Should minors be protected from the anti-gay therapy?
 Photo by Think Stock New Jersey could become the second state in the nation (California was the first) to pass a new law that would ban reparative – also known as conversion therapy. The controversial treatment seeks to alter sexual orientation from gay to straight – and is often directed at young people despite there being no proof to its effectiveness. The American Psychiatric Association has actually refuted claims from conversion therapy groups, going so far as to suggest it can cause depression and even suicide in young people.
But this new bill, sponsored by Sen Steve Sweeney, would ban the practice in the Garden State for those younger than 18 years old.
And while Gov. Chris Christie has already vetoed marriage equality legislation, the fate of conversion therapy will rest on his desk. And while there are opponents to the bill – namely therapists which practice conversion therapy – Sweeney has admitted publicly that he’s confident the bill will pass as early as this week.
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Rep. Daryl Metcalfe introduced an amendment to ban it in the state constitution - again
The future of marriage equality could come down to yet another proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania State Constitution that would define marriage between one man and one woman. Representative Daryl Metcalfe has again introduced an amendment that, if passed, would become the first of its kind to legislate discrimination.
“In the near future, I will be introducing legislation proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Pennsylvania providing for the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. My legislation is similar to a bill that passed the House in June 2006 by an overwhelming majority,” he drafted in a memo to the General Assembly.
His memo continues:
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An uncertain future
New Jersey’s first openly gay Assemblyman Reed Gusciora may have introduced legislation this week that would put same-sex marriage on the ballot as early as next year, but leaders in the Garden State seem to be at odds over whether voters should decide the fate of what many are calling a civil rights issue.
That’s not stopping LGBT groups and other marriage equality supporters from using some of the momentum of last month’s successes in states like Maryland and Maine to help move the issue forward, even if some legislators seem to be dragging their heels.
And while Gov. Chris Christie says he would veto the legislation, a majority of Jersey voters say they support gay marriage rights. A recent poll has support at over half (53 percent) with as many as 72 percent of voters saying they would like to go to the polls to decide the issue.
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Could two rulings change the course of marriage equality in America?
 Photo by Think Stock On Friday, the United States Supreme Court made two important announcements that could impact the fuiture of marriage equality in this country. The first was an order granting review in the Hollingsworth v. Perry (formerly Perry v. Brown) in California that challenges Proposition 8 which prevents same-sex couples from marrying. The court is tasked with deciding whether Prop 8 violates the 14th Amendment to the Constitution concerned with depriving people life and liberty.
It all started three years ago when two California couples, Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, and Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo, argued that the Prop 8 ruling interfered with their freedom to marry. And by February of this year, the Court of Appeals issued a landmark ruling calling Proposition 8 unconstitutional. The argument isn’t an easy one, though the American Foundation of Equal Rights (AFER) is the sole sponsor of the case.
“Proposition 8 has already been declared unconstitutional in Federal District Court and in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Now the Supreme Court has an opportunity to do the same and send a resounding message of hope to LGBT young people from coast to coast that they have the same dignity and same opportunities for the future as everyone else,” said AFER co-founder Chad Griffin. ”I believe our cherished constitutional principles will win the day and that the Court will uphold the fundamental right that all Americans can marry the one they love.”
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We are one of the most LGBT-friendly cities in the country, says HRC
 Let’s face it, usually Philly ranks pretty low in the national ratings (we’ve been called everything from the ugliest to fattest city in America). But the good news is that we now have the proud distinction of rating a perfect 100 on HRC’s first-ever Municipal Equality Index.
The MEI rates cities based on 47 criteria falling under six categories, including non-discrimination laws; relationship recognition; the municipality’s employment practices; inclusiveness of city services; law enforcement; and municipal leadership.
Key findings from the MEI create a snapshot of LGBT equality in 137 municipalities of varying sizes drawn from every state in the nation – these include the 50 state capitals, the 50 most populous cities in the country, and the 25 large, 25 mid-size, and 25 small municipalities with the highest proportion of same-sex couples.
Philly and other 100-point cities serve as shining examples of LGBT inclusivity, with excellent policies ranging from non-discrimination laws, equal employee benefits and cutting-edge city services.
Click here to find out what makes Philly oh-so gay.
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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.
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Philly's Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro could become the nation's first openly lesbian Latina federal judge
 Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro could become the nation's first openly lesbian Latina to serve on the federal court Philadelphia’s own Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro, who currently serves on the county’s Court of Common Pleas, has been nominated for a federal judgeship by President Obama. She could become the first openly gay Latina in the nation to serve on the U.S. District Court in Eastern Pennsylvania. She’s among several nominations Obama made this week – and one who is said to have been recommended by Sen. Bob Casey.
“These men and women have had distinguished legal careers and I am honored to ask them to continue their work as judges on the federal bench,” the president said. “They will serve the American people with integrity and an unwavering commitment to justice.”
She is the eighth openly gay life-tenured federal court judicial nominee named by Obama. Prior to this administration, only one openly gay person had been confirmed to serve with lifetime tenure on the federal judiciary, according to the HRC.
She previously worked as an attorney for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She was also a staff attorney for Community Legal Services here in Philadelphia after graduating with her law degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law in 1975.
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The openly gay legislator-elect selects his chief of staff and district office manager
 Mason Lane has been named as Brian Sims' chief of staff (courtesy of Sims4Pa) State Representative-Elect Brian Sims, the Commonwealth’s first openly gay member of the legislature, made two key staff appointments. He named Mason Lane as his chief of staff and Anna Aagenes as the district office director.
“Philadelphia is full of really strong, progressive professionals and I knew I had an opportunity to recruit some of the best for these new positions,” says Sims. “Mason and Anna will be fully integrated in every part of the work that I do to represent Center City. I’m pleased to work with them, but I’m also very excited by the talents that each will bring to the District and to Harrisburg.”
In his new role, Lane will develop and implement legislative initiatives, advise on policy matters, and oversee office operations. Currently a third-year law student at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law, he’s been serving as Sims’ transition director since the April 24 primary victory over longtime incumbent Representative Babette Josephs. Lane previously served as the Eastern Pennsylvania Field Organizer and Policy Coordinator for Equality Pennsylvania, the state’s LGBT political advocacy organization fro which Sims served as president.
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What it could really mean for your well-being and wallet next year
 Illustration by G Philly We’ve been hearing predictions about the so-called fiscal cliff that threatens to turn much of the economy upside-down if the U.S. government doesn’t start agreeing on economics. For example, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces federal employment discrimination laws, would see an automatic cut to its budget in 2013, and these cuts would continue through 2021 if no budget resolution is reached. This could have serious implications for LGBT workers, who already face extraordinarily high rates of discrimination on the job.
The Center for American Progress, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and a coalition of 23 other national LGBT organizations say that the sitiation could be problematic for the LGBT community in many other ways, as well. They released a report – “Caught in the Budget Battle: How the ‘Fiscal Showdown’ Impacts Gay and Transgender Americans” – detailing the sobering effects that sequestration could have on LGBT Americans when it comes to everything from employment and health to housing, higher education and overall safety.
“If Congress fails to strike a deal before the end of the year, all Americans will suffer, including those that are LGBT,” says Jeff Krehely, vice president of Center for American Progress’ LGBT Research and Communications Project. “Sequestration in particular would inflict significant harm by requiring wholesale cuts to programs that are critical to the health, wellness, and livelihood of LGBT people and their families. We cannot afford to let that happen.”
To put it bluntly, many federal programs, which both directly and indirectly function to support and serve the LGBT population, could be cut. Here’s what that means:
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Kevin Clash takes leave of absence after being accused of having a relationship with 16-year-old boy
Not everyone was surprised to find out that the man behind the voice of Elmo is gay, but when news broke that Kevin Clash may have had an affair with a 16-year-old boy, things started looking grim on the usually chipper Sesame Street.
Clash, who hails from Baltimore, has been playing the voice of Elmo for the past few years. But amid accusations that he had an affair with a 16-year-old about seven years ago (the accuser is now 23), Clash, 52, took a leave of absence from the long-running children’s show after admitting that he had a relationship with the young man after he became an adult, according to the Baltimore Sun.
TMZ broke the story after being contacted by the young man in June. And while no evidence has been produced to substantiate the affair (the two did exchange emails), both Sesame Street and PBS are investigating. “I had a relationship with [the accuser],” Clash confessed to TMZ. “It was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to make it into something it was not.”
That’s all fine and dandy, but if you’re working for one of the most well-known children’s television franchises in the world, maybe you should consider dating guys who are at least old enough to get into Woody’s.
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