Judge Dan Anders currently sits as a Court of Common Pleas Judge.   He recently talked to Get REAL about his experiences in law, politics and the LGBT community.

How long have you lived in Philly?  11 years

How long have you been working for LGBT causes?  11 years.  I started with Safeguards right after I moved here.  As a lawyer I’ve done pro bono work for Philly Pride, Equality Forum, the AIDS Law Project and Equality Advocates.

Where did you get the Judge Anders bobble head doll sitting on your desk?  My old law firm gave it to me when I got this job.  You can get them online.  Send in a picture and they’ll make one that looks like you…

Get REAL:  What was it like running for office as an openly gay man?

Dan Anders:  Well it’s been the longest job interview I’ve ever had.  I started campaigning at Outfest in 2006, then got appointed judge right before the May 2007 election, then had to run again for another term in May 2009.  So I basically campaigned non-stop for almost three years.  Whenever I give a speech I always mention that I’m gay.  In 2007 alone I came out to thousands of people, and I honestly never got a negative comment.

GR:  Never?

DA:  No, and people were watching for it too.  The Victory Fund that helps LGBT candidates run for office said, “Whenever someone blogs about you or makes an attack because you’re gay, you let us know.”  I always told them, it hasn’t happened yet.  I’ll call you if it does.  More often, people came up to me and said thanks for being so open – they had an aunt who is lesbian, a gay son, whomever.  I always said that no one wants to be treated differently when they come before a judge, and I think that message resonated with a lot of people.

GR:  It’s heartening to hear that.

DA:  Yeah I mean if every single LGBT person voted for me and no one else did, I wouldn’t have won.  Sometimes we have our own internal biases about who’s going to be supportive.  We can’t write off anyone.  I was in every nook and cranny of the city during the campaign and I got support from LGBT folks and non-LGBT folks in North Philly, South Philly, Northeast, Southwest…we really have more allies out there than we think sometimes.

GR:  What does the day-to-day of your job look like?

DA:  I work with kids under 18 who are at risk in their own home.  Kids who are physically or emotionally abused, kids whose parents are dealing with drug and alcohol issues or lack of parenting skills that are threatening the kids’ safety in the home.  A lot of what I do here is to help families get up out of the hole they find themselves in.  I’d say half of what I do is actually social work…

GR:  Do you see any particular issues coming up often with LGBT kids?

DA:  One thing that keeps coming up is that parents think that being gay is a phase.  Sometimes people can’t acknowledge that heir son goes from North Philly to 13th Street, then comes back with makeup on or other things that don’t fit with the parents’ lifestyle. Those families should be open to accepting differences.

GR:  What can you do for a kid in that kind of situation?

DA:  Well if a case gets to me there are usually other issues in the home as well, but as part of my order I can say that the child is allowed to attend the Attic Youth Program, a peer group at COLOURS, or other programs like that.  It sends a message to the child that you’re allowed to go, and it sends an important message to the parents that these are good programs.  I can also talk to the child and tell them I’m gay.  Sometimes it’s important for them to hear that there’s someone else out there who’s had to deal with their sexuality, even though my experience might be very different in terms of my age or my environment.  I’ve talked to a therapist about coming out, I’ve had people who supported me to live openly, and I think my serving as an openly gay judge can help make it more normal for kids (and parents) to seek out that kind of help.

GR:  What would you recommend to someone who’s not feeling accepted by their family?

DA:  I’d encourage them to maintain a conversation with their family but also encourage them to create their own community-based family by linking to other people who are in a similar place; someone who’s age appropriate and engaged in positive activities, hopefully with some professional guidance.  Whether it be a social worker, a program manager or someone else like that who can mentor them and help them finish school, pursue a career and become a responsible adult.  The Attic, COLOURS, Mazzoni Center and Safeguards are some agencies in the city that have good programs that kids can link up with.

GR:  So go seek out some support.

DA:  Absolutely.  However you define your family is up to you, but it’s about love and acceptance.  People need to be in a place where they feel safe and that their needs are fulfilled.  Again, don’t cut yourself off from people you assume might not be supportive because you never know who will be an ally.