Congratulating Board of Directors Member Chesley Lightsey on her Primary Election Victory for Court of Common Pleas Judge

Philadelphia, PA – May 17, 2023: As the 2023 municipal primary elections come to a close in Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association congratulates and commends its members who appeared on the Pennsylvania municipal ballot this election season. 

Veteran homicide and juvenile justice prosecutor Chesley Lightsey ran a successful primary campaign for a position on the Court of Common Pleas for the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania (encompassing Philadelphia County). Lightsey is a current member of the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association, and in her current role, provides direction and guidance to the leadership of the Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association. Lightsey is a trusted mentor and friend to many of our organization’s members. Due to her experience and much respected stature within the Philadelphia legal community, she was “Highly Recommended” by the Philadelphia Bar Association for election to be a judge on the Court of Common Pleas. 

“I joined the Board of Directors alongside Chesley, and Chesley’s shown her fitness for the bench in every interaction we’ve had. She has the wherewithal to know when to listen and contemplate, and the wisdom to know when to launch into action,” said Kevin Levy, Chair of the Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association. “That judgment served her well as a prosecutor in the District Attorney’s Office here in Philadelphia, and it will continue to serve the people and litigants in Philadelphia courts.”

Stephen Kulp, immediate past Chair of the Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association, said, “Chesley Lightsey is a remarkable attorney whose passion for justice and dedication to fairness have always impressed me. I have had the privilege of collaborating with Chesley for many years, witnessing firsthand her commitment to the legal profession and the Philadelphia community. Chesley's passion for justice and fairness led her to dedicate her legal career to serving the people of Philadelphia.”

The Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association also commends Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association member Wade Albert who appeared on the competitive May primary ballot for a position on the Court of Common Pleas for the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania. “Wade’s commitment to public service became evident during this campaign,” said Levy. “And in his role as an attorney, he exemplified the meaning of pro bono service, earning the Pro Bono Publico Award from the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in recognition of his extraordinary efforts supporting low-income Philadelphians apply for expungements for historic criminal convictions.”

If elected in the fall general election, Lightsey would join a number of openly LGBTQ+ elected judges on the Philadelphia bench, which includes Court of Common Pleas President Judge Idee Fox, Trial Division – Civil Supervising Judge Daniel Anders, Judges Abbe Fletman, Ann Butchart, Barbara McDermott, Chris Mallios, Tiffany Palmer, and recent Secretary of the Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association and current Municipal Court Judge Gregory Yorgey-Girdy.

Lightsey now heads to the November general election to face voters once more. The general election will occur on November 7, 2023.

The Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association also congratulates the Philadelphia Bar Association on its successful Campaign for Qualified Judges. This year, for the third consecutive judicial election cycle, Philadelphia voters only advanced candidates in the May primary who received “Highly Recommended” or “Recommended” candidate ratings from the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention.

The Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not and did not endorse candidates for public office. This release should not be construed as an endorsement of any candidate’s campaign for public office. 

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About the Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association

The Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to the advancement of the welfare and full equality of the LGBTQ+ community, the promotion of the expertise and advancement of LGBTQ+ legal professionals in the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area, and the education of the larger community on LGBTQ+ legal issues. The Association’s mission also includes promoting the welfare of society by advocating for the civil and human rights of all persons, regardless of race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or national origin.