Malcolm Kenyatta Could Become Pennsyania’s First Out LGBTQ+ Statewide Official

Malcolm Kenyatta

Malcolm Kenyatta won the Democratic primary for state auditor in Pennsylvania, putting him on track to become the commonwealth’s first out LGBTQ+ statewide official.

Kenyatta has represented District 181 in the Pennsylvania House since 2019. He has received numerous endorsements including an endorsement from the Victory Fund as a Victory Fund Spotlight Candidate. Annise Parker, president & CEO of LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, issued the following statement:

“Pennsylvanians trust Malcolm Kenyatta to be their watchdog as auditor general because that’s exactly what he’s been as a legislator. LGBTQ+ Victory Fund is all in for Malcolm, because we know he has the experience to win this race and carry on his fight for students, seniors and workers as Pennsylvania’s auditor general. LGBTQ+ Americans are severely underrepresented in public office and the numbers are even worse for Black LGBTQ+ representation. I look forward to doing everything I can to mobilize LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians and our allies to get out and vote for Malcolm this November so we can make history.”

In addition to his experience as a State Representative for Philadelphia-based District 181, he was a past U.S. Senate candidate and an is a current active surrogate for the Biden Harris campaign.

Philly Sets Guinness Worlds Record™ for the Largest Attendance at a Drag Queen Story Time

Philadelphia Drag World Record

Philadelphia, the birthplace of America, today secured a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the “largest attendance at a drag queen story time reading.” To kick off Pride Month, the Philadelphia Gay News hosted the event, sponsored by Visit Philadelphia®, which brought together famed Philadelphia drag performers to read children’s stories to a record-setting audience of 263 people. Taking place at the National Constitution Center, the country’s leading place for constitutional education and debate, this achievement strengthens and reinforces Philadelphia’s reputation as a welcoming destination for all.

Brittany Lynn, drag performer, LGBTQIA+ activist, literacy advocate and head of the award-winning Philly Drag Mafia, served as emcee for the event, featuring the following books and performers:

  • Hello, Philadelphia!, written and illustrated by Martha Day Zschock and read by Brittany Lynn
    Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
  • ‘Twas the Night Before Pride, written by Joanna McClintick, illustrated by Juana Medina and read by Aurora
    Publisher: Candlewick
  • Elmer, written and illustrated by David Mckee and read by Icon Ebony Fierce
    Publisher: HarperCollins
  • The Family Book, written and illustrated by Todd Parr and read by Athena Chanteuse Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  • Kevin the Unicorn: It’s Not All Rainbows, written and illustrated by Jessika von Innerebner and read by Morgan Wells
    Publisher: Dial Books

“Philadelphia is where our country was founded, where the Declaration of Independence was debated and signed, and where some of the most significant LGBTQIA+ moments in U.S. history took place,” said Mark Segal, publisher of Philadelphia Gay News. “Creating history-making moments like we’ve done today, hosted on land synonymous with our country’s fight for fundamental rights and freedom, serves as a powerful reminder of the resiliency, talent and culture that make up the fabric of our great American city.”

“To start Pride Month with the world’s largest drag story time in Philadelphia is extraordinarily fitting for the birthplace of freedom and modern democracy,” said Neil Frauenglass, chief marketing officer at Visit Philadelphia. “Last summer, Visit Philadelphia hosted a small drag story time in front of Independence Hall that we filmed and used as part of a national TV spot, so it was only fitting for us to support a bigger, bolder, record-setting version this year. The event aligned perfectly with our In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union series that highlights Philadelphia as an inclusive and welcoming place for all – and that’s exactly what Philadelphia Gay News demonstrated for the world today.”

For more details on how visitors can celebrate Pride Month in Philadelphia all month long, go to https://bit.ly/VisitPhiladelphiaPrideMonth.

The Best Thrift Store in Pennsylvania Gives Back

Philly AIDS Thrift

Philly AIDS Thrift, recently voted the best thrift shop in Pennsyvania by the readers of Apartment Therapy Magazine, has a long history of giving back to the LGBTQ+ community.

Philly AIDS Thrift, founded in 2005, is located at 710 S. 5th St. It began as a small thrift store and has always given back to support HIV prevention, care, and support. In it’s most recent 2022 grant cycle, Philly AIDS Thrift distributed $300,035 in grants to 27 Delaware Valley organizations. Since it’s inception, it has distributed more than 3.6 million.

In addition to our cash contributions, Philly AIDS Thrift provides free store vouchers to Philly area HIV/AIDS service providers for distribution to clients in need of clothing assistance and household necessities. 

Find out more about Philly AIDS Thrift at: https://www.phillyaidsthrift.com/

Philadelphia takes action to support Trans & GNC youth

Trans and Nonbinary Youth in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — Effective July 11, 2022, the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) has enacted regulations that expand legal protections for transgender and gender nonconforming youth. The regulations create affirmative obligations for institutions serving youth to ensure that their environments are free of discrimination. The legislation requiring these regulations was introduced by Councilmember Helen Gym (At-Large) and passed by City Council in 2019 in conjunction with two other bills designed to promote dignity, safety, and inclusion in the City of Philadelphia.

The regulations also:

  • Require that all institutions serving youth use the name and pronouns that correspond to a youth’s identity.
  • Require institutions to take reasonable steps to prevent and promptly correct any derogatory or offensive langue used in communication with or in reference to a transgender or gender nonconforming youth.
  • Ensure privacy and confidentiality of the transgender or gender nonconforming youth’s identity.
  • Require institutions provide access to restrooms, locker rooms, and dressing rooms that correspond to a transgender or gender nonconforming youth’s identity.
  • Require institutions post a written policy of non-discrimination and conduct regular training to prevent, identify, and respond to bullying, harassment, and discrimination against transgender and gender nonconforming youth.


“I am extremely proud of this work because these regulations demonstrate the City of Philadelphia’s commitment to ensuring supportive and inclusive environments for all children,” said Kia Ghee, Executive Director for Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. “At a time when constitutional protections feel less certain, these regulations build upon the antidiscrimination protections provided in the Fair Practices Ordinance and emphasize the City’s commitment to protecting children and youth who are much more likely to be subject to unlawful harassment in school and other institutional settings.”

“With the disturbing and increasing amount of anti-trans legislation that targets trans youth, these reforms represent welcome, needed progress and are just one of the many reasons that Philadelphia is consistently recognized as one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the country,” said Celena Morrison, Executive Director of the Office of LGBT Affairs. “We will continue to support our trans and gender nonconforming communities in every possible way.”

“Our City is deeply committed to ensuring all trans and non-binary youth thrive, flourish, and feel valued,” said Councilmember Helen Gym. “These protections were informed and championed by Philadelphia’s young people themselves. By centering their voices, we are shaping a more just, accessible, and welcoming city for all. In the absence of federal and state protections, and especially amidst increasing and vile attacks against trans youth, these reforms prove that Philadelphia will always stand with our trans and non-binary communities and advance bold policies to protect them.”

PCHR is Philadelphia’s official civil rights agency ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all. The agency investigates complaints of discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition), sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information and domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe that you have been subjected to unlawful discrimination or have any questions, please contact PCHR at 215-686-4670 or visit our website at www.phila.gov/pchr.

Victory Fund Endorses Malcom Kenyatta

Malcom Kenyatta

Victory Fund has endorsed Malcom Kenyatta for the United States Senate in Pennsylvania. If elected Kenyatta will become the first out gay man ever elected to the United States Senate. His primary election takes place May 17, 2022, and the general election is November 8, 2022.

The Victory Fund writes…

Representative Malcolm Kenyatta currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Philadelphia Delegation, as a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Suicide Prevention, and on a host of committee leadership positions. As the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color and one of the youngest members elected to the PA General Assembly, he is deeply committed to creating an equitable and inclusive society. As a legislator, he has championed proposals to address generational poverty, raise the minimum wage, protect workers’ rights, increase access to mental healthcare, stem the rise of gun violence, and protect our digital infrastructure. 
 
In 2016 and in 2020, he was elected as Delegate to the Democratic Convention, both times garnering the second-highest vote total of any delegate in the Commonwealth. He has also appeared on local and national media outlets to discuss systemic poverty, affordable education and childcare, and making government more accountable to citizens. He was the subject of an award-winning short documentary about his election run, ‘Going Forward’ produced by Seven Knot Productions, which premiered on ‘The Atlantic Magazine Selects’ in 2018. In 2020, he was chosen by President Joe Biden to give the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention along with a group of other ‘Rising Stars.’ He was one of twenty Electoral College votes cast for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. 

Malcolm lives in the same neighborhood he grew up in North Philadelphia with his partner, Dr. Matthew Jordan Miller. 

Learn more about Malcom at: www.malcolmkenyatta.com

Philadelphia Gay Bars, Restaurants, & Clubs

LGBTQ Philadelphia

Woody’s
This longtime gay haunt offers dancing & theme nights in the nightclub & food in the pub area.
woodysbar.com

U Bar
Unpretentious gay bar with an exposed-brick interior & a selection of craft & imported beers on tap.
www.ubarphilly.com

Level Up Bar and Lounge
100% Black Owned LGBTQIA+ Bar | Est 2020
www.levelupphl.com

Tavern on Camac
American pub grub served in gay-friendly tavern known for its piano singalongs & dance parties.
www.tavernoncamac.com

Bike Stop
Veteran gay bar with different vibes on 4 levels including sports-viewing, dancing & more.
fb.com/thebikestop

Happy Bear
Philly’s Weekly Bear Happy Hour
fb.com/happybearphilly


Photograph by 7BeachBum

More Color More Pride #morecolormorepride

More Color More Pride

In 2017, Philly activists and the Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs added black and brown stripes to the classic rainbow flag to center LGBTQ+ People of Color. The More Color More Pride flag flew in Philadelphia for the first time on June 8th, 2017 More Color, More Pride new LGBTQ flag In support of racial diversity, equality and inclusion in the LGBTQ neighborhoods of the city.

Puchase these More Color More Pride Buttons and Accessories here:

tinyurl.com/morecolormorepride

More Color More Pride
#morecolormorepride