No anti-trans hate crimes reported by police this year
The Philadelphia Police Department hasn’t reported any anti-trans hate crimes so far this year, but it has reported one antigay hate crime.
The only anti-trans hate crime ever reported by Philadelphia police occurred in July 2015, according to the Pennsylvania State Police website.
Some LGBT advocates urged police to report the killing of trans woman Keisha Jenkins in October 2015 as a hate crime. But police say there’s no evidence Jenkins was targeted due to her gender identity.
Pedro Redding, a suspect in the Jenkins case, is scheduled to go on trial next year, while other suspects remain at large.
Trans-inclusion conference scheduled
A trans-inclusion conference entitled “Kindness Counts: Moving Beyond the Gender Boxes” will take place this weekend at an Elkins Park synagogue.
The conference’s focus will be inclusion of trans and non-binary Jews and allies in synagogue communities. Numerous workshops will be offered, adding to “a rich day of learning and dialogue about inclusion,” according to a news release.
The event is presented by Congregation Kol Ami and J. Proud Jewish Philly LGBTQ Consortium. It will take place 1-5:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at Congregation Kol Ami, 8201 High School Road in Elkins Park.
Registration fees will vary according to age. “Nobody will be turned away,” said Phoenix Schneider, a conference co-chair.
Go to https://kindnesscountsconference.eventbrite.com for more information and to preregister.
— Timothy Cwiek
PGMC kicks off holiday season
Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus will stage its annual Gayborhood bar crawl this weekend.
Starting at 8 p.m. Nov. 11, PGMC members will perform and organize games and contests at Destination Dogs, Boxers PHL, Tabu and Tavern on Camac. A $20 PGMC wristband gets supporters discounted Angry Orchard specials at all the participating bars as well as $5 off PGMC’s holiday concert next month.
Proceeds from the wristband sales benefit PGMC.
For more information, visit www.pgmc.org.
— Jen Colletta