Moving forward in 2008, Qt would like to take a moment and give thanks that Philadelphia will no longer have the failed leadership of John Street to hold us back.  While there are some who would like to puff up this man's legacy, the reality is that his administration will be remembered for those things we do not want in our leaders; scandal, bad judgment and pay-to-play politics.

Street's legacy will forever be tied to a federal corruption probe, camping out for an I-phone and the out of control crime and violence in the streets and a rise in the murder rate.  He can also add one more jewel to his legacy . . .  hypocrisy for taking more than $111,000 in cost-of-living increases after making a big deal that he would not accept them in 2003.

Michael Nutter, Street's successor (we'll only refer to him this way once for the rest of the new year) is the queer friendly companion of domestic partners benefits for city employees and the candidate who won 70% of the queer vote during the primary.  

We all know that Philadelphia is a great city and deserves a great mayor.  Using his own words, Qt challenges Nutter to have the "moxie to stand up and say or do the right thing whenever it needs to be said and done" so that Philadelphia will continue to grow and that we as citizens can come together for the greater good of all.

Turning to the Keystone State, there are two important queer civil right battles to bring to the foreground.

In November 2007, the PA Commonwealth Court threw out language that expanded Pennsylvania's hate-crimes law to include crimes committed on the basis of the victim's sexual orientation and physical disabilities, ruling the legislative process that led us to the drafting of the passage was unconstitutional.

The Rendell Administration has appealed this ruling with the hope that the full strength of the law will be reinstated.

(Editor's Note:  Shame on the PA Legislator for not appealing this ruling.  You have abandoned the principles of inclusion and fairness which brought about this law into existence, as well as, allowing precedent to be made by failing to defend your right to legislate before the court.) 

This battle will be settled by the courts unless PA Legislators pass a correction immediately without any perceived procedural error and clearly it is within their power and authority.

Another civil rights battle in PA is the passage of an inclusive anti-discrimination law that includes all queers. While it is a disgrace that PA does not yet offer statewide protections for its queer citizens, there is hope that the good and fair minded leaders of the House of Representative and Senate will finally past such a law this year.

This is a battle that the religious right and other Theofascists groups will fight hard to defeat.  We queers will need all the friends we can get in this battle and that includes every elected official from the governor to locally elected officials who have ever stated support for the queer community.  If PA can not pass such a law in 2008, then there should be serious consequences across the board.

Great work lies ahead but the promise of our full civil rights is ours for the taking. 

As we move forward as a community, let us continue to work for workplace rights and hate crimes protection for queer Americans, the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and opposition to a constitutional amendment banning gays from marrying.

May we embrace the dignity that is our as queers and be victims no more.