The Ninth Annual Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival ended Monday night with a bang, after two weeks of great films and splashy parties. Many of the films were sold out and festival organizers could barely keep up with the demand for tickets.

The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community is alive, well and thriving in the city and politicians come calling during election time.

This year's mayoral race is no exception. Both incumbent Democrat Mayor John Street and his challenger, Republican Sam Katz, need those LGBT votes. Katz lost to Street by a small margin in the 1999 general election and Street is taking no chances this time around.

Street was not extremely popular with LGBT voters when he first ran in 1999 because of his reluctance to sign the domestic partnership bill when he was City Council president. How does the mayor rate on LGBT issues now? Better, thanks to an advisory board he revived.

In 2001 Street appointed a 15-member board to advise him on LGBT issues. This board was similar to one that former Mayor Wilson Goode established that later languished under Mayor Ed Rendell.

Michael Hinson Jr. is the city's assistant managing director, appointed by Street. A large part of his job is to be the liaison between the mayor and the LGBT community.

Hinson, the only paid board member, said that the mayor's relationship with the community is significantly different from when Street ran in 1999.

"The mayor has appointed openly gay people like myself and Alba Martinez, who is the Department of Human Services Commissioner, to high positions," said Hinson.

He enumerated what he thinks are the top three accomplishments of the advisory board.

"The gender identity legislation is very significant," he said. This law deals with discrimination against transgendered persons. "There is a period of hardship while transforming," explained Hinson. He added that the city has no exact statistics on the number of transgendered Philadelphians.

A second priority for the advisory board has been the creation of the LGBT Health Center in Center City. This clinic, which charges fees on a sliding scale, is funded by the city's Health Department and open four days a week. Although anyone can go, the facility caters specifically to LGBT issues. Hinson said that the clinic is in need of private donations to keep it going.

He also cited a new facility soon to open for gay youth who are wards of DHS. "We will be taking requests for qualifications from child welfare community-based organizations that partner with the LGBT community," added Hinson.

Hinson feels that Street is committed to the community, and not just in a political sense.

It is no secret that the mayor is deeply religious, "but [Street] believes that no person should be discriminated against," said Hinson.

Abbe Fletman, an attorney at Wolf Block, is a co-chair of the Mayor's advisory board.

"The mayor has a much stronger record," said Fletman. "Katz can only claim his call to [Speaker of the House John Perzel] in connection with Perzel signing the Hate Crimes Bill. Politicians have political families. Street's family includes Rendell, all the Democrats and the Clintons. Katz's family includes Perzel, Rick Santorum and the Bush party."

Fletman said that one other "huge accomplishment" for the advisory board is that DHS is promoting same-sex couples to be foster parents and adopt children.

"Next year we will be looking at policies within the school district including non-discrimination of the LGBT community. We will be working closer with the police and we are also increasing our involvement with LGBT businesses," she said.

Mark “Chumley” Singer, a performer and event promoter, is a co-chair of Pride for Katz, a citywide grassroots organization.

"Sam has been a friend of the community all of the time, not just in an election year," said Singer. He pointed out that Katz participated in Sunday Out at the Equality Forum last month. "The response to Sam was enthusiastic," Singer said, adding that this time, the LGBT community is more attuned to looking at the candidates as a whole, and not just at LGBT issues.

"My mother used to say, vote for the Jew," said Singer. "I said, Œwhy, I don't think that's the best way.'"

All the same, "Sam is the best for the whole city," continued Singer. "[Pride for Katz is] hosting a huge brunch for Katz right after Labor Day. We expect about 500 people."

Michael Cassidy, a marketing executive, is also involved with Pride for Katz.

"I am not political," said Cassidy. "I barely know Street and didn't know the advisory board even existed. I'm pushing Sam because he has a better sense of the city from a business sense. It's not just about gay issues anymore."

Cassidy said that the biggest challenge for Pride for Katz is that Katz is a Republican and the group will need to educate the community about who Katz is.