Sanctions hearing set for Judge Segal
Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge Dawn A. Segal was scheduled to appear at a sanctions hearings this week because she improperly discussed court cases pending before her.
Segal, who’s openly gay, has been suspended without pay since February. She faces discipline ranging from a reprimand to permanent removal from the bench.
In 2011-12, Segal discussed three cases pending before her with then-Municipal Court Judge Joseph C. Waters. Segal allegedly was influenced by those discussions to rule in accordance with Waters’ expectations. The state Court of Judicial Discipline recently found Segal liable for several ethics violations.
A sanctions hearing by the Court of Judicial Discipline to determine Segal’s discipline was scheduled for 2 p.m. Nov. 21 in Harrisburg. Additional information was unavailable by presstime.
— Timothy Cwiek
Free Adoption Café to feature stories from LGBT parents
The National Adoption Center and Wells Fargo Center will sponsor an Adoption Café, a panel featuring adoptive parents from the LGBT community.
The event is part of the NAC’s efforts to provide outreach to prospective adopters by presenting information about the adoption process, qualifications for adoptive parents and about children available to be adopted.
The free event will feature a panel discussion with director of the Office of LGBT Affairs Nellie Fitzpatrick along with Meredith Erdman and Brianne Peregino, social workers with Adoptions from the Heart. Additionally, a birth mother who selected two men to be the father of her child; as well as Susan Shachter, an adoptive mother of two with her partner; and Ryan Wexelblatt, a father who adopted an 8-year-old boy, will be participating to provide first-hand experiences. NAC director of communications Gloria Hochman will moderate the discussion.
Meanwhile, NAC executive director Ken Mullner and Michael Soileau, the vice president of competitive planning and strategy for Comcast and a board member for the center, will be available to answer basic adoption questions for attendees.
The event will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Wells Fargo Museum, 123 S. Broad St.
Wear red for World AIDS Day
On Dec. 1, Action Wellness will launch its “Action Heroes Wear Red Campaign” to commemorate World AIDS Day. Participants of the campaign can submit photos of themselves wearing red along with a caption explaining the reasons why they are participating.
Photos will be displayed on Action Wellness’s website and social-media pages Dec. 1, and all participants will be invited to participate in a Facebook Live event to mark the completion of the campaign.
“Your participation will shine a light on the continuing stigma, discrimination and other injustices faced by people living with HIV disease locally and throughout the world,” the agency said in a statement.
Visit actionwellness.org for more information and to download a registration form.
— Jeremy Rodriguez