Metro Philadelphia LGBTQ+ Power Players 2023

Nima is co-founder and CEO of Cake Life Bake Shop in Philadelphia’s vibrant Fishtown neighborhood, featuring unparalleled, unpretentious baking in a welcoming, inclusive experience that everyone can feel good about. He is also the longest-serving board chair of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia since its founder, Judy Wicks. In his spare time, Nima enjoys swimming, ceramics, dogs, and Persian cooking. He is a proud uncle, immigrant, and transman.

What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
Philly’s strong LGBTQ+ support offers an opportunity for people from all walks of life to live openly as exactly who they are, and to feel reasonably safe doing so. Living openly in relative safety is sadly still not possible in much of this country (or state). As basic a right as this is, it’s a welcome, special, and wonderful aspect of Queer life in Philadelphia that offers opportunities for joy and happiness not present elsewhere.

Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
There are far too many to name here, but Leslie Feinberg is my biggest personal source of inspiration. Feinberg’s “Trans Liberation: Beyond Pink or Blue” changed my life. Reading that book was the first time I really felt seen. It clarified my own trans identity and offered an illuminating, thought-provoking entry point to understanding what being trans can mean to me, and in turn what I can mean to the world around me.

What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
While the whole LGBTQ+ community needs the city’s continued support, trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming Philadelphians need it most right now. The trans community is under historically unprecedented attack nationwide, in the red parts of our state, and sometimes in the statehouse itself. I hope to see Philadelphia fight to preserve and grow its unique protections for Queer and trans folx young and old, even when that means fighting the statehouse to do it. 

Dr. Dennis Fee is a Philadelphia native who was educated in Philadelphia. Once graduating from St. Joe’s, Dr. Fee pursued his passion for dentistry and earned his DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.  After working as an associate, he opened Academy House Dental in Center City. Dr. Fee also works alongside his partner Stephen Carlino in managing a number of bars and restaurants at Cavern on Tamac. They have been together for 27 years. 

What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
It has to be an ongoing process that requires continuous effort and collaboration among individuals, organizations, and communities.

For over 30-years, Andre Ford, a former Marine, has worked with nonprofit organizations throughout the United States. Since 1998, Dr. Ford has advocated for HIV research and prevention; he serves in leadership roles on several community advisory boards at the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University. Ford is also a member of Pennsylvania HIV Planning Group. Ford believes in creating holistic safe spaces that nurture the well-being of all gender identities that exist within communities of color and at-large.

Christopher Francis MA, NCC, CCS, CCDP, joined Livengrin twenty years ago in an entry level position. Christopher steadily advanced through the ranks to become CEO and chief clinical officer. Chris helped establish one of the first twelve step LGBTQ+ meetings in the Bucks County area. Chris has also been instrumental in incorporating gender affirming care into drug and alcohol treatment, ensuring empathy and compassion are at the core of treatment.  

What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
The most pride comes from seeing the amount of progress we have made over the years.  Growing up in the 80’s was not what it is today, so to see people have an opportunity to be their true authentic self is really something that cannot be quantified in words. 

Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
For me, personally, I love hearing about LGBTQ+ people in history like Alan Turing who cracked the Nazi codes in World War Two. It acknowledges an already contributing presence from our people that cannot be denied or minimized, a contribution that forever changed the world in a positive manner. 

What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
Acknowledge that representation does not equal equality, and establish more platforms to help speak out against hate and discrimination.  Help promote legislation to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.

Bill Gehrman is founder and CEO of En Route, a strategic marketing agency focused on tourism, civic, and cultural projects. En Route provides marketing, public relations, digital marketing, social media, content development, and project management services to some of the region’s premier institutions and emerging enterprises. Bill is the founder of the Independence Business Alliance, Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and served on the board of the William Way LGBT Community Center. 

What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
After years of advancing national rights and equality for LGBTQ+ individuals, professionals, and families, we sadly are experiencing a record number of efforts to restrict the freedom and happiness of our community. But Philadelphia stands as a bastion of acceptance and inclusion, and continues to be a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community to live, work, visit, and thrive. I am distressed by events in other cities, but I am proud to live in Philadelphia.

Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
I am inspired by the generations who worked hard and sacrificed to create the increasingly open and accepting society we enjoy today and I celebrate those who broke public barriers on various levels, including Billie Jean King, Carl Nassib, Walter Schubert, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Karine Jean-Pierre. Look up the names you do not know.

What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
There are many, many LGBTQ+ Philadelphians dealing with poverty, houselessness, mental illness, food insecurity, and financial insecurity. The City and Commonwealth needs to do more to provide assistance and support for our many neighbors who are vulnerable. The City also needs to support our LGBTQ+ youth through education, workforce development, and opportunities.

Angela D. Giampolo formed Giampolo Law Group in 2008, an LGBTQ+ owned law firm serving the LGBTQ+ community for all of their legal needs. Angela is the owner and founder of Philadelphia’s most popular LGBTQ+ law blog and resource directory, Philly Gay Lawyer, and founded a nonprofit called the Caravan of Hope, where she takes an RV cross-country every June during Pride month providing pro-bono legal services to the LGBTQ+ in underserved areas.

What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
I love being part of the Philadelphia LGBTQ+ community because, overall, we embrace and celebrate diversity by leading with love. We support one another and there is always an opportunity to connect with other LGBTQ+ folks who share similar experiences. While, ultimately, life is a journey of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and self-love, in Philadelphia everyone can find a sense of belonging in a world where societal norms and expectations often marginalize or stigmatize the LGBTQ+ community.

Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
Edie Windsor and Harvey Milk are two activists that have inspired me. Edie considered herself an “accidental” activist who was inspired later in life to fight for marriage equality. Harvey Milk was a deliberate activist and risked his life by being an LGBTQ+ activist early in the 70’s. He was assassinated, and to this day, his message of coming out has inspired thousands to live their truth. Their perseverance and unwavering commitment to equality have inspired me.

What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
Philadelphia, and all cities, can help the LGBTQ+ community by implementing inclusive policies and fostering a safe and accepting environment. Philadelphia can also do more to establish LGBTQ+ resource centers, provide healthcare access, and support mental health services tailored to the LGBTQ+ community’s specific needs. Creating LGBTQ+ advisory boards at every level of government and promoting education on LGBTQ+ history and issues are additional ways that Philadelphia can empower and uplift its LGBTQ+ residents.

Carlo Giardina is the co-owner of Philly’s only all-vegan store, proudly both Black and queer owned. Carlo came from a family steeped in food history. His paternal grandfather owned one of the very first pizzerias in NYC. His maternal grandfather was a butcher — so it’s ironic that his grandson is the owner of a vegan store! When his paternal grandmother invited Carlo to help her cook Sicilian food, it showed him that food is more than sustenance; that it’s also about sharing and love. 

What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
Philly has a long and well-established LGBTQ+ community. Our community has been very supportive of us and other LGBTQ+ businesses. We’re one big fabulous family.

Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
There are many, but my short list would include James Baldwin, John Waters, Harvey Milk, Marsha P. Johnson, Lea DeLaria, and Suzy Izzard. 

What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
Support us all year round and not just during June. Also, speak up for us, even if it may cost you friends or family. 

A native Philadelphian, Brian Hardaway attended St. Joseph’s Prep; Penn State, where he gained a BA in Economics; and Philadelphia University, where he gained a MBA in Finance. Often referred to by friends and colleagues as a “renaissance” man, after six years in Munich, he decided to finally pursue his culinary passion, completing an Italian culinary course in Umbria. He became the majority owner of Joshua’s Catering in January 2020.

Stephanie Haynes is the executive director of Philadelphia Family Pride, the nonprofit group for LGBTQ+ led families in the region. She has been with PFP since 2009. Stephanie is also a member of the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of LGBT Affairs which she joined in 2017. She and her wife of 26 years live in West Philly with their twin sons.

What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
I am proud to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community in Philadelphia because while we are a big city with lots to offer, we are a city of neighborhoods where you really get a chance to know each other, work together and strive together. I am proud of our community’s resilience, fierceness, and work to lift everyone up together.

Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
Gloria Casarez and her legacy of training the next generation of leaders. Chris Bartlett and his kindness, and steadiness of leadership. He’s also an excellent role model of learning and evolving with the times. James Baldwin’s wisdom: “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” Brandi Carlile for befriending her icons like Joni Mitchell and Tanya Tucker to get their roses while they are still with us.

What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
Allies can show up whenever there is an action or protest, like the recent ones against the visiting Moms for Liberty extremist group.

Harvey Hurdle is a life-long LGBTQ+ activist and executive director of the Philadelphia Bar Association since 2019. Harvey previously served as CEO of Sellers Dorsey and COO of the Human Rights Campaign. His activism began in the 1980s working with the AIDS Information Network and as two-time chair of Blue Ball. He served on the boards of the Victory Fund, Equality PA, and Liberty PA. He lives in Society Hill with his husband and 16-year-old son.

What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
The Philadelphia LGBTQ+ community is strong, vibrant, and diverse. It has a history of being at the forefront of the fight for our rights. We have passed cutting-edge legislation that has created a safer, more inclusive community. This community is also incredibly special to me personally — Philly has been my home and source of support from the time I first came out, to meeting and marrying my partner, and the adoption of our son. 

Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
Two LGBTQ+ icons that stand out are Heshie Zinman and Elizabeth Birch. Heshie has been at the center of activism in Philadelphia from the early days of the AIDS crisis until today. He inspired me to become active in the fight against AIDS. Elizabeth is the former director of the Human Rights Campaign; her message of hope and keen practical political approach inspired me to move (temporarily) to DC to work for LGBTQ+ rights. 

What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
I believe increasing funding to provide more housing for LGBTQ+ individuals facing homelessness is critical. I also hope that our Philadelphia delegation in Harrisburg can use their power to move state-wide non-discrimination legislation.