PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and Bob Casey have pulled $1 million in federal funding that was intended for the William Way LGBT Community Center in Center City.
The move from the Pennsylvania Democrats comes after a conservative social media account claimed the center was hosting what they called sex parties. On event websites, those parties are described as adult-only “kink and fetish” parties operated by a group called “The Aviary.”
William Way Executive Director Chris Bartlett said in a statement that sexual activity is against the center's code of conduct and is not permitted. The Aviary also states that sex is not allowed at their events, describing itself as “Philly's longest running public kink event,” which aims “to provide a safe and fun environment for the community.”
The right-wing social media account “Libs of TikTok” claimed the events are funded, in part, by taxpayers.
Casey’s office says his decision had nothing to do with that post and that the money was pulled after an independent investigation. A spokesperson cited a “high level of scrutiny on behalf of taxpayers.”
Fetterman said in a statement that his staff was not made aware the money would be withdrawn until the 11th hour, adding, “The choice was either to pull it or watch it get stripped out, attacked by Republicans, and ultimately killed.” The junior senator says he's going to “fight for William Way to secure their funding” next fiscal year.
Bartlett says he’s “disappointed” the funding was withdrawn, and adds that money would have gone towards renovating and expanding the building.