PGN March 22-28, 2013 by The Philadelphia Gay News

This Sister’s swingin’ out PAGE 23

Family Portrait: Brian Rodin

The LGBT Police Liaison Committee meets with city’s top cop

PAGE 25

PAGE 5

March 22-28, 2013

��

Vol. 37 No. 12

Philly, nation await Supreme Court hearings By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com

While the U.S. Supreme Court gears up to hear arguments in the challenges to Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act next week, LGBTs and allies throughout the nation are planning to mobilize to call for the repeal of both laws. The court will hear oral arguments in Hollingsworth v. Perry March 26 and U.S. v. Windsor the following day, the first time that the nation’s top court will take on marriage equality. United For Marriage Coalition is organizing dozens of vigils across the country to mark the momentous occasion. As of presstime, 164 events were

planned. Communications co-chair Sean Carlson said the coalition came together to provide a platform for individuals who wanted to take part in the fight for marriage equality. “In the next couple weeks, we want to demonstrate both locally and in Washington D.C. that the nation is ready for marriage equality,” he said. “We really think this is our moment to let that shine and take the stage.” Brian Silva, executive director of Marriage Equality USA, said the effort stretches to all corners of the country and the evens will be diverse in size. “The goal is to not just show that D.C. is ready, but in communities large and small, rural and urban, that

people believe the time for marriage equality is now,” he said. In 2008, voters in California approved Prop. 8, overturning the state’s marriage-equality law. Two same-sex couples subsequently sued, achieving victories in district and appellate courts. In this case, the Supreme Court could weigh in that gays and lesbians have an inherent right to marry, or could narrow its decision to California. The Windsor case originated after New York widow Edie Windsor, 83, was forced to pay more than $360,000 in estate tax after her same-sex partner’s death because of DOMA, which prohibits the federal government from recognizing samePAGE 16

Vigils and rallies United for Marriage: Light the Way to Justice and an array of local groups are organizing vigils and rallies nationwide in advance of the March 26-27 U.S. Supreme Court hearings on Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act. Wear red and bring pro-LGBT signs to all events. Philadelphia: 5-7 p.m. March 25 at the James A. Byrne Courthouse, 601 Market St.; www.facebook. com/events/464606143605672/. Allentown: 6:30-7:30 p.m. March 23 at the Edward N. Cahn U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building, 504 W. Hamilton St.; www.facebook. com/events/342960929158375. Harrisburg: 4:30-8 p.m. March 26 at Third and Walnut streets; www.facebook.com/ events/506992656006116/. Lancaster: 6-7 p.m. March 26 at Binns Park, 100 N. Queen St.; www.facebook.com/ events/548834081804361.

Council backs sick leave, not veto-proof

NJ Senate panel approves ban on conversion therapy By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com A committee of the New Jersey Senate approved legislation this week that puts the Garden State one step closer to banning socalled “ex-gay” therapy for LGBT and questioning youth. The Senate Health, Human Services and Seniors Citizens Committee voted 7-1, with two abstentions, March 18 to back a measure that would prohibit New Jersey service providers from administering conversion therapy, designed to change a person’s sexual orientation, to people under 18. The measure, led by Sens. Raymond Lesniak and Loretta Weinberg, will now go to the full Senate for a vote. Republican Sen. Samuel Thompson was the lone opponent. Republicans Dawn Marie Addiego and Robert Singer abstained, while Republican Diane Allen backed the measure, along with all the Democrats. Out Assemblyman Tim Eustace is sponsoring companion legisPAGE 14

By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com

SUGARY START TO SPRING: Team Philadelphia kicked off the spring sports season with Get Sacked!, a mixer held March 14 at SugarHouse Casino. About 150 people turned out, representing the sea of sports teams that are members of Team Philadelphia. Guests were treated to performances by drag performers such as Mrs. P. (from left), Brittany Lynn and Crystal Electra and could get free workout tips and makeover advice. Photo: Scott A. Drake

For the second time, Philadelphia City Council has approved the LGBT-inclusive sick-leave bill. The legislation, introduced in January by Councilman-at-Large Bill Greenlee, passed 11-6 on March 14. Council approved the bill in a 9-8 vote last session but Mayor Michael Nutter vetoed it. Twelve votes are needed to override a veto. The legislation would mandate that companies with 12 or more employees give staffers one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, up to 56 earned hours a year. Employees at companies with five-11 staffers could earn up to 32 hours of paid sick leave, and companies with fewer than five employees would be exempt. The bill would allow employees to take time off to care for a same-sex partner. Advocates say it could PAGE 17

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

LOCAL PGN

Plea agreements offered in detention-center assault By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Two federal inmates have been offered plea agreements for their alleged assault of openly gay inmate Kenneth J. Houck Jr. at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia. But details of the plea agreements offered to Justin O’Brien and Kevin Hannig remained unavailable at presstime. O’Brien and Hannig allegedly entered Houck’s detention-center cell on Nov. 10, 2011, pulled Houck from his bunk and stomped on him, breaking his leg. The defendants allegedly hurled anti-LGBT epithets at Houck during the incident, but they weren’t charged with a hate crime. Instead, they were charged with causing serious bodily harm to another individual and aiding and abetting, and face an additional 10 years in federal lockup. Patty Hartman, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, declined to comment about the proposed plea agreements. “Department of Justice policy prohibits discussion of matters not in the public record,” Hartman said

in an email. He expressed concern that matter after his new attorney O’Brien indicated a willingness becomes familiar with the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neuman to accept the government’s offer. Hannig’s former attorney, W. Leverett 3d hasn’t conferred suffiHe also has pleaded guilty to rob- Christopher Montoya, declined to ciently with Houck. bing three banks, and he’s prepared comment for this story. Leverett is prosecuting O’Brien to receive a “unified sentence” that David Cooper, an advocate for and Hannig for the alleged assault encompasses his guilty pleas for Houck, expressed concern to PGN of Houck. “In order to make any kind the bank robberies and unrelated about Houck’s lack of involvement assault of Houck. in the plea-agreement negotia- of informed decision about offerBut the court hadn’t agreed to tions. ing plea deals, you have to have consolidate the two the facts,” Cooper concases at presstime. tinued. “If you haven’t Hannig has declined to even spoken to the person who’s the victim of accept a plea agreement the crime, then you don’t proposed by the government for his alleged have all the facts.” assault of Houck, accordCooper also said ing to court records. Houck should be called At a March 18 court as a witness in Hannig’s proceeding, Hannig upcoming trial, which indicated to U.S. District hasn’t yet been scheduled. Judge William H. Yohn “How can the Jr. that he wants a jury government vigorously trial in the Houck mat— Houck advocate David Cooper prosecute this case if ter. Hannig also indicated Kenneth Houck isn’t “To my knowledge, no one has treated as a critical component of that he wanted a new attorney for reasons that weren’t elaborated consulted with Kenneth prior to the the prosecution?” Cooper posed. Leverett declined to comment upon during the public portion of government offering plea bargains the proceeding. for this story. to the defendants,” Cooper said. Yohn said he would appoint a O’Brien’s sentencing for the Houck should be permitted to new attorney for Hannig shortly. give a victim-impact statement bank robberies and assault on The judge also told Hannig that before O’Brien is sentenced for the Houck was scheduled for March he’ll get a jury trial in the Houck assault, Cooper added. 21 before U.S. District Judge Jan

“In order to make any kind of informed decision about offering plea deals, you have to have the facts. If you haven’t even spoken to the person who’s the victim of the crime, then you don’t have all the facts.”

E. Dubois, but the sentencing is expected to be postponed. Janis Smarro, an attorney for O’Brien, couldn’t be reached for comment. O’Brien and Hannig remain incarcerated at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia. At the time of Houck’s assault, O’Brien was in the detention center awaiting a jury trial for the three bank robberies he allegedly committed. Hannig was in the detention center for an offense stemming from an unrelated bank robbery. Houck was in the detention center awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to one count of transporting child pornography. In February 2012, U.S. District Judge Gregory M. Sleet sentenced Houck to 97 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Houck’s projected release date is March 3, 2018, if he doesn’t commit any infractions while in custody. Cooper said Houck continues to recover from his injuries at the Federal Detention Center in Butner, N.C. ■

locations in Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA — SOUTH OF C.C.

Bethel Community Home, 933-935 S. Third St. • Black N Brew, 1523 E. Passyunk Ave. • Carmen’s Country Kitchen, 11th & Wharton sts. • Class Act Auto Repair, 2042 S. Bancroft St. • Equal, 1516 Snyder Ave. • Essene, 719 S. Fourth St. • Expressive Hand, 622 S. Ninth St. • Fuel, 1917 E. Passyunk Ave. • Hideaway, Days Inn, 2015 Penrose Ave. • Jackson Place, 501 Jackson St. • Kris Restaurant, 1100 Federal St. • Rockerhead Salon, 607 S. Third St. • South Philly Bagels, 613 S. Third St. • Ultimo Coffee, 1900 S. 15th St. •

PHILADELPHIA — UNIVERSITY CITY

Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St. • Bucks County Coffee, 3430 Sansom St. • Bucks County Coffee, 40th & Locust sts. • Fresh Grocer, 4001 Walnut St. • Goodman Hall, 710 S. 42nd St. • International House, 3701 Chestnut St. • LGBT Center at Penn, 3907 Spruce St. • Old Quaker Condos lobby, 3514 Lancaster Ave. • Oslo Hall, 510 S. 42nd St. • Penn Bookstore, 3610 Walnut St. • Sheraton Hotel, 36th & Chestnut sts. • St. Mary’s Church, 3916 Locust Walk • University of the Sciences England Library, 4200 Woodland Ave. • University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St. • Wilson Hall, 708 S. 42nd St. • World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. •

PHILADELPHIA NEIGHBORHOODS — OTHER

Almost Paradise, 742 Frankford Ave. • Coffee Junction, 7210 Cresheim Road • Elfant Wissahickon Realty, 8962 Ridge Ave. • Fantasy Island Books, 7363 State Road • GWHS Beacon Center, 10175 Bustleton Ave. • Harry’s Natural Foods, 1805 Cottman Ave. • Infusion Salon, 7133 Germantown Ave. • Morris House, 5537 Woodland Ave. • One Day At A Time, 2532 N. Broad St. • Philadelphia University KANBAR Center, 4201 Henry Ave. • Prevention Point, 166 W. Lehigh Ave. • Today’s Videos, 9255 Roosevelt Blvd. • Touch of Class Books, 3342 Kensington Ave. • WCAU TV lobby, City Line Ave. & Monument Road • Weaver’s Way, 559 Carpenter Lane • Welker Real Estate, 2311 Fairmount Ave. • WPVI TV lobby, City Line Ave. & Monument Road •

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.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

��

PGN

THE RIGHT CHEMISTRY: Rep. Brian Sims (center) was the guest speaker for Gays, Lesbians, Allies at Dow March 14 at The Dow Chemical Company, near Sixth and Market streets. About 75 employees attended the event, including Philadelphia GLAD Network chair John Crawford, co-chair Patrick Cumberland and Global GLAD Network leader Gary Rudgers. Rudgers brought the Human Rights Campaign award the company received just two days previously in recognition of its ninth consecutive 100-percent rating for its efforts in pursuing LGBT corporate equality. Photo: Scott A. Drake NEWS

Crime Watch Local News Briefing Regional Work It Out

18 2 6 7 14

Contents

EDITORIAL/OP-ED

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

10 10 11 11 11

How would you describe the list of judges for next year’s Mummers Parade drag brigade? Poll results from our online survey as of March 20:

��

0% 13% 39% 13% 35%

��

Perfect! Fair and balanced The usual suspects What about drag show attendees? No comment

Go to www.epgn.com to weigh in on this week’s question:

Where would you go for spring break if you had one? 505 S. Fourth St. Philadelphia, PA 19147-1506

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

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

Advertising Director Dan Calhoun (ext. 218) dan@epgn.com

Publisher

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

Jen Colletta (ext. 206) jen@epgn.com

Advertising Manager Greg Dennis greg@epgn.com Advertising Sales Representatives Brooke Lutz brooke@epgn.com Prab Sandhu prab@epgn.com

Staff Writers Angela Thomas (ext. 215) angela@epgn.com

National Advertising Rivendell Media: 212-242-6863

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

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

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

Art Director/Photographer Scott A. Drake (ext. 210) scott@epgn.com Graphic Artist Sean Dorn (ext. 211) sean@epgn.com Executive Assistant/ Billing Manager Carol Giunta (ext. 202) carol@epgn.com Philadelphia Gay News is a member of: The Associated Press Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Suburban Newspapers of America Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 2012 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155

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

LOCAL PGN

Liaison group meets with commish, revamps organization By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com

running this month, adding he hopes to engage interest from the LGBT community. The first week of the recruitment campaign The Philadelphia Police LGBT Liaison garnered interest from 400 possible appliCommittee hosted its second meeting cants. Ryan said the department had its firstof the year March 14 at the William Way LGBT Community Center to discuss every- ever out transgender applicant last year and thing from its organizational structure to worked with Gloria Casarez, director of the recent crime statistics and LGBT hate- city’s Office of LGBT Affairs, to ensure the crimes legislation, with special guest Police individual felt comfortable throughout the application process. Commissioner Charles Ramsey on hand. Committee member and District Price said the committee meets with the commissioner a few times a year to update Attorney’s Office LGBT liaison Nellie him on the latest happenings within the Fitzpatrick said the committee is looking into moving up its LGBT sensitivity trainLGBT community. “We basically we want to see if there is ing to before the police cadets complete anything we could do for him or anything their training process, and hopes to create that we should bring to his attention, such a video presentation to be shown to current as sensitivity training and diversity train- officers at roll call. “We want to do something where it is a ing and topics like that, because he is the one that has a final say in all of that,” Price real, recognized and controlled training and make it so it is recognized said. not only in Philadelphia The committee but statewide,” Fitzpatrick reviewed organizational said. “We want to show changes it developed durhow police and the LGBT ing its February retreat, community can interact which includes the launch together. We are the ones of four subcommittees: that can show the rest of governance, communicathe state and country how tion and media relations, it can be done.” outreach and events and Ramsey said the comtraining and speakers mittee could work with bureau. The organization new department strategicalso reworked its mission communications director and further fleshed out its Denise James to create a goals. training video. The group also looked The need for LGBTat recent crime statistics in specific hate-crimes legisthe Sixth District and dislation was also addressed, cussed the need for residents to be more vigilant — Nellie Fitzpatrick, with Price citing a number of local incidents in whcih with locking their properties. DA’s LGBT liaison individuals believed they were victims of a hate Officer Joe Ferraro said there have been multiple burglaries within crime. Fitzpatrick said that although sexual the district and stressed the importance of orientation and gender identity are not locked doors. “If you live in an apartment building, included in the state’s hate-crimes law, such make sure it is secure at the front door, an incident needs to be taken seriously by because once they get inside of your build- both victims and law enforcement. “As of right now, there is no criminal stating, [the police] are hard-pressed to get ute that covers the LGBT community. So inside,” he said. Ferraro said police were sent out to see while it doesn’t mean it isn’t a hate crime how many buildings they could gain access or a bias crime that happened to them, the to in the area, with officers breaching 20 most important thing is that it was a crime that happened. If what occurred to the indidifferent buildings. “We would have had access to the entire vidual is a crime, we’re going to make an building,” he said. “If a front door is broken, arrest, we’re going to charge, prosecute and make sure that it gets fixed because that will go forward with the case, just like we would any other case.” help out.” The committee encouraged the commuAlthough there has been an influx of burglaries in the area, officers have been able nity to report all crimes, no matter the cirto lift prints from many scenes, Ferraro cumstance. Fitzpatrick noted that the number-one reaadded. Bike thefts have also been an issue, and officers have been able to catch career son people do not report crimes is because criminals by implementing a number of the incidents happened while the victims were intoxicated. bike set-ups. “It is not illegal to be drunk and victimOfficer Robert Ryan told the committee about the officer recruitment that started ized,” she said. ■

“We want to show how police and the LGBT community can interact together. We are the ones that can show the rest of the state and country how it can be done.”

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

LOST AND

FOUND A REVOLUTION IN HAIR RESTORATION

NO SCALPEL, NO SUTURES, NO SCARRING

��

As seen on CNN, NBC News, ABC News and Rachael Ray.

��

1.888.290.HAIR

BARE2HAIR.COM

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

LOCAL PGN

Mayor proposes new budget amid protests By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Mayor Michael Nutter’s unveiling of the 2014 fiscal-year operating budget got almost as much attention for its delivery than it did for its content. The March 14 budget address was interrupted by hundreds of labor workers, angry over a four-year contract stalemate, who shouted down the mayor until the council session had to be recessed. Nutter resumed his speech before staffers and press, detailing the major components of the $3.75-billion proposal. The proposal included a mixed bag for the city’s Department of Public Health, which includes the AIDS Activities Coordinating Office. The mayor proposed that the department’s general-fund support increase from $112.3 million in 2013 to $114 million. The change includes a $6.6-million increase in personal services — which includes salaries — but a $4.7-million decrease for contracts and other services, and a $46,000 decrease for purchase

of materials, supplies and equipment. The Health Department did not respond to a request for comment by presstime. The Office of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability would get approximately $13.8 million, a decrease of about $455,000 from the previous year, while the Office of Housing and Community Development would be level-funded at $2.52 million. The Human Relations Commission, which enforces the city’s LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance, would see a slight increase of $9,000 in the salaries category, bringing its total allocation to about $2.014 million. One of the most significant changes in the budget is the introduction of the Actual Value Initiative, the result of a citywide property-tax reevaluation. Nutter said AVI would allow the city to nearly triple the value of its taxable property, from $36 billion to $98 billion, and would generate about $1.2 billion for city schools. Instead of the current property-tax rate of

9.77 percent, however, residents would pay closer to 1.32 percent. The city will host two free Telephone Town Halls for residents to learn more about AVI, from 6:55-7:55 p.m. March 27 and 28. For more information or to register, visit www.phila. gov/OPA/AboutUs/Pages/News. aspx. The mayor also introduced his five-year plan, which includes five primary goals: making Philadelphia one of the safest cities in the nation, improving education and health, ensuring the city is a place of choice for visitors and new residents, making it the greenest city in the country and having a government that operates efficiently and effectively. Among the steps taken to achieve those goals, the plan proposes that the budget increase to $3.85 billion by fiscal year 2018. “We are moving forward, working in partnership, and we will continue to make progress on our goals for today and the future,” Nutter said in his address. ■

News Briefing SEPTA to hold hearings on transpasses Next month, SEPTA will host public hearings on its proposed 2014 budget, which includes a plan to eliminate gender markers from its transpasses. The local hearings are 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. April 17 at 1234 Market St. SEPTA announced last year it would eliminate the gender sticker before the 2014 rollout of its new fare system. Activists have long contended the gender stickers invited discrimination against transgender and gender nonconforming individuals. Visit www.septa.org/notice/asp/ hearings-asp.html for hearing information. — Jen Colletta

Siloam out of suit Attorneys for AIDS agency Siloam have notified Commonwealth Court that the agency won’t file briefs in the dispute over the demolition of an old

Catholic church, since Siloam is no longer the owner. In 2006, Siloam purchased the church, at 1133 Spring Garden St., and two adjacent buildings from the Archdiocese. But in 2010, the Philadelphia Historical Commission granted permission to demolish the church, noting it would be a hardship for Siloam to maintain the structure. The Callowhill Neighborhood Association filed suit to block the demolition, contending the church is an architectural icon. Siloam was named as a party in CNA’s lawsuit, even though it had already sold the buildings to MJ Central Investment, which also wants to demolish the church. That entity has yet to be named in CNA’s suit. “Siloam should be removed as a party to the appeal, and MJ Central Investment should be denied demolition approval on the grounds that a ruling does not run with the land and Siloam’s hardship ruling was issued in error to begin with,” said CNA member Andrew R. Palewski. A stay of the demolition is in place, pending a Commonwealth ruling. Carl S. Primavera, an attorney for MJ Central Investment, had no comment. Siloam continues to operate in a rectory adjacent to the church. ■ — Timothy Cwiek

REGIONAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

Arcadia to host safe-schools discussion By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com A local university will host its firstever conference on creating safe learning environments for LGBT students. Arcadia University will stage “Creating Safe and Welcoming Schools” March 22 at its Glenside campus. The conference will cater to educators, members of high school gay-straight alliances and families raising LGBT children. Conference chair and associate professor Dr. Graciela Slesaransky-Poe said plans for the conference started last year after she noticed the lack of directed discussion among stakeholders on ways to ensure safety in schools for LGBT students. “I realized that there was no place where educators, families and youth could get together to talk about these issues. I want us to learn with each other and from each other,” she said. Arcadia, which last year played host to Philadelphia Family Pride’s “Family Matters” conference, and its School of

Education are the main sponsors of the event, but Slesaransky-Poe noted it has received support from the Human Rights Campaign, Bryson Institute, The Attic Youth Center, Mazzoni Center and Abington Friends School. Those four supporters will take part in the conference panels, which will explore how to create safe spaces from the points of view of youth, LGBT faculty, parents and service providers. Slesaransky-Poe, who has been a professor of special education for years and has worked with families who raise children with disabilities, has a personal connection to the LGBT community. “I have a son who is gender nonconforming,” she said. “Before he started school, I wanted him to feel safe and make sure he wasn’t teased, so I started discussions with the school. Since then, I have built a collaborative relationship with the school.” Representatives from her son’s school will be present at the conference, as will youth from The Attic and LGBT faculty from Abington.

“These individuals, specifically the youth from Bryson, have incredibly touching stories to share,” she said. The conference is not only open to Arcadia students and staff but also to the public. Fees range from $30 for family members, allies and professionals and non-Arcadia students to $15 for high-school students and $50 for walk-ins. The conference is free to members of the Arcadia community. ACT 48 credits are also available. Slesaransky-Poe said she hopes the conference will become an annual event to fuel discussion on LGBT youth issues at Arcadia and in the wider community. “I really hope that this will start a process that continues over time where educators and families and youth learn from each other and with each other on how to create safe and welcoming schools where every student can be who they truly are.” For more information on the conference or to register, visit www. arcadia.edu/creating-safe-and-welcoming-schools-conference. ■

JURY’S IN: About 70 people turned out March 15 to the opening reception of the William Way LGBT Community Center’s eighth-annual Juried Art Exhibit. More than 80 works were submitted, with 19 artists ultimately showcased. Guest juror Amy Sadao, the Daniel W. Dietrich, II Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art, selected Thom Duffy, Gina Giles and Lance Pawling as winners, and the trio will be featured in a solo exhibition in fall 2014. The exhibit will run in the center’s art gallery in the lobby through April 5. Photo: Scott A. Drake

CONGREGATION BETH AHAVAH

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

JOIN US MONTHLY FOR SHABBAT SERVICES AT 8:00 PM

Coffee, cake & conversation at the oneg following services

Friday, March 29, 7:00 PM. Beth Ahavah Passover Seder/Shabbat Dinner Please join us for our Passover-Style full course dinner and discussion facilitated by Rabbi Sue-Levi Elwell at Congregation RS. Dinner is $25. Send check to Marcia Biggs, Congregation Rodeph Shalom, 615 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123 and RSVP 215.627.6747 x12 or mbiggs@rodephshalom.org Beth Ahavah and Rodeph Shalom are afﬁliated in spirit and share a sacred home. In July 2007 Beth Ahavah afﬁliated with Rodeph Shalom. Beth Ahavah retains its congregational status within the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and proudly offers its congregation dual membership at both synagogues.

Visit www.bethahavah.org for additional information, programming and directions 615 North Broad Street, Phila., PA 19123-2495 Phone: 215.923.2003 E-mail: BethAhavah@rodephshalom.org

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

Craig T. Wakefield, DDS is happy to welcome

ISAAC BAR, D.M.D. to the dental practice!

• Cosmetic dentistry • Veneers • Crowns • Whitening • Implants

High quality dental treatment and preventive care

Dr Bar is a participating provider with most insurances including United Concordia, Delta Dental, Aetna, Metlife, and Guardian.

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

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

DVLF to honor community members By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com

Space is limited - Register Today Call: 215-732-2220 e-mail sageworks@waygay.org Or visit William Way Community Center 1315 Spruce Street

SAGEWorks is a free work readiness program for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workers (40+) The 90 Minute SAGEWorks Introduction Orientation Oﬀers Training and Access to Online Job Search Tools Personalized Skills Assessments Online Training Opportunities Community Based Employment Resources

SAGEWorks also Oﬀers Free 8 week Computer Training Classes Mock Interviewing Resume Writing Assistance Workshops Include: - Job Seeking through Social Media – Tips on Networking - Improve Your Interviewing Skills

Seven years ago, the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund decided to recognize and honor hard-working individuals and organizations that bring recognition and pride to the local LGBT community. This year, the organization will introduce a new award to its lineup. DVLF will honor four individuals, one organization and one business at the 2013 HEROES Awards, held May 19 at the Hotel Monaco. Joining the longstanding awards will be the new Lifetime Legacy Award, which will be presented to longtime LGBT community leader John Cunningham. “There are so many people in our community who, year after year, really work hard to advance the mission of the LGBT community,” said DVLF executive director Samantha Giusti. “Some of these people are selfless every single year. We wanted to make sure we recognized our strongest leaders.” Giusti said Cunningham, who has worked with an array of local community groups, including DVLF, was a perfect candidate for the inaugural award. “He has been active with so many organizations in the community, quietly as a donor or volunteer, and we are lucky to have benefited from his selflessness,” Giusti said. Cunningham is a longtime resident of Philadelphia who is a former employee at the Free Library of Philadelphia, past cochair of the board of William Way LGBT Community Center’s predecessor and current member of the LGBT Elder Initiative. He co-founded and played an integral part in the development of the AIDS Library of Philadelphia and DVLF. While DVLF will honor Cunningham’s legacy, he said he has backed the organization because it is leaving its own legacy. “As I get older, the tendency is to look back over what already has occurred,” he said. “My involvement in DVLF is about our shared future and that’s why it’s what I consider the most important.” The other honorees include Individual HERO Franny Price, Straight Ally HERO former Congressman Patrick Murphy, Youth HERO Chantel Wilson, Nonprofit Organization HERO The Philadelphia Foundation and Business/Corporation HERO Rossi Wellness Center. Giusti said candidates are selected through a two-month nomination process. “When we do HEROES, we look for youth, adults, nonprofits, allies, individuals and organizations with bold ideas who are admired for their integrity and courageousness,” she said. Giusti said nomination forms are distributed widely to past HERO awardees, grant-

ees, community leaders and organizations, and a selection committee then weighs the nominees, looking for candidates who have accomplished something groundbreaking within the last year, although past achievements are considered. “They pick the people they feel best represent the community,” Giusti said. “While we consider a person or an organization’s entire history, we place an emphasis on their heroic past year.” Giusti said Price’s leadership on a community weight-loss program last year, coupled with her strong commitment to the LGBT community in the past 30 years, bolstered her nomination. “The committee was inspired by her Weigh It Forward program in 2012. She really showed the community to take their health into their own hands,” Giusti said. Price said she appreciates the recognition, but that the community has brought the “hero” out in her. “My community has become my family, and everything I have done, I have done for my family,” she said. Wilson, the Youth HERO, is a 16-yearold ally and member of The Attic Youth Center. The Attic executive director Carrie Jacobs said Wilson, a member for two years, participates in various leadership programs at the organization and helped develop its 2012 Safe Schools Toolkit. Wilson is also a panelist for the Bryson Institute and sits on the Mayor’s Youth Task Force on School Safety. “She really is committed and a very positive, creative and passionate young woman, who is a great ally,” Jacobs said. “We are happy that we have her at The Attic and out at the schools speaking for LGBTQ youth.” Murphy, the recipient of the Straight Ally HERO Award, is an Iraq War veteran who led the effort to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Murphy said he considers his DADT work one of his greatest accomplishments. “The thing closest to my heart was the fight for true equality in the repeal of DADT and how that set the table for marriage equality,” he said. Philadelphia Foundation president R. Andrew Swinney said The Philadelphia Foundation’s support of the LGBT community is integral to its mission. “The LGBT community is part of the overall community that we serve and we are here to improve the quality of life for everyone,” he said. “I am very grateful that we are being acknowledged and it shows that the work we’ve done with DVLF and with the LGBT community in general over the years is recognized.” To purchase tickets to HEROES, visit www.dvlf.org. ■

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

Not a dinghy in sight.

COLOR KEY W EST

Island House Award-winning clothing-optional resort for men. Luxurious rooms. Poolside café and bar. Gym, sauna, steamroom, Jacuzzis. Poolside massage pavilion. 800-890-6284 or 305-294-6284 islandhousekeywest.com

New Orleans House The only all male guesthouse on Duval Street. Part of the Bourbon Street Pub Complex. Stay where you play! 888-293-9893 or 305-293-9800 neworleanshousekw.com

BIG PINE KEY & THE LOWER KEYS

Key West has been an island of open-minded thinking for more than a century. So whether you come here for the clear waters and stunning sunsets, or the vibrant cultural scene, you’ll find a safe harbor for whatever floats your boat. ﬂa-keys.com/gaykeywest 1.888.350.8259

ISL MARA

THO

Alexander’s Gay and Lesbian Guesthouse Fabulous Breakfast and Daily Poolside Happy Hour included! Read our reviews on TripAdvisor! 800-654-9919 or 305-294-9919 alexanderskeywest.com

��

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Queen Elizabeth II

Editorial

Sick leave an LGBT cause Philadelphia City Council last week approved legislation to guarantee paid sick leave to most Philadelphia workers — but its future is anything but certain. Mayor Michael Nutter last session vetoed the same measure. This time around, the bill picked up two more votes, but backers are still one council vote short of overcoming a likely mayoral veto. Unless the mayor lets the legislation stand — or proponents can muster one more supporter in council — earned sick leave will again be stopped in its tracks. So why should LGBTs care? Like real-estate taxes, neighborhood crime or education, this is an issue that has the potential to impact all Philadelphians, LGBT or not. The Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces estimates that about 200,000 private-sector workers in Philadelphia do not get paid sick time. That means employees — who most often are already being paid low wages — have to choose between caring for themselves or their families when ill and reporting to work, interacting with fellow employees and the public in order to earn money to put food on their tables. Besides being a public-health issue, this is also one of basic fairness, a fight familiar to LGBTs. Opponents have argued that the legislation could cost companies that are already struggling in the challenging economy. Right now, however, the lack of paid sick leave is costing 200,000 individuals, who are struggling in the same economy. While the issue itself does not center on LGBT rights, the legislation is LGBTinclusive. It mandates that workers who earn paid sick-leave hours can take the time to care for a same-sex partner or for children for whom they stand “in loco parentis,” meaning to whom they have no legal or biological ties. While many companies may offer sick time to their employees, the policies often do not extend to same-sex partners or their children. Backers of the legislation recognized the need for LGBT inclusion in the measure, and this is an opportune time for coalition-building among the LGBT community and other supportive networks. The coalition has garnered support from more than 100 local organizations — which run the gamut from labor unions to domestic-violence agencies to HIV/AIDS organizations to youth and senior groups. As the LGBT movement grows and support builds for our issues among non-LGBT populations, it is imperative that the community joins hands with those willing to stand for us now and in the future. If you personally do not get paid sick leave at work, this obviously affects you. If a member of your family or a friend does not get paid sick leave at work, this affects you. If your child — or your neighbor’s child — attends daycare where the caregivers do not get paid sick leave, this affects you. If you care about your fellow Philadelphians receiving fair and equal treatment, this affects you. ■

Queen Elizabeth II has no direct impact on my life. I’m not one of her “subjects,” nor do I follow the obsessive tabloid coverage of what the royal family does in their day-to-day lives. (Granted, I can’t help but hear “news” that someone named Kate is having a baby and someone else let his royal dinger get photographed in a hotel room with a bunch of chicks. Important stuff.) I’m an American, damn it, and we got rid of all that royalty stuff a long time ago because it was weird to be ruled by kings and queens and we decided we’d rather be ruled by money, the way God intended. And then there was that whole kerfuffle a few years ago about Michelle Obama “breaking protocol” and daring to touch the queen as if they were equal humans or something. Give me a break. The queen should feel privileged to even be in the same room with the FLOTUS. Also, for the record, photos clearly show Queen Elizabeth II with her hand on Michelle Obama’s ass. Google it. But when I heard that Queen Elizabeth II was about to sign some important thing that included LGBT folks, I thought, “Hey, that’s good news. Looks like she’s earned the title of Queen at long last.” That document was a new Commonwealth Charter, which was dubbed a “21st Century Commonwealth Magna Carta” by the Daily Mail. The charter, according to National Public Radio, declares the core values for the 54 member states, most of which were once under British rule. So, in addition to the United Kingdom, it includes places like Australia, Rwanda, South Africa, the Bahamas and Canada. And, as it turns out, some of these places do not like gays very much at all. So what does this amazing new Charter have to say under the heading “Human Rights?” It says this: “We are implacably opposed to all forms of discrimination, whether rooted in gender, race, colour, creed, political belief or other grounds.” Did you notice the big, brave stand for gay equality in there? What? You missed

it? Well, read it again. Still don’t see it? Let me help you out. You see, Queen Elizabeth II is famous for her notoriously bad spelling. And in the Charter she spelled “sexual orientation” as “o-t-h-e-r g-r-o-u-n-d-s.” It’s a common mistake. Now, I know that Queen Elizabeth II did not actually write this Charter, but she did sign it publicly with a bunch of fanfare, and she’s now being hailed as this great progressive leader even though gay people aren’t even mentioned in the Charter! Gays are referred to as “other,” this category that dare not speak its name. And why is antidiscrimination protection not spelled out in this document? Because a lot of the 54 members of the Commonwealth Club stonecold hate gay people. According to the Daily Mail, “The ‘other grounds’ is intended to refer to sexuality — but specific reference to ‘gays and lesbians’ was omitted in deference to Commonwealth countries with draconian antigay laws.” In other words, the queen didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes. The Daily Mail also reports that the queen is “aware of the implications of the Charter’s implicit support of gay rights and commitment to gender equality.” And now we’re all supposed to hail her as a supporter of civil rights because for the first time during her 61-year stint as queen, she used a special secret code to imply that gays are maybe human too? Give me a break. ■

You see, Queen Elizabeth II is famous for her notoriously bad spelling. And in the Charter she spelled “sexual orientation” as “o-t-h-e-r g-r-ou-n-d-s.” It’s a common mistake.

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

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

Shapp’s granddaughter If you’ve read this column long enough, to create an official panel to look into you know that the author, yours truly, ways to better serve its LGBT citizens. It doesn’t shock easily. But, when I do, it’s was called the Governor’s Commission usually an eye-opener. Now before I go on Sexual Minorities. And it became the any further, I guess I should say I have model for the world. ulterior motives for this column. Over the In 1975, Gov. Shapp issued the first years, there have been way too state executive order to end many interview requests, but antigay discrimination in state let me tell you about one very government, again something special request that I just had never done before. The followto respect. It’s not unusual for ing year, he issued the state’s me to get calls or emails from first official gay Pride resolustudents who are doing reports tion. And, when he went on a or papers on LGBT issues and Don Quixote mission of runwho want a quote or interview. ning for president that year, he Most times, it’s a pleasure had the first official presidential to talk with them and those gay campaign outreach, Gays interactions have just become for Shapp. While he only won one precinct in the Florida pricommonplace over the years. mary, Coconut Grove (then the Here’s the exception. gay ghetto in Miami), his camThe phone rings and the earpiece is at my ear when I hear paign did lead another candidate a young girl’s voice say, “My Mark Segal to look into gay rights — some father suggested that I call you peanut farmer from Plains, regarding a report on gay rights I’m doing Ga. His name was Jimmy Carter, and he for my school term paper.” My questions appointed the first presidential liaison to are the usual — what school? What questhe gay community. tion? What part of LGBT history are you Shapp was also my political mentor. We interested in? And that’s where it changed. became close friends. My memories of She said, “I’m not calling you about your him are many, and some outrageous. Once, activism, I’m calling you since I underwhen the head of the State Police tried stand that my grandfather was involved to buck the nondiscrimination executive with the gay-rights movement and my order, Shapp called and ordered me to set father told me you worked with him.” She up a press conference and apply to become then said, “My father’s name is Richard a state trooper ... true. The colonel gave Shapp.” And hearing that brought chills. in. After a long day of fighting, I asked Her grandfather was Pennsylvania Gov. Shapp why he was taking this on, and he Milton Shapp. Richard was his son, and told me, “Mark, I’m in the closet as well.” now his granddaughter, Rachel, was askWhen I looked at him strangely he laughed ing what he did. She had no idea, and and followed up with, “My real name is unfortunately most Americans don’t. And Shapiro, I had to change it to Shapp. So I believe me, he’s one of the most important understand discrimination.” figures in the early gay-rights movement. I told you I had a motive in writing this. He was a pioneer. Here it is: Each time I do one of these At a time when no one higher in govern- interviews, I always ask the student to ment than a mayor would meet with gay send me their finished paper. They rarely activists, Gov. Shapp in 1973 became the do. Likewise, I haven’t seen this one. So, first governor in the nation to do so. That Rachel, if this gets to you and you still meeting led to the launch of the first offihave that paper, I’d love to read it. Milt, cial governmental body to look into the you’d be proud of your granddaughter. She problems faced by the gay community — has your need to search for the truth and and the governor ordered all state departfind justice. ■ ments to participate in that effort. This was a first not for just Pennsylvania, not for the Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the nation’s most-award-winning commentanation, but the first such official governmental body of its type in world history. tor in LGBT media. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com. Never before had a government offered

Mark My Words

We want to know! If you are celebrating an anniversary, engagement, wedding, adoption or other life event, we would be happy to help you announce it to the community. Send your contact information and a brief description of the event to editor@epgn.com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

Street Talk What’s your favorite springtime activity? “Playing my drums outdoors. I’m part of a band, and I prefer playing outdoors. It’s an entirely different Jason Johnson vibe. The stage worker people are North Philadelphia more relaxed. There’s more opportunity for spontaneous dancing. People can grab something to eat. Open-air festivals are definitely a preference of mine.”

“Running. I like the feeling it gives me, the runner’s high. I’ll run around Washington Square at night. Spring Thomas Krauss barrista nights in Graduate Hospital the city are area really pretty. I tend to be less active in the winter. I just chill out at home. So running also helps me get back into shape.”

“Walking my dog in the park. I have a French bulldog, and he loves to play fetch. But in the winter he has to wear Lynn Manning a coat. He graduate student doesn’t have Society Hill as much ease of movement. He has more fun playing fetch in the spring, without the coat.”

“Hanging out in Rittenhouse Square. I love that place. It gives the city some class. I’ll just hang out and socialize Charles Wilson student with people, North Philadelphia maybe take some pictures. On quiet days, I’ll just lay in the grass and cloud-watch.”

Letters and Feedback I am writing in response to your Millennial Poz column. While I think that the concept of this column is brilliant, it hit a new low last month with the article titled “Annie Get Your Dung” (Feb. 814). The millennial generation was born during the height of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and, as such, they have a unique perspective of this disease, which I thought was the purpose of this column. Instead, columnist Aaron Stella is writing about foreign rectal bodies and how he “would kill to have a Buzz Lightyear toy up [his] ass!” Is this seriously the type of article we can expect from an award-winning columnist? Philadelphia Gay News has long been a beacon of hope in our community, covering issues that mainstream media typically ignores. Have we nothing better to print about relevant HIV-related issues other than foreign rectal bodies and how he gets off by putting Disney toys up his anus?

Stella has written great pieces about Truvada and safe sex, about the discomfort felt when revealing his status and about the HIV fetish, among other things. This is the type of quality writing that I have come to expect from the PGN, not two stories about what Stella puts up his rectum. What Stella does in his personal life is his business, not ours. While columns are, by their nature, meant to be based on personal experiences, they should also remain relevant to their stated purpose. I enjoy reading your newspaper and think that Stella’s coverage of relevant issues is good. However, I would encourage your editorial team to set some boundaries as you determine what is and what is not relevant and/or newsworthy. In my opinion, this story was neither. — Kevin A. Barry Philadelphia

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

FAMILY PGN

Children of same-sex parents speak out for equality Children and adults with same-sex parmake assumptions about the quality of the ents have been in the headlines lately for children’s family lives.” But “these children are uniquely qualified to speak about making their voices heard about marriage how their families look, feel and function equality all the way to the U.S. Supreme and how the availability — or unavailabilCourt. We parents should be proud — but ity — of marriage as an option for their should also keep some things in mind parents colors their daily lives.” before our children make public statements about our famiAmong other things, marlies. riage inequality may impact Cameron, a sixth-grader in their views on getting married North Carolina, wrote to each themselves, as shown in a new of the Supreme Court justices study by Dr. Abbie Goldberg of about life with her two moms. Clark University. Most of the She said, in part: “Please look teens and young adults in her at our photos and think of study expressed an intention to get married, although some us when you make decisions also said they felt guilt because based on gay rights. We are a their parents couldn’t do so. A family. I am very proud of my parents, and I hope you underfew said they would not marry because their parents could not. stand how your decision will affect my family. If you have Dana Rudolph The study used a small sample and wasn’t representative any concerns about the welfare across gender, geography or race. But, it is of kids of gay parents, I can tell you that I enough to indicate that marriage inequalam doing great. I am so loved.” ity affects those with same-sex parents Justice Sonia Sotomayor responded, in into their adult years, and in varying ways. a letter that was posted by the Campaign That’s one reason we need the world for Southern Equality on its blog March to hear from our children. They can best 5. Sotomayor declined (appropriately) to comment on issues that could come before explain the many ways inequality has affected their lives and perceptions. the court, but encouraged Cameron “to As parents, however, we have to be continue to think about the many important issues that impact our society” and to careful when we ask our children to speak keep “dreaming big” and “working hard.” out about our families. We need to make In Illinois, 10-year-old Braiden sure we’re not pushing them into something with which they feel uncomfortNeubecker, who has two dads, wrote able. Some may not like public speaking. recently in the Windy City Times why Others may fear negative reactions from life with her two adoptive dads is better than the life she had under foster care, and friends. We need to give them the space to come out and speak out about their famiconcluded, “Would there be any purpose lies in their own ways and at their own to ban the marriage of two men or two time. This means open conversations with women when they can treat children the them prior to any public testimony or letsame or even better than other couples?” ter, and careful thought before using their In the U.K., an 8-year-old with lesbian real names if we share their words on our moms wrote to cabinet minister David Jones a few weeks ago about his statement Facebook pages or elsewhere. We must also be prepared if they talk publicly about that he voted against marriage equality some of the challenges as well as some of because same-sex couples could not provide a “warm and safe environment” for the positive aspects of their family lives. raising children. “I have been brought up Having said all that, I also know some perfectly well so I don’t see any point in children are genuinely outspoken and have you saying that,” she told him. a sense of social justice that is hard to confine. Braiden Neubecker originally wrote Adults with lesbian and gay parents have also spoken out, most notably profes- her letter as a school essay, for example. It sional basketball player Kenneth Faried of is up to each of us and our children to figthe Denver Nuggets, who has been helping ure out what’s right for them. Overall, though, I do hope those with efforts to enact civil unions in Colorado, same-sex parents (and with LGBT parents and Eagle Scout and entrepreneur Zach across the spectrum) keep speaking out Wahls, who burst to fame after a YouTube and sharing their perspectives on marriage video of his speech at an Iowa House and all of the other issues that affect their hearing on marriage equality went viral twice. lives. In many ways, their voices are even Statements from adults and children more important than ours, for it is their with same-sex parents form the heart of well-being that is our ultimate goal — and an amicus brief filed Feb. 28 with the only they can truly speak to that. ■ U.S. Supreme Court, which explains that Dana Rudolph is the founder and pubthe voices of those with same-sex parents lisher of Mombian (www.mombian.com), are “too often unheard” in the marriage an award-winning blog and resource debate, even though “those who oppose directory for LGBT parents. marriage for same-sex couples frequently

Mombian

HEALTH PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

Finding wellness in and out of the classroom Support for LGBTQ youth that 35 percent of LGBTQ stuand their allies remains a condents report an increased sense of safety and belonging in schools troversial issue in the state of with GSAs, as compared to 12 Pennsylvania. Last month, highpercent of students attending school students in Chambersburg schools without GSAs. And 26 who attempted to form a gaystraight alliance were percent of students in defeated when the schools with GSAs school board voted reported improved interpersonal relation5-4 against them. ships with friends and Despite the fact that family. Even though these students have the political climate the approval of their student council and is changing in terms the support of faculty of positive outcomes sponsors, their GSA for LGBTQ students will not be recogand allies, there is still nized unless or until more work to be done. the Chambersburg As some of us know Area School District from experience, the reverses its deciimpact of bullying sion. (The American far beyond Louie Ortiz extends the classroom and the Civil Liberties Union and Jaymie schoolyard. According of Pennsylvania and the It Gets Better Equality Pennsylvania Campbell to campaign and Stop have said that the Bullying Now!, the board’s decision was a violation of the Equal Access Act, stigma and hostilities youth expeand may file a lawsuit against the rience from anti-LGBT bullying school board.) In the meantime, makes them prone to healththese students are left in limbo. risk behaviors, such as skipping school, smoking, alcohol and Recent findings from the drug use and sexual risk. Out lesNational Assembly on Schoolbian and gay youth are at a higher Based Health Care have shown

On Being Well

risk of bias-related violence, including physical assaults. The hostilities they regularly confront often lead to dangerous behaviors and injurious outcomes, such as dropping out of school, abusing alcohol and illicit drugs, engaging in criminal activity and running away from home. And for every lesbian, gay and bisexual youth who is bullied, four straight students who are perceived to be gay or lesbian are bullied. So the overall effect of bullying goes well beyond LGBTQ youth. Since 1998, Mazzoni Center’s Ally Safe Schools Program has worked with students, teachers, parents and administrators in the Philadelphia Public School District to help create safer, more welcoming and more inclusive climates for LGBTQ youth, who are by far the most frequently targeted by bullying. The Ally program works to establish and coordinate GSAs in middle and high schools throughout the city, and to provide in-school trainings for students, teachers and staff. Given the district’s recent decision to close 23 schools, it is imperative we ensure all youth have access to resources that

enhance their education and their personal development. We know that students who are forced to change schools may face difficulties during the transition, and that the most vulnerable youth are most likely to be impacted by violence and bullying. Now more than ever it is important to affirm being an Ally means not simply creating a safe space for LGBTQ students but leading others to accept diversity in all forms, through nonviolent interactions. One way Mazzoni Center works to provide such a space is through its annual LEAD conference, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 6 at Science Leadership Academy, 55 N. 22nd St. LEAD is aimed at any high-school student currently involved or interested in becoming involved in a GSA. Family members, teachers and school faculty are also invited to attend. This free event will include interactive workshops for youth and adults and spoken-word performances, as well as raffles and giveaways (gift cards and Beats By Dre!). The workshops presented at LEAD are not only designed for students, they are facilitated by

the youth themselves, who we call LEADers. This provides a great opportunity for young people and their allies to network, build relationships and develop strategies to create safer schools and stronger GSAs. LEAD will be seasoned with youth artists, drag performers, poets and dancers, and any youth looking to get involved can email jcampbell@mazzonicenter.org or lortiz@mazzonicenter.org. As mentors and educators know, art is one of the most powerful tools in any movement. As we seek to build and create LEADers, we know that turning to the talent in our community is not only crucial, but required. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and there will be snacks throughout the day, as well as SEPTA tokens for transportation. We look forward to a powerful day filled with passion, fun and transformation! ■ Call 215-563-0652 ext. 251 to register for the LEAD conference. Louie Oritz is Mazzoni Center’s education manager, and Jaymie Campbell is the Ally program associate.

The Independence Business Alliance and PNC Bank invite you to the

2013 Business Leaders Luncheon “Leveraging Opportunities”

Date: Monday, May 20, 2013 Networking Reception: 11 AM Luncheon Program: 12 Noon

Presentation of the 2013 PNC Bank LGBT Business Award

A $5,000 cash award to a local business to support its plan for growth.

Information and application for the award available at: www.independencebusinessalliance.com/award2013 Application deadline: March 29, 2013!

Place: Paris Ballroom, Sofitel Hotel 120 South 17th Street, Philadelphia

Featured Keynote Speaker: Suzanne Boda US Airways’ senior vice president, Airport Customer Service, International and Cargo

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

FITNESS PGN

The keys of wellness Wellness. A common word we all hear daily. And, truthfully, we all want it. Why not? Healthy body and mind? Longer life? Doing things at an advanced age that you did during your prom year? Oh, yeah! Sign us up for that! But realize that for an individual to achieve wellness, it takes effort, every day. It must stick with you. Kind of like your key ring. Wherever you go, your keys come along with you. Well, wellness has four “keys” that you must possess to live your life to its fullest.

than between a Caesar salad or turkey on wheat, but for one who is on a path to wellness, the latter choices are the ones you should be making. Whenever a person asks me to teach them some abdominal exercises, I ask them if they are dieting correctly. Understand that you can do 1,000 crunches a day, but if you keep on eating whole pizza pies during Eagles games, you will never get those washboard abs you crave. You must cut your caloric intake to a number that is ideal for your height, gender and activity level. Eat more The house key: Diet foods that have monounsatuThe primary key, the one rated fats, cut back on saturated that protects home, is the house fats and trans fats. Sugar is a key. And when it comes to your “burglar” that loves to steal your Rome Tatum body’s gains and leave behind body, this “home of wellness,” a clean diet is what keeps it the fat that you don’t want secure. I know many of you would rather around your waistline. High consumption choose between Geno’s and Pat’s rather of sugar can lead to hypertension and high

blood pressure. This information should be enough to motivate you to kick that last can of cola out of your “home” and invite good ol’ refreshing water to stay, board-free! The benefits of water are too many to list here, but one thing is for sure: Water will never count against your daily caloric intake.

R E P RO D U C T I V E M E D I C I N E A S S O C I AT E S of Philadelphia

lation in the Assembly. Gov. Chris Christie has not said whether he would sign the measure. California was the first and only state to ban conversion therapy for minors last year. Prior to the vote, a number of LGBT community members spoke before the panel, including 18-year-old Jacob Rudolph, who rose to Internet fame earlier this year for his coming-out speech before his entire senior class. Rudolph has since started a petition on Change.org calling for a ban on conversion therapy that has generated more than 110,000 signatures. “I am not broken,” he told the legislators. “I am not confused. I do not need to be ‘fixed.’” Rudolph was joined by Troy Stevenson, executive director of Garden State Equality, who told the committeemembers about his own experiences with conversion therapy. He testified that when he was 15 he shared his first kiss with a boy, an encounter that was spotted by members of his high school’s football team, who chased the

Work It Out

Trying to build a family? The doctors of RMA of Philadelphia are devoted to helping you achieve your dream of parenthood. Our doctors are highly experienced, board-certiﬁed fertility specialists with some of the highest success rates in the area. At RMA of Philadelphia, we are proud to serve the LGBT community.

The Fertility Specialists.

The car key: Exercise The first time you grasped the keys to your first car ... what a feeling that was, huh? Transportation that you owned and controlled, and it didn’t matter if your first car was a Chevelle or a ’Vette; you wanted to hit the city and show it off to your friends! The car key of wellness, which is exercise, boosts your self esteem while simultaneously building for you a body that you’ll love to showcase. It doesn’t matter if it’s yoga, power-lifting, kettlebell-swinging or even swimming, exercising is a key that changes your body for the better inside and out. You’ll build stronger muscles, rest better CONVERSION from page 1

and easier, your cardiovascular functions will run smoother and your endurance will heighten. Any and everyone should want to possess these health benefits. So “turn” this key. Start a fitness program. Join a gym. Hire a trainer if you aren’t familiar with how to properly exercise. At the minimum, as an adult you need to perform two-anda-half hours of moderately intense exercise and another 20 minutes of cardiovascular exercise per week. One of the most overlooked pluses of exercising is that it is quite addictive. And what better thing to be addicted to than the betterment of one’s health? Look for the next two “keys” in April’s edition of Work It Out. ■ Rome Tatum is one of the more than 30 registered personal trainers at 12th Street Gym. To learn about Rome, visit 12streetgym.com or Tatum United Fitness on Facebook. pair. When Stevenson got home, he called the boy to make sure he was safe, and they talked about the teen’s participation in “exgay” therapy. Later that day, the boy took his own life. “It took me another decade before I was brave enough to honor his memory and honor my true self-identity by coming out of the closet once and for all,” Stevenson said in a statement to supporters before the committee hearing. “I became a better person, an advocate and stronger than I knew I could be. I found a new home, here in New Jersey, and I am proud to lead an organization that works every day to fight for the equality, fairness and acceptance that I never felt as a young person.” The committee also heard from a number of proponents of conversion therapy, including people who purport to have conquered their LGBT identity and parents and therapists who said the legislation would be an intrusion on personal freedom. All major medical associations, including the American Psychological Association and American Psychiatric Association, have publicly opposed the practice of sexual orientation-change therapy. ■

RMAphiladelphia.com | 855-RMA-PHIL (855-762-7445) Philadelphia � King of Prussia � Willow Grove � Langhorne � Harrisburg

PGN Gay is our middle name.

Scott A. Drake Photography 267-736-6743

PGN

Engagement Noel Koenke and Deanna Stowe By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

and held it out to her. It was too perfect of a moment to pass up.” Koenke said the surprise was a success. “The photographer was taking our picture and she told me to sit in this one spot, and I was so oblivious and turned around and there was the ring in my face. It was such a big surprise. I was not expecting it at all.” Koenke was caught so off-guard, she said “yes” before Stowe even popped the question. “I was just frozen and she said yes, and I was like, ‘Well, I have to ask you first,’ and she said, ‘Well then, ask me already!’” Stowe said. “We were both just staring at

Noel Koenke and Deanna Stowe headed to Cancun, Mexico, expecting sun and sand earlier this month and, unexpectedly, came back engaged. Stowe proposed to Koenke March 9. The Philadelphia residents, both 29, have been together since November, when they met at Sisters through a mutual friend. “A friend of ours had been telling us both about each other and trying to get us introduced but we both said we weren’t interested,” Koenke said. “But we just ended up at Sisters on the same night, and he said, ‘Dee, meet Noel. Noel, meet Dee. Do I have to stand here and make sure you talk or can I walk away?’ And we told him to walk away and we ended up seeing each other the next day and every day since.” Stowe said there was an instant connection. “We hit it off right away and just hung out and talked all night,” she said. “She’s a very supportive person, very intelligent. We just DEANNA STOWE (RIGHT) PROPOSED TO NOEL clicked.” KOENKE MARCH 9 IN CANCUN Koenke works in higher education and is pursuing a master’s in the ring and at each other.” Now that they’re adjusting, wedding planhealth-care ethics, while Stowe, an Air Force veteran who did tours in Iraq and ning begins. The couple said they want to wait until Kuwait, is a certified lethal-weapons agent for the state and is studying for her master’s they finish school to tie the knot, which they in applied geoscience, hydrology and geol- may do in Washington, D.C. Stowe said she hopes the nuptials show ogy. The pair planned a Mexico getaway from people that she and Koenke, and the rest of the LGBT community, should be given the school and work for early March. During their vacation, they had been same rights as other couples. “Everybody else can get married, why perusing jewelry in a store near their hotel, Stowe said, and she had a ring designed for shouldn’t we be able to?” Stowe said. “I was born like this, this wasn’t a choice I made. Koenke. The ring was ready their last day on vaca- This is just who I am. If I love someone and tion and, that night, Stowe brought it with want to get married, I should be able to. It’s her to a candlelight dinner on the beach, no one’s concern but mine and the person although she hadn’t intended to propose I’m marrying.” Koenke said the past few months have until later in the year. “I was going to bring the ring home and convinced her that she and Stowe have a let her mother see it and a few good friends solid future ahead of them. “We have a great ability to communiand plan something probably not for six or eight months,” she said. “But we had a din- cate with each other and a commitment ner on the beach our last night, so I brought to stand by each other,” she said. “We’ve it with me just in case and put it down in gone through some things in the past couthe sand. I just had a feeling that maybe I ple months and it could’ve been easy to just should do it then. There was a photogra- walk away from someone when it gets difpher going around taking pictures at each ficult or when you’re stressed, but we’re table and when the photographer started to committed to each other. And that’s really take our picture I reached down in the sand pushed us forward.” ■

Philadelphia Gay News

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

NEWS PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

SUPREME COURT from page 1

��

sex marriage. Philadelphia will host its own vigil on the eve of the hearings, from 5-7 p.m. March 25 at the James A. Byrne United States District Court, 601 Market St. The local event is being planned by Delaware Valley Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Equality Pennsylvania, Marriage Equality for Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Family Pride, Philly Gay Lawyer, SafeGuards and Southern New Jersey Gay Pride. Delaware Valley Americans United for Separation of Church and State vice president Janice Rael said the vigil was conceived by a small group of local LGBT leaders that was led by Philly Family Pride vice chair Wendy Forbes. Rael said after the group’s first meeting, they learned of the national rallies, which originated with groups like GetEQUAL, Marriage Equality USA and Equality Beyond Gender. “We are trying to spread the word of the importance of marriage equality,” she said. “And locally, people in the community wanted to do more, politically speaking, in Philly.” The group has been putting fliers around Philadelphia and South Jersey to get the word out. Rael said she is expecting a large turnout, with more than 130 people RSVPed on the Facebook event page so far. “We want to get the word out and get a big, impressive crowd and see that there are people who support marriage equality,” she said. “It is our civil rights being affected here. We want to show that we care. Philadelphia is the birthplace of the nation and liberty and justice for all. It is part of being a Philadelphian.” Participants are encouraged to wear red and bring signs of support. The first 150 attendees will get glow sticks. Rael said she hopes the vigil will not only mobilize pro-LGBT supporters but also educate those who are not yet allies. “We hope people see diversity of support for marriage and federal equality. I would love it if we could change some minds and win some hearts over. We are here and we want marriage.” For more information, v i s i t w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / events/464606143605672/. ■

NEWS PGN SICK DAYS from page 1

also be important for people with HIV/AIDS or for transgender people undergoing surgeries. The Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces, which has mobilized in support of the bill, said the Institute for Women’s Policy Research estimates that the bill could save approximately $10.3 million annually in healthcare costs and could save Philadelphia employers more than a half-million dollars per year. San Francisco adopted such a measure in 2007, and Portland, Ore., followed suit this month. The local measure was backed by Councilmembers Greenlee, Darrell Clarke, Cindy Bass, Jannie Blackwell, W. Wilson Goode Jr., Bobby Henon, Kenyatta Johnson, Curtis Jones, Maria QuinonesSanchez, Blondell Reynolds Brown and Marian Tasco. Opponents included Councilmembers Mark Squilla, whose district encompasses the Gayborhood; Brian O’Neill, Bill Green, Dennis O’Brien, James Kenney and David Oh. Squilla did not respond to a call for comment by presstime. Nutter has until April 4 to veto the measure. Out attorney and bill supporter Sherrie Cohen urged the community to press the mayor. “By including LGBT families on the same basis as all other families, this bill helps move us toward full equality for LGBT families,” Cohen said. LGBT bookstore Giovanni’s Room has three paid employees, and owner Ed Hermance provides paid sick leave. “It would be awful to make people choose to get rent money or stay at home sick,” he said. “That really forces them to come to work and we’ve got all these sick people around. I feel like it is a way of respecting people’s needs. As an employer, it clearly helps with morale.” Greenlee said he does expect a challenge in garnering the 12 necessary votes to invalidate a potential mayoral veto but that he would work toward that aim. “The administration has been pretty adamant that they are opposed,” he said. “I don’t think they have looked at the full impact of this bill. I just wish they would look at the health aspects of the bill. We knew this would not be easy. There was pushback from various entities on this bill. We had our challenges from day one. We have been trying and certainly given in on a lot of issues and compromised on a lot of things for this bill.” ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

��

Gen3 Electricians are trained to always respect your home & be mindful of your time, ensuring your 100% satisfaction. Schedule your appointment today: Lighting Upgrades Extra Outlets Hang Chandeliers Ceiling & Bathroom Fans

215-478-6442

generation3electric.com

��

Licensed & Bonded PA015898

��

Check Off Your Holiday To-Do List Before Guests Arrive

215-478-6442 G3EPGN.1112

��

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the 6th Police District between March. 5-10. Information is courtesy of 6th District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice. com or call 215-686-TIPS (8477). INCIDENTS — At 11:40 a.m. March 5, a man snatched a woman’s wallet from her hand while she was at 11th and Locust streets. The suspect fled south on 11th Street and was described as a white male in his 20s, 5-foot-8, thin with dark hair, wearing a gray sweatsuit and a black baseball cap. — Between 8 p.m. March 8 and 10:30 a.m. March 9, someone broke the window of a residence

in the 300 block of South Camac Street and stole a flat-screen television. Sixth District Officer Winckler lifted fingerprints. — Between 7-9:45 p.m. March 9, someone stole a large sum of cash and a cell phone from an unlocked 2002 Volvo that was parked in a lot in the 1100 block of Clover Street. Sixth District Officer Minnis and Central Detectives on scene lifted fingerprints. — Between 9-9:20 p.m. March 10, someone stole an unsecured bicycle from outside 1133 Lombard St. NON-SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 4:50 p.m. March 6, SEPTA police arrested a male outside 1100 Market St. who was wanted on a bench warrant for failure to appear for court. The 31-year-old suspect with a Sicklerville, N.J., address was charged with contempt of court. — At 12:20 p.m. March 7, SEPTA

police arrested a male outside 801 Market St. who was wanted on a bench warrant for failure to appear for court. The 34-year-old suspect with a North Philadelphia address was charged with contempt of court. — On March 7, 6th District plainclothes officers made four arrests for prostitution, at 8:10 p.m. and 8:35 p.m. outside 1200 Locust St., at 8:40 p.m. outside 300 S. 12th St. and at 9:05 p.m. outside 200 S. 12th St. — At 4:20 p.m. March 8, 6th District plainclothes Officers Calhoun and Kovach observed a male outside 27 S. 11th St. take money from a pedestrian to play the “shell game” he had set up on the sidewalk. As the officers approached, a lookout yelled “cops” and the suspect attempted to flee, but was quickly apprehended. The game pieces and cash were recovered. The 47-year-old suspect with a West Philadelphia

address was charged with gambling and related offenses. — At 8:20 p.m. March 8, 6th District Officers Butler and Burrell saw a brawl on the 1200 block of Chancellor Street. A complainant suffered a possible broken ankle, and a suspect was arrested and charged with domestic assault. — At 1:45 a.m. March 9, 6th District Officers Haberle and Stone responded to a 911 call and observed two males spraypainting a wall in the rear of a building in the 1000 block of Spruce Street. The 20-year-old suspect with a local address and a 25-year-old suspect with a Chinatown address were charged with criminal mischief and related offenses. — At 7:50 a.m. March 9, 6th District Officer McQue arrested a male outside 1234 Locust St. who was wanted on a bench warrant for failure to appear for court. The 23year-old suspect with a Bridgeton, N.J., address was charged with

contempt of court. SUMMARY ARRESTS — On March 5, 6th District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 8:15 p.m. outside 1201 Chestnut St., at 8:30 p.m. outside Broad and Chestnut streets, at 9:30 p.m. at 248 S. 12th St. and at 11:50 p.m. outside 1200 Chancellor St. — On March 6, 6th District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 8:05 p.m. outside 1302 Walnut St., at 8:40 p.m. outside 1327 Spruce St., at 8:50 p.m. outside 1301 Chestnut St., at 9:15 p.m. outside 1335 Walnut St. and at 10 p.m. outside 1300 Walnut St. — At 11:40 p.m. March 8, 6th District officers issued two citations for summary offenses outside 1203 Locust St. — On March 9, 6th District officers issued a citation for a summary offense at 7:20 p.m. outside 1000 Market St. and at 9:25 p.m. outside 200 S. 13th St. ■

�� AMY F. STEERMAN Attorney at Law

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

215-735-1006

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

��

SUMMER PGNTRAVEL

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

Spring and summer destinations offer hot upcoming events By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Whew! We are almost out of the woods as far as winter is concerned, so now a lot of people are getting focused on plans for spring and summer getaways to better-looking surroundings. It’s always best to start planning early so the appropriate rentals can be set up before all the prime dates and locations get booked up. Any week during the spring or summer is a good time to visit picturesque destinations like Rehoboth, P-Town, New Hope, Fire Island or Asbury Park. But just in case you want something more to look forward to than working on your tan and social schedule, we’ve compiled a list of events you might want to plan your getaways around. Fire Island Pines, N.Y., hosts the Fire Island Dance Festival,

featuring an eclectic mix of fastrising dancers performing on a stunning waterfront stage July 19-21. The weekend-long festival raised $374,260, last year to benefit Dancers Responding to AIDS. Since its debut in 1995, Fire Island Dance Festival has raised more than $2.9 million. For more information, visit www.dradance. org/dra-fidf-2013-landing-about. Later in the summer, Fire Island hosts the Ascension Beach Party, the largest gay daytime beach party in the northeast, Aug. 16-18. For more information, visit www. ascensionparty.com. Provincetown, Mass., has a number of events worth checking out in spring and summer, the earliest of which is Cabaret Fest, featuring performances by worldrenowned cabaret artists April 1214. For more information, visit www.ptown.org/CabaretFest.asp. Single Women’s Weekend is the

on June 2. For more only national weekend information, visit www. gathering designed for jerseypride.org or single lesbians to meet www.facebook.com/ and features speed datJerseyPrideFest. And ing, mixers, entertaincome back the next ment, dance parties month for the annual and more May 17-19. Sand Blast Weekend, For more information, July 19-21, three days visit www.singlewomof beach- and poolside ensweekend.com. parties and opportuniP-Town also hosts ties to take in the sights the Women of Color and sounds of Jersey’s Weekend May 30-June gay enclave. 2. For more informaDown in Delaware, tion, visit www.womPIER AT ASBURY PARK Photo: Scott A. Drake dates and plans for enofcolorweekend. com. Delaware Pride haven’t tion — a week of LGBT events, Things are bound to get wild in parades, parties and arts events in been finalized yet, but in the P-Town for Bear Week, a bear fest Bucks County and Lambertville, meantime CAMP Rehoboth is that draws men from all over the N.J. — May 12-19. For more hosting Women’s FEST, a fourworld, July 13-21. For more infor- information, visit www.newho- day event celebrating women with mation, visit www.ptownbears. pecelebrates.com. entertainment, dining, tea dances org. Asbury Park is coming back and happy hours, April 11-14. Closer to home, New Hope from the ravages of Superstorm For more information, visit dev. Celebrates hosts the 10th anniver- Sandy, hosting Jersey Pride’s camprehoboth.com/news-events/ sary of the town’s Pride celebra- annual LGBT Pride Celebration womens-fest-2013.htm. ■

LGBT summer travel to kick off on a high note By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com As the recession recedes, the summer LGBT travel season is approaching with promise. According to the 2012 LGBT Travel Survey, conducted by Community Marketing Inc., nearly a third of gay men and lesbians increased their travel in the previous year — a trend that market researchers anticipate could continue in 2013. “LGBT travel consumers are well known to be a robust market segment,” CMI president Tom Roth told PGN. “The travel industry was pretty much ‘first to market’ to the LGBT community way back in the early ’90s and remains among the most active today. After Katrina, gay travelers led the way back to New Orleans and are rebounding quickly, post-recession. This is a very active, high-volume travel segment, less affected by the economy or other concerns than their general-population counterparts.” According to CMI’s travel report, released in October, about 32 percent of gay men and 35 percent of lesbians increased their overall travel during the preceding year, figures that are higher than in 2011, when nearly 30 percent of gay men decreased their travel, compared with 24 percent last year. More than 65 percent of both gay men and lesbians surveyed identified as “warm-weather travelers.” Of leisure travelers, the JuneSeptember months were the most popular times for trips. And when it comes to selecting destinations, LGBT travelers are loyal — with about 43 percent of gay men and 37 percent of lesbians saying the top motivating factor for their leisure travel was to return to a favorite destination. Efforts to get those travelers to initially invest in the destination, however, could benefit from

good LGBT event planning, as the second-most common reason for travel was to attend events. A destination’s LGBT-friendly reputation was the third-most-cited travel reason, a theme that appeared throughout the report. More than a third of respondents said a company’s LGBT reputation was influential in how they chose their destination, hotel and retail stores they visited. For some, it also factored into choices on airlines, travel agents and cruise lines. A hotel’s LGBT friendliness was the third most significant factor in respondents’ most recent hotel visit, and 46 percent of gay men and 42 percent of lesbians said they mostly stay in LGBT-friendly hotels for leisure travel. More than 60 percent of gay men belong to a hotel-guest loyalty program, as do 56 percent of lesbians, and slightly higher numbers belong to airline-rewards programs. LGBTs used a number of sources to obtain information about travel services and companies, most frequently tapping friends and family for referrals, followed by online travel sites and LGBT media ads. Roth said there are a number of steps hospitality facilities can take to enhance their LGBT reputation — including joining local LGBT chambers of commerce like Philadelphia’s Independence Business Alliance (independencebusinessalliance.com) to network or international hospitality organizations like the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association or TAG Approved. But, most important, Roth said, is an authentic commitment to community. “Be genuine,” he said. “Beyond LGBT print and web communications, in LGBT marketing, getting involved and giving back are very important market tactics. And, of course, just the right thing to do.” ■

SUMMER VACATION RENTALS FOR SALE - LOWEST PRICE CONDO UNIT IN

REHOBOTH BEACH DELAWARE 2 Blocks from the Ocean, Steps away From Shopping and Dining

Call Evan Thomas DIRECT 302-279-5634

RE/MAX™ By The Sea 302-541-500

300 Ocean View Parkway, Bethany Beach DE, 19930

THE MAINSTAY INN A Victorian Inn by the Sea

All guest rooms have central air conditioning and most have designated parking. The building known as The Cottage became part of the Mainstay in 1981. Dating from 1870, the Cottage is joined to the Inn by a brick walkway transversing a Victorian garden with fountain. The six rooms in the Cottage, all with queen or king sized beds, have private baths, and central air conditioning, and most have designated parking spaces.

609-884-8690 • www.mainstayinn.com 635 Columbia Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204

Ocean Gables

35 Ocean Ave, Monmouth Beach NJ, 07750

732-996-8531

Stanford White beach cottage is on the beach in Monmouth Beach. Long Branch to the south restaurants and board walk. A few miles south of Long Branch is Asbury Park and Ocean Grove. West of us is Red Bank with its fine shops and 100 plus eating establishments. Sandy Hook Gateway National Park 5 mi. North.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

Easter Sunday AT

parxgrill

MARCH 31, 2013 GATHER YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY FOR A TRULY MEMORABLE EASTER SUNDAY MEAL! Brunch • 10am – 3pm • $40 Four-Course Prix Fixe Menu Dinner • 4pm – 9pm • $75 Four-Course Prix Fixe Menu

CALL 1.888.LUV.PARX TO RESERVE

PARXCASINO.COM •

MANAGEMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR CANCEL THIS PROMOTION AT ANY TIME. PRIX FIXE COST EXCLUDES TAX, GRATUITY AND BEVERAGES. MUST BE 21.

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1.800.GAMBLER

Liberty City Press MAR. 17-24, 2013

\\\

point

Rx:Take a Deep Breath Let’s think twice before we mandate paid leave

hen Mayor Nutter spent his days toiling on City Council, the district he represented ran up City Avenue from I-76 to West Chester Pike. Take a ride along the border of his district today and you may begin to understand what is going through Mayor Nutter’s mind when he draws a line in the sand on the issue of mandating paid sick leave in the private sector. One can see businesses parked a stone’s throw outside the city limits taking advantage of all that Philadelphia has to offer but avoiding our wage and business taxes. Why give them �� rules for how they compensate their employees? As we go to print, City Council, led by Councilman Bill Greenlee, has passed the Paid Sick Leave Ordinance by 11 votes—enough to get this on Mayor Nutter’s desk but not enough to override his expected veto. �� leave. Since July 2012, employers doing business with the city in excess of $100,000 a year with annual gross receipts of more than $1 million are required to provide their employees with one hour of paid sick time �� nancial aid recipients,” which encompasses any entity that receives direct assistance from the city in the form of grants, loans, loan guarantees, tax incentives, in-kind services, waivers of city fees, or real property exceeding $100,000 in any 12-month period, among others. Philadelphia is not alone in the move to expand paid-sick-leave to cover all of its employers. According to a review of paid sick leave laws around the country by The Nation, Philadelphia’s move can be seen in a ��

in the nation to adopt a mandated sick leave policy. This year, New York city council speaker Christine Quinn’s refusal to bring paid sick leave to a vote is now dogging her campaign for mayor. As one might expect, the business lobby is not taking this move for paid sick leave lying down. Its approach has been focused on state preemption legislation that voids local sick leave ordinances on the grounds that they destabilize statewide economies. It has had success in Mississippi and is moving in Washington and Florida. It should come as no surprise that experts come out on both sides of the issue. A 2011 Institute for Women’s Policy Research study based on surveys of 727 employers and 1,194 employees in San Francisco found that the effects of paid sick leave were generally positive. Six out of seven employers reported no negative ��

said the new legislation had proven easy to implement. In 2010, a group of New York City’s largest employers calling itself the Partnership for New York City released a report estimating the cost to employers of mandated paid sick leave approaching $800 million annually. Bloomberg BusinessWeek quoted Kathryn Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City in defense of its �� that our estimates are far more accurate than any extrapolation from a San Francisco study,” she says. So what is a city to do? We say wait. The arguments that now sway other editorial boards in this town to support paid sick leave do not sway us: Manipulating the disparity between stagnant wages �� through employer mandates is not our idea of good government; if paid sick leave were such a slam dunk for increased productivity, then the Chamber of Commerce would be spearheading the effort rather than opposing it. The one thing we can say with

Councilman Bill Greenlee makes another attempt at getting a paid sick leave bill passed. Photo courtesy ��

any certainty about paid sick leave is that we just don’t know what the impact of this legislation will be. As deputy mayor for economic development, Alan Greenberger �� we’ll never know who chose not to come to Philadelphia because of this [negative economic] reputation [due to paid sick days].” And that is troubling to think about as you drive up City Avenue. MAR. 17-24, 2013

Liberty City Press is a collaborative publication effort of the Philadelphia Multicultural Media Network.

People

\\\ Liberty City Press

Roman Holiday Starts Early Continued from page 12

Coach Mike Evans alternated using two or three guards up top and two to three big men draped on the baseline. This stopped Roman from being able to penetrate or get open perimeter three-point shots. “We just wanted to change it up and go after their great guard play,” Evans said. “We play manto-man or press usually, but we tried to keep them off balance and not let the guards penetrate or get open threes. We felt we could score off them in transition and we were able to do that.” Norristown was also the aggressor. The Eagles jumped to a 28-18 lead after one quarter and never looked back. The Eagles out-rebounded Roman 37-29 and continually scored by breaking Roman’s full-court presses or double-team pressure. “We just wanted to keep playing,” said Luke Kelley, who had a game-high 28 points and made several backbreaking baskets and assists. “People say I play with fearlessness. It wasn’t that. I just wanted my team to keep playing. We didn’t care that they were Roman Catholic [22-6] and highly regarded and favored. We wanted to play our best game of the year and we did.” Norristown was not expected to be a threat in the state tournament, after losing to lightly regarded Ridley in the second �� playoffs. But the Eagles quali�� three consolation games. “We knew Roman Catholic

was a very good team. We just didn’t want to let them get out in front of us.” Norristown’s star, even bigger than Kelley, was senior Josh Johnson. Johnson scored 18 points, grabbed 21 rebounds, and blocked six shots. “It was the best game I have played,” Johnson said. “I think the zone helped me. I was able to stay in my area and grab rebounds and block shots. That was a lot of fun.” Johnson, who is receiving interest from West Chester and many �� Saturday. “We took it as a challenge to play a great team from the Catholic League,” he said. “We had �� it paid off. Our coaches put in this zone and we responded.” One of the big factors for Roman Catholic was that junior guard Traci Carter never got untracked. Carter picked up his second foul two minutes into the game. Carter ended up fouling out and scored most of his 11 points after the team had fallen far behind. “It hurt us a lot,” said Garner. “We needed him out there. It affected us because people were playing in spots they weren’t used to being in. It was a big part of the game.” “They were a very good team,” said Roman Catholic coach Chris McNesby. “They were very fast and physical and did a great job against us. I think this experience will help us for next year with our whole team returning.” The Cahillites bring back Garner, Carter, Rashann London, Carnell McGirt, Manny Taylor and TreVaughn Wilkerson.

Oronde Kairi Johnson poses with his art. Sarah J. Glover/photographer

Hip-Hop in a Frame

Artist’s work attracts old-school music fans by Sheila Simmons

aybe it’s the funky, stylized attitude in Oronde Kairi Johnson’s paintings that accounts for the new-school buyers of his artwork. Or maybe it’s his subjects—often hip-hop icons who have yet to inspire many visual artists to portraiture. Or maybe it’s the luck of having an arts consultant come �� in Johnson’s Mount Airy home and curiously posting one for sell on Facebook while the two met about a Black History Month calendar idea. “It sold in 20 minutes to a ��ter Mann Frisby, owner of Renaissance Mann and an author and journalist whose promotion

clients have included Salt-n-Pe�� the Family Soul. Mann posted more and more of Johnson’s work on Facebook, and quickly sold 25 prints to friends from Virginia, Chicago, Florida and Atlanta. They bought �� lic Enemy, Lauryn Hill and Eve. Then they looked past the hip-hop subjects and purchased prints of Eddie Kendricks, Marvin Gaye, �� A week after Frisby received two phone calls from Grammynominated artists about Johnson, a friend inquired about a piece titled “Big Bill Broonzy,” of the country blues guitarist: “How much for the original?” Frisby told him it cost $1,500. “Cool,” responded the

friend. “I have wanted some of Oronde’s work for my collection for a while now.” A Mount Airy native, Johnson became interested in art at William Penn High School. After graduating, he attended the University of the Arts and the Art Institute, earning a bachelor’s de�� His full-time job is cleaning a building and removing trash at the University of the Arts. He mostly sells his art at the New York Arts Expo and whenever his website is working. But Frisby sells it with the promotional savvy of a hip-hop hustler. Non-musical subjects of Johnson’s—like the fashionably dressed woman of “Ebony in Red” sell well. But most unique are the paintings where Johnson “sees the aesthetically beautiful side of hip-hop,” insists Frisby. “I’m a hip-hop fan, and I especially love ‘old-school’ hiphop,” he says. “Rakim is arguably one of the best MCs ever. Anyone who could paint Rakim with the chord of a microphone going into his arm like he bleeds hip-hop is an artist of my generation. They get it, and I want to see their other stuff.” Johnson explained, “I like music, and collected posters when I was young. But as I got older, it didn’t look right to have posters on the wall. I said wait, I got this talent. I can just draw the people I used to like or like now. And that way, I can still get a way to put them on my wall.” And so too can others.

MAR. 17-24, 2013

Liberty City Press is a collaborative publication effort of the Philadelphia Multicultural Media Network.

��

�

��

Liberty City Press \\\

Pulse

Italian Ice with a Twist Just in time for Spring, Rita’s debuts spiked water ice by HughE Dillon

Rita’s Italian Ice is coming out with a new concept for its adult patrons, “Spiked Ice by Rita’s,” which will feature their ice infused with spirits. Rita’s, headquartered in Bucks �� ice will make its public debut at the Center City Sips happy hour program, which begins in June and runs through the summer.

1. From left: Christie Honigman of the Honigman Group, who organized the Spiked event, hangs at the event with Jamie Reibenbach of Addison Realtor and Kristin Detterline, editor of Philadelphia Style magazine. 2. Carol Tamburino of Turner Construction tries a spiked ice. 3. From left: Priscilla Bardonaro, Stephanie Rybczyk and Jill Jacobson enjoy the Coconut Lime Daiquiri. 4. Steve Olitsky, co-owner of Table 31 and Franklin Paine skateboard park, stands with professional poker player Beth Shak. HughE Dillon/Photographer

MAR. 17-24, 2013

Liberty City Press is a collaborative publication effort of the Philadelphia Multicultural Media Network.

Pulse

\\\ Liberty City Press

Masquerade Evening United Negro College Fund hosts its Masked Ball by HughE Dillon

�� March 8. Guests enjoyed an elegant dinner, awards presentations, a live auction, dancing and live entertainment from Urban Guerilla Orchestra.

1. Former NFL player Beasley Reese stands with Fox 29’s Shenielle Jones. 2. Mayor Michael Nutter and his wife, Lisa, show off their masks. 3. From left: UNCF president Michael Lomax on the red carpet with soul singer Billy Paul and his wife, Blanche. 4. From left: Eugene Richardson and Major John L. Harrison of the Tuskegee Airmen. 5. Councilwoman Marian Tasco (far right) and others at the Masked Ball. 6. Singer Kathy Sledge waves hello to guests. 7. From left: Donna M. Williams and Bren Isen. 8. Lisa Holmquist and Vatche Manoukian, vice president of Parx Casino. 9. Wanda Lewis-Campbell, assistant dean at Temple University’s Ambler campus. HughE Dillon/Photographer

MAR. 17-24, 2013

Liberty City Press is a collaborative publication effort of the Philadelphia Multicultural Media Network.

Liberty City Press \\\

Miss Rachel’s Pantry in South Philly provided these grilled ginger seitan skewers for the Real Food Works menu. Image courtesy of Perretti Photography and Real Food Works

Real Food Should Taste Good

Philadelphia-based meal delivery service focuses on providing food that’s healthy and delicious by Dana Ricci

�� used to have trouble climbing stairs. From years of playing sports, she had developed arthritis. Now, however, she can tackle a case of stairs without even thinking twice about it and her remedy for it is something that many �� from: She changed her diet.

�� of Real Food Works, a Philadelphia-based company that partners with local restaurants to deliver healthy meals to customers, decided to begin eating “clean” two years ago. Clean eating is a lifestyle approach that involves cutting out processed foods and dairy and reducing or eliminating sugar, salt, fats and most

meat, while eating more nutrientdense leafy greens and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds. While there are different degrees of what people cut out on this diet, concentrating on cutting out processed foods and eating “clean” foods is very important. “If you eat all of that stuff, even you eat a bunch of things you shouldn’t eat, your body just processes it so much better,” �� In addition to a lot of her pain �� more energized and even lost weight after she began eating clean. She also realized that eat�� could almost never eat out. With many people becoming more concerned with their health and diets, she saw an opportunity to share this diet with other people, but wasn’t quite sure how to ex�� didn’t want to open a restaurant. After leaving a business meeting in a near-empty restaurant she had a light-bulb moment. “I thought, ‘why can’t we �� She borrowed an idea from Uber, a car service that partners with limo companies, and reached out to restaurants in the city to create partnerships. This way, participating eateries could use their own creative styles of cooking to come up with the menu based on the Real Food Works ingredient list and clean eating standards. The restaurants are examined closely for quality, and their menu items are put to the taste test as well. “I’m a huge foodie,” �� has to adhere to certain health

standards, it cannot skimp on taste. The company, founded last May, works with 12 restaurants and caterers in Philadelphia, including Pure Fare, Sorella Rose, Cosmic Cafe and Miss Rachel’s �� are working with other restaurants to try to bring in more menu items from local eateries. “It’s been absolutely amaz��ress she has seen clients make Real Food Works. She has done her research and talked to hundreds of clients about how their lives have improved with clean eating and found that many people notice a boost in energy, weight loss, lower cholesterol and relief from arthritis, acid �� Clients have also said that they sleep more soundly and no longer wake up during the night. “I can tell you, when you eat ��calfe says. Real Food Works custom�� and 15 meals per week and decide how many will be breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Every Wednesday they receive an email with the meal choices for the coming week and by Friday they make their decisions so the restaurants can order the food and prepare the meals over �� on Tuesday, and the packaged meals can stay fresh in the re�� Customers also receive a guide for eating when they are not eating the meals provided to them by the service.. Perhaps the most impres-

Pulse

sive thing the staff at Real Food Works has observed is that people are learning how to eat healthy from the meals they receive, so they continue to make healthy food choices even when they are not eating Real Food Works food. Because they feel better on this diet, they are not likely to go back to eating processed foods with very few “clean” foods, so they maintain their health and keep weight off if they have lost weight on the program. “What we’re seeing we’ve never seen before in weight loss—a generalization of behav�� Food Works is not primarily a weight loss program, but rather a program to rehab people’s diets in order to improve their overall health and increase their energy, it does something that programs like Weight Watchers and Nutrisystem do not: It teaches its participants how to eat well. It’s not based on counting calories or eating fake versions of food one shouldn’t be eating, but rather focusing on the importance of nutrient-dense foods that do not have as much prominence as they should in the American diet. �� those who are interested in trying clean eating. First, eat a big salad every day. “This is probably the easiest step, and the one that will make the most impact,” she says. Next, cut out dairy as much as possible by trying non-dairy milks like almond milk and using hummus and other condiments in place of cheese. Finally, she suggests trying to cut out as much meat as possible. Celebrate meatless Mondays or only eat meat at one meal a day. MAR. 17-24, 2013

Liberty City Press is a collaborative publication effort of the Philadelphia Multicultural Media Network.

play

\\\ Liberty City Press

Liberty City Press All-Stars �� ALL-CITY TEAM ��

Tough Penalty

Roman Catholic High School boy’s varsity basketball six top players (from left): Traci Carter, Manny Taylor, Shep Garner, TreVaughn Wilkerson, Rashann London and Matt Simon. Sarah J. Glover/photographer

Roman Holiday Starts Early

An Owl Takes Flight

Roman Catholic no longer plays for championships by Jeremy Treatman

eading into the playoffs, Roman Catholic standout junior point guard Shep Garner felt his team had a great chance to win the Catholic League Championships, the PIAA AAAA state championship or both. So much for that. The Cahillites season ended ��

AAAA Tournament on March 9 when Norristown beat Roman 68�� to the second round of the AAAA state tournament. “It’s a disappointing end,” said Garner, who had a team-high 20 points. “We wanted to keep playing but it didn’t work out for us. Norristown is a good team, and they deserved to win. Hopefully,

��

my team can come back next year and we can learn from this. You have to play hungry. It’s not that we didn’t want to win, but Norristown played like they were hungrier.” Norristown surprised by alternating playing 2-3 and 3-2 zones through the game rather than their normal man-to-man defense.

�� JT

Continued on page 2

MAR. 17-24, 2013

Liberty City Press is a collaborative publication effort of the Philadelphia Multicultural Media Network.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

��

� � � � � � � ��

��

AC ul t ure FEATURE PGN

rts

Scissor Sisters guitarist launches solo projects By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com

With the globally famous and fabulous Scissor Sisters in another hiatus, founding member and guitarist Del Marquis (now going by his real name, Derek Gruen) is staying busy creating his own music projects. This isn’t the first time Gruen has gone solo: He released a number of EPs digitally between the last two Scissor Sisters albums. Gruen started off this year releasDel & Xavier “Tickle” Independent Slow Knights “Cosmos” DM Dusting off an old Jermaine Jackson hit (“Let Me Tickle Your Fancy”) and making it more exciting than it has any right to be is certainly a good way to get people to sit up and notice. Just YouTube the original song and you’ll see how magical Del & Xavier’s version is by comparison. The rest of the “Tickle” mixtape is equally exuberant and fun, reminiscent of the kaleidoscope that was 1980s pop. “Fame (She Wants)” sounds like the kind of funky pop track George Michael in his prime would conjure up, borrowing The Revolution from Prince. “Say Ooh Damn” has a lot of early-’90s dance-dive flavor that never runs the risk of losing its infectious bump to excessive synth. By comparison, “I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass” is somewhat darker and very new-wave. They are a couple remixes of “Let Me Tickle Your Fancy” on the mixtape but they feel rather perfunctory, as their techno flavor doesn’t mesh well with the overall flavor of the mixtape. Still, this is a stellar collection of songs and, since they are free to download, there is no excuse not to add them to your collection.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

PAGE 33

Dining Out Family Portrait Get Out and Play Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly Worth Watching

Page Page Page Page Page Page Page

28 25 26 34 30 27 31

GUITARIST DEREK GRUEN AKA DEL MARQUIS (LEFT AND ABOVE) WITH COLLABORATOR XAVIER (ABOVE RIGHT)

ing a free sixsong mixtape “Tickle,” with friend and Boys Choir of Harlem alumnus Xavier sharing vocal duties. The mixtape features the duo’s stellar funk cover of Jermaine Jackson’s minor hit “Let Me Tickle Your Fancy.”

It’s easy to see why the songs on “Tickle” didn’t fit with those that make up “Cosmos.” While there is some overlap in influences, especially in the 1980s-influenced sounds that percolate throughout the album, “Cosmos” comes across as more introspective and serious. Sure, there are new-wave tracks (“In The Quiet”) and upbeat poppy moments (“Signs of Life” and “Under Attack”), but there’s also a darker feel to this batch of songs. Many of them echo late ’80s and early ’90s European dance pop, like “Caught Up in the Rhythm” and “Legendary Children,” as well as R&B-influenced tracks like “Shame” and “Sweet Harmony.” Slow Knights is sure to find some overlap in fans of the Scissor Sisters, but Marquis (or Gruen) is definitely staking out some interesting sonic territory with his work outside of the band. Both of these releases are finely crafted and worth checking out. ■ — Larry Nichols

You can see a definitely NSFW music video for the song online. Gruen’s new album, “Cosmos,” comes out March 26 under the moniker Slow Knights and features a number of guest vocalists and contributions from Prince’s former backing band, The New Power Generation. Gruen talked to PGN about how PAGE 24

FEATURE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

Haute Mexican? Haute Mexican! After ten successful years in northeast Philadelphia, Paloma is serving to-die-for French-Mexican cuisine in Bella Vista. ��

a semifinalist for the 2011 James Beard Foundation awards 763 South 8th Street (corner of 8th & Fulton) www.palomafinedining.com www.facebook.com/palomarestaurant 215.928.9500

SISTER from page 23

his new musical projects came together and his future plans. PGN: How did you end up working with Xavier and the New Power Generation? DG: Xavier and I have known each other since before joining Scissor. He worked on music with Babydaddy at one point, and I’ve always admired his voice. The NPG guys have done session work for my mix engineer, and when he heard the demos I was working on, it was his suggestion that I go to Minneapolis and track with them. It was the highlight of the record for me. PGN: As much as we liked your last batch of EP releases, I think “Tickle” is some of your best work yet. I was disappointed to find out that this mixtape isn’t indicative of the direction of the new album. “Perverted and uptempo” works well for you. Are there more mixtape releases coming in the future? DG: I wouldn’t say they are radically different. They are both steeped in pop and R&B ... but I had to focus on linearity and concept with a proper album — the sum of parts. So whatever songs threw my ear off ended up on the mixtape. It’s a great way to be offhanded about ideas, giving away songs that may have just ended up at the back of a hard drive. PGN: The guitar-playing on the new tracks we’ve heard so far is very sparse, but still great. What instruments do you find yourself going to the most for songwriting? And are there any tracks on the new album where you really get to show off your guitar skills? DG: I don’t think I’ve written a song starting with guitar in a decade, which is either depressing or interesting. I start with rhythm, even before lyrics ... drums, bass ... and once my shoulders start moving, then I can begin to flesh out the song. The guitar is fun for me on the backend, sprinkling over top of a solid rhythm track. The guitar is at the service to the song but my favorite use of guitar on the record is for “Legendary Children.” I’m happy with how I’ve blended programming and the human element on that song. PGN: What can you tell us about the upcoming album, “Cosmos”? DG: It’s absolutely the best record I could make, at this time. I’m happy that I could give it a name without history attached. Music became exciting again, thinking up imagery and concepts with a project that has no precedent. “Cosmos” is my interpretation of R&B in pop music: a mix of new wave, soul, pop and outer space.

DG: I wrote these songs! Ha, just kidding. I have some SS credits and some songs I’m really proud of. But this is what the synthesis of my influences sounds like.

GRUEN PGN: What are some of your favorite alltime albums? DG: Chaka Khan, “What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me”; Tegan and Sara, “Heartthrob”; Cardigans, “Long Gone Before Daylight”; Mary J. Blige, “Share My World”; Alice in Chains, “Dirt”; Basement Jaxx, “Kish Kash”; The Cure, “Disintegration”; Janet Jackson, “Control”; The Cult, “Sonic Temple”; George Michael, “Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1”; Róisín Murphy, “Overpowered.” PGN: Does the hiatus mean that we will see more new music from you before we see a new album or tour from Scissor Sisters? DG: There might be some lost archives that see the light of day, some of which are truly amazing. I’m happy to let it lie, and I’d be happy to pick it up again if it felt right ... which I hope is not any time soon. PGN: Do you feel like you are under the same pressure and expectations with your solo work as you are with the Scissor Sisters? DG: I’m not on a wide radar; if people pick up on this record, it’s because it’s good and not because they are dying to hear a solo record from the guitarist from SS. Solo records aren’t usually a hot look, unless, of course, they’re great. PGN: Have you even been approached by other bands or artists looking for a guitarist? DG: Indirectly ... or some of my crew who’ve gone out to do other tours have suggested me. But I will never tour again! It was amazing at first, and a mix of great and tragic on the last few runs ... I’d never give up those moments. But after a decade, I can honestly say no, thanks.

PGN: Are there any vocalists or performers you’d like to work with in the future? DG: Nina Persson (The Cardigans), Harriet Wheeler (The Sundays) ... I’m in a soothing and sensual state of mind, but how killer could voices like those sound over aggressive tracks?

PGN: Will you be doing any shows in support of the new album after it comes out? DG: My sometimes-collaborator, embryo room, and myself are putting together a onemonth residency at Envoy Enterprises in the city — a combination of live events and showcasing the work we’ve done together and separately (March 28-April 25). I’m working on other shows, but they will most likely be centered in and around New York City. ■

PGN: What would you say is the biggest difference between your solo work and the Scissor Sisters?

“Cosmos” by Slow Knights comes out March 26. For more information, visit www. slowknights.com or twitter.com/delmarquis.

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

Suzi Nash

Brian Rodin: Venturing from suburban life to Spain and back There’s an old saying: If you want something done, ask a busy person. As someone who majored in psychology and minored in economics and general-management studies at the College of Arts and Sciences in Syracuse, Brian Rodin would surely fit that bill. Rodin graduated summa cum laude with a GPA of 3.85 and was on the dean’s list seven consecutive times before joining the business world. In addition to volunteering for the Delaware Valley legacy Fund, he currently works as a research manager and is one of the founders of the popular Qventures group. PGN: Like me, you grew up in the suburbs. What was the best and worst part of suburban life? BR: Looking back, I’d say the worst part was not being exposed enough to the city and all that it offers. I went to Radnor High, which is not terribly diverse, and then attended Syracuse University, which was also in a suburban bubble, so I never really even knew anything about Philadelphia. I prejudged it before knowing anything about it. Now I absolutely love being a city boy. The best part was having a really nice place to raise a family. Suburban life really instilled a lot of my long-term goals of wanting to eventually settle down there and raise a family. There were a lot of opportunities to play outside and see green and grass. I do miss that part. PGN: It’s so funny you mentioned not being exposed to the city. I’m from Radnor too and I was just having a conversation last week about the fact that I used to go into Philly almost every weekend to go to museums, see shows and go to parties. On Monday, kids at Radnor were aghast. They’d come up to me, “Oh my God, you were in Philadelphia, weren’t you scared? I’ve never gone, it’s too terrifying!” BR: [Laughs.] When I first moved into Philadelphia, I moved into the Rittenhouse Square area and it was like I was moving to a foreign land. I mean as a kid we occasionally came into Philadelphia to go to Chinatown for dinner, but that was it. My nights in suburbia consisted of movies at my friends’ houses. It was all I knew and I loved it, but I would never have considered going into the city and exploring what was there. I guess I was too afraid and didn’t know any better. But after two months here, I found out how much I loved it. PGN: [Laughs.] Yeah, I’d come in to theater class with our teacher, Brian Morgan, and talk about some play I’d seen in town and people were shocked to see I’d made it back alive from the big city. BR: Wait, you knew Brian Morgan? I’ve heard so many stories about him. His wife, Mary Anne, took over after he died. I was

in a lot of plays in high school and she got very close to everyone in our theater class. I’ve been to her house many times. Everyone says he was an amazing guy. PGN: Yeah, Brian was pretty amazing but always on the brink of being fired for something controversial. We had a really strong group of people in Radnor Actors Workshop at the time, and we did plays by Gore Vidal, and even Lillian Helman’s “The Children’s Hour,” which was about a teacher who is accused by one of her students of having an affair with another teacher. The student is mad because she was punished by the teacher and makes up the story, but it turns out the teacher really was gay and in love with the other teacher. All hell breaks loose and the play ends with her hanging herself. Not exactly the kind of play most 10th-graders usually do for the spring program, especially back over 20 years ago, but Brian was fearless. BR: Wow, who was in the class? PGN: A lot of us who went on in the arts: comedian Jim Daly, actor Barbara Geary, David-Michael Kenny, my last boyfriend Tom Wilson, who played Biff in all of the “Back to the Future” movies, of course, director-producer Lee Daniels and me. I co-hosted and was one of the producers on the “Bozo the Clown” show. But back to you! Tell me more about the family? BR: [Laughs.] Okay. I’m 25, turning 26 this week. I’m originally from Broomall, so that’s where I spent my early formative years, but I moved to the Radnor area in second grade. I went to Ithan Elementary, Radnor Middle School and Radnor High. I have an older sister. We’re close now but we didn’t have much of a relationship until my parents separated during my senior year of college. But growing up was nice. I was close to my parents. My dad owned his own small real-estate appraisal and property-management firm and my mom was an HR director of leadership development at GlaxoSmithKline. PGN: What cliques were you a part of in school? BR: Definitely the theater clique; I did theater all four years. We weren’t the most rowdy group and, compared to my sister, I was definitely the good kid. But I had a great time and loved my high-school experience. PGN: What was a favorite role? BR: Well, I guess this was a foretelling of my later sexual orientation because my favorite roll was from Molière’s “The Learned Lady.” I played Trissotin, who is described as a “foppish wit” and, looking back, I played him as a pretty flamboyant gay guy. [Laughs.] Everyone said it was the best acting I’d ever done and that I was

extremely believable! Mary Anne actually had to tell me to tone it down a little. PGN: We got to do some traveling with RAW. Tom Wilson and I even won a dance contest in a nightclub in Paris on a theater trip and won a bottle of champagne — even though I was only 16. Did you have any cool adventures? BR: No! The arts are so under siege we had to struggle just to stay alive. The arts aren’t valued nearly as much as the sports. For my entire four years, everything was about getting funding and trying to figure out what plays to do, weighing artistry versus making money with something more commercial. Mary Anne talked a lot about having to consolidate her classes more and more each year. She was hired as a theater teacher, and that was her passion and interest, but they made her teach English as well. So we were just barely hanging on, never mind getting to do anything like that. PGN: What would we find in your highschool locker?

BR: Ha! I don’t know. I was pretty OCD back then so I was pretty neat. My locker was clean and proper, everything lined up and no extra paraphernalia. PGN: How old were you when you came out? BR: I was 21. I did the whole, I think I’m kind of, sort of bisexual route, but I wear my heart on my sleeve so when I did realize what was going on with me, I didn’t keep it a secret. I was in a

fraternity and in our senior year, one of my really close friends in the fraternity came out to me and in a sort of Freudian association, the first thing that came to my mind was, Hmmn, I think he’s going to be the first person I tell, and then I told him and then my roommates. I had a really serious girlfriend at the time so I grappled with that for a few months before telling her, and then after we broke up I told my parents. The whole time I wasn’t fully sure myself but after the last girl I hooked up with the winter of my senior year, I flipped sides fully and haven’t looked back. PGN: Speaking of flipping, I understand it’s one of your favorite things to do? BR: [Laughs.] Where did you hear that? Yes, it is true. I used to do gymnastics and during my fraternity years, if I’d had a little too much to drink at parties, I’d entertain and impress people by doing back flips. PGN: Did you have to pledge to get into the fraternity, and what was the worst part? BR: We didn’t do any physical hazing, though there was a lot of sleep deprivation trying to pledge and get schoolwork done and trying to attend classes. By the end, I was so sleep-deprived I was like a zombie. I have no idea how I managed it. PGN: What were you doing if not sleeping? BR: They wanted us to build a brotherhood so we had to be with each other all the time, doing exercises and things I can’t really talk about to non-members. The school has cracked down since, not allowing frats to keep pledges up until all hours of the morning before they have to attend classes. But I pledged before the crackdown so there were nights where we were out Photo: Suzi Nash until 3 a.m., and then I’d have to study for three-four hours and then go to class. PGN: I read that your fraternity, Phi Kappa Phi, was a Jewish fraternity that “served as a brotherhood of young men who came from similar religious backgrounds and who had experienced the same prejudices against their religious beliefs.” Have you experienced much antiSemitism? PAGE 30

SPORTS PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

Get Out and Play

Scott A. Drake

Everybody out of the boat! Citing less free time because it is working towards Gay Games 9, Team Philadelphia, which just held the first LGBT sports party at Sugar House Casino March 14, has announced it will not participate in the Independence Dragon Boat Regatta this year. The regatta is one of those just-for-fun events on the Schuylkill River each spring. Aside from a couple of practices and a couple of actual heats, it is mostly a social event that draws thousands of competitive and amateur enthusiasts. One of the attractions is hanging out on the river with the cooler and grill and watching the other teams compete. The regatta is June 1; www.independencedragonboat.com.

– New York Post

–The New York Observer

APRIL 2 - 7 ACADEMY OF MUSIC kimmelcenter.org/broadway Presented by

Kimmel Center for the performing arts

S E N D A R U G G E R D OW N U N D E R : Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Football Club held a Shamrocks and Jocks party March 16 at Westbury to raise funds for expenses related to the Bingham Cup in 2014 in Sydney, Australia. Contributions can be made at any time at www.philadelphiagryphons.org/donate. Photos: Scott A. Drake

Gay Games 9 Just an FYI, but rugby is not one of the 35-plus sports included in Gay Games 9 next year, so their fundraising for the Bingham Cup isn’t saddled by trying to attend the games as well. But if you’re interested, the games include flag football or soccer and you can get involved at the local level now and go play against men and women from across the country and around the world. Imagine walking into the stadium with your fellow Philadelphians to the sound of thousands of people cheering! As a matter of fact, if you’re interested in flag football, GPFFL has its second skills day March 23 and will be immediately followed by the draft, so that’s the ticket on that field. Just a note: If you want to play football this spring, the registration deadline is 5 p.m. March 22. Their preseason get-to-know-your-teammates party is 7-10 p.m. at Tavern on Camac later that night. Falcons soccer is still temporarily inside, but they will be moving back out to Fairmount Park very soon. There are still two more spring pick-up game special events for women from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. March 23 and 30 at W.B. Saul High School, 7100 Henry Ave. For more soccer info, go to falconssoccer.org, and for more flag football info, www.phillyflagfootball.com.

215.731.3333 PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS

A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY: Snow and sleet did not stop Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League from holding its first of two skills days March 16, nor did it interrupt the City of Brotherly Love Softball League’s skills day and draft. Hundreds showed up at the venues to toss, swing, side-step and catch under the cold, gray sky.

Short stops • Gryphons RFC opens its season 1 p.m. March 23 at George Pepper Middle School, 2901 S. 84th St., and includes a cookout free to all; Philadelphiagryphons. org. Check out a couple of rugger hotties on this week’s Scene in Philly page if you are on the fence about coming out! RSVP to Becomeagryphon@gmail.com. ■ Countdown to Gay Games 9: 504 days. Email your event lists, schedules, questions and glowing tributes to scott@epgn.com.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

Food & Drink

DINING PGNOUT

Jane G’s: So good it hurts By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com We love spicy food. We love it so much, when we go to a restaurant and the menu describes something as spicy and it ends up being very tame, we get angry. Yeah, we get that some of you can’t handle it, but some of us like to test out limitations. Well, we certainly had an adventure of the taste buds at Jane G’s, 1930 Chestnut St. The Chinese Szechuan restaurant served up some powerfully spicy dishes that delighted and scared us at the same time. Things did start off super-blazing, but the appetizers were flavorful and interesting all the same. The wontons in chili oil ($7) had a silky texture, bold seasoning and were very delicious. Both the wontons in chicken broth ($8) and the cold sesame noodles ($7) were comforting and upscale versions of the soup that is a staple at Chinese restaurants. The “mouth-watering spicy chicken” was aptly named, with a kick that doesn’t present itself initially but slowly creeps up and builds on the back of your tongue. It was at this point that we were thrust into some seriously intense super-spicy combat. Chef Xue’s spicy ferfume-style stew with fish ($21) was a massively portioned spicy stew with bean sprouts and glass noodles. The fish and noodles made for a hearty dish accented by the slow spicy burn of the broth, which on its own was very formidable in the spice department.

FERFUME-STYLE FISH STEW

We were told that they have five levels of spiciness at Jane G’s and our stew was at level three — perfectly fine for our adventurous tastes, although you could probably talk us into level four on a dare. But we are genuinely frightened of what kind of body-wide havoc level five might wreak. The dry pepper chicken ($14) was a giant helping of perfectly fried pieces of chicken breast tossed in a sea of hot peppers. The spice level bordered on punishing, which we loved, being the sadists that we are. Every bite stung every millimeter of real estate in our mouths with great flavors. The dry pot chicken ($14) was the

most well-rounded dish of the evening, with a less aggressive level of spicing and bright flavors, thanks to the heaping menagerie of vegetables and grilled chicken served up in a still-simmering pot. We loved the food but at this point we could not go on any further, as the entrée portions at Jane G’s are huge and our tongues, tonsils and soft palettes were fried to the point that drinking cold water was starting to get painful. If an ice cream truck had driven by the window, we would have happily chased it down the street for some icy relief. Best believe we will be going back to Jane G’s ... once we stop sweating. ■

DINING PGNOUT

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

If you go Jane G’s

1930 Chestnut St. 215-563-8800 www.janegsrestaurant.com Mon.-Thurs.:11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat.: 11 a.m.midnight Sun.: 5-10 p.m.

WONTONS IN CHILI OIL

CONTACT YOUR PGN AD REP TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS DIRECTORY:

(215) 625-8501

“The ﬁnest of dining experiences”

515 Rt. 38 Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 856-662-3838 www.steak38cafe.com

A PRIVATE TABLE AT JANE G’S Photos: Scott A. Drake

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

FUN PGN & GAMES

Q Puzzle The white stuff Across

1. Poet Adrienne 5. GLAAD concern 10. “Don’t preach,” Madonna told him 14. Chocolate sandwich 15. Meat-filled treats 16. Thames school 17. Start of a quote from Betty White 20. Makeup maker Lauder 21. “What was ___ was saying?” 22. Some like it hot 23. More of the quote 26. The Gay ’90s, for one 29. Cocteau contemporary Maurice 30. Get up and go 33. Queer letter 36. Climb up 39. More of the quote 40. Soaring seafood lover 43. More of the quote 44. Version

47. More of the quote 49. Novelist Marcel 51. Not promiscuous? 54. Word on Warhol’s can 55. LuPone Broadway role 59. Flintstones’ pet 60. Solo among the stars 61. End of the quote 63. Greek T 64. Thespians do it 65. Dakar’s nation 66. Joe holder 67. Porter’s “___ Shouldn’t I?” 68. Advance trial 69. Hanging spot

Down

1. Garb for Troy Perry 2. Gershwin and Levin 3. Boston cager, for short 4. Targets for Patty Sheehan 5. Suffix that changes senor’s gender 6. Mel pretended

PORTRAIT from page 25

BR: Not really. I mean, I was definitely a minority at Radnor but I never felt or heard anything negative. A lot of my friends were Jewish and Lower Merion is right next door, which is Jew-central. I think the main reason I joined Phi Kappa Phi is because we had a reputation for being very much not like a typical frat. We were the nice Jewish boys on campus. And frankly, in high school, most of my friends were girls, though I didn’t have any girlfriends. I never hung out with boys so when I got to college, it was great to be accepted by a big group of guys. I think it was one of the reasons I didn’t come out earlier, but to my surprise when I did come out, everyone in my fraternity was extremely supportive and I still have friends from that group. PGN: What made you become a psychology major? BR: I love understanding things, getting to the root of stuff and analyzing it. When I was in 10th grade, one of my friends was struggling with a lot of issues, eating disorders, etc. I talked her through a lot and she really improved. It felt good and made me want to be a therapist. I’ve since altered the kind of behavior I analyze but the passion for understanding people is still there in what I do now. I also liked business and numbers so it’s a nice merge of both. I work in market research so basically if you have customers that you don’t call customers, we help you with your client relations. So if you are a hotel and you have guests or if you’re a sports team and you have fans, or if you’re an organization

to be gay for her in “What Women Want” 7. Like Feniger’s vinegar 8. Date steadily 9. Language ending 10. Tearoom possibility 11. Opposite of loads 12. Water lily home 13. “Showboat” cap’n 18. Match a poker bet 19. Off-rd. transport 24. Crack codecracking org. 25. Life-beach connection 26. Larry Kramer, for one 27. Eng. flyers 28. Sedaris of “Strangers with Candy” 30. Kind of Buddhist 31. P-town’s Crowne Pointe, e.g. 32. Palm Pilot, e.g. 34. Bravely endured 35. “You are Sixteen, Going on Seventeen” and

others 37. Bound by oath 38. Paddled in the stern, perhaps 40. College e-mail address ending 41. Fit your first mate’s mast 42. Unknown degree 45. At no time 46. Nocturnal lizards of Tennessee Williams 47. Charles Laughton’s ship of mutiny 48. “I’m coming!” 49. “I don’t believe that!” 50. Butt in the mouth 52. Catch in a trap 53. Like a chicken hawk’s prey 56. Weathercock 57. “And this is the thanks ___?” 58. Buster Brown’s pooch 61. Biter of Marc Antony’s girlfriend 62. Cockpit abbr. PAGE 34

and you have members, we do surveys and focus groups to help you measure customer satisfaction and/or what they think of your brand or product. A casino may want to find out why they’re losing their gamblers or, say, a classic car association wants to know why members are dropping out. It’s my job to do the research to find out why.

where we take people for fun outings like paint balling followed by a pub party. It was a fun side job and one of my friends who wanted to find a way to meet other people and do other things besides going to the bars contacted me about starting Qventures. It’s really taken off. We were originally struggling to get people to the events and now we have to put a cap on it.

but people see pictures from our events that are mostly attended by men and it perpetuates that idea that we are men-only.

PGN: So in college you did get to go abroad. What was that like? BR: Yes, I got to study abroad in Spain for four months and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I lived in Madrid but took the opportunity to travel to seven or eight other cities — Barcelona, etc. My host mom was extraordinary. She took care of me when I was sick, made me little sandwiches to take with me when I traveled. I learned so much from her. It was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

PGN: What are some of your favorite Qventures so far? BR: Well, my favorite was rock-climbing because I met my boyfriend there! We climbed at Go Vertical and then went to Yards brewery for a tour. The tour guide was the most awkward guy ever and we started doing a drinking game for each time the guide said something off-kilter. We started flirting with each other and we went on our first date soon after. At Qventures, we’ve gone skiing, done wine tastings at local vineyards, gone on museum trips and been ice skating. Last month we went to The Flower Show and tomorrow we’re going glass-blowing. I’m really excited about that; it’s something on my bucket list that I’ve always wanted to try. We try to do the gamut, from things that are more adventurous and physical to things that are more social and relaxed.

PGN: What show do you DVR the most? BR: I don’t have a DVR but I watch a lot of HBO. “True Blood,” “Girls,” “Game of Thrones,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Once Upon a Time” are really fun. I loved “24” and “American Horror Story,” “Archer.” I’m really excited that “Arrested Development” is coming back on Netflix.

PGN: What was the craziest adventure? BR: I’m not a big party person, but in Madrid, there’s a saying that for a good night you take the last metro into the city and the first metro in the morning to go home. So living that club life, dancing until 6 in the morning and then going out for frozen chocolate before going home to take a nap as my host mother got up for work was crazy and fun. PGN: And speaking of adventures, tell me about Qventures. BR: It was founded by me and two friends, Steve McCann, who runs Philly Gay Calendar, and Zach Mosley. I’d been working for Living Social Adventures,

PGN: You need more women, though! BR: I know, we’re having a meeting next week and we plan to address it. QV was started by three gay guys and the first people to join were our friends. There’s a misconception that we are boys-only but that’s not the case at all. We want an extremely LGBT-inclusive organization

PGN: Let’s do some random questions. Best and worst smells? BR: Worst, something called sthaz, and all I’ll say is it has to do with pledging. My favorite smell is garlic mashed potatoes.

PGN: Favorite line from a movie? BR: That’s so hard! “We could not talk or talk forever and still find things to not talk about.” That’s from one of my favorite movies, “Best in Show.” PGN: Which of Snow White’s seven dwarves would you be? BR: I’d say if Happy and Grumpy had a kid, that would be me. PGN: If you were on the cover of a magazine, which one would it be and why? BR: Forbes. I’d like to be the poster boy for a successful gay man. ■ For more information about Qventures, visit www.facebook.com/qventures. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

Worth Watching

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

CANNONBALL FUN: Out diving legend Greg Louganis will give 10 celebrities pointers to compete in regulation platform and springboard diving at dizzying heights in the new series “Splash,” 8 p.m. March 26 on ABC. Photo: ABC/

Only in

Gettin’ On

Online and in print every third Friday of the month.

Kelsey McNeal

Get out of town. No, really, we mean it. Find deals both near and far, along with travel tips from Philly’s own Jeff Guaracino.

Only in Online and in print every third Friday of the month.

Outward Bound

Jeff Guaracino

Stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Retirement plans, savings plans and college funds. Good debt vs. bad debt. Financial advisor Jeremy Gussick breaks it down every month, interpreting simple and complex ﬁnancial strategies for the LGBT community.

POP LIFE: New judges Shakira and Usher join Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and host Carson Daly to oversee the latest batch of hopefuls on a new season of singing competition “The Voice,” 8 p.m. March 25 on NBC. Photo: NBC/Mark Selige

THROWING DOWN ON THE PLAYGROUND: Gay parent Mitch helps Lily deal with a schoolyard bully on a new episode of “Modern Family,” 9 p.m. March 27 on ABC. Photo: ABC/Peter “Hopper” Stone

Only in BALLROOM BLITZED: Out (and sometime chemically challenged) comedian Andy Dick is part of this season’s cast of performers on “Dancing with the Stars.” See if he makes it through the first round of cuts 9 p.m. March 26 on ABC. Photo: ABC/Rick Rowell

Out Money

Jeremy Gussick

Online and in print every second Friday.

What special challenges does the LGBT community face when it comes to the law? Whether it’s adoption, co-habitation agreements or a will, Angela Giampolo shares legal advice for our community each month.

Only in Online and in print every ﬁrst Friday.

Out Law

Angela Giampolo

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

PGN

GLENSIDE (PHILA)

Come see what’s new at your local, non-corporate, gluten-free historic queer bookshop! Browse, chat, and support the oldest continuously operating LGBT book store in the USA!

��

Every Wednesday night 8 p.m. - 1 a.m. you can get a free conﬁdential HIV test at

Philadelphia FIGHT

NEW ALBUM! NEW SHOW!

��

and receive free admission to Woody’s dance ﬂoor, a free slice of pizza from 13th Street Gourmet Pizza, and a chance to win great prizes.

��

Philadelphia FIGHT 1233 Locust St., 3rd ﬂoor ��

��

www.ﬁght.org 215.985.4448

10% most hardcovers, over 5 million books and 3 million eBooks available at queerbooks.com email: giovannis_room@verizon.net 345 S. 12th St. Philadelphia, Pa 19107 215-923-2960 Mon-Sat 11:30 - 7, Sun 1 - 7

FILM PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

Kerouac classic travels a new road By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor It took more than 50 years for Jack Kerouac’s bestseller “On the Road” to be turned into a film. And curiously, this American classic about freedom — be it of the sexual, spiritual, musical or drink- or drug-induced kind — is directed by Walter Salles, a Brazilian. Working from an adaptation by Jose Rivera (whom Salles partnered with on “The Motorcycle Diaries”), the film, opening March 22 at Ritz East, is faithful to key chunks of Kerouac’s vivid prose. While no screen version can do complete justice to Kerouac’s novel, this cinematic take mostly succeeds. Salles’ film gets the beat era’s language, as well as the jazzy camaraderie of its young men and women, right. These are lives fueled by cigarettes, Benzedrine and joints, alcohol and sex, poetry and the open road, poetry of the open road and the freedom that comes from being one’s own person. The film, shot by Eric Gautier, looks utterly gorgeous. Many of the urban scenes have the burnished lighting and composition of a poignant Edward Hopper painting. Scenes on the wide, open road are absolutely luminous. The atmosphere of a seedy apartment, diner or bar are all richly textured. The story opens with Sal Paradise (Sam Riley of “Control” plays the Kerouac character) recounting his first meeting with

Dean Moriarity (Garrett Hedlund in the Neal Cassady role) when the latter arrives in New York. The two men become fast friends — like long-lost brothers, they say — and Dean prompts Sal to begin his life “on the road.” These early scenes have an urgency and energy that mirrors Kerouac’s jaunty text. The way the characters relate to one another also captures the spirit of the times and of the book. When Carlo (Tom Sturridge, who represents Alan Ginsberg) kisses Dean, or has a threesome with Dean and a girl, Carlo effuses about the encounter, declaring, “This is how you love.” It is very of-the -moment and very typical of the intellectualizing that these characters did in the late 1940s. “On the Road” meanders a bit after its initial kinetic burst. A sequence of Sal picking cotton in Selma, Calif., is important — it shows him working, and away from Dean’s influence — but it slows things down before they pick back up with the two friends reuniting. Sal’s meetings with Dean often involve the latter’s romantic entanglements. Dean loves two women: Marylou (Kristen Stewart) and Camille (Kirsten Dunst as the Carolyn Cassady figure). He frequently spends time with one or the other or travels back and forth between them. In contrast, Sal is more passive. Even when Dean and Marylou invite him into their bed, Sal’s discomfort prompts him to ask Dean to leave the room. But Sal is not always so

SAM RILEY (LEFT) AS SAL PARADISE AND GARRETT HEDLUND AS DEAN MORIARTY IN “ON THE ROAD”

prudish, as a scene of Marylou servicing the guys in the front seat of a car proves. The film version of “On the Road” makes Dean a mythical figure — not unlike Kerouac’s portrayal in his book. Hedlund’s Dean is a magnetic conman throughout the film. His enthusiasm is pretty infectious and the sexy actor does well in the difficult role; he certainly makes viewers appreciate his hedonism. Watching this good-looking young man swagger shirtless or naked around a room is enticing. Other scenes, of Dean stealing gas or food, are also appealing, as is

watching him trying to sweet- talk his way out of a speeding ticket after getting pulled over for zooming down the highway. In contrast, Sal is far less interesting a character for much of the drama. He is often the quiet observer, taking careful, copious notes, which he will use to turn his and Dean’s story into the celebrated novel. Sal’s few active moments are as a substitute for Dean. He is Camille’s dance partner in one scene, and a companion for Marylou in another. Riley does his best with the limited role, but not until his final moments is there a payoff for his slowburn performance. “On the Road” is mostly about the two men and their adventures. It is not about the destination, but the journey, and the film makes that clear. An experience the guys have in Mexico may be the most memorable — in part because of the stylish way Salles films it — but there are interesting facets to all their encounters. A meeting with Old Bull Lee (Viggo Mortensen in the William S. Burroughs role) in Louisiana is strange, as are the experiences that result from accepting a ride from a mild-mannered gay man (Steve Buscemi), who gets Dean to fuck him. All that said, while Dean and Sal’s “visits” have an undeniable chemistry, there is curiously little emotional investment in most of the characters. Dean’s struggle to satisfy both Marylou and Camille is not particularly compelling, nor are episodes featuring Galatea (Elisabeth Moss), who is angry that her husband Ed (Danny Morgan) leaves her while he goes out on the road with the guys. The film’s lack of engagement is its biggest drawback; it may prove why the novel is so tough to film. Salles’ film may not be a masterpiece — honestly, how could it be, given the book’s legacy? — but it is an earnest effort. This screen version of “On the Road” may enrage purists, and disappoint fans of the novel, but it is a worthwhile attempt at capturing the restless spirit of Kerouac’s classic. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 03/22 Amy Schumer The comedian performs 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-5727650. Garrison Starr The out singersongwriter performs 7:30 p.m. at Tin Angel, 20 N. Second St.; 215928-0770. PNQ Benefit: The benefit show for Phreak N’ Queer Arts and Music Festival features performances by The Homophones, Fauxlectrelane, 2nd Opinion, Potpourri of Pearls, Liberty City Kings and Miss Mary Wanna,

8 p.m. at Ruba Club-Studios, 416 Green St.; 215-6279831. Sully Erna The rock singer performs 8 p.m. at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-343-4000. Stimulus DJ Kash is back for the monthly LGBTQ dance party, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at Voyeur, 1221 St. James St.; www.stimulusphilly.com.

Sat. 03/23 The Secret World of Arriety The animated film is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St.,

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

The Fab Faux The Beatles tribute group performs 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215572-7650.

Lisa Loeb The singer-songwriter performs 7:30 p.m. upstairs at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Four Bitchin’ Babes The group of singer-songwriters performs 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.

Bad Religion The punk-rock band performs 8 p.m. at Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800745-3000.

Mon. 03/25

Sun. 03/24

Free Quizzo & Board Game Night Roll the dice, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.

The Driver The 1978 crime drama film is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St.,

Looper The sci-fi film is screened 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.

Garbage The rock band performs 8 p.m. at Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.

“Giving voice to those who can only whisper, questing up from under-dark into a Millennial Poz new light.” Aaron Stella After 30 years of HIV/AIDS, the epidemic is impacting the next generation: the Millennials. Written by Aaron Stella, Millennial Poz gives a new voice to people with HIV/AIDS. Online and in print every second Friday.

Only in

WTTF?: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestant Alaska Thunderfuck (for some reason, they left the “Thunderfuck” title out the show) performs 10 p.m. March 29 at Tabu Lounge, 200 S. 12th St. For more information, call 215-964-9675.

Lipstick Mondays A weekly drag show featuring a changing roster of queens takes the stage 9 p.m. at The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 215-8622081. Steve Aoki The DJ/electronic artist performs 10 p.m. at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa’s Mur Mur nightclub, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Tue. 03/26 Laurie Rubin The out opera singer and author of “Do You Dream in Color?: Insights From a Girl Without Sight” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215686-5322.

Orgy The electronic-rock band performs 7:30 p.m. at The Note, 142 E. Market St., West Chester; www.thenotewc. com.

Wed. 03/27 4W5 Blues Jam Local musicians get down, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. Joan Osborne The rock singer performs 8 p.m. at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5858.

St., West Chester; www.thenotewc. com.

Fri. 03/29

Wax The punk-rock band performs 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888.

Christine Havrilla The out singersongwriter performs 8 p.m. at Steel City Coffee House, 239 Woburn St.; Phoenixville; 610-933-4043.

Bob and Barbara’s Drag Show The outrageousness begins 11 p.m. at Bob and Barbara’s, 1509 South St.; 215-545-4511.

Alaska Thunderfuck The drag queen seen on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” performs 10 p.m. at Tabu Lounge, 200 S. 12th St.; 215964-9675.

Thu. 03/28 Local H The grunge-rock band performs 8 p.m. at The Note, 142 E. Market

from page 30

AMATEUR NIGHT: Out singersongwriter Garrison Star is on the road in support of her selfreleased, fan-funded new record “Amateur,” performing 7:30 p.m. March 22 at Tin Angel, 20 N. Second St. For more information or tickets, call 215-928-0770.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Opening

GLAM ROCK, PART ONE: Modern rock band Garbage rolls through town as part of “Not Your Kind of People World Tour,” 8 p.m. March 23 at Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St. For more information or tickets, call 800745-3000.

JB Smoove The comedian seen on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” performs March 27-30 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-4969001. Jesus Christ Superstar The popular musical run March 28-30 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215572-7650.

Continuing Art Gallery: Eighth annual Juried Art Exhibit A new exhibit featuring LGBT artists, through April 5 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220. Cooking With the Calamari Sisters The all-singing, all-dancing, all-cooking hit musical comedy, through May 19 at Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. Eighth St.; 215-9230210. Cy Twombly: Sculptures Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works from the Swiss sculptor, through March, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Double Portrait Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works from designer Paula Scher and illustrator Seymour Chwast, through April 14, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Everyone and I Azuka Theatre presents the story about a man and his love for the music of Billie Holiday, through April 7, 1636 Sansom St.; 215-5631100. The Female Gaze: Women Artists Making Their World Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts presents more than 150 works from the Linda Lee Alter Collection of Art by women, through April 7, 128 N. Broad St.; www.pafa.org. For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow Is Enuf First World Theatre Ensemble presents the acclaimed drama March 22-April 7 at Community Education Center, 3500 Lancaster Ave.; 267-329-9746. Forever Plaid Media Theater presents the story of The Plaids, a classic 1950s all-male singing group that returns from the Great Beyond to perform the show they never got to when they were alive, through March 31, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100. Good People Walnut Street Theatre presents the story of people in a Boston community trying to find success, through April 28, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

Closing The Addams Family The musical based on the classic TV show, through March 24 at Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Josh Wolf The comedian seen on “Chelsea Lately” performs through March 23 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-4969001. Kun-Yang Lin Dancers The dance company founded by the out choreographer performs through March 23 at Mandell Theater of Drexel University, 33rd and Chestnut streets; kunyanglin.org/. Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them Theatre Confetti presents a timely play about adolescence, homosexuality and abandonment, through March 24 at The Old City Power Plant Basement, 233 N. Bread St.; 215-592-8775.

GLAM ROCK, PART TWO: Electronic hard-rock group Orgy is back in action after a long hiatus, 7:30 p.m. March 26 at The Note, 142 E. Market St., West Chester; www. thenotewc.com.

PGMC Concert: Big Broadway Sing Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus performs through March 23 at Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, 2110 Chestnut St.; www. pgmc.org.

spring ad PGN_Layout 1 2/20/13 2:41 PM

Tchaikovsky’s Fifth The Philadelphia Orchestra performs through March 23 at Kimmel’s Verizon Page 1 Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. ■

Great and Mighty Things Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of outsider art from the Jill and Sheldon Bonovitz Collection, through June 9, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Journeys to New Worlds Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of Spanish and Portuguese colonial art from the Roberta and Richard Huber Collection, through May 19, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. The Mind’s Eye: 50 Years of Photography by Jerry Uelsmann The James A. Michener Art Museum hosts an exhibition of iconic photographs from the famed photographer, through April 28, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-340-9800. Seminar Philadelphia Theatre Company presents a new comedy from the creators of “Smash” through April 14 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420.

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.

THINK SPRING 



 

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

Classifieds Real Estate Sale

Real Estate Sale

Open Houses - Sunday March 24, 2013 12:00-2:00 PM 3031 Cambridge St, Philadelphia, PA 19130 Totally rehabbed 2BR/1.5BA home in Art Museum Area. Perfect for ﬁrst-time home buyer. REDUCED! $224,900 936 N. 30th St, Philadelphia, PA 19130 Just Listed! Beautiful 3BR/2.5BA home in Art Museum Area. $350,000 Search all Philadelphia area listings @ www.phillyrealestateagents.com Dan Tobey

1401 Walnut St. • 8th Floor • Philadelphia, PA 19102

215.546.2700 Business • 267.238.1061 Direct 215.432.7151 Cell • 215.558.1063 Fax dtobey@cbpref.com • www.cbpref.com

Real Estate Sale

Services

BURLINGTON TWP., NJ $525,000 Just in time for Spring! Enjoy the warmth from the enclosed porch or Florida room. Entertainer’s kitchen. 3 levels, 6 bedrooms, 9” ceilings, wood ﬂoors. Outdoor oasis with in-ground pool and spa, koi pond, cabana, pergola. Info at: MyAgentKate.com/TND6045783. Call Kate (856) 397-0618. ________________________________________37-13 Lake Sale, NY: 5 acres Salmon River Lake $29,900. 7 acres 100’on bass lake $39,900. 8 acres Waterfront Home $99,900. Local Financing Available. www.LandFirstNY. com 1-888-683-2626. ________________________________________37-12

12TH & DICKINSON AREA Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms, bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (negotiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. ________________________________________37-12

EXP RELIABLE HOUSECLEANER Let me free up your valuable time by cleaning your house or apt. Weekly biweekly monthly. I have 10+ years exp. FREE estimates. Call Wayne 215-422-2654. Ref’s upon request. ________________________________________37-13 EARN COLLEGE DEGREE ONLINE *Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV Certified. Call 888-220-3984. www.CenturaOnline.com ________________________________________37-12 AIRLINE CAREERS Begin here-Become an Aviation Maintenance Tech. FAA approved training. Financial aid if qualified-Housing available. Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 888-834-9715 ________________________________________37-12 Heavy Equipment Operator Career! 3 Weeks Hands On Training School. Bulldozers, Backhoes, Excavators. National Certifications. Lifetime Job Placement Assistance. VA Benefits Eligible! 1-866-362-6497. ________________________________________37-12

Travel & Resorts

Notices

OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800638-2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com ________________________________________37-12

Are you pregnant? A happily married couple seeks to adopt. Will be hands-on mom and devoted dad. Financial security. Expenses paid. Christa & Paul. 1-800-936-1631. ________________________________________37-12

Pursuant to §128.85 of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Title 7 regulations, GROWMARK FS, LLC. hereby gives notice of ground application of “Restricted Use Pesticides” for the protection of agricultural crops in municipalities in Pennsylvania during the next 45 days. Residents of contiguous property to our application sites should contact your local GROWMARK FS, LLC. facility for additional information. Concerned Citizens should contact: Michael Layton, MGR. Safety & Environment, mlayton@growmarkfs.com GROWMARK FS, LLC. 308 N.E. Front Street, Milford, DE 19963. Call 302-422-3002 . ________________________________________37-12 Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia, February Term, 2013, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on February 28, 2013, the petition of Armaghan Novin Kashani was ﬁled, praying for a decree to change his name to Aren Novin Kashani. The Court has ﬁxed April 26 at 12:30 p.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. ________________________________________37-12

Real Estate Sale

Real Estate Rent

For Sale SAWMILLS From only $3997.00- MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1800-578-1363 Ext.300N. ________________________________________37-12

Adoption

EXQUISITE Historic Estate nestled on almost an acre of park like grounds and gardens. Built Circa 1721 and features many unique characteristics. Home has been on numerous City Historic Christmas and Garden Tours. Formal living and dining rooms grace the first floor. Each with it’s own gas burning brick fireplace. New gourmet kitchen with gas fireplace. A breezeway room with French doors out to a fabulous brick side porch for all your outside entertaining. Au pair or in-law suite on first floor complete with a full bath and is handicap accessible. 6 bedrooms on the second and third floors. Three of them feature wood burning fireplaces. Laundry room is conveniently located on the second floor. The fabulous grounds feature an over-sized pond, in-ground pool with new liner and an out building/pool house that was once used for boat making. Updated roofs on both the main house and out building. Truly a show piece and must be seen to be appreciated.

Haines & Haines Realtors

$574,200

Chris Seiler • 609-386-1636 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 real-estate advertising that is in violation of any applicable law.

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

PGN

HATCH YOUR SUMMER ESCAPE PLAN NOW USING PGN’S SUMMER RENTAL DIRECTORIES. Running through April 17. For advertising inquiries contact your PGN Ad Rep at (215) 625-8501

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

Help Wanted

Friends Men

Driver- Daily or Weekly Pay. $0.01 increase per mile after 6 and 12 months. $.03/mile Enhanced Quarterly Bonus. Requires 3 months OTR experience. 800-414-9569 www. driveknight.com ________________________________________37-12 Exp. Reefer Drivers: GREAT PAY /Freight lanes from Presque Isle, ME, Boston-Lehigh, PA. 800-277-0212 or primeinc.com ________________________________________37-12 $5,000 SIGN-ON BONUS For exp’d solo OTR drivers & O/O’s. Tuition reimbursement also available! New Student Pay & Lease Program. USA TRUCK 877-521-5775 www.GoUSATruck.com ________________________________________37-12 NEED CLASS A CDL TRAINING? Start a CAREER in trucking today! Swift Academies offer PTDI certified courses and offer “Best-In-Class” training. *New Academy Classes Weekly *No Money Down or Credit Check *Certified Mentors Ready and Available *Paid (While Training With Mentor) *Regional and Dedicated Opportunities *Great Career Path * Excellent Benefits Package. Please Call: (866) 271-7613. ________________________________________37-12 GORDON TRUCKING, INC. CDL-A Drivers Needed! Up to $3,000 SIGN ON BONUS. Refrigerated Fleet with Great Miles. Up to .46 cpm w/10 years experience. Full Benefits, 401k, EOE. No N.E. Runs! TeamGTI.com 866-554-7856. ________________________________________37-12 CRST offers the Best Lease Purchase Program! SIGN ON BONUS. No Down Payment or Credit Check. Great Pay. Class-A CDL required. Owner Operators Welcome! Call:866-403-7044. ________________________________________37-12 AREA CLAIMS WRITER/DAMAGE CONSULTANT Background and home inspection, Real Estate, Property Preservation or PNC license a Plus. Send resume/brief work history. Email: scrrm123@gmail.com ________________________________________37-12 Owner Operators: $3,000 Sign-On Bonus. Excellent Rates & Paid FSC. Home Daily. 80% Drop & Hook. Great Fuel & Tire Discounts. L/P available. CDL-A with 1 year tractortrailer experience required. 888-703-3889 or apply online at www.comtrak.com ________________________________________37-12 Pyle Transportation Needs Owner Operators!! Regional Truckload- Guaranteed Weekends Home!!! Average- $1.85/ Mile!! Requires 2 Yrs. OTR exp. Call Dan @ 888-477-0020 Ext.7 Or apply: www.driveforpyle.com ________________________________________37-12

LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. ________________________________________37-15 BM, 60 looking for British gent, 35-45 for intimate encounters. 215-763-3391, 6PM-Midnight. ________________________________________37-14 Attractive GWM, 37, friendly, sweet, caring, funny, naughtyboy, brutally attacked in prison. Every guy I ever loved has abandoned me. I’m so very lonely. ISO guys to write to me. I will reply to all. Kenneth Houck #06743-015, Federal Medical Center, PO Box 1600, Butner NC 27509. ________________________________________37-15 Senior GWM ISO male, 40+, all races for platonic friendship. Phila. area only. PO Box 302, Merion Sta., PA 19066. ________________________________________37-14 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________37-11 OLDER SEEKING YOUNGER Hispanic males: Mexican, Puerto Rican, South American, Asian, etc. Like reading, travel, TV, outdoors. Seeks someone for friendship & good times. Habla Espanol. 856-547-4163. ________________________________________37-14 Professional GWM, 49 seeks other GWMs, 35-55 for massage exchange. centercityghb@yahoo.com ________________________________________37-14 I’m looking for a very large heat seeking rocket to expode in a very nice white butt! 215-732-2108, 8-11 PM. ________________________________________37-15

Real Estate Sale

Massage David, 63, 6’, 200 lbs., educated. 215-569-4949. ________________________________________37-15 Massage in the burbs. $60/hr. 610-710-6213 for appt. ________________________________________37-16

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

Hot ’n horny hookups.

AYESD 5D LIMIT UN ACCESS!

Handsome Certified Therapist

JOIN NOW

CAM CHAT

CRUISING DIRECTORY

MEMBER VIDEOS

MOBILE SITE

Horny? Hookup with men in Philly.

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

Call 215-432-6030

B-7

STAY WARM WITH US!!! DRY SUANA & STEAM ROOM ARE AVAILBLE...

GYM, DRY SAUNA, and STEAM ROOM ARE AVAILABLE... LATE NIGHT FOOLING AROUND Sat., April 13th, 2013 Time: 11pm-3:30am WHAT TO EXPECT: • DJ David Dutch • Complimentary Food & Beverages • A Full House of Guys To Choose From & So Much More.. Rooms go quickly and are on a 1st Come, 1st Served basis. So Check In Early if you want a room…

BUSY TIMES FOR US:

These our are most popular days when people come-

SUNDAY RELIEF

Half Price Rooms (6am Sunday till 8am Monday) Members: $12.50 & Non-Members: $22.50

MONDAY thru FRIDAY:

Business Mans Locker Special (8am to 4pm) Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00

TUESDAYS

Half Price Rooms (6am-12 Midnight) Members: $12.50 & Non-Members: $22.50

WEDNESDAY &THURSDAY CRUISE

$12 Flat Rate for Licker Admission & Clothing Optional Check out our website for our HOT NEW WEEKLY SPECIALS & JOIN OUR e-mail List to get the latest information on upcoming events.... Also, RENOVATIONS are being done, So swing by & Check Out The Transformation!

Don’t forget to visit the Adonis Cinema right next door!! 2026 Sansom St/ PH: 215-557-9319

PGN

Activism/Politics

ACT-UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) meets 6-9 p.m. every Monday at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; 215-386-1981; www.actupphilly.org. Delaware Valley Chapter, Americans United for Separation of Church and State seeks activists and supporters of church-state separation. Holds monthly meetings and events; www.dvau.org. Equality Pennsylvania holds a volunteer night the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m., 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 605; 215-731-1447; www.equalitypa.org. Green Party of Philadelphia holds general meetings the fourth Thursday of the month except August and December, 7 p.m.; 215-243-7103; www.gpop.org. Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club meets seasonally; www.libertycity.org.

Arts

Library Book Club meets to discuss a new book 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at the William Way Center. Philadelphia Freedom Band, an audition-free LGBT band that does concerts and parades, rehearses Mondays 7-9:30 p.m.; philadelphiafreedomband.com. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus rehearses 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays; 215-731-9230; auditions@pgmc.org. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Opera Club meets to share and listen to recordings 6:30 p.m. the last Saturday of the month; 215-732-7898. Philadelphia Voices of Pride, Philadelphia’s first mixed GLBT chorus, rehearses 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the William Way Center; www.pvop.org. Queer Writer’s Collective workshop and discussion group meets 4-6 p.m. the fourth Saturday of the month at the William Way Center. Reading Queerly, open to all women and genderqueer/ trans people, meets 6:45 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.

Recreation

Gay Bridge Club non-beginners group meets Monday 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the William Way Center; reservations required. Call 215-732-2220. Gay-friendly Scrabble Club meets 6-11 p.m. in the P.I.C. Building, 42nd and Locust streets; 215-382-0789. Gay Opera Guys of Philly, a new group for opera appreciation, meets the last Sunday of the month at 2:30 p.m. in Roxborough/Andorra area; 215-483-1032. Humboldt Society: Lesbian and Gay Naturalists meets the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the William Way Center; 215-985-1456; www.humboldtsociety.org. Independence Squares LGBT square-dance club, modern Western square dancing. Monthly open house. Tuesday classes in the fall; Lutheran Church, 2111 Sansom St.; philadances@gmail.com; www.independencesquares.org. Male Oenophile Group forming to discuss, appreciate and taste various wines. Will meet once a month to investigate the nuances and glories of the fermented grape. Call 267230-6750 for more information. Mornings OUT LGBT Senior Social activities for senior gay men are held every Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the William Way Center. PhilaVentures, Philadelphia’s LGBT outdoor group, meets for hikes in Wissahickon Valley and Valley Forge Park; philaventures.org.

Sports

Brandywine Women’s Rugby Club meets for Tuesday and Thursday practice at 8 p.m. Greenfield Park, West Chester; www.brandywinerugby.org. City of Brotherly Love Softball League serves the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Games are played Sundays, beginning in April, in Fairmount Park; www.cblsl.org. Frontrunners running club meets 9:30 a.m. Saturdays for a run and brunch. Lloyd Hall, No. 1 Boathouse Row; www. philadelphiafrontrunners.org. Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club LGBT and allies; plays 6 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. Saturdays at Edgely Fields in Fairmount Park; www.falcons-soccer.org. Philadelphia Fins Swim Team, male and female swimmers, meets 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Friends Select School and 10:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Kelly Pool in Fairmount Park; www.philadelphia-fins.org. Philadelphia Gay Bowling League meets 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays September-April at Brunswick Zone, 1328 Delsea Drive, Deptford, N.J.; 856-889-1434; www.philagaybowling.com. Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League games played Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at Columbus Square Park, 1200 Wharton St.; phillyflagfootball.com. Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Football Club seeks play-

ers, all skill levels welcome; meets 7:45 p.m. Thursdays at Columbus Square Park, 1200 Wharton St.; 215-913-7531; philadelphiagryphons.org; becomeagryphon@gmail.com. Philadelphia Liberty Belles women’s semi-pro full-tackle football league holds fall tryouts; phillybelles.com. Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association plays yearround, all skill levels welcome; philadelphialibertytennis. com. Philadelphia Firebirds women’s football team seeks players; www.philadelphiafirebirds.com. Philadelphia Women’s Baseball League seeks players, all skill levels and ages welcome. Practice is Thursdays, 7 p.m. at Marian Anderson Recreation Center, 17th and Fitzwater streets, with games on Sundays 2:30 p.m.; phillywomensbaseball.com; contact Narda Quigley, (day) 215991-5995 or (evening) 301-919-1194. Philly Gay Hockey Association Philadelphia Phury seeks players; 917-656-1936; phury@gayhockey.org. Philly QCycle LGBT bicycling club promotes organized recreational riding for all levels in the Greater Philadelphia region. Contact the organization via Facebook. Rainbow Riders of the Delaware Valley motorcycle club meets regularly; 215-836-0440; www.groups.yahoo.com/ group/rainbowridersdv/. Rainbow Rollers gay and lesbian bowling league meets 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays at Boulevard Lanes in Northeast Philadelphia; rainbowrollers.com. Spartan Wrestling Club, the gay wresting team, meets 6:30-9 p.m. Mondays (no August practice) at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.; 215-732-4545; www. phillyspartans.com. Suburban Gay Bowling League bowls at 8 p.m. Thursdays from August-April at Facenda-Whitaker Lanes, 2912 Swede Road, Norristown; sgblbowl@gmail.com. Team Philadelphia, the umbrella group for gay and lesbian sports teams, and individual athletes in the Delaware Valley come together to provide a healthy outlet for all members of the community; teamphiladelphia.org.

Etc.

AIDS Law Project provides free legal assistance to people with HIV/AIDS and sponsors free monthly seminars on work and housing; 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 600; 215-5879377; www.aidslawpa.org. BiUnity, Philadelphia-area social and support network for bisexuals, their family members and friends meets the second Friday of every other month at the William Way Center; www.biunity.org. Delaware Valley Pink Pistols for LGBT people dedicated to legal, safe and responsible use of firearms for selfdefense; meets 2 p.m. the third Saturday of the month at Classic Indoor Range, 1310 Industrial Blvd., Southampton; 610-879-2364; www.pinkpistols.org. Delaware Pride holds planning meetings 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the United Church of Christ, 300 Main St., Newark; 302-265-3020; delawarepride.org. Haverford College’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance holds open meetings 10-11 p.m. Mondays during the school year in the lounge in Jones Basement at Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave.; 610-896-4938. Men and Women for Human Excellence support group meets from noon-2 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of the month at 26th Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue; 267-2733513; cmoore8300@yahoo.com. Long Yang Club Philadelphia social organization for gay Asians and their friends holds monthly socials; www. longyangclub.org/philadelphia. Our Night Out, a casual social networking party of LGBT professionals, friends and colleagues, meets in a different Philadelphia hot spot each month. To receive monthly event invitations, email OurNightOutPhilly@gmail.com; more information on Facebook. Philadelphia Bar Association Legal Advice offered 5-8 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month; 215-238-6333. Philadelphia Prime Timers club for mature gay and bisexual men and their admirers meets regularly; primetim ersofphiladelphia@yahoo.com. Philadelphians MC Club for leather men and women meets 7:30 p.m. the first and third Monday of the month at The Pit at The Bike Stop, 201 S. Quince St.; philadelphiansmc.org. Rainbow Amateur Radio Association ARRL-affiliated, weekly HF nets, quarterly newsletter; www.rara.org. Rock ’n’ Roll Queer Bar Party for gay and lesbian rockers with host Psydde Delicious starts 10 p.m. every first Sunday at Fluid, 613 S. Fourth St.; www. RocknRollQueerBar.com. Silver Foxes, a social and educational group for gays and lesbians 50 and older, meets 3-5 p.m. the fourth Sunday of the month at the William Way Center. SNJ Queers meets monthly for queer/queer-friendly folks in South Jersey to mix and mingle. Search for SNJ Queers on Facebook; contact Wendy at 856-375-3708 or wmf69@comast.net.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com March 22-28, 2013

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 ■ The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 215-496-0330 ■ District Attorney LGBT Liaison: Helen “Nellie” Fitzpatrick, 215-686-

■ 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 9980, helen.fitzpatrick@phila.gov ■ 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: Gloria Casarez, 215-6862194; Gloria.Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: 215-686-2555

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

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 March 22-28, 2013

BOR_23155_99WeekdayRate_JrP_PGN_AD_c2.indd 1

PGN

3/13/13 11:55 AM