Philadelphia Gay News Feb. 5 - 11, 2010
Vol. 34 No. 6
Honesty Integrity Professionalism
Weiss pleads not guilty
READING TO REBUILD: New York Times best-selling author Christopher Rice, the openly gay son of author Anne Rice, entertained about 35 local fans at a fundraiser for LGBT bookstore Giovanni’s Room Jan. 30 at The Plastic Club. Rice signed books — and a poster — and read excerpts from his new book, “The Moonlit Earth,” for nearly an hour, and Giovanni’s Room owner Ed Hermance remarked, “Not a person moved while he was talking, they just loved it.” The event raised about $1,300 that the store will put toward last fall’s $50,000 repair of one of its exterior walls. Photo: Scott A. Drake
‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ gets key Senate hearing By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Top military officials this week came out against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” during a Senate committee hearing and unveiled their plan to change the policy. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen both testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee Feb. 2 that the Pentagon was taking the initial steps to roll back the policy that has banned open gays from the military since 1993. Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick
Murphy (D-8th Dist.), who is spearheading the bill to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” called the officials’ testimony “the beginning of the end” of the ban. Gates testified that he “fully support[s]” President Obama’s position that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” must be repealed and said “the question is not whether the military prepares to make this change, but how we best prepare for it.” In his State of the Union address last week, Obama said he would work with Congress and the military to repeal the ban this year. See GATES, Page 7
Local gay business owner Michael Weiss, indicted last month on charges of tax fraud in connection with his involvement with Spring Garden Street locale Palmer Social Club, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment this week and was released on bail. Weiss, also the owner of Woody’s and the president of the board of Voyeur, came before Judge Elizabeth Hey Feb. 3 and pleaded not guilty to corrupt endeavor to impede the due administration of the tax code and two counts of aiding and abetting the preparation and filing of false tax returns. Weiss’ attorney, Tom Bergstrom, pleaded not guilty on behalf of Palmer Social Club to the two counts of filing false tax returns facing the venue. Bergstrom told the judge he’d been authorized to enter the plea by Barnett Weiss, Michael’s father and Palmer Social Club’s president and director. Hey approved the bail agreement negotiated by Bergstrom and prosecutors, in which Weiss was released on $250,000 — 10 percent of which he had to pay. The agreement stipulated that Weiss
Witness testimony in the first federal marriage-equality trial came to a close late last month, and attorneys are expected return in about a month to deliver their closing arguments in the landmark case. U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker heard 12 days of testimony from advocates and opponents of same-sex marriage in the suit that seeks to repeal California’s Proposition 8, a 2008 voter referendum that overturned the state’s marriage-equality law.
Walker asked attorneys for both sides to submit briefs on their cases by Feb. 26 and said he will reconvene court at some point after that to hear closing statements before delivering his ruling. The plaintiffs, two same-sex couples who tried unsuccessfully to obtain marriage licenses after the passage of Prop. 8, were represented by attorneys David Boies and Theodore Olson, who called 16 witnesses to the stand in their 10 days with the case, including marriage and civil-rights experts, psychologists, the Republican mayor of San Diego and the four individuals who filed the
— Jen Colletta
City asks for ‘substantial’ Scouts bond By Timothy Cwiek PGN Writer-at-Large
THERE SHE IS, MISS MICHELLE DUPREE (LEFT), MISS’D AMERICA 2010. Photo: Scott A. Drake
More photos
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Testimony in Prop. 8 trial wraps up By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer
is not permitted to leave the country and had to surrender his passport. He is only allowed to travel in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Southern District of California. Weiss will be assigned a Pre-Trial Services officer, to whom he will have to report if he plans to travel to California. Weiss is also not permitted to purchase any firearms, and Hey cautioned that any violation of city, state or federal law will result in a breach of his bail agreement. Attorneys will have 14 days to file pretrial motions, after which a trial will be scheduled. Hey advised Weiss that if he does not report for trial, his bail would be forfeited and he will face additional charges. The U.S. Attorney’s Office released the grand-jury indictment Jan. 26, charging that Palmer Social Club underreported its earnings on tax filings by more than $1.6 million between 2004-05, an effort the indictment states Weiss assisted and authorized. ■
suit. Boies and Olson were tasked with demonstrating that the passage of Prop. 8 was a violation of the equal-protection and due-process guarantees under the U.S. Constitution. Throughout the plaintiffs’ witness testimony and the cross-examination of the defense’s witnesses, the pair attempted to illustrate that Prop. 8 was propelled by a deep-seated bias against LGBT individuals rather than a compelling governmental interest. See PROP. 8, Page 15
City officials want the local Boy Scouts to post a “substantial” bond to protect the city’s financial interests while litigation to evict them continues in federal court. The city’s Jan. 22 motion, made to U.S. District Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter, notes that the Scouts haven’t paid any rent on a city-owned building since June 2008, after City Council, the mayor and the Fairmount Park Commission ordered them to begin paying fair-market rent or comply with the city’s antidiscrimination policy. To date, the Scouts are in rental arrears of about $300,000, and that figure could reach $1 million before all appeals are concluded in the matter, according to court documents. A substantial bond would be instrumental in securing past-due rent from the Scouts if the city ultimately succeeds in evicting them from 231-251 N. 22nd St. “The risk of financial harm to the city is inarguable,” the city’s motion states. “There can be no disagreement that the fair-market See SCOUTS, Page 15
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Defense Secretary Robert Gates (left) and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen testify for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Creep of the Week Rob Schenck says repealing the ban on openly gay servicemembers is a sinister part of the homosexual agenda.
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FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Regional
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News Briefing Sentencing delayed for former COLOURS exec A federal judge last week postponed the sentencing hearing for a woman accused of embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from a local LGBT organization. Dorena Kearney, former executive director of The COLOURS Organization Inc., was set to be sentenced Jan. 28 but, after a short consultation with Kearney’s attorney and the prosecutor prior to the hearing, U.S. District Judge Anita Brody agreed to continue the proceeding until Feb. 23. Kearney was indicted last spring after a joint investigation by the FBI and the city Inspector General, charged with stealing nearly $140,000 between 2004-07 from COLOURS, which serves the local LGBT community of color. Kearney allegedly used the funds for vacations, plastic surgery, dog grooming and other personal expenses. She pleaded guilty to the charges in June and could face up to 18 months in prison.
LGBTs of faith meet In recognition of National Freedom to Marry Day, the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St., will sponsor its second-annual Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Feb. 12, to mobilize the local community in the fight for marriage equality. The Rev. Chris Glaser, out author and minister from Georgia, will serve as the keynote speaker for the event, which is being organized by the center’s Out and Faithful Program. Single tickets are $30 or $200 for tables of eight. Tickets can be purchased at www.waygay.org or by calling (215) 732-2220.
Chorus hosts bachelor fundraiser
NO LONGER MISS’D: The Miss’d America Pageant returned to Atlantic City last weekend after a several-year hiatus but didn’t miss a beat, as nearly 1,200 people filled Boardwalk Hall for the campy competition. The pageant, a parody of the Miss America Pageant that used to be held in Atlantic City, featured seven drag contestants who participated in a string of musical performances and strutted their stuff on stage for evening wear and talent competitions. Host Carson Kressley of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” fame kept the audience in hysterics, with help from writer/director/producer Robert “Sandy Beach” Hitchen. At the end of the night, Miss Michelle Dupree’s Marilyn Monroe persona and scat performance earned her the title of Miss’d America 2010, with Miss Vanessa Sterling and Miss Dee LaMour coming in as first- and second-runners-up, respectively. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Greater Atlantic City GLBT Alliance, The Schultz-Hill Scholarship Fund, South Jersey AIDS Alliance, the William Way LGBT Community Center and Broadway Cares-Equity Fights AIDS of New York City. Photos: Scott A. Drake
The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus will host its seventh-annual Hearts Afire bachelor auction Feb. 12 at Voyeur, 1221 St. James St., to raise funds for the community and get local singles into the Valentine’s Day spirit. Audience members can bid on dates with the chorus’ hottest bachelors, who will escort the winners to dinner. If you’ve already found your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day, the night will offer a karaoke contest, music by DJ Michael DeCero and drink specials from 9-11 p.m. The party will run until 1 a.m. See NEWS BRIEFING, Page 12
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Marriage activists stage weeks of events in Pa. By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer In the days leading up to Valentine’s Day, love will be in the air in Pennsylvania’s capital, as LGBT and ally communities come together for a host of events meant to raise awareness about the need for marriage equality for same-sex couples. In what is now a six-year tradition, Pennsylvania will honor National Freedom to Marry Day on Feb. 12 with a series of visibility-building activities, which this year have grown in both number and size. Bolton Winpenny, one of the organizers of the Freedom to Marry Week festivities, said that this year the coalition of sponsors — which includes the Pennsylvania Diversity Network, the LGBT Center Coalition of Central Pennsylvania and the Interfaith Alliance of Pennsylvania — wanted to expand the number of events to provide increased awareness to the issues surrounding marriage equality. In addition to the annual marriage-equality rally in Harrisburg, this year’s Freedom to Marry activities will stretch for nearly three weeks, with last weekend’s Pennsylvania Progressive Summit, which hosted a marriageequality panel discussion, serving
as the first event. The activities will resume at 9 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center with a cocktail social and drag show, which Winpenny said will, in part, seek to reach out to those in the heterosexual community who aren’t yet active in the fight for marriage equality. “There are a lot of people who fight tooth and nail to remove our rights and then those who fight just as hard to gain the rights, but there are a lot of people who are in the middle who just don’t understand the issue,” he said. “We want to bring people into this new arts center who aren’t usually participants in the LGBT community for a night of fun and entertainment and also make sure they are educated about marriage equality.” The LGBT community will also garner integral visibility next week by way of a photo exhibit of nearly 400 same-sex couples that will spend a week in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg. The award-winning photo project, created by Pennsylvania Diversity Network executive director Liz Bradbury, will be on display from Feb. 7-14. “It’s difficult to look someone in their face and tell them that they’re less of a person and they shouldn’t get their civil rights,” Winpenny said. “This project
puts faces to the issue, and when legislators walk in and out of the Rotunda, they can see the actual faces of those couples who are being discriminated against.” Lawmakers will meet members of the LGBT community in person during a lobbying day Feb. 8. Organizers are encouraging LGBTs and allies to press their elected officials on current state-level legislation to legalize same-sex marriage — as well as the effort to ban marriage equality in the state constitution — in addition to the measures that seek to ban LGBT discrimination and expand hate-crimes protections to include the LGBT community. “We want people to come faceto-face with their lawmakers and let them know that they’re there in their districts and they’re concerned and they vote,” Winpenny said. “But we also want the reverse to happen: We want LGBT people to feel the pain of telling their stories of discrimination so that they can be energized to continue this fight.” Following the legislative meetings, activists will gather for a press conference with Pennsylvania Sen. Daylin Leach (D-17th Dist.), who is spearheading the effort to legalize same-sex marriage in the Keystone State, and then will set off on the annual marriage-equality march and rally throughout the
streets of Harrisburg. At 7:30 that night, Leach will discuss marriage equality with Maggie Gallagher, president of antigay National Organization for Marriage, at the Cooper Student Center at Harrisburg Area Community College in a debate sponsored by HACC Allies and HACC’s Center for Global Education. “I’ve heard Daylin in debates before and he just puts people who are opposed to marriage equality to shame,” Winpenny said. “Maggie is pretty much one of the loudest voices for homosexual oppression, so I just don’t know what she’s going to say, but Daylin is someone who really understands the issues and is articulate and energetic and he knows how to debate.” Same-sex couples will let their own voices be heard during two organized initiatives Feb. 12, in which couples will apply for marriage licenses at courthouses in Allentown and Pottsville. “In small towns like Pottsville, people think that there aren’t any gay people, so this action will document that these couples are here and that they’re trying and being denied their civil rights,” Winpenny said. Throughout the week there will also be a series of faith-based events, such as interfaith-mar-
riage-equality celebrations at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 118 State St. in Harrisburg, and 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley, 930 N. Fourth St. in Allentown, and the blessing of same-sex couples at 11 a.m. Feb. 14 at the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, 1508 Market St. The Interfaith Alliance of Pennsylvania will host a group of faith leaders and same-sex couples, as well as Bradury, a representative of Leach’s office and American Civil Liberties Union attorney Mary Catherine Roper for a marriage-equality panel discussion at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Jewish Community Center, 3300 N. Front St. in Harrisburg. Philadelphia will also host its own marriage-equality event later this month, with The City of Equal Love social from 4-7 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Piazza at Schmidt’s in Northern Liberties. The event will feature live bands, a marriage-equality vigil, a multimedia display on the piazza’s outdoor screen and restaurant specials. For a complete rundown of Freedom to Marry Week events, visit www.freedomtomarrypa.org. ■
Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Student bullying bill introduced in Congress By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Out Congressman Jared Polis (D-Colo.) introduced a bill last week that seeks to protect LGBT students from antigay harassment, the first federal measure of its kind. Polis submitted the Student NonDiscrimination Act Jan. 27 with 60 cosponsors, including Pennsylvania Reps. Bob Brady (D-1st Dist.) and Mike Doyle (D14th Dist.). The federal bill would ban discrimination against students in public schools based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Polis noted in a statement last week that, while students who face discrimination because of their race or other characteristics often have legal recourse, those targeted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity have few options. “Like Title VI for minorities in the ’60s and Title IX for women in the ’70s, my legislation puts LGBT students on an equal footing with their peers, so they can attend school and get a quality education, free from fear,” he said. In addition to prohibiting discrimination against students because of their orientation or identity, the legislation would also ban harassment of students who associate themselves with the targeted youth. According to the bill, schools that refuse to comply could lose their federal funding. A survey of Pennsylvania students released last year by the Gay, Lesbian and
GATES From Page 1 Mullen, who took a more personal angle in his testimony, called repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” the “right thing to do.” “No matter how I look at this issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens,” Mullen testified. “For me personally it comes down to integrity — theirs as individuals, and ours as an institution.” Gates said the Pentagon will launch a one-year analysis of how best to change the law and, in the meantime, will implement a 45-day review of how the military can enforce “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in a “more humane and fair manner.” Pennsylvania Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7th Dist.), a cosponsor of Murphy’s bill, disagreed with Gates’ plan. “It’s not time to study ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell;’ it’s time to end
Straight Education Network found that about 88 percent of the youth included had been verbally harassed because of their sexual orientation, and 52 percent reported the bullying turned physical. A study published last week by researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital found that LGBT youth are two to three times more likely than their heterosexual counterparts to face bullying. “Every day, innocent students fall victim to relentless harassment and discrimination from teachers, staff and fellow students based on their sexual orientation,” Polis said. “These actions not only hurt our students and our schools but, left unchecked, can also lead to life-threatening violence.” Carrie Jacobs, executive director of The Attic Youth Center, said center’s young visitors often share stories of the bullying they face in the classroom. “Schools have consistently been hostile environments for youth,” Jacobs said. “Kids receive the brunt of the ignorance and negative attitudes of both adults and young people within their schools, and while some schools have made progress, this harassment is still prevalent and its effects are far-reaching. Kids will reflect back on it and remember with a great deal of pain how they were bullied, tortured or abused in school because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.” Currently, 14 states and Washington, D.C., have laws prohibiting bullying based on sexual orientation, and 10 of those jurisdictions also offer gender-identity protections.
it, and we should do so immediately,” Sestak said. Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, concurred that a full year is not needed to analyze the lifting of the law. “We think a one-year study is far too long and unnecessary and this process must have finality,” Sarvis said, noting his agency would support “a reasonable implementation and transition period” if Murphy’s bill progressed through Congress this year. Regardless of the plan, Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese said the public support from Gates and Mullen signifies that the law is nearing extinction. “When the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense, who served under President Bush, direct the military to mitigate the pace of discharges while moving toward implementation, we know that ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is on its way out,” Solmonese said. During the hearing, however, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)
Pennsylvania currently does not have an anti-bullying law, but Equality Advocates Pennsylvania announced last month that such legislation will be introduced in the state legislature this spring and will be inclusive of LGBT students. SNDA, which was referred to the Education and Labor Committee, has received the endorsement of a variety of LGBT-rights groups, as well as mainstream organizations like the National Association of School Psychologists, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the National Women’s Law Center and the School Social Work Association of America. Jacobs noted that when The Attic was getting off the ground in the mid 1990s, thenSpeaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich was championing an effort to withhold federal funds from schools that “promote homosexuality.” She said SNDA represents the progress the country has made in terms of LGBT youth, but added that continued education on the issue is necessary regardless of the bill’s passage. “This is definitely an important step in moving forward and it’s long overdue. When you do things like this, enforcement will be an issue, but even greater than that is continually working on changing attitudes,” Jacobs said. “It’s a great thing that needs to happen, but many of these issues will take a lot of time to work through. But I’m encouraged, and hopefully in time this will make a difference for these kids.” ■
called Gates’ testimony “clearly biased” and noted Congress, not the Pentagon, will have the ultimate say on the law, which Gates acknowledged. “We obviously recognize that this is up to Congress and my view is, frankly, it is criti- DEFENSE SECRETARY ROBERT GATES (LEFT) AND JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN cal that this matADM. MICHAEL MULLEN AT TUESDAY’S ter be settled by a SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE vote of Congress,” HEARING ON “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL.” Gates said. AP Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta Murphy took charges. over the Military “If we are to study the process, Readiness Enhancement Act this past summer after former our military and troops cannot lead sponsor Ellen Tauscher (D- be left in limbo,” Sestak said. Calif.) left Congress. So far, the “President Obama should sign bill has 187 cosponsors, topping an executive order — relying the previous cosponsor list by on the same ‘stop-loss’ authority nearly 40 signatures. The legis- used to extend tours of duty — to lation has yet to be introduced in halt dismissals under this policy. In a time of war, we cannot lose the Senate. After the hearing, Sestak urged any more troops that we depend his fellow lawmakers to “move on to keep our country safe.” ■ quickly” on the bill and said that until it’s passed, Obama should Jen Colletta can be reached at take immediate action to halt dis- jen@epgn.com.
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Media Trail Md. bill would shun gay marriages USA Today reports a Baltimore County delegate is urging state lawmakers to prohibit Maryland from recognizing gay marriages authorized by other states or countries. Del. Emmett C. Burns Jr. told House Judiciary Committee members Jan. 28 that Maryland needs to act quickly because Washington, D.C.’s city council recently passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage; gay couples will be able to apply for marriage licenses in the district after the bill passes a 30-day review by Congress. The Maryland House committee previously rejected similar measures.
CBS rejects gay Super Bowl ad Fox News reports CBS has elected not to air an ad from a gay dating site during the Super Bowl. A network rep said that ManCrunch. com’s “Playing for the Same Team,” an ad featuring two men kissing, failed to meet CBS broadcasting standards. In CBS’ official rejection letter, the network also stated it had difficulty verifying the organization’s credit status. The commercial shows two men excitedly watching the game before their hands brush as they both reach into a bowl of chips. Seconds later, they are making out. Executives from the site argue that CBS’ decision has more to do with discrimination than it does with any credit-status issue, as they offered to pay a cash advance to finance the ad.
‘Precious,’ ‘Single Man’ get Oscar nods The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Oscar nominees on Feb. 2, with a best-picture nod for “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire.” The film’s out director, Lee Daniels, also received a best-director nomination. Colin Firth received a best-actor nomination for his gay role in “A Single Man,” and Penelope Cruz was nominated for best actress in a supporting role for “Nine” by out director Rob Marshall. “Precious” also took nominations for best actress for Gabourey Sidibe, best supporting actress for Mo’Nique, best adapted screenplay for Geoffrey Fletcher and best film editing. The Oscars will be presented March 7 at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre. ■ — Larry Nichols
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Pa. court makes landmark custody ruling By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The Pennsylvania Superior Court has overturned a 25-yearold legal precedent that presented gay parents with an added obstacle in child-custody cases. On Jan. 21, the court struck down the “special evidentiary presumption” instituted by a 1985 Supreme Court panel decision that placed a burden on proof on gay parents to demonstrate that their same-sex relationship wouldn’t harm their children. The original decision found that, while a parent’s homosexuality would not automatically preclude him or her from equal visitation or custody rights, that individual had to prove to the court that his or her household would not create an
adverse effect on the child; if the other parent was in a heterosexual relationship, he or she would benefit from “a presumption of regularity,” the court had said. Superior Court panels later utilized this precedent in two other custody cases. In last week’s decision, however, the court found that the original panel in the 1985 case, “Constant A. v. Paul C.A.,” “violated the basic precept that the sole focus of a child-custody proceeding should be on the best interests of the child — without either parent bearing the burden of proof.” The court opinion, written by Judge Christine Donohue, went on to state that the “Constant” ruling was based on “unsupported preconceptions and prejudices” about LGBT parents, such as the
presumed adverse effect such parents would have on their children, and that a heterosexual parenting structure is “superior” to a samesex household. “Such preconceptions and prejudices have no proper place in child-custody cases, where the decision should be based exclusively upon a determination of the best interests of the child given the evidence presented to the trial court,” Donohue wrote. The ruling overturned a Dauphin County trial court’s decision that gave a father primary custody of his daughter and the mother, who had been in a lesbian relationship, limited visitation rights. The parents, who were married in 1993, adopted a daughter in 2004; two years later, the mother admitted to her husband that she
had been in a relationship with a female friend since late 2004. The couple filed for divorce, with the mother seeking shared custody of their daughter and the father petitioning for primary custody. A social worker assigned to the case to evaluate possible custody agreements recommended a “3-22-3” schedule, in which the daughter would spent two or three days with each parent on an alternating basis. That plan was put in place for an 18-month transition period, but at the end of August 2008 — shortly before the transition was to end — a trial-court judge granted primary custody to the father and allowed the mother visitation every other weekend, on some holidays and for six weeks during the summer. In the trial-court opinion, the
judge said the mother failed to meet the burden of proof set forth in “Constant,” noting she offered no testimony as to how her samesex relationship, which had ended before August 2008, would affect her daughter. The court said it weighed the child’s best interests and “believe[d] those interests are better served by placing her in a traditional heterosexual environment.” Dan Clifford, openly gay managing partner of the Norristown office of law firm Weber Gallagher, said that over the past few decades, courts have gradually moved away from relying upon such evidentiary presumptions in their custody decisions. Although he noted that the “Constant” precedent was not often utilized, its presence on the books provided an acceptable outlet for discrimination against gay parents. “This removes a weapon that judges would have when it comes to this issue. It’s basically removing the shackles that gay parents had from the minute they walked through the courtroom doors,” Clifford said. He added that “Constant” placed gay parents on “unequal footing” and likened it to the “Tender Years Doctrine,” which presumed mothers should have primary custody of young children, ruled unconstitutional in 1977. In addition to disagreeing with the “Constant” precedent used by the trial-court judge, the Superior Court also said the court “abused its discretion” by relying on the judge’s own aversion to sharedcustody agreements, which the court said the judge followed without providing evidence for the benefits of primary custody. “I’m not going to expound at any great length on why I think primary physical custody is to be preferred,” the trial-court judge had written. “It’s based upon my many years on the bench, my own personal experience as a parent, a grandparent, a foster parent.” The Superior Court had the option to remand the case back to the trial court for further consideration, but Donohue noted in her opinion that the record had already been “sufficiently developed.” The Superior Court substituted its judgment for that of the trial court, awarding shared custody to both parents on a “3-2-2-3” schedule. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Philadelphian spearheads national LGBT attorney group By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The American Bar Association’s LGBT Litigator Committee launched nearly a year ago, and the national attorneys’ group is expecting continued growth and development as it gains prominence in both the LGBT and mainstream legal communities. Abbe Fletman, a shareholder at Philadelphia’s Flaster Greenberg, suggested the idea for what would be the first-ever ABA committee geared toward LGBT attorneys to her fellow members of the ABA’s Section of Litigation in 2008. “The Section has 75,000 members around the country but there was no group dealing with the legal issues of LGBT people or with the issues within the profession that LGBT lawyers face,” Fletman said. “So I got together with a number of other LGBT people within the Section leadership and also some straight people who were supportive of creating such a committee and we just put our plans into action.” In the past year, the committee took its important first organizational steps, electing co-chairs — Laura Brill from Los Angeles and David Tsai from San Francisco — and launching its Web site. The group hosted its first program at a recent Section leadership meeting, an event that featured a panel discussion with a Lambda Legal attorney and an LGBT reporter, who addressed the myriad LGBT legal advancements and setbacks over the past year. The committee will host its next program, a forum on LGBT adoption, this weekend during the
ABBE FLETMAN
ABA’s mid-year meeting. Fletman said that while the committee helps keep its members abreast of the legal issues impacting the LGBT community, it also provides a support system for LGBT attorneys and can help them to work toward implementation of LGBT-inclusive policies at their respective firms, an issue Brill addressed during the discussion at the leadership meeting. “Part of our mission is to promote policies that will enhance the full participation of LGBT people in the legal field,” Fletman said. “The committee certainly offers a great opportunity to network and even the potential for
referring one another business, but it also helps get people interested and energized in working not only on LGBT legal issues but also the very-important integration issues.” Fletman, who is the co-director of the ABA division that oversees the LGBT Litigator Committee, said the committee spent the past year cutting through all the red tape needed to set up the group, adding the ABA has been “extremely supportive” of the committee’s creation. This year the group, which now has several-dozen members from throughout the country, plans to create subcommittees and organize more programming for ABA events. Fletman said there are also plans to launch a joint newsletter with the National LGBT Bar Association and host a continuing-legal-education teleconference after the verdict in the federal suit in California that’s challenging Proposition 8. For more information on the committee and to learn how to join, visit www.abanet.org. ■
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
Editorial Budget ups and downs On Monday, the Obama administration released its 2011 budget, a $3.8-trillion, 192-page effort to move from “recession to recovery, and ultimately to prosperity,” according to the president. The administration also released 13 fact sheets summarizing information for specific groups. Among the fact sheet topics were job creation for urban areas, job creation for rural areas, clean energy, education, military families and “Expanding Opportunities for the LGBT Community.” In the LGBT fact sheet, the administration outlines five initiatives “to support the needs of the LGBT community,” including an 11-percent increase in funding for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division to help implement the 2009 Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The second initiative is support the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009, which provides benefits such as health and life insurance, vision and dental, worker’s compensation and survivor annuities for same-sex partners of federal employees. The fact sheet also stated the 2011 budget increased resources for the Ryan White CARE program, expanded HIV/AIDS medical services for populations disproportionately impacted by the disease and increased funding for those with HIV/AIDS and co-infections with tuberculosis, hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases. Two more specific programs that received funding are the five-year, $45-million “Act Against AIDS” campaign, a CDC effort to reduce HIV incidence with online, radio and transit ads, and $1.3 billion for the Census Bureau to “process, tabulate and release 2010 Census data,” which includes a special report on what “unedited data reveals about measuring same-sex marriages.” In 2000, the Census edited (re-coded) same-sex couples who reported they were married to someone of the same sex. The Obama administration has already taken criticism for some of the program cuts and President Obama’s proposal to freeze domestic spending for three years on some programs is getting mixed reviews. The budget includes 126 terminations, for a savings of $23 billion in 2011, with an additional 78 discretionary terminations and reductions for another $10 billion in savings. The cuts run the gamut, from cutting NASA’s Constellation Program to ending scholarships that haven’t received attention in years, from military defense spending to election reform grants. Some of the more interesting cuts: — C-17 Aircraft production, cost savings of $2.5 billion — Joint Strike Fighter Alternate engine, cost savings of $465 million — Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository, cost savings of $197 million — Greek and Croation broadcasts of Voice of America, cost savings of $3 million. ■
Correction In the article “Philly, national students debate marriage equality” [Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2009], PGN incorrectly identified the host of the Exchange program. Sayeh Hormozi, the program manager of the Pennsylvania Coalition for Representative Democracy at the National Constitution Center, hosted the event. PGN regrets the error.
Creep of the Week
D’Anne Witkowski
Rob Schenck From the reaction of the religious right to President Obama calling for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” you’d have thought he had issued a call for assless chaps and ball-gags instead of body armor for soldiers. Rob Schenck, president of Faith and Action, a Christian lobbying group, says repealing the ban on openly gay servicemembers is a sinister part of the homosexual agenda. “The question really is whether it is appropriate for the military to be used to validate a dubious sexual practice,” he wrote in a Jan. 31 blog post. “This is about validation of a lifestyle that has, as its defining feature, a sexual attraction and even a set of sexual acts.” By “sexual acts,” Schenck means anal sex. Guys like him are always talking about anal sex because to them, gays are nothing more. Schenck believes gays are hot to make the military into a uniformed gay Pride parade, as if only by allowing gay men and women to openly serve will homosexuality become sanctioned nationwide. And let’s be clear that by “openly serve,” I mean not forced by official military policy to pretend they’re straight. It does not mean fondle and have sexy time with everyone of
your same sex in your platoon. Schenck is missing an important part of the equation: the actual men and women serving this country who risk, every day, being “found out” and losing their careers. For Schenck, it’s a matter of religious freedom to discriminate. He says chaplains of every religion would flee rather than minister to homos. “You don’t have to have a Harvard degree ... to know there will be conflict between what these chaplains are charged to teach and preach, and the president’s proposed policy change,” Schenck writes. Last I checked, military chaplains weren’t “charged to teach and preach” about the evils of homosexuality. In fact, the mission statement of the U.S. Army Chaplaincy is to provide “religious support to America’s Army while assisting commanders in ensuring the right of free exercise of religion for all soldiers. In short, we nurture the living, care for the wounded and honor the fallen.” It doesn’t say “except for queers.” Another problem: showers. Antigay folks always seem to think of wet, naked bodies when the subject of gays in the military comes up. “Come on, let’s be grown-ups. There’s a reason the military doesn’t
have men and women showering together,” Schenck writes. “The fact is you don’t generally want people around you in a shower that are erotically stimulated by your naked body.” True. Much better to be surrounded by people who are repulsed by you. Pretty sure that’s in the grown-up version of the Bible. “Now, I may be betraying my naïve ignorance here about how gay people get excited,” he continues. “[But the] site [sic] of an attractive nude body probably does for gays what it does for straights. (Unless, of course, you are gifted with a disinterest in sex, period. That’s another matter.)” Um, yeah. What a gift. Think of all the cross-stitching and Sudoku you could get done. Complete disinterest in sex is, after all, what everyone strives for, gay or straight. No wonder Schenck sees being a homosexual as unbefitting a soldier. It’s strange that Schenck seems to trust men and women in uniform to fight wars, but doesn’t trust them to know the difference between a battalion and a bathhouse. Support our troops, indeed. ■ D’Anne Witkowski is a freelance writer and poet. (Believe it!)
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
Mark My Words
Street Talk
Mark Segal
Military brass and tiaras For those who were wondering when this president would deliver on his promise to lift “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” you got your answer: within the next year or, at the most, two years. And the big news here is that he did it with the military on board. This president asked Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen to testify before the Senate this week and say the policy was discriminatory. That is monumental. For all those who have been impatient, take note: A move like this takes time and political skill. This president, unlike President Clinton, seems to be on the right track and can hopefully deliver on this promise. ... On a lighter note, the Miss’d America Pageant took place Sunday in Atlantic City at Boardwalk Hall. It was one of the best-produced and fun LGBT or HIV/AIDS benefits in the entire Delaware Valley in a long time. They knew how to do it and they exceeded expectations. Lucky for me, they asked me to return as chief
judge, and I had a great seat at the head of the runway — the same runway that has been in storage since Miss America left that same hall five years ago. This is a loving spoof of the longtime Atlantic City tradition, which apparently should return to its home, as it lost its luster since it moved to Las Vegas. But all that luster returned Sunday night and shined brightly on Miss’d America. Sandy Beach (Robert Hitchen) was at the top of his game as director and writer of the special material as he’s done since the pageant’s inception: The show could not have been more politically incorrect — or hilarious. The pageant, lovingly produced by Rich Helfant and Melanie Rice, was a lavish event. TV personality Carson Kressley was almost upstaged by the very pageant he was hosting. (Almost.) The kicker is that the entire hospitality industry in Atlantic City supported this effort, from the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority to Boardwalk Hall and their unions, and particularly Harrah’s and Trump casinos. Atlantic City is gay friendly and open for our business: Miss’d America just might be the jewel in its crown. ■ Mark Segal is PGN publisher. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com.
Letters and Feedback In response to “PA courts to offer LGBT domestic-partner benefits,” Jan. 29-Feb.4:
In response to “Woody’s owner indicted for tax fraud,” Jan. 29Feb. 4:
This is a good thing generally; however, limiting this to same-sex couples is problematic and I would argue flies in the face of equality. I believe that domestic partnership is an important thing, and not as a consolation prize in place of real full-marriage rights, but rather as an alternative to marriage or perhaps even a precursor. I think the Supreme Court did everyone a disservice by limiting this to just same-sex couples. Not only does it continue to deny sections of people a good chance at healthcare coverage, but an argument could be made that this even makes those on the right — who believe that gay marriage shouldn’t happen — are strengthened by limited domestic partnership because it allows them to point to this “special alternative” created to “fix” the lack of marriage rights for gay couples.
[Mike Weiss’ attorney Tom] Bergstrom’s public profession that there is “no reason” to believe other properties are being investigated is spurious and strictly absurd. Perhaps this testimonial — along with the “hey, he’s not involved with clubs, he just handles the money” argument — can find a way into one of those garbage bags. All other properties assuredly should be investigated, promptly. In fact, the PA Liquor Control Enforcement has a definitive duty to investigate the remaining Weiss clubs for illegal activities.
— thecodger
— Madame D. Don’t they also own clubs in San Diego, Calif.? It’s amazing how people have not yet learned that the IRS does not screw around when they think you’ve cheated them out of money. Not sure which is worse, the IRS or a pissed-off wife. Both can make
PAGE 11
Is President Obama’s approach to ending ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ effective?
Emilie Fagin nurse Washington Square West
Michael Grove server/bartender Washington Square West
“I’m glad he felt it important enough to include in his State of the Union speech, but he shouldn’t stop there. At the very least, Obama should be going to military bases and talking about [ending] the policy. That’s his job, and he should be fulfilling his duties.”
“I think his heart is in the right place. He’s very sincere in his approach. But he could be doing more tangible things, like issuing an executive order. There’s definitely more work to be done.”
Melonee Reed student West Philadelphia
Avvionce Wright student West Philadelphia
“No. Gay and lesbian students attend my school. They’re my friends. And they deserve equal treatment in the military. President Obama needs to meet with military leaders to change the policy. If they don’t agree, he should cut off their funding.”
“No, he’s not doing enough. He must make people aware that times are changing, and we have a diverse population. Whenever President Obama talks about civil rights, he should include [‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’] in his remarks.”
life a living hell for a very long time. Maybe the “old” Woody’s will be reborn and it will be a decent place with decent drinks, decent staff, decent prices and, oh yeah, decent music! — Tsk-tsk I knew Mike had the police department in his pocket with a huge conflict of interest serving on both the LGBT Police Advisory Commission and the LGBT Police Liaison Committee. He was there “protecting” his business interests, not LGBT citizens. Truth prevails, and it’s also sad so many executive directors of LGBT or HIV/AIDS service organizations are greedy and caught with their hands in the pot. PLOPWA: People Living Off People with AIDS and PLOQP: People Living Off Queer People. — Queer Questioning All these people are corrupt. That’s why I won’t donate to any of them. — Josh P
EWS
PAGE 15
PAGE 12
By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer
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who have two sons, 7 and 9, got involved in PFP in 2000 when they were prospective parents. “ We s t a r t e d d o i n g s o m e research as to what the parent community was like in Philadelphia, and we came across Philadelphia Family Pride and it was terrific,” Berman said. “We went to the Halloween party in 2000 and weren’t sure at that point what path to take to parenthood, but we talked to so many people there and met one family who put us in touch with the adoption agency that we eventually used.” Berman said his sons have enjoyed not only the fun atmosphere fostered at PFP events but also being surrounded by other LGBT-headed families. “They really like it a lot. They love the social activities we do, and I think just seeing other families like theirs, with two dads or two moms, which they don’t get to see that often otherwise, really helps them.” Stephanie Haynes, PFP community coordinator, said Berman’s personal experiences as an LGBT parent, as well as his professional work on the board, will help guide the organization into its next phase. “He has the history plus the enthusiasm,” Haynes said. “He’s seen his sons grow up with the group and seen how important it’s been for them. And he’s motivated to help continue growing the organization.” Haynes said PFP has about 10 events scheduled before May, with such activities as this weekend’s trip to Adventure Aquarium
in Camden, an outing to AIDS Fund’s GayBINGO in April and a Parents’ Night Out social. PFP will also launch a series of regional potluck dinners at members’ houses to connect families from throughout the many areas it serves, including suburban Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. “We are packing the calendar fuller than in the past,” Haynes said. “I think it’s partially because we have a lot of people who want to come to events, but because they’re busy working parents, their schedules don’t always work out. So we’re going to continue with a couple of our big events and then also have more frequent smaller events so we have a nice variety.” PFP will offer more than just social outlets, however. The group typically hosts a workshop for prospective parents at the annual Equality Forum in May and this year will split the panel into two separate events — one on adoption and the other on assisted reproduction — to provide those looking to start a family with more in-depth information on both options. Berman also said that, in the fall, the group will sponsor a comprehensive workshop offering “practical parenting advice” to LGBT parents, with various activities designed for those with kids in different age groups. For more information about Philadelphia Family Pride, visit www.phillyfamilypride.org. ■
Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door, and all proceeds benefit PGMC. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.pgmc.org or call (877) 4627464 or (215) 731-9230.
33rd floor, to discuss issues facing LGBT merchants. A continental breakfast will be served, and the event is free to IBA members and $25 for nonmembers. To RSVP, visit www.Independ enceBusinessAlliance.com or call (215) 557-0190.
LGBT businesses
talk with mayor
Independence Business Alliance, the city’s LGBT chamber of commerce, will host Mayor Nutter at a breakfast reception at 8 a.m. Feb. 18 at The Loews Hotel, 1200 Market St., Howe Room,
InterAct Theatre Company and the city’s Mural Arts Program will host “City of Numbers: Citizens in Action,” a free panel discussion about crime in Philadelphia with several top city officials, includ-
ing Mayor Nutter. In addition to Nutter, the discussion — which will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Mainstage at The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St. — will feature District Attorney Seth Williams, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Everett Gillison, Chief Defender for the city’s Defender Association Ellen Greenlee and MAP executive director Jane Golden. WHYY senior reporter Dave Davies will moderate the session. Reservations are requested and can be made by calling (215) 5688079. ■
Even though the power went out for a time at the Please Touch Museum Monday morning, courtesy of the day-long storm that blew through Philadelphia, it didn’t stop a group of local kids and their LGBT parents from enjoying their morning out at one of the newest activities of the ever-growing Philadelphia Family Pride. In addition to the launch of the Monday-morning meet-up group, which is designed for stay-athome parents and those with flexible work schedules, PFP has a slate of events scheduled in the next few months, overseen by the group’s new board of directors. At its annual New Year’s Day brunch in January, which about 150 people attended, the membership voted to elect four new members — Steven Sweeney as secretary, Marla McCulloch as chair of the education/advocacy committee, Andrew Altman as fundraising chair and Steve Taylor as member-at-large — and also approved the election of Marc Berman as board chair. Former chair Doug Metcalfe stepped down, and Berman, who has served as vice chair for four years, said he wanted to assume leadership so he could to play a role in the continuing development of the agency. “I enjoy being involved in the organization, and I was ready to take that involvement to the point where I can make some of my ideas come to life,” he said. Berman and his partner, David,
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— Jen Colletta
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 13
Obituary Norman Baker, HIV/AIDS activist, 58 By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Norman Baker, a longtime HIV/ AIDS activist who volunteered for several local HIV/AIDS organizations, died Jan. 6 at age 58. Baker was a former resident of Coatesville, and had been living at Keystone Hospice House in Wyndmoor at the time of his death. A 1969 graduate of Coatesville High School, he was involved throughout the 1990s in numerous HIV/AIDS organizations in the area, serving as the president of the Philadelphia AIDS Advocacy Coalition and lending his talents to such groups as ActionAIDS and Philadelphia FIGHT. Jane Shull, executive director of FIGHT, said Baker’s tenacity made him an exemplary advocate for the local HIV/AIDS community. “Norman knew a lot about advocacy,” Shull said. “He respected no boundaries and would just call anyone — he’d call the governor. And that attitude got people to talk to him and he was able to really influence people.” Michael Marsico, who met Baker nearly 20 years ago, said Baker was open to bringing the community’s concerns to a wide range of city officials, such as those in the school district or police department who were not always initially supportive.
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“One thing I always liked about working with Norm was that there’s often this group mentality, but Norm would always want to reach across and actually talk to folks on the other side of the issues,” Marsico said. “He’d be willing to have conversations with them and would show up with his homework done, and that’s how he got things done.” In 1991, Baker served on a committee that reviewed the feasibility of a condom-availability program in the Philadelphia school district and, along with other members of HIV/AIDS activist group ACTUP, presented then-Superintendent Constance Clayton with a “report card” on her implementation of the program. He participated in numerous ACT-UP demonstrations, pressing for increased education and funding for HIV/AIDS issues, and was arrested at a 1992 protest in Harrisburg after pouring red dye into the Capitol fountain. “He was a very, very important presence in the early days,” said Nan Feyler, chief of staff to the city’s health commissioner
and former executive director of the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania. “He definitely gave a lot of his time and energy to the community.” In addition to his HIV/AIDS and LGBT work on behalf of the Human Rights Campaign, Baker was a tireless mental-health and disabilities advocate and sat on the Philadelphia Mental Retardation Public-Awareness Committee and the governmental-affairs committee of disability agency The Association for Retarded Citizens of Pennsylvania. He was also a longtime supporter of Gov. Rendell, having worked on his campaigns for district attorney, mayor of Philadelphia and governor and was a member of the committee for his 2003 gubernatorial inauguration. Baker was predeceased by his father Norman and is survived by his mother Alberta, sisters Paulette Nicholas and Beth Ewing and many nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass was celebrated Jan. 9 and Baker was buried at All Souls Cemetery in West Brandywine. Memorial contributions can be made in Baker’s name to The ARC of Philadelphia, 2350 W. Westmoreland St., Philadelphia, PA 19140; Keystone Hospice House, 8765 Stenton Ave., Wyndmoor, PA 19038; or St. Cecilia Church, 99 N. Sixth Ave., Coatesville, PA 19320. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
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3-6 p.m. at 1233 Locust St.; (215) 985-3382. � The library and reading room will be open from 3-9 p.m. at the William Way Community Center. PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS � Project Teach, a peer-education and empowerment program for people living with HIV/AIDS, will meet from 3-5 p.m. at the William Way Community Center. � A smoking-cessation support group for sexual minorities, conducted by the Mazzoni Center, will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; (215) 5630663 ext. 242. � Federal AIDS prosecutors Services in in Mexico Asian City announced Jan. volunteer 27 they Communities’ weekly would seekwill to overturn work group meet fromthe 6-8city’s p.m. new gay-marriage law on 501; the at 1201 Chestnut St., Suite grounds that it is unconstitutional. (215) 563-2424 ext. 10. A statement thegroup federal � Coming Out, afrom support for Attorney General’s Office men, said gay, bisexual or questioning will law meet“violates from 6-7:30 at AIDS the the p.m. principle of Delaware,because Suite 315, 100 from W. 10th legality, it strays the St., Wilmington; (800) 292-0429. constitutional principle of protect� A the gay-friendly ing family.” Scrabble Club will meet p.m.toincome the P.I.C. Thefrom law 6-11 is due into Building,in42nd and Locust effect March, after streets; being (215) 382-0789. approved in December. It also � The LGBT Discussion Group will includes specific rights for gays to meet from the United adopt and is6-8thep.m. firstatsuch law in Church of Christ, 300 E. Main St., Latin America. Newark, Del.; (800) 292-0429. Mexico City previously allowed � A meeting/activity night will civil unions but did not allow gay be held for gay, lesbian, bisexual, couples to adopt. transgender and questioning youth Mayor Marcelo Ebrard of and their friends from 6-8 p.m. the progressive Democratic at the Rainbow Room of Planned Revolution refused to veto it, Parenthood Party in Doylestown; (215) despite calls for him to do so from 348-0558 ext. 65. the Catholic Church and � AMexican men’s support group for those the withconservative HIV/AIDS National will meetAction from Party, it would County appeal 6-7:30 which p.m. said at Mercer to Mexico’s Court. Area Early Supreme Intervention Services in The Trenton, N.J. For location, call Roman Catholic archbishop
minorities, will meet at 7 p.m. at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; (215) 627-0424. � Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus will rehearse at 7 p.m. at the William Way Community Center; (215) 7319230. � The Temple University Lambda Alliance will meet from 7-8 p.m. at It The Village the Lambda will houseoutside 30 prisoners who of ce, SAC 205, 1755 N. in 13th St.; are currently being held a spe(215) 204-6954. cial section of a prison outside � The Trenton Gay and Lesbian Florence. Civic Association’s card and games Trans prisoners, especially night will be held from 7-10 p.m. those male to at 986 transitioning S. Broad St., from Trenton, N.J.; female, can often find their treat(609) 638-7264. ment postponed while in jail. of � The Women’s Center In the UnitedCounty’s States, there have Montgomery lesbian been several cases of inmates support group will meet fromtak7ing legalataction being refused 9 p.m. 101 after Washington Lane, hair-removal treatment or stateJenkintown; (215) 885-8440. funded surgery. � A men’s coming-out group will Authorities are at reluctant to meet at 7:30 p.m. The Pride house them women’s prisons Center of NewinJersey. � Survivors of Suicide and they often have toInc. be Chester housed County, a support will meet separately in men’sgroup, prisons. at Maria 7:30 Pia p.m.Giuffrida, at Paolia Memorial detention Hospital, Willistown Room, administration official, said the Medical Of ce Building, Lancaster building was “very satisfactory.” Pike, ThePaoli; move(215) was 545-2242; welcomedWeb by site: phillysostripod.com. LGBT groups and Vladimir � Under the Rainbow, a discussion Luxuria, a former MP and Italy’s and social group 18-25-year-old best-known transfor advocate. gays and lesbians, will meet at 7:30 She said that such prisoners p.m. at The Pride Center of New were often punished for their trans Jersey. status alongGay with their crimes,Men’s add� The Married ing, “It’s a question of dignity.” Association support group will meet at 8 p.m. at the William Way Community Center; (610) 6262577. � The steering committee of Team Philadelphia, a gay sports league, will meet at 8 p.m. at the William Way Community Center.
International News Mexico City to try to overturn gay marriage
of Mexico, Cardinal Noberto Rivera Carrera, deemed the bill “immoral” and “reprehensible” last month. City officials have said action from the Attorney General’s Office would not prevent the law from coming into force. According to On Top Magazine, city legal advisor Leticia Bonifaz told the Excelsior newspaper that she was “totally confident that this is an issue of fundamental rights.” In December, two gay men from Argentina had Latin America’s first gay marriage. Jose Maria Di Bello and Alex Freyre married in Ushuaia, the capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego state, where sympathetic state officials backed their bid.
Italy opens first transgender prison Italy will open its first prison especially for trans inmates. The building, a former halfway house for women, is in the town of Empoli, Tuscany. It will open in late March.
Larry Nichols
Film touted as India’s ‘Brokeback Mountain’
Although several gay scenes have featured already in Bollywood productions, an upcoming film is being touted as India’s answer to “Brokeback Mountain.” Promotional posters for “Dunno Y... Na Jaane Kyun” were recently released showing two topless men embracing. Few details about the film have been disclosed but it is expected to be a high-profile release. The director is Anil Sharma, who is well known in India’s film industry. “The only thing I was particular about was that this character should not come across as a caricature or just as an object of mockery,” Sharma said. “I am truly happy with what I have chosen.” The film will be in English with subtitles, which may help it to pass censors. Actor Kapil Sharma will play a would-be gay model who begins a sexual relationship with another man. It is not yet clear whether this will be a romantic relationship, as reports say the central character is forced to “compromise” his mor-
We love to get picked up.
will meet from 6-8 p.m. at Blacks Educating Blacks About Sexual Health Issues, 1217 Spring Garden St.; (215) 769-3561. FEB. 5 - 11, 2010 � 40 Acres of Change, a discussion group for youth of color, will meet from 6:30-9 p.m. at 1201 Chestnut St., 15th oor; (215) 496-0330. � Twenty Times, a group for men andto women ofhis color ages 20-29, will als further career. meet at 6:30 p.m. at Chestnut Bollywood has 1201 rarely menSt., 15th oor; (215) 496-0330. tioned homosexuality in the past � Diversity, an HIV/AIDS support and even heterosexual kisses are group for all infected or affected, still unusual. meets from 7-9 p.m. at Arch Street But since the Indian United Methodist Church,capital Broad Delhi legalized homosexuality and Arch streets; call Zak, (215) last year, itorisPaul, very(215) slowly becom848-4380, 307-0347. ing more accepted the culture. � The Men’s Peer in Support Group A meet recent film, “Dostana,” will for topical discussion at showed pretending be 7 p.m. attwo Themen Pride Center of to New gay in order to win over a female Jersey. love interest, but “Dunno Y ... Na � Rainbow Adult Children of Jaane Kyun” is the release Alcoholics and first big Alcoholics to tackle the issue homosexualAnonymous will of hold a 12-step meeting at 7 p.m. at Limestone ity seriously. Presbyterian Church, 3201 One upcoming small film, “I Limestone Road,male Wilmington, Del.; Am,” depicts prostitutes (302) 456-9129. being harassed by homopho� The Humboldt Society, a gay and bic police officers. It is currently lesbian shown naturalist club,Rotterdam will meet being at the at 7:30 p.m. at the William Way Film Festival. Community “Dunno YCenter. ... Na Jaane Kyun” is � Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, expected to be released in May. a 12-step program, will meet at 7:30 p.m. at All Saints Church, 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.; (302) 542-3279. � The Women’s Peer Support Group will meet at 7:30 p.m. at The Pride A pair of lesbian Center of New Jersey. royal alba� The Bisexual/Gay/Lesbian trosses in New Zealand have welAlliancetheir at Rutgers University comed first chick into will the meet at 9:30 p.m. in Murray Hall, world. Room 211, 13 who George New The couple, live St., at Royal � Brunswick, N.J.; (732) 932-1306. Albatross Colony on South Island,
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Lesbian albatrosses welcome chick
are not unique, but it is particularly unusual for lesbian albatrosses to successfully incubate an egg. Royal albatrosses are an endangered species and the new chick is one of just 17 new additions to the colony this year. The colony has had three lesbian couples in the last 70 years. It is not known who the father of the chick is. R o b i n T h o m a s , s p o k e sperson for the Department of Conservation, said, “One of them obviously mated so their egg was fertile. Only one egg was laid and that’s now hatched.” He added that all three were doing well, after the chick initially struggled. The female birds reportedly take turns looking after it, after they share incubation duties. When the pregnancy was announced last month, the local tourism board encouraged members of the public to send in name suggestions for the new baby. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
SCOUTS From Page 1 rent is substantial, and the Boy Scouts have refused to pay it for more than a year.” C i t y o ff i c i a l s a l s o w a n t Buckwalter to take into account the harm caused by the Scouts, who refuse to comply with Philadelphia’s antibias codes. “In addition to the financial harm of lost rental income, the city is harmed as well by its inability to enforce its antidiscrimination policies in the public’s interest, and by the damage to its antidiscrimination efforts by a forced subsidy to an organization that practices discrimination,” the city’s motion states. “That harm cannot be overstated.” The Scouts also filed a motion on Jan. 22, asking Buckwalter not to impose any bond requirement. “To require Cradle of Liberty to post a security bond would subject it to greater financial hardship and
PROP. 8 From Page 1 The defendants, however — represented by attorneys for Protect Marriage, which ran the Yes on 8 campaign — sought to show that gays are not a disadvantaged population and are pushing for a special recognition that would cause societal harm. The defense rested its case Jan. 27 after presenting just two witnesses, Kenneth Miller and David Blankenhorn. Miller, a political-science professor at Claremont McKenna College, attempted to prove that the LGBT community has extensive political power, citing the more-than $43 million the No On 8 proponents raised to fight the ballot initiative and the vast corporate and governmental support their efforts generated throughout the country. Under cross-examination, Miller acknowledged that religion did play “a factor” in the passage of Prop. 8, and that the marriage ban does mandate that the state “treat heterosexual couples differently than same-sex couples.” Blankenhorn, founder and president of conservative thinktank Institute for American Values, took the stand Jan. 26 and defined marriage as “a socially approved sexual relationship between a man and a woman,” the main purpose of which he asserted is procreation. Blankenhorn went on to predict that extending marriage rights to same-sex couples would
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
constitute an undue restraint upon Cradle of Liberty’s exercise of its constitutional rights,” the Scouts’ motion states. “Accordingly, the Court should decline to require Cradle of Liberty to post a security bond in connection with the preliminary injunction issued against the city.” Buckwalter issued the injunction on Nov. 18, which effectively prevents a Common Pleas judge from evicting the Scouts at this stage of the litigation. The 22nd Street site is the only municipally owned building in the country that serves exclusively as a headquarters for a Scouts council. City officials want to evict the Scouts because they won’t permit openly gay participants, nor will they pay fair-market rent of $200,000 annually. In their attempt to remain in the building, the Scouts filed a federal lawsuit in May 2008, alleging discrimination by city officials
for exercising their constitutional right to ban gays. The lawsuit relies largely on a 2000 Supreme Court decision, which asserts that the Boy Scouts of America isn’t a public accommodation and is thus not required to comply with local civil-rights laws protecting gays. The city responded by noting that the Scouts are free to associate with whomever they please, but aren’t entitled to subsidies to facilitate discriminatory practices. In prior rulings, Buckwalter stated the injunction is necessary until it can be determined whether the Scouts’ constitutional rights would be violated by the eviction. At press time, Buckwalter hadn’t issued a ruling on the bond. In their Jan. 22 motion, the Scouts compared their cause to “important federal rights or public interests,” such as labor-union rights, Medicaid-reimbursement benefits and pension guarantees
weaken the overall institution of marriage and eventually lead to the legalization of polygamy. On cross-examination, however, Blankenhorn was unable to provide any scholarly evidence for his opinions. Boies also confronted Blankenhorn with a quote from his own book, “The Future of Marriage,” in which he wrote that the country would “be more American on the day we permitted
same-sex marriage.” Blankehorn admitted that marriage equality would promote tolerance and acceptance and would also benefit same-sex couples and their children, but said upholding traditional heterosexual marriage should supercede those advantages. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
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for longterm workers. Those causes involved litigation where preliminary injunctions were granted without substantial bond requirements, the Scouts’ motion notes. The Scouts also pointed out city attorneys have filed a counterclaim with Buckwalter, seeking back rent from the Scouts if and when they’re evicted. “If the city prevails, it will be entitled to a judgment for possession of the property and payment of holdover rent by Cradle of Liberty,” the Scouts’ motion states. But city attorneys said the counter-claim doesn’t absolve the Scouts of the bond requirement. “The existence of a counter-claim for some of the same damages that could result from imposition of a preliminary injunction doesn’t excuse the requirement of a bond,” the city’s motion states. City attorneys also noted there
is no evidence that the Cradle of Liberty Council would have financial difficulty obtaining the bond. “The Boy Scouts have not asserted — let alone demonstrated — that they are on the brink of financial ruin,” the motion states, adding that the Council’s executive director receives about $300,000 annually in compensation, while the Council’s total assets exceed $20 million. In their Jan. 22 motion, the Scouts renewed their belief that the city is attempting to enforce its gay-rights ordinances in an unconstitutional manner. “The city seeks to accomplish indirectly what it is prohibited from doing directly — to suppress Cradle of Liberty’s right to expressive association and to be treated the same as similarly situated organizations,” the Scouts’ motion contends. ■ Timothy Cwiek can be reached at (215) 625-8501 ext. 208.
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Robert Verdi: Style &
substance By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer
After lending his talents to numerous fashion, talk and reality shows, out style expert and designer Robert Verdi is about to display his own “reality.” And what a show it is. Verdi may have built his career as a style guru and party planner for the likes of Eva Longoria Parker, Hugh Jackman, Terrence Howard, Kathy Griffin, Ana Ortiz and Sandra Bernhard, but “The Robert Verdi Show” finds the 41-year-old TV personality veering into some zany territory — often treating his many jobs as momentary
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
A departure from the ordinary
distractions or stepping stones to his true and grand ambitions. “It’s really a comedy show,” Verdi said. “I think people are expecting to see me styling celebrities and decorating houses. What they see are these snapshots of that, but it’s buried inside the comedy. I just wanted to do something that people didn’t expect me to do.” Apparently that involves plotting to build the Verdi name into a global-brand empire to rival the name-recognition power of, well, anyone bigger than him. So, having a successful business, TV exposure and most of the entertainment industry on speed dial wasn’t enough?
“I guess I’m just not a complacent person,” Verdi said. “I don’t know that it’s not enough. I felt that my career put me in this one area, which was fine and I am successful in home design, fashion and entertaining. I felt that I wanted to expand and develop a bigger business and I needed a bigger vehicle to make that possibility come to life. So a television show is a natural fit for me and I have that experience and I know how to work that side of the industry. So I decided to pitch a show that was outside of my box.” The true charm of the show lies in the fact that half of Verdi’s ideas for his global brand are absolutely bonkers, like a nega-
tive-calorie lollipop made in his image, which happens to be loaded with crushed diet pills and laxatives, or authoring an inappropriate children’s book. But he still insists on pitching them to industry professionals, who try to maintain some form of decorum. Are executives really this polite in these situations or only when the cameras are rolling? “Yes, they’re polite because the cameras are rolling,” he said. “They’re definitely aware I’m pitching something outrageous. We’re not ambushing them. When I go in, I actually know the difference between my real pitch and my TV pitch. I do have a much more sensitive realistic children’s book that I have written. I wasn’t pitching the real book. So I go in there knowing that they’re not going to publish a book about a shoplifting tote bag that’s addicted to drugs. It’s much funnier. It’s me torqued up. “Let me say that every idea that we pitch is born of a real idea that I have. It’s hard to explain where the comedy comes from. Yes, I want to actually do a children’s book. Yes, I really have an idea and treatment. The book is written but not illustrated yet. It’s something I really want to do. I happened to be fortunate enough to meet a great executive producer who, when she was kind of vetting me, realized that I’m a little insane and I can do all these things. “When she met me, I had 30 show treatments and she said, ‘These all strike me as “The Robert Verdi Show.”’ And I said I really don’t need my own show, I need my own network. I said it with a straight face and she said, ‘I’m not sure you’re joking.’ Well, I’m really not. Is it insane and outrageous? Yes. But do I think it’s actually doable? Yes. Every episode follows me as I try to accomplish something that I think, in some strange way, is reasonable.” Like the episode where he tries to court and marry a royal? “I’m bad at dating,” he explained. “So I’m just trying to find somebody that I’m compatible with. In the conversation with your friends and inner sanctum, you’re making jokes about yourself and being
Photos: Fadel Barisha Group
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 17
Out fashion expert wants it all on new reality show self-effacing, and you go, ‘I really need a gay royal.’ And it became an episode. It’s a very strange show, but everything in it is something I want to do.” The unenviable task of making Verdi’s numerous whims, requests and plans for world domination happen falls to his handful of assistants, who earn every cent of their paychecks for all the work, strangeness and goodnatured but crass verbal jabs they endure. Verdi said that even though he makes ridiculous demands and summons his staff by yelling, ‘Bitches!’ he does appreciate his employees’ hard work, input and opinions. “I have a very untraditional work environment,” he said. “I feel like they’re more like siblings. They probably think of me as a father because I’m old. I’m definitely in a position of authority because it’s my company and I hired them. There’s definitely no holds barred. They definitely tell me what they think. I have a very strong opinion, though. So even if they tell me they think something is wrong and I think it’s right, they will act in my direction. But it’s definitely an open dialogue.” So what’s the harder job: Verdi trying to please his celebrity clients or Verdi’s assistants trying to please him? “It’s the same job,” he said. “I think I’m just better at it than they are. When you’re a bigger celebrity, you can afford insulation that I couldn’t afford. Many celebrities I work with earn in a day what I earn in a year. I’m going to say it’s more difficult to deal with me because we have so many things going on. And then it’s really difficult to deal with them because you’d be amazed at how scheduling a flight for a star is a huge problem. You might have to switch it back and forth 10 times to actually get them where they need to be on time, and I don’t have that
is arrested at 22 years old and even 22-year-old girls on the covers of magazines are airbrushed to seem completely perfect. I tune in to the fact that men don’t face the assault of beauty imagery that women do on a daily basis. There’s a lot of intimidating imagery that appears on the magazines and commercials. That’s a cultural value that’s intimidating to a lot of women. The show begins to crack open the notion that beauty doesn’t stop at any age. I appreciate a show that tries to see the world in a different way.” Verdi may have a deep appreciation for women’s beauty issues, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that his services are available to just anybody. “Anybody could try to retain my services,” he said, “but there are a lot of people who don’t really understand. There’s a lot of women who stop me and say, ‘Oh, I need your help. I would love for you to dress me.’
specific time-management issue.” Verdi added that having assistants running around for him makes his life easier, but juggling so many projects keeps his professional and social life very complex. “Having balance and a real life is difficult when you have as many jobs as I do,” he said. “And I have as many jobs as I do because I want to have a certain lifestyle. So I don’t just decorate homes, dress celebrities or plan events. I do all of these things and they’re full-time jobs.” When asked which of the many TV shows he’s appeared on has been the most rewarding, the fashion expert’s answer was quite surprising. “I loved doing ‘She’s Got The Look,’ which was a search for a model over the age of 35, just because I see the real women in my life struggle with aging and the perceptions of beauty in our culture,” he said. “Beauty
Great! Go to the Web site and send in a request. We’ll talk. They have to realize that comes with a monthly retainer. It’s not like we’re going to go shopping with Robert and it’s going to be $200. It doesn’t work that way. I try to translate it like this: If you walked into Cartier and you want a watch that’s $25,000 and you have $15,000, you can’t get that watch. The same thing is true with service prices. If you walk into my office, you should know that there is already a bar that you have to jump. It’s based on supply and demand. There’s good demand and so I get to set up a structure that allows me to say no.” “The Robert Verdi Show” premieres at 10 p.m. Feb. 10 on Logo. For more information, visit www.robertverdi.com. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Lesbian on the Scene
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
Tracy Buchholz
Love is on the dance floor, and in the bars ... Can you see it? Smell it? It’s that time of the year: Love is in the air. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and there are ton of events for you and your girlfriend! We’re dedicating this column to all you lovebirds out there, as well as you single ladies who want to socialize during what some consider the worst holiday of the year.
Either way, with all these great women-friendly events, there’s no excuse for anyone to feel gloomy, as you’re guaranteed to be surrounded by other sexy women all weekend! On Feb. 9, Azuka Theatre performers take over Woody’s, 202 S. 13th St., for happy hour to present “I Love You/I Hate You,” dramatic readings from the City Paper’s hilarious longrunning column. Cast members from the past 10 years of Azuka will be on hand to celebrate — or disgrace — Valentine’s Day, depending on the spin you’re
putting on Feb. 14 this year. The $10 cover supports Azuka and its programs. The night also includes appetizers and drink specials from 5-8 p.m. Check out www.azukatheatre.org for more details. Single with some extra bucks burning a hole in your pocket? Then you can’t miss the Sisters Softball Auction, Feb. 12 at Sisters Nightclub, 1320 Chancellor St. Join some of Philly’s hottest and most eligible bachelorettes as they auction themselves off to raise money for the Sisters softball team as well as their breastcancer charity events. This year, the highlight of the auction is MTV’s “Real World: Hollywood” reality star Brianna Taylor, along with DJ Goddess and special host ChaChi Divine. Cost for this sexy event is $7. More information is at www. sistersnightclub.com.
On Feb. 13, find your way to Rittenhouse Square’s favorite gay bar, Stir, 1705 Chancellor St. Nonprofit SisterSpace of the Delaware Valley takes over the bar for its annual and highly anticipated Valentine’s dance. The party kicks off at 8 p.m. and runs until 2 a.m. Just $5 gets you into this party featuring Red Hot shots by members of Liberty City Kings Drag and Burlesque and music to have you dancing all night. More details are at www.sisterspace. org. Not in the mood to dance? Valentine’s Day got you down? Then head to Marbar, 200 S. 40th St., for Cupid Ain’t @#$%! from 8-10 p.m. Feb. 13. Nine poets, featuring five “out” performers, will give you hilarious, serious and downright bitter views on Valentine’s Day. Cover for this event is just $5 in advance or $7-$10 sliding
scale at the door. E-mail JR_ Mason@yahoo.com for more information and advance tickets. Maybe you’re in the mood for a weekend Valentine’s Day getaway? Get your girlfriend in the car and head out to Nevermore, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope. Three nights of special events for women start Feb. 12, including discounted hotel stays. Animal lovers rejoice, as the Nevermore allows a celebration weekend with you, your lady and your pets! Events throughout the weekend include a fixed-price Sunday brunch and the highlight on Feb. 14, the Ladies 2000 dance from 3-9 p.m. — with a singles mingle mixed in at 5 p.m. To find out more, visit www.ladies2000. com. This year, make sure you get out on this fun-filled weekend. You never know who you’re gonna meet, and there are some really exciting events to check out with something for everyone. As for me, I’m plotting my Valentine’s Day weekend to make sure it’s a special one for my girlfriend. And that being said, I’m sure we’ll see you out and about! ■ Tracy Buchholz is an LGBTQ party producer-promoter in Philadelphia. She can be reached at tracy.buchholz@gmail.com.
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
Antoine Amrani Nothing stirs passion like chocolate ... and wine. Antoine Amrani has been passionate about chocolate since he was a boy in Paris, when his mother taught him to make truffles at the age of 6. He later trained at The Ritz, and then came to Philadelphia to work with Georges Perrier as executive pastry chef at Le Bec-Fin. Now, Amrani creates his own line of extraordinary chocolates outside King of Prussia in an exclusive chocolate factory. Everything is made by hand, with fresh, natural organic ingredients and no preservatives. His flavors pair well with all types of wine. He recommends the Banyules from France, which perfectly complement his bonbons and palets. Amrani takes pleasure in creating small indulgences that delight all of the senses. Pairing with favorite wines or champagne just adds to that experience. Vi s i t A n t o i n e A m r a n i Chocolates at 550 Foundry Road, East Norriton, or online at AAchocolates.com, or call (877) 267-2644. Ettore Salon & Spa Ettore Salon & Spa, 1201 Market St., will pamper you from the moment you arrive at this Marriott Hotel Center City
SPECIAL PHILADELPHIA ADVERTISING GAY NEWS SECTION
location. Just a bit of splurging will benefit you in the long run because it releases stress and tension and it will make your week go easier. This year, Ettore is focused on relaxation, stress reduction and tension release. As a result of the current economic climate, more people are feeling unusually stressed. Ettore’s staff is also trained in the latest techniques in hair and skin-care. Open from 9 a.m.-10 p.m., there is always time for you. Ettore offers full- and half-day packages for individuals, couples and groups. Visit online at www.ettorespa. com or call (215) 928-9010 for more information. Giorgio on Pine Please join your host, Giorgio Giuliani, formerly of Monte Carlo Living Room and Primavera, at his rustic BYOB trattoria, Giorgio on Pine, 1328 Pine St. Savor authentic Italian cuisine in a casual atmosphere that offers a fine-dining experience. Reservations are recommended. Visit www.giorgioonpine.com or call (215) 545-6265 for more information. Giovanni’s Room Philadelphia’s favorite LGBT
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bookstore has stood the test of time. Named after James Baldwin’s s e c o n d n o v e l , G i o v a n n i ’s Room, 345 S. 12th St., is a great place for bookworms to spend a few hours browsing through the latest LGBT literature, history, sciences and humanities. With an expert staff, frequent author events and thousands of books, movies and crowd pleasers to choose from, Giovanni’s Room is a staple in the Gayborhood — and historically important, as it now holds the title of oldest LGBT bookstore in America. For more information, visit www.giovannisroom.com or call (215) 923-6265. Mamma Maria Ristorante Italiano Mamma Maria Ristorante Italiano, 1637 E. Passyunk Ave., is South Philly’s pride and joy. Owner Maria di Marco, affectionately known as “Mamma,” was born and raised in Abruzzi, Italy, where she started cooking with the freshest foods from her family’s farm when she was 13. Lucky for us, she brought her authentic family recipes to America — along with her spunky, charismatic personality. From Mamma’s affordable five-course lunch to her sevenSee ADVERTISING, Page 21
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FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
Jeans, shirts, socks, shoes, sweats, shorts, suits, hats, tables, chairs, lamps, pillows, beds, sofas, shelves, cups, plates, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, toasters, CDs, TVs, DVDs, pool tables, cars, blankets, pets, friends, jobs, towels, sheets, drapes, picture frames, clocks, tools, toys ... Oh, and apartments & relationships..
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FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
ADVERTISING From Page 19 course dinner feast featuring her homemade gnocchi, chicken alla mamma, scrippelle soup and homemade desserts, every meal is memorable. Zagat agrees, extending the restaurant an “excellent” rating. Complimentary wines and liqueurs are served, including Mamma’s homemade limoncello. Feel free to bring your own beverage along with your appetite! Remember, every day is a special day at Mamma Maria Ristorante Italiano. Make a reservation for a romantic evening this Valentine’s Day. Ciao e buon appetito from Mamma Maria! For more information, call (215) 463-6884. Pleasure Chest Don’t let the size fool you: Good things do come in small packages. The Pleasure Chest, 2039 Walnut St., is a lovely little adult store located below Wonderland, and offers everything from erotic games and lingerie to lotions and lubes. It also carries a good selection of the supplies necessary for a bachelor/ bachelorette party and accessories like dildos, plugs, beads and leather goodies for the non-vanilla practitioners. For more information, call (215) 561-7480. Sansom Coin Exchange
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
In business since 1979, Sansom Coin Exchange, 721 Sansom St., was established in New York City and is now in the heart of Philadelphia’s Jewelers Row. The company buys and sells coins, bullion and paper money from around the world. Chief numismatist Malcolm Kurin is a renowned gold-coin expert with over 30 years of experience. The firm’s senior numismatist, Joe Guistino, has been working with world coins and paper money for over 40 years. Philadelphia does not charge any sales tax for coins and bullion, so there’s no reason not to visit the Sansom Coin Exchange and see what bargains you can get. For more information, call (215) 629-8898. Valanni Celebrate with Valanni, 1229 Spruce St., as the restaurant enters its 10th-anniversary year. Throughout 2010, Valanni is saying “thank you” and giving back to the neighborhood that has supported it for the past decade. Every evening from 10-11, visit the bar for a Valanni signature cocktail and tapas item for $10. Additionally, each month the restaurant will donate a portion of proceeds to a specific local charity. This month, Valanni is supporting the Southeastern Pennsylvania Red Cross as
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it assists in Haiti’s recovery efforts. Valanni’s swanky atmosphere and diverse menu make it the perfect place for private events, dinners and weekend brunch. Visit Valanni’s Web site at www.valanni.com or call (215) 790-9494. ■
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RESERVE NOW FOR YOUR ROMANTIC VALENTINE’S DAY! Make this Valentine’s Day Unforgettable ! Treat Your Valentine to the Romance & Fine Food of Italy ! Celebrate Valentine’s Weekend -- Fri., Feb. 12 to Sun., Feb. 14 -with an extraordinary evening your Valentine will love ! Mamma sets the table for lovers’ delight with her sumptuous signature entrées, homemade pastas & special Valentine’s dessert! PLUS -- Complimentary Wine, Cordials & Mamma’s Homemade Limoncello ! Limited Seating! RESERVE NOW! Celebrate A Special Evening of Amoré ! RESERVE TODAY!
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
Area getaways abundant for Valentine’s Day By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer Since Valentine’s Day falls on the Sunday of Presidents’ Day weekend this year, there is no better excuse to blow town for a romantic, exciting two- or three-day getaway from whatever it is you do all week. And fortunately for you, there is a multitude of options in and around Philadelphia. In Atlantic City, The Borgata Hotel, Spa and Casino, 1 Borgata Way, is offering three weekend packages catering to couples and singles, with room packages (ranging from $399-$999 per night) and a series of specials featuring a holiday-themed spa menu and prix-fixe dining menus at its restaurants. Valentine’s Day revelers can also take in some live music at the Borgata on that special day. If your tastes lean toward PBR and Jim Beam, you can catch Kid Rock at 8 p.m. at the Event Center. The champagne-and-roses crowd can take in out singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright at 8 p.m. at the Music Box. Night owls can either check out Staind singer Aaron Lewis for some post-grunge wallowing at 11
p.m. at the Music Box or get down with Rev. Run and DJ Ruckus for the Kid Rock after-party at Mixx. If you feel like getting into town early, you can catch Jay Leno performing at the Event Center at 8 p.m. Feb. 13. Gee, whatever will he talk about? For more information, visit www.theborgata.com. Elsewhere in A.C., another resort is rolling out the love carpet. Wait, that sounds really bad ... HeartAC features a weekend of Valentine’s Day events in and around Harrah’s, 777 Harrah’s Blvd., all weekend. Buddy Guy and BB King will crank out the blues at 8 p.m. Feb. 13 at Caesar’s, 2100 Pacific Ave. Somehow, someone also saw fit to book Air Supply, who will perform at 9 p.m. Feb. 14 at Bally’s, 1900 Pacific Ave. Back at the resort, there’s Rock ’n’ Roll Wine Tastings at 8 p.m. Feb. 13 and an exclusive chocolate tasting Feb. 13 and 14 with Jacques Torres. For something a little — hopefully a lot — more naughty, the Girls of X-Burlesque host “Champagne & Lingerie” at 10 p.m. Feb. 14 in
the Foundation Room. Also, nothing screams romance like a nostalgic romp through the mid-1990s with an R&B-group. This V-day weekend, the bumping and grinding is courtesy of Dru Hill at 8 p.m. Feb. 13 at the House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk. For more information, call (609) 236-2583. If you and your significant other really want to make things official, the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority will host its third-annual group wedding, vow renewal and civilunion ceremony at 4 p.m. Feb. 14 in Boardwalk Hall, 2301 Boardwalk. The event will include a champagne toast, wedding cake and photo opportunities. Jean Muchanic, executive director of the Absecon Lighthouse and wedding officiate, will perform the nondenominational ceremony. Couples must pre-register for the event through the authority’s Web site at www.atlanticcitynj. com/group_tours/atlantic_city_ group_wedding.aspx by Feb. 11. For additional details, e-mail ACWedding@accva.com or call (609) 449-7126.
Winter-sports enthusiasts might want to check out The Big Chill, a gay party and ski weekend, Feb. 12-14 at The Woodlands Inn and Resort, 1073 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre. The package includes round-trip bus transportation from Philadelphia, free ski rentals, discounted lift tickets, free breakfast and dinner buffets and entertainment by DJs Escape, Corey Craig, Zathan Radix and Jackie Beat. There’s also a casino, shopping, horseback riding and the largest jacuzzi in the Poconos, for those of you who don’t want to risk life and limb doing daredevil feats of sportsmanship on the slopes. For more information, visit www.twistedlife.com. Drag fans can also head for the mountains on Valentine’s Day as Rainbow Mountain Resort, 210 Mt. Nebo Road, East Stroudsburg, hosts a screening of the new documentary about the New York drag scene, “Charmed Life,” at 9:30 p.m. Feb. 12 and a performance by Sweetie, one of the film’s featured artists, at 9 p.m. Feb. 13. For more information, visit www.rainbowmountain.com.
For something completely different, The Ghost Tour of Philadelphia hosts special candlelight walking tours, with tales of love, loss and betrayal about famous scoundrels and socialites from Philadelphia’s past, at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12-14. Hopefully your significant other is the type to clutch your arm when frightened. The spooky tours will depart from 10th and Spruce streets, outside Varga Bar, and will end at Second and Walnut, outside City Tavern. Along the way, you’ll be regaled with ghost stories about love and its discontents, including the heartbreaking legend of the female apparition at Pennsylvania Hospital, the saga of betrayal that tethers a spirit to the Powel House and reports of the ghost of our city’s most infamous Casanova. Is it too much to hope for visits from the ghost of gay bars past? Information and tickets for the Valentine’s Ghost Tour of Philadelphia are available at www.ghosttour.com or by calling (215) 413-1997. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
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FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
scottdrakephotos 267.736.6743
Best Sellers
PGN
Information is courtesy of Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960; www.giovannisroom.com. Ten-percent off most hardcover in-store sales. DVDS
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LESBIAN 1. “Lovers and Friends Show: Episodes 1, 2, & 3,” directed by Charmain Johnson (2008, 214 min., $24.98 DVD). Six minority lesbian women navigating through life’s obstacles, making new friends and experiencing new drama. 2. “Crash Pad 4: Rope Burn,” directed by Shine Louise Houston (2008, 120 min., $34.95 DVD). Lesbian porn made by lesbians. 3. “Truth Hall,” directed by Jade-Jenise Dixon (2009, 88 min., $14.98 DVD). Secrets come out and hearts get broken when old friends reunite for a wedding in this bold urban dramedy. 4. “Lovers and Friends Show: Episodes 4, 5, & 6,” directed by Charmain Johnson (2008, $24.98 DVD). The second half of the first season (see above). 5. “The L Word: Final Season,” directed by Angela Robinson (2008, 438 min., $49.95 DVD). It’s the final season of the show that won our hearts and got us talking for its unwavering dedication to portraying sexy lesbian characters in a steady stream of increasingly hot and wild story lines. 6. “Girl Seeks Girl” (“Chica Busca Chica”), directed by Sonia Sebastian (2007, 153 min., $24.95 DVD). This hot and hilarious lesbian soap opera takes you on a wild ride through the mixed-up love lives of a group of sexy Madrid lesbians. English subtitles. 7. “Drifting Flowers,” directed by Zero Chou (2008, 99 min., $24.95 DVD). Three poetic tales about lesbians seeking their true identity. 8. “Butch Jamie,” directed by Michelle Ehlen (2007, 84 min., $19.95 DVD). A quirky, genderbending comedy about an out-ofwork butch lesbian actress willing to try almost anything for a role. GAY 1. “Gods of Football: The Making of the 2009 Calendar,” directed by Grant Carroll (2009, 80 minutes, $24.95 DVD). Australia’s hottest footballers (rugby players) naked for a cause!
Built! Hot! Sexy! And baring it all for breast-cancer research! 2. “Redwoods,” directed by David Lewis (2009, 90 min., $19.95 DVD). Certainly one of the most romantic gay films ever. 3. “Polymath, or The Life and Opinions of Samuel R. Delany, Gentleman” (aka Giovanni’s Room’s Santa), directed by Fred Barney Taylor (2007, 75 min., $29.99 DVD). One of the most charming and insightful authors the LGBT world has produced. 4. “Polyester” and “Desperate Living” (sold together), directed by John Waters (1981 and 1977, 176 min. total, $11.85 DVD). Classic. 5. “Finding Me,” directed by Roger S. Omeus Jr. (2008, 115 min., $19.95 DVD). A young, gay black man’s journey of self-discovery, affirmation and love. 6. “Another Gay Sequel,” directed by Todd Stephens (2008, 95 min., $24.99 DVD). Our heroes enter the contest “Gays Gone Wild” to see who can get the most “action.” 7. “Locked Up,” directed by Joerg Andreas (2004, 96 min., $19.99 DVD). A fierce story of love behind bars. 8. “Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom,” directed by Patrik-Ian Polk (2008, 101 min., $24.95 DVD). Noah’s Arc is back, and you’re invited to the big wedding! BOOKS LGBT 1. “Out in the Country: Youth, Media, and Queer Visibility in Rural America,” by Dr. Mary L. Gray (NYU, 279 pp., $22 pb). An unprecedented contemporary account of the lives of today’s rural queer youth. 2. “As My Own Soul: The Blessing of Same Gender Marriage,” by Chris Glaser (Seabury, 150 pp., $20 pb). Ever wonder why marriage for samegender couples generates such passion? GAY 1. “Murder On Camac,” by Joseph DeMarco (Lethe, 396 pp., $18 pb). Gunned down in the street, author Helmut Brandt’s life ebbs away and puts a chain of events in motion — and P.I. Marco Fontana on a collision course with the Church and local community.
2, “Single Man,” by Christopher Isherwood (University of Minnesota Press, 186 pp., $15.95 pb). George, the protagonist, is adjusting to life on his own after the sudden death of his partner. 3. “Best Gay Romance 2010,” edited by Richard Labonte (Cleis Press, 214 pp., $14.95 pb). A sensational collection of stories about finding love at home, at work, at any age and often in the most unexpected places. 4. “Forgetting Elena,” by Edmund White (Vintage Books USA, 192 pp., $15 pb). Combining glittering wit, an atmosphere dense in social paranoia and a breathtaking elegance and precision of language, White’s first novel suggests a hilarious apotheosis of the comedy of manners. 5. “Forbidden Colors,” by Yukio Mishima (Vintage Books USA, 416 pp., $15.95 pb). The cynical Shunsuke enlists the beautiful young Yuichi, who is irresistible to women but is just coming to realize that he loves only men. 6. “Lover’s Knot,” by Donald Hardy (Running Press, 364 pp., $13.95 hb). Jonathan Williams has inherited Trevaglan Farm from a distant relative. With his best friend, Alayne, in tow, Jonathan returns to the estate to take possession, meet the current staff and generally learn what it’s like to live as landed gentry. 7. “Tangled Web,” by Lee Rowan (Running Press, 254 pp., $13.95 pb). Brendan Townsend is a young man who is very loyal to his friends. So when Tony — his best friend, occasional lover and a complete screw-up — comes to him in trouble, Brendan is determined to help. Tony is being blackmailed by the owner of a “molly house,” the private club that Tony frequents to indulge his entertainment needs. 8. “Powerfully Beautiful: Classically Inspired Painters of the Male Figure,” curated by E. Gibbons (Firehouse, 180 pp., $34.95 pb). Work by the living masters of the male figure. 9. “Official Book Club Selection,” by Kathy Griffin (Ballantine Books, 368 pp., $25 hb). Griffin is unplugged, uncensored and unafraid to dish about what really happens on the road, away from the cameras and at the star party after the show. 10. “Best Gay Men’s Stories 2009,” edited by Steve Berman (Lethe Press, 284 pp., $18 pb).
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
Eighteen tales show the handsome face of gay writing. LESBIAN 1. “Day of the Dead,” by Victoria Brownworth (Spinsters Ink, 170 pp., $14.95 pb). Slip into the shadows of New Orleans’ deepest nights, where the unsuspecting encounter the netherworld of predators of legend. 2. “Deepest Desire,” by Anne Shade (Freedom of Love Press, 116 pp., $11.95 pb). The last thing Lynette Folsom is looking for is love, especially with a closeted female. Then she meets Eve Monroe, whose refreshing honesty and natural sexiness has her wondering if love behind closed doors really can work. 3. “Losing Control,” by Cheril Clarke (Dodi Press, 216 pp., $14.95 pb). Brianna Anderson embarks on her first campaign to win a seat on the City Council in Rockville, N.J. But Brianna has
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
secrets, and when someone close to her discovers them, loyalty turns into double-dealing and deceit. 4. “Consequences,” by Skyy (Kings Crossing, 306 pp., $15.95 pb). This fast-paced sequel to “Choices” will take you on an emotional roller coaster you won’t want to get off. 5. “Animal Magnetism: My Life with Creatures Great and Small,” by Rita Mae Brown (Ballatine, 235 pp, $25 hb). The bestselling author shares the lessons she’s learned from these marvelous creatures as well as her deep appreciation for them. 6. “Push: A Novel,” by Sapphire (Vintage, 192 pp., $13 pb). Precious Jones, 16 and pregnant by her father with her second child, meets a determined and highly radical teacher who takes her on a journey of transformation and redemption.
The book is the basis of the current movie “Precious.” 7. “If Loving Two is Wrong,” by Kim Beverley (Oshun Publishing, 270 pp., $15 pb). Ever wonder what could make a woman fall for another woman? Neither did Kayla Thomas. Why would she? Her childhood crush, and the man of her dreams, has finally stepped up
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to the plate. 8. “The Importance of Being Iceland: Travel Essays in Art,” by Eileen Myles (Semiotext(e), 216 pp., $17.95 pb). Myles travels the city, seeing it with a poet’s eye for detail and with the consciousness that writing about art and culture has always been a social gesture. 9. “Intentions,” by Susan X.
Meagher (Fortitude Press, 302 pp., $14 pb). The ninth installment of Meagher’s series “I Found My Heart in San Francisco.” 10. “Returning Tides,” by Radclyffe (Bold Strokes, 252 pp., $16.95 pb). From the Lambda Literary Award-winning author comes book six in her Provincetown series. ■
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Professional Portraits Hollywood has its power couples — Bennifer, Brangelina, To m K a t — a n d , h e r e i n Philadelphia, we have Valemar, or should that be Malerie? Partners in life and in business, Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney are the owners and operators of five successful businesses. Starting with the 2002 launch of Open House, a modern boutique on 13th Street between Chestnut and Sansom, they have been an integral part of the revitalization of the area known as Midtown Village. About to open their sixth business, a Mediterranean bar and restaurant, they’re an even-busier pair. We managed to pin Safran down to learn a little more about the successful entrepreneur. PGN: Where are you originally from? VS: My family is originally from outside of Chicago. When I was in seventh grade, we moved to Lancaster, where my parents still live. PGN: Are you an only child? VS: No, there are four girls in the family. I’m next to last in the line up. PGN: Did you have second-middle-child syndrome? VS: No, my parents had us involved in so many activities
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
Suzi Nash
we were all too busy to bother with anything like that. I played just about every sport and was involved in student government and other extracurricular activities. We all were, and my parents were supportive of all of us. In fact, my father coached a lot of the teams we played on. We were encouraged to become leaders: I was the pitcher on my softball team and most of us captained whatever teams we were on. I guess it worked because we all became pretty successful women in our respective fields. I think they’re proud of the fact that they have four strong, independent daughters that can take care of themselves. PGN: What did your parents do? VS: My father was a teacher and he had a small-business school where my mother taught classes on occasion. She was a huge role model: She was very smart and was the one who did the investing and handled the finances. She was the one who encouraged us to travel and be independent. She wanted us all to be able to make our own way. She was a remarkable person and was somewhat responsible for me getting into the culinary business. When I was growing up, we never went out for dinner: She did all the cooking. She had a little herb garden
in the back and was part of a coop. She was really into nutrition and health. I originally thought I was going to be a Spanish teacher and, in fact, studied abroad in Spain for a year, but at heart, I really wanted to be a culinaryarts teacher. I used to bake every weekend while my friends were out playing. In the end, though, I went to Shippensburg University and had dual majors in elementary education and Spanish education and taught for a year before deciding that working with young kids wasn’t for me. PGN: How did you get from there to what you do now? VS: Well, in college I played volleyball for the first three years, but the situation wasn’t good. I really didn’t like the coach and ended up leaving the team and taking a job waitressing on the weekends instead of playing. I really liked it. I worked at a little family-owned Italian restaurant where they made their own bread and pasta. I still did well in school; I’m one of those people who always wanted to get straight As and please the parents. But there I was with two degrees and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I decided to take a year off and move to Miami to waitress before deciding what to do next. My father was not happy
VALERIE SAFRAN Photo: Suzi Nash
... at all. [Laughs.] Then when I told them I was going to go to bartending school, they almost lost their minds! My grandmother had an apartment there that she let me use and I had a wonderful carefree year working several jobs in the service industry, from restaurants to catering to a job at Crate & Barrel — which I took so I could get a discount at the store — which taught me a lot about retail. PGN: How did you end up in Philly?
VS: After a year, I came back to the area to teach, because that’s what I thought I was supposed to do and I was taught to always do the responsible thing. Long story short, I was miserable teaching, so I moved into the city and got a part-time job waitressing at Valanni’s restaurant. That’s where I met Marcie. She is the total opposite of me. She’s much more of a risk-taker and basically told me if you’re not happy teaching then do something else. One day when I was particularly unhappy, I was driving with a friend down 12th Street and he said, “What would you like to be doing right now?” I told him I’d like to be driving in a Land Rover with a child, checking on my cute successful store. I got home and called Marcie — we’d been dating for three months — and asked her if she wanted to open up a store with me. She said sure and the rest is history. PGN: How did you get underway? VS: Well, Marcie was making a lot of money, but didn’t have anything to show for it. I wasn’t making so much, but had always been financially responsible. We starting saving money and then signed a lease with Goldman Properties. I knew about [Tony] Goldman from when I lived in South Beach and liked how he’d come in and redeveloped a whole area. PGN: How do you think you and Marcie helped effect change in the area?
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
VS: I remember Marcie telling me how desolate it was crossing over to this side of Broad Street when she first went to Valanni’s. But even though there wasn’t much else around it, people flocked to it. We realized that if you have something people want, they’re going to find you and support it. We couldn’t afford anything in Rittenhouse or Old City, so we looked at 13th Street. The only thing around was Trust and they weren’t doing too well. But Goldman was trying to get people to open up in the area and they told us that Capogiro had signed a lease already. Later, we heard that they told Capogiro that we’d signed a lease when at that time we hadn’t done so yet! But they knew the kind of businesses they wanted and they knew of Marcie’s reputation and style. We liked the idea of one person controlling the area because we knew they had a certain look that was consistent with what we wanted. PGN: What were some of the challenges? VS: I remember trying to figure out how to write up a business plan. I went to the Small Business Administration for help and they just didn’t get what we were trying to do. They said, “So, you want to open a trinket shop.” I got out of there. Nobody wanted to give us money, but Goldman’s rent was cheap and they were willing to help us outfit the space. Luckily, I had perfect credit and had at least five different 0-percent-interest credit-card offers in the mail. I told Marcie, you keep your job as a chef, just in case, and I’m going to open the business on the credit cards. I’ll work the store and we’ll get them paid off by the time the year’s up. I had a little bit saved up and we knew that even if we didn’t make a single sale, Marcie’s salary was enough to cover us for one year. But from the moment we opened, it was a success. We opened in October and by the end of December, we expanded. In six months, we had all the credit cards paid off. People were excited that we were there because there was nothing else in the area yet. But it was still kind of shady. The local hotels used to advise tourists not to come down 13th Street. In the wintertime, when it got dark early and the store was empty, I’d sit there thinking, I really hope no one comes into the store and takes me! But I like to think we helped turn that around. After the success of Open House, we
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
then approached Goldman about renting other spaces. They knew we were super-hard workers and liked what we’d done with the store, so they were happy to work with us again. Marcie had always wanted to own a restaurant, so that was our next step. We decided to open up a Mexican restaurant, Lolita. We still couldn’t get a bank to finance us but Goldman’s helped us a little. Trust had closed, so they needed good tenants on the block to make it appealing to others. Just as we signed the lease, we found out that Steven Starr was opening a new restaurant, El Vez, right across the street from us. And we were like, Great, why did he have to choose to do Mexican here of all places? Now what? But it turned out to be a good thing, because it brought people to the neighborhood and people would talk about El Vez and then say, “Hey, did you hear there’s a place across the street where you can bring your own tequila?” I think both businesses benefited.
Q Puzzle From the Advocate’s 15 Gayest Cities Across
1. Rainbow shape 4. Mary Cassatt, for one 10. It grows on trees 14. Noise of the lambs 15. Subtle difference 16. Protected, to seamen 17. Gay-friendly city of Vermont 19. Mariah or Madonna 20. Wedding keepsake 21. Spills one’s seed 22. Burl of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” 23. Went out with 25. Director Mitchell 27. Maine home of Rogues Gallery 32. Kanga’s baby 33. Sapphic poems 34. Theater chain name 36. Gov’t. security 40. Betty, to Ellen 41. Georgia home of Outwrite Books 43. Goal on a hole 44. Rainbow maker 46. “Dark Angel” star Jessica 47. Fender nick 48. Salamander 50. California home of Black’s Beach 52. Dick 55. A Chicago nine 56. Piece for two 57. Greek P’s 60. Terence Stamp movie, with “The” 64. ___ the crack of dawn 65. Mardi Gras site of Louisiana 67. Title role for Jodie 68. Portugal’s peninsula 69. Deli sandwich holder 70. European language 71. Jane Spahr, for one 72. Mercury or Saturn, but not Mars
PGN: Do you think being successful openly gay businesspeople has benefited the LGBT community? VS: I don’t think in those terms. We’ve always been open but, at the end of the day, it’s hard work and good food that makes us successful. To me, when people have a good experience here, it doesn’t matter that I’m gay or a woman for that matter. Some people think I need to have a gay flag on my door, but I don’t want to do that: I don’t like labels. If people find out after the fact that the owners are women who happen to be gay and it changes their perception a little, that’s the way I like to do it. At the same time, I think there are a lot of gay people who are proud and supportive of what we do and we appreciate and acknowledge Down that. See PORTRAIT, Page 28
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1. “Mamma Mia!” band 2. Male actor named Julia
3. Prep for a marathon, with “up” 4. Lion, tiger, or bear 5. Turn tail 6. License plates 7. Sondheim’s “ ___ the Woods” 8. Grinch’s look 9. More tight-assed 10. Gay-friendly city of Wisconsin 11. Martini item 12. Beyond ___ (condom brand) 13. Briny waters 18. Fantasizes about a hottie 24. Peter Doyle’s partner Whitman 26. Tiny bit 27. Splendid display 28. Locker room emanation 29. Maria’s “Do-___” 30. Vincent Lopez theme song 31. Distributes some queens, perhaps 35. Sheryl Swoopes’ org. 37. Ronny Howard role 38. Tart taste 39. Cartesian conjunction 41. Switch on a radio 42. South Beach mementos 45. Washington setting of
“Frasier” 47. ___ Chicks (country threesome) 49. White veggie 51. Susan B. Anthony coin 52. Dean Cain’s kind of man? 53. Makes well 54. “Come Back, Little ___ ” 56. Hump on the beach 58. Comes up short 59. Put into piles 61. Fashion designer Jacobs 62. “Lord of the Rings” singer 63. Belgian river 66. Carnaval locale
SOLUTION
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FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
NY drag performers stars in new documentary By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer Valentine’s Day weekend brings the area premiere of a new documentary that takes a candid look at New York’s drag performers — and a side of the art form most audiences don’t get to see. “Charmed Life” features three generations of drag performers with East Village legend Sweetie (“To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar,” “Starbooty” and “Project Runway”) at the center of it all. “I guess I’m the biggest focus of the documentary, but it does touch on a lot of drag performers’ lives,” Daniel Booth, Sweetie’s alter ego, said about the film. “I act as a facilitator throughout the film. I sit down and talk with the other performers. There’s a per-
former called Mother Flawless Sabrina who started doing drag in the 1950s. Then there are performers that have just broke out one or two years ago.” The documentary has already made a considerable splash at festivals such as Atlanta Out On Film and the New York International Film Festival where, according to Booth, audiences have had nothing but love for it. “The response has been really good,” he said. “New York City was a much more familiar crowd. It was our hometown crowd. As each drag star would come on to the screen, there was a thunderous applause. Across the board, the reaction has been positive and warm.” Not a bad result for something that started off with a less-ambitious scope. Kat Delaney, a New
DRAG QUEEN SWEETIE, STAR OF “CHARMED LIFE”
Jersey native and the film’s director, said she found her way into the project via the Internet. “I have to say it must have been kismet,” she said. “I was feeling very bored and not inspired. I was in Craigslist in New York looking to see if there were artists who were interested in pairing up with other artists. There was an ad from Sweetie looking for a director to do a public-access talk show. I emailed her and said I’m a fan of
PORTRAIT From Page 27 PGN: What was your worst blunder? VS: Probably opening a café. We had a café in the space where Bindi is now. We thought it would be so great sitting outside our café, relaxing, having coffee, etc. But even though it was making OK money, we hated it! We kept it going for a year and then turned it into Bindi. A café/coffee place is all hard work and you only make a few dollars at a time. Upscale restaurants are definitely more our cup of tea! PGN: What do you do to take your mind off business? VS: When I/we need a break from 13th Street, we usually take a day trip up to New York City and go out to two or three restaurants in the same day. We are completely stuffed when we’re done, but New York always has new restaurant and retail openings and we like to go to all the new places. It’s inspiring to be in New York and think about what our next endeavor will be. We love everything about food — eating it, of course, but also res-
drag, I’m not familiar with your work, but let’s discuss it. We met and we hit it off and we decided we were going to work together. We conceived of this project and started filming her Saturdaynight shows. We just kept filming and the rest is a documentary.” Booth praised Delaney’s filming style, saying it made the process easier for him. “I had no idea how I would react to someone following me around for two years with a camera,” he said. “What was so wonderful about dealing with Kat is her approach is very much flyon-the-wall. There was never any intrusion into your life. She was so effortless in her way of being able to capture things on film and at the same time make you feel completely comfortable and open with someone being there filming moments of your life.” Delaney equally commended Booth, saying that his understanding of drag helped to bring the documentary’s subjects into focus. “He has a universal understanding of how drag is seen,” she said. “He understands it’s
not the norm. He comes from a religious background and he understands that, because it’s not in the mainstream, it’s easily misunderstood and misrepresented. You’d think he’d have a personal agenda because that’s how he makes his living, but he really just wants people to understand it so they can appreciate it. He realizes how much work and discipline it takes. He’s very open, down to earth, able to laugh at himself and understands that it’s controversial.” “The film actually gives great insight into who the people are behind the makeup,” Booth added. “There are great performance moments in the film but it concentrates on who these people are off stage as opposed to who they are in front of an audience.” “Charmed Life” will screen at 9:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at Rainbow Mountain Resort, 210 Mt. Nebo Road, East Stroudsburg. Sweetie performs at 9 p.m. Feb. 13. For more information, visit www.rainbowmountain.com or charmedlifedoc.com. ■
taurant design, food packaging, discovering new ingredients, etc. In 2009, we took two two-week trips to Italy and Spain. When we travel, we don’t bother with anything but the food markets, food history, take cooking classes with local chefs and wine tours. We love learning from really passionate people who are great at what they do.
years old and could never have imagined where I am today. Sometimes I wish I was still 25 — time goes by so quickly and I love the challenge of new businesses and being out there discovering new things. Right now, I feel the pressure of deciding whether or not to have children. I figure I have another two years to make a decision. We could certainly adopt later, but my clock is ticking. But I don’t enjoy the pressure because I don’t feel ready yet! Back to the question, I would tell myself to never doubt my instincts. I was a little unsure of myself because I was young and didn’t know much about business, but at some point I realized the only “right way” to be successful is to be willing to adapt and change to whatever may present itself. Confidence really goes a long way. Fortunately, I had Marcie to jumpstart me to believing in myself. ■
PGN: If you could do something dangerous one time, what would you do? VS: [Laughs.] Sell the businesses and run to Tahiti. Some days you really want to just get out of Dodge. PGN: What was your favorite book or toy as a kid? VS: I don’t know why, but I loved Dr. Seuss’ “Are You My Mother?” As for toy, I don’t really remember; I think I’ve always been serious. I didn’t even like cartoons. I was like, What’s the big deal? They’re not real ... I still don’t know how people read comics and stuff. [Laughs.] PGN: What advice would you give the you of 10 years ago? VS: Ten years ago, I was 25
Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
To suggest a community member for “Professional Portraits,” write to: Professional Portraits, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 or portraits05@aol. com.
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Diversions
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
Your guide to arts and entertainment
Theater
The Curtis Symphony presents this orchestral performance at 2 p.m. Feb. 7 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
Blue Door Arden Theatre Company presents the story of a successful mathematics professor experiencing a sleepless night where a series of ancestors visit to reveal the hardships and victories that have shaped their lives, through March 21, 40 N. Second St.; (215) 922-1122.
Emanuel Ax Philadelphia Chamber Music Society presents the acclaimed pianist at 8 p.m. Feb. 8 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
A Chorus Line The Ritz Theatre Company presents the smash Broadway musical, through Feb. 13, 915 White Horse Pike, Haddon Twp., N.J.; (856) 858-5230. The Eclectic Society The Walnut Street Theatre presents the world premiere of a complex story of drama and humor set on a university campus in 1963 New England, through March 7, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550. Gagarin Way Amaryllis Theatre Company presents a story of a botched kidnapping, exploring the characters’ conflicting impulses toward apathy and outrage as dispossessed factory workers decide to make a political statement by kidnapping an executive from the factory’s multinational corporate owner, through Feb. 7, 2030 Sansom St.; (215) 5642431. The Irish ... and How They Got That Way The irreverent but affectionate history of the Irish in America uses classic songs and stories as told by Pulitzer Prizewinning author Frank McCourt, through Feb. 28 at Kimmel’s Innovation Studio, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
Music other
Patty Larkin The out singer-songwriter performs at 8 p.m. Feb 5 at Kennett Flash, 102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square; (484) 732-8295.
ROCKING UP A STORM: Beatles tributes don’t get any more intricate than this. “RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles” is a multi-media concert experience with historical footage, TV commercials and a live band covering every period of the iconic rock band’s existence, from the British Invasion through the psychedelic Sergeant Pepper era to the long-haired hippie phase. Rock out retro-style through Feb. 7 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call (215) 790-5847. Photo: Joan Marcus
Master Class The Media Theatre presents Terrence McNally’s award-winning play about a diva using the class she is teaching as a platform for her own glory as she reminisces about her career and her life, through Feb. 21, 104 E. State St., Media; (610) 891-0100. The Music of Andrew Lloyd Weber Six Broadway stars perform classics by the legendary composer, Feb. 9-14 at the Merriam Theater, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Other Hands Luna Theatre Company presents an examination of love for the technological age, through Feb. 14 at Walnut Street Theatre’s
Studio 5, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550. The Prince Independence Studio presents a story following a popular senator into the backroom of his politically charged court case, through Feb. 7 at Walnut Street Theatre’s Studio 3, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550. RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles The show that is the next best thing to seeing The Beatles runs through Feb. 7 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Respect: A Musical Journey of Women Society Hill Playhouse presents an exuberant
musical that recounts the journey of women in the 20th century with popular music, through April 18, 507 S. Eighth St.; (215) 923-0210. Theater District Allens Lane Art Center presents a drama by the award-winning writer of “thirtysomething” and “My So-Called Life,” about a 16-year-old who moves in with his aloof father and his boyfriend, through Feb. 6, 601 W. Allens Lane; (215) 248-0546.
Music classical Brandenberg & Suites Vox Ama Deus presents an evening of orchestral suites with multiple soloists, 8 p.m. Feb. 5 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 240 S.
Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Sheherazade The Philadelphia Orchestra performs a rendering of tales from “A Thousand and One Nights,” 8 p.m. Feb. 5-6 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Sweet Honey in the Rock The Kimmel Center presents the Grammy Award-winning female a-cappella ensemble combining blues, gospel, rap, reggae jazz and African chants, 3 p.m. Feb. 6 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. The Jack Wolgin Orchestral Concerts
Bob Marley’s Legend Classic Albums Live presents a flawless recreation of the reggae star’s classic album, 8 p.m. Feb. 6 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650. Town Mountain The bluegrass/country group performs at 8 p.m. Feb. 7 at World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400. Angie Stone and Leela James The two R&B singers perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 10 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650. Dee Dee Bridgewater The jazz vocalist performs an evening of music celebrating Billie Holiday, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; (215) 898-3900. WXPN Musicians On Call Concert The nonprofit initiative that brings musicians to local hospitals to perform at patients’ bedsides hosts a benefit concert featuring
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
through Feb. 20, 1616 14 at King of Prussia Walnut St., Suite 100; (215) Mall’s Lower Level Plaza, 545-7562. 256 Mall Blvd.; (610) 7680710. Send notices at Ragas and Rajas: least one week Supergirl! Musical Imagery of in advance to: NEXUS presents an Courtly India Diversions, PGN, The Philadelphia Museum exhibition of female video 505 S. Fourth St., artists who represent of Art presents a diverse Philadelphia, Pa. selection of paintings and themselves as superheroes 19147; sculptures from across in their work, through Feb. fax them to (215) the subcontinent, through 5, 1400 N. American St., 925-6437; Feb. 28, 2600 Benjamin Suite 102; (215) 684-1946. or e-mail them to Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763diversions@epgn. 8100. Twenty-Two Squared com. Twenty-Two Gallery Notices cannot Rockwell’s America presents an eclectic offering be taken over the The largest 3-D Norman of affordable original phone. Rockwell exhibit in the art from 22 area artists, world takes visitors on through Feb. 7, 236 S. 22nd a unique journey that St.; (215) 772-1911. Ingrid Michaelson and includes segments from the Mtulu at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 Academy Award-winning at World Café Live, 3025 Streb: Brave film “Norman Rockwell’s Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400. World,” 20 theatrical The Annenberg Center environments, 35 threepresents a performance dimensional life-sized blending slam dancing, extreme sports, circus arts depictions of Rockwell’s American Pastime characters and dozens of and Hollywood stunt work, InLiquid presents an Feb. 5-6 at Zellerbach installation of new mixed- interactive educational experiences, through March Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; media work by artist Katharine Kesselring, through Feb. 5 at the Painted Bride Art Center Café Gallery, 230 Vine St.; (215) 592-1310.
Notices
Dance
Exhibits
PGN
(215) 898-3900. Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble This free performance celebrates the beauty of family and the honoring of Africa through traditional songs, instruments, dance and drum, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Kimmel’s Commonwealth Plaza, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 7905847. Winged Woman Dance: Residue The Annenberg Center presents the Philadelphiabased ensemble founded by Tina Heuges that is dedicated to in-depth collaborations among visual artists, musicians and dancers, at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Harold Prince Theater, 3680 Walnut St.; (215) 898-3900.
Film
Pick
Arabesque Expressionism AxD Gallery presents an exhibition of paintings by Daniel Stuelpnagel and Madeline Adams, through Feb. 6, 265 S. 10th St.; (215) 627-6250.
Isaac Lin: A Place Near Here Fleisher/Ollman Gallery presents a solo exhibition of new works from the Chinese-American artist,
V for Vendetta Mugshots Coffeeshop and Café presents the film as part of its “Graphic Novel Film Series,” 7 p.m. Feb. 5, 2100 Fairmount Ave.; (267) 514-7145. Persopolis Mugshots Coffeeshop and Café presents the film as part of its “Graphic Novel Film Series,” 2 p.m. Feb. 7, 2100 Fairmount Ave.; (267) 514-7145. Angels with Dirty Faces The 1930s gangster film is screened at 2 p.m. Feb. 7 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223. Zombieland The 2009 horror/comedy is screened 8 p.m. Feb. 8 at Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-5483. A History of Violence Mugshots Coffeeshop and Café presents the film as part of its “Graphic Novel Film Series,” 7 p.m. Feb. 10, 2100 Fairmount Ave.; (267) 514-7145. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Bryn Mawr Film Institute presents a screening of Ang Lee’s epic martial-arts fantasy, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 5279898.
Body Worlds 2 & The Brain The Franklin Institute presents an eye-opening journey through the inner workings of the human body through a broad collection of authentic human specimens, through Feb. 20, 222 N. 20th St.; (215) 448-1200. Inspiring a Nation The National Constitution Center hosts an exhibition featuring World War I posters created by Philadelphia Sketch Club artists through April 25, 525 Arch St.; (215) 4096700.
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Feb. 11 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 6865322.
Opera
Carmen Amici Opera Company presents Bizet’s opera at 3 p.m. Feb. 7 at St. Nicholas Hall, 910 Pierce St.; (215) 224-0257.
Cabaret
Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus The choral group performs at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Harlans Cabaret, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225.
Etc.
Sugar and Spice on Ice Who doesn’t like candy and ice-skating? Partake in some sweet skating from 1-5 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn’s Landing, 301 S. Columbus Blvd.; (215) 925-7465. First Person StorySlams First Person Arts Festival presents its performance art/storytelling competition at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400. I Love You/I Hate You Azuka Lounge presents the anti-Valentine event from 5-8 p.m. Feb. 9 at Woody’s Bar, 202 S. 13th St.; (215) 545-1893. ■
Books
Book Lovers Mixer Giovanni’s Room hosts a literary speed-dating event at 7 p.m. Feb. 6, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960. A Study of African American Men and HIV The editors of “Dangerous Intimacy,” a collection of unscripted autobiographies of 10 African-American men living with HIV, host a book event at 6 p.m. Feb. 10 at Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St.; (215) 8987595. Six Broadway stars perform classic Broadway tunes in “The Music of Andrew Lloyd Weber,” Feb. 9-14 at Merriam Theater, 240 S. Broad St. The musical favorites composed by the Tony, Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer include songs from “Cats,” “Evita,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Sunset Boulevard,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Song & Dance,” “Starlight Express,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and many more. For more information or tickets, call (215) 790-5847.
James Hansen The author of “Storms of My Grandchildren: The Truth About the Climate Catastrophe and Our Last Chance to Save Humanity” hosts a reading at 7:30 p.m.
Real Estate Directory
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
Happy Hour Mon.-Fri. 5:30 - 7:30
$2 Domestics $3 Imports $3 Well Drinks $2 Pabst 12oz bottles all day, every day
Rainbow Award Best Bar and Bartender 2008, 2009 Fox Philly Best Gay and Lesbian Bar 2008, 2009
Happy Hour prices for all Eagles games Dinner served nightly 5:30 - 11 p.m. 255 S. Camac St., Philadelphia, Pa. (215) 545-8731
Contact your PGN ad rep to participate:
(215) 625-8501 Greg, ext. 201 Kelly, ext. 207 Morgan, ext. 212 David, ext. 219
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
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worth watching: FRIDAY Kitchen Nightmares Gordon Ramsay visits an ailing restaurant in Ridgewood, N.J. 9 p.m. on Fox. SATURDAY Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone One of the films featuring the popular wizard. 8 p.m. on CBS. Suze Orman Show The out money expert’s finance show. 9 p.m. on CNBC. Graham Norton Show The gay Brit hosts a talk show. 10:30 p.m. on BBC America. The Wanda Sykes Show The out comedian hosts her talk show with plenty of booze, jokes and Porshe, her drag-queen sidekick. 11 p.m. on Fox. Saturday Night Live Aston Kutcher hosts and Them Crooked Vultures performs. 11:30 p.m. on NBC.
Look for bisexual character Thirteen. 8 p.m. on Fox. How I Met Your Mother The openly gay Neil Patrick Harris stars as Barney in a Valentine’s Day-themed episode. 8 p.m. on CBS. RuPaul’s Drag Race Drag queens compete in this reality contest. 9 p.m. on Logo. TUESDAY American Idol Out talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres judges. 8 p.m. on Fox. Reno 911! Look for Lt. Dangle in this comedy. 9 p.m. on Logo. WEDNESDAY The New Adventures of Old Christine Look for out comedian Wanda Sykes as Barb. 8 p.m. on CBS. American Idol Ellen DeGeneres judges and more dreams get crushed. 9 p.m. on Fox.
SUNDAY Super Bowl XLIV Saints vs. Colts, but we’re really keeping an eye on the commercials. 6:30 p.m. on CBS.
Modern Family Gay couple and adoptive parents Mitchell and Cameron try to set up Manny on a date. 9 p.m. on ABC.
The Sound of Music Just in case you have no interest in the Super Bowl. 7 p.m. on ABC Family Channel.
The Robert Verdi Show The out celebrity stylist dreams up new ways to make more money for his empire. 10 p.m. on Logo.
MONDAY House
Ugly Betty The show is canceled after
Queer TV you can always see: One Life to Live
Look for Kyle and Fish. Monday-Friday, 2 p.m. on ABC. Ellen
Monday-Friday, 3 p.m. on NBC. The Rachel Maddow Show
Monday-Friday, 9 p.m. on MSNBC.
this season, so catch it while you can. Designer Brian Reyes appears as himself. 10 p.m. on ABC. THURSDAY Mambo Italiano Angelo, an aspiring television writer in his 20s, decides to move out of his Italian-immigrant parents’ home much to their disappointment. But when his parents find out that he’s gay and he moved in with his policeman boyfriend, Nino, they react with excessive drama and hysteria. 8 p.m. on Logo. Grey’s Anatomy Look for out character Callie Torres in this Valentine’s Day-themed episode. 9 p.m. on ABC.
BLOODY VALENTINE: Out character Callie (Sara Ramirez, left) and Derek (Patrick Dempsey) are kept on their toes during a Valentine-themed episode that is less than picturesque after the roof collapses at a popular romantic restaurant and the doctors have to treat dozens of injured lovebirds on “Grey’s Anatomy,” 9 p.m. Feb. 11 on ABC. Photo: ABC/Eric McCandless
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Meeting Place A community bulletin board of activities, facilities and organizations
Community centers ■ The Attic Youth Center: For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday through Friday. See the Youth section for more events. 255 S. 16th St.; (215) 545-4331 ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St.; (215) 898-5044; center@dolphin.upenn.edu, Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. ■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; (215) 348-0558 ext. 65; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. ■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center: 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 732-2220; www.waygay.org. Peer counseling: Monday through Friday, 6-9 p.m. Library hours: Mondays 3-9 p.m., Tuesdays 3-6 p.m., Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., Thursdays 3-9 p.m., Fridays 3-9 p.m., Saturdays noon-6 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.; Volunteer Velada, third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Health Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 166 W. Lehigh Ave.; (215) 763-8870 ext. 6000. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., suite 205; (2215) 536-2424. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; (215) 851-1822 or (866) 222-3871. Spanish/English. HIV testing Free, anonymous testing and counseling is offered from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment at AIDS Resource, 520 W. Fourth St., suite 2A, Williamsport; (570)
Key numbers
322-8448. HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; (215) 685-1803. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications, confidential HIV testing available at 17 MacDade Blvd., suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; (610) 586-9077. Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 1201 Chestnut St.; (215) 563-0652. www.mazzonicenter.org. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; (215) 985-9206.
Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: (215) 686-2555
■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: (215) 587-9377
■ Mazzoni Center: (215) 563-0652; www. mazzonicenter.org
■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: (856) 933-9500 ext. 221
■ Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine: (215) 563-0658
■ AIDS Library: (215) 985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: (215) 592-1513
■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): (215) 572-1833
■ AIDS Treatment hot line: (215) 5452212
■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: (215) 686-4670
■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: (215) 685-1633
■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: (215) 772-2000
■ The COLOURS Organization Inc. 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 4960330. ■ Equality Advocates Pennsylvania: (215) 731-1447; (866) LGBTLAW ■ Equality Forum: (215) 732-3378 ■ Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Peer Counseling Services: (215) 732-TALK ■ Mayor’s liaison to LGBT communities: Gloria Casarez, (215) 686-2194; Gloria.
■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Chief Inspector James Tiano: (215) 685-3655 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: (215) 600-0627; ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: (215) 875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: (717) 920-9537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: (215) 732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays, and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
Activism/Politics
ACT-UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) Meets at 6 p.m. every Monday at St. Luke and the Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; (215) 3861981; www.critpath.org/actup. Delaware Valley Chapter, Americans United for Separation of Church and State Seeks activists and supporters of church-state separation. Holds monthly meetings and events; (856) 863-3061; www.dvau.org. Equality Advocates Philadelphia Holds a volunteer night second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m., 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 605; (215) 731-1447; www.equalitypa.org. Green Party of Philadelphia Holds general meetings fourth Tuesday of each month (except April) at 6:30 p.m., 4134 Lancaster Ave.; (215) 243-7103; www.gpop.org. Log Cabin Republican Club of Philadelphia Meets at 7 p.m. third Wednesday of the month at the William Way Community Center; (215) 4655677; www.phillylogcabin.org. Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club Meets seasonally; (215) 760-7184; www. libertycity.org.
Arts
Gay Men’s Book Discussion Group Meets at 6:30 p.m. first Wednesday of the month at the Independence Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, 18 S. Seventh St.; (215) 685-1633. Library Book Club Meets to discuss a new book at 7 p.m. on third Wednesday of the month at the William Way Center. New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus Chorus rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Mondays in Princeton, N.J.; (609) 675-1998. Open-mic night An amateur poetry, music and storytelling event sponsored by The Pride Center of New Jersey, meets at 8 p.m. every third Friday at the George Street Playhouse, 1470 Jersey Ave., North Brunswick, N.J.; (732) 846-0715. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus Chorus rehearses from 7-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays; (215) 731-9230; auditions@pgmc.org. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Opera Club Meets to share and listen to recordings at 6:30 p.m. on last Saturday of the month; (215) 2246995. Philadelphia Voices of Pride Philadelphia’s first mixed GLBT chorus rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the William Way Center; (888) 505-7464; www.pvop.org. Queer Writer’s Collective Workshop and discussion group meets 4-6 p.m. on fourth Saturday of the month at the William Way Center. Women’s Book Group Meets first Thursday of the month at 6:45 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; brassygrrl@hotmail.com.
Recreation
Diversity Dancers Ballroom dancers meet the first Sunday of the month for tea dance and lessons. Other events scheduled throughout the year; (215) 922-2129; DiversityDancers@aol.com. Gay Bridge Club Non-beginners group meets Monday afternoons at the William Way Center; (215) 985-4835.
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010 Male Oenophile Group Male group forming to discuss, appreciate and taste various wines. Will meet once a month to investigate the nuances and glories of the fermented grape. Call (267) 230-6750 for more information. Mornings OUT LGBT Senior Social Activities for sexual-minority seniors are held every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the William Way Center. PhilaVentures Philadelphia’s GLBT outdoor group meets for a hike in Wissahickon Valley Park on Sundays at 2 p.m. at Borders Books, Music and Café, 8701 Germantown Ave.; (215) 271-8822. Rainbow Room A meeting/activity night held for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth and their friends Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Rainbow Room of Planned Parenthood in Doylestown; (215) 348-0558.
Sports
Brandywine Women’s Rugby Club Meets for Tuesday and Thursday practice at Greene Field, Howell Street and Moore Road, West Chester; www.brandywinerugby.org. City of Brotherly Love Softball League GLBT softball league serves the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Games are played Sundays, beginning in April, in Fairmount Park; (215) 462-2575; www.cblsl.org. Frontrunners Running club meets Saturday mornings at 9:30 for a run and brunch. Lloyd Hall, No. 1 Boathouse Row; www.frontrunnersphila.org. Gay and Lesbian Bowling League Bowls at 8 p.m. Thursdays in the Norristown area; call Doug Schneidig; (716) 864-4393. Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club GLBT and allied soccer club; practices Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon and Wednesdays 6-8 p.m. at Edgeley Fields in Fairmount Park;www. falcons-soccer.org. Philadelphia Fins Swim Team Male and female swimmers meet at 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. Saturdays in Center City; (610) 564-6661; www. philadelphia-fins.org. Philadelphia Gay Bowling League Meets 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays September through April at Brunswick Zone, 1328 Delsea Drive, Deptford, N.J.; (856) 889-1434; www. philagaybowling.com. Philadelphia Gay Flag Football New group forming. Contact Jered at gayflagfootball@gmail.com or (214) 770-5373. Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Football Club Team seeks players; all skill levels welcome; (215) 913-7531; info@phillygryphons.org. Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association Meets at 7 p.m. every third Monday at William Way Center; into@plta.us. Philadelphia Phoenix Women’s football team seeks players; (267) 6799535; www.philadelphiaphoenix.org. Philly Gay Hockey Association Philadelphia Phury seeks players; (917) 6561936; phury@gayhockey.org. Rainbow Riders of the Delaware Valley Motorcycle club meets regularly; (215) 836-0440; www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ rainbowridersdv/.
Etc.
AIDS Law Project Provides free legal assistance to people with HIV/AIDS and sponsors free monthly seminars on work and housing; 1211 Chestnut St., suite 600; (215) 587-9377; www.aidslawpa.org. BiUnity Philadelphia area social and support network for bisexuals, their family members and friends meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month at the William Way Center; www. biunity.org. Global A political, community and social group that also works to promote Bordentown as a gayfriendly community meets on the first Saturday of the month at Firehouse Gallery, 8 Walnut St., Bordentown, N.J.; jerseyglobal@yahoo.com. Delaware Pride Meets at 7 p.m. on first Thursday of the month at the United Church of Christ, 300 E. Main St., Newark, Del.; (800) 292-0429. Delaware Valley Pink Pistols For LGBT people dedicated to legal, safe and responsible use of firearms for self-defense; meets at 2 p.m. on third Saturday of the month at Classic Indoor Range, 1310 Industrial Blvd., Southhampton; (267) 386-8907; www. pinkpistols.org. Friday Feast and Fun Dinner hosted by St. John’s Lutheran Church at 6:30 p.m. second Friday of the month, 24 N. Ridge Ave., Ambler; (215) 576-8008. Haverford College’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance Open meetings 10-11 p.m. Mondays in the lounge in Jones Basement at Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave.; (610) 896-4938. Latina/o Virtual Community Local listserv offers various information and resources; (215) 808-2493; Zorros_mail@yahoo. com; LatinPhillyLGBT@yahoogroups.com. LGBTQ and Friends Activity Group Meets at 7 p.m. on third Friday of the month to plan outings and potlucks at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County. Long Yang Club Philadelphia Social organization for gay Asians and their friends holds monthly socials; P.O. Box 401, Philadelphia, Pa. 19105; www.longyangclub. org/philadelphia. Our Night Out A casual social networking party of LGBT professionals, allied communities, friends and colleagues meets in a different Philadelphia hot spot each month. To receive monthly event invitations, send email to OurNightOutPhilly@gmail.com; PhillyGayCalendar.com/org/OurNightOut. Philadelphia Bar Association Legal Advice Offered from 5-8 p.m. on third Wednesday of the month; (215) 238-6333. Philadelphia Prime Timers Club for mature gay and bisexual men and their admirers meets regularly; (610) 344-0853; www. primetimersphiladelphia.org. Philadelphians MC Club for leather men and women meets 7:30 p.m. first and third Mondays of the month at The Pit at The Bike Stop, 201 S. Quince St.; (215) 627-1662. Philly Paw Pals Gay and lesbian dog owners and their dogs meet on first Saturday of the month at a dog park; (215) 618-5290; PhillyPawPals@aol.com.
Rainbow Rollers Gay and lesbian bowling league meets 9 p.m. on Tuesdays September-April at Laurel Lanes, 2825 Rte. 73 South, Maple Shade, N.J.; (856) 778-7467.
Rainbow Amateur Radio Association ARRL affiliated; private; weekly HF nets, monthly newsletter, e-mail server; (302) 5392392; www.rara.org.
South Jersey Gay Bowling League Gay and lesbian bowling league meets 7 p.m. on Fridays September-April at Laurel Lanes, 2825 Rte. 73 South, Maple Shade, N.J.; (856) 778-7467.
Rock ’n’ Roll Queer Bar Party A party for gay and lesbian rockers with host Psydde Delicious starts at 10 p.m. every second Wednesday at N. 3rd, Third and Brown streets; (215) 413-3666.
Gay Opera Guys of Philly New group for opera appreciation meets last Sunday of the month at 2:30 p.m. in Roxborough/ Andorra area; (215) 483-1032.
Spartan Wrestling Club The gay wresting team meets from 7-9 p.m. Mondays at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.; (215) 732-4545; www. phillyspartans.com.
Humboldt Society: Lesbian and Gay Naturalists Meets second Thursday of the month at the William Way Center; (215) 985-1456; www. humboldtsociety.org.
Silver Foxes Social and educational group for gays and lesbians 50 and older meets from 3-5 p.m. on fourth Sunday of the month at the William Way Center.
Team Philadelphia Meets at 8 p.m. second Wednesday of the month at the William Way Center; www. teamphiladelphia.org.
Stonewall Model Railroad Club Meets monthly; (215) 769-4230; k3k@yahoo. com.
Women’s Table Tennis New group forming. Interested women are encouraged to e-mail michelesimone19144@yahoo.com.
Thirsty Third Tuesdays Collingswood Out in the Neighborhood meets at 7 p.m. on third Tuesday of the month for coffee, dessert and conversation at Three Beans, 40 N. Haddon Ave., Haddonfield N.J.; (215) 439-8337.
Gay-friendly Scrabble Club Meets from 6-11 p.m. in the P.I.C. Building, 42nd and Locust streets; (215) 382-0789. Gay and Lesbian Scrabble Players in the tri-state area gather for socializing and friendly/competitive games; ScrabbleGroup@excite.com.
Indepedence Squares GLBT square dance club, modern Western square dancing. Monthly open house. Tuesday classes in the fall; Lutheran Church, 2111 Sansom St.; (215) 735-5812; www.independencesquares.org.
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Classifieds
With Real Estate, Help Wanted, Services and Personals
New-home sales fall 7.6 percent in December By Alan Zibel The Associated Press Sales of new homes fell unexpectedly in December, capping the industry’s worst year on record and fueling concern that the housing market turnaround could falter. Last month’s results were the weakest since March and were only 4 percent above the bottom last January. The data showed the housing recovery remains limp despite newly expanded tax incentives to spur sales. Many in the industry, however, expect sales to pick up as the April 30 deadline for the tax credit nears. Some builders are nervous. “If we don’t see better data in March and April, we’re going to have a big problem,” said John Wieland, CEO of Atlantabased John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods. Housing remains one of the weakest links in the economic recovery. Last Wednesday, Federal
Reserve policymakers wrapped up a two-day meeting but failed to mention housing. That was telling because it had asserted in recent months that the housing market was improving. Now, the housing industry, which has been propped up by government support, faces another challenge. A $1.25-trillion Fed program that has held down mortgage rates is scheduled to end by March 31. That, along with the expiration of tax credits for homebuyers in April, could further cripple home sales at the start of the busiest time of the year. Nationwide, new-home sales for December fell 7.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 342,000 from an upwardly revised November pace of 370,000, the Commerce Department said last week. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters had forecast a pace of 370,000 for December. “Another wheezing home-sales report,” wrote JPMorgan Chase economist Michael Feroli.
Tom Brown, co-owner of Summerville, S.C.-based Crown Home Builders, was not surprised that December was so poor for the industry. Buyers are having trouble meeting tough criteria for mortgage loans, he said. And though builders are cutting prices, the shaky economy and weak job market are keeping home shoppers away. “People are holding on to what they have,” he said. Mortgage rates rose slightly after the Federal Reserve’s statement, but remain level with the past two weeks. The national average rate on 30-year loans was 5.12 percent last Thursday, up from 5.04 percent on Tuesday, roughly the same as it had been over the past 10 days, according to data publisher HSH Associates. “There’s a lot of anxiety, but nothing really right now that would impact the consumer,” said Jim Sahnger, a mortgage broker with Palm Beach Financial Network in Jupiter, Fla.
Only 374,000 new homes were sold last year, down 23 percent from a year earlier and the weakest year on records dating back to 1963. December’s sales were nearly 9-percent below the same month last year. This year, the National Association of Home Builders is forecasting more than 500,000 sales. Even if that happens, “it hardly makes you ecstatic,” said Bernard Markstein, senior economist at the trade group, noting that the industry clocked more than 1 million sales a year from 2003 through 2006. Home sales have had a rocky recovery from their four-year slide. December’s sales pace for new homes was up 4 percent from the bottom in January 2009, but down 75 percent from the peak in July 2005. The median sales price of $221,300 in December was down nearly 4 percent from $229,600 a year earlier, but up about 5 percent from November’s median of
$210,300. New-home sales varied widely across the country. Sales of new homes plummeted by 41 percent in the Midwest and fell by 7 percent in the South. But they skyrocketed 43 percent in the Northeast and rose 5 percent in the West. “You have some builders that are still struggling while others are doing well,” said Brad Hunter, chief economist with Metrostudy, a real-estate research and consulting firm. And any housing recovery this year is likely to be slow and labored. So far, the housing recovery has been fueled mainly by hundreds of billions in federal spending that has pushed down mortgage rates and propped up demand. Congress decided last year to extend a tax credit of up to $8,000 for firsttime buyers until the end of April. Homeowners who have lived in their current properties for at least five years can claim a tax credit of up to $6,500 if they move. ■
Location! Location! Location! This week’s featured property
Beds: 1 Baths: 1 Cost: $364,900 Square footage: 1,350 Realtor: Stephanie Uff Real-estate co.: CITYSPACE Phone: 215-625-3650 Direct: 610-781-0449 Web site: www.thinkcityspace.com
Come check out this unique home on a beautiful tree-lined street! This corner property has new updates, a private garage, basement storage and outdoor space! OPEN HOUSE - Sun., Feb 7th, Noon-2p.m.
Check your ad
PLACING ADS Using voicemail? Please be sure to have the following information ready when you call: • Your ad copy • The type of style you want • Desired abbreviations • American Express, Discover, MasterCard or VISA information • Your name and mailing
614 Kenilworth St.
address • Daytime telephone number Having all this information ready will speed your order and help to avoid errors. Phone calls can only be returned during business hours. For more information, see the coupon page in this section.
Philadelphia Gay News assumes responsibility for errors in classified ads only when notified by noon the Tuesday after the ad first appears. To receive credit for errors, please notify PGN by then. Credit only will be extended in the form of additional advertising space. Any cash refunds, for any reason, are subject to a $10 service charge. PGN will publish no classified ad — in any category — that contains sexually explicit language. Obviously excluded are traditional four-letter words that relate to sexual activity. Other words may be excluded at the discretion of the publisher, who reserves the right to edit or rewrite any ad that, in his opinion, violates this policy or its intent.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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GREATHunters! BUILDING IN GAYBORHOOD Attention 60 Acres$99,900 Timber INVESTMENT co. liquidating a hunting 20AC withGREAT Utilities & paradiseCountry loaded Road w/big was OPPORTUNITY whitetail deer. hardwood trails me$99,900BUSINESS Now All $69,900 BLMsetting, access. Deer & NEAR 11TH LOCUST, $599K views. andering throughout, pristine mountain elk galore! Call to & view 877-229-7840 www. Come see road this wonderful bldg20 w/2minutes spacious Old state frontage, just to rental apartments andVirginia! large commercial town. Best buy in West Easy owner _______________________________32-16 space on 1st floor. the heart of Center City. financing. Call nowIn1-877-526-3764. Currently a doctor’s office, zoned C-1. Could _______________________________33-18 Luxury four bedroom, four bath. Fully furnished. be made into condos or large single dwellMountain and lake views. $678,000. Call Dave ing. Great condition, price, location. Call for appointment. _______________________________32-16 JULIE WELKER 72 acres along McKean/Potter County line COLDWELL BANKER WELKER near Shinglehouse. Mostly wooded, some REAL ESTATE open area, includes old hunting cabin, 215-235-7800 electric, $199,000. Field and Stream RE. _______________________________34-10 BROAD STREET BROWNSTONE ���������������������������������������������������������������������� 3_______________________________32-16 story entertainment home, one of a kind. ������������������������������������������ $649,000. 267-767-9502. ������������������������������������������������� _______________________________34-09 ����������������������������������������������� VENTNOR, NJ, FACING THE BAY ���������������������������������������������������������������������� House and Adjacent Lot (inground swimming pool). 1st floor 3 bedrooms, bath, living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room and deck. 2nd floor 2 bedrooms, bath, efficiency kitchen, ����������������������������������������������������� living room, dining area and deck. Central Air. ���������������������������������������������� Corner Property. Call 215 468 9166 evenings only. $675,000.00.������������� Also property for rent��������������������� 1500.00 month plus���������������� utilities. ��������������������� _______________________________34-10 �������������� �������������� Snowmobilers Heaven Tug Hill Region Land on paved road w/power! 3 acres in Osceola$15,995. 10 acres in Amboy $22,900. 5 acres w/ new cabin- $25,995. Large Acreage- 42 Acres $59,995. Access to snowmobile trails. Cabins built on any lot startiing at $19,900. Financing available. Christmas & Associates 800-229-7843 www.landandcamps.com _______________________________34-06 NATIONWIDE FORECLOSED HOME AUCTION 700+ Homes. BIDS OPEN 2/8. Open House: 1/30, 1/31, & 2/6. View Full Listings www.Auction.com REDC/Brkr SB065259. _______________________________34-06 Cameron County, PA - 3.5 acres in Portage Twp near trout stream and state forest. Electric, perc, hard road frontage. $19,900. Owner financing available. 814-435-2570. _______________________________34-06 ***FREEE Foreclosure Listings*** Over 400,000 properties nationwide. LOW Down Payment. Call NOW! 1-800-778-6207. _______________________________34-06
BD/1 BA, erry wood . BD with ows in $4 , Realtor, 348-0000, 3, 1-3 ___33-18
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Does Your House Need A New Coat? We’ve Got Specialists!
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
Future Plans Include Your Own Home? Start Your Future . . . Now!
����������������� 604�������������������������������� S. American: Unique & Charming! ������������������������ 1650 Sq. Ft. 3 fireplaces, Large Studio At-
tached, 2 BR , 1.5 Baths $359,000
������������������������ �������������������� Pier 3 2/2 w/PARKING Best view at end ������������������������������������� of Pier of Bridge & River . . . Ready to ������������������� Make a Deal! $329,000 ������������������������������������ �������������������� 2/2 Sleek 4 Stylish! Best of 1027 Arch �����������
upgrades. . . Aquick Possession possible . ������������������ . . Hardwood, Granite/Steel! $385,000 �������������� 338 S. 12th Wash West w/ secure park����������� ������������ ing! 3+/2Ba Available now! $575,000 ����������������� ������������������
or call Suzanne Petruzel
215-790-5671 or 215-546-0550
Swarthmore
$690,000
Stunning 3 Bedroom home located in lovely Swarthmore borough. Close to Phila / I-95. This home is completely renovated using all the finest materials & craftsmanship. You must see for yourself. Call for appt.
Baird & Bird, Inc.
Realtor 610-565-7600 Visit us @ www.bairdandbird.com Open Houses Sunday Feb. 7, 2010 Noon - 1:00 PM 927 Spruce St. Unit 2R. Unique large open NY style condo. Wood floors, skyline views, deluxe kitchen. Parking available. Low fees and taxes. .........only $225,000
927 Spruce St. Unit #1F. Large Jr. one bed room, one bath, totally rehabbed condo with low fees and taxes. Parking available. Low fees and taxes. ....................... .................................................................................Reduced now only $199,900
306 - 308 Cherry St. Unit #300 New Listing. Very large 2 bd. 1ba. renovated condo w/ hardwood floors, fireplace, low taxes and condo fees. A must see!! .............. .....................................................................................................................$385,000
927 Spruce St. Unit #3. Large bi-level townhouse style condo with PARKING. 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Totally renovated with wood floors and possible roof deck. ............................................................................................................only $425,000 1:30 - 2:30 PM
927 Spruce St. Unit 1R. One bedroom, one bath, newly rehabbed condo. Private rear garden area. Low fees and taxes. Parking available. Priced to SELL, only ......... .....................................................................................................................$199,900
927 Spruce St. Unit #3. Large bi-level townhouse style condo with PARKING. 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Totally renovated with wood floors and possible roof deck. ............................................................................................................only $425,000 306 - 308 Cherry St. Unit #300 New Listing. Very large 2 bd. 1ba. renovated condo w/ hardwood floors, fireplace, low taxes and condo fees. A must see!!.............. .....................................................................................................................$385,000
927 Spruce St. Unit #2F. Large one bedroom, one bath, south facing unit. Total rehab with wood floors, deluxe kitchen. Super low fees and taxes. Parking available. ............................................................................................................now $249,000
Search all Philadelphia area listings @ www.thephillyrealtors.com Dan Tobey
The Curtis Center 170 W. Independence Mall , Suite L-44 Philadelphia, PA 19106
215.546.2700 Business • 267.238.1061 Direct 215.432.7151 Cell • 215.546.7728 Fax dtobey@cbpref.com
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
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614 Kenilworth St. $364,900 Newly Updated 1bed/1bath/1garage Single home on beautiful tree lined street in Queens Village Must see ! OPEN House SUN Feb 7th ��������������������������� 12-2pm ��������������������������������������� �������� ������������������ ����������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������� ����������������������������� ������������� ����������������� ���������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������� ��������������������������� 2200 Walnut St, Philadelphia Pa 19103 ������������������ ������������ �������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������� ������������������������������������������������ ��������������� ����������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������� �������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������� ��������������� ����������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������� ������ �����������������������������������������������
Stephanie Uff
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
54XX BLK MORRIS ST. 3 BD 2.5 BATH TWIN Located in SW Germantown where history, architecture, and diversity merge to form a great place to live! This classic home is renovated and ready for the buyer who appreciates vintage Philly at an affordable price. Close to schools, CC trains, parks, shopping.
Call Lydia@ Keene RE - 215-266-8819
215-625-3650
GREAT BUILDING GAYBORHOOD GREAT INVESTMENT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY ��������
NEAR 11TH & LOCUST, $599K
�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������
Come see this wonderful bldg w/2 spacious rental apartments and large commercial space on 1st floor. In the heart of Center City. Currently a doctor’s office, zoned C-1. Could be used made into condo’s or large single dwelling. Great ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� condition, price, location. Call for appointment.
JULIE WELKER E-mail us: pgn@epgn.com COLDWELL BANKER WELKER REAL ESTATE
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215-235-7800 ������������������������������ ����������� ���������������������. Furness Flats. Large 2 bed, 1 bath. last unit left in this highly desirable building. Close to all Center City Hospitals. Low fees and taxes ................................�������������
Consider Packer Park for your next home?
������������������������ “George T. Sale Condo” Unique Garden level 1 bd, 1 ba. unit w/ private entrance.. Low fees & Tax Abatement. Lowest price 1 bd. in area ........................��������. �����������
����������������������. New open style 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo with low taxes and condo fees. Great small pet friendly building. .........................................................................��������
Suburbs in the City
������������������� Old Swedes Court. New Listing Large 3 PREMIER RESIDENTIAL Bedroom 2.5 Bath with Garage, roof COMMUNITY deck and hardwood floors. Low association fees in Queen Village ....................�������� Convenient to Sports Complex,International Airport,
�������������. update 4 bd. 2 ba. with FDR Park,NEW WaltLISTING. WhitmanLarge Bridge & Much More. huge garden and wonderfully roof deck with city skyline views. Safe, Beautiful, Welcoming, Convenient .................................................................................��������
We have a Wide Variety of Sales & Rentals ����������������������������������������������������������������� Something to fit any need
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REAL ESTATE
RENT
12TH & DICKINSON AREA Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms , bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (negotiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. _______________________________34-10 QUEEN VILLAGE 2 BR, ultra modern, brand new, granite and total stainless steel kitchen, tile bath, C/A, W/D, G/D, hdwd flrs, architecht’s dream! $1000/mo. Call 215-336-4629, cell: 215-687-8461. _______________________________34-06 WASHINGTON SQ. WEST Heart of the Gayborhood. 2 br $1500+ utils. Trinity, quaint, (3) fireplaces, c/a, d/w, courtyard, pets neg. Pvt. courtyard. (717)572-0078. _______________________________34-06 QUEEN VILLAGE, 620 S. 4TH ST. STOREFRONT FOR RENT $1700. TOM REICHNER 215-627-6005 PRUDENTIAL FOX & ROACH _______________________________34-08 RITTENHOUSE SQUARE AREA Call for Availability & Specials $795-$995 (215)735-8050. _______________________________34-08 2 BR APT. IN CC SOUTH 2 BR APT. IN CC SOUTH IN THE NEW GAYBORHOOD Two bedroom split-level apartment on second floor of row home near 20th and Christian streets. Living room, kitchen/dining area, bathroom, foyer. Perfect central location for professionals or students. Ten minute walk to Rittenhouse Square and on/near several SEPTA routes. On-street parking, pets okay, utilities separate. $875 plus two months deposit to move in. Available now, if you want to paint the walls your own colors or Feb. 1st for fresh, boring white walls. Scott 267.736.6743. _______________________________34-10 MANAYUNK 1 BR, 1 BA $850 + utils 1 BR, 1.5 BA from $1050 to $1100 + utils Heather 610-647-1776 EADEH.COM _______________________________34-09 OLD CITY 1 BR, 1 BA $975 + utils Heather 610-647-1776 EADEH.COM _______________________________34-09
ROOMMATES PGN WILL NOT PUBLISH RACIAL DISTINCTIONS IN ROOMMATE ADS. SUCH NOTATIONS WILL BE EDITED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. ___________________________________ GREATER NE PHILA. Have your own bedroom in a beautiful split level home with 2 gay men. House is 4 BR, 2 full baths, W/D, upper and lower decks, use of kitchen. Property is by Welsh & the Boulevard, 1 min. to 58 bus. We ask only that you be at least reasonably neat and employed. Rent is $600 + 1/3 utils. Contact Dave at 215-698-0215. _______________________________34-10
VACATION
RENT
OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800-638-2102 Online reservations www.holidayoc.com _______________________________34-06
PETS Small Montgomery County rescue in need of fosters to care for a dog in their home until they find their forever home! For details email: homeatlastdogrescue@yahoo.com or www. homeatlastdogrescue.com _______________________________34-08
PAGE 38
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
LEGALHEALTH & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY Want to let DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY
PAGE 106
CLASSIFIEDS
mom, dad and all of your exs know you’re tying the knot?
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-
Send us your wedding/civil union/ commitment ceremony announcement and we’ll share it with the City of Brotherly Love.
E-mail information to editor@epgn.com or fax us at Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly As Little As $25.00 A Week. ach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For Little As $25.00 AWeek. Week. Call215-625-8501 215-625-8501 Today! Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly ForAs As Little For $25.00 A Call Today! (215) 925-6437.
CRC, CVE
bility
FEB. - 11, 2010 PAGE5110
PAGE 110 CLASSIFIEDS APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS CLASSIFIEDS
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008 CLASSIFIEDS
LEGALHEALTH & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY DIRECTORY CLASSIFIEDS
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008
APRIL 25 - MAY PAGE 1, 200839
FOR SALE NEW NORWOOD SAWMILLS LumberMate-Pro handles logs 34” diameter, mills boards 27” wide. Automated quick-cyclesawing increases efficiency up to 40%! www. NorwoodSawmills.com/300N. 1-800-661-7746 Ext 300-N. _______________________________33-06 SAW YOUR OWN LUMBER! Affordable & Easy. Sawmills starting at $3,195. Contact us at 1-800-473-4804 or-visit www. cookssaw.com & get your free catalog. Cook’s Saw Mfg., LLC. _______________________________33-06
SERVICES
James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant
James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant
Social Security Disability Social Security Disability Claims Appeals Claims Appeals 215-629-0585 215-629-0585
Social Security Disability Claims Appeals
Suite 202 Suite 202 Rd. Oxford Valley Oxford Valley Rd. Fairless Hills, PA 19030 Fairless Hills, PA 19030
215-629-0585 Suite 202 Oxford Valley Rd. Fairless Hills, PA 19030
James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant
Social Security Disability PROVIDING DIRECT Claims Appeals LEGAL SERVICES, 215-629-0585 EDUCATION & Suite 202 Oxford Valley Rd. REFORM POLICY Fairless Hills, PA 19030 FOR THE LGBT COMMUNITY.
FREE LEGAL HOTLINE (215) 731-1477
PHOTOGRAPHY PORTRAITS AND NUDES Discount rates for Valentines Day web: joebowmanphotography.com jbowmanphoto@aol.com 215-545-5551 _______________________________34-06 ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE From Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Computers, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 866-858-2121 www.CenturaOnline.com _______________________________34-06 AIRLINES ARE HIRING Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified -Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888)349-5387. _______________________________34-06 HERNIA REPAIR? DID YOU RECEIVE A COMPOSIX KUGEL MESH PATCH BETWEEN 1999-2008? If the Kugel patch was removed due to complications of bowel perforation, abdominal-wall tears, puncture of abdominal organs or intestinal fistulae, you may be entitled to compensation. Attorney Charles Johnson 1-800-535-5727. _______________________________33-06
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
www.equalitypa.org this space: only $25 per week*
Your ad dollars go further when you target your audience *when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks
ALL CASH VENDING! Do you earn $800 in a day? Your own local candy route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy All for $9,995. 1-800-460-4027. _______________________________34-06 Insurance Agency for Sale. Affiliated with major national carrier. A great business opportunity! Please send inquires to: agencyforsalePA@aol. com or Fax: 866-296-7535. _______________________________34-06
RELIGIOUS
GROUPS
GAY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF S. J. For info write to PO Box 760, Elmer, NJ 08318. _______________________________34-05
ADOPTION ADOPTION: PREGNANT? Need adoption advice/ Financial assistance? Licensed adoption agency with compassionate counselors are here to help. Call Joy at Forever Families Through Adoption 1-866-922-3678. _______________________________33-06 A loving couple wishes to adopt a newborn into a home filled with happiness, security and endless love. Expenses paid. Please call Brendan and Laura toll-free at 1-800-991-0782 or email at adoptbaby2009@yahoo.com _______________________________33-06
AUCTIONS RECORDED MESSAGE 24/7 1-866-888-3121. WANTED. All real estate, Houses, Commercial, Rentals & Non-Conforming properties. Any Condition. No Commissions. www.CharlesParrish.com. Since 1970 - Bonded. _______________________________33-05
Reach Readers Over 40,000 Readers Weekly As Little As $25.00 Week. ach Over 40,000 Weekly For As Little For As $25.00 A Week. Call A 215-625-8501 Today!
of your exs know SERVICES DIRECTORY ���������������� you’re tying the knot? PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 40
PAGE 108
CLASSIFIEDS
PAGE 108
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008
CLASSIFIEDS
Want to let W mom, dad m all Yourand ad dollars go further when your youof target your audience exs know e you’re tying the t knot? this space: only $25 per week*
*when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks
Is it time to Is it time to look for a look for a new doctor? new doctor?
������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������� Send us your wedding/civil union/ commitment ceremony announcement Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-8501 Today! and we’ll share it with the City of Brotherly Love. PLEASE PRINT
Classifieds Liner Insertion Order
Select the TYPE STYLE you want from the examples below, and begin each line under the arrow to the left of the letter representing that style. Write to the end of the line (hyphenate words correctly. Do not stop at any other arrow, as each arrow represents a starting point. Allow one block for each letter, number, punctuation mark and space. Be sure to skip a space between words. PHONE NUMBER MUST INCLUDE AREA CODE. Be sure to circle one of the classifications and compute the cost of your ad. Liner advertising is on a PREPAY BASIS ONLY, and payment must accompany this form. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH THROUGH THE MAIL. Type STYLE A Type STYLE B TYPE STYLE C
A
B
E-mail information to editor@epgn.com or fax us at (215) 925-6437.
HEADLINE (24 SPACES PER LINE) FREE WHEN PLACED ONLINE 40 spaces Per Line 36 spaces Per Line 24 SPACES PER LINE
C
7 point 7 point 7 POINT
NAME ADDRESS CITY PHONE
STATE
ZIP
AMEX • MASTERCARD • VISA • DISCOVER CARD NUMBER EXPIRATION SIGNATURE NAME ON CARD # # #
“A” LINES @ $5.50 - $ “B” LINES @ $7.50 - $ “C” LINES @ $10.00 - $ BOX YOUR AD $5.00
SUBTOTAL
Send us your wed %wedding/civil TERM DISCOUNT - union/ AD TOTAL commitment TOTAL PAYMENT ENCLOSED ceremony CLASSIFICATION (CIRCLE ONE) Return form and payment to: Masco Communications REAL ESTATE FOR SALE • REAL ESTATE FOR RENT • ROOMMATES • SEASONAL RENTALS • SERVICES • FINANCIAL SERVICES announcement a 505 S. Fourth St., Phila., PA 19147 Reach Over Readers As• Little As $25.00or A Week. HELP WANTED • JOBS WANTED •���������������������������������������������������������������� BUSINESS40,000 OPPORTUNITIES • FOR SALE •Weekly AUTOMOTIVE For • AUCTIONS TRAVEL RESORTS ���������������������������������������������������������������� fax: 215-925-6437 don@epgn.com ADOPTION • PERSONALS • FRIENDS MEN • FRIENDS BISEXUAL • FRIENDS TV/TS • FRIENDS WOMEN andor email: we’ll share it an with the City of w Brotherly Love. B NUMBER OF WEEKS X SUBTOTAL
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
SERVICES DIRECTORY
PAGE 41
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
For Sale: Pool Table - Contender from Brunswick 7 foot slate pool table with green felt and walnut finish. 4 pool sticks, 1 bridge and 1 short pool stick for tight spots. Pool balls included rack and extra chalk for pool sticks. Breakdown by buyer. Only used a few times. Asking $1,000.00.
Call after 6 pm at 856-415-9595
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week.
PGN Display Advertising Deadlines Reservation deadline is Friday, 3pm, prior to issue to appear. Camera ready ads must arrive by noon on Monday prior to issue. PGN deadlines are strictly followed.
Placing Classifieds Liner Ads
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
REGIONAL DRIVERS NEEDED! MORE HOMETIME! TOP PAY! Up to $.43/mile company drivers! 12 months OTR required. HEARTLAND EXPRESS 1-800441-4953 www.heartlandexpress.com _______________________________34-06 Owner-operators with one ton trucks (10 years or newer) needed to deliver RVs from IN to locations across the U.S. and Canada. Contact recruiting at 1-866-764-1601 or www. qualitydriveaway.com to obtain more information and to submit an application. _______________________________34-06 Driver: One Company for All Drivers! Van & Flatbed - High Miles. Great Equipment. Variety of Runs. Class A CDL. Western Express. 888-801-5295. _______________________________34-06 STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM Seeks Local Coordinators. Passionate about your Community? Help us expand! Unpaid but monetary/travel incentives. Must be 25+. Visit: effoundation.org or call 877-216-1293. _______________________________34-06 Driver- Hiring Regional Van Drivers. 41.5 cpm with 2 years experience. Great Benefits. Home EVERY Week. 1 year tractor-trailer experience required. Call 888-362-8607 or apply online at www.averittcareers.com. Equal Opportunity Employer. _______________________________34-06
Over 18? Between High School and College? Travel and Have Fun w/Young Successful Business Group. No Experience Necessary. 2wks Paid Training. Lodging, Transportation Provided. 1-877-646-5050. _______________________________34-06 Driver: Average $800+ per week for Company Drivers. Immediate Benefits. Great Equipment. CDL-A with 1 year experience, 23 yoa. Call NFI Sunday or anytime: 877-888-8476. www. nficareers.com _______________________________34-06 OTR DRIVERS NEEDED Flatbed, Reefer and Tanker Positions. Prime Inc, is a financially stable, expanding and growing carrier. 9 months + OTR exp. 1-800277-0212 www.primeinc.com _______________________________34-06 KNIGHT REFRIGERATED We have openings for Exceptional OTR Drivers. Apply online: www.knightrefrigerated.com - 6 mos OTR experience required, Class-A CDL, No Felonies or DUI’s, Clean MVR.888668-0829. _______________________________34-06 TEAMS Dedicated Runs NorthEast Pay 44cents split. Great Miles & Benefits CDL/A with 1 yr. OTR req’d. Hazmat loads extra 5cents per mile. 800942-2104 ext 238 or 243 www.totalms.com _______________________________34-06
In Person: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, By Phone or on the Web: 24 Hours, 7 Days
Advertising Sales Representative
Deadline for Line Advertising is Friday at 3 p.m. for the following Friday’s issue. You may place your ad via our secure voicemail system, fax or e-mail at any time, or on our Web site. Please have the following information ready to place your ad:
YOUR AD COPY • YOUR NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS • DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER • CREDIT CARD INFORMATION
PHONE: 215-625-8501 ext. 200 OR 215-451-6182 (DIRECT) • FAX: 215-925-6437 • E-MAIL: don@epgn.com
GENERAL INFORMATION
All classified advertising must be in our office by 3 p.m. Friday for the next Friday’s paper. Ads arriving after that time will be held for the next available issue. PGN reserves the right to edit or rewrite ads as needed, to refuse any ad for any reason and to determine the final classification. Ads determined to be in bad taste, directed to or from persons under the legal age of consent or containing racially or sexually discriminatory language will be refused. We need your full name, mailing address and daytime phone number on the insertion order form for you ad. This information is confidential and will not appear in the paper. Any ads received without full information will be destroyed. Sexually explicit language will be edited or refused at the discretion of the management.
PAYMENT AND PLACEMENT
Classified ads may placed online or by mail, fax, e-mail or in person at the PGN offices at 505 S. Fourth St., Phila. Phone, fax and e-mail orders are accepted with credit/debit cards only. A $10 minimum applies to all charges. If you are paying in person with cash, please have the exact change as we cannot make change at the office. All ads must be prepaid for their entire run. NO EXCEPTIONS! DO NOT SEND CASH THROUGH THE MAIL; IT’S NOT SAFE AND CANNOT BE GUARANTEED.
TERM DISCOUNTS - BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ISSUES PREPAID 4 weeks, 5% • 8 weeks, 10% • 16 weeks, 15% • 26 weeks, 20%
CANCELLATION POLICY All PGN Classified ads are cancelable and refundable except for “FRIENDS” ads. Deadline for cancellation is 3 p.m. Friday. The balance will be credited to your credit/debit card. Checks take two weeks to process. The date of the first issue the ad appeared in, along with the classification, your name, address and daytime phone number is required to cancel your ad.
PGN, one of the country's most award-winning Gay and Lesbian publications, is looking for a special candidate to fill this position in our advertising sales department. Applicants should have previous advertising sales experience, preferably in a similar environment. You should have a strong work ethic, good communication skills (both written and verbal), and an aggressive desire to sell advertising in this very special niche market. Most important, you should aspire to become an integral part of our successful sales team. We offer a competitive salary plus bonus, as well as Health Insurance. Applicants should call Greg Dennis at 215-6258501, ext. 219. Email resume to greg@epgn.com or send resume to:
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week.
PGN, 505 S. 4th St., Phila. PA. 19147 Attn.: Greg Dennis EOE
PAGE 42
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������������������� Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o.PHILADELPHIA withADULT a smooth PERSONALS gymnast buildNEWS looking for GAY 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. _______________________________33-28
WM 60, 5’7’ 155, bottom, nice looking, discreet, fit, hot, seeks top men only for relationship in NE. 215-264-1058 LM. _______________________________33-19 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. _______________________________33-19 ������������ You: big equipment! Me: real nice white butt. 215-732-2108, 8-11 PM. _______________________________33-20
GWM seeks new friends. 610-352-1188. _______________________________33-21 ������������� FEB. 5 - 11, 2010 Shuttle service within city limits, personal shopping, help with bags, companion service, lite cooking, dog walking & house sitting, any reasonable request. 215-205-5453. Refs. avail. Reasonable rates! _______________________________33-18 60 y.o., 5’7”, 160, 7” crossdresser looking for casual sex. Northern suburbs. 215-538-2040 ask for Zeta. _______________________________33-21
MODELS
MODELS
Adult/Personals Erotic Dungeon Master
FRIENDS
FRIENDS
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. _______________________________34-10 GWM, Italian, top or bottom, 7” cut. Also into assplay, toys & water sports. Bi, straight, out of towners welcome. Day or night. Call Jeff at 215-850-7900. _______________________________34-06 You: very well endowed. Me: 6’1”, 205, 59 white butt. 215-732-2108, 8-11 PM. _______________________________34-09 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. _______________________________34-06
Curious senior WM ISO WM for oral times. Must be patient as I am very new to this. Call me day or night at 856-761-7616 _______________________________34-09
MEN
MEN
Erotic Dungeon Master
6’, 165 lbs., 60 year old Master, greek active, french passive requires obedient slave for training, S&M, B/D, W/S, etc. Limits respected and expanded. Assistant Master wanted. Call Dave at 215-729-6670, day or evening. _______________________________34-34 Muscular male, 62 seeks same. John Larish, 575 Laurel Terrace, Pottsville, PA 17901. _______________________________34-09 SEEKING WM in late 50’s seeks younger men, Latinos & Mexicans a +, for friendship & fun. Enjoy arts, travel & outdoors. 856-547-4163. No calls after 11. _______________________________34-09
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6’, 165 lbs., 60 year old Master, greek active, french passive requires obedient slave for training, S&M, B/D, W/S, etc. Limits respected FRIENDS and expanded. Assistant Master wanted. Call Dave at 215-729-6670, day or evening. _______________________________33-48 Xdress sex party. CD house orgy every Sat. GWM, 60, in good shape seeks other gay males nite. GWM couple ISO GWMs 18-40 yrs. for for friendship, plus. 570-640-8179. 1 on 1 and group sex. Stockings, pantyhose, _______________________________34-09 etc. Starts 9 PM Sat. Call Sat. 7-8 PM 856910-8303, ask for Mark. FRIENDS _______________________________33-24 GWM, Italian, top or bottom, 7” cut. Also into assplay, toys & water sports. Bi, straight, out of towners welcome. Day orfree night. Call at WM ISO smooth, clean, D/D lady likeJeff Latin 215-850-7900. or Italian T-girl. 215-416-4146. _______________________________33-18 _______________________________34-10
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FRIENDS
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PHILADELPHIA ADULT PERSONALS GAY NEWS
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PGN
PAGE 43
FRIENDS
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
FEB. 5 - 11, 2010