for advocates across the country to convene with experts and elected officials in the promotion of progressive social change.
A Philadelphia-based group of NCJW members will attend parts of the three-day institute. PGN will cover updates from the group’s experience and Windsor and Kaplan receiving their awards.
— Paige Cooperstein