PGN - April 13-19, 2012 by The Philadelphia Gay News

An in-depth look at “Bully”

Family Portrait: Jade Starling

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Weigh It Forward participants weigh in at three months

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April 13-19, 2012

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Vol. 36 No. 15

No charges filed in prison assault

Despite alleged bias motivation and identification of suspects — and nearly two months in the hospital — detaineeʼs assailants have so far escaped charges. By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Five months after an openly gay detainee at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia was brutally assaulted, no criminal charges have been filed against his alleged assailants. On Nov. 10, Kenneth J. Houck Jr. was reading a gay novel inside his cell when two males entered, pulled him by his legs from the top bunk bed, then stomped on him and beat him with a chair. The tibia and fibula bones in Houck’s right leg were fractured during the assault, requiring the installation of a metal rod from his ankle to his knee for stabilization. At the time of the incident, Houck was awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to one count of transporting child pornography, according to court records. Houck told PGN he doesn’t know the names of his assailants, but he identified them through a photo display shown to him by detention-center officials. In Houck’s opinion, he’s the victim of an anti-LGBT hate crime. “I want all involved punished for the hate crime — to give them a reason to not let their homophobic aggression be taken out on anyone else ever again,” the prisoner said. Houck also expressed remorse for his own crime — which involved downloading child porn, then sharing it with an undercover federal agent through a computer file-sharing network. Houck’s criminal activity took place between November 2010 and February 2011, according to court records. Houck was living in South Philadelphia at the time, and the undercover agent was located in Delaware. In February, U.S. District Judge Gregory M. Sleet sentenced Houck to 97 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Houck also must register as a sex offender in any jurisdiction where he lives, works or goes to school — for the remainder of his life. Houck’s projected release date is March 3, 2018, if he doesn’t commit any infractions while in custody. PAGE 22

Lesbian attacked twice on SEPTA By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com A lesbian was recently attacked in two separate incidents on the city’s public-transit system. Christina Molieri said she was attacked March 28 and April 2, while on her way to work. She is unsure whether her sexual orientation had anything to do with the incidents. Molieri, who works as a therapist in East Oak Lane, suffered possible rib fractures, contusions, abrasions, a lower-back sprain and musculo-skeletal damage, among other injuries, in the two attacks. PAGE 22 T h e fi r s t o c c u r r e d

HALLOWEEN IN APRIL: Out Halloween party connoisseur Henri David led the 81st annual Easter Promenade on April 8 down South Street. David, who has been a figure in the parade for decades, directed the hundreds of bunny-earwearing residents, merchants and visitors from Passyunk Avenue and South Street to Headhouse Square. David judged the annual costume contest after the parade, and festivalgoers enjoyed the music of the Mummers and a vintagecar show. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Grants to go to LGBT of color groups By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Five local organizations will next week become the beneficiaries of a unique partnership between a local LGBT grantmaking agency and a national program that focuses on furthering racial equity. Delaware Valley Legacy Fund will award $12,500 in grants through its Racial Equality Initiative program at a reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. April 24 at Woody’s, 202 S. 13th St. The event is free. DVLF was one of five agencies across

the nation selected to participate in the REI program, supported by Funders for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Issues. Since joining the effort three years ago, DVLF has distributed $100,000 to area agencies that support LGBT of color communities. The latest grantees are Beta Phi Omega Sorority, Hotpot!, House of Blahnik, Philadelphia Black Gay Pride and Unity Fellowship of Christ Church Philadelphia. Each organization will receive $2,500. DVLF executive director John Moeller said the awards are PAGE 2

Alleged victims, others take stand in church trial By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The man who leveled sex-abuse charges against an Archdiocesan priest took the stand last week to defend his claims. The alleged victim, now 30, testified over a several-day period about the abuse he says he suffered at the hands of the Rev. James Brennan. Brennan faces attempted rape and other charges stemming from the allegations. He is standing trial with Monsignor William Lynn, the first known church official in the nation to face child-endangerment charges for his role in allegedly helping to cover up abuse allegations. Brennan was a priest at a Newtown parish where the alleged victim, identified as Mark, attended with his family in the 1990s. Mark said Brennan, who was also a close family friend, showed PAGE 23

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

Black Gay Pride ‘evolves’ with ballroom partnership By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

New Year’s resolution ... vacation ...

Work It Out

suimsuit season ...

Thousands of people from around the nation will participate in workshops, parties and discussions later this month in Philadelphia as part of an annual celebration of LGBT black culture. Philadelphia Black Gay Pride will mark its 13th annual festival from April 22-29 with a slate of activities that includes a new outreach to the ballroom community. The weekend will officially open with a kickoff reception at 7 p.m. April 27 at Crowne Plaza on City Line Avenue, the host hotel for the event, during which PBGP will present its LGBT-Friendly Politician of the year Award to Patrick Murphy, who spearheaded the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Immediately following the reception, the organization will launch its first “Evolution Ball,” the first-ever ball sponsored by PBGP. In tandem with this year’s Pride theme — “The Evolution” — the ball represents a new phase of development for PBGP, said president Chris Alston. “We realized that we haven’t really partnered with the ballroom community and felt this was the perfect opportunity to show our support and begin to build a stronger relationship,” Alston said. Created in partnership with House of LaCroix, the ball will feature an array of categories with a grand prize of $1,000. A portion of the proceeds from all PBGP events throughout the week will support the agency’s scholarship fund, launched last year to assist LGBT youth in pursuing their educational goals. On April 28, PBGP participants will have DVLF from page 1

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Read Work It Out every fourth week of the month. Only in

“mini grants,” and DVLF will distribute another round of larger awards in September. The REI program focuses on organizations that serve and are led by people of color and have budgets under $500,000. Moeller said the grantees typically operate with few staff members and many are volunteer-run. The funds are meant to enhance the organizational abilities of the groups, Moeller said. “The grantmaking focuses on capacitybuilding,” he said. “So it can be for anything from board retreats to working on the bylaws of the organization to the creation

the opportunity to join a diverse range of discussions on issues impacting LGBT communities of color. “Numerous workshops and seminars will focus on educational, spiritual and social activities, and prevention methods aimed to unify the sexual-minority community,” Alston said. Workshops will be held at Crowne Plaza from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The week leading up to the Pride workshops will feature a full schedule of parties and performances. Mr. and Miss PBGP 2012 will be crowned in the annual pageant, at 6 p.m. April 22 at Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St. Local youth will get their time in the spotlight during the second-annual Youth Round-Up & Remix Fashion Show from 79 p.m. April 24 at The Attic Youth Center, 255 S. 16th St. Admission is free, and food will be provided. Performance artists will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. April 26 for the fifth-annual “One Night Stand” spoken-word and poetry-slam event, held at Arts Garage, 1533 Ridge Ave. Festivalgoers will also have ample opportunity for partying at bar and club events throughout the week, such as the Love & Lust party at 10 p.m. April 28 at Mikey’s American, 3180 Chestnut St., and the closing White Party, 10 p.m. April 29 at Whisper, 1712 Walnut St. The end of this year’s PBGP celebration will also mark the end of Alston’s six-year tenure at the helm of the organization. “I’ve had a great time but I feel that it’s time to move on,” he said. Alston will remain as a consultant to the board. For more information about PGBP 2012, visit www.phillyblackpride.org. ■ of a strategic plan — all things that go into capacity-planning.” Moeller said DVLF evaluated applicants not just on their adherence to the program guidelines set down through REI, but also for the tangible inroads they’re making for local LGBTs of color. “We really looked at the impact they’ve had and are continuing to have within the community,” Moeller said. “They’re all on the ground working hard, and the impact they’re having is huge.” RSVP to the REI reception by emailing info@dvlf.org or calling 215-563-6417 ext. 117. For more information about DVLF’s REI program, visit www.dvlf.org. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

MARRIAGE ON HORIZON, BUT DIVORCE FURTHER OFF?: Jessica Port (front left) and her attorney Michele Zavos (front right) speak to reporters after the Court of Appeals of Maryland heard her case for divorce from her wife, Virginia Anne Cowan (back right), April 6 in Annapolis, Md. The couple married in California but were denied a divorce in Maryland. Gov. Martin O’Malley signed a law granting marriage equality in the Free State in February, scheduled to take effect January 2013. AP Photo: Steve Ruark NEWS

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Contents

EDITORIAL/OP-ED

Creep of the Week Editorial Mark My Words Op-Ed Street Talk

10 10 11 11 11

Are you boycotting Hershey?

Poll results from our online survey as of April 11:

26% 17% 5% 21% 19% 12%

No, I’m still eating Hershey Yes, the candy Yes, Hershey Park Both the candy and the park No, I never liked Hershey anyway I’m even boycotting the town

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

How do LGBT divorces impact gay marriage initiatives?

Philadelphia Gay News 505 S. Fourth St. Philadelphia, PA 19147-1506

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Publisher

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

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

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

Weigh It Forward

LOCAL PGN

Spotlight on Micah Mahjoubian and Gavin McKay

lunch if I have a lunch meeting. I’ll get home by 8 or 9 at night, and I’m so hungry that I just order food and have it delivered. So I was eating late at night, way too much food. Pizza, cheesesteaks, etc.

Participant: Micah Mahjoubian, principle at Soapbox Solutions, a Philadelphia-based political management and consulting firm

PGN: What’s been the hardest about this so far? MM: The hardest part has been managing time — managing when I eat. We have been encouraged to eat several small meals throughout the day. That’s literally the hardest thing. This morning, I had breakfast at 7:30 after I worked out, and I haven’t eaten since [it was after 4 p.m.]. So, managing when I eat and managing time in general. I’m very busy as it is, and this added 20 hours a week to my schedule, with workouts, shopping, cooking, cleaning. But I’m getting a lot of encouragement.

Age: 38 Starting Weight: 267 Height: 5-foot-7 Weight lost to date: 38 pounds

MICAH MAHJOUBIAN Photo: Sarah Blazucki

PGN: Why did you agree to participate in Weigh It Forward? MM: My whole life I have struggled with my weight. At the end of last year, I was at my highest weight. Doing this would provide structure. Trying to manage my weight has always been done alone and it’s been difficult to do. But this was a more structured way and I’d be doing it with other people. I was also intrigued by the charitable aspect — I like to fundraise. PGN: What are you hoping to achieve? MM: Part of what we do at Fusion is a lot of goal setting, so I’ve thought a lot about goals. I have several of them. I want this to be a life-changing experience. I’m trying to do this in a way that is maintainable. I want to lose 100 pounds in the next year. I’m eating healthier — getting to the supermarket. I have little goals, like going to Reading Terminal Market twice a week. For the competitive part of me, my goal is to raise more money than the others: I don’t think I’m going to lose more [weight] than the others. PGN: What’s been your biggest struggle with your weight? MM: It’s been a longtime struggle to manage my time. I’ll work very late, might have

PGN: The easiest? MM: It’s interesting: The easiest thing is just adapting to working out. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it. I was very embarrassed about working out. I didn’t go to a gym. If I did anything, I ran on my own. But this is class settings, and I’ve grown to enjoy the camaraderie element of working out with folks. It has turned out that I love it. I’m looking forward to doing it for the rest of my life. PGN: Has anything surprised you? MM: That’s been it — how much I’ve liked working out. And how great everybody is — everyone is so supportive. It makes you feel really good. And the people you are working out with — if my experience at gym in high school had been like this ... I have a whole new group of friends — my gym friends. PGN: Tell me about your workout plan. MM: I feel very lucky that, by happenstance, I got assigned to Fusion. I was a little worried at first. I thought I was being shortchanged with a bootcamp, a class. It turned out that I feel so lucky because it’s so well structured: I don’t have to worry

about anything when I work out. Someone else is there to take care of it. I sign up for four cross-training classes a week. It’s 20 in a class, cardio drills, do some stretching, then another room with resistance and strength training. This a.m. was my 50th workout and every one has been different. I don’t have to think about it. We end with 20 minutes of yoga. It’s the hardest for me. Stretches are really hard for me, but I’m getting better at it. PGN: And food? MM: I don’t feel like I’m on a diet. Once a week, we discuss what we are eating. Each week, we’re given a principle to follow, eating whole, healthy natural food. You cut out as much processed food as much as you can. And keep a log — log everything we eat. It’s not really like a diet: I could technically eat anything I want. But you sort of see how much you are eating: It was very clear I was packing on calories. Food logging has been a real help; I’m using something called Daily Burn Tracker. PGN: Do you think this is something you can sustain? MM: I absolutely do. I’ve gone through 1015 years of doing something that was unsustainable. This is something I want to do — I like working out. PGN: What do you think will be the hardest part to sustain afterward? MM: I think just the unknown. I’m concerned. Will the motivation factor go down? Will I stop paying attention to my food? What makes me feel more confident is that I am having fun doing the workout and I don’t feel like I’m on a diet. My biggest fear is I just don’t know how I’ll feel when this is all over. Gavin McKay, owner, Fusion Cross Training, 105 S. 12th St. Fusioncrosstraining.com PGN: What has your plan for Micah been? GM: Micah is doing our 10-week boot

Weigh It Forward FOR

Dan Calhoun 22 lbs., $46.50/lb. Debbie Spadefora 44 lbs., $58.60/lb.

Track their progress as they weigh in every month. Community members will pledge money for every pound lost. The fundraiser beneﬁts Philadelphia Pride Presents, The Attic Youth Center and the William Way LGBT Community Center. If you’d like to pledge your support, visit www.epgn.com for a pledge form.

Start: Jan. 10

Weigh-in 1: Feb. 10

Micah Mahjoubian 38 lbs., $122/lb. Franny Price 44 lbs., $51/lb.

PGN: Tell me more about the exercise. GM: He does four workouts total, and one of the boot camp. That’s enough. The workouts are an hour and 15 minutes. PGN: Tell me more about the food plan. GM: We focus on one habit at a time. So there is an eating principle each week, strategies, the science behind it and there is a challenge connected with it. One is eat in Technicolor: The challenge is about incorporating a fruit or vegetable into every meal or snack, 90 percent of the time. So the focus is on eating produce as a staple. PGN: What results are you looking for short-term? GM: What he’s already accomplished: built his confidence and a base of fitness. He can complete any workout we throw at him. Recently, he finished the Comcast challenge here, where he did 60 flights of stairs — which is two flights more than the Comcast Tower. PGN: And long-term? GM: It’s to make all of these lifestyle changes permanent. So he’s participating in everything, making changes, staying on the path and continually upgrading his diet. And to enjoy working out for what it gives you — to flip the switch from “work” to “play.” He is doing an awesome job, and raising so much money. He’s not just thinking about himself. We’re proud of him. ■

Graphic: Sean Dorn and Scott A. Drake

Weigh-in 2: March 10

Weigh-in 3: April 10

Weigh-in 4: May 10

camp, two in a row. His goal is to do four cross-training workouts per week and report out each week. He has to complete an eating challenge each week from the 10-step eatGAVIN MCKAY ing program. He has to weigh in and we do fitness assessments every few months. The boot camp is unlimited, with a once-aweek mandatory outside session.

In January, Dan Calhoun, Debbie Spadefora, Franny Price and Micah Mahjoubian agreed to Weigh It Forward — for every pound they lost between Jan. 10 and PrideDay, June 10, they would collect pledges to be donated to three nonprofit organizations. The proceeds will be evenly distributed among The Attic Youth Center, Philly Pride Presents and the William Way LGBT Community Center. In addition to the per-pound donations, the four have raised $2,028.51 in flat pledges, bringing the amount raised to date to $12,509.91. Weigh It Forward participants will host a meet-and-greet from 7-9 p.m. April 16 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St., where you can meet the participants and representatives from the gyms/studios who are working with them: Fusion Cross Training, Move Forward Fitness, Optimal Sport Clubs and 12th Street Gym. To pledge support for a participant, visit www.epgn.com and click “Weigh It Forward” to download a pledge form, send a pledge via PayPal to weighitforwardphilly@gmail.com or visit Spruce Street Video, 252 S. 12th St. Pledge forms will also be available at the April 16 meet-and-greet. ■

IGH IT

WA D R

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

Finish line: Pride, June 10

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

LOCAL PGN

Philly’s LGBT history pops up at William Way By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Queer history, including that of Philadelphia, will be explored this month through a vast presentation of artistic endeavors that range from a puppet show to a video montage to an exhibit of rare historical documents. “Pop-Up Philadelphia” will be held at William Way LGBT Community Center from April 21-May 19, with an opening reception from 7-10 p.m. the first night of the show at the center, 1315 Spruce St. The project is an effort of the Pop-Up Museum of Queer History — which creates “pop-up” exhibitions in locales throughout the country to showcase works examining LGBT history. The museum got its start in late 2010 in the Brooklyn loft of founding director Hugh Ryan. “There was a group here organizing a week of queer events in people’s houses in the city, and this was right after the flap at the Smithsonian with the ‘Hide-Seek’ exhibit [an AIDS display that saw sharp criticism by some religious leaders],” he said. “So my roommates and I were really excited to be able to provide a space for an exhibit about queer art history. It was supposed to be a one-night show with about 30 exhibits and it ended up that hundreds of people showed up. The cops actually shut

to make this a success.” it down and issued me a About 60 submissummons. But we saw sions came in, and a there was a clear demand selection committee and desire for this.” A month later, Ryan that included previous Pop-Up artists, Pop-Up and his associates regrouped and created volunteers and board members and a reprethe museum, which has sentative of William since staged shows in Way evaluated the projBrooklyn, Soho and Indiana. ects on the quality of The Indiana show was the historical informaa challenge, Ryan said, tion put forth, the design as organizers weren’t as and look of the proposed familiar with the area, so work, and the balance in they decided to look for the overall show. a location closer to New Ultimately, 18 pieces York. were selected that repEARLY 1900s DRAG QUEEN resent a wide spectrum “We wanted to take FRANK CARTER (“DECEPTIVE of artistic materials and this on the national CREATURES” BY BOB topics. Some works are level and were getting SKIBA), PART OF THE POP-UP being presented for the requests from around the MUSEUM OF QUEER HISTORY first time while othcountry, but we wanted EXHIBIT, APRIL 21-MAY 19 ers have been displayed somewhere a little closer AT THE WILLIAM WAY LGBT nationally, such as one to home that had a really COMMUNITY CENTER that was shown at New active queer scene. And Philadelphia was the York City’s Museum of perfect place,” he said. “There are so many Art & Design. “It’s a very diverse show, which is really people doing interesting projects already in Philadelphia. Most of the exhibits are exciting,” Ryan said. One piece includes documents from by Philadelphia-based artists or about Philadelphia queer history. And William the mid-1700s about a person arrested for Way Community Center was incredibly “wearing clothes of the wrong gender,” generous in offering the space and working while another explores Philadelphia’s queer

black male social scene in the early 1900s. The wide range in the exhibits enhances its universal appeal, Ryan said. “We try to make the show like a museum so there’s really something for everyone,” he said. “The show’s targeted at all kinds of people — queer, straight, young, old, people of all races, genders, sexual identities. I think it’s something that everyone can find something that’ll catch their eye.” Pop-Up does have a particular focus on youth and educators, and will present “Queering the Curriculum,” a workshop designed to give K-12 teachers assistance in bringing LGBT topics into their classrooms. The show’s run will also feature a May 9 discussion led by Dr. Whitney Strub of Rutgers University about obscenity laws and their impact on LGBT history. Ryan said he’s eager for the Philadelphia community to see the show, as it is a true product of community collaborations. “We’re really a community-based organization,” he said. “We worked with a really strong and diverse community to build this show, including all of the people at William Way and the artists involved in this from Philadelphia and from around the world. It’s so exciting to see all of these different people come together and work together. That’s where our strength is.” For more information, visit www.queermuseum.com. ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

LOCAL PGN

King to reign at pageant, Pride By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Mustaches and muscle shirts will abound this weekend as the city’s top drag-king performer is crowned. Mr. Philadelphia Drag King Competition 2012 will kick off at 8 p.m. April 14 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. The annual event, staged by Liberty City Kings Drag and Burlesque, will raise funds for this summer’s Dyke March. The winner of the coveted title this year will also serve as Mr. Gay Pride Philly. The seven aspiring kings vying for the titles will be judged on their runway walk, fantasy/formal wear, drag performance and a question-and-answer session, which Heather Coutts, competition producer and LiCK artistic director, said is guaranteed to deliver laughs. “That’s always really funny because some of the judges will ask over-the-top questions and it’s interesting to hear how the kings answer and to watch them try to stay in character,” Coutts said. Their efforts will be judged by reigning Mr. Philadelphia Drag King Rasta Boi Punany, Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative executive director Elicia Gonzales, photographer and filmmaker Kelly Burkhardt, drag queen

Goddess Isis and Philly Pride senior advisor Chuck Volz. Philly Pride Presents first suggested the dual title after last year’s competition, so this will mark the first time contestants also will compete for Pride king. Coutts said the partnership is a unique tool to increase women’s representation and involvement in community activities like Pride. “This was a way to get the community even more engaged, and bringing more queer women into Pride,” Coutts said. “The winner will get to carry both titles, will get a cash prize and will perform at Pride events in June and OutFest in the fall — so in addition to being named the winner, they’ll have some community responsibility and will be giving back with their involvement.” The batch of contestants comes from a variety of drag backgrounds, she said. “We have a really diverse group this year,” Coutts said. “Some of them have performed in the past, so we’ll have some returning favorites, and others are very new to drag and we’ve never seen them before.” The expected sold-out crowd will also likely represent all segments of the LGBT and ally community. “Last year I saw everyone — gay, straight, boys, girls, trans,” said Franny Price, executive director of Philly Pride Presents. “The

show’s done by a group that is predominantly women, but the word’s really getting out to all types of people about how great and entertaining of a show it is. It’s so different than the traditional drag-queen pageants and it’s just a really enjoyable and fun night.” Last year, 450 people turned out for the show — putting the event well past capacity — so organizers this year are capping ticket sales at 300. The audience members will be in for some high-energy performances, said Coutts, who noted that even organizers will be surprised by what the contestants bring to the stage. “Even we don’t know what we’re going to see because we get the contestants’ songs and don’t do a preview of their performances,” she said. “So we have no clue what we’ll see, which is exciting. It’s always really fun, high-quality entertainment with a lot of humor and sex appeal.” In addition to the competition, audience members will be treated to performances by

LIBERTY CITY DRAG KINGS

Rasta Boi Punany, Goddess Isis, Lascivious Jane, Richie Rich and the Liberty City Kings. The official after-party will be held Arouse at Finnigan’s Wake, 537 N. Third St. Tickets to the Mr. Philadelphia Drag King Competition, which are $10, are available at www.pdk2012.eventbrite.com or at the door. The winner’s Pride counterpart, Ms. Gay Pride Philly, will be crowned in a competition April 20 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. ■

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PGN LOCAL

GALAEI honors AIDS activist By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The founder of a local organization designed to empower the Latino community to fight against HIV/AIDS will be honored this week for his longstanding and pioneering leadership and activism. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative will present its annual David Acosta Revolutionary Leader Award to Jose de Marco in a public reception from 5-8 p.m. April 13 at City Hall. The event will take place in City JOSE DE MARCO Council Room 401, with the award presentation and a citation by the city at 6:30 p.m. This marks the award’s third year: Acosta accepted the inaugural honor, and it went to youth Biancah Melanie Ortiz last year. GALAEI executive director Elicia Gonzales said the organization received about 15 nominees. Gonzales and three board members examined each nominee on four criteria: a passion for improving one’s community, dedication to a project, integrity in all aspects of life and a vision that inspires others. De Marco is the founder of Proyecto Sol, which promotes educational and other opportunities in the Latino HIV/AIDS community to reduce the disease’s impact there. He has been an active member of ACT

UP since 1996 and is also a board member of the AIDS Policy Project and Health Global Access Project. “To me, and to all of us on the committee, Jose really embodies what it means to be a revolutionary leader,” Gonzales said. “He’s willing to stick his neck out and do whatever it takes to make sure he’s advocating on behalf of people living with HIV, as well as on issues affecting the Latino and LGBT communities.” Gonzales noted that de Marco has been arrested numerous times for his AIDS activism and has not shied away from talking about his own HIV status to encourage both education and acceptance. “He’s willing to put himself out there in ways that many other people might not be,” Gonzales said. De Marco said the award is a humbling honor, especially in light of its namesake. “It’s very, very special to me, especially because of the fact that I do AIDS activism work and this is in honor of David Acosta, who was an original founding member of ACT UP Philadelphia,” he said. “I don’t usually like awards because this isn’t work that I think should really be awarded, but it is wonderful that my work is being recognized by my peers, people who’ve done the same work and have been in this same field. And it’s really special to be chosen in the spirit of David Acosta, who has done so much for so many in the gay and Latino communities in Philadelphia. It is an honor and privilege.” The free public reception will include food, drinks and a silent auction. For more information, visit www.galaei. org. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

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

JOIN US MONTHLY FOR SHABBAT SERVICES AT 8:00 PM

Coffee, cake & conversation at the oneg following services Friday, April 13, 7:00 PM. Beth Ahavah Passover Shabbat Service. Please join us for our monthly BA Shabbat Service followed by Passover dinner led by Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell. Cost is $25 per person. Check can be mailed to Congregation Rodeph Shalom c/o Marcia Biggs, 615 N. Broad Street, Phila, PA 19123. For more information email us at bethahavah@rodephshalom.org or call 215-923-2003. Beth Ahavah and Rodeph Shalom are afﬁliated in spirit and share a sacred home. In July 2007 Beth Ahavah afﬁliated with Rodeph Shalom. Beth Ahavah retains its congregational status within the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and proudly offers its congregation dual membership at both synagogues.

Visit www.bethahavah.org for additional information, programming and directions 615 North Broad Street, Phila., PA 19123-2495 Phone: 215.923.2003 E-mail: BethAhavah@rodephshalom.org Free secure parking: Cross Spring Garden at 13th St., left at next light, Mt. Vernon St. Parking lot entrance on left.

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Get the scoop on Philly’s LGBT Mr. Gay Philly to be crowned nightlife in Barcrawlr, PGN’s biweekly take on not-to-miss events By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

Fourteen of the Philly’s finest will take the runway this weekend for the chance to represent the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection nationally. The sixth-annual Philadelphia Mr. Gay will kick off 9 p.m. April 14 at Voyeur, 1221 St. James St. The winner will head to the national Mr. Gay contest and, if successful, the international competition. The contestants will compete in both evening/club wear and swimsuit portions, with the top five entrants moving on to a question-and-answer segment. Their efforts will be judged by a panel comprised mostly of Philadelphia-area figures, which brought the price down about $10 a ticket, said organizer Bruce Yelk. “In the past, most of the judges came from New York, but we wanted to lower ticket prices and we were able to do so by cutting out traveling costs and other expenses,” Yelk said. “And at this point, six years in, the show has brand recognition that people are either going to know it or they’re not.” This year’s slate of judges includes Daily

News gossip columnist Dan Gross, Inquirer fashion columnist Elizabeth Wellington, 95.7 Ben FM host Marilyn Russell, drag performers Diana Dharling, Carol Ann Carol Ann and Mimi Imfurst, who was on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” 2012 U.S. Mr. Gay Bryan Dorsey and Travel Matters owner John Chiaffa. In addition to the pageantry, the event will feature top-notch performances, Yelk said. The show will open with a performance by Aeryanah Von Moi, accompanied by dancers from the University of the Arts, and guests will also be treated to a drag performance by Poison, winner of last year’s Gayborhood Games, and Tammy Faymous, as well as the singing talents of Jesse Braff and Ginger Coyle. “The show’s really entertaining,” Yelk said. “There’s a lot of energy that night. [Host Brittany Lynn] is always amazing, always very funny and can play well off the audience. People come out and cheer on their friends or their favorite contestant but it’s not just a bar or hot guy contest — it’s a great show with some incredible energy.” Tickets range from $15-$25 and can be purchased at www.nightlifegay.com. ■

Barcrawlr Jim KileyZufelt

Written by PGN’s intrepid reporter, Jim Kiley-Zufelt Online and in print every other week.

Only in

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa)

Editorial

Santorum exits, now what? This week, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum dropped out of the Republican presidential race — just two weeks before the primary in his home state. He’d been one of the four main contenders in the race — along with rivals Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul — and the primary season had been an internal struggle for months, with Romney ahead but without a clear and convincing lead. Santorum’s decision to put his campaign “on hold” changes that. The other trailing candidates, Gingrich and Paul, are far back enough that Romney shouldn’t have any trouble picking up the nomination. For the LGBT community, none of the leading candidates are fully supportive of LGBT rights. Probably the most supportive, Romney, has been slowly backing away from his support and will likely pick up the backing of the anti-gay-marriage group National Organization for Marriage. For Democrats and supporters of President Obama, it would likely have been a boon if Santorum had won the Republican nomination, galvanizing more support than Obama had in 2008. Considering how conservative Santorum is, his nominationi would have brought every center, left and progressive into Obama’s camp, regardless of whether they felt the president has done a good job to date or not. And they would have done more than just vote for Obama — they would have been highly motivated to organize, fundraise and bring in new voters — anything to prevent a Santorum presidency. But with Romney as the likely Republican candidate, Democrats are going to have a harder time galvanizing support — Romney hasn’t said and done as many hateful things to LGBTs and women as Santorum has, so he doesn’t have as many critics and opponents who’d stop at nothing to block him from winning the presidency. Romney might have pissed off and lost some independent voters, but mostly he comes across as an out-of-touch rich white guy; Santorum, on the other hand, comes off as a crazy social conservative. Certainly, the LGBT community should be glad Santorum is out of the race. But that doesn’t mean that progressive and liberal voters should be complacent about Romney’s candidacy. Romney’s political action committee, Free and Strong America, donated $10,000 in 2008 to NOM for support of Proposition 8 in California. Last year, he signed NOM’s anti-gay-marriage pledge, which includes the creation of a presidential commission to investigate allegations of harassment against marriage-equality foes. At various times, Romney has both opposed (2002, 2005) and backed (2003) civil unions, and opposed (2006) and supported (1994) the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” While Santorum’s departure from the race (wasn’t it inevitable?) is heartening, supporters of LGBT rights still need to be aware of Romney’s positions — and know that he hasn’t been an ally. ■

Oh, Steve King. You are a royal creep, indeed. A longstanding foe of LGBT people and anyone who sees LGBT people as, oh, I don’t know, human, King has once again opened his joker of a mouth to say something incredibly dumb. Readers of this column are certainly aware that anti-LGBT discrimination exists in the workplace. Making this issue even more exciting, in many states, and Michigan is one of them, firing someone or refusing to hire them based solely on sexual orientation is totally legal. There is no state law against it, therefore if you are a victim of such discrimination, you have no legal standing. You cannot sue. Bummer for you. Some people have suggested that a sensible way to approach this issue is to include sexual orientation and gender identity in state antidiscrimination laws. Oh, those crazy dreamers. King has a better idea: Stay in the closet, homos. On April 4, he told Think Progress that you can’t tell private business who they can’t discriminate against. “You have private sector businesses here and they need to have freedom to operate,” he said. In other words, firing someone because they’re gay would strictly be a business decision. Stop being so sensitive, gays. “In the first place, I would think that unless someone makes their sexuality public, it’s not anybody’s business, so neither is it our business to tell an employer who to hire,” King continued. “He won’t know who to discriminate against in the first place.” See, if people don’t know you’re gay, they won’t discriminate against you. Duh. So for all of those homos out and proud, if you face discrimination, it’s all your fault. Quit yer cryin’. This is hardly a new position for King. In 2010 he said about gays in the workplace: “If people wear their sexuality on their sleeve and then they want to bring litigation against someone that they would point their finger at and say, ‘You discriminate.’” Because protecting companies from being accused of discrimination is far

more important than protecting gays from being discriminated against. King also told Think Progress, “How do you know someone’s sexual orientation? I don’t know how you discriminate against someone because of their sexual orientation.” A good question, just how does one discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation? Why, it’s a complete and total mystery! Let’s see if I can come up with something off the top of my brain. You could refuse to grant them promotions. You could fire them. You could kick them out of your rental property. You could bully them until they drop out of school and/ or kill themselves. You could rape them. You could kill them. The list goes on and on, with plenty of documented evidence should you want to get totally depressed. But as King pointed out, they all brought it upon their gay selves. Things were better before all this “out and proud” crap. All you have to do is look at history. Travel back to the time before Stonewall when gays were largely living in the shadows and nobody ever bothered them and life was great. And it could have been happily ever after forever if it hadn’t been for those meddling kids. Wait, did I say meddling kids? My apologies, I was thinking of Scooby Doo. I meant meddling cops. The cops, who routinely harassed, beat, jailed and otherwise took advantage of so many sad, closeted queers. Or, as King would call it, the good old days. ■

In other words, firing someone because they’re gay would strictly be a business decision. Stop being so sensitive, gays.

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

Tell us what you think Send letters and opinion column submissions to: pgn@epgn.com; PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147; fax: 215-925-6437.

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OP-ED PGN

Santorum’s future, like the dinosaurs Everyone seems to be waxing poetic is the most rabid of homophobes, and we on the demise of Rick Santorum’s bid for like that. Why? It ends his elected politithe Republican presidential nomination. cal career. Many pundits, who have been dead wrong My earlier predictions were based on in their analysis of Santorum’s a demographic change in the campaign, are now predicting American population and the that he’s set for a future run, emerging of a new voting class. and let’s not let LGBT pundits That voting class is made up of off the hook here. They have young people who have grown been like Chicken Little, callup knowing LGBT people. The people who are falling off ing, “The sky is falling, the the voting rolls are those who sky is falling!” didn’t have the pleasure of Let’s address the famed really knowing us — instead, political pundits that you see they knew the characterization on TV or read on Politico or from the right-wing or religious Huffington. Santorum got out of the race for one reason and types. one reason only: He could The Republicans have to moderate, like their counternot win his home state of Pennsylvania. Starting a week parts in Great Britain, if they Mark Segal are to win future elections. The ago Tuesday, Santorum was advised from almost all state best example is what I wrote Republican leaders that if he stayed in the two months ago: race, he would surely lose. Heck, he even “New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie moved got that message from his own county of to diversify the state’s all-white Supreme Allegheny. Having lost his home state by Court on Monday by proposing two firsts: 18 points four years ago, this would have the nominations of an openly gay black been a political disaster that he could not man [Bruce Harris] and a Korean-born crawl back from. So now that he has done law enforcer to fill two vacancies. the party a favor and saved himself from “Christie is not considered a moderate. embarrassment, what about his future? He’s a national rising star of right-wing Republicans but he’s smart and ahead of Not bright at all. Four months ago, this column made the his fellow party members in understandpoint that there was no way that Santorum ing that LGBT issues no longer matter to the general population — including would get the nomination. Now, I can Republicans. In other words, you can’t easily predict that he won’t be on the scare the public with the gay issue anyticket. So LGBT pundits can take a rest, but they are correct in noting that Ricky more since they no lonPAGE 28

Mark My Words

Op-Ed

‘Bully’ is a wake-up call — for adults This week, a film seeking to highlight the issue of bullying in schools opens in Philadelphia. In the documentary, filmmakers follow several students who are bullied, and film parents, teachers and administrators as they struggle — or fail — to deal with this all-too-pervasive problem. The movie “Bully” is a call to action — but whom is it calling? Are we really asking young people to speak up/out against bullies and offering them no protection? This almost-documentary needs to be calling out to the adults who, in the film, are no more than oblivious, uninformed and ineffectual in addressing the outright human cruelty. To me, “Bully” is a sad and painful illustration of the non-responsiveness, ineffectiveness and uncertainty of adults in providing safe and supportive environments for young people. The buzz around town is that “Bully” should be “required viewing for young

people between the ages of 8 to 18” (USA Today) and that the primary audience is youth in middle school (The New York Times). The battle Harvey Weinstein had with the MPAA around the R rating, and his hope of showing the film in schools, has led to the belief that youth are the target audience for this film. With all the talk about “Bully” being mandatory for youth to see, no one really explains why. The Wall Street Journal states “‘Bully’ is a teaching tool, and the language in question turns on words routinely heard or used by the very kids who should be seeing it, both for enlightenment and solace.” Really? The film offers our youth nothing but a painful look at what they already see and feel almost daily as victims, perpetrators, bystanders — or any combination of these — of bullying. The movie poignantly highlights to young people how invisible their lives can be to adults and just how unsupportive and inat-

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

Street Talk Do you agree with allowing a trans woman to compete in the Miss Universe pageant? “Yes. She’s put in quite an effort to become a woman. I give her credit for that. She’s gorgeous. She’s actually more Kaheem Jackson attractive maintenance engineer than the other Willingboro, N.J. competitors. She should get an equal shot at the crown. Fair is fair.”

“Yes. If somebody is presenting as a lady, give them the dignity and respect of honoring their heart. No questions Crawford Stad asked. If editor they don’t Cinnaminson, N.J. have the beauty and talent to survive the competition, that’s one thing. But don’t disqualify them just because of their gender identity.”

“Yes. Beauty pageants by their nature are superficial. You’re looking at the person’s face, body, Nicole Krecicki hair — clothing designer not their Washington Square genitalia. I’m West assuming the pageant has never checked under the skirts of their contestants. They shouldn’t start doing that now, just because there’s a rumor about a contestant’s birth gender.”

“Yes. She’s gone through all the genderreassignment surgery. There’s no doubt she’s female. I’m Nicole Wiegand pro-trans. store manager Even if she Washington Square didn’t have West the surgery, I’d still support her right to compete in the pageant, because she’s lived as a woman for so many years.”

tentive adults can be. The emotional impact of “Bully” will likely be keenly felt by the bullied, somewhat understood by the non-bullied and may be all but lost on the bully. I certainly don’t agree with censoring the movie, but as an adult, I need to be aware that it may be traumatizing to a young person who has been bullied or even to youths who have suffered great loss in their lives. A young man in Philadelphia I have worked with was so severely bullied in his high school for being gay that he left to be homeschooled. After he saw the film, he was so traumatized he sought psychiatric hospitalization the next day. One might think that after Columbine and the dozen or so school shootings since, our youth-serving institutions run by adults might begin to seriously consider addressing bullying in a real way. But that’s not where we as a culture direct our resources. We pay a lot of lip service to valuing

young people, but our youth-serving institutions are uniformly under-resourced. The movie illustrates a kind of malignant indifference that school administration and staff adopt toward bullying. Not only are the students unsupported by school personnel but, additionally, concerned parents are unable to get real or reasonable responses to their inquiries about their child’s situation. The responses given are focused on either denial that a problem exists, acceptance of harassment or violence as “normal” or banal statements used to sidestep the issue or to express that there is nothing they can do. These “powerful” adults come across as completely powerless. Overall, it appears that school personnel simply have no clue what to do or how to handle the situation. On this point, in the Philadelphia Inquirer (April 8, 2012), Pennsylvania state Sen. Anthony H. Williams stated, “The teachers that are PAGE 20

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

PGN

COMPLERA (emtricitabine/rilpivirine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) is a prescription medicine used as a complete single-tablet regimen to treat HIV-1 in adults who have never taken HIV medicines before. COMPLERA does not cure HIV or AIDS or help prevent passing HIV to others.

The

one

for me

Patient model. Pill shown is not actual size.

INDICATION COMPLERA® (emtricitabine 200 mg/rilpivirine 25 mg/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg) is a prescription HIV medicine that contains 3 medicines, EMTRIVA® (emtricitabine), EDURANT™ (rilpivirine), and VIREAD® (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) combined in one pill. COMPLERA is used as a complete single-tablet regimen to treat HIV-1 infection in adults (age 18 and older) who have never taken HIV medicines before. COMPLERA does not cure HIV and has not been shown to prevent passing HIV to others. It is important to always practice safer sex, use latex or polyurethane condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with any body ﬂuids, and to never re-use or share needles. Do not stop taking COMPLERA unless directed by your healthcare provider. See your healthcare provider regularly.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Contact your healthcare provider right away if you get the following side effects or conditions while taking COMPLERA: ��Nausea, vomiting, unusual muscle pain, and/or weakness. These may be signs of a buildup of acid in the blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical condition ��Light-colored stools, dark-colored urine, and/or if your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow. These may be signs of serious liver problems (hepatotoxicity), with liver enlargement (hepatomegaly), and fat in the liver (steatosis) ��If you have HIV-1 and hepatitis B virus (HBV), your liver disease may suddenly get worse if you stop taking COMPLERA. Do not stop taking COMPLERA without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will monitor your condition COMPLERA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how COMPLERA works, and may cause serious side effects.

Do not take COMPLERA if you are taking the following medicines: ��other HIV medicines (COMPLERA provides a complete treatment for HIV infection.) ��the anti-seizure medicines carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Equetro®, Tegretol®, Tegretol-XR®, Teril®, Epitol®), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal®), phenobarbital (Luminal®), phenytoin (Dilantin®, Dilantin-125®, Phenytek®) ��the anti-tuberculosis medicines rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifater®, Rifamate®, Rimactane®, Rifadin®) and rifapentine (Priftin®) ��a proton pump inhibitor medicine for certain stomach or intestinal problems, including esomeprazole (Nexium®, Vimovo®), lansoprazole (Prevacid®), omeprazole (Prilosec®), pantoprazole sodium (Protonix®), rabeprazole (Aciphex®) ��more than 1 dose of the steroid medicine dexamethasone or dexamethasone sodium phosphate ��St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) ��other medicines that contain tenofovir (VIREAD®, TRUVADA®, ATRIPLA®) ��other medicines that contain emtricitabine or lamivudine (EMTRIVA®, Combivir®, Epivir® or Epivir-HBV®, Epzicom®, Trizivir®) ��rilpivirine (Edurant™) ��adefovir (HEPSERA®) In addition, also tell your healthcare provider if you take: ��an antacid medicine that contains aluminum, magnesium hydroxide, or calcium carbonate. Take antacids at least 2 hours before or at least 4 hours after you take COMPLERA ��a histamine-2 blocker medicine, including famotidine (Pepcid®), cimetidine (Tagamet®), nizatidine (Axid®), or ranitidine hydrochloride (Zantac®). Take these medicines at least 12 hours before or at least 4 hours after you take COMPLERA ��the antibiotic medicines clarithromycin (Biaxin®), erythromycin (E-Mycin®, Eryc®, Ery-Tab®, PCE®, Pediazole®, Ilosone®), and troleandomycin (TAO®) ��an antifungal medicine by mouth, including fluconazole (Diflucan®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), posaconazole (Noxafil®), voriconazole (Vfend®) ��methadone (Dolophine®) This list of medicines is not complete. Discuss with your healthcare provider all prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are taking or plan to take.

��

PGN

Save up to

200

per month

COMPLERA.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

You may be able to save on the co-pay for your COMPLERA prescription with a Gilead HIV Co-pay Assistance Card. Call 1-877-505-6986 for more information or visit www.COMPLERA.com.*

A complete HIV treatment in only 1 pill a day. Ask your healthcare provider if it’s the one for you.

Before taking COMPLERA, tell your healthcare provider if you: ��have liver problems, including hepatitis B or C virus infection ��have kidney problems ��have ever had a mental health problem ��have bone problems ��are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if COMPLERA can harm your unborn child ��are breastfeeding; women with HIV should not breast-feed because they can pass HIV through their milk to the baby Contact your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following serious or common side effects: Serious side effects associated with COMPLERA: ��New or worse kidney problems can happen in some people who take COMPLERA. If you have had kidney problems in the past or take other medicines that can cause kidney problems, your healthcare provider may need to do blood tests to check your kidneys during your treatment with COMPLERA ��Depression or mood changes can happen in some people who take COMPLERA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms: feeling sad or hopeless, feeling anxious or restless, or if you have thoughts of hurting yourself (suicide) or have tried to hurt yourself ��Bone problems can happen in some people who take COMPLERA. Bone problems include bone pain, softening or thinning (which may lead to fractures). Your healthcare provider may need to do additional tests to check your bones ��Changes in body fat can happen in people taking HIV medicine. These changes may include increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), breast, and around the main part of your body (trunk). Loss of fat from the legs, arms and face may also happen. The cause and long-term health effect of these conditions are not known ��Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to ﬁght infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider if you start having new symptoms after starting your HIV medicine

Common side effects associated with COMPLERA: ��trouble sleeping (insomnia), abnormal dreams, headache, dizziness, diarrhea,

nausea, rash, tiredness, and depression Other side effects associated with COMPLERA: ��vomiting, stomach pain or discomfort, skin discoloration (small spots or freckles),

and pain Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of COMPLERA. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Take COMPLERA exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it ��Always take COMPLERA with a meal. Taking COMPLERA with a meal is important to

help get the right amount of medicine in your body. A protein drink does not replace a meal ��Stay under the care of your healthcare provider during treatment with COMPLERA and see your healthcare provider regularly

Please see Patient Information for COMPLERA on the following pages. *The co-pay program covers up to $200 per month for 1 year from card activation or until the card expires, up to $2400 in a calendar year. The program is subject to change or cancellation at any time.

Learn more at www.COMPLERA.com

��

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

PGN

FDA-Approved Patient Labeling Patient Information COMPLERA® (kom-PLEH-rah) (emtricitabine, rilpivirine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) Tablets

COMPLERA may help: � Reduce the amount of HIV in your blood. This is called your “viral load”. � Increase the number of white blood cells called CD4+ (T) cells that help ﬁght off other infections.

Important: Ask your doctor or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with COMPLERA. For more information, see the section “What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking COMPLERA?”

Reducing the amount of HIV and increasing the CD4+ (T) cell count may improve your immune system. This may reduce your risk of death or infections that can happen when your immune system is weak (opportunistic infections).

Read this Patient Information before you start taking COMPLERA and each time you get a reﬁll. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. What is the most important information I should know about COMPLERA?

COMPLERA does not cure HIV infections or AIDS. � Always practice safer sex. � Use latex or polyurethane condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with any body ﬂuids such as semen, vaginal secretions, or blood. � Never re-use or share needles.

Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions about how to prevent passing COMPLERA can cause serious side effects, including: 1. Build-up of an acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). Lactic acidosis can happen in HIV to other people. some people who take COMPLERA or similar (nucleoside analogs) medicines. Lactic Who should not take COMPLERA? acidosis is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. � Do not take COMPLERA if your HIV infection has been previously treated with Lactic acidosis can be hard to identify early, because the symptoms could seem like HIV medicines. symptoms of other health problems. Call your healthcare provider right away if you � Do not take COMPLERA if you are taking certain other medicines. For more get any of the following symptoms which could be signs of lactic acidosis: information about medicines that must not be taken with COMPLERA, see “What � feeling very weak or tired should I tell my healthcare provider before taking COMPLERA?” � have unusual (not normal) muscle pain � have trouble breathing What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking COMPLERA? � have stomach pain with Before you take COMPLERA, tell your healthcare provider if you: - nausea (feel sick to your stomach) � have liver problems, including hepatitis B or C virus infection - vomiting � have kidney problems � feel cold, especially in your arms and legs � have ever had a mental health problem � feel dizzy or lightheaded � have bone problems � have a fast or irregular heartbeat � are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if COMPLERA can harm your unborn child Pregnancy Registry. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take antiviral medicines during pregnancy. Its purpose is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms � are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. The Centers for Disease Control and of liver problems: Prevention recommends that mothers with HIV not breastfeed because they can pass � your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice). the HIV through their milk to the baby. It is not known if COMPLERA can pass through � dark “tea-colored” urine your breast milk and harm your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best � light-colored bowel movements (stools) way to feed your baby. � loss of appetite for several days or longer Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription � nausea and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. � stomach pain 2. Severe liver problems. Severe liver problems can happen in people who take COMPLERA or similar medicines. In some cases these liver problems can lead to death. Your liver may become large (hepatomegaly) and you may develop fat in your liver (steatosis) when you take COMPLERA.

You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are COMPLERA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking COMPLERA or a similar affect how COMPLERA works, and may cause serious side effects. If you take certain medicines with COMPLERA, the amount of COMPLERA in your body may be too low and medicine containing nucleoside analogs for a long time. it may not work to help control your HIV infection. The HIV virus in your body may become 3. Worsening of Hepatitis B infection. If you also have hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection resistant to COMPLERA or other HIV medicines that are like it. and you stop taking COMPLERA, your HBV infection may become worse (flare-up). A “flare-up” is when your HBV infection suddenly returns in a worse way than before. Do not take COMPLERA if you also take these medicines: COMPLERA is not approved for the treatment of HBV, so you must discuss your HBV � COMPLERA provides a complete treatment for HIV infection. Do not take other HIV medicines with COMPLERA. therapy with your healthcare provider. � the anti-seizure medicines carbamazepine (CARBATROL®, EQUETRO®, TEGRETOL®, � Do not let your COMPLERA run out. Refill your prescription or talk to your healthcare TEGRETOL-XR®, TERIL®, EPITOL®), oxcarbazepine (TRILEPTAL®), phenobarbital provider before your COMPLERA is all gone. (LUMINAL®), phenytoin (DILANTIN®, DILANTIN-125®, PHENYTEK®) � Do not stop taking COMPLERA without first talking to your healthcare provider. � the anti-tuberculosis medicines rifabutin (MYCOBUTIN®), rifampin (RIFATER®, � If you stop taking COMPLERA, your healthcare provider will need to check your health RIFAMATE®, RIMACTANE®, RIFADIN®) and rifapentine (PRIFTIN®) often and do regular blood tests to check your HBV infection. Tell your healthcare � a proton pump inhibitor medicine for certain stomach or intestinal problems, provider about any new or unusual symptoms you may have after you stop taking including esomeprazole (NEXIUM®, VIMOVO®), lansoprazole (PREVACID®), omeprazole COMPLERA. (PRILOSEC®), pantoprazole sodium (PROTONIX®), rabeprazole (ACIPHEX®) � more than 1 dose of the steroid medicine dexamethasone or dexamethasone sodium What is COMPLERA? COMPLERA is a prescription HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) medicine that: phosphate � is used to treat HIV-1 in adults who have never taken HIV medicines before. HIV is the � St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). If you are taking COMPLERA, you should not take: � contains 3 medicines, (rilpivirine, emtricitabine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) � other medicines that contain tenofovir (VIREAD®, TRUVADA®, ATRIPLA®) combined in one tablet. EMTRIVA and VIREAD are HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency � other medicines that contain emtricitabine or lamivudine (EMTRIVA®, COMBIVIR®, virus) nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and EDURANT is an EPIVIR® or EPIVIR-HBV®, EPZICOM®, TRIZIVIR®) HIV-1 non-nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). � rilpivirine (EDURANT™) It is not known if COMPLERA is safe and effective in children under the age of 18 years. � adefovir (HEPSERA®)

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

Also tell your healthcare provider if you take: The most common side effects of COMPLERA include: � an antacid medicine that contains aluminum, magnesium hydroxide, or calcium � trouble sleeping (insomnia) carbonate. Take antacids at least 2 hours before or at least 4 hours after you take � abnormal dreams COMPLERA. � headache � a histamine-2 blocker medicine, including famotidine (PEPCID®), cimetidine � dizziness (TAGAMET®), nizatidine (AXID®), or ranitidine hydrochloride (ZANTAC®). Take these � diarrhea medicines at least 12 hours before or at least 4 hours after you take COMPLERA. � nausea ® ® ® � the antibiotic medicines clarithromycin (BIAXIN ), erythromycin (E-MYCIN , ERYC , � rash ERY-TAB®, PCE®, PEDIAZOLE®, ILOSONE®), and troleandomycin (TAO®) � tiredness � an antifungal medicine by mouth, including fluconazole (DIFLUCAN®), itraconazole (SPORANOX®), ketoconazole (NIZORAL®), posaconazole (NOXAFIL®), voriconazole � depression (VFEND®) Additional common side effects include: � methadone (DOLOPHINE®) � vomiting Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure if your medicine is � stomach pain or discomfort � skin discoloration (small spots or freckles) one that is listed above. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your � pain healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. Your healthcare provider and your pharmacist can tell you if you can take these medicines with COMPLERA. Do not start any new medicines while you are taking COMPLERA without first talking with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that can interact with COMPLERA. How should I take COMPLERA? � Stay under the care of your healthcare provider during treatment with COMPLERA. � Take COMPLERA exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. � Always take COMPLERA with a meal. Taking COMPLERA with a meal is important to help get the right amount of medicine in your body. A protein drink does not replace a meal. � Do not change your dose or stop taking COMPLERA without first talking with your healthcare provider. See your healthcare provider regularly while taking COMPLERA. � If you miss a dose of COMPLERA within 12 hours of the time you usually take it, take your dose of COMPLERA with a meal as soon as possible. Then, take your next dose of COMPLERA at the regularly scheduled time. If you miss a dose of COMPLERA by more than 12 hours of the time you usually take it, wait and then take the next dose of COMPLERA at the regularly scheduled time. � Do not take more than your prescribed dose to make up for a missed dose. � When your COMPLERA supply starts to run low, get more from your healthcare provider or pharmacy. It is very important not to run out of COMPLERA. The amount of virus in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped for even a short time. � If you take too much COMPLERA, contact your local poison control center or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away. What are the possible side effects of COMPLERA? COMPLERA may cause the following serious side effects, including: � See “What is the most important information I should know about COMPLERA?” � New or worse kidney problems can happen in some people who take COMPLERA. If you have had kidney problems in the past or take other medicines that can cause kidney problems, your healthcare provider may need to do blood tests to check your kidneys during your treatment with COMPLERA. � Depression or mood changes. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms: - feeling sad or hopeless - feeling anxious or restless - have thoughts of hurting yourself (suicide) or have tried to hurt yourself � Bone problems can happen in some people who take COMPLERA. Bone problems include bone pain, softening or thinning (which may lead to fractures). Your healthcare provider may need to do additional tests to check your bones. � Changes in body fat can happen in people taking HIV medicine. These changes may include increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), breast, and around the main part of your body (trunk). Loss of fat from the legs, arms and face may also happen. The cause and long term health effect of these conditions are not known. � Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider if you start having new symptoms after starting your HIV medicine.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of COMPLERA. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088). How do I store COMPLERA? � Store COMPLERA at room temperature 77 °F (25 °C). � Keep COMPLERA in its original container and keep the container tightly closed. � Do not use COMPLERA if the seal over the bottle opening is broken or missing. Keep COMPLERA and all other medicines out of reach of children. General information about COMPLERA: Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use COMPLERA for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give COMPLERA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. This leaflet summarizes the most important information about COMPLERA. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about COMPLERA that is written for health professionals. For more information, call (1-800-445-3235) or go to www.COMPLERA.com. What are the ingredients of COMPLERA? Active ingredients: emtricitabine, rilpivirine hydrochloride, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate Inactive ingredients: pregelatinized starch, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, povidone, polysorbate 20. The tablet film coating contains polyethylene glycol, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, triacetin, titanium dioxide, iron oxide red, FD&C Blue #2 aluminum lake, FD&C Yellow #6 aluminum lake. This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Manufactured and distributed by: Gilead Sciences, Inc. Foster City, CA 94404 Issued: August 2011 COMPLERA, the COMPLERA Logo, EMTRIVA, HEPSERA, TRUVADA, VIREAD, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc. or its related companies. ATRIPLA is a trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb & Gilead Sciences, LLC. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. © 2012 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. 202123-GS-000 02AUG2011 CON12392 3/12

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

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Closing one chapter, and opening another This will be my final column about HIV shitty. And that, folks, is when the real for Philadelphia Gay News. As I wrote this healing begins. column, something clicked. I realized that Suddenly, you’re not dispirited over eleI’ve done all I can do. I didn’t want to talk ments you can’t control; instead, you’re statistics or politics — just the warrens of upset with the choices you’ve made that the mind and the verities of the heart. Just kept you dispirited. You see the stone in the parts I’ve explored and divined. your stomach, and your footprints pacing I wanted to help others living with HIV around it. You see the maelstrom of your by writing this column. But really, I needed worries, dark fictions and regrets as the this column to help myself. winds howl with your voice. We’re all in this together. We It’s a bittersweet epiphany need each other. It’s so easy to realizing that you’re often the be blinded by the pride of that perpetrator to your own emoshiny merit badge we give ourtions. But with time, you can tip the scales so that the sweet selves for isolating our survival outweighs the bitter. Remember to our own devices, believing that time, well, takes time. that we can surmount our probRushing growth will only make lems on our own. Throw that you feel inferior. Be at peace damn badge to the ground and with yourself. As the Buddhist remember the last time someone proverb goes, “Comparisons are was kind to you. odious.” Living with HIV doesn’t have This column has been to be so hard, though it can be a soapbox, flagellator, poz on your own. No measure of anthem and “Sex Talk with confidence and no trial of suffering will ever make that lump Aaron Stella Sue” session rolled into one. in your stomach go away. It’s I’ve cried (a lot), received letlike a stone you ferment over time that pro- ters of reproach and praise, used the word duces the same distilled despondence you “bareback” more in 750-word articles than felt the first time you disclosed your status. any other writer in human history and, for Only two things can mitigate the weight of the first time in my life, I feel good saying that stone: time and believing that you’ve that I have nothing else to say (for now, at done well for others. least. I’ll always be that gabby grandma So many mistakes. So many opportuniwho doesn’t wear bras or undies at family functions). ties for disaster. “But life’s a narrative,” I used to stay up until five in the morna friend recently admonished me: We’re capable of creating sprawling, dark fictions ing to draft heartfelt goodbyes. Not this in our heads about ostensibly imminent time, folks. Don’t get me wrong, I love all misery and, too, of worlds bathed in celesof you and everything but I can’t be pullin’ tial light goodness all around. Essentially, these all-night binges like I used to. New our proverbial pen can scrawl whatever foes have entered the ring and I’ve got to narrative we want; though that idea on its outsmart them. Gonna need my eight hours own won’t help you sleep at night. of sleep every night, plenty of sunlight, Some days you feel like you have 25 kale, sex and singing Japanese pop songs bricks in your backpack. Other days, you to myself as I walk through the city in drag. laugh at how easily you trample your self worth. Regrets elide with ecstasy; memoYou never have to worry about being all right in the end. It never ends. It never ries settle and simplify with age; walls rise and fall between you and your friends; and ends. even at 80 years old, you’ll still cry over We’re all in this together, folks. Now go out there and talk about it. ■ decisions you have to make. So if not the pain of living with HIV, what other pain would take its place? Have This final column is devoted to Sarah Blazucki. Had it not been for her encouryou thought of that? Obviously, it’s not as though having HIV diminishes your agement, I would’ve written this column empathy for other ills; on the contrary, anonymously. Sarah gave me the courage it enhances it. Yet it can also isolate us, to write this column with my byline, publicly poz. I owe my contentment with HIV even in the middle of warm gatherings to her. with friends and family: Like skipping though a sunlit meadow and suddenly falling off a cliff. What happened there? What [Editor’s note: Not so fast, Aaron. Readers, changed? Did that cliff suddenly appear Aaron and I will be working on a new evounder us or did we feel we should jump lution of this column. Even though Aaron just because it was there, as if there was no has accepted that he’s poz, this is still an way to go but down? important conversation to have — both for Eventually, after so many falls, you’re poz and non-poz people. Hopefully, he’ll going to start feeling shitty about feeling be back next month.]

Millennial Poz

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

Surviving an IRS audit — tips for small businesses Q: I own a small business in Philadelphia and deduct many business-related expenses on my taxes. All of my deductions are legitimate, but I still get concerned about being audited someday. How can I best prepare for a possible audit? A: Whether you run a consulting firm with $5 million in annual revenue or a streetcorner hotdog stand that brings in $20,000 a year, an Internal Revenue Service audit of your tax returns has the potential to be one of the most stressful experiences you’ll encounter as the owner or operator of a small business. But with proper planning and a clear understanding of what to expect, you can significantly improve your odds of emerging relatively unscathed.

The IRS also has a Market Segment Specialization Program designed to train its auditors on the intricacies of dozens of specific business niches, ranging from Alaskan commercial fishing to car washes to the scrap-metal industry. The Audit Technique Guides are available online at www.irs.gov (look under the “Businesses” heading), so you can check to see whether your industry is included in the program. If it is, studying the relevant guide might help you get inside the head of your auditor, so to speak.

How to prepare Even if you expect your audit to go smoothly, it is still a good idea to enlist the services of an experienced tax professional to help you through the process. For example, a professional is What the IRS looks for probably more familiar with the IRS auditors are trained to Jeremy complexities of ever-changing ferret out the truth about your laws than you, and is also business’s income and tax Gussick tax less likely to let emotions cloud liabilities. They are likely to his or her judgment. In addition, scrutinize business practices letting a pro speak on your behalf reduces and search for filing errors to make sure the chance that you will accidentally volthat you have paid every penny you owe. unteer information that could hurt your Whether they request a face-to-face meetcase. ing or choose to conduct an audit through There are simple steps you can take on correspondence, the following areas are your own, too. One obvious way to make a likely targets of IRS scrutiny. good first impression during an audit is to have all of your business records organized — Unreported income: The IRS will in a neat and logical manner. Doing so will assess tax on any “missing” amounts, plus help refresh your memory about important interest and penalty charges, regardless of details, and it just may inspire an auditor whether the omission was accidental or to give you the benefit of the doubt in case intentional. A finding of significant fraud you are unable to document a particular could even result in criminal prosecution claim. and jail time. If you expect to be grilled about unreported income, consider hiring Be sure you have the following records a tax professional to help you through the handy: audit. — Receipts and invoices for income and — Personal vs. business expenses: Be expenses prepared to prove that expenses you’ve — Bank statements and cancelled checks claimed for business purposes were not — Accounting books and ledgers actually personal expenses. Auditors pay — Computer printouts of data you used in particular attention to deductions related the preparation of your return to entertainment, meals, travel and trans— Leases and/or titles for business propportation. Keep all receipts and be ready erty to answer questions about the connection between each expense and your business. Your right to appeal If you drive your car for both personal and After all is said and done, what hapbusiness reasons, maintain a detailed mileage log with a column for each type of use. pens if the auditor rules against you? The first step in the appeal process typically — Employees vs. independent coninvolves requesting a meeting with the tractors: If your business employs indeauditor’s supervisor in order to review your pendent contractors, the IRS will want to case and explain why you think the audimake sure that you’re not avoiding paying tor’s conclusions were unfair or incorrect. payroll taxes on individuals it considers If that doesn’t solve the problem, you have employees. If a worker has a business of the right to schedule an appeals conferhis or her own and offers services to other ence, in which you may represent yourself businesses, the contractor designation is or hire a lawyer, certified public accountant likely to hold up. If you tell an individual or other professional to state your case. If where, when and how to work, the IRS that meeting does not produce the results may consider that person an employee. you’d hoped for, you have the right to take Misclassifying a worker could result in your appeal to court. taxes, interest and penalties.

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Keep in mind that interest and penalties imposed during the audit will continue to compound during the appeal. Also, an appeals officer may raise issues that hadn’t come up before, so you run the risk of opening a whole new can of worms with each additional interaction you have with the IRS. Before deciding whether to appeal the results of an audit, read IRS Publication 5 (Appeal Rights and Preparation of Protest for Unagreed Cases), Publication 556 (Examination of Returns, Appeal Rights and Claims for Refund), and Publication 1660 (Collection Appeal Rights). The publications are free and available online at www.irs.gov. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

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Jeremy R. Gussick is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer.* Jeremy specializes in the financial planning needs of the LGBT community and was recently named a 2011 FIVE STAR Wealth Manager by Philadelphia Magazine.** He is active with several LGBT organizations in the Philadelphia region, including the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund, the Greater Philadelphia Professional Network and the Independence Business Alliance. OutMoney appears monthly. If you have a question for Jeremy, contact him at jeremy.gussick@lpl.com. LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC.

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*As reported by Financial Planning magazine, 1996-2011, based on total revenues. **Award details can be found at www.fivestarprofessional.com This article was prepared by McGraw-Hill Financial Communications and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. Consult your financial advisor, or Jeremy, if you have any questions. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by McGrawHill Financial Communications or its sources, neither McGraw-Hill Financial Communications nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall McGrawHill Financial Communications be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscribers’ or others’ use of the content.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

PGN OP-ED from page 11

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coming out of teaching colleges are not trained in these areas. We are turning out teachers and administrators who are taking on responsibilities much greater than we would imagine them to be, and they need to be equipped to do so.” As unexplored as urban environments were in this film, the response of the schools and the individuals in it felt all too familiar to me. I was in a meeting with a Philadelphia school principal who told me unequivocally that there is “no bullying in my school” and that he runs a tight ship. I was there at the prompting of both a troubled gay youth and a teacher in the school. A recent Philadelphia high-school grad told me, “Adults keep bullying alive by turning a blind eye or giving their own reasons about why a youth is being bullied.” He told me that his Philadelphia school did nothing when he was being bullied. One of the many particularly disturbing scenes in the film shows actual occurrences where one of the featured young boys is on his school bus and being verbally and physically abused. It is difficult to imagine that this is happening in front of an adult holding a camera. In an interview on NPR with Lee Hirsh, the filmmaker, he stated he was surprised that the youth were not in any way deterred by the camera or his presence. This is not surprising to me at all. Clearly it depicts what youth have learned from adults: “You don’t help us if we’re being bullied” and “You don’t stop us if we are doing the bullying.” It seems to me that the public view that “Bully” is a movie for youth is a reflection of adults’ lack of understanding of young people. This movie needs to seen by every adult working in every school and every child welfare agency in the country. This is a call to action for adults, to begin a dialogue with each other about their own failure to stand up against bullying and their charge to protect youth. ■ Carrie Jacobs, Ph.D., has over 30 years’ experience working with adolescents and young adults, including the past 19 years with LGBTQ youth as executive director of The Attic Youth Center in Philadelphia.

PGN

PGN LOCAL

Suspects still at large in parking-lot attack

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

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THE PARKING LOT, TAKEN FROM THE SPOT CLOSE TO WHERE THE ATTACK OCCURRED Photo: Scott A. Drake

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Police are continuing to look for three people involved in the beating of a parking-lot attendant in the Gayborhood last week. Asrat Mulugeta, 30, was attacked March 28 while working at the E-Z Parking lot at 1309 Locust St., between 13th and Broad streets. He was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in critical condition. It is unclear if he has been released. A man, described by police as a 30-year-old African-American man, struck Mulugeta with a brick and fled in a cab with two females. At least one media outlet reported that one of the women is transgender, although police could not confirm that. “That isn’t something I’ve heard,” said 6th District Capt. Brian Korn. “I don’t think that’s something you can really see from the video we have, and I didn’t read that in the witness account.” Police spokesperson Lt. Ray Evers said he also was unsure where that information, reported by Fox 29, came from.

“That is not something we put out, so I don’t know where it came from,” he said. The surveillance video depicts one woman, dressed in a pink sweatsuit engaged in conversation with Mulugeta in the lot. The woman re-enters the lot a few minutes later accompanied by a man who strikes the attendant and then leaves with the woman in pink and a woman dressed in dark green pants. Korn said no money was taken from the victim but money appears to be missing from the booth. The man has been identified as a suspect and the women as people of interest. The Citizens Crime Commission is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the man’s arrest. Korn noted that tipsters can give information anonymously. “We want to get the word out in the neighborhood because someone might know who he is,” Korn said. “Even though it was a one-shot deal and he only hit him once with the brick, he really hit him hard and did a lot of damage. It was a real shame for this guy.” ■

Philadelphia Gay News

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LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

HOUCK from page 1

Houck said his victimization at the detention center has sensitized him to the exploitation and harm caused by the child-porn industry. “My collecting [porn] was showing my support of the industry,” he said. “I’m sorry for the people that are affected by the child porn I collected when [children] were used in the making of it.” Houck said the nature of his criminal indictment became general knowledge at the detention center, though he’s not certain how the information was obtained. His assailants referred to him as a “chomo,” which is prison slang for a child molester, Houck said. They also referred to him as a “faggot,” “homo” and “pussy,” he said. Houck said he fell about 5 feet onto a cement floor before his assailants beat him. “When they pulled me out of my bunk, I landed on the cement floor. It was about a 5foot drop. Then they stomped on me, kicked me and beat me with a chair.” The assailants ran out of Houck’s cell before a correctional officer arrived, alerted by Houck’s screams. Houck was transported by ambulance to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where he spent 18 days in the critical-care unit during the initial phase of his recovery. “It was very hard going,” he said. “I didn’t return [to the detention center] for almost two months.” Months after his return, Houck still couldn’t walk without crutches. David Cooper, an advocate for Houck,

questioned why criminal charges haven’t been filed against Houck’s alleged assailants. “Everyone knows a crime was committed,” Cooper told PGN. “So when is it going to be adjudicated?” Cooper said prosecuting Houck’s assailants would promote respect for the law. “It doesn’t matter where a crime takes place,” Cooper continued. “A crime is a crime, and should be treated as such. The location is irrelevant. A crime committed in a prison doesn’t make it any less of a crime.” H o u c k ’s f a t h e r, Kenneth J. Houck Sr., also expressed hope that the alleged assailants will be prosecuted. ”It wasn’t their place to judge my son,” he said. Patricia Hartman, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, had no comment on whether Houck’s alleged assailants would face criminal charges. “We typically do not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation,” Hartman told PGN. Chris Burke, a spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, said he couldn’t comment on specific cases. But Burke noted that even if inmates aren’t indicted for crimes they commit while in federal custody, they still can face admin-

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istrative sanctions. Generally speaking, he said, administrative sanctions range anywhere from extended solitary confinement to loss of commissary privileges to forfeiture of the right to hold a prison job. Also, the privilege of early release due to good behavior can be revoked, he said. The Pennsylvania State Police collects data on hate crimes in the state that are motivated by bias due to the victim’s sexual orientation, among other categories. The PSP website lists only one hate crime in Philadelphia in November 2011: an “anti-black” hate crime committed at a private residence. Burke had no information on whether BOP officials reported H o u c k ’s a s s a u l t t o authorities as a hate crime. Burke also said BOP administrative guidelines don’t specifically recommend enhanced sanctions for offenses motivated by anti-LGBT bias. “When imposing disciplinary sanctions, our staff considers the totality of the situation, which in many cases includes the motivation of the inmate, and will then sanction accordingly,” Burke said. Houck said all of his personal belongings were stolen from his cell, which he discovered when he returned to the detention cen-

ter after his hospitalization. Burke couldn’t comment specifically on that allegation, but noted that legal recourse is available to any inmate who alleges theft of personal property. Houck’s father said his son’s leg became badly infected after he returned to the detention center, because he allegedly wasn’t given proper antibiotics as part of his aftercare. Burke, the BOP spokesperson, said he couldn’t comment on type of medical treatment Houck received after he returned to the detention center, due to privacy rules. Houck’s father also faulted BOP officials for not releasing information about his son’s condition for almost two months after he was assaulted. “We didn’t know whether he was dead or alive,” he said. Burke said information about a detainee’s condition and location after an assault is kept confidential for security purposes. Houck said he wants to receive extensive psychological counseling while serving his time. He said the abrupt ending of an eight-year relationship sent him into a downward spiral of pornography and drug addiction, culminating in his arrest. “I know I need help,” he said. “I’m a huge drug addict — crack cocaine, heroin, ecstasy. I have a lot to work on.” He’s grateful that he’s been transferred to the Federal Detention Center in Butner, N.C., which has effective treatment programs for inmates addicted to drugs and pornography, he said. ■

SEPTA ASSAULT from page 1

at Allegheny to transfer to the express train, a man punched her in the back, knocking her into the traincar. “I just stood up and looked at him like, what? I don’t understand. And he said, ‘You’re lucky I’m in a good mood because otherwise you’d be in the tracks,’” Molieri said. Molieri called police after exiting the subway at the Olney stop. She said the man was African-American and in his 20s or 30s. She said she had never seen him or the previous attacker before. “I’ve been mugged before in the past but those were people who wanted something from me. These were just two people who wanted to harm me for no reason,” she said. “Maybe I was targeted in some way, but I just don’t know.” SEPTA director of media relations Jerri Williams said the SEPTA Police report does not mention that the victim’s sexual orientation could have been a factor, and that they have not seen any trend with random attacks against LGBT victims. “There’s absolutely no indication that this is any type of pattern,” Williams said. “We can definitely say that there has not been any kind of uptick, increase or trend.” The incidents have influenced Molieri’s view of the transit system. “I’ve changed my route, it’s now much longer, but I still don’t feel comfortable,” she said. “I’m always searching the train or the platform for these individuals. But I just don’t feel safe at all.” ■

“The location is irrelevant. A crime committed in a prison doesn’t make it any less of a crime.” David Cooper

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around 8:30 a.m. March 28, shortly after she exited the Route 15 bus at Broad Street and Girard Avenue. While on the bus, which she has taken for about seven months from her home in the Art Museum area to the Broad Street Subway, Molieri said her bag accidentally brushed against another passenger. She said she apologized but the woman, whom she described as African-American and in her 20s or 30s, became extremely angry and repeatedly cursed at her and warned her to keep her distance. Molieri said a young man offered to switch places with her to put more space between them. When she exited the bus and approached the steps to the subway, she saw the woman running after her. “She was about 3 inches from my face and said, ‘Do you want to say something to me now?’ and she threw me down the steps,” Molieri said. Molieri grabbed the handrail to keep from falling all the way down, and said the woman kicked her several times in the chest and punched her. She said the woman used antigay slurs while attacking her. Molieri ran backward toward the subway entrance and yelled for the SEPTA attendant to call police, which she said he declined to do, before she swiped her pass through the turnstile and quickly boarded the train. She spent several days in and out of work and the hospital seeking treatment. Molieri took an alternate bus route to the subway April 2 but, upon exiting the subway

LOCAL PGN

News Briefing DVLF benefits from The Bard The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre will donate a portion of the proceeds from an upcoming production to a local LGBT grantmaking agency. The 2 p.m. April 15 staging of “Twelfth Night” at 2111 Sansom St. will support the programmatic initiatives of Delaware Valley Legacy Fund. Following the performance, guests can enjoy a reception with a panel of Shakespeare scholars who will discuss LGBT influences in Shakespeare’s works. Tickets to the show and the reception are $50 and can be reserved by calling 215-4968001.

Sims, Josephs to square off Pennsylvania Rep. Babette Josephs (D-182nd Dist.) will TRIAL from page 1

him online sex chat rooms, exposed himself to him on church grounds and suggested they masturbate together. During an overnight visit in 1996, Brennan asked Mark to sleep in his bed and pressed his genitals against him. Defense attorneys brought up Mark’s history of drug abuse and fraud charges and suggested he invented the abuse story, causing several outbursts from the witness. “That man molested me,” Mark testified. “He knows it.” A s s e c r e t a r y f o r c l e rg y from 1992-2004, under thenArchbishop Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, Lynn was tasked with investigating complaints against Archdiocesan priests, including those against Brennan. Brennan was removed from active ministry in 2006 when Mark first made the allegations. The indictment that led to the charges against Brennan and Lynn indicated that, throughout the 1990s, multiple complaints were filed alleging Brennan’s inappropriate contact with young boys. Lynn consented to Brennan’s transfer to different parishes. The trial — now in its third week and expected to last sev-

face off with out challenger Brian Sims in a public debate next week. The debate, organized by Center City Residents’ Association and other local groups, will be held at 7:30 p.m. April 17 at La Colombe coffee shop, 130 S. 19th St. The 182nd District encomp a s s e s P h i l a d e l p h i a ’s Gayborhood. Pennsylvania’s primary election is April 24.

ACT UP marks milestone Local activists will head to New York City later this month to honor the 25th anniversary of the formation of ACT UP. ACT UP Philadelphia will join with ACT UP New York and Occupy Wall Street allies April 25 in an anniversary action, marching from City Hall to Wall Street to call for a financial speculation tax. Hundreds are expected to attend. Free buses will depart from Philadelphia. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ events/412585478755574/. ■ — Jen Colletta eral months — has included a bevy of testimony about charges leveled against other priests, as prosecutors seek to illustrate the Archdiocese’s pervasive practice of failing to report allegations. Last week, a police detective who has worked on child sex-abuse cases testified that an Archdiocesan priest molested him in the 1980s. Several current Archdiocesan priests also detailed the complaints they made against fellow priests — regarding inappropriately close relationships with youth and possession of sexually explicit materials — that resulted in no consequences for the accused. On Monday, a nun testified that she was fired from a suburban parish after complaining that a parish priest, the Rev. Edward DePaoli, was receiving pornographic magazines in the mail. Sister Joan Scary said that in 1996, she sent an anonymous note, along with one of the magazines, to Bevilacqua, and was summarily terminated by the parish pastor. Ten years previously, DePaoli was convicted of possessing child pornography, which was not divulged to parishioners. Brennan and Lynn have both pleaded not guilty. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

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Dine at a participating restaurant on April 26th, and 33% of your food bill will benefit local services in the fight against AIDS. Event Benefits HIV/AIDS Programs In Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties in Pennsylvania, Northern Delaware and Southern New Jersey

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215.232.9000 215.978.4545 215.763.2228 215.569.8939 215.391.4600 215.232.8746

CENTER CITY EAST Barbuzzo 215.546.9300 215.625.9535 Caribou Café* Chifa 215.925.5555 El Vez 215.928.9800 215.545.9600 Fish Garces Trading 215.574.1099 Company Giorgio on Pine* 215.545.6265 Jamonera 215.922.6061 Jones 215.223.5663 Knock* 215.925.1166 215.546.7100 Lolita Mercato 215.985.2962 More Than Just Ice Cream 215.574.0586 215.413.9070 Morimoto 215.625.6666 M Restaurant* Ms. Tootsies 215.731.9045 Soulfood Café* Opa 215.545.0170 215.546.4090 Perch Pub* 215.732.3501 Sampan Singapore Kosher Vegetarian 215.922.3288 Restaurant* Tabu 215.964.9675 Talula’s Garden 215.592.7787 terra* 215.545.1102 Time 215.985.4800 215.629.9200 Tria Valanni 215.790.9494 215.546.6800 Varalli* 215.627.5200 Varga Bar Vedge 215.320.7500 215.545.8731 Venture Inn* Vintage Wine Bar 215.922.3095 and Bistro Walnut Street Supper Club* 215.923.8208 215.546.5170 Westbury Bar* Woody’s 215.545.1893 215.351.9901 Zinc Bistro á Vins*

215.523.8273 215.988.1799 215.731.1222 215.732.7560 215.545.1191 215.569.9269 215.732.4444 215.567.1800 215.558.2500 215.564.5540 215.563.3330 215.546.4232 215.732.2728 215.985.9600 215.391.4900 215.569.8300 215.564.2925 215.985.1922 215.568.2667 267.519.3953 215.985.1878 215.790.1919 215.545.4665 215.567.7683 215.545.2262 215.772.1701 215.732.3663 215.563.5008 215.665.9150 215.972.8742 215.731.0900 215.665.1088

CHESTNUT HILL/MOUNT AIRY Avenida 267.385.6857 215.248.2740 Bacio Cafette 215.242.4220 Earth Bread + Brewery 215.242.6666 Geechee Girl Rice Cafe 215.843.8113 Trolley Car Café 267.385.6703 215.242.6470 Umbria

Frankford Hall Johnny Brenda's Kashmir Garden Koo•Zee•Doo North 3rd Restaurant* Silk City Diner*

215.634.3338 215.739.9684 215.969.6110 215.923.8080 215.413.3666 215.592.8838

OLD CITY Amada Buddakan Continental DiNardo's Famous Seafood Fork Mexican Post Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti Race Street Café Spasso Zahav

215.625.2450 215.574.9440 215.923.6069 215.925.5115 215.625.9425 267.923.5225 215.238.0499 215.627.6181 215.592.7661 215.625.8800

SOCIETY HILL/SOUTH PHILADELPHIA Beau Monde 215.592.0656 Bistro Romano* 215.925.8880 Bistrot La Minette 215.925.8000 Cochon* 215.923.7675 Copabanana 215.923.6180 Izumi 215.271.1222 The Latest Dish 215.629.0565 Le Virtu 215.271.5626 Mama Yolanda’s 215.592.0195 Paloma Mexican Haute Cuisine 215.928.9500 Paradiso 215.271.2066 Percy Street Barbecue 215.625.8510 Pizzeria Stella 215.320.8000 Salt and Pepper* 215.238.1920 Southwark 215.238.1888 Tashan 267.687.2170 215.592.1295 Villa Di Roma

WEST PHILADELPHIA

Bowman's Tavern* Poco's Restaurant Rick's Restaurant* The Raven

215.862.2972 215.348.3424 609.397.0051 215.862.2081

CHESTER COUNTY Main Line Alfredo Italian byo Bunha Faun Cedar Hollow Inn* General Warren Inne Paoli Saladworks Restaurant Alba West Chester Doc Magrogan’s Oyster House* High Street Caffe Jazmine Authentic Thai Cuisine Kildare’s Irish Pub Market Street Grill Mas Mexicali Cantina Side Bar & Restaurant Three Little Pigs

610.640.2962 610.651.2836 610.296.9006 610.296.3637 610.644.8700 610.644.4009

610.429.4046 610.696.7435 610.696.3332 610.431.0770 610.429.5328 610.918.6280 610.429.8297 610.696.8957

Chester County/Other Catherine’s Restaurant 610.347.2227 Columbia Bar & Grill 610.983.0300 PJ Whelihan’s Pub and Restaurant 610.873.1311 Downingtown

DELAWARE COUNTY 2312 Garrett Bar La Belle Epoque Wine Bistro Lotus Farm to Table Mena’s Kitchen Nais Cuisine Picasso Restaurant and Bar Pinocchio’s Pizza Inc. Super Wok Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen The Original Clam Tavern Riddle Ale House

610.626.9900 610.566.6808 610.565.5554 484.494.0079 610.789.5983 610.891.9600 610.566.4895 610.565.5080

NORTHERN LIBERTIES/ FISHTOWN

Dahlak* Distrito Gold Standard Café * JG Domestic Landmark Americana Lemon Grass Thai Pod

A Full Plate Café 215.627.4068 215.923.1313 Bar Ferdinand East Girard Gastropub 267.761.9343

NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Kashimir Garden Las Margaritas

Justin’s Carriage House

MANAYUNK Adobe Café

215.483.3947

215.726.6464 215.222.1657 215.727.8247 215.222.2363 215.222.4500 215.222.8042 215.387.1803

BUCKS COUNTY

215.969.6110 215.969.6600

610.688.8808 610.623.9537 610.566.9984

610.584.5005

Roberto’s Trattoria Spring Mill Cafe Trax Cafe White Elephant Restaurant*

215.233.9955 610.828.2550 215.591.9777 215.663.1495

DELAWARE Greenville BBC Tavern and Grill 302.655.3785 Cromwell’s Tavern and 302.571.0561 Restaurant Newark Caffe Gelato(lunch only) 302.738.5811 Soffritto Italian Grill 302.455.1101 Timothy’s of Newark 302.738.9915 New Castle Trader’s Cove at Penn’s Place

302.322.6334

Wilmington Bellefonte Cafe 302.761.9175 302.482.3333 Chelsea Tavern 302.384.8012 Extreme Pizza* Luigi Vitrone’s Pastabilities 302.656.9822 Restaurant 302.652.6358 The Melting Pot Stoney’s British Pub 302.477.9740 302.762.9094 Tutto Fresco Ulysses American 302.691.3456 Gastropub 302.654.9780 Union City Grille

SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY Andreotti’s 856.795.0172 Viennese Cafe 856.468.3557 Barnsboro Inn 609.383.6150 Cafe Gallery* 856.854.5555 Casona Restaurant 856.751.2800 Dream Cuisine Indeblue Indian 856.854.4633 Cuisine* 856.833.9800 Keg & Kitchen Los Amigos Restaurant 856.767.5216 Mt. Laurel Saladworks 856.439.0100 Nunzio Ristorante 856.858.9840 Rustico 856.869.0111 The Pop Shop* 856.665.7427 Red Hot and Blue 856.854.7220 Westmont Diner*

* Make an additional donation of $25 or more on April 26th and you will receive a 20% Off Tuesdays card with your thank you letter. This card entitles you to 20% off of your table’s food bill on Tuesday evenings** throughout the year at participating 20% Off Tuesdays Restaurants. Listings with an asterisk* are 20% off Tuesdays participants. **Excluding holidays. Not to be combined with other offers. RED RIBBON PARTNER

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

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Media Trail

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Kerry seeks to aid bi-national couple

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The Washington Blade reports Massachusetts Democratic senior Sen. John Kerry is seeking to aid a married lesbian couple by asking the Department of Homeland Security to ensure the foreign national in the relationship won’t be deported to Pakistan. I n a l e t t e r, Ke r r y a s ke d Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano to hold in abeyance the I-130 marriage-based green-card petition for the couple until the Defense of Marriage Act is overturned. The couple, who are going by their first names only — Gloria, a Pakistan national, and Jackie — reside in Beverly, Mass. The two met as roommates in college in 2008. They married in October. Gloria’s student visa expired last year, putting her in a situation where she may be deported. Kerry wrote that the case “clearly justifies” administration action because of the potentially harsh antigay treatment Gloria would face if sent back to Pakistan.

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Former Library of Congress staffer files discrimination suit

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The Advocate.com reports a 30-year-old employee was fired from his job at the Library of Congress, and he says it’s because he’s gay. Peter TerVeer was fired earlier this year from his job, ostensibly for being “AWOL” from work. But he says he had to take medical leave because he’s been subjected to antigay harassment from his boss, John Mech, since August 2009. TerVeer says that after Mech found out he was gay, he began quoting Bible passages to him and giving him poor performance reviews. TerVeer has filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and will likely file a lawsuit as well, his attorney said. ■ — compiled by Larry Nichols

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the 6th Police District between March 26-April 1. Information is courtesy of 6th District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice.com or call 215-686-TIPS (8477).

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INCIDENTS — Between 2:15 p.m. March 24 and 1:30 a.m. March 25, (reported March 26), someone entered an apartment in the 1300 block of Spruce Street through an unlocked window and stole a laptop. Sixth District Officer Thornton lifted fingerprints at the scene. — Between 7:15-7:45 p.m. March 30, a 1997 Mercury parked in the 1200 block of Walnut Street was stolen. — Between 12:30-3:25 p.m. April 1, someone smashed the windows of a 2009 Acura and a 2010 Dodge parked in the paid parking garage, 237 S. Broad St., and stole cell phones from each. Sixth District Officer Sweeney lifted fingerprints. — At 5:35 p.m. April 1, a man had his iPhone snatched from his hand while he was standing at 13th and Walnut streets. The suspect was described as a black male, 13-17 years old and wearing a dark jacket. — At 5:40 p.m. April 1, a woman was at the SEPTA bus stop, Juniper and Walnut streets, when a male slapped her iPhone from her hand, then a second male blocked her from picking it up. The suspects took the phone and fled west on Walnut and were described as black males. One was 18-20 years old, 5-foot-10, with a thin build and wearing a black hoodie with red writing. The other was 20-24 years old, 6-foot, with a heavy build and wearing a black sweatshirt. — Between 7:30-8:30 a.m. March 27, someone entered an unlocked delivery truck parked in the 1100 block of Sansom Street and stole numerous boxes of medical supplies. The vehicle was checked for fingerprints by Central Detective Division. — Between 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. March 26 (reported March 27), someone entered an apartment in the 1200 block of Chestnut MARK MY WORDS from page11

ger are afraid to have us as neighbors. In fact, most Americans want us as their neighbors and pollsters have discovered that 47 percent of strong conservative Republicans would vote for an LGBT person running for office.” All one has to do is watch the Republican primaries and see this working itself into the Republican fabric. As I stated before, enjoy this Republican race and watch Rick Santorum. In this race, Santorum is like George Wallace, the last proud racist to run for president. Santorum will be the last proud homophobe to run for president. And like Wallace, he’ll become an

Street without force and stole a laptop. Sixth District Officer Keenan lifted fingerprints. — At 12:35 a.m. April 1, a woman was walking in the 1100 block of Sansom Street when a male knocked her down and took her handbag. The suspect fled east on Saint James Street and was described as a black male, 20-25 years old, 6-foot, 180 pounds and wearing a gray hoodie with white stripes and jeans. NON-SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 1 p.m. March 28, 6th District Officers Ferrero and Blackburn observed a male firing a BB gun from a second floor window of a residence in the 200 block of South 13th Street at a vehicle stopped for the traffic light at 13th and Locust streets. The officers entered the apartment building, located and apprehended the suspect and recovered a loaded BB gun, extra CO2 cartridges and BBs. The 19-year-old suspect with a Frankford address was charged with aggravated assault and related offenses. — At 10 p.m. March 27, 6th District Officer Duncan investigated a male outside 1222 Locust St. and found he was wanted on a probation violation warrant from Trenton, N.J. The 27-year-old suspect with a Wrightstown, N.J., address was arrested and charged as a fugitive from another jurisdiction. — At 12:05 a.m. April 1, 6th District Officers Ferrero and Blackburn arrested a male wanted on a bench warrant for failure to appear for court outside 237 S. Broad St. The 57-year-old suspect with a homeless shelter address was charged with contempt of court. SUMMARY OFFENSE ARRESTS — On March 28, police issued citations for summary offenses at 12:15 a.m. outside 237 S. 13th St. and at 10:10 p.m. outside 912 Walnut St. — On March 29, police issued a citation for a summary offense at 5:15 p.m. outside 1324 Walnut St. — On March 30, police issued citations for summary offenses at 3:30 p.m. outside 221 S. Broad St.; 5:20 p.m. outside 1324 Walnut St.; 7:25 p.m. outside 1205 Spruce St.; 9:35 p.m. outside 261 S. 13th St.; and 10:30 p.m. outside 200 S. Juniper St. ■ outcast in his own party. Wallace eventually apologized, but Santorum is too arrogant to apologize for the hate he has spun. Ricky, I hope you enjoyed your time in the sun. Sunset is now upon you. And as for the general election and that Etch A Sketch candidate, just take a look at the Republican New Hampshire debate to see what his LGBT positions will be. It might surprise you. ■ Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the nation’s most-award-winning commentator in LGBT media. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com.

PGN FEATURE

AC ul t ure

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

rts

12-YEAR-OLD ALEX, ABOVE RIGHT

By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor The hot-button issue documentary “Bully” opens with a moving, heartfelt speech by David Long, who describes his teenage son Tyler being victimized and bullied. Tyler was a loner who finally decided, David recounts, “enough was enough.” The film later reveals that Tyler hung himself to end the painful emotional abuse he suffered as a teenager. Another subject, Kelby, a 16year-old lesbian in Oklahoma (see sidebar Q&A), poignantly confesses that she was a cutter and attempted suicide three times as a result of bullying in her school. In contrast, Ja’meya, a 14year-old African-American girl in Mississippi, responded to her abusers by drawing a gun on the school bus. Her actions landed her in a juvenile detention center, where she faced multiple felony counts. These powerful stories are representative of how teens respond to being teased, tortured and tormented in middle and high schools across

America. “Bully” is a response — and a blistering wake-up call — to the estimated 13-million kids mentally and physically abused by their peers every year. Yet while the film has some important insights about bullying — how kids who are picked on respond to it, how administrators in schools are seemingly unable to do anything about it, and how angry parents are that it happens to their children — director Lee Hirsch’s deliberately observational approach to the subject almost does his topic a disservice. He does not focus on the bullies but rather on the victims (and their families), to show how they are weakened further by a system that cannot solve their problems. Administrators shrug off concerns with a “kids will be kids” attitude. One anger-inducing episode has a student complaining to an ineffectual assistant principal, Kim Lockwood, that he is being abused. Her infuriating response is to tell the troubled student, “Maybe you can be friends.” That bullying is PAGE 30

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Barcrawlr Bulletin Board Dining Out Family Portrait Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly Worth Watching

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From bullied to budding activist “Bully” subject Kelby talks about her involvement in the film and her experiences as an out teen. PGN: How did you get involved in “Bully”? KELBY: Ellen DeGeneres did a show on bullying and my mom wrote on one of their websites and told them what was going on with me. One of their producers got in contact with Lee [Hirsch, the director], who called me not long after that. PGN: Why did you want/agree to participate and tell your story? KELBY: I think part of it was being in such a small town. I felt I was the only one, and I got to thinking about it, and there must be millions of kids who feel this way and they can see it and think, “I’m not alone.” This was a great opportunity and a way to express what I wanted to do with my life. PGN: Do you want to be an LGBT activist? KELBY: I am hoping to. I might go to D.C. for an

internship to work with GLSEN [Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network], so hopefully doors will open for me in the LGBT community — and hopefully they are receptive. PGN: In the film, you describe being hit by a car and ostracized. How much of the bullying that you faced occurred after you came out? KELBY: Before [I came out, I was bullied] because I wore glasses, or a headband, or little things like that. It wasn’t too bad. But then, after I came out, it put that target on my back. I was run over by a group of six guys. They left, and didn’t stop to check on me. The teachers were joining in with the students on the bullying in school, and the kids felt they could get away with KELBY it because they saw the adults doing it too. PGN: You describe being a cutter and contemplating suicide — what prompted you to stop that behavior? PAGE 30

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

named Trey — who is grieving the loss of his best friend, who committed suicide — explains how he used to be a bully, but has since mended his ways. In marked contrast, Kelby’s decision to stay in her school and not let the bullies “win” proves to be unwise. Yet “Bully” barely shows viewers why, and this is a missed opportunity. Kelby’s screen time is minimal in the film. Most of “Bully” — too much, in fact — follows the trials and tribulations of Alex, a gawky 12-year-old who is viciously picked on by his classmates on the school bus. They strangle him from behind, stab him with pencils and punch him as well as call him names. “Bully” films these horrifying episodes and viewers will want someone to step in and save poor The nation’s oldest, continuously Alex. No one does, but operating LGBT bookstore. the filmmakers do show the footage to Alex’s parents and school officials — who are justifiably disturbed. One of the saddest moments in “Bully” has Alex’s mother explaining to him that the kids who abuse him are not his friends; Alex does not quite realize this. His parents try to get the school to take control of the situation and monitor the behavior of the other kids, but his mother feels her complaints fall on deaf ears. More forceful is a town hall meeting where 3 million eBooks available Long and his wife try to at www.queerbooks.com address the issue of bullyemail: giovannis_room@verizon.net ing. They find incredible support in community 345 S. 12th St. members and fellow stuPhiladelphia, Pa 19107 dents, if not the school 215-923-2960 board members attending the same meeting. Mon-Sat 11:30 - 7, Sun 1 - 7 If “Bully” is painful to

PGN FEATURE

BULLY from page 29

KELBY from page 29

brushed aside by administrators like Lockwood, as if it is a rite of passage, is particularly frustrating, however accurate it is. The film concentrates mostly on presenting the problem. But who watching this documentary doesn’t already understand that bullying is a problem? “Bully” does include two interesting anecdotes by kids who overcame bullying, illustrating that behavior can change. One boy, Devon, explains how he stood up to his bullies, and that earned him their respect. Another pre-teen,

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KELBY: I felt after I went through all that cutting and attempting suicide, it wasn’t doing anything for me — it was pushing me further back. I said, “I’m done with ‘Poor Me.’” I was making it worse for myself. Every time I walked into school with cuts on my arm, it made them win — and they did. That was a sense of accomplishment for them. Then I stopped because I wanted to be stronger.

ALEX

watch as kids like Alex are physically abused, or a young boy named Cody tells a teacher that it “breaks my heart” to be called a “faggot,” the articulation of their suffering is effecting. Even viewers who have never been bullied will feel for these kids who do not deserve such cruelty. Yet despite its noble intentions to call attention to a larger problem, “Bully” never addresses how these kids can seek/find help, or even get counseling to deal with their problems. Ja’meya is the exception, but only because her counseling is court-ordered. “Bully” also introduces Kirk and Laura Smalley, a couple whose 11-year-old son killed himself as a result of bullying. Kirk starts a program called “Stand for the Silent” to raise awareness for what his late son endured. It’s an important project and one that the film shows gaining momentum. But “Bully” really should have addressed how kids can be protected and prevented from taking their own lives. It needs to teach coping skills for being different and feeling isolated. Telling their stories, however brave, inspiring and empowering, is only the start of the conversation. It is not enough. ■

PGN: You talk about your biggest loss was not being able to play basketball — something you love — in school. How did you cope with that? KELBY: That was hard letting go of the sports. I’m going to have to get back out there, but I picked my battles. I was trying to stay away from it as much as I could, so I had to let go. PGN: What advice do you have for GLBT youth about coming out in middle/high school? KELBY: You need to. For yourself — not for anyone else. You have to be honest with yourself. It’s a huge weight lifted off your shoulders. You will go through rough times — you have to — but in the end, you’re stronger and it’s better. PGN: What is the most harmful aspect to bullying — the name calling, the physical abuse, the isolation? KELBY: I think for me, the worst part was the isolation. If you have the name-calling and physical abuse, you have people to go to; they can help you cope. If you are alone and isolated, you have nowhere to turn, and that puts you in a dark place. Luckily I have my parents, who are really supportive

of me. PGN: Your father is seen in the film to be incredibly supportive. What has your relationship with him been like? KELBY: My dad and I didn’t talk about it [before]; we never brought it up. But now I feel we’ve become closer and more open/understanding no matter what the situation is. PGN: You talk about the support of your friends. What role models do you have? KELBY: All I had was “Ellen.” There was no knowledge of the LGBT community to me. I’d never seen it or been around it. I learned through “Ellen” and looking stuff up on the ’Net. PGN: It seems that the administration in schools is lacking support for dealing with bullying. Did you find that to be the case? KELBY: I think we did a great job with the school. Lee wasn’t trying to make the schools look bad. It’s them not knowing how to handle [bullying]. It’s easier to sweep it under the rug. That’s the problem. They need to understand this is an epidemic and kids are taking their own lives. It’s the biggest problem in the schools. PGN: Where are you now? Are you still with your girlfriend? KELBY: I dropped out of school but got my GED and now I live in an apartment with my girlfriend in Oklahoma City. As I said in the film, my friends are the only reason I walked into school and was there as long as I was. We took it day by day. It was scary, but we had each others’ backs. ■ — Gary M. Kramer

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

NIGHTLIFE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

Send Me An Angel

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

Outward Bound Jeff Guaracino

Online and in print every third Friday of the month. Only in PGN recently replaced many of its older honor boxes along Market, Chestnut and Walnut streets with brand-new ones and added boxes at the locations below. If you see a PGN box that might need some sprucing up or to be replaced, or if you have a suggestion for a new location, contact Don at don@epgn.com or call 215-625-8501 ext. 200

Broad & Arch Front & Girard Germantown & Girard 13th & Arch 13th & Ellsworth 18th & Spring Garden 20th & Fitzwater 27th & Poplar 28th & Girard 29th & Girard

If you’ve finished your taxes already, there are a lot of great events this weekend to choose from to reward yourself with a night out. If you haven’t, here’s to procrastinating one more day! Screw the tax man — get out there and have a good time! Who knows, you might just find a special someone to blow that tax refund with. (Y’all do know that’s why I write this column, right? Get out there! Hook up! Fall in love! As your Auntie Mame would say, “Live! Live! Live!”)

Proceeds from the auction and karnival benefit the club’s “Operation Tea Room” project, raising money to support restroom renovations at the William Way LGBT Community Center — which is already well over halfway to its goal. For more information, find Philadelphians MC on Facebook or check out www.philadelphiansmc.org.

Mr. Philadelphia Drag King It’s time to crown a new king! The Mr. Philadelphia Drag King conLassos and Lariats test, brought to you by the Get ready for three nights Liberty City Kings, will go of country dancing, fun and down from 7:30-10:30 p.m. surprises to benefit The Attic April 14 at the William Way Youth Center and the William LGBT Community Center, Way LGBT Community Center. 1315 Spruce St.; 18 to enter, There will be raffles, prizes, 21 to drink. Sliding scale cover entertainment and country danccharge is $5-$15, or $10 in ing at the following: advance (expect it to sell out). From 7-11 p.m. April 13 The winner of the contest at Woody’s, 202 S. 13th St.; gets to swagger around town from 7-10 p.m. April 14 at wearing the title of Mr. PDK ICandy, 254 S. 12th St., featur2012, goodies from all the sponJim Kiley- sors ing comedy by Steve Miller(Passional, Philly Pride and Miller; from 6-9 p.m. April Zufelt the Way Gay), and the chance 15 at Woody’s, featuring the to perform with the Liberty City Manhattan Prairie Dogs and a bachelor/ Kings at Pride, OutFest, the Dyke March bachelorette auction. and more! Proceeds benefit the Philly For more details, search for “Lassos and Dyke March. For more information, see Lariats 2012” on Facebook. www.libertycitykings.com.

Barcrawlr

Buck Angel Workshops World-famous trans activist, porn star and self-described “Man With A Pussy” Buck Angel is in town this weekend to present two of his popular workshops. First is “Sexing the Trans Man,” from 6-7:30 p.m. April 13 at Aphrodite Gallery, 704 S. Fifth St. Angel will take you on a tour of transmasculine sex with tips and advice on how to approach, flirt with, bag and bang a hot trans guy. All genders and orientations are welcome. Second is “The Buck Angel Effect: Feeling Sexy in Your Own Skin,” from 67:30 p.m. April 14 at Aphrodite Gallery. For this workshop, Angel will discuss how to become more comfortable with your body and to enjoy your life and sexuality. Tickets are $20 in advance or $30 at the door for each event ($5 discount for college students). For more info, see www. passion101classes.com. Asian Fusion Auction & Kinky Karnival You might think you’re turning Japanese at the Asian Fusion Auction and Kinky Karnival hosted by Philadelphians MC from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. April 14 at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. The auction will feature new and deliciously used leather and fetish items including apparel, floggers, gear, toys, porn and even a full leather California Highway Patrolman’s uniform. The karnival will feature fun “rides” including a hot wax table, flogging on the St. Andrew’s cross, electro play and Shibari rope bondage.

April Arouse It’s a Philadelphia Drag March fundraiser and Mr. Philadelphia Drag King after-party all rolled up in one! And it’s going down from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. April 14 at Finnigan’s Wake, 537 N. Third St. Cover is only $5 if you have a stamp from the Philly Drag King contest! Philadelphia Mr. Gay So many pageants, so little time! If the drag king contest is sold out, then check out the boys competing in the sixth-annual Philadelphia Mr. Gay contest. Doors open 8 p.m. April 14 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St. Tickets are $15 for standing room or $25 for VIP seating. Expect an evening of hot competition and fabulous entertainment. For more information and advance tickets, check out www.nightlifegay.com. Stimulus’ three-year anniversary Save some energy after the weekend of April 14 because the Stimulus three-year anniversary party runs 10 p.m.-2 a.m. April 20 at Shampoo Nightclub, 417 N. Eighth St. Cover is $20 if you get there before midnight and includes a four-hour open bar — that’s in addition to the hottie gogo dancers, the delicious shot girls and the amazing DJs. For more info, check out www.stimulusphilly.com. ■ Questions? Comments? Beauty pageant tips, tricks or horror stories? Contact Jim at barcrawlr@gmail.com.

PGN TELEVISION

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

MTV and college campuses have love for Dan Savage By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Dan Savage, the openly gay and immensely popular sex-advice columnist, activist, author and part of the reason Rick Santorum can’t be taken seriously as a presidential candidate, has taken his years of sexual wisdom to the small screen with his new MTV show “Savage U.” On the show, Savage, known for his column “Savage Love” and his “It Gets Better Project,” travels to college campuses all over the country answering students’ questions about sex and romance. Lucky us, we got Savage to answer a few of our questions. Not about sex, but about his new show and his efforts to make the world a more socially enlightened place. PGN: Do you see any irony in “Savage U” appearing on the same network that brings the world “16 and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom”? DS: No, actually I don’t. I think it’s the perfect companion piece to those shows. I jokingly refer to our show as “18 and Not Pregnant.” A lot of sex researchers are crediting “Teen Mom” and “16 and Pregnant” for bringing down the teen pregnancy rate and de-glamorizing teen pregnancy. And it’s not just me saying that. I think our show glamorizes college a little bit. It’s almost inspirational. The kids who are committed to using birth control religiously, it gives them a glimpse of something that could be in their future since they’re going to have one because they are not 16 and pregnant. PGN: We live in an age where the information is out there and easily accessible. Does it surprise you that college students can be as uninformed about sex and relationships as they ever have been? DS: No, it doesn’t surprise me. We live in a sex-negative culture. And one of the messages young people get is ignorance is evidence of virtue. If you don’t know about sex and you don’t know your hole from an ass in the ground, you’re a better person and Jesus loves you more. There are a lot of people that might have access to good sex advice, information and education if they were so motivated as to go and get it, but a lot of them aren’t because their parents or their church have conned them into believing that sex should come naturally, and that means it should come from a place of ignorance and no information. But in the 20 years of writing the column, it has changed. I used to get a lot of questions by people seeking definitions and instructions on how to do a particular thing. Everything has a wiki page now so I don’t have to give those instructions. What I get a lot of questions about [now] is relationships, and that’s stuff you can’t read about and know how to do. PGN: Do the questions at these events ever shock you or cause you concern?

“IT GETS BETTER” FOUNDER DAN SAVAGE

PGN: I’m constantly shocked by how ignorant young people can be by design. I’ll always be grateful because I’ll always have a job. One that I’ll always remember is somebody asking me, not if he was right or wrong, but to back him up in a dispute with his girlfriend that he could not get her pregnant if he stopped thrusting after ejaculating inside her because it was those thrusts after ejaculation that broke open the eggs. I emailed him back thinking he was pulling my leg and got into a conversation with him, and he actually believed this to be true. It blows my mind. But I’m grateful. But it’s like, I will always work. PGN: Have you encountered any resistance from the colleges about you coming to speak to their students? DS: There were a couple we asked and they declined because they wanted to see the show first. I think any college that was hesitant, once they see the show, will be up for it. The colleges look really good, the students are smart. Everyone seems to be having fun. I think kids should go to college. I’m a snob like Barack Obama. One of the things I think the show is going to do is introduce a lot of young people to what college can be and what it feels like. It might inspire some people to pull it together and get into college. I think some colleges didn’t want to do it because they thought I was going to show up with Johnny Knoxville and “Jackass” it up and I’m just not that, much to the disappointment of my son. PGN: What’s next for “It Gets Better” and did it meet your expectations? DS: It exceeded my expectations. When [my husband] Terry and I launched it, we hoped to get 100 videos. Now it’s way more than 50,000, most from average ordinary people. Everybody talks about Lady Gaga’s video and the president’s video. They’re wonderful, but the celeb videos and the politicians and the corporations are probably 500 out of the 50,000. So there are so many average LGBT people that are giving LGBT kids a picture of what their lives can be like. The goal was to save lives and we saved lives. What we’ve delivered to a lot of kids is the LGBT support group that they couldn’t find or attend or get to — there isn’t one where they live or their parents wouldn’t allow them to go to one. Going forward, it looks like the

Pride House in London for the Olympics is going to be taking “It Gets Better” as its theme, which is a good media hit because it’s going to force journalists from all over the world who are gathering in London for the Olympics to address whether it is getting better for gay people in their countries where they come from. We’re pleased about that. I would be pleased if there were no need for it. But for the foreseeable future, there’s going to be this online resource that’s always going to exist where young people can find support, advice and coping mechanisms. PGN: Considering the kind of public figures that get glitter-bombed, do you think you deserved to be the target of two glitterbombings yourself? DS: Nooo. What I think is going on is, this didn’t start, this attacking me, until MTV’s cameras were pointed at me. People always understood that I was a bit of a joker. I would take the piss out of people and a lot of people would take the piss out of me. I was very tough on gay men too, not just other flavors in the queer rainbow. But as soon as the cameras were pointed on me, there was some desire to leverage that attention for other issues by attacking me. There’s always been an eat-your-own streak in gay-activist circles and I certainly am not where I was on trans issues when I first started the column. We all know

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more about trans issues now than anybody did 20 years ago. And you can go back through the column and cherry-pick things and say that’s transphobic. And yeah, some of it was. But I don’t think attacking me is smart or fair. I don’t think that glitterbombings are smart or fair. I don’t think it’s productive. The poor dope who did it to Romney lost his job and is going to get prosecuted. If he had only been smart enough to shoot a black teenager to death, he would have been fine. He wouldn’t have been charged because this is America. So I don’t think the attacks on me are fair or wise. It makes the gay community look crazy. It’s made me more reluctant to talk about trans issues or include letters in the column from people who are trans because I don’t want the crazies coming at me again. These attackers, most of whom are not trans — only one of the people who attacked was a trans person — are going to magnify the problem of trans invisibility because now I’m probably going to write about trans people less than I did before in the most widely syndicated sex-advice column in America, because I don’t want to have a copy editor screw up a pronoun and then have someone throw something at me the next time I’m standing at a podium. ■ “Savage U” airs Tuesdays at 11 p.m. on MTV. For more information, visit www.mtv. com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News M A K E S

H I S T O R Y

PGN won 10 awards from the Local Media Association for news, entertainment and column writing, page and graphic design and sections. — Highest number of awards for an LGBT publication from a mainstream journalism organization ever — PGN ranked second in the nation among weekly newspapers

PGN won the following 2011 LMA editorial awards: • • • • •

1st Place, Best Continuing Coverage: Stacey Blahnik murder by Jen Colletta 1st Place, Best Entertainment/Lifestyle Section: Arts & Culture Section 1st Place, Best Column Writing: Millennial Poz by Aaron Stella 1st Place, Best Graphic Artwork: Election 11/10, Regional Civil Unions/Marriage Laws, 35 Years of PGN timeline by Scott A. Drake and Sean Dorn 1st Place, Best Non-Page One Layout: Arts & Culture Feature Story Covers by Sean Dorn

• • •

3rd Place, Best Opinion Column: “Mark My Words” by Mark Segal 3rd Place, Best Arts & Entertainment Criticism/Commentary: “These Women Want To Rock You With New Music” by Larry Nichols 3rd Place, Best Special Section: “World AIDS Day”

• •

Honorable Mention, Best Arts & Entertainment Writing-Feature: “Author Brings Her Story to the Stage in Philly” by Larry Nichols Honorable Mention, Best In-depth Reporting: “Crystal Meth: Clubs, Culture And The Gay Community” by Jen Colletta

The Local Media Association serves over 2,000 member North American newspapers. With this year’s recognition, PGN is the most award-winning LGBT newspaper in the country, and in LGBT media history.

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

Suzi Nash

Jade Starling: Pretty Poison, pageants and Pride Jade Starling has probably been to more Pride parades than most gay people. Starling, the lead singer for Pretty Poison, best known for its No. 1 platinum hit “Catch Me I’m Falling,” hails from our area and has been a long time ally of the LGBT community. With a new album, “Captive,” coming out this summer, she took time to speak to us about her life, music and kinship with the LGBT community. PGN: So you’re a local gal: Tell me a little about the family. JS: My parents were working-class people. They were both musicians so I was introduced to music at a very young age. My brother and my father both played the guitar and my mother played piano. I actually started out playing violin and flute. It was great because they were very supportive of my music career. I was classically trained, but I always wanted to be a rock star! PGN: I think it worked out OK for you. JS: Believe it or not, I started out doing the beauty pageant circuit. This was when I was young and later, when the whole JonBenét thing went down, it really shook me to my core because that used to be me up on stage at those pageants. You just never know what people are thinking. As an adult looking back, I realized you have to be careful how you portray yourself. PGN: You said you have a big brother — was yours as torturous as mine? JS: [Laughs.] Oh, yeah. When I was younger he’d beat me up the way big brothers do. But hey, it toughened me up! PGN: What was a favorite childhood moment? JS: One of my favorite moments was winning a competition for the first time and the feeling of entertaining people and being applauded for it. I was about 5 years old and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to be an entertainer. PGN: Who was a relative that had the most influence? JS: I’d say my mother. She instilled confidence and strength in me and taught me love and respect of all people. A wonderful, wonderful woman. PGN: A silly childhood question: What color was your room? JS: It was pink! That was my color. PGN: Something you did that got you in trouble? JS: Ha! Which time? Let’s see. One time, I ran away from home with my best friend. Not because I was having a bad time at home but because she was. I even wrote a letter to my parents: “Dear Mom and

Dad, I’m running away from home but it has nothing to do with you. Please don’t be upset, I’ll be fine.” The cops found us that night a couple of blocks from home. I learned that even trying to do good, you need to ask permission first! PGN: That showed great loyalty to a friend, though. JS: I was definitely a loyal friend, but I scared the living daylights out of my poor parents! PGN: What’s your oldest piece of clothing? JS: I used to do a lot of vintage shop and flea market combing, so I have a lot of pieces left from those days. I have some clothing that goes back to the Victorian era. PGN: When did you start entertaining on a professional level? JS: I started playing in a band around 15. I think the first time playing out at an event was 16 and I started in Pretty Poison when I was 17.

on his sisters’ dresses. I just thought he was the cutest thing ever. [Laughs.] I think that was the beginning of my “fag hag” days: early childhood memories of crossdressing friends! PGN: You’ve performed at numerous Pride events; which was a favorite? JS: In 1997, we played at San Diego Pride. We won for best float because I had 12 go-go boys dressed in red, white and blue thongs surrounding me. It was so much fun, I felt like royalty! PGN: Other than the kid in your neighborhood, what drew you to the gay community? JS: I think I always felt like an outcast, particularly in high school. My mother used to like to dress me up in nice clothes and I had my own style thing going on. As a result, I was picked on relentlessly. I was tortured by the other chicks. The girls just had it out for me and I got beat up just for the clothes I was wearing. I literally had

PGN: How did you get started with them? JS: I saw an ad in a music store. There was a sign saying, “Band looking for a singer,” so I called. The band didn’t even have a name at the time. I auditioned and it clicked. We just magically seemed to come together. Whey Cooler and I started collaborating on songwriting and it just flowed.

PGN: That harkens back to you sharing your friend’s pain when you ran away with her. JS: Exactly! And you know what? I think I know why I became such a huge LGBT advocate. When I was little, one of our neighbor’s kids was obviously gay. He was 5 and he used to paint his toenails and put

PGN: You’ve been an outspoken ally since way before it became popular to befriend the LGBT community — even before Ellen and Melissa came out — and you had your own “gays” before Kathy Griffin. Were you ever afraid of negative backlash? JS: I have never done anything that I didn’t feel heartfelt or committed to. There have been a few, shall we say detractors, but I don’t need them. If you have a problem with it, then don’t buy my records or follow my career. It’s not going to change what I do or how I feel. PGN: And now you have new music coming out? JS: Yes, the new single is called “Dance Revolution” and we play on the Occupy theme, but it’s about taking over the dance floor. We saw some folks picketing on Wall Street and they were shouting, “Get up! Get Down!” and it just morphed into a song for us. It’s available on Google Play. The album is called “Captive.” PGN: I know your platinum hit “Catch Me I’m Falling” has been used in movie sound tracks. JS: It’s pretty cool: It was in “Hiding Out,” “Kickin’ Old Skool” starring Jamie Kennedy and in Adam Sandler’s “Don’t Mess With The Zohan.” And just recently it was featured on the Emmy Award-winning show “Breaking Bad.”

PGN: I read that Pretty Poison was one of the first crossover artists and that you paved the way for a lot of artists like Britney Spears and Pink. What music did you listen to growing up? JS: Rock. Rock and dance. In truth, I’m just a fan of good music, so whether it’s R&B or rock or dance or country, I’m just attracted to good music. I think coming from a musical household gave me an open mind to all genres of music. It’s all about the song and how it touches you and brings you back to a certain time in your life. As a songwriter, I’m all about music that draws you in. PGN: Where do you get your ideas? JS: I like to write things that inspire me and I like to live vicariously through other people. I may write a song about a situation someone else is going through and feel it through them.

feelings about it? JS: “Let Freedom Ring.” It was a gay Pride anthem. [Sings:] “We gotta love one another every sister and brother.”

them torn off of me. I’d come home with black eyes and my parents would go down to the school ... It was horrible. So I know what it’s like to be bullied for being different. It opened my eyes and my heart to everyone else who was being picked on or alienated, kept out of social groups just for being different. And I always felt comfortable in the gay community: I always felt like I fit in and the LGBT community has always been very supportive of me. PGN: Since you write from experience, which one of your songs exemplifies your

PGN: What was it like the first time you watched a film and heard your song being played? JS: Oh, it was super exciting. I got to go to the Hollywood premier of “Hiding Out,” starring Jon Cryer, who’s now in “Mad Men.” When I heard my song, I was completely blown away. Hearing your song as part of the soundtrack? So cool. I remember the first time I heard it on the radio. I was driving somewhere in Philly and I almost crashed the car! It was surreal. It was like, “Oh my God, that’s my song! And people like it!” PGN: Speaking of cool, you wrote a song on Joss Stone’s last album. JS: I co-wrote a song called “Proper Nice” with Whey Cooler. PAGE 38

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

SPECIAL GREEN PGN SECTION

The dirt on antibacterial soap By Amy Mathews Amos The Blue Ridge Press

When my sister and I were kids, we giggled upon learning that 60 percent of the human body is comprised of water. We wiggled and wobbled and moved our bodies in mushy wave-like motions, mimicking the sloshy mess one would expect of something made largely of liquid. It turns out we should have been pretending we were covered in bugs. Scientific studies now reveal that nine out of 10 cells in our bodies are not actually us, they’re microbes. Yes, we’re crawling with microscopic creatures, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. And in fact, the overwhelming majority of these creatures are not bad, but good. These puny partners, having evolved with us for eons, aren’t just hitching a ride. They’re earning their keep with hefty tasks — helping digest food, absorbing nutrients and attacking disease-causing invaders. So if they’re good, and we need them, then why are we working so hard to kill them? And by harming them, are we also unknowingly harming ourselves?

Sales of antibacterial consumer products — including multiple brands of antibacterial hand soap, body soap, dishwashing liquid, sponges and more — have mushroomed recently, fed by our growing fears of germs and nasty “superbugs” that no longer respond to antibiotics. Up to 75 percent of hand soap now sold in the U.S. is antibacterial. I even bought antibacterial cotton swabs recently by mistake, not noticing the antimicrobial claim until I got home. Which begs the question: Do I really need to worry about microbes in healthy ears? In truth, most of these products aren’t needed. Washing hands with regular soap and warm water removes harmful germs just as effectively as antibacterial soap, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Soap binds with bacteria, picks them up off the skin and allows them to be whisked away with warm water. People with compromised immune systems from chronic disease or chemotherapy may want added protection, but most of us don’t need it. In fact, antimicrobial products may be bad for you. Most antibacterial items are treated with a pesticide called triclosan.

PGN

Studies suggest that triclosan disrupts thyroid and sex hormones in animals. It also gets washed down drains into waterways, where sunlight converts it into a poisonous dioxin that hurts fish and wildlife. Also, remember that triclosan kills all bacteria, which means it can kill those good bugs on your body that help prevent disease by keeping harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi in check. Some scientists worry that excessive use of antibacterial soap could actually make infectious bacteria worse by accelerating their resistance to antibiotics. But it’s not just about infection. Many scientists believe good microbes play a critical role in regulating our metabolism, guiding brain development, influencing behavior and regulating health. For example, microbes in the gut have been shown to alter brain chemistry in mice, affecting anxiety and depression, and they may influence inflammatory responses that contribute to cancer and heart disease. The National Institutes of Health is currently examining the trillions of microbes found in the human mouth, nose, esophagus, gut, skin and urogenital tract to identify which are found in healthy people,

and which are missing in those who aren’t. Related research is exploring whether microbes can help treat chronic digestive and autoimmune disorders such as Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Scientists are also studying whether modern medical practices such as C-sections (in which newborns bypass healthy bacteria in the birth canal) and excessive antibiotic use are contributing to escalating health problems such as asthma, food allergies and obesity. So save your creepy-crawly fears for Halloween. Most of those trillions of tiny creatures on your body help maintain a very complicated and miraculous system: you. Wash the truly scary bugs away with simple soap and water and ignore the marketers trying to trick you into buying something you don’t need. Your microbes, and the remaining 10 percent of human cells in your body, just may thank you. ■ Amy Mathews Amos is an independent environmental consultant and writer. Reprinted with permission from The Blue Ridge Press.

Gay is our middle name.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

Q Puzzle Mad Women Across

1. Where to pull your drawers open 5. More, to a minimalist 9. Auntie of Broadway 13. Jodie Foster’s role with the King 14. Precollege ed 15 Family group 16. Lovemaking response 17. Walk wearily 18 Carvey who cross-dressed as the Church Lady 19. Peggy portrayer on “Mad Men” 22. Meat that dangles 23. One way to cook fruit 24 Swedish automo-

tive import 26. Buffy, for one 30. “J. Edgar” org. 33. Carpenter’s connector 35. Like a poor excuse 36. Writer of 54Across 40. Type of seaman 41. Collette of “United States of Tara” 42. Army N.C.O. 43. Lip service? 46. P’s pronounced like R’s 48. Excess supply 50. Not digital 54. Drama in which 19-Across played a schoolmistress, with “The” 57. Jethrene Bodine portrayer Max 58. Military cross-

PORTRAIT from page 35

PGN: You do a lot of traveling? JS: Oh yes, we do dates all over the country. We’re getting ready to do another West Coast tour starting June 7, and we’ll be playing everywhere from Vegas to Mexico to San Francisco. PGN: What was a crazy travel moment? JS: On a flight from L.A. to Dallas and we flew through a huge storm. The overhead bins were opening up and everything was falling out, people’s drinks were spilling all over the place. The band got together and we were trying to laugh it off but it was pretty scary. When we got off the plane, I got down on my knees and kissed the ground! PGN: A wild stage moment? JS: I was in Chicago performing with a number of artists. It was an R&B show and I remember Jermaine Jackson was on the bill. I wanted to shake things up, so I started pulling people up on the stage to dance with me — much to the chagrin of the stage manager. I must have pulled about 100 people out of the audience and then it started getting a little crazy. Suddenly I noticed police standing on the side — I think they thought it was a riot or something. But it

dresser Jeanne ___ 59. Tiny amount 60. Caspian Sea feeder 61. Falco of “Nurse Jackie” 62. Shuttlecock 63. Sweaty guys get pinned to them 64. Can’t do without 65. Takes advantage of pupils?

Down

1. Edna and Judi Dench 2. ___ Gay 3. One who comes slowly 4. Dorothy’s home 5. Durango dyke 6. Couture magazine 7. Oral pleasures at a gay bar 8. Naked people on

the Sistine Chapel ceiling, e.g. 9. Roddy, who “went ape” in some movies 10. Couture magazineWistful word 11. “The way to a ___ heart ...” 12. “Bambi” doe 20. Treasured violin 21. Rev. White of Soulforce 25. Hit the ball softly 27. Targets of a masher? 28. Web info source 29. Diggs play about leased digs 30. Result of shooting off antiaircraft guns 31. Netanyahu’s nickname 32. Woes of the

was fun: It made the audience feel a part of the show. No one got hurt, but it was a bit much. Especially when I realized that now that I had all these people on stage, I needed to get them off! PGN: A favorite celebrity encounter? JS: Oh boy, there have been a lot. I guess a favorite would be someone who is also a big gay advocate, Cyndi Lauper. I’ve had the pleasure of doing numerous shows with her and she’s always gracious and funny and warm. I remember at the last show I did with her in Philly, she wasn’t really letting anyone into her dressing room, but she OKed me and we chit-chatted for a few moments. During her performance she apparently started calling me from the stage, I think she wanted me to sing with her or something, but I was in the bathroom! Everyone started calling my name, but the bathroom wasn’t anywhere close to the stage so I didn’t hear it. By the time I got back, the show was over. But it was so nice of her to give me a shout-out. It was very cool. PGN: Cyndi has a gay sister; do you have any openly gay family members? JS: I do. I have a cousin who is gay. She lives with her significant other. But

world 34. Norse thunder deity 37. 1957 Cole Porter musical 38. With a little help from Viagra 39. “___ and tigers and bears ...” 44. Conduit bend 45. Without warning 47. Mysore misters 49. Make a swap 51. One under a captain 52. Really queer 53. Jodie Foster and Larry Kramer, to Yale 54. Irene of”Fame” 55. Cops, slangily 56. Lake traveled by Ohio ferries 57. Bottom of the Thames PAGE 41

it’s really no big deal, I mean it never seemed strange to me, like “Oh, I have a gay cousin.” It just seemed normal. You love who you love. Whether it’s boys love girls, boys love boys, girls loving girls, girls loving boys, it’s just love. PGN: Ever have a girl crush? JS: I’ve had many girl crushes. Let’s see, who’s my girl crush now? [Laughs.] There are a lot of them too. PGN: Who would you want to do a love scene with? JS: Hmmmn, she’d have to be really hot. How about that girl from “The Hunger Games,” Jennifer Lawrence? PGN: Any hobbies? JS: I’m a physical-fitness maniac! I pump iron, I do Pilates, I work out all the time. And I guess my other obsession is Facebook! I love connecting with my fans. It’s nice to be in touch with people. I always answer my own mail. And I love to watch things grow, so I have a garden. PGN: Pets? JS: Right now we have a couple of cats, though I love dogs too.

PGN: Who is “we”? JS: My husband and I. PGN: Is he a musician too? JS: No, he’s not. PGN: Is that a good thing? JS: That’s a really, really good thing! Music takes up a good portion of my life. I’ve been spending a lot of time in the studio working on the new album and, at the end of the day, when I come home it’s nice to be able to talk about things other than music. He’s a navy guy. PGN: Last question: if there were a holiday in your honor, what would it celebrate? JS: Loving people. It may sound idyllic, but a world with no bullying where people are allowed to be who they are. Being kind. The Jade Starling National Day of Kindness! ■ You can catch Jade Starling April 13 performing live at the ’80s Dance Party with DJ Jimmy DePre at Adesso, located upstairs from Il Portico Ristorante, 1519 Walnut St. To suggest a community member for “Family Portrait,” write to portraits05@aol.com.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

Worth Watching

BRAVO’S GOSSIP GIRL: Because comedian and staunch gay ally Kathy Griffin does not get enough screen time on Bravo, we have the premiere of “Kathy” to look forward to. The allnew one-hour weekly pop-culture talk show hosted by the two-time Emmy Award winner premieres 10 p.m. April 19. Photo: Mike Ruiz

THE SINKING FEELING: To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, ABC presents “Titanic,” a fourpart miniseries, premiering 8 p.m. April 14 and continuing April 15. Photo: Laurence Cendrowicz

LOGO GETS CHILDISH: This is what we get for hating on shows like “The A-List.” Seven-year-old Eden Wood and her crew of enablers are the center of new reality show “Eden’s World.” Apparently, she rocked the child pageant world when she announced she’d be retiring from the competition circuit after six grueling years of dominating her rivals. Now Eden and her high-energy, show-biz-loving mother Mickie Wood are eager to share their secrets with a new crop of girls striving to achieve their beauty-queen dreams ... you know, vicariously for their mothers, 10 p.m. April 16 on Logo. Photo: Greg Vaughan

THAT BITCH IS WEARING MY OUTFIT!: The queens compete in a pageant of canine-inspired couture with special guest judges Wynonna Judd and Rose McGowan on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” before a retrospective looking back on the highlights, lowlights, and previously unseen footage from the season airs before next week’s finale. Catch all the drama, 7:30 p.m. April 16 on Logo. Photo: Aaron Young

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 04/13

St.; 215-922-6888.

Sexing the Trans Man with Buck Angel The transgender adult-film star hosts an audio-visual presentation and Q&A, 6 p.m. at Aphrodite Gallery, 704 S. Fifth St.; www.aphroditegallery.us.

David Stone: The Johnny Cash Experience The singer-songwriter channels the man in black, 8:30 p.m. at Tin Angel, 20 N. Second St.; 215-928-0770.

All-American Rejects The rock band performs 8 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. The Ting Tings The rock group performs 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch

Heels on Wheels Glitter Roadshow Queer performers explore concepts of femininity at 8:30 p.m. April 13 at Vox Populi, 319 N. 11th St.; www. heelsonwheelsroadshow.com.

Sat. 04/14 The Buck Angel Effect: Feeling Sexy in Your Own Skin The transgender

adult-film star shares video clips from his work in front of the camera in hopes that sharing his story helps to make others become more comfortable to enjoy sexuality and other life pleasures, 6 p.m. at Aphrodite Gallery, 704 S. Fifth St.; www. aphroditegallery. us. Mr. Philadelphia Drag King Competition 2012 The William Way LGBT Community Center and the Liberty City Kings present an event to choose Mr. Philadelphia — who will also be Mr. Philly Pride — and benefit Philly Dyke March, 7:30 p.m. 1315 Spruce St.; libertycitykings @hotmail.com or 215-732-2220.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Asian Fusion Leather Auction/ Carnival The Philadelphians MC, Philly’s 37-year-old gay men’s leather club, hosts a fundraiser for “Operation Tearoom,” a capital campaign to restore the second-floor bathroom at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.; www. philadelphiansmc. org. Daryl Hall The singer performs 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Paul Van Dyk The electro-dance artist takes over the dance floor 10 p.m. at the

Are you taking care of yourself? How’s your health and well-being?

On Being Well

Read On Being Well every fourth week of the month Only in

Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Mixx Nightclub, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Sun. 04/15 12 Angry Men The 1957 drama is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223. Clark Park Music and Arts Festival Benefit at World Cafe Live Joe Jack Talcum (of The Dead Milkmen), On the Water, The Chairman Dances and The Downtown Club perform 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Groove Night

Mon. 04/16 Local musicians join forces to bring the R&B, soul, jazz and funk, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. Lipstick Mondays A weekly drag show featuring a changing roster of queens takes the stage, 9 p.m. at The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 215-8622081. Unlabeled:

Tue. 04/17 The Acoustic/ Electric Open Mic for Up and Comers Sign up and play, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. TuesGAY Nights Lyrics Lounge and DJ June Rodrigues host a weekly night

SHE GETS STRAIGHT TO THE POINT: Author Hanne Blank is in town to talk up her new book “Straight: The Surprisingly Short History of Heterosexuality“ hosting a reading 5:30 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. For more information, call 215-923-2960.

of music and performers for the LGBT community, 8 p.m., 6527 Roosevelt Blvd.; 215-533-5888.

Wed. 04/18 Women’s Wednesdays: Let’s Shag with artist K. Pannepacker A special intimate conversation with fiber artist Kathryn Pannepacker about her latest installation, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; 215732-2220. 4W5 Blues Jam Local musicians get down 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.

Thu. 04/19 Beyond the Score: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 The Philadelphia Orchestra performs 7 p.m. at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800. House on Haunted Hill The classic horror film is screened to benefit the Light Up the Queen Foundation and the Delaware Historical Society, 7:45 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. Bob and Barbara’s Drag Show The outrageousness

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

Fri. 04/20 “The Glamour Kills Tour” The Wonder Years, Polar Bear Club and Transit perform 7 p.m. at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-9221011. Holler! The open-mic night commences 7 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960. Stimulus’ threeyear anniversary The monthly women’s party celebrates 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at Shampoo, 417 N. Eighth St.; 215-922-7500.

The Kiki Berlin Wet Panty Party and Burlesque We’re recommending this event solely because of the name, 9 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888. John J. Wilcox Jr. Archives: The Gayborhood Then And Now The William Way LGBT Community Center hosts a presentation by archivist Bob Skiba, 7-9 p.m., 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220.

BREATH OF FRESH AIR: The out singer-songwriter and Indigo Girl Amy Ray is back on the road in support of her new solo album “Lung of Love,” performing 8 p.m. April 17 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. For more information or tickets, visit www. amy-ray.com or call 215-222-1400.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT REALPGN ESTATE LISTINGS

Opening Girls Night: The Musical The popular musical returns April 18-May 13 at Kimmel’s Innovation Studio, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

before seen by the public, through Sept. 3, 525 Arch St., Independence Mall; 215-409-6895. God of Carnage Walnut Street Theatre presents the Tony Awardwinning comedy, through April 29, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.

Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the acclaimed dance company, April 19-21 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.

The Outgoing Tide Philadelphia Theatre Company, through April 22 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420.

PHILADANCO The acclaimed dance company performs April 20-22 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Shagging The William Way LGBT Community Center hosts an exhibition of works by textile artists including K. Pannepacker, through April 27, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220.

Continuing Collab: Four Decades of Giving Modern and Contemporary Design Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition that includes some of the finest examples of European, American and Japanese design, through fall, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival The Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, through April 21, various locations; www.subarucherryblossom.org. Titus Andronicus The Philadelphia Shakespeare Company presents Shakespeare’s violent and rarely performed masterpiece, through May 19, 2111 Sansom St.; 215-496-9722.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

Closing Beards are for Shaving: A 007 Cabaret The Bearded Ladies combine James Bond and opera for a new stage show, through April 15 at the Wilma Theatre’s Lobby, 265 S. Broad St.; 215-546-7824 Bronfman and Petrushka The Philadelphia Orchestra performs through April 14 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. The Golem EgoPo Classic Theater and the Festival of Jewish Theater present the greatest Jewish monster tale ever told, through April 15 at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; www.egopo.org. Cyrano Arden Theatre Company, through April 15, 40 N. Second St.; www.ardentheatre. org. Doubt — A Parable Walnut Street Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning drama, through April 15 at Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. Ultimate Pop! Peter Nero and the Philly Pops perform through April 15 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. ■

GOLDEN TICKETS: Catch a screening of the beloved and darkly fascinating classic children’s ﬁlm “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” 2 p.m. April 14 at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville. For more information, call 610917-0223.

From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen The National Constitution Center presents an exhibition giving a comprehensive look at The Boss’ entire career, with numerous items never Q PUZZLE from page 38

Twelfth Night The Philadelphia Shakespeare Company presents The Bard’s meditation on romantic delusion involving a woman disguised as a man, through May 20, 2111 Sansom St.; 215-4969722. Van Gogh Up Close Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works by Vincent van Gogh, through May 6, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Vanities Quince Productions, through April 21 at Walnut Street Theatre’s Studio 5, 825 Walnut St.; www.quinceproductions. com or 215-627-1088. Zoe Strauss: Ten Years Philadelphia Museum of Art, through April 22, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

BACK ON THE MARKET: In the past year, out comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer has ended up on the cutting-room ﬂoor of a movie in post-production, gotten a divorce and re-entered the dating world. Something tells us she is going to have a lot of new stuff to talk about when she performs her new show, “Jilted Gypsy ... For Sale or Rent,” 8 p.m. April 14 at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville. For more information or tickets, call 610-917-0223.

Notices

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

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

DINING PGN OUT

Valanni brings style, substance to brunch By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com

going on like that), the stylish restaurant and nightspot is surely up to the task. If you need the hair of the well-bred dog that bit you on a Saturday or Sunday morning, It’s weird seeing a place you normally standards like mimosas and bloody Marys associate with evening, cocktails and the occasional martini buzz in the daylight, but ($10 for one, $25 for bottomless) are there to catch you when you fall. But don’t Valanni, 1229 Spruce St., is definitely just sleep on the other brunch cocktails on the as impressive and stylish in the morning menu, especially the Brazilian pop ($8), light as it is during vampire hours. a refreshing concoction of pomegranate To Valanni’s credit, if you must mend liqueur, mango puree and champagne. your hangover in the same place you got The daytime traffic isn’t as brisk as it (or regroup after being up all night, still nighttime at Valanni, but why would you wearing the same clothes if you’ve got it want it that crowded anyway? But because the food is so good and word travels fast, brunch crowds are sure to be the norm sometime soon. If you’ve been to Valanni before, you know the dinner menu has some very pleasant surprises on it. The brunch menu is on par with its nighttime neighbor. When it comes to the food, the brunch dishes are categorized as either savory or sweet — both categories hit the spot in fine fashion. Hit the savory side of the menu if you want to have a productive day. CARAMELIZED BANANA AND MASCARPONE- The butter-poached shrimp and STUFFED FRENCH TOAST lobster omelet ($13) is elegant

No. Libs/ Equality Forum We take you out of the Gayborhood where it’s still ok to be gay

Issue date: April 27 Ad deadline: April 20

If you go Valanni 1229 Spruce St. 215-790-9494 www.valanni. com Brunch Saturdays and Sundays and dinner nightly

VALANNI LOUNGE Photos: Scott A. Drake and solid. The Valanni hangover ($18) is a refined collection of the breakfast basics: two eggs, choice of breakfast meat, roasted potatoes and a bloody Mary. If you want to go decadent, and we mean really decadent, to the point where you spend the better part of your day coasting on a blissful sugar high, set up camp on the sweet side of the brunch menu. The dish to beat is the caramelized banana and mas-

carpone-stuffed French toast ($12). Trust us when we say it is at least three times as good as it sounds. And as if the dish wasn’t enough of a sugary breakfast nirvana, Valanni goes the extra mile by topping it with rum-infused (Yes! Rum!) maple syrup and fresh strawberries. If Valanni starts serving lunch, we’re in trouble because there is no room for our beds and desks in the place. ■

Deadline to reserve advertising is noon Friday the week before publication.

��

For advertising inquiries, contact Dan Calhoun at 215-625-8501 ext. 218 or email dan@epgn.com

PGN

Food & Drink

THE ABBAYE EXCELLENT BELGIAN AND MICROBREW SELECTIONS

HAPPY HOUR Mon.-Fri. 4-6 pm $2 off all Drafts $5 glass of wine $2 select daily $3 Well Drinks domestic bottle New Happy Menu - Nothing over $5 DAILY LUNCH SPECIAL Mon-Fri. 11:30 -2:30pm $2 off all Sandwiches $1 off all Entrees (Eat-in Only) BRUNCH - Sat. & Sun. 10 am-3 pm QUIZZO - Every Thursday 10 pm KARAOKE - Every Sunday 10 pm

637 NORTH THIRD STREET PHILADELPHIA TEL: 215.627.6711 FAX: 215.627.6167 WWW.THEABBAYE.NET

Dining Out for Life Where are you eating on April 26?

Issue date: April 20 CONTACT YOUR PGN AD REP TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS DIRECTORY:

(215) 625-8501

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

Community Bulletin Board Community centers

■ The Attic Youth Center: For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-8 p.m. MondayFriday; case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-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, Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday

and Allies Youth Center: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org

■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center: 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220; www.waygay.org. Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday Library hours: 12-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 12-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Friday; 126 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning

Religion/Spirituality Arch Street United Methodist Church Services 8:30 and 11 a.m. at 55 N. Broad St.; 215-568-6250. Bethlehem-Judah Ministries Open and afﬁrming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 5091 N. Dupont Hwy., Suite D, Dover, Del.; 302-730-4425. BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Church Services 10:15 a.m. at 2040 Street Road, Warrington; 215-3430406. Calvary United Methodist Church Reconciling, welcoming and afﬁrming church holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 801 S. 48th St.; 215-724-1702.

Key numbers

■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: 856-933-9500 ext. 221

■ Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK

■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851

■ Mayor’s Director of LGBT Affairs: Gloria Casarez, 215-6862194; Gloria.Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: 215-686-2555

■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 1800-662-6080 ■ 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., third floor; 215-496-0330 ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; www.mazzonicenter.org. Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBTLAW; legalservices@mazzonicenter. org ■ Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658 ■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833

Health

AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; 215-629-2300. www.asiac.org Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; 12-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St. 215851-1822 or 866-222-3871. www.galaei.org. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays 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 and confidential HIV testing

■ Greater Philadelphia Professional Network Networking group for area business professionals, self-employed and business owners meets monthly in a different location throughout the city, invites speakers on various topics, partners with other nonprofits and maintains a Web site where everyone is invited to sign up for e-mail notices for activities and events.; www.gppn.org.

■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Stephen Johnson: 215-683-2840 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 267-216-6606; ppd. lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

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

Anonymous, free, conﬁdential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 3439 N. Hutchinson St..; 215-763-8870 ext. 6000.

■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia GALLOP holds board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; GALLOP also provides a free referral service; (215) 6279090; www.galloplaw.org.

■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: 215-772-2000

Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth ﬂoor; 215-563-0652. www.mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronic-disease management, including comprehensive HIV care; 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday except for 12-1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

Professional groups ■ Independence Business Alliance Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, providing networking, business development, marketing, educational and advocacy opportunities for LGBT and LGBT-friendly businesses and professionals. Visit www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com for information about events, programs and membership; 215-557-0190; 1717 Arch St., Suite 3370. ■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association The Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals

and students, meets for social and networking events; www.nlgjaphiladephia.org. ■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus A regional organization dedicated to promoting gay and lesbian tourism to the Greater Philadelphia Region, holds meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; P.O. Box 58143, Philadelphia, PA 19102; www.philadelphiagaytourism.com. ■ Philly OutGoing Professionals Social group for gay, lesbian and bisexual professionals meets for social and cultural activities; 856857-9283; popnews19@yahoo. com.

Old First Reformed Church Open and affirming United Church worships 10 a.m. at 151 N. Fourth St.; 215-922-4566; www.oldfirstucc.org. Penns Park United Methodist Church Welcoming and affirming church holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park; 215-598-7601. Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral Progressive and affirming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays with Holy Eucharist at 3723 Chestnut St.; 215-386-0234; www.philadelphiacathedral.org.

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

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

Church of the Holy Trinity Inclusive church holds services 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sundays at 1904 Walnut St.; 215-567-1267. Dignity Jersey Shore An organization for sexual-minority Catholics meets the first Saturday of the month in Asbury Park. For time and location, call 732-502-0305. Dignity Metro NJ An organization for sexual-minority Catholics meets 4 p.m. first and third Sundays of the month at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 550 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood; 973-509-0118. Dignity Philadelphia Holds Mass 7 p.m. Sundays at 330 S. 13th St.; 215-546-2093; dignityphila@aol.com. Drexel Hill Baptist Church Nonjudgmental Christian congregation affiliated with American Baptist Churches of the USA holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 4400 State Road, Drexel Hill; 610-259-2356; www.dhbaptist.com. Emanuel Lutheran Church Reconciling in Christ congregation meets 9:30 a.m. Sundays at New and Kirkpatrick streets, New Brunswick, N.J.; 732-545-2673; www.emmanuelnb.org. St. Paul Episcopal Church Welcoming and inclusive church holds services 9:30 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Tuesdays at 89 Pinewood Drive, Levittown; 215-6881796; www.stpaullevittown.org.

available by appointment at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Ofﬁce Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-5869077.

Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia Holds services 1 p.m. Sundays at the University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, 3637 Chestnut St.; 215-294-2020; www. mccphiladelphia.com.

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

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

■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: 215-587-9377

Metropolitan Community Church of Christ the Liberator Holds services 10:45 a.m. Sundays at the Pride Center of New Jersey; mccctl.com.

Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting worships 11 a.m. Sundays at 1515 Cherry St.; 215-241-7260; cpmm@afsc.org. Resurrection Lutheran Church Holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 620 Welsh Road, Horsham; 215-646-2597. Silverside Church Holds services 10 a.m. Sundays followed by a group discussion at 2800 Silverside Road, Wilmington, Del.; 302-478-5921; silversidechurch.org. St. Asaph’s Church Inclusive and progressive Episcopal church holds services 9:15 a.m. Sundays, with a contemplative communion at 8 a.m., at 27 Conshohocken State Road, Bala Cynwyd; 610-664-0966; www. saintasaphs.org. St. John’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) Reconciling in Christ congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 24 N. Ridge Ave., Ambler; 215-646-2451; www. stjohnsambler.org. St. Luke and The Epiphany Church Open and welcoming church holds liturgy 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays fall through winter at 330 S. 13th St.; 215-732-1918; stlukeandtheepiphany.org. St. Mary of Grace Parish Inclusive church in the Catholic tradition celebrates Mass 6 p.m. Sundays in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media; 610-566-1393; www. inclusivecatholics.org.

Evangelicals Concerned Lesbian and gay Christian group; 215-860-7445.

St. Mary’s Church Diverse and inclusive Episcopal church celebrates the Eucharist 11 a.m. Sundays; adult forum 9:30 a.m.; and evening prayer 6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at 3916 Locust Walk; 215-386-3916; www. stmarysatpenn.org.

First Baptist Church Welcoming and afﬁrming church holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 123 S. 17th St.; 215-563-3853.

Tabernacle United Church Open and afﬁrming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 3700 Chestnut St.; 215-386-4100; tabunited.org.

First Presbyterian Church of Lansdowne Welcoming church holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 140 N. Lansdowne Ave.; 610-626-0800; www.lansdownepresbyterianchurch.com.

Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church Christian Formation: Adult, 9:30 a.m.; Children: 10:30; Youth: Noon Sundays. Worship with nursery care 10:30. First Sunday of the month, 7 p.m. Mosaic: jazz with poetry and prose; 2212 Spruce St.; 215-732-2515; trinityphiladelphia.org.

First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia A liberal, welcoming and diverse congregation that affirms the dignity of all. Sunday services 10 a.m., 2125 Chestnut St.; 215-5633980; www.firstuu-philly.org. The First United Church of Germantown A sexual-minority-affirming congregation holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 6001 Germantown Ave.; lunch follows; 215-438-3077. www.fumcog.org. Grace Epiphany Church A welcoming and diverse Episcopal congregation in Mt. Airy with services 9:30 a.m. Sundays at 224 E. Gowen Ave.; 215-248-2950. www.grace-epi.org. Holy Communion Lutheran Church ELCA Reconciling in Christ congregation worships Sundays at 9 a.m. at 2111 Sansom St. and 11 a.m. at 2110 Chestnut St.; 215-567-3668; www.lc-hc.org/drupal. Imago Dei Metropolitan Community Church Sexual-minority congregation worships at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 1223 Middletown Road (Route 352), Glen Mills; 610-358-1716; www.ImagoDeiMCC.org. Living Water United Church of Christ An open and affirming congregation that meets for worship 11 a.m. on Sundays; 2006 Germantown Ave.; 215-765-1970; www. lwucc.org. Kol Tzedek Reconstructionist synagogue committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community meets at Calvary Center, 801 S. 48th St.; 215764-6364; www.kol-tzedek.org. Mainline Unitarian Church Holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 816 S. Valley Forge Road, Devon; 610-688-8332; www.mluc.org. Maple Shade Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ Affirming congregation open to all sexual orientations and gender identities holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 45 N. Forklanding Road, Maple Shade, N.J.; 856-779-7739; mapleshadeucc.org.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County Welcoming congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. at 145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media. Interweave, a group for LGBT parishioners and allies, meets noon the first Sunday of the month; 610-566-4853; www.uucdc.org. Unitarian Society of Germantown Welcoming congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 6511 Lincoln Drive; 215-844-1157; www.usguu.org. Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill Holds services 10:15 a.m. Interweave, a group of LGBT Unitarians and their allies, also meets at 401 N. Kings Highway, Cherry Hill, N.J.; 856-667-3618; uucch.org. Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration, Mt. Airy Welcoming congregation holds services 11 a.m. Sundays September-June at 6900 Stenton Ave.; 215-247-2561; www. uurestoration.us. Unitarian Universalist Congregation, South Jersey Shore Holds services 10 a.m. Sundays in Galloway Township; 609-9659400; www.uucsjs.org. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Pottstown Holds services 10:30 a.m. at 1565 S. Keim St.; 610-327-2662. www.uupottstown.org. United Christian Church Open, affirming and welcoming congregation holds services 10:15 a.m. Sundays at 8525 New Falls Road, Levittown; 215-946-6800. Unity Fellowship Church of Philadelphia Diverse, affirming LGBT congregation holds services 2 p.m. Sundays at 55 N. Broad St. University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation Welcoming congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 3637 Chestnut St. preceded by “Adult Forum: Sundays” at 9:30 with discussion of religious alienation and struggles of faith; 215387-2885; www.uniphila.org.

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REALPGN ESTATE

Classifieds PGN does not accept advertising that is unlawful, false, misleading, harmful, threatening, abusive, invasive of another’s privacy, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, hateful or racially or otherwise objectionable, including without limitation material of any kind or nature that encourages conduct that could constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any applicable local, state, provincial, national or international law or regulation, or encourage the use of controlled substances. All real-estate advertising is subject to Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended. Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and ﬁnancing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability). PGN will not knowingly accept any real-estate advertising that is in violation of any applicable law.

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ROOMMATES PGN WILL NOT PUBLISH RACIAL DISTINCTIONS IN ROOMMATE ADS. SUCH NOTATIONS WILL BE EDITED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. ___________________________________ GREATER NE PHILA. Have your own bedroom in a beautiful split level home with 2 gay men. House is 4 BR, 2 full baths, W/D, upper and lower decks, use of kitchen. Property is by Welsh & the Boulevard, 1 min. to 58 bus. We ask only that you be at least reasonably neat and employed. Rent is $600 + 1/3 utils. Contact Dave at 215-698-0215. _______________________________36-15 Owner has 1 BR avail. furn. $600 + 1/3 utils. 19th ﬂ Independence Pl. 267-519-0091. _______________________________36-15

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

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LARGE WEST MT. AIRY HOUSE FOR SALE 300 block W. Hortter St.: Modern. 3Brms, 2.5 baths. Fireplace. Front & back yards. Off-street parking, Skylight. Near regional rail. Central air/heating. Whole-house water softener. $230,000. Call 215-848-4000. _______________________________36-15 Virginia Seaside Lots: Absolute buy of a lifetime! Fully improved 3 acre lots, exclusive development on the seaside (the mainland) overlooking Chincoteague Bay and islands. Gated entrance, paved roads, caretaker, community dock, pool and club house including owners guest suites. Build the house of your dreams! Unique bank foreclosure situation makes these lots available at 1/3 of original cost. Great climate, low taxes and National Seashore beaches nearby. Only $49,000 each or pond lots $65,000. Tel. (757)824-5284 website:http://ViewWebPage.com/5EUO or email:oceanlandtrust@yahoo.com _______________________________36-15 Potter County - 11 acres near Keating Summit. Adjoins state forest, wooded, gently rolling, electric, perc approved, near trout streams. $51,500. Owner ﬁnancing. 800-668-8679. _______________________________36-15 LAKE SALE, NY 5 acres borders Deer Creek Forest $16,900. 10 acres lake peninsula, 2300’ waterfront $59,900. 8 acre waterfront home $119,900. www.LandFirstNY.com 1-888-683-2626. _______________________________36-15

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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. _______________________________36-20 RITTENHOUSE SQUARE AREA Studios & 1 Bedrooms - Call for Availability (215) 735-8050. _______________________________36-17 HADDON TWP, NJ Safe, sunny 2 BR apt. 2nd ﬂ owner occ. duplex. 1000 sq.. ft., A/C, D/W, W/D, new carpet & paint. Pvt. ent. Close to speedline, bus, walk, bike to shops, parks, lakes, library. Call Brian, 12 Noon-7 PM, 856-858-8620. _______________________________36-18 EAST PASSYUNK AVE. AREA 2nd ﬂoor 1 BR, EIK, pvt. patio & ent. 215468-2482. _______________________________36-15 CENTER CITY ONE Juniper and Spruce - 2 bedroom/2 bathroom apt for rent in mid-May. D/W, washer dryer, new carpets. Spacious apartment, balcony, city view in great doorman building. $1,895 mo + security deposit. 267-262-1789. _______________________________36-16 OXFORD CIRCLE AREA 5915 Algin St. 3 BR, A/C, no pets. Garage. $990. Call 215-331-2329. _______________________________36-15

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ADOPTION ADOPTION: DEVOTED FAMILY Promises to cherish your child unconditionally. Financially secure; expenses paid. Your child is already loved in our hearts! Susan/Patrick 1-877-266-9087. www.susanandpatrickadopt. com _______________________________36-15 Are you pregnant? A childless married couple seeks to ADOPT. Financial security. Expenses paid. Call Christine & Norbert. Ask for Michelle/ Adam 1-800-790-5260. _______________________________36-15

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

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WM 60, 5 ﬁt, hot, se NE. 215________ WM, NE action, ca 11 PM. ________

You: big 215-732________

SERVICES

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QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two years of successful sales experience, preferably in print and/or online sales • Strong verbal and writing skills • Excellent at relationship building • Ability to work independently and part of a team • Knowledge of local media market and/or LGBT community a plus • Computer literacy a must Salary/Benefits: Salary plus commission. Our benefits package includes medical and dental insurance, paid holidays, vacation and a casual work environment. Qualified individuals interested in applying are encouraged to send their resume to dan@epgn.com.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 13-19, 2012

PGN