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Pennsylvania pulls gay pioneer’s marker over 1993 interview

By Mark Scolforo - Associated Press
Richard Schlegel In this photo provided by the LGBT Center of Central PA History Project Collection at the Dickinson College Archives and Special Collections, Richard Schlegel is seen in his office at the Pennsylvania Department of Highways. Pennsylvania's historic preservation agency has removed a roadside marker that was installed in 2021 to honor Schlegel, a gay rights pioneer, after a state senator raised concerns about his 30-year-old remarks sympathetic to pedophilia. (Dickinson College Archives and Special Collections via AP) (Uncredited/AP)
By Mark Scolforo - Associated Press

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A roadside historical marker installed less than a year ago to honor a gay rights pioneer has been removed after a Pennsylvania senator complained about an online history describing the man’s memories of his early sexual encounter with a younger boy.

The marker in honor of Richard Schlegel was taken down June 3 from its location outside his former home in Harrisburg.

The decision was in response to Republican state Sen. John DiSanto’s charge that Schlegel’s remarks were “reprehensible and would be considered criminal, regardless of sexual orientation.”

Schlegel was fired in July 1961 from a civilian job with the Army after his adult sexual activities surfaced.

He appealed but the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take the case.

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