Prominent LGBTQ+ rights advocate Kendall Stephens found herself in a Philadelphia courtroom on Monday, following her arrest and charges related to the alleged rape of two boys. The 37-year-old activist faces serious accusations, including rape, corruption of minors, indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and unlawful contact with minors, among other offenses, as reported by the Philadelphia Gay News.
The victims, now 14 and 9 years old, were reportedly acquainted with Stephens as a family friend. The alleged abuse transpired over an extended period, commencing in 2020. Disturbingly, it is asserted that Stephens attempted to buy the older boy’s silence by lavishing him with gifts. The investigation commenced in September after the boys’ grandmother raised allegations of the abuse with the Philadelphia Police.
Following her arrest on Monday, Stephens is being held on a $250,000 bond. As of the time of publication, it remains unclear whether she has posted bail. Notably, the case is being handled by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General rather than the local Philadelphia District Attorney. This procedural choice aligns with Pennsylvania law, which allows for such arrangements to address potential conflicts of interest. Previously, Stephens had collaborated with Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner on local LGBTQ+ policy initiatives.
Brett Hambright, a spokesperson for the state Attorney General’s Office, stated, “The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office referred the charges to the Office of Attorney General, and we have accepted the referral.”
The legal woes mark a stark contrast to Stephens’ past experiences, notably a traumatic transphobic home invasion in 2020. During the attack, Stephens faced physical assault and verbal abuse, enduring a barrage of transphobic slurs. Her assailant, Tymesha Wearing, received up to 23 months of house arrest at her sentencing in February.
This traumatic incident spurred Stephens to become an outspoken activist, advocating for hate crime protections for the transgender community. Now, however, she finds herself entangled in a legal battle with grave charges.
The court proceedings are set to continue, with Stephens scheduled to appear next on December 29. As the legal process unfolds, the juxtaposition of her past advocacy work and the current charges casts a shadow over a once-respected figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
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