A prominent transgender advocate known for working with Pennsylvania Democrats, including campaigning alongside Gov. Josh Shapiro, has been charged with raping two young boys.
Kendall Stephens, 37, was arrested and charged Monday with a host of offenses, including two counts of rape; indecent assault against a person less than 13 years old; unlawful contact with a minor/sexual offenses; corruption of minors, and child endangerment, according to police.
Philadelphia Officer Tanya Little said that the special victims’ unit launched an investigation after receiving reports of “previous sexual assaults on two minor children in September 2023.”
Both victims were young boys, as reported by WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, citing police sources.
The Philadelphia Municipal Court judge set bail at $250,000. The suspect’s next appearance is scheduled for Dec. 29.
Ms. Stephens, a biological male who identifies as a woman, rose to prominence in Philadelphia politics as an advocate for transgender rights after being attacked during a home invasion in August 2020, that was charged as a hate crime.
In April, Ms. Stephens shared the stage with Democratic state legislators at a rally in support of the Fairness Act, which added “sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression” to anti-discrimination laws.
During his 2022 gubernatorial run, Mr. Shapiro appeared with Ms. Stephens at a campaign event promoting his endorsements from “a diverse group of LGBTQ+ leaders” at the William Way LGBT Community Center in Philadelphia.
Shapiro spokesperson Manuel Bonder said in a Tuesday statement that “these allegations are abhorrent. This individual should be prosecuted to the fullest extent and process of the law.”
“I know Josh Shapiro and Austin Davis are the team we need leading our Commonwealth in this moment—a team with the morals, values, and will to fight for all Pennsylvanians,” said Ms. Stephens in the April 2022 press release from the Shapiro campaign.
“Josh Shapiro is a man of faith, family, and fairness, and his track record—from protecting LGBTQ+ rights to defending reproductive rights – is one of fighting for the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians,” Ms. Stephens continued.
Prominent and outspoken radical trans LGBTQ activist Kendall Stephens was arrested in Philadelphia for allegedly r*ping 2 young boys.
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 19, 2023
Charges include r*pe, involuntary assault, obscenity to minors, corruption of minors, unlawful assault to minors and involuntary deviant sexual… pic.twitter.com/9APcN0xVMJ
The activist also appeared with Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner at a March 2021 press conference launching his LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, as shown in footage by NBC10 in Philadelphia.
Ms. Stephens has been a featured speaker at numerous events in support of LGBTQ rights in Philadelphia, including a Central Division Victims Services forum on April 24 called “Survivor Voices” and an April 17 event presented by the Mazzoni Center called “Trans Survivors and Healing,” as shown on Instagram.
The charges were referred by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, according to a spokesperson for the AG’s office.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.
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