A prominent transgender activist in Philadelphia has been charged with raping two children — and is listed as "female" in court documents, despite being a biological male.
Kendall Stephens, 37, recently served on the board of directors for Bethany Children’s Home in Berks County — a children’s home for vulnerable youth.
Stephens was arrested on December 18 and is accused of sexually assaulting a nine-year-old and a 14-year-old, both boys.
NBC Philadelphia reports:The investigation began on Sept. 25 when the grandmother of one of the victims reported to police that Stephens -- a family friend -- sexually assaulted her grandchild, officials said. Stephens allegedly abused one boy on at least three occasions since 2022, beginning when he was just 8-years-old.
A second victim also told police he was assaulted by Stephens and she had given him gifts "out of nowhere," investigators said. The victim believed the presents were given to him to "keep him quiet," according to court documents.
Stephens also allegedly told one of the victims that he would be locked up if he told anyone about the abuse.
The prominent LGBTQ activist has been charged with indecent assault against a person less than 13 years old, rape, corruption of minors, unlawful contact with minor sexual offenses, and endangering the welfare of children as a parent or guardian.
According to a court summary obtained by Reduxx, Stephens has been listed as "female" in the court summary.
After being assaulted in 2020, Stephens worked alongside District Attorney Larry Krasner to establish an LGBTQ+ Advisory Board to assist victims of hate crimes.
Stephens' attacker, Tymesha Wearing, 36, was sentenced to house arrest and community service in February 2023 after pleading guilty to a hate crime.
Philly Voice reported at the time of Wearing's sentencing, "Kendall Stephens, a transgender activist, was beaten at her home in Point Breeze by Tymesha Wearing, 36, on Aug. 24, 2020. Wearing had punched Stephens in the mouth outside of her home, then pushed her way into Stephens' home, where she continued to punch her in the head before knocking her to the ground and saying 'You are a man, you deserve this.'"
"Wearing at the time was with two other people who have not been identified or arrested," the report continued. "The District Attorney's Office said those people shouted anti-trans slurs at Stephens during the assault. Another assailant allegedly forced herself into the house and hit Stephens twice in the head with a wooden planter. Stephens suffered injuries including two dead teeth, a concussion, a broken nose, a swollen face and bruised ribs after the attack."
Stephens raised over $35,000 in a GoFundMe fundraiser after the assault.
After Wearing was sentenced, the District Attorney released a glowing statement about Stephens.
"Nearly three years ago, Kendall Stephens endured a frightening crime that was intended to demean and silence her," District Attorney Krasner said. "Instead, Ms. Stephens continues to speak out loudly on behalf of other queer victims of violent crime — all while pursuing graduate studies. This criminal case is now closed, but Ms. Stephens will never stop fighting for the respect, support and protections that queer people deserve in order to live safely, freely and joyfully.
Stephens’ bail has been set at $250,000, and he is due back in court at the end of the month.
