PGN March 1 -7, 2013 by The Philadelphia Gay News

More than a shot in the dark

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Family Portrait: Michael Busza

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March 1-7, 2013

Vol. 37 No. 9

ACLU: PA district is discriminating By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

UPDATE FROM HARRISBURG: State Rep. Brian Sims spoke to a crowd of about 75 of his constituents at his first town-hall meeting for residents of the 182nd District. The event was held at Community College of Philadelphia Feb. 26 and allowed Sims to brief district residents on the work he’s been doing in his first weeks in office and to lead a dialogue on such issues as the impact of the possible privatization of liquor sales and the Actual Value Initiative in the 182nd. Sims plans to hold town-hall meetings periodically. Photo: Scott A. Drake

The American Civil Liberties Union and its local chapter sent a letter to a Pennsylvania school district this week demanding that it stop blocking LGBT content in its Internet filter. The letter argues that Governor Mifflin School District in Berks County is violating students’ First Amendment rights with its “sexuality” filter. The block was reported to ACLU by Governor Mifflin Senior High School junior Maison Fioravante, who was attempting to research LGBT issues for a school project. She found that she could not access sites that offered pro-LGBT information and resources, yet sites that condemned homosexuality were accessible.

Company defends dismissal of trans employee

PA lawmakers introduce hate-crimes bills By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com LSI Corp., an Allentown electronics firm, filed a lengthy appellate brief Feb. 22 defending its decision to dismiss transwoman Janis Stacy. Stacy worked for the company as an engineer for about 10 years prior to her January 2008 dismissal. She filed suit in federal court in 2010, claiming unlawful discrimination due to her gender, gender identity and disability. U.S. District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno tossed out Stacy’s lawsuit last year, but Stacy is appealing that ruling in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Stacy wants a jury trial, contending that Robreno ruled on matters that are supposed to be decided by a jury. LSI’s 53-page brief contends Stacy was just PAGE 21

“It’s not only important for support for LGBT students and those questioning their sexual identities to be able to access these sites, but also for students who simply want information for school projects,” Fioravante said in a statement. “It’s wrong for my school to determine that this kind of information is too sensitive for the student body.” Among the sites Fioravante was prevented from visiting were the organizational sites of Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, Safe Schools Coalition, Freedom to Marry, the Equality Federation and Lambda Legal. “Being able to access information on the Internet at the school library is not only critical for academic purposes, it can also be a lifeline for LGBT students in crisis who don’t feel safe seekPAGE 9

OUT OF THE CLASSROOM: Bullying took center stage at Temple University Feb. 23 with the Beasley School of Law focusing on the topic for its annual conference. There was LGBT representation across all of the day’s panels, which looked at bullying at several life stages. Speakers included Philadelphia Human Relations Commission chair Rue Landau (from left), SeniorLAW Center director of development and finance Larry Felzer, Temple and University of Pennsylvania law professor Len Rieser, Temple professor and conference organizer Nancy Knauer, director of federal government relations at Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders Aaron Tax, National Center for Lesbian Rights legal director Shannon Minter and keynote speaker Emily Bazelon, a senior editor at Slate and an author on bullying. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Two Pennsylvania legislators hope to get an LGBT-inclusive hate-crimes law passed in both the state Senate and House this year. Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-38th Dist.) introduced Senate Bill 42 in early January, while State Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-170th Dist.) will take the lead from former Rep. Josh Shapiro on House Bill 177, also introduced in January. The bill would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes in the state’s hate-crimes law. LGBT people were previously protected by the law, but a 2007 court decision lifted that provision. Boyle’s measure has 28 cosponsors, compared to 40 last session. Boyle cosponsored Shapiro’s bill in 2011, and was eager to take up the leadership role when Shapiro

left the state legislature. “I was afraid that this could be something that could drop, so I wanted to pick up this fight to make sure we get this bill added to protect Pennsylvanians,” he said. Boyle said the legislation is needed but that there could be a struggle to convince individuals on both sides of the aisle. “It is just common sense. Unfortunately, it takes a fight on behalf of those of us who feel passionately that we need to protect all Pennsylvanians,” he said. “This should be something that conservative representatives should get behind.” Boyle said the bill is vital to protect LGBTs. “When someone commits such a heinous act, they are not just committing a crime against a victim, but they are victimizing the entire community. Folks who are a part of the LGBT PAGE 22

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

PGN REGIONAL

New Hope gears up for Pride conference Catholic family gathering cies that consists of 22 different ing from us. You can learn from set for Philly By Angela Thomas regions across the world. Each any size organizations, no matangela@epgn.com The 2013 Northeast Regional Pride Conference will include several firsts. Not only is it the first time the conference — geared toward organizers of LGBT Pride events — will be held in New Hope, but it is also the first time it will be staged in a small town. The conference, themed “All Roads Lead to NERP,” will run March 8-10. The event has previously taken place in cities such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Rochester, but New Hope Celebrates Vice President Sharon Fronabarger said the small-town setting should change the tone of the conference. “Conferences usually take place in hotels that have conference centers. Although it is great, you are in a hotel the whole time,” she said. “One of the advantages of having the conference in a small town is we are able to take advantage of the small-town atmosphere and venues and give people a real flavor of what New Hope is.” NERP is staged by InterPride, an organization for Pride agen-

year, every InterPride region hosts its own conference. “It’s a chance for organizations to get together, network, share best practices, attend workshops and have fun,” Fronabarger said. During each regional conference, member groups have the chance to put in a bid to host the conference two years down the line. Atlanta will host the NERP conference next year. Fronabarger said she hopes attendees learn about the diverse community in New Hope. “It is definitely LGBT and we all have to work together, but it is a family and that is the best way to describe what New Hope is,” she said. Fronabarger said the town’s Pride festival attracts about 10,000 people each year and brings in individuals from all different communities. New Hope hosts one of the first Pride events leading up to LGBT Pride Month in June. “Last year, we had folks from Heritage of Pride [from New York City] visit. They were looking at what we are doing and learn-

ter the history, length of existence — they are learning from us. You learn there is not much difference between New York, Boston, Rochester and New Hope. We all have the same basic issues; we’re all nonprofits, looking for funding from all sources and trying to highlight the LGBT community in each geography.” According to Fronabarger, up to 80 individuals are scheduled to attend the conference. The event will feature a special screening of the movie “Trans,” which was released in 2012 about the transgender community. Fronabarger said New Hope resident, transgender surgeon and film participant Dr. Christine McGinn will be present for a question-andanswer session. Workshops will cover topics such as social media, planning, branding and multimedia. Admission fees range from $150 for InterPride members, $95 for guests and partners of InterPride members and $225 for general admission. For more information, visit www.newhopecelebrates.com. ■

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

The Vatican this week formally selected Philadelphia as the host for a massive international Roman Catholic gathering, which will make its U.S. debut. Philadelphia will host the World Meeting of Families Sept. 22-27, 2015. The announcement was initially made several months ago, but made official this week. The event, which will bring thousands of Catholics from around the globe to Philadelphia, is expected to have a “pro-family” focus. It is unclear to what extent antigay messages will be included. The Pontifical Council for the Family organizes the event. The council focuses on the pastoral care of the family, “defense of life,” sex education, marriagerelated legislation and “ethical and pastoral problems related to AIDS.” The conference may also serve as the new pope’s first U.S. visit. Archbishop Charles Chaput told reporters at a press confer-

ence Monday that the Archdiocese will plan for a papal visit. “I can’t imagine that he won’t [attend], but I can’t promise that he will,” Chaput said. The meeting is held every three years, and outgoing Pope Benedict XVI attended the 2012 event in Milan. That conference had a threepronged theme: the family unit, work and celebration. “The theme looks at the couple formed by a man and a woman and this couple’s lifestyles,” organizers said on the event website. The 2015 theme will be announced once the new pope is selected. Organizers this week did unveil the event logo, which includes a bell, cross and five figures, which the archdiocese said in a statement represents “family unity, the city itself and also the city’s role as the birthplace of religious freedom in the United States.” Chaput announced this week that Mayor Michael Nutter and Gov. Tom Corbett will serve as honorary co-chairs for the event. ■

PGN

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ATOP THE TOWER: Bilerico Project founder Bil Browning (from left) and longtime LGBT activists David Mixner and Cleve Jones addressed the crowd at the opening dinner of the 2013 LGBT Media Journalists Convening Feb. 22 at the top of the Comcast Center. The weekend-long convention featured panel discussions on media coverage of immigration reform, the labor movement, trans issues, LGBT-rights struggles abroad and senior topics, as well as the opportunity to take an LGBT tour of the city. The annual event is sponsored by the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund with the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association and drew an invite-only crowd of about 80 LGBT journalists and bloggers from throughout the country. Photo: Scott A. Drake NEWS

Crime Watch Local Media Trail News Briefing Regional

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Contents

EDITORIAL/OP-ED

Creep of the Week Editorial Letters/Feedback Mark My Words Street Talk

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

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New LGBT after-party opens in NE By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com A new LGBT after-party premiered in Northeast Philadelphia Feb. 22. The party, Club House, is located at 4070 Aramingo Ave. and runs from 2-6 a.m. The event is bring-your-own beer and admission is $20. Owner Michelle Dienno was inspired to create the event through her own personal experience with the nightlife in Philadelphia. She said she was disappointed with the lack of after-party scene in the city’s LGBT clubs. “I work for an Italian restaurant in Center City and there are a lot of us there who go out after work,” she said. “We felt the need for something like this. We kind of felt like we had to create our own little clubhouse, which is where name the comes from.” Dienno, who has worked in Philadelphia for 12 years, said she and her coworkers would go out to clubs like Woody’s and Sisters after a shift, but found there was little to do after the bars closed at 2 a.m. in the Gayborhood. “I thought, why can’t we have something that is laidback and chill and open to everybody? My friends and I love dancing, drag shows and we thought, why not just do it and have it as BYOB? It is out

of the way a little bit, but after 2 o’clock, where do you go? You don’t have a lot of options.” Originally, Club House was slated to be for the over-25 crowd, but that limit was changed to over-21. Dienno said she has a security team in place to make sure the space is safe and violence-free. Dienno said plans for Club House have been in the works for about six to eight months but finding a venue was difficult. “We have talked about it for months, but we just could never find a location because the price was never right. People would want to help us and then would back out, but then this location came upon us so fast,” she said. Dienno rents the venue, which used to be a social club in a warehouse. “It isn’t a huge place but that is the beauty of it. We hope to build a clientele, a drama-free zone, and have people come for shows,” she said. Down the line, Dienno said she may launch a shuttle-bus service to go back and forth among the bars in the Gayborhood and Club House. Club House has a strict dress code, which includes no white T-shirts, fitted caps or construction boots. For more information on Club House, email Clubhouse1130@gmail.com. ■

SWEET MOVES: About a dozen members of The Attic Youth Center showed off their performance skills at the third annual SweetHearts & Red Hots show Feb. 21 at William Way LGBT Community Center. Proceeds from the event benefited The Attic’s youth leadership retreat later this month. About 100 guests packed in for the show, which was put together by the youth center’s Drag City performance group. Photo: Scott A. Drake

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

Out Philly cyclist to bike for HIV/AIDS By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com

Every Wednesday night 8 p.m. - 1 a.m. you can get a free conﬁdential HIV test at

Philadelphia resident Alli Dolan is no stranger to physical activity. The 28-year-old played rugby for seven years and has trained in CrossFit. And this summer, the La Salle University graduate will challenge herself again with the AIDS/LifeCycle bike ride in California. Participants will ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles — about 545 miles — from June 2-8 to raise money and awareness about HIV/AIDS. Proceeds from the ride will go to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. Dolan, who has been active in the LGBT community and identifies as a lesbian, recently started training for the event, but has biked for fun and participated in 5K races in the past. “I started biking last summer casually with some friends on the weekends, but I really just started training in December,” she said.

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News Briefing Church gets another reprieve The old Church of the Assumption, formerly owned by the AIDS agency Siloam, received another stay of demolition from a city review board last week. On Feb. 22, the city’s Board of License and Inspection Review issued an indefinite stay of demolition for the structure. Board members said the courts should have an opportunity to rule on the dispute. In July, Siloam sold the church to developer John Wei, who wants to demolish it. The church, at 1133 Spring Garden St., has ties to two local saints, Katharine Drexel and John Neumann. Siloam received approval for the demolition by a Philadelphia judge in October, but the Callowhill Neighborhood Association is appealing that approval in state Commonwealth Court. Carl S. Primavera, an attorney for Wei, said the church is very dilapidated. Primavera wants CNA to post a bond to protect Wei from exposure to liability if the church collapses, he said. Andrew R. Palewski, a CNA member, disputed the need for a bond. He said the church is structurally sound and doesn’t pose a danger. “Someone offered Wei $100,000 for the building in December and agreed to carry all liability for the structure until settlement,” Palewski added. “That offer still

She will host a fundraiser for the race from 5:30-8:30 p.m. March 8 at City Space Realty, 2200 Walnut St. “Alli & Ginger’s 545-Mile Ride for AIDS” will include a silent auction and wine and cheese reception. Dolan, who playfully named her bike “Ginger,” started planning for the fundraiser in January and said she was impressed by DOLAN the support she has received. “Within a week of launching the event, I had 10 different items to auction off. I am amazed at how giving everyone is. It has been great having the support.” The auction will include a wide array of items up for bids, including bike-themed prizes from Bicycle Therapy. Although the minimum amount of money individuals have to raise to participate in

the race is $3,000, Dolan is shooting for $5,000. “I want to make sure I can raise a little extra because it is for a good cause,” she said. Dolan’s employer, Delaware Investments, has also been a big help in raising funds. She reached out to the agency’s fundraising committee within the company for guidance, which agreed to do a week’s worth of fundraising for her in the spring. Although Dolan has not lost anyone to HIV/AIDS, her involvement with the LGBT community over the years has made her aware of the epidemic’s scourge. Dolan also acknowledged the event will be a personal challenge. “I love having different goals and this is an event where we are working toward a healthy community and lifestyle,” she said. “I enjoy the overall community aspect and it makes for a nice challenge.” For more information on Dolan’s progress, visit www.tofighthiv.org/goto/allidolan. ■

stands.” Palewski declined to identify the potential buyer, noting that an agreement between the buyer and Wei hasn’t yet materialized. Siloam continues to operate in an old rectory adjacent to the church, which the agency also sold to Wei.

“Not pursuing further investigation will undoubtedly result in further negative outcomes for trans individuals in Philadelphia, specifically trans women of color,” added trans activist Leah Basarab. PAC members said they would take the comments under consideration prior to issuing a final report. In other business, PAC members said there are 11 vacancies on the 19-member panel. They said Mayor Nutter should appoint new commissioners as soon as possible. “The ball is in the mayor’s court,” said PAC secretary Chuck Volz. “Filling these vacancies promptly would be indicative that the mayor takes the PAC seriously.” PAC member Veronica Castillo-Perez said: “We need to put some fire under [Nutter] to get us some more help.” Watson and trans activist Sheila Colson expressed a desire to serve on the PAC. Mark McDonald, a spokesperson for Nutter, had no comment at presstime. The PAC’s next meeting will be held 6:30 p.m. March 18 at 990 Spring Garden St., seventh floor.

Activists urge justice for Morris at PAC meeting Five transgender activists attended a Police Advisory Commission meeting Feb. 25 and urged PAC members to pursue justice for Nizah Morris to the fullest extent possible. “Nizah wasn’t a throwaway person,” said Tenika Watson, a close friend of the victim. “Her case is very important to the community. I hope and pray that her death wasn’t in vain.” Morris was a transgender woman found with a fatal head injury shortly after she received a courtesy ride from Philadelphia police in 2002. Her murder remains unsolved, and the PAC is planning to release a report about the incident in the coming months. Trans activist Ben Singer reminded PAC members of the systemic violence that affects the transgender community, particularly trans and gender-nonconforming women of color. “If genocide is happening in your backyard and you don’t do anything about it, you’re complicit with it,” Singer said. “If you have the opportunity to keep pushing for justice, I urge you to do that.” The activists also expressed support for a thorough criminal investigation of the homicide. “It still hurts not knowing what really happened to Nizah,” said Miranda McCoy, who befriended Morris in 1973.

— Timothy Cwiek

Memorial for labor leader Friends of out union leader and LGBT activist Rita Urwitz are invited to a memorial at 3 p.m. March 3 at the American Friends Center, 1501 Cherry St. Urwitz was a longtime Philadelphia resident who launched her career as a social worker in the 1980s. She was also involved in the AFSCME District Council 47, in charge of its Political Action Committee. ■ — Angela Thomas

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

Jewish congregation moves forward with LGBT initiatives By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

Interpretations change over time, and the possibility of change is built into Judaism,” Levin said, noting that the rise of feminism Late last year the board of Rodeph Shalom several decades ago paved the way for disunanimously voiced its support for marriage cussions on new interpretations of the Torah, equality — and the synagogue and its LGBT continued by the LGBT movement. “This congregation are gearing up for more pro- has been a growing thing and what ‘Torah Queeries’ does is basically use its own lens LGBT efforts. Congregation Beth Ahavah, based out of LGBT issues to look at the Torah and of Rodeph Shalom, will next week launch make interpretations of what it means in a discussion program focusing on LGBT terms of our world today.” Levin noted that, while some factions interpretation of the Torah. The LGBT congregation was founded in of Judaism are resistant to embracing the 1975 and aligned itself with Rodeph Shalom LGBT community, Judaism in general is intrinsically pro-equality. in 2007. “Social justice, repairing the world — Rodeph Shalom director of membership and programming Catherine Fischer said the they’re very important aspects of Judaism. recent marriage-equality resolution that the It’s in many ways our job to do that, and board approved illustrates its ongoing sup- you can find the basis for that right in the Torah: ‘Be a light unto port for Beth Ahavah. the nations.’ This is very “ T h i s wa s s o m emuch based in our histhing Beth Ahavah had tory and to not include brought to the attenLGBT people would tion of our leadership be the wrong thing to and we felt strongly do,” she said. “It’s taken that this was something time for LGBT accepwe should do,” Fischer tance but it is happensaid. “BA is part of RS ing more and growing, and RS is part of BA, JOAN LEVIN (FROM LEFT), and we thought it was MAZZONI CENTER’S NURIT SHEIN, even though there are a no-brainer to bring ISRAELI ADVOCATE AND ATTORNEY still problems in terms us all together with this IRIT ROSENBLUM, RABBI SUE LEVI of Orthodox Jews. But and rally around this ELWELL AND FORMER ISRAELI this whole path is very, important issue.” CONSULATE PUBLIC-AFFAIRS very important. Judaism Fischer said the synaDIRECTOR SHARON SINGER AT has always had an abilgogue is also looking to A BETH AHAVAH EVENT IN 2012 ity to change, to expand put that declaration of Photo: Carol Perloff itself. So we thought it would be enriching for support into action. Leaders within RS and BA met this week BA to participate in this.” Levin said when BA to explore ways to advocate for marriage equality and other LGBT-rights issues in the brought up the idea to RS leadership, they were met with immediate support. area. The program will be led by Jessica “We want to work with other groups in the city and be a team player,” Fischer Rosenberg, an instructor at RS Confirmation said. “We’re looking at how we can partner Academy and student at the Reconstructionist with other Reform congregations and other Rabbinical College. “In these sessions we will dig deep into groups to advocate around this issue. We want to hear from individuals interested in the Torah, our oldest sacred text, using some marriage-equality initiatives and talk about of the freshest, most relevant perspectives to how we can unfold this to the rest of the our lives as LGBT people,” Rosenberg said. “By reading the Torah, studying contempocommunity.” Another new initiative is “Torah Queeries,” rary commentaries and bringing our own life which will kick off at 7 p.m. March 6 at the experiences to both, we’ll start to create our synagogue, 615 N. Broad St., and will be own Torah Queeries together.” Fischer said “Torah Queeries” and the confollowed by another forum April 23. gregation’s marriage-equality push both allow The event is free and open to the public. BA president Joan Levin said the discus- RS to remain in tune and in step with the needs sion group grew out of the book of the same of the local LGBT Jewish community. “We’re really excited about growing name, which presented a host of LGBT and ally writers looking at the Torah through a opportunities and being at the forefront of strengthening the community here, and it’s modern queer lens. Levin said she found a number of other a very diverse community,” she said. “We’re congregations throughout the country that excited to roll up our sleeves and make sure had started similar groups and was eager to the community has the respect and rights bring the discussion to Philadelphia’s LGBT they need. This isn’t just a gay issue; for us, it’s a community issue.” ■ Jewish community. “Sometimes when you’re studying a part of the Torah, you’re also studying com- For more information on “Torah Queeries,” mentaries over many, many centuries. email hjzinman@gmail.com.

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WINTER WONDERLAND: Hundreds of LGBTs and allies turned out at Penn’s Landing Feb. 22 for the first-ever Winter Pride. The event featured an appearance and performance by out Olympic ice skater and Pennsylvania native Johnny Weir, who took time to pose for pictures and sign autographs. City Councilman Mark Squilla, who represents the Gayborhood, presented Weir with the first WinterPride Award, which will be given in his name in future years. Guests who didn’t want to try their feet on the ice were able to peruse indoor information tables, such as one hosted by the City of Brotherly Love Softball League, and take in the sights and sounds of Penn’s Landing with hot chocolate. Shuttle buses ran between the site and several sponsoring bars in the Gayborhood, which held after-Pride parties. The event was organized by Philly Pride Presents, which stages the annual summer Pride festival and OutFest. Photos: Scott A. Drake

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the 6th Police District between Feb. 11-17. Information is courtesy of 6th District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice.com or call 215-686-TIPS (8477). INCIDENTS — At 9 a.m. Feb. 11, a man got off a SEPTA bus at Eighth and Market streets and a male yanked his belt. When the victim turned around, the male asked for money and, feeling threatened, he gave it to him. The culprit, who fled east on Market Street, was described as a black male, about 40, 5-foot9, 210 pounds, with a beard and mustache, wearing a camouflage Army coat, black pants and brown boots. — Between 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 12, someone entered an apartment in the 200 block of South 13th Street without force and stole an iPad. Sixth District Officer Minnis attempted to lift fingerprints. — Between 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Feb. 12, someone entered an apartment in the 300 block of South 13th Street without force and stole a laptop. Sixth District Officer Chim attempted to lift fingerprints. — Between 7:45-11:20 p.m. Feb. 12, someone smashed the window of a 2007 Toyota that was parked on South Ninth Street and stole a laptop and duffle bag. Sixth District Officer McCauley attempted to lift fingerprints. — At 5:10 p.m. Feb. 13, two people stole three packs of hair from the House of Beauty, 1212 Chestnut St. One culprit was a black male with a light complexion wearing a black cap and the second was a black woman in her 30s wearing a black coat and black hat with tattoos on her face. They fled south on 12th Street in a checkered cab. — Between 1:20-2:10 a.m. Feb. 16, someone smashed the window of a 2011 Acura that was parked in the paid garage at 1200 Walnut St. and stole an iPad. No fingerprints were taken because the victim cleaned the scene before police arrived. — On Feb. 14, a male was seen on CCTV stealing a box of flowers that had been delivACLU from page 1

ing support on their home computers,” said Reggie Shuford, executive director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania. “Blocking these sites not only violates the First Amendment, but it does a disservice to students trying to learn about themselves and the world around them.” Fioravante circulated a petition against the filter that has since generated more than 3,000 signatures. The district also employs a filter against “intolerant” sites, which blocks politicaladvocacy pages that seemingly offer intolerant viewpoints. Among the blocked sites are those of the National Organization

ered to the doorstep of a residence in the 1200 block Waverly Street. The perpetrator was described as a Hispanic male, about 28, 5-foot-9, wearing a white shirt under a black jacket with white stripes, a baseball cap, black shoes and jeans. — At about 2:45 p.m. Feb. 14, a suicide was reported inside a residence in the 400 block of South 11th Street. — At 2:15 a.m. Feb. 17, a passerby observed three people spray-painting on a wall at 306 S. 13th St. and confronted them but was struck on the head with a spray-paint can by a white female, about 5-foot-8, 140 pounds, wearing a brown jacket, brown legwarmers and a beige hair wrap. She was with two white males. The three suspects walked south on 13th Street and then east on Panama Street. NON-SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 8:40 p.m. Feb. 13, 6th District Officer Chim arrested a male outside 1100 Market St. who was wanted on a bench warrant for failure to appear for court. The 27-year-old suspect with a Brooklawn, N.J., address was charged with contempt of court. — At 9:50 a.m. Feb. 14, the manager of Starbucks at 1201 Market St. asked a male who was causing a disturbance to leave. The male took a pen and threatened to stab the manager, who retreated behind the counter and called 911. The male took money from the tip jar and fled. Sixth District Officer Rossi stopped the suspect at 13th and Locust streets and he was identified. The 35-yearold suspect with no known address was charged with robbery and related offenses. SUMMARY ARRESTS — On Feb. 12, 6th District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 8:15 p.m. outside 1318 Walnut St. and at 10:15 p.m. outside 1200 St. James St. — At 1:35 p.m. Feb. 13, 6th District officers issued a citation for a summary offense outside 1300 Drury St. — On Feb. 15, 6th District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 2 p.m. inside 800 Spruce St. and at 10:55 p.m. outside 1322 Locust St. — On Feb. 16, 6th District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 2 p.m. outside 1300 Walnut St. and at 2:15 p.m. outside 1101 Walnut St. ■ for Marriage and the Family Research Council, staunch opponents of the LGBT community. “Regardless of whether you support or oppose legal protections for LGBT people, these sorts of viewpoint-based filters puts everyone’s First Amendment rights at risk,” said Joshua Block, staff attorney with the ACLU LGBT Project. “If you give school officials the power to censor viewpoints they don’t like, they may use that power to block your own viewpoint too.” The ACLU has asked the district to respond by March 14 with information on how it will address the issue. ■

Media Trail Kan. court upholds lesbian mom’s rights The Kansas City Star reports the Kansas Supreme Court has ruled that the non-biological mother of children in a same-sex relationship can have the same parental rights as the biological mother. The Feb. 22 ruling involved two Johnson County women, Kelly Goudschaal and Marci Frazier, who separated after they became parents of two children. After the separation, Goudschaal moved with the children to Texas and limited Frazier’s visitations. Frazier sought to enforce a parenting agreement each had signed. A Johnson County judge found that joint custody was “in the best interests of the children” and granted Frazier “reasonable parenting time.” Goudschaal appealed, arguing that the parenting agreement was unenforceable. The high court, however, said not enforcing the parenting agreement would deny the children the opportunity to have two parents.

Trans-rights bill advances in N.Y. CBS 6 reports a bill in Albany would protect gender identity or expression from discrimination and subject violators to a potential hate-crime prosecution. Gender identity would be added to New York state law that already prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, age, sexual orientation and more in issues of housing, credit, employment and others. T h e m e a s u r e h a s s o m e p ow e r f u l Democratic sponsors, which could be enough to narrowly carry the bill. Versions of it have been pushed for years by gay and transgender advocates who won the landmark law legalizing same-sex marriage in 2011. The District of Columbia, 16 states and several cities already have laws protecting gender identity and expression. New York’s large population, many corporate headquarters and national media concentration make it an important state for the effort.

Booed soldier joins Ohio same-sex marriage effort ABC News reports a gay U.S. soldier who was booed during a Republican presidential debate in 2011 has joined the effort to overturn Ohio’s ban on same-sex marriage. Leaders of pro-gay-marriage group FreedomOhio said Feb. 22 that Columbus resident Stephen Snyder-Hill will help lead

outreach efforts. Snyder-Hill asked the GOP candidates in 2011 if they would reinstate the ban on openly gay troops. He was booed for the question, which he recorded while deployed in Iraq. FreedomOhio wants to overturn the 2004 state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Supporters started collecting signatures last year to place their own constitutional amendment on the ballot by 2014. The measure wouldn’t require churches and other religious institutions to perform or recognize gay marriages. The amendment banning gay marriage was supported by 62 percent of Ohio voters at the time.

Huntsman backs marriage equality The San Francisco Chronicle reports former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman has come out in support of same-sex marriage. Huntsman, a Republican, wrote an essay for The American Conservative magazine calling on conservatives to push their states to allow all citizens to marry. Huntsman said his marriage has been his life’s greatest joy and that there is “nothing conservative about denying other Americans the ability to forge that same relationship with the person they love.” The article, titled “Marriage Equality Is a Conservative Cause,” was published online Feb. 21. Huntsman previously came out in favor of civil unions while he was governor in 2009. In 2004, Utah voters approved a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and domestic unions. At the time, Huntsman said he supported it.

N.J. Dems to try to override veto on gay marriage The Daily Journal reports Democratic leaders in the New Jersey Legislature will try to override Gov. Chris Christie’s gay marriage veto. Assemblyman Reed Gusciora of Trenton, one of two openly gay state lawmakers, said Democrats agreed to renew the push for marriage equality during a meeting Feb. 21. The strategy could include putting the question to voters in November if the vetooverride fails. The Democratic-led legislature has never been successful in overriding a Christie veto. However, Senate President Stephen Sweeney agreed to try again. He’ll need 27 senators to support gay marriage, including a handful of Republicans. The Assembly would need yes votes from 54 of its 80 members. Three states approved gay marriage in ballot questions with President Obama at the top of the ticket in November. ■ — compiled by Larry Nichols

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

C. Todd Gilbert

Editorial

Real Republican leadership A group of more than 80 social and political conservatives bucked the party line this week and urged the Supreme Court to support marriage equality in its upcoming landmark decisions. The coalition that submitted the amicus brief in Hollingsworth v. Perry — which is challenging California’s Proposition 8 — includes two Republican members of Congress, former top Republican advisers and four former Republican governors, including former New Jersey Gov. Christie Todd Whitman. The group, which boasted some heavy-hitting names in Republican politics — like Stephen Hadley and James Comey, top officials in George W. Bush’s administration, and Reagan budget director David Stockman — is the latest example that the current Republican Party is out of step with the country’s priorities, and with the ideals of many of its own party members. Last year, the GOP adopted a platform that took a hard line against marriage equality: “The platform affirms the rights of states and the federal government not to recognize same-sex marriage. It backs a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.” The Defense of Marriage Act is being spearheaded by the Republican-led Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group, namely House Speaker John Boehner. Boehner has already authorized the federal government to spend nearly $2 million to back a law whose end is clearly in sight. In the meantime, a recent National Journal poll of Republican insiders found that nearly half of respondents felt that marriage equality is an issue the party should avoid. More than a quarter of respondents said the party should support marriage equality while just 11 percent said the party should come out against same-sex marriage. And last month another new poll found that more than three-quarters of the nation believed that marriage equality will eventually be a nationwide reality; more than half of Republicans agreed. The dozens of Republicans who signed on to the amicus brief showed the type of leadership that the Republican Party needs. They know that this issue simply doesn’t have the traction with the public that it once did. The unfortunate aspect of this is that most of the signatories are former Republican leaders. Once out of office, with any seeming threat to their political careers averted, they consider marriage equality to have less of a specter. The next step in this evolution needs to be for Republicans who are currently in office, who may have something to lose, to have the courage to come out in front on this issue. Waiting until there is a “former” in front of their title isn’t good enough — they need to be real leaders for their party and their constituents and show that marriage equality isn’t just something to be supported by liberals; it’s a matter of fairness for all, which Americans of all parties should embrace. ■

Discrimination against lesbians and gays is but a figment of some overactive imaginations in Virginia, so there’s no need for silly laws against it. So goes the thinking of Virginia Delegate C. Todd Gilbert, who made sure a bill to protect LGBT state workers died in committee without ever getting a vote in the state House, despite the bill’s bipartisan support in the state Senate. Gilbert, a Republican (shocking, I know), claimed that those in favor of banning discrimination didn’t prove there was a problem with discrimination in the first place. Never mind that in Virginia it is perfectly legal to fire an employee, public or private, because he or she is gay (which is true for a good number of other states, too. Check your local listings). That simply isn’t good enough for Gilbert. “Among all the people who spoke [at the subcommittee hearing], there was not a single example of one that was discriminated against in public employment,” Gilbert complained. “I challenge those in the room to bring forth an example. I was told the following year that there would be a line out the door of people with examples of having been discriminated against in public employment.” What? No line out the door of sad sacks who got sacked for what they do in the sack? Then clearly no antidiscrimination bill is needed. And anyway, don’t these gays know how laws work? Things can only be made illegal after they happen. So if, for example, you live in a quaint small town somewhere that has never had, say, an ax murder, then ax murdering is totally legal where you live. After all, making a law against ax murdering would be silly if you couldn’t get anyone with an ax in his or her head to testify at your subcommittee hearing. “[W]e’ve heard from many people about this specter of oppression that really doesn’t exist because, again, we have not a single example of anyone who has been discriminated against for this reason,”

Gilbert said. See? It doesn’t even exist! Because if it did, every LGBT person who lives in a state that has no laws protecting LGBT people against discrimination would definitely go testify in public about how LGBT-discriminated-against they were. Gilbert continued, “There was not a single example of anyone that felt that, except that abstract fear that we’ve heard testified here today. I heard the gentlewoman today say that Virginia Commonwealth ... is this oppressive and intolerant environment. I daresay that’s probably not true.” Yeah, you tell ’em, Gilbert. Abstract fear is for losers. And you, being a white and presumably straight male, definitely know what it feels like to be oppressed and have every authority to brush aside the concerns of people who go to work every day knowing that they have no legal recourse should some homophobe want to terminate them all because the state they live in doesn’t even value them enough to enact laws to protect them against such total bullshit. It is worth noting that this is the same guy who said abortion was a “lifestyle convenience” because he is definitely a gentleman and a scholar. I wonder if he has some equally compelling thoughts about racism. ■

What? No line out the door of sad sacks who got sacked for what they do in the sack? Then clearly no anti-discrimination bill is needed.

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.

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OP-ED PGN

Harnessing media power in Philly Some of my favorite people are people the point: Once decisions were made, who are not afraid to have a big vision. any disagreements almost disappeared. Lucky for me, I get the opportunity at That’s vision becoming leadership, and times to work with many of them. Last why this summit has become so important. weekend was the annual LGBT Media For me, there were two pluses this Convening, sponsored by Walter & year. First, I got to showcase the city I Elise Haas Fund. This annual invitationlove, Philadelphia, which played host, only gathering of media was conceived and I also got to discuss the problems of by Matt Foreman, who enlisted Bil facing LGBT seniors. Oh, and Browning, and the two started there was something else. to plan what would turn out to be one of the most important During the sessions, I sat in the back of the room and LGBT media gatherings in the just watched in amazement as nation. Their plan was to bring about a better understanding this group of high-powered of issues and to put a spotlight bloggers and print journalon topics of importance to ists absorbed themselves in LGBT media that they might the topics and literally asked have overlooked or didn’t realquestions that have never been ize were issues of importance brought up before. For someto our community. one like me, who has devoted almost 38 years to LGBT Each year, the event has been themed around a main media, it was a delight to behold. topic but has also raised other It wasn’t all work. Last issues. For me, the New York Mark Segal Friday night, Comcast, one summit made me realize the importance of immigration of the nation’s giants in news, and the LGBT community. For others, entertainment and communications, it was the San Francisco summit, where hosted the conference’s opening dinner. LGBT youth issues were topic numberThat event set the tone for the weekend, one. And last year the Houston summit especially with the fact that legendary brought in people to enlighten us on Cleve Jones of the AIDS Memorial Quilt issues that would take center stage in the project and David Mixner, best known 2012 election. as Bill Clinton’s LGBT fundraiser, were This year, the summit touched on a speakers. wide range of topics, all with the idea On Saturday night, blogger Joe Jervis that the LGBT community should be of “Joe My God,” along with other working in alliance with a coalition of major bloggers, held a mixer at Tavern organizations to bring about equality. at Camac. That outing has become a tradition of the summit. And on Sunday, So think about that: Two guys get Greater Philadelphia Tourism and together and believe they can add valuable information for our media profesMarketing Corporation gave the attendsionals and decide things like how to get ees a specialized tour of the city, including a stop at the construction site of the media members together, who will pay LGBT-friendly senior apartments and for it, the invite and speakers list. That’s a brunch at Valanni. Thank you, Philly; a tall order. A big vision that I just simplified. they loved you! They somehow found the Walter & If there is one lesson that became Elise Haas Foundation of San Francisco, apparent, it is that the group understands which realized their vision of assisting the power it has and the responsibility LGBT media. From the very beginning, that comes with that power. How powerful, during the sessions on Saturday, they asked others to share the responsibilities and decision-making. That was that at times we trended number-one in important since this is an invitation-only the world on Twitter. That’s power. And summit, which of course makes a point power comes from vision. ■ if you are invited, and another point if Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the you are not. Then there was the decision on what topics to put on the agenda nation’s most-award-winning commentator in LGBT media. He can be reached at — again, not easy and one where there mark@epgn.com. are many different opinions. But here’s

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Street Talk Are LGBT rights civil rights? “Maybe just call them human rights, as long as the LGBT community gets the rights they deserve. Civil rights Olivia Castagneto have more student to do with North Philadelphia race. Sexual orientation is more of a personal choice. But I would never say that the rights of one group are more important than the rights of another group.”

“Yes, whenever you’re getting rights for oppressed people, they’re civil rights. Fighting for Alan Ens the rights music instructor of students, South Philadelphia poor people of any color and women — that’s all a civil-rights struggle. People in those movements deserve the dignity of being recognized as civil-rights activists.”

“Yes. Sexual orientation and race are very similar. They’re unchangeable characteristics. It’s the way we are. Civil Amanda Martinez rights aren’t student just limited North Philadelphia to AfricanAmericans. They’re important for all of us as civilians.”

“Yes. I realize that some people might disagree. But I think women and all minority groups need to band Danielle Puccini together. graduate student Solidarity Callowhill is helpful. We should embrace the terminology of civil rights. You get more things accomplished that way.”

Letters and Feedback In response to “Study: PA LGBT population below national average,” Feb. 22-28: If Pennsylvania has something going for it, it does have trans* clinics in the two largest cities — Mazzoni Center here in Philly and Persad in Pittsburgh — though I think there may be a few others. Philly also has a relatively large trans* community. In fact, in some ways, Pennsylvania may be more hospitable than New York or New Jersey in terms of transgender issues. At least someone like myself who is on medical assistance can relatively easily get my ’mones, whereas if I lived in New York City, I would not be able to get my ’mones via Medicaid and would likely have to shell out hundreds of dollars just for my Estradiol. I also lived in New Jersey for the

first year of my transition and was unable to find any provider that took Medicaid for any gender-transition-related service. Furthermore, New York makes it harder for transgender people to change their license. While we have a standard fill-inthe-blank form (PennDOT’s DL-32), the T people in the Empire State have to have a doctor handtype a note to the DMV, which can be taken so many different ways. In conclusion, while Pennsylvania does not have the most hospitable environment for transgender people in the nation, this relatively conservative state can really surprise in terms of transgender issues, and it is no secret that we do have a high transgender population. — Jordan Gwendolyn Davis

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

PGN LOCAL

C. Everett Koop: A remembrance By Victoria A. Brownworth Special to PGN When I heard that former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop had died Feb. 25 at age 96, I let out a small sigh. A page of American history had definitely turned. Thirty years ago, Dr. Koop, then the chief of surgery at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and one of the most brilliant pediatric specialists in the country, was nominated by President Ronald Reagan as U.S. Surgeon General. I was a fledgling reporter, in my first year at a newspaper. Two years after Koop (who went through one of the most arduous confirmation processes in history) was officially ensconced, I was assigned to a new and unknown beat — a disease called AIDS. Soon, Dr. Koop and I would meet and he would remain one of the scientists I would interview repeatedly during the height of the AIDS crisis. In 1983, I was one of the only journalists in the country covering the disease and the only woman. Over that decade, it was

one of my primary beats, and I traveled the country writing about the disease and its myriad victims, the possibility of cures and the seeming endlessness of the deaths for an array of oulets that included the Village Voice, the Advocate, OUT, the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News. I was an AIDS columnist for both SPIN and POZ magazines. And of course it was at PGN that my AIDS beat began, and it was for PGN that I first interviewed Dr. Koop. Throughout that astonishing decade of death and dying, a period that decimated the gay community, I sat across from Dr. Koop a couple dozen times, talking to him about the disease that was annihilating gay men, but which would quickly spread to women and children, IV-drug users and people with hemophilia. I stood with him at CHOP where he visited babies born with the infection as he explained that everyone was a potential victim of the disease — even babies. I listened as he told me — with a deep earnestness — that AIDS had to be stopped, that as he traveled the country he visited

AIDS patients in hospitals and they were all, he said, “so very young.” Koop had treated desperately ill children throughout his career, but AIDS was a disease that went right to his heart, he told me. I didn’t like Dr. Koop the first time I met him and I didn’t think he would do anything to help us. He seemed cold and clinical and so brusque, he was almost rude. He was a big man, and an imposing figure. He had insisted on wearing the actual Surgeon General uniform; he saw it as a military-style service to the nation: He was the general in charge of the nation’s health. He wore his uniform with authority, and had a 19th-century look to him, with his Lincoln-esque

beard and his pince-nez glasses. But as time passed and more people died and he thrust himself into the forefront of the AIDS crisis, Dr. Koop was anything but anachronistic. At a time when I was covering protests in front of the White House where AIDS activists were screaming, “Say it! Say it!” because the Reagan administration refused to acknowledge AIDS, at a time when police wore big blue protective gloves to handle protestors involved in die-ins, Dr. Koop was calmly explaining the science of AIDS as it was known then. And he was explaining it whether people wanted to listen or not. He was making predictions about the spread of the disease, about the millions who

would become infected, about the generations who could die. He was insisting that children be taught safe sex in the schools, starting in third grade. He was insisting that women practice safe sex with the men they were intimate with, even though the transmission to women seemed slight at the time (now the majority of new cases in the U.S. are among women). He explained that anal sex was a serious risk factor and why, and that oral sex, not so much. He talked about sex over and over and over again because it was the primary route for transmission and he knew it. He had his office publish a pamphlet about AIDS to be distributed to the entire country because he believed it was a pandemic that might never have a cure. He asked for more voluntary testing because he believed many people were infected who didn’t know it. I have no doubt that many men and women I knew in those activist years would have little laudatory to say about Dr. Koop, and I understand that. The position we took then — those of us on the front lines of the battle against the disease — was hard

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of Pennsylvania �� locations outside DELAWARE

Wilmington • AIDS Delaware, 100 W. 10th St. • Crimson Moon, 1909 S. Sixth St. • Rehoboth Beach • Canal Side Inn, 34 Sixth St. • Double L Bar, 622 Rehoboth Ave. • Proud Bookstore, 149 Rehoboth Ave. • Rams Head Inn, 35006 Warrington Ave. • Rigby’s Bar & Grill, 404 Rehoboth Ave. • Shore Inn, 37239 Rehoboth Ave. •

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Asbury Park • Georgie’s, 812 Fifth Ave. • Paradise, 101 Asbury Ave. • Atlantic City • Oasis, 32 S. Tennessee Ave. • Ocean House, 127 S. Ocean Ave. • Pro Bar, Resorts Casino, 1133 Boardwalk, 13th floor • Ritz Condo lobby, 2715 Boardwalk • Bordentown • Shoppe 202, 202 Farnsworth Ave. • Camden • Honor Box, PATCO Ferry Ave. Station • Cherry Hill • Unitarian Church, 400 N. Kings Hwy. • Andriotti’s Viennese Café, 1442 E. Route 70 • Collingswood • Honor Box, PATCO Collingswood Station • Honor Box, PATCO Ferry Ave. Station • Egg Harbour City • Red Barn Books, 1204 White Horse Pike • Galloway • Pride Alliance Stockton College, 101 Vera King Farris Dr. suite 240 • Gloucester City • Red Barn Books, 600 Rt. 130 South • Haddonfield • Honor Box, PATCO Haddonfield Station, PATCO Westmont Station, PATCO Woodcrest Station • Highland Park • Pride Center of NJ, 85 Raritan Ave. • Lambertville• Body Tech, 80 Lambert Lane • Lebanon • GLBT of Hunterdon Co., 126 Petticoat Lane • Lindenwold • Honor Box, PATCO Lindenwold Station East • Honor Box, PATCO Lindenwold Station West • Morristown • Gay Activist Alliance, Unitarian Church, 29 Normandy Heights Road • Oaklyn • Sacred Green Earth, 511 Whitehorse Pike • Princeton • LGBT Center, Princeton University, 246 First Campus Center • Somerset • The Den, 700 Hamilton Ave. • Stratford • White Horse Books, 906 White Horse Pike • Vineland • J&J News, 729 N. Main St. • West Berlin • Red Barn Books, 597 Route 73 North • Williamstown • Book Bin, 3852 S. Black Horse Pike •

NEW YORK

Blooming Grove • Help Inc., 48 Sylvan Trail • New York City • Lesbian and Gay Services Center, 208 W. 13th St.

All of these locations are now visible on a zoomable Google Map at

http://www.epgn.com/pages/where_to_find WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION ON THIS LIST? Contact Don at don@epgn.com or 215-625-8501 ext. 200 to arrange for delivery of complimentary copies.

LOCAL PGN

cinctly that he was committed to stanching the hemorrhage that was AIDS in our community. While everyone else was making moral judgments that designated some people innocent victims and others moral pariahs, Dr. Koop kept going back to science. No one wanted to be infected, he asserted. The virus doesn’t discriminate, why should we? We had to stop the transmission:

He talked about sex over and over and over again because it was the primary route for transmission and he knew it. Get condoms out there — in the schools, in the homes, in the bars and use them. He was the single loudest proponent of safe sex in the nation. He told me that every child should know how to use a condom by the third grade. This was the kind of statement that was anathema to the conservatives who had pushed for his appointment. Still, there are those who will

say that Dr. Koop didn’t get involved soon enough. But the reality is, no Surgeon General before or since created more controversy with the people who put him in office. The conservatives who had championed his nomination were immediately dismayed by his focus on AIDS and his insistence on science rather than morality. What they didn’t understand was that the man they had nominated for his unwavering pro-life stance was just doing what they had wanted him to do: saving lives. When Dr. Koop wrote his AIDS pamphlet, he refused to make changes the Reagan Administration requested: He would not take out references to condoms and he would not insert commentary on homosexuality. He had 20 million copies distributed nationwide. The strength of Dr. Koop’s voice and his drive to educate people about the science of the disease were vitally important in the fight against AIDS. Dr. Koop fought for us, even as he was being asked to fight against us. He put science above ideology and integrity above politics. In the end, he was one of us. ■

CONGREGATION BETH AHAVAH

A GLBT synagogue welcoming people of all gender and sexual identities since 1975

JOIN US MONTHLY FOR SHABBAT SERVICES AT 8:00 PM

Coffee, cake & conversation at the oneg following services Wednesday, March 6, 7:00 PM Beth Ahavah “Torah Queeries” Study Series. Please join us for our groundbreaking new two-part series that will examine historical religious references to gay and lesbian relationships found in the Torah, the oldest sacred text found in Judaism. Program will be held at 7:00 pm at Rodeph Shalom, 615 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA. RSVP to Marcia Biggs, mbiggs@rodephoshalom.org or 215-627-6747 x12 Program is free and open to the public. Materials will be provided and light refreshments will be served. Free parking is available. 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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and uncompromising. People were dying. Every day we would hear of someone else we knew who had gotten the diagnosis. In 1988, I stopped going to funerals because I couldn’t bear the pain and suffering any longer. But I knew early on that Dr. Koop was one of us: He was an activist. He was a staunch prolife evangelical Christian and he believed every life had a Godgiven worth. He was horrified by all the young men who were dying, as well as the children and hemophiliacs. He said this over and over again. He led symposia, he went out campaigning for education about the disease around the country. He was a crusader against the disease. He was doing what we were doing; he was just doing it from one of the most prestigious bully pulpits in the world. Every time I asked to speak with him, he made time because he was committed to answering my questions. He wanted to talk to his hometown gay newspaper because he wanted to get the word out, to address the community most impacted by AIDS. Dr. Koop sat across from me at Penn and said suc-

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

WEDDING PGN ISSUE

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

Anniversary

Ryan Goldner and Scott Reikofski By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com In 2011, New York became the sixth state in the U.S. to legalize same-sex marriage. And nearly one year after marriage-equality legislation was passed in the Empire State, two Philly men tied the knot in New York City. Ryan Goldner, 39, and Scott Reikofski, 54, will celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary March 7. Goldner, who is the HIV/AIDS case management coordinator at Mazzoni Center, and Reikofski, the director of fraternity and sorority affairs at the University of Pennsylvania, met Jan. 2, 1998, at a bar in the Gayborhood. “I met Scott at The Bike Stop near closing time and we hit it off instantly,” Goldner said. “We had to set up our first date for the following weekend and were planning to meet back at The Bike Stop and then go out to dinner.” Reikofski said he thought Goldner was strikingly handsome when he first laid eyes on him. “[He] looked like a poster Marine in head-to-toe leather,” Reikofski said. “A staff member at the bar said that Ryan was interested in me and I didn’t believe it.” Goldner said he was drawn to Reikofski for his charm and good looks and also his positive personality. “I thought Scott was one of the most handsome men I ever saw with beautiful light-blue eyes, and the fact he was my height was a plus. Scott was and is a very kind person who rarely has a negative thing to say about anyone and is very encouraging and nurturing, which is the opposite of me, so we balanced each other out perfectly,” he said. Goldner, who was anxious for their first date, was left upset when Reikofski never showed up. “I was pretty pissed, and thought he blew me off. Then a friend of his asked if I was Ryan, and said that Scott was home sick with the flu and had to cancel,” Goldner said. “Now, I didn’t believe him at all and insisted on going to see Scott to prove he was sick. So I walked to Scott’s apartment and there he was, passed out in bed with a high fever and the flu. I wound up staying the weekend, making him soup and taking care of him, and just never left.” Goldner and Reikofski exchanged rings a year after they met and had already felt

�� like a married couple, but spontaneously decided to get married last year. “There wasn’t a big ring or anyone on one knee proposing. It was more like a ‘Hey ... want to go up and finally do this in NYC?’ during a commercial break of NCIS or something,” Reikofski said. The two headed to the City Courthouse in New York City to celebrate their 14 years together March 7. Reikfoski said the experience was an affirming one. “The city employees were amazingly friendly and made it a great experience,” he said. “They were very welcoming and thanked us for coming to New York to get married. It was so gay-friendly and it was an awesome experience. Pennsylvania and New Jersey have a lot to learn from New York.” Reikofski said the timing was right for their relationship to be recognized. “At the time we’d been together for just over 14 years, but more and more states were seriously examining same-sex marriage, so we wanted to get married to not only celebrate our relationship and time together so far, but to more formalize our love and commitment to each other,” he said. The two recently purchased their dream home — a 125-year-old farmhouse in the Delaware suburbs — and just welcomed their fourth child in “cat form.” The couple has already learned a few things since tying the knot: “patience, flexibility and compromise, and faith in our relationship,” Reikofski said. ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

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Resources abound at wedding expo Marriage-equality milestones in 2012 Wedding planning is a stressful, oftenchaotic undertaking for all couples — regardless of sexual orientation — but this weekend, same-sex couples can pick up valuable tips to make the lead-up to their big day as smooth as possible. The sixth annual Gay and Lesbian Wedding Expo will run from 12:30-3:30 p.m. March 3 at Homewood Suites by Hilton, 110 Pheasant Run in Newtown. The event is organized by Rainbow Wedding Network, which stages about 30 such expos nationwide each year. The expo will feature more than 25 vendors — DJs, photographers and videographers, wedding planners, travel services, fertility clinics and many others that all want to attract LGBT clientele. “We’re a one-stop show,” said Rainbow Wedding Network co-founder Cindy Sproul. “You can come in and find everything you need for your wedding.” Sproul said most bridal or wedding fairs often aren’t inclusive of same-sex couples. “A lot of the couples we’ve seen say they have been to these other fairs and have gotten questions like, ‘Are you sisters? Which of you is planning a wedding?’ In our show, you come in and our exhibitors say things like, ‘Congratulations! When’s your date?

What can we do to help you?’ There’s a level of acceptance but also our vendors are really excited for them as a couple.” The event will also feature the opportunity for education, with presentations by out attorney Angela Giampolo and Equality Pennsylvania president Adrian Shanker. Sproul noted attendance at Rainbow Wedding Network expos is often higher in states like Pennsylvania that offer no relationship recognition for same-sex couples. “Where marriage equality is not yet legal, couples are still a little nervous about picking up the Yellow Pages and calling a photographer or DJ. So they often come to us to make sure they find gay-friendly professionals.” Sproul expects about 300 guests at this weekend’s fair. She said the response from attendees in past years has been inspiring. “Couples have left in tears because they’re so excited to meet so many people who are so happy for them,” she said. “Sometimes same-sex couples don’t always get that acknowledgment from their families, but they walk into this show and everybody’s congratulating them. It’s amazing to see all that support.” The event is free but a $5 donation is suggested. For more information or to pre-register, visit samelovesamerights.com. ■

The national landscape for marriage equality shifted by leaps and bounds in 2012. The year saw major milestones in the ﬁght for legal recognition for same-sex couples, as well as a handful of low points. Overall, however, 2012 proved to be one of the most historic years ever in the marriage-equality movement.

DEC. NOV. OCT. SEP. AUG. JULY JUNE MAY APR. MAR. FEB. JAN.

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

Jan. 3

Drewry Fennell and Lisa Goodman become the ﬁrst same-sex couple to receive a civil union in Delaware

Feb. 7

California appeals court rules Prop. 8 unconstitutional Feb. 16-17 New Jersey legislature approves marriage equality for the ﬁrst time, and Gov. Chris Christie vetoes

March 13 State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-12th Dist.) drops a bill to ban same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania’s constitution from consideration in the House State Government Committee; it later dies in committee.

May 8 May 9

North Carolina voters approve Amendment One, banning same-sex marriag President Obama announces he is in favor of marriage equality

June 9

The Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee approves a resolution endorsing marriage equality at its summer meeting in Valley Forge

July 7

Former Congressman Barney Frank and Jim Ready wed in Massachusetts

Aug. 1

Conservatives flock to Chick-fil-A for an Appreciation Day to show support the founder of the chain, who was under fire for his opposition to same-sex marriage; two days later, Philly LGBTs protest with a kiss-in

Sept. 4

The Democratic Party becomes ﬁrst major party to approve a marriage-equality platform at the Democratic National Convention

Nov. 6 Nov. 6

Dec. 7

Marriage equality wins at the polls for the ﬁrst time ever in Maryland, Washington and Maine; voters in Minnesota defeat an antigay marriage amendment Obama becomes the ﬁrst president ever to be elected on a pro-marriage equality platform U.S. Supreme Court announces that it will consider cases challenging the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8

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Marriage equality in the legislatures in 2013 By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com Marriage equality is slowly sweeping the states with victories — with Illinois inching closer to becoming the 10th state to make same-sex marriage legal. But, Illinois is not the only state taking steps to provide equal marriage rights to all its citizens. Minnesota, Oregon, Hawaii and Delaware are hoping to follow in the footsteps of the three states whose voters legalized same-sex marriage during the November election. New Jersey is also making strides to override Gov. Chris Christie’s veto of a marriage-equality bill. This Valentine’s Day brought excitement for LGBT and ally citizens in Illinois, as the state Senate approved same-sex marriage legislation in a 34-21 vote, two years after the state legalized civil unions. Although the measure was expected to struggle in the House, the House Executive Committee approved it Feb. 26 in a 6-5 vote. The bill will next move to the full House and, if approved, on to Gov. Pat Quinn, who has pledged to sign it. On Wednesday, Minnesota lawmakers introduced a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in that state, along with a Republican cosponsor, Sen. Branden Peterson, who said he plans to add language to the measure that would emphasize that religious organizations have the freedom to refuse to perform same-sex unions. Voters in Minnesota last fall defeated an effort to amend the state

constitution to ban same-sex marriage. Delaware is also slowly gearing up to make marriage equality a reality in the traditionally blue state. According to Equality Delaware president Lisa Goodman, the organization is currently building a new coalition to support marriage equality. “We engaged in this type of effort two years ago with the civil-union bill and we are pleased to say we are building a larger and more robust coalition around marriage,” she said. Last week, Equality Delaware announced marriage-equality endorsements from Delaware State AFL-CIO, the Delaware Building and Construction Trades Council and Delaware Public Employees Council 81-AFSCME. Goodman said with the addition of the three labor organizations, she is hopeful that more organizations will sign on to the coalition. “We feel that the momentum is in favor of adopting marriage equality later in session,” she said. “A bill will be coming.” Goodman noted that Gov. Jack Markell even hinted at marriage equality in his inaugural speech. New Jersey saw disappointment in 2012 when the legislature passed a marriageequality bill that Christie ultimately vetoed. Lawmakers, who passed the bill in the Senate with a 24-16 vote and the Assembly with a 42-33 vote, will have until January 2014 to PAGE 19 override the veto.

Marriage equality in the courts in 2013 By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The next few months could prove to be the most history-making ever in the marriage-equality movement. On March 26 and 27, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in challenges to California’s Proposition 8, a voter referendum that overturned the state’s marriage-equality law, and to the Defense of Marriage Act, which prevents federal recognition of same-sex marriage. There is a range of possible outcomes for both cases, and many LGBT pundits are predicting a mixed bag. The most sweeping pro-LGBT possibility is that the court will declare a constitutional right to marriage for same-sex couples, which is part of the argument of the Prop. 8 case, Hollingsworth v. Perry. “If that happens, every state has to rec-

ognize same-sex marriage,” said Mazzoni Center legal director David Rosenblum. The odds of that happening, however, Rosenblum predicted, are “very slim.” “You have to look at what the court’s done in the past, and they like to sort of let states be, the word they use is the ‘laboratory.’ So we’re at nine states now with marriage equality and we’ll have more soon, but I don’t know if it’s enough yet to tip scales to have the court actually proactively require that. But they might go longshot on us and I hope I’m proven wrong. The Supreme Court has done this before, like with interracial marriage where some states said it was legal and others didn’t, and the Supreme Court said, ‘Of course you can get married.’ But when that happened, most people in the country were on board with that. Even though they’re not supposed to be watching the cultural tides, they often do, and I don’t know if they’re going to be that PAGE 19

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

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progressive and ahead of the states.” Marriage could be restored to California if the Supreme Court finds that the Prop. 8 backers that are serving as defendants do not have standing, which would allow the lower court’s and appeals court’s rulings invalidating Prop. 8 stand. Or, if the court finds the defendants do have standing, it could rule narrowly on whether California violated its residents’ rights with Prop. 8. In the DOMA case, Windsor v. United States, the court could strike down the federal ban on same-sex marriage. That decision wouldn’t mandate marriage equality across the nation but rather could enable same-sex married couples to receive the federal rights and benefits afforded to heterosexual married couples. “I think there’s a strong possibility that the court will say that the federal government needs to recognize whatever a state says; that those states that have marriage equality will give you all the federal rights that are connected to marriage,” Rosenblum said. Such a ruling, however, would lead to

a host of new questions, such as would residents who live in states without relationships recognition, like Pennsylvania, be eligible for federal benefits if they get legally married in a state like New York, which has marriage equality. “The gigantic question is will they look at where marriage was celebrated or will they defer to where you’re a resident,” Rosenblum said. “It’s not clear what they’re going to do.” If the court strikes down DOMA and reaffirms states’ rights on marriage equality, Rosenblum said he expects a flurry of state-court filings. “At Mazzoni Center, we’re looking at creative ways of challenging our state law, regardless of what happens with the Supreme Court. We don’t expect we’re going to get a ruling that everyone can get married everywhere, so without that, I think we’ll have to have a state-by-state attack like we did with the sodomy laws. But right now I think everyone’s doing the wait-and-see for what the Supreme Court says and after that, I think there will be a lot of activity on the state-court level.” ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

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According to out Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D), the prime sponsor of the legislation, the bill will need the support of 12 new Republicans in the Assembly and three in the Senate to override the veto. Gusciora said he believes the issue of same-sex marriage should be posed to voters, as it was in the November election for Maryland, Maine and Washington. He has introduced legislation to authorize that process, should the veto override not be successful. There is also a pending state-court challenge against New Jersey’s civil-union law. “You never know what the state court is going to do, but there is no guarantee that anything will be done anytime soon,” he said. “I think that when the time is right to have that public discourse, we will vote to approve marriage equality.” Oregon is also gearing up for a marriage-equality fight. Oregon United for Marriage submitted 2,000 sponsorship signatures to the Secretary of State Elections office Feb. 19, twice the number needed to get the

issue onto the November 2014 ballot. Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber and former Gov. Barbara Roberts were among the signatories. In December, a Public Policy Poll found that more than 54 percent of voters were in favor of marriage equality and 40 percent were opposed. Hawaii may also have to wait until 2014 for marriage equality. The Feb.12 deadline for the Hawaii legislature to schedule a hearing on the marriage-equality bill passed without action. But Hawaii United for Marriage said their work was not over. “We commit today to expanding the conversation, strengthening our coalition and uniting the people of Hawaii behind the vision that all families — gay or straight — should receive equal treatment under the law. We look forward to continuing our mission to ensure passage of the bill,” the organization said in a statement. Currently Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Iowa, Massachusetts, New H a m p s h i r e , N ew Yo r k , Ve r m o n t , Washington and Washington, D.C., are the only jurisdictions to allow same-sex marriage. ■

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one of many employees who had to be dismissed due to an “adverse economy.” “[LSI] had been laying off thousands of employees for the six to seven years [prior to Stacy’s dismissal], requiring them to make a ‘fresh start’ somewhere,” the brief states. Stacy, however, contends that a lesser-skilled LSI employee replaced her after her dismissal. But the brief states the employee only performed some of her duties temporarily — before the duties were transferred to workers in China. “[The other employee] merely performed some of Stacy’s remaining duties in addition to his own product-engineer duties, after Stacy’s layoff.” The brief also notes that LSI continued to employ Stacy — and paid her well — for about three years after she transitioned to the opposite gender. The brief states that LSI assessed the skills of Stacy and two coworkers, and Stacy scored lowest — allegedly due to her inability to help LSI move in a new direction. “Her [past] performance wasn’t a factor in LSI’s decision to lay her off,” the brief states. Instead, the assessment was “based on skills required for [LSI] to move forward,” according to the brief. “Although Stacy may feel that she was more valuable to the organization and/or was a better performer than [coworkers], the fact remains that her skills were assessed as less valuable than [coworkers’] skills, given the needs of the organization moving forward.” The company denies that the assessment was conducted after Stacy’s dismissal. It also denies that the assessment was a ruse to cover up unlawful discrimina-

tion, as Stacy alleges. Additionally, the company downplays Stacy’s contributions to LSI over the years. “Her personal evaluation of her own performance and qualifications, and her prior performance evaluation, are irrelevant,” the brief states. Stacy maintains she was dismissed after the company removed “gender identity” as a protected category in its workplace-antibias policy. But LSI’s brief notes that its current antibias policy forbids all forms of unlawful discrimination. “Her argument that she was terminated after her ‘gender identity’ protection was removed from the policy simply has no credence,” it states. Stacy also contends that two superiors made statements indicating that her dismissal was due to her gender transition. But the brief disputes the content of the alleged statements and refers to them as “stray remarks” �� that had nothing to do with Stacy’s dismissal. Stacy’s attorneys have seven days to reply to LSI’s brief. Then a three-judge panel will rule on the matter after possibly holding oral arguments. Stacy is seeking an unspecified amount in compensatory and punitive damages, according to court records. On Feb. 27, Stacy’s attorneys sent a letter to the court requesting 30 minutes to present oral arguments in the case. Stacy “believes oral argument will assist the panel in reaching a determination by clarifying the facts in the record and the legal issues that must be resolved,” the letter states. A response to the letter wasn’t issued, at press time. Neither side had a comment for this story. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

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community deserve protection.” Ferlo, who led the measure for the past several sessions, said it remains a relevant piece of legislation. “I think we have to continue to be strenuous advocates for this piece of legislation because it is very critically needed,” he said. Ferlo said he thinks the bill has a chance to pass in the Senate. “I think if there is any hope, it will be in the state Senate because of the greater number of Democratic leaders. We also hope to reach out to Republican colleagues,” he said. “We need to continue to work among colleagues and have confidence for Republicans to be sympathetic to the bill, at least in the Senate.” Ferlo’s measure was introduced with 13 cosponsors, compared to last session’s 11. Ferlo encouraged individuals to press their lawmakers to sign on. “The problem is we do not have a lot of information out there,” Ferlo said. “We need to unite and work for this. Folks who want to communicate with their representatives should do so with phone calls, letters, setting up meetings, etc.” Cosponsors for Ferlo’s bill include Sens. LeAnna Washington (D-Fourth Dist.), James Brewster (D-45th Dist.), Rob Teplitz (D-15th Dist.), Lawrence Farnese (D-First Dist.), Anthony Williams (D-Eighth Dist.), Shirley Kitchen (D-Third Dist.), Christine Tartaglione (DSecond Dist.), Judith Schwank (D-11th Dist.), Jay Costa (D-43rd Dist.), Daylin Leach (D-17th Dist.), Wayne Fontana (D-42nd Dist.), Vincent Hughes (D-Seventh Dist.) and Patrick Browne (R-16th Dist.). Cosponsors for Boyle’s bill include Reps. Kevin Boyle (D-172 Dist.), Adam Ravenstahl (D-20th Dist.), Don Costa (D-21st Dist.), Mike Fleck (R-81st Dist.), Tina M. Davis (D-141st Dist.), Michelle Brownlee (D-195th Dist.), Vanessa Brown (D-190th Dist.), William Kortz (D38th Dist.), Michael O’Brien (D175th Dist.), Michael Schlossberg (D-132nd Dist.), Louise Bishop (D-192nd Dist.), Scott Conklin (D77th Dist.), Michael Sturla (D-96th Dist.), Dan Frankel (D-23rd Dist.), Steven Santarsiero (D-31st Dist.), Cherelle Parker (D-200th Dist.), Maria Donatucci (D-185th Dist.), Mark Cohen (D-202nd Dist.), Mike Carroll (D-118th Dist.), Curtis Thomas (D-181st Dist.), Mark Rozzi (D-126th Dist.), Stephen Kinsey (D-201st Dist.), Rosita Youngblood (D-198th Dist.), Mark Painter (D146th Dist.), Robert Freeman (D136th Dist.), Stephen McCarter (D-154th Dist.), Matthew Bradford (D-70th Dist.) and Thomas Murt (R-152nd Dist.). ■

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ACTORS NICHOLAS JACOB (LEFT) AND MICHAEL ALONI IN “OUT IN THE DARK”

Debut film highlights LGBT struggles in troubled region By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com A gripping gay romantic drama will make its Philadelphia debut as part of the 17th annual Israeli Film Festival, March 2-17. “Out in the Dark,” the debut film written by Michael Mayer and Yael Shafrir and directed by Mayer, follows the troubled love affair between two men on opposite sides of the Mid-East conflict. Nimr is a struggling Palestinian student with a student visa that allows him to take classes in Tel Aviv, as well as take

in the city’s gay nightlife away from the rampant homophobia and antigay violence where he lives. Roy is a successful Israeli lawyer who harbors a growing discomfort with the work he does as part of the family business. Both struggle to keep their relationship together amid tense family ties, political tensions and their own personal demons, as well as the harsh realities they face in both communities. Mayer, who was born and raised in Israel and has lived in Los Angeles for the past 18 years, said both he and Shafrir were inspired to write the

film because of the stories they heard about the struggles of gay and lesbian Palestinians. “A friend of mine was living in Israel a few years back and told me he was volunteering at a gay and lesbian center in Tel Aviv. And one of the things that the center does is give support to gay Palestinians who are hiding in Israel illegally. That blew me away,” he said. “Even as an Israeli, I never knew about that. I never knew that was going on. The BBC estimated that at any given time there are over 300 gay Palestinians who are hiding in Israel illegally. And

I thought there is a story and a movie there. I went back to Israel to do some research and I met people from the gay community in Israel and Palestine and talked to people at the gay and lesbian center in Tel Aviv and the Open House in Jerusalem and got to know the communities inside and out. I met people who were hiding here and met people who had partners that were hiding here and people who were helping people get out. Basically that’s how the script came about.” Mayer said the main characters in the film, much like the PAGE 24

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LGBT activists he has spoken to, aren’t striving to be overtly political, but their personal interests dictate that they get involved in some form. “What’s interesting to me is—and the U.S. is the same way—you have people who are political activists with a political agenda,” he said. “There are people who are extreme left-wing. Israelis who go and demonstrate for Palestinian rights. The people at the gay and lesbian center in Tel Aviv aren’t necessarily people who have a political agenda. They work at the gay and lesbian center. They aren’t political activists, but because they are in a place and position where they need to help these people, they step up and do something that can be viewed as a very political action. That’s what really drew me to this particular story. Both Roy and Nimr are not political animals: Roy, he has led a good life, and Nimr, because he’s looking outside, he wants to get out. So they both feel that they float above and away from the political reality of the conflict. But when that conflict enters your bedroom or when the political becomes the personal, then people are going to get up and act. I felt it was moving to think of gay men and women from both sides of the fence collaborating and helping each other, not out of a political agenda but out of a shared experience of being a minority in their own communities. Palestine is still not considered a state, which creates the gray area of legal rights for its people when it comes to traveling, crossing the border and even getting

DIRECTOR AND CO-WRITER MICHAEL MAYER CONSULTS WITH ACTOR MICHAEL ALONI ON THE SET OF “OUT IN THE DARK” refugee status in certain areas.” Roy and Nimr’s relationship is just as complicated as the social and political climates of the area in which they live. And without giving away too much of the plot, whether or not the two have a happy ending is up to interpretation, as the film’s end is ambiguous at best — but still satisfying. Mayer said the ending of the film means different things to people depending on their culture.

“When we were cutting the film in Los Angeles, we were testing it with a group of friends and the general reaction was that it was a really depressing ending. The producer was testing it with Israeli audiences, and their reaction was that it was a happy ending. People react to the ending based on culture in a lot of ways. In every Q&A, audiences ask about the ending. It was written that way and that’s how we felt. Politically, even though Yael leans more to

the right and I lean more to the left, we both are pretty pessimistic when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We don’t see a resolution to this, not in the near future. But at the same time, as we were discussing stuff, we felt that we did have hope. We do feel that even though we are not seeing a bright future right now, we are not hopeless. I feel that we both wanted to parlay that into the script.” Whether people think the ending is grim or uplifting, so far the film has been garnering acclaim on the festival circuit and won the title of Best Picture at the 2012 Haifa International Film Festival. “It’s been amazing,” Mayer said of the response the film has generated. “We premiered in Toronto. Every festival that we have been to has been sold-out or close to selling out. I’m interested to see how the movie is received in Israel. The reaction in Hamburg has been amazing. We sold the movie for theatrical release in the U.K., France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Spain, Brazil, Taiwan, Eastern Europe and Canada, so the movie has performed beyond my expectations.” ■ “Out in the Dark” is screened as part of the Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia, 7 p.m. March 10 at Bryn Mawr Film Institute, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr. The film will premier in theaters in July. For more information on the film and the festival, visit www.iffphila.com or www. m-appeal.com/M-Appeal.com/our_films/ Pages/OUT_IN_THE_DARK.html.

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Spring is just around the corner. You badgirlsclub.brownpapertickets.com. And wouldn’t know it with the weather we’ve when you get there, ask Mimi how old she is ... if you dare! been having lately, but beautiful days are on their way. Qventures at the Flower Show I can tell because my inner gay clock is It’s time for the Philadelphia Flower pointing to so many signs of spring. The Show, and the gang from Qventures is days are getting a little bit longer, crocuses are trying their damnedest to bloom, making a night of it. Meet up with them but most of all I can tell spring is coming for pre-show cocktails at 6:30 p.m. March because the Oscars are over. 5 at Smokin’ Betty’s, 116 S. 11th St. Then For the first time in more than 20 years, at 7:15 p.m., they’ll all head over to the we didn’t throw our annual Oscar party Flower Show at the Convention Center, this year because I was out of town, but I 12th and Arch streets. If you’re running had a great time watching the late, don’t worry; just meet broadcast while chatting online them at the Center near the with friends. ticket booth at 7:30. I think it was one of the best The theme of the Flower Oscars in a long time. The new Show this year is “Brilliant!” a celebration of Great Britain. host was funny, the winners were well-deserving and, for the Tickets to the show are $32 each, and can be purchased most part, it was not the same online at www.theflowershow. old faces you see winning every com. year — and they even found a way to work Michelle Obama into it. But for me the biggest Our Night Out reason this Oscar night rocked is Treat yourself to a weeknight out from 6-8 p.m. March because I didn’t have to stay up Jim Kiley- 11 at R2L, on the 37th floor until 2 a.m. cleaning the damn house afterwards! Two Liberty Place, 50 S. Zufelt of 16th St. Enjoy the amazing Vixens & Vagabonds panoramic views of the city and the tasty appetizers and drinks of R2L Join those sexy beasts from Liberty City while networking with the fine folks of Kings at 8 p.m. March 2 at Tabu, 200 S. ONO. 12th St. The Notorious OMG handles the MC duties as the Kings present their new Miss Richfield 1981 show, “Murder Ze Wrote.” Cover charge is Catch Miss Richfield 1981 for the $10 in drag or kink gear, $12 if not, with Philadelphia premiere of her new show, all proceeds benefiting SisterSpace of the “Sweet & Sour Miss Richfield — Made in Delaware Valley. China,” at 8 p.m. March 14, 15 and 16 at the Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. Eighth Gryphons Party St. Catch up with Philly’s gay rugby team 9 If you only know her from her Orbitz p.m. March 2 at U Bar, 1220 Locust St. It’s commercials on Logo, then you owe it their first Saturday social after Boot Camp to yourself to see her in all her glory. Be and their first few practices. Come check out all the fresh meat as well as the hot vet- prepared for anything — including songs, erans from last season. video shorts and lots of audience participation. Mimi’s Bad Girl Birthday Bash And remember, sometimes Miss The biggest, baddest birthday party of Richfield 1981 can be found after performances relaxing and hiding from stalkthe year starts 10 p.m. March 2 at Voyeur ers at Tavern on Camac, but don’t tell her Nightclub, 1221 St. James St. It’s Mimi Imfurst’s birthday and she’s celebrating the I told you. The restraining order she has against me hasn’t expired yet. ■ only way she knows how — by inviting a bunch of hot bitches to celebrate with her! Questions, comments, rants or raves Don’t miss special guests Shangela (oh about the Oscars? Contact Jim at my God!), Raven (OK, I’m totally gagbarcrawlr@gmail.com or follow him on ging!), Morgan McMichaels, Delta Work, Facebook for links to back articles and Phi Phi O’Hara, Tatianna, Mystique and totally bitchin’ music videos! Jiggly Caliente. Get your tickets online at

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

First out ‘Biggest Loser’ contestant talks losses and gains By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com In its past 14 seasons, “The Biggest Loser” generated hundreds of inspiring weight-loss stories among contestants — and countless transformations among viewers — who represented nearly every facet of life. But, despite the show being home to at least one out trainer, it had yet to tell the story of an openly LGBT person’s weight-loss journey — until recently. Jackson Carter, 21, is among the last five contestants standing this season on the popular NBC weight-loss show — and its first out LGBT contestant since the program’s 2004 launch. The Utah resident was upfront about his sexuality from the beginning, referencing growing up gay in his intro video on the first episode in January, and rarely being filmed without his signature rainbow bracelet. While he’s been labeled as the “gay contestant,” Carter said in an interview with PGN last week that his sexual orientation was not much of a factor in his childhood weight gain; rather, he turned to food to cope with being bullied for other reasons. “There’s a misconception that every gay kid is bullied, but I was bullied for being overweight and for being only one of two or three white kids in a Native-American school,” he said. “The other kids were really mean to us and threw rocks at us, called us horrible names. I just didn’t understand what made me so different and why I was so hated for something I couldn’t control. My parents were so supportive but they didn’t really know how to handle it either. My mom would take me to the movies when I was upset and we’d get movie candy and that’s how I’d make myself feel better. Laughter and food made the sadness and pain go away and that’s when I started to emotionally eat.” He came out at 14 and said he was wellaccepted in his art school and by his family. He also got involved with the Ogden OUTreach Resource Center, where he now serves as a youth mentor. “I had an awesome support system and ended up having a really good coming-out experience. I wish everyone could have as good an experience as I did,” Carter said. It was in part his work with the young people at the resource center that led him to try out for “Loser.” “I really want to be a role model for these kids and want them to know that if there’s something they’re not happy with in their lives, they can change it and become whoever they want to be,” he said. “I saw ‘Biggest Loser’ as an opportunity to show them that.” Achieving that transformation, however, has been no easy task. In his first workout on the “Loser” ranch in California, Carter collapsed —

and continued to vomit during many of his early training sessions. “The first workout is still sort of a blur,” he said. “I got on the treadmill and was put with Jillian [Michaels], and she’s very intense and scary. These are people who had not worked out in years and she worked us out as if we’d been on the ranch for months. Within six minutes, the room started going blurry, my limbs got numb and — what I’ve pieced together from the footage — I blacked out while I was still walking on the treadmill. I was basically unconscious but still walking because I

was afraid Jillian would yell at me!” He joked that when he came to, he saw a paramedic who he “thought was green” before he passed out again. But he eventually got his workouts under control. The contestants would typically spend four-to-six hours — and sometimes up to eight — in the gym per day. The trainers — Michaels, Bob Harper and Dolvett Quince — would work with them for about three hours, and the rest of the time the contestants were on their own to follow their exercise regimens. “If I had to choose a trainer, I’d choose Dolvett hands-down,” Carter said. “He is so motivating and he knows me inside and out. I don’t know how, but it’s like he knows me better than I know myself. But if I had to pick one to hang out with for a night on the town, it’d be Bob. He cracks me up.”

Carter said the trainers and his fellow contestants were fine with his LGBT identity — an identity he ultimately realized he felt ostracized from because of his weight. “I considered my sexuality a nonissue; I was not the gay contestant but just a contestant, and the trainers and all the contestants were cool about that too. It was never a problem,” he said. “But there were things I didn’t realize I was still struggling with. Being overweight in the gay community is very tough. You’re supposed to fit this uniform as a gay man and if you don’t, you get marginalized, even in our own community. I didn’t fit that uniform because I was overweight. I felt like I was being a ‘bad gay man.’ But Dolvett helped me with that. One of the first things he said to me when I met him was, ‘Do you have a boyfriend?’ and I said no, and he said, ‘Do you want one?’ and I said yes. And he said, ‘OK, we’re going to work on that.’ He was really cool about it.” Carter’s openness about his sexuality on the show has had a surprising resonance with viewers, he said. “I didn’t realize what a big impact it was going to make. I’ve gotten people all over the world who’ve reached out to say that watching me be open on the show has made them more comfortable with

their own sexuality, or I had a woman email me and say that her daughter just came out and she was struggling because she was afraid for her, but seeing that I was doing so well and so well-adjusted and accepting of my own sexuality made her see that it didn’t need to be a problem. I didn’t realize it would be such a big deal, but I’m so happy I was out on the show and that people are using that for good.” In terms of his own takeaway from the “Biggest Loser” experience, Carter said he feels more empowered to pursue his goals. He had been planning on pursuing a career as a theater teacher, but said the show made him fall in love with television production and he now plans to attend film school. “I always struggled with allowing myself to be successful; I just never thought I was good enough or what I wanted to do was worth doing. I see now that anything I want to do is possible. I’m capable of doing so much more than I ever expected I’d be able to do — not just the physical transformation, but any school I want to go to or any job I want, I believe I can have those things. It just took ‘Biggest Loser’ to point that out to me.” ■ “Biggest Loser” airs 8 p.m. Mondays on NBC.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

TELEVISION PGN

Worth Watching A FABULOUS FRIDAY: Set up camp on your couch for a marathon evening of hilarity featuring the misadventures of Edina Monsoon (Jennifer Saunders) and Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley) when Logo airs a huge helping of outrageous British comedy with “Absolutely Fabulous,” 7-11 p.m. March 1 on Logo. Photo: BBC

TRUMPED UP: Donald Trump returns with the first-ever “All-Star Celebrity Apprentice” featuring 14 memorable business-savvy celebrity contestants who return for a second chance to raise money and awareness for their charity of choice, 9 p.m. March 3 on NBC. Photo: NBC/Adam Olszewski

THE BRAD-UATE: Continuing to step out from under Rachel Zoe’s shadow, out stylist Brad Goreski is back in action with the second season of his reality series “It’s a Brad, Brad World,” where he and his assistants try to make their mark in the fashion world, 10 p.m. March 6 on Bravo. Photo: Bravo/Mike Rosenthal

HOUSES OF STYLE: “The Rachel Zoe Project” is back for a new season with the titular stylist and designer expanding her empire to include a womenswear collection of clothing and accessories, a celebritystyling department, a digital-media team and a blow-dry salon. Watch all the action 9 p.m. March 6 on Bravo. Photo: Bravo/Justin Coit

PORTRAIT PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

Suzi Nash

Michael Busza: Not just one of the guys “Go forth and set the world on fire.” — St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits With his red hair and passionate nature, that quote aptly fits Temple University student Michael C. Busza. A communications and English major, Busca is the first recipient of the school’s Marc David LGBTQ Scholarship and is the writer and director of Temple’s new web student series, “One of the Guys”. PGN: Tell me about Michael Busza. MB: I was born in Springfield, Pa., but I went to school at St. Joe’s Prep at 17th and Girard, so I’ve always been familiar with the city. I have two younger brothers, Brennan and Jordan — good Irish names — and a large extended family. We’re very close-knit, lots of big family gatherings. I’m going home tonight, in fact. PGN: What do the parents do? MB: My dad is a math teacher and my mom majored in graphic design and marketing. They’re total opposite ends of the spectrum. She’s the director of advertising for a big lumber company and before that she was the managing editor of a magazine. PGN: So I’d guess you get the creative side from your mother, though math can be creative. MB: Oh, no. My dad’s a saint, I love him ... but the creative side is definitely from my mother. Growing up, she was a big proponent of “Here’s the box. Now step outside of it.” She was a big idea person. She was the one who instilled a love of the arts from a very young age. We’d go into Philly all the time for various cultural adventures. PGN: Do you remember the first play you ever saw? MB: Oh gosh. I think it was “The Chronicles of Narnia.” PGN: What traits do you think you did get from your dad? MB: I’d say my determination and my love of books. My dad is an avid reader, and I’m a big bookworm. PGN: What things did you do as a kid? MB: I did a lot of theater. I did Upper Darby Summer Stage, the community theater that Tina Fey talks about in her book “Bossy Pants.” She changed the names for the book but a lot of the people she talks about are people I worked with! I did that from age 12 until I was 18. I was in the traveling troupe that went to Disney World to perform, and I’m still in touch with some of my friends from there. I also enjoyed family vacations. We’d always do something that incorporated an edu-

cational component. We’d go to Colonial Williamsburg or go to Busch Gardens but stop at all the historical sights along the way. We went to D.C. and did all the Smithsonian museums. I loved that; I’m a real museum junkie. I remember going to see Van Gogh here at the Art Museum when I was in fourth grade. In fact, I’m excited right now because my best friend, the girl I took to prom, is coming down from Yale for our spring break so we can see the Prohibition exhibit at the Constitution Center. PGN: Play any sports? MB: Yes, I played everything. I’ve been this tall since eighth grade so I was a center in basketball. I played lacrosse, soccer, baseball, everything but football — our mom didn’t want us getting that roughand-tumble. Though I racked up a slew of jammed fingers and broken bones even in the “non-contact” sports I played. But God created this pale boy to be in a library and that is where I’ll stay. When I got to St. Joe’s, I did more academics. I was the editor of the school paper and the yearbook, that sort of thing. But I’ll always love sports and I’ll always root for the Birds. I can’t wait for Chip Kelly to get us a Super Bowl ring. PGN: What was your favorite show as a kid? MB: I was really into “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” though I was just a little too old for them. I kind of got into them late, after the fad was over, so my poor mother had to really search to find TMNT action figures and paraphernalia. Somehow she always managed to find stuff. I also loved Bugs Bunny, still do. I want to get a Bugs Bunny tattoo. But the show that had the most impact was “Will and Grace.” I first saw it in sixth grade and it was monumental. I attribute a lot of my development to that show. I went to a private, all-male, Catholic high school and to be able to sit on my mom’s bed and laugh at a show that was all about LGBT culture and featured a prominent, respectable, dignified primary character who was multidimensional was important. He was onscreen proving and living a life that I didn’t even know was out there. The world needs more Will Trumans. As a filmmaker, I remember the impact we can make. PGN: What was your first inkling that you were gay? MB: In sixth grade I won a scholarship to go to this all-male private school, St. Aloysius Academy. I’d been in public school since fifth grade, where you never changed for gym. I remember my first time in the locker room at Aloysius thinking, hmm, something’s weird here. I’m not sure what’s going on but I’m feeling some

different feelings. From there on, it was a slow process of figuring it out. It took me a long time to accept it for myself and it wasn’t until I was a junior in high school that I came out to my parents. They were very supportive right from the start. My dad is like Kurt Hummel’s dad on “Glee.” Total straight guy but behind me 100 percent. PGN: Religion? MB: I’m a very spiritual person and I’m proud of that. I’m no longer Catholic but I’m still figuring it out. It was really hard to reconcile my Catholicism with my homosexuality. I was mad at the Prep for a while; I felt cloistered by my faith and the school, not realizing that there were a lot of supportive faculty members and staff that I didn’t even know about. I didn’t find out until after the fact. They’ve even started an LGBT initiative and when I went back recently, they couldn’t have been prouder of my Marc David scholarship. And now I realize how much a Jesuit education has

PGN: You’re a resident assistant and you’ve been a camp counselor. What’s the best horror story? MB: There aren’t any real horror stories, but I took my residents to see “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the William Way Center. At first they were like, “What is it? Is it like Rocky Balboa?” But then they looked it up online and really got into getting all the costumes and props. They were like, “This is so cool!” We had an awesome time. PGN: Tell me about the web series. MB: Yes! “One of the Guys” is a sitcom about three gay friends and their laidback straight roommate. Our tagline is “One of these things is not like the others.” It’s Temple’s first full-length web series (so you can watch it at home in your pajamas). It’s been in the back of my head for a while because it’s a story that resonates in my life and one that I think a lot of people can relate to. The relationships between gay men and their heterosexual counterparts are changing as society changes and public opinion about homosexuality changes. They’re thriving and strong and comforting and complex and we don’t see them portrayed much in the media. The relationships you see in the show are loosely based on my real friends ... my straight best friend, my 16-yearold younger brother, friends from school. It annoys me that on TV the only relationships that you see are gay friends or the “Will and Grace” pairings; as much as I liked that show, there are hundreds of different types of relationships out there.

PGN: Who’s in the cast? MB: I have seven main cast members. Six of the seven cast members are Temple students and two of them did Upper Darby summer theater with me Photo: Suzi Nash contributed to the way I think and the so I’ve known them since way I see the world on a spiritual level I was 16. But I still made and how much we are connected. I now them audition. It’s great to work with feel comfortable being a spiritual man and people you vibe with on a personal and a renaissance thinker and also gay. a professional level. It translates onto the screen: The love that you see between PGN: How’s college life? the friends is genuine, on-screen and off. MB: College life is great! I’m in my junior And the guy who plays the straight guy year and I’m livin’ it and lovin’ it. I’ve is straight in real life, and he hangs out never been happier or more at peace and with us on the weekends so the dynamyet passionate, excited and driven at the ics are real. We have a lot of fun on- and same time. off-set! PAGE 30

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

PORTRAIT from page 29

PGN: Since it’s loosely based on real life, do you cringe at certain parts? MB: Well, there was a scene in episode three where — oh, I hate to give anything away, spoiler alert! — the straight guy accidentally wrecks one of the gay guy’s dates because he’s oblivious to what’s going on. After the date goes home, the straight guy realizes what happened and he says something like, “I’m sorry, I cock-blocked cock.” Knowing that my 12-year-old brother and mother are going to watch, it is a little disconcerting but I don’t really mind. It showed that the guys genuinely cared about each other; they just didn’t necessarily share the same lingo. It’s what the show is about. And that’s what this business is about. You might be sharing something personal or private or even embarrassing, but you have a pedestal. It can be a selfless, humbling experience to open yourself up but it’s worth it. I mean my mom watches the show and there are parts that might embarrass me, but at the end of the day, there might be a closeted 13-year-old who’s looking for some piece of hope and some piece of a life they don’t know about who is touched or educated by what they see. For me, that overrules any embarrassment I might have. The Jesuits talked about the human connection, and the thought that I could reach out through my art

PROFILE PGN

and touch another human being is awesome. [As we’re talking, an Adele songs comes on in the background.] MB:I love Adele! I saw her at the Electric Factory. It was her 21st birthday and she put on an amazing show and then my mom went with me to see her at the TLA. She’d just gotten her first Grammy nomination. PGN: What is your mission statement? MB: I was just thinking about it the other night when I was writing a grant application for the show. I was putting in all sorts of data, key demographics, budget, synopsis, etc., and I started to put in a mission statement when I realized that I don’t have one. And I’m not scared of that because I know what I stand for. I’m a storyteller, which is why I ended up in films. I want to know people’s stories, what motivates people, what drives their decisions, what makes you get out of bed in the morning, or what keeps you up to the wee hours of the morning. I want to explore all these things. PGN: What’s the Marc David LGBT Scholarship Award? MB: Temple got an anonymous donation of $5,000 to create the scholarship, which is their first LGBT scholarship. It’s for LGBT advocacy and leadership. I was really excited when I heard I was chosen.

I ran outside and called my mom and she was so excited, she started crying! For me, I think just the fact that my school had an LGBT scholarship for me to win was empowering and inspiring. It meant that I have a voice and a message and that I matter. And that Temple recognized me and the way I live my life and, as Sally Fields said, that people really like me. PGN: First car? MB: My first and only car. I had an old ’98 Ford Taurus, which my dad got me the week I found out that I was a recipient of the Coca-Cola scholarship. It was a big, prestigious honor and I named her — the car, not the scholarship — Norma Jean Baker because she was sandy-tan and a blonde bombshell. Every time “Candle in the Wind” would come on, I’d blast the stereo. PGN: My fashion inspiration is ... MB: Nonexistent! I’m the shabbiest person around. The male Lena Dunham. I’m a thriftstore kind of guy. The residents call me Grandpa Mike sometimes because I’ll be sitting there in my cardigan reading the paper and sipping coffee. PGN: What celebrity would you want to do a love scene with? MB: Dan Savage. He’s got such a brilliant mind, I’d just like to sit with him and snuggle and pick his brain. Or Hugh Jackman, he’s not too bad either.

PGN: Are you in a relationship? MB: Nope, I’m a single lady and loving it. PGN: I am most at peace when ... MB: When I’m on set. When you’re directing you need to be 100-percent focused. Everything else just drips away. You talk about transcending, well, it’s more like inscending. It doesn’t matter what else is happening in my life, on set I’m totally in the moment. People are relying on me to tell the story. PGN: In another life I was probably ... MB: A poet and beatnik, a free spirit. I love poetry and I’ve always felt a connection to Walt Whitman and for years had a supernerdy crush on Alan Ginsberg. PGN: When do you sleep? MB: Ha! People have been asking that a lot recently. I don’t really sleep. The way I see it, when I’m 80, I’m not going to look back and say, “Gee, I wish I would have slept more.” Sleep is for quitters! I just run ... I run on coffee and adrenaline and passion, and I am tired a lot and perhaps it’s not always the best thing — my mom yells at me for it — but I’m really happy with what I’m doing. It is what it is. ■ Check out “One of the Guys” at www. oneoftheguystv.com. To suggest a community member for “Family Portrait,” write to portraits05@aol.com.

PGN FUN & GAMES

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

1812 visits the 1930s in latest production

Q Puzzle The butler did it! Across

1. “Les Miz” list 5. Two of a kind 9. Jane of the cloth 14. “Desert of the Heart” novelist Jane 15. Craig Claiborne’s gumbo pod 16. Weather conditions 17. Thames college 18. Life partner 19. Does damage to 20. Brit period drama created by Julian Fellowes 23. Clark of fashion 24. Shakespeare’s verse 28. Try to avoid a tag-out 32. Moliere’s motive 33. The Crimson Tide’s st. 36. Handles roughly 38. Liquid that’s shot off 39. Actor who portrays 57-Across 43. Rubik of cube fame 44. It tops a queen 45. Dr. of the rap world 46. Places for fans 49. Make changes to 51. Top angels 53. What a Greek sleeper catches?

57. Deliciously evil under butler of 20Across 61. Reagon of the Big Lovely band 64. Dog in “The Thin Man” 65. Spongy earth 66. Out in front 67. Offend the nose 68. Court doings 69. Black pussy cats, e.g. 70. Strip in the locker room 71. “Maude” producer Norman

Down

1. Belief summary for Troy Perry 2. They’re driven 3. Hits the brakes 4. Amelie Mauresmo’s game 5. Game played astride the wellhung 6. Similar in nature 7. La Douce role of Shirley 8. Steven Greenberg, for one 9. Diagram 10. Broadway circular 11. Earhart’s milieu 12. “I’m thinking ...” 13. Hi-___ graphics 21. Tony Orlando backup singer Hopkins 22. Stonewall Inn,

DAVID HOWEY (FROM LEFT), MAUREEN TORSNEY-WEIR AND BRIAN MCCANN IN “TO FOOL THE EYE” Photo: Mark Garvin

By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com for one 25. “Let me repeat ...” 26. Not the first recording 27. Catch in a trap 29. “___ Spartacus!” 30. Threesome minus one 31. Commercial bovine 33. Geometry calculations 34. Peter on the screen

35. Mammy Yokum’s carrier lad 56. Say four-letter words 37. Bait and switch, for one 58. Where to find 40. “Coming Out” Moby Dick author Katz 59. From A to B, to Debussy 41. Vein filler 42. “The Great 60. Overdo it at South Beach Caruso” star Mario 61. Eastern univer47. Sap suckers sal 48. “The L Word” 62. Bit of resistance network on the circuit 50. For skin 52. On the ball 63. Get a load of 54. Brief moment 55. Primary blood SOLUTION ON PAGE 34

Philadelphia Gay News

The stage company, 1812 Productions is taking the period-piece route for its latest comedy, “To Fool The Eye,” which runs through March 3 at Drexel’s Mandell Theater. An adaptation of Jean Anouilh’s 1939 romantic comedy, “Amanda,” “Eye” revolves around the efforts of an eccentric duchess to freeze in time the moment when her nephew found the great love of his life, Léocadia, only to lose her to an untimely death. “It’s about love and loss and trying to hold onto the past,” out cast member Brian McCann said. “The young prince had a three-day courtship with a woman who dies at the end of the courtship. So he continually tries to relive those three days over and over again with the help of his very eccentric and wealthy aunt. She’s trying to keep him happy. It sounds like an odd thing for a comedy but it is absolutely beautiful.” The scene plays out for years until a young girl named Amanda enters the picture. The poor hatmaker is a perfect doppelganger for the lost Léocadia, but the ruse begins to unravel as Amanda and the nephew continue to interact. McCann, who plays the butler, said that his character is tasked with organizing all of the pertinent details in the orchestration, as would be

expected in that era. “He runs the whole thing,” McCann said. “He is responsible for anything — hiring the people to reenact the three days. His aunt is so rich that she moves the hotel and the restaurant, ice-cream carts and taxi cab that the prince and his lover encountered in those three days, and moves them into her estate so he can relive those memories at home. The butler is making sure those things operate smoothly. He’s the classic ‘Downtown Abbey’-type butler. He’s very put together.” The cast had just completed the previews before the official opening of “To Fool The Eye” at presstime, and McCann said they spent those early runs of the show tweaking the comedic elements of the story. “Comedy is a different beast than drama,” he said. “It’s very mathematical and precise. We’ve been changing things that aren’t working. So for the last five previews we’ve been changing things slightly, cutting things that weren’t working and adding things that we thought would work. I think we’ve gotten to a place where we are all very pleased.” ■ 1812 Productions presents “To Fool the Eye” through March 3 at Mandell Theater, 3201 Chestnut St. For more information or tickets, call 215-592-9560 or visit www.1812productions.org.

We love to get picked up.

PUZZLE

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

PGN

Food & Drink

“The ﬁnest of dining experiences”

515 Rt. 38 Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 856-662-3838 www.steak38cafe.com

PGN BOOKS & DVDS

Best-Sellers Information is courtesy of Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-9232960; www.queerbooks.com. Tenpercent off most hardcover in-store sales. Men’s books 1. “The Uncensored Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde, edited by Nicholas Frankel (Belknap, $12.95 pb). This volume restores material, including instances of graphic homosexual content, removed by the novel’s first editor. 2. “Where You Are,” a novel by J.H. Trumble (Kensington, $15 pb; $9.39 Kobo eBook). Robert’s math teacher, Andrew McNelis, watches his best student floundering, concerned but wary of crossing the line between professional and personal. 3. “7 Miles a Second” by David Wojnarowicz, drawn by James Romberger, with colors by Marguerite Van Cook (Fantagraphics, $19.99 pb). The graphic novel depicts Wojnarowicz’s childhood of prostitution and drugs on the streets of Manhattan, through his adulthood living with AIDS and his anger at the indifference of government and health agencies. 4. “Looking for the Gulf Motel” by Richard Blanco (U. of Pittsburgh, $15.95 pb). The third book of poetry by the gay poet who spoke at the presidential inauguration in January. The inaugural poem is due out March 1. 5. “The Testament of Mary” by Colm Tóibon (Scribner, $19.99 hb, less 10 percent in the store; $7.99 ebook). A solitary older woman seeks to understand the events that others understand as divine. 6. “Directions to the Beach of the Dead” by Richard Blanco (U. of Arizona, $15.95 pb). His second book of lyric poetry. 7. “Can You Feel What I’m Saying? An Erotic Anthology” by James Earl Hardy (IAJ, $17.95 pb). Hardy serves up seven scandalous tales, including “How Stanley Got His Back in Groove,” about a 40year-old “born-again” virgin falling in lust with his 20-year-old former student. 8. “Best Gay Erotica 2013,” edited by Richard Labonté (Cleis, $15.95 pb). From gay superheroes to not-soinnocent farmhands, burly bears and fuzzy cubs, “Best Gay Erotica 2013” makes a nice and slow one-handed read.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

Women’s and trans books 1. “My Beloved World” by Sonia Sotomayor (Knopf, $27.95 hb, less 10 percent in the store; $12.99 ebook). Autobiography of the first Hispanic and third woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court. 2. “Coal to Diamonds: A Memoir” by Beth Ditto (Spiegel & Grau, $15 pb; $10.99 ebook). A raw and surprisingly beautiful coming-of-age memoir, “Coal to Diamonds” tells the story of Mary Beth Ditto, a girl from rural Arkansas who found her voice. 3. “Sister Spit: Writing, Rants and Reminiscence from the Road,” edited by Michelle Tea (City Lights, $16.95 pb; $10.59 ebook). “This riotous collage edited by a Sister Spit cofounder celebrates the acclaimed underground lesbian-feminist roadshow. Poetry, art, stories and snippets of self-reflection from the collective’s rotating membership honor this cultural institution in its signature provocative fashion.” — Ms. Magazine 4. “A Queer and Pleasant Danger: The true story of a nice Jewish boy who joins the Church of Scientology and leaves 12 years later to become the lovely lady she is today” by Kate Bornstein (Beacon, $24.95 hb, less 10 percent in the store; $16.09 ebook; $16 pb due May 7). “Breathless, passionate and deeply honest, ‘A Queer and Pleasant Danger’ is a wonderful book. Read it and learn.” — Samuel R. Delany, author of “Dhalgren” 5. “Lesbian Sex: 101 Lovemaking Positions” by Jude Schell (Celestial Arts, $16.99 pb; $9.99 ebook). Explores the possibilities of every erogenous zone. 6. “Best Lesbian Erotica 2013,” edited by Kathleen Warnock and Jewelle Gomez (Cleis, $15.95 pb; $10.69 ebook). About the trembling pleasure of anticipation as much as the moment when sex actually happens. 7. “A Thousand Mornings,” poetry by Mary Oliver (Penguin Press, $24.95 hb, less 10 percent in the store; $11.99 ebook). Mornings with the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver. 8. “Silhouette of a Sparrow” by Molly Beth Griffin (Milkweed, $16.95 hb, less 10 percent in the store; $10.59 ebook; $8 pb due Aug. 13). A young-adult story about a search for wildness in a confining time and a simultaneous quest for security in an era full of unrest. It is the tale of a young woman’s discovery of the science of risk and the art of rebellion—and, of course, the power of unexpected love. Men’s DVDs 1. “Sexual Tension: Volatile,” directed by Marco Berger and

Marcelo Mónaco (2012, 100 min., $19.99). Shorts in which sex links each story. They offer voyeuristic pleasures as the camera caresses the men’s bodies, but also turn a sharp eye to the mysterious, taboo and electrifying nature of male intimacy. 2. “Bad Boy Street,” directed by Todd Verow (2012, 80 min., $19.99). Two men embark on an unconventional romance in Verow’s sexy Parisian-set drama. 3. “Keep the Lights On,” directed by Ira Sachs (102 min., $29.95). Chronicles an emotionally and sexually charged journey of two men in New York City through love, friendship and addiction. 4. “The Men Next Door,” directed by Rob Williams (2012, 84 min., $24.95). Falling in love with the boy next door? That’s a dream come true. Falling in love with his father, too? That’s just awkward. 5. “Absent,” directed by Marco Berger (2011, 85 min., $19.99). Knowingly, even aggressively sexual, 6-year-old Martin locks his seductive sights on Sebastian, his recently engaged, 30-something swimming instructor. 6. “Elliot Loves,” directed by Terracino (2012, 92 min., $19.99). As Elliot’s heart is repeatedly broken in the present, the film flashes back to situations in the past that fueled his need for a dependable partner. “Elliot Loves” delivers a consistent optimism that stays true to the characters and a refreshingly lighthearted touch. 7. “The Skinny,” directed by PatrikIan Polk (2011, $24.95). A sharply scripted comedy about a group of four young black gay men and their lesbian best friend. From the director of “Punks” and “Noah’s Arc.” 8. “Private Romeo,” directed by Alan Brown (2011, 98 min., $24.95). Set in a modern-day military school, this smash hit is a gay adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet.” Women’s and trans DVDs 1. “Sexing the Transman XXX, Volume 2,” directed by Buck Angel ($20). This docu-porn sensation consists of interviews and graphic sex. 2. “Circumstance,” directed by Maryam Keshavarz (2011, 107 min., $24.95). Two teenage girls navigate the wild Iranian underground scene. 3. “The Lovers & Friends Show, Season 4,” directed by Charmain Johnson (2011, 167 min., $19.95). Six minority lesbians navigate their way through life’s challenges with attitude and a fabulous sense of style. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 03/01 Beyond the Score: Shostakovich 5 The Philadelphia Orchestra performs 7 p.m. at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800. Brandy The R&B singer performs 9 p.m. at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011. The Mist The horror film is screened 9:45 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

Sat. 03/02 ABBA The Concert

The ABBA tribute band performs 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650. The Eels The rock band performs 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Erykah Badu The R&B singer performs 8:30 p.m. at Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800745-3000. Gryphons Party The rugby club hosts its monthly social 9 p.m. at U Bar, 1220 Locust St.; 215-5466660.

Mimi’s Birthday With the Bad Girls Celebrate Mimi Imfurst’s birthday with Shangela, Raven, Morgan, Delta, Phi Phi, Tatianna, Mystique and Jiggly, 10 p.m. at Voyeur, 1221 St. James St.; 215735-5772.

Sun. 03/03 Gay & Lesbian Wedding Expo Rainbow Wedding Network’s fifth annual Bucks County Gay & Lesbian Wedding Expo runs 12:30-3:30 p.m. at Homewood Suites by HiltonNewtown, 110 Pheasant Run; www.SameLove SameRights.com. Charley Varrick The 1973 crime caper film is screened 2 p.m. at

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS PGN

Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223. The House I Live In The documentary about the war on drugs is screened 4:30 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223. Ed Kowalczyk The rock singer and frontman for Live performs 7:30 p.m. at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5858.

Mon. 03/04 Free Quizzo & Board Game Night Roll the dice, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.

Pitch Perfect The comedy film is screened 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888. Lipstick Mondays A weekly drag show featuring a changing roster of queens takes the stage 9 p.m. at The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 215-8622081.

WAR STORIES: Out author, scholar and women’s-studies pioneer Lillian Faderman hosts a reading of her latest book, “My Mother’s Wars,” 7:30 p.m. March 7 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St. For more information or tickets, call 215-6865322.

Tue. 03/05 It’s A Family Affair R&B Jaguar Wright performs with other R&B artists 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Wed. 03/06 4W5 Blues Jam Local musicians get down, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500

N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.

Thu. 03/07 Lillian Faderman The critically acclaimed scholar of lesbian literature and history hosts a reading at 7:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-686-5322.

Machine Gun Kelly The rapper performs 8 p.m. at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011. Bob and Barbara’s Drag Show The outrageousness begins 11 p.m. at Bob and Barbara’s, 1509 South St.; 215545-4511.

Fri. 03/08 Black 47 The Irish rock band performs 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Deftones The hard-rock band performs 8 p.m. at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-343-4000.

Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Out & About Listings, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 fax: 215-925-6437; or e-mail: listings@epgn.com. Notices cannot be taken over the phone. PAGE 31

RETURN OF THE QUEENS: In “Mimi’s Birthday with the Bad Girls,” drag queen Mimi Imfurst celebrates her birthday with a number of “Drag Race” alums including Shangela, Raven and Morgan, 10 p.m. March 2 at Voyeur, 1221 St. James St. For more information, call 215-735-5772.

Philadelphia Gay News

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

colonial art from the Roberta and Richard Huber Collection, through May 19, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. The Mind’s Eye: 50 Years of Photography by Jerry Uelsmann The James A. Michener Art Museum hosts an exhibition of iconic photographs from the famed photographer, through April 28, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-340-9800. Ronaldus Shamask: Form, Fashion, Reflection Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of drawings and sketches by the fashion designer, through March 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Closing

THE INDIGO BOYS: The Blue Man Group returns for an evening of dazzling sights and sounds March 5-10 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-790-5800.

Opening Beethoven’s “Eroica” The Philadelphia Orchestra performs March 8-10 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Blue Man Group The performance art troupe hits town March 5-10 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them Theatre Confetti presents a timely play about adolescence, homosexuality and abandonment, March 7-24 at The Old City Power Plant Basement, 233 N. Bread St.; 215-592-8775. Great and Mighty Things Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of outsider art from the Jill and Sheldon Bonovitz Collection, March 3-June 9, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. John Oliver The comedian seen on ”The Daily Show” performs March 8-9 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215496-9001. A Midsummer Night’s Dream The Pennsylvania Ballet performs Shakespeare’s comedy classic March 717 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. ReEntry The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents a docudrama about the lives of Marines getting ready for and returning from deployment, March 8-9 at Harold Prince Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.

Continuing Cooking with the Calamari Sisters The all-singing, all-dancing, all-cooking hit musical comedy, through May 19 at Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. Eighth St.; 215-9230210. Cy Twombly: Sculptures Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works from the Swiss sculptor, through March, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Double Portrait Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works from designer Paula Scher and illustrator Seymour Chwast, through April 14, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Everyone and I Azuka Theatre presents the story about a man and his love for the music of Billie Holiday, through April 7, 1636 Sansom St.; 215-563-1100. The Female Gaze: Women Artists Making Their World Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts presents more than 150 works from the Linda Lee Alter Collection of Art by women, through April 7, 128 N. Broad St.; www. pafa.org. Forever Plaid Media Theater presents the story of The Plaids, a classic 1950s all-male singing group that returns from the Great Beyond to perform the show they never got to when they were alive, through March 31, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100. Journeys to New Worlds Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of Spanish and Portuguese

Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband Walnut Street Theatre presents the story of romance and scandal, through March 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. Parsons Dance The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the celebrated dance company through March 2 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900. Priscilla Queen of the Desert The story of drag queens journeying through the desert in a bus through March 3 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.

WHERE’S ALL MY SOUL SISTERS?: Neo-soul singer Erykah Badu is back in town to get people grooving 8:30 p.m. March 2 at Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St. For more information or tickets, call 800-745-3000.

To Fool the Eye 1812 Productions presents a romantic comedy about a poor hatmaker drawn into the world of an eccentric duchess, through March 3 at Drexel’s Mandell Theater, 33rd and Chestnut streets; 215-895-2787. Todd Glass The out comedian performs through March 2 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. ■

CLASSIFIEDS PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

Classifieds Real Estate Sale

Real Estate Sale

Open Houses - Sunday March 3, 2013

12:00-2:00 PM 424 S.11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 Totally renovated 4BR/2.5BA home nestled in the Washington Sq West. $865,000 Search all Philadelphia area listings @ www.phillyrealestateagents.com Dan Tobey

1401 Walnut St. • 8th Floor • Philadelphia, PA 19102

215.546.2700 Business • 267.238.1061 Direct 215.432.7151 Cell • 215.558.1063 Fax dtobey@cbpref.com • www.cbpref.com

Real Estate Sale

Services

BEAUTIFUL ADIRONDACK CABIN 5 Acres w/ Camp: $29,900 Nicely wooded Setting. Locations include: NY’s Southern Tier Adirondacks, Salmon River Region, Tug Hill Snow Country. Call for details: 1-800-229-7843. Christmas & Associates. ________________________________________37-09

EXP RELIABLE HOUSECLEANER Let me free up your valuable time by cleaning your house or apt. Weekly biweekly monthly. I have 10+ years exp. FREE estimates. Call Wayne 215-422-2654. Ref’s upon request. ________________________________________37-09 EARN COLLEGE DEGREE ONLINE *Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV Certified. Call 888-220-3984. www.CenturaOnline.com ________________________________________37-09 AIRLINE CAREERS Begin here-Become an Aviation Maintenance Tech. FAA approved training. Financial aid if qualified-Housing available. Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 888-834-9715 ________________________________________37-09 CAN YOU DIG IT? Heavy Equipment Operator Training! 3Wk Hands On Program. Bulldozers, Backhoes, Excavators. Lifetime Job Placement Asst. w/National Certs. VA Benefits Eligible866-362-6497. ________________________________________37-09 MEDICAL-BILLING-TRAINEES NEEDED! Train to become a Medical Office Assistant. NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Online training gets you Job ready ASAP. HS Diploma/GED & PC/Internet needed! 1-888926-7882. ________________________________________37-09

Real Estate Rent 12TH & DICKINSON AREA Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms, bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (negotiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. ________________________________________37-11 36XX BARING ST. 2 BR 2 sty apt., Conv. to pub trans, U of P, LR/DR, EIK, CT bath, A/C, W/D. No smoking bldg. 1 yr lease. $1500/mo incl. heat. Photos avail. Contact ljbmanagement@live.com _____________________________________________37-09 34XX HAMILTON ST. Excep. 2 BR apt. First time avail. Lg sunken LR, large deck, galley kit, DR, A/C, cer. tile bath. Entire ﬂoor, 1000 sq ft. $1650/mo inc. heat & hot water. 1 yr. lease. Non smoking bldg. Photos avail. Contact ljbmanagement@live.com _____________________________________________37-09 PASSYUNK SQUARE VICINITY 1 BR, $1200/mo, all utilities & basic cable incl. Close to shops, trans. & entertainment. Call Frank Jacovini, 215-755-6700. _____________________________________________37-11

711 Lawn Ave. Sellersville, PA 18960





Lease opportunity! Prime location for your medical ofﬁce in Sellersville, PA near Grand View Hospital. Close proximity to other medical providers. Excellent location for medical, pharmaceutical or related ofﬁce use. Separate entrance. Space renovated in 2010--new carpeting and paint throughout premises. Lower-level space in 2-story building. Approximately 2,500 SF. Onsite parking at no additional cost. Gross lease including taxes and utilities--the very best deal in the area. $2500/month. First month rent and security deposit.

MLS # 6042319

Call Listing Agent. 215-628-2021 Virginia Scarano, REALTOR 215-641-2422 (direct) Prudential Fox and Roach 215-628-2021 (cell) The Karen Sandler Team

www.virginiascarano.com

Independently Owned and Operated Member of the Prudential Real Estate Afﬁliates, Inc.

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

  

 



   

    

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

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

Help Wanted

Travel & Resorts

For Sale

Private club looking for promoter with following. Call John at 267-252-4924. Great opportunity! ________________________________________37-09 Salon assistant wanted in Old City. Full or part time. Experience helpful but not necessary. Call 215-627-6337. ________________________________________37-09 GORDON TRUCKING, INC. CDL-A Drivers Needed! Up to $3,000 SIGN ON BONUS. Refrigerated Fleet & Great Miles. Pay Incentive & Beneﬁts! Recruiters available 7 days/wk! EOE. TeamGTI. com 866-554-7856. ________________________________________37-09 Exp. Reefer Drivers: GREAT PAY /Freight lanes from Presque Isle, ME, Boston-Lehigh, PA. 800-277-0212 or primeinc.com ________________________________________37-09 Drivers-CDL-A $5,000 SIGN-ON BONUS For exp’d solo OTR drivers & O/O’s. Tuition reimbursement also available! New Student Pay & Lease Program. USA TRUCK 877-521-5775 www.GoUSATruck.com ________________________________________37-09 TEAM WITH TOTAL $.50 /Mile For Hazmat Teams. Solo Drivers Also Needed! 1 yr. exp. req’d. 800-942-2104 Ext. 7308 or 7307 www. TotalMS.com ________________________________________37-09 HIRING EXPERIENCED/INEXPERIENCED TANKER DRIVERS! Earn up to $.51 perMile! New Fleet Volvo Tractors! 1 Year OTR Exp. Req.-Tanker Training Available. Call Today: 877-882-6537 www.OakleyTransport.com ________________________________________37-09 WANTED: LIFE AGENTS Earn $500 a Day, Great Agent Beneﬁts. Commissions Paid Daily. Liberal Underwriting. Leads, Leads, Leads, LIFE INSURANCE, LICENSE REQUIRED. Call 1-888713-6020. ________________________________________37-09

Driver- $0.01 increase per mile after 6 and 12 months. $.03/mile quarterly bonus. Daily or Weekly pay. CDL-A, 3 months current exp. 800-414-9569 www.driveknight.com Help Wanted Sales ________________________________________37-09 DIESEL/TRUCK TECHNICIAN Successful trucking company seeking experienced heavyduty diesel/truck technicians for York and Wilkes-Barre, PA terminals. Excellent opportunity to work for a solid company in a clean, modern facility repairing and maintaining newer equipment. Minimum 3-years experience with Class-8 trucks and trailers. CDL a plus. Own tools required. Excellent compensation and benefits package including full medical, 401k and pension. Annual tool allowance and uniforms provided. Nate: 800-901-2204x6138 www.aduiepyle.com ________________________________________37-09 Owner Operators: $3,000 Sign-On Bonus. Excellent Rates & Paid FSC. Home Daily. 80% Drop & Hook. Great Fuel & Tire Discounts. L/P available. CDL-A with 1 year tractortrailer experience required. 888-703-3889 or apply online at www.comtrak.com ________________________________________37-09 AVERITT OFFERS CDL-A DRIVERS A Strong, Stable, Profitable Career. Experienced Drivers and Recent Grads- Excellent Benefits, Weekly Hometime. Paid training. 888-362-8608 AverittCareers.com Equal Opportunity Employer ________________________________________37-09

OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800638-2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com ________________________________________37-09

SAWMILLS From only $3997.00- MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1800-578-1363 Ext.300N. ________________________________________37-09

Legal Notice

Adoption Are you pregnant? A happily married couple seeks to adopt. Will be hands-on mom and devoted dad. Financial security. Expenses paid. Christa & Paul. 1-800-936-1631. ________________________________________37-09

Placing Classiﬁeds Liner Ads

In Person: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, By Phone or on the Web: 24 Hours, 7 Days

Deadline for Line Advertising is Friday at 3 p.m. for the following Friday’s issue. You may place your ad via our secure voicemail system, fax or e-mail at any time, or on our Web site. Please have the following information ready to place your ad:

YOUR AD COPY • YOUR NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER • CREDIT CARD INFORMATION

PHONE: 215-625-8501 ext. 200 OR 215-451-6182 (DIRECT) • FAX: 215-925-6437 • E-MAIL: don@epgn.com

GENERAL INFORMATION

All classified advertising must be in our office by 3 p.m. Friday for the next Friday’s paper. Ads arriving after that time will be held for the next available issue. PGN reserves the right to edit or rewrite ads as needed, to refuse any ad for any reason and to determine the final classification. Ads determined to be in bad taste, directed to or from persons under the legal age of consent or containing racially or sexually discriminatory language will be refused. We need your full name, mailing address and daytime phone number on the insertion order form for you ad. This information is confidential and will not appear in the paper. Any ads received without full information will be destroyed. Sexually explicit language will be edited or refused at the discretion of the management.

PAYMENT AND PLACEMENT

Classified ads may be placed online or by mail, fax, e-mail or in person at the PGN offices at 505 S. Fourth St., Phila. Phone, fax and e-mail orders are accepted with credit/debit cards only. A $10 minimum applies to all charges. If you are paying in person with cash, please have the exact change as we cannot make change at the office. All ads must be prepaid for their entire run. NO EXCEPTIONS! DO NOT SEND CASH THROUGH THE MAIL; IT’S NOT SAFE AND CANNOT BE GUARANTEED.

TERM DISCOUNTS - BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ISSUES PREPAID 4 weeks, 5% • 8 weeks, 10% • 16 weeks, 15% • 26 weeks, 20%

CANCELLATION POLICY

All PGN Classified ads are cancelable and refundable except for “FRIENDS” ads. Deadline for cancellation is 3 p.m. Friday. The balance will be credited to your credit/debit card. Checks take two weeks to process. The date of the first issue the ad appeared in, along with the classification, your name, address and daytime phone number is required to cancel your ad.

City of Philadelphia Public Hearing Notice

The Committee on Labor and Civil Service of the Council of the City of Philadelphia will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at 2:00 PM, in Room 400, City Hall, to hear testimony on the following item: 120956 An Ordinance amending various titles of The Philadelphia Code to increase the equality of treatment of all persons in the City of Philadelphia regardless of gender identity by expanding and modifying the definition of “Life Partnership” and “Life Partner”; further providing for protections, rights, benefits, and responsibilities of Life Partners; authorizing a tax credit as an incentive to provide health care benefits to Life Partners; providing for gender neutrality in certain City forms; and making conforming changes; all under certain terms and conditions. Immediately following the public hearing, a meeting of the Committee on Labor and Civil Service, open to the public, will be held to consider the action to be taken on the above listed item. Copies of the foregoing items are available in the Office of the Chief Clerk of the Council, Room 402, City Hall. Michael Decker Chief Clerk

City of Philadelphia Public Hearing Notice

The Committee on Rules of the Council of the City of Philadelphia will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at 10:00 AM, in Room 400, City Hall, to hear testimony on the following items: 120821 An Ordinance continuing the Roxborough District (“District”), a neighborhood improvement district, beyond its termination date in an area that generally includes both sides of Ridge Avenue from Main Street to 7220 Ridge Avenue and certain blocks of streets that intersect that portion of Ridge Avenue; continuing the designation of the Roxborough Development Corporation, a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, as the Neighborhood Improvement District Management Association for the District; approving a plan for the District, including a list of proposed improvements and their estimated cost, and providing for assessment fees to be levied on property owners within the District; authorizing the Director of Commerce, on behalf of the City, to execute an agreement with the Roxborough Development Corporation relating to the District; and authorizing the Roxborough Development Corporation to assess property owners within the District a special property assessment fee to be used in accordance with the approved plan; all in accordance with the provisions of the Community and Economic Improvement Act, and under certain terms and conditions. 130060 An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Belmont Avenue, Monument Avenue, Ford Road, and Edgley Avenue (extended) and by amending §14-404 of the Zoning Code entitled SP-INS, Institutional (Special Purpose) District, by amending §14-404(3) regarding Area Regulations, exclusively with regard to the area bounded by Belmont Avenue, Monument Avenue, Ford Road and Edgley Avenue (extended), all under certain terms and conditions. 130080 An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Mifflin Street, Broad Street, Mckean Street and 15th Street. Immediately following the public hearing, a meeting of the Committee on Rules, open to the public , will be held to consider the action to be taken on the above listed items. Copies of the foregoing items are available in the Office of the Chief Clerk of the Council, Room 402, City Hall. Michael Decker Chief Clerk

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

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Men Delco Dudes A men’s social and support group meets 7-9 p.m. the ﬁrst Wednesday of the month at Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Road in Media; delco. dudes@uucdc.org. Gay Married Men’s Association Meets 8 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays at the William Way Center; www.gammaphilly.com. Men of All Colors Together Meets 7:30 p.m. the third Friday of the month, September through June, at the William Way Center; 610-277-6595; www.MACTPhila.org. Men’s Coming Out Group, N.J. Meets 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at The Pride Center of New Jersey; njwarrior@aol.com. Men of Color United A discussion/support group for gay and bisexual men of color meets 6-8 p.m. every Wednesday at 112 N. Broad St., third ﬂoor; 215-496-0330. Men of Standard Provides a place for gay men of color 21 and older to share issues of concern. Meets 7-9 p.m. Thursdays at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; 856-963-2432. Philly Dads An association of gay and bisexual fathers supporting each other meets 7:30 p.m. the fourth Friday of the month at the William Way Center; 215-668-5239.

Parents/Families Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Bucks County Meets 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at Penns Park United Methodist Church, 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park; 215-3489976. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Chester County Meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at the Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester, 501 S. High St.; 484354-2448. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/ Collingswood, N.J. Meets 6:30-9 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month at the Collingswood Public Library, 771 Haddon Ave.; 609-202-4622; pflagcollingswood@yahoo.com. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Media Meets 7 p.m. the second tuesday of every month at the Unitarian Universal Church, 145 Rose Tree Rd.; 610-368-2121. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Philadelphia Meets 2-5 p.m. the third Sunday of the month at the LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 3907 Spruce St.; 215-572-1833. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Princeton, N.J. Meets 7:30 p.m. the second Monday of the month in the George Thomas Room at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St.; 609-683-5155.

for LGBT families offers play groups, monthly kids and teen talk groups, activities and outings. Planning meetings held monthly; 215-6002864; www.phillyfamilypride.org.

Trans Evolutions A drop-in support group for anyone on the transgender spectrum meets 6 p.m. Thursdays at 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652 ext. 235. Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine Primary health care and specialized transgender services in a safe, professional, nonjudgmental environment, 809 Locust St.; 215563-0658. T-MAN People of color support group for transmen, FTMs, butches, studs, aggressives, bois, genderqueer and all female-born individuals with gender questions meets 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays, second floor, 1201 Locust St.; 215-834-9063; tmanphilly.com. Transhealth Programming Committee Meets 5 p.m.the second and last Sundays of the month at the William Way Center. Transhealth Information Project Sponsors a weekly drop-in center from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays at 21 S. 12th St., 10th floor; 215-568-2221. Transgender Health Action Coalition Peer trans health-advocacy organization; 215-732-1207; www. critpath.org/thac. 1201 Locust street 4th floor. WeXist FTM support group meets 7-9 p.m. the second and fourth Friday of the month at the William Way Center; first hour is open, second hour is for people assigned female at birth who have gender issues; 267-250-1548. Young, Trans and Unified Support group for transgender and questioning individuals ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center; 215-545-4331.

Women Hanging Out With Lesbians A group in Central Pennsylvania that organizes activities such as concerts, camping, golf, picnics, hikes, plays and game nights in nonsmoking environments; http://groups.yahoo. com/group/howlofpa/. Lesbian Community of Delaware Valley Social group meets monthly for activities for gay women of all ages in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties; http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/LCDV/. Lesbian Couples Dining Group of Montgomery County Meets monthly; 215-542-2899. Mt. Airy Lesbian Social Club For lesbians in the Philadelphia area ages 35-plus; www.meetup.com/ mtairylesbiansocial/. Queer Connections Social group for women in their 20s meets weekly; http://groups.yahoo. com/group/queerconnections/.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Wilmington, Del. Meets 7-9 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 W. 13th St.; 302-654-2995.

Sistah 2 Sistah A social/support group for lesbians of color, ages 13-24, with weekly social events, open discusson and monthly movie/discussions, 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, 112 N. Broad St., third ﬂoor; 215-496-0330.

Philadelphia Family Pride Advocacy, support and social network

Women Coming Out Support Group Women who consider themselves gay,

lesbian, bisexual or questioning and are at any stage of the coming-out process are welcome. Ages 18 and over. Meets 7:30 p.m. ﬁrst Tuesday and third Thursday of the month at the Pride Center of NJ.

Youth 40 Acres of Change Discussion group for teen and young adults meets 6-8 p.m. Thursdays at The COLOURS Organization Inc., 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; 215496-0330. GLBT Group of Hunterdon County Social and support groups for youth, teens and young adults, as well as parents and family members, meets at North County Branch Library, 65 Halstead St. in Clinton, N.J. Schedule at www.glbtofhunterdoncountyofnj. com; 908-300-1058. HAVEN For GLBT, intersex, questioning, queer and allied youth ages 14-20; meets 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley, 424 Center St., Bethlehem; 610-868-2153. HiTOPS A safe-space support program for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, meets 2:30-4:30 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays at 21 Wiggins St., Princeton, N.J. Call Connie at 609683-5155 (day); hitops.org. Main Line Youth Alliance Meets from 7-9:30 p.m. Fridays at 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; 610688-1861; info@myaonline.org. Mountain Meadow For youth with GLBTQ parents. Monthly programs for ages 8-16, family programs and parent coffee groups. Residential program offered in August, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-7721107. PRYSM Youth Center For youth ages 14-20. Meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. at center, 126 East Baltimore Pike, Media; 610-3579948. Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center For ages 14-21; meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. Social X Change Social activity group for LGBT youth of color ages 13-23 meets 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays at 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; 215-496-0330. Space to be Proud, Open, and Together Open to all LGBTQ queer youth and allies, ages 14-21, the SPOT meets Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Planned Parenthood of Chester County’s West Chester office, 8 S. Wayne St.; 610692-1770. Young, Trans and Unified A support group for transgender and questioning youth ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center. You’re Not Alone A group for gay, lesbian and bisexual youth that meets during the school year; sponsored by AIDS Delaware, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 315, Wilmington. Call 800-810-6776 for more details. Youth Making a Difference For GLBTQ African-American and Latino youth ages 14-24. Meets 5-7 p.m. every Tuesday at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St.; 856-9632432.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

Community Bulletin Board Community centers

■ The Attic Youth Center: For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-8 p.m. MondayFriday; case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-Friday. See the Youth section for more events. 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331. ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St., 215-898-5044; center@dolphin.upenn.edu. Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday.

and Allies Youth Center: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org

■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center: 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220; www.waygay.org. Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday Library hours: 12-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 12-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Friday; 126 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning

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

Key numbers

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

■ Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK

■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851

■ Mayor’s Director of LGBT Affairs: Gloria Casarez, 215-6862194; Gloria.Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: 215-686-2555

■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 ■ The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 112 N. Broad St., third floor; 215-496-0330 ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; www.mazzonicenter.org. Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBTLAW; legalservices@mazzonicenter. org ■ Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658 ■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833

Health

AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 1711 South Broad Street; 215-629-2300. www.asiac.org. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St. 215851-1822 or 866-222-3871. www.galaei.org. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays 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 and confidential HIV testing

■ Greater Philadelphia Professional Network Networking group for area business professionals, self-employed and business owners meets monthly in a different location throughout the city, invites speakers on various topics, partners with other nonprofits and maintains a Web site where everyone is invited to sign up for email notices for activities and events; www.gppn.org.

■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Stephen Johnson: 215-683-2840 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-760-3686; ppd. lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: 215-686-4670

Anonymous, free, conﬁdential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 3439 N. Hutchinson St.; 215-763-8870 ext. 6000.

■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia GALLOP holds board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; GALLOP also provides a free referral service; (215) 6279090; www.galloplaw.org.

■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: 215-772-2000

available by appointment at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Ofﬁce Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-5869077.

Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth ﬂoor; 215-563-0652. www.mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronic-disease management, including comprehensive HIV care, 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday except for noon-1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m., and 1-5 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

Professional groups ■ Independence Business Alliance Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, providing networking, business development, marketing, educational and advocacy opportunities for LGBT and LGBT-friendly businesses and professionals. Visit www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com for information about events, programs and membership; 215-557-0190; 1717 Arch St., Suite 3370. ■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association The Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and

students, meets for social and networking events; www.nlgjaphiladelphia.org. ■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus A regional organization dedicated to promoting gay and lesbian tourism to the Greater Philadelphia region holds meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; P.O. Box 58143, Philadelphia, PA 19102; www.philadelphiagaytourism.com. ■ Philly OutGoing Professionals Social group for gay, lesbian and bisexual professionals meets for social and cultural activities, 856857-9283; popnews19@yahoo. com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 1-7, 2013

PGN

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