pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976
Vol. 41 No. 9
Family Portrait: J. Nathan Bazzel has a gender-bending style PAGE 19
March 3-9, 2017
Philly’s black trans community explores history PAGE 5
HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
Morris recordings aren’t agency records, says DA
“Schlep”ping through Purim with the sisters
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Witnesses positively ID suspect in trans robberies, murder By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Witnesses positively identified a suspect at a rescheduled court hearing Wednesday in a case involving robberies of transgender women. Miayanna Brooks, Aly Damian and Saleem Singleton identified Matthew White as the suspect who allegedly robbed them on Jan. 8, while Vivian Royster testified about White allegedly robbing her and murdering her boyfriend, Barry Jones, the following night. The three roommates FEELING LUCKY: Action Wellness and Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar headed south for the winter at the Feb. 23 Glamsino Royale. The Carnaval-themed festivity drew a sold-out crowd of 250 people, who tried their hands at table games, bid on a range of silent-auction items and enjoyed Brazilian-style foods. The annual celebration raised $15,000 for Action Wellness, which provides life-saving services to people with HIV/AIDS and other illnesses. “We are incredibly thankful to all that attended this successful event,” said Action Wellness executive director Kevin Burns, who tipped his hat to partners Kimpton Hotels, Square 1682, Yards Brewery, Philadelphia Distilling, Storypoint Wines, Shutterbooth, the Bingo Verifying Divas and DJ Sharyn Stone.”Photo: Scott A. Drake
Twelve LGBT groups file brief in trans antibias case By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com A coalition of 12 LGBT-advocacy groups wants to be heard in a federal case that will determine whether trans people born in New Jersey can change the gender on their birth certificates without undergoing gender-confirmation surgery. The groups hope a federal judge will accept their amicus brief in a case filed by “Jane Doe,” a New Jersey trans woman. Doe has gender dysphoria and seeks to change the gender designation on her birth certificate without undergoing surgery. New Jersey currently requires proof of gender-confirmation surgery prior to issuing a trans person a birth certificate with a revised gender. Doe’s lawsuit, filed in November, remains pending before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Arpert, based in Camden.
New Jersey officials recently filed court papers urging dismissal of Doe’s suit. Members of the coalition are Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, Gender Justice, Intersex & Genderqueer Recognition Project, LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Center for Transgender Equality, National LGBT Bar Association, National LGBTQ Task Force, Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, Trans United and Whitman-Walker Clinic. The agencies say in their brief that requiring Doe to submit proof of gender-confirmation surgery in order to obtain an accurate birth certificate violates her rights under the U.S. Constitution and the Americans with Disabilities Act. But New Jersey officials insist Doe already has an accuPAGE 14
According to matching testimonies from Brooks, Damian and Singleton, the three roommates were in their home on the 1300 block of North 52nd Street watching a movie in Damian’s room. Singleton left the room and closed the door. “Guys that mess with transsexuals usually want their privacy,” Brooks said in court, noting that Singleton, a sex worker, was expecting a client. Singleton testified that White was outside of the kitchen window screaming for Damian, from whom he previously requested
sex acts in exchange for money. She said White then entered the home with a gun pointed at her head demanding money. After White learned that Singleton did not have money in her own room, he allegedly gestured her toward Damian’s room, where the other two roommates were still located. “Don’t you f*cking yell,” Singleton testified White had told her. All three women corroborated that Singleton cracked open the door, with White’s gun to her head, and asked her MATTHEW WHITE two roommates for money. Damian noticed the gun pointing at Singleton’s head before White entered the room. “You don’t want this to be a crime scene,” White said, according to Brooks. “Give me the money.” The three witnesses said White stole cash and cellphones from them. White then left the premises and Brooks followed to ensure the suspect would not return. Brooks said she called the defendant a “pussy” as he ran PAGE 15 away. White then fired
Teens from PA get court win after Trump revokes trans guidance By Jeremy Rodriguez and Jen Colletta jeremy@epgn.com, jen@epgn.com Community members and local school districts showed support after President Donald Trump rescinded protections for transgender students last week. The Trump administration, in conjunction with the departments of Justice and Education, lifted the guidance former President Barack Obama issued in May that enabled students to use facilities in accordance with their gender identity, under Title IX. Days later, a federal judge in Pennsylvania ruled that several transgender students who are suing the federal government can use the facilities that match their gender identity as
their case goes forward. Pine-Richland suit U.S. District Judge Mark Hornak on Monday granted a preliminary injunction in a case filed by three trans teens from Pine-Richland High School in Western Pennsylvania. Juliet Evancho — the sister of singer Jackie Evancho, who performed at Trump’s inauguration — and Elissa Ridenour, both 18, and a 17-year-old trans male student filed suit last year after their district approved a policy dictating that students had to use facilities according to their biological sex. In his opinion, Hornak wrote that the plaintiffs have a “reasonable likelikhood of success” on their claim PAGE 15
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Mazzoni partners with other nonprofits for Take Action Philly By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com A local LGBT nonprofit is among 10 organizations involved in a citywide initiative to protect Philadelphia’s most vulnerable residents. Mazzoni Center, an LGBT health and wellness agency, will partner with other nonprofit legalaid organizations for Take Action Philly (TAP). TAP will unite lawyers, government officials, community organizations and residents for an ongoing conversation about civil liberties in the nation’s new political reality. “Acting together, we can design solutions that can truly make a difference in the lives of many,” Philadelphia Chancellor Deborah R. Gross said in a statement. “Join us and take action to be part of our community’s response to state and federal policy decisions.” The groups will convene in ongoing conversations about how to best serve the community. TAP’s first discussion on Feb. 24 in Millennium
Hall at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel focused on immigration, President Donald Trump’s executive order banning refugees from seven countries and legislation to defund “sanctuary cities” such as Philadelphia.
acts with its citizens impact LGBT people,” Ude said. “LGBT people are part of every other community that is being targeted.” Ude said he expects LGBTspecific issues will be at the
viduals. “There have been drafts circulating about a religious-exemption memo that would impact people who are LGBTQ,” Ude said. “That’s one that we’re certainly on the lookout for as an issue that would be important for people to be aware of and to address.” Ude said he would like to hear recommendations from the LGBT community on other topics TAP could address. “I’m certainly open to and eager for suggestions that anyone is seeing emerging that could benefit from this type of approach,” Ude said. Other partnering organizations include the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, American Immigration TAKE ACTION PHILLY’S INAUGURAL EVENT FEB. 24 AT LOEWS Lawyers Association, the PHILADELPHIA HOTEL Photo: Scott A. Drake City of Philadelphia and its Office of Immigrant Thomas W. Ude, Jr., forefront of future TAP discus- Affairs, Community Legal Mazzoni’s legal and public pol- sions. He mentioned the poten- Services of Philadelphia, icy director, noted that issues tial for a “religious-freedom” Council on American-Islamic like immigration intersect with executive order from Trump’s Relations, Nationalities Service the LGBT community. administration that could allow Center, Philadelphia Bar “Issues like immigration and businesses and organizations to Association and Public Interest the way that government inter- refuse services to LGBT indi- Law Center. n
D.A. says Morris 911 recordings aren’t agency records By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office last week said it doesn’t recognize 911 recordings pertaining to the Nizah Morris incident as agency records, even if they exist within agency files. In a Feb. 23 filing with the state Office of Open Records, the D.A.’s Office said 911 recordings originate at the police department, and don’t document business activities of the D.A.’s Office. The D.A.’s Office also submitted an affidavit stating it doesn’t have Morris 911 recordings in its “possession, custody and control,” though it has a nine-page document from PGN that reportedly contains Morris 911 recordings. PGN shared the document with the D.A.’s Office in 2009, and the office says it’s stored within a civil-litigation file at the agency. PGN’s position is that, if the D.A.’s Office won’t recognize the document as an agency record, it’s possible the office has additional Morris recordings it declines to publicly acknowledge. PGN is requesting all Morris 911 recordings in the D.A.’s possession, regardless of “format, presentation and configuration.” Morris was an African-American trans woman found with a fatal head wound in
2002, shortly after a courtesy ride from Philadelphia police. Her homicide remains unsolved, and the D.A.’s Office says it’s conducting an ongoing probe. In a Feb. 27 filing, PGN reiterated its plea for transparency in the Morris case. According to the paper, “It’s in the public interest to hold the DAO accountable for its Morris homicide investigation. For that to happen, the DAO must accept the responsibility that accompanies having Morris 911 recordings in its files.” The D.A.’s Office also said it cannot vouch for the accuracy of the nine-page document received by PGN. However, PGN counters that the D.A.’s Office could add a disclaimer when providing the document to an open-records requester. “The crux of the matter is whether the DAO will acknowledge that Morris 911 recordings in its files are agency records — regardless of whether or not they were obtained from a private individual,” PGN asserts. The dispute is pending before OOR Appeals Officer Joshua T. Young. A final determination is possible within the next few weeks. PGN has requested a public hearing in the dispute. But the OOR hadn’t ruled on that request as of presstime.
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The police department lost its entire Morris homicide file in 2003, and when a partial homicide file was located at the city Archives Unit in 2011, it didn’t contain any Morris 911 recordings. Numerous LGBT organizations have
PGN’s position is that, if the D.A.’s Office won’t recognize the document as an agency record, it’s possible the office has additional Morris recordings it declines to publicly acknowledge. called for an independent probe of the Morris case, including Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia, National Center for Transgender Equality, Mazzoni Center, Equality Pennsylvania, William Way LGBT Center, GALAEI, Racial Unity USA, Pennsylvania Youth Congress, LGBT Elder Initiative, Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD and National LGBTQ Task Force. No such independent investigation has been undertaken. n
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News & Opinion
7 — News Briefing 10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Transmissions Mark My Words Street Talk 13 — Media Trail International News
Columns
9 — Body U: Exercise for stress 12 — Out Law: Rough ride for trans gender rights
Arts & Culture RAISING THEIR VOICES: Broadway star Billy Porter and “American Idol” alum Kimberley Locke were among the special guests at Human Rights Campaign’s Greater Philadelphia Dinner Feb. 25 at Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. The 21st-annual event, themed “Equality Forward,” also featured remarks by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and HRC officials. Photos: Patrick Hagerty
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17 — Feature: Holla for challa! 18 — Comic 19 — Family Portrait 21 — Scene in Philly 22 — Out & About 26 — Q Puzzle
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~ Angela Giampolo, on factors that went into starting a mobile legal unit, page 6
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Formerly homeless Aquilla Savoy embraces his style and now has his own fashion brand.
“A few months ago, someone emailed me and asked to meet at my office at 7 a.m. because they didn’t want to be seen going into the Philly Gay Lawyer office. People are still afraid, still closeted, and that’s here in Philly.”
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Tender moments with “Zucchini” and a garden-fresh look at foster children going through adolescence.
Copyright © 1976 - 2017 Copyright(s) in all materials in these pages are either owned or licensed by Masco Communications Inc. or its subsidiaries or affiliate companies (Philadelphia Gay News, PGN, and it’s WWW sites.) All other reproduction, distribution, retransmission, modification, public display, and public performance of our materials is prohibited without the prior written consent of Masco Communications. To obtain such consent, email pgn@epgn.com Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 1976-2017 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155
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Philly celebrates black trans history By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com As reports of Chyna Gibson’s murder came in, members of Philadelphia’s black transgender community got together Sunday to discuss ways to move forward. Gibson, who was shot outside of a New Orleans shopping center, is the fifth reported trans woman of color to be murdered in the country this year. The TransHealth Information Project (TIP), a program of GALAEI, and the Trans Masculine Advocacy Network (TMAN) hosted “Philly Black Trans History: A Multigenerational Panel Discussion” at the William Way LGBT Community Center.
when it occurs within the Afro-Latinx community. “For folks who are Afro-Latinx in the room, what I’d like to say is, ‘You’re not making it up. It’s not in your head,’” Lopez said. “If your mom said some shit, if your cousin said some shit, if the f*cking bus driver said some shit, it probably is racism. You’re probably not imagining it.” Coghill, a 65-year-old transgender man, talked about how he gave away all of his “female clothes” and got a “male haircut” when he was young. He said he was “thankful” to tell young trans men that “empowerment is important.” He also noted the important role trans elders can play in the community.
Presents
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo “The funniest night you will ever have at the Ballet.”
TMAN facilitator and TIP co-coordinator Christian A’xavier Lovehall and TIP co-coordinator Aamina Morrison hosted a panel with seven black transgender individuals who contributed to the local trans community: Sheila Colson-Pope, William H. Coghill, Hazel Edwards, Sharron L. Cooks, Alex Covington, Wit Lopez and Tenika Watson. Colson-Pope, GALAEI’s former TIP coordinator and founder of the Philly Black Trans History event, discussed ways for the community to protect themselves in light of recent incidents. She advised about letting people you meet online into your home, especially if they don’t appear like their online photos. Additionally, she gestured toward Watson, her best friend, and said the two of them have a “code” for when she is inviting someone over. “With Trump in office, people feel like they have a right to be prejudiced,” ColsonPope said. “They have a right to say what they want to. But that’s not right.” Edwards, who helped write the transgender policy for the Philadelphia School District, talked about being marginalized for being biracial and transgender. The 20-yearold highlighted ways adults can help trans youth. “Adults can better support youth by listening to the young people, not just hearing what they’re saying but actually attentively listening to them,” Edwards said. “Adults also assume that since youth are in their developmental stages, they don’t really understand their own selves.” Designer and artist Lopez gave advice to people in the Afro-Latinx community who experience anti-blackness. Lopez said such behavior might not always look like racism
“I believe it takes [events] like this to bring us together, to bring the elders together, so that people can see us and see that if we made it, you can make it,” Coghill said. Empowering young people is also a goal of Covington, who talked about being a soon-to-be-licensed barber. “My goal is to have a space for people like us so they can feel safe and feel good about themselves,” he said of his future business goal. Encouraging safe spaces in the political realm has been a goal of Cooks, who was the only black trans woman delegate at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. “I wanted to bring more trans visibility to black trans issues, bring more visibility to black women, so that’s why I went into it,” Cooks said. “It was an amazing experience. There were so many opportunities that have come from that. I hope that other black trans people decide to get involved in the legislative process. We need everybody’s voice. We need all of your voices.” Watson, a former sex worker, was a passenger in singer-songwriter Teddy Pendergrass’ car in 1982 during the accident that resulted in Pendergrass being paralyzed from the chest down and Watson being outed as a transgender woman. She noted the evolution that has happened since that time, and commended the trans community for doing a “good job” to affirm their identities. “I look out at this audience,” Watson said. “People are doing what we used to do behind doors, what we used to wait until dark to do. I see people walking the street doing what they want to do with their lives.” n
Photo Courtesy: Sascha Vaughan
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March 8–12 featuring Swan Lake Act 2, Esmeralda, Don Quixote and Dying Swan as you have never seen them before! Prince Theater box office (215) 422-4580 or www.princetheater.org/next-move
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LGBT Youth Supplement Read about the issues and ideas impacting local teens — from school bullying to campus safe spaces to legislative developments — written in their own words. The first-ever section created for and by LGBT youth appears twice a year.
Out entrepreneur overcomes obstacles to embrace his fashion By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Fashion designer Aquilla Savoy describes himself in his Instagram bio as a “young entrepreneur” who has “been weird — [you’re] just noticing.” The out 23-year-old says the clothing from his brand, Embrace Your Fashion, is “creative and unique.” Savoy noted people often gossip on social media about the way he dresses — but he doesn’t seem to mind. “It’s different,” Savoy said. “It’s unique. They can’t change the fact that I’m being myself as a designer. “It drives me to do more,” he added. Being himself worked out for Savoy, as he survived homelessness, participated in Philly Fashion Week and worked with a “Project Runway” contestant. Savoy ended up incorporating this message into Embrace Your Fashion. In a statement posted on the brand’s Instagram page, Savoy said he can “only benefit from this epidemic” of gossip and bullying. “To some, I am different [and] creative and to others, I am weird,” the statement reads. “As a result, Embrace Your Fashion is not only a brand, but also a movement. It inspires people to be original. The main focus ... is to love [and] be yourself.” Savoy said his great-grandmother used to make suits and dresses to be worn to church and it inspired him to make his own clothing. He made his first outfit when he was 16 with a sewing machine his great-grandmother passed on to him. Using 10 bandanas, Savoy constructed a jumper, which he still has today. “Everything else I ever made I lost,” Savoy said. “But the jumper I still have.” When Savoy was 17, he came out to his family. He said his mother was “fine with it” but her boyfriend was not. “He was physically and verbally abusing me because of the fact that I was gay,”
Savoy said. “I took it upon myself to leave.” Savoy slept in his car while still in high school. Eventually, he stayed on his aunt’s couch and his guidance counselor put him in touch with resources for homeless youth. Savoy ended up receiving help from Project HOME, a nonprofit organization empowering homeless youth and adults to break the cycle of homelessness. He said the experience was “amazing” and Project HOME helped him get a job at the organization’s store, HOME Spun Resale Boutique. Additionally, he received assistance with money management, college and medical care. Savoy took the first step toward a fashion career when he participated in Philly Fashion Week in September and met “Project Runway” season 15 contestant Mah-Jing Wong, a Philadelphia resident. Wong serves as a mentor for Savoy.
SAVOY
“Any time when I needed help making something, he was always there to help,” Savoy said. Savoy participated in Philly Fashion Week again Feb. 23 and is planning to make a third appearance later this year. He is also aiming to produce his own fashion show in the summer. Additionally, Savoy is trying to take Embrace Your Fashion “to a whole new level” by raising money to create a nonprofit organization. “I want to own a thrift store where people can donate clothes and I can reconstruct some of the things so they can be unique,” Savoy said. Overall, Savoy has three pieces of advice for aspiring fashion designers. “Stay focused,” he said. “Be yourself. Love yourself. And everything is going to be OK.” n A MODEL WEARING SAVOY’S DESIGNS AT A FEB. 23 PHILLY FASHION WEEK EVENT
Visit Savoy on Instagram for his personal page (@aquilla_savoy) and brand page (@embraceyourfashion).
Local lawyer launching traveling legal program By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com
Only in Special Supplement
Coming March 31
“If we’re scared here in Philadelphia, I can’t imagine what it’s like in Laramie, in Chatanooga, in small towns in Arkansas.” Angela Giampolo is looking to combat the current tenor of the country by bringing free legal services to underserved LGBT people. Though Giampolo works with many LGBT clients through Giampolo Law Group, which has offices on 12th Street and in Mount Laurel, N.J., the out attorney is now looking to reach clients in need in more rural locations. Giampolo has been working to bring her “Philly Gay Lawyer” initiative — through which she provides services such as name changes and family-building documents — nationwide, amassing lawyers in cities across the country to specialize in LGBT
issues. While planning the summer launch of that for-profit venture, Giampolo said she saw a gap in services for marginalized LGBT populations who don’t live near big cities. After speaking with several programs that provide mobile legal services on such issues as immigration, Giampolo conceived of the nonprofit Caravan of Hope, which is expected to set forth this summer. Through the initiative, Giampolo and other attorneys will travel to three towns in the region three times, meeting with and advising LGBT clients on a pro-bono basis, all from a mobile office housed in an RV. “A few months ago, someone emailed me and asked to meet at my office at 7 a.m. because they didn’t want to be seen going into the Philly Gay Lawyer office,” she said. “People are still afraid, still closeted, and that’s here in Philly.”
To contend with that element, Giampolo said she chose an innocuous name for the program and will not use signage that denotes the initiative is an LGBT-focused one. The RV will also not park directly in the town it is serving, but rather about a half-hour outside. Giampolo intends to send a team of organizers out to the selected towns — which could be located anywhere in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as she is licensed to practice law in both states — ahead of time to get the word out about the program. Services could include everything from name and gender-marker changes to an adoption and divorce petitions to immigration assistance. The program will place an emphasis on LGBT people of color and transgender people, whom Giampolo noted are often especially marginalized in rural communities. PAGE 14
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Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between Feb. 13-19. Information is courtesy of Sixth District Crime Analyst Officer Robert Savino. To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice.com or call 215-686-TIPS. INCIDENTS — At 7:55 p.m. Feb. 13, a security guard for the Pennsylvania Convention Center reported that, while stationed at 1111 Market St., a woman became upset after a verbal dispute and threw a bottle at her. The bottle missed the victim but struck another person who was in the area. That person was not injured, and the suspect fled prior to the arrival of police. — At 1:15 a.m. Feb. 18, a man reported being attacked by three men in the 200 block of South Camac Street. One man allegedly punched and knocked the victim to the ground, and all three allegedly went through his pockets, stealing his cell phone before fleeing southbound on foot. All three were described as black with light complexions. The first was 5-foot-6, approximately 140 pounds, about 20 and wearing a puffy light-blue jacket. The second was 6 feet, about 170 pounds, in his mid-20s and wearing a black jacket. The last man was 5-foot-9, about 150 pounds, in his 20s and wearing dark clothing. — At 11:25 p.m. Feb. 18, a man reported he was assaulted by a male as he was getting out of a car in the 300 block of South 13th Street. The victim was able to fight off the suspect but, after the suspect fled, the victim realized he was
stabbed with an unknown object in his right chest and left triceps. He was treated at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was described as white, in his 30s, 5-foot-10, about 185 pounds, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, a white T-shirt and a black cap. — At 2 a.m. Feb. 19, a man reported he had an argument with another man he knew inside Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. The suspect allegedly punched the victim in the face, knocking him to the ground, before fleeing. The victim needed stitches to close a wound. — There were two thefts from parked vehicles reported Feb. 13-19: outside 321 S. 13th St. and 417 S. Broad St. ARRESTS — At 5:30 a.m. Feb. 13, police arrested a 61-year-old man for theft from an auto in the unit block of South 12th Street. — At 2 a.m. Feb. 17, police arrested a 24-year-old man on the 1300 block of Walnut Street for disorderly conduct after he was involved in an incident inside Wawa, 201 S. Broad St. — At 10:35 p.m. Feb. 17, police arrested a 51-year-old man on the 100 block of South 13th Street for a parole violation. — At 12:42 p.m. Feb. 18, police arrested a 45-year-old man on the 1200 block of Walnut Street on an outstanding warrant for robbery. — At 11:45 p.m. Feb. 18, police arrested a 28-year-old male for assault on the 100 block of South 13th Street. n
News Briefing Judge rules on jury questions in Cosby case A judge this week ruled on a key issue regarding the upcoming trial of comedian Bill Cosby, who stands accused of sexually assaulting a lesbian. On Monday, Judge Steven O’Neill decided that the June trial will not be moved out of Montgomery County. Cosby’s defense attorneys had submitted the change-of-venue request, arguing that the intense media scrutiny has biased local jurors. While the proceeding will take place in Norristown, the county seat, prosecutors agreed with the defense request that jurors be drawn from outside of the county. They will also be sequestered during the trial. Cosby, 79, is charged with the 2004 sexual assault of Andrea Constad, a former employee of Temple University, at his Elkins Park home. Constad is one of dozens of women who contend Cosby assaulted them over the last several decades, but hers is the only case in which criminal charges were filed. Prosecutors sought to have more than a
dozen of Cosby’s accusers testify during the upcoming trial, but O’Neill ruled last month that only one will be permitted to take the stand. — Jen Colletta
Applications open for 2017 PNC LGBT Business Award A local organization for LGBT professionals is accepting applications for an annual business award. PNC Bank will sponsor the Independence Business Alliance’s 2017 PNC LGBT Business Award. The program provides a $10,000 award to an IBA member with a business-level membership or higher. Among other qualifications, IBA is looking for a member that “demonstrates a well-defined plan for growth, including innovation, sustainability and ongoing contribution to the community.” Interested businesses must submit applications, two letters of recommendation and a mini plan by 5 p.m. April 14. Visit www.thinkiba. com/programs/pnc-bank-lgbt-businessaward for more information and a link to the full application. The 2017 PNC LGBT Business Award will be presented at IBA10: 10th Anniversary Celebration 6 p.m. May 10 at the The Downtown Club, 600 Chestnut St. n — Jeremy Rodriguez
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 3-9, 2017
LOCAL PGN
Rainbow Wedding Network presents 10th LGBT expo By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Rainbow Wedding Network co-founder Cindy Sproul noticed an increase in attendance at the organization’s wedding expos after the 2016 presidential election. “There’s a little more of a sense of urgency, to put it mildly, where [LGBT couples are saying], ‘OK, we shouldn’t put off getting married,’” Sproul said. “‘If this is something we want to do, we should go ahead and think about getting married and making sure we find businesses that are going to support us.’” On March 5, LGBT couples can find this support at the Rainbow Wedding Network’s “Same Love, Same Rights” LGBT Wedding Expo at the Sheraton Bucks County Hotel. While the organization has staged these expos nationwide since 2003, in 33 states, this is the 10th year it will be held in Bucks County. Sproul said the event will be the organization’s 186th show. The expo will feature free samples, food, music, raffle prizes and more than 30 LGBT-friendly businesses. Additionally, LGBT legal expert and PGN contributor Angela Giampolo will speak about how couples can protect themselves. “She makes it so fun, so informative,” Sproul said of Giampolo’s past presentations. “Couples leave [the expo] and are grateful that they’re able to ask her questions.” Sproul said she will often talk to couples at these expos who mention their experiences at “straight bridal shows.” She said many reference feelings of discomfort when speaking with vendors. “They will walk up to a vendor and the vendor says, ‘Which one of you is planning and which one of you is the sister or the bridesmaid or the maid of honor?’” Sproul said. “Vendors just cannot wrap their heads around that it might be a lesbian couple that walks up to the table.” This is not a problem couples deal with at “Same Rights, Same Love.” Sproul noted that all of the vendors at each expo are supporters of LGBT equality. She said Rainbow Wedding Network only works with businesses who are “100-percent on board” with the cause. “They are not there just because money screamed,” Sproul said. “They really support the community.” During the raffle segment of the show, Sproul asks couples to raise their hands if they have been together for longer than 10 or 15 years. “The couples in the room go crazy for the people that were together for a long
time that are planning weddings,” Sproul said. “The couples are coming together and they enjoy being together. It’s a day to celebrate with each other.” After this segment at the Bucks County show two years ago, one lesbian couple walked away with “much more than what they had originally planned for,” Sproul said. This couple was in their mid-80s and Sproul asked them how long they had been together because she knew it would be a “good answer.” The couple responded 42 years. “We started crying,” Sproul said. “We had to stop the expo. Everybody went around and gave them a hug. Every sin-
“We had to stop the expo. Everybody went around and gave them a hug. Every single vendor in that ballroom walked up to them and said, ‘I don’t care what you want. I will provide my services to you free of charge.’” gle vendor in that ballroom walked up to them and said, ‘I don’t care what you want. I will provide my services to you free of charge.’” “It wasn’t because the businesses just wanted the PR for doing that,” Sproul added. “They were so excited for that couple.” The couple ended up having a small ceremony in a friend’s backyard. An officiant, DJ, florist and caterer, all of whom they met at the expo, provided services to the couple for free. Sproul said she was “so proud” of the vendors for their offers. “It was the most beautiful moment I think we had in any of the expos,” Sproul said. Overall, Sproul said the event is for all LGBT couples who are in the planning process of their weddings. “If you want to meet amazing LGBTfriendly businesses and be in an environment where everyone is welcome, you’ll have a great time,” Sproul said. n Rainbow Wedding Network’s 10th Annual “Same Love, Same Rights” LGBT Wedding Expo in Bucks County will be held 12:30 p.m. March 5 at the Sheraton Bucks County Hotel, 400 N. Oxford Valley Road, Langhorne. Free tickets can be obtained at http://bit.ly/2kXEkIp. Raffle prizes are drawn at approximately 2:15 p.m.
LOCAL PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 3-9, 2017
WEEKEND WARRIORS: Hundreds rallied outside U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey’s Center City office last Saturday, calling on the senator to meet with constituents, before joining a demonstration in support of affordable health care at Thomas Paine Plaza. Toomey and other Republican lawmakers have come under increasing fire since the presidential election for failing to meet in person with residents. Many of the protestors remained at the plaza in the afternoon for a rally in support of transgender rights, organized by The Equality Coalition in response to last week’s lifting of guidance that protected the rights of transgender students. Many demonstrators came prepared for the forecasted rain, wrapping their rally signs in plastic. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Exercise your stress away In light of recent events, it can be stress can lead to other complications agreed that stress levels are high. Whether like depression/anxiety, insomnia, cardioat work or out for dinner, you may feel vascular disease and digestive problems, the tension radiating from people checkwhich are stress-induced diseases. From ing their Facebook feeds or watching an external standpoint, hair loss and skin the news. According to the American problems, aging of the face and weight Psychological Association, in gain or loss can occur in some 2015, 45 percent of Americans people. Stress can affect the reported being stressed over a body in many different ways. five-year period for various reaKeep in mind that these sympsons, such as finances, politics, toms and diseases may not relationships and work-life baloccur in everyone. If you are ance. This is almost half of the currently dealing with any of American population that has these, seeing a physician or a increasing stress and very few therapist is recommended. outlets. It is important that peo Stress can be treated in ple learn about the causes of various ways, but exercise is stress, the underlying effects of sometimes overlooked. When stress and how exercise can be you exercise, endorphins are used as a preventative measure released, sleep and relaxation Megan Niño are improved, your chances of to reduce and even eliminate everyday stress. socializing increases and your The technical definition of stress is confidence can be boosted. Endorphins “a state of mental or emotional strain or are important and helpful because when tension resulting from adverse or very they are released, they make you feel demanding circumstances.” People typgood and positive. On top of that, your ically feel stressed when an external sitperception of pain can be decreased. Next, uation is beyond their control, and those sleep is important. Exercising promotes who feel stressed have a hard time coping. the secretion of adenosine, which helps Although stress may feel like it only improve sleep quality. Insomnia can be affects your mind, most stress activity improved by about 10 minutes! Better occurs at a cellular level. When you are sleep leads to increased mental sharpness, stressed, your sympathetic nervous sysbetter daily performance and a healthier tem is activated, which means you are mind. releasing adrenaline and non-adrenaline The combination of sleeping better, neurotransmitters. To manage your stress, feeling good and improving your social cortisol is released, but this can result in presence are all great reasons to exercise a “burnout” if you are releasing too much for stress prevention! n cortisol. Some common characteristics Megan Niño is a kinesiologist and personal trainer associated with stress include an increase who trains out of 12th Street Gym. She is an energetic in blood pressure and heart rate, headand positive person, who prides herself on teaching aches, lack of appetite or binge eating others to find empowerment in their lives through and a weaker immune system. Untreated fitness.
Body U
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EDITORIAL PGN EDITORIAL
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 3-9, 2017
Creep of the Week
D’Anne Witkowski
Milo Yiannopoulos (again)
Editorial
Exploitation, not unity We echoed the audible gasp in the U.S. House chambers Tuesday night when President Donald Trump announced the formation of an office to investigate crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. Trump punctuated this next step of immigration policy with theatrics that involved pointing out four people whose families were victims by undocumented individuals. The whole affair smacked of opportunism. The four individuals Trump pointed out surely deserve justice. But Trump used their pain as pawns in his own misdirected political game. His campaign and now his presidency have been built on pitting people, and parties, against one another. Whether it’s immigrants, Muslims or Democrats, the lynchpin of Trump’s messaging has been blaming one group of people for complex, multifaceted issues. By parading out the four victims like he did, and announcing the formation of his ironically named VOICE program, Trump sought to demonstrate the truth in his overly simplistic logic. It was almost as if he was saying, “Look, these people will tell you ‘illegals’ are bad dudes, too!” If he really wanted to put a human face to a genuine American problem, maybe he should have brought out some of the Jewish families whose late loved ones’ graves and memories were desecrated. Just this week in Philadelphia, 100 graves at a Jewish cemetery were vandalized, mirroring a disturbing national trend. Or he could have invited the families of the two Indian men who were gunned down because of their race. Instead, Trump referenced the spate of anti-Semitic violence and the shooting in his opening lines, throwing a bone (albeit a tiny one) to critics who decried his silence on the issue. And then that was it. It cannot be denied that Trump’s victory has played a role in the drastic uptick in hate crimes in the past four months. Devoting two sentences to the topic is woefully inadequate — and is transparently politically motivated, especially coming hours after reports that Trump suggested anti-Semitic crimes were staged. Trump had an opportunity to promote actual unity and, not surprisingly, he intentionally missed it. And not only missed it, but continued the divisive tactics that have enabled and empowered such hateful violence to spread. n
Tell us what you think
Remember when Simon & Schuster was going to publish a book by Milo Yiannopoulos and people were all, “But he’s a racist/misogynist/anti-trans hate monger!” And Simon & Schuster were like, “Yeah, but dollars.” But then a recording of Yiannopoulos saying nice things about pedophilia surfaced and Simon & Schuster was all of a sudden like, “No, cuz morals.” Not to mention that the Conservative Political Action Conference, which has always been a total hatefest, disinvited Yiannopoulos for the same reason. They were cool with the racist stuff, the anti-Muslim stuff, the misogyny. That’s CPAC’s bread and butter, after all. And let’s not forget that when people protested on college campuses against him, many on the right were quick to hail Yiannopoulos as a defender of conservative ideas and claim that the left had no respect for freedom of speech. President Donald Trump even threatened via Twitter to withhold federal funding from the University of California at Berkeley after they canceled a Yiannopoulos appearance. But apparently that celebration of freedom of speech only goes so far. Of course, Yiannopoulos says it was all a misunderstanding. Either he was joking, or he used poor phrasing or the remarks were manipulated by selective editing. Maybe all of the above! Or none! But it really doesn’t matter why Yiannopoulos said, among other things, that a priest who abused him as a boy is the reason he gives good oral sex today. What matters is that Yiannopoulos has thrown fuel on the “gays are pedophiles” fire that opponents of gay rights drag out at every opportunity. Because sex with kids is bad and people who hurt kids are the worst, therefore gays are monsters. Monsters are, of course, not human, and dehumanizing an entire group of people is a great way to justify systematic oppression and hatred of said group. For example, the antigay right has long since pointed to the North American Man Boy Love Association as “proof” that gays are pedophiles, as if this small and isolated
group were representative of all gays everywhere. It isn’t. It’s on the outer fringe. (I mean, if they really were a huge and powerful group, they’d have a way more professional-looking website.) I’d say that saying NAMBLA represents the LGBTQ movement at large would be like saying white supremacists represent all Republicans, but that analogy isn’t accurate since the outer fringe actually has taken over the Republican Party. While the gays-as-pedophiles myth still haunts gay-rights discourse, you can’t go to the supermarket checkout without seeing some adorable gay celebrity like Neil Patrick Harris or Ricky Martin posing with their kids on the cover of People. The idea that gays are some kind of sickos who lurk around elementary-school playgrounds is a lot harder to sell today. Then again, we’ve never had more antigay folks in the federal government. Let’s not forget that Steve Bannon is who hired Yiannopoulos at Breitbart. And that Bannon is Trump’s righthand man. So when Yiannopoulos says that Trump is the most progay president ever, don’t fucking kid yourself. So conservatives can clutch their pearls all they want over what they suddenly find so shocking about Yiannopoulos and his views, but he isn’t saying anything they haven’t been saying for ages. Which is exactly why he has been embraced by hate mongers everywhere. Finally a gay man who says the same hateful shit about gay people that they do! Never mind that the vast majority of gays aren’t like Yiannopoulos and think he’s a garbage bag filled with internal organs. Yiannopoulos, for conservatives, is the True Gay. All the rest must just be fake gay news.
Let’s not forget that Steve Bannon is who hired Yiannopoulos at Breitbart. And that Bannon is Trump’s right-hand man. So when Yiannopoulos says that Trump is the most pro-gay president ever, don’t fucking kid yourself.
n
D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.
Send letters and opinion column submissions to: pgn@epgn.com; PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147; fax: 215-925-6437. Please include a daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, style and space considerations.
OP-ED PGN
Empowering hate cally correct America. Be it what it is, if continued, it will I write to you today regarding your liftresult in one thing: violence. Mr. President, ing of the federal guidance on transgender I don’t have a crystal ball but I do have rights in schools. While I am not privy to something better, which is an old saying discussions within your White that goes: “History repeats House, this is viewed by many itself.” Using that crystal ball, it of us as a victorious win for the becomes obvious that the peobigotry of the Steve Bannon ple in a nation of zealots who and Vice President Pence parts suffer during a time of nationalof your administration — the ization are the most endangered. so-called alt-right constituents. And in today’s America, that is You might regret that advice the transgender community. given to you by this segment What that suggests is that, of your administration. Here’s if we continue on this trajecwhy. tory, we will arrive at victims The order you revoked creof those angry mobs, who are ated no issues of any form of seeking to stamp out all vestiges of political correctness. You’ve sexual abuse or violence, from put that target squarely on the shore to shiny shore. The only backs of our transgender sisters discourse was not in the schools Mark Segal and brothers. but among those using the issue as a political football. Since Mr. President, I put you on there were no problems with the policy notice: If blood is spilled, it is on your other than politics, why change something hands. n that has worked? With your new policy and Mark Segal is the nation’s most-award-winning comthe anger it is empowering, it is feeding a mentator in LGBT media. His recently published memmob mentality. Some might even call it a oir, “And Then I Danced,” is available on Amazon. backlash at Obama and progressive politicom, Barnes & Noble or at your favorite bookseller. Mr. President:
Mark My Words
Transmissions
Gwendolyn Ann Smith
Tranifesto In its first major blow to transgender rights, the Trump administration has — thanks to the Department of Education under Betsy DeVos and the Department of Justice under Jeff Sessions — rescinded Obamaera guidance on transgender students. This guidance extended Title IX protections “on the basis of sex” to transgender students, and required schools to provide access to all sex-segregated events and facilities based on a student’s gender identity. By rescinding these protections, they are saying that it is up to the states, not the federal government, to set policy on transgender students. This, of course, is the same thing past administrations have done with other hot-button issues, most recently with the marriage-equality battle. It seems to be the way the federal government works to slow progress, knowing that it could take years for such battles to be handled in each state and, eventually, the courts. The focus, as with all transgender things in the last several years, has been on restroom use, though these same guidelines covered sports teams and other things that may be sex-segregated within a school. I’ve written extensively on the issue of transgender bathroom access, and the arguments by opponents that predators use this as “cover” for their crimes. Given that transgender protections do not make sexual assault, rape or molestation legal, these arguments are misleading at best. It is worth noting, too, that transgender people have been using the appropriate facilities for decades without any
major issues, long before this became the “social issue” it is today. This, however, really isn’t about bathrooms. I mean, it is, but there’s a much larger narrative in play. If you are a transgender student and your school is a hostile environment to you, then you will be less likely to excel in school. You may well drop out. With the Department of Education stepping back on protecting students nationwide, it is all the more likely that schools in less-tolerant communities will become less likely to care effectively for their transgender students. Make no mistake, too: This is only the first step. Today it is equal access for transgender students, and tomorrow it could be public accommodations nationwide. It could be a rollback of rules protecting transgender people in housing, in shelters or elsewhere. It could be limitations on federal identification for transgender people. It could even be a threatened religious-freedom executive order that could give broad leeway for businesses to not serve transgender people based on nebulous “religious beliefs.” The end game here is simple: This is an administration that will not stop until they can eradicate transgender people alongside every other minority group they are attempting to demolish. In short, they want to end us. To that end, I’ve been thinking a bit of a transgender manifesto. A tranifesto, if you prefer compound words. The point is this: You can debate the existence of trans people all PAGE 12
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 3-9, 2017
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Street Talk Will the milestone achievement of LGBT film "Moonlight" be eclipsed by the Oscar snafu? “I do think the mishap has taken some of the shine away from the Cynthia Kelly barber movie. If that didn’t South Philadelphia happen, ‘Moonlight’ may have received more recognition as an LGBT achievement. But at least people know that it exists. Maybe they’ll go out to see it. I definitely plan on seeing it.”
“No, I think it’s a great thing for the film. I actually have a bootleg Andre Keys copy of musician Wilmington, Del. ‘Moonlight.’ It really is a breakthrough achievement for the African-American community and the LGBT community. All the fuss has piqued people’s curiosity. They’re wondering what all this commotion is about. So I wouldn’t be surprised if sales go up.”
“No, the snafu is helping the film. I heard of ‘Moonlight’ [before Michael McGill the Oscar cook Northeast ceremoPhiladelphia ny] but I thought it was a television show. Now I know it’s a movie. I’m going to see it with my fiancée. Getting that award shows people that an LGBT film has the same chance [for an Oscar] as any other film.”
“No, the mix-up will serve to enhance recognition of ‘Moonlight.’ It Vincent Strijkan sounds artist East Falls like a great film. I hope the incident will entice people to learn more about ‘Moonlight.’ While it’s a complicated milestone — milestone it is. Besides, we’re living in a year of clumsiness. So it’s sort of fitting, in a way.”
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 3-9, 2017
PGN LEGAL
Get Out and Play Grim outlook for transgender rights? Scott A. Drake
Philly is known as a sports city, and that’s no different for the LGBT community. Scott A. Drake keeps readers up to date on the LGBT sports news they need to know — from game highlights to team registration deadlines to social outings.
So much has changed since that day facilities must treat transgender students in October when we all rejoiced at the consistent with their gender identity. announcement that the Supreme Court The federal appeals court, deferring to the of the United States would hear G. G. Obama administration’s position that fedv. Gloucester County School Board and eral law protected his right to use the boys’ review a decision of the Fourth Circuit bathroom, ruled in favor of Grimm, holding Court of Appeals regarding the discrimithat schools barring students from using nation of transgender people in the eduthe bathrooms of their gender identity viocational system. We thought lated Title IX. The school board this case was potentially setting appealed and SCOTUS is set to precedent that sexual identificahear the case on March 28 — or tion is a classification eligible are they? for legal protection. So much Prior to the Trump adminishas changed since then that the tration’s reversal, the question very basis of the case and why facing the Supreme Court was SCOTUS agreed to hear it has whether Obama’s Statement of been jeopardized. Interest of the United States, Gavin Grimm, now a senior which the lower court relied on in high school, is the plaintiff for its decision, had any legal in G. G. v. Gloucester County authority — even though it School Board. Grimm was born was unpublished and adopted a girl but identifies as a boy. law in direct response to Angela into He has been issued an amended Grimm’s lawsuit — and whether birth certificate identifying Giampolo the interpretation set forth in the statement is to be given effect, him as male, received hormone regardless of their finding of legal authority. treatments and underwent chest-reconstruction surgery. His lawyers have argued But the basis for the appellate ruling has disappeared, now that the Trump administrathat prohibiting him from using the boys’ restroom is discrimination “on the basis of tion revoked the Obama-era guidance. The first thing SCOTUS did after Trump’s sex.” In response, the Gloucester County reversal was ask the lawyers for both sides School Board in Virginia passed a resolution creating the Gloucester County public to submit their views on how best to proceed, especially given the timing of the schools’ transgender-restroom policy “to Trump administration’s directive, coming provide male and female restroom and just five weeks before the case was to be locker-room facilities in its schools, and the use of said facilities shall be limited to heard, and on the same day that Grimm’s lawyers submitted their 62-page legal brief. the corresponding biological genders, and SCOTUS could send the case back to students with gender-identity issues shall Richmond as early as next week, or it could be provided an alternative appropriate prihold oral arguments March 28 as schedvate facility.” Grimm sued the board, and in response uled and decide afterwards to send it back to the pending lawsuit, the Office of Civil down to the lower court. The temptation Rights in the United States Department of to wait is strong for several reasons. First, Education released a Statement of Interest there are several cases like Grimm’s workof the United States to clarify its interpreing their way up the appeals courts and tation of the word “sex” in Title IX. The there has yet to be a circuit decision based on the constitutional merits; the high court feds stated that a government-funded educational institution providing sex-separated typically won’t take up a major legal issue
until several courts around the country have weighed in. The temptation may be even stronger because the court has been one justice short for more than a year, after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, and there is no chance that Trump’s nominee, Judge Neil Gorsuch, could join the court in time for the March 28 argument. Lastly, if the case does move forward and it’s a 4-4 tie, the court would likely have to rehear the case when it’s back at full strength. The biggest reason to wait is because the appeals court based its ruling for Grimm in deference to the Obama policy — which Obama promulgated in response to Grimm’s case. Many believe the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals would have decided differently but for Obama’s policy. Because of that, and the other reasons mentioned, legal pundits predict that SCOTUS will punt for now. LGBT advocates contend that the confusion over the impact of the Trump administration’s action only underscores the need for the Supreme Court to bring some clarity to the issue. Every society’s future and progress is based on the healthy development of its children, and this issue is not only important to the 150,000 transgender kids in our schools — it’s a life and death issue. I’m hoping that SCOTUS weighs the effects these “bathroom policies” have on our transgender children and decide to hear the case. And I know Grimm feels the same way. As of today, he is still barred from using the boys’ bathroom. n
existence. We will prevail. Transgender people have existed on this earth for presumably as long as humans had concepts of gender. We existed in cultures spanning the globe for centuries uncounted. We are not a fad, and no matter what you try to do, we will exist long after you are gone. With that said, the Internet has allowed so many more to come to explore their own gender identities and learn to express them in unique ways. There are so many more out there who are existing alongside you and me. There are also plenty more who love us, who call us lovers or children or siblings. There are more every day who are willing to stand with us and against those who would rather transgender people did not exist. Our first and most important right is the right to exist. It is a threatened right. We face murder, we face criminal neglect and we face societal pressures that force our own hands. Yet you cannot stop us all, and we
will survive. You may not like us, and you may wish that we’d all go away, but we exist regardless, and we will persist. What’s more, the truth of our existence will win out, as long as we continue to be. We will speak, we will tell our truth and we will exist. Like so many others, I will continue to stand for my community and will continue to defend the transgender community in hostile times. That cannot and will not change, no matter what Trump, Sessions, DeVos or any other stooge the administration sends against my trans colleagues. The rescinding of these rules is a setback, and a painful one. In the end, however, we will win. Make no mistake. n
Out Law
TRANSMISSIONS from page 11
Only in Online and in print every last Friday.
you’d like, but all this debate does not stop us from being. It’s not like debating the existence of the Loch Ness monster or some such. You can see us. We exist. Flesh and blood, and are living in your community. You may not like what we have to say. You may stand in opposition of everything we stand for. Our existence might even scare you. Your fear and distaste don’t stop us from existing. You may choose to call us names, or say that we’re something we’re not or try to delegitimize our existence — but we exist, nonetheless. We remain corporeal, and the words we choose for ourselves are the only words that really matter in our lives. You can attempt to legislate us out of existence, and use the law as a bludgeon, attempting to remove us from society at every turn. Yet these only serve to slow us down. They do not remove us from physical
Angela D. Giampolo, principal of Giampolo Law Group, maintains offices in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and specializes in LGBT law, family law, business law, real-estate law and civil rights. Her website is www.giampololaw.com, and she maintains a blog at www.phillygaylawyer. com. Reach out to Angela with your legal questions at 215-645-2415 or angela@ giampololaw.com.
Gwen Smith was warned, and she was given an explanation. You can find her on the web at www. gwensmith.com.
PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 3-9, 2017
2014, about a month after completing his college career.
International Arkansas court strikes city’s LGBT protections According to Courthouse News, the Arkansas Supreme Court struck down an ordinance banning discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, but stopped short of saying whether a state law aimed at prohibiting local LGBT protections is constitutional. Justices on Feb. 23 reversed a judge’s decision that Fayetteville’s anti-discrimination ordinance didn’t violate a state law prohibiting cities from enacting protections not covered by state law. Fayetteville, a liberal enclave in northwestern Arkansas, is one of several cities that approved local protections for LGBT people in response to the 2015 law. Justices said they couldn’t rule on the law’s constitutionality since it wasn’t addressed by the lower court, and sent the case back to the Washington County judge who upheld Fayetteville’s ordinance.
Arizona recruit to be first out scholarship player The Arizona Daily Star reports University of Arizona recruit My-King Johnson is set to become the first active openly gay scholarship player in major-college football history. “I do feel like when I say that [I’m gay], it can put a target on my back. But whatever,” Johnson said. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound defensive end starred at Tempe High School. He signed with the home state Wildcats after verbally committing to Pac-12 Conference rival UCLA. Johnson told Arizona defensive line coach Vincent Amey he was gay during the recruiting process. Johnson said Amey replied, “We want you to be a Wildcat.” Now 17, Johnson said he was 12 when he came out to his friends and family. Former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam announced he was gay in February
NYC rallies for trans rights after Trump rule rollback NBC New York reports demonstrators shouted, “Trump is a fascist, drive him out” at a Manhattan rally in support of transgender youth. The crowd gathered Feb. 23 in front of the Stonewall Inn. They were speaking out against President Donald Trump’s decision to roll back a federal rule saying public schools had to allow transgender students to use the bathrooms and locker rooms of their chosen gender identity. The rule had already been blocked from enforcement, but transgender advocates view the Trump administration action as a step back for transgender rights. People in the crowd of several hundred held signs saying, “Trans youth, you are loved” and “Protect trans youth” and chanted “Not one inch” as they heard from elected officials, trans advocates and allies.
Iowa ACLU says trans student insulted, rights violated According to the Sioux City Journal, a civil-liberties group is taking up the case of a central Iowa transgender highschool student who was ordered to wash “Love trumps hate” off his arm or be sent home. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa says the incident happened in November at Newton High School. The ACLU says a teacher also repeatedly referred to the student as “girl,” even though he openly identifies as male. In a letter Feb. 24 to the school, the ACLU warned that the school had violated the student’s free speech. The letter also noted that dozens of students who planned a walkout the next day to support the transgender student were threatened that they would not get varsity letters if they participated. The ACLU demanded a letter of apology to the student, as well as training for teachers regarding students’ free-speech rights. n — compiled by Larry Nichols
BRIEF from page 1
rate birth certificate. Granting her request could pave the way for widespread identity theft, fraud and other forms of unlawful activity, officials argue. In a prior filing, New Jersey officials opposed the acceptance of an earlier brief filed by six of the LGBT-advocacy groups. Officials said their proposed brief was unnecessary and procedurally flawed.
Media Trail Slovenia boosts rights of same-sex couples Slovenia has adopted a law that grants legal rights to same-sex couples but does not allow them to adopt or undergo in-vitro fertilization. The measures formally came into effect Feb. 24 after they were approved last year. Same-sex couples now enjoy the same legal protection as heterosexual married couples in areas including health-care benefits. In a 2015 referendum, Sloveninans rejected full marriage equality. Simon Maljevac from the LGBT group Legebitra described the new law as “a step in the right direction.” Though Slovenia is among the most liberal Eastern European countries, gay rights remain a contentious topic in the predominantly Roman-Catholic nation of 2 million.
U.K. to deported gay Afghans: ‘Pretend to be straight’ The United Kingdom has just sent a very strong message to gay Afghans seeking asylum. Gay Afghans should pretend to be straight when deported back home, a new document released by the U.K. Home Office reveals. Homosexuality is illegal in Afghanistan, but the Home Office believes it is possible for gay Afghans to live safely in Kabul. The document cites no recent prosecutions for homosexuality, as well as no Taliban presence in the capital. “In the absence of other risk factors, it may be a safe and viable option for a gay man to relocate to Kabul,” according to the report. The guidelines call for a case-by-case review of gay Afghan asylum seekers. But Heather Barr, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, believes the new guidelines are unfair. Barr said: “[It] seems to tell asylum seekers, ‘Pretend you’re straight, move to Kabul and best of luck.’ Living a life where you are forced to lie every day about a key part of your identity, and live in constant fear of
It remains unclear whether New Jersey officials will renew their opposition, now that six more groups have joined the coalition. The defendants are state Registrar Vincent T. Arrisi and state Health Commissioner Cathleen D. Bennett, along with the agencies they head: the New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics and the New Jersey Department of Health respectively.
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being found out and harassed, prosecuted or attacked, is exactly the kind of persecution asylum laws are supposed to prevent.” Paul Twocock, director of campaigns, policy and research at Stonewall, asserted the guidance is a violation of United Nations regulations. Twocock said: “[The guidelines] openly acknowledge that LGBT people are at risk, but also state that they can escape persecution if they are careful not to attract attention by hiding who they are. This is unacceptable and leaves LGBT people in danger. We strongly urge the government to change its approach.”
Court rejects U.K. couple’s bid for civil partnership A British couple who wants their relationship recognized in law without the “patriarchal baggage” of marriage has lost the latest stage in their fight to be allowed a civil partnership. Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan say they and other couples face discrimination because only same-sex couples are eligible for civil partnerships. The High Court ruled against them last year, and on Feb. 21 the Court of Appeal upheld the decision by a 2-1 margin. Since 2005, gay couples in Britain have been able to form civil partnerships, which give them the same legal protection, adoption and inheritance rights as heterosexual married partners. Same-sex marriage became legal in 2014. The couple’s lawyer, Karon Monaghan, said Steinfeld and Keidan wanted “to enter into a legally regulated relationship which does not carry with it patriarchal baggage, which many consider comes with the institution of marriage.” The government says it wants to see the impact of gay marriage on civil partnerships before deciding whether to extend them to everyone, abolish them or phase them out. The three appeals judges agreed the situation was discriminatory, but two of the three said the government should be given more time to decide on the future of civil partnerships. Steinfeld said that although the couple lost, “All three judges agree that we are being treated differently because of our sexual orientation.” Keidan said they would appeal to the Supreme Court unless the government agrees to change the law. n — compiled by Larry Nichols
Doe’s suit notes that several states, including Pennsylvania, New York, California, Iowa, Oregon, Vermont and Washington, permit gender changes to birth certificates without requiring gender-confirmation surgery. Doe’s suit also points out that New Jersey doesn’t require gender-confirmation surgery to change a gender marker on a driver’s license. Neither side had a comment for this story. n
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 3-9, 2017
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At the first meeting, clients will brief the attorney on their issue and learn what paperwork they will need to gather, which they will deliver at the second meeting, along with signing any requisite documents. By the third, Giampolo said cases should be filed and ready for hearings. Since the November presidential election, Giampolo and eight other lawyers helped 50 people attain legal name changes on a pro-bono basis through her Transnomino project, she said. She plans to gauge their and other attorneys’ interest, and is also exploring the possibility of law students participating for legal-clinic credit. The immediate goal is to attain the RV, Giampolo said. After speaking with directors of other mobile legal-services program, Giampolo said she determined the cost of such a project will be about $50,000, which she’s looking to crowdfund (https://www. gofundme.com/caravanofhope). The money will support the purchase of the RV, its renovation and the branding. Giampolo is also working to get the message out to anyone who may be able to offer an RV at a reduced rate. “For being so impactful, it is a low-cost budget; the biggest costs are all one-time things,” she said. “We won’t have to buy and convert an RV every summer. After that it’s just gas and paying organizers, and then it just runs itself otherwise.” While the program will only operate in the summer at the start, Giampolo intends it to eventually be a year-round venture and is also in talks with a production company about a documentary on the work. She is working on Caravan of Hope’s nonprofit application and said she envisions an executive director and board eventually helming the project. She also anticipates working with LGBT lawyers across the country to help them establish their own regional Caravan of Hope programs. “I want to take Philly Gay Lawyer out as far as possible, to people who otherwise would never be able to walk into my office,” Giampolo said. For more information on Caravan of Hope, visit CaravanofHope.LGBT. n
PGN HEARING from page 1
a shot at Brooks, which was confirmed via surveillance footage presented at the hearing. “He looked scared and inexperienced, like he didn’t know what he was doing,” Damian said on the stand. Damian said she met White previously to provide services to him after he responded to her ad on classifieds-advertising website Backpage. She said she did not know White’s name prior to the Jan. 8 incident and noted that White wanted to be “more” than a client but she was not interested. “He said I was beautiful and he wouldn’t hurt me,” Damian said, saying that White was willing to show her mercy during the robbery. Damian added that the three women did not discuss clients with each other. “Most of the times, they will give you a nickname,” Damian said of her clients. TRANS STUDENTS from page 1
for equal protection, though not on their Title IX claim, and granted their request to use the restrooms consistent with their gender identity as the case wends its way through the court system. The judge also denied the district’s petition to dismiss the suit. Of the district’s bathroom policy, Hornak said it “turns exclusively on the then-existing presence of a determinate external sex organ, no matter what other biological sex or gender markers may exist, irrespective of gender identity (even if, as in the case of the plaintiffs, that gender identity is uncontested, and apparently persistent, consistent and medically and psychologically comprehensive), unrelated to how a student leads his or her life in all other respects, and irrespective of the manner in which the district treats that student for all other purposes.” Hornak went on to say he had yet to see evidence that the board acted on evidence that the plaintiffs’ bathroom use before the policy was adopted “in any way actually interfered with the orderly operations of the high school, or imminently threatened to do so.” He noted that there had been one complaint from a student and one from a parent over Evancho’s restroom use, but other than that had seen no evidence of the students’ restroom use causing “any sort of alarm” to any other students. He also wrote that the board did not appear to consider the risk of harm to the plaintiffs from the policy. Hornak referenced Trump administration’s recent action, stating that, while the Obama guidance was revoked, no other interpretation of Title IX for the purpose of gender-identity discrimination was offered. The revocation “appears to have generated an interpretative vacuum pending further consideration by those federal agencies of the legal issues involved in such matters.” The judge said this “set of circumstances substantially complicates the issues here.” “Every student must be respected for who they are and be afforded equal educational opportunity,” said Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, staff attorney at Lambda Legal, which is representing the students. “The court recognized
White’s attorney, Timothy J. Tarpey, asked Damian why the roommates did not talk with each other before Judge James M. DeLeon intervened. “What [the other women] do has nothing to do with her as a witness,” he said. Singleton said she received White’s phone number from Damian and entered the number into Facebook so she could provide investigators with a photo of the suspect. Vivian Royster On Jan. 9, Royster said she was home on the 5400 block of Girard Avenue with her aunt and boyfriend Jones. She was expecting White, whom she met six months previously but did not provide services, that night and noted that her boyfriend was giving her privacy. Royster said she never kept her sex work a secret from Jones. that policies that seek to erase a transgender student’s identity do not address any real problems, but rather only serve to discriminate and harm our youth. Such policies are not only wrong, they are illegal. The rescission of guidance by the Trump administration cannot change that.” Philadelphia, other school districts reaffirm policies The Philadelphia School District currently operates Policy 252, entitled “Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students.” This policy provides guidelines for pronouns, restrooms, physical-education programs, dress codes and other areas for students. It also constitutes a student’s transgender identity, legal name or sex assigned at birth as confidential medical information. In a statement, Philadelphia School District Superintendent William Hite said Trump’s announcement “will not change any school district policy or city law that protects our students.” “The School District of Philadelphia remains a safe and welcoming place of inclusion for all our students,” Hite said. “Every student deserves to know their rights will be recognized and upheld at school.” Several other local districts have also confirmed in the last few days that their trans-inclusive policies will remain unchanged, including Springfield, Upper Dublin and Wissahickon. Rachel Holzman, the Philadelphia district’s deputy chief for student rights and responsibilities, helped draft Policy 252 but noted that youth were instrumental in making it a reality last year. “We always had a practice of nondiscrimination based on sexual identity, sexual preference, gender identity — perceived or known,” Holzman said. “It’s not about bathrooms. It’s about protecting students. We think it’s very important to continually bring that point back so we can keep our eye on what’s important here.” The district’s chief of student support services, Karyn Lynch, noted that parents also were influential in the development of the
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 3-9, 2017
Royster testified that, when White entered the house, he asked if there were any men in the residence. “I tell everyone there’s no men in the house just in case a situation like this happens,” Royster said. Royster said White pulled out a black and silver gun in her bedroom and said, “You know what this is.” Royster said that Jones, who sensed a disturbance, entered the bedroom and tried to fight White. “[White] shot [Jones] twice in the face,” Royster said through tears. “He loved me,” Royster added, speaking to White from the stand. “Why would you do that? He has a 4-year-old daughter and a mother and a sister.” According to Royster, White robbed her of cash and a cellphone and shot Royster in the shoulder area. Royster’s aunt called police. policy. “We had a call today from a parent who wanted to know, in light of what the executive branch has determined to do, the position the school district would take and when we clarified that we would obviously stay the course, the parent was absolutely delighted,” Lynch said. Support from the city “This act shows a lack of compassion and understanding for millions of young people around the country who are simply trying to be themselves,” Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement about Trump’s action. “It also sends a cruel and harmful message that puts transgender students’ well-being and safety at risk. All students, including transgender youth, should have an equal opportunity at school to succeed in their education. The City of Philadelphia will continue to stand with transgender students even if the federal government refuses to.” Newly appointed Director of LGBT Affairs Amber Hikes said in a statement that the “decision by the White House sets the stage for further marginalization and discrimination against transgender youth in schools across the country.” “I’m proud to stand up with Mayor Kenney, the School District and PCHR [Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations] to denounce this action and look forward to working with them to strengthen our protections for transgendered youth,” Hikes said. In a statement, PCHR Executive Director Rue Landau mentioned the Fair Practices Ordinance (FPO), the city’s anti-discrimination law. Under this law, all schools must allow transgender students to use the bathrooms and locker rooms of their choice. That stipulation has been in place since 2002 when gender identity was added to the FPO. “We want all students in Philadelphia to know that they are still protected,” Landau said. In the same statement, trans activist Deja Lynn Alvarez encouraged transgender students to report any violations to PCHR.
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Next steps White is being held for court on all charges and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for 11 a.m. March 22 at the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. Assistant District Attorney Danielle Burkavage, who is prosecuting the case, noted how all of the women were “strong” and “supportive of each other” at the hearing. After the hearing, Brooks told PGN that “justice” for the four women and for Jones’ mother was more important than getting money or phones back. “This is important especially for all of those who don’t come forward and who are in these types of situations,” Brooks said. “It’s important that this man goes away so that others will feel OK to come forward and say what they have to say.” n “We are lucky to have strong laws in Philadelphia, but outside of the city, forcing students to use bathrooms that correspond to their birth gender is harmful to our trans youth and discriminatory,” Alvarez said. “Just as bigots and racists feel empowered, we must be empowered to stand up for not only our rights but our children’s rights and their very lives.” What’s next? Oral arguments are currently scheduled for next month before the U.S. Supreme Court in a case filed by a transgender teen from Virginia, who is challenging his school’s policy that would require him to use a girls’ restroom. Locally, Pennsylvania Youth Congress has a forthcoming report on what is being done in all 500 school districts in Pennsylvania to protect trans students. Since Obama issued the federal guidance in May, eight of those districts updated their nondiscrimination policies to be trans-inclusive. The report also found that only 6 percent of Pennsylvania public-school districts have policies protecting transgender students. Additionally, only 4 percent of Pennsylvania school districts prohibit harassment on the basis of gender identity and expression. Pennsylvania Youth Congress Executive Director Jason Landau Goodman said the full findings of the report will be made public in the spring. “It gives us a crucial understanding of where the landscape is so we know where we can encourage future development,” Goodman said of the report. Goodman noted Philadelphia’s support of transgender students but also mentioned the need to focus on other areas. “There’s always a need to continue with implementation of these policies,” he said. “We cannot forget how many vulnerable trans students are not in Philadelphia. That’s the work that I think really needs to come together. We have to start supporting each other regardless of our school district. We’re all working toward the goal of supporting all students wherever we are.” n
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Family Portrait Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly
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HOLIDAY HIJINKS Jewish burlesque, retro music join forces for Purim Party By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor Purim, the Jewish holiday celebrated a month before Passover, features revelers in costume — often cross-dressing — drinking and performing comedy. And this year, on March 9, The Gershman Y is having a fabulous Purim Party featuring the Schlep Sisters, Minnie Tonka and Darlinda Just Darlinda, who will perform their unique brand of Jewish burlesque. Philadelphia’s own DJ Robert Drake spins ’80s songs as part of the evening’s dance party. PGN caught up with both the Schlep Sisters and Drake to get a sense of what to expect on this wild night. Darlinda Just Darlinda and Minnie Tonka got their start 13 years ago after they met at a party after a flash-mob event in the Lower East Side. “It was a very serendipitous experience,” recalled Tonka. “We talked about finding creative outlets for performing, and it was Darlinda’s idea to do burlesque.” The “showbiz sisters,” both of whom are Jewish, continue the tradition of Minsky’s with a dose of Borscht Belt humor by exploring the art form of burlesque and comedy from a Jewish perspective. Darlinda Just Darlinda e x p l a i n e d , “We do Jewish-themed acts, so we have many Hanukkah-themed acts, an Exodus number we do for Passover. The theme of our performance
is Jewish. Burlesque has a long history of being Jewish, and the comedy is a big part of our Jewish heritage. We enjoy that. We have the only Hanukkah burlesque show that’s been going on for 10 years.” “I think that also, some of our acts [hark back] t o the Barry Sisters, who sung half in Yiddish and half in English,” Tonka added. “That’s another nod to our heritage. We bring it back in the 21st century.” The pair will perform a Barry Sisters song at the Gershman Y Purim party, but they won’t reveal which one. Tonka urged folks to “come to the show and see!” While burlesque suggests naughty and ribald acts, the Sisters insist their act is “really playful and funny and wholesome … with a little irony and a lot of Jewish pride,” as they finish each other’s sentences. Tonka continued, “People can expect to laugh and be entertained and inspired. We veer more towards comedic and neo-burlesque, not the classic showgirls or fan dances. We love that, but our style is more contemporary and has more overt humor.” As for what the Schlep Sisters will wear, Tonka previewed: “All of our costumes are custom-designed. They are colorful and fun. And we’re always identical. As burlesque performers, we’re always in costume. That’s our natural state. If we went to a party without a wig, that would be in costume! We’re in our Schlep Sisters glitz and glam attire!” n
Purim Playlist DJ Robert Drake will spin hits from the 1980s to add to the evening’s retro vibe. The out music maven met with PGN to talk about what folks can expect from his part of the party. PGN: Do you feel you’ve gone up or come down in this world to play musical host to a Jewish burlesque act? RD: Wow. I think I’ve come up in this world. Out of all the bizarre and unusual things I’ve aligned myself with in the city over the past 30 years, I still haven’t checked off a Jewish burlesque act on my bucket list, so that’s definitely something I haven’t done yet. It’s a step up to legitimacy. PGN: How are you co-conspiring with the Schlep Sisters? RD: Initially, they were coming to perform and the Gershman Y reached out to me to ask if I would build something around their event. My wheelhouse is retro, throwback music, so I decided to focus on what I do, and they are adapting to me more than I’m adapting to them. They have their performances and their acts and I’ll be excited to see them, but something tells me their performance will connect with the ’80s vibe because looking at them, it looks perfect for retro style. It will be collaborative. PGN: What do you bring to it as a DJ? Are there any particularly Jewish ’80s acts? RD: Not being Jewish, I asked, “What is a Purim party?” and Bill [Chenevert] at the Gershman Y said, “Consider it like Halloween, a celebration with costumes.” And that’s all my parties, everything I’ve done: people getting dressed up and weird themes and costumes to dance. It was easy to figure out. I don’t have any specific songs to play. I’m going to be the seasoning to the steak, the steak being the girls. So it’s Kosher steak. PGN: A good DJ creates a mood and gets people moving. How do you encourage folks who are less inclined to dance to get up off their tuchas? RD: [Laughs] There are “fish in a barrel songs” as I like to call them: songs that, being a DJ for 30 years, I personally would not listen to because I’ve heard them a lot, but the minute I play them, everyone gets on the floor, songs like “Mickey” by Toni Basil, PAGE 18
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FEATURE PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 3-9, 2017
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PLAYLIST from page 17
anything from the Go-Go’s, as those tend to make everybody stand up, and Madonna, her hits especially. PGN: Madonna’s real Jewish! RD: Yeah, depending on what decade you talk about. The Kabbalah phase! [Laughs] I think that what I’ve known over time is that the music I started playing in the ’80s was new music; when I began Sex Dwarf in 2003, it was a celebration of music I grew up with, and I didn’t realize that there were people who also wanted it. What’s neat about it is today’s current music, pop artists like Lady Gaga, are so inspired by ’80s music that I can attract the 50-plus crowd with the music of their youth [and] at the same time I can get someone who is 24-25 years old who also connects to the songs because they recognize the same beats, the same rhythms. It’s a multi-generational genre of music, you don’t get in ’90s music or ’70s music. PGN: What will folks hear on your playlist? RD: Eighties hits with an extra dose of ’80s schmaltz. See, I’m embracing the Jewish culture! Kosher cheese.
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PGN: Purim is a wild party, a kind of masquerade, with comedy, cross-dressing and drunkenness. How do/would you celebrate? RD: My celebration is that I’m a Svengali of sorts, and people who are there are the centerpiece, the stars of the night, if they’re coming in costume. I want to make sure they are part of the event. I’m toying with some costumes myself. I actually have a Mummers outfit I might pull out of storage, depending on how glittery it is. PGN: There are going to be contests crowning a Queen Esther and Mordecai. Are you going to be emceeing that? RD: I told them I would do whatever they want me to do. I don’t regret that, but I’m a little anxious because I don’t quite know. Hopefully, I’m not the judge of that [contest], because I don’t know what the criteria would be. But I think they will handle that
and I will handle the policing of it all. I think the themes and costumes will provide a good prizewinning king and queen. We’ll see a lot of ’80s-inspired outfits, which everyone has in the back of their closets. It gives people a chance to clean out their closets and do some spring cleaning. PGN: Will you perform a burlesque act? RD: [Laughs] I’ve hosted many a burlesque act. I don’t know if there’s enough money to pay to see me. I’m not one to be in front, unless they bring back the fans. They will need a lot of feathers to cover this body. I have a feeling it’s best for me not to do the burlesque act myself, and actually just be the inspiration behind it. PGN: How do you find the right tone for burlesque? RD: You have to be outgoing and interact with the crowd. You’re a carny of sorts, constantly moving things along. But at the same time, you have to deflect the fear the audience has — people have apprehension when they sit in a burlesque house or in front of a burlesque show — so I think you have to distract them enough so they relax and enjoy the performance, and don’t get embarrassed by seeing burlesque. It’s just another form of dancing, really, and when it’s done properly, it’s very artistic and creative, and comedic, depending on the act. I’m sure the Schlep Sisters will be comedic — if not they have the wrong name. n Purim Party takes place 7-9 p.m. March 9 at The Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St. Purchase tickets at http://bit.ly/2mFxcgT.
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Suzi Nash
J. Nathan Bazzel: Turning the tables on gender, sex stereotypes “Just like saying ‘That’s so gay’ or calling someone ‘queer’ — when used in a derogatory manner — the word ‘sissy’ is often used to demean someone by linking them to femininity. In our culture, the definition of ‘feminine’ is ‘has sex with men’: Straight women and gay men are considered feminine. The definition of ‘masculinity’ is ‘has sex with women’: Straight men and lesbians are considered masculine.”— Cyd Ziegler This week’s subject, J. Nathan Bazzel, has had it with stereotypes and the shame that comes with them. His long journey brought him to a point where he has proudly embraced his identity as a receptive male in a society that often shames people into silence. He’s looking to change all that. PGN: You came out at 15. What was it like coming out in the late ’80s? JNB: I went to Neshaminy High School in Bucks County, which was known as a “jock” school. They were very proud of their football team and still use the name “Redskins,” unapologetically I might add. I knew gay people growing up but it still didn’t make it any easier. I was involved with the theater-arts programs and the chorus. One of my friends in the choir had gone downtown — he was a pretty diverse kind of guy, straight as far as I know — and he’d come back with a stack of PGNs. He brought them to the choir room and was passing them out; really he was doing it as a joke, but I slipped one into my bag. When I got home, I ran up to my room and started going through it. I found a youth group, which was meeting at the corner of Walnut and Camac. I went there — nervous — but I met a bunch of kids just like me. They were from all over: some from Montgomery County schools, some from Philadelphia schools, about eight-10 of us. We met down in the basement, I want to say it was on Saturday afternoons, and Franny Price was one of the coordinators. Franny is one of the first people I met and she very quickly became a mentor to me. Back at school I was really trying to understand myself and who I was discovering. PGN:: What was the scariest moment? JNB: I grew up in a very arts-filled family: My mother worked in costumes, but she was also very conservative in many ways. I started having issues at school as other kids started to assume or guess that I was gay. I remember one event in school where two wrestlers had cornered me in the locker room. The way locker rooms are configured, the gym teachers can’t see anything. They started really pushing me around so I grabbed one kid by the back of the head and slammed it into the locker and started yelling. The gym teacher came in and I knew that I was going to have a
problem. I told my mother and the first words out of her mouth were, “Well, you never had a positive male role model.” Absolutely not true: My father was a blue-collar guy who worked incredibly hard for U.S. Steel as an electrician to support his family. He has two Bronze Stars from military service in Vietnam, but that’s what she said. When I finally came out in school, there were some very supportive teachers like Ted Kloos, the choir director. His first words were, “My God, I knew there was a reason you were so talented!” He immediately put a positive spin on it. But gym class became problematic; it’s where you’re most vulnerable. You’re semi-naked in the locker room, you don’t want to go into the shower because you don’t want something to happen, either physically or emotionally. It’s very awkward, but there was a female gym teacher and she was magnificent. She convinced the school to put me into what was called “adaptive gym” to help me feel safe. At the same time, I became a bit of an activist. There was a history teacher who’d been there since my mother and one day for some reason she started talking about “the homosexuals” and describing various explicit acts to warn us against these “terrible people” who would do these “nasty things.” She actually described fisting to make her point! I walked out and went to the principal’s office. I told them that I was gay and it wasn’t acceptable. To my surprise, my mother backed me up, but the whole thing was uncomfortable. PGN: What did you do after high school? JNB: I went to Bucks County Community College, but school just never fit me. I did get involved with the LGBT group there called The Open Door, and I was still dating my high-school boyfriend, who was actually 11 years older than me. Interestingly, my parents were fine with that. But I always knew that I wanted to get into the city; I felt that it would give me a sense of protection. So I moved here and got an apprenticeship at the Walnut Street Theatre. I’d studied history in college and found myself working with 76 Carriage Company doing tours. One day, dressed in one of the colonial outfits that my mother had made for me, I was discovered by Ralph Archbold, who played Ben Franklin for many years; most people have seen him in the Visit Philly commercials, etc. He asked if I would be interested in portraying Thomas Jefferson and I ended up doing it for 15-16 years. I worked for the State Department, I worked for the White House, for members of Congress, became Ralph’s business partner for many years and got to travel all across the country and around the world. It was a lot of fun.
PGN: That’s amazing. JNB: It was, but there was an incident that happened just before I started working as Jefferson that led to a lot of what I do now. I was violently raped in my home. In the support given to women who are victims of rape, they repeat the message, “It’s not your fault.” Not disputing that there are those who tell women that they are responsible for one reason or another, but the larger message is to reassure them that they are not the cause. There are wonderful organizations like Women Organized Against Rape who reinforce that. But with men, society seems to have the attitude that we can’t be raped, that we should be able to fight off an attack, that we can only get an erection if we’re truly interested. Not the case. After I was raped, I laid in my bed for 24 hours in my own blood. I had just started dating my then-boyfriend and, like most male rape victims, we try to normalize our lives as quickly as possible. My first action was to suggest, “Let’s move in together!” so that I could get out of my
apartment. Like many rape victims, I had difficulty sexually with my partner; before the rape I’d been a bottom and that’s how we were accustomed to engaging. I felt I couldn’t just switch on him but during sex I’d totally disengage. Gone. I’d just stare at the wall and it’s what ended our seven-year relationship. It was tough. PGN: I understand that there was an incident at OutFest that helped turn things around and led to your current activism.
JNB: Yes. First, I believe that rape is the most violent crime that can happen to a person. If you’re murdered, you’re deceased; the pain stops. But a rape victim will relive the pain again and again in various ways for the rest of our lives. After the breakup, I decided that I needed to become a top sexually. “I’m going to be the penetrative partner!” and no joke, I ended up with the worst sex life imaginable for 20 years: a good part of it spent alone and virtually celibate. In May, I was with someone who turned the tables on me in a way that I was amenable to. I went home and had a meltdown and realized, This all is connected to that damned rape! It’s all connected! And I realized that being a receptive partner was who I really was and that it was OK. For most of my life, I tried to be something I wasn’t because society told me “it’s more masculine” to be a “top” and that all receptive partners are “swishy,” “weak,” “effeminate,” “submissive.” I started reading up on bottom-shaming. Just as society treats women as weaker and less than men, receptive male partners are treated even less than that. Even the term we use to describe it places us at the “bottom” of the list. Most of the anti-LGBT rants that you see towards men are really rants against the male receptor. Even “Fuck you!” — if you think about it — is saying that getting fucked is an undesirable thing. So I decided to say, “You know what? I need to be me, this is who I am and I’m OK with it.” I started reaching back out to the leather community, which I’d dabbled with back when I was with my first boyfriend. So, back to OutFest … I’ve been working with various police organizations — I’m the secretary to Commissioner Ross’ LGBT liaison committee — so I was outside of Knock standing with some of the officers and one of the religious groups was out there with their megaphones spewing their antigay message. I have a dear friend who is a trans woman and an activist — she’s a fellow Scot and I adore her — but she suddenly said, “I know how to stop this!” She took a piece of paper and made a sign that said, “Street preachers suck cock!” and stood in front of them. As other LGBT people hurled out “insults” to them like “Cock sucker!” and “You probably take it up the ass!” I walked over and said, “What the hell are you doing?” PAGE 26
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 3-9, 2017
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS
Out crooner and pianist does Cole Porter proud By A.D. Amorosi PGN Contributor While there are countless interpreters of smart American standard song and torrid Tin Pan Alley soliloquies, few artists are as knowing, educated and warmly humorous about their exploits as Mark Nadler. Nadler is a longtime Philadelphia favorite who has played with the New York and Philly Pops, as well as many solo shows at the Prince Theater (most recently 2014, with his Weimar Republic cabaret on decadence, Jews and gays — three groups he belongs to). The crooner-howler and pianist throws himself into deep background and appropriate musical characterizations with every show, be it his TchaikovskyRussian program, his Ira Gershwin showcase, the cool contemporary songbook “1961” (dedicated to tunes from the year he was born) or his decade-plus take on Cole Porter, “A Swell Party RSVP.” Within that framework, Nadler can studiously and stridently attend to the sly, coded language and double (and triple) entendre that was Porter at his wittiest and wiliest. Nadler will sing for his supper at Dino’s Backstage & the Celebrity Room in Glenside March 3-4. PGN: I know you dig deep during research. Have you had a chance to hunt and peck through Philly? MN: It depends on what show I’m doing, where its roots might be. Using the Cole Porter show as an example, I don’t know that he had roots in your town, but if he did, I’d find them. The local angle on this show is that there will be audience interaction — not audience singing though, thank God. It becomes personal, not local. You know where I have hung? Curtis Institute for recitals. The Suzanne Roberts for shows. And your museums: I love the Barnes and the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the University of Pennsylvania Museum with the mummies of ancient Egypt and the Silk Road exhibition with the corpses of old China. Plus, Rittenhouse is always a lovely place to sit, have coffee and read a book. PGN: You’ve moved beyond your Jazz Age musical roots. Why? MN: Along with “1961,” I’m doing a potpourri of newer standards and theater songs at my improvisational monthly night in New York City, songs written in the last 20 years. I’m not attempting to do pop songs of today, whatever today is
— never did, I don’t think. PGN: Do you have a time cut-off? MN: I have no cut-off. I will tell you that what makes me want to do a song is the wit of the lyric, and if I can bring something to it in storytelling form, or in flushing out a character. PGN: And pop songs of the present can’t or don’t do that? MN: No, they do not, not for me. So it’s not about time — the year or era when a song is written — but rather how the song speaks to me and what I can, from there, bring to an audience. Why would you listen to Mark Nadler do a song unless I couldn’t do anything unique with it? PGN: When you’re considering an Ira Gershwin or a Cole Porter song, are you looking for yourself in their words and music, or placing yourself in their hands? MN: I have to find something deeply meaningful to and for me. I pick a song because it is funny, or because it is touching or mainly because it gets my juices going in some way. My process from there is that I look for precisely what the songwriter did, what he wrote and its deeper meaning, then adjust it until I feel excited — and exciting. PGN: How does Cole Porter’s coded language work for you? MN: That’s part of the fun of Porter, cracking the code. Porter and Larry Hart, who were both gay, wrote in code about being gay. They wrote very personally in that manner. Now, me being a guy that is gay and grew up in Iowa having to live his life and knowing full well how to express himself in that code, I automatically look for that language. Porter is my all; I have been to his gravesite and played at his home. I have gotten to know Cole Porter as intimately as I could without sitting down to dinner with him. Knowing that he wrote “Begin the Beguine” while on vacation on the Fiji Islands and hearing a beguine colors my impression of that song and that moment. I could imagine my own beguine, and wrote in counterpoint to his beguine, and that underpins his song. That takes the beguine from the big-band era into something more intimate. PGN: That’s the most times I’ve heard the word “beguine” used in one statement. MN: And so it begins. n Mark Nadler performs 8 p.m. March 3-4 at Dino’s Backstage & the Celebrity Room, 287 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside. For more information or tickets, visit http://www.dinosbackstage. com/shop/show-tickets/march-3-mark-nadlercole-porter-after-dark/.
CANNONBALLING IN SWAN LAKE: Ballet enthusiast and novices alike will delight in the gracefully comedic dance styles of Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo, a troupe of men in tutus doing send-ups of classical ballet numbers with hilarious results, March 8-12 at Prince Theater, 1412 Chestnut St. For more information or tickets, call 215-569-9700.
Theater & Arts American Watercolor in the Age of Homer and Sargent Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring watercolor painting’s remarkable rise in the United States between 18601925 through May 14, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100. Cirque du Soleil: Toruk — The First Flight The Cirque show based on the hit sci-fi film “Avatar” comes to Philadelphia March 8-12 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215389-9543. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time The Tony Awardwinning new play by Simon Stephens, adapted from Mark Haddon’s best-
selling novel about a 15-year-old with an extraordinary brain who is suspected of killing his neighbor’s dog, through March 5 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800. The Gift Walnut Street Theatre presents the story behind the making of a great novel through March 19 at Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215574-3550. Jitish Kallat: Covering Letter Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an immersive installation and video projection by Mumbai-based artist Kallat, presenting a historical letter by Mahatma Gandhi to Adolf Hitler written just weeks before the start of World War II through March 5, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100.
Laughter On the 23rd Floor Walnut Street Theatre presents the Neil Simon play that gives the audience a peek into the writer’s room of a hit 1950s television show through March 5, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. Le Corsaire The Pennsylvania Ballet performs a lighthearted production about a swashbuckling pirate in search of treasure who becomes enamored with a slave girl March 9-19 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-7905800. Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo A comedic dance
performance featuring men un tutus doing sendups of classical ballet numbers, March 8-12 at Prince Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215-569-9700. Paul Mercurio The comedian seen on “The Daily Show” performs March 3-4 at The Punchline Philly, 33 E. Laurel St.; 215-606-6555. Person of the Crowd: The Contemporary Art of Flânerie The Barnes Foundation presents an exhibition featuring works by 40 international artists making provocative spectacles of
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.
PGN ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS
themselves through May 22, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; 215-278-7000. Portrait of Jason A screening of the groundbreaking film in which Jason Holliday is given the entire screen for an hour and 45 minutes, during which time he makes a candid self-revelation, 7-9 p.m. March 3 at The African American Museum of Philadelphia, 701 Arch St.; 215574-0380.
Music The Flaming Lips The alt-rock band performs 8:30 p.m. March 4 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-6253681. Los Lobos The rock band performs 5 and 8 p.m. March 5 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5808. Mike Doughty The alt-rock singer performs 8 p.m.
standards 8 p.m. March 6 at Venice Island Performing Arts Center, 7 Lock St.; www. summerclubshows. com.
Nightlife Purim Party! with The Schlep Sisters and DJ Robert Drake An evening of music and entertainment provided by special guests The Schlep Sisters, New York’s Jewish ladies of burlesque, with an ’80s dance party spun by award-winning DJ Robert Drake, 7-9
Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; 215732-2220. Beth & Ralph’s Porn Stash Local gay comedians Beth Eisenberg and Ralph Andracchio watch porn clips and have conversations with a panel of guests of all shapes and sizes 10:30 p.m. March 4 at Philly Improv Theater, 2030 Sansom St.; 267-2331556.
Outta Town
Shitheads Azuka Theatre presents the story of a down-and-out bike shop in lower Manhattan, where the new manager has to get creative in order to save the shop he loves, through March 12 at Proscenium Theatre at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks St.; 215-563-1100.
March 5 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-2221400.
p.m. March 9 at The Gershman Y. 401 S. Broad St.; 215-5454400.
Summer Club Presents Ladies Night An all-female ensemble of musicians, featuring both Philly and Broadway stars, performs bigband and swing
DIVAS: A Drag Cabaret Stella D’Oro hosts a special performance featuring PGMC members and special guests honoring divas old and young, 7-10 p.m. March 4 at William Way LGBT
Critters The sci-fi film is screened 9 p.m. March 3 at the Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228. Mrs. Doubtfire The comedy about an actor who poses as an old nanny to keep tabs on his ex-wife and kids is screened 2 p.m. March 4 at the Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228. Lewis Black The comedian performs 9 p.m. March 10-11 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. n
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‘Zucchini’ marks coming of age, amid obstacles By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor Out French screenwriter (and frequent director) Céline Sciamma excels at making coming-of-age films. Her latest, the Oscar-nominated animated film, “My Life as a Zucchini,” joins her previous adolescent tales “Water Lilies,” “Tomboy,” “Girlhood” and “Being Seventeen.”
Miss Amateur L’Etage Vanessa Sterling hosts as 10 amateur queens compete to win a prize 8-10 p.m. March 5 at L’Etage, 624 S. Sixth St.; 215592-0656. Miss Richfield 1981: 2020 Vision The comedy queen of Minnesota returns with her new show 8 p.m. March 10 at Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St.; 215-922-1695.
THE ‘RICH’ IS BACK: Comedic cabaret entertainer Miss Richfield 1981 is busting out of the cold confines of suburban Minnesota once again to entertain Philadelphia with her new show, “2020 Vision: A Survival Guide to the New World,” March 10-11 at Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St. For more information or tickets, call 215-922-1695.
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 3-9, 2017
The film, directed by Claude Barras, opens March 3 at the Ritz at the Bourse. It is showing in both an English-language version (during the daily matinees) that features the voices of out actor Ellen Page as well as Amy Sedaris, Nick Offerman and Will Forte. The original subtitled version screens at night. Sciamma adapted “My Life as a Zucchini” from Gilles Paris’ young-adult novel. The film uses stop-motion animation to tell the story of a 9-year-old boy whose mother dies, sending the orphaned youth to go live in a foster home. While his real name is Icale, he prefers “Zucchini,” because that was what his late mother called him. Once in the orphanage, Zucchini meets a handful of other young boys and girls who have suffered traumas ranging from addicted parents to sexual abuse. Zucchini tries to fit in with these other outcasts, and he does bond with several youths. However, he is the victim of bullying by Simon — who renames Zucchini “Potato,” because of his big head. When Simon steals Zucchini’s kite, the new kid fights back, gaining some respect from his tormentor. The dynamic between the kids in the foster home changes yet again with the introduction of another youth, Camille, who is escaping from her abusive aunt. Zucchini starts to fall in love with Camille, and they sneak out together one night to have a heart-to-heart. These tender moments, as well as an amusing comic set piece during a getaway to a ski resort, or a running gag about some of the orphans’ bad attitudes towards cops, add texture to this slight film. But “My
Life as a Zucchini” isn’t particularly deep. There is some raunchy talk about sex, and some adult themes that suggest the film isn’t suitable for preteen viewers, but the animation style, full of bright colors and slow movements, is very evocative of the cartoons from most childhoods. This may be deliberate, to emphasize the young characters’ coming of age, getting of wisdom and losing their innocence. Then again, it may not. While animation is often used to illustrate things that are not necessarily viable in real life, the stop-motion style only rarely employs its techniques to convey a point visually. The amusing episode in the ski resort features such scenes, as when a character tries on red-tinted glasses, turning the screen red, or during some playful bits with a snowman, but much of the film is realistic. That said, the human characters are drawn with big heads and large eyes but small mouths that make them very expressive. When Zucchini lies awake in his bed the first night in the foster home, his anxiety is evident in his features. Once Camille is introduced, “My Life as a Zucchini” sets up its main drama, which extends not just to the relationship that might develop between her and Zucchini, but also the efforts Camille’s aunt takes to get her niece back. (There’s money for the evil aunt if she does.) As Zucchini, Simon and the other kids enact a plan to help Camille remain in the foster home, Raymond, the policeman who delivered Zucchini to the orphanage, is considering adopting the two children. Sciamma plays out these episodes without sentimentality, and that is why the film is so enjoyable, even with the slightly sensitive material. The orphans may be misfits defined by their characteristics — Jujube likes to eat toothpaste, even though it makes his stomach ache; another child wets the bed; a third has a habit of rattling her fork — but they are all endearing. Watching the kids express themselves, cutting loose and dancing at the ski resort one night is a small, fun moment. It may prompt viewers to think of the “Zucchini” characters with the same fondness they have for the kids from “Peanuts.” And this may be the real theme of “My Life as a Zucchini.” Like many members of the LGBT community who find their real family with their friends, not their relatives, the kids in the foster home bond with one another because they all share a common characteristic: the fear that nobody loves them. As such, they decide to love each other. It’s a heartwarming message sensitively presented. Viewers who enjoy “My Life as a Zucchini” should stay through the film’s ending credits, as there is a charming little interview vignette featuring the title character. n
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 3-9, 2017
PGN
Food and Drink Directory
1846 South 12th Street at the Corner of 12th & Mifflin
(215) 551-7111
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Catering Available - Delivery All Night Long
www.KeyPizzaOnline.com “Serving your Philadelphia neighborhood a variety of fresh quality food since 1989”
The Center City IHOP located at 1320 Walnut St. is now open 24 Hrs on FRIDAY and SATURDAY
THANKS FOR MAKING IT A IHOP DAY
Eating Out Should Be Fun! Read PGN’s food reviews every second and fourth week of the month
Want to try new dining options? Try Food and Drink Directories in PGN.
FOR ADVERTISING INFO CONTACT YOUR PGN AD REP AT (215) 625-8501
Spring Travel Preview Coming April 21, 2017 DEADLINE TO ADVERTISE March 14 215-625-8501 ext. 212 or email prab@epgn.com
PGN
m
<—
m
Rosewood
Tabu
Woody’s
1302 Walnut St. 215.336.1335 rosewood-bar.com Elegantlyappointed cozy bar with high-end cocktails
200 S. 12th St. 215.964.9675 tabuphilly.com Sports bar / drag shows and bar food
202 S. 13th St. 215.545.1893 woodysbar.com American-style bar food and large dance floor
m m
Four-level leather bar; basement enforces a dress code; pool tables pn two floors and big-screen sports action
Walnut St. Chancellor St.
m
m
St. James St.
m Locust St.
m
<—
The Bike Stop
Latimer St.
m Manning St.
m
11th St.
Read PGN’s food reviews every second and fourth week of the month
- and check out our archive of past reviews on epgn.com.
1330 Walnut St. facebook.com/ boxersphl Sports bar with multiple plasma tvs, pool table, brick oven, more!
Quince St.
out of it.
Boxers
12th St.
a bite
The Philadelphia Gayborhood is roughly centered at 12th and Camac streets. Look for the rainbow street signs at intersections and remember to be aware of your surroundings wherever you go.
Camac St.
Take
Guide to the Gayborhood
13th St.
is coming!
The
Juniper St.
Spring
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 3-9, 2017
r r Spruce St.
William Way LGBT Community Center
1315 Spruce St. 215.732.2220 waygay.org
A resource for all things LGBT
Voyeur
1221 St. James St. 215.735.5772 voyeurnightclub.com After-hours private club; membership required
U Bar 1220 Locust St. 215.546.6660
Relaxing corner bar, easy-going crowd, popular for happy hour and window watching
Tavern on Camac West of Broad Street Stir Lounge
1705 Chancellor St. 215.732.2700 stirphilly.com Fun two-bar lounge, DJ in the back, regular poker games and specials
255 S. Camac St. 215.545.8731 Piano lounge with upstairs dance floor; Tavern restaurant below is open late.
Knock 225 S. 12th St. 215.925.1166 knockphilly.com Fine-dining restaurant and bar, outdoor seating (weather permitting), piano in back room
ICandy
254 S. 12th St. 267.324.3500 clubicandy.com Three floors with a total of six bars; dance floor, lounge and rootop deck.
The Attic Youth Center
255 S. 16th St. 215.545.4331 atticyouthcenter.org Safe space and programs for LGBTs age 16-23 weekday afternoons and evenings
Pa. bars close at 2 a.m. unless they have a private-club license. Please drink responsibly.
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 3-9, 2017
PORTRAIT from page 19
She started to say, “I’m just trying to … ” “Shame them,” I finished. “You’re trying to shame them by using a male receptive act as an insult.” It started to infuriate me, and I went home and put on my leather boots and harness, leather jacket, gloves and hat. I made a sign that said, “Stop Bottom Shaming” and went back. I stood right beside her and held my sign high in my best Norma Rae/Sally Field imitation and something amazing happened. People stopped. They got the message and within two minutes people started coming over and giving me hugs and kisses, high-fiving me, shaking my hand. People were smiling and giving me thumbs-up. PGN: That’s wonderful. JNB: And then something happened that really moved me. There was a young kid about 18 who came up and asked if he could talk to me. I said sure and he asked, “How did you know you’re a bottom?” I told him that for me, it was just where I felt most comfortable. He told me that he had a new boyfriend and they were starting to fool around and that it was really painful. So I sat down with him and talked and he was telling me that they’d been watching porn to try to learn what to do. Ugh! I don’t know if you’re aware, Suzi, but one of the fastest-growing areas of gay porn are sites that glorify sketchy sex and frat-house videos where they promote unprotected sex and encourage male rape culture in a startling way. Often it’s shot like reality TV in a frat house where they’re drinking and smoking and they’ll grab a guy with the implication that if you fuck him long enough, over his protests, he’ll start to love it. I explained to him that those videos aren’t real, they might look like hidden-camera reality but that they’re very staged and there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to make it look like it does. I explained that he needed to understand how muscles work and how your body structure and anatomy are positioned. I asked him if he’d ever seen the commercial for the Squatty Potty. “I think so?” And I told him that it was actually quite helpful because they show, in a fun way with rainbows and unicorns, how that area functions and how to open those muscles. As we spoke, I realized what a need there was for young people to learn about real sex, gay sex.
PGN: Yes, it’s not something that most schools are going to address. JNB: Exactly. We barely teach heterosexual sex, but we never teach gay or lesbian sex; we simply don’t. I was talking to some of the guys in The Bike Stop and they were saying that, back in the day, there were clubs where you could learn about whatever interests you might have. The older members of the community would answer questions about anything. But AIDS wiped out a good portion of that generation and pushed society to become much more conservative about talking about sex. That needs to end. We’re still seeing unacceptable numbers of HIV infection and staggering new numbers of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. I can’t say who yet, but I’m partnering up with a health organization to work on a project; we should be making an announcement very soon. People can look for the Facebook group, which will be called “The Bottom Line Philadelphia” to find out more information. I’m really excited about it. PGN: Cool. Time for a random question: What’s your go-to karaoke song? JNB: [Laughs] “On the Street Where You Live” from “My Fair Lady.” PGN: Most unusual possession? JNB: Trying to think of one that won’t get me arrested! Oh, I have the whiskers from my late cat. It’s sentimental; she used to tickle me with them. PGN: You played Thomas Jefferson. Who should play you? JNB: Matt Damon! I want to see him in knee-high boots and a harness. PGN: [Laughs] Did your affinity for leather come from being around all the horse gear when driving a carriage? JNB: Ha! No, my harness, which I still have, was given to me by my first boyfriend when I was 18. It’s funny, I’m just coming out again as a leather man. The night of the Pulse fundraiser, I dug my harness out, put it on underneath a shirt and went into The Bike Stop and ran into Rudy Flesher, who as Mr. Leather has been an inspiration to me. I took off my shirt to reveal the harness, and without looking down or taking his eyes away from my eyes, he just smiled and said, “Welcome.” n To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol. com.
pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976
HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
Q Puzzle Homojis Across
1. Collette of “United States of Tara” 5. Puts the tongue between the cheeks 9. “___ fan tutte” 13. “Ben Hur” or “Spartacus” 14. Red rind contents 15. Sherman Hemsley religious sitcom 16. Unimportant 17. Ward of “Once and Again” 18. Aquarium 19. Gathering for tops and bottoms? 22. Writer Castillo 23. Mapa of “Switched at Birth” 24. Connection with people 28. Marine role of Jim Nabors 32. Be in the hole 33. Stops suckling
36. Kunis of “Black Swan” 37. Country ruled by a dick-tator? 40. One of Grampa Walton’s grandaughters 41. Presbyterian minister Jane 42. Went down on 43. Cul-___ 45. Equated 47. Like Albee’s three women 50. Neighbor of Ariz. 51. Computer storage of phallic pictures? 57. Date opening? 58. Mary Richards’ spunk, for example 59. “Charlie’s Angels” role 61. Second fruit eater 62. “___ Upon a Mattress” 63. Hairy twin 64. Anna Madrigal’s daughter 65. One who looks into crys-
tal balls 66. Cold-cock
Down
1. Word after pro 2. Source of oil-based lubricants 3. Robert De ___ 4. Top of the world 5. Where motorists get off 6. What comes to mind 7. One of the Obama girls 8. Vidal’s “Visit to a ___ Planet” 9. Where the ancients stuck their bones 10. Barbra’s “Funny Girl” guy 11. Tickled pink 12. Like a desk blotter 20. “If I’d only ___!” 21. Ball holder for Patty Sheehan 24. Like Orlando Cruz before a bout 25. Gay-
friendly, perhaps 26. Meaning of the homojis that appear in circles 27. Canvas covering 29. City of Da Vinci’s “Last Supper” 30. Top 31. Competed at Indy 34. Scott of “Beautiful Thing” 35. The hole she bang, perhaps? 38. Curse from Jeremy Irons in “The Borgias” 39. Dweebish “Family Matters” boy
44. The Batmobile, e.g. 46. Caused to come out 48. HRC’s equal sign, and others 49. “SNL” producer Michaels 51. Word to a dominatrix 52. Bring to naught 53. Trey does his voice on “South Park” 54. Disney’s Mickey and Minnie, e.g. 55. Bear up there 56. Guillermo of “Weeds” 60. Wicks of the WNBA
STAGE PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 3-9, 2017
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The art and politics of dancing in a frock By Gary L. Day PGN Contributor “This job — it’s so much fun,” enthused Laszlo Major. “I mean, it’s really fun to work for this company.” Of course, the three hours it takes to dress for work, plus the three hours to undress, can make for some long days. Every job, no matter how much fun, has its ups and downs — even when you’re a dancer for Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. For those not in the know, Les Ballets Trockadero is a wildly popular touring dance company in which the ballerina roles are played by men, complete with full make-up and tutus. While the idea sounds funny — and it often is hilarious — make no mistake about it: these male ballerinas take the craft of classical ballet very seriously. There are some highly trained ballerinas up there who, despite sporting facial and chest hair, have to be able to line up and dance en pointe. “After all,” said Major, “it’s not really funny if the dancing isn’t up to the highest standard.” Born in Hungary, Major started studying dance seriously at the tender age of 14. It was during school that he became
aware of Les Ballets Trockadero, and fell into an absolute lust to work for them. “From an early age, I always wanted to dance en pointe,” he admitted. Later in his teen years, Major gave up dancing for personal reasons. That hiatus lasted about four years. Fortunately, the allure of dance drew him back, and he snagged his first job by the time he was 21. But he kept his eye on the prize — dancing for Les Ballets Trockadero. It took a couple of years and several tries before the stars aligned properly and he got his wish. He’s been with the company for about two years. In addition to the long hours of prep in the dressing room, one of the biggest difficulties of life as a Trock is the constant travel. As a touring company, Les
Ballet Trockadero is on the road nine to 10 months out of the year. “Don’t get me wrong — I’m not complaining. I’m seeing some amazing places,” said Major. “But the company members are forced to live together without a lot of privacy, forcing a sort of closeness like a family. And occasionally, like a family, there can be strains.” Given the current political climate in the country, one has to wonder if a show that upends gender expectations so outrageously runs into any problems on the road. “We are going through something crazy in the states,” Major acknowledged, “but we’ve never had a problem, that I know of. A lot of people are scared that we’re slipping back to the bad old days.” But Major sees the work of Les Ballets
Trockadero as helping counter the rising tide of fear. “I think we’re helping people come out. Closeted people who live in fear see a bunch of guys parading round unashamed in frocks, and maybe that inspires a bit of courage they otherwise wouldn’t have. I see us as ambassadors for being yourself.” “Being yourself” is a rather ironic turn of phrase, since one of the conceits of the Trocks involves company members creating both male and female humorous, overthe-top performance identities that play different character roles. Major’s male stage name is Araf Legupski. His female persona’s name is Tatiana Youbetyoubootskaya. But as many a drag queen has discovered over the years, sometimes a heavy coat of makeup and a frilly tutu can be the most direct route to the inner man. And watching a bunch of beefy guys in frilly frocks dancing “Swan Lake” could be revelatory, indeed. n Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo will perform March 8-12 at the Prince Theater, 1412 Chestnut St. There will be an LGBT Night performance March 9, with $10 off ticket prices with the online code THURS10. For ticket information, call 215-636-9000 or visit dance affiliates.org.
Delco church conducts ‘out’reach through music By Ray Simon PGN Contributor Music Out Loud, a concert featuring lesbian musicians Crys Matthews and Summer Osborne, promises to bring a joyful noise to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County in Media on March 4. The show is open to the public; tickets are available at the door or at www.eventbrite. com. The Music Out Loud concerts began roughly nine years ago, according to Gabriell Sacks, who helped to organize and promote this year’s show. The series, she explained, is just one component of the UUCDC’s overall mission of outreach to marginalized or oppressed communities. “It was started as a way to provide a safe place for LGBTQ people to come and listen to performers and, particularly, gay performers, in the suburbs,” Sacks said. Since Music Out Loud was founded, it has brought a diverse lineup of LGBTQ performers to the UUCDC, including women’s music icon Tret Fure, gay singer-songwriter Joshua Thomas and transgender artist Coyote Joe Stevens. This year’s Music Out Loud concert is co-sponsored by Interweave, the UUCDC’s LGBTQ and allies group, and the Rainbow Women’s Group, its lesbian support and social group. Sacks stepped in when a longtime organizer had to bow out. With help from her partner, Sharon Fichthorn, and others from the congregation, she made sure the show
would go on. Sacks, a first-time concert promoter, approached the task pragmatically. “What I ended up doing was going on the website of the National Women’s Music Festival and just pretty much listening to all the performers,” she said. After doing her research, Sacks contacted Matthews, who had recently done a tour of Unitarian Universalist churches with fellow musician Osborne. The pair was delighted to be asked to perform at the UUCDC. As it turns out, playing music in church is
including the 2011 album “Backroads and Driveways” and the 2015 EP “The Izzle Ballads, Vol. II.” She writes a lot of love songs, as well as songs about daily life. Although her music has clear affinities with folk, she points out she’s not a typical folkie. “Genre-wise, it’s very hard for me to fit into one little box,” Matthews said when asked about her music. “I like to describe it as a new type of Americana. It’s a blend of blues with a little bit of jazz influence.” In concert, she often whistles a lot too. “I don’t want to let my classically trained clar-
CRYS MATTHEWS (LEFT) AND SUMMER OSBORNE
nothing new for Matthews, whose mother is an African Methodist Episcopal preacher. “They’re actually some of my favorite shows to play,” Matthews said of Unitarian churches. She likes these because the audiences are attentive, they aim for inclusivity and they take social justice seriously. “Those are a lot of the principles that I hold dear and try to put into my music as well.” In concert, Matthews plays acoustic guitar and sings. She’s released five recordings,
inet embouchure completely go to waste,” she said, laughing. Although Music Out Loud is a showcase for LGBTQ artists, Matthews won’t approach it differently from any other concert. “If you’re doing your job right as a songwriter, almost anything that you write should be relatively universal,” she said. Lately, however, Matthews’ songwriting has taken a political turn. The upcoming concert offers an opportunity for her to share
this material with a receptive audience. “I know I’m going to be playing to a group of people who are relatively ‘awake,’ so I can actually play some of my political music,” she said. “Battle Hymn for an Army of Lovers,” written after the presidential election, is an example. The title refers to Rita Mae Brown’s poem “Sappho’s Reply,” and it quotes Nelson Mandela and Michelle Obama, among others. Despite the distressing circumstances that inspired the song, its message is hopeful: “I was born full of love and hope and, when I die, that’s how I’ll depart.” According to Matthews, attendees will hear plenty of inspiring music at Music Out Loud. Her fellow performer, Osborne, is noteworthy for her joyful stage presence. “Her perspective and outlook on life is so positive, and she tries to be so healing, and that just comes through in her music so deeply,” Matthews said. Osborne, who plays keyboards, is also a wonderful singer. “I like to call her the lovechild of Elton John and Adele,” Matthews said. “She’s got this crazy, crazy, powerful, strong voice.” For her part, organizer Sacks would be delighted if denizens of the Gayborhood ventured out to the suburbs for Music Out Loud. “I hope people come out, hear great music, support their LGBTQ community and get to know each other,” she said. n For information about the concert, visit www. uucdc.org. To learn more about the performers, visit www.crysmatthews.com and www.summerosborne.com.
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 3-9, 2017
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Men Delco Dudes
A men’s social and support group meets 7-9 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of the month at Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Road in Media; delco. dudes@uucdc.org. Gay Married Men’s Association
Meets 7-9 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; www.meetup.com/GAMMAGay-Married-Mens-SupportGroup-in-Philadelphia-PA. Men of All Colors Together
Meets 7:30 p.m. the third Friday of the month, September through June, at William Way; 610-2776595, www.MACTPhila.org. Men’s Coming Out Group, N.J.
Meets 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at The Pride Center of New Jersey; njwarrior@aol.com. Men of Color United
A discussion/support group for gay and bisexual men of color meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-496-0330.
Parents/Families Family & Community Service of Delaware County
Provides comprehensive care serving Delaware County and Philadelphia. Services include behavioral health and addiction counseling; HIV/AIDS medical case management/prevention; housing, food and transportation assistance. Offices in Media and Clifton Heights, the Ralph Moses House in Chester and in other community locations. Insurances accepted. Hours are 8:30 a.m.4 p.m. Monday-Friday, and evenings by appointment; 610566-7540 or www.fcsdc.org. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Bucks County
Meets 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at Penns Park United Methodist Church, 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park, and hird Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Warminster UCC, 785 Street Road; 215-348-9976. PFLAG/Chester County
Meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at the Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester, 501 S. High St.; 484-354-2448. PFLAG/Collingswood, N.J.
Meets 6:30-9 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month at Collingswood Public Library, 771 Haddon Ave.; 609-202-4622, pflagcollingswood@yahoo.com. PFLAG/Media
Meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month at the Unitarian Universal Church, 145 Rose Tree Rd.; 610-368-2021. PFLAG/Philadelphia
Meets 2-5 p.m. the third Sunday of the month at the LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 3907 Spruce St.; 215-572-1833. PFLAG/Princeton, N.J.
Meets 7:30 p.m. the second Monday of the month in the George Thomas Room at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St.; 609-6835155. PFLAG/Wilmington, Del.
Meets 7-9 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 W. 13th St.; 302654-2995.
Philadelphia Family Pride
Advocacy, support and social network for LGBT families offers play groups, monthly kids and teen talk groups, activities and outings. Planning meetings held monthly; 215-600-2864, info@phillyfamilypride.org, www.phillyfamilypride.org.
Trans
Evolutions
A drop-in support group for anyone on the transgender spectrum meets 6 p.m. Thursdays at 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652 ext. 235. Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine
Primary health care and specialized transgender services in a safe, professional, nonjudgmental environment, 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. T-MAN
People-of-color support group for transmen, FTMs, butches, studs, aggressives, bois, genderqueer and all female-born individuals with gender questions meets 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays, 1201 Locust St., second floor; 215632-3028, tmanphilly.com. Transhealth Information Project
Sponsors a weekly drop-in center from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; 215-851-1822. Transgender Health Action Coalition
Peer trans health-advocacy organization, 1201 Locust St., fourth floor; 215-732-1207. Young, Trans and Unified
Support group for transgender and questioning individuals ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center, 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, www. atticyouthcenter.org.
Women Hanging Out With Lesbians
A group in Central Pennsylvania that organizes concerts, camping, golf, picnics, hikes, plays and game nights in nonsmoking environments; http://groups. yahoo.com/group/howlofpa/. Lesbian Community of Delaware Valley
Social group meets monthly for activities for gay women of all ages in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties; http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/LCDV/. Lesbian Couples Dining Group of Montgomery County
Meets monthly; 215-542-2899. Mt. Airy Lesbian Social Club
For lesbians in the Philadelphia area ages 35-plus; www.meetup. com/mtairylesbiansocial/. Queer Connections
Social group for women in their 20s meets weekly; http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/ queerconnections/. Sisters United
A social/support group for transwomen of color ages 13-24, with weekly social events, open discusson and monthly movie/ discussions meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-496-0330. Women Coming-Out Support Group
Women, ages 18 and over, who consider themselves gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning and are at any stage of the coming-out process are welcome to meet
7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday and third Thursday of the month at the Pride Center of New Jersey; www.pridecenter.org.
Youth 40 Acres of Change
Discussion group for teen and young adults meets 6-8 p.m. Thursdays at The COLOURS Organization Inc., 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-851-1975. GLBT Group of Hunterdon County
Social and support groups for youth, teens and young adults, as well as parents and family members, meet at North County Branch Library, 65 Halstead St. in Clinton, N.J.; schedule at www. glbtofhunterdoncountyofnj.com, 908-300-1058.
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 3-9, 2017
Community Bulletin Board Community centers
■ The Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 4-8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-Friday. ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St., 215-898-5044, center@dolphin. upenn.edu. Regular hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. MondayThursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
HAVEN
LGBT, intersex, questioning, queer and allied youth ages 14-20 meet 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley, 424 Center St., Bethlehem; 610-868-2153. HiTOPS
A safe-space support program for LGBT and questioning youth meets 2:30-4:30 p.m. the first and third Saturdays at 21 Wiggins St., Princeton, N.J.; 609-683-5155, hitops.org. Main Line Youth Alliance
Meets from 7-9:30 p.m. Fridays at 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; 610-688-1861, info@myaonline. org. Project Keeping it Safe
LGBT youth drop-in center offers meetings, HIV and STD prevention and testing, counseling and other services on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; 856-963-2432, camden-ahec.org/.
■ ActionAIDS: 215-981-0088
Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center
Youth ages 14-21 meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks. org. Social X Change
Social activity group for LGBT youth of color ages 13-23 meets 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays at 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-8511975. Space to be Proud, Open, and Together
Open to all LGBTQ queer youth and allies, ages 14-21, the SPOT meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays at Planned Parenthood of Chester County, 8 S. Wayne St.; 267-6876648.
■ Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. Activities held 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays.
■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220, www.waygay.org. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday Library: noon-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Volunteers: New Orientation, first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.
Key numbers
■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: 215-587-9377
■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org
■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: 856-933-9500 ext. 221
■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378
■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 n The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 215-496-0330
PRYSM Youth Center
Youth ages 14-20 meet 6:30-8:30 p.m Wednesdays at the center, 126 East Baltimore Pike, Media; 610357-9948.
■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK ■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBT-LAW; Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658 ■ Office of LGBT Affairs — Director Nellie Fitzpatrick: 215-6860330; helen.fitzpatrick@phila.gov
■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel: 215-6863318 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-760-3686 (Rick Lombardo); ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833 ■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: 215-686-4670
Health
Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 216 W. Somerset St.; 215-763-8870. ActionAIDS Provides a range of programs for people affected by HIV/ AIDS, including case management, prevention, testing and education services at 1216 Arch St.; 215-981-0088, www. actionaids.org. GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; 215-851-1822 or 866-222-3871, www.galaei.org. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays (walk-in) and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays (by appointment) at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215685-1821. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite
108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Mazzoni Center LGBTQ counseling and behavioral health services, HIV/ AIDS care and services, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652, www. mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronic-disease management, including comprehensive HIV care, as well as youth drop-in (ages 14-24) 5-7p.m. Wednesdays; 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Philadelphia FIGHT Comprehensive AIDS service organization providing primary care, consumer education, advocacy and research on potential treatments and vaccines; 1233 Locust St.; 215985-4448; www.fight.org. Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center Free, rapid HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 pm. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.
Young, Trans and Unified
A support group for transgender and questioning youth ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center; 215-545-4331, www.atticyouthcenter.org. You’re Not Alone
Sponsored by AIDS Delaware, the group for gay, lesbian and bisexual youth meets during the school year at 100 W. 10th St., Suite 315, Wilmington, Del; 800-810-6776. Youth Making a Difference
A group for LGBTQ AfricanAmerican and Latino youth ages 14-24 meets 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St.; 856-963-2432.
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■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia Board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; free referral service at 215-6279090, www.galloplaw.org. ■ Independence Business Alliance Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, providing networking, business development, marketing, educational and advocacy opportunities for LGBT and LGBT-friendly busi-
Professional groups nesses and professionals; 215557-0190, www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com. ■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and students, meets for social and networking events; www.nlgja.org/ philly; philly@nlgja.org.
■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus Regional organization dedicated to promoting LGBT tourism to the Greater Philadelphia region, meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; 215-8402039, www.philadelphiagaytourism.com.
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 3-9, 2017
PGN
MARCH 9-19
ACADEMY OF MUSIC
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