PGN Jan. 1 - 7, 2016 by The Philadelphia Gay News

PGN kicks off our 40th year with a look back at 1976 PAGE 15

Drag yourself out to the Mummers Parade

Our favorite photos from 2015 PAGES 18-19

PAGE 6

Jan. 1-7, 2016

Since 1976

PGN Philadelphia Gay News HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

Vol. 40 No. 1

People of the Year: Mike Barry and Allison Ruth By PGN Staff Mike Barry and Allison Ruth may not be names everyone in our community knows, but they’ve been the primary players in prosecuting someone whose name most know: Kathryn Knott. Barry and Ruth, both assistant district attorneys with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, handled the high-profile gay-bashing case for more than a year. Knott, Kevin Harrigan and Philip Williams were part of a group of 15 people who verbally and physically assaulted gay couple Zachary Hesse and Andrew Haught Sept. 11, 2014, in Center City. By all accounts, the victims were the primary focus throughout Barry’s and Ruth’s work this past year. They negotiated plea deals with Harrigan and Williams that were satisfactory to Haught and Hesse and walked the victims through each step of the process when Knott chose to take her

case to trial. They expertly sifted through and presented the facts of the case in a digestible and credible way that ensured convictions. This case has the potential to shed serious light on the state’s lack of a hate-crimes law, and Barry and Ruth’s leadership — and focus on the real impact of the crimes committed Sept. 11, 2014 — have been influential in that effort. Investigators and the D.A.’s Office contend that Harrigan made an antigay comment toward Haught and Hesse that set off a melee in which all three defendants verbally and physically attacked the couple. Knott, Harrigan and Williams were arrested about two weeks after the incident, and Barry and Ruth were assigned to the case from the start. It was a high-profile case from the onset but, in an interview last month, Barry told PGN he’s comfortable with such cases; he prosecuted former police officer Frank Tepper for a 2009 murder and Mustafa Ali

for the 2008 double murder of two retired cops. He took the sharp public scrutiny in the gay-bashing case in stride. “It was tough because so many people felt so strongly about this case, every move we made was met with some response but that’s part of being a public servant,” he said. Nellie Fitzpatrick, assistant district attorney and director of the Office of LGBT Affairs, said Barry and Ruth come from prosecutorial backgrounds that made them natural fits for this case. “I think it was very important for prosecutors to be working on this case who have high levels of experience dealing with high-profile crimes,” she said. “Mike certainly is no newcomer, and for that matter neither is Allison, to handling high-profile matters in the city.” Barry, a native of Northeast Philadelphia, is the son of a late police PAGE 12

BARRY TALKING TO REPORTERS AT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER DEC. 18 Photo: John Kopp/Philly Voice

Two more LGBTs added to top Kenney team

Budget delay hitting LGBT groups By Paige Cooperstein paige@epgn.com

By Paige Cooperstein paige@epgn.com

Philadelphia organizations serving the LGBT community continue to provide programs and services despite that though they are owed, in some cases, hundreds of thousands of dollars from the state in the six-month stalemate that continues over the budget. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf announced at a news conference Dec. 29 that he would veto parts of the $30.3-billion spending plan advanced last week by the Republican-controlled legislature. He added he would release more than $23.3 billion in emergency funding for basic education, state-corrections institutions and medical assistance. It’s not yet clear when dispersal of those funds will begin. Health organizations like Mazzoni Center and Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance have been invoicing the state for services that are normally funded. Sue Daugherty, chief operating officer of MANNA, said her organization has sent invoices each month that amount to nearly PAGE 17 $200,000 in awaited payments.

Mayor-elect Jim Kenney this week appointed a lesbian and a gay man to two new top posts. Anne Fadullon will serve as director of the Planning and Development Cabinet starting Jan. 4. Voters established the new cabinet in the City Charter in November to combine and oversee the city divisions of development services, housing and zoning and planning. “Having the planning and implementation functions together is great so they can inform each other,” Fadullon told PGN. “It’s great to have wonderful plans, but if we can’t ultimately implement them, we don’t want them to just sit on the shelf.” Jeff Guaracino will become president and CEO

PRINCIPLED PERFORMANCES: More than 150 people celebrated at the ninth-annual community Kwanzaa event Dec. 26 at William Way LGBT Community Center. The event paid tribute to the seven principles of Kwanzaa through live performances by Ashley Phillips, Nikki Powerhouse and Rasta Boi Punany. It was co-sponsored by the Strength Alliance and featured collaboration from a number of groups, including Philadelphia Black Pride, The Attic Youth Center, Men of All Colors Together, The COLOURS Organization and Unity Fellowship of Christ Church. Photo: Patrick Hagerty

of Welcome America Inc., the official producer of Philadelphia’s Independence Day celebrations. Under the Kenney administration, the nonprofit is charged with expanding its focus to create citywide events year-round. “The opportunities are boundless,” Guaracino told PGN. “The first step will be to plan what will hopefully be a tremendous Fourth of July celebration and re-engage stakeholders. It will precede the 2016 [Democratic National Convention], kicking off the national attention for the city.” Kenney said Fadullon and Guaracino each have decades of experience, making them ideal candidates. Fadullon has worked in real-estate development, legislative policy and project management, which Kenney called instrumental PAGE 17

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

PGN LOCAL

locations in Philadelphia

News Briefing

CENTER CITY — AROUND THE GAYBORHOOD

12th Street Gym, 204 S. 12th St. • 13th Street Gourmet Pizza, 209 S. 13th St. • AACO, 1101 Market St., 9th floor • Action AIDS, 1216 Arch St. • Apt. & Townhouse Rentals, 304 S. 12th St. • The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. • Bioscript Pharmacy, 1227 Locust St. • Boxers PHL, 1330 Walnut St. • Cafe Twelve, 212 S. 12th St. • Charlie Salon, 203 S. 12th St. • Charlie was a Sinner, 131 S. 13th St. • City Hall NE Entrance • Club Body Center, 1220 Chancellor St. • Com-Har Living Room, 101 S. Broad St., 14th floor • Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. • Cut Salon, 204 S. 13th St. • Danny’s Bookstore 133 S. 13th St. • Dignity/St. Lukes, 330 S. 13th St. • Dirty Frank’s Bar, 13th & Pine sts. • The Foodery, 10th & Pine sts. • GALAEI, 1207 Chestnut St. • ICandy, 254 S. 12th St. • Independent Hotel, 13th & Locust sts. • John C. Anderson Apts., 249 S. 13th St. • Mazzoni Clinic, 809 Locust St. • Midtown II, 122 S. 11th St. • More Than Just Ice Cream, 1119 Locust St. • Nationality Service Center, 1216 Arch St. • Optimal Gym, 1315 Walnut St. • Paolo Pizzeria, 1336 Pine St. • PAT@Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. • Phila. FIGHT/ Aids Library, 1233 Locust St., 2nd floor • Planned Parenthood, 1144 Locust St. • Reading Terminal Market, 12th & Filbert sts. • Salon K, 1216 Locust St. • Scorpio Books, 205 S. Juniper St. • Spruce Street Video, 252 S. 12th St. • Square One, 249 S. 13th St. • Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. • Toast, 12th & Spruce sts. • Triangle Medicine, 253 S. 10th St., 1st floor • U Bar, 1220 Locust St. • Valanni, 1229 Spruce St. • Venture Inn, 255 S. Camac St. • William Way LGBT Community Center, 1325 Spruce St. • Woody’s, 202 S. 13th St. •

CENTER CITY OTHER — EAST OF BROAD

Bean Café, 615 South St. • Best Western Independence Park Hotel lobby, 215 Chestnut St. • Bodhi Coffee, 410 S. 2nd St. • Bridgeview Place, 315 New St. • Cedrone’s Flowers, 800 Lombard St. • Class Act Auto Repair, 2042 S. Bancroft St. • Copabanana, 342 South St. • Dane Décor, 315 Arch St. • Filter Coffee Co., 331 Race St. • Hopkinson House, 604 S. Washington Sq. • Hyatt Regency Hotel lobby, 201 S. Columbus Blvd. • Independence Place Condos, 241 S. Sixth St., lobby in both towers • Independence Visitors Center, 6th & Market sts. • Modish Hair Salon, 640B South St. • PGN offices, 505 S. Fourth St. • Philadelphia Java Co., 518 S. Fourth St. • Reading Terminal Market, 12th & Filbert sts. • Strands Salon, 25 N. Third St. • Two Independence Place, 233 S. 6th St. •Ultimo Coffee, 1900 S. 15th St. • Wireworks, 301 Race St. •

CENTER CITY OTHER — WEST OF BROAD

Adonis Cinema, 2026 Sansom St. • Art Institute, 1622 Chestnut St. • Art Institute, 2300 Market St. • The Attic Youth Center, 255 S. 16th St. • Bob & Barbara’s, 1509 South St. • Dan Tobey R/E, 1401 Walnut St., 8th floor • Dr. Wakefield’s Office, 255 S. 17th St., Suite 2306 • Drucker & Scaccetti, 1600 Market St., Suite 3300 • Drexel Partnership, 1427 Vine St., 3rd floor • Latimer Deli, 255 S. 15th St. • MANNA, 12 S. 23rd St. • Marine Club Condos lobby, Broad St. & Washington Ave. • Metropolitan, 115 N. 15th St. • PA Law Project, 2122 Chestnut St., Suite 1600 • Phila. Daily News, 801 Market St. • Safeguards Lobby, 1700 Market St., 18th floor • Sansom St. Gym, 2020 Sansom St. • South Square Market, 2221 South St. • Stir, 1705 Chancellor St. • U Do It Laundry, 15th & Spruce sts. • Westminster Arch Apts., Vine St., 3rd floor •

PHILADELPHIA NEIGHBORHOODS — OTHER

Almost Paradise, 742 Frankford Ave. • Awbry Aboretum, 1 Awbry Rd. • Caribbean Pharmacy, 3825 N. 5th St. •Elfant Wissahickon Realty, 8962 Ridge Ave. • Fantasy Island Books, 7363 State Road • Harry’s Natural Foods, 1805 Cottman Ave. • Infinity Jewelers, 3528 Cottman+ Ave. • Infusion Salon, 7133 Germantown Ave. • Morris House, 5537 Woodland Ave. • One Day At A Time, 2532 N. Broad St. • Philadelphia University KANBAR Center, 4201 Henry Ave. • Philly Pharmacy, 9475 Roosevelt Blvd. • WCAU TV lobby, City Line Ave. & Monument Road • Weaver’s Way, 559 Carpenter Lane • Welker Real Estate, 2311 Fairmount Ave. • WPVI TV lobby, City Line Ave. & Monument Road •

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State Supreme Court judge suspended J. Michael Eakin, an associate justice of the state Supreme Court, was suspended last week due to his participation in a sexist, racist and anti-LGBT email ring. On Dec. 22, the state’s Court of Judicial Discipline indefinitely suspended Eakin, but he’ll continue to receive his salary and medical benefits. His annual salary is $203,409. Eakin sent and/or received numerous emails mocking the LGBT community, among other groups. During a Dec. 21 hearing in Easton, Eakin apologized for participating in the email scandal. He said the offensive emails had no impact on his judicial work. But in its Dec. 22 ruling, the CJD said emails exchanged by Eakin were “insensitive and inappropriate towards matters involving gender, race, sexual orientation and ethnicity.” The CJD added: “This court is deeply and profoundly troubled by even a remote possibility that the patently discriminatory and offensive views and attitudes expressed in the emails underlying this case may have impacted Justice Eakin’s judicial work.” A pre-trial conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Jan. 21 in the Commonwealth Court Courtroom at the Judicial Center in Harrisburg. The public is permitted to attend.

Court proceeding set in sex-offense case Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Gail A. Weilheimer will preside over a pre-trial conference in the case of a Center City musician charged with multiple sex offenses. Charles L. Cohen was arrested Sept. 28 after traveling to a shopping complex in Upper Providence Township, where he allegedly intended to meet a 14-yearold boy for oral sex. Instead, Cohen was arrested by law-enforcement authorities engaged in a sting operation. Cohen, 70, is charged with unlawful contact with a minor, criminal attempt of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child and criminal use of a communication facility. But Cohen’s attorneys insist he’s innocent of all charges. A pre-trial conference is set for 9 a.m. Feb. 9 in Courtroom 3 of the Montgomery County Court House in Norristown. Cohen posted $100,000 cash bail on Oct. 28, and has been free since then.

Records subpoenaed in benefits dispute An attorney for a gay man who seeks the death benefits of his deceased partner recently issued a subpoena for records that may help his client’s case. Joseph A. Hallman seeks about $450,000 in death benefits allegedly left to him by his deceased partner, Stephen T. Gallagher. Barry F. Penn, an attorney for Hallman, recently subpoenaed records from ADP, a company that helps administer the University of Pennsylvania’s employee-benefits program. Gallagher worked at the university as a computer specialist prior to his death in 2011. Penn said the information yielded from the subpoena may bolster Hallman’s case for Gallagher’s death benefits. Hallman and Gallagher were domestic partners for about four years, before parting ways in 2009. Gallagher’s mother, Joann P. Gallagher, contends that she’s entitled to her son’s death benefits. In 2014, Orphans’ Court Judge John W. Herron ruled against Hallman, stating that he failed to prove he was the designated beneficiary for Gallagher’s life-insurance policies. As a result, the proceeds should go to Joann Gallagher as the default beneficiary, according to Herron’s ruling. But Hallman appealed in state Superior Court, and in July the court remanded the case back to Philadelphia Orphans’ Court for further consideration. Penn said he expects to receive ADP’s records within the next few weeks.

No decision on SEPTA dispute There was no word this week on whether the state Supreme Court will review a lower-court ruling exempting SEPTA from the city’s LGBT-inclusive antibias rules. SEPTA is the region’s mass-transit system, serving more than 650,000 riders daily in Philadelphia, four surrounding counties and parts of New Jersey and Delaware. In August, the state Commonwealth Court issued a controversial ruling, allowing SEPTA to avoid compliance with the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance. The court noted that SEPTA is a state agency, and the state’s antibias law isn’t LGBT-inclusive. In September, city officials asked the state Supreme Court to overturn the Commonwealth Court’s ruling. If SEPTA is exempted from local antibias rules, many LGBT riders and employees of SEPTA will lose important antibias protections, according to the city. A request by the ACLU of Pennsylvania and Mazzoni Center to file statements in support of the city’s position is also pending before the state’s top court. n — Timothy Cwiek

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

Weekly features

News&Opinion 2 — News Briefing 10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Mark My Words Op-Ed Street Talk 16 — Crime Watch

Out Law columnist Angela Giampolo runs down the highlights and lowlights of LGBT 2015.

23 25 28 26 27

C o l u m n s

— — — — —

Family Portrait Scene in Philly Out & About Q Puzzle Comic

9 — OutLaw: LGBT 2015 in review 14 — Queer Faith: Politics of religious persecution

Classifieds 32 — Personals 33 — Real Estate 35 — Bulletin Board

FORGET NETFLIX AND CHILL: The temps are (finally!) starting to tumble, so now’s the time to start heating up your nights and weekends. In our annual Winter Preview, we run down the best events — from concerts to plays to book readings — to get you out and about in Philly this winter. Pages 21-22

The staff of PGN wishes all of our readers, advertisers, friends and allies a Happy New Year. Cheers to 2016!

Find out who the PGN staff selected as runners-up for our People of the Year honors.

“As we look over the pages of a worn-out calendar, marveling at where our year has brought us and pondering where next we will go, we can’t help but note there are still wrinkles that need to be smoothed, unfinished business needing our attention if we believe 2016 to be the year it can be.” ~ Queer Faith columnist Crystal Cheatham, page 14

Next week

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Two weeks

Publisher Mark Segal (ext. 204) mark@epgn.com

Gettin’ On Outward Bound

Executive Assistant/ Billing Manager Carol Giunta (ext. 202) carol@epgn.com

Editor

Jen Colletta (ext. 206) jen@epgn.com

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Office Manager/ Classifieds Don Pignolet (ext. 200) don@epgn.com

Writer-at-Large Timothy Cwiek (ext. 208) timothy@epgn.com

Kristen Chenowith will bring her “wicked” vocals to the Kimmel Center this weekend.

Art Director/ Photographer

Scott A. Drake (ext. 210) scott@epgn.com 267-736-6743 Graphic Artist Sean Dorn (ext. 211) sean@epgn.com

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Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 1976-2015 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155 Copyright © 1976 - 2015 Copyright(s) in all materials in these pages are either owned or licensed by Masco Communications Inc. or its subsidiaries or affiliate companies (Philadelphia Gay News, PGN, and it’s WWW sites.) All other reproduction, distribution, retransmission, modification, public display, and public performance of our materials is prohibited without the prior written consent of Masco Communications. To obtain such consent, email pgn@epgn.com

The views of PGN are expressed only in the unsigned “Editorial” column. Opinions expressed in bylined columns, stories and letters to the editor are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of PGN. The appearance of names or pictorial representations in PGN does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that named or pictured person or persons.

LOCAL PGN

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Holiday cheer abounded Dec. 25 at William Way LGBT Community Center’s annual holiday potluck dinner. About 90 community members and allies turned out for the event, which featured holiday food selections, decorations and music. Photo: Patrick Hagerty

Final weekend for LGBThistory exhibit By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com This weekend is your last chance to see the groundbreaking LGBT-history exhibit at the National Constitution Center that more than 23,000 people have toured in the last few months. “Speaking Out for Equality” at the National Constitution Center closes Jan. 3. The wide-ranging LGBT-history exhibit, curated by William Way LGBT Community Center, opened in May, and was a cornerstone of the city’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Annual Reminder demonstrations this past summer. It was also a timely focal point of the discussion surrounding the U.S. Supreme Court’s legalization of marriage equality. “It was a wonderful serendipity that, over the course of the two-and-a-half years of planning this exhibit, we gradually realized that it would be opening just a few weeks before the Obergefell decision,” said William Way executive director Chris Bartlett. “The trajectory of LGBT civil rights has many powerful directions, but the direction toward marriage equality was a key one. So on the day of the Obergefell decision to have thousands seeing the exhibit, and learning about the 50 years of civil-rights battles that came before it, was so powerful.” Bartlett said the thousands who walked through the exhibit included many student groups. “One of the most inspiring things was seeing students go through and seeing them so energized by the story,” he said. As NCC is a nonpartisan agency, the

exhibit, Bartlett noted, had to include a balanced approach to the topic — a challenge that he said ultimately paid off. “I think it gave it more power to include Anita Bryant and Jerry Falwell and other opponents, for a couple reasons,” Bartlett said. “It’s interesting to see the same arguments being used by LGBT opponents over time, and it helps us to remember to be vigilant in answering our critics. And having other voices in the exhibit opened it up to what I call the ‘curious conservatives’ to come through.” At the end of the exhibit, guests have an opportunity to weigh in on marriage equality. The responses were largely pro-LGBT, though Bartlett noted there was a diversity of opinions. “The success of this exhibit is that we weren’t only preaching to the choir; we were able to attract people who wanted to learn and to engage with these ideas,” he said. Bartlett encouraged LGBTs, allies and others to not miss out on the opportunity to catch the exhibit before it closes Sunday. “This exhibit has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tell a powerful story in a national museum. To see this exhibit in the shadow of Independence Hall, with so much history, right in the middle of Philadelphia is a truly powerful experience. People go in there and are moved by our history and inspired to carry the work forward into the future.” If you can’t make it to the NCC before Jan. 3, you might still have a chance to see “Speaking Out” in the future; Bartlett said organizers are in talks about creating a traveling version of the exhibit. n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

Mummers debut diversity division By Paige Cooperstein paige@epgn.com The Miss Fancy Brigade, an LGBT group led by local drag performers, helped pave the way for a full diversity division in the 2016 Mummers Parade, said Ian Morrison, who performs as Brittany Lynn. “Our group broke down the barrier in 2013,” Morrison said. “We’re opening up doors so other communities can enjoy the Mummers experiFANCY AND FABULOUS: Brigade creator Ian Morris ence and keep the tradition alive.” The Philadelphia Division, debut- (from left), Karen Vonsay, Miss Fancy 2015 Geoffrey ing New Year’s Day, includes the Dizon, Miss Fancy 2014 Morgan Wels and brigade Miss Fancy Brigade; San Mateo co-chair Michael Byrne gathered at Knock Dec. 15 to Carnavaleros, who celebrate the vic- pass the Miss Fancy crown. Photo: Scott A. Drake tory at the Battle of Puebla in Mexico; The Philadelphia Division leads the parade, and the Second 2 None Drill Team from West starting at 9 a.m. Jan. 1 at City Hall. Philadelphia that features black dancers. Morrison, who helped form the Miss Fancy “The more communities are invited, the big- Brigade, said 12 drag performers will march this ger the experience for the whole city,” Morrison year with a carnival theme. Franky Bradley’s in said. the Gayborhood and The Raven in New Hope The Mummers Parade dates back more than are new contributors. Other Gayborhood estab100 years and used to require a certain number lishments will also participate. of original charter members to allow changes “It’s just such a great feeling to be accepted for parade participants. Current organizers want by the entire city in a parade that once was so the parade to reflect the makeup of the city, exclusive,” Morrison said. “We expect this to Morrison said. The parade now has six divi- grow every year.” sions: Philadelphia, fancies, comics, wench For more information, visit www.phillybrigades, string bands and fancy brigades. mummers.com. n

Woody’s sued for vehicular accident By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com

AC ul t ure rts

Because Life Is More Than Just Gay News Nightlife, Concerts, Art Exhibits, Readings, Cabaret, Film Reviews, Theater Reviews, Food Reviews, Book Reviews, Music Reviews, Sports and Travel

Woody’s Bar is the target of a lawsuit stemming from a vehicular accident on Interstate 95. On Dec. 7, 2014, Daniel A. Callaway, a certified EMT and firefighter, suffered extensive injuries while tending to a disabled vehicle on I-95 in Tinicum Township, Delaware County. A vehicle driven by Corrin R. Collier sideswiped the disabled car, pushing it into Callaway. The driver of the disabled vehicle, Jamar D. Palmer, had been drinking at Woody’s, 202 S. 13th St., prior to the accident, according to a lawsuit filed in November by Callaway. Callaway is seeking compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $50,000 from Woody’s, according to his lawsuit. Callaway’s injuries included: a fractured and dislocated pelvis; a fractured right femur, tibula and fibula with insertion of plates and screws; two holes in his bladder; a fractured right knee; a fractured right ankle with insertion of screws; removal of a small piece of colon and resulting colostomy bag; permanent facial scarring and disfigurement. He alleges Woody’s creates an environment encouraging excessive alcohol consumption; repeatedly serves alcoholic drinks to visibly intoxicated patrons, which included Palmer; retains incompetent and unsupervised employees; prioritizes profits

over the safety of patrons; exceeds occupancy limits; permits illegal activities on the premises; and fails to notify police when visibly intoxicated patrons leave. Palmer, 27, was charged with DUI, careless driving, disregarding a traffic lane and related offenses. His blood-alcohol level was 0.16, which exceeded the legal limit. The New Castle, Del., resident was placed in a diversionary program as an alternative to jail time, and his license was suspended for two months. Additionally, Palmer was ordered to perform 64 hours of community service, attend alcohol-safety classes and pay about $2,000 in fines. Attorneys for Woody’s recently requested the dismissal of Callaway’s claim for punitive damages. “[Callaway] has failed to produce any facts or evidence of specific acts or omissions on the part of defendant which rise to the level of conduct sufficient to sustain a cause of action for punitive damages or to support claims of recklessness,” the filing states. “Furthermore, there is no evidence that [Woody’s] conduct was extreme, outrageous or outside the bonds of decency to be intolerable to a civilized society and therefore all claims of punitive damages and reckless conduct should be stricken and dismissed with prejudice.” Callaway is seeking a jury trial. As of presstime, a trial hadn’t been scheduled. Neither side had a comment for this story. n

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

REMEMBERING, CELEBRATING: More than 200 friends and family members of the late Frankie Morelli gathered to remember the longtime Voyeur staffer Dec. 26 at the club. Supporters raised more than $5,000 for a fund in Morelli’s name to help the family pay for funeral expenses. Morelli was a Gayborhood bartender and DJ for more than 15 years. He died this past fall of lung cancer, at age 51. Photo: Patrick Hagerty

Officer in homophobic video OKd for street patrol By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com A Philadelphia police officer who was caught on tape uttering anti-LGBT slurs, has been cleared for active street-patrol duty. Earlier this month, Matthew Zagursky returned to the 24th Police District, which covers the Frankford section. During a traffic stop, Zagursky referred to a motorist’s windshield wipers as “faggot-ass,” and urged the man to date a woman, so he wouldn’t look like a “fruitcake.” Zagursky also encouraged the man to purchase tickets to a police charity in order to avoid having his car impounded. In August, after a public outcry, Zagursky was assigned to desk duty at the Police Administration Building, and his service revolver was taken from him. Lt. John Stanford, a police spokesperson, told PGN this week that Zagursky’s service revolver has been returned to him. “We wouldn’t put somebody back on active duty without that [revolver],” Stanford said. Though Zagursky has been cleared for street patrol, his commanding officer could have him work indoors, as long as the assignment isn’t punitive in nature, Stanford added. If Zagursky patrols the streets, he could do so in a cruiser, on foot or on a bicycle. “Going back to the street doesn’t mean his actions were condoned or everything is OK with what he did,” Stanford continued. “There’s still a second part of the process, which is his discipline.” Stanford said any discipline imposed on Zagursky would be made public at the discretion of the police commissioner.

Zagursky, 32, is a nine-year veteran of the force. The department denied PGN’s request to interview him. In the traffic-stop video, Zagursky can be heard gender-stereotyping and exhibiting anti-LGBT bias. When questioning the motorist about his pink windshield wipers, he said: “What’s up with the faggot-ass wipers?” The motorist indicated the wipers are pink to demonstrate support for breast-cancer awareness. “Breast cancer I can understand,” Zagursky replied. “But can’t you support breast cancer in another way? It looks like you’re a fruitcake. You know? What the hell?” Zagursky encouraged the motorist to purchase tickets to a Police and Fire Thrill Show, and to take a female so he won’t look like a “fruitcake.”The thrill show raises funds to pay college tuition for the children of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. Additionally, Zagursky referred to the man’s vehicle and its contents as “shit.” The motorist handed Zagursky money for thrill-show tickets to avoid having his vehicle impounded. Stanford said the Internal Affairs Division’s report of the incident isn’t available to the public. Former state Rep. Babette Josephs criticized the police department’s handling of the Zagursky matter. “The police can’t keep doing this stuff and expect to have a decent relationship with the community,” Josephs told PGN. “Here is another case that erodes the effectiveness of law enforcement in the LGBT community.” Zagursky’s annual salary is $64,495, according to city records. n

Scott A. Drake 267-736-6743

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

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CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR IN BALTIMORE From Black History Month to Restaurant Week and CAA buzzer beaters, there’s plenty to do this winter in Baltimore.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE

CAA MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Throughout Baltimore January 18–February 29, 2016

Royal Farms Arena March 4–7, 2016

Celebrate Baltimore’s incredible wealth of African American history, culture and heritage with special events, exhibits and programs that kick off with the 15th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and continue through Black History Month in February.

The road to the Final Four begins this spring in Baltimore with the thrilling CAA Men’s Basketball Championship. Book your hotel package today and save!

WINTER RESTAURANT WEEK

Throughout Baltimore January 22–31, 2016

The most delicious week of winter is back! Dine your way through Baltimore and enjoy specially selected, three-course lunch and dinner prix fixe menu options at participating restaurants.

AMERICAN CRAFT COUNCIL WINTER SHOW

Baltimore Convention Center February 20–22, 2016

LIGHT CITY BALTIMORE: A FESTIVAL OF LIGHT, MUSIC AND INNOVATION

Inner Harbor & Beyond March 28–April 3, 2016

Baltimore launches a new, immersive international festival featuring seven days of family-friendly, free entertainment, including a waterfront art walk featuring 29 original works of light art and sculptures, more than 50 concerts, 100 performances and Light City U, a daytime, ticketed innovation conference for thought-leaders and change-makers. Don’t miss this celebration of bright lights and big ideas.

This highly prestigious show is a must-attend event. Join more than 800 craft artists from throughout the United States for the largest juried indoor craft show in the country.

Plan your visit today at BALTIMORE.ORG

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LEGAL PGN

LGBT 2015 year in review As 2015 draws to a close, let’s review the year in the United States; the vast majority of which have been women of color. Worldwide, many ways in which the fight for equality has one transgender person is murdered every three made historical progress, as well the areas days. We must actively fight for the T in LGBT where fundamental rights of LGBT people are and not just in words but also in money and in increasingly under siege. action. The glowing landmark this year was the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges The loss of the Houston Equal Rights that made marriage equality the law of the land. Ordinance in Texas was devastating. The ordiIt was a jubilant moment in our struggle for nance would have made Houston the last of the equality. Justice Anthony Kennedy’s opinion top-10 cities in America to enact protections will forever mark our “same love” slogan. based upon sexual orientation and gender iden Let’s not forget the other countries that rectity. HERO was mainly defeated based on a ognized LGBT relationships as equal and fear promulgated by conservatives that the bill, legitimate. In Ireland, 62 percent of voters which would protect transgender people’s right approved the first-ever successful to use the bathroom that corresponds marriage-equality referendum in with their gender, would lead to sexthe world. In June, Mexico ruled ual assaults in women’s restrooms. that state bans on same-sex marThis is of course absolutely false, but riage were unconstitutional and it played a huge part in the defeat of both Cyprus and Chile passed civHERO. However, gender-neutral bathil-union legislation in 2015. rooms have been popping up all across With every step forward, we America — including at the White sometimes have to take six steps House. It’s shocking that this just hapback — and Kentucky clerk Kim pened but better late than never. Davis encapsulates those six steps. California banned “gay-panic” and People have always been fighting “trans-panic” defenses in criminal the inevitable marriage-equality cases. Gov. Jerry Brown signed the ruling, but after it became law, we groundbreaking bill, AB 2051, into Angela law in September. In the past, these saw a massive marriage-equality backlash led by conservatives who defenses have often Giampolo victim-blaming used Davis as their spokesperson. been used by offenders to justify vioConservatives tried every trick in lence against LGBT people and to the book, including banning marriage for every- argue for lesser charges. one! Alas, marriage for all is still alive and well It’s necessary to stop and reflect on achievein the United States — but don’t become comments to plot the journey ahead. So, where do placent. The next president will likely appoint we go from here? several Supreme Court justices and, if they’re Well, personally my biggest goals for LGBT conservatives, Obergefell v. Hodges could equality in 2016 and beyond (as these are not become the next Roe v. Wade. overnight issues) are to tackle anti-transgen To that end, we saw the decade-old Religious der violence, temper LGBT homeless, address Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) legislation be bullying in schools head on and, oh you know, perverted by conservatives and used to further maybe finally see the day where we pass discrimination. The religious right actively tried employment-discrimination protections here in to undermine the Supreme Court even before Pennsylvania and federally! their marriage ruling with RFRA laws, emu There are so many achievements I haven’t lated best by the one passed in Indiana. RFRA mentioned (i.e., Pope Francis’ bipolar stance laws allow individuals and businesses to dison LGBT issues, Obama’s numerous LGBT criminate based on their religious beliefs. There appointments and executive orders, ISIL’s was a national firestorm that put Indiana in the attacks on LGBT individuals and Michigan crosshairs of all fair-minded people in America: Womyn’s Music Festival coming to an end), but The NCAA threatened to move the Final Four, that tells you how monumental of a year this CEOs signed a letter repudiating the legislation, was. For all of us, 2015 will be remembered as companies like Angie’s List threatened to leave the inflection point in LGBT civil rights, where Indiana and Tim Cook, in his first demonstraeverything begins to move forward at a quicker tion of advocacy as an out leader, took to the pace, for better or worse. Whether it’s employstreets. ment discrimination, transgender rights or sim It was also very much The Year of Caitlyn! ply our acceptance as equal citizens under the While her birth name was legally Bruce Jenner law, the future may not be smooth sailing, but on Jan. 1, 2015, she will ring in 2016 legally at least we made it out of the strongest surge of as Caitlyn Jenner. Regardless of your opinions the storm and have several lighthouses we can on her legitimacy as an advocate for transkeep our eyes steady on to guide us forward. n gender individuals, Jenner defined the conversation about the transgender community this Angela D. Giampolo, principal of Giampolo year. From her introduction to the world on the Law Group, maintains offices in Pennsylvania Vanity Fair cover to her TV show “I Am Cait,” and New Jersey and specializes in LGBT law, Jenner was everywhere. business law, real-estate law and civil rights. Despite advances internationally in trans visi- Her website is www.giampololaw.com and she bility, the brutal reality is that being transgender maintains two blogs, www.phillygaylawyer.com is still a life-and-death issue. As of today, 23 and www.lifeinhouse.com. Send Angela your transgender women have been murdered this legal questions at angela@giampololaw.com.

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EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Marco Rubio (again!)

Editorial

What are the New Year’s resolutions of PGN’s staffers? Carol: To spend more time with my family, especially with my son and daughter-in-law, and to help those who are less fortunate. Don: As always, I do not make New Year’s resolutions. They are a lose-lose situation. Greg: Just to be cooler, meaner and hotter in general. Jen: To do a better job of putting problems in big-picture context. And to get more health-focused by using my gym membership and trying to go a consecutive month without a Diet Coke. Larry: To stay centered, humble, focused and relatively happy. Mark: The same as last year and the year before: to slow down. It hasn’t happened yet … maybe someday. Paige: I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. Any day of the year is a great day to challenge yourself to improve. Prab: Oh, why even bother!? Sandy: Stop eating. Get back to the gym. Help find homes for refugees and abandoned animals. Scott: Get a website back up where I can showcase and sell my work and maybe get another gallery show or get in an art show. I guess my resolution then is to focus on marketing myself better and diving in and doing it! Sean: My New Year’s resolution is to try to be a better listener in my personal relationships and to work on being a more educated musician. Tim: More sit-ups! The love handles are getting too annoying. Also, improving digestion by chewing food better, and no eating three hours before going to bed. n

There is a certain bench that presidential contenders long to fill. It’s the Holy Grail of appointments: the U.S. Supreme Court. Since Supreme Court justices serve lifetime terms, getting a justice or two on the bench means leaving a legacy that far outlives your time in office. And while all the GOP candidates know this, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has been particularly outspoken lately about his dream of filling the court with justices who would try to undo marriage equality. Back in November, Rubio said we should just ignore the marriage-equality ruling since God didn’t like it. During that same interview, Rubio said, “I think one of the biggest things the next president is going to do is appoint justices to the Supreme Court — justices who understand that the Constitution is not a living and breathing document. It is a document of limitation and it’s supposed to be interpreted and applied based on its original intent. And there is no way that you can read that Constitution and deduce from it that there is constitutional right to an abortion, or a constitutional right to marry someone of the same sex.” Ah, the old, “The Constitution is like the Bible: perfect the first time and intended as, well, gospel.” Except for the fact that the Constitution has been amended many times, and the Bible has been translated and retranslated and rewritten and revised many, many times. My personal favorite is The Action Bible where Jesus is transformed into a comic-book hero. I bet the Apostles never saw that one coming! It’s interesting that Rubio insists that, since the Constitution doesn’t say anything about abortion or marriage equality, Americans thus do not have a right to these things. The Constitution also doesn’t say anything about assault weapons with huge magazines capable of mowing down a crowd of people in seconds. Yet somehow that always makes its way into Tea Party Founding Fathers fan fiction. On Dec. 13, Rubio told Chuck Todd on “Meet the Press” that marriage equality is “bad law.” He does not, however, favor an anti-

gay constitutional amendment. “That would be conceding that the current Constitution is somehow wrong and needs to be fixed,” he said. Granted, I don’t want an antigay marriage amendment to the Constitution, but Rubio seems to be ignoring the fact that any amendments have ever been made. The right for women to vote, for example, is number 19. But don’t worry, because Rubio says, “It’s not about discrimination.” “It is about the definition of a very specific, traditional and age-old institution. If you want to change it, you have a right to petition your state legislature and your elected representatives to do it,” he said. Never mind the hideousness of putting the rights of minorities up for a vote by the majority. If you look at history, you’ll see benevolent state legislatures helping vulnerable minorities all over the place. Ha ha. Just kidding. It’s the opposite of that. Of course, Rubio doesn’t see LGBT people as a minority group deserving of equality. He doesn’t seem to see LGBT people as people at all. “I don’t believe any case law is settled law,” Rubio continued. “Any future Supreme Court can change it. And ultimately, I will appoint Supreme Court justices that will interpret the Constitution as originally constructed.” In other words, he wants to fill the bench with right-wing ideologues who will be making law long after Rubio leaves office. Which is why it’s so important that he — or his GOP opponents — never get elected in the first place. n

Rubio doesn’t see LGBT people as a minority group deserving of equality. He doesn’t seem to see LGBT people as people at all.

D’Anne Witkowski has been gay for pay since 2003. She’s a freelance writer and poet (believe it!). When she’s not taking on the creeps of the world, she reviews rock and roll shows in Detroit with her twin sister and teaches writing at the University of Michigan.

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OP-ED PGN

The 2015 road to equality What a year, and what a ride. As we all memoir won universal praise from maindo, I’m beginning to look back at my year. stream, as well as LGBT, media across the And for me, it certainly was a special year, country. The rest of my year was devoted one in which I learned a lot. Let me share to a book tour, signings and appearances. with you some of the lessons I took from The book’s release was more than anything 2015. I expected — and the incredible reviews Working with good people and sales (it went into a second brings appreciation. The PGN printing within a month!) were staff won more journalism the icing on the cake. I need awards this year than in any to thank you, my readers, for other in our history. The reason that. Thank you! is simple: our staff — from our The book did what my editor to our ad reps to our office friends had been telling me manager and graphics team. We for years but I hadn’t had the all try each day to deliver to our time to notice: It gave me an community the best newspaper opportunity to look at my we can. It’s a team effort. And I work and, more importantly, take pride in the PGN staff every to notice the friendships I’ve day. And your support has helped made and kept through scores make all of that award-winning of years: from grammar school journalism possible. to my days in New York with My city was determined to be the Gay Liberation Front and one of the most LGBT-friendly Youth and to all those Mark Segal Gay cities in the nation for the fourth with whom I’ve partnered on straight year by Human Rights projects. And then there was a Campaign. We will have a new mayor who, pleasant surprise: I got to see all those old from the beginning of his career, has been and new friends who stepped forward to a strong LGBT ally. And, oh yes, major help promote the book. It became a bestvictories on Election Day for our state seller thanks to them, and you. And if all of that were not enough, I get Supreme Court, including the election of to say I’m a very happily married man. Kevin Dougherty, who champions trans Those who are regular readers of this colissues. umn know that the last three years I’ve On a personal note, my year was consumed by my just-released memoir, “And ended my column with “and next year will Then I Danced: On the Road to Equality.” be even better.” You would think it would Writing a memoir is totally different than be hard for me to say that again since this writing a weekly column. And while was such a very special year. So the year we were preparing the announcement ahead might not be better but, yes, it holds about the book, I learned I had won the promise. n top national opinion-writing award from Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the nation’s the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists most-award-winning commentator in LGBT Association. That was not only a complete media. You can follow him on Facebook at surprise but it meant a complete change of www.facebook.com/MarkSegalPGN or Twitter schedule for the rollout of the book. at https://twitter.com/PhilaGayNews. What surprised me the most was that my

Mark My Words

Op-Ed

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

Street Talk Who's the LGBT person of the year for 2015? "Daniel Kaufman. He saved four lives during the San Bernadino shootings. Anyone who will sacrifice their life so Jessica Berman that others nanny can live has Northeast Philadelphia my utmost admiration. The shootings really made an impression on me. Terrorism is becoming rampant, and a daily concern."

"Rosie O'Donnell. I saw her on a recent episode of ‘Empire.’ She portrayed a former prisoner. She played her Lorren Gantt character student very well. Olney It was surprising, shocking and something I've never seen her do. I admire her ability to portray a different character."

"Adam Josephs. I really admire that he came out. He seems like the nicest person on TV. For someone in Frances his position, McInerney it must have nanny Brewerytown taken a lot of strength and selfconfidence to come out. He's very much in the public eye."

"Caitlyn Jenner. It's great that she had the courage to do what she did. She's being her authentic self. And that deserves a lot Dara Slott of applause. store owner I hope she's South Philadelphia able to bring about positive change for the trans community."

Ted Martin

Will the legislature get anything right next year? Let’s hope. The budget isn’t the only thing the legislature didn’t get done in 2015. Because of the never-ending budget impasse, almost every other issue that Pennsylvanians care about was not addressed. One of those key issues is discrimination. Most Pennsylvanians are shocked to learn that it is still legal in the commonwealth to be fired from your job, turned away from a business or denied an apartment just for being gay or transgender. This past year’s Susquehanna Research poll shows that 74 percent of all Pennsylvania voters agree that it’s time to update our laws to be sure that all people are protected from discrimination. And Equality PA’s outreach in the community backs that up. More than 400 small business owners, 700 clergy and faith leaders and all 18 Fortune 500 companies based

in Pennsylvania agree that discrimination against gay and transgender people is wrong and bad for business. Discrimination really does affect people. According to a recent survey, 38 percent of gay or transgender employees in the United States report being harassed or discriminated against at work. There are many stories from all around Pennsylvania about how discrimination or the fear of discrimination affects people’s lives. For example, a group of students from Temple University said, “We want to be business owners, scientists, doctors, politicians and artists living and working in Pennsylvania, the state we call home. We want to be judged on our work performance and not feel like we have to leave the state to find our place as professionals.”

A young woman from the Allentown area told us about her difficult experience: “I was a dedicated employee working 60 hours a week. I had a great rapport with the owners and managers and enjoyed going into work. Somehow, even though I did not discuss my personal life at work, the owners of the restaurant found out that I was a lesbian and from that moment on everything changed. I felt helpless knowing that me losing my job for being gay is legal in the state of Pennsylvania and I would be granted no recourse. I just want the same opportunities as everyone else when it comes to having my work judged on my performance, not my sexual orientation.” And finally, a Pennsylvania mom who worries for her daughter: “As the mother of an openly bisexual daughter, I want her

treated fairly. We need employers to select, hire, promote and even fire applicants and employees based solely on performance, not their sexual orientation or gender identity.” Pennsylvanians deserve solutions to problems like discrimination. It is my sincerest wish that in the next year of the legislative session, we will see more legislators who are responsive to the people they represent and who will move forward on key issues like discrimination. I still have hope. The legislature has another year to pass the PA Fairness Act — and they need to get this done. n Ted Martin is executive director of Equality PA. He can be reached at themartin@equalitypa.org or 717-319-5210.

PEOPLE PGN OF THE YEAR

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

PEOPLE OF THE YEAR from page 1

detective. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton and a law degree from Temple University. He became an ADA in 1999 and was named chief of the Central Bureau in 2010. His criminal prosecution has spanned all levels, including six years in the Homicide Unit. “Mike is a consummate prosecutor,” said John Delaney, D e p u t y District Attorney in the Trial Division. “He thoroughly prepares his cases, and is an extraordinary advocate for victims and all people of the commonwealth.” Ruth shares that commitment, Delaney said. The Lehigh County native earned a bach-

elor’s degree from St. Joseph’s University and a law degree from Quinnipiac University, becoming a prosecutor in 2008. She handled serious criminal cases in Central Bureau before her assignment to the Homicide Unit earlier this year. “Allison combines tenacity and compassion to achieve justice,” Delaney said. “She personifies what we expect of our prosecutors in our cases: She does the right thing for the right reason.” The duo brought their education and experience to the table throughout the process, which included multiple meetings with the victims and negotiations with the defendants’ attorneys. Harrigan and Williams agreed to the plea deals this past fall, but Knott declined, choosing instead to present her case to a jury. When the trial opened last month, Ruth delivered a fiery opening statement that drove home the seeming motivation for the crime. “You dirty, fucking faggot,” Ruth opened, repeatedly using the antigay slur to quote the language the victims say was hurled at them during the attack.

“Mike and Allison were so kind and patient and really took the time to comfort [the victims], in addition to guiding them along this process. It meant so much to us and our families.”

— Caryn Kunkle, friend of Andrew Haught and Zachary Hesse

R u t h and Barry split duties throughout the fourday trial, both leading direct examination of prosecution witnesses and cross-examination of defense witnesses. A m o n g Ruth’s contributions during the trial, she handled the direct of Haught and the cross-examination of defense witness Taylor Peltzer, who contended Haught hit her. Among Barry’s responsibilities was the cross-examination of Knott — in which he grilled her on her involvement in the incident and history of antigay social-media postings — as well as the 80-minute closing statement. After about 14 hours of deliberations, the jury returned with four convictions — two counts of reckless endangerment as well as conspiracy and simple assault — out of 10 possible charges, acquitting Knott of the more serious felonies; however, jurors later told reporters that the majority wanted to

convict on all counts but had to compromise to avoid a hung jury. Barry told PGN last month that Haught and Hesse were comfortable with the mixed verdict. “I did discuss the possibility of a mixed verdict with Zach and Andrew all along and it was something they wouldn’t been, and were, fine with,” Barry said. “The reality is, all they ever wanted was for somebody to acknowledge [Knott] did it, and for her to take something from that, change her attitude and grow from it; Zach and Andrew weren’t vengeful people, which was refreshing. And it was clear from this verdict that the jury agreed she did what we

People of the Year runners-up By PGN Staff National marriage equality was by far the biggest LGBT newsmaker of 2015 but, locally, a number of folks made tremendous strides toward advancing LGBT equality in other areas. Here are just a few of our local leaders whose hard work, courage and dedication made Philadelphia a more fair and equal city this past year. John Cunningham and Bob Skiba Cunningham and Skiba both deserve recognition for their work spearheading the 50th-anniversary celebration of the Annual Reminder Days, one of the first LGBT-rights demonstrations in the country. It originally took place July 4, 1965, outside Independence Hall. The anniversary event included community members — dressed up in slacks and skirts to harken back to 1960s civil disobedience — restaging the march. There was also an outdoor ceremony that featured comedian Wanda Sykes and a luncheon with Edie Windsor, the plaintiff in the U.S. Supreme Court case that defeated the Defense of Marriage Act, and Judy Shepard, the mother of murdered gay college student Matthew Shepard.

Cunningham is a lifelong LGBT advocate and Skiba serves as an archivist at William Way LGBT Community Center. The community center took an active role in organizing the 50th-anniversary event. William Way executive director Chris Bartlett this fall praised Cunningham for conceiving of “Speaking Out for Equality,” an exhibit at the National Constitution

Center detailing the LGBT-rights movement’s history and intersection with the Constitution. Skiba curated the exhibit, which is populated with documents, photos and ephemera telling the story of Philadelphia’s role in the movement. More than 23,000 people have toured the exhibit since its opening in the spring. “Speaking Out” closes Jan. 3. Naiymah Sanchez Sanchez is a force to be reckoned with in the local transgender community, expanding programs for the Trans-Health Information Project at GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization, leading the Trans* March and helping to procure a proper burial for slain trans woman Diamond Williams. Williams was buried Nov. 14 at St. Miriam Parish in Flourtown, two years after her murder in Strawberry Mansion. Helen Ubinas, a columnist with the Philadelphia Daily News, wrote about her quest to have Williams’ grandmother claim Williams’ cremated remains from the city Medical Examiner’s Office. Ubinas said she couldn’t convince any of Williams’

family members to claim the remains, so she turned to GALAEI. “They reacted so fast, I barely beat Naiymah Sanchez to the Medical Examiner’s Office on University Avenue,” Ubinas wrote in October. Sanchez claimed the remains and wrapped them in the transgender flag. Before the burial, which Sanchez took the lead on arranging, Williams’ ashes were stored on a mantel at GALAEI with photos of other transgender women who had died. Sanchez was also influential in organizing this year’s Trans* March, the fifth-annual event, which saw its largest crowd yet.

PEOPLE PGN OF THE YEAR

said she did.” Shortly before the verdict was read, Barry sat with the victims and coached them on keeping their emotions in check and their reactions minimal. Throughout the trial, he and Ruth frequently were heard explaining to the victims and their families what to expect each day, and asking how they were holding up, which Fitzpatrick said was illustrative of their approach to working with victims. “Mike has spent most of his career in homicide, so he’s used to working with victims who are grieving, devastated, who’ve lost loved ones. So he brings a large level of empathy to the human suffering people are dealing with in the criminal legal system,” Fitzpatrick said, noting that Ruth, who was her first trial partner, also was attentive and compassionate. “Allison is a highly, highly empathetic and intelligent human being. Watching her deal with Zach and Andrew was very impressive. I think that she was able to really help alleviate some of their concerns. Mike and Allison are very different in their personalities but it’s wonderful to see them in action together. They covered the whole spectrum of what you need to do in working with victims, especially victims of such a brutal crime.” “Mike and Allison were so kind and patient and really took time to comfort [Haught and Hesse], in addition to guiding them along this process,” said Caryn Kunkle, a friend of and advocate for the

Dr. Rachel Levine Dr. Levine became the first transgender person appointed to a governor’s cabinet in Pennsylvania. Gov. Tom Wolf appointed her last year and the state Senate confirmed Levine to the post in June, making her the first transgender woman to serve as physician general. In an interview at the time with PGN,

victims. “It meant so much to us and our families. I’m sure they have 100 cases a year and they didn’t need to take the time to be so kind and positive, but they did.” Apart from working closely with the victims, both Barry and Ruth also continuously emphasized that the incident was a hate crime — one that could not be covered by state law, which does not include protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity; the city has since adopted an LGBT-inclusive hate-crimes ordinance. “Let’s stop beating around the bush,” Barry told jurors in his closing statement. “This is a hate crime.” Barry told PGN that advancing an LGBT-inclusive hate-crimes law was not his goal with this case, but he would be “very happy” if it helped influence such an aim. “All people should be protected,” he said. “It’s crazy that the protections don’t include the LGBT community.” “I think this case heightens and emphasizes the need for continued understanding within society of what hate crime really means, compared to what hate crime legally is,” Fitzpatrick said. “In this instance, there was not a charge for hate crime because it was not available but I think it’s important and commendable that the D.A.’s Office still handled this case as though it were, because it was clearly motivated by bias and hatred.” Kunkle said that, after hearing about

Levine said, “The biggest health problem we have in our state is the opioid crisis.” She signed a standing order in October that makes it possible for anyone in Pennsylvania to obtain naloxone, a medication that can reverse an overdose caused by an opioid drug. “Dr. Levine has been a hugely important part of the Wolf administration,” said Jeff Sheridan, the governor’s press secretary. “She serves as a top advisor. We rely on Dr. Levine for many different areas.” In addition to creating instruction for nurse practitioners, dentists and pharmacists among others regarding how to respond to patients who may be experiencing an overdose, Levine has traveled the state with officials from the Department of Health educating people on the importance of vaccinating children. On World AIDS Day last month, she spoke about the state Health Department’s policy goals for HIV. She discussed issues that affect people living with HIV that Wolf has tackled since taking office, including eliminating the asset test to determine eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and increasing funding for the housing trust fund. She also served as a grand marshal of the Philadelphia Pride parade in June.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

Haught and Hesse’s ordeal, many people have shared with her with their own stories of anti-LGBT bias crimes. “The reaction from the community has been so gracious and supportive, I am personally hoping to see some widespread legal changes to support the LGBT community needs,” she said. “The stories that people have approached me with just break my heart.” Fitzpatrick added Barry and Ruth’s commitment to protecting LGBT victims, and advancing LGBT equality, extends beyond this case. She noted that Barry turned out for the recent bill signing of legislation to mandate gender-neutral signage on single-stall restrooms in the city. “He stuck out like a sore thumb at the bill-signing,” Fitzpatrick laughed. “He looks every bit the part of a city prosecutor, with his suspenders and bigger-than-life personality, but it’s great to see a prosecutor who cares so deeply about everyone in the city, especially the LGBT community; he’s willing to not only go the distance for victims in court but also to engage and be a constant presence outside of court, so people know he’s here and he’s invested and accessible. And Allison has always also been involved behind the scenes in all sorts of work to protect people who are LGBT within the criminal-justice system. So there’s a history of them both doing the right thing and valuing the partnership with

Margie Winters Winters became a focal point of the discussion on LGBTs in the Catholic Church this past summer. In June, Winters was fired from her job as director of religious education at Waldron Mercy Academy in Lower Merion Township because she’s married to a woman, Andrea Vettori The Catholic school knew of Winters’ marriage when she was hired, and it wasn’t until a parent complained to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia that the school fired her. Dozens of parents and students rallied around her, even starting a Facebook group called “Stand with Margie.” The page continues to post updates related to gay people who are fired from positions with Catholic institutions. At a Papal Picnic held in September at the John C. Anderson Apartments in the Gayborhood, Winters and Vettori addressed a crowd of about 50. “We recognize that we are standing on the shoulders of many of you who have fought this fight for many years,”

“There was not a charge for hate crime because it was not available but I think it’s important and commendable that the D.A.’s Office still handled this case as though it were, because it was clearly motivated by bias and hatred.” — Nellie Fitzpatrick, director of the Office of LGBT Affairs the city and the community.” Barry said this type of case — which has the potential to get results for both the victims and on a larger scale — is what drew him to criminal prosecution. “This is why I do what I do,” Barry said. “This case had meaning, meaning beyond the facts, meaning beyond what happened to Zach and Andrew. As a person who likes doing meaningful work, I was glad to be in those shoes to do that.” n

Winters said. “We feel very humbled to be elevated at this time because we’re newcomers to this crowd. We thank all of you for all you’ve done throughout the years to allow this situation to have risen so high in this community and in the Catholic community. It could’ve just been a blip on the screen, but because of all of your struggle, it isn’t.” n

FAITH PGN

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Does the Equality Act promise religious persecution for some?

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This past year was an epic one for queer Anderson spoke with thoughtful progress. For starters, same-sex marriage clarity and obvious intelligence when was legalized. Among the year’s accolades, he confided in the audience about his there was a landslide push for trans visibil- Evangelical experience in secularized ity, which included the milestone moment spaces. I can give him credit for being Laverne Cox rocked it as the first transwell-spoken, but the following statement gender woman to appear on the cover of was a bit off. He said, “If you’re a conTime magazine. I also watched, listening servative Evangelical at a major law firm with a full heart, as my president spoke of or at an Ivy League university, you have transgender issues during his State of the a much harder time coming out of the Union address. And to everyone’s relief, closet as Evangelical than coming out as that same president called for the end of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.” I conversion therapy in our great nation. think several of us heard the thunderous All of it stacked together like that makes crack of the world breaking in two when you want to say, “Watch out 2016, you he defined his perceived suffering as some have a lot to live up to.” Yet, as we look sort of “closet.” over the pages of a worn-out calendar, If you watch the video of the convermarveling at where our year has brought sation, it is clear that nobody in the audius and pondering where next we will go, ence realized Anderson wanted to play we can’t help but note there are still wrinball in the oppression Olympics either. kles that need to be smoothed, We — black, Asian, Hispanic, unfinished business needing our queer, feminist, black feminist attention if we believe 2016 to — have been playing in these be the year it can be. games for decades, bare-footed On Dec. 10, policymakers, and dressed in hand-meactivists and leaders in the downs. What do you do when media came together at the the Bruce Jenner in the room Woolly Mammoth Theatre in wants to compete as well? It’s not my favorite thing to Washington, D.C. They were hosted by The Atlantic to listen admit but, when I was a kid, to conversations about LGBTQ I was a bully. “You wanna issues in an inaugural summit fight?” was my favorite phrase titled Unfinished Business. in eighth grade. Take it from There, topics ranged from a reformed bully: We don’t Crystal enter fights with white flags queer-youth homelessness to the role of Congress in LGBTQ Cheatham unless it is clear we will never issues and the truth about athwin without the approval of letes coming out in places like the locker the very people we’ve been intimidatroom. The pinnacle of these conversations ing. Anderson’s statement reminds me of Cartman from “South Park,” deciding he landed on a Side-A, Side-B conversation that gave conservative speaker Ryan wants to quit every time the situation gets Anderson the floor to talk about reliout of his control. “Screw you guys,” he gious freedom and its relationship to the says, “I’m going home.” Equality Act. Right-wing conservatives have con While you and I are signing petitions stantly been oppressive to women, waging in hopes of seeing the 1964 Equality Act war on reproductive rights and thwarting amended in our favor, folks like Anderson LGBTQ equality at every turn. They’ve are polling for the First Amendment done it all in the name of a Christ who Defense Act (FADA). FADA would undo openly commanded his followers to love all of our hard work and make it legal for the loveless. Evangelicals have been crypeople like Anderson to refuse to serve, ing “persecution” since marriage equalsell to or work with LGBTQ people based ity. Host Mary Louise Kelly poignantly on the whim of a moral belief. asked, “Do civil rights for some get in the I didn’t know whom Anderson was until way of liberties for others?” One could say yes, but only if you’re I watched him on the stage at the Woolly the one on the losing side of history. Mammoth Theatre but, in listening to Let’s hope this mess is finally cleaned up him speak, I got the creeping cold feeling in 2016. God knows we are ready for it. n Harry Potter must have felt when he first encountered a Dementor in that tunnel Crystal Cheatham is a writer and activist with his cousin. in Philadelphia. She chairs the Spirituality Anderson is a senior research fellow & Religion steering committee for the at the Heritage Foundation. To give the Human Rights Campaign and volunteers Heritage Foundation its rightful glory, with Equality Pennsylvania and William know that it is openly endorsed by talking Way LGBT Community Center’s Out & heads like Rush Limbaugh and our dear Faithful Committee and has written for presidential hopeful Ted Cruz. Cruz is the Huffington Post. You can find out more quoted as saying, “We need Heritage’s about her at CrystalCheatham.com. ideas to become the tools of battle.”

Queer Faith

LOCAL PGN

40 years ago in PGN ... Editor’s note: In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Philadelphia Gay News, the paper will run weekly highlights from the first year of its printing in 1976. This week’s nostalgic news comes from the January 1976 issue. PGN published monthly until 1978 and bi-weekly until 1982, when it went weekly. Gay News begins publication Philadelphia Gay News published its first issue Jan. 3, 1976, after the franchise was purchased the previous November from publishing firm PGN Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh. Keith Clark and Mark Segal purchased it, with Clark serving as the original editor and Segal as business and advertising manager. Clark had worked with the Denver Post, Philadelphia Inquirer and The Advocate before joining PGN. Segal was a national LGBT activist. PGN Inc. also published the Ohio East Gay News, covering Cleveland and Akron, and the Pittsburgh Gay News. Ohio East and Pittsburgh later stopped publishing. The first issue had 36 pages. The cover featured an illustration of Dr. Walter J. Lear, the first out public official from the Philadelphia area and coordinator of the Gay Public Health Caucus. The paper described itself as a monthly publication, noting a goal to publish every THE COVER OF PGN’S FIRST ISSUE

two weeks. It cost 50 cents on newsstands with distribution in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Allentown, Reading, Harrisburg, Princeton, Camden, Atlantic City and Wilmington. The publication’s first offices were at 2220 Spruce St.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

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Community center finds a home Adapted from reporting by Karen Martin The Gay Community Center of Philadelphia, which became the William Way LGBT Community Center, signed a lease for a building at 326 Kater St. The two-story structure had bathrooms and air conditioning, but needed substantial renovations before it could become habitable. Plans at the time called for subdividing the open areas into small offices. Community center organizers applied for a tax-credit exemption as a nonprofit. Early programs included health clinics, discussion groups, a lecture series, film program and dances. The community center also set aside space for other gay groups and organizations to meet. Gay-rights bill dies, another in preparation Adapted from reporting by Harry Langhorne When it became clear that Philadelphia City Councilman Melvin Greenberg was not going to bring out of committee a bill to protect residents from discrimination based on sexual orientation, a group called Dyketactics led a disturbance at City Council. During a Dec. 4, 1975, meeting, they chanted “Free 1275,” referring to the number of the bill. The protesters were all cleared from the room, though none was arrested. No injuries were reported. Planning began soon after for the introduction of a new anti-discrimination bill. The lobbying team behind the original bill determined that not enough people knew about it; lesbians, in particular, felt excluded from efforts to pass an anti-discrimination bill. Councilman Lucien Blackwell expressed willingness to serve as the primary sponsor for the new bill. Four other members were considered likely co-sponsors. n — compiled by Paige Cooperstein

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Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between Dec. 14-20. Information is courtesy of Sixth District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice.com or call 215-686-TIPS. INCIDENTS — At 2:15 a.m. Dec. 13 (reported Dec. 14), an individual was struck on the back of the head outside 200 S. 13th St. No description of the culprit was provided. — At 2:05 p.m. Dec. 14, a man handed the teller at PNC Bank, 1111 Market St., a demand note and fled with cash. He was described as black, in his 50s, 6 feet, thin, with a gray beard and wearing a gray hoodie and gray cap. — At 2:20 a.m. Dec. 15, someone knocked down an intoxicated person in the 1200 block of Chancellor Street and stole a cell phone and wallet. — At 9:45 a.m. Dec. 17, a resident in an apartment in the 1200 block of Addison Walk heard doors open and close and spot-

ted an open window. It appeared an intruder entered through the window and exited via the front door, but did not steal anything. — At 7:55 p.m. Dec. 18, a teen on a bicycle snatched a woman’s iPhone from her hand outside 800 Spruce St. He fled west on Spruce and was described as black, age 15-16, wearing a gray hoodie and jeans and riding a black bicycle. — There was one theft from a vehicle reported Dec. 14-20: outside 900 Pine St. — There were two bicycle thefts reported Dec. 14-20: outside 800 Spruce St. and 840 Walnut St. ARRESTS — At 10:20 p.m. Dec. 15, an individual cut another on the chin with a razor during an argument outside 1200 Locust St. Sixth District officers arrested a suspect Dec. 16 outside 200 S. Juniper St. The 46-year-old with a shelter address was charged with aggravated assault and related offenses. — On Dec. 19, Sixth District officers arrested a woman outside 229 S. Broad St. who was wanted for failure to appear for court. The 37-year-old South Philadelphia woman was charged with contempt of court.

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in creating “the cross-department coordination that is much needed” for the Planning and Development Cabinet. “Anne’s diverse accomplishments in both public- and private-sector development make her the ideal choice,” Kenney said in a statement. Fadullon served as Philadelphia’s director of development at the Redevelopment Authority in the 1990s under then-Mayor Ed Rendell. She currently works with DALE Corporation, a construction management firm in Cheltenham Township. Her career has encompassed administration of 125 residential and commercial-development projects, which produced more than 1,500 housing units. Fadullon said her first order of business in the new cabinet would be to address the housing functions because previous leaders from the division have retired or moved to other positions. “This is a really interesting time to be in Philadelphia,” she said. “We have a certain skill set around declining. We’re newer to the growth side of things. We’re tooting our own horn in ways we haven’t done before.” Fadullon said the new construction and neighborhood developments in the city are happening at a moderate-enough pace for officials to get in front of the growth and manage it for the benefit of Philadelphia. Guaracino is executive director of the destination-marketing organization Atlantic BUDGET from page 1

MANNA has a contract with the state Department of Human Services for $350,000, which supports providing meals to children experiencing health problems. “We’re hoping, from a cash-flow standpoint, we’ll see funds soon,” Daugherty said. “To date, we haven’t had to say no to anyone. It’s tough, but we’re managing.” MANNA started as an organization to provide meals and nutritional guidance to people affected by HIV/AIDS. Over the years, its mission expanded to address other health disparities. Daugherty said MANNA receives funding from other organizations that specifically support services for people affected by HIV/AIDS. She added MANNA is using money that typically goes toward its operating budget to cover the expenses that the state is expected to fund. Daugherty said there is about a twomonth delay between a state budget passing and her organization receiving funding. After last year’s budget was approved in July, funds started arriving around October. “There is a concern that, come January, we may have to make some decisions regarding services,” she said. Ron Powers, chief operating officer for Mazzoni, said his organization has provided services for about $150,000 that the state has yet to reimburse. The money is expected to come through a contract with the Department of Health. It supports adolescent LGBT health care like the free Wednesday-night drop-in for young people. “We definitely have not cut back on any services,” Powers said. “We’re able to use

City Alliance. He will help the group move onto a new leader while transitioning this month to his new role with Welcome America. He said his experiences in New Jersey taught him about perseverance. “In Atlantic City, it was [a city] in crisis,” Guaracino said. “When you go through Hurricane Sandy or a casino closing, you think, Oh yea, I learned something. I really have learned what a great privilege it is to be part of a city and its next great chapters.” Guaracino, who lives in Society Hill, said he is eager to work in Philadelphia again. In the early 2000s, Guaracino spent 10 years with the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, now called Visit Philadelphia, and helped launch the award-winning campaign, “Get Your History Straight and Your Nightlife Gay.” He wrote a pioneering book around that time called “Gay and Lesbian Tourism: The Essential Guide for Marketing.” Guaracino plans to follow that up with a book he co-wrote with Ed Salvato. Called “Handbook of LGBT Tourism and Hospitality: A Guide for Business Practice,” it’s slated for publication in the fall. Kenney said Guaracino would contribute to improving the reputation of Philadelphia for visitors and residents. “Jeff’s work both here and in Atlantic City demonstrates that he knows event planning and, just as importantly, how to successfully market big events inside and out,” Kenney said in a statement. n unrestricted funds from fundraising and third-party reimbursements from insurance. Luckily for us, state funding is a small percentage of our budget.” Powers said Mazzoni has some Ryan White contracts, which pass through the state but ultimately represent federal money for HIV/AIDS services. He said these funds wouldn’t be impacted by state cuts or delays, and noted the real point of interest for Mazzoni is whether its contracts with the state will be renewed past July. HIV/AIDS service organization Philadelphia FIGHT also operates largely without state funding, said Chip Alfred, FIGHT director of development and communications. Alfred said the budget impasse was brought up at FIGHT’s most recent staff meeting and Jane Shull, executive director, said the impact on the organization has not been large at this point. “Most of the funding is federal or through the city,” Alfred said. Chris Bartlett, director of the William Way LGBT Community Center, noted a sizable amount of funding from non-state sources that has helped his organization weather the storm. He said the center expects one grant from the state, which would be new this year, to fund community outreach. Bartlett said the community center has plans to conduct research in the local LGBT community and figure out what the emerging needs are. “We can’t start that work until the budget goes through,” Bartlett said. “But we don’t have any other state funding.” n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

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TOP PGN PHOTOS

Favorite photos: What a year! By Scott A. Drake scott@epgn.com

Looking back in time can bring a wide variety of thoughts and emotions to the surface. There are those recollections of moments that were spontaneous and fun that we recall with a smile, and there are more somber memories that may overwhelm us all over again. There are grand spectaculars of color and gaiety that encompass all our friends and us, and

there are simple, elegant times of love and the connection between just two people. And there are the mental comparisons we make between actuality and dreams and between achievements and setbacks. If ever there was a year that offered more personal pinnacles and poop, I can’t recall it. Photographically, I faced the most rewarding, humbling and awe-inspiring moments than I have ever in my years of chronicling. In fact, I can’t help but start right at the emotional and professional apex of my life with these favorite photos from 2015.

5. Annual Reminder Days During 2015, we also celebrated new milestones and memories that happened outside of the courts. From the Speaking Out For Equality exhibit at the National Constitution Center to recreating the march in front of Independence Hall to joining some of the original protest walkers as they strolled Philadelphia’s first rainbow crosswalk, Philadelphians were joined by people from all over the country as we celebrated the birth of the modern LGBT-rights movement. This photo is from the July 4 reenactment, and there are so many others from that weekend that were also special. You can check them all out at epgn.com.

1-2. June 26, 2015 If ever the universe aligns for you for a day, immerse yourself in it completely — as I did on this day. The day the U.S. Supreme Court handed down the momentous decision affirming equal marriage rights for LGBTQ citizens, my boyfriend and I were already in Washington, D.C. I had won the Sigma Delta Chi Award for sports photography, a major national photojournalism award, and we were attending the banquet that night to accept the plaque. There is not enough space in this entire issue for me to express what a powerful, emotional and rewarding day that was. The first photo was taken in front of the Supreme Court that morning and the second is from the awards banquet at the National Press Club that evening. 3-4. Brides and Grooms A lot of us might have attended a record number of weddings in 2015. I was at five, maybe six. I lost track. These two photos represent both sides of the aisle celebrating the commitment of life. The first is of Ashlee Turturro and PGN editor Jen Colletta, who got married in the spring, and the second is couple Michael and Darryl DePiano, manager and owner of ICandy, who married July 4. Cheers!

6. Almost home — the sequel Philadelphia boasts one of the largest varieties of LGBT sports organizations in the country, and I have had the task of covering all of them every other week in my column “Get Out and Play.” The “Almost Home” photo from 2014 that snagged a couple of awards (besides the Delta Sigma Chi one; see #2) will always be the pinnacle, but this close play at the plate in 2015 also captured the quintessential action. Kickball, along with volleyball and dodgeball, has exploded on the Philly LGBT sports scene because of Stonewall Sports. You can get involved at stonewallsports.leagueapps.com. Photos: Scott A. Drake

TOP PGN PHOTOS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

7. Dancing in the street There are always so many good pictures from Pride, it’s difficult to choose just one representative. This is one of our favorites because the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus put on a heckuva show not only on the street, but in several other places throughout the year. The boys brought it home in the parade.

11. At the end of the day ... While the picture was taken in the fall of 2014 while we were in Key West, the accompanying story didn’t run until early 2015. Our Wind & Wine Sunset Sail, courtesy of Danger Tours, was definitely a highlight of the trip. This picture got quite a few comments and more than one request for a print ($9.99!). The tour was to highlight Key West as a site for destination weddings and honeymoons and proved to present many excellent venues and sights. The full story can be found online in the March 6 issue. n 8. A perfect 10 Taken only a couple of weeks ago at the Philadelphia FIGHT anniversary gala, this photo of Greg Louganis became an instant favorite. Not a soul who met Louganis on his recent visit had an unkind word about the Olympic diver and HIV/AIDS activist. He spoke eloquently and passionately about himself, HIV/AIDS and concern for others. This photo captures what a delightful person he is.

9. Ta-da! If you’ve ever watched CBS3, you’ve likely seen one of Jim Donovan’s consumer reports, “3 On Your Side.” His professionalism on the air carries off the screen, but his sense of humor and wit are charming, inviting and sometimes spontaneously hysterical. Donovan was one of our subjects in our “Day In The Life” series, which runs monthly. You can also greet him at almost any Our Night Out event; he’s quite the regular. 10. A home after the holidays We first met Gavin and Gabe at the PAWS Mutt Strut in October and they were our poster pair promoting our annual Pet Issue. They had been rescued separately, but instantly became inseparable. PAWS on Grant Avenue made the commitment to adopt them out to a forever home as a pair and the poor guys are still waiting. You can go meet them and fall in love at the Old City location for PAWS, 100 N. Second St. Tell them PGN sent you. In fact, if you decide to adopt them, I’ll pay half the fees!

One last look at LGBT Philly in 2015:

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

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AC ul t ure rts

By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Happy New Year! We’re not psychic but something tells us 2016 is going to be a roller coaster of a year. The GOP debates are only going to get more vicious and outrageous as they trundle along. Then once the smoke clears from that, the real political fireworks are going to go off. The fate of the free world hangs in the political balance — stressful stuff. The point is, winter (as unseasonably mild as it is) is upon us and life is short. And it may or may not be getting shorter. Get in all the arts, culture and good times in 2016 that your can cram into your schedule before frost and whatever societal craziness set in and cramp your style. Cheers!

Books

Michael Eric Dyson The minister and author of “The Black Presidency: Barack Obama and the Politics of Race in America” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341. E.J. Dionne Jr. The minister, professor and author of “Why the Right Went Wrong: Conservatism — From Goldwater to the Tea Party and Beyond” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341. Buzz Aldrin The astronaut and author of “No Dream Is Too High: Life Lessons From a Man Who Walked on the Moon” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. April 7 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.

Classical/Opera/ World Music

Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique The Philadelphia Orchestra performs with conductor Fabio Luisi Jan. 7-9 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-7905800.

FEATURE PGN

Hayden and Bruckner The Philadelphia Orchestra performs with conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin Jan. 21-22 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Brahms and His Legacy The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Feb. 4-6 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Bronfman Plays Beethoven The Philadelphia Orchestra performs with conductor Yefim Bronfman Feb. 11-14 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. 2CELLOS The cello sensations perform 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-7905847.

Comedy/Humor

Todd Glass The out comedian performs Jan. 14-17 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. Judy Gold The out comedian performs 8 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Rrazz Room at The Prince, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215-4224580.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

Family Portrait Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly

Page 23 Page 28 Page 26 Page 25

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Hal Sparks The comedian seen on “Queer As Folk” performs Feb. 11-14 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.

for the Performing Arts present the contemporary Latin-dance company Feb. 5-6 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.

Billy Gardell The comedian performs 9 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Dance Theater of Harlem Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center present the iconic dance company performing ballet masterpieces March 3-5 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215898-3900.

Jeff Dunham The comedian/ventriloquist performs 3 p.m. Feb. 14 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543. Ron White The comedian performs 8 p.m. March 12 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.

Dance

Shen Yun The Chinese dance and orchestral group performs Jan. 8-10 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Dancing with the Stars Live! Dancers from the hit TV show perform 8 p.m. Jan. 14 at Tower Theater, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887. Ballet Hispanico Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center

Exhibits

International Pop Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition chronicling pop art’s emergence as a global movement, migrating from the United Kingdom and the United States to western and eastern Europe, Latin America and Japan, Feb. 24-May 16, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Holly Trostle Brigham: Sisters and Goddesses The Michener Art Museum hosts an exhibition of works by Philadelphia-based artist Holly Trostle Brigham Feb. 26-May 26, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-3409800. Philadelphia in Style: A Century of Fashion The Michener Art Museum hosts a display of approximately 30 dressed forms and additional accessories spanning a century of high fashion March 13-June 26, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-340-9800.

Music

Aiden James The out singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. Jan. 9 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis The rappers perform Jan. 23-24 at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887. Who’s Bad The Michael Jackson tribute band performs 8 p.m. Jan. 30 at Keswick 2CELLOS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT), TODD GLASS, BALLET HISPANICO, AIDEN Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215PAGE 22 JAMES, MACKLEMORE AND RYAN LEWIS, INDIGO GIRLS, DANCE THEATER OF HARLEM 572-7650.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

PREVIEW from page 21

Indigo Girls The out acoustic duo performs 3 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.

FEATURE PGN

Rihanna The R&B/pop singer performs 7:30 p.m. April 3 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.

Theater

Brandi Carlile The out country singer performs 8 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Once The Tony Award-winning musical about a Dublin musician who is about to give up on his dream runs Jan. 15-17 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band The rock singer performs “The River” in its entirety 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.

Harvey Walnut Street Theatre presents the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy about a man with an unwavering friendship with a 6-foot-tall, invisible white rabbit

in Chicago targeted for closure and the power struggles that ensue among the faculty and students desperate to keep it open Jan. 29-Feb. 28 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-9850420. Strength and Longing The Pennsylvania Ballet performs a contrasting piece portraying the ups and downs of everyday life Feb. 4-7 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215893-1999. Twelfth Night The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents a new take on Shakespeare’s lyrical work Feb. 9-13 at

Carrie Underwood The country singer performs 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.

Pippin The high-flying, death-defying, Tony Awardwinning hit musical comes to town Feb. 23-28 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Local Girls Azuka Theatre presents the world premiere by Philadelphia playwright Emma Goidel about a high-school burnout who needs to find a new singer for her heavy-metal band Feb. 24-March 13 at The Drake, 1512 Spruce St.; 215-563-1100. Dog Fight Media Theatre presents the play about three young Marines on one last night out before deployment in 1963, March 2-27, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-8910100. Don Quixote The Pennsylvania Ballet performs the classic comedy March 3-13 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Janet Jackson The pop icon performs 8 p.m. Feb. 24 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.

Peter and the Starcatcher Walnut Street Theatre presents the grown-up prequel to “Peter Pan” March 15-May 1, 825 Walnut St.; 215-5743550.

The Music of Billy Joel The Philly POPS perform the music of Billy Joel March 4-6 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.

The Sound of Music The musical story of Maria and the Von Trapp Family, March 15-20 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-7905800.

Rachelle Ferrell The R&B/soul singer performs 8 p.m. March 6 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.

Beautiful: The Carole King Story The Tony Awardwinning story of the successful songwriter, March 22-April 3 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

The Who The rock band performs 7:30 p.m. March 14 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-3899543.

BRANDI CARLILE (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT), JANET JACKSON, DIANA ROSS, RIHANNA, DISNEY’S “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST,” “PETER AND THE STARCATCHER,” “BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING STORY,” “PIPPIN,” “THE Misc. The Temptations SOUND OF MUSIC,” “ONCE” Bridget Everett The classic R&B The comedy cabaret group performs 8 p.m. performer comes to March 18 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215town 8 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Trocadero Theatre, Jan. 19-March 6, 825 Walnut St.; 215Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650. 898-3900 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888. 574-3550. AC/DC The rock band performs 8 p.m. April 1 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543. Diana Ross The pop and R&B icon performs 8 p.m. April 1 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-3171000.

To Kill a Mockingbird Media Theatre presents the play adapted from the classic Harper Lee novel Jan. 27-Feb. 14, 104 E. State St., Media; 610891-0100. Exit Strategy Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the story of a dilapidated public school

Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles The live concert-musical featuring songs from the Beatles anthology, Feb. 11-14 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215893-1999. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast The classic animated film is brought to life on stage Feb. 16-21 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Pig Iron Theatre’s La Vie Bo-Ham The theater company’s annual benefit cabaret, 8 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888. America’s Drag Stars Celebrity queens perform 9 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-3171000. n

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

Suzi Nash

Ruben Luna: From Wall Street to South Street This is the beginning of a new year, a fresh start and a chance to make some major changes — like the one Ruben Luna made when he decided to ditch his job as a financial consultant and try something else. That journey brought him here to Philadelphia and his new boutique store, Workshop Underground, 1544 South St. Along the way, Luna built up quite a résumé: his own successful design business, corporate merchandising for menswear, product development at the Home Shopping Network, designing watches and jewelry for Movado Luxury Group and heading the products department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where he worked with fashion icon Anna Wintour. PGN: So what happened? RL: [Laughs] Well, I went to Columbia and was in the executive MBA program on a finance/Wall Street track, which I was sort of programmed to do. Right out of college, I was working in finance for [professional-services company] KPMG and I was billing a lot of hours. At first it was fun —meals on expense accounts and a driver — but I was working 100 hours a week. One week, my friend was having a birthday party and I was missing it because I was working so many hours. It was a Friday, and as I was staring at our annual report, I started thinking, You know, the green color they chose for the cover is too yellow, and the fonts are all wrong, they should be smaller … And it dawned on me, what was I doing in finance? Not long after, I was riding the subway and saw an ad that advertised Photoshop and Illustrator lessons for $49. Computer programs now are much more user-friendly, but back then they weren’t as refined. I had a lot of time accrued so I was able to take some time off for the class and to start doing some freelance design work. Fortunately, there was a pretty big demand for freelance designers in New York and I got to work with some design houses, which culminated in having some really large accounts where we did not only the design, but the product development and production. PGN: When you say we, whom do you mean? RL: One of my good friends was working at Tommy Hilfiger and got laid off. He and I had a company called Varsity for a few years until I decided that I needed to get some corporate-design experience. I got a call from a recruiter to do menswear design at Home Shopping Network in St. Louis and decided to give it a go. But it was so structured and compartmentalized; one person would do nothing but pick the color, another would pick the buttons, someone else would pick the print and as a designer I had to try to make it all fit.

[Laughs] It was absurd. I’d signed a contract and they arranged for my relocation and paid me enough to buy my first home, but I wasn’t happy. Thankfully, I got a call from Movado, the watch company. I didn’t even remember applying with them but they offered me a position designing watches and jewelry for them. That was more of what I was hoping corporate design would be: There was structure, but it allowed for a lot of creativity and flexibility. I broke my contract and had to pay back the relocation fees, but honestly it was worth every penny. PGN: What does it feel like knowing that, as we speak, there’s probably someone walking around wearing something you helped design? RL: It is the most rewarding thing ever! Whenever I see someone wearing something I designed, I get so giggly. It’s such a compliment. When my friend and I had the company Varsity, one of our clients was Urban Outfitters and we designed a T-shirt line called Lit, which was an homage to my nickname as a kid. My dad’s name is also Ruben and they would call him Big Ben and I was Little Ben, which got truncated to Lit. The T-shirts did pretty well and we got a lot of calls from film companies and advertising firms asking us if they could use the shirts. So one of our shirts was in a Pepsi or Coke commercial and when they put out that movie with the first “American Idol” winners, Justin and Kelly, Justin wore one of our shirts in the film. PGN: Cool! RL: It was. [Laughs] I mean, it’s nothing compared to a celebrated artist, but for someone who never dreamed that I’d ever create anything other than a financial statement, it was pretty incredible. It’s nice to know there’s room for creativity and a way to monetize it. PGN: I understand that you worked for Anna Wintour, who is supposedly the person that “The Devil Wears Prada” was based on. RL: Yes, I was doing product design and merchandising for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which was a highlight of my career. I learned so much there. I especially learned how to tell a story through design and to create cohesive collections that are authentic, which is something I’m bringing to Workshop Underground. One aspect of the job was coordinating the Costume Institute exhibitions, which is where I interacted with Ms. Wintour; yes, she’s demanding, but her taste level is outstanding. Our most difficult problem was creating products that would be at a reasonable price point for museum-goers and that she would approve of. Thankfully, she’s always approved our collection.

PGN: Tell me a little about Big Ben and your family. RL: My parents emigrated from the Philippines and I was born in Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. My father was a general surgeon and there was a big demand for doctors back then. From there, we moved to Virginia; there was a program to recruit doctors to rural areas. It was a little surreal because there was a small group of about 25 Filipino doctor families. We always used to say it would have made a fun documentary or “based on a true story” movie. Culturally it was a little hard; it was at a time when I can’t remember seeing Asian people on TV other than stereotyped characters like the Ancient Chinese Secret guy from the Calgon ads. Even with the other families, I definitely knew I was different, a special subset. At 13, I went to boarding school in Connecticut. I always felt like I had a privileged life, but it was nothing compared to the other kids in prep school. And I definitely didn’t fit in there. I was a first-generation, Filipino-American

RL: It was a Lone Ranger horse. My parents really wanted to assimilate to American culture and were quick to embrace every culture, tradition and holiday. I distinctly remember Mom dressing me up as a cowboy at about 2 and I had a big plastic horse that you could ride on, Silver. We have a ton of pictures of it. PGN: Any notable ancestors? RL: This is funny. My last name is Luna and there’s a famous war hero named Juan Luna who is on the back of the 25-cent coin in the Philippines. In third grade when I had show and tell, my mother said, “You should bring this coin. It’s your great-great-great grandfather.” I was like, Awesome, and took it to school and I was a hit. Years later when I was in college we were talking about family history and my mom said, “Oh yeah, your last name’s not really Luna.” I was like, What are you talking about? and she said, “Yeah, your grandfather changed it a while ago” and I was like, Excuse me? What about the war hero? and she said, “Eh, I was just kidding.”

PGN: She sounds like a riot. When did you realize that you might be in another special subset, of the LGBT kind? RL: One of my favorite aunts, a Catholic-school teacher, lived in Baltimore and we’d spend a few weeks each summer with her. Oh God, my mother’s going to kill me, but I don’t care, it’s a good story. So while I was staying with her when I was in first or second grade, one of the neighbor boys, a cute little red-headed kid, came over. She had to run to the store and as soon as she left, I told him, “Let’s play mommy and daddy.” He asked me how you played and I said, “We take all our clothes off and get under the covers!” So we did. We weren’t doing anything, I think I just asked him how Photo: Suzi Nash who liked boys. I spent a lot of time his day was, but as soon as playing piano and acting in plays. I heard my aunt come back in the house, I literally ran into the closet PGN: Any siblings? and hid. Poor Patrick was there in the bed RL: Yes, I have a younger sister who’s as his teacher came in and asked, “OK, given me two gorgeous nieces, Chloe, where’s Little Ben?” To which he pointed 6, and Maya, 2. They were here for and replied, “He’s in the closet!” That Thanksgiving and Chloe is going to be my was when I first realized, Hmmm, there’s best customer. something going on here. PGN: What was you favorite childhood toy?

PGN: When did you officially come out of that closet? PAGE 26

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

PGN

“One cannot think well,

love well, sleep well,

if one has not dined well.” -Virginia Woolf Read PGN’s food reviews every second and fourth week of the month

- and check out our archive of past reviews on epgn.com.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

PORTRAIT from page 23

RL: Let’s see, my parents knew in high school. I was in community theater and had a number of guy friends that came around. I later got married; we were one of the first couples in line the first day it was legal in New York — not because we wanted to make a statement, we just knew the line was going to be long and we wanted to get it over with! We had a small ceremony in a beautiful church in Hoboken because I knew my parents would want a religious component. It was really sweet and romantic but in the end didn’t last, which was one of the reasons I decided to open up the shop. We separated last April and since I didn’t have to worry about my spouse, I could take more risks. I’d always wanted to have my own space, a place where I could curate the product assortment that I wanted and have it reflect my style and my philosophy of design. I really believe that price is relative and everyone should have access to things that are beautiful. One of the things that influenced me was when Target started doing designer collaborations. Some people thought that the designers were denigrating their brand, but they’re not, it’s about people having access. So I wanted a place where people could feel like they’re experiencing something new but where anyone coming in here can walk away with something. PGN: It’s a great little space. RL: Yes and with room to grow; there’s a garden in back and space downstairs that we’re going to develop. I’m thinking of making a man cage, with all men’s accessories or maybe a space where we do small events, like jewelry-making classes. We recently had one of the Bob and Barbara’s drag performers come in and greet people and then lead them down to the show. We want to do things to create synergy with other businesses in the neighborhood. PGN: Random questions. A favorite Christmas present? RL: My mother was a great cook and one year she hand-typed a little book of all of the family recipes and put it in my Christmas stocking. I still tell her that it’s my most cherished item. PGN: If you could choose an object in your store to come back as, what would it be? RL: There’s a painting here by an Argentinian artist that’s based on the big bad wolf character. I bought it because it reminded me of Basquiat [smiles] but happier. It’s a positive spin on it with a cute wolf. PGN: Last time you went ice skating?

FUN & PGN GAMES

RL: Rockefeller Center about four years ago. Though I plan to go soon to one of the rinks here. PGN: And what’s in store for the store? RL: I’m going to be launching my own jewelry line. The women’s line is called A Luna and the men’s line will be called Ben. Men are becoming more fashion-forward and men’s jewelry is beginning to expand. As I mentioned, we’re looking to do a lot of events and tie in to the neighborhood as well as various nonprofits. PGN: How do you find out the latest trends? RL: Back in the day you’d have to fly to Paris, Amsterdam, Tokyo to figure out what was happening, but nowadays you can find all the information online. There are trend services for retailers that tell you what the motifs are, what colors are trending. [Laughs] It’s not as much fun! That’s one of the reasons I like working with local artisans. They’re not driven by trends, they’re inspired by other things. You can incorporate global trends, but not be dependent on them. PGN: It’s a beautiful environment that you’ve created here, part boutique and part art gallery. RL: Thank you. The concept of the store is high and low, so we have everything from gourmet treats and jewelry starting at $12 to artwork by Julian Schnabel that’s $8,000. There are a lot of handmade items as well as vintage pieces. Since we use a lot of local artisans, if people want bespoke items, we can do that too. My favorite line is from a company called Hand in Hand. They make fair trade, ecofriendly bath and body products. Each of their collections benefits a different organization and they’re made here in Philadelphia. It’s a beautiful thing. n Note from Suzi: I don’t have enough room to describe all the things in the store that Ben pointed out to me, or adequately describe his passion for what he’s doing. I will give him kudos for being the best host. When I arrived for our interview, he had a beautiful spread with gourmet sandwiches, hand-cut potato chips and champagne chilling, which he served out of cute little round glasses lined in silver. It was a treat and inspired me to up my game at home when entertaining visitors. Bravo, Little Ben. For more information about Workshop Underground, visit www.facebook. com/workshopunderground/. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@ aol.com.

Q Puzzle Gender fluidity Across

1. Manger for Mary’s boy 5. One of two ways 8. “Ed Wood” role 12. Cole Porter’s Indiana hometown 13. Slice of wry 15. Go off, on Broadway 16. Judy Garland, to many 17. Words before “music,” to Britten 18. In the pink 19. Beginning of why Stella considers herself to be a woman, on “OITNB” 22. Peter and more 23. “Pretty in Pink” setting 24. Shoe part 27. Straight men fear to drop them in the shower 31. Put down 34. Event requiring metal balls 36. Thumbs-down votes 37. Come slowly closer 39. “The thing with feathers” in a Dickinson poem 40. Giant outfielder Mel

41. More of Stella’s reason 43. Cruising area 44. Ready to hit the sack 46. More of Stella’s reason 47. Emulated Miriam Margolyes 49. Grout may separate them 51. Ejaculate, e.g. 52. With 57-Across, actress who plays Stella 53. Military doctor 57. See 52-Across 59. Univ. e-mail ending 60. End of Stella’s reason 62. Third degree, often 63. Reno action 64. Some money from Melissa to Tammy Lynn 65. Warts prefix for Harry Potter? 66. Wall St. group 67. Thaw with Nureyev’s land 68. Frat hazing prop

Down

1. Inflation meas. 2. Perform a decorator’s task 3. Do some pressing work 4. Places where you never get to second

base 5. Releases from bondage 6. Campus mil. org. 7. Coming soon 8. Huge thing 9. Digital-rectal, for example 10. Tomlin of _ Grandma_ 11. Didn’t fast 13. ID for Sandra Scoppettone 14. Cole Porter’s “Brush Up ___ Shakespeare” 20. Prison part 21. Matching notes for Bernstein? 24. “Lead ___ into temptation” 25. Shakespeare’s “To thine own self be true” and such 26. Render unto Caesar, e.g. 28. Smee’s version of “epiphany” in “Hook” 29. Hand job at times? 30. Home extension 32. Gaydar, for example 33. ___ Mae Brown 34. Kind

of gin 35. Rooster in drag, seemingly 38. Hollywood VIP 41. Inspired writing 42. Type of sucker 45. “In the Steps of Mr. Proust” author Stanley 48. Scar, in “The Lion King,” for example 50. Word from Tom Bianchi, perhaps 51. Hound’s trail 52. “Queen of Country” McEntire 54. Put out 55. Bas relief of Eleanor’s husband 56. Lay ___ the line 58. Beat, but barely 60. “When I was a ___...” 61. Easter egg application

FILM PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

Queer film highlights and lowlights of 2015 By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor The past year may be remembered for the United States implementing marriage equality, and Caitlyn Jenner becoming the most famous trans woman in the world. On movie screens, however, 2015 will likely be remembered for films that were elegant, characters that were abrasively funny, some unforgettable nude scenes and a particularly wrongheaded disaster. Here is a look back at the good, the bad and the LGBT films from 2015.

so let’s celebrate Lily Tomlin’s star turn in “Grandma.” As a lesbian feminist who helps her granddaughter (Julia Garner) raise money for an abortion, the legendary performer fits into the tailor-made role effortlessly. Tomlin cuts loose and triumphantly delivers some withering one-liners in her patented comic style.

Best Documentary There were several excellent non-fiction films about LGBT heroes in 2015, from “An Honest Liar” about hoax debunker James “The Amazing” Randi to the merry pranksters of “The Yes Men Are Revolting” — one of whom, Andy Bichelbaum, worries his activist work is keepBest Queer Film of ing him from settling down with a the Year boyfriend. “Carol.” Todd But arguably the best docuHaynes’ film, a magmentary was “Best of Enemies,” nificent achievement on every level, captures “CAROL” about the debates between Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley Jr. the slow-burning emoin 1968. Incisive and witty, this tions of its characters, Carol (Cate Blanchett) and Therese (Rooney film shows the power and politics of televiMara). As these two very different women sion decades ago, and it still resonates. fall in love, their lives are changed forever. The acting is exceptional, the period detail is Best Screen Couple — Women exquisite and the film is an emotional power- The women from “Carol” are certainly worthy, as are the trans women from “Tangerine.” house. And yet, the couple in “The Duke of Burgundy” — a pair of S&M-practicing lesBest Newcomer of 2015 Mya Taylor, the African-American trans bian lepidopterists — may have been the best actress in Sean Baker’s shot-on-an-iPhone on-screen female duo this year. Sexy, slightly “Tangerine,” gives the year’s breakout perfor- sinister and into some strange role-playing, mance. Sexy, funny, fierce and sad — often they were easily the most intriguing. in a single scene — Taylor was impressive, whether she was performing a sex act in a car Best Screen Couple — Men wash or a song in a bar. It will be exciting to It was a little-seen film, perhaps because it was so incredibly discomfiting, but Jack see what she does next. Black and James Marsden in “The D Train” made an unforgettable pair as former classBest Performance of the Year While the women in “Carol” were extraor- mates who reunite. And have sex. While dinary, it is hard to choose between them, Black’s character, Dan, initially feels shame

and even some gay panic, the experience eventually empowers him. Darkly, awkwardly funny, this bromance-with-benefits film crosses into some pretty queer territory, but it resonates deeply. Best Bisexual Desiree Akhavan made an auspicious debut as a bisexual Brooklynite in “Appropriate Behavior,” but the year’s best bisexuals, and certainly naughtiest, were in Patrick Brice’s “The Overnight.” As inhibitions (and clothes) are shed, the married couples couple up with same-sex partners and the result is both sexy and hilarious. Best Nude Scene “The Overnight” also featured one of the most indelible nude scenes of the year, when Jason Schwartzman and Adam Scott hilariously let it all hang out and dance naked together. The visual is more silly than sexy, but it was one of the funniest sight gags in cinema in 2015. Runner-up: Gasper Noë’s “Love” featured Karl Glusman’s penis literally coming at you in 3-D. There was beaucoup nudity from all three attractive leads in the bisexual love triangle. Honorable mention: “The New Girlfriend” featured a delicious dream sequence in which Romain Duris’ and Raphael Personnaz’s characters showered together, getting rather intimate in the process. It was a quick scene, but it literally steamed up the screen. Best Performance by a Straight Actor in a Gay Role Robin Williams’ last starring role, as a closeted gay man in “Boulevard,” was noteworthy, and better than the film it was in, but even better was Tom Hardy’s sensational turn as the Kray Twins in “Legend.” Hardy was great fun to watch, even — make that especially — when his character behaved badly. Best Performance by a Gay Actor in a Straight Role Matt Bomer was adorable as a singer/stripper in “Magic Mike XXL,” but the film was only skin-deep. The best performance by a gay actor in a

straight role was Ian McKellen’s star turn as the titular detective in out filmmaker Bill Condon’s lackluster mystery “Mr. Holmes.” Best Foreign Film “The New Girlfriend.” Enfante terrible François Ozon’s cheeky farce about love, lies and cross-dressing was a refreshing sex comedy, full of delicious queer twists. And Romain Duris distinguished himself in the title role. Plus he looked fetching in a dress. Best (or Nastiest) Queer Twist “Nasty Baby,” by out filmmaker Sebastián Silva, left a bad taste in viewers’ mouths as “TANGERINE” what begins as a story about two gay men (Silva and Tunde Adepimbe) who help their single female friend (Kristin Wiig) have a baby becomes unsettling when something truly horrific happens. Biggest Disappointment “Freeheld” was out actress Ellen Page’s passion project about the real-life gayrights fight mounted by Stacie Andree (Page) and Laurel Hester (Julianne Moore) when the former was denied the latter’s domestic-partner pension benefits after Hester developed terminal cancer. Alas, the noble film received STONEWALL little love from audiences and critics. While it was a tad melodramatic (and Steve Carrell’s gay activist was nails on a chalkboard), “Freeheld” did have its merits. The domestic scenes emphasized why the fight for marriage equality was worthwhile. Moore and Page made a lovely couple, and actor Michael Shannon delivered a sly supporting turn as Hester’s partner and queer ally. Biggest Loser Gay filmmaker Roland Emmerich’s wrongheaded “Stonewall” was lambasted for “white-washing” — having a fictional white male hero as the central character in a story about the transgender activists, drag queens and queer people of color who fomented social change — even before it was released. Moreover, Emmerich’s insistence that audiences see the film before they judge it, however, may have all been for naught. “Stonewall” was thrown out of theaters after only three weeks, and the film earned a paltry lifetime domestic gross of $187,674 (in 129 theaters). As a comparison, “Carol” earned $253,510 in its opening weekend in only four theaters. n

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

Theater & Arts

CITY COUNCIL

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3290

NOTICE OF STATED MEETING Notice is hereby given that the first Regular Stated Meeting of City Council for 2016 is scheduled for Monday, January 4, 2016 at 10:00 AM.. This Meeting will be held at the Academy of Music, Broad and Locust Streets, Philadelphia, PA. Michael A. Decker Chief Clerk

CITY COUNCIL

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3290 2016 NOTICE OF VACANT PROPERTY REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The Vacant Property Review Committee will meet in the (Room 401, City from 10:00 A.M. to Tuesday, JulyHall) 12, 2016 uesday, Caucus JanuaryRoom, 12, 2016 2:00 P.M. on the following dates: uesday, February 9, 2016 Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Tuesday, July 2016 Tuesday, January 12,Tuesday, 2016 September 13, 12, 2016 uesday, March 8, 2016

Tuesday, February 9,Tuesday, 2016 October Tuesday,11, August 2016 9, 2016 uesday, April 12, 2016

Tuesday, Tuesday, September March 8, 2016 Tuesday, November 15, 2016 13, 2016 uesday, May 10, 2016

Tuesday, October Tuesday, April 12, 2016 Tuesday, December 13, 201611, 2016 uesday, June 14, 2016 Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Tuesday, December 13, 2016 SUSIE D. JARMON, CHAIRWOMAN Vacant Property Review Committee

Animus The Philadelphia belly-dance group performs 8 p.m. Jan. 8 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400. Art of the Zo: Textiles from Myanmar, India and Bangladesh Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of beautiful woven textiles of the Zo people of Myanmar, India and Bangladesh, through March 20, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Audubon to Warhol: The Art of American Still Life Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a survey of American still life in three decades through Jan. 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Billy Elliot Media Theatre presents the story of one boy’s passion for ballet over the boxing ring through Jan. 3, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-8910100. The Capitol Steps The Philadelphia Orchestra performs with the political comedy troupe 2 p.m. Jan. 3 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. A Christmas Story: The Musical The holiday musical comedy tells the beloved story of a boy and his

SUSIE D. JARMON, CHAIRWOMAN Vacant Property Review Committee

FOLK WISDOM: After turning it up for New Year’s Day, a loud rock concert probably isn’t the right fix for your freshly hungover self. So take in the soothing melodies of singer-songwriter Jackson Browne when he performs 8 p.m. Jan. 2 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J. For more information or tickets, call 609-317-1000.

quest for a BB gun through Jan. 10 at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.; 215574-3550. Drawn from Courtly India: The Conley Harris and Howard Truelove Collection Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of masterful drawings from the royal courts of northern India through Mach 27, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Genghis Khan: Bring the Legend to Life The Franklin Institute presents the story of one of the world’s greatest leaders through Jan. 3, 20th Street and the Parkway; www.fi.edu. Multitude, Solitude: The Photographs of Dave Heath Philadelphia

Museum of Art presents an exhibition of the acclaimed photographer’s blackand-white pictures of the 1950s and ’60s through Feb. 21, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100. Naked Gun The action-film spoof is screened 8 p.m. Jan. 4 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888. Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Jan. 7-9 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. The Philadelphia Orchestra Featuring Kristin Chenoweth The orchestra performs with the award-winning singer and actor 8 p.m. Jan. 2 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Picture This: Contemporary Photography and India Philadelphia Museum of Art presents the work of four contemporary photographers for whom India is an important subject or setting through April 3, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Plays of/for a Respirateur Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an installation by Joseph Kosuth through fall 2016, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Raymond the Amish Comic The comedian performs 8 p.m. Jan. 8 at Sellersville Theater, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5808. Work on What You Love: Bruce Mau Rethinking Design Philadelphia

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A WICKED GOOD TIME: The Philadelphia Orchestra starts off the New Year with a bang, taking the stage with award-winning stage and television actor Kristin Chenoweth and performing some of her best-known numbers from “Wicked” and “Glee,” among others, 8 p.m. Jan. 2 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-790-5800.

Museum of Art presents an exhibition of designs by the acclaimed commercial artist through April 3, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. The Wrath of the Gods: Masterpieces by Rubens, Michelangelo and Titian Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring paintings and the creative processes of some of art history’s most important figures through Jan. 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Music Gov’t Mule The jam-rock band performs 8 p.m. Jan. 2 at Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow streets; 215-922-1011. In The Light The rock band performs Pink

Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” and “Animals” in their entirety 8 p.m. Jan. 2 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Lotus Land The Rush tribute band performs 8 p.m. Jan. 2 at Sellersville Theater, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5808.

Nightlife Ladies Annual New Year’s Day Celebration Micheal DeCero spins for this annual Ladies 2000 event, 3-9 p.m. Jan. 1 at ICandy, 254 S. 12th St.; 267-3243500. Burlesque & Bottles New Year’s Day Party Miss Gemini Rose and Sunny Dee host an elegant burlesque event for mature women 10 p.m. Jan. 1 at Sin, 3782 N. Broad St.; 267-973-9463.

Reading Queerly The book group discusses “There Goes the Gayborhood” by Amin Ghaziani 6 p.m. Jan. 7 at PAT @ Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960. Happy Bear The bear-themed happy hour starts 5 p.m. Jan. 8 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675.

Outta Town Jackson Browne The singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. Jan. 2 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way,

Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Rope The Alfred Hitchcock film is screened 2 p.m. Jan. 3 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228. Frederick Mann White “Mann To Man” The cabaret singer performs 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888596-1027. The Hidden The sci-fi action film is screened 9:45 p.m. Jan. 8 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228. n

Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Out & About Listings, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 fax: 215-925-6437; or e-mail: listings@epgn.com. Notices cannot be taken over the phone.

Email editor@epgn.com

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

National Praise For MARK SEGAL’s Best Selling Memoir

AND THEN I DANCED TRAVELING THE ROAD TO LGBT EQUALITY

“Mark Segal’s work for LGBT equality is historic and significant. The fact that he is still connecting our community is a testament to the passion which he shares in this memoir.” --Billie Jean King “Mark Segal is a beloved and respected activist for the LGBT movement, and he’s a pivotal voice to tell our story,” --The Advocate “Mark Segal made national news on December 11, 1973 when he interrupted a live broadcast of the CBS Evening News by yelling ‘Gays protest CBS prejudice!’ at none other than Walter Cronkite. He was wrestled to the floor on live national television, an incident often credited as the beginning of the end of LGBTQ invisibility. In his new memoir, Segal looks back on that defining moment in history, as well as the many battles that followed.” --Queerty “If it happened in the gay rights movement, Mark Segal was probably there.” --ABC-TV “Mark Segal is one of the major actors in the struggle for LGBT equality in the U.S....A life as eventful as Segal’s demands that a book be written about it.” --South Florida Gay News “Segal’s And Then I Danced harkens back to the glory days of the gay liberation era. Current activists could learn a lot of useful lessons from reading this memoir, and any American who reads it will learn about some interesting chapters in our nation’s ongoing struggle to form a more perfect union.” --David Carter, Author of Stonewall, The Riots that Sparked the Gay Revolution “And Then I Danced is more than a memoir; it’s a revelation……….and that’s a huge part of why this book is so vital. Equally important is how Segal shatters mistaken beliefs about queer history. Segal really puts the movement in context for the post-Stonewall generation.” Lambda Literary Review --Lambda “Read Mark Segal’s memoir and you’ll get the inside story of how and why he interrupted a live broadcast of The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite. What happened afterward will surprise you. It’s one of many surprises in this must-read first-person account of LGBT history as it unfolded after Stonewall. Segal was a witness to that history, and he made some of it happen, changing our country and our lives for the better.” —Louis Wiley, Jr., executive editor, Frontline (PBS)

“I have read about Segal in other places but nothing is like reading about it as he tells it....Because of Segal and others we have openly LGBT people working in the White House and throughout corporate America. He has helped make it possible for an entire community of gay world citizens to finding the voice that they need to become visible.” --Reviews by Amos Lassen “Segal’s writing style is engrossing and never ponderous....And Then I Danced is highly recommended for all LGBT history collections and especially for readers with interest in Pennsylvania/Philadelphia politics.” --American Library Association’s GLBT Round Table “And Then I Danced is a fascinating page-turner that prompted my tears, laughter, envy, and astonishment--but most of all left me feeling very proud of what our community has accomplished and grateful to Mark for sharing his intimate memoir. While there are many who have witnessed the extraordinary history of the LGBT community, few have played as major a role in creating it as has Mark. It is no exaggeration to say that there is no person alive today who has been a more central participant in as much of the contemporary LGBT rights struggle than Mark Segal.” --Sean Strub, author of Body Counts: A Memoir of Politics, Sex, AIDS, and Survival “Mark Segal has for decades been a pathfinder for LGBT journalists of all stripes. We’re indebted to him for his years of radical activism, helping to foster a movement for change that has had a dramatic and positive impact for millions.” --Michelangelo Signorile, author of It’s Not Over: Getting Beyond Tolerance, Defeating Homophobia, and Winning True Equality “Real change never comes without real guts and real vision and real leaders. Mark Segal is the real deal.” --Robert Moore, cofounder of Dallas Voice “Mark Segal’s ideas run from the alpha to the omega. Sometimes I think there’s got to be more than one Mark Segal: he has done way too much for one lifetime. I highly recommend this book. If you can’t get to meet Mark in person, this is the next best thing!” --Michael Luongo, author of Gay Travels in the Muslim World “Before there was Ellen, Will, Grace, Rosie, Andy, and Anderson, Mark Segal was the squeaky gay wheel of American television, pulling stunts that forced the medium to open its closet door. If Walter Cronkite were still alive, he’d say: Not HIM again! And that’s the way it is. And was. Read all about it.” --Bruce Vilanch, Six-Time Emmy Award Winner “Mark Segal has taken the LGBT aging world by storm, and in the process has made a remarkable difference for our community’s courageous pioneers. We’ve all learned so much from him.” --Michael Adams, executive director, Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders “With gentle humor and the slightest touch of sardonicism….Segal lets readers into his personal life: his loves, losses, and (spoiler alert!) a very happy ending. “Drama seems to follow me,” he writes, and readers will be glad for it.” --Washington Blade

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

Getting married?

If you are celebrating an anniversary, engagement, wedding, adoption or other life event, we would be happy to help you announce it to the community. Send your contact information and a brief description of the event to editor@epgn.com.

The Center City IHOP located at 1320 Walnut St. is now open 24 Hrs on FRIDAY and SATURDAY

THANKS FOR MAKING IT A IHOP DAY

Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Dining Specials? Try Food and Drink Directories in PGN.

FOR ADVERTISING INFO CONTACT YOUR PGN AD REP AT (215) 625-8501

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

Classifieds All real-estate advertising is subject to Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended. Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability). PGN will not knowingly accept any real-estate advertising that is in violation of any

applicable law. PGN does not accept advertising that is unlawful, false, misleading, harmful, threatening, abusive, invasive of another’s privacy, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, hateful or racially or otherwise objectionable, including without limitation material of any kind or nature that encourages conduct that could constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any applicable local, state, provincial, national or international law or regulation, or encourage the use of controlled substances.

Real Estate Sale

Help Wanted

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Auto For Sale 2002 PT Cruiser. Red with wood grain. 112K. Runs good. Well maintained. $3000.00. Call Joe-856-275-6271. ________________________________________39-52

Services AIRLINE CAREERS begin here. Get hands on training as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial Aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 888-834-9715. ________________________________________39-52

Business Opportunities OWN YOUR OWN DOLLAR, BIG BOX, MAIL/SHIP, PARTY OR WOMENS CLOTHING/ACCESSORY/BOUTIQUE STORE. 100% FINANCING. OAC FROM $59,900. 100% TURNKEY. 1-877-500-7606 dollarstoreservices. com/start/PA ________________________________________39-52

News updates more reliable than “a little bird told us”.

ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE WANTED

Beginning in Feb 2016 PGN will have an advertising sales rep position for an energetic, self-motivated individual with outstanding communication and sales skills. QUALIFICATIONS:

New Year’s resolution ... vacation ... suimsuit season ... wedding ... There’s always a reason to be in shape

• Two years of successful sales experience, preferably in print and/or online sales • Strong verbal and writing skills • Excellent at relationship building • Ability to work independently and part of a team • Knowledge of local media market and/or LGBT community a plus • Computer literacy a must

Only in Read Work It Out every fourth week of the month.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY

Mechanical Contractors Licensed & Insured

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PGN’s Services and Home Improvement Directory is a great place to get started when looking for contractors that know and proudly serve our community.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

Friends Men LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. ________________________________________39-52 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________39-52

Massage David, 65, 6’, 200 lbs., attentive. 215-569-4949. (24/7) ________________________________________40-07 Massage with hot blonde female and male assistant. Also looking for well hung black male for fun. Call Matt at 267-278-0545. ________________________________________40-01

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Eating Out Should Be Fun! Read PGN’s food reviews every second and fourth week of the month - and check out our archive of past reviews on epgn.com.

WEEKLY SPECIALS:

SUNDAY RELIEF

Half Price Rooms & Lockers (6am Sunday till 8am Monday) ROOMS: Members: $12.50 and Non-Members: $22.50 LOCKERS: Members: $9.00 and Non-Members: $19.00

MONDAY thru FRIDAY: (8am to 4pm) Business Mans Locker Special 4 hour lockers Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00 TUESDAYS

Half Price Rooms (6am till 12 Midnight) Members: $12.50 and Non-Members: $22.50

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY NIGHT CRUISE $12 Flat Rate for Locker Admission & Clothing Optional (4pm-12 Midnight)

SATURDAY AFTERNOON DELIGHT 4 Hour Lockers (8am - 4pm) Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00

Check out our website for our WEEKLY SPECIALS & JOIN OUR e-mail List to get the latest information on upcoming events....

www.sansomstreetgym.com

BIGGER, BETTER & MORE ENTERTAINING EVENTS...

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Men Delco Dudes A men’s social and support group meets 7-9 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of the month at Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Road in Media; delco.dudes@ uucdc.org. Gay Married Men’s Association Meets 7-9 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; www. meetup.com/GAMMA-GayMarried-Mens-Support-Group-inPhiladelphia-PA. Men of All Colors Together Meets 7:30 p.m. the third Friday of the month, September through June, at William Way; 610-277-6595, www.MACTPhila.org. Men’s Coming Out Group, N.J. Meets 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at The Pride Center of New Jersey; njwarrior@aol.com. Men of Color United A discussion/support group for gay and bisexual men of color meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-496-0330.

Parents/Families Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Bucks County Meets 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at Penns Park United Methodist Church, 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park, and hird Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Warminster UCC, 785 Street Road; 215-348-9976. PFLAG/Chester County Meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at the Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester, 501 S. High St.; 484-354-2448. PFLAG/Collingswood, N.J. Meets 6:30-9 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month at Collingswood Public Library, 771 Haddon Ave.; 609-202-4622, pflagcollingswood@yahoo.com. PFLAG/Media Meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month at the Unitarian Universal Church, 145 Rose Tree Rd.; 610-368-2021. PFLAG/Philadelphia Meets 2-5 p.m. the third Sunday of the month at the LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 3907 Spruce St.; 215-572-1833. PFLAG/Princeton, N.J. Meets 7:30 p.m. the second Monday of the month in the George Thomas Room at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St.; 609-6835155. PFLAG/Wilmington, Del. Meets 7-9 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 W. 13th St.; 302-654-2995. Philadelphia Family Pride Advocacy, support and social network for LGBT families offers play groups, monthly kids and teen talk groups, activities and outings. Planning meetings held monthly; 215-600-2864, info@ phillyfamilypride.org, www. phillyfamilypride.org.

Trans Evolutions A drop-in support group for anyone on the transgender spectrum meets 6 p.m. Thursdays at 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652 ext. 235. Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine Primary health care and specialized transgender services in a safe, professional, nonjudgmental environment, 809 Locust St.; 215563-0658. T-MAN People-of-color support group for transmen, FTMs, butches, studs, aggressives, bois, genderqueer and all female-born individuals with gender questions meets 7:309:30 p.m. Mondays, 1201 Locust St., second floor; 215-632-3028, tmanphilly.com. Transhealth Information Project Sponsors a weekly drop-in center from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; 215-8511822. Transgender Health Action Coalition Peer trans health-advocacy organization, 1201 Locust St., fourth floor; 215-732-1207. Young, Trans and Unified Support group for transgender and questioning individuals ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center, 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, www. atticyouthcenter.org.

Women Hanging Out With Lesbians A group in Central Pennsylvania that organizes concerts, camping, golf, picnics, hikes, plays and game nights in nonsmoking environments; http://groups.yahoo. com/group/howlofpa/. Lesbian Community of Delaware Valley Social group meets monthly for activities for gay women of all ages in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties; http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/LCDV/. Lesbian Couples Dining Group of Montgomery County Meets monthly; 215-542-2899. Mt. Airy Lesbian Social Club For lesbians in the Philadelphia area ages 35-plus; www.meetup. com/mtairylesbiansocial/. Queer Connections Social group for women in their 20s meets weekly; http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/ queerconnections/. Sisters United A social/support group for transwomen of color ages 13-24, with weekly social events, open discusson and monthly movie/ discussions meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-496-0330. Women Coming-Out Support Group Women, ages 18 and over, who consider themselves gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning and are at any stage of the coming-out process are welcome to meet 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday and third Thursday of the month at the Pride Center of New Jersey; www. pridecenter.org.

Youth 40 Acres of Change Discussion group for teen and young adults meets 6-8 p.m. Thursdays at The COLOURS Organization Inc., 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-851-1975. GLBT Group of Hunterdon County Social and support groups for youth, teens and young adults, as well as parents and family members, meet at North County Branch Library, 65 Halstead St. in Clinton, N.J.; schedule at www. glbtofhunterdoncountyofnj.com, 908-300-1058. HAVEN LGBT, intersex, questioning, queer and allied youth ages 14-20 meet 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley, 424 Center St., Bethlehem; 610-868-2153. HiTOPS A safe-space support program for LGBT and questioning youth meets 2:30-4:30 p.m. the first and third Saturdays at 21 Wiggins St., Princeton, N.J.; 609-683-5155, hitops.org. Main Line Youth Alliance Meets from 7-9:30 p.m. Fridays at 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; 610-688-1861, info@myaonline. org. Project Keeping it Safe LGBT youth drop-in center offers meetings, HIV and STD prevention and testing, counseling and other services on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; 856963-2432, camden-ahec.org/. PRYSM Youth Center Youth ages 14-20 meet 6:30-8:30 p.m Wednesdays at the center, 126 East Baltimore Pike, Media; 610357-9948. Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center Youth ages 14-21 meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. Social X Change Social activity group for LGBT youth of color ages 13-23 meets 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays at 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-851-1975. Space to be Proud, Open, and Together Open to all LGBTQ queer youth and allies, ages 14-21, the SPOT meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays at Planned Parenthood of Chester County, 8 S. Wayne St.; 267-6876648. Young, Trans and Unified A support group for transgender and questioning youth ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center; 215-545-4331, www.atticyouthcenter.org. You’re Not Alone Sponsored by AIDS Delaware, the group for gay, lesbian and bisexual youth meets during the school year at 100 W. 10th St., Suite 315, Wilmington, Del; 800-810-6776. Youth Making a Difference A group for LGBTQ AfricanAmerican and Latino youth ages 14-24 meets 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St.; 856-963-2432.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

Community Bulletin Board Community centers

■ The Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 4-8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-Friday. ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St., 215-898-5044, center@dolphin. upenn.edu. Regular hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. MondayThursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

■ ActionAIDS: 215-981-0088

■ Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. Activities held 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays.

■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220, www.waygay.org. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday Library: noon-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Volunteers: New Orientation, first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

Key numbers

■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: 215-587-9377

■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org

■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: 856-933-9500 ext. 221

■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 n The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 215-496-0330

■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK ■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBT-LAW; Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658 ■ Office of LGBT Affairs — Director Nellie Fitzpatrick: 215-6860330; helen.fitzpatrick@phila.gov

■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel: 215-6863318 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-760-3686 (Rick Lombardo); ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833 ■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: 215-686-4670

Health

Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 216 W. Somerset St.; 215-763-8870. ActionAIDS Provides a range of programs for people affected by HIV/ AIDS, including case management, prevention, testing and education services at 1216 Arch St.; 215-981-0088, www. actionaids.org. GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; 215-851-1822 or 866-222-3871, www.galaei.org. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays (walk-in) and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays (by appointment) at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215685-1821. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite

■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia Board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; free referral service at 215-6279090, www.galloplaw.org. ■ Independence Business Alliance Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, providing networking, business development, marketing, educational and advocacy opportunities for LGBT and LGBT-friendly busi-

108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Mazzoni Center LGBTQ counseling and behavioral health services, HIV/ AIDS care and services, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652, www. mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronic-disease management, including comprehensive HIV care, as well as youth drop-in (ages 14-24) 5-7p.m. Wednesdays; 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Philadelphia FIGHT Comprehensive AIDS service organization providing primary care, consumer education, advocacy and research on potential treatments and vaccines; 1233 Locust St.; 215985-4448; www.fight.org. Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center Free, rapid HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 pm. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

Professional groups nesses and professionals; 215557-0190, www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com. ■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and students, meets for social and networking events; www.nlgja.org/ philly; philly@nlgja.org.

■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus Regional organization dedicated to promoting LGBT tourism to the Greater Philadelphia region, meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; 215-8402039, www.philadelphiagaytourism.com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 1-7, 2016

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