Lesbian

A TRANSGENDER teen girl and Lambda Legal Defense have filed a lawsuit against the city's Youth Study Center and Department of Human Services. The girl alleges that despite being diagnosed with gender identity disorder she was housed with males and subjected to constant verbal and physical abuse. In fact, according to the suit, one Youth Study Center supervisor told this petite girl that he would not call her by her feminine name until she had her genitals removed. Of course, the language he used was much more crude.

The Archbishop of Canterbury warned yesterday that the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles' election of a lesbian and former Philadelphia priest as a bishop threatens to further divide the worldwide Anglican community. On Saturday, the diocese's annual convention by a narrow margin chose the Rev. Mary Glasspool, 55, as its next suffragen, or assistant, bishop. If approved by the Episcopal House of Bishops, Glasspool would be the denomination's first openly gay female prelate. Glasspool, who was assistant to the rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill from 1981 to 1984, lives in an open relationship with her long-term partner, Becki Sander.

Not-guiltys from Burglar Bunch Hollywood burglary is in the news! Refreshing timeout from the normal infidelity, betrayal, addiction, viciousness, perversity, and failure to tip 20 percent! First, the world was poleaxed by news that Casey Johnson, heiress to Johnson & Johnson money (and dat ain't baby powder), was arrested for burgling a former lover's Hollywood crib. Now comes news of a big "Us? Guilty? Nah" plea in Los Angeles Criminal Court Wednesday. Who's pleading not guilty?

This weekend, thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans will march in the nation's capital. They won't be marching for marriage rights alone. They'll be marching for complete federal equality - an end to second-class citizenship. Organizer Cleve Jones sees Sunday's National Equality March as introducing a shift in movement strategy, from an emphasis on the patchwork progress made in states and localities to an unqualified demand for national equality. Such a move would hold the federal government more accountable not only for its current policies - some of which, such as the Defense of Marriage Act, interfere with progress on the state and local levels - but for its long history of anti-gay discrimination.

Philadelphia's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community stepped in to help Giovanni's Room find a home in Center City in the late '70s, after the gay- and lesbian-interest bookstore was forced out of a previous location by a homophobic landlord. Longtime owner Ed Hermance, 68, said he is hoping that the community will pitch in again to help raise funds to rebuild a brick wall that is threatening the building's stability. Hermance notified members of the store's Facebook fan page that "the cost of this renovation, roughly $50,000, will not be easily paid; independent bookstores, LGBT bookstores included, have never been that profitable.

Rosalie Davies, 70, formerly of Narberth, a lawyer who was an advocate for lesbian rights, died Tuesday at Roxborough Memorial Hospital of a stroke. For the last two years Ms. Davies was a resident of Simpson House, a retirement residence in Philadelphia. A native of London, Ms. Davies immigrated to Montreal with her husband, Kevin Buck, in the 1950s. In the late 1960s, they moved to the Philadelphia area, and she became active in the anti-Vietnam War and feminist movements. When she and her husband divorced, they shared custody of their son and daughter.

Sharon Gless has made a career of playing tough broads. With her signature low, gravelly voice and her commanding screen presence, Gless is quick with the sarcastic comeback. And, she always gets in the last word. Gless, 66, will be presented with the Gay Icon Award on July 19 at the 15th annual Philadelphia QFest for being "a compassionate champion for the gay & lesbian community. " The fest, scheduled today through July 20, also features a screening of her new film, Hannah Free.

Want to know more about the "gayby boom," the trend of gay couples having babies that is sweeping the nation? Are you curious about the social issues gays and lesbians face daily? You could take a Learning Annex course - or have a blast watching dozens of stimulating films at the 15th annual QFest (formerly the Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival) now through July 20. QFest, which brings screenings, parties and star and filmmaker appearances to various Center City venues, offers 108 films, including 45 shorts and 63 features.

AS A member of the gay and lesbian community, I'd like to take issue with Christine Flowers' June 19 column ("Obama & Gays: The Thrill is Gone"): I understand where you're coming from when you say there are many more important issues for President Obama to deal with now than gay and lesbian rights. But trying to place some sort of priority on each of these problems is a bit difficult at best and, to many, completely ludicrous. But when you say, in effect, that we should cut the guy a break, he'll get back to us later, is genuinely absurd.

IT LOOKS like going on tour with Elton John has broken up Billy Joel's marriage. Or maybe it was the 30-year age difference. Whatever. "Extra" reports that the Piano Man and wife No. 3, Katie Lee Joel, have separated. It's confirmed in a statement from both of their reps (why does she have a rep?): "After nearly five years of marriage Billy Joel & Katie Lee Joel have decided to separate. This decision is a result of much thoughtful consideration. Billy & Katie remain caring friends with admiration and respect for each other.