pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976
Vol. 42 No. 5
Family Portrait: Mark Sampson talks the language of dance PAGE 23
Feb. 2-8, 2018
HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
Topper reiterates call to block health-care services for trans individuals PAGE 2
PAGE 21
U.S. Rep. Bob Brady won’t seek reelection
12th Street Gym closes By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com The 12th Street Gym, a well-known presence in the Gayborhood for 30 years, permanently closed its doors Wednesday. The closure was announced last week. The news wasn’t unexpected because the building that houses the gym recently was purchased by a New York-based developer. Still, its finality brought feelings of disappointment to some of the gym’s 4,000 members. “The gym is such a warm, healthy and fun place,” said Richard N. Gliniak, a member for 20 years. “The camaraderie and level of support that everyone gives each other is irreplaceable. I’m going to miss that very deeply. I feel sadness and disappointment. And I’m not at all convinced that closing the gym was inevitable.” Current gym memberships will be transferred at no cost to members for Philadelphia Sports Club, which operates three gyms within about a mile of 12th Street Gym. The 12th Street Gym’s website states in part: “Over the past year, we have been forced to evaluate the future of [the gym]. With heavy hearts, we must announce that [the gym] will close its doors for the last time at 11 p.m. on January 31, 2018.” Frank Baer, co-owner of the gym, declined to comment for this story. In a prior interview, Baer said the gym faced financial challenges, including a sharp property-tax increase and expensive fire-code improvements. Karen Guss, a spokesperson for the city’s Department of Licenses & Inspections, issued this statement: “I’m sorry to hear about the gym closing. Violations on a property conPAGE 19
Comics Julie Goldman and Brian Loekle will tag-team your funnybone
By Brittany M. Wehner brittany@epgn.com
SOCCER CELEBRATION: Members of the Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club and friends gathered for a group picture during the annual banquet Jan. 27 at the William Way LGBT Community Center. Presentations were made after the dinner for most improved player, rookie and a host of others, as well as the introduction of the board members for 2018. The Falcons kicked off their 30th-anniversary celebration as well, with several special events to come over the next year. For more information or to join the team, visit falcons-soccer.org. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Democratic Congressman Bob Brady announced Wednesday that he will not seek reelection, effectively capping a political career spanning more than three decades. Brady, of Philadelphia, stated during a press conference that his decision comes from his desire to be “home with family.” The congressman, in relaying his successes in office, said he helped pass 14 bills and is supporting the Congressional Education About Sexual Harassment Eradication Resolution, introduced in November, requiring sexual-harassment training for Congress members and staff. Brady also introduced legislation in 2014 expanding authority of the federal government to prosecute hate crimes that are committed strictly based on a victim’s sexual orientation. Prior to this legislation, Pennsylvania laws did not classify crimes committed because of a person’s sexual orientation as hate crimes. PAGE 19
PA Dems accuse Paul Mango of being ‘homophobic’ By Brittany M. Wehner brittany@epgn.com The Pennsylvania Democratic Party is accusing Rep. Paul Mango (R-Richland) of being “homophobic” and “racist” after Mango appeared in a video interview with Hyung Jin Moon. Mango, a Republican candidate for governor, talked about his campaign in the 37-minute video. Moon is leader of the World Peace and Unification Sanctuary in Newfoundland, near the Poconos. Around the video’s 24-minute mark, Moon states: “There are so many people of faith that have strong Christian values that don’t want to send their kids to school because they’re scared of the indoctrination factor. They’re getting indoctrinated into the homosexual political agenda and transgender agenda.” Mango then nods his head and starts talking about “out-of-control” property taxes funding state education. Then, at around the 37-minute mark, Moon states that Planned Parenthood founder
Margaret Sanger is “one of the most racist, racist eugenicists in the history of American politics.” Moon adds that Sanger “literally wants to exterminate black people,” and that Planned Parenthood is “founded on racism, on trying to eradicate whole masses of people.” Moon published the video Jan. 10 on YouTube. The Pennsylvania Democratic Party published a video on Facebook showing a Jan. 22 press conference at the Pennsylvania Press Club in which Mango denies Moon’s comments, adding he “disagrees” and “doesn’t recall.” A reporter not visible in the video is heard asking Mango about his statements and why he didn’t say something if he “did not agree.” “I am not going to disagree with him in the middle of an interview,” Mango responds. “I told you what I did believe in, not what Rev. Moon believed in.” Mango or his office staff could not be reached for comment by presstime. Beth Melena, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, said in a Jan. 29 statement: “It comes as no surprise that
Paul Mango would sink this low in order to gain support of the most right-wing, extremist sectors of the Republican Party to get through the primary. This is the most recent evidence that Paul Mango is moving as far to the right as possible. Paul Mango’s homophobic and racist interview and his subsequent lies about it are proof that he is not fit for public office.” Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is seeking reelection this year. MANGO (TOP) AND MOON Mango is running in the May primary against Republicans Laura Ellsworth, an attorney and a political newcomer; state Rep. Mike Turzai and state Sen. Scott Wagner. n