Tag Archives: pennsylvania

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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, …

.@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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

Via Philadelphia Daily News: More than a week later, the story of two gay men savagely beaten in Center City continues to spread. Yesterday, as police sources said detectives were nearing the end of their investigation, word reached Harrisburg, where state legislators are calling their colleagues to action. “The gay guy in me and the Philly guy in me are …

“The recent vicious attack perpetrated on two men in Philadelphia is incomprehensible and those responsible should be severely punished. We, as a society and a community, cannot stand for these assaults on our individual freedoms. No one, no matter their race, gender, or sexual orientation, should ever have to live in fear of walking down the street. William Penn founded …

“One of the things I’ve learned is that sometimes it takes a horribly negative experience to get people out of their seats, for them to be active and engaged. It’s not necessarily because they’re opposed but because they aren’t aware of the need. So we are going to be sure to utilize this horrible event to make sure that they …

One of the suspects in last week’s brutal mob gay-bashing of two gay men has been fired by the Philadelphia Catholic high school where he was a basketball coach. Most of the attackers are believed to be former classmates at the school. Via NBC Philadelphia: Police say the man, who has not been officially charged, is a person of interest …

An unnamed Pennsylvania teenager is facing up to two years in jail after posting this photo to Facebook. The young man posted that he took the pictures in late July at the statue of a kneeling Jesus in front of the “Love in the Name of Christ” Christian organization in his hometown of Everett. The criminal charge, which will be …

Responding to complaints from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Penn State has reportedly removed Gideon bibles from its campus lodging. Tony Perkins is ever so pissed. Via press release: In a wild misrepresentation of the Old Testament, FFRF claims the Bible calls for “killing nonbelievers, apostates, gays, ‘stubborn sons,’ and women who are not virgins on their wedding nights.” According …

“At Pennsylvania’s Cake Pros shop, they’re pros at more than baking. Lorraine Fleming knew the day might come when she’d have to stand up for her beliefs on marriage. And this month, it did. Like the bridal shop just a few hours down the road, Cake Pros was the target of an underground movement to expose and torment businesses with …

Yet another Pennsylvania business has legally refused to serve a gay couple. Growing up in Schuylkill Haven, Jennifer and Bethany Petrich, said they were very familiar with the Cake Pros bakery. That’s why when the two were planning a ceremony to renew their vows the bakery seemed like an obvious choice to supply the cake. “My mom, who is planning …