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New Commission Represents LGBT Community In Philadelphia

CITY HALL (CBS) -- The Philadelphia Mayor's Office of LGBT Affairs is inviting applicants for a new commission to work with the office.

LGBT Affairs director Nellie Fitzpatrick said the Commission will advise the administration on the communities needs and experiences.

"They will help inform policy, inform decisions so that we can build government that better serves people throughout the city."

Fitzpatrick said the commission has been planned for months, but the announcement comes amid an uproar over a racially-charged video of a gay club owner. Fitzpatrick said one of the Commission's first tasks will be to form a working group on racism in the LGBT. It's also the subject of a Human Relations Commission hearing Tuesday.

"This is a critical issue and this is a time for government to act."

Fitzpatrick is hoping for a diverse pool of applicants to fill 15 slots. The application is available online, here.

The deadline is November 4th.

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