Family Portrait: Sarah McBride, fresh from the White House PAGE 27
Morris advocates march on anniversary
Our favorite photos from 2014 PAGES 12-13
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Jan. 2-8, 2015
Since 1976
PGN Philadelphia Gay News HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
Vol. 39 No. 1
Person of the Year: Gloria Casarez By PGN Staff
The Philadelphia of 2015 is a very different place than the Philadelphia of 2008. Same-sex marriages have been legally celebrated at our City Hall; we have a sea of pioneering laws that both protect and empower LGBT citizens; agencies from the police department to youth- and senior-serving organizations have opened their doors, and minds, to LGBT inclusion; and our community plays an active, valued and visible role in the everyday operation of our city. There are innumerable people and entities who have played a part in Philadelphia’s LGBT progress in the past few years, but none more central and significant than Gloria Casarez. From her appointment as the first director of Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs in July 2008, up until her death Oct. 19, 2014, Casarez worked each day to improve Philadelphia for LGBT, and
just beginning to come to fruition. For her decades of unyielding, inspiring, impactful leadership, which will continue to shape our community into the future, PGN names Gloria Casarez our 2014 Person of the Year. LEGISLATION
all, people. From advocating for pro-LGBT bills to raising awareness about LGBT issues — from the corridors of City Hall to the corridors of city schools — to building relationships and inroads among our community and city leaders, Casarez’s legacy is
A cornerstone of Casarez’s tenure was her advocacy — both publicly and behind closed doors — for a number of pro-LGBT pieces of legislation. Among the laws that City Council passed in the last few years were four that advanced LGBT equality, and Casarez played a key role in each, helping to draft language, consult on contextual issues and lobby for their passage: Fair Practices Ordinance overhaul, 2011 Introduced by City Councilman Bill Greenlee, the measure overhauled the Fair Practices Ordinance, the city’s LGBT-
inclusive nondiscrimination law, instating uniform language to make the law compliant within itself, as well as with other state and federal laws. The measure increased the fine associated with violating the law to $2,000, the maximum allowed by state law, and facilitated the process for life-partner registration, lessening the number of months the couple needed to be together from six to three, and the number of documents for verification from three to two. It was approved unanimously by Council, and Mayor Nutter signed it into law March 17. Equal Benefits Bill, 2011 Introduced by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, it mandated that city contractors receiving more than $250,000 from the city must extend the same benefits they offer heterosexual married partners of employees to same-sex partners of employees. In planning for the PAGE 8
Court denies gay man’s bid for new murder trial By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com The state Superior Court has denied William F. Smithson’s request for a new trial in the murder of Jason Shephard. In a 20-page opinion issued Dec. 22, a three-judge panel of the court stated that Smithson received a fair trial in 2008. The judges who issued the opinion are Christine L. Donohue, John T. Bender and Eugene B. Strassburger 3d. Smithson, who is openly gay, couldn’t be reached for comment. After Smithson’s appeals are exhausted on the state level, he’s permitted to file appeals on the federal level, according to court records. In 2008, Smithson was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Shephard, who was Smithson’s colleague at an electronic-billboard manufacturer. Delaware County prosecutors say Smithson strangled Shephard during the course of trying to rape him in 2006. However, Smithson maintains his innocence, and says a third man in his home when Shephard died wasn’t adequately investigated. That man, F. Bruce Covington, was con-
victed of drug-related charges stemming from the incident. But prosecutors say he didn’t kill Shephard. Smithson claims that his trial attorney, G. Guy Smith, served him ineffectively by failing to ensure an adequate investigation of Covington. But the Superior Court judges said Smith conducted a thorough investigation of Covington. “I chased [Covington] harder than anybody I’ve chased in my life,” the judges quoted Smith as stating. The judges also noted that Smith followed all investigative tips conveyed by Smithson. Covington invoked the Fifth Amendment, declining to testify during Smithson’s trial. Smithson faulted Smith for not objecting to a state trooper reading Convington’s pretrial statements to jurors. Smithson said the trooper’s delivery gave undue credence to Covington’s version of events. But the judges said Smith made a reasonable decision to have the trooper read Covington’s statements to jurors, since Covington declined to testify. Smithson also contends that Smith was ineffective because he didn’t object to serology and toxicology reports being introduced PAGE 17 into evidence.
SEEING RED: A half-dozen protestors assembled outside the field office of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration Dec. 30 to protest the agency’s ban on blood donation by men who have sex with men. Late last month, the FDA announced it would revise its blanket lifetime ban on donation by MSM to a one-year deferral after sexual activity. However, critics say the 12-month prohibition is still an outdated and discriminatory policy that feeds into HIV stigma. “Although it is true that men who have sex with men are, as a population, at an increased risk of being HIV-positive, the ban is unfair even with the ‘loosened’ celibacy restrictions,” said protest organizer Ed Coffin. “For example, a same-sex monogamous couple who have been together for 25 years are lower-risk for contracting HIV than a single heterosexual person engaging in casual sex, yet they are automatically excluded from giving blood simply based upon their sexual orientation.” The new regulations are expected to go into effect sometime this year. Photo: Scott A. Drake
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
PGN LOCAL
Gayborhood Crime Watch
Williams court date set
The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between Dec. 15-21. 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.
A pre-trial status conference in the homicide case of transwoman Diamond Williams has been scheduled for Jan. 21, according to court records. Charles N. Sargent stands accused of stabbing to death Williams, then dismembering her body, in July 2013. Sargent recently sent letters to the court, the contents of which are expected to be discussed at the pre-trial conference, set for 9 a.m. Jan. 21 in Courtroom 1105 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1315 Filbert St. Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Benjamin Lerner will preside. According to a statement Sargent gave to police, he admitted inviting Williams to his Strawberry Mansion residence during the early-morning hours of July 14, 2013. Sargent claims he stabbed Williams in self-defense after she demanded a pre-arranged payment of $40 for having sex with him, which he refused to pay since she had male genitalia. He’s charged with murder, abuse of corpse and possessing an instrument of crime. Sargent, 45, remains incarcerated at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Northeast Philadelphia.
INCIDENTS — At 2 p.m. Dec. 17, a shopper left a wallet unattended inside Easy Pickins, 1207 Chestnut St., and it was stolen. Security video showed the suspect to be a black female with a heavy build, wearing a black coat and accompanied by two juveniles. — At 8:40 p.m. Dec. 17 outside 1212 Locust St., a woman was in an argument with a female and a male both known to her when the female struck her in the legs with a baseball bat. She was not injured, and the suspects fled in a white auto. The victim provided police with the names of the suspects, and Central Detective Division is investigating. — Between 10 p.m. Dec. 17 and 2 a.m. Dec. 18, someone stole a 2009 Volkswagen that was parked outside 204 S. 12th St. — At 1:30 p.m. Dec. 18, a woman heard noise inside her apartment in the 200 block of South 12th Street and saw a male in the living room. The male fled when the woman yelled. He was described as a black male in his 40s, 5-foot-8, with a medium build, wearing a black coat and yellow and black ski cap. Sixth District Officer Sprouls attempted to lift fingerprints. — At 10:15 p.m. Dec. 18, a woman was outside 1329 Lombard St. when a male
snatched her handbag and ran north on Watts Street. The suspect was described as a 6-foot black male in his late 20s, with short hair and wearing dark clothing. — At 7:35 p.m. Dec. 19, two males walked up to a woman after she cashed a check at 930 Market St. and demanded the money, then stole it from her pocket. The suspects were described as black males. The first was 6-foot-2, with a dark complexion and African accent, wearing a long, gray wool coat, while the second was 5-foot-7, with a long gray beard and medium complexion, wearing a black baseball cap and black coat. — There was one theft from a parked vehicle reported Dec. 15-21: outside 1200 Walnut St. NON-SUMMARY ARRESTS: — At 6 p.m. Dec. 19, a patron discovered his wallet missing from his pocket while inside U Bar, 1220 Locust St. A witness informed the victim a female may have taken it, provided a description and said the woman stated she was headed to another bar in the 1300 block of Walnut Street. Sixth District Officer Harrigan was called to investigate and the witness identified the woman, who was found in possession of the victim’s wallet. The 57-year-old suspect with a Northeast Philadelphia address was charged with theft. — At 4:55 a.m. Dec. 21, security at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital observed a male on security cameras steal a bicycle from outside the emergency room, 132 S. 10th St. Security officers stopped the male and located the bike’s owner. The 33-year-old suspect with a Southampton, N.J., address was charged with theft. n
News Briefing D.A. urges withdrawal of Morris appeal In a Dec. 17 email, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office urged PGN to withdraw its legal appeal for complete dispatch records pertaining to the Nizah Morris case. The agency said an appeal in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court would prove to be “protracted” and “fruitless.” But the agency hasn’t provided the requested records, nor has it provided an attestation of non-existence stating under penalty of perjury that it doesn’t have them. In a Dec. 17 reply, PGN asked the D.A.’s office to conduct a comprehensive search for the requested records. If the D.A.’s Office can’t locate any responsive records after such a search, PGN offered to assist the agency in formulating an attestation of non-existence containing appropriate language. As of presstime, the D.A.’s Office hadn’t responded to the paper’s offer. Morris was a transgender woman who sustained a fatal head wound shortly after entering a police vehicle in 2002, ostensibly for a ride home. Her homicide remains unsolved, and advocates want a state probe. Oral arguments in PGN’s appeal for the dispatch records are expected some time after May 4, if the matter isn’t resolved before then.
— Timothy Cwiek
Privacy efforts continue in HIV suit U.S. District Court Judge Gene Pratter last month ordered a man who is suing a Lancaster County medical practice for HIV discrimination to file an amended, sealed complaint specifying the full names of his
locations in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — 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. • ASIAC, 1711 S. Broad St. • The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. • Bioscript Pharmacy, 1227 Locust St. • Cafe Twelve, 212 S. 12th St. • Charlie Salon, 203 S. 12th 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. • Fusion Gym, 105 S. 12th St., 2nd floor • Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. • I Goldberg, 1300 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. • Pa. AIDS Law Project, 1211 Chestnut St., 12th floor • Paolo Pizzeria, 1336 Pine St. • Parker Hotel Lobby, 261 S. 13th St. • Phila. FIGHT/Aids Library, 1233 Locust St., 5th floor • Phila. Family Planning Commission, 260 S. Broad St., 10th floor • Planned Parenthood, 1144 Locust St. • Sansom Cinema, 120 S. 13th St., basement • Santa Fe Burrito, 212 S. 11th St. • Scorpio Books, 202 S. Juniper St. • Sisters, 1320 Chancellor St. • Spruce Street Video, 252 S. 12th St. • Packard Apartments, 317 N. Broad St. • Safeguards lobby, 1211 Chestnut St. #610 • Salon K, 1216 Locust St. • Sante Fe Burrito, 212 S. 11th St. • Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. • Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac 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. • Westbury, 261 S. 13th St. • William Way LGBT Community Center, 1325 Spruce St.
All of these locations are now visible on a zoomable Google Map at
http://www.epgn.com/pages/where_to_find WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION ON THIS LIST? Contact Don at don@epgn.com or 215-625-8501 ext. 200 to arrange for delivery of complimentary copies.
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family. On Dec. 2, “Husband Jones” sought anonymity for himself, his wife and underage daughter to protect them from any possible further discrimination or retaliation based on his HIV-positive status. Jones complied with Pratter’s order, filing the amended complaint Dec. 17. Jones was dismissed from and refused further treatment by Diamantoni & Associates Family Practice in Quarryville in October 2013. The practice learned of his HIV status after routine blood work was performed at the practice for the first time. Upon a follow-up visit a few days later to discuss the results of his blood work, Jones was given a signed letter dismissing him and his family from the practice for allegedly leaving copious amounts of blood in the office bathroom, which the office said recklessly endangered other patients. Jones and his family, represented by the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania, sued, claiming violations of the American with Disabilities Act, including unlawful discrimination in public accommodations based on a disability (HIV), as well as intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Quizzo to benefit youth scholarship An LGBT group at a private Philadelphia school is hosting a fundraiser that will benefit a special scholarship created by a
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
former out school administrator. The LGBT Affinity Group of the Friends Select School’s Parent Association is sponsoring a fundraiser Quizzo night hosted by drag queen Martha Graham Cracker 7-9 p.m. Jan. 9 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. Proceeds from the event will be split between The Attic Youth Center and Friends Select’s David A. Wood Scholarship, which provides financial aid to a lower- or middle-school student from an LGBT-headed household. A wine tasting by Moore Brothers Wine Company will begin at 6 p.m. Childcare for FSS K-4 students is available. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For more information, contact Marissa Colston at marissac@friends-select.org. — Ryan Kasley
GayBINGO! celebrates Golden Globes Guests will be dressed to the nines for the first GayBINGO! of the year, themed around the Golden Globes. The event, which raises funds for AIDS Fund, will take place 7-11 p.m. Jan. 10 at Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St. For tickets, call 215-731-9255. n — Jen Colletta
CELEBRATING TRADITION, COMMUNITY: Organizers of the eighth-annual Kwanzaa Celebration honored community elders Dec. 27 at William Way LGBT Community Center. The event pays tributes to Nguzo Saba, the seven principles of Kwanzaa and this year featured spoken-word and song performances, dances and other live entertainment. A number of local organizations collaborated on the event, including the center, Philly Black Pride, Black Gay Men’s Leadership Council, The Attic Youth Center, Beta Phi Omega Sorority, Resources for Human Development, LGBT Elder Initiative, Unity Fellowship, Truth & Life Christian Center, Men of All Colors Together, The Colours Organization, Inc., as well as Rasta Boi Punany and Carlos Sullivan. Photo: Scott A. Drake
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PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
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Weekly features
News&Opinion 2 — Crime Watch News Briefing 10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Letters/Feedback Mark My Words Street Talk
AC &
25 — Scene in Philly 27 — Family Portrait 28 — Comics Out & About 30 — Q Puzzle
C o l u m n s
7 — Before the Bells: Party traditions 7 — Out Law: Year in legal review
Classifieds 32 — Real Estate 34 — Personals 35 — Bulletin Board
2014 Person of the Year runners-up
RAINBOW REMEMBRANCE: Sandy Beach announced the inaugural LGBT Community Memorial Award for Gloria Casarez at the eighth-annual Philadelphia Rainbow Awards Dec. 26 at Venture Inn. The Community Enhancement Award is also new to the lineup, and will be presented to the John C. Anderson Apartments later this month at the Day of Service organized by Team Bayard at the LGBT-friendly senior apartment complex. The awards ceremony took place during the monthly La Cage Aux Beach show, where Beach was joined by Cher impersonator Steven Andrade, as well as several other drag stars. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Our favorite photos from 2014
The staff of PGN wishes all of our faithful readers, advertisers, friends and allies the happiest of new years.
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“Athletes have been kissing their significant others when hearing about their draft placement as long as drafts have existed, so while we still have a long way to go, Sam definitely ignited the conversation and has vowed to continue to fight the fight.” ~ Angela Giampolo on legal changes, progress and public disclosures in 2014, page 7
Next week Out Money Thinking Queerly
Two weeks Gettin’ On Outward Bound Paw Prints
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Kinky is as kinky does. The arts scene heats up in the next few months, with shows like “Kinky Boots.”
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Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 2015 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155 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.
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Morris advocates march through Center City By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Holding candles and chanting, “Trans lives matter,” about 60 advocates for Nizah Morris marched through Center City last week. The Dec. 22 event marked the 12th anniversary of a Center City “courtesy ride” given to Morris by Philadelphia police.
Asa Khalif, a member of the Justice for Nizah committee, led the group on a circuitous route from the old Key West Bar at 207 S. Juniper St. to the District Attorney’s Office, just south of City Hall. Twelve years ago, an intoxicated Morris was staggering outside Key West. A police car arrived and onlookers helped her inside, ostensibly for a ride home. Instead, the transwoman was transported to the area of 16th and Walnut streets, where passing motorists found her laying in the street with blunt-force head trauma. She died two days later, on Dec. 24, 2002, and her homicide remains unsolved. Former state Rep. Babette Josephs participated in the march and vigil. She implored the D.A.’s Office to release all records pertaining to the ill-fated ride. “A 12-year runaround is long enough,” Josephs said. “What happened on that ride that left a human being bleeding on a Center City street? How did that happen in our beautiful city?” She said transparency in the Morris case would be fitting for “the birthplace of democracy,” and would improve police-community relations. “The blood of Nizah Morris not only flowed onto Walnut Street, it left a permanent stain on our city,” Josephs added. Khalif drew connections between police brutality in the African-American and LGBT communities. “I’m glad the country is finally catching on that black lives matter,” Khalif said. “And this black transwoman’s life matters as well. [District Attorney] Seth Williams needs to realize that we’re not going away.” Daniel Coll was in the vicinity of Key West Bar when Morris entered the police
vehicle. His presence at the scene was corroborated by investigative reports. Coll told the crowd that Officer Elizabeth Skala wasn’t the only officer involved in the courtesy ride. “I know there’s more to the story than police are saying,” Coll said. “I was there. I saw it with my own eyes. Beth [Skala] was not alone. After Nizah was helped into Beth’s car, she drove around the block. Then Beth returned with Nizah, and a male officer met them at Juniper and Locust [streets].” Chris Bartlett, executive director of the William Way LGBT Community Center, also participated in the march and vigil. “I’m here with other William Way staffers to express our solidarity for trans people like Nizah Morris who faced violence,” Bartlett said. “The community center should be a voice for justice for trans people.” The center has endorsed a state probe of Morris’ homicide along with many other organizations. “Anything that can help clarify the cause of this homicide would be a good thing,” Bartlett said. State Sen. Larry Farnese (D.-First Dist.) recently wrote to Williams, asking him to cooperate with Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane in a probe of the Morris case. So far, Williams hasn’t responded. On April 1, Williams was asked to lift a non-disclosure agreement with the city’s Police Advisory Commission that prevents the release of dozens of investigative reports in the Morris case. Williams said he’d consider lifting the agreement. But as of presstime, it was still in place. Trans activist Aamina Morrison said nothing short of full transparency is acceptable. She addressed the group with a bullhorn in front of the D.A.’s Office. “We are screaming for the records, and for some answers,” Morrison said. “We will not keep taking this. We stand here not just for Nizah, but for everyone we’ve lost. We will continue to demand answers because we deserve them.” The Rev. Jeffrey A. Haskins of Unity Fellowship Church also addressed the group. “There’s a verse in scripture that says the truth shall set you free,” Haskins said. “I’m urging the D.A. to release the records, so there can be truth and healing. Then we can put Nizah to rest the proper way. When she has justice, what a day that will be.” After a few minutes, participants left their votive candles in front of the D.A.’s Office and quietly dispersed. n
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Convention Center to see first same-sex wedding expo By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com The first same-sex wedding expo to be staged at Pennsylvania’s Convention Center will kick off later this month. The Same-Sex Marriage Equality Wedding Expo, presented by the American Bridal Show Company, will be held noon-4 p.m. Jan. 25 at Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St. More than 80 vendors will be in attendance at this free event, which will feature a grandprize honeymoon giveaway. One lucky couple will win six nights of luxurious beachfront accommodation at a Mexican city of their choice: Mazatlan, Acapulco, Puerto Peñasco, Cancun or Nuevo Vallarta. “We wanted to give couples the absolute largest selection for their wedding,” said Lisa Drozd of the American Bridal Show Company. “The Convention Center is centrally located and a great launching point for couples to explore the city on a Sunday afternoon.” The American Bridal Show Company has hosted more than 80 bridal shows a year since 1993. The company began holding same-sex expos several years ago, with the goal of bringing out the best and biggest selec-
tion of quality wedding professionals for every wedding style, taste and budget. “We have been doing bridal shows for 22 years,” Drozd said. “So when same-sex marriage became legal here in Pennsylvania, our goal was to really have a marriage-equality wedding expo that had every single great wedding option available, really comprehensive.” The event will also feature a Celebrate Marriage Equality weekend in Philly with many expo participants offering specials and promotions all weekend long to couples attending the event. “We really built the expo around celebrating Philly as a great place for same-sex weddings,” Drozd said. “Taking the best of the best and showcasing what Philly has to offer. Many of our participating vendors will be giving out specials and promotions so our attendees can see what a great city this is.” Reserving tickets in advance is encouraged but not required, and can be done at www.marriageequalityexpo.com. American Bridal will also host a same-sex expo at 2 p.m. Jan. 18 at Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, N.J., and another at 1 p.m. Feb. 22 at Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. n
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PGN COLUMNS
Top LGBT moments of 2014 The LGBT communities had a lot to celebrate in 2014, with amazing legislative, judicial and cultural victories. While there are truly countless victories I could mention, here are some of the highlights:
“panic” and commit violence. The “gaypanic” defense was used successfully in the case of openly gay 15-year-old Larry King, who was shot twice in 2008 in the back of the head by a classmate, Brandon McInerney. With that said, it was unsuccessful in the case of Gwen Araujo, the 18-year-old transwoman from Newark who was beaten to death by four men in 2002. It was Araujo’s death that prompted the creation of the International Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
Before the Bells
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Jen Colletta
Taking on party traditions
Once the vows are said and sealed with him or her to open up the festivities. You a kiss, it’s party time. But, before popping can have parents and other close family the champagne cork, some same-sex coumembers walk in together, if that’s more Boy Scouts welcome gay youth ples may need to revise reception standards comfortable for everyone. Or, you can nix The year started off with a bang when to ensure their own wedding wishes aren’t the salute all together. Embrace the freethe new policy for the Boy Scouts of being trumped by tradition. dom that a same-sex wedding affords you. America took effect, allowing openly gay Many larger-scale wedding receptions The same goes for the wedding party. youth to become members. However, the span four to five hours — ample time Most receptions feature one guy, one gal organization still bans gay leaders and for many activities beyond the “Chicken processing in together. But same-sex wedadults from the organization. LGBT advoDance” and “Y.M.C.A.” But, like with dings may not feature an equal number of What closet? cates plan to continue to press the organimany other aspects of a wedding, the stan- male- and female-identified attendants, so zaton in 2015 to remove the antigay policy It was a year of celebrity self-outings! dards many guests have come to expect switch it up and have two ladies or two all together, a move supported by several The most influential is, without a doubt, from a wedding reception are largely guys, or even trios, enter together. And, large organizations, such as the college footballer and GQ sex-segregated, and structured around when it comes time for you to make your Walt Disney Company, which Man of the Year Michael Sam. an opposite-sex couple. Some same-sex entrance, all tradition should go out the has threatened to pull all fundSam made sports history and couples may want to blow the lid off trawindow: Whether you’re announced as ing from the Boy Scouts this changed the face of profesdition, while others may feel a somewhat the new Mr. and Mr., Mrs. and Mrs., the year if it doesn’t reverse its ban sional sports as we know it (and sentimental connection to the reception happily wedded couple or whatever other on gay leaders. locker rooms!) when he came elements they’ve enjoyed (or feigned terms you like best, that’s your moment to out right before the NFL draft. enjoying) at others’ weddings. Regardless own. Marriage equality He then set off a media frenzy of your taste, being a same-sex couple Implementation of the U.S. when he kissed his boyfriend on shouldn’t limit, but instead should liberate The dances Supreme Court’s ruling in live TV after hearing the draft — as you can fuse old and new traditions While a couple’s first dance at their United States v. Windsor conresults. While commentators to create a reception uniquely your own. wedding may elicit a few tears and a lot of stituted the single largest conwere already inappropriately flashbulbs, that may not be the only dance ferral of rights to LGBT people discussing his qualifications The grand entrances of the night in a spotlight. in history; as of today, more purely based on his sexual ori Many wedding receptions kick off with Same-sex couples have to consider how Angela entation, “the kiss” sparked than half of the states in the the parents of the bride and groom septo handle the traditional parent dances, Giampolo weeks of coverage and debate arately entering the venue. But, family country have legalized marriage where the bride typically sashays with a for same-sex couples. over the role his sexual oriendynamics may not be very cookie-cutter father figure and the groom with a mother In just one year, we added more states tation would play in his career. Athletes figure. Like with many aspects of the planfor all same-sex couples: One set of parto our column than we’ve had in the entire have been kissing their significant others ents may be supportive and another not, or ning process, there are a number of ways more-than decade-long fight for marriage when hearing about their draft placement to put a personal spin on this tradition: For one of the newlyweds may be estranged equality. With the addition of 19 states, the as long as drafts have existed, so while from his or her parents; all weddings instance, both grooms can dance with a number of marriage-equality states now we still have a long way to go, Sam defiseemingly have their fair share of messy mother or mother figure, or both brides can stands at 35, plus Washington, D.C. In one nitely ignited the conversation and has family matters, but same-sex couples may take a turn with a father or father figure. day alone, SCOTUS cleared the way for vowed to continue to fight the fight. Other get an extra dose of the drama because of Or, the couple can forget gender expectasame-sex marriage in five states (Indiana, notable people to come out include actor the inherent complication of family acceptions, and each can dance with the person Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin) Ellen Page, singer Sam Smith, former tance, or lack thereof, involved in their or persons he or she is closest with: parent, by deciding not to hear the appeals to Miss Kentucky Djuan Trent and WWE relationships. sibling, friend or other loved one. There is those decisions. Currently, 64 percent of Champion Pat Patterson. Having the parents announced at the nothing set in stone that a “parent dance” the American population lives in a state start of the reception is meant to pay tribhas to be with a person of the opposite sex, with marriage equality, and some of the Gay-rights movement Trans*itioned ute to those who have played a pivotal role or even a parent at all; this can instead be Laverne Cox didn’t just steal the show notable states include Arizona, Virginia, in the couple’s lives — but that doesn’t an opportunity to share a special moment in “Orange is the New Black,” she has Nevada and our very own Commonwealth mean you have to box yourself in to the with a loved one of your choice. also single-handedly brought transgender of Pennsylvania. mom-dad entrance model, if that doesn’t Speaking of the dance floor, the guest This past year also marked a new landissues to the forefront of the LGBT move- suit your individual life. If a family memlist of a same-sex wedding may likely mark in the fight for marriage equality. ment within the United States. Cox was ber or close friend has long been supportbe populated by many same-sex couples, The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth the first transgender person on the cover ive of your relationship, you can request some of whom may PAGE 17 Circuit actually upheld the ban on marof Time magazine and was also named riage equality in Kentucky, Michigan, Glamour Woman of the Year. As for her Ohio and Tennessee. The Supremes (and direct action, she was personally responsiI don’t mean Diana Ross!) have one more ble for turning the Empire State Building installed from $150.00 chance, on Jan. 9, to take up the issue of purple for International Transgender marriage equality this term. Hopefully Remembrance Day and is passionately 1 pr. 6 1/2 speakers installed from $70.00 they give us our first win of 2015 and do fighting a prostitution law in Arizona TINT INSTALLED w/ Lifetime Waranty (non transferable) what they should have done all along: that unfairly targets transgender women Deal with the constitutionality of marriage by allowing police to arrest anyone who CAR AUDIO bans once and for all. “appears” to be soliciting sex. Moreover, she was influential in Mills College, an CAR ALARMS “Gay-panic” defense dies “all-female” college, changing its policy to openly accept transgender students. California became the first state to outIPOD INTEGRATION law the “gay-panic” and “trans-panic” President Obama has also done his part. lines of defense in criminal cases in 2014. In 2014, he issued an executive order to The defense has often been used to justify prohibit workplace discrimination by fed617 S. 24th Street, Phila, PA 19146 • email: GK@allthatjazzphilly.com violence toward LGBT people with the eral contractors and subcontractors based HID LITES • GPS • TINT • LOGO VANITY PLATES & KEY CHAINS “reasoning” that a person’s overwhelming on an employee’s sexual orientation and hatred for LGBT people causes them to gender identity. PAGE 17
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PERSON OF THE YEAR from page 1
measure, Reynolds Brown’s first phone call was to Casarez, who remained involved from beginning to end, meeting with stakeholders, testifying at a legislative hearing before Council unanimously passed the measure and ultimately speaking at the Dec. 12 bill-signing. LGBT Equality Bill, 2013 Introduced by Councilman Jim Kenney, the bill revamped the city’s health-care plan to ban discrimination against non-union transgender city employees and instated first-in-the-nation tax credits for companies that provide trans-specific health-care coverage and domestic-partner benefits. The legislation was approved in a 14-3 vote and signed into law by Nutter May 7. A Kenney spokesperson said the legislation “would not have happened” without Casarez, who championed it within the administration. LGBT Hate Crimes Measure, 2014 Introduced by Kenney and Reynolds Brown shortly after a same-sex couple was attacked in Center City, the legislation instated fines of up to $2,000 and up to 90 days imprisonment for crimes motivated by a victim’s sexual orientation, gender identity or disability, classes not yet protected under the state’s hate-crimes law. Council unanimously approved the measure shortly after Casarez’s passing, and Nutter signed it the following month. EDUCATION Casarez worked to educate a diverse number of audiences on LGBT issues — policymakers, city and state employees, social-service providers, educators — using both formal and informal means: Speaking out Casarez provided official testimony before a number of bodies on LGBT issues. In 2008, shortly after her appointment, Casarez testified before a state Senate committee on behalf of Nutter regarding legislation that sought to instate a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania. In her remarks, she referenced the negative impact the measure would have on economic development and tourism. “Ultimately, there’s no positive impact bills like this can have on the economy of cities like Philadelphia,” she testified. Casarez sat on the LGBTQ advisory committee of the Philadelphia School District, a group tasked with heightening awareness and cultural competency throughout the district on LGBT issues. In 2009 she personally brought the group’s recommendations — which included LGBT training for principals, a district letter to constituents affirming LGBT families and other items — to then-schools chief Arlene Ackerman. The following year, she testified at a Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations hearing on intergroup violence about LGBT-specific concerns, blasting Ackerman and the district for their “many missed opportunities” by failing to implement the recommendations.
PERSON PGN OF THE YEAR
Training Casarez sat on the Police LGBT Liaison Committee and was among a group of members who regularly participated in LGBT sensitivity training for police cadets. She spoke from a city perspective, reviewing policies and programs relating to the LGBT community and offering herself and her office as a resource. She was the driving force behind the 2009 LGBT resource guide for city schools. The materials provided practical information for school officials, teachers and counselors, including lists of local LGBT organizations and resources for youth, as well as tangible steps schools could take to stem bullying and harassment and create more inclusive and affirming environments for all students. Advising, representing mayor Casarez worked directly for Nutter and, as such, advised him on the full gamut of LGBT issues. She often wrote speeches for the mayor and accompanied him to community events, briefing him on community goings-on and concerns. She also represented the mayor to both LGBT and non-LGBT audiences, from the Philadelphia Bar Association in 2008 to a panel of international journalists in 2012. Nutter was a founding member of the Mayors for the Freedom to Marry, and later co-chaired the national initiative. At a City Hall celebration the day Pennsylvania legalized same-sex marriage, Casarez read remarks by the mayor, who was out of town. That weekend, Nutter officiated same-sex weddings at City Hall. Informal awareness As often as Casarez formally educated audiences on LGBT communities, she may have just as frequently been informally raising awareness. Casarez personally visited the city clerk’s office when there was confusion over the domestic-partner registry, explaining the specifics of the law to staffers. When a city employee ran into trouble adding a same-sex partner to the city’s health plan, Casarez intervened. In her remarks to the PCHR in 2010 on intergroup violence, she noted that she fielded calls all the time from the families of LGBT students being bullied and contacted school officials on their behalf. BRIDGING GAPS Casarez was tasked with, and succeeded at, bridging gaps between the LGBT community and city government — inviting the community into city operations and enhancing the city’s role in the community. Community visibility, inclusion One of Casarez’s trademark accomplishments marked its fifth anniversary just weeks before her death — and was both a symbolic invitation to the community and an affirmation of the city’s support. In 2010, she spearheaded the rainbow flag being flown for the first time outside of Philadelphia City Hall, to mark LGBT History Month. Each year, she organized
CASAREZ AT THE SIGNING OF THE EQUAL BENEFITS BILL DEC. 12, 2011; THE UNVEILING OF RAINBOW STREET SIGNS IN 2010; AND HER 2011 COMMITTMENT CEREMONY TO WIFE TRICIA DRESSEL, OFFICIATED BY MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER
the flag-raising ceremony, during which LGBT community organizations and leaders were honored. The day Pennsylvania legalized marriage equality, the city quickly raised the rainbow flag and, the day after Casarez’s passing, the flag, already up for History Month, was lowered to half-staff. Within three months of taking on the position, Casarez established the Mayor’s
Advisory Board on LGBT Affairs, comprised of a diverse group of leaders, who explored issues affecting the local LGBT community and made recommendations to the mayor. The next year, she helped create a committee that worked to inform local LGBTs about the need for their participation in the U.S. Census. She later helped bring together community organizations for
PERSON PGN OF THE YEAR
a groundbreaking study on LGBT seniors. Heightened city presence Less than three weeks before she passed, Casarez delivered the keynote address for the LGBT History Month celebration of PECO’s LGBT employee group — mirroring myriad similar undertakings throughout her six years as the LGBT director. From annual events like Philadelphia Dyke March and Philadelphia Pride to impromptu gatherings like the memorials for slain transwomen Kyra Cordova and Diamond Williams, Casarez was a ubiquitous speaker, calling for respect for LGBT people and community cooperation. She delivered mayoral proclamations regularly, from anniversary galas for community organizations to large-scale LGBT events — further emphasizing the city’s backing of the community. And, she was the point person to connect community members with city officials and resources when needed. For instance, she served as a liaison between the city and Cordova’s family, and represented both the city and community at court proceedings such as for Williams’ alleged killer. Community roots Casarez came to the city position after years of community work, including about
a decade as the executive director of Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative. One of the highlights of her GALAEI leadership was as co-founder of the TransHealth Information Project in 2003. The peer-based program was one of the first initiatives to offer services — ranging from HIV-prevention to social and legal support around transitioning — for trans people, by trans people, which later became a nationwide model. After taking on the city position, Casarez maintained, and built upon, her community roots: She sat on scores of community boards and committees, fusing her position as a city official with her inroads as a community leader — from the LGBT Police Liaison Committee to the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau’s PHL Diversity Board to the Public Health Management Corporation’s LGBT Research Community Advisory Board. She also played a key role in the founding of the LGBT Elder Initiative. BEHIND-THE-SCENES WORK As vocal as Casarez was about LGBT rights, she also undertook a wealth of advocacy behind closed doors — campaigning for the LGBT community’s interests at every turn.
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
Casarez was a constant figure in such discussions as the city’s lengthy legal battle over the Boy Scouts’ use of city property. Casarez even “elbowed” her way into closed-door meetings, to make sure the community had a voice in the debate. She was a unique player in the issue, as she was able to bring the concerns of the community to the table, while delineating the nuanced, complex matter to community leaders and other stakeholders. She pressed privately, and spoke out publicly, on such issues as the removal of gender markers from SEPTA transpasses and the adoption of a tighter anti-bullying policy by the School Reform Commission, both of which were successful. Casarez worked closely with a number of city agencies to revise their policies and programs. She assisted the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability in identifying and working to close gaps in services for LGBT clients; the Department of Human Services to revise its policy on LGBT issues in 2009; and with expanding city domestic-violence services to LGBT and male victims. Her work also had national implications. In 2012, Casarez spearheaded the legwork for Philadelphia’s inclusion in the Human Rights Campaign’s inaugural Municipal Equality Index, in which the
City of Brotherly Love received the highest national baseline score. Casarez helped put plans in motion to help the city attain extra points, such as advocating for Kenny’s bill regarding trans-health insurance, which it did the following year. Perhaps the most impactful, and hardest to quantify, element of Casarez’s legacy was her success at relationship-building. From arranging meetings among city and community leaders to connecting organizations with city agencies to bringing both city and community services to LGBT people, Casarez broke down barriers. Her personal attributes of warmth, patience and approachability fused with her professional tenacity, candor and intelligence to create a leader our community could look up to, and our city could learn from. While the full impact of Casarez’s presence in our community is just starting to be realized, her absence has been felt community-wide. But, even after her passing, Casarez continues to be a leader and teacher: Friends and loved ones have made shirts and pins with the phrase “What Would Gloria Do?” a question many have said drives and informs their daily work. Our community will continue to benefit from the many answers Casarez’s legacy will provide for generations to come. n
Person of the Year runners-up By PGN Staff This past year was rife with LGBT news, and newsmakers — including three standouts whose efforts made 2014 a momentous year for our local LGBT community. U.S. District Judge John E. Jones 3d A federal judge appointed by former President George W. Bush earned his spot as one of PGN’s top people of the year after his landmark marriage-equality ruling impacted the lives of thousands of LGBTs in the area. U.S. District Judge John E. Jones 3d overturned Pennsylvania’s marriage-equality ban on May 20, clearing the way for same-sex couples to marry in the Keystone State, after Attorney General Kathleen Kane decided not to back the discriminatory law, and Gov. Tom Corbett declined to appeal the ruling the next day. Whitewood v. Wolf was the first suit ever to challenge Pennsylvania’s 1996 law banning same-sex marriage. More than two-dozen plaintiffs, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and law firm Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller, argued that the law, which defined marriage between one man and one woman, violated the constitutional equal-protection clause. “We are a better people than what these
laws represent,” Jones said in his 39-page opinion, “and it is time to discard them into the ash heap of history.” In addition to permitting Pennsylvania couples to marry, Jones also ordered that the state recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages. At the time, Jones’ was the 12th consecutive federal ruling nullifying a state ban on same-sex marriage. Pennsylvania became the 19th state to allow gay marriage — although it was the last state in the Northeast to do so. While the plaintiffs, lawyers and state officials like Kane and Corbett all deserve credit for their role in bringing marriage equality to Pennsylvania, the fair-minded and decisive ruling from Jones changed the landscape for LGBT rights in our state in an instant. “All couples deserve equal dignity in the realm of civil marriage,” Jones said in his ruling. We at PGN agree. And on behalf of the more-than 22,000 same-sex couples living in Pennsylvania, we thank you, Judge Jones. @FanSince09 The identification of the suspects in Philadelphia’s shocking gay-bashing incident this September was in large part thanks to a quick-thinking anonymous Twitter user’s Internet detective skills.
Here’s how it went down. Shortly after they began their investigation into the Sept. 11 incident — in which a gay couple was attacked by a group of males and females in Center City — Philadelphia Police released security camera footage of the suspects walking down the street. Twitter user Greg Bennett posted photos from the video of the suspects, along with a photo of a group of people who resembled the suspects, posing at a restaurant. In his Tweet, Bennett noted the similarity but did not know where the restaurant photo had been taken. That is when a Twitter user who uses the handle @FanSince09 stepped in and put his sleuthing abilities to work. A die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan and apparent South Jersey resident, FanSince09 retweeted the photo to his thousands on followers, receiving a flood of responses that identified the restaurant as La Viola on South 16th Street. FanSince09 proceeded to identify the suspects by comparing people in the restaurant photo to the photos of people who had “checked-in” on Facebook that night at La Viola. Then he called police. Officer Joe Murray confirmed FanSince09’s help in solving the case by making a shout out to him on Twitter. “This is what makes my job easy. Sure, it’s up to me to make the arrest but we are all in this together,” Murray posted. Even though his involvement in the case has given him considerable exposure, he remains anonymous, even managing to conceal his identify during an interview
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on “The View.” While we may never know who FanSince09 is, that does nothing to diminish the fact that his help was integral in solving a heinous crime. Philly AIDS Thrift The nation’s oldest LGBT bookstore was given a new lease on life this year when it was taken over by Philly AIDS Thrift and reopened as a boutique version of PAT’s flagship location in Queen Village. Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room still offers around 2,000 LGBT-related books, in addition to an always-changing selection of clothing and other thrifted items, with a slightly higher-end inventory than PAT’s Fifth Street store. The LGBT community issued a collective sigh of relief upon learning that the famous bookstore would retain its place in the Gayborhood, on 12th and Pine streets, after long-time owner Ed Hermance announced he was retiring, and no buyer was found to take over the business. The two-year lease was signed Aug. 16. As an extension of PAT, which donates proceeds to HIV/AIDS causes, the new store will also be considered a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Thanks to Hermance and the folks at PAT, Giovanni’s Room’s newest incarnation continues to provide us with our favorite paper-bound iterations of all things LGBT — and will remain a mainstay of our community. n
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
EDITORIAL PGN
Creep of the Week
D’Anne Witkowski
Pat Robertson
Editorial
Keeping the momentum going Our community saw an unprecedented number of victories in the past year. Now that we’re entering 2015, we should all resolve to keep the ball rolling on LGBT equality. The list of LGBT wins is almost too innumerable to fit in this space. The most visible was certainly marriage equality; the number of marriage-equality states doubled throughout 2014, now standing at 35, plus Washington, D.C. About twothirds of the nation now lives in a jurisdiction with same-sex marriage, a figure that will rise next week, when marriages begin in Florida. And 2015 could be another banner year for marriage equality. The U.S. Supreme Court may on Jan. 9 decide whether or not to take one or more cases before it regarding marriage equality. If, like in 2014, it declines, that could pave the way for another wave of state bans on same-sex marriage to fall. Or, if it does take one, we could finally get a ruling from SCOTUS on the constitutionality of limiting marriage to one man and one woman — which, if things go our way, could bring marriage equality nationwide by the end of the year. Locally, Philadelphia celebrated its own LGBT victory this fall with the unanimous passage of a measure to instate penalties for hate crimes motivated by a victim’s sexual orientation, gender identity or disability, all classes not protected by state law. The win grew from adversity — vast public support for such a law built after a gay couple was beaten in Center City. The trio of alleged gay-bashers will likely face a trial in 2015. The animus that allegedly motivated the attackers could have been directed at any member of our community, and they — and their supporters, as well as the court — need to see the breadth of the impact of their actions. The trial will be open to the public, so this is an opportune time for the LGBT and ally community to present a united front. Likewise, the case of Charles Sargent, the alleged killer of local transwoman Diamond Williams, will be moving through the court system this year — another opportunity to illustrate solidarity. The same fervor that made our city hate-crimes law possible needs to be maintained and expanded to secure LGBT protections at the state level, and should also be mobilized to gain traction on the state nondiscrimination law. It is far beyond time for Pennsylvania to outlaw discrimination against its LGBT citizens and, with a Democratic governor soon to be in place who is eager to sign such a measure, 2015 needs to be the year that this long-stalled legislation moves forward. While 2014 was a banner year for LGBT rights, celebrating the victories should be short-lived; the passion that made them possible can’t fade but instead is needed to continue to fuel progress. Let’s make 2015 another record-breaker. n
Sound the alarms, everybody! Crazy old televangelist Pat Robertson has gone and exposed the deep, dark secret of lesbian and gay people, and there’s no putting that genie back in the bottle now. On the Dec. 17 episode of “The 700 Club,” a show that old people watch when they need to take a break from the whippersnappers at Fox News, Robertson dropped the following bombshell: “You know, those who are homosexual will die out because they don’t reproduce. You know, you have to have heterosexual sex to reproduce,” he explained to his co-host Wendy Griffith. And as Griffith nodded in agreement, I shook my head in shock and dismay. No! This cannot be! What do you mean, homos are going to die out? Why didn’t anyone tell us about this? And to think of all of those poor, dumb homos over the years trying in vain to reproduce. All of that sex for nothing! What a waste. I almost started to weep, but then I remembered, Hey, wait a minute. My parents are heterosexual. And, oh my God, they might have even had heterosexual sex in order to conceive me — and my twin sister, who is also gay. Which means my parents are terrible at this! No wonder they had three additional children. To atone! It all makes so much sense now. Come to think of it, the majority of the gay and lesbian people I know have heterosexual parents. But if, by following Robertson’s logic, heterosexual sex produces heterosexual people, what the hell is happening? It can only mean one thing: Homo body snatchers are invading the wombs of God-fearing heterosexual missionary-position-sex-having women and implanting them with homo demon seed, ensuring that straight people will give birth to and raise as their own gay and lesbian spawn. In other words, homos are basically cuckolding straight people. Either that or Robertson is wrong. But that can’t be. He knows things. He speaks the truth! Why, this is a man who declared on Nov. 26 that racism was over so “racial agitators” should just shut up about it already.
“Police are very careful in dealing with people. They’re trained to be careful with minorities and the abuses of the past are pretty much a thing of the past,” Robertson said. And he should know, since he’s a white man born in 1930. This is the man who told us we could get AIDS from towels. This is the man who told us that feminism was “a socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians.” This is a man who believes in a worldwide Jewish conspiracy. This is the man who dared to speak out about the razor-sharp AIDS rings that homos wear to infect unsuspecting people they shake hands with. This is the man who wanted to know if macaroni and cheese was “a black thing.” This is a man who is cool with first cousins marrying so long as they don’t have “mongoloid” children. This is the man who was personally told by the Lord that Mitt Romney would win the 2013 election. Oh, wait. I guess he got some bad intel about that last one. But the rest of them are all truth! At least in his mind! This is a man who, at this point in his life, seems like a caricature of a crazy right-wing grandpa losing his mind. Except Robertson’s reach is long and his influence is deep and he has been reaping the rewards of hate speech for decades. But at least Robertson and his ilk will eventually die out. n
This is the man who dared to speak out about the razorsharp AIDS rings that homos wear to infect unsuspecting people they shake hands with.
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
A different kind of New Year’s column For those who read this column or have toric John C. Anderson LGBT-friendly kept up with my activities during the last senior affordable apartments, the nation’s year, you might feel, as I do, that it’s been a largest LGBT building project, at close to special year. In fact, for me it has been the $20 million. And it has been a success in best year of my life and, at 63, that’s saying more ways than we ever expected. JCAA something. I spent 45 of those years as a is now fully occupied with a waiting list of gay activist, or what we might today call a more than 100, and has partnerships with fighter for equality. But a good deal of that three community organizations. And it is great feeling of this past year comes not the first LGBT-friendly building to be built from my personal efforts but from those of in the nation with not one cent from the many. Ah, that old line: It takes community; instead, backer the a village. Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund The top story for the LGBT has donated more than $200,000 community this past year was into our community organizamarriage. We started the year tions. with marriage equality in just Then there was PGN win17 states and the District of ning more awards than ever, Columbia. Today, we’ve proand one of the highest awards possible in the journalism field: gressed to 35 — more than the Society of Professional double, with more expected this month. The effort to get Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi us there was one started in Award, which was given for the late 1960s with the Rev. our more-than 12 years of Troy Perry of Metropolitan investigative reporting on the Community Church. It went Nizah Morris case. We shared on to be taken up by such that award with the Wall Street Mark Segal Journal. agencies as Lambda Legal and American Civil Liberties Putting all that together and Union, Gay & Lesbian Advocates and making it personal, there’s a pure smile Defenders in Massachusetts. Then it was of joy on my face. Each of those issues on to Proposition 8 in California, and in the touched me personally — and so much background almost all the time was Evan happened in just a two-week period. Wolfson and Freedom to Marry. Add that to In mid-June, PGN editor Jen Colletta, the efforts by Human Rights Campaign and writer Tim Cwiek and I went to the various state organizations and we as a Washington, D.C., to accept the SPJ award. community can say it was a unified effort. The following week, Jason and I were at the White House for the president’s Pride Second on the list of LGBT issues in 2014 was Russian president Vladimir reception, which his staff urged me to Putin and the Sochi Olympics. At first, attend since they had a surprise in store the community attempted to put pressure for me: As the president gave his remarks, on Russia’s vodka business, then went to a line was inserted into the speech about Lukoil and then the broadcasters and the LGBT-friendly senior affordable housing. news media covering the Olympics. NBC The staff patted me on the back, and Jason had the contract for the event and did us and I walked over to the portico entrance proud by not backing down to Putin. In where the Marine band was playing and we fact, NBC made it a point to send LGBT danced. staff and reporters to the Olympics and One week later, on July 5, we married. It was the happiest day of my life, and almost continuously pointed out the homophobia immediately I began to see the differences in Russia. They did this cross-platform, on all their channels. While the situation made that that piece of paper meant. Soon, I Americans and the outside world aware began to believe I was the happiest man of the dire conditions of homophobia in alive. All my dreams, both personal and community, were a reality. Russia, it unfortunately did little for the LGBT Russian community once the games As to 2015, there will be challenges, but there is much excitement, and a few surended. Third was a slight opening with the prises ahead I expect. I’m very excited by Catholic Church, led by Pope Francis. He its prospects. But looking back on 2014, still has opposition to his softer treatment the plan for success is obvious: Work as of the LGBT community, women, those a united front and we can find success. who have been abused and others, and the Happy New Year, and a prosperous 2015. n opposition is headed by figures such as Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput. Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the Insight into where the church is headed nation’s most-award-winning commenmight be gleaned when the pope visits tator in LGBT media. You can follow Philadelphia in September for the World him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ MarkSegalPGN or Twitter at https://twitter. Council of Families. Then there was the opening of the hiscom/PhilaGayNews.
Mark My Words
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
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Street Talk What's your New Year's resolution? "Take more time to pamper myself. Get a massage and pedicure. And increase the time I spend in meditation. Alexandra DiFilippo I've been Reiki practitioner overRoxborough extended. If I'm not tending to my own needs, I can't be there for anyone else."
"Have more patience, in general. I've been a little short with people lately. I've been stressed out and taking Christine it out on Marschilok other people. physician That's not my Rittenhouse Square true nature. I'm normally more easygoing."
"Improve communication with my girlfriend. We've been together for eight years. We have a strong relationship. Kimberlee Mason We're both artist Pisces. Society Hill But I want to get better at sharing everything with her. I tend to be introspective. I don't always tell her what I'm thinking."
"Join a social-change group that can help bring people together. There's too much unrest and racial John Schmidt prejudice in construction worker the country. Queen Village I used to be with Occupy, but that [movement] fell apart. I want to appeal to people's better instincts, so we can all get along."
Letters and Feedback In response to “Day in the Life of: a media coordinator, Hillary Lassoff,” Dec. 19-25, 2014: A beautiful bio. I feel like I know Hillary now, and what’s not to like? Also kudos to PGN. Their mobile website is beautiful and easy to use, pet peeves of mine and I approve! — Eric Axelson In response to “Charges upheld against Center City gay-bashing suspects,” Dec. 16, 2014: I’m so disgusted by this I can’t even find
words to elaborate. My sincerest condolences to the victims and my most vehement hope for the perps that one day soon, karma catches up with them and they get to feel the terror and helplessness the victims felt. Blessed be. — Kathy Ahearn In response to “More PGN holiday reads,” Dec. 12-18, 2014: Thanks for the shout-out, guys! And what an incredible write-up too. I’m flattered. — Justin Luke
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
TOP PGN PHOTOS
Favorite photos mark memorable moments By Scott A. Drake scott@epgn.com Some years, covering the LGBT community for PGN seems like going through the routines of check presentations, awards, fundraisers, galas, parades, festivals and protests — but not this year. Just with marriage equality leaping from the precipice and sticking the dismount, there was a larger-than-usual number of special events in 2014, like the Gay Bowl, the first QFlix, expanded Pride events and more.
We published hundreds of photos during the year and it’s a monumental task just flipping through them all even to pull out the interesting ones, and more to pare them down into a package of favorites. Given that a couple of favorites were in the paper last week accompanying the top stories features, I’ll give them mention here without reprinting the images: The group marriage photo from Pride that spanned the top of page one following the event, and the Love Wins photo from the marriage-equality rally at City Hall are tops in my book. Here’s what else we have for 2014:
1. I love a parade I’ll go out on a limb right off the bat and say this photo from the Philadelphia Pride parade in 2014 will garner one or more awards this year. The colors, sense of motion, the depth and composition are on point. Pride garnered me several really good photos from the parade and the performances by Well-Strung and the Village People, but this one wins, hands-down. Others are included in the photo finish at the end.
3. The decisive moment Harkening to photos by the master of the decisive moment, Henri Cartier-Bresson, this photo captures a tag made with the runner poised mid-air for the out. It was the final game of the City of Brotherly Love Softball League Fall Ball season in FDR Park and the first, long anticipated, cross-sport gathering staged by Out Philadelphia Athletic League, the city’s new LGBT sports-umbrella organization. Kickball, softball, soccer, runners, flag-football players were among some of those who joined in. I’d put money on this one winning a sports photo award. That’s three I’ve gone out on a limb for this year.
2. Love is love Another contender for recognition is a wedding performed by the Hon. Dan Anders in Love Park. It is a nice picture for its composition content and emotional feel. It doesn’t hurt that there’s a big “LOVE” in the shot either. The number of couples getting married in the summer of 2014 was quite impressive, and this one is a fine representation.
4. Germany vs. Argentina Philadelphia Falcons soccer players and friends gathered at Westbury bar and restaurant frequently during the World Cup (and at this final game photo) to watch, curse and over-imbibe while cheering for their favorite team. This picture has not only the enthusiasm of the group but a faux trophy also. The Falcons are still around and you can find out more information about them at falcons-soccer.org, but we must retire the Westbury from play. Its unfortunate demise leaves a hole in the heart of the Gayborhood.
TOP PGN PHOTOS
5. Welcome back, Giovanni The community almost lost a jewel this year when Ed Hermance announced his retirement. After a flurry of ideas and rumor-buzzing, and a brief hiatus, we welcomed back an old friend in new-friend clothes. The store soft-opened Sept. 12 and Becky Hanno, Alan Chelak, Dorian Onifer and Haden Reed signed the dollar bill from the first purchase at Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room, located at 12th and Spruce streets in the space previously occupied by Giovanni’s Room, the nation’s oldest LGBT bookstore.
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
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8. A tribute Following Gloria Casarez’s funeral Oct. 24, the rainbow flag at City Hall remained at half-mast in her honor. Casarez, the city’s director of LGBT affairs, died Oct. 19.
6. Making a wish I spent a weekend in New Hope this chilly spring to do research for our Bucks County issue. Our home for two nights while we scurried about to restaurants, a wine tasting, museums and just wandering around and kicking back along the canal was The Wishing Well Guesthouse (wishingwellguesthouse.com). The full feature and associated stories and photos are online at issuu.com/philagaynews/ docs/pgn051614/1.
One last look: 7. Hanging in there State Rep. Brian Sims does a practice rappel down four stories at One Commerce Square to bring attention to the larger rappel event Oct. 24 to raise money for Philadelphia Outward Bound Schools. Besides being an awesome pic, the fun here is leaning out far enough to get the shot while not wearing a safety harness. Oh, and did we mention Sims has a fear of heights?
Photos: Scott A. Drake
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
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A French court has ordered a gossip magazine to pay 20,000 euros ($24,393) in damages for “invasion of privacy” after having outed one of the far-right National Front party’s top officials. The French Closer magazine is famed for its invasive coverage, printing topless photos of Duchess Kate Middleton in 2012 and exposing President Francois Hollande’s alleged affair with an actress last year. Florian Philippot is the deputy leader of the French Front National, which has been accused of fostering homophobic violence by aligning itself with aggressive anti-marriage-equality factions and violent groups. Last month, Closer published four pages of photos taken in Vienna of Philippot with a TV journalist presented as his boyfriend whose face was blurred out. Gregoire Lafarge, Philippot’s lawyer, argued that the magazine had not acted in the public interest but purely to make money. “Mr. Philippot is admittedly a public figure but he is not a celebrity and has always explained that sexuality is an intimate affair,” he said. “To ‘out’ [someone] is to stigmatize. After sexuality, what will we throw out to the public — religion, health?” added Lafarge, who had initially asked for 50,000 euros in damages. But Delphine Pando, lawyer for Closer, argued the magazine had revealed the information in the public interest. She pointed out that Philippot was high up in the National Front party, which was strongly divided on the issue of same-sex marriage. On Dec. 24, a judge in Paris ruled Philippot’s private life was not widely known and he never intended to publicly reveal it. The magazine was also told to publish the verdict on the front page and pay Philippot 3,500 euros ($4,268) for his legal fees.
Morocco: Two men imprisoned for sex Just months after an international PAGE 17
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
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Smithson says the reports should have been excluded, because the serologist and toxicologist who performed the tests weren’t present to be cross-examined. Smithson contends he was denied his Sixth Amendment right to confront his accusers, due to their absence. But the judges said Smithson wasn’t prejudiced by their absence, noting that their representatives were available for cross-examination. Additionally, Smithson said Smith should have objected to damaging statements by a relative and a friend that were read into the record during his trial. Not having the individuals present for cross-examination also violated his Sixth Amendment right, Smithson contends. But the judges said Smith made a reasonable decision to keep the individuals off the witness stand, because they may have uttered more statements damaging to Smithson. “[Smith’s] strategy had a reasonable basis designated to effectuate his client’s interest,” the judges stated. Smithson, 49, remains incarcerated at a state prison in Huntingdon. n INT’L from page 14
outcry which led to the release of a British tourist imprisoned there, Morocco has jailed two men for having gay sex. A court sentenced two men on Dec. 23 to three years in prison for “homosexual practices,” the maximum penalty under the law. The ruling was fast-tracked, after the two men, believed to have been local to the area, were found having sex on Dec. 13. They were detained and appeared before the public prosecutor the same day. Ray Cole, 70, a retired magazine publisher from Deal in Kent, was imprisoned in Morocco in October, during a holiday to visit a Moroccan man, Jamal. Cole, who was released following a pressure campaign, remained strongly critical of Morocco, and described his 20-day incarceration as like “a concentration camp.” Hotel searches for Marrakesh reportedly fell by 46 percent one week after the news broke of Cole’s imprisonment in October.
Egypt reduces sentences in wedding case An Egyptian appeals court on Dec. 27 upheld the conviction of eight men for “inciting debauchery” for appearing in an alleged video of a same-sex wedding, but reduced their sentences from three to one year in prison, a court official said. The court didn’t immediately give a reason for reducing the sentences handed down last month. The eight men were convicted based on an Internet video showing two men exchanging rings and embracing among cheering friends at a party on a Nile boat.
OUT LAW from page 7
Social media progress and pitfalls Earlier in 2014, Facebook gave its users more than 50 custom gender options, including “transgender” to “gender-fluid” and “intersex” and also rolled out options for pronoun choices such as “her,” “him” or “them.” Simultaneously, Facebook provided users with custom privacy settings for their stated gender information so that people didn’t have to share their gender settings with the world, aka their bosses or unsupportive family members and highschool bullies. A few months ago, however, Facebook took several steps back when it tried to force its users to use their legal names on the site. Drag queens and other members of the LGBTQ community were extremely vocal opponents of the policy, claiming it disproportionately affected members of the LGBTQ community. While Facebook officials said they weren’t targeting the community, they quickly realized they had made a major fumble and reversed the policy. Convert this! Conversion-therapy bans survived BELLS from page 7
have experienced their own traditions of awkwardness when hoping to hit the dance floor with their partners at previous weddings. The hosting couple should, then, take the opportunity to take the lead on the floor and encourage all guests, LGBT or otherwise, to join them, upending the traditional picture of slow-dancing opposite-sex couples. Activities From the cake-cutting to the speeches, the dancing and dining is sure to be interspersed with a few activities — one of which involves most of the guests, yet is highly sex-segregated, thus challenging for same-sex couples. The bouquet and garter tradition is very LGBT-rights activists say 2014 was the worst year in a decade for Egypt’s gay community, with at least 150 men arrested or put on trial in connection with their alleged homosexuality. Egyptian law doesn’t explicitly prohibit homosexuality, so the defendants are tried for “debauchery,” a charge normally reserved for prostitution. In conservative Egypt, which is majority Muslim with a sizable Christian minority, homosexuality is taboo for both religions. The latest crackdown took a dramatic turn when a private TV station filmed a police raid on a Cairo bathhouse, showing half-naked men escorted by police. The 26 men were swiftly referred to trial, which opened Dec. 21. Activists cast the arrests as part of a widening crackdown on personal freedoms following last year’s military overthrow of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, and an attempt by authorities to boost their credentials as guardians of public morality. n — compiled by Larry Nichols
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
review by the highest court in the land. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to overturn a California law banning conversion therapy aimed at gay youth and let stand an appeals-court ruling that upheld a law barring licensed therapists from trying to change the sexual orientation of patients under 18. Similarly, a federal appeals court upheld New Jersey’s ban on conversion therapy of youth under 18 by a 3-0 vote. The Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that the ban did not violate the free speech or religious rights of counselors offering conversion therapy. Talk about a landmark year. I’m exhausted just from writing about it! With that said, there is still work to be done. We can get married in more than half of the states and, regardless, we enjoy the federal rights of marriage but, when we put in for our “gay honeymoon,” we can still be fired in 29 states where workplace protections for gender identity or sexual orientation don’t exist. Most straight people don’t even know this is a problem, yet it has been estimated that the lack of a federal LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination law affects 4-million LGBT workers. skewed toward opposite-sex couples; the man retrieves the woman’s garter and tosses it to his single male guests, while the woman throws her bouquet to the single ladies. Same-sex couples have to decide if they want to keep any vestiges of this longstanding tradition, or try something new. Some alternatives for same-sex couples (or others not into the oft-awkward escapade of the garter being placed on the unfortunate single gal who caught the flowers) include two brides both tossing bouquets (or another object if one or both aren’t carrying flowers) to a crowd of singles, both guys and gals; two grooms sending a bowtie or cummerbund flying into the crowd; or totally eschewing the tradition in favor of a new one. For instance,
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The Employee Non-Discrimination Act passed the Senate last year, but Speaker John Boehner ensured it wouldn’t come up for a vote in the House, and it’s now been set adrift in a Republican-controlled Congress, which doesn’t bode well. If nothing else, here in Pennsylvania, we all have to work to pass HB 300 and make sure that at least Pennsylvanians are safe both at home and in the workplace. For now, just take a moment and revel in all of the progress that has been made in the LGBT movement for equality. We’re incrementally getting there as a society and, if 2014 is any indication of what’s to come in 2015, I’m looking forward to another amazing roller-coaster year! n Angela D. Giampolo, principal of Giampolo Law Group, maintains offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and specializes in LGBT law, business law, real-estate law and civil rights. Her website is www.giampololaw.com and she maintains two blogs, www.phillygaylawyer.com and www.lifeinhouse.com. Send Angela your legal questions at angela@ giampololaw.com. an activity like an anniversary dance — in which married couples are invited to the floor to dance and asked to be seated according to the length of their marriage, until the longest-married couple is standing — pays tribute to the older guests while exempting the single folk from that awkward volleying for (or away from) the bouquet and garter. As many traditions as there are that abound at wedding receptions, there are just as many, and more, ways to make them your own. Embracing the spirit behind the traditions you like, and kicking to the curb the ones that you don’t, can make your reception a meaningful blend of old, new and you. n
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Page Page Page Page Page
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Events scene to keep things hot By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Wow! What a year 2014 was. We’re all happy to have made it to 2015 in one piece and can’t wait to see what fresh excitement waits for us. The first few months of the New Year are overflowing with arts, music and theater events of all kinds to keep us all occupied and entertained during the cold, dark months leading up to the glorious, bright, sun-drenched joy that is spring and summer. So put on your snazziest boots, scarves and gloves because, this winter, there are plenty of things going on around town that are worth braving the cold weather for.
Books
Eric Foner The author of “Gateway to Freedom: The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215567-4341. Marky Ramone The author of “Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life as a Ramone” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215567-4341.
from the Great Society to Same-Sex Marriage” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. March 23 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341. Candice Bergen The Emmy Award-winning actor and author of “A Fine Romance” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. April 9 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215567-4341. Michelangelo Signorile The out advocate and author of “It’s Not Over: Getting Beyond Tolerance, Defeating Homophobia and Winning True Equality” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. April 23 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-5674341.
Classical/ Opera/World Music
Eschenbach Visits The Philadelphia Orchestra performs with conductor Christoph Eschenbach Jan. 8-10 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800.
Ladysmith Black Mombazo The South African a-cappella group performs 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2 The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Feb. 5-7 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Classic Soul The Philly POPS perform timeless hits Feb. 6-8 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Russian Masterworks The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Feb. 12-13 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Beethoven’s Pastoral The Philadelphia Orchestra performs March 12-14 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. The Planets The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Gustav Holst’s
orchestral suite March 20-22 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-7905847.
performs May 7-9 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-3522887.
African Children’s Choir Dance Affiliate and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents vocal and dance chorus 10:30 a.m. March 27 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Comedy/Humor Patton Oswalt The comedian performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 10 at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-3522887.
Lisa Lampanelli The comedian performs 8 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-3171000.
Damon Wayans The comedian performs Jan. 22-24 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.
Ralphie May The comedian performs 9 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-3171000.
Beethoven and Mozart The Philadelphia Orchestra performs April 10-11 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Epic Hollywood Soundtracks The Philly POPS perform scores from blockbuster films April 10-12 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Modern Fairy Tails The Philadelphia Orchestra performs April 16-18 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Beethoven’s First The Philadelphia Orchestra
John Oliver The comedian performs at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-3522887. Hannibal Buress The comedian performs 9 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-3171000. Chris Tucker The comedian performs 8 p.m. Feb. 6 at Tower
Margaret Cho The out comedian performs March 1-4 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. Kathy Griffin The comedian performs 8 p.m. March 14 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Lewis Black The comedian performs 9 p.m. March 20-21 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Deborah Voigt The author of “Call Me Debbie: True Confessions of a Down to Earth Diva” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341. Barney Frank The openly gay author of “Frank: A Life in Politics
Greg Proops The comedian performs Feb. 27-28 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.
MARGARET CHO (from left), BILLY IDOL, JOHN OLIVER, AFRICAN CHILDREN’S CHOIR, PILOBOLUS DANCE THEATER, THE LION KING (THE MUSICAL), THE DECEMBERISTS
David Sedaris The comedian performs 8 p.m. April 8 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650. PAGE 24
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
PREVIEW from page 23
Dance
Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts present the dance company that combines elements of theater, performance art, opera and ballet Jan. 15-17 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900. Prodigal Son The Pennsylvania Ballet performs the classic story Feb. 5-8 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-7905800. Black Grace Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts present the New Zealand-based dance company Feb. 12-14 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900. Swan Lake The Pennsylvania Ballet performs the classic story March 5-15 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Jessica Lang Dance Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts present the classic ballet company with contemporary influences March 19-21 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900. RUBBERBANDance Group Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts present the company combining hiphop and ballet influences April 16-18 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900. PHILADANCO The dance company performs April 17-19 at The Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Pilobolus Dance Theater Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts present the gymnastic, gravity-defying dance company May 7-11 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Exhibits
Represent: 200 Years of African American Art Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition highlighting its collection of African-American art Jan. 10-April 5, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Drawn with Spirit: Pennsylvania German Fraktur from the Joan and Victor Johnson Collection Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of decorated Germanic documents featuring brilliant colors Feb. 1-April 26, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100. duplicate.until response. Hooloon Art Gallery presents an exhibition of duplicates of artwork created and inspired by the act of community balloon releases Feb. 7-March 15, 53 N. Second St.; 215-560-8167.
PGN FEATURE
Kaki King The out guitarist performs 8 p.m. Jan. 31 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Who’s Bad The Michael Jackson tribute band performs 8 p.m. Feb. 7 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215572-7650. ABBA the Concert The ABBA tribute band performs 8 p.m. Feb. 13 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-5727650. 50 Cent The rapper performs 8:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Sarah McLachlan The singer performs 8 p.m. March 14 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609317-1000. ZZ Top The rock band performs 9 p.m. March 14 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000. Neil Diamond The singer performs 8 p.m. March 15 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543. Motionless in White The goth/metal/industrial band performs 7:30 p.m. March 29 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
Ink and Gold: Art of the Kano Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition highlighting the artistry of the esteemed Kano painters, Feb. 16-May 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100.
Music
Seether and Papa Roach The rock bands perform 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000. Marilyn Manson The shock rocker performs 8:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000. Billy Idol The punk-rock icon performs 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887. Erin McKeown The out singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. Jan. 30 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; 215-928-0978. Sophie B. Hawkins The singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. Jan. 31 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; 215-928-0978.
Theater
Private Lives Walnut Street Theatre presents Noël Coward’s comedy about a divorced couple who ends up honeymooning with their new spouses at a French seaside resort Jan 13-March 1, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. The Miracle Worker Media Theatre presents the story of Helen Keller and her relationship with her governess Jan. 28-Feb. 15, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100. Mothers and Sons Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Tony Award-nominated play by Terrence McNally about a woman who leaves Texas after her son’s death and pays an unexpected visit to the New York apartment of Cal, her late son’s partner who is now married to another man and has a young son, Feb. 6-March 18 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420. Ghost the Musical Media Theatre presents the supernatural love story March 4-29, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
KHAKI KING (clockwise from top left), KINKY BOOTS, ANNIE, JESSICA LANG DANCE, MARTHA GRAHAM CRACKER IN PIG IRON THEATRE’S PIGoNOMETRY Chris Brown Coal Chamber, Filter, Combichrist and The R&B singer perAmerican Head Charge forms 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 Rock bands perform 7:30 at Wells Fargo Center, p.m. April 4 at the Trocadero 3601 S. Broad St.; 215Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215389-9543. 922-6888. Helmet The hard-rock band perThe Decemberists forms 8 p.m. Feb. 20 at The folk-rock band performs World Cafe Live, 3025 8 p.m. April 7 at Kimmel’s Walnut St.; 215-222Academy of Music, 250 S. 1400. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Maroon 5 The rock band performs 8 p.m. March 9 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-3899543. Ariana Grande The pop singer performs 8 p.m. March 12 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-3899543.
Indigo Girls The out acoustic duo performs with the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra 8 p.m. April 12 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800. Iggy Azalea The rapper/singer performs 7:30 p.m. May 10 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Moon Cave Azuka Theatre presents the world premiere drama by Philadelphia playwright Douglas Williams March 4-22, 1636 Sansom St.; 215- 5631100. And Then There Were None Walnut Street Theatre presents the suspense drama based on the Agatha Christie novel March 10-April 26, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
The Submission Quince Productions presents a comedy about a young Caucasian playwright who pens a play under a pseudonym about growing up poor and African-American, and then has to hire an AfricanAmerican actor to “play” the playwright, April 9-25 at Walnut Street Theatre Studio 5, 825 Walnut St.; 215-5743550. Hello Dolly Media Theatre presents the popular musical April 22-May 24, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100. Kinky Boots The Tony Award-winning musical about a shoe factory that finds a new lease on life making shoes for drag queens plays April 28-May 10 at Forrest Theatre, 1111 Walnut St.; 215-923-1515. The Lion King The musical based on the hit Disney musical plays May 20-June 14 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Misc.
Smiths’ Social The music of The Smiths is celebrated, 8 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888. Pig Iron Theatre’s Pigonometry Martha Graham Cracker, Brian Sanders’ JUNK and more perform at the theater company’s annual cabaret, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888. Sally Kellerman The actor and singer performs 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Rrazz Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-5961027.
Annie The classic musical about an orphan who wins the heart of a millionaire runs March 17-22 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Peek-a-Boo Revue The cabaret troupe performs a Valentine’s Day show 8:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400.
Dirty Dancing The musical based on the hit drama plays March 24-April 5 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
RuPaul’s Drag Race: Battle of the Seasons Drag queens from the show perform 9 p.m. March 7 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888. n
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Family Portrait
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
27
Suzi Nash
Sarah McBride: Authentic activism, from Delaware to D.C. As we make our way into a new year, there are a lot of things that we as a community have yet to accomplish, but we should take a little time to celebrate the tremendous strides we’ve made. Just a few years ago, if you’d told me that gay men and women would be casually discussing their same-sex spouses on TV, that politicians would clamor for the LGBT vote and that an openly transgender woman would be interning at the White House, I may have done a spit take (for the record, I don’t really do those ... ). Said intern is Sarah McBride and she’s not an intern anymore. Currently, McBride is the Special Assistant for LGBT Progress at the Center for American Progress. As an undergraduate at American University, McBride made national headlines when she came out as transgender in the student newspaper. A native of Delaware, McBride also serves on the board of directors of Equality Delaware and, in that capacity, helped lead and served as the primary spokesperson for the successful effort to add gender identity and expression to her state’s nondiscrimination and hate-crimes laws during the 2013 legislative session. In 2008, she served as a field organizer for Delaware Gov. Jack Markell’s campaign and, in 2010, as field director for Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden’s re-election effort.
through them that I discovered my love for politics.
PGN: I understand you grew up in Wilmington. SM: I did. I went to Cab Callaway School of the Arts for middle and high school and then moved to D.C. for college at the American University. Currently, I work at the Center for American Progress, which is a large progressive thinktank. I work on LGBT issues there, but I come back to Delaware at least two weekends a month.
PGN: When did you first start to realize that you were different from the boys around you? SM: I knew who I was, or am, for as long as I can remember. It wasn’t that I knew I was different, I literally knew I was a girl. But it was abundantly clear from society that who I knew I was, would not be accepted. I learned to keep it inside and try to ignore it. As I got older, I began to develop my love of politics. At 13, I started volunteering for various Democratic candidates, including campaigns for Attorney General Beau Biden and Gov. Jack Markell. The more successful I became, the more I thought I had to hide my authentic self, but I rationalized it to myself by saying, If I can make it worthwhile for me to be a boy for other people, by doing good things and creating positive change in my community, than being “Tim” would be worthwhile. If I was in a position to help other people who were struggling, then it was worth staying in the closet to keep that position. But once I got to American University and became student-body president, it became abundantly clear to me that I could no longer create the change that I wanted to create bringing only half myself to the table. I realized that staying in the closet was no longer an option. It was becoming insufferable.
PGN: Wait a minute, Cab Calloway as in “hidee hidee hidee ho”? SM: [Laughs] Right! The school was a creative and performing arts school and my mother was one of the founders. I took drama and then moved into film. It started as a magnet school and, depending on the metrics you use, it’s considered the second-best public high school in the state. It’s a fabulous, fabulous school. Beyond being a place for people to express their creative side, it’s a place where you can be your authentic self. It’s a very supportive and inclusive environment that I was very lucky to be in. PGN: What was a favorite role you played in the theater? SM: Oh God, in middle school I was in a number of plays but I soon realized that I preferred being behind the camera. Cab was a place where you weren’t just engaged in the arts, you were encouraged to be involved in the community in a way that a lot of schools steer away from. It was partly
PGN: Were you outgoing even as a kid? SM: I’d say yes, I always had a smile on, still do. I love meeting people, I love going out with candidates and knocking on doors and talking to people, going with officials to parades and greeting all kinds of people. I did student government in middle and high school, I did mock trial, you name it. No sports, though; I did all the bookish leadership roles. PGN: How many in the fam? SM: I have two older brothers, one who is 10 years older than me — he’s a radiation oncologist in New York, where he lives with his husband, Blake — and one who is eight years older who is the deputy attorney general in Delaware. I really look up to both of them. PGN: I have one older brother and it was crazy at times. What was the worst thing your brothers did to you? SM: There was a lot of rough-housing and I was usually on the receiving end from at least one of them. My mom was afraid they’d give me an inferiority complex. She now jokes that clearly that didn’t happen.
PGN: How did you even figure out what a transperson was at such a young age? It’s unfortunately not something they teach in school.
SM: When I was about 8, my mom and I were watching a sitcom that had a transgender guest character. The storyline was a gag: One of the main characters had a friend who’d transitioned and come back incredibly attractive, unbeknownst to the main character who fell for her, and it was the running joke throughout the episode. On one hand, the show taught me that there were other people like me and gave me hope, but on the other hand, it taught me that it was something to laugh at. If there’s one thing you know at 8 or 9, it’s that being the joke is not something you want to be. It was a mixed feeling of hope and fear. I remember looking at my mom and thinking, Oh God, someday I’m going to have to tell everyone this and you’re going to be very upset, it’s going to be really disappointing for everyone. PGN: How did you come out? SM: After telling a few close friends to test the waters, I finally told my parents. They were very supportive from the start
but absolutely scared for me, for my safety, for my job prospects. And sad, because it felt like they were losing their youngest boy. But what they soon understood is that there might be a component of me that you didn’t know was there and that I might look different but I was still the same person with the same interests, the same sense of humor and the same smile. It took some getting used to and was not without bumps along the way, but now they’re amazing trans advocates and were there
with me to work for the Gender Identity Nondiscrimination Act in 2013. They testified with me in front of the state Senate to help get it passed. PGN: I read that Christmas is big in the McBride household. SM: [Laughs] Oh yes, it’s huge! We all get into it. Me, my mother and grandmother just love Christmas. I was already reprimanded this year for drinking out of a non-Christmas mug. PGN: What prompted you to come out on Christmas Day in 2011? SM: I’d been struggling with everything, as I mentioned. I’d come to the conclusion that I needed to come out but I told myself that I wouldn’t do it on or before Christmas, I didn’t want to ruin it for my family. But my mom sensed that I wasn’t my usual self and asked me what was wrong. I just sort of blurted it out and, needless to say, we spent about 75 percent of that holiday talking about what it meant to be transgender, what I was feeling, their fears for me. We talked for hours and hours. It was an interesting time. I promised them that the next Christmas I wouldn’t have any surprises. PGN: Did you come out as gay first, like many folks, or was your being LGBT a complete surprise? SM: No, I identified as a straight cis male for my entire life until a few months before transitioning. I started dating a guy right before coming out and told a few friends about it. What it did for me was show me that I could deviate from what was expected of me and still be accepted. That I wouldn’t be considered a joke, which was my biggest fear. We only dated for a few months so I never mentioned it to my parents at the time. So yes, it was a shock. They didn’t know I had anything to do with the LGBT community. When I was student-body president at AU, I was working on getting gender-neutral housing with a campaign entitled “Live True to You.” When someone asked me why, there were three answers but I only gave two: that it was the right thing to do for students and that I have always been passionate about LGBT issues because my oldest brother is gay. The third was that I was transgender but I didn’t say that. It was the first time I gave an answer that was so glaringly incomplete. It was a watershed moment for me. PAGE 30
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
Theater & Arts Arts & Literature Allora and Calzadilla: Intervals Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of new and recent projects by Puerto Rico-based artists Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla through April 5, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Back to the Future The hit sci-fi film is screened 8 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888. Cirque de la Symphonie The Philadelphia Orchestra performs alongside the acrobats, aerialists and
jugglers of Cirque de la Symphonie Jan. 3-4 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Disney on Ice presents Frozen The hit film hits the ice live through Jan. 4 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215389-9543. Eschenbach Visits The Philadelphia Orchestra performs with conductor Christoph Eschenbach Jan. 8-10 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800. Forbidden Broadway Bristol Riverside Theatre presents a satirical roast of more than 30 Broadway hits Jan. 7-11, 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol; www. brtstage.org.
The Human Condition Twenty-Two Gallery presents a collection of figurative paintings and drawings by Laura Ancona that present a subtle critique of the conditions of life through Jan. 4, 236 S. 22nd St.; www. twenty-twogallery. com. Les Misérables Media Theater presents the classic musical through Jan. 19, 104 E. State St., Media; 610891-0100.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS PGN
Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-7905847. Paul Strand: Master of Modern Photography Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a major retrospective of the critical figure in the history of modern art, photography and filmmaking through Jan. 4, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100.
Mary Poppins Walnut Street Theatre presents the musical based on the classic Disney film through Jan. 4, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
Salsa Caliente The annual event featuring dance lessons by Flaco, 8 p.m. Jan. 9 at Painted Bride Arts Center, 230 Vine St.; www.paintedbride.org.
Motown the Musical The musical about the story on the legendary music label, Jan. 6-18 at
Vitra-Design, Architecture, Communication: A European Project with American Roots
COMING OUT SINGING: Drag performer and “American Idol” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Adore Delano comes to town to rock the house with her band in support of her debut album, “Till Death Do Us Party,” 9 p.m. Jan. 8 at TLA, 334 South St. For more information or tickets, call 215-922-1011.
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents some of the most innovative designs from the
family-owned Swiss company through April 26, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Music Day 26 The R&B group performs 8 p.m. Jan. 4 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400. Zoso The Led Zeppelin tribute band performs 8 p.m. Jan. 8 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400. Adore Delano The drag entertainer and her band perform 9 p.m. Jan. 8 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-9221011.
Cajun Dance Party featuring Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys An evening of Cajun/French music and fun, 8 p.m. Jan. 9 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Nightlife Beneath the Makeup A screening of the film that follows three Philly drag queens (Pissi Myles, Ariel Versace and Brittany Lynn), as they show what happens when the
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.
PGN ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
The Picture of Dorian Gray The film adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s novel is screened 2 p.m. Jan. 4 at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.
makeup comes off, 7-9 p.m. Jan. 3 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-9649675. Miss Everything 2: Opening Night Female-identified performers compete 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Jan. 7 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675.
Indigo Girls The out acoustic duo performs 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at Scottish Rite Auditorium, 315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, N.J.; 856-2706656.
Outta Town Pure Jerry The Jerry Garcia tribute band performs 8 p.m. Jan. 2 at World Cafe Live, 500 N. Market St.; 302994-1400. Count Yorga, Vampire The irreverent holiday comedy is screened 9:45 p.m. Jan. 2 at
YOU SPIN ME RIGHT ROUND … : Cirque de la Symphonie, the performance group featuring acrobats, aerialists and jugglers, performs alongside the Philadelphia Orchestra Jan. 3-4 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-790-5847.
Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.
Ernest & Celestine The critically acclaimed ani-
mated film about the unlikely friendship between a bear
and a mouse is screened 2 p.m. Jan. 3 at Colonial
Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-0223.
Cherry Poppin’ Daddies The swing-revival band performs 8 p.m. Jan. 9 at Sellersville Theatre, 24 W. Temple Ave.; 215257-5808. The Psychedelic Furs The new-wave
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band performs 8 p.m. Jan. 9 at The Ardmore Music Hall, 23 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore; 215-8966420. The Art of the Female Form The Merritt Gallery presents an exhibition on how femininity has been represented in contemporary art via a variety of artists, genres and media through Jan. 31, 385 W. Lancaster Ave., Haverford; www. merrittgallery.com. On the Verge Hedgerow Theatre presents the new comedy about the Victorian lady explorers traveling the globe, Jan. 8-Feb. 8, 64 Rose Valley Road, Media; www. hedgerowtheatre. org. n
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PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
Q Puzzle Public displays about private parts Across
1. Figure out in your head 5. Big Peter Benchley book 9. Hung loosely 15. “Otello” villain 16. Body of soldiers 17. Composer Debussy 18. With 22-Across, public display about a private part 20. Astronaut Buzz 21. Shakespearean forest 22. See 18-Across
24. Strides easily 26. Circumcision, for one 27. 15-Across was passed over for him 30. Coin of the land of Omar Shariff, Jr. 33. Toothpaste box letters 34. Cry before 37-Across? 37. Finish oral pleasuring 39. Yewell, who wrote 40-, 56-Across 40. With 56-Across, public display about a private part 43. Dick Button’s milieu 44. Isle of exile in Brando’s “Desiree” 46. Highest
point 47. “Evita” narrator 48. Hoopla 51. Keeps a breast of infant care? 53. Spelling of TV 54. It can cut leaves of grass 56. See 40-Across 60. Board that inspired James Merrill 64. Peace offering 65. Writer of 18-, 22-Across 67. Art that’s usually hung well? 68. Bannon’s “Odd ___ Out” 69. Morales of “Jericho” 70. Some Stein pieces 71. Kind of dunk,
PORTRAIT from page 27
PGN: How old were you when your brother came out and did that help pave the way? SM: I was about 12 and he was in college when he came out. My parents were incredibly supportive of him and his relationship. He was dating the guy that he’s now married to. I always knew my parents were very accepting people, but this showed me in a very tangible way that it was true. PGN: So moving to politics, what was it like working for Beau Biden? SM: I loved working for Beau. I was an intern on his campaign in 2006 and field director in 2008 and in between I was a field director on Gov. Markel’s campaign. Beau is a compassionate and smart person and in politics for the right reasons.
to Sue Wicks 72. Dune material
Down
1. Greek meat container, perhaps 2. Cowardly Lion portrayer 3. Like sharp cheese 4. “Giovanni’s Room” and others 5. Moonshine holder, for Gomer 6. Gay porn type 7. Tipplers 8. Gay-dog owner of “South Park” 9. Reagan Court appointee 10. Puts out 11. Inspector’s gizmos in a Rupert Everett flick 12. Wise guy 13. “Nurse
Jackie” star Falco 14. Pride places 19. Rub some oil on 23. Set straight 25. Honeypot lover 27. Blanchett of “Blue Jasmine” 28. Brewmaster Coors 29. Rio step 30. Ready for surgery 31. “Iliad” and “Odyssey” 32. Wealthy, to Mauresmo 35. System that can make it seem like more inches 36. “A Beautiful Mind” director’s TV role 38. Ball-bearing items 41. Actress Skye 42. Encourage
Carla and I know and love.” I’m really lucky. In so many ways, my experience has been so positive, but the sad part of it is, that’s the exception. Most people don’t have their family supporting them, let alone the governor. PGN: Something great about Delaware? SM: We’re really a community of neighbors. A place where everywhere you go, you find a connection with the stranger you’re meeting. We seem to be able to always find commonalities; it’s a comforting and wonderful feeling. I mean, after transitioning, the governor called me every week to see how I was doing. That’s the kind of thing that happens in Delaware.
PGN: Will we see Beau Biden 2020? SM: He’s announced that he’s running for governor in 2016 so who knows? He’ll be a great governor.
PGN: Speaking of things that happen in Delaware, let’s talk about the passage of the Gender Identity Nondiscrimination Act. SM: Prior to it being passed, it was entirely legal in Delaware, like in many states, to fire or not hire a person simply because they were transgender. It was perfectly legal to deny them insurance, deny them housing and throw them out of a restaurant or a store, simply because they were living true to themselves. Now that the act has passed, Delaware is one of the most LGBT-inclusive states in the nation. I worked on it and testified, my parents testified, we put a lot of work into it. I’m now working with Center for American Progress to try to make the case on a national level.
PGN: I understand you have quite a relationship with the current governor, Jack Markel. SM: He’s been a mentor to me and was extremely supportive when I came out. We spoke on the phone and he said, “Well, that’s big news.” Then followed by saying, “You are the exact same person
PGN: What was a high point of interning at the White House? SM: I worked in the Office of Public Engagement, which is sort of the front door of the White House. It’s the office that does outreach to different constituents and I was the liaison for the LGBT community. I absolutely loved it. I had many
PGN: Did the staff collectively shake its head when Joe Biden made one of his famous gaffs? SM: [Laughs] You know, everyone loves him! We don’t have too many national politicians in Delaware, so when he was nominated for vice president, we went crazy. It was like an earthquake. He’s definitely a lot more spontaneous than Beau but they are both thoughtful, caring people.
45. Willa Cather character 49. How to fondle? 50. Becomes erect 52. Gets more mileage out of 54. Horny guy? 55. Former NFL player Tuaolo 56. Shot a load 57. Med. care grps. 58. Stonewall Jackson et al. 59. Staying power, in “Variety” 61. Rick’s old flame 62. Tennis champ Billie ___ King 63. Dry as a bone 66. One limbs spread wide
amazing experiences, from meeting the president and First Lady to out Olympic athletes and other people who have made an impact on the LGBT community who were invited to the White House. But honestly, just being able to walk into the White House each day as my authentic self was an inspiring and empowering experience. To be hired and welcomed as my authentic self was something that was unforeseeable just five or six years before. PGN: [Laughs] Unfortunately, it seems that a lot of people are just walking into the White House these days! SM: I know! I was afraid they would stop doing the tours, but thankfully they haven’t because it’s a wonderful experience. PGN: So you met FLOTUS? SM: I did, she’s very warm. She speaks to the interns every semester and I got a big hug from her. PGN: I love the friendship between her and Jill Biden. SM: Yes, Jill is so down to earth. In addition to her day job as Second Lady, she’s still teaching. They’re both incredible women. PGN: Speaking of incredible people, tell me about your husband. I know he recently passed but was an activist as well. SM: Yes, Andrew Cray, he died of cancer last August. We got married about a few days before he passed. Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, officiated. We were very lucky to have had the time and experiences that we had together. PGN: What was he like? SM: He was one of the most kind, intelligent and comforting people I’ve ever met. We worked together at CAP. He was an LGBT advocate and a trailblazer on trans-
gender health care. He helped to co-found Out2Enroll, a project encouraging LGBT people to enroll for health insurance. Prior to Obamacare, one in three LGBT adults who made less than $47,000 a year were uninsured. A month before his death, he participated in an event at the White House celebrating the successful enrollment of more than 8 million people into health insurance following implementation of the Affordable Care Act. It’s a tragedy for those who knew him but also for those who benefited from the work he did. I learned much from him and he had a great sense of humor. PGN: OK, random questions. Any tattoos? SM: No, but I’m thinking of getting a tattoo of Delaware. My friends and I call ourselves “Statriots.” PGN: Funniest thing you did as a kid that your parents still talk about to this day? SM: I had a podium in my bedroom and I’d memorize speeches, carry the podium into the living room and I’d deliver them for my parents. n To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
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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
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
33
Real Estate Sale
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PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
ADONIS CINEMA
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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. gammaphilly.com. 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.; 609-683-5155. 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, 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. 2-8, 2015
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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 48:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available MondayFriday. See the Youth section for more events.
■ 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. Monday through Thursday; 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 ■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: 215-587-9377 ■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: 856-933-9500 ext. 221 ■ 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 ■ District Attorney LGBT Liaison: Helen “Nellie” Fitzpatrick, 215-686-
■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065 rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. ■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220; www.waygay.org. Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday Library hours: noon-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.
Key numbers 9980, helen.fitzpatrick@phila.gov ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378 ■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK
■ 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
■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBT-LAW; Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658
■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537
■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833
■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: 215-686-4670 ■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: 1-877-pride-2000
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.; 215763-8870. 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. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 1711 S. Broad St.; 215-629-2300; www.asiac.org. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through 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 appoint-
■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia GALLOP holds board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; GALLOP also provides a free referral service; 215-627-9090; www.galloplaw. org. ■ Greater Philadelphia Professional Network Networking group for area business professionals, selfemployed and business owners meets monthly in a different location throughout the city, invites speakers on various topics, partners with other nonprofits and maintains a website where everyone is invited to sign up for email notices for activities and
ment) at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215-685-1821. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing available 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, 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 chronicdisease management, including comprehensive HIV care, 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-noon Friday; 1-5 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.
Professional groups events; www.gppn.org; 215-9223377.
■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association The Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and students, meets for social and networking events; www. nlgja.org/philly; philly@nlgja.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 businesses and professionals. Visit www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com for information about events, programs and membership; 215-557-0190; 1717 Arch St., Suite 3370.
■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus A regional organization dedicated to promoting gay and lesbian tourism to the Greater Philadelphia region holds meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; P.O. Box 58143, Philadelphia, PA 19102; www. philadelphiagaytourism.com; 215-840-2039.
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 2-8, 2015
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