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HomeAuthorsTaylor Smethers

Articles by Taylor Smethers

City Hall

LGBTQ: Serving the LGBT Community as a Unified City

May 10, 2016 Taylor Smethers 0

An anonymous letter landed on the Philadelphia District Attorney’s desk in 2012. It described an experience from a member of the Philadelphia Police Department. Two police officers on the job, away from three individuals — [continue reading…]

City Hall

LGBTQ: Shedding Light on City, State Hate Crime Laws

May 10, 2016 Taylor Smethers 0

The brutal 1998 murder of University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard put LGBT issues in the national spotlight. Here in Philadelphia, the 2014 beating of a gay couple brought the issues closer to home — and served as [continue reading…]

Center City

LGBTQ: First Came Marriage, Now Adoption for Many Couples

April 25, 2016 Taylor Smethers 0

For years, same-sex couples struggled for the opportunity to express and protect their love in the same way that a heterosexual couple inherently could. So when on June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage [continue reading…]

Arts and Entertainment

Center City: qFLIX Philadelphia Revives LGBTQ Film Scene with Festival

April 5, 2016 Taylor Smethers 0

Philadelphia’s lone LGBTQ film festival evolved from necessity. “We put qFLIX Philadelphia together for one main reason — the previous festival was abandoned,” director and co-producer James Duggan (above) said. Founded in 2014 by Duggan and fellow [continue reading…]

Health

Southwest Philadelphia: Morris Home Provides Trans-Affirming Residency For Rehabilitation

March 1, 2016 Taylor Smethers 2

Morris Home, located in Southwest Philadelphia, is a haven for individuals seeking refuge. The three-floored residence maintains a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility specifically for transgender individuals. Started in 2011, the organization’s growth reflects the [continue reading…]

Arts and Entertainment

LGBTQ: Drew By Day, Drag By Night

February 24, 2016 Taylor Smethers 0

When the sun goes down, the transformation of Drew Gaver begins. “I started drag, in earnest, about three years ago,” said Gaver, who performs as BEV. “I dabbled around with just kind of goofing off [continue reading…]

Gayborhood

LGBTQ: Five Welcoming Places for the Community

February 17, 2016 Taylor Smethers 0

Intersecting at 13th and Locust streets, the rainbow crosswalk represents more than lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders and queers. It embodies the boundaries and obstacles crossed and overcome by the LGBTQ community in Philadelphia. In neighborhoods across the [continue reading…]

Gayborhood

LGBTQ: Q&A with Anthony Leon, Advocate for Latino Community

February 16, 2016 Taylor Smethers 0

Anthony Leon is the co-producer of “Gran Varones,” a documentary film featuring the stories of gay and queer Latino men. Leon captured and assembled stories with co-producer Louie Ortiz-Fonesca and video editor Sean Laughlin. The film premiered [continue reading…]

Recent Posts

  • A Haven of Hope for Philadelphia’s Unhoused
    March 3, 2025 0
  • No Picture
    Heights Philadelphia: Mentoring students for future success
    March 3, 2025 0
  • Chinatown celebrates Lunar New Year
    February 24, 2025 0
  • Fashion: How Dylan Kepp Brings their Drag Persona “Iris Spectre” To Life
    December 30, 2024 0
  • Philly Roller Derby: A Family on Wheels
    December 22, 2024 0
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