Philadelphia Gay News PA civil-union bill introduced
Goldfein, Volz join police advisory
By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer
By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Mayor Nutter unveiled the slate of new members selected for the civilian oversight commission to the Philadelphia Police Department, and an openly gay attorney and leader in the HIV/ AIDS community are on the list. Chuck Volz, senior adviser to Philly Pride Presents, which stages the annual Pride parade and festival and OutFest, and Ronda Goldfein, executive director of the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania, were two of the nine new appointees to the Police Advisory Commission announced Tuesday. Vo l z a n d G o l d f e i n w e r e appointed directly by the mayor, a l o n g w i t h B i s h o p A u d r ey Bronson, Edward Kung, Veronica Castillo-Perez, Joe Garcia, Mumin
Vol. 34 No. 17
Honesty Integrity Professionalism
April 23 - 29, 2010
PLAY BALL!: Gloria Casarez, the city’s director of LGBT affairs, throws out the first pitch at the opening-day festivities of the City of Brotherly Love Softball League on April 18. CBLSL teams played two-dozen games throughout the day, and will play nearly every Sunday through the end of July. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Scouts: Most programs in city building open to gays By Timothy Cwiek PGN Writer-at-Large
As a decision nears in the Boy Scouts eviction case, the Scouts have filed court papers focusing attention on a program they say See ADVISORY, Page 14 is open to all Philadelphia youths,
GENERATIONS OF GALAEI: David Acosta tears up as supporters of the Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative watch a video montage during the agency’s 20th-anniversary gala April 16. Acosta, the founder of GALAEI, was presented with the organization’s inaugural David Acosta Leadership Award at the event, which drew about 180 people to the Gershman Y. GALAEI executive director Elicia Gonzalez (right) said she was impressed by the number of people who attended. “The whole night made me very proud to work for this agency and to see the immense support it has had and continues to have. There were a lot of wonderful people in that room.” Photo: Scott A. Drake
including gays and atheists. The program, known as Learning for Life, partners with Philadelphia schools and the police department to provide vocational and educational training to inner-city youths. The city is trying to evict the Boy Scouts Cradle of Liberty Council from a city-owned building at 231-251 N. 22nd St. because it won’t pay fair-market rent nor allow openly gay participants. The dispute is pending in federal court, where a judge is expected to issue a ruling within the next several weeks after hearing arguments from both sides. The council also serves as a fiscal agent for Learning for Life, a co-educational program that permits openly gay youths, employees and volunteers, according to the Scouts’ recent motion. In fact, the council serves 72,000 children annually in programs administered at the 22nd Street building, and all but 16,000 of those children are served by Learning for Life, according to the Scouts’ motion. Learning for Life allegedly doesn’t discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orien-
The Keystone State’s first bill to legalize civil unions for same-sex couples was introduced this week in the House. Pennsylvania Rep. Mark Cohen (D-202nd Dist.) submitted the bill, HB 2447, Wednesday along with 31 cosponsors. Leon Czikowsky, a researcher with Cohen’s office, noted the civil-union measure has already made more gains than Cohen’s other controversial bill, which seeks to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes and which has nine cosponsors, most of whom are concentrated in the Philadelphia area. “Some people thought he wasn’t going to get too many cosponsors, but he was able to get quite a few,” Czikowsky said. “It’s a very good showing, and it’s a cross-section of the entire state. There’s people from Philadelphia and then there’s also people who are considered conservative Democrats from other parts of the state.”
Czikowsky said the bill is expected to be sent to the Judiciary Committee, which is headed by Thomas Caltagirone (127th Dist.), a cosponsor. He was unsure of a timeline for when the bill could be considered, however, as he said Cohen wants to continue to build support for the measure before any action is taken on it. “You don’t want to bring up bills before you know you have the votes,” he said. “A lot of times people don’t understand why it takes a while, but they need to realize that you have to make sure it can actually pass when you bring it up; you don’t want it killed. But it’s in good hands with Caltagirone.” The cosponsors — all Democrats — include Reps. Tim Briggs (149th Dist.), Vanessa Brown (190th Dist.), Ron Buxton (103rd Dist.), Caltagirone, Lawrence Curry (154th Dist.), Eugene DePasquale (95th Dist.), Dwight Evans (203rd Dist.), Florindo Fabrizio (2nd Dist.), Dan Frankel See CIVIL UNION, Page 17
AN INSPIRING PORTRAIT: The Attic Youth Center executive director Carrie Jacobs (right) and the agency’s other supporters surprise Jim Bryson, founder and namesake of the organization’s education and outreach agency, with a portrait of himself, which will now hang in The Attic’s library, during a tribute to Bryson April 16. Youth volunteers gave tours of The Attic to the 150 participants of the event, and city director of LGBT affairs Gloria Casarez read a proclamation to Bryson from the mayor. The tribute also featured a building auction to raise money for repairs and, thanks to a $5,000 matching pledge by Mel See SCOUTS, Page 17 Heifetz, the event raised $10,400. Photo: Scott A. Drake
PAGE 2
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 3
���������������������� ��������������������������� �������
Lust Martini Pure Xtasy Cocktail Exotic Fizz Infusion Fire & Ice Tuna Crudo Oysters on the Half Shell Black Angus Beef Sliders
JOINING THE PARTY AT DUSK? Join us before or after your night out
Management reserves the right to change or cancel this promotion at any time without notice. Must be 21 or older to gamble, enter and remain in a New Jersey casino or participate in any Harrah’s Entertainment promotion. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. ©2010, Harrah’s License Company, LLC.
PHILADELPHIA NEWS PHILADELPHIA GAY GAY NEWS
PAGE 4
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
News
PGN 10 11 11 7 5 7 10 5 11
Editorial Letters/Feedback Mark My Words Media Trail News Briefing National News Creep of the Week Regional News Street Talk
505 S. Fourth St. Philadelphia, PA 19147-1506
Researching the experiences of gay students
Phone: (215) 625-8501 Fax: (215) 925-6437 E-mail: pgn@epgn.com Web: www.epgn.com
Award-winning legal team
Kip Sorgen, a Penn State doctoral student, is documenting the impact of sexual orientation on LGBT college students.
Willig, Williams & Davidson is recognized for its longtime commitment to volunteer representation of underprivileged Philadelphians.
Page 8
Page 13
Detour Comics Diversions Meeting Place Portrait Q Puzzle Scene In Philly Worth Watching
mark@epgn.com
Editor Sarah Blazucki (ext. 206) sarah@epgn.com Art Director Scott A. Drake (ext. 210) scott@epgn.com Staff Writers Jen Colletta (ext. 215) jen@epgn.com
26 32 34 26 27 25 29
Larry Nichols (ext. 213) larry@epgn.com Writer-at-Large Timothy Cwiek (ext. 208)
Checking in on a second season of “Nurse Jackie” with Stephen Wallem
Gay Philadelphia author Tom Mendacino will read from and discuss his book “Probation” at Giovanni’s Room.
Family Portraits: Robin Durand
Page 18
Page 26
Page 33
Columns
35 43
Graphic Artist Sean Dorn (ext. 211) sean@epgn.com Advertising Director Tami Sortman (ext. 218) tami@epgn.com Advertising Manager Greg Dennis (ext. 201) greg@epgn.com Advertising Sales Representatives David Augustine (ext. 219) david@epgn.com
Food Reviews 31 Gayborhood Crime 12 Watch Offline 21 15 Work It Out
Classifieds Directories
Publisher
Mark Segal (ext. 204)
Kelly Root (ext. 207) kelly@epgn.com
Work It Out
Offline
‘Girls Night’
Acting on issues
Kaki King
Elbow pain? Put down the cell phone!
Pride a’plenty
Following women on a karaoke adventure
“Shrink Rap” debuts April 25
A return engagement at TLA
Page 15
Page 21
emails
Page 29
Page 20
Page 32
Poll results from our online survey as of April 21:
How much will you spend this year on Dining Out for Life? 6% $200+ 7% $100-$200 13% $50-$100 45% <$50 29% We never know until we’re done eating
Events: diversions@epgn.com News/story ideas: editor@epgn.com Letters/Opinions: editor@epgn.com
Go to www.epgn.com to weigh in on this week’s question:
Swimsuits in Philly
Page 25
Would you make a civilunion commitment in Pa.?
National Advertising Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Office Manager/Classifieds Don Pignolet (ext. 200) don@epgn.com Executive Assistant Credit/Billing Manager Carol Giunta (ext. 202) carol@epgn.com Philadelphia Gay News is a member of: The Associated Press National Gay Newspaper Guild Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 2010 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155
The views of PGN are expressed only in the unsigned “Editorial” column. Opinions expressed in bylined columns, stories and letters to the editor are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of PGN. The appearance of names or pictorial representations in PGN does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that named or pictured person or persons.
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 5
News Briefing
Regional
Penn to offer trans coverage
SWIMMING TO VICTORY: Contestants in the fourth-annual Mr. Gay Philadelphia gather with judges Michael Musto (fourth from left), Sandy Beach (center) and host Frank DeCaro (seated) after the swimsuit portion of the competition. Ryan Mattis (right) was the eventual winner of the April 17 contest, which was held at Voyeur. Photo: Scott A. Drake
LGBT equality takes the stage in Philly By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Participants at last year’s SundayOUT! braved the rain with ponchos and rainbow umbrellas as they perused the sodden offerings along Market Street, but the Equality Forum street festival is set to make an even bigger splash this year with a new location, new activities and a new atmosphere. The festival will run from noon-7 p.m. May 2 at The Piazza, North Second Street and Germantown Avenue in Northern Liberties. Throughout the afternoon, more than 100 artisans and community organizations will set up shop in the open-air plaza and adjoining Liberties Walk. Live entertainment will include radio stations Q102.1 and My106.1 FM; and singers Agnes Carlsson, winner of “Swedish Idol,” Samantha Marq and Kristine Elezaj; and a fashion show and dance numbers; and performances by the Philadelphia Freedom Band and the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus, which at 4 p.m. will welcome special guest Anthony Rapp, who originated the role of Mark in Broadway’s “Rent.” “The place is all set up for entertainment. There are shops, cafés, a Jumbotron, and it’s just a beautiful area,” said Equality Forum communications director Chip Alfred. “We wanted to take this to the next level, and I think this is the perfect place to do it.” The day will not just be devoted to entertainment, but also will advance LGBTrights issues. At 2:30 p.m., 100 same-sex couples are expected to join in a commitment cer-
emony at The Piazza in an effort fueled by Equality Forum’s Project 1138, which seeks to raise awareness of that number of federal marriage benefits denied to samesex couples. Clergy members representing three faiths will officiate. Lt. Dan Choi, who is being discharged from the Army for publicly coming out and who was recently arrested while protesting “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” at the White House, will address the SundayOUT! crowd around 3:45 p.m. Another first: There will be an admission fee for SundayOUT! — $10 for general admission and $5 for students — but Alfred noted the price is low for the seven hours of activities. There is free street parking near The Piazza, and Equality Forum is running a free shuttle there from the Gayborhood every 15 minutes throughout the day. The multitude of offerings at SundayOUT! follows a week of parties, socials, panel discussions and workshops representing the issues faced by the diverse LGBT audience. The National Transgender Panel will feature executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality Mara Kiesling, while The Rev. Dr. Amos Brown of the new Equality Task Force of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will serve as one of the panelists on the National Racial Panel. This year will feature several new discussions, such as the National Sports Panel, featuring former Philadelphia Inquirer staffer and first out female sportswriter Gail Shister, along with several other local and national LGBT sports leaders. The
Obama GLBT Appointees discussion will bring together such figures as Jeremy Bernard, director of White House and Congressional Affairs, and Brian Bond, deputy director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, while GLBT Rights and Challenges in Africa will turn the spotlight on the international community with panelists Pouline Kimani, cofounder of Kenya’s Minority Women in Action, and Dr. Rona Peligal, deputy director of the Africa Division of Human Rights Watch. Throughout the week, there will be a series of events at partner organizations, such as two parenting workshops at Temple University’s Center City campus, 1515 Market St. The first, from 12:30-1:45 p.m. May 1, will center on assisted reproduction, while from 2-3:15 p.m. May 2, the discussion will focus on adoption. This year’s International Equality Dinner — 7-10 p.m. May 1 at the National Constitution Center — is also expected to draw a large crowd, as Equality Forum presents its International Role Model Award to David Boies and Ted Olson, the two attorneys currently spearheading the Proposition 8 lawsuit in California, and the International Business Leadership Award to CNN. Gov. Rendell and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey will serve as co-chairs of this year’s dinner. For more information, visit www.equalityforum.com. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.
The University of Pennsylvania last week announced that it was expanding its student healthcare plan to allow coverage of gender-reassignment surgery. The new benefit will cover costs associated with triadic treatment, which consists of psychotherapy, estrogen or testosterone treatments and the reassignment surgery. The plan will pay for up to $50,000 of surgery costs. Members of the board of last year’s Lambda Alliance, which oversees Penn’s LGBT student groups, initially brought the idea to the Student Health Insurance Advisory Committee, which voted to recommend the change to the university’s president and provost, who both approved it last week. The new benefit will go into effect at the start of the next academic year and is expected to only raise premiums by a few cents. Lambda Alliance members also will press for a similar change to the insurance plan offered to university employees.
NGLCC seeking biz nominees The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Wells Fargo, recently opened the application process for its Business Owner of the Year Award. The honor recognizes a small business owner for his or her entrepreneurial spirit and service to the community. The recipient will receive a $5,000 grant and be recognized at the 2010 NGLCC National Dinner in November in Washington, D.C. To access the application, visit www. nglcc.org/businessaward. Applications are due June 30.
Interns needed at NJ LGBT group Garden State Equality is seeking summer interns and leadership fellows to work approximately 15 and 30 hours per week, respectively. The LGBT-rights organization is looking for interns to work in its Montclair, Asbury Park and Collingswood offices. Those interested should e-mail their résumés to Troy Stevenson at Stevenso n@GardenStateEquality.org and specify interest in communications, fundraising, grassroots organizing or operations. ■ — Jen Colletta
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 6
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
FIGHT launches new HIV prison services By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Philadelphia FIGHT last week welcomed more than 100 service providers, criminal-justice workers and HIV/AIDS activists to celebrate the launch of its new Institute for Community Justice, which will provide resources and heighten awareness about HIV among those who were previously incarcerated. Laura McTighe, co-director of the ICJ, said the agency’s opening has been nearly a decade in the making, as FIGHT has worked
to strengthen and grow its prison services program. “This is a chance to take the core messages and work we built there and bring it to anyone and everyone impacted by incarceration, regardless of their HIV status,” McTighe said. The ICJ’s Reentry Organizing Center, located on the seventh floor of 21 S. 12th St., will provide a multitude of opportunities to former inmates. “Our vision for the center was to be able to have a space where we could engage and empower people,” McTighe said. “So we
Philadelphia Gas Heating & Air Conditioning
A/C Sale Starting at
MARCH 21 - 27, 2008
$1695
that the mayor of the Athens suburb of Kessariani has agreed to perform the ceremony. “I have no objection to celebrating this union so long as the law is respected,” Mayor Spyros Tzokas said. It is uncertain whether the government will recognize the marriage. The Greek government is preparing to introduce civilpartnership legislation later this year, granting legal rights to unmarried couples. But, it has not said if samesex couples would be included.
HEATER SALE
$1195
A/C check-up $80.00
Human Rights and Human Rights Call Now 215.456.1300 Watch are petitioning the Moroccan government for a fair trial for the FAST EMERGENCY SERVICE
Gay men jailed in Morocco The Moroccan Association for Human Rights, along with Human Rights Watch, has launched a petition following the imprisonment of six men for homosexuality. Moroccan police arrested the men in November 2007 after a video circulated on the Internet showing a private party in Ksar-el-Kbir, Morocco, that the press claimed was a gay-marriage ceremony. The country’s penal code criminalizes sexual conduct between members of the same sex. Despite the fact that the video showed no evidence of sexual acts, the six men were convicted of committing “lewd or unnatural acts with an individual of the same sex” and sentenced to between four and 10 months in prison. The Moroccan Association for
men and to protect their right to privacy. The groups are asking supporters to show their opposition to Moroccan authorities by sending an e-mail to petitionmaroc@hrw.org.
Cartoons draw Russian ire Protestant groups in Moscow are trying to shut down a cartoon channel because they claim it promotes homosexuality and religious intolerance. Channel 2x2 broadcasts Western cartoons like “South Park,” which some believe promotes “homosexual propaganda.” Vitaly Vlasenki, a spokesperson for The Consultative Council of the Heads of Protestant Churches in Russia, said the group had sent a letter to Prosecutor General Yury Chaika on March 12 accusing the network of promoting “cruelty, violence, homosexual propaganda, religious hatred and intolerance.” Yekaterina Doglosheveva, head of corporate affairs for Prof-Media, dismissed the criticism from the religious group. “The Federal Culture and Cinematography Agency may be able to control the activities of our channel, but the Protestants cannot,” Doglosheveva said. Channel 2x2, which also broadcasts “The Simpsons,” has
have counselors and staff members who work with people in housing, employment, reuniting them with their families, teaching skill-building and other programs that will help us to support them in reaching their goals and dreams.” One of the core programs of the ICJ is TEACH Inside/TEACH Outside, which allows ICJ counselors to work directly with the intake units at local prisons and focus on those who will only be spending a short time in prison. McTighe said ICJ staffers will work with the inmates as they are released, introducing them to the array of programs offered at the center and aiming to reduce recidivism. The ICJ will also oversee FIGHT’s involvement in the Support Center for Prison Advocacy, a community coalition it helped launch two years ago that seeks to encourage leadPHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
ership from former inmates and their families in fighting HIV and mobilizing their communities. “We’ve been working in the neighborhoods hardest hit by incarceration, so it’s been massive in North Philadelphia, South Philadelphia, Southwest Philadelphia and, in May, we’ll be gearing up for starting in Germantown,” McTighe said. The organization’s third major program is the Prison Health News, the nation’s only health newsletter written specifically by and for those who’ve spent time in prison, which FIGHT was influential in founding nearly 10 years ago. Among other offerings, the quarterly publication features stories by those who’ve been released, highlighting some of their challenges and triumphs, and currently has about 3,000 people on its mailing list. McTighe said the ICJ is look-
ing to increase that number as it encourages its clients to stay connected with others who are facing similar trials. As the ICJ develops, McTighe said she hopes to redouble efforts to connect inmates with employment opportunities and strengthen the network of prisonjustice agencies throughout the region and nation — which, she said, should be working together to meet their collective mission. Support from the local community has been impressive, she said. “Our open house brought people of every stripe, all of our stakeholders in the criminal-justice field. We’re very excited to see that the vision we had for our center is becoming what we hoped and what the community needs.” ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com. PAGE 15
PGN
built a cult following in Russia despite gaining just 1.9 percent of the audience share in February. MTV in Russia also shows “South Park,” but has yet to receive any criticism from the Protestant group.
Trans meeting set for Berlin It was announced March 14 that the second meeting of the European Transgender Council will be held this year in Germany. The council, comprised of Transgender Europe, the Transgender Network Berlin and TransInterQueer Berlin, will meet May 2-4 in Berlin. Their last event was held in Vienna in 2005. Representatives from international activist groups and experts such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are expected to attend the event and share their experiences in the eld of human rights and transgender-related work. The results of the Study of the Lives of Transgender people In Europe, conducted by Press for Change (U.K.), will be revealed, which polled more than 2,000 transgender people. Berlin has a diverse transgender scene, and Wigstoeckel Transgender United is set to organize the city council’s ofcial show and party for the event. � Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
Spring Cleaning and Maintenance Find help in the Home PGN Improvement Directory
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
National
PAGE 7
Media Trail Judge overturns Ark. adoption ban MSNBC.com reports a state judge on April 16 struck down an Arkansas law approved by voters that banned gay couples and other unmarried people living together from serving as adoptive or foster parents. Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza said in a two-page ruling that people in “non-marital relationships” are forced to choose between becoming an adoptive parent and sustaining that relationship. “Due process and equal protection are not hollow words without substance,” Piazza said. “They are rights enumerated in our constitution that must not be construed in such a way as to deny or disparage other rights retained by the people.”
FAMILY OUTING: Wendy Forbes and son Dylan and Josh Young and daughter Alex were among the visitors at the second-annual Gay Day at the Philadelphia Zoo on April 17. The group posed before the newly opened “Creatures of Habit” exhibit, which features sculptures of animals from throughout the world made of thousands of LEGO pieces. Forbes and Young were two of dozens of participants who are part of Family Pride. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Obama orders hospitals to grant LGBT visitation rights By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer President Obama last week took a step to curb discrimination against same-sex couples with his directive that sought to expand hospital-visitation and other rights for same-sex couples. In a memorandum issued April 15 to Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Obama laid out a series of changes for all hospitals that receive Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement. Obama instructed Sebelius to initiate “appropriate rulemaking” that would allow “designated visitors,” including individuals who have power of attorney or some other legal designation, to be given the same visitation privileges as immediate family members. Under the new rules, hospitals may not deny visitation based on a series of characteristics, including sexual orientation and gender identity. The memo also requested that the department issue technical guidelines for hospitals on how they can best comply with the new regulations. “There are few moments in our lives that call for greater compassion and companionship than when a loved one is admitted to the hospital. Yet every day, all across America, patients are denied the kindnesses and caring of a loved one at
their sides,” Obama wrote in the memo. He went on to note that, besides denying the wishes of the patient, restricting visitation by same-sex partners often means that hospital personnel may not have complete information about the patient’s medications or medical history or could misunderstand the patient’s needs. “A stressful and at times terrifying experience for patients is senselessly compounded by indignity and unfairness,” Obama wrote. “All too often, people are made to suffer or even to pass away alone, denied the comfort of companionship in their final moments while a loved one is left worrying and pacing down the hall.” Robert Espinoza, director of policy and communications at Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders, said his agency has seen “countless and often tragic” stories in which same-sex partners are prevented from taking part in the care of their loved ones in either emergency situations or end-of-life moments. “Without complex and often expensive legal arrangements in place, LGBT elders’ partners or other loved ones may be shut out of medical decision-making or denied visitation,” Espinoza said, noting the directive “give[s] dignity to many LGBT elders and other older Americans and it is a powerful step in removing the
stigma, bigotry and isolation many LGBT elders face as they age.” S t eve G l a s s m a n , c h a i r o f t h e P e n n s y l va n i a H u m a n R e l a t i o n s Commission, hailed the directive, saying he hopes it heightens awareness about the need for marriage equality. “I think it’s another step on the path toward recognition of same-sex family relationships and an important educational opportunity for the American public in understanding why the legalization of same-sex marriage is so critical to adults and children who are currently denied full and equal opportunities in this country,” he said. “And this is perhaps the easiest right for even our opponents to recognize because it involves caring for people at the most vulnerable times in their lives.” Obama ordered HHS to make recommendations to him within 180 days on the steps needed to implement the expansion of hospital visitation and decision-making rights for LGBT individuals. “I think it’s a good start, but the devil’s in the details,” said Amara Chaudhry, director of Mazzoni Center’s legal department. “I would hope that the rules promulgated carry out the spirit of the directive.” ■
Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.
Custody case could change Mich. law Advocate.com reports a Michigan judge has opened the door in a case that could grant gay people the right to custody of biological children of their former same-sex partners. In the case, Renee Harmon is seeking parenting time with the three children she raised with Tammy Davis, the biological mother of the children and Harmon’s ex-partner. The women were together 19 years. On April 16, Wayne County circuit judge Kathleen McCarthy ruled that Harmon’s request could move forward to determine whether Harmon and Davis had an agreement to share custody. Currently, the only people who can petition for custody are biological parents, or the husband of the biological mother if the child was born during marriage. McCarthy’s ruling “is a historic moment,” said Harmon’s lawyer, Dana Nessel, adding she believes joint custody will be granted because her client can easily prove that a custody agreement existed between the women.
Park City OKs gay-rights law The Salt Lake Tribune reports Park City has joined the list of Utah communities that passed ordinances protecting gay and transgender people from discrimination in housing and employment matters. The City Council unanimously approved the ordinances April 15. They mirror a pair of measures passed by Salt Lake City last fall. The new laws prohibit discrimination, but religious organizations, employers with 15 or fewer employees and landlords with fewer than four rental units are exempt from the rules. Park City Mayor Dana Williams says the council initially considered an ordinance that disallowed any exemptions, but he’s satisfied with the new laws. At least six other Utah cities are considering similar ordinances. ■ — Larry Nichols
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 8
Located Near Rittenhouse Square General & Aesthetic Dentistry Now Accepting New Patients Early Morning Appointments Available 248 South 21st St., Phila, PA 19103
215.732.3350
www.yourphillydentist.com Anthony Petchalonis, D.M.D
Featuring One Hour Teeth Whitening
Ira Sheres, DMD ~ 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
WE HAVE MOVED!
Dr. Ira Sheres (center) with his life partner and their children
248 S. 21st Street • Phila, PA 19103 Call 215-546-6111
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
Penn State researcher looks at LGBT college experiences By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer According to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, LGBT middle- and high-school students report an absence rate of more than seven times that of heterosexual students. Another sobering report: LGBT students who face frequent harassment had grade-point averages that were half a grade lower than those who were not bullied as often. Yet, little research is available on what happens to those students once they graduate high school and continue on to college — something Kip Sorgen, a Penn State University doctoral student, is looking to change. Sorgen, who studies at Penn State’s University Park campus in State College, has been working on his Ph.D. dissertation, “The influence of sexual identity on psychological and higher-education outcomes,” in the university’s College of Education for about a year, and expects to complete it by February. He said the dissertation stems from the dearth of research he saw on LGBT college students. “I noticed that there’s not a lot of research about academic outcomes for LGBT students in higher education and, in fact, I’ve only seen two studies that focus on that area,” he said. “National student surveys on student engagement or involvement on their campuses just don’t ask about sexual identity, and that’s gotten to be problematic because we can’t analyze this data and learn more about the impact of sexual identity. I want to try to close that gap in the research.” Sorgen, an openly gay Ohio native, attained his bachelor’s degree at Ohio University and went on to work in the development office at Capital University in Columbus, a position he said motivated him to continue his education. “I really enjoyed working with students, but at that time it was in a supervisory capacity — I ran the phone-a-thon and the senior class gift committee — and I realized I wanted to work in more of a devel-
to go a lot deeper,” Sorgen said. “What I’m focusing on is the psychological variables that might influence higher-education outcomes for LGBTQ students, like outness and internalized homophobia; I want to see how those things influence the engagement of LGBTQ students on campus. Straight students don’t have to worry about their outness and don’t have that level of homophobia regarding their identity, and they often do have the social support and selfesteem that some LGBTQ students don’t.” Sorgen noted that the only two published reports on the experiences of LGBT college students came out within the last KIP SORGEN few years, and he attributed the slow progress in opment capacity, so I started to look around for some different this area to a number of factors programs that would allow me — such as the fact that only two generations of college students to do that,” he said. Sorgen decided on the Higher have lived since homosexuality Education Administration pro- was declassified as a mental disgram at New York University order by the American Psychiatric and worked as the graduate Association. His aim is to fuel further analyassistant in NYU’s Office of LGBT Student Services for two ses of the LGBT college commuyears, where he said he solidi- nity, an area he plans to continue fied his desire to focus his stud- studying once he attains his doctorate. ies on LGBT students. “No one has really been lookSorgen said he applied to Penn State for his doctorate because its ing at sexual identity as having an higher-education program is one influence on learning, and univerof the top-ranked in the country, sities in particular are very, very and he was eager to work with slow to change. I think it’s comseveral researchers at the institu- ing, but it’s not quite there yet,” he said. “Colleges and universition. Since beginning his doctoral ties need to start capturing sexual work, he has conducted research identity as a demographic variable. on such topics as the changes We’re never going to completely in attitudes of undergraduates know the size of the [LGBT camtoward LGBT individuals and pus] population because of the fluidentity development of female- idity of sexual identity, but they’re remiss in not asking. to-different-gender individuals. “I feel like this is my way of This final undertaking, which will include a national survey of advocating for the LGBTQ comLGBT students, will examine munity, by producing research how the stressors unique to these that is beneficial to higher educaindividuals impact their involve- tion, and to people who work with ment and success on their col- college students and even to those who don’t. I want to continue to lege campuses. “The research that has been produce publications, analyze data done shows that there are differ- and conduct studies that benefit ences for LGBTQ students com- the LGBTQ community through pared to heterosexual students or advancing knowledge.” ■ when certain identities are compared with others, such as gay Jen Colletta can be reached at men and lesbians, but it needs jen@epgn.com.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
PAGE 9
Change is coming to Chestnut Hill church By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The Philadelphia Association of the United Church of Christ voted unanimously April 18 to accept the Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church as its newest member church, one of several steps the Chestnut Hill congregation has pursued in recent years to open its doors even wider to the LGBT community. The church, which has officially changed its name to Chestnut Hill United Church, is still affiliated with the United Methodist Church, but has also incorporated the affiliation with the UCC, a traditionally LGBT-affirming church. Linda Noonan, the openly bisexual co-pastor of Chestnut Hill United, said the church has seen an upswing in LGBT congregants in recent years, and the church’s commitment to diversity has helped fuel its revitalization. “The church was pretty much on its last gasping breath about 20 years ago when [current co-pastor] Hal Taussig came on, and he and a small handful of people had to decide whether they wanted to either just bury the church or revive it, and they chose to revive it,” she said. “And part of their mission was to make a more intentionally inclusive church and theologically diverse church. They definitely wanted to have a more progressive bent, a really open, social bent.” That shift in the culture drew in a vast number of LGBT community members, Noonan said, and she herself joined the church as co-pastor in 2001. The UMC, however, follows the tenet that homosexuality is a sin and has a policy of not ordaining LGBT people. To take a public stand against these ideas, in 2002, the church voted to become a “Reconciling Congregation,” a distinction now
t
h er
held by nearly 300 UMCs nationwide that enables them to publicly express their support for the full inclusion of LGBT individuals. Noonan noted that church members wanted to “do more” to speak out against homophobia within the UMC, and were especially mobilized after Pastor Beth Stroud, the openly lesbian former leader of the nearby First United Methodist Church of Germantown, lost her credentials in a church trial in 2004. Over the past few years, the congregants and leadership at the church have spent time studying and discussing how the church could become even more inclusive of the LGBT community and eventually decided that federation, or official affiliation, with the UCC was the most viable option. “The UCC felt like a good political, theological and social fit,” Noonan said. Beth Walker, moderator of the Philadelphia Association of the UCC, said the organization was thrilled to welcome the new member church. “We are just as happy as can be,” Walker said. “God’s grace is here, and all are welcome.” Noonan said the congregants will notice few logistical changes. “In practice, it’s pretty simple. We just now have identification with both churches, so we participate in both denominations,” she said. “On paper, we had to go through the process of crafting a system of rules and regulations, since the Methodist Church is slightly more structured, so it just meant adding on the partner church so that both are in covenant with one another.” While federation is not uncommon, Noonan noted that Chestnut Hill United’s motivation for the transition is rare. “There are lots of churches that have federated, but it mostly
ike l e c a e’s no pl
e ho m
...
h a p p e n s b e c a u s e t h e r e ’s a Presbyterian church on one corner and a Lutheran church on the other and they’ve both gotten old and gray and decided to get together and see if they can make it as one. Most churches don’t do what we’ve done, adding this denomination onto their identity because of political reasons,” she said. Walker said Chestnut Hill United is the first Methodist-affiliated church to join their ranks. “I don’t think there are very many Methodist churches interested in affiliating with the UCC, so this is a very special moment in time,” she said. “It’s a great moment to be able to make this union. And it’s a sign of change. I really do think that the world is waking up to the idea that everyone is welcome at God’s table.” Noonan noted that the congregants were very excited about the latest step in the church’s expression of support for the LGBT community. “They feel like finally there is a church they can relate to and that shares their vision of a truly inclusive church, one that is a real place for all people,” she said. “It was important for the congregation to become Reconciling, that showed them that anyone who comes through our doors that we’re open to them, but if you were a queer person just driving down the street and knew anything about the Methodist denomination, you probably wouldn’t stop and come in, even though we have a rainbow flag on our sign. People have a tendency to be reticent or leery to darken the doorsteps of those churches. So the congregation is really excited that we now have another way to tell people, ‘Give it a try.’” ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
e ment m o H rove Imp ecor y Dir
PGN
Your city, your life, your newspaper.
PAGE 10
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
Editorial Seriously, Scouts? In its most recent court filings, the Cradle of Liberty Boy Scouts Council claimed it shouldn’t be evicted from the city-owned building it occupies rent-free because most of the services provided in the building are through Learning for Life, a program that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, sexual orientation or religion. After years of negotiations, an agreement at the local level not to discriminate that fell through, and a local and a federal lawsuit, this is its defense? According to the recent filings, of the 72,000 youth served out of the building at 22nd and Winter streets, all but 16,000 are aligned with the Learning for Life program, with the remainder solely participating in Boy Scouts of America programs. But here’s the catch. From a quick Web search, it seems Learning for Life began as a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts in the early 1990s. The program, which provides vocational and educational training to youth, partners with local school districts, colleges, lawenforcement agencies and other organizations. Learning for Life is based in Irving, Texas, and shares an address there — 1325 W. Walnut Hill Lane — with the national headquarters of the Boy Scouts of America. In the filings, the Cradle of Liberty Council states that Learning for Life has “separate accounts, books and records and financial statements.” What it doesn’t say is this: The two share space, a phone number and support staff. (On the Cradle of Liberty website, the only staff listed for Learning for Life is the director, of 32 staff members listed as “Council Staff.” Presumably, this includes staff for both the properties at 22nd and Winter streets and one in Wayne. It is unlikely that a single person would be able to manage programs with 56,000 participants.) On its face, it does seem that the Learning for Life program is open to all comers: The position statement on its website states, “Color, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background, economic status or citizenship is not criteria for participation.” If the Scouting activities that currently take place at the 22nd and Winter building — including the executive director’s office — can be moved to the Wayne location and the Learning for Life program can comply with the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance, it seems feasible that the city could come to an agreement with the organization and allow it to remain in the building. The question remains if the Cradle of Liberty Council would take that step. ■
Correction In the story “Black Pride returns to Center City,” April 16-22, PGN did not include D’Ontace Keyes as one of the recipients of the Next Generation Leaders award at the Legends Awards Ball. PGN regrets the omission.
Glenn Lash (glennlash@yahoo.com)
Creep of the Week
D’Anne Witkowski
Bryan Fischer With Supreme Court Justice John Stevens announcing his retirement, speculation about whom President Obama will nominate to replace him is running rampant. Some have even speculated that Obama’s nominee could be a homo. Sen. John Cornyn said, “As long as it doesn’t interfere with their job, it’s not a particular issue,” while Sen. Jeff Sessions even said he’d be open to a judge with “gay tendencies,” whatever that means. But Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association says, “Aw, hell no!” No candy-assed pansy judge is going to sit on the bench in his America. For one thing, in an April 15 post to the AFA website he wrote: “A gay judge’s sexual preference will, without any question whatsoever, interfere with their job. It’s not possible for it to be otherwise.” How so? Well, for one thing, homos are sex criminals, says Fischer. “Sodomy is still a felony in the criminal code of about a dozen states,” he says. “We simply should not elevate to the highest court in the land people who are known for engaging in sexually abnormal behavior which would technically make them felons in a quarter of the states over which they will have
jurisdiction.” But wait, what about “Lawrence v. Texas”? Doesn’t count, in Fischer’s view: “The Lawrence decision of 2003, an egregious act of judicial activism, prohibited enforcement of these laws, but the fact remains that 25 percent of the states in the Union still regard it as criminal behavior.” That’s right. Just because a law is struck down as unconstitutional doesn’t mean it isn’t still a crime. Racially mixed couples and integrated schools, please take note. “With an active homosexual on the bench, Lady Justice will no longer even pretend to be blind,” Fischer adds. “She will be peeking out from under her blindfold to determine the sexual preference of those standing before her, then will let the fold slip back into place before ruling in every case to legitimize sexual deviancy.” First of all, I’d like to know how Lady Justice determines someone’s “sexual preference.” I’ve heard of gaydar, but “sexual preference” and “sexual orientation” aren’t the same thing. Homosexuality is an orientation. “I like to dress up like Spider-Man and rub my genitals on Chatroulette” is a sexual preference and, if Lady Justice can see that just by looking at someone, maybe she spends too much time on the Internet.
Fischer also trots out the stand-by that homosexuals are automatically child molesters, which isn’t true. “For this reason alone, no homosexual should be elevated to the United States Supreme Court,” he says. Not that he doesn’t have other reasons. Fischer claims that gays are incapable of being impartial. “A homosexual judge cannot help but give the home-field advantage to every legal team appearing before him who represents homosexual causes. It will be impossible for the visiting team, the team representing sexual normalcy and natural marriage, to get a fair shake in his courtroom,” he writes. “The scales of ‘justice’ would be tipped irrevocably toward the homosexual agenda and it would be moronic to think otherwise.” That’s right, morons. Gay judges will always rule in favor of gays. It’s called “same-sex partiality.” It’s also true that straight judges will always rule in favor of straights. Only, when straights do this, it’s called “traditional partiality” and it’s what God intended. ■ D’Anne Witkowski is a freelance writer. When not taking on the creeps of the world, she reviews rock ’n’ roll shows in Detroit with her twin sister.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
Mark My Words
Street Talk
Mark Segal
LGBT pragmatism in the guv race In the first examination of the candidates running for governor, I started out by stating that I was unaligned. And by the end of the analysis, that hadn’t changed. Since we’re only three-and-a-half weeks away from the primary, it’s time to take a second look. As predicted in that first analysis, by this time Jack Wagner, one of four Democrats, would be pushing daisies. Everyone remotely part of the political process knows this — with the exception of Wagner himself. Most believe he remains in the race due to a blood feud with Dan Onorato, who is also from Allegheny County. By staying in, he hopes to takes votes from Onorato on his home turf. But with little money on hand, it could be his Waterloo, as the vote tally will show him to be very weak on his own turf and he’ll lose credibility. If he were smart, he’d get out rather than be embarrassed. Wagner’s only strong points were pockets of support around the state. That is beginning to fizzle, as county leaders want to be on a winning bandwagon and this wagon is going into the ditch. His hope that his few employees from Philadelphia (who just happen to be ward leaders) might give him any showing in the five-county Democratic region is ill-planned when you note there are two local candidates who are heavily endorsed by the local political forces. As we were going to press, Wagner told Allentown’s The Morning Call he’d support a nondiscrimination bill for homosexuals, but declined to state a position on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” He will finish a distant fourth in five-county Philly and most likely come in third in Pittsburgh. The man with the weakest LGBT record is history in this race. That leaves three: Joe Hoeffel, Onorato and Anthony Williams, with Hoeffel being the favorite of the LGBT community. He, like Wagner, faces a major
PAGE 11
opponent in his backyard, state Sen. Tony Williams. Hoeffel also suffers from almost no cash and, worse, the entire political machine from Philly is supporting Williams. Hoeffel’s only hope was to win Philly and win it big. That simply is not going to happen. If he’s lucky, he’ll come in second in this area, but there’s also a possibility that he comes in third. This leaves us with either Williams or Onorato winning the primary. When you look at their records on LGBT issues, Williams stands out. He’s voted numerous times on our behalf, been a cosponsor on legislation and has helped fund our organizations. He’s for civil unions and a nondiscrimination law. Onorato successfully ended a years-long battle to offer domestic-partner benefits to Allegheny County by working with organizations that traditionally fight such benefits. He brokered a compromise that included support from even the Catholic Church in Allegheny County. He has a number of top LGBT people on his campaign and, like Williams, supports civil unions and a nondiscrimination law. Our hearts may be with Hoeffel, but it might be time to be pragmatic. With Williams, we support the local Democratic Party, which has been the bedrock of LGBT rights in Pennsylvania. With Onorato, we have a consensus builder who might get us the legislation we need to protect our community from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation, as 21 other states already have. Those of you who are regular readers of this column are most likely saying you’ve never seen me take so long to support a candidate. The reason is really simple. This time, due to an increase in the number of registered Democrats, the party actually has a chance to hold the governor’s seat instead of the usual eightyear turnover — and that we take seriously. It might be the most important vote we cast. Unaligned, but getting closer. ■
Will the Scouts ever be evicted from their city-owned building?
Krista Apple actor/writer South Philadelphia
Joshua Benco hairstylist Washington Square West
“If I were a betting girl — which I’m not — I’d say the city eventually will let the Scouts alone or reach a compromise that will allow the Scouts to stay. I say this because there’s a whole can of worms that goes along with evicting the Scouts. The city just isn’t ready for that.”
“Yes. The Scouts are stuck in their ways. They won’t budge. But gay rights will prevail because that’s the wave of the future. I think the Scouts will be out within five years.”
Thomas Puleo photographer Blue Bell
John Schaal health-care consultant Washington Square West
“No. While I’d like for the Scouts to change their policies, they do have a right to set their own membership standards. The city is overreaching and harassing them. Ultimately, I think the courts will rule in favor of the Scouts.”
“No, not in the foreseeable future. It’s an ongoing struggle, and the powers-that-be have more sympathy for the Scouts because they do some good work. But they’re still breaking the law.”
Mark Segal is PGN publisher. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com.
Letters and Feedback Dear Editor: There are 12 laws of becoming a Boy Scout that influence their oath by pledging to learn the value of loving oneself as well as others. Fundamentally, the Boy Scouts experience allows youth to learn environmental consciousness. What about the gay Scouts? The Scouts’ national organization has decided to not allow openly gay persons to serve in roles of leadership within its organization. Statistically speaking, there are numerous Scouts that are gay (more than likely closeted) that will especially now attempt to hide who they are, which puts them at odds with the core values they are being taught. I question if any
thought at all has been done in regard to the Scouts recent decision to discriminate. Such practices go against what the Scouts are all about. Gay Scouts are encouraged to go against what they are taught to support hypocrisy. If a gay male wants to be a part of the organization, lying to others and very possibly himself often leads to deviancy. Is that the intention, to oppress those who are different by not supporting them, thus making them less susceptible to success? In the Scouts’ defense, they have the right as an organization to discriminate, but at what cost? Our local chapter, although not initially supportive of this new Scout agenda, has learned to step and fetch
in order to maintain affiliation. Maybe they as well have forgotten what it is meant to be a Scout. The Philadelphia chapter of the Boys Scouts wants the privilege to use property acquired via social collective resources but only for the use of certain members of society equally. The African Americans used to call the acts of one individual restricting the growth of the whole an “Uncle Tom.” Isn’t it about time that the good people in our society stand up for the understanding that, as a collective, what happens to one end affects the other, therefore equality is not only a right but a necessity? — Frank Harp Philadelphia
PAGE 12
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between April 6-11. Information is courtesy of Sixth District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association.
Portraits • Events Art • Advertising Scott A. Drake Photography 267.736.6743 PGN Your city, Your life, Your newspaper.
REPORT: Between 6:30 p.m. April 6 and 7:30 a.m. April 7, complainant’s secured bicycle was taken from the 1000 block of Clinton Street. ARREST: At 10:45 p.m. April 7, an out-of-town complainant was dining at an outdoor cafe, 106 S. 13th St. when a male grabbed his iPhone from the table and ran west on Locust Street 6th District
Officer DeCrosta stopped a male fitting the description provided by the complainant on the 400 block of South Broad Street. The male was positively identified and the complainant’s iPhone was recovered. The 18-year-old suspect was charged with theft. REPORT: At 12:10 a.m., April 4, an employee of Camac Tavern, 243 S. Camac St., stopped a female from leaving with an open bottle of beer. The female’s male companion took exception to this and struck the employee in the face and chest with a broken bottle. The culprit left the scene and was described as a white male, mid20s, 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, with a beard, facial piercings and tattoos. REPORT: At 4:25 p.m. April 7, a
customer inside the jewelry store in the unit block of South 11th Street asked to see a ring. The male then took the ring and fled. The offender was described as a black male, 19, 6-feet tall, thin build, and a tattoo on his left hand, wearing a white T-shirt, jeans and white sneakers. REPORT: At 10:30 p.m. April 7, a male seen on security video inside the APO bar, 102 S. 13th St., taking three bags of tools from the upstairs area that is under renovation. The bar was open for business at the time of the theft. The offender was described as a black male, 30s or 40s, wearing a white hat and white jacket. REPORT: Between 8:45 a.m.6:20 p.m. April 8, complainant’s apartment in the 200 block of South 13th Street was entered through an unlocked bedroom window after the screen was knocked out. A laptop, iPhone, iPod and a bracelet were taken. Sixth District Officer Minnis attempted to lift fingerprints from the scene. REPORT: Between 11 p.m. April 9 and 5 a.m. April 10, complainant’s 2002 Jeep was parked in the unit block of South Juniper Street with the window down when CDs were taken. Sixth District Officer McCauley attempted to lift fingerprints. ARREST: At 6:40 p.m. April 10, complainant was sitting at the bus stop, 1201 Market St., when a male grabbed his MP3 player and a bag next to him and ran. The complainant yelled and chased the male until a security officer from The Gallery apprehended him and held him for police. The 33-yearold was charged with theft. REPORT: At 1:05 p.m. April 11, a male attempted to leave the Wawa, 912 Walnut St., without paying for a pint of ice cream. An employee tried to stop the male and was punched. The male fled east on Walnut and was described as a black male, 40 years, 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, wearing a blue baseball cap and blue coat. REPORT: At midnight April 11, complainant was walking in the 1000 block of Walnut Street when a male snatched her iPhone and fled. The offender was described as a black male, about 5-foot-9, medium build, dark complexion and wearing all dark clothing. ■
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 13
Law firm honored for pro-bono work By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer A local law firm headed by an openly lesbian managing partner was recently recognized by a pro-bono legal-services agency for its longtime volunteer representation of underprivileged Philadelphians. Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program presented its Justice William J. Brennan Jr. Award to Willig, Williams & Davidson, a local labor-union firm, at a ceremony last month. Deborah Willig, managing partner of the firm, has been involved with Philadelphia VIP since its inception in the 1980s and previously served on its board of governors. Willig, who in 1992 became the first female chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, said her firm has a longstanding relationship with VIP and pro-bono work in general. She cited the quote, “To whom much is given, much is expected,” to explain why the 39 attorneys at her firm take on probono projects frequently. “I think being a lawyer is one of the greatest professions on earth,” she said. “Our country is founded on the rule of the law and unfortunately there are some people who need a lawyer’s protection but can’t afford to retain one, and I think it’s
everyone’s obligation to participate in probono work.” Willig said VIP specifically recognized the firm for the recent work done by Kristine Phillips, a partner in the firm’s legal-services department, with the Philadelphia Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program, representing clients facing home foreclosure. Phillips’ efforts earned her a mention in a front-page story in the New York Times about the city’s efforts to stave off home foreclosure. Willig said Phillips’ colleagues weren’t even aware of the extent of her foreclosure work until they read it in the Times, which she said is symbolic of her firm’s philosophy about pro-bono work. “We didn’t even know anything about her participation in this program until we read the New York Times. People in this firm are strong believers in public services and pro-bono work as a matter of course. They don’t have to be asked, they just volunteer and donate dozens or hundreds of hours in any given year because it’s just the right thing to do. And it’s not something that they walk around and say, ‘Look what I’ve done,’ they just do it.” Sara Woods, executive director of Philadelphia VIP, said her agency selected the firm because its efforts embody the spirit of VIP’s mission.
PHILADELPHIA VOLUNTEERS FOR THE INDIGENT PROGRAM BOARD CHAIR PETER ROSSI WITH ATTORNEYS DEBORAH WILLIG (RIGHT) AND KRISTINE A. PHILLIPS OF WILLIG, WILLIAMS & DAVIDSON
“The firm’s attorneys stand out through their tireless participation in Philadelphia’s Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program,” Woods said. “Consistently volunteering at conciliation conferences through VIP, Willig’s attorneys have advocated for
those facing homelessness, bringing stability to both our clients and the communities in which they live.” ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 14
ADVISORY From Page 1
www.dignityphila.org Facebook – Dignity Philadelphia Join us at St. Luke & the Epiphany Church 330 S. 13th Street, between Spruce and Pine streets, Philadelphia, PA
Sunday Mass at 7:00 p.m.
Communion in the form of Consecrated bread, wine and grape juice. Gluten-free communion available upon request.
First Bap tist Ch u r c h SERVICES: Wednesdays Noon time Sundays 11a.m.
Rev. Dr. Peter C. Wool 17TH & SANSOM STREETS PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 www.fbcphila1698.org
215.563.3853
Islam and Jordan Harris and alternate Joseph Mead. William Johnson, PAC executive director, said that of the 12 current commissioners, eight have expressed interest in serving another term and will be asked to submit applications, along with any other interested individuals, as the rest of the commission is decided upon in a public-hearing process before City Council. Michael Weiss, co-owner of Woody’s and president of the board of Voyeur, who was indicted in January for underreporting
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
income at one of his clubs, was not on the list of current members planning to seek another term. Johnson said all of the new commission members were selected for their outstanding contributions to the city, which he expects they will continue to make through their service to the PAC. “Traditionally, mayors have always endeavored to select individuals who are among the best and brightest Philadelphia has to offer, and these appointments are no less indicative of those qualifications,” he said. “These individuals are people who will be people of integrity, people of good backgrounds and they will significantly
CONGREGATION BETH AHAVAH
at 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
Winner of the 2009 Paddy and Barry Epstein Communicate! Award for innovative programming in a small congregation Friday, April 30, 8:00 PM. Equality Forum Shabbat Services. Please join us in the sanctuary for a special joint BA and RS service to celebrate Equality Forum. Our guest speaker will be Nurit Shein, Executive Director of the Mazzoni Center. A native Israeli, Nurit also served as a colonel in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). A special oneg (social hour) will follow services. Wednesday, May 5, 7:00 PM. Annual Congregational Meeting. Please join us for a light dinner as we hold elections for the Board of Directors for 2010-11. Members only are invited to this meeting. Sunday, May 16, 12:00 PM. Brunch at Marathon Grill on the Square, 1829 Spruce Street, and 2:00 PM with “An Evening Without Woody Allen” at Plays and Players, 1714 Delancey Street. Come join us for a relaxing brunch with friends followed by a cool and classy afternoon with the work of Woody Allen, an American comedy master. Watch this space for more details! Visit www.bethahavah.org for additional information, programming and directions
615 North Broad Street, Phila., PA 19123-2495 Phone: 215.923.2003 E-mail: BethAhavah@rodephshalom.org
Free secure parking: Cross Spring Garden at 13th St., left at next light, Mt. Vernon St. Parking lot entrance on left.
Philly’s New Resource for HIV/AIDs and Hormonal Therapies HIV/AIDS Drugs Hepatitis B/C Anxiety / Depression Cancer Sterile Compounding of:
Sensitive to Needs of the LGBT Community
• Hormonal Therapies • Chemotherapy • Palliative Care Drugs
We Can Bill for SPBP Medications Discounts, Coupons & Rebates You Are Not Alone Available We’ll work directly with Lowest Prices for Un-insured your Clinic or MD Delivery Available
210 Market St., Philadelphia PA 19106 • (215) 625-6688
help us to move the agenda of the commission forward.” Volz, an attorney for more than 30 years, has been teaching criminology courses at the University of the Sciences for about a year and said his passion both for law and his hometown fueled his interest in joining the commission. “I’m not a newcomer to the city — I’m a lifelong Philadelphian — and I think you have to live here to really appreciate what needs to be done,” he said. “So I’m definitely very interested in how the community’s doing and how safe it is or isn’t.” Franny Price, president of Philly Pride Presents, who’s worked in that capacity closely with Volz for years, said his background in law, his leadership in the LGBT community and his position as a bar owner — of Finnigan’s Wake — give him well-rounded experiences for the commission. “Through all of the experiences he’s had in his life and everything he’s done, he has so much to offer,” Price said. “And one of the best things about him is that he’s so fair. He’s probably one of the fairest people I’ve ever met.” Goldfein said she has accrued that same sense of fairness through her years at AIDS Law Project. “I’ve learned that there are always two sides to a story, and you want to be really open to listening to the facts,” she said. “At the AIDS Law Project, we’re often oriented toward the client, but it doesn’t serve anybody if we don’t have a clear assessment of the client’s claim. It’s a skill that I’ve developed over so many years of not leading into a story or not letting a sympathetic person influence your decision. You have to hear the facts and just do the best job you can of sorting through those facts.” Goldfein said the commissioner position meshed well with her role as an attorney. “ I t ’s a b o u t d u e p r o c e s s . Everyone needs to have an opportunity to come forward and talk about their concerns in a safe forum, just as the person accused also needs a safe forum to make a response,” she said. As the only openly gay member, Volz said he’s eager to represent the LGBT community and bring their concerns to the commission. “I’m going to be there as the voice and the ears of the gay community, so I’m sure I’ll be focusing on that more than anything else.” ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
Work It Out
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 15
Jared Carter
Listen more to your body and less to your cell phone I guess it was only a matter of time until cell phones started to cause injuries, and it has officially begun: The Cleveland Clinic has started to diagnose “cell-phone elbow.” It is an overuse injury caused by excessive talking on a cellular phone. It’s very similar in nature to carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow. Cell-phone elbow, officially known as cubital tunnel syndrome, is caused by too much bending of your elbow when you put the phone to your ear. This puts pressure on the ulnar nerve and causes irritation. This irritation can lead to tingling or numbness of the fingers. It is very similar to hitting your “funny bone,” which is simply hitting your ulnar nerve. Treating cell-phone elbow is just like treating any other overuse injury. The first step is to avoid staying in one position too long. Be sure to move your arm or switch hands so that you are
not stretching your nerves too much. If that does not solve the problem, then you should rest the affected arm. It may be time to switch phone hands for a while, or use a hands-free device. While this is the first injury directly associated with a phone, overuse injuries have been diagnosed for decades. The good news is that changing a few habits or strengthening weak muscles can correct almost all of them. Tennis elbow is a great example of an injury that can be treated with exercise. It is a small tear in a tendon near the elbow joint that causes pain with certain movements. Treatments include exercises that stretch and strengthen the affected muscles and those that surround the joint. This helps prevent further injury and promote faster recovery. About 95 percent of people recover fully after following a prescribed treatment program. Cell-phone and tennis elbow are just a couple examples of overuse injuries. Almost any repetitive motion can cause an injury, and it’s important to be aware of this in your daily activities. Many of us tend to dismiss common aches and pains. If you
experience the discomfort rarely, then it probably is not related to overuse. However, if you always feel pain when you do certain activities, it could be a warning. If you suspect you are developing an overuse injury, start by changing the way you perform the activity. This could mean changing your chair height, wearing padded gloves or moving in a slightly different manner, depending on what causes the pain. If that does not work, take a break
for a few days. If the pain does not diminish after several days, have your doctor take a look at it. While overuse injuries are annoying, they are relatively easy to treat. Doctors have developed great exercise programs, antiinflammatory medication and many other methods of treating these problems. However, the most important thing to remember is that if something hurts, do not do it. Trying to work through pain will almost certainly make
the problem worse. Long gone are the days of “no pain, no gain,” so pay attention to your body and listen to what it tells you. ■ Jared Carter, CSCS, is the owner of Move Forward Fitness Personal Training, located in the heart of Philadelphia. He has been helping clients reach their goals for the past eight years. He can be reached through his website, moveforwardfitness.com, or at jared@moveforwardfitness.com.
MARRIAGE MADE EASY IN D.C. Same-Sex marriage is now legal in Washington, D.C. Let me do the initial legwork for you. As your officiant, I can file your marriage application - it will be ready when you get here. No three - day wait! Spiritual and Civil Ceremonies Offered
Rev. Bonnie J. Berger Interfaith Minister www.ringinlove.com
301-270-4089
PGN
Consumer Research Council’s top dentist 2007, 2008, and 2009. Rainbow Award best dentist who contributes to his community 2007 and 2008.
Medical Arts Bldg. 1601 Walnut St. , Suite 1302 Phila. PA 19102
215-568-6222
www.philadelphiadentist.com
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 16
A.H.I.
Skin Rejuevanation Center Our state licensed & accredited Wound Care Center is now utilizing our certified nurses for Cosmetic Injectables and laser treatments. Our staff Esthetician is available for consultations.
Services Include: Acne Scar Removal Age Spot Removal Blemish Removal Chemical Peels Dermabrasion Facials Hair Removal Line Fillers Microderm Abrasion Photo Facials Skin Analysis Skin Tightening Stretch Mark Removal Surgical Scar Removal Wound Care Wrinkle Reduction
Products Include:
Botox® & Dysport Juvederm® Juvederm® Ultra Restylane® StarLux® 500 Laser & IPL Intense Pulsed Light By Palomar
1233 Locust St • Suite 304 •
Phila, PA 19107
(267) 319 - 1530
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
SCOUTS From Page 1
tation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical handicap or marital status. Learning for Life differs from traditional Scouting programs, which exclude participants on the basis of sex, sexual orientation and religion. The council has two main office buildings: the city-owned building on North 22nd Street and a building in Wayne. The Scouts say the “lion’s share” of their traditional Scouting programs is administered at the Wayne facility. Learning for Life is “a separate corporation affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America [with] separate accounts, books and records and financial statements,” the Scouts’ motion states. The Scouts refuse to sign a lease containing anti-bias language covering gays and other protected categories — a major stumbling block in resolving the dispute. However, if the Scouts agree to restrict their activities to Learning for Life inside the 22nd Street building, the signing of such a lease may be possible. The city has stated repeatedly that it’s only seeking nondiscrimination at the 22nd Street building — which falls under the purview of the Fair Practices Ordinance. “If Learning for Life was the lessee of the city-owned property, and if Learning for Life does not, as the Boy Scouts assert, discriminate in violation of the city’s laws and policies, the question of an alleged right to a government subsidy for their discriminatory
CIVIL UNION From Page 1 (23rd Dist.), Michael Gerber (148th Dist.), Kenyatta Johnson (186th Dist.), Babette Josephs (182nd Dist.), Bryan Lentz (161st Dist.), Kathy Manderino (194th Dist.), Michael McGeehan (173rd Dist.), Barbara McIlvaine Smith (156th Dist.), John Myers (201st Dist.), Michael O’Brien (175th Dist.), Cherelle Parker (200th Dist.), Eddie Day Pashinski (121st Dist.), Tony Payton (179th Dist.), Joseph Preston (24th Dist.), James Roebuck (188th Dist.), Steven Santarsiero (31st Dist.), Michael Sturla (96th Dist.), Rick Taylor (151st Dist.), Greg Vitali (166th Dist.), Chelsa Wagner (22nd Dist.), Jake Wheatley (19th Dist.), Jewell Williams (197th Dist.) and Rosita Youngblood (198th Dist.). ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
conduct would not be before this court,” a recent motion filed by the city states. The Scouts may discriminate “to their hearts’ content” against people who aren’t protected by local, state or federal anti-bias laws covering Wayne, the city’s motion states. City attorneys won’t comment on the possibility of an out-of-court settlement allowing the council to restrict activities at 22nd Street to Learning for Life exclusively. In a prepared statement, the Scouts say they haven’t ruled out that possibility: “The Cradle of Liberty Council is, and always has been, willing to discuss with the city ways to resolve the present dispute. The council has engaged in these discussions both before and after the filing of the lawsuit, and remains willing to consider additional viable proposals.” The Scouts declined to comment if they would submit to local monitoring to ensure the independence of Learning for Life from traditional Scouting programs. The council’s executive director maintains an office inside the 22nd Street building, and would probably have to relocate to the Wayne building if a compromise settlement were to take place, sources told PGN. Margaret A. Downey, president of the Freethought Society, based in Pocopson, said the city should reject any compromise allowing Learning for Life to operate at 22nd Street without paying fairmarket rent. She questioned the separateness of the program from traditional
Scouting, noting the possibility of shared funding, office space, employees, volunteers, insurance coverage and other resources. “The Scouts need to make a decision to totally excise the cancer of discrimination from the body of their organization,” Downey said. “An ethical organization would serve the entire community, without pre-selecting ‘undesirables’ and excluding them.” Stephen A. Glassman, chair of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, said it’s difficult to Together We Can, a discussion comment about Learning for Life group for people dealing with without more details on its work. emotional, mental and addictive “There needs to be complete, problems, will meet at a7 p.m. at The thorough analysis of this Learning for The LifeTrans-Health program byInformation competent individuals in education and Project will hold a drop-in center social-service professions in order for all trans persons from 7-11 p.m. to determine that this is a legitioor; mate program — and not a pretextThe forHumboldt discrimination in all of the Society, a gay and lesbian traditional naturalist programming,” club, will meet Scouts’ at 7:30 p.m. the William Way Glassman told at PGN. The Scouts want U.S. District TiesRonald That Bind Us, a 12-step Judge L. Buckwalter to dissolve a preliminary injunction that allows them to stay in the building and replace it with a permanent one, allowing them to remain in the building in perpetuity, without paying rent or allowing openly gay participants. City attorneys want Buckwalter to order the immediate eviction of the Scouts, since the Scouts haven’t proven their eviction would be unconstitutional, and the city has cited ample law to justify the eviction, according to the city’s motion. ■ Timothy Cwiek can be reached at (215) 625-8501 ext. 208.
Triangle Medical General Practice Progressive HIV Care MARK T. WATKINS, DO JOHN DEL ROSSI, PA-C
(215) 829-0170 253 S. 10th St. First Floor Philadelphia
PGN E-mail us: pgn@epgn.com
PAGE 17
PHILLIP R. REEVES, MD PSYCHIATRY FOR LGBT COMMUNITY PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND PSYCH0THERAPY DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, HIV, CHRONIC PAIN OFFICES AT 1601 Walnut St., Suite 1128 AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
EVENING HOURS AVAILABLE
(215) 740-4311
����������������������������������������������������
������������ � ��������������������
����������
�������� ����������������� ��������� ������������� ���� ��������������� ����������������������� ��������� ����������������� ������������ ��������� ���
������������������������������������
Look Better NAKED! Move Forward Fitness
13 Week Fitness Program! • Lose Fat! • Gain Muscle! • Speed Metabolism!
GUARANTEED RESULTS! 215-399-3541 • MoveForwardFitness.com Call Today!
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
A departure from the ordinary
Detour
PAGE 18
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
A SECOND DOSE OF
‘NURSE JACKIE’
Out actor talks breakout role on hit series By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer Showtime’s “Nurse Jackie” is back for a second season of all the wicked drama it can muster. The dark comedy starring Edie Falco follows the title character, who juggles prescription-drug abuse and marital infidelity in an effort to keep an even keel in both her demanding job and family life. The premise is made all the more interesting by the almost-equally damaged cast of characters that surrounds her both at work and home, each with his or her own house of cards. One of Jackie’s confidants is Thor, an openly gay fellow nurse who, despite having lost an eye to diabetes, cannot stop eating doughnuts. Thor is played by out actor, writer and cabaret entertainer Stephen Wallem, 42, who has had many years of experience on the stage. “Nurse Jackie” is his first foray
into television. De La Cruz, another gay character on the And it isn’t just any TV show. Already show played by Haaz Sleiman, was writunder intense scrutiny as Falco’s first ten off in the first season. series after the massive success of “The Wallem talked to PGN about getting his Sopranos,” television the show feet wet quickly on such a drew critihigh-procism in its file show, first season as well as from some the controfactions of versy and the medical recognition community that comes for Jackie’s along with less-thanit. ethical PGN: b e h a v i o r. Given your Gay fans extensive also started stage backto worry w h e n EVE BEST(FROM LEFT), EDIE FALCO AND STEPHEN ground, Mohammed WALLEM IN “NURSE JACKIE” TOP PHOTO: ARJUN was it easy “Mo-Mo” GUPTA AND WALLEM Photos: Showtime for you to
make the jump from theater to television? SW: I’ll have to say it was scary. I don’t know if it was easy or hard. It’s such a completely different animal than doing stage. There’s really no textbook for preparing yourself after doing stage for so long. I would say my first day on the set was probably the scariest day of my professional career because you’re thrown into the fire and no one is really there to tell you what to expect. There’s 100 people moving around and doing 200 different jobs. You have to be there and sort of look like you know what you’re doing because time is ticking. After the first two days I sort of got the swing of it. You sort of have to learn as you go along. PGN: Are there any similarities between
yourself and Thor?
SW: Oh yes, more so than not. Thor
was not in the pilot. I actually went in to
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
audition for someone else. They liked me so much that they decided they wanted a whole separate role for me. You really can’t ask for more as an actor than to have something tailored to you. It’s a wonderful but very challenging thing to create a role that is so close to yourself. There’s fact that we’re gay, Thor is [also] diabetic and there’s a lot of out humor that is similar. I love that. But I also love the aspect of Thor being a nurse, which is completely the opposite of what I’m used to. PGN: Are we going to see more of Thor
in the stories than we did in the first season? SW: Yeah. I am very grateful that I’m being given a lot more opportunities this year. I think my relationship with Jackie grows. My relationship with Zoey and the core group of nurses grows as well. Plus, I have opportunities to have moments. I have a wonderful scene with Mrs. Akalitus coming up in some episodes. I’m especially proud of the finale of this season. There’s a scene that Edie and I have that is probably the most serious of my professional career. PGN: Were you worried about Thor’s
future on the show when Mo-Mo’s character left the show? SW: I’ve been asked this so many times. Did my involvement in the show have something to do with Mo-Mo’s exit? Etc. I found out very quickly that even if you tell somebody the truth, people are going to come up with their own assumptions. I’ve accepted that. I just remind people that I was already on the show. So I’m not replacing anybody. Mo’s exit had nothing to do with me whatsoever. PGN: We didn’t think that
was the case. We were just wondering if it was a case of the writer thinking the show only needed one gay character in the cast instead of two. SW: No. Even some major sources were coming to the conclusion that somehow the show was trying to whittle down the gay story lines, which is completely not true. In fact, that’s really ridiculous because the creators of the show are gay, the president of Showtime is gay. You couldn’t ask for a more gayfriendly show on
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 19
television. It had nothing to do with that. The stories evolve the way that they do. There are more than enough gay story lines this season as the viewers will see. PGN: Do you think the show deserves
the criticism is receives from the medial community? SW: There are individuals that criticize the show over that, but what I love is the more nurses that I’ve met and spoken to in person. The majority of the people, especially the majority of nurses, are crazy about the show. The one thing that Edie always says, and I’m sure she’s going to have to defend this through the entire run of the series, is that she’s playing one individual. She’s not representing all nurses. Any time you make a generalization about any group of people, you’re going to run into trouble. So there’s no way that we are saying with this show that all nurses have a problem with drugs. This one individual character does and I know for a fact through other nurses that they know of nurses who are similar to Jackie. Addicts come in all different shapes and forms and have all kinds of jobs out there. All the characters are individuals that just happen to work in the medical field. We don’t represent all of medicine. You could just as easily set this entire cast of character in an office somewhere or an ice-skating rink and we would still have all the same problems. PGN: Do you still find time to perform
cabaret shows?
SW: I’m ready to mount another one
very soon. I did one right away when I got to New York last year. But it’s been about a year. That’s really where my heart is. That’s where my heart will always be. I’ve been on the stage since I was 7 years old. I’ve been singing and dancing for a very long time. This is the longest I’ve gone without doing something on the stage. I think that will always be a part of who I am. It’s essential that I always find time or a way to nurture that side of myself. The truth is, we only work for 12 weeks out of the year. We do 12
WALLEM
episodes and we shoot two episodes at once. So every two weeks, we’re shooting two episodes. That leaves a lot of time the rest of the year. So I welcome any and all opportunities to do work. PGN: As a playwright, would you ever
want to write for the show or for television? SW: I don’t think so. I like the idea of being compartmentalized with this project as far as my only job being to be an actor. It is tough because I have directed and I am a writer as well. [But] I like the idea of just having to focus on doing my job for this project, otherwise you try to take too much on. I know there are hundreds of examples of actors on TV shows eventually directing an episode. I don’t see that happening with me on this project. I’ll leave that responsibility up to somebody else. It’s a wonderful surprise to get a new script every week and really not know what’s going to happen next or know that I don’t have to work on it, change it or fix it. In this case I just love being an actor. PGN: Has the show lured more people to
your performances or opened any other doors for you? SW: I’ve gotten a lot more exposure this season than I did last season. I certainly hope that will lead to other opportunities I might not have had if I had not been on the show. I’ve certainly am sent out on a lot more auditions than I would have been if I had not been a part of the show. There’s always that fear that people will only see you in one way. I certainly hope that my experience and my abilities can keep people minds open to the idea that I am able to do something more than just be Thor. I think the fact that this exposure happened to be later in life, after I’ve been doing stage work completely anonymously for so long, is going to help with having the confidence to know that I do have the ability and experience to do all sorts of different things. ■ “Nurse Jackie” can be seen Mondays at 10 p.m. on Showtime. For more information on Stephen Wallem, visit stephenwallem.com. Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
PAGE 20
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
Author pens new play on HIV/AIDS impact on minorities By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer
and women.” The out lesbian has also written books close to the subject matter of “Shrink Wrap,” including the Philadelphia self-help book “Introducing ROE: author, activist Rules of Engagement,” the novels and director Kati “Victimhood: A Survivor Story” “Jazzy” Grayand “Twisted Sister” and shortSadler will debut story collection “Love Has No her new play, Gender.” “Shrink Rap,” on Even with her strong literary April 25. background, Gray-Sadler said she Inspired by t h e g r o w i n g KATI “JAZZY” needed some help when conceptur a t e o f H I V / GRAY-SADLER alizing “Shrink Wrap.” “I did a considerable amount of AIDS infections among minorities, Gray-Sadler research on it through the assisaddresses relationship indiscre- tance of my partner, who is a scitions and potential effects of the entist and doctor in the field for the [Centers for Disease Control],” disease in daily life. “There doesn’t seem to be a lot she said. Gray-Sadler was relatively of attention that the media gives to it,” she said. “It continues to tight-lipped about the play’s plot, increase and that worries me, par- saying she didn’t want to give too ticularly as it relates to minorities much away.
“I want people to come out and see the work. It’s pretty mysterious and it had a huge mesmerizing impact on the audience. My work has focused on victimization — particularly victimized individuals from the LGBT community via hate crimes, discrimination and health issues. This particular project focuses on healthy relationships as well as HIV/AIDS and its effect on daily lives. The focus is on five characters. They represent the gamut, from heterosexual to homosexual to I-just-don’t-knowwhat-the-hell-I-am-today. Each and every last one of the characters in the play will leave you deep in thought, resonating about experiences you may have had. I don’t think anyone is going to walk away from this production without feeling renewed and empowered.”
For the premiere of the play, Gray-Sadler has arranged a networking reception before the performance, and invited the University of Pennsylvania’s HIV Prevention Division and The Mazzoni Center to host information tables and provide entertainment during intermission. “Initially, my thinking was to reach out to the academic and the scientific community that does research in the area and to bridge the gap between their research and their platform with performing arts,” the author said. “I choose to use performing arts as my platform and my stage to reach the people that are potentially most affected by incorporating social awareness into the performing arts. Let’s give performing arts a broader stroke of a purpose — as opposed to something that is for-
mulated just to purely entertain — but subliminally educate and create awareness about some really tough subjects.” Gray-Sadler added that while the premiere of “Shrink Wrap” is only scheduled for one night, she plans to stage more performances in the near future. “We will travel the Delaware Valley with one-night, limited performances, hitting the major hubs and focusing on gay pride initiatives,” she said. “Shrink Wrap” premieres at 6 p.m. April 25 at International House’s Ibrahim Theatre, 3701 Chestnut St. The networking reception begins at 5 p.m. Advance tickets are available at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
Philadelphia Gay News
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 21
Offline Bruce Yelk Gay Pride springs eternal in this town I need to start by thanking everyone who participated in the 2010 Mr. Gay Philadelphia competition. From our sponsors and volunteers to the outstanding hosting job executed by Frank DeCaro and Brittany Lynn, to the live performances of EstephanoRay DiSanto, Paolo Andino and Jonny McGovern to the deepest field in Mr. Gay Philadelphia history, we collectively raised the bar for all future Nightlifegay. com events. I also extend my warmest congratulations to Mr. Gay Philadelphia 2010, Ryan Mattis. Ryan is the total package, and will be an exceptional representative of Philadelphia’s LGBT community throughout the year. Make sure to mark your calendar for Nov. 13, when Philadelphia will host the Mr. Gay United States competition at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St. To view photos from the 2010 Mr. Gay Philadelphia competition, visit Nightlifegay.com and the “Gay Philly” page on Facebook. Now let’s look forward to the next few months, which I affectionately refer to as Philadelphia’s “LGBT Pride Season.” Whereas most cities have a week or month in the summer dedicated to gay pride, Philadelphia has a series of Pride events staggered through-
out the late spring, summer and early fall. We’ve got Black Gay Pride going on now, Equality Forum in early May, Philadelphia Gay Pride in June and OutFest in October. When added to regional pride festivals, such as New Hope Celebrates in Bucks County, we’ve got more Pride than any other city in the country. While many of the marquee events are well publicized and attended, there are many educational, social and community-building activities that fly under the radar. After Black Gay Pride culminates this weekend, Equality Forum’s weeklong celebration will begin on April 26. Here is a preview of some worthy Equality Forum events you might not know about. — Women’s Party: Battle of the DJs, 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m. April 28 at Sisters, 1320 Chancellor St. In addition to the women’s closing party after SundayOUT, Equality Forum will host a mid-week party at Sisters. Many local lesbian DJs will square off against one another at Sisters. With drink specials on tap and bragging rights on the line, this is certain to be one of the most entertaining and exciting events during Equality Forum 2010. — Film screening: “Preacher’s Sons,” 7:30-9:30 p.m. April 30 at Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad St. This year’s festival will feature two provocative new films. The first, “Preacher’s Sons,” is the story
of a white gay couple, The Rev. Greg Stewart and Stillman, who adopt five black sons. Set in the American heartland, it’s a touching and humorous tale of a family that fights racism and homophobia daily. Tickets are only $5, and the ticketing window will open at 7 p.m. Friday. — Student Youth Welcome Mixer: 8-9 p.m. April 30 at the University of Pennsylvania LGBT Student Center, 3907 Spruce St. As the visibility and social acceptance of openly LGBT individuals has steadily increased over the last several decades, higher-education institutions have helped lead the way. This trend continues as Equality Forum, Equality Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Student Unity Project invite LGBT students from all area colleges and
universities to a dessert reception at the UPenn LGBT Center. The event is free for all students. — Cabaret and dancing: 10 p.m.-2 a.m. April 30 at Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac St. Blow off steam and throw back a few cocktails at Tavern’s top floor, the Ascend Lounge. It’s the perfect way to mark the end of a busy week and kick off the weekend. — Film screening: “Out in the Silence,” from 7:30-9:30 p.m. May 1 at Arts Bank. Set in rural Pennsylvania, this film explores the ripple effects caused by a same-sex wedding announcement on the friends, family and community of those involved. A Q&A with the filmmakers, Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer, will follow the film. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the theater on
Saturday evening. — National Same-Sex Commitment Ceremony: 2:30 p.m. May 2 at The Piazza and Liberties Walk, North Second Street and Germantown Avenue. During SundayOUT at The Piazza, LGBT couples are invited to reaffirm their commitment to one another, and raise awareness of the more-than 1,100 federal marital benefits denied to those in same-sex relationships. Beyond the preceding events, Equality Forum has a wide range activities taking place this week. Visit equalityforum.com for all the details. In the meantime, email questions or comments to Bruce@nightlifegay.com. ’Til next time, get offline and see what your community has to offer! ■
PAGE 22
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 23
Dining OUT for Life
218 S. 16th St., Phila. 215-732-8888
Saturday & Sunday Vegan Brunch
BYOB Gift Cards Available
www.milahvegetarian.com
K O S H E R
K O S H E R
K O S H E R
SINGAPORE
Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant
TAKE-OUT AVAILABLE • “Excellent” - Zagat Survey 1997 - 2009 • “Best vegetarian restaurant” - Seven Arts 1997 • “Excellent vegetarian artistry” - Gerald Etter 1995 • “Unbeatable breathless feasting” - Elaine Tait 1993 • Best of Philly 1993 • Best Kosher Restaurant in Chinatown Reservations Recommended
KAROKE NIGHT EVERY FRIDAY BYOB • All Major Credit Cards Accepted Banquets & Catering Available Including Bar & Bat Mitzvahs
1006 Race St. Phila • 215-922-3288
Parking at 929 Race Free Delivery in Center City (Minimum $20)
������������������������ 1601 Cherry Street | Philadelphia, PA 19102 Phone: 215. 568.2667 | Fax: 215.568.2557 www.mexicanpost.com
PAGE 24
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 25
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 26
Family Portraits In 1991, Sally Jesse Raphael broke the mold with her program theme “Breaking the Stereotype: Lesbians Who Don’t Look Like Lesbians.” This was way before “The L Word” lesbian-chic era and about the time the phrase “lipstick lesbian” emerged. At the time, politics dictated that femmes weren’t supposed to get along, but upon meeting Robin Durand, a fellow Taurus and lipstick lesbian, we got along immediately. If you haven’t met Durand, she is a bodacious blonde with a powerhouse of a voice. I’ve been treated once or twice to her tear-the-house-down version of “I Will Survive.” What I didn’t know was that she comes from show biz lineage. A quick Google search of her family taught me that: During the 1950s and ’60s, her father, Tom Durand, was one of the main personalities on the popular radio station WTTM. He was the first voice heard on WTTM back in 1942, saying “testing, testing ...” before the station officially signed on, and he anchored the morning program for many years assisted by his wife Billie. The two were local celebrities for many years. PGN: So Ms. Durand, where were you born? RD: I’m from Trenton, N.J. I grew up in a row home in West Trenton, which is now a major drug area. It was a mixed neighborhood — a lot of Catholics as well as a large Jewish population from two big synagogues nearby. Unfortunately, after one black family moved in, all the people who lived there moved away. I think they call it “white flight.” It’s a terrible, shameful thing. My family chose to stay. PGN: Family? RD: I have an older sister who still lives in New Jersey and is a mom now. She adopted a son, Zachary, or Ziggy as we like to call him, from the Philippines.
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
Suzi Nash He goes to Temple and I just found out that he’s moving to Chinatown, so I’m excited to have him close by! My dad was a radio announcer when we were growing up. It was a fun way to grow up because, to make extra money — there wasn’t a lot of money in radio back then — he would go around to different theaters, like the Bucks County Playhouse or the Lambertville Music Circus and interview the stars. We got to go to a lot of shows and concerts for free and meet some really interesting people. My dad had a morning show and, when I was a teenager I would say, “It’s so nice to be able to turn my father off in the mornings!” PGN: I understand the whole family worked. RD: I was about 3 years old when I started. We had a lipsync/pantomime act. Since my father was a celebrity in New Jersey, people came out to see the Durand family act. People thought that we were really singing. It was my first taste of the limelight. [Laughs.] I don’t know how anyone could have expected me to be normal when my mother would send me to school with notes saying, “Please excuse the curlers in Robin’s hair; she has a show tonight.” We did a performance at my school, which was pretty cool. I was a little celebrity. PGN: What other theatrical stuff did you do? RD: I sang in the church choir. That started at a very early age. There was a theater company in Chambersburg, which was the Italian section of Trenton, run by a guy named Tony Petito. I was kind of shy at first and nobody, including me, knew that I could do the “Sing out, Louise” thing. I was always in the background or part of the chorus. At my high school, we
had 4,000 people and I kind of got lost in the crowd. Then one summer, Tony got a chance to run the Washington’s Crossing Outdoor summer theater and he was putting on “How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying.” I don’t remember how it happened or what broke me out of my shell, but I got the album and learned “Love From a Heart of Gold” and went to the audition. I belted out the song and blew the place away. The character was this sexy redheaded secretary, Hedy LaRue, and I really got into it. It was a big surprise because they didn’t know I had that power. One of the reviews said: “When Robin Durand came on the stage with every inch of her joie de vivre, one audience member was heard to comment, ‘That isn’t a girl — that’s a whole parade!’” PGN: Where did you go to school? RD: I took non-credit classes at Rider University. My sister was the more studious one. She was the perfect child with the straight A’s, and I wanted to study at one of the theatrical playhouses. My parents were really against it, but my grandmother gave me the money to study theater at home at Rider. They had a great theater program there that became very well known. The directors of the program also ran the Theatre in the Park in Trenton and it was there that I really came into my own doing musical theater. PGN: Most unusual job? RD: I worked at a pet store for one day. I walked in, and the first job the manager gave me was the last. He told me to take a mouse, put it in a paper bag and slam it against the wall and feed it to one of the snakes. I turned around and walked back out. PGN: Tell me about coming
ROBIN DURAND
out. RD: Because both of my parents were into theater, we always had people at the house singing around the piano and, of course, a lot of them were gay. So even though I led a basically heterosexual lifestyle, I was always comfortable in the gay community. When my parents moved to Lambertville, I hung out at the Cartwheel and Prelude and had a few same-sex experiences. I also performed at the drag shows, where I would sing along with the records so I could be heard over the recording. I’d get all glammed up and all the drag queens wanted to borrow my clothes, so I guess I was a lipstick lesbian even before I came out! I went to the clubs because I had gay-male friends and then, one night, I was at the Zodiac and met this woman and knew that I was going to be with her. It was easy: I was immediately comfortable with it. That was 30 years ago and I haven’t been with a man since. PGN: Back in the day, you and I were both lipstick lesbians. What were your challenges? RD: It could be difficult: There was always a political side to being a lesbian back then. I always felt that I was a strong woman, but because I looked feminine, I’d get attitude. Most of the time, I was dating fabulous butch women, so I always felt protected, but I remember at the opening of what was then the women’s bar in the
2/4 Club, someone made some nasty comments about lipstick lesbians. I wrote a letter that got printed in the PGN about the fact that there were all kinds of gay people in this world and we should all be entitled to express ourselves however we felt comfortable. PGN: You and Ronni Rodriguez were a lesbian power couple back in the day. RD: I guess so, people knew us. Ronni ran the 2/4 Club, so she was very visible in the community. We’re still close to this day; I just spoke to her yesterday. PGN: You were also friends with [the late] Karen Young, who was famous for the disco hit “Hot Shots.” RD: Yes, it was actually on my first date with Ronni that I met her. We went to Equus and Karen was playing piano. I’d eased away from the group and went over to the piano. I was softly singing along and she stopped and said, “Hey, come here, why don’t you sing something?” A lot of piano players/ singers don’t like to share their spotlight, but she was really gracious. I sang “What I did for Love” and Ronni heard it and it sealed the deal on our romance! After that, Karen and I became friends and she actually helped me get singing gigs with her. PGN: A memorable experience from that time period? RD: Back in 1976, the National
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
Organization for Women sponsored a train ride. They had all female passengers and even female conductors running the train. I was invited by a few of the women who were in charge of the event to go to the Latin Casino to see Lily Tomlin perform. At the time, I was going through a rough patch and had been pretty much kicked out of my house and was living out of a bag, which I carried with me at all times. When we went to see Lily Tomlin, we got to go backstage. We wanted to get an autograph so I looked in my bag for something for her to sign. I pulled out a white personal vibrator and everyone laughed. She signed it with a big purple marker, “Thinking of you ... Lily Tomlin.” Years later, I sent her a telegram when she was performing on Broadway that read, “I got your ‘vibe’ at the Latin Casino, would love to come see your show.” I went up with my partner and Lily’s partner, Jane Wagner, took us backstage to see her. When I thanked her for seeing us, she said in a low, playful voice, “The pleasure was mine ... ” PGN: You said you hit a rough patch; what happened? RD: I was in a really bad car accident when I was 20. I was headed for church one Sunday morning and a car, also going to church, hit our car head on. I was the only one seriously hurt and it took them two-anda-half hours just to get me out of the car. They told my mother that they didn’t know if they could save my eye or if I would ever see again. I don’t remember much, but I woke up in the hospital with a pin through my knee, a cast on my arm, my face ripped up and 50 pounds of traction. I stayed in the hospital for five months and, on my 21st birthday, they put me in a full-body cast and sent me home. My sister had had a spinal fusion when she was 15, so they figured the family knew how to deal with someone who was bedridden. It changed me in a lot of ways: I still have things both physically and emotionally that go back to the accident. It put a real strain on my relationship with the family. PGN: What’s up now? RD: Things are not bad, though I’m facing different health problems. In 2005, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and my mother developed Alzheimer’s
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
disease. I was able to take care of her until she died, and now I’m focusing on keeping myself healthy. [Laughs.] In one year, my mother died, I went through menopause and I was diagnosed with MS! It was one heck of a year, but I’m doing well now. I think a lot of it is about attitude, and I work to keep mine positive. PGN: What’s a good family memory? RD: My mom and I decided to take theater courses in New York at HB Studio. She was taking classes with Earle Hyman, who used to play the grandfather on “The Cosby Show.” [Note: He’s also related to the late Philadelphia singer Phyllis Hyman.] I was taking musical theater classes at the same time so we used to take the train together every Saturday. We were so similar that we could have a very volatile relationship at times, but those train rides allowed us to get closer and it was a nice period in our lives. PGN: Favorite toy as a kid? RD: I had a Jackie Kennedy doll that I just adored. She was beautiful. PGN: You are a true lipstick lesbian! I drew the line at dolls. RD: Well, you have a little bit of a sporty side to you, having two athletic brothers. In my case, even my dad was on the softer side. He was into jazz and classical music, he hated sports and loved the theater. We sometimes joked and said that he missed his calling. As you can see from his picture! [Shows a picture of her dad dressed to the nines and looking like Tommy Tune.] PGN: Fun holiday memory? RD: Because my father had to be on the air at 6 in the morning, we used to have our Christmas before he went into work. I didn’t know it was strange, I though everybody celebrated Christmas at 4 a.m.! PGN: You spoke about being in the Italian section of Trenton. What’s your heritage? RD: I’m Irish, English and, of course, French — D`u rahnd. I’m also proud to say I have some Cherokee Indian from my mom’s side. She’s from Oklahoma, and everybody from there has some sort of Indian heritage, don’t they? In this case, her grandmother was full-blooded Cherokee. I have a
picture of her at 104 years old with a long braid and a beautiful handmade outfit. PGN: Any experience with violence? RD: We had a terrible occasion when we were in Trenton. This was when I was in high school. My father was out walking the dog and he came home and said, “Call an ambulance, I’ve been shot!” Since my father was well known, the state police were called in and a full investigation was launched, but they never found out who did it. I think, in the end, it might have just been some kids shooting guns down by the tracks who accidentally shot him and panicked. At the time, it was on the front page
PAGE 27
of the Trenton Times and The Trentonian. PGN: Craziest theater experience? RD: Well, I don’t know about crazy, but in the’70s there was a show called “Let My People Come” that played at Grendel’s Lair on South Street. Two guys who were customers at my girlfriend’s club knew that I could sing and, when the lead actor in the show got tonsillitis, they asked if I could step in. I don’t know if you know the show, but it was really racy and, like in the musical “Hair” at the end, everyone gets naked. I did one show and was so uncomfortable they had to bring in the director, Otto Maximilian, from New York to
try to get me to relax. The ironic part is that the show is supposed to be about being comfortable with your body, and I was so stressed by it, I only did about two more shows! Not a good fit. PGN: Hobbies? RD: My cat is everything to me. He’s my baby. I don’t know if he’s a Taurus or a Gemini. And I still like to sing as well. Ronni’s coming to visit in June, so maybe I’ll come to your karaoke night and do “I Will Survive” for old-time’s sake ... ■ To suggest a community member for “Family Portraits,” write to: Family Portraits, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 or portraits05@aol.com.
Q Puzzle A Fortunate Homosexual Man Across
1. Evita portrayer Ackerman 5. George of “It’s My Party” 10. Get hot under the collar 14. “East of Eden” brother 15. Butt heads 16. Some have it to grind 17. Historic Stonewall event 18. Jamaican cultist 19. It reveals a drag queen’s thighs 20. Soap with Ricky Martin during the ’90s 23. Lure into wrongdoing 24. Claim 25. He wrote “Englishman in New York” as a tribute to Quentin Crisp 26. Gal. eighths 29. Cicilline staffers 30. Lid for Barrie 31. Tennis great Navratilova 33. 1996 Broadway play with Ricky Martin 38. Obama’s middle name 39. Caesar’s football squads? 41. Runway walker 44. Gaydar, for example 45. Bounteous 47. Britten’s “Billy Budd” and “Peter Grimes” 49. Not straight up 50. Song by Ricky Martin 54. Town in O-o-o-o-oklahoma 55. Like Everett, as a movie husband 56. Club for Sheehan 57. Stiff bristle 58. Peter of “Say Uncle” 59. Not straight 60. Disney sci-fi flick 61. Where priests come together 62. Puts into service
Down
1. Penile boast, perhaps 2. Monopoly avenue 3. Quickie hour, for some
4. Status that George O’Malley had to repeat 5. Recycled metal 6. Jerusalem server 7. Slang for vagina 8. Memo start 9. Tibetan capital 10. Like “all my sisters with me” 11. Came together 12. Get by somehow 13. Gertrude Stein in Paris, and others 21. “The Advocate”, to detractors 22. Backup strategy 26. Out 27. Kilmer poem 28. “Take it off!” 31. Third notes, to Bernstein 32. Magneto portrayer McKellen 34. Nicollette of “Desperate Housewives” 35. Disney film set in China 36. Checks out thoroughly 37. Breast enlarging material 40. Curve-cutting lines 41. Harass
42. Donor of two cents 43. “Hoffa” director 45. One ___ time (no threesomes!) 46. California home of Streisand 48. You don’t want to get pink ones 49. Sat on one’s bottom 51. Every 24 hours 52. Blood line 53. “Otello” villain
PAGE 28
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
PAGE 29
Out actor sings new play’s tunes By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer “Five women go out to celebrate an engagement and they go out to a karaoke bar,” described out actress Alexandra Rush as the premise of her current theater gig. “It follows their night and you get some reflection and memories.” Wait, this sounds familiar. “It’s ‘Desperate Housewives’ meets ‘Sex and the City’ meets ‘Mamma Mia.’ It’s about friendships we’ve held on to over time, the friends and family we hold near and dear to our hearts, that we love no matter what.” Hold on. Is “Menopause: The Musical” coming back? Is “Respect: A Musical Journey of Women” being held over? Not exactly, but the show Rush is talking about, “Girls Night: The Musical,” sounds eerily similar to the aforementioned productions. “Girls Night” runs through May 23 at the Kimmel Center’s Innovation Studio. And since it features Rush, a rising 23-yearold Haverford-born gay talent, our interest in the production has been piqued.
“I’ve been interdeep and caring. She’s ested in this my whole very good at hiding it, life,” Rush said about though.” landing the role. “I’ve Like Carol, the cast been trying to get into of “Girls Night” aims acting professionally to be the life of the for a long time. I went party, working hard onto the Philadelphia to get the audience Theater Alliance’s into the music and the website and they had show. a posting for the audi“We love breaktion. I read a little blurb ing the fourth wall,” about it and I thought, Rush said. “We love ALEXANDRA RUSH this looks like an aweaudience participation some show. I saw a and we encourage it. I listing of the different songs that think that more intimate settings they had in the show and I was work better. We can get really just like, wow, that is a lot of great close to the audience and they can songs all packed into one show. I get involved.” got really excited about that.” The title may be “Girls Night,” Rush plays Carol in “Girls but Rush said that everyone is Night,” a character she describes invited to this party, especially the as the love child of Peg Bundy gays. from “Married With Children” “There’re so many wonderful and Rizzo from “Grease.” songs, like ‘It’s Raining Men,’ (Now that coupling would make ‘I Will Survive’ and ‘Girls Just a great stage show!) Wanna Have Fun.’ I hear that at “She’s the life of the party,” Rush the karaoke bar that I go to in the said of Carol. “She’s cool, but Gayborhood all the time. It really she’s a little tacky without know- reminds me of when I go out to ing. She’s the leader of the pack. karaoke and I don’t necessarily go She’s strong. And yet beneath out to straight bars. I think a lot that cool and calm exterior, she’s of people can relate to this. I think
worth watching: FRIDAY Who Do You Think You Are This week, the show produced by out actor Dan Bucatinsky looks into the family history of Susan Sarandon. 8 p.m. on NBC. SATURDAY The Wanda Sykes Show The out comedian hosts her outrageous talk show. 11 p.m. on Fox. Saturday Night Live Gabourey Sidibe (“Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire”) hosts and MGMT performs. 11:30 p.m. on NBC. SUNDAY The Amazing Race The lesbian team is gone, so root for remaining gay competitor Dan with his brother Jordan. 8 p.m. on CBS. Brothers & Sisters Look for out characters Kevin and Scotty. 9 p.m. on ABC.
Celebrity Apprentice Cyndi Lauper competes to raise money for her charity, the True Colors Fund of Stonewall Community Foundation. 9 p.m. on NBC. MONDAY Dancing With The Stars Look for gay dancer Louis Van Amstel. 8 p.m. on ABC. House Look for bisexual character Thirteen is this new episode. 8 p.m. on Fox. How I Met Your Mother Out actor Neil Patrick Harris stars as womanizer Barney. 8 p.m. on CBS. RuPaul’s Drag Race The last three queens face their final challenge. 9 p.m. on Logo. Trauma Look for gay character Tyler, who is celebrating his birthday this week, in this medical drama. 9 p.m. on NBC.
it’s relatable to all genders and most ages above teens.” With Rush only above teens herself, we had to ask if there were any similarities between her and the farther-above-teens character of Carol. “Not too much,” she said. “Emotionally, we’ve been through a lot and we’re stronger because of the things we have been through. I did not relate to her at first when I got this role, but I really feel this character now. I feel very attached to her.” Also, with each character getting her own solo performances throughout the show, we had to ask if one character has a better batch of songs than the others. “That’s very difficult [to answer] because we all have different songs and they’re all incredible,” she said. “But I wouldn’t want to be playing any other character.” “Girls Night: The Musical” runs through May 23 at Kimmel’s Innovation Studio, 260 S. Broad St. For more information, call (215) 790-5847. ■
Sat. 4/24, 5:30-7 p.m. Philip Clark, Jim Cory, and others read from
“Persistent Voices:
Poetry by Writers Lost to AIDS”
Sun. 4/25, 5:30-7 p.m. Philadelphia author Tom Mendicino,
“Probation: A Novel” MON. - SAT. 11:30 - 7p.m. SUNDAY 1:00 - 7p.m. email: giovannis_room@verizon.net
Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
Gay is our middle name.
TUESDAY American Idol Out comedian and talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres judges. 8 p.m. on Fox. The Big Gay Sketch Show Gay-themed sketch comedy. 10 p.m. on Logo. WEDNESDAY America’s Next Top Model Tyra Banks, with out fashion cohorts Jay Hernandez and Miss J. Alexander, run this reality competition. 8 p.m. on CW. The New Adventures of Old Christine Out comedian Wanda Sykes costars. 8 p.m. on CBS. Modern Family Look for gay couple Mitchell and Cameron. 9 p.m. on ABC. Law & Order: SVU Look for out actor B.D. Wong. 10 p.m. on NBC. THURSDAY Grey’s Anatomy Look for out characters Callie and Arizona. 9 p.m. on ABC.
‘MODERN’ ROCK: Out character Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) fills in as the drummer for a rock band in the hilarious mockumentary-style sitcom “Modern Family,” 9 p.m. April 28 on ABC. Photo: Adam Taylor
Queer TV you can always see: The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Monday-Friday, 3 p.m. on NBC. The Rachel Maddow Show
Monday-Friday, 9 p.m. on MSNBC.
PAGE 30
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
Food & Drink Directory
Happy Hour 6pm - 8pm
Movie Night Wed. @ 8 pm
A Night of Industry
Mon. 8pm - 12 am
Saturday Lunch & Sunday Brunch 12-3pm
Open Mon thru Sat 8am to 10pm, Sun 8am to 4pm (215) 925-1150 800 North 4th Street Philadelphia 19123 www.honeys-restaurant.com
Happy Hour Mon-Fri 5:30-7:30 $2.50 Domestics $3.50 Imports $3.50 Well Drinks $2.50 PBR and Miller High Life bottles all day every day
Rainbow Award Best Bar and Bartender 2008, 2009 Fox Philly Best Gay and Lesbian Bar 2008, 2009
DINNER SERVED NIGHTLY 255 S. Camac St., Philadelphia, Pa. (215) 545-8731
Hours: Mon. - Fri. 4-2, Sat. - Sun. 12 -2 1305 Locust St., Phila, PA 19107
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 31
’Round the world in 2 (local) restaurants By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer With the weather getting nicer outside, we wanted to see what was on the spring menus of the city’s better-known establishments. And we were gratified, as we quickly found some new favorites dishes. We were lured to Xochitl (pronounced “so-cheet”), 408 S. Second St., because its guacamole ($8) has been proclaimed the best in the city. For the record, it featured the kind of texture and spice we love in guacamole and did not disappoint. But even if it’s the best we’ve had in recent memory, the search for the best guac in the city will soldier on. There are far better things on Xochitl’s menu, which blends the familiarity of classic Mexican cuisine with ingredients that are well off the overly tread path of excessive cheeses and boring meats. The cazuela de chorizo y papa ($8) was a spicy and satisfying casserole of chorizo, potatoes and kale. The tostada de tinga ($7) was also a tasty treat, piled high with chicken, avocado and sour cream. Xochitl also whips up a damn fine ceviche. The platija (fluke ceviche, $12) had a pleasantly strong flavor, thanks to healthy portions of lime and pico de gallo. The camarones (shrimp ceviche, $13) was also a welcome surprise, with just a hint of passion-fruit sweetness wrapped in bibb lettuce. If you get nothing else at Xochitl, you have to get the tacos, which go above and beyond the call of goodness with inventive flavors and textures. The carnitas de pollo ($10) benefits greatly from the crispy skin on the chicken. The baja tacos are even better, with marinated mahimahi, a subtle grilled pineapple, avocado and watercress. But the biggest surprise was the mar y terra tacos ($12), a surf ’n’ turf taco with tender braised brisket, whipped bacalao (salted and dried sea cod) and pickled fennel. The combination was tender, tasty and addictive.
PGN
We’re not proud ourselves for doing this, but when we tried the desserts — the piping-hot churros ($7) and the wonderfully creamy flan ($6), — we found that the two worked better together than apart. So when you hear on the street that we were slathering flan all over our churros, yes, we did it — and it was amazing! Across town, we were also delighted by the romantically elegant and formal atmosphere, as well as the skillfully prepared Tuscan menu, at Il Portico, 1519 Walnut St. It may be a world away from Xochitl as far as vibe and cuisine, but both restaurants have obviously put a great deal of thought and passion into their menus. Chef Alberto Delbello’s menu at Il Portico is first-class all the way, with an overwhelming sense of freshness in the ingredients. The most pleasant of surprises on the menu came early with the involtini di mozzarella ($11.95), a portion of the cheese cooked to perfection and bathed in a wonderful mushroom broth and anchovies. Other dishes, such as the risotto ai frutti di mare ($21.95) and the featured pesce misto, were especially notable for the freshness and quality of the seafood. The latter was
a bonanza of shrimp, swordfish, mussels, calamari and lobster, all broiled in chardonnay and topped with oregano. With that type of oceanic menagerie, it was surprising to find everything on the plate so expertly prepared and seasoned. From the casual to the formal, both of these restaurants are not to be missed. Additionally, Xochitl is participating in Dining Out for Life on April 29. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
If you go Xochitl 408 S. Second St. (215) 238-7280 www.xochitlphilly.com Open for dinner daily Il Portico 1519 Walnut St. (215) 587-7000 www.il-portico.com Open for lunch Monday through Friday and dinner daily
Fresh and Healthy Food
Dine In, Take Out, Free Delivery, BYOB Philadelphia, PA
Lunch Special, Dinner Special 3 courses - until 6 p.m.
2028 Chestnut St.,
between 20th and 21st sts.
215-568-7058
PGN Gay is our middle name.
PAGE 32
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Diversions
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
Your guide to arts and entertainment
Theater
August: Osage County Academy Award-winner Estelle Parsons stars as Violet Weston, a pillpopping, deeply unsettled woman dealing with the disappearance of her alcoholic husband and her extended family in this dark comedy, April 27-May 2 at Forrest Theater, 1114 Walnut St.; (215) 893-1999. Fallen Angels Walnut Street Theatre presents a comedy about bored wives, old flames and high society, through May 2, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550. Girls Night: The Musical Follow five friends as they relive their past, celebrate their present and look to the future on a hilarious karaoke night out, through May 23 at Kimmel’s Innovation Studio, 260 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. The Lion King The Kimmel Center’s Broadway Series presents the wildly successful stage adaptation of the hit animated film, through April 24 at the Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. A Queer Divine Out performance artist and juggler Sara Felder stars in a new solo comedy, 7 p.m. April 24 at The Wilma Theatre, 265 S. Broad St., and April 26 at Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St.; www.sarafelder.com. Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins Philadelphia Theatre Company presents Kathleen Turner starring in this world-premiere play written by noted journalists and twin sisters Margaret and
Music other
Contemporary Folklore The James A. Michener Tony Enos Art Museum presents an The out singer kicks off exhibition on the works of his national tour with a four regional artists, mining performance at 7 p.m. April both collective and personal 23 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, stories to create sculptures that retell new histories, 1315 Spruce St.; www. through June 13, 138 S. myspace.com/tonyenos. Pine St., Doylestown; (215) 340-9800. Janis Ian
Allison Engel, celebrating the life of the acclaimed columnist, through April 25, at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; (215) 985-0420. Respect: A Musical Journey of Women Society Hill Playhouse presents an exuberant musical that recounts the journey of women in the 20th century with popular music, through May 23, 507 S. Eighth St.; (215) 923-0210. Romeo and Juliet The Acting Company and the Guthrie Theater combine forces in this production of the classic love story, through April 24 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; (215) 898-3900. Rooms 11th Hour Theatre Company presents the story of two ambitious artists trying to stay together through the punk and new-wave explosion of the late 1970s and early ’80s, through May 2 at the Independence Black Box at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; (267) 9879865. Shining City Plays and Players Theatre presents the story of two men in Dublin dealing with the ghosts of their pasts and seeking redemption, through April 25, 1714 Delancey St.; (215) 2184022. Sick The Walnut Street Theatre’s Studio 5 presents a dark comedy about one family’s attempts to keep out the “sickness” of the world by isolating itself in a house where all the windows are covered with plastic, through May 2, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 574-3550.
The out singer-songwriter performs at 8 p.m. April 23 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 136 N. Main St., Sellersville; (215) 2573000.
RETURN OF THE ‘KING’: Out singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and all-around guitar wizard Kaki King is back with yet another great album, the espionage-themed “Junior.” Check her out when she rocks the house at 8 p.m. April 28 at TLA, 334 South St. For more information, visit www.kakiking.com or call (215) 922-1011.
When We Go Upon The Sea InterAct Theatre Company presents a world-premiere production written by Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-nominated playwright Lee Blessing, imagining George W. Bush at a hotel in The Hague the night before going on trial for international war crimes, through May 9 on the Mainstage of The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St.; (215) 568-8079. William Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part I Lantern Theater Company presents Shakespeare’s historical play, through May 2 at St. Stephen’s Theater, 923 Ludlow St.; (215) 829-0395.
Music classical The Great American Tenor Peter Nero and the Philly Pops perform a tribute to
Mario Lanza, 8 p.m. April 23 and 3 p.m. April 24-25 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. The Jack Wolgin Orchestral Concerts Curtis Symphony Orchestra performs an evening of classical selections, 8 p.m. April 24 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Hagen Quartet Philadelphia Chamber Music Society presents a performance by the awardwinning ensemble, 8 p.m. April 28 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Yuja Wang The Kimmel Center presents the Beijing-born piano phenom, 8 p.m. April 29 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
Anais Mitchell The Righteous Babe Records-approved singersongwriter performs at 7 p.m. April 24 at Tin Angel, 20 N. Second St.; (215) 928-0770. The Church The rock band performs an acoustic show at 8 p.m. April 24 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 136 N. Main St., Sellersville; (215) 2573000. Sugar Town Tunnel and Rumorosa perform this evening of girl-rockers and DJs, 9 p.m. April 24 at Tritone, 1508 South St.; (215) 5450475. Echo & The Bunnymen The alt-rock band performs at 8 p.m. April 25 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650.
Exhibits
Ancient Rome & America The National Constitution Center presents an exhibition of rare artifacts from Italy and the United States, including excavated remains from Pompeii and Roman busts of Julius Caesar and Cicero, through Aug. 1, 525 Arch St.; (215) 409-6600.
For Ruthie: Ruth Krauss, Maurice Sendak and Their Young Philosophers The Rosenbach Museum presents an exhibition exploring the working relationship between the two authors, through June 21, 2008-2010 Delancey Place; (215) 732-1600. The Hermaphrodites: Living in Two Worlds Wexler Gallery presents a group show focusing on figural sculptures that embody the literal definition of hermaphrodites (encompassing both genders) and the conceptual nature of the term, through May 1, 201 N. Third St.; (215) 923-7030. Inspiring a Nation The National Constitution Center hosts an exhibition featuring World War I posters created by Philadelphia Sketch Club artists, through April 25, 525 Arch St.; (215) 4096700. Luminous Encounters Bahdeebahdu presents an exhibition of photography by multimedia artist R. Lane Clark, projecting elemental images from nature, color or hand-drawn textures onto the bodies of models, through May 8, 1522 N. American St.; (215) 627-5002. Moore Adventures in Wonderland The Rosenbach Museum
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
presents a Marianne Moore and “Alice in Wonderland”inspired installation, created by Rosenbach artist-in-residence Sue Johnson, through June 6, 2008-2010 Delancey Place; (215) 732-1600.
performs a piece featuring the choreography of Opus 1 founders Tim Early and Lina McMenamin and the music of Led Zeppelin, April 24-25 at Painted Bride Arts Center, 230 Vine St.; (215) 925-9914.
Camille Bryn Mawr Film Institute screens the film as part of its opera lover’s series, 7:30 p.m. April 28, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 527-9898.
Of This Century The Clay Studio presents an exhibition by select guest artists, through May 2, 139 N. Second St.; (215) 925-3453.
Koresh Dance Company Spring Season Koresh Dance Company opens the season with the world premiere of “Sense of Human,” by Ronen Koresh, and the company premiere of “Passomezzo” by Ohad Naharin, artistic director of the Batsheva Dance Company, April 29-May 2 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; (215) 9850420.
Philip Clark The co-editor of “Persistent Voices: Poetry by Writers Lost to AIDS” hosts a reading with local poets at 5:30 p.m. April 24 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960.
Other Worlds AxD Gallery presents an exhibition of graphite-and-ink work by Greg Brellochs and sculpture and prints by Allen Linder, through May 8, 265 S. 10th St.; (215) 627-6250. The Peaceable Queendom Wexler Gallery presents an exhibition by Adelaide Paul exploring the alternately sentimental and callous relationship between humans and both domesticated and wild animals, through May 1, 201 N. Third St.; (215) 923-7030. Picasso and the AvantGarde in Paris Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition from the influential artist from the period between 1905-45, through May 2, 26th Street and the Parkway; (215) 763-8100. The Souvenir Shop ArtStar Gallery presents works from ceramic artists from all over the country, through April 25, 623 N. Second St.; (215) 2381557.
Opera
Film
The Wizard of Oz The classic film is screened at 2 p.m. April 24 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223. The Natural The 1984 baseball film is screened at 2 p.m. April 25 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223. Black Dynamite The new blaxploitation film is screened at 8 p.m. April 26 at Trocadero Theater, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-6888.
PGN
Books
Nancy Wiley The doll artist signs copies of her new book, “Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland,” noon-3 p.m. April 25 at Happily Ever After, 1010 Pine St.; (215) 627-5790.
Cabaret
It’s Madame with an E The iconic and bawdy puppet performs at 8:30 p.m. April 24 at Harlans Cabaret, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225. Brunch with Estelle Enjoy a “Drag Sunday Brunch” at noon April 25 at Harlans Cabaret, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225. Red Light Cabaret The festivities start at 8 p.m. April 29 at L’Etage, 624 S. Sixth St.; (215) 592-0656. ■
Pick
Falstaff Amici Opera Company presents Verdi’s opera at 3 p.m. April 25 at The Garden Church, St. Nicholas School Hall, 910 Pierce St.; (215) 224-0257.
Dance
Brandywine Ballet Company Brandywine Ballet Theatre
Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Diversions, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147; fax them to (215) 925-6437; or e-mail them to diversions@epgn.com. Notices cannot be taken over the phone.
PAGE 33
Out Philadelphia author Tom Mendicino hosts a reading at 5:30 p.m. April 25 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. His debut novel, “Probation,” is the story of a man whose life is thrown into turmoil after he is arrested for solicitation in a public restroom on Interstate 85. What follows is his struggle to find acceptance, redemption and true love. For more information, call (215) 923-2960.
www.epgn.com
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 34
Meeting Place A community bulletin board of activities, facilities and organizations
Community centers ■ The Attic Youth Center: For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday through Friday. See the Youth section for more events. 255 S. 16th St.; (215) 545-4331 ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St.; (215) 898-5044; center@dolphin.upenn.edu, Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. ■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; (215) 348-0558 ext. 65; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. ■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center: 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 732-2220; www.waygay.org. Peer counseling: Monday through Friday, 6-9 p.m. Library hours: Mondays 3-9 p.m., Tuesdays 3-6 p.m., Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., Thursdays 3-9 p.m., Fridays 3-9 p.m., Saturdays noon-6 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.; Volunteer Velada, third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Health Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 166 W. Lehigh Ave.; (215) 763-8870 ext. 6000. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., suite 205; (2215) 536-2424. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; (215) 851-1822 or (866) 222-3871. Spanish/English. HIV testing Free, anonymous testing and counseling is offered from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment at AIDS Resource, 520 W. Fourth St., suite 2A, Williamsport; (570) 322-8448.
Key numbers
HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; (215) 685-1803. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications, confidential HIV testing available at 17 MacDade Blvd., suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; (610) 586-9077. Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 1201 Chestnut St.; (215) 563-0652. www. mazzonicenter.org. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; (215) 985-9206.
Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: (215) 686-2555
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 information about events, programs and membership; (215) 5570190; 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.
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
12-step programs and support groups Adult Children of Alcoholics
Meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the William Way Center. ■ Rainbow Adult Children of Alcoholics and Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 7 p.m. Saturdays at Limestone Presbyterian Church, 3201 Limestone Road, Wilmington, Del.; (302) 456-9129. ■
Al-Anon
Gay Al-Anon meets at 8 p.m. Fridays at St. Andrew’s Church, 50 York St., Lambertville, N.J.; (215) 986-1029. ■
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Acceptance meets at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays at Episcopal Church, 22nd and Spruce streets. ■ Beginnings meets at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at 1201 Locust St.; (215) 563-0663 ext. 282. ■ Community meets at 8 p.m. on Thursdays at Holy Communion Church, 2111 Sansom St. Gay and lesbian but all are welcome. ■ GLBT Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. on Sundays and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 100 W. Windsor St., Reading; (484) 529-9504. ■ Living In Sobriety meets at 10 a.m. Mondays through Fridays and 11 a.m. Sundays at the William Way Center. ■ Night Owl meets at 11:30 p.m. Sunday through Saturday at the William Way Center. ■ Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Beginners meets at 7:30 p.m. Mondays at Trinity Episcopal Church, 2212 Spruce St. ■ Sober and Gay meets at 8:30 p.m. Sunday through Friday at the William Way Center. ■ Stepping Stone meets at 2:30 p.m. Mondays at the Mazzoni Center. ■ Ties That Bind Us is a12-step Alcoholics Anonymous meeting for the BDSM, leather and alternative sexuality community. Meetings are held from 7:30-9 p.m. in South Philadelphia. For location, call (800) 581-7883. ■ Way Gay Young Peoples meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the William Way Center. ■
Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA)
Meets at 7 p.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the William Way Center.
■
HIV/AIDS
■ Mazzoni Center: (215) 563-0652; www. mazzonicenter.org
■
■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: (856) 933-9500 ext. 221
■ Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine: (215) 563-0658
Mondays:
■ AIDS Library: (215) 985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: (215) 592-1513
■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): (215) 572-1833
■ AIDS Treatment hot line: (215) 5452212
■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: (215) 686-4670
■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: (215) 685-1633
■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: (215) 772-2000
■ The COLOURS Organization Inc. 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 4960330.
■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Chief Inspector James Tiano: (215) 685-3655 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: (215) 600-0627; ppd.lgbt@gmail.com
■ Equality Advocates Pennsylvania: (215) 731-1447; (866) LGBTLAW
■ Philly Pride Presents: (215) 875-9288
■ Equality Forum: (215) 732-3378
■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: (717) 920-9537
■ Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Peer Counseling Services: (215) 732-TALK ■ Mayor’s liaison to LGBT communities: Gloria Casarez, (215) 686-2194; Gloria.
■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: (215) 732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays, and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
Wednesdays:
A support group for HIV-positive women will meet from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad St.; (215) 387-6055. ■ AIDS Services in Asian Communities’ weekly volunteer work group will meet from 6-8 p.m. at 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; (215) 563-2424. ■ Project Teach, a peer-education and empowerment program for people living with HIV/AIDS, will meet from 3-5 p.m. at Philadelphia Fight, 1233 Locust St. ■ Positive Effect, for HIV-positive people 18 and over, meets from 5-7 p.m. at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; (856) 963-2432. ■
Thursdays:
A support group for HIV-positive men and women will meet from 6-8 p.m. at BEBASHI — Transition to Hope, 1217 Spring Garden St.; (215) 769-3561. ■ Diversity, an HIV/AIDS support group for all infected or affected, meets from 7-9 p.m. at Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55. N. Broad St.; call Zak, (215) 848-4380, or Paul, (215) 307-0347. ■
Saturdays:
AIDS Delaware’s You’re Not Alone youth support group meets at 11 a.m. at AIDS Delaware, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 315, Wilmington; a social session will follow at 12:30 p.m.; (302) 652-6776. ■
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Meetings are at 2 p.m. Sunday through Saturday and at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the William Way Center. ■
Emotional Support
Healing After Loss has monthly activities in South Jersey and surrounding area; www.lsn. southjersey.com. ■ Pink and Blues is a free depression and bipolar support group for sexual minorities and meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; (215) 627-0424. ■ Pink and Blues Main Line, a peer-run mental health support group, meets 6 p.m. Thursdays at Bryn Mawr Consumer Center, 1001 W. Lancaster Ave.; (610) 527-1511. ■ Survivors of Suicide Inc. meets at 7:30 p.m. on first Tuesday of the month at 3535 Market St., Room 2037; (215) 545-2242; www.phillysos. tripod.com. ■ Survivors of Suicide Inc., Chester County meets at 7:30 p.m. on second Wednesday of the month at Paoli Memorial Hospital, Willistown Room, Medical Office Building; (215) 545-2242; www. phillysos.tripod.com. ■
■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: (215) 587-9377
Strength In Numbers Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ SINPhiladelphia.
Meeting Place rotates listings on a four week schedule.
A support group for HIV-positive men and women meets from 1:30-3 p.m. at BEBASHI — Transition to Hope, 1217 Spring Garden St., first floor; (215) 769-3561. ■ Encuentros Positivos, a group for HIV-positive Latino men who have sex with men, meets on first and third Tuesday of the month at 1205 Chestnut St.; (215) 985-3382. ■ “Feast Incarnate,” a weekly ministry for people affected by HIV/AIDS, begins at 5 p.m. at University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St. Bible study follows at 6 p.m.; (215) 387-2885. ■ A support group for people recently diagnosed with HIV/AIDS will meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Mazzoni Center. ■ Youth Outreach Adolescent Community Awareness Program’s Voice It Sistah, a support group for HIV-positive women, meets at 11 a.m. every first and third Tuesday at YOACAP, 1207 Chestnut St., Suite 315; (215) 851-1898. ■
Positive Brothers, a support group for men of color living with HIV/AIDS, meets from 6-8 p.m. at 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 496-0330. ■
Tuesdays:
■ AIDS Services in Asian Community offers safer-sex and HIV/AIDS information at 10 a.m. on second Tuesday of the month at the Independence Branch of the the Free Library, 18 S. Seventh St.; (215) 685-1633.
Overeaters Anonymous (OA)
■ Open meeting, Tuesdays, beginners meet at 5:30 p.m., regular meeting at 6 p.m. at Hahnemann University Hospital, 245 N. 15th St., third floor, room 3208; call Troy, (215) 514-3065.
S.A.R.A.
Substance Abuse – Risk Assessment; day and evening hours; (215) 563-0663 ext. 282. ■
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
Mondays, 7 p.m. at the William Way Center. Mondays, 7:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 20 N. Route 9, Marmora, N.J.; (609) 675-1998. ■ Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. at All Saints Church, 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.; (302) 5423279. ■ Fridays, 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean View Lodge, Metropolitan Community Church, 521 Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, Del.; (302) 945-5982. ■ Saturdays, 8:30 p.m. at the William Way Center. ■ ■
SEPCADD
■ Safe space to meet and discuss substance abuse problems with office in William Way Center; (215) 340-9995.
Smoking Cessation
FreshOUT!, Mazzoni Center’s free quitsmoking program, hosts individual sessions, classes and support groups and offers Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patches, gum and lozenges); (215) 563-0652 ext. 228 or e-mail quitsmoking@mazzonienter.org. ■
Send submissions to pgn@epgn.com or fax (215) 925-6437 PGN Meeting Place, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 Meeting Place is a public service. Submissions must include a phone number for publication.
Complete Meeting Place listings of all Parent/Family, Professional, Recovery, Recreation, Religion, Sports, Men, Women, Trans, Youth groups can be found online @ www.phliagaynews.com and www.epgn.com
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 35
Classifieds
With Real Estate, Help Wanted, Services and Personals
Housing starts up on gains in multifamily sector By Martin Crutsinger The Associated Press
Housing construction posted a better-than-expected performance in March, rising to the highest level in 16 months. The gain was due solely to multifamily homes, which account for less than 20 percent of the market. The U.S. Commerce Department report last Friday said construction of single-family homes, the most important segment of the market, fell 0.9 percent to an annual rate of 531,000 units. But permits for singlefamily construction, a gauge of future activity, were up. The increase in housing starts tempered news this week from RealtyTrac Inc. that a record number of U.S. homes were lost to foreclosure in the first three
months of the year. The low selling prices of those foreclosed homes have put builders at a disadvantage, held back hiring in the construction industry and helped restrain the broader economic recovery. “We need a decent or at least stable construction sector if job growth and the economy can get back to normal, and that process is proceeding slowly,” said Joel Naroff, chief economist at Naroff Economic Advisors. The April 16 Commerce report said overall construction rose 1.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 626,000. That was higher than the 610,000 level economists expected. In addition, the government revised February’s numbers to show a 1.1-percent gain rather than the initially reported drop of 5.9 per-
cent. Applications for building permits rose 7.5 percent to an annual rate of 685,000. The weakness in single-family construction was offset by an 18.8-percent surge in the smaller multifamily sector, which rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 95,000 units. Analysts do not expect this strength to continue, given a multitude of problems facing commercial real estate at the moment. That includes high apartment-vacancy rates and rising foreclosures of commercial properties. Paul Ashworth, an economist at Capital Economics, noted that even with the March gain, the level of housing construction is still slightly more than one-fourth of where it was during the boom years in the middle of the decade.
He said this burst of activity could fade after homebuyer tax credits expire at the end of this month. The strength in March came from the South. Construction activity there jumped 18.2 percent, the best advance in 10 months. Building activity plunged 28.4 percent in the Midwest, was down 8.3 percent in the Northeast and dipped 2.1 percent in the West. The National Association of Home Builders said last week its housing market index, which tracks industry confidence, jumped four points to a reading of 19 in April, the highest level since September. Builders are reporting a pickup in sales and customer traffic as homebuyers rush to qualify for expiring tax incentives. The tax credits — $8,000 for new buyers
and $6,500 for current owners — expire at the end of this month. Many economists believe the tax incentives will boost the number of buyers now but lead to a drop in sales in the second half of the year. Home sellers also have to cope with banks tightening up on lending standards and a sizable supply of unsold homes. In addition to the first-quarter spike in foreclosures, households facing foreclosure increased 16 percent in the same period and 7 percent from the last three months of 2009. More homes were taken over by banks and scheduled for a foreclosure sale than in any quarter going back to at least January 2005, when the foreclosure listings firm began reporting the data. ■
Location! Location! Location! This week’s featured property
Beds: 3 Baths: 2.5 Cost: $675,000 Age of property: 50 years Realtor: Conrad Kuhn Real-estate co.: Weichert Realtors Phone: (856) 227–1650 ext.-124 Direct: (609) 221–1196 Website: www.conradkuhn.com
Well-built “L” shape ranch. Unique layout ideal for in-law suite/roommate. Has second kitchen, full basement & 2-car garage. Walk to bus stop.
Check your ad
PLACING ADS Using voicemail? Please be sure to have the following information ready when you call: • Your ad copy • The type of style you want • Desired abbreviations • American Express, Discover, MasterCard or VISA information • Your name and mailing
Williamstown, N.J.
address • Daytime telephone number Having all this information ready will speed your order and help to avoid errors. Phone calls can only be returned during business hours. For more information, see the coupon page in this section.
Philadelphia Gay News assumes responsibility for errors in classified ads only when notified by noon the Tuesday after the ad first appears. To receive credit for errors, please notify PGN by then. Credit only will be extended in the form of additional advertising space. Any cash refunds, for any reason, are subject to a $10 service charge. PGN will publish no classified ad — in any category — that contains sexually explicit language. Obviously excluded are traditional four-letter words that relate to sexual activity. Other words may be excluded at the discretion of the publisher, who reserves the right to edit or rewrite any ad that, in his opinion, violates this policy or its intent.
MAY 1 - 7, 2009
����������� �����
PAGE 36
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
����������� �����
PAGE 47
����������� �����
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
Real Estate
���������������������������������������
REAL ESTATE
SALE
TREDYFFRIN 3 BR + den, A/C, finished basemnent w/wet bar, walk out to pool, adjacent to 13 acre township land. $560,000. Call Suzanne, 610-256-8430. _______________________________34-18 VIBRANT COLLINGSWOOD 2 Bed End Unit Condo - close to PATCO. $120k. Updated kit & bath. Walking dist. PATCO, dining, shops, Cooper River. 856-2376800. michelecopeland@hotmail.com _______________________________34-18 15 MINS. BEYOND THE POCONOS Magnificent country escape. A must see! Large ranch home, 3 BR, 3 bath, BUILT IN INDOOR OLYMPIC POOL excellent rec room with built in bar. Over 1.2 wooded acres. $329,000. Call Barbara at 570-709-4948. _______________________________34-16 VENTNOR, NJ, FACING THE BAY House and Adjacent Lot (inground swimming pool). 1st floor 3 bedrooms, bath, living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room and deck. 2nd floor 2 bedrooms, bath, efficiency kitchen, living room, dining area and deck. Central Air. Corner Property. Call 215-468-9166 evenings only. $675,000.00. Also property for rent1500.00 month plus utilities. _______________________________34-20 LAND DEALS OF A LIFETIME Adirondack Raging River- 19 Acre Tract WAS $119,995 NOW: $59,995! 5 Acres w/ New Rustic Camp- $19,995. Call now to hear more! 800-229-7843 www.LandandCamps.com _______________________________34-17 FORECLOSED HOME AUCTION 90+ Homes 1 Auction: 4/29. Open House: April 17, 24 & 25. REDC 1 View Full Listings: www. Auction.com RE Brkr SB065259 _______________________________34-17
���������������������������
������������������ ���������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������� ����������������� �������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������� PGN WILL NOT PUBLISH RACIAL DIS������������ ADS. SUCH TINCTIONS IN ROOMMATE NOTATIONS WILL BE EDITED. THANK ������������������������������������������������ YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. ����������������������������������������������� ___________________________________ ��������������������������������������������������� VIC. 51ST & CITY AVE. �������������������������������������������� Near St. Joseph’s Univ. Quiet neighborhood. ���������������������������������������������������������� N/S male; kit, laundry priv. Utils incl. Furnished. ����������������������������������������������������� $375/mo. Call 215-880-1459. ������ _______________________________34-16
ROOMMATES
�������� ����������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������� ������������� ���������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������� ������������������ GREATER NE PHILA. �������������������������������������������������������� Have your own bedroom in a beautiful split ������������������������� level home with 2 gay men. House is 4 BR, 2 ��������������� full baths, W/D, upper and lower decks, use of ���������������������������������������������������� kitchen. Property is by Welsh & the Boulevard, 1 ��������������������������������������������������� min. to 58 bus. We ask only that you be at least �������������������� reasonably neat and employed. Rent is $600 + ��������������� 1/3 utils. Contact Dave at 215-698-0215. ��������������������������������������������������������� _______________________________34-20 �����������������������������������������������
ROOMMATES
��������
REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������
SALE
SALE
FIRST TIME ON THE MARKET! ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
E-mail us: pgn@epgn.com
���
VACATION
RENT
OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800-638-2102 Online reservations www.holidayoc.com _______________________________34-17 CAPE COD ESTATE-FUN, FUN, FUN Chatham, MA. Family reunions, vacations, getaway weekends. Open year-round. Booking summer/2010. 9-Bedroom Estate sleeps 19. Nantucket sound views, walk to beach & tennis. Joan Forger (781)828-2809, virtual tour-www. ourgreatgatsbycapecod.com _______________________________34-17 Carolina Golf Getaway for Couples! 3 days/2 nights - luxurious accommodations, unlimited championship golf, breakfast & lunch included. Only $149. Call 702-218-6792 carolinagolfgetaway.com _______________________________34-17
������������������������������ Spectacular Western style contemporary on over 2.5 private acres with ����������� pool. Prestigious Gladwyne address. Beautiful plantings. Waterfalls and koi ���������������������. Flats. Large 2 bed, 1 bath.suburbs. last ponds. Great location forFurness commutes to Philadelphia and western unit left in this by highly building. Close to all Center City Designed & built noteddesirable architect Fred Bissinger displaying fine woods, Hospitals. Low feesceilings, and taxes ................................������������� imported tiles, soaring fabulous light. Many custom details. Kitchen a cook’s dream with“George granite counter tops, centerUnique island, space for ������������������������ T. Sale Condo” Garden informal dining and entrance to deck. 5 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths. level 1 bd, 1 ba. unit w/ private entrance.. Low fees & Tax
$1,695,000. Abatement. Lowest price 1 bd. in area ........................��������. Call Jane Thompson, Prudential Fox&Roach �����������
����������������������. 610-420-3003 New open style 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo with low taxes and condo fees. Great small pet friendly building. .........................................................................��������
WASHINGTON SQUARE
������������������� Old Swedes Court. New ListingStreet Large 3 420 South Jessup Bedroom 2.5 Bath with Garage, roof deck and hardwood floors. “Cherry Blossom Lane” Low association fees in Queen Village ....................�������� Colonial Style enclave of townhouses near 11th �������������. NEWand LISTING. update 4 bd. 2 ba. with WaverlyLarge Streets. huge garden and wonderfully roof deck with city skyline views. Updated kitchen with marble and stainless .................................................................................�������� steel, fireside living room/dining room. Lush ����������������������������������������������������������������� patio garden. Master suite with dressing room and tile bath, additonal bedrooms/office/gym. ��������� ������������������ Large basement, central air conditioning, wood ������������������������������������� floors. ����������������������
������������������������������������������� $579,000 ������������������������������������ ����������������� Patrick O’Connell 215 868 3363 cell • 215 546 3419 fax Patrick.OConnell@prufoxroach.com 210 W.Rittenhouse Sq., Lobby at The Rittenhouse Philadelphia PA 19103
REAL ESTATE
SALE
REAL ESTATE
SALE
��������� ��������������� ����������������� �������������������������
������������
������������������������ ������������������� ���������������������������� �������������������
PGN
Gay is our middle name.
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 37
PAGE 38
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 39
PAGE 40
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 41
PAGE 42
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
SERVICES DIRECTORY
Beautifully Restored 1898 Victorian Home Wyncote, Pa - Fabulous , Fun 1898 Queen Anne in the most desirable historical Olde Wyncote. Tastefully and lovingly decorated “Painted Lady”, she is adorned with high 9/10 ft ceilings, Good size updated eat-in kitchen, 4 bedrooms, 2 1⁄2 updated baths. Large Master suite , Tromp l’oeil murals and Bradbury/Bradbury wallpaper All natural oak, pine and chestnut throughout. Pocket doors, 2 set of oak stairs, 2 car detached garage and hidden behind the garage is a tropical oasis, with a secluded inground pool and Jacuzzi. All Architectural integrity intact ! Walking distance to train station. Too much to mention. Walk into a bit of history while living in the present.
Asking: $425,000. Get a good deal BEFORE I list with a realtor !! 215-884-6144
Conrad Kuhn
PAGE 43
REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATE
12TH & DICKINSON AREA Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms , bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (negotiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. _______________________________34-20 RITTENHOUSE SQUARE AREA Studios & 1 Bedrooms. Call for Availability (215) 735-8050. _______________________________34-18
MANAYUNK 1BR,1BA on Main Street. W/D in unit, dishwasher, new corian counters Rent $900 a mo. Heather 610-647-1776. eadeh.com _______________________________34-18 OLD CITY 1BR, 1.5 BA., New LR carpet, lg. priv. deck. Rent $1025 a mo. Heather 610-647-1776. eadeh.com _______________________________34-18
OAKLYN Cute 1 BR apt -gay frdly bldg. $800+ele-heat/wat inc. No Pets, no smkg, app $35 Kelly 856-693-4938. _______________________________34-19 WEST MT. AIRY Large, bright 1 bedroom, HW flrs, gas F/P, patio, dog run, laundry facil. $875/mo. incl. all utilities. Avail. immed. 215-233-5303 for appointment. _______________________________34-17
RENT
RENT
RENT
SERVICES DIRECTORY ����������������
Broker/Sales Rep. Since 1987 NJAR Circle of Excellence Sales Award 1991- 2009 Weichert Presidentʼs & Ambassadorʼs Clubs
Office: 856.227.1950 ext. 124 Cell: 609.221.1196 www.conradkuhn.com Realtor856@aol.com Washington Township Office 5070 Route 42 Turnersville, NJ 08012
Twilight Open House 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM Thursday April 22, 2010 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM 1109 Spruce St. Hearth Condominium. 2 bed, 2 bath bi-level unit with large rear garden and large 1 bed, 1 bath w/ high ceilings and large south facing windows. Low fees and taxes. FHA approved. Best buy in Washington Square West ...........................................................................$275,000 & $325,000
Open Houses - Saturday April 24, 2010 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM 1109 Spruce St. Units 1R, 2R, 3R and 3F. New condo conversion. Best deal in Washington Square West. Three, only 4 left. 1 & 2 bed. units w/ 1 or 2 baths ............................................................. From $180,000 to $325,000
Open Houses - Sunday April 25, 2010 Noon - 2:30 PM 927 Spruce St. “Shippen House Condo”. Only two (2) left. Totally rehabbed Jr. 1 bdm. and full 1 bdm., 1 Ba. condos. These units feature deluxe kitchens, update baths, wd. floors, low taxes and condo fees. One block from Jefferson and Penn. Hospitals. ......................................From $199,000 to $224.000
�����������������������������������������
Search all Philadelphia area listings @ www.thephillyrealtors.com Dan Tobey
The Curtis Center 170 W. Independence Mall , Suite L-44 Philadelphia, PA 19106
215.546.2700 Business • 267.238.1061 Direct 215.432.7151 Cell • 215.546.7728 Fax dtobey@cbpref.com
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week.
RC, CVE
bility
PAGE PAGE 44 110
110 APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008PAGE PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS CLASSIFIEDS
LEGALHEALTH & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY DIRECTORY
AMY F. STEERMAN Attorney at Law
Concentrating in Planning for Lesbian and Gay Couples • Probate • Wills • Living Wills • Powers of Attorney
215-735-1006
1900 Spruce Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 www.amysteerman.com
James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant
Social Security Disability Claims Appeals
215-629-0585 Suite 202 Oxford Valley Rd. Fairless Hills, PA 19030
CLASSIFIEDS 23 - 1, 29,2008 2010 APRILAPRIL 25 - MAY
REAL ESTATE
RENT
17XX E. PASSYUNK AVE. 5 rooms and bath, 2nd floor, pvt. entrance. W/D, many windows. $1200 + utils. Call 215463-2028. _______________________________34-18 EAST PASSYUNK GAYBORHOOD Newly Done Huge! Bi-Lev Beauty 3Br/ 2bth+Den, HW Floors, SSteel Kitch, Disp, DW, W/D in Apt, Granite/Tile Bath, CFans, Skyline Vu Uniquely Modern w/Old World Charm $1179 215-218-0191. _______________________________34-18 WILMINGTON, DE (2) 1 BR apts. utils. incl. No smoking/pets. D/W, A/C. $850. Avail. 5/1 & 6/1. biff@bwdesigngrp. com _______________________________34-17 WEST. MT. AIRY Sale or lease. Partially renovated warehouse. For retail off space or commercial use. 5000 sq. ft. 215-233-5303 for appointment. _______________________________34-17 James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, MT. AIRY BUSINESS DIST. CVE 3500 sq. ft. corner. 215-233-5303 for apDisability Consultant pointment. _______________________________34-17 AMBLER 3 story guestSecurity house on “1702” estate. 2 BR, 2.5 Social Disability BA, newly remodeled eat in country kitchen, Appeals den, W/D,Claims D/W, C/A, hdwd flrs, overlooks formal gardens, use of swimming pool. $1800/mo. +. 215-542-5642. _______________________________34-24 BELLA VISTA Clean, sunny 1 BR apt. W/D in bsmt. $900/mo. Suite 202 Call 215-983-0887. Oxford Valley Rd. _______________________________34-18 PASSYUNK Fairless Hills, PA 19030SQUARE 9XX Cross St. 2 BR, C/A, D/W, G/D, W/D, ceramic tile floors in kitchen & bath, lge. bedrooms w/lots ofcloset space, garden. $1100/mo. Villa Realty, 215-271-0600. _______________________________34-18 SOUTH PHILA. GIRARD ESTATES 1st fl. duplex, 1 BR, 2 BA, LR, DR, kit. bsmt, W/D, C/A, back yard, hdwd flrs. $1200 +. Tony, 215-755-2236 or John, 215-858-5752. _______________________________34-18 TOWNHOUSE, E. PASSYUNK 2 BD. & sm. off. Newly renovated, H/W floors, S. Steel kitch, A/C, big back yard/garden. $1100 + utl. No smoke/pets. Ref. req. Call Bill Sestito at Spectrum Realty, 215-389-2222. _______________________________34-18
215-629-0585
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625SERVICES ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE From Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Computers, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 866-858-2121 www.CenturaOnline.com _______________________________34-17 AIRLINES ARE HIRING Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified -Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888)349-5387. _______________________________34-17
BUSINESS
OPPORTUNITIES ALL CASH VENDING! Do you earn $800 in a day? Your own local candy route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy All for $9,995. 1-800-460-4027. _______________________________34-17
ADOPTION ADOPTION Attorney and stay-home parent wish to provide Love, Laughter, Giggles, Kisses to your newborn in our growing family and Happy Home. 1-888-350-2396. Expenses paid. _______________________________34-17
FINANCIAL
SERVICES CASH NOW! Get cash for your structured settlement or annuity payments. High payouts. Call J.G. Wentworth. 1-866-SETTLEMENT (1-866738-8536). Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau. _______________________________34-17
Reach Readers Over 40,000 Readers Weekly As Little As $25.00 Week. ach Over 40,000 Weekly For As Little For As $25.00 A Week. Call A 215-625-8501 Today!
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 106
PAGE 45
SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-8501 Today!
��������������� Adult/Personals PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS CLASSIFIEDS/ADULT PERSONALS
PAGE 46
HELP WANTED
������� ����
������� ����
������� ����
������������������� Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, FRIENDS 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 LOOKING FORtoROMANCE this sounds interesting you feel free to call Attractive warm, sensitive, caring, 48 me, David,GWM, 215-698-0215. y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for _______________________________33-28 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, 6’, 165 lbs.,215-698-0215. 60 year old Master, greek active, _______________________________34-20 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. _______________________________33-48 6’, 165 lbs., 60 year oldhouse Master, greek active, Xdress sex party. CD orgy every Sat. french passive requires obedient slave for nite. GWM couple ISO GWMs 18-40 yrs. for training, S&M, B/D, W/S, etc. Limits respected 1 on 1 and group sex. Stockings, pantyhose, and expanded. Assistant Master wanted. Call etc. Starts 9 PM Sat. Call Sat. 7-8 PM 856Dave at 215-729-6670, day or evening. 910-8303, ask for Mark. _______________________________34-34 _______________________________33-24 Daddy 8” sks sissy/TV. Don, 610-352-1188. GWM, Italian, top or bottom, 7” cut. Also into _______________________________34-17 assplay, toys & water sports. Bi, John straight, out Muscular male, 62 seeks same. Larish, of towners Day or night. Call Jeff at 575 Laurel welcome. Terrace, Pottsville, Pa 17901. 215-850-7900. _______________________________34-18 _______________________________33-18
WM 60, 5’7’ 155, bottom, nice looking, discreet, fit, hot, seeks top men only for relationship in NE. 215-264-1058 LM. FRIENDS _______________________________33-19 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after Older guy who likes younger guys. Also look11 PM. ing for personal driver who is willing to be _______________________________33-19 involved with an older man. Full time. Reply ������������ to pjayf33@gmail.com You: big equipment! Me: real nice white butt. _______________________________34-17 215-732-2108, 8-11 PM. 609-345-8203 oceanhouseatlanticcity.com _______________________________34-39 _______________________________33-20 Hi, I’m Joey. Looking for a friend to play with. So if you live in or near Ardmore and can host, let’s get it on. Call me, 484-238-4707. _______________________________34-18
GWM seeks new friends. 610-352-1188. _______________________________33-21 ������������� MODELS Shuttle service within city limits, personal shopping, help with bags, companion service, lite cooking, dog walking & house sitting, any reasonable request. 215-205-5453. Refs. avail. Reasonable rates! _______________________________33-18 60 y.o., 5’7”, 160, 7” crossdresser looking for casual sex. Northern suburbs. 215-538-2040 ask for Zeta. _______________________________33-21
MEN
ABLE TO TRAVEL National Company Hiring Sharp People. Able to Start Today. Transportation & Lodging Furnished. NO EXPERIENCE Necessary. Paid Training. Over 18+ 866-734-5216 www. greenstreetsolutions.com _______________________________34-17 REGIONAL DRIVERS NEEDED! MORE HOMETIME! TOP PAY! Up to $.43/mile company drivers! 12 months OTR required. HEARTLAND EXPRESS 1-800441-4953 www.heartlandexpress.com _______________________________34-17 CDL-A Drivers: Our Freight Needs You! OTR Flatbed & Dry Van. High Miles, Great Runs, Good Driving Record Required. Western Express. Call Nancy 888-801-5295. _______________________________34-17 REGIONAL COMPANY DRIVERS Home Weekly. Competitive Pay. Immediate Benefits. CDL-A with 1 year experience, 23 yoa. Call NFI Sunday or anytime: 877-8888476, www.nficareers.com _______________________________34-17 DRIVER FFE seeks Eastern PA based driver for a dedicated regional run. Class A CDL & 1yr. Exp. Req. Apply online: www.ffejobs.com or call 214-819-5680. _______________________________34-17 Driver-COMPANY Experienced OTR drivers and Teams. Consistent Miles, Excellent Health Benefits. 6 mo. OTR exp. & current CDL 888463-3962 www.usatruck.jobs EOE M/F/H/V. _______________________________34-17 6 Drivers Needed Immediately! Need 4 Experienced Teams ASAP! GREAT PAY +Benefits! HOME WHEN PROMISED! Plenty of Miles! 1-800-420-1510 Call between 8am-5pm Monday-Friday www.cctrucking.com _______________________________34-17 KNIGHT REFRIGERATED Hiring Qualified Drivers looking for a Great Opportunity with a Company that is offering $.03 Performance Reward in 1st Year!!! Apply online at: www.knightrefrigerated.com 888668-0829. 6mos. OTR experience required. Class-A CDL. _______________________________34-17
Erotic Dungeon Master
Erotic Dungeon Master
MEN
Fantasy BISEXUAL FRIENDS
Puerto Rican man, 5’7”, 180 lbs. med. build BR/BR, looking for M/F for friendship or relationship. No smoking/drugs. 267-581-9529. No calls after 7 PM. _______________________________34-22
Adult
Electronic PGN: www.epgn.com
PGN
��������������������
Books MEN
FRIENDS
���������������������������� MASSAGE
����� ���������������������� ����������������������������� ��������������������������������� ������������������������ �������������������������������������
���
MODELS
����������� ESCORTS
������������� ��������� ��������
�����
Island
�
�������
ESCORTS
CERTIFIED
����
������������ ��������������
Deep
B
� ���
ww
Strong Hands Massage & More FRIENDS
MEN
Let my strong hands release all your tensions. FULLBODY • SENSUAL • EROTIC “Ask about my specials” Have car and will travel City/Suburbs/Jersey Shore/Hotels
(215)465-2427
El w
G-02
�������� ���������
���������������
Online. Anytime.
WWW.EPGN.COM
Handsome Certified Therapist
���������������������������������������
����������
6’, 195 lbs, Muscle Gives Sensual / Therapeutic Massage
Call 215-432-6030
o
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
B-7
����������������
��������������
�����������������
Gay is our middle name.
���
You Dese
�������������������
����������������
����������������������
��������������������������
Advertising w Services & Home Improvement Directory
���
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010
ADULT PERSONALS PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
MASSAGE
MASSAGE
MASSAGE
Man for Man Massage Tall, attractive, muscular Sensual/Erotic Massage I will tailor your massage to suit your needs...
• Full Body • Deep Tissue • Sensual
• Erotic
Incall/Outcall Convenient to Lower Bucks, NE Phila. 15 mins from CC & S.Jersey Available to any Phila area Hotel G12
A-55
215-313-1010
B-2
7 Make waves. Write a letter.
PGN FRIENDS
MEN
FRIENDS
MEN
FRIENDS
MEN
PGN
PAGE 47
FRIENDS
MEN
FRIENDS
MEN
PAGE 48
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
APRIL 23 - 29, 2010