Tag Archives: Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA: $52K County Settlement For Woman Fired Over Web Comments About Convicted Gay-Basher

The photo above is of convicted gay-basher Kathryn Knott. The Philadelphia Intelligencer reports: The Bucks County Commissioners approved a settlement agreement Wednesday with a Norristown woman who claimed the county District Attorney’s Office retaliated against her because of disparaging comments she made on social media. Commissioners Charles Martin and Diane Marseglia voted in favor of a $52,207.50 cash payment to …

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Starbucks: No Purchase Required To Use Restroom

The Associated Press reports: Starbucks has adopted an open-bathroom policy following the arrest last month of two African American men at a coffee shop in Philadelphia. Chairman Howard Schultz says he doesn’t want the company to become a public bathroom, but feels employees can make the “right decision a hundred percent of the time,” if that choice is removed at …

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Airliner Makes Emergency Landing With Blown Engine

CBS News reports: A Southwest Airlines plane made an emergency landing at Philadelphia’s airport with what appears to be a damaged engine on Tuesday. Passengers walked off the plane on the tarmac at the airport. Passenger Marty Martinez did a brief Facebook Live posting with the caption “Something is wrong with our plane! It appears we are going down! Emergency …

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PHILADELPHIA: Starbucks CEO Apologizes After Video Of Two Black Men Arrested For Trespassing Goes Viral

The Washington Post reports: The chief executive of Starbucks apologized Saturday to two black men arrested at a Philadelphia store in an incident that has led to accusations of racial profiling by the company and police. In a statement to Starbucks customers and employees Saturday, CEO Kevin Johnson acknowledged “a disheartening situation in one of our Philadelphia-area stores this past …

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Philly Gay-Bashing Victims Settle Civil Suit

The Philly Voice reports: The beating of a gay couple three years ago in Center City, which resulted in the high-profile trial of defendant Kathryn Knott, settled a civil suit against their attackers this week. Andrew Haught and Zachary Hesse sought more than $500,000 against Knott, Kevin Harrigan and Philip Williams in an assault and battery lawsuit filed in May …

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PHILADELPHIA: Court OK’s Retaliation Lawsuit Against Convicted Gay Basher And Local Police Chief Father

The Philly Voice reports: A federal lawsuit alleging Kathryn Knott, her father and members of the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office conspired to retaliate against a Montgomery County woman who posted mocking Internet comments can proceed, U.S. District Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg ruled last week. Goldberg declined to dismiss the lawsuit filed last year by Kathleen O’Donnell, a Norristown resident …

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PHILADELPHIA: Convicted Gay Basher Kathryn Knott Claims Self-Defense In Civil Suit Brought By Her Victims

The Philadelphia Gay News reports: Like her two co-defendants, Kathryn Knott is contending she acted in self-defense during a high-profile attack on a gay couple in Center City. Knott made the claim in a June 23 court filing in a civil case brought by plaintiffs Andrew Haught and Zachary Hesse, who are seeking at least $500,000 in damages. The couple …

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PHILADELPHIA: NOM Accuses Mayor’s Office Of Plotting “Violent Demonstrations” Against Their Hate Bus Tour

Via email from hate group leader Brian Brown: In Philadelphia, Mayor Jim Kenney’s office [PHOTO: Kinney] was deeply involved in organizing the violent demonstrations against us, which were attended by anarchist groups that are closely watched by the FBI. The mayor’s Office of LGBT Affairs proudly referred to themselves as ‘an accomplice’ in organizing protests which turned violent, with attacks …

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PHILADELPHIA: NOM’s Anti-Trans Hate Bus Met With Eggs And Smoke Bombs, Cops Intervene [VIDEO]

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports: A peaceful rally in support of transgender people turned into a disruptive protest in Center City at about noon Saturday when an orange bus bearing anti-transgender messages on it — “Boys are boys… and always will be” and “Girls are girls… and always will be” — rolled around onto the north side of City Hall. The …

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PHILADELPHIA: Owner Of Popular Gay Bar Caught Up In Corruption Scandal Involving Dem District Attorney

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports: Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams [photo] sent his friend and benefactor Michael Weiss this text in November 2014: “What does your badge say?” Weiss replied: “District Attorney, Special Advisor.” “Fancy,” Williams countered playfully about the official role he had conferred on Weiss, who owns bars in Philadelphia, including Woody’s, an iconic gay bar in Center City. …

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PHILADELPHIA: Diner That Was Site Of Historic 1965 LGBT Rights Protest To Close On Memorial Day

BillyPenn.com reports: Little Pete’s is disappearing from Center City sooner than anyone thought. Although developers for the hotel that will replace the iconic diner at 17th and Chancellor had set August 31 as the deadline for vacating the space, owner Pete Koutroubas has decided to shut down earlier. He’s also throwing a farewell party. As reported by Philly Chit Chat, …

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PHILADELPHIA: “Queer Rage” Protest Draws 1000+ Outside Hotel Hosting Republican Leaders [VIDEO]

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports: A day before the newly sworn-in president was set to visit Philadelphia, the streets in front of the Loews hotel in Center City became a gathering place for protesters to dance, chant and express their hopes for the next four years. Philadelphia police estimated that more than 1,000 people were demonstrating as part of a “Queer …

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PHILADELPHIA: Deranged Trump Fan Bursts Into Catholic Mass To Scream About Pizzagate [VIDEO]

The Philly Voice reports: The Northeast Philadelphia man who gained recognition for hoisting a “Hillary 4 Prison” sign on Roosevelt Boulevard during the 2016 presidential campaign burst into The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul early Monday and delivered a screed against the Catholic Church, invoking the debunked Pizzagate conspiracy theory in the process. Howard Caplan had already made …

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Philadelphia Moves To Ban Ex-Gay Torture

Via press release: Councilman Mark Squilla (1st District) on Thursday introduced a bill to ban the practice of so-called conversion therapy on LGBTQ youth in the City of Philadelphia. Also referred to as “reparative” or “ex-gay” therapy, conversion therapy is any practice by a mental health provider that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts …

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PHILADELPHIA: Police Release Images Of Suspect In Bombing That Severely Injured Gay Man [VIDEO]

Philly.com reports: Police on Thursday released photos and video of a person of interest in connection with last week’s package bomb that severely injured a man inside his Center City residence. At an afternoon news conference at police headquarters, Commissioner Richard Ross Jr. said the person of interest is seen on camera dropping the package off at Jim Alden’s home …

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PHILADELPHIA: Gay Man Injured After Delivered Package Explodes, Possible Hate Crime Per Police

The victim’s building has a rainbow “Love Trumps Hate” sign in the front window. CBS News reports: City police are investigating some type of an explosion in Center City that left a man injured on Tuesday morning. Police confirm they were investigating a suspicious package on Pine Street when the explosion occurred, reports CBS Philadelphia. Philly police officials tell CBS …

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LIVE VIDEO: Jon Bon Jovi, Springsteen, POTUS, And FLOTUS Rally With Hillary On Philly’s Independence Mall

The rally begins at 7PM and the line to get in is over 1.5 miles long at this writing. I’m posting this a bit early as a heads-up. Via NBC News: Bruce Springsteen is set to join a powerful lineup of guests that includes President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton, Chelsea Clinton and Jon Bon Jovi on …

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PHILADELPHIA: Transit Strike Settled, Service Returning

In the nick of time. Philadelphia’s ABC affiliate reports: SEPTA and TWU Local 234 have announced a tentative agreement that ends the strike that has crippled transportation in greater Philadelphia for nearly a week. The announcement came at 5:30 a.m. Monday at the union’s headquarters in the Spring Garden section of Philadelphia. The deal involves a new five-year contract. Officials …

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BREAKING: Philadelphia Judge Rejects Injunction To End Transit Strike, Second Hearing Set For Monday

Philadelphia’s ABC affiliate reports: SEPTA’s request for a judge to file an injunction to end the strike by Transport Workers Union Local 234 was declined on Friday evening, but there will be another hearing on the issue Monday. In that hearing, SEPTA will argue for an injunction to force workers back on the job in time for Election Day. SEPTA …

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PHILADELPHIA: Transit Officials Ready Injunction To Force Workers To Suspend Strike On Election Day

The Associated Press reports: SEPTA has asked the union to temporarily suspend its walkout on Election Day if the strike is still underway. Union president Willie Brown has said the union will not honor that request. On Thursday, SEPTA officials said they have prepared paperwork requesting an injunction from Philadelphia Common Pleas court that would temporarily force workers back on …

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