Arts & Entertainment
Progress in Pennsylvania
A mini trend of change as openly gay officials emerge
Last year's Pride parade in Philadelphia (Photo by Ulises M.)
When Philadelphia attorney Brian Sims set his sights on a seat in Pennsylvania’s storied state House last September, the odds were stacked against him: Not only would he be a political newcomer, but he also was running as an openly gay man in the same state that once elected virulently homophobic former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum.
Seven months later, however, he won his primary race to represent the 182nd District in the state House of Representatives, part of a mini trend of recent gay-supportive political changes that have some wondering if a progressive wave isn’t starting to emerge in the Keystone State.
John Campbell (Photo courtesy Campbell)
Supporters of the idea point to Sims, who is running unopposed in the November election, as well as to 24-year-old gay Harrisburg Treasurer John Campbell, who is helping the state’s capital city cope with its much publicized bankruptcy. Meanwhile, a state LGBT Equality Caucus is active, and members of the House State Government Committee recently killed efforts to amend the constitution to ban same-sex marriage.
Campbell, a college student who hopes to use tax reform to free Harrisburg from a $300 million debt pileup, believes Sims’ election could signal more positive change to come.
“All states that have passed a marriage equality bill have previously elected an openly gay legislator,” Campbell said, adding that having an out gay man in the state House would go far to personalize the issue of LGBT rights. “It really helps our argument that we are people too.”
Sims said LGBT supporters are making their presence known in the state. He pointed to widespread support among Pennsylvanians for a measure to add LGBT-friendly language to the state human relations act.
The legislation, House Bill 300, has stalled several times in committee.
“I’ve spent years traveling the state talking about LGBT rights and one of the things I like to tell people is the state is not as conservative as people think it is,” said Sims, adding that the state’s failure to pass LGBT-inclusive hate crimes and anti-bullying measures isn’t necessarily reflective of constituent sentiment.
Brian Sims (Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Sims, former board president of Equality Pennsylvania, is poised to become the state’s first openly gay legislator. He has a background of working with attorneys, legislators and community organizations on issues ranging from gender and pay inequity to environmental regulation. And though he didn’t make LGBT issues a campaign lynchpin, he plans to continue including LGBT matters alongside corporate income tax reform and other key issues as he moves forward, he said.
He said such matters increasingly reflect the interests and spirit of the state.
“The state is progressing — we are growing stronger by the minute,” he said. “I don’t necessarily know that our current laws and political structure really do reflect how forward-thinking the people in the state are.”
Opinions of Pennsylvania’s progress are as diverse as its record supporting gay and lesbian residents. The state has historically been a maverick on some fronts, among them the establishment of a state Council for Sexual Minorities in the mid ’70s, and the recent passage of the state’s 28th local LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance.
And in Philadelphia, home to what’s considered the nation’s oldest operating gay bookstore in Giovanni’s Room, a vibrant LGBT community thrives, according to Mark Segal, who has spent 37 years chronicling the community’s ups and downs as founder of Philadelphia Gay News.
“Society is moving at a brisk pace toward equality and I think this is happening everywhere. But you also have to look at history. Philadelphia is, in many ways, the birthplace of the LGBT movement,” he said, citing the city’s 47-year history of gay Fourth of July marches as an example.
But weak spots remain. For one, those local LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination ordinances are the result of lawmakers’ failure to pass state-level legislation, and are essentially, local attempts to patch up gaps in state law.
And even as President Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage, Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey (D) has remained conspicuously quiet on the issue.
“[Pennsylvanians’] reputation in general is one of being pretty safely in the middle, and what that means is sometimes they’re progressive, and sometimes they’re not,” said Ted Martin, executive director of Equality Pennsylvania. “It’s a place that doesn’t want to rush out too far nor does it like to be in the end.”
The head of the state’s main LGBT advocacy group said he believes Pennsylvania is growing more progressive, just very slowly.
He pointed to recent polls showing up to 51 percent of state residents support same-sex marriage and said lawmakers he encounters no longer insist they don’t have any gays in their district.
“Are we turning a corner, are we taking some steps forward? I like to think so,” he said. “We’re certainly starting to have a conversation we never had and that’s a good thing.”
That conversation comes at a sensitive moment in regional LGBT politics. Surrounded by states passing LGBT-friendly measures, Pennsylvania has increasingly become an ideological island, a fact that could have a damaging economic impact, some say.
“Many places that already permit same-sex marriage — New York, Maryland, D.C. and others — are geographically close to Pennsylvania,” Rep. Babette Josephs told Philadelphia magazine last week. “We will be losing valuable citizens to these other states because of our backward ways; the image of Pennsylvania will continue to be tarnished.”
But turning Pennsylvania into a more progressive state presents a significant challenge. For one, the state’s political landscape remains blue at the edges, anchored by liberal Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, with a rural, conservative center.
Moreover, that center enables a powerful Republican Party that keeps the General Assembly “in a 1950s bubble,” Segal said.
But Campbell believes that makes the state better poised than most to be a national example of change.
“If a battleground state is trending toward being more open and accepting, that should lead the way for other states to do the same,” Campbell said. “It’s important to show that even Pennsylvania can do it.”
Bars & Parties
Mixtape Sapphics hosts holiday party on Dec. 13
‘Sugar & Spice’ night planned for Saturday
Mixtape Sapphics will host “Sapphic Sugar & Spice: A Naughty-Nice Mixtape Holiday Party” on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. at Amsterdam Lounge.
This is a festive, grown holiday party for queer women and sapphics 35 and older at Revolt’s Christmas pop-up. There will be music, joy, and an optional White Elephant.
This is Mixtape Sapphics’ first-ever holiday party — a cozy, flirty, intentionally grounded night created just for queer women and sapphics 35+ who want real connection, festive joy, and a warm place to land at the end of the year.
Tickets start at $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Friday, December 12
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. To RSVP, visit the DC Center’s website or email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Women in Their Twenties and Thirties will be at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, go to Facebook.
Saturday, December 13
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 12 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. D.C.’s queer community will gather for good food, laughter, and community. For more information, email [email protected].
Sunday, December 14
SADBrunch will host “HokiSlay Drag Brunch” at 12 p.m. at Throw Social. This festive affair brings fierce performances, over-the-top holiday looks, and more sparkle than a tinsel explosion. Expect powerhouse lip-syncs, laughter, and cheer hotter than your spiked cocoa. Cake Pop will host the event. Tickets cost $28.52 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, December 15
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Tuesday, December 16
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather and discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting. Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Self-Defense Class with Avi Rome” at 12:30 p.m. Rome is a proud member of the LGBTQ community and a full-time martial arts instructor with 25 years of teaching experience. He holds a Fifth Degree Black Belt in Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do and is the director of the studio’s Adaptive Tae Kwon Do program for students with special needs. He has also run numerous self-defense workshops for various groups and situations. For more details, visit the center’s website.
Wednesday, December 17
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, December 18
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Egypt
Iran, Egypt object to playing in Seattle World Cup ‘Pride Match’
Game to take place on June 26
Iran and Egypt have objected to playing in a “Pride Match” that will take place in Seattle during the 2026 World Cup.
The Egyptian Football Association on Tuesday said it told FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström in a letter that “it categorically rejects holding any activities related to supporting (homosexuality) during the match between the Egyptian national team and Iran, scheduled to be held in Seattle, USA, on June 26, 2026, in the third round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.” Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran President Mehdi Taj told ISNA, a semi-official Iranian news agency that both his country and Egypt “protested this issue.”
The 2026 World Cup will take place in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The draw took place at the Kennedy Center on Dec. 5.
Iran is among the handful of countries in which consensual same-sex sexual relations remain punishable by death.
The State Department’s 2023 human rights report notes that while Egyptian law “did not explicitly criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity, authorities regularly arrested and prosecuted LGBTQI+ persons on charges including ‘debauchery,’ prostitution, and ‘violating family values.’” Egyptian authorities “also reportedly prosecuted LGBTQI+ individuals for ‘misuse of social media.’”
“This resulted in de facto criminalization of same-sex conduct and identity,” notes the report.
The 2024 human rights report the State Department released earlier this year did not include LGBTQ-specific references.
Soccer has ‘unique power to unite people across borders, cultures, and beliefs’
The June 26 match between Iran and Egypt coincides with Seattle Pride. The Washington Post reported the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026 Local Organizing Committee decided to hold the “Pride Match” before last week’s draw.
“As the Local Organizing Committee, SeattleFWC26’s role is to prepare our city to host the matches and manage the city experience outside of Seattle Stadium,” said SeattleFWC26 Vice President of Communications Hana Tadesse in a statement the committee sent to the Washington Blade on Wednesday. “SeattleFWC26 is moving forward as planned with our community programming outside the stadium during Pride weekend and throughout the tournament, partnering with LGBTQ+ leaders, artists, and business owners to elevate existing Pride celebrations across Washington.”
“Football has a unique power to unite people across borders, cultures, and beliefs,” added Tadeese. “The Pacific Northwest is home to one of the nation’s largest Iranian-American communities, a thriving Egyptian diaspora, and rich communities representing all nations we’re hosting in Seattle. We’re committed to ensuring all residents and visitors experience the warmth, respect, and dignity that defines our region.”
The 2034 World Cup will take place in Saudi Arabia.
Consensual same-sex sexual relations remain punishable by death in the country. The 2022 World Cup took place in neighboring Qatar, despite concerns over the country’s anti-LGBTQ rights record.
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