HIV swimming-pool-access case settled
The lawsuit of “Bonnie Jones,” an HIV-positive woman who claimed she was illegally denied access to a therapeutic swimming pool due to her serostatus, was settled in May.
In June 2016, Jones filed suit against OSS Orthopaedic Hospital, Drayer Physical Therapy Institute and a physical therapist after allegedly being denied access to the hospital’s therapeutic pool.
The hospital is located in York.
The AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania issued this statement: “On June 23, 2016, the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of an HIV-positive Iraq war veteran. The lawsuit alleged ‘Bonnie Jones,’ who used a pseudonym to protect her identity, was denied aquatic therapy because she has HIV. Defendants Drayer Physical Therapy and OSS Orthopaedic Hospital deny liability. On May 16, 2017, this case was settled to the mutual satisfaction of all parties.”
— Timothy Cwiek
Alternative Prom returns
The longest consecutive-running prom for LGBT youth returns this weekend.
The 22nd-annual Philadelphia Alternative Prom, organized by GALAEI, will be held from 7-11 p.m. June 30 at Arden Theater Company, 40 N. Second St. The event is geared toward LGBT people ages 14-20 and is meant to provide a safe and inclusive space for young adults to experience prom.
This year’s theme is “Neon Nights.” Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-22nd-annual-philadelphia-alternative-prom-tickets-35210032154?aff=erelexpmlt. Tickets can also be purchased at GALAEI, The Attic Youth Center or Youth Health Empowerment Project.
City museums to be free for Wawa Welcome America
A number of museums celebrating the city’s and country’s history will offer free admission on selected days leading up to the Fourth of July.
The Free Museum Day program is part of Wawa Welcome America, a weeklong celebration of Independence Day. Each day from June 30-July 4, different venues will offer free admission for the entire day or a select time slot. Museums include Penn Museum, Eastern State Penitentiary, African American Museum in Philadelphia, One Liberty Observation Deck, Philadelphia Museum of Art (pay what you wish), The Barnes Foundation, National Liberty Museum, The Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection at Temple University, National Museum of American Jewish History and Philadelphia History Museum.
For more details, visit www.welcomeamerica.com.
— Jen Colletta