Crossroads vote for LGBT community this year

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20150314_Crossroads_vote_for_LGBT_community_this_year.html

Julia Terruso, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: Saturday, March 14, 2015, 1:07 AM

At an iconic Center City gay bar, mayoral candidate James F. Kenney greeted some of the leading LGBT advocates in the city, calling them his family and pledging to continue to protect their rights, in life and love, at a fund-raiser for his campaign.

A drag queen manned the DJ station at Woody's, rainbow flags flew, and a slide show of Kenney through the years played on the TVs.

Twenty years ago, such a campaign event likely would not have happened. Today, LGBT voters are seen as a key bloc of politically minded, progressive supporters who are expected to turn out - particularly this year, when two openly gay candidates are running for City Council. Kenney picked up major LGBT endorsements on Friday.

While Philadelphia is nationally renowned for its support of LGBT people, it's also the only big city never to elect an openly gay person to Council or mayor, something members of the community and allies say needs to change.

FULL story and photos at link.