pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976
Vol. 41 No. 1
New Morris file request sent to D.A.
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Jan. 6-12, 2017
Family Portrait: Hazel Edwards fights for trans youth PAGE 23
HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
‘Glee’ star to perform during Creating Change conference
All that glitters is not Judy Gold
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PAGE 19
GoFundMe page started for cancer patient
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PA court issues Officials: Mummers Parade ‘more inclusive, precedent-setting more diverse’ civil-union ruling By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com
By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Two Pennsylvania women long locked in a civil union will finally be able to dissolve their legal relationship after a precedent-setting court finding last week. The Pennsylvania Superior Court issued a unanimous ruling Dec. 28 that Freyda Neyman and Florence Buckley’s civil union created “the functional equivalent of marriage for purposes of dissolution.” The couple traveled to Vermont for a civil union in 2002 but ended their relationship later that year. At that time, Vermont law mandated one of the women move to the state for at least six months in order to dissolve the union. The Civil Division of Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas had dissolved a few civil unions, but that practice ceased in 2012, after a Commonwealth Court ruling that civil unions should be treated equal to marriage — the dissolution of which is handled by Family Court. However, a Family Court judge last summer dismissed Neyman’s petition, saying a civil union is not equal to marriage and, thus, the case should not be in the court’s jurisdiction. Neyman filed an appeal to Superior Court. The appellate court found that any future petitions to dissolve civil unions can be handled in Family Court. Tiffany L. Palmer of Jerner & Palmer, P.C., who argued the case with Mazzoni Center legal and public-policy director Thomas W. Ude, Jr., said the opinion importantly stipulates that civil-union divorces be treated equally to divorces for financial purposes. “What’s really exciting about this decision is it doesn’t just give relief to get the divorce decree, but also with respect to financial issues: They can seek alimony and equal distribution of property,” Palmer said. “Things will proceed now under the same rules that govern divorce.” Because they were still tied to one another, neither Neyman nor Buckley were able to marry or add a partner to their health-insurance plans. They had worked out a custody agreement for their nowPAGE 18
Unlike last year’s Mummers Parade, there were no overtly anti-LGBT skits or incidents at
the 2017 event. Prior to this year’s big event, Mummers leadership underwent training from various departments in the city. The coordinators included the
A WHOLE NEW WORLD: Members of the Miss Fancy Brigade adopted a Disney theme for their fifth year marching in the Mummers Parade last Sunday. The drag queens each portrayed a different character from classic Disney films, and each represented an LGBT bar in the area. The brigade performed at several locations throughout the parade, and was shown live on the television broadcast. Unlike last year’s parade, in which one Mummers group performed a parody of Caitlyn Jenner that many deemed transphobic, there were no reports of anti-LGBT skits at this year’s event. Photo: Marcus Neal Gordon
Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, city Director of LGBT Affairs Nellie Fitzpatrick and Jen Childs of 1812 Productions. The city conducted these trainings in response to a skit mocking transgender reality-TV star Caitlyn Jenner’s transition, as well as other homophobic and racist skits and incidents, at last year’s event. Rue Landau, executive director of PCHR, described Sunday’s parade as “more inclusive, more diverse, friendlier, happier and moving toward the best of the Mummers Parade that I hope we will soon achieve in Philadelphia.” Landau acknowledged a few performers wore makeup and had signs that officials deemed offensive but once the division’s leadership was notified, they modified their costumes. “In general, it was a far better parade than we’ve seen
in years past with far fewer offensive acts or individuals,” Landau said. PCHR trained the Mummers leadership and expected them to spread the message to their respective groups, Landau added. “The division leadership stuck to their word and controlled and policed themselves so that if the division leadership was notified of a bad actor in their group, they quickly went to speak to that person and told them what they needed to change.” Landau said she would like to see these trainings continue in the future. “This is an ongoing process of learning about diversity and inclusion. It’s a lot of work to make sure that the Mummers Parade is inclusive of all aspects of Philadelphia but there’s a lot of work to be done,” Landau PAGE 2 said. “Even
N.J. officials urge dismissal of trans suit By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office last week urged a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit that seeks to allow trans people born in New Jersey to change the gender on their birth certificate without undergoing gender-confirmation surgery. The plaintiff, “Jane Doe,” is a New Jersey trans woman with gender dysphoria who wants to change the gender on her birth certificate without undergoing surgery. In November, Doe filed suit in federal court in Camden, contending that trans people are entitled to accurate birth certificates, regardless of their surgical status. PAGE 18 The defendants are
CHEERS, QUEERS!: Packed crowds rung in 2017 at The Raven in New Hope. The dance floor, piano lounge, bar and restaurant were packed throughout the day and night. Revelers celebrated midnight with a champagne toast as hundreds of balloons dropped from the ceiling. Photo: Scott A. Drake
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New request for Morris records filed with D.A.’s Office By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com PGN this week filed a new open-records request for 911 recordings pertaining to the Nizah Morris incident in the possession of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. In November 2015, the paper filed a similar request with the D.A.’s Office. However, PGN’s request didn’t specify that it’s seeking 911 recordings originating at the Philadelphia Police Department, rather than the D.A.’s Office. As a result, the D.A.’s Office apparently limited its open-records search to 911 recordings that originated internally within the D.A.’s Office, which are non-existent. PGN appealed to the state Office of Open Records. But in a 10-page decision last week, the OOR denied the appeal, noting that PGN’s initial request failed to specify that it’s seeking 911 recordings originating at the police department. In its appeal, PGN clarified it’s seeking 911 recordings that originated at the police department. But the OOR said the clarification was too late. “[A] requester may not modify, explain or expand upon a request on appeal to include other records,” the OOR noted.
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Out ‘Glee’ star to perform at Creating Change By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com
Only in
However, the OOR said the paper could file a new request with the D.A.’s Office. “Nothing prohibits the requester from filing another [Right-to-Know Law] request with the [D.A.’s] Office or other City of Philadelphia agency,” the OOR stated. On Jan. 3, PGN filed a new request with the D.A.’s Office, specifying that it’s seeking Morris 911 recordings originating at the police department. Morris was a transgender woman found with a fatal head wound in 2002, shortly after a courtesy ride from Philadelphia police. She died two days later, on Dec. 24, 2002. Her homicide remains unsolved. The police department lost its entire Morris homicide file in 2003, and it remains possible that Morris 911 recordings were lost at the D.A.’s Office. Julie Chovanes, an attorney and executive director of Trans-Help Inc., expressed hope for transparency in the Morris case. “The public must have access to all the information about what happened to Nizah Morris 14 years ago,” Chovanes said. “The trans community needs to know whether what happened to Nizah could happen to them, even now. If the requested information hides criminal behavior, those hiding the information now are hiding criminals.”
Singer-actor Alex Newell will perform at a national LGBT conference in Philadelphia this month. Newell will show off his vocals at the National LGBTQ Task Force’s 29th-annual Creating Change Conference, a traveling conference dedicated to promoting LGBT equality. The out performer will conclude the five-day program during the closing plenary Jan. 22 at the Philadelphia Downtown Marriott. “We’re thrilled to have the very talented Alex Newell join us at this year’s Creating Change Conference in Philadelphia, the city of queerly love,” said Rea Carey, National LGBTQ Task Force executive director, in a statement. “Newell’s radiant energy and inspiring voice will be the perfect finale to a week packed with trainings and workshops geared to mobilize thousands of LGBTQ activists working to create positive and lasting social change.” Newell was a runner-up on Oxygen’s reality competition series “The Glee Project,” through which he received a two-episode role on the Fox television series “Glee” as the male-to-female transgender teenager, Wade “Unique” Adams. He made his first appearance in a third season episode,
“Saturday Night Glee-ver.” As his character grew in popularity, Newell became a recurring character on “Glee” until the show’s sixth and final season. Additionally, he appeared in other feature-length films, shorts and TV series. When it comes to music, Newell toured with Adam Lambert earlier this year and performed alongside 23 other artists for the charity song, “Hands.” Interscope Records, with support from GLAAD, released the single in July as a sign of solidarity for the victims of the June 12 shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla. Proceeds from the single went toward Equality Florida Pulse Victims Fund, the LGBT Community Center of Central Florida and GLAAD. Newell also helped commemorate the National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Start Talking. Stop HIV. campaign released a music video of The Knocks’ “Collect My Love,” which featured Newell. The video aimed to educate gay men about HIV prevention. Additionally, Newell released his debut six-song EP, “Power,” on Feb. 19, which featured the single, “This Ain’t Over.” To register for the Creating Change Conference and to see Newell perform at the closing plenary, visit www.creatingchange. org/registration. n
PARADE from page 1
a few offensive Mummers are enough to ruin the parade for everyone. And we need to get ourselves to a place where nobody marches down Broad Street offending anyone.” Fitzpatrick said when it comes to last year’s performance, “no one can change the past, but they can certainly help change the future.” She said she was happy to see there were no performances insulting the LGBT community. “That is not to say that the hurt that has happened in the past is now gone or completely forgiven, and I think that’s a really important point,” Fitzpatrick said. “Certainly, there’s continued work to do but I was really glad to see that there wasn’t hurtful, hateful performances geared toward LGBTQ people from what I saw and from what I’ve heard.” Ian Morrison, who performs in drag as Brittany Lynn and helped form the Miss Fancy Brigade, said his group’s members saw support throughout the ranks of the Mummers. “They really made it clear that there was going to be a lot of changes in the parade moving forward,” Morrison said. “It was all positive support coming from all of the different Mummers.” Morrison said performers in the Comic Division were required to adhere to specific makeup instructions, which included not having more than 25 percent of black, brown or yellow makeup under any circumstances. At last year’s parade, performers in Sammar Strutters’ “Siesta Fiesta” donned brown face, sombreros, ponchos and taco costumes. “The majority of the Mummers are there just to march and have fun and keep the tradition alive,” Morrison said. “[Not all of them supported] the racist things that happened last year.” In a Jan. 3 statement, Anti-Defamation League Regional Director Nancy BaronBaer called this year’s parade “an important step in the right direction,” saying it was “more inclusive and respectful.” “The parade is a storied Philadelphia institution, which unfortunately has been tarnished in the past by a lack of diversity and by offensive portrayals based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or other traits,” Baron-Baer said. “The 2017 Mummers Parade ... helped kick off the year on a positive note.” Morrison mentioned some of the longtime Mummers have been involved since the 1950s and ’60s, when “what was OK then is not OK now.” “I think a lot of these guys didn’t really have an idea that what they were doing was being seen as racist because it was just a different generation,” Morrison said. “But now with the sensitivity training, I think it’s being made aware to them. When they see all of the different inclusions of all of the different groups, [they see] it’s making the parade bigger and better. That’s what’s going to keep the parade going for future generations.” n
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News & Opinion
7 — News Briefing 10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Op-Ed Mark My Words Street Talk
Columns
15 — Out Law: A year in review
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Whether your New Year’s resolution was to shed a few pounds, work on stress-relief or boost confidence at work and at play, our New Year, New You guide gives you tips on how to face 2017 in the best possible physical, mental and emotional health. January 20 edition of PGN Advertisers, please contact greg@epgn.com to be included in this issue.
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Feature: Judy Gold Scene in Philly Family Portrait Out & About Q Puzzle Comics
~ Editorial, page 10
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A GoFundMe page has been created to help gay activist and cancer victim Keith Carson raise money to live out his days in peace at home.
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Early activist and Harvey Milk co-conspirator has penned a memoir of the first days of unity.
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LGBT/Non-Binary Pride Celebration to take over Washington Square Park By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com When Kairo Evans created the Facebook event for the LGBT/Non-Binary Pride Celebration, she only anticipated inviting a few friends. But the 21-year-old artist, model and YouTuber has seen the event expand to more than 140 confirmed and at least 1,000 who are “interested.” “It feels kind of magical,” Evans said. She organized the Jan. 13 event in Washington Square Park to support her friends in the LGBT community after they expressed fears regarding Donald Trump’s presidential election. “[They felt] like they should close themselves off to who they really are and not show it as much,” Evans said. “And I kept telling them that there’s nothing to be ashamed of with being who you are. In fact, it’s something to be proud of. It’s something to look at yourself and say, ‘This is part of who I am and I want to be proud of it.’” Evans said this is not an official event affiliated with an organization but rather an occasion where “people can meet each other and be themselves with each other.” She said she does not anticipate issues with law enforcement but she has other locations in mind for smaller gatherings if any issues arise. Evans noted that the event is not a protest. “I don’t want it to seem like we’re fighting
for who we are. I want it to seem like we are just celebrating who we are. Gay marriage is legal. You can change your gender on your birth certificate now. You can do all of that and it’s not perfect but we have a lot to celebrate about ourselves. It shouldn’t be us being angry about something we don’t agree with. It should be us being happy about what we already have.” Evans said there will not be alcohol at the event itself because she wants everyone to be safe in a public setting. However, she chose Washington Square Park due to its large size and close proximity to shops, restaurants and bars so attendees can take advantage of them after the event if they choose. Otherwise, Evans said, the only expectation is for people to “dance, share joy, make jokes and generally be happy.” She said when people think of LGBT individuals, they sometimes “only think of sexual orientation and not necessarily gender orientation.” She wanted to ensure non-binary individuals were accepted at this event. Additionally, Evans said this event is different from other Pride celebrations. “A lot of the time, those celebrations are to make a point to other people. But this is more about making a statement to each other [and] making a statement to ourselves to say that we are proud of who we are and we want to celebrate it. It’s more about making friends and meeting like-minded people.”
PURPOSEFUL ANNIVERSARY: Participants in the 10th-annual Kwanzaa Collaborative poured libations during the celebration of African culture. The event was held for the first time at the African American Museum of Philadelphia and this year focused on the Kwanzaa principle Nia, meaning purpose. A number of community organizations partnered for the event, which also featured live performances. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Evans said she is eager to connect with those who have showed interest in the event’s mission. “I’m most excited to meet all of these people,” Evans said. “They just seem amazing.”
The LGBT/Non-Binary Pride Celebration will be held 1-4 p.m. Jan. 13 at Washington Square, 210 W. Washington Square. For more information, visit https://www.facebook. com/events/1695280000800198/. n
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Gay cancer patient struggling to ‘die in the peace and comfort’ of his own home By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com After Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Keith Carson was unable to stay where he was living due to flooding. The openly gay HIV/AIDS activist moved around from living with relatives to apartments and motels. He now owns a single-family home in Barnegat, N.J., which he purchased in March 2013. However, his current home is not safe either. Carson was diagnosed with lung cancer, which spread from an earlier diagnosis of anal cancer, and is unable to pay his mortgage. “I’m really terrified that I’m going to lose my house and I’ll be out on the street,” Carson said. “With the current condition that I’m in, that’ll kill me.” Carson’s cancer caused him to black out while driving, resulting in him having to go on disability in June 2014. The state of New Jersey has denied his pension, which he funded through working as a professor at Atlantic Cape Community College and as a human-services specialist for Ocean County’s Board of Social Services, on a
technicality: After reviewing the case, the representatives for the mortgage company determined Carson’s disability was associated with lung cancer that disabled him as of Jan. 20, 2016. He was not considered disabled at the time he left employment on June 4, 2014, despite having cancer in other parts of his body. In the meantime, Carson’s mortgage company denied him a mortgage modification and refused to accept future mortgage payments due to his low income. Carson
“I’m really terrified that I’m going to lose my house and I’ll be out on the street. With the current condition that I’m in, that’ll kill me.” currently has $33,485 in arrears. Francis Cratil, Carson’s friend and former fraternity brother, spearheaded a GoFundMe campaign to help raise money
for Carson’s mortgage payment. “If I lose my right to health insurance, this could be me one day,” said Cratil, a cancer survivor. “Should I lose my right to health insurance and the cancer returns, I could be in danger of my wife and I losing our house.” Cratil and his wife, Cathy Lee, own Le Virtù and Brigantessa, two Philadelphia restaurants. The businesses have coordinated charity efforts in the past but since Carson was more than $30,000 in arrears, it was beyond the restaurants’ capacity to raise. However, Cratil said he might try to host an event at Le Virtù and has been sharing the GoFundMe page on the restaurant’s Facebook and Twitter.
Cratil met Carson when they were students at Gettysburg College. While they lost touch with each other until they reconnected on Facebook in 2011, Cratil was still aware of Carson’s work with HIV/ AIDS. “This is work helping humanity, helping other people,” Cratil said. “[HIV/ AIDS] was just not a thing that was always accepted. We’re old enough to have lived through a time when [President Ronald Reagan] wouldn’t even say ‘AIDS.’ I’m extraordinarily proud of Keith.” Carson, who is HIV-positive, established safesepace, New Jersey’s first state-funded HIV education and prevention program for gay men, at South Jersey AIDS Alliance. Through that initiative, he helped conduct retreats, support groups and outreach and education programs. Additionally, he helped create the HIV/AIDS Ministry at St. Francis Church at Brant Beach on Long Beach Island, N.J., and was a member of the National Catholic AIDS Network, where he was on the steering committee for a national conference. While Carson has kept spiritual faith PAGE 9 through his cancer, he
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Audiences will experience ‘Something HEALTH AND WELLNESS DIRECTORY Of A Different Color’ at William Way By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Drag performers Icon Ebony Fierce and Sapphira Cristal always planned to have a gala and fundraising event highlighting performers and artists of color. However, they felt a stronger sense of urgency after recent allegations of racism in the Gayborhood and Donald Trump’s presidential election. “After all of these events happened, we were like, OK, there’s no excuse anymore,” Icon said. “We need to get this done. We need to have an event like this only because it’s either now or never.” This event became an all-inclusive Jan. 13 gala entitled “Something Of A Different Color.” The all-ages evening will feature performances from Ann Artist, Boy Blue, The means., Dada Cos, Honey Davenport and DJ Jclef. Icon and Sapphira will host and perform while also encouraging audience members to take the microphone and voice their concerns for the country. Attendees can make donations between $5-$500 at the door with proceeds going to the William Way LGBT Community Center, where the event will be held. Chris Bartlett, executive director at William Way, said the evening
News Briefing Police bias case dismissed A federal appeals court last month ordered a lower court to dismiss the case of Philadelphia Detective Kenneth Rossiter, who claims he was unfairly fired in 2011 due to anti-union bias. Rossiter, who’s investigated several LGBT-related homicides, is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He contends that he was dismissed from the police force due to his union membership, which violated his constitutional rights. But city officials say Rossiter was properly fired due to overtime abuses. An independent
will provide an outlet for those who often don’t have voices. “I think that if you want to see some of the brightest creativity in our communities emerging from people of color, this is the place to do it,” Bartlett said. Icon said she wanted the event to be for all ages because most events in the Gayborhood are for people over the age of 21. When she’s not in drag, Icon volunteers at The Attic Youth Center and noticed young people do not have many options for celebration. “They don’t really have a place where they can go and celebrate being gay or a person of color or to have fun and have a safe space that’s not boozy or crazy,” Icon said. She added this event will help increase solidarity among youth while communicating with them. “We’re not going to back down and we’re not going to let you back down because there’s still spaces for you to come,” Icon said as a message to young people. “There’s an area for you to express yourself and be who you are.” O’Neill Haynes, Sapphira’s name when not in drag, mentioned the dress codes of Gayborhood bars. He said he has seen support for queer people of color, but that it’s hard to determine how far support goes.
“It is hard to figure that out when the people in charge really don’t want certain types of music, or certain types of outfits or shoes,” Haynes said. Haynes said Something Of A Different Color encourages others to “dress to impress,” although the meaning is up to the individual. “I get impressed by someone in really nice Skechers,” Haynes said. “We want everyone to come into a space where they are allowed to be their most special selves.” Haynes said he plans for “Something Of A Different Color” to become a monthly event benefitting alternating charities. He would also like to teach a cooking class to youth and have them cater the event to encourage community involvement. Until then, Haynes said this event is “not only called for, but needed” and he encouraged others to attend. “People should come to this event because it starts that whole conversation that we’ve been trying to have,” Haynes said. “It will be that place where people can have that conversation with each other openly and without fear of being judged.” n
arbitrator eventually reinstated Rossiter with full back pay and benefits. In 2013, Rossiter sued the city for an unspecified amount in monetary damages. Rossiter received a favorable ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Gerald A. McHugh. But on Dec. 29, a three-judge panel of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed McHugh’s ruling. The panel noted that no clearly established constitutional right of Rossiter had been violated by the city.
be dressed for the occasion, and guests are encouraged to follow the “Oz” theme. Tickets are $25$30 and can be purchased in advance at aidsfundphilly.org/ gaybingo. Proceeds benefit AIDS Fund, which distributes funding to local people affected by HIV/AIDS.
— Timothy Cwiek
GayBINGO! heads to Oz “Wizard of Oz” is wrapping up its run at Walnut Street Theater this weekend, and Oz fans can get one last taste with Follow the Yellow Brick Road GayBINGO. The games start at 7 p.m. Jan. 7 at Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St. Bingo Verifying Divas will
“Something Of A Different Color” will be held 6 p.m Jan. 13 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.
OurNightOut benefits DVLF Monthly LGBT social OurNightOut kicks off 2017 next week. The event will be held from 6-9 p.m. Jan. 9 at The Pyramid Club, 1735 Market St. Tickets are $10, with proceeds benefitting LGBT grantmaking organization Delaware Valley Legacy Fund. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.dvlf. org/ournightout-philly-event-registration. n — Jen Colletta
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Ultimately, 21 people, as well as Follins and Lassiter, contributed to the book. While each of the contributions is unique, The co-editors of an academic text explor- Follins said they all speak to a unifying ing the state of black LGBT health will be message. on hand to discuss their new work next “When you look at public-health research week at Allentown’s Bradbury-Sullivan and mental-health research in this country about black lesbian, bisexual, transgenLGBT Community Center. The center will host a book-launch event der, queer, same-gender-loving people, the for “Black LGBT Health in the United overarching theme is ‘These poor people, States: The Intersection of Race, Gender they suffer so much trauma that they can’t and Sexual Orientation” 6 p.m. Jan. 11 at possibly do well.’ When we looked at the people we worked with, clients or col522 W. Maple St. in Allentown. leagues, that’s just Lourdes Dolores not true,” Follins Follins and said. “While we Jonathan Mathias may have an enorLassiter, who edited mous load to bear, the compilation of at the end of the day, nearly two-dozen we’ve still found contributions from ways to survive and researchers and thrive. We wanted health-care profesto look at what peosionals, will discuss ple are doing in the book and then FOLLINS (LEFT) AND LASSITER this country, what engage with audithey’re thinking about, whether that’s theence members over coffee. Follins said the book was a “natural” fit ory, whether that’s research, to see that when people do go through various issues for her. “I’m a member of these communities and around racism, sexism, transphobia, how have been working with, for and on behalf are they surviving?” of these communities for 23 years now,” The editors will discuss these and other she said, noting she conceived of the work questions during next week’s book-launch after a publisher for whom she had contrib- event at Bradbury-Sullivan. uted a chapter on the topic asked if she had Lassiter recently moved to the Allentown a fuller proposal about the issue of black area to take a position as an assistant professor of psychology at Muhlenberg LGBT health. “About a month later, I thought, Wait College. He heard of Bradbury-Sullivan’s a minute; let me see if anything has been work through colleagues and connected written about black LGBT health in the with executive director Adrian Shanker, a United State that’s not about HIV, that Muhlenberg alum. doesn’t pathologize the community. There “I know the really outstanding work was nothing, no books,” she said. “I thought, that Bradbury-Sullivan has done with the There’s a need for this and I’m in a position LGBT community in Allentown; I think it’s a much-needed resource,” Lassiter said. to pull people together to work on this.” Lassiter said the book provided the “I’m happy to have this collaboration with needed opportunity to amplify the voices of them.” black LGBT people working in the health Shanker noted that promoting LGBT health has been one of the core values of the field. “One of the things that was important to community center. [Follins and me] was to make a space for Given the diversity of the communities it black LGBT researchers and health-care serves, the book event was a good opportuproviders to really talk about the issues of nity for community engagement, Shanker our community in a way that highlighted said. both the risk and resilience in this com- “The Lehigh Valley is a very diverse munity,” he said. “Most research on black community; Allentown is a majority-miLGBT folks has been done by people who nority city,” he noted. “We care deeply are not black or LGBT. We wanted to center about providing information to our comthe voices of black LGBT folks and have munities about LGBT health, including the researchers and the people out there the special challenges for LGBT people doing the work on the ground, as far as of color. This was a great opportunity to health care is concerned, contribute to that.” celebrate a local researcher in Jonathan While the topics are academic in nature, Lassiter but also to be able to highlight critthey’re written in a way that is relatable to ical issues for the community: the intersectionality of race and sexual orientation with non-academic audiences, Lassiter added. “We hope it will inspire folks,” he said. regard to health.” “We really tried to craft the book in a way The launch event for “Black LGBT that it not only spoke to academics but to Health in the United States” is free and regular everyday folks whose voices are open to the public. For more information, visit www.bradburysullivancenter.org. n often left out of the conversation.”
PGN LOCAL
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 6-12, 2017
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Anniversary David Facciolo and Carl Minster By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com David Facciolo and Carl Minster love to bicker. After 25 years together, the husbands, who practice law together at their firm Minster & Facciolo, LLC, have come to recognize and tease each other’s quirks; Facciolo refers to their banter as a “hobby.” Even with this hobby, Facciolo and Minster stayed strong as Minster struggled with the decision to attend law school in Ohio — miles away from Facciolo. Back then, Minster believed his relationship would be over if he decided to attend law school there. The couple bickered over this detail. “He didn’t think I would make the 11-hour drive every other weekend to Cleveland,” Facciolo said. Minster said all of the attorneys who graduate from the school stay in county to practice law. But Facciolo still tried to emphasize how he was willing to work around it. “I had a fairly new car and was willing to put miles on it,” Facciolo said. Minster does not miss a beat and recalled one incident where Facciolo visited him in Harrisburg, where Minster ultimately attended Widener University. “Oh David, come on. Look,” Minster said. “The one time you took the train out to Harrisburg, you slept through the Harrisburg stop and went on to Lewistown and then called me and said, ‘I’m lost. Come and get me.’” The couple will celebrate two anniversaries on Jan. 11. It will be 25 years since their first date and five years since their civil union in Delaware, which was backdated to a legal marriage once the right was legalized in the state in 2013. A friend introduced Facciolo and Minster to each other with the intention of creating a romantic connection — but neither of them knew this detail until later. For several months, one person would be dating someone else, preventing them from getCANCER from page 6
also maintains a sense of humor. This includes joking around with doctors by saying, “This is for when I die, right?” during his chemotherapy appointments and by giving a fake name and birthday at appointments. “You have to have a sense of humor,” Carson said. “That’s the way I am. It’s good to be a little light-hearted. If you don’t have a sense of humor, you can become very bitter about the whole thing.” Carson has also found strength in accepting his fate. “I’m at the point now where I have a terminal diagnosis and I’ve accepted the fact that I’m dying and it’s something we all have to go through,” he said.
ting together. Eventually, Minster got Facciolo’s number but did not receive a response after two phone calls. “After the third time, I flushed the number down the toilet so I didn’t make a fool [of myself],” Minster said. “Luckily, he called me back.” From there, Facciolo and Minster shared a cup of coffee at the Last Drop Coffee House and then had drinks at a nearby bar. The two have been together ever since. Facciolo eventually encouraged Minster to attend law school. “He wasn’t winning any of the arguments until he went to law school. Now he wins about 50 percent of them,” Facciolo joked. When Minster attended the Harrisburg campus at Widener University, he asked to be transferred to the Wilmington, Del., campus so he could be closer to Facciolo. Minster reminded the dean of the school’s nondiscrimination policy so he could successfully transfer. The dean questioned the seriousness of their relationship, Minster said. “I [told her], ‘Two turkey dinners every Thanksgiving,’” Minster said, referring to how he shares Thanksgiving dinners with both his family and Facciolo’s. “And she said, ‘That’s good enough for me.’” The couple has their share of personality differences. Facciolo said his husband tends to talk about fun topics, while he chats about philosophy and other serious By presstime, Cratil’s GoFundMe for Carson had raised more than $8,000 of the $33,500 goal. “I can’t help but be nervous because we still have a long way to go,” Cratil said. “I’m relatively sanguine. I think we’re going to get there but we need to broaden the reach, widen the net and get word out.” Carson said he was moved by the support on the fundraising page but recognizes there is still a ways to go. “I’m established,” Carson said. “I have a home here. I don’t want to die in a hospital. I want to die in the peace and comfort of my own home.” n To donate to Carson’s mortgage fund, visit https://www.gofundme.com/save-keiths-houseduring-his-chemo.
matters. “We’re like Yin and Yang,” Facciolo said. The duo also has their share of responsibilities around their home in Delaware — which they bicker over. “We get along well. He knows I do everything for him,” Minster said with a laugh. “The way it works is this: I take care of the cat,” Facciolo said. “No. You clean the litterbox,” Minster interjected, referring to their 4-year-old tuxedo cat, Christopher. The couple continued to banter about how Facciolo does all of the driving during weekend trips and how Minster does the
cooking and laundry. “If Carl dies, I’d have to hire a nanny and a business manager,” Facciolo said. “And if David dies, I’m moving to Palm Springs, Calif., tomorrow,” Minster said, referencing where he plans to retire. However, even with the bickering and bantering, the couple makes it work. Since they work out of two separate offices, with Minster in Philadelphia and Facciolo in Delaware, the duo enjoys coming home to each other. “We’re also best friends,” Minster said. “If anything happened to him, I’d be losing my best friend also.” “My mom said that when you get married, you have to marry someone who can be your best friend,” Facciolo added. “And I think that’s what we did.” “I’d be lost without him,” Minster said. n
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 6-12, 2017
PGN OP-ED
Creep of the Week
D’Anne Witkowski
North Carolina Republican Party
Editorial
Live and learn The litany of celebrity deaths we saw in 2016 seemed to become emblematic of a year gone bad. Despite the many low points of last year, there were some unifying themes that emerged and that can be used when our community and country undoubtedly face hardship in 2017. The ultimate reality that life is fragile and nowhere near guaranteed was on full display last year. For the LGBT community, that notion was painfully driven home by the mass shooting at Pulse Nightclub. Even without personally knowing a victim or survivor, it was hard for most of us to resist imagining how easily the scene could have been a Gayborhood club, and the victims us and our friends. Images of terrorist truck attacks, fleeing Syrian refugees, victims of police shootings all conflated to further illustrate the risk of taking any day for granted. These incidents and others also communicated that we need to be prepared for surprises. None of us expected to wake up June 12 and hear that 49 people were gunned down at an LGBT club. The shock of the tragedy was nearly as hard to grapple with as the reality of the massacre. Many in the country were just as sideswiped by the election of Donald Trump as our next president. His victory shook to the core those who were confident that the country was headed toward continued progress and equality. The headlines of 2016 were unexpected and for many unwelcomed — but that doesn’t mean they were of no value. We saw time and time again that we need to strive for the best but be prepared for the worst. We need to take on both the challenges and triumphs of each day as opportunities for growth. We need to invest time, attention and energy on the relationships, causes and goals that matter the most. And when an unforeseen tragedy happens, we need to rely on one another for solace, healing and perspective. This year will bring new pitfalls but — despite the gloom and doom forecasted by the election of our next president — there is bound to be progress; no matter how small it is, it should be celebrated and used to rebuild the building blocks that were damaged in 2016. n
We want to know! If you are celebrating an anniversary, engagement, wedding, adoption or other life event, we would be happy to help you announce it to the community. Send your contact information and a brief description of the event to editor@epgn.com.
As 2016 is now history, there is perhaps no better poster child for how totally terrible last year was politically than North Carolina. As you may remember, Republicans passed HB2, a bill that outlawed protections for LGBT people across the state and also went out of its way to tell trans people that they weren’t welcome in public restrooms. When Gov. Pat McCrory (R-Defeated) signed the bill, he didn’t realize he was also signing his own pink slip. But in a very close race for governor, Democrat Roy Cooper, who refused to support HB2 as attorney general, beat McCrory — a small bright spot in an otherwise disastrous election! McCrory didn’t think so, however, and fought the election results, lie-crying about voter fraud. McCrory’s defeat was due in large part to the utter economic clusterfuck HB2 caused the state. For some strange reason, companies, sports ball organizations and people who have any sense of decency thought that flagrantly endorsing and celebrating discrimination against LGBT people was something they could just not get behind. The NCAA, for example, yanked its championship games from the state, which pissed a lot of people off. And so, Republicans were freaking out that Cooper won, so much so that they’ve rushed through a bunch of bills limiting the governor’s power because they love democracy so much. Not only that, but so sad was the GOP about McCrory’s defeat that they briefly tossed around the idea of giving him health care for life as a consolation prize (that is not a joke). But somehow, in all of this, HB2 was supposed to be repealed. Because the Republicans said that if the city of Charlotte, which caused all of this trouble in the first place, would repeal its pro-LGBT ordinance, they would repeal HB2! And surely they should be taken at their word, right? So Charlotte did! And the Republicans did NOT. “HB2 is precisely why North Carolinians went to the polls and
ousted Gov. McCrory last month,” HRC President Chad Griffin said in a statement. “It’s time to chart a new course guided by the state’s values of dignity and respect, not discrimination and hate — and to ensure nondiscrimination protections exist in cities, towns and across the state of North Carolina.” Alas, HB2 was not repealed and is still on the books in North Carolina. Add all of this to the fact that the state’s voting districts were found to be totally racist and intended to keep Republicans in power, plus the increasingly popular GOP pastime of voter suppression, and the Electoral Integrity Project has declared that North Carolina isn’t even a functioning democracy! Congratulations, North Carolina! You did it! Needless to say, what’s happening in North Carolina is not encouraging if you’re the democracy-loving type. But it’s a glimpse into what happens when politicians get drunk with power and care very little about preserving democratic norms. Not that we have anything to worry about in that regard from a Trump administration, right? Just kidding. We are doomed. Just kidding again. We are NOT doomed. But progressives have a lot of work to do in 2017 and beyond. Things are going to get uglier. But throwing your hands up and saying “F-this” is not an option. Stay engaged even when it hurts (and it WILL hurt at times). Get involved with organizations that are doing work you care about. The ACLU, Lambda Legal, Planned Parenthood, NAACP, People for the American Way, to name a few, could use your time and dollars. Call and keep calling your representatives to hold them accountable. Find a candidate you believe in and work for their campaign. Donate your time to your local Democratic Party. And vote. For the love of God and all things holy, VOTE. n
Needless to say, what’s happening in North Carolina is not encouraging if you’re the democracy-loving type. But it’s a glimpse into what happens when politicians get drunk with power and care very little about preserving democratic norms.
D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow her on Twitter @ MamaDWitkowski.
OP-ED PGN
Your Trump lifeline This week, you witnessed what in all The New York Times was the first to pubreality is the only lifeline you’ll have lish it, and CNN, MSNBC and even Fox during a Trump presidency. And it’s the News quickly followed. Newspaper and one many of you have been griping about news sites around the nation put the story for some time, with some reason. Let’s up as their main news article. People began take a walk down Trump memory lane. to tweet and use social media to its fullest. This week the new This led to thousands of calls Republican Congress convened. jamming the Congressional (By the way, let’s start calling phone lines. Once it was obviit that, since this Congress is ous where this was going, even so overwhelmingly Republican Trump tweeted against making that it does not need a single the move a priority. I guess that Democrat vote to pass any shows he looks to see what is legislation.) As all opening trending. And the trend was not Congressional sessions do, the good for Congress. night before its official first ses How did this all hapsion convenes, leadership meets pen? The media, that group that in a private session and passes many — mostly Republicans what will be the rules for the — denounce. This is a perfect new Congress. Following, in its example of what media does first official session, the memand why it will be so importbers, like good soldiers, pass it. ant during a Trump presidency. But in that package was a piece are the only independent Mark Segal They of legislation that would gut the group of professionals who will Office of Congressional Ethics, deliver what this nation should meaning that any member of Congress have: transparency in government. Next time you want to trash the media, who strayed from the rules or laws would think of this “resolution.” Information is no longer have what some have called the powerful and getting it professionally — in “Congress police” to bring them to justice. a way you can use it and trusting that the It would be like Congressional kids in the facts are correct — can keep politicians — taxpayers’ candy store. But a surprising thing happened on the ah, let’s say this in the spirit of the moment way to Republican heaven on the Potomac. — ethical. n As soon as that secret session ended, some- Mark Segal is the nation’s most-award-winning how a few members of the media who have commentator in LGBT media. His recently pubCongress as their beat — meaning they are lished memoir, “And Then I Danced,” is availat all the meetings and watch all actions of able on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble or at your favorite bookseller. Congress — discovered this “resolution.”
Mark My Words
Op-Ed
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 6-12, 2017
11
Street Talk Will you watch Trump's inauguration? "No. I find Trump to be appalling. I wouldn't subject myself to the pain of seeing him on TV. It would be very Jessica Dauber upsetting." cook Queen Village
"Sure, why not? He's my president, and I support him. I want to hear what he has to say. I might not agree with Karl Thomas everything courier but I have West Philadelphia patriotism for my country."
"No. I'm interested in politics, moreso now than ever. But I'm not interested in the spectacle of politics. I don't need to see Trump getting inaugurated to know that it
Ryan Morrison college professor Bella Vista
happened."
"No, I don't like Trump. I'm very scared about what will happen to the country. He's only going to help white, straight men. Claire Vagnone Women's student rights will be Queen Village hindered. I don't want to see him getting sworn into office."
Gary Hines
Winter 2017 reflections So what do we say in the aftermath of all these recent events? Will you accept this new world? Will you support him in whatever he does? We have to do better next time, right? This is just the aftermath of the elections. It is still hard to believe that there are so many folks out there who got it so wrong. How did a man that espoused so much hate and bigotry end up being our 45th president? There were probably a number of things that went wrong on the D side of the aisle. Never underestimate the power of hate and division; it’s been working well for the last 100 years. On a local note, how has the election played out in our backyards? Well, when you see swastikas and references to Nazis and Trump in South Philly, you know that we are in for a real bumpy ride. I always knew that Philly wasn’t as blue as we all would like to think. Trump has opened the floodgates for those long-repressed racist feelings to bubble to the top. We will continue to see this. Not only did Trump win over ALL of Pennsylvania, he also did some damage here in the city and the near
suburbs. Racists and separatists of all shapes and party affiliations came out of the woodwork and I can only speculate that religion, sexual orientation, environmental and other areas will be negatively affected. Way to go, Donald, you made America hate again. It is eye-opening that so many seemingly rational people just pulled the levers that are taking us back to the 1950s. It happened. So now what? The people that the new POTUS is putting in place are even more dangerous than his ass. They are no friends of any marginalized community and if you are black, brown, gay, bi, trans, disabled, poor, Muslim or from a dark-skinned country, there will be a price to pay. To watch the so-called rational Republicans go batshit crazy over this man is LSD-mindboggling. The new kiss-ass mentality is disgusting. So this is how you win elections in the 2010s and beyond? Lie to people (let’s count the backtracking of proposed things Donald was going to do), play on their racist and sexist fears and promise to dis-
mantle things that have been in place for decades — and boom: You’re the prez. It has come to soundbites, GPS-mapping, Steve Kornacki and John King spouting “too close to call,” “too early to call.” Watching the results was extremely painful with this faster-than-lightning technology. Nate Silver and Rachel Maddow got it wrong and TV has become the decision-maker. Talk shit about women and groping them and don’t disclose your taxes and poo-poo the media (except Breitbart and Fox) and you are in, my friend! The time for reflection is short; after all, the midterms are just two years away. Action is what is needed now. But from whom and from where? We are a broken nation and it has been that way forever. What can other countries teach us? We need to look at what others are doing because obviously we are doing something very wrong. Back to the local scene for a moment. I was out in the Gayborhood a few Saturdays ago after Thanksgiving and the bars were all pretty much hopping. I only visited Knock and U-Bar after a
super-expensive meal at Little Nonna. Both bars were full of loud and talkative white men. As I drove past ICandy, I peeked in to see it too looked full and lively. The furor seems to have passed for now. They seemed to have a crowd in there and, yes, I saw people of color going in. Not a surprise. In today’s media-driven world (both social and on TV), one story takes on a new life and others die after a few weeks. Only time will tell if meetups and subgroups and new commissions will have any effect at all. I’m optimistic, but I always am, only to be disappointed. And don’t let me get started on the deaths of celebrities over the year — 2017, welcome! n Gary Hines is a community activist and political operative for Democratic causes. He belongs to Liberty City Democratic LGBT Political Action Committee, is on the advisory board of Philadelphia FIGHT, is a commissioner on the Mayor’s Commission on African American Males, a member of Men of All Colors Together and has sat on academic advisory boards at Drexel University as well as the Minority Business Development Commission under Gov. Ed Rendell. He lives in the Germantown section of Philadelphia.
LEGAL PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 6-12, 2017
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2016 Year in Review Well, congratulations! If for LGBT clinic and safe place for nothing else, congratulations on our medical needs. Almost oversurviving one of the most tumulnight, a response was mobilized tuous, confusing, disappointing and more than 2,000 people and momentous years … ever. showed up with angel wings We witnessed one of the most and “LOVE” signs to block any intense election cycles in U.S. potential protestors. history. Hillary Clinton was the LGBT rights made notable first female candidate for presiprogress globally as well. In dent and went up against Donald 2016, marriage was legalized in J. Trump. She supPortugal, Colombia, ported Obama’s transGreenland, the Isle gender student-bathof Man (would love room allowance, to visit just so I can praised the Supreme say I did!), and a Court’s decision in civil-union bill was Obergefell v. Hodges passed in Italy. In and committed herself February, the Supreme to protecting LGB and Court of India decided transgender rights. to review the criminalHad she won, this artiization of homosexucle and our psyches ality under its constiwouldn’t be so glum tution and, as a result, but, alas, in the end, Seychelles, Angela Nauru, she was short of the Belize and the British Giampolo Antarctic Territory folelectoral victory. While we are glad lowed suit, making it to leave 2016 behind, let us not safer to be gay in those countries. forget the progress that we made Some countries went even furas a community and realize how ther: Malta banned sexual-orienimportant it is to remain diligent tation- and gender identity-conin 2017. This year will be when version therapy on minors, and everyone, if they didn’t already Northern Ireland lifted the lifeknow, learns that the LGBT com- time ban on blood donation by munity is strong, resilient and gay men. Even the Conservative united — not only those inside Party of Canada voted 1,036-462 the community, but our allies as to change the party’s political well. platform from defining marriage Our resiliency and unity, as “a union between one man and locally and nationally, was one woman” to a neutral stance demonstrated in the response to — which the country did in its the Pulse Nightclub shooting in constitution almost 15 years ago. Orlando, the worst mass shooting So as we look forward, realin modern U.S. history. Cities all istically it is useless to examine over the country held benefits for Trump’s stance on LGBT rights the victims, while the GoFundMe as it is confusing and, dependthat was started by Equality ing on the year, based on who Florida broke the site’s fundwas writing him a fundraising raising record, and right here in check at that moment. We will Philadelphia we raised more than keep a close eye on Trump’s $100,000 for the victims in one actions nonetheless, but it is the evening! On top of all that, the people he is appointing to his LGBT community now is more cabinet and his inner circle who attentive to gun regulation and should scare you most. In a time reform. when we should be following Again, locally, when the Vermont and New York’s lead Democratic National Convention to ban conversion therapy, we was in Philadelphia, we got just voted in a vice president word that the infamous Westboro who is notorious for advocating Baptist Church was going to the removal of funding for HIV/ picket Mazzoni Center, our only AIDS research and diverting it
Out Law
to conversion-therapy research and the passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which cost Indiana a reported $60 million in economic backlash. My favorite response to Indiana’s RFRA was when President Obama was asked about his friendship with Vice President Joe Biden and he responded that they are so close that they might not be served pizza in Indiana. In my end-of-2015 review, I reiterated that “we must actively fight for the T in LGBT and not just in words — in money and in action,” and I think today it is as important as ever to make sure we stand unified. There were close to 50 bills introduced in state legislatures in 2016 that targeted transgender individuals. Before this influx of bills, the federal government had made a few attempts to discuss transgender equality, with stepping stones in 2014 that allowed sexual-reassignment surgery to be covered by Medicaid and then-Attorney General Holder stating that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
the military. Unfortunately, there is a great likelihood that these advances will go away under the new administration. Because all of the Obama administration’s executive orders and the decisions of agencies under the Obama administration, including its non-binding efforts, will likely be overturned, we must rely on the states. If you feel disenfranchised, my advice to you is: VOTE IN THE MID-TERM ELECTION. Let’s make Pennsylvania “blue” again! For example, in recent months, Montana, New York and West Virginia’s Lewisburg City Council moved to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity in areas such as public employment and public access. The city of Charlotte did as well but then North Carolina responded with HB2, the “bathroom bill.” We saw huge victories this past year with the current Department of Justice, Department of Education and the Equal Opportunity Employment
My favorite response to Indiana’s RFRA was when President Obama was asked about his friendship with Vice President Joe Biden and he responded that they are so close that they might not be served pizza in Indiana. applies to gender identity as well as biological sex. Moreover, Defense Secretary Carter announced the immediate end of the ban on transgender military personnel. Transgender service members also now receive the same medical coverage as any other military member, including hormone therapy and gender-reassignment surgery if doctors determine that such procedures are medically necessary. The only barrier that a transgender person must overcome if they wish to enlist is they must be “stable” in gender identity for 18 months before joining
Commission showing their commitment to protect our transgender citizens by saying a bar on transgender people from using the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity is a form of sex discrimination and a student’s gender identity must be respected in public schools. With that said, those victories may be eviscerated. Since the election, 11 states have already sued the Obama administration, asserting that the transgender civil-rights legislation in schools is outside of the scope of federal anti-discrimination law. There have been 254 anti-
LGBT bills introduced across the nation since marriage equality — that is what began the backlash. It’s important to note that “introducing” is not the same as “passing” a law. Oklahoma introduced the most bills (24) and Virginia passed the most into law (four). Only nine states, including our now-red Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia, have not introduced any. We know the incoming administration is going to shake up the progress that has been made. The future of our equal protection under the law will temporarily be decided by the next administration but ultimately rests with who the next Supreme Court justice(s) will be and how many justices will be replaced by PresidentElect Trump. It is within the Supreme Court that we have gained the most ground, so it will likely be the Supreme Court that determines our progress. I know — it’s a lot to take in. But ultimately, our biggest assets as both individuals and as a community are continued unity and resilience. That is what we’ll need to get through the next four years and however long it will take to unwind the damage done as a result. The tumultuous year that just passed gave us plenty of chances to come together to support one another — and we did. With a new year beginning, we are definitively less optimistic than we were at the start of 2016, but that’s OK. We have fought in the past and won and this is no different. So please, don’t lose hope, don’t disengage and don’t forget about the awesome community of people we have right here in Philadelphia. n Angela D. Giampolo, principal of Giampolo Law Group, maintains offices in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and specializes in LGBT law, family law, business law, real-estate law and civil rights. Her website is www.giampololaw.com, and she maintains a blog at www. phillygaylawyer.com. Reach out to Angela with your legal questions at 215-645-2415 or angela@giampololaw.com.
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LAWSUIT from page 1
state registrar Vincent T. Arrisi and state health commissioner Cathleen D. Bennett, along with the agencies they head: the New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics and the New Jersey Department of Health, respectively. New Jersey currently has a statute requiring gender-confirmation surgery prior to the issuance of a revised birth certificate with a different gender. According to Doe’s lawsuit, the statute violates state and federal laws, including the equal-protection and due-process clauses of the 14th Amendment, the Americans With Disabilities Act and New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination. “The requirement harms [Doe] by forcing her to undergo surgery that she does not want and forces [Doe] to sterilize herself before she is allowed a correct birth certificate,” the suit states. However, a motion to dismiss filed on behalf of the defendants last week emphasizes that the state isn’t forcing Doe to
undergo surgery. “[The law] does not mandate that anyone obtain [gender-confirmation] surgery, nor does it place any obstacle in the way of an individual who seeks to undergo that surgery,” according to the Dec. 28 motion. The motion also denies that the statute at issue discriminates against trans people, or violates any state or federal laws. Moreover, the motion notes that about 20 states in addition to New Jersey have a similar statutes. But, according to Doe’s suit, several states, including Pennsylvania, New York, California, Iowa, Oregon, Vermont and Washington, permit gender changes to birth certificates without requiring gender-confirmation surgery. Doe’s suit also notes that New Jersey doesn’t require gender-confirmation surgery to change a gender marker on a driver’s license. Additionally, the plaintiff holds, the federal government doesn’t require surgery
for gender changes on a U.S. passport. The defendants’ motion to dismiss contends that granting Doe’s request would result in an inaccurate birth certificate. “If [Doe], who was born anatomically as a male, were able to change the sex on her birth certificate without submitting proof of a physical sex change, her birth record would reflect that she is anatomically a female even though she retains the genitalia of a male,” attorneys for the defendants wrote. “Thus, the relief [Doe] seeks would constitute a state-sanctioned inaccuracy.” The attorneys also claim that granting Doe’s request could result in widespread fraud and identity theft. “If the name and sex designation on a birth certificate could be changed without any tether to the individual’s anatomical features, as [Doe] suggests, then a bad actor could abuse the system to create several versions of birth certificates to use for nefarious
purposes, such as identify theft, defrauding government benefits programs, and defrauding immigration officials.” The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp, who hadn’t ruled on whether the case should be dismissed as of presstime. Julie Chovanes, an attorney for Doe, expressed optimism that the request for dismissal will be denied. “My client is simply asking for respect under the law as a trans woman,” Chovanes said. “The state is essentially arguing that the current birth-certificate statute is legitimate. The state’s rationale is that counting external sex characteristics — that is, infant penises or vaginas — is a necessary state action. All we want the state to do is to give us the same protections that anyone else gets with an accurate birth certificate.” Paul Loriquet, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, declined to comment. n
CIVIL UNION from page 1
adult twin sons but, because of the civil union, Neyman wasn’t able to establish a legal connection to her current partner and child. “Up until now, people who have civil unions have been in legal limbo,” Palmer said. “Pennsylvania never had a civil-union law and the case that addressed same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania, Whitewood v. Wolf, and the U.S. Supreme Court case, Obergefell, both were silent with respect to civil unions. That left a lot of people in states that didn’t have specific civil-union laws in complete limbo as to what was the nature of what they have. This very clearly says a civil union is the functional equivalent of marriage and therefore laws that relate to marriage, at least under state laws, should apply.” “This decision is important to Freyda and to the many other Pennsylvanians whose civil unions far outlasted their actual relationships,” Ude added. “They will now finally be able to obtain court decrees that bring those unions to a recognizable end.” n
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FEATURE PGN
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Family Portrait Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly
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Out comedian Judy Gold hits the ground ranting in 2017 By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com In the last year, you might have seen out comedian, writer and actor Judy Gold on popular TV shows like “Two Broke Girls,” “Inside Amy Schumer,” “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “Louie,” The Jim Gaffigan Show,” “Difficult People” and “Search Party.” Despite her success, Gold, like a lot of us, is staring at the glass that was this past year and seeing it as somewhere far, far, far south of half-empty. “[The year] 2016 was pretty dark,” she said. “Not that I’m the most positive person in the world, but I’m hoping 2017 is better than 2016 because I don’t know how it could get any worse. I can’t even believe it.”
Throughout our conversation, Gold, being the the quick-witted and socially conscious comedian she is known to be, often exploded into righteous fury and stunned exasperation about a certain bright-orange, ill-tempered, tweet-storming, reality-TV star who is going to be handed the keys to power Jan. 20. Gold, like most of us, is basking in the dim silver lining of the fact that, at presstime, the soon-to-be leader of the free world can’t find any A-list talent who wants anything to do with performing at his inauguration. “I do love that because even Andrea Bocelli, who’s friends with him, backed out,” she said. “So yeah, too bad. You’re so anti-LGBT and who are the best performers in the world? That’s what happens when you piss off the gays. And who the hell is going to do Melania’s hair and makeup?
That’s what I want to know.” Since the election, a number of comedians have gone on record saying that they are dropping overtly political jokes from their material because of the hostile social climate in the country. Gold said she hopes that those comedians are the exception and not the rule. “I hope not because then he wins,” Gold answered when asked if she thinks comedians are going to self-censor because of Trump. “He wants to censor the press. He says whatever the fuck comes into his stupid-ass brain. We have to listen to his shit. We should be able to say whatever we want. There should be no fear. His whole campaign is based on fear and hate. And you know what? We have voices too and we should use them.” It’s hard to believe but there was a time,
before smartphones and TMZ, when things that went down in a comedy club pretty much stayed between the performer and the audience. These days, a particularly bad, good or controversial night on stage can go uncontrollably viral by the next day. Gold said that kind of scenario can hamper the creativity of big-name comedians. “You just don’t know if someone is going to take a video on their phone of even just a portion of what you are saying so before the whole thought is out, it becomes a sound bite,” she said. “We used to be able to develop material in the club and people like Amy Schumer, Chris Rock and Lewis Black, people who need to go to the clubs to work out their stuff, they can’t announce they are going to be at a certain place on a certain night because people will come and videotape it. We’ve lost PAGE 20
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FEATURE PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 6-12, 2017
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GOLD from page 19
a sense of privacy. And there’s no etiquette anymore. It’s really sad.” Then apparently it became time for another much-needed righteous explosion. Hit it, Judy! “The saddest part is this fake news shit and we’re going to have a president who believes these fake news websites and quotes them,” she said. “And then we have people who believe them. I cannot believe that we fought and fought for so many years through the AIDS crisis and marriage equality. We finally have a president who is pro-LGBT and was smart. I’m speechless. I can’t fucking believe it. I still can’t believe it. Everyone is like, ‘Get over it.’ How do you get over it?” Some people get over it by going to a comedy club for a night of humor. But in the back of her mind, Gold sometimes finds herself on stage wondering how anybody goes about having a good time while the world is about to go all dumpster fire. “I walk around like, ‘Aren’t you worried? Aren’t you scared?’” she said. “I can’t believe more people aren’t angry. So many people are like, ‘Yeah, OK.’ It’s so annoying. There’s so many people I can’t even talk to. He’s so dumb. He’s just so dumb. For me personally, it’s really hard to find the funny because I’m so scared and angry. I do say he’s the only native New Yorker who has never been to therapy and he needs it more than anyone I’ve ever met. He’s dangerous. It’s hard to find the funny when you’re scared — and not scared like their fear of the Muslims and the Mexicans. I’m talking about a deeper sense of fear. This is going to affect our country and our standing in the world. I have two kids. I have a partner. I don’t have time to fucking tweet. How does he have time for these stupid rallies so that he can repeat how much he won like it’s a
fucking football game and then review it on ESPN?” Despite the impeding doom, for now, the
world keeps turning and Gold is keeping herself busy with her live comedy shows, her weekly “Kill Me Now” podcast and roles on new TV shows. “I’m going to be in the new Showtime series ‘I’m Dying Up Here,’ about standup in L.A. in the 1970s,” she said. “So that’s exciting. Hopefully I’ll be cast in more things.” It’s always good to end on a positive note. n
Judy Gold performs 8 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Rrazz Room at the Prince, 1412 Chestnut St. For more information or tickets, call 267-239-2941 or visit www.judygold.com or www.therrazzroom.com.
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JANUARY 21
Guide to the Gayborhood
The Philadelphia Gayborhood is roughly centered at 12th and Camac streets. Look for the rainbow street signs at intersections and remember to be aware of your surroundings wherever you go. Boxers
1330 Walnut St. facebook.com/ boxersphl Sports bar with multiple plasma tvs, pool table, brick oven, more!
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Woody’s
1302 Walnut St. 215.336.1335 rosewood-bar.com Elegantlyappointed cozy bar with high-end cocktails
200 S. 12th St. 215.964.9675 tabuphilly.com Sports bar / drag shows and bar food
202 S. 13th St. 215.545.1893 woodysbar.com American-style bar food and large dance floor
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11th St.
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 6-12, 2017
Juniper St.
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William Way LGBT Community Center
1315 Spruce St. 215.732.2220 waygay.org
A resource for all things LGBT
Voyeur
1221 St. James St. 215.735.5772 voyeurnightclub.com After-hours private club; membership required
U Bar 1220 Locust St. 215.546.6660
Relaxing corner bar, easy-going crowd, popular for happy hour and window watching
Tavern on Camac West of Broad Street Stir Lounge
1705 Chancellor St. 215.732.2700 stirphilly.com Fun two-bar lounge, DJ in the back, regular poker games and specials
255 S. Camac St. 215.545.8731 Piano lounge with upstairs dance floor; Tavern restaurant below is open late.
Knock 225 S. 12th St. 215.925.1166 knockphilly.com Fine-dining restaurant and bar, outdoor seating (weather permitting), piano in back room
ICandy
254 S. 12th St. 267.324.3500 clubicandy.com Three floors with a total of six bars; dance floor, lounge and rootop deck.
The Attic Youth Center
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255 S. 16th St. 215.545.4331 atticyouthcenter.org Safe space and programs for LGBTs age 16-23 weekday afternoons and evenings
Pa. bars close at 2 a.m. unless they have a private-club license. Please drink responsibly.
PROFILE PGN
Family Portrait
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 6-12, 2017
23
Suzi Nash
Hazel Edwards: Creating change for trans youth in Philly and beyond As any regular reader knows, I love this city. I’ve lived here long enough to remember when we were a punchline to a W.C. Fields joke and am pleased to have seen the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection grow from a place where your biggest culinary decisions were Pat’s or Geno’s to a highly regarded hub for top chefs and restaurants. We are a thriving metropolis that has been host to both the RNC and the DNC as well as countless festivals and major events. This month we put another feather in our bonnet (sorry, I’ve been watching the “Downton Abbey” marathon) as we host the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force’s Creating Change Conference. This marks the 27th year for the event, which is considered the premier political, leadership and skills-building conference for the LGBT social-justice movement. With an expected attendance of thousands, the event promises daylong institutes, trainings in the Leadership Academy, workshops for faith leaders and organizers and much more. All in all, there will be approximately 250 workshops and caucus sessions; four keynote plenary sessions; worship gatherings; film screenings; meetings; receptions and social events; and a multitude of opportunities for attendees to meet with and learn from each other. Considering the current political climate, the conference is a chance for us to prepare and care for each other at this critical time. Several of our hometown heroes will be given special honors, including this paper, which is receiving the inaugural media award; the John C. Anderson Apartments, which is being recognized for excellence in Leadership on Aging, and this week’s portrait, Hazel Edwards, who will receive the Youth Leadership Award. If there’s room on the mantle, she can add it to her previous awards, such as the Girls Rock Philly 2016 PhillyRising Award, the Youth Rising Star Award at Philadelphia Trans March 2015 and Youth Grand Marshal at the 2014 Philadelphia Pride Parade. PGN: You have quite a history for someone so young. Tell me a little about yourself. HE: I’m from West Philadelphia, born and raised … [Laughs] I grew up with my mom and my half-brother and sister; they’re eight and nine years older than me. My dad was incarcerated when I was 9 and he’s still in prison right now. PGN: Tell me about mom. HE: She’s a dietary manager at a nursing home. She’s originally from Michigan, where she met my dad. He’s from Philly but he worked for her there and they fell in love and she moved to Philly with him. When he got in trouble, he was sentenced to 12-40 years so hopefully he’ll be eligible to get out on his minimal when I’m 21.
PGN: That’s good. What’s a happy family memory? HE: I’m biracial and grew up with my mom’s side of the family, which is white. I recently started connecting with my father’s family and it’s been great to learn about my culture and heritage from that side. It’s enabled me to start having conversations with people about race and culture and other things like that. It’s nice to know who I am and where I came from. PGN: Tell me about the prom/graduation situation that initially brought you to The Attic Youth Center. HE: Well, my attendance at high school had been down and four months before graduation, I was having a conversation with my principal about it. I realized that if I was going to tell him why I’d been avoiding school I’d have to tell him that I was trans and was not comfortable at school as a result. I also told him that I wanted to wear a dress at prom and graduation. The administrators were very kind people but the school was Boys Latin of Philadelphia Charter and the reaction was, “This is a boys’ school; you can’t wear painted nails here or come in with your hair done or wearing makeup.” I’d been wearing makeup and coming in with my nails done since the 10th grade and no one ever bothered me about it until I came out. Fortunately, I’d read the school rule book and knew it like the back of my hand so I knew what my rights were. If it was past my shoulders, I was allowed to wear my hair in a ponytail, and there was nothing in the books banning makeup or nail polish. Their response was that this was a school for boys, and it seemed like they started making up new rules on the spot. When the guidance counselor insisted on telling me that I was a boy, I packed up my stuff and left in the middle of the conversation. I never went back. PGN: Wow. HE: Yes, then I saw an ad for a social-justice internship at The Attic. I applied and got it and during the course of the internship I saw that my former school had requested a sensitivity training! So I went with my boss and it went really well. My principal cried at the end and came up to me and said, “The student is now the teacher … ” It was really great. I was pleased to know that when the next trans person comes out to them, they’ll be better prepared to deal with it. They now have the tools that I wished they’d had when I was there. PGN: How did you find The Attic? HE: When I was 14, I was dating a boy at my school. We were both into theater and he used to go to The Attic after rehearsals. He told me that The Attic was great and
that I should go with him sometime. One day I did and the first thing I encountered was a dance group practicing. I joined in and it was the best time of my life. It gave me a chance to express how I felt and The Attic allowed me to wear dresses and makeup in a safe space. PGN: Were you able to get support from your family as well? HE: I went to a Catholic school from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade and then went into an all-boys’ school. I came out to my mother that I liked boys when I went into high school but I didn’t say anything about being trans. She thought I identified as a male who liked males, but I never actually identified as a boy. But as a result, I was labeled as gay until I came out as trans at about 17. The first person I told was my pediatrician. I told her I didn’t know what to do but that I wanted to get hormones. She had no clue about the subject — I was her first trans patient — so she scheduled me to come back in a week
to work because I wanted her to have time to internalize and process every word that was on the page and not react emotionally. I figured if she was at work she’d have to keep calm and not freak out right away. We didn’t talk for a week until I finally asked if she’d read the letter. We talked about it and she truly didn’t accept or understand it, though I knew that she still loved me. I hadn’t been expecting a “Woo hoo, I’m so proud,” but it was rough for a while. She’s slowly coming around now. PGN: That’s good. HE: Yes, I was basically pushed out of both my school and home and didn’t have the best living situations. I was unstably housed and went from couch surfing to spending time in a shelter while continuing to fight for social injustice at The Attic. That work gave me enough money to find housing and support myself.
PGN: What are some of the concerns and misconceptions you encounter when talking to school administrators? HE: I’d say the biggest misconception about trans women, especially those of color, is that we’re unable to support ourselves and the only source of income is sex work. It can be true to some extent due to discrimination in the workforce and housing, the police, etc., but that’s not the story for all of us. Another misconception is that what’s on our birth certificates is the only way to define our gender identity, or that people of non-binary genders don’t exist but they do. I could go on … As far as concerns, of course the bathroom issue is a big one but it’s not the only issue that we’re trying to win justice and equality for. Privacy is a big issue. If I go for a job, I don’t need to explain to you what surgeries I’ve had or not had, I don’t need to explain my journey as a trans person to Photo: Suzi Nash and when I came in she had done her you. Gender is very comresearch and had all of these pamphlets plex. Not all trans people on places like the Mazzoni Center and are uncomfortable with their bodies or even had looked up places for my mom to their names. There are many people who get support. It was really nice of her and I don’t want to go through a physical transifelt validated. [Laughs] I came out to my tion and many who do. It’s very personal. mom in a painting. It was an image of a male silhouette looking into a mirror and PGN: As horrific as the so-called baththere was a woman looking back at him. room bill in North Carolina is/was, I found She looked at it and said, “Nice textures,” optimism in the backlash they faced. The so she didn’t exactly get the hint. So I sent fact that sports teams and politicians and her a letter when she was at work. I sent it corporate entities and PAGE 26
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 6-12, 2017
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS
Gay couple with Philly ties reshapes meaning of ‘bad kids’ By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor The inspiring new documentary “The Bad Kids,” directed by married filmmakers Lou Pepe (a Philly native) and Keith Fulton, opens Jan. 13 at the AMC Loews Cherry Hill. The film chronicles a year in the life of the students, faculty and administration of Black Rock High School, an alternative public school in California at which kids study and graduate at their own pace. Fulton and Pepe focus on several of the school’s 120 students, following three in particular: Joey,
whose mother is a drug user, and her son is following in her footsteps; Lee, a teenage father, whose girlfriend also attends Black Rock; and Jennifer, who has been sexually abused by her grandmother’s partner. The filmmakers show not just the struggle these kids go through trying to balance the demands of life and schoolwork, but also the heroic efforts of principal Vonda Viland, who takes a personal interest in every student — past, present and future — who attends Black Rock. From revealing teacher meetings to private counseling sessions where teens express their self-doubts, “The Bad Kids” shows the benefits of this kind of hands-on education, which promotes structure without structure and helps shape responsible young adults. The filmmakers, who are graduates of Temple University’s MFA program — Pepe is currently a fulltime faculty member of Temple’s Film and Media Arts Study Away Program in Los Angeles — spoke with PGN about “The Bad Kids.”
PGN: What were you like as teens in high school? Lou Pepe: I was a very good kid who followed all the rules and came nowhere near addressing problems in my life that were remotely like what the young people in the film deal with. I was a sheltered and privileged young person. Keith Fulton: I grew up in a perfectly supportive family, but I was a bad kid. I was a stoner, and found ways of missing school. I managed to be absent 70 days in my senior year.
at the school and was having a little bit of friction. Lee recommended himself. He saw us and was open and forthcoming. He was a fascinating young man. And Jennifer was a discovery in the course of filming. She wasn’t on Vonda or any other teacher’s lists of students to talk to, but we saw her around school with a smile on her face and working hard. We were in Vonda’s office when Jennifer was talking about not going to school, and seeing the girl we thought had it all together and dealing with all this under the surface was fascinating to us, so we talked to her more.
PGN: How did you find out about Black Rock, and what prompted you to make a film about it? KF: We had been doing a series of film commissions and we were charged with making short documentaries about public schools and excellent teachers. We quickly gravitated to top and failing schools where teachers were doing their best with limited resources. One of our district scouts got us to Black Rock, and we were blown away by the reputation of the school and the love and empathy that we saw in the hallways. We realized that with the right attention and low teacher/student ratios [Black Rock has eight teachers for 120 students], those problems can be addressed.
PGN: What can you say about the observational nature of making the film? There is a great sequence where you have several kids telling their stories in voice-over. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking. KF: You pinpoint an important sequence for us. It’s a chorus of voices of all the kids, not just [at] this school but all around the country. There are a lot of films about high schools and unfortunate circumstances. Some kids prevail in the end and some don’t. We highlighted three students, but we got a sense of the collective conscious of all the kids, and what they are carrying around. LP: In terms of production, we made a conscious decision at the start not to do sit-down and talking-head interviews. We did audio interviews, but this was not standard educational film fare — an expert talking about these kids. We didn’t interview any experts. We wanted to interview as many of the kids as we could. We build trust by showing we were genuinely interested in who they were and what they thought. We didn’t want a talky film. That sequence you mention was a way to convey that aspect of that school to our audience and put it in the viewer’s heads that if you call them “bad kids” after you hear what they experience at home, you realize you judge them unfairly.
PGN: How did you find the principle subjects in the film, and how did you get them to trust you? LP: Vonda suggested kids we should meet. We asked kids to tell their stories, and if they were open to being filmed. Joey was on Vonda’s list because she saw he was smart, but he had just started
PGN: Can you discuss your approach to showcasing the kids and the school? KF: It was important not to Hollywood-ize it. There’s a long line of people waiting to get into Black Rock, and we wanted you to remember there are tons of kids in this situation. PAGE 27
LAST CALL FOR REVOLUTION: Philadelphia Museum of Art presents “Paint the Revolution: Mexican Modernism, 191050,” offering a deep look at the forces that shaped modern art in Mexico. The exhibition features masterpieces by Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Frida Kahlo, Rufino Tamayo and many others and runs through Jan. 8, 26th Street and the Parkway. For more information, call 215-763-8100.
Theater & Arts All Mozart The Philadelphia Orchestra performs selections by the iconic composer through Jan. 7 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Bruce Nauman: Contrapposto Studies, I through VII Philadelphia Museum of Art presents the premiere of a new work by Bruce Nauman, which continues the artist’s exploration of video, sound and performance, through Jan. 8, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. A Christmas Story Media Theatre presents a stage play based on the beloved holiday film through Jan. 8, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-8910100.
Cirque Eloize: Saloon Broadway Philadelphia presents the latest Cirque adventure, inspired by the rich legacy of the Wild Wild West, Jan. 13-14 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-8931999. Constellations The Wilma Theater turns the boy-meet girl story on its head as playwright Nick Payne launches it into the quantum multiverse Jan. 11-Feb. 5, 265 S. Broad St.; 215546-7824. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute The Kimmel Center presents its annual
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. tribute concert 11 a.m. Jan. 11 at Perelman Theater, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-8931999. Hidden History Exposed Photography enthusiasts Tracy Buchholz and Jason Giordano present an exhibit highlighting friendship, photography and one very cold winter Jan. 13-Feb. 24 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: Part Two Hedgerow Theatre presents the second installation of Douglas Adams’
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
Something of a Different Color: MLK Weekend Kickoff! An all-inclusive gala centers around performers of color, including pianists, drag performers, burlesque entertainers and visual artists, 6-9 p.m. Jan. 13 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; 215732-2220.
DISHING WELL: Michael Yo, the comedian, TV personality and pop culture commentator seen on “Chelsea Lately,” “The Insider” and “The Wendy Williams Show,” hits Philly to make audiences laugh Jan. 13-14 at The Punchline Philly, 33 E Laurel St. For more information or tickets, call 215-606-6555.
original radio play Jan. 13-29, 64 Rose Valley Road, Media; www. hedgerowtheatre. org. John Arden Theatre Company presents a new play by Pulitzer Prizewinning playwright Annie Baker about spirituality, relationships and other scary stories Jan. 12-Feb. 26, 40 N. Second St.; 215922-1122. Korea Now: Contemporary Art Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of contemporary Korean art across all media through Feb. 23, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Live and Life Will Give You Pictures: Masterworks of French Photography, 1890-50 The Barnes Foundation presents vintage
prints of nearly 200 classic images by French photographers and photographers working extensively in France through Jan. 9 at the Roberts Gallery, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; 215-278-7000.
The Wizard of Oz The yellow-brick road runs through the Walnut Street Theatre through Jan. 8, 825 Walnut St.; 215574-3550.
Michael Yo The comedian seen on “Chelsea Lately” performs Jan. 13-14 at The Punchline Philly, 33 E Laurel St.; 215-606-6555.
In The Light presents an evening of The Eagles The local band performs a tribute concert 8 p.m. Jan. 6 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400.
Paint the Revolution: Mexican Modernism, 1910-50 Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of Mexican masterpieces by Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Frida Kahlo, Rufino Tamayo and many others through Jan. 8, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100.
Music
Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven The rock bands perform 8 p.m. Jan. 13 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400. Vanilla Fudge The classic-rock band performs 8 p.m. Jan. 12 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5808.
Bruce in the USA The Bruce Springsteen tribute band performs 8 p.m. Jan. 13-14 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5808.
Nightlife Amateur Drag Night Vanessa Sterling hosts the drag competition 8 p.m. Jan. 8 at L’Etage Club, 624 S. Sixth St.; 215-592-0656. John Jarboe’s History of Cabaret Spectacular The artistic director of the Bearded Ladies Cabaret takes the audience on a journey through the history of cabaret, from Paris to Berlin and beyond, 7 p.m. Jan. 9 at FringeArts, 140 N. Columbus Blvd.; 215-4131318.
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 6-12, 2017
25
Longtime gay activist Cleve Jones pens memoir By David-Elijah Nahmod PGN Contributor
If you’re familiar with San Francisco’s Castro District, you’re likely familiar with Cleve Jones, an activist and HIV survivor who’s been part of the community since the 1970s. A close friend of slain San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, whom he says was like a father to him, Jones was present for many of the most historic events in the Castro’s hisFish Tank: tory: the night Milk and Mayor A Benefit George Moscone were murdered Show for Miss at City Hall, the White Night Paradise 2017 Riots — the result of Milk and Support Ariel Moscone’s killer getting a light Versace as she runs sentence — and the peak years for the title of Miss of the AIDS pandemic. Paradise 2017 9:30 Milk (1930-78) p.m.-12:30 a.m. was one of the first Jan. 13 at Tabu, 200 openly gay elected S. 12th St.; 215officials in U.S. his964-9675. tory. He was the first to get protections for Outta LGBT people signed into law. When Milk Town and Moscone were Phantasm II killed, Milk had The horror film been in office for is screened 9:45 less than a year. p.m. Jan. 6 at the In 1987, Jones Colonial Theatre, co-created the AIDS 227 Bridge St., Memorial Quilt to Phoenixville; 610honor his fallen friends. And 917-1228. on the night the U.S. Supreme Court legalized marriage equalBabe ity nationwide, it was Jones who The film about took to the podium to address a charismatic the Castro community. pig is screened 2 Now, he’s written a new memp.m. Jan. 7 at the oir, “When We Rise,” which Colonial Theatre, looks back on his life as an 227 Bridge St., activist, the decades-long fight Phoenixville; 610for LGBT equality and the rights 917-1228. of those with HIV/AIDS. “My generation is dying out,” The Three Jones, 62, told PGN. “I want Musketeers the younger generation to know The classic what we fought for — I want adventure film them to know what we lost and is screened 2 what we won.” p.m. Jan. 8 at the While LGBT rights have Colonial Theatre, made enormous strides since he 227 Bridge St., first arrived at the Castro in the Phoenixville; 6101970s, Jones wants to remind 917-1228. people that the battle isn’t over, especially as Donald Trump’s Badfish presidency looms on the horiThe Sublime tribute zon. band performs 8 Many of the president-elect’s p.m. Jan. 12 at cabinet picks have long histoWorld Cafe Live, ries of fighting against LGBT 500 N. Market St., equality. The Southern Poverty Wilmington, Del.; Law Center has documented 302-994-1400. n hundreds of hate crimes since
Election Day, many of them against gay or trans people. “Trump has unleashed and emboldened some of the darkest elements in American politics,” Jones said. “He’s surrounding himself with extreme bigots, deniers of climate change, racists, homophobes and anti-Semites. Once that genie is out of the bottle, it’s very hard to put it back. “People should be frightened,” he added. “How are we going to protect the most vulnerable among us? Our immigrants, Muslims and transgender people?” But Jones’ decades of activism have also taught him not to give up hope. “There were many times in my life when I thought that my life was over, or that our movement had been defeated — but we endured. We’re still here, and we’re still fighting.” J o n e s acknowledged that the battle against the incoming president is going to be a long and difficult one. At a November memorial gathering for Milk and Moscone that commemorated the 38th anniversary of their deaths, Jones urged the community to look to the past for motivation. “I’m still disgusted by the election,” he said. “I don’t think I’m going to live long enough to see the damage this administration will do be undone. It’s quite possible that everything we fought so hard for will be lost. We cannot be divided. We must stand together; if we can stick together we can prevail. How many times did we think it was over? But we kept fighting. It isn’t over.” Jones warns that it may get rough after Trump assumes office Jan. 20. “We all need to prepare to fight like hell to protect what we’ve won, not just for our community but for our nation,” he said. “I believe our democracy hangs in the balance.” n “When We Rise” is now available. An eight-hour miniseries based on the book will air on ABC in February.
26
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 6-12, 2017
PORTRAIT from page 23
whole cities like Philadelphia opted to boycott the state was pretty remarkable. My only fear now is that it gets momentum to spread to other states. What are your thoughts? HE: I share your optimism. In September, I took a trip to North Carolina and went into several bathrooms and put up stickers that said “A trans person was here.” I think people realized that HB2 had the potential to effect many segments of our community in many awful ways. Of course, I fear that other states will jump on the bandwagon but it’s not enough to stop me from fighting for what I believe in. PGN: Excellent. So, to lighter fare, any hobbies? HE: I love practicing self-care and I do that through yoga and meditation. I do yoga at morning and at night and it keeps me calm and centered. My current work is a form of self-care for me; not only am I advocating for my community, I’m gaining rights for myself, which I consider self-care: making trans issues something that are talked about in a positive manner. I also love art and drawing and all of the performance arts. I took playwriting in school and did public speaking. I was in forensic speech tournaments, but when I got to high school they didn’t have it so I switched to mock trial, but it wasn’t as much fun so I took theater, which I came to love. PGN: Ever play any instruments? HE: When I was younger I played the piano. Most people don’t know that about me! I also do drag and I’ll be competing in the Miss Everything contest at Tabu this month. PGN: What actor would you want to do a love scene with? HE: [Laughs] OK then! Michael Ealy, he’s such a beautifully sculpted man! PGN: Single or in a relationship? HE: I’ve been seeing someone for about eight months. He’s cool. PGN: My friends are embarrassed when I … HE: I do this thing when I’m walking down the street with my friends and I’ll suddenly talk in a really deep voice. [Laughs] I don’t know about them but I think it’s hilarious. Usually I only do it with friends but I had an incident where this guy was hitting on me while I was trying to walk down the street and he just was not getting the hint that I wasn’t interested, so I finally just said something to him with my bass voice and the look on his face was hysterical!
PGN
PGN: What’s the most hostile situation you’ve faced and the most surprisingly supportive situation? HE: So my mom and I have had a rocky relationship since I was 15, and after I came out to her, the response wasn’t the best. Even before telling her I was trans, she used to chastise me for wearing my nails painted but in recent years she has been making a real effort, calling me Hazel and using female pronouns. She’s just now starting to advocate for my gender identity in other spaces of her life, like at her job and with relatives. That’s been pleasantly surprising. And my dad, I came out to him as trans and at first he was like, “Oh my God! This must be the punishment for all the bad that I’ve done to people” and he really beat himself up. I’m also his only “son” and I’m named after him — I’m the third — so he took it hard. There was a lot of heartbreak but a few months after that, he started calling me Hazel and “she” and “her” and referred to me as his daughter. When I saw him for the first time as Hazel when he was in jail, the first thing he said was, “You’re gorgeous.” That was special. The most horrific situation was when I was on the bus one night and these two guys were talking about me and saying how cute I was to each other. Then they started making sexual references and objectifying references towards me. At one point I raised my phone and they noticed the “Trans Lives Matter” sticker I had on the back and turned hostile. They started cursing about how we were out there fooling and tricking men and when I got off the bus they exited too and started following me. Luckily I got out of the situation safely but it was traumatic. PGN: Family heirloom? HE: I have a blanket and her name is Beauty. I’ve had her since I was born and she’s all torn and tattered now but I still sleep with her every night. There are too many rips and tears to cover myself with her but I ball her up and cuddle with her. She’s my safety net. It took me a long time to introduce my partner to Beauty because she means so much to me. PGN: Who’s a role model for you? EH: Of course Laverne Cox, but I also see a lot of myself in Janet Mock. She’s an activist with a beautiful story. I read her memoir and she is a powerful, biracial, beautiful woman of color. PGN: What kind of candy would you be? HE: A “Whatchamacallit” candy bar. [Laughs] You don’t know what to call it but it’s really good: a unique combination of things! n To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.
pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976
HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
Q Puzzle Remembering George Across
1. Word that can take “homo” as a prefix 7. Bottomless 11. Christmas poem opener 15. Reign of ___ 16. Stick it in milk 17. Phrase of discovery 18. Flowing, for Bernstein 19. Optimist’s phrase 20. “See ya,” in Soho 21. 1984 song of 12-Down that ironically describes Dec. 25, 2016 for George Michael 24. “It’s the End of the World ___ Know It” 27. Queens ballpark 28. Corp. bigshot 29. English actress Diana 30. Bottom 32. Antony or Caesar 36. Wet one’s lips, e.g. 38. Reserved 40. Hairy member of the Addams family 41. With 56-Across, 1984 song of
12-Down 43. Doo-wop syllable 44. 1939 Cukor movie 46. Tom Courtenay movie, with “The” 48. Cursive curlicue 49. Spacey in “Beyond the Sea” 51. David Bowie’s “___ Today, Gone Tomorrow” 52. Beatty of “Roseanne” 54. Get better 55. Pigged out (on) 56. See 41-Across 61. Word on a map of Israel 62. “Gay Cosmos” author Eighner 63. “Divine” director John 67. Actor Auberjonois 68. It can bear fruit 69. Sibling offspring 70. Title for Uncle Remus’s bear 71. States further 72. Walked like a man
Down
1. Tammy Faye’s old club 2. Part of a gig-
gle 3. URL ending 4. Lacking support? 5. Sappho’s “I” 6. Bridge support 7. Capote’s “Other ___, Other Rooms” 8. Obsolete word 9. Seal in the juices, to Traci Des Jardins 10. Gin diluter 11. Skin art 12. George Michael (19632016) and Andrew Ridgeley 13. Early movie dog 14. In order (to) 22. Showed gratitude, after getting an Oscar 23. Frida’s wrap 24. Lets in 25. Calm down 26. Whitman or Wolfe 31. Ranking Mauresmo, e.g.
33. Longed for 34. Stick 35. Came close to 37. Broadway deal 39. Rejections 42. Bewitched 45. Sway 47. Sue Wicks or Robert Mapplethorpe 50. Gets more mileage out of 53. Greek triangle 56. Streisand nickname 57. “If ___ I Would Leave You” 58. Just dandy 59. .Barbecue site 60. Rate at which you come 64. “The Name of the Rose” author 65. Carpet color at the Oscars 66. Away from NNW
PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 6-12, 2017
27
locations in Philadelphia GAYBORHOOD BUSINESSES
FILM from page 24
You have a responsibility when you make a film like this [to] not have the audience forget the issue and that there are failures. It’s hard to get kids who are traumatized as young children to succeed. We didn’t want people to feel good at the end and forget these lives. LP: Another thing we were dealing with was that the conflicts of these kids and their movement from the beginning of the film to the end is not a huge thing in the audience’s eyes. Lee’s struggle is, can he get motivated to just earn 20 credits? His trajectory is not a gigantic accomplishment, but for him that is a huge, huge step. That’s what we learned. Vonda knows she has to meet each kid where they are and try to help them improve based on their individual circumstances. The measure of a one-size-fits-all system is why these kids end up failing in mainstream high school. PGN: What can you say about the film’s impact? KF: It’s had a big impact already. The school has received donations, and we are taking funds from the film to help provide scholarships. There is a great opportunity
to create change when you make a film like this LP: Jennifer is amazing talking to audiences about sharing the details of her life in the film. She said that for years she was silent about [the abuse] and didn’t tell anyone and she shouldn’t have been. It took her a long time to learn that, and she doesn’t want others to be that way. So by going public, if it helps other young people, then she’ll do it. Because of the trauma, the kids can tell when someone else is going through something awful. That school is a storehouse of empathy. Black Rock students are sensitive and caring young people, and that was something we tried to capture in the film — how they are with each other. I find that incredibly beautiful. There is a shot in the film of two students hugging. It’s not a romantic hug, it’s a “you’re going through something awful and I’m going to stand here and hug you” hug. KF: The film is inspiring to kids on both sides of the tracks — privileged kids and bad kids. The bad kids find it’s a great re-appropriation of the term, like how we use the pink triangle. n For more information about “The Bad Kids,” visit www.thebadkidsmovie.com.
SCENE FROM THE FILM
12th Street Gym, 204 S. 12th St. • 2101 Condos, 118 S. 21st St. • AACO, 1101 Market St., 9th floor • Action AIDS, 1216 Arch St. • Apt. & Townhouse Rentals, 304 S. 12th St. • The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. • Bioscript Pharmacy, 1227 Locust St. • Boxers PHL, 1330 Walnut St. • Charlie Salon, 203 S. 12th St. • Charlie was a Sinner, 131 S. 13th St. • Chocolate Works lobby, 321 N. 3rd St. • City Hall NE Entrance • Club Body Center, 1220 Chancellor St. • Com-Har Living Room, 101 S. Broad St., 14th floor • Condo Shop, 1415 Locust St. • Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. • Cut Salon, 204 S. 13th St. • Danny’s Bookstore 133 S. 13th St. • DBHIDS, 1101 Market St. • Dignity/St. Lukes, 330 S. 13th St. • Dirty Frank’s Bar, 13th & Pine sts. • The Foodery, 10th & Pine sts. • ICandy, 254 S. 12th St. • John C. Anderson Apts., 249 S. 13th St. • Mazzoni Clinic, 809 Locust St. • More Than Just Ice Cream, 1119 Locust St. • Optimal Gym, 1315 Walnut St. • Paolo Pizzeria, 1336 Pine St. • PAT@Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. • Phila. FIGHT/Aids Library, 1233 Locust St., 2nd floor • Planned Parenthood, 1144 Locust St. • Reading Terminal Market, 12th & Filbert sts. • Salon K, 1216 Locust St. • Scorpio Books, 205 S. Juniper St. • Spruce Street Video, 252 S. 12th St. • Square One, 249 S. 13th St. • Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. • Toast, 12th & Spruce sts. • Triangle Medicine, 253 S. 10th St., 1st floor • U Bar, 1220 Locust St. • Valanni, 1229 Spruce St. • William Way LGBT Community Center, 1325 Spruce St. • Woody’s, 202 S. 13th St. •
OTHER BUSINESSES EAST OF BROAD Bean Café, 615 South St. • Bethel Community Home, 933-935 S. Third St. • Best Western Independence Park Hotel lobby, 215 Chestnut St. • Black N Brew, 1523 E. Passyunk Ave. • Bodhi Coffee, 410 S. 2nd St. • Bridgeview Place, 315 New St. • Class Act Auto Repair, 2042 S. Bancroft St. • Community Behav. Health, 801 Market St. 7th floor • Copabanana, 342 South St. • Essene, 719 S. Fourth St. • Famous 4th St. Deli, Fourth & Bainbridge sts. • Fuel, 1917 E. Passyunk Ave. • Hopkinson House, 604 S. Washington Sq. • Hyatt Regency Hotel lobby, 201 S. Columbus Blvd. • Independence Place Condos, 241 S. Sixth St., lobby in both towers • Independence Visitors Center, 6th & Market sts. • Jackson Place, 501 Jackson St. • One Independence Place, 241 S. 6th St. mailroom • Paper Moon, 520 S. Fourth St. • Philly Bagels, 613 S. Third St. • PGN offices, 505 S. Fourth St. • Philadelphia Java Co., 518 S. Fourth St. • Philly PAWS, 100 N. Second St. • Reading Terminal Market, 12th & Filbert sts. • Rockerhead Salon, 607 S. Third St. • Ruff Life, 25 N. Third St. • Two Independence Place, 233 S. 6th St. • Tiffin Restaurant, 1100 Federal St. • Ultimo Coffee, 1900 S. 15th St. • Wedge Medical Center, 1939 S. Juniper St. • Wireworks, 301 Race St. •
STREET CORNERS 2nd & Chestnut sts. • 2nd & Market sts. • 2nd & Poplar sts. • 2nd & Walnut sts. • 3rd & Chestnut sts. • 3rd & Market sts. • 3rd & South sts. • 3rd & Spruce sts. • 4th & Bainbridge sts. • 4th & Chestnut sts. • 4th St. bet. Arch & Market sts., by Holiday Inn • 5th & Chestnut sts. • 5th & Market sts. • 7th & Pine sts. • 8th & Market sts. • 8th & South sts. • 8th & Walnut sts. • 9th & Market sts. • 9th & Passyunk sts. • 9th & Pine sts. • 10th & Market sts. • 10th & Pine sts. • 10th & South sts. • 10th & Spruce sts.• 11th & Arch sts. • 11th & Locust sts. • 11th & Spruce sts. • 11th & Tasker sts. • 11th & Walnut sts. • 12th & Filbert sts. • 12th & Locust sts. • 12th & Manning sts. •12th & Market sts. •12th & Spruce sts. • 12th & Walnut sts. • 13th & Arch sts. • 13th & Chestnut sts. • 13th & Locust sts. • 13th & Pine sts. • 13th & Spruce sts. • 13th & Walnut sts. • 15th & JFK • 15th & Market sts. • 16th & Chestnut sts. • 16th St. & JFK Boulevard • 16th & Market sts. • 17th & Lombard sts. • 17th & Pine sts. • 17th & Spruce sts. • 18th St. & JFK Boulevard • 18th & Locust sts. • 18th & Market sts. • 18th & Walnut sts. • 19th & JFK • 19th & South sts. • 20th & Chestnut sts. • 20th & Locust sts. • 20th & Sansom sts. • 20th & Vine sts. • 20th & Walnut sts. • 22nd & Chestnut sts. • 22nd & Market sts. • 22nd & South sts. • 23rd & Market sts. • 23rd & South sts. • Broad & Cherry sts. • Broad & Chestnut sts. • Broad & Ellsworth sts. • Broad & Locust sts. • Broad & Lombard sts. • Broad & McKean sts. • Broad & Morris sts. • Broad & Race sts. • Broad & South sts. • Broad & Spruce sts. • Broad & Vine sts. • Broad & Walnut sts. • Main & Cotton sts. • Passyunk Ave & 10th & Reed sts. • Pine & Hicks sts. • South & Delhi sts. • Walnut & Dock sts., by Ritz Movies •
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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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Men Delco Dudes
A men’s social and support group meets 7-9 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of the month at Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Road in Media; delco. dudes@uucdc.org. Gay Married Men’s Association
Meets 7-9 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; www.meetup.com/GAMMAGay-Married-Mens-SupportGroup-in-Philadelphia-PA. Men of All Colors Together
Meets 7:30 p.m. the third Friday of the month, September through June, at William Way; 610-2776595, www.MACTPhila.org. Men’s Coming Out Group, N.J.
Meets 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at The Pride Center of New Jersey; njwarrior@aol.com. Men of Color United
A discussion/support group for gay and bisexual men of color meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-496-0330.
Parents/Families Family & Community Service of Delaware County
Provides comprehensive care serving Delaware County and Philadelphia. Services include behavioral health and addiction counseling; HIV/AIDS medical case management/prevention; housing, food and transportation assistance. Offices in Media and Clifton Heights, the Ralph Moses House in Chester and in other community locations. Insurances accepted. Hours are 8:30 a.m.4 p.m. Monday-Friday, and evenings by appointment; 610566-7540 or www.fcsdc.org. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Bucks County
Meets 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at Penns Park United Methodist Church, 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park, and hird Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Warminster UCC, 785 Street Road; 215-348-9976. PFLAG/Chester County
Meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at the Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester, 501 S. High St.; 484-354-2448. PFLAG/Collingswood, N.J.
Meets 6:30-9 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month at Collingswood Public Library, 771 Haddon Ave.; 609-202-4622, pflagcollingswood@yahoo.com. PFLAG/Media
Meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month at the Unitarian Universal Church, 145 Rose Tree Rd.; 610-368-2021. PFLAG/Philadelphia
Meets 2-5 p.m. the third Sunday of the month at the LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 3907 Spruce St.; 215-572-1833. PFLAG/Princeton, N.J.
Meets 7:30 p.m. the second Monday of the month in the George Thomas Room at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St.; 609-6835155. PFLAG/Wilmington, Del.
Meets 7-9 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 W. 13th St.; 302654-2995.
Philadelphia Family Pride
Advocacy, support and social network for LGBT families offers play groups, monthly kids and teen talk groups, activities and outings. Planning meetings held monthly; 215-600-2864, info@phillyfamilypride.org, www.phillyfamilypride.org.
Trans
Evolutions
A drop-in support group for anyone on the transgender spectrum meets 6 p.m. Thursdays at 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652 ext. 235. Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine
Primary health care and specialized transgender services in a safe, professional, nonjudgmental environment, 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. T-MAN
People-of-color support group for transmen, FTMs, butches, studs, aggressives, bois, genderqueer and all female-born individuals with gender questions meets 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays, 1201 Locust St., second floor; 215632-3028, tmanphilly.com. Transhealth Information Project
Sponsors a weekly drop-in center from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; 215-851-1822. Transgender Health Action Coalition
Peer trans health-advocacy organization, 1201 Locust St., fourth floor; 215-732-1207. Young, Trans and Unified
Support group for transgender and questioning individuals ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center, 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, www. atticyouthcenter.org.
Women Hanging Out With Lesbians
A group in Central Pennsylvania that organizes concerts, camping, golf, picnics, hikes, plays and game nights in nonsmoking environments; http://groups. yahoo.com/group/howlofpa/. Lesbian Community of Delaware Valley
Social group meets monthly for activities for gay women of all ages in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties; http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/LCDV/. Lesbian Couples Dining Group of Montgomery County
Meets monthly; 215-542-2899. Mt. Airy Lesbian Social Club
For lesbians in the Philadelphia area ages 35-plus; www.meetup. com/mtairylesbiansocial/. Queer Connections
Social group for women in their 20s meets weekly; http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/ queerconnections/. Sisters United
A social/support group for transwomen of color ages 13-24, with weekly social events, open discusson and monthly movie/ discussions meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-496-0330. Women Coming-Out Support Group
Women, ages 18 and over, who consider themselves gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning and are at any stage of the coming-out process are welcome to meet
7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday and third Thursday of the month at the Pride Center of New Jersey; www.pridecenter.org.
Youth 40 Acres of Change
Discussion group for teen and young adults meets 6-8 p.m. Thursdays at The COLOURS Organization Inc., 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-851-1975. GLBT Group of Hunterdon County
Social and support groups for youth, teens and young adults, as well as parents and family members, meet at North County Branch Library, 65 Halstead St. in Clinton, N.J.; schedule at www. glbtofhunterdoncountyofnj.com, 908-300-1058.
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 6-12, 2017
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Community Bulletin Board Community centers
■ The Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 4-8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-Friday. ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St., 215-898-5044, center@dolphin. upenn.edu. Regular hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. MondayThursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
■ Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. Activities held 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays.
■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220, www.waygay.org. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday Library: noon-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Volunteers: New Orientation, first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.
HAVEN
LGBT, intersex, questioning, queer and allied youth ages 14-20 meet 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley, 424 Center St., Bethlehem; 610-868-2153. HiTOPS
A safe-space support program for LGBT and questioning youth meets 2:30-4:30 p.m. the first and third Saturdays at 21 Wiggins St., Princeton, N.J.; 609-683-5155, hitops.org. Main Line Youth Alliance
Meets from 7-9:30 p.m. Fridays at 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; 610-688-1861, info@myaonline. org. Project Keeping it Safe
LGBT youth drop-in center offers meetings, HIV and STD prevention and testing, counseling and other services on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; 856-963-2432, camden-ahec.org/. PRYSM Youth Center
Youth ages 14-20 meet 6:30-8:30 p.m Wednesdays at the center, 126 East Baltimore Pike, Media; 610357-9948. Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center
Youth ages 14-21 meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks. org. Social X Change
Social activity group for LGBT youth of color ages 13-23 meets 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays at 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-8511975. Space to be Proud, Open, and Together
Open to all LGBTQ queer youth and allies, ages 14-21, the SPOT meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays at Planned Parenthood of Chester County, 8 S. Wayne St.; 267-6876648.
■ ActionAIDS: 215-981-0088
Key numbers
■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: 215-587-9377
■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org
■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: 856-933-9500 ext. 221
■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378
■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 n The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 215-496-0330
■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK ■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBT-LAW; Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658 ■ Office of LGBT Affairs — Director Nellie Fitzpatrick: 215-6860330; helen.fitzpatrick@phila.gov
■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel: 215-6863318 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-760-3686 (Rick Lombardo); ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833 ■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: 215-686-4670
Health
Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 216 W. Somerset St.; 215-763-8870. ActionAIDS Provides a range of programs for people affected by HIV/ AIDS, including case management, prevention, testing and education services at 1216 Arch St.; 215-981-0088, www. actionaids.org. GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; 215-851-1822 or 866-222-3871, www.galaei.org. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays (walk-in) and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays (by appointment) at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215685-1821. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite
108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Mazzoni Center LGBTQ counseling and behavioral health services, HIV/ AIDS care and services, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652, www. mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronic-disease management, including comprehensive HIV care, as well as youth drop-in (ages 14-24) 5-7p.m. Wednesdays; 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Philadelphia FIGHT Comprehensive AIDS service organization providing primary care, consumer education, advocacy and research on potential treatments and vaccines; 1233 Locust St.; 215985-4448; www.fight.org. Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center Free, rapid HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 pm. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.
Young, Trans and Unified
A support group for transgender and questioning youth ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center; 215-545-4331, www.atticyouthcenter.org. You’re Not Alone
Sponsored by AIDS Delaware, the group for gay, lesbian and bisexual youth meets during the school year at 100 W. 10th St., Suite 315, Wilmington, Del; 800-810-6776. Youth Making a Difference
A group for LGBTQ AfricanAmerican and Latino youth ages 14-24 meets 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St.; 856-963-2432.
■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia Board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; free referral service at 215-6279090, www.galloplaw.org. ■ Independence Business Alliance Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, providing networking, business development, marketing, educational and advocacy opportunities for LGBT and LGBT-friendly busi-
Professional groups nesses and professionals; 215557-0190, www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com. ■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and students, meets for social and networking events; www.nlgja.org/ philly; philly@nlgja.org.
■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus Regional organization dedicated to promoting LGBT tourism to the Greater Philadelphia region, meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; 215-8402039, www.philadelphiagaytourism.com.
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 6-12, 2017
PGN
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