PGN March 26 - April 1, 2010 edition by The Philadelphia Gay News

Philadelphia Gay News March 26 - April 1, 2010

Honesty Integrity Professionalism

City requests immediate eviction of Scouts

Vol. 34 No. 13

HIV/AIDS orgs. face drastic cuts By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer

By Timothy Cwiek PGN Writer-at-Large Emphasizing the damaging effects of antigay bias, city officials are asking a federal judge to order the immediate eviction of the local Boy Scouts council from a cityowned building. The 78-page motion for summary judgment — with dozens of accompanying exhibits — was filed March 15 with U.S. District Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter. “The city simply is not willing to subsidize an organization’s discrimination against vulnerable youth who are stigmatized and degraded by the Scouts’ maintenance and application of its exclusionary policies,” the filing states. Providing rental subsidies to the Cradle of Liberty Council has become intoler-

GETTING THE POINT ACROSS: Lewis Kalmbach (from left), Sarah Marlow and Camillia Williams gleefully jab an oversized voodoo doll with knitting needles to fulfill their private vendettas. The prop was part of the Calcutta House fundraising event “Night Train to New Orleans,” held March 19 at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue, which included an auction, Tarot-card readings and a jazz ensemble to entertain the nearly See SCOUTS, Page 15 200 attendees. Photo: Scott A. Drake

The city’s AIDS Activities Coordinating Office sent out a memo late last month to inform local HIV/AIDS service organizations they would be faced with even more financial obstacles after the state slashed funding for Philadelphia’s HIV prevention and education efforts. The state recently cut the city’s funding by $1.7 million for fiscal year 2010, and will decrease it by $2 million when fiscal year 2011 begins in July, money that is filtered to the city through the state Health Department and then dispersed among local HIV/AIDS service organizations. Kevin Burns, executive director of ActionAIDS, said since there are only a few months left of the current fiscal year and much of the prevention dollars for this See FUNDING, Page 12

Clinical trials exclude gays, new study finds By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer

DEMOCRATIC DEALINGS: Dan Onorato, executive of Allegheny County, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, details his positions on LGBT issues to members of Liberty City Democratic Club during the organization’s candidate night March 22 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, which was also attended by gubernatorial hopefuls Joe Hoeffel and Anthony Hardy Williams. A representative for Jonathan Saidel, who is running for lieutenant governor, spoke to the crowd, as did representatives for Congressman Joe Sestak and Sen. Arlen Specter, who are both vying for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate and who had to be in Washington, D.C., for a vote on Monday. Also in attendance was Keith Newman, who is running for state representative in the 194th District and couldn’t attend last week’s state-level candidate night. Liberty City will host its endorsement meeting at 6 p.m. April 7 at the center, 1315 Spruce St. Photo: Scott A. Drake

The New England Journal of Medicine last week carried a report from a group of researchers from Fox Chase Cancer Center that found that some clinical trials exclude gays and lesbians. According to the report, initiated by FCCC biostatistician Brian Egleston, about 15 percent of trials that focus on erectile dysfunction, hypoactive sexual desire disorder or couples therapy contained eligibility requirements that participants must be heterosexual. “What we suspect is that since these types of trials relate to sexual functioning or couples studies, researchers might think that gays and lesbians are inherently different when it comes to sexual functioning or relationships than heterosexuals,” Egleston said. He noted that the impact is more widespread than it appears on the surface. “What we found is that these studies tend to be ones that are very large, industry-sponsored Phase III trials, so they’re

being run at 80 sites, 50 sites, 20 sites all over,” he said. “Even though it’s only 15 percent, it’s a group that is very large.” Egleston’s interest in this issue was piqued last year when he came across trials that had been proposed at FCCC and that explicitly excluded LGBTs. He did an initial search on ClinicalTrials.gov, which tracks all trials funded by the National Institutes of Health, government agencies and private companies, and noticed the exclusionary language was used in a number of studies. Egleston said it appeared that the eligibility language was often copied from other studies, signaling that the issue may stem from a lack of forethought rather than a desire to discriminate. Egleston enlisted fellow FCCC researchers Roland Dunbrack and Michael Hall to conduct a more widespread analysis of ClinicalTrials.gov, and said the PGN story about their efforts last fall helped fuel support. “Our press office picked up the story See STUDY, Page 21

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PHILADELPHIA NEWS PHILADELPHIA GAY GAY NEWS

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News

PGN 10

Editorial Gayborhood Crime Watch Letters/Feedback Mark My Words Media Trail News Briefing National News Creep of the Week Regional News Street Talk

14 11 11 7 5 7 10 5 11

505 S. Fourth St. Philadelphia, PA 19147-1506 Phone: (215) 625-8501 Fax: (215) 925-6437 E-mail: pgn@epgn.com Web: www.epgn.com

Hey, big spender! The AIDS Fund will call its 11th annual Black-Tie GayBINGO at the Crystal Tea Room on April 9. Page 9

Detour Comics Diversions Meeting Place Portraits Q Puzzle Scene In Philly Worth Watching

Publisher

In the pink

Mark Segal (ext. 204)

PGN’s fourth annual Pink Penny Awards will come down from heaven next week. Find out who we picked as the good, the bad and the ugly.

Editor Sarah Blazucki (ext. 206) sarah@epgn.com Art Director Scott A. Drake (ext. 210) scott@epgn.com Staff Writers Jen Colletta (ext. 215) jen@epgn.com

27 36 38 26 27 29 30

Larry Nichols (ext. 213) larry@epgn.com Writer-at-Large Timothy Cwiek (ext. 208)

Kathleen Turner takes the stage for a world premiere at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre in “Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins.” Page 22

Family Portraits:

The Rev. James St. George

There’s a new place in the Gayborhood, and it’s being greeted with open arms and mouths.

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Graphic Artist Sean Dorn (ext. 211) sean@epgn.com Advertising Director Tami Sortman (ext. 218) tami@epgn.com Advertising Manager Greg Dennis (ext. 201) greg@epgn.com

Columns Food & Drink Mombian Offline

mark@epgn.com

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

32 24 25

Morgan Levine (ext. 212) morgan@epgn.com

Classifieds Directories

39 51

Diversions

Mombian

Offline

Diversions

Kelly Root (ext. 207) kelly@epgn.com

“The Lion King” takes the stage at the Kimmel Center.

Build and destroy

April offerings

Picasso and the Avant-Garde of Paris

National Advertising Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863

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emails

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Poll results from our online survey as of March 24:

Did you ﬁll out the PGN reader survey?

Events: diversions@epgn.com

53% Yes 27% No, but I will 22% No

News/story ideas: editor@epgn.com Letters/opinions: editor@epgn.com

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

Worth Watching

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Would you participate in a PGN Readers’ Choice Awards?

Office Manager/Classifieds Don Pignolet (ext. 200) don@epgn.com Executive Assistant Credit/Billing Manager Carol Giunta (ext. 202) carol@epgn.com Philadelphia Gay News is a member of: The Associated Press National Gay Newspaper Guild Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 2010 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155 The views of PGN are expressed only in the unsigned “Editorial” column. Opinions expressed in bylined columns, stories and letters to the editor are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of PGN. The appearance of names or pictorial representations in PGN does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that named or pictured person or persons.

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News Briefing

Regional

No marker for bookstore this year

WILL DANCE FOR FOOD: The Pennsylvania Ballet performers, emcees and choreographers celebrate at the end of the nearly sold-out “Shut Up & Dance” MANNA fundraiser, held March 20 at the Forrest Theater. This year, MANNA director of events and communications Meg Rider created silhouettes and bios of the organizations’ 1,700 clients and volunteers taped them to theater seats to help the audience connect with clientele. Scott Mandel (inset, from left), MANNA’s corporate development associate; Emilie Carr of GlaxoSmithKline; MANNA CEO Richard Keaveney; and Shawn Kline of GlaxoSmithKline give a quick smile at the pre-party for the 18th annual fundraiser. The GlaxoSmithKline LGBT Employee Resource Group was one of the sponsors of the event. Photos: Scott A. Drake

Penn hosts LGBT week, out ‘Milk’ writer By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The University of Pennsylvania was decked out in rainbows the past few days for the school’s annual LGBT-awareness week, which will wrap up this weekend with the appearance of an out Academy Award winner. Dustin Lance Black, screenwriter of “Milk,” will deliver the keynote address for QPenn at 6 p.m. March 27 in Room G17 of Claudia Cohen Hall, 249 S. 36th St., an event that is free and open to the public. Paul Richards, a senior international-relations major who’s co-chairing this year’s QPenn, said Black was at the top of the list of speakers that organizers started considering in September. “Our main task in the fall was to nail down a keynote speaker, and we talked over some names, and he was really our first choice,” Richards said. “As a young activist, he’s someone that I think a lot of young LGBT people will be able to connect with.” QPenn also offers a host of other activities for students to connect with one another and the entire LGBT community. Throughout the week, many of the university’s undergraduate and graduate LGBT organizations hosted socials and discussions, such as the Queer People of Color’s evening with Isis King, the first transgender contestant on “America’s Next Top Model.” Today at 2 p.m., the discussion will continue with a workshop on erotophobia at the LGBT Center, 3907 Spruce St. At 7 p.m., the Queer Student Alliance will host

a drag show at College Hall, with proceeds to benefit the Vivek A. Patel Foundation, a mental-health organization named after a Penn student who was active in the school’s LGBT community and who died last year. And from 11 p.m.-2 a.m., the alliance will also host Wonderland!, a social at Midatlantic, 3711 Market St. Before Black’s address on March 27, JBaGeL, a club for LGBT Jewish students, will sponsor a discussion with professor Joy Ladin, a transgender teacher at the New York City Orthodox Jewish school Yeshiva University. QPenn’s final day of events, March 28, will feature Penn Athletes and Allies Tackling Homophobia’s Pride Games at 3 p.m. at Hill Field, 34th and Chestnut streets, and Queer Undergraduates in Engineering,

DUSTIN LANCE BLACK (LEFT) AND CLEVE JONES AT THE 2009 ACADEMY AWARDS. PGN FILE PHOTO

Science and Technology’s Quizzo Night at 6 p.m. at Mikey’s, 3180 Chestnut St. Richards said the annual slate of activities typically draws involvement from beyond the LGBT community. “My co-chair for QPenn is actually a straight woman, an ally, and another member of the board is an ally, too. One of the great things about QPenn is that it does involve the whole community. We’re out fliering for events so we meet a lot of people who don’t identify as LGBT but who are really interested in coming to QPenn events. People want to know more, they’re curious about the community and, at a place like Penn, it’s actually looked down upon to not be supportive of the LGBT community.” Just as the event seeks to draw participation from the ally student community, it also encourages interactions among the entire Philadelphia LGBT community, an effort Richards said is exemplified by this year’s theme “It’s Always Queer in Philadelphia.” “We thought it was neat because it encourages people to think beyond the Penn LGBT community. QPenn is a celebration of queer people at Penn, but we are welcoming the entire Philadelphia community to join us. The LGBT community at Penn is part of something that’s larger than just the campus community. We want people to look outside of the comfort zone that exists here.” For more information on QPenn, search for QPenn 2010 on Facebook. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission notified local LGBT bookstore Giovanni’s Room last week that it would not receive the historical marker for which it had applied. The commission did not deny the store’s application on merit, but rather on the fact that it was submitted after the deadline. The letter, which was sent to the store and to the cadre of community leaders who put together the application packet, urged the store to apply again next year. If the application had been approved, the corner outside the store, the oldest LGBT bookstore in the nation, would have become only the second location in the city to be marked by an LGBT-specific PHMC sign; the first was installed several years ago in front of Independence Hall marking the LGBT demonstrations of the 1960s.

Second annual LGBT workplace summit Out & Equal Greater Philadelphia will host its second annual Regional Workplace Summit from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. March 27 at The Comcast Center, 1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. The summit will include a series of business workshops and roundtable discussions, as well as opportunities for networking with other LGBT professionals. Registration is $89 or just $29 for employees of nonprofit organizations. Members of local LGBT chamber of commerce Independence Business Alliance receive a 25-percent discount. Following the summit, participants, as well as the entire LGBT community, are invited to a networking reception at Stir, 1705 Chancellor St. For more information or to register, visit www.outandequal.org/philadelphia.

Football kicks off The Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League will launch its spring season with a pick-up game at 9 a.m. March 27 at Columbus Square, 12th and Wharton streets in South Philadelphia. Players of all genders, sexual orientations and skill levels are welcome at the games, after which players will congregate at new LGBT sports bar Tabu. Outgoing league commissioner Scott Dinkins said the league’s inaugural year was a success and he’s looking forward See NEWS BRIEFING Page 19

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National

Media Trail

NJ marriage case heads back to court

Court: NY has power to annul civil unions

By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Six same-sex couples who filed suit several years ago seeking the right to marry in the Garden State returned to court last week. National LGBT advocacy organization Lambda Legal filed a motion in New Jersey Supreme Court March 18 on behalf of the couples, asking the top court to revisit its 2006 decision on the issue and grant full-marriage rights to same-sex couples. In its previous ruling, the court found that same-sex couples were entitled to the same rights and obligations as heterosexual couples and ordered the state to enact legislation to that end. Later that year, the state legislature legalized civil unions for same-sex couples. In 2008, however, the New Jersey Civil Union Review Commission, which was created as part of the civil-union law to track its progress, found that many same-sex couples were not being treated as “married” by employers, insurance companies and other entities and recommended that the extension of full-marriage rights was the only way to ensure

equality. Earlier this year, the New Jersey Senate failed to pass a marriage-equality law, after which Lambda Legal vowed to return to court. “The New Jersey Supreme Court ordered equality for same-sex couples when it decided our marriage lawsuit in 2006, and the legislature has failed to meet that crystal-clear obligation,” said Hayley Gorenberg, deputy legal director at Lambda Legal. “Civil unions are a failed legislative experiment in providing equality in New Jersey. Marriage equality is the only solution.” Lambda Legal will be assisted by probono counsel from law firm Gibbons PC in the case. Six of the seven couples who were listed as plaintiffs in the original Lewis v. Harris case have returned, as well as the surviving partner of the seventh couple, in the latest filing. The motion filed last week notes that the state legislature listened to hours of testimony from same-sex couples who’d faced discrimination, and that many lawmakers asserted that the civil-union law was not working properly. “In the face of this evidence, the legislature chose to do nothing, consigning

plaintiffs, as well as thousands of lesbians and gay men and their children, to a second-class status that perpetuates discrimination,” the motion states. The filing outlines numerous narratives from the plaintiffs about their experiences with the law. For instance, Chris Lodewyks, who has been with his partner, Craig Hutchison, for 38 years, described that he had to explain to the clerk issuing his civil union what that designation meant, and Cindy Meneghin and Maureen Kilian, a couple for 35 years, said they were forced to explain their relationship repeatedly to hospital officials when Meneghin was in the emergency room, which she said was “insulting and demeaning.” The filing urged the court to recognize the inherent “separate but equal status” created by the civil-union law and compel “the state to comply with what this court previously ordered in ‘Lewis’: full equality for committed same-sex couples in New Jersey. It is now clear that Lewis’ mandate can be implemented only by allowing same-sex couples to marry.” ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.

HUD seeks comment on LGBT housing study By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer A federal agency is seeking input from the LGBT community to assist in its efforts in analyzing housing discrimination against sexual minorities. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development launched a Web site last week that allows users to leave comments on the design of a planned national study on the issue, and earlier this month, HUD held public hearings in San Francisco, Chicago and New York City to explore instances of housing discrimination in the community and gather information for the pending study. The Fair Housing Act does not prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and last fall President Obama directed HUD to undertake the first national study to examine the prevalence of and safeguards against the issue. In a statement released last week, Dr. Raphael Bostic, HUD’s assistant secretary for policy development and research, said the department wants to ensure the LGBT community’s voice is fully included in the study.

“It is critical that as we embark on this historic discrimination study that we hear from those who may have been denied housing based on their sexual orientation or gender identity,” Bostic said. “The comments we received in our town-hall meetings and those we will gather from this new Web site will help inform how we might test for housing discrimination in the sale or rental of housing based on LGBT status.” Rue Landau, executive director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, noted that while it is illegal in Philadelphia to discriminate against LGBT people in housing, such occurrences do still exist. “A lot of neighborhoods in Philadelphia are becoming more welcoming to the LGBT community, but for LGBT renters and owners there are definitely pockets of the city where it’s still not safe for them,” she said. “We absolutely still do receive filings for instances of discrimination, and I think there are others that may not even make it to our office.” Landau said she’s seen situations that have ranged from slurs and name-calling to landlords refusing to allow gay

tenants to add their partners’ names to the lease — incidents she believes are far more prevalent in jurisdictions without a nondiscrimination law. “While we have protections for LGBT housing here in Philadelphia, we don’t in most parts of the state and the country, so this study is fantastic news,” she said. “It needs to be protected across the entire country.” House Bill 300, which was approved by the Pennsylvania House State Government Committee last March and awaits a vote by the Appropriations Committee, seeks to prohibit LGBT discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations. In addition to HUD’s efforts, Pennsylvania Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7th Dist.) recently submitted a bill that seeks to prohibit discrimination in the housing sector against LGBT people. The HUD comment site can be accessed at http://portal.hud.gov/ portal/page/portal/HUD/LGBT_ Discrimination_Study/comments. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.

Albany’s WCAX reports a mid-level state appeals court ruled New York has the power to annul a civil union made in another state. The case involves two Schenectady County women who went to Vermont in April 2003 and entered into a civil union. Three years later they separated. One went to Vermont to get the union annulled, but was told she needed to live there for a year before she could apply. The woman then asked for an annulment in the Schenectady County Supreme Court but the judge denied it, citing New York’s lack of a civil union law. She appealed. On March 18, the appellate division unanimously ruled that the Schenectady County Supreme court has jurisdiction to annul the union.

Mass. House approves anti-bullying bill The Boston Globe reports Massachusetts House lawmakers have unanimously approved a bill designed to clamp down on school bullies after restoring language intended to toughen the legislation. The bill would ban bullying, require school districts to develop bullying prevention plans and expand the definition of bullying to include cyberbullying through the use of e-mails or text messages. The legislation would also require school officials to inform parents of their anti-bullying curriculum and alert the parents of bullies and their victims after a bullying incident. Lawmakers approved the bill on a 148-0 vote after debating the measure for more than three hours.

YMCA refuses family membership to gay couple Advocate.com reports a YMCA in North Carolina refused to grant its family rate to a same-sex couple that applied for membership last month. Mark Maxwell and his partner, Timothy Young, were turned down when they applied to join the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina. Maxwell claims he was told that the family rate doesn’t apply to same-sex couples and is only for a husband and wife who are legally married according to state law, or those who file joint tax returns. The head of the Y that refused them says the issue of same-sex membership does not occur often. Curt Hazelbaker, the YMCA’s president and chief executive, said the organization is due to review its membership categories, which it does every four or five years. The last time it performed such a review was in 2006. ■ — Larry Nichols

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Dinner, dancing and drag queens at Black-Tie BINGO By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The Bingo Verifying Divas will don their finest next month for the 11th annual Black-Tie GayBINGO. This year’s fundraising gala will be held 6:30 p.m. April 9 at the Crystal Tea Room, 100 S. Penn Square, and proceeds will benefit AIDS Fund, which funds HIV/AIDS service organizations throughout the region. AIDS Fund hosts the monthly GayBINGO, but the black-tie affair is the more formal — equally fun and festive — version. The event will feature dinner, dancing and a silent auction in addition to the six rounds of bingo. New to this year’s gala will be sponsor El Dorado Rum, which will be served in a specialty signature cocktail as well as at a rumtasting bar. Black-Tie GayBINGO also allows AIDS Fund to pay tribute to some of its most committed supporters. This year, AIDS Fund will present its Founders Awards to WMMR’s Pierre Robert and

WXPN’s Michaela Majoun, longtime co-emcees of AIDS Walk Philly, which is run by AIDS Fund. The agency will also give its Favorite Straight Person of the Year Award to Dorothy Mann, executive director of the Family Planning Council, who is retiring from her post in June after 33 years on the job. FPC provides financial and other resources to sexual-health agencies throughout the region, and Mann said her interest in this work was originally fueled by her history of activism in both women’s and civil-rights issues in the 1960s. “Doing that work made me see that everyone deserves access to healthcare, regardless of their income, regardless of their insurance status, regardless of their sexual preference or their age,” she said. Shortly after Mann took the helm of FPC, she said the HIV/ AIDS epidemic began to pick up, and the agency began concentrating its efforts on the hardest-hit

be one of the guests of honor. She noted that after her retirement, she hopes to serve in an advisory capacity to executive directors at organizations that work with the LGBT community. “I have 33 years of experience: I’ve made every mistake in the BINGO VERIFYING DIVAS AND HOST SHADY PINES (CENTER) book. But I think I have AT THE 2009 BLACK-TIE BINGO. PGN FILE PHOTO something to give the next generation, and I communities, primarily gay men. areas of STDs and HIV in the gay hope there will be room In 2004, the organization incor- community.” to do that,” Mann said. “I’m not porated the SafeGuards Project, a Robb Reichard, AIDS Fund going to stop caring just because comprehensive LGBT health ini- executive director, said Mann I won’t have the job anymore; it’s tiative, as one of its programs, and has played an active role in the not about the job. The rights of the Mann said FPC has continued to local dialogue on HIV/AIDS for LGBT community are something I expand its HIV/AIDS work into decades. am committed to in my soul. In “Dorothy has been involved the future, I want to continue to all populations affected by the disease. with HIV/AIDS issues right from work hard to be sure that this com“In the early ’80s, HIV was a the beginning of the epidemic, munity has all the rights and prividisease that was associated with and with her retiring this year we leges of everyone in my straight gay men,” Mann said. “So we ini- thought it was only appropriate to community.” tially did our work there, and then recognize her longtime commitTickets to Black-Tie GayBINGO as it moved forward we still stayed ment and leadership in this area,” are $150 and can be purchased by active in the gay community but Reichard said. calling (215) 731-9255. ■ Mann said she hasn’t yet expealso did work in terms of women and children. But we’ve always rienced a GayBINGO, but is Jen Colletta can be reached at been committed to working in the “thrilled” and “deeply touched” to jen@epgn.com.

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Editorial Skeptical optimism It seems as though everyone’s talking about health-care reform, but few are getting to the heart of what the new bill does. After all the hoopla, political posturing and name calling, does HR 4872, the 150-page Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010, even affect anyone? Well, yes and no. And maybe not for a while. Some of the immediate benefits, which will go into effect within six months, ban insurers from denying coverage to children with preexisting conditions, as well as prevents insurers from denying already-insured people coverage when they get sick and imposing lifetime caps on coverage. Other changes include a $250 rebate to Medicare prescription drug-plan beneficiaries whose initial benefits run out, and allowing young people to stay on their parents’ insurance until they are 26 if their employer doesn’t offer a plan. Also, the new bill provides access to high-risk pools for individuals who don’t have health insurance because of preexisting conditions. By 2011, small-group and individual-market insurance plans will have to spend 80 percent of premium dollars on medical services, while largegroup plans will have to spend at least 85 percent. The goal of this is to limit insurance-company profits: If they are forced to spend money on services, they can’t pocket it. By 2014, the bill will require most employers to provide coverage or face penalties and most individuals to obtain coverage or face penalties. For the latter, there will be exemptions for low-income individuals and couples and subsidies for families earning up to 400 percent of the poverty level. Also by 2014, insurers won’t be able to deny coverage to individuals based on preexisting conditions, such as HIV/AIDS, or charge them higher premiums. Unfortunately, other provisions for the LGBT community didn’t make it to the version passed by the House. Specifically, there had been an effort to end taxation on health benefits for domestic partners and to permit states to offer early HIV treatment under Medicaid. Also struck was a provision to collect data on LGBT individuals to track and identify health-care disparities. Legislators are working to include these in other bills. As to whether the reform is a success, we probably won’t know for many years. Though some indicators will be fairly obvious — more people insured — others, such as increasing financial stability and decreasing bankruptcy due to medical bills, will be harder to track. But, maybe now that some progress has been made, the country can think about something else — and maybe, down the line, seriously consider a single-payer system. ■

Glenn Lash (glennlash@yahoo.com)

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

John Sheehan A quick history lesson: In 1995, during the Bosnian War, thousands of people were murdered in the town of Srebrenica. It was — and still is — horrific. But it turns out the entire thing could have been prevented. And it’s all Holland’s fault. Or, more specifically, Holland’s gay soldiers. Looks like Fred Phelps needs to get himself, his signs and his family to Holland, stat. You see, Holland lets openly gay men and women serve in its armed forces. It did in 1995 and it continues to. But as every God-fearing patriot knows, gays aren’t fit for duty, unless that duty involves a sailor hat, a gstring and a Pride parade float blasting Madonna “Confessions on a Dance Floor” remixes. In other words, you don’t put queers in charge if you want to stop a genocide. Or so says retired U.S. Gen. John Sheehan, who testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” insisting that it needs to be kept in place. Unless, of course, we wanted thousands of people to die. In 1995, Bosnian Serb forces trounced the Dutch soldiers, enabling them to kill nearly 8,000 Muslim men and boys, because the Dutch solders were all a bunch of limpwristed fags. I mean, for one thing,

they were there for peacekeeping — not ﬁghting — so they didn’t even have “the big guns,” so to speak. And, as everyone knows, peace is totally a faggy thing. To understand where Sheehan was coming from (besides out of his own ass), the following exchange happened during his testimony. “[Allowing openly gay Dutch soldiers to serve] led to a force that was ill-equipped to go to war. The case in point that I’m referring to is when the Dutch were required to defend Srebrenica against the Serbs. The battalion was under-strength, poorly led and the Serbs came into town, handcuffed the soldiers to the telephone poles, marched the Muslims off and executed them.” “Did the Dutch leaders tell you it was because there were gay soldiers there?” asked Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), chairman of the U.S. Senate’s Armed Services Committee. “Yes, they did. They included that as part of the problem,” Sheehan said. “That the combination was the liberalization of the military, a net effect was basically social engineering.” Levin wasn’t buying it. “I think that any effort to connect that failure on the part of the Dutch to the fact that they have homosexuals, or did allow homosexuals, I think is totally

off-target,” he said. In other words, “Sheehan, you crazy.” The Dutch are all, “WTF?” and “Um, no.” “It is astonishing that a man of his stature can utter such complete nonsense,” said Dutch defense ministry spokesperson Roger van de Wetering. Oh, honey, not in our country. Hearing talk like Sheehan’s is totally a “same shit, different day” kind of thing. “The Srebrenica massacre and the involvement of U.N. soldiers was extensively investigated by the Netherlands, international organizations and the United Nations,” van de Wetering continued. “Never was there in any way concluded that the sexual orientation of soldiers played a role.” Well, of course they didn’t. Everyone knows the United Nations is a fag-front operation. Thankfully, we’ve got guys like Sheehan to tell their own batshit-crazy versions of the truth. ■ 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.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

Mark My Words Mark Segal Shut up, Pope, part II Pope Benedict XVI just happens to be one of my favorite people. After all, thanks to a column I wrote about him last year, this column was honored as the best newspaper column in America in our circulation category. That column, called “Shut up, Pope,” covered his holiness’ travels through AIDS-ridden Africa spewing abstinence and urging the non-use of condoms — a deadly message in an area of poverty, lack of education and sexual misinformation. We tracked how first local authorities became alarmed, then national and international medical associations and finally several European governments, which included a vote in the Belgian Parliament to condemn the pope and have the Belgian ambassador deliver the message to the Vatican. But this pope, he just keeps giving. Or, his actions keep coming back to haunt him. In the last few weeks, two major stories have arisen from the Vatican. The first was your average prostitution ring, with the Vatican choir arranging same-sex hook-ups with members of the cardinals’ elite “papal gentlemen-in-waiting” (ceremonial ushers). This should be treated as good news, since it affirms that the Vatican is following good capitalism and what-the-marketwill-bear economic strategy. But the next item can’t be made funny. On March 14, the world learned that when Benedict was archbishop of Munich, Germany, he did as many other bishops have done: He hid a pedophile priest from the police. The language the Vatican uses is “the priest was reassigned after it was discovered that he had abused children.” At first, they even attempted to say that Benedict, the head of that church, was not aware of it, but that misinformation fell apart real quick. And the language “reassign” means hide them in another church and don’t report to the police. That priest, the one reassigned by Benedict, went on to abuse more children.

This is the house of Ratzinger (Benedict’s former name) coming down. It was Ratzinger who, under Pope John Paul II, wrote to the American bishops and ordered them to put all files on pedophile priests in the Vatican embassy in Washington, D.C., where they would have diplomatic immunity. Imagine if you were an organization, like let’s say the Boy Scouts of America, that knew it had thousands of leaders molesting youth members and the president hides the files where police can’t get at them. That would be a massive crime of hiding evidence. And Benedict attempted to do it on a grand scale. And why? In the 10 years since the issue of child sex abuse by priests has surfaced here in the U.S., it is estimated by survivor organizations that over 500,000 individuals have come forward. Oh, and here’s another note for those who put their hardearned dollars in the collection plate every Sunday: The cost of the U.S. litigation and settlements has totaled $2 billion thus far. And now the scandal is taking flight. The top cardinals in Ireland and Germany both issued apologies in the last week as scandals grow in their countries, while Spain, Italy and Brazil are just beginning to acknowledge they “may” have a problem. And the man on top of this sea of abuse, well, he issued an apology himself, but it was underwhelming in scope. Which brings us back to the title of this column. If you are not going to be forthcoming with the 100,000s of victims, just shut up. Dragging your feet just creates more pain for those who have suffered all these years. In fact, why don’t you do what you urge your parishioners to do: come clean and confess? Catholics should not lose faith in their religion, only in the man sitting in the CEO chair in the Vatican. Catholics should expect him to show leadership and not hide behind his robes. Catholics deserve a well-run church, but unfortunately, the current CEO, Pope Benedict, seems to have lost his way, and his moral leadership is questionable. ■

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Street Talk What was your worst April Fool’s joke?

Elizabeth Giovino student South Philadelphia

Ashley Jones student Center City

“Telling my boyfriend I was pregnant — and he wasn’t the father. He got very upset. But we had lots of fun making up. It was passionate!”

“I called my mother, and told her my younger sister fell off the trampoline and was bleeding profusely. My sister was in the background, crying. My mother was frazzled, to say the least. But I said, ‘April Fools’ right before she called 911. She chalked it up to a youthful prank. I was 15 at the time.”

Matthew Lukanowski X-ray technician West Philadelphia

Thomas Martinez bartender Fishtown

“I paid for a classified [advertisement] for a guy I didn’t like. It said he was scatological, and was looking for someone to fulfill his fantasies. I included his name and cell-phone number. He wasn’t very happy.”

“My brother told me our dad was taken to the hospital in critical condition. I believed him, because my father’s a heavy smoker and not in the best of health. I rushed home to comfort Mom. And there was Dad, eating dinner. I told my brother I hated him.”

Mark Segal is PGN publisher. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com.

Letters and Feedback In response to “Out for Specter,” March 19-25: People might find this hard to believe because he is a Democract-turned-Rebublicanturned-Democrat, but Sen. Specter has been very effective and dedicated recently in supporting LGBT rights in the Senate. Keep in mind that it has been just as hard to enact positive changes in regards to LGBT rights in the Democratic Party as it has with the Republican Party. In some ways, it has been even more challenging for Democrats because of their tumultuous (and sometimes

corrupted) relationship with the power gay lobby. The way forward for LGBT rights will more than likely feature a lot of surprises, which people should be open to. We can’t hang onto a top-down, corporate, piecemeal method of attaining our rights. With the help of the Internet, individual grassroots residents in Pennsylvania can have an impact on politics and civil rights in ways that would have been unimaginable even 10 years ago. So, if you wish for Sen. Specter and others in Congress to advocate for your rights, make sure to send an e-mail, write a blog entry and

then follow up with a friendly phone call. For the record, I write this as a former Democrat, feminist, lesbian, trans-rights supporter and member of the Green Party for a number of years now. Keep on keeping on, queer and transgender Philly! — GayborhoodFilmmaker This is why I hate Specter: I think he’s just trying to get advantage of the LGBT community to get re-elected. I got this in See FEEDBACK, Page 16

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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year have already been distributed to the agencies, the true impact of the cut won’t be felt until this summer. AACO has estimated that for the remainder of this fiscal year, the cut amounts to about 120 fewer HIV tests carried out and about 460 fewer people who will be able to access prevention services. In the next fiscal year, however, the funding decrease will lead to about 8,000 people not being tested, about 60 of whom who wouldn’t be diagnosed and entered into early-care programs. Another 60 people would miss out on intensive case management, and about 4,000 wouldn’t be exposed to other HIV-prevention health-education services. “We’re talking about a 42-percent cut here. This is going to set us back years,” Burns said. “These cuts are unacceptable at a time when Philadelphia’s infection rates are far greater than the national average. This is being done to cut back on costs, but it’s going to cost the commonwealth significantly more in the long run.” According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 60 per-

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

cent of people living with HIV in Pennsylvania are located in Philadelphia; however, only about 50 percent of the state’s prevention funding for fiscal year 2010 was directed toward the city. Jane Shull, executive director of Philadelphia FIGHT, noted that the CDC recommends a prevention plan in which people get tested every year in the context of their regular healthcare. She said, however, that most people who become infected don’t receive regular healthcare, and the service organizations that strive to catch high-risk individuals who fall through the cracks will be hampered by this loss of funding. “If we fail to do that, because we’re crippled in our efforts, people won’t be found until they are so sick that it’s difficult to help them and — they’re more likely to have infected other people,” she said. Carrie Jacobs, executive director of The Attic Youth Center, said the cut will have a direct impact on the teens her agency serves. “This funding is so important for the population served at The Attic, particularly young AfricanAmerican gay and bisexual males who are so at-risk,” she said. “Cutting these prevention dollars would be a huge, long-term mis-

take.” A coalition of HIV/AIDS service organizations — including ActionAIDS, FIGHT, The Attic, Mazzoni Center, ACT-UP, The COLOURS Organization Inc., BEBASHI and AIDS Services in Asian Communities, among others — have been organizing for weeks to fight the cut. The group traveled to Harrisburg last week to meet with members of the state secretary of health’s executive staff to evaluate options, and while Shull said the representatives were open to their concerns, the state’s financial situation has left few other funding options. “The meeting with the staff at the Department of Health was a very positive one, but they’re trapped in the same thing we’re trapped in: There’s just no money. And there’s no money because there’s no political will to do what you need to do to have the services people need, which is to raise taxes.” The organizations have repeatedly requested a meeting with Gov. Rendell but, as of press time, had not received a call back. A spokesperson for the governor also did not return a call from PGN. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

Healthcare debate continues in Philly LGBT community By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer A coalition of more than 40 local and national LGBT, HIV/ AIDS and mainstream organizations will come together next week for a town-hall meeting to discuss LGBT health issues. The event, led by national healthcare consulting firm Sellers Dorsey and local healthcare facility Mazzoni Center, and sponsored by the U.S. Census, Philly Pharmacy and Merck, will be held from 5-7 p.m. March 31 at Drexel University’s Geary Auditorium B, 245 N. 15th St. Christopher Labonte, principal at Sellers Dorsey, said the idea for such an event arose during a discussion he had with Nurit Shein, executive director of Mazzoni Center, which is one of Sellers Dorsey’s pro-bono clients, about the upcoming LGBT Health Awareness Week, March 28-April 3. “We decided to go ahead and convene this mainly because we thought there’s a void in the conversation,” Labonte said. “It’s a way to raise awareness among the LGBT community, but also public-policymakers are unaware of the disparities the LGBT community and the HIV/AIDS community faces.” Panelists at the meeting will include Ernest Hopkins, director of federal affairs for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation; Rebecca Fox, director of the National Coalition for LBGT Health; and Mazzoni medical director Dr. Robert Winn. Labonte said the discussion will center not only on the recently passed healthcare reform law — which was not inclusive of several pro-LGBT provisions that had been proposed — but also on the general disparities the LGBT community faces in healthcare and the need for cultural competency on the part of healthcare providers. The meeting will be hosted by Drexel University’s newly launched Program for LGBT Health, and program director Dr. Randall Sell concurred with Labonte that dialogue about LGBT health issues is insufficient. “There are a lot of issues that I think the community isn’t aware

of because there just isn’t enough publicity,” Sell said. “I have a doctorate in policy, so I sit and think about it, but people are busy going to work every day and going about their lives and they just don’t have the time to think about these nuances.” Labonte said the town-hall discussion should arm community members with information and motivation that will enable them to become active participants in closing the gap on LGBT health disparities. “There’s always something you can do,” he said. “There are efforts that we as a community can undertake on both the local and state levels. And even for

community members to just be open and honest with their healthcare providers is an important step to make sure that people are receiving the best quality of care. While the national healthcare reform seems so gargantuan, with people trying to find out which piece could apply to them, my hope with this is that anyone who attends will hear something, even just one thing, that they’ll be able to do. It’s not just awareness but also a call to action.” For more information on the meeting, contact Blair Sirolli at bsirolli@sellersdorsey.com. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.

PAGE 13

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Friday, April 2, 7:00 PM. Beth Ahavah Shabbat Services, Passover Dinner and Discussion. An abbreviated service will precede a delicious Passover dinner. Following dinner Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell will lead a Passover teaching and discussion. Please join us for this unique evening of community and renewal of spirit, food, schmoozing and learning. $25 per person. Please RSVP and send payment as soon as possible Friday, April 30, 8:00 PM. Equality Forum Shabbat Services. Please join us in the sanctuary for a special joint BA and RS service to celebrate Equality Forum. Our guest speaker will be Nurit Shein, Executive Director of the Mazzoni Center. A native Israeli, Nurit also served as a colonel in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). A special oneg (social hour) will follow services. Visit www.bethahavah.org for additional information, programming and directions

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Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between Feb. 28 and March 4. Information is courtesy of Sixth District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. REPORT: Between 2-5 p.m. March 11, out-of-town complainant had a wallet taken without permission from a locker inside the Historical Society, 1300 Locust St. REPORT: Between 8 a.m.-9:15 p.m. March 12, the door to complainant’s apartment in the 1100 block of Spruce Street appeared to have been pried and a hole was made in the hallway drywall. Nothing was taken. Sixth District Officer Sweeney lifted fingerprints from the scene. REPORT: At 4:10 a.m. March 13, complainant was in the 1200 block of St. James Street when a male approached, asking complainant if he wanted to buy drugs. Complainant refused and the male then asked for complainant’s wallet and phone, and the complainant complied. The male left, heading north on 13th Street. The offender was described as a black male, 30s, 6-foot-2, with a beard

and wearing a tan jacket. REPORT: At 12:30 a.m. March 14, a male took a school bag and three bottles of liquor from the restaurant, 1229 Spruce St. The offender was described as a white male, 40s, wearing brown pants and a black jacket. REPORT: At 1 p.m. March 14, complainant exited her apartment inside 850 Locust St., leaving door unlocked, to visit another tenant, and returned at 4 p.m. to find cash missing from her apartment. REPORT: Between noon-3:30 p.m. March 16, complainant’s apartment in the 1200 block of Spruce Street had the door forced open and several computers were taken. Sixth District Officer Trautz attempted to lift fingerprints. Workers were reported to be in the building at the time. REPORT: Between 8 a.m.-7 p.m. March 16, complainant’s apartment in the 900 block of Pine Street had the bars pulled off the rear window; a laptop and jewelry were taken. Sixth District Officer Trautz attempted to lift fingerprints. ARREST: At 2:10 a.m., March 17, complainant was walking in the 300 block of South Camac Street when a male ran by and snatched her handbag. A witness gave chase and caught the male.

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Sixth District Officer Loggia was on patrol and saw the male being chased, and took custody of the 30-year-old alleged offender with a South Philadelphia address, who was charged with robbery and related offenses. REPORT: Between 8:15 a.m.3:15 p.m. March 19, complainant’s apartment in the 1300 block of Spruce Street had the grate over the kitchen window pried open and jewelry was taken from inside. Sixth District Officer McCauley lifted fingerprints from the scene. REPORT: Between 2:30 a.m.noon March 19, complainant’s secured bicycle was taken from the 1300 block of Locust Street. ARRESTS: On March 20, large crowds of young adults and teenagers converged on South Street, an apparent result of the use of electronic social networking. The crowds grew so large that it became necessary, for public safety reasons, to shut down South Street to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic and clear the street. As groups were dispersed toward Broad Street, some scattered both north and south of South Street. At midnight, a complainant in the 1300 block of Pine Street was punched in the face by a person in one of the groups. The incident was witnessed by Highway Patrol Officers Martinez and Evans, who arrested an 18-year-old female alleged offender with a North Philadelphia address and charged her with simple assault. At 12:35 a.m., Sixth District Sgt. Newsome observed a disorderly group in the 1200 block of Spruce Street and arrested two females, ages 16 and 17, for fighting and inciting the crowd. Both were charged with disorderly conduct. Sixth District Officer Nheb was punched in the face while making an assault arrest at 15th and Market streets in the Ninth District. Deployment strategies against flash mobs are being formulated at the highest levels of city government and will be implemented as soon as completed. ■

PGN

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

SCOUTS From Page 1 able because it gives the impression that exceptions to the city’s anti-bias policy can be made for a “well-financed, influential and entrenched group,” the motion states. The motion is accompanied by an affidavit signed by R. Duane Perry of the LGBT Working Group, stating that the Cradle of Liberty Council’s former executive director attributed a suicide to the Scouts’ antigay policy. “On one or more occasions, the Boy Scouts’ then-executive director, William T. Dwyer 3d, told us that he personally opposed the Boy Scouts’ policy of discrimination, because discrimination is wrong and because of a suicide that he attributed to that policy,” Perry’s affidavit states. Perry couldn’t be reached for comment. Dwyer, who resigned as exec-

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

utive director in October 2009, couldn’t be reached for comment. The council issued the following statement about Perry’s affidavit: “The [council] cannot personally speak for Mr. Dwyer, as he is no longer the executive director. However, the allegations made in the affidavit in question have no relation to the current litigation and are simply unfounded conjecture.” The Scouts filed a motion March 19 seeking to strike Perry’s affidavit from the record on the basis that it was introduced by the city after the discovery phase had concluded. Buckwalter hadn’t ruled on the Scouts’ motion at press time. A federal trial on the Scouts’ eviction from 231-251 N. 22nd St. is scheduled to begin April 21. But the trial could be postponed or if Buckwalter disposes of the case before it reaches a jury, obviated. In November 2009, Buckwalter granted a preliminary injunction

blocking the Scouts’ eviction, noting that the city may be enforcing its gay-rights ordinance against the Scouts in an unconstitutional manner. Since that time, the Scouts haven’t proven their eviction would be unconstitutional, and the city has shown that it’s well within its rights to evict the Scouts, according to the city’s March 15 motion. “The city did not single out the Boy Scouts’ lease for review, but was drawn to evaluate it in light of the publicity over the Boy Scouts’ discrimination against gays, and the complaints the city received in regard to that discrimination,” the motion states. The Scouts have refused to sign a lease with comprehensive anti-bias language covering gays and other protected categories. In prior filings, the Scouts noted that several city tenants haven’t signed such comprehensive leases. In its motion, the city explained

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the lack of uniform leases. “The city has limited resources and, although it has begun to review its many lease and license arrangements for compliance with city law and policy, it has not completed its review and the initial focus has been on verifying the properties are properly insured,” the motion states. City officials initially requested $200,000 in annual rent from the Scouts, but they’ve recently reduced the annual rental fee to $160,000, based on a new assessment that takes into account the downturn in the economy. If Buckwalter grants the city’s summary-judgment motion, the city would agree to close the case if the Scouts pay approximately $100,000 to cover back rent and vacate the property, the motion states. Earlier this month, the Scouts filed their own motion for summary judgment, asking Buckwalter to order their right to remain in the

building permanently — without paying rent or permitting openly gay participants. The judge isn’t expected to rule on either side’s summary-judgment motion prior to the March 30 bond hearing to determine how much the Scouts must put aside to protect the city’s interest in the case. The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. March 30 in Courtroom 14A of the U.S. Courthouse, 601 Market St. I n a r e l a t e d m a t t e r, t h e American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund Inc. and Mazzoni Center — along with a coalition of other groups and individuals — have requested permission to file friend-of-thecourt briefs backing the city’s position. At press time, Buckwalter hadn’t ruled on the requests. ■ Timothy Cwiek can be reached at (215) 625-8501 ext. 208.

IT’S COMING! PINK PENNIES IV arrives next week with PGN’s list of things that knock us out.

PINK PENNIES IV APRIL 2ND

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

FEEDBACK From Page 11 September 2009: From: Senator_Specter@Specter. Senate.gov To: <*******> Subject: Re: Repeal DOMA Now! “Thank you for contacting my office regarding a proposal to amend the Constitution for the purpose of defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. I appreciate hearing your comments on this important matter. “In 1996, the Congress passed and the President signed into law the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). I supported the passage of this legislation. This law has two important facets. First, the law defines marriage for the purpose of the Federal government as a union between one man and one woman. Second, it provides that no state or local jurisdiction may be forced to recognize a legal union created in another state or jurisdiction, if the definition of that union is contradictory to their own. “The legalization of same sex marriage in states such as Connecticut, Iowa, and Massachusetts has led many citizens to believe it is necessary to amend the United States Constitution in order to protect traditional marriage. Although I support traditional marriage as defined in DOMA, and although I appreciate the goal of the proposed amendment, I do not believe it is necessary to amend the Constitution at this time. “I believe this is an issue most appropriately addressed at the state level, and most states are working hard to protect marriage. Indeed, nearly every state has enacted statutory or constitutional protection for traditional marriage. Furthermore, DOMA ensures those states will not be forced to recognize unions created in the handful of states with legalized same-sex marriage. Therefore, I believe it is premature to amend our founding document at this time. “Thank you for contacting my office regarding proposals to amend the Constitution to protect traditional marriage. Rest assured I will keep your thoughts on this issue in mind if the Senate considers this issue or any related issue. Should you have any further questions, please contact my office or visit my Web site at www.specter.senate.gov.”

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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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NEWS BRIEFING From Page 5 to its continued growth. “Our goal this year is to grow this league even bigger and make it an integral part of the Philadelphia gay sports community,” he said. “The first year was ‘survive’ mode; we are definitely in ‘thrive’ mode now.” For more information about the league, visit www.phillyflagfootball.com.

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Attic stages performance LGBT teens will share their coming-out stories at two performance events, 8 p.m. April 2 and 21 -327, 4MARCH p.m. April at 2008 the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 that the St. mayor of the Athens suburb Spruce of “I Kessariani hassponsored agreed to perform Do Exist,” by The the ceremony. Attic Youth Center, will allow the “I have no objection to celebrating youth to share their stories through this union so long as the law is dance, song, poetry or another form respected,” Mayor Spyros Tzokas of expression, and will also bring said. together performers It is professional uncertain whether the who will support teens. government will therecognize the J. Mason, job-readiness spemarriage. cialist The Attic education and The at Greek government is outreach the Bryson preparing component to introduce civilInstitute, the adult partnershipsaid legislation laterperformthis year, ers will stage works thatunmarried deal not granting legal rights to only with LGBT with couples. But, it has issues, not saidbut if sameasex range of identities, such as race couples would be included. and ethnicity. There is a sliding scale of Gay men in between $5-$10 jailed for admission, and proceeds benefit the Bryson Morocco Institute. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights, along with Human Rights Watch, has launched a petition following the imprisonment Keystone Progress is hosting a of six men for homosexuality. parody of this month’s NCAA tourMoroccan police arrested the men nament entitled “March Badness,” in November 2007 after a video an online competition that allows circulated on the Internet showing voters to of the a private select party the in worst Ksar-el-Kbir, worst among conservative Morocco, that the press claimedleadwas ers. a gay-marriage ceremony. The The tournament country’s divides penal nomicode nees into the Hannity criminalizes sexual conductDivision between and the O’Reilly Division, where members of the same sex. Despite they go that head-to-head with one the fact the video showed no another to sexual compete themen top evidence of acts,for the six were convicted of committing “lewd title. Candidates include national or unnatural acts with individual conservatives such asan Glenn Beck of the samePalin, sex” and sentenced to and Sarah as well as locals between four and months in like Tom Corbett and10Pennsylvania prison. Sen. John Eichelberger. The more Moroccan Association for For information or to vote,

Vote for the worst

visit www.keystoneprogress.org/ page/s/pamarchbadness. ■ — Jen Colletta

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Human Rights and Human Rights Watch are petitioning the Moroccan government for a fair trial for the men and to protect their right to privacy. The groups are asking supporters to show their opposition to Moroccan authorities by sending an e-mail to petitionmaroc@hrw.org.

Cartoons draw Russian ire Protestant groups in Moscow are trying to shut down a cartoon channel because they claim it promotes homosexuality and religious intolerance. Channel 2x2 broadcasts Western cartoons like “South Park,” which some believe promotes “homosexual propaganda.” Vitaly Vlasenki, a spokesperson for The Consultative Council of the Heads of Protestant Churches in Russia, said the group had sent a letter to Prosecutor General Yury Chaika on March 12 accusing the network of promoting “cruelty, violence, homosexual propaganda, religious hatred and intolerance.” Yekaterina Doglosheveva, head of corporate affairs for Prof-Media, dismissed the criticism from the religious group. “The Federal Culture and Cinematography Agency may be able to control the activities of our channel, but the Protestants cannot,” Doglosheveva said. Channel 2x2, which also broadcasts “The Simpsons,” has

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built a cult following in Russia despite gaining just 1.9 percent of the audience share in February. MTV in Russia also shows “South Park,” but has yet to receive any criticism from the Protestant group.

Trans meeting set for Berlin It was announced March 14 that the second meeting of the European Transgender Council will be held this year in Germany. The council, comprised of Transgender Europe, the Transgender Network Berlin and TransInterQueer Berlin, will meet May 2-4 in Berlin. Their last event was held in Vienna in 2005. Representatives from international activist groups and experts such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are expected to attend the event and share their experiences in the eld of human rights and transgender-related work. The results of the Study of the Lives of Transgender people In Europe, conducted by Press for Change (U.K.), will be revealed, which polled more than 2,000 transgender people. Berlin has a diverse transgender scene, and Wigstoeckel Transgender United is set to organize the city council’s ofcial show and party for the event. � Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.

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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

STUDY From Page 1 and put it in their weekly media report and that was sent to everyone in the center,” he said. “So we had a couple-thousand people getting the e-mail in which the Philadelphia Gay News was mentioned, and most of them had probably never even heard of the paper, but they were able to find out about the research and a lot of people came up to me and gave me their support. And once the e-mail went out, it paved the way for the center itself to provide us with the support we needed to write this article.” The three researchers found that, of the 234 studies included in the three focus areas, 37 contained exclusionary language. To ensure that no patterns were overlooked, researchers also looked at more than 1,000 studies about asthma and found none that excluded gays and lesbians. Since last week, the story has been picked up by an array of LGBT news sites, as well as mainstream papers such as the New York Times. “It’s too bad this issue had to be brought up, but it’s definitely interesting to see the results,” Egleston said. “I think people have definitely taken notice and we’re getting responses from NIH researchers who are explaining their positions, and I even saw some pharmaceutical companies issuing official responses to reporters, which is really exciting.” Egleston said he hopes his research serves as a “wakeup call” for companies that are needlessly excluding LGBT individuals. “If researchers have a choice in what measure they use to study outcomes, such as if they’re studying erectile dysfunction or sexual functioning in women, they should be using measures that would be appropriate for both heterosexuals and gay and lesbian couples,” he said. “I think the most important part of this is looking to the future. The past is the past and, in the future, I hope people will try to design more inclusionary studies.” ■

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

n T e u e l r h n t e a r K A departure from the ordinary

Detour

Outspoken Columnist Molly Ivins

kicks ass

‘Hot’ new show debuts in Philly By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer Stage and screen star Kathleen Turner is set to appear in the Philadelphia Theatre Company’s world premiere of “Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins,” through April 18 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre. The award-winning actress, 55, stars in the one-woman show written by journalist sisters Margaret and Allison Engel based on the writings of political columnist and author Molly Ivins. Ivins, who died in 2007 of breast cancer, gained notoriety in the early 1970s as the co-editor of political magazine The Texas Observer. She began her newspaper career at the Houston Chronicle and then what would later become the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. After five years at the New York Times, Ivins moved back to Texas to work at the Dallas Times Herald and then the Fort Worth-Star Telegram. She also wrote for Esquire, Atlantic Monthly and The Nation, and appeared on “60 Minutes.” Ivins was a political voice to be reckoned with and her column was syndicated in nearly 400 newspapers nationwide. She nicknamed George W. Bush “Shrub” in two of her five best-selling books, “Shrub: The Short but Happy Political Life of George W.

Bush” and “Bushwhacked.” Turner, who had the opportunity to interact with Ivins on a number of occasions, said she was eager to portray the outspoken columnist. “I knew her. I’ve been on the board of People for the American Way for many years, actually. Molly, being a champion of the First Amendment and the activist that she was, several times joined forces with us on projects or was our keynote speaker at an event. So I got to meet her over and over somewhat. I got to know her because [former Texas Gov.] Ann Richards used to live in my building. I would meet those ladies in the lobby and they would drag me up to their apartment and tell me stories. I enjoyed her very much. Most importantly, I feel very, very strongly about the things she stood for and the actions that she took. I wanted in some way to honor her. I think we’ve worked very, very hard on the script and we’ve got a finished product that’ll be really good.” Turner said that having known Ivins actually made it more difficult for her to get into her character for the production. “I was a little surprised,” the actress said. “The first time we sat down last August in Washington to work on the script, I worked on the script with the writers and artistic director for about

three days cutting and pasting. I was just thinking about the material. When I actually performed it, I found myself so very, very moved and upset. It took me about three days to shake that off. It made it harder knowing her.” Despite her own melancholy over the play’s namesake, Turner said the overall tone of the production is upbeat and celebratory. “We were trying to be as faithful to Molly as I can, which is to use as much of her material that she’s written. There’s a great deal of humor and sassiness. Get up and do something, don’t just talk about it. There’s a lot of courage. She was always an incredibly entertaining writer — the stories that she tells and the jokes. The woman’s personality, she was a real entertainer. She loved making people laugh and having people have a good time.” Ivins started her journalism career at a different time in the industry — long before there were bloggers, the Internet or citizen journalists. Turner said she thinks, and to some extent Ivins thought, that today’s form of journalism couldn’t produce someone like Ivins. “She says at one point newspapers now offer 24 flavors but in fact they only deliver vanilla, with maybe a little weak strawberry once in a while,” Turner said. “So no, I’m not convinced

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

she [thought] there’s an opportunity for forthrightness anymore.” Turner added that Ivins foresaw the difficulties and drastic changes that the newspaper industry faces today. “Molly died in 2007, so she does not address a lot of the technology that has become so much more active since. But she does say that when they started to cut all the people that were over the age of 50 to make a lean, mean newsroom, she had no problem with that. She just had a problem with an industry that wanted to commit suicide.” Given the play’s subject matter and Turner’s own political activism supporting the Democratic Party and organizations like Planned Parenthood of America and Amnesty International, we had to ask the outspoken actress what she thinks about the current state of the party she supports. “Oh, dear. I have mixed views,” she said. “I’m discouraged in some ways. The truth is that, unlike conservative, rightwing Republicans, Democrats never have and never will march in step. It’s not our way. It’s not our nature. You don’t just follow orders. We just can’t. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be liberals or Democrats. That tends toward a lack of organization in the sense that Republicans can send out a mandate and say this is our common goal and everyone will agree. We don’t do that. Perhaps, in a way, it makes us less effective, but at the same time I think we are truly the people’s party. Democrats are the ones that have done the most to protect people’s welfares as opposed to a lot of the corporate structure that has been overwhelmingly powerful the last eight years or more. I still think our hearts are in the right place and I still believe that good intentions will become good actions — just not as quickly as everyone wants.” For the time being, Philadelphia is the only place to see Turner as Ivins, as the busy actress has a number of other commitments after this production ends. “I have a film and another new play,” she said. “I’m heading out to California to shoot an independent film. I play this very-religious Catholic suburban housewife. After that, I play a really foulmouthed recovering alcoholic nun.” Wait ... isn’t that the same thing? “No,” she said. “They’re both Catholics, which is weird. But that’s about it. They hardly have anything in common. So it would be a while before I would be able to take this play further than the run in Philadelphia. What we want to do is make the best play we can. After that, we’ll plan.” Turner has taken on a number of noteworthy roles over the course of her career both on stage and screen. She has played everything from a transsexual performer on “Friends” to a murderous homemaker

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

in John Waters’ “Serial Mom.” She’s the voice of Jessica Rabbit in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” and appeared on stage nude during a run of “The Graduate” in London. Some of her more wellknown early films include “Body Heat” and “Romancing the Stars.” “I like taking risks and I like things that are funny,” she said of her work. “I like to make people laugh. I find that humor is really a fabulous way to connect with people. I will say that doing Martha in ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ was truly a lifetime ambition that I was able to realize. I’ve been dreaming about that character for 30 years. That was the greatest thrill that I [had].” Turner added that because she has played the roles of so many popular characters, she isn’t known for any single role. “ T h a t ’s o n e o f the joys of being an actress. The variety of roles in film alone has been so wide. Once I’ve done one kind of role, I’ve almost never repeated it. So everyone has a different affection for a character. It’s almost as though they forget sometimes to envision the whole body of work. They’ll say, ‘Oh God, I loved “Serial Mom.”’ I’ll say, ‘Yeah, I had a great time, but when I was doing “Prizzi’s Honor” ... ’ They’ll go, ‘That’s right! I loved that movie, too.’ So it’s almost as though people never put together my whole body of work, which is fun, but at the same time it always surprised me a little.” After all the success Turner has had in movies, television and on stage, she said one of those genres, in particular, continues to spark her interest.

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KICKING ASS, PATRIOTICALLY AND OTHERWISE: Kathleen Turner

“I really do love it,” she said. “After all of the work I’ve done on stage, I never stuck to stage all together because I always knew that as I got older, the actress’ best roles would be in theater and not on film. So I never went more than three years without doing theater. So over the last 10 years or more, that’s been my primary focus. Film and TV just seem too easy.”

Philadelphia Theatre Company presents “Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins,” through April 18 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St. For more information, visit www. philadelphiatheatrecompany.org or call (215) 985-0420. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.

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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

Mombian Dana Rudolph Pulling pieces, destroying whole structures The Lego castle was almost done. It was a complicated thing, one of the most intricate constructions my thenpreschooler had ever built. One piece wasn’t snapping in well, however, and it became too much for his hands to manage. With a sweep of his arm, he smashed the castle to bits. Two organizations have shown similar behavior lately with respect to gay people. A Missouri high school canceled its entire prom rather than let student

Constance McMillen attend with her girlfriend and wear a tux. Catholic Charities of Washington, D.C., also announced recently that its employees would no longer be able to cover their spouses — even opposite-sex ones — under the employee medical-benefits program. To do so, the organization claimed, would be to risk being forced to cover samesex spouses once such couples could marry in the district. They seem to be following the lead of Catholic Charities in Boston and San Francisco, which in 2006 shut down their adoption services to avoid having to place children with qualified same-sex couples. In the D.C. case, though,

Catholic Charities may be protesting too much. As lawyer Nancy Polikoff has pointed out on her blog, federal law says that no private employer can be forced to cover anyone. Catholic Charities could thus have refused to cover same-sex spouses, regardless of district law (beyondstraightandgaymarriage. blogspot.com). Instead, in a fit of pique, they knocked down the whole castle. Some groups, however, are taking a more selective tack. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Boulder, Colo., for example, recently decided not to readmit two preschoolers because their parents are lesbians. The Denver archdiocese backed the move, saying, “Parents living in open discord with Catholic teaching in areas of faith and morals unfortunately choose by their actions to disqualify their children from enrollment.” The sins of the mothers, apparently, are visited upon the next generation. Like Catholic Charities and the Mississippi high school, the archdiocese is using its animus against gay people in a way that is detrimental to those around them as well.

Here’s what I think the archdiocese is really afraid of, though. If there is a child with same-sex parents in the classroom, then of necessity the topic of same-sex parents will come up, no matter how “gay-free” the curriculum is. The child will talk about his or her parents. The parents will pick him or her up from school and attend school events. Teachers will need to field innocent but curious questions from other children. Other kids will soon see that same-sex parents exist and are pretty much the same as anyone else. Once that happens, the pointlessness of the church’s bias is evident. It’s easier for the archdiocese to adopt a policy of “out of sight, out of mind,” even if it means rejecting a child who would likely have benefited from its programs in many ways. Whether groups attempt to excise LGBT people one by one or to jettison entire programs rather than be inclusive, their actions present very practical problems for the individuals affected. One can only hope that the bad will generated by the organizations’ actions is enough to keep other groups from following in their footsteps.

A question, too, for all fairminded parents watching the above events unfold: How can we teach our children that even if something isn’t going well, wholesale destruction (and its frequent collateral damage) is rarely the best solution? Likewise, it rarely helps to avoid problems by pretending they don’t exist. As with much of parenting, it comes down to setting a good example ourselves. We can also point out when inappropriate behavior has backfired. The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition is organizing an inclusive prom for all students at her school, and many others have offered money or resources. My son is now 6. When he builds with Legos these days, he is much less likely to get frustrated to the point of smashing things. It’s not that hard a lesson to learn. I’m hoping that long before he attends his highschool prom, no matter who he goes with, many others will have learned it as well. ■ Dana Rudolph is founder and publisher of Mombian (www.mombian.com), a blog and resource directory for LGBT parents.

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Offline Bruce Yelk Artistic expression Philadelphia has long been recognized as one of the nation’s most acclaimed destinations for live arts and entertainment. Led by the world-famous Philadelphia Orchestra and Philly Pops, and boasting one of the most diverse and expansive theater districts outside of New York City, each new season of concerts, plays, musicals and festivals draws theatergoers from all parts of the U.S. In the coming months, a variety of superb shows and performances will take the stage at venues throughout the city. From dance and drama to singers and symphonies, Philadelphia’s upcoming arts performances have something for everyone. Here’s a list of exciting events that will have the city buzzing all season. One of the most popular performance events in Philadelphia is the Broadway Series. National touring companies of Tony Award-winning musicals and plays take to the stage at the Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St., and the Forrest Theater, 1114 Walnut St., for limited engagements that typically sell out well in advance. Over the coming months, the Broadway Series calendar has an exceptional lineup: — “The Lion King”: Through April 24 at the Academy of Music (www.kimmelcenter.org) — “August: Osage County”: April 27-May 2 at the Forrest Theater (www.forrest-theater. com) — “Avenue Q”: June 18-20 at the Academy of Music (www.kimmelcenter.org) — “Dreamgirls”: June 22-27 at the Academy of Music (www. kimmelcenter.org) Just a few steps south of the Academy of Music is the Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St. — one of Philadelphia’s most historic and authentic performance spaces. Beginning on May 14, the Merriam will play host to the tour of Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance.” This celebration of traditional Irish dance is infused with a variety of pro-

gressive artistic elements, making it one of the most unique dance performances of the last several decades. This show has played to sold-out crowds around the globe, garnering rave reviews for years. “Lord of the Dance” will only be in Philadelphia for a brief engagement, May 14-16, and tickets are certain to sell quickly. Visit www.merriam-theater.com to check for availability. Though not located in the “Arts District” on Broad Street, the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut St., on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus, is home to intimate venues that always offer diverse and quality programming. This spring, the

Annenberg Center’s Zellerbach Theater welcomes the following productions (visit www.annenbergcenter.org for tickets). — “Rasta Thomas’ Bad Boys of Dance”: April 15-17. This is an all-male dance performance combining hip-hop, capoeira, jazz and contemporary ballet. Tickets run $28-$48. — “Romeo and Juliet”: April 20-24. A joint performance of arguably the world’s most-recognized play is produced, directed and performed by Tony Awardwinning troupes, The Acting Company and Guthrie Theater. Tickets are $20-$55. — Children’s Festival: April 27May 1. This is a family-friendly series of productions and perfor-

mances guaranteed to entertain kids and adults alike. As you build your arts calendar, don’t forget about Philadelphia’s premier outdoor concert venue, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave., in Fairmount Park. It’s currently gearing up for the 2010 season, which will kick off in June. Visit www.manncenter. org for information on this year’s performance schedule. In addition to the mainstream events listed above, there are a number of LGBT-centric events coming up, including “Take Me Out” at Plays and Players, through March 27 (www.playsandplayers.org), and lesbian comic Suzanne Westenhoefer’s

performance at 9 p.m. March 27 at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, 1000 Boardwalk (ticketmaster.com). And don’t forget that cast members of Logo’s “Big Gay Sketch Show” will be performing their hysterical brand of improvisational comedy during the Mr. Gay Philadelphia Competition at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St., on April 17. To view the contestants and to purchase VIP tickets in advance, visit www.nightlifegay.com/tickets. I encourage all of my readers to send event suggestions and feedback to Bruce@nightlifegay.com. ’Til next time, get offline and see what your community has to offer! ■

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Family Portraits The Rev. James St. George is a bit of an anomaly: He’s an openly gay priest with a partner of 14 years. Father James was ordained as a deacon in October 2006 at St. Mary Magdalen in Fairless Hills, and as a priest in May 2007 in Washington, D.C. He was appointed pastor of St. Miriam Church, 475 Norristown Road, Blue Bell, in March 2008. PGN: Tell me about growing up. JSG: I was born and raised in Erie, Pa. My sister, Andrea, and I are both adopted. I often tell people that I learned the foundation for being a priest not at seminary, but at my mother’s table. It was a very strict Catholic Italian upbringing but it was compassionate and loving. Growing up, we used to come home and there was always a stranger at the table, sometimes a few, and we learned not to ask about them, we just accepted it. My mother would go shopping and see someone who was down and out or homeless and she would bring them home and feed them. So our table became not only a place where we worked everything out amongst our family, but an extension of who we were. Because from the time we were able to understand, we knew we were adopted. My mother also raised

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

Suzi Nash eight foster children, so it was never a big issue for us. My parents are still alive: My dad had a stroke while I was in seminary, so he’s pretty much paralyzed and in a nursing home, and my mom still lives in the house that we grew up in. My sister lives about 15 minutes from her and has two boys, Matthew and Stephen. PGN: And what did your mother do? JSG: My mother, Ruth, had a variety of jobs, from nurse to hairdresser; I guess they called them beauticians back then. I think I was introduced to someone from the LGBT community for the first time when she went to beauty school. I was too young to know about my own sexuality, but she brought home a person whose name was Terry. Terry was having an operation to transition from male to female and his parents disowned him when they found out. He needed someplace to go after surgery to heal and someone to look after him, so my mother invited him to stay with us. I don’t know how old we were, probably about 7 and 8 or so. It was hard enough trying to explain the birds and the bees at that age, let alone this discussion, but she did her best to make us understand. We didn’t quite get

it, but we knew that it was something that was OK with her. PGN: Wow, very progressive of her! JSG: Yes, she was very big on social justice and human rights. Growing up in a very strong Roman-Catholic Italian family and neighborhood (it was like Little Italy), everything centered around the church. So for her to break away from a lot of the teachings of the church that excluded whole classes of people was pretty big. She always stuck to what she believed was right. She never excluded people. And she could curse like a sailor! PGN: What traits have you learned from her? JSG: She’s very up-front. When she’s mad at you, you know it. My parishioners get a little glimpse of my childhood because I don’t like triangulation. And I refuse to put up with it at church, so if someone comes up to me and says, “I’m really mad at Suzi,” I say, “Then go talk to Suzi. If you can’t work it out, I’ll mediate with both of you, but I won’t stand for any behind-theback gossip or griping.” To be in an environment that hides anger and hides behind innuendo does not work well for me. When

THE REV. JAMES ST. GEORGE Photo: Dean Gazzo

my mother was mad, she would tell you why and you worked it out, and I try to do the same. The other area where my mother comes up is when it snows. I grew up in an area that gets 200300 inches of snow each year. My mother used to look out the window and if she could still see the top of the antennae on the car, we’d have to go to school. So when people see a few flakes on the ground and call to see if we’re having service, I tell them there’s

no such thing as a snow day at St. Miriam. PGN: And what did your father do? JSG: He was a funeral director. He and his brothers owned a small chain of funeral homes. It’s funny because they all wanted to do something else. None of them wanted to be funeral directors. The lineage is that we are fourthand fifth-generation funeral directors. I went to seminary and

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Q Puzzle Oscar Night Revelation Across

1. Streisand, for short 5. Price tag 9. R.E.M. frontman Michael 14. Queens stadium name 15. Island of Barrie’s land 16. Animal handler 17. Stadium level 18. Threaded fastener 19. Writer Saikaku 20. “The Blind Side” star 23. Bombay title 24. Heady stuff 25. Award won by 20-Across 31. Curved shape 34. Coastal recess 35. Features of Disney’s Dumbo 36. Carrier to Tel Aviv 37. Poet Kitty 38. Emcee’s opening 39. Fish dish 40. Go bad 41. Prefix with gravure, in “Easter Parade” 42. Big fruit of New York?

left because I didn’t believe in a lot of teachings of the church. So I became a funeral director, carrying on the tradition of men in my family who didn’t want to do what we were doing. My dad wanted to be a bookie, but there wasn’t really a school to learn how to be a bookie, and my uncles wanted to be a dentist and a lawyer, respectively, but ended up in the funeral business. I finally broke the cycle by going back and becoming a priest. PGN: What kinds of things did you do as a kid? JSG: Everything centered around the home or the church back then. My mother loved bingo, so she would haul us off to play bingo. We were also lucky enough to live near Waldameer Amusement Park and the Presque Isle State Park beaches. There was also a wooded lot behind our house, which we believed was a vast forest that we used to explore and play in. I went back recently and they had cleared it to make room to build a house. It was astonishing to see that it was only about half an acre. We used to think we were such big explorers: Looking at how small it was, I thought to myself, boy, we were kind of sissies! And believe it or not, my friends tease me because while all the other boys used to play cowboys and Indians or cops and robbers, I used to play priest. I used to sit in the backyard with Ritz crackers and grape juice and make Holy

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS 43. “You betcha!” 44. Nominee for 25-Across 46. It connects Dick to Dyke 47. Greeting to Maria 48. Award given by 20-Across to 44-Across 55. She had her hand up Lamb Chop 56. Wilson of “Zoolander” 57. Trudge through sludge 59. Gandhi, e.g. 60. By ___ of (owing to) 61. Cry of Dorothy 62. Lover of Henry and June 63. They crawl all over your mound 64. Thailand, once

Down

1. Club for swingers 2. Just like you see it 3. Carla portrayer on “Cheers” 4. Composer Leonard 5. Like some fruit’s acid 6. Wife of Charlie Chaplin 7. Give the cold shoulder 8. Russian singing duo 9. Mapplethorpe pics, e.g. 10. Resort lake 11. Colorful computer 12. Employment extra 13. Bill written by Alice Paul

Communion for the dogs! My mother, being a staunch Catholic, had a fit and took me to see the monsignor. He said he would take care of it and I thought I was toast: I mean, if there really is a God in this world, the monsignor sits right at his doorstep. But he took me to the sacristy and wrapped up real hosts, obviously non-consecrated, and told me that you couldn’t make Holy Communion with Ritz crackers, but that I could have these. It instilled in me the value of being a compassionate priest. PGN: So how did you get from funeral director to priest? JSG: Well, our funeral home got bought out by a larger company and, after working for them and then my own business for a while and not being happy, a friend of mine along with my partner, Sean, suggested that I take a minute and figure out what I really wanted to do before starting a new job. I decided I wanted to be a priest, but being openly gay I figured it wasn’t going to happen. By then we had broken away from the Roman Church and sojourned through the Episcopal Church for a while. I started my priesthood there, but they say once a Catholic, always a Catholic, and I felt there had to be a way to hold everything that I loved about being Catholic and the 2,000-plus years of tradition and yet make it more See PORTRAITS, Page 34

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21. “Nuts!” 22. Wonder Woman weapon 25. Teenie-weenie 26. Come after 27. Sucking sound 28. Opera guy 29. Tattered and torn 30. Swashbuckling Flynn 31. Run off to get hitched 32. Rimbaud’s room 33. Shuteye 36. Contents of tiny cups 38. Castle with many steps 42. Many P-town beach vehicles 44. Eric of “Ugly Betty” 45. Peter and Mary 46. Elton John wrote a musical on his “Aida” 48. Watered down 49. Mandlikova of tennis 50. Ingredient in highballs 51. One of the Brewer models 52. He got into Superman’s pants 53. Pertaining to most students 54. Caesar’s city 55. Doo-wop syllable 58. Muscle Mary’s place

See SOLUTION, Page 32

PGN PGN PGN

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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worth watching: FRIDAY Caprica Look for gay character Sam in this “Battlestar Galactica” prequel. 9 p.m. on SyFy. SATURDAY The Wanda Sykes Show The out comedian hosts her talk show. 11 p.m. on Fox. Saturday Night Live Jon Hamm hosts and Michael Bublé performs in this repeat. 11:30 p.m. on NBC.

SUNDAY The Amazing Race The gay teams — lesbians Carol and Brandy and gay competitor Dan with his brother Jordan — are still in this reality-travel competition. 8 p.m. on CBS. MONDAY Dancing with the Stars Celebrities learn to dance in this reality competition. 8 p.m. on ABC.

How I Met Your Mother Out actor Neil Patrick Harris stars as the womanizing Barney. 8 p.m. on CBS. RuPaul’s Drag Race Drag queens face off in this reality competition. This week, Debbie Reynolds and Cloris Leachman guest judge. 9 p.m. on Logo. TUESDAY American Idol Out comedian and talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres judges. 8 p.m. on Fox.

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

WEDNESDAY America’s Next Top Model Tyra Banks, Jay Hernandez and Miss J. Alexander put model hopefuls through the paces in this reality competition. 8 p.m. on CW. The New Adventures of Old Chirstine Out comedian Wanda Sykes co-stars and Eric McCormack (“Will & Grace”) guest stars. Modern Family Look for gay couple Mitchell and Cameron. This week,

Mitchell has confidence issues and Cameron gets involved in the neighbors’ problems. 9 p.m. on ABC. The Robert Verdi Show The misadventures of the out celebrity stylist and party planner, and the staff that has to serve his every whim. 10 p.m. on Logo. THURSDAY Grey’s Anatomy Look for out couple Callie and Arizona. 9 p.m. on ABC.

PGN staff brings home gold, silver and bronze! Mark Segal First place, Best Column Writing, Non-Daily “Mark My Words”

N G P Scott A. Drake Second place, Best Feature Photo, Non-Daily “Gone but not Forgotten”

Congratulations on winning four awards in the 2009 Suburban Newspaper Association Editorial Contest, the best out of more than 2,000 U.S. and Canadian publications.

Scott A. Drake First place, Best Feature Photo, Non-Daily “Love Park” Larry Nichols Third place, Best Arts & Entertainment Writing — Feature “Reality TV comic to get real live in New Hope”

THE GREAT OUT-DOORS: Jay (Ed O’Neill) and openly gay character Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson, pictured) embark on their traditional father-son outing to see the meteor showers, but Mitchell is surprised to see his step-brother Manny (Rico Rodriguez) will be joining them, on “Modern Family,” 9 p.m. March 31 on ABC. Photo: Danny Feld

Queer TV you can always see: The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Monday-Friday, 3 p.m. on NBC. The Rachel Maddow Show

Monday-Friday, 9 p.m. on MSNBC.

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

Food and Drink Directory Happy Hour 6pm - 8pm

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SOLUTION From Page 27

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 33

Garces’ new Euro bistro is an instant smash By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer Garces Trading Co. had only been open two weeks by the time we stopped by, but word of superstar chef Jose Garces’ newest restaurant must have spread quickly. The place was absolutely packed with both diners and shoppers on a Tuesday night. And after trying the cuisine, we know why. For his sixth Philadelphia restaurant, Garces has pulled together an impressive assortment of European influences for the menu and the décor. There is a timeless quality to the wood and black-iron aesthetic that is ideal for many purposes, whether it be a quick carryout meal and a bottle of wine or a casual sit-down dinner. Upon entering, you are immediately struck by a line of dispensers, where you can sample the many, many types of olive oils Garces has to offer. Along the far right wall is the wine case, which, judging by the size and selections on display, is on loan from the wine cellar of Bruce Wayne. To your left is the meat and cheese counter; along the back wall is Garces’ bread and pastry selection and the coffee bar. The restaurant menu, while not extensive, impresses and surprises. There are only a handful of selections under each category — antipasti, soups and salads, sandwiches, pasta, pizza, deep-dish pies and plats du jour. The widest selections are in the cheese and charcuterie menus. From the antipasti menu, the breakfast radish ($5) was light and flavorful, allowing the subtle charms of the goat butter, olive oil and sea salt to shine. The baby artichokes ($7) were on the sweet side but every bit as light, flavored with preserved lemon, honey and almonds. The cheese ($6 each, $15 for three) and charcuterie ($8 each, $20 for 3) menu features domestic and imported selections to whet the appetite. Most are tasty on their own, but the true excitement here can be found with

PGN

OLIVE-OIL SAMPLING AT GARCES Photo: Scott A. Drake

the housemade condiments that accompany them, such as the truffle-lavender honey and the cherry-fig marmalade. When it comes to entrées, the pappardelle with lamb ragu ($16) from the pasta menu was a pleasantly rustic dish with sunchoke puree and piave vecchio. The lamb was especially tender and the puree complimented the dish nicely, allowing the flavors and textures of the pasta and the lamb to flourish. On the pizza menu, the funghi ($13), with maitakes, royal trumpets, black truffles and taleggio cheese, was a refined and tasty

treat for mushroom lovers. Aside from his regular pizzas, Garces also offers deep-dish selections (starting at $24) with toppings ranging from eggplant and asparagus to chorizo and crab. (There’s a 30-minute wait for those pies, but that leaves more time to explore the antipasti menu.) The plats du jour are daily dinner specials for two, where the French and Italian influences really come through. The cassoulet (Tuesdays, $30) was featured the night we arrived, putting an already-stellar meal over the top. The dish was a casserole of duck confit, Swiss chard and Toulouse

Fresh and Healthy Food

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sausage accompanied by deliciously fried honey turnips. The casserole was the crown jewel of the meal, as the confit and the Swiss chard made every bite more savory and hearty than the last. The dish was so good that it almost didn’t need the sausage, but it was still a welcome addition. Other plats-du-jour offerings like the coq au vin (Mondays, $28) and the oxtail and short-rib lasagna (Sundays, $30) pretty much guarantee we’ll be back on those other nights of the week. We have to admit, we were a little food-drunk after the cassoulet, but we still had dessert to get through. Thankfully, the restaurant’s European influences extend to their desserts: The assortment of house-baked cookies ($5) defi-

nitely exceeded expectations, as did the seasonal fruit tarte ($6). If the popularity of this restaurant is any indication, a seventh restaurant by Garces can’t be too far behind. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.

If you go Garces Trading Co. 1111 Locust St. (215) 574-1099 www.garcestradingcompany. com Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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PORTRAITS From Page 27 relevant and more compassionate and open. I found it in the Old Catholic Apostolic Church. I often say that the Roman Catholic Church is so bent on rules that they’ve forgotten about the grace and the love of God.

PGN: So as a funeral director, what’s a crazy situation you had to deal with? JSG: The first that comes to mind is a situation where the guy that died had a wife, a mistress and a second wife who didn’t know about each other until he died. The wife had an inkling that he had a mistress but it wasn’t verified until she

was at my funeral home making arrangements and the other woman showed up. It was a huge catfight, and I had to schedule different times for them to come in. Then along came another woman claiming she was his wife! She tried to prevent the burial all together. It was like something out of a movie. The other instance that comes to mind

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

is two brothers who got into a fight over the casket. They both wanted to pick a different color and they started punching each other right there on the showroom floor. I was just shaking my head and thinking, this is plain crazy! PGN: That first incident sounds like an episode of “Big Love.” How about something that moved you when you were a hospital chaplain? JSG: Yeah, I thought that was what I was going to do for life. Not only do you have to get a master’s degree and get ordained for that, but you then have to take an additional two years postgraduate work as well as working in a major medical center. It’s pretty intense. I still do a shift once a week at Lehigh. The event that comes to mind is the one that actually prompted me to go into parish ministry. There was a woman who was very sick and asked to see a priest. I went up to see her and she was in what we call end-stage lymphoma cancer and you could tell she was going to die. She had a little bonnet on her head and was very frail. I sat with her and it was almost a mini confession. She talked about her regrets and her joys and failures, and one common theme was her husband. She said that they had never been able to attend church together because she was Roman Catholic and he was Baptist. When they got married, the Roman Catholic Church wouldn’t recognize their marriage and having married someone outside of the faith, she wasn’t allowed to receive communion anymore. She tried going to another church, but it never felt the same for her, so for 30 years, she would go to different Catholic churches where they didn’t know her to get communion and he would go to church on his own, but they’d never been able to worship together. So I offered to give them communion together right there and then. Her husband came to the room and I celebrated a full Mass for them and gave them both communion. She was overwhelmed, it was the first time they’d ever been able to celebrate communion together. She died shortly after that and, about a week later, her husband sent me the most moving letter, saying that it was the greatest gift that they’d ever received as a married couple and that if I ever decided to start a church, I would attract all kinds of followers because people needed to know that God wasn’t about rules and

regulations, He was about love. Shortly after that, I met Rabbi Linda Holtzman from Mishkan Shalom Synagogue and she was looking for someone to rent some space in their building. We thought it was a neat idea to have a Christian and a Jewish group share a space together, and that’s where we started St. Miriam. It all came about because of that one occasion that I had with that couple. PGN: Something interesting in your biography: I notice that you attended Howard University, which is a historically black college. JSG: I did. There were about 12 colleges to choose from and I asked the bishop if I could go to Howard and he said, “Why?” I just figured that I was living in D.C., where the majority of the population was African American. There’s a lot of gentrification going on and what happens is that mostly white people come in, buy homes, raise rents and push out the poor and indigent people who have lived there for years. A lot of times it was gay people, the DINKS — double income, no kids — who moved into areas that no one else would move into and fixed them up, raising the market value and pushing out the old residents. I also noticed that we had these beautiful white shining buildings, the Capitol building and the White House, strong and gleaming, and then in their shadows were areas like Anacostia, where people lived in some of the poorest conditions in the world. I thought to myself, this is just silly, I need to learn more about what it means to be African American in this country, to learn about the injustices African Americans are facing. So I asked to be sent to Howard, a predominantly black college, to get my master’s in divinity. It was interesting because, not only was I the only white person in my classes, I was also openly gay, and I got more flack for that than anything else. I got verbally beat up quite a bit over Leviticus from the Old Testament and Romans from the New, and one day it was too much and I started crying in class. Everyone felt bad and the professor asked me why I was crying, and I explained that after a full semester of listening everyday to how horrible I was, and how broken and what an abomination I was, it was difficult for me because I saw myself as a creation of God in his image and

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

likeness, but that based on some words in a book, the whole class acted like I should be taken out and shot. I said, “You’ve come to know me over the past year; how can you hate like that? Aren’t you all from backgrounds where you were oppressed and hated? How can you justify now being the oppressor? Shouldn’t you be more compassionate to others?” I think it was the first time they put a face to the words and realized that I wasn’t just a faceless abomination: I was a real person that they knew and we really started to grow together. Over the rest of my time there, they learned about me and Catholicism and I learned about them and even won a preaching award! PGN: I notice that St. Miriam’s is not an LGBT church like one of the Metropolitan Community Churches. JSG: We want to be open to everyone. When you come in to the church, right there on the bulletin board is a statement that basically reads, “If you are gay or lesbian, transgender, divorced, non-Catholic ... etc, you are welcome here.” There’s a whole list; pretty much anyone who would be rejected by the traditional Roman Catholic Church. PGN: I didn’t realize how many people are marginalized by the church. Who else is not included? JSG: Oh, people who are divorced, ex-offenders, homeless people, people with mental illnesses, LGBT people. My issue is that nowadays, there are a lot of churches that say that they’re inclusive — it’s the new buzzword — but in actuality, their “inclusive” has strings. There’s a phrase that I hate: Love the sinner, hate the sin. That just ... it makes me so ... oh, don’t get me started. I could preach for an hour on that. Or they will say it’s OK that you’re gay until you introduce a partner; then suddenly, that means that you are an active gay and they’re not ready to deal with that. Ex-offenders are a big issue:

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

The attitude is yes, we want to welcome people out of prison, but we’d prefer if they go someplace else. Mental illness and homelessness are two other issues that are given nothing but lip service. I was at a church once that had the nerve to have a sign outside saying that they were an inclusive church, but when a homeless man wandered in and sat in the back, the ushers were instructed to remove him. I left that church because of it. I went to the pastor and said, “You know, when we die and go to heaven, we’re going to find out that that was Jesus wanting to come in and you threw him out.” [Laughs.] I use that for everything. My partner Sean is a social worker and is very much a social-justice person, but when he sees me giving coins to panhandlers on the street, he tells me that I shouldn’t because they will probably use it for drugs or alcohol. And my response is always, “Yeah? And they might be Jesus!” PGN: You want to make sure you pass the test! JSG: Yeah, you don’t want him saying, “Remember that nickel you wouldn’t part with ... ?” But seriously, it’s amazing how narrow churches can be. They’ll say they’re inclusive and you go there and everyone looks like everyone else. People don’t realize that the most segregated day of the week is Sunday, when people go to their houses of worship separated by color and denomination and a host of other factors. How inclusive can you be if you don’t go outside your little world? My job as a priest is to effectuate the sacrament; I don’t pick and choose who can and can’t have it. My argument to anyone who says otherwise is, Show me in the Bible where Jesus rejected anybody. If he didn’t turn his back on anyone, I can’t either. ■ To suggest a community member for “Family Portraits,” write to: Family Portraits, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 or portraits05@aol.com.

PAGE 35

Be a brick! Buy a brick! Help ﬁnish the wall fund by buying a brick for $50! MON. - SAT. 11:30 - 7p.m. SUNDAY 1:00 - 7p.m. email: giovannis_room@verizon.net

PGN Gay is our middle name.

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

Diversions

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

Your guide to arts and entertainment

Theater

PGN

Broken Glass The Walnut Street Theatre’s Studio 5 presents Arthur Miller’s exploration of what it means to be Jewish and American in 1938, through April 4, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 5743550.

Music classical

Fallen Angels Walnut Street Theatre presents a comedy about bored wives, old ﬂames and high society, through May 2, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550.

Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works from one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso. Covering works from his prolific period in France between 1905-45, “Picasso and the Avant-Garde in Paris” features an extraordinary collection of prints, sculptures and drawings from Picasso such as “Still Life with a Guitar and a Compote (The Mandolin)” (above), as well as work from artists in Paris during that period, such as Chana Orloff’s “Sailor and Sweetheart” (right), through April 25, 26th Street and the Parkway. For more information, visit www. philamuseum.org or call (215) 763-8100.

The Firebird Enchantment Theatre Company joins the Philadelphia Orchestra to perform the classic Russian folk tale, 11:30 a.m. March 27 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Happily Ever After 1812 Productions presents four-time Barrymore Award-winner Mary Martello in her new cabaret about the lives of aging fairy-tale princesses, through March 28 at Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom St.; (215) 5929560.

Pick

Waiting for Godot EgoPo Classic Theater presents an imaginative and unique staging of Samuel Beckett’s classic play, through March 28 at The Latvian Society, 531 N. Seventh St.; (800) 5954849.

the rising cost of the American dream, through April 4, 265 S. Broad St.; (215) 546-7842. Museum The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents a comic play by Tina Howe, set in the contemporary gallery of an art museum on the ﬁnal day of a group show, through March 28 at the Arthur Ross Gallery, 220 S. 34th St.; (215) 898-3900.

The Irish ... and How They Got That Way The irreverent but affectionate history of the Irish in America uses classical songs and stories as told by Pulitzer Prizewinning author Frank McCourt, through April 18 at Kimmel’s Innovation Respect: A Musical Studio, 240 S. Broad St.; Journey of Women (215) 790-5847. Society Hill Playhouse presents an exuberant Language Rooms musical that recounts the The Wilma Theater journey of women in the presents a black comedy 20th century with popular that exposes the divided music, through April 18, loyalties among today’s 507 S. Eighth St.; (215) immigrants, discovering 923-0210.

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet Arden Theatre Company presents the tragic love story, through April 11 on Arden’s F. Otto Haas Stage, 40 N. Second St.; (215) 9221122. Some Assembly Required BCKSEET Productions presents the one-act musical about a woman’s struggle with what is real and what is part of her medicated daydreams, through April 17 at the Red Room at Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. Eighth St.; (215) 923-0210. Take Me Out Plays and Players Theatre looks at what happens when the star player of a professional baseball team suddenly announces his

homosexuality, and the ripple effect it has on the team over the course of a season, through March 27, 1714 Delancey Place; (215) 7350630. Travels With My Aunt The Walnut Street Theatre’s Independence Studio 3 presents the adventures of retired bank employee Henry Pulling and his effervescent aunt Augusta as they travel around the world, April 1-18, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 5743550. Up Bristol Riverside Theatre presents the story of a man who uses a lawn chair, a weather balloon, a BB gun and a beer to escape the ordinary, through April 4, 120 Radcliffe St.; (215) 7357356.

Mozart and Elgar The Philadelphia Orchestra presents the debut of the stellar American violinist and Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient Stefan Jackiw, 2 p.m. March 26 and 8 p.m. March 27 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Lady in Satin Goes Latin featuring Claudia Acuña The Kimmel Center presents the Latin jazz singer from Chile, 7:30 p.m. March 26 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. The Stage Door Canteen: Lynn Roberts Returns Peter Nero and the Philly Pops perform an evening of USO songs, 8 p.m. March 26 and 3 p.m. March 27-28 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Red White and FaBLUElous The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware performs music from the 1940s and ’50s inspired by the USO, from 7-11 p.m. at Arden Gild Hall, 2126 The Highway, Arden, Del.; (302) 4753126.

Music other

Mint Condition and Ledisi The R&B group and the Grammy-nominated singer perform at 8 p.m. March

26 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650. Sweet Namaste The out acoustic folk duo performs at 7:30 p.m. March 27 at Tin Angel, 20 N. Second St.; (215) 9280770. Sugar Town The monthly night of lady DJs and rockers presents Gemeni Wolf, Lillie Ruth Bussey, Attia Taylor and DJ Jem, 9 p.m. March 27 at Tritone, 1508 South St.; (215) 545-0745. Fooling April Performs “Abbey Road” The Philadelphia-based band performs the classic Beatles album at 7:30 p.m. April 1 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400.

Exhibits

Ancient Rome & America The National Constitution Center presents an exhibition of rare artifacts from Italy and the United States including excavated remains from Pompeii and Roman busts of Julius Caesar and Cicero, through Aug. 1, 525 Arch St.; (215) 409-6600.

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

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

Contemporary Folklore The James A. Michener Art Museum presents an exhibition featuring the works of four regional artists mining both collective and personal stories to create sculptures that retell new histories, through June 13, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; (215) 3409800. Chromatic Alchemy AxD Gallery presents an exhibition of paintings by John Clark and Gabriel Turner Byrne, through April 3, 265 S. 10th St.; (215) 627-6250. The Hermaphrodites: Living in Two Worlds Wexler Gallery presents a group show focusing on ﬁgural sculptures that embody the literal deﬁnition of hermaphrodites (encompassing both genders) and the conceptual nature of the term, through May 1, 201 N. Third St.; (215) 923-7030. La Femme Mystique: A Tribute to Women’s Month Vivant Art Collection presents an exhibition of works exploring femininity, through March 30, 60 N. Second St.; (215) 922-6584.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

from all over the country, through April 25, 623 N. Second St.; (215) 238-1557.

Dance

Philadelphia Liberty Dance Challenge The same-sex ballroom dance competition — which includes the North American Same-Sex Ballroom Championship — beneﬁts the Sapphire Fund, 5 p.m. at the Convention Center, 1101 Arch St.; (800) 428-9000.

Film

On The Waterfront The classic drama starring Marlon Brando is screened at 2 p.m. March 28 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223. The Robe Bryn Mawr Film Institute screens the biblical epic at 7:30 p.m. March 31, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 527-9898.

Books

Open Mic The readings and/or performances start at 7 p.m. March 27 at Giovanni’s Room, 345

S. 12th St.; (215) 9232960. Women’s/Trans Reading Group “Exile and Pride: Disability, Queerness and Liberation” by Eli Clare is discussed at 5 p.m. April 1 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 9232960. Robert Coover The author of “Noir: A Novel” hosts a book event at 7:30 p.m. April 1 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322.

Opera

BrAVA Philadelphia Academy of Vocal Arts presents a performance by Metropolitan Opera artists Joyce DiDonato, James Valenti, Angela Meade, Michael Fabiano, Burak Bilgili and more, 7:30 p.m. March 31 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 7905847.

Cabaret

Mel & El The cabaret duo performs at 8:30 p.m. March 27 at Harlans Cabaret, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225.

PAGE 37

Etc.

Tom Wilson The comedian seen on “Back to the Future” performs March 26-27 at Helium, 2031 Sansom St.; (215) 496-9001. Both Sides of the Wall: Transgender Jewish Identity Joy Ladin, an author and the ﬁrst openly transgender employee of an Orthodox Jewish institution, hosts a discussion from 8:309:30 p.m. March 26 at Penn Hillel, 215 S. 39th St., and from 1-2 p.m. March 27 at the University of Pennsylvania’s Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce St.; (215) 898-7391. Suzanne Westenhoefer The out comedian performs at 9 p.m. March 27 at Trump Taj Mahal’s Xanadu Theater, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City; (609) 449-1000. Scene The monthly LGBTQ dance party celebrates its one-year anniversary from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. March 27 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St.; www. tlbtbproductions.com. ■

Nameless and Reverberating Fleisher/Ollman Gallery presents a solo exhibition of new drawings by Chicago artist Luis Romero, through March 27, 1616 Walnut St., Suite 100; (215) 545-7562. Of This Century The Clay Studio presents an exhibition of works by select guest artists, through May 2, 139 N. Second St.; (215) 925-3453. The Souvenir Shop ArtStar Gallery presents an exhibition of works from ceramic artists

EVERYBODY LOVES A GOOD CATFIGHT: The Tony Award-winning blockbuster musical “The Lion King” is back in Philadelphia after four years. Featuring rhythms of the African Pridelands and a score that includes Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and the Oscar-nominated “Circle of Life,” this stage adaptation of the mega-successful Disney film is sure to be a hot ticket, through April 24 at the Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St. For tickets, call (215) 790-5847. Photo: Joan Marcus/Disney

PGN

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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Meeting Place A community bulletin board of activities, facilities and organizations

Community centers � The Attic Youth Center: For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday through Friday. See the Youth section for more events. 255 S. 16th St.; (215) 545-4331 � Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St.; (215) 898-5044; center@dolphin.upenn.edu, Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. � Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; (215) 348-0558 ext. 65; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. � William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center: 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 732-2220; www.waygay.org. Peer counseling: Monday through Friday, 6-9 p.m. Library hours: Mondays 3-9 p.m., Tuesdays 3-6 p.m., Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., Thursdays 3-9 p.m., Fridays 3-9 p.m., Saturdays noon-6 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.; Volunteer Velada, third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.

Health Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 166 W. Lehigh Ave.; (215) 763-8870 ext. 6000. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., suite 205; (2215) 536-2424. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; (215) 851-1822 or (866) 222-3871. Spanish/English. HIV testing Free, anonymous testing and counseling is offered from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment at AIDS Resource, 520 W. Fourth St., suite 2A, Williamsport; (570) 322-8448.

Key numbers

HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; (215) 685-1803. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications, conﬁdential HIV testing available at 17 MacDade Blvd., suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Ofﬁce Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; (610) 586-9077. Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 1201 Chestnut St.; (215) 563-0652. www. mazzonicenter.org. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; (215) 985-9206.

Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: (215) 686-2555

n AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: (215) 587-9377

n Mazzoni Center: (215) 563-0652; www. mazzonicenter.org

n AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: (856) 933-9500 ext. 221

n Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine: (215) 563-0658

n AIDS Library: (215) 985-4851 n ACLU of Pennsylvania: (215) 592-1513

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

n AIDS Treatment hot line: (215) 5452212

n Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: (215) 686-4670

n Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: (215) 685-1633

n Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: (215) 772-2000

n The COLOURS Organization Inc. 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 4960330. n Equality Advocates Pennsylvania: (215) 731-1447; (866) LGBTLAW n Equality Forum: (215) 732-3378 n Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Peer Counseling Services: (215) 732-TALK n Mayor’s liaison to LGBT communities: Gloria Casarez, (215) 686-2194; Gloria.

n Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Chief Inspector James Tiano: (215) 685-3655 n Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: (215) 600-0627; ppd.lgbt@gmail.com n Philly Pride Presents: (215) 875-9288 n SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: (717) 920-9537 n Transgender Health Action Coalition: (215) 732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays, and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

Professional groups n 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. n Greater Philadelphia Professional Network Networking group for area business professionals, self-employed and business owners meets monthly in a different location throughout the city, invites speakers on various topics, partners with other nonprofits and maintains a Web site where everyone is invited to sign up for e-mail notices for activities and events.; www.gppn. org. n 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) 5570190; 1717 Arch St., Suite 3370. n National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association The Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and students, meets for social and networking events; www.nlgjaphiladephia.org.

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

12-step programs and support groups Adult Children of Alcoholics

Meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the William Way Center. n Rainbow Adult Children of Alcoholics and Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 7 p.m. Saturdays at Limestone Presbyterian Church, 3201 Limestone Road, Wilmington, Del.; (302) 4569129. n

Al-Anon

Gay Al-Anon meets at 8 p.m. Fridays at St. Andrew’s Church, 50 York St., Lambertville, N.J.; (215) 986-1029. n

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

n Philly OutGoing Professionals Social group for gay, lesbian and bisexual professionals meets for social and cultural activities; (856) 8579283; popnews19@yahoo.com.

Wednesdays:

A support group for HIV-positive women will meet from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad St.; (215) 387-6055. n AIDS Services in Asian Communities’ weekly volunteer work group will meet from 6-8 p.m. at 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; (215) 563-2424. n Project Teach, a peer-education and empowerment program for people living with HIV/AIDS, will meet from 3-5 p.m. at Philadelphia Fight, 1233 Locust St. n Positive Effect, for HIV-positive people 18 and over, meets from 5-7 p.m. at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; (856) 963-2432.

Acceptance meets at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays at Episcopal Church, 22nd and Spruce streets. n Beginnings meets at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at 1201 Locust St.; (215) 563-0663 ext. 282. n Community meets at 8 p.m. on Thursdays at Holy Communion Church, 2111 Sansom St. Gay and lesbian but all are welcome. n GLBT Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. on Sundays and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 100 W. Windsor St., Reading; (484) 529-9504. n Living In Sobriety meets at 10 a.m. Mondays through Fridays and 11 a.m. Sundays at the William Way Center. n Night Owl meets at 11:30 p.m. Sunday through Saturday at the William Way Center. n Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Beginners meets at 7:30 p.m. Mondays at Trinity Episcopal Church, 2212 Spruce St. n Sober and Gay meets at 8:30 p.m. Sunday through Friday at the William Way Center. n Stepping Stone meets at 2:30 p.m. Mondays at the Mazzoni Center. n Ties That Bind Us is a12-step Alcoholics Anonymous meeting for the BDSM, leather and alternative sexuality community. Meetings are held from 7:30-9 p.m. in South Philadelphia. For location, call (800) 581-7883. n Way Gay Young Peoples meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the William Way Center.

Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA)

Meets at 7 p.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the William Way Center.

n 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.

S. Seventh St.; (215) 685-1633. n A support group for HIV-positive men and women meets from 1:30-3 p.m. at BEBASHI — Transition to Hope, 1217 Spring Garden St., first floor; (215) 769-3561. n Encuentros Positivos, a group for HIV-positive Latino men who have sex with men, meets on first and third Tuesday of the month at 1205 Chestnut St.; (215) 985-3382. n “Feast Incarnate,” a weekly ministry for people affected by HIV/AIDS, begins at 5 p.m. at University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St. Bible study follows at 6 p.m.; (215) 387-2885. n A support group for people recently diagnosed with HIV/AIDS will meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Mazzoni Center. n Youth Outreach Adolescent Community Awareness Program’s Voice It Sistah, a support group for HIV-positive women, meets at 11 a.m. every first and third Tuesday at YOACAP, 1207 Chestnut St., Suite 315; (215) 851-1898.

Emotional Support

Healing After Loss has monthly activities in South Jersey and surrounding area; www.lsn. southjersey.com. n Pink and Blues is a free depression and bipolar support group for sexual minorities and meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; (215) 627-0424. n Pink and Blues Main Line, a peer-run mental health support group, meets 6 p.m. Thursdays at Bryn Mawr Consumer Center, 1001 W. Lancaster Ave.; (610) 527-1511. n Survivors of Suicide Inc. meets at 7:30 p.m. on ﬁrst Tuesday of the month at 3535 Market St., Room 2037; (215) 545-2242; www.phillysos. tripod.com. n Survivors of Suicide Inc., Chester County meets at 7:30 p.m. on second Wednesday of the month at Paoli Memorial Hospital, Willistown Room, Medical Ofﬁce Building; (215) 545-2242; www. phillysos.tripod.com. n

HIV/AIDS

Strength In Numbers Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ SINPhiladelphia.

Thursdays:

A support group for HIV-positive men and women will meet from 6-8 p.m. at BEBASHI — Transition to Hope, 1217 Spring Garden St.; (215) 769-3561. n Diversity, an HIV/AIDS support group for all infected or affected, meets from 7-9 p.m. at Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55. N. Broad St.; call Zak, (215) 848-4380, or Paul, (215) 307-0347. n

Saturdays:

AIDS Delaware’s You’re Not Alone youth support group meets at 11 a.m. at AIDS Delaware, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 315, Wilmington; a social session will follow at 12:30 p.m.; (302) 652-6776. n

Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

Meetings are at 2 p.m. Sunday through Saturday and at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the William Way Center.

Overeaters Anonymous (OA)

Open meeting, Tuesdays, beginners meet at 5:30 p.m., regular meeting at 6 p.m. at Hahnemann University Hospital, 245 N. 15th St., third ﬂoor, room 3208; call Troy, (215) 514-3065. n

S.A.R.A.

Substance Abuse – Risk Assessment; day and evening hours; (215) 563-0663 ext. 282. n

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous

Mondays, 7 p.m. at the William Way Center. Mondays, 7:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 20 N. Route 9, Marmora, N.J.; (609) 675-1998. n Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. at All Saints Church, 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.; (302) 5423279. n Fridays, 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean View Lodge, Metropolitan Community Church, 521 Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, Del.; (302) 945-5982. n Saturdays, 8:30 p.m. at the William Way Center. n n

Meeting Place rotates listings on a four week schedule.

Mondays:

Positive Brothers, a support group for men of color living with HIV/AIDS, meets from 6-8 p.m. at 112 N. Broad St., 11th ﬂoor; (215) 496-0330. n

Tuesdays:

AIDS Services in Asian Community offers safer-sex and HIV/AIDS information at 10 a.m. on second Tuesday of the month at the Independence Branch of the the Free Library, 18

SEPCADD

Safe space to meet and discuss substance abuse problems with ofﬁce in William Way Center; (215) 340-9995. n

Smoking Cessation

FreshOUT!, Mazzoni Center’s free quitsmoking program, hosts individual sessions, classes and support groups and offers Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patches, gum and lozenges); (215) 563-0652 ext. 228 or e-mail quitsmoking@mazzonienter.org. n

Send submissions to pgn@epgn.com or fax (215) 925-6437 PGN Meeting Place, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 Meeting Place is a public service. Submissions must include a phone number for publication.

Complete Meeting Place listings of all Parent/Family, Professional, Recovery, Recreation, Religion, Sports, Men, Women, Trans, Youth groups can be found online @ www.phliagaynews.com and www.epgn.com

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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Classifieds

With Real Estate, Help Wanted, Services and Personals

Credit scores can drop after getting loan help By Alan Zibel The Associated Press

Some homeowners who sign up for the government’s mortgage-assistance program are getting a nasty surprise: Lower credit scores. For borrowers who are making their payments on time but are on the verge of default, the Obama administration’s loan-modiﬁcation program can reduce their credit score as much as 100 points. That makes it harder to get a loan and can present a problem when applying for a new job. Housing counselors say it’s unfair, especially because the news often comes as a surprise to homeowners. “Why should people’s credit be hurt even worse when they’re trying to do the right thing?” said Eileen Anderson, senior vice president at Community Development Corp. of Long Island, a housing counseling group in New York.

And many homeowners are angry that a program designed to help carries such a penalty, said Kathy Conley, a housing counselor with GreenPath Inc., a nonprofit group in Farmington Hills, Mich. “It’s a feeling of being duped,” she said. Still, the impact is far less severe than a foreclosure, where borrowers typically find their credit is in tatters for years. That’s due to the cumulative impact of many months of missed payments and the foreclosure itself, which drags down a homeowner’s’ credit by 150 points or more on a scale of 300 to 850. To enroll in the Obama administration’s $75-billion “Making Home Affordable” program, borrowers enter a trial period in which they make at least three payments. But some are finding out that their credit score takes a dive during this trial phase. It happens once their mortgage com-

pany notifies the three big credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. For delinquent borrowers, the damage was done when they fell behind on their loans. But for homeowners who are having financial troubles but managing to pay their bills, a request for a loan modification is the first sign of difficulty. And that means a sharp drop in the borrower’s credit score. The credit-rating industry defends the practice. People who sign up for loan modifications would not be asking for help unless they were having severe money troubles, said Norm Magnuson, spokesperson for the Consumer Data Industry Association, a trade group in Washington, D.C., that represents the credit bureaus. “The consumer is going into the program because they’re in a financial bind,” he said. “Other lenders would need to be aware of that.”

The Obama administration acknowledges that enrolling in the program can hurt credit scores. But Meg Reilly, a Treasury Department spokesperson, said that foreclosure “brings far more serious ﬁnancial consequences for borrowers and their families.” The credit-score issue is an unexpected consequence of the program that has been plagued with problems and disappointing results since its launch last year. Only about 170,000 homeowners had completed the process as of February. Hundreds of thousands more are still in limbo. Jim Owens, 46, of Harrisburg, Ore., was accepted on a trial basis for the Obama plan last year. He and his family were in bad ﬁnancial shape. They were barely able to pay the mortgage and utility bills. The main reason: After being laid off and unemployed for six months, he took a job as maintenance director at a retirement home. But it paid

only around $25,000 year, about $10,000 less than his former job in a city public-works department. He and his wife were also struggling with debt, after taking out a second mortgage four years ago to pay off debt and medical bills. Late last year, he was searching for a used sport-utility vehicle. He got a 30-day approval for a $2,000 car loan. But that time ran out before he found a car, so he had to reapply for the loan. He was shocked to learn that, after signing up for the Obama plan, he was denied. “I should have been told” that this might happen, Owens said. “Without credit, you can’t do a whole lot in life.” A Citi spokesperson, Mark Rodgers, said the company follows the Treasury Department’s guidelines for reporting to credit bureaus. “We do not determine credit scores,” said Rodgers, who declined to comment on Owens’ case. ■

Location! Location! Location! This week’s featured property

Beds: 3 Baths: 3.5 Cost: $429,900 Square footage: 2,000 Age of property: 5 years Realtor: Barbara A. Capozzi Real-estate co.: Capozzi Real Estate Phone: (215) 551–5100 Web site: www.capozzirealestate.com

2024 Reserve Drive. Bright corner home, three full bedroom suites, beautifully upgraded, lovely manicured grounds.

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Philadelphia Gay News assumes responsibility for errors in classified ads only when notified by noon the Tuesday after the ad first appears. To receive credit for errors, please notify PGN by then. Credit only will be extended in the form of additional advertising space. Any cash refunds, for any reason, are subject to a $10 service charge. PGN will publish no classified ad — in any category — that contains sexually explicit language. Obviously excluded are traditional four-letter words that relate to sexual activity. Other words may be excluded at the discretion of the publisher, who reserves the right to edit or rewrite any ad that, in his opinion, violates this policy or its intent.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

Real Estate REAL ESTATE

SALE

TREDYFFRIN 3 BR + den, A/C, finished basemnent w/wet bar, walk out to pool, adjacent to 13 acre township land. $560,000. Call Suzanne, 610-256-8430. _______________________________34-18 VENTNOR, NJ, FACING THE BAY House and Adjacent Lot (inground swimming pool). 1st floor 3 bedrooms, bath, living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room and deck. 2nd floor 2 bedrooms, bath, efficiency kitchen, living room, dining area and deck. Central Air. Corner Property. Call 215 468 9166 evenings only. $675,000.00. Also property for rent1500.00 month plus utilities. _______________________________34-20 One Time Sale NYS LAND BARGAINS 40 Acres w/ Camp Borders State Land $69,995. 5 Acre Camp Lot- $10,995. 5 Acres w/ New Cabin- $19,995. Over 50 new land bargains. Call for details 800-229-7843 Or visit www.LandandCamps.com _______________________________34-13 Coastal North Carolina free list of land bargains, water access homesites from $35,900- direct access ICWW, Pamlico Sound, Atlantic Ocean. Financing available. 1-800-566-5263. _______________________________34-13 AUCTION Custom Built Mountain Home/5 Lots, Wilkes County, NC, 3/30/10 at 6 p.m., Home & 1 Lot Sell Absolute. Iron Horse Auction, 800-997-2248, NCAL3936, www.ironhorseauction.com _______________________________34-13 Cameron County- Portage Twp. 2.6 acres near Sizerville State Park. Trout Stream frontage, borders state forest, perc, part field part woods. $39,000. Owner financing. 800-668-8679. _______________________________34-13

REAL ESTATE

RENT

12TH & DICKINSON AREA Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms , bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (negotiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. _______________________________34-20 MANAYUNK 1 BR, 1 BA $850 + utils 1 BR, 1.5 BA $1,050 + utils 1 BR, 1.5 BA, private deck, $1,100 + utils Sorry No Pets. Heather 610-647-1776 eadeh.com _______________________________34-21 OLDE CITY 1 BR, 1.5 BA, lg apt w/ private back patio, $975 + utils. Sorry No Pets. Heather 610-647-1776 eadeh.com _______________________________34-21 RITTENHOUSE SQUARE AREA Studios & 1 Bedrooms. Call for Availability (215) 735-8050. _______________________________34-18 WAYNE 2 BR, 1 BA $925 + utils 610-647-1776 eadeh.com _______________________________34-13

REAL ESTATE

SALE

REAL ESTATE

SALE

REAL ESTATE

SALE

REAL ESTATE

SALE

GREAT BUILDING GAYBORHOOD GREAT INVESTMENT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

NEAR 11TH & LOCUST, $599K Come see this wonderful bldg w/2 spacious rental apartments and large commercial space on 1st ﬂoor. In the heart of Center City. Currently a doctor’s oﬃce, zoned C-1. Could be used made into condo’s or large single dwelling. Great condition, price, location. Call for appointment.

JULIE WELKER

COLDWELL BANKER WELKER REAL ESTATE

215-235-7800

Open Houses - Saturday March 27, 2010 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM 927 Spruce St. “Shippen House Condo”. Only two (2) left. Totally rehabbed Jr. 1 bdm. and full 1 bdm., 1 Ba. condos. These units feature deluxe kitchens, update baths, wd. ﬂoors, low taxes and condo fees. One block from Jefferson and Penn. Hospitals. .......................................From $199,900 to $224,900 1109 Spruce St. Units 1R, 3R and 3F. “New Listing - First Time Open” Best condo deal in Washington Sq. West. Three (3) 1 & 2 bed. units w/ 1 or 2 ba ................................................................... From $175,000 to $325,000

Open Houses - Sunday March 28, 2010 Noon - 2:30 PM

927 Spruce St. “Shippen House Condo”. Only four (4) left. Totally rehabbed Jr. 1 bdm. and full 1 bdm., 1 Ba. condos. These units feature deluxe kitchens, update baths, wd. ﬂoors, low taxes and condo fees. One block from Jefferson and Penn. Ho pitals.........................................................................From $199,000 to $249.000 1109 Spruce St. Units 1R, 3R and 3F. “New Listing - First Time Open” Best condo deal in Washington Sq. West. Three (3) 1 & 2 bed. units w/ 1 or 2 ba. ............. ................................................................................ From $175,000 to $325,000

306 - 308 Cherry St. Unit #300 New Listing. Very large 2 bd. 1ba. renovated condo w/ hardwood floors, fireplace, low taxes and condo fees. A must see ................ .....................................................................................................................$384,000 2500 S. Cleveland St. NEW LISTING Girard Estate Twin. 4br /2Ba. finished lower level. Parking. Priced to sell............................................................. only $329,000

Search all Philadelphia area listings @ www.thephillyrealtors.com Dan Tobey

The Curtis Center 170 W. Independence Mall , Suite L-44 Philadelphia, PA 19106

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

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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�� PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 42 PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS LEGAL NOTICE

�

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE PAGE 47

SALE

�� Broker/Sales Rep. Since 1987 NJAR Circle of Excellence Sales Award 1991- 2009 Weichert President’s & Ambassador’s Clubs

��

FOR SALE

For Sale: Pool Table - Contender from Brunswick Conrad Kuhn

��

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

Ofﬁce: 856.227.1950 ext. 124 Cell: 609.221.1196 www.conradkuhn.com Realtor856@aol.com Washington Township Ofﬁce 5070 Route 42 Turnersville, NJ 08012

7 foot slate pool table with green felt and walnut ﬁnish. 4 pool sticks, 1 bridge and 1 short pool stick for tight spots. Pool balls included rack and extra chalk for pool sticks. Breakdown by buyer. Only used a few times. Asking $1,000.00.

Call after 6 pm at 856-415-9595 ROOMMATES

��

PGN WILL NOT PUBLISH RACIAL DISTINCTIONS IN ROOMMATE ADS. SUCH NOTATIONS WILL BE EDITED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. ___________________________________ GREATER NE PHILA. Have your own bedroom in a beautiful split level home with 2 gay men. House is 4 BR, 2 full baths, W/D, upper and lower decks, use of kitchen. Property is by Welsh & the Boulevard, 1 min. to 58 bus. We ask only that you be at least reasonably neat and employed. Rent is $600 + 1/3 utils. Contact Dave at 215-698-0215. _______________________________34-15

VACATION

RENT

OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800-638-2102 Online reservations www.holidayoc.com _______________________________34-13

PGN

SERVICES DIRECTORY ��

��

: pgn@epgn.com

��

ness Flats. Large 2 bed, 1 bath. last sirable building. Close to all Center City taxes ................................��

George T. Sale Condo” Unique Garden private entrance.. Low fees & Tax e 1 bd. in area ........................��. ��

ew open style 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo o fees. Great small pet friendly building. ..................................��

to a or?

wedes Court. New Listing Large 3 Garage, roof deck and hardwood ﬂoors. Queen Village ....................��

Court of Common Pleas, County of PhiladelING. Large update 4 bd. 2 ba. with Dec. term, 2010, No. 3171. Notice is rfully roofphia, deck with city skyline views. given that on 12/29/09, the petition of David ..........................................�� Scott Conners was ﬁled, praying for a decree to change his name to David Conners Isaak;

�� the date for the hearing is 3/26/10, City Hall

courtroom 478, Philadelphia, PA, at 2:00 pm; anyone may appear and show cause why the petition should not be granted. �� _______________________________34-13 �

��

CLASSIFIEDS

PAGE 108

APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008

CLASSIFIEDS

Want to let mom, dad and all of your exs know you’re Is it time to tying the knot? look for a �� new doctor?

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

looking for your dream home?

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

NOTICES

HELP WANTED

SERVICES

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. _______________________________34-13

Drivers NO MONEY DOWN! NO CREDIT CHECKS! Top Lease Purchase Plan! *Low Monthly Payments! *High % Pay Package. Owner Operators Welcome! 1-800-767-6918 www. JoinCRST.com _______________________________34-13 OTR DRIVERS NEEDED Reefer, Tanker and Flatbed Positions. Prime Inc, is a ﬁnancially stable, expanding and growing carrier. 9 months + OTR exp. 1-800277-0212 www.primeinc.com _______________________________34-13 REGIONAL DRIVERS NEEDED! MORE HOMETIME! TOP PAY! Up to $.43/mile company drivers! 12 months OTR required. HEARTLAND EXPRESS 1-800441-4953 www.heartlandexpress.com _______________________________34-13 CDL-A Drivers: High Miles Means Big Paycheck! Over The Road Dry Van & Flatbed. Great Beneﬁts. Class A-CDL, Good Driving Record Required. Western Express. 888-801-5295. _______________________________34-13 EARN MORE MONEY!!! Are you over 18? Between High School and College? Drop that fast food job! Travel and Have Fun w/Young Successful Business Group. 2wks Paid Training. Lodging, Transportation Provided. Call 1-877-646-5050. _______________________________34-13

LANDSCAPING Full/part time work in Bux. Mont. Co. Exp. pref/not req. Call Vince of Vinway Gardens, 215-639-8512. _______________________________34-14 We’ve Expanded to Milton, PA! Class-A CDL drivers needed! Practical Mile Pay. Great Benefits Guaranteed Home-Time. Strong, Stable & Safe 1 Year OTR experience required www. veriha.com 800-333-9291. _______________________________34-13 Driver REGIONAL COMPANY DRIVERS Average $800+ per week. Immediate Benefits. Great Equipment. CDL-A w/1 year experience, 23 yoa. Call NFI Sunday or anytime: 877-8888476. www.nficareers.com _______________________________34-13 COLONIAL LIFE Seeking licensed Life & Health agents to market voluntary employee benefit programs to employers. Register for our Informational Event. Call Trivonne Gilliam,856-482-0218 or email trivonne.gilliam@coloniallife.com _______________________________34-13

ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE From Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Computers, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualiﬁed. Call 866-858-2121 www.CenturaOnline.com _______________________________34-13 AIRLINES ARE HIRING Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualiﬁed -Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888)349-5387. _______________________________34-13

ADOPTION

Real Estate Directory

PAGE 51

Adopt: Energetic creative childless couple promises love, wonderful future, stayat-home mom, lots of cousins. Expenses Paid. www.CuddlyHome.com; email CuddlyHome@yahoo.com or call Marianne/ Dan toll-free 1-877-739-6889. _______________________________34-13

PGN

BUSINESS

OPPORTUNITIES ALL CASH VENDING! Do you earn $800 in a day? Your own local candy route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy All for $9,995. 1-800-460-4027. _______________________________34-13 Insurance Agency for Sale. Afﬁliated with major national carrier. A great business opportunity! Please send inquires to: agencyforsalePA@aol. com or Fax: 866-296-7535. _______________________________34-13

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PAGE 106 MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY

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

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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010 PAGE 110

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS CLASSIFIEDS

APRIL 25 - MAY PAGE 1, 200853

LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

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

William A. Torchia, Esquire

James M

Attorney-at-Law

Estate & Tax Planning

GENERAL PRACTICE FOR THE COMMUNITY ��

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Suite 202 Oxford V Fairless H

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James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant

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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

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GWM seeks new friends. 610-352-1188. _______________________________33-21 �� Shuttle service within city limits, personal shopping, help with bags, companion service, lite cooking, dog walking & house sitting, any reasonable request. 215-205-5453. Refs. avail. Reasonable rates! _______________________________33-18 60 y.o., 5’7”, 160, 7” crossdresser looking for casual sex. Northern suburbs. 215-538-2040 ask for Zeta. _______________________________33-21

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MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010

MODELS

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS ADULT PERSONALS

MODELS

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PAGE 55

CERTIFIED

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PAGE 56

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2010