Tag: Pennsylvania

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Pennsylvania State Sen. Jim Ferlo Comes Out At Hate Crimes Bill Rally

State Rep. Brian Sims of Pennsylvania speaks at press conference for adding LGBT protections to hate crime law

The recent vicious gay bashing that took place almost two weeks ago in Philadelphia has spurned renewed interest in state legislators to add sexual orientation to the state’s hate crime law.

Although there appears to be wide bipartisan support, the GOP-controlled Senate has not shown much interest in bringing the legislation to a vote.

From ABC6:

State Senator Larry Farnese of Philadelphia says the fact that there are only a few days left before the end of the current legislative session is no excuse to keep Senate Bill 42 from getting passed.

Farnese said a press conference this morning, “We can do a separate session or a special session on booze, we’ll do a special session on pensions. Why can’t we do a special session on equality?”

Senate Bill 42 and House Bill 177 are measures designed to expand Pennsylvania’s hate crime law to include lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender citizens.

Representative Brian Sims of Philadelphia, who is also a member of the LGBT community, says the fact that this issue is still being debated in Harrisburg is nothing short of outrageous.

Sims says, “Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. Get used to it. There’s a million of us in this state, and we deserve the same rights and the same protections as everybody else.”

Senate Bill 42 was drafted by Senator Jim Ferlo of Pittsburgh, who took the opportunity to formally come out.

“Hundreds of people know I’m gay. I just never made an official declaration. I never felt I had to wear a billboard on my forehead. But I’m gay. Get over it. I love it. It’s a great life,” Ferlo said.

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Philadelphia: Rally Scheduled in Support of LGBT Inclusion in Hate-Crime Law

As public outcry continues to grow regarding the gay bashing incident in Center City last week that sent to gay men to the hospital, the subject of Pennsylvania’s hate crime law and it’s lack of inclusion of LGBT folks is getting a lot of attention.

Not only from pubic citizens but the state’s elected officials.

From Philly.com:

“The gay guy in me and the Philly guy in me are pissed,” said state Rep. Brian Sims, “but I’m a legislator, and my job is to change policy.

“If we can do anything to draw enough attention to this to give the hate-crime bill some buoyancy, we need to do it.”

Sims, a Democrat whose district includes the site of the attack, is organizing a rally Thursday in LOVE Park, at which officials and members of the city’s LGBT community will push for change in Pennsylvania’s hate-crime law.

He’s joined in his efforts by state Sen. Larry Farnese – a Democrat whose district serves parts of North Philly, Center City and South Philly – who will hold a news conference inside the Capitol on Tuesday.

“It upsets me that it takes something like this, a horrific assault, to cast light on the fact that Pennsylvania is woefully behind in protecting its people,” Farnese said last night.

“We should not have to hold press conferences on equality in 2014.”

The rally will take place in LOVE Park on Thursday, September 25th at 2pm.

In addition to state legislators, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Wolf (currently 24 points ahead of Gov. Corbett in the polls) has announced his support for amending the state’s hate crime law.

Via press release:

As governor, I will work to level the playing field by promoting legislation like House Bill 300 that makes sexual orientation and gender identity and expression a protected class and House Bill 745 that amends Title 18 of the Ethnic Intimidation Act to include sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity.

And I will be a vocal advocate for the right of all Pennsylvanians to be treated with dignity and respect. I wish a full and speedy recovery for the two victims, and I hope the people responsible will be brought to justice swiftly.”

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Pennsylvania bakery refuses to make wedding cake for lesbian wedding

A Schuylkill County bakery is getting some unwanted attention after refusing to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple, Bethanny and Jennifer Petrich.

“I loved the work they did and it tasted great. It’s a hometown bakery. I wanted to support my hometown,” said Jennifer Petrich.

(Isn’t that great?  The local girl wanted to SUPPORT her local bakery…)

“My mom, who is planning our wedding, called and made the appointment for us. It was okay at that time and she was open and honest and said it’s for Bethany and Jennifer.”

Later, however, the bakery called back to say the owner had talked to Jesus for two weeks and seeing as the wedding was between two women, the bakery would not be able to fulfill the order.

(Umm, not so great.  The local bakery doesn’t want to SUPPORT her local LGBT community…)

Lorraine Fleming, the bakery’s owner, said “I’m not sorry for my decision and I feel strong. I know that I’m doing the right thing.”

Fleming went on to say that although there “is homosexuality in her own family” the decision was made based on her deeply held religious beliefs.  “I’m sorry for the damage that’s been done as far as hurt feelings.”

Jennifer said, “We asked her to make us a wedding cake and not marry us. I didn’t understand.”

In the United States, there are currently 29 states – including Pennsylvania – without comprehensive, sexual orientation-inclusive non-discrimination laws.  And so, it is perfectly legal for The Cake Pros to discriminate in this case.

Boooooo!

(via WFMZ.com)

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Pittsburgh police officer under investigation for punching teenager at Gay Pride event

A Pittsburgh police officer has been placed on administrative duty pending an investigation after he was caught on video punching a teenage girl who had been confronting Christian protesters during the city’s gay pride event.

From WPXI:

According to the criminal complaint, Ariel Lawther was fighting with a man named Eric Moore. The officer involved said when he went to break the fight up, he was pushed and kicked. The complaint stated that the officer, “pulled the woman out and grabbed her hair and punched her in the stomach a few times.”

Channel 11’s Pamela Osborne spoke with Jenny Kenny who recorded the alleged incident.

“From the very beginning, he grabbed her neck and he shouldn’t have done that,” said Kenny.

Channel 11’s Rick Earle reported that sources say the woman involved was arrested and is facing several charges, including resisting arrest.

Lawther posted $5,000 bail and has since been released from the Allegheny County Jail.

According to several witnesses, the girl did not assault the police officer. Watch the clip below. The alleged assault starts around 3:00. You don’t see the very beginning seconds of the altercation, but it is hard to imagine that in two seconds the officer was assaulted to the point of justifying the force used here.

(via JMG)

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Pennsylvanians approve of Gov. Tom Corbett’s decision to not appeal marriage equality ruling

While Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett has some of the worst approval ratings in the country (58% disapprove of the job he’s doing vs 27% approve), voters in the Keystone state do agree with the Republican on at least one thing.

Corbett’s decision to not appeal the recent court ruling which struck down the state’s ban on marriage equality sits well with voters.  According to Public Policy Polling, 56% of voters support that decision versus 33% who do not.

The governor is in a tough race for reelection this year as current polls show his Democratic challenger Tom Wolf with a 25 point lead (55/30).

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Lawsuit against Pennsylvania County Clerk for issuing same-sex marriage licenses to be dropped

Bruce Hanes

Last year, Pennsylvania’s marriage equality journey took a huge step forward when Montgomery County Clerk Bruce Hanes began issuing marriage licenses to any same-sex couples who applied.

In time, Hanes was admonished by the governor, ordered to stop and was promptly sued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health along with the Governor.

In light of yesterday’s ruling that the state’s same-sex marriage ban was unconstitutional, the lawsuit against Hanes will be dropped today:

Wednesday night, Frank Custer, the Director of Communications of Montgomery County, told NBC10 that in light of the recent court ruling, Hanes would once again be allowed to issue the marriage licenses.

“It is our understanding that the PA Department of Health tonight will file a “letter of no objection” with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court concerning the stay preventing Montco Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes from issuing same sex marriage licenses,” Custer said in a written release.

“This should allow the Supreme Court to issue a ruling tomorrow allowing Mr. Hanes to resume issuing those licenses.”

After the federal judge struck down the state’s same-sex marriage ban on Tuesday, Hanes said he was looking forward to having the restrictions that were implemented by the lawsuit lifted.

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Pennsylvania will NOT appeal marriage equality ruling

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett issued this statement today on his website:

“I have thoroughly reviewed Judge Jones’ opinion in the Whitewood case. Given the high legal threshold set forth by Judge Jones in this case, the case is extremely unlikely to succeed on appeal. Therefore, after review of the opinion and on the advice of my Commonwealth legal team, I have decided not to appeal Judge Jones’ decision.

As a Roman Catholic, the traditional teaching of my faith has not w​​avered. I continue to maintain the belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. My duties as Governor require that I follow the laws as interpreted by the Courts and make a judgment as to the likelihood of a successful appeal.

“Throughout the debate on this important and meaningful issue, I have maintained that Commonwealth officials and agencies would follow the provisions of Pennsylvania’s marriage law unless or until a court says otherwise. The court has spoken, and I will ensure that my administration follows the provisions of Judge Jones’ order with respect for all parties.

It is my hope that as the important issue of same-sex relationships continues to be addressed in our society, that all involved be treated with respect.”

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Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims talks marriage equality on HARDBALL

Chris Matthews of MSNBC’s Hardball reported on yesterday’s ruling in Pennsylvania and the large number of gay marriage bans being overturned across the country. NBC’s Justice correspondent Pete Williams talks with Matthews about when a case might reach the Supreme Court.

Matthews was then joined by Prop. 8 attorney Ted Boutros and gay Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims to continue the discussion.

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Judge who overturned marriage ban in Pennsylvania was recommended by Rick Santorum

Joe Jervis of JoeMyGod points out the delicious irony in the 2002 press release below from then Sen. Rick Santorum – premier advocate for anti-gay animus.

Santorum personally recommended then Attorney John Jones for the judgeship he now holds in Pennsylvania after being nominated by President Bush.

That would be the same Judge John Jones who overturned Pennsylvania’s same-sex marriage ban today 🙂

“Attorneys Jones and Conner are highly qualified to assume the important role of Judge and the duty of protecting the Constitution and ensuring the effective operation of our judicial system.

“Since the onset of the war against terrorism, our federal judiciary has taken on an even higher level of importance, and it is imperative that we provide our courts with the resources necessary to enforce the rule of law.

“These judgeships are vital to our national security goals, and I urge my colleagues to work with the President to fill these vacancies in a timely manner.”