Philadelphia has a large, diverse and very active lesbian and gay
community.
The area between Walnut and Locust streets south of the Convention
Center--roughly from 9th Street to 13th Street--is the heart of gay
and lesbian Philadelphia, and it's filled with social services,
bookstores, clubs, bars, and restaurants.
There is a lesbian newspaper and another women's newspaper, a gay
newspaper, and many gay and lesbian cultural organizations.
Philadelphia was the site of some of the nation’s first gay rights
protests – before the landmark Stonewall Riots that took place in New
York City. During the "Annual Reminders" held each July 4th from 1965
to 1969, protesters picketed in front of Independence Hall.
The Gay Raiders, a Philadelphia-based activist group, led a national
campaign to change the TV networks’ portrayal of gays and lesbians.
In 1975, Pennsylvania, under Governor Milton Shapp, was the first
state to create an official governmental commission to look into the
problems of sexual minorities.
Philadelphia Gay News, established in 1976, is one of the nation’s
oldest and most respected gay newspapers.
In 1982, Philadelphia became one of the first cities in the country to
pass an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual
orientation.
Philadelphia’s International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, held each
July since 1995, is now the largest such event in the nation outside
of California.
Philadelphia’s 1997 domestic partners law was the first in the country
to provide a tax break for gay and lesbian couples. The law eliminated
the city’s real estate transfer tax when property changes hands
between domestic partners or a partner’s name is added to a property’s
deed.
The William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) Community
Center is one of the few gay community centers in the nation to be
established with federal funds. Check out their calendar to get an
idea of available activities. http://www.waygay.org/
Since 1999, the gay and lesbian community has been the city’s only
minority group to have its own liaison to the police department and a
liaison committee with community representation to ensure a positive
working relationship with the police.
Philadelphia’s gay and lesbian population has developed an extensive
network of support in the community, including having their own GLBT
community center, a separate youth center, a health center, a center
for protecting and advocating civil rights, three churches and a
synagogue.
Philadelphia has two long-running gay and lesbian programs on public
radio’s WXPN 88.5 FM, Amazon Country and Q’zine, as well as one of the
nation’s first gay, call-in TV talk show.
There is an annual Gay day with the Phillies, a gay and lesbian
theater festival and a g/l outdoor club among others.
There are many gay and/or lesbian associations including of
physicians, lawyers and journalists: others of voters, democrats and
of Quakers and a g/l swimteam.
Check theses sites for further information and links
http://www.gophila.com/pressroom/main/newsreleases/releases/020503gayandlesbianfastfacts.htm
http://www.sisterspace.org/
http://www.libertynet.org/gallop/lavcons.html
Lesbians and gays are an integral part of the Philadelphia community.
As in any location, there are areas where minorities are less accepted
than others, but Center City is a fully welcoming.
CULTURE and EDUCATION
Philadelphia offers a wealth of cultural and education opportunities
-- The world famous Philadelphia Orchestra, a ballet, opera company,
pops orchestra, several chamber orchestras and several world-class
choruses. The Art Museum is first class.
There are numerous universities, colleges and medical schools all with
great libraries.
The Free Library of Philadephia is magnificent not only in its
collection but also in its architecture. It is a pleasure to conduct
research there. It also offers extensive research resources through
remote on-line access.
www.library.phila.gov/
CHESTER COUNTY
Chester County is less than an hour from Center City -- as little as
30 minutes in some areas.
It offers a combination of suburban and rural living, a high tech
corridor, a rich history, two universities (Immaculatta and West
Chester) and one of the best books stores in the United States
(Chester County Book Company).
There is a significant gay and lesbian community in Chester County,
most of whom live in the northern and eastern parts of the county.
There is an active gay/lesbian social organization that meets
regularly to share food and fellowship. Many of its members are
professsionals and artists. There is another less active and not as
cosmopolitan lesbian group.
Much of the socializing in the Chesco gay/lesbian community takes
place in private homes around a meal.
Chester County has an excellent library system, and I suggest you
visit their website and follow links for more information on the
county.
http://www.ccls.org/regional/regional.htm
WATER
Philadelphia has two lovely rivers, the Delaware and the Schuylkill.
It less than two hours from from the Jersey shore and less than three
hours from Rehobeth, DE.
To the west and north are many lakes and streams within an easy drive.
Chester County has five lovely county parks, each with some sort of
water access.
There are two relatively large recreational lakes in Chester County.
FIREARMS
Firearms are permitted in Pennsylvania, but one must obtain a permit
to carry a concealed weapon in many municipalities. A background
check and a 48-hour waiting period are required to purchase a
weapon.
Pennsylvania firearms laws
http://www.firearmslawcenter.org/content/pennsylvania.asp
Philadelphia gun permit information
http://www.ppdonline.org/ppd_gunpermit.htm
Information of firearms license in Chester County
http://www.chesco.org/sheriff/sheriff_q&a.html
Search strategy: Philadelphia lesbian, Phila gay, PA/Phila/Chester
County firearms
Nellie Bly
Google Answers Researcher |
