Category Archives: Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Young Women Leaders: 13 for 2013 —— (Part Two)

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For Women’s History Month 2013, we are celebrating young women leadership in the Pennsylvania LGBTQ community. The KSV editorial staff have selected 13 young women who have become trailblazers for LGBTQ youth in our state for this three-part series. The youth selected  provide deeply valued strength, resilience, and courage across our Pennsylvania community – who will surely continue to make headlines in the advocacy they lead. Last year, for the first time, we selected 12 women in 2012 who shine on as our key adult women LGBTQ community leaders. Thank you to all of the courageous young women leaders throughout the Keystone State who help lead our communities to be better places for all people. Click here to visit Part 1 of this series.

Christina Zappa (Aliquippa, PA)
Gannon University ’15, LIFE

Christina Zappa is a member of Gannon University LIFE, the school’s LGBTQ community organization. Next year, Christina has expressed interest in taking over the position of public relations director, which she is heavily involved with now. Christina works to make LIFE more visible on campus and throughout the Erie community. Christina is involved with organizing the university’s Day of Silence event and their LIFE week, which educates the campus on LGBTQ issues. Christina is also a member of the mental health organization Active Minds, which she has helped partner with LIFE to bring speakers about mental illness and depression to campus for Day of Silence events. She is a sister of Alpha Sigma Tau, and is working with her sorority to join in an “It Gets Better” video in conjunction with LIFE.

Christina’s advice for young women who want to become involved with the LGBTQ community is to “keep your eyes and ears open,” and to be open to meeting all types of people. “There are several people who are a part of our community who are straight, and you wouldn’t automatically know that they’re part of LIFE.”

 

Nichole Mahoney (Bethel Park, PA)
University of Pittsburgh ’14, PSEC Director of Operations

Nichole Mahoney is a student at University of Pittsburgh, and the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition’s Director of Operations. She became involved in PSEC while completing an internship at The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Pittsburgh for her social work program. Her supervisor recommended that she attend the 2012 Creating Change conference along with PSEC, where she became connected with the coalition. As the Director of Operations, Nichole works with larger community organizations in Western Pennsylvania, such as PFLAG, GLSEN, PERSAD, and others. She additionally manages the organization’s staff and internal functions, oversees official publications, and represents PSEC at community and advocacy events. Nichole strives to professionally represent PSEC in a way that galvanizes others in importance of the organization and the common goals of Pennsylvania LGBTQ youth.

She advises girls who want to become involved within the LGBTQ community to get started by volunteering and looking for your closest LGBTQ community center. “The LGBTQ community is everywhere. Even if you volunteer with a shelter, you will end up working with the LGBTQ community.”

 

Carolyn Pandolfo (Dunmore, PA)
University of Scranton ’13, Scranton Inclusion President and Scranton Local #1 President

Carolyn Pandolfo is a senior at University of Scranton and has served as the President of the university’s LGBTQ group, Scranton Inclusion, for two years. Carolyn is also a Board Member of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Rainbow Alliance and a recipient of their 2013 Rainbow Award for an outstanding youth leader. As president of Scranton Inclusion, Carolyn helps plan meetings for the LGBTQ community at Scranton, and organize educational events on LGBTQ issues for the campus. The club provides resources and information for students and faculty. They emphasize the importance of education and ally behavior. Carolyn is also the President of Scranton Local #1, an affiliate organization of the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition, where she works in forming internal policy and executing advocacy projects. Through PSEC she connects Scranton Local #1 students with LGBTQ campus organizations at other schools. As a key leader in developing PSEC’s Northeastern PA Region for nearly two years, she helps students become engaging and contributing leaders in the larger NEPA LGBTQ community. As she graduates this spring, she is committed to further supporting a new generation of LGBTQ youth advocates in NEPA.

Carolyn advises young women going into university to not be afraid to join LGBTQ groups, and to become involved within your own comfort level.

 

Picture courtesy of Amelia Lee Zhi Yi

Maria Aghazarian (Havertown, PA)
Bryn Mawr College ’13, LGBTQ Student Coordinator and Former Rainbow Alliance Co-Head

Maria Aghazarian is a student at Bryn Mawr College, and the LGBTQ Student Coordinator of the school’s Multicultural Center. During her time at Bryn Mawr, Maria has served as co-head of the school’s Rainbow Alliance group during her sophomore and junior year, and was one of the founding members of Spectra, a student group which facilitates discussion on gender and sexuality across the campus community.

While co-head of Rainbow Alliance, Maria worked to expand the organization’s activities, which lead to the school becoming a member of PSEC. She planned weekly meetings and helped organize the group’s largest events: an OUT week in the Fall semester, and the Day of Silence during the Spring. As of July 2012, Maria has been the the LGBTQ Student Coordinator of the Pensby Center, Bryn Mawr’s multicultural center. In this position, she met bi-weekly during the summer and fall semester with a working group of students and staff, which led to the creation of the group Spectra. Maria says Spectra’s goal is, “to support Bryn Mawr College’s LGBTQ+ community, and to facilitate discussions and events about gender and sexuality that include everyone.”

Maria advises young women who want to become involved in LGBTQ activism and advocacy to join your schools GSA, or to work to form one if your school doesn’t have one. “Find your allies, whether that’s teachers and staff within the school, parents, or people involved in local GLSEN or PFLAG chapters… Even if it doesn’t feel like you can effect change now, with growth and support (and some confidence, and knowing your legal rights) you can even revisit your middle school or high school later. Later might mean during college, or after.”

Pennsylvania Young Women Leaders: 13 for 2013 —— (Part One)

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For Women’s History Month 2013, we are celebrating young women leadership in the Pennsylvania LGBTQ community. The KSV editorial staff have selected 13 young women who have become trailblazers for LGBTQ youth in our state for this three-part series. The youth selected  provide deeply valued strength, resilience, and courage across our Pennsylvania community – who will surely continue to make headlines in the advocacy they lead. Last year, for the first time, we selected 12 women in 2012 who shine on as our key adult women LGBTQ community leaders. Thank you to all of the courageous young women leaders throughout the Keystone State who help lead our communities to be better places for all people.

 

 

 

 

Sipho Ndlovu (Annville, PA)
Messiah College ’13, LGBTQ Student Leader

Sipho Ndlovu, a senior at Messiah from Lebanon County, has spent her college career as a student advocate for change. Upon coming to Messiah, Sipho saw the need for a more intentional LGBTQ community to develop within the campus community. Her friend Isaiah Thomas began efforts to bring the community at Messiah together and to work with the school’s leadership to create change in policy regarding LGBTQ issues. After he transferred to a different school following significant anti-gay harassment, Sipho took up the cause of strengthening the LGBTQ community and working with Messiah College’s administration to make the campus more LGBTQ friendly. She helps connect fellow queer students with an unofficial group for LGBTQ members of the Messiah community.

Currently at Messiah College, due to a policy called the Community Covenant, official LGBTQ groups cannot be created. Without a formal group, the community at Messiah is unable to reserve a meeting room, which would provide a safe space for students without having to find members’ private apartments to gather in.

Sipho would like to see Messiah become more LGBTQ friendly. “Faculty should not have to feel that their jobs are in jeopardy because they call themselves allies.” She hopes that the unofficial group of LGBTQ students will have a safe space on campus to meet in the future.

Sipho advises young women who are working towards a greater LGBTQ presence on campus to start where their college is at, and work towards your goals from there. “Start with people you know, and what you know and then do your research.” She stresses the importance of being organized, conducting yourself in a mature fashion, and “having all your ducks in a row,” when approaching administration and others about creating change in your community. Sipho also advises student leaders to make sure your organization is sustainable, with multiple leadership roles, training, and recruiting to ensure that it will last beyond your time at the school. “Don’t let your organization die off.”

Sarah Hendry (Camp Hill, PA)
University of Pennsylvania ’14, Queer Ladies at Penn (QLP) and J-Bagel

Sarah Hendry, of Camp Hill PA, is an undergraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania. In her freshman year, Sarah became involved with the Lambda Alliance, the university’s main LGBTQ group. Sarah saw that most of the LGBTQ groups were dominated by men and felt that there needed to be a larger presence of queer women on campus. As a result, she and two friends (get names) got together and started an unofficial group for queer women, called Queer Ladies at Penn. Through a private Facebook page to prevent outings, they created a network to allow queer women to meet up, make friends, and reach out to others on campus. In the past year, Queer Ladies at Penn has taken off as a formal group, and received funding from the university. Recently, the group has held programming on queer women and body perception.

Sarah is also a member and former Treasurer of J-Bagel, the Jewish LGBTQ community organization at the University of Pennsylvania. J-Bagel works to bring speakers to campus and educate the campus on Jewish LGBTQ issues, as well as host regular social gatherings and shabbat dinners with queer Jewish students and allies.

Sarah advises young women in the LGBTQ community to seek out like minded individuals to help work towards your goals, but to also pay attention to diversity and other identities within your community. “There are always going to be people interested in the same things as you, and who have the same values as you. Try to find people who might be different from you to get different perspectives, and a broader view of the community.”

Faith Elmes (Landisburg, PA)
Indiana University of Pennsylvania ’15, Pride Alliance Programing Chair and PSEC Assistant Convener

Faith Elmes, of Landisburg, PA, is a sophomore at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and the Assistant Convener of the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition. During her freshman year at IUP, Faith became involved in the IUP Pride organization and was elected to the executive board of the group in the second semester of her freshman year. Pride’s former representative to PSEC no longer served on the executive board, and Faith felt it was important for someone to step up to the role.

Due to her close proximity to Harrisburg, Faith was able to attend many political events with PSEC over her summer break. She was elected Assistant Convener of the organization during the fall semester of 2012. As the Assistant Convener, Faith contacts member organizations’ of PSEC and keeps them informed and involved with PSEC activities. She also works with school representatives to train them in advocacy and activism.

Faith advises young women involved with LGBTQ advocacy and activism to not be intimidated by the importance of the work they are doing. “It can be intimidating to be around a bunch of guys in suits, but you’re supposed to be there. Have confidence that what you have to say is important.”

 


Shannon Fields (Shippensburg, PA)
Shippensburg Area Senior High School ’14, GSA President

Shannon Fields is a junior at Shippensburg Area Senior High School in Franklin County, where she serves as the President of the GSA. South Central Pennsylvania has been on the front lines of social change in the past few months, with the recent approval of neighboring Big Spring High School’s GSA group and the fight to form a GSA in Chambersburg High School after the school board voted against forming one.

Shannon was elected President during the end of her Sophomore year, following the resignation of the group’s serving President. She became involved with the GSA as a Freshman and took on the role of Secretary in her Sophomore year. In the Summer of 2012, a friend of her’s who attended Big Spring High School reached out to Shannon and asked her to attend the school board meeting where the GSA would be voted upon. Shannon attended without intending to speak, but felt compelled to do so when she heard other speakers making negative and untruthful comments about the Day of Silence.

Shannon’s advice for other young women looking to be involved in LGBTQ advocacy and activism is to understand that at times, it will be hard, and you will deal with ignorance and prejudice, but to keep pushing forward. “Sometimes it feels like taking two steps forward and one step back, but as long as we keep making those two steps forward, we’re going to have equality,” says Shannon. She encourages students in schools without GSA’s or other LGBTQ groups to take the steps to establish one, and to involve yourself in community events as much as you can.

G Philly Drops LBT Coverage From Printed Publication

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G Philly announced Wednesday, March 13, that they will be changing the focus of their quarterly printed publication to exclusively target gay men. The subsidiary publication of Philadelphia Magazine states that the online blog component of G Philly will continue to post content inclusive to lesbian, bisexual, and transgender readers.

Launched in 1908, the Philadelphia Magazine empire has no secret of the fact that they primarily target an upper-class, Main Line demographic.

An editorial published Thursday by G Philly editor, Michael Callahan, justified the decision, saying, “The print component is now exclusively focused on lifestyle content. And we felt that to serve this venue best, it made sense to sharpen its editorial focus a bit, instead of trying to be all things to all people and giving short shrift to everyone in the process.”

G Philly was launched two years ago, in March of 2011. In a January 2013 editorial published on Philly.com, former editor of G Philly, Natalie Hope McDonald, described the publication as a “GQ-style magazine exclusively for the LGBT community. It makes way for a new era of LGBT publishing – one that acknowledges that gay people may like to read as much about investigative journalism as maybe fashion and entertainment.”

The reboot of G Philly is to feature regular segments on eligible gay single men, sex and love advice, a fashion accessory column, a dining column, gay friendly vacation spots, and an interior decorating section which will provide, “a mouth-watering peek into the domiciles of gays with very good taste.”

Reader comments left on the editorial announcing the publication’s relaunch were negative. A commenter named Jen D wrote,

“This new direction you’re headed in is unfortunately narrowly focused and (quite frankly) offensive. There isn’t another queer magazine for people specifically in Philadelphia and now you’re going to just focus on the gay men…”

Another comment left by Nikki Lopez, a young leader in the Philadelphia LGBTQ community, wrote,

“This is disappointing, upsetting and completely utterly disrespectful to the beautiful mosaic that is the lgbtq community in Philadelphia. It’s a blatant move of exclusivity showcasing that gay, white men are deemed ‘worthy’ to print…”

Philadelphia Magazine was recently criticized in an editorial of the Philadelphia Gay News, after the magazine ran a profile feature entitled “Your Guide to Philadelphia’s A-Gays.” All twenty eight individuals featured were men, and twenty-seven of them were white. G Philly Editor, Michael Callahan, acknowledged the need for more racial diversity within the relaunched G Philly publication, stating,

“One criticism I fully accept is that ours is a diverse community, and there needs to be solid representation of men of color within the G Philly magazine. In our defense, we did book an African-American model for our fashion shoot, but he cancelled when he found out the publication was gay, saying he didn’t feel comfortable with the content, and we had to scramble a bit to find a replacement. That said, I pledge to do better going forward in representing all of the colors of our rainbow in future issues.”

At the KSV, we are left speechless that in a city where over 60% of the population are people of color, and where the Human Rights Campaign gives their highest rating for LGBT-friendliness, G Philly could not identify a non-caucasian man willing to model.

Additionally, Philadelphia Magazine’s cover story this March is on race relations entitled, “Being White in Philly,” which was heavily criticized by both outside news sources and other writers of the publication as being irresponsible. With an all-white editorial board, Philadelphia Magazine explored racial tensions only between white and black Philadelphians – solely through the lens of white people. ABC 6’s Tamala Edwards took on Philadelphia Magazine’s editor Tom McGrath on March 10th’s “Inside Story.” She challenged Philadelphia Magazine’s approach to covering race relations in a city predominantly people of color.

Tamala Edwards: You’re talking about race. Shouldn’t you be talking about class? That it’s not about black people in Philly, but poor people who happen to be black?…[Well, for] the two-thirds of African-Americans who are above the poverty line, why not talk to them? But he talks to no blacks in this piece.

Those same lines could be said in response to G Philly’s severance of the LBT people from their publication.

Will we see a coordinated response from the LGBTQ community of Philadelphia, or mainstream journalism community – or will this decision go unchallenged? Maybe Tamala Edwards could take some time to also educate G Philly on diversity. Only time will tell.

College Meme Pages Create Controversy

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Across the country, Facebook pages are sprouting up for college memes and confessionals. While the majority of the posts tend to consist of commentary on the state of the dining hall, athletic season, and party scene, often times when students don’t have to put their name behind what they post, arguing over controversial opinions take over the pages.

During Freedom Week at Lebanon Valley College, sponsored by the school’s LGBTQ group, a graphic was posted to the university’s meme page stating ,“I support gay rights and all, but I hate when opinions are rammed down my throat,” to which the second panel says, “LVC has rainbow flags flying all week.” The post quickly attracted controversy and started a discussion about Freedom Week and free speech in the comments, which almost immediately degenerated into students yelling, “butthurt” at each other, and asking why there is no “White History Month.”

You can check out the full comments at the live image here.

A follow up meme was made using the image of “Scumbag Steve,” stating “Participates in Freedom Week; Tells you your opinion is wrong and you shouldn’t be allowed to express your free speech.” The moderator for LVC Memes refused to take down the image. However, it’s worth noting that he changed the cover photo for LVC Memes so it is now a rainbow flag.

Washington, PA: A Test of Two Words?

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Washington, PA councilman, Matt Staniszeweski, authored a test emergency alert email from the city’s department of transportation, reading, “Alert: This is a test. Bryan is gay.” The message was sent to all Washington residents subscribing to emergency alerts. Complaints about the immaturity and content of the message soon followed. Mayor Brenda Davis described the email as “completely inappropriate and unprofessional coming from an elected official.” Davis said that she was unsure why Staniszeweski had access to the password of the transportation department’s email.

After facing criticism from the mayor and community, Staniszeweski claimed in a statement that his use of the word gay was intended to mean “happy,” and responded to the mayor’s comments saying, “It’s offensive and unprofessional for the mayor to automatically assume one definition of the word when there are multiple definitions.”

Washington, PA native and GLSEN Student Advocate of 2011, Emmett Patterson commented on the content of the email.

The Matt Staniszeweski case is problematic in the following ways. Firstly, his use of the word “gay” as a means of humor or public humiliation. Let’s face it, the use of gay to equate to stupid is so, as Jimmy Kimmel puts it, “fourth grade.” In addition, as a person outside of the LGBTQ community, the councilman isn’t at liberty to try to reclaim any kind of word that is involved in a community that he isn’t a part of. Some communities have been reclaiming words that may have been detrimental to them. However, words are personal to the communities who they have affected.

Secondly, the fact that this public figure couldn’t even own up to his mistake just reflects poorly on his abilities to be a responsible leader. By saying that he meant “gay” to mean happy shows that he denies the entire history and social implications of the utilization of that word. In the LGBTQ movement, language choice is absolutely critical. True, gay used to mean happy. But it gradually transformed to take on a new meaning. The meanings of words are valid in their social and historical context: they have histories, some volatile and harmful.

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel aired a segment on the email, saying of Staniszeweski, “This guy sounds like a real dumbbell. And by that, I mean he sounds like someone you could use for strength training… not offensive.”

As of today, Staniszeweski has not apologized for his actions. What do you think should be done?

Former Pennsylvania Governor Reverses Stance on Marriage Equality

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Republican Tom Ridge, governor of Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2001, has reversed his anti-marriage equality stance since his time as governor. Ridge was one of the 131 Republicans who signed a brief to be submitted to the Supreme Court in favor of overruling California’s Prop 8 law, which banned same sex marriage in the state. The brief states that those who have signed, “have concluded that marriage is strengthened, not undermined, and its benefits and importance to society as well as the support and stability it gives to children and families promoted, not undercut, by providing access to civil marriage for same-sex couples.” Ridge supported Republican Jon Huntsman in the 2012 Republican primaries. Huntsman has become an outspoken supporter of marriage equality as a conservative cause.

As governor of Pennsylvania, Ridge signed a 1996 state ban on same sex marriage, which is still law today. Currently, Pennsylvania State Senator, Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery County) is drafting a bill for marriage equality in Pennsylvania, as he has done in previous years. A Quinnipiac Poll conducted in January found that a majority of Pennsylvania residents support same sex marriage, with 47% in support, and 43% opposed.

National Anti-Bullying Campaign Launched in Philadelphia

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On Wednesday, February 20, Cartoon Network launched a national campaign to stop bullying at Harding Middle School in Philadelphia. The event was attended by US Senator Bob Casey, of Pennsylvania, who announced his re-introduction of the Safe Schools Improvement Act, a bill requiring all federally funded schools to state that bullying is unacceptable. This proposed legislation would also track incidents of bullying, and promote anti-bullying programs. Seventh grader Raina Mills, the student council president of Harding Middle School, said that she wants Harding to be bullying free, and that, “the most important thing that all of us can do is to be a friend to someone being bullied.”

The “Stop Bullying: Speak Up” program by Cartoon Network encourages students to take a stand against bullying. The campaign’s three part pledge asks students to speak up by telling an adult about the bullying they witness, being a friend to those who are bullied, and becoming involved with bullying prevention programs. At the campaign’s website, students can find videos from the television network’s actors, comics, posters, and tips on stopping bullying at their schools. The site also features resources for educators, such as a timeline for the implementation of anti-bullying programs, suggested class reading on bullying, and links to other organizations. The program is partnered with organizations such as The Boys and Girls Club of America and the GLSEN: the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network.

While Harding Middle School was the first school to officially launch their own “Stop Bullying: Speak Up,” campaign, the program began in 2011, and has since garnered over a million Facebook likes, and the endorsement of public figures from Anderson Cooper to President Obama.

2012 Outgoing State House Member Equality Report

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Today we pay homage to the departure of 30 members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Here the KSV profiles the contributions and opposition these members presented to LGBTQ equality during their tenure. Their records are now complete and provide insight on the progress of equality advocacy within the Pennsylvania legislature spanning over three decades.

Votes are the most accurate way to track legislative support or conflict. While co-sponsoring LGBTQ inclusive legislation is important, and we do look at members’ support of HB 300, it can be a variable indicator of support. Sometimes a member could be counted to vote on the legislation, although may have missed the opportunity to put their name on the bill.

Pennsylvania loves our incumbents. Only one member, Rep. Quigley, lost a bid in the general election in November 2012. The average start term for the members closing out their tenure in 2012, was 1998, or a service of seven terms.

Rep. John Bear
House District 97
Serving: Lititz – Central Lancaster County
Party: Republican
Served Since: 2007
Departure: Retiring

Record: No voting record on LGBTQ equality.

Rep. Scott Boyd
House District 43
Serving: Lampeter – Central Lancaster County
Party: Republican
Served Since: 2003
Departure: Retiring

Record: Rep. Boyd was the lead sponsor who introduced HB 2381 in 2006 – a bill to ban marriage equality in the Pennsylvania Constitution. He voted against an amendment to the bill to allow for civil unions in the future, and also against tabling the bill at the last moment before it passed.

Rep. Joseph Brennan
House District 133
Serving: Lehigh and Northampton Counties
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 2007
Departure: Retiring

Record: No voting record on LGBTQ equality.

A member of the Pennsylvania LGBT Equality Caucus. Rep. Brennan has spoken at Lehigh Valley Pride in Allentown.

Rep. Ronald Buxton
House District 103
Serving: Harrisburg and Steelton
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 1993
Departure: Retiring

Record: Rep. Buxton was a co-sponsor of HB 300 to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations in his last session. Rep. Buxton voted to allow a legal window for same sex civil unions other than marriage while HB 2381 was in the House in 2006. He also voted to table the bill in a final attempt to stop it, and ultimately voted against the bill before it passed. In 2002, he was a co-sponsor, and voted for, the LGBTQ inclusive hate crimes bill which was passed in the House.

Rep. Buxton was the 2010 Grand Marshall for Central PA Pride in Harrisburg.

A member of the Pennsylvania LGBT Equality Caucus.

Rep. Thomas Creighton
House District 37
Serving: Manheim – Central Lancaster County
Party: Republican
Served Since: 2001
Departure: Retiring

Record: Not such a great record. He is a cosponsor of the bill to ban marriage equality in the Pennsylvania Constitution (HB 1434). In 2010 while on the State Government Committee, he voted against HB 300, although it was ultimately voted out of committee. In 2006 he was a cosponsor, and voted for, the constitutional amendment to ban marriage equality. During the bill discussion on the House Floor he voted against the Nailor Amendment to allow state recognition of same sex couples other than marriage, as well as against a motion to table the vote. In 2002, he voted against the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in the state ethnic intimidation law.

Rep. Lawrence Curry
House District 154
Serving: Jenkintown – Montgomery County
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 1993
Departure: Retiring

Record: A long-time ally to LGBTQ issues, Rep. Curry is a co-sponsor of HB 300 – and was a leader in voting to get the bill out of the State Government Committee in 2010. He voted against the constitutional ban on marriage equality in 2006 – while voting for the Nailor amendment and for the bill to be recommitted to committee before it passed. He was a cosponsor and voted for the inclusive hate crimes bill in 2002.

A member of the Pennsylvania LGBT Equality Caucus.

Rep. Eugene DePasquale
House District 95
Serving: York – Southern York County
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 2007
Departure: Elected Pennsylvania Auditor General

Record: From his time in the General Assembly for three sessions – we can expect strong support for LGBTQ equality from Auditor General DePasquale. He ran for the row office position under a campaign of full LGBTQ equality. As a State Representative, he cosponsored HB 300.

A member of the Pennsylvania LGBT Equality Caucus.

Rep. William DeWeese
House District 50
Serving: Fayette, Green, and Washington Counties
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 1976
Departure: Convicted of Criminal Charges

Record: Although a convicted criminal related to corruption, Rep. DeWeese has been a formidable leader in the General Assembly – and a mixed bag with LGBTQ issues. From rural Western PA, Rep. DeWeese served as Speaker of the House from 1993-1994. Even though he was in a trial, he was re-elected by a wide margin in November 2012. Upon his sentencing later that month, he resigned from his House seat. Rep. DeWeese was a co-sponsor of HB 300 this session. He voted for the constitutional ban on marriage equality, against the Nailor amendment to allow for other state recognitions for same sex couples, and against tabling the bill. He did vote for the inclusive hate crimes bill in 2002.

Rep. John Evans
House District 5
Serving: Edinboro – Central Erie County
Party: Republican
Served Since: 2001
Departure: Retiring

Record: Rep. Evans is also a mixed bag on LGBTQ issues. He voted for the ban on marriage equality in the state constitution in 2006 – while voting against the Nailor amendment and the motion to table the bill. He is not a co-sponsor of the current bill this session. Rep. Evans did vote for the inclusive hate crimes bill in 2002.

Rep. Richard Geist
House District 79
Serving: Altoona – Blair County
Party: Republican
Served Since: 1979
Departure: Lost Primary Election

Record: Rep. Geist had an abysmal record on LGBTQ issues. He was a cosponsor of the bill to ban marriage equality in the Pennsylvania constitution, and voted for it. During the bill’s discussion he voted against the Nailor amendment and against tabling the bill. In 2002, he voted against the inclusive hate crimes bill.

Rep. Camille “Bud” George
House District 74
Serving: Clearfield County
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 1975
Departure: Retiring

Record: Rep. George is completing a long and respected tenure as a state legislator. On LGBTQ issues, he was a mixed bag. Never a co-sponsor of HB 300, he voted for the bill to ban marriage equality in the state constitution – as well as against the Nailor amendment and against tabling the bill. However, he did vote for the inclusive hate crimes bill in 2002.

Rep. Michael Gerber
House District 148
Serving: Conshohocken, Lower Merion – Montgomery County
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 2005
Departure: Retiring

Record: Rep. Gerber is completing four terms supporting LGBTQ issues. An original co-sponsor of HB 300 this session, he voted against the ban on marriage equality in the state constitution. He additionally voted against the Nailor amendment and to recommit the bill to committee.

Rep. John Hornaman
House District 3
Serving: Erie
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 2007
Departure: Retiring

Record: No voting record on LGBTQ equality.

Rep. Scott Hutchinson
House District 64
Serving: Oil City – Butler and Venango Counties
Party: Republican
Served Since: 1993
Departure: Elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate

Record: As a State Representative, Rep. Hutchinson has not been too kind to LGBTQ equality issues. Rep. Hutchinson was a cosponsor and voted for HB 2381 – to ban marriage equality in the state constitution. He voted against the Nailor amendment and against tabling the legislation for further review. In 2002, he voted against the inclusive hate crimes bill. We hope that with changing public attitudes – the state legislator representing the communities featured in “Out in the Silence” will become more understanding and compassionate toward his constituents who are LGBTQ.

“So what I am asking is that we in Pennsylvania must prevent our State courts from thwarting the will of the people. The only way that we can protect our time-honored view of marriage is to embody it in the Pennsylvania State Constitution, and we must get that constitutional process under way quickly in order to protect this essential building block for a strong society in the future. We must empower the voters and not the courts to determine the definition of marriage now and in the future. I ask all of you to join me in supporting the marriage protection amendment.” –Rep. Hutchinson, 2006

“I guess to sum things up, I believe that sexual orientation does not deserve special legal recognition.” –Rep. Hutchinson, 2002

Rep. Kenyatta Johnson
House District 186
Serving: Philadelphia
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 2009
Departure: Elected to Philadelphia City Council (January 2012)

Record: In his tenure as a state legislator of two sessions, Rep. Johnson was a cosponsor of HB 300.

Rep. Babette Josephs
House District 182
Serving: Philadelphia
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 1984
Departure: Lost Primary Election

Record: Rep. Josephs is the longest serving LGBTQ ally in the history of the state legislature. She introduced the fourth ever equality legislation – regarding hate crimes in 1989 – and has allied herself closely on civil rights since. She introduced the last two major pieces of legislation for relationship recognition in the Pennsylvania – including the first marriage equality legislation in the Pennsylvania House.

As the Chairperson of the State Government Committee in 2010, she was a lead sponsor and the lead decision maker to get the bill out of committee. She is one of the first House committee chairs to move a piece of LGBTQ equality legislation. She voted against the ban on marriage equality in the state constitution in 2006 – and against the Nailor amendment and for the motion to table the vote. In 2002, she was an original cosponsor and voted for the inclusive hate crimes bill.

She has the longest span of introducing and supporting LGBTQ equality legislation of any member in the General Assembly’s history.

She is a founding Co-Chair of the Pennsylvania LGBT Equality Caucus.

“Ms. JOSEPHS. I am a short politician. I will attempt to give a short speech.

I think this is a very sad day for this great institution for which I have great respect and for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which historically led the way to greater liberties, greater civil rights, and greater freedoms with responsibility in this country.

I think it is not only sad from moral and ethical and personal reasons but from economic reasons as well. Several of the speakers who oppose this amendment have talked about the pall that it will place on our State. We will have a name across the country and across the world as being inhospitable, as being unconcerned about civil rights, as rushing forward to make judgment without the proper debate.

I do not know how we can bring business – excuse me, Mr. Speaker. I really would like some attention. I have not spoken—

The SPEAKER. The lady is entitled to be heard. Please keep the noise levels down.

Ms. JOSEPHS. I have not spoken very much on this bill, and I—

The SPEAKER. The gentlelady is correct. Please keep the noise down. Ms. Josephs.

Ms. JOSEPHS. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I do not know how we can be expected to compete in a global economy, to bring businesses here, to bring the best kind of employees here and employers. We have this kind of amendment and this kind of image in front of the world.

I am also extremely distraught and distressed that our Constitution, which led the way for freedom and liberty – we were never like the United States Constitution and enshrined slavery and enshrined the disenfranchising of women; we never did those kinds of things – and now we are taking a step into a very murky, a very bad – I hope we are not taking this step – but even this debate I think is deleterious, is adverse, has a very negative impact not only on our image to the world but also in our own civic pride and our own pride and our history as being such a forefront of liberty and freedom.

I really do not understand except for the political reasons, which is to bring out the conservative vote when some people want the conservative vote out, why there is this rush to do this damage, this damage to families who are committed and loving, this damage to children, and this damage to our State and to our economic development in this Commonwealth.

I am not going to vote for this amendment, that is not a big surprise. I hope that a majority of my colleagues here, not a Republican issue, not a Democratic issue, will follow my lead.

I think our constituents admire us when they admire us for courage and for sticking to our principles, and for those of us who have principles, I recommend a “no” vote. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.” Rep. Babette Josephs, 2006

Rep. Jennifer Mann
House District 132
Serving: Allentown
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 1999
Departure: Retiring

Record: Rep. Mann has been an LGBTQ ally in the House for over a decade. As the Democratic Caucus Secretary – she is only the third woman in Pennsylvania history to serve in a democratic leadership position. A cosponsor of HB 300, she voted against the constitutional ban on marriage equality in 2006. She voted against the Nailor amendment and to recommit the bill to committee. She was a lead sponsor and voted for the inclusive hate crimes bill in 2002.

Rep. Kevin Murphy
House District 113
Serving: Scranton, Moosic, and Throop
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 2009
Departure: Lost Primary Election

Record: No voting record on LGBTQ equality.

He was not a cosponsor of HB 300, when it would be expected he would as representing a municipality with a non-discrimination ordinance.

Rep. John Myers
House District 201
Serving: Philadelphia
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 1995
Departure: Retiring

Record: A cosponsor of HB 300, he voted against the constitutional ban on marriage equality in 2006. He voted against the Nailor amendment and to recommit the bill to committee. He was a lead sponsor and voted for the inclusive hate crimes bill in 2002.

Rep. Tony Payton
House District 179
Serving: Philadelphia
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 2007
Departure: Retiring

Record: Rep. Payton is a cosponsor of HB 300. A member of the Pennsylvania LGBT Equality Caucus.

Rep. Scott Perry
House District 92
Serving: Dillsburg – Cumberland and York Counties
Party: Republican
Served Since: 2007
Departure: Elected to the United State House of Representatives

Record: No voting record on LGBTQ equality.

On the campaign trail to replace outgoing US Rep. Todd Platts (R), Rep. Perry made clear that unlike his pro-LGBTQ equality predecessor, he would have voted against repealing “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and is against full marriage equality. However, he stated during a debate in October 2012 that he wants equal treatment for gay and lesbian people and would consider civil unions or other forms of relationship recognition that is not called “marriage.”

Rep. Joseph Preston
House District 24
Serving: Pittsburgh
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 1983
Departure: Retiring

Record: A cosponsor of HB 300, he voted against the constitutional ban on marriage equality in 2006. He voted against the Nailor amendment and to recommit the bill to committee. He was a lead sponsor and voted for the inclusive hate crimes bill in 2002.

Rep. Preston introduced the sixth-ever equality legislation in the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1993 with HB 2312, a hate crimes bill inclusive of sexual orientation.

Rep. Thomas Quigley
House District 146
Serving: Pottstown – Montgomery County
Party: Republican
Served Since: 2005
Departure: Lost General Election

Record: In his first term as a Pennsylvania legislator, Rep. Quigley became a cosponsor and voted for the bill to ban on marriage equality in the state constitution. He voted against the Nailor amendment and to recommit the bill to committee.

Rep. Dante Santoni
House District 126
Serving: Reading – Berks County
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 1993
Departure: Retiring

Record: A cosponsor of HB 300, he voted against the constitutional ban on marriage equality in 2006. He voted against the Nailor amendment and to recommit the bill to committee. He was a lead sponsor and voted for the inclusive hate crimes bill in 2002.

Rep. Curt Schroeder
House District 155
Serving: Exton – Chester County
Party: Republican
Served Since: 1995
Departure: Retiring

Record: Rep. Schroeder finishes a 17 year tenure in the state legislature having been against every measure for LGBTQ equality to come up to a vote. A current cosponsor of HB 1434 to ban marriage equality in the Pennsylvania constitution, Rep. Schroeder was a lead cosponsor and voted for the ban that was passed by the house in 2006. He voted against the Nailor amendment and against the motion to recommit the bill to committee. In 2002, he voted against the inclusive hate crimes bill.

Rep. Ken Smith
House District 112
Serving: Dunmore – Lackawanna County
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 2007
Departure: Lost Primary Election

Record: In his three terms, Rep. Smith became a cosponsor of HB 300.

Rep. Edward Staback
House District 115
Serving: Lackawanna and Wayne Counties
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 1985
Departure: Retiring

Record: Rep. Staback was a cosponsor and voted for the House bill to ban marriage equality in the Pennsylvania constitution. He voted for the Nailor amendment and against recommitting the bill to committee. In 2002, he voted for the inclusive hate crimes legislation.

Rep. Randy Vulakovich
House District 30
Serving: Northern Pittsburgh Suburbs – Allegheny County
Party: Republican
Served Since: 2007
Departure: Elected to Pennsylvania State Senate (Spring 2012)

Record: As a State Representative, Rep. Vulakovich became a co-sponsor of HB 1434 which would ban marriage equality in the Pennsylvania constitution.

Rep. Chelsa Wagner
House District 22
Serving: Pittsburgh
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 2007
Departure: Elected Allegheny County Controller

Record: In her tenure as a State Representative, Rep. Wagner became a co-sponsor of HB 300. In 2010, a bill she authored on sexual education, the Healthy Youth Act (HB 1162), was voted out of the House Education Committee by 14-11.

Rep. Jewell Williams
House District 197
Serving: Philadelphia
Party: Democrat
Served Since: 2001
Departure: Elected Philadelphia County Sheriff

Record: Rep. Williams has been a strong supporter of LGBTQ equality. He was a co-sponsor of HB 300 – as well as a cosponsor of the inclusive hate crimes bill in 2002 (which he voted for). Rep. Williams voted against the bill to ban marriage equality in the Pennsylvania constitution – and against the Nailor amendment and in support of recommitting the bill to committee.

First LGBT State Legislator in Pennsylvania Comes Out

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Press Release from PSEC:

BREAKING: First LGBT State Legislator in Pennsylvania Comes Out;

Republican Rep. Mike Fleck Becomes
First Openly Gay Legislator in Pennsylvania History

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC) and LGBT youth across Pennsylvania commend Republican State Rep. Mike Fleck (R-81) for coming out today, becoming the first openly LGBT lawmaker in the Keystone State. Not only is Fleck the first and only legislator currently in Pennsylvania’s General Assembly who is openly gay, he is also one of only two openly gay Republican state legislators nationwide.

This is a historic and significant event for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A Pennsylvania General Assembly that reflects the true diversity of her citizens is a better state for us all. Fleck said he hopes his openness will help others better understand the journey people have to take to live an authentic life, according to the Huntington Daily News.

Rep. Fleck represents a largely conservative and rural district stretching over Blair, Huntingdon, and Mifflin counties in Central Pennsylvania. In the breaking article in his local paper today, he noted that he remains committed to the same political ideals as before the announcement, as he has since he was first elected in 2006.

PSEC has been proud to work with Rep. Fleck. Prior to his big announcement, Rep. Fleck was already a friend of PSEC as a cosponsor of the Pennsylvania Safe Schools Act (HB 2636), which is a landmark anti-bullying bill to update Pennsylvania’s weak safe schools statute. Supporters of the PASS Act have appreciated considerable diversity of cosponsors, in terms of political affiliation, gender, and now–as of today–sexual orientation.

“Rep. Fleck has made history in becoming the first openly gay member of the Pennsylvania legislature. We could not be more proud of his courageous decision to be open and affirming of his identity.” said PSEC Executive Director Jason Landau Goodman.

PSEC wrote personally to Rep. Fleck on the day of his announcement. “On behalf of the thousands of LGBT youth we represent across the state, we thank you for coming forward and becoming a role model for us.”

PSEC is excited to continue working with Rep. Fleck in helping make the Commonwealth a better place for all Pennsylvanians, regardless of their sexual orientation.

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The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC) is Pennsylvania’s statewide LGBTQ youth organization.

Openly Lesbian Judge Nominated in Pennsylvania

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President Barack Obama nominated  Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro to serve on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania this afternoon. If her nomination is confirmed, she will be the first openly lesbian Hispanic woman to serve in the federal court system. Judge Quiñones Alejandro has presided for the past 11 years on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

Judge Quiñones Alejandro is a native of Puerto Rico, where she attended college and law school. She moved to Pennsylvania upon her graduation. Her legal career in Philadelphia began in 1975 as an attorney for Community Legal Services, where she helped defend low income residents. She later served as an attorney for the Department of Veterans Affairs and as an advisor for the Department of Health and Human Services. In 1980 she became an arbitrator for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, before her appointment as a judge in 1991.

She was recommended for federal service by both Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey (D) and Pat Toomey (R). Senator Toomey praised Judge Quiñones Alejandro’s involvement within the Pennsylvania community, saying in a statement, “In her 21 years on the bench, Nitza Quiñones Alejandro has presided over many cases incorporating different facets of the law. In addition to her extensive experience in the courtroom, she has also remained active in her community through her work with schools and mentoring summer law interns.” The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition has written to the Senators to commend them for their support of Judge Quiñones Alejandro, and working towards a federal bench which better represents the constituents it serves.

President Obama has nominated eight openly gay judges for federal service over his first term, including Judge William L. Thomas, a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College in Washington County, PA  and Temple University Law School in Philadelphia, earlier this month.