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By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Transit riders heading out of Center City Tuesday afternoon encountered more than the usual rush hour at the rails. About 40 members and supporters of Riders Against Gender Exclusion rallied inside the SEPTA concourse at 15th and Market streets Tuesday to protest the use of gender markers on SEPTA transpasses, which demonstrators said discriminate against transgender and non-gender-conforming riders. R.A.G.E. member Max Ray said the group was motivated to mobilize this week because of continued inaction on the part of SEPTA representatives on the issue. R.A.G.E. met with SEPTA officials in October, at which time Ray said they agreed to institute a complaint system for trans individuals and other riders who felt they’d been discriminated against because of the stickers. SEPTA chief press officer Jerri Williams said this week that the agency provided R.A.G.E. with the contact information for SEPTA’s government-affairs coordinator, to whom she said complaints can be issued. Williams said no complaints have been filed with that official. Since that meeting — which followed the unanimous recommendation by the SEPTA Citizen Advisory Committee that the stickers be removed — R.A.G.E. said it has not seen any progress on the issue. “We’ve been back and forth in e-mail with questions about how this complaint system is going to address things, like if
Vol. 34 No. 14
ra w ou – A e su 19 y is is ge n th Pa n ee Pe S
April 2 - 8, 2010
Civilunion bill to hit PA House
RED-CARPET TREATMENT: Dustin Lance Black (third from right) was the keynote speaker for QPENN Week’s “It’s Always Queer in Philadelphia” series of discusBy Jen Colletta sions, fundraisers and events held on Penn’s campus March 22-28. Black spoke to a crowd of more than 100 students and visitors about the importance of reachPGN Staff Writer ing beyond LGBT rights to support — and enlist the support of — other oppressed groups, referring to the success Harvey Milk had in the 1980s during his campaign. A Pennsylvania lawmaker is gathering Black wrote the 2009 Oscar-nominated screenplay “Milk” and is currently working legislative support for a bill that would on a project about J. Edgar Hoover. Black posed with QPENN event coordinators make civil unions for same-sex couples a Patrick Degregorio (from left), Quinton Marcus, Elizabeth Lee, Vivian Huang and Paul reality in the Keystone State. Richards. For more QPENN event photos, see page 7. Photo: Scott A. Drake The measure, the first of its kind in the
City seeks $80K bond from Scouts By Timothy Cwiek PGN Writer-at-Large
City attorneys urged a federal judge this week to require the Boy Scouts to post an $80,000 bond while the city attempts to evict them from a city-owned building. During a 90-minute hearing, U.S. District Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter heard testimony that the beaux-arts structure has a leaky roof, water in its basement and plaster falling from its ceilings. The Scouts refuse to pay fair-market rent, See PROTEST Page 15 and won’t permit openly gay participants, while the building continues to deteriorate, said David Smith, an attorney for the city. The city wants to gain possession of the building as soon as possible to lessen, or avoid, future losses, Smith said. The city is attempting to evict the Cradle of Liberty Council from a city-owned building, maintaining the organization is in violation of the city’s anti-bias law, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in accommodations. The bond would cover the period from November 2009, when Buckwalter issued FEELING THE RAGE: Riders Against Gender a preliminary injunction preventing the Exclusion protest Tuesday in the SEPTA concourse, voicing frustration with the transpor- Scouts’ eviction, through May 2010, the tation authority’s use of gender markers on earliest feasible date for the Scouts to vacate the premises. transpasses. Photo: Courtesy of R.A.G.E.
If the Scouts continue to occupy the building after next month, they should post an additional bond of $13,333 for each succeeding month, Smith said. To buttress the city’s case, appraiser Reaves C. Lukens took the witness stand and placed the potential annual fair-market rent of the property at $160,000. If the building cannot be demolished and replaced with a more efficient structure, the annual fair-market rent would be reduced to $112,500, Lukens testified. But the Scouts called appraiser John E. Doyle to the stand. He placed the annual fair-market rent at $59,000, noting the building has a large atrium that doesn’t lend itself to office use. Doyle also pointed out the building doesn’t have an elevator, and he estimated that it would cost about $150,000 to have one installed. The lack of an elevator within the threestory building at 231-251 N. 22nd St. has raised questions about the Scouts’ sensitivity to disabled individuals. After the hearing, Scouts attorney Jason P. Gosselin said he’s not a disability-law specialist and couldn’t comment on whether the Scouts had a legal obligation to install See SCOUTS, Page 12
Pennsylvania legislature, is being spearheaded by Pennsylvania Rep. Mark Cohen (D-202nd Dist.). Cohen said he’s so far secured cosponsorships from 24 lawmakers and another 10 are considering signing on. He expects to officially introduce the bill by April 14. Cohen said that while he supports fullmarriage equality for same-sex couples, he believes the more logical approach would be to first have the state adopt a civil-union law. “Civil unions are more attainable in a reasonable period of time than gay marriage is,” Cohen said. “Civil unions don’t give gays the status of marriage, they’re not as good as marriage, but I think right now it’s a much more attainable goal.” Civil unions preceded the adoption of same-sex marriage in Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire, although New Jersey, which approved civil unions several years ago, earlier this year saw a failed attempt at marriage equality. Pennsylvania Sen. Daylin Leach (D-17th Dist.) last year introduced a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in the state, which currently has two cosponsors. Leach said this week that while he supports Cohen’s efforts, civil unions set up only a “second-class marriage.” “I am a believer in incremental progress See CIVIL UNIONS, Page 12
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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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Laramie at the Center Members of the Temple Queer Student Union will perform “The Laramie Project,” the retelling of the events surrounding the murder of gay college student Matthew Shepard, from 7:30-9 p.m. April 3 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. The student-run performance is free, but any donations that are given will be split between the QSU and the Matthew Shepard Foundation.
Women, agencies join for health
DANCING FOR DONATIONS: Adrian Greene (from left), Christine Meehan, Sandra Dee Guillen, Sheryl Freas, Dirk Peterson and Cedric Jacobsen take the stage at the Grand Ball at the Philadelphia Liberty Dance Challenge, a national championship for same-sex ballroom dancers, March 27 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The three pairs took part in the PLDC’s annual competition at the Grand Ball, which allows audience members to vote for their favorites with monetary contributions, all of which are donated to LGBT grantmaking agency Sapphire Fund, and which this year topped out at $1,000. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Out teen launches anti-bullying online community By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Shortly before his conversation with PGN, local high-school student Joey Kemmerling was talking to school security, reporting anti-gay graffiti that was aimed at him in a school bathroom. Such instances have become almost commonplace for the Council Rock High School South sophomore, who has decided to fight back against school bullying — not with his fists, but with dialogue. Kemmerling, 15, launched The Equality Project, an online community that gives victims of bullying a forum in which to share their stories — and an effort that is growing by the day: At press time, The Equality Project’s Facebook page had more than 4,700 members, started offering its own line of merchandise and recently formed a board of executives. While The Equality Project is meant to foster awareness and prevention of all types of school bullying, the initiative grew out of Kemmerling’s own fight against antiLGBT sentiments at both his middle and high schools. The teen said he started to realize he was gay in the fifth grade and made the decision to come out three years later, as a student at Richboro Middle School. Although he initially told only five people, within one day he said his entire school seemed to know. “I walked into school that day and everyone got silent when they saw me, and some
people started whispering and then one kid confronted me and said, ‘So, I hear you’re gay,’ and I just thought, OK, this is going to be a long day,” he said, adding the atmosphere in his gym class was even worse. “When I walked into the locker room that day, it was like out of a movie: Everyone just got silent and started blocking themselves to make sure I wasn’t checking them out. And the boy whose locker was next to me moved.” Kemmerling said the reaction of his classmates rapidly deteriorated from the initial awkwardness to physical altercations in the locker room, with other students shoving him to the floor, rubbing their armpits in his face and forcing their genitalia on him. Kemmerling said he and his parents finally went to the police after a student threatened to light him on fire and he saw no support from his school administration. “Every time I reported anything to the school, they said they wanted to do something, but it was just very political; they said they’d do something and then wouldn’t. I just couldn’t fathom how a school that was supposed to be protecting me was denying me my right to a safe education,” he said. “When I talked to my principal, he said, ‘Well, you know you don’t have to be so open about it, maybe calm it down a little,’ and I said, ‘If I was black, would you tell me to be a little less black?’” Kemmerling said the school was eager for him to graduate and move on to high school and that, instead of taking any
Mazzoni Center is working in partnership with a series of local and national agencies to stage a women’s health event meant to educate and empower — as well as entertain — local women in the LGBT community, from 3-6 p.m. April 24 at 110/70 Gym, Broad Street and Washington Avenue. Sponsors for “Speed Date Your Health” include 110/70, Aflac, the Philadelphia Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure. The event will feature a host of giveaways, such as “The L Word” DVDs and tickets to see the Philadelphia Independence, the new local women’s soccer team. A series of experts on such topics as fitness, smoking cessation and breast health will be available to provide free guidance. For more information, contact Mazzoni Center at (215) 563-0652.
action against the homophobic atmosphere, administrators often permitted him to spend classtime in the office because “they just wanted me out so they didn’t have to deal with anything. It was basically, ‘You show up to school and we’ll pass you, so you can go on to high school.’” When he did reach high school, Kemmerling said the environment was slightly better at first — especially when he encountered another gay student — but eventually he experienced the same homophobia he’d grown accustomed to, such as a death threat from another student. Although Kemmerling said he alerted school authorities that the student was carrying a knife, no search was conducted. The pervasive bullying he’s faced in the past few years has made Kemmerling consider taking his own life many times, he said. It was the Internet that pulled him back. “Every time I thought about killing myself, I’d go on Facebook and talk to guys who’d help me through it,” he said. “If it wasn’t for those people that I talked to, I probably wouldn’t be here today.” Kemmerling had the idea of launching a discussion group dedicated to raising awareness about bullying at his school, but school administrators would not give him the go-ahead, so he brought that effort to Facebook. The Equality Project launched as an
Dozens of local restaurants, hotels, stores and entertainment venues will offer discounts and sales through the end of May in the city’s “Philly in Bloom” campaign to draw residents and tourists to the city this spring. In addition to the savings, the city is also offering the chance to win prizes donated from businesses, organizations, SEPTA and the Philadelphia Parking Authority. To enter, visit www.phila.gov/ phillyinbloom and answer the question, Why do you love Philadelphia? One winner will be selected at random each weekday through May 31. Merchants who wish to participate in the campaign can submit their information through the Web site. ■
See EQUALITY PROJECT, Page 17
— Jen Colletta
Philly in Bloom
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
Trans program goes independent By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer
Philadelphia Gay News April 23: Dining Out for Life
The Trans-health Information Project, a joint program of two local agencies for the past seven years, is branching out on its own this spring. TIP, launched in 2003 by the Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative and Prevention Point, is closed for two weeks and will reopen April 19 at its new location, 21 S. 12th St., 10th floor. Rick Feely, who began as a TIP outreach worker in 2003 and two years later became the agency’s program director, will serve as the executive director of the newly rebranded organization. Feely said he will work with Prevention Point executive director Jose Benitez to recruit a board of directors and, later this year, will begin the process of having the agency certified as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit. TIP has seen significant growth over the past seven years, Feely said, and has been able to establish itself firmly enough in the community to stand on its own. “I think that as TIP has grown and matured, it’s become evident that we’re now in a position to take the lead on trans issues in Philly.” Feely noted that while the organization has accumulated a long list of accomplishments over the past few years — such as becoming one of the first programs in the nation to receive Centers for Disease Control funding for a trans youth of color project in 2006 and, also that year, developing training curriculum for the city’s Office of Supportive Housing to educate employees at city housing shelters on trans issues — the transgender community itself has flourished. “Philadelphia really is the vanguard in terms of trans health right now,” Feely said. “A lot of people relocate here to transition. It’s a much more affordable city than, say, San Francisco or New York, but also a lot of the work Mazzoni Center’s done around the [TransHealth] Conference and offering clinic services for the community has brought a lot of trans people here in the past few years. I think this is a really good time for this, and a good time for trans people to start taking the lead in trans issues and in representing our community.”
Feely said he moved to Philadelphia in 2001 to embark on his own transition and has seen the visibility of the trans community expand rapidly ever since — to the point where he is, to the best of his knowledge, the first out trans executive director of a Philadelphia nonprofit organization. “In the past 10 years, the amount of community-building that has taken place and the number of services and LGBT organizations that have become more trans-inclusive is really incredible,” he said. “More trans people are coming into leadership roles and speaking out about the issues that are specific to us.” Elicia Gonzalez, executive director of GALAEI, commended TIP’s new development. “I’m very, very proud that TIP is transitioning and becoming its own agency,” she said. “I think it speaks to the great work TIP has been able to do with the support of GALAEI and Prevention Point, but also to the need in the community to have an agency that will provide services to the transgender community, which continues to be disproportionately impacted by HIV, among a number of other issues.” Feely, along with the other four staffers at TIP, will continue to provide a series of weekly discussion groups, such as TIP’s Trans Masculine Advocacy Network, and hold workshops on such issues as hormone-injection safety, as well as HIV-testing services. Feely said he’s heard from members of the transgender community that they’d be interested in participating in more community-development opportunities, such as workshops on education, job training or advocacy, which TIP will look to implement in the future. “We’re just taking everything one step at a time right now,” he said. “It’s not all going to be able to happen overnight, but now that we’re going to have our own transcentered space, I think it’s really going to provide a lot of role-modeling opportunities for people who don’t often see themselves represented in mainstream culture.” For more information about TIP, visit www.tiptakesphilly.org. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
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Media Trail Students protest gay prom date 365gay.com reports that some students at a Georgia high school organized a protest on March 25 to speak out against student Derrick Martin, who had been given the OK to bring his boyfriend to prom. “I don’t believe in going up there and dancing with gay guys like that,” said protest organizer Amber Duskin, a senior at Bleckley County High School. “It’s also not just him bringing a boy. It was bringing all this attention to it.” Martin’s parents, who reportedly dislike the media attention, kicked him out of the house. He is currently staying with friends. Ironically, Martin’s father is a math teacher at Bleckley County High and was named the school’s Teacher of the Year. Reportedly, the school is considering abandoning the traditional “walk-through,” where couples are announced as they enter the dance. He also said some students discussed having a separate prom.
Gay play canceled IT’S ALWAYS QUEER IN PHILADELPHIA: Penn students wrapped up the annual weeklong QPENN series of events March 28, concluding another year of having fun while communicating a message. The Penn LGBT Center hosted a Kinky Carnival on March 25 while the Queer Student Alliance held its fourth-annual drag show benefit for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance on March 26. Keynote speaker Dustin Lance Black was the center of attention on Saturday and, on Sunday, the week concluded with the highly anticipated and entertaining Penn Athletes and Allies Tackling Homophobia’s Pride Games. The foodcentered games — a hoagie-eating contest, a juice chug, an egg toss and an M&M foot race, with the final event, the drag race — generated good laughs. Photos: Scott A. Drake
Military eases ‘Don’t Ask’ regulations By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The Pentagon last week detailed new regulations that ease the restrictions of the military’s ban on openly gay servicemembers, an announcement that drew mixed reaction from opponents of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Secretary of Defense Robert Gates unveiled the rules March 25 and said they seek to provide a “greater measure of common sense and common decency” in the way the 17-year-old ban is carried out. Beginning last week, the rank of those qualified to initiate a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” investigation was raised to those who are at least a one-star general or admiral. Gates said the military will also look at third-party accusations with a level of “special scrutiny” to ascertain if such charges are being leveled out of animosity toward a servicemember, and all thirdparty testimony must now be given under oath. Certain evidence will also be inadmissible in an investigation, including testimony from clergy members, doctors, mental-health professionals and abuse counselors, among other individuals. “These changes reflect some of the
insights we have gained over 17 years of implementing the current law, including the need for consistency, oversight and clear standards,” Gates said. “I believe these changes represent an important improvement in the way the current law is put into practice.” Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th Dist.), who is spearheading the legislative effort to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the House, called Gates’ announcement “another step forward in the fight to repeal the discriminatory policy” and a “signal that momentum for change continues to build.” Murphy’s bill currently has 191 cosponsors, the highest level of legislative support a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal bill has ever seen. Last month, U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) introduced a companion bill, the first time such a measure has surfaced in the Senate. Lieberman’s bill currently has 25 cosponsors, including Pennsylvania Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey. Military officials in February announced they were undertaking a study of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the effect its repeal would have on the military — an effort expected to be completed by the end of the
year — and Gates said last week’s regulations were the result of the first 45 days of the review. Pennsylvania Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7th Dist.), a vocal opponent of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” called the changes a “crucial step toward the eventual repeal of this flawed policy,” but said more action should be taken. “These new procedures do not go far enough,” Sestak said. “If, unfortunately, we are to spend a year studying the impact of repeal, our military and troops cannot be left in limbo throughout this process. President Obama should sign an executive order — relying on the same ‘stop-loss’ authority used to extend tours of duty — to halt all dismissals under this policy.” Gates has said he doesn’t believe the president has the authority to issue such an order, but national think-tank Center for American Progress has disagreed with that notion. Sestak sent Obama a letter last month urging him to take such an action but, as of press time, had not received a response. ■
Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.
The Houston Chronicle reports the performance of a play that portrays Jesus as gay has been canceled at Tarleton State University amid “safety and security concerns.” Critics have called the Terrence McNally play, “Corpus Christi,” blasphemous. But the Tarleton student directing the production said he chose it to help gay youths who may be struggling with their faith. Security concerns prompted the university to initially change the start time and restrict attendance for the March 27 production. Then, on the night of March 26, the school put a statement on its Web site saying it decided to cancel it. The school said the production will not be rescheduled.
GLAAD protests film Yahoo News reports the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation is calling on the Tribeca Film Festival to pull a transgender comedy from its April lineup. The film, “Ticked-Off Trannies with Knives,” pays homage to exploitation films and follows transgender women who are beaten and then seek revenge. GLAAD stated the film misrepresents the lives of transgender women and that the characters are caricatures “written as drag queens.” The organization also objected to the word “trannies” in the title. Director Israel Luna and producer Toni Miller released a joint statement in response, saying they were surprised by GLAAD’s announcement and that they gave a copy of the film to GLAAD in February. ■ — Larry Nichols
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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The Attic revives trans youth programming By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The Attic Youth Center is calling all transgender and questioning youth to be active participants in the revitalization of a program that seeks to educate and empower the young trans community. Young, Trans & Unified will host Revived! from 7:15-8:30 p.m. April 8 at The Attic, 255 S. 16th St., a free celebration with pizza and music for participants ages 13-23, to mark the program’s new direction and leadership. Damon Constantinides, who is also a social worker at Mazzoni Center, has overseen the program for about a year and will now be joined by co-facilitators Qui Alexander and Kyra Cordova, both of whom who were connected to the program through
other leaders in the local trans community. Constantinides said he wanted to bring in extra hands to help him refocus the group on the needs of the community it serves. “I’ve really loved doing this, but I thought it’d be great if we could bring in some new people who were even more hooked into what was actually going on in the trans youth community,” he said. “They both have so much energy and so many good ideas, and the best thing about this is having people working with me so we can all say, ‘What do you think about this?’ and work together.” Cordova said she’s eager to utilize her experiences to guide the youth in their own journeys. “I’m really excited for the chance to give back to the community,” she said. “One of my big
things with this has been that if I could save one young trans person from doing the things I did or making the same mistakes I did when I was younger, then I’m happy. I just want to make sure these youth are happy with their transitions.” Young, Trans & Unified is the only program specifically serving trans youth in the city, and Constantinides said it offers more diversity than other trans groups. “It’s a pretty unique group; a lot of groups tend to be identitybased by those in the female spectrum or in the male spectrum, but with this we really wanted to give a safe space for trans folks of all identities, including questioning or gender-queer or gender-variant,” he said. Alexander said he wants the program to provide youth an out-
let through which they can discuss their feelings — an opportunity he said is often lacking in schools or family settings. “The big thing I want out of this is for youth to know that even if they don’t identify as trans or don’t know if they belong in transition, they can have a space to question those things,” he said. Cordova noted that trans youth face a host of stresses that young LGBs often don’t encounter. “There’s a lot of competition about who’s more passable, and boys and girls feel pressured to go get surgery or silicone injections, and these are things that aren’t necessary,” she said. “Your transformation can be anything you want it to be; there doesn’t need to be that pressure.” The facilitators said this notion of living up to gender stereotypes
often varies among cultures, with those of different racial or ethnic backgrounds holding men and women to different standards. All three coordinators are from different racial backgrounds, which will allow the diverse group of members to relate to them and fuel dialogue on the tangential issues the trans community faces. “Growing up, I would see how Caucasian women carry themselves and how black women carry themselves, and I’m a little bit of everything — Brazilian, black and white — so I was so confused,” Cordova said. “I didn’t know if I wanted to do the Prada with the poodle or go ’hood and get out of a Hummer. I just didn’t know what was right.” Alexander said the facilitators want to use their own diversity to demonstrate that the youth can decide for themselves the type of people they want to be. “There are different kinds of men and different kinds of women, and we want to make sure the youth saw someone who looked like them,” he said. “Growing up, I was told that being gay was a white thing or being trans was a white thing. We want these youth to see that they don’t have to live up to any kind of stereotype.” While the group will talk about the complex intersections of gender, sexual orientation and race, it will also be a place for fun, Constantinides said, citing parties, movie nights and other festive events that will allow the youth to socialize in a safe and comfortable environment. Tim Reynolds, 20, who’s been involved on and off with Young, Trans & Unified for about two years, said the group provides a rare outlet for trans youth to just be themselves. “It didn’t matter where I was in my transition, but they recognized me the way I needed to be recognized and respected that,” he said. “This is one of the few places that totally respect my pronouns, my name, everything, and there’s no question that I am who I am. It’s definitely exciting to see the group grow and change and be an even better space.” Young, Trans & Unified meets Thursdays from 7:15-8:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Young, Trans & Unified page on Facebook or call (215) 545-4331. ■
Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Post-marriage name-change equals headache By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Couples who tie the knot in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection pay an $80 fee to obtain their marriage license, which one member of the couple can then use as proof to have his or her last name changed on myriad documents, like a driver’s license and Social Security card. David Conners and Misha Isaak, who were legally married in California in 2008, were eager to share the same last name and begin their lives as a married couple. But because Pennsylvania law does not recognize same-sex marriage, they have spent more than a year working to secure the same last name, and in the process have had to shell out more than 10 times the price of a marriage license. Conners and Isaak, who have been together for six years, celebrated a private religious ceremony in Pennsylvania in May 2008 and the following month, while on the West Coast, the pair decided to also have a legal ceremony, as same-sex marriage was sanctioned in California for several months that year. Conners said the pair was eager to be legally married — and share the same last name. “We want to have a family, that’s why we got married,” he said. “We want to be a unified family unit so our kids can have the same last name, just as we did when we were growing up. It’s pretty traditional, but that’s what we want.” Conners said he volunteered to change his name to Isaak as, since the two have been together, he’s converted to Judaism and his partner’s name is more traditionally Jewish — the faith in which the couple will raise the children. Although Conners could have had his name changed at the courthouse in California, he said the clerk advised him to wait until he got back home to Pennsylvania and go the route of a court order to ensure the Keystone State recognized it. Heterosexual couples who marry can indicate on their marriage-license application which partner, if either, plans to change his/her name and that is reflected in the final license; however, same-sex couples or other individuals looking to change their
names must jump through a series of complicated — and costly — hoops to achieve the same goal. Conners started the process in 2009 and said that right off the bat he was confused, as the Philadelphia court system has no tangible list of steps same-sex couples need to take to change their names. He eventually found an application online, which he submitted electronically, along with scans of several accompanying documents, such as the couple’s birth certificates and Social Security cards. The following week, however, he received an email saying the application was rejected because the couple didn’t include their fingerprints, which Conners said was not stated in the application. The pair got fingerprinted and sent in scans of their prints but, after not having heard anything for several more weeks, Conners contacted the courthouse and was told they were supposed to have dropped off the fingerprints in person. Isaak did so, but after several more weeks of no news, the couple was told their application had “fallen through the cracks.” Once the application was located, the couple was scheduled for a name-change hearing last month, before which they were told they would need to advertise the change in two local newspapers — in order to protect against debtors who are trying to evade creditors with a name change. A clerk at the courthouse advised the couple to place the ads in the Legal Intelligencer and either the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News or Philadelphia Tribune. Conners inquired about placing the ad in PGN instead of one of the large dailies to cut down on the cost, but said his request was passed throughout a circle of courthouse employees, none of whom was able to give him an answer. A clerk eventually brought his request to a judge, who approved it, but Conners had already placed ads in the Intelligencer and the Tribune to ensure they ran before last month’s hearing. While the ad requirement may be a holdover, it’s a costly one. The Intelligencer ad cost the couple $170, and the Tribune charged $240 — which added on to the $440 they already paid in court
filing fees and judgment searches, all totaling $850. Amara Chaudhry, director of Mazzoni Center’s legal department, said that because same-sex couples have to pursue a court order as opposed to a marriage license, many are forced to pay up to $1,500 for the whole process. “For different-sex couples, the marriage is recognized so the license itself serves as official documentation, but for same-sex couples they aren’t able to have that, so the money is a very big thing,” she said. At last week’s hearing, a judge approved the name change and Conners was expected to receive an e-mail confirmation of the signed court order this week. But there’s still quite a long way to go before the name change is fully implemented. “What is so frustrating to me on a personal level is that I’ve been doing this for about a year now, and this is only just the start of the process,” Conners said. Conners will now need to bring the court order to agencies like the Social Security Administration and the Department of Transportation in order to have his name changed on those documents, and also plans to follow up about his bank accounts, 401(k) plan, utility bills, student loans, cell-phone account, tax documents and passport. Each agency has its own procedures — some with fees — associated with name changes, which heterosexual married couples usually also have to pay. While Conners ackowledged the endless red tape he and Isaak faced is not limited to same-sex couples, he said the situation has illuminated the way Pennsylvania law views same-sex vs. heterosexual couples. “If we were getting married, all we would have had to do was just check off a box. Instead, we’ve spent a year trying to get this done.” But maybe that will change sooner rather than later: A bill has been introduced in the Pennsylvania House that would legalize same-sex marriage, while a bill providing for civil unions is slated to be introduced later this month. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
Editorial Justice undone Last week, the father of a Marine who died in combat was ordered to pay $16,510.80 to Fred Phelps, leader of the hate-spewing Westboro Baptist Church responsible for protesting soldiers’ funerals. The Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ordered Albert Snyder to pay Phelps, who had protested at Snyder’s son’s funeral in 2006. In September, the appeals court threw out a Baltimore jury’s ruling in Snyder’s favor, along with Snyder’s original award of $5 million. At the time, the jury found that the picketers, with signs that said, “God Hates You” and “Thank God for Dead Soldiers,” intentionally inflicted emotional distress on the family. The three-judge appeals panel in Richmond, Va., unanimously found that the messages on the protest signs were protected under the First Amendment because they were general in nature. “As utterly distasteful as these signs are,” wrote Judge Robert B. King, “they involve matters of public concern, including the issues of homosexuals in the military, the sex-abuse scandal within the Catholic Church, and the political and moral conduct of the United States and its citizens.” The Topeko, Kan.-based Westboro says the deaths of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are God’s punishment for America’s tolerance of gays and lesbians. The appeals-court decision came down three weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. The court will consider if the protesters’ message is protected by the First Amendment or limited by the competing privacy and religious rights of the mourners. Snyder’s attorneys said he is struggling to raise money to file a brief with the Supreme Court. The latest appeals-court decision has drawn plenty of media and public attention, as well as some surprising allies. Reportedly, noted right-wing commentator Bill O’Reilly of Fox News Channel offered to pay Snyder’s court costs. A Facebook group, “I support Al Snyder in His fight against Westboro Baptist Church,” had 35,915 members by press time. Conservative bloggers are supporting Snyder, and an American Legion-affiliated blog has started an Albert Snyder Fund. Members of the Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle club that blocks protesters at soldiers’ funerals, have contributed to the fund. This case provides for an interesting alliance: military supporters and the LGBT community. A case of the enemy of my enemy is my friend, if you will. But it’s an opportunity the LGBT community should not squander: Giving vocal support to Snyder and other families Westboro has protested will further prove the church to be the bunch of publicity-hungry loons that they are. ■
Tell us what you think Send letters and opinion column submissions to: pgn@epgn.com; PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147; fax: (215) 925-6437. Please include a daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, style and space considerations.
Creep of the Week
D’Anne Witkowski
Gen. James Conway It’s no secret that there’s a horde of gay guys waiting in the wings to join the military the second “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” gets repealed. And we all know where they’re headed: the Marines. Because only the Marines bunk two to a room. Let’s be real — gays who join the military don’t want to serve the United States. They don’t want money for college. They don’t want to learn to fly airplanes or spin a rifle around. No. They join for all the hot, straight ass. Or at least that’s what Marine Commandant Gen. James Conway thinks. Conway is speaking out publicly about what a terrible idea it is for queers to be allowed to serve in the military without having to do so in secrecy and shame. On March 26, Military.com published Conway’s thoughts on the matter. Like other folks who oppose repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Conway says it will be “disruptive.” And it seems a big chunk of his concern is centered on sleeping arrangements. “I would not ask for our Marines to live with someone that is homosexual if we can possibly avoid it. And to me, that means we gotta
build [bachelor enlisted quarters] that have single rooms,” he said. “I would in this case want to reserve the right of a Marine who thinks he or she wouldn’t want to do that, OK, and again that’s the overwhelming number of people that said that they wouldn’t like to do so.” Well, on the one hand, I suppose building totally separate quarters would be good news for the construction industry, since they are hurting in this economy and all. But wouldn’t that also be, oh, I don’t know, segregation? A separate-but-equal kind of thing? I mean, gosh, I don’t know a lot about history, but I can’t help but wonder if there are any examples of this sort of thing in the military not working out in the past? And Conway says the majority of Marines he’s asked say they wouldn’t want to room with a homo. His survey methodology might be part of the problem. “I’ll tell you my technique. When the Sergeant Major and I are at a townhall and young Marines ask us the question, What do we think? We reverse it. We say, ‘OK, it’s important we know what you think,’” Conway says. “We ask three questions. Do you think that homosexuals serving openly in the Marine Corps would
have adverse impact on good order and discipline? Do you think, same question, would have adverse impact on unit cohesion? And Sergeant Major asks the question of, Would you be willing to live with a person who has declared himself or herself as being openly homosexual?” First of all, this line of questioning assumes there are no gay Marines in the audience, which is insulting. Secondly, it’s hard to imagine a Marine, surrounded by a bunch of other Marines in an environment known to be hostile to gays being addressed by a honcho who is openly antigay, hearing that third question and shooting his hand up in the air. “I do! I want to live with a homo! Pick me, pick me!” But let’s say there are lots of Marines who are freaked out by homos in their midst. There probably are. But instead of further institutionalizing the marginalization of gay soldiers, isn’t it time for the Marine Corps to just grow up? ■ 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
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
PAGE 11
Mark My Words Mark Segal Street Talk LGBT analysis of Pa. guv race What’s your favorite In a few weeks, many of us will vote in the Pennsylvania primary. Most of us have already decided on our choices for Congress and state House and Senate. So the unresolved issue is who the LGBT community should support of the three Democratic candidates for governor. There is a fourth candidate, Jack Wagner, but his positions on LGBT rights are so limited, he should not even be considered by our community. Let’s put this right out front. I am currently unaligned with any of the candidates and that’s also why I’m writing this column: Maybe by doing so, I can see a clear reason to support one over the others. The candidates are Joe Hoeffel from Bucks County, Dan Onorato from Allegheny County and Tony Williams from Philadelphia. Let’s look at their words and deeds and see how they stack up. Hoeffel: likely the most outspoken on our issues. The only one of the candidates that support marriage equality. On the issues, he gets an A-plus. Deeds: While in Congress, he got a 100-percent voting-record score from Human Rights Campaign, but as a current Montgomery County commissioner, he has not been able to craft a compromise with his two Republican commissioners to have the county join the 16 other counties in the state that have gay-rights protections. Onorato: came late to the table in embracing gay rights, but when he did, he helped craft a legislative compromise that ended a deadlock in Allegheny County to create gay-rights protections. Pragmatic political move in favor of gay rights gets an A. He supports all gay-rights initiatives with the exception of marriage equality: He supports civil unions. Williams: most likely the best voting record on gay issues of all the candidates. He also has used his position to assist the LGBT community with funding. Like Onorato, he supports all gay-rights initiatives with the exception of marriage equality: He too supports civil unions. Now let’s look pragmatically at the political map. In a Democratic primary, the big votes come from the five-county Philadelphia area and Allegheny County, along with a few other pockets. Without one, the other or both, your candidacy is sunk.
Philadelphia and the five counties: The most liberal in the state. Should have been an easy win for Hoeffel, but Williams’ entrance into the race with strong backing from Mayor Nutter, state Rep. Dwight Evans and U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, and the fact that Williams will have more funds than Hoeffel, translates into a close race. Result: Neither comes out of the race with enough votes to carry the state. And with Onorato already advertising on TV and with the funds to continue, he’ll get a share of the votes. Allegheny County: This is a dogfight between Onorato and Wagner. Onorato has the money and momentum, while Wagner’s campaign is limping along. Hoeffel and Williams are unknown there and, with only six weeks to go, will make little impact unless they spend big on media, which neither can nor will do. Expect a sizable win here for Onorato. About those other pockets around the state: While Hoeffel, Onorato and Williams are going for megahits in Philadelphia and Allegheny, Wagner’s strategy is based on those pockets. He’s done well there but they are limited votes, and without a strong showing in his home base, he can’t do it. Putting it all together, it’s really still a horse race but seems to favor Onorato. But six weeks are a long time in a political campaign. A little creativity to spark an uninterested populace thus far could change the dynamics of the race. I must admit that I’m still where I started — unaligned. The only question I haven’t answered is who would run best against the likely Republican candidate, right-wing Tom Corbett, in the fall. Onorato is positioning himself as the centrist, while Hoeffel is leaning to the left. The question is, who could energize his base in the fall as well as get the remainder of Pennsylvania voters? So in a state that for 100 years has always switched parties for governor every eight years, why are so many Democrats interested? Here’s the math. There are more Democrats registered in Pennsylvania than Republicans. And if, as expected, Arlen Specter is the Senate candidate and Jonathan Saidel is the lieutenant governor candidate — two extremely popular candidates within the five-county Philadelphia region — the Democratic ticket has a real shot. ■ Mark Segal is PGN publisher. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com.
Letters and Feedback In response to “Shut up, Pope, part II,” March 26-April 1: Speak out, Mark. Set aside your anti-Semitism and Catholic hate and focus on protecting all children and not exploit abuse by Catholic clery to advance your anti-Catholic agenda. As Jews, we should clean up our own house first. Do not be like the nameless cowards who fear loss of their comfort and security by
telling the truth. Speak out, Mark.
—Jay1111
In response to “Family Portraits: The Rev. James St. George,” March 26-April 1: My wife and I are members of St. Miriam’s. Father Jim married us in October 2008, and we have been attending services ever since. We
don’t look at him as gay or straight, or any other stereotype. We look at him as our friend and pastor. We started at St. Miriam’s because of him but we continue because it is a warm, wonderful, magical place where everyone is welcome. It takes us 40 minutes to drive there, but we look forward to being there every week. For the first time in many years, we enjoy going to church. — Joe D
Easter candy?
Ned Clifton student South Philadelphia
Eloise Gibby student Washington Square West
“Sweet Tarts shaped like animals. They’re bigger than regular Sweet Tarts. Very tangy. I like the contrast of the sweet and sour flavors in my mouth.”
“Cadbury Creme Eggs. They’re soft and gooey on the inside — and drip all over you. An Easter basket filled with Cadbury eggs gives me a deep sense of satisfaction. Candy equals happiness.”
Billy Martin student South Philadelphia
Victoria Piper student Washington Square West
“Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are at the top of the list. I inhale them. Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars are another favorite. I won’t eat anything with gelatin, like candy corn or marshmallows. Gelatin has cow bones in it. I’m a vegetarian.”
“Jelly beans. They’re loaded with sugar. And I’m a bit of a sugar addict. Red is one of my favorite colors, and I really like cherry jelly beans. I can eat a handful at one sitting.”
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 12
CIVIL UNIONS From Page 1 and understand that this is a process to get the best we can in the short-term, and I wish Mark the best of luck. But we have to make sure that this isn’t a final resolution to the issue,” Leach said, noting that he has not heard of a similar measure in the Senate. Cohen said he doesn’t believe marriage equality is a “realistic possibility in the near future,” adding that even the chances of his own bill passing this session are low. He predicted it could be a multi-year effort, but said he’s willing to re-introduce the measure in the next several sessions if it doesn’t pass this year. Cohen said many lawmakers
have so far been hesitant to put their name on the bill, but that he believes their reluctance will decrease over time. “As I’ve been going around seeking sponsors, there are very large numbers of people who assured me they’d vote for it but they just don’t want to sponsor it,” he said. “This bill has statewide support and if we can get more demonstrations of support from these legislators, more will feel comfortable making their identities known as sponsors.” PGN confirmed that Reps. Babette Josephs (D-182nd Dist.), Mike O’Brien (D-175th Dist.), Kathy Manderino (D-194th Dist.), Jewell Williams (D-197th Dist.), Rosita Youngblood (D-198th Dist.), Tony Payton (D-179th
Dist.) and Ron Buxton (D-103rd Dist.) have agreed to sign on as cosponsors. “I think it’s important that everybody’s entitled to the same rights,” Youngblood said about her reason for signing on to the bill. “It’s as simple as that.” Johnna Pro, spokesperson for Rep. Dwight Evans (D-203rd Dist.), said the representative is “on board” with the legislation but, as he’s chair of the appropriations committee, he typically doesn’t cosponsor any non-budget measures. Rep. James Roebuck (D-188th Dist.) said Tuesday that he supports civil unions but has not yet read the legislation and come to a decision on cosponsorship. A spokesperson for Rep. Robert
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
Donatucci (D-185th Dist.) said the lawmaker would review the bill and “go from there.” Calls to all other state representatives from Philadelphia were not returned by press time. Payton said civil unions should function as a sufficient compromise until full marriage equality can be achieved. “People should be able to live their lives,” Payton said. “They should be allowed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, just like everybody else. And civil unions would set up the structure to do that. There’s a lot of different people with different views in Pennsylvania, but I think this should be something that’s acceptable to ultimately the majority of the body.” O’Brien noted that his colleagues have been “hesitant” to bring bills such as Rep. Josh Shapiro’s (D-153rd Dist.) mea-
sure to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the state’s hate-crimes law or Rep. Dan Frankel’s (D-23rd Dist.) nondiscrimination bill to the floor for a vote. He postured that, while Cohen’s measure may face less of an uphill battle than Leach’s, both bills help to further the discussion about LGBT rights among lawmakers. “In all honesty, I think what we need to do is to use any vehicle possible to keep the question before the legislature,” O’Brien said. “I think tactically it’s the best thing to continue to put the issue before the General Assembly. It’s bringing it to the forefront and just keeping the ball rolling. But do I believe civil unions would have a better chance of passage than marriage? Yeah, I do.” ■
SCOUTS
ing, Buckwalter told both sides he would consider their points carefully before announcing his decision on the monetary value of the bond. The Scouts refuse to sign a lease with comprehensive anti-bias language covering gays and other protected categories — which has been a major stumbling block in resolving the dispute. However, the Scouts have pointed out that several city tenants haven’t signed such comprehensive leases, yet those tenants still are permitted to occupy city buildings for little or no rent. In a related matter, Buckwalter said he’s permitted friend-ofthe-court briefs to be filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund Inc., Mazzoni Center and a coalition of other groups and individuals. The briefs back the city’s position in the dispute. ■
From Page 1 an elevator. A jury trial on the Scouts’ eviction case is scheduled to begin April 21. But at the March 30 hearing, Buckwalter said he doesn’t expect a trial, because both sides have filed summary-judgment motions — and he thinks the case will be disposed of through his summary-judgment rulings. The Scouts want Buckwalter to dissolve the preliminary injunction and replace it with a permanent one, allowing them to remain in the building in perpetuity, without paying any rent or allowing openly gay participants, according to the Scouts’ motion. City attorneys want Buckwalter to order the immediate eviction of the Scouts, since the group hasn’t proven its eviction would be unconstitutional, and the city has cited ample law to justify the eviction, according to the city’s motion. At the conclusion of the hear-
Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Adoption Corner
PAGE 13
Scott A. Drake provides entertainment.
Name: Asparagus Breed: Domestic short hair (may be mixed with a hairless variety) Age: About 10 years old Sex: Male, neutered Health: Excellent, with up-to-date vaccinations Other information: Asparagus has a cropped tail from an undetermined cause. He has a microchip, so other shelters, the SPCA or veterinarians with equipment can identify him. History: Asparagus arrived at PAWS with his brother Green Beans several weeks ago through animal control after they were rescued from the house of an animal hoarder. Asparagus gets along very well with other cats and with dogs. He is not fond of being picked up, but is a snuggler and will happily greet people at the door. He also enjoys the occasional petting but prefers to sleep on a cushion in a sunny window. Asparagus can be playful at times and is more of a companion cat than a pet that
What’s new The Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society opened its Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic at 2900 Grays Ferry Ave. on March 22. The clinic provides lowcost spay, neuter and vaccines to pet owners who have difficulty with the costs of owning a pet. The clinic has space for dental and X-ray procedures, though fundraising efforts have not yet supplied the money to provide the equipment. The clinic is open daily and available for walk-ins every Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The opening reception for “The Sli Eye: An Exhibit of Feline Photography” will be held from noon-3 p.m. April 11 at the Manayunk Art Center, 419 Green Lane. Sli is a cat who is a Katrina survivor, and who captured these unique photographs with a camera around his neck. Additional show hours are from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 17, 18, 24 and 25. Updates: Hans Grueber was adopted on March 10. Mildred went into foster care in February and was adopted on March 17. ■ The Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society is dedicated to promoting public welfare and to saving the lives of Philadelphia’s homeless, abandoned and unwanted animals and has a no-kill policy. PAWS 100 N. Second St. (215) 238-9901 Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.6 p.m. www.phillypaws.org
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BLACK AND ORANGE PRIDE: Patrick Ellis stands and cheers at the March 25 Philadelphia Flyers game after the home team scored in the first period. Almost 100 LGBT community members attended the Flyers’ first-ever Gay Community Night and, while the team eventually lost 4-3, organizer Larry Felzer said the inaugural event was a success. “It was a shame they lost, and from the feedback I’ve gotten I think our seats were probably spread out a little too much, so we need to figure out a way to change that next year. But we’re definitely looking to do it again, and I hope that this is something that can really grow.” Photo: Scott A. Drake
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 14
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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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APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
New Philly police get LGBT training By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer A group of about 40 new Philadelphia police officers attended a training session at the Police Academy last week to learn the ins and outs of working effectively with the LGBT community. The Police Liaison Committee and the office of Chief Inspector James Tiano, the police liaison to the LGBT community, organized the session — the first held in several months, as the Academy has not graduated a new class of cadets because of budgetary restrictions. Last week’s group, however, was not new to the police world, but rather just new here: All were recruits who’d served on police forces in surrounding areas such as Bucks County. Members of the committee worked with Sgt. Jefferson Campbell to institute the training, which committee chair Franny Price hailed as a success. “It went really well. I was very, very impressed,” she said. While the officers will be dispersed throughout the city, Campbell said LGBT people live and work in all corners of Philadelphia and police should be prepared to work with the community beyond the Gayborhood. “In places like West Philly or Olney, there are lots of gay people in those areas,” he said. “We want them to know that it’s not just the Gayborhood. Just like they need to be able to deal with issues between heterosexual couples, this training makes them betterequipped to handle similar things between same-sex couples.” The officers were walked through a presentation by Price, former committee co-chair and current member Fred Bostwick, members Jaci Adams and Brian Green, as well as city director of LGBT affairs Gloria Casarez and former police officer Maria Gonzalez, who underwent gender transitioning while on the force. The presenters discussed everything from the history of LGBT rights in Philadelphia to an overview of community events held in the city throughout the year. Instead of talking at the officers, however, Campbell said the training facilitators were interactive. “It was educational but also friendly and fun, as opposed to the typical classroom setting,” he
said. “People weren’t just sitting there with their mouths closed, but were actually involved and asking questions.” Casarez said the audience was smaller — as well as more experienced — than the regular cadet classes, which may have fueled its responsiveness. “This was a very engaged group,” she said. “When we’re doing this training with the cadets, they’re usually younger and usually nervous, just around the general policing pieces. They haven’t graduated yet and get tripped up on the policing details, so throwing in the whole LGBT piece is even more for them. But this group has the experience with the policing, and they were really interactive and interested.” The officers participated in a simulation in which they pulled over a driver, played by Gonzalez, and were asked how they would respond to the fact that she presented as a woman but offered up a male driver’s license. Casarez said the officers were initially stumped as to how to react and questioned the committee about the legalities of name changes for transgender people. But Campbell instructed Gonzalez to pretend to shoot the officers, to demonstrate to the officers that focusing on their own misconceptions or biases could risk their own safety. “You have to just treat everybody the same,” Campbell said. “You can just question why the picture doesn’t look like this person and ask what she’d prefer to be referred to as. People won’t be upset by that question, by that politeness.” The reality of the challenges faced by transgenders was further supported by Gonzalez’s speech about her 40 years on the force and her own transition. Campbell said Gonzalez taught him in the Academy more than 20 years ago, and he hoped her message hit home with the officers. “When she was here, nobody had a clue what she was going through,” he said. “It was 30 or 40 years of misery because she couldn’t be herself. Her story let these officers know that people give up a lot for their liberties and that that needs to be respected.” ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
PROTEST From Page 1 you lost your pass or had it confiscated how you’d get it back, if you had to pay a token instead of using a pass if you’d be reimbursed or what would happen to drivers or other riders who discriminate, and they’ve just never gotten back to us,” Ray said. “It was always, ‘Oh, this person’s on vacation,’ or ‘We need to have internal meetings about that,’ and they’ve just continued to push us off.” Williams said SEPTA has been working to heighten awareness among its employees about the real reason for the stickers. “We want our operators and our cashiers to understand that the stickers are there for the purpose of reducing multiple use, and if they question someone about the sticker and that person indicates that they are transgender or are offended by the question, that it’s more than just that person using their sister’s pass or their roommate’s pass,” Williams said. “And they need to be sensitive to that. It is not our intention to embarrass anyone or make them have any discomfort because of who they are.” Ray said that in the fall, SEPTA officials pledged that when the transit authority’s new computerized “smart card” fare system goes into effect, the devices will be free of gender stickers, but SEPTA general manager Joe Casey said last month that a lack of federal funding will delay the implementation of the system. Williams confirmed that the newTogether system will not include genWe Can, a discussion der markers. She a request group for peoplesaid dealing with was put out for vendors design emotional, mental andtoaddictive the new system and that is problems, will meet at 7 SEPTA p.m. at The currently reviewing the bids it has received. The Trans-Health Information “We’rewill going reviewing Project holdtoabe drop-in center allforofallthe bidspersons and then a trans frommaking 7-11 p.m. determination as to what vendor oor; we go with,” she said. “But then Society, a gay and we The still Humboldt have to do the planning, lesbian naturalist will meet designing and thenclub, of course the at 7:30 p.m. atofthe William Way implementation that new fareinstrument system, so I can’t give That at Bind Us,how a 12-step you Ties any idea all of long that will take.” Ray was dressed as Casey at Tuesday’s protest, along with several other impersonators who staged a mini-drag show and took part in spoken-word performances. The format for the demonstration, during which about 1,200 fliers were distributed to riders, was selected for its attention-getting value, but also to educate masstransit riders.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
“It’s partly for the fun of it, but mostly to show that trans people don’t get a lot of opportunities to have their voices heard,” Ray said. “People don’t realize how many individuals are affected by this, and how some people may present as one gender in the morning and one gender in the evening.” Ray said the passersby “almost universally” supported their efforts, as he heard a continuous stream of supportive comments such as, “Yeah, they’re dumb. Get them off.” He said he hopes R.A.G.E. will see similar support when SEPTA
begins its series of public hearings later this month on its proposed fare hikes — changes that are not expected to go hand-in-hand with the removal of gender markers. Public hearings will take place at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. April 19 at 1234 Market St. in the boardroom on the mezzanine level. Additional hearings will be held in mid-April in the surrounding counties. For more information on hearing times, visit www.septa.org/ notice/. ■
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APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
EQUALITY PROJECT From Page 5 online forum for students to share their own experiences with bullying and offer one another the same support Kemmerling saw in his Facebook interactions. The site has so far been profiled on CNN, the local NBC and ABC affiliates and in numerous local publications. Kemmerling surmised the effort has gained so much popularity because it encompasses such a broad spectrum of people. “This isn’t just about gays. Yes, gays are a huge minority and at risk for bullying, but other people are feeling it too,” he said. “This is for anyone who doesn’t feel safe and taken care of in their school. I was shocked at the different people who joined — emo, people who dress or talk differently, Jewish people, Christians. It was such a wide variety of people, and it made me see that I shouldn’t just be focused on homophobia but on activism on bullying as a whole.” Members include students who are currently facing harassment, parents looking for outlets for their kids and even those who used to be the bullies. Kemmerling said overseeing the site has helped to heal some of his own wounds. “Whenever I get discouraged, I look at the stories and think, ‘OK, I’m not alone. Dropping out now won’t help me, I have to take all of my feelings and put them to good use,’” he said. Kemmerling, who plans to attend college and study pre-law, said he’s hoping to launch The Equality Project as a tangible after-
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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school program for kids in need at schools throughout the country and, in the long run, wants to operate an organization that will provide legal assistance and resources to yough facing persistent harassment. “I remember the first message I sent out on the site included the quote, ‘It only takes one person to start a movement.’ Well, the movement has started and it’s moving rather quickly.” For more information, search for The Equality Project on Facbeook or visit http://theequalityproject. webs.com/. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
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Philadelphia Gay News
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PINK PENNY IV
“A TRIUMPHANT TOUR DE FORCE” - PGN Staff ★ “MORE FUN THAN A SHIRTLESS TICKLE FIGHT WITH THE GUYS!” - Eric Massa “PGN DOES IT AGAIN!! - The Washington Blade ★ “MARK SEGAL SHOULD GIVE HIS STAFF A BIG RAISE” - Philadelphia Weakly “NOT A CHANCE IN HELL” - Mark Segal
★ A PGN PRODUCTION - APRIL 2, 2010 - STAFF PICKS OF PHILLY THINGS THAT KNOCK US OUT ★
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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PGN Staff hyperbole [hi-pur-buh-lee] –noun 1. obvious and intentional exaggeration 2. an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally, as “to wait an eternity” pink penny [pink peh-nee] –noun 1. PGN’s two cents on everything kick-ass about Philadelphia 2. the ultimate hotness You lucky bastards! Years from now, when Pink Penny has become a national (if not global) sensation that includes a live televised awards show, a star-studded guest list, a red carpet large enough to shut down Broad Street, throngs of rabid paparazzi, tearful acceptance speeches and a seven-second time delay to catch
BREW HAHA! AND MINI GOLF AT FRANKLIN SQUARE Photos: Scott A. Drake
all of the on-air profanity, you will be able to tell all your jealous friends that you were there at the beginning. Like someone who saw Elton John when he was a club act or someone who knew RuPaul when she only owned one wig, you will be able to brag to the envious masses about how you were there when Pink Penny was just a humble effort by a dedicated (and overworked) staff to give its two cents on anything that is amazing about Philly and the surrounding areas. So, without further ado, bon appetit and laissez les bon temps roulez! PEOPLE WATCHING: Brew HaHa!, 212 S. 12th St.; (215) 893-5680
OK, so we don’t actually go for the coffee. We frequent Brew HaHa! to gawk at the eye candy and other interesting bits of humanity that comprise the foot traffic in and around this happening coffeehouse. FAVE GAY BUSINESS SURVIVING AGAINST THE ODDS: Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960 Sometime over the last two years, if you were listening closely you probably heard something resembling a Jurassic death rattle followed by the sound of something big keeling over and knocking down trees emanating from Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Rehoboth Beach and New York.
Those were the sounds of longstanding LGBT bookstores closing their doors ... forever. Thankfully, Giovanni’s Room is still standing, and is now the oldest LGBT bookstore in the nation. So do yourself — and us — a favor and go buy something there, so we can keep the tradition alive. FAVE USED BOOKSTORE: Book Trader, 7 N. Second St.; (215) 925-0517 Nothing makes us feel superior more than having a big-ass bookshelf packed with novels and informative books that show off our never-ending pursuit of intellect. Never mind the fact that we haven’t even bothered to crack the spines on half of those tomes,
and that the bookshelf really is the front for a secret sliding door that keeps our even-bigger porn library out of casual site. Anyway, used bookstores merge the bargain hunter, bibliophile, historian and faux-intellectual snob in all of us. With over 30 years in the used-book game, no place in Philly makes us want to eagerly peruse its shelves more than Book Trader. MINI GOLF: Philly Mini Golf, Franklin Square, 200 N. Sixth St. It is so much fun being able to feel like Godzilla and Tiger Woods at the same time. You know ... without all the firebreathing, Denny’s waitress funk, Mothra attacks and nine-iron head trauma that comes with it.
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RELAUNCHED RESTAURANT: Terra (at Tavern on Camac), 243 S. Camac St.; (215) 545-0900 A new chef and a new menu have done wonders for an already-strong player on the scene. Chef Eric Paraskevas’ New American cuisine has upped T.O.C.’s game considerably, whether you’re just filling up on refined appetizers or plunging headlong into tasty upscale entrées. WOMEN-RUN BAR OUTSIDE CENTER CITY: Rainbow Eye, 1449 N. Fifth St.; (215) 769-1701 It’s damn near impossible to beat out Sisters in the arena of area lesbian bars. Really, it’s almost futile. It would be like trying to beat Eric Massa in a tickle fight. But this cozy space has definitely won our respect for giving it a worthy try. FAVE HAPPY HOUR: Knock, 225 S. 12th St.; (215) 925-1166 We love the food. We love the drinks. We love the staff. And quite honestly, if it weren’t for the day job, we’d be ensconced at Knock way earlier than happy hour. Unfortunately, martini money doesn’t fall out of the sky
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
for us. LGBT HANGOUT: Stir, 1705 Chancellor St.; (215) 732-2700 It would be easy to pin Stir’s popularity on its proximity to Rittenhouse Square, but our favorite stylish loungey hole-inthe-wall isn’t one to rest on its laurels. The quality of drinks, décor, service and the DJs place Stir at the top of our places to unwind. LESBIAN KARAOKE: Sisters, 1320 Chancellor St.; (215) 7350735 Once you get over the shock of watching lesbians singing “It’s Raining Men” (um ... WTF?), you’ll realize that there is some serious karaoke mojo working at our favorite lesbian bar. “American Idol” ain’t got nothing on them. GAY BRUNCH: Q Lounge, 1234 Locust St.; (215) 732-1800 Normally you couldn’t pay us enough to wipe the crust out of our eyes, give our nether regions a quick refreshing rinse and otherwise pull ourselves together before mid-afternoon on a weekend (that’s right ... sign us up for “Celebrity Rehab”). But the revamped Q Lounge lures us out
IRIS, GLORIA AND BERENDA IN FRONT OF RAINBOW EYE; GIOVANNI’S ROOM
with its irresistible brunch menu like fresh brain to a zombie. You have no idea how appropriate that analogy is. FAVE WATERING HOLE: Venture Inn, 255 S. Camac St.; (215) 545-8731 This is Philly’s quintessential classic gay bar. Trends and gimmicks come and go but this longtime fixture on the bar scene will never go out of style.
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FAVE DANCE CLUB: Voyeur, 1221 St. James St.; (215) 7355772 People either love Voyeur or hate its guts. You never hear anyone in the city say, “Voyeur is OK.” Never. It’s always either, “I love that place” or “I hope it burns to the ground.” Any place with that many haters spewing froth and venom at it has got to be doing something right. And any club this unapolo-
getically big, loud, obnoxious and divisive is the kind of club we want to be shaking our asses in like there’s no tomorrow. FAVE DRINK MENU: Westbury Bar & Restaurant, 261 S. 13th St.; (215) 546-5170 While we are sure there are more adventurous cocktails to be had in the city, the Westbury wins over our deteriorating livers time See PINK PENNY IV, Page 22
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PINK PENNY IV From Page 21 and time again with the most consistent and wisely chosen selections of beer we could want. COFFEE: XIX, Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue, 200 S. Broad St.; (215) 893-7892 It’s a bit more out of the way than most other places (it’s on the other side of Broad! It’s 19 floors up!), but sometimes we like to put on airs. Just because it’s the most popular drink on earth doesn’t mean you have to drink it like a peasant. They use some fancy machine imported from Italy or something. While you’re there, sample some dessert too. You wouldn’t want your coffee to get lonely. SPECIALTY DRINKS: Valanni, 1229 Spruce St.; (215) 790-9494 Whether you drink like James Bond on a mission in a Monaco casino or Marion Ravenwood drinking everyone under the table in “Raiders of the Lost Ark,”
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Valanni’s sophisticated drink menu walks the fine line between the traditional classics and adventurously out-there cocktails. FAVE WAY TO GET AROUND THE CITY: Vespas, www.vespausa.com Hey, bicycles. We love the crap out of your eco-friendly asses. We appreciate that you have your own lanes on the streets and could use a lot more than the city has given you. But, damn! Lately your riders have started to get a little uppity as far as traffic goes. So this year, we have to throw out props to your stylish mechanized cousin. Sorry. Maybe we’ll hook back up next year. FAVE BAR FOR POOL TABLES: 12th Air Command, 254 S. 12th St.; (215) 545-8088 See what happens when nobody hates on your club? FAVE PARK TO VISIT ON FOOT: Independence Mall, Sixth and Chestnut streets.; (215) 597-0152 It turns out a picture-postcard
I. GOLDBERG AND FRANKLIN FOUNTAIN
aesthetic, glossy tourist trapping and the influx of international history buffs and looky-loos the site attracts make for one hell of an interesting stroll.
view of the city and the surrounding landscape, for people who can’t get enough of the outdoors. We’ll be even more excited when it’s finished.
FAVE PARK TO VISIT ON TWO WHEELS: Schuylkill River Trail With springtime upon us, our inner cyclist can’t resist Fairmount Park’s Schuylkill River Trail. It offers a wonderful
FAVE PARK ON FOUR WHEELS: Franklin D. Roosevelt Park When we don’t have the better part of the day to get our nature fix, a zip through FDR, aka “The Lakes,” with the top down, the sunroof open or our head sticking out of a window like a basset hound is enough to give us a quick recharge.
GAY DAY TRIP: New Hope We’re going to let you in on a little secret: Sometimes just being in the city works our last goddamned nerve. Maybe it’s having to weave around those sad-ass horsedrawn carriages, sit motionless on the Schuylkill Expressway every other day or seeing a huge line of people waiting for a Jim’s cheesesteak while the rest of South Street seems to wither. Sometimes we have just had enough. So when we have to run for the hills to recharge, it’s almost always a beeline for New Hope.
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READING TERMINAL MARKET, THE BIG GREEN EARTH STORE AND WORLD CAFE LIVE
Its quaint and gay-friendly charm is always the surefire cure for our frequent bouts of cityitis. FAVE ALTERNATIVE TO THE GAYBORHOOD: Northern Liberties Look what we found on the way out of town to New Hope! REASON TO VISIT NOLIBS: The Piazza, 1050 N. Hancock St.; (267) 455-0471 If you build it, they will come. The Piazza is like the field of dreams for anyone in the area with money and free time to spend. With enough restaurants, shopping and artist studios to keep anyone’s head spinning, The Piazza is retail heaven. Plus, you don’t have to fight traffic or flash mobs (so far). Awesome! FAVE ALTERNATIVE TO THE ALTERNATIVE TO THE GAYBORHOOD: East Passyunk Avenue Soon we will have the city surrounded! Now, if only there were a way to gentrify Camden ... FAV PLACE TO CATCH A CABARET PERFORMANCE: Harlans at The Nevermore, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5221 Harlans takes the prize for drawing some serious star power to its New Hope stage, with the region’s best singers, comedians and entertainers. Being nestled up against one of the best gay hotels in the area doesn’t hurt either. FAVE RESORT: The Borgata, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City; (609) 317-1000 Maybe you’re turned off by the gaudy spectacle of the other resorts dominating the skyline. Or maybe you don’t like getting strafed by seagulls. So if you really want to insulate yourself from the rest of Atlantic City
for the duration of your stay, the Borgata has everything you could ever need to ride out your visit in style until it’s time to go home. FAVE LIVE MUSIC VENUE (SMALL): Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; (215) 928-0770 Tin Angel is, hands down, the best place in the city to catch gay and lesbian singer-songwriters on the rise or on the national touring circuit. FAVE LIVE MUSIC VENUE (MID-SIZE): World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400 We have trouble figuring out whether we like the more laidback and intimate upstairs room or a larger star-magnet that is the downstairs room. But one thing is for sure: World Cafe Live is a class act when it comes to hosting the best performing artists. FAVE LIVE MUSIC VENUE (MASSIVE): The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.; (215) 546-7900 It just wouldn’t be summer-
time if we didn’t spend at least one evening getting serenaded by classical music or grooving to a rock concert while stretched out on a blanket on the lawn at this open-air venue. FAVE THEATER COMPANY: Mauckingbird Theatre Company, www.mauckingbirdtheatreco.org It’s not hard to find LGBT players on Philly’s theater scene, but we love Mauckingbird for the sheer volume of gay talent and stories it puts onto the stage year after year. FAVE REASON TO VISIT ATLANTIC CITY: Harrah’s, 777 Harrah’s Blvd.; (800) 6456774. It’s hard to choose which giant neon monolith to bow and scrape to when visiting our Jersey Shore cultural abyss. Harrah’s managed to beat out some stiff competition this year by hosting some highprofile gay-friendly events and raising the bar on its entertainment game.
FAVE REASON TO VISIT REHOBOTH BEACH: Canal Side Inn, Canal and Sixth streets, Rehoboth Beach; (302) 226-2006 They had us at “We do not accept persons under 18 years of age.” But Canal’s sophisticated sense of style, excellent service
and proximity to town, the boardwalk and the beach are bonuses — and pretty much everything we’re looking for in a quick beach getaway. See PINK PENNY IV, Page 24
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PINK PENNY IV From Page 23 FAVE EVENT: Stimulus; www. facebook.com/stimulusparty This huge and diverse monthly LGBT party is sometimes the reason we can’t be bothered to decrust our eyes, rinse the glitter off the nether regions (don’t ask) and find a strong pair of sunglasses to get us to brunch in time on the weekends. FAVE DJ (TIE): DJ Sparkles; www.djsparkles.com Carl Michael; www.myspace. com/djcarlmichaels So many phone numbers never gotten. So many drinks spilled in the stampede toward the dance floor. We’ve lost count of how many conversations have ended abruptly with, “Oh, snap! That’s my jam,” when either of these DJs worked their sonic magic.
FAVE LOCAL SINGERSONGWRITER: Aiden James “On the Run” is the best way to describe this homegrown folkpop artist. His band performs all over North America, but we love him because he always comes back to his roots for video- and CD-release parties. We’ll keep a guitar handy and a candle burning in the window for you, Aiden. BARTENDER: Kyle Stoudnour at Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac St.; (215) 545-0900 He’s friendly, knows what we drink, cuts us off when said drinks impair our judgment and still will not give us the digits no matter how much we tip. Don’t hate the player, hate the game. DRAG QUEEN: Sandy Beach Sandy is such a versatile performer, she can class up a red carpet one minute and have people laughing their cummerbunds into
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a knot the next. Any event lucky enough to feature Sandy is sure to be memorable. INTERIOR DECORATOR: Joe Matthews; matthewsinteriordesign.com If you, like us, thought you were a bad-ass with the look you cobbled together from Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, The Home Depot and the occasional antiquing trip, take a peek at the whitehot stylings on Matthews’ Web site and try not to weep as you realize how far away you are from true 007-movie-level décor and just how close you are to college-dorm chic. FAVE PERSONAL TRAINER: Gavin McKay at Fusion, 105 S. 12th St. When it comes to whipping us into shape, Gavin is the man. If we were getting our asses kicked any better, there would be restraints, scalding hot wax and a gimp mask involved. (Look for a second location soon.) FAVE LOCAL LGBT TV/ RADIO PERSONALITY Pierre Robert WMMR’s top disc jockey is a true survivor. Rock radio is a constantly changing and especially cutthroat industry. So anyone who can keep up with all the trends, remember the history and stay on top of the game for more than 25 years is definitely a reason to tune in. Did we mention he’s out? FAVE LOCAL LGBT AUTHOR: Fredric Joss Shelley His most recent novel, “The Alphabetical List of Would-Be Princes,” was one of the best books we came across in the last year. It also challenged us to attempt to land dates with 26 different individuals. We’ll keep you
GAVIN MCKAY (TOP) AND JOE MATTHEWS
posted on our progress. FAVORITE ACTIVISTS (TIE): David Acosta From founding Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative 20 years ago to his current work with the city’s AIDS Activities Coordinating Office, Acosta has used his unique perspective as a longtime community leader to generate measurable change and motivate a new generation of activists. The Rev. Jeffrey Jordan
The Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia’s pastor has led his congregation through relocation to a new space and the launch of its One Church socialjustice campaign, but has also been ever-present at community rallies and discussions, bringing his message that LGBTs deserve a place in faith communities. FAVE DOOR PERSON: Barry, Knock After a long week, we need to relax with friends. We don’t
KYLE STOUDNOUR AND FREDRIC JOSS SHELLEY
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need attitude between us and the adult beverages. So we appreciate Barry at Knock. He’s always kind and courteous and never fails to open the door for us, hastening our entrée. Thanks, Barry. FAVE GAY CHORUS: Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus; www.pgmc.org The hardest-working gay chorus in Philadelphia always impresses us with its expansive range of songs and sheer frequency of amazing performances. FAVE GROCERY SHOPPING: Reading Terminal Market, 51 N. 12th St.; (215) 922-2317 This is a no-brainer. Who needs the upscale grocery chains (or their prices) when we can get fresh, organic products and crafts from local farmers? FAVE PLACE TO GIVE IN TO TEMPTATION: Naked Chocolate, 1317 Walnut St.; (215) 735-7310 Like Willy Wonka’s Factory crossbred with Caligula, Naked Chocolate is so addictive that we aren’t even mad when the implied nudity in its name fails to materialize during our many crack-house-level desperation visits to this chocolate wonderland. We love the chocolate-covered pretzels with Reese’s Pieces, hot chocolate, chocolate mousse, dark chocolate and Nudo bars … When we die, please have Naked Chocolate make our casket. FAVE FROZEN TREATS: Capogiro Gelato, 119 S. 13th St.; (215) 351-0900 No matter how many times we visit (often), the gelato at Capogiro always blows our minds with its myriad inventive flavors, such as bitter chocolate and Thai coconut milk. We’d happily walk past 10 Rita’s on a 100-degree day just to get some. FAVE CUPCAKE: Buttercream Cupcake; buttercreamphiladelphia.com If you happen to see our grown asses running down the street like children chasing an ice-cream truck, you can thank Buttercream for the embarrassing spectacle. This cupcake truck roams the city, loaded up with super-addictive treats while its loyal customers follow online to track its location for their little piece of cake-and-frosting nirvana. Believe us when we say that if you have to go through Wile E. Coyote extremes to catch this vehicle, it is worth the effort.
SWEET DREAMS: GELATO AT CAPOGIRO (LEFT), SACHER TORTE AT NAKED CHOCOLATE AND CUPCAKES FROM BUTTERCREAM CUPCAKE
FAVE DESSERTS: Franklin Fountain, 116 Market St.; (215) 627-1899 Modern, media-savvy icecream parlors have damn near ruined ice cream for us. Most of the time, we’d rather have a simple sundae or two scoops on a cone than five scoops of mocha-cocoa-supernova-ripplecrunch-bomb supreme served in
a hollowed-out Teletubby skull with 10 inches of sprinkles, Oreo cookies and Snickers bars and a lit roman candle on top. Thank heavens the Franklin Fountain keeps it old-school with old-fashioned simple flavors and simple pleasure. FAVE DELI: The Kibitz Room, 1521 Locust St.; (215) 735-7305
Philadelphia’s only Jewishstyle deli delivers New Yorkstyle flavors (and prices) that we just can’t resist. Whether you’re all about the kugel, knishes and kreplach, or want to tackle a sandwich big enough to give Dagwood Bumstead a reason to step back, the Kibitz Room is the king of deli in Philly.
FAVE PIZZA: Joey’s Stone Fired Pizza, 517 South St.; (215) 238-9999 It’s amazing what a new name and owners can do for a place. There’s a pizza joint every 10 feet on South Street, but Joey’s — which occupies a nice corner that was once home to a pizza chain See PINK PENNY IV, Page 26
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PINK PENNY IV From Page 25 that went belly-up, and before that was a KFC — has jumped to the head of the pack in a short time with its tasty pies. Best to get ’em while you can. FAVE DINING UNDER $10: Darling’s Diner, 1033 N. Second St.; (267) 239-5775 Normally a diner is our last resort for eating out, but Darling’s definitely makes our first string of favorite restaurants thanks to its friendly staff, trendy décor and some of the best cheesecake around. Where else can you get something called a Hipster’s Paradise, with bananas, blueberries, Nutella and peanut butter over your choice of French toast or pancakes?
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
vore status in grand fashion with a refined and healthy serving (or two) of the best meat and potatoes money can buy in the city. BURGER: Five Guys Burgers and Fries, any location No matter how many upscale burgers with their fancy ingredients we try, we always come running back to the effortless charm of what has to be the best burger chain on earth. We dare you to find us a better burger. FAVE SEAFOOD: Devon Seafood Grill, 225 S. 18th St.; (215) 546-5940 If the seafood were any fresher, we’d have to fight off sea lions in order to have a nice dinner. Also impressive is the way Devon switches up the menu based on what came off the boat that day.
champion of bending and twisting our sorry asses into better health. Plus, they bring in guest instructors who make us weep with enlightenment.
FAVE VEGAN/VEGETARIAN FARE: Horizons, 611 S. Seventh St.; (215) 923-6117 This is where we bring vegetarian friends without feeling all mad at ourselves that we’re not being meat-eaters for the evening. Horizons skillfully executes dishes without any of the tasty carnage most of us are used to ...
FAVE GYM: 12th Street Gym, 204 S. 12th St.; (215) 985-4092 Most gyms get boring after the first month, which is why we stop going. That will never be the case with 12th Street Gym. Like a maze without the cheese, this fine fitness establishment keeps its members going and interested during their many sweaty visits.
FAVE FREE WORKOUT: Shoveling snow Who the hell needs a gym membership when you have a record-setting 60-some inches of snow to shovel off your sidewalk and a city nigh-on incapable of clearing it off the streets in a timely manner? Now all we need is free chiropractic care.
FAVE PLACE TO CONSUME RED MEAT: Del Friscos, 1426 Chestnut St.; (215) 246-0533 ... but once our vegetarian friends are out of visual range, we are compelled to re-up our carni-
FAVE YOGA: Dhyana Yoga, multiple locations, www.dhyanayoga.com With over 100 classes per week and some of the best instructors in the city, Dhyana is the grand
FAVE REASON TO GET DRESSED UP: Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5800 Sometimes we like to go out like Thurston Howell III and Lovey. The Kimmel Center is the
ALDO AND ABSOLUTE ABSTRACT
best venue in which to show off your tails and monocle or evening gown and baubles while taking in the best classical music and theater productions the city has to offer. We could wear jeans, but what’s the fun in that? FAVE PLACE FOR PORN: Spruce Street Video, 252 S. 12th St.; (215) 985-2955 If we could build an addition to our house and then decide to turn it into our own personal porn library/cellar, it would look just like this. TOURIST TRAP: South Street If nothing else interests you here (the food, the culture, watching thousands of people get parking tickets in under 60 seconds, watching people over the age of
18 run for their lives, etc.), you can watch the retail economy collapse in real time. GAY ART GALLERY: William Way LGBT Center, 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 732-2220 Whenever we visit, we can always count on the center to expose us to new and established LGBT artists, as their works are always adorning the center’s massive walls. GAY-FRIENDLY ART GALLERY: AxD Gallery, 265 S. 10th St.; (215) 627-6250 AxD has won us over with its ability to find edgy artists and display the most eye-catching paintings, sculptures and graphics around. And the venue routinely mixes mainstream and gay artists,
Special events Portraits & Nudes Art Advertising Private instruction Restorations
Scott A. Drake Photography www.scottdrakephotos.com scottdrakephotos@gmail.com
267.736.6743
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keeping everybody happy. FAVE KITSCHY ART: Absolute Abstract, 141 S. 13th St.; (215) 733-0190 Whether your tastes and budget range from the poster section at Spencer Gifts to “put it on my black AmEx,” Absolute Abstract is the place to go to decorate (and class up) everything from a studio to a luxury penthouse. FAVE PLACE TO GO GREEN: Big Green Earth Store, 934 South St.; (267) 9098661 It’s not easy being green, but thanks to Big Green Earth Store, it sure is fun. The hip and ecoconscious store is one of the best places around to shop for earthfriendly products of all kinds. FAVE PLACE TO GEAR UP FOR THE PENDING FALL OF CIVILIZATION: I. Goldberg, 1300 Chestnut St.; (215) 925-9393 We usually don’t panic easily, but with all the earthquakes, angry killer whales, signs of financial collapse, flash mobs and tea-baggers running amok, we’re seriously considering loading up the panic room with bottled water, canned goods and whatever survival gear we can afford to haul in mass quantities out of our favorite military-surplus shop. Did someone say gas mask? FAVE CD SHOPPING: FYE, 100 S. Broad St.; (215) 496-8338 Commit to the physical CDshopping experience so you can tell your kids what it was like five years from now. FAVE RETAIL MECCA: Jake & Elwood’s House of Chews, 122 S. Main St., New Hope; (215) 862-2533 Do you love your pet(s)? No, do you really love your pet(s)? Well, if you haven’t even been to this New Hope pet boutique to buy them something, we and your four-legged companion(s) know for a fact that you do not love them as much as you possibly can. This place takes shopping for your loyal and furry friends to ridiculous levels, but damn, is it ever impressive. FAVE WINDOW SHOPPING: Tiffany’s & Co., 1414 Walnut St.; (215) 735-1919 It’s times like this we wish we had found ourselves a sugar daddy or sugar momma when we were younger and prettier. Sometimes, when you look really
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
close, you can see the outline of our noses and palm prints on the windows and display cases in this mecca of bling and opulence. Later, you can find us weeping in Marshall’s or TJ Maxx.
and Wednesdays being $2 shoes/ bowling/Tecate/tater tots (that’s right, bitches, tater tots!), we can party like we’re in the middle of a John Waters film at this amazingly kick-ass bowling alley.
FAVE DVD SELECTION: TLA, 1520 Locust St.; (215) 735-7887 Even though we’re still mad at it for shuttering the Fourth Street location, TLA remains the place to find the hottest blockbusters and the obscurest of arthouse flicks for your viewing pleasure.
FAVE MEN’S CLOTHING: Metro Men’s Clothing, 1615 E. Passyunk Ave.; (267) 324-5172 Metro Men’s has all of our favorite brands and a friendly, knowledgeable staff that always lets us know which items we can and can’t get away with wearing in polite company.
FAVE LOCAL LGBT SPORTS: Gryphons Rugby; www.phillygryphons.org A bunch of sweaty, dirty athletes wearing shorts and crammed into a big pile: That’s all we needed to know. BOWLING: North Bowl, 909 N. Second St.; (215) 238-2695 With its 1950s décor, classic video games, pinball machines
FAVE WOMEN’S CLOTHING: Macy’s, 1300 Market St.; (215) 241-9000 This department store is a classic for a reason. What makes this location interesting to us is that it’s not in a mall. Which means we don’t have to schlep by the Build-A-Bear and Club Libby Lu See PINK PENNY IV, Page 28
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PGN
April 16: Go Green Issue April 23: Dining Out for Life
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
PINK PENNY IV From Page 27 to get our retail therapy. FAVE SHOES: Aldo, 1625 Chestnut St.; (215) 564-4630 Bring a friend when you shop at Aldo. Because you’re either going to need her/him to stop you from buying up footwear like you’re the second coming of Imelda Marcos or to help you carry your packages like a Sherpa guide, should thoughts of fiscal responsibility fail to materialize. FAVE TATTOO PARLOR: Eddie’s, 621 South St.; (215) 922-7384 We would show you some of the great work Eddie’s has done for us, but damn it, this is a family newspaper. FAVE NEW LIVING SPACE: 777, 777 S. Broad St.; (215) 7720777 This shiny new complex is not only giving a section of South Broad a much-needed upgrade, but also puts its occupants within walking distance of everything great about Center City. We like that it’s LEED-certified too. FAVE PLACE FOR LGBT HEALTH SERVICES: Mazzoni Center, 21 S. 12th St.; (215) 563-0652 Whatever is about to come down the pike with universal health care (or not come down the pike, as the case may be), it’s good to know Mazzoni is there to serve the LGBT community. FUNDRAISER: Dining Out For Life/AIDS Walk It’s a tie. Any fundraiser that manages to make money from activities we were going to do anyway is aces with us. (And yes, that does mean that we walk regularly. Surprise!) Hopefully someone will soon invent a fundraiser centered around wine and yoga. FAVE PLACE TAKE LGBT VISITORS FROM OUT OF TOWN: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th and the Parkway, (215) 763-8100 Us to said visitor: “Fine! I’ll take you to see the freakin’ Rocky statue. But you have to look at some real art while you’re there.” FAVE SECOND-HAND SHOPPING: Sophisticated Seconds, 2019 Sansom St.; (215) 561-6740 and 2204 South St.; (215) 546-0784
This place lives up to its name. When we want to get our itch for designer dubs scratched without taking a horse and carriage to the poorhouse, Sophisticated Seconds never ceases to amaze us with fashion finds that make us only too happy to fork over our hard-earned dollars. FAVE SALON: Ettoré, 1201 Market St.; (215) 928-9010 The hard-knock life of working at PGN can make anyone look rough around the edges from time to time. No salon gets us from hot mess to ready-to-impress in a more expert fashion than Ettoré. FAVE NEW SALON: Salon K, 1216 Locust St.; (215) 545-1880 It never hurts to have a backup. Don’t be surprised if Salon K, with former Rocker Head stylists K and Harris taking care of us, rises to the top next year. FAVE BARBER SHOP: Chop Shop, 513 South St.; (215) 9235545 It turns out, you don’t have to be the best to impress us. Just get us in and out for a reasonable price and a reasonable amount of time and we’re happy. ORGANIC MAKEOVER: JuJu Salon and Spa, 713 and 728 S. Fourth St.; (215) 238-6080 Just because we want to look good doesn’t mean we have to make the environment look bad. JuJu somehow, someway, works its beautification voodoo with non-toxic, organic and green professional products to create a bet ter world for us to look great in. FAVE WAXING: Cut, 204 S. 13th St.; (215) 545-3930 Whether we want a crop circle, a topiary garden or just to wage a scorched earth-campaign on our body hair, we count on the professionals at Cut for manscaping. FAVE PLACE TO HAVE A WEDDING: Washington, D.C. Oh, how we wish there were a location closer and more convenient to recommend. Just remember that there is a three-day waiting period from when you apply for your marriage license to when you can have your ceremony. FAVE TRAVEL AGENCY: AAA South Jersey Travel Agency, 201 Kings South, Cherry Hill; (856) 428-9000 If we lived in southern New Jersey, we’d be total ninja-level black-belt experts in getting the hell out of Dodge too. ■
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
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DIANA�ROSS MAY���
WWW�CAESARSAC�COM
To purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com, call 1-800-745-3000 outlet located at The Pier Shops at Caesars. or visit the
Management reserves the right to change or cancel this promotion at any time without notice. Must be 21 or older to gamble, enter and remain in a New Jersey casino or participate in any Harrah’s Entertainment promotion. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. ©2010, Harrah’s License Company, LLC.
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
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APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
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Lust Martini Pure Xtasy Cocktail Exotic Fizz Infusion Fire & Ice Tuna Crudo Oysters on the Half Shell Black Angus Beef Sliders
JOINING THE PARTY AT DUSK? Join us before or after your night out
Management reserves the right to change or cancel this promotion at any time without notice. Must be 21 or older to gamble, enter and remain in a New Jersey casino or participate in any Harrah’s Entertainment promotion. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. ©2010, Harrah’s License Company, LLC.
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Food and Drink Directory Happy Hour 6pm - 8pm
Movie Night Wed. @ 8 pm
A Night of Industry
Mon. 8pm - 12 am
Saturday Lunch & Sunday Brunch 12-3pm
Hours: Mon. - Fri. 4-2, Sat. - Sun. 12 -2 1305 Locust St., Phila, PA 19107
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���������������� ������������� �������������� ����������������� ������������������������ $2.50 Pabst 12oz bottles all day, every day
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CONTACT YOUR PGN AD REP TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS DIRECTORY:
(215) 625-8501
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Professional Portraits Anne Byrn, better known as the Cake Mix Doctor, once said, “When you look at a cupcake, you’ve got to smile.” If that’s the case, then Michael Lewis and Johnny Columbo, owners of Philly Cupcake, 1132 Chestnut St., must have constant ear-to-ear grins. I took a moment to stop in and chat with the two proprietors and sample their red-velvet cupcake. For professional purposes only ... Michael Lewis PGN: I understand you’re not a native Northerner? Tell me about your upbringing. ML: I’m originally from the South and was raised in different areas, from Louisiana to Texas to Oklahoma. I was an only child with a single parent until my mother remarried when I was 11. It was a normal childhood; fortunately I got along really well with my stepbrother and -sister. PGN: Was it culture shock to suddenly have siblings at age 11? ML: Yes, I wasn’t used to sharing my mother with other people, so it was an adjustment, but I think we weathered it pretty well. They were much younger than me so I became an instant big brother. I had to change their diapers and help raise them, I taught them colors and how to tie shoes, all that sort of thing, and I enjoyed doing it. PGN: How did you end up in Philadelphia? ML: My parents moved up here when I was in high school. It was a bit of a shock. There’s a bias here against the South. People assume that we’re stupid and slow, so I got teased a lot for my Texas twang. I quickly learned to control the way I spoke so it wasn’t so obvious. High school back home was tough enough while I was struggling with my homosexuality, which I hadn’t even acknowledged yet, but then to be transplanted to a new, somewhat-hostile environment was rough. But I got very involved with the church where I made a number of friends in the youth groups and that helped. PGN: What was a favorite thing to do as a kid? ML: I was a geek in training so I enjoyed playing with “Star Wars” figures and going to the movies. I
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Suzi Nash
still love sci-fi and fantasy movies and I get together with friends and play games like Carcassonne and The Settlers of Catan. Also, when we were younger, we liked to do a lot of things in the kitchen as a family. It was how we bonded, which was important, especially for a blended family. My father was definitely the more-accomplished one in the kitchen. My mom didn’t get good at it until she took a trip to Provence, France, and took some cooking classes. She was good at traditional Southern cooking, though. PGN: What’s a favorite Southern dish? ML: I’d have to say stuffed artichokes. It’s something that’s particular to Louisiana. We have a family recipe that’s been passed down to me. PGN: That sounds delicious. Will you share? ML: [Smiles.] No. PGN: What was your worst job? ML: I worked at a restaurant called “The Coop” and I had to dress up as a chicken and try to lure people into the store. PGN: Any pet peeves? ML: I hate it when people come into a positive environment and bring a negative cloud. We’ve gone out of our way to create a light, positive environment here where people can have fun and be happy while they enjoy their cupcakes. Every once in a while someone comes in who just doesn’t get it. They come in here cloaked in a dark cloud and as much as we try to be polite and cheerful and engage them, they just insist on being a downer. PGN: Whose idea was it for the place? ML: It was both of ours. We both come from families that bake. We were both going through midlife issues and wanted a new challenge, something to put our energies into. We both love cupcakes, so it came together easily. And being gay men, we felt cupcakes were fun and festive and would allow us to be as pink and overthe-top as we wanted. We’ve been in business since December of 2009. PGN: What’s your most popular
cupcake? ML: Red velvet is in vogue these days, so we sell a lot of those. Our Reese’s Peanut Butter Massacre is one of our more popular cupcakes. PGN: What’s your most unusual item here? ML: Chocolate-covered gummi things. PGN: What was the hardest part of starting the store? ML: Finding people who were willing to take a risk on a new business in this economy. Finding a location that we felt would work. And so far we’ve been successful. We’ve created 14 new jobs for people with our staff and are working to revitalize this area of the city. PGN: That’s a lot of people working in a small business. ML: Yeah, we have people here 24/7 selling, baking or decorating, there’s always something to do. We really have tried to create a healthy and growing environment for our employees where they can feel free to express themselves creatively, but also to be able to express what’s challenging for them so that we can get them the support or training that they need to feel good about what they’re doing. PGN: Are you going to open a second location? ML: I’m not at liberty to say at this time! PGN: What do you think makes you good at this business? ML: I really enjoy people. I enjoy customer service and I’m good at listening. I’m also a very detailoriented person, whereas Johnny is more of a visionary and good at seeing the larger picture. Not that he can’t handle details or that I can’t do planning or see outside the box, but we know where our strengths are and really complement each other. PGN: What was coming out like? ML: It happened when I was getting my master’s degree. It was difficult because I was still very much involved in my faith. At the time, I was thinking about working in the church environment, but my coming out was not something that was well received by my Christian friends or the
JOHNNY COLUMBO AND MICHAEL LEWIS Photo: Suzi Nash
church structure that I was living under. I lost a lot of friends because they began to judge me just for accepting that part of myself. It was a little rocky because everything that I’d based my life on was falling apart, but at the same time new things were coming into my life and there were some older, supportive lesbian and gay people who stuck with me and helped me find a new church. I began going to an MCC church and my family supported me the whole way. I thought my dad might have a problem with it but it didn’t faze him at all: It was my mom who had to go through the process of letting go of the preconceived idea of what my life was going to be. But from the beginning, they were accepting. We went on a family trip to Bermuda and they paid for me and my first boyfriend to share a room together. And my dad made sure that, just because it was something that he didn’t understand, that it didn’t come between us. He worked hard to educate himself so that we could be closer. I’ve been very fortunate. PGN: What’s rewarding about selling cupcakes? ML: My life is about making people happy. People walk in here and want a pick-me-up and we provide it. Not just from the cupcakes themselves, but with our friendly staff and the way we engage people. PGN: Any pets? ML: I have two French bulldogs
named Chante and Simone. They were the inspiration behind our cupcakes for dogs. Johnny Columbo PGN: Tell me about yourself. JC: I was born in 1969 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Pottstown and grew up near Hershey in a small town called Hummelstown. I went to school at University of Penn for undergraduate and graduate school, and then lived in Harrisburg before I moved full-time into Philadelphia. I’m the type of person who likes to do things. I’ve had five successful businesses: two daycare centers — one called The Wonder Years and the other called Kids, Toys and Applesauce — and a coffee house called Columbo’s Coffee, all in Harrisburg. And when I moved to Philadelphia, I opened Forbidden Planet in 1999 and it’s still going strong. PGN: What is Forbidden Planet? JC: It’s a women’s high-end vintage clothing boutique. We actually started out doing fetish. We had an adult-toys section, we did some sex therapy and then, along the way, we got into vintage and then decided to go with that and forego the other stuff. PGN: So which is better for you: sex therapy or cupcake therapy? JC: Cupcake! This is great. It’s taking my passion for gourmet baking and turning it into something the whole community can get pleasure from. And I was able to do it the way I wanted to do it, which was to be able to put art into cupcakes. Mikey and I had
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so much fun putting this together. We shopped and baked and I really got to know him well. It was the first time ever I had such pure fun. I’ve never had that with someone before. I really experienced love in all sorts of ways for the first time with this endeavor. I love the creative aspect of it. We’ve created every girl’s — and some boys’ — fantasy with our pink haven. PGN: Tell me about the Columbo family. JC: I have two older sisters and now a niece and a nephew. My mother is still living but my father passed away seven years ago April 5. My mother was in insurance and my father worked at the Camp Hill correctional facility. PGN: So was Dad a tough guy? JC: He actually wasn’t. We considered my dad St. Nick. He was the nicest, most genuine person you would ever want to meet. He never talked badly about anyone, he never yelled at us, he was always very encouraging and had a great work ethic. He was handson, but hands-off. Now, my mom was extremely strict, she was the disciplinarian and the heavy hand, so they probably balanced each other out. You always knew where you stood with him but with my mother ... I used to tell her she was borderline. PGN: What do you think you got from them? JC: I think growing up with a loving family allowed me to love others and myself. I learned honesty and a good work ethic from them, and that’s allowed me to be successful and to have good people in my life. PGN: What’s the brattiest thing you did as a little brother? JC: Oh, everything! I would annoy them when they were on the phone or had friends over. They would call me Satan and Damien from “The Omen” and check to see if I had three 6s on my head. PGN: I did that with my big brother. And he was born on Friday the 13th! JC: Yeah, it’s funny, I was a little devil, but I think we just responded to our environment differently at the time. They acted like girls and I was a typical little boy and we clashed. [Laughs.] Now my mom says she has three girls! PGN: What were early signs that
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
you were gay? JC: I think I always felt different from the people around me, male or female, and I didn’t know why. Everyone sounded different than me; they did things differently than I did. There was a point where I realized that I was attracted to a neighborhood boy and I didn’t know who to talk to. I didn’t even know what I would say. Hummelstown was backwoods Amish country and there was absolutely no one to reach out to. It wasn’t until after college that I met some gay people and thought, “That’s interesting, these people feel the same way I do.” I was finally able to communicate what I was feeling and that’s when I came out. I went to my first gay bar, called Stallions, in Harrisburg, and met the disaster of all disasters who was to become my first love. [Laughs.] It was terrible! PGN: How did you get into fashion? JC: My attraction was always to older things and that included people, starting with that first boyfriend! I always want to be around an older person who can tell me a story. I always say, “Travel me into your life.” When it comes to things like fashion, I want that item or outfit that is aged, or there’s only one of. I like working with women and helping them find a connection with their bodies. Many women are beautiful but have a distorted image of themselves and what makes them sexy. I’m good at figuring that out and showing them what works, so over the years I’ve developed a huge following from the gal just wanting to impress her boyfriend to the client who wants to look good on the red carpet. PGN: What’s in store for Easter? JC: We have chocolate-covered peeps and our baker is creating cupcakes with a chocolate nest on top filled with jellybeans! PGN: What kind of cupcake would you be and why? JC: I’d be a vanilla-vanilla cupcake. It’s deceptively simple, which makes it open to interpretation and people love it. And I like the idea of so many people enjoying me! ■ To suggest a community member for “Professional Portraits,” write to: Professional Portraits, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 or portraits05@aol. com.
Q Puzzle Compact Across
1. “Lord of the Rings” singer 5. “Atlas Shrugged” author 9. Wet spots on a blanket of sand 14. Scuttlebutt 15. Ending with switch 16. Sitcom family name 17. “Otello” villain 18. Like a tight opening 19. Lott of Mississippi 20. Spicy Susan Feniger dish 23. Benjamin Hoff’s “The ___ of Pooh” 24. Tigers of the NCAA 25. Black eye 27. Frilly greens 31. Left, to Rimbaud 34. Return to homophobia, e.g. 35. Solemn vow 38. Put an end to 39. Calendar abbr. 40. Summer tops 43. Dick Button’s milieu 44. Sgt. Snorkel’s pooch 46. Type of sci, in college 47. Prefix with type 49. Award for Ursula LeGuin 51. Phil Collins’ old band 53. Writer Reinaldo 56. Canadian map abbr. 57. Regret not spitting 59. Where Maupin grew up 64. First indications of orientation 66. Music synthesizer 67. Genie portrayer Barbara
PAGE 35 68. Prop for “I have a headache tonight” 69. Spread it and lick it 70. Boston cager, briefly 71. Social customs 72. Silence for Copland 73. Fairy story
Down
1. “Spartacus” or “Ben-Hur” 2. He took on a pair of bears 3. Boo-Boo’s buddy 4. NASA used to shoot them off 5. Save from going down at sea, e.g. 6. Pisa’s river 7. Sentence subjects, often 8. Small carriage 9. Mexican food brand 10. Earhart’s medium 11. Homophobic allegations, e.g. 12. Harvey’s “Hairspray” role 13. “And ___ bed” 21. Land in the sea 22. When most people retire 26. “M-m-m!” to Sappho 27. Eulogizer of Diana in song 28. Cook in a wok, maybe 29. “Gone with the Wind” bad guy 30. Gay nightlife district of London 32. ___ Minh City, Vietnam 33. They make points by touching the body
36. Feel out of sorts 37. Math subject 41. Joe of “NCIS” 42. Holy, to Manuel Puig 45. Holly Near’s “Singing for ___ Lives” 48. Word on a Barney Frank poster 50. Some Mapplethorpe equipment 52. Snail on the table 54. Joan of Arc’s “hardwear” 55. What squirrels do with their nuts 57. One of the Marianas 58. He sang of Alice 60. Tools for cultivating pansies 61. Head output 62. Title role for Jodie 63. Initial stake 65. Plumb of “The Brady Bunch”
See SOLUTION, Page 39
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Diversions
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
Your guide to arts and entertainment
Theater
Alice in Wonderland Media Theatre presents Lewis Carroll’s classic tale, April 3-24, 104 E. State St., Media; (610) 891-0100. The Averagazzi Present Librofacé: A Social Notworking Farce Walking Fish Theatre presents a parody of Internet social networking, 4 and 8 p.m. April 3, 2509 Frankford Ave.; (215) 4279255. 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) 574-3550. Doubt, A Parable The Players Club of Swarthmore presents the Tony Award-winning psychological drama, through April 3, 614 Fairview Rd.; (610) 3284271. 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. 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 Studio, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Language Rooms The Wilma Theater presents a black comedy that exposes the divided loyalties among today’s immigrants, discovering the
rising cost of the American dream, through April 4, 265 S. Broad St.; (215) 5467842.
PGN
Pick
The Laramie Project Temple University Queer Student Union presents a production of the play about the reaction to the anti-gay murder of Matthew Shepard, 7:30 p.m. April 3 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 732-2220.
Up Bristol Riverside Theatre present 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) 735-7356. William Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part I Lantern Theater Company presents Shakespeare’s historical play, through May 2 at St. Stephen’s Theater, 923 Ludlow St.; (215) 8290395.
The Lion King The Kimmel Center’s Broadway Series presents the wildly successful stage adaptation of the hit animated film, through April 24 at the Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins Philadelphia Theatre Company presents Kathleen Turner starring in this world-premiere play, written by noted journalists and twin sisters Margaret and Allison Engel, celebrating the life of the acclaimed columnist, through April 18, 480 S. Broad St.; (215) 985-0420. Respect: A Musical Journey of Women Society Hill Playhouse presents an exuberant musical that recounts the journey of women in the 20th century with popular music, through May 2, 507 S. Eighth St.; (215) 9230210. 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) 922-1122. Some Assembly
as they travel around the world, through April 18, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 5743550.
Music classical Brahms Requiem Vox Ama Deus presents an evening of works by Brahms, 8 p.m. April 2 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. “The song is a breakup anthem,” out singer-songwriter Aiden James said of his video for “On The Run.” “I was touring out west through San Francisco and I was in a relationship. I wasn’t sure if we were going to stick together or not. While I was out there, I started writing and I worked my way through it into a song. That’s how it was born.” The video and single from the album of the same name is getting some high-profile exposure on MTVmusic.com, VH1.com and Logo’s NewNowNext PopLab. James, with his band in tow, is set to celebrate the release of his new live album, “Live at the Tin Angel,” with a performance at 7 p.m. April 2 at Tin Angel, 20 N. Second St. That show is sure to sell out. But if you miss it, you can also catch James opening for Antje Duvekot at 8 p.m. April 3 at Burlap & Bean, 204 S. Newton Street Road, Newton Square. For more information, visit www.aidenjamesmusic.com or call (215) 928-0770.
Required BCKSEET Productions presents the one-act musical about a woman’s struggle to determine 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. 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
Marian Anderson Award Concert The Philadelphia Orchestra presents a multimedia tribute honoring Bill Cosby as the recipient of this year’s Marian Anderson Award for outstanding artist humanitarian, 8:30 p.m. April 6 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Rising Stars Astral Artists presents an evening of performances by new artists, 7:30 p.m. April 7 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Beyond the Score: Rite or Wrong? The Philadelphia Orchestra presents a multimedia concert series developed by the Chicago Symphony, 7 p.m. April 8 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad
St.; (215) 790-5847. Wharton International Cultural Show The celebration of the myriad international cultures represented by the Wharton community starts at 8:15 p.m. April 8 and 8 p.m. April 10 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
Music other
Jo Dee Messina The country singer performs at 8 p.m. April 3 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650. The Wailers Bob Marley’s reggae group performs at 8 p.m. April 8 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650. Baby Dee The transgender musician performs at 9 p.m. April 8 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, Roman busts of Julius Caesar and Cicero, through Aug. 1, 525 Arch St.; (215) 409-6600. 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. Contemporary Folklore The James A. Michener Art Museum presents an exhibition featuring the works of four regional artists mining both
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
collective and personal stories to create sculptures that retell new histories, through June 13, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; (215) 3409800. The Hermaphrodites: Living in Two Worlds Wexler Gallery presents a group show focusing on figural sculptures that embody the literal definition of hermaphrodites (encompassing both genders) and the conceptual nature of the term, through May 1, 201 N. Third St.; (215) 923-7030. Inspiring a Nation The National Constitution Center hosts an exhibition featuring World War I posters created by Philadelphia Sketch Club artists, through April 25, 525 Arch St.; (215) 409-6700. 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 Peaceable Queendom Wexler Gallery presents an exhibition of works by Adelaide Paul exploring the alternately sentimental and callous relationship between humans
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
and both domesticated and wild animals, through May 1, 201 N. Third St.; (215) 923-7030. Picasso and the AvantGarde in Paris Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works from the influential artist from the period between 1905-45, through April 25, 26th Street and the Parkway; (215) 763-8100. The Souvenir Shop ArtStar Gallery presents an exhibition of works from ceramic artists from all over the country, through April 25, 623 N. Second St.; (215) 238-1557.
Dance
Sleeping Beauty The Moscow Festival Ballet performs the classic story, 7 p.m. April 2 at The Grand, 818 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; (302) 652-5577. Sprung Between Movement Contemporary Dance Company performs at the bi-monthly performance art event, 8 p.m. April 3-4 at The Community Education Center, 3500 Lancaster Ave.; (215) 387-1911.
HE’S ELECTRIC!: Catch outrageously funny actor, musician and comedian Hal Sparks, best know as Michael on “Queer As Folk” and a regular on every talking-head show VH-1 has ever made, when he performs April 8-10 at Helium, 2031 Sansom St. For more information, visit www.halsparks.com or call (215) 496-9001.
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.
Standing at the Edge: We Dance, A Documentary on the Life of Joan Myers Brown The Programs in Dance and Black Studies and the Swarthmore College Library present a screening of a documentary on the life of the founder of the Philadelphia Dance Company and the Philadelphia School of Dance Arts, 7 p.m. April 6 at 500 College Ave., Swarthmore; (610) 328-8557.
Film
The Fly The 1986 horror film is screened at 9:45 p.m. April 2 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223. Praying With Lior The Prince Music Theater hosts a screening of the documentary that asks whether someone with Down Syndrome can be a spiritual genius, 6 p.m. April 6 at the Black Box, 1412 Chestnut St.; (215) 569-9700.
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Sherlock Holmes The 2009 adventure starring Robert Downey Jr. is screened at 8 p.m. April 5 at Trocadero Theater, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-6888.
Books
Thom Nickels The Philadelphia-based, Lambda Literary Award-winning author hosts a discussion on sacred architecture, 1-4 p.m. April 7 at Philadelphia Center for Architecture, 1218 Arch St.; (215) 569-3186. Jacqueline Edelberg The author of “How to Walk to School: Blueprint for a Neighborhood Renaissance” hosts a book event at 7:30 p.m. April 7 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322. Leah B. The transgender author of “ ------ and Her Brain” hosts a reading at 7 p.m. April 8 at Wooden Shoe Books, 704 South St.; (215) 4130999.
Cabaret
Logan & Dallas: Two Fierce Queens Two of New York City’s best drag performers take the stage at 8:30 p.m. April 3 at Harlans Cabaret, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225.
Etc.
I Do Exist The Attic Youth Center will host high-school students from around the Philadelphia area as they share their coming-out stories through poetry, monologue and dance, 8-10 p.m. April 2 and 46 p.m. April 3 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 732-2220. Thea Vidale The comedian performs April 2-3 at the Laff House Comedy Club, 221 South St.; (215) 440- 4242. David Sedaris The out humorist performs, 8 p.m. April 6 at The Grand, 818 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; (302) 652-5577. ■
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
Best Sellers Information is courtesy of Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960; www.giovannisroom.com. Ten-percent off most hardcover in-store sales. LGBTQ INTEREST 1. “Exile and Pride: Disability, Queerness, and Liberation,” by Eli Clare (South End, 160 pp., $16 pb). 2. “Living It Out: A Survival Guide for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Christians and Their Friends, Families and Churches,” by Rachel HaggerHolt (Canterbury, 176 pp., $19.99 SOLUTION From Page 35
worth watching: FRIDAY Spartacus: Blood & Sand Look for gay characters in this gladiator drama. 10 p.m. in Starz. SATURDAY Purple Rain Prince and The Revolution star in this blockbuster film. 7 p.m. on VH-1. Suze Orman Show The out money expert talks about finances. 9 p.m. on CNBC.
pb). 3. “Smash the Church, Smash the State: The Early Years of Gay Liberation,” edited by Tommi Avicolli Mecca (City Lights, 303 pp., $18.95 pb). 4. “It’s Elementary: Talking About Gay Issues in School: A Documentary,” with workbook, edited by Debra Chasnoff and Helen Cohen (1996, 80 min., $45 DVD). DVDS GAY MEN’S 1. “DL Chronicles: The Complete First Season,” directed by Quincy Lenear and Deondray Gossett (2007, 132 min., $24.95). 2. “Mr. Right,” directed by Jacqueline and David Morris (2009, 95 min., $24.95). 3. “Eating Out 3: All You Can Eat,” directed by Glenn Gaylord (2009, 80 min., $24.95). 4. “Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom,” directed by Patrik-Ian Polk (2008, 101 min., $24.95). 5. “Chris and Don: A Love Story,” directed by Guido Santi and Tina Mascara (2007, 90 min., $29.95). 6. “Gods of Football: The Making of the 2009 Calendar,” directed by Grant Carroll (2009, 80 min., $24.95).
WOMEN’S 1. “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire,” directed by Lee Daniels (2009, 109 min., $29.98). 2. “Wanda Sykes: I’ma Be Me,” starring Wanda Sykes (2009, 60 min., $19.95). 3. “Person of Interest,” directed by Christopher Ward (2009, 97 min., $29.95). 4. “I Can’t Think Straight,” directed by Shamin Sharif (2007, 94 min., $24.98). 5. “Desert Hearts,” directed by Donna Deitch (1985/2007, 96 min., $19.95). 6. “The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love,” directed by Maria Maggenti (1995, 94 min., $19.95). 7. “Aimée and Jaguar,” directed by Max Farberbock (1999, 126 min., $29.95). 8. “Better Than Chocolate,” directed by Anne Wheeler (1999, 101 min., $19.95).
Celebrity Apprentice Cyndi Lauper, Sharon Osbourne and a number of others compete for charity. Lauper is raising money for her charity, the True Colors Fund of Stonewall Community Foundation. 9 p.m. on NBC.
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.
MONDAY Dancing With The Stars Celebrities learn to dance in this reality competition. 8 p.m. on ABC.
The New Adventures of Old Christine Out comedian Wanda Sykes costars. 8 p.m. on CBS.
Antiques Roadshow People try to find out if their trash is really treasure. 8 p.m. on PBS.
Graham Norton Show The gay Brit hosts this talk-show import. 10:30 p.m. on BBC America.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Drag queens compete in this reality show. This week, Debbie Reynolds and Cloris Leachman guest judge. 9 p.m. on Logo.
The Wanda Sykes Show The out comedian hosts her talk show. 11 p.m. on Fox.
Trauma Look for gay character Tyler in this drama. 9 p.m. on NBC.
Saturday Night Live Jennifer Lopez hosts and performs in this repeat. 11:30 p.m. on NBC.
TUESDAY American Idol Out comedian and talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres judges. 8 p.m. on Fox.
SUNDAY The Amazing Race The gay teams are still in the running in this reality-travel competition. 8 p.m. on CBS.
7. “Paris Is Burning,” directed by Jennie Livingston (2005, 71 min., $29.99). 8. “Ciao,” directed by Yen Tan (2008, 87 min., $24.95). 9. “Eleven Minutes,” starring Jay McCarroll (2008, 103 min., $19.95).
Reno 911! Look for Lt. Dangle in this comedy. 9 p.m. on Logo.
Modern Family Look for gay couple Mitchell and Cameron in this repeat. 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. Law & Order: SVU Look for out actor B.D. Wong. 10 p.m. on NBC. THURSDAY America’s Best Dance Crew Dance crews compete. 9 and 10 p.m. on MTV. Grey’s Anatomy Look for out characters Callie and Arizona. 9 p.m. on ABC.
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9. “Gia,” directed by Michael Christofer (1998, 126 min., $5.98). BOOKS LESBIAN INTEREST 1. “The Other Side of Paradise: A Memoir,” by Staceyann Chin (Scribner, 282 pp., $16 new in pb). 2. “Lesbian Pulp Fiction: The Sexually Intrepid World of Lesbian Paperback Novels 19501965,” edited by Katherine V. Forrest (Cleis, 440 pp., $20 pb). 3. “High Risk,” by Jlee Meyer (Bold Strokes, 236 pp., $16.95 pb). 4. “Losing Control,” by Cheril N. Clarke (Dodi, 216 pp., $14.95 pb). 5. “I Told You So,” by Kate Clinton (Beacon, 208 pp., $22 hb). 6. “In Deep Water 2: Cruising the Strip,” by Radclyffe and Karin Kallmaker (Bold Strokes, 275 pp., $15.95 pb). 7. “Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic,” by Alison Bechdel (Mariner, 232 pp., $13.95 pb). 8. “Innocent Hearts,” by Radclyffe (Bold Strokes, 194 pp., $15.95 pb). 9. “Tipping the Velvet,” by Sarah Waters (Riverhead, $16 pb). 10. “The Friendly Young Ladies,” by Mary Renault
(Vintage, 304 pp., $13 pb). GAY INTEREST 1. “Single Man,” by Christopher Isherwood (U of Minnesota Press, 186 pp., $15.95 pb). 2. “Murder On Camac,” by Joseph DeMarco (Lethe, 396 pp., $18 pb). 3. “Silver Lake,” by Peter Gadol (Tyrus Books, 290 pp., $14.95 pb). 4. “Another Word for Sky: Poems,” by Jay Michaelson (Lethe, 104 pp., $14.95 pb). 5. “Murder in the Garden District: A Chanse MacLeod Mystery,” by Gregg Herren (Alyson, 256 pp., $14.95 pb). 6. “Workin’ It! RuPaul’s Guide to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Style,” by RuPaul (It Books, 192 pp., $19.99 hb, less 10 percent in the store). 7. “Brooklyn,” by Colm Toibin (Scribner, 262 pp., $15 new in pb). 8. “You Had Me at Hello,” by Marcel Emerson (Marcel Emerson, 210 pp., $15 pb). 9. “No More Tomorrows: Two Lives, Two Stories, One Love,” by Rodney Lofton (Strebor, 199 pp., $14 pb). 10. “From Top to Bottom,” by Michael-Christopher (MC Books, 212 pp., $15.95 pb). ■
UGLY, THE BEAUTIFUL: Take New York City and add every horrifying beast, science-fiction freak and fantasy faerie, shake thoroughly and you’ve got ... actually, you have New York City as it is right now. But apparently that is the basis for the new animated series “Ugly Americans.” Mark Lilly (strapped to the bed) is a social worker at the “Department of Integration,” where he helps new citizens, human and “other,” adapt to hectic life in New York City. All we’re saying is if they let zombies and werewolves get married before gays and lesbians, Comedy Central is going to hear from us. Check out the action 10 p.m. April 7 on Comedy Central. Photo: Comedy Central
Queer TV you can always see: Ellen
Monday-Friday, 3 p.m. on NBC.
The Rachel Maddow Show
Monday-Friday, 9 p.m. on MSNBC.
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.
Activism/Politics
ACT-UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) Meets at 6 p.m. every Monday at St. Luke and the Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; (215) 386-1981; www.critpath.org/actup. Delaware Valley Chapter, Americans United for Separation of Church and State Seeks activists and supporters of church-state separation. Holds monthly meetings and events; (856) 863-3061; www.dvau.org. Equality Advocates Philadelphia Holds a volunteer night second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m., 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 605; (215) 731-1447; www.equalitypa.org. Green Party of Philadelphia Holds general meetings fourth Tuesday of each month (except April) at 6:30 p.m., 4134 Lancaster Ave.; (215) 243-7103; www.gpop.org. Log Cabin Republican Club of Philadelphia Meets at 7 p.m. third Wednesday of the month at the William Way Community Center; (215) 4655677; www.phillylogcabin.org. Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club Meets seasonally; (215) 760-7184; www. libertycity.org.
Arts
Gay Men’s Book Discussion Group Meets at 6:30 p.m. first Wednesday of the month at the Independence Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, 18 S. Seventh St.; (215) 685-1633. Library Book Club Meets to discuss a new book at 7 p.m. on third Wednesday of the month at the William Way Center. New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus Chorus rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Mondays in Princeton, N.J.; (609) 675-1998. Open-mic night An amateur poetry, music and storytelling event sponsored by The Pride Center of New Jersey, meets at 8 p.m. every third Friday at the George Street Playhouse, 1470 Jersey Ave., North Brunswick, N.J.; (732) 846-0715. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus Chorus rehearses from 7-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays; (215) 731-9230; auditions@pgmc.org. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Opera Club Meets to share and listen to recordings at 6:30 p.m. on last Saturday of the month; (215) 224-6995. Philadelphia Voices of Pride Philadelphia’s first mixed GLBT chorus rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the William Way Center; (888) 505-7464; www.pvop.org. Queer Writer’s Collective Workshop and discussion group meets 4-6 p.m. on fourth Saturday of the month at the William Way Center. Women’s Book Group Meets first Thursday of the month at 6:45 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; brassygrrl@hotmail.com.
■ Mazzoni Center: (215) 563-0652; www. mazzonicenter.org
Recreation
Diversity Dancers Ballroom dancers meet the first Sunday of the month for tea dance and lessons. Other events scheduled throughout the year; (215) 922-2129; DiversityDancers@aol.com.
■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: (215) 587-9377
■ Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine: (215) 563-0658
■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: (856) 933-9500 ext. 221
■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): (215) 572-1833
■ AIDS Library: (215) 985-4851
■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: (215) 686-4670
Gay Bridge Club Non-beginners group meets Monday afternoons at the William Way Center; (215) 985-4835.
■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: (215) 772-2000
Gay-friendly Scrabble Club Meets from 6-11 p.m. in the P.I.C. Building, 42nd and Locust streets; (215) 382-0789.
■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: (215) 592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment hot line: (215) 545-2212 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: (215) 685-1633 ■ The COLOURS Organization Inc. 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 4960330.
■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Chief Inspector James Tiano: (215) 685-3655 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: (215) 600-0627; ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: (215) 875-9288
■ Equality Advocates Pennsylvania: (215) 731-1447; (866) LGBTLAW
■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: (717) 920-9537
■ Equality Forum: (215) 732-3378
■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: (215) 732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays, and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
■ Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Peer Counseling Services: (215) 732-TALK ■ Mayor’s liaison to LGBT communities: Gloria Casarez, (215) 686-2194; Gloria. Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: (215) 686-2555
Gay and Lesbian Scrabble Players in the tri-state area gather for socializing and friendly/competitive games; ScrabbleGroup@excite.com. Gay Opera Guys of Philly New group for opera appreciation meets last Sunday of the month at 2:30 p.m. in Roxborough/ Andorra area; (215) 483-1032. Humboldt Society: Lesbian and Gay Naturalists Meets second Thursday of the month at the William Way Center; (215) 985-1456; www. humboldtsociety.org. Indepedence Squares GLBT square dance club, modern Western square dancing. Monthly open house. Tuesday classes in the fall; Lutheran Church, 2111 Sansom St.; (215) 735-5812; www.independencesquares.org. Male Oenophile Group
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010 Male group forming to discuss, appreciate and taste various wines. Will meet once a month to investigate the nuances and glories of the fermented grape. Call (267) 230-6750 for more information. Mornings OUT LGBT Senior Social Activities for sexual-minority seniors are held every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the William Way Center. PhilaVentures Philadelphia’s GLBT outdoor group meets for a hike in Wissahickon Valley Park on Sundays at 2 p.m. at Borders Books, Music and Café, 8701 Germantown Ave.; (215) 271-8822. Rainbow Room A meeting/activity night held for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth and their friends Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Rainbow Room of Planned Parenthood in Doylestown; (215) 348-0558.
Sports
Brandywine Women’s Rugby Club Meets for Tuesday and Thursday practice at Greene Field, Howell Street and Moore Road, West Chester; www.brandywinerugby.org. City of Brotherly Love Softball League GLBT softball league serves the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Games are played Sundays, beginning in April, in Fairmount Park; (215) 4622575; www.cblsl.org. Frontrunners Running club meets Saturday mornings at 9:30 for a run and brunch. Lloyd Hall, No. 1 Boathouse Row; www.frontrunnersphila.org. Gay and Lesbian Bowling League Bowls at 8 p.m. Thursdays in the Norristown area; call Doug Schneidig; (716) 864-4393. Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club GLBT and allied soccer club; practices Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon and Wednesdays 6-8 p.m. at Edgeley Fields in Fairmount Park;www.falcons-soccer.org. Philadelphia Fins Swim Team Male and female swimmers meet at 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. Saturdays in Center City; (610) 564-6661; www. philadelphia-fins.org. Philadelphia Gay Bowling League Meets 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays September through April at Brunswick Zone, 1328 Delsea Drive, Deptford, N.J.; (856) 889-1434; www. philagaybowling.com.
HIV/AIDS and sponsors free monthly seminars on work and housing; 1211 Chestnut St., suite 600; (215) 587-9377; www.aidslawpa.org. BiUnity Philadelphia area social and support network for bisexuals, their family members and friends meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month at the William Way Center; www. biunity.org. Global A political, community and social group that also works to promote Bordentown as a gayfriendly community meets on the first Saturday of the month at Firehouse Gallery, 8 Walnut St., Bordentown, N.J.; jerseyglobal@yahoo.com. Delaware Pride Meets at 7 p.m. on first Thursday of the month at the United Church of Christ, 300 E. Main St., Newark, Del.; (800) 292-0429. Delaware Valley Pink Pistols For LGBT people dedicated to legal, safe and responsible use of firearms for self-defense; meets at 2 p.m. on third Saturday of the month at Classic Indoor Range, 1310 Industrial Blvd., Southhampton; (267) 386-8907; www. pinkpistols.org. Friday Feast and Fun Dinner hosted by St. John’s Lutheran Church at 6:30 p.m. second Friday of the month, 24 N. Ridge Ave., Ambler; (215) 576-8008. Haverford College’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance Open meetings 10-11 p.m. Mondays in the lounge in Jones Basement at Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave.; (610) 896-4938. Latina/o Virtual Community Local listserv offers various information and resources; (215) 808-2493; Zorros_mail@yahoo. com; LatinPhillyLGBT@yahoogroups.com. LGBTQ and Friends Activity Group Meets at 7 p.m. on third Friday of the month to plan outings and potlucks at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County. Long Yang Club Philadelphia Social organization for gay Asians and their friends holds monthly socials; P.O. Box 401, Philadelphia, Pa. 19105; www.longyangclub. org/philadelphia.
Philadelphia Gay Flag Football New group forming. Contact Jered at gayflagfootball@gmail.com or (214) 770-5373.
Our Night Out A casual social networking party of LGBT professionals, allied communities, friends and colleagues meets in a different Philadelphia hot spot each month. To receive monthly event invitations, send email to OurNightOutPhilly@gmail.com; PhillyGayCalendar.com/org/OurNightOut.
Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Football Club Team seeks players; all skill levels welcome; (215) 913-7531; info@phillygryphons.org.
Philadelphia Bar Association Legal Advice Offered from 5-8 p.m. on third Wednesday of the month; (215) 238-6333.
Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association Meets at 7 p.m. every third Monday at William Way Center; into@plta.us.
Philadelphia Prime Timers Club for mature gay and bisexual men and their admirers meets regularly; (610) 344-0853; www. primetimersphiladelphia.org.
Philadelphia Phoenix Women’s football team seeks players; (267) 6799535; www.philadelphiaphoenix.org. Philly Gay Hockey Association Philadelphia Phury seeks players; (917) 656-1936; phury@gayhockey.org.
Philadelphians MC Club for leather men and women meets 7:30 p.m. first and third Mondays of the month at The Pit at The Bike Stop, 201 S. Quince St.; (215) 627-1662.
Rainbow Riders of the Delaware Valley Motorcycle club meets regularly; (215) 836-0440; www.groups.yahoo.com/group/rainbowridersdv/.
Philly Paw Pals Gay and lesbian dog owners and their dogs meet on first Saturday of the month at a dog park; (215) 618-5290; PhillyPawPals@aol.com.
Rainbow Rollers Gay and lesbian bowling league meets 9 p.m. on Tuesdays September-April at Laurel Lanes, 2825 Rte. 73 South, Maple Shade, N.J.; (856) 778-7467.
Rainbow Amateur Radio Association ARRL affiliated; private; weekly HF nets, monthly newsletter, e-mail server; (302) 5392392; www.rara.org.
South Jersey Gay Bowling League Gay and lesbian bowling league meets 7 p.m. on Fridays September-April at Laurel Lanes, 2825 Rte. 73 South, Maple Shade, N.J.; (856) 778-7467.
Rock ’n’ Roll Queer Bar Party A party for gay and lesbian rockers with host Psydde Delicious starts at 10 p.m. every second Wednesday at N. 3rd, Third and Brown streets; (215) 413-3666.
Spartan Wrestling Club The gay wresting team meets from 7-9 p.m. Mondays at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.; (215) 732-4545; www.phillyspartans. com.
Silver Foxes Social and educational group for gays and lesbians 50 and older meets from 3-5 p.m. on fourth Sunday of the month at the William Way Center.
Team Philadelphia Meets at 8 p.m. second Wednesday of the month at the William Way Center; www.teamphiladelphia. org.
Stonewall Model Railroad Club Meets monthly; (215) 769-4230; k3k@yahoo. com.
Women’s Table Tennis New group forming. Interested women are encouraged to e-mail michelesimone19144@yahoo. com.
Thirsty Third Tuesdays Collingswood Out in the Neighborhood meets at 7 p.m. on third Tuesday of the month for coffee, dessert and conversation at Three Beans, 40 N. Haddon Ave., Haddonfield N.J.; (215) 439-8337.
Etc.
AIDS Law Project Provides free legal assistance to people with
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 41
Classifieds
With Real Estate, Help Wanted, Services and Personals
Take two: US tries new fix for mortgage crisis By Alan Zibel The Associated Press
The government’s bold new plan to stem the foreclosure crisis aims to succeed where previous efforts have fallen flat. Yet just as before, the odds are long, and many struggling borrowers won’t qualify. In theory, the effort unveiled last Friday would help millions of troubled homeowners who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth, or who are jobless and need a break on their payments. But it depends on cooperation from investors and bankers, many of whom have been locked in disputes over whether to reduce the debt owed by homeowners. And just like the bank bailouts, this rescue plan poses risks. If it doesn’t slow the wave of foreclosures or if home prices nosedive, the tentative recovery in the housing market could fizzle. The Obama administration says the plan will help stabilize the real-
estate market by keeping many borrowers out of foreclosure. If it succeeds, the plan would limit damage to the overall economy. The new effort is designed to help two groups: - Borrowers who owe more on their loans than their houses are worth. More than 15-million homeowners fall into this category, according to Moody’s Analytics. About 10 million of them owe at least 20-percent more than their house’s current value. Their mortgage companies can cut the total amount they owe, or they can refinance into loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration. FHA will get $14 billion in incentive money from the federal-bailout fund. - Unemployed borrowers. People receiving unemployment benefits would have their mortgage payments cut to no more than 31 percent of their monthly income for three to six months. That’s intended to give home-
owners more time to find a job. Once they do, they may qualify for a loan modification that would permanently reduce their payments under the administration’s existing $75-billion loan-modification program. The plan aims to help 3- to 4-million borrowers avoid foreclosure – the same target the administration tried to reach with its original plan last year. Even with the changes, the effort will likely prevent no more than 1.5-million foreclosures, estimates Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. Disputes among banks and investors, who would have to approve any cuts in loan principal, could prevent the effort from stopping more foreclosures, as could another drop in home prices. “Practically speaking, this is probably going to prevent foreclosures. But I don’t think they’re ever going to reach 3- to 4-million homeowners,” said Chris Mayer, a real-estate professor at New York’s
Columbia Business School. “These plans always turn out to be harder than we think.” The administration’s existing program to prevent foreclosures hasn’t made much of a dent in the foreclosure crisis. A lack of planning and shifting rules on who qualifies produced a huge backlog in the program, the special inspector general for the federal financial bailout fund told lawmakers last week. Still, analysts said this effort has a better chance of success than past efforts because it would reduce principal for some struggling borrowers – a method more effective at helping homeowners than reducing interest payments or other forms of aid. Laurie Goodman, a widely followed mortgage-securities analyst with Amherst Securities Group, called it “a huge step forward.” The plan comes after pressure from the administration’s Democratic allies in Congress to intensify efforts to help Americans at risk of losing their homes.
The overhauled plan came together after several months of negotiations between the Treasury Department, major banks and investors in mortgage securities. A major sticking point so far has been getting everyone involved to agree on restructuring loans. The problem is the banks themselves don’t own most of the troubled mortgages. They were bundled into securities during the housing boom and sold to investors. To reduce principal payments on those mortgages, banks often must get permission from the investors who hold the securities – and may not be willing to take less. Banking industry officials were optimistic that investors would negotiate. “You have two choices: Modify the mortgage and help a borrower stay in their home or possibly get nothing if they foreclose,” said Scott Talbott, chief lobbyist for the Financial Services Roundtable, an industry group. ■
Location! Location! Location! This week’s featured property
1018 Bryan St., Drexel Hill, PA
Beds: 3 Baths: 1 Cost: $184,900 Square footage: 1,152 Age of property: 63 years Realtor: Andrew J. Mariano Real-estate co.: RE/MAX Preferred Phone: (610) 325-4100 Direct: (610) 789-0982 Web site: www.gayparealtor.com
Check your ad
PLACING ADS Using voicemail? Please be sure to have the following information ready when you call: • Your ad copy • The type of style you want • Desired abbreviations • American Express, Discover, MasterCard or VISA information • Your name and mailing
Turn-key twin. Move right in! Home features a new custom kitchen, new windows and newer HVAC. Finished basement and a detached garage. Close to Routes 1, 3 and 476. Close to shopping and much more!
address • Daytime telephone number Having all this information ready will speed your order and help to avoid errors. Phone calls can only be returned during business hours. For more information, see the coupon page in this section.
Philadelphia Gay News assumes responsibility for errors in classified ads only when notified by noon the Tuesday after the ad first appears. To receive credit for errors, please notify PGN by then. Credit only will be extended in the form of additional advertising space. Any cash refunds, for any reason, are subject to a $10 service charge. PGN will publish no classified ad — in any category — that contains sexually explicit language. Obviously excluded are traditional four-letter words that relate to sexual activity. Other words may be excluded at the discretion of the publisher, who reserves the right to edit or rewrite any ad that, in his opinion, violates this policy or its intent.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Real Estate
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excellent rec room with built in bar. Over 1.2 acres. $329,000. Call Barbara at ����������������������������������������������� 570-709-4948. �������������������������������������������������������� _______________________________34-14 ����������������������������������������������������������������� 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 rent������������������������������������������������� 1500.00 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 _______________________________34-14 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. _______________________________34-14 Potter County- 5 acres adjacent to 4000 acre State Game Lands. Perc, Electric, small stream on land, hard road frontage. $34,900. Owner financing. 800-668-8679. _______________________________34-14 Smithville, NJ - 55+ FOUR SEASONS - Large ����������� MULBURY Model, handicap accessible, 2 sunrooms, Near AClast and shore. ness Flats. Largepremium 2 bed,lot. 1 bath. Owner Financing 3% 609-748-2988, 609sirable building. Close to all Center City 335-5124. taxes ................................������������� _______________________________34-14
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George T. Sale Condo” Unique Garden ROOMMATES private entrance.. Low fees & Tax e 1 bd. in area ........................��������.
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ew open style 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. ___________________________________ o fees. Great small pet friendly building. GREATER NE PHILA. ..................................�������� Have your own bedroom in a beautiful split level home with 2 gay men. House is 4 BR, 2
wedes Court. New Large 3 use of full baths, W/D,Listing upper and lower decks, Garage, roof deck and hardwood floors. 1 kitchen. Property is by Welsh & the Boulevard, min. to 58 bus. We ask only that you be at least Queen Village ....................�������� reasonably neat and employed. Rent is $600 +
1/3 utils. Contact Dave2atba. 215-698-0215. ING. Large update 4 bd. with _______________________________34-15 rfully roof deck with city skyline views. ..........................................��������
ROOMMATES
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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 ������������������������� _______________________________34-14 ����������������
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APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
REAL ESTATE
SALE
REAL ESTATE
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REAL ESTATE
SALE
REAL ESTATE
SALE
The Shirley Booth Team of the Media Home Marketing Center of Prudential Fox Roach is pleased to announce that James R. Trainor has joined her team of Realtors. Jim, a native of Delaware County, recently sold his historic Barn House Victorian Home in Ridley Park after 20 years of residence. He now resides in Glen Mills. Jim attended Radnor High School and Villanova University. His daughter, sonin-law and grandson are also residents of Delaware County. Prior to Jim’s early retirement 5 years ago, he spent 25 years in Sales/Management. Jim’s dedication and hard work allowed him to climb the corporate ladder, acquiring the position of Marketing DirectorNorth America. Jim’s extensive experience in marketing and management will prove to be an asset to Shirley, her team and Prudential Fox Roach. The highly professional team of Realtors Jim has joined consists of Mary Beth Parker, Tracy O’Connell, Helen Sage, Jon Peri and Shirley Booth, who is the Founder of the team and has 25 years of Real Estate experience. The combined 67 years experience of Shirley’s team offers the level of knowledge required to assist Sellers and Buyers with their Real Estate needs. Jim will be servicing Philadelphia and Delaware Counties.
Prudential Fox Roach Realtors Media Home Marketing Center
601 East Baltimore Pike, Media, PA 19063 Office: (610) 566-3000 • Ask for Jim jim@shirleyboothteam.com
Metropolitan Management Communities YOUR HOME IS WITH US! RiverView Apartments/ 213 Garfield Ave, Collingswood, NJ 1-856-854-5700 MOVE - IN SPECIAL* New European Kitchen, Washer and Dryer, Off-Street Parking FREE Window Treatments, FREE Fitness Center, Great Floor plans Swim Club Membership Available, Close to Patco Line to CC 1 BEDROOM $975* 2 BEDROOM FROM $1,110* Marlton Meadows/100 Conestoga Drive, Marlton, NJ 1-856-810-2500 MOVE - IN SPECIAL* 1 BEDROOM FROM $1,005* 2 BEDROOM FROM $1,195* New European Kitchen, Washer and Dryer, Off-Street Parking FREE Window Treatments, FREE Swimming Pool Membership Meadows at Runnemede/100 Hartford Drive, Runnemede, NJ 1-856-939-5700 MOVE - IN SPECIAL* Fully renovated, Eat-in Kitchen, Large Floor Plans, Off-Street Parking, FREE Window Treatments, FREE Fitness Center 1 BEDROOM FROM $800* 2 BEDROOM FROM $960* *Qualified applicants. Please call for details.This offer can be withdrawn at any time. Judi Goldstein, President Metropolitan Management Corporation 610-667-1700 Ext. 306 PO Box 446 610-668-2249 (F) Narberth, PA 19072
to a or?
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
REAL ESTATE
SALE
SERVICES DIRECTORY
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
REAL ESTATE
RENT
2 BR APT. IN CC SOUTH
SERVICES
ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE From Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Computers, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 866-858-2121 www.CenturaOnline.com _______________________________34-14 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. _______________________________34-14
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. _______________________________34-14 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. _______________________________34-14
FOR SALE
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FOR SALE
For Sale: Pool Table - Contender from Brunswick 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 ADOPTION 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. _______________________________34-14
Gay is our middle name.
SERVICES DIRECTORY ����������������
2 BR APT. IN CC SOUTH IN THE NEW GAYBORHOOD
Two bedroom split-level apartment on second floor of row home near 20th and Christian streets. Living room, kitchen/dining area, bathroom, foyer. Perfect central location for professionals or students. Ten minute walk to Rittenhouse Square and on/near several SEPTA routes. On-street parking, pets okay, utilities separate. $875 plus two months deposit to move in. Available now.
Scott 267.736.6743
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 1BR,1BA on Main Street. W/D in unit, dishwasher, new corian counters Rent $900 a mo. Heather 610-647-1776. eadeh.com _______________________________34-18 OLD CITY 1BR, 1.5 BA., New LR carpet, lg. priv. deck. Rent $1025 a mo. Heather 610-647-1776. eadeh.com _______________________________34-18 WAYNE 2BR, 1 BA. Center of downtown Wayne Access to priv. backyard, w/d in unit kitchen opens to LR. Rent $975 a mo Heather 610-647-1776. eadeh.com _______________________________34-18 RITTENHOUSE SQUARE AREA Studios & 1 Bedrooms. Call for Availability (215) 735-8050. _______________________________34-18 OAKLYN Cute 1 BR apt -gay frdly bldg. $800+ele-heat/wat inc. No Pets, no smkg, app $35 Kelly 856-693-4938. _______________________________34-19
PGN
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 look for a knot? ���������������������������������������������������� new doctor? Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week.
PAGE 44
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 106
APRIL 2 - 8, 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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APRIL 2 - 8, 2010 PAGE 110
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS CLASSIFIEDS
APRIL 25 - MAY PAGE 1, 200845
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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215-546-1950 (Voice)
Suite 202 Oxford V Fairless H
215-546-8801 (Fax)
James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant
Social Security Disability Claims Appeals
215-629-0585 Suite 202 Oxford Valley Rd. Fairless Hills, PA 19030
this space: only $25 per week*
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PAGE 46
HELP WANTED LANDSCAPING Full/part time work in Bux. Mont. Co. Exp. pref/not req. Call Vince of Vinway Gardens, 215-639-8512. _______________________________34-14 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 _______________________________34-14 CDL-A Drivers: Our Freight Needs You! OTR Flatbed & Dry Van. High Miles, Great Runs, Good Driving Record Required. Western Express. Call Nancy 888-801-5295. _______________________________34-14 Driver Trainees Needed. OTR, Regional, Local Companies Looking for 50 drivers. Training in your area! $600-$900/Week earning potential. Great Health Benefits. No CDL-No Problem. 1-800-961-4319. _______________________________34-14 DRIVERS-O/O’s (Run local or long haul) Dedicated, OFF weekends, No brokers - Miles, no layovers EVER! Sign on bonus, paid orientation, lease purchase 800-494-3532 www.pssjms.com _______________________________34134Searching for Miles? We’re the company you’re looking for. Our miles are 3% higher than last year’s & we pay in the upper 5 % of the trucking industry. We’re hiring for Company, Team and Owner Op positions in our OTR & Lifestyle fleets. Call 866-204-0648 www. transportamericadrivers.com TRANSPORT AMERICA EOE _______________________________34-14 KNIGHT REFRIGERATED Opening for Full-time OTR/ Regional Drivers. Run Steady Miles in Great Equipment. Single Source Dispatch & Benefits. Get Started with a Financially Strong Company. $.03/mile Pay Increase in 1st Year. Apply online at: www. knightrefrigerated.com 888-668-0829. 6 Mos OTR experience required. Class-A CDL. _______________________________34-14 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 _______________________________34-14 Between High School and College? Over 18? Drop that entry level position! Earn what you’re worth!!! Travel w/Young Successful Business Group. Paid Training. Transportation, Lodging Provided. Call 1-877-646-5050. _______________________________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. _______________________________34-14 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 _______________________________34-14 Owner Operator: Weekly Hometime. Average $1.50 a mile + Fuel surcharge for all miles. Weekly Settlements. Paid Base Plates/Tolls. Coverage Area -Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey 888-281-9273 www.WTLX.biz _______________________________34-14 DRIVER FFE seeks Eastern PA based driver for a dedicated regional run. Class A CDL & 1yr. Exp. Req. Apply online: www.ffejobs.com or call 214-819-5680. _______________________________34-13 FOREMAN to lead utility field crews. Outdoor physical work, many positions, paid training, $17/hr. plus weekly performance bonuses after promotion, living allowance when traveling, company truck and benefits. Must have strong leadership skills, good driving history, and able to travel in Pennsylvania and nearby States. Email resume to Recruiter3@osmose.com or apply online at www.OsmoseUtilities.com EOE M/F/D/V _______________________________34-14
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APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
Adult/Personals FRIENDS
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LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. _______________________________34-20 GWM, 55, athletic, professional. Prefer Black or Latino non smoker for intelligent and intimate relationship. Call 609-530-1726 _______________________________34-16
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6’, 165 lbs., 60 year old Master, greek active, french passive requires obedient slave for training, S&M, B/D, W/S, etc. Limits respected and expanded. Assistant Master wanted. Call Dave at 215-729-6670, day or evening. _______________________________34-34 GBM, 28, 8 seeks WM, Puerto Rican 20 to 30 for instant relationship. I want someone I can love. Fem act a +. College students, Mexicans welcome. 215-227-2180. _______________________________34-15 Daddy 8” sks sissy/TV. Don, 610-352-1188. _______________________________34-17 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. _______________________________34-16 I am looking for a horny Puerto Rican for sex in the daytime. Walt, 267-259-5436. _______________________________34-16
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Dom top leather M has submissive male for use and abuse by leather punk type G females. Lifestyle S&M, B/D only reply. Call Chic *82 nights only 215-869-4030. _______________________________34-15 WM, 34, clean seeks mature Latin/Black TS. Meet, hangout, have fun. 215-416-4146. _______________________________34-14 Well built & hung FF B butt type TS to work in underground dom kink videos. If interested, call Chuck at *82 215-869-4030, nights only. _______________________________34-14 Gerard, lives by Danny’s, worked at Sanson St. Gym, goes to film school call Chic, *82, 215-869-4030. _______________________________34-14
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APRIL 2 - 8, 2010
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nite. GWM couple ISO GWMs 18-40 yrs. for 1 on 1 and group sex. Stockings, pantyhose, etc. Starts 9 PM Sat. Call Sat. 7-8 PM 856910-8303, ask for Mark. _______________________________33-24 GWM, Italian, top or bottom, 7” cut. Also into assplay, toys & water sports. Bi, straight, out of towners welcome. Day or night. Call Jeff at FRIENDS 215-850-7900. _______________________________33-18
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PAGE 47
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PAGE 48
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 2 - 8, 2010