pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976 Family Portrait: Eric Singel PAGE 19
Vol. 43 No. 1
Jan. 4-10, 2019
G Philly folds
HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
Philly Bar Association names gay man as new PAGE 5 director
Hot shows for cold months PAGE 17
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Drag queen among Mummers judges By Adriana Fraser adriana@epgn.com The 2019 Mummers Parade may have had more LGBTQ representation on its judging panel, but many spectators said minority groups still need more visibility in Philadelphia’s iconic annual celebration. Ian Morrison, who performs as the popular Philadelphia drag queen Brittany Lynn, served on the parade judging panel for the first time. He was one of only two drag queens in the parade’s history to be a judge, said Leo Dignam, the parade’s director. “The experience was amazing, to be on the other side of things,” Morrison said. “It felt great to represent the community
and take part in something I’ve loved doing for years. I know this tradition — which has made a complete turn around — will continue to thrive and adapt for future generations.” Morrison told PGN prior to the parade that being a Mummers judge was “a much needed step in the right direction for LGBTQ representation” as the parade works to be more inclusive and diverse. Marion McKellan, a first-time Mummers Parade spectator from Wilmington, Del., said she expected to see more queer representation in a city renowned for its LGBT population. “I thought I would at least see a few LGBTQ groups or LGBTQ-inspired
Favorite photos from 2018
themes in the parade, but I haven’t seen any,” she said during Tuesday’s event. “Philly is known for having a lot of queer people but I’m not seeing much of the community here.” According to a 2015 Gallup analysis report, nearly four percent of Philadelphia residents identify as LGBTQ. It is not known how many Mummers identify as LGBTQ, but in recent years, the parade has only seen one LGBTQ-specific Mummer group. The Miss Fancy Brigade, the allLGBT drag mummers group that Morrison helped to form, was not part of this year’s parade, but Dignam said the group has been a crowd favorite since their first appearance in 2014.
Same-sex couple to file complaint in Mexico By Kristen Demilio editor@epgn.com
PAGES 14-15
The LGBT community isn’t the only underrepresented population when it comes to Mummery. Danielle Wellens, of Philadelphia, also watched this year’s parade for the first time and expressed surprise at the lack of people of color. “The costumes are exciting to see, but I thought I would see more people of color in the parade,” she said. The Mummers Parade has drawn criticism over the years for incorporating racism, sexism and homophobia in its acts, namely among the Comic divisions. Parade organizers implemented new rules for all Mummers that went into effect in 2017’s parade. They are no longer allowed to wear makeup that makes them PAGE 7
Two women turned away from holding their wedding at a Cancun resort plan to file a complaint with the Mexican government for discrimination. Giulia Umile and her fiancée, Jess, last month filled out an application to be married in November 2019 at Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun. They were planning to bring more than 30 guests to the resort, which runs about $800 per room a night in peak season. “We are not performing same-sex weddings at the moment,” Le Blanc wedding coordinator Laura Jiménez wrote in a Dec. 5 email to Umile, who provided a copy to
PGN. Mexico implemented a forward-thinking federal law in 2003 banning all forms of discrimination. Individual states determine certain matters such as civil law. In the state of Quintana Roo, where Cancun is located, same-sex marriage became legal in 2017. Le Blanc is one of 10 beachfront resorts in Cancun, Los Cabos and Jamaica owned by Palace Resorts. Officials from Palace refused to comment on Umile’s wedding. “It is an outright form of discrimination and it is just bad business,” said LGBT-tourism expert and author Jeff Guaracino. “For a luxury resort that proclaims to be an adults-only, all-inclusive resort, it is a surprising misstep.” Umile and her fiancée have since PAGE 5
New podcast examines life of gay black professionals By Adriana Fraser adriana@epgn.com A Philadelphia-based podcasting duo is introducing the voice of gay black professionals to the airwaves — a perspective they said is surprisingly lacking in the popular medium. Justin Bettis, 31, and Maurice Smith, 37, host “Category Is … ” a new, weekly 90-minute podcast on black culture, dating, politics and current events told through the perspective of two gay men of color. The hosts (who happen to be exes who remained friends after their brief relationship) share their experiences as working professionals living in Philadelphia while
providing commentary on trending topics and national news. “When you are of two marginalized communities, people have this idea that LGBTQ people of color have this homogenous thinking,” Bettis said. “We’re both black, gay professionals and we didn’t find that voice in the podcasting world. It was important to us to be examples of black men who are intelligent and well-rounded.” Since the podcast’s debut in October, the duo has released 15 full episodes and five short bonus episodes. The first episode featured the hosts playing a game of 17 questions as an introduction for listeners about who they are, with questions ranging from dating non-negotiables to celebrity
CATEGORY IS… HOSTS JUSTIN BETTIS (LEFT) AND MAURICE SMITH
favorites. The podcast has amassed an average of 300 listens a week with close to 300 Apple Podcast subscribers so far. Named as an homage to the documentary “Paris is Burning,” the program is loosely based on ballroom culture, in which each pop-culture topic or news item is presented as a “category”— similar to the runway categories in ballroom. The hosts also give “10s across the board” to people who have made headlines for inspirational or notable achievements. Other segments include “I Said What I Said,” in which the hosts share unpopular opinions, and a cocktail-recipe-sharing segment called “Whatcha PAGE 9
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Resource listings Legal resources • ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215-592-1513; aclupa.org • AIDS Law Project of PA: 215-587-9377; aidslawpa.org • AIDS Law Project of South Jersey: 856-784-8532; aidslawsnj.org/ • Equality PA: equalitypa. org; 215-731-1447
• Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations — Rue Landau: 215-686-4670 • Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-7603686; ppd.lgbt@gmail.com • SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-920-9537
• Office of LGBT Affairs — Amber Hikes: 215-686-0330; amber.hikes@phila.gov
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. • LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania; 3907 Spruce
St.; 215-898-5044, center@dolphin.upenn.edu.
• Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center
Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks.org.
• William Way LGBT Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220, www.waygay.org.
Health and HIV testing • Action Wellness: 1216 Arch St.; 215981-0088, actionwellness.org • AIDS Healthcare Foundation: 1211 Chestnut St. #405 215971-2804; HIVcare.org • AIDS Library: 1233 Locust St.; aidslibrary.org/ • AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800-6626080 • Bebashi-Transition to Hope: 1235
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• Mazzoni Center: 1348 Bainbridge St.; 215-563-0652, mazzonicenter.org • Philadelphia FIGHT: 1233 Locust St.; 215-985-4448, fight.org • Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center: 1201 Locust St.; 215985-9206 • Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207
Philadelphia Gay News (PGN) currently has immediate opening for advertising sales position available for an energetic, self-motivated individual with outstanding communication skills. Our ideal candidate must have polished sales skills with experience in lead generation and cold calling, combined with a track record of closing the sale. Qualifications: * Two years minimum of successful sales experience, former print and/or advertising sales are a plus * Strong verbal and writing skills * Excellent at relationship building * Ability to work independently and part of a team * Knowledge of local media market and LGBT community a plus * Computer literacy a must Salary/Benefits: Competitive Salary based on your past experience, plus commission. Our benefits package includes medical and dental insurance, paid holidays, vacation and a casual work environment. Qualified individuals interested in applying are encouraged to send their résumé. to mark@epgn.com
Other • Independence Branch Library Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection: 215-685-1633 • Independence Business Alliance; 215-557-0190, IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com
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Philly mag’s G Philly is no more By Adriana Fraser adriana@epgn.com After seven years, Philadelphia magazine has shut down its LGBTQ news section, G Philly, because “our community should be included in the larger conversation about Philadelphia and not segregated from it,” G Philly’s editor said in the online publication’s farewell post. Ernest Owens, now former editor of the magazine’s LGBTQ news segment, said in G Philly’s final article published Dec. 19 that moving forward, Philadelphia magazine will “integrate LGBTQ coverage into its primary news and lifestyle channels.” G Philly will no longer produce new content and its archives will still remain on Philly mag’s website. “As I began to expand our coverage, we started to see that our readership was becoming more diverse. There were more cisgendered or heterosexual people reading our content. There was an implication that the work we were doing and our coverage had an impact outside of the scope of the Gayborhood and the LGBTQ community,” Owens told PGN after G Philly’s announcement. “We don’t want the LGBTQ community to be isolated from the rest of the city and we don’t want the rest of the city isolated from the community. We’re taking out that section and putting it into the larger ecosystem of our news channels.”
Tom McGrath, Philly mag’s editor, told PGN following the annoucement that in G Philly’s absence, the magazine will still “continue to cover LGBTQ news because it’s a big part of Philadelphia. We didn’t feel the need to keep it in its own little box. LGBT news is news that everyone should be aware of.” G Philly originally distributed as a printed magazine in 2011 before transitioning to an online platform in 2014. Although Owens is parting ways with G Philly, he will not be departing from the magazine entirely. McGrath announced on its website Dec. 24 that Owens will be transitioning into a new role as a writer at large for the publication. He is the “first LGBTQ writer of color to serve in a senior writing position in the magazine’s history,” the statement said. “With all newsrooms, the more diversity you have across the board, the more accurate a depiction you’ll have of that city. You can’t cover a city that’s a majority of color and not have people of color in [senior] positions. If the people who are at the table look the same and come from the same circumstances, it’s never going to be accurate,” Owens said. Philadelphia magazine, which was first published as a quarterly in 1908, was criticized for having only one full-time black person on its staff until 2013. The publication was the subject of another race-related controversy after the release of a story
in 2013 by Robert Huber entitled “Being White in Philly: Whites, race, class and the things that never get said.” In the story, Huber argued that white Philadelphians have stopped addressing the city’s “poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods” because of a “queasiness over race.” He also reported white people’s apprehension to openly discussing race and that they were fearful of societal consequences if they addressed the fact that Philadelphia’s underclass was overwhelmingly black. Huber’s story included commentary from 10 sources, none of whom were black Philadelphians. Through G Philly, Owens provided commentary on the Gayborhood’s history of discrimination and racism as well as the racial issues within the LGBTQ community. He was the only person of color to serve as the editor of the publication. “We’re always looking to make progress in diversifying who’s on our staff. I’m happy to give [Owens] an expanded role on writing about issues beyond what he’s been covering so far,” McGrath said to PGN. Owens said “writing about racism within the LGBTQ community helped change how our community talks about the issue. It wasn’t something that was frequently covered and after seeing that impact, I want to take the work that I’ve done in that G Philly role and bring it to Philadelphia as a whole.” n
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“The idea of the exhibit is that it could stand on its own, with no related programming.” ~ Barry Loveland, on the traveling LGBT exhibit, page 7
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Philly Bar Association names new director By Adriana Fraser adriana@epgn.com The Philadelphia Bar Association’s new executive director said listening and learning are his key priorities as he begins leading the 12,000-member organization. Harvey Hurdle first wants to learn about the priorities of the association’s members. “I want to start off by exploring the needs of our members and really listening to what issues I should focus on and what matters most to the judges and attorneys who make up the organization,” said Hurdle, a former strategic-planning executive with more than 20 years of experience leading nonprofit and for-profit companies. He added he also plans to focus on “making sure that we provide the right services and benefits to our members, helping the organization to continue to stand up for the rule of law and continuing to expand access to justice.” Hurdle assumed the leadership role Jan. 1, following the term of interim executive director Mary F. Platt, Philadelphia Bar chancellor. Platt was appointed in July, after former executive director Mark Tarasiewicz announced his abrupt resignation. “The association’s leadership and staff look forward to working with Hurdle because of his passion for the association’s mission,” Platt said in a statement. She added Hurdle would be a good fit for the position because of his “financial, managerial and operational skills and experience as well as his business acumen.” Hurdle noted that his past experience with running a large, membership-based organiWEDDING from page 1
arranged to hold their wedding at a different Cancun resort. But Umile, COO of Slice Communications in Old City, said she’s not letting the matter drop. “I will absolutely file a complaint with the Mexican government,” she told PGN from El Salvador, where she is currently traveling. Rue Landau, executive director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, encouraged the couple to pursue the matter with the Mexican government. “The couple should file a complaint with the Mexican government to prevent the resort from discriminating against other LGBTQ couples in the future,” she said. “Antidiscrimination laws are in place for a reason — to ensure that everyone is treated equally regardless of who they love.” Palace Resorts properties are featured regularly on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Just last month, the out DeGeneres gifted a six-day stay at Beach Palace, a Palace
zation such as the Human Rights Campaign is “applicable” to his new position, but said he mainly wants to work on his “relationship-building skills, which was such a large part of my work at Sellers Dorsey and Leap Strategy.” Hurdle was the founder and president of Leap Strategy, an operational and strategic planning company for nonprofits and small businesses. He also was the COO and then CEO of Sellers Dorsey, a healthcare consulting firm, from 2005-15. In addition, he served as the CFO and COO of Welcome America! in 2016 and COO of the Human Rights Campaign from 2001-05. The Penn State graduate — a native of Delaware County who has lived in Queen Village for more than 30 years — said he wants to learn more about the Philadelphia Bar’s LGBT Rights Committee, which addresses the issues that are of importance to LGBTQ people in the legal profession. “So many of the gains that we’ve achieved in the LGBTQ community have come through because of really smart lawyers and brave judges,” Hurdle said. “Marrying my husband or adopting my son wouldn’t have been possible without them.” Rochelle M. Fedullo, who will lead the Philadelphia Bar Association as chancellor this year, said she looks forward to her partnership with Hurdle. “His exceptional talents, experience, energy and passion for our mission will be tremendous assets to our association,” Fedullo said in a statement. The Philadelphia Bar Association acts as a resource for attorneys, judges and politicians on controversial legal issues and serves as a meeting ground for legal professionals to share information. Non-lawyers can utilize the association for general information on how to address legal issues and where to seek assistance. n Resorts property in Cancun on day nine of her “12 Days of Giveaways.” Ross Williams, the show’s supervising producer, told Umile in an email that “we are aware of the articles” on Palace Resorts’ rejection of Umile’s wedding. Show publicist Melissa Little Padgitt responded to a PGN email with “no comment.” The show’s refusal to comment is “disappointing, to say the least,” Umile said. “To support a company that is so clearly discriminating against gays just doesn’t make sense. Ellen has a very powerful voice and this would be an amazing opportunity to put morals in front of business.” Guaracino said the tourism industry has been on the forefront of welcoming the LGBTQ community. Le Blanc “is not only out of step with the times, but also our industry,” he added. “This is not just an LGBTQ issue; this is an issue for all visitors who care about equality. Gay and straight travelers vote with their wallets.” n
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Liberals care about justice, not gender-neutral Santa An ABC News article from Dec. about our Muslim neighbors and their families who suffer when 14 stated, “Some say Santa should Trump tweets his hateful rhetobe rebranded female, gender-neuric. We care about our industry tral.” A Washington Post article workers who’ve lost from 2016 was titled, everything by believ“Don’t laugh: I have ing in the whitea serious reason for picket hegemonic raising my cats gendream propagated der-neutral.” by the American 1 Please show me percent to keep them an average liberal poor while forcing who gives a rat’s ass them to work. about these topics. Did you know that Before you think rats are more likely I’m some conservato be gay if they have tive nut job, hear me sister rats? I bet you out. These are not didn’t. And I can problems transgenwager that you never der people of color would have thought give a fuck about. Johnathan about something like This is white-culture unless some dipbullshit, and media Gilmore that shit on television or outlets like NBC and in your newsfeed said The Washington Post something about it. should be ashamed for painting Nobody thought about Santa’s liberals in such a way. gender until ABC News posted Why do you think conservaan article about it. Nobody cared tives and Republicans think liberabout whether or not you raise als are nut jobs? Is it because we a cat gender-neutral until The want equal rights for everyone? Washington Post published someIs it because we want serious gun thing about it. reform? No — it’s because news The crazy people we see on teleorganizations put the craziest, vision shitting on the street during most-ridiculous crap about gender-neutral cats and gender-neutral the Women’s March in D.C. and the “crazy liberals” screaming at Santas in front of America’s faces. guys for opening doors for them I’m not advocating or excusing are not the majority. We have much the very-vile and horrendously more important concerns at hand. violent policies attributed to the I’m a liberal. I’m also gay and conservative agenda; I’m shama veteran. I do not care if Santa is ing popular news outlets for shit reports that paint liberals as crazies gender-neutral. My boyfriend is gay. Many of our friends are gay. instead of portraying us for what We care about marriage equality. we really care about, i.e., minoriWe care about immigrants. We care ties, healthcare, education and the about the citizens of this country right to fucking exist. and the lives of those affected by Remember when CNN shamed Trump for tweeting a video depict- horrible international decisions made by the U.S., and the subseing himself as a wrestler taking quent consequences of those decidown CNN? How many times do sions (like a caravan of migrants). these popular networks pin ideoLeft-wing popular media like logically opposite correspondents CNN, ABC and The Washington against each other? What do we Post are living in a psychotic bubget from this? How many times ble, which ignores the very-real are we going to hear about Russia and horrible things happening in meddling in our elections while we consistently meddle in those of our backyard. They infiltrate the brains of our citizens and push other countries? Enough is enough. Liberals don’t conservatives away by showing give a fuck about Russia’s interfer- liberals as crazy. We are not. ence. We care about our transgenSincerely, der neighbor who is bullied daily, A liberal who cares about real forced out of a job and whose mere shit n existence is allowed to be debated Johnathan Gilmore is a formerly enlisted on “liberal” news outlets. combat Marine who was deployed to We care about the effects of Afghanistan. He writes about masculinredlining on people of color, and ity, veteran awareness and LGBT issues. we care about policy that should Gilmore graduated from Cornell University be aimed at fixing that. We care with a degree in communications.
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Traveling exhibit to raise LGBT awareness By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com LGBT advocates are preparing to unveil a new traveling exhibit intended to galvanize support for a statewide LGBT-inclusive antibias law. Pennsylvania is the only state in the Northeastern United States that doesn’t have such legislation. “The Long Road to LGBTQ+ Equality in Pennsylvania” chronicles the efforts of LGBT advocates in Pennsylvania, beginning with Philadelphia’s 1965 Dewey Restaurant sit-in. The exhibit is composed of six floor panels with texts and videos highlighting the
MUMMERS from page 1
look like another race, and no more than 25 percent of their makeup can be yellow, black or brown. Although problematic antics generally have been toned down, certain groups have continued to cross the line in satire and skits. This year was no different. The Finnegan New Years Brigade featured a participant dressed as rapper Jay-Z while another impersonated Mayor Jim Kenney on a leash on all fours pretending to be a dog. The skit was a dig at Kenney for advocating that the city should move the Labor Day concert festival Made in America off of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. He later restored the original location after criticism from Jay-Z, who owns Roc Nation, the company behind the festival and one of the kingmakers of the hip-hop community. In a statement released Jan. 2, Kenney said “the Finnegan group submitted its concept in advance of the parade, representing to both the city and Mummers organization that the performer portraying Jay-Z would be an African-American male and would not be dressed in blackface. The Finnegan group says that it complied with its theme application.”
political and personal struggles of achieving LGBT equality, said Barry Loveland, an organizer. The display will spotlight efforts to enact LGBT antibias laws in cities including Lancaster, York, Allentown and Harrisburg. The traveling exhibit is sponsored by the PA LGBT History Network, a cooperative group of organizations, institutions and individuals that have collections and/or an interest in LGBTQ+ history. The LGBT Center of Central PA is providing administrative support on behalf of the network. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held mid-February in the state capitol building in Harrisburg. Gov. Tom Wolf has been invited to attend, Loveland said.
The statement continued: “The City condemns the use of blackface in any form and will continue to work with the Mummers to ensure future performances are nondiscriminatory.” Famous Philadelphian Questlove, of the locally based hip-hop group The Roots, commented in an Instagram caption under a recording of the controversial skit, “Philly let’s act like it’s 2019 … we gotta do better than this.” More than 170 people replied to his post on Jan. 1, with one writing, “If you’re black and from Philly and support the Mummers, you are either blind or don’t know the history.” More than 10,000 Mummers marched in this year’s parade, held annually on New Year’s Day for the past 119 years. The 60-degree sunny day drew nearly 20,000 people to South Broad Street and the judging area to watch the extravagantly costumed marchers — most donning the signature golden Mummer boots — along the route that began at City Hall and ended at Washington Avenue in South Philadelphia. Mummers compete in one of five categories: fancy, comic, wench brigade, string band and fancy brigade, which is the only brigade that solely performs at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. n
A spokesperson for Wolf had no comment for this story. Three duplicates of the exhibit will circulate throughout various venues across the commonwealth, including in government offices, historical societies, museums and schools, Loveland said. The exhibit is meant to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, a pivotal event in LGBT history. It’s funded by grants from the SchlegelDeibler Foundation, the Magnus Hirschfeld Fund and the Montgomery County LGBT Business Council, said Loveland, adding The LGBT Center of Central Pennsylvania also is expected to contribute.
Venues for the exhibit will include museums, libraries, schools, community centers, historical societies and government offices. “A strategic priority would be to try to get the exhibit into places that don’t have local protections,” Loveland noted. He said it may be possible for speakers to appear at venues with the exhibit — which, in addition to presenting the history of Pennsylvania’s LGBT movement, is issuing a “call to action” for additional protections. “The idea of the exhibit is that it could stand on its own, with no related programming. But, depending on the situation, there might be accompanying speakers who can elaborate on it.” n
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Call For Artists The 2019 Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference (PTWC) is seeking artists/photographers for its annual cover art competition.
Theme We are looking for a visual narrative that moves the viewer to experience the beauty or uniqueness of any aspect of the trans experience.
Guidelines Submissions for consideration can be in any still medium— painting, photography, sculpture, collage, drawing, assemblage, should be expressive of the artist’s emotions, whether it is bold energy, subtle expression, inner beauty, or a unique vision. All art submitted should be family-friendly.
Eligibility
Remembrance • Resistance • Resilience
The competition is open to all artists who identify as transgender, non-binary, or gender non-conforming expressing themselves in any still medium.
August 2–4, 2018
2018 Artist Rae Senarighi
The cover art winners will receive a cash prize and a vending table for all three days of the conference (July 25-27, 2019).
Submission Deadline: March 1, 2019 (11:59 PM EST) On how to submit visit:
transphl.org/artists
Cover Art by Rae Senarighi
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Eating Out Should Be Fun! Read PGN’s food reviews every second and fourth week of the month
- and check out our archive of past reviews on epgn.com.
LOCAL PGN
International Thailand Cabinet backs civil partnerships bill Thailand’s Cabinet has backed a bill that would allow same-sex couples to enter into civil partnerships. The Bangkok Post on Dec. 25 reported an advisor to Prime Minister Prayuth Chanocha’s office said the measure would allow same-sex couples to adopt children and receive many of the same rights and privileges that heterosexuals receive through marriage. The newspaper said the bill will now go before Thailand’s National Legislative Assembly, where passage is not guaranteed.. A referendum on whether same-sex couples should receive marriage rights in Taiwan failed last month by a wide margin.
Same-sex couples to sue Japanese government over marriage equality Ten same-sex couples will jointly file a lawsuit against the Japanese government in February for not recognizing marriage equality, their lawyers said Dec. 28. The couples argue that the government’s position on same-sex marriage flouts equality under the law and freedom of marriage as protected in the Constitution. The couples, who are seeking compensation, will file the suit in district courts throughout the country, including Tokyo and Nagoya. Article 24 of the Constitution says, “Marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes.” The government has indicated that it interprets this to apply only to heterosexual couples, while the lawyers working for the couples argue that some legal scholars do PODCAST from page 1
Drinking?” “We’re from two completely different backgrounds and we’re not afraid to challenge each other’s opinions,” said Smith. “You get to hear from two people who are seemingly the same on paper but have different viewpoints about the same topic.” Bettis is an attorney and Smith is a data analyst. The two had no experience in podcasting other than being avid listeners. “One day over dinner in January, I threw out the idea of starting a podcast,” Smith said. “Our conversations were always funny and shady, so we thought it would be fun to document our kiki sessions.” The hosts began researching podcasting how-tos, such as best microphones to use,
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 4-10, 2019
not see it as prohibiting same-sex marriage. The government also argues that the term “husband and wife” used in the civic law and the family registration law indicates a man and a woman, and thus cannot accept marriage applications from gay and lesbian couples. Marriage equality has already been legalized in other parts of the world. The Netherlands was the first to do so in April 2001, followed by other European nations. “We want our call to be widespread so that the freedom to marry will be recognized for everyone,” said Shinya Maezono, one of the lawyers.
Activists gather in India to protest the Transgender persons bill Thousands of transgender, intersex and gender non confirming people and their allies came together in Delhi at Parliament Street on Dec. 28 to protest against the Government of India’s Transgender persons (Protection of Rights) bill, 2018. Waves of protests and press conferences have been taking place at the district and state level over the last week in all these states and all these groups converged in Delhi on Dec. 28 at Jantar Mantar. Members of communities all across the country came to Delhi from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, W. Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Manipur, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. The protest at parliament street took place in response to the Lok Sabha passing the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2018. This Bill contradicts, rather than protects, many of the rights and protections laid out in the country’s Supreme Court’s NALSA verdict of 2014. Along with the Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018, this regressive and dangerous legislation will subject the thirunambi, thirunangai, transgender, hijra, kinner, intersex and gender non-conforming communities in India to increased discrimination, harassment, and institutional violence. n — Compiled by Larry Nichols the right editing software and identifying competitors and frontrunners in the black LGBTQ podcasting market. “One of the hurdles we had to get over in the beginning is realizing that a lot of people who have started podcasts already had that social-media presence or write for The New York Times or have this YouTube channel they’ve been doing for years, so they have that built-in audience of followers and we didn’t have that,” Bettis said. “We’re seeing that we’re getting listeners in different countries such as London, Brazil and Canada,” added Smith. “We’re seeing these cities and countries pop up and we can see the potential for this to be big. Philly’s an underdog city, and we have that underdog spirit about our podcast.” n
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 4-10, 2019
EDITORIAL PGN
Transmissions
Gwendolyn Ann Smith
We are one for the ages
Editorial
We wish and resolve ... Adriana: My resolution for the year is to highlight more stories from underrepresented groups, especially transgender women of color. Don: I wish everyone to be more happy and peaceful in the coming year. Joe: I wish that all mankind inherits the gifts of love, friendship, good health and unity of country. Kristen: I wish that Americans from across the political spectrum would stop trying to hearken back to a time when America was in a better place. Whenever that time was, women were earning less than men for the same jobs, racism was destroying hope for millions of people and LGBTQ people faced rampant discrimination and exponential vulnerability to poverty, isolation and homelessness. It’s time to look ahead, not back. Human rights apply to all humans. Larry: My New Year’s resolution is to stay productive and inspired, to keep pushing in a positive direction, to purge all negativity from my day-to-day existence and, if all else fails, resist the seemingly pragmatic urge to learn to responsibly use and own a firearm. Mark: Like a contestant in a beauty pageant, what we need this year is world peace, better yet, sanity in our
government and respectful discussion of our differences in our community. And let the United States once again be the champions of human rights. A tall order, but I’m an optimist. Prab: My new year’s resolution is to spend more time doing things that bring joy and contentment in life, and to cultivate fond experiences with family and friends. Sandra: I fervently wish for no more bad news, of any kind: personal, political, societal, national, global ... No more pain, no more injustice, no more idiocy. Let’s have only good news, good laughs and, of course, good wine. Scott: My wish and hope for the New Year is that justice will prevail and we finish 2019 with a Democratic president, which the majority of this country wanted in the first place. Maybe the abolishment of the Electoral College too? Or is that asking too much? Sean: I hope this is the year the United States finally decides once and for all that hate and blaming are not how you actually make America great. My resolution is to keep pushing ond if it isn’t. Tim: My resolution is to focus on being charitable and to refrain from criticizing when it serves no constructive purpose.
It amazes me how so many seem to view the notion of “transgender people” as if it were something that magically winked into existence just five years ago. It’s as if the moment they first heard of transgender people is the moment transgender people came into existence, rather than it merely being the moment they stopped living in ignorance about the existence of transgender identity. The truth is, transgender people have always been here. That’s not to say you aren’t seeing more transgender people being out and visible than you may have in the recent past. The thing is, everything is more visible now, with the rise of social media and the incessant news cycle that always needs something to fill it. On top of this, as acceptance and visibility for the transgender population has grown, more people are feeling safer about coming out as transgender. So it may well seem there are a lot more transgender people around, which could lead some to think this is somehow a new phenomenon. The historical record is full of transgender stories, both in mythology and popular culture of the times. We know of the Cybele cult in Ancient Greece, whose members adopted female outfits and identity and castrated themselves in the service of their deity, and of Egypt’s Queen Hatshepsut, who wore male garments and a false beard. These are just two of a great many examples in the ancient world of what we might call “transgender identity” today. Then there’s Queen Christina of Sweden, who abdicated the throne in 1654, adopting the masculine persona of Count Dohna, and the Chevalier d’Eon, who opted to live as a woman in the 1770s. One can presume there were plenty more who were not of such renown, living outside the social columns of the day. Because those are such old stories, however, it is hard to augment them with the terms of today. We do not know, for example, whether Queen Hatshepsut adopted her garments as part of being a ruler, for example, and can only make educated guesses based on the historical record. But we can look at figures throughout the last 100 years. In 1918, some 20 years after Oscar Wilde set the stereotypes of gay male behavior that some still accept, a person who alternately went by Earl Lind and Jennie June released a book, “Autobiography of an Androgyne.” Four years later, she penned a second, “The Female-Impersonators.” The language is antiquated and conflates sexuality and gender throughout, but we can still see that June would have likely
considered themselves nonbinary or transgender by today’s standards. While June was living in New York City, Jack Bee Garland was doing social work after serving in the U.S. military in the Philippines and writing for the San Francisco Examiner. He was a transgender man. Meanwhile, in Germany, transgender and homosexual identities had a renaissance of sorts as Magnus Hirschfeld opened the Institut für Sexualwissenschaft (Institute of Sexual Research). There were popular nightclubs for transgender people in Germany at the time — that is, until the Nazis burned down the institute and sent transgender people to the camps with the homosexual prisoners. Had things been different, maybe we wouldn’t have a debate about how new “transgender” is today. In the postwar era, as the United States tested nuclear bombs, The New York Times hailed a different “bombshell” when Christine Jorgensen returned from Europe after her gender change, followed by many more such stories throughout the 1950s to today. That is a largely unbroken line from Jennie June to now, only interrupted by World War 2 and the atrocities of Nazi Germany. We’re not the latest fad, akin to planking and the ice-bucket challenge. For those who are not transgender, whether you view yourselves as allies, neutral or even hostile toward transgender people, know this: We’re not something new; not some modern contagion caused by the Internet or what have you. We’ve simply always been here, as much a variation of the human condition as hair color or sexuality. We may be something you don’t fully understand, let alone condone, but this doesn’t stop us from existing in this world. We have faced adversity and yet we remain. For transgender people, it’s important, even vital, to reclaim our history and understand where we come from. We are part of a long history, and have a place in this world alongside our non-transgender peers. Many have attempted to erase us, and none likely more successful than Nazi Germany, yet here we are. As our community continues to grow, driven by the ability to share with each other via our computers and cell phones, we can not only uncover this history, but forge the next links in the long story that is us. Let us continue to move forward, together. n Gwen Smith is proud of her own contributions to transgender history You’ll find her at www.gwensmith. com.
OP-ED PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 4-10, 2019
Safe sites Here’s an issue this paper has not dived into deeply drug markets, but with clean needles maybe their children enough that has caused neighborhoods in this city and oth- and relatives and friends wouldn’t be exposed to dirty neeers to reexamine a successful program from the dles or those who use them and might become AIDS epidemic that might have seen its time intimate with. As the neighbors settled down, pass. Safe injection sites. the state backed down. Once the Reagan administration shamelessly Well, it’s happening again and this time stopped STANDING IN THE WAY OF AIDS/ like the last, neighbors are worried about their HIV RESEARCH WE SOON LEARNED neighborhoods. Much has changed in treatment THAT transmission was largely through unproof HIV, but it is still out there and a larger pertected sex and drugs, high among them was centage of those contracting it are drug addicts injectable drugs, and with dirty needles. who inject. But there still is a new major reason Something revolutionary had to be done and to step up the program rather then attempt to from that was created the Safeguards, a group stop it. The nation is awash in a new epidemic, of gay men and allies who decided to go to that of opioids, and most start with pills and places in Philadelphia where drugs were readthen graduate to needles. ily available and hand out clean needles. Of course any program can be improved This action lead to some major controversies. upon. What about moving these safe injection First, the neighborhoods were up in arms. Then sites and promoting the new locations? That the state said they’d come in and arrest those that I toss out is a starting point on Mark Segal suggestion handing out the needles. Mayor Ed Rendell this discussion, but this old program, like the stepped up and said if state troopers were comsong, is new again. n ing to arrest, let him know when, and he’s arrested as well. The neighbors soon realized that with or without free nee- Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the nation’s most-award-winning commentator in LGBT media. You can follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ dles the safe places in their neighborhoods would remain
Mark My Words
MarkSegalPGN or Twitter at https://twitter.com/PhilaGayNews.
Letters and Feedback Why are there so many poor LGBT people in America’s most queer-friendly city? (Issue of Dec. 28-Jan 3) Very little affordable housing. What there is, is disappearing from gentrification or contractors paying fines to get around not building new lower cost homes and apartments. The various safety nets for everyone and the more specialized gay or HIV related support orgs are broken and not helping as they should either. Meanwhile, the young and/ or more wealthy gays scorn the poor, the sick, and the older. Philadelphia is not gay friendly to anyone who doesn’t fit in nice and neatly. Jim Zabczynski Exactly! Philly is truly gay friendly only if you are white, young, traditionally “attractive,” able-bodied, and wealthy. T.E. Burgos
Drag queen named as Mummers judge (Issue of Dec. 28-Jan. 3)
Person of the year honorees (Issue of Dec. 28-Jan. 3)
Well isn’t it really just one big drag parade? Of course a Drag Queen should be a judge!
Such a dynamic group! So glad to be among them.
Michael Daloisio Love all you do. A true agent of change.
Malcolm Kenyatta My former PMBA student, Tony Doran, made the list too. Already sent him my congrats.
Greg Davis I am a transgender string band Mummer. Looking forward to this year’s annual “You’re part of the problem” chastisements. Stéfan Hoïmes Wow! This is amazing knowing the history of this parade! Jason Latty
Oscar Holmes IV Morris anniversary haunted by lingering questions (Issue of Dec. 28-Jan. 3) Beautiful, fierce soul. I think we were the last ones to see her. James Potts She was awesome. I can’t believe they still haven’t found out who did it! n Susan Mcintyre
Street Talk Why are you at the Mummers Parade? “My wife and I have been coming for the last eight years. We like seeing the different costumes they make Wilfredo Beltran every year. pipefitter The enviWilliamstown, N.J., ronment is always a lot of fun in the City of Brotherly Love.”
"My friends told me about it. It’s their New Year’s tradition and I wanted to ring in 2019 with good Micah Carr friends and sales associate with a new Vineland, N.J., experience. It’s a lot more fun than what I was expecting."
“We recently moved to Philadelphia and I’ve never been before. It’s a really weird parade but it’s a lot of fun.” Pat Nellis
retired Syracuse, N.Y.
Tell us what you think Send letters and opinion column submissions to: pgn@epgn.com; PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147; fax: 215-925-6437. Please include a daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, style and space considerations.
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PGN
Committing to goals in winter months or even a year, and this doesn’t Have you ever noticed that every seaneed to be done alone. Hiring a trainer son is filled with guilt? can help with creating a structured pro“Get your summer body!” gram and will keep a person account“Stay away from your favorite foods able. Training with a friend can give this holiday season.” some direction and also will keep one “Get back on track.” accountable. “Bulk up this winter for a six-pack Aside from the physical side of health this summer.” and fitness, the most significant area There is a culture of guilt in the fitof guilt revolves around food. Don’t be ness industry that makes the idea of afraid to indulge. The stress staying healthy distasteful. of indulging can actually Better health and fitness tend cause someone to eat more to revolve around getting a than they had intended, and six-pack or losing weight if one eats more, so be it. Try instead of improving one’s to find a balance after indulgwell-being, confidence and ing on a snack by pairing it performance. with your exercise regimen. Physique goals require If you have an event planned longterm commitment and with lots of favorite foods, hard work. What makes those eat a fibrous breakfast and a goals — such as forming a balanced lunch. To avoid any six-pack — more unattractive future guilt, slowly introduce is the timeframe in which one healthier foods that you enjoy expects to reach those goals. Megan Niño into your eating plan. It’s not necessarily something The key is to do this over that will happen between time. Dedicate a season to adding variJanuary and March if you just joined a ety into your diet. Experiment with gym. different seasonings and modes of cookThe first goal should be to build the ing to switch up the way your dishes habit of going to the gym, learning how taste. With the right seasonings, one can to use the equipment and figuring out prepare favorite foods and desserts in how your body works. The second goal healthier ways. should be to start building a specific Planning meals and having a consisroutine and eating better. It’s OK to aim tent workout regimen will remove the for a certain physique, and it’s OK to guilt from the occasional indulgences just want to be healthier. Just be realisin life. Find a balance and have more tic and don’t fall victim to the seasonfun in the process. A health journey is al-fitness crazes. a lifestyle. It all comes down to good Instead, create your own seasons. If planning and balance. n weight loss, bulking or forming a sixpack is a goal, look at what areas in Megan Niño is a kinesiologist and personal trainer your life need to be adjusted. Adjust through her business Vigor Vida Fitness & Wellness. them and acknowledge that setbacks She is an energetic and positive person who prides happen as life happens. Create room to herself on teaching others to find empowerment in reevaluate and work past setbacks. their lives through fitness. She offers in-home training A person’s first season could take six in Philadelphia and on the Main Line.
Body U
You can find a copy of PGN in these east-central Pennsylvania cities: Annville • Lebanon Valley College, Sheridan Ave. • Allentown • Allentown Brew Works, 812 Hamilton St. • Bradbury Sullivan Center, 522 w. Maple St. • Candida, 247 N. 12th St. • Stonewall, 28-30 N. 10th St. • Bethlehem • LGBTQ Services Lehigh U, 25 Trembley Dr. • NOVUSACS, 1565 Linden St. Center Valley • Penn State Lehigh Valley, 2809 Saucon Valley Rd. Harrisburg • 704 Strawberry Cafe, 704 N. Third St. • AIDS Community Alliance, 100 N. Cameron St. • Brownstone Lounge, 412 Forster St. • MCC of the Spirit, 2973 Jefferson St. • Stallions, 706 N. Third St. • Lancaster • Downtown Books, 227 N. Prince St. • Sundown Lounge, 429 N. Mulberry St. • Tally Ho Tavern, 201 W. Orange St. •
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 4-10, 2019
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Poor LGBTQ fight for recognition even in their own community By Victoria A. Brownworth PGN Contributor Part two of a two-part series. Daniela Porter is succinct: “Let me say first that I am grateful for government aid. I was happy to pay taxes to support the safety net when I was able to work. I just didn’t realize then that poverty is a full-time job. Poverty means no errors, no emergencies, no extras, no energy.” Porter, 59, represents one of the LGBTQ community’s most-hidden members: She’s a disabled lesbian. She once had a thriving career in theater, with a secondary profession as a critic, until she started losing her eyesight in her 40s due to a rare and untreatable genetic anomaly similar to glaucoma. Her condition also gives her ocular migraines. Porter worked as long as she could, but sight was essential to every aspect of her careers. Now, like 3.3 million other blind Americans, she lives on disability in a small apartment zoned for Section 8 housing. By default, her income is below the federal poverty level — a situation that financially isolates and traps her, and with no apparent way to escape. The Social Security Administration, which controls and disburses government-based disability payments in the United States, restricts SSDI recipients to receiving between $700-$1,700 per month. (The average disbursal for 2018 was $1,197.) The Centers for Disease Control states that one in five Americans has at least one disability, making the disabled the largest minority in the country. It’s an often-brutal existence. “If you get any kind of government assistance, savings are not allowed,” Porter explained. “You can’t put a little aside each month against some future catastrophe, because savings are counted against any help you get.” Furthermore, those who receive disability payments from other sources will get a reduced SSA payment. Recipients can’t have more than $2,000 in what the administration calls “cashable or countable assets.” These don’t include one’s home or car, but do comprise all cash and money in bank accounts, including savings. It’s a situation that puts the poor into a Catch-22. “Ever wonder why poor people are so frequently missing teeth?” Porter posed. “One reason is that Medicaid only covers extractions, and when a tooth is extracted, the teeth on either side start to loosen, and pretty soon what would have been a simple repair means lots of gaps. That’s not just humiliating — although it certainly is. No, now you have more and more trouble chewing solid food, and you find that the softer food you can eat is either more expensive or less nutritionally valuable.” According to Feeding America, the largest agency in the USA tracking hunger and
providing food to the poor, one in eight Americans — 12.5 percent of the population — is food insecure, which means they are not getting enough to eat. In Philadelphia, that number is exponentially higher, with nearly one in four residents classified as food insecure. In November, a U.S. Census report found that while the percentage of food-insecure people decreased nationally in 2017, it increased in Philadelphia — to nearly 23 percent of city residents. It’s worse for LGBT residents: One in three is estimated to be food insecure. In May 2018, the National LGBTQ Task Force released data from a study by the LGBTQ Poverty Collaborative entitled “Intersecting Injustice: A National Call to Action, Addressing LGBTQ Poverty and Economic Justice for All.” The 155-page report corroborates Porter’s experience and cites that poor LGBTQ individuals are neither being served by mainstream anti-poverty organizations nor by LGBTQ advocacy groups. Issues of food insecurity, housing instability, low-wage earning potential and unemployment are all worse for LGBTQ people than for their heterosexual counterparts. Tyrone Hanley, policy counsel for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, is one of the authors of the report. He cited data for PGN in a press release from the National LGBTQ Task Force, noting, “One in four LGBTQ people — approximately 2.2 million people — did not have enough money to feed themselves or their families during some period in the last year.” Mateo Santiago grew up in Camden, N.J., home to a significant poor population. He left home at 16 because the fights over his obvious gayness were stressful, and he moved in with someone he described as “a daddy” in Philadelphia. The relationship didn’t last, and Santiago found himself living on the streets, along with a significant number of other teens who move between couch-surfing at the homes of acquaintances and sexual partners and staying at local shelters. Nationwide, about 40 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ and, like Santiago, are frequently ousted from their families of origin. Homeless advocates in Philadelphia put the number higher in the city than the national average. In September 2017, Project HOME dedicated a plan for 30 new housing units specifically for those ages 18-23, with an emphasis on LGBTQ homeless. Sister Mary Scullion, who cofounded Project HOME in 1989, has always included LGBTQ homeless in her ministry, recognizing the impact of discrimination on LGBTQ people. She explained that the youth-oriented housing, for which funding is still being raised, would be the first in the country and that it would also be permanent housing with an adjunct to education. “Homelessness among young adults is on the rise and over 40 percent of homeless
youth identify as LGBTQ,” Scullion told PGN. “The Philadelphia Foundation, with its high standards for operational quality, integrity and accountability, will help us shine the light on this growing tragedy.” Santiago, now 20, exemplifies how poverty and discrimination derail the lives of homeless LGBTQ teens. He never finished high school and has found it difficult to find work other than day labor. He has no fixed address and no savings. For the past year, Santiago has shared a series of temporary apartments in Kensington with four other people, all gay and trans Latinx, all under 25, none with regular incomes. They have had to move several times when they haven’t been able to pay rent, but they have stayed together as a group and Santiago thinks of them as family. Dr. Lourdes Ashley Hunter, executive director of Trans Women of Color Collective and one of the LGBTQ Collaborative report’s authors and editors, said in a press release provided to PGN that black and brown people — particularly those who are transgender — are at greater risk for poverty. “The average black trans person earns less than $10,000 a year,” Hunter cited. “Black and brown trans people are disproportionately impacted by state-sanctioned violence, which is rooted in the lack of sustainable socio-economic growth that many of our lesbian, gay, cis and predominantly white counterparts benefit from. This [Trump] administration now threatens that livelihood.” The creation of sustainable economic growth feels out of reach to most people living in poverty. “You can’t save no money because everything you get, you use right away — you need food, or we got to pay rent, or somebody’s sick,” Santiago said. “You’re always, always behind. It hurts. It really hurts.” Porter echoed Santiago, explaining how the simplest life choices are limited by not having even the smallest amount of extra money. “Mistakes are disasters,” she said. “Say you decide to try something new for breakfast. You see a cereal you’ve never tried, and think, Why not? I’ll tell you why not. Because if it turns out you hate the new cereal, you can’t just give it away or throw it out. You’ll eat that cereal until it’s gone, and never make the mistake of trying something new again.” Lack of funds also limits social interaction. “A friend asks to meet for coffee, and you think that if you start putting away a little each month, you’ll be able to cover a small coffee in three months,” said Porter. “Spontaneity is not a part of poverty. Extras are pretty much impossible, and you can’t help becoming a little grasping — the very worst kind of frugal.” Once an avid reader, Porter now watches TV with descriptions for the blind and listens to audio books from the library. She no longer has the luxury of buying books. She also spends time on social media to stay connected to other people, as going out is
expensive. For those as young as Santiago and his housemates, the lack of access to cash has led to sex work. “Nobody wants to,” he said, “but everyone has to. It’s the only thing you got to sell.” There’s always a buyer for the young gay men and trans women walking under the El along the various Kensington prostitution strolls, Santiago noted. Homelessness and poverty put LGBTQ people at higher risk for violence and even death. The majority of trans women murdered in the USA last year were sex workers. The danger is directly related to the desperation of poverty that Santiago and Porter describe so vividly. For LGBTQ people who have been most threatened by the Trump administration, poverty and discrimination are inextricably linked. “The Trump administration’s shameful attacks on LGBT Americans because of who they are will exacerbate poverty in America, leaving families vulnerable to discrimination and violence,” Melissa Boteach, senior vice president of the Poverty to Prosperity Program at the Center for American Progress, told the LGBTQ Task Force in May. “The administration’s assault on struggling families through gutting basic labor standards, access to healthcare and more will disproportionately threaten the economic security of LGBT families who are more likely to live paycheck to paycheck.” Santiago and his housemates are living in deep poverty, defined as less than half of the federal poverty level. For Santiago, living paycheck to paycheck would be an improvement — one for which he yearns. When asked if he had any New Year’s resolutions, he said he was determined to get his GED, which he hoped would in turn help him get a steady job and also help his friends. The answers to LGBTQ poverty are limited and prescriptive; they involve real commitment from the community. “As we work to advance equality for the LGBTQ community, poverty must be a central issue in that fight,” said the National Center for Lesbian Rights’ Hanley. Meghan Maury, policy director at the National LGBTQ Task Force, said of the LGBTQ Collaborative data: “This report gives a voice to the creative solutions queer and trans people have built to address systemic oppression.” But as Santiago and Porter explained, the needs of poor LGBTQ people are real and urgent, and studies are not enough. Santiago and his housemates need steady work that doesn’t put their health and lives at risk. “Poverty is not easy,” Porter said. “Poverty is exhausting. Every purchase requires thought, planning, research and fear. You think about money all of the time, and that changes you as a person, and not in a good way.” n
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 4-10, 2019
Our favorite photos from 2018
Our favorite photos this year may not stack up with some over recent years that included powerhouse opportunities such as the Democratic National Convention, the Annual Reminder Days anniversary, the marriage-equality court ruling and the Pulse massacre, but we found some fun and fine photos to reflect on from the year past. To recap the year this time around, we went through every issue in 2018 at least twice and chose the best of the month. Runners-up are those few pictures that we also enjoyed or have significance, but came in behind the chosen photo of the month. Some of them may be favorites of yours too, and maybe there are a couple of gems you missed. Here are the images and the issues they were in that we would like to share once more to cap off another year:
Week of Jan. 26-Feb. 1: The annual Women’s March. There were so many vantage points for this march that it was a challenge to pick just one spot. In the end, we chose one that was not only unique, but told the story: MLK was a particularly poignant spot from which to watch all of the protest.
Week of Feb. 26-Mar. 4: Glamsino. Action Wellness holds this extraordinarily fun, glamorous casino night every winter and never fails to impress. These snappy dressers, along with the organization’s ever-elegant executive director Kevin Burns (right), took the prizes of Best Couple, Best Bond Look and Best Dressed. No word on whether they won at the tables. Look for the AW party again in February.
Week of Mar. 30-Apr. 5: Student anti-gun protest. We’ve become a nation of protestors showing our disdain and disappointment on any number of laws or policies. It’s the determination, though, that keeps the message on a continuous loop. Independence Hall was the perfect backdrop to this protest involving the Second Amendment.
Week of May 11-17: For sale on South Street. Technically two photos, these two fine organizations are joined photographically in the paper since both were featured during the annual South Street Spring Festival. There’s something very satisfying seeing LGBT groups participating outside the Gayborhood box.
Week of April 6-12: Easter bonnets. The Easter Parade is probably one of the least-attended parades in Philadelphia. And there are a lot of parades here. This parade, however, has the Freedom Band, the Easter Bunny, Henri David as emcee and a host of ompetitive categories. These guys won the award for best bonnets and it really needs no further description.
Week of June 10-14: Let a smile be your umbrella. This photo of Philly Pride, with its on-again, off-again showers, captured the general mood of the afternoon. Who better than the LGBTQ community to remind everyone that a rainbow is the successor to the rain? Thanks to Elizabeth Coffey Williams for her bright smile and devil-may-care attitude.
Here are other photos from 2018 that we deemed worthy of an honorable mention: PHILLY TRANS MARCH
ADA BELLO AND JOHN CUNNINGHAM AT INDIGO BALL
SWOOP AT THE MANNA PIE SALES KICKOFF
PGN
Week of July 6-12: PGMC at Phillies Pride at the Park. How proud are we as a community when some of our own are spotlighted at an everyday happening? The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus performed the national anthem again this year, and got a glam shot on the big screen with a special Pride Night banner. Go Phillies!
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 4-10, 2019
Week of Aug. 24-30: Martha Stewart at NGLCC. The National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce held its annual convention in Philadelphia, attended by some 1,000 people and featuring a lunch with Martha Stewart. We will never forget the tales of her working with Snoop Dogg.
Week of Sept. 21-27: Self-defense. The first LGBT self-defense class at the William Way LGBT Community Center had a small group of attendees, but they learned a lot about defense with hands, feet, voice and other ways.
Week of Nov. 9-15: (tie) Malcom Kenyatta/Carrie Jacobs: Kenyatta with his partner at Kenyatta’s victory party, and Jacobs with Dominique Jackson at The Attic Youth Center’s gala tied as the fun shot for that week — and November — in this list. Such are the multitudes of our joys across our Philly family.
Week of Oct. 12-18: A sign of our times. Judith Kasen-Windsor (left), wife of Edie Windsor, and Henri David celebrated another Gayborhood milestone with a third street-sign dedication. Trailblazer Edie is in good company; Gloria Casarez and Barbara Gittings were the first two honorees. With so much dancing, drinking and carrying-on during Outfest, it’s nice to be reminded that there are many, many pioneers to thank who made these public parties possible.
RAISE THE ROOF
15
Week of Dec. 14-20: Family Forward elves: For the first time since we began rounding up our annual photo favorites, we have a non-staff winner. Ashlee Turturro (left), Cassie the dog, former PGN editor-turned-columnist Jen Colletta and baby Jackson turned out their first family holiday photo that is unmatched in cuteness. Here’s hoping that picture made it onto an ornament to hang on the tree over the years. n
PHOTOS: SCOTT A. DRAKE
I’M FROM DRIFTWOOD
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 4-10, 2019
CITY COUNCIL
PGN
CITY COUNCIL
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3290
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3290
2019 NOTICE OF VACANT PROPERTY REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETINGS
2019 NOTICE OF VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETINGS
The Vacant Property Review Committee will meet in the Caucus Room, (Room 401, City Hall) from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. on the following dates:
The Veterans Advisory Commission, established pursuant to Resolution No. 060059 (Adopted February 2, 2006), will meet in City Council Chambers (Room 400, City Hall) on the following dates and times.
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Wednesday, March 6th, 2019, at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, June 19th, 2019, at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 11th, 2019, at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 11th, 2019, at 2:00 P.M.
GEORGE GINDER, CHAIRMAN Veterans Advisory Commission
SUSIE D. JARMON, CHAIRWOMAN Vacant Property Review Committee
CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3290
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3290
2019 NOTICE OF STATED MEETINGS
2019 NOTICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The Philadelphia City Council will have its Regular Stated Meetings on the dates listed below. All meetings will be held at 10:00 A.M. in Room 400 City Hall, except as noted below.
Thursday, January 24, 2019 Thursday, January 31, 2019 Thursday, February 7, 2019 Thursday, February 14, 2019 Thursday, February 21, 2019 Thursday, February 28, 2019 Thursday, March 7, 2019 Thursday, March 14, 2019 Thursday, March 21, 2019 Thursday, March 28, 2019 Thursday, April 4, 2019 Thursday, April 11, 2019 Thursday, April 25, 2019 Thursday, May 2, 2019 Thursday, May 9, 2019 Thursday, May 16, 2019
Thursday, May 23, 2019 Thursday, June 6, 2019 Thursday, June 13, 2019 Thursday, June 20, 2019 Thursday, September 12, 2019 Thursday, September 19, 2019 Thursday, September 26, 2019 Thursday, October 3, 2019 Thursday, October 10, 2019 Thursday, October 17, 2019 Thursday, October 24, 2019 Thursday, October 31, 2019 Thursday, November 14, 2019 Thursday, November 21, 2019 Thursday, December 5, 2019 Thursday, December 12, 2019
The Economic Opportunity Review Committee, established and constituted pursuant to Phila. Code ยง 17-1607 and Resolution No. 120184, will meet in City Council Chambers (Room 400, City Hall) on the following dates and times: Monday, March 4th, 2019, at 10:00 A.M. Monday, June 17th, 2019, at 10:00 A.M. Monday, September 9th, 2019, at 10:00 A.M. Monday, December 9th, 2019, at 10:00 A.M.
IOLA HARPER, CHAIRPERSON Economic Opportunity Review Committee
PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 4-10, 2019
17
entertainment
WINTER WONDERS: Ariana Grande (clockwise from top left), KODO: Evolution, Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers, Bob Mould Band, Dance Theatre of Harlem, BODYTRAFFIC, Michelle Wolf, Cher, Laverne Cox
Escape the lazy shades of winter : 2019 event preview By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Another holiday season down — and three months of chilly, damp and dark days to go. Yeah, you could sit home and get caught up on your Netflix backlog. But there’s real fun and cultural enlightenment to be had in local clubs, theaters, arenas, bars and art galleries, no matter the weather. So far, 2019 in the Philly region is offering something for every interest. Check out these varied shades of winter. After all, you can watch Netflix any time. Art New Chinese Galleries Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition featuring 4,000 years of the art of China, opening Feb. 3, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. The Impressionist’s Eye Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition featuring the works of Claude Monet, Mary Cassatt, Vincent van Gogh and others, April 16-Aug. 18, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Yoshitoshi: Spirit and Spectacle Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition featuring the brilliant colors and spirited lines of Yoshitoshi, the last great master of the traditional Japanese woodblock print, April 16-Aug. 18, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Punch Line Philly, 33 E. Laurel St.; 215606-6555.
Comedy & Spoken Word David Sedaris The out humorist and essayist performs 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.
Laverne Cox The transgender activist speaks 8 p.m. April 12 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.
Todd Glass The comedian seen on “The Daily Show” performs Jan. 24-27 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. Whitney Cummings The comedian and actress performs Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. Wanda Sykes The out comedian and actress performs Feb. 26-27 at Punch Line Philly, 33 E. Laurel St.; 215-606-6555. Michelle Wolf The comedian performs March 7-9 at
Paula Poundstone The comedian performs 8 p.m. March 23 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5808.
Dance Martha Graham Dance Company Dance Affiliates presents the acclaimed contemporary dance company, Jan. 25-26 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater The Kimmel Center presents the world-renowned African-American cultural experience and the American modern-dance tradition, March 1-2 at Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. Dance Theatre of Harlem Dance Affiliates presents the iconic dance company with a world premiere of a new work, March 1-2 at Zellerbach Theatre,
3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900. Vessels Dance Affiliates presents the all-female dance group, March 7-9 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900. Dance Heginbotham Dance Affiliates presents the New Yorkbased contemporary troupe making its Philadelphia debut, March 15-16 at Harold Price Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900. Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers Dance Affiliates presents the Philly-based dance group, April 12-13 at Harold Price Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900. BODYTRAFFIC Dance Affiliates presents the Los Angeles-based dance group blending hip-hop, jazz and ballet, April 26-27 at Harold Price Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900. Music Cracker The rock band performs 8 p.m. Jan. 18 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400. PAGE 20
Comics Dining Out Family Portrait
Page 25 Page 24 Page 19
Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly
Page 22 Page 23 Page 21
Philly Loves Bowie Week PAGE 23
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 4-10, 2019
HEALTH AND WELLNESS DIRECTORY rev. dr. Nadine
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PGN PROFILE
Family Portrait
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 4-10, 2019
19
Suzi Nash
Eric Singel: Unpredictable Today is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one. —Brad Paisley That shouldn’t be hard for this week’s Portrait — Eric Singel and his alter ego, astrologer Starzina Starfish-Browne. A versatile writer, actor, comedian and producer, Singel has performed everything from roles in serious shows like “The Crucible” and “Torch Song Trilogy” to the totally zany work of sketch comedy. PGN: Tell me a little about Eric. ES: I was born and raised in Altoona. I went to Penn State and moved to Philly thereafter, and have been in Philly since … oh, since Ben Franklin and William Penn were walking these streets. I’ve been doing theater all that time and have worked for a lot of the little theaters around the city. Somewhere around 2004 or so, I got inspired by the marriage-equality movement and what had happened in Massachusetts back when they were the first state to enact gay marriage. I’d written a few children’s plays, but I got the idea in my head for a play which started as a 15-minute monologue called “The Wedding Consultant,” which then turned into a full-length, one-man show that I did. That was my big foray into writing — the 2007 Philadelphia New Play Festival named it “Best Play” of the year. So that was exciting, and then a friend of mine was in a sketch-comedy group called “The Waitstaff” and she said, “You know, we have an opening, why don’t you come join us?” They write and perform all their own material so I started working with them. That was in 2008 and I haven’t looked back. They do a sketch called “The Real Housewives of South Philly” and I play a character named Jesus H. Christ. It’s a lot of fun. PGN: What was life like growing up in Altoona? ES: Oooh, slow, quiet, dull — really, really dull. I knew right away that I needed to be somewhere more exciting, urbane and civilized with more people of different backgrounds than Altoona could offer. PGN: Were you always a theater geek? ES: Oh yeah. In high school, I did shows and then very shortly after moving to Philly, I realized that people got paid to be in shows and I thought, Well, I should be doing it that way. PGN: What was your craziest incident on stage? ES: It was in high school and we were doing a musical called “Celebration” — a very avant-garde piece — and all we had on the set were two big, hinged flats
behind us. No one thought of anchoring them to anything and in the second act I was giving a speech about how the world was ending, blah, blah, blah. My actual line was literally “Everything is falling apart around us” when the flat crashed down and almost killed my costar. PGN: Tell me a little about Starzina Starfish-Browne. ES: I wrote her originally for a sketch with the comedy group. She’s a British astrologer and totally self absorbed. She had a blog for a long time and then she made a bunch of YouTube videos and then I created a one man, scratch that, a one drag queen show for her called, “Looking for Uranus.” PGN: Starzina does horoscopes. What’s your sign? ES: [Laughs] Slippery When Wet … No, actually, I’m a textbook Aries. We’re the first sign of the zodiac, so we’re like the babies: me, me, me, mine, mine, mine. Very loud, very opinionated and forthright. Quick to anger, but quick to forgive. We’re also very loyal and devoted. PGN: What’s the worst prediction she’s made? ES: Well, she never gets around to actual predictions. She’s not a very good astrologer. Somehow it always comes back to herself. PGN: Are you or Ms. Starfish single or dating? ES: She has an ex-husband for each sign of the zodiac, but we’re both currently single. PGN: A fun job? ES: A friend of mine was running the murder mysteries at Bistro Romano and she mentioned that she needed a new script. I said, “Just tell me the parameters and I can write one for you.” So she did, and I did, and then she said, “You know you should be in it!” I asked her as what, because all the characters were young except for the Jewish mother. She said, “Yeah, you’d be perfect for that.” So I played the mother and also wrote the next three mysteries that they did. It was a lot of fun. PGN: Tell me about the family. ES: My dad was in advertising. He’s not with us anymore. I had one brother who passed away in his 20s and my mother, a former nurse, who is still alive and listening in as I’m talking to you right now. PGN: What were your chores growing up? ES: My chores growing up were cutting the grass with a rotary mower and feeding the dinosaurs.
PGN: Ha! Describe a favorite family member. ES: It is impolite to discuss your family’s members. PGN: Were you ever bullied? ES: I was not. I guess because I learned early on that humor was a good way out of all that stuff; If I make fun of myself before they get a chance, it gets a laugh and defuses the situation. PGN: I’m sure. Did you ever play any sports? ES: There were several efforts by the father to get me to join teams of things. I’d join and then try to find a way out as quickly as possible. I was even made to attempt football at one point if you can imagine that. If I remember correctly they started rehearsals — or I guess you’d say practices — for that in
PGN: Fashion style you wish would make a comeback? ES: Short-shorts for boys. PGN: In what area of your life do you exercise the most discipline? ES: S&M. PGN: [Laughing] I walked right into that one! What was one of the most profound “Aha!” moments you’ve had? ES: “Take On Me.” No other decade was as fun musically as the ’80s. I’ll fight anyone who says otherwise. PGN: Which living person do you most despise? ES: In this country, at this current moment in history? Is this a rhetorical question? PGN: Give an alternate ending to this phrase: “Frankly, my dear …” ES: Clark Gable was not all that. PGN: A song that feels like it was actually written for me is … ES: “God Save The Queen”? PGN: First crush or first celebrity crush? ES: Clearly not Clark Gable. Johnny Depp? PGN: What’s the silliest thing you’ve ever lied about? ES: You probably should have asked this earlier.
PGN: What’s coming up? ES: We have a Valentine’s Day show planned for “The Waitstaff.” But the most exciting thing is a possible tour. A number of years ago when they still did live theater at the TLA, I was doing “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom” playing the Charles Busch role. My friend Mike McHugh and his boyfriend, Peter, Photo: Suzi Nash saw me performing the the summer, wearing those big padshow and told me that they ded costumes in the heat! And I think had a show called “Joan Crawford: In there was a baseball incident but I may Her Own Words” that they wanted me to have blanked it out. do. I did it, and the show was a hit and ran for some time. That was about 25 PGN: What is the first thing that you years ago, but we resurrected it in 2017 look at every morning? for the Fringe Festival. The show “Feud” ES: It is impolite to discuss your with Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon family’s members. as Joan and Bette Davis, had introduced a new generation of people to them, so it PGN: My beauty inspiration was? was timely. It was a success, and we’re ES: Clearly something I am still now in talks to take it on the road. It’s waiting for. very exciting. n
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PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 4-10, 2019
–NY1
MICHAEL BUBLÉ (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT), KISS, PIXIES, SMOKEY ROBINSON, RENT, LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO WINTER PREVIEW from page 17
Rob Thomas The rock singer performs Jan. 18-20 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Taylor Dayne & Color Me Badd The R&B singers perform 8 p.m. Jan. 18 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.
Photo: Joan Marcus
Toni Braxton & SWV The R&B artists perform 8 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo The world-music band performs 8 p.m. Feb. 11 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5808. Drivin N Cryin The rock band performs 8 p.m. Feb. 12 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5808. Peter Murphy The rock singer performs classic Bauhaus songs, 8 p.m. Feb. 12 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100. Kick It Out The Heart tribute band performs 8 p.m. Feb. 14 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-2575808. Who’s Bad The Michael Jackson Tribute band performs 8 p.m. Feb. 15 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650. Bob Mould Band The out rock singer performs 8:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.
Disturbed The hard-rock band performs 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543. Strangelove The Depeche Mode tribute band performs 9 p.m. Feb. 22 at The Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 202730-3331. Disco Love A concert tribute to the music of Donna Summer and Barry White, 8 p.m. Feb. 23 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650. Flogging Molly The punk band performs 8 p.m. Feb. 23 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681. Michael Bublé The singer performs 8 p.m. Feb. 24 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543. Cypress Hill and Hollywood Undead The rap-rockers perform 7:30 p.m. March 3 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681. Tony Toni Tone & Jody Watley The R&B singers perform 8 p.m. March 9 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650. Lords of Acid The electro-dance group performs 7 p.m. March 11 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011. KODO: Evolution Japan’s preeminent taiko drumming troupe performs 7:30 p.m. March 12 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. Sponge The alternative-rock band performs 8 p.m. March 15 at Sellersville Theater
1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5808. Teenage Fanclub The alternative-rock band performs 8:30 p.m. March 15 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100. Pixies The alternative-rock band performs 7:30 p.m. March 18 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-6253681. Fleetwood Mac The classic-rock band performs 8 p.m. March 22 and April 5 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-3899543. Smokey Robinson The R&B singer/songwriter performs 8 p.m. March 30 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. A Night of Queen The Queen tribute band performs 8 p.m. April 5 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650. Ariana Grande The pop/R&B singer performs 8 p.m. March 26 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543. KISS The rock band’s farewell tour roars through Philly 7:30 p.m. March 29 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543. Muse The rock band performs 7:30 p.m. April 7 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543. Justin Timberlake The pop and R&B singer performs 7:30 p.m. April 9 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
PAGE 25
PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 4-10, 2019
Scene inPhilly
21
by Scott Scott A. A. Drake Drake by
on on New New Year’s Year’s Day Day
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 4-10, 2019
Mombian Dana Rudolph
An estimated one-third of LGBTs in Philadelphia have children. Every month, Dana Rudolph dissects parenting from our perspective, from watching your children grow up to teaching them how to deal with bullies, to interviews with authors and filmmakers.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS
Out Money Jeremy Gussick
From budgets to wills to taxes, financial expert Jeremy Gussick gives us all the info we need — in a way we can understand. OutMoney runs monthly to help readers find answers to all their money questions.
KING DAVID: Another Philly Loves Bowie Week event brings a screening of fantasy-classic “Labyrinth,” directed by Jim Henson and starring David Bowie as The Goblin King, 8 p.m. Jan. 7 at The Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St. For more information or tickets, call 215-922-6888.
Theater & Arts Arte Povera: Homage to Amalfi ’68 Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition recreating one artist’s reactionary exhibition against minimalism and pop art, through July, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Beautiful — The Carole King Musical Broadway Philadelphia presents the story of the award-winning songwriter and performer, Jan. 8-20 at Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215893-1999.
Only in
Between Nature and Abstraction: Edwin Dickinson and Friends Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the works of the modern American painter through Feb. 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Bonnie & Clyde 11th Hour Theatre Company presents a blues-androckabilly infused musical telling the story of America’s most notorious lovers and bank robbers taking the country by storm, Jan. 5-13 at The Drake Theater, 302 S. Hicks St.; 215568-8079.
Bye Bye Liver: The Philadelphia Drinking Play Betrayal A sketch-comedy show that revels in Lantern Theater the crazy moments Company HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM everyone has had presents a drama when practicing exploring love, that favorite sex, marriage and pastime, Jan. 11-25 friendship, Jan. at Yards Brewing 10-Feb. 17 at St. Stephen’s Theater, Company, 500 Spring Garden St.; 8923 Ludlow St.; 412-915-6291. 215-829-0395.
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Company The Players Club of Swarthmore presents the classic Sondheim musical comedy about a young man who just can’t commit, Jan. 4-19, 614 Fairview Road, 610-328-4271. David Sedaris The out humorist and essayist performs 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-5727650. Dieter Rams: Principled Design Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition surveying the designers prolific body of work — from radios, clocks, and cameras to kitchen appliances
and furniture, through April 14, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100. Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Fallen Angels Mauckingbird Theatre Company presents a comedy by England’s distinguished gay writer, Noël Coward, Jan. 9-27 at Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake, 341 S. Hicks St.; 215-5688077. Gershwin Forever A concert celebrating the music of the incomparable George Gershwin, 8 p.m. Jan. 11 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
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. 4-10, 2019
23
Martha Graham Cracker The drag cabaret singer performs a tribute to David Bowie, 7 p.m. Jan. 10-11 at L’Etage, 624 S. Sixth St.; 215592-0656. Bearlesque The bear-themed cabaret show returns 9 p.m. Jan. 4 at Tabu, 254 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675.
WE ARE THE GOON SQUAD AND WE’RE COMING TO TOWN … : New York alt cabaret singer Raquel Cion appears for Philly Loves Bowie Week with her cabaret show, “Me & Mr. Jones: My Intimate Relationship With David Bowie,” which explores the lifelong “soul love” that Cion has for Bowie’s artistry, 6 p.m. Jan. 5-6 at Franky Bradley’s, 1320 Chancellor St. For more information, call 215-735-0735.
Little Ladies: Victorian Fashion Dolls and the Feminine Ideal Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the influence of Miss Fanchon, the ultimate toy for privileged girls in the 1860s-’70s, through March 3, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100. Mimi Imfurst Presents Drag Diva Brunch Mimi Imfurst and special guests perform 11 a.m.2 p.m. Jan. 5 at Punch Line Philly, 33 E. Laurel St.; 215-606-6555. Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Walnut Street Theatre presents the musical based on the children’s book, through Jan. 6, 825 Walnut St.; 215574-3550.
This Is The Week That Is 1812 Productions presents its annual politically charged and satirical comedy show, through Jan. 6 at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; 215592-9560. Wizard of Oz Media Theatre presents the classic musical about Dorothy and her adventures in a strange land, through Jan. 13, 104 E. State St., Media; 610891-0100.
Music Badfish The Sublime tribute band performs 8 p.m. Jan. 4 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215922-1011. Ozomatli The Latin rock band performs, 8 p.m. Jan. 4 at World Cafe Live,
3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. The Prince Experience The Prince tribute band performs 9 p.m. Jan. 5 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215922-1011. The Verve Pipe The rock band performs 8 p.m. Jan. 10 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400. A Night of Stardust The grand finale of Philly Loves Bowie Week, 7 p.m. Jan. 11 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.
Nightlife Cabaret Sauvignon Philly’s only onewoman live-music cabaret returns 7-10 p.m. Jan. 4 at Franky Bradley’s, 1320 Chancellor St.; 215-735-0735.
Miss Masc The drag-andburlesque show turns up 9 p.m. Jan. 11 at Tabu, 254 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675.
Outta Town Mandy The horror film is screened 9:45 p.m. Jan. 4 at The Colonial Theatre, Tuesday the 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; Rabbi Saw Pink 610-917-1228. Across 1 “The Lion King” Young villain Sherlock 5 They pick up Holmes strangers The adventure 9 Places for tats, perhaps is screened 1:30 p.m. Jan. 5 at The 13 Choice for Colonial Theatre, Hamlet 14 Discharge 227 Bridge St., 15 Nuts Phoenixville; 16 Jessica of “Little 610-917-1228. Folkers”
Q Puzzle
Hound of the Baskervilles The classic Sherlock Holmes story is screened 1:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-1228. Cash Unchained The Johnny Cash tribute band performs 8 p.m. Jan. 11 at The Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 202730-3331. n
17 Like a nimble old goat 18 Acronym for bears 19 Author of the novel version of 35-Across 22 Banned pesticide 23 A little more than bi24 Florence’s ___ Vecchio 26 Daughter of a nonhomophobic president 28 Not needing a little blue pill 31 Neither a win nor a loss 32 Stritch of Broadway 34 Sulu’s starship captain 35 Novel or movie about lesbians in the Orthodox Jewish community 38 Tools for Wilde
39 Restraint for a stallion 40 “___ De-Lovely” 41 Opposite of fem. 42 “___ Survive” 46 Like some tricks 48 From A ___ 50 Way of the East 51 She played Esti Kuperman in the movie version of 35-Across 55 Start of a Mozart opera title 56 Threesome minus one 57 Bubbly drinks 58 What Santa gave, in verse 59 Vampire novelist Rice 60 Break bread 61 Pride places 62 Sallee of Pentatonix 63 Practices thespianism
Down
1 They may be onenight 2 Fruity mixed drink 3 Top Trappists 4 Paper amount 5 “The Gay Caballero” star Romero 6 Sound equipment for Queen 7 Shuttlecock 8 Eyelid ailment 9 Siege site of 1836 10 Type of comedy,
such as Ephron’s “Bewitched” 11 “Queen of Country” Reba 12 Chicago cap word 20 Prefix for Da Vinci’s land 21 Letters on a Johnny Mathis record 25 Cry of fear 27 Big name in oil 29 Result of working for Trump, often 30 Tobias pseudonym 33 “Mamma Mia!” band 34 Shagged, Biblically 35 Unseat a queen, e.g. 36 When fruits are ready to be eaten
37 “My Fair Lady” lady 38 It’s a snap for Annie Leibovitz 41 Dash letters 43 Not straight up 44 For example, “Alas, poor Yorick!” 45 Blemishes on the Indiana Fever’s record 47 Materials for Paul Cadmus etchings 49 String ensemble, maybe 52 Red-coated cheese 53 Deity identified with Diana 54 Style of Marcel Duchamp 55 Contemptible sort
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 4-10, 2019
Wedding Services Directory
PGN
Serving smooth sounds and Southern flair By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com One doesn’t expect to find an oasis of relative tranquility along a corridor of Center City traffic. But Chris’ Jazz Café is just that, both on the sonic and culinary levels. Just past the bar, a comfortable dining area with a Southerninspired menu and a live-music stage offer refuge from the crowds and seemingly nonstop construction and road maintenance in the area. Some of the dishes draw
from outside inspiration, like the chicken spring rolls ($11), which give the familiar Chinese staple a subtle detour into Cajun country. Meanwhile, the wild-boar sausage ($16) is all Southern charm — lean and robust, with smoked apples and celery-root purée pleasantly taking the edge off the inherent gaminess of the meat. The mac and cheese ($7) is on point, served up creamy and steaming in a cast-iron pan. It’s impossible not to love this dish, especially when you order the version studded with crab and
shrimp and dusted with buttery bread crumbs ($20). Seafood takes another star turn with the black tagliatelle ($29), a luxurious dish of squidink pasta with elegant flavors punctuated by tender lobster and calamari in a cream-based shrimp sauce. Given the theme of the menu, we felt no shame in soaking up the excess sauce with the side of bread. If you’re looking to start 2019 in tasty, laidback and inviting style, take a trip downtown and down home to Chris’ Jazz Café. n
If you go Chris’ Jazz Café 1421 Sansom St. 215-568-3131 chrisjazzcafe.com Mon.-Fri.: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Sat.: 6 p.m.-2 a.m.
MAC AND CHEESE Photos: Courtesy of Breslow Consulting
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PGN WINTER PREVIEW from page 20
Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers The rock band featuring the transgender singer performs, 8 p.m. April 19 at Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St.; 215-627-1332. Cher The pop icon performs 8 p.m. April 20 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543. Theater Beautiful — The Carole King Musical Broadway Philadelphia presents the story of the award-winning songwriter and performer, Jan. 8-20 at Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. Fallen Angels Mauckingbird Theatre Company presents a comedy by England’s distinguished gay writer, Noël Coward, Jan. 9-27 at Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake, 341 S. Hicks St.; 215-568-8077. Betrayal Lantern Theater Company presents a drama exploring love, sex, marriage and friendship, Jan. 10-Feb. 17 at St. Stephen’s Theater, 8923 Ludlow St.; 215-829-0395. Ken Ludwig’s A Comedy of Tenors Walnut Street Theatre presents the comedy set in 1930s Paris, just hours away from “The Concert of the Century,” Jan. 15-March 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. Oleanna Walnut Street Theatre presents David Mamet’s explosive drama about gender politics, privilege and power, Jan. 15-Feb. 17 at Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. DRUMline Live The Kimmel Center presents the show based on the high-energy shows of the country’s best marching bands, Jan. 19-20 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-8931999. The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical Broadway Philadelphia presents the stage adaptation of the best-selling novel, Jan. 22-27 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. The Bridges of Madison County Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Tony Awardwinning play based on the bestselling novel, Feb. 8-March 3 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-9850420. Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella Broadway Philadelphia presents Tony Award-winning Broadway musical based on the classic fairy tale, Feb. 22-24 at Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-8931999. Bob: A Life in Five Acts Azuka Theatre presents the story chronicling the highly unusual life of Bob and his lifelong quest to become a “Great Man,” Feb. 27-March 17 at Proscenium Theatre at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks St.; 215-563-1100. Kate The Unexamined Life Walnut Street Theatre presents at production examining the life of Hollywood legend Katherine Hepburn, March 5-April 7 at Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. RENT Broadway Philadelphia presents the blockbuster rock musical about struggling artists in Manhattan, March 5-10 at
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 4-10, 2019
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age sleuth, March 12-April 28, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. Miss Saigon Broadway Philadelphia presents the legendary musical, March 19-31at Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. How To Catch Creation Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the story of four artists and intellectuals in San Francisco who are struggling to nurture creative impulses and establish a legacy in both their professional and personal lives, March 22-April 14 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420. DRUMLINE LIVE (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT), WANDA SYKES, Anastasia BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL Broadway Philadelphia presents the romantic and adventure-filled new Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. musical about a brave young woman out to discover the The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time mystery of her past, April 9-14 at Academy of Music, 240 Walnut Street Theatre presents the adventures of a teenS. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. n
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 4-10, 2019
pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976
CITY COUNCIL
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3290
HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
2019 NOTICE OF LIVING WAGE AND BENEFITS REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETINGS The Living Wage and Benefits Review Committee, established and constituted pursuant to Phila. Code § 17-1311 and Resolution No. 110807, will meet in City Council Council Chambers (Room 400, City Hall) on the following dates and times:
Tuesday, March 5th, 2019, at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, June 18th, 2019, at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 10th, 2019, at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 10th, 2019, at 11:00 A.M.
RICHARD LAZER, CHAIRPERSON Living Wage and Benefits Review Committee
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BECOME A DEPUTY SHERIFF with the Sheriff’s Office of Philadelphia Look for the Deputy Sheriff Officer Recruit Exam Announcement in January, 2019
Starting Salary $44,622 No Prior Experience Required Must Pass: • Deputy Sheriff Officer Recruit Exam • Criminal background investigation, physical agility, medical and psychological exam Must Have: • High School diploma or GED • Valid Driver’s License For more information on becoming a Philadelphia Deputy Sheriff Recruit, go to www.phillysheriff.com and click on the Deputy Sheriff Officer Recruit job title to complete a Job Interest Form.
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Classifieds All real-estate advertising is subject to Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended. Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability). PGN will not knowingly accept any realestate advertising that is in violation of any applicable law.
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Real Estate Rent WOODBURY, NJ. 807 N. BROAD ST. Renovated two bedroom for $910.00 per month. Arrive in Center city in less than 12 minutes! Property is right off interstate route # 295 & route 676. Property offers private fenced in yard and off street parking. There is plenty of room for a garden. Carpet is new! Unit has gas heat, washer/ dryer, refrigerator and electric range. There is a dining area, kitchen, two bedrooms, living room, one bath and an office. Tenant pays $910.00 per month for rent and gas & electric. Owner pays for lawn care, water & sewer. 1.5 months security deposit. Please contact owner directly at 856-522-9000. ________________________________________43-01
Wanted to Buy FREON R12 WANTED: CERTIFIED BUYER will PAY CA$H for R12 cylinders or cases of cans. (312) 291-9169; www. refrigerantfinders.com ________________________________________43-01
House Share NEAR DEPTFORD MALL Shared home. Private BR, bath, sitting room w/TV, fully furnished. Clean clean home. Call for info and price. Albert, 856-469-5128, 856-251-1448. _____________________________________________43-02
Help Wanted Part tme position availabe for cleaner/cashier. Will interview on the spot. Looking for somone who is self motvated. Adonis Theater 2026 Sansom St. Interviews from 9 to 2. _____________________________________________43-04
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 4-10, 2019
PGN
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! LEE BRICE February 8
BRIAN MCKNIGHT February 15
IAN ANDERSON PRESENTS JETHRO TULL 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR March 9
WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY? WITH DAVE FOLEY, JOEL MURRAY, GREG PROOPS, AND JEFF B. DAVIS March 23
THE ISLEY BROTHERS 60TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
CHRIS BOTTI
February 16
March 30
38 SPECIAL
KENNY LOGGINS
February 22
April 12
FRANK CALIENDO
BROOKS & DUNN
February 23
June 7
THE MONKEES
TOM SEGURA
March 2
June 15
Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com
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