Feb. 19-25 2010 edition by The Philadelphia Gay News

Philadelphia Gay News Feb. 19 - 25, 2010

Honesty Integrity Professionalism

Vol. 34 No. 8

GALAEI marks 20 years of dedicated service, leadership By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer

tion. “Racism, poverty, social and economic justice, crime, violence, education, lack of Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education access to healthcare — all of them impacted Initiative is now in its 20th successful year, us as a community generally, and for Latino and will celebrate that milestone with an LGBTI people it was a bit different, because anniversary gala this spring. we experienced the same racism from outThe party will be held from 7-11 p.m. April side while experiencing homophobia both 16 at the Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St., and from within our own Latino community and will give the agency’s supporters from the the larger mainstream culture,” he said. past two decades the chance to reconnect Once such conversations started, Acosta and raise funds for the group, as well as pay said GALAEI gradually gained credibility tribute to GALAEI founder David Acosta, and developed deep ties within the Latino, SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT: The Rev. Chris Glaser (right) leads the buffet line during the Interfaith Breakfast at the William Way LGBT Community Center on Feb. who will be presented with the inaugural LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities, which fueled the agency’s progress. 12, followed by Mark Duckett of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Chestnut Hill, Sarah David Acosta Leadership Award. GALAEI launched in Acosta stepped down in Lamming from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Nick Fennig of the June 1989 as the first 1999 and Gloria Casarez Church of the Holy Trinity. Glaser, interim pastor of the Virginia Highlands Church in local HIV/AIDS service took over as executive Atlanta, gave this year’s keynote presentation, continuing on last year’s theme of director, a position she the sanctity of same-sex marriage and the role of the clergy in the marriage-equality organization organized held until 2008, when she movement. About 40 people attended the second-annual event. Photo: Scott A. Drake by HIV/AIDS activists, and Acosta noted that it’s left to become the city’s — along with Bienestar in director of LGBT affairs. Los Angeles — the oldest When she took the reins Latino HIV/AIDS agency of GALAEI, Casarez in the country that focuses focused on developing on the LGBT community. and strengthening the “At that time, there agency’s programming, By Jen Colletta all of the schools were represented and were no programs either such as its youth program just hammered out how to do all of this.” locally or nationally that PGN Staff Writer Reaching Adolescents LGBT groups at the Ivy League schools were serving the HIV/ Via Education and the The University of Pennsylvania is play- have held workshops and meetings in the AIDS education and preTrans-health Information ing host this weekend to about 400 LGBT past, Feore said, but they were on a smaller vention needs of Latino Project. students from around the nation, who will scale and not continued from year to year. gay and bisexual men At the beginning of this gather to learn with and from one another Feore said the planning, undertaken by in Philadelphia and the century, GALAEI also about current LGBT-rights issues and members of Penn’s nine LGBT organiza- U.S., not to mention Latin worked to build comwork to solidify the role of LGBT students tions — which are overseen by umbrella America,” Acosta said. munity partnerships, a group Lambda Alliance — has been hectic in the Ivy League community. He served as executive GALAEI FOUNDING EXECUTIVE development Casarez DIRECTOR DAVID ACOSTA said was motivated by Representatives of all eight Ivy League but exciting. director of GALAEI for its “It was a lot of work, but it went really first 10 years and said, in schools have converged for the firstthe presidency of George annual IvyQ conference, Feb. 18-21, at well,” she said. “We have a lot of high- the beginning, the agency worked to estab- W. Bush, whom she described as “not very Penn, which won the right to host the profile speakers coming in and really lish its presence not just in the local HIV/ friendly to domestic AIDS issues” and durinaugural event in a bidding process last great sponsorships, so people have been AIDS and LGBT communities, but also in ing whose two terms, HIV/AIDS groups had really generous and great to work with.” year. mainstream Latino populations. limited access to funding. Four plenary sessions will be held Baylee Feore, Penn senior and head “It was a long, hard struggle for accep“One of the reasons we were able to grow organizer of the conference, said the moti- throughout the conference, led by Rich tance and inclusion,” Acosta said, adding our programs despite that was because we vation for the event was sparked during Ross, Penn grad and chair of The Walt the organization was eventually “able to were committed to working closely with a conversation among LGBT representa- Disney Studios; Stephen Glassman, chair articulate a discourse on the impact of HIV/ other HIV/AIDS service organizations,” tives of Penn, Columbia and Harvard at a of the Pennsylvania Human Relations AIDS among Latino gay and bisexual com- she said. “It wasn’t an option to go it alone separate Ivy League meeting about a year- Commission; Candace Gingrich, director munities in Philadelphia, nationally and because we were too small. If you have one and-a-half ago. of youth and campus outreach at Human internationally, especially in Latin America funder but five organizations competing for “The idea had been in the works for a Rights Campaign; and Jaime Grant, direc- and within the larger local Latino commu- all the funding, someone’s going to lose. while but we really didn’t make a lot of tor of the Policy Institute of the National nity and its leadership.” So we worked to really band together with progress, and then when we all met, we Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Acosta said the agency worked closely other organizations for funding, because Nearly two-dozen breakout workshops with local Latino leaders to educate them even though we’d all get less, we’d still be thought, ‘Hey great, we can actually do this,’” Feore said. “So we started e-mail- are also taking place in six different ses- about the similarities in the challenges able to reach more people, which we did.” ing, found contacts at all the other schools, LGBT and mainstream Latinos faced, and had a planning meeting last April in which See CONFERENCE, Page 6 to impress upon them the need for cooperaSee GALAEI, Page 6

Penn hosts first LGBT Ivy League conference

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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Don’t ask when: Repeal of gay ban won’t be soon By Anne Flaherty The Associated Press As promised, the Pentagon has begun examining how the ban on gays serving openly in the military could be eased and then

(215) 734-3335

repealed, but a complete repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy is probably years away. The two officials appointed to lead a yearlong internal assessment — Gen. Carter Ham, commander of U.S. Army forces in

Europe, and Pentagon General Counsel Jeh Johnson — met for the first time on Feb. 9. As that study gets under way, officials were expected by midMarch to suggest ways to relax enforcement. Of particular interest is minimizing cases of “third-party outings,” where a servicemember is kicked out after being reported by others to be gay. The protracted timeline is about more than giving military leaders time to assess the impact on troops and put new rules in place. The multiyear process also is a strategic way of getting troops used to the idea before they have to accept change. Politically, the timeline puts off congressional debate over lifting the ban until after elections this fall. Reversing the military’s policy on gays, which is based on a 1993 law and would require an act of Congress, would mark the biggest upheaval to the military’s personnel policies since the 1948 executive order on racial integration. The goal, according to senior defense and military officials, is to avoid the backlash that could result from imposing change too

fast. While officials expect resistance from only a minority of servicemembers and believe that it could be contained with discipline, officials fear isolated incidents of violence could erupt as a means of protest. Defense Secretary Robert Gates suggested as much in recent congressional testimony, when he said he had learned from “stupid” management attempts to dictate change too quickly as a senior CIA official in the 1980s. “Stupid was trying to impose a policy from the top without any regard for the views of the people who were going to be affected or the people who would have to effect the policy change,” Gates said. As part of the internal review, Gates said the military would survey servicemembers and their families on any policy changes. “A guiding principle of our efforts will be to minimize disruption and polarization within the ranks, with a special attention paid to those serving on the front lines,” Gates told a Senate committee this month. President Obama, who says

the ban is unjust, is counting on a major cultural shift among American voters in the 17 years since it went into effect. Then, Democratic lawmakers joined the military in resisting a proposal by President Clinton that would have allowed gays to serve openly. The 1993 law does not explicitly prohibit gays or lesbians from serving in the military but requires them to serve in silence. If they acknowledge their sexual orientation or engage in a homosexual act, they can be expelled. But if not asked, they need not disclose. Since then, Democratic lawmakers have been reluctant to take on the issue as well. Since taking control of Congress three years ago, following the 2006 elections, Democrats have focused their efforts instead on more popular military-related issues, like ending the war in Iraq. According to a Washington Post-ABC News poll, three-quarters of Americans say they support openly gay people serving in the military. The 75-percent figure is far above the 44 percent of Americans who said so in May 1993. n

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News Editorial 10 Gayborhood 9 Crime Watch International News 15 Letters/Feedback 11 11 Mark My Words 7 Media Trail 5 News Briefing 7 National News 5 Regional News 11 Street Talk

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An openly gay announcement

Adoption Corner

Providence, R.I., Mayor David Cicilline officially declared his candidacy for the U.S. House seat being vacated by Patrick Kennedy.

PAWS has several fundraising and adoption events coming up, and Millie would love to ﬁnd a permanent home through one of them.

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Philagraﬁka is a delight of nonconforming art by ... er ... nonconforming artists for us ... uh ... nonconformists.

Family Portraits:

Poe never envisioned a “Pit and the Pendulum” version like the one from director David DeCoteau.

Tommy Femia

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Columns Adoption Corner 12 Creep of the Week 10 18 DVDs Leather Lookout 22 Lesbian on the Scene 29 Outward Bound 28 Classifieds Directories

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PGN Issue Watch PGN is conducting a reader survey and we want your opinion. Look for an opinion form in the next four issues of the paper or online at www.epgn.com starting next week.

Worth Watching

Diversions

Tracey Ullman puts the makeup on

Pigs ﬂy. Writers speak. Listings for music, theater, dance, exhibitions, books, movies, opera, cabaret and more.

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Poll results from our online survey as of Feb. 17:

How did you spend your snow days? 24% 20% 18% 14% 14%

Shoveling and cursing Hah! What snow days? Logged onto the Internet Napping and relaxing Being productive around the house 10% TV and movies

Go to www.epgn.com to weigh in on this week’s question:

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News Briefing

Regional

Rummage for treasures The First Unitarian Church at 2125 Chestnut St. will hold a rummage sale from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 20. The church collected high-quality items from parishioners that will be sold to generate funding so the church can provide insurance to its staff. For more information, call Kim Balaschak at (215) 847-1986.

Art fundraiser for Mazzoni LUCKY IN LOVE: Lisa Brown and Sue Krisanda spent Valentine’s Day with about 100 family members and friends celebrating their love in a commitment ceremony. The couple was selected for the free ceremony, produced by Provence Catering, after winning an essay contest the company launched with PGN. “It was a spectacular, wonderful event,” said Provence co-owner Michael Yatvin. “It was a lovely service, and they were supported by their friends and their family.” Provence provided all of the necessities for the ceremony — including the rental space at Center City’s Chestnut Club, the flowers, decorations and food — and Yatvin said the company wants to be a part of paying tribute to the love among same-sex couples. “We’ve gotten a lot of great feedback from people in the gay community, and many other very supportive people who understand that this is not an alternative to marriage, but rather a celebration of relationships and of the commitment to love that it takes to have that relationship evolve and grow.” Photo: Alyssa Maloof

76ers, Flyers welcome LGBT fans By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Hoops and hockey fans will have the chance to show support for their local teams — and the local LGBT community — with LGBT nights at Philadelphia 76ers and Flyers games next month. The 76ers will host Gay Community Night March 1 for their game against the Orlando Magic at the Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St., and the Flyers will stage their first-ever LGBT night at their game against the Minnesota Wild, March 25 at the same venue. The Sixers held an “Out at the Sixers” night about four years ago, and Larry Felzer, treasurer of Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia and an organizer of the popular summer Gay Community Night at the Phillies, said a representative of both teams reached out to him about relaunching the Sixers event and starting a new Flyers tradition. “I was contacted by someone who works for the Sixers and the Flyers, and I had really wanted to do the Flyers night before but it wasn’t able to happen, so I thought that if we could do it with both these teams this year, that’d be really great,” Felzer said. Matt Oldsey, of Comcast Spectacor’s Event Services Department, made the initial contact with Felzer after witnessing firsthand the success of the LGBT event at the Phillies game last summer, which drew

more than 900 LGBTs and allies. “I was at a Phillies game and it was actually the same day that they had the Gay Community Night, and I saw how outstanding the event was,” Oldsey said. “I thought, ‘If the Phillies can do something like this, why can’t we?’” Throughout the year, both the Sixers and Flyers host similar nights for a variety of communities — such as their recent Jewish Heritage Nights — and Oldsey said the LGBT community should be given the same opportunity. “They try to market themselves to all different types of groups, people of different religious affiliations or nationalities,” he said. “It’s a good practice to market yourself to every group and every type of person, and I felt like there’s definitely room to include Philadelphia’s gay community; no group should be singled out or not included, because our products can be enjoyed by all types of people.” Felzer noted that the teams’ outreach demonstrated a step in the right direction for LGBT inclusion in mainstream sports communities. “They know their fans come in all races, all backgrounds, and it is nice to actually be contacted by them about setting this up instead of the other way around,” he said, noting the LGBT community will be officially welcomed to the games via scoreboard messages. Oldsey said the upcoming events may help dispel the popular notion that the

LGBT and sports communities shouldn’t mix. “I think there’s this stigma or stereotype that the gay community doesn’t really like sports, and I think that the Phillies game was something that shows that that’s not true, and I think our games could be equally enjoyed by the community,” he said. About 100 tickets have been blocked out for the LGBT community for each of the games, and Felzer said he’s eager for the events to expand in the coming years. “We’re definitely hoping that this is something that can grow over time. We’re hoping that eventually we’ll have as many people participating as the Phillies games.” Oldsey said he’s also anticipating a tradition to flourish through these events. “I think it takes a certain amount of time to really build up the interest so that after the first year, where people enjoyed themselves, they’re going to want to come back the following year and it will keep growing, and that’s what Larry saw with the Phillies games over the past couple years, and I think what we’re going to see here,” he said. “I was hoping to just start the relationship and hopefully we can have it grow into something even larger, where it can keep improving.” The Sixers tickets are $20 each, and the Flyers are $30. To purchase tickets, call Oldsey at (215) 952-5280. n Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.

Local arts organization ARTmob will stage a fundraiser for LGBT health facility Mazzoni Center from 7-10 p.m. Feb. 22 at JR’s Lounge, 1305 Locust St. ARTmob will offer guests a night of entertainment with author Brad Windhauser, poet Vince Ancona, singer Lauren Curci and visual artist Dennis Flynn, who conceived of the event. A portion of the $10 ticket price will be donated to Mazzoni, as will a portion of the proceeds from artwork sold at the benefit. Guests are also asked to bring a can of soup for Mazzoni’s food bank, which provides meals to 850 local families affected by HIV/AIDS.

COLOURS talks criminal justice The COLOURS Organization Inc. will host a community forum to address opportunities for sexual-minority people of color who’ve experienced criminaljustice issues at 6 p.m. Feb. 23 at Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad St. For more information, call Lawrence Frazier at (215) 496-0330.

Red-carpet fundraiser The Traverse Arts Project will hold its second-annual Red Carpet Party March 7 at The Radisson Warwick Hotel Philadelphia, 1701 Locust St., as a fundraiser for this spring’s Festivale! Phildelphia GLBT Arts Festival. The recently crowned Miss’D America, Michelle Dupree, and pageant director Robert “Sandy Beach” Hitchen will host the party, started by GLBT Arts Festival founder T. Desiree Hines. The event will feature red-carpet photos, hors d’oeuvres, drink specials from 8 p.m.-midnight and a large-scale projection of the 82nd annual Oscars. Tickets range from $30-$60. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.traversetheater.org. n — Jen Colletta

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Casarez noted that GALAEI’s diverse programming — such as its Midnight Cowboy Project, 856-870-9450 Fu Service which connects sex workers and other at-risk communities with HIV/AIDS services — exemplify the harm-reduction model that GALAEI has operated under since its inception. “Instead of focusing on stopping drug use, we’d look at ways of reducing drug-users’ risk for HIV. And this philosophy GALAEI had, and still has, was • Wedding Ceremonies developing at the same time of • Same-Sex Marriages the ‘Say No to Drugs’ campaign, • Civl Unions so it was kind of contradictory to • Yacht Weddings things that were out there at that • Religious/Interfaith Ceremonies time in the beginning, but the activists involved with GALAEI • Travel Ofﬁciant knew that if we had any chance Collingswood, New Jersey of getting ahead of this epidemic, www.theweddingchapelofnj.com you can’t condemn people,” she PAGE 15 said. “It sounds like a no-brainer now, but in those really unknown throes of the epidemic, it was a really dicey proposition for some people to hear that we should actually go out and reach people where they’re at, but that’s what GALAEI did. We’d go into bars and neighborhoods and distribute condoms and give them access to health services, and were one of the first groups doing outreach at drug corners and drug houses and public-sex parks that were really

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sions throughout the weekend, such as “Reaching Out to Closeted Students,” “LGBTQ People in Faith Communities,” “Representation and Queer Ethnic Minorities,” “Coalition-building

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at the heart of where people were getting infected. You can’t expect that people are going to find our organizations. You have to know where these people are and go out and meet them, literally and figuratively.” Elicia Gonzales, who has served as executive director of GALAEI since December, said the agency’s commitment to working directly in, not just with, the communities it serves has helped it to better understand and meet their needs. GALAEI, which employs 13 full-time staffers and two parttimers —all of whom are Latino or African American — serves approximately 7,000 clients annually; of the 30 percent of its clients who are HIV-positive, more than 90 percent are people of color, most frequently Latino and African American. “It’s kind of a ‘by the people, for the people’ mentality,” Gonzales said. “It has continued to remain a very grassroots organization that is very much connected to the community. There’s this peerbased perspective that affects all levels of the organization — volunteers, staff, management, the board. Everyone who comprises this organization is in some way a member of the populations we serve, which helps bring us more directly into the city.” Gonzales took the helm of the group from GALAEI board mem-

ber Tiffany Thompson, who came on as interim executive director several months previously after the resignation of Louis Bonilla, Casarez’s successor, who held the post for about 10 months. Gonzales said that while “it’s no secret that GALAEI has encountered some very significant transitions in the past couple years,” she doesn’t think the staffing changes negatively impacted the agency’s ability to serve the community. “I think because GALAEI has such a solid reputation, that kind of enabled it to push through some of the rough waters with the support and the belief of a lot of the community members. We have had some transitions and it did cause some bumps, but I don’t think it knocked us down.” Gonzales said right now she’s still striving to “100-percent stabilize” the organization, but she is interested in seeing GALAEI expand its outreach to such communities as youth, lesbian and transgender individuals, and said she’s committed to working with GALAEI’s former leaders to send the agency in the right direction. For more information or to purchase tickets for the anniversary party, visit www.galaei.blogspot. com/. n

on Campus” and “Working with your Alumni Network.” The workshops are led by representatives of national organizations like HRC, NGLTF, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network and Freedom to Marry, and also attended by representatives of Equality Forum, PGN,

the city’s director of LGBT affairs Gloria Casarez, out local judges Dan Anders and Dawn Segal, and executive director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations Rue Landau. The conference has a threepronged approach — networking, education and empowerment — that Feore said will enable students to bring a diverse pool of ideas back to their own schools. “All of the LGBT organizations at the Ivy Leagues have vastly different structures and different amounts of support, so we thought this would be a really great opportunity to learn from each other, see what other schools have accomplished and then try and build things at each of our own schools,” she said. Bob Schoenberg, director of Penn’s LGBT Center, said he was impressed by the level of commitment that the Penn students invested in planning the conference. “The students have worked very hard, and I think the outcome is going to demonstrate the effectiveness of what they’ve done,” Schoenberg said. n

Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.

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National

Media Trail

Out RI mayor to run for U.S. House seat

Gay student sues over denied tag The Oklahoman reports a college student who wants “IM GAY” on his Oklahoma car tag is suing to force state officials to approve his request. Keith Kimmel, a 28-year-old Oklahoma City Community College student, said he’ll appeal if a judge rules against him. “I want to tell people who I am and what I am,” Kimmel said. “I’m openly gay. I’m not hiding. What better way to tell everybody than to put it on the back of a car?” The Oklahoma Tax Commission turned Kimmel down last year because of a rule against tags that “may be offensive to the general public.” Kimmel pointed out officials allowed tags such as STR8FAN and STR8SXI. “I think it’s kind of a double standard,” said Kimmel, who is a political-science/ pre-law student.

VYING FOR THE HOUSE: Providence Mayor David Cicilline announces his candidacy for the open U.S. House seat being vacated by Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), Feb. 13 in Providence, R.I. Cicilline and former state Democratic Party chair William Lynch officially declared their candidacies less than two hours apart. AP Photo: Stew Milne

By Ray Henry The Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The openly gay mayor of Providence and the former head of Rhode Island’s Democratic Party announced last Saturday that they would run for the U.S. House seat being vacated by Patrick Kennedy, a son of one of the nation’s most storied political families. Mayor David Cicilline and William Lynch, both Democrats, officially declared their candidacies less than two hours apart. Kennedy’s decision not to seek re-election has set off frenzied competition among politicians interested in a post once viewed as unassailable because of his political clout and fundraising ability. Cicilline and Lynch promised to focus on job creation and fixing the dismal economy, important issues in a state where the unemployment rate is nearly 13 percent, among the nation’s highest. Cicilline, who announced his candidacy at a H1N1-immunization clinic, said there is a “dangerous disconnect” between what Washington thinks will help Americans and what will actually work. He said a key difference between him and Lynch is that, as chief executive of the state’s largest city, he’s witnessed firsthand the effects of the recession. “What we need in Washington is someone who understands what’s happening to families in our cities and towns in this country,” he said. Lynch said the stimulus program passed by Congress helped stop what he called economic bleeding, but he wants to force

financial institutions getting government help to increase their lending locally. “What I will not accept and what I will not endorse and what I will not support is the ... continuation of making money available to Wall Street and to bankers in New York that never gets to Main Street in Woonsocket, or Pawtucket or Middletown,” he said. Kennedy announced last Thursday he would finish out his eighth term and then leave office because he wants to focus on building a personal life, especially after the death of his father, Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy. He’s had troubles with alcoholism, depression and drug addiction. Saturday’s announcements could lead to an intense Democratic primary. Cicilline, 48, is an attorney and in 2002 became the first openly gay man elected mayor of Providence. He promised to clean up city government after former Mayor Vincent “Buddy” Cianci was convicted and imprisoned during a federal probe into City Hall corruption. Cicilline won a second term in 2006, and he announced last year he would seek re-election as mayor instead of running for governor. He said he wanted to see the city through the recession, but he had been embarrassed by the conviction of his brother for a courthouse corruption plot and been criticized for the city’s reaction to a snowstorm that left school buses stranded for hours. Cicilline cited his experience in the mayor’s office as a strength. People “want someone in Washington who’s going to find practical solutions to

the hard issues we face,” he said. “I’ve had to do that every single day as mayor of this city.” Lynch, 52, also an attorney, lives in Pawtucket, where he served as a city councilman from 1986-92 and his father was mayor. His family has longtime political connections to the Blackstone Valley, which is a major part of Kennedy’s district. “I think that I know the people and what’s important to them,” Lynch said. He resigned as chairman of the state Democratic Party to run for office. Lynch described himself as a political outsider, despite running the state Democratic Party since 1998 and serving as its partisan spokesperson until resigning Saturday. He earlier considered running for attorney general. “What people are seeing now is that they’re looking for people who maybe are not lifelong elected officials or held incumbent positions,” Lynch said. “I share the sentiments of the people that I live with, grew up with, who are angry and upset with what they see in Washington. And they want to see something new.” Lynch is the brother of Attorney General Patrick Lynch, one of two Democrats running to succeed Republican Gov. Don Carcieri, who by law must leave office after finishing his second term early next year. The other declared or potential candidates include former congressman Robert Weygand, Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis, Cumberland Mayor Daniel McKee and state Reps. Jon Brien, John Loughlin and Edwin Pacheco. n

Gay group in parade draws objections Silicon Valley’s Mercury News reports several religious groups objected to plans for Vietnamese gay and lesbian groups to march in this year’s Lunar New Year parade in Little Saigon in Orange County. Several gay groups from San Jose and Los Angeles participated in the parade in Little Saigon, home to the nation’s largest Vietnamese immigrant community. But the Vietnamese Interfaith Council of America expressed displeasure Feb. 11 and two Roman Catholic organizations withdrew, including the Knights of Columbus and the Vietnamese Martyrs Council.

LGBT nursing home to open in Mass. 365gay.com reports the Elsie Frank House at the Leonard Florence Center for Living — a nursing home for LGBT seniors — will open in Massachusetts this month. The Elsie Frank House is named after openly gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank’s mother, who passed away in 2005. The elder Frank was a longtime supporter of LGBT issues. The home has room for 10 residents who will live in condo-style units. Each resident has a separate bedroom and bathroom, with shared kitchen and living areas. “We want to ensure that they’re going to be able to provide the best LGBT-focused care that they can,” Lisa Krinsky, director of the LGBT Aging Project, said in 2007 when the project was announced. n — Larry Nichols

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

Obituary Kevin Robinson, professor and HIV researcher, 40 By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Out social-work professor and health researcher Dr. Kevin Robinson died earlier this month at age 40. Robinson was found in his home Feb. 8, but a cause or time of death has not yet been determined. The Montgomery County Medical Examiner has performed an autopsy but said a determination would not be made for at least six weeks. Robinson, a native of Greenville, S.C., was an assistant professor at Bryn Mawr College’s Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, and devoted much of his research to the HIV/AIDS field. Robinson earned his bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Clemson University and went on to attain two master’s degrees — one in health administration from Pennsylvania State University and another in social work from the University of Michigan — and in 2006 received a doctorate in public health from Columbia University. Before joining the staff at Bryn Mawr in 2007, Robinson was selected as a W.K. Kellogg Community Health scholar and spent time at the University of Michigan researching HIV/AIDS incidence among inner-city youth. Dr. Karen Bullock, an associate professor at the University of Connecticut’s School of Social Work and a longtime friend and colleague of Robinson, said he was especially concerned about at-risk communities. “He had a personal interest in

the field because of having known people who are identified as being at greater risk for the disease, and he saw that many of those people go undiagnosed or untreated,” Bullock said. “He knew the importance of getting the information out, especially to communities that are less likely to have that information, so he was particularly interested in working with populations of color and other underserved populations.” Dr. Darlyne Bailey, dean of Bryn Mawr ’s GSSWSR, said Robinson was a strong proponent of community-based participatory research, a type of study that allows researchers to immerse themselves fully in the subjects they’re examining. “Using that methodology requires someone that is not afraid to not just study a community but also to be part of what you’re studying, and to me this way that Kevin did his research was also the way he showed up in life,” she said. “Everything he did was done in a very inclusive way, and he just deeply, deeply listened to everyone he spoke with.” Most recently, Robinson had been working with Public Health Management Corporation and The COLOURS Organization Inc. on an HIV-intervention program for bisexually active men of color, which was fueled by a PHMC grant from the Centers for Disease Control.

Robinson was hired as the junior principal investigator for the project and spent several hours each Wednesday for the past year meeting with the other organizers. C O L O U R S interim executive director Michael Hinson said Robinson was integral in spearheading the inclusion into the project of such creative tools as photovoice — a technique that allows participants to utilize photography to document the factors in their life that contribute to their behavioral decisions — and lifemapping, which Hinson explained enables individuals to identify stressors in their lives through conversations with a life coach. “He really brought a lot of innovation to our discussions,” Hinson said. “Some of the strategies we were able to talk about using were based on the ideas he used in other populations and that he found to be successful. He had experience with things like photovoice and brought that to the table, to fit with our overall goal of using strategies other people hadn’t really been using to help people to think broadly about what goes into their decision-making, and to help them develop strategies for making better decisions.” Lee Carson, PHMC research associate, said Robinson’s outgoing personality was also an asset to the project. See OBITUARY, Page 14

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between Jan. 31-Feb. 10. Information is courtesy of Sixth District Capt. Brian Korn, the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. REPORT: Between 4:30 p.m. Jan. 31 and 12:20 a.m. Feb. 1, complainant’s 2007 Nissan, parked in the paid lot on the 1300 block of Locust Street, had a window smashed and a laptop taken. Sixth District Officer Haberle attempted to lift latent fingerprints. ARREST: At midnight, Feb. 1, complainant was walking on 13th Street at Locust when a male asked him for money. Complainant refused and the male stated he had a knife and threatened the complainant. The male forced the complainant to accompany him to an ATM on South Street, where he was forced to withdraw $20. The suspect was stopped at Broad and Locust streets by Sixth District Officers Cifelli and Macchione and was identified by the complainant and the money was recovered. The 37-year-old alleged offender, with a South Philadelphia address, was charged with robbery and related offenses.

ARREST: At 3:55 a.m. Feb. 3, a resident of an apartment building on the 800 block of Pine Street was awakened by a loud banging noise and called 911. Sixth District Sgt. Burton arrived within minutes and observed a male exiting the front door of the building with a 12inch railroad spike in his hand. The male was disarmed and taken into custody. The front entry door appeared to have been pried open and the interior security doors were damaged, as was the glass panels and the wall next to the door. The 35-year-old alleged offender, with an Essington address, was charged with attempted burglary and related offenses. ARREST: On Feb. 3, Sixth District Sgt. LaRose set up a surveillance for illegal narcotic activity in the Washington Square West area. At 7 p.m., officers observed a male in the subway concourse, 201 S. Broad St., sell narcotics to another male. The buyer fled up the stairs as the arresting officers approached. The seller was apprehended and police confiscated 27 packets of crack cocaine and cash. The 21-year-old alleged offender, with a local neighborhood address, was charged with illegal sale of crack cocaine. ARRESTS: The following arrests were made Feb. 4 by the Citywide

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

Editorial Judging while gay Last week, the San Francisco Chronicle published a column discussing the “biggest open secret” in the same-sex marriage trial in California: The presiding judge is gay. Since then, some conservative groups have demanded that he recuse himself, citing personal bias and “alleged lifestyle choices.” Fortunately, it appears that Judge Vaughn Walker has no intention of doing so. Those calling for Walker to recuse himself are missing several key points in this case — and in the way the American judicial system works. In this particular case — a challenge of the samesex marriage ban passed by referendum in 2008 in California — any decision by the judge is going to be appealed. (Of course, appeals are supposed to be based on a belief that there were errors made in the case, not just that the loser didn’t like the outcome, but that’s another discussion.) A judge recuses him or herself when the case under consideration presents a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict. For instance, a judge would recuse herself from hearing a case in which she was a lawyer for the defendant earlier in her career. But the demand that Walker recuse himself isn’t logical. If it were, heterosexual judges also couldn’t hear cases about marriage equality because it involves testimony about heterosexual marriage. (And what if the heterosexual judge is married as well?) If this logic held, you could ask women judges to recuse themselves from cases involving sexual harassment or ask African-American or Jewish judges to recuse themselves from cases involving discrimination against their respective group. Just because a judge shares a characteristic with a plaintiff or defendant doesn’t mean he or she will automatically rule in their favor. In contrast, some gay groups are concerned Walker will find the ban is constitutional as a result of “overcompensating.” After all, many still haven’t forgiven him for representing the U.S. Olympics in a brandinfringement case with San Francisco’s Gay Olympics when he was a private attorney. And he was appointed to the bench by President George H.W. Bush. It’s generally held that a judge’s life experience and personal history contributes to his or her ability to assess the real-world impact of laws and court decisions, to determine how a law impacts people in their daily lives and understand the subtleties involved. And Walker’s job as a judge is to interpret the law as it is written, not as he would like it to be or what he believes is just or right. n

Correction In “Mark My Words: Domestic partners, DADT and media,” Feb. 12-18, it was incorrectly stated that WPVI has no openly gay on-air talent. Last year, WPVI reporter Denise James, who is an out lesbian, served as the announcer for the Pride Parade. Additionally, WPVI stated that it has donated to LGBT nonproﬁts.

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Nancy Elliott Woah there, state Rep. Nancy Elliott (R-N.H.). Relax. No one is trying to anal-sex you. Though this is something you apparently think about a lot. So much, in fact, that you must not have realized you were talking out loud and into a microphone during that legislative session about repealing your state’s marriage-equality law. Like when you said, “We’re talking about taking the penis of one man and putting it in the rectum of another man and wriggling it around in excrement. And you have to think, ‘I’m not sure, would I allow that to be done to me?’ All of us, that could happen to you. Would you let that happen to you? Is that normal?” Yikes. First of all, Nancy, what you put or don’t put in your butt is your business. But thanks for announcing to the world that you and your husband don’t do anal. That is a very important thing for your constituency to know (that is not a very important thing for your constituency to know). Second of all, what does this have to do with same-sex marriage? Is there some kind of clause in New Hampshire that mandates anal sex for married gays? You know that

some gay dudes don’t even have anal sex, right? It’s “off the menu,” so to speak. And do you know that some straight dudes have anal sex on both the giving and receiving end? Because you don’t seem to be freaked out about them getting married. I’m also concerned about this claim you made at the session: “I heard yesterday from a mother that in the fifth grade in Nashua, they were given, as part of their classroom instruction, naked pictures of two men showing a presentation of anal sex ... They are showing our fifth-graders how they can actually perform this kind of sex and they are condoning, saying this is something normal. They are saying this is something that you ... as a fifthgrader, may want to try.” Wow, really? And just one parent complained about that? Because I agree with you, giving fifth-graders naked pictures of ass sex, straight or gay, is not appropriate. So you’d think more parents would have complained. Unless, of course, it didn’t happen. “The comments have Nashua school officials at a loss. Nothing resembling what Elliott said is being taught in any of Nashua’s schools,

ofﬁcials say,” reported the Nashua Telegraph. “Superintendent Mark Conrad said school ofﬁcials have asked all elementary-school principals about the claim. Conrad said there is no evidence to substantiate Elliott’s comment and no parents have called to complain.” Huh. That’s funny. No parents called the school to complain. Just one mystery mother and she called you, someone who talks publicly about her visions of penises wriggling around in poo. Must be a district-wide cover-up, eh? What would New Hampshire be without you? I urge you not to quit, Nancy. Keep speaking the truth. Don’t let the haters get you down. Don’t let them censor your message. In fact, at your next meeting, bring in two live gays as guests to have anal sex so you can really hit your point home. Do it, Nancy. Do it for the children. n D’Anne Witkowski has been gay for pay since 2003. She’s a freelance writer and poet (believe it!). When she’s not taking on the creeps of the world, she reviews rock ’n’ roll shows in Detroit with her twin sister.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

Mark My Words

Mark Segal

First LGBT endorsements of the year The LGBT community is just bursting with political candidates of its own this year, and some are already openly preparing for next year’s City Council race. No matter how you slice it, this is good news. More people from our community should run for office, but here’s the question: Just because they are LGBT, does that mean we have to automatically support their candidacy? The answer is no — and unfortunately for two current challengers, they chose the wrong elected officials to run against. First, let’s make a few points. Being LGBT does not alone garner the community’s support. They must have a base of support in our community meaning they have walked the walk and talked the talk. And that alone isn’t enough: They also need to have worked with grassroots organizations in the geographic area. Then they need competent and experienced campaign staff and a plan to raise the funds to make their campaign credible. The best example of this was the successful campaign by Dan Anders to be a Court of Common Pleas judge. There are two openly gay candidates running for state representative in separate districts. Let’s take a look at them. Gregg Kravitz is running for the Democratic nomination in the 182nd District. He has a long line of political experience in his short life. He knows how to put a campaign together, and he has the personality and fire in the belly that will make him a future leader in this community. But unfortunately, he’s a new face and his opponent is state Rep. Babette Josephs, arguably our strongest supporter in the state House. You don’t toss out someone who’s stood with the community for decades just because the challenger is LGBT. The same holds true in the 175th District, where

state Rep. Mike O’Brien has an LGBT candidate challenging him. Daryl La Fountain — who seems to use his sexual orientation as an issue — hasn’t walked the walk thus far. Mike is a proud Irish Catholic who loves to debate members of the House on LGBT issues. How many state reps do you know who had a fit when he wasn’t asked to speak about gay rights at a Harrisburg press conference on marriage equality? Usually, we can count on one hand those who show up. What’s more, O’Brien has been with us for over a decade. In his former position as chief of staff for Marie Lederer, he literally argued her from a homophobe to a supporter of gay rights. Now he lectures priests on gay issues when they testify before House committees. It is my intention to urge members of our community to run for office, but let’s not target our friends and allies. How about targeting a homophobe? Learn from our community’s history. In 1991, we targeted a city councilman who was homophobic. His name was Francis Rafferty and he was the most popular elected city councilmember, having come in first in the previous election. If you ever wondered where our political strength comes from, listen up. We, the LGBT community, took him on ourselves in a citywide election. The Democratic Party endorsed him, and so did all the other candidates. By the time the dust settled, something happened in Philadelphia that had never happened before. The LGBT defeated the reelection of a sitting city councilman and replaced him with the gay-friendly Jim Kenney. While I’m not discouraging those running, I’m encouraging them to learn from their experience and consider other races in the future. In this election, most of us will be loyal to those who have gone out of their way, at times almost committing political suicide, just to support our rights. Babette Josephs and Mike O’Brien have earned and deserve our support. n

PAGE 11

Street Talk Are the courts better venues than state legislatures to pursue LGBT equality?

Michael Brumbaugh actor Northern Liberties

Elizabeth Getty student West Philadelphia

“No, it’s best to start with state legislatures — that’s where you have the opportunity to pass progressive legislation. After that, I hope the courts will interpret the new laws to benefit gay people. Having gay issues brought up in legislatures is helpful. The increased awareness can have a positive influence on judges.”

“Yes. Judges don’t have to worry about politics as much as legislators. Judges are more likely to take the kind of risks that might be necessary for gay rights. Politicians are more concerned about voters and whether they can get reelected.”

Theresa Peacock hairstylist West Philadelphia

Jessica Shuman student Harrisburg

“State legislatures are better. Lawmakers are more of the people. They’re beginning to realize they have no other choice than to support equal rights. The message is definitely out there. It’s only a matter of time. Black people got equal rights, and gay people will too.”

“Yes. Go with what’s been working. It’s mainly been the courts that have granted gay marriage. If that approach stops working, then try something different. But I’d build up more momentum on the state level before taking the issue to the Supreme Court.”

Mark Segal is PGN publisher. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com.

Letters and Feedback In response to “Gayborhood Crime Watch,” Feb. 12-18: The Gayborhood is disgusting. If I was from out of town, I wouldn’t feel safe at all. I’d also wonder why a city that big has one of the worst gay scenes around. Have you ever seen the outside of Woody’s on a Wednesday night? Even on the weekends, it’s nothing but lowlifes (and constant crime). Where are all the professional gays, like in Boston and D.C.? — Michael Bellen Michael, the gayborhoods in Boston and D.C. are in isolated areas away from the city center.

— Pearl Ring Michael: Did you ever consider that most professionals are not frequenting Woody’s on a Wednesday night (which is kiddie night, by the way). Try stopping in someplace like Knock. Granted, I’m not happy with the drugs and crime either and think Philly needs to “step it up” a bit and make the Gayborhood safer for all, but let’s face it: You’re in a major metropolitan area and it comes with the territory. As for D.C., come on now. Do you really think it’s much safer? Wasn’t it just last year that a gay man was bashed and killed on his way home from a bar at night? Fortunately, I can’t recall that hap-

pening in Philly. — Matt A. In response to “NO LONGER MISS’D,” Feb. 5-11: It was such a great night, and full of fun. I am proud to have held the title for over five years, but even more proud to see the Miss’d America Pageant flourish into the sparkling beauty it has become. Sandy Beach is on point and deserves extra extra kudos. Congratulations to Michelle Dupree — welcome to the Miss’d America Family. — Andrea Lamour Miss’d America 2004-09

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 12

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Name: Mildred (Millie) Breed: Pit bull-hound mix Age: 2-4 years Sex: Female (spayed) Health: Excellent, up-to-date shots Other information: Millie has been microchipped. The Humane Society, animal control or any area shelter or vet that has the microchip scanning technology can identify her. History: Millie arrived at PAWS during last summer and was in foster care from September until she was adopted in December. The family that adopted Millie

had to move suddenly, and she was returned to PAWS. Mille is a very happy and playful dog who does not require constant attention. She would be fine with most other dogs but not cats or children under 8 because her exuberance is sometimes too great. Millie loves to play hide-and-seek and some fetch. She will sit on command but prefers to be cuddled on the couch. PAWS upcoming adoption and fundraising events: — “PAWS Happy Hour,” with drink specials, will be held from 5-8 p.m. Feb. 25 at Stir, 1705

Cold-weather reminders The staff and volunteers at PAWS are again suggesting some things to think about during this extremely cold weather. Remember to keep dogs on short, 10-20-minute walks, depending upon their size, weight and type of fur. Smaller dogs and shorthair breeds do not tolerate the cold as well as large, heavier dogs or those with thicker, heavier fur. When in doubt, put some type of coat or blanket on your pet that wraps the body. If you have become responsible for feral cats, remember that they depend on you for fresh, drinkable water as well as food, especially when the temperatures stay below freezing. You should also provide some sort of shelter that blocks the wind and offers them protection from rain, snow and ice. Wrap a recycling bin with plastic and an old blanket and pad it with a couple of old bath towels. Put it under a patio table draped with an old blanket and some plastic to keep cats dry. Update Duchess, the PAWS long-term resident pit bull who had been in and out of foster homes and obedience training for almost two years, has finally found a home! A PAWS staffer became very attached to her over the months she was there and agreed to adopt her and give her a fine permanent home. There are many opportunities to volunteer, donate money or items, adopt or foster pets. PAWS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless, abandoned and unwanted animals and is the city’s largest rescue organization and only no-kill shelter. n PAWS 100 N. Second St. (215) 238-9901 Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. www.phillypaws.org

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 13

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 14 Together We Can, a discussion group for people dealing with emotional, mental and addictive problems, will meet at 7 p.m. at The The Trans-Health Information Project will hold a drop-in center for all trans persons from 7-11 p.m. oor;

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

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OBITUARY From Page 8 “He was just very warm, compassionate and had a great sense of humor. He and I had a really similar sense of humor, so we’d always have a good time at our meetings,” Carson said. “He was a very open type of person; you could talk to him about anything and he’d listen. He was very intelligent, charismatic and just gregarious.” Robinson’s character also shone through in the classroom, which Carson said helped students to feel connected to him and to the coursework. “When you have someone who’s approachable like he was, it’s very important because students can feel like they can come in and talk to you. One of his students who works at PHMC was deeply touched by his death. He had been inspirational to her and she learned a lot from him in just the little bit of time that she interacted with him. He had a profound impact on those who he touched with his intellect and his compassion for the work.” Bailey said Robinson, who taught such classes as “Social Welfare Policy” and “The Social Determinants of Health and Health Equity,” was an exemplary educator, who focused all of his efforts on the needs of his students. “We use language about being ‘student-centered,’ and that was how Kevin led his life. He embodied all the best of teaching. His students came first, right next to his family, right up until he passed. He was in touch with his students, working on things for his students, all the time,” Bailey said. “He was the kind of person who really paid attention to you and listened deeply and wasn’t shy about sharing his perspective as well. He was a mentor to so many students and helped them continue on their journeys, and I think he would’ve said they helped mentor him too, as only a very secure and grounded teacher would say.” A funeral service will be held 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Watkins, Garrett and Woods Mortuary, 1011 Augusta St., Greenville, S.C. Robinson will be interred at 1 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Highway 20, Piedmont, S.C. Members of Robinson’s family will join friends and colleagues at a memorial tribute at 2 p.m. March 14 at Thomas Great Hall, Bryn Mawr College, 101 N. Merion Ave. in Bryn Mawr. n Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

International News Gay men attacked by mob in Kenya Police in Kenya rescued three men thought to be gay from a crowd of hundreds of angry youth “baying for their blood” on Feb. 12. A gay wedding that was planned for later in the day in the coastal town of Mtwapa, where the violence occurred, did not happen, as the two men who planned to marry went into hiding. The Daily Nation reported that two men suspected of being a couple by residents were flushed out of their apartment and that police found wedding rings on their fingers. The mob was part of a protest, dubbed Operation Gays Out, led by religious leaders in Kenya, including Sheikh Hussein Ali, from the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, and Kilifi district representative Bishop Laurence Chai. “We thank God for saving this town from being turned to Sodom and Gomorra of this era as we may be on the verge of being doomed had these criminals managed to conduct their evil exercise within our neighborhood,” Chai said. Hussein said the angry mob was “ready to shed their blood to protect the dignity of Mtwapa town and called on the residents to raise against the vice.”

Transgender no longer ‘illness’ in France France has become the first country in the world to declassify transgenderism as a mental illness. Health minister Roselyne Bachelot announced last May, before the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, that the country would move to de-list the condition as a mental illness. A government decree on Feb. 10 confirmed the change. Although France has made the move, the World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association continue to list the condition as a mental illness rather than a medical condition. However, trans advocates hope this will encourage them to follow suit. I n D e c e m b e r, t h e s e c o n d

PAGE 15

Larry Nichols

International Experts’ Meeting on HIV Prevention for MSM, WSW (men who have sex with men and women who have sex with women, respectively) and Transgenders called for transgenderism to be classified as a medical disorder, to help trans people avoid the stigma of mental illness. Medical opinion once held that homosexuality was a mental illness. The WHO removed it from the list of mental disorders in 1990.

Pro-gay activists meet in Uganda Activists assembled by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kampala met secretly in Uganda on Feb. 14 to launch their campaign against the antigay bill pending in parliament. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Kampala, one of the few religious organizations in Uganda that is supporting the gay community, held the conference to highlight the need for an end to discriminatory treatment of the gay population in Uganda. According to the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, the conference aimed “to achieve permanent, fundamental, real equality for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people by affecting fundamental changes in the attitudes of society; to defeat discriminatory legislation and exclusionary policies and practices; and to build a strong social movement of BGLT people with a fully representative and activist base.”

EU: Countries must protect gays The European Parliament has said that Croatia, Macedonia and Turkey must prove they can offer “genuine protection” to gay people in order to join the European Union. The three countries have been criticized for their records on LGBT rights, and reports given to the European Parliament reminded the candidates that protections such as antidiscrimination laws were “non-negotiable” conditions to join the union. Croatia was criticized for its 2009 de-facto ban on Zagreb Pride and the government’s failure to

implement antidiscrimination laws. In Turkey, the country’s penal code raised concerns for “allowing for the systematic persecution” of gay, bisexual and trans people, while Macedonia was told to cover sexual orientation and gender identity in its antidiscrimination laws. “I am happy that our amendments in favor of LGBT rights in the progress reports for Macedonia and Croatia were adopted by the European Parliament,” said MEP Ulrike Lunacek, co-president of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights. “We have reaffirmed that antidiscrimination standards must apply in candidate countries.” “Accession criteria are crystal clear: Minorities must be protected from discrimination as laid out in Article 19 of the Treaty — and that includes sexual orientation,” added MEP Michael Cashman, Lunacek’s co-president. “This is not an à la carte menu: It is at the core of the European Union, and we will be rigorous in its application.”

South African wins Mr. Gay World A South African man has won the title of Mr. Gay World 2010. Charl Van den Berg, a 28-yearold restaurateur from Cape Town, was named the winner at a ceremony in Oslo, Norway, Feb. 14. “It’s my aim to help break down stereotypes and differing mindsets in the global community and promote oneness and equality for all people by bridging the gap between those mindsets,” Van den Berg said. “It is my understanding that people are people before we are different.” Bryon Adu, 24, from Australia, came in second place; Rick Dean Twombley, 33, from Hong Kong, came in third; and fourth place went to 26-year-old Xiadai Muyi from China. Xiadai’s identity was kept secret after Beijing officials tried to prevent him from joining the contest. A pageant to decide Mr. Gay China was due to be held in the city last month but was stopped by police after organizers apparently obtained the wrong permits. Instead, organizers chose Xiadai to compete secretly. n Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.

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JOIN US TWICE MONTHLY FOR SHABBAT SERVICES AT 8:00 PM Coffee, cake & conversation at the oneg following services

Winner of the 2009 Paddy and Barry Epstein Communicate! Award for innovative programming in a small congregation

Saturday, February 27, 7:00 PM. Purim Spiel and Party! Get ready to spin those groggers, down some hamentashen and enjoy the BA Players’ annual Purim Spiel (play). This year it’s “Bye Bye Purim!” (based on the music of “Bye Bye Birdie!”) Admission: $18, light supper included. Please RSVP to Marcia Biggs at (215) 627-6747 x12 or mbiggs@rodephshalom. org. Friday, March 12, 8:00 PM. Beth Ahavah Shabbat Services. Please join us for our monthly BA Shabbat Service followed by a sumptuous oneg (social hour). Beth Ahavah and Rodeph Shalom are afﬁliated in spirit and share a sacred home. In July 2007 Beth Ahavah afﬁliated with Rodeph Shalom. Beth Ahavah retains its congregational status within the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and proudly offers its congregation dual membership at both synagogues. Visit www.bethahavah.org for additional information, programming and directions

615 North Broad Street, Phila., PA 19123-2495 Phone: 215.923.2003 E-mail: BethAhavah@rodephshalom.org

Free secure parking: Cross Spring Garden at 13th St., left at next light, Mt. Vernon St. Parking lot entrance on left.

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FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

A departure from the ordinary

Out artists featured at new international arts festival By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer Philadelphia is knee-deep in more than just snow. The inaugural Philagrafika 2010, which launched on Jan. 29 and runs through April 11, is celebrating print media in contemporary art by showcasing more than 300 artists at 88 art institutions throughout the city. Organizers say it is one of the largest arts events in the country, and they hope to make it a recurring event. Among Philagrafika’s LGBT artists is Mark Bradford, who collects urban materials such as posters with advertising geared toward disadvantaged communities to create works of art that address issues of race and class. His past work included a 22foot-tall ark built out of debris from Hurricane Katrina. Philadelphia-based out artist Virgil Marti confronts issues like the insecurities of growing up gay. His “Bully” exhibition is a wallpaper installation comprised of the yearbook photos of the kids he says bullied him in high school. Mixed-media artist Eric Avery is an openly gay doctor who lives and works in Galveston, Texas.

He’s an HIV/AIDS specialist and an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Texas — and holds a bachelor’s degree in art. Avery says he always tried to merge art and medicine. “I’ve always made art since I was a child. I’ve always wanted to be a doctor and go help the world, but I was always so good at art. I got accepted into a medical school that was taking in different people in the 1970s to try to turn out a doctor. And one thing led to another. Everybody said you can’t do art and medicine together. I’m kind of an obstinate person and I said, why not? I’ve made art all through my medical school. Everything suffered because I was always doing art. I’ve always done it. I had to become a really good doctor in order to legitimately say I can do both of these things. I can talk in two worlds. It’s neither fully art nor fully medicine. It’s kind of suspended, like a transsexual is often between.” Avery uses his art as an opportunity to combat the AIDS epidemic and, of all the works in Philagrafika, his carved toilet seats are bound to be the most talked-about: The seats feature the raised words “Abandon

all hope ye who enter here.” No subtlety in this message. “It gets into poop and pee and the stuff from our unconscious from everything in the bathroom and privacy,” he said. “My partner from the beginning felt that this was kind of on the obscene side. Safe sex and anal sex would be the point of that toilet seat. One of my patients, when I talked to him about that piece, said the top [of a person], who would be reading it, is at less risk than the bottom would be in terms of unprotected sex. I think that toilet seat would be really great in a gay bar. If you’re trying to deal with HIV and getting the message and reminding people in new ways, I think that toilet seat could work.” In addition to the etched toilet seats, Avery’s contribution to Philagrafika includes three prints and a copy of his book, “Recipes For Disaster,” printed on handmade paper, on display at The Print Center, 1614 Latimer St. For more information about the many artists and venues featured in Philagrafika 2010, visit www.philagrafika.org. n Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.

WEIRD SCIENCE: Out physician and artist Eric Avery (bottom) is displaying his raised-print toilet seat and a drawing, among other pieces, at Philagrafika.

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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Gay Spaniard’s newsworthy art The work of gay artist Francesc Ruiz explores urban subcultures to create social commentaries. For Philagrafika 2010, Ruiz created an installation resembling a Philadelphia newsstand, containing more than a dozen magazine covers addressing different attitudes and aspects of the city. The work is all the more impressive when you consider that Ruiz spends most of his time in Berlin and Barcelona, Spain. From his home in Spain, Ruiz discussed how he became acquainted with Philadelphia in order to create his installation. PGN: Have you ever been to Philadelphia? FR: I spent 12 days in Philly last October. It was my first time and it was coinciding with the World Series. I was kind of shocked because everybody was wearing Phillies caps with the embroidered white “P.” That reminded me of the excitation that we had last year with our soccer team in Barcelona. Sports can unify people in a very special way ... PGN: How much research did you put into creating the magazine covers for the Philagrafika exhibition? FR: My research comes from different areas, and I do it following a determined temporal sequence. First of all, before I visit a city, I work with my prejudices and preconceived ideas about the place I’m going to visit. My main references about Philly were the Jonathan Demme film [“Philadelphia”] and the works of [Marcel] Duchamp at the Museum of Art. Then, once in Philly, I tried to develop a subjective fieldwork seeing and experiencing the city directly, talking with several people, asking them to tell me what they like and dislike about the city, visiting the different neighborhoods. Also, I went out at night and I tried to start conversations with strangers in the bars. With all this information, I came back to Barcelona and I finished my research using the Internet.

PGN: How did you zero in on the issues specific to Philadelphia? FR: I like to work with the context where my works are exhibited. I think through this way: I can [make] contact with the viewers in a deeper way, and make them think in a very particular way about the reality that surrounds them. It’s interesting to talk about global feelings but I always want to focus my work on our closest reality; I think that’s the way my work can transcend, and make people think about themselves and about the others. PGN: How long does it take to put together an installation like this? Given the amount of detail involved, it looks like it requires a lot of physical and mental preparation. FR: It’s a work made in collaboration with other people. The construction of the newsstand physically was built by the efficient staff of Temple Gallery after a design of a typical Philadelphia newsstand. I did the magazines in collaboration with the designer Ferran Elotro (www.ferranelotro.net), adapting and developing the logos and the graphic structure of the American magazines and journals. All this parallel process included also the conceptualization of the work, the drawings, the texts, the print of the maga-

zine and the final installation. It took around two months of work.

ALL THE ART THAT’S FIT TO PRINT: Francesc Ruiz (below) created a newsstand whose contents reflect how he perceives Philadelphia.

PGN: Do your works have a definite message or are they open to broad interpretation? FR: In this newsstand, there are some ideas that float all over the magazines and journals; these ideas mix a very particular vision of the city, focused on its past and its present, and maybe its future. But everything is explained from my own subjective point of view. I use references to social issues, but in a sexy way; I think comic books are a very useful tool to explain things in a sexy way. Some of the ideas talk about social conflicts and try to relate them with politics developed in the city. I mix references to graffiti culture, the Mural Arts Program, sexually transmitted diseases and some feelings I experienced during my visit related with class and race issues. PGN: Is there a specific emotional tone to your work? FR: Every time I do a work, I try to provoke in me a selfinduced semi-state of trance that allows me to write about a city and its inhabitants: I become kind of an actor interpreting all the information I’ve assimilated and trying to express the inner feeling of the city. In this case,

I perceived a lot of anxiety in the work, and the characters in the cover of the magazines show anger and paranoid behaviors. PGN: Do any of the covers deal with LGBT issues? FR: Yeah, I was very interested in showing some of the experiences I had in the Philadelphian gay scene. Some of the covers have titles such as Woody’s, The Bike Stop, T.O.C. or Voyeur, and there are continuous references in the headlines to some narratives that can point to a gay audience. PGN: What is it about newsstands that provided a medium for your artwork? FR: Newsstands are information structures; I think that they were kind of a structure very similar to the World Wide Web before its creation. They were the easy way to access all kinds of information. I think it’s also similar to a city from an architectural point of view, a city where the citizens are all these people that appear in the front covers. PGN: Are newsstands universal or do they vary from culture to culture? FR: You can find newsstands everywhere, even if they are of different shapes. It exists — a

tradition — the newsstand as a space that is connected to the street life’ that is what makes the newsstand so special. PGN: Does this exhibition in any way comment on the decline of print media? FR: I think print media has still a lot to do. I think that’s the main message of an event such as Philagrafika 2010. The idea of printing has been expanded after the digital revolution, and has been necessary to rethink their boundaries. The exhibition shows us some of these boundaries and makes us think about the future. PGN: Do you think newsstands could become obsolete over time? FR: Maybe it could be necessary to start to think of creating a Museum of the Newsstand, in which everybody can see how there used to be a newsstand in 1932 or 1968 and see not only the newsstand structure but also the whole content; all the magazines and journals of, for example, the 7th of September of 1981. Don’t you think it could be a great tool to understand how the world was in a determined period? n — Larry Nichols

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FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

DVDs

DeCoteau: More flesh and less blood By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor Prolific out filmmaker David DeCoteau has two movies out on DVD this month — “The Pit and the Pendulum,” his latest queer reimagining/adaptation of an Edgar Allan Poe story (after “The Raven” and “The House of Usher”), and “Brotherhood V: Alumni,” the newest installment of another series he helms. On the phone from his home in Los Angeles, the filmmaker spoke about his movie genre, which focuses less on plot and more on hot guys in their underwear. DeCoteau’s films, for the uninitiated, are B-grade thrillers in which sinister things happen to beautiful people. In “Pit,” seven gorgeous, athletic college students agree to allow JB (Lorielle New) to hypnotize them. Alas, several characters meet horrible ends. In “Alumni,” a handful of high-school friends is reunited a year after a murder to ferret out the killer. The filmmaker insists his works are “thrillers” and not “horror movies” because there is little blood and no gore: “They are not terrifying. I’m very squeamish and proper. I’m not into extreme vio-

lence and gore. I’ve done vampire movies without blood and fangs. They are the opposite of true horror films — rarely are there naked women, coarse language or [graphic violence].” Likewise, his Poe adaptations put a new twist on an old master and eschew suspense for sensuality. “We used the original text as inspiration, and [added] gay and bisexual characters,” DeCoteau said, joking that the scariest thing in his films are when straight guys “see two guys in their underwear with their shoulders touching, and not knowing what will happen next.” The filmmaker has developed a cult following for featuring sexy studs in their skivvies. DeCoteau initiated his career making erotic films (under a female pseudonym, back when he was closeted, but that’s another story). These days, however, his skin quotient is low. “Nudity is a taboo, even rear nudity,” he exclaimed, adding, “There’s nothing very erotic about a flaccid penis.” Although he made the 1997 gay romance “Leather Jacket Love Story,” which featured full-frontal male nudity and sex, DeCoteau has moved away from explicit cinema, concentrat-

Scott A. Drake Photography Your Premier Philadelphia Photographer New WayGayU classes at the WWCC begin in March!

267.736.6743 scottdrakephotos@gmail.com

FILMMAKER DAVID DECOTEAU

BRETT NOVEK IN “ALUMNI”

ing instead on homoeroticism. And DeCoteau is all about the tease. “I push the limits, and I respect the limits, and there is a lot of negotiation — how tight and what color the underwear is,” he said. “It’s in the contract! Guys want black, not white, because of VPL — visible penis lines — especially if they get wet.” “Pit” has a lengthy scene of two hot guys wrestling in their briefs, while “Alumni” has a lengthy love scene between two underwear-clad men. The filmmaker describes these moments as “overthe-top” plot elements meant to twist the audience’s expectations but not shock. He admitted that these scenes, and his films, are campy, “but I don’t like to wink at the audience. They are a bit ridiculous, but I try to do something different with each one and have an outrageous moment.” The love scene in “Alumni” is the first same-sex kiss and cuddle in the “Brotherhood” series, and DeCoteau is proud of this, even if he claims it is difficult to get actors to do “boy-boy intimacy” onscreen. Likewise, getting the actors he wants to appear nude is an uphill battle he chooses not to undertake. “People are not willing to drop trou just to be in a movie. The minute the underwear comes off, 99 percent of the actors would run. The actors who want to be stars get paranoid [about nudity] unless Gus Van Sant asks them to do it in an important big-budgeted project.” As such, DeCoteau focuses his energy on casting, selecting talent by personally reviewing the

NATHAN PARSONS IN “ALUMNI”

5,000-7,000 submissions he gets for a film. “I’m impressed by their energy when they walk into the room. The look gets you in the room. Once in the room, you have to deliver the performance.” He recalled producers criticizing actors for being “too pretty,” acknowledging that some guys who come in are so striking “the straight guys in the office are checking them out.” DeCoteau said the actors he discovers and casts — such as Jason Shane-Scott (“One Life to Live”) in “Pit” and Nathan Parsons (“General Hospital”) from “Alumni” — trust him because they know he will make them look beautiful, not foolish. What’s more, the filmmaker is careful about how he portrays his characters — especially the gay and bisexual ones. Both “Pit” and “Alumni” feature queer characters that are both good and evil. DeCoteau describes that evil gay characters provide “a dilemma” — citing Sharon Stone’s “killer lesbian” from “Basic Instinct” — but emphasizes that “the characters’ being bad has nothing to do with them being gay.” One solution he has found is to level the playing field by introducing many gay, lesbian and bisexual characters in his films. If the filmmaker’s style is not for everyone, he has amassed legions of fans. “It’s a weird subgenre,” DeCoteau acknowledged. “But there is a niche out there that likes my films. Otherwise I wouldn’t be making them!” Or so many of them. n

STEPHEN HANSEN (STANDING) AND BART VOITILA IN “THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM”

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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Spring Cleaning and Maintenance Find help in the Home Improvement Directory

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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Family Portraits We all know the term “Friend of Dorothy” (if you don’t, shame on you. Learn your gay history!), but this week’s interview isn’t just a friend of Dorothy — he is Dorothy. Well, not Dorothy Parker, but the gal who played the other Dorothy, the venerable LGBT icon Judy Garland. Since 1991, Tommy Femia has appeared as Ms. Garland in almost every New York City nightclub (including an ongoing 20-year run at Don’t Tell Mama), to Tim McLoone’s Supper Club in Asbury Park to multiple venues across the nation. His credits include “The Montel Williams Show,” “The Facts of Life,” “One Day at a Time,” two off-Broadway shows, Drama Desk Award-winners “WhoopDee-Doo!” “I Will Come Back!” and “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” and he’s served as emcee at the celebrated revue La Cage Aux Folles. The six-time winner of the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs Award for Outstanding Impersonation is currently in our part of the world to rehearse for his latest show, “Norma Doesmen,” opening in March at the Abingdon Theatre in New York. The talented performer has many ties to our area: In addition to headlining the show “Tallulah!” in New Hope, he has performed here regularly over the years at

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

Suzi Nash Odette’s (before the flood), as well as the Cosmopolitan Room in what now is the Nevermore Hotel. PGN: How have you faired in the snow? TF: It’s unbelievable. I haven’t seen anything like this since the blizzard of ’78. I’m staying at the Wishing Well, which is a beautiful, wonderfully decorated guesthouse right near our rehearsal hall. I was sitting on my bed getting ready to go over my script when the lights went out. Dan Brooks, the owner, told me the whole section of the city, including The Raven, was all without power because of the storm. Fortunately my producer, Stephen Stahl, came and picked me up until Dan was able to get a generator running. I love working in New Hope: It’s like living in Mayberry. Everybody knows everybody, everyone tries to help their neighbor, “What do ya need, what can I get you?” PGN: Where are you originally from? TF: I grew up in Brooklyn, but I moved out when I was 18-and-ahalf to go live with my then partner. My mother didn’t talk to me for three months after I moved out. Italians aren’t supposed to move until you’re married. I

don’t care if you’re 40: You stay at home! PGN: Tell me about the family? TF: I have two brothers, Bobby and John; I’m in the middle. My younger brother John is a TV actor. He was on that show “Hello Larry” with McLean Stevenson and also on “Square Pegs” with Sarah Jessica Parker. I used to go out to California with him to act as his guardian since my parents couldn’t do it. My mother worked for an insurance company for about 38 years and my dad had his own cleaningproducts business. PGN: Something about you? TF: I went to the High School of Performing Arts — you know, like in the movie “Fame.” It was great: One of my classmates was Ving Rhames — his real name is Irving, by the way — and another classmate was Suzanne Vega — she had that hit song “Luka.” That was a major event in my life; the discipline and everything they taught me set me up for this thing called showbiz. It even put me on the path to doing Judy. We all used to fool around and imitate different celebrities at lunchtime. One of my friends did a really funny Ann Miller impersonation and he bugged me for 10 years after we graduated to do a

TOMMY FEMIA Photo: Milton Perry

Judy and Ann Miller show with him. I didn’t even do drag! But after years of nagging, I finally said, “OK! Shut up, I’ll do it!” I scheduled it for two Tuesdays at 8 p.m., thinking no one was going to come but our family and friends. It wound up being an instant hit and it changed my life. He was a choreographer and had to leave for a show, so I did my first solo Judy show nine months later. It was such a success I quit my day job and, from ’92 to now, I haven’t stopped.

PGN: Speaking of day jobs, what was the worst one you’ve ever had? TF: Too many years ago, I worked at Petland discounts! It was awful. It reeked of rodents all the time because they had rats for people to feed to their snakes. You had to clean out the fish tanks and, twice a week, they’d get in a shipment of stuff that would give you a hernia trying to haul it to the basement. It was just the least favorite thing I’ve ever done. PGN: Were you a pet person? TF: Oh yes, I’ve had dogs all my life. I have a Jack Russell now who is my daughter. Her name is Jackie. Everyone thinks I named her that because she is a Jack Russell, but she’s actually named after Jackie Kennedy. [Laughs.] When I explain it to people, I get that look: gay man! PGN: You need to get her a pillbox hat ... TF: Yeah, a hat and a bloodstained pink suit and we’re ready! PGN: What did you like to do as a kid? TF: We lived in the city, so I loved all the old street games — kickball and stickball and playing in the fire hydrants in the summer. But my real passion was going to movies. PGN: Do you remember the first movie you ever saw? TF: Oh yes, “Jumbo” with Doris Day and Martha Raye. I remember the screen looked 100-feet

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

high! PGN: What’s your favorite line from a movie? TF: At the end of “Now Voyager” when Bette Davis says, “Oh Jerry, don’t let’s ask for the moon. We have the stars.” And of course, the last line in “A Star Is Born” when Judy says, “Hello, everybody. This is Mrs. Norman Maine” and everyone gets hysterical. And about 90 percent of “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” I could watch that movie 20 times a week. Oh, and almost all of “Mommie Dearest.” [Doing a Dunaway-as-Crawford accent] “You call that clean?” God, you just wet your pants when you hear that! PGN: Did you get your creative talents from your family? TF: There’s music on my mother’s side. In fact, my mother’s great-aunt was a famous opera singer, Louisa Tetrazzini. The dish, chicken Tetrazzini, is supposed to be named after her. There are absolutely no artistic genes on my father’s side. PGN: Playing Judy Garland, who is an LGBT icon, must really move people. Especially since you actually sing all the music. Any special moments come to mind? TF: About 15 years ago, I was doing a Christmas benefit called “Teddy Cares” where different performers would do a show and the admission was a teddy bear, which they gave to children with AIDS. I was standing by the piano at this beautiful little cabaret in the Village and someone suggested I do a few songs to promote the benefit. I did about six numbers as Judy (looking like myself). Sitting in a banquette 10 feet from me was Liza Minnelli! I didn’t know it because there were people standing in front of her. She was supposed to come to the benefit show, but she called the owner and said she couldn’t do it. When he asked her why, she said, “Tommy sounds so much like Mama it’s uncomfortable for me.” We’ve gone on to be friends and she’s the most amazing, giving person, but she still can’t hear it. She tells me that I hit a little close to home, although she appreciates what I do. Liza has been very generous with me in and out of print. I just adore her. PGN: What was a bad celebrity encounter? TF: Mary Tyler Moore. She was as cold and as rude as you

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

could be. I was so disappointed, I stopped watching reruns of the show. Well, for two years, then I started watching it again because it’s just so funny. You have to separate the performer from the performance. But I’ve been lucky to be around some really wonderful and kind people in the business. PGN: I did a profile of your director, Stephen Stahl; how is it working with him? TF: He’s fantastic. He directed me in “Tallulah” back in ’95. He has an amazing ability to pull the best out of his actors. He really knows his stuff. I love him, just love him. PGN: Speaking of love, since Valentine’s Day just passed, tell me something romantic. TF: I first met my partner David at a Halloween party back in 1987. Believe it or not, I was dressed as Norma Desmond. He came in dressed as a nun and the minute I saw him, I knew that something was there. He was so handsome and our eyes met from across the room. We went home together and, the next day, I came home from work and there were four-dozen long-stem roses on the coffee table. It was so touching. You know, you meet a guy and have a one-night stand and you’re lucky if they stay for coffee! The fact that he went to the trouble and expense when he’d barely known me for 24 hours was impressive. That 24 hours turned into 23 years. We have one of the longest marriages in my family! PGN: Tell me about coming out. TF: I never really had to come out: I’ve always just been who I am. I figured if God made me attracted to boys, that’s just how it was supposed to be. But my mother confronted me when I was about 17 and scared the shit out See PORTRAIT, Page 27

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Q Puzzle Y Not Across

1. Britains’ bit of tea 5. “Dallas” family name 10. The Queen Elizabeth, for one 14. Cod, for example 15. Joan of Arc’s “hardwear” 16. First name in Czech tennis 17. Serious sign 18. Style Tracy Turnblad’s hair 19. Means justifiers, to some 20. One who arrests Milk portrayer Sean? 23. NYPD rank 24. Cass of The Mamas & The Papas 25. Destination of the Bounty 27. Affirm orally 28. ABA member 31. Kid’s “tattoo,” for one 32. Mapplethorpe’s tool 35. Train track 36. REM song about a leg fetish? 41. The sound of music 42. “Fun Home” author Bechdel 43. Cager Shaq 45. D.C. summer clock setting 46. “My Own Private ___ ” 51. ___ di Rossi, ex-partner of Francesca Gregorini 53. Person in the Navy 54. What Michelangelo put out 55. Opening for a naked bottom? 59. “Otello” villain 61. Part of a fashion name 62. “Nick at ___ “ 63. “Nuts!” 64. What you better not be calling me 65. At no time, in verse 66. Pt. of DOS 67. Lech of Greek lore 68. Cruising hazard

Down

1. Sharpshooters’ needs 2. Anderson of “Baywatch” 3. How many gay people live 4. Amelie Mauresmo’s game 5. Weird Al Yankovic song about

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blow jobs? 6. Singer with wings 7. Apple that isn’t a fruit 8. Have some chips, say 9. Say hi to 10. “Murder, ___ Meowed” 11. Assign odds to stallions 12. Where dat bottom took it? 13. Medicinal lozenge 21. One who does it doggy style 22. “Far out!” 26. Deli sandwich 28. Like bounteous breasts 29. Not too hot 30. No-tell motel meeting 33. Battery size 34. Mil. drop site 36. Web site concerned with HIV 37. Like some degrees 38. Helium or krypton 39. Unmixed at a mixer 40. Seminal computer 44. Architect Maya ___ 47. “I Say a Little Prayer” singer Warwick 48. Joined by treaty 49. Sounded like an owl

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50. Bearish 52. Radiant glows 53. Ringo of the “Y Not” album, and stepfather of Francesca Gregorini 56. Crème ___ crème 57. “Put a sock ___!” 58. Command to a canine 60. Baseball great Mel

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SOLUTION

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WINTER NAKED PARTY Leather Lookout Sun., Feb. 21, 2010 3 PM until 6 PM Guys of all ages (21 and over), sizes, shapes, ethnic backgrounds, etc., are very welcome

Sansom Street Gym 2020 Sansom Street PANG Box 42691, Philadelphia, PA 19101 215-978-PANG • www.PhillyNakedGuys.org

Next party: March 21, 2010 Dance Or Just Meet New Guys & Chat This is a MALE-ONLY Nude Event

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FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

Jim Kiley-Zufelt

Leather tips for the snowpocalypse This month has been a great reminder that, for the most part, snow and leather just don’t mix. Leather is designed to make you look hot, not to keep you warm. If your leathers aren’t lined — and most of them aren’t — you’re guaranteed to freeze your balls off in them when it gets as cold as it’s been the last few weeks. And there’s nothing worse than getting snow and salt and slush all over your best boots, which pretty much ruins them until your next bootblacking. Better late than never, here are a few tips to survive your winter in leather. No. 1: Don’t wear pants. This is the best time to wear chaps and jeans. You’ll look great, and you’ll appreciate the extra insulation when you’re looking for a cab at 1 a.m. and the wind chill has dropped below zero. No. 2: Carry your boots. Don’t be afraid to wear crap boots through the sludge while you keep your nice boots safe and sound in a backpack or gym bag. Once you get to the bar, find a corner where you can change into them (and maybe a boy to help you out), then store your bag at the coat check. No. 3: Layers. Even though it’s cold outside, it still gets nice and warm in the bar once you’re surrounded by enough people. Wear a flannel or long-sleeve T-shirt over your muscle shirt or harness, then stow it in the coat check after you warm up. Just make sure you don’t overdo it and find yourself wrapped up in too many layers that you can’t peel off when the time is right. With proper planning, it’s easy to keep warm on the streets and still look hot in the bars. And don’t worry if your friends bust on you for making more costume changes than Lady Gaga. When has that ever been a bad thing? Get on your boots! The Keystone boys of Leather present their second-annual Bootlust party this weekend at The Bike Stop. The crowd at last

year’s party was huge and this year promises more of the same, with cheap beer, slutty shots, hot bootblacks and special guests all designed to help bring back that good old sleazy leather-bar charm. Don’t miss Bootlust II, 9 p.m.2 a.m. Feb. 20 at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. For more information, check out their Facebook group or www.keystoneboysofleather.org. CODE Philly David Merrill and Jacob Nathaniel Pring, the boys who run the CODE party at EFN Lounge in Washington, D.C., took “CODE on the Road” and brought their hot party up to Club Voyeur right here in Philly last weekend. While it has the same name as a monthly event that ran at The Bike Stop a couple years ago, this was definitely a very different party. Guests included New York City’s Jake the Barber, DJ John Alvarado, DJ Eric Entrena and porn by Tom “Ropes” McGurk on the big screens. Hopefully they’ll come back and do it again soon. Turnout was good, but the weather and the lack of local advertising probably put a dent in the attendance. When they come back, I hope they do more local promotion. It seemed like the only people who knew about the event were those on their D.C. mailing list. Liberty Bears art show postponed Last week’s snowstorm forced the Liberty Bears to postpone this year’s art show until next month. As of press time, they haven’t announced the new date, but it will definitely be on a Friday and Saturday in March. Remember that all proceeds will

benefit an excellent cause, Camp Brightfeathers, a summer camp for kids affected by HIV. Bears On Liberty Weekend 8 has also been postponed from May until October, but those dates haven’t been announced yet either. Keep an eye on their Web site or Facebook group for information about the new dates for both events. The Bike Stop officially changes hands The new owners of The Bike Stop officially took over the bar on Feb. 1, and there have already been some subtle changes, mainly in the staff’s attitude. I don’t know how else to say this except that they all seem to be in a better mood now, which makes the bar a much nicer place to hang out. It’s also great to see the new owners in the bar at night when the crowd is there. People ask me what I think of the new ownership and I say this one thing: The fact that they’re actually in the bar at night speaks volumes about their commitment to the future of The Bike Stop. They’ll see first-hand what works and what doesn’t. It shows they

TEA BAGGERS UNITE! Go-Go Daddy Torez shows the Tea Party movement how it’s really done at WOOF Philly last month. Photo: Jim Kiley-Zufelt

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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care. I don’t think they’re going to return the bar to its former glory because that’s an impossible task. That era is over and it’s not coming back, no matter what various “old guard” leather fundamentalists would have you believe. But I do think they’re going to help usher in a great new era for the bar. And you never know; 20 years from now, we just might find ourselves looking back on these as the glory years. Stranger things have happened, my friends. UPCOMING EVENTS — WOOF! PHILLY & LAID: Every Sunday at 5 p.m. at 1416 Chancellor St. See www.woofphilly.com or www.laidsaturdays. com for DJ and dancer schedules. — LIBERTY BEARS MEETING AND SOCIAL: March 6 at The Bike Stop, meeting from 6-7 p.m. in The Pit and social from 7-10 p.m. on the main floor. — LIBERTY BEARS ANNUAL ART SHOW AND SALE: March, date TBA, 7-10 p.m. on the third floor of The Bike Stop. Meet the artists at the wine and cheese reception on opening night. See www.libertybears.net or their Facebook group for more information. n Questions? Comments? Pissed off like me that a cartoon like Avatar got so damn many nominations? Contact Jim at LeatherLookout@gmail.com.

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

Gay is our middle name.

PGN

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

PORTRAIT From Page 21 of me! She was saying, “It’s just a phase, but we can help.” It was back in the ’70s, so it was like you had leukemia or something that they wanted to get you treatment for. My father never had a problem with it but my mother took a little longer. Now, she’s my biggest fan: She comes to all my shows and she and my David are best friends. When I’m on the road, they talk on the phone every day. The whole family is very close: We have dinner together every two weeks in Brooklyn and my baby brother, John, comes to my shows once a month. [Laughs.] I still call him the baby even though he’s 40 years old! PGN: What’s your most likeable quality? TF: Oh, I don’t know. I hear that people are pleasantly surprised to find that I’m just a nice little Italian boy with no attitude. A lot of people expect that, as a performer, I’m going to be a diva.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

When I show up for a show, people will be walking on eggshells, so I just give everyone hugs and kisses to make them feel at ease. I’ve made so many friends in this show, one of the actors, a beautiful girl named Christina, came to see my show in New York on our day off. Such sweet kids. They’re really talented too. PGN: What’s your idea of misery? TF: My parents on their way out or God forbid something should happen to my partner — or my dog! I lost too many people much too soon during the first ravages of AIDS. I lost about 25 friends and it was unbearable seeing people who were 28 years old and looked 80 suffering through a long, grueling death. It was unbearable. Any suffering really disturbs me. I don’t even like to hear fire trucks go by because I think about people being trapped and burned alive. I hope I just go in my sleep. Oh, and animal cruelty, like that bastard Michael Vick that you have playing for the Eagles. People

like that are human garbage. PGN: What’s a favorite costume? TF: I’ve had some pretty terrific outfits. I love finding pieces that are specific to the character and the time. Thrift shops are great because there are always those old women who have passed away and have saved every dress they ever wore up in their attic. Their kids want to get rid of the stuff and it’s like gold to me! PGN: I recall reading that after you do a show, you’re out of makeup and costume in five minutes. TF: Some people like to talk to people after the show while they’re still dressed, but I think it shatters the illusion. Besides which, the drag is for the theater piece and, when the show is over, I’m out of it. For me, it’s a character thing. If I was playing Jekyll, for instance, I wouldn’t be walking around as him on the street after the show was over. PGN: If heaven exists, what

PAGE 27

would you like to hear when you arrive at the pearly gates? TF: Hey Judy! Where’ve you been? And I expect Marilyn Monroe to be there, waiting for me with a cocktail next to a white, concert-size baby-grand piano and all my favorite dead people gathered around. Even Joan Crawford. PGN: Your house is on fire: what do you take? TF: My photo album and my high school yearbook, because they’re right next to each other. And I have this enormous 200year-old vase that belonged to my grandmother that I’d have to take. I’d shove everything into the vase and run! And of course my dog Jackie; I’d go back into a burning building to get her. PGN: Any recurring dreams? TF: Yes! I dream that I’m in California on the outskirts of

Los Angeles and I need to get in town and no matter what I try, I can’t get in to do what I have to do. I’ve had the dream three or four times a week for two years now. I don’t know what that’s about. PGN: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? TF: [Pauses.] You know, I don’t think there’s anything I would change. It took me many years to figure out what I am and who I am. At this stage, I have no regrets and am pretty happy with the way it all turned out. [Laughs.] Unless I asked God to make me 6-feet tall with big muscles and blue eyes! n To suggest a community member for “Family Portraits,” write to: Family Portraits, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 or portraits05@aol.com.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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Outward Bound

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

Jeff Guaracino

The great Philly snow escape! What’s one to do during the snowiest winter of all time? Plan a trip! Now! Your imagination and anticipation of that trip will keep you warm until you get there. This month, The New York Times published its annual cruise issue in the travel section, so here is the PGN version, with travel information of interest to the local LGBT community. Sail away It’s looking like 2010 is a shipshape year. Atlantis, the world’s No. 1 gay men’s tour operator, is sailing the world, literally. If you are ready to escape now, you might just be able to secure a great last-minute deal on the Celebrity Solstice leaving Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on March 7. Atlantis is taking a few-thousand gay men to St. Barts, St. Thomas, Samama and a new private island owned by Celebrity.

So here’s the deal. Atlantis is a smart operator and doesn’t discount the actual price of the cruise. Instead, it offers deeply discounted airfare, sometimes as low as $99 round-trip. So while you are paying a full-fare cruise price, your savings are hidden in the airfare. Atlantis is also offering an airfare sale, $399 roundtrip, for the Shanghai-to-Hong Kong cruise, March 20-30. For a full itinerary of trips, visit www. atlantisevents.com. Getaway with family and friends R Family Vacations may be sailing without Rosie these days, but you won’t miss a thing! Kelli, Rosie’s ex-wife, and Gregg are the real stars of this vacation company. For the first time in R Family’s history, it will sail to the Hawaiian Islands and to Europe. Hawaii is on tap first, with

worth watching: The Winter Olympics Anyone for figure skating? All week at 8 p.m. on NBC. FRIDAY Troy Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom star in this big-budget epic based on Homer’s “The Iliad.” 8 p.m. on AMC. America’s Best Dance Crew The top nine dance crews compete in the nationals. 8:30 p.m. on MTV. Caprica Look for gay character Sam in this “Battlestar Galactica” prequel. 9 p.m. on SyFy. SATURDAY Aisha Tyler is Lit The comedian performs in San Francisco. 8 p.m. on Comedy Central. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban The popular wizard fights the forces of evil. 8 p.m. on CBS. Suze Orman Show The out money expert’s finance

just 400 guests to four islands over seven days. This summer, R Family is going on its own European vacation to Spain, France and Italy aboard the Norwegian Jade and to the Caribbean aboard the brandnew Norwegian Epic. R Family cruises are more affordable than ever because the cruises are large groups vs. full-ship charters. For those looking for an exclusively gay trip, Gregg and Kelli are taking over Club Med Ixtapa for an all-inclusive beach vacation. Prices range, but are around $1,000 per adult. For more information, visit www.rfamilyvacations.com. RSVP turns 25 The daddy of gay cruising, RSVP Vacations, is celebrating 25 years of taking thousands of gays and lesbians all over the world. (Pretty young for a daddy, huh?)

show. 9 p.m. on CNBC. Philadelphia Tom Hanks in an Oscar-winning performance as a gay lawyer with AIDS fighting for his rights against the law firm that fired him. 10 p.m. on AMC. 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 a talk show. 11 p.m. on Fox. SUNDAY The Amazing Race Look for the lesbian team in this reality travel competition. 8 p.m. on CBS. Brothers & Sisters Look for out characters Kevin, Scotty and Saul in this drama. 10 p.m. on ABC. MONDAY How I Met Your Mother Neil Patrick Harris stars as Barney in this repeat. 8 p.m. on CBS. RuPaul’s Drag Race Drag queens compete in this reality contest. 9 p.m. on Logo.

RSVP just announced the Hawaii Silver Anniversary Cruise, the first RSVP cruise to sail these beautiful islands on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America with 2,100 guests. The seven-day cruise starts at $899. Lesbian cruise vacations Olivia proudly has been serving the lesbian travel community and, this year, is offering three cruises, three resort vacations and seven “ultimate getaways.” What recession? Check out www.olivia.com for all the details. New to the lesbian travel market is Sweet, which promotes itself as a lesbian travel company with a twist. Sweet made headlines by merging lesbian travel with social and environmental awareness, hosting carbon-neutral vacations. For a full schedule of cruises, city and land-based group trips, visit www.discoversweet.com.

Local gay trips Chumley’s Bear Cruises, a Philadelphia-based company, is organizing a group trip in November aboard the Crown Princess from Ft. Lauderdale. Seven days start at $699 for an inside cabin. The cruises are led by Mark “Chumley” Singer, an activist, performer and event producer for more than 20 years. For more information, visit www. bearcruises.com. n Jeff Guaracino, vice president of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation and author of “Gay and Lesbian Tourism: The Essential Guide for Marketing,” has learned to find the best deals and travel resources for the LGBT community. Traveling locally? Check out visitphilly.com!

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 the title character’s best pal Barb. 8 p.m. on CBS. American Idol Ellen DeGeneres judges again. 9 p.m. on Fox. Modern Family Look for gay couple Mitchell and Cameron. 8 and 9 p.m. on ABC. The Robert Verdi Show The crazy and funny misadventures of the out celebrity stylist and party planner. 10 p.m. on Logo.

BOYLE-D OVER: Comedian Tracey Ullman has already done a wicked version of Barney Frank this season on her sketch comedy show. This week, she dresses up as Susan Boyle on “Tracey Ullman’s State of the Union,” 10:30 p.m. Feb. 22 on Showtime. Photo: Cliff Lipson/Showtime

Queer TV you can always see:

Ugly Betty The show is canceled after this season, so catch it while you can. 10 p.m. on ABC.

One Life to Live

THURSDAY Grey’s Anatomy Look for out character Callie Torres in this repeat. 9 p.m. on ABC.

Monday-Friday, 3 p.m. on NBC.

Look for gay characters Kyle and Oliver. MondayFriday, 2 p.m. on ABC. Ellen

The Rachel Maddow Show

Monday-Friday, 9 p.m. on MSNBC.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

PAGE 29

Lesbian on the Scene Tracy Buchholtz

Dancing, Quizzo, drag and A.I. (Really) If you’re anything like me, you’ve just now shoveled your car out, you’re finally done waiting hours in the grocery store and, frankly, you’re stir crazy. I know how you feel. I’m bored, I’m ready to dance and I’m ready to hang with friends. A cocktail in hand wouldn’t be bad either. Luckily, over the next few weeks there’s plenty to do. With no snow forecasted for this weekend, there’s absolutely no excuse. Grab your girl and get ready to play! Friday, Feb. 19, is the packed party Britney, Beyonce, Gaga at Sisters Nightclub, 1320 Chancellor St. This event is sporadic, and once a month or so it makes the rounds at various clubs, but this week it’s at Sisters, making it even more gay than usual! DJ Deejay will have you dancing your ass off all night long to the sounds of the hottest female artists of today. This definitely needs to be on your calendar if you’re looking for a night of fun, sweaty, sexy dancing. Cover is just $5 and the party starts at 9 p.m. More information is at www.sistersnightclub.com. On Sunday we’re heading over to lesbian favorite Valanni, 1229 Spruce St., for some tasty drinks and to play the popular Kinky Quizzo. The new start time is 10 p.m. and it’s a great way to spend a Sunday night. Aside from drink specials, there’s also a DJ on hand to keep you grooving in your chairs. Check out the drink menu at www.valanni.com. If you haven’t checked out Valanni, make sure you do. It’s sexy and sultry, and Kinky Quizzo is the perfect fun and laidback date night — plus it’s free! Wednesday, Feb. 24, isn’t just hump day: It’s the night of one hot event at Q Lounge, 1234 Locust St. New York City’s hilarious Mimi Imfurst takes over the lounge every Wednesday in a hysterical act that will have you laughing all night. Honestly, if you’re looking to head out on

Wednesday, this event is always packed with cute girls and guys looking to have a good time. DJ Solatta Tee keeps the party moving and there’s no cover. Be prepared to be entertained. And then get ready to dance! Saturday, Feb. 27, is the Scene party at its new home, Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St. If you missed last month’s party, you really missed out — a packed house of over 350 women danced to the music of Carl Michaels on the main floor and Lil Sis spinning hip-hop upstairs. This month they’re back for more, and the Liberty City Drag and Burlesque crew will provide live entertainment. The Scene is also bringing back “hoop” artist Jennifer Alvarez, a crowd favorite from last month, and will have vendors selling some must-have LGBTQ-themed items. The party kicks off at 9 p.m., with $3 drinks until 11. Cover is just $5 before midnight for this must-attend party! More info at www.facebook.com/tlbtbproductions. If it’s one thing about us lesbians, we love to watch some sports. Be out and proud on Monday, March 1, for the first annual Gay Community Night at the Philadelphia 76ers! Order tickets online at www.nba.com/ sixers/promocode and enter promo 704GCN. Game tips off at 7 p.m. and tickets are just $20. Ordering online promises you and your lady a seat with other LGBTQ Sixers fans. Get ready to cheer on Allen Iverson and the rest of the 76ers! As you can tell, there’s a little something for everyone coming up in the next few weeks, and spring is right around the corner. There are some big announcements coming from your favorite girl parties about their summer plans at our favorite lesbian vacation spot, Rehoboth Beach. If that’s not enough to get you warm on these chilly days, then I don’t know what is! n Tracy Buchholz is an LGBTQ party producer-promoter in Philadelphia. She can be reached at tracy.buchholz@gmail.com.

(215) 625-8501

Published the 2nd and 4th week of every month.

Greg, ext. 201 Kelly, ext. 207 Morgan, ext. 212 David, ext. 219

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

Diversions

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

Your guide to arts and entertainment

Theater

Urban Life, 2212 Spruce St.; (215) 735-6999.

Any Given Monday Theatre Exile presents a world premiere by Bruce Graham about political correctness, religious faith, class discrimination, social injustice and how one man deﬁnes right and wrong, through Feb. 28 at Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St.; (215) 2184022.

LolliPOPS & Roses Peter Nero and the Philly Pops perform with Grammy-winner Jack Jones for a special program of sentimental songs, 3 p.m. Feb. 21 and 27 and 8 p.m. Feb. 24 and 26 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Chamber Music Concert Philadelphia Chamber Music Society presents performances by special guests at 3 p.m. Feb. 21 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 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. Bye Bye Birdie The Players Club of Swarthmore Theater presents the Tony Awardwinning musical, through March 6, 614 Fairview Road, Swarthmore; (866) 811-4111. 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) 5743550. Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue The Walnut Street Theatre’s Independence Studio on 3 presents the story of a Marine on leave to recover from his wounds from the war in Iraq, Feb. 23-March 14, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550. Master Class The Media Theatre presents Terrence McNally’s award-winning

LEAVE THOSE PIGS ALONE: The Kimmel Center presents what promises to be a flawless recreation of the legendary songs of rock superstars Pink Floyd. The Pink Floyd Experience echoes everything that made Pink Floyd one of classic rock’s greatest icons and celebrates the music, themes and innovation of the band. The two-hour live show features six musicians and a massive light display, as well as the obligatory pig blimp, at 8 p.m. Feb. 23 at Merriam Theatre, 250 S. Broad St. For more information, call (215) 7905847.

play about a diva using the class she’s teaching as a platform for her own glory as she reminisces about her career and life, through Feb. 21, 104 E. State St., Media; (610) 891-0100. 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. Our Funny Mother: I’m Not Crazy Showbliz presents a

comedic perspective on marriage, motherhood and the unrealistic expectation of perfection that is thrust upon women, through Feb. 20 at Walnut Street Theatre’s Studio 5, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 5743550. The Irish ... and How They Got That Way The irreverent but affectionate history of the Irish in America uses classical songs and stories, as told by Pulitzer Prizewinning author Frank McCourt, through April 18 at Kimmel’s Innovation Studio, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Music classical

McCoy Tyner Quartet The jazz pianist leads his quartet, 8 p.m. Feb. 19 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 7905847. Philadelphia Premieres The Philadelphia Orchestra performs an evening of new works, 8 p.m. Feb. 20 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 7905847. Mozart: You Kid, You The Philadelphia Orchestra performs a family concert at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 20 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240

S. Broad St.; (215) 7905847. Absolute Ensemble The Kimmel Center presents the “Bach ReInvented” project, featuring charismatic pianist Simone Dinnerstein, at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Doug O’Connor & Friends Astral Artists presents the saxophonist performing with violinist Saeka Matsuyama, accordionist Lidia Kaminska and pianist Michael Mizrahi, 3 p.m. Feb. 21 at Trinity Center for

Brahms’s Violin Concerto The Philadelphia Orchestra performs with Dutch violinist Janine Jansen, 8 p.m. Feb. 25, 27 and 28, and 2 p.m. Feb. 26 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 7905847.

Music other

John Prine The Kimmel Center presents the legendary folk singer at 8 p.m. Feb. 19 at Merriam Theatre, 250 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Sophie B. Hawkins The singer-songwriter performs at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; (215) 928-0770. George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic The legendary group brings the funk at 8 p.m. Feb. 20 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650. David Choi The singer-songwriter and producer performs an allages show at 7 p.m. Feb.

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

21 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; (215) 928-0770. English Beat with Fishbone The raucous rock bands perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 2221400. The Pink Floyd Experience The Pink Floyd tribute show kicks off at 8 p.m. Feb. 23 at Merriam Theatre, 250 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. The Verve Pipe The alternative-rock band performs at 8 p.m. Feb. 23 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400. Cassendre Xavier The singer-songwriter, founder and director of Philadelphia’s annual Black Women’s Arts Festival and recipient of a Leeway Foundation Transformation Award performs at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322. The North Mississippi All-Stars The blues-rock band performs at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 2221400.

Exhibits

Fabricated Stories AxD Gallery presents an exhibition of mixed-media works by Dolores Poacelli and David Carrow, through March 6, 265 S. 10th St.; (215) 627-6250.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

and Justin Van Hoy, through Feb. 26, 1026 Arch St., second ﬂoor; (215) 574-7630. Nameless and Reverberating Fleisher/Ollman Gallery presents a solo exhibition for new drawings by Chicago artist Luis Romero, Feb. 25-March 27, 1616 Walnut St., Suite 100; (215) 5457562. Photography, Burlesque and Fun with Henry Horenstein Philadelphia Photo Arts Center presents a special event in conjunction with the release of Horenstein’s newest book, “Show,” from 8-11 p.m. Feb. 19 at Bahdeebahdu, 1522 N. American St.; (215) 627-5002. Ragas and Rajas: Musical Imagery of Courtly India The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a diverse selection of paintings and sculptures from across the subcontinent, through Feb. 28, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100. Rockwell’s America The largest 3-D Norman Rockwell exhibit in the world takes visitors on a unique journey that includes segments from the Academy Award-winning ﬁlm “Norman Rockwell’s World,” 20 theatrical environments, 35 threedimensional life-sized depictions of Rockwell’s characters and dozens of interactive educational experiences, through March 14 at King of Prussia Mall’s Lower Level Plaza, 256 Mall Blvd.; (610) 768-0710.

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.

Sanbao: A Way of Living and Working The Clay Studio presents an exhibition of works from Jackson Li, through March 14, 139 N. Second St.; (215) 925-3453.

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) 409-6700.

Atypical The Painted Bride Arts Center presents Three Aksha, Sonic Liberation Front and work by Makoto Hirano, 7 p.m. Feb. 21, 230 Vine St.; (215) 925-9914.

Isaac Lin: A Place Near Here Fleisher/Ollman Gallery presents a solo exhibition of new works from the Chinese-American artist, through Feb. 20, 1616 Walnut St., Suite 100; (215) 545-7562. It Was Good While It Lasted Space 1026 presents a joint exhibition by Blake E. Marquis

Dance

Film

The Fantastic Mr. Fox The animated ﬁlm is screened at 8 p.m. Feb. 22 at Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-5483. Batman Begins Mugshots Coffeeshop and Café

PAGE 31

screens the superhero ﬁlm as part of its “Graphic Novel Film Series” at 7 p.m. Feb. 19, 2100 Fairmount Ave.; (267) 514-7145.

PGN

Pick

High Sierra The Humphrey Bogart film is screened at 2 p.m. Feb. 21 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223. Road to Perdition Mugshots Coffeeshop and Café presents the film as part of its “Graphic Novel Film Series” at 7 p.m. Feb. 22, 2100 Fairmount Ave.; (267) 514-7145. Dick Tracy Mugshots Coffeeshop and Café presents the pulp-noir film as part of its “Graphic Novel Film Series” at 7 p.m. Feb. 24, 2100 Fairmount Ave.; (267) 514-7145.

Books

Terry Galloway The author of “Mean Little Deaf Queer” hosts a book signing at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 9232960. Kim Barnouin The author of “Skinny Couple in a Box” hosts a book event at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322.

Opera

Viva Italia Amici Opera Company presents an evening of arias, duets and Neapolitan songs, 2:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at Dock Woods Community, 275 Dock Drive, Lansdale; (215) 224-0257. Tea: A Mirror of Soul The Opera Company of Philadelphia presents a contemporary opera that marries Western lyricism and Asian inﬂuence in a breathtaking union, through Feb. 28 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Cabaret

Miss Gay PA US of A Pageant Hopefuls compete for a chance to go to Dallas for the nationals, 9 p.m. Feb. 20 at Harlans Cabaret, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225. Drag Brunch Enjoy a buffet brunch with plenty of live entertainment, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 21 at Harlans Cabaret,

Catch out deaf writer and performer Terry Galloway as she hosts a book event at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. Galloway’s plays and performance pieces have been produced around the world and she has published dozens of articles, poems, personal essays and monologues. Her latest book, “Mean Little Deaf Queer,” is out now. For more information, call (215) 923-2960.

6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225.

Etc.

The WaitStaff Sketch Comedy VD Show: Desperate and Dateless The irreverent sketch comedy troupe performs at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 2221400. Whitney Cummings The comedian seen on “Chelsea Lately” performs Feb. 25-27 at Helium, 2031 Sansom St.; (215) 496-9001. n

Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Diversions, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147; fax them to (215) 925-6437; or e-mail them to diversions@epgn. com. Notices cannot be taken over the phone.

PAGE 32

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

��

�� $2.50 Pabst 12oz bottles all day, every day

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Dinner served nightly 5:30 - 11 p.m. ��

Contact your PGN ad rep to participate:

(215) 625-8501 Greg, ext. 201 Kelly, ext. 207 Morgan, ext. 212 David, ext. 219

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

Meeting Place A community bulletin board of activities, facilities and organizations

Community centers

Religion/Spirituality Arch Street United Methodist Church Services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. at Broad and Arch streets; (215) 568-6250.

First United Methodist Church of Philadelphia Inclusive, welcoming and progressive congregation worships at 11 a.m. Sundays at 6023 Germantown Ave. Lunch follows; childcare is provided; (215) 438-3677.

Bethlehem-Judah Ministries Open and afﬁrming congregation holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 3847 N. Dupont Hwy., Kent Plaza Suite #2, Dover, Del.; (302) 734-9350.

Gay Christian Singles Philly Burbs Provides support and fellowship for GLBT singles through discussion groups and social events; (610) 457-2081; gcsphillyburbs@aol.com.

BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Church Hold services at 10:15 a.m. at 2040 Street Road, Warrington; (215) 343-0406.

Global Heart Spiritual Center Holds services at 10:30 a.m. at 1812 HaddonﬁeldBerlin Road, Cherry Hill, N.J.; (609) 868-2372.

Calvary United Methodist Church Reconciling, welcoming and afﬁrming church holds services at 11 a.m. Sundays at 48th Street and Baltimore Avenue; (215) 724-1702.

Grace Epiphany Church A welcoming and diverse Episcopal congregation in Mt. Airy, holds services at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays, at 224 E. Gowen Ave., Mt. Airy; (215) 248-2950; www.grace-epi.org.

� 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

Central Baptist Church Welcoming and afﬁrming church holds services at 10:45 a.m. Sundays at 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; (610) 688-0664.

� 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.

Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church Services at 11 a.m. and Spirit at Play, an arts-based Sunday school for children, at 9:30 a.m. at 8812 Germantown Ave.; (215) 242-9321.

� 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.

Church of the Cruciﬁxion Inclusive Episcopal community holds services at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sundays at Eighth and Bainbridge streets; (215) 922-1128.

� William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center: 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 732-2220; www.waygay.org. Peer counseling: Monday through Friday, 6-9 p.m. Library hours: Mondays 3-9 p.m., Tuesdays 3-6 p.m., Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., Thursdays 3-9 p.m., Fridays 3-9 p.m., Saturdays noon-6 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.; Volunteer Velada, third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.

Health Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 166 W. Lehigh Ave.; (215) 763-8870 ext. 6000. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., suite 205; (2215) 536-2424. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; (215) 851-1822 or (866) 222-3871. Spanish/English. HIV testing Free, anonymous testing and counseling is offered from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment at AIDS Resource, 520 W. Fourth St., suite 2A, Williamsport; (570) 322-8448.

Key numbers � AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: (215) 587-9377 � AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: (856) 933-9500 ext. 221 � AIDS Library: (215) 985-4851 � ACLU of Pennsylvania: (215) 592-1513 � AIDS Treatment hot line: (215) 545-2212 � Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: (215) 6851633 n 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. Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: (215)

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.

686-2555 � Mazzoni Center: (215) 563-0652; www. mazzonicenter.org � Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine: (215) 563-0658 � Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): (215) 572-1833 � Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: (215) 686-4670 � Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: (215) 772-2000 � 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)

PAGE 33

Church of the Trinity Lutheran Reconciling in Christ parish holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 18th and Wolf streets; (215) 334-6656. Dignity Jersey Shore An organization for sexual-minority Catholics meets ﬁrst Saturday of the month in Asbury Park. For time and location, call (732) 502-0305. Dignity Metro NJ An organization for sexual-minority Catholics meets at 4 p.m. Sundays at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 550 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood, N.J.; (973) 857-4040. Dignity Philadelphia Holds Mass at 7 p.m. Sundays at 330 S. 13th St.; (215) 546-2093; dignityphila@aol.com.

Holy Communion Lutheran Church (ELCA) Reconciling in Christ congregation worships Sundays at 9 a.m. at 2111 Sansom St. and 11 a.m. at 2110 Chestnut St.; (215) 569-1840; www. centercitylutheran.org. Hope Ministry Family Fellowship Afﬁrming Christ-centered church meets at 11 a.m. Sundays in Allentown; (610) 791-0716; hmff2001@aol.com. Imago Dei Metropolitan Community Church Sexual-minority congregation worships at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 1223 Middletown Road (Route 352), Glen Mills; (610) 358-1716; www. ImagoDeiMCC.org.

St. John’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) Reconciling in Christ congregation holds services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 24 N. Ridge Ave., Ambler; (215) 646-2451; www.stjohnsambler.org. St. Luke and The Epiphany Church Open and welcoming church holds liturgy at 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays fall through winter and “Prayer Around the Cross” at 7 p.m. ﬁrst Friday of the month at 330 S. 13th St.; (215) 732-1918. St. Mary of Grace Parish Inclusive church in the Catholic tradition celebrates Mass at 6 p.m. Sundays in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media; (610) 566-1393; www. inclusivecatholics.org.

Tabernacle United Church Open and afﬁrming congregation holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 3700 Chestnut St.; (215) 3864100.

Kol Tzedek Reconstructionist Synagogue committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community meets at Calvary Center, 801 S. 48th St.; (215) 764-6364; www. kol-tzedek.org.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County Welcoming congregation holds services at 10:30 a.m. at 145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media. Children’s program (pre-8th) 10:30 a.m.; youth programming 6 p.m. Sunday; (610) 566-4853; www.uucdc.org.

Maple Shade Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ Afﬁrming congregation open to all sexual orientations and gender identities holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 45 N. Forklanding Road, Maple Shade, N.J.; (856) 779-7739; mapleshadeucc.org.

Episcopal Church of St. Paul Welcoming and inclusive church holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Tuesdays at 89 Pinewood Drive, Levittown; (215) 945-2886; www.saint-paulslevittown.org.

Metropolitan Community Church Holds services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays preceded by a 9:30 a.m. Bible study at The Pride Center of New Jersey.

Evangelicals Concerned Lesbian and gay Christian group meets at 2 p.m. the second and fourth Sundays of the month; (215) 860-7445.

Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia Holds services at 11 a.m. Sundays at the William Way Center, 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 735-MCC3; www.mccphiladelphia.com.

The First United Church of Germantown A sexual-minority-afﬁrming congregation holds services at 11 a.m. Sundays at 6023 Germantown Ave.; lunch follows; (215) 438-3677.

St. Asaph’s Church Inclusive and progressive Episcopal Church holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays, with a contemplative communion at 8 a.m. at 27 Conshohocken State Road, Bala Cynwyd; (610) 664-0966; www. saintasaphs.org.

LC/NA Delaware Valley chapter A group for Lutherans who are not out in their own congregations meets at 7 p.m. fourth Sunday of the month at University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St.; (215) 387-2885.

Emanuel Lutheran Church Reconciling in Christ congregation meets at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at New and Kirkpatrick streets, New Brunswick, N.J.; (732) 545-2673; www. emmanuelnb.org.

First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia A liberal, welcoming and diverse congregation that afﬁrms the dignity of all. Sunday services at 10 a.m. at 2125 Chestnut St.; (215) 563-3980; www.ﬁrstuuphilly.org.

Silverside Church Holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays followed by a group discussion at 2800 Silverside Road, Wilmington, Del.; (302) 478-5921.

St. Mary’s Church Diverse and inclusive Episcopal church, with openly gay rector, celebrates Eucharist at 11 a.m. Sundays; adult forum is held at 9:30 a.m.; and evening prayer is at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at 3916 Locust Walk; (215) 386-3916; www.stmarysatpenn. org.

Mainline Unitarian Church Holds services at 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays at 816 S. Valley Forge Road, Devon; (610) 688-8332; www. mluc.org.

First Presbyterian Church of Lansdowne Welcoming church holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 140 N. Lansdowne Ave.; (610) 622-0800; www. lansdownepresbyterian.org.

Resurrection Lutheran Church Holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 620 Welsh Road, Horsham; (215) 646-2597.

Interweave Organization of LGBT Unitarians and allies meets monthly at Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill, N.J., 401 N. Kings Highway; (856) 667-3618; www.uucinch.org.

Drexel Hill Baptist Church Non-judgmental Christian congregation afﬁliated with American Baptist Churches of the USA holds services at 11 a.m. Sundays at Childs Avenue and State Road, Drexel Hill; (610) 259-2356; www. adhbaptist.com.

First Baptist Church Welcoming and afﬁrming church holds services at 11 a.m. Sundays at 123 S. 17th St.; (215) 563-3853.

Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting worships at 11 a.m. Sundays at 1515 Cherry St.; (215) 241-7260; cpmm@afsc.org.

New Thought Spiritual Community Nondenominational service is offered at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at Cradle of Liberty Council, 1485 Valley Forge Road, Wayne; (610) 962-9923. Old First Reformed Church Open and affirming United Church worships at 11 a.m. Sundays September through June, and 10 a.m. June through August at 151 N. Fourth St.; (215) 922-4566; www.oldfirstucc.org. Penns Park United Methodist Church Welcoming and affirming church holds services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park; (215) 598-7601. Rainbow Buddhist Meditation Group Meets at 5 p.m. Sundays at the William Way Center.

Unitarian Society of Germantown Welcoming congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 6511 Lincoln Drive (West Mt. Airy); (215) 844-1158; www.usguu.org. Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill Holds services at 10:15 a.m. at 401 N. Kings Highway, Cherry Hill, N.J.; (856) 667-3618. Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration, Mt. Airy Welcoming congregation holds services at 11 a.m. Sundays September through June at 6900 Stenton Ave.; (215) 836-1812; www.uurestoration.us. Unitarian Universalist Congregation, South Jersey Shore Holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays in Galloway Township, N.J.; (609) 926-8890; www.uucsjs.org. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Pottstown Holds services at 10 a.m. at 1565 S. Keim St., Pottstown; (610) 327-2662. United Christian Church Open, afﬁrming and welcoming congregation holds servies at 11 a.m. Sundays at 8525 New Falls Road, Levittown; (215) 946-6800. Unity Fellowship Church of Philadelphia Diverse, afﬁrming GLBT congregation holds services at 2 p.m. Sundays at Broad and Arch streets; (215) 222-3180. University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation Welcoming congregation holds services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 3637 Chestnut St. preceded by “Adult Forum: Sundays” at 9:30 discussing religious alienation and struggles of faith; (215) 387-2885.

Send submissions to pgn@epgn.com or fax (215) 925-6437 PGN Meeting Place, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 Meeting Place is a public service. Submissions must include a phone number for publication.

Complete Meeting Place listings of all Parent/Family, Professional, Recovery, Recreation, Religion, Sports, Men, Women, Trans, Youth groups can be found online @ www.phliagaynews.com and www.epgn.com

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 34

Classifieds

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

With Real Estate, Help Wanted, Services and Personals

Sorting through the homebuyer tax credit By Carole Feldman The Associated Press If you bought a home in 2009, you could be eligible for a tax credit. Figuring out which one can be confusing. There’s one credit for firsttime homebuyers and another that primarily benefits homebuyers who owned a home before. But don’t mix it up with the first-time homebuyer credit in 2008, which actually was a long-term loan. There are maximum income levels and maximum sales prices. And vacation homes or rental property don’t qualify. “If you want to spend two hours reading the instructions and translating them and finding out whether you qualify, yes, it’s relatively simple,” said Jeff Schnepper, an MSN Money tax expert and author of “How to Pay Zero Taxes.” Some questions and answers about the homebuyer tax credit: Q: What’s the purpose of the credit? A: Congress passed the tax credits in an effort to boost the struggling

housing industry and fight recession. Indications are that it’s had an impact. The National Association of Realtors reported that November sales of existing homes were up 44 percent from a year earlier. Although new-home sales dropped in November, figures from the Commerce Department show that they’re up 8 percent from the low in January 2009. Q: How many people are claiming the credit? A: “In all, 4.4-million households are expected to claim the tax credit before it expires,” said Lawrence Yun, the Realtors’ chief economist, in December. Q: How many versions are there? A: There are actually three. The first credit, for first-time homebuyers, was really a long-term, interest-free loan that has to be paid back over 15 years. The maximum credit was $7,500 for a principal residence purchased between April 9, 2008, and June 30, 2009. The second iteration made the first-time homebuyer credit a true credit — it doesn’t have to be paid back — and raised the amount to a

maximum $8,000. It applied to homes purchased between Jan. 1, 2009, and Nov. 30, 2009. The third change extended the eligibility dates to homes purchased through April 30, 2010. It also added a credit for long-time homeowners who purchased a new residence between Nov. 7, 2009, and April 30, 2010, but at a reduced value — up to $6,500. Q: Do I automatically qualify if I purchased a house during those periods? A: No. To qualify, the house has to be used as a primary residence. If purchased after Nov. 6, 2009, it cannot have cost more than $800,000. If you’re a long-time homeowner, you had to have lived in the same house consecutively for five out of the last eight years, though you need not have lived in or owned that house at the time you buy your new home. For homes purchased after Nov. 6, 2009, the credit also begins phasing out for individuals with modified adjusted gross incomes above $125,000, and for married couples filing jointly with incomes above $225,000.

Q: How does the Internal Revenue Service define a principal residence? A: “Your main home is the one you live in most of the time,” the agency said. “It can be a house, houseboat, mobile home, cooperative apartment or condominium.” Q: What if I’m living overseas and I buy a home there? A: The home doesn’t qualify unless it’s in the United States. Q: How do I claim the credit? A: There’s a form, 5405, to fill out. You’ll also have to submit a copy of your settlement statement, usually Form HUD-1, with the names and signatures of all parties, the property address, the sales price and date of purchase. To avoid refund delays, the IRS recommends that long-time homeowners who purchase a new home also provide documents to show they meet the requirement for consecutive years lived in their old house. These can include mortgageinterest statements or property tax or homeowner’s insurance records. Q: Do I have to wait until I file my 2010 taxes to claim the credit for a home purchased before the deadline

in 2010? A: No. “You can choose to claim the credit on your 2009 return for a home you bought in 2010 that qualiﬁes for the credit,” the IRS said. Q: I purchased my home in 2008 and ﬁled for a credit on my tax returns. Do I still have to pay it back? A: Yes. When Congress did away with the repayment requirement, it did not do so retroactively. Q: What if I purchase the property for business? A: You’re not eligible. The house must be used as a primary residence to qualify. Q: What if I want to keep my original house and use it as a rental property? A: If you qualify for the credit as a long-time homeowner, nothing in the law requires you to sell the original house. However, you must make the new one your primary residence. Q: What if I decide to sell the house I got the credit for or convert it to a rental property? A: You will have to pay back the credit if you don’t keep the purchased house as your permanent residence for three years. ■

Location! Location! Location! This week’s featured property

17 Riverview Ave, Drexel Hill, PA 19026

Beds: 5 Baths: 2.1 Cost: $425,000 Square footage: 2,488 Age of property: 100 years Realtor: Andrew J. Mariano Real-estate co.: RE/MAX Preferred Phone: (610) 325 – 4100 Direct: (610) 789 – 0982 E-mail: andy@andymariano.com Web site: www.gayparealtor.com

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

3 story Center Hall Colonial on .30 acres. Covered front porch, Living room (13x30) w/ FP, Formal dining room, EI Kit, Family Room (11x27) opens to a 2 tiered deck overlooking majestic grounds w/ det 2-car garage

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

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

�

Real Estate

REAL ESTATE

GREAT BUILDING IN GAYBORHOOD GREAT INVESTMENT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY NEAR 11TH & LOCUST, $599K Come see this wonderful bldg w/2 spacious rental apartments and large commercial space on 1st ﬂoor. In the heart of Center City. Currently a doctor’s ofﬁce, zoned C-1. Could be made into condos or large single dwelling. Great condition, price, location. Call for appointment. JULIE WELKER PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS COLDWELL BANKER WELKER REAL ESTATE 215-235-7800 �� _______________________________34-10 � BROAD STREET BROWNSTONE 3 story entertainment home, one of a kind. $649,000. 267-767-9502. _______________________________34-09 ***FREE Foreclosure Listings*** Over 400,000 properties nationwide. LOW Down Payment. Call NOW! 1-800-778-6207. _______________________________34-08

VENTNOR, NJ, FACING THE BAY House and Adjacent Lot (inground swimming pool). 1st floor 3 bedrooms, bath, living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room and deck. 2nd floor 2 bedrooms, bath, efficiency kitchen, living room, dining area and deck. Central Air. Corner Property. Call 215 468 9166 evenings only. $675,000.00. Also property for rent1500.00 month plus utilities. _______________________________34-10

ATTENTION SPORTSMEN New York State Land for Sale 14.8 acres w/ power & snowmobile trails - $27,995. 4 acres w/ access to trails and power. NOW: $12,995! 24.5 acres w/ Sportsman’s Cottage bordering trails $79,995. Call Christmas & Associates 800-229-7843�www.LandandCamps.com _______________________________34-08 FORECLOSED HOME AUCTION 190+ Homes. / Feb 22. View Listings & Open House www.Auction.com _______________________________34-08

SALE

��

SALE

PAGE 47

OPEN HOUSE - SUN. Feb. 21st 12-2pm 614 Kenilworth St. $359,900

1 bed

1 bath

1 garage

REAL�� ESTATE �� AREA 12TH & DICKINSON �� Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living �� Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms , �� bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (nego�� tiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 �� 686 3431 daytime. �� _______________________________34-10 �� QUEEN VILLAGE, 620 S. 4TH ST. �� STOREFRONT FOR RENT �� $1700. TOM REICHNER �� 215-627-6005 PRUDENTIAL FOX & ROACH �� _______________________________34-08

RENT

��

RITTENHOUSE SQUARE AREA 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 GAY�� BORHOOD 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 FERN ROCK AREA Large 1 BR, new w/w carpet, lots of closet space, safe area. Walking distance to pub. trans. $625 + utils. 1st, last & security required. �� Avail, Mar. 1. 215-917-2362. _______________________________34-08 ness Flats. Large 2 bed, 1 bath. last GRADUATE HOSPITAL AREA sirable building. Close to all Center City 2 BR w/patio, C/A, hdwd ﬂrs., newly renovated, taxes ................................�� W/D, close to CC & pub. trans. $700. Call 267-690-3220. George T._______________________________34-08 Sale Condo” Unique Garden

�� Call

: pgn@epgn.com

��

private entrance.. Low fees & Tax e 1 bd. in area ........................��.

REAL ESTATE

SALE

REAL ESTATE

SALE

��

Approx 1350 sq ft.

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!

��

PAGE 35

2200 Walnut St, Philadelphia Pa 19103 Stephanie Uff • 215-625-3650 • Direct 610-781-0449 www.thinkcityspace.com

��

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

COLDWELL BANKER WELKER REAL ESTATE

215-235-7800

Consider Packer Park for your next home? Suburbs in the City

PREMIER RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY Convenient to Sports Complex,International Airport, FDR Park, Walt Whitman Bridge & Much More. Safe, Beautiful, Welcoming, Convenient We have a Wide Variety of Sales & Rentals Something to ﬁt any need

215 551 5100 bc@CapozziRealEstate.com Open Houses Sunday Feb. 21, 2010 Noon - 1:00 PM 927 Spruce St Unit 3. Large bi-level 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo. Wood ﬂoors, deluxe kitchen, possible deck with skyline views. Up to two parking spaces availa ble.....................................................................................a steal at $399,000

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 1:30 - 2:30 PM

927 Spruce St. Unit 1R. One bedroom, one ba. newly rehabbed condo. Private rear garden area. Low fees and taxes. Parking available. Priced to SELL Reduced now only ..............................................................................$199,900 927 Spruce St. Unit #2F. Large one bedroom, one bath, south facing unit. Total rehab with wood ﬂoors, deluxe kitchen. Super low fees and taxes. Parking available ....................................................................................now $249,000

306 - 308 Cherry St. Unit #300 New Listing. Very large 2 bd. 1ba. renovated condo w/ hardwood ﬂoors, ﬁreplace, low taxes and condo fees. A must see .......... ............................................................................................................$385,000

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

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 36

REAL ESTATE

RENT

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.

Scott 267.736.6743

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. _______________________________34-15 SOUTH PHILADELPHIA Furnished room with utilities included. $571 a month. Contact w.colgan@juno.com _______________________________34-08 GM sks sm/sissie/trans to share 2 BR. $350. 69th. Upper Darby. Ted, 610-352-1188. _______________________________34-11

HELP WANTED

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 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 _______________________________34-08

BUSINESS

OPPORTUNITIES

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. _______________________________33-08 Custom Modular Homes by Ritz-Craft & Titan anywhere in NY & PA. Complete Excavation Packages. Display Center: 46 King Road, Harpursville, NY 13787 www.hawkinshomesllc. com (607)693-2551. _______________________________33-08

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. _______________________________34-08 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. _______________________________34-08 Pretzel/Smoothie Franchise with a new exciting concept now available in your area. Investment required. Financing for qualiﬁed buyer. Call 1-800-559-7927 for more information. _______________________________34-08

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. _______________________________33-08 A devoted married couple promises your baby unconditional love & endless opportunities. EXPENSES PAID. Please call Janet & Charlie 1-800-315-3398 _______________________________33-08

HELP WANTED

ADOPTION

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

HELP WANTED

Driver: One Company for All Drivers! Van & Flatbed - High Miles. Great Equipment. Variety of Runs. Class A CDL. Western Express. 888-801-5295. _______________________________34-08 Class A Drivers FLATBED DRIVERS Freight Is Back!!! System Transport *Competitive Pay *Great Beneﬁts CALL US TODAY: 800-762-3776 www.systemtrans.com _______________________________34-08 Drivers: Class A CDL drivers for dedicated & regional opportunities. 1 year exp (must have 6 months ﬂatbed exp). Best in Class-Swift Transportation 866-807-9727. _______________________________34-08 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. _______________________________34-08

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. _______________________________34-08 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 _______________________________34-08 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. _______________________________34-08

PGN

Cashiers and Cleaners Someone open to variable shift times pref. Full or Part-time All shifts avail. Apply in person

Sansom Street Gym 267-330-0151 Advertising Sales Representative PGN, one of the country's most award-winning Gay and Lesbian publications, is looking for a special candidate to fill this position in our advertising sales department. Applicants should have previous advertising sales experience, preferably in a similar environment. You should have a strong work ethic, good communication skills (both written and verbal), and an aggressive desire to sell advertising in this very special niche market. Most important, you should aspire to become an integral part of our successful sales team. We offer a competitive salary plus bonus, as well as Health Insurance. Applicants should call Greg Dennis at 215-6258501, ext. 219. Email resume to greg@epgn.com or send resume to: PGN, 505 S. 4th St., Phila. PA. 19147 Attn.: Greg Dennis EOE

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY

SERVICES DIRECTORY

Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-8501 Today!

of your exs know SERVICES DIRECTORY �� you’re tying the knot? PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

PAGE 108

CLASSIFIEDS

PAGE 108

PAGE 43

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 ty knot? this space: only $25 per week*

*when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks

Is it time to Is it time to look for a look for a new doctor? new doctor?

�� Send us your wedding/civil union/ commitment ceremony announcement Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-8501 Today! and we’ll share it with the City of Brotherly Love. 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

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

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 S 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 40,000 Readers For As •Little Little As $25.00 $25.00orA A Week. Reach Over Readers As As Week. HELP WANTED • JOBS WANTED •�� BUSINESS40,000 OPPORTUNITIES • FOR SALE Weekly •Weekly AUTOMOTIVEFor • 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

PAGE 110 CLASSIFIEDS PAGE 44 PAGE 110

SERVICES PHOTOGRAPHY PORTRAITS AND NUDES Discount rates for Valentines Day web: joebowmanphotography.com jbowmanphoto@aol.com 215-545-5551 _______________________________34-08 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 _______________________________34-08 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. _______________________________34-08 IF James A LOVED ONE UNDERWENT HEMOM. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE DIALYSIS Disability Consultant And received Heparin between August 1, 2007 and April 1, 2008 and died after the use of Heparin, you may be entitled to compensation. Social Disability Attorney CharlesSecurity Johnson 1-800-535-5727 _______________________________33-08

Claims Appeals

215-629-0585

PETS

Suite 202 Small Montgomery County rescue in need of Oxford Valley fosters to care for Rd. a dog in their home until Fairless PAhome! 19030For details email: they ﬁnd theirHills, forever homeatlastdogrescue@yahoo.com or www. homeatlastdogrescue.com _______________________________34-08

PERSONALS Attention: looking for queer and bisexual woman to star in porn movies. Must submit $35 for a permanent lifetime porn job. For more info and details, contact Crystal Moyer Ayala at 484-269-2247 or leave voicemail and phone number. _______________________________33-08

LEGAL NOTICE PA HORSE WORLD EXPO Feb 25-28, Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg. Hundreds of vendors, seminars, demonstrations. Theatre Equus -- A Musical Equine Revue. Info: 301-916-0852 www.horseworldexpo.com _______________________________33-08

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PAGE 110 CLASSIFIEDS APRIL 25GAY - MAY 1, 2008 PHILADELPHIA NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS

APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008 CLASSIFIEDS FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

LEGALHEALTH & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY DIRECTORY CLASSIFIEDS

APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008

James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant

James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant

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

230 S. Broad Street, Suite 400 Philadelphia, PA 19102 Phone: (267) 687-1149 ext. 2 Fax: (215) 599-0000 www.mkcounsel.com

James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant

Social Security Disability PROVIDING DIRECT Claims Appeals LEGAL SERVICES, 215-629-0585 EDUCATION & Suite 202 Oxford Valley Rd. REFORM POLICY Fairless Hills, PA 19030 FOR THE LGBT COMMUNITY.

FREE LEGAL HOTLINE (215) 731-1477

Reach Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A LOWEROver YOUR40,000 MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENT NOW • No reﬁnancing involved • Credit does not matter Call for an immediate legal consultation.

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

looking for your dream home?

Real Estate Reach Readers Over 40,000 Readers Weekly As Little As $25.00 Week. Reach Over 40,000 Weekly For As Little For As $25.00 A Week. Call A 215-625-8501 Toda Directory

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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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.

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS ADULT PERSONALS

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010

PAGE 54

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

MAY 1 - 7, 2009

�� Adult/Personals ��

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�� FRIENDS 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. LOOKING ROMANCE I live in NE Phila. I’mFOR looking for guys who are Attractive GWM, warm, caring, 48 also sensitive, caring withsensitive, a fun personality. If y.o. with a smooth gymnast for this sounds interesting to youbuild feel looking free to call other GWM,215-698-0215. 30-50, who is also in good shape. me, David, I_______________________________33-28 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 You: very endowed. Me: 6’1”, 59 6’, 165 lbs.,well 60 year old Master, greek205, active, white 215-732-2108, 8-11 PM. slave for frenchbutt. passive requires obedient _______________________________34-09 training, S&M, B/D, W/S, etc. Limits respected SEEKING GAYMaster COMBAT and expanded. Assistant wanted. Call VIETNAM VETERAN Dave at 215-729-6670, day or evening. Vietnam veteran seeks same to describe com_______________________________33-48 bat experiences forCD background for novel.Not a Xdress sex party. house orgy every Sat. ruse or come-on. nite. GWM coupledanangvet@gmail.com ISO GWMs 18-40 yrs. for _______________________________34-11 1 on 1 and group sex. Stockings, pantyhose, WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for 856hot etc. Starts 9 PM Sat. Call Sat. 7-8 PM action, callask 215-934-5309. No calls after 910-8303, for Mark. 11 PM. _______________________________33-24 _______________________________34-11 GWM, Italian, top or bottom, 7” cut. Also into Curious WMBi, forstraight, oral times. assplay, senior toys & WM waterISO sports. out Must be patient as I am new to this. Call of towners welcome. Dayvery or night. Call Jeff at me day or night at 856-761-7616 215-850-7900. _______________________________34-10 _______________________________33-18

WM 60, 5’7’ 155, bottom, nice looking, discreet, FRIENDS 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 seeksFRIENDS new friends. 610-352-1188. _______________________________33-21 �� Shuttle service within city limits, personal shopping, help with bags, companion service, lite cooking, dog walking & house sitting, any reasonable request. 215-205-5453. Refs. avail. Reasonable rates! _______________________________33-18 60 y.o., 5’7”, 160, 7” crossdresser looking for casual sex. Northern suburbs. 215-538-2040 ask for Zeta. _______________________________33-21

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

FEB. 19 - 25, 2010