Philadelphia Gay News Feb. 12 - 18, 2010
Vol. 34 No. 7
Honesty Integrity Professionalism
Historical marker sought for bookstore By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The nation’s oldest LGBT bookstore might soon have its legacy recognized by a state agency — as well as all passersby around 12th and Spruce streets. A group of community leaders recently submitted an application to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission for an historical marker to be secured outside Giovanni’s Room. The only other LGBT marker in the state was installed at Sixth and Chestnut streets in 2005 to recognize the 1960s LGBT-rights demonstrations that took place there. The application, sent out last month, was spearheaded by the ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS: The Feb. 10 snowstorm, on top of last weekend’s storm, gave Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus, Philadelphia its first-ever pair of 14-plus-inch storms within a week, as well as the snowiest February the Philadelphia Navigaytour, the ever, and plowed under the previous Philadelphia snow record of 65.5 inches during the winter of city’s director of LGBT affairs 1995-96. The Feb. 6 storm blasted the city with 28.5 inches, taking second place for all-time snow Gloria Casarez, Washington high and pushing the Dec. 19 storm of 23.2 inches to third place. With 38 days left until the first day Square West Civic Association, Greater Philadelphia Tourism of spring, Philadelphians can only wait and see what the rest of winter brings. Photo: Scott A. Drake and Marketing Corporation, PGN and Equality Forum, in conjunction with Giovanni’s Room itself. An independent panel of experts By Jen Colletta tive efforts, which was led by Pennsylvania Human will review all of the marker PGN Staff Writer Relations Commission chair Stephen Glassman, state applications this month and make Rep. Dan Frankel (D-23rd Dist.) and Pennsylvania its final recommendations to the About 600 activists, community leaders, politi- American Civil Liberties Union legislative director cos and everyday residents converged in Harrisburg Andy Hoover. late last month for the first-ever Pennsylvania Glassman said the panelists gave the 50-plus audiProgressive Summit — nearly triple the number orig- ence members an overview of current federal legisinally expected — and spent the weekend discussing lation, from the Employment Non-Discrimination everything from environmental concerns to health- Act to the effort to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” as care reform to LGBT-rights issues. well as state initiatives such as the bill to include the By Jen Colletta In addition to the specific LGBT-focused panel dis- LGBT community in Pennsylvania’s hate-crimes law PGN Staff Writer cussions held throughout the Jan. 29-31 event, mar- and numerous county- and city-level LGBT efforts. riage equality hit the spotlight at a debate among the Glassman said he was impressed by the responAbout 75 LGBTs and Democratic gubernatorial candidates, with the four siveness of the audience, which included numerous allies assembled on the hopefuls coming down on both sides of the fence. state representatives. steps of Harrisburg’s Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty and Montgomery “It was really amazing that we had such great attenCounty Commissioner Joe Hoeffel both came out in dance and they asked some really good questions,” Capitol Rotunda Monday favor of marriage equality, with Hoeffel noting: “It’s he said. “A lot of people were asking about ways that afternoon to demonstrate they can go about doing things and what they should their support for marriage very simple. People have a right to be happy.” equality and for those The other two candidates, Allegheny County do to help, so it was really interactive.” The “Marriage Equality” panel — which featured who are leading the fight Executive Dan Onorato and Auditor General Jack Wagner, however, said they oppose same-sex mar- state Sen. Daylin Leach (D-17th Dist.), prime sponsor to make it a reality in the riage. of the state’s marriage-equality bill, the Rev. David Keystone State. Pennsylvania Sen. Daylin Leach The weekend also featured a forum with Sen. Zwifka, Rabbi Carl Choper, attorney Derek Cordier Arlen Specter and his primary challenger, U.S. Rep. and married couple Dwayne Heckert and Ted Martin (D-17th Dist.), who is spearheadJoe Sestak, along with nearly 50 panel discussions. — similarly drew a crowd of nearly 50 people, who ing legislation that seeks to legalOne of the first panels of the weekend was titled took part in a discussion about the complexities of ize same-sex marriage in the state, kicked off the afternoon press con“Equality Legislation at the Local, State and Federal the fight for marriage equality. ference, which was one of a series Levels” and there was standing-room only for the discussion on current and future LGBT legislaSee SUMMIT, Page 2 of upcoming statewide Freedom to
Landmark progressive summit held
PHMC in March. “Giovanni’s Room has really been one of the central gathering places for our communities,” Casarez said. “In many ways, it serves as an anchor for the community, both physically and otherwise. Giovanni’s Room has actually been around for longer than we’ve had a community center, even though it was only by a few months, but in many ways this place has always been where we can gather informally and find community, and that’s something we thought should be honored.” Tami Sortman, president of the Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus, noted the importance of the bookstore not just to local residents, but to gays and lesbians visiting the city. “Giovanni’s Room is more than just a bookstore, it is an icon in the LGBT community,” she said. “It is the starting point for the thousands of gay and lesbian travelers who come to Philadelphia every year. Its comfortable atmosphere in the middle of the Gayborhood, its products See MARKER, Page 3
Activists rally around marriage in Harrisburg
SEN. DAYLIN LEACH AND REP. BABETTE JOSEPHS AT MONDAY’S FREEDOM TO MARRY RALLY IN HARRISBURG Photo: Courtesy of Leach’s office
Marry Week activities. Leach said that through his conSee RALLY, Page 6