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Progress in Pennsylvania

A mini trend of change as openly gay officials emerge

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13 years ago

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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.”

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Out & About

Delaware beaches ring in holidays with tree lightings

Festivities in Rehoboth preceded by a sing-along

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13 hours ago

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November 21, 2025

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(Photo by f9photos/Bigstock)

The Rehoboth Beach annual tree lighting at the bandstand will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28. Festivities are preceded by a sing-along by Clear Space Theatre beginning at 6:30 p.m.

And if you’re not tired of tree lightings at the beach, check out the annual Dewey Beach tree lighting along Rt. 1 at Fifer’s market on Saturday, Nov. 29. Festivities start at 5:30 p.m. and include local businesses offering food and drinks along with the lighting.

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Out & About

DC Center announces annual Thanksgiving program

‘Our food programs are about more than just meals’

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13 hours ago

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November 21, 2025

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(Photo by alexraths/Bigstock)

The DC Center for the LGBT Community will launch its “Annual Thanksgiving Food Program” on Thursday, Nov. 27.

This program, alongside several ongoing initiatives, will ensure that D.C.’s queer community has nourishment, dignity, and connection year-round. Beyond the Thanksgiving holiday, the Center continues its commitment to food access through several vital programs.

The Free Food Pantry, supported by Wegmans Food Market, provides shelf-stable essentials, available to anyone in need. The Food Rescue Program, in partnership with Food Rescue DC, offers ready-to-eat meals while helping to prevent food waste. In collaboration with Hungry Harvest and MicroHabitat, the Fresh Produce Program distributes seasonal fruits and vegetables weekly through a simple lottery registration. Additionally, the Farmers Market Program, in partnership with Food For Health and AHF, brings locally sourced produce directly to the community each month, promoting healthy eating and supporting local growers.

“Our food programs are about more than just meals, they’re about nourishment, connection, and care,” said Kimberley Bush, executive director of the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. “In these uncertain times, we are proud to stand with our community and ensure that every person, regardless of circumstance, feels seen, supported, and fed, because everyone deserves a place at the table.”

For more information about the Thanksgiving Program or ongoing food initiatives, please visit thedccenter.org or email [email protected]. 

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Calendar

Calendar: November 21-27

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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13 hours ago

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November 21, 2025

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Friday, November 21

“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., NW. To RSVP, visit the DC Center’s website or email [email protected]. 

Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 6 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome. There will be card and board games on hand. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website. 

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. 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. 

Saturday, November 22

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.

Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black lesbian. For more details, email [email protected]. 

Sunday, November 23 

A Tour of Her Own will host “Walking Tour: Over The Rainbow Queer Feminist HIstory” at 10 a.m. at Farrgut Square. Guests are encouraged to come explore feminist history through a queer lens and discover how D.C. has been a pivotal location for the LGBTQ+ community. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased on Eventbrite. 

KhushDC will host a screening of “The Queen of My Heart” at 2 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This queer, Pakistani film is described as “a vibrant, genre-blending mother-daughter dramedy that explores queerness, memory, and the Bollywood dreams that shape us.” Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite. 

Monday, November 24

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]).

“Soulfully Queer: LGBTQ+ Emotional Health and Spirituality Drop-In” will be at 3 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This group will meet weekly for eight weeks, providing a series of drop-in sessions designed to offer a safe, welcoming space for open and respectful conversation. Each session invites participants to explore themes of spirituality, identity, and belonging at their own pace, whether they attend regularly or drop in occasionally. For more details visit the DC Center’s website.

Queer Book Club will be at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. This month’s reading is “The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea” by Maggie Tokuda-Hall. For more information, email [email protected]. 

Tuesday, November 25 

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 www.genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.

Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook. 

Wednesday, November 26 

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 www.thedccenter.org/careers.

“Movement for Healing with Felicia Taliaferro” will be at 3 p.m. This is a space for nervous system nourishment and embodied restoration. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website. 

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. Currently, this group is a meeting place for both identities, but we realize that as time passes, the groups may choose to host individual meetings.For more details, email For more information, email [email protected]. 

Thursday, November 27 

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 5:00 pm 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. 

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