Philadelphia Gay News Jan. 22 - 28, 2010
Honesty Integrity Professionalism
Vol. 34 No. 4
Federal judge in eviction case is former Scout official By Timothy Cwiek PGN Writer-at-Large
INTO THE PAST: The LGBT and ally community came together Jan. 14 to learn about the development of the local LGBT-rights movement at the opening reception of “Into the Streets! A History of Gay and Lesbian Protest in Philadelphia and the Northeast” at the William Way LGBT Community Center. Exhibition curator Rick Bluhm (center, left) discussed the new archival exhibit, presented by the John J. Wilcox Jr. Library and Archive at the center, features photos, rare magazines and personal correspondence among such early pioneers as Barbara Gittings, Frank Kameny and Huey Newton. The exhibit will be on display at the center, 1315 Spruce St., through March 26. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Councilman loses defamation suit to antigay NE man By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Philadelphia City Councilman-at-Large Jack Kelly (R) last week lost his civil suit against a local man who Kelly contends spread antigay rhetoric about him that nearly cost him his seat. A jury found Jan. 15 that the leaflets distributed in 2007 by Lawncrest resident Paul Corbett — which criticize Kelly’s support for the eviction of the local Boy Scouts chapter from its Philadelphia headquarters — contained false statements and damaged Kelly’s reputation but were not distributed with malice. As Kelly, 71, is a public figure, a guilty verdict requires proof of malice — reckless disregard of the truth or the knowledge that the claims being made were false. Kelly could not be reached for comment about the verdict. Corbett’s campaign stemmed from City Council’s May 2007 decision that it could no longer provide rent-free city property to the Cradle of Liberty Council because the Boy Scouts’ policy of not admitting gay members violates the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance. Kelly was one of 16 — out of
17 — councilmembers who voted that the chapter should be evicted or pay fair-market rent. Corbett’s fliers, about 5,000 of which were posted on vehicles outside 20 Roman Catholic and Baptist churches in the Northeast in the weeks leading up to the November 2007 election, read: “Councilman Jack Kelly voted with the homosexual lobby to remove the Boy Scouts from their city rent-free headquarters. The Scouts can remain only if they agree with the homosexual agenda, which would promote sodomy to our youth. Not too long ago this would have caused Jack Kelly to be tarred and feathered for contributing to the delinquency of minors. Today, all we can do is retire him from City Council.” The fliers were attributed to Citizens Opposed to Politicians who Pander to Perverts, a group Corbett said consists of himself, his wife and about 30 family members. Kelly won the election against challenger David Oh by just 123 votes, a determination that was made after a recount. Kelly filed the suit in September 2008, See COUNCILMAN, Page 13
When Ronald L. Buckwalter, the federal judge handling the local Boy Scouts eviction case, was a Common Pleas judge in the 1980s, he also was serving as a Scouts official. This prior association has raised questions about his neutrality when he recently issued an injunction blocking a Philadelphia County Common Pleas judge from evicting the Scouts. According to records of the Pennsylvania Dutch Scouts Council, Buckwalter served on its executive board from July 1980July 1984 — the same time he was serving as a Lancaster County Common Pleas judge. Buckwalter acknowledged his prior Scouts affiliation during a Jan. 19 court proceeding related to the city’s attempt to evict the Cradle of Liberty Council from a city-owned building on 22nd Street near the Ben Franklin Parkway. Buckwalter, 73, emphasized that his prior service on the Pennsylvania Dutch Council “has no bearing whatsoever” on his rulings in the current litigation. The Pennsylvania Dutch Council, headquartered in Lancaster — about 80 miles west of Philadelphia — serves about
“I would trust the accuracy of the [Pennsylvania Dutch Council] board’s record over my memory.” JUDGE RONALD L. BUCKWALTER 10,000 youths in Lancaster and Lebanon counties. City attorneys haven’t asked the judge to recuse himself from the case. At the court proceedings, Buckwalter said he wasn’t sure of the exact time period that he served with the Scouts, but indicated that he left the board shortly after becoming a Common Pleas judge. “I decided I better get off,” he said, without elaborating. But Pennsylvania Dutch Council
records indicate that Buckwalter already was a Common Pleas judge when he ran for a Pennsylvania Dutch Council executive-board seat in mid-1980. He was elected to four one-year board terms between 1980-84, said Edward A. Rasmuson, Scout executive for the Pennsylvania Dutch Council. Backed by the local Republican Party, Buckwalter served as a Common Pleas
JUDGE RONALD L. BUCKWALTER Photo: Courtesy Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News
judge from January 1980 to March 1990, when he became a federal judge. When questioned about the discrepancy in his courtroom remarks, Buckwalter responded with a one-sentence letter to PGN: “I would trust the accuracy of the board’s record over my memory.” Rasmuson said executive-board members hold fiduciary responsibility over the council’s finances, approve a strategic plan for the council and oversee the operation of its two campgrounds. Currently, he said, about 25 people serve on the executive board. “Our board is an active board,” Rasmuson told PGN. “Each board member is expected to participate in at least one board committee. It is expected of all See BUCKWALTER, Page 8
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Protesting the rights of a few
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Thousands gathered in Hawaii to oppose legislation that would allow same-sex couples legal-union rights.
A Prop. 8 question, civil unions, marriage, Liberty City and plenty of Sestak feedback on our editorial pages.
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Help for Haiti: The Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee is assisting the relief efforts for earthquake victims in Haiti in conjunction with the Philadelphia Police Department. Please bring gently used crutches and canes to Spruce Street Video, 252 S. 12th St. Monetary donations are also being accepted at the location; please make checks payable to Philadelphia Police Haitian Relief Fund.
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Lesbian on the Scene
Worth Watching
Dancing, bowling and writing
Wish you had Ellen’s girl
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Poll results from our online survey as of Jan. 20:
Will the city’s potential eviction of the Boy Scouts happen this year?
31% Yes 38% No 8% Don’t know 15% Don’t care 8% What eviction?
Go to www.epgn.com to weigh in on this week’s question:
Should Groundhog Day be a state holiday?
National Advertising Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Office Manager/Classifieds Don Pignolet (ext. 200) don@epgn.com Executive Assistant Credit/Billing Manager Carol Giunta (ext. 202) carol@epgn.com Philadelphia Gay News is a member of: The Associated Press National Gay Newspaper Guild Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 2010 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155
The views of PGN are expressed only in the unsigned “Editorial” column. Opinions expressed in bylined columns, stories and letters to the editor are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of PGN. The appearance of names or pictorial representations in PGN does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that named or pictured person or persons.
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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News Briefing
Regional
Progressives gather in Harrisburg
SEEING RED: Supporters and opponents of Iowa’s gay-marriage law, many of the latter dressed in red shirts, gathered Jan. 12 in the Rotunda outside the House and Senate Chambers in Des Moines to push their views about voting on a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex unions. Although the issue likely will be pushed aside as lawmakers focus on a large budget shortfall, activists said they wanted legislators to know where they stood on calls for amending the constitution to ban gay marriage and be on hand for Gov. Chet Culver’s annual Condition of the State speech. Supporters of the 2009 Iowa Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex unions delivered petitions they said included about 18,000 signatures backing the ruling. AP Photo: Steve Pope
LGBT police committee moves forward, outward By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The Police Liaison Committee held its first meeting under its new leadership last week, with officers and members formulating plans to expand the committee’s influence in and connection to the local LGBT community. Franny Price, who was elected last month as chair of the committee called the agency’s Jan. 14 meeting “very, very productive.” The group took care of numerous organizational developments at the meeting, such as compiling the updated list of all its members. In addition to Price, committeemembers include secretary Rick Lombardo, Ralph Riviello, Fred Bostwick, Jaci Adams, Jack Barry, Brian Green, Matt Miller, Irene Benedetti, Marcus Barnes and Michael Weiss, as well as youth participants Christopher Gillis and Johnte Price. Chief Inspector James Tiano, police LGBT liaison, and Sgt. Jefferson Campbell and Officer Mitchell Spritzler are also part of the committee. Price said she wants LGBT residents to be familiar with the members so they can feel comfortable reaching out to them for support. “We’re really from everywhere, from all subcultures of the community, and I think it’s important that people know who we are and that we’re there for them,” Price said. “If they need to file a report or need information and don’t feel comfortable coming
to the police or to the entire committee, people will likely know at least one person on the committee that they would feel comfortable with going to for help.” During the meeting, the group members also discussed the need for an expanded presence in other areas of the city besides the Gayborhood. “One of the unique things about our community is that we’re not just designated to one certain area, but we’re really everywhere. Most people know of the Gayborhood because of the gay bars, but now there’s also the Gayborhood North and South,” Price said, referring to the flourishing LGBT communities in the Northern Liberties and East Passyunk areas, also noting a growing LGBT presence in Northeast Philadelphia. “We want our entire community in all of Philadelphia safe, not just in the traditional Gayborhood, so we’re going to try to get representatives from all the different areas of the city to get involved,” Price said. In addition to bringing on new members from these areas, the committee itself will reach out to these communities. Next month, the group will embark on separate neighborhood tours with Renee Gillinger, executive director of the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District, and Dan Contarino, assistant general manager of Darling’s Diner at the Piazza at Schmidt’s in Northern Liberties. Price said the tours will help members to become more familiar with the areas, their businesses and residents, as well as acquaint the locals with the group and its
mission. “This is mainly for the awareness, for the public to know that we have this committee out there that you can come to,” Lombardo said. “If you are a victim of a crime you need to immediately report it to police, but if you have any problems or need any help, this committee is here for you.” Price noted that Gillis and Johnte Price also plan to bring the committee into The Attic Youth Center in the coming weeks. The committee also discussed plans for a DVD that Tiano’s office is producing that will be used to raise awareness among the police department about LGBT hate crimes. Tiano said the three-and-a-half-minute video will be presented during roll calls at districts throughout the city and will instruct officers on the need for sensitivity when working with LGBT victims and proper procedure for handling such crimes. The DVD is expected to be completed in the next few weeks. Price said the meeting set the tone for what she expects to be a productive year. “It was a very exciting, progressive meeting where everyone participated. I think it’s going to be a good year for this committee and our community.” Chief Inspector Tiano can be reached at (215) 685-3655. The Police Liaison Committee can be reached at (215) 6000627 or ppd.lgbt@gmail.com. n Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.
The first-ever statewide conference for Pennsylvanians committed to grassroots progressive activism will be held Jan. 2930 at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey. The Pennsylvania Progressive Summit, organized by Keystone Progress, The Service Employees International Union and the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, will feature more than 40 workshops and panels throughout the weekend. Workshops will focus on a variety of hot-button issues, like the legalization of medical marijuana and healthcare reform, and will also center on best practices for lobbying and the use of social-media outlets to encourage progressive change. Numerous panel discussions will focus on LGBT issues, with panelists such as chair of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Stephen Glassman and Equality Advocates Pennsylvania managing director Jake Kaskey, as well as allies such as Pennsylvania Rep. Dan Frankel (D-23rd Dist.) and Sen. Dailyn Leach (D-17th Dist.). The LGBT documentary “Out in the Silence” will also be shown. The summit will also host a debate among Pennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial candidates Chris Doherty, Joe Hoeffel, Tom Knox, Dan Onorato and Jack Wagner, and U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter and U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, who will square off in this spring’s primary, have both been invited for a debate. The cost for attendance and all meals is $100. To register, visit www.paprogressivesummit.org.
Witnesses wanted for school-violence hearing The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations will host a series of public hearings about intergroup violence in city schools, the first of which will take place from 4-7 p.m. Jan. 28 at Guerin Recreation Center, 2201 S. 16th St. The commission is looking for students, parents and other community members to testify about their experiences with pervasive school violence motivated by race, religion, sexual orientation or other characteristics. Interested participants can register to testify by contacting Naarah’ Crawley at naarah.crawley@phila.gov or (215) 6864674. Written testimony can also be submitted to hrcommissioners@phila.gov. See NEWS BRIEFING, Page 15
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
Liberty City co-chair brings history of activism By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Adah Bush, one-half of the new leadership at Liberty City Democratic Club, is looking to fuse her passion for social-justice work with her adeptness at grassroots activism to create viable change for the LGBT community through the local political landscape. Bush, who was elected alongside Gregory Walker as the co-chairs of the LGBT political group in November, moved to Philadelphia about 10 years ago from her native Utah. Before heading east, Bush had PAGE 15 worked in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention and also provided health-education outreach to ethnic minorities. As a Native American, Bush said she’s always felt a pull toward advocacy work on behalf of marginalized populations. “I have an enlarged sense of justice,” Bush said. “Even as a child, if I didn’t think something was fair, I’d have to say so. I’m one of those people who if I see some injustice being done, I want to help and guide efforts to stop that. That’s just an innate part of me.” While in Utah, Bush was involved in an effort to counter legislation that sought to institute an “English-only” policy for all state-printed materials. “I networked with a lot of other organizations and collaborated and brought in a lot of new people to work on this,” she said, noting Spring Cleaning she gained support from the hearand Maintenance ing- and visually impaired, as well as from Navajo “code takers,” Find help in the Home whose language proved invaluImprovement Directory able in World War II. The measure was eventually defeated in 1999. “People in favor of this had argued that there was just a small ARK ATKINS DO group of people who would be impacted, but we tried to show OHN EL OSSI PA C that there were many, many people who’d actually be impacted,” Bush said. “And I think that’s something that we in the LGBT community need to embrace more. We need to realize that it’s not just us; we have family mem253 S. 10th St. bers, coworkers and friends who First Floor are impacted when we’re discrimPhiladelphia inated against and who more than
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likely would be willing to battle with us for these rights.” Since Bush moved to Philly to be closer to her partner, Sheri, she has volunteered as a juror and screener for QFest and worked with Sheri on numerous events staged by Mountain Meadow, a summer program for children of LGBT parents. Bush works in contracting at GlaxoSmithKline and is a member of the organization’s LGBT employee network. She said she was involved in the “periphery” of Liberty City in r e c e n t years and ADAH BUSH took on a more active role during the 2008 presidential election. “I had been volunteering, going door-to-door on behalf of Liberty City, and then started becoming more involved because of the election when I saw how important that was,” she said. “I realized early on that if we could get a majority of voters in Philadelphia to vote Democrat that we could take the state and could make real progress for equality for LGBTQ communities.” Bush said that Obama’s success, as well as the election of many other LGBT-supportive candidates in the area, illustrated the hard work of such groups as Liberty City. “Through the get-out-the-vote initiative, I realized what an impact Liberty City can have on furthering the equal-rights fight in our community. They really have a lot of ability to get people elected who are supportive of the community, which can be very important for our progress.” Bush said she also hopes to institute a system to measure how well those candidates-turnedelected-officials are living up to their promises to the LGBT community. “Liberty City has worked very hard to get certain candidates elected, but right now there hasn’t been much documentation on how supportive these candidates actu-
ally are once they’re in office,” she said, noting that one of her goals for the agency is the development of a “scorecard” to track elected officials’ LGBT positions. “This would show whether or not candidates are supporting issues like ENDA, what they’ve done on our behalf. And if there are candidates who are voting against our issues, it sends a message to Liberty City that these candidates shouldn’t be supported in the next election.” Bush is also hoping Liberty City can launch an initiative similar to its 1998 effort to train dozens of LGBT individuals to run as Democratic committeepersons, which resulted in 33 of the 36 candidates getting elected. Liberty City will host elections for new board members at 6 p.m. Jan. 28 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St., Bush said the organization is hoping to expand its leadership to include more representatives of the transgender and ethnic minority communities. “We’re trying to be as diverse as possible so we can fully represent the community. This organization is open to everyone, and we need people from all of our communities to show that,” she said. Prior to the board elections, board member Micah Mahjoubian will lead an “Election 101” discussion, Bush said, during which he’ll explain the ins and outs of this spring’s primary process and provide an overview of the candidates’ positions. Bush encouraged all LGBT and ally community members to attend the meeting to educate themselves about the upcoming election and to strengthen Liberty City’s capabilities. “We need everyone’s support both financially and by actual bodies; we need people to come support us so we can support candidates who will work on our behalf,” she said. “I think it’s really important this year to have a really strong showing at the polls by our community so people can see that we’re here, we’re not going away and we’re going to continue to fight for our civil rights.” n Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
National
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Media Trail Antigay group buys Super Bowl ad Advocate.com reports the antigay group Focus on the Family will air a TV ad during the Super Bowl on Feb. 7. The 30-second spot, which features University of Florida quarterback and 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and his mother, is supposed to be “life- and family-affirming,” a group spokesperson said. Tebow is known for wearing Bible verse citations in his game-day eye black. Focus on the Family is one of the most outspoken groups in opposition to equal rights for gays and lesbians, as well as a strong proponent of therapy suggesting homosexuality can be “cured.”
JUSTICE FOR SOME: Rabbi Daniel Vargas (second from left), of Israel Jewish Ministries International, speaks Jan. 17 at Hawaii’s State Capitol, in Honolulu to a crowd of severalthousand protesters at a rally against legislation that would allow same-sex couples to form civil unions. The legislature, which convened Wednesday for the 2010 session, was expected to reconsider a stalled civil-union bill this week. AP Photo: Lucy Pemoni
More disciplinary action in Navy abuse case By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D-7th Dist.) announced last week that the Navy has taken further action in its investigation of alleged abuse suffered by a gay sailor. Chief of Naval Operations Gary Roughead informed Sestak Jan. 14 that the Navy has disciplined numerous other individuals who neglected to properly address ongoing harassment that former Petty Officer Joseph Rocha, as well as other sailors, suffered. Rocha contends that, shortly after arriving at his station in Bahrain in 2005, his unit chief and others continually hazed him, tying him up, locking him in a cage covered in dog feces and forcing him to simulate sex acts, among other incidents — which Rocha surmises stemmed from his perceived sexual orientation. After an internal investigation prompted by a fellow servicemember, the unit chief, Michael Toussaint, was given a letter of caution, but was later promoted. In 2006, Rocha outed himself and was discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” After learning of the case in August, Sestak urged the Navy to launch a new investigation, which it agreed to undertake. In October, Roughead announced that Toussaint would receive a letter of censure and his previous petition to extend his enlistment would be denied, forcing him to retire. At the time, Roughead said the Navy
would continue to investigate others who failed to take proper action in the case. Roughead said this week that he has issued a “letter of counseling” to retired Vice Adm. Robert T. Conway, the former commander who signed off on the 2007 final investigation report. The letter advises that Conway should have taken further action to determine which superiors knew about the incidents and what actions, if any, they took to curb the harassment. Roughead also sent a letter of counseling to Capt. Gary Galloway, the commanding officer of Rocha’s unit, and issued a “personal directive” to all Navy admirals, informing them of their responsibilities in such abuse investigations. Furthermore, the eight members of Rocha’s unit will all receive a direct counseling by the admiral in charge of their command. “I applaud the CNO’s decision to expand his investigation to include the chain of command that did not overrule their subordinate commanders of inappropriate actions for those implicated of wrongdoing,” Sestak said, noting that the initial investigation uncovered 97 documented incidents of abuse, in regard to Rocha’s and other sailors’ claims. Sestak said those in charge of the investigation advised junior commanders to handle the situation “as appropriate” — and asserted that the lack of disciplinary action taken against Toussaint and others shows that the junior commanders failed to do so. He added that higher-ranking command-
ers should have utilized their authority to intervene, “particularly since the actions involved abusive behavior beyond the bounds of good order and discipline.” Sestak, the highest-ranking former military officer in Congress, said he doesn’t think the case reflects the Navy as a whole, and that the action taken by the CNO could help to dispel that image. “Using this case as an example — as the CNO has done in his ‘personal directive’ to all Navy admirals and will also address it in front of all flag officers in an upcoming conference — we will support better transparency and accountability in future cases,” he said. “We will never tolerate — whether in the Navy, other branches of the military or other public institutions — the lack of accountability that occurred in the case of those who committed outrageous behavior, including crimes, or those who did not ensure appropriate punishment for the abuses. If these abuses — which are not, I am certain, reflective of the Navy as a whole — were permitted to pass without full accountability, that speaks most strongly to our current and prospective sailors and their families.” A paygrade determination board will meet Feb. 4 to discuss at which paygrade Toussaint should retire and will then deliver its recommendation to the Secretary of the Navy, who will make the final decision. n Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.
Calif. court to hear custody suit The San Francisco Chronicle reports a Santa Cruz court will hear a custody dispute between former lesbian partners in which the biological mother has become romantically involved with the spermdonor father of her 10-month-old twins. Kim T. Smith of Santa Cruz has sued for joint custody of the twins, saying she and former partner Maggie Quale agreed to raise the boys together. Quale and the biological father now live together and argue they should be able to parent the children. Quale and Smith never registered as domestic partners, but the two women are listed as the boys’ parents on their birth certificates. A hearing in the case is scheduled for Jan. 29.
Editor resigns over antigay cartoon The Chicago Tribune reports the editor of the independent student newspaper for the University of Notre Dame and St. Mary’s College has resigned and that the paper has discontinued a cartoon strip that made a joke about violence against gays. The Observer newspaper published a letter of resignation and apology Jan. 18 from Kara King, an assistant managing editor. King said miscommunication with another editor led to the strip running without her first reviewing the material. The cartoon depicted a conversation that says a baseball bat is the “easiest way to turn a fruit into a vegetable.” The authors of “The Mobile Party” comic strip apologized in a letter published Jan. 15. n — Larry Nichols
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From Page 1 our board members, today, that they also financially support the council.” Rasmuson did not have details on Buckwalter’s activities and contributions while serving on the council’s executive board. He said current executive-board members aren’t paid for their service, and are expected to contribute financially to the council. When asked if Buckwalter made any recent contributions to the council, Rasmuson said: “In 12 years of my tenure here, I can tell you with confidence that he has not been an active volunteer. For the last year, I can say with confidence he hasn’t contributed financially to the organization.” At press time, Buckwalter hadn’t responded to questions about fundraising activities he may have engaged in for the council, whether he contributed financially to a Scouts group, what committee(s) he might have served on or whether he was a speaker or a guest of honor for a Scouting event. Rasmuson said the Pennsylvania Dutch Council is affiliated with the national Boy Scouts of America and adheres to its policies, including its antigay membership policies. “Each local council does not have the authority to change the national policy,” Rasmuson said.
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
“We do adhere to it.” He didn’t know whether the issue of membership qualifications came up during Buckwalter ’s service on the council. According to the Code of Judicial Conduct issued by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Common Pleas judges may participate in civic and charitable activities that do not reflect adversely on their impartiality, nor interfere in the performance of their judicial duties. They’re discouraged from belonging to groups that are likely to have cases in front of them, and they shouldn’t use the prestige of their office to solicit funds for any group. A judge also shouldn’t be a speaker or a guest of honor for an organization’s fundraising event, but may attend such events. Buckwalter initially volunteered information about his prior Scouts affiliation during a discussion in his chambers with both parties in 2008, shortly after the Cradle of Liberty Council’s lawsuit was assigned to him. But the judge hadn’t shared this information in an open court proceeding until this week. Also during the Jan. 19 proceeding, Buckwalter asked attorneys for both sides if they had any questions about the matter. Jason P. Gosselin, an attorney for the Scouts, told Buckwalter that his prior involvement with
the Scouts was a “non-issue,” and commended the judge for disclosing the information to attorneys in 2008. David Smith, an attorney for the city, said he had no problem with the information, noting the length of time that has transpired since Buckwalter’s board service. Smith added that he was a Boy Scout in his youth. Buckwalter said that he, personally, was never a Cub or Boy Scout, but added that his grandson is currently a Scout. City attorneys objected to the injunction issued by Buckwalter on Nov. 18, 2009. It effectively prevents Common Pleas Judge Mark I. Bernstein from ordering the Cradle of Liberty Council’s eviction from 231-251 N. 22nd St. at this stage of the litigation. Also at the Jan. 19 proceeding, Buckwalter gave both sides until Jan. 22 to submit a memorandum before deciding whether the Scouts should post a bond for the duration of the injunction. Buckwalter additionally said there may be a public hearing at a future date to determine the bond amount, if he decides one should be posted. The 22nd Street building is the only municipally owned building in the country that serves exclusively as a headquarters for a Scouts council. City officials want to evict the Scouts from the building because the organization won’t permit openly gay participants, nor will it pay fair-market rent of $200,000 annually. In their attempt to remain in the building, the Scouts filed a federal lawsuit in May 2008, alleging discrimination by city officials for exercising their constitutional right to ban gays. The lawsuit relies largely on a 2000 Supreme Court decision stating that the Boy Scouts of America aren’t a public accommodation, so they’re not required to comply with local civil-rights laws protecting gays. The city responded by noting that the Scouts are free to associate with whomever they please, but they aren’t entitled to city subsidies to facilitate discriminatory practices. In prior court rulings, Buckwalter stated that the injunction is necessary until it can be determined whether the Scouts’ constitutional rights would be violated by the eviction. n Timothy Cwiek can be reached at (215) 625-8501 ext. 208.
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
Editorial Judicial impartiality This week, the judge in the federal discrimination case in which the local Boy Scouts chapter is suing the city publicly disclosed that he had been a Scouting official in the early 1980s, just after he was appointed to the Court of Common Pleas. Judge Ronald Buckwalter’s disclosure, which he had reportedly revealed to the parties in the case at the beginning of the trial, and the attorney’s response are distressing on several levels. In Monday’s hearing, the judge said he’d been on the board of the Pennsylvania Dutch Scouts Council, but had gotten off the board after he was elected to the Court of Common Pleas. According to the Federal Judicial Center, Buckwalter was a Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas judge from 1980-90, meaning he was likely elected in November 1979. According to the Pennsylvania Dutch Scouts Council records, Buckwalter served on the board from July 1980-July 1984, clearly after he was sworn onto the bench. And he was reelected to the board three more times — not exactly demonstrating initiative to end his tenure there. The fact that the judge was an official for the group raises questions about his ability to decide the case “fairly, impartially and diligently,” as required by the Code of Conduct for United States Judges. Scout council board members lead the local organizations in terms of policy, membership and financial management — and are expected to contribute to the organization financially. The judicial code of conduct specifically states that a judge should not act as a fundraiser for a nonprofit group, nor solicit membership. While it’s unclear if Buckwalter actually solicited funds or membership, it would be unlikely that he didn’t. Beyond efforts to ensure an impartial judiciary and public confidence, the code of conduct also works to prevent the appearance of impartiality. “Deference to the judgments and rulings of courts depends on public confidence in the integrity and independence of judges. The integrity and independence of judges depend in turn on their acting without fear or favor ... Adherence to this responsibility helps to maintain public confidence in the impartiality of the judiciary.” It would be of lesser importance if the judge had himself been a Scout — as one of the city’s lawyers at the hearing admitted he had been — but serving on the board is another matter. Additionally, some may counter that his association is too far in the past to color his views on the case before him now. It should be noted that Philadelphia’s gay-rights ordinance took effect in 1982 — in the middle of Buckwalter’s board tenure. Buckwalter is probably best known for presiding over Vince Fumo’s corruption trial — and for handing down a 55-month sentence after the jury found Fumo guilty on all 137 counts. Whether Buckwalter can preside over this case in an impartial manner is unclear. But whether he can give the appearance of impartiality is not. n
Community Voices
Lee Carson
Liberty City is looking for new members Liberty City Democratic Club was founded in the fall of 1994 by activists who wanted to ensure issues impacting lesbians and gays took on greater prominence in the Democratic Party. In addition, the group worked to elect candidates to office who supported our issues and to elect candidates who were openly gay or lesbian to office. Over time, as an organization, we have evolved and learned more about the complexities of the various communities that comprise the LGBT community in Philadelphia. We have expanded our mission to be inclusive of the full spectrum of the LGBT community. Additionally, LCDC has made a point of ensuring gender parity within the organization’s board of directors via the appointment of cochairs: One must be female-identified and the other male-identified. LCDC continues to strive toward greater gender and racial parity and, as such, we are presently looking for new members to join our organization and give some of their time, talent and commitment to strengthening the scope of work Liberty City aims to do over the coming years. We have ongoing committees and some that are more time-limited in nature; for example, the Get Out The Vote (GOTV) committee that convenes for several weeks around the primary
and the November election seasons. Another time-limited committee is the Endorsement committee, which meets several weeks prior to the primary election to decide which candidates LCDC should support. From this committee, a slate of candidates is created and presented to the general body for discussion and a vote. The remaining committees we currently have in the organization are Communications, Fundraising, Membership Development and Policy and Advocacy. One example of the work of the Policy and Advocacy committee are partnerships that LCDC engaged in with other advocacy groups, such as protesting against SEPTA to remove the gender labels on transit passes. This issue has a direct impact on transgender and gender nonconforming members of our communities. These are only a few examples of the work that Liberty City Democratic Club is doing on behalf of LGBT Philadelphians and our brothers and sisters around the state. For a listing of more activities and achievements of the organization, please visit our Web site at www.libertycity.org. In order for us to expand the scope of work we are doing as a completely volunteerrun organization, we need your help. Over the next few months, we are
beginning a recruitment-drive effort to increase our membership. While we are interested in anyone who wants to be part of increasing LCDC’s impact on the Democratic Party and passage of pro-LGBT legislation, we have a special interest in recruiting LGBT people of color and women of all races to join the organization. If you are interested in experiencing an LCDC general body meeting, you can come to our next meeting at 6 p.m. Jan. 28 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. General meetings are open to the public, whether you are a member or not. This meeting will include an Election 101 discussion on the job descriptions of various elected officials, and audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions or get clarification on the roles of those persons we have elected into office to represent us. We sincerely hope you will consider being part of this dynamic team of progressive Democrats working to make Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania a better place for its LGBT citizens. If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to info@libertycity.org. n Lee Carson is a board member of Liberty City Democratic Club.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
Mark My Words
Mark Segal
Slow progress on LGBT issues Gay bloggers have been asserting for some time now that President Obama and his administration have not kept the promises made to our community on the campaign trail. Well, a year into the administration, they are partially correct. The repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is stuck in Congress and there is little movement on repealing the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. But there is movement on the most important piece of legislation to our community — the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act. This act, which would provide protection against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, would help all LGBT citizens. Again, 29 states in this country give absolutely no protection from discrimination to its LGBT citizens. In those 29 states, you can fire an LGBT person on a whim, deny him an apartment lease, refuse to sell her a house and a slew of other discriminatory issues. Yes, those actions are legal in 29 states and the only remedy for those people is
this ENDA legislation. Can you imagine Mississippi or Alabama offering protection from discrimination to LGBT people? Neither can I. To be fair to the administration, it has only been one year, and an administration can’t be judged on one year. You’ll judge the accomplishments — or lack thereof — of this administration on LGBT issues when the president runs for re-election and we can ask: What did you do for the LGBT community in your first term? You’ll do that when you enter the voting booth. And it should also be said that while our three core issues have not been addressed as speedily as we’d like, that may have been caused by many of us putting our expectations too high on a new president — one who was greeted on day one with two wars and an economy going down the toilet. In appointments and policy change, he has done more for this community than all presidents before him combined. That says a little about his commitments. The remainder of his first term will tell us about his political skills and, after the Republican Party picked up Sen. Ted Kennedy’s seat in Massachusetts, the stakes just got a little higher. n Mark Segal is PGN publisher. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com.
Letters and Feedback In response to “Sestak backs gay marriage,” Jan. 15-21: I am waiting to see what Specter has to say. Equality for the GLBT community is the civil-rights issue this generation. It is now time for all politicians to step up to the plate. Gay Democrats cannot be captive vote. — jhc1 This is great news to hear from Congressman Sestak on the Uniting American Families Act. Tens of thousands of families are affected by our current discriminatory immigration laws, and Americans are forced to choose between the person they love and our country. LGBT families need immigration reform too, and the LGBT community needs to realize this and be part of the fight to change our sorely outdated immigration laws! — Tom T. This is so exciting! UAFA needs to pass soon! Thank you Rep. Sestak for your support and for all your work in the new wave of the civil-rights movement! — juankgalan
Thank you Congressman Sestak for your support in all LGBT issues. The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) as its own bill or included in Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) would bring me and my partner together, not to mention the thousands of binational same-gender couples all over the country living separately like me and my partner, together in fear of being separated or in exile waiting for the discriminatory immigration laws to change and be able to come home. As one of your constituents, I applaud your standing up and fighting for equal rights for all Americans. — Rob Vaswilas He had me right up until he said that he supports civil unions over marriage because “marriage is a church issue.” Bullshit! Civil marriage has never been a church issue and it isn’t one now. Matrimony is a church issue. The spiritual blessing of a marriage is a church issue. Certainly a man as intelligent and progressive as he should know this. I suspect that he is still lacking a vertebrae or two in the backbone he rightly says other Democrats
lack. Come on Sestak, fix this small but significant flaw in your platform and you’ll be batting 1,000. — TampaZeke
PAGE 11
Street Talk Should video cameras be permitted at the Proposition 8 trial?
Scott Cauvel flight attendant Society Hill
Anthony Fleming flight attendant Queen Village
“Yes. Educating the public on this controversial issue is to everyone’s benefit. I realize the need for judicial decorum but it’s up to the judge to have controls in place to prevent a circus atmosphere. It shouldn’t get to the point where either party would be offended.”
“Yes, we live in an open society. The topic should get a thorough airing in an open forum. I’m sensitive to privacy concerns but the public’s right to access this information outweighs any privacy concerns.”
Soozie Savage chef South Philadelphia
Dajoun Williams dancer Washington Square West
“No. Not everyone wants to be outed. People should have their privacy protected. Witness protection is of the utmost importance. That’s true for any type of trial. It’s important to be ensured anonymity.”
“Yes. This is history; it should be recorded. If someone feels uncomfortable with the cameras, that’s their problem. People should have the courage of their convictions. Be a lion! If not, stay out of the courtroom.”
I’m certainly happy to see somebody jump on our bandwagon, particularly the UAFA one. It’s time things start to change positively in the good ole USA, and fortunately I can help vote this one in. Thanks again Rep. Sestak for your support on all LGBT matters. — Brian Kowaski Joe supported ending the war too. Then he got in office. So unless he is willing to sign legally binding documents to support us in all things on this issue, I don’t believe a word he says. — Bickle In response to “Family Portraits: George Alley,” Jan. 15-2: As a huge fan of “I’m Going to Kill You,” it was a pleasant surprise to see this article. George is an incredibly talented man. Find him, follow him, listen to him, but of all things, learn from him. Cheers! — Don Krom
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 12
PHILLIP R. REEVES, MD
PSYCHIATRY FOR LGBT COMMUNITY PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND PSYCH0THERAPY DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, HIV, CHRONIC PAIN
Obituary Sterling Goode, Attic board member, 55 By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer
OFFICES AT 1601 Walnut St., Suite 1128 AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
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members of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church for the past nine years. Dixon said Goode volunteered in Sterling Goode, a longtime the church’s soup kitchen, served board member of The Attic Youth on its Altar Guild and “did pretty PHILADELPHIA PAGE 20 Center, died Dec. 21 of pancreatic much everything heGAY couldNEWS do” for the church. cancer. He was 55. UPCOMING Dixon said it was “the comGoode served as secretary of the munityPage itself” board at the LGBT youth organiFrom 19at the church that zation since 2006 and was a board FOR LGBT COMMUNITY inspired Goode to give back as PSYCHIATRY Alcoholics meeting for member since 2003. much as heAnonymous did. PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY the BDSM, leather and alternative Goode was born and raised in “The church community is AND PSYCH0THERAPY sexuality be the city, having lived in West and really whatcommunity, drew us in will and kept STERLING GOODE (LEFT) AND held from 7:30-9 p.m. in South DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, HIV, North Philadelphia. He graduated us here,” he said. “It’s a very lovCHRONIC PAIN PARTNER RICHARD DIXON Philadelphia. For location, call ing and open community, and we from Olney High School in 1971 OFFICES AT 1601 WALNUT SUITE 1128 were 581-7883. openly involved in it.” and earned his bachelor’s degree TheST., Attic and that Brenda said her (800) � The Women’s Programming AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY Besides his work with youth in political science from Albright brother was very excited about. will meet at 7:30 University in 1975. and the church, Brenda saidp.m. her “The Attic was really important Committee EVENING HOURS at the William Way Community His sister, Brenda, said he conbrother loved theater and the arts to him, especially the group about AVAILABLE (215) 740-4311 Center. was an excellent cook. sidered a career in law, but instead relationships he was involved �and Youth in Transition, a support He also off and onand for chose to pursue his passion for with,” she said. “He wanted to try group forworked transgender 20 years asyouth a part-time server at helping others and began working to show the young gay and lesbian questioning ages 12-23, will Morton’s The Steakhouse, but left as a social worker for the city’s population that there’s not much meet from 7:30-9 p.m. at The Attic last summer Department of Human Services in of a difference between gay and Youth Center. after he received his 1990. ‘straight’ relationships and that cancer diagnosis. “That’s where he really found they were experiencing some of Goode was an avidJan. traveler, Wednesday, 9 havhis niche,” Brenda said. visited Hawaii, Paris, London the same problems that everyone �ing A support group for HIV-positive In 2006, Goode became a goes through. He really enjoyed women and Venice, and from Dixon said the will meet 9:30-11:30 social-service program analyst that.” two ofatthem to New York a.m. the traveled Arch Street United and Arch for the department, a position that City oftenChurch, to takeBroad in Broadway Goode was in his own relation- Methodist 387-6055. shows (215) and visit museums. allowed him to oversee programs ship with his partner, Richard streets; � The and traveling Lesbian Latino AIDS “HeGay loved because he at various DHS-funded agencies Dixon, for 22 years. will offer free, in the area. just lovedInitiative life so much,” Brenda “It was love ‘at first sight,’” Education said. walk-in HIV testing from “When he became a social Dixon said. “I hate to say that on-site p.m.added at 1233 St.; broth(215) that,Locust since her worker, he saw how much these because it sounds so cliché, but 3-6She er’s passing, she’s talked to many children suffered and he just had it really was. We were together 985-3382. reading room will his library friendsand about his strength of this positive attitude and this almost from the Square moment we �ofThe Located Near Rittenhouse be open from 3-9 p.m. at the William character. energy that really worked in that met.” General & Aesthetic Dentistry Community environment,” Brenda said. Now Accepting “Of everyone Center. who’s come up to Dixon said tried to relate Way NewGoode Patients � Project Teach, a peer-education Attic executive director Carrie his own Appointments experiences toAvailable the youth me to talk about him, they all say Early Morning and empowerment program for Jacobs said Goode’s death has hit he was honest and he was loyal. If involved in Phila, the relationships 248 South 21st St., PA 19103 people living with HIV/AIDS, will the organization, and the many group. he was your your meet from 3-5friend, p.m. athe thewas William 215.732.3350 friend no matter what.” youth who looked up to him, www.yourphillydentist.com “I think he saw that there are Way Community Center. hard. addition to support Dixongroup and a lot of gay youth out there who, � AIn smoking-cessation “He was such a great role like we did before we met, are for Brenda, is conducted survived by by sexual Goode minorities, model for the youth,” Jacobs said. just sewing their wild oats and not the his Mazzoni twin sister, Sharon, Center, will brothers meet at Anthony Petchalonis, D.M.D “We’ve had to deal with this as aFeaturing Joseph, and DavidWest and reallyOne looking for Whitening relationships 5:30 p.m. Robert at the Washington Hour Teeth niece Brenda. group, and a lot of the kids have because they think that’s all there Project, 1201 Locust St.; (215) 563A funeral really struggled, and I’ve really is for them, but he tried to show 0663 ext. 242.was held Dec. 29 at struggled.” Goode was them that there’s a lot more out �St. Mary’s, AIDS and Services in buried Asian Communities’ weekly on volunteer Jacobs and Goode co-facilitated there,” he said. at Ivy Hill Cemetery Easton Road.group will meet from 6-8 p.m. a relationships group for LGBT Dixon and Goode, who lived in work 1201 Chestnut St., Suite 501; contributions in teens that recently launched at South Philadelphia, were active at Memorial (215) 563-2424 ext. be 10.made to The Goode’s name can �Attic Coming Out,Center, a support for Youth 255group S. 16th gay, bisexual or questioning St., Philadelphia, PA 19102, men, or to will meet from 6-7:30Soup p.m. Kitchen, at AIDS St. Mary’s Church Delaware, Suite 315, W. 10th 1831 Bainbridge St., 100 Philadephia, St., PA Wilmington; 19146. n (800) 292-0429.
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JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
COUNCILMAN From Page 1 seeking more than $27,000 to cover legal and public-relations fees he said he incurred because of Corbett’s campaign and during the ballot recount. During the proceeding, Corbett said he targeted Kelly because he didn’t have enough funding to campaign against each Council member who voted for the eviction, but pledged to launch a new campaign aimed at Councilmanat-Large Frank Rizzo (R). Corbett also said he plans to go after U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-8th Dist.) for his efforts to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that during testimony last week, Corbett contended he undertook the campaign to fight against the “homosexual agenda.” “We’re talking about homosexual activity being forced on the Boy Scouts, 12-year-olds,” Corbett said. “The only way [gays] can continue their culture is to get people to join them because they don’t reproduce like normal people.” He said he was “joyous” that his campaign may have nearly derailed Kelly’s chances at reelection and said “the intent was to show the rest of [City Council] that, hey, we can get you.” The trial began Jan. 11 with a heated exchange between Corbett’s attorney, C. Scott Shields, and presiding Judge Albert Snite Jr. The judge repeatedly instructed Shields to stop reading portions of
e
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
the Pennsylvania Constitution for the jurors during his opening statement, as he said it was his responsibility to explain the law to the jury. After he had to stop Shields three times, Snite banged his fist on the bench and ordered the attorney to “stop smiling.” Snite called in a sheriff to stand by in case he ordered Shields into custody. Shields asked the judge to declare a mistrial after the exchange, but the judge denied his motion.
During his testimony, Kelly denied Corbett’s assertion that he voted for the eviction to curry favor with LGBT voters. “I want everyone to be happy with me,” Kelly said. “You try to help as many people as you can. As a politician, that’s what you try to do. I represent everyone in the city. I don’t just represent Irish men from the Northeast.” n Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
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PAGE 13
CONGREGATION BETH AHAVAH
at Rodeph Shalom
A GLBT synagogue welcoming people of all gender and sexual identities since 1975
JOIN US TWICE MONTHLY FOR SHABBAT SERVICES AT 8:00 PM Coffee, cake & conversation at the oneg following services
Winner of the 2009 Paddy and Barry Epstein Communicate! Award for innovative programming in a small congregation Friday, January 29, 7:30 PM. Beth Ahavah Tu Bishvat Seder. Please join us for this special service celebrating the New Year for the Trees. Delicious wine and fruits served to celebrate the New Year for the Trees!
Friday, February 12, 8:00 PM. Beth Ahavah Shabbat Services. Please join us for our monthly BA Shabbat Service followed by a sumptuous oneg (social hour).
Saturday, February 27, 7:30 PM. Purim Spiel and Party! Get ready to spin those groggers, down some hamen-
tashen and enjoy the BA Players’ annual Purim Spiel (play). This year it’s “Bye Bye Purim!” (based on the music of “Bye Bye Birdie!”) Party to follow afterwards! Friday, March 12, 8:00 PM. Beth Ahavah Shabbat Services. Please join us for our monthly BA Shabbat Service followed by a sumptuous oneg (social hour).
Beth Ahavah and Rodeph Shalom are affiliated in spirit and share a sacred home. In July 2007 Beth Ahavah affiliated with Rodeph Shalom. Beth Ahavah retains its congregational status within the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and proudly offers its congregation dual membership at both synagogues. Visit www.bethahavah.org for additional information, programming and directions
615 North Broad Street, Phila., PA 19123-2495 Phone: 215.923.2003 E-mail: BethAhavah@rodephshalom.org
Free secure parking: Cross Spring Garden at 13th St., left at next light, Mt. Vernon St. Parking lot entrance on left.
PGN
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 14
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
International News Haiti AIDS group members dead Fourteen men who worked for or were aided by SEROvie, Haiti’s largest organization serving gay and transgender people with HIV, were among those killed during the Jan. 12 earthquake, according to the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. Only two people from the group survived. The message of the men’s tragic death came from an e-mail SEROvie’s leader Steve La Guerre managed to send to IGLHRC asking for help. “We were having our usual support-group meeting on a quiet Tuesday afternoon when the worst happened,” La Guerre wrote. “The sound is unforgettable. I can’t even describe the horror as the ceiling and the wall of the conference room started to fall and the chaos started.” IGLHRC executive director Cary Alan Johnson said his group has sent funds directly to SEROvie to allow their services and supplies to continue to reach their clients. The group is also sending funds to Colectiva Mujer y Salud, a feminist Dominican organization that has crossed the border into Haiti to assist with direct relief to the LGBT community there.
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Cruises join forces for Haiti relief The owners of Atlantis Events, Olivia Cruises and RSVP
Larry Nichols
Vacations have joined to raise funds for earthquake relief efforts in Haiti, the three companies announced Jan. 15. Each of the three cruise lines has pledged to donate $7,500, with Olivia offering a limited number of free cruises to passengers who donate $7,500 or more. The cruise lines are urging that passenger donations be made through the American Red Cross. The Red Cross will bundle these funds and record them as contributions from LGBT Americans to the people of Haiti. “So many of our passengers have been touched by the destruction and poverty in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country,” said Judy Dlugacz, president of Olivia. “It is important that as LGBT Americans, we come together to show our community’s solidarity and support for those living through this unimaginable disaster.” Atlantis CEO Rich Campbell said he would spearhead efforts to raise additional money for Haiti.
Malawi stands firm on gay case The Malawi government announced Jan. 18 that it would not cave to international pressure to release two gay men who have been imprisoned on charges of unnatural acts and gross indecency after engaging in a same-sex-marriage ceremony last month. The men face up to 14 years in prison if found guilty. Malawi Information Minister
Leckford Mwanza Thoto said in a statement that Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga were “clearly breaking the laws of Malawi.” “As government, we cannot interfere in the court process,” Thoto said. “We depend on our Western friends, yes, but we are a sovereign country.” International donors fund 40 percent of the southeast African nation’s budget. Among those who have protested the men’s arrest are Amnesty International, more than 20 members of the Scottish parliament and the United Kingdom gay-rights group Outrage! A verdict in the men’s case is expected next month.
China to sit out Mr. Gay pageant China will not send a delegate to the Worldwide Mr. Gay pageant next month, an organizer said Jan. 18, after police blocked his event to choose a Chinese contestant. Police shut down the firstever Mr. Gay China pageant just before the event started Jan. 15, but organizers had planned to privately select a candidate from the eight contestants. They have now reversed their decision, so no one from China will compete at the pageant in Oslo, Norway. “This was a very carefully considered decision,” said Ben Zhang, a pageant organizer. “We just cannot send anyone; the organizers and competitors came to this decision together.” Homosexuality remains a sensitive topic in China. Gays are frequently discriminated against and any Chinese national who competes at the pageant would likely be the target of uncomfortable scrutiny, especially after police canceled Mr. Gay China. Police cited a lack of permits for canceling the pageant at a swanky Beijing club. Chinese authorities frequently cite procedural reasons for closing down gatherings deemed politically sensitive.
Antigay march planned for Uganda Ugandan pastor Martin Ssempa said Jan. 15 that he plans to stage a “million man” march in February to support the antigay bill pending in parliament.
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Ssempa, who holds close ties to American evangelicals including pastor Rick Warren, positioned the march as a response to international pressure against the bill, which originally proposed the death-penalty for gay people in certain instances. Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni recently appeared to distance himself from the severe bill, and leaders have claimed
the death penalty provisions were revised to life imprisonment. “We want to give a postcard that [Museveni] can send to his friend [U.S. president] Barack Obama,” Ssempa said in front of posters stating “Africans Unite Against Sodomy” and “Barack Obama Back Off.” He said the march is planned for Feb. 17, reported Reuters.
Death sentence for gay murder
NEWS BRIEFING
as well as their staff members, to explain the need for ENDA. Interested participants can register on NCTE’s Web site, www. transequality.org.
Nominations will be accepted until Jan. 31.
From Page 5
Lobby days for ENDA The National Center for Transgender Equality is calling on the LGBT community to head to the nation’s capital in March to advocate for the Employment NonDiscrimination Act, which would ban discrimination against LGBT individuals in the workplace. The NCTE is hosting a conference and lobby days March 14-16 in a concerted effort for LGBTs and allies to meet with their leaders in Congress and lobby for the bill. The three-day event will feature phone banking, meet-andgreet with activists and an awards ceremony to recognize leaders in the fight to pass ENDA. On March 16, participants will have the chance to meet with their senators and representatives,
Nominate an NJ leader Nominations are being accepted for exemplary community leaders in the Garden State for the New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Awards. The awards honor New Jerseyans who volunteer their talents in a variety of fields — such as emergency services, healthcare, youth services and faith communities — and also recognize lifetime achievements and volunteer organizations. To nominate an individual or group, submit a 300-word essay about why the person or organization should be recognized to www.njgovernorsawards.com.
A gay Chinese man received a death sentence Jan. 14 after he was found guilty of killing his German sex partner in July. The 21-year-old hotel employee was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve by a court in Zhongshan City in
Philly seeks screenwriters The Greater Philadelphia Film Office recently launched its 2010 Screenwriting Competition and is this year looking for writers whose works can be shot in the City of Brotherly Love. “Shoot in Philadelphia” is Together We Can, a discussion looking for feature-length or TVgroup for pieces people ofdealing with pilot-length all genres. emotional, mental andjudged addictive Submissions will be on problems, will meet 7 p.m. at The overall quality and attheir “shootability” in Philadelphia. The Trans-Health Information Prizes range from $1,000 to Project will hold a drop-in center $10,000. for all trans persons from 7-11 p.m. The early deadline for submisoor; sions is Feb. 1, and the final deadlineThe is March 1. Society, a gay and Humboldt For complete submission details, lesbian naturalist club, will meet visit www.film.org. at 7:30 p.m. at then William Way JenaColletta Ties That Bind—Us, 12-step
PAGE 15
Guangdong Province in south China. The young man began having sex with the 68-year-old German last January, but broke up with him, saying he did not like gay sex. He returned to his rented apartment in July after his ex promised not to harass him. “But he was nevertheless harassed by the German man the next day despite repeated warn-
ings,” reported China Daily. “The young man then hit the German man in the left temple with a hammer and killed him, the court heard.” The victim’s body was dismembered and scattered in different places across the city. Neither man’s name was revealed. n Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
RUPAUL’S VICTORY LAP
Detour A departure from the ordinary
Drag icon returns to hit show and bookstores By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer
AUTHOR, TV HOST, ICON: No, not Oprah — RuPaul. Photos: Mathu Andersen
“Isn’t it like a Costco-sized bag of Skittles?” drag superstar, singer and TV personality RuPaul said about her new book, “Workin’ It!: RuPaul’s Guide to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Style.” Come to think of it, it is: You can actually taste the rainbow while reading it. “It took me five weeks of sitting in my kitchen with my computer with the blinds drawn just lifting up my skirt and flying,” she said. “You’re probably going to say, ‘Ru, you are such a whore for piggybacking all your products onto the show.’” No. Not really. RuPaul may have timed her book/life manual/drag manifesto to hit the streets around the same time as the second season of her reality competition, “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” But it’s 2010, and you’ve got to make your fortunes wherever and whenever the opportunity presents itself. So surely no one at PGN thinks of RuPaul as a whore. “Well, it’s true,” she said. We stand corrected. Anyway, with her cult following in film and music, the new book and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” back for a second season (not to mention a GLAAD Award nomination for best reality program), could it be that RuPaul is on the verge of a multi-media empire on par with the likes of Oprah and
Tyra? “I don’t think that way,” she said. “I’m too old to think like that. I’ve got to stay in the moment. The secret of my success is staying in the moment. I’m having a great time today. You should see what I’m wearing.” We asked. We were kind of impressed. But then we got back to the task at hand: getting to the dirt. For instance, over the years PGN has interviewed a number of people who have had shows on Logo and have characterized the network as, shall we say, aggressively frugal. So we wondered out loud if RuPaul and company were able to squeeze more out of the network now that “Drag Race” is a hit. “It’s a fledgling network,” she said. “It’s not NBC or HBO but it’s trying, and we really stand a good chance to make the network bigger with our show, which is really going to elevate the network to another level. But nobody has got a lot of money.” Still, “Drag Race” does appear to be a bigger and better machine than it was the first season. This time around, there are more competitors but, at first glance, you might wonder if they can compete with the diverse talent that was on display last time. “There are so many different shades, angles and techniques,” RuPaul said about the queens competing this season.
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
“Are they more diverse? I don’t think so, probably because we have more. Last season we had nine. This season we have 12. The kids this time, they’re younger, so they have a different approach to representing drag. The first season the kids were diplomatic. They knew they were representing drag, which had been underground for a decade, really not in the mainstream, so they were diplomatic, and they knew they had to be on their best behavior. This time around, not so much. These bitches are ruthless. There, I said it.” The casting is kind of ruthless too. “Drag Race” contestants range from veteran performers with years of experience to raw talents that only have a few months of drag experience under their wigs. That’s not exactly fair, do you think? “Fair is a subjective term,” RuPaul answered. “It’s based on the potential and how they added to the ensemble. Fair is not really fair.” If the first episode is any indication, both experienced and new performers alike are ready to pull out all the stops, which usually means doing a gratuitous split whenever it looks like another drag queen has you beat in a challenge. “That’s an analogy for life,” RuPaul said. “If you didn’t get what you want, upstage everyone else. The winner isn’t always the winner. Look at Bush in 2000. Santino [Rice, fashion designer] is one of the judges on our show. He didn’t win the ‘Project Runway’ that he was on, but he was the one that everyone remembers because he, in essence, did the splits. “[Victoria] ‘Porkchop’ [Parker] got a lot of mileage out of being the first one chopped. That’s what I told the girls in the reunion special. You have to seize the moment. This isn’t about who won or who’s No. 1. Fuck that shit. You have to seize whatever opportunity, which is what I have done in my career. The whole show is based on how I’ve approached show business. I tell them all, ‘You may not be No. 1 but you can make it work for you on several different labels if you really get into it. Winning isn’t always how you win the game.’” Given that sentiment, it’s not surprising that RuPaul doesn’t have any crossover aspirations for the show. Having worked on shows for bigger networks like VH1, which was home to her talk show in 1996, RuPaul said mainstream TV and press acceptance of “Drag Race” doesn’t matter to her. “The mainstream press has always been
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
a challenge when it comes to me, who uses femininity as a palette or a venue,” she said. “You have to understand the mainstream press has an agenda, as all press has an agenda. But if the agenda has to do with the status quo and making sure people feel secure in the choices they have made in their lives, then you’re going to be up against a lot of people who disapprove of what I do. People are very afraid of what they don’t understand. A lot of people don’t want to understand it because it would force them to reevaluate the choices that they made.” The contestants aren’t the only aspects of “Drag Race” that got an upgrade. The list of celebrity judges has also gotten bigger and better, with personalities like Kathy Griffin, Cloris Leachman, Debbie Reynolds, Tatum O’Neal, Jackie Collins, Kathy Najimy and Henry Rollins. Wait. Hold up. Like they said on “Sesame Street”: One of these things is not like the other. Henry Rollins? “I’ve known him for years,” RuPaul said of the punk-rock icon. “I did a record with him 15 years ago that never came out. He is fashion-forward and intellectual. It’s so refreshing to be around people, gay or straight, who don’t get caught up in bullshit and what people are supposed to do. You’re not your religion or your clothes or the car you drive or the city you live in. Some people are clever enough to transcend all that. We have two Academy Award winners and it just goes on and on. That’s what drag is about. Hopefully, I get to teach a new generation of young people who really don’t know what drag stands for. It’s about tearing down that bloody bitch of a bearing wall and putting a window where it ought to be.” A few of the bearing walls that recently faced the RuPaul wrecking ball were in some famous political houses. In “Workin’ It,” a photo of RuPaul depicts her version of election night: She appears as both Barack and Michelle Obama. She also recently did her own take of Sarah Palin in a photo spoofing the former Alaska governor’s new book, “Going Rogue.” RuPaul said she’s happy to be alive in a time in history when she can use drag to promote a political message. “Drag throughout the ages has always been witch doctors and shamans who make fun of society,” she said. “That has always been the role of drag in any culture. It’s to remind people that they are not who
they think they are. This may get too deep: You really are an extension of the power that made the whole universe. Drag is there to tell people: Don’t take yourself too seriously. So political figures who parade themselves around as the moral authority are prime targets for this kind of parody. It’s a perfect match. There have been sketchy times where speaking your mind politically could get you Dixie-Chicked, but it’s eased up recently.” We were starting to get worried that RuPaul’s success in television and books was going to keep her away from the
PAGE 17
studio, but (no pun intended) she set the record straight. “I’m getting back in the studio next week,” she said, “whether the songs get played on the radio or not, I just dig it. I love music. I love collaborating with people.” “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Season 2” premieres at 9 p.m. Feb. 1 on Logo. “Workin’ It” hits bookshelves on Feb. 2. For more information, visit www.rupaulsdragrace.com. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
Lesbian on the Scene Tracy Buchholz
Write, dance, bowl The next two weeks are jam-packed with events for our community, with many of them taking place this Saturday. Whether you’re in the mood to dance, write or bowl, there are events that should appeal to everyone. The Attic Youth Center continues its writing workshops Jan. 23 with “My Three Loves: Women, Sex, Poetry.” The workshops take place on Saturdays from 3-7 p.m. at the center, 255 S. 16th St. Geared toward anyone identifying with women’s space, the workshop is open to writers of all levels. Whether you’re published or just writing as a hobby, this group is for you. A new topic is featured each week. Past topics include foul-mouthed love poems, gender and deciding when to be sexual. This is a great way to get to know fellow writers, as well as an activity outside the bar scene. Best of all, the event is free — and get there early for the free lunch! Call (215) 545-4331 with questions. Also on Jan. 23, GAYBingo takes over The Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St., from 7-9:30 p.m. Sponsored by the AIDS Fund, GAYBingo is the absolute most hilarious way to spend two-anda-half hours. Always in demand, tickets tend to sell out quickly, so get yours soon. This is a completely mixed crowd and a great place to let loose and laugh your night away. All proceeds from the night are donated to AIDS Fund’s 30 partners. Floor seats are $25 and balcony seating is $20. With the BVDs — Bingo Verifying Divas — spoofing the Golden Globes throughout the night, you know you’re in store for a good time, all while supporting a good cause! For tickets and information, check out www.aidsphillyfund.org. After you’re done playing bingo at The Gershman Y, head over to Voyeur for the one-year anniversary bash for The Scene. This dance party has moved to Voyeur — smack-dab in the middle of the Gayborhood — making it
more accessible than its old South Philly haunt, Adobe Lounge. In celebration of its first year, The Scene will mix it up with rotating DJs and music each month. This month, DJ Carl Michaels will spin on the main floor and Lil Sis will be upstairs spinning your favorite hip-hop tunes. There will also be live performances by the sexy Jennifer Alvarez, as well as a visit from the ladies of Feminique Boutique. Get there by midnight and cover is just $5, with $3 drinks from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. This is definitely the go-to event of the weekend and always promises a sexy and diverse crowd. More information is at www.facebook. com/tlbtbproductions. In the mood to bowl? Head out Jan. 24 to Thunderbird Lanes, 1475 W. Street Road, Warminster, and check out the Gay Bowling League. From 6-8:30 p.m., play all you want for $15. This weekly event is sponsored by Alternative Bowling. Monthly pizza parties and a prize fund add to the fun. Competitive and social, it’s a great way to start your week. Questions? Call (267) 481-4315. On Jan. 28, get your dancing shoes on: Queering Tango lessons kick off at 7 p.m. at 126 Market St. Beginners are welcome from 7-8:30 p.m., with an intermediate lesson from 8:30-10. You can attend any class for $15. Queering Tango focuses on tango as a physical outlet for artistry, emotion and desire and stresses interpersonal connection and communication. Luckily for these lessons, no partner or registration is necessary, just the love of tango! Trust me: Ladies love ladies who can dance. This is definitely the month to get off the couch and get into action. A new year means trying new things, and you have some new ideas here. Whether you’re single or have an S.O., these events are a great place to make new friends or just get out there and check out the scene. And remember, if I’m missing events, e-mail me and let me know! ■ Tracy Buchholz is an LGBTQ party producer-promoter in Philadelphia. She can be reached at tracy.buchholz@gmail.com.
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Coming-out stories hit the stage in new production By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer The Barley Sheaf Players are set to explore coming-out stories in the world premiere of “LoveNothing,” an original drama written and directed by Andrea Daniels. Over the course of the play, three tales are told. In one, Patrick fights to hold onto a friend whose religious beliefs make her question their friendship. Another finds Calvin trying to fix his wife’s broken heart with the discovery of his long-hidden sexuality. Finally, Alma struggles to convince her pregnant girlfriend that their love can combat any kind of hatred the world can throw at them. Daniels explained that while all three stories are important, Alma’s tale makes the strongest impact. “The first two, there’s definitely a loss in the relationship,” she said. “Those are powerful traumas. The last one is the most hopeful of the three and it’s what I wanted to end with: the idea of there being some sort of hope out there. After seeing the other two that are so serious end on a somber note, seeing something that ends with a little bit of hope may be the most powerful one of the play.” Daniels, who identifies as straight, said she wrote “LoveNothing” last year after facing personal struggles and being moved by the stories and experiences of teens and young adults who frequent The Spot, Chester County’s LGBTQA youth group. “Any time people find out things about yourself that they didn’t know is sort of a coming-out process, and there’s that struggle of having to tell someone every time,” she said. “I’m 33 years old and it’s hard enough for me to come out with my own secrets and struggles. I can’t imagine coming out as a teenager with something as huge as being gay and coming out to family and friends. Any time you have some sort of personal struggle that has to be told, it’s a coming-out process.” The stories in “Love-Nothing” are drawn from the experiences of LGBT individuals who filled out questionnaires for Daniels about their coming-out. “A lot of the things that I got out of there that were most important I tried to incorporate
the best I could into the play,” she explained. “It’s sort of the idea of you never just come out once. You’re continually coming out to the people that don’t know and the struggles with that. Most of what’s in the play itself is what people expressed to me that they felt needed to be covered.” Daniels added that the play’s title is a tennis metaphor that one of the characters uses to describe how her familial relationships changed after she came out. “One of the characters speaks about how she knew her father loved her because they would sit and watch tennis together. It was very important to him. That’s the connection they shared. When she came out, he wouldn’t share that with her anymore. She talked about when she was a child, she really didn’t understand that love
DAVE FERRIER (FROM LEFT), CHRISTIAN ALLEN, KATIE FARNUM, KAREN LAMMEY AND NICK GLASSMYER
was zero and her father explained that it was a nice way of making people feel better if they had zero in a game of tennis. After her parents wouldn’t speak to her anymore, her girlfriend says, ‘It’s a score of love-nothing and, your
MARIA JARRELL AS ALMA AND ERICA HAWTHORNE AS BETH
f a t h e r w o n ’t understand this, but you’re winning.’” The Barley Sheaf Players present “Love-Nothing” through Jan. 30, 810 N. Whitford Road, Lionville. Proceeds from the per-
formances benefit The Spot. For more information, visit www. barleysheaf.org or call (610) 3637075. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 20
Family Portraits Brian Strachan wears many hats. And they’re sometimes big pink ones atop towering wigs. He fills his daytime hours as a teacher, inspiring the next generation at the University of the Arts, but once a month he dons a themed costume and teases, taunts and tickles the crowd as a Bingo Verifying Diva at Philadelphia’s popular GayBINGO. Now entering its 14th year, GayBINGO has raised thousands of smiles and more than $2 million for people in the Delaware Valley living with HIV/AIDS. PGN: How did you become a BVD? BS: My partner, Domenick, saw a blurb about it on the Theatre Alliance Web site. He wanted to do it, but I was reluctant.
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
Suzi Nash [Laughs.] I mean, once you take that step, you’re officially a real drag queen! There’s no going back. We went to the first interview, though, and I realized how much fun it was going to be. Our first event had a Madonna music theme. I went as “Cherish” and I wore a big pink dress and a pair of glasses and I was hooked. We’ve been doing it for twoand-a-half years now. My drag name is Thunder Showers and Domenick is Summer Clearance. PGN: Tell me about the day job. BS: My title is director of dance costumes in the dance department at the University of the Arts. I also teach a class in “Costume Design for Dance.” Outside of the school, I also design costumes for various theater companies in the
city. I’m doing a show with the IRC [Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium] in March called “The Gnadiges Fraulein.” It’s one of Tennessee William’s lesser-known plays. I’m also doing “Waiting for Godot” for EgoPo in March and I design for the Sharp Dance Company. One of my favorite things to do in the summer is working with Neill Hartley, who is the artistic director for a group called Actors Without Boundaries. AWB was founded by Christine Rouse and is an acting program for children, teens and young adults up to age 30 who have physical disabilities. Their motto is, “What makes us different makes us beautiful.” Last year, we did the “Sound of Music” and this year we’re doing “Grease.” It’s always amazing. PGN: Do you live in Philly? BS: My partner, Domenick Scudera, chairs the theater and dance department at Ursinus College, so we live out in Collegeville now. We’ve been there for about five years. I used to live in Center City, where I also taught aerobics at gyms around town and was a dancer myself. PGN: What’s the biggest costume mishap you’ve had while dancing? BS: Years ago, when I was dancing with Theatre West Virginia, I did this Indian dance and my loincloth fell off. It’s always interesting when you’re on stage pretty much naked with your butt hanging out! [Laughs.] But that always happens in dance: Your butt always seems to be the first thing to rip out of your costume. There was one time when one of the female dancers was performing and the trim of her tutu started coming off. It just slowly unraveled so by the end of the dance she had a long tail of chiffon. PGN: That sounds like a Carol Burnett skit. BS: It was! After a while the audience just began to laugh and giggle the more it unraveled and, by the time we got to the end, it was ridiculous. But of course we had to keep going. PGN: Where did you grow up? BS: I grew up in a small town outside of Pittsburgh called Sewickley. One of the recent
BRIAN STRACHAN Photo: Suzi Nash
bachelorettes, from the TV show, is from Sewickley. PGN: Siblings? BS: I have three siblings but one of them, my younger brother, died of cancer about five years ago. I have an older brother who is a truck driver in South Dakota and a younger sister who lives in Nags Head, N.C. My father lives there too. He worked for U.S. Steel in Pittsburgh for many years until he retired. PGN: So your father was a real Pittsburgh steeler? BS: Oh, yes. And they were real fans of the team too. That was back in the day when the team was really famous for The Steel Curtain, when they won several Super Bowls in a row. PGN: So how did a little gay boy fare in Steel town? BS: Eh, I managed it. I just did my own thing. I was into diving and went to dance classes three times a week. Of course I got teased, but I really didn’t pay much attention to it — I just didn’t care. As I got older near the end of high school, I taught lessons as well. I made friends with people and they began to embrace me and came to support me at swim meets and stuff. That made me sort of a jock. PGN: So you were a diver? BS: Yeah, I did AAU diving. That’s the Amateur Athletic Union. PGN: How did you start diving?
BS: When I was young, 8 or 9, I took dancing classes and did a lot of acrobatics. We started taking swimming lessons and, one day, I was fooling around on the diving board and one of the instructors saw me. He encouraged me to take lessons and I soon started competing. I went to the University of Maine to be on the diving team. PGN: What was your best dive? BS: The highest-degree dive was a 3.0, which was a triple-twisting forward one-and-a-half off the high board, but the best dive I ever did was in competition. I did a back dive at a meet and got a perfect 10. It’s shocking because you come out of the water and everybody’s screaming. You can tell that you did a good dive when you hit the water but you don’t know that it was perfect until you hear the crowd. If you do it right, there is a ripping sound when you hit the water. You just slide in and there’s no splash and it feels good. PGN: How scary is it being up on that platform? BS: You are concentrating so much on your technique that you don’t really pay attention to the height, though I wasn’t a big fan of the high dive. It was pretty scary when you did think about it. PGN: Where did you go to school? BS: I went to the University of Maine for four years and got a See PORTRAIT, Page 28
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Q Puzzle Wilde Medical Drama Across
1. Fashion designer Oldham 5. Biggest of a bear trio 9. Gay nightlife district of London 13. “Jeffrey” won one 14. Defender Dershowitz 15. Mine, in Montréal 16. Long for 17. Peter on the piano 18. Have sex, with “around” 19. Start of the title of an Oscar Wilde medical drama? 22. Mythical bird 23. Biathlete’s slats 24. Todd Oldham’s field 28. Abacus collection 32. Directional ending 33. Patricia Nell Warren work 36. McKellen’s Magneto movie 37. Used chairs 38. More of the title 40. Arafat’s org. 41. Take it from me 43. Loy of “The Thin Man” 44. Feline sign 45. Bone of John the Baptist, e.g. 47. Most like a nervous Nellie 49. What the humbled eat 52. Mardi Gras mo., often 53. End of the title 58. Mother deer 59. Spit it out, with confidence 60. Where the congregation sits 62. First mate’s pair
P G N SOLUTION
63. 64. 65. 66. 67.
Computer nerd Tops a cupcake Circle of angels Screws up It’s for Rimbaud
Down
1. Hulce of “Amadeus” 2. Memorial column 3. Gossip from Ted Casablanca, e.g. 4. Where Priscilla is queen 5. 2002 Jodie Foster film 6. Michael Thomas Ford’s “ ___ Baldwin Doesn’t Love Me” 7. Hair lines 8. Aimée of “Pret a Porter” 9. Making love on a strongbox? 10. Melville tale 11. Stallion’s foot 12. Lubricant 20. Currency in Auden’s land 21. Poke fun at 24. Joker portrayer Romero
25. Get on the soapbox 26. Up to the time that 27. “Climb ___ Mountain” 29. Like bounteous breasts 30. Takes out of the text 31. You might stick it where it doesn’t belong 34. Land of Emma Donoghue 35. Stonewall Inn and the Cathedral of Hope 39. Bother persistently 42. Gertrude Stein portraitist 46. Have a bawl 48. Queer, in a way 50. Kind of orange 51. Run hot and cold 53. Big name at the Prado 54. Rod attachment 55. Not even once, to Dickinson 56. What a knight takes to go clubbing? 57. Part of YSL 58. “Well, lah-di-___!” 61. Superlative’s ending
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 22
Mombian
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
Dana Rudolph
Proposition 8 and playdates I agree with Robin Wirthlin. The Massachusetts Mormon mother and I might not seem to have a lot in common. She and her husband were featured in a 2008 video for California’s “Yes on 8” campaign in which she explains that she was shocked when her son told her his second-grade class had read the picture book “King & King,” about a prince who marries another prince. She was so shocked, in fact, that she and her husband sued the school district, saying the school’s attempt to “indoctrinate” their children violated their constitutional rights as parents. They did not win their case, despite an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court (which the court refused to hear). Still, they didn’t hesitate to make a video for Yes on 8 (used later in Maine), in which they say their second-grader was too young “to learn about homosexuality.” I’ve been thinking of the video because the defense in the Perry
v. Schwarzenegger Proposition 8 trial played it for the court last week. They were attempting to get Yale professor George Chauncey to admit that parents should be able to exempt their children from learning in school about same-sex marriage. Chauncey, to his credit, stated that married same-sex couples are a fact of life in Massachusetts. If parents don’t want their kids to hear about that in public school, he said, they should put them in private school. How, then, could I possibly agree with Robin Wirthlin? Where we concur is in her assertion, “We just wanted [our children] to have a carefree and protected childhood.” That is a goal I, too, support for my son. I strongly disagree with Wirthlin, however, about the type of things we think will do our children harm. Protecting them, as I see it, does not mean insulating them from the reality of other loving families in their communities. It does not mean harming other children in the process. The harm to children is not from learning about gay people. It is from being told their families are second-class, undeserving
of the same rights as others. It is learning that marriage is not a matter of lasting commitment, but can be obliterated by something as simple as crossing a state line. It is feeling outcast because one wants to ask a person of the same gender to the high-school dance or for being harassed on the playground for not having a father or beaten up in the boys’ locker room for wearing a too-feminine shirt. During the Prop. 8 hearings, Chauncey drew parallels between the Wirthlins’ video and Anita Bryant’s “Save the Children” campaign in the 1970s, in which the singer tried to show that gay people are child molesters and that gay-inclusive antidiscrimination laws would incent children to be gay. The campaign against marriage equality is part of this longer history of bias, Chauncey said. Much of the struggle for lesbian and gay rights, therefore, can be seen as a struggle to show that there is nothing about gays or lesbians that is of harm to children. The plaintiffs and the defense in the Prop. 8 case have each lined up a slew of child-psychology experts (or supposed experts) and
research to back their sides’ view. What the supporters of Prop. 8 ignore, though, is that children will learn about gay people regardless of the curriculum or the legal status of our relationships. Unless we have our children taken from us by force, gays and lesbians will continue to be parents. Our children will continue to be in schools, sitting next to theirs. And that interaction can create unexpected bonds. My son has two close friends who are Catholic. Their families are observant enough to send them to weekly religiouseducation classes. The Catholic Church, however, ranks right up there with the Mormon Church as one of the religious institutions most opposed to LGBT rights. The friends’ parents are, however, unfazed about their children knowing that our son has two moms. They think nothing about sending their children to our house for playdates. We have formed a personal connection through our children that transcends what the Church as an institution may preach. I know from speaking with other LGBT parents that I am not
alone in this. While our rights are being debated on the public stage, it is the personal connections — more than the political contests — that give me hope. It is painful to watch the defense in the Prop. 8 case wielding misinformation about lesbian and gay parents. Regardless of the outcome of this case, though, I have to believe that more parents are realizing it is important to nurture their children’s friendships, regardless of the sexual orientation or gender identity of the friends’ parents. It’s important to give children the understanding to interact with people from many different backgrounds. Strong friendships and social flexibility. Those tools are protection against a variety of ills and, in the end, more effective than keeping children tightly shielded from the world around them. Those are also the tools that will allow our children to finish the job we have begun, of building a better future for us all — one playdate at a time. ■ Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher of Mombian (www.mombian.com), a blog and resource directory for LGBT parents.
Scott A. Drake Photography scottdrakephotos@gmail.com
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Modern gay family ties explored in ‘Theater District’ By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer Given that “Theater District” was written by Richard Kramer, whose credits include “thirtysomething” and “My So-Called Life,” it’s no surprise that the story involves a teenager trying to navigate life among a colorful, if somewhat dysfunctional, cast of characters. In this Allens Lane Arts Center drama, soon-to-be-16 Wesley moves in with his rather-distant father Kenny and his boyfriend George. Out director Travis Whitaker said he was intrigued by the play’s “sense of family.” “As a 15-year-old, [it’s about] the importance of learning acceptance and knowing how to show that acceptance and finding the love that he needs to grow,” Whitaker said of Wesley’s journey. But Whitaker added that while the story initially centers around Wesley, it ends up being almost equally about George, whose warmth and sophistication win over Wesley with the two forming a strong familial bond. “If I had to name a main character, it would be George, even though Wesley is in the majority of the show,” the director said. “It’s the relationship that George has with Kenny, his partner, Wesley and Lola, who is Kenny’s ex-wife. There’s a lot of interplay between those four characters and then there are three additional characters that are all tied into George’s life.” Out actor Michael McGeehan,
who plays George, said his character is “definitely a caretaker.” “That has been first and foremost in his life for a long time,” McGeehan said. “He’s been with Kenny for 10 years and he’s a caretaker for him. When Kenny’s son came into the picture, it extended to Wesley. One of the things you notice immediately is the difference in the way he communicates with Wesley as opposed to the way his father and mother do it. It’s a drastic observation you make immediately. He is much more comfortable with George. There’s a camaraderie and bantering between Wesley and George that is at times touching and comical, as opposed to when he talks to his father, which is more closed and tense.” The actor added he’s happy to be part of a production that shows gay couples in a realistic family environment. “There’s so much negativity in the news about two gay people, be it men or women, raising children,” he said. “Even from a personal experience for me, I raised my niece from age 14-21. Hopefully, the audiences come away from this show thinking, here’s a shot of a family where there is a gay couple raising a teenage son and a sense of the closeness that develops between the gay partner of this parenting team.” Whitaker sees the message behind “Theater District” in a broader sense, saying it’s about “recognizing the moment in life when things change.” “It may be something catastrophic or it may be something
very minor,” he said. “There’s that one thing that sets off a chain reaction and opens your eyes up to a different way of life and a different way that you have to live. So I hope that people will go
away with that recognition or a sense of knowing that that change is out there and that you have to find a way to accept it.” “Theater District” runs through Feb. 6 at Allens Lane Arts Center,
601 W. Allens Lane. For more information, see www.allenslane. org or call (215) 248-0546. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
CARL HEYDE (FROM LEFT) AS KENNY, RICH MEYERS AS WESLEY AND MICHAEL MCGEEHAN AS GEORGE Photo by Andrew Hood/Throwing Light
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
Happy Hour Mon.-Fri. 5:30 - 7:30
$2 Domestics $3 Imports $3 Well Drinks $2 Pabst 12oz bottles all day, every day
Rainbow Award Best Bar and Bartender 2008, 2009 Fox Philly Best Gay and Lesbian Bar 2008, 2009
Happy Hour prices for all Eagles games Dinner served nightly 5:30 - 11 p.m. 255 S. Camac St., Philadelphia, Pa. (215) 545-8731
Contact your PGN ad rep to participate:
(215) 625-8501 Greg, ext. 201 Kelly, ext. 207 Morgan, ext. 212 David, ext. 219
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
PAGE 27
Elevation Burger aims high ... and sometimes delivers By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer Elevation Burger, 50 E. Wynnewood Road, enters the already-crowded and competitive field of mid-range burger houses by pouncing on the middle-class desire to eat healthier, more natural food and promote a greener food industry. And, judging by the college and suburban minivan crowd packing the place, consumers are buying into the concept hook, line and sinker. We’re all for Elevation Burger’s promises of “more nutritious choices” in a “greener environment” with sustainable operating practices and organic, free-range, grass-fed beef with no hormones, additives or trans fat. But it’s times like this we wish we had a food scientist/environmentalist on staff to crunch the numbers on this theory. But, at the end of the day, all we really want is a damn good hamburger, regardless of whether it does more damage to the earth and our arteries than the other burger joint down the street. [Editor’s note: Speak for yourself, Larry.] In the traditional-hamburger department, Elevation Burger is just barely competitive with similar institutions. The buns and toppings are top-notch, meaning they’re fresh and tasty on traditional fare like the Elevation Burger (double meat and cheese, $5.99) and the cheeseburger ($4.39), but the actual burger patties don’t live up to the organic, free-range, happy-cow hype that surrounds them. Are they good? Yes. Great? Probably. Better than other mid-range burger slingers? Not really. Another sore spot: the “fresh fries” ($2.59). Yes, they’re cut onsite and cooked in 100-percent
olive oil, but their limp-shoestring presentation seems more a bid to keep the kids happy than to cater to adult tastes. As with the burgers, there are superior examples to be had elsewhere, and you’re probably better off taste- and health-wise ordering the side salad ($2.49) or the mandarin oranges ($1.56). There are some pleasant surprises at Elevation Burger, but, before we get to that, there’s an item on the menu that needs to be addressed because it seems to fly in the face of any “healthy eating” mantra. The Vertigo Burger (price varies) can be made with anywhere from three to 10 (that’s right, 10!) burger patties, alternated with slices of cheese if one is so inclined. On our visit, we didn’t see anyone order this monstrosity but, still, we’re scared. Please tell us this is a joke. Elevation really lives up to its mission in the veggie burgers ($3.59), which come in two varieties. Veggie burger No. 1 is geared toward vegetarians and carnivores taking baby steps into veggie country. Veggie burger No. 2 is for the vegans. Both are made with wheat, mushrooms, red peppers, onions and oats, but No. 1 contains brown rice, yellow corn, tomato, mozzarella, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and jalapeños, all of which give the burger a juicy enough kick to compete with the meatier options. Veggie burger No. 2 is no slouch either, with broccoli, carrots, water chestnuts, soy protein, yellow peppers and barley in the mix for a more traditional veggie-burger flavor. Another menu winner (but surely spinning way out of healthy territory) is Elevation Burger’s hand-spun milkshakes ($3.89). With two scoops of
Photo: Larry Nichols
vanilla, chocolate or coffee ice cream and ingredients like Oreos, key lime, strawberry, mango and guava to choose from, you might gladly throw dietary caution to the wind and indulge. Elevation has definitely raised the veggie-burger game. If it can elevate its beef game, this place might be a serious contender in the field. ■
Join us for…
Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
If you go Elevation Burger 50 E. Wynnewood Road Wynnewood www.elevationburger.com (610) 645-7704
dinner nightly at 5pm brunch sunday at 11:00am happy hour weeknights from 5 to 7pm lunch wednesday through saturday at 11:30am
926 South Street
Go to www.epgn.com or www.philagaynews.com for other PGN dining reviews.
215.592.8180
www.supperphilly.com
Published the 2nd and 4th week of every month. Call one of our dedicated advertising representatives today:
(215) 625-8501
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 28
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
PORTRAIT From Page 20 degree in art from there, then I went to Point Park University in Pittsburgh and got a degree in dance from there. In Maine, I was a typical college student. I was still in the closet. I competed on the diving team and had a girlfriend. When I came back to Pittsburgh and went to dancing school, it was a different story. I came out and it was a blast. It was in the ’80s where everything was “anything goes.” Then I went to Temple for my master’s in 2007. PGN: Any one person who kickstarted the coming-out process? BS: There was a guy at Point Park who flat-out asked me if I was gay and I said yes. It was the first time that I really acknowledged it even to myself. One of my first boyfriends was responsible for outing me to the family. He called, and my mother listened in on the other line to our phone call. It wasn’t pretty. I ended up moving out but eventually they came around. It’s amazing, with the students I have now, so many of them are out and proud and handle it well. Some of them are still struggling, especially those with religious families to deal with. They still have to rely on their families for financial support and other things, so they have to be really careful. We try to support them as best we can. PGN: Anyone who really moved you? BS: There was one kid who told
me a sweet story. He said he knew his mother always knew, but one day his father was sitting on the porch with him and just turned and said, ‘Ya know I love ya right?’ and that was it. They didn’t need to talk about it; his father just let him know where he stood. I just thought that was so endearing because it was so different for me. It was very touching. PGN: Do you collect anything? BS: Oh yes, I used to collect tons of stuff. I collect Goofus glass and used to collect Victorian and vintage clothing and jewelry. PGN: So was GayBINGO the first time you donned a dress? BS: Oh no! The first time was when I was doing summer stock. We had a show called “Miss Grand U,” which was a mock beauty contest. I did a lip-sync number as Ponetta Point-n-stuff. I wore a big purple tacky dance costume. PGN: Any pets? BS: We have four dogs. PGN: Now for some arbitrary questions ... What’s the most money you ever found? BS: Ha ha! We were driving from Center City to Temple and I saw a bill blowing across the road. I pulled over and ran after it. It was a $20 bill! PGN: Best conversation piece in your house? BS: When we moved into the house, the cat went under the
PGN Issue Watch Feb. 5: Love & Lust
Mar. 12: Education
Feb. 19: The Arts
Mar. 26: Fit & Fabulous
Philly Gay News
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
eaves. Domenick crawled under the eaves to look for her and when he was shining his flashlight around, he saw something shiny. He pulled it out and it was a big sword. It looked like something you’d see on “Antiques Roadshow”! It’s one of those maritime swords that they call a Dutch hanger. Who knows where it came from or why it was there. PGN: “Star Trek” or “Star Wars”? BS: “Star Wars.” Although now it would be “Avatar.” We got our tickets a week in advance to see it at the IMAX theater. It was awesome. PGN: Speaking of movies, what’s a favorite movie line? BS: [With great flair] “Success is nothing, Tracy, without someone you love to share it with!” from the Diana Ross film “Mahogany.” My other favorite line is from “Imitation of Life” with Lana Turner. It’s the scene when Lana Turner becomes a big star. It’s right after her first big role and they’re waiting for the reviews.
She’s in the apartment of the director and they’re looking out at the New York skyline. He says to her, “Lady, there’s your empire.” The camera is on her face as you see her become a diva right then and there. It’s great.
then I started working at the Academy of Natural Sciences on the Parkway in the live animal center. They had live tarantulas and the kids always wanted to see them out of the cases, so I just had to suck it up and get over it.
PGN: Who would you want to play you in your life story? BS: Well, people tell me I look like either Drew Carey or Jeff Daniels, so I guess it would have to be one of them.
PGN: Best karaoke song? BS: “Cabaret,” the Liza Minnelli version, then “Delta Dawn,” and I also do a mean version of the disco hit “I Love the Nightlife.”
PGN: Any stage superstitions or phobias? BS: We have all of them, like you’re not supposed to whistle backstage. If you do, you have to turn around three times and swear. I think that comes from the days when they would whistle for someone to lower a prop. I guess someone whistled casually and got a sand bag or something dumped on their head. So no more whistling. You’re also not ever supposed to wear peacock feathers — I don’t know where that came from. For phobias, I used to be afraid of spiders, but
worth watching: FRIDAY The Golden Globe Awards In case you missed it, here’s a rerun of the awards show. 8 p.m. on Bravo. SATURDAY Figure Skating U.S. Championships The live women’s finals. 9 p.m. on NBC. Suze Orman Show The out money expert’s finance show. 9 p.m. on CNBC. Graham Norton Show The gay Brit hosts a talk show. 10:30 p.m. on BBC America. The Wanda Sykes Show The out comedian drinks and jokes with celeb guests, skits and drag sidekick Porsche. 11 p.m. on Fox.
PGN: The woman who sings that, Alicia Bridges, came out of the closet, didn’t she? BS: I think she was always out; at least that’s what my friend Henry says. PGN: The bartender knows I drink ... BS: Gin martinis, shaken. PGN: And what’s a funny moment from bingo? BS: Well, every night is crazy there. My best line was on the night that we did a Cher theme. I was wearing a big pink outfit and there was a young guy named
SUNDAY A Four Letter Word New York party boy Luke may have met his match in the hot new guy in his life, Stephen, and an unprecedented monogamous relationship. 8 p.m. on Logo. Figure Skating U.S. Championships Watch highlight for the pairs competition. 9 p.m. on NBC. MONDAY How I Met Your Mother Neil Patrick Harris stars as Barney in this repeat. 8 p.m. on CBS. Better Off Ted Out actress Portia de Rossi stars in the comedy. 8:30 p.m. on ABC.
Kyle and Oliver have sealed the deal ... on-screen! Monday-Friday, 2 p.m. on ABC.
Eric calling the game for one of the sponsors. I came up to him and said, “Hey, Eric, I bet you haven’t seen this much pink in a long time ... ” It was fun. People can bring their own food and some of them go overboard with giant feasts. Usually I go over and start helping myself to their picnic baskets. PGN: And what do the BVDs do? BS: We entertain the crowd. There’s a dance number we do each night, which is really funny when we rehearse. We meet 45 minutes before the show and different people have different attitudes about it. There are some who take it really seriously and you can just imagine the drama and histrionics that go with that. And of course we verify the bingo winners. It’s fun: When you get in drag, you can get away with saying anything to people. PGN: What would you tell people who have never been? BS: It’s for such a great cause and it’s good old-fashioned fun
Monday-Friday, 3 p.m. on NBC.
The next GayBINGO will be themed “Golden Globes AfterParty: Red Carpet, Paparazzi, Tabloids ... Oh My!” and take place at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at The Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St. Reserved floor seating is $25 and balcony seating is $20. Tickets can be purchased by phone at (215) 731-9255 or in person at the AIDS Fund office, 1315 Spruce St., fourth floor. For more information, visit www. Gaybingophilly.com. To suggest a community member for “Family Portraits,” write to: Family Portraits, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 or portraits05@aol.com.
The New Adventures of Old Christine Out comedian Wanda Sykes co-stars as Barb, who is facing deportation in this repeat of the season opener. 8 p.m. on CBS. Modern Family Good news! This show has been OK’d for a second season. Watch for gay couple and adoptive parents Mitchell and Cameron in this repeat. 8 and 9 p.m. on ABC. Ugly Betty The fashion industry comedy-drama. Look for gay character Marc. 10 p.m. on ABC.
TUESDAY American Idol Out talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres THURSDAY judges the hopefuls. 8 p.m. on Fox. Grey’s Anatomy The gay-friendly medical drama. 9 Reno 911! p.m. on Logo. Now syndicated! Look for Lt. Dangle. 9 p.m. on Logo.
Ellen
with a new twist. People make friends at the tables and have a great time. If you’re into the bar scene, you can come early and it’s a great warm-up before going out. And there’s a huge mix of people: gay, straight, young and old. It’s a nice way to get to know people. It’s such a great way to have fun and all you have to do is show up. We provide the rest! ■
WEDNESDAY American Idol Ellen DeGeneres judges. 9 p.m. on Fox.
Queer TV you can always see: One Life to Live
PAGE 29
The Rachel Maddow Show
Monday-Friday, 9 p.m. on MSNBC.
ELLEN’S ‘BETTER’ HALF: Catch out actress Portia de Rossi (right) as the ethically challenged and ambitious Veronica Palmer in the twisted sitcom “Better Off Ted.” This week, a charity for girls that her corrupt company supports gives Veronica an award, but when she and Linda (Andrea Anders, left) learn the company actually gives little of the money it raises to the charity, they set out to make things right. Watch the wackiness at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 26 on ABC. Photo: ABC/Mitch Haddad
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Diversions
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
Your guide to arts and entertainment
Theater
PGN
Almost, Maine The Players Club of Swarthmore Theater presents an off-beat comedy where love takes some surprising turns for folks in a tiny northern town, through Jan. 30, 614 Fairview Road, Swarthmore; (610) 3284271.
Pick
Becky Shaw The Wilma Theatre presents the Pulitzer Prize finalist and offBroadway hit comedy from Obie Award-winner Gina Gionfriddo about a woman who decides to set up her best friend on a blind date with her husband’s mysterious coworker, through Jan. 31, 265 S. Broad St.; (215) 546-7824. Blue Door Arden Theatre Company presents the story of a successful mathematics professor experiencing a sleepless night, during which a series of ancestors visits to reveal the hardships and victories that have shaped their lives, through March 21, 40 N. Second St.; (215) 922-1122.
Catch out comedian and juggler Sara Felder when she returns with her latest work, “Melancholy, A Comedy,” which delves into Abraham Lincoln’s lifelong battle with his melancholia and how the man known for uniting a divided country worked just as hard to unite the disparate parts of himself, through Jan. 23, 230 Vine St. For more information, visit www.sarafelder.com or call (215) 925-9914.
Gagarin Way Amaryllis Theatre Company presents a story of a botched kidnapping, exploring the characters’ conflicting impulses toward apathy and outrage as dispossessed factory workers decide to make A Chorus Line a political statement by The Ritz Theatre kidnapping an executive Company presents the from the factory’s multismash Broadway musical, national corporate owner, through Feb. 13, 915 through Feb. 7, 2030 White Horse Pike, Haddon Sansom St.; (215) 564Township., N.J.; (856) 2431. 858-5230. The Irish ... and How The Eclectic Society They Got That Way The Walnut Street Theatre The irreverent but presents the world affectionate history of premiere of a complex the Irish in America uses story of drama and humor classical songs and stories set on a university campus as told by Pulitzer Prizein 1963 New England, winning author Frank through March 7, 825 McCourt, through Feb. 28 Walnut St.; (215) 574at Kimmel’s Innovation Studio, 240 S. Broad St.; 3550.
(215) 790-5847. Love-Nothing The Barley Sheaf Players present an original drama by Andrea Daniels examining the ideals of faith, hope and love as foundations for three different coming-out tales, through Jan. 30, 810 N. Whitford Road, Lionville; (610) 363-7075. Other Hands Luna Theatre Company presents an examination of love for the technological age, through Feb. 14 at Walnut Street Theatre’s Studio 5, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550. Peter Pan An interpretation of the timeless story of Peter, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook and the Lost Boys hits the
stage through Jan. 31 at Arden Theatre Company’s F. Otto Haas Stage, 40 N. Second St.; (215) 9221122. The Prince Independence Studio presents a story following a popular senator into the backroom of his politically charged court case, through Feb. 7 at Walnut Street Theatre’s Studio 3, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550. Theater District Allens Lane Art Center presents a drama by the award-winning writer of “thirtysomething” and “My So-Called Life” about a 16-year-old who moves in with his aloof father and his boyfriend, through Feb. 6, 601 W. Allens Lane; (215) 248-
0546. The Threshing Floor Mauckingbird Theatre Company presents a oneman performance on an imagined encounter with out author James Baldwin and a fictional graduate student, who comes to interview Baldwin at his home abroad, through Jan. 31 at Adrienne Theatre’s Second Stage, 2030 Sansom St.; (215) 923-8909. TRU Mauckingbird Theatre Company presents a look into the psyche of out author Truman Capote as he reels from social shunning by his elite Manhattan friends following Esquire Magazine’s publication of a gossip-filled chapter from his never-to-befinished work, “Answered Prayers,” through Jan. 31 at Adrienne Theatre’s Second Stage, 2030 Sansom St.; (215) 9238909. Wicked The musical based on the untold story of the Wicked Witch of the West from “The Wizard of Oz” returns, through Jan. 24 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. A Winnie-the-Pooh Birthday Tail Plays & Players Family Series presents the story of a birthday very long ago when Eeyore lost his tail and Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet organized a search, through Jan. 24, 1714 Delancey Place; (215) 735-0630.
Music classical An Evening of Mozart The Philadelphia Orchestra performs
Mozart’s most popular works, 8 p.m. Jan. 23 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Bernards Fink Philadelphia Chamber Music Society presents the acclaimed vocalist performing an evening of songs from Germany, Portugal and Spain, at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. St. Lawrence String Quartet Philadelphia Chamber Music Society presents the quartet performing the music of Hayden at 8 p.m. Jan. 27 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Beethoven’s Fifth The Philadelphia Orchestra performs one of the composer’s most popular works, 8 p.m. Jan. 28 and Feb. 2 and 2 p.m. Jan. 29 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
Music other
John Lilley Project The openly gay Hooters guitarist performs with his band at 8 p.m. Jan. 23 at Sellersville Theater 1984, 24 W. Temple Ave.; (215) 257-5808. The Smithereens with John Lilley Project The rock band performs, with the out band leader opening, at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400. Nick Oliveri The former Queens of the Stone Age bassist performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at The Khyber, 56 S. Second St.; (215) 238-
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
5888. Shawn Mullins and Jeffrey Gaines The two singersongwriters perform at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400.
Exhibits
Agulhas Gallery 339 presents an exhibition of works by Edward Dimsdale through Jan. 23, 339 S. 21st St.; (215) 731-1530. American Pastime InLiquid presents an installation of new mixedmedia work by artist Katharine Kesselring, through Feb. 5 at the Painted Bride Art Center Café Gallery, 230 Vine St.; (215) 592-1310. Arabesque Expressionism AxD Gallery presents an exhibition of paintings by Daniel Stuelpnagel and Madeline Adams, through Feb. 6, 265 S. 10th St.; (215) 627-6250. Body Worlds 2 & The Brain The Franklin Institute presents an eye-opening journey through the inner workings of the human body through a broad collection of authentic human specimens, through Feb. 20, 222 N. 20th St.; (215) 448-1200. Common Ground: Eight Philadelphia Photographers in the 1960s and 1970s The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition examining a critical period for the art of photography and for the Philadelphia art scene, through Jan. 31, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
presents a solo exhibition of new works from the Chinese-American artist, through Feb. 20, 1616 Walnut St., Suite 100; (215) 545-7562.
presents the acclaimed touring flamenco company at 2 and 8 p.m. Jan. 23 at Merriam Theater, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
The intrigue begins at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at Harlans at The Nevermore, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225.
Ragas and Rajas: Musical Imagery of Courtly India The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a diverse selection of paintings and sculptures from across the subcontinent, through Feb. 28, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100.
Film
Sing-along Screening: Oklahoma Bryn Mawr Film Institute presents a screening of the western musical at 7 p.m. Jan. 26, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 527-9898.
Etc.
Rockwell’s America The largest 3-D Norman Rockwell exhibit in the world takes visitors on a unique journey that includes segments from the Academy Awardwinning film “Norman Rockwell’s World,” 20 theatrical environments, 35 three-dimensional life-sized depictions of Rockwell’s characters and dozens of interactive educational experiences, through March 14 at King of Prussia Mall’s Lower Level Plaza, 256 Mall Blvd.; (610) 768-0710. Step Right Up Bahdeebahdu presents the talented mixed-media work of Ryan Wilson Kelly, Melissa Stern and Ricky Boscarino, each bound by a circle of light to produce a single circus theme, through Jan. 30, 1522 N. American St.; (215) 627-5002.
Stephen Kinzer The author of the critically acclaimed book “All the Shah’s Men” speaks with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Trudy Rubin about current U.S.-Iran relations at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 6865322. Ozzy Osbourne The rock legend and reality-show star signs his new book, “I am Ozzy,” at 6 p.m. Jan. 27 at Borders Books and Music, 1 S. Broad St.; (215) 568-7400. Martha Amici Opera Company presents Flotow’s opera at 4 p.m. Jan. 24 at Tabor Lutheran Church, 4860 N. Mascher St., and 3 p.m. Jan. 31 at Dock Woods Community Center, 275 Dock Drive, Lansdale; (215) 2240257.
Dame Edna’s First Last Tour Philadelphia LGBT Community Meetup Group presents the comedic personality at 8 p.m. Jan. 23 at DuPont Theatre, 1007 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; (302) 656-4401. The Scene The monthly LGBTQ dance party celebrates its one-year anniversary from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Jan. 23 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St.; www. tlbtbproductions.com. Tropical Paradise on Ice Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Caribbean or Hawaii without the expense: Ice skating outdoors from 1-4 p.m. Jan. 24 at Blue Cross RiverRink, 531 N. Columbus Blvd.; (215) 925-7465. ■
Cabaret
Supergirl! Bottoms UP! NEXUS Gallery presents Murder Mystery an exhibition of female video artists who represent Dinner Theatre themselves as superheroes in their work, through Feb. 5, 1400 N. American St., Suite 102; (215) 684Send notices at 1946.
Notices
Twenty-Two Squared Twenty-Two Gallery 8x10 and Under: presents an eclectic Small Landscapes offering of affordable Gallery 339 presents original art from 22 area a new photography artists, through Feb. 7, 236 exhibition through Jan. 23, S. 22nd St.; (215) 772339 S. 21st St.; (215) 731- 1911. 1530. Isaac Lin: A Place Near Here Fleisher/Ollman Gallery
Golden Globes AfterParty GayBINGO AIDS Fund Philadelphia hosts the festivities at 6 p.m. Jan. 23 at The Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St.; (215) 7319255.
Books
Opera
PAGE 31
Dance
Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca The Kimmel Center
least one week in advance to: Diversions, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147; fax them to (215) 925-6437; or e-mail them to diversions@epgn. com. Notices cannot be taken over the phone.
Cocktails with
Christopher Rice Jan. 20, 7:30-9:30 pm Plastic Club, 247 S. Camac
$50 benefits
Giovanni’s Room MON. - SAT. 11:30 - 7p.m. SUNDAY 1:00 - 7p.m. email: giovannis_room@verizon.net
WONDER WOMEN: NEXUS Gallery explores the idea of the female superhero with Supergirl!, an exhibition of female video artists who represent themselves as superheroes in their work. The display presents the idea of superheroines as everything from elusive and constantly evolving to über-woman and mega-warrior. Grab your cape and check out the action, through Feb. 5, 1400 N. American St., Suite 102. For more information, call (215) 684-1946.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Meeting Place A community bulletin board of activities, facilities and organizations
Community centers ■ The Attic Youth Center: For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday through Friday. See the Youth section for more events. 255 S. 16th St.; (215) 545-4331 ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St.; (215) 898-5044; center@dolphin.upenn.edu, Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. ■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; (215) 348-0558 ext. 65; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. ■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center: 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 732-2220; www.waygay.org. Peer counseling: Monday through Friday, 6-9 p.m. Library hours: Mondays 3-9 p.m., Tuesdays 3-6 p.m., Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., Thursdays 3-9 p.m., Fridays 3-9 p.m., Saturdays noon-6 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.; Volunteer Velada, third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Health Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 166 W. Lehigh Ave.; (215) 763-8870 ext. 6000. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., suite 205; (2215) 536-2424. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; (215) 851-1822 or (866) 222-3871. Spanish/English. HIV testing Free, anonymous testing and counseling is offered from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment at AIDS Resource, 520 W. Fourth St., suite 2A, Williamsport; (570) 322-8448.
Key numbers
HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; (215) 685-1803. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications, confidential HIV testing available at 17 MacDade Blvd., suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; (610) 586-9077.
Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: (215) 686-2555
■ AIDS Library: (215) 985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: (215) 592-1513
■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): (215) 572-1833
■ AIDS Treatment hot line: (215) 5452212
■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: (215) 686-4670
■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: (215) 685-1633
■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: (215) 772-2000
■ Mayor’s liaison to LGBT communities: Gloria Casarez, (215) 686-2194; Gloria.
Men of All Colors Together Meets at 7:30 p.m. third Friday of the month September through June at the William Way Center; (610) 277-6595; www.MACTPhila.org. Men’s Coming Out Group, N.J. Meets at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at The Pride Center of New Jersey. Men’s Coming Out Group Meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; (215) 563-0652 ext. 219. Men of Color United A discussion/support group for gay and bisexual men of color meets from 6-8 p.m. every Wednesday at 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 496-0330. Men of Standard Provides a place for gay men of color 21 and older to share issues of concern. Meets 7-9 p.m. every Thursday at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; (856) 963-2432 ext. 211; ruberte_ j@camden_ahec.org. Philly DADS An association of gay and bisexual fathers supporting each other meets at 7:30 p.m. fourth Friday of the month at the William Way Center; (215) 668-5239.
Parents/Families
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Bucks County Meets at 7:30 p.m. third Thursday of the month at Penns Park United Methodist Church, 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park; (215) 598-8005.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Philadelphia Meets from 2-5 p.m. third Sunday of the month at the LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 3907 Spruce St.; (215) 572-1833.
■ Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine: (215) 563-0658
■ Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Peer Counseling Services: (215) 732-TALK
Gay Married Men’s Association Meets at 8 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays at the William Way Center; (215) 483-1032.
Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; (215) 985-9206.
■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: (856) 933-9500 ext. 221
■ Equality Forum: (215) 732-3378
Delaware Valley 40-plus Club for Men Social group meets every other month; (215) 587-9933.
Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 1201 Chestnut St.; (215) 563-0652. www. mazzonicenter.org.
■ Mazzoni Center: (215) 563-0652; www. mazzonicenter.org
■ Equality Advocates Pennsylvania: (215) 731-1447; (866) LGBTLAW
Boys Night Out A social gathering for gay men, meets at 7 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday at Iron Hill Brewery, 30 E. State St., Media; BurbBoysNiteOut@aol.com.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Cape May, N.J. Meets at 2 p.m. third Sunday of the month in the Maruchi Room of Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital, 2 Stone Harbor Blvd.; (609) 861-1848. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Chester County Meets at 7 p.m. first Tuesday of the month at the Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester, 501 S. High St., West Chester; (484) 354-2448.
■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: (215) 587-9377
■ The COLOURS Organization Inc. 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 4960330.
Men
■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Chief Inspector James Tiano: (215) 685-3655 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: (215) 600-0627; ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: (215) 875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: (717) 920-9537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: (215) 732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays, and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010 Interweave New Jersey An organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Unitarian and their allies meets every third Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 401 N. Kings Highway, Cherry Hill, N.J.; (856) 667-3618. Oasis Meets 7-8 p.m. Wednesdays at 1201 Chestnut St.; (215) 563-0652 ext. 509. Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine Primary healthcare and specialized transgender services in a safe, professional, non-judgemental environment, 809 Locust St.; (215) 563-0658. Renaissance Transgender Assoc. Meets at 8 p.m. third Saturday of the month at Into the Woods office complex in King of Prussia; (610) 975-9119 box 5; and 7:30 p.m. first Thursday of the month at the William Way Center; www. ren.org. T-MAN People of color support group for transmen, FTMs, butches, studs, agressives, bois, genderqueer and all female-born individuals with gender questions meets 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays, second floor, 1201 Locust St.; (215) 834-9063; tman215@aol.com. Transhealth Programming Committee Meetings are at 5 p.m. second and last Sundays of the month at the William Way Center. Transhealth Information Project Sponsors a weekly drop-in center from 7-11 p.m. Tuesdays at 1201 Locust St.; (267) 549-6497. Transgender Health Action Coalition Peer trans health-advocacy organization meets at 5 p.m. second and last Sundays of the month at the William Way Center; (215) 732-1207; www. critpath.org/thac. WeXist FTM support group meets from 6-8 p.m. second Friday of the month at the William Way Center; first hour is open; second hour is for people assigned female at birth who have gender issues; (267) 250-1548; www.wexist.org. Young, Trans, and Unified! Support group for transgender and questioning individuals ages 13-23 meets from 7-8:30 p.m. every Thursday at The Attic Youth Center; (215) 545-4331 ext. 24.
Women
African Asian Latina Lesbians United Social-issues discussion group meets fourth Thursday of the month at The Pride Center of New Jersey. Bucks County Lesbian Alliance Meets monthly for social events; http://buckscountylesbianalliance.org. Expressions Women’s Space Lesbian singles, family and coming-out groups meet at 1538 Church St.; (215) 535-3600.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Princeton, N.J. Meets at 7:30 p.m. second Monday of the month in the George Thomas Room at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St.; (609) 683-5155.
Lesbians and BiWomen in Heterosexual Marriages A support group meets at 7:30 p.m. on third Wednesday of the month at The Pride Center of New Jersey.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Wilmington, Del. Meets at 7 p.m. second Thursday of the month at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 13th and Rodney streets; (302) 654-2995.
Lesbian Community of Delaware Valley Social group holds monthly meetings and activities for gay women of all ages in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties; P.O. Box 962, Phoenixville, PA 19460; http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/LCDV/; marichikogirl@yahoo.com.
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 are held monthly; (215) 844-3360; www. phillyfamilypride.org.
Trans
Gender Rights Advocacy Association of New Jersey A transgender civil-rights group meets first Sunday of the month at 1 p.m. at The Pride Center of New Jersey.
Lesbian Couples Dining Group of Montgomery County Meets monthly; (215) 542-2899. Lesbian Social Network of South Jersey 500-member social group for lesbians holds monthly activities in South Jersey and surrounding area; www.lsn.southjersey.com. Lesbians with Breast Cancer A support group meets from 6:30-8:30 on second Wednesday of the month at Gilda Club Delaware Valley, 200 Kirk Road, Warminster; (215) 4413290.
Queer Connections Social group for women in their 20s meets weekly; (215) 468-1352; queerconnect@yahoo. com. Republican Lesbians Meetings held at 7:30 p.m. on first Monday of the month at The Pride Center of New Jersey. South Jersey Lesbians of Color Meetings are the first and third Fridays at 7:30 p.m. at The Starting Point, 215 Highland Ave., Suite C, Westmont, N.J.; (856) 824-0881; e-mail: SJLOCowner@yahoogroups.com. Women’s Coffee House for Lesbians A group for lesbian and bisexual women meets on first Saturday of the month at 7 p.m. at The Pride Center of New Jersey. The Womyn’s Village The first womyn-owned and operated think-tank targeting black African, Asian, Latina and Native American LBT and two-spirited womyn. Meets at 5 p.m. on third Thursday of the month at COLOURS Organization, 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 765-0121; the_womyns.village@yahoo.com.
Youth
40 Acres of Change Discussion group for teen and young adults meets from 6-8 p.m. Thursdays at The COLOURS Organization Inc., 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 496-0330. Drop-in Group For gay, lesbian and bisexual youth; meets at 11 a.m. Saturdays at AIDS Delaware, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 315, Wilmington, Del.; (302) 652-6776. HAVEN For GLBT, intersex, questioning, queer and allied youth ages 14-20; meets from 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 gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, will meet from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at 21 Wiggins St., Princeton, N.J.; (609) 683-5155. Main Line Youth Alliance Meets from 7-9:30 p.m. Fridays at 109 Lancaster Ave., Wayne; (610) 688-1861; info@myaonline. org. Mountain Meadow For youth with GLBTQ parents. Monthly programs for ages 8-16, family programs and parent coffee groups. Residential program offered in August; 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 772-1107; inquiries@mountainmeadow.org. Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center For ages 14-21; meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; (215) 3480558 ext. 65; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. Social X Change Social activity group for LGBT youth of color ages 13-23 meets from 6-8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 496-0330. Space to be Proud, Open, and Together Open to all LGBTQ queer youth and allies, ages 14-21, the SPOT meets Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Planned Parenthood of Chester County’s West Chester office, 8 S. Wayne St., West Chester; (610) 692-1770 ext. 108 or thespot@ppccpa.org. Teen Support Group Drop-in group for teens and adolescents meets Thursdays from 4:30-6 p.m. at 1201 Chestnut St.; (215) 563-0658 ext. 319. Youth in Transition A support group for transgender and questioning youth ages 12-23 meets from 7:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays at the The Attic Youth Center. Youth Making a Difference For GLBTQ African-American and Latino youth ages 13-24. Meets from 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; (856) 963-2432 ext. 205; gibbs_ d@camden-ahec.org.
Send submissions to pgn@epgn.com or fax (215) 925-6437 PGN Meeting Place, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 Meeting Place is a public service. Submissions must include a phone number for publication.
Complete Meeting Place listings of all Parent/Family, Professional, Recovery, Recreation, Religion, Sports, Men, Women, Trans, Youth groups can be found online @ www.phliagaynews.com and www.epgn.com
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Classifieds With Real Estate, Help Wanted, Services and Personals
Gov’t mortgage plan aids 7 percent of borrowers By Alan Zibel The Associated Press The Obama administration’s mortgage-relief plan provided help to only 7 percent of borrowers who signed up last year, another black mark for the struggling program. The plan was announced with great fanfare 11 months ago, but has done little to stem the foreclosure crisis or its drag on home prices. A record 2.8-million households were threatened with foreclosure last year, up more than 20 percent from a year earlier, RealtyTrac Inc. reported last week. Home prices, meanwhile, are down 30 percent nationally from the peak in mid-2006. As of last month, only about 66,500 homeowners of the 900,000 enrolled had received permanent relief last year, the
Treasury Department said last Friday. Another 46,000 have been approved and should be completed soon. Under the program, homeowners in financial difficulties can see their mortgages modified to make them more affordable. Interest rates can be reduced to as low as 2 percent, the length of the loan can be extended or the principal balance reduced. Borrowers initially receive temporary modifications. They are supposed to become permanent after homeowners make three payments on time and complete necessary paperwork, including proof of income and a letter explaining the reason for their financial hardship. The mortgage companies say they have struggled to get homeowners to return the
necessary paperwork. The government is pressing the 102 companies participating in the program to do a better job. But many lenders, including the nation’s largest, Bank of America Corp., continue to perform poorly. BofA has completed modifications for only 1.5 percent of the more than 200,000 borrowers it has enrolled, while other companies are processing applications much faster. Ocwen Financial Corp. and Carrington Mortgage Services have completed modifications for more than 40 percent of their enrolled borrowers. “Some of the banks are just doing a better job,” said Michael Barr, an assistant Treasury secretary. “You have some banks that really did step up to the plate
quickly ... and others whose results were disappointing and who need to do much better.” Rebecca Mairone, a Bank of America executive, said the bank is stepping up its efforts, sending notaries door-to-door to get signed documents back quickly. Wells Fargo & Co. has completed modifications for about 7 percent of its borrowers. But the company projects only about half of the 74,000 borrowers who completed at least three trial payments by the end of last year will wind up being approved. The rest either won’t send back all the required documents or will be deemed ineligible according to the government’s formula. Collecting the documents up front would make the process much easier, said Mike Heid, co-president of Wells Fargo’s
mortgage division. “You could make a better decision for the consumer right up front,” he said. Nevertheless, homeowners and housing counselors say navigating the bureaucratic maze often seems impossible. The nation’s economic woes have made more borrowers fall behind on their payments. More than half of the borrowers approved for a loan modification have seen their income cut, according to the Treasury Department. Unemployment, now at 10 percent, is expected to remain elevated for the whole year. Industry executives and housing advocates alike have been in talks with the Treasury Department to develop a program to aid the unemployed, but nothing has been rolled out yet. ■
Location! Location! Location! This week’s featured property
Beds: 3 Baths: 2.5 Age of property: 44 years Cost: $234,900 Realtor: Conrad Kuhn Real-estate co.: Weichert Realtors Phone: 856-227-1950 x.-124 Direct: 609-221-1196 E-mail: Realtor856@aol.com Web site: www.conradkuhn.com
Custom-built rancher w/ in-law suite. Two separate kitchens. Full finished basement, 2-car garage. Live on one side, make $ on the other.
Check your ad
PLACING ADS Using voicemail? Please be sure to have the following information ready when you call: • Your ad copy • The type of style you want • Desired abbreviations • American Express, Discover, MasterCard or VISA information • Your name and mailing
Williamstown, New Jersey
address • Daytime telephone number Having all this information ready will speed your order and help to avoid errors. Phone calls can only be returned during business hours. For more information, see the coupon page in this section.
Philadelphia Gay News assumes responsibility for errors in classified ads only when notified by noon the Tuesday after the ad first appears. To receive credit for errors, please notify PGN by then. Credit only will be extended in the form of additional advertising space. Any cash refunds, for any reason, are subject to a $10 service charge. PGN will publish no classified ad — in any category — that contains sexually explicit language. Obviously excluded are traditional four-letter words that relate to sexual activity. Other words may be excluded at the discretion of the publisher, who reserves the right to edit or rewrite any ad that, in his opinion, violates this policy or its intent.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
Real Estate REAL ESTATE
SALE
GREAT BUILDING IN GAYBORHOOD GREAT INVESTMENT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY NEAR 11TH & LOCUST, $599K Come see this wonderful bldg w/2 spacious rental apartments and large commercial space on 1st floor. In the heart of Center City. Currently a doctor’s office, zoned C-1. Could be made into condos or large single dwelling. Great condition, price, location. Call for appointment. JULIE WELKER COLDWELL BANKER WELKER REAL ESTATE 215-235-7800 _______________________________34-10 VENTNOR, NJ, FACING THE BAY House and Adjacent Lot (inground swimming pool). 1st floor 3 bedrooms, bath, living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room and deck. 2nd floor 2 bedrooms, bath, efficiency kitchen, living room, dining area and deck. Central Air. Corner Property. Call 215 468 9166 evenings only. $675,000.00. Also property for rent1500.00 month plus utilities. _______________________________34-10 Snowmobilers Heaven Tug Hill Region Land on paved road w/power! 3 acres in Osceola$15,995. 10 acres in Amboy $22,900. 5 acres w/ new cabin- $25,995. Large Acreage- 42 Acres $59,995. Access to snowmobile trails. Cabins built on any lot startiing at $19,900. Financing available. Christmas & Associates 800-229-7843 www.landandcamps.com _______________________________34-04 NATIONWIDE FORECLOSED HOME AUCTION 700+ Homes. BIDS OPEN 2/8. Open House: 1/30, 1/31, & 2/6. View Full Listings www.Auction.com REDC/Brkr SB065259. _______________________________33-04 20 ACRE LAND FORECLOSURES Near Growing El Paso, Texas. No Credit Checks/Owner Financing. $0 down, Take Over $159/mo. payment. Was $16,900. Now $12,856. 800-755-8953 www.texaslandforeclosures.net _______________________________34-04
REAL ESTATE
SALE
REAL ESTATE
SALE
REAL ESTATE
SALE
REAL ESTATE
SALE
GREAT BUILDING GAYBORHOOD Conrad Kuhn
Broker/Sales Rep. Since 1987 NJAR Circle of Excellence Sales Award 1991- 2007 Weichert President’s & Ambassador’s Clubs
Office: 856.227.1950 ext. 124 Cell: 609.221.1196 www.conradkuhn.com Realtor856@aol.com Washington Township Office 5070 Route 42 Turnersville, NJ 08012
GREAT INVESTMENT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
NEAR 11TH & LOCUST, $599K Come see this wonderful bldg w/2 spacious rental apartments and large commercial space on 1st floor. In the heart of Center City. Currently a doctor’s office, zoned C-1. Could be used made into condo’s or large single dwelling. Great condition, price, location. Call for appointment.
JULIE WELKER
COLDWELL BANKER WELKER REAL ESTATE
215-235-7800
PGN
Advertising works.
Open Houses Sunday Jan. 24, 2010 Noon - 1:00 PM 927 Spruce St. Unit 1R. One bedroom, one ba. newly rehabbed condo. Private rear garden area. Low fees and taxes. Parking available. Priced to SELL! .............. Reduced now only $199,900
927 Spruce St. Unit #2F. Large one bedroom, one bath, south facing unit. Total rehab with wood floors, deluxe kitchen. Super low fees and taxes. Parking available! ..................now $249,000
306 - 308 Cherry St. Unit #300 Very large 2 bd. 1ba. renovated condo w/ hardwood floors, fireplace, low taxes and condo fees. A must see! ...............................................$385,000 1:30 - 2:30 PM 306 - 308 Cherry St. Unit #300 Very large 2 bd. 1ba. renovated condo w/ hardwood floors, fireplace, low taxes and condo fees. Parking available! ...............................................$385,000
Maybe it’s time to relax.
927 Spruce St. Unit 2R. Unique large open NY style condo. Wood floors, skyline views, deluxe kitchen. Parking available. Low fees and taxes. ....................................................only $225,000
927 Spruce St. Unit #1F. Large Jr. one bed room, one bath, totally rehabbed condo with low fees and taxes. Low fees and taxes. Parking available. .......................Reduced now only $199,900
Search all Philadelphia area listings @ www.thephillyrealtors.com Dan Tobey
Health Directory
The Curtis Center 170 W. Independence Mall , Suite L-44 Philadelphia, PA 19106
215.546.2700 Business • 267.238.1061 Direct 215.432.7151 Cell • 215.546.7728 Fax dtobey@cbpref.com
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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REAL ESTATE
SALE
REAL ESTATE
SALE
REAL ESTATE
SALE
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
REAL ESTATE
SALE
OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, January 24, 2010 1324 Locust Street - Unit 1125 12:00-2:00pm
Go to www.theartscondo.com SPACIOUS 1 BEDROOM CONDO WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS OF CENTER CITY CONDO FEE INCLUDES ALL AMENITIES/UTILITIES. STEPS AWAY FROM ACADEMY OF MUSIC, UNIV. OF ARTS, RESTAURANTS AND SHOPPING. GREAT VALUE
$249,000
CONTACT JACQUI GREENBERG 215-292-6319
Consider Packer Park for your next home? Suburbs in the City
PREMIER RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY Convenient to Sports Complex,International Airport, FDR Park, Walt Whitman Bridge & Much More. Safe, Beautiful, Welcoming, Convenient We have a Wide Variety of Sales & Rentals Something to fit any need
215 551 5100 bc@CapozziRealEstate.com
PGN
Features you want.
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
REAL ESTATE
RENT
2 BR APT. IN CC SOUTH THE NEW GAYBORHOOD Two bedroom split-level apartment on second floor of row home near 20th and Christian streets. Living room, kitchen/ dining area, bathroom, foyer. Perfect central location for professionals or students. Ten minute walk to Rittenhouse Square and on/near several SEPTA routes. On-street parking, pets okay, utilities separate. $875 plus two months deposit to move in. Available now. Scott 267.736.6743. 12TH & DICKINSON AREA Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms , bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (negotiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. _______________________________34-10 QUEEN VILLAGE 2 BR, ultra modern, brand new, granite and total stainless steel kitchen, tile bath, C/A, W/D, G/D, hdwd flrs, architecht’s dream! $1000/mo. Call 215-336-4629, cell: 215-687-8461. _______________________________34-06 MANAYUNK APTS 1 BR 1 BA $900 + utils 1 BR 1.5 BA $1200 + utils 1 BR 1.5 BA $1225 + utils EADEH.COM or 610-647-1776 _______________________________34-05 OLD CITY APT 1 BR 1.5 BA $ 1000 + utils EADEH.COM or 610-647-1776 _______________________________34-05 EWING, NJ 1 Bedroom Apt. $900/month. Weidel Realtors 609-737-1500, (Ask for Jay). _______________________________34-04 WASHINGTON SQ. WEST Heart of the Gayborhood. 2 br $1500+ utils. Trinity, quaint, (3) fireplaces, c/a, d/w, courtyard, pets neg. Pvt. courtyard. (717)572-0078. _______________________________34-06 WEST MT AIRY Apartment for rent. One bedroom, terrace, living room, dining room. kitchen, full bath. Original detail and wooden floors. Monthly rent: $775 plus utilities. 212-533-8584. _______________________________34-04 WEST MT. AIRY Large, bright 1 BR, HW flrs, gas F/P, patio, dog run, laundry facil. $875/mo. incl. utils. Avail. immed. 215-233-5303 for appointment. _______________________________34-05 WEST MT. AIRY Sale or lease partially renovated warehouse for commercial use. 5000 SF. 215-233-5303 for appointment. _______________________________34-05 MT. AIRY BUSINESS DIST. 3500 sq. ft. corner. 215-233-5303 for appt. _______________________________34-05 ITALIAN MARKET AREA 901 EARNEST 2 BD, 2 STORY HOUSE BSMT, YARD, REF. TOM, 267-972-3056 _______________________________34-08 RITTENHOUSE SQUARE AREA Call for Availability & Specials $795-$995 (215)735-8050. _______________________________34-08
VACATION
RENT
OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800-638-2102 Online reservations www.holidayoc.com _______________________________34-04
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Driver: COMPANY DRIVERS average $800+ per week. Immediate Benefits. Great Equipment. CDL-A with 1 year experience, 23 yoa. Call NFI Sunday or anytime: 877-888-8476. www.nficareers.com _______________________________34-04 REGIONAL DRIVERS NEEDED! MORE HOMETIME! TOP PAY! Up to $.43/mile company drivers! 12 months OTR required. HEARTLAND EXPRESS 1-800441-4953 www.heartlandexpress.com _______________________________34-04 HAVE STRONG COMMUNITY TIES? EF Foundation seeks coordinators to find families for international exchange students. 20 hrs/mo. Cash & Travel rewards. Must be 25+. #877-216-1293. _______________________________34-04 Owner-operators with one ton trucks (10 years or newer) needed to deliver RVs from IN to locations across the U.S. and Canada. Contact recruiting at 1-866-764-1601 or www. qualitydriveaway.com to obtain more information and to submit an application. _______________________________33-04 Driver: One Company for All Drivers! Van & Flatbed - High Miles. Great Equipment. Variety of Runs. Class A CDL. Western Express. 888-801-5295. _______________________________34-04
Hotel Night Auditor The Alexander Inn seeks a night auditor for full time work. Must have prior front desk experience. Good salary plus bonus package.
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
Advertising Sales Representative
PGN, one of the country's most award-winning Gay and Lesbian publications, is looking for a special candidate to fill this position in our advertising sales department. Applicants should have previous advertising sales experience, preferably in a similar environment. You should have a strong work ethic, good communication skills (both written and verbal), and an aggressive desire to sell advertising in this very special niche market. Most important, you should aspire to become an integral part of our successful sales team. We offer a competitive salary plus bonus, as well as Health Insurance. Applicants should call Greg Dennis at 215-6258501, ext. 219. Email resume to greg@epgn.com or send resume to: PGN, 505 S. 4th St., Phila. PA. 19147 Attn.: Greg Dennis EOE
Call 215-923-3535 daytime.
SERVICES DIRECTORY ����������������� �������������������������������� ������������������������ ������������������������ �������������������� ������������������������������������� ������������������� ������������������������������������ �������������������� ����������� ������������������ �������������� ����������� ������������
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PAGE 37
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PAGE 38
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
For Sale: Pool Table - Contender from Brunswick 7 foot slate pool table with green felt and walnut finish. 4 pool sticks, 1 bridge and 1 short pool stick for tight spots. Pool balls included rack and extra chalk for pool sticks. Breakdown by buyer. Only used a few times. CLASSIFIEDS Asking $1,000.00. NEW NORWOOD SAWMILLS LumberMate-Pro handles logs 34” diameter, mills boards 27” wide. Automated quick-cyclesawing increases efficiency up to 40%! www. NorwoodSawmills.com/300N. 1-800-661-7746 Ext 300-N. _______________________________33-04 Get Dish with FREE Installation- $19.99/mo. HBO & Showtime FREE-Over 50 HD Channels FREE Lowest prices-No Equipment to Buy! Call Now for full Details 1-877-238-8394. _______________________________34-04
ROOMMATES
SERVICES
ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE PGN WILL NOT PUBLISH RACIAL DISFrom Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, TINCTIONS IN ROOMMATE ADS. SUCH *Computers, *Criminal Justice. Job placement NOTATIONS WILL BE EDITED. THANK assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. if qualified. Call 866-858-2121 www.Centura___________________________________ GREATER NE PHILA. Online.com Have your own bedroom in a beautiful split _______________________________34-04 level home with 2 gay men. House is 4 BR, 2 AIRLINES ARE HIRING full baths, W/D, upper and lower decks, use of Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance kitchen. Property is by Welsh & the Boulevard, 1 Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid min. to 58 bus. We ask only that you be at least if qualified -Housing available. CALL Aviation APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008 reasonably neat and employed. Rent is $600 + Institute of Maintenance (888)349-5387. 1/3 utils. Contact Dave at 215-698-0215. _______________________________34-04 _______________________________34-10 2nd fl. room for rent. Cable TV, everything BUSINESS included. $375. 267-872-4590. _______________________________34-04 FLORENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ ALL CASH VENDING! Share townhouse with GM. Pvt. BR. Near Riverlink rail line. Pet friendly. $500, utils. incl. Do you earn $800 in a day? Your own local candy route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy Call Dave, 609-306-7846.. _______________________________34-05 All for $9,995. 1-800-460-4027. _______________________________34-04 ROOMMATE WANTED IN LANSDALE End unit, private, pool, tennis, gym. All utili- Insurance Agency for Sale. Affiliated with major ties included, furnished or un. Must be clean national carrier. A great business opportunity! & reliable. $500 a month, 1st & last needed. Please send inquires to: agencyforsalePA@aol. com or Fax: 866-296-7535. Call Ron 215 412 9076. _______________________________34-05 _______________________________34-04
Want to let OPPORTUNITIES GROUPS mom, dad and all of your PGN exs know SERVICES DIRECTORY ���������������� you’re tying the knot?
Call after 6 pm at 856-415-9595
PAGE 108
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
RELIGIOUS
GAY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF S. J. For info write to PO Box 760, Elmer, NJ 08318. _______________________________34-04
PAGE 108
CLASSIFIEDS
CLASSIFIEDS
ADOPTION
DOPT Are you Pregnant? Considering Adoption? We are a childless couple seeking to adopt. Will Provide FULL-TIME/AT-HOME Parent. Financial security. Expenses Paid. Call Steve & Robert (ask for michelle/adam). 1-800790-5260. _______________________________34-04 A devoted married couple promises your baby unconditional love & endless opportunities. EXPENSES PAID. Please call Janet & Charlie 1-800-315-3398 _______________________________34-04 ADOPTION Give your baby the very best- a loving home filled with happiness, adventure and fun. Expenses Paid. Eric & Scott 1-800-820-8764 www.ericandscott.com _______________________________33-04 A loving couple wishes to adopt a newborn into a home filled with happiness, security and endless love. Expenses paid. Please call Brendan and Laura toll-free at 1-800-991-0782 or-email us at adoptbaby2009@yahoo.com _______________________________33-04 ADOPTION: PREGNANT? Need adoption advice/ Financial assistance? Licensed adoption agency with compassionate counselors are here to help. Call Joy at Forever Families Through Adoption 1-866-922-3678. _______________________________33-04
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008
Want to let W mom, dad m all Yourand ad dollars go further when your youof target your audience exs know e you’re tying the ty knot? this space: only $25 per week*
*when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks
Is it time to Is it time to look for a look for a new doctor? new doctor?
������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������� Send us your wedding/civil union/ commitment ceremony announcement Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-8501 Today! and we’ll share it with the City of Brotherly Love.
PAGE 110 CLASSIFIEDS JAN. 22 - 28, 2010 PAGE 110
Want to let mom, dad and all of your exs know you’re tying the knot?
PAGE 110
PAGE 110 CLASSIFIEDS APRIL 25GAY - MAY 1, 2008 PHILADELPHIA NEWS
CLASSIFIEDS
LEGALHEALTH & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY DIRECTORY CLASSIFIEDS
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008
James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant
James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant
James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant
Social Security Disability Claims Appeals
Social Security Disability Social Security Disability Claims Appeals Claims Appeals 215-629-0585 215-629-0585
Social Security Disability Claims Appeals
215-629-0585 Suite 202 Oxford Valley Rd. Fairless Hills, PA 19030
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008 CLASSIFIEDS PAGE 39
Suite 202 Suite 202 Rd. Oxford Valley Oxford Valley Rd. Fairless Hills, PA 19030 Fairless Hills, PA 19030
215-629-0585 Suite 202 Oxford Valley Rd. Fairless Hills, PA 19030
James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant
Social Security Disability PROVIDING DIRECT Claims Appeals LEGAL SERVICES, 215-629-0585 EDUCATION & Suite 202 Oxford Valley Rd. REFORM POLICY Fairless Hills, PA 19030 FOR THE LGBT COMMUNITY.
FREE LEGAL HOTLINE (215) 731-1477
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A www.equalitypa.org
Send us your wedding/civil union/ commitment ceremony announcement and we’ll share it with the City of Brotherly Love.
E-mail information to editor@epgn.com or fax us at Reach Readers Over 40,000 Readers Weekly As Little As $25.00 Week. Reach Over 40,000 Weekly For As Little For As $25.00 A Week. Call A 215-625-8501 Toda (215) 925-6437.
PAGE 40
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 106
CLASSIFIEDS
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
LEGALHEALTH & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly As Little As $25.00 A Week. ach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For Little As $25.00 AWeek. Week. Call215-625-8501 215-625-8501 Today! Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly ForAs As Little For $25.00 A Call Today!
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 43
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
PGN
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Have an opinion? E-mail us a letter at pgn@epgn.com
PAGE 45
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS ADULT PERSONALS
PAGE 46
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010
Adult/Personals ��������������� PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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MAY 1 - 7, 2009
FRIENDS
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WM 60, 5’7’ 155, bottom, nice looking, discreet, fit, hot, seeks top men only for relationship in NE. 215-264-1058 LM. _______________________________33-19 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. _______________________________33-19 ������������ You: big equipment! Me: real nice white butt. 215-732-2108, 8-11 PM. _______________________________33-20
GWM seeks new friends. 610-352-1188. _______________________________33-21 ������������� Shuttle service within city limits, personal shopping, help with bags, companion service, lite cooking, dog walking & house sitting, any reasonable request. 215-205-5453. Refs. avail. Reasonable rates! _______________________________33-18 60 y.o., 5’7”, 160, 7” crossdresser looking for casual sex. Northern suburbs. 215-538-2040 ask for Zeta. _______________________________33-21
FRIENDS
MEN
LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for ������� other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. � I’m looking for guys who are I live in NE Phila. also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call ������������������� me, David, 215-698-0215. Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 _______________________________34-10 y.o. with a smooth looking for GWM, Italian, top orgymnast bottom, build 7” cut. Also into other GWM, who is alsoBi, in good shape. assplay, toys30-50, & water sports. straight, out I live in NE welcome. Phila. I’m looking for guys who of towners Day or night. Call Jeffare at also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If 215-850-7900. this sounds interesting to you feel free to call _______________________________34-05 GBM, 28, 8 215-698-0215. 1/2 seeks Mexican, WM or Asian, me, David, 20 to 29 for relationship. Fem a +. Loving _______________________________33-28 person wanted. 215-227-2180. _______________________________34-04 You: very well endowed. Me: 6’1”, 205, 59 white butt. 215-732-2108, 8-11 PM. _______________________________34-09 6’, 165NE lbs.,Phila. 60 year Master, greekfor active, WM, If old you’re looking hot french passive requires obedient slaveafter for action, call 215-934-5309. No calls training, 11 PM. S&M, B/D, W/S, etc. Limits respected and expanded. Assistant Master wanted. Call _______________________________34-06 Dave at 215-729-6670, or for evening. Curious senior WM ISOday WM oral times. _______________________________33-48 Must be patient as I am very new to this. Call me day sex or night at CD 856-961-7616. Xdress party. house orgy every Sat. _______________________________34-09 nite. GWM couple ISO GWMs 18-40 yrs. for 1 on 1 and group sex. Stockings, pantyhose, etc. Starts 9 PM Sat. Call Sat. 7-8 PM 856910-8303, ask for Mark. _______________________________33-24 6’, 165 lbs., 60 year old Master, greek active, GWM, Italian, or bottom, 7” cut. slave Also into french passivetop requires obedient for assplay, S&M, toys &B/D, water sports. Bi, straight, out training, W/S, etc. Limits respected of towners welcome. DayMaster or night. Call Jeff at and expanded. Assistant wanted. Call Dave at 215-729-6670, day or evening. 215-850-7900. _______________________________34-34 _______________________________33-18
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PHILADELPHIA ADULT PERSONALS GAY NEWS
MODELS
ESCORTS
Recreational
FIND THEM IN THE FRIENDS
MEN
MODELS
ESCORTS
FRIENDS
MEN
Activities
Meeting Place FRIENDS
MEN
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FRIENDS
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JAN. 22 - 28, 2010