PGN March 10-17, 2017 by The Philadelphia Gay News

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

Vol. 41 No. 10 March 10-16, 2017

Amtrak insists train operator involved in fatal incident disclose his home address PAGE 2

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM Coming to theaters near you PAGE 39

Spring Wedding Issue PAGES 16-26

Spring forward: Daylight Saving Time begins 2 a.m. March 12

N.J. LGBT group hit by vandalism Gay restaurant By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Garden State Equality executive director Christian Fuscarino was working in the organization’s Asbury Park office last weekend when he heard a loud crash. “It was close enough where it startled me,” he told PGN this week. “It was a loud sound that was really frightening at first.” Upon investigation, Fuscarino saw that someone had smashed the glass on the building’s front door and quickly called police. Fuscarino said he’s confident that the LGBT-rights organization was targeted. “We have every reason to believe this was a bias attack on the LGBT community,” he said. “There are about 20 or more panes of glass on the front our building and they hit exactly where the rainbow flag

hangs.” As of presstime no arrests had been made, but Fuscarino said police are utilizing security footage that showed two suspects in their investigation. The incident comes amid a spate of bias attacks nationwide, including those targeting LGBT agencies. On Monday, a driver fired more than a dozen pellet-gun shots at the Equality Center in Tulsa, Okla. Later that day, a man came into the building shouting antigay slurs. Last week, someone threw a brick through the front window of the Orlando office of Equality Florida. There has also been a wave of anti-Semitic incidents, including gravestones vandalized at Jewish cemeteries and bomb threats at Jewish community centers, as well as anti-Muslim attacks. After Fuscarino posted about the Garden State Equality inci-

worker files antibias suit By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com

dent on his and the agency’s social-media accounts, more than $1,500 in donations to replace the door poured in. He expects the new door to be installed this week. In the meantime, he placed a sign on the cracked window stating: “The LGBT community is much stronger than this pane of glass. We don’t crack

under attack. Let love into your life and keep hate out of New Jersey. Thanks.” Fuscarino said the outpouring of support from the community and elected officials has been encouraging. “As an organization that speaks out for LGBT individuals who face discrimination, PAGE 16 it’s been

A South Philadelphia gay man filed suit last week in federal court claiming pervasive anti-LGBT harassment forced him out of a restaurant job. Sebastian Cummings, 29, worked at a Fishtown eatery known as Loco Pez for about two months last year. He was a dishwasher and prepped food at the eatery, which caters to Latin-American patrons. According to Cummings’ lawsuit, which was filed March 1, he had no choice but to resign after the anti-LGBT harassment became intolerable. He’s seeking an unspecified amount in damages, and corrective measures at Loco Pez. Slurs hurled by some Loco Pez workers on a regular basis include “cock smokers,” “cock suckers,” “homos,” “faggots” and “girlfriends,” according to the suit. “[Cummings’] male colleagues regularly PAGE 16 said, ‘Oh, you’re gay

SCOTUS punts on trans student’s case By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The nation’s top court on Monday delivered a setback in the fight for equal access for transgender students. In a one-sentence order, the U.S. Supreme Court remanded Virginia teen Gavin Grimm’s case back to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, reversing its previous decision to hear the case this term. The court did not comment on the move, but it comes weeks after the Trump administration lifted Obama-era guidance that interpreted Title IX to ban gender-identity discrimination and mandated students at federally funded institutions could use facilities consistent with their gender identity. Grimm, a transgender male, filed a federal suit in 2015 after his school enacted a policy mandating students use restrooms consistent with their biological sex, regardless of their gender identity. A district-court judge dismissed Grimm’s

Title IX claim, but a three-judge panel of the Fourth Circuit overturned that ruling. In October, SCOTUS agreed to hear the case, which was widely predicted to be the bellwether case on trans-student rights. The top court was scheduled to hear oral arguments on the case at the end of the month. “The Supreme Court has missed an opportunity to end the painful discrimination currently faced by tens of thousands of transgender students nationwide,” GLSEN Executive Director Dr. Eliza Byard said in a statement. “The position previously taken by the Departments of Education and Justice lifted up best practices for K-12 schools to improve the lives of students and provide a clear path to opportunity. We remain confident the courts will ultimately stand with Gavin and other transgender students in seeking access to school facilities that correspond with their gender identity and determining their gender-affirming PAGE 16 name and pronouns, but

WOMEN WEDNESDAY: National Center for Transgender Equality Director of Policy Harper Jean Tobin spoke about women’s and transgender equality Wednesday morning at Drexel University. Tobin delivered the keynote address at the university’s Sex & Gender Research Forum. About 100 people attended the presentation, which was followed by a day of workshops, including several LGBT-focused sessions. The event coincided with International Women’s Day. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

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Parent of trans girl sues PA school district By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com The mother of an 8-year-old trans girl filed a federal lawsuit this week, seeking to establish a clear right for her daughter to use girls’ restrooms at Minersville Elementary School. Minersville is located about 75 miles northwest of Philadelphia. “A.H.” is a second-grade student at the school. The named defendants are Minersville School District Superintendent Carl McBreen and Minersville Elementary School principal James Yacobacci. The school officials couldn’t be reached for comment. A.H. has gender dysphoria, which school officials allegedly have known about since January 2015. Yet Yacobacci repeatedly misgendered A.H. and blocked her from accessing girls’ restrooms in the past, according to the suit. Yacobacci allegedly cited “privacy concerns of the other stu-

dents” when preventing A.H. from using girls’ restrooms. “[Yacobacci] said they felt they were accommodating A.H. to the fullest by providing unisex bathrooms. A.H. was the only student required to use the unisex bathrooms. [Yacobacci] told A.H.’s mother that they needed to protect the other students from her daughter, who was seven years old at the time.” In May 2016, A.H. filed an antibias complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, which resulted in guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice. The guidance evidently persuaded school officials to allow A.H. to use girls’ restrooms. However, officials haven’t enacted a specific restroom-use policy to this day, according to the lawsuit. Additionally, the plaintiff maintains, school officials retaliated against A.H. by refusing to provide her with a proper education and mistreating family mem-

bers who advocate on her behalf. “The actions of all defendants have deprived A.H. of her right to equal dignity, autonomy and liberty by branding her as different, less valuable and second-class — all because of her gender identity,” attorneys stated in the suit. A.H.’s family is seeking more than $150,00 in damages, along with remedial actions within the district, including a trans-friendly restroom-access policy, staff training and treatment of A.H. as a girl during all educational and extracurricular activities. Jason D. Schiffer, an attorney for A.H.’s mother, said the child continues to suffer due to the alleged mistreatment. “A.H. has suffered immeasurably because of this,” Schiffer told PGN. “The protections of the U.S. Constitution and Title IX of the Educational Act of 1972 extend to everyone, regardless of gender identity. We just hope the defendants will recognize that fact, and promptly institute the remedial meaPAGE 8

Amtrak wants engineer’s home address disclosed By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Brandon Bostian, the engineer involved in a fatal train derailment in Philadelphia, doesn’t want his home address publicly disclosed in a lawsuit against Amtrak. Bostian, who is gay, filed suit against Amtrak in January, claiming the passenger railroad service failed to ensure a safe work environment for him. In court papers, Bostian disclosed that he lives in Boston, but he declines to provide additional details. Amtrak officials say Bostian’s complete address must be publicly disclosed for his case to move forward. The dispute remains pending before Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Arnold L. New. Bostian’s attorneys acknowledge that local court procedures require public disclosure of a plaintiff’s home address. However, they say an exception should be made for Bostian to ensure his safety. “Were the court to require Mr.

Bostian to disclose his address on a pleading, Mr. Bostian could be subjected to constant harassment, threats and encroachment of his personal solitude,” his attorneys wrote in a March 1 pleading. Bostian’s attorneys added: “The events that led to Mr. Bostian’s injuries garnered significant press and media coverage and will continue to do so throughout the entirety of this case. Furthermore, Mr. Bostian was subjected to online harassment and social media attacks. He has been threatened by individuals hiding under the anonymity of social media. It is not a stretch that someone would use Mr. Bostian’s personal home address for sinister purposes. For Mr. Bostian’s protection, it is necessary that his address not be made publicly available through a pleading.” Bostian will publicly disclose his zip code if the court orders it, his attorneys added. On May 12, 2015, an Amtrak train operated by Bostian derailed on the Frankford Junction PAGE 8 curve in Port

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

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News & Opinion

10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Letters/Feedback Mark My Words Street Talk

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8 — Out Money: Understanding benchmarks 12 — Thinking Queerly: Trans mental health 48 — Dining Out: The return of Friday Saturday Sunday 39 — Feature: Screening qFlix 41 — Family Portrait 43 — Scene in Philly 44 — Out & About 49 — Comics 50 — Q Puzzle

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Creep of the Week: Michael Brown thinks that identifying as a different gender is the same as pretending you’re black.

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Arts & Culture

WEDDING 101: Rainbow Wedding Network co-founder Cindy Sproul (left) welcomed guests to the 10th-annual “Same Love, Same Rights” expo. The March 5 event was held at the Sheraton Bucks County Hotel. Hundreds of couples preparing to tie the knot perused several-dozen tables of vendors, including DJs, venues, caterers and more. Many offered contests, giveaways and samples. See more wedding coverage in our Spring Wedding Issue, pages 16-26.

“The bottom line is that every human being is entitled to certain basic rights and if there has ever been a basic right, it is one’s right to simply go to the bathroom.”

Pride Comedy hits Philly for a William Way LGBT Community Center fundraiser.

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Scott A. Drake (ext. 210) scott@epgn.com 267-736-6743 Graphic Artist Sean Dorn (ext. 211) sean@epgn.com

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Pennsylvania Ballet Corps de Ballet member Harrison Monaco returns to the stage.

Copyright © 1976 - 2017 Copyright(s) in all materials in these pages are either owned or licensed by Masco Communications Inc. or its subsidiaries or affiliate companies (Philadelphia Gay News, PGN, and it’s WWW sites.) All other reproduction, distribution, retransmission, modification, public display, and public performance of our materials is prohibited without the prior written consent of Masco Communications. To obtain such consent, email pgn@epgn.com Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 1976-2017 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155

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Advocates, officials gather to support transgender students By Beth Boyle PGN Contributor As the conversation about the rights and protections available for transgender students heats up across the county, activists, LGBT organizations and city officials came together last week in Philadelphia to reaffirm support for nondiscrimination policies and for transgender youth. The event, called “We’ve Got Your Back,” was held last Friday at Philadelphia City Hall, and was organized by Equality Pennsylvania. It comes in the wake of the Trump administration’s February action that rescinded Obama-era protections for transgender students, leaving the states to decide. The event opened with a speech from Rue Landau, out executive director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, about the 2002 inclusion of gender identity into the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance, which bans discrimination in employment, public accommodations and housing. Mayor Jim Kenney in his keynote remarks described Trump’s recent order as “another onslaught” on transgender youth. “The executive order is clearly saying that this administration does not have our kids’ backs,” the mayor said. He also addressed plainly where the City of Philadelphia stands on transgender rights. “I want every student and parent in

Philadelphia to know that we stand with transgender students, even if the federal government doesn’t. We are in this together. “Keep the faith and be yourself,” the mayor said in closing. School Superintendent Dr. William Hite also spoke firmly about district policy, noting, “I am here to proclaim that the Philadelphia School District will always protect students from discrimination.” Hite noted that the School Reform Commission passed a policy in June, crafted with help from transgender youth and parents, that requires students be referred to by the correct pronoun, that they can use the appropriate bathroom and locker rooms and that student activities will not be organized by biological sex. Despite the sweeping protections for Philadelphia public-school students, young people in nearly every other county in Pennsylvania do not have the same legal rights. A 2016 study by Human Rights Watch found that the absence of protective policies for transgender students puts them at risk. Outside of Philadelphia, only an estimated 6 percent of school districts has passed any kind of protective policy, and students attending private or charter schools aren’t covered by the Philadelphia School District’s policy. Hazel Edwards, a recent high-school graduate who was among the authors of the city district’s policy, spoke at Friday’s event,

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT DR. WILLIAM HITE SPOKE ABOUT PROTECTING TRANS STUDENTS’ RIGHTS AND RIGHT TO PRIVACY. Photo: Scott A. Drake

saying she didn’t want young transgender students to deal with the same challenges she faced in high school. Edwards had attended a charter school, but tension over respect for her gender identity drove her to transfer high schools twice before she could graduate. “My old principal at the charter school eventually asked for a sensitivity training,

which I put together with the help of my supervisor at The Attic Youth Center, and it did make an impact,” Edwards said. “After the presentation, he turned to me and said, ‘The student has become the teacher.’” Anxiety at school is not an uncommon experience for transgender or gender-fluid students. A 2013 survey by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education PAGE 6

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Philly-born database enhanced for LGBT asylum-seekers By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com An online resource catalogue for LGBT asylum-seekers last month launched an update, with improvements for users in the Philadelphia and Seattle areas. With AsylumConnect’s Catalog v3.0, people coming from 73 countries where it is illegal to be LGBT can utilize new online features to locate resources for assistance. The nonprofit startup collaborated with the University of Pennsylvania’s Hack4Impact, a student organization connecting student software developers with nonprofits, to develop the updated database. These new features, launched on Feb. 21, include: • The ability to select multiple cities • Automated resource submission and editing • Automated resource reporting for negative interactions • Printer compatibility for users with limited Internet access • Filters to search based on required documentation (photo ID, proof of age, proof of residence, proof of income, medical insurance, a referral) • Improved mobile-friendly design • Open-sourced code and accompanying community-contribution guidelines “One thing that we were trying to do with the new catalog is essentially to make it much less reliant on us as a volunteer team and to open it to community contribution by anyone who is interested in helping determine the future of the AsylumConnect catalog — be those service providers or LGBTQ asylum-seekers themselves,” said AsylumConnect Director of Technology Tiff Lu. Lu said this update will initially be tested in Philadelphia before expanding to other cities. The organization plans to conduct interviews with users to determine how the new update is helping, and to improve it later on. AsylumConnect Co-founder and President Katie Sgarro said the next cities the organization will be focusing on are Washington, D.C., New York City and STUDENTS from page 5

Network found that 75 percent of transgender youth feel unsafe at school, and 63 percent avoid using any public restroom because they fear harassment and assault. Transgender students are also more likely to avoid eating and drinking to prevent themselves from using public restrooms, which can lead to health problems. Deja Lynn Alvarez, a member of the Commission on LGBT Affairs and director of the LGBTQ Home for Hope, spoke at City Hall about the dangers transgender people face. “The life expectancy of a transgender person is 35 years old. Three trans women

San Francisco. There was no timeline for this expansion as of presstime, since the organization wants to ensure the test cities work out. When it comes to previous catalog feedback, Sgarro said she has been seeing positive reviews for the program since v1.0 launched in August 2015. However, she noted organizers plan to collect more information from users with the new update. “There is always room for improvement which is why we are excited to now launch catalog version 3.0, and during our Philadelphia expansion, we do hope to garner more user feedback from Seattle asylum-seekers and Philadelphia asylum-seekers,” Sgarro said. She added she is moved by the testimonials of users who share their experience as asylum-seekers and comment on “how global climates are getting even worse.” “When I read things like that, it motivates me to make sure the catalog reaches its full potential because these people need to get out of those dangerous environments, come to the United States and see a beacon of hope,” Sgarro said. “We definitely want to give them the resources they need to successfully transition to the United States once they do arrive here.” Sgarro’s friend, Sayid Abdullaev, cofounder of AsylumConnect and a gay asylum-seeker, noticed a gap for LGBT asylum-seekers arriving in the United States. She noted how these individuals do not know where they can seek food, shelter, social support and other elements of need. “There was no online centralized location for them to access that information,” Sgarro said about AsylumConnect’s founding. “That’s really why we designed the AsylumConnect catalog, to fill that clear gap. Specifically today, it is very relevant given the large sociopolitical context and we think that it’s more important than ever to really stand up to this population and make sure they’re getting the advocacy but also the tools that they need in order to safely integrate into the United States.” n Visit www.asylumconnect.org for more information.

of color have been murdered in Louisiana already this year,” she said. “But people are worried about where we go to the bathroom? “We are still fighting for civil liberties,” Alvarez added. “It’s not really about bathrooms; these issues are about transgender people’s right to exist in public, the right to simply live. Transgender people are not a danger. We are in danger.” Equality Pennsylvania board member Sharron Cooks concluded the meeting by thanking the seven speakers and the dozens of attendees. “This is about more than laws and policies,” she said. “This is about doing the right thing for our children.” n

LOCAL PGN

Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between Feb. 20-26. Information is courtesy of Sixth District Crime Analyst Officer Robert Savino. To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice.com or call 215-686-TIPS. INCIDENTS — At 6:45 p.m. Feb. 19 (reported Feb. 21), someone stole a woman’s unattended handbag inside Macy’s, 1300 Market St. — At 4:40 p.m. Feb. 23, a man walked into the Citizens Bank at 1234 Market St. and gave the teller a demand note. She told him her drawer was empty and he approached another teller, who refused. He fled without any money. The suspect is described as black, in his 50s, 5-foot-6, with a dark complexion, wearing a black jacket, a gray knit cap and sunglasses and carrying a laptop bag. — There were three thefts from parked vehicles reported Feb. 20-26: outside 1201 Market St., 1000 Sansom St. and 1309 Locust St. — There was one theft of a bicycle reported Feb. 20-26: outside 211 S. Broad St. ARRESTS — At 5:17 p.m. Feb. 21, police issued a summary citation to a 15-year-old boy at 1100 Market St. for fare evasion on the Market-Frankford Line. — At 8:14 p.m. Feb. 22, police arrested a 29-year-old man in the 200 block of South Broad Street for defiant trespass after he was found wandering the halls of a building on the block. — At 12:57 a.m. Feb. 26, police arrested a 28-year-old man for driving under the influence in the 1300 block of Locust Street. n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

Program launches to provide gov’t lessons By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Malcolm Kenyatta said he recently felt like he was experiencing scenarios similar to the ones on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” in which correspondents interview people on the streets about topics such as whether they prefer Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act. People would answer the question, not realizing they were the exact same thing. Kenyatta said he wanted to bring more awareness to citizens in the region with a new monthly program. “I don’t think we can keep thinking that our government is going to be on autopilot,” the gay 26-yearold said. “We, as citizens, have a really important role and that role is to be engaged, educated and informed. That’s what Civic Saturdays is all about.” With this program, Kenyatta and other guest speakers will teach attendees about the basics of government. “That is something that a lot of folks get in eighth grade, probably, and then never think about again,” Kenyatta said. The first Civic Saturdays ses-

sion on March 11 will focus on the separation of powers. Kenyatta said people often think President Donald Trump has unlimited authority, and he hopes the first workshop will illustrate otherwise. “He doesn’t have unlimited power or government,” Kenyatta said. “We’re set up with checks and balances and that’s what we’re going to talk about deeply on March 11 to give folks an understanding of that. Hopefully people will feel a little bit better knowing that there are some checks and restraints on what he can do.” Kenyatta said this session will feature varying types of educational tools; he will be using lecture, videos and simulations in which attendees can act out scenarios relating to the lesson. “Regardless of how you learn, I think we’re going to try and do all of those different forms of educating,” Kenyatta said. “We’re really going to use all of those mediums.” The Civic Saturdays in April will focus on the Bill of Rights. Kenyatta said future sessions will include guest speakers who will address their areas of expertise. While Kenyatta said he is also envisioning a lesson on how laws

are made, he is also relying on audience feedback to determine future Civic Saturdays topics. “The separation of powers and the Bill of Rights are really basic and those are good foundational lessons but I want to be responsive to the people that are attending and provide the content that they want to hear about,” Kenyatta said. He noted that the community needs to be educated in order to make informed discussions. “I want people to be able to say, ‘Hey Donald Trump, what you’re doing is horrible and here is why. [It’s] not just because it makes me not feel good but you are violating the Constitution,’” Kenyatta said. “It’s important to give folks language and to really take this thing and break it down in a way that people can get and understand.” n The first session, Civic Saturdays: Divided Government will be held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. March 11 at the Berean Presbyterian Church, 2101 N. Broad St. Participants can register for free on Eventbrite (http://bit. ly/2mwFf1U) and they will receive email updates for future Civic Saturdays. The event will stream live at www. facebook.com/Unleashing-NorthPhilly-1068050066549838/.

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Comparing apples to apples: understanding common market benchmarks Q: My advisor talks about how my accounts are doing compared to the “benchmark,” but I’m not really sure I understand what that means. Can you please help explain this? A: Thanks for the question. It’s good to use benchmarks to track your investments over time. I’m sure your advisor would be able to explain this to you as well, but I’m more than happy to help you get started. The dictionary defines the word benchmark as “a point of reference from which measurements may be made.” In investing, benchmarks — or market indexes — are used by investors, portfolio managers and market watchers to track how a particular asset class or sector performs and to compare relevant investments to that measurement. Each market index tracks a representative sampling of stocks, bonds or other securities that may be similar to the holdings in a given investment portfolio. In order to use benchmarks accurately, you should always compare apples to apples. It helps to be familiar with a variety of benchmarks and the sectors and asset classes they track.

Bond Index tracks the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market. • The 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond is issued by the Treasury Department with a 10-year maturity. It is the most popular type of U.S. Treasury debt and is often used as a barometer for the overall U.S. economy. • The S&P 500® is widely regarded as the best single gauge of large-cap U.S. stocks. • The Dow Jones Industrial Average® is a price-weighted measure of 30 U.S. blue-chip companies. • The NASDAQ Composite Index measures all domesJeremy tic and international common Gussick stocks listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market. Launched in 1971, the index today includes more than 3,000 securities. • Morgan Stanley Capital International’s Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) Index represents the performance of largeand midcap stocks across 21 developed markets, including countries in Europe, Australasia and the Far East, excluding the U.S. and Canada.

Out Money

A variety of measures Following are some of the more popular and widely used indexes: • The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate SCHOOL from page 2

sures we’re requesting.” Schiffer noted that A.H. recently obtained a revised birth certificate with a female gender designation. “School officials barred A.H. from girls’ restrooms — even during educational field trips — citing her [prior] male birth certificate,” Schiffer added. “They’ve intimidated her mother when she’s advocated on her behalf. Now that A.H. has a female birth certificate, we still don’t have assurances that won’t happen. And

Many benchmarks, including those listed above, are reported regularly on major financial websites and in the business section of local newspapers; national publications such as The Wall Street Journal and Investor’s Business Daily; and, internationally, in the Financial Times.

we don’t have assurances A.H. always will be treated as a girl, in all areas of her educational life.” Schiffer emphasized that most people in the Minersville community have been very supportive of A.H. “She’s received overwhelming support,” he noted. The case remains pending in federal court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. A judge hadn’t been assigned as of presstime. A jury trial has been requested. n

Using benchmarks to target expected return Benchmarks can be used to assess the types of investments that may be most suitable to an individual’s goals and investment time frame. By looking at the past performance of a market index, you can gauge the relative return potential of a particular asset class, as well as its risk characteristics. Keep in mind, however, that past performance is not a guarantee of future results and these unmanaged indexes cannot be invested into directly. Also, be careful to use the right benchmark. For example, you wouldn’t want to invest in corporate bonds maturing in five years based on the benchmark performance of 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds. Your financial advisor can help you assess which benchmarks to use in evaluating the performance and risk of a given market. Finally, when using market indexes, keep in mind that, even though an investment vehicle performs well in relation to its market benchmark, that does not necessarily mean it’s an appropriate vehicle for your money. Investments should be made based upon a number of criteria, including your objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance. Your financial advisor can help you determine which benchmarks to use when evaluating investment vehicles. n Jeremy R. Gussick is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional affiliated with LPL Financial, the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer.* Jeremy specializes in the financial planning and retirement income needs of the LGBT community and was recently named a 2016 FIVE STAR Wealth Manager as

AMTRAK from page 2

Richmond, killing eight people and wounding more than 50. The train was traveling 106 mph as it approached the curve, though the posted speed limit was 50 mph, according to federal investigators. Bostian’s suit claims his train was “under attack” by projectiles prior to the derailment. “While operating a train that was under attack by projectiles, one of which caused [Bostian] to become disoriented — and/or unconscious — [Bostian] was caused to sustain injuries due to the negligence and carelessness of [Amtrak],” attorneys

mentioned in Philadelphia Magazine.** He is active with several LGBT organizations in the Philadelphia region, including Delaware Valley Legacy Fund and the Independence Business Alliance, the Philadelphia region’s LGBT chamber of commerce. OutMoney appears monthly. If you have a question for Jeremy, you can contact him via email at jeremy.gussick@lpl.com. This article was prepared with the assistance of DST Systems Inc. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. We suggest that you discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor. Please consult me if you have any questions. Stock investing involves risk including loss of principal. Bonds are subject to market and interest rate risk if sold prior to maturity. Bond values will decline as interest rates rise and bonds are subject to availability and change in price. Government bonds and Treasury bills are guaranteed by the US government as to the timely payment of principal and interest and, if held to maturity, offer a fixed rate of return and fixed principal value. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by DST Systems Inc. or its sources, neither Wealth Management Systems Inc. nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall DST Systems Inc. be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscribers’ or others’ use of the content. Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. *As reported by Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2016, based on total revenues. **Award based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of 2016 Five Star Wealth Managers

maintain in Bostian’s suit. Federal investigators say Bostian was distracted by radio transmissions about a nearby SEPTA train being hit by a rock. Bostian suffered “severe, permanent and painful personal injuries” due to the incident, including a traumatic head injury, according to his suit. Bostian seeks more than $50,000 in damages. A jury trial has been requested. Neither side had a comment for this story. “We don’t comment on pending litigation,” said Kimberly Woods, an

Amtrak spokesperson. No criminal charges have been filed against Bostian, but he’s a defendant in numerous civil suits

Federal investigators say Bostian was distracted by radio transmissions about a nearby SEPTA train being hit by a rock. filed in federal court by passengers of the derailed train. n

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EDITORIAL PGN EDITORIAL

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Michael Brown

Editorial

Love lessons It’s easy to get discouraged in our current political climate. When the news is dominated by travel bans, bias attacks and chaos in our nation’s capital, it’s hard to find a silver lining. As news hounds, however, we’ve noticed that one thing people love is love — and we’re following that lead. This week, PGN is running our semi-annual Wedding Issue, highlighting the love stories of local couples. From engagements to weddings to anniversaries, the happy folks who wanted to share their journeys with us all have a distinct story. Some met decades ago, weathering the years when being a same-sex couple was dramatically less accepted than it is now, while others navigated modern challenges like online dating. Some of them dove right into relationships and others took it slow. Some were hesitant to walk the aisle and others couldn’t wait to say “I do.” What they all share, though, are a few lessons we could all use right about now: perseverance and optimism. The couples all told stories of ups and downs, fights and foibles. But they all believed in something so strongly — their love for one another — that they made it through to the other side. Successfully navigating those challenges instilled in all of the couples a sense of hope for the future. They had seen that times could be bad, but that they always got better. They learned how to navigate that transition, pitfalls to avoid and ways to keep themselves motivated. Powering through with an eye toward the future is what this country needs to be doing right now. There’s a lot that we as citizens can’t control right now, but there’s also much that we are able to effect. As the couples we spoke with showed us, challenges within our control can and should be confronted; doing so lets us live in more genuine relationships and shows us our strength. From difference and division can come new understanding and strengthened resolve. If the last few months have shown progress-loving Americans anything, it’s that we’re not alone. That was a reality that helped our wedding couples through the toughest of times — and will continue to help us persevere through the rough times ahead. n

issue is “transanity,” Whenever someone begins a statement as he calls it. with, “I’m sorry, but … ” that’s usually a sign that 1. They are not sorry, and 2. “If I think I’m a They’re about to say something nasty. girl, I’m a girl. If I Which is exactly the effect of Michael think I’m Chinese, Brown’s Feb. 27 “Townhall” column titled, I’m Chinese. If I “I’m Sorry, But Caitlyn Jenner Is a Man think I’m 7-foot Wearing a Dress.” tall, I’m 7-foot tall,” Brown says. “Well, Brown is the host of the right-wing radio program “In the Line of Fire” who why not? If I think “met the Lord in 1971 as a 16-year-old, I’m black, then I’m heroin-shooting, LSD-using Jewish rock black. If gender is drummer,” according to his bio. Which what I perceive it to be, then why not other obviously makes him an expert on gender things?” identity. So much easier to trot out these hypotheticals than to actually acknowledge that Now, I don’t think of Jenner much. On the one hand, I think trans visibility is good gender identity is actually complex and nuanced. Not to mention the fact that trans and she’s very visible. But she also voted for Trump, which is gross. folks are real people. She’s a big girl with plenty of money, so To hear Brown tell it, he just wants to protect girls from sexual predators. having someone like Brown disparage her probably doesn’t hurt her much. Of course, “How about the many girls who have been traumatized by the presence of a Brown’s not really talking about Jenner. She’s just a jumpboy in their bathroom, in their locker ing-off point for him “If I think I’m a girl, I’m a room, next to them to attack the right of girl. If I think I’m Chinese, in a shower stall?” transgender people I’m Chinese. If I think I’m Brown asks. “And to exist. As you surely since when is it tol7-foot tall, I’m 7-foot tall. know, the Obama erance to tell a girl administration you just have to get Well, why not? If I think issued guidelines to seeing a I’m black, then I’m black. used to schools about boy’s private parts in protecting LGBT your locker room?” If gender is what I per Excellent quesstudents. Trump has tion! A lot of girls yanked those guide- ceive it to be, then why and women ARE lines and folks like not other things?” traumatized by Brown are celebratpenises, but those ing because they love trans people so much they have to hate penises are attached to cisgendered heterosexual men. Sexual assault is crazy comthem, per Jesus. On his Feb. 24 radio show, Brown mon in the U.S. It’s almost like men feel declared, “[Students] don’t need tolerance. entitled to women’s bodies for their own They need to be told , ‘Boys are boys and gratification. Surely America would want girls are girls and Johnny is confused so be to protect women from, say, some guy nice to Johnny, but he’s confused.’” who brags about grabbing women “by the In other words, anyone who dares to pussy,” right? It’s not like he’d be elected deviate from the two rigid gender choices is president! Oh, wait… someone to be pitied. After all, says Brown, Anti-trans hysteria isn’t about protecting being trans “is some kind of handicap: women any more than building a wall is mental, emotional.” But you can’t decline about protecting America. to teach kids tolerance and then also expect I’m sorry, but Michael Brown is a creep. n them to be nice to people who are different, D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian so you’re effectively teaching them that living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been trans people deserve to be punished. writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow As far as Brown’s concerned, the whole her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.

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Letters and Feedback I was at this event and I am thanking the people at the event. As a trans POC, it was very nice to see more visibility. Excellent job. I was extremely encouraged. — SocialJusticeGirl In response to “D.A. says Morris 911 recordings aren’t agency records,” March 3-9, 2017: It’s rather convenient that merely by moving this document to a different file, the D.A.’s Office hides public information that was originally part of the public file. The civil litigation file is subsequent to the actual record — it originated from the

Street Talk

Over the last few weeks I’ve been intermy infamous campaign against the TV netviewed, filmed, taped and recorded numerous works. After 1976 I focused on bringing and times. I’ve also been going through files — organizing local LGBT media into the Gay or, more like, boxes of papers and objects Press Association, creating a campaign that that haven’t seen the light of day or artificial changed local politics, writing a plan for the light literally for decades — for a project I’m nation’s first governor’s commission to study involved with. problems in the gay community This process, and it’s one I (which was recently discovered strongly suggest to all who have in Gov. Shapp’s personal papers collected anything for a long at the State Museum). It was period of time, often brings also learning to fund projects in delightful surprises. You find the community with government pieces that explain parts of your funds, helping our community life and recall people you’ve to appreciate that we pay taxes interacted with. Even writings and deserve those funds in our from people that are no longer community like others, using with us or you no longer associate clout to create the largest AIDSwith are, to say the least, revealawareness day in any city in the ing. nation and creating housing for It also answers questions. our LGBT seniors, our first out There’s a photo of me at a generation. demonstration next to my friend That sounds like a resume, Doug Carver that’s on the Mark Segal and for me it is. My life has been cover of the book “Gay Pride: spent on these and surprisingly Photographs from Stonewall to Today.” many other projects. So why list all of it? I’ve always wondered which demonstration Recently I’ve watched as numerous young that was taken at, since that first year after activists have been labeled egotistical from Stonewall we had many demonstrations in their contemporaries in their fight to bring New York City and I was arrested for the first our community together on issues of divertime, and several subsequent times. sity, respect and inclusion. This is a message I was able to answer that question through to you: I too was attacked by those who difan email from my friend and fellow Gay fered with my views and actions. But I did Liberation Front member this week: It was what my parents told me to do: “Go with July 27 1969, one month after Stonewall. your gut.” You’ll also be amazed at what you learn That resume was born from continuing the about yourself, and maybe even accept what fight, regardless of those who use your sucyour friends, family and those close to you cess to further their public profile. Sometimes have been trying to impress upon you without our community is its own worse enemy. much luck. Ignore those who are bitter and instead fol For someone like me, it’s an issue of low that optimistic view you’ve dreamed. You which part of your life you feel should be won’t always be right but history will show highlighted. In my mind, up to this point I you your successes and your failures. n used 1976 as a point that change my life. Mark Segal is the nation’s most-award-winning comBefore that was the birth of the radical gaymentator in LGBT media. His recently published memrights struggle, my part in GLF, the Gay oir, “And Then I Danced,” is available on Amazon. Action Group, Stonewall, Gay Youth and com, Barnes & Noble or at your favorite bookseller.

In response to “Community celebrates black trans history,” March 3-9, 2017:

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

original file. This is fraudulent. — Kathy11 In response to “Nellie Fitzpatrick to depart post,” Feb. 17-23, 2017: What an unfortunate situation. What is also unfortunate is the relative silence around this event. The groups that rallied for her resignation are the true deplorables in this case. How do you spell s-h-a-m-e? — ThomNickels There’s silence because the claims are warranted, the truth is out and we’re moving on. — Christian Axavier Lovehall

Should President Trump be blamed for the increase in hate crimes? “No. If someone wants to commit a hate crime, they’re going Jasmine Clark development to do it, regardless consultant Elkins Park of who’s president. If you’re a bad person, you’re going to be a bad person. Trump is a people pleaser. He says what his base wants to hear. I hold him accountable for a lack of scruples, but he hasn’t gone out and shot anyone.”

“Yes. I’m married to an Iranian immigrant. [Trump’s] created an atmosphere Carly Cubit that’s facilitator Center City stressful for us. President Trump has caused a lot of trouble in my marriage. Trump hasn’t directly committed a hate crime, to my knowledge, but the atmosphere of hate he’s created causes hate crimes to occur.”

“No, it’s not for me to accuse Trump of hate crimes. But he says he’s Hoofar Pourzand aerospace engineer a leader; he should Center City accept responsibility for the hate crimes taking place during his administration. He should verbally condemn all forms of hate. Then, he should put people in his administration to help move the country in a better direction.”

“Yes, I think Trump’s policies are directly causing an increase Terrence Walsh in hate barrista South Philadelphia crimes. I hold him responsible for them. He’s appealing to people’s worst instincts, unfortunately. I just wish he would change him tune. Though I’m not holding my breath for that to happen.”

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

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Obituary William Ortiz, artist and interior designer, 42 By Sandra Pilla PGN Contributor It was First Friday in Old City Philadelphia, November 2012, and the usual crowds were weaving in and out of the open storefronts, taking in original art, enjoying wine and cheese. William Ortiz, a fine artist and avid photographer from Lancaster, was exhibiting a couple of his paintings at one of the art galleries. Robert Moskowitz, an interior designer and a lifelong Philadelphian, was also out that night, enjoying the scene and searching for the perfect painting as a gift for a friend. He zeroed-in on one of Ortiz’s works, and took his business card so they could arrange the purchase. Ortiz returned to Harrisburg, where he lived at the time. He and Moskowitz kept in touch. They became Facebook friends. They corresponded constantly. By that Christmas, Moskowitz had bought Ortiz an open-ended train ticket to visit him in Philly. Ortiz loved the Philly vibe and, even more, he loved Moskowitz. He loved Moskowitz’s mom. He loved Moskowitz’s friends. The feeling was overwhelmingly mutual.

ence again.” Ortiz would have celebrated his 43rd birthday on March 7. Instead, his husband and friends-like-family toasted in his honor. On Jan. 12, the multitalented artist died from complications of a stroke. The sudden loss of such a lively presence left Moskowitz, 48, and the couple’s many close friends and business associates stunned. The couple had fused not only their lives but their professions: Moskowitz, a well-known interior designer, owned Society Hill Design Group and brought Ortiz aboard to create websites, take photos and handle development for small businesses, Realtors and landlords. For a ORTIZ (RIGHT) AND HUSBAND time, the pair even established a storefront MOSKOWITZ called French Bleu on East Passyunk Two months later, they loaded up a mov- Avenue, selling high-end furniture and ing van with Ortiz’s things and were never fixings to the general public. Two months later, as Moskowitz tries apart from that point. Unquestionably, Moskowitz said, Ortiz to cope and carry on, he reflects on the many things he misses about his husband: was his other half. “Willie was the love of my life because “How he made me a better person. How I knew from the moment I met him that I was better (in life) with him than I am our hearts and souls were meant to be without him. How he supported me and together. An intimacy I had never experi- loved me like my parents do. And how enced before and will likely never experi- he would spend 45 minutes in the shower

with the music blasting. And come home with a random disco-ball lightbulb. And make me breakfast in bed on Sunday mornings.” Shortly before the couple met, Moskowitz’s beloved father died. He credits Ortiz with helping him get through one of the toughest times of his life. “He was definitely sent to me,” said Moskowitz, adding that Ortiz is again helping him to cope with a devastating loss, his own. “I think Willie is helping me get through my grief, because what I learned from him in life was that no matter what life gives us, whatever the setbacks, we keep moving forward. Of course I expected we would move forward together. But he holds me up and helps me move forward on my own.” He borrowed his husband’s favorite hashtag phrase to describe his lingering influence: “Willie keeps me in #beastmode.” Moskowitz is hosting a “Willebration” — a celebration of his husband’s life — at his residence March 12. More than 100 loved ones are expected to attend. The event is private. n

Trans mental health: In the hands of our government It is incredibly and painfully unfortunate that trans youth were targeted by Trump’s administration within his first 40 days in office. Of course it’s always disgusting to see government allow children to get in the crossfires of politically charged decisions. One of the most egregious instances of this was the recent removal of a mandate protecting trans children’s safety and dignity in using the bathroom that matches their gender identity. Part of what makes this move one of the most heinous acts by President Trump since he took office Jan. 20 — and that’s really saying something — is the fact that transgender indiKristina viduals are among the most at-risk populations in our country. Last year, the murder rate of transgender people hit an all-time high and already in 2017, seven murders of transgender women of color have been reported. A national survey reported that up to 41 percent of trans people have attempted suicide. Compared with the national average — a mere 4.6 percent — trans mental health is quite literally a national crisis. And as it relates directly to

the trans bathroom bill, one study found that trans kids who are subjected to the humiliation of having to use a bathroom that doesn’t align with their identity are at a greater risk for attempting suicide. It is the obligation of this country to protect all its citizens and it is especially crucial that we protect our youngest generation of trans individuals. In properly protecting them, we are also directly addressing trans mental health. New research shows very different rates of mental health among trans children ages 3-12 whose parents allow them to live openly as the gender they identify and who also have generally supportive communities, well-supported young Furia These people had rates of depression as low as the national average (among cisgender people) and rates of anxiety only slightly higher than the national average. This amazing data indicates that it is largely discrimination and stigmatization of trans individuals that has caused such poor mental health among this population. Being transgender is not synonymous with being mentally ill. Instead, being transgender is indicative of being at a substantially greater risk of constant or frequent discrimination —

Thinking Queerly

it is this that causes mental illness. This distinction is paramount to understanding the trans experience and the absolute necessity of appropriate protections for all trans individuals. For the children in the aforementioned study, the concern is that, as these kids grow older and leave the protective bubble of their parents, their risk of depression and anxiety will heighten. If we don’t continue to fight for trans equality

If we don’t continue to fight for trans equality and acceptance under the law, even trans kids with supportive families and communities are susceptible to mental-health decline. and acceptance under the law, even trans kids with supportive families and communities are susceptible to mental-health decline. Of course, opponents of any legislation that protects trans individuals’ right to use the bathroom of the gender they identify as also reference safety as part of their defense. They claim that such a bill would put girls and women everywhere

at risk of being assaulted because a man is a man “no matter how he dresses.” At first glance, perhaps someone uneducated on trans issues might think this sounds like a reasonable safety concern: Predatory men could slap on a dress and suddenly be granted entry to the women’s restroom. The problem is, upon closer investigation, there is quite literally no data that supports this as a legitimate safety concern. On the other hand, there are mountains of very real data on the safety risks and mental-health concerns of trans children and adults alike as it relates directly to matters like being able to simply use the bathroom. The bottom line is that every human being is entitled to certain basic rights and if there has ever been a basic right, it is one’s right to simply go to the bathroom. Failing to ensure this and other rights to our fellow human beings is an insult to their very existence. It should not be difficult to wish to protect the physical and mental health and safety of a population of individuals who are doing absolutely nothing more than living their authentic identities. Because certainly, everyone is entitled to that too. n Kristina Furia is a psychotherapist committed to working with LGBT individuals and couples and owner of Emerge Wellness, an LGBT health and wellness center in Center City (www.emergewellnessphilly.com).

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CRIME from page 1

warming to have those same individuals and other members of our community reach out to provide support to us,” he said. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey was among those speaking out about the incident and other recent bias-motivated attacks. “Garden State Equality is on the front lines of the fight to advance equality for all,” Booker said in a statement this weekend. “An attack against any community is an attack against us all.” In a social-media post Tuesday, he said the Garden State Equality incident, along with attacks on Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and other communities, deserve a unified response. “We all must join in a chorus of condemnation against such hate acts. Silence or indifference amidst such evil should RESTAURANT from page 1

as shit’ … ‘your gay ass’ and ‘you look gay’ to other employees on a daily basis,” Cummings stated in his suit. Male workers with long hair, non-traditional clothing or stereotypically feminine behavior were particularly susceptible to abuse, according to the suit. “[Cummings’] male colleagues and a male supervisory manager, Sergio, regularly engaged in physical conduct with each other in [Cummings’] presence consisting of pantomiming fellatio and ‘humping’ other men from behind in the kitchen,” according to the suit. Additionally, an overhead menu at Loco Pez states, “Si putos tengo ATM,” which roughly translates to “Yes, fags, I have an ATM,” according to the suit. “’Puto’ is a derogatory Spanish epithet for gay men that means ‘poof,’ ‘pansy,’ ‘fairy’ or ‘fag,’ while ‘puta’ in Spanish is a traditionally feminine noun,” Cummings contends in the suit. When Cummings complained to management, he was told that coworkers meant him no harm, according to the suit. The head chef allegedly told Cummings, “I guarantee they won’t do anything [to you],” and “They don’t mean anything by it.” In June, Cummings filed antibias complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. But the situation only worsened, according to the suit. In July, a coworker threatened another man with violence after the man allegedly made a sexual advance. Cummings resigned STUDENTS from page 1

in the meantime trans students are left without clear protections from our federal government while the case is reheard.” Joshua Block, senior staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union’s LGBT Project and lead counsel for Grimm, acknowledged that the move is a setback, but nonetheless expressed optimism. “While we’re disappointed that the Supreme Court will not be hearing Gavin’s case this term, the overwhelm-

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not be tolerated.” Asbury Park Councilwoman Amy Quinn referred to the town’s LGBTaffirming history. “Asbury Park has been a haven for the LGBT community for decades,” she said. “That vandalism does not represent the town as a whole and strengthens our resolve to stand with our gay, lesbian, bi and trans brothers and sisters.” Fuscarino said the staff and supporters of Garden State Equality are eager to move past the incident. “We want to get back to our normal programming as quickly as possible and not be reminded of this incident,” he said. “We’re going to move forward even stronger than before and more united as a community.” To donate to Garden State Equality, visit http://www.gardenstateequality.org. n

to ensure his personal safety, according to the suit. “The harassment was subjectively and objectively offensive, severe and pervasive, and so intolerable that [Cummings] was forced to quit. After quitting, [Cummings] changed his appearance by cutting his hair short, and changed his demeanor to conform to gender norms,” according to the suit. Cummings’ suit seeks a judicial order for Loco Pez to remove “bitches” and “putos” from its menu sign, to post an antibias policy at Loco Pez and to provide anti-harassment training for all Loco Pez workers. Justin F. Robinette, an attorney for Cummings, said his client is optimistic that justice will be served. “Sebastian was really shaken by this experience,” Robinette told PGN. “This lawsuit can’t erase what happened to Sebastian. But at the very last, the remedies we seek will help Sebastian rebuild his life. We’ll both be very gratified if our efforts ensure this doesn’t happen to somebody else.” Robinette emphasized that the menu sign wasn’t a major concern for Cummings. “The sign was an issue, but was only a fraction of the harassment. Sebastian just wants people to understand that this wasn’t mere horseplay. It was truly a hostile work environment that felt threatening,” Robinette concluded. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle 3d. A jury trial has been requested. An attorney for Loco Pez couldn’t be reached for comment by presstime. n ing level of support shown for Gavin and trans students by people across the country throughout this process shows that the American people have already moved in the right direction and that the rights of trans people cannot be ignored,” Block said. “This is a detour, not the end of the road, and we’ll continue to fight for Gavin and other transgender people to ensure that they are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.” n

Searching high and low for LGBT wedding gifts By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com The wedding-gift industry is a gazillion-dollar market, give or take a few dollars, but anyone who’s ever organized or attended an LGBT wedding can tell you that options for gifts geared toward such a joyous occasion aren’t as plentiful as those for traditional weddings. Yes, there are some companies that offer gifts and services for same-sex couples tying the knot, but the pickings can be slim or non-existent around your local retail stomping grounds. But with a little foresight and preparation, you can celebrate the same-sex nuptials of your friends, family and acquaintances in fine and appropriate fashion. Cards If you, like us, end up shopping for greeting cards at the local drug store or superstore, it’s kind of frustrating that, out of the massive walls of wedding cards, maybe one or two — if any — cards are for same-sex weddings. And we’ll be damned if someone is going to show up at the wedding with the same card as us! If you can’t make it to the LGBT bookstore to peruse its selection, take a look online, as there are quite a few companies that offer or specialize in same-sex wedding cards. Papyrus has some delightfully artsy and quaint hisand-his and her-and-hers wedding cards (http://bit. ly/2mXuXWr). Zazzle (http://bit.ly/2lTz2tQ) and Funky Pigeon (http://bit. ly/2lTz2tQ) feature some hipper and more stylish offerings. But for something close to traditional, everybody’s favorite monolithic greeting-card titan Hallmark has its own line of LGBT offerings from (http://bit.ly/2mXIblW). Gifts Esty.com specializes in a wide selection of creative gifts, and its LGBT wedding section is inspiring, with ideas including wine bottles, wine glasses, coffee mugs, decorations, jewelry and more, most of which can be customized with the couple’s names, dates, Mr. & Mr. or Mrs. & Mrs. inscriptions and other sayings. Check out the offerings at http://etsy.me/2lOMi1Z. Also take a look at Custom Gay Wedding Gifts (http://bit.ly/2mbH6a4) and Red Bubble (http://rdbl.co/2n6z3dO) for their

selections of LGBT (and quite a few bearthemed) wedding gifts like throw pillows, wedding albums and kitschy household items and knick-knacks. Or just buy a ‘wedding’ gift … Listed among all the LGBT-themed invitations, cards, stemware and T-shirts on

Gay Wedding Gift’s website (http://gayweddinggifts.net/) are the same offerings you can get at any department store: juicers, coffee makers, food and wine gift baskets, etc. There are also Elton John and Rufus Wainwright CDs on the site too. (Don’t ... just, don’t. Give a gift card if your imagination is failing you that much.). This goes to show you that LGBT weddings are just like any other wedding in that the lucky couple may like big, shiny, opulent household items they never would buy for themselves. You probably can’t go wrong getting them something they could make good use of, even if there isn’t an image of a rainbow or two women or two men locked in an embrace airbrushed on the side of it. So make the happy couple glad they invited you — and then make them regret having an open bar at the reception. n

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

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flowers

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after hours Saturday, March 11 9:30 p.m

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XPN Morning Show host, Kristen Kurtis, welcomes you to rock out to retro hits performed by Tommy Conwell and dance to pop throwback tunes spun by retro DJ Robert Drake. Featuring drag queens Rhonda Block and Bella Cane.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

Wedding

Gettin’ On

Dan Bove and Joe Russo By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Dan Bove and Joe Russo realized they both had a love of the outdoors on their first date, which was at Spruce Street Harbor Park. After meeting online, the couple met in person July 1, 2015, on a night that Russo described as “one of those awesome, warm summer evenings.” “We both like being outside so that was a nice spot to meet up for the first time and get to know each other a little bit,” Russo said. Bove, 35, and Russo, 37, spent the next few weeks getting to know each other and they found out how much they both loved the city of Philadelphia. This love ended up translating to their wedding last month. The husbands were the first couple to have a wedding ceremony at the SugarHouse Casino. Russo said they were initially hesitant about getting married at a casino but said they fell in love with the venue as soon as they walked in, noting its view of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. “Not only did we get married in Philadelphia and have a Philadelphia theme, we also had the mayor of Philadelphia [officiate] our wedding,” said Bove, noting Mayor Jim Kenney’s role at their Feb. 11 wedding. “And having a liberal mayor at a gay wedding is so perfect.”

“He has always been so appreciative and supportive of our community,” Russo added. “Just the fact that he was able to take the time and do this for us is really cool, especially in this time.” Bove and Russo both said they fell in love with each other quickly. “I knew right in that first date that he would be in my life for a long time,” Russo said. “I think I knew right then and there.” “It wasn’t very long when I figured out that this is a very interesting guy,” Bove added. “I really feel comfortable being around him. I wanted him to be a part of my life forever.” The couple proposed to each other in May 2016, about 10 months after their first date. “Joe told me he had an engagement ring for me,” Bove said. “He was going to give it to me but he wanted to do it at the same time. The next Friday, I surprised him with a

ring and asked him to marry me and the next morning he asked me to marry him.” The couple had different engagement rings but Bove said they were “very similar.” Now, they sport matching wedding bands. Bove said the husbands recently bought a house that they plan to paint and make their own. They said they wanted a space where their families could visit. “Both of our families are very important to us,” Bove said. “I really appreciate that it’s a very big part of his life because it’s a very big part of my life too.” Russo noted Bove’s sense of humor. “I think anybody who would meet Dan would tell you that he has this quirkiness,” Russo said. “We laugh at the stupidest little things. It’s his smile that gets me. He’s just so happy.” The couple noted that getting married when they were a little older helped them figure out who they were as individuals. “It’s important to know yourself,” Bove noted. “Get to know each other and make sure that he’s the right one,” Russo added as a word of advice. “If that takes a few years, it takes a few years. That’s fine. We were on the older side when we got married and a lot of people get married when they’re younger and that’s completely fine. Just make sure you know them. Get to really know that they’re the ones.” n

LV and Patrice Wise-Brown By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Patrice Wise-Brown met her wife, LV WiseBrown, on what she described as a “booty call website” — where she said couples do not typically look for love. The 42-year-old said she created a profile and since she was feeling down, decided to check out who was online. “I saw [LV’s profile] and I sent her a message. She sent one back and then we called each other. We were on the phone from 10 p.m. to 7 in the morning,” Patrice said. “We just like to talk and from that, it turned into that lengthy conversation,” LV, 38, added. During this 2012 conversation, the two realized they had a love for the entertainment industry and other common interests. Additionally, they realized their birthdays were close together, with Patrice’s birthday on Oct. 7 and LV’s birthday on Oct. 15, meaning they are both Libras. “We started talking about [questions such as], ‘Are you a lazy Libra? Do you make friends? Are you friendly and outgoing? Do you like to be the life of the party?’ And then we realized we are Libras to a T,” LV said.

From this revelation, the couple formed a company called Two Libras, LLC, which can be found at twolibrasinc.wordpress.com. Through the business, the wives orchestrate beauty workshops and prom and back-toschool drives. They plan to expand the company to include tutoring, scholarships and other outreach initiatives. LV said she heard the John Legend song “Bliss” when she first realized her feelings for Patrice. “I’m ‘in bliss’ with this woman,” LV said of her realization. “I’m in love with her. I want this to last.” While Patrice said she proclaimed love to others prior to LV, she said they “felt all the same.” “I met LV and I realized that this is the person I wanted to be with for the rest of my life,” Patrice said. “The love felt very different. When I talk about it, I get goosebumps. I never felt a love like this.” Initially, LV said she was a little resistant to getting married, noting she wanted to be a “player” until she was 45. “I didn’t think that anyone could get me to where she got me to,” LV said. Patrice also said she did not envision marriage right away when she met LV.

“When I fell in love with her, that’s when I wanted to marry her,” Patrice said. “This may sound corny but it felt really magical. It felt like I had fireworks bursting in the inside and they made me feel really good.” Their June 11 wedding had a “Great Gatsby” theme, which they described as “extravagant.” “People were like, ‘You’re going to have an anniversary party? Please tell me you’re going to have an anniversary party,’” LV said, noting the couple plans to have an equally large-scale five-year-anniversary party. When it comes to their relationship, they both note how the other is “selfless.” “I’m not saying that I’m a hard person to deal with but I’m a hard person to deal with,” Patrice said with a laugh. “She’s very patient and she makes me better.” “She takes on a lot of people’s energy and whenever they’re feeling down or just can’t take it, they call her,” LV said. “She could be doing her own thing but she will push it aside. I like that she’s caring and nurturing and can talk to a total stranger like she’s known them for years.” While LV said “hard work, dedication, communication and compromise” are important for any relationship, she also highlights what people think of her and Patrice. “You know how people say #RelationshipGoals, #Love and #LoveRules?” LV said. “People look to us for that.” n

We’re all getting older. For LGBT seniors, being out in the golden years can pose a whole new set of challenges. Each month, Gettin’ On brings you insights on aging, from legal issues to sexual health.

Online and in print every third Friday.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

Day in the Life of ...

SPRING WEDDING ISSUE PGN

(married) restaurant staffers, Amy and Lee

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

but decided to go back to his culinary roots — he served as a personal chef when he was a teen — while living in the A lot has happened behind the counter Dominican Republic in 2011. at Chef Tony’s Kitchen in its four months “After six months laying on the beach in business: countless orders taken, new drinking beer, I decided to start a restaumenu items thought of — and even a pro- rant,” Hughes laughed. “My wife thought I was nuts.” posal. “We were going through kind of a rift Fat Tony’s Café quickly grew to serve and I was just like, ‘You’ve got to seal the 400 customers a day. The couple moved deal, Lee. She’s too good to lose. Time to back to Northeast Philly a few years ago, and Hughes continued on the restaurant do it.’” Lee, the sous chef at the Northeast Philly trajectory — earning a culinary degree, eatery, popped the question to her partner while cooking and consulting for a number of eight years, Amy, the restaurant’s head of local eateries and catering companies. server, while the pair was working by On Nov. 14, he opened Chef Tony’s Kitchen at 4320 Megargee St., in the themselves on a Sunday. Their busy work schedules — both work Pennypack section of the Northeast. full-time at the restaurant, and Lee also has Hughes billed the restaurant as an another full-time job in home care — made American-casual bistro, and said it brings planning their nuptials a challenge, so they an eclectic and adventurous menu to an area sorely needing it. went for simplicity. They chose Presidents’ Day, when they “Every Friday night, my wife and I both had time off, and headed to the steps would order takeout. She’d go, ‘What do you want to order?’ and I’d always of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Amy had “Ms. & Mrs.” hoodies made respond, ‘I don’t care, pizza or Chinese.’ That’s all that’s up here,” Hughes said. “It’s for the pair. “We did it in hoodies, jeans and Js,” Lee like a culinary wasteland.” That’s a reality Chef Tony’s is hoping to said about the laidback ceremony. Afterwards, they and their family and change. friends headed to Chef Tony’s Kitchen, “You can’t find porchetta, Bolognese, where owner Tony Hughes and his wife stuffed-crab shrimp anywhere around here,” Lee said about some of Chef Tony’s hosted a reception. Amy, 35, has known Hughes since she popular menu items. was a teen, through Hughes’ oldest son. The restaurant prides itself on changWhen she heard he was hiring for wait- ing up traditional dishes, like with its jumbo chicken wings stuffed with macaroni and cheese and its selection of stuffed burgers — plumped with cheese, meats and veggies. “Our burgers are like this,” Hughes said, signaling the large space between his thumb and forefinger. “Everything is made from scratch,” he said. The day LEE (FROM LEFT), AMY AND CHEF TONY HUGHES of PGN’s visit, chefs were busy resses at his new restaurant, she jumped at rolling pierogie dough and had just finished up a batch of hand-rolled cheesthe opportunity. “I had never waitressed but I’ve worked esteak egg rolls. in retail, in banking, always with the pub- Stocking ingredients — which Hughes lic. So I was like, I’ll come help out, I want strives to gather from markets and small to get my feet wet,” Amy said. “I asked businesses in the neighborhood — is one him if he would give me a shot and he did.” of Lee’s daily tasks. When she starts her A few weeks later, Amy encouraged shift, she ensures her area is clean before Lee, 29, who had fast-food cooking expe- diving into prep work and then getting in a rience, to apply for the chef position; Lee cooking groove once orders start rolling in. cooked Hughes a cheesesteak and he hired Amy fields takeout and delivery orders — in person, over the phone and through her on the spot. Hughes previously worked in real estate apps like GrubHub and UberEATS — and

also serves patrons in the dining room, which seats 35. “I try to make all the customers feel like my family,” Amy said. “If I’m the only one here and we’re really busy, I’m like, ‘OK, if you need something, make sure to raise your hand if you need me, like in school.’ Everyone likes that one. But I try to get everyone talking to each other and it’s great when I hear people go, ‘Oh, are you coming Friday night? I’m bringing the girls, I’ll see you then.’ I like being connected to people and seeing them connect.” That family atmosphere also extends to the eight employees who keep Chef Tony’s up and running and who wear many different hats. “I also do a little of what Amy does, with answering phones, and I’m doing dishes,” Lee said. “We all do a little bit of everything here. If you work here, you’re cleaning the toilets, you’re mopping the floors, you’re doing everything everybody else is doing. We share the responsibility around here.” Staffing was among the biggest challenges in getting Chef Tony’s off the ground, Hughes said, but he’s confident in the team he has now. “In the beginning, I was in here 14-16 hours a day, doing everything, and I was really in the weeds,” he said. “But I have a really good core group of people now, which means we can start adding to our staff and bringing in other components to the business.” Among those components the staff has discussed are outdoor seating, a roof deck and a summer block party. Chef Tony’s recently started serving breakfast on the weekends, which has been a big hit with customers, and Lee said she hopes to see breakfast expand to be a daily offering. Long term, Hughes wants to open other locations in areas like Bensalem and Fishtown. Competing with Northeast Philly staples, like a nearby diner that’s been in the neighborhood for more than 50 years, is no easy feat.

“We may not include the soup and salad that diners do, but in the end you’re getting fresh food in a really great atmosphere,” Amy noted. “Nowadays, everything’s fastpaced at neighborhood diners. They rush you in, throw your order on the table, don’t check back on you. It’s all about turning over the tables and how much money they can make.” Lee said she recently saw a couple on their first date who sat for two hours after their meal relaxing and talking — and spotted that they shared their first kiss. Other couples and families will come in with bottles of wine — that Chef Tony’s is a BYOB is another rarity for the Northeast — and stay until the drinks are done. “I had a couple come in and play chess. They were like, ‘Do you want us to leave?’ I was like, ‘Absolutely not, stay and hang out,’” Amy said. “We encourage that.” That attitude seems to be inviting the loyalty of customers, Lee noted. “For the past two weeks our trashcans have overflowed,” she laughed. “That’s a plus.” The couple also has shared their good news with many of their customers. “In the weeks after she asked me and before we got married, I was crazy smiley all the time,” Amy said. “A lot of my regulars were like, ‘What’s going on with you?’ And I was like, ‘I’m getting married!’ A lot were like, ‘Oh my God, bring her out. Let me say hi to her.’” “Which actually surprised me,” Lee interjected. “Some of our customers are older and you wouldn’t think they’d be accepting of LGBT communities. But they’re very open and welcoming to us.” Working with one’s spouse might be a daunting task for some, but Amy and Lee said they balance work and home well. Lee recently arranged her schedule to take off Friday nights, while Amy’s working, so she can have some time to herself. “At first, I was like, ‘I don’t know. I’ve spent eight years with you, I see you every day and now you’re going to be working with me,’” Amy laughed. “But I enjoy it. We joke around a lot.” “I think our relationship even improved after I got the job,” Lee added. And even though their hectic schedules prevented them from honeymooning after the wedding, the couple said they try to honor their marriage in small ways. “We’re always sending each other text messages when we’re not together like, ‘I’m thinking about you, I miss you.’ She was working last night and was like, ‘Come meet me, I’ll feed you,’” Amy said. “It’s nice to feel giddy, like when we first met. The lives we lead, we couldn’t just run off on a vacation but we’re doing our own things to make each other feel special and remind us why we’re doing all this hard work.” n For more information on Chef Tony’s Kitchen, visit https://www.facebook.com/cheftonysbistro/?fref=ts.

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Thinking Queerly

Kristina Furia

Thinking Queerly explores the psychological and social experiences of being LGBT in America and sheds light on the importance of LGBT community members prioritizing their mental health.

Engagement Cody Botnick and Chris McGinnis By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Cody Botnick and Chris McGinnis fell in love with California after visiting some friends. “We decided to take another vacation out to California but I had an ulterior motive,” said McGinnis with a laugh. On Aug. 4, McGinnis, 29, took Botnick, 26, for a hike to the top of Mount Hollywood, where he hired a violinist to play Katy Perry’s song “Unconditionally.” The 2013 song is one of Botnick’s favorites and the couple previously discussed walking down the aisle to the song at their eventual wedding. “I started shaking and crying because I realized what was happening,” Botnick said. “Then a split second after that, the violin started warming up and I was like ‘Oh my god, the violin is for me’ and then I was like, ‘Oh my god that’s our song too,’ and then the best thing I heard was, ‘Will you marry me?’” The couple will marry on June 8, 2018, at Herrington on the Bay in North Beach, Md. Botnick and McGinnis met through Instagram where the two started liking each other’s pictures. “It’s ‘Instagram Flirting 101,’ I guess,” McGinnis said. They eventually messaged each other, exchanged phone numbers and arranged a date. However, the arrangement became a humorous story for the couple. “When I got around to asking him out, I invited Cody out to lunch or dinner. I asked, ‘Lunch or dinner?’ and his first response was, ‘Coffee would be great,’” McGinnis

said. Botnick said he did not realize what he said until later on. “I can’t believe I actually said that,” Botnick said. “I didn’t mean to do that.” “He wasn’t quite ready for the commitment of the dinner date,” McGinnis added with a laugh. They met at Starbucks that afternoon and eventually had a dinner date at Rouge, a restaurant in Rittenhouse Square, where Botnick treated. “Subconsciously, I was making up for the coffee,” Botnick said. McGinnis noted that he only said “I love you” a select few times prior to his relationship with Botnick. He ended up telling Botnick that he loved him at a friend’s housewarming party and said the words just “came out.” “The feeling started rather soon and it was definitely the fastest I have ever actually said that,” McGinnis said. “I think it was on the tip of both of our tongues and I was just like, ‘I don’t know if it’s too soon’ and at that point when he said it, I knew it felt right. So I said it too,” Botnick said. Botnick and McGinnis are quick to point out how they enjoy the other’s careerdriven and goal-oriented attitudes. Botnick is finishing up his second semester of law school while working full-time as a paralegal and McGinnis is working at the National Constitution Center while pursu-

ing a career as an assistant theater director. “Seeing everything that he’s doing — just in the short span of time that I’ve known him — to make his dreams come true is an incredible inspiration,” McGinnis said. In addition to his fiancé’s own career-oriented attitude, Botnick said he is “amazed” by how much McGinnis notices about him. When Botnick said he had never been to New York City, McGinnis gave him a box for his birthday. When Botnick opened it, he found several picture frames in which McGinnis outlined a different activity for when they went to the city: a Broadway show, dinner reservations, hotel and sightseeing opportunities. “He’ll pick up on the slightest little thing that I want or that I want to go do and before I know it, he has it planned for me,” Botnick said. When it comes to their upcoming wedding, Botnick and McGinnis said they are both looking forward to bringing their two families together. They said the excitement is building since the couple has attended several weddings in the past year. “It’s going to be really exciting to get everybody together to celebrate us,” McGinnis said. Botnick agreed that he’s eager to celebrate their love. “I’m honestly looking forward to the day being about us.” n

Stephen Eichler and Anthony Whittaker By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

Only in Online and in print every second Friday.

“He looked like a nice-enough guy to spend an evening, or the next 20 years, with,” Stephen Eichler joked about the beginning of his romance with soon-to-be husband Anthony Whittaker. The couple met in 1997, while at The Monster in New York City. Whittaker was talking to his friend, who was the bartender, and said he noticed Eichler “right away” when he came in. “He had very distinctive gray hair, and he caught my attention,” he said. They made eye contact, but Eichler went downstairs for a bit. He returned, though, and the pair eventually started talking. “That was it, that’s history,” Whittaker said. “As he says, I came home with him and never left.” The pair will marry April 8, on their 20th anniversary, in Morrisville, where they live. Eichler, 63, has worked in the airline industry, based out of Newark, N.J., for more than three decades. Whittaker, 57, is

a paralegal at The Swain Law Firm. While the couple has some common interests, including French food, they also pride themselves on their differences. “In our case, it is opposites do attract,” Eichler said. However, among their commonalities is love of family. “Both of us have strong family values,” Whittaker said. “We both believe very strongly in family. I think that’s what’s helped keep us together for 20 years.” Eichler cited Whittaker’s “quiet calmness” among his favorite traits in his fiancé, while Whittaker said Eichler’s generosity stands out for him “He has a very loving and giving heart,” he said. “He cares a lot, and a lot of times he’ll put other people before himself.” The couple began discussing marriage on their anniversary last year. “‘So next year is our 20th. Do you think we should do it?’” Eichler recalled of their discussion. He said they decided to go ahead with it, in part to honor the changes they’ve seen the community undergo in the

past few decades. “I believe that we should take advantage of this unique period in history to honor those who came before us that did not have the opportunity and to honor those that fought so hard that we could.” “We’ve seen, from the late ’70s to now, how far the LGBTQ community has come,” Whittaker added. “I think with all the changes, and because we lived through those changes, we decided we’re going to get married. “And we’re getting older so going back to those bars is just too much,” Whittaker laughed. “Been there, done that.” History will also factor into their ceremony, which is being held at Summerseat. “We are marrying on our 20th anniversary before our friends and family and neighbors at a historic pre-Revolutionary mansion that was the summer home of Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, because ‘all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. Among these are life, freedom and the pursuit of happiness.’” n

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Anniversary Thomas Miller and John Baker By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

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Thomas Miller said he doesn’t think there’s a “trick” to the longevity of his 30-year relationship with husband John Baker. “We’re just very much in love and we would do absolutely anything for the other,” he explained. The couple will celebrate their 30th anniversary April 1. The Philadelphia natives met in 1987 at Woody’s. Miller, who currently works at a reinsurance company, visited the bar with a friend from law school after an evening class. At the time, Baker was working parttime as a doorman, bar back and waiter at Woody’s — after having left a Catholic order in which he served for 15 years — and would stop by to turn in his time sheets on Thursday nights. “The first Thursday, Tom was with a group of my friends and I treated them to a round of drinks,” Baker explained. “The next Thursday, I was sitting at the bar and the bartender said, ‘That guy down the other end of the bar wants to buy you a beer.’ On the third Thursday night, I got him out of Woody’s and took him dancing at Key West. And that was that!” “I thought he was just a really nice guy, very friendly and made me feel at ease,” Miller, 54, said about his first impressions of his future husband. Baker, 67, was struck by Miller’s smile, and said he was “tall and handsome, a real gentleman.” Though they took to one another quickly, Baker said their personalities are quite different. “For example, I loved dancing in the clubs but Tom wouldn’t go near the dance floor, at least not until after his fourth or fifth beer,” Baker joked. “Personality-wise, I don’t think two people can be much more different than the two of us,” Miller added, “but we complement

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each other perfectly. We each have different strengths and weaknesses and so together we can accomplish pretty much whatever it is we want to do.” They also share a love of music, theater, dining and their “large, very loving families,” Baker said. The pair also both stated the same favorite trait about the other: generosity. Miller and Baker wed Oct. 25, 2013, in Collingswood, N.J., where they live. The couple applied for a marriage license the day after marriage equality came to the Garden State. The Collingswood mayor had offered to officiate weddings a few days later, which they signed up for. Then, they headed straight to the mall — as they said neither had a decent jacket to wear to the ceremony. They were married alongside 13 other couples, including several of their good friends, at Scottish Rite Theater. About 70 of their loved ones were at the ceremony and returned to their house afterwards for a celebration. To celebrate their 30th anniversary, the couple is planning a relaxing weekend at an inn in Cape May, along with a trip to Paris later this year. It has been important to mark this and other anniversaries, Baker noted. “Each milestone is so meaningful because the love has grown each year.” n

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“Segal’s writing style is engrossing and never ponderous....And Then I Danced is highly recommended for all LGBT history collections and especially for readers with interest in Pennsylvania/Philadelphia politics.”

“Mark Segal made national news on December 11, 1973 when he interrupted a live broadcast of the CBS Evening News by yelling ‘Gays protest CBS prejudice!’ at none other than Walter Cronkite. He was wrestled to the floor on live national television, an incident often credited as the beginning of the end of LGBTQ invisibility. In his new memoir, Segal looks back on that defining moment in history, as well as the many battles that followed.”

--American Library Association’s GLBT Round Table “And Then I Danced is a fascinating page-turner that prompted my tears, laughter, envy, and astonishment--but most of all left me feeling very proud of what our community has accomplished and grateful to Mark for sharing his intimate memoir. While there are many who have witnessed the extraordinary history of the LGBT community, few have played as major a role in creating it as has Mark. It is no exaggeration to say that there is no person alive today who has been a more central participant in as much of the contemporary LGBT rights struggle than Mark Segal.”

--Queerty

--Sean Strub, author of Body Counts: A Memoir of Politics, Sex, AIDS, and Survival

“If it happened in the gay rights movement, Mark Segal was probably there.”

“Mark Segal has for decades been a pathfinder for LGBT journalists of all stripes. We’re indebted to him for his years of radical activism, helping to foster a movement for change that has had a dramatic and positive impact for millions.”

--ABC-TV “Mark Segal is one of the major actors in the struggle for LGBT equality in the U.S....A life as eventful as Segal’s demands that a book be written about it.”

--Michelangelo Signorile, author of It’s Not Over: Getting Beyond Tolerance, Defeating Homophobia, and Winning True Equality

--South Florida Gay News

“Real change never comes without real guts and real vision and real leaders. Mark Segal is the real deal.”

“Segal’s And Then I Danced harkens back to the glory days of the gay liberation era. Current activists could learn a lot of useful lessons from reading this memoir, and any American who reads it will learn about some interesting chapters in our nation’s ongoing struggle to form a more perfect union.”

--Robert Moore, cofounder of Dallas Voice “Mark Segal’s ideas run from the alpha to the omega. Sometimes I think there’s got to be more than one Mark Segal: he has done way too much for one lifetime. I highly recommend this book. If you can’t get to meet Mark in person, this is the next best thing!”

--David Carter, Author of Stonewall, The Riots that Sparked the Gay Revolution

--Michael Luongo, author of Gay Travels in the Muslim World

“And Then I Danced is more than a memoir; it’s a revelation……….and that’s a huge part of why this book is so vital. Equally important is how Segal shatters mistaken beliefs about queer history. Segal really puts the movement in context for the post-Stonewall generation.”

“Before there was Ellen, Will, Grace, Rosie, Andy, and Anderson, Mark Segal was the squeaky gay wheel of American television, pulling stunts that forced the medium to open its closet door. If Walter Cronkite were still alive, he’d say: Not HIM again! And that’s the way it is. And was. Read all about it.” --Bruce Vilanch, Six-Time Emmy Award Winner

--Lambda Literary Review “Read Mark Segal’s memoir and you’ll get the inside story of how and why he interrupted a live broadcast of The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite. What happened afterward will surprise you. It’s one of many surprises in this must-read first-person account of LGBT history as it unfolded after Stonewall. Segal was a witness to that history, and he made some of it happen, changing our country and our lives for the better.”

“Mark Segal has taken the LGBT aging world by storm, and in the process has made a remarkable difference for our community’s courageous pioneers. We’ve all learned so much from him.” --Michael Adams, executive director, Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders “With gentle humor and the slightest touch of sardonicism….Segal lets readers into his personal life: his loves, losses, and (spoiler alert!) a very happy ending. “Drama seems to follow me,” he writes, and readers will be glad for it.”

—Louis Wiley, Jr., executive editor, Frontline (PBS)

ORDER AT:

--Washington Blade

Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble or Your Favorite Bookseller

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

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NEW JERSEY Asbury Park • Georgie’s, 812 Fifth Ave. • Paradise, 101 Asbury Ave. • Atlantic City • Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, 1 Borgata Way • Oasis, 32 S. Tennessee Ave. • Ocean House, 127 S. Ocean Ave. • Rainbow Room, 30 S. Florida Ave.• Ritz Condo lobby, 2715 Boardwalk • South Jersey AIDS Alliance. 10 Gordon’s Alley • Bordentown • Shoppe 202, 202 Farnsworth Ave. • Brigantine • Laguna Grill, 1400 Ocean Ave. • Camden • Honor Box, PATCO Ferry Ave. Station • Cherry Hill • The Bagel Spot, 600 N. Kings Hwy. • Collingswood • Honor Box, PATCO Collingswood Station • Groove Ground, Haddon Ave. • Egg Harbour City • Red Barn Books, 1204 White Horse Pike • Egg Harbour Twp. • Atlanticare, 6550 Delilah Ave. • Galloway • Pride Alliance Stockton College, 101 Vera King Farris Dr. suite 240 • Gloucester City • Red Barn Books, 600 Rt. 130 South • Haddonfield • Honor Box, PATCO Haddonfield Station, PATCO Woodcrest Station • Hammonton Club Revolution, 19 N. Egg Harbor Rd. • Highland Park • Pride Center of NJ, 85 Raritan Ave. • Lambertville • Buck’s Ice Cream, 25 Bridge St. • St. Andrews Church, 50 York St. Lebanon • LGBT of Hunterdon Co., 126 Petticoat Lane • Lindenwold • Honor Box, PATCO Lindenwold Station East • Honor Box, PATCO Lindenwold Station West • Mountainside • Rivendell Media, 1248 Rt. 22 West • Oaklyn • Sacred Green Earth, 511 Whitehorse Pike • Princeton • LGBT Center, Princeton University, 246 First Campus Center • Vineland • J&J News, 729 N. Main St. • West Berlin • Red Barn Books, 597 Route 73 North • West Cape May • Gables of Cape May, 600 Park Blcd. • Westmont • Honor Box, PATCO Westmont Station •

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

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

http://www.epgn.com/pages/where_to_find Would you like to be on our distribution list? Contact: don@epgn.com or 215-451-6182 ext. 200 for delivery of complimentary copies.

PGN

COMING UP AT Friday, March 10 5pm Big Whiskey 9:30pm The Rockets 10pm DJ Paul Desisto

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

PGN

AC ul t ure rts

FEATURE PGN

Festival in Focus

FOCUSED FILMS: “HANDSOME DEVIL” (FROM LEFT), “KIKI”, “DON’T CALL ME SON,” “FRONT COVER”

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

Dining Out Family Portrait Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly

Page Page Page Page Page

48 41 46 50 43

PAGE 47

‘Grinder’ writer explores modeling industry

qFLIX presents diverse lineup of LGBT films By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor qFLIX — Philadelphia’s LGBT film festival featuring works by queer filmmakers, for queer audiences or about queer topics — runs March 14-19 in various theaters along Broad Street. Here are 10 highlights of this year’s fest. qFLIX opens with the Philadelphia premiere of “Handsome Devil,” a surefire crowd-pleaser about two boarding-school roommates, the wiry, red-headed Ned (Fionn O’Shea) and the athletic Conor (Nicholas Galitzine). Ned is a music-loving outsider, marked as a “fag” by Weasel (Ruairi O’Connor), the school bully. In contrast, Conor is a star rugby player and a hero at the school who treats the sport like a religion. The roommates are odd-couple opposites, but they start to bond over music, especially when their English teacher, Dan (out actor Andrew Scott), asks them to perform a duet for a local talent show. Although there is some palpable sexual tension between the boys during a practice session, the magic of “Handsome Devil” lies in the natural way the boys’ relationship develops

and grows. It will leave viewers smiling from ear to ear. Fans of out actor Russell Tovey won’t want to miss “The Pass,” director Ben A. Williams’ riveting adaptation of John Donnelly’s play. This intense drama has British footballers Jason (Russell Tovey) and Ade (Arinze Kene) sharing a hotel room in Romania the night before they are about to compete for a position on a pro team. The guys’ horseplay that night involves some homoerotic wrestling that culminates with a kiss — a moment they rehash when they reunite in a different hotel room in the film’s third act 10 years later. Tovey, who is onscreen (and mostly shirtless) for the film’s entire 90 minutes, gets deep inside the insecure, troubled head of Jason. He makes viewers understand — if not sympathize with — this not-particularly nice guy whose sexuality conflicts with his image as an athlete. It is Tovey’s spellbinding performance, along with the film’s astute observations about identity and masculinity, that makes “The Pass” worthwhile. In writer/director Ray Yeung’s fabulous “Front Cover,” Ryan (the charming

Jake Choi) is an American-born Chinese fashion stylist who is assigned to work with Ning (the sexy Penn grad James Chen), an actor promoting his new film in New York. The two men are “like fire and water,” with Ning telling Ryan “not to show his homo side” and Ryan downplaying his Chinese heritage. Of course, as the guys grow closer, an attraction develops that changes both of their perspectives. “Front Cover” may feature an obvious plot, but it provides valid messages about respect, shame and reputation. Moreover, while sexuality is at its core, and the leads are appealing, issues of nationality and identity are at the story’s forefront. This is what distinguishes Yeung’s romantic comedy-drama. Chen is expected to attend. From Brazil comes the trans entry “Don’t Call Me Son.” Seventeen-year-old Pierre (Naomi Nero) is experimenting with his gender identity, but he keeps his penchant for lipstick and lacy things a secret from his family. One night he comes home to learn his working-class mother Aracy (Daniela Nefussi) stole Pierre from his birth PAGE 40 m o t h e r,

One of the centerpiece films at QFlix this year is writer/director/star Brandon Ruckdashel’s “Grinder.” Not to be confused with the popular dating app, this low-budget film has the ambitious teen Luke (Tyler Austin) wanting to be a male model. He arrives in New York and meets Rick (the terrific Jon Fleming), a sinister agent whose main photographer, Tim (Ruckdashel), is coming to terms with his sexuality. How the men’s lives and sexualities play out make up this intriguing film. PGN: How did you come up with the idea for “Grinder”? BR: It comes from a lot of my background coming from the industry. I had an experience with an agent who tried to coerce me into being sexually assaulted. I’ve never had trouble exposing real moments or interactions, or have any fear in doing that as an actor or as a creative. You see it in indie films — people are scared of jumping into the conflict. Our duty is to go to the root of the conflict, no matter how dirty it is. Originally the film was more of a sexploitation film. PGN: Is that why you wrote a role for yourself in “Grinder”? BR: Originally I wrote it and [wanted] someone else in the role, but I had trouble finding an actor. I was working with a director but felt they couldn’t meet the quality I wanted, so I decided to take over directing. I was supposed to direct and not act, then the reverse, and then I ended up doing both. PGN: Do you see your film as a cautionary tale to stop the kind of bad behavior on display in “Grinder”? BR: I don’t believe it will stop because there will be someone younger, hungrier and have more drive than you, and they will be hotter than you and they will use what they have to get it themselves. n

FEATURE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

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QFLIX from page 39

Glória (also played by Nefussi). When Pierre goes to live in the posh home of his biological parents, he also starts wearing dresses around the house and in public. “Don’t Call Me Son” relies on the double meaning of the title to address issues of identity and belonging. This provocative drama benefits from never sensationalizing its characters or their situations. Another gender-bender, “Girls Lost,” is a curious fantasy about three best friends, Kim (Tuva Jagell), Bella (Wilma Holmén) and Momo (Louise Nyvall), who are being bullied at their school. However, things change when the girls discover a magic female flower that transforms them overnight into boys. Kim (Emrik Öhlander), Bella (Vilgot Ostwald Vesterlund) and Momo (Alexander Gustavsson) soon enjoy male privilege. And things get complicated when Kim becomes attracted to Tony (Mandus Berg). The film’s ideas of same- or transsexual desire vs. physical gender transformation is intriguing, and things get especially complex when Bella expresses her attraction to Kim, and wanting to be with her or him, creating a kind of love triangle that plays out over the course of the film. For the ladies comes “Suicide Kale,” which has won many audience awards on the queer festival circuit. The low-budget comedy centers on two couples meeting for an awkward lunch. When Jasmine (writer Brittani Nichols) and her new girlfriend Penn (Lindsay Hicks) visit Billie (Jasika Nicole) and her wife Jordan (Brianna Baker), Jasmine finds a possible suicide note that Jordan has hid. The comedy and tension develop as both couples try to navigate truth and secrets. The film will resonate with viewers who like discomfiting humor, but for some folks, “Suicide Kale” will be off-putting. Two must-see nonfiction films at QFlix feature dancers. “Kiki” is an uplifting portrait of LGBT youth of color who participate in the New York ballroom scene. Director Sara Jordenö focuses on seven subjects, including Twiggy Pucci Garçon,

who co-wrote the film; Chi Chi Mizrahi, a fast-talking Latino; Gia Marie Love and Izana “Zariya Mizrahi” Vidal, two very different (and inspirational and empowered) trans women of color; and Kenneth “Symba McQueen” Soler-Rios, who is HIV-positive. Jordenö immerses viewers in the lives of her subjects, showing them dancing along the pier, subway platforms and streets of New York City, and the mix of interviews, performance footage and observational moments beautifully capture the courageous and candid moments of these inspiring young men and women. “Strike a Pose” is a poignant documentary that reunites six of the seven backup dancers who performed alongside Madonna on her 1990 “Blonde Ambition” tour and appeared in her film “Truth or Dare.” The men — all but one of whom are gay — explain in heartfelt, often teary-eyed interviews the impact the job had on their lives and the effect they hope they had as role models for gay youth. The dancers also eloquently discuss the struggles they experienced during and after the tour. From having to keep secrets because of fear to subsequent addictions, lawsuits and personal disappointments in their lives, each man comes to terms with his success and failure after a moment in the spotlight. “Strike a Pose” excels at showing the inspiration and humanity of these men whose lives were forever changed by their unique experience. Dancer Jose Gutierrez is expected to attend a Q&A at the fest. qFLIX closes — more than 50 features, shorts and documentaries later — with the premiere of “Something Like Summer,” a musical romantic drama about out highschooler Ben (Grant Davis) and his secret romance with the closeted Tim (Davi Santos). When a situation forces the boys apart, Ben gets involved with the adorable flight attendant Jace (Ben Baur), only to have Tim reappear in his life. This often-charming film uses musical numbers to express the characters’ emotions as Ben must decide whom he really loves. n For more information, visit qflixphilly.com.

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PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

Suzi Nash

Raydra Hall and Aniya Wolfe: The women behind the lens Greetings, film fanciers and fanatics. March is finally here and this year it brings not one but two incredible film festivals to our fair city: qFLIX Philadelphia, our beloved LGBT film festival, and The Women’s Film Festival of Philadelphia. And since both festivals are playing the exact same weekend, in the spirit of our City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, organizers have collaborated on many of the films being presented. I in turn decided to share this column and interview directors from both festivals. Raydra Hall is a Southern gal with a heart of gold. Her film, like many of those being shown throughout the festival, sheds light on everyday people who have changed the world through perseverance and pain. PGN: Your film “Small Town Rage: Fighting Back in the Deep South” is about a small chapter of ACT UP in Shreveport, La., that took on a big issue. What made you want to make this film? RH: My co-producer and director David Hylan and I have been friends for a long time; we work together at the Deaf Action Center. We do a lot of webcasts for interpreters so we have some experience with video but we wanted to learn more so we took a documentary-film course at a community college. We had to pitch a video idea and David had the idea of doing something on the Shreveport ACT UP history. It was local and we had access to some of the people involved, but by the time the class was over we only had one interview in the can! But we had several lined up and more suggestions kept coming. [Laughs] It kind of spiraled out of control! We realized that we had to do the story, to see it through to completion even though it took us four years. Not completing it and [not] telling the story was not an option. It was too powerful. PGN: Tell me about it. RH: The local chapter was started by three gay men, activists who wanted to do something about the AIDS epidemic. Here in the Deep South, below the Bible Belt, the treatment is terrible. There were right-wing conservatives all around, even in health care, who were refusing service to people with AIDS; it was just horrible. The guys decided, We need to do something about this. They started an ACT UP chapter and began protesting and getting in people’s faces and that got them into the newspapers where they basically shamed the medical community and other people into doing what was right. PGN: What were the two most egregious incidents you came across? RH: One of the three guys, Bobby, had AIDS. He’s still alive and we inter-

viewed his parents. His dad was a Baptist preacher, so they were very religious and a big part of the church. Bobby’s mother called their preacher one night because her husband was having an emotional breakdown, upset because he was afraid they were going to lose their son. The preacher told them there was nothing he could do because Bobby was going to hell. They were refused comfort from the religious community they’d been with their whole lives. We also interviewed a registered nurse who spoke about how some of the nurses would treat the patients. There was one who would just open the door and shove the food tray across the floor from outside because she “didn’t want to get it,” and another who would just throw the clean sheets into the rooms of AIDS patients and tell them to change their own beds. One of the founders, Joe DeSantos, had just lost his grandmother. His sister tells the story that in his sorrow he went out drinking and got picked up by the police. When they took him to jail, he told them, “I just want to let you know that I’m HIV-positive and I have AIDS.” When they put him in the cell, one of the policeman urinated on him. PGN: What was the hardest part? RH: The whole thing was very emotional. It was a challenge getting some people to

was how the medical community treated patients with such fear and disregard and flat-out humiliated people. PGN: Aanother Southerner was involved. How did you get Lance Bass to narrate? RH: We got lucky; we have an LGBT film festival here and David hires the talent for it. He had Lance’s contact info and sent him an email with the trailer and asked him if he’d consider doing the narration. Within a few days we got a yes! He’s from a small town in Mississippi so I guess it hit home. So we flew to L.A. to do the recording and he was the nicest guy ever. Super-sweet and professional. PGN: One of the things the films addresses is how the impact that ACT UP had on the town still resonates to this day. RH: Yeah, it’s actually a very big deal. With this being a local story, we premiered it here last September and had three soldout shows. There were a lot of people who remembered that time or knew people who died, some of them who were in the film, and it was very emotional. PGN: How many people do you think were affected by HIV/AIDS in Shreveport? I’m not sure how big a town it is. RH: I don’t know the numbers, but I think

PGN: You work at the Deaf Action Center. Do you know sign language? RH: No, just enough to let me halfway listen to a conversation. It’s hard! I’ve taken four classes and I still can’t get it. PGN: Who’s your favorite author? RH: Oscar Wilde, so much so that I named my child after him. PGN: So you truly have a wilde child! If you were on “Survivor,” what would be the one item you took with you? RH: My knitting needles. I could use them as a tool, as a weapon; they’d be very handy! PGN: I saw a picture of you at a protest march wearing … was that your pussy hat? RH: Yes, it was! I made it myself. I love knitting, to the extent that I have a “Live to Knit, Knit to Live” tattoo. PGN: What was a favorite project? RH: One year I knitted Christmas presents for all the girls at work and one of them played pool so I made her a knitted nineball set. PGN: Are you coming here for qFLIX? RH: Yes. From our Philadelphia Center to Center City Philadelphia! ~~~ I just watched “The Jungle Book,” about the fearless Mowgli who was raised as a wolf cub. This profile is about another Wolfe, Aniya Wolfe — a young one, who at 15, is also fearless and ready to take on the world. Wolfe has owned her own photography business and has now decided to branch out into film. At 14, she shot her first short film, which is screening as part of TWFF, and she just wrapped shooting on her first feature film. Oh, and on her one day off last week she learned how to ski.

RAYDRA HALL

do the interviews — some didn’t want to relive the pain — but we got them to trust us. But boy, did we shed some tears during the process. It was heartbreaking. PGN: What surprised you during your research? RH: [Laughs] All of it! I was in high school in East Texas during that time and I had no idea any of this was going on. I was in my own little bubble. This whole process has been a learning period for me. And it’s surprising how many people who lived here don’t know the history. I was one of them. It’s another reason I was so glad we did it. But the most shocking part

ANIYA WOLFE Photo: Terrance J. Foster

it was in the hundreds. We’re a town of about 200,000, going up to a half-million if you count the surrounding area. PGN: There’s also a fun connection to our city in a way. RH: Yes, we have a place called The Philadelphia Center. A lot of ACT UP chapters fizzled out as the medications became available and things got a little better socially but our chapter grew and turned into the center. Everyone who was in the chapter ended up working there. It’s the only AIDS resource we have in North Louisiana. That’s it. It’s a good thing that came out of a tough situation.

PGN: OK, you little phenom, what was your first paying gig? AW: Ha! The first thing I was ever paid for was a maternity shoot last April. I don’t know how good I was but it was cool. I used a black backdrop and Photoshopped different backgrounds. I also did pictures after the baby was born so I got to do the before and after! PGN: Tell me about your company. AW: It’s called BeautyScene Photography and I started it to support my filmmaking projects. I do portraits, events, you name it. Filmmaking is expensive and I wanted to be considerate of my parents’ money, so I opened the business and all the money from photos goes straight back into films. PAGE 50

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

M A R T H A LGBT Youth G R A H A M Supplement CRACKER in LASHED BUT NOT LEASHED

Read about the issues and ideas impacting local teens — from school bullying to campus safe spaces to legislative developments — written in their own words. The first-ever section created for and by LGBT youth appears twice a year.

PGN

The

Guide to the Gayborhood

The Philadelphia Gayborhood is roughly centered at 12th and Camac streets. Look for the rainbow street signs at intersections and remember to be aware of your surroundings wherever you go. Boxers

1330 Walnut St. facebook.com/ boxersphl Sports bar with multiple plasma tvs, pool table, brick oven, more!

Toasted Walnut

Tabu

Woody’s

200 S. 12th St. 215.964.9675 tabuphilly.com Sports bar / drag shows and bar food

202 S. 13th St. 215.545.1893 woodysbar.com Includes Walnut Street clubs Rosewood and Glo-Bar

1322 Walnut St. 215.336.1335 rosewood-bar.com Ladies bar, welcoming to all, bar with high-end cocktails

❍ ❍

<—

Four-level leather bar; basement enforces a dress code; pool tables pn two floors and big-screen sports action

Walnut St.

❍

Chancellor St.

Juniper St.

❍

The Bike Stop

❍

St. James St.

❍ Locust St.

❍ Manning St.

❍

Quince St.

Latimer St.

12th St.

<—

Camac St.

13th St.

❍

11th St.

❒ ❒ Spruce St.

William Way LGBT Community Center

1315 Spruce St. 215.732.2220 waygay.org

A resource for all things LGBT

BYO!

Voyeur

1221 St. James St. 215.735.5772 voyeurnightclub.com After-hours private club; membership required

Tickets from $25

“The Drag Queen King”

Stir Lounge

1705 Chancellor St. 215.732.2700 stirphilly.com Fun two-bar lounge, DJ in the back, regular poker games and specials

– The Philadelphia Inquirer

MARCH 16–18 Only in Proud Season Sponsor

@KIMMELCENTER Photo: Kevin Monko

Relaxing corner bar, easy-going crowd, popular for happy hour and window watching

Tavern on Camac West of Broad Street

KIMMELCENTER.ORG

U Bar 1220 Locust St. 215.546.6660

Special Supplement

Coming March 31

255 S. Camac St. 215.545.8731 Piano lounge with upstairs dance floor; Tavern restaurant below is open late.

Knock 225 S. 12th St. 215.925.1166 knockphilly.com Fine-dining restaurant and bar, outdoor seating (weather permitting), piano in back room

ICandy

254 S. 12th St. 267.324.3500 clubicandy.com Three floors with a total of six bars; dance floor, lounge and rootop deck.

The Attic Youth Center

255 S. 16th St. 215.545.4331 atticyouthcenter.org Safe space and programs for LGBTs age 16-23 weekday afternoons and evenings

Pa. bars close at 2 a.m. unless they have a private-club license. Please drink responsibly.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

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Spring

is coming!

Take

a bite out of it.

Read PGNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s food reviews every second and fourth week of the month

- and check out our archive of past reviews on epgn.com.

COMEDY PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

Out, ally comedians to raise funds for William Way By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Comic Cure: Comedy for a Cause is bringing its Pride Comedy Festival to Philadelphia March 15. The showcase of LGBTQIAP and ally comedians will perform to benefit William Way LGBT Community Center. Comedian Richy Leis, creative director of Comic Cure, and his brother Benjamin Leis, managing director, founded the organization in September 2015 with the goal of producing live comedic events that both showcase talent and raise awareness about worthy causes. “I come from more than 15 years of nonprofit work and my brother comes from 15 years in the comedy business,” Benjamin said. “So what we wanted to do was blend both of our passions and use the unifying power of laughter to uplift and engage communities around related topics. We do that by partnering with local comedians and local charities. While we’re allies, we’ve been close to the LGBT community through friends and family. It’s always a cause and important topical issue that needs attention and support.” The event will feature comedians from across the region, including Philadelphia and New York.

Richy said they sought out local and national performers who are more than just humorous on stage. “We look for performers who are LGBT and allies linked to the community that relate to topics that are going on,” he said. “Right now it’s not enough to be funny. You have to be three things: funny, supportive and professional. What we find is those comedians that really shine, they cover all three of those things. One of the best things about these micro-fests and these shows that we put on is you see the [performer’s] video and you put someone in the show and you find out they are even beyond what you saw in the video. When you meet them personally and they perform live, it’s something different.” Richy added that he hopes this festival will attract people who normally wouldn’t attend a typical comedy-club-style show.

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“I think it’s an added appeal to someone that might see comedy in a different light or might have only seen standup on TV, where it’s only funny to a certain point,” he said. “There is an added appeal that there’s a nonprofit to support and there’s a community that’s coming together to do something amazing. There’s the unifying power of laughter.” Both Benjamin and Richy agree that events like the Pride Comedy Festival are more crucial than ever in these uncertain times. “It’s always important to have events like this, but right now in our political climate it’s more important than ever to get the word out about what’s going on and come together as people,” Richy said. “People are coming together about different topics in different ways and a lot of times it’s a little more serious. So as funny and humorous as

we are, it definitely makes a statement.” “Humor is one of the last methods of communication where you can talk about hot-button political issues without fear and consequences,” Benjamin added. “What we love about doing these events is that it’s a safe space for people to come together and talk about things that you normally wouldn’t talk about in front of a large audience. We just wrapped up a big festival in California and one of the topics we talked about was immigration and we had 20 comedians that lived in the United States and had emigrated here from 15 different countries. It’s such a hot-topic issue and it was just really cool to see everyone laughing and coming together. Afterwards, the response all the comedians got with the audience relating to them, that is truly what we’re after. We’ve done Pride shows in Miami and Los Angeles and the response has been great. We’re expecting the same in Philadelphia.” n The Pride Comedy Festival features headliner Frank Liotti, hosts Alejandro Morales and Louis “Twitchels” Centanni and many more local and regional comedians. Shows will be held 7 and 9 p.m. March 16 at Frank Bradley’s, 1320 Chancellor St. For more information or tickets, call 215735-0735 or visit http://comiccure.com/ events/nationwide/pride-comedy-festival/.

ELECTION NOTICE

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A DRAWING FOR BALLOT POSITION FOR CITY ELECTIVE OFFICES FOR THE MAY 16, 2017 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY AND SPECIAL ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2017, AT 11:00 A.M. IN THE CITY COMMISSIONERS 6TH FLOOR HEARING ROOM, RIVERVIEW PLACE, DELAWARE AVE. & SPRING GARDEN ST.

AVISO DE ELECCIÓN

A QUIEN LE PUEDA INTERESAR:

POR EL PRESENTE SE ANUNCIO HACE SABER QUE HABRA UNA LOTERIA PARA LA POSICION EN LA BOLETA PARA CARGOS ELECTIVOS DE LA CIUDAD, PARA LAS ELECCIÓNES PRIMARIAS MUNICIPAL Y ELECCION ESPECIAL DEL 16 DE MAYO DE 2017. LA LOTERIA SE LLEVARA A CABO EL MIERCOLES 15 DE MARZO DE 2017 A LAS 11:00 A.M. EN EL 6º PISO DE RIVERVIEW PLACE EN LA SALA DE AUDIENCIA, CALLE SPRING GARDEN Y AVENIDA DELAWARE. PHILADELPHIA COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS JUNTA DE ELECCIONES DEL CONDADO DE PHILADELPHIA Anthony Clark Chair, City Commissioners Presidente, Comisionados Municipales

Lisa M Deeley City Commissioner Comisionada Municipal

Al Schmidt Vice Chair, City Commissioners Vicepresidente, Comisionados Municipales

Kevin A Kelly Acting Supervisor of Elections Supervisor Interino de Elecciones

www.philadelphiavotes.com

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Stephin Merritt’s tell-all that doesn’t tell all By A.D. Amorosi PGN Contributor Ten years ago, Stephin Merritt told me, “I do a lot of conventional things, but I don’t do them conventionally.” That makes sense considering Merritt’s newest The Magnetic Fields recording, “50 Song Memoir,” with his longtime musical partner Claudia Gonson. Rather than pen a run-of-the-mill autobiography, Merritt (at the suggestion of record label boss Robert Hurwitz) wrote one identifying tune for each year of his life, played 100-plus instruments and wound up with his usual Noel Cowardmeets-Stephen Sondheim brand of sophisticated pop — only now with more of a confessional (or at least piquantly personal) edge than any time in his past. Before The Magnetic Fields plays Union Transfer for two nights (March 15-16) and 50 songs (25 each show), Merritt chatted about his new favorite topic: himself. (Actually, Merritt turned 52 last month but started work on the album in 2015, his 50th birthday, so don’t make a thing out of it.) PGN: I read something where you said gay songwriters rarely write about themselves; how did you decide to break that barrier? SM: My first objection to the idea of writing about myself was that there were good reasons not to, many at that. I had just come off doing a “This American Life” episode (“This Is as Hard for Me as It is for You,” about a man named Will Ream) talking about someone disentangling himself from the Mormon Church, and I wrote about him, thinking only truthful thoughts, writing truthful things and enjoying the results. So Bob Hurwitz suggested I apply that truth to my own life, that it might be easier and quicker than paraphrasing someone else’s life. It didn’t hurt to write about myself — as long as I could still rhyme, without saying trivial things. I liked the challenge. PGN: Did you have to dig deep or deeper — not that you hadn’t before — or differently to write something so exclusively personal? SM: I wrote this, physically, the same I write everything: I sat around in gay bars with a notebook in one hand and a drink in the other. I often write things that I agree with; I just needed to make them specific and stick to that specificity. And that album isn’t entirely about just me, but things that happened — to me. It is about how things affected me, but not in a way that, say, “Vietnam was terrifying to me.” I think my only self-reference to anything Vietnam was that I saw a Jefferson Airplane concert as a kid. My only reference to the AIDS epidemic was that it came along at an inconvenient time for me as a teenager. It’s a very self-cen-

tered viewpoint of my outlook on history. PGN: Hence, “50 Song Memoir” tunes such as “They’re Killing Children Over There,” which found its title from something you heard Grace Slick say about the Vietnam War when your mom took you to see the Airplane in 1970. Looking at a song such as “At the Pyramid,” was there ever a thought in which you must transport yourself to, say, 1987? Could you get there from here? SM: I was not trying to get there nor was I trying to evoke being there. Early on, I thought that maybe I would make the record be a journey through the musical developments of the last 50 years. Really, though, the last big development was the invention of the synthesizer, with maybe the sampler coming after that. I did not look to conjure up the feeling of those years, save for maybe “Danceteria,” which might feel like that moment — that, and “Hustle 76,” which feels a bit

Theater & Arts American Watercolor in the Age of Homer and Sargent Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring watercolor painting’s remarkable rise in the United States between 1860-1925 through May 14, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Camille Paglia The author of “Free Women, Free Men: Sex, Gender, Feminism” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. March 13 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341. Cheech Marin The actor, comedian and author of “Cheech Is Not My Real Name … But Don’t Call Me Chong” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. March 16 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.

like disco, only without sounding like a Donna Summer record. PGN: How do you see this as tied to your other long opus, “69 Love Songs,” other than the fact that it pours itself across several physical volumes and hours? SM: Oh yes, it’s that variety-show approach. It is a response to “69 Love Songs.” Whenever I make a record, I think people compare it to “69 Love Songs,” so that’s not a new experience. It is the “Tusk” to my “Rumors.” You just have to be perceived as not doing something worse. PGN: Now that you have written from this telling perspective, are you anxious to do it again? SM: It is an inefficient memoir, a bad memoir, a poorly made memoir. If you really wanted to know about my life, you would be better off calling me and just asking. n The Magnetic Fields plays 8:30 p.m. March 15-16 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.

Chris Kattan The comedian formerly on “Saturday Night Live” performs March 16-18 at The Punchline Philly, 33 E. Laurel St.; 215606-6555. Cirque du Soleil: Toruk — The First Flight The Cirque show based on the hit scifi film “Avatar” is performed through March 12 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215389-9543. DrumLine Live The musical based on the hit film about the competitive world of marching bands runs through March 10 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

The Gift Walnut Street Theatre presents the story behind the making of a great novel through March 19 at Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. The Importance of Being Earnest Walnut Street Theatre presents the classic Oscar Wilde play March 14-April 30, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. Itzhak Perlman The Philadelphia Orchestra performs with the iconic violinist March 15-16 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-7905800. Kory Stamper The lexicographer for the MerriamWebster Dictionary discusses the subtleties of the English language in the venerable volume’s popular “Ask the Editor” video series 7:30 p.m. March 14 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215567-4341. Le Corsaire The Pennsylvania Ballet performs a lighthearted production about a swashbuckling pirate in search of treasure who becomes enamored with a slave girl through March 19 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-7905800. Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo A comedy-dance performance featuring men in tutus doing send-ups of classical ballet numbers, through March 12 at Prince Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215569-9700.

HA-HA IN HEELS: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum and comedian Bob the Drag Queen brings the jokes to Philadelphia 7 p.m. March 12 at The Punchline Philly, 33 E. Laurel St. For more information or tickets, call 215606-6555.

Martha Graham Cracker in Lashed But Not Leashed The new work created by Dito Van Reigersberg for his vivacious alter-ego is a musical fever dream featuring original songs March 16-18 at the Kimmel Center’s SEI Innovation Studio, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-8931999. Person of the Crowd: The Contemporary Art of Flânerie The Barnes Foundation presents an exhibition featuring works by 40 international artists making provocative spectacles of themselves through May 22, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; 215-2787000. Phulkari: The Embroidered Textiles of Punjab Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the beauty and cultural significance of phulkari, ornately embroidered textiles from Punjab, a

region straddling Pakistan and India, March 12-July 9, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Raiders of the Lost Ark with The Philadelphia Orchestra The Philadelphia Orchestra performs the score alongside a screening of the classic adventure film March 17-19 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Shitheads Azuka Theatre presents the story of a down-and-out bike shop in Lower Manhattan, where the new manager has to get creative in order to save the shop he loves, through March 12 at Proscenium Theatre at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks St.; 215-5631100.

Music Sting The iconic rock singer performs 8 p.m. March 11 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-6253681.

PGN ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

Finding a home with the Pennsylvania Ballet By Gary L. Day PGN Contributor

MAKING ANOTHER SPLASH IN PHILLY: After bringing sweet melancholy to the 2015 Philly Pride, Puddles Pity Party, the vaudevillian cabaret band fronted by an imposing 6-foot-8 clown, returns to serenade the city 9 p.m. March 17 at The Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St. For more information or tickets, call 215-9226888.

Vanessa Carlton The singersongwriter performs 8 p.m. March 11 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400. Enter the Haggis The Celtic-rock band performs 8 p.m. March 12 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Ladysmith Black Mambazo The South African vocal group performs 8 p.m. March 15 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400. Splintered Sunlight The jam-rock band performs 8 p.m. March 17 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-6253681. Fishbone The alternative rock/funk band performs 9 p.m. March 17 at Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St.; 215-627-1332.

Nightlife Miss Richfield 1981: 2020 Vision The comedy queen of Minnesota returns with her new show 8 p.m. March 10-11 at Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St.; 215922-1695. Glitter and Garbage Shannon Turner performs classic cabaret with a touch of angst and a filthy mouth 7 p.m. March 11 at L’Etage, 624 S. Sixth St.; 215592-0656. Back 2 Basics: Throwback/ Welcome Home Party DJ Deluxx spins at this semiannual throwback ’80s-’90s-’00s party, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. March 11 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675. Beverything! A Benefit for NECQ Bev hosts a night of drag, burlesque,

music and side show 10 p.m. March 11 at CiBo Ristorante Italiano, 1227 Walnut St.; 215923-8208. Turn Up the Trans*mission! A live performance made by trans people, starring trans people, for trans people, celebrating trans people, 7 p.m. March 12 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675. Shamrocks & Jocks Happy Bear meet St. Patrick’s Day, with the Philadelphia Gryphons on hand serving up Jell-O shots 4-8 p.m. at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675.

Outta Town Lewis Black The comedian performs 9 p.m. March 10-11 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Grease The classic musical is screened 2 p.m. March 11 at the Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228.

A lot of dancers begin their creeds being gypsies. They start with school — if they’re lucky, they have one in or near their hometown — and then there are usually transfers to larger or more prestigious schools elsewhere. Then, of course, there is the search for work. Sometimes dancers sign on for shortterm gigs with a series of companies domestically or internationally in search of a good fit both personally and artistically. Such an itinerant existence perfectly describes Harrison Monaco’s early years in ballet. “I started dancing for fun around the age of 3 back in my hometown of Milwaukee,” Monaco said. “But I got serious about it around the age of 10.” That was when Monaco began his formal training. He soon began training at the Ruth Page School of Dance, and also became a member of the Civic Ballet of Chicago. That may seem a bit young to begin dancing professionally, but it’s not as unusual as it sounds. Young males are always at a premium in ballet and, if they’re talented, tend to be snapped up quickly. So, for the remainder of his time as a student, Monaco also worked professionally with such organizations as Miami City Ballet, the Pacific Northwest Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre. He was hired by the Pennsylvania Ballet in 2011 and in short order Monaco realized he had found a professional home. He was promoted to the Corps de Ballet in 2014, and he marks his sixth season with PA Ballet by dancing a

prominent role in the company’s current production of “Le Corsaire.” The production is described s something of a “romp” reminiscent in spirit of those lighthearted adventure movies of the 1930s featuring Errol Flynn and Tyrone Power, with pirates and slave girls and romance and derring-do. “I play the villain,” Monaco admitted proudly. “Well, not really the villain, but certainly one of the bad guys. I play one of the owners of the slave girls that require rescuing. So I get to have fun sparring with the hero.” Throughout his still-young career, Monaco (as is the case with most ballet dancers) has had the opportunity to recreate some of the classic dances of the modern repertoire, such as those by Jerome Martin and George Balanchine. Then there are chances to work with the original choreographers of a piece, such as original “Le Corsire” choreographer Angel Corella. While he enjoys both approaches, it’s special when the choreographer allows some creative input from his dancers. For the time being, Monaco is happy to have left his days of gypsy wandering behind him. He has a creatively challenging and satisfying career, lives quite happily in Society Hill with his longterm boyfriend and loves this city he now calls home. And while he treasures the memories and experiences he accumulated in his years on the road, he feels lucky to have found a place to put down some roots. n The Pennsylvania Ballet’s production of “Le Corsaire” plays through March 19 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets. For more information, call 215-893-1955 or visit paballet.org.

Strangers on a Train The classic Alfred Hitchcock film is screened 2 p.m. March 12 at the Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228. n

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

PENNSYLVANIA BALLET CORPS DE BALLET MEMBER HARRISON MONACO IN GEORGE BALANCHINE’S “SQUARE DANCE” Photo: Alexander Iziliaev

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

PGNOUT DINING

Rittenhouse Square’s lost weekend returns anew By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com

soon as it hits the tongue. Equally delicate is the roasted potato gnocchi ($15), as light and airy as you can find in the city, and backed by flavorful potato gremolata and burnt cream. Yes, Friday Saturday Sunday made a lot of changes and took its sweet time doing it. But taste the results and you, like us, will agree it was well worth the wait. n

Longtime fans of the old Friday Saturday Sunday, 261 S. 21st St., might not recognize the place now — as the fish tank in the upstairs dining room, the somewhat-kitschy décor and the old comfort-food menu are all things of the past. Chefs Chad and Hanna Williams purchased the building in late 2015 and spent more than a year renovating the space, creating a more refined and upscale-looking interior with a New-American menu to match. The first thing you notice upon entering is the sleek downstairs bar, which now serves up such timely named cocktails as the Safe Space ($13) and the Alternative Fact ($12). Then you can head upstairs to the dining area. People familiar and enamored with the original restaurant might have trouble adjusting to the revamped vision and direction, but trust us when we tell you there is more to the menu than meets the eye. At first glance, you might think the thrill is gone because the chefs don’t really oversell the dishes. But the magic in the execution is amazing. For example, the escargot ($13) have an irresistible Southern decadence, with the dish served on a buttermilk biscuit with hazelnut butter. The result is something akin to an elevated biscuits-and-gravy crossbred with classic French flavors. ESCARGOT The octopus ($16) had a smoky Southwestern feel and was served with perfectly roasted and tender menudo, rancho gordo beans and pickled red onions. Think of it as gourmet franks and beans with lovely tentacles taking the place of hot dogs. The confit carrots ($12) take your palate on a colorful trip through the garden with a burnt-coconut crumble and salsa verde balancing out the slight sweetness of the glazed carrots and carrot yogurt. Seductive flavors and textures dominate the menu. The scallop ceviche ($17) has delicately sliced scallops and a powerfully bright garnish of grilled pineapple and radish. The chicken liver mousse ($13) is silky smooth and pretty much melts as

WITH BISCUIT (TOP) AND SCALLOP CEVICHE Photos: Scott A. Drake

If you go Friday Saturday Sunday 261 S. 21st St. 215-546-4232 http://fridaysaturdaysunday.com Tues.-Thus. and Sun.: 3-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.: 3-11 p.m. Bar open until 1 a.m. nightly

PGN

Food and Drink Directory

1846 South 12th Street at the Corner of 12th & Mifflin

(215) 551-7111

Catering Available - Delivery All Night Long

www.KeyPizzaOnline.com “Serving your Philadelphia neighborhood a variety of fresh quality food since 1989”

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

PORTRAIT from page 41

PGN: You started acting at 8. What was that like? AW: I always dreamed of becoming an actress. I loved Hannah Montana; she had the best of both worlds. But I didn’t start acting professionally until I was 12. One day when I was 13, I was on set at NYU, now one of my top picks for school, and the kids were so happy and energetic. I’d never seen that before because on most sets, it was usually older guys who didn’t seem too happy about what they were doing. They were bossy and not much fun to work with, but the NYU students were a diverse group with a lot of enthusiasm. They let me get behind the camera and I was hooked. PGN: What were some signs that you were an ambitious child? AW: I’m an adrenalin junkie. I just got back from skiing for the first time and it was great. I was a daredevil at amusement parks. I never wanted to wear the seatbelt. I just love a good thrill. When it came to writing, I find the same passion. In fifth grade I was one of only three kids chosen to do a speech in front of everyone. I always want to push myself to try things. PGN: Your parents are very involved in and supportive of what you do. What traits do you think you got from them? AW: From my mother I think I got my creativity, street smarts and wit. She’s very witty when it comes to jokes. I think I got my confidence and my thirst for doing things from my father. PGN: Tell me about your film that’s playing in the Women’s Film Festival. AW: “Skin” is about three teenagers. They’re all going through issues that are common to a lot of youth, things that when I first wrote this at 13 weren’t really being spoken about: gender identity, sexual abuse, drug abuse. It’s about the decisions they make, not always good ones. It was a risk because I haven’t gone through any of those issues myself and didn’t want to offend anyone by assuming, so I did a lot of reaching out and asking for stories and advice. After I did the short film, we garnered a lot of coverage from local news stations, radio stations … it was a real blessing. The community wanted to see more, and I did too! We were able to raise $9,000 for a feature version, which I’m working on currently. PGN: How did it affect you to realize what some of your peers were going through? AW: Well, my parents are both survivors of sexual abuse and they broke it down for me. They were willing to share what happened to them and it hurt to know what they went through when they were my age. It affected me dearly and I wanted to do something about it. I also had some friends in seventh grade who were struggling with their sexuality and gender identity and I wanted to help them too. We’re so easily influenced by TV and films that I wanted

PGN

to tell their stories. And I was shocked. Not by their personal journey but by people’s reactions, by the fact that other people could be so cruel. PGN: It sounds like your parents are pretty special people. AW: Oh yes, and they’ve been through a lot. My mother was molested at a young age and my father was also raped and molested and put in the foster-care system. His parents were both drug-addicted. They’ve both started organizations to help people who have been through similar situations, to use their unfortunate circumstances to help other people. PGN: That’s fantastic. OK, now for some random questions: Any phobias? AW: No, I love to be thrilled so I run into my fears. Sometimes I get a little nervous before speaking but I try to use that energy for motivation. PGN: What was the first film you ever saw in a theater? AW: Probably “Finding Nemo.” To this day, it’s my favorite film and I love “Finding Dory” too. My mom said she used to just play it over and over and I’d be content for hours. PGN: Stupid human tricks? AW: I can bend my fingers and crack all my knuckles. Sorry, I can’t wiggle my ears or anything. I’m not that cool. PGN: You’re plenty cool. What does it mean to you to present your film at TWFF? AW: I was just telling someone on my ski trip as we were going up on the lift how excited I am about the festival, to have the chance to be around so many female filmmakers. In the beginning, I was a little unmotivated and I realized it was because on all the sets I’d been on, whenever I saw a woman she was usually a PA [production assistant] or in hair and make-up or wardrobe. They were never in a position of authority like director or cinematographer and I started to think, Wow. Is this even a thing? Are there gender restrictions? Should I even bother? But then I did some research and found some role models to look up to. I’m really excited to be surrounded by women who have directed and created films. I can’t wait to network and hopefully find some mentors! So what does it mean to me to be in this festival? A whole lot. I’m 15 and I don’t know when I’ll come into womanhood — I guess 18, I’m not sure — but I think it’s an honor to be called a woman. So to be a part of The Women’s Film Festival at 15 is an honor. I consider it a privilege. I can’t wait until opening night! n For more information on TWFF, visit www. facebook.com/thewomensfilmfestival. For more information on qFLIX, visit www.qflixphilly.com. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.

Q Puzzle Mother-in-law Across

1. Y.M.C.A., e.g. 5. Type of father Robert Reed played 9. Madea crossdresser Perry 14. In the pink 15. Greek queen of heaven 16. ___ Cologne 17. First name among lesbian poets 18. Auth. unknown 19. Emulated Neil Patrick Harris 20. Samantha’s husband on “Bewitched” 23. “___ Enchanted Evening” 24. Owl sound 25. He played 20-Across on TV 29. Shakespeare’s Puck, e.g. 32. Like Parminder Nagra’s parents 33. Diana of “Lady Sings the Blues” 34. Lesbian opponent of Wade 35. “Doggone!” 36. Sweetie pie 37. Salty, white stuff from the Greeks 38. B’way hit sign 39. Deli side dish 41. More fruitless 43. Pro follower

44. He played 20-Across in the movie 46. Cabaret singer Edith 47. “___ Upon a Mattress” 48. She played Endora, the motherin-law of 20-Across on TV 54. It may be out on a limb 55. Positive sign 56. Bone shot, often 58. Make easy to swallow 59. “Desire Under the ___” 60. Trials and tribulations 61. Great balls of fire 62. Sally Ride’s org. 63. Work your fingers to the bone

Down

1. Mandy Patinkin’s “Evita” role 2. Cheryl of “Charlie’s Angels” 3. Wrist bone 4. Hairy guy’s hide? 5. “Hairspray” scorer Marc 6. Equivalent of two fins 7. Boy who shoots off arrows 8. Group of Greek

gods 9. Oolong brewers 10. Cruise in style 11. Guitar of Shakespeare’s day 12. James Dean’s “East of ___” 13. Cincinnati team 21. Painter Bonheur 22. Years on end 25. Performed, for Byron 26. Harden 27. PC drive insert 28. Kennel warning 29. Cara of “Fame” fame 30. Norman Bates’ place 31. Jethrene Bodine’s mother 36. Like a suggestive blouse

37. Way out 39. Nothing-but-net sounds, for Sue Wicks 40. “Kinsey” title role portrayer Neeson 41. Williams of “Ugly Betty” 42. Rainbow shape 45. Open discussions 46. Pears or Paige 48. Biters of Marc Antony’s girlfriend 49. Excess supply 50. “You’ve Got Mail” female 51. Earthenware jar 52. The younger Guthrie 53. “Limp Watches” painter 57. Fashion initials

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

Buy today… bye-bye winter!

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Another Fine Property from The DePaul Group. Broker Cooperation Invited. *Prices subject to change without notice. See Sales Manager for details.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

PGN HIRING Advertising Sales Representative

PGN

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

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

PGN currently has an immediate position available for an advertising sales representative. Our ideal candidate must be a proven go-getter – someone who thrives on a new opportunity and is experienced in sales. Qualifications: Sales experience Strong verbal and writing skills, with excellent phone skills Excellent interpersonal and team skills Knowledge of local media market and/or LGBT community a plus Computer literacy a must, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Salary/Benefits: Salary plus bonus. Our benefits package includes medical and dental insurance, paid holidays and vacation and a casual work environment. Older applicants joyfully accepted. PGN, 505 S. 4th St., Phila. PA. 19147 Please Contact: Mark@epgn.com

EOE

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

PGN

Real Estate Sale

Services

VENTNOR, NJ House for sale in Ventnor NJ. 2 story 5 bedroom house, needs some repairs. Priced right. Call 215 468 9166. ________________________________________41-10

AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINING Get FAA certification to fix planes. Approved for military benefits. Financial Aid if qualified. Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 877-207-0345. ________________________________________41-10

Real Estate Rent SOUTH PHILA/SOUTHBROOK AREA 3 BR house, cent air/heat, w/w carpet, ceiling fans, $1300/ mo. Also 2 BR apt, $950/mo. + utils. No pets. Long term lease possible. Call Lou, 215-432-0333, 215-858-6569. _____________________________________________41-11

Vacation Seasonal Rental OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Resort Services. 1-800-638-2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com ________________________________________41-10

For Sale SAWMILLS from only $4397.00 – MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill – Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N. ________________________________________41-10 Viagra!! 52 Pills for Only $99.00! Your #1 trusted provider for 10 years. Insured and Guaranteed Delivery. Call today 1-800-492-0828. ________________________________________41-10

Friends Men 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. ________________________________________41-13 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________41-10 BiWM ISO men that would like me to give them oral relief. Call Walt at 856-625-9195. ________________________________________41-10 “Congratulations Phillip and Bruce A. on your engagement. Please text Theodore Michael Gagnon at 267-966-5469. 202 Roberts Road” ________________________________________41-11

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

Congratulations

We want to know!

Friends Transgender Are you a transgender woman who is fun loving and looking to meet a respectful, kind, patient and secure man for dating/ LTR. I am a single, White Italian man, 50’s, living at the Jersey Shore and looking for his soul mate. Please be full time, respectful, kind, White and pre-op. Call 609-618-5238. ________________________________________41-12

SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY J E S S C O R E N O VAT I O N S

215.839.0338 | 609.892.0940

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Your ad dollars go further when you target your audience This space: only $25 per week when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks.

Sharp Edge Painting Call Danny for Free Estimate

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•Popcorn Ceiling Repairs •Wall Paper Removal •All Handyman Services •3 & 4 Story Cornice Specials

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PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

ADONIS CINEMA “THE ONLY ALL MALE ADULT THEATER IN THE CITY”

2026 Sansom St (located 3 doors up from Sansom St Gym)

215-557-9319 4 Small Theaters with Video & Dark Room Area

HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday - Thursday

7am-6am

(closed an hour for cleaning)

Friday- Sunday:

Open 24hrs

ADMISSION: $12.00

We now accept all major credit cards.

Eating Out Should Be Fun! Read PGN’s food reviews every second and fourth week of the month

- and check out our archive of past reviews on epgn.com.

WEEKLY SPECIALS:

TUESDAYS & SUNDAYS

Half Price Rooms & Lockers (6am Sunday till 8am Monday, 12am Tuesday till 8am Wednesday) ROOMS: Members: $12.50 and Non-Members: $22.50 LOCKERS: Members: $9.00 and Non-Members: $19.00

MONDAY thru FRIDAY: (8am to 4pm)

Business Mans Locker Special 4 hour lockers Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00

Plenty of new things Happening at 2020...... • 8 NEW Deluxe Rooms “EVERYTHING is LARGER” • New sound system • 2 New Suites Queen bed with private Bath, Fridge/Freezer,and much more..... • New custom Slings • A New Video Room with 6 video booths

AND A SURPRISE NEW FEATURE ABOUT TO BE INSTALLED SOON

LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE...

Come check us out there’s a different vibe going on in every section you walk THRU

ALSO DO NOT FORGET P.A.N.G.

(Philadelphia Area Nudist Group) Saturday, March19th,April 16th, May 21st Time: 3pm- 6pm For More Information On Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/pang

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY NIGHT CRUISE $12 Flat Rate for Locker Admission & Clothing Optional (4pm-12 Midnight)

SATURDAY AFTERNOON DELIGHT 4 Hour Lockers (8am - 4pm) Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00

Check out our website for our WEEKLY SPECIALS & JOIN OUR e-mail List to get the latest information on upcoming events....

www.sansomstreetgym.com

BIGGER, BETTER & MORE ENTERTAINING EVENTS...

PGN

Religion/Spirituality Arch Street United Methodist Church Services 8:30 and 11 a.m. at 55 N. Broad St.; youth/ adult Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.; 5:30 p.m. prayer service; 215-568-6250. Calvary United Methodist Church Reconciling, welcoming and affirming church holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 801 S. 48th St.; 215-7241702. Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church Services 11 a.m. and Spirit at Play, an arts-based Sunday school for children, 9:30 a.m. at 8812 Germantown Ave.; 215-242-9321. Church of the Crucifixion Inclusive Episcopal community holds services 10 a.m. Sundays and 6 p.m. Fridays at 620 S. Eighth St.; 215922-1128. Church of the Holy Trinity Inclusive church holds services 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sundays at 1904 Walnut St.; 215-567-1267. Congregation Rodeph Shalom Shabbat services every Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 10:45 a.m. at 615 N. Broad St. ; 215-627-6747. Dignity Philadelphia Holds Mass 7 p.m. Sundays at 330 S. 13th St.; 215546-2093, dignityphila@aol.com. Evangelicals Concerned Lesbian and gay Christian counseling; 215-860-7445. First Baptist Church Welcoming and affirming church holds prayer services 10:30 a.m. Sundays and community worship 11:30 a.m. at 123 S. 17th St.; 215-563-3853. First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia A liberal, welcoming and diverse congregation that affirms the dignity of all. Sunday services at 10 a.m., 2125 Chestnut St.; 215-563-3980, www.firstuu-philly. org. The First United Methodist Church of Germantown A sexual-minority-affirming congregation holds services at 10 a.m., summer services 11 a.m., Sundays, with lunch to follow, at 6001 Germantown Ave.; 215438-3077, www.fumcog.org. Grace Epiphany Church A welcoming and diverse Episcopal congregation in Mt. Airy with services 9:30 a.m. Sundays at 224 E. Gowen Ave.; 215-248-2950, www.grace-epi.org. Holy Communion Lutheran Church ELCA Reconciling in Christ congregation worships 9 a.m. Sundays at 2111 Sansom St. and 11 a.m. at 2110 Chestnut St. in the main sanctuary; 215-567-3668, www.lc-hc.org. Living Water United Church of Christ An open and affirming congregation that meets for worship 11 a.m. on Sundays at 6250 Loretto Ave.; 267388-6081, www.lwucc.org. Kol Tzedek Reconstructionist synagogue committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community meets at Calvary Center, 801 S. 48th St.; 215-764-6364, www.koltzedek.org.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

Community Bulletin Board Whosoever Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia Services 11 a.m. Sundays at the University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, 3637 Chestnut St.; 215-2942020, www.mccphiladelphia.com. Old First Reformed Church

Open and affirming United Church worships at 11 a.m., summer services at 10 a.m, at 151 N. Fourth St.; 215922-4566, www.oldfirstucc.org. Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral Progressive and affirming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays with Holy Eucharist at 3723 Chestnut St.; 215-386-0234, www.philadelphiacathedral.org. Rainbow Buddhist Meditation Group Meets 5 p.m. Sundays at William Way. Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting worships 11 a.m., summer services 10 a.m, Sundays at 1515 Cherry St.; 215-241-7000, cpmm@afsc.org. St. Luke and The Epiphany Church Open and welcoming church holds fall liturgy 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays, summer sevices 10 a.m., at 330 S. 13th St.; 215-732-1918, stlukeandtheepiphany.org. St. Mary’s Church Diverse and inclusive Episcopal church celebrates the Eucharist 11 a.m. Sundays at 3916 Locust Walk; 215386-3916; www.stmarysatpenn.org. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Welcoming and diverse congregation with numerous outreach and fellowship groups holds services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday at Third and Pine streets; 215-9255968; www.stpetersphila.org. Tabernacle United Church Open and affirming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 3700 Chestnut St.; 215-386-4100, tabunited. org. Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church Sunday worship with nursery care, 10:30 a.m. and fourth Thursday of the month contemporary worship with Communion at 7 p.m. at 2212 Spruce St.; 215732-2515, trinityphiladelphia.org. Unitarian Society of Germantown Welcoming congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 6511 Lincoln Drive; 215-844-1157, www. usguu.org. Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration Welcoming congregation holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 6900 Stenton Ave.; 215-247-2561, www. uurestoration.us. Unity Fellowship Church of Philadelphia Diverse, affirming LGBT congregation holds services 2 p.m. Sundays at 55 N. Broad St.; 215-240-6106. University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation Welcoming congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 3637 Chestnut St. preceded by “Adult Forum: Sundays” at 9:30 a.m.; 215-387-2885, www. uniphila.org.

Community centers

■ The Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 4-8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-Friday. ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St., 215-898-5044, center@dolphin. upenn.edu. Regular hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. MondayThursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

■ ActionAIDS: 215-981-0088

■ Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. Activities held 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays.

■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220, www.waygay.org. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday Library: noon-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Volunteers: New Orientation, first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

Key numbers

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

■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org

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

■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 n The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 215-496-0330

■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK ■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBT-LAW; Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658 ■ Office of LGBT Affairs — Director Nellie Fitzpatrick: 215-6860330; helen.fitzpatrick@phila.gov

■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel: 215-6863318 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-760-3686 (Rick Lombardo); ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833 ■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: 215-686-4670

Health

Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 216 W. Somerset St.; 215-763-8870. ActionAIDS Provides a range of programs for people affected by HIV/ AIDS, including case management, prevention, testing and education services at 1216 Arch St.; 215-981-0088, www. actionaids.org. GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; 215-851-1822 or 866-222-3871, www.galaei.org. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays (walk-in) and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays (by appointment) at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215685-1821. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite

■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia Board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; free referral service at 215-6279090, www.galloplaw.org. ■ Independence Business Alliance Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, providing networking, business development, marketing, educational and advocacy opportunities for LGBT and LGBT-friendly busi-

108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Mazzoni Center LGBTQ counseling and behavioral health services, HIV/ AIDS care and services, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652, www. mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronic-disease management, including comprehensive HIV care, as well as youth drop-in (ages 14-24) 5-7p.m. Wednesdays; 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Philadelphia FIGHT Comprehensive AIDS service organization providing primary care, consumer education, advocacy and research on potential treatments and vaccines; 1233 Locust St.; 215985-4448; www.fight.org. Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center Free, rapid HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 pm. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

Professional groups nesses and professionals; 215557-0190, www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com. ■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and students, meets for social and networking events; www.nlgja.org/ philly; philly@nlgja.org.

■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus Regional organization dedicated to promoting LGBT tourism to the Greater Philadelphia region, meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; 215-8402039, www.philadelphiagaytourism.com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 10-16, 2017

PGN