The Governor’s LGBT Workgroup has been formed to bring together senior staff in the Gov. Wolf’s administration to work on important policy issues for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians. The group is chaired by Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine, and includes senior staff from nearly a dozen state agencies. Also at the table are three statewide LGBTQ organizations, including representatives from the Pennsylvania Youth Congress. This group will meet monthly.
We are proud to launch the Dignity for All project today, as an online resource for school districts in supporting transgender students. We have additionally released a model policy for supporting transgender and gender expansive students in Pennsylvania. The model policy is being sent this afternoon to the fifty largest school districts in the commonwealth for their consideration to adopt. The resource and model policy can be accessed at http://dignityforall.payouthcongress.org.
One week ago, the United States’ Department of Education and Department of Justice released landmark guidance, clarifying federal protections for transgender students through Title IX. Pennsylvania does not have a statewide gender identity-inclusive non-discrimination law, and only 34 municipalities have local LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination ordinances. Most recently, Ambler Borough Council unanimously adopted an LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance on Tuesday, May 17.
The Dignity for All project aims to provide clear information for Pennsylvania school district administrators and board members with the latest information on their responsibilities to support transgender and gender expansive students. The resource includes information on existing state and federal policy, as well as a listing of trainers that provide education on transgender students and building safer school climates for all.
We have been supporting local advocacy efforts for transgender students since its founding in 2011. PYC has partnered with school district leaders in crafting basic non-discrimination protections for transgender students, from Pittsburgh to New Hope. We are producing a forthcoming report on LGBT-inclusive policies across Pennsylvania, which indicates only a handful of districts currently include gender identity and expression as a protected class. We has been helping lead efforts toward the adoption of comprehensive transgender student policies since 2013 in a number of districts throughout the commonwealth.
As of today, at least five Pennsylvania school districts have enacted a comprehensive transgender student policy – which include (along with their adoption date): Great Valley (4/18/16), Springfield Township (4/19/16), Upper Dublin (5/9/16), Cheltenham (5/10/16), and Lower Merion (5/16/16). All of these policies were unanimously adopted by their school boards. These districts are all located in Montgomery and Chester Counties, outside of Philadelphia.
The Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Pine-Richland school boards are expected to adopt policies this summer. In reviewing over two dozen news media reports on the federal guidelines issued last week, PYC identified nearly 40 Superintendents and district spokespeople who said they would be following the guidance – and several explicitly shared their interest in adopting a policy.
With the historic federal guidelines now released, we are proud to publicly share our model policy for school districts to consider for adoption. It incorporates critical features from policies already enacted in the commonwealth toward the goal of ensuring a safe and full access to an education regardless of a student’s gender.
Many school districts have been supporting transgender students in practice for years. Now it is time to root institutional commitments for gender inclusion into policy, to clarify how schools are accessible and welcoming for all.
As an organization, PYC commends the federal agencies for release their guidelines supporting transgender students. Additionally, we call upon the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, and the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, among other stakeholders, to work together in supporting transgender and gender expansive students.
If you are interested in advocating for a transgender student policy in your local school district, please visit the Dignity for All website for more information, or contact us by email with any questions you may have.
The US Department of Education and US Department of Justice released landmark guidance last Friday clarifying that transgender students are protected under the federal non-discrimination law, Title IX. The guidance sent to every school district in the country does not have the force of law, but schools that receive federal funding are on notice that if they do not comply, they risk losing that support. Gender identity has been declared as a protected class from discrimination under Title IX given the interpretation of gender identity as part of sex stereotyping declared by US Department of Education in 2014. This interpretation was recently upheld by the Fourth Circuit, and was further clarified on Friday.
The guidelines explain that in order to be in compliance with Title IX to receive federal funding, schools must: provide a safe and non-discriminatory environment, respect a student’s affirmed name and pronouns, ensure access to sex-segregated spaces that align with a student’s gender identity, and guarantee privacy in education documents.
Public schools in Pennsylvania receive over $1 billion in federal funding.
Of the nearly 40 district Superintendents and spokespeople we found that commented in news media the past few days, not one said they would defy the guidance from the US Department of Education.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education has stated it will continue to refer districts to the federal guidelines. Neither Governor Wolf nor Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Pedro Rivera have issued a direct statement regarding of the new guidelines.
Take a look below at the nearly two dozen news stories we found from throughout the commonwealth. These news stories are collectively groundbreaking – we cannot remember a time when so many school officials spoke so directly on trans issues at once. Below are also a few editorials both supporting and attacking the guidance which have been published in Pennsylvania.
U.S. gives directive to schools on transgender bathroom access
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/AP
White House Issues Guidance on Transgender Bathrooms
PA Homepage – Wilkes-Barre
U.S. gives directive to schools on transgender bathroom access; Valley educators seek more info
Sunbury Daily Item
‘We are going to comply’: Local schools react to Obama’s transgender directive
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat
Lancaster County schools want to be safe places for transgender students
Lancaster Online
Obama adminsitration announces transgender guidelines for students, already in place at Brashear High School
WTAE Pittsburgh
Transgender issues surface in Pittsburgh-area districts
Pittsburgh Tribune
Parents in Stroudsburg Weigh In on Transgender Announcement
WNEP from Stroudsburg
School Bathroom Issue Draws Mixed Reaction
WNEP from Wilkes-Barre
With Bethlehem Area already on board, Lehigh Valley school districts to gear up for Obama’s transgender directive
Allentown Morning Call
Local school districts respond to federal guidance for transgender students
Centre Daily Times from State College
Obama: Let transgender students choose
Fox Erie
Transgender Bathroom Pushback
NBC Philadelphia
US gives directive to schools on transgender bathroom access
NBC Pittsburgh
Obama administration gives schools guidance on transgender students’ rights
Philadelphia Inquirer
Berks County school officials weigh in on trangender bathroom directive
Reading Eagle
With federal directive, area schools to discuss transgender bathroom issue
Scranton Times-Tribune
Transgender bathroom directive ‘not a complete surprise’ for area superintendents
Wilkes-Barre Citzens’ Voice
How the transgender bathroom issue plays out in Pa., Erie
Erie Times-News
Obama made the wrong call with transgender bathroom rule: Ken Kilpatrick
Penn Live
LIVING YOUR TRUTH: ‘We see you’ – Attorney General Lynch historically stands for transgender rights
NEPA Scene
The Democrats’ LGBTQ war on women
Lebanon Daily News
Thomas: North Carolina fights back
Carlisle Sentinel
Photo: Pittsburgh high school students preparing to testify before the Pittsburgh School Board in favor of the proposed trans student policy on May 2, 2016 (Pennsylvania Youth Congress)
We have finally arrived at a historic moment for transgender student rights in Pennsylvania.
Springfield Township School District has become the first district in Pennsylvania to adopt a formal policy supporting trans students!
Last night, the Springfield Township School Board voted to approve Policy 253, a comprehensive regulation in support of transgender students. The school board unanimously approved both the first reading of the policy on March 15, 2016 and the final second reading on April 19, 2016.
The Pennsylvania Youth Congress has been proudly working with a number of districts in support of these efforts for several years. These policies are critical in the work to ensure a safe and successful educational experience for transgender students. In turn, they help entire school communities be lifted up in celebrating all students, regardless of their gender identity or expression.
However, steps backward are being considered by a few school districts. On Monday evening, another three-hour school board meeting took place in the Pine-Richland School District in Allegheny County. While transgender students have been supported by the administration in practice, a network of parents has come together to try and strip away the basic accommodations that have been made for them. An informational meeting on transgender youth will take place in Pine-Richland on Thursday. In addition to the Pennsylvania Youth Congress, THRIVE of Southwest PA and Lambda Legal have been standing with students and community members in Pine-Richland who support the rights and dignity of trans students.
With yesterday’s landmark court win in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, transgender students in Pennsylvania now have critical support in the federal courts. In Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board, a trans high school student in Virginia was supported by his administration in basic accommodations, but then the school board enacted a negative policy to strip them away. When challenged in federal court, the student won. The case was remanded to the district court with the determination that gender identity and expression is a protected class.
Former University of Pittsburgh – Johnstown student Seamus Johnston filed a federal lawsuit in 2013 against the school for gender identity discrimination, before the United States Department of Education’s guidance was issued. While the suit was first dismissed in the Western District of Pennsylvania by Judge Kim Gibson, on appeal, the university settled the claim in March 2016 in recognition of their major movement forward supporting trans students.
The Pennsylvania Youth Congress has reached out to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to better coordinate the advancement of these policies, and meaningfully support transgender students across the commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Youth Congress calls upon the agencies to collectively address supporting transgender students and awaits their response.
We are incredibly proud of the Springfield Township School District community for their historic move in supporting transgender students, and commend the leadership of Board President Gretchen Slapinsky and Superintendent Dr. Nancy Hacker in ensuring the policy was adopted. We thank the Attic Youth Center for recently providing LGBTQ-inclusion training to the district.
If school board members or community members in Pennsylvania are interested in any assistance in advocating for a local school district policy supporting transgender students, they are encouraged to directly reach out to the Pennsylvania Youth Congress at info@payouthcongress.org or call 717-743-1035.
We have finally arrived at a historic moment for transgender student rights in Pennsylvania.
The Great Valley and Springfield Township School Districts have become the first known districts in Pennsylvania to adopt formal policies supporting trans students!
On Monday night, the Great Valley School Board voted to adopt Policy 103.3. Last night, on Tuesday, the Springfield Township School Board voted to approve Policy 253. Both are comprehensive regulations in support of transgender students. The Great Valley School Board introduced Policy 103.3 on March 14, 2016 and adopted their regulation on April 18, 2016. The Springfield Township School Board unanimously approved both the first reading of the policy on March 15, 2016 and the final second reading on April 19, 2016.
The Pennsylvania Youth Congress has been proudly working with a number of districts in support of these efforts for several years. These policies are critical in the work to ensure a safe and successful educational experience for transgender students. In turn, they help entire school communities be lifted up in celebrating all students, regardless of their gender identity or expression.
However, steps backward are being considered by a few school districts. On Monday evening, another three-hour school board meeting took place in the Pine-Richland School District in Allegheny County. While transgender students have been supported by the administration in practice, a network of parents has come together to try and strip away the basic accommodations that have been made for them. An informational meeting on transgender youth will take place in Pine-Richland on Thursday. In addition to the Pennsylvania Youth Congress, THRIVE of Southwest PA and Lambda Legal have been standing with students and community members in Pine-Richland who support the rights and dignity of trans students.
With yesterday’s landmark court win in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, transgender students in Pennsylvania now have critical support in the federal courts. In Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board, a trans high school student in Virginia was supported by his administration in basic accommodations, but then the school board enacted a negative policy to strip them away. When challenged in federal court, the student won. The case was remanded to the district court with the determination that gender identity and expression is a protected class.
Former University of Pittsburgh – Johnstown student Seamus Johnston filed a federal lawsuit in 2013 against the school for gender identity discrimination, before the United States Department of Education’s guidance was issued. While the suit was first dismissed in the Western District of Pennsylvania by Judge Kim Gibson, on appeal, the university settled the claim in March 2016 in recognition of their major movement forward supporting trans students.
The Pennsylvania Youth Congress has reached out to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to better coordinate the advancement of these policies, and meaningfully support transgender students across the commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Youth Congress calls upon the agencies to collectively address supporting transgender students and awaits their response.
We are incredibly proud of the Great Valley and Springfield Township communities for their historic moves in supporting transgender students, and commend the leadership of Great Valley Board President David Barratt and Superintendent Regina Speaker Palubinsky, and Springfield Township Board President Gretchen Slapinsky and Superintendent Dr. Nancy Hacker, in ensuring the policies was adopted. We thank the Attic Youth Center for recently providing LGBTQ-inclusion training to the Springfield Township district.
If school board members or community members in Pennsylvania are interested in any assistance in advocating for a local school district policy supporting transgender students, they are encouraged to directly reach out to the Pennsylvania Youth Congress at info@payouthcongress.org or call 717-743-1035.
NOTE: On April 22, 2016, this online post was updated to reflect that the Great Valley School District adopted their policy on April 18, 2016, before Springfield Township’s on April 19, 2016. Together they are the first known policies in Pennsylvania. In our wording we celebrated Springfield Township as the first widely and publicly known district to take this action, but acknowledge that Great Valley adopted theirs before on Monday once it became widely and publicly known.
Today on World AIDS Day 2015, Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine held a press conference in the State Capitol to highlight the HIV/AIDS healthcare to be advanced in Pennsylvania. The brief event was held in the Capitol Media Center at 3:30pm.
Dr. Levine noted how “World AIDS Day is held on the first of December every year…[as] an opportunity to come together – to show support to those living with HIV, to commemorate those whom we have lost, and to renew our commitment to the prevention and treatment of HIV disease.” She declared that “If an infection does occur, Pennsylvania is committed that every person diagnosed with HIV has unfettered access to high-quality, life-extending care – free from stigma, and free from discrimination.”
Our Physician General reflected on her personal connection to HIV and AIDS, sharing that:
“I actually have a long standing professional connection to the HIV epidemic. I was a resident physician in pediatrics, at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City, from 1983 to 1988, right through the beginning of this outbreak and epidemic. At that time, at the beginning, there was no understanding, but eventually, [the] very limited understanding of the disease during the 1980s was significant stigma, and really no treatment. A diagnosis of AIDS at that time was literally a death sentence. We have made such significant progress since that time. But, in 2015, HIV disease continues to be a serious public health problem. Every year, almost 50,000 Americans are newly infected with HIV – with more than 1,000 of them right here in Pennsylvania. HIV affects everyone. Regardless of gender, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic circumstances. We still do see specific segments of our population who experience higher rates of HIV disease. Men who have sex with men [MSM] still represent two-thirds of new HIV infections. Injection drug users now account for nearly one in ten new infections. And young people, aged 13-24, are 16% of the population in general, but account to nearly 26% of all new HIV infections.”
As an ambassador for Governor Wolf, she noted how the “[Governor] and this administration take this crisis very seriously. The Wolf Administration is committed to a broad policy to respond to this significant public health problem, with a focus on both reducing infections and improving treatment.”
Stressing the importance of prevention she noted that “The first line of defense is always prevention. The Pennsylvania Department of Health encourages all Pennsylvanians to know their status by getting HIV tested. It is estimated that nearly 20% of those infected with HIV are actually not aware that they are infected.” She emphasized how “the Pennsylvania Department of Health makes HIV testing available at a number of sites through a whole network of providers throughout the state.”
Dr. Levine recognized Governor Wolf’s decision to expand Medicaid and the special pharmaceutical benefit program – which increase the ability for those living with HIV or AIDS to access medical care and medications.
She then praised the “the usage of pre-exposure prophylactics, also called PrEP, for individuals who are at high risk for HIV, is now available…the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, recommends that clinicians offer PREP to those who are at high risk of acquiring HIV infection.”
Dr. Levine concluded her remarks by sharing:
“Our goal is to help Pennsylvanians learn their status and get linked to care. If they fall out of care, if individuals fall out of care, we are committed to working with them, to reconnect them to the medical community and the care that they need. This is not an easy task, and will certainly require a clear plan and clear action. I am very pleased to be working with Secretary of Health Karen Murphy, and Governor Wolf and the administration, on this important initiative. And together, working all together, we will make Pennsylvania a place where all new HIV infections are rare, [where] all HIV+ Pennsylvanians have access to appropriate medication and healthcare, and where all HIV+ Pennsylvanians have a high quality of life.“
A reporter then asked Dr. Levine what message Pennsylvanians should take from World AIDS Day, and how much the state spends in addressing HIV and AIDS.
Following the reporters, Jose de Marco from ACT UP Philadelphia asked Dr. Levine to speak to the social injustice that surrounds addressing HIV and AIDS.
“It’s really wonderful to know that this World AIDS Day that the state of Pennsylvania is going to address HIV and AIDS in this state, but in this day and age it is so much more than people not using a condom. Social injustice issues, especially in poor communities of color, homelessness, poverty, drug addiction – all these things are fueling HIV infections in Latino and African American communities. I think we should be doing a better job with PrEP. I’m from the first generation – I remember the time AIDS activists would be screaming on the roof “there is pill out there that can stop you from getting AIDS!’ But until we start to address social injustice issues – and if you look at incarceration rates of African American and Latino men – there tends to be a mirror of HIV infection. So there is obviously an issue of social injustice – and it’s almost proof positive that HIV is a social injustice in 2015. I’m hopeful the Wolf Administration will take a lot of this into consideration, especially when it comes to HIV infections. Generic medicine is much cheaper than a lifetime of AIDS medication.
Dr. Levine responded by saying that
“I agree that we need to get the word out about PrEP to the populations at risk. We need to get the word out there to physicians and healthcare providers and clinics that PREP exists and that it can prevent this illness in people who are at risk. The word I would use is the social determinants of health. All the different types of issues you have talked about are certainly critical in healthcare in general. In the Department of Health we are working on healthcare innovation, which will try to make sure we will have access for the urban, rural populations that need access to medical care in general, and to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment.”
The final question was asked by Paul Yabor, another member of ACT UP Philadelphia.
“One of my concerns going forward is in prevention – this is not going to be an easy task. But there are some policy changes that we feel are necessary, and we have the data to back it up, to make this dream come true – to end AIDS in PA. More specifically, a statewide syringe exchange – and it may be a bit out the realm of health, but it’s still relevant, but housing and Medicaid.”
Dr. Levine responded that “I’m not actually prepared to speak on those issues at this time, but we would certainly take all of your recommendations under advisement into the Governor’s office.”
Confirmed as Physician General on June 9, 2015, she is the fifth person to hold the position of the state’s top doctor since it was created in 1996. At the time of this posting, we could not find information on any internal or public World AIDS Day events held by any of her predecessors.
We applaud Dr. Levine and all those in the medical community advocating for increased and responsible healthcare for those living with HIV and AIDS, as well as policy efforts that directly respond to the complex social justice issues that are intertwined with the crisis in Pennsylvania.
| Today on World AIDS Day 2015, Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine held a press conference in the State Capitol to highlight the HIV/AIDS healthcare to be advanced in Pennsylvania. The brief event was held in the Capitol Media Center at 3:30pm.
Dr. Levine noted how “World AIDS Day is held on the first of December every year…[as] an opportunity to come together – to show support to those living with HIV, to commemorate those whom we have lost, and to renew our commitment to the prevention and treatment of HIV disease.” She declared that “If an infection does occur, Pennsylvania is committed that every person diagnosed with HIV has unfettered access to high-quality, life-extending care – free from stigma, and free from discrimination.” |
Our Physician General reflected on her personal connection to HIV and AIDS, sharing that:
I actually have a long standing professional connection to the HIV epidemic. I was a resident physician in pediatrics, at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City, from 1983 to 1988, right through the beginning of this outbreak and epidemic. At that time, at the beginning, there was no understanding, but eventually, [the] very limited understanding of the disease during the 1980s was significant stigma, and really no treatment. A diagnosis of AIDS at that time was literally a death sentence. We have made such significant progress since that time. But, in 2015, HIV disease continues to be a serious public health problem. Every year, almost 50,000 Americans are newly infected with HIV – with more than 1,000 of them right here in Pennsylvania. HIV affects everyone. Regardless of gender, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic circumstances. We still do see specific segments of our population who experience higher rates of HIV disease. Men who have sex with men [MSM] still represent two-thirds of new HIV infections. Injection drug users now account for nearly one in ten new infections. And young people, aged 13-24, are 16% of the population in general, but account to nearly 26% of all new HIV infections.
As an ambassador for Governor Wolf, she noted how the “[Governor] and this administration take this crisis very seriously. The Wolf Administration is committed to a broad policy to respond to this significant public health problem, with a focus on both reducing infections and improving treatment.”
Stressing the importance of prevention she noted that “The first line of defense is always prevention. The Pennsylvania Department of Health encourages all Pennsylvanians to know their status by getting HIV tested. It is estimated that nearly 20% of those infected with HIV are actually not aware that they are infected.” She emphasized how “the Pennsylvania Department of Health makes HIV testing available at a number of sites through a whole network of providers throughout the state.”
Dr. Levine recognized Governor Wolf’s decision to expand Medicaid and the special pharmaceutical benefit program – which increase the ability for those living with HIV or AIDS to access medical care and medications.
She then praised the “the usage of pre-exposure prophylactics, also called PrEP, for individuals who are at high risk for HIV, is now available…the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, recommends that clinicians offer PREP to those who are at high risk of acquiring HIV infection.”
Dr. Levine concluded her remarks by sharing:
“Our goal is to help Pennsylvanians learn their status and get linked to care. If they fall out of care, if individuals fall out of care, we are committed to working with them, to reconnect them to the medical community and the care that they need. This is not an easy task, and will certainly require a clear plan and clear action. I am very pleased to be working with Secretary of Health Karen Murphy, and Governor Wolf and the administration, on this important initiative. And together, working all together, we will make Pennsylvania a place where all new HIV infections are rare, [where] all HIV+ Pennsylvanians have access to appropriate medication and healthcare, and where all HIV+ Pennsylvanians have a high quality of life.“
A reporter then asked Dr. Levine what message Pennsylvanians should take from World AIDS Day, and how much the state spends in addressing HIV and AIDS.
Following the reporters, Jose de Marco from ACT UP Philadelphia asked Dr. Levine to speak to the social injustice that surrounds addressing HIV and AIDS.
“It’s really wonderful to know that this World AIDS Day that the state of Pennsylvania is going to address HIV and AIDS in this state, but in this day and age it is so much more than people not using a condom. Social injustice issues, especially in poor communities of color, homelessness, poverty, drug addiction – all these things are fueling HIV infections in Latino and African American communities. I think we should be doing a better job with PrEP. I’m from the first generation – I remember the time AIDS activists would be screaming on the roof “there is pill out there that can stop you from getting AIDS!’ But until we start to address social injustice issues – and if you look at incarceration rates of African American and Latino men – there tends to be a mirror of HIV infection. So there is obviously an issue of social injustice – and it’s almost proof positive that HIV is a social injustice in 2015. I’m hopeful the Wolf Administration will take a lot of this into consideration, especially when it comes to HIV infections. Generic medicine is much cheaper than a lifetime of AIDS medication.
Dr. Levine responded by saying that
“I agree that we need to get the word out about PrEP to the populations at risk. We need to get the word out there to physicians and healthcare providers and clinics that PREP exists and that it can prevent this illness in people who are at risk. The word I would use is the social determinants of health. All the different types of issues you have talked about are certainly critical in healthcare in general. In the Department of Health we are working on healthcare innovation, which will try to make sure we will have access for the urban, rural populations that need access to medical care in general, and to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment.”
The final question was asked by Paul Yabor, another member of ACT UP Philadelphia.
“One of my concerns going forward is in prevention – this is not going to be an easy task. But there are some policy changes that we feel are necessary, and we have the data to back it up, to make this dream come true – to end AIDS in PA. More specifically, a statewide syringe exchange – and it may be a bit out the realm of health, but it’s still relevant, but housing and Medicaid.”
Dr. Levine responded that “I’m not actually prepared to speak on those issues at this time, but we would certainly take all of your recommendations under advisement into the Governor’s office.”
Confirmed as Physician General on June 9, 2015, she is the fifth person to hold the position of the state’s top doctor since it was created in 1996. At the time of this posting, we could not find information on any internal or public World AIDS Day events held by any of her predecessors.
We applaud Dr. Levine and all those in the medical community advocating for increased and responsible healthcare for those living with HIV and AIDS, as well as policy efforts that directly respond to the complex social justice issues that are intertwined with the crisis in Pennsylvania.
World AIDS Day has been held each year since 1988 for communities to come together in combating HIV. Events will be held throughout Pennsylvania to demonstrate support for those living with HIV and honor those who have died.
For World AIDS Day 2015, the following public LGBTQ-related community events will take place in Pennsylvania:
Harrisburg
Pearls and Bow Ties Evening Social
Thursday, December 3rd – 7:00pm
Stage on Herr
Hosts: Alder Health Services, LGBT Center of Central PA, and Gaudenzia Inc.
More Information
Philadelphia
Over 20 events the week of December 1st
Philly Magazine has a listing of 21 events here
Pittsburgh
World AIDS Day Commemoration
Tuesday, December 1st – 7:30pm
Heinz Memorial Chapel
Host: The Pitt Men’s Study
More Information
HIV/AIDS has just turned 30 years old and Pennsylvania continues to be one of the most impacted states in the nation (CDC 2009).
The CDC recently reported that the rate of infection among gay and bisexual men in on the rise – especially in young men of color. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has useful factsheets on HIV in disproportionately impacted communities: HIV and African Americans | HIV and Latinos/Hispanics | HIV and Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) (Gay, Bisexual men) | HIV and Transgender People | HIV and Youth
A recent CDC study found that one in five urban gay/bisexual men in America are HIV positive, and only half of those infected are aware of their status. We continue today in the HIV/AIDS crisis – hoping for the resources to have an HIV free generation. Supporting HIV/AIDS awareness, education and support all throughout the year is absolutely critical.
HIV/AIDS Resources in Pennsylvania
Keystone Health (Chambersburg)
The Northwest PA Rural AIDS Alliance (Clarion, Erie)
AIDS Community Alliance (Harrisburg)
Action AIDS (Philadelphia)
ACT UP – Philadelphia (Philadelphia)
AIDS Fund (Philadelphia)
AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia)
The Attic Youth Center (Philadelphia)
GALAEI – The Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative (Philadelphia)
Philadelphia FIGHT (Philadelphia)
Safegaurds (Philadelphia)
AIDS Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh)
Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force (Pittsburgh)
Project Silk (Pittsburgh)
Shepard Wellness Community (Pittsburgh)
Adagio Health (Western PA)
The Northeastern Regional HIV Planning Coalition (Wilkes-Barre)
General LGBTQ Healthcare Providers
The Mazzoni Center (Philadelphia)
Alder Health Care (Harrisburg)
PERSAD (Pittsburgh)
To add an event to the listing in this post, please email info@payouthcongress.org
Image: GLAAD
Out Magazine has released the ‘Out 100’ since 1994, featuring individuals who the publication considers having made compelling contributions to society as out LGBTQ people.
This year, eight Pennsylvanians – those born or who live in the commonwealth – have been named to the Out 100 list for 2015:
Alison Bechdel and The Fun Home Family (Beech Creek)
Lee Daniels, Filmmaker, Actor, and Director (Philadelphia)
Adam Joseph, Meteorologist (Philadelphia)
Chip Kidd, Author and Graphic Designer (Reading)
Andy Mientus, Actor (Ross Township)
Hari Nef, Model (Philadelphia)
The Legends: Edie Windsor (Philadelphia) and
Evan Wolfson (Pittsburgh), Marriage Equality Advocates
[Pictured: Adam Joseph]
The International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) is held in local communities and campuses across the nation to memorialize those who have been killed due to anti-transgender bigotry. Many victims of anti-transgender violence have been invisible in their communities and attackers not often brought to justice. The 17th Annual TDoR brings together communities to mourn and honor victims of anti-transgender hate crimes and as a call to action towards the respect of all people regardless of gender identity or expression.
In 2015, Pennsylvania mourns London Chanel, 21, and Kiesha Jenkins, 22, both black trans women who were mercilessly killed in Philadelphia. In July 2013, another young trans woman, Diamond Williams, was brutally murdered in Philadelphia. The court case is ongoing in her murder. There have been countless known slayings of transgender people because of their identity around the world since last year. The TDoR website memorializes the murders of over 75 transgender individuals we are aware of.
At the start of November 2015, there are at least 11 TDoR events scheduled in Pennsylvania. Over 25 organized vigils were held in communities throughout the commonwealth for TDoR in 2014. This was a large increase from just a few events held in Pittsburgh and Southeastern Pennsylvania before in 2013.
November is also Transgender Awareness Month. Many communities are not just mourning those lost to violence, but celebrating and lifting up the lives of transgender people. There are wonderful educational and community events set to take place throughout Pennsylvania. Several student organizations are holding Transgender Awareness Weeks.
Bethlehem
The Ice House Gazebo (57 River Street), November 15th, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Bloomsburg
Kehr Union (400 East 2nd Street), November 19th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: Bloomsburg University LGBTA Commission
Bradford
University of Pittsburgh – Bradford, Wick Hall (300 Campus Drive), November 20th, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Host: LGBTS Alliance
More Information
Carlisle
Dickinson College (Britton Plaza), November 20th, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
More Information
Clarion
Clarion University (Outside the Gemmell Student Complex), November 19th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: Clarion University Allies
Collegeville
Thomas Paine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Collegeville (3424 Ridge Pike), November 20th, 7:00pm – 7:45pm
Host: Thomas Paine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Collegeville
More Information
Danville
Memorial Park (500 Bloom Street), November 20th, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Host: Shiloh United Church of Christ
Edinboro
Edinboro University Pouge Student Union (219 Meadville Street), November 20th, 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Host: Edinboro University Identity
More Information
Erie
The Avalon Hotel – Courtyard (16 West 12th Street), November 20th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: TransFamily of Erie
More Information
Glenside
Arcadia University (450 South Easton Road), November 20th, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Host: Pride
More Information
Harrisburg
The Steps of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building (3rd and State Streets), November 20th, 5:30pm – 6:00pm
Host: TransCentral PA
More Information
Haverford
Haverford College (Founders Steps), November 20th, 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Host: TransCentral PA
More Information
Lancaster
Binns Park (120 North Queen Street), November 20th, 6:30pm – 7:30pm
More Information
Lock Haven
Lock Haven University – Rogers Gymnasium (401 North Main Street), November 20th, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Host: Lock Haven GSA
Lewisburg
Bucknell University – Olin Science Quad (701 Moore Avenue), November 17th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: Bucknell University GSA
More Information
Philadelphia
The Penn LGBT Center (3907 Spruce Street), November 16th, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Host: The Penn LGBT Center
Philadelphia
The William Way Community Center (1315 Spruce Street), November 20th, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Host: The William Way Community Center
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Philadelphia
Drexel University – Dragon Statue (33rd and Market Streets), November 20th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: Drexel FUSE
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Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh Law School, November 19th, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Host: OUTLaw and the Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh (William Pitt Union Patio), November 19th, 9:00pm – 10:00pm
Host: Rainbow Alliance
Pittsburgh
Carnegie Mellon University (The Cut), November 20th, 11:00am – 3:00pm
Host: CMU Allies
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Pittsburgh
Schenley Plaza (4100 Forbes Avenue), November 20th, 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Host: Garden of Peace Project
This is a Trans March of Resilience Event, incorporating a remembrance and celebration program
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Radnor
Cabrini College (610 King of Prussia Road), November 19th, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Host: Office of Student Diversity
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Reading
Calvary Reformed United Church of Christ (640 Centre Avenue), November 20th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: Reading Pride
Scranton
Courthouse Square, November 20th, 6:00pm – 7:15pm
State College
Penn State University Park (Old Main), November 20th, 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Host: Penn State LGBTA Student Resource Center
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Stroudsburg
Zion United Church of Christ (14 North 8th Street), November 18th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: Pocono Interfaith LGBT Alliance
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Washington
First Presbyterian Church (100 East Wheeling Street), November 20th, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
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West Chester
West Chester University of Pennsylvania – Sykes Union 115 (700 South High Street), November 20th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Host: LGBTQA Services
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November 12th
Bucknell University: Trans* Awareness Speaker – Vanessa Gonzalez
Rooke Chemistry Building, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
November 20th
University of Pennsylvania: Gender Talk
Penn LGBT Center, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
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If you would like to add your event to this page, please email us at info@payouthcongress.org.
