Lauren Rowello

Moorestown Township

Writer at Freelance

Staff Reporter at The Philadelphia Gay News

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Articles

Remembering Writer Victoria A. Brownworth

1 week ago | epgn.com | Lauren Rowello

Victoria A. Brownworth — who has worked for PGN since she was a 17-year-old college student — died on May 22. Her Wikipedia page says that she was 69 years old — and she might have liked for you to believe this. But she was not.
Philly Pride weekend is back with a few changes. Here’s what you need to know.

1 week ago | epgn.com | Lauren Rowello

Following an abrupt announcement by Galaei that the organization would no longer be a fiscal sponsor for Philly’s upcoming Pride events, the local LGBTQ+ community had one resounding question: Is Pride canceled? Absolutely not. The Urban Affairs Commission stepped up to give Philly Pride 365 — which organizes the events — a new home for now. And as Pride month approaches, organizers are preparing for another action-packed and resource-filled weekend.
LGBTQ+ candidates face wins and losses in PA's 2025 primary election

2 weeks ago | epgn.com | Lauren Rowello

Pennsylvania voters took to the polls on May 20 to select the candidates they hope will win in the upcoming November 2025 elections. While LGBTQ+ candidates weren’t successful in every race, several are advancing. Wins include a historic outcome in a Philadelphia suburb and hopeful judges who are ready for their time in court. These Democrats will now face Republican challengers in the fall.
New ordinance in Kensington could have devastating impact on HIV rates

2 weeks ago | epgn.com | Lauren Rowello

Philadelphia City Council recently passed a bill that places significant restrictions on mobile service providers — which offer harm reduction tools, health care services, and other resources. The votes landed 13 to 3 — with Kendra Brooks, Nicolas O’Rourke and Rue Landau dissenting in opposition.
Malcolm Kenyatta could lose DNC leadership role — and the in-fighting has people worried - Philadelphia Gay News

2 weeks ago | epgn.com | Lauren Rowello

The Democratic National Convention will soon vote to re-select vice chairs following a possible procedural error made during a February election, which led to recent voided results. While that news might draw some shrugs from those who don’t concern themselves with intraparty politics, the discourse surrounding the decision shines a light on the worries of marginalized people during a critical time in American history.
ACT UP town hall highlights severity of healthcare budget cuts

3 weeks ago | epgn.com | Lauren Rowello

“ACT UP made the difference then, and ACT UP will make the difference now!” shouted the voice of an activist from her seat in the crowd at an ACT UP town hall meeting on May 12 at William Way LGBT Community Center. Another member spoke about her son who died after he was denied Medicaid and couldn’t access his medication.
South Jersey bar in blue collar town becomes safe-haven for LGBTQ+ community following boycott

3 weeks ago | epgn.com | Lauren Rowello

Juls Bergman started Collingswood Area Queer Connection — a Facebook group for South Jersey locals to meet each other and develop in-person gatherings — in 2021. But she had difficulty finding a restaurant or other facility within a drivable distance in Camden County that would host the group for its events. The owner of one bar in Haddon Township chased a trans woman out of the women’s bathroom during one event.
Pennsylvania Senate passes transphobic school sports bill

3 weeks ago | epgn.com | Lauren Rowello

A Republican-led state Senate passed the Save Women’s Sports Act (SB9) on May 6 — a piece of legislation that would ban trans people from participating in school-sponsored athletic teams that align with their gender identities. If the bill becomes law, the rule would apply to kids in K – 12 schools and extend to collegiate students who attend public universities.
NJ BOE members resign over request related to trans-affirming student policy

1 month ago | epgn.com | Lauren Rowello

Approximately 40 people gathered at a board of education meeting on April 30 in Tabernacle, N.J. Most were there to discuss or hear about Policy 5756 — the state’s trans-affirming student guidelines that board members Lauren Fanti and Erica Vining attempted to quietly remove during a meeting in March.
Philly Dyke March returns to honor the history and the future of LGBTQ+ camaraderie

1 month ago | epgn.com | Lauren Rowello

After a multi-year, COVID-caused hiatus, Philly Dyke March returned in 2024 on the eve of the city’s Pride celebrations with a pared down version of the event. Attendees marched through the city — but the group didn’t host speakers, entertainment or an after party. This year, on May 31 beginning at Kahn Park, things are back to usual with a day of festivities that Tami Sortman, one of the organizers, said will feel more like it used to.