Tag Archives: pennsylvania

PENNSYLVANIA: Porn Shop Loses Suit To Stop Harassment From Catholic Group

A federal judge has dismissed the lawsuit from a Pennsylvania porn shop, which sought to stop a local Catholic group from protesting outside the store and harassing its customers. The suit is a rare win for Alliance Defending Freedom. Via their press release: The corporation filed the lawsuit, Routes 202 and 309 Novelties and Gifts v. The King’s Men, with …

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Headline Of The Day

Details. (Tipped by JMG reader David)

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Pope Francis Confirms 2015 US Visit

Via NBC Philadelphia: The pontiff confirmed Monday he plans to attend the highly-anticipated World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia next year. “I wish to confirm according to the wishes of the Lord, that in September of 2015, I will go to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families,” he told a gathering of religious leaders in Rome. The three-day visit …

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PENNSYLVANIA: LGBT Ally Tom Wolf Defeats Incumbent Gov. Tom Corbett

No surprise here. Wolf has said that he would sign a statewide hate crimes law like the one unanimously approved last week by the Philadelphia City Council.

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NCAVP On Spree Of Hook-Up Murders

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs has issued a statement on yesterday’s news that yet another gay man has been murdered by someone he met online. This is the sixth hook-up related homicide that NCAVP has recorded nationally since last year at this time, and the third in Pennsylvania. Hook-up related violence is violence that occurs within the context of …

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PENNSYLVANIA: Murder Charge For Man Who Met His Victim On Craigslist

A Pennsylvania man has been charged with robbing and murdering a local man he met via a hook-up ad that the killer had posted on Craigslist. Police had already been seeking the suspect for failing to show up for his September trial on child rape charges. Via the Associated Press: Chad Marshall Wilcox, 28, of Williamsport, was arraigned Friday on …

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Headline Of The Day

Details.

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PENNSYLVANIA: Legislative Session Ends Without Passage Of Hate Crimes Bill

Via Philadelphia Gay News: House Bill 177 had gained momentum in the House following last month’s gay-bashing incident in Philadelphia, and cleared the House Judiciary Committee last week. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-170th Dist.) introduced the bill and said he worked aggressively to push it to the House floor, but came up against more roadblocks. “Republican leadership, i.e. Speaker [Sam] Smith, …

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PA Gov. Tom Corbett’s Last Stand

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett is weeks away from a double-digit drubbing at the hands of LGBT ally and hate crimes law advocate Tom Wolf. This is the ad Corbett is going out with.

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PENNSYLVANIA: House Democrats Hold Hearing On Reinstating Hate Crimes Law

Via CBS Philadelphia: In the wake of the September 11th gay bashing incident in Center City, the House Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing on LGBT hate crimes Thursday. “We have an uphill battle in this legislative climate to pass LGBT hate crimes laws,” said State representative Brian Sims. Sims called the hearing, which was held at the Kimmel …

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PENNSYLVANIA: Liberty Counsel Claims Victory In Straight Wedding Lawsuit

Via the virulently anti-gay Charisma News: Following its longstanding policy, Inne of the Abingtons in North Abington politely refused to host the wedding of a lesbian couple and suggested several alternative venues. After the Inne was unfairly shamed on social media for its stance, a heterosexual couple canceled their 100-guest wedding and reception event. Even though there was not enough …

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PENNSYLVANIA: Atheist Protest Of Jesus Statue Charges Meets Counter-Protesters

Remember the teenager in Pennsylvania who faces two years in juvenile detention for posing on a statue of Jesus? This happened this weekend: A successful protest, where several dozen people rallied in favor of free speech, was marred on Saturday, when a belligerent group of counter protesters, including two from what appeared to be a motorcycle gang, crashed the demonstration …

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Tweet Of The Day – Rep. Brian Sims

Over 300 people ignored rain to rally against #LGBT hate crimes – Thank you! A summary: http://t.co/FfXzDDb3pN pic.twitter.com/aXMzs9ap9E— Rep. Brian Sims (@RepSims) September 25, 2014 RELATED: This morning Sims appeared on public radio. Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams has pressed charges against two men and one woman in connection with the Sept. 11 assault on a gay couple in Center …

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Petition Of The Day

The petition was launched by the friend of the Philadelphia gay-bashing victims who has been speaking to the press on their behalf. Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims is co-hosting a rally in support of the bill this afternoon. See the petition.

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BREAKING: Philadelphia DA To Charge Three Attackers In Mob Gay-Bashing

Philadelphia’s ABC affiliate reports: Three people will be charged in an attack on a gay couple in Center City Philadelphia. The accused are Philip Williams, 24, Kevin Harrigan, 26, and Katherine Knott, 24, all of Bucks County, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. Arrest warrants have been approved for the three suspects. Each will be charged with aggravated assault, …

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PENNSYLVANIA: State Sen. Jim Ferlo Comes Out During Hate Crimes Bill Rally

.@SenJimFerlo: “I’m gay and that’s ok.” Thanks for standing up for us! #LGBT #ComingOut #HBG #PAEquality http://t.co/68Fr1P0cJ9 — EqualityPennsylvania (@EqualityPA) September 23, 2014 Pennsylvania state Sen. Jim Ferlo came out today during the hate crimes bill rally held at the capitol building in Harrisburg. “The focus of the press conference was the horrendous act of hate against a gay couple …

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PENNSYLVANIA: Rep. Brian Sims Rages For Passage Of Hate Crimes Bill

Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims has apparently been convinced about the possibility of passing a hate crimes bill during the current legislative session. Watch as he denounces foot-dragging during today’s rally at the capitol building in Harrisburg.

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PENNSYLVANIA: Gov. Tom Corbett Condemns Gay Bashing, Dodges On Pending Hate Crimes Bill

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett yesterday finally issued a condemnation of the brutal mob gay-bashing in Philadelphia that has gotten national headlines for two weeks, but his office refused to say whether Corbett supports the renewed push for a statewide hate crimes law. Tony Meverick reports at Buzzfeed: “In the wake of the crime in Philadelphia, the governor condemns the attack …

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PENNSYLVANIA: State Rep Says Hate Crimes Bill Could Get Vote Tomorrow

Last week Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims said that a pending LGBT-inclusive hate crimes bill was likely dead for the current session. Today state Rep. Brendan Boyle disagrees. Via Victor Fiorillo at Philadelphia Magazine: “Since it’s been introduced and co-sponsored and referred to committee, it could get final passage as early as Tuesday,” says Boyle, who has called a Harrisburg …

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PHILADELPHIA: Multiple Arrests Expected In Brutal Mob Gay-Bashing Case

Via Jen Coletta at Philadelphia Gay News: A police source said this week that they were nearly “ready to go” in terms of making arrests and said charges are expected “this week.” A key witness, the source said, was due in for an interview Monday, “the girl who was right in the middle of it all.” After that, the source …

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