Amber Hikes
It’s Time for LGBT Affairs to Break Free of the Mayor’s Office
The executive director of the city’s Office of LGBT Affairs, Amber Hikes, announced last week that she is stepping down after two years of serving […]
Amber Hikes on Leading the Office of LGBT Affairs in Tumultuous Times
Amber Hikes, who has led the city’s Office of LGBT Affairs for the past two years, announced her resignation earlier this week. Hikes, a black […]
23 Questions With Amber Hikes, Director of Philly’s Office of LGBT Affairs
My full name is … Amber Jelena Hikes. It’s pronounced “Yelena,” and the only reason there’s a J is that my father’s name is Jeffrey […]
City’s New Leadership Pipeline Program Is an Affront to Real Diversity
As a Black professional who has lived in Philadelphia for nearly nine years, I have seen more than my share of blatant racism. But there’s […]
Philly’s 20 Biggest Winners of 2018
At the end of the year, it is customary for us here at Philly Mag to take stock of the good, the bad, and the […]
Diversity Director Fired by Mazzoni Center Files PCHR Complaint
Following Monday’s firing of Kay Martinez, Mazzoni Center ’s first-ever director of diversity, equity and inclusion, Philadelphia magazine has learned that Martinez filed a complaint […]
Kimmel Center to Host City’s First-Ever “LGBTQ State of the Union”
The Office of LGBT Affairs and Mayor’s Commission on LGBT Affairs are bringing back their “Community Conversations” initiative in an epic way through a partnership […]
Philly’s Biggest Winners of 2017
President Donald Trump promised Americans that when he took office, they were “going to win so much, you’re going to be so sick and tired of winning.” Well, let’s […]
City Hires Evan Thornburg as Deputy Director of the Office of LGBT Affairs
On Monday, the Office of LGBT Affairs officially announced the hiring of Evan Thornburg as its first-ever deputy director. Thornburg, a Philadelphia native, will assist, […]
One Year Ago Today, the ICandy N-Word Video Rocked the Gayborhood
On September 29th, 2016, a video surfaced of ICandy owner Darryl DePiano referring to a former black employee and patrons as “niggers” repeatedly. Here’s the cringeworthy […]
LGBTQ Event of the Week: Philly Bi Visibility Rally
This week’s LGBTQ event of the week is the Philly Bi Visibility Rally. Enjoy an afternoon meant to honor bisexual individuals through a health fair, a bi […]
Mazzoni Center Staff Vote to Unionize
After weeks of internal turmoil over the decision to consider unionization, Mazzoni Center front-line staff voted 51-34 on Wednesday evening in favor of a petition […]
Mayor’s Office of LGBT Affairs Seeks First-Ever Deputy Director
For the first time in the city’s history, there will now be two people in the Mayor’s Office leading the city on LGBTQ issues: The […]
Kenney Will Sign Bill Prompted by Gayborhood Racism Complaints Into Law
After unanimously passing out of City Council in May, today Mayor Jim Kenney will sign into law an anti-discrimination bill introduced by Councilman Derek Green […]
“It Was an Ambush”: Behind the Vote That Ousted Sharron Cooks as LGBT Commission Chair
The Mayor’s Commission on LGBT Affairs, a 23-member advisory board announced in October 2016 after several intense months of revelations about racial discrimination in the […]