Musician to plead ‘no contest’ in sex case
Charles L. Cohen, a Center City musician charged with multiple sex offenses, is scheduled to plead “no contest” in a Montgomery County courtroom in August.
Cohen was arrested Sept. 28 after traveling to a shopping complex in Upper Providence Twp., where he allegedly intended to meet a 14-year-old boy for oral sex. Upon his arrival, Cohen was arrested by law-enforcement authorities engaged in a sting operation.
Cohen, 70, is charged with unlawful contact with a minor, criminal attempt of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, and criminal use of a communication facility.
He posted $100,000 cash bail on Oct. 28, and he’s been free since then.
According to court records, Cohen is scheduled to appear before Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Gail A. Weilheimer at 3 p.m. Aug. 12 to plead “no contest” in Courtroom 3 of the Montgomery County Court House in Norristown.
Neither side had a comment for this update.
One antigay hate crime reported in Philly this year
According to the Pennsylvania State Police website, one antigay-male hate crime was reported by Philadelphia police so far this year. The hate crime was reported in January. No anti-transgender or anti-lesbian hate crimes have been reported by Philadelphia police so far this year.
Last year, Philadelphia police reported one anti-trans hate crime and two antigay-male hate crimes. No anti-lesbian hate crimes were reported by Philadelphia police in 2015.
The state-police website continues to segregate anti-trans hate crimes into “female-portrayal” or “male-portrayal” categories.
A state-police spokesperson couldn’t be reached for comment.
“We’ve reached out to authorities on numerous occasions to try to fix this [portrayal] problem, thus far to no avail,” said Julie Chovanes, a Philadelphia-based LGBT attorney. “We’re hoping that proper language will encourage more people to come forward who’ve been victimized by hate crimes.”
Judge orders mental-health eval for accused killer
On July 15, Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Diana L. Anhalt ordered a mental-health evaluation for Charles N. Sargent, who’s accused of murdering trans woman Diamond Williams.
According to court records, Sargent hasn’t cooperated with prior court-ordered mental-health evaluations. If Sargent doesn’t cooperate with Anhalt’s order, he still must stand trial for Williams’ homicide by attending a February 2017 trial.
Sargent allegedly stabbed Williams to death in July 2013, after a sexual encounter in Sargent’s Strawberry Mansion residence.
Then Sargent allegedly dismembered Williams’ body with an ax and deposited her body parts in a nearby vacant lot.
Sargent has filed several motions seeking his release. But according to court records, Sargent remains incarcerated at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Northeast Philadelphia.
The next proceeding for Sargent is slated for 10 a.m. Oct. 7 in Courtroom 807 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1315 Filbert St.
— Timothy Cwiek
LGBT night set in Reading Fightins
The fourth-annual LGBT night at the Reading Fightin Phils takes place Aug. 1 at FirstEnergy Stadium, 1900 Centre Ave., Reading.
The gates open at 5 p.m., seating begins at 6 and the game starts at 7:05. The Fightins will play the Bowie Baysox from Maryland.
Tickets are free, but must be obtained in advance. For tickets, contact Philadelphia Gay News at [email protected].
Philanthropy day rescheduled
A day of philanthropy aimed at promoting LGBT nonprofits has been rescheduled for Aug. 2. GiveOUT Day had been postponed since May.
The event is a 24-hour online fundraiser. LGBT organizations can register to participate at www.giveoutday.org.
Donors can visit the website and search organizations based on issues they care about, like health and human services or arts and culture.
Since GiveOUT Day launched in 2013, it has raised $2.4 million for 500 organizations across the country, according to the event’s website.
— Paige Cooperstein
Center offers youth drag camp
A free three-day drag camp is launching next month for local youth.
Fierce: A Youth Drag Camp Extravaganza is for ages 8-16.
The youth will partake in activities such as makeup, costuming and choreography in preparation for the culminating performance on the third day. The camp will begin at noon Aug. 12 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. There will be a fee of $5 to attend the final performance. For more information, contact [email protected] or see William Way’s Facebook page.
Lesbian tech event returns
An organization for lesbians who work with technology will hold a happy hour next month.
Lesbians Who Tech works to increase visibility of women in the industry, both to the public and in their own community. This group also strives to get more women and lesbians involved in technology. Lesbians Who Tech will hold a happy hour from 5:30-7 p.m. Aug. 4 at Franky Bradley’s, 1320 Chancellor St. For more information, go to http://lesbianswhotech.org/.
— Eliana Berson