Philadelphia Gay News Honesty Integrity Professionalism
March 5 - 11, 2010
Vol. 34 No. 10
Chorus brings LGBT Scouts file for dismissal drug use out of the dark By Timothy Cwiek PGN Writer-at-Large
The local Boy Scouts council this week asked a federal judge to dissolve the temporary injunction preventing the group’s eviction from a city-owned building, and replace it with a permanent injunction, allowing it to stay there indefinitely. The 38-page motion for summary judgment — accompanied by 26 exhibits — was filed with U.S. District Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter on March 1. City officials want to evict the Cradle of Liberty Council from 231-251 N. 22nd St. because the council won’t permit gay participants, nor will it pay the annual fairmarket rent of $200,000. But the Scouts maintain the city is violating their First Amendment right to exclude gays, and their 14th Amendment right to be treated the same as other groups with exclusionary policies. FROM POTOMAC TO PHILLY: Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus ensemble Brotherly Love joined with the Potomac Fever group of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C., for a collaborative performance Feb. 27 at Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion. “A Potomac Love Affair” featured a litany of pop songs from the past 50 years, with individual performances from both choruses, as well as joint numbers. The PGMC is now preparing for its spring concert, “Here & Now,” which features the Philadelphia premiere of “Through a Glass, Darkly,” a commentary on the state of crystal-meth use in the LGBT community. Photo: Scott A. Drake
By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus’ spring concert next month will feature the Philadelphia premiere of “Through a Glass, Darkly,” a musical piece that examines the complexities of crystal-meth addiction in the LGBT community. Last week, in preparation, the chorus members got a crash course on the drug and its consequences. Sandy Smith, vice president of marketing for PGMC, contacted LGBT health facility Mazzoni Center to enlist assistance in
educating the chorus about the real-life issues the piece will address. Mazzoni clinical therapist Rand Faulkner, along with his partner Daniel Potoczniak, who is a psychologist, met with about 80 PGMC members Feb. 24 to discuss some of the physical and psychological effects the drug can incur on the user, as well as the far-reaching impact it can have on one’s life and loved ones. Through his work at Mazzoni, Faulkner frequently sees patients who are addicted to crystal meth.
“It’s very prevalent in this city, and I’d say the majority of the individuals I work with who use meth are also HIV-positive, so it’s been kind of a crusade of mine to do something about this. It’s a real disease in our community,” Faulkner said. “There are no real statistics on [crystal-meth use] in the gay community, but from what I’ve seen, it’s pretty high.” In addition to discussing the hard facts of addiction with the chorus members, Faulkner and Potoczniak also sat down with the men See PGMC, Page 17
“The city has impermissibly conditioned Cradle of Liberty’s participation in the city’s program of allowing nonprofit organizations to use city-owned property for nominal rent on Cradle of Liberty’s relinquishment of its First Amendment right to expressive association,” the motion states. Additionally, the motion states that future court proceedings in the matter should be limited to determining the amount of damages and legal fees the Scouts are entitled to. Rebecca Lacher, an attorney for the city, declined to comment on the March 1 motion. “Our comments will be contained in the response that we file,” Lacher told PGN. Jason P. Gosselin, a lawyer for the Scouts, had no comment for this story. The Scouts’ motion contends that the See SCOUTS, Page 9
‘Don’t Ask’ repeal hits Senate By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The effort to repeal the military’s ban on openly gay servicemembers made its way to the U.S. Senate this week, with the introduction of the first-ever Senate bill to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Sen. Joe Lieberman (IConn.) unveiled his version of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act in a press conference Wednesday, a year to the day after the House version was introduced. In announcing his intention to introduce the bill last month, Lieberman said he has opposed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” since its inception, as it contradicts the “fundamental principles” upon which the nation
was built and weakens its defense system. Lieberman is joined by 11 Democratic cosponsors, including Pennsylvania’s Sen. Arlen Specter, as well as Armed Services Committee chair Sen. Carl Levin (Mich.) and Sens. Mark Udall (Colo.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Roland Burris (Ill.), Jeff Bingaman (N.M.), Barbara Boxer (Calif.), Diane Feinstein (Calif.), Ron Wyden (Ore.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.) and Patrick Leahy (Vt.). The bill has yet to garner support from any Republican senators. Lieberman’s move was hailed by LGBT activists, such as Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese. “By introducing the first bill to repeal ‘Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell’ in the Senate, Sen. Lieberman is continuing the momentum to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ this year,” Solmonese said, calling Lieberman’s measure a “bold, patriotic move that will long be remembered as key to removing the stain” of the military ban. “As a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and an expert on national security, Sen. Lieberman’s leadership in the fight to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is critical to achieving repeal this year,” he continued. P e n n s y l v a n i a Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th Dist.) took over as the lead sponsor on the House bill last summer and has so far garnered See DADT, Page 17
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
PGN staff brings home gold, silver and bronze! Mark Segal First place, Best Column Writing, Non-Daily “Mark My Words”
N G P Scott A. Drake Second place, Best Feature Photo, Non-Daily “Gone but not Forgotten”
Congratulations on winning four awards in the 2009 Suburban Newspaper Association Editorial Contest, the best out of more than 2,000 U.S. and Canadian publications.
Scott A. Drake First place, Best Feature Photo, Non-Daily “Love Park”
Larry Nichols Third place, Best Arts & Entertainment Writing — Feature “Reality TV comic to get real live in New Hope”
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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PHILADELPHIA NEWS PHILADELPHIA GAY GAY NEWS
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MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
News Editorial 10 International News 16 Letters/Feedback 11 11 Mark My Words 7 Media Trail 5 News Briefing 7 National News Creep of the Week 10 5 Regional News 11 Street Talk
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Maryland AG grants out-of-state same-sex marriage rights
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State agencies must now restructure their benefits and other programs to ensure the inclusion of same-sex married couples.
Photographer Spencer Tunick gets 5,200 people together in their altogether. We’re here to hear the fat lady sing.
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Detour Comics Diversions Meeting Place Portraits Q Puzzle Scene In Philly Worth Watching
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Larry Nichols (ext. 213) larry@epgn.com Writer-at-Large Timothy Cwiek (ext. 208)
Weary of winter, we while away our hours with words of wisdom, wonder, wackiness, and say what? Page 18
Professional Portraits:
What “Happily Ever After” means to four-time Barrymore Award winner Mary Martello and 1812 Productions.
Tony Fisher
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Columns
Graphic Artist Sean Dorn (ext. 211) sean@epgn.com Advertising Manager Greg Dennis (ext. 201) greg@epgn.com Advertising Sales Representatives David Augustine (ext. 219) david@epgn.com
Best-sellers 20 Lesbian on the Scene 24
Morgan Levine (ext. 212) morgan@epgn.com Kelly Root (ext. 207) kelly@epgn.com
Lesbian on the Scene Classifieds Directories
35 38
It’s time for St. Paddy’s Day! Page 24
Filipe and Juan
Diversions
Speak up!
Immigration partners
Jon Stewart hits the Borgata for two, and there’s a Groovaloo, too.
Henry Rollins
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emails
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Poll results from our online survey as of March 3:
What do you look forward to most in March?
Events: diversions@epgn.com
40% First day of spring 27% Return to Daylight Savings Time 25% St. Patrick’s Day 2% NCAA March Madness 0% Ides of March 6% None of the above
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New Liberty City co-chair elected
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What will your status be in this year’s census?
National Advertising Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Office Manager/Classifieds Don Pignolet (ext. 200) don@epgn.com Executive Assistant Credit/Billing Manager Carol Giunta (ext. 202) carol@epgn.com Philadelphia Gay News is a member of: The Associated Press National Gay Newspaper Guild Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 2010 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155
The views of PGN are expressed only in the unsigned “Editorial” column. Opinions expressed in bylined columns, stories and letters to the editor are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of PGN. The appearance of names or pictorial representations in PGN does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that named or pictured person or persons.
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Regional
News Briefing
Archivist, exhibits honor LGBT history
Women celebrate history, future
By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer LGBT history will be on display throughout 2010 with the launch of the William Way LGBT Community Center’s quarterly archival exhibits, which allow the photos, writings and memorabilia to tell the story of the local and national LGBT community growth. Locating, organizing and presenting all of those materials, however, is no easy feat and depends on the commitment of such volunteers as Bob Skiba, who’s served as the archivist in the center’s John J. Wilcox Jr. Library and Archives for about seven years. At 6:30 p.m. March 11, Skiba will host “Out of the Closets,” a discussion about the people, places and events that furthered the LGBT-rights movement, both locally and nationally, and which serves as the companion narrative to the center’s current archival exhibit of historical LGBT activism, “Into the Streets!” on display until March 26 at the center, 1315 Spruce St. Skiba served as the primary researcher for the exhibit and will next turn his attention to “Beyond Bayard,” the second installment of the archival exhibits that will launch next month, and which provides a retrospective look at the growth of Philadelphia’s LGBT people of color community. The materials for both exhibits were extracted from the center’s archives, one of the largest LGBT historical collections in the nation. The archives are home to about 30 special collections, each of which weaves another thread in the fabric of the LGBT community’s history. The largest collection tells the story of the center’s own past, with photos, brochures, board-meeting minutes, newsletters and other memorabilia documenting the 30-year history of the organization. Other sizable collections include organizational records from Giovanni’s Room, personal materials donated by LGBT pioneers Kay Lahusen and the late Barbara Gittings, as well as local activist Kiyoshi Kuromiya — whose contribution after his death consisted of 40 boxes of materials. Although mainstream libraries have begun incorporating LGBT sections into their own collections in the past 20 years, Skiba noted that it’s integral that the LGBT community honors its own history. “We need to make sure what’s important to us is preserved, especially for young people growing up and coming out,” he said. “They need to know what came before them. They should know how we got to where we are today, so they have some clue about what to do to get where they want to be. They need to be able to
feel part of their community and know that that community has developed and changed over time and will continue to do so.” Just as the community has seen continual change, the center’s Archives have also developed since their inception in 1976 — relocating several times as the center moved to different buildings in the city, and even spending time packed up in boxes during a period when the center operated without a permanent location. Skiba and the halfdozen other volunteers who work alongside him are tasked with making sure all of the documents are labeled and organized, and Skiba is now focused on entering all of the material into a computer database, similar to a library catalog. Researchers and students often visit the archives to collect information for scholarly works, but Skiba noted that they’re also OUT OF THE ARCHIVES: Lindsey and Julianne take a walk open to members of the back in history at the opening reception for “Into the public who want to take Streets!” at the William Way LGBT Community Center in January. The exhibit, which details the progression of LGBT a peek into the past. activism in Philadelphia and beyond, is the first in a series While the archives’ of quarterly displays compiled from the center’s John J. oldest materials — Wilcox Jr. Library and Archives. The exhibit closes at the men’s magazines from end of March and, in April, the center will launch “Beyond the 1940s — may be Bayard,” which tells the story of the local LGBT people of valuable, Skiba said color community. Photo: Scott A. Drake the donations the cenout of the archives and into the streets, litter has acquired from LGBT community members themselves, erally, with a historical walking tour of the some of which date to the 1950s, are just Gayborhood, from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. April 24. as significant. Skiba, who operates his own tour com“A lot of these old scrapbooks and photos and letters are just a fascinating and pany in the city, will take participants important part of our history,” he said. through Philadelphia’s LGBT history and “Each of us is a part of this bigger LGBT past where some of the earliest LGBT community in our own unique way, and bars and community organizations were we should be documenting that. The direc- located, and will wrap up the tour at the tion we’re headed in now is to concentrate archives. The tour is $35 for center memmore and more on local things, Delaware bers and $50 for non-members. For more information or to schedule a Valley history. Everyone has every issue of The Advocate that’s come out, but not time to look at the archives or volunteer, everyone will have these personal memo- e-mail archives@waygay.org. ■ ries of LGBT Philadelphians, which each Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. document the history of our area.” Next month, Skiba will take that history com.
The LGBT community is invited to celebrate International Women’s Day from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. March 7 at SafeGuards, 260 S. Broad St. The event will feature a series of workshops and trainings on women’s issues presented by such agencies as the Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative, The COLOURS Organization Inc., the University of Pennsylvania, Positive Women’s Network and The Womyn’s Village. Guests can also enjoy spokenword, singing and dance performances, as well as numerous community vendors. For more information, call Soda Nobuhle at (267) 221-6155 or e-mail iwdphiladelphia@yahoo.com.
HRC hosts annual Philly dinner The Human Rights Campaign will stage its 14th annual Philadelphia Regional Gala Dinner at 6-11 p.m. March 13 at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia, 201 S. Columbus Blvd. Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th Dist.), who is spearheading the effort to repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, will serve as keynote speaker for the event, which will also feature remarks by HRC Chief Diversity Officer Cuc Vu and “Project Runway” cast member Daniel Vosovic. To become a table captain, e-mail John Roche at jjmroche@aol.com or call (800) 494-8497. General admission tickets are $175, and HRC Federal Club members can attend for $75. For more information, visit www.philadelphia.hrc.org.
NJ group heads to D.C. Garden State Equality is organizing a trip to Washington, D.C., next month so that area residents can urge Congress to take action on the Employment NonDiscrimination Act. The National Center for Transgender Equality is sponsoring the Lobby Days March 15 and 16, and Garden State Equality is sending a car caravan to the nation’s capital to participate. Each car in the trip, which will begin in North Jersey and make stops in Central and South Jersey to join with other drivers, will be affixed with signs calling for LGBT equality. Participants will be able to stay at the homes of Garden State See NEWS BRIEFING, Page 14
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National gay pageant to be held in Philly By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Last month Philadelphia was selected to host next year’s national lesbian softball World Series, and this month the good news kept coming with the announcement that the city will be in the spotlight for the U.S. National Mr. Gay competition. The pageant-type contest will be held Nov. 13 at Voyeur, marking its East Coast debut. Voyeur will also host the regional competition, Mr. Gay Philadelphia, April 17 to select the city’s representative. Over the next few months, Mr. Gay competitions will be held in cities throughout the nation, with the winners converging in Philly this fall. The winner crowned at Voyeur will hold the U.S. National Mr. Gay title throughout 2011 and compete in the International Mr. Gay contest next year. Don Spradlin, founder of Noble Beasts Foundation, which runs the international Mr. Gay contests, said Philadelphia’s recent efforts to promote itself as an LGBT
We are setting tourist destination put the city an example for on the radar as the rest of the a possible host. world for what is OK.” “ P h i l a d e lHe added phia has that, as a social definitely established itself event, the entertainment sets as one of the Mr. Gay apart. premiere gay“ T h e friendly cities Philadelphia in the U.S.,” event seems Spradlin said. to stand out “That was one from the rest of of the reasons the cities, not we assigned only because the contest to of the number Dallas last year of celebrities — they have a vibrant gay MR. GAY PHILADELPHIA 2009 FINALISTS Photo: Scott A. Drake involved, but also because we community really incorpoand it’s a very “The Mr. Gay title is not so welcoming city — and I know much a title as it is a statement to rate entertainment. Even though the same is going to be true in say that you are out and proud of it’s a competition with evening Philadelphia, so we’re very happy it, and there’s nothing to be embar- and swimwear and a Q-and-A like about our decision.” rassed about,” he said. “Our com- normal pageants, the entertainB r u c e Ye l k , f o u n d e r o f munity is still striving for rights ment has always driven people Nightlifegay.com and organizer that others take for granted. to the competition and helped to of the local event, said he believes “It may not be important here, expand it,” Yelk said. Mr. Gay Philadelphia, now in its but it’s important for countries, Spradlin noted that Yelk’s fourth year, is noteworthy because such as Iran and Uganda, where efforts did not go unnoticed. it is more than just a social event. being gay is punishable by death. “Bruce has done a great job pro-
ducing the Philadelphia contest,” Spradlin said, “so I know he’s going to do a good job with this.” Previous host cities, such as San Francisco, Dallas and Los Angeles, have typically brought together 15-20 contestants for the national competition, but Yelk said he’s looking to bolster that. In addition to the cities that have sent representatives in the past few years, Yelk said he’s committed to also garnering contestants from Pittsburgh; Asbury Park, N.J.; Columbus, Ohio; and several other cities, upping the contestant count to about 25. The contestants will face off before such judges as Village Voice writer Michael Musto, Paper magazine editor Mickey Boardman and journalist Frank DeCaro. Yelk said other judges will be announced in the coming months. Tickets for U.S. National Mr. Gay will go on sale April 18 and can be purchased at www.mrgaycompetition.com. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
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National
Media Trail
Md. AG OKs out-of-state marriages
NC senator apologizes
By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Maryland’s top attorney last week handed down an opinion that found the state can recognize same-sex marriages performed legally in other jurisdictions. Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler issued his finding Feb. 24 and, although his opinion does not carry the same weight as a legislative move, LGBT activists in the state welcomed the decision. “We were thrilled,” said Morgan Meneses-Sheets, executive director of Equality Maryland. “It’s a wonderful step forward in advancing full marriage equality for same-sex couples.” Gansler wrote that his opinion — addressed to out Maryland Sen. Richard Madelono, who asked him last year to issue a formal finding on the issue — is a “prediction, not a prescription” of how the state’s court would rule if it were to consider a legal challenge on the issue, but that it should be used to guide courts and state agencies in their handling of the issue. “You have asked whether those marriages may be recognized under state law. The answer to that question is clearly ‘yes,’” Gansler wrote. “While the matter is not free from all doubt, in our view, the Court is likely to respect the law of other states and recognize a same-sex marriage contracted validly in another jurisdiction,” Gansler continued. While Maryland law specifically defines marriage as being between one man and one woman, there was no reference on the books to whether the state only recognizes such marriages from other states. Meneses-Sheets noted that while the opinion does not necessarily mandate that stage agencies honor same-sex marriage from out of state, it does “compel” them to act in accord with the attorney general’s finding, which was endorsed by Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley. “I think what makes this even stronger is that the governor came out and said he expects all state agencies to work with the Attorney General’s office to ensure compliance with this, so that support was really important,” she said. While state agencies will now be tasked with restructuring their benefits and other programs to ensure the inclusion of samesex married couples, Meneses-Sheets noted the opinion does not extend to the private sector. “The piece we’re not there yet with is the private companies,” she said. “Since Maryland will now permit the recognition of licenses, though, couples with valid licenses could go into their HR offices and request equal spousal benefits, but the company’s not required to comply.”
When the state approved an employment nondiscrimination law inclusive of sexual orientation — but not gender identity — many private companies took the extra step to extend their policies to transgender individuals, MenesesSheets said, predicting that some organizations may again step up and redefine their policies to be in accordance with Gansler’s opinion. Marriage-equality supporters and opponents testified before a Maryland Senate com- CAPITOL VICTORY: Aisha C. Mills (front left) and Danielle mittee March 3 on a bill A. Moodie were among the first couples to emerge from the H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse in Washington, D.C., Wednesday that would invalidate morning after receiving the first marriage licenses given to Gansler’s opinion and same-sex couples in the district. The D.C. Council approved prevent the state from a marriage-equality law in December and it went into effect recognizing same-sex this week after Congress failed to pass resolutions opposmarriages performed ing the measure and Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. denied a out of state, a measure last-minute request to stay the law.The licenses will become that was introduced in active after three business days. Photo: Patsy Lynch February but fast-tracked acknowledgement of their marriage and for a hearing following then heads to court, that’s not the right or the opinion, Meneses-Sheets said. In addition to the out-of-state marriage most strategic way to do this. We need to bill, Maryland’s legislature this week also make sure we’re talking to all of our friends held a hearing on the Marriage Protection and partners and are well-coordinated so we Amendment that would ban same-sex mar- can make sure we’ll all on the same page. riage in the state’s constitution, as well as We need to be working together to make a string of pro-LGBT measures, such as a sure this is protected and defended in the bill to amend the state’s nondiscrimination most intelligent way.” Gansler ’s decision came one week law to include gender identity and another before same-sex marriages began in nearby to legalize same-sex marriage. Washington, D.C. Meneses-Sheets said the recent headlines Following D.C. City Council’s passage have garnered the attention of numerous anti-LGBT forces, but she said her agency of the law late last year, Congress had 30 and other pro-LGBT organizations in the legislative days to pass a joint resolution in opposition to D.C.’s marriage law, which state are working to counter their efforts. “The National Organization for Marriage would have had to be signed by the presifolks have set their sights on Maryland, and dent, to nullify the law. Such resolutions locally our Catholic Conference, which has were introduced in both houses, but neither been fairly quiet on equality issues, has was brought up for a vote. This week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled come out incredibly hard on [out-of-state marriage recognition]. They’re hammer- against marriage-equality opponents who ing very hard to roll back this gain,” she sought to halt the issuing of the licenses and said. “I think we’d be naive not to recog- instead pose the issue to the public via voter nize the money that is coming into this state referendum, saying it delegates oversight of to oppose this and the various forces that D.C. law to the district’s courts, which precould have an impact. But we’re putting a viously ruled against a public vote. Since Congress missed a day last month good political plan in place to defend our pro-equality lawmakers and put a stake in because of a snowstorm, the original start date for the marriage-license applicathe ground to protect our families.” tions was pushed back from Monday to Meneses-Sheets said the issue will more Wednesday. Couples will have to wait for than likely be brought before the Maryland courts — either via a challenge by the oppo- three business days to actually marry, so sition or from a married same-sex couple nuptials won’t officially begin until March denied rights by a private entity — and 8. ■ noted that the latter needs to be a carefully Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. calculated step. “Any couple who doesn’t get automatic com.
Newsobserver.com reports a Republican state senator apologized Feb. 25 for comments he reportedly made to a GOP gathering about gays and blacks. North Carolina Sen. Jim Forrester said he didn’t mean to offend anyone when he told an audience on Feb. 23 that “slick city lawyers and homosexual lobbies and AfricanAmerican lobbies are running Raleigh,” a reference to state government. “I didn’t certainly mean to offend anybody in what I said,” Forrester said. “And I apologize if somebody took it the wrong way. I was just stating that, when I started off 18 years ago, we had a rather conservative legislature and it’s just becoming more and more liberal.”
Hundreds rally in Austin Advocate.com reports hundreds of people in Austin marched Feb. 27 behind a banner that read “Austin March Against Hate” as they walked from a downtown gay bar to City Hall. The route retraced the path two gay men, Emmanuel Winston and Matthew Morgan, took recently when they were attacked in what appears to be an antigay assault. The men said they were wearing jerseys from the “Shady Ladies” gay softball team and that the attackers used slurs about their sexual orientation. Police chief Art Acevedo, who attended the rally, said it was up to prosecutors to decide if there was enough evidence to charge the four suspects with a hate crime. No arrests have been made.
Advocates share stories of antigay housing bias Illinois’ KWQC reports more than a dozen members of the gay community, fair-housing advocates and officials have weighed in on the first proposed national survey of antigay housing discrimination. The U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department held a listening session Feb. 25 at Chicago’s City Hall. Sessions will be held soon in New York and San Francisco. HUD is gathering input about how best to design the survey. Several-dozen people attended the meeting. Advocates shared stories of discrimination from clients, including transgender people repeatedly turned away from apartments because of their gender identity. Raphael Bostic, HUD’s assistant secretary for policy development and research, said the meeting was substantive, thoughtful and provocative. ■ — Larry Nichols
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Former city official takes helm at Liberty City By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer A longtime member of the Liberty City Democratic Club and the former deputy secretary of external affairs under Mayor Street is now the head of the LGBT political organization. The Liberty City board voted Feb. 17 to elect Micah Mahjoubian as its co-chair after Gregory Walker, who was recently elected alongside Adah Bush, stepped down for personal reasons. Mahjoubian has been a member of Liberty City since 2000 and served on the group’s board off and on throughout the decade, and most recently was elected in January 2008. Mahjoubian said that when the opportunity recently arose to take on the leadership role, he jumped at it. “I have a strong passion for Liberty City; I think there are a lot of great LGBT organizations out there doing important bipartisan work, but I am a strong advocate of the Democratic Party and I believe we need to have LGBT points of view represented within our party,” he said. “Liberty City really is the only organization in Philadelphia that has that mission, and I wanted to certainly be
MICAH MAHJOUBIAN
as much a part of this organization as I could.” Mahjoubian said he and Bush plan to fuse their backgrounds to benefit Liberty City. “It’s going to be a great partnership. The way we look at it, she brings a fresh energy, being newer to the board, and she’s already shown the ability to bring new ideas and passion to the work that is very exciting,” he said. “And I have the more longtime experience, being a political consultant and knowing the political players, so I think the two of us will make a great team.” Mahjoubian was a member of
Street’s administration for eight years and made headlines in 2007 when he and partner Ryan Bunch were joined in a commitment ceremony in City Hall, over which Street presided. Mahjoubian now works as a political consultant, and said the political ties he’s established have already benefited the LGBT community. He previously worked on John Dougherty’s campaign for state Senate and facilitated a meeting between Dougherty and Carrie Jacobs, executive director of The Attic Youth Center. After meeting the youth at the center, Mahjoubian said Dougherty, a local labor leader, was motivated to rewire the entire building to ensure it would be up to electrical codes, an in-kind donation that Mahjoubian said would have cost The Attic $70,000. “Those are the kinds of unusual connections that I want to make and that I want to bring to Liberty City,” Mahjoubian said. “My strength in the community is the close relationships I’ve developed with many people who you might not always think of as part of our political base. And I want to build coalitions with other Democratic power centers. I don’t think we’re most effective if we just preach
to the choir, if we just organize amongst ourselves. We need to begin dialogues with building trade unions or black clergy or the Democratic Party itself. We certainly want to remain a strong independent organization, but I think we need to also build our relationships.” Currently, Mahjoubian is working on the campaign to re-elect U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, as well as on Sharif Street’s bid for state representative, but said his own political leanings will not influence his work at Liberty City. “I certainly want to make it clear that I am a political consultant, and while I’m paid by both campaigns, I informally advise a lot of others. I want to be completely transparent about that and about who I’m personally working with,” he said. “We are an organization of political people, and many of us have been involved with different campaigns, which I think is part of the strength of our organization. But when it comes time for running endorsement meetings and other things like that, I’ll certainly take a step back and defer to my co-chair to lead those efforts.” In addition to broadening its community connections, Mahjoubian said Liberty City
also has a lot of internal “building” he’d like to see happen, particularly with the creation of new committees comprised of Liberty City members. He said the organization’s issues committee has already been very successful in mobilizing around HB 300, the statewide nondiscrimination bill, and in supporting the effort to remove the gender stickers from SEPTA passes. Mahjoubian said he’s also interested in the issues committee hosting a platform convention, during which members can create an official platform of issues and policy items that Liberty City wants to advocate for, which he said will not only help the group to organize itself but could also help motivate a new batch of activists. The LGBT and ally community is invited to join Liberty City for two upcoming candidate nights, March 18 and 22, at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. to hear from candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, U.S. Senate and the Pennsylvania legislature. Both events will start at 6 p.m. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
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MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
SCOUTS From Page 1 city’s eviction attempt “is motivated solely by its hostility to Cradle of Liberty’s leadership policy,” and repeatedly cites a U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing the Scouts to ban openly gay adult leaders. But city officials are seeking protections not only for gay adults, but also for gay youths — and the Scouts refuse to come into compliance by updating their anti-bias policies, according to court papers. The Scouts’ motion also states city officials have acted unfairly because they haven’t made a carve-out for the council’s operations in Wayne, which isn’t under the purview of the city’s anti-bias code. The Scouts filed their federal lawsuit in May 2008 and, the following month, city officials filed an eviction action in state court against them. Buckwalter issued the temporary injunction in November 2009, noting that eviction of the Scouts might violate their constitutional rights. He said more litigation was needed before a judge could rule on the eviction matter. The Scouts’ motion also asks Buckwalter to reject the city’s request that the council pay about $340,000 in back rent to the city. The motion asserts that the city is trying to enforce its gay-rights ordinances in an unconstitutional manner by trying to impose a progay viewpoint onto the Scouts. In prior court filings, city attorneys have denied trying to impose a pro-gay viewpoint onto any city tenant. To the contrary, city officials note that tenants may hold a wide range of views on homosexuality. But delivery of services must be provided regardless of a recipient’s sexual orientation, and the Scouts refuse to bring their use of the building into conformance with city anti-bias codes, according to court papers filed by the city. The Scouts’ motion reiterates that several Fairmount Park tenants appear to have exclusionary policies, including St. Joseph’s University, Colonial Dames of America, Philadelphia Girls’ Rowing Club, the Roman Catholic Church of Nativity BVM, Women for Greater Philadelphia and The Royal Heritage Society of the Delaware Valley. In prior filings, city attorneys noted that the Scouts haven’t
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
shown any substantiated incidents of discrimination by those organizations. City attorneys also say efforts are underway to ensure that all city tenants refrain from discrimination by signing leases that contain anti-bias language. But due to limited resources, the development and signing of those leases cannot happen simultaneously, according to court papers filed by the city. City attorneys have until March 15 to respond to the summaryjudgment motion, if an extension isn’t granted. Then, the Scouts have 14 days to reply to the city’s
PAGE 9
response. The Scouts are in rental arrears of about $340,000, and that figure could reach $1 million before all appeals are exhausted in the matter, according to court records. Earlier this year, city attorneys filed a motion asking that Buckwalter require the Scouts to post a “substantial” bond to protect the city’s financial interest while the litigation ensues. At press time, Buckwalter hadn’t yet ruled on the bond request. ■ Timothy Cwiek can be reached at (215) 625-8501 ext. 208.
PGN
Gay is our middle name.
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
Editorial On census, surveys This week, you’ll note that PGN has, for the first time in its 34-year history, given ad space above its flag. Though some will certainly say we’ve sold our soul (ha! That means we have one!), it’s for a good cause: the U.S. Census. This year, for the first time, the census is counting same-sex couples who live together. (And not reclassifying them, as happened in the 2000 census.) In the 2010 census, individuals who live together can indicate how they are related to each other — and can mark “Husband or wife” or “unmarried partner.” And the Census Bureau is making a point of reaching out to the LGBT community to get them to buy in, and be counted. With approximately $400 billion in government funds allocated based on census data, as well as Congressional districts, the census matters. It’s important for the LGBT community to be included in the data. That’s not to say the effort is not without possible flaws — and critics. For one, the census is only counting same-sex couples, not individuals. Secondly, transgender individuals have only the option of responding “male” or “female” for their sex. There are pros and cons to these. For many, identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender is highly personal and they are loath to disclose this to some government agency. Or they just don’t see why anyone else needs to know. However, information disclosed to the Census Bureau, by law, cannot be shared with anyone, including other federal agencies and law-enforcement officials. Another criticism of counting only same-sex couples is that it sends the message that you only count as a gay person if you live with someone. While it may take another 10 years to refine the census questionnaire to extract more subtle data about the LGBT community, the community will have to work with what’s on the table now. It’s 10 questions and should take about 10 minutes. Forms will be mailed out this month, and Census Day is April 1. If you’d like to give the Census Bureau some feedback on counting all sexual minorities, the Philadelphia LGBT Complete Count Committee has created pink stickers to affix to the census envelope (putting them on the form itself would invalidate it). They are available at various Gayborhood locations; get more information at www.icountphilly.com. Here at PGN, we are conducting a survey of our own (pages 21-22 or at www.epgn.com) to check in with our readers. We will use the data to assess what is important to you, what you read and how we are doing. As a community newspaper, we want to make sure we are meeting the needs of our community. And if we aren’t, we want to fix it. ■
Correction In the photo caption “An Ivy League of Their Own,” Feb. 26-March 4, PGN incorrectly identified the job title of Rich Ross. He is chairman of Walt Disney Studios. PGN regrets the error.
Creep of the Week
D’Anne Witkowski
Ryan Sorba You know you’re a creep when you get booed off the stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference for being too antigay. But that’s exactly what happened to Ryan Sorba, a member of California Young Americans for Freedom, when he got up during a panel discussion and, apropos of nothing, launched into an antigay tirade regarding the inclusion of GOPRIDE, a conservative gay group, as part of the conference. This made some people upset. Sorba is obviously one of those people. “I’d like to condemn CPAC for bringing GOPRIDE to this event,” Sorba says. Immediately the crowd begins to boo. This only emboldens Sorba. “Bring it, bring it,” he says. “I love it.” “Guess what?” he continues. “Civil rights are grounded in natural rights. Natural rights are grounded in human nature. Human nature is a rational substance in relationship.” I don’t know what he’s talking about or what this has to do with gay Republicans. But hey, he’s got the mic. “The intelligible end of the reproductive act is reproduction,” he says, clearly exasperated. “Do you understand that?”
Woah, Sorba. Enough with the sexy talk. The reproductive act, eh? Is that what you Young Americans for Freedom are calling it these days? Undeterred by the continuous booing, Sorba begins to say, “Civil rights, when they conflict with natural rights, are contrary ... ” but gets cut off by people shouting at him from the audience. “No, you sit down,” Sorba, the King of the Comeback, says. I totally expected him to say, “I know you are, but what am I?” But then he goes for the real burn: “The lesbians at Smith College protest better than you do.” And then he says it again for emphasis. Sorba is referring to an event two years ago when the Smith College Republican Club brought him to campus to give a speech about his book, “The Born Gay Hoax.” A group of largely lesbian activists literally stormed the podium and forced him to leave. So Sorba is clearly used to less than warm receptions. But this is CPAC, man. Not exactly a bastion of gay pride and acceptance. The booing is clearly getting to Sorba and he’s losing his cool. “Yeah?” he says, again addressing the audience’s heckles and boos. “Bring
it.” He then points to someone named Jeff in the audience and tells him, “You’ve just made an enemy out of me.” Lucky Jeff. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that Sorba later beat him up in the parking lot. Lee Doran of How the World Works talked to Sorba after his tirade and put the interview up on YouTube. “I interviewed Sorba to listen to him talk for as long as possible. I’m happy GOPROUD was at CPAC, and think Ryan made a fool of himself,” Lee writes. “I’m just trying to tell the truth,” Sorba tells Lee. “Homosexuality, first of all, is intrinsically immoral. It’s intrinsically evil. It’s a deficiency of being.” He also, of course, says, “I don’t hate anybody.” He just wants to condemn anyone who would even consider associating with homos, even conservative ones. Hey, I’m just trying to tell the truth. ■ D’Anne Witkowski has been gay for pay since 2003. She’s a freelance writer and poet (believe it!). When she’s not taking on the creeps of the world, she reviews rock ’n’ roll shows in Detroit with her twin sister.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
Mark My Words
Mark Segal
Marching toward LGBT immigration equality So how does the debate on immigration of reformers walks, they stop in towns to affect the LGBT community? That was discuss the issue with media and officials. They have also met with law-enforcement what the assembled LGBT media, who officials who, along with elected officials, had gathered at the Desmond Tutu Center often use illegal immigration as a political in New York City, addressed last weekend. weapon. Each day, they wonder when and We heard from a variety of immigration reform advocates. if Felipe will be detained. Matt Forman, best known as the former Most of the other marchers are not gay, and Juan and Felipe had to educate them executive director of The National Gay on LGBT issues. The pair said it took a and Lesbian Task Force, put together a compelling program that hopefully will while for the other marchers to warm up get the attention of gay media and the to them, but as they shared common concommunity to focus on an issue about to FELIPE AND JUAN cerns and worries, they bonded. take center stage in the national debate Let me be clear. I have not seen such — once healthcare passes Congress or bravery in the LGBT activist community passes into the history of dead legislation. such as this in a very long time. These men are literally putting their lives and relationships on the line Here are some simple and yet powerful facts. Imfor what they believe and because they do not want migration is an LGBT issue since both groups have been used by the right wing as wedge issues. Imto hide anymore. That is the essence of the LGBT migration was used to keep gay people out of the struggle for equality. U.S. until 1990. Currently, foreign partners of LGBT Of course, this compelling example is only one people have no right to stay in the U.S. after their way immigration reform affects our community. tourist or worker’s visas expire, meaning they can be Since 1994, about 1,000 LGBT people have apdeported. plied for political asylum in the U.S. because they feared persecution in their home countries because The best example of how an LGBT couple could be forcefully separated was demonstrated in the most of their sexual orientation. How big of a problem is compelling and emotional segment of the program. that? Forty-nine countries around the world either have laws that allow death (eight) or imprisonment In support of immigration reform, a march from for LGBT people. Think Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Miami to Washington, D.C., is now underway by people who support reform and those it affects, called Uganda, Kenya, the religious police in Iraq and the dangerous homophobia of Jamaica as examples. “Trail of Dreams.” Some of the participants are undocumented immigrants, those in this country withImmigration is our fight, and if you don’t think so, wait until you hear the likes of Rush Limbaugh and out the proper paperwork — which doesn’t necessarily mean someone who just came across the Mexican Glenn Beck, with tears in their eyes, decrying the fact border. Present at the conference via video-chat from that immigration reform will allow sexual perverts Atlanta — where the marchers were last Saturday — and criminals into our country. “Sexual perverts” were Felipe and Juan, a gay couple marching to obis code for gay. And it’s more than code: It was the tain their dream to stay in the U.S. Both were brought wording the U.S. immigration department used to to this country by their parents as minors and grew keep LGBT people from becoming citizens until 1990. up here. This is the culture they know. Juan is a legal U.S. resident and whose family is originally from That same year, Felipe was 3 years old. Little did Colombia. But Felipe, whose family is from Brazil, his mother ever expect that, 20 years later, he’d be has been here since he was 14 and is not a resident. marching across America for equal rights. There is Now 23, he and Juan can be separated by a knock nothing more American than that. ■ on the door by immigration officials at any time. Yet Mark Segal is PGN publisher. He can be reached at they are participating in this march openly, holding mark@epgn.com. hands as they walk from town to town. As the group
Letters and Feedback In response to “Gayborhood Crime Watch,” Feb. 19-25: I think it’s an excellent thing that you’re doing on a weekly basis, educating our community to some of the pits and perils of being in an urban area. I think it’s very informative. You might want to consider a column indicating ways to be safe
in the Gayborhood: walking in pairs, well-lit areas, things that we should be wary of, etc. You may want to consider working with the bars in making people aware of the pitfalls. This is an important education project for the community. Also, the William Way Center may want to get involved. They may want to do a series on being safe in the Gayborhood at night-
time. Keep up the great work. — John J. Wilcox Jr. Philadelphia In response to “Former COLOURS exec gets jail time,” Feb. 26-March 4: See LETTERS, Page 13
PAGE 11
Street Talk Should gay men be allowed to donate blood?
James McCrory illustrator South Philadelphia
Sarah Miller photographer North Philadelphia
“Yes. The ban is too broad and arbitrary. I have lots of completely responsible gay-male friends. I’d rather get their blood than some of my straight friends'. The policy is antigay and doesn’t make sense. There’s no statistical proof that it’s helpful.”
“Yes, absolutely. The policy is stupid. It’s horrible how gay men are demonized as disease carriers. Straight men have anal sex, too. They’re just as likely to have AIDS. Why don’t we ban their blood from the system?”
Chyann Roberts student Washington Square West
Karen Werme program director Washington Square West
“No. Precautions are necessary considering the potential for harm. If you can avoid a risk, why not? But I hope other ways can be found to involve gay men in the [bloodcollection] effort, so they don’t feel left out. They should feel connected and part of the process.”
“Maybe as an intermediate step, we could label the gay blood and give people the option [of receiving it]. That’s better than an outright ban. But my definite preference would be to accept everyone’s blood. Screen it in the lab. Don’t rely on screening by [using] a questionnaire.”
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
LETTERS From Page 11 Another sad chapter for what could be a valuable organization to Philadelphia. Sorry, but the apple doesn’t fall that far from the tree. She’s just the one that got caught. The board supposedly knew nothing; pretty hard to not notice $138K. Those ex-board members who were supposed to oversee COLOURS are still walking around, scott free. She’s not the only one walking around with a new face and teeth. Why should we believe they have any integrity left? — Jinxi While it is true that this is a blemish on the record of the Colours Organization, this article just proves a point. For the entire month of February, which happens to be Black History Month, not a single kind word or story was printed about the positive black citizens of Philadelphia: You could not report on the fact that when Miss’d America returned, your reigning queen was from Philadelphia or the fact that she is a role model for the LGBTQ community. Knowing the only thing that you feel is important to see in your paper is to show the COLOURS agency in a negative light shows your black patrons that it was a joyous occasion for you to use such mad-
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
ness as a representative of all the hard work the other employees of COLOURS have put into helping thousands of clients in this great community. We thank you for your unbiased handling of the news. — Not Surprised I was reviewing the news from PGN [last] weekend and with deeply sadness I read the article about the sentence given to a former director of a great social-service organization here in Philadelphia that was affected because of misrepresentation and abusive action. These types of events or activities are not new for those who work in the field: Things like that happen every day with individuals at every level. Sad that not everyone see justice as the way it is or has to be. It is surprising to read in this article the person apologizing and recognizing the damage that came along with these activities, and claiming a bit of consideration for the work that has been done and the years dedicated to our community. Are there ways for people to see the irreparable damage that they can cause and all the work that they can compromise and people? Breaking the trust, and putting at risk the jobs of people who are in this field for one reason — to serve the community, not to serve ourselves from our jobs.
People like that are still out there; what are we going to do? I think [we shall] start to put them in the spotlight! Thanks, dear friends of PGN. Individuals aka activists or community leaders are here to serve and advocate for those in need. — It is sad This chapter is closed, and now it’s time to move on doing the work of and for our communities — specifically LGBT communities of color. It’s unfortunate that there will be some in the LGBT community that will bask in the idea of what has transpired in this situation, but what is even more disappointing is the fact that we (collectively) forget that there is work that still has to be done: Work in continuing to develop marginalized and displaced communities; Work to address internalized/ externalized racism within the LGBT community;
e
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Work to bring about progressive change so that these instances — whether you look at this same scenario we’ve seen happen in the history of Mazzoni Center (formerly PCHA) or more recently as with COLOURS — do not hap-
pen again. We must be about the work of our community and, with the uttermost sincerity, be the voice of those who are not always allowed at the table. — ShameOnU
Celebrate a Liturgy With Us! On Sunday, March 7th, we will have TWO liturgies. 5:00 p.m. - Celebrated by Eileen McCafferty DiFranco Roman Catholic Womenpriest
7:00 p.m. - Our regular Sunday Liturgy Celebrated by a male Ordained Roman Catholic Priest
(www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org)
Come join us! All are welcome! Both liturgies will be held at: St. Luke and The Epiphany Church 330 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia See the article on the 5 p.m liturgy in our newsletter, the Independence at:
www.dignityphila.org
Visit us on Facebook – Dignity Philadelphia Communion in the form of Consecrated bread, wine and grape juice. Gluten-free communion available upon request.
CONGREGATION BETH AHAVAH
at Rodeph Shalom
A GLBT synagogue welcoming people of all gender and sexual identities since 1975
JOIN US MONTHLY FOR SHABBAT SERVICES AT 8:00 PM
Coffee, cake & conversation at the oneg following services
Winner of the 2009 Paddy and Barry Epstein Communicate! Award for innovative programming in a small congregation Friday, March 12, 8:00 PM. Beth Ahavah Shabbat Services. Please join us for our monthly BA Shabbat Service
followed by a sumptuous oneg (social hour).
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PAGE 13
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Friday, April 2, 7:00 PM. Beth Ahavah Shabbat Services, Passover Dinner and Discussion. An abbreviated service will precede a delicious Passover dinner. Following dinner Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell will lead a Passover teaching and discussion. Please join us for this unique evening of community and renewal of spirit, food, schmoozing and learning. $25 per person. RSVP and payment must be received by March 25. Friday, April 30, 8:00 PM. Equality Forum Shabbat Services. Please join us in the sanctuary for a special joint BA and RS service to celebrate Equality Forum. Our guest speaker will be Nurit Shein, Executive Director of the Mazzoni Center. A native Israeli, Nurit also served as a colonel in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). A special oneg (social hour) will follow services. Beth Ahavah and Rodeph Shalom are affiliated in spirit and share a sacred home. In July 2007 Beth Ahavah affiliated with Rodeph Shalom. Beth Ahavah retains its congregational status within the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and proudly offers its congregation dual membership at both synagogues. Visit www.bethahavah.org for additional information, programming and directions
615 North Broad Street, Phila., PA 19123-2495 Phone: 215.923.2003 E-mail: BethAhavah@rodephshalom.org
Free secure parking: Cross Spring Garden at 13th St., left at next light, Mt. Vernon St. Parking lot entrance on left.
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
NEWS BRIEFING From Page 5 Equality supporters once they arrive, and can join LGBT activists for a reception Monday night and legislative meetings on Tuesday. If you’d like to participate, e-mail ENDA@GardenStateEquality.org with your name, hometown, phone number, names of those participating, mode of transportation and amount of people who could fit in your car. If you do not have a car, indicate that in the e-mail.
Write LGBT into Philly’s history The Pennsylvania Humanities Council will sponsor a community discussion to ensure that Philadelphia’s rich LGBT history is included in the Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia, a civic proj-
ect that tells the story of the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection through both print and online materials. “Striving for Equality: LGBT Activism in Greater Philadelphia” will be held from 6-8 p.m. March 18 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. The event will feature such panelists as former Equality Advocates Pennsylvania executive director Stacey Sobel, chair of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Stephen Glassman, city senior attorney Michael Williams and University of Iowa history professor Kevin Mumford, as well as local activist Kathy Padilla, who will facilitate. The panelists will work with community members in attendance to shape the content for the encyclopedia. ■ — Jen Colletta
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between Feb. 17-21. Information is courtesy of Capt. Brian Korn, Sixth District; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service, Center City District, the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. REPORT: At 3:25 p.m. Feb. 17, inside Edible Arrangements, 125 S. 12th St., two females took a stuffed animal and a card and fled without paying. The offenders were described as black females, the first wearing a big fur coat, striped shirt, grey pants and no further description for the second. The pair escaped in a silver Pontiac Grand Prix with a possible Pennsylvania license plate HKK-9533, driving south on 12th Street.
Unit for Prostitution: 200 block of South 13th Street, at 8:55 p.m., 1 male; 100 block of South 13th Street, 10 p.m., 1 male ARREST: At 7:25 a.m. Feb. 21, police and fire personnel responded to a fire at 309 S. Broad St., Philadelphia International Records. The third floor was on fire and a male had to be rescued from that floor by the fire department. The male was taken to the hospital for treatment and initial interview. Later, the fire was determined to be arson; investigation and review of internal security video led to the arrest of the previously rescued male for arson, burglary and related offenses. The 27-year-old sus-
REPORT: At 1:30 p.m. Feb. 19, complainant was walking south on the 100 block of South 12th Street when a person snatched her handbag from behind. The complainant reported the incident to the Third District the next day and was unable to provide any description of the offender. ARRESTS: The following arrests were made on Feb. 19 by the Citywide Vice
PGN We love to get picked up.
ARREST: At 9:05 p.m. Feb. 21, 1201 Walnut St., a Parkway Corporation employee observed a male inside a Jeep parked on the fourth level of the garage with a broken window. The employee called 911 and provided a description. Sixth District Officers DiDonato and Whitford apprehended the male on the 1200 block of Walnut Street and he was identified by the witness. A book bag was recovered from the offender and identified by the out-of-town complainant as having been in his Jeep. The 35-yearold homeless suspect was charged with theft from motor vehicle and related offenses. ■
The Trans-Health Information Project will hold a drop-in center for all trans persons from 7-11 p.m. oor; The Humboldt Society, a gay and lesbian naturalist club, will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the William Way Ties That Bind Us, a 12-step
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pect was taken into custody and charged on Feb. 24.
Together We Can, a discussion group for people dealing with emotional, mental and addictive problems, will meet at 7 p.m. at The
REPORT: At 3 p.m. Feb. 17, complainant was walking on the 100 block of South Broad Street when a male bumped into her and took her wallet from her handbag. Complainant reported incident on Feb. 20 after she was notified that credit cards were used. The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, 2535 years old, 5-foot-11, medium build, wearing a grey hoodie and blue jeans.
PAGE 15
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International News
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
Larry Nichols Gays and straights strip in Sydney
More than 5,200 people gathered at the Sydney Opera House in Australia on Feb. 28 and stripped down to take part in a photographic installation by renowned artist Spencer Tunick. The installation, titled “Mardi Gras: The Base,” was a part of the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and was intended to be a demonstration of diversity. “Gay men and women lay naked next to their straight neighbors and this delivered a very strong message to the world that Australians embrace a free and equal society,” HANGING OUT IN SYDNEY: Nude people gather on the steps of the Tunick said. He asked subjects to pose Sydney Opera House as they pose for a photo by Spencer Tunick on March 1. Some 5,200 people stripped down for the commissioned with their hands by their sides, up above their heads and even photo that is titled “Mardis Gras: The Base.” AP Photo: Rick Rycroft asked all couples in the crowd to embrace before moving everyone to pose inside the theater.
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The petition was organized by campaign group Avaaz, which hopes to eventually garner 1 million signatures. A letter accompanied the petition asking parliament to reject the controversial bill and instead pass legislation to protect gay people. Speaker of Parliament Edward Sekandi promised the delegation he would refer the petition to a committee for scrutiny. If passed, the legislation will impose the death penalty on those who have homosexual sex with a minor or a disabled person or while infected with AIDS. The death penalty would also be imposed on repeat offenders, while others convicted of having gay sex would be jailed for life, instead of the current 14-year term. Those who fail to report homosexual activity, such as relatives, teachers, landlords or health workers, would also face prison sentences. The bill is now before parliament and awaiting debate.
Half-million petition antigay bill Lesbian relationOpponents of a proposed law ships close school that would impose the death penalty on gay people in Uganda delivered a petition with 500,000 signatures to parliament on March 1 calling for the bill’s rejection.
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A girls’ dormitory at a South African boarding school has reportedly been closed over allegations of lesbian relationships.
The unnamed high school, in the KwaZulu-Natal province, is said to have discovered two female boarders kissing this week. Local reports claim the pair then identified 27 other “lesbians” in the dormitory and all have now been expelled. South Africa bans discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation but the country still suffers from homophobia. South African education officials are investigating why the school was closed. Education Department spokesperson Sihle Mlotshwa said schools were not permitted to expel pupils for being gay. “The school has been visited by district officials on a fact-finding mission,” he said. “There’s going to be a meeting with all relevant stakeholders to look at this issue.” L o c a l g a y - r i g h t s a c t i vist Nonhlanhla Mkhize, of the Durban gay and lesbian community health centre, said the incident was “shocking.” “Such incidents make you wonder whether schools are there to promote only certain aspects of society,” she said. “Sexual orientation aside, this is a serious injustice to the pupils.” Some of the 300 girls who lived in the dormitory are being accom-
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modated in nearby centers, while others have returned home.
Slovakia to hold first Pride festival Slovakia is set to become the last country in the European Union to hold a Pride festival with the announcement of Dúhový (Rainbow) Pride taking place in Bratislava on May 22, the first event of its kind in the country. Few details have been announced but Romana Schlesinger, a spokesperson for the event, said Rainbow Pride Bratislava 2010 is “an important step toward the visibility of lesbian and gay people in the public space.” “This really is fantastic news. There are still so many countries around the world where it is illegal to be lesbian or gay, let alone
PGMC From Page 1 who will play leads in the piece to give them a glimpse into the mindset of the characters they’ll be depicting. “Through a Glass, Darkly,” written by Michael Shaieb, follows 36 hours in the life of Sebastian, a Wall Street broker whose life is crumbling due to his addiction. While out at a bar one night, Sebastian meets Billy, a younger gay man whom he seduces into using the drug with him, while Sebastian’s worried partner, Zack, waits home alone. Sebastian eventually deserts Billy at a hotel, however, and by the end of the piece the roles begin to reverse, as Billy spirals into his addiction and Sebastian begins to acknowledge that he needs help. Matt Geyer, who portrays Sebastian, called his discussion with Faulkner and Potoczniak an “eye-opener.” “I’ve seen friends of mine who’ve made the mistake of fall-
DADT From Page 1 cosponsorship from 188 lawmakers. In an interview with DC Agenda earlier this week, Murphy said he expects Congress to vote on the bill in the “next couple months” and noted that it could be attached to the 2011 defense-authorization bill, which usually is voted on in October. Earlier this week, Defense Secretary Robert Gates released the initial plan of action that will prepare the military for the poten-
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
hold a Pride event,” said Paul Birrell, chair of Pride London and regional director for InterPride. “There continues to be opposition and violence at some events, such as Sofia [Bulgaria], and Belgrade [Serbia], but Slovakia is sending a strong message that no country in Europe is a Pride-free zone.”
Malawi targets gay-rights group Police in Malawi said Feb. 28 they had discovered “pornographic films” at the office of a human-rights group and that police officers were, as a result, hunting down a number of prominent citizens to charge them with “having carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature” and “indecent practices between males.”
“We are targeting some prominent personalities and our suspects include legislators, priests, academics and other professionals,” said police spokesperson David Chingwalu. He would not identify the organization that had been raided. Homosexuality is illegal in Malawi, where the country’s one known gay group, the Centre for the Development of People, operates underground. The organization has been providing financial support to gay couple Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza, who have been charged with “indecent practices” after getting married in the country’s first same-sex wedding in December. The couple could face up to 14 years in prison if convicted. ■
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ing into that trap but I’ve never been the addict, so talking with them kind of helped me understand that mentality,” he said. “The addict is just as much a victim of the drug as the people around them, and that’s something I didn’t really grasp before.” Faulkner said that was precisely the message he was hoping to communicate. “I was worried that the audience might see Matt’s character as a bad guy because he is at times abusive to his partner and gets the other character hooked on meth, but I don’t want people to see him as that. They’re all victims of it,” Faulkner said. Justin Scott, who plays Billy, said he was already aware of the impact that meth use can have on a person, as he previously was a user. “I relate with Billy very much because when I was younger, I was Billy, many times,” he said. “I was that boy in a hotel room getting high, wondering when my friend was coming back. That’s
the reason why I wanted to be a part of this and why it means so much to me.” Scott shared his story with fellow PGMC members at last week’s discussion, and said talking about it and taking on Billy’s struggle has been therapeutic. “If I didn’t talk about my own experiences, it’d feel like I was lying. It’s important for me to be honest, both with myself and other people,” Scott said, noting that it’s also necessary for the LGBT community in Philadelphia to take a frank, truthful look at the pervasive problem of crystal-meth use. “One of the things about crystal meth is that so many more people have done it than care to admit, and even more people have been affected by it in more ways than they care to remember,” Scott said. “It’s everywhere.” For more information or to purchase tickets for the show, which runs April 16 and 17 at the Arden Theatre, 40 N. Second St., visit www.pgmc.org. ■
tial repeal of the 17-year-old law, which he first recommended at a Senate hearing last month. The March 2 memo, which was issued to a cadre of military leaders, noted that if Congress repeals the law, “strong, engaged and informed leadership will be required at every level to properly and effectively implement a legislative change. To be successful, we must understand all issues and potential impacts associated with repeal of the law and how to manage implementation in a way that minimizes disruption.” Gates said the Pentagon will
undertake a wide-ranging study, led by Pentagon General Counsel Jeh Johnson and Army Gen. Carter Ham, commander of the U.S. Army in Europe, to examine years of research on the issue and ascertain how “military readiness, military effectiveness and unit cohesion” could be impacted by the repeal of the law. The report, due Dec. 1, will also include recommendations for the effective implementation of the repeal. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
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MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
W
e are tired of winter. We are tired of snow. We are tired of dreary. But spring is still weeks away. And it’s too cold yet to spend the days outside, soaking up sunshine. To assuage our own ennui, we at PGN decided to pursue some fantasy, be it fantastical romance, sex, fashion or just something-besides-our-own-lives escapism. Here’s a quick reading of what we found, entertaining or not.
A departure from the ordinary
Another Life Altogether Elaine Beale Fiction Thirteenyear-old Jesse has grown up trying to keep up appearances, despite her mother’s mental illness, her father’s neglect and her own blossoming lesbianism. When she finds herself thrust into a small town, however, her ability to separate herself from her family, and from her own identity, becomes seemingly impossible and threatens to leave her completely exposed. Beale gives readers a crash course in British culture, which provides an often-comical backdrop to the heavy issues the young protagonist faces. Although not all readers will be able to relate to the family issues from which Jesse works so hard to break free, Beale does a commendable job of framing them in a way that all readers who’ve made it through tumult-filled teen years can empathize. The story doesn’t rely on too many nail-biting moments or shocking twists, but rather draws its strength from the underdog its main character personifies that leaves readers pulling her from page one. — Jen Colletta Female Force: Ellen DeGeneres Sandra C. Ruckdeschel Graphic Novel For those who still think of
graphic novels as comic books comprised of fantasy tales with large-busted women in tiny bikinis wielding two-handed swords — and who obviously haven’t read Marjane Satrapi’s “Persepolis” about growing up in Tehran during the Iranian Revolution — think again. Blue Waters Productions’ “Female Force” series tells the life stories of notable women in politics, with biographies of Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, Michelle Obama, Caroline Kennedy, Princess Diana and Sarah Palin. The latest in the series moves beyond politics to detail the career rise of comedian Ellen DeGeneres. Despite the cheesy series name that makes them sound like part of the Justice League, the books do raise the profile of the genre, and are both informative and entertaining. For instance, did you know that a young DeGeneres started doing comedy to cheer up her mother during her divorce? The novel details DeGeneres’ childhood in Louisiana, her early career as an oyster shucker and a paralegal and her current CoverGirl status. And, thankfully, it doesn’t shy away from, gloss over or apologize for her lesbianism, from the death of her first girlfriend to coming out and the cancellation of “Ellen,” to her relationship with Anne Heche and her present marriage to Portia de Rossi. The author even frames the wedding against
the backdrop of the Proposition 8 fight in California, noting that DeGeneres and Rossi married in 2008 during the six-month window that same-sex marriage was legal. The one bit that became tedious was the author’s inclusion of herself dancing through the book, a reference to DeGeneres’ trademark dancing on her talk show. As a reader, the draw is to DeGeneres’ story, not to a relatively unknown author. — Sarah Blazucki Follow The Model: Miss J’s Guide to Unleashing Presence, Poise and Power J. Alexander Nonfiction J. Alexander’s book walks a fine line between autobiography and self-help. (And since he’s an expert on how to walk, it’s never a problem for him.) As if to lead by example, “Follow The Model” tells readers how Alexander went from being a Bronx teenager making his own high-fashion knockoffs to being Miss J, the out, world-renowned TV personality and runway-model coach, best known for his work on “America’s Next Top Model.” And to think, he almost became an accountant. The book’s not meant to be a how-to guide, but to show readers that purpose, direction and focus can lead them to their life’s goal if they are patient and work hard.
Along the way, Alexander regales readers with the ups and downs of his journey, from getting past the velvet rope of Studio 54 and catching the attention of giants in the fashion industry to a close call with HIV, finding his dream home in Paris and his foray into fatherhood. “Follow The Model” is a mustread for anyone with an interest in the world of fashion. — Larry Nichols Monday Hearts for Madalene Page Hodel Nonfiction In American culture, “love” is often a four-letter word. Take Valentine’s Day, when detractors posit that if you really love your partner, you’ll treat them special every day, so why waste time/ effort/money/thought on doing something special on Feb. 14? Or that Valentine’s Day is just a holiday made up by Hallmark to get more money (not true; it was first introduced by Geoffrey Chaucer in “Parlement of Foules”). Enter “Monday Hearts for Madalene.” If this book doesn’t tug your heartstrings, you don’t have one. It’s not so much the 100 photos of hearts made out of various objects — crayons, metal shavings, flowers, candy, candles. It’s the story behind them. Author/artist Hodel created the hearts for the woman she loved – Madalene Rodriguez. Hodel left them on Rodriguez’s doorstep on Monday mornings for her to find on her way to work.
Eleven months after they met, Rodriguez died of ovarian cancer. Hodel continued to make Monday Hearts for Madalene as a tribute, sending photos of the hearts to friends and family, an intentional, outward expression of love. The hearts themselves are beautiful creations. Some are whimsical (“Cray-O-La Heart,” “Peeps”), some are made of a single material (“Autumn Heart”), others use many items (“Ornaments”). Some are simple (“Birthday in the Night Sky”), some are highly coordinated (“Our Tribe”), some are intricate (“Lovevolution,” “Dragons Cascading”). And they resonate with love. — S.B. The Moonlit Earth Christopher Rice Fiction Rice penned another winner with “The Moonlit Earth,” due out April 6 and, in a directional shift from his previous novels, has created a tense tale of blackmail and espionage. Deftly weaving family, intrigue, suspicion and surprises, Rice has concocted another unpredictable page-turner that crosses international and nationality lines. Rice writes from the point of view of protagonist Megan Reynolds, who must unravel the mystery of a terrorist bombing in a Hong Kong hotel that implicates her gay brother, Cameron, and threatens his life. Saudi
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Spring Book Escape
Prince Aabid romantically pursues Cameron, putting him in the middle of international, business and cultural conflicts. Some of the most thoughtprovoking moments in the book concern the relationship between the prince and the Southern Californian. Megan and Cameron’s cousin Lucas is portrayed early in the novel as the wealthy, generous and thoughtful close relative, but his darker side slowly emerges. Lucas’ actions eventually threaten the lives of the entire family. There are twists to the characters and conversations that cause the reader to pause and reconsider what simple, overheard remarks may mean. But fortunately, guessing is only part of the fun: The actual reading is the kicker. Majed, a bodyguard/assassin, is a complex and mysterious character who frequently contemplates his place in the world. But, if Majed is conflicted over some of his actions, it is also true that he is very comfortable with others. Rice chooses to write with thoughtprovoking subtlety about this deep man; it wouldn’t be fair to readers to say more about him here. Rice continues to spellbind with this latest offering and, whether you are a fan or haven’t read his previous books, be sure to read this one.
— Scott Drake Pride/ Prejudice Ann Herendeen Fiction If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if those caste protagonists of early 19th-century literature would just throw down and lay together already, here’s your book.
In this tale set in 19thcentury England, author Herendeen re-imagines what happens between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet — and a few other characters. (Note: Darcy and Charles Bingley are intimate by page 5.) The sexed-up version adds spice to the oft-dry tales about virtue, good manners and matchmaking, with lots of male-male and male-female coupling. Thankfully, Bennet is still the strong character that made her interesting in Jane Austen’s original “Pride and Prejudice” and the plot parallels the original, “filling in the gaps,” as it were. Now we just need to read “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.”
— S.B. Robin and Ruby K.M. Soehnlein Fiction “Robin and Ruby” takes readers on a weekend of adventure down the Garden State Parkway — from Philadelphia to the Jersey Shore — as the title characters, a brother-and-sister pair who were first introduced to readers in Soehnlein’s “World of Normal Boys,” seek to separate their past from their future. As Robin, a gay college student spending the summer in Philadelphia, and sister Ruby struggle to find their way across state lines to one another after a wild weekend — saturated with drugs and alcohol just as much as unexpected sexual encounters — they find their paths clouded by their younger brother’s death, which calls their relationships and their faith into question. A coming-of-age novel set in the mid-1980s, “Robin and
Ruby” tells the siblings’ stories in alternating chapters, and the depth Soehnlein provides to each character absorbs the reader so completely that the other sibling seamlessly fades to the background until his or her turn resurfaces. The entire book takes place within just two days, but Soehnlein allows the reader to traverse so far into the minds of the main characters that their past and future are masterfully fused into the present. With extensive mentions of local LGBT institutions like Giovanni’s Room, this is a must-read for locals.
— J.C. Sex, Dreams & Self Control Kevin Thornton Nonfiction Out musician and actor Thornton has managed to distill his one-man show into a dark comedic read. Thornton’s almost-stream-ofconsciousness style takes readers through the strangeness that was his small-town Indiana childhood, highlighting his first and often complex forays into masturbation and his experiences with the church. Those two worlds become more intertwined as the book motors on, evidenced by the poem “After-Bible-Study-Hand Jobs.” Then there’s the spider that gives him spiritual advice through his dreams. No, really. And he/ she/it is the most sympathetic entity in the book. Thornton’s misadventures continue through college, where he manages to get into even more awkward sexual experiences before he finally has a spiritual epiphany in, of all places, an Olive Garden. “Sex, Dreams & Self Control” may not be the deepest story of sexual discovery ever written, but it is fast and entertaining, and should have most readers rolling
with sympathetic laughter.
— L.N. The Summer We Fell Apart Robin Antalek Fiction The lifelong impact of parental missteps on their children is front and center in “The Summer We Fell Apart,” Antalek’s debut novel. The book spans 15 years in the lives of the four Haas children, who find their relationships and career paths inextricably affected by their dysfunctional upbringing. Each of the brothers’ and sisters’ stories are told separately but eventually converge, demonstrating the inevitable bonds between siblings that the characters eventually take comfort in. One of the brothers, George, is gay, and while his sexuality is not a major source of conflict in the novel, his relationship with his partner is held up as one of the most successful in the book. In a family riddled with neglect and abuse, George and the eventual “normalcy” he and his partner find are welcome characterizations of same-sex couples. — J.C. Tangled Web Lee Rowan Romance “Tangled Web” is a historical romance that follows in the footsteps of last year’s Running Press releases “Transgressions” and “False Colors.” This love story of gentlemen is set in Regency London in 1816 and concerns quite a different societal class than one might associate with a Charles Dick-
ens novel of the same era: This delightful story captures the period in a well-woven tale of two men of different generations but similar backgrounds who meet by circumstance. Brendan Townsend has been rooming with Tony Hillyard in Oxford, where they have been discretely having sex for several months when Tony takes Brendan to a mollyhouse under false pretenses and proceeds to perform sexual acts on a stage with a masked stranger. Brendan is horrified and immediately moves back in with his family. In London, he performs his duties as escort to the dances and dinners his sister Ellie must attend to meet the proper husband. Tony gets blackmailed by the mollyhouse owner and asks Brendan to help, who asks his brother James to help him find someone who can “deal with these things.” James writes a letter of introduction to his former commander Major Phillip Carlisle in Kent. The major is a widower of 10 years who breeds horses on his estate and Brendan instantly falls for the older man, who in turn resists the once-upona-time urges he had years before. Out in the open, all is proper and dignified; but blackmail, the murder of a local lad involved with smuggling and a few gentle turns of events propel the reader until the final confrontations and revelations come to light. This is a great book to read to warm the heart and take away the chill of winter loneliness. — S.D. Tomorrow May Be Too Late Thomas Marino Memoir “Tomorrow May Be Too Late” is subtitled “A Love Story,” but there is little in the book about love, nor is there much of a story. Marino recites dates, times, outfits, songs and conversations from 20 years ago with See ESCAPE, Page 22
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
Best-sellers Information is courtesy of Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960; www.giovannisroom.com. Ten-percent off most hardcover in-store sales. BOOKS
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Advertising works.
LGBT 1. “Genderqueer: Voices from Beyond the Gender Binary,” edited by Joan Nestle, Clare Howell and Riki Wilchins (Alyson, 320 pp., $16.95 pb). In this groundbreaking anthology, three experts in gender studies and politics navigate around rigid, societally imposed concepts of two genders to discover and illuminate the limitless possibilities of identity. 2. “As My Own Soul: The Blessing of Same Gender Marriage,” by Chris Glaser (Seabury, 150 pp., $20 pb). Ever wonder why marriage for samegender couples generates such passion? 3. “Making It Legal: A Guide to Same-Sex Marriage, Domestic Partnership & Civil Unions,” by Fredrick Hertz (NOLO, 269 pp., $29.99 pb). The ultimate guide to the past, present and future of same-sex relationship laws in the U.S. 4. “Hello Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks and Other Outlaws,” by Kate Bornstein (Seven Stories Press, 231 pp., $16.95 pb). Here, Bornstein bravely and wittily shares personal and unorthodox methods of survival for navigating an oftencruel world. A one-of-a-kind guide to staying alive outside the box, “Hello, Cruel World” is a much-needed unconventional approach to teen-suicide prevention for marginalized youth who want to stay on the edge, but alive. GAY 1. “Murder On Camac,” by Joseph DeMarco (Lethe, 396 pp., $18 pb). Gunned down in the street, author Helmut Brandt’s life ebbs away and puts a chain of events in motion that place P.I. Marco Fontana on a collision course with the church and local community. 2. “Single Man,” by Christopher Isherwood (U of Minnesota Press, 186 pp., $15.95 pb). George, the protagonist, is adjusting to life on his own after the
sudden death of his partner. 3. “Silver Lake,” by Peter Gadol (Tyrus Books, 290 pp., $14.95 pb). “Silver Lake is compulsively readable, a novel that combines all the suspense of a psychological thriller with beautifully observed details of contemporary domestic life in Los Angeles. This is a haunting book full of both beauty and dread.” 4. “Love Means No Shame,” by Andrew Grey (Dreamspinner Press, 234 pp., $14.99 pb) Geoff is in the city, living the gay life to the hilt, when his father’s death convinces him to return to the family farm. 5. “From Top to Bottom,” by Michael-Christopher (MC Books, 212 pp., $15.95 pb). After two years of being a content bottom, Virgil Peterson receives an indecent proposal to rise to the top of the occasion while out of town and away from his lover, Rodney Franklin — a total top. 6. “Forgetting Elena,” by Edmund White (Vintage Books USA, 192 pp., $15 pb). Combining glittering wit, an atmosphere dense in social paranoia and a breathtaking elegance and precision of language, White’s first novel suggests a hilarious apotheosis of the comedy of manners. 7. “Hero,” by Perry Moore (Hyperion, 428 pp., $8.99 pb). The executive producer of Disney and Walden Media’s film adaptation of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” tells an unforgettable story about the coming of age of a young superhero in a groundbreaking novel of love, loss and redemption. 8. “Blind Fall,” by Christopher Rice (Pocket Books, 302 pp., $15 pb). New York Times bestselling author Rice delivers the gripping story of an Iraqi War vet seeking redemption and revenge when one of his fellow Marines is brutally murdered. 9. “Jane Bites Back,” by Michael Thomas Ford (Ballantine Books, 229 pp., $14 pb). Twohundred years after her death, Jane Austen is still surrounded by the literature she loves — but now it’s because she’s the owner of Flyleaf Books in a sleepy college town in upstate New York. 10. “Pride/Prejudice: A Novel of Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet, and Their Forbidden Lovers,” edited by Ann Herendeen (Harper, 432 pp., $14.99 pb).
“Pride/Prejudice” brings to light all the buried secrets, potential scandals and unspoken, forbidden loves of Austen’s novel. LESBIAN 1. “Purple Panties,” by Zane (Strebor Books, 306 pp., $15 pb). Written by women from all over the world, here is a new level of lesbian erotica, compiled by Zane, that promises the most exciting and steamy reading experience possible. 2. “Mean Little Deaf Queer,” by Terry Galloway (Beacon Press, 230 pp., $23.95 hb). With disarming candor, Galloway writes about her mental breakdowns, her queer identity and her life in a silent, quirky world populated by unforgettable characters. 3. “Essential Dykes to Watch Out For,” by Alison Bechdel (HMH, 392 pp., $25 hb). For 25 years, Bechdel’s pioneering “Dykes to Watch Out For” comic strip has been collected in award-winning volumes. Now, at last, “The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For” gathers a “rich, funny, deep and impossible to put down” selection from all 11 Dykes volumes (Publishers Weekly). 4. “Tipping the Velvet,” by Sarah Waters (Riverhead, 480 pp., $16 pb). Chronicles the adventures of Nan King, a smalltown girl at the turn of the last century whose life takes a wild turn when she follows a local music-hall star to London. 5. “Frida’s Bed,” by Slavenka Drakulic, (Penguin, 162 pp, $13 pb). This beautifully imagined story of the last days of Frida Kahlo’s life explores the inner existence of one of the world’s most influential female artists. 6. “Hunter’s Pursuit,” by Kim Baldwin (Bold Strokes, 320 pp., $15 pb). A professional killer wants out of the business, but her former mentor wants her dead — and has paid colleagues handsomely to make it happen. It’s winter in the remote wilderness of Michigan and the chase is on. 7. “Storms of Change,” by Radclyffe (Bold Strokes, 288 pp., $15.95 pb). In the continuing saga of the Provincetown Tales, Reese Conlon’s obligations to family and country are put to the test as war engulfs the Middle See BEST-SELLERS, Page 30
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Photography Techniques I & II and Adobe Elements/ Photoshop classes at the William Way CC begin in March.
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us what you think! Survey 2010orTell go to www.epgn.com to tell us online We recognize that our readers are a the key to our success and we want to make sure we are meeting your needs and those of our community. Thanks for reading PGN and for taking the time to give us feedback! Please be assured that all information is for our use only. You do not have to answer every question. How do you identify your gender? ___Male ___Female ___Transgender (MTF) ___Transgender (FTM) ___Other (indicate) __________ How do you identify your sexual orientation? ___Gay ___Lesbian ___Bisexual ___Queer ___Other (indicate) ___________
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In what age group are you? ___18-25 ___26-34 ___35-49 ___50-65 ___66-80 ___Over 80 What is your race? ___Caucasian ___African American ___Latino/a ___Asian ___Other (indicate) ___________ Where do you live? ___Philadelphia ___Philadelphia suburbs ___New Jersey ___Delaware ___Other (indicate) _______ How long have you been reading the Philadelphia Gay News? ___<1 year ___1-3 years ___4-8 years ___9-15 years ___16-20 years ___>20 years How do you usually read PGN? ___In print ___Online ___Both
Frequency PGN features people of my same ________________ with appropriate frequency: Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree O O O O Sexual orientation O O O O Gender identity Race O O O O Age O O O O
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PGN provides fair and balanced news coverage of the diverse Philadelphia-area LGBT community: Strongly Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Agree O O O O O Please rate the following LGBT issues in terms of their importance to you: Not Somewhat Somewhat Very Important Unimportant Neutral Important Important O O O O O Same-sex marriage O O O O Relationship recognition (civil unions, etc.) O O O O O O Employment discrimination O O O O O HIV/AIDS O O O O O Hate crimes O O O O O Military ban on gays O O O O O Immigration discrimination O O O O O Health disparities O O O O O Adoption rights O O O O O LGBT elected officials O O O O O Youth issues (school bullying, parental abandonment, etc.)
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(end-of-life care, Social Security discrimination)
O
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Sometimes O O O O O O O O O O
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Never O O O O O O O O O O
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Seldom O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
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Sometimes O O O O O O O O O
Seldom O O O O O O O O O
Never O O O O O O O O O
How often do you read each of these columns? Adoption Corner Best-sellers Creep of the Week CDs DVDs Food Reviews Leather Lookout Lesbian on the Scene Mombian Offline On Being Well Out Money Outward Bound Work It Out
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Always O O O O O O O O O
painful eight hours you would spend reading this book.
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1. What items or features would you like to see in PGN?
such unbelievable clarity, the story is, well, tediously unbelievable. This book could be titled “Journal of an Egomaniac” or “My therapist told me to write this to see if it might help.” What is the book about? Good question. There is no plot, direction or anything that resembles a storyline other than a bad relationship and all of its misery. It is a series of vignettes on how favorably Marino thinks of his body and looks while he is dancing, how many different ways he can describe his partner Tom Shaw’s butt, the mistakes he made with letting Shaw spend his money and fighting with him to the point of drawing blood. Rinse. Repeat. Oh, there are gratuitous sentences of frequent, hours-long, incredibly perfect sex every time they make up or just get drunk and do it, but even that part of the book is dull. Marino writes about their sexual escapades as if he were recapping a commodities report rather than infusing passion, sweat or even physical exertion. If you want to know about what makes a relationship doomed from the start, read the first 30 pages. And read it in the store with a coffee so you don’t doze. Better yet, go to a local club and console someone who is crying in his beer. You will get a more interesting tale of woe and spend your money on something more enjoyable in far less than the
— S.D. Workin’ It: RuPaul’s Guide to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Style RuPaul Nonfiction Part how-to manual and part Chicken Soup for the Drag Soul, “Workin’ It” contains what seems like every nugget of wisdom that drag icon RuPaul has accumulated over her long career. But if you ever wanted to know how much time, effort and energy goes into the art of drag, this is the book to read. Every minute detail of RuPaul’s drag regime is laid out in the pages of this colorful tome: her diet, her gym routine, how she puts on her makeup, what to pack for traveling, colonics, etc. Better to learn the ropes here than on the street. Plus, there are enough photos of the drag diva to fill a coffeetable book. These photos run the gamut from full-on glam to period gangster. There’s also a shot of RuPaul playing both Barack and Michelle Obama. The photos and RuPaul’s mantras are a pleasant distraction from the numerous rules contained in the book: a lot of never do this and don’t do that, which ramps up the preachy factor but is good advice all the same. Whether this will unlock your inner fierceness is entirely up to you, but at the very least, “Workin’ It” is a feast for the eyes. ■ — L.N.
2. If you could change one item or feature in PGN, what would it be?
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If you would like to be entered into a drawing for a $25 Target gift card, please provide your name and e-mail address, phone number or mailing address. This is entirely optional and, if you choose to enter, your contact information will only be used to notify you if you have won. You can return your survey a number of ways: • Fax it (both sides): (215) 925-6437 • Mail it: PGN Survey 505 S. Fourth St. Philadelphia, Pa 19147
• Drop it off at one of these collection points: The PGN office, ASIAC, The Attic Youth Center, COLOURS, GALAEI, Giovanni’s Room, Mazonni Center, Philadelphia FIGHT AIDS Library, Safeguards, Spruce Street Video, UPenn LGBT Center, William Way LGBT Community Center, The Raven in New Hope
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MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
Lesbian on the Scene Tracy Buchholz
St. Paddy’s Day and the countdown to summer
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Finally out of the February blues and into March! Last month seemed to drag on and on, with more and more snow piling on as the weeks went by. We’re going to stay optimistic and hope the worst of it is over. Regardless, there were some great events in February, and even more are coming up in March. Plus, with my birthday in the next two weeks, no one is more excited than I am to buy some new spring clothes and check out some of these awesome events! Start your Sunday right by celebrating International Women’s Day at Safeguards annual celebration, 260 S. Broad St., 10th floor. International Women’s Day, technically March 8, recognizes the ongoing need to support equality and justice for all women and girls. The celebration by Safeguards Project includes spoken word, singing, dance performances and vendors. Workshops will be presented by Gay and Lesbian AIDS Education Initiative, UPenn, COLOURS Inc., Positive Women’s Network and The Womyn’s Village. The events run from 10 a.m.6 p.m. March 7 and it’s not too late to get a table! Write to iwdphiladelphia@yahoo.com for details. Also on March 7, join Vitamin D Productions for the 11th annual “Womynsfest” at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St. “Womynsfest” showcases fantastic womyn in bands and is an all-ages event. Each band performs for 15 minutes or longer, with performances running 7:30-11 p.m. Definitely a chill way to spend a Sunday night. Best part, it’s free! For more information, e-mail vitamindfestival@aol.com. “Flashdance” is set to explode
on the scene March 12 at Marbar, 200 S. 40th St. This new dance party boasts the motto, “Music for girls, played by girls.” The party kicks off at 9 p.m. with DJs Aasha Adore, Gun$ Garcia, Lady Prowl and Battleaxebaby rotating throughout the night. If you get in by 10, there’s no cover; there’s a $5 cover the rest of the night. Dance shy? Not to worry: There’s even going to be a mini-market at the party, so you’ll be kept busy regardless of what you’re into! On March 13, join Stimulus hosts Amber and Morgan as they launch their new party, “Arouse.” The new event takes place at Marathon Grill at 1818 Market St. The producers promise different monthly DJs as well as rotating music styles, including house, hip-hop, salsa and reggae. Cover for the party is $5, with proceeds from the event going to Mazzoni Center. This month, house music is on the agenda with DJs Jivey and JD. And on March 14, join Ladies2000 at their annual St. Patrick’s Day bash at Taylor’s, 2310 W. Marlton Pike, Cherry Hill, N.J. The party starts at 3 p.m. and goes ’til 9 p.m. with music by DJ Steve Singer. Even though Taylor’s is located just over the bridge, you can always expect a big crowd of both Philly and Jersey girls! Also, $1 drinks will be available from 3-4 p.m., plus an amazing Irish-themed buffet. More information can be found at www.ladies2000.com. Hopefully, we’ll run into each other out and about over the next few weeks. If we do, please let me know if I’m missing an event that you love or support and I’ll definitely check it out. Until next time, stay warm, stay positive and keep that summer countdown going! ■ Tracy Buchholz is an LGBTQ party producer-promoter in Philadelphia. She can be reached at tracy.buchholz@gmail.com.
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
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Rollins brings spoken-word tour to Philly By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer Henry Rollins has never been short on opinions or ways to express himself. Whether the punk-rock icon, actor and publisher is on the road or working on one of his many projects, he is always a vocal advocate for issues like gay rights, the West Memphis Three and supporting U.S. troops fighting in the Iraq War. Rollins is usually at his most political, and gut-wrenching funniest, during one of his spoken-word performances. Prior to the launch of his “Frequent Flier Tour,” which pulls into Philadelphia on March 11, the LGBT ally took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to answer a few of PGN’s questions. PGN: What inspired you to be so outspoken for LGBT rights? HR: Because being gay is nothing anyone can help, no matter how much someone says otherwise. That someone is denied human rights over this will not stand. It’s as simple as that for me. PGN: Having done a number of tours with the USO, do you have a sense of whether the politicians who oppose “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” on the grounds that it would “affect soldier morale” have ever discussed the issue with any soldiers — or actually care about soldier morale at all? HR: My opinion is that they really don’t care if there are gay soldiers. It’s a good talking point for them to fundraise with and to energize their dumb-ass base. You want to have an effect on a soldier’s morale? Send him/her in for four rotations through Iraq. Believe me, a gay person next to them is the last thing they are worrying about. PGN: You were once reported to a National Security Hotline for reading a book about the rise of militant Islam on a plane. Does it make it more irksome for you when, years later, a man who is on a no-fly list and has ties to alQaida is allowed to get on a plane with a bomb in his underwear? HR: It’s not surprising on
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me listen to them, that’s the real good part.
either side of that one. It was interesting, that whole thing. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of ego in intelligence. FBI won’t share with CIA, etc. It’s been that way for decades. It’s how you get a thing like this idiot with the bomb in his pants. PGN: Recently, we interviewed RuPaul and were surprised to see you in the trailer for the second season of “Drag Race.” She said the two of you go way back. How did you end up guest-judging on the show and how much street cred do you have in the drag world? HR: RuPaul is great and we have been friends for many years. I ended up as a judge because she asked me to, that’s all. How much street cred do I have in the drag world, well damn, I never thought about it. Do I need to? Is it something I should do some polling on? PGN: Which of your books or albums would you recommend to someone who knows little or nothing about you or your work, and why? HR: I would definitely recommend they check out someone else’s work.
HENRY ROLLINS
HR: I am just happy knowing that I will never be mature enough to get through one of his records. He donates a lot of money to an orphanage that I donate money to, so perhaps his continual releases are for the greater good. No one’s making
PGN: We are both of a generation that had to spend money/time/energy to figure out whether or not we liked a band or musician. Do you think something vital is lost today when you are able to know everything about an artist and own three or four of their songs (sometimes for free) within 2 minutes of hearing their name? HR: I don’t know. That’s a good question. Sometimes the best part of a show was going to it — the music was not the real item. I think there are good parts of having a ton of information at your command, [but] it also removes the music-discoveryas-journey element that was interesting to me at least. On the other hand, you are able to check out a lot of music you might not get your hands on otherwise.
PGN: What books are you reading right now? HR: I just finished “In the Jaws of the Dragon” by Eamon Fingleton. I liked it. I am reading “Blood’s a Rover” by James Ellroy. He’s one of the only fiction writers I read. PGN: Is has been reported that you might be giving up on making music. If that is true, what are your reasons for that decision? HR: I will hopefully be working on a project later this year. I don’t want to go out and play old music, though. It’s too depressing to relive the past in that way. PGN: If you do give up making music, will you be able to sleep at night knowing that Sting is still out there recording solo albums with total impunity, and probably has the ability to sell said records to people waiting in line for coffee at Starbucks?
Read it here first.
There’s always excitement at the Empress.
PGN: The picture you paint of Los Angeles in your spokenword performances is never flattering. Why do you continue to call it home? HR: Because it’s always great to leave and it keeps me motivated. There are many good people in L.A. It’s just a tough place and not always easy to deal with. I think in the last several years, the place has started to get a pulse, though. PGN: Are we witnessing the last days of the empire? HR: Since Reagan’s two failed terms, absolutely. ■ Henry Rollins performs a spoken-word show at 8 p.m. March 11 at First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St. For more information, visit www.henryrollins.com or call (215) 563-3980. Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
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Professional Portraits I was tempted to hold off on doing this interview until we got a little closer to Earth Day, but then I figured, if your mother was dying, would you wait until Mother’s Day to help her? I think not. So, in the interest of saving Mother Earth from the onslaught she faces on a daily basis, I spoke with Tony Fisher, the affable owner of The Big Green Earth Store. PGN: I hear a trace of an accent. TF: Yes, I’m from Knoxville, Tenn. I moved to Philadelphia after a seven-year stint in the Navy.
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
Suzi Nash
siblings? TF: Well, I was adopted when I was 12; that’s why I went to Knoxville. PGN: That must have been a big change, going from seven kids to flying solo. TF: I had a sister who died in infancy and a brother who died later on. So we were down to six, but yes, it was different.
PGN: My nickname used to be Nashville; how close is that to where you were born? TF: About two hours: I actually lived in Nashville for a while. I lived in Knoxville, then Nashville, then Knoxville again.
PGN: Was it a relief to get some peace and quiet or did you miss the madness? TF: As you can imagine, being adopted at 12 meant there were some problems in the home. It was a bit of a shock. Just going from a family that was impoverished to a family that wasn’t wealthy by any means, but that was able to provide the things that I needed was a big change.
PGN: So are you into country music? TF: Oh ... not so much. I mean, I’m into all sorts of music, but I’m more of a top-40s and dancemusic kind of guy.
PGN: What’s a good memory from childhood? TF: No one’s ever asked me that. I guess a great memory would be when I joined the high-school band.
PGN: Do you have any siblings? TF: Well, that’s a little complicated too. I have seven birth brothers and sisters, but I was adopted as an only child.
PGN: What did you play? TF: I did percussion, so I played snare drum for marching band and xylophone and bells for concert band.
PGN: Did you know about your
PGN: Somehow I don’t picture
you with a xylophone! TF: Well, the xylophone is a little different than a glockenspiel, but still ... and the bells, I was just good at them. I was all-state for them both. PGN: So you were a band jock! TF: [Laughs.] Yeah, as jockish as you could get playing in the band. PGN: Did you play any sports for real? TF: I did; I played football and I played baseball. PGN: What position did you play in football? TF: I was center. Telling, I guess! [For the non-jocks: The center puts the football between his/her legs for the quarterback to grab.] PGN: When did you come out? TF: It was kind of a process because I was in the military for seven years. Believe it or not, I kind of came out in the military, about two years into my service. I had a girlfriend at the time and one night I was at the Enlisted Club and got picked up by one of the other guys on the base. That started my coming-out process. PGN: What did you do in the military? TF: I was a mechanic on the ship at first and then I became a legalman, which is the equivalent of a
TONY FISHER Photo: Suzi Nash
paralegal. PGN: You are an interesting study of contrasts: from xylophone geek to football player, from grease monkey to paper pusher. TF: [Laughs.] I played the parts. PGN: Did you always have feelings for boys? TF: Oh yeah, probably since I was in about middle school, but at that age, I didn’t really know what it was. After that first experience at the base, I kind of went back
in the closet for a bit. Then when Bill Clinton became president, things were a little more relaxed. Also, I think everyone pretty much knew that I was ... different. PGN: Were the sports and the military to try and counteract your feelings? TF: The sports were more to please my dad. Plus in Tennessee, it just wasn’t a place to figure yourself out. Thinking back, my first inkling was when I was watching “Entertainment Tonight.” I think it was the first year it was on the air. I remember sitting on the floor and my mom and dad sitting on the sofa and, at the very end of the show, they said, ‘There’s a group called The Weather Girls that has taken the gay community by storm in New York!” and they started playing the video of “It’s Raining Men,” and I remember seeing the guys dancing and thinking, “Hey, I think that’s what I am.” Of course, it took a while to come to grips with it. It’s still a process for me. I’m sure there are still people who don’t know or question. I don’t really wear it on my sleeve. PGN: [Laughs.] Until now. TF: True. PGN: I don’t know — my gaydar was able to peg you. TF: I know; I like how you just walked into my store and asked me if I was a member of the LGBT community! PGN: Well, I figured if you said no, or gave me that “what’s that?”
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
look, I’d just move on. TF: You could always say it was a social group! PGN: [Laughs.] Enough of this madness, back to you. Did you go straight into the military from high school? TF: Yes, but while I was enlisted, I took a lot of college courses and, when I got out after seven years, I went back to school. I got a degree in sociology and social work from La Salle University. PGN: What was the farthest you were stationed in the military? TF: I was on a ship, a guided missile destroyer and, in 1990 when Iraq invaded Kuwait, we were stationed in the Persian Gulf. Ironically, since we had already been there for five months, they sent us home! But since we were technically there at the start of the war, we got the ribbon that signified that we were a part of the Persian Gulf conflict! PGN: Jumping ships, so to speak, how did you get from missile destroyers to saving the earth? TF: I worked for a company that did litigation support for the Environmental Protection Agency here in Philly for about five years. That’s what I used my paralegal experience for — helping with the prosecution of companies that were polluting the environment and that sort of thing. About three years ago, I wanted to buy a hemp sweater. I couldn’t find one in any local stores, only online. So I decided to open a place where people could actually see and feel things for themselves instead of blindly buying them online. We’ve been open about two years; we had a location on Market Street first, then closed that and moved here last April. PGN: What gets you angry? TF: I get angry on a daily basis. When I see people littering, it drives me crazy. I got angry with a woman yesterday who threw a cigarette butt on the ground right in front of my store. I have worked with a number of
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
nonprofits over the years and, I remember when I worked at 13th and Chestnut, I saw this woman just open up her car door and dump a bunch of her trash right onto the street. I was livid. There’s no excuse for that. It drives me crazy, but more than that is when I see cruelty to animals. I’m a big animal person. I’m into animal rights and wildlife protection, which coincides with wanting to help the earth. Protecting the land and saving habitats to save animals go hand in hand. PGN: Do you have any pets? TF: I have two dachshunds, Collie and Angel. They are the loves of my life. I love animals. Did you see our Wish Wall? We have a wall with little slots in it and you can rent a slot for a dollar a month or $10 for a year and put a little message in it: 100 percent of the money goes to an organization that helps animals. Currently, we’re raising money for a group called Rogers’ Rescues. It was founded by a woman named Anne Marie Rogers and they are an allbreed dog-rescue operation that rescues dogs from overcrowded shelters. PGN: What’s a favorite thing in the store? TF: Our refill stations by far. It was my idea. I used to gripe about myself and how quickly I would fill up a recycle bin. It always seemed to be filled with laundrydetergent bottles and cleaning products. So we’ve teamed up with Sun & Earth natural cleaning products. People can bring their own bottles in and get refills on all-purpose cleaner and laundry detergent. They are a local manufacturer and they make premium products. It’s less expensive than what you buy at the store and better for you, your family and the earth. Many people aren’t aware that most commercial detergents have phosphates in them that destroy the groundwater once it seeps into our system. A few years ago, part of the Schuylkill River was a dead zone, in part
because of all the phosphate being dumped into it. It killed the oxygen in the water and the fish died. So even though the refills help in that we’re not recycling so many bottles, the real benefit is using a product that is not going to harm the environment. It’s win-win.
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Q Puzzle
PGN: It’s all connected. I think people don’t understand the ripple effect of everything we do. How do you find your inventory? TF: It was very difficult in the beginning. We try the products out and research them to make sure it’s not just greenwashing. We’ve had some products we found were somewhat greenwashed and we discontinued them. PGN: What is greenwashing? TF: Greenwashing is when companies try to represent their products or services as “green,” “clean” or “environmentally friendly” when in fact they are not. Usually they spend more money on advertising that they’re green than practicing green policies. There’s a lot of misrepresentation in advertising and not a lot of regulation. You get things like “energy-efficient” electronics that contain hazardous materials, products that claim to be 100-percent natural but don’t tell you that the “natural” ingredients they choose to use — like formaldehyde — are hazardous or claiming to be CFC-free, even though CFCs were banned 20 years ago. It’s really important to check carefully. Just because a product has flowers or a forest on it doesn’t mean it is green or ecofriendly. PGN: What store, other than this one, would you choose to max out your credit card? TF: Probably Trader Joe’s. I like their products and their price points. And Matthew Izzo! If Tony Sparacino was still alive, it would be his store because he was a good friend and I loved his See PORTRAIT, Page 28
Red Tails in the Sunset Across 1. Word before ass 5. Bill T. Jones’ partner Zane 10. Cho’s “I’m the One ___ I Want” 14. Voice in a loft 15. “Brigadoon” heroine played by Cyd Charisse 16. Fine-tune 17. Farmer’s tool 18. Peter the Great, and more 19. Kett of the comics 20. Fashion designer for seamen? 23. “___ Were a Rich Man” 24. B’way hit sign 25. Cause to have an orgasm 26. On-line letters 28. Like Gomer’s Mayberry 32. Zadora of “Hairspray” 33. Let out 34. Pay tribute to 35. Carrier to Swed. 36. Comment about a straight guy? 39. Barrie’s precipitation 42. Bar regular 43. Bear that roams the night 47. McKellen of “The Da Vince Code” 48. Accuse of pedophilia, e.g. 49. Teapot feature 50. R.E.M. frontman Michael 52. Yokohama yes 54. Chain-wearing A-Team member 55. Heterosexual matrimony, perhaps? 60. “East of Eden” director Kazan 61. Witherspoon of “Legally Blonde 2” 62. Deportment 63. Global domination game 64. Urvashi Vaid’s birthplace
65. “And giving ___ up the chimney he rose” 66. Gets hard 67. Crotchety sorts 68. Part of YMCA Down 1. More gay, in a way 2. 1984 Lily Tomlin movie 3. Idealistic reformer 4. Hilary Swank’s husband Chad 5. Last word of a fairy tale 6. Italian eatery 7. He took on a pair of bears 8. About, in memos 9. All-star game side, often 10. “A League of ___ Own” 11. Nickname for an oral person 12. Willa Cather character 13. Riot squad canister 21. Big initials in fashion 22. More adept 27. Communications corp. 29. Part of UHF 30. Shirley MacLaine film of 2005 31. ___ impasse (stuck) 34. “The King and I” setting 37. Recesses for Rev. Spahr 38. Informal affirmative 39. Religious women who don’t have sex with men 40. Writer Barney 41. Nature worshiper 44. Painter Brooks 45. George O’Malley, e.g. 46. Comes 49. Officer or knight 51. Range features 53. Fields of interest 56. Mabius of “Ugly Betty” 57. Kind of phobia 58. The Beatles’ “Love ___” 59. Mosque head
See SOLUTION, Page 28
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PORTRAIT From Page 27 shop. PGN: Your tagline is “You don’t have to be a superhero to save the planet.” Who is a hero of yours? TF: I’d say Barack Obama. I don’t think he’s getting enough credit for all the positive things he’s been doing, especially on the environmental forefront.
And I enjoy the liberal media like MSNBC. I’m a bit of a political junkie and I could watch that station for hours. And people like the Clintons, who try to stand up for the common people. PGN: Most unusual piece you own? TF: I have a lot of conversation pieces, especially artwork that I’ve gotten from the student sale at Moore College of Art
each year. I have a tapestry that’s really beautiful and some things that I’ve colleted since I traveled with the military. My mother has a lot of those. PGN: Any hobbies? TF: I love to ski. [Laughs.] I almost said water sports, but that gives the wrong impression! Let me rephrase that: I like to swim and ski on water. PGN: Are you a vegetarian? TF: No. I was a pescatarian for a while, which is only eating fish and vegetables. I recently added poultry back into my diet but I haven’t had red meat or pork in years. I’m trying to cut the fish and chicken back out, but it’s hard. I love to eat. PGN: What is one thing you swore you would never do when you were young that you have done as an adult?
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
TF: Turn into my parents. I swear I find myself saying things that my parents would have said to me. I don’t have kids, but I have my dogs, so I’m like a parent now. PGN: Any superstitious rituals? TF: I don’t know if it’s superstitious, but I do cleanse the store every now and then, getting rid of the evil spirits with a sage smudge stick. PGN: Something you’d do if you weren’t afraid? TF: I wish I could have experienced the adrenalin rush that must come with piloting a jet, but I’m afraid of heights. PGN: What Olympic event would you want to compete in? I’m guessing skiing. TF: No, I always wanted to do gymnastics, but my parents would never let me. My father
wanted me to do more manly sports. It was Tennessee, after all. PGN: What did they do? TF: My mom was a seamstress in a factory and did some tailoring at a higher-end shop. My dad worked in the factory at what was then Union Carbide. PGN: How were they when you came out? TF: It’s weird, I told my mother about 15 years ago and I never really told my dad. He knows, but we’ve never talked about it. His way of showing me that he’s OK with it is that every time I go home, the first thing he does when I get off the plane is tell me a new gay joke. It’s never mean — there’s not a hurtful bone in his body — it’s just an icebreaker, I guess, to make me feel comfortable. PGN: Something you enjoy that others think is a chore? TF: Retail. I love retail. I love interacting with people. On a limited basis! PGN: Partner? TF: No, I’m happily single. PGN: What else does Big Green Earth have to offer? TF: Well, we have a lot of great products. Everything in the store is made from recycled or reused materials that reduce the harmful waste in our landfills. But on top of that, you can drop off old products such as cell phones, eyeglasses and batteries to be recycled. We want to be your guide to a green lifestyle! ■ The Big Green Earth 934 South St. (267) 909-8661 www.biggreenearthstore.com To suggest a community member for “Professional Portraits,” write to: Professional Portraits, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 or portraits05@aol. com. SOLUTION From Page 27
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
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New comedy goes behind the fairy tales By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer Four-time Barrymore Award winner Mary Martello and 1812 Productions are pulling back the curtain on what happens to beloved fairy-tale characters when the fairy tale is over with “Happily Ever After.” The musical comedy, which is definitely not for children, peers into the untold lives of childhood heroines who kissed Prince Charming, escaped wicked stepmothers and changed beasts into beaus. This production is Martello’s first solo show, despite that she’s spent more than 50 years in the theater and worked with almost every major theater company in the city. “I’ve done cabaret before and I’ve written some very basic patter to connect the songs, but it’s certainly never been a production,” she said. “So this is my first.” Also serving as Martello’s writing debut, “Happily Ever After” tells and sings her takes on the stories behind stories such as “Beauty and the Beast,” “Cinderella” and “Sleeping Beauty.” “I wanted to look at it from a variety of ways,” she said. “I’d say that the first act is more your prin-
cesses. The second act is looking at the fairy story and the idea of happily ever after and what happens. The whole thing is a little bit skewed.” Skewed is right. The second act features Hansel and Gretel, the Evil Queen and Peter Pan, who ends up stuck in our world as a drag queen. “I thought, what would happen had Peter come back with the Lost Boys to bring them to the Darlings and gotten stuck here? So it kind of took off from there. He ends up here in the world. He can’t take it at the Darlings’. That’s not what he wants. It’s a structured home. So he takes off hoping to find Tinkerbell. You can imagine what happens to a beautiful young boy wandering the city streets in a pair of green tights looking for fairy dust.” When asked if she had a favorite fairy-tale character in this production, Martello, much like a mother with many children, didn’t want to single one out. “I can’t answer that yet. I don’t really have it on its feet yet. I dearly love them all. In the process of rehearsal, as I got into each character, only that character exists for me. Then when I go into the other characters, I sort of forget about the other characters until
MARY MARTELLO IN 1812 PRODUCTIONS’ “HAPPILY EVER AFTER” Photo: John Flak
I’m fully enjoying each one as I inhabit it.” For Martello, who is a grandmother, the show is a way of poking fun at and addressing the princess image that’s marketed to young women. “I like the idea of taking a real-
istic, funny, screwy look at the years between ‘and they lived happily ever after’ and senility,” she said. “I think there are some poignant moments within it and some wry commentary, but I hate to think that it’s cynical.” “Happily Ever After” runs
through March 28 at Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom St. For more information, visit www.1812productions.org or call (215) 592-9560. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
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East, while her partner Tory King must come to terms with the true price of love. 8. “Fever,” by VK Powell (Bold Strokes, 256 pp., $16.95 pb). Hired gun Zak Chambers expects to provide a simple escort service to philanthropist Sara Ambrosini, but nothing is as simple as it seems, especially love. 9. “Black, White and Jewish,” by Rebecca Walker (Riverhead, 322 pp., $15 pb). An autobiography of a lonely only child ferrying between two worlds and trying to figure out where she fit in. 10. “Justice for All,” by Radclyffe (Bold Strokes, 309 pp., $16.95 pb). As part of an operation to expose organized crime, Dellon Mitchell goes undercover with a young woman posing as her lover. Before long, she and her team, and those they love, unwittingly become targets.
worth watching: FRIDAY The Silence of the Lambs Jodie Foster stars in this acclaimed crime thriller. 8 p.m. on AMC. America’s Best Dance Crew Dance crews compete. 9 p.m. on MTV. Caprica Look for gay character Sam in this “Battlestar Galactica” prequel. 9 p.m. on SyFy. Spartacus: Blood & Sand Look for gay characters Barca and Pietros in the gladiator drama. 10 p.m. on Starz. SATURDAY Suze Orman Show The out money expert’s finance show. 9 p.m. on CNBC. Graham Norton Show The gay Brit hosts a talk show. 10:30 p.m. on BBC America. The Wanda Sykes Show The out comedian hosts her talk show. 11 p.m. on Fox. Saturday Night Live Zach Galifianakis hosts and Vampire Weekend performs. 11:30 p.m. on NBC.
DVDs LESBIAN 1. “The L Word 6, Final Season” directed by Angela Robinson (2008, 438 min., $49.95 DVD). It’s the final season of the show that won our hearts and got us talking, for its unwavering dedication to portraying sexy lesbian characters in a steady stream of increasingly hot and wild story lines. 2. “Crash Pad 3: Through the Keyhole,” directed by Shine Louise Houston (2008, 100 min., $34.95 DVD). Queer porn made by queers. In this series, gender roles blur and shift and defy easy categorization, but the sex is always relentlessly hot. 3. “Floored by Love,” directed by Desiree Lim (2006, 50 min., $19.95 DVD). With its heartwarming portrayal of two very different Vancouver households — a Chinese-Japanese lesbian couple and an AfricanAmerican/Jewish blended family — this wonderful family com-
SUNDAY The Amazing Race Root for the lesbian team (Carol and Brandy) and gay competitor Dan with his brother Jordan in this reality show. 8 p.m. on CBS. 82nd Academy Awards The Oscars are given out. Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin host. 8:30 p.m. on ABC. MONDAY Antiques Roadshow People try to find out if their trash is really treasure. 8 p.m. on PBS. House Look for bisexual character Thirteen in this new episode. 8 p.m. on Fox. How I Met Your Mother Out actor Neil Patrick Harris stars as Barney in this new episode featuring a guest appearance by Jennifer Lopez. 8 p.m. on CBS. RuPaul’s Drag Race Drag queens compete in this reality show. This week, the queens don wedding gowns. Singer Martha Wash (“It’s Raining Men”) appears as a guest judge. 9 p.m. on Logo. Trauma Look for gay character Tyler in this drama. 9 p.m. on NBC.
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
edy is all about finding the courage to be who you really are. 4. “Claire of the Moon,” directed by Nicole Conn (1992, 102 min., $19.95 DVD). Set in the lush Pacific Northwest, this tells a timeless story of a woman’s struggle as she awakens to new possibilities for love and intimacy. 5. “Gia,” directed by Michael Cristofer (1998, 126 min., $5.95! DVD). Angelina Jolie gives a stunning performance as real-life lesbian supermodel Gia, who lived the wild life of the New York fashion scene in the ’70s. GAY 1. “Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom,” directed by Patrik-Ian Polk (2008, 101 min., $24.95 DVD). Noah’s Arc is back, and you’re invited to the big wedding! 2. “Finding Me,” directed by Roger S. Omeus Jr. (2008, 115 min., $19.95 DVD). A young gay black man’s journey of self-
discovery, affirmation and love. 3. “Latter Days,” directed by C. Jay Cox (2004, 107 min., $19.99 DVD). A West Hollywood party boy gets more than he bargains for when he tries to seduce a sexually confused Mormon missionary who moves into his apartment complex. 4. “Gods of Football: The Making of the 2009 Calendar,” directed by Grant Carroll (2009, 80 min., $24.95 DVD). Australia’s hottest footballers (rugby players) get naked for a cause! Built! Hot! Sexy! And baring it all for breast-cancer research! 5. “Mr. Right,” directed by Jacqueline and David Morris (2009, 95 min., $24.95 DVD). Charmingly British and exceptionally well-produced, this is a fast-paced, colorful and exuberantly gay romantic-comedy that tells the intertwined tales of a group of successful gay men in London navigating careers, aspirations, love and even parenthood. ■
TUESDAY American Idol Ellen DeGeneres judges. 8 p.m. on Fox. Glee The musical high-school comedy returns. Look for out actor Jane Lynch. 9 p.m. on Fox. Reno 911! Look for Lt. Dangle in this comedy. 9 p.m. on Logo. WEDNESDAY The New Adventures of Old Christine Look for out comedian Wanda Sykes as the title character’s best pal Barb in this new episode. 8 p.m. on CBS. American Idol Look for Ellen DeGeneres. 9 p.m. on Fox. Modern Family Look for gay couple Mitchell and Cameron. 9 p.m. on ABC. The Robert Verdi Show The crazy and funny misadventures of the out celebrity stylist and party planner. 10 p.m. on Logo. THURSDAY Grey’s Anatomy Look for out characters Callie and Arizona in this repeat. 9 p.m. on ABC.
HOW LO WILL HE GO?: Jennifer Lopez guest stars as Anita, a self-help author who tries to lure Barney (out actor Neil Patrick Harris) into falling head-over-heels for her, 8 p.m. March 8 on “How I Met Your Mother” on CBS. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS
Queer TV you can always see: One Life to Live
Look for gay characters Kyle and Oliver. MondayFriday, 2 p.m. on ABC. Ellen
Monday-Friday, 3 p.m. on NBC. The Rachel Maddow Show
Monday-Friday, 9 p.m. on MSNBC.
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Diversions
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
Your guide to arts and entertainment
Theater
Blue Door Arden Theatre Company presents the story of a successful mathematics professor experiencing a sleepless night where a series of ancestors visit to reveal the hardships and victories that have shaped their lives, through March 21, 40 N. Second St.; (215) 922-1122. Bye Bye Birdie The Players Club of Swarthmore Theater presents the Tony Awardwinning musical, through March 6, 614 Fairview Road, Swarthmore; (866) 811-4111. Diary of Black Men Maceba Theater Group of Chicago presents a theatrical drama about male and female relationships from a black man’s point of view, 8 p.m. March 6 and 8 and 8 p.m. March 7 at Kimmel’s Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. The Eclectic Society The Walnut Street Theatre presents the world premiere of a complex story of drama and humor set on a university campus in 1963 New England, through March 7, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550. Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue The Walnut Street Theatre’s 2009-10 Independence Studio on 3 presents the story of a Marine on leave to recover from his wounds from the war in Iraq, through March 14, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550. Happily Ever After 1812 Productions presents four-time Barrymore Award-winner Mary Martello in her new cabaret about the lives of aging
fairy-tale princesses, through March 28 at Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom St.; (215) 5929560.
PGN
Pick
season, March 11-27, 1714 Delancey Place; (215) 7350630.
Music classical
The Importance of Being Earnest Forge Theatre presents the classic Oscar Wilde play about high society and the antics of two bachelors trying to win their ladies’ hearts, through March 13, 241 First Ave., Phoenixville; (610) 9351920.
Max Raabe and Palast Orchester The Kimmel Center presents singer Max Raabe and his 12-piece Palast Orchester bringing their signature panache and high style to classic tunes from 1920s Berlin, 7:30 p.m. March 5 at Kimmel’s Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
The Irish ... and How They Got That Way The irreverent but affectionate history of the Irish in America uses classical songs and stories as told by Pulitzer Prizewinning author Frank McCourt, through April 18 at Kimmel’s Innovation Studio, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
An Evening of Schumann The Philadelphia Orchestra and Maestro Christoph Eschenbach commemorate the 200th anniversary of Robert Schumann’s birth with an evening devoted to his music, 8 p.m. March 5-6 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
Language Rooms The Wilma Theater presents a black comedy that exposes the divided loyalties among today’s immigrants, discovering the rising cost of the American Dream, through April 4, 265 S. Broad St.; (215) 546-7842. Never Been Stoked: A Traveling Bromance Anthology Project presents a new environmental theater piece set, literally, in the backseat of a moving car, about two friends stuck in post-grad monotony, through March 15, starting and finishing at the Rite Aid parking lot at 23rd and Walnut streets; neverbeenstoked@gmail. com. The Play’s The Thing The Actors’ NET of Bucks County presents the classic farce set in the 1920s about a playwright
Is there anyone else on television who can cut through the B.S. that is American politics better than Jon Stewart? (Well, probably Bill Maher, but he’s not in town this weekend.) The comedian and host of what is probably the funniest and smartest program on television, Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” is sure to be full of wit and righteous anger when he performs at 8 and 11 p.m. March 5-6 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa’s Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City. For more information, call (609) 317-1000. Photo: Comedy Central
and his collaborator who bring a young composer in love with the leading lady of an upcoming musical to a weekend retreat at an Italian castle, through March 14 at The Morrisville Heritage Center, 635 N. Delmorr Ave., Morrisville; (215) 295-3694. The Rear Column Iron Age Theatre Productions presents the story of explorer H.M. Stanley and the fate of the five men he left to wait in Africa, through March 21; (610) 279-1013.
Respect: A Musical Journey of Women Society Hill Playhouse presents an exuberant musical that recounts the journey of women in the 20th century with popular tunes, through April 18, 507 S. Eighth St.; (215) 9230210. Take Me Out Plays and Player looks at what happens when the star player of a professional baseball team suddenly announces his homosexuality, and the ripple effect it has on the team over the course of a
Renaissance Masterworks The Curtis Brass Ensemble, led by Paul Bryan, presents a program of Renaissance brass repertoire of music by Gabrieli, Monteverdi, Holborne and Scheidt, among others, 3 p.m. March 7 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1625 Locust St.; (215) 735-1416. Samuel Barber Centenary Celebration Curtis 20/21 performs works by Barber, including a fragment of his 1928 Violin Sonata, long believed lost, 8 p.m. March 9 at Field Concert Hall, Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust St.; (215) 8935252. Vänskä Conducts Sibelius The Philadelphia Orchestra presents the charismatic Finnish-born music director of the Minnesota Orchestra,
conducting music from his native land, 8 p.m. March 11, 13 and 14 and 2 p.m. March 12 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
Music other
The Legwarmers The ’80s tribute band performs at 8 p.m. March 6 at Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-5483. Womynsfest #11 Vitamin D Productions presents a showcase of bands with womyn members and all-womyn bands, 7:30-11 p.m. March 7 at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St.; (215) 764-0634. Garrison Starr The out singer-songwriter performs at Matthew Ryan’s CD-release show at 8 p.m. March 11 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; (215) 928-0770. Girlyman The alternative retro acoustic trio performs at 7:30 p.m. March 11 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400.
Exhibits
Ancient Rome & America The National Constitution Center presents an exhibition of rare artifacts from Italy and the United States including excavated remains from Pompeii and Roman busts of Julius Caesar and Cicero, through Aug. 1, 525 Arch St.; (215) 409-6600. Benjamin Pierce’s Transfigure InLiquid presents an exhibition of photographs escaping the bounds of traditional figure photography, where the human body takes on myriad forms, through
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
March 21 at Painted Bride Art Gallery, 230 Vine St.; (215) 922-9144. Contemporary Folklore The James A. Michener Art Museum presents an exhibition featuring the works of four regional artists, mining both collective and personal stories to create sculptures that retell new histories, through June 13, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; (215) 340-9800. Fabricated Stories AxD Gallery presents an exhibition of mixed-media works by Dolores Poacelli and David Carrow, through March 6, 265 S. 10th St.; (215) 627-6250.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
21, 623 N. Second St.; (215) 238-1557. Nameless and Reverberating Fleisher/Ollman Gallery presents a solo exhibition of new drawings by Chicago artist Luis Romero, through March 27, 1616 Walnut St., Suite 100; (215) 545-7562. Play Mate The James Oliver Gallery presents an exhibition of whimsical works by Darla Jackson, Gretchen Diehl and Sienna Freeman, through March 23, 723 Chestnut St., fourth floor; (215) 923-1242.
Rockwell’s America The largest 3-D Norman Rockwell exhibit in the Inspiring a Nation world takes visitors on The National Constitution a unique journey that Center hosts an exhibition includes segments from featuring World War the Academy AwardI posters created by winning film “Norman Philadelphia Sketch Club Rockwell’s World,” 20 artists, through April 25, theatrical environments, 525 Arch St.; (215) 40935 three-dimensional 6700. life-sized depictions of Rockwell’s characters Meditation on the and dozens of interactive Chawan educational experiences, ArtStar Gallery presents through March 14 at King a solo exhibition by of Prussia Mall’s Lower Philadelphia fiber artist Ed Level Plaza, 256 Mall Bing Lee, through March Blvd.; (610) 768-0710.
Sanbao: A Way of Living and Working The Clay Studio presents an exhibition of works from Jackson Li, through March 14, 139 N. Second St.; (215) 925-3453.
Dance
The Four Temperaments and Carmina Burana Pennsylvania Ballet presents the two works through March 13 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
Film
Zombie The 1978 horror film is screened at 9:45 p.m. March 5 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 9170223. A Place in the Sun The 1951 film starring Elizabeth Taylor is screened at 2 p.m. March 7 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223. Where the Wild Things Are The film adaptation of the popular children’s book is screened 8 p.m. March 8 at Trocadero Theatre, 1003
SHAKE YOUR GROOVALOO THANG: Known for their winning performance on NBC’s “Superstars of Dance” and appearances on “So You Think You Can Dance,” The Groovaloos bring their electrifying theatrical event, “GROOVALOO: The Hip-Hop Sensation,” based on the troupe’s real-life experiences as told by the dancers who lived them. Audiences can expect jaw-dropping displays of physicality with heart-pounding music and powerful stories that chronicle the struggles, hopes and triumphs of the 14-member cast, March 9-14 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St. For more information, call (215) 790-5847.
Arch St.; (215) 922-5483. Persepolis Bryn Mawr Film Institute presents a panel discussion and screening of the graphic-novel memoir by Marjane Satrapi, at 7 p.m. March 9, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 527-9898.
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Edmund White’s novel “Forgetting Elena” is discussed at 7 p.m. March 10 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960.
Opera
Tannhauser Amici Opera Company presents Wagner’s opera, 2:30 p.m. March 7 and 14 at The Garden Church, 82 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne; (215) 2240257.
Cleopatra Bryn Mawr Film Institute presents the epic film starring Elizabeth Taylor at 7 p.m. March 10, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; The 2010 Philadelphia (610) 527-9898. International Flower Show The horticultural event Zecharia Sitchin features a 28-foot-high hotThe author of “The End air balloon covered in more of Days: Armageddon and than 79,000 dried flowers, Prophecies of the Return” a Victorian-era display hosts a book event at 2 p.m. filled with varieties of March 6 at Central Library, plants and recent finds from Longwood Gardens, Morris 1901 Vine St.; (215) 6865322. Arboretum, the University of Pennsylvania and the La Rue des Faux U.S. Botanic Gardens, through March 7 at the Azuka Theatre presents a staged reading of an Pennsylvania Convention adaptation of James Center, 1101 Arch St.; visit Baldwin’s landmark novel www.theflowershow.com. “Giovanni’s Room,” 7 p.m. March 9 at the Latvian Todd Glass Society, 531 N. Seventh St.; The comedian seen on “The (215) 922-9798. Sarah Silverman Show” performs March 5-6 at The Frontreaders Helium, 2031 Sansom St.; Discuss ... (215) 496-9001.
Etc.
Books
Peking Acrobats Witness 2,000 years of mind-bending acrobatics, juggling and feats of deathdefying skill, March 7-10 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650. First Person StorySlam The storytelling competition, in which audience members are invited to share true stories from their lives, begins 8:30 p.m. March 8 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400. Henry Rollins The musician and punkrock icon performs a spoken-word show at 8 p.m. March 11 at First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.; (215) 5633980. ■
Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Diversions, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147; fax them to (215) 9256437; or e-mail them to diversions@epgn.com. Notices cannot be taken over the phone.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 34
Meeting Place A community bulletin board of activities, facilities and organizations
Community centers ■ The Attic Youth Center: For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday through Friday. See the Youth section for more events. 255 S. 16th St.; (215) 545-4331 ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St.; (215) 898-5044; center@dolphin.upenn.edu, Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. ■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; (215) 348-0558 ext. 65; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. ■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center: 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 732-2220; www.waygay.org. Peer counseling: Monday through Friday, 6-9 p.m. Library hours: Mondays 3-9 p.m., Tuesdays 3-6 p.m., Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., Thursdays 3-9 p.m., Fridays 3-9 p.m., Saturdays noon-6 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.; Volunteer Velada, third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Health Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 166 W. Lehigh Ave.; (215) 763-8870 ext. 6000. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., suite 205; (2215) 536-2424. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; (215) 851-1822 or (866) 222-3871. Spanish/English. HIV testing Free, anonymous testing and counseling is offered from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment at AIDS Resource, 520 W. Fourth St., suite 2A, Williamsport; (570) 322-8448.
Key numbers
HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; (215) 685-1803. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications, confidential HIV testing available at 17 MacDade Blvd., suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; (610) 586-9077. Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 1201 Chestnut St.; (215) 563-0652. www. mazzonicenter.org. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; (215) 985-9206.
Activism/Politics
ACT-UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) Meets at 6 p.m. every Monday at St. Luke and the Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; (215) 3861981; www.critpath.org/actup. Delaware Valley Chapter, Americans United for Separation of Church and State Seeks activists and supporters of church-state separation. Holds monthly meetings and events; (856) 863-3061; www.dvau.org. Equality Advocates Philadelphia Holds a volunteer night second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m., 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 605; (215) 731-1447; www.equalitypa.org. Green Party of Philadelphia Holds general meetings fourth Tuesday of each month (except April) at 6:30 p.m., 4134 Lancaster Ave.; (215) 243-7103; www.gpop.org. Log Cabin Republican Club of Philadelphia Meets at 7 p.m. third Wednesday of the month at the William Way Community Center; (215) 4655677; www.phillylogcabin.org. Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club Meets seasonally; (215) 760-7184; www. libertycity.org.
Arts
Gay Men’s Book Discussion Group Meets at 6:30 p.m. first Wednesday of the month at the Independence Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, 18 S. Seventh St.; (215) 685-1633. Library Book Club Meets to discuss a new book at 7 p.m. on third Wednesday of the month at the William Way Center. New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus Chorus rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Mondays in Princeton, N.J.; (609) 675-1998. Open-mic night An amateur poetry, music and storytelling event sponsored by The Pride Center of New Jersey, meets at 8 p.m. every third Friday at the George Street Playhouse, 1470 Jersey Ave., North Brunswick, N.J.; (732) 846-0715. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus Chorus rehearses from 7-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays; (215) 731-9230; auditions@pgmc.org. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Opera Club Meets to share and listen to recordings at 6:30 p.m. on last Saturday of the month; (215) 2246995. Philadelphia Voices of Pride Philadelphia’s first mixed GLBT chorus rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the William Way Center; (888) 505-7464; www.pvop.org. Queer Writer’s Collective Workshop and discussion group meets 4-6 p.m. on fourth Saturday of the month at the William Way Center.
Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: (215) 686-2555
Women’s Book Group Meets first Thursday of the month at 6:45 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; brassygrrl@hotmail.com.
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010 in the fall; Lutheran Church, 2111 Sansom St.; (215) 735-5812; www.independencesquares.org. Male Oenophile Group Male group forming to discuss, appreciate and taste various wines. Will meet once a month to investigate the nuances and glories of the fermented grape. Call (267) 230-6750 for more information. Mornings OUT LGBT Senior Social Activities for sexual-minority seniors are held every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the William Way Center. PhilaVentures Philadelphia’s GLBT outdoor group meets for a hike in Wissahickon Valley Park on Sundays at 2 p.m. at Borders Books, Music and Café, 8701 Germantown Ave.; (215) 271-8822. Rainbow Room A meeting/activity night held for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth and their friends Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Rainbow Room of Planned Parenthood in Doylestown; (215) 348-0558.
Sports
Brandywine Women’s Rugby Club Meets for Tuesday and Thursday practice at Greene Field, Howell Street and Moore Road, West Chester; www.brandywinerugby.org. City of Brotherly Love Softball League GLBT softball league serves the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Games are played Sundays, beginning in April, in Fairmount Park; (215) 4622575; www.cblsl.org. Frontrunners Running club meets Saturday mornings at 9:30 for a run and brunch. Lloyd Hall, No. 1 Boathouse Row; www.frontrunnersphila.org. Gay and Lesbian Bowling League Bowls at 8 p.m. Thursdays in the Norristown area; call Doug Schneidig; (716) 864-4393. Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club GLBT and allied soccer club; practices Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon and Wednesdays 6-8 p.m. at Edgeley Fields in Fairmount Park;www.falconssoccer.org. Philadelphia Fins Swim Team Male and female swimmers meet at 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. Saturdays in Center City; (610) 564-6661; www. philadelphia-fins.org. Philadelphia Gay Bowling League Meets 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays September through April at Brunswick Zone, 1328 Delsea Drive, Deptford, N.J.; (856) 889-1434; www. philagaybowling.com.
Philadelphia Phoenix Women’s football team seeks players; (267) 6799535; www.philadelphiaphoenix.org.
■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: (215) 592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment hot line: (215) 5452212
■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: (215) 686-4670
■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: (215) 685-1633
■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: (215) 772-2000
Gay-friendly Scrabble Club Meets from 6-11 p.m. in the P.I.C. Building, 42nd and Locust streets; (215) 382-0789.
■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Chief Inspector James Tiano: (215) 685-3655
Gay and Lesbian Scrabble Players in the tri-state area gather for socializing and friendly/competitive games; ScrabbleGroup@excite.com.
■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: (215) 600-0627; ppd.lgbt@gmail.com
Gay Opera Guys of Philly New group for opera appreciation meets last Sunday of the month at 2:30 p.m. in Roxborough/ Andorra area; (215) 483-1032.
Spartan Wrestling Club The gay wresting team meets from 7-9 p.m. Mondays at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.; (215) 732-4545; www. phillyspartans.com.
Humboldt Society: Lesbian and Gay Naturalists Meets second Thursday of the month at the William Way Center; (215) 985-1456; www. humboldtsociety.org.
Team Philadelphia Meets at 8 p.m. second Wednesday of the month at the William Way Center; www. teamphiladelphia.org.
Indepedence Squares GLBT square dance club, modern Western square dancing. Monthly open house. Tuesday classes
Women’s Table Tennis New group forming. Interested women are encouraged to e-mail michelesimone19144@yahoo.com.
■ Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Peer Counseling Services: (215) 732-TALK ■ Mayor’s liaison to LGBT communities: Gloria Casarez, (215) 686-2194; Gloria.
■ Philly Pride Presents: (215) 875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: (717) 920-9537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: (215) 732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays, and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
Haverford College’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance Open meetings 10-11 p.m. Mondays in the lounge in Jones Basement at Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave.; (610) 896-4938. Latina/o Virtual Community Local listserv offers various information and resources; (215) 808-2493; Zorros_mail@yahoo. com; LatinPhillyLGBT@yahoogroups.com. LGBTQ and Friends Activity Group Meets at 7 p.m. on third Friday of the month to plan outings and potlucks at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County. Long Yang Club Philadelphia Social organization for gay Asians and their friends holds monthly socials; P.O. Box 401, Philadelphia, Pa. 19105; www.longyangclub. org/philadelphia.
Philadelphia Prime Timers Club for mature gay and bisexual men and their admirers meets regularly; (610) 344-0853; www. primetimersphiladelphia.org.
■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): (215) 572-1833
■ Equality Forum: (215) 732-3378
Friday Feast and Fun Dinner hosted by St. John’s Lutheran Church at 6:30 p.m. second Friday of the month, 24 N. Ridge Ave., Ambler; (215) 576-8008.
Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association Meets at 7 p.m. every third Monday at William Way Center; into@plta.us.
■ AIDS Library: (215) 985-4851
■ Equality Advocates Pennsylvania: (215) 731-1447; (866) LGBTLAW
Delaware Valley Pink Pistols For LGBT people dedicated to legal, safe and responsible use of firearms for self-defense; meets at 2 p.m. on third Saturday of the month at Classic Indoor Range, 1310 Industrial Blvd., Southhampton; (267) 386-8907; www. pinkpistols.org.
Philadelphia Bar Association Legal Advice Offered from 5-8 p.m. on third Wednesday of the month; (215) 238-6333.
■ Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine: (215) 563-0658
■ The COLOURS Organization Inc. 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 4960330.
Delaware Pride Meets at 7 p.m. on first Thursday of the month at the United Church of Christ, 300 E. Main St., Newark, Del.; (800) 292-0429.
Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Football Club Team seeks players; all skill levels welcome; (215) 913-7531; info@phillygryphons.org.
■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: (856) 933-9500 ext. 221
Gay Bridge Club Non-beginners group meets Monday afternoons at the William Way Center; (215) 985-4835.
Global A political, community and social group that also works to promote Bordentown as a gayfriendly community meets on the first Saturday of the month at Firehouse Gallery, 8 Walnut St., Bordentown, N.J.; jerseyglobal@yahoo.com.
Philadelphia Gay Flag Football New group forming. Contact Jered at gayflagfootball@gmail.com or (214) 770-5373.
■ Mazzoni Center: (215) 563-0652; www. mazzonicenter.org
Recreation
BiUnity Philadelphia area social and support network for bisexuals, their family members and friends meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month at the William Way Center; www. biunity.org.
Our Night Out A casual social networking party of LGBT professionals, allied communities, friends and colleagues meets in a different Philadelphia hot spot each month. To receive monthly event invitations, send email to OurNightOutPhilly@gmail.com; PhillyGayCalendar.com/org/OurNightOut.
■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: (215) 587-9377
Diversity Dancers Ballroom dancers meet the first Sunday of the month for tea dance and lessons. Other events scheduled throughout the year; (215) 922-2129; DiversityDancers@aol.com.
Etc.
AIDS Law Project Provides free legal assistance to people with HIV/AIDS and sponsors free monthly seminars on work and housing; 1211 Chestnut St., suite 600; (215) 587-9377; www.aidslawpa.org.
Philly Gay Hockey Association Philadelphia Phury seeks players; (917) 6561936; phury@gayhockey.org.
Philadelphians MC Club for leather men and women meets 7:30 p.m. first and third Mondays of the month at The Pit at The Bike Stop, 201 S. Quince St.; (215) 627-1662.
Rainbow Riders of the Delaware Valley Motorcycle club meets regularly; (215) 836-0440; www.groups.yahoo.com/group/rainbowridersdv/.
Philly Paw Pals Gay and lesbian dog owners and their dogs meet on first Saturday of the month at a dog park; (215) 618-5290; PhillyPawPals@aol.com.
Rainbow Rollers Gay and lesbian bowling league meets 9 p.m. on Tuesdays September-April at Laurel Lanes, 2825 Rte. 73 South, Maple Shade, N.J.; (856) 778-7467.
Rainbow Amateur Radio Association ARRL affiliated; private; weekly HF nets, monthly newsletter, e-mail server; (302) 5392392; www.rara.org.
South Jersey Gay Bowling League Gay and lesbian bowling league meets 7 p.m. on Fridays September-April at Laurel Lanes, 2825 Rte. 73 South, Maple Shade, N.J.; (856) 778-7467.
Rock ’n’ Roll Queer Bar Party A party for gay and lesbian rockers with host Psydde Delicious starts at 10 p.m. every second Wednesday at N. 3rd, Third and Brown streets; (215) 413-3666. Silver Foxes Social and educational group for gays and lesbians 50 and older meets from 3-5 p.m. on fourth Sunday of the month at the William Way Center. Stonewall Model Railroad Club Meets monthly; (215) 769-4230; k3k@yahoo. com. Thirsty Third Tuesdays Collingswood Out in the Neighborhood meets at 7 p.m. on third Tuesday of the month for coffee, dessert and conversation at Three Beans, 40 N. Haddon Ave., Haddonfield N.J.; (215) 439-8337.
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 35
Classifieds
With Real Estate, Help Wanted, Services and Personals
Not much impact from repeat-buyer credit By Adrian Sainz The Associated Press
It sounded like a great idea three months ago: Hand homeowners a $6,500 tax credit to find a new place to live, giving a thrust of energy to the housing market’s recovery. So far, people are staying put. In November, the federal government extended a tax credit of up to $8,000 for people who hadn’t owned a home for three years. This credit had helped boost home sales last summer and fall. Seeking to build on that momentum, the government added a new credit of up to $6,500 for current homeowners, hoping it would transform them into house-hunters this winter and spring. But real-estate agents around the country say the credit is doing little to elevate sales. Reasons vary. The unemployment rate is still near 10 percent and consumer confidence is falling. Home prices have stabilized in some markets, but are
still a third below their 2006 peak. Droves of people who want to sell are stuck because their homes are worth less than they paid for. Harsh winter weather has Americans shoveling driveways instead of preparing their homes for buyer visits. “No one is saying, ‘I need to buy something before it expires,’” said Tim Surratt, an agent with Greenwood King Properties in Houston. The tax credit for current homeowners was intended to help stabilize prices and bolster the economy, but the housing market remains vulnerable. Sales of both new and previously occupied homes dropped in January, and the Mortgage Bankers Association’s index of loan applications recently hit a 12-and-a-halfyear low. Also, the percentage of current homeowners looking to buy was nearly flat from January to February, according to a poll of 1,500 real-estate agents by Campbell Communications and
Inside Mortgage Finance. The Obama administration has pumped billions into the housing market, hoping it will lead the nation out of its economic doldrums. Efforts to modify loans facing foreclosure have largely failed. So, hundreds of thousands of discounted homes will hit the market this year, stressing a market desperate to balance high supply with sluggish demand. “You’ve got a really big problem that requires big guns, and the tax credit is just not big enough,” said Roberton Williams, senior fellow at the Tax Policy Center in Washington. Agents believe the credit’s true test will come in the spring, the busiest home-buying season. Concerns about high unemployment could keep buyers on the fence. “If you don’t have a job, you’re not going to be able to buy a new house,” said Deborah Farmer, owner of StarLight Realty in Tampa, Fla. Another problem is that home-
owners, in many cases, will need to sell their current home to afford a new one and claim the credit on tax returns. That’s a major issue for borrowers who owe more than their home is worth. Nearly one in three homeowners with a mortgage is currently in that situation, according to Moody’s Economy. com. Also, $6,500 may not mean much to a buyer with enough equity to sell a property and afford another home. The savings will hardly dent down payments or moving costs. Most sellers employ real-estate agents who typically receive 6 percent of the sale price. For a home sold at the national median sales price of $164,700, the agent’s commission is $9,882. There goes the $6,500, and then some. Economists argue that a tax credit is rarely the sole motivation for a home purchase. Many believe tax credits just accelerate sales that would have happened anyway,
leading to a drop-off once that demand is exhausted. And, bad weather in much of the country this winter has stymied home buying. So far, the credit “is hardly registering on the economic Richter scale,” said Patrick Newport, an economist with IHS Global Insight. Real-estate agents hope the tax credit will lure more buyers as it approaches its April deadline. Both tax breaks are expected to create an estimated 600,000 additional home sales this year, the Realtors group said. The group hasn’t broken down an estimate for first-time buyers and existing homeowners. To qualify for the $6,500 credit, buyers must have owned and lived in the same home for five consecutive years out of the past eight. They must sign a contract by April 30 and close before June 30. Lawmakers can extend both tax credits, but it’s not clear if they will. ■
Location! Location! Location! This week’s featured property
17 Riverview Ave., Drexel Hill
Beds: 5 Baths: 2.1 Cost: $425,000 Square footage: 2,488 Age of property: 100 years Realtor: Andrew J. Mariano Real-estate co.: RE/MAX Preferred Phone: (610) 325-4100 Direct: (610) 789-0982 E-mail: andy@andymariano.com Web site: www.gayparealtor.com
Check your ad
PLACING ADS Using voicemail? Please be sure to have the following information ready when you call: • Your ad copy • The type of style you want • Desired abbreviations • American Express, Discover, MasterCard or VISA information • Your name and mailing
3-story center-hall Colonial on .3 acres. Covered front porch, living room (13'x30') w/ FP, formal dining room, EI kitchen, family room (11'x27') opens to a 2-tiered deck overlooking majestic grounds w/detatched 2-car garage.
address • Daytime telephone number Having all this information ready will speed your order and help to avoid errors. Phone calls can only be returned during business hours. For more information, see the coupon page in this section.
Philadelphia Gay News assumes responsibility for errors in classified ads only when notified by noon the Tuesday after the ad first appears. To receive credit for errors, please notify PGN by then. Credit only will be extended in the form of additional advertising space. Any cash refunds, for any reason, are subject to a $10 service charge. PGN will publish no classified ad — in any category — that contains sexually explicit language. Obviously excluded are traditional four-letter words that relate to sexual activity. Other words may be excluded at the discretion of the publisher, who reserves the right to edit or rewrite any ad that, in his opinion, violates this policy or its intent.
MAY 136- 7, 2009 PAGE
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PHILADELPHIA GAY GAY NEWS NEWS PHILADELPHIA
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REAL ESTATE
SALE
GREAT BUILDING IN GAYBORHOOD GREAT INVESTMENT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY NEAR 11TH & LOCUST, $599K Come see this wonderful bldg w/2 spacious rental apartments and large commercial space on 1st floor. In the heart of Center City. Currently a doctor’s office, zoned C-1. Could be made into condos or large single dwelling. Great condition, price, location. Call for appointment. JULIE WELKER COLDWELL BANKER WELKER REAL ESTATE 215-235-7800 _______________________________34-10 SOUTH PHILA. BROAD & RITNER House for sale or rent. Attention large family! 3 story, 7 BR, 4 BA. Gross $5000/mo. Clear $3000. Call 215-292-2176. _______________________________34-10 TREDYFFRIN 3 BR + den, A/C, finished basemnent w/wet bar, walk out to pool, adjacent to 13 acre township land. $560,000. Call Suzannme, 610-256-8430. _______________________________34-17 VENTNOR, NJ, FACING THE BAY House and Adjacent Lot (inground swimming pool). 1st floor 3 bedrooms, bath, living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room and deck. 2nd floor 2 bedrooms, bath, efficiency kitchen, living room, dining area and deck. Central Air. Corner Property. Call 215 468 9166 evenings only. $675,000.00. Also property for rent1500.00 month plus utilities. _______________________________34-10 ATTENTION SPORTSMEN New York State Land for Sale 14.8 acres w/ power & snowmobile trails - $27,995. 4 acres w/ access to trails and power. NOW: $12,995! 24.5 acres w/ Sportsman’s Cottage bordering trails $79,995. Call Christmas & Associates 800-229-7843 www.LandandCamps.com _______________________________34-10 Cameron County-4 wooded acres bordering state forest with trout stream frontage. Electric, perc, perfect for cabin or camper, near Sizerville State Park. $49,000. 814-435-2570. _______________________________34-10 FORECLOSED HOME AUCTION PENNSYLVANIA STATE 200+ Homes / Mar 27. Open House: Mar 13, 20 & 21. View Full Listings: www.Auction.com REDC / RE SB065259. _______________________________34-10
ROOMMATES PGN WILL NOT PUBLISH RACIAL DISTINCTIONS IN ROOMMATE ADS. SUCH NOTATIONS WILL BE EDITED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. ___________________________________ GREATER NE PHILA. Have your own bedroom in a beautiful split level home with 2 gay men. House is 4 BR, 2 full baths, W/D, upper and lower decks, use of kitchen. Property is by Welsh & the Boulevard, 1 min. to 58 bus. We ask only that you be at least reasonably neat and employed. Rent is $600 + 1/3 utils. Contact Dave at 215-698-0215. _______________________________34-15 GM sks sm/sissie/trans to share 2 BR. $350. 69th. Upper Darby. Ted, 610-352-1188. _______________________________34-11 $571 A MONTH FURNISHED ROOM For more information about this room in South Philly. Please e-mail w.colgan@juno.com _______________________________34-10
47 MAR. 5 -PAGE 11, 2010
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������������������ ���������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������� REAL ESTATE ����������������� �������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������� ������������ ������������������������������������������������ ����������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������� ������
SALE
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SALE
REAL ESTATE
SALE
REAL ESTATE
GREAT BUILDING GAYBORHOOD GREAT INVESTMENT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
NEAR 11TH & LOCUST, $599K
Come see this wonderful �������� bldg w/2 spacious rental apartments and large commercial space on 1st floor. In the heart of Center City. Currently a doctor’s office, zoned C-1. Could be used made into condo’s or large single dwelling. Great condition, price, location. Call for appointment.
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JULIE WELKER
��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� COLDWELL BANKER WELKER
REAL ESTATE
215-235-7800 E-mail us: pgn@epgn.com
our middle name. PGN Gay is��� The Shirley Booth Team of the Media Home Marketing ������������������������������ Center of Prudential Fox Roach is pleased to announce that James R. Trainor has joined her team of Realtors. ����������� Jim, a native of Delaware County, recently
���������������������. Furness Flats. Large 2 bed, 1 bath. last sold his historic Barn House Victorian unit left in this highly desirable building. Close toafter all 20 Center Home in Ridley Park years ofCity Hospitals. Low fees and taxes ................................������������� residence. He now resides in Glen Mills. Jim attended Radnor High School and
������������������������ “George Villanova T. Sale University. Condo” His Unique Garden daughter, sonlevel 1 bd, 1 ba. unit w/ private entrance.. Low fees & Tax in-law and grandson are also residents of Abatement. Lowest price 1 bd. in area ........................��������. Delaware County. Prior to Jim’s early retirement 5 years ago, ����������� he spent 25 years in Sales/Management.
dedication and hard1work allowed ����������������������. New openJim’s style 2 bedroom, bath condo him to climb thepet corporate ladder, acquirwith low taxes and condo fees. Great small friendly building. ing the position of Marketing Director.........................................................................�������� North America. Jim’s extensive experience
in marketing management will3 prove ������������������� Old Swedes Court. Newand Listing Large be andeck asset to Shirley, her team and Bedroom 2.5 Bath with Garage, toroof and hardwood floors. Prudential Fox Roach. Low association fees in Queen Village ....................��������
The highly professional team of Realtors �������������. NEW LISTING. Large update 4 bd. 2 Sage, ba. Jon with Jim has joined consists of Mary Beth Parker, Tracy O’Connell, Helen Peri and Shirley whoand is thewonderfully Founder of the roof team and haswith 25 years Real Estateviews. experihuge Booth, garden deck cityof skyline ence. The combined 67 years experience of Shirley’s team offers the level of knowledge .................................................................................�������� required to assist Sellers and Buyers with their Real Estate needs.
����������������������������������������������������������������� Jim will be servicing Philadelphia and Delaware Counties. ���������
Prudential Fox Roach Realtors
������������������ Media Home Marketing Center ������������������������������������� ���������������������� 601 East Baltimore Pike, Media, PA 19063
������������������������������������������� Office: (610) 566-3000 • Ask for Jim ������������������������������������ ����������������� jim@shirleyboothteam.com
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SALE
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATE
SALE
SALE
Metropolitan Management Communities YOUR HOME IS WITH US! RiverView Apartments/ 213 Garfield Ave, Collingswood, NJ 1-856-854-5700 MOVE - IN SPECIAL* New European Kitchen, Washer and Dryer, Off-Street Parking FREE Window Treatments, FREE Fitness Center, Great Floor plans Swim Club Membership Available, Close to Patco Line to CC 1 BEDROOM $975* 2 BEDROOM FROM $1,110* Marlton Meadows/100 Conestoga Drive, Marlton, NJ 1-856-810-2500 MOVE - IN SPECIAL* 1 BEDROOM FROM $1,005* 2 BEDROOM FROM $1,195* New European Kitchen, Washer and Dryer, Off-Street Parking FREE Window Treatments, FREE Swimming Pool Membership Meadows at Runnemede/100 Hartford Drive, Runnemede, NJ 1-856-939-5700 MOVE - IN SPECIAL* Fully renovated, Eat-in Kitchen, Large Floor Plans, Off-Street Parking, FREE Window Treatments, FREE Fitness Center 1 BEDROOM FROM $800* 2 BEDROOM FROM $960* *Qualified applicants. Please call for details.This offer can be withdrawn at any time. Judi Goldstein, President Metropolitan Management Corporation 610-667-1700 Ext. 306 PO Box 446 610-668-2249 (F) Narberth, PA 19072
REAL ESTATE
RENT
2 BR APT. IN CC SOUTH 2 BR APT. IN CC SOUTH IN THE NEW GAYBORHOOD
Two bedroom split-level apartment on second floor of row home near 20th and Christian streets. Living room, kitchen/dining area, bathroom, foyer. Perfect central location for professionals or students. Ten minute walk to Rittenhouse Square and on/near several SEPTA routes. On-street parking, pets okay, utilities separate. $875 plus two months deposit to move in. Available now.
Scott 267.736.6743
12TH & DICKINSON AREA Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms , bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (negotiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. _______________________________34-10 MANAYUNK 1 BR, 1 BA $850 + utils 1 BR, 1.5 BA $1,050 + utils 1 BR, 1.5 BA, private deck, $1,100 + utils Sorry No Pets. Heather 610-647-1776 eadeh.com _______________________________34-21 OLDE CITY 1 BR, 1.5 BA, lg apt w/ private back patio, $975 + utils. Sorry No Pets. Heather 610-647-1776 eadeh.com _______________________________34-21 RITTENHOUSE SQUARE AREA Studios & 1 Bedrooms. Call for Availability (215) 735-8050. _______________________________34-18
JOBS WANTED HOUSEKEEPER SEEKING WORK In Phila. area. Great exp. and refs. Can also iron. Ask for Mr. T. Wallace, 215-563-6184. _______________________________34-10
Open Houses Sunday March. 7, 2010 Noon - 1:00 PM 927 Spruce St. Unit #3. Large bi-level townhouse style condo. 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Totally renovated with wood floors and possible roof deck. up to 2 car parking availa ble..........................................................................................................................$399,000 306 - 308 Cherry St. Unit #300 New Listing. Very large 2 bd. 1ba. renovated condo w/ hardwood floors, fireplace, low taxes and condo fees. A must see ..................$384,000 927 Spruce St. Unit 2R. Unique large open NY style condo. Wood floors, skyline views, deluxe kitchen. Parking available. Low fees and taxes.....................only $225,000 927 Spruce St. Unit #1F. Large Jr. one bed room, one bath, totally rehabbed condo with low fees and taxes. Parking available. Low fees and taxes............................................. ...........................................................................................Reduced now only $199,900 1:30 - 2:30 PM 927 Spruce St. Unit 1R. One bedroom, one bath, newly rehabbed condo. Private rear garden area. Low fees and taxes. Parking available. ........................................................... .......................................................................................Priced to SELL, only $199,900 927 Spruce St. Unit #3A Large bi-level townhouse style condo, including PARKING. 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Totally renovated with wood floors and possible roof deck. ......... ......................................................................................................................only $425,000 306 - 308 Cherry St. Unit #300 New Listing. Very large 2 bd. 1ba. renovated condo w/ hardwood floors, fireplace, low taxes and condo fees. A must see .................................... ..............................................................................................................reduced $384,000 927 Spruce St. Unit #2F. Large one bedroom, one bath, south facing unit. Total rehab with wood floors, deluxe kitchen. Super low fees and taxes. Parking available ................... ......................................................................................................................now $249,000
Search all Philadelphia area listings @ www.thephillyrealtors.com Dan Tobey
The Curtis Center 170 W. Independence Mall , Suite L-44 Philadelphia, PA 19106
215.546.2700 Business • 267.238.1061 Direct 215.432.7151 Cell • 215.546.7728 Fax dtobey@cbpref.com
HELP WANTED
PAGE 37
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
For Sale: Pool Table - Contender from Brunswick 7 foot slate pool table with green felt and walnut finish. 4 pool sticks, 1 bridge and 1 short pool stick for tight spots. Pool balls included rack and extra chalk for pool sticks. Breakdown by buyer. Only used a few times. Asking $1,000.00.
Call after 6 pm at 856-415-9595 VACATION
RENT
OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800-638-2102 Online reservations www.holidayoc.com _______________________________34-10
HELP WANTED Wanted: driver, full time. Respond to pjayf33@gmail.com Will require all clearences and an interview. Send phone number. _______________________________34-11 WANTED: LIFE AGENTS! Earn $500 a Day, Great Agent Benefits. Commissions Paid Daily. Liberal Underwriting. Leads, Leads, Leads, LIFE INSURANCE, LICENSE REQUIRED. Call 1-888-713-6020. _______________________________34-10 Driver Trainees Needed: OTR, Regional, Local Companies Looking for 50 drivers. Training in your area! $600-$900/Week earning potential. Great Health Benefits. No CDL-No Problem. 1-800-961-4319 _______________________________34-11 Driver: Average $800+ per week for Company Drivers. Immediate Benefits. Great Equipment. CDL-A with 1 year experience, 23 yoa. Call NFI Sunday or anytime: 877-888-8476. www. nficareers.com _______________________________34-11
Advertising Sales Representative PGN, one of the country's most award-winning Gay and Lesbian publications, is looking for a special candidate to fill this position in our advertising sales department. Applicants should have previous advertising sales experience, preferably in a similar environment. You should have a strong work ethic, good communication skills (both written and verbal), and an aggressive desire to sell advertising in this very special niche market. Most important, you should aspire to become an integral part of our successful sales team. We offer a competitive salary plus bonus, as well as Health Insurance. Applicants should call Greg Dennis at 215-6258501, ext. 219. Email resume to greg@epgn.com or send resume to: PGN, 505 S. 4th St., Phila. PA. 19147 Attn.: Greg Dennis EOE
Custom Modular Homes by Ritz-Craft & Titan anywhere in NY & PA. Complete Excavation Packages. Display Center: 46 King Road, Harpursville, NY 13787 www.hawkinshomesllc.com (607)693-2551. _______________________________34-10
SERVICES ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE From Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Computers, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 866-858-2121 www.CenturaOnline.com _______________________________34-10 AIRLINES ARE HIRING Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified -Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888)349-5387. _______________________________34-10
LEGAL NOTICE ALL CASH VENDING! Do you earn $800 in a day? Your own local candy route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy All for $9,995. 1-800-460-4027. _______________________________34-10 Insurance Agency for Sale. Affiliated with major national carrier. A great business opportunity! Please send inquires to: agencyforsalePA@aol. com or Fax: 866-296-7535. _______________________________34-10
Don’t get
stuck
with the
wrong doctor...
Health Directory each week in PGN
CRC, CVE
bility
PAGE 110 PAGE PAGE 38 110 PAGE 110
PAGE 110 APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008
CLASSIFIEDS PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS CLASSIFIEDS
CLASSIFIEDS
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008 MAR. 5 - 1, 11,2008 2010 APRIL 25 - MAY
LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY
AMY F. STEERMAN Attorney at Law
Concentrating in Planning for Lesbian and Gay Couples • Probate • Wills • Living Wills • Powers of Attorney
215-735-1006
1900 Spruce Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 www.amysteerman.com
CLASSIFIEDS
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008
William A. Torchia, Esquire Attorney-at-Law
Estate & Tax Planning
GENERAL PRACTICE FOR THE COMMUNITY ������������������������ ����������������������������� ��������������������� ��������������������� �����������
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215-546-1950 (Voice)
215-546-8801 (Fax)
James M. M. Quesenberry, Quesenberry,MA, MA,CRC, CRC,CVE CVE James Disability Consultant James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant 230 S. Broad Street, Suite 400 Disability Consultant Philadelphia, PA 19102 Phone: (267) 687-1149 ext. 2 Social Security Disability Social Security Disability Fax: (215) 599-0000 Social Security Disability www.mkcounsel.com Claims Appeals
Claims Appeals Claims Appeals LOWER YOUR MONTHLY215-629-0585 M ORTGAGE 215-629-0585 215-629-0585 PAYMENT NOW • No refinancing involved Suite 202 Suite 202 Suite 202 Rd. • Credit does not matter Oxford Valley Rd. Oxford Valley Oxford Valley Rd. Call for an immediate legal consultation. Fairless Hills, PA19030 19030 Fairless Hills, PA Fairless Hills, PA 19030
James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant
Social Security Disability Claims Appeals
215-629-0585 Suite 202 Oxford Valley Rd. Fairless Hills, PA 19030
PROVIDING DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES, EDUCATION & POLICY REFORM FOR THE LGBT COMMUNITY. FREE LEGAL HOTLINE (215) 731-1477
www.equalitypa.org
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-8501 Today!
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 39
LEGALHEALTH & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY
PAGE 106
CLASSIFIEDS
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly As Little As $25.00 A Week. ach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For Little As $25.00 AWeek. Week. Call215-625-8501 215-625-8501 Today! Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly ForAs As Little For $25.00 A Call Today!
PAGE 40
Want to let mom, dad and all of your exs know you’re tying the knot?
to a or?
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
SERVICES DIRECTORY ���������������� CLASSIFIEDS
PAGE 108 108 PAGE
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS
Want to let mom, dad and all of your exs know you’re Is it time to tying the look for a knot? ���������������������������������������������������� new doctor? Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week.
Placing Classifieds Liner Ads In Person: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, By Phone or on the Web: 24 Hours, 7 Days
Send us your wedding/civil union/ commitment ceremony announcement and we’ll share it with the City of Brotherly Love.
E-mail information to editor@epgn.com or fax us at (215) 925-6437.
Deadline for Line Advertising is Friday at 3 p.m. for the following Friday’s issue. You may place your ad via our secure voicemail system, fax or e-mail at any time, or on our Web site. Please have the following information ready to place your ad:
YOUR AD COPY • YOUR NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS • DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER • CREDIT CARD INFORMATION
PHONE: 215-625-8501 ext. 200 OR 215-451-6182 (DIRECT) • FAX: 215-925-6437 • E-MAIL: don@epgn.com
GENERAL INFORMATION
All classified advertising must be in our office by 3 p.m. Friday for the next Friday’s paper. Ads arriving after that time will be held for the next available issue. PGN reserves the right to edit or rewrite ads as needed, to refuse any ad for any reason and to determine the final classification. Ads determined to be in bad taste, directed to or from persons under the legal age of consent or containing racially or sexually discriminatory language will be refused. We need your full name, mailing address and daytime phone number on the insertion order form for you ad. This information is confidential and will not appear in the paper. Any ads received without full information will be destroyed. Sexually explicit language will be edited or refused at the discretion of the management.
PAYMENT AND PLACEMENT
Classified ads may placed online or by mail, fax, e-mail or in person at the PGN offices at 505 S. Fourth St., Phila. Phone, fax and e-mail orders are accepted with credit/debit cards only. A $10 minimum applies to all charges. If you are paying in person with cash, please have the exact change as we cannot make change at the office. All ads must be prepaid for their entire run. NO EXCEPTIONS! DO NOT SEND CASH THROUGH THE MAIL; IT’S NOT SAFE AND CANNOT BE GUARANTEED.
Send us your TERM DISCOUNTS - BASED ON THE wedding/civil NUMBER OF ISSUES PREPAID union/ 4 weeks, 5% • 8 weeks, 10% • 16 weeks, 15% • 26 weeks, 20% commitment CANCELLATION POLICY ceremony All PGN Classified ads are cancelable and refundable except for “FRIENDS” ads. Deadline for cancellation is 3 p.m. Friday. The balance will be credited to your credit/debit card. Checks take two weeks to process. The date of the first issue the ad appeared in, along with the classification, your announcement name, Reach address and���������������������������������������������������������������� daytime number is Readers required to cancelWeekly your ad. Overphone 40,000 For As Little As $25.00 A Week. and we’ll share it with the City of Brotherly Love.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
PAGE 41
SERVICES DIRECTORY
Make your tastebuds dance...
this space: only $25 per week*
Your ad dollars go further when you target your audience *when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks
Dining Guide in
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-8501 Today!
PGN
PGN now offers FREE online classifieds. Go to www.philagaynews.com for the details. You can also place your print ad through the Web site - it’s fast and easy!
Classifieds Liner Insertion Order
Select the TYPE STYLE you want from the examples below, and begin each line under the arrow to the left of the letter representing that style. Write to the end of the line (hyphenate words correctly. Do not stop at any other arrow, as each arrow represents a starting point. Allow one block for each letter, number, punctuation mark and space. Be sure to skip a space between words. PHONE NUMBER MUST INCLUDE AREA CODE. Be sure to circle one of the classifications and compute the cost of your ad. Liner advertising is on a PREPAY BASIS ONLY, and payment must accompany this form. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH THROUGH THE MAIL. Type STYLE A Type STYLE B TYPE STYLE C
A
B
HEADLINE (24 SPACES PER LINE) FREE WHEN PLACED ONLINE 40 spaces Per Line 36 spaces Per Line 24 SPACES PER LINE
7 point 7 point 7 POINT
C
NAME ADDRESS CITY PHONE
PLEASE PRINT STATE
ZIP
AMEX • MASTERCARD • VISA • DISCOVER CARD NUMBER EXPIRATION SIGNATURE NAME ON CARD # # #
“A” LINES @ $5.50 - $ “B” LINES @ $7.50 - $ “C” LINES @ $10.00 - $ BOX YOUR AD $5.00 SUBTOTAL NUMBER OF WEEKS X SUBTOTAL % TERM DISCOUNT AD TOTAL TOTAL PAYMENT ENCLOSED
CLASSIFICATION (CIRCLE ONE) REAL ESTATE FOR SALE • REAL ESTATE FOR RENT • ROOMMATES • SEASONAL RENTALS • SERVICES • FINANCIAL SERVICES HELP WANTED • JOBS WANTED • BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES • FOR SALE • AUTOMOTIVE • AUCTIONS • TRAVEL RESORTS ADOPTION • PERSONALS • FRIENDS MEN • FRIENDS BISEXUAL • FRIENDS TV/TS • FRIENDS WOMEN
Return form and payment to: Masco Communications 505 S. Fourth St., Phila., PA 19147 or fax: 215-925-6437 or email: don@epgn.com
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS ADULT PERSONALS
PAGE 42
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
Adult/Personals FRIENDS
FRIENDS
FRIENDS
LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. _______________________________34-10 You: very well endowed. Me: 6’1”, 205, 59 white butt. 215-732-2108, 8-11 PM. _______________________________34-09 SEEKING GAY COMBAT VIETNAM VETERAN Vietnam veteran seeks same to describe combat experiences for background for novel.Not a ruse or come-on. danangvet@gmail.com _______________________________34-11
WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. _______________________________34-11 Older guy who likes younger guys. Also looking for personal driver who is willing to be involved with an older man. Full time. Reply to pjayf33@gmail.com _______________________________34-11 I’m Joey, looking for a top guy in Ardmore. Call me at 484-238-4707. _______________________________34-12 Like to do fun dress up with nice guys. Would like to start a club for monthly get togethers. Dress up, hang out, cook, whatever we want. 30-50. Egg Harbor Twp. NJ area. Guys need to feel pretty, like me. 919-830-8490. _______________________________34-13
Curious senior WM ISO WM for oral times. Must be patient as I am very new to this. Call me day or night at 856-761-7616 _______________________________34-10
MEN
MEN
MEN
Erotic Dungeon Master
6’, 165 lbs., 60 year old Master, greek active, french passive requires obedient slave for training, S&M, B/D, W/S, etc. Limits respected and expanded. Assistant Master wanted. Call Dave at 215-729-6670, day or evening. _______________________________34-34 Muscular male, 62 seeks same. John Larish, 575 Laurel Terrace, Pottsville, PA 17901. _______________________________34-11 SEEKING WM in late 50’s seeks younger men, Latinos & Mexicans a +, for friendship & fun. Enjoy arts, travel & outdoors. 856-547-4163. No calls after 11. _______________________________34-11 GWM, 60, in good shape seeks other gay males for friendship, plus. 570-640-8179. _______________________________34-11
FRIENDS
TVTS
WM, 34, clean seeks mature Latin/Black TS. Meet, hangout, have fun. 215-416-4146. _______________________________34-14
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Serving
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215-733-9779 11AM til 2AM - Always Hiring
Xdress sex party. CD house orgy every Sat. nite. GWM couple ISO GWMs 18-40 yrs. for 1 on 1 and group sex. Stockings, pantyhose, etc. Starts 9 PM Sat. Call Sat. 7-8 PM 856910-8303, ask for Mark. _______________________________33-24 GWM, Italian, top or bottom, 7” cut. Also into assplay, toys & water sports. Bi, straight, out FRIENDS of towners welcome. Day or night. Call Jeff at 215-850-7900. _______________________________33-18
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010
CERTIFIED
MASSAGE
MEN
Adult
ADULT PERSONALS PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
FRIENDS
Books FRIENDS
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Strong Hands Massage & More PAGE 43
FRIENDS
MEN Let my strong hands release all your tensions. FULLBODY • SENSUAL • EROTIC “Ask about my specials” Have car and will travel City/Suburbs/Jersey Shore/Hotels
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PAGE 44
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
MAR. 5 - 11, 2010