Same-sex rape case settles
The lawsuit filed by a former University of Pennsylvania student who says his roommate raped him has been settled.
Reginald Stewart contends that Charles Gibson raped him three years ago after they attended a fraternity party. Stewart also claims the Pennsylvania Iota Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity contributed to the assault by serving excessive amounts of alcohol at the party.
After the party, which took place in January 2013, Gibson allegedly raped Stewart inside their dorm room.
In January 2015, Stewart filed suit against Gibson and the fraternity in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, seeking $450,000 in damages.
Gibson acknowledged consuming alcohol at the frat party, but said his subsequent sexual activities with Stewart were consensual, according to court records.
The matter was settled on April 8 after mediation, but terms of the settlement aren’t publicly available, said Alan E. Denenberg, an attorney for Stewart.
Attorneys for Gibson and the fraternity couldn’t be reached for comment.
Passover seder to be held
An LGBTQ community Passover seder will be held 6 p.m. April 27 at the William Way LGBT Center, 1315 Spruce St.
The event is sponsored by J.Proud, a consortium of 30 local Jewish organizations.
The seder is a ceremonial kosher dinner that includes vegeterian/vegan options, wine and dessert. A service will be led by Rabbi Isabel de Koninck.
J.Proud is a program of the Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Greater Philadelphia.
“The LGBTQ community Passover seder brings together diverse LGBTQ and allied communities to connect, celebrate and enjoy good food and conversation with old and new friends,” said Phoenix Schneider, manager of J.Proud.
Tickets are $30 per person; $18 for students and seniors; and $10 for youth under 18.
For financial assistance, contact Schneider at [email protected]
— Timothy Cwiek
Philly Queer Brunch to support the Dyke March
A Jewish organization is hosting this month’s Philly Queer Brunch as a fundraiser for the Philadelphia Dyke March.
It takes place from 1-4 p.m. April 24 at Repair the World, 4029 Market St. There’s a suggested donation of $10-$15. Brunch organizers will match everything raised that day. All the proceeds go to the Dyke March, which plans to put the money toward its permit for Kahn Park and building a new website.
Attendees are also asked to bring a dish or drink to share.
Philly Queer Brunch is a monthly potluck fundraiser for a different queer, trans or justice-oriented project each month.
For more information, search “Philly Queer Brunch: Supporting the Philly Dyke March” on Facebook.
Black Pride to honor six at annual dinner
PGN contributor Suzi Nash is among the six honorees at the fourth-annual Society Lights dinner hosted by Philadelphia Black Pride. The event celebrates the impact of progressive black LGBTQ people, according to the organization.
Nash writes the weekly Family Portrait feature in the paper.
The other honorees include Deborah Johnson, a former Philadelphia Black Pride board member; Richard Laboy, a prominent member of the ballroom and house music scene; DJ Dior Cartel, a mentor for young girls; Malcolm Kenyatta, an LGBT community advocate and political consultant; and Ja’Nae Tyler, an activist for HIV/AIDS prevention and trans women of color.
The Society Lights dinner is private, but the public is invited to an after party from 9 p.m.-midnight at a location to be announced upon registration.
For more information or to register, visit www.phillyblackpride.org/2016events.
LGBT groups host annual Family Day Cookout
SapphosWay and Philadelphia Black Pride are taking the lead on organizing the annual Family Day Cookout at Lemon Hill Mansion at Sedgley and Lemon Hill drives.
It takes place from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. May 1.
All are invited to the co-op-style event. People are asked to bring their own grills, food, drinks and tables and chairs. It costs $50 to reserve a space for the day and the money benefits several LGBT organizations, including the Philadelphia Dyke March and The Womanist Working Collective, among others, in addition to SapphosWay and Philadelphia Black Pride.
There will be a DJ, face painting, one-legged racing, a volleyball tournament and kickball.
Those interested in attending should contact Sappho Fulton at 267-756-0400 or [email protected]. For more information, search “Sapphosway in Conjunction with Philly Black Pride: The Annual Family Day Cookout” on Facebook.
Take Back the Night features LGBT resources
Comhar Inc., a recovery center that also serves people with HIV, is joining the sixth-annual Take Back the Night event in Philadelphia as a new supporting organization.
Take Back the Night is a nonprofit that has spawned worldwide events to combat sexual violence.
This year, Take Back the Night takes place April 28. Marches from four cardinal points in the city begin at 5:45 p.m. and converge at 6:15 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.
A dozen organizations will have tables at the church explaining their resources for those affected by sexual violence. The four marches meet at the following locations: 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue, 21st Street and Washington Avenue, 12th and Walnut streets and 40th and Chestnut streets.
The local event has included LGBT resources like the Mazzoni Center since its inception. The Therapy Center of Philadelphia, which specializes in work with queer communities, also participates. Organizers cited the statistic from the National Center for Lesbian Rights that 64 percent of transgender people experience sexual violence in their lifetime.
“We try to include various narratives and statistics that affect various people regardless of sexual orientation or gender,” said Amanda Geraci, the main organizer of the Philadelphia event. “In general, being a survivor of any kind of sexual violence is stigmatizing. If you’re already dealing with stigma that can come from a queer or gender-nonconforming identity, it’s even harder to access services.”
Take Back the Night will also include a call-and-response street action in front of the church, during which myths and facts about sexual violence will be enumerated.
— Paige Cooperstein