The LGBTQ+ community in Eastern Pennsylvania, particularly in Philadelphia, has faced significant setbacks recently. Celena Morrison-McLean, a Black transgender woman and the executive director of Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs, was brutalized and detained by Pennsylvania State Police during a traffic stop. This incident was followed by U.S. Senator John Fetterman and Senator Bob Casey’s decision to withdraw their support for a one million dollar grant earmarked for the William Way LGBT Community Center, a prominent LGBTQ+ organization in Center City’s Gayborhood. These events are part of a disturbing pattern that underscores the alarming rise of anti-LGBTQ+ policy, rhetoric and violence across the country.
Fetterman’s decision to withdraw support for the William Way Center grant was influenced by Chaya Raichik, the owner of Libs of TikTok, a far-right social media account known for spreading hate speech and targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations. Raichik, who has no ties to Pennsylvania, recently singled out the center for its rental of space for BDSM and kink parties despite the fact that the proposed federal grant was intended for building renovations to improve accessibility and expand programming.
Raichik’s influence extends beyond Pennsylvania, as evidenced by her recent appointment to the Oklahoma Library Media Advisory Committee. Her tactics of harassment, instigating violence from her fans and spreading misinformation contribute to a climate of fear and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations, leading to the targeting of teachers, cancellation of events and even school closures due to threats of violence.
It is deeply concerning that elected officials like Senator Fetterman appear to be more afraid of backlash from far-right extremists than they are committed to protecting the LGBTQ+ community. Coming from a place of both privilege and power, allied officials must stand firm in
their support for LGBTQ+ rights and not cave to pressure from those who seek to undermine and harm the community. LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations on the ground, like Celena Morrison-McLean and the William Way LGBT Community Center, are truly in danger and need the unwavering support of their elected representatives.
The treatment of Morrison-McLean is a stark reminder of the long history of over-policing and violence against Black and Brown transgender individuals, who face disproportionate levels of police harassment, abuse and brutality. If someone in a position of power within the LGBTQ+ community can be subjected to such mistreatment, it raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of less privileged transgender individuals. Once again, the question arises: Why aren’t people like Fetterman speaking up about this? If he truly cared, he would view these events as a clear sign that he needs to stand up, use his privilege, and protect the rights of the people he claims to represent.
Given these alarming developments, it is our responsibility to take action. With the recent instability in funding for LGBTQ+ nonprofits, it is more important than ever for the community to engage actively and support organizations like the William Way LGBT Community Center. While federal and state grants play a significant role in funding these organizations, grassroots efforts and community backing are essential to ensure their sustainability, particularly as they navigate the challenges posed by the nationwide barriers to financial support for LGBTQ+ nonprofits. Furthermore, we must continue to advocate against violence, discrimination and over-policing targeting LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender individuals of color. We must hold our elected officials accountable and push for policies that guarantee the safety and rights of all community members. And, at the end of the day, we must ensure that our elected officials remain true to their campaign promises and actively work towards protecting and supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
The experiences of Celena Morrison-McLean and the William Way Center serve as a call to action for us all. We must not rely solely on politicians’ promises or the support of those in power. Instead, we must come together as a community, invest in our own resources, and fight tirelessly for the rights and dignity of all LGBTQ+ individuals. Only then can we hope to create lasting change and build a more just and equitable world for ourselves and future generations.