1. Center Opposes Sen. Santorum's Remarks

The Center and other Pennsylvania and national LGBT organizations have spoken in opposition to recent anti-gay remarks from Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA). An April 22 AP story about Santorum stated,

"Homosexuality, feminism, liberalism all undermine the family. Even parts of the Constitution can harm the family.'If the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual (gay) sex within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest, you have the right to adultery. You have the right to anything,' the Pennsylvania lawmaker said in a recent interview, fuming over a
landmark gay rights case before the high court that pits a Texas sodomy law against equality and privacy rights. 'All of those things are antithetical to a healthy, stable, traditional family,' Santorum said. 'And that's sort
of where we are in today's world, unfortunately. It all comes from, I would argue, this right to privacy that doesn't exist, in my opinion, in the United States Constitution.'"

The Center has spoken to local and national media with appearances
including WPVI (ABC TV in Philadelphia), WHYY radio, and the Philadelphia
Daily News, as well as AP stories throughout Pennsylvania and the country.

Stacey Sobel, the Center's executive director will appear on WHYY (NPR),
91FM radio tomorrow between noon and 1:00.

2. Santorum Protest, Thursday April 24

Liberty City is spearheading a protest against Sen. Rick Santorum this Thursday, April 24th at 5:15 PM.

It will be at his Philadelphia office which is at the Widener Building located at the northeast corner of Broad and Chestnut Street - The same building that the new Borders is located.

Signs and noise makers welcome.

3. Speak out on LGBT Civil Rights at 5th Annual IGNITE Rally, Tuesday, April 29th

Join the Center and the members of the Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition (SPARC) for free educational training in SPARC's office on 1300A North 3rd Street Harrisburg PA 17102 from 10AM-12PM, and Rally at 12 noon in the ROTUNDA!

There will be several legislators present and speaking. There will be a ton of media present, partly due to Santorum's comments. Your presence will speak volumes to the media and to legislators. We need to show people that this type of intolerance and disrespect for our community is not okay; you can do this by showing up for IGNITE and making your presence and voice heard!

Legislative meetings with Pennsylvania members of the House and Senate to follow.

If you have any other questions about this day please contact Jennifer Storm, managing director of SPARC at 717-920-9537.

Hope to see you all there!

4. RSVP for the Center's Seventh Anniversary Celebration

Thursday, May 15, 2003
The Stotesbury Mansion, 1923 Walnut Street

6:30 to 8:30 PM.

This year's award recipients are:
Mary Catherine Roper of Drinker, Biddle & Reath, Pro-Bono Attorney of the Year; Tony Barbush of Triad Strategies, Ally of the Year; and Katie Ruhl, the Center's first Sara Weaver Volunteer of the Year.

Join us for hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar, music, Silent Auction and the company of many of your friends and neighbors.

Tickets may be purchased at the following levels: General admission $75, Host $150, Patron $250, and Sponsor $500

Tickets may be purchased by visiting our online ticket-purchasing page.
You may also purchase tickets by calling the Center directly at
(215) 731-1447, extension 8.

This year's Law Firm Sponsors will include: Pepper Hamilton, Reed Smith, Drinker Biddle & Reath, Duane Morris and Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen.

5. LGBT Foster and Adoptive Parents Program

Thursday, May 22 2003, the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS), ITVS Community Connections Project and community groups, including the Center, will present a groundbreaking two-hour program aimed at potential LGBT foster and adoptive parents.

The program will begin at 6:30 pm, at the Sedgwick Theater, located at 7137 Germantown Avenue in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia.

The program which is free, includes screen clips from the documentary "Daddy & Papa," scheduled to air on PBS in June. Refreshments will be served.

The Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights
http://www.center4civilrights.org
1211 Chestnut Street, 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Main number: (215) 731-1447
Legal Hotline: (215) 731-1447
Fax: (215) 731-1544

The Center advocates equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals in Pennsylvania through direct legal services, education and policy reform.