PHOTOS: March for Our Lives protest in Washington, D.C., 03/24/18
Wherever you stand on the prevailing issue of gun control, there’s no denying that history was made with the massive March for Our Lives protest in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, March 24. Organized by students after a mass shooting with an AR-15 at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Feb. 14 took the […]
Lackawanna County Arts & Culture roundtable series produces Art for Community Progress report
From a press release: Today, the Lackawanna County Arts and Culture Department and the Scranton Area Community Foundation jointly released Art for Community Progress, a report generated from a series of Art for Social Change roundtables sponsored by the two organizations and conducted in mid/late 2016 in Scranton. The report provides a series of recommendations […]
Despite Commissioner Cummings’ disapproval, Scranton Fringe Festival receives county arts grant
Despite one Lackawanna County Commissioner’s vocal disapproval, the Scranton Fringe Festival accepted a $2,400 grant during the Lackawanna County Arts and Culture Department’s annual awards ceremony at the Scranton Cultural Center last night, surrounded by supporters while its biggest critic was absent from the event. Republican Minority Commissioner Laureen A. Cummings sparked a debate with […]
Arts community rallies as Lackawanna County Commissioner Laureen Cummings looks to cut and control arts funding
Lackawanna County Commissioner Laureen A. Cummings is coming under fire for her public comments once again, this time regarding the county’s annual arts and education tax. Cummings, who founded the Scranton Tea Party before being elected the Republican minority commissioner in 2015, said at yesterday’s bi-weekly commissioners meeting in Scranton and in a Times-Tribune interview […]
LIVING YOUR TRUTH: Religious bigotry is preventing passage of Pennsylvania Fairness Act
The Pittsburgh City Paper recently asked a very good question: “What’s holding up Pennsylvania’s LGBT Fairness Act?” Well, I don’t want to say “religious bigotry,” but… (Spoiler alert – it’s religious bigotry.) Last August, House Bill 1510, the Pennsylvania Fairness Act – a bill that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity […]
LIVING YOUR TRUTH: Lackawanna County Commissioner Laureen A. Cummings needs to be held accountable for bigoted comments
In the past few weeks, I’ve been closely watching the Facebook profile of one Laureen A. Cummings, a woman I’ve never met and never knew existed before. I was alerted to her presence by someone who took issue with her use of derogatory and disgusting words to allegedly describe people like me – the transgender […]
LIVING YOUR TRUTH: South Dakota bill restricts transgender students’ bathroom use – and freedom
I’ve heard it said that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance – and so it would seem as the transgender community deals with the fallout of the recent news out of South Dakota. Despite the fact that the population of South Dakota is roughly less than half the size of the entirety of the […]
LIVING YOUR TRUTH: Parents’ acceptance of transgender daughter sets example for Pennsylvania
Sometimes, I feel a tinge of regret that I will never be able to have my own children. I mean, it’s not impossible, but as time goes on, it becomes very improbable due to hormone therapy and any surgeries I may choose to undergo in my transition. And I’m OK with that. I can always […]
After backlash, Philly music registration bill withdrawn; protest becomes victory march
A controversial bill by Philadelphia City Council was withdrawn almost as quickly as it was introduced after receiving heavy criticism from the city’s music scene. Introduced by Councilman Mark Squilla on Jan. 21, the amendment to the current licensing laws would have forced Philadelphia bars, clubs, restaurants, and other venues that can hold 50 or […]
New Philly law would require artists to register with city and police; music scene fighting back
A controversial new bill introduced by Philadelphia City Council last week that would require venues hosting live music or DJs to submit the personal information of performers to the police department has caused major backlash from the city’s music scene. Introduced by Councilman Mark Squilla on Thursday, Jan. 21, the amendment to the current licensing […]
