Pgn031315 by The Philadelphia Gay News

Shut Up & Dance HRC dinner

PAGE 8 PAGE 13

Family Portrait: Lauren Rile Smith talks Tangle PAGE 35

Hot and playing the field

Diamond Williams’ killer asks to toss confession PAGE 5

PAGE 31

Mar. 13-19, 2015

Since 1976

PGN Philadelphia Gay News HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

Vol. 39 No. 11

LGBT history exhibit opening this summer By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com

At a press conference Tuesday, William Way LGBT Community Center executive director Chris Bartlett, joined by Mayor Michael Nutter and other prominent members of the community, gathered to announce the launching of a new LGBT history exhibition at the National Constitution Center to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Annual Reminders this summer. “Speaking Out for Equality: The Constitution, Gay Rights and the Supreme Court” will open June 5 and run through Sept. 7. The exhibit will include information on pivotal court cases, artifacts and personal stories to chronicle the debate over gay rights. The exhibit will be the centerpiece of a weeklong 50th-anniversary celebra-

tion of the first Annual Reminder Day, public demonstrations held every July 4 from 1965-69 in front of Independence Hall, and the first protests for LGBT equality in the nation. The Reminder Days are considered the precursor to the Stonewall Riot in New York City. Bartlett said the exhibit is historic in several ways. “It is the first time that LGBT history, viewed through a constitutional frame, is being explored at a national museum,” said Bartlett. “It’s also historic given the time frame of the American LGBT civil-rights debate, with a major LGBT civil-rights case to be handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court while the exhibit is open in June. “LGBT history is truly coming of age,” he added. Also in attendance was one of the PAGE 17 demonstrators from HISTORY IN THE MAKING: A press conference was held Tuesday to unveil the “Speaking OUT for Equality” exhibit opening in June at the National Constitution Center. The exhibit, produced in partnership with William Way LGBT Community Center, will trace local LGBT history, with a focus on the Annual Reminder Days, the nation’s first LGBT-rights demonstrations, held 1965-69 in front of Independence Hall. The city will mark the 50th anniversary of the demonstrations this July 4 weekend. Mayor Michael Nutter was on hand for the press conference and was joined by REMINDER 2015 committee members Scott Barnes (from left), Chris Bartlett, Tami Sortman, Bob Skiba, John Cunningham, Rich Wilson and David Acosta. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Guilty verdicts for Black Madam By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com A jury on Monday found Padge Victoria Windslowe, a transgender hip-hop artist who calls herself the Black Madam, guilty of giving a fatal buttocks injection. After two days of deliberations, the jury returned the guilty verdict early Monday afternoon. They found Windslowe guilty of third-degree murder in the 2011 death of British tourist Claudia Aderotimi, an exotic dancer who came to the United States to undergo the procedure, intended to enlarge and enhance the buttocks. She was also found guilty of aggravated assault in connection with another injection that landed a woman in the hospital. Windslowe will be sentenced June 11 in Room 1107 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. PAGE 17 Windslowe testified

Locals have strong showing in SCOTUS filings SHAMROCK SHAKE: About 275 people turned out for Guerrilla Queer Bar March 6 at City Tap House in University City, including The Welcoming Committee Philly’s co-community manager Joshua Durando (from left), volunteer alumni manager Christian Myers and co-community manager Sherri Davis. The traveling LGBT party takes place in a nonLGBT space each month. “The beauty of GQBs taking place in a different neighborhood is we attract new people every time,” Durando said. “It’s a great way for us to meet more LGBTQs in Philly, diversify our TWC family and continue our mission of creating safe spaces all around the city.” The next GQB is April 3. Join at thewelcomingcommittee.com/philly to find out the next location. Photo: Brooke Lutz

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court have been set for next month in the case that could bring marriage equality nationwide, and court filings in support have been pouring in — including a number that include local supporters. Dozens of friend-of-the-court briefs were submitted March 6 urging SCOTUS to rule in favor of marriage equality. Among the briefs was one by about 400 businesses and corporations. That filing was written by Philadelphia-based firm Morgan Lewis and Bockius and included local signatories Independence Business Alliance, the region’s LGBT chamber of commerce; Philadelphia’s Pepper Hamilton law firm, Aramark and Jazz Pharmaceuticals; and

Allenton’s Air Products and Chemicals. About 300 conservative leaders submitted a brief, which was signed by former Republican Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge. About 200 Democratic members of Congress also filed a brief, which included U.S. Sen. Bob Casey from Pennsylvania, as well as Pennsylvania Congressmembers Brendan Boyle, Bob Brady, Matt Cartwright, Michael Doyle and Chaka Fattah. A coalition of 17 states submitted a filing, which included Pennsylvania, signed by Attorney General Kathleen Kane. Another was submitted by 226 mayors and several-dozen cities. Philadelphia was among the cities, as were Emsworth and Lancaster in Pennsylvania and Irvington and Princeton in New Jersey. PAGE 17 Mayor Michael Nutter

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 13-19, 2015

PAT announces $73K in grants

Small gains for LGBT-related services in city budget By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com Mayor Michael Nutter last Thursday introduced his proposed 2016 fiscal budget for the city. In it, departments that oversee LGBT-related programs mostly saw modest gains compared to last year. The proposed $4.5-billion budget, an increase of about $800,000 over the current budget, must be approved by City Council. It largely focused on public safety and workforce development, which the mayor said were part of key investments to strengthen Philadelphia communities. The Human Relations

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

Commission, which handles discrimination cases, will receive a proposed additional $30,473, for a total of $2.1 million. The Mayor’s Office, under which the Office of LGBT Affairs operates, would gain $146,685 under the proposed budget, bringing the total to $5,206,625. The Office of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability would see a decrease in funding, as the budget proposes a cut of about $91,780, for a total budget of $13.9 million. However, the Public Health Department, which oversees HIV/AIDS services, would gain $30,776, for a total of $116.2 million. n

In its first-ever direct grantmaking cycle, Philly AIDS Thrift is giving out $73,000 to local organizations working to fight HIV/ AIDS. During its 10-year tenure, PAT has donated more than $1 million to AIDS Fund, which disperses money to HIV/AIDS causes in the region, which it will continue with its monthly donation. However, this new program, announced at the end of 2014, is its first effort to dispense funding directly to community organizations. “We knew that December wasn’t the best month to seek out proposals but we were anxious to do our first self-managed grant process,” said PAT co-founder Tom Brennan. “We thought it would help bring us closer to some of the agencies and make the distribution of money from us a bit more per-

sonal.” PAT is dividing the funding among the eight organizations that applied. Grants of $10,000 will be given to GALAEI’s Positivo program; AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania’s Planning Ahead initiative; to support meals and nutritional counseling for the HIV program at Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutritional Alliance; Project Hope at Family Services of Montgomery County; the Michael Taylor Fund at Action AIDS; and Washington West Project at Mazzoni Center. An $8,000 grant will go to HIVprevention programming for LGBTQ youth at The Attic Youth Center, and a $5,000 award will be given to Project ONE at Family Services of Chester County. “Our fear was we might give a party and be sitting there with our balloons and cake and no one would show up, but fortunately, we got eight great proposals, which

we were able to fund in full,” Brennan said. He added the organization will do an appraisal of the funded proposals in a few months and also seek feedback from the grantees about improving the grant-application process. PAT had dedicated $100,000 for the grant cycle, and the undispersed $27,000, Brennan said, will be rolled into the next round of grants. He said that round will likely open at a less-busy time, possibly this summer. “We’ll probably try to not do it in December next time, so agencies that are dealing with year-end issues and maybe reduced staff hours that time of year might have a better chance to put a proposal together,” he said. Checks will be given to the grantees at AIDS Fund’s next Gay BINGO!, March 21 at Gershman Y. n

locations in Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA — AROUND THE GAYBORHOOD

12th Street Gym, 204 S. 12th St. • 13th Street Gourmet Pizza, 209 S. 13th St. • AACO, 1101 Market St., 9th floor • Action AIDS, 1216 Arch St. • Apt. & Townhouse Rentals, 304 S. 12th St. • ASIAC, 1711 S. Broad St. • The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. • Bioscript Pharmacy, 1227 Locust St. • Cafe Twelve, 212 S. 12th St. • Charlie Salon, 203 S. 12th St. • City Hall NE Entrance • Club Body Center, 1220 Chancellor St. • Com-Har Living Room, 101 S. Broad St., 14th floor • Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. • Cut Salon, 204 S. 13th St. • Danny’s Bookstore 133 S. 13th St. • Dignity/St. Lukes, 330 S. 13th St. • Dirty Frank’s Bar, 13th & Pine sts. • The Foodery, 10th & Pine sts. • Fusion Gym, 105 S. 12th St., 2nd floor • Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. • I Goldberg, 1300 Chestnut St. • ICandy, 254 S. 12th St. • Independent Hotel, 13th & Locust sts. • John C. Anderson Apts., 249 S. 13th St. • Mazzoni Clinic, 809 Locust St. • Midtown II, 122 S. 11th St. • More Than Just Ice Cream, 1119 Locust St. • Pa. AIDS Law Project, 1211 Chestnut St., 12th floor • Paolo Pizzeria, 1336 Pine St. • Parker Hotel Lobby, 261 S. 13th St. • Phila. FIGHT/Aids Library, 1233 Locust St., 5th floor • Phila. Family Planning Commission, 260 S. Broad St., 10th floor • Planned Parenthood, 1144 Locust St. • Sansom Cinema, 120 S. 13th St., basement • Santa Fe Burrito, 212 S. 11th St. • Scorpio Books, 202 S. Juniper St. • Sisters, 1320 Chancellor St. • Spruce Street Video, 252 S. 12th St. • Packard Apartments, 317 N. Broad St. • Safeguards lobby, 1211 Chestnut St. #610 • Salon K, 1216 Locust St. • Sante Fe Burrito, 212 S. 11th St. • Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. • Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac St. • Toast, 12th & Spruce sts. • Triangle Medicine, 253 S. 10th St., 1st floor • U Bar, 1220 Locust St. • Valanni, 1229 Spruce St. • Venture Inn, 255 S. Camac St. • Westbury, 261 S. 13th St. • William Way LGBT Community Center, 1325 Spruce St.

PHILADELPHIA — C.C. EAST OF BROAD

Bean Café, 615 South St. • Best Western Independence Park Hotel lobby, 215 Chestnut St. • Cedrone’s Flowers, 800 Lombard St. • Chocolate Works Condo lobby, 321 N. Third St. • Copabanana, 342 South St. • Dane Décor, 315 Arch St. • Famous 4th St. Deli, Fourth & Bainbridge sts. • Hopkinson House, 604 S. Washington Sq. • Hyatt Regency Hotel lobby, 201 S. Columbus Blvd. • Independence Place Condos, 241 S. Sixth St., lobby in both towers • Independence Visitors Center, Sixth & Market sts. • Old City Ironworks Gym, 141 N. Second St. • Nationality Service Center, 1216 Arch St. • Packard Apts., 317 N. Broad St. • PGN ofﬁces, 505 S. Fourth St. • Philadelphia Java Co., 518 S. Fourth St. • Reading Terminal Market, 12th & Filbert sts. • Strands Salon, 25 N. Third St. •

PHILADELPHIA — C.C. WEST OF BROAD

Adonis Cinema, 2026 Sansom St. • Art Institute, 2300 Market St. • The Attic Youth Center, 255 S. 16th St. • Bob & Barbara’s, 1509 South St. • Book Bin, 22nd & Market sts. • Dan Tobey R/E, 1401 Walnut St., 8th floor • Dr. Wakefield’s Office, 255 S. 17th St., Suite 2306 • Drexel Partnership, 1427 Vine St., 3rd floor • Latimer Deli, 255 S. 15th St. • L-2 Restaurant, 22nd & South sts. • MANNA, 12 S. 23rd St. • Marine Club Condos lobby, Broad St. & Washington Ave. • Metropolitan, 115 N. 15th St. • Safeguards Lobby, 1700 Market St., 18th floor • Sansom St. Gym, 2020 Sansom St. • South Square Market, 2221 South St. • Titan Room, 22nd & Market sts. • Touraine Building lobby, 1520 Spruce St. • U Do It Laundry, 15th & Spruce sts. • Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel, 17th & Race sts. •

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

http://www.epgn.com/pages/where_to_find WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION ON THIS LIST? Contact Don at don@epgn.com or 215-625-8501 ext. 200 to arrange for delivery of complimentary copies.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 13-19, 2015

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 13-19, 2015

Weekly features

News&Opinion 6 — News Briefing 10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Mark My Words Street Talk Transmissions 17 — Obituary 23 — International Media Trail

Philadelphia Family Pride launches a new support group targeted at LGB women and transgender individuals considering becoming parents.

35 37 38 39 42

C o l u m n s

— — — — —

Family Portrait Scene in Philly Q Puzzle Comics Out & About

14 — Out Money: Portfolio possibilities 16 — Thinking Queerly: About that “A” in LGBTQIA 33 — Get Out and Play: Big changes

EXPANDING EDUCATION: Andrew Schaffer (left) and LaNelta Nobles from the Jonathan Lax Treatment Center offered information about rapid HIV testing and other health materials at the National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Community Fair March 8 at R.W. Brown Community Center. The event was staged in partnership with Caring People Alliance and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia. Photo: Brooke Lutz

Couple with Philadelphia ties is part of the latest viral YouTube clip on LGBT acceptance and tolerance.

This week in PGN 7 — Dan Clifford and Chris Mallios are on the run 8 — Shut Up & Dance gets ready to hit the boards 9 — Parenting help from two local orgs.

31 — Arts & Culture cover story: Field hockey gets its musical due 34 — ‘Moon Cave’ is orbitting a theater near you

Classifieds 44 — Real Estate 46 — Personals 47 — Bulletin Board

“It’s a unique, fun, high-energy event with a roller coaster of emotions, laughter, tears, joy.” ~ Ian Hussey, producing manager of “Shut Up & Dance,” page 8

Next week Gettin’ On Outward Bound Paw Prints

Two weeks Mombian On Being Well Work It Out

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Editor

Jen Colletta (ext. 206) jen@epgn.com Staff Writers Ryan Kasley (ext. 215) ryan@epgn.com Larry Nichols (ext. 213) larry@epgn.com Writer-at-Large Timothy Cwiek (ext. 208) timothy@epgn.com

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Advertising Sales Representative Prab Sandhu (ext. 212) prab@epgn.com Jen Johnson (ext. 219) jenj@epgn.com Office Manager/ Classifieds Don Pignolet (ext. 200) don@epgn.com

Leaps and bounds abound when the Lang Dance Company takes the stage March 19-21.

Art Director/ Photographer

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

National Advertising Rivendell Media: 212-242-6863 Philadelphia Gay News is a member of: The Associated Press Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Suburban Newspapers of America

Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 2015 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155 The views of PGN are expressed only in the unsigned “Editorial” column. Opinions expressed in bylined columns, stories and letters to the editor are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of PGN. The appearance of names or pictorial representations in PGN does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that named or pictured person or persons.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 13-19, 2015

" ! !

LESSONS FROM WOMEN LEADERS: The Women of Independence Business Alliance presented its second-annual networking event and panel discussion March

" ! ! " " ! 10 at the Free Library of Philadelphia. The event marked International Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day with a conversation with local women leaders. Speakers included Victoria Fulkerson, and $ ! senior vice president of the National Gay Lesbian " $ Chamber of Commerce (from left); Maiken Scott, behavioral-health reporter at WHYY; Jâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;nelle Clements, supplier " $ " ' " " ! ! " diversity manager at AstraZeneca; Betty Long, president/CEO of Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates; Nellie Fitzpatrick, director of Philadelphiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office of LGBT $ " ! # ! $ # Affairs; and Laura Sicola, founder of Vocal Impact Productions. Photo: Scott A. Drake

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Accused killer of trans woman seeks suppression of police statement

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The motion also seeks the suppression ment he gave to Philadelphia police. Sargent was arrested in July 2013 and of all physical evidence collected against 01 1/##1 , "

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#/45+ be suppressed.â&#x20AC;? Williams had a penis. Additionally, the motion requests the He also allegedly confessed to dismem /!,+ )3" 2'1# investigative notes; the bering Williamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; body, then depositing preservation of all ,*# ,$ 1&# 1,-'!0 !,3#/#" '+ ,21- 1'#+1 0#/3'!#0 /# !,"#-#+"#+!# /#) -0# ))#+1,4+ 01 1/##1 , " of all prosecution her body parts in a vacant lot near his names and addresses 01 1/##1 , " -/#3#+1',+ 0-'/'12 )'15 /#!/# 1',+ ) 1&#/ -5 *#"'1 1',+ +" 3'02 )'6 1',+ /#3,0# /#3,0# about any witnesses; details favorable treatStrawberry Mansion residence. 1#!&+'.2#0 + ""'1',+ 1, 1,-'! ) %/,2-0 - 1'#+10 '+ /# -/,3'"#" 4'1&

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,1101,4+ Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charged with murder, abuse of the motion states. ,1101,4+ ,1101,4+ of crime The motion contends that Sargent didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t corpse, possessing an instrument and terroristic threats. speak to police of his own volition. The District Attorneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seekâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Any statements made were involuntary [and] are the result of a weak, psychiatri- ing the death penalty.

A pre-trial conference is set for 10 cally ill and deficient mentality, peculiarly susceptible to the suggestions, threats, a.m. March 17 in Courtroom 1105 of the wheedling, cajolery and coercion present in Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. Common Pleas Court Judge Benjamin the instant case,â&#x20AC;? the motion states. Lerner is scheduled to preside. n

The motion also states that police failed

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com

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LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 13-19, 2015

News Briefing Amicus brief accepted in trans case A federal magistrate judge recently accepted for consideration an amicus brief submitted by six LGBT groups in a transgender antibias case. Trans woman Kate L. Blatt is suing Cabela's Inc. for workplace bias and retaliation. From September 2007 to March 2008, Blatt worked as a seasonal stocker at Cabela's outlet in Hamburg. Blatt contends Cabela's banned her from a female restroom, thus discriminating against her due to her disability, which was gender dysphoria. Blatt also challenges the constitutionality of the Americans With Disabilities Act, which specifically excludes gender-identity disorder as a protected disability. The ADA protects persons with disabilities from discrimination in private employment, public accommodations and governmental services. In January, six LGBT groups submitted an amicus brief, stating that even if the ADA's GID exclusion is constitutional, the exclusion doesn't encompass gender dysphoria.

Last month, U.S. District Judge Joseph F. Leeson Jr. accepted for consideration the amicus brief. Leeson also scheduled a pre-trial conference for 9 a.m. April 8 at the Edward N. Cahn Courthouse, 504 W. Hamilton St. in Allentown. The conference will be held on the third floor of the courthouse in Courtroom C.

Montco marriages still in limbo Almost a year after marriage equality was enacted in Pennsylvania, the validity of about 100 same-sex marriages remains uncertain. In the summer of 2013, Montgomery County Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples, even though marriage equality wasn't established until May 2014. Now about 100 couples who received marriages licenses from Hanes are uncertain as to the validity of their marriages. Michael P. Clarke is a solicitor for the Montgomery County Office of the Register of Wills and the Clerk of the Orphans Court. In an email last week, Clarke said he's been working with state officials to resolve the matter. “We anticipate a resolution in the next few weeks,” Clarke said. “The proposed agreement will validate those marriage licenses issued by Mr. Hanes. We will provide additional information once the agreement is finalized.” Clarke declined to comment on whether he's seeking a judge to validate the mar-

riages. Kenneth Oakes and Ed Rice are one of the couples whose marriage remains uncertain. “After all the excitement of marriage equality in Pennsylvania, I hope our community hasn't forgotten about 100 couples who are currently in limbo,” Oakes told PGN. “Many of us helped to push forward marriage equality by supporting the efforts of Bruce Hanes, as he issued the first samesex marriage licenses in the state. We, too, were a big part of the effort. And I hope we're not forgotten. Having this settled is the most important thing for me and Ed.”

Judge orders release of records in Scouts case Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Mark I. Bernstein has ordered the release of documents pertaining to a lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America. In 2013, Patricia Evasew filed suit against the BSA, claiming the molestation of her son by a former Scoutmaster in Chester County caused her son to commit suicide. The former Scoutmaster, Charles Morris, denies the allegations. Evasew wants Morris to provide documents and other information pertaining to the case. But according to court records, Morris hasn’t provided the materials. On March 2, Bernstein ordered attorneys for Morris to provide the materials to Evasew by March 12 or face sanctions. A jury trial is tentatively scheduled for January 2016.

Neither side had a comment for this story.

Nizah committee to meet A meeting of the Justice for Nizah committee is scheduled for 6-7 p.m. March 16 at the William Way LGBT Center, 1315 Spruce St. Nizah Morris was a transgender woman found with a fatal head wound shortly after she received a “courtesy ride” from Philadelphia police. Her homicide remains unsolved, and advocates are seeking a state probe. Agenda items for the J4N meeting include updates on legal and political efforts for transparency in the Morris case, and plans for an April 15 panel discussion about the case at William Way. The public is invited to attend. For more information, contact nizahcommittee@ gmail.com.

Activists to attend schoolboard meeting Several members of the Freethought Society, a nontheist organization, will attend an Octorara Area School District board meeting next month to protest on-campus Boy Scouts recruitment assemblies. School officials allow the Scouts to hold recruitment assemblies in the district's elementary school. But Freethought members oppose the assemblies because the Scouts exclude PAGE 17 LGBT adults and non-

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Clifford looks to bring reform to MontCo By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com Dan Clifford is running for a seat as judge in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. Clifford recently received the endorsement of the Montgomery County Democratic Committe, and said he is believed to be the first openly LGBT candidate outside of Philadelphia to be endorsed for a countywide office. Clifford’s election as a Democrat would also count towards the growing number of Democratic judges in a mostly Republican judiciary. Clifford said that in 2009, all 21 county judges were Republican and, since then, five Democrats have been elected. His win would bring the total to six, and the two other open seats could bring the number up to eight. “I hope that as an LGBT candidate and Democrat, I can help maintain diversity in a largely conservative area,” said Clifford. “In a visible county office like a judge’s seat, I can help set an example too.” Clifford, 56, currently practices at the firm Weber Gallagher, where he has worked for 22 years, and specializes in family law. He has also served on the Springfield Township zoning hearing board for the past 12 years. The longtime Springfield Township resident attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania as an undergrad, then went on to the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he graduated in 1984. Clifford worked at a mid-sized firm in

York for two years before relocating to the Philly area and practicing family law at WolfBlock, LLP. That firm was later acquired by Weber Gallagher. Among his accomplishments, Clifford said he is most proud of a judicial video project he recently created in which he interviewed experienced judges from across the state to compile a resource for new judges on how to interview children in custody cases. Clifford found many new judges came to the bench with little to no experience in dealing with children. The video became a resource for lawyers and parents as well, he said. Despite his almost-30 years of experience, Clifford said there is only so much he can do as an attorney to implement some of his ideas. “I want to improve the system, but there is only so much I can do if I am not on the bench,” Clifford said. If elected, Clifford said he would work to make the county court system more user-friendly and implement procedures to alleviate the heavily burdened system. “My approach would be a judge-managed system, where the judges are responsible for moving the cases through the system, not unlike the way New Jersey operates,” said Clifford. “We currently have what I call a ‘no-one-managed’ system, which relies on the attorneys. That’s proven to be a pretty slow process.” Clifford lives with his partner of 22 years, Jonathan Weinholf, in Wyndmoor. They have a 15-year-old son and plan to get married in October. For more information on Clifford, visit www.danielclifford.com. n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 13-19, 2015

Mallios anticipating success in third race By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com

in the appeals and post-convictions unit, then moved into the rape-prosecution unit. Mallios left his post as an ADA after fourand-a-half years and went on to do criminal defense work, including capital-homicide cases and cases defending the mentally ill. In 1998 he returned to the DA’s office and says he was the first openly gay ADA there. For the next 10 years, he worked in the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit, eventually becoming its chief. Mallios said he has a broad cross-section of experience that would make him a natural fit for the bench: He has worked at the local and state levels, prosecuted and defended and worked in the education and nonprofit sectors. “I know how courtrooms work, how it is to be a litigant, attorney and witness. I have been all of those things,” he said. “I have seen the system as a prosecutor and a defense attorney, as someone who has worked for a trial court judge, intermediate appellate court judge and a Supreme Court justice. I have been all over the system.” For Mallios, the judge’s bench is not just the next step in the natural progression of his career, it is a calling. “I think being a judge is an amazing and important job,” Mallios said. “I have spent most of my career in courtrooms or teaching and training people who are in courtrooms. Public service and working in criminal justice is my calling. “The person who is presiding over a case has so much impact over the outcome and how their lives turn out. Bringing justice into people’s lives is so important.” For more information on Mallios, visit www.mallios2015.com. n

Chris Mallios is vying to be Philadelphia’s next out Court of Common Pleas judge. Earlier this month, he was deemed “highly recommended” by the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Commission on Judicial Selection, the body’s highest endorsement. “It is very important to have openly gay judges on the bench,” Mallios said. “The justice system needs our unique perspectives and life experiences. It would change the perspectives and attitudes of the other judges and everyone involved.” Mallios first ran for Common Pleas in 2011 and left the race in 2013 after receiving an unfavorable ballot position. Mallios, 52, currently serves as the sexual-violence investigative officer at the University of Pennsylvania, where he acts as an independent investigator for reports of sexual violence. He determines if there has been a violation of university policy, collects evidence and suggests sanctions. His office treats these cases like civil proceedings, complainant versus respondents, instead of the problematic and oft-unjust quasi-criminal proceedings where the university is against the student, Mallios said. Prior to the position at Penn, Mallios travelled across the country for the Washington, D.C.-based organization Aequitas, training law enforcement and criminal-justice professionals on how to properly handle sexual-violence cases. The Philadelphia native and Penn State grad got his start in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office after earning his law degree from Temple University in 1987. He began

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Shut Up & Dance looks to be a knock-out By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

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Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutritional Alliance is taking the gloves off in its fight against illness. The agency, which provides nutritional meals to people facing life-threatening illnesses including HIV/AIDS, is again partnering with the Pennsylvania Ballet for the annual Shut Up & Dance fundraising show, 8 p.m. March 21 at the Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St. The show began in 1992 in response to the burgeoning HIV/AIDS crisis. It is a one-night-only event in which the PA Ballet performers choreograph their own numbers, with proceeds benefitting MANNA. “Shut Up & Dance will always be what its origin was: a show choreographed, produced and directed by dancers of the PA Ballet. That will never change,” said Ballet member and the show’s producing director Ian Hussey, who noted the creative control the performers are given is, while time-consuming, also refreshing. “Every year we have younger people, older people, people who do it every year, people who’ve never done it before. They take time out of their schedule, on lunch breaks, to create the pieces. Leading up to the event, people always ask me what it’s going to be like and the fun part is I’m just as surprised as anybody; I provide the template for them and then we let the choreographers do whatever they want.” About 25 dancers participate each year. Hussey said that, in the past few years, the event has included participation by outside performers. This year’s show will include pieces from the University of the Arts and BalletX. The 2015 performance is centered around a boxing theme, an idea Hussey said was born in a design meeting. “We always get together and talk about ideas and imagery for posters and adver-

tisements. And Matt Bouloutian, the graphic designer, started talking about his fascination with old-school vintage boxing posters and how graphically they’re so gripping. And then we saw how that idea fits so well with what we do for MANNA and what MANNA does for the community,” Hussey said. “From there we came up with the ‘Help us knock out illness’ tagline and everyone in the room just said, ‘Yes, that’s definitely it.’ It’s such a cool idea and totally different from what we’ve done before.” While the theme changes each year, so too does the audience, which continues to grow with each performance. MANNA event manager Laura Payne said the show draws both longtime supporters and newcomers, as well as ballet aficionados and novices. “It’s gotten bigger and bigger every year,” she said. “We definitely have an audience that has been coming all 23 years. Many people have told us they were there in the beginning and still buy tickets every year. But then there are new people, a lot of younger people, just finding out about it. And you don’t have to follow ballet to enjoy it, that’s one of the great parts.” That the show is just one night, Hussey added, is one of its most unique points. “People don’t want to miss out on it because it’s such a wonderful night of incredible, unique energy. It’s a show filled with so much love and passion,” he said. “It’s hard finding time to rehearse but everyone says on the day of the show that it’s always worth it. Seeing the audience come in so full of energy, and then we’re so excited, creates a wonderful relationship between audiences and dancers. It’s a unique, fun, high-energy event with a roller coaster of emotions: laughter, tears, joy. It runs the gamut.” For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.mannapa.org/shut-up-anddance-2015/. n

PULSE-ING PARTY: The bars and dance floor at Smokin’ Betty’s were packed with LGBTs and allies March 7 for Pulse Events’ HRC Night party. The event raised funds for Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT organization. A number of prizes were given out to partiers, including cash, a photo shoot with Tara Beth Robertson and tickets to the upcoming local HRC gala, March 21 at Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel. Photo: Patrick Hagerty

PGN LOCAL

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 13-19, 2015

New group, leadership position for Philly Family Pride By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Therapy Center of Philadelphia, in partnership with Philadelphia Family Pride, later this month will launch a new support group targeted at LGB women and transgender individuals considering becoming parents. The eight-week program starts March 30, with weekly Monday-night meetings through May 18. Therapy Center offers psychotherapeutic services for women and transgender communities. A similar support group geared towards cisgender men is in the works for the fall. Stephanie Haynes, who was recently promoted to PFP executive director from her previous post as community coordinator — the first time PFP named an executive director — said the concept for the group emerged from member feedback. “As part of our annual conference the last five years, we’ve included a session or two for prospective parents and gotten an excellent response each time. Offering this just once a year didn’t seem like enough; it gave people just a taste of what they needed, but not everything,” Haynes said. “Alison Gerig is director of the Therapy Center and a PFP member, and we had been looking at ways of working together, so we started thinking about a program for prospective parents.” The group will be co-facilitated by Dr. Monique Walker and Julie Lipson. Cost is $240 per couple or $120 per individual for PFP members, or $320 per couple or $160 per individual non-members. PFP membership is $25 per year, and new members can join at phillyfamilypride.org. The program will offer support and information, Haynes said. “People can talk about where they’re at in the process, comparing notes on how things are going, challenges they’re facing. And then we’re going to also have speakers come in: an attorney to talk about legal issues, a fertility doctor to go over some medical issues. We’ll look at the basics of assisted reproduction, info about how to choose a donor, adoption options.” Overseeing the launch of the group is among Haynes’ responsibilities in her new post as executive director. Haynes has been a member of PFP for about six years. The community coordinator position was initially intended to put together the group’s newsletter, promote attendance at organization events and handle other tasks requested by the agency’s board. “When I took over was really when social media took off, at least for our parent demographics, so a lot of what I did was promoting events through social media. I originally was writing and sending our print newsletter, but we’ve now converted it to an email newsletter. I worked on redoing the website to a more user-friendly site,” she said. “The com-

munity coordinator position wasn’t so much a leadership role but more kind of a ‘worker-bee’ position, with the board having primary responsibility for the activities of the organization.” Over time, Haynes noted, the concept of a dedicated leadership position arose naturally through her work. “I had evolved into the position where I got down how to do the newsletter and our social-media strategy, and we started our annual conference, which now takes a good deal of my time during the year. And as I got to know more people in the LGBT community, and my ability to build coalitions and partnerships with other groups grew, I think the board recognized that my role has morphed into that of an executive director. It’s basically the job I was doing anyway and they

wanted to recognize that with the title to match the job.” Looking ahead, Haynes said she’s eager to help lead PFP through its next phase of development, as it continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of its 150 member families. “We’ve heard from our members, and we know as LGBT parents ourselves, that the needs are changing. The more marriage equality is passing and the more acceptance we have in our communities and our kids’ schools, people’s needs aren’t quite to find and connect with other families anymore. Before, we had been mostly providing social events, but we want to establish new partnerships to expand our conference, launch ongoing educational programs and support groups. There are more specific needs we

want to try to meet.” When it voted Haynes in as director at its Jan. 1 brunch, PFP also approved its 2015 board of directors. Robin Matthews returns for her second year as board chair, with Sandra Telep in her second year as vice chair. Other board leaders include treasurer Andreah Sanders, education and advocacy committee chair Bryn Berchok, membership committee chair Tracy Smith and fundraising chair Kelly Durand. New members include secretary Gregory Girdy, member-at-large Sandy Gilardi and youth-planning committee chair Yoel Solis. For more information about the new parenting group or to register, call Therapy Center of Philadelphia at 215567-1111. n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 13-19, 2015

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Linda Wall

Editorial

Marriage in the mainstream Although it would have been hard to believe just a few short years ago, Pennsylvania is among the states whose leaders, residents and businesses are playing active roles in making national marriage equality a reality. Dozens of court filings were submitted last week that urge the U.S. Supreme Court to find in favor of the LGBT plaintiffs in the landmark marriage-equality case it will hear this spring. President Obama submitted a brief. Federal agencies submitted briefs. Human Rights Campaign delivered a “people’s brief” with signatures from more than 200,000 everyday Americans. Locally, our state and city governments submitted supportive filings, as did our mayor. Mayors of 15 other jurisdictions also signed on — including a number who represent areas not traditionally thought of as bastions of liberalism: Mount Pocono, Carlisle, West Mifflin. And, the municipal brief included support from towns like Lancaster and Emsworth, a small borough in Western Pennsylvania (we had to Google, too). The business brief garnered support from a chemical-sales company located in Allentown. The conservative-leader brief included our former Republican governor, Tom Ridge. From across the state and across industries, our state stepped up to the plate for marriage equality. So what does this mean? Marriage equality is quickly garnering mainstream support, and that trend doesn’t seem to be missing Pennsylvania. When leaders of small Pennsylvania towns are willing to voice their support on a national platform for the issue, that bodes well for growing acceptance among their constituents. However, as rapidly as the marriage-equality movement is gaining steam, the reality is other issues are moving painstakingly slow in Pennsylvania. We still lack an LGBT nondiscrimination law, a hate-crimes law, a measure to ban conversion therapy for our youth. Our schools still are rife with anti-LGBT bullying. Trans people continue to face startling disparities, as do our seniors. That some in Pennsylvania are finally seeing the light on marriage equality is great news. However, those same people and organizations should use their positions to make the case for full LGBT equality. A nationwide marriage victory this summer will be a turning point for the LGBT-rights movement. But it will not be the stopping point. n

Don’t you hate it when you wake up one attend séances at day and realize your entire life has been his house “where one long improv sketch masterminded by the windows were Satan? You go to sleep totally G-A-Y and painted black.” wake up the next morning strangling the She adds, “It snake of homosexuality (and that’s not a seemed that every euphemism. Or is it?). time I turned around, If you’re an LGBT person and you havmy employer was en’t had this experience yet, just wait. On trying to get me to Feb. 28, ex-lesbian Linda Wall posted a drink something or handy step-by-step guide on BarbWire to eat something that learning that your big gay life is just a big was described as gay lie. ‘good for you.’” Step one: Pray. Uh, that means what, exactly? Step two: Get some garbage bags. Margaritas and marijuana? Or kombucha Step three: Clean out a scary basement. and kale? Is there even a difference? It’s all Step four: Gay no more. very mysterious. All for the low, low price of hating your- “There had also been an ongoing camself. paign at the gay bar I frequented to con Wall’s column has the very subtle title, vince me to be hypnotized,” she writes. “I “Satan and the GLBT Demons” (which had a feeling I had truly encountered the would be a cool name for, like, an avantoccult.” garde drag troupe that threw amazing First, I wondered, What is it with patrons Halloween parties). In it, she makes an at gay bars always wanting to hypnotize air-tight argument linkpeople? But then I started Wall has quite the ing homosexuality and seeing Wall’s article as a cry for help. Very few Satanism. vivid imagination “Ask yourself who of the experiences she and apparently would take the Creator’s recounts take place out‘rainbow in the sky,’ a side of her own head. experienced a promise to mankind, copy Wall has quite the vivid it and make it the logo for break from reality imagination and apparsexual perversion?” Wall ently experienced a break that she’s blamasks. “Who would counfrom reality that she’s terfeit the holy institution ing on lesbianism blaming on lesbianism of marriage, one man and rather than what appears rather than what one woman, and re-write to be some kind of psyit to mean men can marry appears to be some chosis. She’s promised that men, and women marry there will be a part two women? Who would dare kind of psychosis. of “Satan and the GLBT challenge God’s creation Demons” where she’ll share how she of male and female and offer the use of “escaped” from lesbianism. chemicals and sex surgery so some can Maybe she’ll talk about being a 21-yearmasquerade opposite of their birth sex?” I really want to answer these questions old junior-high gym teacher having a sexual with, “The Candy Man can,” even though I relationship with a minor, which she blamed on being a “heavy pot smoker.” know that’s not the answer Wall is looking But, hey, I’m sure it was Jesus and not the for. “It is none other than Satan himself,” looming threat of a felony hanging over her head that “scared her straight” and inspired Wall writes. Then she goes into a long story about her to dedicate her life to persecuting LGBT cleaning vacated rental properties and people. The gays should have hypnotized her when they had the chance. n dreaming of a snake and using 50-gallon trash bags to snuff out her lesbian demons, D’Anne Witkowski has been gay for pay since or something to that effect. 2003. She’s a freelance writer and poet (believe She goes on to claim that her boss, it!). When she’s not taking on the creeps of whom she describes as “an owner of an the world, she reviews rock and roll shows in art gallery” and a preacher at a Unitarian Detroit with her twin sister and teaches writing church (wink, wink), would invite her to at the University of Michigan.

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.

Op-Ed PGN

History returns to Independence Hall Something happened a few weeks ago affordable building, had reached out to that literally made me stop and take note participants of the early demonstration of how far we have come in our and now was bringing some struggle for equality. of those original marchers to I have been an LGBT activPhiladelphia. ist now for 45-plus years, so I And since the Philly POPS! can recall the time when you’d perform a patriotic concert in request a meeting and you’d front of Independence Hall the simply be ignored or when evening of July 3, I asked if we had to storm offices, hold they could add a tribute to those sit-ins, chain ourselves. Then, marchers — to actually honor when the doors finally opened, those who marched, demonthe people on the other side strated on that spot 50 years listened politely and explained ago. I had chills as I said it, and why they couldn’t do whatever every person in that board room, we were asking for. from the board president to So a few weeks ago, I conductor Michael Krajewski, requested a meeting with the understood the historical aspect Mark Segal of what they were being asked board of one of my favorite musical groups, the world-faand embraced it with pride. All mous Philly POPS!. They knew in advance they wanted to know was what they could what I was coming to ask. do to make it happen. I must admit I’m getting a little emo So plan on joining us for a free concert tional as I write this, since I now recall on Independence Mall on July 3 to honor the nation on the eve of its birthday, and meetings in which I’d actually beg for this year, mark the 50th anniversary of relief for our youth or seniors, but this was the first public demonstrations for LGBT different. The POPS! welcomed me cheerrights. Come out and not only celebrate fully and actually appreciated the reason for my visit and understood its imporour community’s pioneers, but meet them yourself. n tance to our community. And what’s more important, they felt the same. Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the nation’s I explained that this July would be most-award-winning commentator in LGBT the 50th anniversary of the nation’s first media. You can follow him on Facebook at LGBT-rights demonstrations, held here in www.facebook.com/MarkSegalPGN or Twitter Philadelphia at Independence Hall. And at https://twitter.com/PhilaGayNews. that the Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund, which developed the LGBT-friendly senior

Mark My Words

Transmissions

Gwendolyn Ann Smith

Trans dehumanization Humans have a great ability to show empathy. When a pair of terrorists gunned down 12 people at the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hedbo, people fell over themselves to declare “Je Suis Charlie.” When disasters like Hurricane Katrina occur, people pull together from around the world to lend a hand in ways big and small. Yes, not everyone seems to be so altruistic, but the majority seeks to help their homo-sapien compatriots when in need. We call such actions humanitarian. We don’t always share the same feelings for non-humans. Without getting too far into an ecological rant, we are indeed omnivorous creatures who frequently partake in the flesh and/or fibers of plants and animals we share the planet with, and we spend a lot of time as a species in actions that may indeed harm the future of our planet. More to the point, even though we have a

strong habit of anthropomorphizing, we still view the majority of our “things” as property, to be enjoyed, consumed, used and eventually discarded. That hot smart phone will eventually end up in the waste pile, our finest clothing will someday get tossed and nearly every other item in our possession will end up junked som day. We care even less about items we don’t possess. We deface public property and treat items of our employers and acquaintances with less care than those we own. Then, sometimes, we treat our fellow humans as things. Since the beginning of the year, there have been seven known anti-transgender murders in the United States. Six of these are transgender women of color. It has been a particularly bloody, violent start to the year. At the same time, anti-transgender violence has been an epidemic for decades.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 13-19, 2015

Street Talk Does Ben Carson have any chance of being nominated for president in light of his recent anti-LGBT comments? "I don't agree with him. It's too simplistic and closedminded to say that sexual orientation is a choice. But there are Alyssa Diminick definitely nurse people who Queen Village do agree with him, perhaps in the South and Midwest, unfortunately. So I wouldn't rule out the possibility of [Carson] being nominated for president."

"No. By him saying that, he's forfeited any chance of being nominated for president. He's too uneducated. He should be Nicole Henry more open dental assistant to diversity. Chester Sexual orientation is obviously not a choice. Deep-seated feelings in a person aren't a choice."

"Yes. There's a large population in the middle of the country that might be comfortable with his views. I certainly Kate Vail hope he Realtor won't be Queen Village nominated for president but based on many personal conversations with people throughout the country, I think it's possible he'll be nominated."

"No. His views are incorrect. I've studied sociology. I know that sexual orientation isn't a choice. I think Mohammad he's being Korkoumas ignorant and student he'll cause a Graduate Hospital lot trouble for area gay people if he's in a position of power."

I’ve watched these numbers for a decadeand-a-half, with no indication that it was any less in years prior. We can even go earlier: The 1922 book “The Female Impersonators” by Earl Lind references six then-recent murders in New York as being part of the reason for writing the book. I am sure that the murderers of those days, just as today, claimed theirs were crimes of passion — that the killers were somehow deceived and felt that they had no recourse but to act. That’s not exactly true even in the purest of cases. To me, it boils down to this: These murderers don’t see us as human. We are things. For them, they have discarded us in the same way they might toss a used aluminum can. Their remorse is over being caught, not over having taken a human life. In the worst cases, they may even feel they’ve just done the world a favor. Is this a cynical view? Yes, but I come by

it honestly. Take, for one small example, the media’s current fascination with a certain former Olympian and current reality television celebrity. Who really knows if that person intends to transition, yet all these reports — some with horribly Photoshopped images — are based on hearsay and innuendo. While we can, of course, argue that they signed up for this — one cannot invite the glare of television cameras into your personal life without expecting such a level of scrutiny — the treatment they’re being given is not from any place of compassion. Even those who claim to be supportive of the transgender community are more than willing to take their pot shots. As one example, Jill Soloway, the creator of the award-winning television program “Transparent,” who recently shared an image labeled “Transdashian” on her PAGE 17 Facebook wall.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 13-19, 2015

PGN LOCAL

Couple with Philly roots stars in viral PSA

By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com You may have heard about a “skeleton video” making its way around the Internet lately, but did you know that two Phillyarea natives and their son starred in the viral PSA? The video aims to spread the message that “love has no labels” by depicting dancing digital skeletons on a giant screen in front of a live crowd — gender, race, age, etc., are indiscernible — who eventually step out from behind the screen to reveal that they are a same-sex couple, biracial friends or of different religions, etc. Anthony Henderson, from Germantown, and Jason Strong, from Abington, along with their 4-year-old son Marcelino — who all now live in Los Angeles — were among only a handful of lucky participants who got to share their love with the world. Henderson, 38, a celebrity fashion stylist, and Strong, 40, a manager at the L.A. LGBT Center, met online. After almost 10 years together, they will be tying the knot on July 17. Their dream of starting a family came true in May when they were able to adopt their son. The opportunity to participate in the PSA came about when, unbeknownst to Strong, a colleague of his sent the PSA’s casting director a photo of Strong and his family. Things moved very quickly from there. “I didn’t even know that my coworker sent the photo,” said Strong. “The casting director called me 20 minutes later while I was in a meeting and said they would love if we could come in and do a screen test.” Two days later, the family did so. “We just acted like ourselves,” Strong said. The assistant director loved the family, Strong said, and promised to get in touch soon for a call-back. By the end of the week, the family was meeting with the filmmakers again and answering questions about their life as gay

men raising a child. The family was deemed a perfect fit for the project, which was filmed on Santa Monica’s famous Third Street Promenade over Valentine’s Day weekend. Strong said it was a bit of a challenge to get their son to perform on cue. “We were fitted with sensors to track our movements as the skeletons on the screen,” said Strong. “It was tough to get our son to go along with it. As cute as he is, kids do what they want to do,” he added jokingly. It was even more of a challenge for Henderson, who performed without the sensors. “There were only two sets of sensors, so I had to pretend that they were standing next to me,” said Henderson. “It was difficult, but we nailed it.” Both Henderson and Strong were touched by the crowd’s reaction when they stepped out from behind the screen. “I loved their reaction,” said Strong. “It was overwhelmingly positive. There was no negativity.” “They were inviting and happy,” added Henderson. “They seemed very joyful when we came out.” The video quickly went viral and now has more than 40 million views on YouTube. “I am so surprised that the video has taken off like it has,” said Henderson. “All the views, First Lady Obama retweeted it. Everyone that has seen it has cried.” Henderson cited Marcelino as their reason for participating in the PSA. “It has been nothing but an absolute pleasure,” said Henderson of raising their son. “We are so blessed.” “This is probably the greatest experience that we have had,” said Strong. “The way he looks at you is just a joy. It makes everything worthwhile.” “Our family is no different than anyone else’s,” he added. ‘When you strip away the layers, we are all alike.” To view the PSA, visit www.lovehasnolabels.com. n

PGN LOCAL

Penn celebrates LGBT culture with weeklong event By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com University of Pennsylvania’s weeklong celebration of LGBT culture is coming up, and this year’s theme, Queer Factor, will have students face their fears head-on in a unique spin on the popular “Fear Factor” television show. This year’s QPenn Week will feature keynote speaker Larry Kramer, an Oscarnominated screenwriter, playwright and author of “The Normal Heart,” which was made into an HBO movie last year starring Mark Ruffalo, Matthew Bomer and Julia Roberts. “It is the biggest event for the Penn queer community,” said Cody Smith, a member of Penn’s LGBT Center. “It is important because we address issues affecting the LGBT community and create a dialogue.”

The weeklong event, which runs March 22-29, also increases the visibility of the LGBT community on campus. “It broadens out the conversation to other Penn students,” said Smith. “The event helps us have a voice among the greater Penn community too because of the visibility.” The week kicks off with the “QPenn Kickoff: David Bohnett Cyber Center Relaunch and LGBT History,” 2-4 p.m. at the LGBT center on campus. The highlight of the week will be Kramer’s keynote, 7:30 p.m. March 26, location TBD. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on the LGBT center’s Facebook page. The event concludes with the annual Pride Games March 29 at noon, at High Rise field, followed by the Sancocho banquet, 6-9 p.m. at Arch Auditorium. For more information, visit www.vpul. upenn.edu/lgbtc/. n

HRC Philly gears up for annual gala By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The Human Rights Campaign Greater Philadelphia Gala returns next week, this year at a new location. The 19th-annual gala will be held March 21 at Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel. Marvin Rocha, who is returning in his second year as event co-chair with Katherine Sprissler-Klein, said the event was moved from the Loews to accommodate a growing guest list. “Last year we sold out at Loews, and Sheraton has the potential to expand beyond the 500-person seating capacity,” Rocha said. “We’re always looking for ways to grow the dinner and to work with new partners. We know we have the potential to grow at Sheraton and we’re thrilled with the extra space.” This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Rachel Levine, Pennsylvania’s acting Physician General, and the state’s first out transgender cabinet member. She will be joined by HRC’s national field director Marty Rouse. The entertainment lineup includes performer Bebe Neuwirth and out “American Idol” alum David Hernandez. This will mark the first gala since Pennsylvania legalized same-sex marriage last spring. Rocha said that, while the win will be

celebrated at the event, it will also be used as a jumping-off point to discuss other ongoing LGBT-rights issues. “The gala is always a celebration of the victories over the last year,” he said. “This was a huge accomplishment and it will be important for us to recognize that same-sex couples can get married in Pennsylvania now. But, across the state, we still don’t have LGBT protections, particularly in the workforce. One of the things we say when we talk about continuing this fight is that you can now get married over the weekend in Pennsylvania and fired on Monday for being gay. We have a lot to celebrate in Pennsylvania, but there’s still a lot to be done.” The event itself will raise funds for HRC’s work to advance LGBT-rights causes. A portion of the evening’s fundraising derives from its silent auction. Rocha said volunteers have been canvassing area businesses and organizations for auction donations. Rocha commended the hard work that volunteers have put in, and said their dedication will help make the event a success. “The gala is a great celebration of the LGBT community,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to come together as a community and celebrate our many victories and also to acknowledge that we need to fighting.” To purchase tickets, visit http://bit. ly/1BnRu1w. n

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FINANCES PGN

Asset allocation: Tips for tending to your portfolio mix Q: I’m in my early 20s and just starting to invest into retirement accounts. I’m thinking I can afford to be more aggressive since I’m relatively young. How do I determine how much I should invest in stocks vs bonds in my plans? A: This is a great question for any investors, whether you’re in your 20s or living in retirement. Getting your investment mix correct, and keeping it that way over time, is key to your investment process.

goal is to pursue growth (and you are willing to take on market risk to do so), you may decide to place 20 percent of your assets in bonds and 80 percent in stocks.2 The asset classes you choose, and how you weight your investment in each, will probably depend on your investment time frame and how that matches with the risks and rewards of each asset class. Stocks, bonds and cash equivalents

In today’s complex financial markets, you have a seemingly infinite array of investment vehicles from which to select. Each investment also carries some risk, making it important to choose wisely if you are selecting just one. The good news is that there is no rule that says you must stick with only one type of investment. In fact, you can manage your investment risk and potentially increase your chances of meeting your investment goals by practicing “asset allocation.”1 Asset allocation refers to the way in which you combine different investments in your portfolio in order to try to meet a specific objective. For instance, if your

Here is a closer look at the key risk and reward characteristics of the major asset classes: Stocks: Well known for fluctuating frequently in Jeremy value, stocks carry a high Gussick level of market risk (the risk that an investment’s value will decrease after it has been purchased) over the short term. Keep in mind, however, that stocks historically have earned higher returns than other asset classes, although past performance is no predictor of future results. Importantly, stocks also have a better track record of outpacing inflation — the rising prices of goods and services — than any other asset class, and therefore carry very low inflation risk.

Out Money

Bonds: In general, these securities have less-pronounced short-term price fluctuations than stocks, and therefore offer lower market risk. On the other hand, their overall inflation risk tends to be higher than that of stocks, as their long-term return potential is also lower. Bond returns may be influenced by movements in short-term interest rates. When interest rates rise, bond prices are likely to fall. Cash equivalents: These assets are defined as being short-term, low-risk, low-return and highly liquid. Cash equivalents include U.S. government treasury bills, bank savings accounts and bank certificates of deposit.3 Diversification: a companion strategy Before exploring just how you can put an asset-allocation strategy to work to help you meet your investment goals, you should first understand how diversification — the process of helping reduce risk by investing in several different types of individual funds or securities — works hand in hand with asset allocation. When you diversify your investments among more than one security, you help reduce what is known as “single-security risk,” or the risk that your investment will fluctuate widely in value with the price of one holding. Diversifying increases the chance that, if and when the return of one

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investment is falling, the return of another in your portfolio may be rising (though there are no guarantees3). Neither asset allocation nor diversification guarantees against investment loss. Asset allocation: a matter of age and objective Although the ideal asset allocation will vary from person to person, standard investment wisdom states that the younger the investor, the more heavily a portfolio can be weighted toward stocks. As investors age, they may need to gradually shift to a more conservative asset allocation. Risk Level Aggressive Moderate Stocks2 80 % Bonds2 15 % Cash equivalents4 5%

Low

70 % 20 %

50 % 40 %

10 %

Chart illustrates hypothetical portfolio asset allocations: Aggressive Risk (younger investors); Moderate Risk (middle-aged investors); Low Risk (those nearing or in retirement). Allocations are presented only as examples and are not intended as investment advice. Please consult a financial advisor if you have any questions about how these examples apply

PGN FINANCES

to your situation. A simple process, with dramatic potential Once you have a carefully crafted asset allocation, maintain it. Review it on at least an annual basis, making alterations as your goals and other circumstances warrant. And rebalance the investment mix if the performance of one asset class throws it off kilter. Do this by adding new money to the asset class that is underrepresented in your portfolio or shift money from the overrepresented class to the others. Regardless of the asset allocation strategy you choose and the investments you select, keep in mind that a well-crafted plan of action can help you weather all sorts of changing market conditions over the long term as you aim to meet your investment goal(s). n Jeremy R. Gussick is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with LPL Financial, the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer.* Jeremy specializes in the financial planning needs of the LGBT community and was recently named a 2014 FIVE STAR Wealth Manager by Philadelphia Magazine.** He is active with several LGBT organizations in the Philadelphia region, including the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund and the Independence Business Alliance, the Philadelphia region’s LGBT chamber of commerce. OutMoney appears monthly. If you have a question for Jeremy, email jeremy.gussick@lpl.com. LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 13-19, 2015

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1Asset allocation does not assure a profit or protect against a loss. 2Investing in stocks involves risks, including loss of principal. Bonds are subject to market and interest-rate risk if sold prior to maturity. Bond values will decline as interest rates rise and are subject to availability and change in price. 3There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. 4U.S. Treasury securities (“Treasuries”) are issued by the federal government and are considered to be among the safest investments you can make, because all Treasury securities are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government. Certificates of deposit are FDIC insured and offer a fixed rate of return if held to maturity. This article was prepared with the assistance of Wealth Management Systems Inc. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. We suggest that you discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor. Please consult me if you have any questions. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by Wealth Management Systems Inc., or its sources, neither Wealth Management Systems Inc., nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall Wealth Management Systems Inc. be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscribers’ or others’ use of the content. Wealth Management Systems, Inc. and LPL Financial are not affiliated entities. *As reported by Financial Planning magazine, 1996-2014, based on total revenues. **Award based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers.

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LGBTQIA: What does the ‘A’ stand for anyway? Most of us identify as a part of the why; however, it also isn’t explicitly LGBT community. In more recent years, known why people are oriented to be lesa “Q” has been tacked on to the end of bian, gay, bisexual and trans* — another that. For those who are really progressive, way that asexuality is in alignment with our community is summed up by the letthe LGBTQ population. Also similar is the ters “LGBTQIA”: lesbian, gay, bisexual, psychological community’s inclination to trans*, queer/questioning and intersex, view asexuality as a mental-health disorwith the “A” commonly thought to repreder. Homosexuality wasn’t fully removed sent our straight allies, but also being repfrom the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual resentative of asexuals, aromanof Mental Disorders (DSM), tics and those who identify as the psychological bible, as a agender. Is this suddenly sounddiagnosable disorder until the ing complicated? 1980s, a change that did not The thing is, individuals idenoccur without a fight similar to tifying as asexual, aromantic the one the asexual population and/or agender generally feel is engaged in presently. While entirely alienated from our comasexuality is not considered an munity and invalidated generofficial diagnosis in the DSM, ally. For me, I can’t help but be many asexuals are labeled as of the belief that as a long-marhaving a hypoactive sexual-deginalized community, we should sire disorder or, more recently, be accepting of all sexual and male hypoactive sexual-desire gender minorities. So in that disorder or female sexual interspirit, it feels important to est/arousal disorder. acknowledge that approximately diagnoses often Kristina Furia result inSuch 1 percent of the population unpleasant and unwaridentifies as asexual (within this ranted interventions, such as percentage, some identify as aromantic extensive psychological testing, aggresand/or agender; these statistics are unclear sive therapy with the objective of finding at present). the root of their lack of sexual desire (it’s Asexuality is defined as a complete assumed that there is a root) and even teslack of sexual attraction to others, as well tosterone for use in women in an effort to as a lack of interest in engaging in sex. boost libido. Many of these interventions Asexuality differs from celibacy in that are reminiscent of conversion therapy celibacy is a choice to abstain from sex sometimes used to “cure” homosexualwhile asexuality is an orientation. It relates ity, a practice many politicians, including to how one feels, not how one behaves. our own state Rep. Brian Sims, have been For example, a gay man who is closeted working so diligently to ban in recent and married to a woman (and therefore years. engages in heterosexual sex) isn’t any less So, while asexuality may not seem like gay because of his closeted state and all an experience aligned with the LGBTQ that accompanies it. Similarly, an asexexperience at first glance, upon taking a ual person may engage in sex due to their closer look, the similarities are plentiful. desire to abide by social norms but feel no Currently, the most significant difference internal drive to have sexual contact and is the asexual population’s lack of comexperience no pleasure in doing so. munity support. Individuals who identify There is some variation within the asexas asexual, aromantic and agender are still ual population. Some asexuals also conin the very early stages of connecting with sider themselves aromantic, which means one another to work towards public accepthat, in addition to a lack of sex drive, they tance, to gather important data and statisdesire no romantic intimacy of any kind. tics and to develop a feeling of commuAlternately, other individuals who identify nity. The Asexuality Visibility & Education as asexual may be inclined to romantic Network (AVEN) is presently the primary interactions, simply without the sexual organization working towards these goals component. There are also those who iden- with more than 30,000 members, and pertify as both asexual and agender, which is haps on an even larger scale, the LGBTQ a lack of identification with gender binacommunity can work towards inclusivity ries (i.e. male or female). Many agendered of the asexual, aromantic and agender popindividuals wish to be referred to with ulation. n gender-neutral pronouns such as “they” Kristina Furia is a psychotherapist speor “them,” despite their biological gender cializing in issues and concerns of the assignment. Is the “A” becoming clearer LGBTQ community in addition to depresnow? sion, anxiety, substance abuse, and other For many people, the idea of the commental illnesses. Her private practice, plete absence of sex drive is initially Philadelphia LGBTQ Counseling, offers perplexing and may stimulate a series of both individual and couples sessions questions with the first one being, “why?” (www.lgbtphillytherapy.com). Scientifically speaking, it isn’t known

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PGN HISTORY from page 1

the first Annual Reminder Day, John James, who went on to become a distinguished LGBT-rights activist and advocate. In his remarks, Nutter noted that if ever anyone need be reminded of who we are as Americans and how far the civil-rights movement has come, they can just take a walk around Independence Hall. “It’s easy for us to forget and get caught up in the day-to-day,” said Nutter, “If you ever need a reminder about how we got to where we are, you only need to go into some of the places on the most historic square mile in America. It will remind you. “It will remind you what America is all about,” he said, echoing the theme of

the Annual Reminder days. Visit Philadelphia president and CEO Meryl Levitz announced that the groundbreaking “Get Your History Straight and Your Nightlife Gay” tourism commercial would be getting an update. The commercial, which first aired in 2004, was the first televised openly LGBT-friendly tourism commercial in the world, and will be included as part of the “Speaking Out” exhibit. “We will be revising and updating the commercial to honor all of those who are going to be honored this year,” Levitz said. The weeklong 50th-anniversary celebration will take place July 2-5. For more information, visit www.lgbt50. org. n

AMICUS from page 1

TRANSMISSIONS from page 11

signed on, as did 15 other Pennsylvania mayors: David Burton (Malvern), Carolyn Comitta (West Chester), Frederick Courtright (Mount Pocono), Elizabeth Goreham (State College), J. Richard Gray (Lancaster), Christopher Kelly (West Mifflin), Eric Papenfuse (Harrisburg), Ed Pawlowski (Allenton), William Peduto (Pittsburgh), David Rivella (Morrisville), Timothy Scott (Carlisle), Ronald Silvis (Greensburg), Jeanne Sorg (Ambler), Vaughn Spencer (Reading) and Pennsylvania’s first openly gay mayor, Ron Strouse (Doylestown). Fifteen New Jersey mayors also signed on: John Birkner (Westwood), Edward Brennan (Merchantville), Victor De Luca (Maplewood), Jon Dunleavy (Bloomingdale), Steven Fulop (Jersey City), Bruce Harris (Chatham), Jamel Holley (Roselle), Janice Kovach (Clinton), Liz Lempert (Princeton), M. James Maley, Jr. (Collingswood), Pasquale Menna (Red Bank), Michael Mignona (Voorhees), Robert Parisi (West Orange), Alex Torpey (South Orange) and Dawn Zimmer (Hoboken). SCOTUS will hear arguments April 28 and is expected to rule by the end of June. n

Or let’s look at House Bill 538 in the Florida House of Representatives, presented by Rep. Frank Artiles. This particularly onerous piece of legislation would make it a crime punishable by a year in jail or a $1,000 fine for a transgender person to use a single-sex restroom, as well as give people within the facility the right to sue the violator in question. Yes, another bill built on the notion of the “bathroom meme” claiming that allowing transgender people to use facilities congruent with their gender identities will somehow open the stall door for voyeurs, molesters, rapists and others who are already subject to laws against their actions. Presumably, no one has considered that putting a trans woman in a men’s restroom might put her life at risk, or that putting a trans man in a ladies’ room might also be more than problematic. In reality, we all know that this bill is not so much about protecting anyone in the toilet as it is about legislating transgender people out of existence in any way that Artiles and his constituents can manage. Our basic biological

NEWS BRIEFING from page 6

theist youths and adults. "The Octorara public-school district shouldn't be giving preferential treatment to the BSA," said Freethought Society president Margaret A. Downey. "It's just common sense. Several parents are extremely concerned. We look forward to attending the April 20 meeting and appealing to school-board members' sense of decency. The exclusionary policies of the BSA do damage, especially to impressionable youth. The on-campus BSA recruitment assemblies must end immediately." The school-board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 20 at the Octorara Junior High School, 228 Highland Ave. in Atglen.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 13-19, 2015

MADAM from page 1

in her own defense for several days, before complaining of chest pains that halted the trial for several days. While on the stand, Windslowe contended that the silicone she used was safe. However, prosecutors detailed the medical risks of the procedure and noted that Windslowe operated without a license or any medical training, yet misrepresented her qualifications to clients. “What Ms. Windslowe did was nothing short of deplorable and so I am thankful to the hardworking jurors who recognized that she needed to be held accountable for her actions,” said District Attorney Seth Williams. “I’d also like to send my condolences to the Aderotimi family and to Claudia’s friends, and to thank Assistant District Attorneys Carlos Vega and Bridget Kirn for their hard work and diligence in prosecuting this case.” n needs are trumped by nothing more than an irrational fear. Every time a transgender person is called an “it,” we are dehumanized. Every time we’re seen as undeserving of our basic rights, we are dehumanized. Every time the media strips away our names and genders of choice in favor of biological destiny, we are dehumanized. Every time the things we know as being true about ourselves and our lives are discounted and ignored, we are dehumanized. When this happens, we become things. We lose our basic humanity. We are subject to being erased, being discarded and being killed — and when we are killed, we are further erased by an uncaring populace that strips away our identities and lives. This isn’t about “accepting” transgender people. It’s not about some sort of halfhearted tolerance for our existence. It’s about accepting that we are humans. We deserve the right to exist on this planet just as we choose to be, with the same liberties as any other human. n Gwen Smith bleeds when cut. You’ll find her on Twitter at @gwenners.

Back2Basics fundraises for Law Project Stimulus is hosting a Back2Basics dance party this weekend, with proceeds to benefit the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania. The party starts at 10 p.m. March 14 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. Cover is $5 before midnight or $10 after. There will be drink specials all night, and DJs Deluxx and Ka$h will spin old-school hip-hop and pop. For more information, visit http://on.fb.me/1wqJWuC. n — Jen Colletta

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PGN

Obituary James N. Clark By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com James N. Clark, 77, died Feb. 23 from complications related to Parkinson’s disease while vacationing in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with his partner of 45 years, Anthony A. Lyle. Clark was a former vice president and associate creative director of the Philly-based ad agency Lewis, Gilman & Kynett Inc. He was also a passionate HIV/AIDS activist, volunteering much of his free time at local organizations like Calcutta House, an HIV/AIDS facility in West Philadelphia. Clark started volunteering at Calcutta House at the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. He and his partner went on to become board members, and were an integral part of the facility’s daily operations for many years. “Jim and Tony were longtime donors and extremely supportive of the Calcutta House mission,” said Calcutta executive director Kim McGrory. “They frequently attended fundraising events. We will miss him dearly.” When they weren’t volunteering, the couple loved to travel, often to remote locations. Recently, they spent time in a rented boat on the Shannon River in Ireland and spent a week atop a mountain in Santorini, Greece. Clark was born in Glenn Falls, N.Y., and graduated from Hiran College in Ohio. He went on to attend the Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I., and served in Saigon near the start of the Vietnam War, earning the rank of lieutenant, junior grade, before he was honorably discharged. In addition to Lyle, Clark is survived by a sister and a niece. His funeral was held March 5 at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Rittenhouse Square. Donations may be made in his memory to Calcutta House, 1601 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19130. n

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COUNTDOWN TO 50: The National Constitution Center was packed Tuesday for the unveiling of a groundbreaking LGBT-history exhibit to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Annual Reminder Days, the nation’s first LGBT-rights demonstrations, held 1965-69 in Philadelphia. The NCC, in partnership with William Way LGBT Community Center, will host “Speaking OUT For Equality” this summer, an expansive exhibit that traces local LGBT history. A number of other local museums are staging LGBT history-related exhibits as well, and there will be a number of commemorations the weekend of July 4. At Tuesday’s press conference, William Way executive director Chris Bartlett (top, clockwise) overviewed the center’s participation in this summer’s activities. Mayor Michael Nutter signed a copy of local photographer Barbara Proud’s “First Comes Love,” which documented long-time same-sex couples, nine copies of which will be sent to the U.S. Supreme Court, which this summer is expected to issue a ruling that could legalize same-sex marriage nationwide. Center archivist Bob Skiba and Annual Reminder participant John James posed with a dress worn at one of the demonstrations by the late Barbara Gittings. For more information on 50th-anniversary activities, visit lgbt50. org. Photos: Scott A. Drake

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International Australia: Anti-gay marriage ad airs during Mardi Gras Opponents of same-sex marriage in Australia aired an ad during the country’s biggest gay Pride festival. The clip opposing same-sex marriage, which was paid for by the Australian Marriage Forum, aired March 7, while the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras was under way. In the ad, viewers are urged to “think of the child” regarding the impact of same-sex marriage, with a parent saying: “You hear a lot about marriage equality, but what about equality for kids?” Antigay Christian activist Dr. David van Gend adds in the clip: “Children have an equal right wherever possible to both a mum and dad. “So-called marriage equality forces a child to miss out on a father. That’s not equality for the kids who miss out, that’s not marriage.”

Media Trail USD to offer genderneutral housing The Brookings Register reports the University of South Dakota plans to offer gender-neutral housing this fall, making it the first college in the state to offer accommodation for transgender students. Director of University Housing Todd Tucker said the idea is to be more inclusive toward a variety of students, particularly those in the LGBT community. “Knowing they have this option to be more free in who they are,” Tucker said about the idea behind the plan. Gender-neutral student housing is offered at 159 public and private universities, including three in Minnesota, two in Iowa and one in Nebraska, according to the nonprofit group Campus Pride. Students are already applying for this option at USD, which will have gender-neutral housing on the fourth floor of the Richardson Hall dormitory. Several apartment-style residence halls will also allow it.

The timing of the ad has led to an angry backlash from gay-rights groups, who accused AMF of trying to ruin the Pride celebration. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, broadcaster SBS has pulled the ad, telling the group: “Our review board has instructed that SBS has the right to choose what ads we run, and I’ve unfortunately been instructed to advise you that we choose not to run this TVC for the Marriage Forum during the Mardi Gras telecast.” Rodney Croome of Australian Marriage Equality said the ad was “actually harming the many Australian children being raised by same-sex couples because it defends discrimination against their families.” Australia currently bans same-sex marriage, despite a public majority in favor. Liberal Prime Minister Tony Abbott remains a strong opponent of same-sex marriage, though he has faced pressure to allow a free vote on the issue.

World Rugby signs pledge to eradicate homophobia World Rugby has signed a historic pledge to eradicate homophobia in the sport, alongside International Gay Rugby. The two organizations signed the pledge that outlines a commitment between them to work together to stamp out homophobia in rugby. Tucker said the housing options will make things easier for transgender students, who don’t identify with their sex at birth, or for those who don’t identify with a gender at all. It allows a transgender female to be able to live with other females, or a transgender male to live with other males, he said. While on-campus statistics don’t necessarily reflect a bustling LGBT community, many students may just not be comfortable with discussing such personal matters. Tucker said he hopes more options like this could change that. Sophomore Rachael Vinzant said she thinks it’s a good idea because it will make the campus more welcoming. “I think it’s good for those students for that community, because it could just make them feel more accepted,’’ Vinzant said.

Groups ask judge to order gay-marriage licenses in Alabama According to ABC News, a group of civil-rights organizations filed a motion March 6 asking a federal judge to order Alabama probate judges to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, and to expand a suit challenging the state’s gay-marriage ban. The motion filed to U.S. District Judge Callie Granade in Mobile includes

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 13-19, 2015

As part of the agreement, they pledged to recognize and respect the right of any player, official and spectator to be involved with rugby without discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or identification, as well as the common goal of inclusion and the elimination of homophobia in rugby. World Rugby and IGR will consult on issues of importance to members of the LGBT community and the game of rugby through developing a positive and mutually beneficial relationship based on a sense of shared purpose, and working with regional associations and member unions to improve tolerance and acceptance of LGBT players at all levels within rugby union.

Morocco jails two for ‘deviant sexual act’ Campaigners have condemned the jailing of two men accused of consensual samesex activity in Morocco. Human Rights Watch and the Aswat Group for Sexual Minorities, a Moroccan group, called for their release March 5, saying their convictions infringe upon Morocco’s 2011 Constitution, which states citizens have a right to a private life. The two defendants were arrested Dec. 13 and subsequently convicted by the First Instance Court in the Mediterranean city of al Hoceima. The trial was held just five days after their arrest. Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the Southern Poverty Law Center. The motion asks Granade to order Alabama judges to issue marriage licenses regardless of a couple’s sexual orientation, and to give equal protection to marriages of same-sex couples. It also asks for three couples to be added as plaintiffs to a suit that was filed in November challenging the state’s ban. The motion says the couples sought marriage licenses in Baldwin, Mobile, Houston and Marshall counties, but were turned down. “Alabama couples deserve the security and protection that marriage provides,” National Center for Lesbian Rights legal director Shannon Minter said in a statement. “We hope that the court will act quickly to provide certainty to couples throughout the state and establish once and for all that Alabama’s same-sex couples have the freedom to marry.” Granade is the same judge who ruled in January that Alabama’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Forty-eight of the state’s 67 counties began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the ruling. But the Alabama Supreme Court on March 3 ordered probate judges to stop issuing licenses, saying the state retains authority over Alabama law, not a federal trial judge. The state Supreme Court’s response to Granade’s ruling drew sharp criticism from

According to HRW, the men were convicted based on “confessions” made in pretrial detention. It is claimed the defendants repudiated before the judge. The court called no witnesses to testify. An appeals court upheld the sentence Dec. 30. Sarah Leah Whitson, HRW’s Middle East and North Africa director, condemned the Moroccan authorities for prosecuting the men and said the testimony could not be relied upon. “The combination of a state that enforces sodomy laws, a justice system that denies a fair trial and the social stigma attached to homosexuality is a formula for damaging people’s lives,” she said. The al Hoceima Appeals Court upheld the conviction for committing a “deviant sexual act with a member of the same sex” and for “public indecency,” but reduced the sentences for both men from three years in prison and a fine to six months for one and one year for the other, who was also convicted of attempted bribery. The older defendant is an elected local official in his 50s and the other a student in his 20s. Same-sex sexual activity is a crime in Morocco, with a maximum possible sentence of three years. Ray Cole, a gay British man, was briefly jailed in the country last year under Morocco’s antigay laws. n — compiled by Larry Nichols

gay-rights advocates. Alabama is the only state to resist a federal trial or appeals judge where bans against same-sex marriage have been ruled unconstitutional. Alabama’s Supreme Court justices have said that state courts may interpret the U.S. Constitution independently or contrary to federal courts. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to settle the issue later this year.

Pro-LGBT bill passes Utah Senate Yahoo News reports Utah’s Republicancontrolled state Senate has given speedy approval to a landmark anti-discrimination bill that protects LGBT people from discrimination, while also protecting religious rights. Members of the Senate voted 23-5 March 6 to approve the Mormon Church-backed bill, which was unveiled two days previously. It then advanced to the Utah House, where it needed approval before lawmakers adjourn at midnight on March 12. Republican Gov. Gary Herbert says he’ll sign it if it reaches his desk. The bill bars discrimination against LGBT individuals when it comes to housing and employment, but it exempts religious groups and protects the rights of religious people to voice their beliefs. n — compiled by Larry Nichols

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11th Hour Theatre Company is ending its 10th-anniversary season by taking theatergoers on a comedic trip back to the glossy halcyon days of the 1980s with the world premiere of “Field Hockey Hot,” through March 22. Written by playwright and Philadelphia native Michael Ogborn, the gender-bending musical satire follows a high-school girls’ field hockey team, whose star goalie is injured two weeks before the championship — and their coach will stop at nothing to win the North American title. Ogborn said he was inspired to write the play because stories like it aren’t seen too often on the theatrical stage. “I wanted to write a musical about a wom-

en’s field hockey team because the material was so rich for mining,” he said. “And it hasn’t been done on stage before. It offered lots of opportunities for staging, especially the actual game itself. The characters are recognizable and the situation is familiar.” The play was an unfinished idea when Ogborn saw 11th Hour’s production of “Reefer Madness,” which inspired him to approach the company about producing the musical. He then worked with the company to workshop it and bring it to life. “I wrote the original plot in 1999

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New musical takes it back to the 1980s By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com

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and did nothing with it until I saw Jennie Eisenhower in ‘Reefer Madness’ a few seasons back,” he said. “I decided I had to write a show for both 11th Hour and Jennie, and had the score for the first act and the finale when I first approached them.” The company partnered with Joanna Settle at the University of the Arts for a workshop, where they developed plot lines and made some character changes. “We lost Jane Fonda. We kept Elton John,” Ogborn said. “Two of the students from last year’s workshop are in the show. It was a wonPhotos: Sarah K

derful and informative process that gave us the creative space and time to create the intricate machinery that becomes the musical.” If Elton John circa 1980s is showing up, it is bound to be good. But then again, the ’80s has been experiencing an onstage renaissance as of late with shows like “Rock of Ages,” as well as numerous stage adaptations of classic 1980s movies, like “Footloose” and “Flashdance.” We asked Ogborn why the decade of greed and big shoulder pads is such a fertile era for the imaginations of today’s playwrights. “It’s ancient history for some and only yesterday for many others,” he said. “The year 1986 was very good in pop culture. People still smoked in hospitals. Everything was done to excess. It was a hyper ‘We are the hands across America’ world, a drug and plastic money-fueled vortex PAGE 32

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FIELD HOCKEY from page 31

that spiraled into own planet. I think that’s an attractive place to begin this particular story.” We do miss a good drug vortex. And “Field Hockey Hot” does sound like it could be the kind of sexually charged comedy farce like “Porky’s” that a lot of us grew up on. But Ogborn said his influences for this piece were more nostalgic. “The subplots all involve new romance on all fronts,” he said. “The concept was inspired by early musical comedies like ‘Leave It to Jane,’ ‘Good News’ and ‘Grease.’ The title song is sung by the coach’s son and exploits the angst and sexual tension of a teenage rock-and-roll fantasy.” Ogborn added that some classic gender-bending and cross-dressing comedies of the 1980s were an influence as well. “Dustin Hoffman’s Dorothy Michaels in ‘Tootsie’ is the ’80s gold standard for me,” he said. “His perfect performance asked as many questions as it answered. It’s so well-constructed and timeless.”

So we had to ask if there are gay or lesbian characters in that throwback mix of cross-dressing, teen angst and pop music? “Oh, yes.” Cool! Break out the legwarmers and the hairspray. But while the play relies heavily on ’80s pop culture, there aren’t going to be any pop hits from that era in the musical, as Ogborn opted to use new songs. “The music and lyrics are all original,”

he said. “The vocal arrangements and orchestrations are inspired by the distinctively synthesized sounds that were being produced in the studio during that decade. The huge, dramatic/cinematic productions created from one keyboard and a drum pad comfortably allows the audience to know where and when the action takes place. There’s an inherently outrageous electricity in the music of the ’80s. It lends itself to musical theater because it’s high-drama. I also believe nostalgia plays a large part in what becomes fashionable on stage. Every generation has their music. It travels with us all through time, embedded in our bodies. It’s the music we used to dance to, and still do. ‘Field Hockey Hot’ opens the doorway into a world all its own. And we do give our guarantee that you will return safely.” Safety is guaranteed but deep social enlightenment isn’t. Ogborn said the show is meant to be fun and doesn’t have any deep message-laden agenda to it.

“If I could sum it up in one phrase: ‘Athletes wanna have fun,’” he said. Ogborn added that audience members don’t necessarily have to have lived through the 1980s to appreciate “Field Hockey Hot.” “It was an absurd decade in so many ways,” he said. “I tried to catch a little of that lightening in a bottle. Its soul is in the music and the musical is a roast and a toast to that era. [Audiences] will care about the people in the story and root for their success. Once you get the audience on your side there is a tremendous freedom to push the envelope in the name of entertainment. [People will like it] because it’s an absurd comedy. We all need to laugh more.” n 11th Hour Theatre Company presents “Field Hockey Hot” through March 22 at Mainstage of the Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom St. For more information or tickets, visit www.11thhourtheatrecompany.org or call 267-987-9865.

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Local and international change is in the wind Nationally renowned LGBTQ youthsports organization You Can Play has a new vice president of program development and community relations effective March 23. Anna Aagenes takes the reins to drive the organization forward into greater visibility and increased collaboration. Former executive director for Go! Athletes and former co-chair of Penn Athletes and Allies Tackling Homophobia, Aagenes said she is very excited to be transitioning to such a visible and vibrant

organization. When asked about what she is most looking forward to, Aagenes said, “I think I’m most excited about being able to focus on YCP’s inclusion initiatives for female athletes.” Partnerships with other groups like Go! Athletes and Outsports are significant to making progress with LGBTQ youth, according to Aagenes. She said this is the right time to make big strides in LGBTQ youth-sports programs countrywide and believes a full LGBTQ sports coalition like the one started by Nike two years ago would make an even-greater impact now ,while there is no doubt that Nike had a significant hand in broaching the subject

of sports homophobia and inclusion. She said one of the perks of her new position will be opportunities to work with Wade Davis. Davis was in Philadelphia in December for the Philadelphia FIGHT gala and to play some dodgeball with Philadelphia LGBTQ youth (PGN Nov. 13 and 27, 2014), which Aagenes was instrumental in setting up. About leaving her position as state Rep. Brian Sims’ deputy chief of staff, Aagenes said, “As a Philadelphian and member of the LGBTQ community, my work for Rep. Sims has been both meaningful and rewarding. I truly loved my time serving as the deputy chief of staff, and I could not be more grateful for my fantastic boss, Rep. Sims and for my ‘Team 182’ colleagues Mason Lane, Tim Keller and Sarah Rabot.” More information on You Can Play can be found at youcanplayproject.org. The winds of change are also blowing across the great divide of Gay Games and Outgames, and the winner should be the entire LGBTQ world. There have been two separate but not equal quadrennial events since 2004 when the Montreal Gay Games organizers disagreed so vehemently with the Federation of Gay Games that the FGG moved the games to Chicago and Montreal hosted its own Outgames. Now, the two event organizers, the FGG and the Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association announced jointly through a combined group called the Working Group, the creation of a framework for a quadrennial One World Event (1WE). This effort began with extensive surveying of the LGBT population that

began at the Gay Games in Cologne five years ago. A report known as the 1WE Cologne Report when completed will establish the groundwork for the ultimate reunification of the two groups by addressing the concerns from both by promoting sports, culture and human rights as integral parts of the whole. When completed, the yetto-be-determined name of that embodiment should be stronger and more comprehensive than the current two groups combined. The projected time frame makes 2022 the likeliest year for the first joint production. This should register for many Registration for Stonewall Kickball is open and continues through March 30. League play is again at Franklin D. Roosevelt Park in the Deep South (Philadelphia). The Sunday leagues begin April 26 and April 30 marks the first evening of Thursday play. Go to stonewallphilly.org for details and to register. You do not have to have a complete team formed. New-player registration for the City of Brotherly Love Softball League is also open. The annual skills day is March

14 at Palumbo’s Rec Center, 10th and Fitzwater streets. Men & co-ed (open division) teams meet at 10 a.m., women begin at noon. For information: cblsl.org/ events/42404-new-players-2015. Later that same day, follow scores of players on the fourth-annual pub crawl starting at 4 pm. Shirts are $20 and the crawl schedule has yet to be announced. In the meantime, get out and play! Short Stops • Stonewall kickball, volleyball and dodgeball gangs hold their spring charity Gayborhood pub crawl April 11. Proceeds benefit local LGBT agencies. Route and times are TBD. The theme for the party is Candyland. Sweet. • The next Out Philadelphia Athletic League fundraiser is 9 p.m. Apr. 18 at Tabu. The theme is “Heroes and Villains.” • Sports and recreation info can be found inside the back page of the PGN every fourth Friday of the month or at any time at epgn.com. Springtime is the best time to get out and play! Tell everyone about it. Email scott@ epgn.com.

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‘Moon Cave’ director talks changing Philly theater scene By A.D. Amorosi PGN Contributor

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If Philadelphia theater, gay or straight, had but one hero, it could be Kevin Glaccum. When the Greater Philadelphia Theatre Alliance shuttered suddenly in 2012, taking down with it the heralded Barrymore Awards for Philadelphia theater excellence, Glaccum helped put together the organizational Theatre Philadelphia, served as its board president (still does) and revived the Barrymores. When his still-young company, Azuka Theatre, found itself moving (confusingly) from space to space, he hooked up with the Art for Sacred Places nonprofit, grabbed a fellow small local company (Inis Nua) and in 2012 birthed the Off-Broad Street Consortium and its eponymous theater in the sub-basement of the First Baptist Church at 1636 Sansom St. This allowed his fledgling Azuka — 15 years old this year — to hold three shows every season, sell subscriptions, host a playwright-in-residence and other programs. Considering that he’s running Azuka, cobbling together those seasons and directing most of its plays (such as Doug Williams’ just-opened David Lynch-like “Moon Cave”), Glaccum is not a man with much of a home life. “No dog, single as a base hit,” he joked. “I work a lot — running Azuka, teaching, tending bar at Woody’s — and also see a lot of theater, so I guess I need to find someone that really likes theater.” His professional life just got busier considering that the Off-Broad Street Theater will cease to exist April 30, leaving Azuka again on the move. Fear not: Its third show of the season will be held at Theater Exile, at 13th and Reed streets, and a new massive space has already been secured (of which I am sworn to secrecy). The Sansom Street building was sold to another congregation, which, after lengthy negotiations, chose to terminate the theater’s lease . “It’s sad; it’s such a great little space that enabled us to have our offices, rehearsal and performance spaces all in one building,” Glaccum said. “But, since the upcoming space is in the heart of Center City, it too will help start a new chapter in Philly theater.” Pragmatically, Glaccum looks at his current chapter, “Moon Cave,” a sparsely conversational, Philly-based tale of sex, lies, identity and ghosts. Since Azuka has always found itself attracted to stories about people on the margins of society, “those who march to the beat of a different drummer,” Glaccum just went for the tag line: “Outcasts and Underdogs,” with Moon Cave standing right in Azuka’s sweet spot. “The main character is putting together some kind of a life after having survived a violent episode in his childhood,” says Glaccum. “He’s just met someone that he

wants to start a life with but, because of his isolation, he’s not able to do that. He’s kind of the definition of an outcast. I love telling stories about people like this guy, one whose life feels so different from ours when, on closer inspection, we find we have far more in common than we might have expected.” Scripted by Williams in his professional stage debut, the playwright — a member of both the Orbiter 3 and Foundry writing groups whose work has appeared in the SoLow Fest and FringeArts — chooses a spooked-out, often-repetitive conversational motif somewhere between Christopher Nolan’s “Memento” and David Lynch’s “Lost Highway.” Only “Moon Cave” bounces between Philly’s Republican Club and Temple University rather than the Hollywood hills or the desert. “Organizations like The Foundry and Orbiter 3 are real boons for Philly theater. The development of new local playwrights is something this city has been lacking for a long time, the missing link in Philadelphia’s theater community,” Glaccum said. “We are graced with a lot of wonderful actors and designers, but for many years there were only a handful of playwrights in town. Having The Foundry help foster these new voices and now Orbiter 3 creating and producing their own work, we’re moving into an incredibly exciting time for new plays in Philly.” As for Williams (an Azuka playwright-in-residence, along with Jackie Goldfinger, with whom Glaccum is producing her trilogy of plays that started with “the terrible girls” and “Skin & Bone”), after letting the Azuka boss read his earlier plays, as well as the first rough draft of “Moon Cave,” there seemed to be a spark amongst comrades. “We all have other lives, other chapters in our lives that have ended for whatever reason; that’s just human. I think one of the ways we let new people into our lives is by sharing our past and not doing that can not only be distancing, but in worst-case scenarios can end the new relationship,” Glaccum said. “I guess most of us pick and choose what we share — we’re not always ready or willing to share our horror stories — but the more we share, the deeper the connection can be.” The theater that Glaccum and Azuka love to make is where what’s happening on the stage, no matter how different it may be from the audience’s own experience, allows that same crowd to find corollaries in the work similar to their own experiences. “Our audiences may not have the lives or the past that the characters in ‘Moon Cave’ have, but they’ll relate to sharing of secrets and the development of intimacy.” n “Moon Cave” runs through March 22. For more information or tickets, visit www.azukatheatre.org.

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Lauren Rile Smith: Climbing to new heights of feminism As I sit down to write this week’s column, I note that it’s International Women’s Day. What better way to celebrate than to highlight Lauren Rile Smith, the founder of Tangle Movement Arts, an all-female collaborative ensemble? Tangle Movement Arts is a circus-arts company with an interdisciplinary focus, whose work integrates traditional circus like trapeze and acrobatics with dance, theater and live music to tell a multi-dimensional story. Though Tangle dazzles with its talented roster of women — flying high and showing feats of strength and agility — at heart, Tangle is about telling stories. Partcircus, part-theater, part-cabaret, the group’s new show, “Tell It Slant,” can be seen March 12-14 at Christ Church Neighborhood House (20 N. American St.). Says Smith: “Tangle is about women who literally support themselves and one another, lifting their own bodyweight and that of their friends, as well as creating stories that convey a physical intimacy that ranges from passionate to platonic.” A true Philadelphian, Smith was born and raised in Chestnut Hill and attended Swarthmore College: “Just a hop, skip and a jump away.” PGN: Describe growing up in Chestnut Hill. LRS: Very leafy green. My father is a lover of trees and he planted a lot of trees all over the neighborhood. PGN: Did I read that both of your parents are artists? LRS: Yes, my whole family is full of artists, going back several generations. My grandparents managed an agency for classical musicians, so classical music is in our blood. I have three younger sisters and we all played classical music as children. and one of my sisters is still in the biz. She’s studying the viola at Julliard for her master’s degree. She actually collaborated with Tangle and played the violin for one of our shows. Another sister is a glass blower who does beautiful flame-work sculpture — she graduated from Tyler School of Art — and my youngest sister is an actress and a playwright and she’s a Tangle company member. Before she went to school, she performed with us but then she just had to go to college and get an education. PGN: The nerve of some people! LRS: I know! She’s in New York following her dreams. Whatever! [Laughs] No, she’s amazing. They all are. People joke that it’s in the water, because we’ve all pursued the arts. I actually tried to go the non-arts route for a minute; I studied English literature and philosophy at Swarthmore and I went to grad school for social work. It’s a long story but my mother, who’s a novelist and editor, had a reaction that was the inverse of most mother/ daughter conversations. She kept saying, “Don’t you think the real path for you is as an artist?” And here I am!

PGN: I understand that you also do some writing. LRS: Yes, it’s true. My first career, like my mother, was that of a writer and it’s still important to everything I do. I also edited poetry for Cleaver Magazine. It’s an interesting contrast to now be in the completely physical world of acrobatics. For me it almost closes a circle — that the personal expression that can be articulated in writing also can be expressed in a physical manner. PGN: What was the first poem or poet to capture your interest? LRS: When I was young I was fascinated by Emily Dickenson. PGN: Ah, I did notice that title of your show tonight was from one of her poems. LRS: Yes: “Tell all the truth but tell it slant.” But it wasn’t my idea. In fact, when the idea of using that title came up my reaction was, “Oh no, we can’t do that!” It was one of the first poems I ever memorized and I still had an intense adolescent attachment to her. But I realized that was my own baggage and got on board. Everything Tangle does is collaboratively devised by our entire company. It’s part of our commitment to feminist principles. It came out of us wanting to explore personal stories using the surreal language of circus arts. And the title really came to encapsulate the mission of the show and was perfect. PGN: So what is the mission of the show? LRS: It’s about telling several stories from a female and queer perspective using the sideways language or “slant” of aerial acrobatics. It’s a cabaret-inspired structure with a mix of acts. It has everything from the intensely personal memoir of a woman trying to conceive, to a little light romance in which two women meet and fall in love 16 feet above the ground. One of my favorites is a real high-energy piece that combines all of the high-energy, flirtation and drama of a West Philly dance house party and condenses it to five minutes with six women on one rope! It’s going to be really fun. PGN: Tell me a little more about the company and its mission. LRS: Tangle Movement Arts is a feminist circus-arts company. So we make aerial-dance theater using the vocabulary and apparatuses of traditional circus arts like trapeze and aerial silks. It’s very interdisciplinary. We use tools from dance, theater and sometimes spoken word to take circus out of the traditional setting of the big top, which is oriented towards spectacle and moments of gasps, and take it to a more intimate setting, relating stories of ordinary lives with a strong emphasis on female strength and relationships between women. Relationships between women are frequently erased or turned into stereotypes.

In contrast, we wanted to make a circus-theater show that reflected our largely queer and female community, expressing the variety of ways women relate to one another: old friend, old ex, new buddy, new flame, source of tension, source of support. And we draw the occasional gasps too. PGN: How did you go from poetry on page to the poetry in motion? LRS: Well, I’ve always been someone who was very much inside my head. For me, I always felt that there was such a great intimacy in sharing your thoughts with someone — that one-dimensional experience of putting something on paper for someone to read and then having your words inside someone else’s head. Perhaps my quest for the cerebral was because I’ve had problems with chronic pain since I was a teenager, so to me my body was an unreliable conveyance, like a broken-down car. And very uncomfortable, the air conditioning wasn’t working and you had to stop often for fuel, not something you could trust. But when

I signed up on a whim and found myself fascinated and challenged in a brand-new way. Later I began training with LAVA, a feminist company based in Brooklyn which performs acrobatic dance. I had never done anything more physical than ride my bike around campus. I had no experience with dance or gymnastics, but I instantly knew that this was something I wanted to be part of. I was on fire with how feminist an art discipline it seemed to be. Men are graceful and women build muscle, and everybody partners in ways that are about physical intimacy and trust that aren’t necessarily sexual. I’ve been fascinated ever since with circus performance as a way to mix storytelling with movement, put strong women on stage and challenge expectations for both genre and gender. So in 2011, I gathered a group of like-minded artists and we did our first show at the Fringe Festival. We got a tremendous response and have since done two main shows a year, in the spring and fall with some pop-up shows in between. It’s funny, at first it was hard to get people to understand what we do but now aerial arts are really gaining in popularity. I’ll mention it to someone and they’ll say, “Oh, kind of like what P!nk does!” I’m very grateful for P!nk, she’s made things a lot easier to explain!

PGN: Where’s the most interesting place you’ve done a pop-up show? LRS: We did one at 30th Street Station, which was so much fun. We did it like a circus flash mob, where we had people going around as if they were regular people. One person dressed like a businesswoman on her lunch break, another as a nurse at the end of her shift, a bike courier, etc. My character was someone about to miss her train [laughs] — unfortunately I have a lot of experience with that, so I was able to bring some realism to the role. In the Photo: Suzi Nash I discovered circus arts, I found that my midst of it all, our circus performance broke out. It body could be a partner, a project, a crewas super-fun. I’ll give you an exclusive: ative constraint. Something I could deliberThis summer, we’re going to be doing one ately shape or use to make art, that I could take care of and that would take care of me. at Clark Park during one of the Farmer’s I went from not being able to do a single Market days. So when you least expect it push-up to doing pull ups for fun! … you may be there shopping for organic apples, and acrobatics will begin to hapPGN: How did you get involved? pen around you! I love the pop-up shows. LRS: During my junior year at Swarthmore Actually one of the guest artists for “Slant” Artist an alum, Quinn Bauriedel, came to is someone we met at one of the pop-ups, teach a two-week workshop on acrobatics. Caitlin Donaghy. PAGE 28

PGN

The

Since 1976

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 13-19, 2015

Juniper St.

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Q Puzzle Encouragement from Oscar Across

1. Supporters of pansies 7. Paul Rudnick’s “Addams Family ___” 13. Kahlo’s tongue 15. Margaret Mead interviewees 16. Public image 17. More like a day when “you can see forever” 18. Start of a message from the acceptance speech of 54-Across 20. Judy Garland concert persona 23. Adolescents 24. From C to D, to Debussy 28. Quid pro ___ 29. Online exaggerated stat? 31. Childcare

writer LeShan 32. Barneys, e.g. 34. Jodie Foster’s “___ Room” 36. End of the message 42. Bonehead 43. Sheik’s land, in song 44. Men on top, perhaps 46. “Stick that bull!” 47. More like Springfield? 49. Wicks of the WNBA 50. Defeating by a small margin 52. Sleep with Kahlo? 54. Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar winner for _The Imitation Game_ 58. Bicolor bite 60. “A League of ___ Own” 61. “A Beautiful Mind” mathematician

PORTRAIT from page 35

PGN: Oh neat, who are some of the guest artists? LRS: Well, as I mentioned Caitlin, who’s a fantastic hooping artist. She’s never done any aerial work before so this will be a first for her. Nina Giacobbe, who is contributing an aerial silks piece and Megan Gendell and Lauren Feldman, who are internationally known trapeze artists who will be debuting a high-energy piece exploring the joyous abandon of new love. In addition, fiber artist and multimedia sculptor Julia Wilson has created large fiber-art sculptures that will transform the theater of Christ Church Neighborhood House. PGN: Tangle is described as a queer collective. How do you define that? LRS: “Queer” for us is a very large umbrella. The queer ethos of Tangle is taking relationships between women very seriously. Sometimes that comes across in our work very explicitly; we have a lot of queer romances on stage and sometimes more sub-texturally. We don’t have an identity check box for members but it is an ethos that suffuses all of the work that we do. PGN: We’ve spoken a lot about your work in the air, but your ground-based job is fascinating too. LRS: Oh yes, I work at the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at the University of Pennsylvania. It’s the best day job ever. I work with all sorts of special collections at U of P, mostly printed. From things that look like the rare book most people imagine, like Shakespeare’s “First Folio,” to three-dimensional collections. One of my favorites is a fan that folds out and has the lines of a poem written on each of the slats.

64. Broadway composer Jerome 65. “Dirty Dancing” director Ardolino 66. Sondheim’s “___ the Woods” 67. Give some lip 68. Splits 69. Locker room shower?

Down

1. 30-day mo. 2. “Cats” inspirer’s monogram 3. Concern at gfn. com 4. Gay rodeo accessory 5. Seaman’s unit of speed 6. Liberace piece, perhaps 7. Porter’s burden 8. US citizen 9. Male deliveries? 10. Egypt and Syr., once 11. Carbon compound suffix

12. Outdated atlas abbr. 14. Put one on top of the other 15. Pumbaa’s problem, in “The Lion King” 19. Become wife and wife, e.g. 20. C.O.’s hangouts 21. Surpassed other market bears 22. Roaring Twenties’ characters 25. Family of Williams? 26. Cut 27. D.C. lobby group 29. “Take your hands off me!” 30. PBS relative 33. Sarah Schulman novel “___ Bohemia” 35. Old nuclear power org. 37. Member of the Bilitis group 38. Apr. 15 letters

39. What Richard Simmons helps you to burn 40. G-man employer 41. They don’t look good 42. Initial sound, in “The Sound of Music” 45. It’ll float your boat 47. Sexual orientation determiner, some say 48. Carnaval locale 51. Jeremy of “M. Butterfly” 53. Bert’s longtime companion 55. Sighed aside, to the Bard 56. Lo follower 57. Salsa rating 58. Says, “Let’s do it!” 59. “Breakfast on Pluto” actor Stephen 62. Gas additive 63. Tootsie

PGN: Do you have to wear white gloves? LRS: [Laughs] Actually, that’s a very common misconception. When it comes to working with paper, our bare hands are much more sensitive and less apt to do any damage. We just wash our hands obsessively! PGN: What’s a favorite book you’ve handled? LRS: I love our comics collection, which has its fair share of super heroes, but I really get a kick out of some of the more unusual examples, such as “Krazy Kat,” which was an incredibly surreal strip from the ’20s. PGN: That’s the one who was always throwing bricks right? LRS: Yes, that’s the one! I was obsessed with that for a while. PGN: First book as a kid? LRS: We had these primers that we read that emphasized the letters of the alphabet one vowel at a time. I don’t remember the name of the books but the sentence “Max the cat nabs a ham” is one I’ll never forget. PGN: Last book you read? LRS: “Notes from No Man’s Land,” a collection of essays by Eula Biss. Really beautiful prose and thoughtful insight. PGN: What was one of the most profound “a-ha!” moments you’ve had recently? LRS: Oh my gosh, I got my driver’s license in 2013, about 10 years later than most people. Like a lot of city kids, I never really needed to drive but with my life as a circus producer, I travel with a lot of equipment and taking the bus toting trapeze apparatus is tough. And it gets old having to ask friends for favors. Being able to drive myself was a powerful change for me. It was a bridge that had taken a lot of time to cross.

PGN: If you could rid the world of one thing, what would it be? LRS: Hmmm, I think poverty would be the first answer to come to mind. I don’t know. What’s your answer? PGN: I’d say greed. It leads to people not wanting to share wealth or resources or power, which goes hand in hand with your answer. It’s what is causing us to be in this crazy predicament where half of the global wealth held by 1 percent of the population. How much money does one need? LRS:Very true. PGN: What was your coming-out experience? LRS: I had a coming out that was intensely mediated through literature, as I didn’t find a community of queers until quite a while down the pike. PGN: No queer community at Swarthmore? LRS: Oh, sure, but I came out when I was 14 and I had a lot of those “Dykes to Watch Out For” feelings. I’ve always had a fascination with queer history and literature. PGN: So combining your bookish side and your queer side, what three books would you recommend to a baby dyke just coming out? LRS: “The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For,” an anthology of Alison Bechdel’s touchstone comic strip “Stone Butch Blues,” a definitive novel by Leslie Feinberg.” And “I Am Your Sister,” the collected writings of Audre Lorde. PGN: How about a favorite LGBT movie? LRS: Well, I just watched “But I’m a Cheerleader” again the other day and we have a reference to it in our show that queer movie buffs will get.

PGN: So are you partnered? LRS: Yes, my wife actually does all the behind-the-scenes aspects at Tangle so she’s a fantastic collaborator in many ways. PGN: How long have you been together? LRS: Since May 2008. You’ll have to do the math! PGN: Ha. I’m told I’m chronologically challenged. Does she do aerial work? LRS:She’s trained in trapeze and handstands but she’s not interested in performing. She makes everything happen though. She rigs for all of our performances and rehearsals. n Tangle Movement Arts performs “Tell it Slant” 8 p.m. March 12-14 and 3 p.m. March 14 at Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St. For more information or tickets visit www.tangle-arts. com. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.

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Theater & Arts Agatha Christie‘s And Then There Were None Walnut Street Theatre presents the thriller where a group of people trapped on an island get picked off one by one through April 26, 825 Walnut St.; 215574-3550. Allora & Calzadilla: Intervals Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of new and recent projects by Puerto Rico-based artists Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla through April 5, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. And the Word Is … The Gershman Y hosts an exhibition exploring religious text in contemporary art through May 14, 401 S. Broad St.; 215-5454400.

Beethoven’s ‘Pastoral’ The Philadelphia Orchestra performs through March 14 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215790-5847. A Clockwork Orange The classic dystopian sci-fi film is screened 8 p.m. March 16 at the Trocadero, 1003 Arch St.; 215-9226888. Drawn with Spirit: Pennsylvania German Fraktur from the Joan and Victor Johnson Collection Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of decorated Germanic documents featuring brilliant colors through April 26, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. duplicate.until response. Hooloon Art Gallery presents an exhibition of

duplicates of artwork created and inspired by the act of community balloon releases through March 15, 53 N. Second St.; 215-560-8167. Field Hockey Hot 11th Hour Theatre Company present a gender-bending musical about a girls’ high school field hockey team through March 22 at Mainstage at The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St.; 11thhourtheatrecompany.org. Ghost the Musical Media Theatre presents the supernatural love story through March 29, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-8910100. Ink and Gold: Art of the Kano Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition highlighting the artistry of the esteemed Kano painters through May 10, 26th Street and the

rts

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Parkway; 215-7638100. Jessica Lang Dance Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the classic ballet company with contemporary influences March 19-21 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900 FROM RAGS TO … : The classic musical “Annie,” the story of a spunky orphan who wins the heart of a millionaire, comes to town March 17-22 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-790-5800.

Moon Cave Azuka Theatre presents the Philadelphia world-premiere drama by Philadelphia playwright Douglas Williams through March 22, 1636 Sansom St.; 215563-1100.

now married to another man and has a young son, through March 18 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215985-0420.

Mothers and Sons Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Tony Award-nominated play by Terrence McNally about a woman who pays an unexpected visit to the New York apartment of her late son’s partner, who is

The Natural, the Material and the Physical: Landscape Through the Photographic Eye The Gershman Y hosts an exhibition of landscape images by various regional photographers through March 29, 401 S.

AC ul t ure

Broad St.; 215545-4400. The Planets The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite March 20-22 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Represent: 200 Years of AfricanAmerican Art Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition highlighting its collection of African-American

art through April 5, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Swan Lake The Pennsylvania Ballet performs the classic story through March 15 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800. Under the Skin Arden Theatre Company presents the drama about a daughter struggling with the decision of whether to donate

her kidney to her estranged father through March 15, 40 N. Second St.; 215-922-1122. Vitra-Design, Architecture, Communication: A European Project with American Roots Philadelphia Museum of Art presents some of the most innovative designs from the family-owned Swiss company through April 26, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100.

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PRIMA BALLERINAS: Doylestown native and 2014 Bessie Award winner Jessica Lang creates classical ballet with contemporary dance flare with her eponymously named dance company, which makes its Philadelphia debut March 19-21 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St. For more information or tickets, call 215898-3900 or visit www.annenbergcenter.org.

Music ZZ Top The rock band performs 9 p.m. March 14 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000. Neil Diamond The singer performs 8 p.m. March 15 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215389-9543.

Nightlife Happy Bear The bear-themed happy hour, 5-9 p.m. March 13 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675. Proud Marys: a Diva Sing-a-Long Philadelphia’s

Gay Men’s Chorus performs songs by iconic divas like Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Cher, Gloria Gaynor and more, March 13-14 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; www. pgmc.org. CBLSL St. Patty’s Pub Crawl The softball league, with sponsor Miller Lite, presents the annual Gayborhood bar crawl, kicking off at 4 p.m. March 14. A $20 event shirt gets you drink discounts at each location; publicity@cblsl.org. Shamrocks & Jocks The Gryphons stage their third-annual St. Patrick’s Day-themed fundraiser 8 p.m.-11 p.m. March 14 at

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

Boxers PHL, 1330 Walnut St.; 215735-2977. Comedian Deconstruction Comedian and improve artists perform 7:30 p.m. March 19 at L’Etage, 624 S. Bainbridge St.; 215-592-0626. Rasputin’s Room Lil’Steph host the city’s poshest burlesque show 9 p.m. at Ruba Club Studios, 416 Green St.; 215627-9831.

Outta Town Sarah McLachlan The singer performs 8 p.m. March 13 at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Friday the 13th Part 6: Jason Lives The horror/ slasher film is screened 9:45 p.m. March 13 at

Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223. Kathy Griffin The comedian performs 8 p.m. March 14 at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

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Pentatonix The vocal group performs 9 p.m. March 14 at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. George Thorogood & The Destroyers The rock ’n’ roll band performs 8 p.m. March 20 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-5727650. Lewis Black The comedian performs 9 p.m. March 20-21 at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. n

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

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Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia, February Term, 2015, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on February 25th, 2015, the petition of LINDSEY CAROLYN POPOLA was filed, praying for a decree to change her name to GAILEN NICO POPOLA . The Court has fixed March 18th at 11:30 a.m., in Room No. 691, in Philadelphia City Hall for hearing. All persons interested may appear and show cause if they have, why the prayer of the said petitioner should not be granted. ________________________________________39-11 Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia, March Term, 2015, NOTICE HEREBY GIVEN than on March 9th 2015, the petition of JOSHUA RYAN TERRIZZI was filed, praying for a decree to change his name to STEFANIE AURORA ENCK. The Court has fixed March 18th at 11:30 a.m, in Room No. 691, in Philadelphia City Hall for hearing. All persons interested may appear and show cause if they have, why the prayer of the said petitioner should not be granted. ________________________________________39-11

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Philadelphia Gay News Gay is our middle name.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 13-19, 2015

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Religion/Spirituality Arch Street United Methodist Church Services 8:30 and 11 a.m. at 55 N. Broad St.; youth/adult Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.; 5:30 p.m. prayer service; 215-568-6250. Bethlehem-Judah Ministries Open and affirming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 5091 N. Dupont Hwy., Suite D, Dover, Del.; 302-750-4045.

N.J.; 856-779-7739, mapleshadeucc.org. Metropolitan Community Church of Christ the Liberator Holds services 10:45 a.m. Sundays at the Pride Center of New Jersey; 732823-2193, mccctl.com. Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia Services 1 p.m. Sundays at the University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, 3637 Chestnut St.; 215-294-2020, www.mccphiladelphia.com.

BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Church Services 10:15 a.m. at 2040 Street Road, Warrington; 215-343-0406.

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

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

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

Central Baptist Church Welcoming and affirming church holds services at 10:45 a.m. Sundays, summer services 9:30 a.m, at 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; 610-688-0664.

Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral Progressive and affirming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays with Holy Eucharist at 3723 Chestnut St.; 215-386-0234, www. philadelphiacathedral.org.

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

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

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

Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting worships 11 a.m., summer services 10 a.m, Sundays at 1515 Cherry St.; 215-241-7000, cpmm@afsc.org.

Church of the Holy Trinity Inclusive church holds services 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sundays at 1904 Walnut St.; 215-567-1267.

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

Congregation Rodeph Shalom Shabbat services every Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 10:45 a.m. at 615 N. Broad St. ; 215-627-6747.

Silverside Church Services 10 a.m. Sundays followed by a group discussion at 2800 Silverside Road, Wilmington, Del.; 302-478-5921, silversidechurch.org.

Dignity Jersey Shore An organization for sexual-minority Catholics meets the first Saturday of the month in Asbury Park; 732-502-0305.

St. Asaph’s Church Inclusive and progressive Episcopal church holds services 8 and 10 a.m. Sundays, summer services 9:15 a.m., at 27 Conshohocken State Road, Bala Cynwyd; 610-664-0966, www.saintasaphs.org.

Dignity Metro NJ An organization for sexual-minority Catholics meets 4 p.m. the first and third Sundays of the month at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 550 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood; 973-509-0118.

St. John’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) Reconciling in Christ congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 24 N. Ridge Ave., Ambler; 215-646-2451, www.stjohnsambler.org.

Dignity Philadelphia Holds Mass 7 p.m. Sundays at 330 S. 13th St.; 215-546-2093, dignityphila@ aol.com.

St. Luke and The Epiphany Church Open and welcoming church holds fall liturgy 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays, summer sevices 10 a.m., at 330 S. 13th St.; 215-732-1918, stlukeandtheepiphany.org.

Drexel Hill Baptist Church Nonjudgmental Christian congregation affiliated with American Baptist Churches of the USA holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 4400 State Road, Drexel Hill; 610-259-2356, www.dhbaptist.com.

St. Mary of Grace Parish Inclusive church in the Catholic tradition celebrates Mass 6 p.m. Sundays in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media; 610-566-1393, www.inclusivecatholics.org.

Emanuel Lutheran Church Reconciling in Christ congregation meets at 10:30 a.m. Sundays, summer services 9:30 a.m., New and Kirkpatrick streets, New Brunswick, N.J.; 732545-2673; www.emmanuelnb.org.

St. Mary’s Church Diverse and inclusive Episcopal church celebrates the Eucharist 11 a.m. Sundays at 3916 Locust Walk; 215-386-3916; www.stmarysatpenn.org.

Evangelicals Concerned Lesbian and gay Christian counseling; 215-860-7445. First Baptist Church Welcoming and affirming church holds prayer services 10:30 a.m. Sundays and community worship 11:30 a.m. at 123 S. 17th St.; 215-563-3853. First Baptist Church of Moorestown Welcoming and affirming congregation holds Bible study and discussion at 9 a.m. Sundays and worship services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 19 W. Main St., Moorestown, N.J.; 856-235-1180; www.fbcmoorestown.org; info@ fbcmoorestown.org. First Presbyterian Church of Lansdowne Welcoming church holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 140 N. Lansdowne Ave.; 610-622-0800; www.lansdownepresbyterian-church.com. First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia A liberal, welcoming and diverse congregation that affirms the dignity of all. Sunday services at 10 a.m., 2125 Chestnut St.; 215-563-3980, www. firstuu-philly.org. The First United Methodist Church of Germantown A sexual-minority-affirming congregation holds services at 10 a.m., summer services 11 a.m., Sundays, with lunch to follow, at 6001 Germantown Ave.; 215-438-3077, www.fumcog.org. Grace Epiphany Church A welcoming and diverse Episcopal congregation in Mt. Airy with services 9:30 a.m. Sundays at 224 E. Gowen Ave.; 215-248-2950, www.grace-epi.org. Holy Communion Lutheran Church ELCA Reconciling in Christ congregation worships 9 a.m. Sundays at 2111 Sansom St. and 11 a.m. at 2110 Chestnut St. in the main sanctuary; 215-567-3668, www.lc-hc.org. Imago Dei Metropolitan Community Church Sexual-minority congregation worships at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 1223 Middletown Road (Route 352), Glen Mills; 610-358-1716, www. ImagoDeiMCC.org.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 13-19, 2015

Community Bulletin Board Community centers

■ The Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331; atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 48:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available MondayFriday. See the Youth section for more events.

■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St., 215-898-5044; center@dolphin. upenn.edu. Regular hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

■ ActionAIDS: 215-981-0088 ■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: 215-587-9377 ■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: 856-933-9500 ext. 221 ■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 n The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 215-496-0330

Tabernacle United Church Open and affirming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 3700 Chestnut St.; 215-386-4100, tabunited.org. Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church Sunday worship with nursery care, 10:30 a.m. and fourth Thursday of the month contemporary worship with Communion at 7 p.m. at 2212 Spruce St.; 215-732-2515, trinityphiladelphia.org. Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County Welcoming congregation holds services 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. Sundays, summer services 10:30 a.m., at 145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media. Interweave, a group for LGBT parishioners and allies, meets 12:30 p.m. the third Sunday of the month and holds a potluck brunch 12:30 p.m. the first Sunday of the month; 610-566-4853. www.uucdc.org. Unitarian Society of Germantown Welcoming congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 6511 Lincoln Drive; 215-844-1157, www.usguu.org. Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill Services 10:15 a.m. Interweave, a group of LGBT Unitarians and their allies, meets at 401 N. Kings Highway, Cherry Hill, N.J.; 856-667-3618, uucch.org. Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration Welcoming congregation holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 6900 Stenton Ave.; 215-247-2561, www.uurestoration.us. Unitarian Universalist Congregation, South Jersey Shore Services 10 a.m. Sundays in Galloway Township; 609-965-9400, www. uucsjs.org.

Living Water United Church of Christ An open and affirming congregation that meets for worship 11 a.m. on Sundays at 6250 Loretto Ave.; 267-388-6081, www.lwucc.org.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Pottstown Services 10:30 a.m. at 1565 S. Keim St.; 610-327-2662, www.uupottstown. org.

Kol Tzedek Reconstructionist synagogue committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community meets at Calvary Center, 801 S. 48th St.; 215-764-6364, www. kol-tzedek.org.

United Christian Church Open, affirming and welcoming congregation holds services 10:15 a.m. Sundays, summer services 9:15 a.m., at 8525 New Falls Road, Levittown; 215-946-6800.

Mainline Unitarian Church Holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 816 S. Valley Forge Road, Devon; 610688-8332, www.mluc.org.

Unity Fellowship Church of Philadelphia Diverse, affirming LGBT congregation holds services 2 p.m. Sundays at 55 N. Broad St.; 215-240-6106.

Maple Shade Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ Affirming congregation open to all sexual orientations and gender identities holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 45 N. Forklanding Road, Maple Shade,

University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation Welcoming congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 3637 Chestnut St. preceded by “Adult Forum: Sundays” at 9:30 a.m.; 215-387-2885, www. uniphila.org.

■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065 rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. ■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220; www.waygay.org. Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday Library hours: noon-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

Key numbers ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378 ■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK ■ Mayor’s Director of LGBT Affairs: Nellie Fitzpatrick, 215-6862194; helen.fitzpatrick@phila.gov; Fax: 215-686-2555

■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: 1-877-pride-2000 ■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel: 215-6863318 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-760-3686 (Rick Lombardo); ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288

■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBT-LAW; Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658

■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537

■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833

■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

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

St. Paul Episcopal Church Welcoming and inclusive church holds services 9:30 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Tuesdays at 89 Pinewood Drive, Levittown; 215-688-1796, www. stpaullevittown.org. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Welcoming and diverse congregation with numerous outreach and fellowship groups holds services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday at Third and Pine streets; 215-925-5968; www.stpetersphila.org.

Health

Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 216 W. Somerset St.; 215763-8870. ActionAIDS Provides a range of programs for people affected by HIV/ AIDS, including case management, prevention, testing and education services at 1216 Arch St.; 215-981-0088; www.actionaids.org. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 1711 S. Broad St.; 215-629-2300; www.asiac.org. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; 215-851-1822 or 866-222-3871; www.galaei. org. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays (walk-in) and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays (by appoint-

■ 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, selfemployed and business owners meets monthly in a different location throughout the city, invites speakers on various topics, partners with other nonprofits and maintains a website where everyone is invited to sign up for email notices for activities and

ment) at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215-685-1821. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing available 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652; www.mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronicdisease management, including comprehensive HIV care, 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-noon Friday; 1-5 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

Professional groups events; www.gppn.org; 215-9223377.

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

■ 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; 215-840-2039.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Mar. 13-19, 2015

PGN

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