Find out what Councilman James Kenney has in mind for life partners
 Same-sex couples in Philly could soon access the same health care as their straight co-workers (photo by Think Stock) For Councilman James Kenney, offering new health care protections for same-sex couples simply makes good financial sense. That’s why he’s introduced a bill that would offer tax incentives to employers who offer health plans for LGBT and partnered employees. Kenney says that in addition to the tax breaks attracting more job growth and talent to the city, it’s also an important step toward LGBT equality.
“All Philadelphians deserve nothing less than dignified and equal treatment at work, at the hospital or doctor, and from their government; regardless of marital status, gender identity or sexual orientation,” Kenney says. But up until now, state laws have made it problematic for both same-sex and life partners to access equal benefits in Philly – the same benefits that straight employees and married couples have been enjoying for years.
And the timing is essential. Kenney says that even though Philly is the sixth largest city in the country, it’s 90th out of 100 in job growth. But the breakdown of LGBT demographics shows that not only are LGBT Americans well-educated (66 percent are college grads and almost one million are military veterans), but that 60 percent are homeowners, almost 40 percent make purchasing decisions at work and comprise at least five percent of the overall consumer market in the U.S.
READ MORE
|
The partners open up about what they have planned for the legendary New York restaurant
Philadelphia restaurateurs Jim Caiola and David Salama, owners of Creperie Beau Monde and L’Etage, are profiled in Crain’s New York, where they’re getting ready to revive the legendary dining spot Tavern on the Green. “It feels like we are cleaning up a mess rather than starting over,” says Caiola, whose sister is married to Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s former deputy mayor. And while the men are not only facing attacks in the New York media, who are crying nepotism over them winning a 20-year lease from the city, they plan to open the restaurant late next year.
We hear about the logistic challenges they are facing, labor union disputes and what they have planned for the big reveal.
Click here to read the story.
|
Find out what other companies ranked on HRC's Corporate Equality Index 2013
 Comcast has been named as one of the most gay-friendly companies in which to work in the country. The HRC’s 2013 Corporate Equality Index has released the names of the winners (and losers) on the spectrum. And Comcast is among a few dozen companies with ties to the region that have earned a perfect 100 score on the index.
“This milestone mirrors our corporate values and practices in a very meaningful way,” says Maria G. Arias, executive director of Diversity and Inclusion for Comcast. “Comcast and NBCUniversal are deeply proud of our dedication to creating a respectful, inclusive and equal workplace for all, and we are honored to receive this recognition for our commitment to the LGBT community.”
Two other Philly companies have also been given a perfect score, including Dechert and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.
And these regional companies also ranked: Aramark (90), Ballard Spahr (90), Campbell’s Soup (90), Drinker Biddle and Reath (90), Duane Morris (85), Lincoln National Group (85), Pepper Hamilton (90), Severn Trent Services (50), Saul Ewing (90), SAP America (90), Subaru of America (85) and Unisys (40).
READ MORE
|
Anti-gay group attacks the coffee company for supporting gay marriage
 Anti-gay groups attack Starbucks over same-sex marriage support We don’t usually see anti-gay groups like National Organization for Marriage (NOM) siding with religious zealots in the Middle East. But in a first, NOM says it will attack Starbucks overseas for supporting marriage equality in the U.S.
During the most recent election season, the Seattle-based coffee giant publicly supported the gay marriage law up for vote in its home state – subsequently donating big bucks to help it pass in Washington (which it did). And this has enraged groups like NOM that have admittedly been on the LGBT attack way before gay marriage ended up on the ballot.
It seems as though marriage equality success has really fueled NOM’s fire as its head honcho Brian Brown (he first created the “Dump Starbucks” campaign) promised to use Middle Eastern extremism to boycott the brand in countries that are, well, less optimistic about LGBT rights.
“In Qatar in the Middle East, we’ve begun working to make sure that there’s some price to be paid for this,” he said. “These are not countries that look kindly on same-sex marriage. And this is where Starbucks wants to expand, as well as India.”
And while Brown and his misinformed cronies at NOM seem to think that most Starbucks patrons believe that marriage is between a man and a woman, the fact is marriage equality passed at the polls for the first time, suggesting that American voters are a lot more enlightened – and perhaps quite thirsty for another venti latte.
|
Top execs meet to discuss equality in the workplace
 Photo by Think Stock For the first time, top executives from some of the biggest, most powerful companies in the world (think: Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, to name a few) are meeting this week (Nov. 13) to discuss the future of LGBT equality in the workplace. These financial world leaders will be attending the Out on the Street summit in Europe (the first event took place in New York earlier this year).
“When I created Out on the Street two years ago my primary objective was to leverage the collective power of the titans of financial services as an agent of change,” says the summit’s Founder Todd Sears. “To date, we have already made an unprecedented impact by bringing together more than 600 senior business leaders – 70 percent of whom are managing- director level or higher – and eleven member companies with more than $630 billion in market capitalization, in support of LGBT equality.”
READ MORE
|
The sleek new corner bar is serving up late-night grub
 Courtesy of Rhino Bar We may miss Bump and Q, but now that Mike Stollenwerk’s Fish has moved around the corner (less than 100 feet into a smaller space), a new bar has taken over the corner of 13th and Locust in the heart of the Gayborhood.
Rhino Bar has officially opened today within the Independence Hotel – and it’s touting itself as a gastropub with raw bar. The sleek new space features a menu with “snacks” and “plates” – look for dishes like fried green tomatoes, chile verde and miso-glazed salmon.
In addition to eight beer taps – with lots of craft beers by the bottle – and a liquor list with no shortage of happy hour specials, Rhino also serves root beer floats. In fact, the gastropub will be catering to the late-night crowd with food served until 1 a.m. on weekdays and until 2 a.m. on weekends.
Rhino Bar, 1234 Locust Street, 215-557-4442.
|
Bob Williams + Mitchell Gold come to 13th Street
 Bob Williams, Mitchell Gold and Brian Sims with HOST owner Doug Reinke (courtesy of HOST) Anyone who may have visited Outfest or the Midtown Village Fall Festival this weekend may have noticed a new business on the block. HOST Interiors, an outpost for interiors and home decor featuring Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, has opened its third location on 13th Street. This new shop (HOST also has showrooms in Chestnut Hill and Old City) features custom design services, as well as a fresh collection of furniture and home accents we love, like swanky cocktail tables, etarges and desks that can turn a drab home office into a sophisticated work station.
HOST’s in great company, too, on a block with several other go-to destinations for kid’s stuff and grub, including Nest and Green Eggs.
At the recent opening last week with plenty of the Gayborhood’s who’s who in attendance, samples from the collection were on display with a staff available to help nesters choose the right furniture and accents that can be customized for any style – from traditional to more contemporary. Bob Williams and Mitchell Gold also stopped by to launch the new store, which is owned by Philly’s Doug Reinke.
|
Comcast heads to the Mazzoni Center this week
Last spring volunteers with Comcast visited the Mazzoni Center for the official Comcast Cares Day. This week (Oct. 10) volunteers with OUT@Comcast, the company’s LGBT employee group, will present the LGBT health center with a $1,330 grant from the Comcast Foundation, along with five netbooks to help connect clients to important health information and human services.
This will be the second time the company has helped support Mazzoni’s mission at the 3,500-square-foot Washington West Project. Last year, more than 70 volunteers from Comcast and NBC helped with renovation projects at the facility. And this week, they’ll present a symbolic check totaling $18,257 in grants, donations, materials and volunteer hours.
Mazzoni Center was selected as a Comcast Cares Day project site by OUT@Comcast – Mazzoni’s Executive Director Nurit Shein will be speaking, along with Klay Fennell and Frank Marchese, are expected to speak at the event.
Comcast Cares Day, Oct. 10, noon, Mazzoni Center’s Washington West Project, 1201 Locust Street.
|
A cookie makes a powerful statement - again
In honor of National Bullying Prevention Month, Nabisco’s Oreo launched a new campaign. We have to hand it to them – the company’s been very proactive about tough issues as it celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. They made headlines this past summer after debuting the image of a rainbow cookie to commemorate Gay Pride. And while Nabisco heard from its share of dissenters on social media, the move actually raised the brand’s overall perception by 15 points.
What do you think of the latest message? Share your thoughts with us.
|
Lady Gaga teams with Office Depot
 Courtesy of Office Depot Because when you think of Office Depot, you think of a meat dress, right? Office Depot announced it will donate a cool million to Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. It’s actually pretty great considering that the foundation encourages young people to be themselves and discourages bullying. Seeing as how all the little monsters are running to the Depot to get their school supplies this season, the chain wants to send a message about tolerance.
Gaga has also helped create limited-edition gear like Post-Its, friendship bracelets and Sharpies. And 25 percent of sales of these items will also go to the foundation.
READ MORE
|
PHILLY
EVENTS
