Boxers PHL, a Gayborhood sports bar that claimed anti-LGBT bias motivated city officials to order the removal of its roof deck, recently agreed on a $47,500 city payment to settle its federal lawsuit.
On Sept. 26, the case was officially resolved after a settlement conference with U.S. Magistrate Judge Marilyn Heffley.
“It was in the parties’ best interests to settle on mutually agreeable terms,” said Mike Dunn, a spokesperson for the Kenney administration.
Wally Zimolong, an attorney for Boxers, said his clients are happy with the settlement.
“We always prefer to resolve these matters amicably,” Zimolong said. “And that’s what happened in this case. Both parties reached an amicable resolution. Hopefully, the city will improve its practices, and other business owners won’t find themselves in a similar situation in the future.”
Located at 1330 Walnut St., the popular LGBT venue claimed it was treated in a homophobic manner when city officials ordered its roof deck removed.
Boxers filed suit in April, contending that non-LGBT bars in the area weren’t subjected to similar treatment.
Numerous city officials were named as defendants, including city Department of Licenses and Inspections commissioner David Perri and various members of the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Prior to the settlement, city attorneys asked U.S. District Judge Juan R. Sanchez to toss out the case as meritless. The request was pending when the settlement was announced.
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