News Briefing
© 2008 Philadelphia Gay News

Gay man cleared of DUI charge

William M. Granatt, a Bala Cynwyd gay man, was cleared of a DUI charge last month — a charge Granatt said was lodged against him before the results of his blood-alcohol test were completed.

Granatt was arrested while exiting the Schuylkill Expressway at Vine Street about 2 a.m. May 10, according to state-police records.

According to records, Granatt swerved his vehicle over the dividing line of the roadway, posing a danger to others.

After being detained for about 12 hours, Granatt was permitted to regain possession of his car, which was impounded — but not before paying $152, he said.

On July 29, Municipal Court Trial Commissioner Edgar Campbell dismissed the DUI charge against Granatt due to a lack of any evidence that Granatt had drugs and/or alcohol in his system at the time of his arrest.

After the hearing, Granatt said he was singled out for wrongful arrest due to alleged antigay bias on the part of state police. “My arrest doesn’t make any sense,” he said.

Police were not available to comment about Granatt’s arrest at press time.

— Timothy Cwiek

Pride in the Park in Allentown

Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley will host its annual Pride in the Park celebration from noon-6 p.m. Aug. 17 at Cedar Beach Park, 2600 Parkway Blvd., in Allentown.

Village Voice columnist Michael Musto will emcee the event. Performers include dance artist Ultra Naté, lesbian hip-hop singers God-des and She, indie-folk artist Christine Havrilla and the gay twin pop singers from LOGO’s “Jacob & Joshua: Nemesis Rising.”

The event is family friendly and will feature a KidsSpace Activity Area, with games and crafts for youngsters.

John Ogden, openly gay traffic reporter for NBC10, will host the Camp Bow Wow Doggie Drag Show, and partygoers can also try their luck at a raffle or a game of Bingo.

Admission is $2 per person, and children under 12 are free.

For more information, visit www.prideglv.org.

— Jen Colletta