PGN eb. 3 - 9, 2017 by The Philadelphia Gay News

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

Vol. 41 No. 5

Family Portrait: Cory O’Niell Walker brings gospel style to drag PAGE 23

Philly hospital launches gendersurgery program

Feb. 3-9, 2017

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

U.S. Sens. Cory Booker, Bob Casey hold meeting PAGE 5 on LGBT issues

Complete coverage of the protests during Trump’s Philly visit

PAGE 16

LGBT equality among issues targeted in anti-Trump protests

By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com A local hospital recently became the first academic medical center in the Philadelphia region to launch a program dedicated to gender-affirmation surgeries. Hahnemann University Hospital’s Gender-Reassignment Surgical Program will provide a range of surgeries for transgender individuals. Under direction from Dr. Kathy L. Rumer, a board-certified plastic surgeon, services will include body contouring, facial feminization and masculinization, chest and breast surgeries, gender reassignment and other related procedures. “Part of [transgender patients’] whole medical concerns are their gender dysphoria,” Rumer said. “Because they’re dysphoric about their bodies, the surgeries help them immensely.” “We’re extremely proud to offer gender-confirming surgery at Hahnemann University Hospital,” hospital CEO Michael P. Halter added in a statement. “It is in line with our focus on providing all patients with leading-edge, high-quality care.” Interested patients must meet certain criteria defined by their insurance companies or the “World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH): Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming People.” Rumer said WPATH typically requires patients to be over 18 and on hormone therapy for a recommendation of one year. Rumer said insurance companies are increasingly covering surgeries for transgender patients, preventing them from paying large out-of-pocket costs. She also mentioned that many in the medical community are more aware of the needs of their transgender patients. “In the last couple of years, you’re starting to see the medical community embrace [transgender patients], which I think is a huge step in the right direction,” Rumer said. PAGE 9

Photo: Jeremy Rodriguez

By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Chants of “we are the people,” “black lives matter” and “queer lives matter” could be heard from Thomas Paine Plaza last Thursday afternoon, as President Donald Trump visited the Republican Congressional Retreat blocks away to deliver a speech to the GOP about his political agenda. Thousands of protesters made their voices heard at “Resistance

in Philly: Fighting for our Lives.” One Pennsylvania, a nonprofit organization, hosted the event, which featured speakers from several LGBT and LGBT-friendly organizations. Shani Akilah, creator and co-founder of the Black and Brown Workers Collective, was among the speakers at the demonstration. They said, “We cannot talk about HIV without talking about white supremacy.” “We need to listen to our intuition,” Akilah added. “This is the time for battle.” Akilah repeated the word “battle” three times as the crowd responded with cheers. Following Akilah’s speech, Jose DeMarco led the group with the chant ACT UP Philadelphia has been using for more than 20 years. “Act up. Fight back. Fight AIDS,” the crowd chanted with DeMarco. DeMarco interjected occasionally with, “Fight Trump” during the chants. Sefan Hoimes, 29, said since he is a minority, “Trump doesn’t care for people like me.” His sign read, “Proud disabled transgender immigrant American” written in different colors and all capital letters. “I am here because I am a transgender man and we have terror coming into our backyard,” Hoimes said. “[Trump] has already stated how he wants to take away healthcare when we all need it in the trans community.” Joanna Segal and Alyssa Shilliday, who both identify as pansexual, were decked out in rainbow scarfs during the demonstration. PAGE 16 Segal, 32, said she is worried for the future of

Farnese acquitted in bribery trial By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com A federal jury this week acquitted state Sen. Lawrence M. Farnese Jr. of bribery and other related charges. After deliberating about four hours, the 12-member jury returned its not-guilty verdict Feb. 1. Ellen Chapman, an Eighth Ward committee person, also was cleared of all charges. Chapman’s attorney, Elizabeth L. Toplin, issued this statement: “On behalf of Ms. Chapman, we’d like to thank the jury for their service. We believe that justice was served.” Farnese couldn’t be reached for comment by presstime. Farnese and Chapman were accused of various crimes relating to bribery, fraud and conspiracy. Their federal trial took place

between Jan. 23-Feb. 1 in Center City. Numerous supporters of Farnese were in

attendance, including his mother. In his closing argument Jan. 30, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Heberle told jurors that Farnese wanted to “consolidate” his political power by becoming Democratic leader of the Eighth Ward. The Eighth Ward is a political subdivision, largely in Center City west of Broad Street. One of its main functions is to encourage local Democrats to vote in elections. Heberle said Farnese bribed Chapman by paying $6,000 toward the tuition of her daughter, Hannah Feldman. In return, Chapman allegedly agreed to vote for Farnese as ward leader. But defense attorneys scoffed at the prosecution’s version of events. They said Farnese had the December 2011 ward-leader election “sewn up,” and that Chapman didn’t even PAGE 17

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 3-9, 2017

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Trial date set in murder of trans woman By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com A trial date has been set for one of the defendants in the murder of a local transgender woman. Jose Pena, 20, will stand trial Aug. 21 for the murder of Maya Young and again one month later for a separate murder charge. Pena and Tiffany Floyd, 25, were arrested in February for Young’s murder near 4900 Griscom St. in Frankford. Police responded to a stabbing on Feb. 20 and found Young suffering from stab wounds to the chest and neck. The District Attorney’s Office extended plea deals to both defendants, which have not been made available to the public. “I suspect that she will plead guilty in February,” said Assistant District Attorney Gwenn Cujdik, referring to Floyd. Cujdik said the judge will determine

News Briefing Security footage requested in Woody’s case A discovery hearing is scheduled for this week in the case of James Stefanide 2d, who claims he sustained serious injuries while falling on interior stairs at Woody’s Bar in June 2015. In August 2016, Stefanide filed suit in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, seeking an unspecified amount in monetary damages from the popular LGBT establishment. Stefanide wants surveillance footage of the incident, but Woody’s Bar allegedly refuses to provide the footage until Stefanide is deposed, according to court records. A discovery hearing to resolve the dispute is scheduled for 10 a.m. Feb. 2 in Courtroom 253 of City Hall. According to Stefanide’s lawsuit, the slip-and-fall incident was caused by “an unreasonably slippery condition of the stairs.” Stefanide also alleges that Woody’s management failed to inform patrons of a “dangerous and hazardous condition,” prior to his fall. His injuries include right-arm, lower-back and spinal damage, according to court records. — Timothy Cwiek

Floyd’s sentence should she plead guilty. Meanwhile, Pena decided to go to trial for both murder charges. “We made an offer for him to plead guilty to both homicides and he rejected that offer,” Cujdik said. “So he has decided to go to trial on both homicides.” Pena’s attorney, James F. Berardinelli, said he could not comment on the plea deals. In addition to the murder of Young, Pena is also charged with the murder of Jonathan Martel, 20. Guy D’Andrea, the assistant district attorney prosecuting the case, said Pena and Angel Torres, 24, were at a house on the 4700 block of Darrah Street, where they allegedly sold drugs on April 25, 2015. Martel came to the house and engaged in a dispute over money with Torres and Pena, D’Andrea said. According to prosecutors, Torres later gave Pena a gun, which Pena allegedly used to shoot Martel in the mid-

dle of the street outside the house. Officer Christine O’Brien from the Philadelphia Police Department confirmed Martel died from gunshot wounds on his neck and back almost a month later on May 23, 2015. D’Andrea said information gathered from the Young investigation helped confirm that Pena and Torres were allegedly involved in Martel’s murder. Pena was charged with Martel’s murder on March 21. “The arrest for the murder of Maya gave us some additional information about my murder [case], which helped give us a stronger warrant, so to speak, to arrest him on this murder,” D’Andrea said. D’Andrea declined to go into details about the specific evidence. Young’s stabbing allegedly stemmed from an argument over a man. Floyd’s lawyers said she believed Young used

“voodoo” to “cast a spell” on her boyfriend. According to Floyd, she asked Pena for help in killing Young. Pena’s statement said both defendants met Young at a park where Floyd and Young smoked crack. He said Floyd stabbed Young and then asked Pena to “finish” her or she would have him killed. Pena’s trial for the Young murder will be held 9 a.m. Aug. 21 in Room 607 of the Criminal Justice Center, while his trial for Martel’s murder will be held at 9 a.m. Sept. 18 in Room 1007. Floyd is scheduled for a pretrial conference 9 a.m. Feb. 9 in Room 1105. n

Hearing delayed for man accused of targeting trans women

tect transgender students. The policy entitled “Gender Expansive and Transgender Students,” features guidelines on areas such as school records, restroom accessibility and dress codes for transgender and gender-nonconforming students. School Board President Neale Dougherty said there were no votes for or against the policy at the Jan. 26 meeting. The board will put the policy forth at a second reading later this month, and it will be adopted into policy if there are no objections or concerns. The next New Hope-Solebury School District board meeting will be held 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23 in the large-group instruction room at the Upper Elementary School, 186 W. Bridge St., New Hope.

Mazzoni Center celebrates Justice in Action

Attorneys for the defendant accused of robbing local transgender women and murdering a man requested more time to gather evidence at a preliminary hearing Wednesday. A new hearing for defendant Matthew White, 32, is scheduled for 9 a.m. Feb. 28 in Room 306 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. Philadelphia Police arrested White Jan. 15 for murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm, robbery and related offenses. White was allegedly involved in two separate incidents in which he responded to trans women’s personal ads on the classifieds-advertising website Backpage. In a Jan. 8 case, police spokesperson Lt. John Stanford said White allegedly robbed three transgender women of cash and a cell phone in Kingsessing. When one of the women attempted to follow White, who fled the scene on foot, he allegedly fired one shot from a handgun as a warning. The next night, White allegedly attempted to rob a transgender woman on the 5400 block of Girard Avenue. Barry Jones, a friend of the woman, tried to intervene and police say White shot and killed him.

New Hope schools move ahead with trans policy The board of the New Hope-Solebury School District last week affirmed the first reading of a student policy to pro-

The Attic provides call to action A local LGBT youth center will host a town-hall meeting to discuss ways to combat issues facing young LGBT people of color. The Attic Youth Center’s Mpowerment, an internship program dedicated to safer-sex practices and relationship skills, will host “A Call To Action: LGBTQ Youth Town Hall Meeting” in conjunction with National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. During the discussion, The Attic interns will discuss topics such as ways to contribute toward the fight against HIV, mentoring, personal accountability, mental health and wellness among queer people of color and “shade culture.” The meeting will take place 5:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at The Attic Youth Center, 255 S. 16th St.

A local LGBT health and wellness organization will honor Mara Keisling, the founder and executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. Each year, the Mazzoni Center’s Justice in Action program brings together legal professionals, law students and others to raise awareness about the center’s free legal services tailored to the needs of LGBT Pennsylvanians. “Through her years of activism and distinguished leadership of her groundbreaking advocacy organization, Mara has made remarkable contributions to advancing equality and social justice for trans and gender-nonconforming people across the United States,” a statement on Mazzoni’s website reads. Prior to the luncheon, attorneys and legal professionals will moderate a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program entitled “Protected or Not? When, Where and How Do Sex-Discrimination Laws Protect LGBTQ People?” The panel will include Katie Eyer of the Rutgers law faculty, Lambda Legal Staff Attorney Omar Gonzalez-Pagan and Fox Rothschild, LLP, Associate Attorney Brian McGinnis. Attendees are eligible for two hours of CLE credits. The event will begin with the CLE at 9:30 a.m., followed by the luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 10 at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market St. For more information, visit www.mazzonicenter.org/events/justice-action-2017awards-luncheon. n — Jeremy Rodriguez

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LET IT SNOW: Performers donned their winter wear for “SNOWBALL” Jan. 28 at BOK. The seventh-annual event included performances by Brian Sanders’ JUNK, musical guests and members of the Pennsylvania Ballet. The event raises funds for JUNK, an LGBT-owned creative-dance troupe. Awards were given to the most creatively dressed “SNOWBALL” guests. Photo: Pat Hagerty

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney has been selected to help head up a national coaltion of pro-LGBT mayors.

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Sens. Booker, Casey address LGBT equality in the Trump era

U.S. SEN. CORY BOOKER (STANDING, CENTER) SPEAKS TO PARTICIPANTS AND SPECTATORS AT AN LGBT ROUNDTABLE JAN. 22 AT SQUARE ONE CAFÉ

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By Angela Burns PGN Contributor U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.), along with local LGBT leaders, addressed the landscape for LGBT rights under the new presidential administration during a local roundtable event last weekend. The event, held Jan. 29 at Square One Café, allowed members of the LGBT community to share their stories, giving both senators a sense of the scope of what the community needs from the federal government. Deja Alvarez, director of The Divine Light LGBTQ Wellness Center, asked for more communication on federal funding opportunities. Alvarez said her organization is privately funded and has been fighting for federal funding but hasn’t yet been able to secure it. She noted that 97 percent of the center’s client are people of color, about 65 percent of whom are transgender women. She added that the senators’ outreach at the roundtable could bring hope to LGBT organizations and the community as a whole, in the wake of the Trump administration’s takeover. “So many feel defeated,” she said. “They feel like they don’t have a chance to do anything, so they don’t even bother but if they have a chance to hear this information, [and] feel the passion that is around this room right now, more of them will get involved.” Booker talked about the intersectionality of progressive issues, and cautioned activists who draw a line among such causes. “Every issue we’ve talked about is interwoven and if you say you’re an activist for women’s rights, you’ve got to be activist for LGBTQ rights. If you say you’re an activist against racism, you’ve got to be an activist for LGBTQ rights,” he said. “These are not Democratic or Republican issues.” Booker encouraged the crowd to use outlets like social media to get involved in progressive actions, urging them to share calls to action such as voting information.

“I’m not up until 2020 but my fear is we are now in a new election cycle and in 18 months from now, we have 25 Democrats in the Senate that are defending seats; 10 or 12 of them are in the states that Donald Trump won. All [Republicans] need to do is pick up eight seats and then it is over,” Booker said, citing that such a majority would make it nearly impossible to block restrictive legislation. Booker offered up three specific action items for supporters: donate to grassroots organizations, utilize social-media platforms and take part in direct actions such as volunteering or protesting. “I would not be sitting here if it weren’t for the strident activism in America,” Booker added. Casey told PGN that he’s seen an influx in individuals interested in running for political office after the presidential election. “We’re at a time now where people of all ages are engaging and active and one of the ways to validate your commitment to that sense of action is to run for office,” he said. “We’re seeing a kind of engagement that I haven’t seen in a long time.” Pennsylvania Youth Congress Executive Director Jason Landau Goodman noted he was pleased to hear that LGBT youth issues on are the senators’ agenda. “Senators Booker and Casey are aware of the issues that are affecting LGBT youth and they care deeply about fighting for the dignity and respect that all young people need throughout our states,” he said. Equality Pennsylvania Executive Director Ted Martin told PGN that he was happy with the roundtable event but also stressed the importance of the work that needs to be done. “The passion here is important and I think what both senators said is unifying people and that’s really an important part,” he said. “We have a lot of work to do and I think this is going to be a brutal couple of years. We’re going to have to stick together.” n

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FINAL SONG: DJ Maria Volikas paid tribute to her late friend, Reenie Kane, during a memorial in Kane’s honor Jan. 28 at ICandy. Kane was a longtime local DJ who spun at a number of Gayborhood clubs and other LGBT venues in the region. The ICandy event featured remarks from longtime friends and colleagues, who recalled Kane’s personal and professional attributes. Photo: Patrick Hagerty

Out ministers to discuss LGBT, faith issues By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Pastor Clarence Hayes was moved to action after hearing homophobic comments from Kim Burrell, a pastor at Love and Liberty Fellowship Church in Houston. Burrell recently stated, “That perverted homosexual spirit is a spirit of delusion and confusion and has deceived many men and women, and it has caused a strain on the body of Christ.” “When these comments came out from this pastor a couple of weeks ago, I heard the hurt, I heard the anger, I heard the frustration from the LGBT community,” said Hayes, who is openly gay. “[I thought] we really need to have a dialogue, we really need to have a conversation about this.” Hayes, with his ministry Truth and Life Empowerment Community Ministries Inc., will host a community-wide discussion, “Sexuality & the Church.” The event will allow attendees to ask Hayes and five guest panelists questions on sexuality and how it relates to religion. Hayes said individuals can either ask the questions in front of the audience or, if they are not comfortable, they can write them down on a card for one of the moderators to read aloud and answer. “I thought this would be a good topic to talk about in the LGBT community, in particular the black African gay community,” Hayes said. “For so long, the black African gay community has been silent in regard to sexuality and the church and with those recent comments that were made, I just felt encouraged to say, ‘We need to have a dialogue about this.’ Right now, there’s a young gay Christian that wants to be who he is but the negative vibes and the toxic

messages that are going out are influencing the young gay Christian — or influencing gay Christians, period — to not really value themselves.” Hayes said that through his ministry, he comes across LGBT people who have been hurt by their churches. He refers to the scripture Jeremiah 1:5 to show others that God has a plan for everyone before they are even born. The scripture states, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “I say walk in truth, meaning that we are gay and we are Christian and we are proud of it,” Hayes said. “We are able to walk in what God has called us to walk in — which is truth.” Hayes said he hopes people “gain clarity” and are “empowered” through this panel discussion. “I hope that people are able to go ahead and have a true open dialogue that can be carried over to the generation that’s coming up,” Hayes said. Guest panelists include five openly gay and lesbian ministers: • Dr. Mary Douglass-Bailey of the Ark of Refuge Tabernacle, Inc. • Pastor Jeffrey Haskins of Unity Fellowship Church of Philadelphia • Pastor Jeffery Jordan of the Metropolitan Community Church • Pastor Pamela Williams of the Ark of Refuge Tabernacle, Inc. • Bishop Joshua D. Wilshur of the Total Liberation Community Impact Center “Sexuality & The Church” will be held at 1 p.m. Feb. 4 at Old Pine Community Center, 401 Lombard St. n

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How do I lose that belly fat? This is the most common question blood sugar. You also may wake up feeling I receive. First, keep in mind that fat drained or cranky. This can lead to weight loss isn’t specific, which means that gain and possibly other issues in the future. just because you are doing hundreds of crunches does not mean you 3. According to a dietitian I are burning the fat surrounding consult with, the estimated them. Crunches, planks and daily caloric count per person more are great for sculpting is 10 calories per pound of the muscle and strengthening body weight. Calorie counting your core, but not for cutting can be annoying, but once you fat. There is a lot of truth to the have a feel for it, it becomes saying, “Abs are made in the easy. Keep in mind, this number kitchen.” Unfortunately, the idea needs to be adjusted on days of dieting really turns people off you are more active. and can be stressful. Just like anything else, start small and 4. Drink plenty of water. work your way up. Sometime dehydration masks Here are a couple strategies itself with hunger pains. Don’t Megan Niño give in to dehydration! that I recommend for my clients who are trying to cut fat. 5. Balance your exercise regimen. Running on a treadmill is great, but not the only 1. Stop eating late. If you eat breakfast at answer either. Make sure your regimen 6 a.m., try to not eat dinner past 6:30 p.m. includes a combination of cardio, resisThis concept is called intermittent fasting, tance training and dynamic agility movewhich is a great start to disciplining your ments. n eating habits.

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Megan Niño is a kinesiologist and personal trainer who trains out of 12th Street Gym. She is an energetic and positive person, who prides herself on teaching others to find empowerment in their lives through fitness.

Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between Jan. 16-22. Information is courtesy of Sixth District Crime Analyst Officer Robert Savino. To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice.com or call 215-686-TIPS. INCIDENTS — At 11 p.m. Jan. 21, a woman reported being attacked, kicked and punched by an unknown group of black women inside Woody’s Bar, 202 S. 13th St. The victim sustained a laceration above her right eye that required stitches. — There were four thefts from parked vehicles reported Jan. 16-22: outside Broad and Pine, 244 S. 11th St., 300 S. Camac St. and 116 S. 13th St. — There were two thefts of bicycles reported Jan. 16-22: outside 1225 Walnut St. and 1300 Pine St. — There was one theft of an automobile reported Jan. 16-22: outside 906 Locust St.

ARRESTS — At 1:04 a.m. Jan. 16, police arrested a 28-year-old man inside the emergency room at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 111 S. 11th St., for vandalism. — At 8:43 a.m. Jan. 16, police arrested a 41-year-old man on the 200 block of South Eighth Street for a probation violation. — At 4:40 p.m. Jan. 17, a SEPTA officer arrested a 41-year-old man on the 1300 block of Market Street for an outstanding warrant. — At 10:30 p.m. Jan. 17, police arrested a 28-year-old man on the 200 block of South Juniper Street for a probation violation. — At 10:08 p.m. Jan. 19, police arrested a 42-year-old woman and a 69-year-old man inside Taco Bell, 1037 Chestnut St., for open lewdness. — At 8:20 a.m. Jan. 21, a SEPTA officer arrested a 33-year-old woman in the 1300 block of Market Street for defiant trespass. n

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Philly mayor to co-chair pro-LGBT group By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is among eight Pennsylvania mayors involved in a coalition fighting LGBT discrimination, and one of four nationwide to lead the organization. The Mayors Against LGBT Discrimination Coalition is comprised of municipal leaders dedicated to securing nondiscrimination protections for everyone, including LGBT individuals at all government levels. A total of 175 mayors from 42 states have joined the coalition as of presstime.

“Full equality — no matter who you are or who you love — is not only good for our community; it’s the right thing to do.”

— Mayor Jim Kenney Kenney also serves as a co-chair for the organization, along with District of Columbia

Mayor Muriel Bowser, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and Seattle Mayor Ed Murray. “We recognize the special role mayors play in protecting the rights and safety of residents and in advancing policies that move our communities and our country forward,” the description on the coalition’s website reads. Pennsylvania currently has no statewide nondiscrimination law protecting LGBT people. Kenney is joined by fellow Pennsylvania mayors: • Robert Donchez of Bethlehem • Elizabeth Goreham of State College • Tim Kearney of Swarthmore • Sal Panto, Jr. of Easton • Ed Pawlowski of Allentown • William Peduto of Pittsburgh • Ron Strouse of Doylestown “The city of Philadelphia is committed to being a fair and inclusive place where all people feel welcome, and this includes passing equal protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people,” Kenney said in a statement. “Full equality — no matter who you are or who you love — is not only good for our community; it’s the right thing to do. Mayors Against LGBT Discrimination will work to make fairness and inclusion a reality everywhere.” n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 3-9, 2017

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HOSPITAL from page 1

Rumer, who leads an aesthetic and reconstructive plastic-surgery office on the Main Line, said she has performed these surgeries on patients before and noticed that the resulting changes are not just physical. “Globally, I have patients that wake up from the anesthesia and they’re thanking you and they want to hug you and tell

you how you saved their lives,” Rumer said. “And in many cases, you do save people’s lives. The suicide rate in people who cannot receive their surgeries is very high. In my practice, I think people are concerned that people are going to have regret and maybe suicidal ideation postoperatively. I’ve never seen a single case of a patient with any regret or any type of sui-

cidal ideation after the surgery.” Rumer said a major teaching hospital opening its doors to the large population of transgender patients in the Philadelphia area “shows the progressiveness of the hospital.” “It’s very exciting to be involved with this,” Rumer said. “I think this is going to open an enormous door for research and progress in the field.” n

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PGN EDITORIAL

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Mat Staver

Editorial

Let’s not fall for it Amid the seemingly endless stream of bad news coming from Washington, D.C., this past week was a rumor that President Donald Trump was gearing up to add LGBT protections to the list of rights he’s attacking by executive order. After a flurry of tweets and news stories, the White House issued a carefully crafted statement that Trump was leaving in place President Obama’s 2014 executive order that banned federal contractors from discriminating because of someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It was the olive branch some in the LGBT community may have been desperate for, and the “I told you so” moment for conservatives who tried to quell liberal resistance to Trump. But we say not so fast. So Trump isn’t lifting an order that says federal contractors can’t fire people because they’re LGBT? Nor should he. He shouldn’t be given an ally badge because of that; that plays into the narrative he sought to create when hoisting an (upside-down) rainbow flag at a press event for the cameras. On Tuesday morning, Trump proclaimed he’s a supporter of LGBT rights and by Tuesday evening he was welcoming virulently antigay extremist Tony Perkins to the White House for his unveiling of his firmly conservative Supreme Court pick. Actions speaker infinitely louder than words and every concrete action Trump has taken in his first two weeks is damaging to the LGBT community. His “wall” will tear families apart, including LGBT people. The Muslim and refugee ban will extinguish hope for any LGBT people desperate to flee war-torn areas. And his pledge to abolish the Affordable Care Act will have a disproportionately harmful effect on LGBT people and those with HIV/AIDS. That’s to say nothing of his cabinet picks. Across the board, each one has a poor record on LGBT issues; from education to housing to criminal justice, the leaders Trump has selected to guide these policy areas are bringing with them histories of restricting LGBT rights. Trump stated he will keep the contracting order in place. That’s great. What he did not state is whether or not he may add a religious exemption to it. Or if he will issue any other “religious-freedom” orders; let’s remember, Trump has pledged to sign the proposed First Amendment Defense Act, which would give businesses the right to discriminate against LGBT people if they’re moved by their “religious beliefs.” There are countless areas where Trump could have made actual stands on LGBT equality: conversion therapy, marriage rights, youth bullying, senior housing, hate crimes. He missed the mark on every single one. Let’s not applaud him for the crumb he’s thrown the community, when the rest of the cookie is poisonous. n

It’s been months since Omar Mateen shot Apparently Staver more than 100 people at Pulse Nightclub in didn’t get the Orlando, killing 49. Surely enough time has memo that ISIS isn’t exactly passed that we can stop mourning the dead and start worrying about the real victims of LGBT-friendly. the attack: the first responders who had to “There was a narrative that the wade through all that gross AIDS blood. On Jan. 23, Liberty Council’s Mat Staver Obama administration and local took to his “Faith and Freedom” radio program to take the nightclub attendees to task politicians, includfor having the temerity to bleed once they ing Orlando Mayor were shot. Buddy Dyer, “In regards to the Pulse Nightclub,” wanted to proStaver said, “as tragic as it is, some of these mote and it was the rainbow flag, it was an officers have no doubt gone through trauma antigay issue and it really was a terrorism as well because they were going through issue.” the Pulse Nightclub. It was blood every Because, you know, it can’t be both. And where and, you know, they’re having to get how dare Obama and Dyer use this tragtested for AIDS-related conditions because edy to promote the crazy idea that there they’re literally walking in pools of blood.” are some people out there who hate LGBT Yes, walking through pools of blood no people enough to kill them and that LGBT doubt barefoot and with open sores on their people deserve protection and compassion. feet, per official emergency response proto- That’s a left-wing conspiracy if I ever heard col. one! Look, there’s no question that officers It’s ironic that Staver, a man who has responding to the shooting have gone spent much of his professional life demonthrough trauma. It’s got to be hard to enter izing LGBT people as sub-human, can’t a place of such carnage and literally see imagine that some hate-filled psycho would go out and murder a bunch of them. piles of dead bodies. I suspect that would This is a guy who, right after the shootmess up even the most seasoned veteran of ing, lamented the fact that churches who the force. But according to Staver, what should helped out the victims were too nice to them. most concern offi “Churches got cers is the disIt’s ironic that Staver, a man involved and they ease-ridden blood of who has spent much of his led in some cases the homos. Staver doesn’t, of course, and in other cases professional life demonizing know this. What they followed and ... he’s really telling us LGBT people as sub-human, instead of an opporis that this is what can’t imagine that some hate- tunity to pray, some would most concern of them allowed it him were he in their filled psycho would go out to be a homosexual position. and murder a bunch of them. love fest,” he said. Note, too, that “That’s not somehe’s just assuming that the dead and thing that we need to celebrate. This is a wounded had AIDS. In other words, he sees tragedy that is against all Americans.” the victims as diseased first, human second Keep in mind that the “that” and “this” (if at all). coming out of Staver’s mouth refer not to Note that Staver prefaces his barbaric the shooting, but to homosexuality, the real comment with “as tragic as it is,” but it cer- tragedy. tainly seems like he doesn’t think it was all But hey, Trump promised to protect that tragic. LGBT people from foreign ideologies, so During this same radio program, Staver I’m sure we’ll all be OK. n and his guest go out of their way to state that the Pulse massacre had nothing to D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedo with anti-LGBT animosity and everydian living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for thing to do with ISIS. The location was over a decade. Follow her on Twitter apparently chosen at random and it just @MamaDWitkowski. so happened to be a club full of homos.

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OP-ED PGN

The path to stop Trump The last couple weeks have saddened last week got it right: airports. those of us who love the freedoms this Airports have become a major economic country offers and who have tried over the hub of this nation. Here’s what the federal last few decades to make those freedoms government, through the Federal Aviation inclusive — but there is a silver lining. Administration, states on the subject: Masses of people are taking up “Aviation-related manufacturthis cause of resistance and are ing output for the entire United willing to go out and show their States increased 15.5 percent support to stop any incursions to in real terms between 2009 and democracy. 2012, from $217.2 billion to And they almost have it right. $250.9 billion.” Any presidency is ranked by That was in 2012, and just the prosperity it brings to the domestic. Bring it up to date country, which allows the livand add in the international ing standard of its citizens to economic impact and the numimprove. That is the promise bers are staggering. This from that Donald Trump and almost the JFK Airport’s own report: all politicians run on: improving “Employment and economic impact: About 37,000 people life for the American middle are employed at JFK. The airclass. When corporations discrimiport contributes about $37.3 Mark Segal billion in economic activity to nate or hold positions that will hurt employees or the environthe New York-New Jersey metment, at times a boycott is called for. Well, ropolitan region, generating about 256,000 it seems that Trump’s Muslim travel ban total jobs and $13.4 billion in annual has in itself handed us the way to force his wages and salaries.” This is only a possible suggestion from hand. While recent demonstrations have given an old activist … n us hope, we must now use future demonstrations to bring change. Simply put, Mark Segal is the nation’s most-award-winning they must be targeted. Targeted nonviolent commentator in LGBT media. His recently published memoir, “And Then I Danced,” is availprotests sometimes cause inconvenience, able on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble or at your but that inconvenience is what causes the favorite bookseller. change. Luckily those who demonstrated

Mark My Words

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Street Talk What LGBT achievement is most at risk under a Trump presidency? “Lifting the bans on conversion therapy throughout the country. His vice president has already shown an Allie McCausland interest in project analyst doing that. Bella Vista I’m also concerned Trump won’t be supportive of trans people using restrooms appropriate to their gender identity. That issue is definitely going to come up again.”

“The military is probably one place Trump will make changes. All LGBT people in the military will be at risk, Marc Pearce not just the urban planner transgender Paris community. Even if Trump doesn’t implement an outright ban [on LGBT service members], he could create an atmosphere where they’re treated less favorably.”

“I’m specifically worried about trans safety and access to trans health care. Trump’s whole campaign was based on Zane Watson hate. I’m canvasser concerned Manhattan there will be a drastic increase in hate crimes against queer and trans people, especially trans people of color.”

“[Same-sex] marriage will be the first to go. Then, all the rights that flow from marriage will go. And Trump will get rid Henry Webb of trans salesperson health care. Point Breeze There won’t be any government-paid sexchange surgery. And no government-paid hormones. People will be on their own.”

as a trans women — in an event that includes LGBT rights within its mission — is clearly devalued. That sign was not alone among many that may have strayed a bit off-message within the whole. By the same token, some in the trans community also felt uncomfortable with the “pussy hats,” which served as a clear and very visible part of the event. The design, a simple, knitted beanie sporting cat ears, fashioned out of bright pink yarn, was a cheeky way to show solidarity in the face of President Trump’s now-infamous statements about sexual assault. As I mentioned above, millions took to this event, some who had never protested before. Many first-timers are not going to be exactly “on message.” That’s not to say that there weren’t some there who I’m sure did harbor ill will toward

transgender people, but I suspect these were a minority in many cases. At any rate, I would think this a time to teach, and a place to explain why a given sign may offend or exclude. It would also be a time and a place to consider one’s own feelings about a given sign or symbol. Yes, it’s probably impossible to go too deep into any topic in a massive throng of people marching with purpose, and I think that is why so many are exploring their feelings post-event. I do want people to consider one important thing about this march, and the way that — setting aside signs and hats — those of us who are trans and those who are fighting for woman-specific issues in this march can and should work together. I cannot stress this enough: trans women are women. The things that affect women can affect all women. We can all PAGE 12

Marching in unity On Jan. 21, a massive demonstration centered on women’s rights and other issues drew millions of people to venues across the world. The event, known as the Women’s March, dwarfed the sparsely attended presidential inauguration held the day before. It was also marked by its witty, properly spelled protest signage and the hand-knit, crowd-sourced “pussy hats.” The protest was not solely for women’s issues, as participants cited a laundry list of issues, including worker’s rights, immigration reform, health care, the environment, racial equality and, of course, LGBT rights. In the wake of the march, in spite of its successes, many did take to social media and other outlets to express ways the event missed the mark. Some argued that people of color were not centered as well as they should have been, while others were dismayed

by what seemed to be a shifting stance on pro-choice issues. Perhaps most relevant to this column were concerns about trans inclusivity. I will admit a bias. I feel that trans people, at least in the San Francisco Bay Area, were well-included. I’ve heard similar from friends and family at a couple other marches. Nevertheless, I have to assume that trans inclusion would vary wildly between an estimated 408 events. I also know that while I personally did not feel a lack of inclusion, my own experience is not universal, and only represents my own self. I mentioned the signs above, and yes, there were some great signs out there. I laughed along with some of the snarkiest ones out there. But I’m also well aware of signs that stated things like “No Uterus = No Opinion,” which would mean that my own two cents

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 3-9, 2017

PGN LEGAL

The beginning of an LGBT civil-rights rollback? I won’t mince words: Each day, values tors from anti-LGBT discrimination. that we hold dear — inclusion, tolerance It’s unclear if any future executive and equality — are in danger like never orders could sanction LGBT discrimibefore. Over the past two weeks, we’ve nation but such an order could be just seen Americans ban together in unprecethe beginning and foreshadow the First dented ways, from the Women’s March in Amendment Defense Act (FADA), which Washington, D.C., to a small Trump promised to impletown in Alaska where 2 feet of ment. I am not a legal scholar snow fell as they marched, to but instead of trying to reverse hundreds of international citsettled Supreme Court precies around the world and most edent like trying to overturn recently at airports everywhere. Obergefell vs. Hodges, antiIt has been inspiring. LGBT activists would be better Since Obergefell vs. Hodges, served by effectively nullifying the anti-LGBT argument has our rights through a move like been that the First Amendment FADA; same result, less work. was curtailed with the U.S. If I were them, I would dull Supreme Court ruling that the effects of Obergefell vs. Hodges through a combination mandated marriage equality FADA and, on the Supreme nationwide. The backlash has Angela of Court side of things, by pointbeen real and in three years more than 250 anti-LGBT bills Giampolo ing to decisions like the recent were introduced in 29 state Hobby Lobby case. In Hobby Lobby, the Supreme Court legislatures — all based around religious was asked to strike a balance between freedoms. In addition to bills allowing business owners to deny services and a woman’s right to obtain contraceppublic accommodations to LGBT people, tion from an employer’s health-care plan bills were introduced in several states con- and the company’s religious freedoms. In doing so, with an opinion penned by doning discrimination in adoption settings Justice Samuel Alito, the Supreme Court against LGBT prospective adoptive and ruled that “closely held corporations” foster parents. Earlier this week, a rumor circulated can decline to provide coverage for birth that President Trump was gearing up to control in the health-care plans they offer unveil an anti-LGBT executive order that to their female employees if the coverwould make taxpayer funds available for age would violate the owners’ religious discrimination against LGBT people in beliefs. When the decision came down, a social services; allow federally funded firestorm erupted between religious groups adoption agencies to discriminate against and LGBT-rights advocates; within days, gay parents; eliminate nondiscrimination Obama received a letter signed by more protections in order to make it possible than 150 religious leaders asking him to to fire federal employers and contractors “respect this vital element of religious based on their sexual orientation or genfreedom” by exempting religiously affilder identity; and allow federal employees iated groups from adhering to the LGBT to refuse to serve people based on the antidiscrimination protections contained belief that marriage should be between in his executive order prohibiting federal a man and a woman, and that gender is contractors from discriminating on the an immutable characteristic set at birth, basis of sexual orientation or gender idenwhich would impact a broad range of tity. While the Human Rights Campaign, federal benefits. The White House issued Lambda Legal and the ACLU have all an official statement Tuesday that Trump pledged to sue the federal government would keep in place President Obama’s immediately upon the passage or repeal executive order banning federal contrac-

Out Law

TRANSMISSIONS from page 11

face discrimination based on our gender, no matter how we arrived at it. By the same token, issues of access to women’s health can affect a broad swath of transgender people, including many who identify as non-binary or trans masculine. There is room for all of us to discuss similar needs and find common ground here. More so, as many smarter than I have pointed out, both the trans movement and the abortion-rights battle are issues focused on body autonomy. We should have the right to augment our bodies as we see fit as transgender people, as well as the right to terminate an unwanted pregnancy as one desires. Right now, on this last point, the stakes are very, very high. It is likely, even by the time you read this, that our

of any bill aimed at discrimination, religious-freedom laws are difficult to fight in court because they are intentionally vague. Critics say that in recent years, anti-LGBTQ politicians have championed religiously based laws precisely for their ambiguity, not in spite of it. The law instructs judges to take religious rights more seriously, but doesn’t tell them how to rule. Anti-LGBT advocates can hide behind religiously based laws by saying that they are not discriminating; they are simply restoring religion’s place in society. In the past, we had defenders of civil liberties in our government. In our previous reality, an attorney general would instantly denounce a discriminatory executive order or law like FADA as unconstitutional. This week, Trump fired the acting attorney general who said she would not defend his controversial ban on immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries. Our next attorney general will likely

While we’ve been fearing this moment, no one could be fully prepared for how devestating the last weeks would be for so many Americans. But we also shouldn’t underestimate the strength we have when we stand together. be Sen. Jeff Sessions who was grilled on several controversial issues during his confirmation hearings, most notably allegations of past racism and his suspected involvement in drafting Trump’s travel ban. This week, much of the Judiciary Committee’s examination focused on Sessions’ record on LGBT equality and more specifically, his sponsorship of the proposed FADA — again, which he defended. Perhaps the most appalling of Sessions’ responses to questioning from Sen. Al

current administration will issue an executive order to enact a First Amendment Defense Act that will establish religious bigotry against LGBT people in the United States. What this will mean is the government would not defend our rights against any business or person who willingly discriminated against us. Who is to say how far this could go, potentially cementing anti-transgender bathroom language within the bill, attempting to overturn our rights to serve in the military or seek and maintain our marriage rights? It is just as likely that abortion rights and similar issues surrounding a woman’s body autonomy could face similar battles. We’ve already seen this with Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., and the latter’s religious exemption to contraceptives. Such a thing

Franken was how he turned the definition of discrimination on its head. He argued that FADA is necessary to “prohibit the federal government from taking discriminatory actions” but what he calls “discriminatory actions” are in fact longstanding federal civil-rights protections. If Sessions is confirmed as attorney general, and Trump does issue any anti-LGBT executive orders, such orders could very quickly turn into the full-blown FADA. That leaves us with a racist, homophobic attorney general and the lawyer who defended North Carolina’s discriminatory HB2 bill — John Gore, who was given a key role in the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division — as our two highest protectors of civil liberties in the United States. We are a country founded on “checks and balances” and the Supreme Court is our last “check” to the complete “unbalance” of power we are witnessing. This week we will learn Trump’s choice for the vacancy on the Supreme Court. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Anthony Kennedy and Stephen Breyer, three of the judges who voted to legalize same-sex marriage, are 78, 80 and 83, respectively. We must not and cannot lose one of the pro-LGBT elder justices. Needless to say, while we’ve been fearing this moment, no one could be fully prepared for how devastating the last two weeks would be for so many Americans. But we also shouldn’t underestimate the strength we have when we stand together. I implore everyone, not just the LGBT community, to remember that love does trump hate. Stay vigilant, continue to mobilize and with rule of law, empathy, love and kindness, we will prevail. n Angela D. Giampolo, principal of Giampolo Law Group, maintains offices in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and specializes in LGBT law, family law, business law, real-estate law and civil rights. Her website is www.giampololaw.com, and she maintains a blog at www.phillygaylawyer. com. Reach out to Angela with your legal questions at 215-645-2415 or angela@ giampololaw.com.

could just as easily be rolled into a Religious Freedom Restoration Act at or around the same time a FADA is aimed at LGBT individuals. In short, this is a time when we need to build and strengthen alliances, and turn these moments where poor messaging is something we educate each other on — to each other’s mutual benefit. As it is, I suspect we shall have ample opportunities to march in the not-too-distant future, and the stronger alliances we can build, the greater impact we can have, together. n Gwen Smith will stand by those who stand by her. You’ll find her at www.gwensmith.com.

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Gettin’ On

International News Thailand launching LGBTspecific prison

We’re all getting older. For LGBT seniors, being out in the golden years can pose a whole new set of challenges. Each month, Gettin’ On brings you insights on aging, from legal issues to sexual health.

The Thai government is preparing for an LGBT-exclusive prison after what it said was a successful trial run last year. Pattaya Remand has separated inmates who identify within the LGBT community for several month to combat inmate discrimination. Officials said the outcome was so successful the government will dedicate an entire prison to LGBT inmates. “If we didn’t separate them, people could start fighting over partners to sleep with,” said Watcharavit Vachiralerphum, a warden in the prison. “It could lead to rape, sexual assault and the spread of disease.” The LGBT-inmate population supports the idea, Vachiralerphum said. “There are people that discriminate against gays,” said gay prisoner Chawalit Chankiew. “If I happen to sleep next to someone who hates gay people, I wouldn’t know it unless they show it. What if they hurt me one day?” Another LGBT prisoner said the segregation makes her sentence more bearable. “If we behave like others, if we aren’t stubborn and don’t break rules, this place actually isn’t so vicious,” she said. Despite the progressive outlook of the

Media Trail LGBT group: Halt antigay school policies

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The Daily Herald reports an LGBTrights advocacy group wants a judge to halt Utah state laws it says discriminates against LGBT students by restricting discussion of LGBT issues in schools. The National Center for Lesbian Rights argued in a request for preliminary injunction filed Jan. 25 that the laws serve no purpose other than expressing the state’s moral disapproval of homosexuality. The state of Utah has denied it has antigay school laws, saying the case quotes selectively from state law and school rules. The Board of Education didn’t immediately have comment on the new filing. The Utah law was part of a wide-ranging sexual-education bill passed with little dissent in 2001. Several states have similar laws.

system, its treatment of trans inmates has been criticized. For instance, trans women who have not yet had surgery are forced to shave their heads and live in male quarters.

Polar Pride banned in Russia A Russian Pride event has been banned because of the country’s “gay-propaganda” law. The parade, which was scheduled for Jan. 29 in Salekhard, was cancelled by city officials who claimed the country’s laws prevented it. Police stopped about 300 people from taking to the streets, claiming it would be harmful to children’s “health and development.” In 2012, Pride events in Moscow were banned for 100 years. The propaganda law was signed by President Vladimir Putin the following year. Moscow Pride organizer Nikolai Alexeyev has continued to fight the law. “It will, if necessary, be brought to the European Court of Human Rights,” he said. Alexeyev has helped people apply for permits to hold pride events all over Russia. So far, these have been refused in Arkhangelsk, Yekaterinburg, Cheylabinsk, Sarank, St. Petersburg, Tula, Tver and Vladimir. The author of the propaganda law also offered legislation that would legalize domestic violence, which is poised to pass the Russian parliament. Earlier this year, the country announced it was going to create a register of HIVpositive patients.

Trial starts in Dutch cyberbullying case A Dutch man suspected of cyberbullying young girls and gay men via webcams went on trial last week in the Netherlands. The 38-year-old suspect, Aydin C., also faces a separate trial in Canada, where he is charged in the cyberbullying of Amanda Todd, a 15-year-old who drew global attention to online abuse when she posted a YouTube video recounting her ordeal. In the Dutch trial, the man is charged with abusing 34 other girls and five gay men. Prosecutors allege the suspect used a variety of online aliases on chat sites to portray himself as a woman who befriended young girls, or a boy of around 18 as he prowled the Internet hunting for victims. He would persuade them to strip in front of their webcams and then use the images to blackmail them, according to prosecutors. The man denies the charges. Prosecutors are expected to make their sentencing demand next month. In the Todd case, the suspect is charged with extortion, possession of child pornography and attempting to lure a child online. A Dutch court approved his extradition following his trial in the Netherlands. He has appealed that decision. Todd brought the problem of cyberbullying to mainstream attention in 2012 after she posted a video in which she told her story with handwritten signs. After sharing her story, she was repeatedly bullied, and committed suicide weeks later. n — compiled by Larry Nichols

Idaho bill advances, despite S.D. governor opposes marriage objections trans-restrictive school bill According to the Idaho State Journal, the Idaho House Revenue and Taxation Committee has voted to bring the state’s tax code in line with federal rules, despite facing objections from two lawmakers who argued the state should not be recognizing same-sex marriages. The Idaho legislature usually syncs the state’s tax code with the federal version each year to make it easier for residents and businesses to do their taxes. However, Republican Reps. Ron Nate and Steve Hartgen said Jan. 24 that Idaho should not conform with the Internal Revenue Service because Idaho’s constitution still includes language banning gay marriage. Idaho’s same-sex-marriage ban was invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2014. Hartgen said he believes President Donald Trump will appoint a new justice to the Supreme Court to overturn the legality of marriage equality. HB 26 now goes to the House floor for approval.

According to ABC News, South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard said he would veto legislation restricting which locker rooms transgender students can use. The Republican said Jan. 26 he’d veto the bill if it gets to his desk. He said any concerns about privacy can be met at the local level. The bill introduced this week would require public-school students to use the locker rooms, shower rooms and changing facilities matching their sex at birth. Schools would be allowed, under special circumstances, to provide other accommodations, like single-occupancy restrooms. Daugaard says North Carolina has seen major problems since enacting a similar law. He vetoed legislation last year that also applied to bathrooms. Lawmakers failed to override the veto. Republican Sen. Lance Russell, the main sponsor of this year’s bill, said he’s interested in protecting all students. Critics, however, argue the legislation is discriminatory. n — compiled by Larry Nichols

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same-sex marriage and Planned Parenthood. “We had really careful tenuous steps that we’ve been making recently and it seems fragile and easy to crush,” Segal said. Shilliday, 32, said she is concerned about what Trump’s “outspoken and inappropriate behavior” could imply for others. “He’s allowing that cab driver to not pick me up when I’m with my girlfriend,” Shilliday said. “He’s allowing that Uber driver to say something nasty to me. He’s allowing that bartender to give me a sideeye when I’m sitting at the bar with my girlfriend. Having that behavior from a prestigious position is making it OK to project it onto us. That’s what scares me.” Many allies were also in attendance at the demonstration. Diana Hunt, 59, said her main reason for participating in the demonstration is because of the Black Lives Matter movement. She said she objects to the disproportionate incarceration rates of people of color, and mentioned that there needs to be “separation of church and state” when it comes to LGBT people. “I’m one of the privileged that only has a little bit of fears but I’m afraid for everybody else too,” said Hunt, who identifies as straight and white. Noelle Egan, 39, had a sign with, “This middle class white lady rejects your fascist bullshit” written on one side while the other side stated, “Black lives, trans lives, indigenous lives matter. Dismantle white supremacy.” “I am a white lady,” Egan said. “I recognize the privileges that come along with that and also recognize how much responsibility that offers me to spread the word about how other people’s rights are being suppressed and I consider it my respon-

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sibility to help bring up others and be an ally.” After about an hour-and-a-half at Thomas Paine Plaza, the protestors marched in formation around City Hall and down Market Street toward 13th Street, joining another anti-Trump protest. Police blockades preventing the demonstrators from getting any closer to the Loews Hotel at 12th and Market, where the Republican event was being held. On Jan. 25, at least 1,000 demonstrators gathered for the Queer Rage(r): Guerilla Dance Party, where LGBT people and allies had a party outside of the Loews Hotel where Trump was staying. Additionally, the Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club hosted a March Against Discrimination Feb. 2, and pro-LGBT signs were prominent during a protest last weekend at Philadelphia International Airport against Trump’s executive order banning immigrants and refugees from several Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. GALAEI, a queer Latin@ social justice nonprofit organization, will also be coordinating future efforts toward fighting the Trump administration. Executive Director Nikki

OUTMuslim, an organization dedicated to creating safe spaces for LGBT Muslims, plans to discuss Trump’s travel ban at a Feb. 12 meeting. Interested attendees can message page moderators on OutMuslim’s Facebook pages, OUTMuslim and Haven: The Inclusive Muslim Union

López said the organization will host workshops relating to knowing your rights as well as self-defense courses. Updates on the programs will be posted on the organization’s Facebook profile page, Galaei Philly. López also encouraged people to email the organization at info@ galaei.org, and the staff will assist those looking for ways to join the fight. López said GALAEI will take to the streets whenever they can. “GALAEI is unapologetically saying that we are here and we are going to resist,” López said. “This is what our fight and resistance looks like.”

of Philadelphia, for information on times and locations. OUTMuslim founder and director Sahar AliDeen said he canceled a trip to Pakistan to attend his grandmother’s funeral because he was unsure of what the political climate would be upon his return. While AliDeen is an American citizen, he has traveled to several countries listed under Trump’s executive order and said he felt his travel history would put him in danger. He mentioned the need for a safe space for LGBT Muslims. “[People] need a safe space to go to talk to other Muslims who are experiencing these things,” AliDeen said. n

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PGN FARNESE from page 1

vote for him. Prosecution witnesses testify Two government witnesses, Theodore B. Mucellin and Stephen N. Huntington, provided testimony that prosecutors say demonstrated Farnese bribed Chapman during a May 18, 2011, phone conversation. Huntington and Mucellin weren’t present during the conversation at issue, but they subsequently heard about it from Chapman and/or Farnese, according to prosecutors. Mucellin was a political aide to Farnese at the time of the alleged bribe, and Heberle described him as a “middleman” who helped facilitate the bribe. Mucellin testified under an immunity agreement, and avoided criminal charges. According to Huntington’s testimony, Chapman conveyed to him that she couldn’t support his ward-leader candidacy. If she did, Farnese wouldn’t help fund her daughter’s education. Mucellin testified that he had a phone conversation with Chapman shortly after the alleged bribe, during which she reiterated her support for Farnese as ward leader. Heberle said the testimony of Mucellin and Huntington demonstrated that a bribe caused Chapman to agree to support Farnese for the ward post, rather than Huntington. But defense attorneys noted that Huntington never was a serious contender for the ward-leader post. They also pointed out that Mucellin and Huntington don’t have firsthand knowledge of what was said during the May 18, 2011, phone conversation. Five-day period examined Throughout the trial, defense attorneys chipped away at the prosecution’s theory that a bribe took place on May 18,

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 3-9, 2017

2011. They noted that Farnese didn’t authorize a $6,000 payment toward Feldman’s education until May 23, 2011 — five days after the alleged bribe. Heberle said Farnese hoped that alternate funding sources could be obtained between May 18-23, 2011, before finally agreeing to pay the full $6,000 from his senatorial campaign fund. But defense attorneys insisted the timeline of events supported their clients’ innonence, rather than their guilt. Chapman’s daughter testifies Chapman and Farnese didn’t take the witness stand in their defense during the trial. But on Jan. 27, Chapman’s daughter, Hannah Feldman, testified in a passionate, rapid-fire manner in her mother’s defense.

Throughout the trial, defense attorneys chipped away at the prosecution’s theory that a bribe took place on May 18, 2011. They noted that Farnese didn’t authorize a $6,000 payment toward Feldman’s education until May 23, 2011 — five days after the alleged bribe. Feldman said there was nothing secretive or unusual about Farnese’s contribution. She freely shared information about it with others, including a student in Florida. The $6,000 payment helped make it possible for her to pursue her dream of studying in central Asia, she said. Outside the courtroom, Feldman emphatically disagreed

with the prosecution of her mother and Farnese, calling it “insane.” Toplin, the attorney for Chapman, told jurors it was natural for Chapman to take into account Farnese’s support for her daughter’s education when deciding to support him for ward leader. “What happened here is not only legal, there’s nothing immoral about it,” Toplin told jurors. Toplin also said there’s no proof that Chapman would have voted for Huntington for ward leader, if Farnese didn’t contribute to her daughter’s education. Constituent service emphasized Heberle told jurors that Farnese’s $6,000 payment shouldn’t be viewed as anything other than a bribe. He said a careful review of Farnese’s financial records shows that the payment “sticks out like a sore thumb,” due to its size and nature. But Mark B. Sheppard, an attorney for Farnese, consistently emphasized that Farnese was performing a valid “constituent service” when helping to fund Feldman’s education. Sheppard described Feldman as “a very deserving young lady,” an honors student who also worked on Farnese’s senatorial campaign. Sheppard noted that Feldman’s trip to Asia wasn’t some type of “boondoggle” or frivolity such as studying in Paris at the Sorbonne. Sheppard also noted that her father, David Feldman, is a prominent LGBT advocate, whose efforts Farnese greatly appreciates. Moreover, Farnese comes from a family of educators and values the role of education in society, Sheppard added. In November, Farnese handily won re-election as state senator. He has a strong record of support for LGBT causes, including a statewide LGBT civil-rights statute and a new probe of the Nizah Morris case. n

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FEATURE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 3-9, 2017

Family Portrait Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly

Page Page Page Page

23 26 30 25

PAGE 24

fun Performers use crowd-funding to produce Philly entertainment By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Performers of all stripes are taking to crowd-funding in order to get their special brands of fun happening in Philly. Philly can have its CAKE Philly is the proposed first stop on the CAKE Comedy Tour featuring comedians Carrie Gravenson, Abbi Crutchfield, Kaytlin Bailey and Erin Judge. Out comedian, actor and writer Judge said the upcoming trek is something the quartet has done before, but this is the first time they are trying to crowdfund the road trip. “We started touring together as a group five years ago,” Judge said. “Kaytlin Bailey got it in her head that she wanted to

do a tour of the Southeast and we did Charleston and Raleigh and a bunch of cities like that. We loved touring together so much that we kept it going for all this time.” Judge said the comedians’ individual styles work well together. “We’re all really different from each other on stage,” she said. “Even though we’re all women in a similar age, we come from different parts of the country and have different perspectives. We have a great time in the car and working out all the details. I love working with these other three women

because I know I can rely on them. I know that they are always going to be funny. They are always going to work hard and they are always going to be super-fun to hang out with.” Standup comedy tends to be a heterosexual white-male-dominated field and as a result, it’s rare to see a comedy event with more than one woman on the same bill. Judge said this type of crowd-funded tour helps them put together and market a show audiences wouldn’t normally see in an average comedy club. “I don’t know if we ever left the era where comedy clubs are reluctant to put two women on a show, let alone four,” she said. “There’s a lot of great clubs around the country and we love to perform at comedy clubs, but we do tend to draw an audience that is alienated by comedy clubs. We love that too. We love to have people who love to go out to the comedy club in their city and we love having people who want to see a different kind of show because we really are the nexus of both things. “A lot of times we work with a charity in the city and we’ll get bunch of people that are coming to support the breast-cancer charity or the domestic-violence charity that we are working with and there are many people who have never been to a comedy club before,” Judge added. “The CAKE COMEDY TOUR typical stereotype of a comedy club is that

the comic can be aggressive and some people are afraid of being picked on. We’re pretty chill and gentle with our audience, but we also are great for comedy fans. We’re trying to do something different but we’re really funny also.” Outside of the tour, Judge is putting together a comedy festival focused on female performers in Boston. Last year, Judge, who identifies as bisexual, wrote a book whose main character is bi. She said she’s eager to bring her work back to the Philly region. “I’ve been out in L.A. for two years and I’m excited to get back to the East Coast in April and May.” The CAKE Comedy tour comes to Philadelphia April 24. For more information, visit www.cakecomedy.com. Let us out! Another crowd-funded event launching in Philadelphia is the “1990s Breakout,” Philly newest escape room. The project is the idea of James Bradford and “Pirate” Pebbles McWhorter, who have a decade of event design, hosting, promoting and planning experience between them. The pair wanted to put their own spin on the popular entertainment phenomenon. “Pebbles and I PAGE 22

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are big fans of the escape-room thing,” Bradford said. “It’s kind of blowing up everywhere. We’ve done them all here in the Philly area and we’ve enjoyed most of them. But we felt like a lot of them put a ton of focus on making the puzzles as hard as possible, which of course is great because you don’t want to go to an adventure room and sail through it in 20 minutes. We thought, We have to come up with an escape room that has an immersive theme that everybody is going to really get into. We knew there was an ‘Escape the 1980s Room’ in Philly and we thought it was really rad. We thought, Well, no one seems to be coming up with another decade-themed one and we are definitely products of the 1990s. It was by far the baddest era for us. So we started there.” They’re counting on the queer community to help them reach their funding goal for a March 1 launch. “If our GoFundMe campaign goes really well, then a March launch is totally doable,” he said. “It’s geared towards everybody, definitely, but a big part of the 1990s for us

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PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 3-9, 2017

Suzi Nash

Cory O’Niell Walker: Drag, gospel and the ‘fire’ in his bones “Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” — Victor Hugo At times like these, we could all use a little positive reinforcement. In this case, it comes from the alter ego of opera singer and music teacher Cory O’Niell Walker. Walker is a diverse performer, composer and designer who entertains in many genres including opera, musical theater, art, song and dance. He has been a soloist with The Network for New Music in Philadelphia, Opera Boston, Longwood Opera, New England Light Opera, Boston Theater Bridge, Fiddlehead Theatre, North Shore Music Theater and Cape Rep Theater. Cory has also been seen at the Philly Fringe Festival performing his own theater works, such as “L’Heure Exquise” and “Cupid’s Little Prick.” He holds a master’s degree in vocal performance from Ithaca College, where he also studied composition. Walker maintains a popular voice studio in Philadelphia, where he also performs regularly with The Opera Company of Philadelphia and The Mendelssohn Club Chorus. (He’s also my neighbor and the guy I call if I see a bug in my basement or need something lifted.) On Feb. 25, Cookie Diorio, Walker’s drag persona, is performing a benefit concert at the Unitarian Society of Germantown. The concert will explore the topics of fear, adversity, triumph and joy through traditional Southern-style gospel music sprinkled with Cookie’s hilarious, poignant and deeply spiritual personal anecdotes and life lessons. Miss D. will be accompanied by international pianist Jillian Zack, and a portion of the proceeds will go to The Attic Youth Center. PGN: What was the first opera you remember seeing? COW: The first opera I ever saw was not live; it was a production of “Aida” that I saw in high school on laser disc. My choir teacher showed it to the class on one of our off days. It was when I was in ninth grade — I guess I was 14 — and it was the day after a concert so we got to watch videos and that’s what he put on. PGN: Laser disc! That’s hysterical. So you were in the choir? COW: Yes, I’ve been in some kind of choir since the fourth grade. PGN: When did you first start to realize, Oh, I can sing a little bit? COW: Well, my mom tells the story that ever since I could make sound I wanted to make it musical. And that even in pre-school and kindergarten I would ask her to take me to musical concerts and

choral concerts, so I’ve apparently been interested in music as far back as I go! PGN: Did she listen to a lot of music when she was pregnant? COW: That’s a good question. I don’t know, but I know that my family loves music and my mom always listened to a variety of music in the house, from jazz to musical theater to pop. She has a very broad musical spectrum. So I would imagine I heard it in utero. PGN: Tell me about the fam. COW: I am from Central New York state, a small town called Auburn, which is near Owasco Lake, one of the Finger Lakes. My parents are blue-collar workers: My mom worked in several factories and spent the second half of her work life in health care working with special-needs clients. My family has lived in the same three-block radius in Auburn for about 150 years. PGN: That’s amazing! COW: A point of interest, my grandmother’s grandfather went to church with Harriet Tubman.

the stairs. You definitely got butch points for handling the possum that was stuck in our neighbor’s recycling bin. COW: I do have a butch inside. I can DIY just about anything. If something needs to be done or repaired, I will find a way to do it. I have a basement full of assorted tools and I can do just about anything handy. I may not have any idea what the different tools are called, but I can use them!

PGN: Was it exclusively opera or all types of music? COW: I studied everything. In undergrad, I was a double major in music and music education with a composition minor. With those programs, you study everything from music theory to choral music to opera to orchestral music — the gamut. But most of my studies were in the classical-music tradition.

PGN: What did you want to be when you grew up? COW: Originally, I wanted to be a doctor. I used to get a magazine — I think it was the 4H or the Boys and Girls Clubs of America magazine — and there was column in the back about this guy, Dr. Cory. I fell in love with the idea of being the next Dr. Cory! But it didn’t last past middle school.

PGN: What did you do after graduation? COW: I moved to Boston and got a lot of stage time in regional musical theater. I auditioned for just about everything I could that would get me on the stage and keep me singing. I later started breaking into the opera world but there was a lot of musical theater early on.

PGN: What turned you off of it? COW: It wasn’t so much that I turned away from it but more like I turned towards something else: music. It wasn’t

PGN: Was the family very church-going, and if so, was that your first introduction to gospel music? COW: I’ve always gone to church and my family has always gone to church but the church life was split between my father’s side, which went to the AME Zion Church, and my mother’s side, which went to a Catholic church. Although, it was a very small community and the AME church was right around the corner from my childhood home so everybody went there for family occasions and celebrations. It was like a community center.

PGN: Wait, you’re effeminate? COW: [Laughs] You know me too well! PGN: Though I have to say, you are my go-to guy whenever I need help with butch things like catching the occasional mouse that gets inside or carrying heavy items up

PGN: What’s a favorite role that you’ve played, and what’s your dream role? COW: Hmmm, the favorite role that I’ve played would be Richie Walters from “A Chorus Line.” I know it’s not classical, it’s not opera, but it’s my favorite role that I’ve played. Dream role would be Radames from “Aida.” PGN: What was your most difficult moment on stage? COW: When I was playing Richie, I got laryngitis. Even though it was musical theater and not opera, it’s still a very demanding role vocally. Getting through it with laryngitis was not fun at ALL. I’d be surprised if I managed to get out 2 of the notes in key the whole run.

PGN: Any siblings? COW: I have one younger sister. PGN: What was an early sign that you were destined to become a fabulous gay boy? COW: [Laughs] Well, I was always a little bit different. It was very evident in the way I carried myself, especially compared to my butch male cousins. While they were all striking B-boy poses I was doing something silly and fun. It was pretty obvious very early and having a gender-fluid name like Cory didn’t help. Between the name and my effeminate nature, I got the question, “Are you a boy or a girl?” a whole lot.

PGN: What brought you to Philadelphia? COW: My (now) husband got a job here. Being that I’m a musician, I can work anywhere so I moved here with my love.

until high school that I realized that I could actually study music as a vocation and make a career from it. It was my choral teacher who suggested that I audition as a music major. Until then, I had no idea that I could actually do that. PGN: Where did you go to college? COW: I got both my undergrad and my master’s at Ithaca College but spent a little time between the two studying music in Boston at the New England Conservatory.

PGN: When did you come out? COW: I was fortunate to have a pretty easy experience. I came out to my friends first and they were very open and accepting. I don’t think it was a big surprise to anyone. With my family, I didn’t know it at the time but apparently over the years many of them had defended my honor when anyone had made any disparaging comments about me. I came out to my parents after college because I felt it was something I needed to say officially and when I told my mom she said, “It’s no problem, we already know.” So my coming out was … hmmm. PAGE 30

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 3-9, 2017

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THEATER PGN

Sex ed takes the stage By Gary Kramer PGN Contributor The stage version of the best-selling book “Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man” by Dan Anderson and Maggie Berman makes its Philadelphia debut at the Kimmel Center Feb. 9-11. This month, the play is celebrating its third year off-Broadway. The book was written in Philadelphia in 1996 when Dan Anderson gave his single friend Maggie Berman some pointers on dating. The tip sessions were helpful and the friends joked about turning their conversations into a book. They eventually contacted an agent and publisher through some mutual friends and the rest, as they say, is history. “Sex Tips,” published in 1997, sold more than 300,000 copies in the United States, and has been translated into Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, German and French. There are also British and Australian editions. On the phone from Palm Springs, where he now lives, Anderson spoke with PGN about the book-turned-play. PGN: What can audiences expect from the stage production? DA: It’s a very-fun 80 minutes. The set-up has Robin, a straight woman, teaching at a college. She’s a successful academic, but does not have success with men. She’s forced to take over this “meet the author” program at the college and she’s thrust into this situation where the author is Dan Anderson. The third character is Stefan, the sexy college tech guy, who is an Eastern-European émigré. Dan sees the sexual tension between Robin and Stefan, so Dan builds up Robin’s confidence, and teaches her how to flirt and how to handle a penis. PGN: How did the play come about? DA: This guy, Matt Murphy, who produced the show “Memphis,” which won a bunch of Tony Awards in 2010, was trying to develop a seminar-type sex play. His wife told him about “Sex Tips” and he optioned it, and hired a writer. It went through different incarnations. There were a couple of staged readings before the current version opened in February 2014. PGN: What involvement, if any, did you have with the stage production? DA: We have credits as script consultants, and we read the script and offered input as it was being developed. PGN: Did they take any of your notes? DA: Not much, but it was fun to say, “Dan would never say this!” It was like Hollywood: “We love your notes … then into the trash!” PGN: Speaking of Hollywood, has there been interest in making a film version? DA: It made the rounds. But it never got optioned for a film. [Our publisher] was trying to develop something for a film.

PGN: What are some of the tips that can be revealed without spoiling too much? DA: There’s the whole “Up, Twist, Ove, and Down,” from the book on how to handle a man’s penis. How to handle the balls is a good part. Dan [in the play] drags three women from the audience on stage and they wear these sleep masks that drop down from the ceiling. He guides them through hand motions. It’s very funny. PGN: What can you say about the audience-interaction element?

DA: In the productions I’ve seen, the guy who plays Dan is very funny and quick; he is good at ad-libbing with audience members. Someone asked him, “What if you pick someone and they don’t want to go on stage?” and he said, “That’s actually never happened.” Maybe that’s just New Yorkers wanting to bask in attention. Most audience members jump up and have a really good time. PGN: How do you think your book has contributed to the way sex is discussed now versus 20 years ago? DA: I don’t know that I can attribute that to the book. For good or ill, we’ve used cute terms [in the book] to make it avoid making sex sound too clinical. A lot of the language we used you see in magazines, so in that sense it brought out that it was OK to joke about sex while still being helpful. It didn’t have to be a freighted thing, or a serious topic. You could use silly terms, and that took away some of the anxiety people had about talking about sex. It was more lighthearted and it encouraged women to be more like a gay man. PGN: What observations do you have on the straight girl/gay guy dynamic? DA: It’s still an important thing. Teenagers now have gay best friends in high school. There’s something special about it. You can be close but there’s no competition or jealousy, or the sex aspect. In some ways, it enables gay men and straight women to have close friendships. n “Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man” runs Feb. 9-11 at the Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St. For tickets and information, visit https://www. kimmelcenter.org/pdp-pages/201617/kimmel-center-presents/sex-tips-for-straight-women-from-agay-man/.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 3-9, 2017

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BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7:00 A.M. AND 8:00 P.M. IN ALL ELECTION DISTRICTS AND DIVISIONS IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF PHILADELPHIA, VOTERS WILL NOMINATE CANDIDATES FOR THE FOLLOWING OFFICES: • JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT • JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT • JUDGE OF THE COMMONWEALTH COURT • JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS • JUDGE OF THE MUNICIPAL COURT • CITY CONTROLLER • DISTRICT ATTORNEY • JUDGE OF ELECTIONS • INSPECTOR OF ELECTIONS

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CANDIDATES FOR CITY ELECTIVE OFFICE Nomination Petitions for Philadelphia Elective Offices for the May 16, 2017 Primary Election must be filed with the County Board of Elections, Room 142 City Hall by 5 P.M. Tuesday, March 7, 2017. CANDIDATES FOR JUDICIAL OFFICE Nomination Petitions for all Judicial Offices for the May 16, 2017 Primary Election must be filed with the Department of State, Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation, in Room 210, North Office Building, Harrisburg PA. by 5 P.M. March 7, 2017.

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INSPECTOR DE ELECCIONES

LOS SIGUIENTES PARTIDOS POLÍTICOS TIENEN DERECHO A DESIGNAR SUS CANDIDATOS PARTIDO DEMOCRÁTICO, PARTIDO REPUBLICANO

CONSEJO ELECTORAL DEL CONDADO DE FILADELFIA

Anthony Clark Presidente, Comisionados Municipales Lisa M. Deeley Comisionada Municipal

Al Schmidt Vicepresidente, Comisionados Municipales

Kevin A. Kelly Supervisor Interino de la Elección www.philadelphiavotes.com

LOS CANDIDATOS A CARGOS ELECTIVOS MUNICIPAL Las peticiones de nominación para todos los cargos electivos municipal para la Elección primaria 16 de mayo de 2017 deben ser presentadas a la Junta de Elecciones del Condado, 142 City Hall a las 5 p.m. el martes, 7 marzo, 2017. LOS CANDIDATOS A CARGOS JUDICIALES Las peticiones de nominación para todos los cargos judiciales para la Elección primaria 16 de mayo de 2017 deben ser presentadas al Departamento de Estado, Agencia de Comisiones, Elecciones y Legislación, 210 Edificio de Oficinas Norte, Harrisburg PA. a las 5 p.m. 7 de marzo de 2017.

Theater & Arts Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater The legendary international dance company performs Feb. 3-4 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Andre Watt’s 60-Year Legacy The Philadelphia Orchestra performs through Feb. 4 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Bob Marley The comedian performs through Feb. 4 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. Color Me Bearded The Bearded Ladies turn the Philadelphia Museum of Art into a queer playground in honor of Barbra Streisand and the 50th anniversary of her landmark television special “Color Me Barbra” through Feb. 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Constellations The Wilma Theater turns the boy-meets-girl story on its head as playwright Nick Payne launches audiences into the quantum multiverse through Feb. 5, 265 S. Broad St.; 215546-7824. Crashing Comedy Tour Pete Holmes, Judd Apatow and Artie Lange perform 8 p.m. Feb. 10 at The Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-9226888.

IT WAS 50 YEARS AGO TODAY: The POPS celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ iconic “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” playing classic tracks form the album, along with other Beatles’ songs Feb. 3-5 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-893-1999.

Grease The classic musical film is screened 8 p.m. Feb. 6 at The Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888. Having Our Say Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the story of 103-year-old Sadie Delany and 101-year-old Bessie Delany, who personally welcome us into their home to share an endearing, true story through Feb. 19 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420. Hidden History Exposed Photography enthusiasts Tracy Buchholz and Jason Giordano present an exhibit highlighting friendship, photography and one very cold winter through Feb. 24 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; 215732-2220.

Jay Pharoah The comedian and actor seen on “Saturday Night Live” performs through Feb. 4 at The Punchline Philly, 33 E. Laurel St.; 215-606-6555. Jitish Kallat: Covering Letter Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an immersive installation and video projection by Mumbai-based artist Kallat, presenting a historical letter by Mahatma Gandhi to Adolf Hitler written weeks before the start of World War II, through March 5, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100. Korea Now: Contemporary Art Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of contemporary Korean art across all media through Feb. 23, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Last of the Red Hot Lovers Walnut Street Theatre presents Neil Simon’s classic comedy about a man trying to find love in the 1960s through Feb. 5, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. Laughter on the 23rd Floor Walnut Street Theatre presents the Neil Simon play that gives the audience a peek into the writer’s room of a hit 1950s television show through March 5, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. Romeo & Juliet Media Theatre presents the classic Shakespeare tragedy through Feb. 19, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100. Ryan Raftery is the Most Powerful Woman in Fashion: The Anna Wintour Musical Comedian Ryan Raftery’s one-manmusical shows a

PGN ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS

The Characters”) and Bardia Salimi (“Sadie Hawkins Day”) bring their popular sketch/ variety show to Philly 8:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at Good Good Comedy Theater, 215 N. 11th St.; 215-3991279. The Big Wigs “RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7” alum Mrs. Kasha Davis and pal Aggy Dune bring their dead-on impressions 8 p.m. Feb. 10 at L’Etage, 624 S. Sixth St.; 215592-0656. THE NOTORIOUS WIG: “RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7” alum Mrs. Kasha Davis (pictured) and her pal Aggy Dune bring their show “The Big Wigs,” featuring their dead-on show-stopping impressions, 8 p.m. Feb. 10 at L’Etage, 624 S. Sixth St. For more information, call 215-592-0656.

more human side of the icy editor and fashion mogul Feb. 9-11 at The Kimmel Center’s SEI Innovation Studio, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. Second City Live: We’re All in This Room Together The acclaimed improv troupe performs Feb. 3-4 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man The romantic comedy takes the audience on a ride where no topic is taboo and the insider “tips” come straight from the source: a gay man, Feb. 9-11 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-7905800. The Vagina Monologues A benefit production of Eve

Ensler’s play, 7 p.m. Feb. 3 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; 215732-2220.

Music Sgt. Pepper Celebration The POPS celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic Beatles album with classic songs from the album and other Beatles tunes Feb. 3-5 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St.; 215893-1999. Disco Biscuits The Philadelphiabased jam band performs 8 p.m. through Feb. 4 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-6253681. Sing Out Loud A concert speaking to the LGBT experience, 8 p.m. Feb. 4 and 2 p.m.

Feb. 5 at Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks St.; 215-5688079. AFI The goth/punk band performs 8 p.m. Feb. 6 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215232-2100. Talib Kweli The rap artist performs 8 p.m. Feb. 9 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-9221011.

Nightlife Clam Up: A Sketch Comedy Show Wes Haney (“Netflix Presents

Outta Town The Hunger The 1983 vampire movie starring David Bowie is screened 10 p.m. Feb. 3 at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228. Groundhog Day The comedy film is screened 2 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228. The Black Jacket Symphony Presents Dark Side of the Moon The classic Pink Floyd album is performed 8 p.m. Feb. 10, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. n

Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Out & About Listings, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 fax: 215-925-6437; or e-mail: listings@epgn.com. Notices cannot be taken over the phone.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 3-9, 2017

Timely new doc explores life and work of James Baldwin By Gary Kramer PGN Contributor Raoul Peck’s rousing, provocative documentary “I Am Not Your Negro,” opening Feb. 3 at the Ritz Theatre, is a tone poem and a clarion call. This urgent, cogent film about James Baldwin is based on his unfinished work “Remember This House.” Peck uses interviews, archival footage, film and television clips, as well as striking photographs, to reflect on the way AfricanAmericans are oppressed in America. Baldwin considers school integration, the teachers and “heroes” he had in his youth, playwright Lorraine Hansberry (“A Raisin in the Sun”) and the lives and murders of Medgar Evers, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X to show how they impacted his own intellectual development and activism. Scenes of Baldwin on “The Dick Cavett Show” or lecturing at Cambridge feature his eloquent and blistering remarks about inequality and white privilege. There is also a section in the film addressing Baldwin being identified as a “dangerous individual” in the eyes of the FBI both for his writings and for being a homosexual. Peck makes the expected connection to the Black Lives Matter movement in “I Am Not Your Negro,” showing images from Ferguson, Mo., and of Trayvon Martin, and yet these illustrations only magnify the importance of Baldwin’s powerful, forceful words written decades ago. The filmmaker spoke with PGN about James Baldwin and “I Am Not Your Negro.” PGN: What do you remember about first reading James Baldwin? RP: Someone gave me “The Fire Next Time” as an introduction to Baldwin. It blew my mind. It helped me understand what was going on. He wrote it in a contextual way to see the issues and problems in your country, and who you are as a black person. I never left Baldwin. I went back again and again and read everything of his I could put my hands on. PGN: How did you find and assemble all of the speeches, writings, film clips, photographs and news footage? The film is remarkably well-edited. RP: As you can imagine, it’s a long process, and it was possible only because I had the time to search and experiment. Having access to the rights — if I didn’t have access to all of James Baldwin’s body of work, I couldn’t have made the film — I developed a relationship with the estate to keep those rights for ten years. I needed to have the time to search the archive and find the right clip, and find the way to use it that not only makes sense, but creates sense beyond the archive alone …. Once you know James Baldwin wrote about Doris Day, you have to

use that. It’s wonderful to take a clip from a Day film, but which one? You can start setting aside clips, but you don’t know where they will go, or how much of it to use. You do that for Gary Cooper, John Wayne, etc. That’s a real accumulation of footage. That’s why it’s a process you cannot shorten. PGN: The film has political and pop-culture content that reflect Baldwin’s intellectual

and activist development. Can you talk about the impact of these images and how photos are powerful and persuasive in terms of representation? RP: It’s almost a lesson on film or image analysis. He teaches you how to look at an image: It’s not the lighting, it’s the ideology, the narrative. No image is innocent. He’s giving you the instrument of your own analysis to deconstruct the image — and you can apply it to any image. When he talks about “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” he tells you about the story and what Hollywood is asking of Sidney Poitier, and how this role is a double-edge role. It’s putting the bar high for the rest of the black population. It’s intriguing and exciting and when you see the film again, you don’t have the innocence. I hope the film does this as well. PGN: The film only briefly mentions Baldwin’s homosexuality. Was that deliberate? RP: Baldwin was discrete enough about his sexuality. I didn’t hide it. When he talks about being in Puerto Rico with Lucien [Happsberger], it was his lover. I respected his words. When he wanted to talk about it, he wrote “Giovanni’s Room.” It was bold. I don’t know any white writer who would write about a mixed gay couple, and he did this before any gay movement. He is someone who would have put [his sexuality] in the bigger political and historical context. He would talk about it in private. I read a lot about this, but that’s another topic. PGN: How did making “I Am Not Your Negro” re-inspire you about Baldwin? RP: Because of my learning of him early on in my life, and using him in many of my projects as inspiration, the process was not self-discovery. Whatever I needed from Baldwin I already got. It was how to bring to others what Baldwin brought to me. n

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Guide to the Gayborhood

The Philadelphia Gayborhood is roughly centered at 12th and Camac streets. Look for the rainbow street signs at intersections and remember to be aware of your surroundings wherever you go. Boxers

1330 Walnut St. facebook.com/ boxersphl Sports bar with multiple plasma tvs, pool table, brick oven, more!

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Chancellor St.

St. James St.

m Camac St.

13th St.

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Locust St. Latimer St.

m Manning St.

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Licensed and Insured

215-743-4040 J E S S C O R E N O VAT I O N S

215.839.0338 | 609.892.0940

Spruce St.

William Way LGBT Community Center

1315 Spruce St. 215.732.2220 waygay.org

A resource for all things LGBT

Voyeur

1221 St. James St. 215.735.5772 voyeurnightclub.com After-hours private club; membership required

U Bar 1220 Locust St. 215.546.6660

Relaxing corner bar, easy-going crowd, popular for happy hour and window watching

Tavern on Camac • kitchen & bathrooms • custom tiLe work • trim work • drywaLL & spackLe over • painting • finished basements • masonry & cement work. ask for

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Four-level leather bar; basement enforces a dress code; pool tables pn two floors and big-screen sports action

All Types of Roofing

The Bike Stop

Walnut St.

Family owned and operated since 1980

New Roofs Repairs • Coatings

200 S. 12th St. 215.964.9675 tabuphilly.com Sports bar / drag shows and bar food

202 S. 13th St. 215.545.1893 woodysbar.com American-style bar food and large dance floor

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McMullen Roofing Siding • Gutter • Downspout Copper & Aluminum Metal Work

Tabu

Woody’s

1302 Walnut St. 215.336.1335 rosewood-bar.com Elegantlyappointed cozy bar with high-end cocktails

Juniper St.

Rosewood

11th St.

SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY

PGN

Quince St.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 3-9, 2017

12th St.

West of Broad Street Stir Lounge

1705 Chancellor St. 215.732.2700 stirphilly.com Fun two-bar lounge, DJ in the back, regular poker games and specials

255 S. Camac St. 215.545.8731 Piano lounge with upstairs dance floor; Tavern restaurant below is open late.

Knock 225 S. 12th St. 215.925.1166 knockphilly.com Fine-dining restaurant and bar, outdoor seating (weather permitting), piano in back room

ICandy

254 S. 12th St. 267.324.3500 clubicandy.com Three floors with a total of six bars; dance floor, lounge and rootop deck.

The Attic Youth Center

255 S. 16th St. 215.545.4331 atticyouthcenter.org Safe space and programs for LGBTs age 16-23 weekday afternoons and evenings

Pa. bars close at 2 a.m. unless they have a private-club license. Please drink responsibly.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 3-9, 2017

Performance artist takes on couture maven Anna Wintour By A.D. Amorosi PGN Contributor For those who like to booze it up while watching intimate theater performances, this is a BYOB affair. Next week at SEI Innovation Studios, the sprightly, Brooklyn-born Ryan Raftery will again do what’s made him famous: don a severe bob wig, a weighty pair of sunglasses and a thin-lipped sneer for his one-man-in-Chanel-A-line-skirts show, “Ryan Raftery is the Most Powerful Woman in Fashion: The Anna Wintour Musical.” For the unfamiliar and unfashionable, Wintour is not only Vogue’s editor-inchief (going on 29 years) but also artistic director of the entire Condé Nast publishing empire. Along with her signature thick symmetrical haircut, Manolo Blahnik footwear and ubiquitous shades, the woman nicknamed “Nuclear Wintour” is renowned for an icy stare and impassive view toward anything not couture. Raftery portrays a (comically) realistic Wintour, one who may fear losing her monarchial grip, to say nothing of her sobriety. Plus, Raftery has done something similarly musical to Bravo Network boss Andy Cohen with “Ryan Raftery’s Watch What Happens: Live on Stage!” in which he tackles that gay television icon’s obsessions with Anderson Cooper and “Real Housewives.” We caught up to Raftery as he prepares to bring “Wintour” to Philadelphia. PGN: What links Andy Cohen to Anna Wintour in terms of media icons worth lampooning? RR: My Anna Wintour show focuses on the fact that the most powerful woman in a $300-billion industry almost lost her job for putting the world’s biggest reality star on the cover of her magazine. PGN: Ms. Kardashian. RR: Yes. And when I finished the run of the Wintour show and considered new themes, reality television seemed interesting to me. The idea of wanting to be famous but not having talent forces people to do very desperate things. Fame is the worst drug in the world and Andy Cohen is its most famous dealer. I knew it had to be him. PGN: Once you decided who, what were the first things that you keyed into for Wintour? RR: Anna’s look was the most important part. I knew the wig needed to be perfection, and it is. A talented friend, Jake Dingler, is a hairstylist who painstakingly created the wig to Wintour’s exact specifications. The wig is the real star; it has its

own handler on show days! When Anna Wintour’s daughter came to the show, she took about 20 photos of it backstage. PGN: What were the toughest elements of capturing Wintour? RR: The hardest part of playing Anna was humanizing her. When people think of her, they think of Miranda Priestly in “The Devil Wears Prada.” But Anna is a real person who cares very much about her job and doesn’t factor friendliness into her job description. She is never mean, but she is also never going to compliment you on your outfit or ask you out for coffee, either. PGN: What scene should shock the audience in regard to the fashion maven? RR: My Anna twerks. PGN: Have you heard from Cohen or Wintour about the shows? RR: I heard from both of them. Anna saw video of my show as her daughter filmed the performance on opening night, and she commented that I “didn’t get the fashion

right,” which could not have been a more perfect “Anna” thing to say. Andy sent me flowers on the opening night and said, “I finally have something in common with Anna Wintour!” He was very, very nice. PGN: As this is PGN we must ask: Are you in a relationship? RR: Nope. Totally single, boys. Say hi after the show.

“A NIGHT OF LAUGHTER THAT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES.” – BROADWAYWORLD.COM

PGN: How did you get hooked up with the Kimmel Center to make certain that a BYOB program is allowed? RR: My shows are performed in New York CIty at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater and they have a great relationship with the Kimmel Center. The BYOB aspect of this performance should make it interesting. I kind of have to stay sober for the show, unfortunately, but I hope the audience has a blast. PGN: What’s the one thing you like to do before going on stage? RR: I work out before every show to get my blood pumping. It’s 85 minutes of non-stop singing, dancing and talking. It takes a lot out of me and I love it. You’ve never seen Anna Wintour until you see her dry hump a piano, I assure you.

Live on Stage

PGN: Who might you lampoon next? RR: I’m working on the final show in my “Titans of Media Trilogy.” I will debut “The Rise and Fall (and Rise) of Martha Stewart” in New York City this summer. Why her? It’s the prison musical numbers. n “Ryan Raftery is the Most Powerful Woman in Fashion: The Anna Wintour Musical” runs 8 p.m. Feb. 9-11 at SEI Innovation Studio at the Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, visit www.kimmelcenter. org.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 3-9, 2017

PORTRAIT from page 23

PGN: Uneventful? COW: I wouldn’t say that completely because when I sat down to talk to my mom I cried, of course, because that’s who I am. I don’t know why, because I wasn’t expecting her to be anything but accepting, but it still was a big moment for me. I remember my heart pounding and it was powerful nonetheless. PGN: When and where did you meet your husband John? COW: We met in 2006 in New York while we were both in grad school. I was at Ithaca and he was going to Cornell. PGN: What was it about him that first caught your fancy? COW: The first thing I remember was that he asked me a lot of questions about musical theater. And when we went on our first date he was probably the smartest person I’d ever spoken to and that just knocked me over. PGN: How long were you together before you got married? COW: We got engaged a year after we met. I proposed and then we got married 10 years later. PGN: Who popped the question? COW: I did. Apparently John had been dropping a lot of hints that went right over my head. When I finally caught on, I put a ring in his glass of champagne and asked him to marry him. He said yes. PGN: Let’s talk about your alter ego, Cookie! COW: Yes! Cookie Diorio, the Queen of Gospel. She was created as a part of the theater company I created here in Philadelphia as a way to host an informal classical music salon-type experience. She was initially Cookie Darling and then she had a name change to Cookie Diorio. PGN: And how did Cookie fit into your life? COW: I’d always been in awe of the art of drag and drag queens and always been fascinated with make-up and fancy costumes. I started doing drag when I was in my

early 20s in Boston under several other names that didn’t stick. So drag is something that I always loved and wanted to do. Cookie is the first time that I combined two of my loves — drag and classical music — together in the same space. Suddenly everything made complete sense to me. PGN: And what is she like? COW: She’s a very sophisticated lady. She likes opera and gospel but she’s not afraid to step into the dangerous areas of life like jazz and blues and pop. She aspires to be an actor. She likes fancy gowns and lots of sequins and plenty of champagne. PGN: And she’s a tall drink of bubbly … COW: Yes she is. With heels and hair she’s about 7-feet tall! PGN: Tell me about the show. COW: “Fire In My Bones: A Gospel Jubilee” is a program inspired by the tradition of Southern gospel music, specifically Mahalia Jackson. She’s my favorite singer of all time and I’ve always wanted to sing the music that she did so I transcribed a number of her pieces for the program. They’re sacred songs about hope and love and community and light. PGN: Something truly needed right now. COW: Yes, it’s a very inspirational program. These are the songs that I listen to when I need to get out of a rut and tap into some happiness. I love sharing them with people. PGN: And I understand that you’re sharing the proceeds as well. COW: Yes, the concert is a benefit and a portion of the proceeds will go to The Attic Youth Center. PGN: What hobbies do you have outside of the music world? COW: I’m very boring, I don’t think I have any. PGN: I don’t buy that! COW: Well, I used to consider drag a hobby but now it’s more. I love watching movies and playing games. Oh, and I love camping.

PGN

PGN: There you go. What’s the most adventurous thing that’s happened when camping? Been chased by a bear? COW: No, but we were surrounded by wolves. We were in Indiana (I think) at a giant park and it was at the end of the season so there was no one there. In fact it was just John, myself and a park ranger. So we pretty much had the entire state forest to ourselves. We set up our camp, nightfall came and we started a fire and we began to hear what sounded like dogs all around us. The sounds were coming from all sides so I just kept telling myself, It’s just some neighbor’s dogs howling and barking at some animals. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. But I knew they were wolves. PGN: Your favorite brush with fame? COW: My senior year of undergrad, the famous African-American opera singer Barbara Conrad played Marcellina in “Marriage of Figaro” and I got to be in the chorus. That was exciting. PGN: What was your favorite childhood toy? COW: My very first bike was a very, very small bike with training wheels and a Spiderman emblem on the side with these big tires that never went flat. I still have it! I made my mom keep it all these years. PGN: Who should play you in your life story? COW: Jaden Smith. PGN: Something on your bucket list? COW: To travel to Europe. PGN: Ha. I’ll start stocking up the Valium. If heaven exists, what do you want to hear when you arrive at the pearly gates? COW: Mahalia Jackson singing to welcome me. n “Fire In My Bones” is 6 p.m. Feb. 25 at Unitarian Society of Germantown, 6511 Lincoln Drive. For more information or tickets, visit www.cookiediorio.com. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.

Q Puzzle You Can Look It Up Across

1. Elton John Broadway musical 5. Husband and husband, for example 10. Supporters of drag queens 14. “Nuts!” 15. Not potent 16. “Lesbians ignite!” e.g. 17. Pantyhose woe 18. One you go down on 19. Room for Frida 20. Not solely male or female 23. “Peter Pan” penner 25. Like Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” 28. Org. for Evan Wolfson’s peers 29. Beatnik’s abode 31. Castro Street, on BART 32. Game with “Reverse” cards 33. Tic ___ (sometimes fruit candy) 34. Sounds like three men in a tub 36. Hoopla 37. Good buddy on a radio 39. Placed in position

40. Wet spot cause 41. Women live together here 43. “Science Guy” of PBS 44. Parts of floats 45. Sexual identity at birth 48. Smackers that you take home 51. Most like twisted humor 55. With 57-Across, dictionary that recently added the two LGBTQ terms in this puzzle 57. See 55-Across 58. Acted like 59. Olympic award for Jenner 61. Kind of ranch 62. Jerry Herman musical 63. Sexual favors obtained on-line? 64. Every 24 hours 65. Aspen vehicle 66. Chicken hawk pads 67. Hungers

Down

1. Certain plugs 2. McKellen of “The Da Vince Code” 3. Crossdresser on a track? 4. Kenneth of “Lucifer Rising” 5. Deck problems 6. Date opening? 7. Tin

Woodsman’s rust source 8. La Salle of “ER” 9. Walked in a cocky way 10. How sailors come 11. Condom for anal sex? 12. The whole shebang 13. Hearst’s kidnappers (abbr.) 21. They may show through a wet T-shirt 22. The Gay ‘90s, and more 23. Cookies unit 24. Addis ___, Ethiopia 26. Urvashi Vaid’s birthplace 27. Fowl places 30. Having sex, with “it” 31. Martin of “The West Wing” 35. Lid problem 38. Emulated

Elton John 40. Frequent Rock Hudson costar 42. Rogers of “Common Ground” 44. Belgrade native 46. Sailors that sound like their discharge? 47. What a liver does 48. Mosque heads 49. Everest is on its border 50. Doughnut filler 52. Piece for Liberace 53. Hardtop 54. They beat queens when they’re wild 56. Pass out 57. Hold one’s horses 60. Article of Marlene Dietrich

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 3-9, 2017

locations in Philadelphia GAYBORHOOD BUSINESSES 12th Street Gym, 204 S. 12th St. • 2101 Condos, 118 S. 21st St. • AACO, 1101 Market St., 9th floor • Action AIDS, 1216 Arch St. • Apt. & Townhouse Rentals, 304 S. 12th St. • The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. • Bioscript Pharmacy, 1227 Locust St. • Boxers PHL, 1330 Walnut St. • Charlie Salon, 203 S. 12th St. • Charlie was a Sinner, 131 S. 13th St. • Chocolate Works lobby, 321 N. 3rd St. • City Hall NE Entrance • Club Body Center, 1220 Chancellor St. • Com-Har Living Room, 101 S. Broad St., 14th floor • Condo Shop, 1415 Locust St. • Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. • Cut Salon, 204 S. 13th St. • Danny’s Bookstore 133 S. 13th St. • DBHIDS, 1101 Market St. • Dignity/St. Lukes, 330 S. 13th St. • Dirty Frank’s Bar, 13th & Pine sts. • The Foodery, 10th & Pine sts. • ICandy, 254 S. 12th St. • John C. Anderson Apts., 249 S. 13th St. • Mazzoni Clinic, 809 Locust St. • More Than Just Ice Cream, 1119 Locust St. • Optimal Gym, 1315 Walnut St. • Paolo Pizzeria, 1336 Pine St. • PAT@Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. • Phila. FIGHT/Aids Library, 1233 Locust St., 2nd floor • Planned Parenthood, 1144 Locust St. • Reading Terminal Market, 12th & Filbert sts. • Salon K, 1216 Locust St. • Scorpio Books, 205 S. Juniper St. • Spruce Street Video, 252 S. 12th St. • Square One, 249 S. 13th St. • Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. • Toast, 12th & Spruce sts. • Triangle Medicine, 253 S. 10th St., 1st floor • U Bar, 1220 Locust St. • Valanni, 1229 Spruce St. • William Way LGBT Community Center, 1325 Spruce St. • Woody’s, 202 S. 13th St. •

OTHER BUSINESSES EAST OF BROAD Bean Café, 615 South St. • Bethel Community Home, 933-935 S. Third St. • Best Western Independence Park Hotel lobby, 215 Chestnut St. • Black N Brew, 1523 E. Passyunk Ave. • Bodhi Coffee, 410 S. 2nd St. • Bridgeview Place, 315 New St. • Class Act Auto Repair, 2042 S. Bancroft St. • Community Behav. Health, 801 Market St. 7th floor • Copabanana, 342 South St. • Essene, 719 S. Fourth St. • Famous 4th St. Deli, Fourth & Bainbridge sts. • Fuel, 1917 E. Passyunk Ave. • Hopkinson House, 604 S. Washington Sq. • Hyatt Regency Hotel lobby, 201 S. Columbus Blvd. • Independence Place Condos, 241 S. Sixth St., lobby in both towers • Independence Visitors Center, 6th & Market sts. • Jackson Place, 501 Jackson St. • One Independence Place, 241 S. 6th St. mailroom • Paper Moon, 520 S. Fourth St. • Philly Bagels, 613 S. Third St. • PGN offices, 505 S. Fourth St. • Philadelphia Java Co., 518 S. Fourth St. • Philly PAWS, 100 N. Second St. • Reading Terminal Market, 12th & Filbert sts. • Rockerhead Salon, 607 S. Third St. • Ruff Life, 25 N. Third St. • Two Independence Place, 233 S. 6th St. • Tiffin Restaurant, 1100 Federal St. • Ultimo Coffee, 1900 S. 15th St. • Wedge Medical Center, 1939 S. Juniper St. • Wireworks, 301 Race St. •

Recently engaged or married? PGN wants to hear from you!

STREET CORNERS 2nd & Chestnut sts. • 2nd & Market sts. • 2nd & Poplar sts. • 2nd & Walnut sts. • 3rd & Chestnut sts. • 3rd & Market sts. • 3rd & South sts. • 3rd & Spruce sts. • 4th & Bainbridge sts. • 4th & Chestnut sts. • 4th St. bet. Arch & Market sts., by Holiday Inn • 5th & Chestnut sts. • 5th & Market sts. • 7th & Pine sts. • 8th & Market sts. • 8th & South sts. • 8th & Walnut sts. • 9th & Market sts. • 9th & Passyunk sts. • 9th & Pine sts. • 10th & Market sts. • 10th & Pine sts. • 10th & South sts. • 10th & Spruce sts.• 11th & Arch sts. • 11th & Locust sts. • 11th & Spruce sts. • 11th & Tasker sts. • 11th & Walnut sts. • 12th & Filbert sts. • 12th & Locust sts. • 12th & Manning sts. •12th & Market sts. •12th & Spruce sts. • 12th & Walnut sts. • 13th & Arch sts. • 13th & Chestnut sts. • 13th & Locust sts. • 13th & Pine sts. • 13th & Spruce sts. • 13th & Walnut sts. • 15th & JFK • 15th & Market sts. • 16th & Chestnut sts. • 16th St. & JFK Boulevard • 16th & Market sts. • 17th & Lombard sts. • 17th & Pine sts. • 17th & Spruce sts. • 18th St. & JFK Boulevard • 18th & Locust sts. • 18th & Market sts. • 18th & Walnut sts. • 19th & JFK • 19th & South sts. • 20th & Chestnut sts. • 20th & Locust sts. • 20th & Sansom sts. • 20th & Vine sts. • 20th & Walnut sts. • 22nd & Chestnut sts. • 22nd & Market sts. • 22nd & South sts. • 23rd & Market sts. • 23rd & South sts. • Broad & Cherry sts. • Broad & Chestnut sts. • Broad & Ellsworth sts. • Broad & Locust sts. • Broad & Lombard sts. • Broad & McKean sts. • Broad & Morris sts. • Broad & Race sts. • Broad & South sts. • Broad & Spruce sts. • Broad & Vine sts. • Broad & Walnut sts. • Main & Cotton sts. • Passyunk Ave & 10th & Reed sts. • Pine & Hicks sts. • South & Delhi sts. • Walnut & Dock sts., by Ritz Movies •

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With marriage equality still the law of the land our March 10 Wedding Issue will celebrate local couples who have, or are planning to, put a ring on it.

Email editor@epgn.com by March 3 to have your announcement included.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 3-9, 2017

Classifieds All real-estate advertising is subject to Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended. Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability). PGN will not knowingly accept any realestate advertising that is in violation of any applicable law.

PGN does not accept advertising that is unlawful, false, misleading, harmful, threatening, abusive, invasive of another’s privacy, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, hateful or racially or otherwise objectionable, including without limitation material of any kind or nature that encourages conduct that could constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any applicable local, state, provincial, national or international law or regulation, or encourage the use of controlled substances.

Real Estate Sale

Friends Men

VENTNOR, NJ House for sale in Ventnor NJ. 2 story 5 bedroom house, needs some repairs. Priced right. Call 215 468 9166. ________________________________________41-10 RENOVATED SOUTH PHILLY TOWNHOUSES FSBO 2 on Durfor St. off 3rd St., 1 at 4th and Wolf. $199,900 each. Plus Twin off Lancaster Ave in Haverford PA, $379.9K & $399.9K respectively, Call 215-849-4049. _____________________________________________41-07

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 live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. ________________________________________41-13 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________41-05 WM waiting on bended knee to orally service same. All calls answered but New Jersey preferred. Call Bill at 856-655-4013. ________________________________________41-04

For Sale SAWMILLS from only $4397.00 – MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill – Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N. ________________________________________41-05

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pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

Friends Men After your workout or just a special treat for yourself. Book an appointment for a masssge in a safe clean space located in Center City Phila. Swedish, erotic and deep tissue I will tailor the massage to your speciﬁc needs. Call 609-203-1156. ________________________________________41-05

Recently engaged or married? PGN wants to hear from you!

I’m Here For You! RANKED TOP 1% NATIONALLY by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach Realtors. The Menno Team

With marriage equality still the law of the land our March 10 Wedding Issue will celebrate local couples who have, or are planning to, put a ring on it.

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Direct

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Email editor@epgn.com by March 3 to have your announcement included.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 3-9, 2017

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PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 3-9, 2017

Valentine’s Day:

Love or Lust?

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WEEKLY SPECIALS:

TUESDAYS & SUNDAYS

F F A T S M THE

O R F S Y A D I L O H Y P

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Check out our website for our WEEKLY SPECIALS & JOIN OUR e-mail List to get the latest information on upcoming events....

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BIGGER, BETTER & MORE ENTERTAINING EVENTS...

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Men Delco Dudes

A men’s social and support group meets 7-9 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of the month at Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Road in Media; delco. dudes@uucdc.org. Gay Married Men’s Association

Meets 7-9 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; www.meetup.com/GAMMAGay-Married-Mens-SupportGroup-in-Philadelphia-PA. Men of All Colors Together

Meets 7:30 p.m. the third Friday of the month, September through June, at William Way; 610-2776595, www.MACTPhila.org. Men’s Coming Out Group, N.J.

Meets 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at The Pride Center of New Jersey; njwarrior@aol.com. Men of Color United

A discussion/support group for gay and bisexual men of color meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-496-0330.

Parents/Families Family & Community Service of Delaware County

Provides comprehensive care serving Delaware County and Philadelphia. Services include behavioral health and addiction counseling; HIV/AIDS medical case management/prevention; housing, food and transportation assistance. Offices in Media and Clifton Heights, the Ralph Moses House in Chester and in other community locations. Insurances accepted. Hours are 8:30 a.m.4 p.m. Monday-Friday, and evenings by appointment; 610566-7540 or www.fcsdc.org. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Bucks County

Meets 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at Penns Park United Methodist Church, 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park, and hird Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Warminster UCC, 785 Street Road; 215-348-9976. PFLAG/Chester County

Meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at the Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester, 501 S. High St.; 484-354-2448. PFLAG/Collingswood, N.J.

Meets 6:30-9 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month at Collingswood Public Library, 771 Haddon Ave.; 609-202-4622, pflagcollingswood@yahoo.com. PFLAG/Media

Meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month at the Unitarian Universal Church, 145 Rose Tree Rd.; 610-368-2021. PFLAG/Philadelphia

Meets 2-5 p.m. the third Sunday of the month at the LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 3907 Spruce St.; 215-572-1833. PFLAG/Princeton, N.J.

Meets 7:30 p.m. the second Monday of the month in the George Thomas Room at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St.; 609-6835155. PFLAG/Wilmington, Del.

Meets 7-9 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 W. 13th St.; 302654-2995.

Philadelphia Family Pride

Advocacy, support and social network for LGBT families offers play groups, monthly kids and teen talk groups, activities and outings. Planning meetings held monthly; 215-600-2864, info@phillyfamilypride.org, www.phillyfamilypride.org.

Trans

Evolutions

A drop-in support group for anyone on the transgender spectrum meets 6 p.m. Thursdays at 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652 ext. 235. Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine

Primary health care and specialized transgender services in a safe, professional, nonjudgmental environment, 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. T-MAN

People-of-color support group for transmen, FTMs, butches, studs, aggressives, bois, genderqueer and all female-born individuals with gender questions meets 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays, 1201 Locust St., second floor; 215632-3028, tmanphilly.com. Transhealth Information Project

Sponsors a weekly drop-in center from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; 215-851-1822. Transgender Health Action Coalition

Peer trans health-advocacy organization, 1201 Locust St., fourth floor; 215-732-1207. Young, Trans and Unified

Support group for transgender and questioning individuals ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center, 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, www. atticyouthcenter.org.

Women Hanging Out With Lesbians

A group in Central Pennsylvania that organizes concerts, camping, golf, picnics, hikes, plays and game nights in nonsmoking environments; http://groups. yahoo.com/group/howlofpa/. Lesbian Community of Delaware Valley

Social group meets monthly for activities for gay women of all ages in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties; http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/LCDV/. Lesbian Couples Dining Group of Montgomery County

Meets monthly; 215-542-2899. Mt. Airy Lesbian Social Club

For lesbians in the Philadelphia area ages 35-plus; www.meetup. com/mtairylesbiansocial/. Queer Connections

Social group for women in their 20s meets weekly; http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/ queerconnections/. Sisters United

A social/support group for transwomen of color ages 13-24, with weekly social events, open discusson and monthly movie/ discussions meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-496-0330. Women Coming-Out Support Group

Women, ages 18 and over, who consider themselves gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning and are at any stage of the coming-out process are welcome to meet

7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday and third Thursday of the month at the Pride Center of New Jersey; www.pridecenter.org.

Youth 40 Acres of Change

Discussion group for teen and young adults meets 6-8 p.m. Thursdays at The COLOURS Organization Inc., 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-851-1975. GLBT Group of Hunterdon County

Social and support groups for youth, teens and young adults, as well as parents and family members, meet at North County Branch Library, 65 Halstead St. in Clinton, N.J.; schedule at www. glbtofhunterdoncountyofnj.com, 908-300-1058.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 3-9, 2017

Community Bulletin Board Community centers

■ The Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 4-8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-Friday. ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St., 215-898-5044, center@dolphin. upenn.edu. Regular hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. MondayThursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

HAVEN

LGBT, intersex, questioning, queer and allied youth ages 14-20 meet 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley, 424 Center St., Bethlehem; 610-868-2153. HiTOPS

A safe-space support program for LGBT and questioning youth meets 2:30-4:30 p.m. the first and third Saturdays at 21 Wiggins St., Princeton, N.J.; 609-683-5155, hitops.org. Main Line Youth Alliance

Meets from 7-9:30 p.m. Fridays at 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; 610-688-1861, info@myaonline. org. Project Keeping it Safe

LGBT youth drop-in center offers meetings, HIV and STD prevention and testing, counseling and other services on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; 856-963-2432, camden-ahec.org/.

■ ActionAIDS: 215-981-0088

Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center

Youth ages 14-21 meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks. org. Social X Change

Social activity group for LGBT youth of color ages 13-23 meets 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays at 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-8511975. Space to be Proud, Open, and Together

Open to all LGBTQ queer youth and allies, ages 14-21, the SPOT meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays at Planned Parenthood of Chester County, 8 S. Wayne St.; 267-6876648.

■ Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. Activities held 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays.

■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220, www.waygay.org. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday Library: noon-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Volunteers: New Orientation, first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

Key numbers

■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: 215-587-9377

■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org

■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: 856-933-9500 ext. 221

■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 n The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 215-496-0330

PRYSM Youth Center

Youth ages 14-20 meet 6:30-8:30 p.m Wednesdays at the center, 126 East Baltimore Pike, Media; 610357-9948.

■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK ■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBT-LAW; Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658 ■ Office of LGBT Affairs — Director Nellie Fitzpatrick: 215-6860330; helen.fitzpatrick@phila.gov

■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel: 215-6863318 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-760-3686 (Rick Lombardo); ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833 ■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: 215-686-4670

Health

Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 216 W. Somerset St.; 215-763-8870. ActionAIDS Provides a range of programs for people affected by HIV/ AIDS, including case management, prevention, testing and education services at 1216 Arch St.; 215-981-0088, www. actionaids.org. GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; 215-851-1822 or 866-222-3871, www.galaei.org. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays (walk-in) and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays (by appointment) at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215685-1821. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite

108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Mazzoni Center LGBTQ counseling and behavioral health services, HIV/ AIDS care and services, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652, www. mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronic-disease management, including comprehensive HIV care, as well as youth drop-in (ages 14-24) 5-7p.m. Wednesdays; 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Philadelphia FIGHT Comprehensive AIDS service organization providing primary care, consumer education, advocacy and research on potential treatments and vaccines; 1233 Locust St.; 215985-4448; www.fight.org. Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center Free, rapid HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 pm. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

Young, Trans and Unified

A support group for transgender and questioning youth ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center; 215-545-4331, www.atticyouthcenter.org. You’re Not Alone

Sponsored by AIDS Delaware, the group for gay, lesbian and bisexual youth meets during the school year at 100 W. 10th St., Suite 315, Wilmington, Del; 800-810-6776. Youth Making a Difference

A group for LGBTQ AfricanAmerican and Latino youth ages 14-24 meets 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St.; 856-963-2432.

■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia Board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; free referral service at 215-6279090, www.galloplaw.org. ■ Independence Business Alliance Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, providing networking, business development, marketing, educational and advocacy opportunities for LGBT and LGBT-friendly busi-

Professional groups nesses and professionals; 215557-0190, www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com. ■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and students, meets for social and networking events; www.nlgja.org/ philly; philly@nlgja.org.

■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus Regional organization dedicated to promoting LGBT tourism to the Greater Philadelphia region, meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; 215-8402039, www.philadelphiagaytourism.com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 3-9, 2017

PGN

PHILLY FAVORITES HUGH AND DAVID ARE BACK! BLOCKBUSTER

broad way

with David Charles Abell FEBRUARY

24-26

Verizon Hall | Kimmel Center

David Charles Abell — the internationally celebrated conductor who has wowed POPS audiences during Christmas Spectacular for the past three seasons — brings the best of modern Broadway to Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts! Join us as we perform the showstoppers we all know and love from Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom, as well as Hairspray, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, and Wicked.

David Charles Abell, guest conductor featuring

Alli Mauzey, vocalist Rachel York, vocalist Hugh Panaro, vocalist The Philly POPS Festival Chorus

Tickets: 215.893.1999 or PHILLYPOPS.ORG