PDN List of 2012 Events:
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JOIN THE PA DIVERSITY NETWORK FACEBOOK GROUP
BY CLICKING HERE
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December
12, 2012
PDN Executive Director Liz Bradbury was the Keynote Speaker
on GLBT Issues to a Graduate School Social Work Seminar at
Millersville University.
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November
13, 2012
PDN Executive Director Liz Bradbury
introduced the New Allentown Human Relations Commission
Booklet “How to File a Discrimination
Compliant,” which she helped to design and took most
of the photos for, to a group of 53 leaders and
administrators of local Allentown not-for-profit
organizations.
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October
31, 2012
Pennsylvania Diversity Network’s President of the
Board Patricia Sullivan and Executive Director Liz Bradbury
visit intern emeritus Eric Stephen and do two presentations
to students on LGBT rights and writing. 
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October
23, 2012
Pennsylvania Diversity Network
Members of PDN Board Liz Bradbury, Patricia Sullivan, and
Adrian Shanker attend and take part in the Allentown Human
Relations Commission’s annual Awards Presentation
where awardees Artistic Director of the Civic Theatre Bill
Sanders and Main Street Improvement Director Peter Lewnes
(both of the Lehigh Valley GLBT community, and both
nominated for AHRC awards by Liz Bradbury) accept awards on
stage.
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October
17, 2012
Pennsylvania Diversity Network
Annual event put on by PPL’s affinity group GLOW
featured the new display version of the Pennsylvania
Diversity Network’s Photo Project - 800 Same-sex
Couples: Facing Inequality. The new easel display of the
Project was my possible by a grant from PPL’s group
GLOW.
See more about the PDN Photo
Project by clicking here!
See more about the PDN Photo
Project by clicking here!
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October
16, 2012
PDN Executive Director Liz Bradbury
was
invited to joined a panel at Lafayette University of
legally married Gay Men and Lesbians speaking about
marriage equality to students and GSA members.
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October
13, 2012
Pennsylvania Diversity Network Women’s 5k Race Team
To
Fight Breast Cancer race and Team breakfast. And a toast to
past team member Cathy Burgi, who died last year of
Leukemia.
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October
6, 2012
Pennsylvania Diversity Network
Had advanced tickets to a Comedy Concert by Wanda Sykes
(donated to PDN by the Sovereign Center in Reading, PA) and
were able to raffle the tickets as a perk to those who
contributed to the “Donate the Price of a Chicken
Sandwich to a GLBT Rights Organization” fund drive.
All reports indicated it was a terrific and hilarious
event.
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September
18, 2012
Pennsylvania Diversity Network
Executive Director Liz Bradbury
Led
a presentation to Allentown small business
owners on the Allentown Human Relations Commission’s
new booklet that explains what the Commission can do to
help
businesses follow the City’s non-discrimination law,
at the Cosmopolitan Restaurant. 
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August
19, 2012
Pride in the Park - Greater Lehigh Valley
Pride
In Cedar Beech Park in Allentown
Volunteers
at the Pennsylvania Diversity Network booth were able to
encourage more than 500 people to sign cards to Senator
Robert Casey to encourage him to support marriage equality.
And PDN Executive Director took the photos of nearly 40 new
Photo Project photos of committed same-sex couples.
Click here to read more about
the PDN Photo Project.
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July,
2012
PDN Executive Director Liz Bradbury
Trains
the Management Team on Diversity Issues at Blue Mt. Ski
Resort
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Reading Pride Celebration
In Centre Park Reading - July 15th, 2012
Volunteers
at the Pennsylvania Diversity Network booth were able to
encourage more than 500 people to sign cards to Senator
Robert Casey to encourage him to support marriage equality.
And PDN Executive Director took the photos of nearly 40 new
Photo Project photos of committed same-sex couples.
Click here to read more about
the PDN Photo Project.
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Pennsylvania
Diversity Network
5th
Annual Awards Celebration!
was June 14th, 2012 At the Allentown Brew Works
PENNSYLVANIA
DIVERSITY NETWORK ANNOUNCES 2012 HONOREES & KEYNOTE
SPEAKER FOR LEHIGH VALLEY LGBT COMMUNITY AWARDS
CELEBRATION
Award
recipients include:
Hon.
Michael Fleck, Timothy Hahn, Corey Horvath, Hon. J. William
Reynolds & Hon. Karen Dolan, Mr. Joe’s
Chimney Sweep, United Friends School in Quakertown
Keynote Speaker:
Brian Sims, who is poised to become the first openly
Gay PA State legislator in
Harrisburg
Entertainment
by:
Roberta Meek, jazz singer
Pennsylvania
Diversity Network is pleased to announce the recipients of
the 2012 Lehigh Valley GLBT Community Awards.
The Awards Celebration will take place on Thursday, June
14, 2012 at 5:30 pm at the Allentown Brew Works located at
812 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown. Tickets are available
in advance for $20.00 per person or $25.00 at the
door.
Advance tickets may be
ordered at by clicking here.
This year’s celebration tickets will include a silent
auction, basket raffle, hors d’oeuvres, pasta bar,
soft drinks, cash bar, coffee and dessert. Free parking in
lot across the street. Sponsorship opportunities are still
available, please contact Liz Bradbury at
610-432-5449.
Award recipients:
Easton
City Councilman, Honorable Mike Fleck -
For sponsorship, leadership, and extensive work on the
passage of Easton’s Domestic Partner benefits bill
for same-sex domestic partners of city employees.,
Timothy Hahn - For
mobilization of his college GSA at ESU, and extensive
fundraising for the community.
Corey
Horvath - For
extensive volunteer work on the successful passage of
Bethlehem’s fully inclusive anti-discrimination
ordinance and for years of community service to the Lehigh
Valley GLBT Community.
Hon.
J. William Reynolds & Hon. Karen Dolan, Bethlehem City
Councilmembers - For
their active and supportive work in passing
Bethlehem’s anti-discrimination, and their successful
efforts in blocking amendments that would have lessened
discrimination protections.
Mr.
Joe’s Chimney Sweep - For
generous long-time commitment to support and development
for many GLBT service organizations and mainstream health
organizations in the Lehigh Valley.
United
Friends School - For
serious and successful efforts to stop bullying before it
happens. And for a curriculum that is not only fully
inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity but
fully committed to teaching youth how to pass
non-discrimination legislation that is fully inclusive of
GLBT rights.
Brian
Sims -
keynote speaker at the
2012 Celebration. In 2011, Sims announced his intentions to
run as an openly Gay candidate for the Pennsylvania House
of Representatives, 182nd District of Philadelphia. He ran
in the 2012 Democratic primary against long-time incumbent
Democrat Babette Josephs and won. Since there is no
Republican challenger in the November election, Sims will
be the first openly-Gay state legislator in the history of
the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
Event
Photos:
###
Pennsylvania Diversity Network is the largest LGBT advocacy
organization in the Commonwealth of PA. It is volunteer and
membership driven, and based in the Lehigh Valley.
www.PADiversity.org
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June
12th - 7am
PDN joined with Equality PA
for Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Training
on GLBT Issues
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Recent
- June, 2012
PDN Attends Progressive - Pro-GLBT Event To
Fund Attendance At Democratic Convention
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Recent
- June, 2012
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Recent
- May, 2012
PDN Attends opening of the LGBT Outreach Campaign
Office of Local, State and Federal Candidates, in
Bethlehem, PA.
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Recent
- May, 2012
PDN President and Executive Director
Attended the Special Birthday Party of Lynn Nehila of
PPL’s GLOW Org.
3 new families joined the PDN Photo Project!
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Recent
- May 1st, 2012
Pennsylvania
Diversity Network at Lebanon College
PDN’s
Executive Director Liz Bradbury presents civil rights and
GLBT literature information to Alanna Berger’s Class
on Gender and Sexuality Civil Rights and
Media.
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Recent
-
April 19th, 2012
PDN
Executive Director Liz Bradbury and Board Pres. Dr.
Patricia Sullivan
and Pennsylvania Diversity Network featured in the annual
Allentown Magazine “Inside Allentown”
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Recent
-
April 19th, 2012
PDN
Executive Director Liz Bradbury and Board Pres. Dr.
Patricia Sullivan
spoke at length which Sarah Newman - special advisor to
Senator Bob Casey about GLBT issues, especially the
community’s thousands of written cards to Senator
Casey asking him to sign on the the Senate’s
pro-marriage equality Respect for Marriage Act. PDN
generated 1500 cards to Sen. Casey asking him to sign
on.
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Recent
-
April 12th, 2012
PDN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LIZ BRADBURY
appears on Business Matters TV Debate on Marriage Equality
with pro-GLBT rights supporters Ted Martin of Equality PA
&
Senator Daylin Leach -- vs radical anti-GLBT rights people
who knew little about the legislative issues and tried to
shout down facts and information with off-point statements
vaguely related to the Bible.
See the entire debate on video
by clicking here
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Recent
- March 22th, 2012
Lehigh University Spectrum
Presented
a Fabulous Drag Show
which benefited PDN
See a huge album of 142 photo of this event
by clicking here!
See a huge album of 142 photo of this event
by clicking here!
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Recent
- March 20th, 2012
7pm
- Packard Hall
Lehigh University
Best Selling Author Jay Michaelson
speaks about his new book - God vs. Gay
The Religious Case for Equality.
Pennsylvania Diversity Network
is a co-sponsor of this event
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Recent
- March 12th, 2012
PDN Executive Director Liz Bradbury presented GLBT Civil
Rights information to a class at the United Friends School
in Quakertown, PA.
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Recent - Friday, March 2
Pennsylvania Diversity Network participates in major White
House
Community Partnership Summit
with 350 community activists and 50 White House
representatives - PDN Executive Director Liz Bradbury
led a conversation on GLBT Aging Issues in relation to the
lack of legal relationship recognition in PA and by the
Federal Government
.
PDN Executive Director Liz Bradbury shown here at the
summit with other leaders of the PA Gay Community including
-
From left, Paul Nardone - Board member of Equality PA, Ted
Martin, Exec. Dir. of Equality PA, Jon Campbell elected
Treasurer of Harrisburg, Ryan Roth Pres. of Lehigh Valley
GLBT Branch of the Chamber of Commerce, Adrian Shanker
Pres. of the Board of Equality PA and a PDN Board member,
Liz Bradbury, Chris Deitz, Millersburg City Council and
Candidate for State Rep, and John Morgan of Keystone
Progressive.
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Recent
- Feburary 26th, 2012
Pennsylvania Diversity Network participates in the
Pride GLV Oscar Bash
Pride
Boardmember Steve Libby and Pride Board President Shawn
Bausher on the Red Carpet.
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Recent - February 10 and 11, 2012
Pennsylvania Diversity Network participates
and partners with Metropolitan Commuity Church of the
Lehigh Valley at the
Annual Freedom to Marry Court House Rally and
Marriage Equality Celebration
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Recent
- January and February 2012
Pennsylvania Diversity Network adds 200 new photos of local
same-sex couples to the Pennsylvania Diversity Network
Photo Project - 700 Same-sex Couples: Facing Inequality
Currently on Exhibition at Metropolitan Community Church of
the Lehigh Valley 930 N. 4th Street,
Allentown
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Recent - November, 2011PDN
Boardmember Liz Fear brings PDN Anti-Bullying Information
to Allentown School District Families at an event at Allen
High School
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Recent - Tuesday, October 25, 2011
East
Stroudsburg University PRIDE GSA
Halloween Drag Show!
To
Benefit Pennsylvania Diversity Network
Last Year OVER 1000 ATTENDED!!!
Featuring
the incomparable MCs Carol Ann and Sharon Ann!!!
Dozens of Fabulous Acts
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Recent
- October 24, 2011
PDN
speaks to Bangor Area School Board
in successful support of student led
Gay/Straight Alliance at Bangor High School
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Recent
- Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Dr.
Patricia Sullivan - President of the Board of PA Diversity
Network - to win Allentown Human Relations Award
Symphony Hall, Allentown, Doors Open at 5:30pm
The Human
Relations Commission of the City of Allentown cordially
invites you to the 34th Annual Human Relations Awards
Celebration Honoring:
Malcolm Gross, Esq., Joseph Lubell, Cynthia Amaya Santiago,
Judith Natale Sabino, Dr. Patricia Sullivan, Casa Guadalupe
Center , Hola! Radio
Keynote Speaker:
Justina Shaw, Executive Director, Opportunities PA
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Allentown Symphony Hall
23 North Sixth Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania
(Free Parking in the Linden Street parking garage across
the street!)
Reception: 5:30 pm in the Rodale Community Room
Ceremony: 6:30 pm in Symphony Hall
Tickets are available for $35 for an individual or $325 for
a group of 10 by visiting
http://bit.ly/nc5PU2
or calling the box
office at 610 432 7961
Accessibility: 100% wheelchair accessible venue, American
Sign Language Interpretation of ceremony
Braille Programs upon request (contact Aeshanker@gmail.com
at least one week in advance)
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Recent
- Monday, October 17th, 2011 - Evening
PDN
Executive Director Liz Bradbury was part of a panel on GLBT
issues and discrimination in the work place.
At Muhlenberg College
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Recent
- Monday, October 17th, 2011 - Morning
PDN
Executive Director to be part of an Hola’ Radio Show,
to bring information to the Latino community on
discrimination and bullying.
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Recent
- Saturday, October 15, 2011
PA
Diversity Team
Women's 5k Fight Breast Cancer Classic
8am - 12 am
Still
time to join the PDN Women’s Walk/Race Team!
Women: There is still time to sign
up to be part of the Pennsylvania Diversity Network Women's
Team for the 5k walk or run to fight Breast Cancer that
will be in Lehigh Parkway this Saturday. To sign up go
to www.womens5kclassic.org
-- be sure to indicate
that you are on the PA Diversity Network Team.
As always there will be a fabulous Trish Sullivan brunch
for the team at Liz Bradbury and Trish Sullivan’s
house at 427 1/2 N. 9th St. in Allentown beginning right
after the race.
Please let Team Capt. Anne Huey know when/if you have
signed up, and if you need her to pick up your shirt and
race bag the night before at the expo at Cedar Crest
College. Email Anne directly at: ahuey@RCN.com
We’ll have the PDN flag at a table at the race site
before the race, so we can all meet up. Our "equipment
manager" Marilyn Roberts will be our table sitter so you
can leave jackets etc there during the race.
This is the 4th largest Women's Race in the world! OK
– ready, set, go -- sign up and get some friends to
be on our team too!!! It will be a wonderful day!!!
See you soon, Anne ahuey@RCN.com
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Recent
- Thursday, October 13th, 2011 - Evening
PDN
Executive Director Liz Bradbury and PDN’s Boardmember
Adrian Shanker present Marta Gabriel of Senator
Toomey’s Office with over 2000 cards asking him to
support the Safe Schools Improvement Act legislation.
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Recent
- Sunday, October 2, 2011
Old
Allentown Preservation Association
Features Liz Bradbury and Trish Sullivan’s House
on the House Tour!
Liz and Trish are grateful to volunteers:
Laura Gutierrez,
Anne Huey, Judy Arendt, Don and Melinda Kohn, Adrian
Shanker, Brandon Pariser, Hannah Mesouani, Kathleen
McGinley, Diane Heydt, Kym Kleinsmith, Kelly Nansteel, and
Hiram Munger for helping with the tour, directing people
through the house, and sharing information! It was a great
day.
From the House Tour program: ....Bradbury and Sullivan were
particularly attracted to the Old Allentown Historic
District by the large number of gay and lesbian family
owned homes, and the area’s broad diversity.
Bradbury, a former college woodworking teacher, and
Sullivan, a former hospital administrator, created and run
the Pennsylvania Diversity Network - the largest Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Advocacy organization in
PA and have published the Valley Gay Press newspaper in the
Lehigh Valley since 1998....
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Recent
- Saturday, October 1, 2011
Fabulous
Lewnes and Clark Fundraiser
to benefit Pennsylvania Diversity Network
Special
thanks to PDN board member Adrian Shanker for working with
the brilliant and creative duo Peter Lewnes and Jon Clark
on this exciting Center City Allentown event at the 7th
street Loft of Peter Lewnes.
See some great photos of this event by Allyson Diane Hamm
at the Equality PA
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150320186887665&set=pu.158676247664&type=1&theater
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Recent
- September 30th, 2011
Pennsylvania
Diversity Network Executive Director
Liz Bradbury gave a training for 40 Foster PArents on GLBT
Youth Issues.
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Recent
- September 21st, 2011
Pennsylvania
Diversity Network Executive Director
Liz Bradbury and PDN President Patricia Sullivan deliver
over 2000 cards signed by Pennsylvania constituents to
Senator Bob Casey’s Office in Allentown. The cards
thanked Sen. Casey for his perfect support of pro-GLBT
legislation in the last year, and further asked Sen. Casey
to publicly come out in favor of marriage
equality.
Sen.
Casey Field Representative Carol Obando-Derstine receives
over 2000 signed cards from Pennsylvania Diversity Network
Executive Director Liz Bradbury.
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Recent
- Sunday August 21th
See Photos!!!!
Click here to see a
huge photo album of this event and
all
the new Photo Project
Couples!!!
Pennsylvania
Diversity Network booth at
Pride
in the Park
Pride of the Lehigh Valley Festival
at Cedar Beach Park in Allentown
Volunteers
in the Pennsylvania Diversity Network Booth at the
18th Annual LV Pride Festival got 1904 cards signed to
legislators in favor of GLBT rights. And
44 new couples joined the PDN Photo Project.
Special thanks to volunteers: Liz Bradbury, Patricia
Sullivan, Chris Caraway, Eric Stephen, Bobb Kurinka,
Lorraine Pasquali, Liz Fear, Tim Hahn, Jason Sizemore, Bill
Sanders, and Adrian Shanker.
Pennsylvania Diversity Network has gotten over 4000 cards
signed to Senators this summer, and 270 people (135
couples) have joined the Photo Project.
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Recent
- Sunday August 14th
See Photos!!!!
Click here to see a
huge photo album of this event and
all
the new Photo Project
Couples!!!
Pennsylvania
Diversity Network booth at
NEPA
Pride in
Kirby Park, Wilkes-Barre, PA
800
cards signed by PA Constituents to US Senators in Favor of
GLBT Rights - and 39 New Photo Couples.
Volunteers
in the Pennsylvania Diversity Network Booth
Special thanks to volunteers: Liz Bradbury, Adrian Shanker,
Eric Stephen, Chris Caraway
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Recent - Karaoke at Diamonz - July 30th
Presented
by and Benefited FACT, LV GAy Men’s Chorus, and
Pennsylvania Diversity Network.
PDN thanks Lenora Johnson and Diamonz and PDN Volunteers:
Chris Caraway, Hannah Mesouani, Jordon Shafer, Liz Fear,
Liz Bradbury, Patricia Sullivan, and Adrian Shanker.
See
a photo album of this event by clicking
here.
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Recent
- Sunday July 17th
See Photos!!!!
Click here to see a
huge photo album of this event and
all
the new Photo Project
Couples!!!
Pennsylvania
Diversity Network booth at
Reading
Pride Celebration,
in Center Park in Reading PA
1500
cards signed by PA Constituents to US Senators in Favor of
GLBT Rights - and 42 New Photo Couples.
Special thanks to volunteers: Liz Bradbury, Adrian Shanker,
Eric Stephen, Jordan Shafer, Chris Caraway and Trish
Sullivan.
See a huge album of photos of this event by clicking here.
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Recent - July 5th, 2011
Mayor of Bethlehem John Callahan
signs Bethlehem’s New
Human Relations Ordinance into Law,
making Bethlehem the 21st Municipality in PA to Enact a
fully inclusive non-discrimination Human Relations
Ordinance which protects people from bias regarding a
variety of protected classes including sexual orientation
and gender identity. For a list of all 23 of the
Municipalities in PA that have non-discrimination
laws,
click
here.
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Recent
- Thursday, June 30, 2011
Pennsylvania
Diversity Network
GLBT
Community Awards Celebration
2011
Award Recipients
Hon. Michael D’Amore, Columbia Law School Gender and
Sexuality Law Clinic Gay and Lesbian Organization in the
Workplace at PPL Muhlenberg College Office of Residential
Services Northampton High School Gay Straight Alliance
Express Business Center of Trexlertown Philadelphia Gay
News
Keynote
Speaker: Mark
Segal, Publisher, Philadelphia Gay News
Top
Sponsors of this PDN Community
Event:
Wells
Fargo
Holiday Inn Center City Allentown
Allentown Brew Works
Sponsorship
opportunities still are available,
Click here to read about sponsorship
levels!
Please call 610-432-5449 for
information.
Doors
open at 5:30pm. Awards Ceremony at 7:30pm. Dessert served
at 8:30pm.
Order Advanced Tickets by clicking
here!
PA
Diversity Network/Valley Gay Press
Awards Celebration Night
at
the Brew Works in Allentown
The awards & recognitions will be presented Thursday
evening, June 30, 2011 in the Hamilton Room of the
Allentown Brew Works, 812 Hamilton Street, Allentown.
Tickets are $20 per person in advance, $25 at the door.
Purchase advance tickets on-line at:www.padiversity.org.
Ticket price includes fabulous hors d'oeuvres, pasta bar,
soft drinks, cash bar, dessert, coffee, and ten free basket
raffle tickets. There will be a silent auction, and
presentation of the PA Diversity Photo Project. Doors Open
at 5:30pm. Awards ceremony begins at 7:30pm. Dessert served
at 8:30pm. A non-smoking event
PENNSYLVANIA
DIVERSITY NETWORK ANNOUNCES 2011 HONOREES & KEYNOTE
SPEAKER FOR LEHIGH VALLEY LGBT COMMUNITY AWARDS
CELEBRATION
Award
Recipients
Hon.
Michael D’Amore, Columbia Law School Gender and
Sexuality Law Clinic, Gay and Lesbian Organization in the
Workplace at PPL, Muhlenberg College Office of Residential
Services, Northampton High School Gay Straight Alliance,
Express Business Center of Trexlertown, and Philadelphia
Gay News
Keynote
Speaker: Mark
Segal, Publisher, Philadelphia Gay
News
Pennsylvania
Diversity Network is pleased to announce the recipients of
the 2011 Lehigh Valley LGBT Community Awards. The Awards
Celebration will take place on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at
5:30 pm at the Allentown Brew Works located at 812 W.
Hamilton Street in Allentown. Tickets are available in
advance for
$20.00 per
person or
$25.00 at the
door. Advance tickets may be ordered at
www.padiversity.org
and at
the door. This year’s celebration will include a
silent auction, door prizes, hors d’oeuvres, pasta
bar, and dessert. Sponsorship opportunities are still
available, please contact Adrian Shanker at 610 597 8044.
Award recipients:
Hon.
Michael D’Amore,
President of the Allentown City Council, has been a loyal
friend of the LGBT community. D’Amore was the prime
sponsor of the Domestic Partner Benefits ordinance for the
City of Allentown and worked with Pennsylvania Diversity
Network for three years on its passage.
Columbia Law School Gender and Sexuality Law Clinic
worked
pro-bono for Pennsylvania Diversity Network in writing the
Domestic Partner Benefits legislation for the City of
Allentown, which is now being used as model legislation for
other municipalities in Pennsylvania.
Gay
and Lesbian Organization in the Workplace at PPL
has had
a long commitment of support to its GLBT employees, has
partnered with other local GLBT employment groups on
presentations, hosted the PDN Photo Project, and
successfully worked to put in place for domestic partner
benefits for management and union employees at PPL
Muhlenberg College Office of Residential Services
oversaw
the implementation of Gender Neutral Housing policies at
the College and was an advocate for the policy during the
six-year effort to get agreement from Muhlenberg that it
was in the best interest of all students.
Northampton
High School Gay Straight Alliance showed
remarkable courage and fortitude in responding to their
School Board’s illegal decision last November to
disallow the group from meeting on campus. The GSA
successfully organized, spoke out, and challenged the
School Board to reinstate their organization.
Express Business Center has been
an annual corporate sponsor of Pennsylvania Diversity
Network, allowing Pennsylvania Diversity Network to afford
the printing cost of the Valley Gay Press.
Philadelphia
Gay News is
recognized for more than 35 years of LGBT news coverage in
Philadelphia and beyond. PGN is distributed locally and has
frequently covered LGBT civil rights victories in the
Lehigh Valley.
In addition to the honorees, Pennsylvania Diversity Network
is excited to announce that
Mark Segal will be
the
keynote speaker at the
2011 Celebration. Segal is often referred to as the dean of
American gay journalism. He is the nation's most awarded
LGBT media commentator. As a pioneer of the local gay
press, he was one of the founders and former president of
both The National Gay Press Association and the National
Gay Newspaper Guild. He also is the founder and publisher
of the award winning Philadelphia Gay News, which recently
celebrated its 35th anniversary.
To
contact award recipients for interviews, please contact
Adrian Shanker, 610 597-8044. For further information about
the event, please contact: Liz Bradbury at 610-432-5449
All members of the press are invited to cover the event, it
is requested that press interested in covering the event
contact Adrian Shanker in advance of the event. All press
will be expected to show proper credentials in order to
enter the event without a
reservation.Order Advanced Tickets by clicking
here!
Top Sponsors of this event are Wells Fargo, Holiday Inn
Center City Allentown, and Allentown Brew Works!!!
Wells Fargo
Holiday Inn Center City Allentown
Allentown Brew Works
Click here for sponsorship
information to support this event and the work of PA
Diversity Network!
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Recent
- Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Bethlehem
City Council passes City-wide
fully inclusive Human Relations Ordinance!
Photos to follow....
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Recent
- Tuesday, June 6, 2011
Easton
City Council Members Mike Fleck, Ken Brown, and Sandra
Vulcano, and Mayor Sal Panto Sign Domestic Partners Of City
Employees Benefits Ordinance into Law
in
historic Easton Square - (where the 3rd reading of the US
Declaration of Independence took place in 1776). PDN
Executive Director Liz Bradbury and PDN Vice President
Adrian Shanker look on, and also spoke at the signing.
Adrian Shanker worked directly with Council to craft the
legislation. The language was based on model legislation
passed in Allentown and created by Allentown City Council
with significant help from Pennsylvania
Recent
- Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Easton
City Council votes unanimously on Inclusive
Domestic Partner Benefits Ordinance With Bipartisan
Support!
Legislation
will grant domestic partner benefits
to the same-sex partners of Easton City
Employees.
Council
members: Mike Fleck, Ken Brown, Elinor Warner, Mayor Sal
Panto, Jeff Warren, Roger Ruggles,
and Sandra Volcano not only each voted for the ordinance
but each spoke in strong support before the
vote!
In
the above picture Pennsylvania Diversity Network VP Adrian
Shanker and PDN Executive Director Liz Bradbury speak with
members of Easton City Council and Mayor Sal Panto at their
request on the language and ramification of the
legislation. Pennsylvania Diversity Network worked closely
with Councilman Mike Fleck, Mayor Panto, other members of
council and City officials to craft this legislation. The
basic language of the legislation comes from the language
of the Allentown Ordinance that PDN helped to pass earlier
this year and that was written in part by the Columbia Law
School Gender and Sexuality Law Clinic which worked closely
with Pennsylvania Diversity Network on this effort.
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Recent
- Sunday, May 22, 2011
Pennsylvania
Diversity Network Boardmember Hannah Mesouani
Graduates from Muhlenberg College with a dual degree in
Media & Communications and Film.
Hannah,
with PDN Executive Director Liz Bradbury and PDN Board
President Patricia Sullivan.
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Recent
- Friday, May 13, 2011
Valley
Gay Press columnist Stephen T. LIbby married his partner
Gary Gaugler in a ceremony in the Allentown Rose Garden
officiated by
Rev. Beth Goudy of the Metropolitan Community Church of the
Lehigh Valley.
See a full photo album of this beautiful
and very fun event by clicking
here!!!
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Recent
- April 12, May 18, 2011
Bethlehem
City Council committee vote passage of the fully inclusive
Bethlehem Human Relations Ordinance legislation
and first reading of the ordinance.
Read all
about the legislation in the press release below.
Above left, Pennsylvania Diversity
Network Vice President Adrian Shanker speaks to
Bethlehem City Council on community support of the
Civil Rights Ordinance. Adrian has led the coordinate
the support for passage. Above right, PDN Executive
Director Liz Bradbury speaks to Council about past
instances of discrimination in Bethlehem.
Above left, Mayor John Callahan ,
who introduced the legislation speaks in favor. And at
right, Chair of the State Human Relations Commission
speaks to Council in favor of the ordinance. Over 100
people attended the committee meeting, 30 people
spoke, no one spoke against.
Bethlehem Council Committee
Unanimously Votes to Refer Anti-Discrimination Ordinance to
Full Council
For Immediate Release:
Photo’s/Interviews Available Upon Request
Contact: Adrian Shanker, Vice President, Pennsylvania
Diversity Network
c. 610 597 8044 / e. Aeshanker@gmail.com
April 28, 2011, Bethlehem, PA – Following a
three-hour public comment hearing, the Bethlehem City
Council Human Resources and Environment Committee voted 3-0
to refer the proposed Human Relations Ordinance to the full
council, with their support. The Committee, chaired by
Gordon Mowrer, also consists of Jean Belinski and David
DiGiacinto. All members of council and the Mayor attended
the meeting. Almost 100 community members attended with 30
speaking in favor and no one spoke against.
Mayor John Callahan introduced the ordinance in September,
and told council that “this important piece of
legislation is long overdue. As a City, we have to be
welcoming to everyone.” Councilwoman Karen Dolan
urged “Swift passage” by the full council as
they consider the ordinance for the first reading on May
18th.
If passed, Bethlehem will become the 21st municipality in
Pennsylvania to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation and gender identity or expression, in addition
to the enumerated protected classes in the state Human
Relations Act, according to Stephen Glassman, Chairperson
of the PA Human Relations Commission. Glassman was on hand
to provide expert testimony and to answer questions
regarding the legislation at the Committee hearing.
Adrian Shanker, Vice President of Pennsylvania Diversity
Network, led the campaign to build public support for this
ordinance. The ordinance is endorsed by 100+ organizations,
businesses, labor unions, and religious leaders in
Bethlehem. Shanker stated, “there is no rational
reason to oppose this legislation. Which is why there is
such broad public support from the arts, labor, faith,
business, and civil rights communities.” Shanker
noted that the legislation is supported by, among others,
the AARP, Planned Parenthood, ArtsQuest, ACLU, Equality PA,
Lehigh Valley Labor Council, and 39 businesses.
Recent statewide polling commissioned by EqualityPA
indicates sustained and strong support for
non-discrimination laws protecting people on the basis of
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Executive Director,
Ted Martin, said “the support for this is so strong
because most people know what is right and what is wrong,
and they know discrimination is simply wrong.”
Pennsylvania Diversity Network led the campaign to pass
this legislation in Allentown, Easton, and Reading as well.
Liz Bradbury, Executive Director, who presented the Council
Committee with information on past cases of discrimination
in Bethlehem is now “hopeful that [she] can soon
recommend Bethlehem as a safe place to live, work, or visit
for everyone.”
The legislation now goes before the full council, and it is
expected they will support the final version and send it
back to Mayor Callahan for his signature.
Pennsylvania Diversity Network is the Lehigh Valley-based
LGBT advocacy organization, and is the largest
membership-driven LGBT organization in the Commonwealth of
PA. www.PADiversity.org
********************************************
Recent
- April 29, 2011
Crime
Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley
Pennsylvania
Diversity Network Executive Director Liz Bradbury
spoke to staff about GLBT rights and anti-bullying
strategies that are inclusive GLBT youth.
********************************************
Recent
- April 8, 2011
Reading
Area Community College, in Reading PA
Pennsylvania
Diversity Network Executive Director Liz Bradbury
spoke to students, faculty, and community members about
GLBT rights, The PA Diversity Network Photo Project and
especially covered new anti-bullying strategies that are
inclusive GLBT youth.
********************************************
Recent
- April 30, 2011
Equality
Forum in Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
Diversity Network Vice President and Executive Director Liz
Bradbury
present a workshop on Pennsylvania Pro-GLBT legislative
strategy
with Equality Pennsylvania President Brian Sims and E.P.
Executive Director Ted Martin
********************************************
Recent
- February 18, 2011
Palisades
Area School District in upper Bucks County, PA.
Pennsylvania
Diversity Network Executive Director Liz Bradbury
presented information on GLBT student and faculty issues in
a workshop attended by 60 teachers and staff, and served on
a diversity panel to address a variety of issues for the
entire faculty of the district.
********************************
Recent -
February 15th
Pennsylvania
Diversity Network
Partnered with Muhlenberg College
To bring
the Award Winning Movie about Civil Rights
Activist and MLK Confidant Bayard Rustin,
“Brother Outsider”
to Muhlenberg College - Seeger’s Union,
7pm
Featuring
Special Guest, Bayard Rustin’s Life Partner,
Walter
Naegle
Who will
take part in a talk back after the
Movie.
Don’t
Miss This Special Event!!!
*********************************************
February 11th and 12th
PDN will
Participated in MCCLV’s National Freedom To Marry
Court House Action and Freedom to Marry Celebration
*********************************************
Recent -
February 3 - Hear the show right here!
HOLA!!!
--
Alfa
Lopez’s Morning Radio Show
PDN’s
Executive Director Liz Bradbury joins this Spanish Language
call-in show to talk about Allentown’s passage of
Domestic Partner Benefits for the same-sex partners of
Allentown City Employees. The show was in both Spanish and
English.
*********************************************
Recent -
January 26
Signing
of the Allentown Domestic Partner Legislation
*********************************************
Recent -
January 19
Community
Members Toast the Work and Life
of the Late Lehigh Valley GLBT Activist Steve Black
At the
Allentown Brew Works after the passage of the Domestic
Partner Legislation.
Toasting
Steve’s work and life on the night of that important
groundbreaking legislation that Steve began work on 16
years before, were his friends & colleagues and
community activists: (From left) - Renae Bennett, Patricia
Sullivan, Allyson Diane Hamm, Denise McKelvey, Rob Hopkins,
Arkady Browne, Leslie Horvath, City Council President Mike
D’Amore, Adrian Shanker, Liz
Bradbury.
*********************************************
Recent -
January 19
Allentown
City Council Vote on the Domestic Partner Benefits
*********************************************
Recent -
January 5
Allentown
City Council Human Resources Committee Vote
on the Domestic Partner Benefits
*********************************************
Recent -
January 4
Pennsylvania
Diversity Network College Intern
Eric Stephen delivers 1500 Signed Pro-GLBT Legislation
Cards to
Jesse Salazar, Special Assistant to
US Senator Bob Casey
*********************************************