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Archive for July, 2008
This year’s PrideFest ad is on the radio! Listen on 98.5 KRZ/102.3 The Mountain/Froggy 101/and WILK News Radio to hear it broadcast.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John Dawe (570-237-6048) – john@gaynepa.com
Stacey Sobel (215-731-1447 ext. 11) – ssobel@equalitypa.org
7-25-2008 - (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.) – On July 23, 2008, The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld a Commonwealth Court decision striking down the amendments to the state’s hate crimes law that added sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, gender, and mental and physical disability in 2002. The law was overturned based on the procedural way the legislation was passed by the legislature, not the content of the law.
The law, known as the Ethnic Intimidation and Institutional Vandalism Act, was amended to include protections for these groups of people by a two-thirds majority of the state House of Representatives and Senate. The legislation was signed into law by Republican Governor Mark Schweiker.
Current Governor Ed Rendell said in a prepared statement, “It’s important to note that the Commonwealth Court’s decision was based on a procedural issue and not on the substance of the amendment. I urge the General Assembly to immediately pass appropriate legislation to fully reinstate this important statute, which originally was enacted with bipartisan support.”
“Equality Advocates Pennsylvania, then known as the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights, worked to pass this legislation with our coalition partners and drafted the bill’s text. We are extremely disappointed that some of the most vulnerable people in Pennsylvania are now unprotected by our state’s hate crimes law. I urge the legislature to once again pass this legislation with all deliberate speed,” said Stacey Sobel, Esq. Executive Director.
“The case stems from a 2004 incident in Philadelphia where Michael Marcavage, then 25, of the anti-gay evangelical group Repent America organized a protest and was arrested under the law’s ethnic intimidation statute during the 2004 Philly OutFest parade,” said John Dawe, executive director of the NEPA Rainbow Alliance, “We’re committed to working with Equality Advocates Pennsylvania, our supporters and partners throughout the region and Commonwealth to reinstate this law so that all citizens of the commonwealth are protected against hate.”
Stephen Glassman, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, added, “It is vitally important for our agency to be able to respond to every act of hate and bias in the Commonwealth no matter who the victim may be. We must protect the rights of people to be free from these hate crimes just as surely as we protect them on the basis of their religion, race, ethnicity, or national origin.”
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PLEASE READ AND REPOST THIS MESSAGE!
In LESS THAN 30 DAYS, Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) community will join together with allies, family and friends for PrideFest 2008. Extensive planning has gone into this year’s premier event and we want to take a moment and bring you up to speed on some of the event’s logistics.
Many of you filled out the four surveys that told the festival committee what you want at PrideFest… Thank You! We have taken into account all your feedback and feel our event has something for everyone.
How much? – The event is FREE and open to anyone who believes in full equality.
Tax-deductible, charitable donations will be gratefully accepted both at the event and online at this link.
Who’s On Stage? – The entertainment committee has put together an excellent line up including live performances by Rio Diamond, Estella Sweet, Maria Dubiel, and Marie Gray.
Additional Entertainment will be provided by DJ Debbie Gilbert (from the Twist), DJ Steven Wallace (from 12 Penny Saloon), and more!
Will there be food? - We have contracted with Kirby Park’s Snack Bar and the City of Wilkes-Barre to provide food for sale (including ice cream). You’re also welcome to bring a picnic lunch. We’ve reserved all the picnic tables and pavilions in the park. Also, the nearby Gateway Shopping Center hosts Grotto Pizza and a Subway.
How about vendors? – We are still accepting vendor applications at pridefest@gaynepa. com.
Current vendors include (partial list):
* Caring Communities for AIDS
* Pride of NEPA
* Panzee Press
* Wyoming Valley AIDS Council
* Wilkes-Barre LGBT for Obama
* Sugarloaf Herb Farm
* NEPA Obama Pride
* Victim’s Resource Center
What about security? - The Wilkes-Barre Guardian Angels organization will be providing volunteer unarmed security and the park will be routinely patrolled by city police officers throughout the event’s duration.
What if it rains? – We are working with vendors now to ensure that most if not all of the festival is under tents. We’re not going to let a little rain spoil our fun, and hope that weather will not be a concern to you in attending!
What can I do? – First, check out the new Myspace Page for the event.
Use the “Let us Know” event page to tell us that you’ll be attending (or not!).
Volunteer! – If you’re interested in volunteering to help, please e-mail pridefest@gaynepa.com that you’d like to be added to the volunteers list. Please forward this info to your friends and let them know… The Countdown is ON!
Warm regards,
John Dawe
Executive Director
NEPA Rainbow Alliance