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Williams also gets some LGBT love

Nearly two weeks after several LGBT leaders stood around the William Way Community Center expressing their support for Jim Kenney in the mayoral race, another group of LGBT leaders got together inside the same building to support rival Anthony H. Williams.

Nearly two weeks after several LGBT leaders stood around the William Way Community Center expressing their support for Jim Kenney in the mayoral race, another group of LGBT leaders got together inside the same building to support rival Anthony H. Williams.

Williams said it's not a division but a difference of opinion.

"There's no monolithic community," he said. "There's no African American vote, Latino vote, LGBT community vote."

At the Williams endorsement, LGBT activists and leaders Wade Albert, Ennes and Jim Littrell, and philanthropist Mel Heinfetz said they believe Williams is the best for the mayor's job because of his experience and connections in Harrisburg.

"He's the one person who knows how to step across the aisle, he's very respected in Harrisburg," Heifetz said, adding that Williams helped get funding for the Williams Way Community Center, which predominantly serves the LGBT community, and the John C. Anderson Apartments, which offer affordable housing to LGBT seniors.

"The fact that he got funding, $21 million, for a gay project in Philadelphia says something," Heifetz said.

Heifetz, major political donor who gave Obama $1 million in his 2012 reelection campaign, said he would also be providing some political funding for the Williams campaign.

During the endorsement event Williams spoke about the similarities between the LGBT and African American communities and said as mayor he would work to have diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the city.

"I do believe this relationship between the LGBT community and African American Community is very, very significant," Williams said. "It's significant because we've been stereotyped... Whatever is your gift in life, it doesn't define it because of your sexual orientation or the color of your skin."

The Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club will be hosting a mayoral candidates forum tonight. Both Williams and Kenney will be there.

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