Ali Perelman is the founding executive director of Philadelphia 3.0, a nonprofit and PA committed to reforming local politics. Perelman is on the board of directors of Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, The Forum of Executive Women, The Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Engagement, Bella Vista Neighbors Association, and is a Democratic Committee Person. Perelman graduated from Princeton and has a PhD from Penn. She lives with her wife and son in Bella Vista.
Steve Preston
Chief Program Officer, Share Food Program
Steve Preston currently serves as the chief program officer at Share Food Program, the largest-serving hunger relief organization in the Philadelphia region. Over the past 3 years, Steve has helped more than triple the size of the organization’s staff and broadened the organization’s outreach in the community. Steve also serves on the boards of the Philadelphia Emergency Food and Shelter Program, Liberty City LGBTQ+ Democratic Club, and the Clean Air Council.
What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
I’m proud to be part of a community that is so intersectional. The LGBTQ+ community spans across age, race, disability, and much more.
Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
I’m inspired by folks who are out there doing the work in Philadelphia — Rue Landau, who will win in November and become the first out LGBTQ+ councilmember, Celena Morrison and Erik Larson who run the City’s office of LGBTQ+ affairs, and Tyrell Brown who is the executive director at GALEI.
What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
I think that people with more privilege, particularly folks who are white and cis, need to advocate more for members of the community who are trans and/or people of color. There is still a lot of discrimination in Philly’s LGBTQ+ community and a lot of work to do to get us where we need to be. This means difficult conversations… and action!
Matthew Ray
Chief Creative Officer, ChatterBlast
The co-founder and chief creative officer of queer-owned ChatterBlast Media, Matthew is responsible for helping design the firm’s behavior-change, place-making, and brand building media work for clients like the City of Philadelphia, GLAAD, University of Pennsylvania, and the Attic Youth Center. He has also taught as an adjunct professor at Temple University and The University of the Arts. Matthew serves as a board member of the Pennsylvania Prison Society and AccessMatters.
What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
When I moved to Philadelphia from Lancaster to go to Temple University, I came out and didn’t look back. Everyone here welcomed the authentic version of myself. I felt safe, seen, and secure. For the next two decades, this city has supported me and its queer community has helped me evolve and prosper. While there are days it is tough to be a Philadelphian, those are outnumbered by the days when it’s wonderful.
Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
Marsha P Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Harvey Milk, Billy Porter, Greg Berlantti, and Barbara Gittings.
What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
Our city and community need to continue to invest in supporting our most vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially people of color and trans folx.
Robb Reichard
Executive Director, AIDS Fund
Since doing his first AIDS Walk in 1988, Robb Reichard has been passionate about supporting HIV-affected communities in Philadelphia. As executive director of AIDS Fund since 2004, Robb has led the organization, with an evolved mission to provide emergency financial assistance to the most vulnerable people living with HIV in the Philadelphia region. Robb is a graduate of Arcadia University, lives in Northeast Philadelphia with his rescue Yorkie, and enjoys spending time in the Poconos.
What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
I’m very proud of Philadelphia’s long history of LGBTQ+ and HIV activism. From the “Reminder Days” of the 1960s, to the ACT-UP demonstrations of the 1990s, to the recent Philadelphia Pride Flag, Philadelphia is always leading the way in activism. AIDS Walk Philly came out of those activists, and we are still here fighting for our most vulnerable friends, family, and neighbors.
Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
Shortly after I came out in 1987, I met Dominic Bash at Dignity Philadelphia. Dominic was one of the founders of Dignity and I will never forget the warmth with which he greeted me. Over the next few years, at ACT-UP demonstrations, Pride Parades, and AIDS Walk Philly, I witnessed his strength, passion, dignity, pride, grace, and commitment. Dominic passed in 1993 from complications of AIDS at age 46, but he continues to inspire me.
What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
I believe that young people in the LGTBQ+ community need to have safe spaces in their lives. As Philadelphians, we must open the doors widely for those who need support and give everyone the access they need for health and wellbeing. Personally, I want every young person to learn about HIV and get tested regularly. If they are at risk, I highly recommend PrEP to prevent getting HIV.
Meg Rider, MBA, CPXP
Divisional Director, Patient Experience, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals
Meg Rider, MBA, CPXP is an experienced healthcare administration professional with a background in social work, business administration, and patient experience. She has worked with non-profits, health systems, and corporations on patient experience and customer service initiatives. Currently serving as the director of Patient Experience and co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Executive Committee at Jefferson Health, she is also involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy and volunteers for various community organizations.
Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
I draw inspiration from individuals and organizations within the Philadelphia community, such as the community leaders who are involved in The Attic, TransWay, William Way LGBT Community Center, The Independence Business Alliance, and Philly AIDS Thrift, to name just a few. Their dedication, passion, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity have made a significant impact in supporting the community and advancing equality in the city.
Mary Catherine Roper
Of Counsel, Langer Grogan and Diver, P.C.
Mary Catherine Roper is a civil rights attorney with the firm of Langer, Grogan & Diver, P.C. Mary Catherine is well known for her work advancing racial and economic justice, freedom of speech, criminal justice reform, and equality for LGBTQ+ people and other marginalized communities. For 30 years, Mary Catherine has supported the William Way Community Center and numerous other LGBTQ+ organizations in Philadelphia with pro bono legal advice.
What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
The Philadelphia LGBTQ+ community is beautiful and vibrant and loud! I love the activism and energy and the fact that the community demands authenticity and respect.
Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
Naiymah Sanchez, who’s senior organizer at the ACLU of PA; Rue Landau, Harvey Milk, and Audre Lorde
What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
LGBTQ+ youth need safe spaces — they need safety and support at school, and places to hang out with friends where they can be themselves and find services.
Safran Turney Hospitality
Chef Marcey Turney, Co-Founder | Valerie Safran, Co-Founder
Chef Marcie Turney and partner Valerie Safran are the founders of Safran Turney Hospitality, a group of award-winning restaurants and lifestyle boutiques. Since debuting with Open House in 2002, the pair have worked tirelessly to transform a once-desolate neighborhood into what has become known as the trendy Midtown Village. Their ingenuity and passion have made them two of Philadelphia’s most prolific businesspeople, responsible for iconic desserts, buzzy restaurants, and popular novelty gifts. Midtown Village will always be home for them, and this spring they were excited to bring Darling Jack’s Tavern to the block.
Mark Segal
Founder, Philadelphia Gay News
From pioneering history as a participant at the Stonewall Riots to being a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front, Mark Segal has been involved in LGBTQ+ civil rights since 1969. Segal is the founder of Gay Youth, and a marshal and member of the Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day Committee. Segal founded Philadelphia Gay News, and was a past president of the National LGBT Press Association and the National Gay Newspaper Guild.
Sultan Shakir
President and Executive Officer, Mazzoni Center
Sultan Shakir is the president and executive officer of the Mazzoni Center, an organization that works to support the health and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community. The Mazzoni Center provides a range of services, from primary care, to behavioral health care, to case management, to operating a food bank. With almost two decades working in the nonprofit space, Shakir brings a leadership approach that believes in trauma-informed, client-centered care. He is also a proud Philly native.
What makes you proud to be a part of the Philly LGBTQ+ community?
The Philly LGBTQ+ community is incredibly diverse, both in terms of the people who make up our community as well as the great organizations that help support the health and growth of the community. I’m incredibly proud to work alongside so many great organizers, artists, healers, thinkers, and activists in our community who come together to help push to ensure Philly supports our LGBTQ+ in the ways in which we need.
Which LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?
I’m incredibly inspired by those in our community who have been advocating for our rights for decades, especially those in groups like Act Up who have been on the front lines of this work. I’m also incredibly inspired by the artists in our community who recognize that art, creativity, and love are central parts of living life to its fullest.
What more can Philadelphia do for the LGBTQ+ community?
Philadelphia is in need of more social services for the LGBTQ+ community, from housing to drug, and alcohol support to mental health counselling. Many people don’t seek services out of fear of being discriminated against or out of concern that they’ll have to educate a service provider on the basic aspects of our community. Having additional places to seek support and services, as well as build a sense of community, is critical.
Aneesah Smith
Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Penn State Abington
Aneesah Smith is an individual who proudly embraces her identity as a queer, Christian, cis woman of color. She holds a BS in Health Education and a MS in Counseling/Higher Education from West Chester University. A passionate advocate for social justice, Smith dedicates her life to inspiring others to embrace their true selves. As a renowned speaker, activist, and educator, she traverses the nation, spreading her empowering message far and wide.
