Philadelphia Gay News Vol. 34 No. 11
Honesty Integrity Professionalism
March 12 - 18, 2010
Judge: Scouts must post bond
HIV numbers reveal impact on MSM community By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer
By Timothy Cwiek PGN Writer-at-Large
At this week’s National STD Prevention Conference in Atlanta, researchers presented data that shed light on the stark disparities in the rates of HIV infection among gay and bisexual men and other populations. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control employed a new method to evaluate just how hard hit men who have sex with men (MSM) are by HIV, as well as syphilis. Instead of just counting the numbers of new MSM infections, the researchers took the data that had already been collected and applied it to the presumed total number of MSM to determine the rate of infection among the entire community. With the new analysis, researchers found that the frequency of gay/bisexual men who are diagnosed with HIV is 40 times that of heterosexual men and women. Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, said the researchers estimated that MSM comprise approximately 2 percent of the entire country’s population. “We used a methodology called metaanalysis, which looked at high-quality studies published in scientific literature that were nationally representative of men who’d had sex with men either during their lifetime or in the previous five years or one year,” Mermin said. “We felt the best estimate for our purposes would be in the prior five years, so we combined the data in a scientifically accurate way to come up with the fairly accurate 2-percent estimate, which is consistent with other estimates we’ve seen over the last few years.” Using that estimate and current infection numbers among MSM, researchers calculated that there were between 522-989 cases of new HIV diagnoses per 100,000 MSM. For heterosexual men, there were just 12 cases of HIV and 13 for women in the same sample size. According to this analysis, the rate of MSM diagnoses is about 44 times that of heterosexual men and 40 times that of women. Likewise, the researchers found that there were between 91-173 cases of primary and secondary syphilis per 100,000 MSM, but only two for heterosexual men and one for women, accounting for a rate of MSM diag-
The local Boy Scouts of America chapter must post a bond to protect the city’s financial interests if it wants to continue occupying a municipal building rent-free, a federal judge ruled last week. In his seven-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter said the bond could help indemnify the city if it’s ultimately determined that the Cradle of Liberty Council has wrongfully occupied 231-251 N. 22nd St. City officials have been trying to evict the Scouts from that location for almost two years because the Scouts won’t permit gay participants, nor will they pay the annual fair-market rent of $200,000. But Buckwalter blocked the eviction effort in November 2009 when he granted a preliminary injunction, stating more litigation was needed before a Common Pleas Court judge could rule on the city’s eviction request. The Scouts claim to be victims of “viewpoint discrimination” by the city, and they filed a federal lawsuit in May 2008. Since that time, the back-rent total has approached $400,000, and could reach $1 million before all appeals are exhausted. If the Scouts ultimately lose their case, the bond would be instrumental in collecting a portion of the back rent that’s accrued since the preliminary injunction went into effect in November 2009, according to
See CDC, Page 13
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!: Guests at the Traverse Arts Project’s Oscar party March 7 struck a pose for the paparazzi on the red carpet. Shaun Faulkner (from left), Brian Green, Melanie Bolden, host Sandy Beach, Niquie Lamour, Quincy Jones, Angel Hardy and Soda Nobuhle were among the more-than 100 who turned out to watch the Oscars in style and raise money for the upcoming Philadelphia GLBT Arts Festival “Festivale!” set for June 6-14. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Local Army chaplain facing ‘Don’t Ask’ discharge By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer More than 13,000 servicemembers have been discharged from the military since the implementation of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” 17 years ago. The Army is now taking steps to up that number by one, after having launched an investigation into a local National Guard chaplain. Lancaster resident Aristides Fokas was noti-
ARMY LT. ARISTIDES FOKAS
fied in February that he was being suspended from his duties with the 28th Infantry Division due to a conversation he had with another chaplain last summer in which he allegedly violated “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Lt. Fokas, 46, could not provide the details of the conversation, as the investigation is ongoing, but insisted the charges do not stem from any wrongdoing. “It was nothing to do with any kind of inappropriate behavior on my part; it was just a conversation,” he said. Fokas said the impetus for the investigation may be retaliation for former complaints he’s made. “I raised some issues about religious freedom, the role of chaplains and even the behavior of a superior officer that was way out of bounds while he was
in Iraq,” he said, noting that “when you have nothing else to use to hang on somebody who’s a reminder of people’s conscience, you can go to [‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’].” Fokas, a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College and Lancaster Theological Seminary, was ordained by the United Church of Christ in 1996 and served at F&M as the school’s assistant chaplain for six years. In 2003, Fokas was commissioned as a chaplain of the National Guard, a position he said he first began considering while watching Robert MacNeil and Jim Lehrer’s “PBS NewsHour” on campus. “They were the only ones at that time early on in the war who were listing the entire necrology, listing the individual soldiers by name, and I found that to be really See CHAPLAIN, Page 14
See SCOUTS, Page 8
MOVING GAYLY FORWARD: Daylightsaving time begins Sunday at 2 a.m. Remember to set your clocks up one hour before bed.
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A pub crawl last Sunday drew people together to raise money and awareness for MANNA’s work and the PA Ballet’s “Shut Up & Dance.”
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Family Portraits:
Pennsylvania Ballet dancers Nicholas Sipes (left) and Jermel Johnson gear up for the 18th annual “Shut Up & Dance” performance March 20.
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Poll results from our online survey as of March 10:
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Regional
News Briefing
Backlash over ‘Kiss-In’ at N.J. college
Plan for Dyke March
By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Students at Mercer County Community College were prepared for possible heckling from fellow students during a planned LGBT demonstration last month, but they didn’t anticipate the negative reaction they say they received from the school’s security guards. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Friends Club at the West Windsor, N.J., college staged a Kiss-In — a demonstration in which same-sex couples kiss in a public venue to heighten visibility of the community — Feb. 18, but participants contend they were met with verbal and physical resistance from security officers and a school staff member. There were about 200 students in the college’s cafeteria shortly after noon, when a dozen same-sex couples, most of whom were accompanied by a “watcher” to ensure their safety, spread out throughout the room. One student yelled for the couples to begin kissing, while several other LGBTF members blew kazoo-like whistles during the approximately 60-second kiss. Alex DeFazio, LGBTF advisor and an English and theater professor at MCCC, said security officers approached him and club leaders after the kiss and instructed him that the group couldn’t use the whistles — a mandate the members complied with. One security officer, however, reportedly engaged in a verbal confrontation with a club member and allegedly told the student to “shut the fuck up, asshole.” The students then proceeded to the foodpurchasing area, where they commenced another 30-second kiss. DeFazio said during this time, a cafeteria staffer approached a male couple, pulled them apart and told them to take their affection elsewhere. “He really forcefully separated them by applying his hand to their collarbones,” DeFazio said. The group then headed proceeded back into the cafeteria for one final kiss, during which, according to club member Caitlyn Nixon, 18, she and her girlfriend had food thrown at them by fellow students. DeFazio said there were four security officers — of the 14 the college employs — present at the time but none took any action to stop the students from throwing food or shouting homophobic slurs, or intervened when one student punched a member of one of the couples in the arm, leaving a bruise. The guards told the LGBTF members to disperse and reportedly began pulling several couples forcibly apart, and DeFazio instructed the students to return to their meeting room to regroup. DeFazio said when questioned about their reaction, the guards claimed the students had been blocking a hallway;
according to professor, however, a club member had easily moved a chair through the group during the demonstation. Nixon said one of the guards — reportedly the same one who cursed at one of the members earlier in the event — insulted the club members and made physical contact with her. “We were asking what we did wrong, and the one guy told us we were acting like animals and like we were in high NO KISSING IN COLLEGE: A security officer pushes Caitlyn school. When I was talkNixon’s hands down after a same-sex kiss-in Feb. 18 at ing to him, I was talking Mercer County College. Photo: College Voice/Dmitry Gurvitz with my hands, and he phobes, but people do give dirty looks if I’m reached out and pushed my hands down,” she said. “He was tell- holding my girlfriend’s hand and we hear ing us how we were making out and grop- lots of comments, so we thought something ing each other, but we weren’t; it was just a like this would open people’s eyes about what we go through just for daily life,” she simple kiss.” The school’s handbook prohibits said. DeFazio said he’s been in touch with “obscene behavior, which includes indecent exposure or the display of sexual behavior LGBT-advocacy group Lambda Legal and that would reasonably be offensive to oth- that the club is considering taking legal action against the school. ers.” “We want the college to respond in a way DeFazio and club representatives met with members of the college’s administra- that is appropriate to what happened. Not tion after the event, and the students asked only an apology, but they need to commit if security would have separated heterosex- to some kind of ongoing diversity training ual couples who were kissing. Nixon said for faculty, staff and students.” Symons said all new hires at the school the answer was “probably.” She noted, however, that heterosexual undergo sexual-harassment training, and couples frequently engage in public dis- the college has brought in speakers on plays of affection in the cafeteria, and that diversity topics, an avenue she said the she witnessed one couple having inter- school is interested in pursuing further. Despite the conflict, DeFazio said the course in the room several weeks ago. Saveria Symons, coordinator of the Kiss-In was successful in that it heightened school’s Public Information Services, said awareness of and discussion about LGBT administrators have met several times with issues. “The students are really encouraging LGBTF members over the past few weeks and are interested in continuing the dia- exactly the kind of critical thinking that we want our students to be involved with,” he logue. “As the college does with all students said. “I’m very proud of how they’ve been who have concerns about issues of campus conducting themselves through this.” While there were a lot of negative reaclife, we are taking these concerns seriously, listening attentively and striving to improve tions on the part of her fellow students, communications throughout our college,” Nixon said the couples did hear some cheering and applause during the event and Symons said. She added the school is conducting a have continued to see support from the stu“thorough investigation” of the incident, dent community, which she said she’s also including into the conduct of the students, eager to see from the administration. “When I was getting ready to leave after faculty and staff present at the time and, if any wrongdoing is determined, “reper- the Kiss-In, several people came up to me cussions will be determined based on the and said, ‘I respect what you did, it took a lot of balls going out there, and I support behavior.” The school maintains a nondiscrimina- you 100 percent.’ I want the school to realtion policy inclusive of sexual orientation, ize that we can’t be treated differently just although Nixon asserted that the campus because we’re gays and lesbians.” ■ atmosphere isn’t always friendly to sameJen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. sex couples. “I wouldn’t say the school is all homo- com.
Philadelphia Dyke March, now entering its 12th year of providing an alternative to traditional Pride events, is seeking volunteers to help prepare for this summer’s event. Organizers will host a planning meeting from 2-3 p.m. March 13 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. Those interested can meet with current organizers and learn about what role they can play in the event, set for June 12 and which is expected to see an attendance triple that of previous years. For more information, e-mail PDM_ Organizers@yahoogroups.com or look for the group on Facebook.
New party to raise funds for Mazzoni The creators of popular lesbian party Stimulus will launch a new monthly event, Arouse, at 10 p.m. March 13 at Marathon Grill, 1818 Market St. All proceeds from the inaugural party will benefit LGBT health facility Mazzoni Center. DJs Jivey and JD will spin house music and two bars will be open as well as an outdoor patio. There is a $5 cover charge.
DVLF minority initiative relaunches The Delaware Valley Legacy Fund will host an information session from 7-8:30 p.m. March 15 at 1234 Market Street, Suite 1800, for organizations interested in applying for DVLF’s third installment of its Racial Equity Initiative. In the past three years, the program has allowed DLVF to disperse nearly $70,000 to organizations that serve LGBT people of color. The session is mandatory for those planning to apply. To RSVP, e-mail info@dvlf.org.
St. Paddy’s Day gay fundraiser Voyeur will host the third-annual “Kiss Me, I’m Irish and Gay,” from 8 p.m.12:30 a.m. March 17 at the club, 1221 St. James St., marking the first year the party will be held in the Gayborhood. A portion of the night’s proceeds will be donated to local HIV/AIDS service organization Philadelphia FIGHT. Admission is $10. See NEWS BRIEFING, Page 16
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
Taking artwork out of The Attic By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The Attic Youth Center provides various artistic outlets for its youth — including acting, singing and dancing clubs — and now will enable young people to share their talents with the entire city. The Attic’s screen-printing group is one of a dozen local youth-print projects that will display its work as part of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s printmaking exhibition, through the end of the month at the Central Branch, 1901 Vine St. Several of The Attic works have also been included in the William Way LGBT Community Center’s Queer Printmaking exhibit, which celebrates its opening reception at 6 p.m. March 12 and runs through April 30.
The Attic members also worked with a youth print group at Norris Square Neighborhood Project to create a banner that has been affixed on the north side of City Hall, which will be in place until April 9 as part of the Art in City Hall program. Beth Pulcinella, who facilitates the printmaking groups, which run Mondays and Wednesdays, originally taught the program several years ago in partnership with Spiral Q Puppet Theater and returned last year through a collaboration with the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Printmaking allows the youth to select an image they find visually stimulating, and oftentimes meaningful to their lives, and then create plates — or screens — that enable them to experiment with different colors and paper textures for printing the image.
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“Historically, printmaking was this way to really challenge this elite aristocracy and the idea that art is just for the rich,” Pulcinella said. “So I think it’s an interesting, cool place to come from and exciting roots to have.” She said since the fall, about 35 youth have been involved with the program and, while not all have completed their projects, they often return to the classes. No experience is required for the workshops, and Pulcinella provides direct guidance to new students, utilizes ample teaching materials and also has noticed that youth with more practice at printmaking often reach out to those who are struggling. “These art-studio spaces do lend themselves well to building community. There are people having this dialogue about their artwork and then it just goes into
their personal lives, and I think that’s a really important thing to happen.” Pulcinella said many of the works reflect issues affecting the LGBT youth community, and two in particular — which depict same-sex couples embracing — have helped further dialogues among the group members about such issues as homophobia. Both prints were submitted to the Free Library of Philadelphia for its display, but some of the exhibit organizers felt their content was objectionable. Pulcinella argued on behalf of the youth artists as to the value of the prints and both are now featured alongside the works of the mainstream printmaking groups. “I was really adamant about those being included and tried to explain in the e-mail I sent to them that this should be a space
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and an opportunity for people to change their minds,” she said. “And it’s been cool to share this experience with the young folks, because we talked about in general what happened and they got to read the e-mails and talk about homophobia and what you should do when people you consider allies sometimes make choices that aren’t really operating in that way.” Pulcinella said several Attic participants eagerly helped install the artwork this week at William Way and that they’re equally enthused about the City Hall piece. “Someone who worked on the banner was walking through City Hall and saw it and was just like, ‘Oh my gosh, I helped make that,’ and it just made their day.” Attic executive director Carrie Jacobs said the organization is aiming to eventually open its own printmaking shop in the building, in response to the overwhelming reaction this program has seen from the young people. “Some of the youth who are involved are just fascinated. They’re like, ‘I didn’t think I could ever do this,’ or ‘I never even considered art,’ and now they’re just really engaged and excited.” ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
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MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
National
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Media Trail School dismisses student with gay parents ABCNews.com reports a Catholic school in Colorado is kicking out a preschooler and a sibling in kindergarten because the children’s parents are lesbians. The children also will not be allowed to re-enroll next year at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School. The Denver Archdiocese posted a statement March 5 saying the parents are “living in open discord with Catholic teaching.” The statement said students in Catholic schools are expected to have parents who abide by church and school policies. The archdiocese said students with gay parents in Catholic schools would be confused.
No tax credit for shows with gays
DRINK, THEN DANCE: Knock executive chef Andy Petruzelli (from left), MANNA director of events and communications Meg Rider and Pennsylvania Ballet apprentice Nicholas Sipes came out on Sunday to promote the 18th annual “Shut Up & Dance,” a fundraiser for MANNA. The three met with Pennsylvania Ballet dancers for a pub crawl from Knock to Tavern on Cama to Woody’s to promote the March 20 event. Photo: Natalie Hope McDonald
Kerry, Casey urge repeal of gay blood-donor ban By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer A coalition of U.S. senators, led by former presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), urged the Food and Drug Administration to lift the more-than 25year-old statute that prevents gay men from donating blood. Kerry’s letter, sent to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, was also signed by Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey and New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg, as well as 15 other Democrats. “It is well past time to end this discriminatory prohibition,” Casey said last week. “It makes no sense to have a baseless ban like this. We should encourage the lifesaving benefits that can be provided by those who give blood.” The FDA instituted the ban in 1983, permanently barring any man who had sex with another man since 1977 from donating blood. The policy was meant to curb the spread of HIV, hepatitis or other diseases for which MSM were determined to be at high risk. The FDA’s policy also permanently pro-
hibits anyone who has received payment for sex, injected intravenous drugs or tested positive for HIV since 1977. In 2006, the American Red Cross, international blood-donor agency AABB and other health groups recommended that the FDA amend its policy to allow MSM to be subject to the same one-year deferral process it currently poses for some other at-risk populations — such as those who solicited sex workers or had sex with an HIV-positive person — but the FDA retained the ban. In the letter issued March 4, Kerry acknowledged that the ban had “practical and well-intentioned origins first established at the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis, when modern screening procedures and advanced testing methods for HIV were yet to be developed.” He noted, however, that understanding and detection of HIV have made great strides in the past two decades, and that current FDA protocol requires that all donated blood be screened through two tests that would identify the virus. “Not a single piece of scientific evidence supports the ban,” Kerry said. “A law that
was once considered medically justified is today simply outdated and needs to end, just as last year we ended the travel ban against those with HIV.” Anthony Tornetta, regional communications manager at the American Red Cross Penn-Jersey Blood Services Region, said his agency would welcome the policy change. “If the senators’ effort helps to lift a longstanding policy that the FDA has, it’s exciting news and we’d be more than encouraged that we could start collecting blood from any demographics affected,” Tornetta said. “We’re excited to see this.” The other cosigners included Kirstin Gillibrand (N.Y.), Dick Durbin (Ill.), Daniel Akaka (Hawaii), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Bernie Sanders (Vt.), Russ Feingold (Wisc.), Mark Udall (Colo.), Al Franken (Minn.), Maria Cantwell (Wash.), Carl Levin (Mich.), Tom Harkin (Ohio), Mark Begich (Ala.), Roland Burris (Ill.) and Michael Bennet (Colo.). ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.
The Palm Beach Post reports movie and TV productions with gay characters could be ineligible for a tax credit being considered in the state House. Current state law grants tax credits on “family-friendly” productions with no smoking, sex, nudity or profane language. The proposal by Republican Rep. Stephen Precourt of Orlando would increase the credit and expand the field of disqualified productions as those that include any “exhibit or implied act” of nontraditional family values and gratuitous violence. Precourt says he’s not targeting the gay community, but that shows with gay characters would not be something he’d want “to invest public dollars in.” Florida Together head Ted Howard said, “Instituting 1950s-style movie censorship does nothing to support real-life families.”
Va. AG: Colleges can’t ban discrimination Yahoo News reports Virginia’s attorney general has advised the state’s public colleges that they don’t have the authority to ban sexual-orientation discrimination. The letter sent by Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli to state college presidents and other officials March 4 drew swift criticism from Democrats and gayrights activists. “It is my advice that the law and public policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia prohibit a college or university from including ‘sexual orientation,’ ‘gender identity,’ ‘gender expression’ or like classification, as a protected class within its nondiscrimination policy, absent specific authorization from the General Assembly,” Cuccinelli wrote. ■ — Larry Nichols
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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SCOUTS From Page 1 court records. A hearing to determine the exact amount of the bond has been scheduled for 10 a.m. March 30 in Courtroom 14A of the U.S. Courthouse, 601 Market St. In his March 5 ruling,
Buckwalter rejected the Scouts’ assertion that requiring them to post a bond would impose a financial hardship on the organization. “Cradle of Liberty is a financially solvent organization with a well-paid executive director and a substantial wealth of assets,” Buckwalter wrote.
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The judge also rejected the Scouts’ claim that a bond would constitute an “undue restraint” on their constitutional rights to exclude gays from the organization. “While the court agrees that [the Scouts’ lawsuit] at least in part seeks to enforce important federal rights, the court finds that the mere requirement of a bond will not necessarily place an undue restriction upon Cradle of Liberty’s constitutional rights,” the ruling states. Additionally, the judge wrote the bond will serve to focus attention on the financial risk taken on by the Scouts by pursuing the litigation. “The court recognizes that a bond requirement would help ensure the efficient resolution of this case by informing the parties of the stakes involved in the preliminary injunction and in continuing this course of litigation.” I n l a s t w e e k ’s r u l i n g ,
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
Buckwalter acknowledged that he made a “clear error” by failing to consider the possibility of imposing a bond requirement on the Scouts when he granted the preliminary injunction. In his ruling, Buckwalter also addressed the challenges faced by city officials regarding longrange planning for the building due to the ongoing litigation. “Any potential delay in the resolution of this case as the result of Cradle of Liberty’s filing of a preliminary injunction increases the period of uncertainty for the city as to whether it may charge back-rent or reapportion use of the [building],” he wrote. But Buckwalter also promised to “carefully consider” any unfair limitation or restriction the Scouts might experience if required to post a substantial bond. “At the subsequent hearing to determine the amount of the bond, the court will carefully consider any potential undue restriction on
Cradle of Liberty’s constitutional rights,” Buckwalter noted in his ruling. Courtroom observers have speculated that the amount of the bond could range anywhere from a nominal $1 to a substantial $1 million. Typically, litigants who are required to post preliminaryinjunction bonds contract with a bond company, and pay only a small percentage of the bond’s value to the bond company. Margaret A. Downey, president and founder of The Freethought Society, which is based in Pocopson, said a $1-million bond for the Scouts would be appropriate. “I think the Scouts should appreciate a bond of $1 million, considering all the back rent, interest and inflationary rates at issue,” Downey told PGN. City officials have denied trying to impose a pro-gay viewpoint onto any city tenant, including the Scouts. To the contrary, city officials note that tenants may hold a wide range of views on homosexuality. But delivery of services must be provided regardless of a recipient’s sexual orientation, and the Scouts refuse to bring their use of the building into conformance with city anti-bias codes, according to court papers filed by the city. In prior motions, the Scouts have repeatedly cited a 2000 U.S. Supreme Court decision permitting the Scouts to exclude openly gay adult leaders. But city attorneys have minimized the relevance of that decision, noting that it doesn’t address the issue of municipal subsidies for the Scouts, nor does it address the issue of openly gay youth members. ■ Timothy Cwiek can be reached at (215) 625-8501 ext. 208.
What do you think? There is only one more week after this to participate in the 2010 PGN reader survey and have the chance to win a $25 gift certificate just for telling us your opinion. The form is on pages 21-22 (right across from SceneInPhilly) or you can reply online at www.epgn. com. Thanks for your input!
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Obituary Howard Deck, pioneering and beloved union leader, 70 By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Howard Deck, a pioneering labor-union leader, died Feb. 15 of a heart attack. He was 70. Deck, a native of Reading, began the first union for employees of the University of Pennsylvania libraries and served as its president for more than four decades. Deck, who attained his bachelor’s degree in English from Albright College, where he conducted the school’s Youth Orchestra, began working at Penn’s Towne Scientific Library in 1965. Deck and other library support staff, frustrated with the lack of medical benefits and low salaries — for which a university administrator told them to use “Christian prayer” to improve — began the process to organize a union in 1968, which was chartered by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees one year later. In a retrospective piece Deck wrote for the union on its 25th anniversary, he recalled the
strength he had to muster the day his boss learned of the successful effort. “I will never forget my supervisor at the end of that day standing in front of my desk shaking with rage, tears streaming down her face, demanding to know if I knew what I had done,” he wrote. “I informed her that we knew exactly what we were doing and that the days of playing off individual employees against each other were over.” Local 590 signed its first contract in July 1969, and Cathy Scott, president of AFSCME District Council 47, of which Local 590 was a member, said Deck’s leadership at the university enhanced opportunities for all employees, even those who weren’t members of Local 590 or Local 54, which represents the university’s Dining Services employees. “Local 590 had a tremendous impact on the University of
PGN
Pennsylvania’s general-personnel policies,” Scott said. “It’s a non-union environment, except for those two locals, but I think Howard was able to bring a recognition that staff had rights, even though they may not have been represented by the union. Overall, it made the University of Pennsylvania more sensitive to employee issues that would not have been there if it hadn’t been for Howard and his negotiating for those two locals.” State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D7th Dist.) told the Philadelphia Daily News that Deck’s leadership proved invaluable to his own experience as an employee of the Penn libraries in the 1970s. “He was an incredible labor leader, and a great, decent and kind human being,” Hughes said. “When I was at Penn, we were the highest-paid university-library employees in the country, thanks to Howard.” Deck left Penn in 1982 to become a representative for DC 47, where Scott said he was an exemplary leader. “He was a very strong negotia-
tor, but he also had tremendous mediating skills,” she said. “So he worked very effectively with federal mediation in finding ways to come up with the win-win in contract negotiations.” Scott noted that Deck was particularly skilled at encouraging collaboration in labor negotiations. “Howard was a very calming influence. He could usually find a way to come up with a compromise that would satisfy all parties,” she said. “I think his knowledge and just his general skill at being able to bring everybody together and feel as though their issues were being heard and addressed were really his greatest strengths.” Outside of work, Deck, who served as stage manager at the Theater of Living Arts shortly after moving to Philadelphia in the ’60s, was an avid theatergoer and particularly enthusiastic about opera — hobbies Scott said she’s enjoyed enlightening his colleagues about at an otherwise sad time. “I’ve gotten a lot of responses
from people who are amazed at how broad Howard’s interests were,” Scott said. “A lot of people didn’t know how interested he was in the arts and in music, so having the opportunity to share that with people who really didn’t know how many parts there were to him has been really nice. This has been a great loss to me personally as well as to the union. He’s going to really be missed by all of us.” Deck is survived by his longtime partner, Marvin Brown. A memorial service was held March 11 at the American Friends Service Committee Hall. Memorial donations can be made in Deck’s name to the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19107; American Friends Service Committee, 1515 Cherry St., Philadelphia, PA 19102; or Bartram’s Garden Annual Fund, 54th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19143. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
Pretty Great Newspaper
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
Editorial Gay homophobes Oh, those silly Republicans. Why are they so often the ones who are homophobic closet cases? The latest one joining the ranks of Mark Foley and Larry Craig is California state Sen. Roy Ashburn, who was arrested last week after leaving a gay bar, with an unidentified male in the passenger seat. And why are they always white men? (Rhetorical question, no need to answer. Has to do with years of privilege and oppression.) Earlier this week, Ashburn came out, ending years of speculation that the man who had consistently voted against gay rights — he claims it was what his constituents wanted — was himself gay. Enough with the homophobia already. Stop blocking gay rights and come out of the closet. All of you. Ashburn has reportedly earned a zero rating from Equality California, an advocacy group that works to gain civil rights for sexual minorities in the Golden State. According to the group’s Web site, “Sen. Ashburn has consistently received a zero percent on Equality California’s Legislative Scorecards since 2004, with the exception of 2007, when he scored 10 percent.” He voted against efforts to expand antidiscrimination laws and recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages and opposed a bill to establish a day to honor Harvey Milk. (That last one is disheartening. Milk was murdered, for heaven’s sake, and that movie was so good.) At least the divorced father of four had the decency to own it. This wasn’t the only gem this week in LGBT news. A few other highlights/lowlights, depending on your perspective, included the Catholic school that kicked out a lesbian couple’s children because of the parents’ sexual orientation, the backlash the Washington Post received for printing a photo of a same-sex couple after gay weddings started in the district, and the attorney general of Virginia stating that colleges in the commonwealth were precluded from banning discrimination based on sexual orientation. And then we have U.S. Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.), who resigned after it became public he was being investigated on sexual-harassment claims from a male staffer. Massa denied allegations that he had sexually groped a staff member, acknowledging only that he groped a male staffer but that it wasn’t sexual. “Not only did I grope him, I tickled him until he couldn’t breathe and four guys jumped on top of me,” Massa told Fox’s Glenn Beck on Tuesday. Apparently, not all parties felt the same way. ■
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.
Glenn Lash (glennlash@yahoo.com)
Other Views
Frank Harp
Rethinking healthcare reform What did last month’s healthcare summit really do? Regardless of opinion, the broadcast was highly viewed. One could argue, at the very least, it shed a light on what often seems to be a mystical political process. Although, what would TV be without theatrics? From the numerous copies of the already-2,700-page bill stacked in front of Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) to the Democratic arguments, millions watched the online streaming and TV broadcasts. So, does this current battle with the healthcare bill teach us anything about addressing other large issues, like gay rights? Communist philosopher Karl Marx said the oppressed make the best oppressors. In the current healthcare debate, one wonders if the so-called tea-baggers without healthcare coverage have taken the time to read and understand the proposed bill. (At 2,700-some pages, it’s unlikely.) The same kind of questioning arises about gays who support political organizations that oppose civil rights for sexual minorities. The right claims that such initiatives (like the stimulus bill or the healthcare bill) are aligned with Marx and support socialistic agendas. Since, for the most part, our country has a negative view of socialism — and, for
some, “liberal” due to gay marriage and other civil-rights issues — using such words evokes fear within mainstream audiences. Fear-mongering has become an effective method to rule a percentage of the populous conscience through stereotypes. Herein lies the danger of prejudice: It acts as a weapon of fear to self-inflict oppression. When one begins to think of the tactics used to oppress the mind, it’s like the mystery of why things work the way they do in Washington, D.C. And one must ask, are such actions intentional or unintentional? It’s easy to forget that at one time in our country, it was legal to consider certain people as cattle or that people who possess the ability to give birth were not able to vote. The reality of such a painful history often bleeds into the same pain that keeps us from addressing all-encompassing legislative issues like healthcare. Those who are not afflicted — as well as those who are, but support otherwise — rely on their need to relieve their fear/pain through prejudice. Instead of listening to both sides of an issue, they only listen to information aligned with their current thinking. How does anybody learn anything like this? In this particular case, the tea-baggers question the role of gov-
ernment. While it’s always our right as Americans to question our government — and our duty — when it comes to providing civil liberties to all persons, the answer to anyone questioning the government’s role should refer to the document that originally established it. As for the LGBT community, these same issues cause us to neglect painful realities that affect us, thus keeping all of us from vigorously addressing civil rights. Do we practice intercultural oppression? If we oppress internally, are we disqualifying our ability to determine identity or civil rights? The current gay uprising into mainstream identity reminds me of the Harlem Renaissance. If we were to embrace our diversity and look at the road African Americans traveled to gain civil rights, maybe we could at the very least guide ourselves to address current and potentially future challenges. And perhaps Americans could use a similar strategy when assessing healthcare, examining other countries that have a more cost-effective, quality system. ■ Frank Harp, a former Eagle Scout and Air National Guard multi-media services specialist, is a member of the nonprofit 100 Black Men.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
Mark My Words
Street Talk
Mark Segal
Mr. President, let’s talk LGBT projects “Mr. President, let’s have a chat about LGBT issues.” That’s how I started my discussion with President Obama on Monday when he was in town to talk about healthcare. Let’s start from the beginning. About a week ago, we learned that Obama would be taking his fight for healthcare reform to our great city. Soon after, I was approached to be an official greeter. This role took many iterations in the ensuing days, and the last title was “clutch presenter.” To this time no one has explained the meaning of “clutch presenter,” but the title is not important. What is important and different is that in each and every city the president visits, he usually meets with a small group of individuals. They, of course, get their picture with the president, but more importantly these small groups are permitted to engage the president in a short chat — something the long-lined picture cattle calls don’t allow. And here among the 11 picked for this honor were not one but two from our community: Abbe Fletman and me. That in itself is an indication of our community’s importance to elected officials. It also tells the president that our top officials place importance on our issues. In these groups, most people are starstruck and in awe of being in a room with POTUS (the president of the United States). This president is so personable he attempts to get people over that shyness, but the power of the office is just too overwhelming. If you know me, I’m neither starstruck nor timid. After he goes on stage, the president enters the small, class-sized room with a pleasant, “Hi, everyone.” And I see immediately he’s not going to get much feedback here. So I step forward and say, in a
Is there value to the military studying the ramifications of repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”?
friendly and respectful way, “Let’s talk about LGBT issues.” A smile appears on the president’s face as he reaches over and says, “Nice to see you again, Mark.” Even though we have now met on numerous occasions, I’m under no illusions and know he’s been briefed on who’s in the room, but it’s still a kind gesture on his part. Quickly, I thank him on starting the process on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the Employment NonDiscrimination Act. Then, I ask about social and capital programs for the LGBT community. He pauses, and — this is what I really like about this president — he asks questions. Here’s the point of this column: Our community has been so focused on ending the military ban and ENDA that we haven’t had the vision to realize the next step in the growth of our community — brickand-mortar projects and programs for our youth, seniors and other vulnerable populations. Each year, the U.S. government funds thousands of capital projects and programs for communities. We in the LGBT community must begin to make that a priority and take the bureaucratic and political steps to fund our projects. After all, we are tax-paying citizens, no different from other communities already receiving not millions but billions of dollars for brick and mortar for their communities. We are not addressing funding for HIV/AIDS: We are specifically dealing with LGBT community funding. But the government won’t know that unless we take the proper steps to address this ourselves by researching what programs are offered and applying. This is the next frontier of activism and equality. Imagine the importance this president would put on our issues if we addressed them on his many visits across the country. ■
Kyle Crichton animator West Philadelphia
Marcos Matos hairstylist Queen Village
“My gut instinct tells me it’s a delaying tactic. But maybe it’s a necessary evil to satisfy members of Congress and the public. I just wish they’d get it over with and let gays and lesbians serve if they want to.”
“Yes. They need to do more research to figure out the ramifications [of repeal]. The study should be done professionally and with respect. After it’s completed, we’ll be in a better position to get our rights.”
Kaitlin O’Donnell student South Philadelphia
James Switzer opera singer Graduate Hospital area
“No, I think they’re just covering their asses and postponing the repeal as long as they can. This country has a very homophobic component to it — especially the older generation. Not every older person. But more [are homophobic] than the younger generation.”
“Yes, if it’s done correctly and the final report is issued as soon as possible. I don’t want anybody to be discriminated against. It’s infuriating that we live in a country that even makes the study necessary.”
Mark Segal is PGN publisher. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com.
Letters and Feedback Dear Editor: As a non-Philadelphian, I read the story of yet another community nonprofit looted by its executive director (“Former COLOURS exec gets jail time,” Feb. 26-March 4) with a heavy sigh of recognition. Yet again. But the report was a disappointment. The article crammed in a string of defenses of this individual from her lawyer, her partner and her sibling and concluded with boilerplate from the organization she stole from. Missing was any comment from members of the community undermined and damaged by her actions. How many donors were
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turned off forever by finding out that their funds went to someone’s dog grooming and plastic surgery? How many people did not get services they needed because this person decided to siphon the funds provided for that purpose into her own (designer) pocketbook? Also missing was any critical reporting on the organization she left behind. Perhaps you have printed this in previous editions, but I was waiting for some comment on how this sort of grand larceny could have occurred under the noses of its board of directors. Without someone asking these tough questions, PGN’s report is a mere platform for the defense of
the indefensible. Tim Frasca New York City In response to “Former city official takes helm at Liberty City,” March 5-11: Isn’t it a conflict of interest to have [Micah] Mahjoubian head Liberty City? He’s working as a paid political consultant for Sen. Specter. How objective can he be when his paycheck comes from a candidate? Everyone in Liberty City should be concerned about See FEEDBACK, Page 13
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between Feb. 22-26. Information is courtesy of Sixth District Capt. Brian Korn; and Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District, the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. ARREST: At 10: 30 a.m. Feb. 22, two complainants had items removed from lockers inside the 12th Street Gym, 204 S. 12th St., and a report was made to police.
At around 2:30 p.m. the same date, complainant saw a male walking on Locust Street wearing his coat that had been stolen. The male went back into the gym and the complainant notified staff, who held the male and called police. Sixth District Officer Braceland took the male into custody and recovered stolen items, including cash, cell phone, earbuds and charger. The 18-year-old alleged offender with a North Philadelphia address was charged with theft, criminal trespass and related offenses.
REPORT: On Feb. 22, between 12:455:15 p.m., complainant’s laptop and ring were taken from her apartment in the 1100 block of Spruce Street without forced entry. Complainant stated that only she and the property manager have a key to the premises. Sixth District Officer McQue lifted fingerprints from the scene. REPORT: At 1:02 p.m. Feb. 22, a package left on a doorstep of a residence in the 1000 block of Addison Street was taken without permission by a black male, 30s, facial hair, wearing a black knit cap and
PGN staff brings home gold, silver and bronze!
REPORT: On Feb. 24, between midnight and 5:30 a.m., out-of-town complainant’s 2002 Chevy, parked in the 900 block of Pine Street, had a door lock popped and a GPS, wallet CD player and DVDs taken. This report was received by the DPR Unit via phone; police were not dispatched, therefore no prints were lifted. REPORT: At 7:40 a.m. Feb. 24, complainant saw a male take her handbag from her desk inside her office at 1234 Market St. and flee from the building. The offender was described as a black male, 5-foot-8, short hair, wearing a brown jacket and tan hoodie. REPORT: On Feb. 24 between 9:05 a.m.noon, complainant’s 2004 Mercedes, parked in the paid garage at 10th and Chestnut streets, had an emblem taken from the license plate without permission. REPORT: On Feb. 24, at 12:40 p.m., complainant was on a Route 42 SEPTA bus, while exiting at 1100 Walnut St. and a male bumped him. Once off the bus, the complainant discovered his wallet missing. The offender was described as a black male, 30-40 years, heavy build and wearing a blue sweater.
Mark Segal First place, Best Column Writing, Non-Daily “Mark My Words”
N G P Scott A. Drake Second place, Best Feature Photo, Non-Daily “Gone but not Forgotten”
brown coat.
Congratulations on winning four awards in the 2009 Suburban Newspaper Association Editorial Contest, the best out of more than 2,000 U.S. and Canadian publications.
Scott A. Drake First place, Best Feature Photo, Non-Daily “Love Park”
Larry Nichols Third place, Best Arts & Entertainment Writing — Feature “Reality TV comic to get real live in New Hope”
ARREST: At 2:45 a.m. Feb. 25, out-oftown complainant was in the parking lot at 1309 Locust St. when two males approached and started to push him and go through his pockets, taking his wallet. One male fled on Chancellor Street and the other on Locust Street. Sixth District Officers Macchione and Cifelli responded to the 911 call, surveyed the area with the complainant and observed one of the males at Broad and Walnut streets. The officers apprehended a 42-year-old suspect with a South Philadelphia address and he was charged with robbery and related offenses. REPORT: At 12:30 a.m. Feb. 25, an office inside Jefferson University Hospital, 214 S. 11th St., had a door forced open and a camera and cash were taken. Central Detective Division processed the scene for evidence. REPORT: On Feb. 25, between 11 a.m.2 p.m., complainant’s Ford truck, parked in the 100 block of South 12th Street, had a window smashed and tools taken. Sixth District Officer DeLuca was unable to lift fingerprints. REPORT: On Feb. 26, 6:40 p.m., complainant was inside the T Bar Tea House, 117 S. 12th St., when her iPod was snatched from her hand by a black male, about 25, 5-foot-8, thin build, wearing a black puffy coat, black baseball cap, black pants and black sneakers, last seen going north on 12th Street. ■
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
CDC From Page 1 noses of 46 times that of other men and 71 times that of women. “Calculating the actual rates allowed us to show the disparities between the prevalence of HIV infection among different groups,” Mermin said. “It allowed us to show that MSM have dramatically higher rates of HIV infection and syphilis infection compared to other men or women, and it’s very unusual to have such a large disparity.” Mermin said the CDC is currently working on a more detailed analysis of MSM by race and age, but these preliminary numbers were startling. “When I look at the rate of HIV among MSM as 44 times the rate of other men, that’s a tragedy, and it’s a clarion call for me, my division and the CDC in general to respond more effectively to the epidemic,” he said. “We need to provide accurate information to the public, the gay community and activists and we all need to start thinking more carefully
FEEDBACK From Page 11 the appearance (or worse, fact) of being co-opted here. What were the members of Liberty City thinking? — conflict of interest In response to “Soulforce rides into Keystone State,” Feb. 26March 4 Private schools have the right to practice whatever they choose, it’s part of the Free Speech Amendment. Not sure what you all hope to achieve, but there isn’t anything wrong with [Valley Forge Christian College’s] decision to choose this. If you choose to ride a bus, no one is asking you not to ride in it — ride all you want — but don’t fight a private-school system. There are plenty of schools that allow
What do you think? PGN is in the final two weeks of our reader survey and we want your opinion. The form is on pages 21-22 this week or you can reply online at www.epgn.com.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
about how we’re concentrating our resources for effective interventions and research that will allow new interventions to specifically help gay and bisexual men.” Mermin noted several factors influencing the high rates of HIV among MSM. “Certainly one of the most important variables is that there is a high prevalence of HIV and STDs among MSM, so if I were to meet a new male partner and have a relationship with that person, the chance that that person will be infected is far greater than it would be if I were a heterosexual man or a woman. And we also know that STDs like syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia, which are more common among MSM, increase someone’s chance of acquiring or transmitting HIV four-fold. And then there’s also the efficiency of transmission of penile-anal sex versus penilevaginal sex. So not only is it more likely that a new partner will have HIV, it’s also more likely that you would be able to acquire it from them than someone else would
be.” Mermin added that numerous behavioral and social elements could impact the high rates, such as MSM’s tendency to have more sexual partners than heterosexuals, the prevalence of substance abuse, and the pervasive discrimination and homophobia that can prevent MSM from receiving adequate medical care. There are several steps MSM should take to reduce their risk, Mermin said, such as decreasing their number of sexual partners, practicing safe sexual behaviors and being screened for HIV and STDs once a year, or more frequently if they’re at increased risk. Mermin said knowing you’re infected with HIV often leads to a 60-percent reduction in risky sexual behaviors, and disclosing your status to a non-infected partner dramatically increases the chances that condoms will be used, which can decrease the risk of transmission by 90 percent. Many young MSM have developed a complacent attitude toward the disease, Mermin said,
homosexuals to live their lifestyle so enjoy those. Diversity is a message from the homosexual community, so isn’t this diversity? I’m confused by homosexuals.
guidelines, I wouldn’t attend it. Everybody believes a particular way; discriminating against the way the school believes is unfair. Everyone has the right to that, right — their beliefs? How can someone protest against a place when they do not hear them talk (the school staff) on a day-to-day basis, and understand completely how they justify their beliefs? This protest is strictly due to a “student manual.” Individuals “choose” to be homeless ... no one makes them so.
— rcoon It seems to me even heterosexual couples have to abide by these guidelines ... With no premarital sex, it’s not discriminating against the actual person, but of the actual acting of. If I didn’t want to abide by their guidelines, just like any other school with particular
— Cogle23
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Winner of the 2009 Paddy and Barry Epstein Communicate! Award for innovative programming in a small congregation Friday, March 12, 8:00 PM. Beth Ahavah Shabbat Services. Please join us for our monthly BA Shabbat Service followed by a sumptuous oneg (social hour). Friday, April 2, 7:00 PM. Beth Ahavah Shabbat Services, Passover Dinner and Discussion. An abbreviated service will precede a delicious Passover dinner. Following dinner Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell will lead a Passover teaching and discussion. Please join us for this unique evening of community and renewal of spirit, food, schmoozing and learning. $25 per person. RSVP and payment must be received by March 25. Friday, April 30, 8:00 PM. Equality Forum Shabbat Services. Please join us in the sanctuary for a special joint BA and RS service to celebrate Equality Forum. Our guest speaker will be Nurit Shein, Executive Director of the Mazzoni Center. A native Israeli, Nurit also served as a colonel in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). A special oneg (social hour) will follow services Visit www.bethahavah.org for additional information, programming and directions
615 North Broad Street, Phila., PA 19123-2495 Phone: 215.923.2003 E-mail: BethAhavah@rodephshalom.org
Free secure parking: Cross Spring Garden at 13th St., left at next light, Mt. Vernon St. Parking lot entrance on left.
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recommending they get involved in HIV-prevention efforts to see firsthand that the disease is still having a significant impact on the MSM community. “Treatment for HIV has become dramatically more effective in the past two decades, and because people can live long, healthy lives, some people don’t see HIV as serious an illness as they might have in the past,” he said. “Prevention in the HIV epidemic has been led by gay and bisexual men since the beginning of
the epidemic, and I’d encourage all gay and bisexual men to stay active in those activities to keep it as an important part of their lives, because this still affects this community so tremendously. These are just remarkable disparities, and it’s very rare that there is any illness at all in the United States where you’d see such a high rate among one population over others.” ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
www.dignityphila.org Facebook – Dignity Philadelphia Join us at St. Luke & the Epiphany Church 330 S. 13th Street, between Spruce and Pine streets, Philadelphia, PA
Sunday Mass at 7:00 p.m.
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Rev. Dr. Peter C. Wool 17TH & SANSOM STREETS PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 www.fbcphila1698.org
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out any of his duties. “As of my last drill weekend, after the charges were officially presented to me, I sat in a room doing school work,” he said. “I am free to walk about and do whatever, but I am to refrain from doing anything that could be interpreted as ‘chaplain’ work.” Fokas has been assigned a judge advocate general, a military attorney, and his case will eventually come before an Army general and a board, who will review the facts and make a decision on a possible discharge. Fokas said he was told by his commander that the process could take anywhere from eight weeks to eight years, which he said he found both “comforting and hysterical.” He noted that the timing of the investigation is ironic, considering the recent statements by the president and other high-ranking military officials that they are committed to repealing the military’s ban on openly gay servicemembers. “The commander-in-chief has spoken out that [the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’] is his intent. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has spoken out that this is the direction in which we’re going, as have retired generals like Colin Powell. And Lt. Dan Choi, who came out on public television last year, is back with his unit drilling. This is a messy time and ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is kind of a farce. This is clearly a law that’s headed toward the dustbin. It’s a wasteful, fraudulent abuse of government resources in a time when there are so many more things that
we need to put those resources toward.” Those who support “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” often proffer that repealing the law will damage unit cohesion, which Fokas said is not a logical argument. “Cohesion comes about through shared experience and training; it doesn’t come from people all being alike at the beginning and then forging these bonds together. Even all white males are quite, quite different and come from different backgrounds. If you put any group of people together, regardless of sexuality, you’ll see a handful of really differing, strong personalities and it takes shared experiences, not shared characteristics, to have them work as a unit.” He noted that while homophobia does still exist within the military, most military personnel would rather be comfortable with their fellow servicemembers’ abilities than their sexuality. “A lot of soldiers do come from conservative backgrounds and come from rural areas where they might not necessarily mix and mingle with openly gay, lesbian or transgender individuals. And they often enter the military at a very young age with preconceived notions of how life should be,” Fokas said. “But on the upside, we know from interviews and polls that a majority of soldiers just don’t care. They just want to know who’s got their back in a dangerous situation.” ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
City of Philadelphia Public Hearing Notice
Implants
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moving,” he said. “I felt that if I was going to be of any service to my country, I might even be able to gain a better sense of personal empowerment in my life, and that this was the time to do it if there ever was one.” Chaplains serve a variety of functions, such as officiating at religious services, conducting funerals and taking part in Bible studies, workshops and presentations. Fokas said one of a chaplain’s primary duties is direct counseling to current and former military personnel, a responsibility that allows the servicemembers to confide completely about their experiences and struggles. “We have utter confidentiality and can’t be pressed by any authorities to talk about our encounters with soldiers and what’s said during counseling. We’re the only ones in the whole military who can do that; that privilege isn’t even given to physicians or therapists,” he said. “The Army sees us as the doorway to the mentalhealth system.” Fokas also carried out these duties overseas during a nearly two-year deployment to Iraq from 2005-06. Most recently, Fokas had been on drilling status — he spent one weekend a month with the other members of his unit participating in trainings at the base in Annville — and while he is still allowed to come to the base and is being paid, he is not permitted to carry
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
Preventive Care
The Committee of the Whole of the Council of the City of Philadelphia will hold a Public Hearing commencing on Monday, March 22, 2010, at 10:00 AM, in Room 400, City Hall, to hear testimony on the following item:: 100117 An Ordinance adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2011. Immediately following the public hearing, a meeting of the Committee of the Whole, open to the public, will be held to consider the action to be taken on the above listed item. Copies of the foregoing items are available in the Office of the Chief Clerk of the Council, Room 402, City Hall. Michael A. Decker Chief Clerk
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MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
Out Money
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Ira Sheres, DMD
Jeremy Gussick
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Selling your home in a depressed market Q: What steps can I take to help me sell my home in a depressed market? A: Many of us have found ourselves in a difficult position regarding our homes, especially if circumstances require us to sell property in this environment. While I’m not a real-estate expert, there are excellent local real-estate professionals who can be found right here in PGN. And their suggestions would likely include the following: You may be able to sell your home in a depressed market by pricing it appropriately, conducting necessary repairs before your home is officially listed for sale and making your home as attractive as possible. The process may start several months before the house formally goes on the market. The key is to view your property objectively as a potential buyer would. Structural repairs Take an inventory of items that are broken or outdated and could potentially emerge as issues during a home inspection. Windows or doors that will not open easily, peeling paint, shingles falling off a house or garage and similar issues convey the impression that the owner does not pay attention to a property. By fixing these or other items before putting the house on the market, you are eliminating something a poten-
PGN Gay is our middle name.
tial buyer could use as leverage to negotiate a lower price. If you forego repairs and attempt to sell your house as a handyman special, you may need to price it accordingly and it may take longer to sell. The right price Setting an initial asking price that is too high may cause your house to sit on the market longer than it otherwise would. Either on your own or with help from a real-estate agent, review selling prices of comparable properties in your neighborhood. Factors that determine a home’s worth include its size, its overall condition and the surrounding neighborhood. Buyers are likely to look at many properties before extending an offer, and it may be to your advantage to price your home equal to or slightly below comparable offerings if you want a quick sale. Eye appeal Go beyond structural repairs and try to create as much eye appeal as possible. If you store large items, such as building materials or a boat, try to locate them elsewhere while the house is on the market. The illusion of extra space will appeal to many buyers. Clean out your garage, porches, basement, attic, closets, cabinets and other storage spaces and discard items you no longer use. Tidy up counters, mantels and display areas. Keep up with lawn mowing, snow shoveling, weeding, pruning and other landscaping chores. Consider purchasing potted flowers or other items that could improve the
appearance of your deck or porch. If you lack the time for home maintenance, consider hiring a cleaning service or lawn maintenance company before your home is advertised for sale. If the local real-estate market is not in your favor, try capitalizing on areas that you can control, such as structural repairs, pricing and eye appeal, to move your house in a depressed market. As I mentioned earlier, there are many local real-estate experts who can help you with your specific situation. I’d encourage you to reach out to and support those local experts, who can be found right here in the real-estate section of Philadelphia Gay News. And best of luck with selling your home. ■ Jeremy R. Gussick is a financial consultant with LPL Financial, the nation’s largest independent wealth management firm.* Jeremy specializes in the financial planning needs of the LGBT community. 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 Standard & Poor’s 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 1996-2009.
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City of Philadelphia Public Hearing Notice The Committee of the Whole of the Council of the City of Philadelphia will hold a Public Hearing commencing on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at 10:00 AM, in Room 400, City Hall, to hear testimony on the following items: 100118 An Ordinance amending Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Finance, Taxes and Collections,’ by adding a new Chapter 19-3600, entitled “Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax,” under certain terms and conditions. 100131 An Ordinance amending Chapter 10-700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Refuse and Littering,” by providing for a sanitation services fee, under certain terms and conditions. 100136 An Ordinance amending Chapter 19-3500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “General Acute Care Hospital Assessment,” by clarifying its applicability to High Volume Medicaid Hospitals, by revising due dates, by making changes to conform to amendments to State law, and making technical changes, all under certain terms and conditions. Immediately following the public hearing, a meeting of the Committee of the Whole, open to the public, will be held to consider the action to be taken on the above listed items. Copies of the foregoing items are available in the Office of the Chief Clerk of the Council, Room 402, City Hall. Michael A. Decker Chief Clerk
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
NEWS BRIEFING From Page 5
Calcutta hosts annual fundraiser Calcutta House’s Night Train to New Orleans will set off at 7 p.m. March 19 at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue, 200 S. Broad St., to raise funds for the HIV/AIDS housing organization. The Creole-themed event will feature dinner, dancing, live music and a live auction featuring trips to Buenos Aires, New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Night Train serves as the agency’s sole fundraising event to support its services to the HIV/AIDS community. Tickets start at $125. For more information, visit www.calcuttahouse.org or call (215) 684-0480 ext. 102.
Sparacino award reissued The Tony Sparacino Scholarship Fund, named in honor of the late LGBT entrepreneur, will accept applications until June 25. The $1,000 scholarship is available to LGBT or ally students majoring in the arts at a local college or university and who have a history of community service. The scholarship is managed by LGBT grantmaking agency Sapphire Fund. For more information or to apply, visit www.sapphirefund.org.
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In a club. In a bookstore. At the gym. On line..
LGBT scholarships available The Human Rights Campaign has launched the second installment of its Generation Equality Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to LGBT and ally college students who are active in the LGBT-rights movement. This year, three $2,000 scholarships will be awarded: for a firstyear student, a returning student at a four-year college and a returning student at a community college. Priority will be given to those enrolled at an accredited institution, who are in good academic standing, who have demonstrated a commitment or contribution to the LGBT community and who have demonstrated financial need. The application deadline is April 16. For more information or to apply, visit www.hrc.org. ■ — Jen Colletta
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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A departure from the ordinary
Detour
PAGE 18
TV star and out actor import U.K. series to U.S. By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer A new TV series is taking viewers on a ride through the family trees and histories of some high-profile celebrities. “Who Do You Think You Are?” is an adaptation of the successful United Kingdom TV series of the same name and is produced by actress Lisa Kudrow (“Friends,” “The Comeback”) and openly gay actor and writer Dan Bucatinsky (“Lipstick Jungle,” “Grey’s Anatomy”). Each week, the show follows a different celebrity on a journey into his/her family history, discovering unknown relatives, most of whom overcame huge obstacles. “It’s not just dry history,” Kudrow said about the series. “It’s back story.” “It’s context,” Bucatinsky added. “It felt like we were making seven little documentaries.” Bucatinsky and Kudrow have had considerable success working together over the years. In 2003, they started the produc-
tion company Is Or Isn’t Entertainment, cess both on and off screen, Kudrow and which won acclaim for its Emmy-nomi- Bucatinsky agree it is less of a chore to be nated HBO series “The Comeback,” in the spotlight than it is to run the entire starring Kudrow as Valerie Cherish. production. “In a way, it’s easier to be in front of the Bucatinsky was behind the scenes and in front of the camera on the show as an camera and let everyone else worry about executive producer and as Valerie’s pub- the stuff,” Kudrow said. “To me, a show licist, Billy Stanton. Is Or Isn’t continues like this is really rewarding and worth the work.” to receive attention for “Certainly its awardthe discipline winning Web of being an series, “Web actor in front T h e r a p y, ” of the camera starring is a lot less Kudrow as phone calls an incompethat we have tent therato make,” pist and Bucatinsky Bucatinsky added. “But as a devoted also, it’s so client/assistant. TRACKING HISTORY: Film director Spike Lee traces d i f f e r e n t : G i v e n his roots in “Who Do You Think You Are?” Photo: Guy the idea of their suc- D’Alema/NBC producing
seven small documentary films. Both are extremely rewarding and completely different. I felt it was a totally different animal.” One of those small documentaries focused on Kudrow herself. Bucatinsky said she believed in the show so much that she decided to be featured in the stateside debut. “She introduced the show to me with such an enormous amount of passion,” he said. “We’ve been partners for eight years. We’ve produced many different things. She was so passionate about it. We all sat down and we watched together. We all got very excited about it. For a producer, that is heaven. It is about feeling like you discovered something so special that you all feel the same way about it. Once she took the journey, there was a part of it that we were envious of because it was like an experience that had happened to her that was part of this show that she was sharing. It’s hard to find stuff to get that excited and personally passionate about,
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
and this was one of those things that was just infectious.” Kudrow said the show gave her an opportunity for her to find out about part of her family history that had yet to be discovered. “My father has done a lot of genealogy work on my family,” she said. “He has a 46-page family tree. So that part was always there. Then when we went into production, they decided I did have a good story to tell. There was something my father and I didn’t know about. That’s kind of the key to the show, that the subject can learn in it. For me, that was going to be one of the challenging things because so much work had been done by my dad.” Once they decided to bring “Who Do You Think You Are?” to American television, Bucatinsky and Kudrow then set about figuring out what it would take for the series to fly in the U.S. “The U.K. version has been going on for a long time,” Bucatinsky said. “Many of the people [featured] are known to the U.K. audience. They’re not internationally known. We set the bar high to find a nice blend of seven performers who are known throughout.” Mission accomplished. Besides Kudrow, the first season features Matthew Broderick, Spike Lee, Sarah Jessica Parker, Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields and Emmitt Smith. “Our intention was to follow in the footsteps of the BBC version, of which we were very fond,” Bucatinsky said about choosing subjects for the show. “But they also drew from news and entertainment and sports and music. And we just wanted it to be a very high caliber of performer and people that have a lot of fans in many areas. The show is really about how you scratch the surface of a person you believe you know — who is well known and won awards in whatever their field — and you start to go back in time to something we’re all a part of and personalize a story. Obviously, the more we get to tap into different disciplines, the better, and we certainly hope to continue in that vein.” Kudrow added that the celebrities involved had no reservations about opening up their family histories to millions of viewers. “We initially went to friends that we know to see if they were interested and a lot of them said sure, we know you’re not going to do something exploitative,” Kudrow said. “I think most of them saw what the show is and you can see that the show is not about you. It’s not about me and my personal life. It’s more about my ancestors becoming the main character of the story. And also the show isn’t looking for dirt on anyone’s life. We’re not looking to make anyone cry. We’re just giving them information that they haven’t ever
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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known about before.” “The biggest issue is how much you yourself want to be exposed in the discovery of all this stuff,” Bucatinsky said. “We were not result-oriented. It wasn’t like we were out looking for big reactions. It’s authenticity — in the BBC version — and all of our celebrities reflected that. Very quickly, once the story starts unfolding, the story gets removed from the life of the celebrity. We were very surprised at the number of people that were interested from seeing the BBC version.” Just because the celebrities on the show were eager to participate doesn’t mean the process of making the show was as easy as turning on the cameras and opening up some history books. “Make no mistake: It’s so complicated to try to do the dance with someone you’d like to ask if they’d be interested in doing the show,” Bucatinsky said. “Then you do preliminary research and start to find the nuggets of an interesting story. Then, will their schedule allow us to shoot them discovering more?” Kudrow added that interesting people do not guarantee an interesting family history. “Thirty percent of the time, these stories are a dead end because there are no records or it’s just 500 years of sheepherders,” she said. “The shock and surprise was that almost every single person that we did preliminary research on gave us a great story. Especially the AfricanAmerican stories, because there’s that wall of slavery where there’s a first name sometimes but there’s no records. That was almost a miracle that there were stories.” Kudrow and Bucatinsky agreed the stories are the main focus of the show, not the celebrity names attached. “One of the key factors for me was like, how about some good-quality TV that’s entertaining and enriching?” Kudrow said. “Anyone who sees the show I think is impacted in different ways because it works on a lot of different levels. It’s inspirational. It’s interesting: Some of the details of history that you didn’t know about have a huge impact on a family line. Almost everyone who’s seen the show has tried to find out more about their family tree.” “It’s always exciting to get people who watch, because they are interested in the subject or the particular celebrity and inadvertently get sucked into the story, that then makes you feel a part of this fabric of history,” Bucatinsky added. “It very soon becomes about something so much larger than the person you thought you were there to watch.” “Who Do You Think You Are?” airs 8 p.m. Fridays on NBC. ■ Larry Nichols can larry@epgn.com.
be
reached
at
BUT REALLY, WHO ARE THEY?: Dan Bucatinsky and Lisa Kudrow are helping celebrities connect to their past. Photo (bottom): Nicole Rivelli/NBC
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
Ballet company to ‘Shut Up’ for a cause By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer The dancers of Pennsylvania Ballet will once again step outside the box to feed those in need. Celebrating its 18th year, “Shut Up & Dance” is the ballet’s annual one-night-only show to benefit Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance, which prepares more than 70,000 home-delivered meals each month for individuals and families living with HIV/ AIDS, cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. Out Pennsylvania Ballet dancer Jermel Johnson choreographed one routine and will perform in the March 20 event with 26 other dancers. He talked to PGN about how the show allows the dancers and their fans to stretch their creativity. PGN: How is the performance at “Shut Up & Dance” different from the performances you do with the Pennsylvania Ballet? JJ: This year, I’m actually choreographing a hip-hop dance for “Shut Up & Dance.”
JJ: For the choreographers and the dancers, it’s working after hours. Usually, our day goes from 9:30 in the morning to 6. These past couple of weeks, we’ve been staying later, from 6 to 8, after our normal day just to try to put our work together. Some people have been working on the weekends as well.
Pennsylvania Ballet is only ballet and some contemporary work. So we would never get the chance to choreograph — or even dance in — a hip-hop performance. PGN: Is everyone involved doing something that is completely outside of the realm of ballet? JJ: Not totally. All the work is done by our peers instead of someone paid to come in and set it or something that’s been around for years and taught to us. All of the works in this year’s “Shut Up & Dance” are new and choreographed by the dancers. PGN: Is there any healthy competition among the dancers to outdo each other at this event? JJ: Not really. I think “Shut Up
PENNSYLVANIA BALLET DANCER JERMEL JOHNSON
& Dance” is a time for any ideas or movements that we want to get out of our heads just to put something together and have fun with it. I think the main goal is to have fun with any of the choreography that we try to put out. PGN: Aside from this perfor-
mance, have you or the other dancers done volunteer work with MANNA? JJ: I have not. I’m not sure if other dancers have. They may have. PGN: How much time and energy goes into putting together a performance like this?
PGN: Does this show tend to draw more fans of the Pennsylvania Ballet or people who normally wouldn’t come to see a ballet performance? JJ: It’s a little of both. People who have come and seen the ballet do come. I think a lot of people who know the dancers so well want to come see them in another element. ■ “Shut Up & Dance” will be held at 8 p.m. March 20 at the Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St. For more information or tickets, visit www. mannapa.org/sud or call (215) 496-2662 ext. 138. Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
Tony-winning play explores homophobia in baseball By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer
to homophobia, the play explores issues of racism and classism in the sport. Very few major-league The timing couldn’t be better baseball players have ever come for a theater production like “Take out to the public, making the proMe Out.” duction a convincing exploration Plays and Players presents the of how life for an out player could Tony Award-winning production unfold. (To date, there are two about what happens when a super- players who have come out: Billy star baseball player comes out to Bean and the late Glenn Burke.) his team, his friends and the pub“There are still no, by any stretch lic, through March 27. of the imagination, superstar base“The Philadelphia theater trend ball players that have come out, this year [is] a huge grouping of let alone average players that are sports-oriented and themed pro- openly gay,” Egan said. ductions,” said out actor Bill Egan “If the same thing would happen about the play. “I think it’s a con- today, it would have the same kind nection that we have to different of effect. Those issues still aren’t audiences who might not come to resolved.” the theater. There was the wresAs negative and positive reactling-based play that InterAct did tions from those around him unfold [‘The Elaborate Entrance of Chad on and off the field, Lemming’s Deity’]. Obviously, we picked performance as a player gets betspring. The Phillies are hav- ter. Egan said this plot developing their first pre-season games. ment will hopefully be a source of Thank God the weather is turning discussion for the viewers. for us. It’s all good timing.” “When he comes out, the league Egan plays Christopher “Kippy” doesn’t do anything. By contrast, Sunderstorm, a seasoned player his playing excels even more for on the team who supports slug- one reason or another. Is he tryger Darren Lemming — who also ing to rise above because he’s happens to be biracial — after he trying to put down anything that comes out. might be perceived as negative, or “He’s the senior member of the is it because he put that out there team,” Egan said of his character. and is not hiding anymore? He’s “A lot of guys just totally come and go. focu sed on He’s kind of who he is and like the mom what he wants of the team. to do. It really He makes does spark sure he knows those coneveryone and versations. learns a little There’s got bit of their to be other language. He superstar athtries to get letes who along with still might everyone and not have that bring peace. opportunity He’s a little to come out bit surprised for whatever at first [when reason.” Darren comes “Take Me o u t ] . H e ’s Out” runs immediately P L AY B A L L : S h a n e M u n g i t t t h r o u g h pretty open. (Ted Powell, from left), Darren M a r c h 2 7 H e c a n ’ t Lemming (Gerard Joseph) and Kippy a t 1714 wait to meet Sunderstorm (Bill Egan) in “Take Me D e l a n c e y [ D a r r e n ’ s ] Out.” Photo: Tom Ryan Place. For guy and have more inforhim over with his family so they mation, visit www.playsandplaycan all have dinner.” ers.org or call (215) 735-0630. ■ Of course there are players who react negatively to the idea of hav- Larry Nichols can be reached at ing a gay teammate. In addition larry@epgn.com.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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us what you think! Survey 2010orTell go to www.epgn.com to tell us online We recognize that our readers are key to our success and we want to make sure we are meeting your needs and those of our community. Thanks for reading PGN and for taking the time to give us feedback! Please be assured that all information is for our use only. You do not have to answer every question. How do you identify your gender? ___Male ___Female ___Transgender (MTF) ___Transgender (FTM) ___Other (indicate) __________ How do you identify your sexual orientation? ___Gay ___Lesbian ___Bisexual ___Queer ___Other (indicate) ___________ In what age group are you? ___18-25 ___26-34 ___35-49 ___50-65 ___66-80 ___Over 80 What is your race? ___Caucasian ___African American ___Latino/a ___Asian ___Other (indicate) ___________ Where do you live? ___Philadelphia ___Philadelphia suburbs ___New Jersey ___Delaware ___Other (indicate) _______ How long have you been reading the Philadelphia Gay News? ___<1 year ___1-3 years ___4-8 years ___9-15 years ___16-20 years ___>20 years How do you usually read PGN? ___In print ___Online ___Both
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Family Portraits At a mere 26 years of age, bex* has managed to rack up quite a résumé. A graphic artist, filmmaker, photographer and clothing designer, bex* moved from the Northwest to our fair city five years ago to attend Temple University, with a dual major in film and media arts and visual anthropology and an LGBT studies minor, primarily focusing on multi- and cross-cultural transgender and gender-variant populations and experiences. A 2009 Leeway grant recipient, bex*’s short film, “Meditation on Intelligibility,” will be screened as part of the Change in Motion film program March 17 at The Rotunda, moderated by yours truly. We took a moment to talk with the wunderkind, who says simply, “I like to study people and make movies about them.” PGN: Let’s jump right in. Any siblings? B: No, I’m an only child. PGN: Uh-oh, were you spoiled as a kid? B: [Laughs.] Not really. My mother had 12 brothers and sisters growing up, so that’s why there’s only one of me! I think I got a lot of her frugality and I grew up with a lot of the “we were so poor ... ” stories. So no, I wasn’t spoiled. PGN: That must have been a lot of aunts and uncles. B: Yeah, many, many, many aunts and uncles and lots of cousins. PGN: What did you like to do as a kid? B: I liked to draw a lot. I wanted to be an illustrator or, even better, I wanted to work at Crayola as the person who named the colors of the crayons. PGN: There’s still time: The Crayola Factory is only about 50 miles from here. B: Really? I had no idea. What if
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
Suzi Nash I found out after all these years there really was a job for someone just to name colors? That would be awesome! PGN: Did you play with your cousins growing up? B: No, most of my mother’s family was in Minnesota and my father’s family was spread out around the country. My parents were super-religious. My mom went to Bible college and was a pastor for seven years. We were Pentecostal Christians, so we went to church all day every Sunday and to meetings throughout the week. PGN: Do you still practice? B: I stopped going to church when I turned 18 and got out of the house. I knew I wanted to get out of Washington [state], so I looked up schools in California and went to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, where I got a degree in visual communications. School there started in the summer, so I graduated high school and, a week later, I was gone. Unfortunately, the cost of living in Southern California is ridiculous, so I moved back with my parents for a short period of time while I tried to figure out what to do with my life. I was a nanny and I painted children’s murals, and then decided that I wanted to make movies. I made up a list of top-10 small film schools and Temple was number one. The thing I like best about them is that they don’t claim your work. At the University of Southern California and New York University, if you make a student film, they own it. PGN: Yikes! B: Yeah. At home, I took a class in anthropology at the community college so that I could stay on my parents’ health plan and I loved it. Then I found out that Temple started the discipline of
visual anthropology in 1973 and that sealed the deal for me. And they had LGBT studies, which I took as a minor. It’s been great. I graduate in May. PGN: What was the oddest thing that struck you about Philadelphia? B: Oh my God, the first time I saw someone litter I was shocked! I was outside watching a guy eat a pretzel and when he finished, he just threw the paper on the ground. He didn’t even try to pretend that he’d accidentally dropped it: He just was finished and threw his trash down on the ground. In Seattle, that just doesn’t happen. I thought, “This place is so dirty and these people are just so mean, it’s horrible.” But I’ve totally warmed up to Philly now. PGN: Back to little bex*: Did you have a favorite teacher? B: Well, my favorite person at school wasn’t my teacher, she was actually the school technology specialist. She knew that I hated high school but liked film, so she helped me enter my first video competition and I won these really fancy computer speakers. I didn’t have a computer, but she let me borrow a computer from the school, which was totally under the table. She really took me under her wing. People would see me rolling out of the school for the summer with a computer hidden under a cart and just say, “Oh, I see you’re ‘helping’ Sue again.” We’re still friends and I still call her for technical advice. PGN: So tell me about growing up and coming out. B: Being so steeped in religion, our household was not very progressive or welcoming and my parents were pretty homophobic. I had gay friends I hung out with but I kept it hidden. My strategy was just to get out of there
BEX* Photo: Suzi Nash
before I dealt with anything. In 2006, I got the Point Foundation scholarship, which is a really, really big scholarship. They pay for things like your tuition, rent, transpasses, a computer, tutoring — a whole bunch of stuff. When I got it, I decided to tell my mother. I had a friend come over and we filmed my coming out. The first time I tried to call her to come out, with the camera rolling, I got a busy signal! But I wanted to show the coming-out process in the context of coming from a very religious family. I originally came out as gay and, though I’ve never officially had a conversation with them coming out as trans, my mother will say things like, “I used to have a little girl, and now I have a boy.” So, she does recognize it to some extent, but she will address me as her daughter, which I understand. She’s my mom and I know she sees me in a certain way, so I’m not uncomfortable with it. PGN: She sounds like she’s adjusted pretty well, considering ... B: Yes; when I first told her I was dating, she said, “You know how I feel about it, but you’re going to do what you’re going to do.” Now, she loves my partner, which I think has been a big conflict for her. She comes home for Christmas and in the summer with me. If I leave for something, my mom will call her to say, “I know how it feels to miss somebody.” It’s really cute. She came to the realization that if she wanted to have a relation-
ship with me, it was something she was going to have to accept. She knows she doesn’t have to believe it’s right to accept me as I am and love me as her kid. My father seemed to have the attitude that I’d always been a good kid and never gotten into any trouble, so he trusted me to do what was right for me. PGN: I think most gay people have a minute when they come out where they declare they are bi, maybe to ease the transition, before fully coming out — B: [Laughs.] I totally had that moment at 16! PGN: Was there a second transition to understand yourself as a trans person? B: Yes. I identify myself as queer because I think that’s an open label. My partner also identifies as queer, and it has a lot of political meaning for us. PGN: How so? B: It’s a label that doesn’t specify gender. It covers all couplings without being specific about “this is a bi couple, male and female, or a lesbian couple, two women together;” it encompasses all partnerships and gender identities. I think it’s becoming more popular than LGBT, which is funny in itself, because the “T” to a lot of people is not really a sexuality. PGN: Can you enlighten me? B: I don’t feel this way, but some See PORTRAIT, Page 26
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 25
Q Puzzle
Ile Fly Away Across
1. The Gay ’90s, and more 5. Bette Davis feature of song 9. Butcher’s cut 14. Philbin cohost 15. Arenas’ house 16. Made easier to bear 17. Place for a Malgieri pastry 18. By word of mouth 19. Borders on 20. Pink Triangle press, e.g.? 23. “___ you loud and clear!” 24. Like 1,001 nights 28. “Because I Said So” comedian Maggie 32. When sex addicts need it 33. Seemingly forever 35. Shaft output 36. Drag queen looking for action? 42. Marine eagle 43. Gellar kisser in “Cruel Intentions” 44. O’Donnell’s memoir 47. Having gaydar, perhaps 52. Prick stimulators 54. Stage offering 55. Coup by Ellen? 59. Show that aired TV’s first lesbian kiss 62. Wilde country 63. Tall Boston guy, for short 64. “___ there yet?” 65. “Spamalot” writer Eric 66. Tanning need 67. Bear 68. It’s a gas on Broadway 69. And others, for Caesar
Down
1. Like a Mapplethorpe photo 2. Kahlo’s husband 3. High points
4. Seasonal mall employees 5. Finance major’s subj. 6. Barbecue area 7. Twin to Jacob 8. Music style for Martin 9. Cause anguish to 10. Result of excessive heterosexuality 11. Columbus coll. 12. Mauresmo’s court divider 13. Wood and more 21. Bright notions 22. Sung syllable 25. Letters over Mary’s son 26. Top parts of suits 27. Costner character 29. Liberace’s nickname 30. Pop singer Lisa 31. Common sprain spot 34. “The King and I” setting 36. Test the weight of 37. Iroquoian tongue 38. “Tales of the City”’s Madrigal 39. Founder of Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 40. Barely beat 41. Letter from a teacher 45. Brown’s “Murder, She ___ ” 46. Areas for Dr. George O’Malley 48. Deep throat soother 49. “___ your way” 50. She filled a lot of shoes 51. OPEC, for one 53. “The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas” author 56. It comes on the beach 57. Alice’s Restaurant patron 58. Noted news columnist Lisa 59. Vegas opening 60. What Michelangelo put out 61. DeLaria of comedy
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
PORTRAIT From Page 24 transgender people are only attracted to other trans people, so they consider it to also be their sexual orientation or identity as well as a gender identity. PGN: What do you think the LGB community could be doing better? B: I think just getting educated and being more inclusive of trans people. A lot of times the “T” just gets tacked onto the end, but it is not actually represented. People will say that they’re having an LGBT event, when it is actually an LGB event or sometimes just a gay event. We become invisible. We get invited to the ball but not asked to be a part of it. And it’s important for us to be included in the organizing if you want trans people to feel comfortable at an event. For example, there are events where the organizers
I now pronounce you husband and husband ...
PGN is happy to publish your wedding/civil union/commitment ceremony announcement. E-mail information to editor@epgn.com or fax us at (215) 925-6437.
don’t think about the bathroom situation and trans people have been harassed over going into the bathrooms — at an LGBT event! If there were just one trans person on the planning committee, I can assure you that the bathroom issue would have been taken care of ahead of time. That’s how things change with including people at all levels. PGN: Tell me about your films. B: I did a film called “Nicetown,” which is the name of the section of the city where I live. It’s about what it’s like to be an outsider within it. I tried to do a film about FTM pregnancies, but had some problems. A lot of people don’t realize there have been FTM pregnancies for years: Thomas Beatie was not the first transgender man to give birth, only the first “legal” man to do it. Most recently, I’ve been doing some animation, which is awesome but takes forever! I did a
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
piece that won Best Animation at Temple’s Diamond Screen Festival, but it took months to do two-and-a-half minutes! I’ve also been doing some quilting. I was in India recently and picked up some magnificent fabrics I want to work with. PGN: What were you doing in India? B: I went in 2006 to do a film project about the Hedras, who are the third-gender people of the Hindu religion. More recently, I went back with my partner for some R&R and to refresh my creativity. I’d had a bad experience with a film and needed to get away for a bit. We stayed for two months. You can live so cheaply there, you don’t have to worry about rent or bills, you can just sit and think all day if you want. One day, I just spent hours making a collage about the kite festival. PGN: Something special about India? B: Things are so much easier and freer there in many ways. I have diabetes and, if I need medicine there, I can just go to a chemist and tell them what I need. I got five months’ worth of medicine for less than our co-pay for one prescription here. The stress of not having to worry about medical care freed me up to be more creative. And creatively, anything is possible there. If I want something embroidered, I can draw a pattern and take it to a tailor who will bring it to life. PGN: People still actually make things there ... B: Yes! There are real crafts people still making things. And they are happy to teach you or let you watch them create. It’s an amazing experience. Things are so easy, you have to really keep yourself in check and not exploit your Western privilege and take advantage of things because people are working for peanuts. PGN: Healthcare is so important to you; talk about your challenges. B: I have type-one diabetes and thyroid problems. Since healthcare is not universal here, I have to stay in school perpetually so I can stay on my parents’ healthcare policy. Once I graduate, it’s going to affect what I do because the professions I want to pursue don’t come with healthcare benefits: documentary filmmaker, anthropologist, artist, etc. So after all this education, I have to
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
take a job that I don’t want just to stay alive. PGN: On a different note, did you have a blankie or stuffed animal growing up? B: Yes, I did: I had a blankie. It was a quilt that my aunt made me with a bathtub, a high chair, a stroller and something else. It came with a doll that you could put into the tub, etc. All the women on my dad’s side were quilters. My mother did a little knitting and sewing, but she’s a sign-language interpreter, so she was afraid to do anything that might jeopardize her hands. PGN: Is that where you got your artistic bent? B: Well, my mom says it’s genetic, but I’m adopted, so I’m not so sure! PGN: I heard you talk a little about not knowing what race you are ... B: Yeah, my friends call me racially ambiguous. It’s interesting: It wasn’t until I got to Temple and somebody handed me a flier inviting me to an event for people of color that I said, “Holy shit, I’m a person of color!” People think it’s funny — they’re like, “What, you didn’t own a mirror until you got to college?” But it’s not something I really thought about at home. It was when I got here that I had the realization that I could say, “I occupy this space as a person of color.” It was mind blowing. People always wanted me to claim something — black, Indian, Asian — but I never felt obligated to pick a race just to make other people comfortable.
PAGE 27
but it can get confusing. For instance, this week, I was buying a monthly pass at SEPTA and the person guiding the line said, “Sir, can you step up to the window?” and then the person in the window put a female sticker on my ironically named transpass. I thought, “Ya know, this is my life!” PGN: Random question: Food you’d eat if you couldn’t get fat? B: I really love Outback Steakhouse ribs. And I just found out that those things are the worst things you could put in your body! I was so sad to hear that. PGN: A favorite TV show? B: God, there are so many. Right now, I like “Big Love” and “Weeds.” PGN: Tell me about your partner. B: She’s a women’s-studies major and I’m a women’s-studies minor. We met at a women’sstudies event and made a date. We went to Bump and, for the first time ever, they carded me. Of course it was the one time I didn’t bring my ID, so we went to Tavern on Camac, where they knew me, and we’ve been going there ever since. It’s our favorite place. PGN: Any phobias? B: Oh yes. Ticks! Any kind of parasites just make me cringe. Ugh! And I’m afraid of stingrays and cat bites. I had a friend who almost had to have her hand amputated because she got bitten by a cat. They’re always cleaning themselves so their mouths are dirty. And stingrays are just plain creepy.
PGN: When did you learn that you were adopted? B: I always knew: My parents felt it was important to be upfront about it. My mom always told me, “We wanted a baby and you came into our lives and we loved you so very much ... ” They were so conscientious about explaining it that at one point when I was a kid, I finally said, “Mom, I’m not adopted any more!” She realized that I got it already.
PGN: Something most people don’t know about you? B: I knit baby hats and I give them away. And I have a 4-pound Chihuahua named Gia, after the model, and a 15-pound cat named Gabby. She came with the girl and, so far, she hasn’t bitten me.
PGN: And speaking of ambiguous, I notice that you use genderneutral pronouns. The bio on you for your Point Foundation grant refers to you as “them.” Is that hard for people to absorb? B: [Smiles.] It works for me! I think it suits my identity and I think it makes people think a little bit. I like the ambiguity,
PGN: What’s your master plan? B: Bex* wants to change the world. Or at least get a Wikipedia entry. ■
PGN: Favorite word of the moment? B: Shifty. We started using it in India.
To suggest a community member for “Family Portraits,” write to: Family Portraits, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 or portraits05@aol.com.
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Offline
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
Bruce Yelk
Putting your social life in perspective
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A few weeks ago, one of my closest friends was involved in a terrible car accident. He emerged relatively unharmed, but the ordeal was frightening for him and everyone with whom he shares his life. I love each of my friends, but the person involved in this accident is truly special — he’s one of the most generous, caring and inspirational people I have the pleasure of knowing. It’s very unfortunate that he had to endure such a horrific accident, but it’s even more bothersome that it often takes traumatic events to put things in perspective and make us truly appreciate our friends and family. I’m incredibly thankful that he’s OK, and I’m committed to making the time I share with my friends as meaningful as possible. As the spring season officially kicks off over the next two weeks, Philly’s LGBT community will shake off the frost with a number of high-profile social events. No matter how you spend your social time in the coming weeks, make sure you drink deeply of every smile, every story, every laugh and every memory. Life is unpredictable and goes by too fast — we owe it to ourselves, and each other, to appreciate these moments. Momentum continues to build for the fourth annual Mr. Gay Philadelphia competition on April 17 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St. Just last week, Nightlifegay.com announced that Logo has signed on as a presenting sponsor for the event. Cast members from Logo’s “Big Gay SOLUTION From Page 25
Sketch Show” will serve as judges and perform their unique brand of sketch comedy between rounds of competition. In addition, several local businesses completed their preliminary contests over the last few weeks: Here is an updated list of prelim winners who will square off for the Mr. Gay Philadelphia title on the line. Mr. Gay 12th Street Gym: Tim Murdaugh Mr. Gay Tavern on Camac: Mike Free Mr. Gay Darling’s Diner at The Piazza: Dave McCann Mr. Gay Q Lounge: Emmanuel Sanchez Mr. Gay Woody’s: Jacob Anthony Mr. Gay Voyeur: Jeff Next weekend, several more contestants for Mr. Gay Philadelphia will be named during prelim contests at the following venues: Albert’s Second Story, 8 p.m. March 18, 3180 Grant Ave.; Stir Lounge, 10 p.m. March 19, 1705 Chancellor St.; and Shampoo Nightclub, 11 p.m. March 19, 417 N. Eighth St. Daly’s Pub in the Northeast, 4201 Comly St., held its preliminary contest last evening. To check out Daly’s winner and see an up-to-date roster of competitors, including photos and background information, visit Nightlifegay.com. On March 13 at the Hyatt Regency Penn’s Landing, 201 S. Columbus Blvd., the Philadelphia Regional Steering Committee of the Human Rights Campaign will present its 14th Annual Gala Dinner. The theme for this year’s event is “Speak the Truth.” The evening will feature a speech by U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-8th Dist.), relating his exceptional leadership in Washington, D.C., on the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal effort. Former “Project Runway” finalist and winner of the “Project Runway All-Star Challenge” Daniel Vosovic will be on hand to receive HRC’s regional “Visibility Award.” HRC will also host a silent auction, featuring items from Caesar’s Atlantic City, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Caribbean Sun Cruise by Olivia and a lav-
ish dinner for four prepared at home by Terra’s executive chef, Eric Paraskevas. As one of the LGBT community’s most popular annual fundraising events, the HRC dinner typically sells out early. To check for ticket availability and learn more about the event, visit philadelphia.hrc.org. In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St., will host “Kiss Me I’m Irish and Gay III.” Starting at 8 p.m., this event will feature live music by legendary local DJ Reenie Kane and benefit Philadelphia Fight. It’s guaranteed to be one of the city’s most colorful St. Patrick’s Day parties. Cover for the event is a donation of $10, and guests will enjoy festive holiday drinks and food throughout the evening. For more information about “Kiss Me I’m Irish and Gay III,” check out the event profile on Facebook. Before I finish up, here’s a quick reminder that Nightlifegay. com will present the 2010 spring “Pink Pub Crawl” on March 20 — the first Saturday evening of spring! Beginning at 9 p.m., revelers will assemble at Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac St., for registration and the evening’s first stop. At 10:30 p.m., the Pink Pub Crawl will hit 12th Air Command, 254 S. 12th St. Crawlers will move to Philly’s most historic gay bar, Woody’s, 202 S. 13th St., at 11:30 p.m., then to the final stop at Voyeur at 12:30 a.m. Tickets for the Pink Pub Crawl are $20 for those wearing one prominent pink clothing item, such as a shirt, pants or a jacket. For those not in pink, tickets are $30. A ticket is good for one free drink at each of the first three stops, free admission to the dance floor at 12th Air Command and to a private entrance of Woody’s dance floor, as well as free admission to Voyeur Nightclub. Sponsors of the spring 2010 Pink Pub Crawl include P.I.N.K. Vodka, 12th Street Gym and GunnerWorld.com. For more information, visit Nightlifegay. com. Send any events for my next column to Bruce@nightlifegay. com. ’Til next time, get offline and see what your community has to offer! ■
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
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Contact your PGN ad rep to participate in the bar/restaurant guide: (215) 625-8501 Greg, ext. 201 Kelly, ext. 207 David, ext. 219
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PAGE 31
Seafood steals steak’s thunder at Morton’s By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer Seeing as March is Philadelphia Steak Month, we were drawn to Morton’s The Steakhouse, 1411 Walnut St. In honor of the month, the upscale altar of red meat is offering prix-fixe steak and seafood specials for two: Morton’s signature three-course menu ($99) and classic combo ($79). The plan going in was to try the signature three-course. The classic combo offers a similar meal, minus the dessert course and featuring a center-cut iceberg wedge salad, single filet or single New York strip steak and a seafood choice of either coldwater lobster tail or king crab legs. Whatever you do, do not call it surf ’n’ turf. For some reason,
the folks at Morton’s don’t like that. Any dining experience here begins with a cart being wheeled up to your table with freshly cut examples of the various steaks on offer, along with a behemoth lobster in case you’re prone to an impulse buy. If we had a jeweler’s glass on hand, we might have given the meat a closer inspection, but we were impressed with the mobile display. Then the specialties of the house were explained in expert detail, at which point we began to fantasize about venturing beyond the confines of the threecourse menu. The gigantic lobster tempted us, but we stuck with the game plan and ordered the special. The first course consisted of a Caesar or center-cut iceberg
wedge salad, a nice way to kick off the meal with fresh ingredients and just the right amount of dressing. The second course consisted of either New York strip or filet mignon accompanied by a choice of broiled sea scallops, shrimp Alexander or a crab cake. The steaks were good-quality and cooked well enough, especially the filet mignon, which benefited greatly from the accompanying Béarnaise sauce. But the red meat was almost completely overshadowed by the excellence of the seafood that came along for the ride. The shrimp Alexander featured massive shrimp cooked perfectly: tender on the inside with a lovely crunch on the outside. The sea scallops were thick, wrapped in bacon and just as perfectly cooked as the shrimp. As good
as the steaks were, we would have happily sacrificed them for more of the shrimp and scallops. The third course offered a choice of desserts. The hot-chocolate cake, baked fresh with a center of molten chocolate, was rich and decadent. The key-lime pie and the crème brûlée didn’t have the star power of the chocolate cake, but were of the quality one would expect from a place that wheeled a cart of after-dinner liqueurs and coffees up to the table as we were finishing. Granted, everything on Morton’s menu is à la carte and high-end (don’t blame us if you have sticker shock), but that’s what you pay for a nice steak dinner that doesn’t involve a blooming onion as an appetizer. That being said, the service at Morton’s is top-notch from beginning to end. It’s the closest
any of us will ever get to having a personal servant waiting on our every beck and call and cleaning up after us. If the service were any more attentive, someone would be throwing rose petals at our feet wherever we walked. For more information, visit www.mortons.com. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
If you go Morton’s The Steakhouse 1411 Walnut St. (215) 557-0724 www.mortons.com Open for dinner daily
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Diversions
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
Your guide to arts and entertainment
Theater
PGN
Blue Door Arden Theatre Company presents the story of a successful mathematics professor experiencing a sleepless night where a series of ancestors visit to reveal the hardships and victories that have shaped their lives, through March 21, 40 N. Second St.; (215) 922-1122. Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue The Walnut Street Theatre’s 2009-10 Independence Studio on 3 presents the story of a Marine on leave to recover from his wounds from the war in Iraq, through March 14, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550. Fallen Angels Walnut Street Theatre presents a comedy about bored wives, old flames and high society, March 16-May 2, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550. GROOVALOO: The HipHop Sensation The Kimmel Center’s Broadway series presents the award-winning troupe’s real-life experiences as told by the dancers who lived them, through March 14 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Happily Ever After 1812 Productions presents four-time Barrymore Award-winner Mary Martello in her new cabaret about the lives of aging fairy-tale princesses, through March 28 at Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom St.; (215) 5929560. The Importance of Being Earnest Forge Theatre presents the classic Oscar Wilde
Pick
Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Diversions, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147; fax them to (215) 925-6437; or e-mail them to diversions@epgn.com. Notices cannot be taken over the phone.
native land, 8 p.m. March 13 and 14 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
David Stevens’ “Santa and Cub” is just one of the many works from local gay artists on display at The Liberty Bears’ Bear Art 2010, from 7-10 p.m. March 12-13 at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. Proceeds from the fifth-annual art show benefit Camp Brightfeather, a summer camp for children with HIV and children whose families are affected by HIV. For more information, visit www.libertybears.net or call (215) 627-1662.
play about high society and the antics of two bachelors trying to win their ladies’ hearts, through March 13, 241 First Ave., Phoenixville; (610) 9351920. Language Rooms The Wilma Theater presents a black comedy that exposes the divided loyalties among today’s immigrants, discovering the rising cost of the American dream, through April 4, 265 S. Broad St.; (215) 546-7842. Never Been Stoked: A Traveling Bromance Anthology Project presents a new environmental theater piece set, literally, in the backseat of a moving car, about two friends stuck in post-grad monotony, through March 15, starting and finishing at the Rite Aid parking lot on 23rd and Walnut streets; neverbeenstoked@gmail. com.
The Play’s The Thing The Actors’ NET of Bucks County presents the classic farce set in the 1920s about a playwright and his collaborator, who bring a young composer in love with the leading lady of an upcoming musical to a weekend retreat at an Italian castle, through March 14 at The Morrisville Heritage Center, 635 N. Delmorr Ave., Morrisville; (215) 295-3694. The Rear Column Iron Age Theatre Productions presents the story of explorer H.M. Stanley and the fate of the five men he left to wait in Africa, through March 21 at The Centre Theater, 208 DeKalb St., Norristown; (610) 279-1013. Respect: A Musical Journey of Women Society Hill Playhouse presents an exuberant musical that recounts the journey of women in the
20th century with popular music, through April 18, 507 S. Eighth St.; (215) 923-0210. The Smell of the Kill The Players Club of Swarthmore presents a dark comedy about married couples, through March 20 at PCS’ Second Stage, 614 Fairview Road, Swarthmore; (610) 3284271. Up Bristol Riverside Theatre presents the story of a man who uses a lawn chair, a weather balloon, a BB gun and a beer to escape the ordinary, March 16-April 4, 120 Radcliffe St.; (215) 735-7356.
Music classical
Vänskä Conducts Sibelius The Philadelphia Orchestra presents the charismatic Finnish-born music director of the Minnesota Orchestra, conducting music from his
Artemis Quartet Philadelphia Chamber Music Society presents the quartet from Berlin, 3 p.m. March 14 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Beethoven’s “Eroica” The Philadelphia Orchestra performs with Russian conductor Vladimir Jurowski, 8 p.m. March 18 and 20 and 2 p.m. March 19 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 7905847.
Music other
Antigone Rising The all-female rock band performs at 7:30 p.m. March 12 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; (215) 9280770. Habib Koité The African singer and guitarist, along with his band Bamada, perform a mix of rock, folk and traditional African music, 7 p.m. March 14 at Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut St.; (215) 898-6701. Janelle Monáe The R&B singer performs at 8 p.m. March 17 and 18 at Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N.
Frankford Ave.; (215) 7399684. Melissa Manchester The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter-pianist performs at 8 p.m. March 18 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave.; (215) 257-5808.
Exhibits
Benjamin Pierce’s Transfigure InLiquid presents an exhibition of photographs escaping the bounds of traditional figure photography, in which the human body takes on myriad forms, through March 21 at Painted Bride Art Gallery, 230 Vine St.; (215) 9229144. Contemporary Folklore The James A. Michener Art Museum presents an exhibition featuring the works of four regional artists mining both collective and personal stories to create sculptures that retell new histories, through June 13, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; (215) 340-9800. Chromatic Alchemy AxD Gallery presents an exhibition of paintings by John Clark and Gabriel Turner Byrne, through April 3, 265 S. 10th St.; (215) 6276250. The Hermaphrodites: Living in Two Worlds Wexler Gallery presents a group show focusing on figural sculptures that embody the literal definition of hermaphrodites (encompassing both genders) and the conceptual nature of the term, through May 1, 201 N. Third St.; (215) 923-7030. Inspiring a Nation The National Constitution Center hosts an exhibition featuring World War I posters created by Philadelphia Sketch Club
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
artists, through April 25, 525 Arch St.; (215) 409-6700. Meditation on the Chawan ArtStar Gallery presents a solo exhibition by Philadelphia fiber artist Ed Bing Lee, through March 21, 623 N. Second St.; (215) 2381557.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Hairspray Bryn Mawr Film Institute presents the John Waters film at 7:30 p.m. March 17, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 527-9898.
Books
Nameless and Reverberating Fleisher/Ollman Gallery presents a solo exhibition of new drawings by Chicago artist Luis Romero, through March 27, 1616 Walnut St., Suite 100; (215) 545-7562.
Ngugi wa Thiong’o One of Kenya’s best-known intellectuals and author of “Dreams in a Time of War: A Childhood Memoir” hosts a book event at 7:30 p.m. March 16 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322.
The Peaceable Queendom Wexler Gallery presents an exhibition of works by Adelaide Paul exploring the alternately sentimental and callous relationship between humans and both domesticated and wild animals, through May 1, 201 N. Third St.; (215) 923-7030.
William Peter Blatty The Academy Award-winning screenwriter and producer and author of iconic horror novel “The Exorcist” hosts a reading from his new novel “Dimiter” at 7:30 p.m. March 18 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322.
Play Mate The James Oliver Gallery presents an exhibition of whimsical works by Darla Jackson, Gretchen Diehl and Sienna Freeman, through March 23, 723 Chestnut St., fourth floor; (215) 923-1242. Sanbao: A Way of Living and Working The Clay Studio presents an exhibition of works from Jackson Li, through March 14, 139 N. Second St.; (215) 925-3453.
Dance
Shadow and Light Group Motion Dance Company celebrates its 40th-anniversary season by presenting new work by Manfred Fischbeck, Brigitta Herrman and guest choreographer Megan Bridge, March 13-14 at Painted Bride Arts Center, 230 Vine St.; (215) 925-9914.
Film
Looney Tunes Selected cartoons from the Warner Brothers catalog are screened at 2 p.m. March 13 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223. The Quiet Man The Oscar-winning John Wayne film is screened at 2 p.m. March 14 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223. The Shining Bryn Mawr Film Institute presents the classic Stanley Kubric horror film at 7 p.m. March 16, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 527-9898.
Opera
Tannhauser Amici Opera Company presents Wagner’s opera, 2:30 p.m. March 14 at The Garden Church, 82 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne; (215) 224-0257. Antony & Cleopatra Curtis Opera Theatre presents the story of Marc Antony and Cleopatra as they weave through deception, political intrigue and passion as hot as the sands of Egypt, 7:30 p.m. March 17, 8 p.m. March 19 and 2:30 p.m. March 21 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
PAGE 33
School Philly See what happens when cabaret meets art school, along with music, booze, oddball competitions, sexy dames and straight-up debauchery, at 3 p.m. March 13 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400.
Etc.
HRC Annual Philadelphia Region Dinner The 14th annual regional fundraiser dinner celebrates change, hope and the future of the movement for greater LGBT equality, 6-10 p.m. March 13 at Hyatt Regency Philadelphia, 201 S. Columbus Blvd.; galadinners@hrc.org. Chantal Carrere The out comedian performs at 8:30 p.m. March 13 at Harlans Cabaret, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225. Paul Mooney The comedian seen on “Chappelle’s Show” performs March 17-20 at Helium, 2031 Sansom St.; (215) 496-9001. ■
READY TO ‘BLAST’ OFF: With her sophomore solo album, “Blasted,” due out later this month, out singer-songwriter/violinist/poet Bitch is ready to take her new look to the stage at 8 p.m. March 13 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. The word on the street is that the new album is fueled by a recent break-up, so Bitch is bound to be ready to tear it up on and off stage. For more information, visit www.bitchmusic.com or call (215) 222-1400.
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Auditions
Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus PGMC hosts auditions for new members for its Pride concert from 10-11:30 a.m. March 13 at Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, 2111 Sansom St.; contact (215) 731-9230 or auditions@pgmc.org to schedule an audition time. The Last Airbender The new M. Night Shyamalan film is holding an open call for physically fit men and women, ages 10-65, and boys and girls, ages 6-16, of all ethnicities (martial-arts training a plus), from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. March 13 at Independence Visitor Center, 1 N. Independence Mall West; contact CastingAirbender@gmail.com or (215) 552-8554.
Cabaret
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 34
Meeting Place A community bulletin board of activities, facilities and organizations
Community centers ■ The Attic Youth Center: For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday through Friday. See the Youth section for more events. 255 S. 16th St.; (215) 545-4331 ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St.; (215) 898-5044; center@dolphin.upenn.edu, Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. ■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; (215) 348-0558 ext. 65; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. ■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center: 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 732-2220; www.waygay.org. Peer counseling: Monday through Friday, 6-9 p.m. Library hours: Mondays 3-9 p.m., Tuesdays 3-6 p.m., Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., Thursdays 3-9 p.m., Fridays 3-9 p.m., Saturdays noon-6 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.; Volunteer Velada, third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Health Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 166 W. Lehigh Ave.; (215) 763-8870 ext. 6000. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., suite 205; (2215) 536-2424. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; (215) 851-1822 or (866) 222-3871. Spanish/English. HIV testing Free, anonymous testing and counseling is offered from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment at AIDS Resource, 520 W. Fourth St., suite 2A, Williamsport; (570) 322-8448.
Key numbers
HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; (215) 685-1803. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications, confidential HIV testing available at 17 MacDade Blvd., suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; (610) 586-9077. Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 1201 Chestnut St.; (215) 563-0652. www. mazzonicenter.org. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; (215) 985-9206.
Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: (215) 686-2555
■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: (215) 587-9377
■ Mazzoni Center: (215) 563-0652; www. mazzonicenter.org
■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: (856) 933-9500 ext. 221
■ Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine: (215) 563-0658
■ AIDS Library: (215) 985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: (215) 592-1513
■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): (215) 572-1833
■ AIDS Treatment hot line: (215) 5452212
■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: (215) 686-4670
■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: (215) 685-1633
■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: (215) 772-2000
■ The COLOURS Organization Inc. 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 4960330. ■ Equality Advocates Pennsylvania: (215) 731-1447; (866) LGBTLAW ■ Equality Forum: (215) 732-3378 ■ Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Peer Counseling Services: (215) 732-TALK ■ Mayor’s liaison to LGBT communities: Gloria Casarez, (215) 686-2194; Gloria.
■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Chief Inspector James Tiano: (215) 685-3655 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: (215) 600-0627; ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: (215) 875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: (717) 920-9537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: (215) 732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays, and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
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 information about events, programs and membership; (215) 557-0190; 1717 Arch St., Suite 3370. ■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association The Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and students, meets for social and networking events; www.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) 857-9283; popnews19@yahoo.com.
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
12-step programs and support groups Adult Children of Alcoholics
Meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the William Way Center. ■ Rainbow Adult Children of Alcoholics and Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 7 p.m. Saturdays at Limestone Presbyterian Church, 3201 Limestone Road, Wilmington, Del.; (302) 4569129. ■
Al-Anon
Gay Al-Anon meets at 8 p.m. Fridays at St. Andrew’s Church, 50 York St., Lambertville, N.J.; (215) 986-1029. ■
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
(215) 685-1633. ■ A support group for HIV-positive men and women meets from 1:30-3 p.m. at BEBASHI — Transition to Hope, 1217 Spring Garden St., first floor; (215) 769-3561. ■ Encuentros Positivos, a group for HIV-positive Latino men who have sex with men, meets on first and third Tuesday of the month at 1205 Chestnut St.; (215) 985-3382. ■ “Feast Incarnate,” a weekly ministry for people affected by HIV/AIDS, begins at 5 p.m. at University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St. Bible study follows at 6 p.m.; (215) 387-2885. ■ A support group for people recently diagnosed with HIV/AIDS will meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Mazzoni Center. ■ Youth Outreach Adolescent Community Awareness Program’s Voice It Sistah, a support group for HIV-positive women, meets at 11 a.m. every first and third Tuesday at YOACAP, 1207 Chestnut St., Suite 315; (215) 851-1898.
Wednesdays:
A support group for HIV-positive women will meet from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad St.; (215) 387-6055. ■ AIDS Services in Asian Communities’ weekly volunteer work group will meet from 6-8 p.m. at 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; (215) 563-2424. ■ Project Teach, a peer-education and empowerment program for people living with HIV/AIDS, will meet from 3-5 p.m. at Philadelphia Fight, 1233 Locust St. ■ Positive Effect, for HIV-positive people 18 and over, meets from 5-7 p.m. at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; (856) 963-2432.
Acceptance meets at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays at Episcopal Church, 22nd and Spruce streets. ■ Beginnings meets at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at 1201 Locust St.; (215) 563-0663 ext. 282. ■ Community meets at 8 p.m. on Thursdays at Holy Communion Church, 2111 Sansom St. Gay and lesbian but all are welcome. ■ GLBT Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. on Sundays and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 100 W. Windsor St., Reading; (484) 529-9504. ■ Living In Sobriety meets at 10 a.m. Mondays through Fridays and 11 a.m. Sundays at the William Way Center. ■ Night Owl meets at 11:30 p.m. Sunday through Saturday at the William Way Center. ■ Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Beginners meets at 7:30 p.m. Mondays at Trinity Episcopal Church, 2212 Spruce St. ■ Sober and Gay meets at 8:30 p.m. Sunday through Friday at the William Way Center. ■ Stepping Stone meets at 2:30 p.m. Mondays at the Mazzoni Center. ■ Ties That Bind Us is a12-step Alcoholics Anonymous meeting for the BDSM, leather and alternative sexuality community. Meetings are held from 7:30-9 p.m. in South Philadelphia. For location, call (800) 581-7883. ■ Way Gay Young Peoples meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the William Way Center.
■
Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA)
■
■
Meets at 7 p.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the William Way Center.
■
Emotional Support
Healing After Loss has monthly activities in South Jersey and surrounding area; www.lsn. southjersey.com. ■ Pink and Blues is a free depression and bipolar support group for sexual minorities and meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; (215) 627-0424. ■ Pink and Blues Main Line, a peer-run mental health support group, meets 6 p.m. Thursdays at Bryn Mawr Consumer Center, 1001 W. Lancaster Ave.; (610) 527-1511. ■ Survivors of Suicide Inc. meets at 7:30 p.m. on first Tuesday of the month at 3535 Market St., Room 2037; (215) 545-2242; www.phillysos. tripod.com. ■ Survivors of Suicide Inc., Chester County meets at 7:30 p.m. on second Wednesday of the month at Paoli Memorial Hospital, Willistown Room, Medical Office Building; (215) 545-2242; www. phillysos.tripod.com. ■
HIV/AIDS
Strength In Numbers Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ SINPhiladelphia.
Thursdays:
A support group for HIV-positive men and women will meet from 6-8 p.m. at BEBASHI — Transition to Hope, 1217 Spring Garden St.; (215) 769-3561. ■ Diversity, an HIV/AIDS support group for all infected or affected, meets from 7-9 p.m. at Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55. N. Broad St.; call Zak, (215) 848-4380, or Paul, (215) 307-0347. ■
Saturdays:
AIDS Delaware’s You’re Not Alone youth support group meets at 11 a.m. at AIDS Delaware, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 315, Wilmington; a social session will follow at 12:30 p.m.; (302) 652-6776. ■
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Meetings are at 2 p.m. Sunday through Saturday and at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the William Way Center.
Overeaters Anonymous (OA)
Open meeting, Tuesdays, beginners meet at 5:30 p.m., regular meeting at 6 p.m. at Hahnemann University Hospital, 245 N. 15th St., third floor, room 3208; call Troy, (215) 514-3065. ■
S.A.R.A.
Substance Abuse – Risk Assessment; day and evening hours; (215) 563-0663 ext. 282. ■
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
Mondays, 7 p.m. at the William Way Center. Mondays, 7:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 20 N. Route 9, Marmora, N.J.; (609) 675-1998. ■ Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. at All Saints Church, 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.; (302) 5423279. ■ Fridays, 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean View Lodge, Metropolitan Community Church, 521 Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, Del.; (302) 945-5982. ■ Saturdays, 8:30 p.m. at the William Way Center. ■ ■
■
Meeting Place rotates listings on a four week schedule.
Mondays:
Positive Brothers, a support group for men of color living with HIV/AIDS, meets from 6-8 p.m. at 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 496-0330. ■
Tuesdays:
AIDS Services in Asian Community offers safer-sex and HIV/AIDS information at 10 a.m. on second Tuesday of the month at the Independence Branch of the the Free Library, 18 S. Seventh St.;
■
SEPCADD
Safe space to meet and discuss substance abuse problems with office in William Way Center; (215) 340-9995. ■
Smoking Cessation
FreshOUT!, Mazzoni Center’s free quitsmoking program, hosts individual sessions, classes and support groups and offers Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patches, gum and lozenges); (215) 563-0652 ext. 228 or e-mail quitsmoking@mazzonienter.org. ■
Send submissions to pgn@epgn.com or fax (215) 925-6437 PGN Meeting Place, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 Meeting Place is a public service. Submissions must include a phone number for publication.
Complete Meeting Place listings of all Parent/Family, Professional, Recovery, Recreation, Religion, Sports, Men, Women, Trans, Youth groups can be found online @ www.phliagaynews.com and www.epgn.com
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
worth watching: FRIDAY America’s Next Top Model Perez Hilton makes a guest appearance. 8 p.m. on CW. Caprica Look for gay character Sam in this “Battlestar Galactica” prequel. 9 p.m. on SyFy. Spartacus: Blood & Sand Look for gay characters in this gladiator drama. 10 p.m. on Starz. SATURDAY Suze Orman Show The out money expert’s finance show. 9 p.m. on CNBC. Graham Norton Show The gay Brit hosts a talk show. 10:30 p.m. on BBC America. The Wanda Sykes Show The out comedian hosts her talk show. 11 p.m. on Fox. Saturday Night Live Jude Law hosts and Pearl Jam performs. 11:30 p.m. on NBC. SUNDAY The Amazing Race Root for the lesbian team (Carol and Brandy) and gay competitor Dan with his brother Jordan in this
reality show. 8 p.m. on CBS.
PAGE 35
Trauma Look for gay character Tyler in this drama. 9 p.m. on NBC.
Celebrity Apprentice Cyndi Lauper, Sharon Osbourne and a number of others compete for TUESDAY American Idol charity. 9 p.m. on NBC. Ellen DeGeneres judges. 8 p.m. on Fox. Desperate Housewives Katherine is confused about her feelings for Robin. 9 p.m. on ABC. WEDNESDAY The New Adventures of Old Christine Family Guy Stewie auditions in drag for a kids’ Out comedian Wanda Sykes is the title character’s best pal Barb. In show. 9 p.m. on Fox. this repeat, Christine sues Barb for alimony when their fake green-card Brothers & Sisters gay marriage ends in divorce. 8 Look for out characters Kevin, Scottie and Saul. 10 p.m. on ABC. p.m. on CBS. MONDAY Antiques Roadshow People try to find out if their trash is really treasure. 8 p.m. on PBS. House Look for bisexual character Thirteen in this new episode. 8 p.m. on Fox. How I Met Your Mother Out actor Neil Patrick Harris stars as the womanizing Barney. 8 p.m. on CBS. RuPaul’s Drag Race Drag queens compete in this reality competition. This week, the queens have to sing for Terri Nunn of Berlin and Henry Rollins. 9 p.m. on Logo.
Modern Family Look for gay couple Mitchell and Cameron. 9 p.m. on ABC. The Robert Verdi Show The crazy and funny misadventures of the out celebrity stylist and party planner. 10 p.m. on Logo. THURSDAY Imagine Me and You In this romantic comedy, longtime friends Rachel and Heck finally decide to marry. But when Rachel begins a friendship with wedding-florist Luce, new feelings of intimacy awaken within her as their relationship evolves into romance. Rachel must decide between the man she has grown to love and the woman who has allowed her to love life. 8 p.m. on Logo.
TRANS-CONTINENTAL: Yet another makeover reality show will hit the air with “TRANSform Me,” premiering March 15. Can you guess what the hook is? Too late. Each episode follows the makeover of one woman who has found herself in a style nightmare. The subjects expect to be made-over in typical reality-show fashion, but are in for a surprise when a team of three transgender women arrive — Nina Poon (from left), Jamie Clayton and Laverne Cox (VH1’s “I Want to Work for Diddy”) — who travel across the country answering 911-style calls in a deluxe fashion ambulance. Can we send them after the cast of “Jersey Shore”? Photo: Jessica Kourkounis/AP for VH1
Queer TV you can always see: One Life to Live
Look for gay characters Kyle and Oliver. MondayFriday, 2 p.m. on ABC. Ellen
Monday-Friday, 3 p.m. on NBC. The Rachel Maddow Show
Monday-Friday, 9 p.m. on MSNBC.
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 36
Classifieds
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
With Real Estate, Help Wanted, Services and Personals
Treasury restates support for Fannie, Freddie By Alan Zibel The Associated Press
The Treasury Department was forced last Friday to reiterate its financial support for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac after a key lawmaker rattled investors by pointing out that their debt does not enjoy the explicit guarantee of the federal government. Speaking to reporters at a housing conference, U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) noted that debt issued by the two mortgagefinance companies is different from bonds issued by the Treasury Department. He also raised the risk that investors in the companies’ debt may not be paid back. “I’ve always said to people, even when I was not too worried about Fannie and Freddie, please do not think this is federally guaranteed,” Frank said. “I don’t think it is, I don’t think it should be.” To calm worried investors, Frank later issued a statement
adding that this status does “not prevent the Treasury from treating the debt of Fannie and Freddie in the manner that it believes best supports the important goal of stabilizing the financial system.” The impact of Frank’s comments on mortgage rates should be negligible, said Greg McBride, senior financial analyst with Bankrate.com. “This is noise compared with more significant economic data,” he said. Federal regulators seized the two mortgage-finance companies in September 2008. They are vital players in the U.S. mortgage industry, purchasing home loans from lenders and selling them to investors. They own or guarantee about half of all residential mortgages. Had they gone broke, millions of Americans would have been unable to get home loans. While debt from Fannie and Freddie does not carry an explicit government guarantee, the Treasury has taken numerous steps
to reassure investors that the government will keep the companies running. Late last year, the Obama administration pledged to cover unlimited losses through 2012 for Freddie and Fannie. So far, the companies have needed $126 billion in taxpayer aid. “As we said in December, there should be no uncertainty about Treasury’s commitment to support Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as they continue to play a vital role in the housing market,” Treasury spokesperson Meg Reilly said in a statement. Frank’s statement unsettled investors because it injected a measure of uncertainty into the market. “The status quo has some chinks in it,” said Jim Vogel, a debt analyst with FTN Financial. Frank has scheduled a hearing for later this month on the two companies’ future. The Obama administration, however, wants to wait until 2011 to propose an overhaul of the mortgage giants.
The administration’s Republican critics have argued that President Obama should have proposed sweeping changes to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac last year, when he demanded an overhaul of financial regulations. Frank also said he is working with banks, regulators and the Obama administration on a new way to boost the government’s struggling foreclosure-prevention effort by encouraging banks to reduce the total amount borrowers owe. Frank said he is in talks with several major lenders in an effort to remove a key obstacle: lenders who hold second mortgages. During the housing boom, business boomed for so-called “piggyback” mortgages — second loans that allowed consumers to make little or no down payment. Those loans, in many cases, are now worthless, but banks are reluctant to release their claims or reduce the value of those loans
on their books. Those lenders can block some mortgage modifications. “Many investors have told us that they’re ready to get something instead of nothing,” Frank said. One way to attack the problem, Frank said, is an approach in which investors in second mortgages would be promised a payoff if home values recover and the home is eventually sold. The Obama administration last year developed a piece of its $75billion foreclosure-prevention program to tackle this problem, but it has barely gotten going. Only one lender, Bank of America, has signed up so far. “Some of the banks, we fear, are just sitting there hoping that the market recovers and they get back in the money,” said Michael Calhoun, president of the Durham, N.C.-based Center for Responsible Lending. That, he said, is “jamming up the whole system.” ■
Location! Location! Location! This week’s featured property
280 N. Maple Ave, Lansdowne
Beds: 4 Baths: 2 Property type: Duplex, 2 x 2 bedroom units Cost: $199,900 Square footage: 1,764 Age of property: 90 years Realtor: Andrew J. Mariano Real-estate co.: RE/MAX Preferred Phone: (610) 325-4100 Direct: (610) 789-0982 E-mail: andy@andymariano.com
Check your ad
PLACING ADS Using voicemail? Please be sure to have the following information ready when you call: • Your ad copy • The type of style you want • Desired abbreviations • American Express, Discover, MasterCard or VISA information • Your name and mailing
3-story multi-family duplex. This large twin house has 2 separate living areas. This could be a great opportunity to live in one and rent the other. Property is located on a large corner lot. Wrap-around deck and det. 2 car garage.
address • Daytime telephone number Having all this information ready will speed your order and help to avoid errors. Phone calls can only be returned during business hours. For more information, see the coupon page in this section.
Philadelphia Gay News assumes responsibility for errors in classified ads only when notified by noon the Tuesday after the ad first appears. To receive credit for errors, please notify PGN by then. Credit only will be extended in the form of additional advertising space. Any cash refunds, for any reason, are subject to a $10 service charge. PGN will publish no classified ad — in any category — that contains sexually explicit language. Obviously excluded are traditional four-letter words that relate to sexual activity. Other words may be excluded at the discretion of the publisher, who reserves the right to edit or rewrite any ad that, in his opinion, violates this policy or its intent.
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
����������� REAL ESTATE �����
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SALE
SALE
Conrad Kuhn
��������������������������������������� Broker/Sales Rep. Since 1987��������������������������� NJAR Circle of Excellence Sales Award 1991- 2007 �������� ������������������ Weichert President’s & Ambassador’s Clubs ����������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������� ����������������������������� Office: 856.227.1950 ext. 124 ������������� ����������������� Cell: 609.221.1196 ���������������������������������������������������� www.conradkuhn.com Realtor856@aol.com �������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������� ��������������������������� ������������������ Washington�������������������������������������������������������� Township Office ������������ 5070 Route 42 ������������������������� ������������������������������������������������ ��������������� ����������������������������������������������� Turnersville, NJ 08012 ���������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������� �������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������� ��������������� ����������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������� ������ �����������������������������������������������
GREAT BUILDING GAYBORHOOD GREAT INVESTMENT �������� BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
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NEAR 11TH & LOCUST, $599K
Come see this wonderful bldg w/2 spacious rental apartments and large commercial space on 1st floor. In the heart of Center City. Currently a doctor’s office, zoned C-1. Could be used ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� made into condo’s or large single dwelling. Great condition, price, location. Call for appointment.
E-mail JULIE us: pgn@epgn.com WELKER COLDWELL BANKER WELKER REAL ESTATE
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215-235-7800
������������������������������ Open Houses Sunday March. 13, 2010 �����������
Noon - 1:00 PM
���������������������. Flats. Large 22 bed, 1 bath. lastfloors, 927 Spruce St Unit 3.Furness Large bi-level 3 bedroom, bath condo. Wood deluxe kitchen, possible with skyline views. Up to twotoparking spacesCity avail unit left in this highlydeck desirable building. Close all Center able...................................................................................a steal at $399,000
Hospitals. Low fees and taxes ................................�������������
927 Spruce St. Unit 2R. Unique large open NY style condo. Wood floors, skyline views, deluxe kitchen.“George Parking available. fees and taxes. ................ ������������������������ T. SaleLow Condo” Unique Garden ...................................................................................................only $225,000 level 1 bd, 1 ba. unit w/ private entrance.. Low fees & Tax
Jr. in one bed room, one bath, totally 927 Spruce St. Unit #1F. Abatement. Lowest priceLarge 1 bd. area ........................��������. rehabbed condo with low fees and taxes. Parking available. Low fees and taxes ........................................................................Reduced now only $199,900 �����������
306 - 308 Cherry St. Unit #300 New Listing. Very large 2 bd. 1ba. ����������������������. New open style low 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo renovated condo w/ hardwood floors, fireplace, taxes and condo fees. A with see!.............................................................................................$385,000 low taxes and condo fees. Great small pet friendly building. must
.........................................................................�������� 1:30 - 2:30 PM
927 Spruce St. Unit 1R.Swedes One bedroom, oneNew ba. newly rehabbed ������������������� Old Court. Listing Largecondo. 3 Private rear garden area. LowGarage, fees and taxes. Parking available. Priced fltooors. SELL Bedroom 2.5 Bath with roof deck and hardwood ....................................................................... Reduced now only $199,900
Low association fees in Queen Village ....................��������
927 Spruce St. Unit #2F. Large one bedroom, one bath, south facing unit. Total rehab with wood deluxe kitchen. Super low4fees taxes. Parking �������������. NEWfloors, LISTING. Large update bd.and 2 ba. with available ...................................................................................now huge garden and wonderfully roof deck with city skyline$249,000 views.
306 - 308 Cherry St. Unit #300 New Listing. Very large 2 bd. 1ba. .................................................................................�������� renovated condo w/ hardwood floors, fireplace, low taxes and condo fees. A must see .............................................................................................$385,000 �����������������������������������������������������������������
Search all Philadelphia area listings @ www.thephillyrealtors.com ��������� ������������������ Dan Tobey �������������������������������������
The Curtis Center ���������������������� 170 W. Independence Mall , Suite L-44 ������������������������������������������� Philadelphia, PA 19106
������������������������������������ 215.546.2700 Business • 267.238.1061 Direct ����������������� 215.432.7151 Cell • 215.546.7728 Fax dtobey@cbpref.com
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Real Estate REAL ESTATE
SALE
REAL ESTATE
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REAL ESTATE
SALE
TREDYFFRIN 3 BR + den, A/C, finished basemnent w/wet bar, walk out to pool, adjacent to 13 acre township land. $560,000. Call Suzanne, 610-256-8430. _______________________________34-18 VENTNOR, NJ, FACING THE BAY House and Adjacent Lot (inground swimming pool). 1st floor 3 bedrooms, bath, living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room and deck. 2nd floor 2 bedrooms, bath, efficiency kitchen, living room, dining area and deck. Central Air. Corner Property. Call 215 468 9166 evenings only. $675,000.00. Also property for rent1500.00 month plus utilities. _______________________________34-20 ATTENTION SPORTSMEN New York State Land for Sale 14.8 acres w/ power & snowmobile trails - $27,995. 4 acres w/ access to trails and power. NOW: $12,995! 24.5 acres w/ Sportsman’s Cottage bordering trails $79,995. Call Christmas & Associates 800-229-7843 www.LandandCamps.com _______________________________34-11 Potter County - 2 acres near state forest with direct access to snowmobile trails. 15 minutes from Coudersport. Perc, electric, $19,500. Owner financing. 800-668-8679. _______________________________34-11 FORECLOSED HOME AUCTION PENNSYLVANIA STATE 200+ Homes / Mar 27. Open House: Mar 13, 20 & 21. View Full Listings: www.Auction.com REDC / RE SB065259. _______________________________34-11 Coastal North Carolina free list of land bargains, water access homesites from $35,900- direct access ICWW, Pamlico Sound, Atlantic Ocean. Financing available. 1-800-566-5263. _______________________________34-11
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. _______________________________34-20 MANAYUNK 1 BR, 1 BA $850 + utils 1 BR, 1.5 BA $1,050 + utils 1 BR, 1.5 BA, private deck, $1,100 + utils Sorry No Pets. Heather 610-647-1776 eadeh.com _______________________________34-21 OLDE CITY 1 BR, 1.5 BA, lg apt w/ private back patio, $975 + utils. Sorry No Pets. Heather 610-647-1776 eadeh.com _______________________________34-21 RITTENHOUSE SQUARE AREA Studios & 1 Bedrooms. Call for Availability (215) 735-8050. _______________________________34-18 BROAD & SHUNK Large 1 BR, brand new, hdwd flrs, ceramic tile bath, SS appl., W/D in unit. French balcony. C/A/heat. Sep. ent. Close to subway. $950 neg. 215-336-7457. _______________________________34-12 WAYNE 2 BR, 1 BA $925 + utils 610-647-1776 eadeh.com _______________________________34-13
CLASSIFIEDS
PAGE 38
REAL ESTATE
RENT
2 BR APT. IN CC SOUTH 2 BR APT. IN CC SOUTH IN THE NEW GAYBORHOOD
Two bedroom split-level apartment on second floor of row home near 20th and Christian streets. Living room, kitchen/dining area, bathroom, foyer. Perfect central location for professionals or students. Ten minute walk to Rittenhouse Square and on/near several SEPTA routes. On-street parking, pets okay, utilities separate. $875 plus two months deposit to move in. Available now.
Scott 267.736.6743
LEGAL NOTICE James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant
Social Security Disability City of Philadelphia Claims Appeals Public Hearing Notice 215-629-0585 The Committee of the Whole of Suite 202
the Council of the Oxford Valley Rd.City of PhilaFairlesswill Hills, PAa19030 delphia hold Public Hear-
CLASSIFIEDS PAGE 110
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008 PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008 CLASSIFIEDS
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
LEGALHEALTH & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY DIRECTORY CLASSIFIEDS
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 James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant
Social Security Disability Social Security Disability Claims Appeals Claims Appeals 215-629-0585 215-629-0585 Suite 202 Suite 202 Rd. Oxford Valley Oxford Valley Rd. Fairless Hills, PA 19030 Fairless Hills, PA 19030
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008
William A. Torchia, Esquire Attorney-at-Law
James M
Estate & Tax Planning
GENERAL PRACTICE FOR THE COMMUNITY ������������������������ ����������������������������� ��������������������� ��������������������� �����������
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215-546-1950 (Voice)
215-546-8801 (Fax)
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Suite 20 Oxford Fairless
James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant 230 S. Broad Street, Suite 400 Philadelphia, PA 19102 Phone: (267) 687-1149 ext. 2 Social Security Fax: (215) 599-0000Disability www.mkcounsel.com
Claims Appeals LOWER YOUR MONTHLY215-629-0585 MORTGAGE PAYMENT NOW • No refinancing involved Suite 202 • Credit does not matter Oxford Valley Rd. Call for an immediate legal consultation. Fairless Hills, PA 19030
ing commencing on Monday, March 16, 2010, at 10:00 AM, in Room 400, City Hall, to hear testimony on the following item:: 100115
An Ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A
the six Fiscal Years 2011-2016 inclusive. 100116
An Ordinance to adopt a Fiscal 2011 Capital Budget.
Immediately following the public hearing, a meeting of the Committee of the Whole, open to the public, will be held to consider the action to be taken on the above listed item. Copies of the foregoing items are available in the Office of the Chief Clerk of the Council, Room 402, City Hall.
Michael A. Decker Chief Clerk
this space: only $25 per week*
Your ad dollars go further when you target your audience *when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks
Reach Readers Over 40,000 Readers Weekly As Little As $25.00 Week. Weekly For As Little For As $25.00 A Week. Call A 215-625-8501 Tod PGNReach Over 40,000
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
LEGALHEALTH & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY
PAGE 106
CLASSIFIEDS
PAGE 39
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. Rent1, is $600 APRIL 25 - MAY 2008+ 1/3 utils. Contact Dave at 215-698-0215. _______________________________34-15 GM sks sm/sissie/trans to share 2 BR. $350. 69th. Upper Darby. Ted, 610-352-1188. _______________________________34-11 $571 A MONTH FURNISHED ROOM For more information about this room in South Philly. Please e-mail w.colgan@juno.com _______________________________34-11
VACATION
RENT
OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800-638-2102 Online reservations www.holidayoc.com _______________________________34-11
SERVICES ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE From Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Computers, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 866-858-2121 www.CenturaOnline.com _______________________________34-11 AIRLINES ARE HIRING Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified -Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888)349-5387. _______________________________34-11 IF YOU USED TYPE-2 DIABETES DRUG AVANDIA AND SUFFERED A STROKE OR HEART ATTACK? You may be entitled to compensation. Call Attorney Charles Johnson 1-800-535-5727. _______________________________34-11
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-
BUSINESS
OPPORTUNITIES ALL CASH VENDING! Do you earn $800 in a day? Your own local candy route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy All for $9,995. 1-800-460-4027. _______________________________34-11 Insurance Agency for Sale. Affiliated with major national carrier. A great business opportunity! Please send inquires to: agencyforsalePA@aol. com or Fax: 866-296-7535. _______________________________34-11
o Electronic PGN: www.epgn.com
PGN
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly As Little As $25.00 A Week. ach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For Little As $25.00 AWeek. Week. Call215-625-8501 215-625-8501 Today! Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly ForAs As Little For $25.00 A Call Today!
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 40
SERVICES DIRECTORY
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
this space: only $25 per week*
Your ad dollars go further when you target your audience *when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-8501 Today! HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
Census Taker Crew Leader Crew Leader Assistant Call today to be scheduled for our test!
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
WANTED: LIFE AGENTS! Earn $500 a Day, Great Agent Benefits. Commissions Paid Daily. Liberal Underwriting. Leads, Leads, Leads, LIFE INSURANCE, LICENSE REQUIRED. Call 1-888-713-6020. _______________________________34-11 Driver Trainees Needed: OTR, Regional, Local Companies Looking for 50 drivers. Training in your area! $600-$900/Week earning potential. Great Health Benefits. No CDL-No Problem. 1-800-961-4319 _______________________________34-11 Driver: Average $800+ per week for Company Drivers. Immediate Benefits. Great Equipment. CDL-A with 1 year experience, 23 yoa. Call NFI Sunday or anytime: 877-888-8476. www. nficareers.com _______________________________34-11 Drivers: NO MONEY DOWN! NO CREDIT CHECKS! Top Lease Purchase Plan! *Low Monthly Payments! *High % Pay Package. Owner Operators Welcome! 1-800-767-6918 www.JoinCRST.com _______________________________34-11
Wanted: driver, full time. Respond to pjayf33@gmail.com Will require all clearences and an interview. Send phone number. _______________________________3411OTR EXPERIENCED DRIVERS UP TO $1,500 BONUS *Flatbed, Van, Reefer *National/Regional Fleets *Choose Your Pay Plan *Affordable Benefits ROEHL TRANSPORT - GoRoehl.com 877-774-5313. _______________________________34-11 CDL-A Drivers: High Miles Means Big Paycheck! Over The Road Dry Van & Flatbed. Great Benefits. Class A-CDL, Good Driving Record Required. Western Express. 888-801-5295. _______________________________34-11
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
JOBS WANTED HOUSEKEEPER SEEKING WORK In Phila. area. Great exp. and refs. Can also iron. Ask for Mr. T. Wallace, 215-563-6184. _______________________________34-11
For Sale: Pool Table - Contender from Brunswick
PGN
7 foot slate pool table with green felt and walnut finish. 4 pool sticks, 1 bridge and 1 short pool stick for tight spots. Pool balls included rack and extra chalk for pool sticks. Breakdown by buyer. Only used a few times. Asking $1,000.00.
Gay is our middle Reach Over 40,000 Readersname. Weekly For As Little AsCall $25.00 Week. after 6Apm at 856-415-9595
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 41
SERVICES DIRECTORY ����������������
CLASSIFIEDS
PAGE 108
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008
Does Your Man’s Cooking Leave You Feeling
Unsatisfied?
CLASSIFIEDS
Want to let W mom, dad m and all a of your o exs know ex you’re ty Is it time to tying the knot? look for a ������������������������������������������������������������������������� new doctor? PGN’s
DINING GUIDE
2nd & 4th Week Every Month
Find A Nice Place To Eat
Classifieds Liner Insertion Order
Select the TYPE STYLE you want from the examples below, and begin each line under the arrow to the left of the letter representing that style. Write to the end of the line (hyphenate words correctly. Do not stop at any other arrow, as each arrow represents a starting point. Allow one block for each letter, number, punctuation mark and space. Be sure to skip a space between words. PHONE NUMBER MUST INCLUDE AREA CODE. Be sure to circle one of the classifications and compute the cost of your ad. Liner advertising is on a PREPAY BASIS ONLY, and payment must accompany this form. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH THROUGH THE MAIL.
A
Type STYLE A Type STYLE B TYPE STYLE C
B
HEADLINE (24 SPACES PER LINE) FREE WHEN PLACED ONLINE 40 spaces Per Line 36 spaces Per Line 24 SPACES PER LINE
C
7 point 7 point 7 POINT
NAME ADDRESS CITY PHONE
PLEASE PRINT STATE
ZIP
AMEX • MASTERCARD • VISA • DISCOVER CARD NUMBER EXPIRATION SIGNATURE NAME ON CARD # # #
“A” LINES @ $5.50 - $ “B” LINES @ $7.50 - $ “C” LINES @ $10.00 - $ BOX YOUR AD $5.00 SUBTOTAL NUMBER OF WEEKS X SUBTOTAL
Send us your % TERM DISCOUNT wedding/civil union/ AD TOTAL commitment TOTAL PAYMENT ENCLOSED CLASSIFICATION (CIRCLE ONE) ceremony Return form and payment to: REAL ESTATE FOR SALE • REAL ESTATE FOR RENT • ROOMMATES • SEASONAL RENTALS • SERVICES • FINANCIAL SERVICES Masco Communications HELP WANTEDOver • JOBS WANTED • BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES • FOR SALE •announcement AUTOMOTIVE • AUCTIONS •$25.00 TRAVEL RESORTS 505 S. Fourth St., Phila., PA 19147 Reach 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As A Week. ���������������������������������������������������������������� ADOPTION • PERSONALS • FRIENDS MEN • FRIENDS BISEXUAL • FRIENDS TV/TS • FRIENDS WOMEN or fax: 215-925-6437 or email: don@epgn.com and we’ll share it with the City of Brotherly Love.
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS ADULT PERSONALS
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MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
Adult/Personals FRIENDS
MEN
LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. _______________________________34-20 SEEKING GAY COMBAT VIETNAM VETERAN Vietnam veteran seeks same to describe combat experiences for background for novel.Not a ruse or come-on. danangvet@gmail.com _______________________________34-11 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. _______________________________34-11 Older guy who likes younger guys. Also looking for personal driver who is willing to be involved with an older man. Full time. Reply to pjayf33@gmail.com _______________________________34-11 I’m Joey, looking for a top guy in Ardmore. Call me at 484-238-4707. _______________________________34-12 Like to do fun dress up with nice guys. Would like to start a club for monthly get togethers. Dress up, hang out, cook, whatever we want. 30-50. Egg Harbor Twp. NJ area. Guys need to feel pretty, like me. 919-830-8490. _______________________________34-13
Erotic Dungeon Master
6’, 165 lbs., 60 year old Master, greek active, french passive requires obedient slave for training, S&M, B/D, W/S, etc. Limits respected and expanded. Assistant Master wanted. Call Dave at 215-729-6670, day or evening. _______________________________34-34 Muscular male, 62 seeks same. John Larish, 575 Laurel Terrace, Pottsville, PA 17901. _______________________________34-11 SEEKING WM in late 50’s seeks younger men, Latinos & Mexicans a +, for friendship & fun. Enjoy arts, travel & outdoors. 856-547-4163. No calls after 11. _______________________________34-11 GWM, 60, in good shape seeks other gay males for friendship, plus. 570-640-8179. _______________________________34-11
FRIENDS
TVTS
PGN Home Improvement
Directory
WM, 34, clean seeks mature Latin/Black TS. Meet, hangout, have fun. 215-416-4146. _______________________________34-1
7 Make waves. Write a letter.
PGN
MODELS
MODELS
ESCORTS
ESCORTS
FRIENDS
FRIENDS
MEN
MEN
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010
Make your tastebuds dance...
1 on 1 and group sex. Stockings, pantyhose, etc. Starts 9 PM Sat. Call Sat. 7-8 PM 856910-8303, ask for Mark. _______________________________33-24 GWM, Italian, top or bottom, 7” cut. Also into assplay, toys & water sports. Bi, straight, out of towners welcome. Day or night. Call Jeff at FRIENDS 215-850-7900. _______________________________33-18
MEN
Adult
Books
PHILADELPHIA ADULT PERSONALS GAY NEWS
CERTIFIED
����� ���������������������� • Full Body • Deep Tissue ����������������������������� ��������������������������������� • Sensual • Erotic ������������������������ �������������������������������������
WWW.EPGN.COM
Handsome Certified Therapist
PGN FRIENDS
MEN
Call 215-432-6030 FRIENDS
GayMEN is our middle name.
FRIENDS
MEN
B-2
MASSAGE Let my strong hands
release all your tensions. FULLBODY • SENSUAL • EROTIC “Ask about my specials” Man forcarMan Massage Have and will travel City/Suburbs/Jersey Shore/Hotels Tall, attractive, muscular
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
MARCH 12 - 18, 2010