The First Council District is a large and diverse district that includes the part of Philadelphia known as the Gayborhood.  As you walk through the Gayborhood you see LGBT owned business that have anchored this community for a generation, businesses like Woody’s Bar and Restaurant and Giovanni’s Room book store.  This neighborhood is home to the William Way Center – one of the finest LGBT community centers in the nation.  AS you walk through this neighborhood you can feel the sense of pride in community displayed on every street sign with a rainbow decal.

Joe Grace has a deep and abiding commitment to equality for every Philadelphian, regardless of their orientation or their gender identity.  He has dedicated a 15-year career in public service to the principle that every person deserves to be treated equally under law.  He put those values to work as chair of Prevention Point Philadelphia, the city’s authorized clean needle exchange program to reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS.  As a result of that commitment to equality, Joe was unanimously endorsed by Equality Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth’s leading LGBT advocacy organization, and Liberty City LGBT Democrats, Philadelphia’s premier LGBT organization that has a strong reputation for helping elect progressive candidates.

As First District Councilman, Joe pledges to:

• Oppose the sale of city owned property to any organization that discriminates and stand with LGBT advocates against the city’s proposed settlement with the Boy Scouts.

• Work with RAGE and members of the LGBT community to pressure SEPTA to end its discriminatory practice of applying gender stickers on trans-passes.

• Support marriage equality for all and work on the municipal and state level to make this important civil rights issue a priority.

• Unwaveringly support a woman’s right to choose.

• Be a vocal advocate in city government for the transgender community.

• Support legislation in council that would ensure city contractors provide domestic partnership benefits to their employees.

• Pass significant anti-bullying legislation and work with schools to make sure that our young people are learning in safe and respectful environments.