Police bias case dismissed
A federal appeals court last month ordered a lower court to dismiss the case of Philadelphia Detective Kenneth Rossiter, who claims he was unfairly fired in 2011 due to anti-union bias.
Rossiter, who’s investigated several LGBT-related homicides, is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He contends that he was dismissed from the police force due to his union membership, which violated his constitutional rights.
But city officials say Rossiter was properly fired due to overtime abuses. An independent arbitrator eventually reinstated Rossiter with full back pay and benefits.
In 2013, Rossiter sued the city for an unspecified amount in monetary damages. Rossiter received a favorable ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Gerald A. McHugh. But on Dec. 29, a three-judge panel of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed McHugh’s ruling. The panel noted that no clearly established constitutional right of Rossiter had been violated by the city.
— Timothy Cwiek
GayBINGO! heads to Oz
“Wizard of Oz” is wrapping up its run at Walnut Street Theater this weekend, and Oz fans can get one last taste with Follow the Yellow Brick Road GayBINGO.
The games start at 7 p.m. Jan. 7 at Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St. Bingo Verifying Divas will be dressed for the occasion, and guests are encouraged to follow the “Oz” theme. Tickets are $25-$30 and can be purchased in advance at aidsfundphilly.org/gaybingo.
Proceeds benefit AIDS Fund, which distributes funding to local people affected by HIV/AIDS.
OurNightOut benefits DVLF
Monthly LGBT social OurNightOut kicks off 2017 next week.
The event will be held from 6-9 p.m. Jan. 9 at The Pyramid Club, 1735 Market St.
Tickets are $10, with proceeds benefitting LGBT grantmaking organization Delaware Valley Legacy Fund.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.dvlf.org/ournightout-philly-event-registration.
— Jen Colletta