PGN April 15- 21 2011 edition by The Philadelphia Gay News

Long before we told people to meet us at the eagle, there was “Wanamaker’s Pursuit.”

Family Portrait: Bobby Kelly

PAGE 29

PAGE 31

PFLAG Philadelphia will host the North Atlantic Regional Conference later this PAGE 17 month. April 15-21, 2011

��

Vol. 35 No. 15

Transman sues NJ company for firing A New Jersey drug-treatment center terminated the employment of El’Jai Devoureau, a transgender man, last summer after learning he was born a woman. Devoureau is now suing the company in the first legal challenge ever that questions if a transgender person is qualified for a gender-specific job. By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer A New Jersey transgender man last week filed an employment discrimination lawsuit that challenges the inclusion of trans workers in gender-specific jobs, a suit considered to be the first of its kind. The Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, on behalf of plaintiff El’Jai Devoureau, filed suit April 8 with the Superior Court of New Jersey against the Camden-based Urban Treatment Associates LLC. The agency hired Devoureau in June 2010 as a urine monitor for men, a position that required him to oversee that men reporting to the drug-treatment center were providing their own, and not falsified, urine samples. The job description required that a male hold the position and, upon learning that Devoureau was born female, the agency terminated him. N ew J e r s ey ’s Law Against Discrimination prevents employment discrimination based on gender identity. M i c h a e l Silverman, executive director of the EL’JAI DEVOUREAU TLDEF, said the issues this case addresses have never been raised in an employment-discrimination lawsuit before. “This is the first case like this, so it’s very unique,” he said. “There are a limited number of positions out there for which there are legitimate sex qualifications. And then there’s the question of whether a transgender person satisfies those sex qualifications, and that’s a question no court has ever answered.” The suit notes that Devoureau, 39, is “legally, medically and PAGE 16

PRIDE PREVIEW: In advance of the 12th annual Philadelphia Black Gay Pride (April 24-May 1), about 40 supporters gathered April 7 at Tabu Lounge, including Nu’Rodney Prad (from left), Derrick Gibbs, Marcus Barnes, Aaron Huff and Jonathan Ruberte. Visit www.phillyblackpride.org for more information. Photo: Scott A. Drake

PA Senate considers nondiscrimination bill By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com State Sen. Larry Farnese (D-1st Dist.) last week introduced a bill that would ban LGBT discrimination at the state level. Farnese’s SB 910 would amend the state Human Relations Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, PAGE 23

ACLU warns suburban district on LGBT filtering ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Mayor Nutter was one of a slew of politicos who packed into the second floor of Woody’s April 11 for Liberty City Democratic Club’s candidate meet-and-greet and fundraiser. More than 50 people, including incumbent City Councilmembers Blondell Reynolds-Brown and Bill Green and at-Large candidates Andy Toy and Sherrie Cohen, who is an open lesbian, attended. All four First District Council hopefuls — Joe Grace, Jeff Hornstein, Mark Squilla and Vern Anastasio, one of whom will represent the area encompassing the Gayborhood — turned out, as did openly gay judicial candidates Chris Mallios and Bob Tuerk, running respectively for Court of Common Pleas and Traffic Court. The event was Liberty City’s last before the LGBT political group voted on its slate of endorsed candidates April 14. Photo: Scott A. Drake

By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The Downingtown Area School District was put on notice last week about its policy of preventing students from accessing LGBT web content. The national and Pennsylvania chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union issued a letter to the district on Monday demanding it lift its ban on LGBT PAGE 23

Police: Person of interest in Blahnik case By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

Monday marked the six-month anniversary of the murder of local transwoman Stacey Blahnik, and police this week announced a possible break in the case. In an interview with PGN Tuesday,

Homicide Capt. James Clark said police have identified a person of interest in Blahnik’s murder. More details about the individual could not be made public, but Clark said an arrest is within sight. “As of lately, we have developed a person of interest and we’re continuing down that path right now to hopefully make an

arrest in the near future,” Clark said. Blahnik, the house mother of House of Blahnik, was strangled with a pillowcase in her South Philadelphia home Oct. 11. There was no sign of forced entry. Clark said that two detectives were assigned to the case but that, as in most murder cases, the squad PAGE 19

2 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

PGN

F REE CO NDO FE E S F O R O N E Y E A R! *

Philly’s Best Views! 1, 2 & 3-BR Condominiums from only $264,500 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Spectacular views Private spa & ﬁtness club Free shuttle service Heated indoor pool Indoor parking 24/7 doorman 1-BR’s from $264,500 2-BR’s from $438,500 3-BR’s from $800,500 Tax abatement until 2012!

There’s nothing better than living on the water.

215.925.3000 Sales Center: 717 So. Christopher Columbus Blvd., in Philadelphia. Open Mon. – Sat. from 10am – 5pm; Sunday 12pm – 5pm; Private Appointments Recommended. Another Fine Property from The DePaul Group. Broker Cooperation Invited. * Studios, 1&2 BR Condos. Call for information.

docksidecondominiums.com DOCKSD 426 10.125x11.35_PGN_v2.indd 1

3/31/11 12:39:08 PM

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

“Either you count, or you don’t count.”

JeffHornstein:.

Theonly City Councilcandidate in theFirst District witha proven LGBT record. • Won Domestic Partnership benefits in union contracts for thousands of Philadelphia workers. • Wants an immediate end to SEPTA gender stickers. • Wants Full Marriage Equality for the LGBT community. • Wants more anti-bullying programs in schools — and support for LGBTQ youth. • Wants Mandatory Domestic Partnership Benefits in all city contracts — and fair access to city contracts for LGBT-owned and operated businesses. • On record for exhausting all legal avenues so the city can deny contracts, business, and city property to those who discriminate against the LGBT community.

ERASE HATE! DISCRIMINATION

JEFF

AND

HORNSTEIN

INTOLERANCE FUEL HATE

...

AND MUST

Paid for by Citizens to Re-Elect Mike O'Brien jeffhornstein.org

END IN ALL FORMS.

Kenney Has Supported Equality & LGBT Issues – Long Before It Became Politically Expedient.

THE KENNEY PRO-EQUALITY RECORD:

COUNCILMAN J IM

KENNEY Councilman at-Large

• Prime Sponsor of Philadelphia’s Domestic Partnership Law • Opposed the Defense of Marriage Act • Opposes the City giving the Boy Scouts a City-owned building at a reduced cost • Supports elimination of gender-specific trans passes on SEPTA • Supported the Fair Practices Ordinance which outlaws discrimination in any form based on race, gender, national origin or sexual orientation.

RE-ELECT COUNCILMAN JIM KENNEY . . . A STRONG VOICE FOR FAIRNESS

Vote For

CHRISTOPHER MALLIOS

Matthew Shepard 1976 - 1998

AND

EQUALITY!

Paid for by Kenney For Council - John OʼConnor, Treasurer

Philadelphia City Councilman Jim Kenney has a long history of standing up for fairness and fighting discrimination against LGBT people.

Democrat for Judge - Court of Common Pleas

Experience in our community: • Recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association • Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney for 16 years • Chief of the District Attorney’s Family Violence & Sexual Assault Unit • Supervised the District Attorney’s Elder Justice Project • District Attorney’s Hate Crime Coordinator

��

The most award-winning LGBT newspaper in the country.

VOTE ON MAY 17th for a member of our community.

www.mallios4judge.com

4 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

PGN

WITHERING HEIGHTS: PGN’s Mark Segal (pictured), Sarah Blazucki and Scott A. Drake participated in the media day trapeze class held by the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts April 11 on South Broad Street. The school will participate in the Pride Day and OutFest events in June and October, respectively. Photo: Scott A. Drake NEWS

Crime Watch Local International Media Trail News Briefing Regional

19 5 22 9 19 8

Contents

EDITORIAL/OP-ED

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

10 10 11 11 11

Would you beneﬁt from being able to ﬁle joint income-tax returns? Poll results from our online survey as of April 13:

31% 30% 19% 17% 3%

Yes Maybe, if I had someone to ﬁle with We’re better off ﬁling individually I have no idea No

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

What’s the gayest part of Easter?

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

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

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

Advertising Director Tami Sortman (ext. 218) tami@epgn.com

Publisher

Advertising Manager Greg Dennis (ext. 201) greg@epgn.com

Mark Segal (ext. 204) mark@epgn.co0m Sarah Blazucki (ext. 206)

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

Staff Writers Jen Colletta (ext. 215) jen@epgn.com

Amy Mather (ext. 214) amy@epgn.com

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

National Advertising Rivendell Media 212-242-6863

Editor

sarah@epgn.com

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

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

Art Director/ Photographer Scott A. Drake (ext. 210) scott@epgn.com Graphic Artist Sean Dorn (ext. 211) sean@epgn.com Executive Assistant/ Billing Manager Carol Giunta (ext. 202) carol@epgn.com Philadelphia Gay News is a member of: The Associated Press Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Suburban Newspaper Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 2011 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155 The views of PGN are expressed only in the unsigned “Editorial” column. Opinions expressed in bylined columns, stories and letters to the editor are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of PGN. The appearance of names or pictorial representations in PGN does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that named or pictured person or persons.

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

Acosta Award winner takes on leadership, trans issues By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

person ever there. I tried to set an example and we worked and grew together, and I helped them to see how they need to treat A local young transgender woman has transgender people.” Since her release, Ortiz has worked to made it her mission to help the trans community triumph over the challenges in their educate other trans youth about how to keep lives. This weekend, the Gay and Lesbian themselves safe and on the right path. “I try to help people around the city Latino AIDS Education Initiative will recbecause I’ve been through a lot of stuff ognize her efforts. GALAEI will present its inaugural David myself and I don’t want to see other young Acosta Revolutionary Leader Award to trans people have to go through what I did. I’m here to help people who are like me. A Biancah Melanie Ortiz lot of people don’t have support, and I try to at its April 15 gala at be a teacher and a role model.” City Hall, which will Elicia Gonzalez, executive director of run from 5-7 p.m. GALAEI, said the award-selection comOrtiz, 20, spent mittee rated the nominees on a series of several years in the factors — passion for improving the comFamily Court and munity, dedication to a project, integrity in Juvenile Justice all aspects of life and a vision that inspires System, and faced others — and that Ortiz impressed all of the both transphobic policommittee members. cies and individuals BIANCAH “Hands down, we were completely during incarceration. MELANIE ORTIZ moved by her story,” Gonzalez said. “The Ortiz spoke out nominees in general were all really remarkabout her experiences at the 2009 Trans-Health Conference while able, passionate, dedicated youth, but she was still incarcerated at an all-male Biancah really rose to the top because she treatment facility, marking the first time in is a fighter. She is so concerned about making sure other people aren’t going through months she was able to dress as a female. “It was really hard because I was forced what she went through, and she’s willing to to live as something I wasn’t,” she said. “It put herself out there on a limb and advocate was a hard situation, and I tried to teach for the entire transgender community.” The award was created last year and given people there how to deal with people in my situation because I was the first transgender to its namesake, the founder of GALAEI.

This year’s award was dedicated to youth, while next year’s incarnation will be given to an adult member of the community. Gonzalez said the committee was seeking a young person who truly embodies Acosta’s legacy of revolutionary leadership, which she said fit perfectly with Ortiz’s story. “David is somebody who does things in terms of taking risks that other people aren’t willing or able to take. And when you put yourself out there, sometimes you’re met with open arms and other times with resistance, but that’s what makes someone a revolutionary leader and Biancah embodies those characteristics,” Gonzalez said. “What stuck out to me most was that she was still incarcerated when she spoke out at the Trans-Health Conference. She could have served her time and not said a word, but she thought it was important enough to put herself out there and express her frustrations and concerns as a transwoman in the system. I don’t think a lot of people would do that. There could have been shame with the position she was in and fear outing herself as a transgender person, so to have that determination, insight, passion and belief in yourself was just astonishing to me.” Ortiz was nominated by Jasmine Ogelsby and Erica Smith of the Adolescent Initiative at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, with whom Ortiz became acquainted during her stint at the treatment facility.

In their nomination form, the pair wrote that Ortiz was insistent on opening the discussion about transgender issues within the juvenile system, a challenge that “was not required of her, but she felt passionately about making her experience, and the experience of other transwomen who would come after her, respectful and just.” Since Ortiz was discharged of all court obligations, Ogelsby and Smith wrote that she has become an informal advocate for young transwomen of color. “She uses her knowledge of the services available through city agencies to urge other young people to reduce sexual risk, get HIV testing, seek medical and social services, and heal the wounds of abuse, homophobia, transphobia and homelessness. She is a true leader with a big heart who uses her own experiences to make her community a better place.” Ortiz said she was surprised and humbled by the GALAEI award. “It’s very overwhelming for the simple fact that I never knew anybody really recognized what I was doing. I haven’t had much love in my life; my biggest support system has really been my mother and grandmother. But it’s been very hard to live as trans, so I feel very, very honored that someone recognized my work.” For more information about the David Acosta Revolutionary Leader Award presentation, visit www.galaei.org. ■

LOCAL PGN

6 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

GRAND TAKING THE CAKE: Mark Kingsdorf (right), out wedding planner and founder of City of Hope’s Let Them Eat Cake fundraising contest, unveils this year’s winning cake along with David Hall (from left), director of catering and conference at Loews Philadelphia Hotel, and Harry Giordano, executive director of City of Hope Northeast Region. The contest began in 2005 to raise money for the comprehensive care center, and designers this year were asked to craft cakes that fit the theme “historical romances,” with Truly Custom Cakery’s Romeo and Juliet-inspired cake claiming the top prize. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Adison Manor, our newest condominium building, is Now Open For Sale! �� Philadelphia’s Top-Selling Community† �� Condo home designs NOW starting at 835 sq. ft.

24th & Bainbridge Condominiums from the $200,000s Townhomes from the $400,000s

�� and outdoor pool �� Garage or deeded parking included �� Save money with our 10-year tax abatement & add to your retirement fund �� Take back your weekends with low-maintenance living!

ACT NOW! Initial Opening Prices for a Limited Time Don’t Miss Our Dream Home Sales Event! Ends April 17th

SPECTACULAR Incentives Available!* Call (215) 732-8655 or visit TollSalesEventPA.com/PGN Sales Center Open Mon.-Sun. 11-6, Wed. 11-8 Brokers welcome. Prices subject to change without notice. †The

Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/8/10 issue. *Offer valid for new buyers who purchase a home at Naval Square and deposit between 4/9/11 and 4/17/11, sign an agreement of sale within 10 days from date of deposit, and close on the home. Offers, incentives, and seller contributions vary by community and are subject to certain terms, conditions, and restrictions. Toll Brothers reserves the right to change or withdraw any offer at any time. Not valid with any other offer. See sales representative for details. This is not an offering where prohibited by law.

Out attorney aims to bring legal perspective to Traffic Court By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

Openly gay attorney Robert Tuerk’s practice has provided him experience in criminal defense, civil, personal-injury cases and an array of other areas, including traffic law — a field in which he hopes to bring his expertise to the next level. Tuerk is vying against 11 opponents for the one open seat on the Philadelphia Traffic Court in next month’s primary election. Tuerk, who attained his law degree 21 years ago, said he was drawn toward running for the judgeship after learning there are no attorneys on the bench. “There hasn’t been a lawyer judge sitting on the Traffic Court for decades, so I thought it was definitely time to put a lawyer onto that court in light of the fact that there are some really complex legal issues that they have to be deciding,” he said. Tuerk described that in the past decade he’s had a very “broad-based” legal experience — that includes serving as general counsel to several international companies and as an arbitrator for the civil division of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas — although he said he’s always had a passion for representing marginalized clients. “I was always a person who felt as though people needed to be treated fairly or equally. Even as a kid when I saw situations where people weren’t being treated justly, I felt like I needed to do something about it,” he said. “Once I became a lawyer, I’ve always basically wanted to work to have some effect on the status quo and how it relates to LGBT people, especially. Even in law school, I would raise my hand a lot of times and say, ‘Wait, this or that isn’t fair to people of other sexual orientations,’

and back then in the ’80s people would look at me like I was crazy because no one was bringing up those questions then, but it was something I believed in.” Tuerk was one of the original members of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s LGBT Committee, served as a board member of the Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia and currently sits on the Police Liaison Committee, which fosters relations between police and the LGBT community. I n 2 0 0 6 , Tu e r k r e a c t iva t e d t h e Philadelphia Bar Association’s Traffic/ Vehicular Law Committee and chaired the panel until 2008 and, in his own practice, has handled numerous traffic-related cases. He said the scope of Traffic Court is vast and that a legal perspective would be a welcome and needed addition to the bench. “I think one of the main problems is that people in all areas of society don’t really understand how Traffic Court fits into the whole judicial process and what’s included and not included in Traffic Court,” he said. “Traffic Court violations are summary criminal offenses, and Traffic Court has the authority to sentence people up to six months in jail. There are actual issues that involve the Pennsylvania Constitution and the U.S. Constitution, rules of criminal procedure, local traffic-code rules, the vehicle code — I think it’s very important to have a lawyer up there to give people the full understanding and full confidence that their case has been decided on the merits of the law and nothing else.” Tuerk said he’s eager for LGBT community support, as volunteers and voters. “As many people who can help me put out the word that I’m the most qualified candidate would be great — and that’s regardless of sexual orientation. And we need everyone to get out and vote May 17.” ■

PGN

DADT repeal, training moving ahead

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

PHILLY LOVES

A WINNER

Y A P E L B U DO

BE M E M W NE

REPEAL IN PROGRESS: Members of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee heard testimony April 7 from the heads of the military branches on the pending repeal of the military’s ban on openly gay servicemembers. Testifying before the committee was U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz (from right), Marine Commandant Gen. James Amos, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Peter Chiarelli. The military leaders briefed the committee on the training in each service, which is expected to be completed by the summer. Photo: Patsy Lynch

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Military leaders last week briefed members of Congress on the lifting of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” reporting the transition to be progressing smoothly. In a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee April 7, the leaders of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps testified that they had faced few challenges in implementing the change that will allow openly gay members to serve, with training expected to wrap up this summer. Marine Commandant Gen. James Amos, a vocal opponent of the lifting of the policy, testified that while he had foreseen problems arising from the repeal, “the reality is that we’ve not seen them.” The Marine Corps has trained all of those in leadership positions and about half of the regular force, with training expected to be done by June 1. Adm. Gary Roughead, chief of naval operations, said training of his branch should be completed by July 1 and that he’s confident the Navy will be able to handle the change. “Combat effectiveness is what we provide the nation, and repeal will not change who we are or what we do,” he said. Air Force training is about 15-percent completed and is also expected to finish this summer, while Gen. Peter Chiarelli, vice chief of staff of the Army, did not provide an exact timeline for his branch. The service leaders were pressed by several Republican members of the committee, who continued to decry the lifting of the policy. Committee chair Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) said Congress made a “rush to

judgment” in passing the repeal legislation in the lame-duck session last year and suggested that the training and education process is moving too quickly. Alexander Nicholson, executive director of Servicemembers United, said after the hearing that, while the progress reported was positive, the proceeding itself was unnecessary. “The Joint Chiefs have now made it abundantly clear to lawmakers that they are comfortable with this policy change and that they are satisfied with their respective services’ preparations for this policy change,” Nicholson said. “This should be the last waste of their time and taxpayers’ resources to try to undo the inevitable. ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is going away, and we will have a stronger military and a stronger nation as a result.” Full repeal cannot go into effect until President Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen certify that the military is trained and prepared for the lifting of the 17-year-old policy, a decision expected to be signed off on this summer. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), however, is seeking to halt that process with his recently introduced bill, which would put in place additional stipulations for certification. Hunter’s measure would require the heads of each respective service branch to also be included in the certification process and agree that the policy change would not harm unit cohesion or effectiveness of their branches. Hunter’s bill has 24 cosponsors, including Pennsylvania Congressman Mike Kelly (R-3rd Dist.), and was committed to the Armed Services Committee. ■

ACK. ! B 0 0 1 , GET DOUBLE IT R U O H D 2 PLAY 1/AN HOUR AN RDS CARD H REWAEMENT! PLAY IT ou R A RUS $

y EXC P FO , and if SIGN U GET INTO THE or more s te ore u m in r TO for 30 m n hou r o

ts lay for a play slo Y! CASH . P ou join, 0 y 0 1 y a OT PLA d to R EE S L ou u p O n th e F y d d n n a fu ’ll re 0 CASH lose, we eive 10 and rec $

INSTANT

REFUND ��

FIVE GUARANTEED WINNERS EVERY HOUR! WIN 250 UP TO 1,099! $

Start earning entries at 6AM on April 15.

FREE RIDES ON THE SUGAR EXPRESS Convenient stops in Center City, South Philly and Northeast Philly. Full schedules available on our website.

ON DELAWARE AVE. 1 MI. NORTH OF BEN FRANKLIN BRIDGE

FREE VALET AND SELF-PARKING EVERY TIME YOU VISIT sugarhousecasino.com | 877.477.3715 Must be 21 or older. Complete details available at Rush Rewards.

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1.800.GAMBLER.

8 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

REGIONAL PGN

Maryland trans bill dies in committee By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com A bill that would have prohibited discrimination based on gender identity in Maryland died in the Senate this week. In a vote of 27-20 Monday, Maryland senators sent the Gender Identity AntiDiscrimination Act back to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, effectively killing the bill until next year, as the legislative session ended at midnight on Monday. The Maryland House of Delegates approved the bill last month in a decisive 86-52 vote. The committee last weekend advanced the measure to the Senate floor in a 7-4 vote. Equality Maryland singled out six senators who they say pledged to vote in favor of the measure but reneged: Sens. Edward Kasemeyer, Katherine Klausmeier, Nathaniel McFadden, Thomas Middleton, James Robey and Robert Zirkin. Morgan Meneses-Sheets, executive director of the agency, said Monday that the six “took a walk on justice and fairness today and turned their backs on the most vulnerable members of our community. We are appalled that lawmakers continue to play

politics with much-needed protections for the transgender community.” After it made it out of the House, the bill was unexpectedly assigned to the Rules Committee, where some advocates predicted it would die; however, the committee approved it earlier this month and sent it to the Judicial Proceedings Committee. “We must not forget all the positive strides we accomplish[ed] as a community this session overcoming significant hurdles, including getting this legislation out of the Senate Rules Committee,” Meneses-Sheets said. “Supporters of this critical legislation made hundreds of phone calls and sent thousands of emails to their legislators. Countless members of the transgender community shared their very personal stories of discrimination. We are grateful to them for their courage and to every supporter who made their voice heard on this important bill.” Meneses-Sheets said her organization remains committed to fighting back against LGBT discrimination. “Progress takes time,” she said, adding the recommitment of the bill to committee was “not fair or right, but we will keep up the fight to make the Free State truly free.” ■

Cosponsor number for ENDA nearly halved Out Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) last week introduced a measure to prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Frank was initially scheduled to submit the Employment Nondiscrimination Act late last month but delayed its introduction until April 6 as he collected cosponsors. This incarnation of the bill has 112 cosponsors, five fewer than when it was introduced at the beginning of last session, and 91 fewer than the 203 supporters it ended the session with. The cosponsors are largely Democratic, including Pennsylvania Congressmembers Michael Doyle (14th Dist.), Allyson Schwartz (13th Dist.), Bob Brady (1st Dist.) and Chaka

Fattah (2nd Dist.). The bill is cosponsored by three Republicans, including Pennsylvania Congressman Todd Russell Platts (R-19th Dist.), who has cosponsored the measure in the past and voted in favor of it when it came to the House floor in 2007. Republicans gained control of the House in last year’s mid-term election, and also made significant gains in the Senate. Frank said the new makeup of the legislature will not be conducive to the passage of ENDA this session, which he has said will be used instead as a vehicle to open discussion on the topic of LGBT employment discrimination. ■ — Jen Colletta

Housing exec disciplined for ‘inflammatory’ words The Associated Press SWEETWATER, Tenn. — A local housing authority director was disciplined for using “sensitized, inflammatory words” to challenge a federal government proposal to expand antidiscrimination policies to include sexual orientation by gays and lesbians, the board’s chairman said in a statement last week. Vicki Barnes, director of the Sweetwater Housing Authority, wrote a January letter in response to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s request for feedback on a proposed rules change that would expand antidiscrimination policies to include sexual orientation and gender identity. The letter was obtained by local station WBIR-TV.

Barnes wrote that she objected to changing the authority definition of family. She wrote that LGBT individuals have made a “personal and moral lifestyle choice,” adding, “Other groups who make a personal lifestyle choice are drug users and sellers, gang members, prostitutes, cults and murderers. You are saying any group of persons can call themselves a family.” Board chairman Wayne Key said in an April 5 statement that Barnes had been disciplined and that future communications would be monitored by the board. Key said Barnes had apologized for the statement. The authority oversees 158 apartments and several Section 8 housing units in and around Sweetwater, which is about 45 miles southwest of Knoxville. ■

PGN

For Better Oral HEALTH

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

SOMETIMES HIGH MAINTENANCE IS A GOOD THING.

City Paper and Rainbow Awards

The BMW Maintenance Program is one of the most comprehensive programs in its class and it offers the longest coverage period.

BEST DENTIST Medical Arts Bldg. 1601 Walnut St. , Suite 1302 Phila. PA 19102

215-568-6222 www.phillydentistry.com

A LM

RY DA

15 -9 22 -231 7~

FRE

12TH

PARK FOR $4

—dawn thomas, olney, market shopper since 2000

SH & LO

–5 N9

215-564-0900

• We can bill for all SPBP medications • All insurances accepted • No insurance? You’ll be surprised by our prices • Fast friendly service • Easy prescription transfers • Complete medication therapy for: • HIV/AIDS • Diabetes • Pain Mgmt

~ READ

113 S. 18th Street • Philadelphia PA 19103

“The merchants make a big city girl feel locally loved.”

O N – SAT 8 ~M –6

CAL

Free Delivery!

We are a full service pharmacy Proudly serving the Philadelphia community

18th Street Apothecary

ARKET.OR

at 12th & Filbert garage with $10 purchase and validation from any merchant. Limit 2 hours.

10 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Bob Vander Plaats

Editorial

Defining man Last week, a transgender man filed an antidiscrimination lawsuit after he was fired from a drug-testing facility in New Jersey. In the suit, El’Jai Devoureau stated he was terminated on his second day at work at Urban Treatment Associates in Camden after his supervisor learned he was transgender. Allegedly, Devoureau was let go because the company said his job of preventing fraud in urine testing was gender-specific. According to the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, this is the first case of its kind. New Jersey law prohibits discrimination based on sex, gender identity and disability, but the state hasn’t encountered a suit in which a trans person was fired from a gender-specific position. Having a gender-specific job requirement is not common, but not completely unheard of (think Hooters waitresses and Chippendales dancers) — and it’s generally only legal when the company can prove sex is somehow germane to performing the job. But who gets to decide if one is male or female enough for a position? In Devoureau’s case, he had begun psychological counseling and hormone therapy some five years prior, and subsequently underwent sex-reassignment surgery and changed his birth certificate and state identification. So, what, technically defines a “man” — and does a state or federal government have an interest in defining it? If, for legal purposes, sex is established by a birth certificate, then Devoureau is well within his rights to

claim discrimination based on gender identity and sex. If genetic testing and a chromosome count are used to establish sex, not everyone’s sex matches his/her chromosome count. No doubt most would agree that having to submit to genetic testing is overly intrusive for a position in which one verifies the person peeing in the cup is really who they say they are — or for any other job. There have been somewhat similar cases in which employees were asked to provide photos of their genitalia to prove they could use the restroom or locker room of their preference. Again, most would agree that this is an invasion of privacy. Individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy, including not having to submit a snapshot of their genitalia to use the women’s or men’s restroom. Another instance in which the government might claim to have an interest in verifying sex would be in attempting to enforce the Defense of Marriage Act, which limits marriage to one man and one woman. There are two issues with this: First, it flies in the face of the supposedly Republican/Libertarian tenet of greater individual liberties and less government involvement in personal lives. Second, President Obama has directed the Department of Justice to stop defending part of the Defense of Marriage Act, rendering government interest unnecessary. One’s gender identity has no bearing on one’s ability to do a job, and should never be used as a job qualification. ■

A common talking point of antigay activists is that being gay is a public-health risk. Whether trying to derail antidiscrimination legislation, protesting against letting gays marry each other or trying to shut down a GSA at a local high school, the argument that gays are a bunch of sickos in the most literal sense is not far behind. Because if gays can be portrayed as a bunch of perverts spreading their homo germs everywhere, that’s just one more way to dehumanize them. Enter Bob Vander Plaats of the Iowa Family Leader, a longtime foe of LGBT people, who is wrapping up a fourmonth “Capturing Momentum Tour,” a 99-county trek across Iowa to raise hackles of conservative voters. The “momentum” stems from the antigay right’s “successful” 2010 ousting of Iowa Supreme Court justices who voted in favor of marriage equality. Vander Plaats and his ilk are hoping to ride that momentum all the way to dismantling marriage equality in the state. And part of how Vander Plaats plans to do that is by playing the “public-health risk” card. This isn’t a surprise coming from a man who has likened homosexuality to polygamy and incest, suggesting that if we let gay people marry, we’ll have to open up marriage to a “dad that wants to marry his son” and a “bisexual [who] wants to marry a man and a woman.” But that doesn’t mean he should get a pass to paint all gay people with a wide, diseased brush stroke. At a March 24 tour stop, ThinkProgress asked Vander Plaats to clarify the Iowa Family Leader’s position on the health risks of homosexuality. His answer was unambiguous: “It is a public-health risk.” But hey, he says, it’s not the Family Leader that is making that claim, it’s the New York Health Department. “They’ve put out an ad basically highlighting all the dangers of the homosexual lifestyle, that you’re this many times more [likely] to get this particular disease or this many

times more [likely] to get this other type of disease. Now, they conclude with ‘practice safe sex.’ But they’re almost taking our talking points. Because anybody, the Journal of Medicine will back us up on this, that this is a risky lifestyle, a healthrisk lifestyle. If we’re teaching the kids, ‘Don’t smoke, because that’s a risky health style,’ the same can be true of the homosexual lifestyle. That’s why I think we need to speak the truth once in a while.” OK. First of all, I don’t know what New York Health Department ad he’s referring to, but I have no doubt that the NYHD and all reputable health departments nationwide base their health warnings on information gleaned from antigay fringe groups like the Family Leader. That just makes sense. Secondly, I don’t know what Vander Plaats means by “the Journal of Medicine,” because there are several. Here’s something I do know: Homosexuality is not a public-health threat. The “homosexual lifestyle” that Vander Plaats refers to is not really a thing. See, in his eyes, all gay people are the same: sick, depraved sex-havers with no regard for their health or the health of their partners. Vander Plaats takes the behavior of the most promiscuous, most reckless gay people and deems that the “homosexual lifestyle.” It’s as if I were to point at Charlie Sheen and claim that he was the epitome of the “heterosexual lifestyle” (which, of course, he is). But looking at individual people, which is what gay people are, is a lot of work. Much easier to lump them all together and write them off as a bunch of sex lepers. As far as I can tell, the real health concern for Vander Plaats is that gays make him sick. ■

In his eyes, all gay people are the same: sick, depraved sex-havers with no regard for their health or the heath of their partners.

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

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

Please include a daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, style and space considerations.

OP-ED PGN

1st District Councilmanic endorsement? We are about a month out now from the Jeff Hornstein and Mark Squilla. It has May 17 primary. Of great importance to been my pleasure to know or get to know many of us this primary is the change in all four of them. who will represent the 1st District. The disThere is one overriding issue in this trict goes from South Philadelphia, through campaign for the 1st Councilmanic District Queen Village, Society Hill, Center City and our community, and that is the giant and Northern Liberties along building project that will the river wards to Frankford. bring the William Way LGBT But most importantly for our Community Center up to code readers is that it includes the and create an LGBT-friendly Gayborhood. senior affordable-living facility. Since 1996, our councilperIt is the largest LGBT brickson has been Frank DiCicco. It and-mortar project in the comwill be a tough act for anyone monwealth. And it not only to replace him. In fact, I doubt has bipartisan support but the they can. Frank has been an support of the majority of the excellent representative of his current council, the congressiondistrict. He is what an elected al delegation and almost any official should be, working elected official you can name. tirelessly for the people, bringAnd I’m very proud to say that ing compromise that all can in each of my talks with the live with. The district has seen four candidates for 1st District, much controversy over the Mark Segal where the project is located, years. Frank never ran from each has expressed their full that; instead, he dived in to help his district support and have stated that it will be a come to terms with it and that dedication priority for them. and work ethic has created growth. With my involvement in that project, and On LGBT issues, he is only dwarfed realizing the tangled web of each of their in accomplishments by Councilman Jim political supporters, it would be crazy to Kenney — who, being in council an addialienate any one of the candidates. They tional four years now, has introduced more all are equal on our issues and they all supLGBT legislation than any other councilport the largest LGBT project. Therefore member. I, for one, have no intention of endorsing For the record, this columnist would anyone. It’s a bright day to be able to say have gladly endorsed him for reelection, whoever wins that seat is someone we can regardless of that one word, “DROP,” partner with to continue the growth of our which now will deny us the services of one community. ■ of the best district council people in the Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the city. With Frank bowing out, there is a vibrant nation’s most-award-winning commentacampaign among four candidates to replace tor in LGBT media. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com. him. They are Vern Anastasio, Joe Grace,

Mark My Words

Op-Ed

Victoria A. Brownworth

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

Street Talk Should public-school teachers be held to a different moral standard? “Yes. They serve as role models. They’re with kids all day, and kids are impressionable. They don’t always have good Zachary Erdmann examples set student for them at South Philadelphia home. So it’s all the more important to have good examples set at school.”

“Yes. There’s a general deterioration of respect and dignity in the classroom. If you want to keep respect Joshua Lawrence going for musician teachers, they Rittenhouse Square should be held to a different standard. But you shouldn’t get carried away to the point of trampling on teachers’ rights.”

“No. I have three children. And I don’t [want] anyone dictating the personal moral decisions of their Annabel Morff teachers. customer-service rep Standards can International Falls, be developed Minn. for their on-the-job behavior. But teachers are human beings. They have a right to a personal life.”

“No. Kids don’t need an extra level of protection. They should be exposed to real life. They need to be prepared for the world, not Tina Ochal baker sheltered and Chinatown hidden from it. Otherwise, when they graduate, they’ll have a culture shock.”

Hold Obama accountable I read Mark Segal’s column last week with dismay. Early endorsements are always dicey, but early endorsements of incumbents who have done little for constituents are a mistake. I voted for Barack Obama in 2008, despite having reservations about his centrist record. But if the election were held today, I could not, in good conscience, cast another vote for President Obama. Voting for or endorsing 2011’s Obama would be a vote/endorsement for continuation of three wars and incursions into Pakistan and Yemen, torture, extraordinary rendition, civil-liberties curtailment, corporate greed, environmental irresponsibility. It would be endorsement of an administration that has proven time and again that it is antipopulist, anti-poor, anti-woman and antiqueer — and feels more Republican than Democratic.

As a lifelong leftist progressive, there’s no way I can support these things. As a lifelong activist, I have serious concerns about Obama’s credibility as a candidate. I would ask Segal and any other queer — or straight — American: Why does Obama deserve a second term? Here’s why he shouldn’t. He calls himself a fierce advocate for queers, but the only consistent advocacy during his administration has been capitulation to Republican thuggery and corporate fraud. The recent budget disaster is an indicator of Obama’s lack of leadership. The budget was due in September — when the Democrats still held a wide majority in Congress. Obama was nowhere to be found. Now we have what Senate majority leader Harry Reid called “Draconian cuts” to poor and working Americans — 10 percent of whom are queer.

Under Obama’s tenure, military rape has escalated, a study last week noted. Rapes of lesbians and straight women in the military have gone unremarked by Obama. Also unremarked is the detention — which Amnesty International has referred to as torture — of Bradley Manning, the gay soldier alleged to have provided Wikileaks with thousands of documents. Manning is being held in solitary confinement and must spend 12 hours a day nude. Obama said simply, “The Pentagon says there’s no problem.” “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is actually still in effect, despite the January recision of it, and its implementation remains at the discretion of the president and will continue until 60 days after Obama declares it’s “safe” for the straight military to cope with queer soldiers and Marines. DOMA is still the law.

These are only a few in a long list of concerns about Obama. Telling Obama now that the slate is clean and he’s our guy is no way to get what we need and want as both queers and Americans. Obama must be held accountable. I myself am working with other progressives to get a real Democrat running for 2012. Russ Feingold — a longtime real friend to the LGBTQ community — is the name being floated most often. The queer community, as well as the rest of real America, needs a president who is working for us, not for himself. We do not yet have that in Obama. ■ Victoria A. Brownworth is an award-winning journalist and author of more than 20 books. She is publisher of Tiny Satchel Press. Read her political blog at www.victoriabrownworth.com.

12 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

14 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

PGN

16 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY AMY F. STEERMAN Attorney at Law

��

215-735-1006

��

Concentrating in Planning for Lesbian and Gay Couples • Probate • Wills • Living Wills • Powers of Attorney 1900 Spruce Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 www.amysteerman.com

��

�� WWW.HOLTESQ.COM New Jersey 856-599-5555

“We are a debt relief agency”

��

Philadelphia 215-545-7789

��

Thomas E. Hora Attorney-at-Law ��

��

Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. ��

��

LAWSUIT, from page 1

socially” male. He began psychological counseling and testosterone therapy in 2006 and underwent sex-reassignment surgery in 2009, around the same time he obtained a legal name-change and updated federal- and state-issued government identification to reflect his sex. The suit states that the woman who hired Devoureau did not question his sex during the interview or on his first day on the job. When he reported for his second day of work, however, the suit says the defendant, treatment center director Van Macaluso, said she heard from an unnamed source that Devoureau was born female. Devoureau responded to Macaluso that he was male and refused to respond, his right under the nondiscrimination law, when questioned if he’d had sex-reassignment surgery, which the suit says prompted Macaluso to fire him. Silverman said the firing had a very profound impact on Devoureau. “He was depressed because he’d never encountered discrimination of this nature before,” he said. “He was unemployed for a long period, and it took him a long time to get back on his feet.” The suit contends three counts of discrimination, based on sex, gender identity and disability, as transsexualism is largely considered a disorder by leading medical agencies. Devoureau is requesting reinstatement, back pay and compensatory and punitive damages. Urban Treatment Associates has 45 days to respond to the suit. Silverman said his client is hoping the suit has ramifications beyond his own employment situation. “He wants to get his job back but on a larger scale he wants to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else. We need a clear ruling from the court that a transman is a man for the purposes of employment. The key principle here is that people should be judged on how they do their jobs, not on who they are.” ■

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

Families and friends of LGBTs to converge in Philly By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Members of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays chapters throughout the region will head to Philadelphia later this month to share best practices and work cooperatively to support the LGBT people in their lives. PFLAG Philadelphia will host the annual North Atlantic Regional Conference at Davio’s Restaurant, 117 S. 17th St., on April 30. The conference is held at sites throughout the region each year, but Philadelphia hasn’t played host in more than a decade. When PFLAG National asked the group to stage the event this year, Kim Otto, PFLAG Philadelphia board member and chair of the conference planning committee, said the members were “more than happy” to take on the task. Otto said the venue-selection process was a bit hectic — due in large part to the wealth of events happening in the city at the end of April — but said Davio’s will be an ideal location for the event, with its vast conference space in the heart of Center City. More than 50 people have registered so far and are expected to come from throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, New York and Washington, D.C. Conference participants will have

breakfast and lunch at the restaurant and take part in a series of workshops led by regional and national speakers. Steven Goldstein, chair of New Jersey’s Garden State Equality, will head a session on engaging with lawmakers on LGBTrights issues. “He’s really the perfect person to do this,” Otto said. “His workshop is going to be very interactive and will basically coach folks about how to speak with their own legislators in order to help the progressive movement and help promote the needs of the LGBT community in their states.” Dr. Michael LaSala, author of “Coming Out, Coming Home: Helping Families Adjust to a Gay or Lesbian Child” and an associate professor at Rutgers University, will speak to the participants about his work counseling families and LGBT individuals. Jamie Curtis, senior field and policy coordinator at PFLAG National, will lead a workshop designed to give the participants ideas and information about how best to grow and sustain their chapters. “We have a very dynamic and terrific list of speakers, who are going to offer a lot of really good information,” Otto said. In addition to the structured discussions, Otto noted the conference will offer myriad opportunities for PFLAG members — as well as nonmembers, who are also

2010 PHILADELPHIA GAY PRIDE PARADE Photo: Scott A. Drake

welcome to attend — to share ideas and support. “There is going to be plenty of time for people to make connections with people from other chapters and other states. They’ll be able to learn skills that can help them build their chapters, learn about the issues impacting the LGBT community and their families in different areas and learn from each other’s work,” she said. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., with breakfast and the conference starting at

9:15 a.m. The day should wrap up around 3:30 p.m., and guests are also encouraged to attend a PFLAG-sponsored workshop that afternoon at Temple University as part of Equality Forum. Otto said the Equality Forum events happening that weekend meshed nicely with the conference and provided “added incentive” for guests to see what the city has to offer after the conference. Registration is $30, and forms are available at www.pflagphila.org. ■

18 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

PGN

��

�� ~ Now Accepting New Patients ~

• General and Specialized Dentistry • Cosmetic Dentistry • Early Morning and Evening Hours • Education

Cornell University, B.S., 1986 U of P School of Dental Medicine, DMD, 1990 Temple University, Residency in Prosthodontics, 1992

��

Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For �� As Little As $25.00 A W ��

��

Dr. Ira Sheres (center) with his life partner and their children

��

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

PGN

the fourth municipality in the state to offer domestic-partner benefits. Lawmakers in Easton also met Tuesday night to iron out details of a proposed domestic-partner bill. The council’s administration committee made a series of minor changes to the bill, which Adrian Shanker, vice president of the Pennsylvania Diversity Network, said were not substantial. All of the council members and the mayor attended the meeting, and all promised to support the bill, which could come up for a vote May 25.

News Briefing Lancaster, Easton move on DP policies The mayor of Lancaster announced this week that he was instituting a policy to grant domestic-partner benefits to the same-sex partners of city employees. During a Tuesday night City Council meeting, Mayor Rick Gray said he was putting in place the administrative action — which does not require the approval of council — because it was “the right and fair thing to do.” The policy would extend to nonunionized city employees and Public Works and service workers who belong to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union. The extension of the policy to firefighters and police officers would require council action. The change goes into effect immediately, making Lancaster

Forum on LGBT black violence Philadelphia Black Gay Pride and The Colours Organization will host a forum later this month to explore issues of violence in the LGBT people of color community. The town-hall discussion will be held from 6-8 p.m. April 25 at Colours, 112 N. Broad St., in the first-floor conference room. The event will feature an interactive conversation that will allow community members to address

BLAHNIK, from page 1

of 12-14 detectives often works on parts of the investigation. Since the fall, the investigators have conducted numerous interviews with neighbors in the vicinity of the murder, which occurred in the 1800 block of Manton Street, and tracked multiple tips offered by community members. “We have the detectives going out in the neighborhood, running down leads, interviewing and re-interviewing people. This has been a very, very thorough investigation,” Clark said. “We have gotten several tips that have come in on this case, and our investigators have followed up on them all. Some have turned out not to have been good but we appreciate all the tips we get and, with each one we get, we run them out and see where they take us.” A few weeks after Blahnik’s murder, a transgender woman was arrested for the murder of a client in the Omni Hotel. The arrest in that case took place a few days after the murder, leading some in the community to question the length of time it was taking to seek justice for a transgender victim. Clark said the gender identity of victims and defendants played no role in the handling of the cases. “With the Omni case, we had video, we had cellphone records and we sort of knew from the beginning who we were looking for, we just had to identify who that person was,” he said. “But in [the Blahnik] case, no one saw this individual, or at least no one’s come forth and told us that they saw this individual leaving the property. It was just the decedent and the doer and no one else.” Clark said he sympathized with Blahnik’s friends who are eager for justice, but assures them the case has not fallen off the department’s radar. “I understand people’s frustrations. But we have some of the best investigators in the country. Unfortunately, some cases take longer than others, but we’ve continued to work on this, and I believe very soon we will make an arrest on this job.” ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

Gayborhood Crime Watch

instances of violence within and toward this population and work cooperatively to stem the tide of violence. The following incidents in the For more information, visit Midtown Village and Washington www.phillyblackpride.org or www. Square West areas were reported coloursorganization.org. to the Sixth Police District between March 28-April 3. Information is courtesy of Sixth District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center T h e P o l i c e A d v i s o r y City District; the Police Liaison Commission, the civilian-over- Committee and Midtown Village sight panel for the Philadelphia Merchants Association. To report Police Department, will host a crime tips, visit www.phillypocommunity meeting at 6 p.m. April lice.com or call 215-686-TIPS 18 at the Community College of (8477). Philadelphia’s Center for Business and Industry, 18th and Callowhill REPORT: On March 30, somestreets, in Conference Room C3-5. one was accosted outside of The meeting is one in a series 1010 Pine St. by two males, one held within local communities in with a handgun, who demanded which city residents are encour- and took an iPhone and wallet. aged to attend and discuss any The offenders fled west on Pine then north on 11th. They were issues they’ve faced with police. The commission will address described as black males in their organizational business until about 20s: One was 6-foot-1 and wear6:45 p.m., at which time the floor ing a black hoodie; the second was 5-foot-9 and wearing a grey will be opened to the public. Upcoming community meetings hoodie. will be held May 16 and June 20 REPORT: At 2:45 p.m. April 1, with locations to be announced. For more information, visit complainant set an iPhone down on a counter inside Starbuck’s, www.phila.gov/pac/. ■ 1201 Walnut St., and a male took — Jen Colletta it and fled from the store, running

Police group to hold open meeting

north on 12th. The offender was described as a black male in his 20s, 5-foot-8, with a thin build and wearing a grey shirt and light-colored jeans. A R R E S T : On April 1, an employee at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 900 Walnut St., noticed her wallet was missing after a patient had waited in her office for a taxi. The cab company was notified and the taxi returned to the hospital, where security officers found the complainant’s wallet inside the male’s bag. The 62-year-old suspect with a Laurel Springs, N.J., address was charged with theft. REPORT: At 9:45 p.m. April 1, a male walked up to the parking lot attendant in the booth of the 5 Star Parking Lot, 1314 Spruce St., and demanded money, showing the attendant a gun in his waistband. The male took the money and fled east on Spruce. The offender was described as a black male, 25 years old, 6-foot tall, 200 pounds, and wearing a black and white scarf over his face, with beige pants and a black jacket with a hood. ■

SERVICES DIRECTORY ��

��

20 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

PGN

SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY ��

��

“We Put Your Grandma’s Roof On”

��

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

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY ships. The first person to receive the award in June will be Barbra Casbar Siperstein, an activist who focuses on the rights of transgender people.

Media Trail

canvasses and to not impede the flow of traffic. Canvass For A Cause director Tres Watson called the ruling a victory for not only his organization, but for free speech.

Gay-rights group can can- Ark. court strikes down vass outside Target law barring gay adoptions

NJ gay-rights group names award ally NBC Philadelphia reports New Jersey’s largest gay-rights organization is naming a new award after a politician who championed the group’s causes before his death on April 4. John Adler was a longtime state senator who served one term in Congress before he lost a reelection bid last year. The Democrat was 51 when he died. Garden State Equality says as chairman of the state Senate Judiciary Committee, Adler helped pass laws to ensure the civil rights of gays and lesbians, including a civil-union law to recognize their relation-

Yahoo News reports a San Diego judge ruled April 7 that a pro-gay-marriage group can continue canvassing outside of Target stores in California. Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Barton denied a request for a temporary injunction by the Minnesota-based retail giant, saying Target Corp. did not present enough evidence to show Canvass For A Cause volunteers have been harassing its customers. Target was seeking to stop the volunteers from collecting signatures and donations in support of gay marriage. In his ruling, Barton said the store entrances are considered a public forum under California law. He also warned the San Diego group to be respectful when it

KAIT8 reports the Arkansas Supreme Court on April 7 rejected a voter-approved initiative that barred gay couples and other unmarried people living together from serving as adoptive or foster parents. Associate Justice Robert L. Brown wrote for the court that the law would encroach on adults’ right to privacy in the bedroom. “Act 1 directly and substantially burdens the privacy rights of ‘opposite-sex and same-sex individuals’ who engage in private, consensual sexual conduct in the bedroom by foreclosing their eligibility to foster or adopt children,” Brown wrote. The law effectively banned gay and lesbian couples from adopting or fostering children because they can’t legally marry in

Arkansas. It also would have been extended to unmarried heterosexual couples who live together.

Planned Parenthood offers transgender hours Lebanon Daily News reports Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania plans to offer extended hours for transgender health care at its downtown Pittsburgh clinic. In a release, the group said the hours begin April 20 for “transgender, FBM, two-spirit, gender-queer, gender nonconforming, butch women and queer and questioning people.” Kim Evert, the clinic’s president and chief executive officer, said, “Around half of all transgender people who seek medical care are served by uninformed doctors. These same patients are expected, by default, to teach their doctors about proper transgender medical care.” ■ — Larry Nichols

SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY ��

��

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

22 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

PGN

Iraq, Uganda, Honduras or Indonesia must receive particular protection taking into account cultural sensitivity. This is a major step toward fully complying with our engagements under international asylum law.” The new measures are the European Parliament’s formal position on asylum. However, asylum rules will not be amended until European Union governments agree on the text.

International Gay London deputy mayor dies Sir Simon Milton, who served as chief of staff to London Mayor Boris Johnson, died Monday. He was 49. Milton, one of two openly gay deputy mayors in the Conservative administration, died in the hospital following a short illness. “He was a wonderful colleague and friend, and will be much missed by everyone who was involved in public life in this city,” said Johnson in a statement.

European Parliament: Protect gay and trans asylum seekers The European Parliament says that LGBT asylum seekers must be given protections. MEPs voted recently to adopt a series of measures, such as ensuring that physical examinations are respectful and providing expert advice to asylum officials. Other measures include ensuring that LGBT people are not automatically fasttracked for removal to their home country. The measures concern a provision that considers certain characteristics as “special needs” when they may impact on an asylum seeker’s rights under the law — for example, elderly or disabled asylum seekers may require special protection. MEPs approved an amendment to add “sexual orientation,” “gender identity” and “physical or mental illnesses.” Sirpa Pietikäinen, a member of the center-right European People’s Party and vice president of the LGBT Intergroup, said, “Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people fleeing countries such as

Lesbian judge fights for antidiscrimination laws A lesbian judge from Chile is calling for new antidiscrimination laws to be introduced across North and South America. Karen Atala, 47, lost custody of her three daughters in 2004 because of her sexual orientation. She won custody of her children in two hearings, but they were overturned by the Supreme Court in 2006. The Supreme Court ruled that the girls were in a “position of risk” and could become “objects of social discrimination.” Atala is now taking her fight to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in Washington. Her lawyer, Jorge Contesse, said, “She’s not litigating this case to regain custody of her daughters. But she knows the message that could be sent here, to the Chilean government and other countries, is significant and would be worth the struggle.”

Europe addresses violence against women The Council of Europe’s new convention on preventing and combating violence against women has inclusive language covering lesbian, bisexual and transgender women. The document, approved April 6 by representatives of the foreign ministers of member states, obligates signatories to “take the necessary legislative and other measures to promote and protect the right for everyone, particularly women, to live free from violence in both the public and

the private sphere.” It is to be implemented without discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and numerous other characteristics. The convention will be presented to the foreign ministers of the 47 member states — virtually all the nations in Europe — for ratification at a meeting May 11 in Istanbul. It “opens the path for creating a legal framework at pan-European level to protect women against all forms of violence,” noted a Council of Europe press release. The International Gay and Lesbian Association’s European unit lobbied for the inclusive language. “ILGA-Europe warmly welcomes the adoption of the Convention and the recognition that lesbian, bisexual, and trans women are particularly vulnerable to violence and require a specific measure of protection,” said a statement issued by Linda Freimane, cochair of ILGA-Europe’s executive board.

Australian pol denies homophobia toward gay MP An Australian politician has denied that a “queen” joke he made about a gay MP was homophobic. Rob Johnson, who is the West Australian police minister, had been asked by openly gay opposition MP John Hyde about spending on the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Johnson said the question was irrelevant and added: “He is just really, really upset and jealous that we have got a true queen coming to W.A.” Opposition MPs responded angrily and the policing minister reportedly withdrew his remark minutes later. Johnson later said he had not been referring to Hyde’s sexuality and claimed the joke referred to Oprah Winfrey visiting Perth instead of Queen Elizabeth. “The only reason I withdrew the remark is because some members obviously misconstrued my comments and confused my reference to the royal queen with another term,” he said. Gay-rights advocate Kitty Hawkins said

Look Better NAKED!

615 North Broad Street, Phila., PA 19123-2495 Phone: 215.923.2003 E-mail: BethAhavah @rodephshalom.org

Move Forward Fitness

13 Week Fitness Program! • Lose Fat! • Gain Muscle! • Speed Metabolism!

GUARANTEED RESULTS! 215-399-3541

MoveForwardFitness.com Call Today!

Visit www.bethahavah.org for additional information, programming and directions

there would be “uproar” if a similar joke was made about a non-white MP. “There was no cause for his comments, they were completely irrelevant and unrelated, it was just a spiteful pot-shot at John Hyde,” she said. Hawkins claimed Johnson has made antigay remarks before: In 2001, he said that homosexuality was “not normal” and in the same year, he claimed that lesbians and gays were trying to “persuade young people to adopt their way of life.”

Antigay academic pressured to resign A leading but controversial Italian academic is facing calls for his resignation as vice president of the country’s Center for National Research after he claimed that homosexuality caused the fall of the Roman Empire. Professor Roberto De Mattei, vice president of Italy’s Center for National Research, a devout Catholic who previously claimed that the Japanese earthquake and tsunami were “divine punishment,” made his claims in an interview for a religious radio station. During his interview with Radio Maria, De Mattei said: “The collapse of the Roman Empire and the arrival of the barbarians was due to the spread of homosexuality. The Roman colony of Carthage was a paradise for homosexuals ... the abnormal presence of a few deviants infected many others.” He said his claims originate from the writings of fifth-century Christian author Salviano di Marsiglia. “The invasion of the Barbarians [of Rome] was seen as punishment for this moral transgression,” De Mattei said. “It is well-known that effeminate men and homosexuals have no place in the Kingdom of God. Homosexuality was not rife among the barbarians, and this shows that God’s justice comes throughout history, not at the end of time.” A left-wing MP, Paola Concia, has written to the country’s education minister, Maria Stella Gelmini, to intervene. ■ — compiled by Larry Nichols

CONGREGATION BETH atAHAVAH Rodeph Shalom

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 22, 7:00 PM. Passover Shabbat Dinner & Discussion. A Passover-style dinner will be followed by teaching and discussion. A brief Shabbat service will start the evening. Please RSVP; send $25 per per person c/o Marcia Biggs at the synagogue office. Friday, April 29, 8:00 PM. Equality Forum Shabbat Services. Please join us for a special Shabbat with Sharon Singer, Director of Public Affairs and Social Media at the Consulate General of Israel in Philadelphia.

Free secure parking: Cross Spring Garden at 13th St., left at next Beth Ahavah and Rodeph Shalom are afﬁliated in spirit and share a sacred home. In July 2007 light, Mt. Vernon St. Beth Ahavah afﬁliated with Rodeph Shalom. Beth Ahavah retains its congregational status within Parking lot entrance the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and proudly offers its congregation dual membership at on left.

both synagogues.

PGN ACLU, from page 1

content. Mary Catherine Roper, staff attorney at the ACLU of Pennsylvania, said a district representative has contacted her but they have not yet determined their policy moving forward. The district did not return a request for comment from PGN. The Downingtown Area School District encompasses 10 elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools in Chester County, about 30 miles west of Philadelphia. The ACLU letter was one of several notices sent out this week to districts across the country that were determined to be blocking LGBT content through the agency’s Don’t Filter Me initiative. The program calls on students to test their schools’ filters by performing LGBT-related searches, and reporting schools that ban such pages. PA ENDA, from page 1

public accommodations and housing. The measure has been introduced to the state legislature for a number of years but has repeatedly stalled. Cosponsors include Sens. Pat Browne (R16th Dist.), Wayne Fontana (D-42nd Dist.), Daylin Leach (D-17th Dist.), Jay Costa (D43rd Dist.), Anthony Williams (D-8th Dist.) and Christine Tartaglione (D-2nd Dist.). A spokesperson for Rep. Dan Frankel (D23rd Dist.), who has spearheaded the House version for a number of years, said the representative plans to reintroduce his measure at the end of this month. Farnese said he had hoped to introduce the bill last session, under the Democraticled administration, but that the “political will wasn’t there.” The measure was last introduced in the Senate in 2007, where it died in committee. Although the Senate is now held by Republicans, Farnese said he thinks the bill can gain momentum this session. “One of the first cosponsors on the bill

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

Roper said Downingtown is the first in Pennsylvania to have a verified complaint against it, but she doesn’t believe it’s the only district in the state to employ such a policy. She said the subject matter included in the Downingtown filter was not objectionable, but informative for LGBT or questioning students. “These are essentially perfectly innocuous websites, like how to organize a Day of Silence,” Roper said. “We’re not talking about sex, but things like student-organizing sites and GLSEN [Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network]. Anything about gay culture or gay students was blocked. You could go on a website about college scholarships but you couldn’t get to a website about scholarships available to LGBT students.” The ACLU cautioned the Downingtown district that such filters violate students’

constitutional free-speech rights, as well as the Equal Access Act — which guarantees students equal access to resources for extracurricular activities — as it prevents gay-straight alliances from seeking information. Roper said the filtering setup the Downingtown Area School District employs could be easily manipulated to lift the LGBT block. “It has a lot of different settings and this is something that could be changed with one click,” she said. “That would solve the whole problem. They don’t need to buy new software or anything, just change one setting.” In the letter, the ACLU gave the district until April 22 to begin discussions. Roper said that if the district is not amenable to changing its policy, the agency is prepared to sue, but expects to be talking with the district soon. ■

is Pat Browne. So we already have bipartisan support here, and I commend him for joining me on this,” he said. “I think there’s going to be discussion about the bill and I think there’s going to be the usual rhetoric but, at the end of the day, I believe the will is there on both sides of the aisle to really close a loophole that many of us believe unjustly exists right now.” Farnese called it “unthinkable” that state law lacks protections for LGBTs. The current Human Relations Act bans discrimination based on race, color, familial status, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, handicap and national origin. He said updating the law to extend to the LGBT community would make the state more attractive to potential residents and workers. “I think Pennsylvania needs to catch up with other states, especially our sister states who have address this head-on and put a stop to this baseless discrimination. It sends a very bad message that here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, we don’t have a very strong and well-positioned anti-

discrimination policy. We want people to come to Pennsylvania and to raise families in Pennsylvania. We welcome everyone here in the Commonwealth, and this bill reflects that.” Farnese said he is unsure whether Republican Gov. Tom Corbett would sign the bill if it were to reach his desk, and a call to the governor by PGN was not returned. “All my bill will do is just create protections that are broader, and I don’t know if the governor will sign it but I sincerely hope so.” ■

First Bap tist Church SERVICES: Wednesdays Noon time Palm Sunday 11:30 a.m.

Rev. Dr. Peter C. Wool 17TH & SANSOM STREETS PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 215.563.3853

www.fbcphila1698.org

A Loving Family of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Catholics & their friends invites you to celebrate

Palm Sunday Mass, April 17th, 7:00pm Holy Thursday, April 21st, Mass of the Last Supper with Washing of Feet, 7:30pm

Good Friday, April 22nd, 7:00pm

(A service in conjunction with St. Luke and The Epiphany Church)

Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 23rd, 10:00pm - No Mass Easter Sunday Services are held at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church 330 S. 13th Street, between Spruce and Pine Streets, Philadelphia, PA Information: 215-546-2093 • www.dignityphila.org • www.dignityusa.org • Facebook: Dignity Philadelphia

HAPPY EASTER!

28 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

PGN

PGN FEATURE

AC ul t ure

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

rts

PAGE 34

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

Page Page Page Page Page Page

44 31 42 41 33 40

The Pursuit

of Fabulousness PRODUCT PLACEMENT: David Bardeen as Leo Stein (center, from left), Shawn Fagan as LaRue, Catharine K. Slusar as Gertrude Stein and Geneviève Perrier as Denise Poiret in Arden Theatre Company’s production of Wanamaker’s Pursuit. Photo by Mark Garvin.

Philly department store inspires stage production By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com A really, really long time ago, before there were shopping malls, strip malls, open-air malls, eBay, Wal-mart, Target, Kmart and the internet, if you wanted to buy a bunch of different things without visiting a ton of different shops, you had to go to a department store. Most of us have been to a department store or two in our day, such as Macy’s or J.C. Penney, because they anchor the modern-day shopping malls. But these aren’t

the department stores of days past. In their heyday, department stores were opulent monoliths dedicated to consumerism. They were half a dozen stories tall and adorned in gold, marble and porcelain. They allowed housewives in ankle-length skirts, pillbox hats and white gloves to spend the time between sending the kids off to school and rushing home to make dinner to while away hours in a consumerist wonderland that catered to their every whim. Pesky minorities weren’t allowed to shop, eat or use the bathroom at these establishments but they were definitely on hand to

open doors and carry purchases to a waiting car. Back in the day, Philadelphia had its own world-famous department store, Wanamaker’s, the first department store to open its doors in the city. Conceived by John Wanamaker, the department store opened in 1902 and was subsequently absorbed by Macy’s in 1995. The legendary department store’s history is being used as the backbone for a new theatrical production, “Wanamaker’s Pursuit,” running through May 22 at Arden Theatre Company.

The fictional play uses the history of Wanamaker’s as backdrop for the story of the equally fictional Nathan Wanamaker. “It’s like the book ‘Ragtime’ in how the author combined made-up characters with famous people from that era,” said Richard St. Clair, the show’s out costume designer. “So it’s almost like a play takes on that feeling. The lead character is Nathan Wanamaker, who is the fictitious son of the Wanamaker family. But he goes to Paris, where he meets both fictitious and real historical people from that period.” While St. Clair’s contributions to the pro-

30 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

duction leaned more toward the aesthetics of the play, he did play an unwitting role in the development of the plot. “They started to develop this story and the director [Terrence J. Nolen] called me and said, ‘We’re developing this story about a son. You’re smart. If you were going to Paris in 1911 as a buyer, what would you want to bring back?’ I spent a day going through books and searching and I found this website that was about what was happening in Paris in 1911. One of the fascinating things was the Rowenta Company, which we still have today, had developed its first electric iron. Paul Poiret was doing harem pants based on designs from the Ballets Russe that inspired his fashion collection. So I emailed Terry and I said if I were from the Wanamaker family in 1911 in Paris, I would want to bring back an electric iron or harem pants. So they took that idea and ran with it.” Nathan goes to Paris in search of fashions for the family department store in hopes of proving himself as a buyer for the company.

FEATURE PGN

Instead, he finds Poiret, the father of modern fashion, and subsequently is drawn into the vibrant culture of Paris in the early 1900s, which also included artist Pablo Picasso and out writer and poet Gertrude Stein. Catharine Slusar, who plays Stein in the play, said her character plays an instrumental role in helping Nathan attain his goals. “He’s trying to have a formal introduction with Paul Poiret, who’s a very famous and incredible fashion designer at the time,” Slusar said. “He happens upon Stein during one of their salons. Every Saturday, they would have an open house where people would be invited to come and talk about art and have dinner and wine. Gertrude Stein takes an interest in people she thinks have potential to be something. She’s almost in the business of helping people become what they will be. She takes Nathan under her wing. That’s how the connection works in the play.” Slusar said that even though the story is fictional, it was tough for her to figure out how to play Stein in the story.

“Any time you play someone who is allowed to add his own touches to the clasknown and famous, it’s tricky,” she said. sic designs. “We did a lot of looking at real pic“Do you try to imitate this person or find the essence of this person? This was more tures of the real people, like the fashion designer Paul Poiret about finding the essence and his wife, who are of Gertrude Stein rather main characters in the than copy her. She’s also show,” he said. “We at an interesting time in kind of did our take her life. She’s been fruson the clothes of that trated in her work. She period in order to serve hasn’t published anythe actual play. Then thing yet. She’s deterwe also selected things mined and she’s not from certain collecgiving up.” tions that weren’t nec“ Wa n a m a k e r ’s essarily around at that Pursuit,” like the chartime because the show acters’ portrayals in it, is set in 1911. There’s a ends up being a lightdress that’s the centerhearted affair, which piece in the show that Slusar describes as “like being invited to a fasci- PURSUING PASSION: Geneviève we see being draped Perrier as Denise Poiret and Jürgen on Denise, and then we nating party.” “It’s engaging, it’s Hooper as Nathan Wanamaker in see the dress on a manfunny and it’s inter- Arden Theatre Company’s production nequin and, finally, esting,” she said. “For of “Wanamaker’s Pursuit.” Photo by we see this dress on Denise at the end. For Nathan Wanamaker, Mark Garvin dramatic purposes, we who comes there from Philadelphia, it’s like falling into chose something from an earlier collection Wonderland. It’s like he’s Alice and we’re from 1908 rather than 1911 because it told all these fantastical creatures he encoun- the story better than the 1911 stuff. There ters while there, and there’s all these things was a lot of judicious choosing of what to that he’s exposed to that he’s never seen use in order to portray the story of the show. before. There’s a scene when Gertrude has The whole learning curve on this piece, as been married to Alice Toklas and this is far as being a costume designer, has been completely something he has never experi- absolutely fascinating. Some of the Poiret enced before. So how she talks about art, dresses that we tried to re-create allowed us the mind, becoming an artist, women being to learn a lot about how he must have made equal to men and being a lesbian is all very them and draped them in 1911. The costumes in the show aren’t made like tradimatter-of-fact. It is what it is.” The production also ended up being a tional theater costumes that zip up the back wonderland for St. Clair, who said that and are quickly applied. They actually wrap researching the fashions of the era was the and tuck and do things very much like the way Poiret was designing dresses in 1911.” most fun part for him. For all their research into the subject mat“The research was absolutely the most delicious part of the show,” he said. “I would ter, it seems the one subject Slusar and St. wake up with a grin on my face every day Clair weren’t too familiar with was the store I would do research. There was an amazing that inspired the show. “I’ve been there before it became Macy’s,” day that the cast and I were invited to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and we saw the Slusar said about the Wanamaker’s depart[Marc] Chagall 1991 exhibit. We wandered ment store. “I didn’t know anything about through the in-house collection and the last it except that it had been a Philadelphia fixpart of the day we had an appointment with ture.” “I came to Philadelphia in 1982 and I the costume part of the art museum — and the fashion people had a real Poiret dress remember that there used to be a room on from the 1920s, a dress from the period of the third or fourth floor where there would the play that I believe was from Bonwit be a display of photographs of historical Teller, and then a Poiret dress that was lit- Wanamaker’s,” St. Clair said. “I recently erally from 1911. That was the most fas- read a book, ‘American Eve,’ about Evelyn cinating part of it all. This dress has never Nesbit, who’s actually a character in the been on display because a lot of the silk has book ‘Ragtime.’ She was a figure-drawing become delicate on it. They were able to model for Violet Oakley, a Philadelphiaspread it out on a table for us to see and we based muralist in 1905. She and her mother took photographs of it. It was very inspi- worked the first floor of Wanamaker’s as rational seeing this dress from the exact shop girls before she moved to New York year of the play that we were doing. We got and was involved in the Harry K. Thaw very excited because he used his wife as a murder. I just read this book a year ago fit model so we wondered if this dress was and it just dovetailed into this story of the actually fit on Denise Poiret at some point. Wanamaker’s store. So I know a little bit It was one of the coolest days of my life to about Wanamaker’s historically.” PIFA presents “Wanamaker’s Pursuit” see these things spread out on a table right in front of us. Being able to touch them and through May 22 at Arden Theatre Company’s Arcadia Stage, 40 N. Second see them was fantastic.” St. Clair added he didn’t have to be truly St. For more information, call 215-922faithful to the fashions of the era and was 1122 or visit www.ardentheatre.org. ■

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

Suzi Nash

Bobby Kelly: Closing the LGBT health-care gap I remember reading stories where emergency medical-technician workers would practically put on HAZMAT suits any time they encountered someone they thought was gay, just in case that person had AIDS. Thankfully, that’s mostly a thing of the past, but there is still a ways to go when it comes to the medical health and well-being of LGBT people. This weekend, a number of organizations are collaborating to host the second annual LGBT Health Student Symposium to educate future health providers about the specific needs and concerns of LGBT patients. The symposium is being organized by Drexel University M.D. candidate Bobby Kelly. He’s a past recipient of the Jonathan Lax Scholarship, a grant program created to honor the memory of the late, openly gay entrepreneur who was a pioneering HIV/AIDS activist in Philadelphia. PGN: With a name like Bobby Kelly, it sounds like you should be from the South. BK: [Laughs.] I know, people always want to hyphenate my name: Bobby-Kelly. I was actually born in Queens, but we moved to Long Island when I was little. I still have family up there. I came to Philly because I got a scholarship to go to St. Joe’s for college and then stayed to go to grad school at University of Penn. I also worked as a math and science teacher for two years. Now we’ve set up shop in South Philadelphia. PGN: Set up shop? BK: My husband and I bought a house four years ago. One of the quirky things I like about Philadelphia are all the different neighborhoods. I spent some time moving around to try out different parts of the city and we liked it here best. PGN: Are you an only child? BK: I’m one of four children: I have two sisters and a brother. I’m in the middle as well, as much as you can be with four kids. PGN: What were you like as a kid? Was Operation your favorite game? BK: [Laughs.] Close. We never had that game, but my mother said I loved to take things apart and put them back together. My sister joked that I would tie her socks into tight knots and see if she could figure out how to untie them. My siblings would tease me about wanting to go into the medical profession because I was kind of squeamish about different things. My mom was supportive but she would say, “How are you going to be a doctor when you don’t even like to touch dirty laundry?” I think I wanted to be a pediatrician, because I was one of the few kids who liked going to my doctor. He was a nice guy and had a cool office.

PGN: Other than dirty clothes, what else made you squeamish? BK: We had to do a dissection lab in high school, which was pretty nasty. It wasn’t so much the dissecting part that got to me but the smell. One girl who didn’t want to participate decided that she would help by spraying the classroom with a Bath and Body perfume. The noxious combination of the sweet perfume and formaldehyde was pretty stomach-wrenching.

a positive male role model in their lives. The fact that I would sit down and listen to them meant a lot for them, whether it was talking about math problems or social problems or difficulties at home.

PGN: Did you go to med school? BK: Not right away: I went to undergrad to study math and went into teaching for a while.

PGN: And I understand that you’re one of the class presidents. BK: Yes, since we’re such a large school, we have three. I like being involved in student government. I’m also the [American Medical Student Association] Gender and Sexuality Committee grassroots coordinator and was the former co-president of the LGBT People in Medicine student group. Right now I’m working with LASOH [LGBTQ Alliance of Students Organized for Health], who is one of the sponsors of

PGN: What made you go into math first? BK: Well, I got into St. Joe’s and didn’t realize that you had to declare your major first before you attended; I thought you could take some general classes and then decide. I was still finishing high school and, in typical dramatic teenager fashion, I thought that whatever I picked, I’d be stuck with as a profession for the rest of my life. I knew I was good at math and figured at the least I’d get good grades. Though I learned as you got more into math, it was less about numbers and more theoretical work, which I enjoyed. It also gave me time to do other things: I worked in the writing center as a writing coach, I started a poetry group, I did theater, I took philosophy courses and other things. It allowed me to be more than a typical math ... dude. PGN: [Laughs.] You almost said “geek ...” BK: [Chuckles.] Yeah, well, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but yes, most math majors were a little bit odd. They were interesting and fun to work with, but I just didn’t really fit into that group. I went to Penn for grad school in elementary education and did a yearlong elementary master’s program where you can get certified to teach. I was a student math teacher for sixth-graders at a school in West Philadelphia. I’d planned on giving it five years to make sure I liked it. Unfortunately, to make a long story short, applications were lost, paperwork got rerouted and I got assigned to a pretty posh school in the suburbs. Everyone kept telling me how lucky I was, but it was not what I had intended. I wanted to be in an area where there was a real need. I liked working with kids but decided to do it from a different angle. About three years ago, I went back to school to study medicine with the hopes of working with underserved kids. PGN: When you taught in West Philly, what struck you most? BK: How many kids really yearned to have

PGN: If things go on schedule, when do you graduate? BK: Our commencement is in May 2012 and then I’ll start my residency training. I want to work in adolescent medicine.

people, but all future health-care providers about issues and dialect that are specific to the LGBT community. PGN: I remember, years ago, going to a new doctor and she asked me if I was sexually active. I replied yes, then she asked me if I was using birth control and I said no. Then she asked if I was trying to get pregnant and I said no. I think she might have even asked if there was a religious reason that I wasn’t using birth control, but I’m an agnostic. I could tell she was getting frustrated. When I said that I was gay, she said, “Oh thank God, I thought I was going to have to explain the birds and the bees to you!” I was having fun with her but I can see how there is a need to teach providers to think out of the box. If I’d been in the closet, she would have been left trying to figure it out on her own. BK: Yes, the CDC wrote: “There is a need for culturally competent medical care and prevention services that are specific to this population. Social inequality is often associated with poorer health status, and sexual orientation has been associated with multiple health threats. [Many studies have shown that] members of the LGBT community are at increased risk for a number of health threats when compared to their heterosexual peers, ...[often] associated with social and structural inequities, such as the stigma and discrimination that LGBT populations experience.” Hopefully this symposium will help correct some of those problems by bringing awareness and information to people going into the health-care fields. PGN: What are some issues that are different for the LGBT community? BK: There are overall health disparities that are pretty well documented: cancer, mental health, tobacco use, preventative care. A lot of it has to do with lack of access to health.

the symposium this weekend. PGN: Tell me a little about the symposium. BK: This is the second annual event: Last year it was held in Boston. We are going to have students and health professionals from across the country gathering for a weekend of workshops and presentations focused on the future of LGBT health. It’s important to educate not only LGBT

PGN: Switching up a little, what’s your favorite medical TV show? BK: “House.” I try not to be a medical student watching it, but on occasion, during commercial breaks, I can’t help but trying to figure out a diagnosis from the things I learned in school. PGN: In college, what was the food you survived on? BK: Well, as a future doctor, I advise against it, but I have PAGE 40

32 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

PGN

The Wind of Change Looking for the Leather Lookout column? Well, you found it! “Leather Lookout” got lipo and a makeover during spring break and has been rechristened “Barcrawlr.” From now on, I’ll be filling you in twice a month on all the upcoming must-see events at all the bars around town. Will I still be covering leather events? Of course! Whenever there’s a special event coming up that you won’t want to miss, you’ll see it listed right here, no matter what or where it is. So let’s get started!

This month, they’re hosting a booklaunch party for “It Gets Better,” which is already a New York Times best-seller. The book was compiled from submissions to Dan Savage’s project to provide hope for LGBT and other bullied teens, and features GPFFL players. The league’s YouTube video, which was filmed by Boy 9 Productions, has been viewed more than 7,400 times. The league has four teams sponsored by Uncles, ICandy, Tabu and Tavern on Camac, plus a traveling team named Revolution, comprised of Jocks at Tabu players from each of the four Jim Kiley-Zufelt teams. They have a spring seaStarting at 8 p.m. April 15, Tabu Lounge and Sports son and a fall season, and are Bar, 200 S. 12th St., will be packed with part of a nationwide league that sponsors hot football players and their friends. tournaments and championships in differSeriously, I could just end this section right ent cities every year. here. What more do you need to know? If you’re interested in playing, you OK, how about you can see them there have until April 30, otherwise you’re every month? Jocks is a monthly party going to have to wait until fall. You don’t at Tabu Lounge hosted by GPFFL, the need much in the way of special equipGreater Philadelphia Flag Football League ment, and all ages, genders, skill levels — last month they had almost 200 people! and orientations are welcome to play. A $5 cover charge gets you your first beer For more information, visit www. or well drink, with part of the proceeds phillyflagfootball.com, www.tabuphilly. going to support the league. See how easy com or www.ngffl.com. it is to be an athletic supporter? Your mom Philadelphia Mr. Gay will be so proud! If that doesn’t quench your thirst for

Barcrawlr

hot guys, you can catch the fifth annual Philadelphia Mr. Gay contest starting at 9 p.m. April 16 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St. Local bars such as Tabu, Woody’s, Voyeur and Venture Inn held preliminary competitions over the past few weeks, but you don’t need to have won a preliminary to enter on Saturday. Contestants will be judged on evening/club wear and swimwear, then the top finalists will advance to a Q&A session to determine the winner. The winner of the Philadelphia Mr. Gay contest will receive a $250 basket from Ettoré Salon and Spa, a three-month membership to 12th Street Gym and dinner for two at La Fourno Trattoria restaurant. The winner will also compete in the U.S. National Mr. Gay contest, and the winner of that title will compete in the International Mr. Gay contest with men from around the world. Philadelphia Mr. Gay will be hosted by Frank DeCaro and Brittany Lynn. Entertainment will be provided by Navaya Shay, Aeryanah Von Moi and the fabulous Dragapalooza Divas. This year’s judging panel will be Village Voice columnist Michael Musto; Paper Magazine columnist Mickey Boardman; former NCAA football captain and current chair of GALLOP Brian Sims; legendary marketer and

promoter Noel Zayas; JimmyStyle’s Jimmy Contreras; and winner of “Project Runway” season one Jay McCarroll. For more information, visit www.nightlifegay.com, www.voyeurnightclub.com or www.noblebeast.org. Roller Girls! God, I love roller derby! Ever since I had crushes on Annie Lennox and Grace Jones in high school, there’s been something about a girl who looks like she can beat the crap out of me that really butters my muffin. Most gay guys love strong divas, right? I just like mine in ripped stockings and covered with tattoos ... and on roller skates! So on April 22, I’ll be at Sisters, 1320 Chancellor St., to catch the Penn Jersey She Devils and special guests the Liberty City Kings for “Devils in Disguise.” They’ll have drink specials, Jell-o shots and a night full of kick-ass ladies performing as bad-ass dudes. Party starts at 9 p.m. and admission is only $7, so get out there and support your local roller girls. Or else! For more information, visit www.pennjerseyrollerderby.com or www.sistersnightclub.com. ■ Questions, comments or news about upcoming events? Contact Jim at barcrawlr@gmail.com.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

TRAVEL PGN

34 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

LGBT revelers flock to Toronto for Pride Week By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com We’re not saying you should give up Philadelphia’s Pride festivities. But if you need to maximize your pride and absolutely have to go to another city in North America to do it, Toronto should definitely be at the top of your list. Toronto is the biggest and most culturally diverse city in Canada and, as a result, attracts upward of 1 million people from around the world to its Pride Week, which pretty much engulfs the city in 10 days of celebrations, live performances, parties and parades June 24-July 3. With the sheer volume of revelers Toronto’s Pride attracts, it’s best to make plans to go as early as possible. And if you haven’t been to Canada before, know that you will need a passport to enter the country. Visit www.pridetoronto.com for more information. Once in the city, there are enough bars, restaurants and other assorted culture to keep anyone occupied night after night for at least a month ... provided they have the funds to last that long. The U.S. dollar used to go really far in Toronto but, thanks to the slide in our economy, the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar are running neck and neck, when means things in Toronto like food, drink and hotels are a bit pricier than U.S. counterparts. Not prohibitively expensive, but prices there are on par with mid- to high-end Manhattan establishments. Toronto’s gayborhood is known as Church Wellesley Village, or “The Village,” most of which encompasses the four blocks on Church Street between Alexander and Glouster streets. When it comes to types of LGBT clubs and scenes, if you can’t find it easily here, it does not exist. But Church Wellesley Village isn’t the only gay-friendly game in town. Another area with some serious mojo is West Queen West, overflowing with artists, galleries, musicians and independent shops. This part of town has a definite old-school Greenwich Village feel,

Photos: Courtesy of Tourism Toronto

but gentrification is hot on this neighborhood’s heels judging by the glossy new condos being erected all around. But West Queen West is resisting with all of its might to ensure that the artists don’t get pushed — and priced — out of the community. One of the standout hotels in West Queen West is the Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. West (www.gladstonehotel. com). Staying there is definitely unlike what you’ll find at most hotels. The gayowned hotel has a historical feel with a vintage manually operated elevator

and 37 rooms, each decorated by different designers with unique feels ranging from retro and flashy to ultra-modern and minimalist. And there’s always something interesting happening onsite as the main floor of the hotel hosts a bar, a restaurant, a live-music venue and a performance lounge. The artsy feel of the hotel might not be a perfect fit for someone who likes the more traditional confines of a conventional hotel. It also needs to be noted that if you’re the type of person who goes to sleep relatively early on the weekend, you

will need the abundant and complimentary earplugs provided in each room. Fortunately for us, we’re night owls, so the music and steady flow of hipster traffic didn’t bother us. But staying at The Gladstone is definitely a fun experience. If you’re looking for a hotel with a more business-like feel in West Queen West, the Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. West (www. drakehotel.ca), provides all the eclecticism and comfort of the Gladstone, but wraps up the nighttime festivities at a more reasonable hour. If you’re the kind of traveler who carries a gold or black American Express Card and you can rest until you see it smoking from too much friction, you might want to spend your time in the Bloor-Yorkville neighborhood, which has high-end boutiques, restaurants, bars and hotels as far as the eye can see. Normally we resist obvious touristy attractions, but we were so glad we gave in and went to the CN Tower (www.cntower. ca). Looking at it from afar and seeing it among the other downtown skyscrapers, it’s easy to delete it from your to-do list. Stand next to it and you’ll be a little more impressed with its jaw-dropping height. Get up to the observation deck on a clear day and your jaw will drop from the view, especially if you like standing on a clear glass floor and looking 1,100 feet straight down to the ground. Also, make sure you check out the 360 Restaurant, which slowly rotates, as it has a top-notch menu. If you like your thrills on terra firma, we highly recommend The Keg Steakhouse in Keg Mansion, 515 Jarvis St. (www. kegsteakhouse.com) for several reasons: It’s a short walk from the Village, it has tons of classic charm and it’s haunted. Granted, the attentive staff won’t let you visit the haunted part of the mansion (the basement), where apparently no one is allowed to venture. But just knowing that you’re indulging in steak and martinis while spirits roam around in the catacombs beneath your feet is worth the trip. For more information about Toronto, visit Tourism Toronto at www.SeeTorontoNow.com. ■

PGN’S COMMUNITY MARKETPLACE

resOURce COMMUNITY

MARKETPLACE

Listings for everything you need. Click the resource button on the home page to start shopping today!

www.epgn.com

TRAVEL PGN

Outward Bound

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

Jeff Guaracino

Travel tips on apps from a road warrior I’m always going somewhere and, in my travels, I’ve discovered some of the best iPhone and iPad apps that help me stay in touch, keep productive and save money. It is easy to find the popular apps such as Facebook and Twitter, to share your travels with your friends and followers. Finding other great free travel apps is a bit harder. Here are my top 10 free and essential travel apps that you should check out. 1. Kayak. Plan your next trip anywhere. Among the best features is the flight-search capability. You can choose any airport to leave from and this app will search all the airlines that go to your destination. You can choose flights based on price, number of connections and airline-specific. 2. Gay Cities. Leave the paper guidebooks at home. Find bars, restaurants, hotels, shops and even bathhouses in

any city worldwide. 3. GIRL Radio (Gay Internet Radio Live). Dance music everywhere you are with the best DJs and new music 24/7. Stream it live from Wi-Fi or your 3G cellphone service. 4. The Weather Channel. Check your travel weather forecast before you go — up to 10 days in advance. For those who like to anticipate a trip or daydream about places you would love to go, you can load specific cities in advance and check the weather at your favorite travel destination any time. 5. TripIt. Go green. Replace your paper confirmations and travel file folders and put your personal and business travel plans in your iPhone. Email your travel confirmations to TripIt and all the information appears in your custom travel itinerary. You can even share your travel itinerary with

friends and family. 6. Currency Converter by Oanda Corporation. Finally, an easy way to convert any currency to the U.S. dollar! It is a quick and easy app to tell you how much things cost in 180 countries. 7. Penny Talk Mobile. Call the world cheaper! This app makes international calls from the U.S. affordable. Instead of paying astronomical rates through your cellphone carrier, you can call anyone for pennies per minute, plus the 99cent monthly fee. 8. Skype. Call home and stay in touch cheaper! It costs a small fortune to call the United States from abroad. Simply launch the app, connect to the internet and call anywhere. For fun, when flying, buy the in-flight internet service on the plane and call your friends while you are high — 30,000 feet high! 9. Scavenger Hunt with

Friends. Looking for fun and games? This is a brandnew app for those who love a good, old-fashioned scavenger hunt. You and your friends can custom create your own hunt through a new city or a museum. It’s great for families too. 10. ScanBizCards is a paid app, about $7, that uses your iPhone’s camera to snap a picture of that important business card, scans it and automatically adds it to your contacts.

Questions About Hemorrhoids?

Proctology Colonoscopy Office Hemorrhoid Treatment Colon Cancer Screening Office Surgery • Laser Surgery Bleeding • Constipation • Diarrhea Treatment of Anal Warts (HPV) Most Insurances Accepted Day & Evening Appointments Dr. Lowell D. Meyerson D.O. Board Certified Proctologist

■

Jeff Guaracino is a vice president for the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation and author of “Gay and Lesbian Tourism: The Essential Guide for Marketing.” He has learned how to find the best deals and travel resources for our community. If you’re traveling locally, check out visitphilly.com.

Two Locations City Line Professional Building 7516 City Line Avenue Suite 2 Philadelphia, PA 19151 215-877-3639

Medical Arts Building

50 East Township Line Rd. Suite 226, Elkins Park, PA 19027 215-379-0444

www.fannydoctor.com

Repairs, Renovations and Remodeling

(215) 467-3335 Pa. HIC #026545 Phila. Lic. #17895

“Our” Family Plumber for over 30 years JEFFREY E. GOLDMAN, ATTORNEY AT LAW SPECIALIZING IN PARTNERSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT LAW Proven track record of recovering millions of dollars for wrongfully treated employees!* Experience litigating: • Partnership & business disputes • Non-competes • Executive compensation • Employment discrimination • Real Estate Litigation Jeffrey E. Goldman, Esq. 100 S. Broad St. Suite 1330 Philadelphia, PA 19110

Also handle: • Wills, Living Wills, Trusts and Powers of Attorney

Jeff.Goldman@verizon.net

*Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Put 18 years of experience to work for you!

Triangle Medical General Practice Progressive HIV Care MARK T. WATKINS, DO JOHN DEL ROSSI, PA-C

(215) 829-0170

253 S. 10th St., 1st Floor Philadelphia

PGN

36 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

��

Congratulations! PGN staff won ﬁve awards in the 2010 Suburban Newspapers of America editorial contest PAGE 1

Health care act, national HIV strategy bold steps to end AIDS By Matthew McClain President, McClain and Associates Public Health Policy and Planning When future historians write their books on the AIDS crisis in America, this year may need its own chapter to tell how health reform and a national AIDS plan — both new in 2010 — helped to end the epidemic once and for all. So how does health reform required by the Affordable Care Act — ACA for short — impact people living with HIV/AIDS? Right now, fewer than one in five people living with HIV has private insurance. Nearly one-third do not have any coverage at all. When fully implemented in 2014, ACA will help ensure people living with HIV/AIDS will have secure, stable, affordable health insurance

and the relief they management and Notable years the history of need from skyrockother medical and AIDS in America eting health-insursupportive services 1991: The Ryan White Program was ance costs. through the federally launched, bringing new federal fundMedicaid, the funded Ryan White federal-state pro- ing to care for people living with HIV Program. Yet this in the Philadelphia region and 15 other gram that provides funding is not guarhealthcare benefits big cities anteed from year to 1994: AZT was found to protect newto low-income peoyear. So advocates ple and people with borns from HIV must continuously 1996: The age of combination therapy disabilities, has long lobby Washington been a major source arrives for every dollar, of coverage for 2009: The ban on the use of federal every year. people with AIDS, funds for syringe-exchange programs The ACA will is lifted as is Medicare, the address some, but 2010: Enactment of the Patient federal program for not all, of these Protection and Affordable Care Act seniors and people problems. Already, (ACA) and launch of the nation’s first with disabilities. The insurers cannot deny National HIV/AIDS Strategy Ryan White Program coverage to children is another key source living with HIV/ of funding for health AIDS. They are also and social services for people living prohibited from canceling coverage for with HIV/AIDS. Currently, of the nearly adults or children unless they can show 30,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in evidence of fraud in an application. And the Delaware Valley, more than 12,000 of insurers can no longer impose a lifetime them receive primary care, medical case cap on benefits. Health insurers offering

new plans will have to develop an appeals process to make it easy for enrollees to dispute the denial of a medical claim. ACA brought $160 million federal dollars to Pennsylvania as of July 2010 to provide coverage for uninsured residents with preexisting medical conditions through a new transitional high-risk pool program, funded entirely by the federal government. It also for the first time gives Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware the option of federal Medicaid funding for coverage for all lowincome populations, irrespective of age, disability or family status as soon as the state applies for a special waiver that is available now. In addition to expanding coverage, the authors of the ACA wisely thought about how the estimated 30 million Americans who will be newly covered by 2019 will get their health care and who will provide the care. So, things like increased federal funding for community health centers and programs to expand the health-care work

PGN Staff First Place, Best Special Section World AIDS Supplement

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 20

MAY 21 - 27, 2010

John Waters is my role model

A departure from the ordinary

WORLD AIDS DAY SUPPLEMENT • A JOINT PROJECT OF ACTIONAIDS AND THE PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

Detour

DEC 1, 2010

Gary M. Kramer First Place, Best Arts & Entertainment Writing-Feature “John Waters Is My Role Model”

See STRATEGY, Page 4

Local activists press for cure By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer

The AIDS Policy Project, headquartered in Philadelphia and San Francisco, is taking a rarely employed approach to the HIV/ AIDS epidemic, pressing not for enhanced prevention and treatment methods but for a more final solution: a cure. Kate Krauss, founder and executive director of the project, said she and other staffers have worked both in the prevention and treatment arenas and, while both are crucial in the fight against HIV/ AIDS, researchers need to start looking further into the future. “We know that prevention is not going to save the lives of the 33 million people who have AIDS now,” she said. “And treatment is very different when it comes to different countries: There are about 15 million people who need treatment immediately, but only about 36 percent are actually receiving it. The number of people with AIDS is increasing and most don’t have access to treatment, so they’re just dying.” Krauss said she’s seen a disconnect between those in the HIV/ AIDS community and HIV/AIDS researchers on this issue. “Many researchers think people

with AIDS are perfectly happy with their treatment and aren’t concerned about wanting a cure,” Krauss noted. “But people we’ve worked with who have AIDS are just stunned by that. Most of them have no idea that there would be any confusion over whether people with AIDS would want a cure found.” Just recently, Krauss was Skyped in the middle of the night by an HIV-positive man in Pakistan, who was interested in learning more about the work of The AIDS Policy Project. She said the man was on his second line of therapy, which wasn’t working well, and worried that he wouldn’t be able to afford to keep trying new drug combinations. Despite countless situations like that man’s, however, Krauss said researchers in the field have historically been resistant to opening up a discussion about a cure, an effort The AIDS Policy Project is hoping to fuel. “A lot of researchers have said it’s no longer necessary to look for a cure because the treatments are so tremendous. I’ve seen researchers use air quotes around the word ‘cure,’ and seen them whisper the word. And that’s really an issue. We want to connect activists and people with AIDS with

the researchers so they can just shake them and say, ‘Yes, you’re doing great work, but we do need a cure.’” The AIDS Policy Project last week hosted a town-hall meeting in Philadelphia to help educate the public about cure research. One of the most well-known efforts is the Berlin Patient, an HIV-positive German man with leukemia whose infection was cured in 2008 after he received a stem-cell transplant from a donor with a CCR5 double deletion, a mutation that makes cells highly resistant to AIDS. That case has spurred a number of research initiatives that utilize less risky methods, Krauss said. Cure research is being conducted at the University of Pennsylvania by Drs. Carl June and Pablo Tebas, as well as at the Quest lab in San Francisco, the University of California at Los Angeles and the University of Southern California. At the latter location, Dr. Paula Cannon administered human stemcell transplants in mice to create human immune systems and then infected the mice with HIV. Mice whose systems had been genetically modified to remove ALIVE WTH ACTIVISM: Philadelphians are reminded of HIV/AIDS budgetary, health and policy issues because of ACT-UP’s frequent See CAMPAIGN, Page 6 protests. Photos: Scott A. Drake

By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor John Waters may be a role model to his fans, but whom does he admire? In his terrific new book, “Role Models,” Waters writes about what he calls “the amazing people who inspire” him. The choices are, as his fans might expect, an eclectic collection of outsiders, ranging from fashion designer Rei Kawakubo and artist Cy Twombly to the singer Little Richard. But the one quality they all share is that they have lived, as Waters puts it, “an extreme life.”

Detour PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 18

SEPT. 18 - 24, 2009

Sitting in the living room of his Baltimore home, surrounded by books and copious amounts of fake food — from a plastic hamburger on the window sill to a tempting box of chocolates on the table — the filmmaker explains what it takes to be one of his role models: “They are certainly people who have survived something — whether it’s great success, or great horror. They have had to be braver [than me]. They can inspire me through patience like Leslie Van Houten, who has been in jail for 40 years for something terrible she did, or being the opposite of me, like Johnny

SEPT. 18 - 24, 2009

By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer

At this point in her career, either you get Meshell Ndegeocello or you don’t. Unlike many of her peers, after 16 years of delivering powerfully soulful and stylistically diverse albums, the queer singer and multi-instrumentalist is showing no signs of losing her artistic edge. Ndegeocello first came to national attention as one of the first artists signed to Madonna’s Maverick Records label in the early 1990s. Her first album, 1993’s “Plantation Lullabies,” was a critical success, earning three Grammy nominations for “If That’s Your Boyfriend (He Wasn’t Last Night).” At the time, many credited Ndegeocello with sparking the neo-soul movement, but she never was one to get too caught up in categorizing her own music. “I just make what I make,” she said. “I do the best that I can. I try to have a good time. I stay interested in other music. I don’t really believe in genres. They’re all connected. Neo-soul, I don’t believe in that. I know I was given that moniker for a minute. The best I can do is be true to myself and express myself to the best of my abil-

ity.” Apparently her ability has grown over the years. Her upcoming album, “Devil’s Halo,” is an aural feast that finds Ndegeocello serving up an irresistible combination of R&B, rock, new wave and everything in between with fiery and sultry abandon. The independent label Mercer Street/Downtown Records is releasing the new album. Ndegeocello and Maverick parted ways in 2003, and her 2007 album “The World Has Made Me the Man of My Dreams” was released on the jazz label EmArcy. Ndegeocello said there were never any hard feelings or discord between her and Maverick during her time there or after the split. “I loved being on Maverick,” she said. “I never felt stifled creatively. They let me do whatever I wanted to do.. I just don’t think they knew what to do with me in terms of promotion or getting the music out there. I really liked my experience on Mercer. They’ve been super-supportive. It’s a different energy, for lack of a better word. I’m just always happy to make music. I’m not really involved with all the inner workings. I always have a good time. I’m happy to get a budget to try and be as creative as possible.”

Still, it can be argued that Ndegeocello’s creativity has expanded since her split with Maverick. “Devil’s Halo” and “The World Has Made Me the Man of My Dreams” both seem to draw from a wider range of genres than her Maverick albums. But Ndegeocello said that was more a result of where her head was at the time. “That’s just evolution and growth,” she said of her everevolving sound. “I’m around different people living in a different world. I’m exposed to a lot of different things. I definitely feel more excited about music now than I did back then just because I’m in a better place in my life. I did a world-music record on a European label [2005’s “The Spirit Music Jamia: Dance of the Infidel”] and it was a lot of fun to exorcise some of my demons. I don’t think too much about what other people are expecting of me. I just try to listen to as many artists as I can and maintain excitement about music.” For “Devil’s Halo,” Ndegeocello made a point to say that she focused on musicianship and live-band energy over the use of advanced technology and studio tricks, on which she thinks many musicians have become too dependent. “It’s too broad of a generalization, but sorry to say I do believe that. I’ve made several records with other people.

Everyone is really dependent on Pro Tools and Auto-Tune. It was getting a little stagnant. It was really fun to make a record on tape with no click [track] and no Pro Tools.” Ndegeocello is frank about the creative process involved in her new album, but when it comes to the meaning behind “Devil’s Halo,” she gets mercurial. “That there is a gray area,” she said. “That’s all. Everything is not so black and white.” We can’t be mad at her for that; the results are phenomenal. One of the most striking tracks on the album is her cover of “Love You Down,” a song by ’80s Prince & The Revolution wannabes Ready for the World. The original song might not have aged well, but Ndegeocello’s cover reinvents the dated slow jam as a powerfully sexy, yet ambient, crusher of a song. “I grew up with that,” she said. “It was one of the songs that shaped my creativity: Ready for the World and Prince. It was just like time-traveling back to first feeling my hormones kicking in. I just tried to relive that. I love the song. It’s sexy and nice. I just tried to put a little Wu-Tang in it. Hopefully people will enjoy it and move their body to it, make love and have a good time.” Ndegeocello’s knack for genre-mixing and her proficiency on many different instruments frequently earned her comparisons to Prince. Yet, while it was a heady experience to be compared to one of her idols, being in the same room with him wasn’t exactly what she expected. “It’s amazingly flattering,” she said about the comparison. “That’s what I wanted to be. It’s not only flattering, it’s inspiring. It means I’m OK. I’m doing all right. But then I met him and that wasn’t so great. He’s a jerk, I’m sorry to say. I’d tell it to his face. I remember getting that first record ‘For You’ and playing each side over and over again, learning all the bass lines and telling myself my goal is to make records. Even though he’s a jerk, he’s one of the greatest songwriters of our time and he deserves all the accolades that anyone could possibly give him.” Ndegeocello said despite her respect for Prince’s accomplishments, she couldn’t appreciate the talented megastar’s insular way of life.

PAGE 8

Waters has always “stuck up for those people who had a tough time,” and this is why his fans like the way he thinks. “Everybody feels they are an outsider,” he says. Waters’ chapter on Tennessee Williams is especially revealing. After reading Williams’ “One Arm” — which he confesses to stealing from the library, because it was forbidden — he writes, “[I] didn’t have to worry about fitting in with a crowd I didn’t want to hang out with in the first place ... Didn’t want to be part of this dreary conformist life that I was told I had to join.”

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

“I’ve had personal interactions with him. He’s created this bubble. My dare to him is like, dude, come hang out with me in Brooklyn. We’ll go get some Levis 501s, some Tims and some T-shirts. How about you hang out with some regular folks and just have a regular experience because you’ve created something that’s like a surreal reality. Not to be weird. I’m not like the dinosaurs. They couldn’t see their demise. “Being in the time I am now, I get to look back on so many artists in terms of drug use, megalomania and other self-destructive behaviors. And I’m really glad that music is first and foremost to me and not fame and other things that people are battling with. Let’s sit on the porch and play some music.” It’s that laidback approach to the flow of creativity that has also made Ndegeocello so in demand as a producer. She said she looks for “individuality and openness” in the artists with whom she works.

A departure from the ordinary

The many faces of Meshell

Mathis. Or they can inspire me as a kid, as Madalyn Murray O’Hair did, even though she turned out to be kind of a horrible person. Sometimes we have to embrace the extremes in people that change the laws and how we live, even if they are not so honorable.” Embracing extremes is what Waters has done from his infamous 1972 classic cult film “Pink Flamingos” to his more mainstream success with “Hairspray.” (The latter became a hit Broadway musical, followed by a hit Hollywood film version/remake, and a sequel to the movie-musical is due out this summer).

PAGE 19

happen in a studio. When I write a song, especially these songs, it was kind of a simple process. I wanted to make something that could exist with just a vocal and a guitar. But some of them grew from that. That’s why I like being more of a musician than being a recording artist. I like the challenge of bringing things to life.” She also said the songs will vary from night to night and that she and her band are still trying to figure out which ones to perform. “We’re all e-mailing each other now, submitting what we want to play. It’s interesting what everyone is choosing. It’s going to be a surprise. We have a very socialist band. Everyone has an opinion. I promised someone close to me that I’d play some old songs, so I’m curious to see what we come up with. We have to switch up or we’d kill each other. A few of the musicians I play with come from improvisational backgrounds. So in order to keep it fresh, especially for me, I have to switch it around or I become sort of tedious. I know that’s hard on the audience sometimes, but I definitely like to switch the setlist up.” That being said, when asked if they would be open to spontaneous requests (like if a certain PGN staff writer stood on a barstool shouting out song titles), Ndegeocello said, with a chuckle … “No. Um [thinking about it] … no. I play with musicians that have other groups they play with and their own lives. So we get together right before the tour and rehearse two weeks before and we prepare a certain number of songs that we can play well. I have a large catalog, but I don’t try to get the musicians to learn all eight records. That would be difficult.” We’re not mad at her. “Devil’s Halo” will be released Oct. 6. Meshell Ndegeocello performs at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. For more information, visit www. meshell.com or call (215) 222-1400. � Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.

“Lately I mostly get called to do improvisational musicians,” she said. “So I have to really enjoy their playing and their technique. They have to be someone I can be around for eight hours at a time and that we enjoy each other and find some kind of connection. I [like to] create an environment that allows the artist to be themselves and get to what they are trying to achieve.” Ndegeocello is about to hit the road in support of “Devil’s Halo,” requiring her and her band to figure out how to execute some of the new songs in a live setting. She said the live-performance element doesn’t weigh too heavily on her mind when she records. “I was just asked to produce this French artist who specifically told me she wanted to have a record that could sound exactly the same live. When I’m making a record, I kind of have the Steely Dan approach: We’re making a record. It can be whatever it is in this environment but it may change live. I just like to use what I have access to and be open to whatever can happen that maybe only can

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Photos by Scott A. Drake It was a beautiful day in the Gayborhood last weekend for the 19th annual OutFest. Rainbows abounded on clothes, pets and buildings as entertainers energized the already-rowdy crowd, and community organizations and activists turned out in full force to take part in the world’s largest Coming Out Day celebration. Franny Price, executive director of Philly Pride Presents, which stages the annual street festival, estimated that some 45,000 LGBTs and allies celebrated in the Gayborhood last Sunday. Attendance was slightly higher than last year and evidently not impacted by the National March for Equality, which took place in Washington, D.C., the same day. About 135 vendors set up shop throughout the streets of the Gayborhood, selling artisan goods and LGBT-related merchandise and informing passersby about local LGBT-service organizations and other resources.

Henri David hosted the entertainment on the main stage — which included performances by Hunter Valentine, Barry Brandon, Anne Simoni, Allazae, NIO, L.Y.F.E., local drag performers, The Attic Youth Center participants and entertainers with Cirque du Soleil — and representatives from LGBT health clinic the Mazzoni Center and the William Way LGBT Community Center, as well as Attic Youth volunteer Khalil Nelson, all took the stage to accept awards from Philly Pride Presents. Returning this year were the annual high-heel race and penis-shaped bagel-eating contest, and back by popular demand was a mechanical bull that Price said was a big hit with last week’s crowd. Price noted this year marked only the second time in OutFest’s history that the event actually fell on Oct. 11, the designated National Coming Out Day, which she said made this year’s celebration even more momentous. “The whole day was so great. There was just so much going on. Everything was special in its own little way.”

Scott A. Drake Honorable Mention, Best Photojournalism “Outfest”

Photos: Mark Seliger

OCT. 16 - 22, 2009

Tens of thousands come out for OutFest

Scott A. Drake Honorable Mention, Best News Photo “Historic Storm”

Larry Nichols Second Place, Best Arts & Entertainment Writing-Feature “The Many Faces of Meshell”

A handful of representatives of antigay group Repent America with signs and a microphone near the corner of 13th and Locust streets, where the main-stage entertainment was taking place. Five years ago, several Repent America members were arrested for protesting OutFest, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals last year upheld a lower court’s ruling that the group was permitted to attend the event but could not “move from distributing literature and wearing signs to disruption of the permitted activities.” Price said she thought the group’s use of a microphone was on the border of that stipulation. “They were a little bit loud when they first got there,” she said. “And it was disappointing because the ruling allows them to be there and express their FirstAmendment rights, but not to disrupt the event. But the police did cut them off from the microphone eventually when the festival really got going and the louder they got, so we were happy about that.” Philadelphia Police spokesperson Officer Jill Russell said no arrests were made during OutFest.

OCT. 16 - 22, 2009

A Norristown woman said she sustained injuries after she tried to intervene in a fight on 13th Street outside Woody’s. The woman said four officers attempted to break up the fight between two other women she knew, and that a Civil Affairs officer threw her to the ground, knocking her unconscious. Officer Mitchell Spritzler of the office of Chief Inspector James Tiano, the police LGBT liaison, said the report from the incident cited that the participants were intoxicated and that police broke up a fight between the women twice. He said police offered medical assistance to the woman who was injured but that she declined. The woman told PGN the officers did not offer medical assistance. � Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 9

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

38 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

FOODPGN & DRINK

Food & Drink

Happy Hour

THE ABBAYE

Mon- Fri 5:30-7:30pm $2.50 Domestics $3.50 Imports $3.50 Well Drinks

EXCELLENT BELGIAN AND The Gayborhoods First Craft Beer Sports Pub

16 TAPS Happy Hour

$2.50 Pabst & Highlife Bottles Everyday

Mon. - Fri. 6 - 8 pm $3 well drinks $1 off Craft Taps and Bottles Phillies Game Special* $2.75 Bud taps & Bud light bottles *during all regular season games Enter to win: set of game tickets or Halloday/Lee Jersey

let us surpise you ...

Rainbow Award Best Bar and Bartender 2008, 2009, 2010

255 Camac St., Philadelphia

215.545.8731 www.VIphilly.com

MICROBREW SELECTIONS

The Westbury

Dinner served nightly 5:30-11pm

The Westbury 261 South 13th St. Philadelphia, Pa

Fox Philly Best Gay and Lesbian Bar 2008, 2009, 2010

215.546.5170

“Delightful Thai Cuisine” BYOB

“Authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex” Margarita Mondays:

White Elephant Restaurant

759 Huntingdon Pike • Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 (215) 663-1495 • www.whiteelephant.us Voted Best Thai Restaurant in Philadelphia for the last 4 consecutive years! ~MyFox Philly Hotlist

Large Spacious dining room, perfect for parties! Free Margarita mix after 5 PM.

Dine-in,Take Out and Delivery

215-468-1828

Open 7 days a Week 10AM - 10PM

www.thejalapenos.com

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

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

French filmmaker brings comedy to politics By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor From a suite at the Mercer Hotel in New York City, out writer/director François Ozon, whose credits include “Swimming Pool” and “8 Women,” exhibits a teasing playfulness when he starts talking about his new film “Potiche,” a fun comedy starring Catherine Deneuve that opens at Ritz theaters today. He plays with his scarf and dons sunglasses, in full celebrity mode. Even when he returns a Diet Coke — “It’s like poison!” he exclaimed, offended by the taste of the expired beverage — he hardly acts like a diva. Ozon is charismatic and perhaps even a bit silly, but he makes his point. These same qualities are also very much in evidence in “Potiche.” Deneuve plays Suzanne Pujol, a 1970s bourgeois wife who takes over her husband Robert’s (Fabrice Luchini) umbrella factory when he becomes ill during a workers’ strike. She works with her ex, Maurice Babin (Gérard Depardieu), a former union leader, to resolve the labor disputes and gain a sense of independence. Her children, Joelle (Judith Godrèche) and Laurent (Jérémie Renier), as well as Robert’s secretary/mistress Nadège (Karin Viard), also figure prominently in the comedy. “Potiche,” based on a hit play, fulfills a desire Ozon has long had to make a “political” film. He explained, “I wanted to do this in a very light way. The message goes down better that way. The male chauvinists laugh about themselves, and the women who feel like trophy wives can laugh, too. When you want to say something about society, or the rights of women, it’s not good to put that in a drama.” The filmmaker cited Billy Wilder — someone who made films about American and German society with pointed comedy — as an influence. Ozon also said he likes

to mix up genres. “I know it is sometimes disturbing for the audience, but I think the audience is clever and able to go in different directions. You can have a funny scene and then a sentimental one. It’s not incompatible. It’s chemistry: You realize in the editing if it works.” When Ozon is asked what makes him laugh, he draws a complete blank. After a

But because he is very close to his mother, I thought that it was a good idea.” The discussion moved on to the trèsbeau actor Renier, who wears period 1970s clothes, including skin-tight pants that leave nothing to the imagination. “All the men looked gay at this time because of these pants!” Ozon effused. He fondly recalls the ’70s — the era of his childhood — and memories of “Charlie’s Angels,” along with his grandmother’s telephone, which “had a kind of carpet on it.” He returned to talking about Renier, with whom he first worked back in 1999 on the film “Criminal Lovers.” “We had a very strong relationship on that film. Jérémie was much younger — very cute and very fragile. I was a monster with him, but he loved me being a monster with him. ACTRESS CATHERINE DENEUVE AND DIRECTOR We had a very good expeFRANÇOIS OZON rience. I wanted to work with him again — he’s significant pause, he admitted, “In mov- becoming a great actor — but always takies, I smile more often than I laugh. I like ing very serious, tough parts. If you know things that surprise me. I like it when there Jérémie, he’s funny, light, smiling and sexy, is something witty or edgy about the situa- and he doesn’t have the opportunity to show tion.” these qualities.” “Potiche” is more witty than edgy, as the “Potiche” allows Renier to exhibit his film has a farcical quality to it. There are comic flair, and he’s terrific. The film many comic reversals of fortune and an also gave Ozon the chance to reunite with amusing suggestion that Laurent’s roman- Deneuve, who costarred in his 2002 film “8 tic relationship may have an incestuous Women.” connection. Another wink-wink joke in the “It was a real dream to work with her film suggests Laurent is gay. again,” he gushed. “It was quite difficult Ozon explained the theme of incest is on ‘8 Women’ because she was one among very popular in French comedy. “In this eight and I had the responsibility to be film, I wanted to play with that and make it democratic with all eight women. I didn’t more transgressive. The fact that Jérémie’s develop a deep relationship with her. On character could be gay was not in the play. ‘Potiche,’ because she was the star of the

film, she was the heart of the film. I needed to be close to her, and she needed to be close to my mise-en-scene so she’d know exactly what kind of movie I wanted to do.” Ozon has said in the past that he finds making films about female characters easier because he has “more distance” with them. However, with this story, he acknowledged that he was closer to the character of Suzanne. “I wanted to empathize with her, be with her,” he insisted. “I think Suzanne is likeable, although she’s a bit ridiculous at the beginning of the film.” That said, he does not think being a gay man makes him more sensitive to female characters and/or telling female stories. “It’s very American to see things that way,” he said. “I don’t think your sexuality has anything to do with your sensibility. I like to work with women because I like to make intimate films, and films about intimacy — about sensitivity, and emotions. I feel an actress is better able to [express] that on her face. The evolution of a woman in society is also more difficult — she has to fight more than a man. It’s more interesting to see that.” Ozon also thinks it’s “very American” to say “The Personal is Political” — a sentiment that was a hallmark of the feminist movement. He explained that he wants “Potiche” to “open people’s eyes, and put them in touch with people who are very different from themselves — so they will be able to understand them. You see this woman changing, and finding her place in society.” As for Ozon’s own place in society, he revealed, “I think I’m in a very good place. I can do what I want in movies. I can kill people. I can have sex with whom I want on film. To be an artist, I think it’s the best place, because it’s fiction, and people know the sex and violence is not reality. For me, it’s like therapy.” ■

High quality dental treatment and preventive care

• Cosmetic dentistry • Veneers • Crowns • Whitening • Implants

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

40 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

FEATURES PGN

Worth Watching ‘FAMILY’ TIES: Gay couple Cameron (Eric Stonestreet, left, falling) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler, right) are looking to assign legal guardians for their adopted daughter Lily in case anything were to happen to them, and are secretly assessing their family members, including Mitchell’s father (Ed O’Neill, center), on a new episode of “Modern Family,” 9 p.m. April 20 on ABC. Photo: ABC/Michael

AB FAB COMES TO LOGO!: Break out the booze and the cigarettes! Logo has acquired the complete, five-season series of the campy British sitcom “Absolutely Fabulous,” which follows the misadventures of fad-obsessed friends Patsy (Joanna Lumley, left) and Edina (Jennifer Saunders). To celebrate, the network is airing a weekend-long marathon of the show starting at 2 p.m. April 16 before the series moves to its permanent timeslot of 10 p.m. Thursdays.

Desmond

BAD-BOY COP: Rapper and entertainment mogul Sean “P. Diddy” Combs (right) guest stars as a cop bent on revenge against a crime lord, with Alex O’Loughlin as McGarrett, on a new episode of “Hawaii Five-O” 10 p.m. April 18 on CBS. Photo:

THIS IS MEDICATED TO THE SHOW WE LOVE: Look for out character Thor (Stephen Wallem) in a new episode of “ Nurse Jackie,” the dark comedy starring Edie Falco as the complicated title character, 10 p.m. April 18 on Showtime. Photo: Showtime/

CBS/Mario Perez

Mark Seliger

PORTRAIT, from page 31

to say I indulged in the unlimited supply of Lucky Charms in the school cafeteria. I guess it’s not too bad if you pick out the marshmallows! PGN: What are the most consecutive hours you’ve studied for a test? BK: I try not to cram, because it’s not good for the brain. I guess 10-12 hours straight for a few weeks before the big board exams. PGN: When did you have your “aha” moment that you were gay? BK: I was very young when I realized that where most of the other boys were into girls; I liked them as friends, but there was no chemistry or desire there. Then I was aware of my attraction to guys, I don’t know if it was watching Saturday morning wrestling or what, but I realized I liked guys. Having no role models around me to help me understand what was going on, I kind of stuck to myself and was basically asexual until I got to college. PGN: So you went from being asexual to having a husband? BK: Yeah, a lot happened since college! I

went through a real transformation. I met Robin singing with the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus. He’s very active in the arts community. PGN: Tell me about the marriage. BK: We had a ceremony and reception here in Philly in 2008. His family is from New Hampshire and mine is from New York but we decided to do it in Philadelphia since a lot of our friends were here. Since Pennsylvania doesn’t have same-sex marriage, in 2010 we went up to New Hampshire and made it legal. PGN: Any hobbies? BK: I like to sing and play the piano and Robin and I like to travel. We also love food: Robin bakes and I cook. My 93- and 94-year-old grandparents are still around and they give me old Italian recipes to try out. PGN: What was a favorite thing to do with your siblings? BK: My younger sister and I would fool around with a tape recorder and pretend to be radio talk-show hosts. “OK, welcome to ‘The Bob and Brianna Show!’” We’d make up songs and record them as well. My older sister and I would play

Dr. Mario on the Nintendo set. It was like Tetris, but instead of bricks they had pills and you had to drop the pills on the same color virus as the pill. If you eliminated all the viruses, you moved on to the next level. So though I didn’t have Operation, I had Dr. Mario! PGN: What did your parents do? BK: My dad is a physical therapist. My mom stayed at home and took care of us, the house, everything. I always called her Supermom. PGN: If you could bring a fictional character to life, whom would you choose? BK: The first person that pops to mind is Willy Wonka: He seems like a cool complex creative character. PGN: If you were on “Dancing with the Stars,” whom would you want as a partner? BK: I was just watching “The Cosby Show” with Phylicia Rashad, who plays Mrs. Huxtable. Her sister is the dancer Debbie Allen, so maybe Debbie. Or would I want to make a statement by picking a male partner? PGN: A sport you enjoy?

BK: Robin is the managing director of the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. Recently, I’ve been taking classes in aerial and trapeze work and it’s really fun. They have classes in all the circus arts, from juggling to Chinese acrobatics to trapeze. Robin has a background in physical theater, which is kind of like Cirque du Soleil stuff, but not exactly. PGN: Do you speak a second language? BK: I studied Latin, so I can understand a lot, but nothing fluently. It does help with medical terms. PGN: Did you pass or fail your driver’s test? BK: In New York for a brief period of time, they shortened the test to five questions and I almost failed. I only got three out of five. They’ve since changed it back to the full 20 questions. PGN: Favorite non-sexual body part? BK: I’d say the eyes [laughs] but I have a deep respect for the liver! It’s an amazing organ. ■ To suggest a community member for “Family Portrait,” write to portraits05@aol.com.

o Electronic PGN: www.epgn.com

PGN

Q Puzzle Taylor-made for the Big Screen Across

1. Eagle or chicken hawk 5. “Life Goes On” daughter 10. Susan B. Anthony dollar, e.g. 14. Be reminded of S&M, e.g. 15. Minnesota state senator Spear 16. Kinky coif 17. Ps on the Parthenon 18. Words before evil 19. Currier’s partner 20. “Camelot”’s “___ Moi” 21. Get around 22. Kopay’s team 23. Bill written by Alice Paul 24. Rolled by 26. Checkers side 27. Mortgage org.

29. Skin decoration 30. Hair piece, slangily 32. Type of Boy Scout badge 34. Sodom suffix 35. Prufrock’s creator 38. Maurice of “Bewitched” 39. Hockey legend Bobby 40. Singer of “Tomorrow” 41. Tobias pseudonym 42. Grind together 44. Doesn’t feel up 45. Bear 47. Some Stein pieces 49. When queening usually occurs 53. With 66-Across, Elizabeth Taylor movie 57. “My Own Private ___ “ 59. Gielgud’s john 60. Hit first, to Navratilova 63. Mister of La Mancha 64. Tango number 65. Nitpicky about a bit of history? 66. See 53-Across 67. Cockpit abbr.

68. See 3-Down

Down

1. Oscar Wilde forte 2. Earth tone 3. With 11-Down and 68Across, Elizabeth Taylor movie 4. It may come before we forget 5. Metabolism descriptor 6. Peak statistic 7. Elizabeth Taylor movie 8. Cukor film holders 9. Cell component 10. Superman portrayer Dean 11. See 3-Down 12. Cara of “Fame” 13. Prodded, doggy-style 24. Chows down 25. De Matteo of “Desperate Housewives” 28. Nehru, for one 31. Bones below the elbows 32. No better than 33. Neck and neck

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

36. Slick with lubricant 37. Gay wedding guide author Ayers 42. Courteous chap 43. Sphere starter 46. Oral zinger 48. Playground piece for a couple 50. Greek triangle 51. Bear sound 52. Online exaggeration? 53. Have sex with 54. Ejaculation of concern 55. Weeknight comic 56. Bond foe 57. Expert ending 58. “Of God, of Gaius 61. Kilmer of “The Doors” 62. Fairy’s cousin

The nation’s oldest, continuously operating LGBT bookstore.

Release Party with Butch and his hot-of-the-press dvd STRAIGHT AND BUTCH

04/30/2011 at 7:30pm Admission is $5.

A x D Gallery 265 South 10th St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 3 million eBooks available at www.queerbooks.com

PGN

Support the advertisers who support our community.

email: giovannis_room@verizon.net 345 S. 12th St. Philadelphia, Pa 19107 215-923-2960 Mon-Sat 11:30 - 7, Sun 1 - 7

42 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 04/15 Orchestre National de France France’s bestknown orchestra performs at 8 p.m. at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800. Ricky Martin The out Latin superstar performs at 8 p.m.

at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-3171000. Tower of Power and Average White Band The funk groups perform at 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.

Sat. 04/16 Raiders of the Lost Ark The blockbuster action-adventure film is screened at 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223. Philadelphia Mr. Gay The fifth annual contest, featuring hosts Frank DeCaro and Brittany Lynn and celebrity judges Michael Musto, Mickey Boardman and Brian Sims

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

is held 9 p.m. at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St.; 215-735-5772.

CHERISHED SONGS: Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus performs a special concert, “Cherish the Child,” at 8 p.m. April 16 at Temple Performing Arts Center, 1837 N. Broad St. The concert emphasizes the role of supportive, loving families of all kinds with songs spanning the spectrum of human emotions, from humorous to heart-rending to hopeful. For more information or tickets, visit www.pgmc. org/tickets. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Kathy Griffin The comedian performs at 8 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way; 609-317-1000. Tower of Power and Average White Band The funk groups perform at 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.

Kirsten Holly Smith Sings Dusty Springfield The cabaret singer performs at 8:30 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215-8625225.

Sun. 04/17 Three Stooges Shorts Classic comedy shorts from the slapstick trio are screened at 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

Eileen Fulton The soap star and cabaret singer performs at 3 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215-862-5225. Cake The alt-rock band performs at 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.

Mon. 04/18 Cake The alt-rock band performs at 8 p.m. at Keswick

Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.

Tue. 04/19 Rusted Root The roots-rock band performs at 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400. Pimps of Joytime The funky rock group performs at 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400.

Wed. 04/20 Wayne Pacelle The president and CEO of the Humane Society talks up his new book “The Bond: Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them” at 7:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341. AS NEW HOPE TURNS: “As The World Turns” star and cabaret singer Eileen Fulton comes to New Hope for a performance at 3 p.m. April 17 at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road. Fulton will perform classic standards such as “Fever,” “Blue Moon” and “Stormy Weather,” among others. She will also perform a special rendition of “Blame It On My Youth,” the jazz standard written by Oscar Levant and Edward Heyman. For more information, call 215-862-5225.

The Dumpsta Players in “PromTrash 420” The outrageous drag performance troupe celebrates weed’s international holiday as Mrs. Miller defends her 2010 Prom Trash crown against a freak show of “greenhouse-growin’ and

reefer- wreakin’ degenerates,” 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at Bob & Barbara’s, 1509 South St.; 215545-4511.

Thu. 04/21 Elijah Anderson The sociologist and author of “The Cosmopolitan Canopy: Race and Civility in Everyday Life” appears at 7:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341. Variety Showcase Night Eddie Bruce hosts a showcase at 8 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215862-5225. Splintered Sunlight The Grateful Dead tribute band performs at 9 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400.

Fri. 04/22 The Black Cat Cabaret featuring Karen Gross and Eddie Bruce The cabaret singers perform at 7:30 p.m. at Tin Angel, 20 N. Second St.; 215-928-0770. ■

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Opening Building on Balanchine The Pennsylvania Ballet performs April 15-17 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Jesus Christ Superstar The Tony Award-winning biblical rock musical comes to town April 21-23 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650. Jon Dore The comedian from IFC’s “The Jon Dore Television Show” and Comedy Central performs April 20-23 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. Paris Wheels and the Ready Maids The Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts presents a storytelling performance using dance, puppetry, music and voice, April 21-23 at Kimmel’s Hamilton Garden, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Punch Micro Dance Theatre presents a re-imagining of Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella,” April 2123 at Kimmel’s Innovation Studio, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. The Tree Series University of the Arts and University of Delaware present a jazz emsemble dance performance April 22-23 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Mahler Symphony No. 4 The Philadelphia Orchestra performs April 15-16 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

about a hairdresser who decides she wants to get educated, through April 23 at Walnut Street Theatre Studio 5, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. Eiffel Tower Light Show & Plaza Activities The Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts celebrates the transformation of the Kimmel Center Plaza with an 81-foot light-bulb-filled Eiffel Tower that reaches for the sky as trains and planes zoom overhead through May 1 at Kimmel’s Commonwealth Plaza, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Epherman Existence Gallery 339, through May 7, 339 S. 21st St.; 215-731-1530. Facing Out, Facing In: Figurative Works The James A. Michener Art Museum hosts an exhibition exploring this temperamental and stylistic dichotomy in figurative art, including works by regional painters and photographers, through May 1, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-340-9800.

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

Closing Godspell The Biblical musical is performed through Basil Twist’s Petrushka April 24 at Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose The Annenberg Center for the Performing Valley Road, Media; 610-565-4211. Arts presents the story of a tragic love triangle brought to life by innovative puppetry, The Peacock Male: Exuberance and through April 16 at Harold Prince Theatre, Extremes in Masculine Dress 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900. Philadelphia Museum of Art, through June, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763- La Baker: The Life and Times of 8100. Josephine Baker Temple University presents a collaborative Proliferation of the Imagination piece by choreographer Kariamu Welsh and BalletX presents a unique, multi-disci- playwright Kammika Williams-Witherspoon plinary interpretation of surrealist theater and students from the dance and theater pioneer Guillaume Apollinaire’s “Les mam- departments, April 20-21 at Conwell Dance elles de Tirésias (The Breasts of Tirésias),” Theater, 1801 N. Broad St.; 215-204-7600. originally staged in 1916, through April 24 at Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St.; 215- Mary Poppins 546-7824. The stage adaptation of the beloved Disney musical is on stage through April 17 at Roberto Capucci: Art into Fashion Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad Philadelphia Museum of Art, through June St.; 215-731-3333. 5, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. The Men of Mah Jongg Society Hill Playhouse presents the story of Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs: Fear four aging poker buddies who discover the and Freedom in America joy of playing mah jongg, through April 17 The National Constitution Center, through in the Red Room, 507 S. Eighth St.; 215May 30, 525 Arch St.; 215-409-6600. 923-0210. Speaking In Tongues Walnut Street Theatre presents a mystery comprised of interwoven stories, through April 17 at Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. ■

Portraits

Depth Perception AxD Gallery presents an exhibition by graphic designer and lettering artist John Langdon, best known for his pioneering work with ambigrams, through May 14, 265 S. 10th St.; 215-627-6250.

Notices

Tommy Media Theater presents the classic-rock opera through May 22, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.

Tailoring Philadelphia: Tradition and Innovation in Menswear Philadelphia Museum of Art, through summer, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100.

Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps Walnut Street Theatre presents Alfred Hitchcock’s fast-paced spy mystery through May 1, 825 Walnut St.; 215-5743550.

Events Art photography GETTING TRASHED: The outrageous drag performance troupe The Dumpsta Players celebrates the unofﬁcial international holiday dedicated to ganja with its latest show, in which Mrs. Miller defends her 2010 Prom Trash crown against an army of equally freakish and fabulous degenerates, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. April 20 at Bob & Barbara’s, 1509 South St. For more information on “Prom Trash 420,” call 215-545-4511 or visit www.dumpstaplayers.org. Photo: Tom Sheeder Jr.

To Love, Honor and Obey? Stories of Italian Renaissance Marriage Chests Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of the commemorative works of art, through July, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

HARRIS GET HEAVVEN-LY: Rennie Harris’ Puremovement, the worldrenowned dance company known for its intricate hip-hop inspired works, performs the world premiere of its new program, “Heaven,” inspired by Stravinsky’s masterpiece “Rite of Spring,” as part of Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts, April 15-17 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, visit www.pifa.org or call 215-790-5800.

Continuing

Educating Rita Quince Productions presents a comedy

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

Private Sessions

Scott A. Drake

Gay Philly’s favorite photographer scottdrakephotos@gmail.com

267.736.6743

COMMUNITY PGN

44 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

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 from 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday through Friday. See the Youth section for more events. 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331 ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St.; 215-898-5044; center@dolphin.upenn.edu, Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday

Youth Center: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; 215-348-0558 ext. 65; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org

■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center: 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220; www.waygay.org. 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: 3-9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 3-6 p.m. Tuesday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

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

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

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 hot line: 215545-2212 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 ■ The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 112 N. Broad St., third floor; 215-496-0330 ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: 215-772-2000 ■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Stephen Johnson: 215-683-2840 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 267-216-6606; ppd. lgbt@gmail.com

■ 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

■ 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 at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 166 W. Lehigh Ave.; 215-763-8870 ext. 6000.

Health

AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; 215-536-2424. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; 215-851-1822 or 866-2223871. 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 available at 17 MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652. www.mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronicdisease management, including comprehensive HIV care; 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

Professional groups

■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia GALLOP holds board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; GALLOP also provides a free referral service; 215-627-9090; www.galloplaw.org.

■ Greater Philadelphia Professional Network Networking group for area business professionals, 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. ■ 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 informa-

tion 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; 856-8579283; popnews19@yahoo.com.

Activism/Politics

ACT-UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) Meets at 6 p.m. every Monday at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; 215-386-1981; www.critpath.org/actup. Delaware Valley Chapter, Americans United for Separation of Church and State Seeks activists and supporters of church-state separation. Holds monthly meetings and events; 856-863-3061; www.dvau.org. Equality Philadelphia Holds a volunteer night the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m., 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 605; 215-731-1447; www.equalitypa.org. Green Party of Philadelphia Holds general meetings the fourth Thursday of the month except April at 6:30 p.m., 4134 Lancaster Ave.; 215-243-7103; www.gpop.org. Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club Meets seasonally; 215-760-7184; www.libertycity.org.

Arts

Gay Men’s Book Discussion Group Meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at the Independence Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, 18 S. Seventh St.; 215-6851633. Library Book Club Meets to discuss a new book at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at the William Way Center. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus Chorus rehearses from 7-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 215-731-9230; auditions@pgmc.org. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Opera Club Meets to share and listen to recordings at 6:30 p.m. the last Saturday of the month; 215-224-6995. Philadelphia Voices of Pride Philadelphia’s first mixed GLBT chorus rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the William Way Center; 888-505-7464; www.pvop.org. Queer Writer’s Collective Workshop and discussion group meets 4-6 p.m. the fourth Saturday of the month at the William Way Center. Women’s Book Group Meets the first Thursday of the month at 6:45 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; brassygrrl@hotmail.com.

Recreation

Diversity Dancers Ballroom dancers meet the first Sunday of the month for tea dance and lessons. Other events scheduled throughout the year; 215-922-2129; DiversityDancers@aol.com. Gay Bridge Club Non-beginners group meets Monday afternoons at the William Way Center; 215-985-4835. Gay-friendly Scrabble Club Meets from 6-11 p.m. in the P.I.C. Building, 42nd and Locust streets; 215-382-0789. Gay and Lesbian Scrabble Players in the tri-state area gather for socializing and friendly/competitive games; ScrabbleGroup@excite.com. Gay Opera Guys of Philly New group for opera appreciation meets the last Sunday of the month at 2:30 p.m. in Roxborough/Andorra area; 215-483-1032. Humboldt Society: Lesbian and Gay Naturalists Meets the second Thursday of the month at the William Way Center; 215985-1456; www.humboldtsociety.org. Independence Squares GLBT square dance club, modern Western square dancing. Monthly open house. Tuesday classes in the fall; Lutheran Church, 2111 Sansom St.; philadances@gmail.com; www.independencesquares.org. Male Oenophile Group Male group forming to discuss, appreciate and taste various wines. Will meet once a month to investigate the nuances and glories of the fermented grape. Call 267-230-6750 for more information. Mornings OUT LGBT Senior Social Activities for sexual-minority seniors are held every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the William Way Center. PhilaVentures Philadelphia’s GLBT outdoor group meets for a hike in Wissahickon Valley Park on Sundays at 2 p.m. at Borders Books, Music and Café, 8701 Germantown Ave.; 215-271-8822. Rainbow Bridge Group Congenial group meets for supper and to play bridge monthly on a Monday at 6:30 p.m. Members rotate serving as host. New players welcome. For information, call Gerry at 215-592-1174. Rainbow Room A meeting/activity night held for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth and their friends Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Rainbow Room of Planned Parenthood in Doylestown; 215-348-0558.

Sports

Brandywine Women’s Rugby Club Meets for Tuesday and Thursday practice at 1st West Chester Fire Co., 70 S. Bradford Ave., West Chester; www.brandywinerugby.org. City of Brotherly Love Softball League GLBT softball league serves the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Games are played Sundays, beginning in April, in Fairmount Park; 215-462-2575; www.cblsl.org. Frontrunners Running club meets Saturday mornings at 9:30 for a run and brunch. Lloyd Hall, No. 1 Boathouse Row; www.philadelphiafrontrunners.org; philadelphiafrontrunners@gmail.com. Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club GLBT and allied soccer club; practices Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon and Wednesdays 6-8 p.m. at Edgeley Fields in Fairmount Park; www.falconssoccer.org. Philadelphia Fins Swim Team Male and female swimmers meet at 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays in Center City; 610-5646661; www.philadelphia-fins.org. Philadelphia Gay Bowling League Bowls at 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays from September-April at Pinsetter Bar & Bowl, 7111 Maple Ave., Pennsauken, N.J.; philagaybowling@yahoo.com. Philadelphia Gay Flag Football Contact Jered at gayflagfootball@gmail.com or 214-770-5373. Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Football Club Team seeks players; all skill levels welcome; 215-913-7531; info@phillygryphons.org. Philadelphia Liberty Belles Women’s semi-pro full-tackle football league holds fall tryouts; phillybelles.com. Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association Plays year-round, all skill levels welcome. www.plta.us. Philadelphia Firebirds Women’s football team seeks players; 484-682-4238; www.philadelphiafirebirds.com.

Philly Gay Hockey Association Philadelphia Phury seeks players; 917-656-1936; phury@gayhockey. org. Rainbow Riders of the Delaware Valley Motorcycle club meets regularly; 215-836-0440; www.groups.yahoo. com/group/rainbowridersdv/. Rainbow Rollers Gay and lesbian bowling league meets 8 p.m. on Tuesdays from September-April at AMF Boulevard Lanes, 8011 Roosevelt Blvd.; www. rainbowrollers.com. Spartan Wrestling Club The gay wresting team meets 7-9 p.m. Mondays at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.; 215-732-4545; www.phillyspartans.com. Suburban Gay Bowling League Bowls at 8 p.m. Tuesdays from August-April at Facenda-Whitaker Lanes, 2912 Swede Road, Norristown; sgblbowl@gmail.com.

Etc.

AIDS Law Project Provides free legal assistance to people with HIV/AIDS and sponsors free monthly seminars on work and housing; 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 600; 215-587-9377; www.aidslawpa.org. BiUnity Philadelphia area social and support network for bisexuals, their family members and friends meets 7 p.m. the second Friday of the month at the William Way Center; www.biunity.org. Global A political, community and social group that also works to promote Bordentown as a gay-friendly community meets the first Saturday of the month at Firehouse Gallery, 8 Walnut St., Bordentown, N.J.; jerseyglobal@yahoo.com. Delaware Valley Pink Pistols For LGBT people dedicated to legal, safe and responsible use of firearms for self-defense; meets 2 p.m. the third Saturday of the month at Classic Indoor Range, 1310 Industrial Blvd., Southhampton; 267-3868907; www.pinkpistols.org. Friday Feast and Fun Dinner hosted by St. John’s Lutheran Church at 6:30 p.m. the second Friday of the month, 24 N. Ridge Ave., Ambler; 215-576-8008. Haverford College’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance Open meetings 10-11 p.m. Mondays in the lounge in Jones Basement at Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave.; 610-896-4938. Latina/o Virtual Community Local listserv offers various information and resources; 215-808-2493; Zorros_mail@yahoo.com; LatinPhillyLGBT@yahoogroups.com. LGBTQ and Friends Activity Group Meets 7 p.m. the third Friday of the month to plan outings and potlucks at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County. Long Yang Club Philadelphia Social organization for gay Asians and their friends holds monthly socials; P.O. Box 401, Philadelphia, PA, 19105; www.longyangclub. org/philadelphia. Our Night Out A casual social networking party of LGBT professionals, allied communities, friends and colleagues meets in a different Philadelphia hot spot each month. To receive monthly event invitations, send e-mail to OurNightOutPhilly@gmail.com; PhillyGayCalendar.com/org/ OurNightOut. Philadelphia Bar Association Legal Advice Offered from 5-8 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month; 215-238-6333. Philadelphia Prime Timers Club for mature gay and bisexual men and their admirers meets regularly; 610-344-0853; www.primetimersphiladelphia.org. Philadelphians MC Club for leather men and women meets 7:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month at The Pit at The Bike Stop, 201 S. Quince St.; 215-627-1662. Philly Paw Pals Gay and lesbian dog owners and their dogs meet the first Saturday of the month at a dog park; 215-618-5290; PhillyPawPals@aol.com. Rainbow Amateur Radio Association ARRL affiliated; private; weekly HF nets, monthly newsletter, e-mail server; 302-539-2392; www.rara.org. Rock ’n’ Roll Queer Bar Party A party for gay and lesbian rockers with host Psydde Delicious starts at 10 p.m. every first Sunday at Fluid, 613 S. Fourth St.; www. RocknRollQueerBar.com. Silver Foxes Social and educational group for gays and lesbians 50 and older meets 3-5 p.m. the fourth Sunday of the month at the William Way Center. Stonewall Model Railroad Club Meets monthly; 215-769-4230; k3k@yahoo.com. Thirsty Third Tuesdays Collingswood Out in the Neighborhood meets 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month for coffee, dessert and conversation at Three Beans, 40 N. Haddon Ave., Haddonfield, N.J.; 215-439-8337.

Health

Alder Health Services Provides LGBT health services on a sliding fee scale. 100 N. Cameron St., Ste. 301 East, Harrisburg; 717-233-7190 or 800-867-1550; www. ACA-PA.com. Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 166 W. Lehigh Ave.; 215-763-8870 ext. 6000. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; 215-536-2424. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; 215-851-1822 or 866-222-3871. Spanish/English. HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents 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 available at 17 MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St.; 215-563-0652; www. mazzonicenter.org. Philadelphia FIGHT Provides HIV primary care, on-site lab services, clinical trials, case management, mental health services and support groups for people living with HIV regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. 1233 Locust St., fifth floor; 215-790-1788; www.fight.org. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-9859206.

REAL PGN 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.

Home of the Week

Featured property:

159 Merion Ave., Narberth A covered porch welcomes you to this warm, sunlit home. The gleaming hardwood ﬂoors and large open layout provide great space for relaxing with family and friends. The eat-in kitchen has a mud room off the back that leads to the powder room, laundry, and an outside entrance to the patio and “secret garden.” Upstairs are 3 bedrooms and a bath. The basement is dry, clean, and has a walkup. Newly installed central AC, appliances and 200 amp service are just a few of the upgrades in this ready-to-move-in house. This won’t last long, so hurry! www.159Merion.com

Beds: 3 Baths: 1.5

Realtor: Tammy Harrison

Ofﬁce: 610-527-0900

Price: $379,999

Company: Prudential Fox & Roach-Bryn Mawr

Cell: 610-520-2500

REAL ESTATE

HOUSE FOR SALE, W. COLLINGSWOOD Gay friendly neighborhood! Two-story colonial home with chestnut woodwork throughout. Totally updated and features 3 bedrooms, a newer bathroom, fenced in-yard, 1 1/2 car garage, newer windows, furnace, sprinkler system, composite wood porch, updated electric, gas ﬁreplace, stamped concrete patio, and professional landscaping. Excellent school district (Haddon Township). ~1 mile from Collingswood. Approx. 6 miles from downtown Phila. Contact Lisa Wolschina at 856-261-5202. MLS#5861640. _______________________________35-16 NYS LAND ONE TIME SALE 10ac-Salmon River Area-$19,995. 7ac w/New Cabin-$29,995. 5ac-Hickory Ridge-$12,995. 97ac Surrounding State Forest-$119,995. 7ac-Trout Stream-$29,995. 14ac-Southern Tier-$24,995. 5ac on Big River-$39,995. 7acLittle Falls-$19,995. Over 100 new properties offered! Terms or cash discounts! Call Christmas & Associates 800-229-7843. Or visit www. LandandCamps.com _______________________________35-15

ART MUSEUM AREA, SPRING GARDEN A must see! Elegant, awesome 1 BR condo, ultra high 14’ celings, modern, hdwd flrs thruout, built in appl., LR/DR, track lighting, fitness room & storage area. $179,000+. Qualified buyers only. Call Mac at 267-251-4689. _______________________________35-15

SALE

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

SALE

VACATION

RENTAL

REAL ESTATE

SALE

REAL ESTATE

SALE

REAL ESTATE

RENT

12TH & DICKINSON AREA Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms , bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (negotiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. _______________________________35-19 RITTENHOUSE SQUARE AREA Studios & 1 Bedrooms - Call for Availability (215)735-8050. _______________________________35-31 Bella Vista nice 1 BR apt. Avail. 4/1. $850 + utils. Contact Larry at 215-687-5629. _______________________________35-16

Riverton, New Jersey Colonial Revival, well-maintained, original architectural details. 8 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 2 half baths,in-ground pool and more! Walkable community. 20 to CC. Call Rita Vittese

Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc. Moorestown, NJ.

856-265-3485

PGN

E-mail us: pgn@epgn.com

PGN

46 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

��

EWS

PAGE 47

�

��

� �

��

�

st City ��

rden

��.

ondo lding.

oors. ��

ADOPTION

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. _______________________________35-19 SOUTH PHILLY 1 blk. to Broad St. Line. 12x14 pvt. BR, unfurn, full use of home. SWGM pref. W/D, C/heat/air, 12’ square roof deck. $550/mo. inclusive. Sec. dep, long term lease. Small pet OK w/deposit. Call 215-468-7776. _______________________________35-15 ROOMMATE WANTED IN LANSDALE End Unit, Pool, Tennis, Large Patio. All Utilities Included, Available now. $550 a month. 1st and security needed. Short or long term available.Furnished or Unfurnished. PLEASE be clean, responsible and laid back. Ron, (609) 495 4540. _______________________________35-15 GM looking to share 3 BR private home with roommate, close to subway, free cable, w/d, access to kitchen, located in S/Philadelphia. $500.00 a month. Call 215-350-4997. _______________________________35-17

UNIQUE ADOPTIONS Let us help! Personalized Adoption Plans. Financial assistance, housing relocation and more. Giving the gift of life? You deserve the best. Call us ﬁrst! 1-888-637-8200 24-hours hotline. _______________________________35-15 ADOPT Married couple wishes to adopt newborn to share our hearts/ home. Will provide lifetime of happiness, love, security. Expenses paid. Marcy/ Andrew 855-882-9477 http://sites. google.com/site/marcyandandy/home _______________________________35-15

��

Open Houses Sunday April 17, 2011 NOON - 1:00 PM 2011 Cartharine St. Newly rehabbed large classic 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath home with 2 Car PARKING. There is a finished lower level, deluxe S/S and granite kitchen, spa like master bath and a bi-level deck with the best views in the city. ...................................................................priced at only $499,000 2155 MONTROSE STREET - New construction,large 3BR/2.5BA corner property with rear garden, large roof deck, deluxe Kitchen, spa baths, tax abatement & Finished lower level. Tax abatement.............................$425,000 NOON - 2:00 PM 2136 TRYON STREET - New listing in Rittenhouse Square area. Cute 2 bedroom, one bath with small garden and nice deck. ......................$299,000 1:30-2:30 PM 540 Cypress St. New Listing. Charming, totally restored Historic Colonial in Society Hill. 2 large bedroom, 1 1/2 baths. 2 fireplaces, wood floors, a/c, exposed brick walls etc. ....................................................................$419,900 255 S. HUTCHINSON STREET. 2BR/1.5BA cute home on heart of Washington Sq. West. Close to Penna, and Jefferson Hospitals. ...................... ............................................................................................................$250,000 1109 SPRUCE STREET 4 units available--one studio, and three 1BR/ 1BA,Condos. Between Penna. and Jefferson Hospitals in the heart of Washing Sq. West...........................................................from $180,000 to $225,000

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

The Curtis Center 1401 Walnut St. 8th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19102

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

Breakfast Anyone? The Alexander Inn

seeks a local person for part-time to serve our breakfast buﬀet. Excellent position for a friendly mature person with knowledge of the city. Starts @ 6:30am to midday.

Call 215-923-3535

“Can You Dig It?” Heavy Equipment School. 3wk training program. Backhoes, Bulldozers, Trackhoes. Local job placement asst. Start digging dirt Now! 866-362-6497. _______________________________35-15

INTERMODAL Opportunities! Run trailers to/from Rail Yards. Pay: $800-$960/wk. Weekly Hometime! Prior Reefer experience plus: CDL-A & HazMat required. EEOE/AAP 866-370-4469 www. Drive4Marten.com _______________________________35-15 New Pay for Company Drivers & Contractors: Earn More Now! Regional Runs, Excellent Miles, Weekly Hometime, New Equipment. CDL-A, 6mo. Experience required. EEOE/AAP 866-322-4039 www.Drive4Marten.com _______________________________35-15 Driver - Experienced OTR Drivers. Up to $4000 BONUS. $3500 Sign-on CASH and $500 LAPTOP or GPS. Up to $.50 Per Mile. Regional Lanes/ Home Weekly 888-463-3962. 6 Mo. OTR Exp. & Current CDL www.usatruck. jobs. eoe m/f/h/v. _______________________________35-15 OWNER OPERATORS 85% of Gross. 40% Advance on Loads. No Forced Dispatch. Trailer Rental Program. Low Cost Insurance Available. Flatbed, Dryvan, Specialized. JRC 866-572-7297. www. jrctransportation.com _______________________________35-15 TRUCK DRIVERS WANTED! 2011 PAY RAISE! UP TO $.52 PER MILE! HOME WEEKENDS! EXCELLENT BENEFITS! NEW EQUIPMENT! HEARTLAND EXPRESS 1-800-441-4953 www.heartlandexpress.com _______________________________35-15 DON’T MISS A PAYCHECK! FLATBED. $750 P/WK GUARANTEED 1st 2 Wks. Employed! 1 Yr. OTR @ Class A CDL Reqd. Excellent Compensation. 888.472.3218 or www.gicc.chieﬁnd.com _______________________________35-15 Between High School and College? Over 18? Drop that entry level position. Earn what you’re worth!!! Travel w/Successful Young Business Group. Paid Training. Transportation, Lodging Provided. 1-877-646-5050. _______________________________35-15

SOUTH PHILLY DIAMOND CLUB Is sponsoring a gay Texas Hold Em tournament. Looking for a director. 2026 S. Hutchinson St., John, 267-252-4924. _______________________________35-15 **ABLE TO TRAVEL** Hiring 10 people, Free to travel all states, resort areas. No experience necessary. Paid training & Transportation. OVER 18. Start ASAP. 1-970-773-3165. _______________________________35-15 FOREMEN To lead utility field crews. Outdoor physical work, many positions, paid training, $17/hr. plus weekly performance bonuses after promotion, living allowance when traveling, company truck and benefits. Must have strong leadership skills, good driving history, and able to travel in Pennsylvania and nearby States. Email resume to Recruiter4@osmose.com or apply online at www.OsmoseUtilities.com EOE M/F/D/V. _______________________________35-15 Driver- New Trucks +Flexible Days Off +Paid Daily. Looking for Drivers who are Looking for Miles +Full Benefits. CDL-A. 3months recent experience required. 800-414-9569. www. driveknight.com _______________________________35-15 Need CDL Drivers A or B with 2 yrs recent commercial experience to transfer motor homes, straight trucks, and tractors. www.mamotransportation.com 1-800-501-3783. _______________________________3515Drivers- No Experience ~No Problem. 100% Paid CDL Training. Immediate Benefits. 20/10 program. Trainers Earn up to $.49 per mile! CRST VAN EXPEDITED 800-326-2778 www. JoinCRST.com _______________________________35-15 NEW STARTING PAY JUST ANNOUNCED For Van and Flatbed Division. Plus high miles, new equipment And excellent benefits. $500 Sign-On Bonus for Flatbed. We’ve got it all! CDL-A. 6mo.OTR. 888-801-5295 _______________________________35-15

REAL ESTATE

RENTAL ��

HELP WANTED

VACATION

��

ROOMMATES

NORTH WILDWOOD, NJ- FLORENTINE FAMILY MOTEL Beach/Boardwalk Block, Heated Pools, Efﬁciency/ Motel units refrigerator, elevator. Color Brochure/ Specials 609-522-4075 DEPT.104 www.ﬂorentinemotel.com _______________________________35-15 AFFORDABLE FORT LAUDERDALE All Gay Resort. Apts., full kit, 10 min Gay Nightlife, beaches, attractions. Clothing opt. pool, WiFi. 877-927-0090, www.LibertySuites.com _______________________________35-15 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800-638-2102 Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com _______________________________35-15

SERVICES

SALE

during daytime hours.

SALE

159 Merion Ave, Narberth 3 bedrooms/1.5 baths • $379,000

For showings call Tammy at 610-520-2500 A covered porch welcomes you to this warm, sunlit home. The gleaming hardwood ﬂoors and large open layout provides great space for relaxing with family and friends. The eat-in kitchen has a mud room off the back that leads to the powder room, laundry, and an outside entrance to the patio and “secret garden”. Upstairs are 3 bedrooms and a bath. The basement is Dry, clean, and has a walkup. Newly installed central AC, appliances, and 200 amp service are just a few of the upgrades in this ready to move in house. This won’t last long so hurry! www.159Merion.com

Tammy Harrison Prudential Fox & Roach-Bryn Mawr Ofﬁce: 610-527-0900 Cell: 610-520-2500

CLASSIFIEDS/ADULT PGN PERSONALS

FOR SALE SAWMILLS Band/Chainsaw -Cut lumber any dimension, anytime. Build anything from furniture to homes. IN STOCK ready to ship. From $4090.00. www.NorwoodSawmills.com/300N. 1-800-661-7747. _______________________________35-15

BUSINESS

FRIENDS

Do you earn $800 in a day? Your Own Local Candy Route! 25 Machines and Candy All for $9995. 877-915-8222 All Major Credit Cards Accepted! _______________________________35-15

LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. _______________________________35-19

OPORTUNITIES

PGN

Spring Cleaning and Maintenance Find help in the Home PGN Improvement Directory

FRIENDS

MEN

nite. GWM couple ISO GWMs 18-40 yrs. for 1 on 1 and group sex. Stockings, pantyhose, etc. Starts 9 PM Sat. Call Sat. 7-8 PM 856910-8303, ask for Mark. Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011 _______________________________33-24 GWM, Italian, top or bottom, 7” cut. Also into assplay, toys & water sports. Bi, straight, out CERTIFIED FRIENDS of towners welcome. Day or night. Call Jeff at 215-850-7900. _______________________________33-18

Adult

�� MASSAGE

MEN

��

Erotic Dungeon Master

6’, 165 lbs., 60 year old Master, greek active, french passive requires obedient slave for training, S&M, B/D, W/S, etc. Limits respected and expanded. Assistant Master wanted. Call Dave at 215-729-6670, day or evening. _______________________________35-15 Got a big torpedo? Fire it into a white butt. Call 8-11 PM, 215-732-2108. _______________________________35-15 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. _______________________________35-15 Nice looking, in-shape 61YO masculine bottom. Seeks MASCULINE TOP ONLY in NE 4 LTR. 215-264-1058. _______________________________35-16 GWM, good body, 64, 5’10”, 190 lbs. seeks other men with good bodies. John, 570-640-8179. _______________________________35-16 SEEKING WM in 50’s seeks younger men, Latinos & Mexicans a +, for friendship & fun. Enjoy arts, travel & outdoors. 856-547-4163. No calls after 11. _______________________________35-21 Hookup at www.oceanhouseatlanticcity.com _______________________________35-21

FRIENDS

MEN

FRIENDS

MEN

Online. Anyti

WWW.EPGN

Handsome Certified Therapist

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

Call 215-432-6030

B-7

PGN Gay isGay ouris our middle name. middle MEN MEN A name. FRIENDS

PRI

FRIENDS

L Ev ��

SPRING FLING

Saturday- April 9, 2011

TIME: 10pm-3am DJ Zathan Radix · Food Catered by Tommy D. · Go-Go Boys and more... ·

EVOLUTION: It’s Raining Men! Saturday- April 23, 2011

TIME: 10pm-3am · Dj Dutch · Food Catered by Tommy D. · HOT Dancers and more...

ents

Come visit us. We are under NEW MANAGEMENT!! Sansom Street Gym 2020 Sansom Street 267-330-0151 www.sansomstreetgym.com

P.A.N.G. (Philadelphia Area Naked Guys)

Sunday- April 17th, 2011 TIME: 3pm- 6pm

- Rooms are on a 1st Come, 1st Served Basis... Rooms Go Quickly! So CHECK IN EARLY :-)

*Don’t forget to visit the Adonis Cinema right next door!!

��

48 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 15-21, 2011

PGN