PGN Mar. 11-17, 2011 by The Philadelphia Gay News

When it comes to the Iraq war, former Marine Jeff Keys is speaking out

Family Portrait: Fay Jacobs

PAGE 17

PAGE 19

Leon King wants to increase the number of out Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas judges to three. PAGE 5 Mar. 11-17, 2011

��

Vol. 35 No. 10

HIV/AIDS funding Nutter, LGBT reps discuss Scouts who also attended the meeting, has By Timothy Cwiek remains level in acknowledged that City Council approval timothy@epgn.com is required before any public property can Nutter and other city officials be sold. city, state budgets satMayor Mel Heifetz, a businessman and phidown with LGBT leaders this week By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

In his budget announcement last week, Mayor Nutter unveiled a $3.45-billion proposal that included slight cuts for city health services but for the first time in several years no tax hikes. Nutter cautioned, hower, that the pending state budget could paint a bleaker picture — a prediction that came true this week with the release of the first state budget proposal under Gov. Corbett. The $27.3-billion state budget also includes no tax increases but would cut 1,500 state jobs and drastically slash education funding, including a more-than 50-percent cut in higher-education funding. “The substance of this budget is built on four core principles: fiscal discipline, limited government, free enterprise and reform,” the governor said in Tuesday’s address. The mayor said this week that he’s unsure what changes will have to be made to the city budget proposal to allow for cuts in state funding. The state legislature has until July 1 to approve the budget, which, as is, would reduce state spending by about 3.1 percent. In terms of health funding that could be filtered to HIV/AIDS and LGBT causes, the city budget allocated about $355 million to the Office of Health and Opportunity. Of that pool, about $125 million would be devoted to public and behavioral health, marking a slight decrease from the current fiscal-year budget, which includes $128 million for that category. A large portion of health funding typically comes from the state and federal governments, however. PAGE 12 Corbett’s budget allo-

lanthropist, told Nutter he would pay $1 million for the property and turn it over to a nonprofit that doesn’t discriminate. Heifetz also agreed to pay the city’s legal fees to end the federal litigation. After the meeting, Heifetz said he’s willing to sue to have an opportunity to purchase the building. Gloria Casarez, the city’s director of LGBT affairs, said the meeting was a valuable step in communicating concerns about the proposal to city officials. “It was an important conversation,” she said. Nutter spokesperson Mark McDonald said: “There was a frank exchange of ideas; people were cordial. But there’s nothing new in the mayor’s position [about the proposal].” City officials have b e e n i nv o l v e d i n lengthy eviction proceedings against the Scouts, because they won’t permit gay parCALLING OUT DISCRIMINATION: Philly Gay Pride executive ticipants, nor will they director Fran Price (from left), SafeGuards executive direc- pay fair-market rent. tor Brian Green, businessman Mel Heifetz, The Attic Youth In June 2010, after Center executive director Carrie Jacobs and William Way LGBT a n eight-day fedCommunity Center executive director Chris Bartlett gather eral trial, a jury ruled outside the mayor’s office after Wednesday’s meeting to disthe city violated the cuss the sale of the Scouts building. Photo: Scott A. Drake Scouts’ constitutional rights when citing their antigay policy as public property. At the March 9 meeting, Nutter reiter- a reason for eviction. As the prevailing party, the Scouts are ated his position that an agreement has been reached between the city and the seeking almost $1 million in legal fees from the city, which the Scouts say they’ll Scouts that cannot be breached. But City Solicitor Shelley R. Smith, forgive if the deal is consummated. ■ to discuss his administration’s plan to sell publicly owned land to a local Boy Scouts of America council — but no meeting of the minds appears to have taken place. The BSA Cradle of Liberty Council wants to purchase 231-251 N. 22nd St. from the city for $500,000, to settle a civil-rights lawsuit in federal court. LGBT advocates say the building is worth much more than $500,000, and the city shouldn’t use public tax dollars to enable an organization to discriminate on

Archdiocese puts 21 more priests on leave By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Following a wide-ranging grand-jury report released last month on sexual abuse of children by priests, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia this week placed 21 addi-

tional priests on administrative leave. Cardinal Justin Rigali announced the suspensions Tuesday, saying there have been “difficult weeks since the release of the grand-jury report, difficult most of all for victims of sexual abuse but also for all Catholics and for everyone in our com-

munity.” The February report indicted three priests and one lay teacher for sex abuse of male students in the 1990s and led to charges of endangering the welfare of a child against Msgr. William Lynn, a former high-ranking PAGE 16

V FOR VICTORY: Harmonica Sunbeam (from left), Kurt Douglass and Deb Dunbar welcomed over 100 people to the Ms. Lady V and Mr. V Drag Pageant March 6 at Voyeur. At the event, hosted by University of Pennsylvania’s HIV Prevention Research Division, Marisa TheLady and Prentice Bush were chosen as ambassadors for HIV vaccine-research efforts. For more on Penn’s HIV vaccine trial, visit www.phillyvax.org. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Casey reintroduces antibullying measure By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com United States Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) announced this week he was reintroducing a measure that would mandate federally funded school districts implement antibullying policies that are LGBT-inclusive. Casey and Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) introduced the Safe Schools Improvement Act along with 18 cosponsors March 8. A companion version in the House is pending. “In the last year espePAGE 8

Bullying bills look to instate policies, penalties By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The Pennsylvania House is currently considering a bill that would lay down specific guidelines that schools must follow to contend with bullying. While not LGBT-specific, Rep. Mike O’Brien’s (D-175th Dist.) HB 879 would provide the state with its most comprehensive approach to antibullying. In addition to the bill, filed March 1, O’Brien in January also introduced HB 271, a measure that would add bullying to the Pennsylvania Crimes Code. O’Brien said the lack of enforcement in the state’s current antibullying law, and the sharp upswing in reports PAGE 13

2 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

PGN

“EXCLUSIVELY MARKETED BY THE CONDO SHOP” Located within the urban and vibrant community of the Avenue of the Arts, the 1352 Lofts in Philadelphia are just steps from the famous Kimmel Center, Academy of Arts, Wilma Theater, Symphony House, and Restaurant Row. The 1352 Lofts development is one of Philadelphia’s most luxurious premier residential real estate properties. 1352 Loft residences are spacious, modern, and appealing to potential residents. Features include: Granite kitchens, hardwood ﬂoors, 1,100-2,600 square feet of living space, 20” ceilings, outdoor terrace and balcony.

Pricing starts at $1,850 for a 1 bedroom, and 2 bedroom units are priced from $2,200 - $3,200. 42 residences available

215.MY.CONDO

thecondoshops.com

Steve Iannaccone 732.522.5193

PGN

FUNDED BY FINS: A dozen youth and five staffers from The Attic Youth Center are heading to Connecticut to take part in this weekend’s True Colors Conference, where they’ll present workshops on bullying among lesbians and drag as a form of selfexpression. Funds for the trip were generated through The Attic’s recent youth drag show and a $1,966 donation from The Fins Aquatic Club, from last month’s Postal Swim fundraiser. Fins vice president John Roman (third from left) presented the check March 7 to some of the trip participants, including Alannah Caldwell (from left), Kemar Jewell, Andre Cunningham, director of development Alyssa Mutryn, Tara Rubinstein (front), Alex Lopez and Tori Viscusco. Mutryn said the Fins’ donation was key in enabling the agency’s largest group ever to attend the conference. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Consumer Research Council’s top dentist 2007, 2008, and 2009. Rainbow Award best dentist who contributes to his community 2007 and 2008.

Medical Arts Bldg. 1601 Walnut St. , Suite 1302 Phila. PA 19102

215-568-6222

www.philadelphiadentist.com

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

4 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

PGN

FLOWER SHOW BEST BUDS: Bill Reidinger (left) and Vito Russo were two of the many visitors who participated March 7 in LGBT Day at the Philadelphia International Flower Show. Reidinger and Russo were at the show after a weekend celebrating their fourth anniversary. Russo, who lives in New York City and is a wedding and specialevents floral designer, said this was one of his favorite displays. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Contents NEWS

Local News News Briefing Media Trail

EDITORIAL/OP-ED

COLUMNS

5 7 6

Out Money

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

10 10 11 11 11

What do you think of the proposed sale of the building on the Parkway to the Boy Scouts? Poll results from our online survey as of Mar. 9:

61% I think it stinks 15% It’s a fair deal 19% Good idea, but not enough money 5% The Scouts are getting ripped off Go to www.epgn.com to weigh in on this week’s question:

How do you feel about gays being banned from some St. Patrick’s Day parades?

Philadelphia Gay News 505 S. Fourth St. Philadelphia, PA 19147-1506

For advertising inquiries; advertising@epgn.com or 215-625-8501 ext. 218.

Phone: 215-625-8501 Fax: 215-925-6437 E-mail: pgn@epgn.com Web: www.epgn.com

Advertising Director Tami Sortman (ext. 218) tami@epgn.com

Publisher

Advertising Manager Greg Dennis (ext. 201) greg@epgn.com

Editor Sarah Blazucki (ext. 206)

Advertising Sales Representatives David Augustine (ext. 219) david@epgn.com

Mark Segal (ext. 204) mark@epgn.com

sarah@epgn.com Staff Writers Jen Colletta (ext. 215) jen@epgn.com

Amy Mather (ext. 214) amy@epgn.com

Larry Nichols (ext. 213) larry@epgn.com

National Advertising Rivendell Media 212-242-6863

Writer-at-Large Timothy Cwiek (ext. 208) timothy@epgn.com

Office Manager/ Classifieds Don Pignolet (ext. 200) don@epgn.com

Art Director/ Photographer Scott A. Drake (ext. 210) scott@epgn.com Graphic Artist Sean Dorn (ext. 211) sean@epgn.com Executive Assistant/ Billing Manager Carol Giunta (ext. 202) carol@epgn.com Philadelphia Gay News is a member of: The Associated Press Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Suburban Newspaper Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 2011 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155 The views of PGN are expressed only in the unsigned “Editorial” column. Opinions expressed in bylined columns, stories and letters to the editor are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of PGN. The appearance of names or pictorial representations in PGN does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that named or pictured person or persons.

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

Former prison commish seeks judgeship By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas currently has two openly LGBT judges on the bench, and Leon King is looking to up that number by one. King, an openly gay civil-rights attorney and the city’s former prison commissioner, headed to Harrisburg Tuesday morning armed with signed petitions to get his name on the May primary-election ballot. King announced his intention to run for Common Pleas in 2009, but said he withdrew from the race at the request of local Democratic leaders for strategy reasons. He’s back in this year, however, and looking forward to bringing his diverse background into a new realm. “I’ve been involved in the criminal-justice system from I think one of the most unique points of view of anyone in the city and certainly in this judicial race,” the candidate said. King earned his law degree from Temple University in 1991 and, two years later, became one of the founding members of the city Law Department’s civilrights division, in which he represented police officers and other civil servants in suits against the city. He became general counsel to the

Philadelphia Prison System in 1997 and, in 2002, was named commissioner — a position he held until Mayor Nutter’s administration began in 2008. After leaving the prison system, he worked as the director of legislation for City Councilman Frank Rizzo and now operates his own private practice. He recently launched a high-profile suit against the city on behalf of a local bar owner who contends he was harassed by police officers and Department of Licenses and Inspections workers. Throughout all of his experiences, he said he’s grown to believe that many of the flaws in the criminal-justice system stem from the bench. “Based on my legal experience, it seems like judges are really key to solving the problems we have in criminal courts and family courts as well,” he said. “With the delays and the inefficiencies, it seems like we don’t have enough judges who understand that while they can really only control their courtrooms, they still have a responsibility to engage the public, lawmakers and other judges to improve the effectiveness and fairness of the system. That’s why I’m running. I want to be the type involved in changing the core things that need to be changed.” King noted that when he was recently in court, he witnessed a judge sentence

a man who was accused o f d r iv i n g under the influence of cocaine and later alcohol, whom King said appeared to be mentally ill and drugaddicted, to several days in prison followed by a highLEON KING wa y - s a f e t y course. King suggested that in such instances, judges need to be open to exploring options that address the larger context of the defendant’s arrest, a lesson he said he’s seen both as an attorney and a prison official. “He wasn’t arrested because he didn’t know how to drive. Why is he going to driver-safety school when there are likely other alternatives to address the real situation going on here? That’s something I’d be an advocate for and something I think distinguishes me from other candidates. I’ve been through it, I’ve planned

for it and I’ve studied it. Judges need to be educated about all alternatives.” While he was prison commissioner, King worked to open connections among HIV/AIDS agencies and the inmate population, instituted rapid HIV testing within the system and spearheaded a plan that allowed condoms to be placed on the commissary list. King said he was the first commissioner to specifically recruit LGBT employees, which he did in a campaign in the Gayborhood, and which he said exemplifies his longstanding commitment to being an “out” leader. “I think I’ve been a witness for the LGBT community in all that I’ve done, so I’d really appreciate the support of the community now,” he said. While garnering votes on Election Day is important, King said that knowing the LGBT community is behind him is just as integral. “I’ve been out there as an openly gay man and taken risks and done things that I think a lot of other people haven’t done, so having the community behind me would really mean a lot to me personally. We, as a community, need to support our own, and it’ll be real important for me to have that moral support.” For more information, visit www.leonking.org. ■

6 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

LOCAL PGN

Media Trail Mass. continues to ban funeral protests FULL SERVICE SALON CUTTING EDGE AND TIMELESS CUTS BY MASTER BARBERS AND STYLISTS.

According to the Boston Herald, Attorney General Martha Coakley said Massachusetts will continue to enforce state law that keeps protesters at least 500 feet from a funeral, despite the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding the right of a Kansas church group to picket military funerals. Coakley said she will advise police to continue to enforce a 500-foot buffer zone around funerals to prevent disruptions. She said police have discretion in maintaining order and that Massachusetts law strikes a balance between free speech and the rights of military families. The Supreme Court ruled last week that members of the Westboro Baptist Church exercised their right to free speech when they picketed the Maryland funeral of a Marine killed in Iraq.

Ark. univ. blocks gay site Arkansas Online reports Harding University at Searcy has blocked a website that details experiences of gay and lesbian students at the school. Harding president David Burks said access to huqueerpress.com was blocked as a statement about what Harding believes. He said the school does not approve of sexual activity outside of marriage, whether heterosexual or homosexual. According to its website, the school is a private Christian institution.

Wyoming Senate kills antigay bill INTRODUCING NEW STYLIST TIFFANY

1216 LOCUST STREET WALKINS WELCOME HOURS: WED-FRI 10:00 - 8:00 SAT 10:00 - 5:00 215-545-1880 WWW.SALONKPHILADELPHIA.COM

Advocate.com reports the Wyoming Senate, with a 16-14 vote, rejected a bill March 3 that would have prevented the state from recognizing marriages of samesex couples performed outside the state. The rejected bill had been pared down with the removal of language that said gay and lesbian couples in marriages or civil unions from other states could resolve disputes, such as divorce, in the courts. Hours earlier, the House approved the compromised measure with a 31-28 vote. Republican Rep. Owen Peterson argued that the bill was needed to close loopholes in Wyoming’s laws, which do not specify whether the state will recognize marriages from outside of the state. ■ — Larry Nichols

LOCAL PGN

News Briefing Woman loses suit against ActionAIDS An HIV-positive woman who claimed an ActionAIDS receptionist disseminated her HIV status without her permission has lost her case against the AIDS-services agency. On March 2, after a 45-minute hearing, a three-member arbitration panel unanimously denied the woman’s request for up to $50,000 in monetary damages. The woman, identified as G.C. in court papers, has been HIV-positive for 22 years. G.C. never had a problem keeping her serostatus private until she encountered an ActionAIDS receptionist during an office visit in June 2009, she testified. G.C. knew the receptionist outside the agency and, after the office visit, mutual friends began expressing sympathy to G.C. about her HIV status, G.C. testified. G.C. testified she has no direct proof that the receptionist breached her confidentiality, but attributed the alleged breach to the receptionist because of what other people said.

Jocelyn L. Calloway, Kim N. Nguyen and Douglas T. Ominsky served as arbitrators at the hearing. They didn’t specify a reason for ruling against G.C., but their questions during the hearing indicated that G.C.’s personal belief wasn’t enough to prove a breach occurred. After the hearing, Kevin Burns, executive director of ActionAIDS, expressed mixed feelings about the case. “I feel really bad for the woman, but I’m also glad that our name was cleared,” Burns told PGN. “It’s unfortunate that, this far into the epidemic, people still feel that they have to keep their diagnosis a secret. An internal investigation of the incident was done, and no breach was found.” Burns said all ActionAIDS staffers and volunteers are trained about HIV-confidentiality issues. The receptionist no longer works at ActionAIDS, and her departure was unrelated to the incident, he added. Graham F. Baird, an attorney for G.C., had no comment about whether his client will appeal. G.C. has until April 2 to challenge the ruling. — Timothy Cwiek

Craigslist trial delayed The trial for a man accused of posing as a police officer to defraud several gay men has been delayed again, this time until the summer. Michael Daniels is scheduled to stand trial at 9 a.m. July 18 in Room 502 of the

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. His trial, originally set for October, has been postponed a number of times and most recently had been scheduled for March 8, when Judge Genece Brinkley approved a motion to again continue it. Daniels is accused of responding to Craigslist sex advertisements posted by gay men and arriving at their scheduled meetings dressed as an officer, then threatening to arrest the men for not verifying his age unless they paid him.

HRC holds local dinner The Human Rights Campaign will host its 15th annual Philadelphia Region Dinner March 19 at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, 201 S. Columbus Blvd. The event includes a VIP reception at 5 p.m., then dinner and a silent auction. Out stylist and author Carson Kressley will host, with the keynote speech by HRC associate director Allyson Robinson and a performance by Niki Haris. Tickets are $175 or $225 for VIP. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.philadelphia.hrc.org.

GALAEI to honor youth The Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative is calling for submissions for outstanding youth for its David Acosta Revolutionary Leader Award.

Youth between the ages of 13-21 in the five-county region are eligible for the honor, named after GALAEI’s founder. Nominees should have a passion for improving the community, dedication to community projects, exhibit integrity in all of their activities and possess excellent leadership skills. Youth can nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else. The nomination form can be found at www.galaei.org. Nominations are due March 25. The awardees will be honored in a ceremony from 5-7 p.m. April 15 at City Hall.

HEROES in spring The Delaware Valley Legacy Fund last week announced it was moving its annual HEROES event from the fall to the spring and is seeking nominations for honorees. HEROES will be held from 7-9 p.m. May 6 at PNC Center, 1600 Market St., on the third floor. The LGBT-grantmaking agency’s annual awards presentation honors individuals and organizations that have worked to advance LGBT equality. This year, in addition to its recognition of an individual, a business and a nonprofit agency, DVLF will also honor an outstanding youth and national figure. Nominations must be received by March 18. For more information or to access a nomination form, visit www.dvlf.org. ■ — Jen Colletta

PGN

8 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

ANTIBULLYING BILL, from page 1

cially we’ve seen the severe and unfortunately enduring effects of school bullying, with news story after news story of tragedy after tragedy where kids are taking their own lives in some instances after facing relentless bullying in schools,” Casey said in a conference call Tuesday. The measure would amend the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act to require all districts in the nation that receive funding through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to instate antibullying policies that, among other provisions, specifically prohibit harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion.

Casey said the statistics relating to antiLGBT bullying highlight the need for swift action. “We know that there is one category of students across the country who are targeted, and those are people who might be or who people think might be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender,” Casey said. “In a recent study by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, nine in 10 LGBT teens reported harassment in the last year. If it were one in 10 it’d be totally unacceptable, but the fact that there were that many in this survey was particularly disturbing.” Casey first introduced the bill in August of last year along with 17 cosponsors, but the measure died in committee at the end of the session.

Look Better NAKED! Move Forward Fitness

13 Week Fitness Program! • Lose Fat! • Gain Muscle! • Speed Metabolism!

GUARANTEED RESULTS! 215-399-3541

MoveForwardFitness.com Call Today!

The bill was updated this year to extend to cyberbullying, a component Kirk spearheaded. “It’s incumbent upon the national legislature to keep up to speed with what’s happening in our country, and cyberbullying is very much part of 21st-century life,” Kirk said, explaining that the definition of bullying in this incarnation of the measure now also encompasses “electronic communications,” in addition to interactions among students on school grounds. “As we’ve seen across the nation, [bullying] can be something written on Facebook or another listserv or blog posting that is utterly destructive to a school learning environment or to the future of the child.” The SSIA would also require training for educators to contend with bullying and would mandate districts record bullying incidents in reports for the Department of Education. “We’re trying to be preventive, and these aren’t complicated steps,” Casey said. “We’re basically saying you have to have a code of conduct, you have to train people and you have to keep data. In my experience, in settings where adults are working, you can change behavior if you have a set of rules and you enforce them in a very tough and determined manner. You have to say, ‘This is unacceptable, and you will be sanctioned.’” Casey said he did not want to predict a timeline for the bill and would work with Kirk and other supporters to explore the best options for passage. ■

Starring

Tina Fabriq MAR 22 – 27

SIX PERFORMANCES ONLY!

It’s a life lived out loud in this exhilarating musical about “The First Lady of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald. This theatrical event weaves myth, memory and music as it tells the uplifting and poignant story of one of the greatest jazz vocalists of 20th century music. Featuring two dozen legendary hits including “Night and Day,” and “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” you’ll fall in love all over again with the magic and soul of Ella Fitzgerald!

TICKETS START AT $20! ORDER TODAY! Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts 215.898.3900 AnnenbergCenter.org

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

Way Gay U goes outside for spring By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The pending warmer weather is inching closer, as is the William Way LGBT Community Center’s spring Way Gay U semester, which will allow out students to learn in the region’s natural environs. The center will host an open house to preview its slate of courses from 5:30-8 p.m. March 16 at 1315 Spruce St. Among the 17 classes in the spring semester is a new “eco” series, in which students can explore the region’s natural offerings. The five tours, led by naturalists Maryann Helferty and Susan Haidar, will take students to a wild-flower preserve, on a paddleboat tour down the Rancocas River and on a tubing excursion down the Delaware. Helferty said the excursions are a good way for participants to learn about nature in a hands-on environment with ample opportunity for social interaction. “I’ve always considered LGBT people to be very spiritual and very connected to nature, and I think that’s really a big part of our community, and it’s sometimes hard to keep alive in an urban setting,” she said. The courses are meant to be intergenerational and bring a mixture of men and women, and Helferty said those without any outdoor expertise are welcomed. “You won’t have to worry about driving, we’ll provide hot drinks and refreshments, and we’re experienced outdoors leaders so

we’ll have First Aid and maps. All you have to do is show up and enjoy.” No experience is necessary for a swingdance class offered by center archivist Bob Skiba. Skiba, who owns his own dance company, Mixed Pickles Vintage Dance, has been teaching ballroom and swing dance at Abington Art Center for 10 years. “Swing is the most fun you can have on the dance floor. And it’s a type of dancing where you don’t need a partner because you’re switching off so much,” he said. On April 16, Skiba will also conduct his historical walking tour of the Gayborhood again. Although this semester brings a new commitment to getting active outdoors, Way Gay U will also offer a bevy of courses to help participants discover their own talents, including cabaret performance and fiction and memoir writing, while stress-relief will be the focus of Buddhism and yoga classes. Way Gay U will also offer practical lessons, such as wellness and recovery, best practices in home-buying and designing a commitment ceremony and introductions to PowerPoint and American Sign Language. Instructors will meet and greet with guests at the free open house next week, which will feature hot dogs, pretzels and beer. For more information or to register for Way Gay U, visit www.waygay.org or call 215-732-2220. ■

$49 Special:

Comprehensive Exam, Cleaning & 4 Digital X-Rays

Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

Joel E. Nash, DDS

Precious Pearls Dental Spa

One Independence Place 241 S. 6th Street, Suite 120 Philadelphia, PA 19106

215.238.8800

Fax 215.238.8858 www.pearlsdentalspa.com

ELEGANT. ACCESSIBLE. LOYAL.

www.dignityphila.org

EVERYTHING YOU WISH HE WAS…AND WE WON’T GET MAD WHEN YOU COME HOME LATE.

Make us part of your Lenten Observance Ash Wednesday, March 9th

Join us for mass at 7:30 pm in the Blue Room

St. Luke & The Epiphany Church

330 S. 13th Street, between Spruce and Pine Streets, Philadelphia, PA Also join us on Sunday at 7 pm for mass – Social after mass on Sundays

Fabulous just got fabulouser. Experience the residential perfection of 10 Rittenhouse Square.

Communion in the form of Consecrated bread, wine and grape juice. Gluten-free communion available upon request.

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

CONGREGATION BETH atAHAVAH Rodeph Shalom

Unparalleled location. Unequaled design. Unbeatable Lifestyle.

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

JOIN US MONTHLY FOR SHABBAT SERVICES AT 8:00 PM

Coffee, cake & conversation at the oneg following services

Saturday, March 19, 8:00 PM - Purim Celebration: The Whole Megillah

Experience 10 Rittenhouse Square today 215.825.7710 10RittenhouseSq.com

Visit www.bethahavah.org for additional Join us for a Beit Cafe (Coffee House), a little Megillah, a little Havdalah, and Dessert information, programming and It is going to be a hilariously good time with dessert and a Beit Cafe (Coffee House) featuring favorites from directions

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

past Beth Ahavah Purim Shpiels and acts from clergy and congregants. Get a babysitter and come dressed in your favorite costume (optional) and get ready to party! Get ready for some serious silliness for Purim. RSVP to Marcia at (215) 627-6747 x12 or mbiggs@rodephshalom.org. Beth Ahavah and Rodeph Shalom are afﬁliated in spirit and share a sacred home. In July 2007 Beth Ahavah afﬁliated with Rodeph Shalom. Beth Ahavah retains its congregational status within the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and proudly offers its congregation dual membership at both synagogues.

R S A Rittenhouse Pension Investors Property

10RSQ_PGN_03.04.11.indd 1

3/8/11 11:24 AM

10 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Rick Santorum

Editorial

Ending the bullying Over the past few months, school bullying — and its sometimes-dire consequences — has garnered media and national attention. This week, that attention spread to the Obama administration with the first White House Conference on Bullying Prevention, held Thursday. At the conference, President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the Department of Education Arne Duncan and Domestic Policy Adviser Melody Barnes were slated to address students, parents and teachers. Topics for discussion included inschool policies and programs, community-based programs, cyberbullying and campus-based programs. Also in the last week, lawmakers at both the state and national level introduced bills to combat bullying in schools. At the national level, Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced the Safe Schools Improvement Act, which would require all school districts that receive federal funding to instate policies to prohibit harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. A similar bill was already introduced in the House. At the state level, Rep. Mike O’Brien (D-175th Dist.) introduced a bill modeled after New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, hailed as the strongest in the nation. O’Brien’s bill would set up a standard process for handling complaints at the district level, as well as mandating

districts to establish a definition of bullying, behavioral code, consequences and remedial actions. Though O’Brien’s bill doesn’t outline any protected categories, it does allow districts to create more comprehensive policies. Reportedly, the Senate is also considering introducing a similar bill. Between the state and national bills, Casey’s legislation takes a stronger stance because it includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. While the state-level bill has more enforcement provisions, unfortunately it may not have the desired effects — particularly in regard to the LGBT community. Specifically, the bill would allow school districts to identify protected categories — such as gender identity or expression — or follow the categories already protected at the state level. The bill would put a reporting mechanism into place, and likely allow legislators to extend protections at some point in the future. For local students, the School District of Philadelphia has already adopted a comprehensive approach to categories, barring bullying motivated “either by any actual or perceived characteristic, such as gender, age, race, color, sexual orientation (known or perceived), gender identity expression (known or perceived), national origin, religion, disability, socioeconomic status and/or political beliefs.” In the end, some protection is better than none at all — and a step in the right direction. Let’s hope the politicians can find it in their hearts — and best interests — to protect youth. ■

I’m sure glad my last name isn’t Santorum. For one thing, I wouldn’t want to be related to Rick Santorum. For another thing, his name means, “the frothy mix of lube and fecal matter that is sometimes the byproduct of anal sex.” And that’s the first thing that pops up on Google. Santorum’s “Google problem,” as it has been dubbed in the media lately, is something he brought on himself when he compared gays getting married to manon-dog sex. Shortly thereafter, a reader of Dan Savage’s “Savage Love” column suggested coining “Santorum” as a sex term. Savage obliged. And “santorum” was born. In 2007, Santorum was voted out of his U.S. Senate seat and we didn’t hear much from him. But he’s back with his eye on being President FrothyMix-of-Lube-andFecal-Matter of the United States, and making sure gays and lesbians aren’t allowed to marry is still one of his biggest concerns. Needless to say, President Obama’s recent decision to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act in court because it is unconstitutional has gotten Santorum riled. In a March 4 column for the Des Moines Register, Santorum wrote, “Intellectually, morally and constitutionally President Obama’s claim is absurd. And it is a dagger aimed at the heart of a core constitutional value: the free exercise of religion.” This is, of course, not true. The antigay right has been crying about how treating gays equally is akin to banning God and demanding everyone worship Perez Hilton. No one is advocating locking pastors up or turning churches into gay bars. What Santorum is really arguing for isn’t the freedom of religion; it’s the freedom to discriminate and the freedom to legislate using an antigay “morality” code based on religion. Oddly, to defend his argument, he used the example of Catholic Charities in Boston, which stopped doing adoptions because agency officials didn’t want to grant adoptions to gays. According to The Boston Globe, “[Catholic Charities decided] to abandon its founding mission, rather than comply with state law requiring that gays be allowed to adopt children.” Mind you, the state wasn’t

forcing Catholic Charities to hand over all of the babies to a pillaging gay mob. The state was saying, “Look, you can’t judge a parent unfit just because he or she is a homo.” That was, obviously, too much to ask, and the organization chose dogma over kids who needed help. “With the redefinition of marriage, religious groups of all types will be forced to make the same type of choice — get out of the business of helping people or compromise your constitutionally protected convictions,” Santorum wrote. Let me get this straight: If gays are treated equally, then religions of all kinds will abandon social services? Like the local church-run soup kitchen won’t give out soup anymore because they don’t want to give soup to gays? It’s as if the only thing between the teachings of, say, Jesus and abject indifference to human suffering and need is homosexuality. So long as religious organizations can discriminate against gays, all is right with the world. Makes perfect sense. In his column, Santorum charitably added, “I believe if two adults of the same sex want to have a relationship that is their business. But when they ask society to give that relationship special recognition and privileges, then we should be able to have a rational debate about whether that is good public policy.” Aww, isn’t that sweet? Santorum thinks gays deserve to mind their own business. So long as they aren’t asking to be treated fairly, everything’s cool. As for the “have a rational debate” part, that’s pretty suspect coming from someone who thinks a man having sex with his husband is the same as a man fucking a dog. ■

It’s as if the only thing between the teachings of, say, Jesus and abject indifference to human suffering is homosexuality. So long as religious organizations can discriminate against gays, all is right with the world.

D’Anne Witkowski has been gay for pay since 2003. She’s a freelance writer and poet (believe it!). When she’s not taking on the creeps of the world, she reviews rock ’n’ roll shows in Detroit with her twin sister.

OP-ED PGN

On losing an ally Last weekend turned out to be one of later, that opposition cracked and the other those nailbiters. First District Councilman Councilmembers asked to be listed as the Frank DiCicco was searching the fibers main sponsors. I had to deliver the message to Kenney and DiCicco. They simply of his gut, like other elected officials, to replied, “It’s the legislation that’s impordecide if he should seek reelection. The line often used to describe this is, Do you tant, not who gets credit.” have the fire in the belly? Likewise, it was Frank who championed the amendment to The backstory on this is give protection to transgender that I had personally asked people under the Fair Practices him, repeatedly, to announce Act. he was running for reelection, It would be remiss of me to and he had assured me he was, not mention the now-infamous but wanted to wait for various DROP program. That controreasons. A candidate is not a versy will lose us the most supcandidate until he or she files petitions, and petitions were portive member of Council the LGBT community has had. due this past Tuesday. So, Some may say that’s debatable, Frank finally decided Sunday but feel free to debate. For my that the fight for reelection was part, I’ll remember the legislaone he didn’t want to have. tion he fought for that gave us Frank should have been a shoe-in, since he has a stellar rights we didn’t have before. Council record for his commuAnd since we’re on the subMark Segal nity. He has been one of those ject of Council races, I want to people that the LGBT community can be clear. It is my opinion that there is only count on each and every time. His list of one candidate for Council-at-Large from accomplishments is too lengthy to list here, our community who deserves our consideration, and that is Sherrie Cohen. I will but there is one story that deserves repeating. elaborate on that in future columns. ■ DiCicco, along with Councilman-atMark Segal is PGN publisher. He is the Large Jim Kenney, was an original sponsor of the domestic-partners legislation. nation’s most-award-winning commentator in LGBT media, having received the At that time, it was one of the first in the 2010 Columnist of the Year Award from nation, and the first with a tax break for the 2,000-member Suburban Newspapers LGBT couples. They did everything in of America. He can be reached at their power to get it passed, but we ran mark@epgn.com. up against heavy opposition. Six months

Mark My Words

Tell us what you think Send letters and opinion column submissions to: pgn@epgn.com; PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147; fax: (215) 925-6437.

Please include a daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, style and space considerations.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

Street Talk Is it significant that the White House social secretary is gay? “Yes, it’s a plus for the gay community. But I don’t think Michelle Obama hired him because he’s Caitlin Hoffman gay. He was disease-intervention chosen for his specialist qualifications. Society Hill I hope the gentleman will use his position to bring about pro-LGBT legislation.”

“It’s not like the world is saved now that we have a gay social secretary in the White House. But gay visibility Julie Moore is always server a good thing. South Philadelphia Having a gay person in any prestigious assignment is helpful. He’s a pioneer and will serve as a role model for others.”

“Yes. It shows that the first lady is openminded and embraces diversity. But we have to give the person a chance. We Chelsea Prunty have to see dancer/student what he does South Philadelphia in the job before we can pass judgment on his significance to the community.”

“No, it’s meaningless. It doesn’t do anything for queer people. Nothing about this appointment will benefit queer people. Sarah Small childcare worker Change isn’t West Philadelphia going to come from the social office of the White House, nor from the president. It’s going to come from the people.”

Letters and Feedback Editor: I am writing in response to the recent introduction of HB 879 by Rep. Mike O’Brien. Over the last few months, I have been advocating, on Facebook and beyond, for antibullying legislation that would meet or beat New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights to be introduced in the Keystone State. It is through that medium that I have been in contact with a staffer from Sen. LeAnna Washington’s office and giving my input on what good antibullying legislation should look like. It’s safe to say that my concerns are not what is within HB 879, but rather what has not been included. For one thing, New Jersey has had a requirement that teachers and administrators undergo suicide-prevention training as part of their certification. This was amended in

the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights to require the training to include profiles of vulnerable groups. Sadly, Pennsylvania doesn’t require suicide-prevention training for teachers and administrators at all. Given that over the last five months we have had five bullying-related suicides, we owe it to Jesse Buchsbaum, Brandon Bitner, Tiffani Maxwell, Britney Tongel and Justice Goodwin to prevent young people from making a permanent decision that will cause heartbreak to those around them. Another major issue is that no legislation has addressed the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act and the lack of protection for sexual orientation or gender identity. Furthermore, what best to gauge the climate of each school than to get the input of the students? After speaking with a young

antibullying activist from New Jersey, I believe that, twice a year, a campus climate survey should be distributed to all schools. It should be based on uniform criteria, confidential, optional for students and should be used in grading the schools. Children and youth should be both seen and heard. I have given these suggestions to Sen. Washington’s office and I would highly encourage Rep. O’Brien to consider adding these ideas to HB 879. Furthermore, for more resources on bullying policy, including how you can create your own comprehensive antibullying policy for your local school district, I urge you to like the Facebook page “Support A Pennsylvania Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights.” — Jordan Gwendolyn Davis Philadelphia

In response to “Gayborhood Crime Watch,” March 4-10: I always wonder if the “males” arrested for obstruction of a highway and prostitution are actually always people who identify as male. I imagine there is a lack of clarity on how some individuals arrested for these offenses really identify. — maia In response to “Gay priest denied Chestnut Hill teaching position,” March 4-10: If only the Catholic Church would make good on their threat to fire all the gay priests. Magic, no need for 100,000 pounds of C4 to destroy the Vatican. They go out of business in a heartbeat. — Katie Murphy

PGN

12 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

�� SERVICES DIRECTORY

��

BUDGET, from page 1

cates about $953 million for the Department of Health, a decrease from this year’s $981 million. Of that funding, $3.63 million for administrative and operational costs for HIV/AIDS Care and $1.38 million for HIV/AIDS Surveillance from the current budget remained level, while administrative and operational costs for AIDS Health Education increased from the current $4.1 million to $4.36 million. Grant-funded HIV/AIDS programs�� saw both cuts and increases, with total�� grant-funded programs increasing from $24,207,000 to $24,235,000. Of that category, AIDS Programs funding would decrease from the current $7.38 million to $7.24 million, while funding for HIV Care and AIDS Drug Assistance Program rebates would remain level at $12 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The proposal includes a decrease from $1.64 million to $1.48 million for AIDS Health Education and an increase from $1.96 million to $2.29 million from Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS. Members of ACT UP interrupted the mayor’s budget address, continuing their call for increased city funding for housing initiatives for people with HIV/AIDS. The city budget allocates $38.9 million for homeless and housing assistance, compared with the current $41 million. The state proposal includes $22.6 million for homeless assistance, a slight decrease from the current $22.8 million. ACT UP called on City Council to add an additional $2-$4 million in funding for housing for people with HIV/AIDS. State funding for Community and Economic Development took a big hit, dropping from $412 million to $282 million, including a 75-percent cut to Community Development funds, which finances communitylevel projects. The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, which enforces the city’s nondiscrimination law, was given level funding, approximately $2 million, while funding for the state Human Relations Commissions decreased from $9.78 million to $9.49 million. Along with next year’s budget, the mayor also released the proposed five-year plan, which would increase annual spending to $3.6 billion by fiscal year 2016. The plan sets out several overarching goals for that five-year period, such as Philadelphia becoming one of the safest and greenest cities in the nation, with the enhancement of individual “well-being” of city residents and a government that works “efficiently and effectively.” ■

��

Reach Over 40,000 Readers�� Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Ca

��

~ Now Accepting New Patients ~

• General and Specialized Dentistry • Cosmetic Dentistry • Early Morning and Evening Hours • Education

��

Cornell University, B.S., 1986 U of P School of Dental Medicine, DMD, 1990 Temple University, Residency in Prosthodontics, 1992

��

Dr. Ira Sheres (center) with his life partner and their children

��

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

PGN PA HOUSE BILL, from page 1

of bullying and cyberbullying nationwide, necessitated both measures. “Bullying used to basically happen within the confines of a school and you’d go home and it was over, but now we’re in the more sophisticated cyber age, and bullying is no longer confined to one location, one time of day, one age group,” he said. “I felt the time had come that we need to put some teeth and some penalty in place to let people know that this is more than just a lark but a dangerous and life-altering thing.” That notion was also addressed at the federal level this week, as the Obamas and top education officials met Thursday with students, parents and child advocates in the first White House Conference on Bullying Prevention. According to HB 271, which has 28 cosponsors, a bullying charge for a minor would be a summary offense, which upgrades to a thirddegree misdemeanor for repeated offenses. For those over 18, the first offense would be considered a third-degree misdemeanor, and repeated offenses would elevate to second-degree misdemeanors. Pennsylvania’s antibullying law does not reference specific characteristics, such as sexual orientation or gender identity, and HB 879 would not require such definitions but would detail reporting and investigative procedures. It would amend the 2008 addition to the Public School Code that required schools to adopt an antibullying policy by providing explicit detail of what those policies must include; currently, the law only requires that policies delineate consequences for bullying and stipulate a staff person to receive bullying reports. O’Brien’s measure, modeled after New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, spells out that each public school in the state must, by Jan. 1, 2012, update its policies to include a definition of bullying — including incidents that occur off school grounds — a description of the behavioral code and consequences and remedial actions. The policy must also include the school’s reporting procedure, which must allow for individuals to make a report anonymously. Staff or employees who witness a bullying incident must verbally report it to the school principal and submit a written report. The principal would be required to notify the parents of all students involved and initiate an investigation within one day of the initial report, which would be spear-

headed by the school’s anti-bullying specialist. The investigation must be completed within 10 days of the submission of the written report and the results reported to the school superintendent within two days of its completion. The results of the investigation would also be submitted to the parents of the children involved and the school’s board of directors. After review, the superintendent can recommend disciplinary action, training programs, counseling or other intervention ser-

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

vices. The parents involved are entitled to ask for a school board hearing to further review the incident. The board is required to affirm, reject or modify the superintendent’s recommendations at its first meeting following receipt of the report. The board’s decision can be appealed, and parties are entitled to file a complaint with the state or local Human Relations Commission if applicable. School policies must also include a statement prohibit-

ing retaliation, consequences for falsely accusing someone of harassment, how the policy will be publicized and that the antibullying coordinator’s contact information will be listed online. Currently, antibullying policies must be revisited every three years, but O’Brien’s bill would mandate annual reviews, as well as publication in each school’s student handbook and the requirement that it be distributed annually to parents. The measure would require

the Department of Education to develop a model policy for schools to follow by September. The bill does not prevent schools from implementing “more stringent” antibullying laws, which could include the enumeration of protected classes such as sexual orientation and gender identity. O’Brien said Sen. LeAnna Washington (D-4th Dist.) is also working on an antibullying measure, adding that he’s “cautiously optimistic” that his bills can progress this session. ■

�� LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY Thomas E. Hora

��

Attorney-at-Law ��

��

AMY F. STEERMAN Attorney at Law

Concentrating in Planning for Lesbian and Gay Couples • Probate • Wills • Living Wills • Powers of Attorney

215-735-1006

��

1900 Spruce Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 www.amysteerman.com

“We are a debt relief agency”

��

Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week.

PGN

14 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY ��

��

“We Put Your Grandma’s Roof On”

��

MyPhillyRooferLLC.com

��

�

��

• Hot roofs • Rubber • Shingle • Metal • Gutters • Spouts • Siding • Shovel snow

15, 20, 30 year warrenties

��

215-289-5650 ��

��

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

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

Succeed at business succession: all about buy-sell agreements Q: I own a small business in Philadelphia with another person. I want to make sure that if something were to happen to me, my life partner would get some financial benefit from my ownership in the business. How can I make sure he’s protected? A: This is a great question for all business owners to be asking. Unless you have a written agreement in place, your share of ownership in a business might not be passed on the way you may have hoped. Here’s what you need to know. Running into financial trouble isn’t the only reason that some small, closely held businesses fail to succeed. Their untimely demise may result from the lack of a formal plan Jeremy providing for the orderly succession of management and ownership of the business. Such a plan frequently incorporates a buy-sell agreement — a legal arrangement between the owners of a business that ensures the entity will survive even after the departure, death or disability of an owner. To head off future problems, it pays to understand the uses and structures of these agreements. Although they can be adopted at any time, it is best to decide whether to put a buy-sell agreement in place as early as possible in the life of a business. The typical buy-sell agreement specifies that an owner’s interest in the business will be sold, or at least offered for sale, to the other owners at a predetermined price upon the occurrence of a specified “triggering” event — such as retirement, death

or disability. Other possible triggers may include divorce, bankruptcy, loss of professional license or an owner’s desire to sell his or her interest in the business. The agreement usually restricts an owner’s ability to transfer his or her interest and sets out the terms under which another owner or the business entity may acquire the departing owner’s interest. Key benefits Regardless of whether you leave the business by choice or by chance, a buy-sell agreement may offer peace of mind by enabling the business to continue to provide for family, employees and partners who depend on it. Specifically, a buy-sell Gussick agreement can: — Provide a ready market for the departing owner’s share of the business. — In the event of death, provide the deceased owner’s heirs with some liquidity to meet their needs and pay estate administrative costs. — Help maintain job security for key nonowner employees. — Establish the purchase price for the departing owner’s interest. — Set a value or create a mechanism for determining value on the business for estate-tax purposes.

Out Money

Possible structures There are generally three basic types of buy-sell agreements: Cross purchase. Each owner enters into

an agreement with every other owner. This approach becomes cumbersome if more than three or four individuals are involved. For example, 64 separate agreements would be required for eight owners. Entity purchase. The business itself (be it a corporation, LLC or partnership) enters into an agreement with each owner and is obligated to buy the shares of a departing owner. This arrangement may simplify the administration of the sale, but some states limit the amount of stock a corporation can redeem. A third type, or so-called hybrid plan, is essentially a combination of the cross purchase and entity purchase. This approach allows the entity and its owners to delay a purchase decision until a triggering event occurs. The entity typically has the first right of refusal for purchasing the shares of a departing owner.

There are a number of potential tax issues associated with purchase agreements. Entity and hybrid purchase agreements in particular must be structured carefully so as to minimize income taxes at both the business and individual shareholder levels. Like all business succession matters, buy-sell agreements are complex legal documents and require the assistance of qualified legal, tax and insurance professionals to ensure proper drafting, execution and funding. One last point: The best time to establish a buy-sell agreement is before a problem arises. Contact your financial advisor to learn more about the issues involved with private business ownership and about establishing working relationships with tax and legal professionals who specialize in business succession matters. n

Funding the purchase Life insurance is the most popular funding mechanism for buy-sell agreements. Life insurance is unique in that it creates immediate funding in the event of death, while allowing tax-deferred cash to build up over time. In a cross-purchase plan, each owner buys and maintains a policy on every other owner in an amount sufficient to cover the beneficiary’s ownership interest. In an entity arrangement, the business purchases the insurance policy on each owner and the business is the beneficiary. Besides life insurance, other less popular but potentially effective funding mechanisms include cash flow, asset sales, loans, sinking funds and reserves.

Jeremy R. Gussick is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, the nation’s leading independent broker-dealer.* Jeremy specializes in the financial planning needs of the LGBT community and was recently named a 2010 Five Star Wealth Manager by Philadelphia Magazine.** He is active with several LGBT organizations in the Philadelphia region, including the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund, the Greater Philadelphia Professional Network and the Independence Business Alliance. OutMoney appears monthly. If you have a question for Jeremy, contact him at jeremy.gussick@lpl.com. This article was prepared with the assistance of McGraw-Hill Financial Communications and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. Consult your financial advisor or Jeremy Gussick if you have any questions. LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. *Based on total revenues, as reported in Financial Planning Magazine, June 1996-2010. **Details on the award can be found at www.fivestarprofessional.com.

Tax and planning considerations

SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY ��

��

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

PGN

16 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

established” allegations against them. Following the report, however, the Archdiocese hired attorney Gina Maisto Smith to conduct an independent investigation, and the former child-abuse prosecutor recommended the 21 suspensions — which range from allegations of sex abuse to “boundary issues” with minors.

PRIESTS, from page 1

Archdiocesan official who allegedly covered up the priests’ abuse. The report also stated that 37 priests were still in active ministry who had faced past sex-abuse allegations, to which the Archdiocese originally responded that no priests in active duty had “admitted or

Proctology Important Facts About Hemorrhoids Colonoscopy An area of main concern is rectal bleeding. It is extremely impor-

Ofﬁce Hemorrhoid Treatment Screening for Rectal & Colon Cancer Ofﬁce Surgery • Laser Surgery Bleeding • Constipation • Diarrhea Treatment for Warts Most Insurances Accepted Day & Evening Appointments

tant to make sure that there is no source of bleeding from above the hemorrhoid area. Polyps are growths or tumors in the rectum or colon. They can grow and develop into colon cancer. Usually small polyps will not cause symptoms. The fact is that 95 out of 100 patients who visit Dr. Meyerson’s ofﬁce for their hemorrhoids respond to simple, usually painless, ofﬁce procedures without having to have hospitals surgery.

Dr. Lowell D. Meyerson D.O. Board Certiﬁed Proctologist City Line Professional Building Suite 2, 7516 City Line Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19151 215-877-3639

Medical Arts Building

Last month, the Archdiocese placed three other priests included in the report on administrative leave. Of the other 13 men referenced, the Archdiocese explained this week that one was already on leave, two are no longer in active duty and two others are no longer serving in the Archdiocese, although their respective religious orders have been notified of the past allegations. The remaining eight will not face administrative leave, as the investigation found the allegations to be unfounded. Rigali emphasized that the administrative leaves are “interim measures. They are not in any way final determinations or judgments.” Smith will lead a team of experts, including child advocates, a child-abuse pediatrician, a psychiatrist and a psychologist, to examine each of the 21 cases in depth.

Suite 226, 50 East Township Line Rd. Elkins Park, PA 19027 215-379-0444

Also this week, the Archdiocese was hit with another lawsuit, this one filed Monday by a Delaware man. Philip Gaughan, 31, alleges the Rev. John Gillespie abused him in the mid-’90s while he was a student at Our Lady of Calvary, and that Archdiocesan officials lied to his family about prior allegations against the priest. Gillespie died in 2008. Named as defendants are the Archdiocese, Rigali, Lynn, numerous staffers and former Archbishop Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua. The grand-jury report lambasted Bevilacqua for his alleged role in hiding sex-abuse cases, and the Allegheny County District Attorney this week indicated his office has undertaken a review of sexabuse cases filed against the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh during Bevilacqua’s tenure as Archbishop of that diocese in the 1980s. ■

��

www.fannydoctor.com

��

SERVICES DIRECTORY ��

INDEPENDENCE BUSINESS ALLIANCE DIRECTORY ��

��

�� • • • •

��

www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com

�

REAL ESTATE PGN

Classifieds 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.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

Home of the Week

Featured property:

Center City, Philadelphia 915 Clinton St. #302

Open House 2-4 pm Sunday 3/13

��

Luxurious and spacious one bedroom condominium on picturesque Clinton Street in Washington Square. Completely renovated in 2005, this unit is part of the “Cole House” condominiums- a boutique elevator building converted from a 47 unit-the first level is an open historic home. 302PAGE is a bi-level floor plan with gorgeous hardwood flooring, gourmet cook’s kitchen, living room w/ gas fireplace, powder room, and large windows overlooking Clinton St. Off the bedroom is a private deck ideal for BBQ-ing or just enjoying the stunning City Views. Low condo fees,storage and tax abatement. Includes 1 yr parking for 1 car at the 11th & Clinton Parking Garage with acceptable offer.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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 Beds: 1 Baths: 1.5 under the age of 18), and handicap (disability). PGN �� Square footage: 1,460 will not knowingly accept any real-estate advertising �� that is in violation of any applicable law.

��

�� REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE �� Collingswood – One of ��116 W. Collings Avenue, �� Collingswood’s true beauties across from Knight �� Park. Home boasts a stunning entranceway with ��

SALE

Price: $549,999

E-mail: margaux.pelegrin@gmail.com

Phone: (215) 205-2400

REAL ESTATE

SALE

REAL ESTATE

SALE

Main Street Realty

a lovely open staircase. Much of the home’s ��charm has been saved in the hardwood original �� ﬂ oors, stained glass, slate roof and charming �� moldings. Features wrap around porch, brick �� patio and partially ﬁnished basement. Approved �� building lot is included. $339,000 �� 208 W. Browning Road, Collingswood – Premier �� location across from Knight Park. Stately �� Collingswood Four Square with original chestnut �� woodwork on professionally landscaped,

�� oversized lot. Features: living room with ﬁreplace,

new kitchen with 42” designer cabinets, gas stove and dishwasher, built-in china cabinet, family room with new carpeting. Home has been freshly painted throughout with neutral colors. Other features include hardwood ﬂoors, chestnut wood trim and doors, 2 zone heating, two car garage with door opener. $349,900

E-mail us: pgn@epgn.com

��

Open House, Sunday, March 13th, 1:00-3:00

701 Linwood Avenue, Collingswood – Charming 4 �� bed, 2 bath Victorian ﬁlled with original character,

hardwood floors, woodwork and stained glass. �� and spacious rooms. Enclosed wrap around porch leads to living and formal dining room with French ��. Furness doors Flats. 2 bed, bath.kitchen last and andLarge high ceilings. Large1 eat-in unit left in this highly desirable Close all Center City full building. bath on main floor. to Custom built staircase Hospitals. Low fees and taxes ................................�� leads to 2nd floor where main bedroom has French pocket doors that open to sitting/sun room. �� “George T. Sale Garden Updated electricCondo” and 2 zoneUnique heat. $299,900 level 1 bd, 1 ba. unit w/ private entrance.. Low fees & Tax Abatement. Lowest price 1 bd. in area ........................��.

Main Street Realty �� 730 Haddon Avenue ��. New open style 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo Collingswood, NJpet friendly building. with low taxes and condo fees. Great small .........................................................................�� 856-858-2200 �� Old Swedes Court. New Listing Large 3 Bedroom 2.5 Bath with Garage, roof deck and hardwood ﬂoors. Low association fees in Queen Village ....................��

��

Open Houses Sunday March 13, 2011 NOON - 2:00 PM 2155 MONSTROSE STREET new construction, tax abatement, 3BR/2.5BA ...................................$425,000 2136 Tryon St. New listing in Rittenhouse Square area. Cute 2 bedroom, one bath with small garden and nice deck. .......................................................$299,000 NOON - 1:00 PM 927 SPRUCE STREET, 2R Junior 1BR/1BA Condo, parking available for $20,000...........................$199,000 1:30-2:30 PM 255 S. HUTCHINSON STREET. 2BR/1.5BA cute home in great area...........................................$250,000 1109 SPRUCE STREET 3 units available, Studio, and two, 1BR/1BA,Condos.....................................$180,000 Search all Philadelphia area listings @ www.thephillyrealtors.com Dan Tobey

The Curtis Center 1401 Walnut St. 8th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19102

215.546.2700 Business • 267.238.1061 Direct 215.432.7151 Cell • 215.546.7728 Fax dtobey@cbpref.com • www.cbpref.com

REAL ESTATE

SALE

VENTNOR, NJ, FACING THE BAY House and Adjacent Lot (inground swimming pool). 1st floor 3 bedrooms, bath, living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room and deck. 2nd floor 2 bedrooms, bath, efficiency kitchen, living room, dining area and deck. Central Air. Corner Property. Call 215-468-9166 evenings only. $675,000.00. Also property for rent1500.00 month plus utilities. _______________________________35-10 Upstate NY Land Bargains 7.5 Acres w/ Beautiful Trout Stream Frontage - $29,995. 23 Acres w/ Road & Utilities $39,995. 7.75 Acres w/ Beautiful Views, Road & Utilities - $19,995. Financing Available. Call 800-229-7843 Or visit www.LandandCamps.com _______________________________35-10 Cameron County - 7 acres with trout stream and state forest land frontage, perc, electric, near Sizerville State Park. $59,900. Owner financing. 814-435-2570. _______________________________35-10 Lake Morris, NY: 5 acres on Lake $29,900. 6 acres Lakefront $29,900. 10 acres 2300’ Waterfront, Lake Peninsula $59,900. Village Road, Utilities. www.WaterfrontPropertyNY. com Owners-Broker 1-888-683-2626. _______________________________35-10

REAL ESTATE

RENT

12TH & DICKINSON AREA Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms , bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (negotiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. _______________________________35-10 RITTENHOUSE SQUARE AREA Studios & 1 Bedrooms - Call for Availability (215)735-8050. _______________________________35-12 QUEEN VILLAGE 3RD & CATHARINE Gated. 1 BR, hdwd ﬂrs, F/P, C/A, W/D, D/W, private & quaint. $1100. 215-336-4629, cell, 215-687-8461. _______________________________35-13

BUSINESS

OPORTUNITIES Do you earn $800 in a day? Your Own Local Candy Route! 25 Machines and Candy All for $9995. 877-915-8222 All Major Credit Cards Accepted! _______________________________35-10 Frac Sand Haulers with complete rigs only. Tons of Runs in warm, ﬂat, friendly and prosperous Texas! Great company, pay and working conditions. 817-769-7621, 817-769-7713. _______________________________35-10

PGN

30 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

REAL ESTATE

SALE

REAL ESTATE

SALE

SERVICES

HELP WANTED

ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE From Home. *Medical *Business *Paralegal *Computers *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualiﬁed. Call 888-220-3984 www.CenturaOnline.com _______________________________35-10 IF YOU USED TYPE 2 DIABETES DRUG AVANDIA Between 1999- present and suffered a stroke, heart attack or congestive heart failure you may be entitled to compensation. Attorney Charles Johnson 1-800-535-5727 _______________________________35-10

Run With a Leader! We offer everything you need: Solid Pay & Beneﬁts. 2011 Tractors. High Miles and Great Hometime. Van - avg $0.35cpm. Flatbed - avg $0.39cpm. Includes Bonuses. CDL-A, 6mo. OTR. 888-801-5295. _______________________________35-10 GO REGIONAL NOW! Outstanding MILES; WEEKLY Home Time; TOP Pay & Equipment; 6 months CDLA experience required. Hazmat & TWIC preferred. EEOE/AAP 866-322-4039 www. Drive4Marten.com _______________________________35-10 Drivers- Paid CDL Training & a Stable Career! NO CREDIT CHECK! No Experience required! TRAINERS EARN $.49/MILE! 888-417-7564 CRST EXPEDITED www.JoinCRST.com _______________________________35-10 TRUCK DRIVERS WANTED! 2011 PAY RAISE! UP TO $.52 PER MILE! HOME WEEKENDS! EXCELLENT BENEFITS! NEW EQUIPMENT! HEARTLAND EXPRESS 1-800-441-4953 www.heartlandexpress.com _______________________________35-10

Driver: CDL-A Drivers get home weekly. If you live within 75 miles of York, PA; Scranton, PA; Somerset, PA; Hagerstown, MD, call today 800609-0033. www.joindmbowman.com _______________________________35-10 Drivers- Flatbed OWNER OPERATORS Up to $1000 Sign on Bonus. Earn $1.85/mi or more! No age restriction on tractors /trailers. CRST Malone 877-277-8756 www. JoinMalone.com _______________________________35-10 Between High School and College? Over 18? Drop that entry level position. Earn what you’re worth!!! Travel w/Successful Young Business Group. Paid Training. Transportation, Lodging Provided. 1-877-646-5050. _______________________________35-10 Drivers CDL-A DEDICATED RUNS Up to $.50 per mile! Great pay, loaded or empty! Solos & CDL Grads Welcome. 800-942-2104 Ext. 238 or 243 www.totalms.com _______________________________35-10

REAL ESTATE

SALE

PGN

Advertising works.

LEGAL NOTICE

ROOMMATES PGN WILL NOT PUBLISH RACIAL DISTINCTIONS IN ROOMMATE ADS. SUCH NOTATIONS WILL BE EDITED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. ___________________________________ GREATER NE PHILA. Have your own bedroom in a beautiful split level home with 2 gay men. House is 4 BR, 2 full baths, W/D, upper and lower decks, use of kitchen. Property is by Welsh & the Boulevard, 1 min. to 58 bus. We ask only that you be at least reasonably neat and employed. Rent is $600 + 1/3 utils. Contact Dave at 215-698-0215. _______________________________35-10 ROOMMATE WANTED IN LANSDALE End Unit, Pool, Tennis, Large Patio. All Utilities Included, Available April 1st. $550 a month. 1st and security needed. Short or long term available.Furnished or Unfurnished. PLEASE be clean, responsible and laid back. No Whores! Ron, (609) 495 4540. _______________________________35-10

Recreational

VACATION

FINANCIAL

AFFORDABLE FORT LAUDERDALE All Gay Resort. Apts., full kit, 10 min Gay Nightlife, beaches, attractions. Clothing opt. pool, WiFi. 877-927-0090, www.LibertySuites.com _______________________________35-15 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800-638-2102 Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com _______________________________35-10 NEW REHOBOTH BEACH LUX. CONDO 2 BR, 2 BA, pool, tennis, clubhouse. 1 mile to beach. Season, $9800. No pets or smoking. 484-332-1686, db114rw421@verizon.net _______________________________35-10 Stone Harbor, NJ - Family Oriented Community. 4 bedroom 2 1/2 baths. Sleeps 8. Near Beach and Town. Call for photo Web page 610-967-5532. _______________________________35-10

Attention Annuity Owners. Unhappy with your payments? Need money now? We provide immediate cash with our customized solutions. Call George at 610-304-4091 or visit www. ﬁvestarcommercialﬁnance.com _______________________________35-10 Trying to Get Out of Debt? NO ObligationComplimentary Consultation. $10K in Credit Card/Unsecured Debt. YOU Have Options!! Learn about NO Upfront Fee Resolution Programs! Call 888-456-4551. _______________________________35-10

RENTAL

Activities

SERVICES

SERVICES ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE From Home. *Medical *Business *Paralegal *Computers *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualiﬁed. Call 888-220-3984 www.CenturaOnline.com _______________________________35-10 IF YOU USED TYPE 2 DIABETES DRUG AVANDIA Between 1999- present and suffered a stroke, heart attack or congestive heart failure you may be entitled to compensation. Attorney Charles Johnson 1-800-535-5727 _______________________________35-10

FOR SALE

FIND THEM IN THE

Meeting Place

SAWMILLS Band/Chainsaw -Cut lumber any dimension, anytime. Build anything from furniture to homes. IN STOCK ready to ship. From $4090.00. www.NorwoodSawmills.com/300N. 1-800-661-7747. _______________________________35-10 TAKE VIAGRA/CIALIS? SAVE $500! Get 40 100mg/20mg Pills, for only $99! Call now and Get 4 BONUS Pills FREE! Your Satisfaction or Money Refunded! 1-888-795-8646. _______________________________35-10

LEGAL NOTICE

FRIENDS

MEN

nite. GWM couple ISO GWMs 18-40 yrs. for 1 on 1 and group sex. Stockings, pantyhose, etc. Starts 9 PM Sat. Call Sat. 7-8 PM 856910-8303, ask for Mark. _______________________________33-24 ADULT PERSONALS PGN GWM, Italian, top or bottom, 7” cut. Also into assplay, toys & water sports. Bi, straight, out of towners welcome. Day or night. Call Jeff at FRIENDS 215-850-7900. _______________________________33-18

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. _______________________________35-10 Got a big torpedo? Fire it into a white butt. Call 8-11 PM, 215-732-2108. _______________________________35-10

Real Estate Directory FRIENDS

MEN

Books

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

�� MASSAGE MASSAGE CERTIFIED

(

WWW.EPGNHandsome .COM Certified Therapist

��

6’, 195 lbs, Muscle Gives Sensual / Therapeutic Massage

Call 215-432-6030

Gay is our middle name.

P.A.N.G. (Philadelphia Area Naked Guys) Sunday- March 13th, 2011 TIME: 3pm- 6pm

MEN

RCH

Even ts

Come visit us. We are under NEW MANAGEMENT!! Sansom Street Gym 2020 Sansom Street 267-330-0151 www.sansomstreetgym.com

EVOLUTION: Fu*k me I’m Irish!

��

Saturday- March 19th, 2011 TIME: 10pm-3am · Dj Dutch · Food Catered by Tommy D. · HOT Dancers and more...

B-7

FRIENDS

��

- Rooms are on a 1st Come, 1st Served Basis... Rooms Go Quickly! So CHECK IN EARLY :-)

*Don’t forget to visit the Adonis Cinema right next door!!

PGN

City/

215-313-1010 Online. Anytime.

PGN MEN

r FULLB “A

�� Man for Man Massage �� Tall, attractive, muscular Sensual/Erotic Massage �� I will tailor your massage �� to suit your needs... Incall/Outcall ��

6’, 165 lbs., 60 year old Master, greek active, french passive requires obedient slave for training, S&M, B/D, W/S, etc. Limits respected and expanded. Assistant Master wanted. Call Dave at 215-729-6670, day or evening. _______________________________35-15 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. _______________________________35-10 Daddy sks lover LTR. Delco. 610-931-6633. _______________________________35-12

FRIENDS

Convenient to Lower Bucks, NE Phila. 15 mins from CC & S.Jersey Available to any Phila area Hotel G12

Erotic Dungeon Master

looking for your dream home?

Adult

Support the advertisers who support our community.

32 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

PGN

FULL PAGE Kimmel Center COLOR CR

AC ul t ure rts

FEATURE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

PAGE 23

Family Portrait Scene in Philly Q Puzzle Worth Watching Dining Out Out & About Bulletin Board

Page Page Page Page Page Page Page

19 21 24 24 25 26 28

Through his Eyes

Out Iraq war vet takes his story to the stage By Larry Nichols larry@epgn. com After his deployment to Iraq in 2003, openly gay Marine Reservist J e ff Key returned to the States with a lifethreatening intestinal problem and a growing concern about the Bush admin-

istration’s handling of the war effort. During his two-month deployment, Key held onto his sanity by keeping a journal — protected in the cargo pocket of his uniform — which became the basis of his one-man show, “The Eyes of Babylon,” on stage March 15-April 3 at Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol. An Alabama native who holds a bachelor’s degree in theater from the University of Alabama, Key joined the Marine Corps as a reservist in 2000, at age 34. After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, his unit was activated and eventually deployed to eastern Iraq in March 2003 — at the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. “With the exception of excerpts of three letters — one to my friends back in L.A. who are also artists, one to the family of a Marine in my unit who died and a letter to the C.O. to explain why I was leaving the Marine Corps — the play in its totality comes from my journals,” Key said. “When I’m up on stage, the words I am speaking are straight out of my journal.” After his surgery, Key’s disquiet about what he’d observed in Iraq and his growing conviction that

the coalition’s tactics were wrong led him to decide to leave the military. He said his journal entries were instrumental in helping him sort through all the internal baggage he brought back with him. “When I got back from Iraq and people would ask me about what it was like for me over there, I would read to them from my journals,” he said. “Usually the feedback was I should do something with them, like publish them. I came back in 2003 and I went through a period of depression, trying to figure out how to speak about the Bush administration’s foreign policy and what it was like for me to serve under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ I just continued to do readings for my friends.” In his show, Key frankly discusses the frustration and revelations he experiences during the U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq, all the while serving openly under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” “‘Eyes of Babylon’ to me is the story of my spiritual journey, my crisis of conscience and what ultimately led me to hold on to my patriotic and spiritual values set against the backdrop of this particular war and the fact that I was serving as an out gay man,” Key said. “All my buddies in the Marine Corps are straight. They all knew, from the time they came out to me as straight and I came out to them as gay. I was not about

FEATURE PGN

18 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

to fucking listen to them share their deepest, darkest secrets and the details of their relationships with their wives or girlfriends and then manufacture a safe life to present to them as me. That level of extremely profound commitment between Marines is based on honesty and selflessness and I thought that would be a selfish thing to do. So I was risking their being able to say, ‘This guy is gay and he has to go,’ because I was still serving under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ But I never had a negative coming-out experience in the Marine Corps. I came out to some conservative guys who had never had a gay friend. “Leading up to the repeal of DADT, the commandant made some comments about the culture of the Marine Corps. Unfortunately he was making them in support of keeping DADT. But there was a lot of truth in what he was saying. The culture of the Marine Corps is hyper-masculine. I think that when I came out to my buddies, they looked at me and I sort of fit the idea of what a Marine should be. I was willing to give my life for the country and for them. I was willing to fight and die for what I believed in.” Even with the support and acceptance of his fellow Marines, who didn’t say anything about his orientation to their superiors, Key received an honorable discharge under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” after he went on CNN as Paula Zahn’s guest on 2004, speaking out in opposition to the occupation of Iraq and the ban on openly gay servicemembers. Key now performs “Eyes of Babylon” nationally and internationally, and he speaks at high schools, businesses, universities, peace groups and churches on effective nonviolent conflict resolution. Key was also the subject of a Showtime documentary, “Semper Fi: One Marine’s Journey,” that first aired in June 2007. Key said the servicemembers he’s encountered during his travels have been supportive of his work. “Parts of the ‘Eyes of Babylon’ shed

some light on the experience from the inside,” he said. “I’ve heard from a lot of straight servicemen and veterans who have been very supportive based on the fact that I was a Marine who loves the Marine Corps and loves the United States of America.” When asked about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Key believes it was and is still being used for political reasons, as opposed to any concerns about how servicemembers will get along without it. “My grandfather’s generation grew up down South as coalmining stock from as far back as you can trace it,” he said. “From its inception, this country as part of our history, people lived in abject poverty and worked themselves to death while the American wealthy elite lived like royalty. There was a point where poor and workingclass people said, ‘That won’t work and the only way we can stand up against that is to work together.’ I know there are some evil geniuses out there that have figured out a way to craft this and other issues to keep poor people voting against their best interest.” Key believes most Americans aren’t getting the full picture of everything that has happened in Iraq. “I haven’t had a TV since I got back,” he said. “I just became acutely aware. I’m still wildly patriotic and I believe that Americans are good people. But I believe some horrific things have been done in our name. I was raised by a history teacher and we have a very one-sided view of our history. In modern America, there are a lot of people that believe that their identity is wrapped up in their patriotism, and that means we have to pretend that we have this very innocent history. For me, the opposite is true. I love my country so much, I think we need to look at the ways that we fucked up to make sure that we’re not repeating mistakes. I’m not some doomsday artist, but we’ve been the top dog for a while now and every country that’s been the most powerful country on earth has fallen away. We’re not the first country to hold that position.

High quality dental treatment and preventive care

• Cosmetic dentistry • Veneers • Crowns • Whitening • Implants

Craig T. Wakefield, DDS Proudly serving the LGBT community and PWA for over 20 years. Medical Towers Building • Suite 2306 255 S. 17th St., Philadelphia, Pa 19103 (215) 732-8080 Evening hours available.

ART REFLECTS LIFE: Playwright Jeff Key documents life on the front lines in Iraq. “So a lot of my expression through my art is connected to my desire to keep America safe and allow us the opportunity to move forward. Denying our history is a recipe for destruction. We have to be honest about the fact that there were 10 million people living on this continent when Europeans first came here. We have to be honest about the fact that the people that drafted the Constitution believed in owning other humans. I don’t believe in deifying our founders. I believe they did incredible, wonderful things for us by putting into place a system whereby we can go run ourselves and continually be tough on ourselves. When I see the Tea Party activists saying, ‘We want to go back’ — the people that they deify did not allow women to vote. If you didn’t own property or have an education, you couldn’t vote. That’s not the America that I want. That’s not the America I want to live in. It’s not the America I’m still willing to give my life to defend.” It can’t be easy to relive your own mental turmoil from a war four nights a week for

Scott A. Drake Photography 267.736.6743 • • • •

Portraits Events Adverstising Website

weeks at a time. But Key said he can’t yet envision someone else telling his story on the stage. “By this point, certainly, we’ve been approached about having other productions do the script,” he said. “I think it would make sense. I want to do the New York run. I haven’t made any decisions about when I’ll stop doing it. I’m writing another play that I will perform and I’ve written another play that’s based on my teenage friendship, but I would not perform that. The play was the thing that got me past being frozen with my depression and my frustration with what was going on in the country and that I had this message that I wanted to share so badly. It only made sense for me to tell the story.” ■ The Bristol Riverside Theatre presents “The Eyes of Babylon” March 15-April 3 at 120 Radcliffe St. For more information on Jeff Key, his works or tickets to his show, visit theeyesofbabylon.com or call 215-7850100.

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

Suzi Nash

Fay Jacobs: Author, publisher and ‘horrible’ actress Mark Twain once said, “The human race has only one really effective weapon and that is laughter.” If that’s the case, then Fay Jacobs must be a smart bomb. Jacobs is an award-winning author whose three novels, “As I Lay Frying: A Rehoboth Beach Memoir,” “Fried & True: Tales from Rehoboth Beach” and “For Frying Out Loud,” have delighted readers with tales about life, on and off the sandy beaches of Delaware. PGN: Were you born a beach bum? FJ: No, I’m originally from Manhattan! I lived there through high school, then I moved to the D.C. area to attend school at American University. After college, I stayed in D.C. for the next 30 years doing journalism, newspaper work, theater and public relations before eventually moving to Rehoboth. PGN: What did your folks do? FJ: My father was the art director at CBS and my mother worked for The Actors Fund of America. PGN: So you come from a creative lineage. Did you get to go on set with your dad? FJ: I did. I’d get to go to rehearsals of productions like “The Ed Sullivan Show.” PGN: Best celebrity encounter? FJ: I got to meet Rudolf Nureyev and watch him dance, and I got to meet Carol Burnett, who was one of my heroes. PGN: And what was fun about your mother’s job? FJ: The biggest thing I remember was helping out with the Christmas fund. Every year around the holidays, they’d raise money for the Actor’s Home by passing a basket around the audience during all the Broadway shows. I got to be a basket passer, which allowed me to see all these wonderful Broadway shows for free. In 1966, I saw all 10 shows on Broadway including Angela Lansbury in “Mame,” which I saw 10 times! I got to meet her and hang out backstage. It was wonderful, and it came full circle when I got to sit and chat with her last December backstage at the Kennedy Center Honors. PGN: Do you have any siblings? FJ: Yes, I have a sister who still lives in New York. She went to the High School of Music and Art and taught voice and piano for a while, but she’s really into cat rescue these days. PGN: What were you like as a kid? FJ: Very theatrical. I acted when I was young and started writing funny stories when I was in high school. I followed

that up with theater in college and then more writing. In the late ’70s, early ’80s, I started writing for the Washington Blade under an assumed name, which you had to do back then because I was doing PR and writing for straight publications as well. It was really hard, having to separate your life like that and try to write while you weren’t being honest about yourself. When I got the chance to move to Rehoboth in 1999 and be myself, it was really great, because I was able to integrate my life and my work for the first time. PGN: What was your assumed name? FJ: Fran Kelsey: Kelsey was my mother’s maiden name and Fran was close to Fay. PGN: When did you come out? FJ: Well, I’d been married and my husband and I split up. I was going to a therapist and she had another client who was gay. The woman offered to talk to me and take me around and show me the clubs, etc. It was very helpful. I came to the conclusion that, yes, I was gay, and almost immediately I met some wonderful friends. PGN: Do you remember the feeling the first time you stepped into a lesbian bar? FJ: Oh my God, yes! It was Valentine’s Day 1980, a bar in D.C. called The Other Side. I walked in and thought, My God, how long has this been going on and I didn’t know about it? I couldn’t believe it. I just couldn’t believe it. It was delightful. PGN: How did the family respond to you coming out? FJ: I was about 30 when I came out and I had been miserable for so long, they were just happy I was happy. PGN: And now you’ve written three books. FJ: Yes, the first was a collection of columns, “Letters from CAMP Rehoboth,” that I’d written from 1995-2003. The second book also featured my columns, but it was also about Anyda Marchant and Muriel Crawford, who started Naiad Press back in the ’70s [along with Barbara Grier and Donna McBride]. Fascinating women. They both lived in Rehoboth and at the time they were quite elderly and were looking for someone to take over their new company, A & M Books. Anyda had written 14 novels under the name Sarah Aldridge. I helped Anyda with her last books and, when they passed away, I inherited the business. [Laughs.] Basically, that meant that they left me boxes and boxes of books. Anyda’s books still sell on Amazon so I have to keep them organized. My latest book is called “For Frying Out Loud,” and I’ll be reading from it at Giovanni’s Room [March 12]. I love mak-

ing people laugh, but I love to make them think too. PGN: What was it like seeing your book in a bookstore for the first time? FJ: I have to admit, it was exciting. I took a picture of it on the shelf: It was right between Kate Clinton and Chelsea Handler. That was a good day for me. PGN: How did you meet Anyda and Muriel? FJ: They were well known in Rehoboth for having Saturday-night salons on their front porch. They’d have all sorts of people there — gay, straight, young and old. My editor at Letters from CAMP took me to one of them. We became fast friends. PGN: How long were they together? FJ: Fifty-seven years. I think the key to their longevity was friendship and good scotch!

Creating A More Positive environment. It’s a gay and lesbian center that was started in the ’90s to combat homophobia in Rehoboth. I’m now on the board of directors. It’s a wonderful organization. PGN: Do you read new manuscripts? FJ: Well, I’m not what you call a big-time publisher; I think we publish one book a year. My warehouse is my garage, my spouse is my manager and the dog is security. I did find a novel that I thought fit the mold and principles of the company, which is and was to give women a voice: It’s called “The Carousel” by a writer named Stefani Deoul and I’m happy to say that it’s doing very well. PGN: Why is Rehoboth better than the Jersey Shore? FJ: Oh, you’re gonna get me in trouble! When I moved to Rehoboth, it took me a while to recognize that I lived in Delaware. It’s unusual here: It’s so open and gayfriendly. There are all sorts of great shops and restaurants that are all gay-owned or gay-friendly. We’re totally integrated into the society, which is how it should be. PGN: Random question: What was your craziest moment on stage? FJ: Well, I was a horrible actress, I really was. I did a Chekhov play once and a reviewer said, “She plays Chekhov like Zasu Pitts.” I don’t know if you know who that is, but she was known for flighty, wacky characters. PGN: What’s a farm chore you would not want to do? FJ: I’m from Manhattan. I would not want to do anything that involved mucking anything.

PGN: Were you more likely to own a lava lamp or Photo: Courtesy of Fay Jacobs PGN: And how long have make fun of someone who you been with your partner? did? FJ: Bonnie and I have been together for FJ: This is embarrassing, I owned a lava 28 years, 29 end of this month. Opposites lamp. attract. She’s a retired dental lab owner, PGN: How many hours would you spend I’m a writer; she’s from Baltimore, I’m staring at it? from New York. Two different worlds, but FJ: That depends on the controlled subit works. stances involved. Just kidding! PGN: About your writing, is CAMP Rehoboth an actual place? PGN: Your idea of misery? FJ: Yes, it’s a community center in the FJ: Not being able to come up with an idea for a column! Or not center of downtown. It’s an acronym for PAGE 22

20 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

PGN

22 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

JEFFREY E. GOLDMAN, ATTORNEY AT LAW SPECIALIZING IN PARTNERSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT LAW Proven track record of recovering millions of dollars for wrongfully treated employees!* Experience litigating: • Partnership & business disputes • Non-competes • Executive compensation • Employment discrimination • Real Estate Litigation Jeffrey E. Goldman, Esq. 100 S. Broad St. Suite 1330 Philadelphia, PA 19110

Also handle: • Wills, Living Wills, Trusts and Powers of Attorney

Jeff.Goldman@verizon.net

*Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Put 18 years of experience to work for you!

Triangle Medical General Practice Progressive HIV Care MARK T. WATKINS, DO JOHN DEL ROSSI, PA-C

(215) 829-0170

253 S. 10th St., 1st Floor Philadelphia

Repairs, Renovations and Remodeling

(215) 467-3335 Pa. HIC #026545 Phila. Lic. #17895

“Our” Family Plumber for over 30 years

PORTRAIT, from page 19

being able to be with my friends, that’s probably first. PGN: I hear you’re hooked on your bigscreen TV ... FJ: Yeah. We bought a TV that was too big to get in the car in the box — which should have been the first sign of trouble — but we forged ahead. It takes up half the room and I swear it didn’t look nearly as big in the warehouse-sized store. I love TV, but I think high definition is the cause of too much cosmetic surgery in Hollywood. PGN: You’re in Rehoboth, what’s the worst sunburn or the tightest Speedo you’ve witnessed? FJ: I’ve seen both at Poodle Beach! Of course, the tightest Speedos are on the people who shouldn’t be wearing them in the first place. The worst sunburn was a woman who took off her top and fell asleep. It wasn’t me, by the way. PGN: What’s a great summer day in Rehoboth? FJ: There’s a girls’ beach at State Park, mostly women but men are welcome as well, and they even have a part where you can take your dogs. Then there’s Poodle Beach, which is mostly men and where they have the drag volleyball competition each year. The teams are incredibly good at both drag and volleyball. That’s a lot of fun. PGN: One of your favorite trips? FJ: We’re really into RV camping now. The dogs love it too. We went to Maine and Nova Scotia last year and we’re about to go to Ashville, N.C., for a book signing. In June, there’s a group called RVing Women that’s having an RV rally in Lancaster that we’re going to. That should be a good column! PGN: What modern-day “convenience” do you consider a pain in the neck? FJ: I love my smart phone and my computer, but I hate all the attachments and adapters that come along with using them. Any time you go to do anything, you have to go through wires and connectors that look like spaghetti. When I walk around with all that stuff attached, I look like a suicide bomber. PGN: What’s the biggest conversation piece in your house? FJ: I have the actual street sign from West 54th Street where I grew up in Manhattan. My mother got it for me when they took them down and replaced them with those god-awful green and yellow signs.

PGN: Any hobbies? FJ: I like to take photographs. If you see someone who looks like me and they don’t have a camera in their hands, it’s not me. I carry it everywhere I go. One of the best photos I got was driving in a cab in New York. We went past the library with those majestic lions in front and the sun was perfectly aligned behind them. I yelled for the driver to stop and I jumped out and snapped a picture. Photographers wait hours on their bellies to get such perfect lighting and I just happened upon it. It was serendipitous. PGN: And I understand you had a boat. FJ: Oh yeah, no more, but we used to take it out a lot. We had a 27-foot motorboat that we’d take from Rehoboth to Cape May, turn left and motor up to Manhattan and then on to Fire Island. PGN: What was the biggest scare on the water? FJ: It was just the two of us and we were completely surrounded by fog — couldn’t see a thing. And in the darkness, we heard the horn of a big boat. We couldn’t see where they were, but fortunately they had radar and they could tell where we were so they didn’t run us over. It was scary — though not as scary as the time we forgot the key to the liquor cabinet! PGN: Tell me something special about Bonnie. FJ: She’s the dog whisperer. She’s really great with them. I’m more like a pack member and she’s the alpha. PGN: Have you ever committed a crime? FJ: I’m currently an outlaw. In the State of Delaware, it’s illegal to conduct and/or recognize same-sex marriage. But not only that, anybody who resides in the state and goes someplace else — we went to Canada — to tie the same-sex knot may be subject to jail when they get home. It’s on the books: You can be subject to a $100 fine or 30 days in the slammer if you don’t pay. I wish they’d try it: I’d do the time before I paid up. PGN: What’s a favorite reaction to your book? FJ: One woman told me it was banished from her bedroom because her laughter kept waking up her girlfriend. ■ You can catch Jacobs at 5:30-7 p.m. March 12 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. To suggest a community member for “Family Portraits,” write to portraits05@aol.com.

o Electronic PGN: ww.epgn.com PGN

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

Growing old with HIV, an uncharted territory When HIV and AIDS were first diagnosed 30 years ago, the disease was viewed as a veritable death sentence. Today, with the advances in medical technology, people have lived with the disease for decades — something that was thought of as impossible 20 years ago. James Masten, Ph.D., a psychotherapist and clinical-research consultant for Yale University, interviewed 15 gay men living with HIV at midlife as the basis for his new book, “Aging with HIV: A Gay Man’s Guide.” In the book, Masten offers guidance about the mostly uncharted territory that individuals living longer with HIV find themselves in. “What I was responding to was the large and growing population of people who are living with HIV longer than they expected,” Masten said. “By 2015, more than half of the people living with HIV are going to be over age 50. I don’t think as a society we’re prepared for that. I don’t think the public-health system is prepared for that. And I think a lot of people with HIV haven’t anticipated the challenges of growing older. The book is intended to help gay men who have lived longer than they expected to meet the challenges of aging.” While Masten believes that addressing

the physical challenges of living with HIV is equally important, “Aging with HIV” focuses more on the mental aspects. “Of course there are physical challenges to aging,” he said. “One of the primary physical challenges that I learned from talking to people with HIV, that is also supported by the literature, is the challenge of knowing whether a symptom is HIV-related or age-related. It’s like, ‘Is it AIDS or age?’ We call that symptom ambiguity. A lot of people that are in that group may not realize what a significant problem that poses. Because if you don’t know what’s causing a symptom, then how do you know how to treat it? In some ways, we’re in the same place in the science of HIV that we were two decades ago. We are on the edge of a new frontier. We don’t know what living with HIV for 20 years does to a person. We don’t know what effect taking HIV medications for 20 years has on someone’s immune system or other physical issues. We don’t know how HIV medications interact with other medications. In a way, people living with

HIV have to become experts on their own bodies and help guide research in the next decade.” Masten added that having people in their lives who understand their struggles are beneficial to people living with HIV but, oftentimes, gay men over age 40 don’t have that support. “Having a good social-support system that you feel is there for you is one of the most significant aspects that encourages healthy aging. The same is true

DR. JAMES MASTEN

for aging with HIV. All of the research points to having a varied support system, and among those people would be people who understand your experience. That can be a challenge for so many gay men that have lost their entire social-support networks. Many of them have to rebuild communities because their entire friendship networks have been decimated by the disease.” Even though most stories about HIV/ AIDS seemed to be centered on young gay men, Masten said the press is starting to catch on to how HIV continues to affect the generation that it first impacted. “There is increased interest and attention to people living with HIV over 50,” he said. “The media is starting to realize this. I’m talking primarily about an American and First World phenomenon. In the health system of the Third World, sadly people are not living as long as the First World or don’t have access to the drugs. But for people in the U.S., I think the media is starting to catch on. The White House just did a huge panel presentation on the challenges of aging. I think people are starting to recognize that aging is posing a significant public-health issue for our society in terms of HIV.” “Aging with HIV: A Gay Man’s Guide” is published by Oxford University Press and is in stores now. ■

ON STAGE IN PHILADELPHIA FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME!

� � � �!

“

SUPER HIT!

“

A perfect piece of musical theater.” –NY Post

You’ll have the time of your life!” –Liz Smith

M AG I C A L

“

A roof-raising, toe-tapping, ENTERTAINMENT! high-ﬂying EXTRAVAGANZA!”

“A N E Y E - P O P P I N G

DELIGHT!

–NY Daily News

Filled with surprises, lots of laughs

and superb production values.” –The Hollywood Reporter

TICKETS FROM $20

MARCH 23 – APRIL 17 ONLY!

kimmelcenter.org/broadway 215-731-3333 ACADEMY OF MUSIC

PHILADELPHIA 5” x 5.6”

88151 / PHILLY GAY NEWS RUN DATE: FRIDAY, MARCH 11

©Disney/CML

By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com

PGN

24 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

Q Puzzle Star-cross’d Garden Dwarfs Across

1. Went down (on) 5. Sleek swimmer 10. Elizabeth of “Transamerica” 14. Burning software 15. Safari head 16. River of Ulrichs’ country 17. Movie about garden dwarfs 20. Contemporary of Bela 21. Kind of reunion 22. Reagan prog. 23. John of “Gay Sex Quotes” 25. Wander (about) 26. Kelly Clarkson and Will Young, e.g. 28. Formal order

30. Dark red gem 31. His music is featured in 17Across 35. Free verse “rhyme scheme” 38. News source of old 39. Garfield’s whipping boy 43. Gamboling area 44. Gay neighborhood of New York 46. Off-rd. transport 47. Bette’s “All About Eve” role 49. Atlantic crosser of old 50. Furnish food for festivities 52. Role played by a man named Julia 54. Queen of mysteries 55. What 31-Across called himself on “Today”

59. Slightly 61. Bear 62. Tool points 65. Jerry Herman musical 66. Joan of Arc keepsake 67. As to 68. Kind of pressure 69. Little bikers in a Gay Pride march 70. Top target

Down

1. Avoided going straight 2. Poe poem 3. Song by 51Across 4. Member of an average threesome 5. It’s in the winds 6. Sound from guitarist Townshend 7. Patty Hearst’s SLA name 8. Rear follower

9. Indian chief 10. VIP of DC, e.g. 11. Light heavyweight 12. Tease 13. Keith Haring, for example 18. Waters of the blues 19. Heep of fiction 24. Rep in the ‘hood 27. Bond’s first foe 29. Emulate Paul Cadmus 30. “Myra Breckinridge” writer Vidal 32. Shaft output 33. Zips 34. Fool around 35. Coloratura Gluck 36. Bit of sweat 37. Competition with four queens 40. “You busy Friday night?” e.g.?

41. Caligula’s way 42. “Climb ___ Mountain” 44. Lake of Lombardy 45. Sometime defender of gay rights 48. Mate of a heterosexual goose 51. Gay-marriage advocate Morissette 53. On the ball 54. Boardroom VIPs 56. Heed a master 57. Liquid ___ 58. “Nurse Jackie” portrayer 59. Part of Etheridge’s equipment 60. ___ kwon do 63. Cross-dresser’s padding site 64. Group of games, for Mauresmo

Worth Watching TEENAGE WASTELAND: Cameron Monaghan (left) plays openly gay teenager Ian Gallagher and Jeremy Allen White plays his brother Lip Gallagher, two siblings in a struggling, tight-knit brood with an alcoholic father in the dark comedic drama “Shameless,” 10 p.m. March 13 on Showtime.

DOING IT LIKE THE DUDE ON SNL: Catch bisexual U.K. pop star Jessie J when she performs on “Saturday Night Live,” which also stars host Zach Galifianakis, 11:30 p.m. March 12 on NBC. Photo: Dan Wilton

Photo: Courtesy of Showtime

WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE CAN’T HAVE A LAVA PIT?: Do you like watching people sustain concussions, fall from significant heights and sacrifice bucket-loads of dignity for a shot at enough money to buy a mediocre car after taxes? Then tune in to “Spring Wipeout: The Birds, the Bees and the Bed Bugs,” where ordinary people run obstacle courses normally reserved for Looney Tunes characters or people who were born on the planet Krypton. Oh, and there’s a $50,000 prize for the winner’s suffering. Catch the new season at 8 p.m. March 17 on ABC. Photo: ABC/Mike Weaver

SO ‘REF’-RESHING?: Martha Stewart joins Cedric the Entertainer (left) and Jason Alexander on the panel of this week’s edition of “The Marriage Ref,” where celebrities peek into the (often) sad lives of (usually) married heterosexual couples to crack jokes and pass judgment, 10 p.m. March 17 on NBC. Photo: Patrick Harbron/NBC

DINING PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

Center City’s new favorite sushi spot By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com North Philadelphia’s best-kept sushi secret recently set up shop in Center City. And it sure knows how to make a splash. Makiman Sushi, 1326 Spruce St., serves dishes with flavor as well as visual flair. The avocado salad ($6.95) was cool and creamy. Then the pendulum swings back to the spicy and crunchy tuna nachos ($9.95), wonton chips topped with fresh tuna, crab salad and a spicy sauce. Both dishes were great ways to kick off a meal. The hirame carpaccio ($8.95) was far more delicate than the previous two dishes, impressing with its seasoning and exquisite garnishing. One of the more unique dishes was the mama roll ($7.50), a mixture of rice, beef and vegetable dipped in egg and pan-fried — a direct hit to the comfort-food bullseye. Another dish that scored high was the spicy pork burrito ($7.50) — rarely seen on a sushi menu, but all the rage thanks to the popularity of Korean taco trucks. Makiman’s burrito is perfect with juicy

pork, kim chi, sour cream, mango salsa and guacamole. For an added boost of spice, Makiman’s Korean chili sauce does an amazing job. Makiman’s selection of sushi rolls is vast, providing many different flavors and textures. It’s easy to see why the Cap’n Crunch roll ($5.95) is a favorite: The combination of cooked shrimp, tempura flakes, mayo and cucumber come together to deliver irresistible texture. The Northeast Viking roll ($13.95) is a visual and flavorful beast, with spicy tuna inside and torched salmon on the outside, topped with tobiko, eel sauce and spicy sauce for a pleasantly complex eating experience. The MM Naturo roll ($9.95) is a refreshing departure from the traditional sushi roll as it contains no rice or seaweed, instead using sheets of cucumber to wrap the tuna, salmon and avocado. The true showstopper of the evening was the stone-pot bi bim bop ($15.95), a spectacular, sizzling, steaming dish of still-cooking crispy rice topped with vegetables, a sunny-side-up egg and your choice of protein or tofu (we had the

THE ABBAYE EXCELLENT BELGIAN AND MICROBREW SELECTIONS

HAPPY HOUR Mon.-Fri. 4-6 pm $2 off all Drafts $5 glass of wine $2 select daily $3 Well Drinks domestic bottle New Happy Menu - Nothing over $5 DAILY LUNCH SPECIAL Mon-Fri. 11:30 -2:30pm $2 off all Sandwiches $1 off all Entrees (Eat-in Only) BRUNCH - Sat. & Sun. 10 am-3 pm QUIZZO - Every Thursday 10 pm KARAOKE - Every Sunday 10 pm

637 NORTH THIRD STREET PHILADELPHIA TEL: 215.627.6711 FAX: 215.627.6167 WWW.THEABBAYE.NET

If you go Makiman Sushi 1326 Spruce St. 215-546-0180 www.makimanonline.com Open MondaySunday for dinner, MondaySaturday for lunch Photo: Scott A. Drake

shredded beef), mixed with either teriyaki or Korean chili sauce at your discretion. In our opinion, the Korean chili sauce is king and queen, but if you want to play it safe ... We’ve seen our fair share of desserts at sushi restaurants but nothing as shamelessly decadent as Makiman’s ice-cream tempura ($8.95), a massive portion of

Happy Hour Mon-Fri 5:30-7:30 $2.50 Domestics $3.50 Imports $3.50 Well Drinks

Rainbow Award Best Bar and Bartender 2008, 2009, 2010

$2.50 PBR and Miller High Life bottles Fox Philly Best Gay and Lesbian Bar all day every day 2008, 2009, 2010

DINNER SERVED NIGHTLY 255 S. Camac St., Philadelphia, Pa. (215) 545-8731

green-tea (or vanilla) ice cream dipped in tempura batter and fried. It’s smothered with strawberry sauce, garnished with fresh strawberries and placed next to a similarly huge mountain of whipped cream, the whole shebang lightly drizzled with chocolate sauce. Pitons, sherpa guides and a few friends to help you finish it are not included. ■

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

26 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 03/11 Michael Ian Black The comedian tapes his new Comedy Central special at 7 and 10 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888. Catie Curtis The out singersongwriter performs at 8 p.m. at Steel City Coffee House, 239 Woburn St., Phoenixville; 610933-4043. Paula Poundstone The comedian performs at 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside;

215-572-7650. Sonia The out singersongwriter performs at 8 p.m. at PSALM Salon, 5841 Overbrook Ave.; 215-4777578. Susan Werner The folk/jazz/pop singer performs at 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400. Kathy “Babe” Robinson and Bobby Peaco The cabaret duo performs at 8:30 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215862-5225.

Dancing with Myself: A Celebration of Solo Sex Danger Danger Gallery hosts an entertaining and educational night that includes drag and burlesque performances by ScrewSmart, Ms. Mary Wanna and Chlamydia Dell’Arte, 9 p.m.1 a.m., 5013 Baltimore Ave.; www.myspace. com/dangerdangergallery.

Sat. 03/12 Indian Festival of Colors: Bollywood and Folk Dance The Kimmel Center presents a free celebration of Indian culture at 11 a.m. at Commonwealth Plaza, 260 S. Broad St.; 215790-5847.

Batman The 1989 Tim Burton film about the famed caped crusader is screened at 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-0223. Men of All Colors Together’s Theatre of Understanding William Way LGBT Community Center hosts a facilitated discussion in the round focusing on personal experiences of racism, family attitudes toward race and cultural and class differences among races, 2-5 p.m., 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220. PGMC Dance Auditions Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus is looking for experienced male or female volunteer

The nation’s oldest, continuously operating LGBT bookstore.

Shop at Giovanni’s Room

www.queerbooks.com email: giovannis_room@verizon.net 345 S. 12th St. Philadelphia, Pa 19107 215-923-2960 Mon-Sat 11:30 - 7, Sun 1 - 7

dancers to be part of its June concert, 2-6 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, 2111 Sansom St.; schedule an appointment at dance@pgmc. org. Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School Philly Cabaret meets art school in this burlesque show, 3 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Dominatrix GayBingo That pretty much says it all, 7 p.m. at Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St.; 215-4463021. Christopher Williams Philadelphia Dance Projects presents a multimedia dance performance, 7:30 p.m. at Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine St.; 215-546-2552.

Support your local independent bookstore! 10% off most hardbacks

ROCK THE (COFFEE) HOUSE, PART 1: Taking a break from recording her new CD, out Boston-based singer-songwriter Catie Curtis is coming to the area for a performance at 8 p.m. March 11 at Steel City Coffee House, 239 Woburn St., Phoenixville. Curtis’ songs have been featured on TV shows such as “Dawson’s Creek,” “Alias” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” and in several independent ﬁlms. She’s also toured extensively with Mary Chapin Carpenter and the original Lilith Fair. For more information, visit catiecurtis.com or call 610-933-4043.

ROCK THE (COFFEE) HOUSE, PART 2: There must be something in the coffee at Steel City this weekend. Out singer-songwriter and excellent urban-folk/pop guitarist Patty Larkin performs at 8 p.m. March 12 at Steel City Coffee House, 239 Woburn St., Phoenixville. For more information, visit www.pattylarkin.com or call 610933-4043.

Dragapalooza: Broadway Divas Brittany Lynn hosts an evening of drag divas performing Broadway showstoppers. 811 p.m. at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St.; www. nightlifegay.com/ tickets. Engelbert Humperdinck The “dink” performs 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre,

291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650. Patty Larkin The out singersongwriter performs at 8 p.m. at Steel City Coffee House, 239 Woburn St., Phoenixville; 610933-4043. It’s Madame ... with an E! The outrageous puppet and co-star Rick Skye perform at 8:30 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215862-5225.

Sun. 03/13 Kings of Pastry The film about 16 French pastry chefs battling it out for supremacy screens at 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-0223. Suzan Bartels and George Sinkler The cabaret singers perform at 7:30 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215-8625225.

Mon. 03/14 Zoolander The comedy film is screened at 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.

Tue. 03/15

Thu. 03/17

Reparando The film about survivors of the civil war in Guatemala trying to rebuild their country is screened at 7:30 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.

Solas The Celtic band performs at 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Wed. 03/16 William Way Community Center’s Way Gay U: Open House William Way LGBT Community Center hosts a sneak peak at all the hot courses coming this spring at Way Gay U, 5:30-8 p.m., 1315 Spruce St.; 215732-2220. PGMC Auditions Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus hosts auditions for the group, 5:45-6:45 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, 2111 Sansom St.; schedule an appointment at www.pgmc.org.

Fri. 03/18 Ladysmith Black Mambazo The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the South African vocal group, 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215898-3900. Lewis Black The comedian performs at 8 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. The Ken Silver Ensemble The group performs at 8:30 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215-862-5225. ■

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

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

to connect in a technologically obsessed world, March 17-19 at Harold Prince Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.

The William Way LGBT Community Center, through March 25, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220.

The Eyes of Babylon Bristol Riverside Theatre presents the oneman show written and performed by out former Marine Jeff Key, who served in Iraq under the military ban on openly gay servicemembers, March 15-April 3, 120 Radcliffe St.; 215-785-0100.

Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America The National Constitution Center, through May 30, 525 Arch St.; 215-409-6600.

Steel Magnolias H.O.P.E. Players presents the dramatic comedy about love, faith and the unity of sisterhood, through March 19 at St. James Hall, 8306 Brookside Road, Elkins Park; 484-886-1869. POLITICAL INTRIGUE: The National Constitution Center and the International Spy Museum present “Spies, Traitors and Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America,” an exhibition illustrating the challenge of securing the nation without compromising the civil liberties upon which it was founded. The exhibit features artifacts and multimedia elements, like this fortiﬁed militia closet, allowing visitors to uncover stories of espionage, treason and deception in the United States from 1776 to today, through May 30, 525 Arch St.; 215-409-6600.

Opening Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps Walnut Street Theatre presents Alfred Hitchcock’s fast-paced spy mystery, March 15-May 1, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. All Russian The Philadelphia Orchestra presents some of Tchaikovsky’s finest music, March 1719 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. The Cunning Little Vixen Curtis Opera Theatre presents humans and creatures of the forest mingling together in a delightful tale about the circle of life, March 16-20 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Dead Man’s Cell Phone The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the odyssey of a woman forced to confront her own assumptions about mortality, redemption and the need

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

The Terrible Girls Azuka Theatre presents a dark comedy of friendship, obsession and Southern sensibilities, March 17-April 3 at The Latvian Society, 531 N. Seventh St.; 215-733-0255.

Continuing Epherman Existence Gallery 339, through May 7, 339 S. 21st St.; 215-731-1530. Facing Out, Facing In: Figurative Works The James A. Michener Art Museum, through May 1, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-340-9800. Fruitville/The School Papers AxD Gallery, through April 2, 265 S. 10th St.; 215-627-6250. In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play The Wilma Theater, through April 3, 265 S. Broad St.; 215-546-7824. The Men of Mah Jongg Society Hill Playhouse, through April 17 in the Red Room, 507 S. Eighth St.; 215923-0210. The Peacock Male: Exuberance and Extremes in Masculine Dress Philadelphia Museum of Art, through June, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Resisting Racism: 30 Years of Men of All Colors Together

BLACK FRIDAY: Lewis Black returns to the area with his insightful but frothing, politically charged and razor-sharp humor, 8 p.m. March 18 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J. For more information or tickets, call 609-317-1000.

Superior Donuts Arden Theatre Company, through April 3 at F. Otto Hass Stage, 40 N. Second St.; 215-922-1122. WTC View Allens Lane Theater Company, through March 26, 601 W. Allens Lane; 215-2480546.

Closing

through March 13, 39 Conestoga Road; Malvern; 610-644-3500. Gilbert Gottfried The comedian performs through March 13 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. The Lieutenant of Inishmore Theatre Exile, through March 13 at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; 215-218-4022. Swan Lake by Christopher Wheeldon The Pennsylvania Ballet performs the classic through March 12 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215790-5847.

The Ugly One Walnut Street Theatre presents the comedy The Adventures of Tom Sawyer about success, fame and plastic surgery, People’s Light & Theatre presents an adap- through March 13 at Independence Studio tation of Mark Twain’s American classic, on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. ■

COMMUNITY PGN

28 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 11-17, 2011

Community Bulletin Board Community centers

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

Youth Center: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; 215-348-0558 ext. 65; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org

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

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

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

Key numbers

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

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

■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851

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

■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment hot line: 215545-2212 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 ■ The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 112 N. Broad St., third floor; 215-496-0330 ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: 215-772-2000 ■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Stephen Johnson: 215-683-2840 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 267-216-6606; ppd. lgbt@gmail.com

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

■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays, and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

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

Religion/Spirituality Arch Street United Methodist Church Services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. at 55 N. Broad St.; 215-568-6250. Bethlehem-Judah Ministries Open and afﬁrming congregation holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 3847 N. Dupont Hwy, Kent Plaza Suite #2, Dover, Del.; 302734-9350.

Health

AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; 215-536-2424. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; 215-851-1822 or 866-2223871. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215-685-1803.

HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and conﬁdential HIV testing available at 17 MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Ofﬁce Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077.

Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 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 chronicdisease management, including comprehensive HIV care; 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

Professional groups

■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia GALLOP holds board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; GALLOP also provides a free referral service; 215-627-9090; www.galloplaw.org.

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

tion about events, programs and membership; 215-557-0190; 1717 Arch St., Suite 3370.

■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association The Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and students, meets for social and networking events; www.nlgjaphiladephia.org.

■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus A regional organization dedicated to promoting gay and lesbian tourism to the Greater Philadelphia Region, holds meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; P.O. Box 58143, Philadelphia, PA 19102; www.philadelphiagaytourism.com. ■ Philly OutGoing Professionals Social group for gay, lesbian and bisexual professionals meets for social and cultural activities; 856-8579283; popnews19@yahoo.com.

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

BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Church Services at 10:15 a.m. at 2040 Street Road, Warrington; 215-3430406.

Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia Holds services at 1 p.m. Sundays at the University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, 3637 Chestnut St.; 215-294-2020; www.mccphiladelphia.com.

Calvary United Methodist Church Reconciling, welcoming and afﬁrming church holds services at 11 a.m. Sundays at 801 S. 48th St. (corner of Baltimore Avenue); 215-724-1702.

Old First Reformed Church Open and afﬁrming United Church worships at 11 a.m. Sundays September-June, and 10 a.m. June-August at 151 N. Fourth St.; 215-922-4566; www.oldﬁrstucc.org.

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

Penns Park United Methodist Church Welcoming and afﬁrming church holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 2394 Second Street Pike, Penn’s Park; 215-598-7601.

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

Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral Progressive and afﬁrming congregation holds Sunday services, with Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m. at 3723 Chestnut St.; 215-3860234; www.philadelphiacathedral.org.

Church of the Cruciﬁxion Inclusive Episcopal community holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays and 6 p.m. Fridays at 620 S. Eighth St.; 215-922-1128.

Rainbow Buddhist Meditation Group Meets 5 p.m. Sundays at the William Way Center.

Church of the Trinity Lutheran Reconciling in Christ Parish holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 2300 S 18th St.; 215-334-6656.

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

Dignity Jersey Shore An organization for sexual-minority Catholics meets the ﬁrst Saturday of the month in Asbury Park. For time and location, call 732-502-0305.

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

Dignity Metro NJ An organization for sexual-minority Catholics meets every ﬁrst and third Sundays of the month at 4 p.m. at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 550 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood, N.J.; 973-509-0118. Dignity Philadelphia Holds Mass at 7 p.m. Sundays at 330 S. 13th St.; 215-546-2093; dignityphila@aol.com. Drexel Hill Baptist Church Non-judgmental Christian congregation afﬁliated with American Baptist Churches of the USA holds services at 11 a.m. Sundays at Childs Avenue and State Road, Drexel Hill; 610-259-2356; www. dhbaptist.com. Emanuel Lutheran Church Reconciling in Christ congregation meets at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at New and Kirkpatrick streets, New Brunswick, N.J.; 732-545-2673; www.emmanuelnb.org. Episcopal Church of St. Paul Welcoming and inclusive church holds services at 9:30 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Tuesdays at 89 Pinewood Drive, Levittown; 215-688-1796; www.stpaullevittown.org.

Anonymous, free, conﬁdential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 166 W. Lehigh Ave.; 215-763-8870 ext. 6000.

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

Evangelicals Concerned Lesbian and gay Christian group meets at 2 p.m. the second and fourth Sundays of the month; 215-860-7445. First Baptist Church Welcoming and affirming church holds services at 11 a.m. Sundays at 123 S. 17th St.; 215-563-3853. First Presbyterian Church of Lansdowne Welcoming church holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 140 N. Lansdowne Ave.; 610-626-0800; www.lansdownepresbyterian. com. First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia A liberal, welcoming and diverse congregation that affirms the dignity of all. Sunday services at 11 a.m. September-June and 10 a.m. July and August, 2125 Chestnut St.; 215-563-3980; www. firstuu-philly.org. The First United Church of Germantown A sexual-minority-affirming congregation holds services at 11 a.m. Sundays at 6001 Germantown Ave.; lunch follows; 215-438-3677. Gay Christian Singles Philly Burbs Provides support and fellowship for GLBT singles through discussion groups and social events; 610-457-2081; gcsphillyburbs@aol.com. Grace Epiphany Church A welcoming and diverse Episcopal congregation in Mt. Airy holds services at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays, except for fifth Sundays, which hold services at 9:30 a.m., at 224 E. Gowen Ave., Mt. Airy; 215-248-2950. Holy Communion Lutheran Church ELCA Reconciling in Christ congregation worships Sundays at 9 a.m. at 2110 Chestnut St.; 215-567-3668; www.lc-hc.org/drupal. Imago Dei Metropolitan Community Church Sexual-minority congregation worships at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 1223 Middletown Road (Route 352), Glen Mills; 610-358-1716; www.ImagoDeiMCC.org. Interweave Organization of LGBT Unitarians and allies meets monthly at Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill, N.J., 401 N. Kings Highway; 856-667-3618; www.uucinch.org. LC/NA Delaware Valley chapter A group for Lutherans who are not out in their own congregations meets at 7 p.m. fourth Sunday of the month at University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St.; 215-387-2885. Kol Tzedek Reconstructionist Synagogue committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community meets at Calvary Center, 801 S. 48th St.; 215764-6364; www.kol-tzedek.org.

Silverside Church Holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays followed by a group discussion at 2800 Silverside Road, Wilmington, Del.; 302-478-5921. St. Asaph’s Church Inclusive and progressive Episcopal Church holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays, with a contemplative communion at 8 a.m. at 27 Conshohocken State Road, Bala Cynwyd; 610-664-0966; www. saintasaphs.org. St. John’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) Reconciling in Christ congregation holds services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 24 N. Ridge Ave., Ambler; 215-646-2451; www. stjohnsambler.org. St. Luke and The Epiphany Church Open and welcoming church holds liturgy at 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays fall through winter and “Prayer Around the Cross” at 7 p.m. first Friday of the month at 330 S. 13th St.; 215-732-1918. St. Mary of Grace Parish Inclusive church in the Catholic tradition celebrates Mass at 6 p.m. Sundays in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media; 610-876-4067; www. inclusivecatholics.org. St. Mary’s Church Diverse and inclusive Episcopal church, with openly gay rector, celebrates Eucharist at 11 a.m. Sundays; adult forum is held at 9:30 a.m.; and evening prayer is at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at 3916 Locust Walk; 215-386-3916; www. stmarysatpenn.org. Tabernacle United Church Open and affirming congregation holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 3700 Chestnut St.; 215-386-4100. Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County Welcoming congregation holds services at 10:30 a.m. at 145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media. Children’s program pre-8th, 10:30 a.m.; youth programming 6 p.m. Sunday; 610-566-4853; www.uucdc. org. Unitarian Society of Germantown Welcoming congregation holds services 11 a.m. Sundays September-June and 10:30 a.m. July and August at 6511 Lincoln Drive (West Mt. Airy); 215-844-1157; www.usguu.org. Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill Holds services at 10:15 a.m. at 401 N. Kings Highway, Cherry Hill, N.J.; 856-667-3618. Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration, Mt. Airy Welcoming congregation holds services at 11 a.m. Sundays September-June at 6900 Stenton Ave.; 215-247-2561; www. uurestoration.us. Unitarian Universalist Congregation, South Jersey Shore Holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays in Galloway Township, N.J.; 609-965-9400; www.uucsjs.org. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Pottstown Holds services at 10:30 a.m. at 1565 S. Keim St., Pottstown; 610-327-2662. United Christian Church Open, affirming and welcoming congregation holds services at 10:15 a.m. Sundays at 8525 New Falls Road, Levittown; 215946-6800. Unity Fellowship Church of Philadelphia Diverse, affirming GLBT congregation holds services at 2 p.m. Sundays at 55 N. Broad St.; 215-222-3180. University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation Welcoming congregation holds services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 3637 Chestnut St. preceded by “Adult Forum: Sundays” at 9:30 with discussion of religious alienation and struggles of faith; 215-387-2885.