pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976
Vol. 41 No. 17 April 28 - May 4, 2017
Stroudsburg poised to join the LGBT-inclusion community PAGE 2
The Revolution is coming
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HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM
Day in the Life of ... a local Uber driver
Family Portrait:
Chuck Watkins is on a mission
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Mazzoni CEO ousted in major shakeup
The LGBT-health agency is in the process of naming an interim leader after Nurit Shein’s resignation in the wake of sexual-impropriety allegations against former medical director Dr. Robert Winn. By Jen Colletta, Jeremy Rodrigez jen@epgn.com, jeremy@epgn.com Within 10 days, Mazzoni Center saw the resignation of its CEO, board president and medical director and the cancellation of its annual fundraising gala — all while the organization is weeks away from its long-anticipated relocation. After more than 20 years at the helm of the LGBT-health facility, CEO Nurit Shein submitted her resignation last Sunday at the request of the board of directors. Board President Dr. Jimmy Ruiz stepped down the same day. Shein has been the target of scrutiny over her handling of allegations that the organization’s former medical director, Dr. Robert Winn, had inappropriate sexual contact with patients. Winn resigned earlier this month, and a third-party investigation into the allegations is ongoing. “In light of additional information that
was brought to their attention, the board of directors felt that asking for and accepting Nurit’s resignation on Sunday, April 23, was the appropriate course of action,” Mazzoni Senior Communications Manager Elisabeth Flynn told PGN this week. Flynn declined to provide an update on the investigation into the allegations against Winn, which is being led by Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, other than to say it is “ongoing.” Flynn said the board immediately began the process to identify an interim CEO after Shein’s resignation. She said they expect the individual to be someone outside the organization. “We will determine the interim CEO first before initiating a search for a permanent replacement,” Flynn said. “When the permanent search does begin, the board is committed to engaging with staff and others from the community to help inform the process and the selection, PAGE 18
PROTESTORS LEFT SIGNS IN THE WINDOWS OF MAZZONI CALLING FOR CEO NURIT SHEIN’S RESIGNATION AFTER AN APRIL 20 STAFF DEMONSTRATION Photo: Scott A. Drake
PA senators re-intro anti-bias bill By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com
OUT OF THE OFFICE: Employees and friends of Comcast rolled up their sleeves and took part in several beautification projects at LGBT shelter Home for Hope April 22. The event was part of Comcast Cares Day, in which volunteers fanned out across the region for service projects. About 20 people spent the day at the North Philadelphia shelter, picking up trash around the outside of the building, weeding the yard and painting the inside and outside of the facility. Photo: Scott A. Drake
A bipartisan group of Pennsylvania senators this week re-introduced a bill to prohibit LGBT discrimination. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act currently provides protections for people based only on “race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age or national origin” in employment, housing and public accommodations. Sens. Patrick M. Browne (R-16th Dist.) and Larry Farnese (D-First Dist.) on Monday introduced Senate Bill 613 to add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” to the list of protected classes. Last session, Browne introduced identical legislation and also later broke the measure into three separate bills — each addressing protections in employment, housing and public accommodations — but this version is again comprehensive. Last session, the housing-related bill advanced out of committee but all bills ultimately died in session. Representatives of Browne’s were not available for comment by pressime.
Farnese legislative director Sarah Kurish noted Pennsylvania is the only state in the Northeast without LGBT protections. “The senator’s position is that absolutely everyone in the Commonwealth should be treated equally,” Kurish said. “It’s important that Philadelphia already has these protections in place but, as soon as you’re outside of the city, you lose that protection and that’s not how it should be in the state.” The bill includes definitions of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” for reference. Additionally, it notes that employers must allow employees to adhere to dress codes and grooming standards based on the employee’s gender identity or expression. “Nothing in this act shall prohibit an employer from requiring an employee, during the employee’s hours at work, to adhere to reasonable dress or grooming standards not prohibited by other provisions of federal, state or local law, provided that the employer permits an employee to adhere to the dress or grooming standards that are consistent with the employee’s genPAGE 18 der identity or expres-
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Thinking Monroe County borough passes LGBT-inclusive Queerly nondiscrimination ordinance
Kristina Furia
By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com
A Monroe County borough was the latest to adopt an LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance this week. Stroudsburg’s new ordinance passed in a 4-3 vote Tuesday, making it the first nondiscrimination ordinance in Monroe County to include LGBT protections. The ordinance establishes a Human Relations Commission that would ensure opportunities for employment, housing, public accommodations and equal access to postsecondary education “regardless of race, color,
Thinking Queerly explores the psychological and social experiences of being LGBT in America and sheds light on the importance of LGBT community members prioritizing their mental health.
sex, height, religion, ancestry, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, marital status, age, mental or physical disability, use of guide or support animals or mechanical aids.” Matt Abell, a borough council member, presented the ordinance at a council meeting in February. “It’s something that I’ve been wanting to do for a long time and, in light of the political climate right now, I felt it was more important than ever that the rights of all people are protected in the state, or at least in our borough,” Abell said.
“I’ve had a lot of gay friends over the years and they’ve always been a big part of my life. It’s such a basic human right, basically just human decency, that all people should enjoy the same rights and advantages as anybody else,” he added. Abell noted that the ordinance is a modified version of an ordinance passed in Doylestown. However, he said the Stroudsburg ordinance also explicitly includes bathroom protections for transgender individuals. “It doesn’t require any special bathroom facilities but it requires that persons who identify as either male or female be
allowed to use the bathroom of their identifications, and that will include schools within our borough as well,” he said. Abell said Ted Martin, the executive director of Equality Pennsylvania, was “very helpful in providing a lot of information for this ordinance.” Additionally, he said people should contact Stroudsburg Mayor Tarah D. Probst to encourage the ordinance to move forward. “It was definitely hard-fought and there’s still a chance it could be vetoed by the mayor so it’s not 100-percent set-instone at this point,” Abell said.
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Oral arguments next month in Dawn Segal case By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com The state Supreme Court will hear arguments May 9 in the case of Dawn Segal, a disqualified judge who says she was unfairly removed from the bench. Segal, an open lesbian, served as a municipal-court judge in Philadelphia for about six years. But in December, the Court of Judicial Discipline permanently removed her from the bench. In its ruling, the court cited inappropriate conversations Segal had with then-Municipal Court Judge Joseph C. Waters Jr., in 2011-12. Segal HAD discussed cases pending before her in which Waters had an interest. The FBI wiretapped the conversations as part of a larger investigation of judicial corruption in Philadelphia. Segal acknowledged improperly discuss-
ing the cases with Waters, but denies altering any of her rulings to satisfy him. Segal wants the state Supreme Court to reinstate her. Oral arguments will be limited to the question of whether Segal was held to stricter standards than other problematic judges when she was removed from the bench. The high court also ruled that voters cannot select a replacement for Segal during the May primary in Philadelphia. In her appeal, Segal asserts she’s being unfairly blamed for Waters’ corruption. Waters was convicted of fraud and spent almost two years in federal prison. He was released Nov. 25, according to prison records. Segal isn’t accused of any criminal wrongdoing. Segal also contends that Pennsylvania judges involved in more serious wrongdoing were given reprimands or temporary suspensions.
Moreover, Segal claims the court deprived her of her right to be presumed innocent. “The presumption of innocence is a core value to be accorded to all of those accused of wrongdoing. That presumption should not be cast aside or ignored merely because the accused wears a judicial robe,” Segal states in her appeal. The Court of Judicial Discipline’s handling of Segal’s case was such a miscarriage of justice, it conducted a trial “in name only,” according to her appeal. Oral-argument proceedings are scheduled to begin 9:30 a.m. May 9 in the Main Capitol Building in Harrisburg, second floor, Supreme Court hearing room. The public is permitted to attend. On May 12, Pennsylvania Cable Network will broadcast the proceedings on most cable providers throughout the state, beginning 7 p.m. n
Council advances bill to strengthen anti-bias law By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com
Only in Online and in print every second Friday.
A committee of Philadelphia City Council this week approved a bill that would amend the city’s anti-bias ordinance. The bill, originally introduced by Councilman Derek S. Green, will allow the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations to deliver a cease-and-desist order to organizations with records of discrimination. If the bill passes two readings, it will ultimately go to Mayor Jim Kenney for his signature. PCHR Executive Director Rue
Landau and Director of LGBT Affairs Amber Hikes testified in support of the bill. Landau referenced the racism hearing PCHR held Oct. 25 at which community members spoke about their experiences with racial bias in Gayborhood bars and nonprofits, and PCHR’s press conference during which the organization offered recommendations to combat racism and discrimination. “It sends a strong message to businesses that the city will not tolerate discrimination and will use any tools necessary to combat it so we can ensure that Philadelphia is a safe and equitable place for every-
one to live and visit,” Landau said of the proposed amendments to the Fair Practices Ordinance. Hikes noted the accomplishments of the Office of LGBT Affairs, such as meetings with the newly appointed Commission on LGBT Affairs and initiating conversations with community groups and members on addressing racism and discrimination. “Our intention is to open the lines of communication and to elevate the voices of the individuals who have been historically left out of the conversation and to bring more diverse perspectives to the table,” Hikes said.
Additionally, four community activists testified in support of the bill. Abdul-Aliy Muhammad, co-founder of the Black & Brown Workers Collective, discussed a video posted online in which ICandy owner Darryl DePiano repeatedly used a racial slur. “Darryl’s use of the n-word moves beyond ‘just words,’” Muhammad said, also referencing an alleged racially charged dresscode policy. “We learned that the alleged no-Timbs policy — which we, the Collective, have pointed out — is a racialized dress-code policy aimed PAGE 18
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BIZ WHIZ: Drexel University freshman Ellie Ouimet (second from right) formally accepted the LGBT Business Scholarship April 18 during Independence Business Alliance’s ConnX event at TD Bank. The annual award is presented by IBA and Delaware Valley Legacy Fund to a local student pursuing business studies. Joining the ceremony were IBA board President Rich Horrow (from left), IBA Administrative Assistant Jess Gregan, PHLDiversity Coordinator Brittany Benjamin and IBA Executive Director Zach Wilcha.
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— Feature: A prince of a revolution — Scene in Philly — Out & About — Comics — Family Portrait — Q Puzzle
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Day in the Life Of ... Uber driver Victoria Miller
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Copyright © 1976 - 2017 Copyright(s) in all materials in these pages are either owned or licensed by Masco Communications Inc. or its subsidiaries or affiliate companies (Philadelphia Gay News, PGN, and it’s WWW sites.) All other reproduction, distribution, retransmission, modification, public display, and public performance of our materials is prohibited without the prior written consent of Masco Communications. To obtain such consent, email pgn@epgn.com Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 1976-2017 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155
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Orgs. call for LGBT participation in On the Table Philly By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Two local organizations are calling for the LGBT community’s participation in mealtime conversations focused on ways to create an engaged population next month. The Philadelphia Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation launched On the Table Philly, a new pilot initiative to be held throughout the Philadelphia area May 23 to engage residents in an open dialogue and report back to the organizations on their experiences. “The LGBTQ community is a vital part of our region and its social fabric,” said TPF President and CEO Pedro Ramos. “I think it’s not just about having participants who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender but also making sure that issues pertinent to the LGBTQ community are a visible part of our civic landscape. The opportunities and challenges of the LGBTQ community are the opportunities and challenges of the greater Philadelphia community.” The May 23 event will allow participants to share a meal during any time of the day with eight to 12 people. The invite list is entirely up to the host, with the option to partner with local nonprofits and religious groups. On the Table Philly also encourages
larger gatherings, which can be broken out into smaller groups. Guests will focus on the question, “What can we do together to create a stronger and more engaged community?” Additionally, they have the option to share their thoughts on social media while using the hashtag, #LetsTalkPhilly. After the conversation, guests over the age of 18 can complete the Knight Foundation and TPF’s short survey, either online or through a hard copy, so On the Table can collect stories coming out of the conversations. The organization will share this data publicly and with key community leaders to help understand and address the community’s needs. The Chicago Community Trust, a foundation dedicated to civic engagement, grantmaking and philanthropy, started On the Table in 2014. There were more than 10,000 participants the first year, which later expanded to more than 55,000 participants, according to the On the Table 2016 Impact Report. The Impact Report also noted several issues that rose to the top in 2015 and 2016, including “economic issues and poverty,” “equity and social inclusion,” “education and youth development” and “the judicial system and public safety.” DVLF, an LGBT PAGE 12
STORMY SUCCESS: Saturday’s rainy weather forced I’m From Driftwood to move its annual brunch from the John C. Anderson Apartments courtyard to William Way LGBT Community Center, but the weather didn’t dampen the mood at the festive fundraiser. The event featured thousands of dollars worth of raffle prizes, live music and a brunch buffet and open bar. I’m From Driftwood creator Nathan Manske was among the speakers, who detailed the mission and accomplishments of his LGBT-storytelling organization. The event raised $14,000 for the organization, making it the most successful fundraising brunch to date. Photo: Scott A. Drake
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Day in the Life of ... By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com After six months of driving for Uber, Victoria Miller has already put her own personal touch on passengers’ experiences. Rather than displaying a sticker representing the transportation network, Miller includes “Vicky’s Uber” written in a bright-pink sign and a personalized license plate on her white SUV. “They know that Victoria is coming to get them so if you put something bright on the car to make them see it, it’s going to help,” Miller said, noting passengers do not normally notice the small square Uber sticker drivers typically have. The 58-year-old has driven more than 3,000 passengers, many of whom she has had conversations with on a range of topics. One such passenger was from North Carolina. “I like to joke with people and I said, ‘Oh, you’re from North Carolina, where I’m not allowed to pee in the ladies’ room,’” Miller said. “He said, ‘And right-
PERSONALITIES PGN
an Uber driver, Victoria Miller
fully so.’” Miller asked the passenger about his background and learned he had a son and daughter. “If your son comes to you in a year and says, ‘Dad, I’m transgender. I want to be a girl. Do you want him to be living as a woman and walk into a men’s room?’” Miller posed to him. “I said, ‘Imagine me going to an Eagles game with a bunch of drunk men and I walk into a men’s room. You tell me how much fun that would be. I would probably get the living hell beaten out of me. What do you think is going to happen in the women’s room? Nothing. I’m going to go pee. I’m going to go check my makeup. I’m going to wash my hands and I’m going to leave. That’s all that’s going to happen.’” The passenger told Miller that it “just gives license to perverts,” to which Miller replied that conservatives were only giving the “perverts an idea.” “Trans women have been using women’s rooms forever. Before all these bills, as long as we had our letter from our therapist saying that we’re transgender, we
went in the bathrooms and there was no problem.” The passenger offered suggestions like having a separate bathroom for transgender people; Miller said that proposal harkened back to the “separate-but-equal” facilities for black people in the 1950s. He also recommended that transgender people should only be able to use the correct bathroom after gender-confirmation surgery.
“Am I going to wear a badge that says, ‘I have a vagina now’?” Miller recalled saying. “My outward appearance isn’t going to change once I get that. My voice isn’t going to change. My face isn’t going to get all of a sudden prettier because I have a vagina.” According to Miller, the passenger said he found the conversation “very enlightening.” However, not all of her passen-
ger conversations have had positive outcomes. She noted one experience the day after the 2016 presidential election. “[The passenger] called and she said, ‘Is this Victoria?’ I said, ‘Yes ma’am.’ She goes, ‘You sound like a man.’ I said, ‘Well, honey, I’m transgender so that’s why I have a deeper voice.’ And she chuckled and she said, ‘Donald Trump’s going to get your ass.’ She hung up and canceled the ride.” The passenger filed a “false driver report” claiming that a man was coming to pick her up instead of a woman. Uber temporarily suspended Miller’s account. “I couldn’t believe somebody would be that hateful to do something like that,” Miller said. But such encounters are rare, she said. “For every schmuck in the world, there’s a nice person.” Miller remembers driving a woman who was crying after a breakup with her boyfriend and transporting a passenger so she could be alongside her mother in hospice care. One passenger Miller noted PAGE 16 had stage-four
PGN just received seven Keystone SPJ Spotlight awards from the Society of Professional Journalists. Best Overall Newspaper PGN Staff First place, Editorial Jen Colletta Third place, Commentary Mark Segal First place, Spot News Story - “PGN at the DNC” Jen Colletta, Paige Cooperstein, Larry Nichols, Scott A. Drake, Mark Segal Second place, Spot News Story - “Philly, nation respond to Orlando massacre” Jen Colletta, Paige Cooperstein First place, Tabloid Page Design - “PGN 40th Anniversary” Sean Dorn, Scott A. Drake First place, Online Breaking News - “PGN at the DNC” PGN Staff
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FABRIC OF THE COMMUNITY: Terry Hawkins was among the locals who marked 2017 National Transgender HIV Awareness Day April 19 at William Way LGBT Community Center. The event was organized by Sharron Cooks in partnership with AIDS Fund. It featured a special tribute to late local trans women of color and HIV/ AIDS activists Jaci Adams and Charlene Arcila, as well as live performances and a display of the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. Photo: Scott A. Drake
LGBT chamber of commerce celebrates 10th anniversary By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com “It started as a few people coming together to better the business interests of LGBT business owners,” Zach Wilcha, executive director of the Independence Business Alliance, noted of the LGBT chamber of commerce’s inception. “Since then, we’ve done so many things.” Wilcha noted IBA’s diversified membership, work to advance business equality and an expanded corporate-partner program. IBA will celebrate milestones from the past 10 years with IBA10. The May 10 event will include an evening of dinner by Cescaphe, top-shelf open-bar, live entertainment, dancing and award presentations. “It has always been an accomplishment for a small nonprofit to survive for 10 years,” Wilcha said. “I think we’re going to be celebrating what the founders wanted when they came together: a safe space for LGBT business owners to come together and help each other get business and celebrating what it’s turned into, which is leading a movement in Philadelphia toward business equality. In these shifting political landscapes, we’re proud to represent the safe space where people can come together, network and be exactly who they are.” Additionally, IBA will present its seventh-annual PNC LGBT Business Award, a $10,000 award to a member business looking to grow its operations. The winner had not been decided by presstime and will be announced at the anniversary celebration. Wilcha also noted the presentation of IBA’s first Influencer Award to Jonathan Capehart, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journal-
ist from the Washington Post and MSNBC. “He has been out for many years and he has been a voice in our community who reports about business and LGBT issues,” Wilcha said. He noted the need for IBA in the evolving political climate. “Before the last election, there was a lot of talk about what the purpose of an LGBT chamber was going to be, going forward, after so many years of progressive values,” Wilcha said. “I think after the election, it was sort of a wakeup call that we have a lot more to do as far as advocacy goes. We are not technically an advocacy organization but we use business-equality issues to give a voice to all people in the LGBT community and I think now that’s more important than ever.” While IBA is celebrating a decade of accomplishments next month, Wilcha continues to look forward even further. “I think by the time we reach our 20th anniversary, the purpose of an LGBT chamber of commerce would have radically shifted,” Wilcha said. “My hope is that many of the things we’re fighting for now, such as the stronger supply for diversity initiatives in our city and making sure that all members of our community are represented in the business world, will have been solved. So what we can do is celebrate all of the work that we have done for 20 years and continue to provide that safe space for people to come together, network and celebrate their successful businesses.” n IBA10: 10th Anniversary Celebration will take place 6-9 p.m. May 10 at the Down Town Club, 600 Chestnut St. Visit thinkiba.com/iba10 to purchase tickets.
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Keystone Press Awards First place, News Photo “Hillary at the DNC” Scott A. Drake Second place, News Photo “Rooting Out Racism” Scott A. Drake Second place, Sports Photo “A Homerun” Scott A. Drake First place, Editorial “No winners, Blood on their hands, What the F*%$” Jen Colletta Second place, Ongoing News Coverage Coverage of Kathryn Knott case, Jen Colletta Honorable Mention, Ongoing News Coverage DNC in Philly, Staff First Place, Special Project DNC in Philly Jen Colletta, Scott A. Drake, Paige Cooperstein, Larry Nichols First Place, Sports/Outdoors Column Get Out and Play Scott A. Drake
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Gay man’s antibias case moves forward By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com
TRUCK STOP: An estimated 1,000 people strolled through the Food Truck Pop Up April 20 in the Gayborhood. The event featured 15 food trucks, all of which donated a portion of their proceeds to local HIV/AIDS organizations as part of the annual Dining Out for Life. More than 200 local restaurants participated in this year’s effort, organized by Action Wellness, which capped the day’s events with dinner at Buddakan, featuring remarks by Mayor Jim Kenney. Photo: Scott A. Drake
LGBT employees are everywhere — and we want to help tell their stories.
A South Philadelphia gay man’s antibias lawsuit against the Pennsauken School District is moving forward, after being held in abeyance for more than a year. Thomas Vandergrift, 39, alleges that district officials violated his civil rights when they wrongfully accused him of child molestation. He claims the false accusations occurred because he’s gay and advocated for a proper education for his autistic nephew. Vandergrift also claims his nephew experienced pervasive anti-LGBT bullying while he was a student at the Pennsauken School District. Vandergrift, his mother and his nephew filed suit against the district in 2012. But Vandergrift’s case was held in abeyance, while the case of his mother and nephew was adjudicated. Recently, U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel Schneider dismissed the case of Vandergrift’s mother and nephew. On April 17, Vandergrift met with Schneider in Camden to discuss details of his case. Vandergrift wants a jury trial, and told the judge he’s hoping to find an attorney to assist him. He said if he cannot obtain an attorney within the next few weeks, he’ll represent
himself. “I’m hoping to get an attorney to help with my case,” Vandergrift said. “But I’m also prepared and willing to go pro se, if need be.” Vandergrift said the false accusations had a “devastating” effect on him. “It destroyed my life,” he said. “I haven’t worked since 2012. I’ve been in post-traumatic stress disorder counseling for several years now. I have nightmares every night. I have rage and despair as well.” He added: “The allegations had a devastating effect on my ability to enjoy life and pursue the activities I was passionate about.” His nephew is now enrolled in a private school. “If any good has come from all of this, it’s that my nephew has been placed in a safe and supportive educational environment until he’s 21. That was allocated by law, and we’re grateful for that.” Vandergrift said he’s still fearful of being alone with his nephew, who is 15. “I see him occasionally but I’m never alone with him. And I still don’t hug him. My fears haven’t gone away since August 2011, when the allegations happened.” He expressed hope that his lawsuit will prevent other LGBT people from experiencing similar alleged abuse. n
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Historian, parents discuss LGBT family ties in Philly By Bobby Brier PGN Contributor The first-floor meeting room at the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia in Fairmount Park swelled with people last weekend who had gathered for “Coming Out As An Intergenerational Family Affair: Perspectives from a Father, Mother and Son,” presented by gay historian Dr. Nathaniel Frank and his parents. Frank — along with his father, psychoanalyst by Dr. John L. Frank, and socialworker mother Elaine Frank — spoke candidly about his coming-out to his parents and the importance of understanding and acceptance from parents for their LGBT children. Frank’s new book, “Awakening: How Gays and Lesbians Brought Marriage Equality to America,” is out this month from Harvard University Press. PGN had the opportunity to speak with Frank about the April 22 program, his new work and the importance of marriage equality in today’s political landscape. PGN: How have these two schools of thought (“equals rights for gays and lesbians” and “gay liberation,” cited in “Awakening”) evolved from 1960 to today? NF: I think that one of the things that surprised me most in my research was how LGBT people themselves evolved across these decades of the history that I was exploring. So, first of all, the focus on what I’m calling their gay liberation was part of a larger context of the counterculture. When it comes to the specifics of the way the LGBT movement evolved, there were a lot of people who I cover in my book who started out their work and their thoughts viewing marriage and military service and other aspects of what they felt were establishment culture with a wary eye, as did so many others of the counterculture. As acceptance grew — and part of that acceptance was in some cases prioritizing simple equal treatment and access to the same cultural spaces, like the military, the church and the family as everyone else — it makes [a] certain amount of sense that people would welcome that new sense of access and belonging. That can have the effect also of blunting this more radical fervor that manifested itself in suspicion of mainstream culture.
PGN: What do you think has to be done in the country now in order to ensure the progress that led to marriage equality does not dissolve under the current Trump administration? NF: Well, you always need to maintain vigilance to protect the advances that you’ve worked so hard for when it comes to any kind of social-change activism. That idea of vigilance aligns with the idea of the title of my book, “Awakening,” which is having your eyes open and your consciousness open and focusing on visibility — your own visibility and awareness of what’s going on around you and of the risks to any other vulnerable populations. So, I think the Trump election, and the kind of social and cultural counterrevolution that that represents, is a reminder to us all how fragile progressive gains can be. And, because I think visibility was such an important part of making these gains happen, continuing that visibility will be an important part of protecting them. Hopefully, the lessons contained in the book are among those that people can look to. Visibility is certainly one of them. Finding ways to build coalitions and unify people across different lines of geography, ideology, race, class and so forth is another very important lesson and something that was crucial at times in making the LGBT gains, including marriage equality. PGN: At your Philadelphia presentation, you spoke about the affirmation of parents of their LGBT children. Can you talk more about that? NF: It is incredibly important for LGBT young people to know that their parents love and accept them. We have empirical research showing that rejecting behaviors by parents actually increase the risks for LGBT young people of physical and mental-health problems: anxiety, depression, suicidality, low self-esteem, HIV and AIDS. And by contrast, parents can play a protective role by demonstrating accepting behaviors. No matter what you may believe about gender or sexuality differences, assuming that you care about your children’s well-being, it’s critical that those parents understand that they hold a lot of power [over] the well-being of their children when it comes to how they react to their children’s difference. Parents across the political spectrum who have LGBT kids may not know what it looks like to display accepting behavior and that’s part of what my parents and I were trying to explore and share in the panel. n Dr. Nathaniel Frank is also the author of “Unfriendly Fire: How the Gay Ban Undermines the Military and Weakens America” and is the project director of the What We Know Project at Columbia Law School.
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
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EDITORIAL PGN EDITORIAL
Creep of the Week
D’Anne Witkowski
Alex Jones
Editorial
Tackling transitions The last few weeks have shown that the local LGBT community is one in transition, in more ways than one. The longtime leader of LGBT-health facility Mazzoni Center vacated her role this past weekend, amid allegations of sexual misconduct by an employee and racial bias at the organization. It was a move that had been urged by some current and former employees for months, whose commitment to the cause of transparency and accountability should be commended. But celebration of the development runs the risk of eroding the deeply ingrained issues at play. The allegations of covered-up misconduct, implicit bias, discriminatory policies and more won’t be solved with the departure of one person. While an organization’s leader certainly wields considerable power, and change should start at the top-down, this appears to be the start of a transition period — the navigation of which will be imperative in shaping the outcome of this situation. Mazzoni is not the only entity in transition. The city also recently saw the ouster of the director of its Office of LGBT Affairs, the installation of a new department head and the seating of a commission to guide the city’s LGBT policies and programs. On a broader scale, in the turbulent political climate, and with recent advances for LGBT equality, the community has in recent months been forced to re-examine its goals and priorities. As this community has seen, total consensus over its direction is not an attainable aim; there will continue to be divisions and disagreements among members’ visions for the future. But among the myriad work that lies ahead, the strongest rallying cry has been around holding community and nonprofit leaders accountable — not just for the quality of their work but in how adequately and accurately it reaches and speaks to the diversity of the local LGBT community. Traversing a transition — as an organization, city agency or entire community — requires genuine investment from all parties involved. Egos need to be checked at the door, as does privilege, and listening must win out over hearing. The underlying mission of Mazzoni — advancing and protecting the health of LGBT people — should be the constant focal point of these conversations; in such a turbulent time, the value of that goal is at least one thing that all people in our community can agree on. n
If you don’t know who Alex Jones is, consider yourself lucky. Picture a mentally unstable person boiling over in rage and ranting about conspiracy theories on a street corner. That’s Alex Jones, except instead of a street corner, he has his own radio program and video show on the Internets. Jones is a terrible person. He’s delusional, hateful and says things that anyone with any sense knows are crazy and have no basis in reality. Oh, and Donald Trump loves him. Who says opposites attract? Jones has a long history of anti-LGBT animosity. He’s ranted that the Pulse Nightclub murders in Orlando were a government conspiracy and that the gay community brought it on itself and/or was in on it. He recently called Congressman Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California who has been investigating Trump’s ties to Russia, “an archetypal cocksucker” and “a fairy” who is “sucking globalist dick.” In 2015, Jones said that letting children read “Heather Has Two Mommies” or being respectful of whether a child identifies as a girl or a boy was “space-cult, suicide-cult, exterminism, craziness.” The ultimate plan, Jones said, “is an asexual humanoid.” He promoted the story that Barack Obama and Rahm Emanuel were gay lovers and that Michelle Obama is transgender. “I think it’s all an arranged marriage,” he said last year. “It’s all completely fake and it’s this big sick joke because [Obama is] obsessed with transgender, just like some weird cult or something. I think Michelle Obama is a man. I really do. I really do. I believe it.” Oh, he also believes that Michelle Obama murdered Joan Rivers. He’s called Lady Gaga a “goddess of Satan” and claimed that Beyoncé, with the CIA’s help, wanted to eat children’s brains. Did I mention Trump likes this guy? Anyway, Jones is currently involved in a custody battle with his ex-wife for their three children, ages 14, 12 and 9.
According to his ex-wife, Jones broadcasts his show from the home where he lives with the children and she thinks being exposed to this radical extremist rhetoric is bad for the kids. “He’s not a stable person,” she reportedly told the court according to NBC News. “He says he wants to break Alec Baldwin’s neck. He wants J-Lo to get raped.” But hey, at least he’s not reading “Heather Has Two Mommies” to his kids. Now that the custody of his kids hangs in the balance, Jones, who has basically been a tin-foil-hat salesman and model for years, has changed his tune. He is, according to his lawyer, a “performance artist” who takes “powerful and aggressive and strong and strident positions on controversial issues.” In other words, he’s like an interpretive dancer, if said dancer used hate speech and lies instead of, say, dance moves. On April 15, a clip was posted to the Internet of Jones saying that what he did was “satire” and that he wasn’t being literal. “Yeah, I dress up as the Joker and act all crazy and say crazy stuff. That’s called satire,” he said, adding, “I believe everything I’m basically saying.” The reference to the Joker was an attempt at humor, something Jones is not good at. He is also terrible at satire but very good at believing and spewing complete bullshit. With credentials like that, he could very well become president, or at least get a position in the Trump administration. n
In 2015, Jones said that letting children read “Heather Has Two Mommies” or being respectful of whether a child identifies as a girl or a boy was “spacecult, suicide-cult, exterminism, craziness.”
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Send letters and opinion column submissions to: pgn@epgn.com; PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147; fax: 215-925-6437.
D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.
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OP-ED PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
Coming to terms with Marsha P. Johnson A couple of years ago, the author and The way France used the camera and old director of the Academy Award-nominated video to explain the story was amazing, and “How To Survive a Plague,” David France, for any of us who called them sisters, it was contacted me for his next project. We chatted emotional. To me, it always was Johnson’s a few times and then he arrived at my door laugh, which was infectious, but there was with a complete film crew and research staff. something else the film showcased — the He was going to spend the day class struggle within the commufilming me talking about my sister nity, and how that changed both from Gay Liberation Front in New Johnson and Rivera. The two are York, Marsha P. Johnson. Last often referred to as the mothers week, France was kind enough of the trans movement, a title that to ask me to the Tribeca Film can change you because of others’ Festival for a showing of that film, expectations of who you really now titled “The Death and Life of are. And they both also had their Marsha P. Johnson.” own demons to deal with. Rivera It’s sort of a “documentary who wanted to be a leader, but in the done it,” since Johnson was found end couldn’t live up to the image dead in the Hudson River, off others wished to create for her. Johnson was a symbol who asked of Christopher Street, in 1992. for nothing more than to please Officials claimed it was a suicide people, and she had a generosity but the LGBT community felt that something else was at play bigger then anyone else I’ve wit— and, just like in other cities, Mark Segal nessed since; she had little to offer Johnson’s death was marked as and literally would give you the just another trans death by officials. Her death shirt off her back — a spirit that is in short now takes on a life of its own with her spirit supply these days. and memory leading a new struggle — to end For those of us who see Johnson and Rivera violence against trans people and to bring as our sisters in the early days of “gay liberathose responsible for such violence to justice. tion” — and to this point had never looked at When France first called me, I was already the entirety of their lives but saw them frozen impressed by his knowledge about Johnson, at that pivotal time — the film showed the toll but the scope of it was way beyond any expec- that time period took on them. It’s something tation. For me, Johnson and Sylvia Rivera that many of us who loved and worked with were personal sisters in our well-spent youth them will have to comprehend. n as part of New York’s famed Gay Liberation Front. But that was 1969-71, a long time ago, Mark Segal is the nation’s most-award-winning comand much history has taken place for all of us mentator in LGBT media. His memoir, “And Then I Danced,” is available on Amazon.com, Barnes & since. Noble or at your favorite bookseller.
Mark My Words
Transmissions
Gwendolyn Ann Smith
Disclosure and deception Caitlyn Jenner has an autobiography coming out, and she recently sat down with Diane Sawyer for an interview about her life as part of the promotional tour. I must admit that I did not watch this interview, because — to be frank -— I’m really neither keen nor curious when it comes to things about Jenner. One thing I have noted, however, is how salacious the details have been in the promotion for the book, titled “The Secrets of My Life.” Every article seems to push heavily the details of Jenner’s “final surgery,” as well as her sex life and what gender she may consider dating. Now I know that this sort of scandalous talk is what will be needed to sell the autobiography of a celebrity whose star has dimmed in the scant years since her public coming out, her reality show, her failed motivational-speaking gigs and her estrangement from the Kardashian family. But it all points to a deeper issue that transgender people face. As I listen to all the tawdry details of Jenner’s story, I am also re-reading “How Sex Changed” by Joanne Meyerowitz. It’s a
great text, detailing the history of transsexuality in the United States. It’s likely worth more of your book-buying dollar than the Jenner book. In it, Meyerowitz discusses the reactions to Christine Jorgensen’s coming out in the 1950s, and how both her tale and many others who came out shortly thereafter were steeped in the same sort of salaciousness as the promotions for Jenner’s autobiography. Upon reflection, I realize, too, that every transgender person — and not just the Jorgensens and Jenners — face this same sort of thing. When you are trans, the standards of privacy are thrown out the windows. We are expected to share our most intimate details to anyone we come across. Without exception, any time I was interviewed in any depth, I found myself asked about my name prior to my transition, or for photos of myself from my youth or for details of any surgeries I may have undertaken. It really doesn’t matter if any of that would be relevant to the story; my disclosure is simply expected. The same standard is not expected of PAGE 12 non-transgender people.
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Street Talk Should presidential candidates be required by law to release their tax documents? "Yes. If you're a person with integrity, it wouldn't be a problem. You know you're not doing anything wrong. Joy Costillo I think graduate student President South Philadelphia Trump is hiding something. My personal opinion is that Trump cheated on his taxes. That's why he doesn't want to release them."
I have mixed feelings. I fully support transparency in government, and there are many requirements to meet for Nadia Dy a person to mental-health be president. therapist But passing Point Breeze that law could border on a privacy intrusion. I personally would like to see Trump's taxes, but not every candidate is going to be as untrustworthy as Trump."
"Yes. Don't run for president if you don't want your tax filings released to the public. It's also important Ryan Morgan because a carpenter president Germantown may have foreign connections that the public has a right to know about. Release of their tax filings could reveal those connections."
"Yes. That would increase the public's trust [in government]. The public doesn't trust politicians, generally Heath Woodson speaking. We systems engineer need to know New York City the conflicts of interest a candidate may have. We also need to know their financial dealings, and whether they pay taxes at all. Requiring the release of their taxes has my full support."
Letters and Feedback Editor After reading the [April 21-27, 2017] Thinking Queerly column on casual sex, I found myself discouraged, disturbed and a bit dumbfounded since I could not believe what I just read. Like the author, I have a graduate-school education and have been around the block a few times. This article seems to imply that all homosexual men are only interested in cruising for sex. What a devastating stereotype to perpetrate! This message of sex obsession among gays is on old one — a message that enemies of the LGBT community have used against us for countless years. Most homosexual men are not truck-stop
trollops, backroom-bar ballers, Judy Garland park cruisers and the similar. In many ways, though, Grindr, Tindr, Manhunt and their ilk are often just online versions of these types of cruising scenes. However, the reality is many men, like many women, whether they are a sexual minority or not, search for love and happiness in their lives. Most gay men lead complicated lives as they work and manage their careers, attend school, participate in sports or the arts, do volunteer work and strive to maintain relationships with family and friends. There are not enough hours in the day or energy in the world for it all, oftentimes. And in PAGE 18 addition, some hetero-
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
PGN
Love and science: How science has helped LGBTQ families Last week, the March for Science in That move had a lasting effect. U.S. Washington, D.C., and hundreds of other Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy global locations encouraged science that mentioned it in his 2015 ruling in Obergefell “upholds the common good” and allows eviv. Hodges, the case that established marriage dence-based policymaking in the public inter- equality throughout the country, and noted est (marchforscience.com). I thus thought this that now, “psychiatrists and others [have] recwas a good time to look at how ognized that sexual orientation science has specifically helped is both a normal expression of LGBTQ parents and our children. human sexuality and immutable.” First, and perhaps most obviBeyond the DSM, the research ously, science has helped create of psychologists, sociologists, many LGBTQ families (my own medical and mental-health proincluded) through assisted-reprofessionals, economists, demogduction techniques such as in-viraphers and others has been used tro fertilization (IVF) and gestaextensively in friend-of-the-court tional surrogacy. (amicus) briefs in key LGBTQ Second, science has given us cases, including ones on marstudies of LGBTQ families that riage equality, sodomy laws, military inclusion and antigay discan help us be better parents and by the Boy Scouts. give medical, educational and Dana Rudolph crimination In Obergefell, for example, other professionals a better idea of how to support us; for example, the brief from the American research that shows how we find resilience, Psychological Association (APA) offered a how we deal with stigma and how we relate plethora of “scientific evidence” as to the to donors, birth parents, surrogates and donor normalcy and stability of same-sex relasiblings. tionships, including numerous studies that Third, scientific analyses have helped drive showed “same-sex couples are no less fit policy and law around LGBTQ families. In than heterosexual parents to raise children, 1973, the American Psychiatric Association and their children are no less psychologically removed homosexuality from its Diagnostic healthy and well-adjusted.” Demographic studies swayed the court too. and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders In Obergefell, Kennedy cited demographer (DSM) list of mental disorders. They were Gary Gates of UCLA’s Williams Institute in swayed by “the weight of empirical data,” noting, “Hundreds of thousands of children in addition to “changing social norms” and are presently being raised by [same-sex] the development of a politically active gay couples” — children who suffer stigma and community, says Gregory Herek, professor financial strain if their parents cannot marry. emeritus of psychology at the University of In family law, the decoupling of homoCalifornia-Davis and a widely recognized authority on anti-LGBTQ bias, at his website sexuality and mental illness has also helped in matters of child custody. Prior to 1973, (psychology.ucdavis.edu/rainbow/).
Mombian
TRANSMISSIONS from page 11
Maiden names and other such things are considered private enough to be used as security features with banks and other institutions. Non-transgender strangers don’t expect details of another’s hysterectomies or vasectomies unless they happen to be medical professionals. So many things are naturally considered one’s own private business. The minute one divulges one is transgender, however, all bets are off. What’s more, to make an issue about such questions is to risk being panned as deceptive. On a recent episode of “Survivor,” contestant Jake Varner outed fellow player Zeke Smith as transgender, under the guise of revealing a deception. “There is deception here. Deception on levels these guys don’t understand,” Varner said. After a gentle goading by the show’s host, Varner turned to Zeke, saying point-blank, “Why
haven’t you told anyone here you’re transgender?” The inference was clear, in spite of any last-ditch attempts by Varner to try and backtrack on or justify his statement: By not opting to disclose his trans status, Smith was not to be trusted to be honest on any other issue. This notion of transgender deception pervades our culture. Many assume that trans women are attempting to “trap” unwitting men into “gay” relationships, or are otherwise opting to be deceptive by presenting in their chosen gender. As an extension, this is at the heart of the so-called “transpanic” defense used to defend the murder of transgender people. Our supposed deception is considered strong enough to excuse our very deaths. This same thing is at the heart of the transgender bathroom arguments, with people conflating transgender people with sex-
almost no lesbian mother could gain custody when divorcing a husband, because the DSM said she had a mental illness, explains Nancy Polikoff, LGBTQ family-law expert and professor of law at American University, on her blog. The DSM change “transformed that mother into a parent with a legitimate claim that her lesbianism should not be automatic grounds for denying her custody. Forwardthinking judges began awarding custody to openly lesbian mothers.” In 1976, Polikoff adds, the APA “passed a resolution opposing use of sexual orientation as a primary component in custody, adoption, or foster-parenting determinations” (beyondstraightandgaymarriage.blogspot.com). That shift in thinking still resonates. Earlier this month, the Washington Supreme Court overturned a trial-court decision that had improperly denied a mom custody because she is a lesbian. The ruling stressed that a parent’s sexual orientation may not be considered in custody decisions “absent an express showing of harm to the children.” Transgender parents, too, have benefitted from scientific backing. The DSM in 2013 stopped saying that trans people have “Gender Identity Disorder” — “disorder” implying a mental illness — and instead said they experience “Gender Dysphoria,” a discomfort or conflict between their assigned gender and the one with which they identify. This change has helped doctors in child-custody cases give expert testimony that trans parents do not have a serious mental illness (and are thus unfit to parent) simply by being trans. The ACLU and the National Center for Transgender Equality have also produced a guide for parents and lawyers “to give par-
ual predators using trans public-accommodation rights as a cover for violent, illegal activities. The big irony of it all is that, by living our authentic lives in the genders we have spent so long coming to an understanding of, we are by extension being far more open and honest about who we are to the world. We are shedding an identity that was the true deception, crafted to conceal our deepest secrets. We are literally showing you who we really are, while being brushed off as being deceptive for not remaining in a gender identity that was false. On top of that, by choosing to show you who we truly are, any further expectation of privacy is considered moot. As I said above, we’re expected to give you every intimate detail of our lives, far above and beyond that of any non-transgender person. Now I’m sure that Jenner and her publicists know that such
details will sell books. I am cynical enough to see that they’re opting to play this game. Heck, even annoying me enough to get me to talk about her book is considered a “win” when it comes to publicity. Yet I am also saddened and frustrated to consider how, in doing so, they are making life that much harder for other transgender people who cannot and do not wish to share the private details of their genitals with the known universe. We should be allowed an expectation of privacy, no matter if we’re a former Olympian, an ex-GI, a contestant on “Survivor” or just trying to make it through the day in this crazy world. It’s not that we want to be treated any differently than anyone else. Indeed, we simply wish to be treated with the same respect as anyone else. n Gwen Smith thinks some things are only for her lover. You’ll find her at www. gwensmith.com.
ents and their attorneys an idea of the kind of scientific evidence that is available if needed” when providing expert testimony in custody cases. School policy, as well as law, has been informed by scientific thinking. Herek, for example, provided testimony for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights’ 2011 hearings on ways to protect students from bullying and harassment. GLSEN’s biennial National School Climate Survey on LGBTQ students is replete with statistical analysis — and was cited by the Obama administration’s Education Department in a 2011 memo reminding schools receiving federal funds that they must provide all student groups, including LGBT ones, with equal support. And leading medical and mental-health organizations, as well as 60 other scholars, including demographers, economists and psychologists, recently contributed amicus briefs in support of Gavin Grimm, a transgender student fighting in federal court for the right to use the school bathroom that matches his gender identity. This is but a brief sketch of how science has assisted LGBTQ families (and hasn’t touched on how it has benefitted LGBTQ people in other ways, notably in enabling appropriate medical and mental-health care for LGBTQ individuals), but I hope it helps show that, while love may make a family, science may play a supporting role. Championing the goals of the March for Science may be as important as any advocacy we do for our families in the current era. n Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher of Mombian (mombian.com), a GLAAD Media Award-winning blog and resource directory for LGBTQ parents.
TABLE from page 5
grantmaking organization, will be one of the host organizations for On the Table Philly. DVLF Executive Director Samantha Giusti said she will host, along with DVLF grantees. “I think so frequently when we meet with folks, we have an agenda. This is just idea-sharing,” she said about On the Table. “I don’t know that, in our day-to-day lives, we get this kind of luxury where we get to sit together and just share ideas and dreams to make Philadelphia a stronger, better place to live and work and play. I think that’s exciting: an opportunity to build community and share ideas.” Giusti noted that participants may talk about issues related to the LGBT community, which may help direct DVLF’s grantmaking in the future. However, she also said she is open to discussing other ideas outside of DVLF and the LGBT community. “I’m curious to see where the energy is and what folks choose to talk about,” Giusti said. Interested hosts can register at onthetablephl.org. n
PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
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LOCAL PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
Coach’s lawsuit against Archdiocese settled
News Briefing Settlement efforts underway in HIV case Settlement efforts continue in the case of “Bonnie Jones,” an HIVpositive woman who claims she was denied access to a therapeutic swimming pool due to her serostatus. In June, Jones filed suit against OSS Orthopaedic Hospital, Drayer Physical Therapy Institute and a physical therapist after allegedly being denied access to the hospital’s therapeutic pool. The hospital is located in York. In February, an attorney for Drayer notified U.S. District Judge Yvette Kane that a tentative settlement was reached. However, both sides recently requested more time to finalize a settlement. On April 17, Kane issued an order stating that the parties have until May 14 to request reinstatement of the case if a settlement cannot be finalized.
John P. Duffy’s lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Philadelphia recently was settled, according to court records. The case had been scheduled for a June trial, prior to the settlement. In 2015, Duffy, a former baseball coach at Pope John Paul 2d High School, filed a $5-million lawsuit. Duffy claimed he couldn’t find another coaching job after Archdiocese officials allegedly insinuated that he engaged in unspecified criminal behavior. The suit, filed in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, accused several Archdiocese officials of defamation, civil conspiracy and other wrongdoing. The high school is located in Royersford, and Duffy served as its head baseball coach from January-November 2014. Duffy contended that after his contract wasn’t renewed, Archdiocese officials insinuated to numerous parents that he had a criminal past. Duffy doesn’t have a criminal past, yet officials conveyed to parents that he engaged in unspecified “heinous” and “untoward” conduct, according to court records. In defense papers, Archdiocese officials denied any wrongdoing. Terms of the settlement weren’t available. Neither side had a comment for this update. n — Timothy Cwiek
PGN files court appeal for Morris 911 recordings By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com PGN earlier this month filed an appeal in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, continuing its quest for 911 recordings pertaining to the Nizah Morris incident believed to be at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. In February, the D.A.’s Office submitted an affidavit stating that it doesn’t have the requested recordings. However, PGN challenges the wording of the affidavit. The state Office of Open Records determined the D.A.’s affidavit passed legal muster. But PGN wants a Philadelphia judge to review the matter. In the affidavit, a D.A. staffer wrote “I personally searching” rather than “I personally searched” — referring to a search for Morris 911 recordings at the D.A.’s Office. According to PGN, the wording demonstrates an “ongoing” search for Morris 911 recordings, rather than a completed search. PGN also contends the wording of the affidavit indicates an informal search was conducted “personally” by a staffer, rather than an official open-records search of agency records. The affidavit’s language is “particularly unsettling” because the office is believed to have at least nine pages of Morris 911 recordings, according to PGN. In 2009, PGN gave the recordings to the D.A.’s Office, but they haven’t been certi-
fied. The paper received the recordings from a private individual after Morris’ death. Morris was an African-American trans woman found with a fatal head wound in 2002, shortly after a police “courtesy ride” in the Gayborhood. The D.A.’s Office has an “open” investigation of her homicide. A complete set of Morris 911 recordings could clarify why Morris wasn’t given prompt medical attention after 911 calls were placed on her behalf, why detectives weren’t summoned to investigate and why a police report assigned two genders to Morris. Julie Chovanes, a member of the Justice for Nizah (J4N) committee, reiterated her plea for transparency in the Morris case. “I hope the candidates for District Attorney will commit to reversing this opposition [to transparency] and let us know what happened that night and afterwards,” Chovanes said. “We need this city to be a shining example of freedom — offering shelter and safety and growth for all, especially for its poorest and most disadvantaged. We can’t do that if we don’t know the truth about what happened to Ni-zah.” In a related open-records case, the D.A.’s Office acknowledged it discarded a Morris dispatch record provided to the office by PGN in 2009. However, PGN provided another copy of the record to the office in 2013. That case remains pending in Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. n
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
PGN DILO from page 6
breast cancer and was going to die. Miller held hands with the passenger and said a prayer. “My dad had this mantra: ‘You’re not allowed to profit off of someone’s misfortune or misery,’” Miller said. With this in mind, she refunded the ride. “You think that this is just a job transporting people from one place to another. It’s not,” Miller said. “You literally get to touch people’s lives for a minute and they touch yours in some pretty emotional ways, sometimes.” While Miller has had some emotional rides, she also said she likes joking with her passengers. Miller had two riders from New Hampshire who were heading home after job training in Philadelphia. “’Hopefully [the flight is] not overbooked and you’re on United [Airlines] and need boxing gloves,’” Miller joked, with a reference to the recent incident in which authorities dragged a passenger out of his seat on an overbooked United flight. While the passengers laughed at Miller’s joke, they also discussed the issue in-depth. Miller also said she likes being exposed to different cultures while driving for Uber. She grew up in Turnersville, N.J., which she described as a “suburban, predominantly white neighborhood.” Miller recalled a time when she picked up four Muslim passengers. “You don’t get any further far right or far left than us.” She said the five of them all looked at each other before lapsing into silence. Miller took this opportunity to do what she usually does with passengers: have fun. “I had to think of something funny to say. So I say, ‘This kind of sounds like the beginning of a bar joke. There are four Muslims and a transsexual in an Uber car,’” Miller said. “They cracked up laughing. The girl said, ‘Oh, that’s really funny.’ And I said, ‘Wait a minute, Donald Trump said you’re not allowed to talk.’ She got a kick out of that.”
Eventually one of the males became serious, saying their culture doesn’t “understand why [she] would make the choice that [she has] done to [herself].” “I said, ‘It’s not a choice to do what I did to myself. Really, what it comes down to is the choice to live or die,’” Miller said. “If I didn’t transition and become the woman I was meant to be, I would’ve had to cease to exist because many trans women get to that point.” While Miller said the situation was tense, it had a positive outcome. “We got to share a moment in time together, learn about each other, even laugh with each other and the interesting thing is we didn’t want to kill each other,” Miller said with a laugh. “This is a lesson in life. If we would only stop and learn to talk with each other, listen to each other and maybe try to see someone else’s point of view, maybe there would be far less violence in the world. It’s a fun thing.” Miller also shares personal stories of her own with passengers. On PGN’s recent ride-along, Miller drove a college student to her university and talked about coming out as transgender six years ago. At the time, she said, she had a photo ready to be uploaded on her Facebook page and sat at the computer for two hours with her hand shaking on the mouse. “I hit ‘Send,’ shut my phone off and I went to bed,” Miller told the passenger. The next morning, she received 200 voicemails and her Facebook “blew up” with congratulatory messages. The passenger was quiet during the ride with the exception of the occasional comment but she still noted Miller’s impact on her day. “Thank you,” the passenger said as she got out of the car. “It was nice meeting you.” “Congratulations,” she added. While Miller is usually one to make a joke, she quietly uttered two words back with an almost-shy quality: “Thank you.” n
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MAZZONI from page 1
so we are committed to taking whatever time is required to make the best decision for this critically important role.” After Ruiz’s departure, longtime board member Dr. Tony Rodriguez was selected interim board president. The board also named a new executive committee: Vice President Dr. Mark Blecher, Secretary Christopher Pope and Treasurer Dr. Tony Verdi. Shein also came under fire by critics who contended Mazzoni had racially bias hiring practices and other questionable policies. Mazzoni and Philadelphia FIGHT were mandated to undergo bias training by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations after complaints against both agencies and other local businesses were addressed during a PCHR hearing last fall. Several-dozen employees walked out of Mazzoni’s PCHR training last week, calling on Shein to step down amid the Winn allegations. Protests against Shein and Mazzoni were led in large part by Black & Brown Workers
Collective. BBWC member Abdul-Aliy Muhammad announced last Friday that he would decline his HIV medication until Shein resigned; he resumed after Shein’s resignation was announced Monday. Muhammad did not respond to a request for comment as of presstime.
Several-dozen employees walked out of Mazzoni’s PCHR training last week, calling on Shein to step down amid the Winn allegations. Flynn did not respond to a request for comment on the role of Muhammad’s action in the decision to ask for Shein’s resignation. The Office of LGBT Affairs and Mayor’s Commission on LGBT Affairs issued a statement Monday that they “stand with the commu-
nity, staff and patients of the Mazzoni Center as we call for increased transparency and accountability throughout the investigation of serious allegations of misconduct. We stand in support of these individuals and we offer our assistance in light of the recent transition of leadership.” The day the resignations were announced, Mazzoni also notified supporters that it was cancelling its annual fundraising gala, Elixir, which was scheduled for May 19. Flynn said the decision to cancel the event was made by organizers shortly before Shein’s resignation. “It seemed clear that this was not an appropriate time, amidst the challenges, for Mazzoni to host an event of this nature, and while we are incredibly grateful for all the work that our volunteer committee had put into planning it, and the support from sponsors, hosts and ticket buyers as well, it just felt like the right thing to do,” Flynn said. Last year’s gala netted $135,000, making it the organization’s most success-
Depression is Real. So Are Your Options...
ful fundraiser ever. On the potential impact of the gala’s cancellation, Flynn noted that “fortunately, Mazzoni is operating from a position of financial strength.” Mazzoni staff this week started reaching out to everyone involved in the event “to communicate the reasons for our decision and to determine whether supporters wish for ticket purchases or sponsorships to be refunded or to remain in place as support for the organization,” Flynn said. “The people we’ve spoken with to date have been very understanding and supportive about the decision.” While the gala was impacted by the leadership development, Flynn said the organization’s move to its new South Philadelphia location will not be. “The move is on track to proceed as scheduled,” she said. Mazzoni will be closed May 24-29 to accommodate the move and will open for services at its new headquarters, at Broad and Bainbridge streets, May 30. n
SENATE from page 1
sion,” the bill states. The bill outlines that there is no defense to a claim if an individual practices discriminatory actions based on the “mistaken belief “ that a person or group has characteristics “upon which this act prohibits discrimination” or based upon a person or group the individual associates with. Two Republicans joined Browne and Farnese — Reps. Scott Wagner (28th Dist.) and Charles McIlhinney (10th Dist.) — along with Democratic Sens. Jay Costa (43rd Dist.), Vincent Hughes (Seventh COUNCIL from page 2
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at declining entry to the bar from black and brown community members.” Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club Co-Chair Malcolm Kenyatta said that “people aren’t making this up” in regard to how racial bias has been handled in the Gayborhood. “The only true victory will be a victory that disrupts all systems of oppression and requiring and ensuring that all institutions operate according to our city’s very explicit and implicit values — diversity, inclusion and equity,” Kenyatta said. “Justice that isn’t intersectional isn’t justice at all.” Asa Khalif, the head of the Pennsylvania chapter of Black Lives Matter, honored the black and brown activists “who are no longer with us but their spirit of courage, bravery and a burning demand for justice inspired us all.” “This bill will give the government a powerful tool to fight discrimination in our city,” Khalif
LETTERS from page 11
sexuals do indeed use online dating and hook-up apps and do engage in a variety of casual-sex adventures. There are many sites dedicated to those seeking straight sex for “swingers,” threesomes, for B&D and other fetish-type experiences. Also, let us not forget the college hook-up culture that may or may not exist. Therefore, how can the author posit that only gay guys make use of the Internet for hooking up and for other forms of one-night stands? While it is true that some gays do make use of online dating and hook-up apps, it is also true that there are many other ways to meet gay people. People meet in the real world at college, at work, in bars and nightclubs, through friends and via sports teams and volunteer organizations. In many ways, online dating apps are analogous to the newspaper “lonely hearts” ads of yesteryear. And so I am completely at a loss as to why the author can write such an analysis of homosexual men — an analysis that makes oppressive, blanket generalizations, and that in one fell swoop disparages us all. The article does suggest that this aspect of life, promiscuity and “loose” sex, is the purview of homosexual men only. The truth is most people, gay or straight, search for meaning, purpose and love, not just some “quickie” in the bushes. — Stephen Campellone Solebury Dist.), James Brewster (45th Dist.), Anthony Williams (Eighth Dist.), Daylin Leach (17th Dist.), Lisa Boscola (18th Dist.), John Sabatina (Fifth Dist.), John Yudichak (14th Dist.), Art Haywood (Fourth Dist.), John Blake (22nd Dist.), Sharif Street (Third Dist.) and Wayne Fontana (42nd Dist.). Five cosponsors from last session are no longer serving in the legislature. Meanwhile, Sens. Judith Schwank (D-11th Dist.), Christine Tartaglione (D-Second Dist.) and Andrew Dinniman (D-19th Dist.) cosponsored last session but have not yet signed on to this bill. n said. “If your business discriminates and fails to take corrective action, the city — with this bill — will shut down the revenue stream until you try a little harder to change your heart and the way you conduct business.” COLOURS interim executive director Lee Carson was last to testify. “We must end the cycle of institutionalized oppression in public accommodations in Philadelphia,” Carson said. “We need to [tell] the rest of the Commonwealth and the country that we take acts of discrimination seriously.” Following the hearing, Green told PGN he “introduced the bill based on attending the [fall PCHR] hearing, reading various news accounts and talking to other friends and contacts in the LGBTQ community about this issue.” “I’m glad to have the support of the members of the community that came and testified regarding the issue that has been ongoing for a number of years,” Green said. n
PGN
International Gay officer killed in Paris shooting A gunman who opened fire on the Champs-Élysées in Paris April 20 killed a gay police officer and wounded two others. Xavier Jugelé was among the three police officers the gunman shot at around 9 p.m. The gunman was killed as he tried to flee the area. Mickaël Bucheron, president of Flag!, a French association of LGBT police officers, said that Jugelé joined his group a “few years ago.” Bucheron said he was among the Flag! members who participated in protests against Russia’s law banning the promotion of so-called gay propaganda to minors that took place during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Jugelé was among the police officers who responded to the Bataclan concert hall in Paris Nov. 13, 2015, after three gunmen stormed it, killing 89 people. “He was a simple man who loved his job,” Bucheron said of Jugelé April 21. “He was really committed to the LGBT cause.”
Iran police arrest, attack and torture gay men According to an Iranian LGBT organization, Iran police have arrested, attacked and physically beaten more than 30 gay men in a raid of a private party. Authorities fired their guns while seizing the men in the Esfahan province, the Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees (IRQR) reported. “IRQR received several reports in the last few days and we were able to confirm that police attacked guests and physically beat them,” the human-rights agency said. “Police detained the men, ages 16-30, at the Basij [Revolutionary Guard Militia] Station and then transferred them to Esfahan’s Dastgerd Prison. A few people managed to escape and we received reports that there were several heterosexual individuals among those arrested.” The organization added: “After a few days, all the families were informed by Basij that their sons were arrested for sodomy. A special prosecutor has been assigned to their cases and they were charged with sodomy, drinking alcohol and using psychedelic drugs. It was reported that prisoners will be sent to Esfahan’s Medical Jurisprudence Department for anal examination in order to provide evidence of homosexual acts
to the court.” Such “examinations,” deemed torture by human-rights groups, involve examining someone’s anus to see if they had been penetrated, check for traces of sperm and taking a picture to “study” the shape of the hole. If it is wider, the more “likely” the person has engaged in gay sex, according to the widely discredited 19th-century test. Forbidden under international law, such exams are widely known across Africa as the “tests of shame.” The IRQR added: “This unfortunate event has created chaos among the LGBT community in Esfahan, since prisoners were forced to write down full names of all their LGBT friends and acquaintances. IRQR is deeply concerned about this situation since Iran has a well-documented history of persecuting homosexuals.” Homosexuality in Iran is punishable by imprisonment, corporal punishment or execution.
After sex video, S. Korea cracks down on gay soldiers A human-rights group is accusing South Korea’s army of hunting down and prosecuting gay servicemen after a sex video between two male soldiers was posted on the Internet earlier this year. South Korea’s army says it’s conducting a proper criminal investigation on soldiers allegedly involved with filming and uploading the video. But Taehoon Lim of the Military Human Rights Center for Korea says the army has embarked on a broader mission to weed out gay soldiers. Lim says more than 30 soldiers are being investigated and at least one of them has been arrested. Rights advocates say the campaign is stoking fear in an already-persecuted minority group.
Dozens arrested in Nigeria after gay wedding Nigerian police say they have arrested 53 young men who celebrated a gay wedding and charged them with “belonging to a gang of unlawful society.” Prosecuting officer Mannir Nasir told a court on April 19 that the young men were arrested April 15 in the northern city of Zaria while attending a party organized for two men who got married. While Nigerian law bans gay marriage, some couples conduct informal ceremonies. The 53 men pleaded not guilty to charges that also included conspiracy and unlawful assembly. They were granted bail, and their next hearing has been set for May 8. n
— compiled by Larry Nichols
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
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locations outside Pennsylvania DELAWARE Rehoboth Beach • Canal Side Inn, 34 Sixth St. • Proud Bookstore, 149 Rehoboth Ave. • Rigby’s Bar & Grill, 404 Rehoboth Ave. • Shore Inn, 37239 Rehoboth Ave. • Wilmington • AIDS Delaware, 100 W. 10th St. • Crimson Moon, 1909 S. Sixth St. •
NEW JERSEY Asbury Park • Georgie’s, 812 Fifth Ave. • Paradise, 101 Asbury Ave. • Atlantic City • Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, 1 Borgata Way • Oasis, 32 S. Tennessee Ave. • Ocean House, 127 S. Ocean Ave. • Rainbow Room, 30 S. Florida Ave.• Ritz Condo lobby, 2715 Boardwalk • South Jersey AIDS Alliance. 10 Gordon’s Alley • Bordentown • Shoppe 202, 202 Farnsworth Ave. • Brigantine • Laguna Grill, 1400 Ocean Ave. • Camden • Honor Box, PATCO Ferry Ave. Station • Cherry Hill • The Bagel Spot, 600 N. Kings Hwy. • Collingswood • Honor Box, PATCO Collingswood Station • Groove Ground, Haddon Ave. • Egg Harbour City • Red Barn Books, 1204 White Horse Pike • Egg Harbour Twp. • Atlanticare, 6550 Delilah Ave. • Galloway • Pride Alliance Stockton College, 101 Vera King Farris Dr. suite 240 • Gloucester City • Red Barn Books, 600 Rt. 130 South • Haddonfield • Honor Box, PATCO Haddonfield Station, PATCO Woodcrest Station • Hammonton Club Revolution, 19 N. Egg Harbor Rd. • Highland Park • Pride Center of NJ, 85 Raritan Ave. • Lambertville • Buck’s Ice Cream, 25 Bridge St. • St. Andrews Church, 50 York St. Lebanon • LGBT of Hunterdon Co., 126 Petticoat Lane • Lindenwold • Honor Box, PATCO Lindenwold Station East • Honor Box, PATCO Lindenwold Station West • Mountainside • Rivendell Media, 1248 Rt. 22 West • Oaklyn • Sacred Green Earth, 511 Whitehorse Pike • Princeton • LGBT Center, Princeton University, 246 First Campus Center • Vineland • J&J News, 729 N. Main St. • West Berlin • Red Barn Books, 597 Route 73 North • West Cape May • Gables of Cape May, 600 Park Blcd. • Westmont • Honor Box, PATCO Westmont Station •
NEW YORK Blooming Grove • Help Inc., 48 Sylvan Trail • New York City • Lesbian and Gay Services Center, 208 W. 13th St.
honor box locations 2nd & Chestnut sts. • 2nd & Walnut sts. • 3rd & Chestnut sts. • 3rd & Market sts. • 3rd & Spruce sts. • 4th & Bainbridge sts. • 4th & Chestnut sts. • 4th St. bet. Arch & Market sts., by Holiday Inn • 5th & Spring Garden sts. • 5th & Spruce sts. • 6th St. & Washington Square West • 7th & Pine sts. • 8th & Market sts. • 8th & South sts. • 8th & Walnut sts. • 9th & Market sts. • 9th & Pine sts. • 10th & Market sts. • 10th & Pine sts. • 10th & South sts. • 10th & Spruce sts.• 10th & Reed sts. • 11th & Arch sts. • 11th & Locust sts. • 11th & Pine sts. • 11th & Walnut sts. • 12th & Filbert sts. • 12th & Locust sts. • 12th & Manning sts. •12th & Spruce sts. • 12th & Walnut sts. • 13th & Arch sts. • 13th & Chestnut sts. • 13th & Locust sts. • 13th & Pine sts. • 13th & Sansom sts. • 13th & Spruce sts. • 13th & Walnut sts. •15th & Spruce sts. • 16th St. & JFK Boulevard • 16th & Market sts. • 17th & Lombard sts. • 17th & Pine sts. • 17th & Spruce sts. • 18th St. & JFK Boulevard • 18th & Locust sts. • 18th & Market sts. • 19th & South sts. • 20th & Fitzwater sts. • 20th & Locust sts. • 20th & Pine sts. • 20th & Sansom sts. • 20th & Vine sts. • 21st & Walnut sts. • 22nd & Chestnut sts. • 22nd & Market sts. • 22nd & South sts. • 22nd & Walnut sts. • 23rd St. & Fairmount Avenue • 27th & Poplar sts. • 28th & Girard sts.• 29th & Girard sts. • 30th & Market sts. • 34th & Spruce sts. • 34th & Walnut sts. • 36th & Walnut sts. • 37th & Spruce sts. • 38th & Chestnut sts. • 38th & Spruce sts. • 38th & Walnut sts. • 40th & Walnut sts. • 40th & Spruce sts. • 63rd St. & City Ave. • 69th St. SEPTA station • 505 S. Fourth St. • Broad & Chestnut sts. • Broad & Ellsworth sts. • Broad & Race sts. • Broad & Spruce sts. • Broad & Walnut sts. • Front & Girard sts. • Germantown & Girard sts. • Juniper & Market sts. • Main & Cotton sts. • Main & Levering sts. • Passyunk Ave & 10th & Reed sts. • Passyunk & Mifflin sts. • University City SEPTA Station • Walnut & Dock sts., by Ritz Movies • Welsh Road & Roosevelt Boulevard • Wyndmoor SEPTA Station •
All of these locations are now visible on a zoomable Google Map at
http://www.epgn.com/pages/where_to_find Would you like to be on our distribution list? Contact: don@epgn.com or 215-451-6182 ext. 200 for delivery of complimentary copies.
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PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
The
LGBT Senior Supplement
Guide to the Gayborhood
The Philadelphia Gayborhood is roughly centered at Locust and Camac streets. Look for the rainbow street signs at intersections and remember to be aware of your surroundings wherever you go. Boxers
1330 Walnut St. facebook.com/ boxersphl Sports bar with a dozen huge TVs, pool table, brick pizza oven, sports teams specials
Toasted Walnut
Tabu
Woody’s
1316 Walnut St. 215.546.8888 Festively lit women-owned bar complete with a “beer” pong table
202 S. 13th St. 215.545.1893 woodysbar.com Includes attached Walnut Street bars Rosewood and GloBar
m
m <— Juniper St.
Chancellor St.
m
m
St. James St.
m Locust St.
Manning St.
m
11th St.
r
m
Quince St.
<—
Latimer St.
12th St.
13th St.
Camac St.
m
r
206 S Quince St. 215.627.1662 Old-school men’s bar; pool tables, big-screen sports action; basement has enforced dress code Walnut St.
m
m
The Bike Stop
200 S. 12th St. 215.964.9675 tabuphilly.com Sports bar with light fare and shows upstairs
We’re all getting older. For LGBT seniors, being out in the golden years can pose a whole new set of challenges. PGN’s special Senior Supplement will cover everything from legal issues to sexual health.
Spruce St.
m
Cypress St.
William Way LGBT Community Writer’s Block Rehab Center 1342 Cypress St. 267.603.6960 A cozy, comfortable bar and lounge perfect for escaping the norm
1315 Spruce St. 215.732.2220 waygay.org A resource for all things LGBT
<— <— West of Broad Street Stir Lounge
1705 Chancellor St. 215.732.2700 stirphilly.com Fun two-bar lounge, DJ in the back, regular poker games and specials
The Attic Youth Center
255 S. 16th St. 215.545.4331 atticyouthcenter.org Safe space and programs for LGBTs age 16-23 weekday afternoons and evenings
Voyeur
Knock
U Bar
ICandy
1221 St. James St. 215.735.5772 voyeurnightclub.com After-hours private club; membership required
1220 Locust St. 215.546.6660 Relaxing corner bar, easy-going crowd, popular for happy hour and window watching
225 S. 12th St. 215.925.1166 knockphilly.com Fine-dining restaurant and bar, outdoor seating (weather permitting), piano in back room
254 S. 12th St. 267.324.3500 clubicandy.com Three floors with a total of six bars; dance floor, lounge and rootop deck.
Tavern on Camac 255 S. Camac St. 215.545.8731 Piano lounge with upstairs dance floor; Tavern restaurant below is open late.
Pa. bars close at 2 a.m. unless they have a private-club license. Please drink responsibly.
LGBT Senior Supplement coming May 26 DEADLINE TO ADVERTISE: May 19 215-625-8501 ext. 212 or email prab@epgn.com
Only in
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
HEALTH AND WELLNESS DIRECTORY rev. dr. Nadine
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
Wedding Services Directory Spring Hollow Golf Club
Wedding Services
with Style
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fciant Wedding O Non-denominational Customized Ceremonies Initial Consulting and Meeting Open to Venue Location
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
PGN
Wedding Services Directory 800 Lombard Street Washington Square West Philadephia. PA 19147
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FEATURE PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
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Prince’s backing band brings reunion tour to Philly By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com The Revolution, the legendary funk/rock band behind some of Prince’s most popular albums and tours, is hitting the road this spring. The troupe reunited for a handful of tribute concerts last year in Minneapolis following the sudden death of the iconic singer, performer and songwriter. Guitarist Wendy Melvoin, bassist Brown Mark, keyboardists Matt Fink and Lisa Coleman and drummer Bobby Z. were all immortalized on screen and on tape after having appeared on Prince’s bestselling album and film, “Purple Rain,” as well as the albums “Around The World in a Day” and “Parade,” before Prince disbanded the group in 1986. Melvoin and Coleman, who were in a relationship with each other at the time, went on to form the duo Wendy & Lisa. They recorded a number of albums and won numerous awards and accolades for their work, as well as composed music for TV shows and films like “Nurse Jackie,” “Heroes,” “Shades of Blue” and “Carnivale.” The pair has also collaborated with singers Madonna, Meshell Ndegocello, Gwen
Stefani, Sheryl Crown, k.d. Lang and Grace Jones, among others. Many musicians backed up Prince over the course of his prolific career but The Revolution has always held the most popularity — and mystique — among his fans. Coleman said while being part of the group when Prince’s career hit critical mass with “Purple Rain” is a big part of the draw, there is more to the affiliation. Bobby Z. began working with Prince when he was just 19, and one by one the rest of the members joined about every other year, putting out albums such as “Controversy” and “1999,” until Melvoin got on board shortly before “Purple Rain.” The process led to a cohesion, Coleman said. “I think [The Revolution has] a special-ness to it because it was the only band Prince really ever was in, like a real band. The way that we worked together, he asked for our input. We worked together for a lot of years honing the sound. It was kind of the first of his bands to take off,” she said. “It’s crazy because we have older people and they bring their kids who are teenagers or in their early 20s. We’ve been able to cross generations, which is really amazing. Everybody
has memories of it and the younger people talk about their parents listening to Prince and The Revolution. The parents talk about how it reminds them of high school. It’s amazing how we have punched holes in the culture.” The last time The Revolution toured together, besides a few one-off reunion shows, was back in 1986 for Prince’s “Parade” album. Coleman said, despite the long absence, the band’s chemistry quickly came back after more than 30 years of separation. “It’s kind of scary how easy it was,” she said about the recent tour. “The hardest part was the emotional part of it. We would start playing a song like ‘Controversy’ and it would be super-emotional. We couldn’t quite get through it. We’d stop, get choked up and end up talking for hours. Most of our rehearsals have ended up being us hanging out and just giving each other emotional support. So yeah, the chemistry is amazing and we’re even closer than we ever have been. It’s really great.” Since Prince was the focal point of the group, the big question looming over the reunion shows is which songs The Revolution would perform, and which band members
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would sing them. Coleman said they all agreed that they had some big shoes to fill. “There’s no replacing Prince, obviously. And no one ever could, to us especially,” she said. “We decided to approach the group-vocal kind of songs first, and then we’ve been able to have the occasional guest singer join us. But what’s really important to us right now is that we want the audience to be involved. Prince exists when we play and sing together. So our philosophy for this whole thing is, let’s just conjure as much as we can of Prince when we play these songs. And we’re not trying to be flashy and show we don’t need him because we will always need him; that’s just the way it is. We have the recording to live by. We were a band and we were the thing that he loved and that he cozied up to and that made him dance and sing his heart out. We want the audience to feel that and to also be involved and sing. So there will be Prince. That’s our whole motto right now.” Most fans of Prince know that, while he wrote, recorded and put out new music at a prolific and dizzying pace, he was very protective of unreleased material, which he kept in a vault, and quickly PAGE 26
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shut down bootlegs floating around the Internet. Now that his estate is being controlled by family members and record labels, there is speculation that there will be numerous posthumous releases and re-issues coming down the pike, including a “Purple Rain” deluxe edition later this year. Coleman said there are no immediate plans for The Revolution to put out any new material and that they aren’t involved in deciding what, if any, Prince material from that era is going to get an official release. “We talk about that quite often,” Coleman said about recording with The Revolution. “We jam a lot and we are recording those jams but we’ll see what happens. We’re taking it slow. There’s a great deal of unreleased material that we’d like to see released but it’s not up to us. It’s up to [Prince’s] estate. We don’t want to be part of that whole struggle and fight. We feel like we need to fight about it, but it’s going to take some time before any of that stuff sees the light of day. We have been a little bit involved with the Warner Bros. [‘Purple Rain’] release that is coming up in June. It has some unreleased material on that so we’re pretty excited to have that released.” Outside of The Revolution, Coleman and Melvoin are award-winning and sought-after TV and film composers. While touring with The Revolution is commanding a lot of their attention for the foreseeable future, Coleman said she hopes to find a balance between performing and composing. “Luckily right now, we’re on hiatus because the television season is on a break,” Coleman said. “We turned down a couple things to do this [tour]. We are committed to ‘Shades of Blue’ that we have been working on for the first two seasons and it just got picked up for a third season. So we’re defi-
nitely going to do that. I love my job as a composer a lot. I think we’ll be able to work it out and do both. That is my dream.” But, putting out and new music as Wendy & Lisa is on the backburner for now. “I hate to say no, but we are always writing,” she said. “I think right now the priority is The Revolution and our commitments to ‘Shades of Blue’ so Wendy & Lisa will have to hang on for a minute.” Which Prince and The Revolution albums and tours did Coleman favor? “It changes all the time,” she said. “Right now we’re in Chicago at the Metro and I remember playing here on the ‘Dirty Mind’ tour. I think I was 20 years old and I think back on that tour with a lot of fondness. We were so great and young. It was before things took off but there was a simmering going on. I just love that experience. Now that I’m older, I can look back on it and really appreciate how cool that was and how exciting it was to be the only girl in the band with these crazy musicians and we were tearing it up. Aside from that, suddenly it was ‘Purple Rain’ and we had people to carry our bags. We were totally spoiled. That had its perks for sure: bigger hotels and limousines. It was crazy and wonderful. We were hungry, young and wild and it came off that way. We rocked hard. We still have that kind of energy.” n The Revolution performs April 29-30 at TLA, 334 South St. For more information, call 215-922-1011 or visit www.tlaphilly.com.
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Locally trained singer takes on lead in ‘Marriage of Figaro’ By A.D. Amorosi PGN Contributor The character of Figaro is one of the most finely detailed and renowned in operatic literature. As essayed first by playwright Pierre Beaumarchais in his comedies “The Barber of Seville,” “The Marriage of Figaro” and “The Guilty Mother,” the rakish, witty Figaro is smarter and sharper than his class would (or rather, should) allow, he being the valet to Spain’s Count Almaviva, governor of Andalusia. As a shrewd modish up-market major-domo, Figaro is slyly acerbic and ready with the most cutting and knowing of retorts. It is, however, his role as fiancé to Suzanne — Countess Rosine’s maid — that shows Figaro as a tender, coy and cool romancer. This weekend, Opera Philadelphia unveils its opulent take on Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” with conductor Corrado Rovaris and director Stephen Lawless at the helm, and Philadelphia native Brandon Cedel — an out bass-baritone who graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music — as the titular soon-to-marry Figaro. Oddly enough, Cedel’s live-in boyfriend and fellow Curtis Institute grad (they live in Germany now) Jonathan Beyer, a baritone, played the very same role in Opera Philadelphia’s 2014 take on Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville.” Go figure. One could hardly expect the twosome to talk of anything except opera.
“Well, that would be all well and good if it wasn’t for the fact that we do actually talk about it more often than you think,” said Beyer with a laugh, before he mentioned how the dueling pianists also happen to hang around the house playing four handed-sonatas for fun and relaxation. “We do have an ongoing dialogue, funny or not funny, about doing that same Figaro role, as well as other roles we play.” (Beyer also played the Count in another production of “The Marriage of Figaro.”) “It’s just one of the great, classic roles,” said Cedel, who called “The Marriage of Figaro” a homecoming of sorts, as he went to school in Hershey, then to Curtis for his undergrad and master’s degrees and met Beyer. He made his professional debut for Opera Philadelphia in “Tosca” in 2011. “This city has meant a lot to me,” he said. Beyer grew up in Chicago and wound up at Curtis as a composition major. He joked, “I was so good at composing that I wound up a professional singer instead.” Both men discuss the original source material from which Figaro came, with Beyer revealing how his Rossini-based character was lighter and more playful than the Mozart-Cedel model. “I think mine was more playful and fun for the audience to watch, a sillier take,” he said. “There is no romantic subtext for him this time as he’s there to facilitate the relationship between the tenor and the mezzo. Plus when we did that in Philly, the director played up
the campy side, made him a hairdresser who modernist opera “South Pole” as soon as gossiped a lot. “Figaro” is done — doesn’t really compare “There was, however, the underlying back- one’s personal Figaro to the other, as each is story of the class system in there,” for addi- so radically different in tone and tenor. tional snark and smarts, he said. “There’s no ‘Who does it better?’ but For the Mozart “Marriage” at the Academy, rather, because we are both singers from the Cedel noted his Figaro was written for a same school with the same teachers, we can lower voice, romantic talk about the ideas that a and perhaps sterner, director or conductor has and possibly with a bit in regard to the characof a mean streak about ters because we have been him. through that and continue “The characters in to do so,” Cedel said. “It’s this ‘Figaro’ are more nice because we can just serious, often villainbounce off each other.” ous and, at the very Beyer added he has least, not comic in watched his partner make any way,” Cedel said. this version of the Figaro “He is, however, quick role his own. and witty with a ready “I have watched and lisanswer for everything. tened to him making this What he lacks in the role suit his voice, a real status of class he was job as the last gig he had born into, he makes was the lighter La Parello up for in being able in ‘Don Giovanni,’ with a JONATHAN BEYER (LEFT) AND different feel than Figaro. to outsmart any of the BRANDON CEDEL It’s been nice hearing him higher-class people standing next to him.” get Figaro in the back of Beyer perked up, stating that in “Marriage,” his throat. That’s what’s great about living there is much more tension between the with a singer: watching and hearing each Count and Figaro. other grow, exchanging ideas and prepara“They’re younger and more carefree in tions.” n Rossini’s eyes.” The pair — who will head back to “The Marriage of Figaro” runs April 28-May Germany, as Beyer starts work on dark, 7 at the Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS
Arab-Israeli film showcases female strength, empowerment By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor Sisters are doing it for themselves in the queer-themed Israeli film “In Between,” playing May 1 at the Gershman Y as part of the Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival’s “CineMondays” program. This absorbing drama, directed by Maysaloun Hamoud, has three Palestinian women living together in Tel Aviv. Leila (Mouna Hawa) and her roommate Salma (Sana Jammelieh) like to have fun, drinking and doing drugs with their gay and straight friends. Enter Nour (Shaden Kanboura), a Muslim student who is studying computer science at a nearby university. She moves into the apartment, and is initially wary of her new roommates. However, the women are actually very supportive of one another. As Arabs living in Israel, the women are described as “in between” — “neither here nor there.” The description also fits the central characters because they are navigating the uncertainty in their lives. Lelia, who viewers might be surprised to discover is a lawyer, is the strongest and arguably most cynical of the three roommates. She enters into a relationship with Ziad (Mahmoud Shalaby), a filmmaker she meets at a party. Their seduction is charming, and there is an irresistible chemistry between them as they eat a private meal together in the apartment. However, a conflict soon develops between them when Leila meets Ziad’s sister. Leila steadfastly refuses to change some of her behaviors, like smoking, for her boyfriend. Viewers will be rooting for her as she remains firm in her convictions. In contrast, Nour is engaged to Wissam (Henry Andrawes), but Wissam is skeptical of Nour living with Leila and Salma. He calls them bad influences and refers to them as “sluts.” While Nour’s roommates may be party girls, the tolerance and support they share is noteworthy. Moreover, Wissam’s behavior is quite reprehensible towards Nour — and not just because he doesn’t want her to get a job so she can stay home and raise their children. Meanwhile, Salma’s parents keep arranging dinners with suitors for her to marry, but Salma is a closeted lesbian. She eventually acts on her attraction to Dunya (Ahlam Canaan), a doctor who sidles up to the bar where Salma works. Their relationship starts out slowly when Salma prematurely ends a potential evening together to take care of a drunk Leila. But the young women meet for coffee the next day, and after a little kissing, things start to get serious. Salma even takes Dunya home to her unsuspecting parents, which causes some dramatic fireworks.
“In Between” generated some controversy in Israel early this year because of its portrayal of lesbianism, as well as for the characters’ copious drinking and drug-taking. The film is certainly risqué for an Arab-Israeli production, but the portrayal of these women’s lives is compelling because each female character has agency. The feminist points director Hamoud make ring true, and they are never preachy — even if the opening scene has a woman getting her legs depilated by a cosmetician who reinforces gender roles. The beautician tells her client “not to raise her voice, cook good food, wear perfume, keep your body smooth and do what he tells you in bed.” These are not things the women, even Nour, in “In Between” are likely to do.
What buoys the film is the bond that develops among the roommates, which is heartfelt and never calculated. After Leila and Nour chat in their kitchen, it makes sense that Leila cares about Nour to help with a sticky situation that develops with Wissam. Thankfully, the female characters never get emotional or sappy; they simply do what they can for one another. Hamoud’s film is refreshing that it never insults its characters or its audience. Even Salma’s relationship with Dunya is depicted beautifully, showing the women comfortably holding hands in Tel Aviv, but breaking their grasp in Salma’s hometown when a neighbor spots their affection. “In Between” is a film in which many of the characters “live a lie,” or have to repress their true natures. What makes it so inspiring and satisfying is how the women navigate these trials and tribulations in their lives. Salma may be closeted with her parents, and more open with her friends, but watching her come into her own is gratifying. Likewise, while Nour is trapped in a bad relationship, she finds appropriate ways of asserting her independence. And Leila’s response to Ziad, who asks her not to live her life as she wants, is empowering. The three lead actors are superb, creating characters who are tough and vulnerable in equal measure. Their stories tug at the heartstrings but never strain the emotions. Hamoud’s film is only playing once in Philadelphia — don’t miss it. n
Theater & Arts American Watercolor in the Age of Homer and Sargent Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring watercolor painting’s remarkable rise in the United States between 1860-1925 through May 14, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Caitlyn Jenner The transgender sports figure and author hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. April 28 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341. Channeling Nature by Design Philadelphia Museum of Art explores how designers of handmade and industrial objects — including furniture, pottery, kitchenware and even a 3-D printed neckpiece — have responded to the beauty and fragility of the natural world through July 16, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Clue: On Stage The comedy/ murder mystery production based on the classic board game runs May 2-20 at Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St., New Hope; 215862-2121. Gabourey Sidibe The actor and author hosts a reading of her new book, “This Is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare,” 7:30 p.m. May 4 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
“TROUBLE” MAKER: Gay screenwriter, director and pop-culture icon John Waters — who was behind such classics as “Pink Flamingos” and “Hairspray” — hosts a live Q&A about his latest book, “Make Trouble,” 7:30 p.m. April 29 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St. For more information, call 215-567-4341.
Hand to God Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Tony Award-nominated Broadway comedy about a puppet at the Christian Puppet Ministry that presents a shockingly sinister agenda of its own through April 30 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-9850420. The Importance of Being Earnest Walnut Street Theatre presents the classic Oscar Wilde play through April 30, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. Jerry’s Girls Walnut Street Theatre presents Broadway’s electrifying tribute to the all-American master of song, Jerry Herman, through July 2 at Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215574-3550. La La Land The acclaimed 2016 musical film is screened 8 p.m. May 1 at The Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888.
Lino Tagliapietra: Painting in Glass Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition showcasing the artist’s complex glass vessels through July 16, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100.
July 9, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Person of the Crowd: The Contemporary Art of Flânerie The Barnes Foundation features works by 40 international artists making provocative spectacles of themselves through May 22, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; 215-2787000.
Sense of Human Koresh Dance Company reprises its repertoire favorite, which explores the perception of reality, selfdiscovery and the reasons we choose to wear carefully chosen façades, May 4-7 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-9850420.
Phulkari: The Embroidered Textiles of Punjab Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the beauty and cultural significance of phulkari, ornately embroidered textiles from Punjab, a region straddling Pakistan and India, through
Sanctuary Kun-Yang Lin/ Dancers present a new dance piece inspired by the Pulse Nightclub tragedy through April 29 at Prince Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215422-4580.
Shut Up & Dance 2017 MANNA is the beneficiary of the annual event hosted by Martha Graham Cracker and featuring performances by the dancers by the Pennsylvania Ballet 7 p.m. April 29 at Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St.; 215-923-1515.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS
Mr. Philly Drag King 2017! Liberty City Kings Drag & Burlesque presents the amateur competition featuring kings from Philly, New Jersey and Delaware 8 p.m. April 29 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220. Envoute Magic & Burlesque The burlesque, music and magic sideshow kicks off 7:30 p.m. April 30 at L’Etage, 624 S. Sixth St.; 215592-0656.
Outta Town
JUST BOB: Out alternative-rock pioneer, singer and band leader Bob Mould comes to Philadelphia without the benefit of backing musicians on his solo electric tour 8 p.m. April 29 at Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St. For more information or tickets, call 215-928-4004.
Music
29-30 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-9221011.
Darius Rucker The country singer performs 8 p.m. April 28 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-6253681.
Lea Michele The singer and actress performs 8 p.m. May 1 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-732-1366.
The New Pornographers The Canadian indierock band performs 8:30 p.m. April 28 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.
Old 97’s The alternativecountry band performs 8:30 p.m. May 2 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-2322100.
The Revolution The funk band known for performing with Prince performs April
Black Lips The garage-rock band performs 8:30 p.m. May 3 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring
Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Out & About Listings, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 fax: 215-925-6437; or e-mail: listings@epgn.com. Notices cannot be taken over the phone.
Garden St.; 215-2322100. Lez Zeppelin The all-female Zeppelin tribute band performs 8 p.m. May 5 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-2575808. Start Making Sense The Talking Heads tribute band performs 8 p.m. May 5 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Nightlife The Sweet Spot Rita Lynn and Nunn Betta host the women’s party, with DJs Hvnlee, Dommis and JStarr spinning, 10 p.m. April 28 at TLO Event Complex, 1621 Cecil B. Moore Ave.; 973980-7600.
Every Time I Die The metal band performs 8 p.m. April 28 at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. Buddy Guy The blues guitarist performs 9 p.m. April 28 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Michelle Wiley The jazz singer performs 8 p.m. April 29 at The Rrazz Room, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-5961027. Tower of Power and Average White Band The funk bands perform 8 p.m. April 30 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-5727650. Steve Grand The singersongwriter performs 8 p.m. May 5 at The Rrazz Room, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888596-1027. n
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
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Local journo creates youth-focused podcast By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Philadelphia Young Playwrights has teamed up with award-winning Daily News journalist Yvonne Latty for a new podcast series, “Mouthful,” which launched this month, focusing on the experiences and perspectives of young people. “I really love the work Philadelphia Young Playwrights does,” Latty said about her collaborators. “I think it’s important to give kids an opportunity to express themselves that way, especially as a mother of teenagers. There’s so much going on and it’s really hard for them and I thought it would be really amazing to work on a project that gave kids an opportunity to get their voice out there.” The first episode of “Mouthful,” “One Hundred Sleepless Nights,” shares the perspectives of a transgender student and features a monologue performance by Emmy Award nominee Scott Turner Schofield, who stars on “The Bold and The Beautiful” and is the first openly transgender actor on daytime TV. Latty said that while the podcast is focused on teens, adults and parents can also learn a lot. “It’s especially helpful for older people because we don’t usually get a chance to hear kids express themselves that way, especially on the episodes we’ve done on transgender issues, kids of color and eating disorders,” she said. “To hear kids talk about these things in an honest way really helps you understand what they are going through and where we are headed. There’s so much turmoil in the country
right now and it’s really important that we listen to them and understand.” Latty said she found the experience of talking to the actor and local LGBT teens enlightening. “My daughter goes to school with transgender kids and [teens] are very accepting, but parents have a hard time with it,” she said. “You open up a newspaper or watch television and you hear all this arguing over bathrooms and it makes you feel bad. The thing that was really eye-opening for me about the transgender podcast was how open and honest the kids were and how proud they were of who they are. They went through these journeys and they’ve come to a place where they accept themselves. Their confidence was inspiring and I felt like it educated me. I consider myself an extremely liberal, open person and I realized I never had the opportunity to talk to transgender people and a chance to explore their journeys with them. It’s really helpful when you hear it. It takes out a lot of the stigma and what you assume when you consume media. So what I’m hoping for is, as people listen to these podcasts, parents will open up a little bit and maybe instead of judging will talk to their kids and have an open mind and an open heart. Not many people have the opportunity to talk to kids who are transgender or questioning, and to get to hear them talk about it in a real and honest way educates adults who maybe haven’t had the experience or haven’t had friends go through that.” n The “Mouthful” podcast series is available by subscription on iTunes, Soundcloud and Google Play. For more information, visit www.mouthfulpodcastphilly.com.
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Philadelphia Gryphons to host IGR tournament It hardly seems it, but Memorial Day is a mere four weeks away, and as all the warm-weather sports get into full swing (and kick), there’s plenty to cover across all fields. There are a stack of short stops this month, but the big story is the 10 rugby teams participating in Philadelphia for the Colonial Cup. The Colonial Cup is now part of the official seeding process for the Bingham Cup, the biannual International Gay Rugby event named in honor of Mark Bingham, a San Francisco Fog player who was part of the Flight 93 resistance group on 9/11. That cup competition was held last year in Nashville and next year it will be in Amsterdam. Gryphons president Ray Fritz is a recent rugby enthusiast. Five years ago, the Florid native got out of a bad relationship and contemplated moving back to Atlanta. But in the end, he decided to give the City of Brotherly Love one more chance and got a “crappy apartment” in the Fishtown area. Shortly after, he saw a notice at The Bike Stop for rugby players. “I saw a flier at The Bike Stop for the team, and I thought, ‘Eh, maybe I’ll go out,’” he said. “So I go home and Google ‘rugby,’ watching YouTube clips and go, ‘I can’t do that.’” But the desire to try something new and make some new friends won, and he’s been part of the program ever since. An unfortunate neck injury last summer during the Bingham Cup in Nashville sidelined him, but he’s still very active in other aspects of the Gryphons. “The guys on this team are so welcom-
ing, so inclusive,” Fritz said. “These guys kept me here. If it hadn’t been for these friendships, I wouldn’t have stayed. I’m looking forward to seeing some friends made from other teams. And I’ve met these other guys now from all over the country where we play these tournaments. I’m friends with all these guys I’ve met and I get to follow their lives also, which I find is fascinating, and then I see them. There’s this couple who got married in another city and I’ll get to see them and see that relationship blossoming.” Remarkably, the Gryphons had 100 percent of last year’s players return and gained new ones this spring, so they can now field two teams in different divisions. Fritz said there is a good mix of teams of each level of play coming from around the eastern half of the counRAY FRITZ try to the Colonial Cup. Another cup tournament will take place later this year in Denver for the other half of the country. “We have teams coming from Madison, Columbus — there’s two teams from Columbus — Boston, New York, a new team from Baltimore, D.C., Nashville and Atlanta,” Fritz said. “Some teams are foregoing coming here to save money for Amsterdam. Colonial Cup for us turns into a fundraiser for that, so any extra funds we have from this we will move over to that.” There is no charge to watch the competition in Fairmount Park, and spectators can also purchase a $60 paid pass that includes the Saturday drink-up tentatively scheduled from 5-8 p.m. at The Field House — which includes an all-you-can-eat buffet and two-hour open-bar beer selection —
plus Sunday brunch and a T-shirt. Drink-ups are the rugby version of an after-party where teams get together to toast, drink, sing and share general camaraderie. It’s as much a part of the experience as the play. Non-players can pay $20 and get the buffet and two hours of beers. Following that is a bar crawl, then the closing party at 11 p.m. on the third floor of The Bike Stop; a $5 donation is requested. At 7 p.m. May 18, players will be on hand for the official meet and greet at Boxers. Fritz encourages anyone and everyone to come out and welcome the out-of-towners to Philadelphia as well as encourage the local boys. In the meantime, get out and play! n Find out everything you want to know about the Colonial Cup, from the schedule to how to make a donation, at philadelphiagryphons.org/. Follow the Gryphons on social media at facebook.com/ PhillyGryphons/. Short stops • Memorial Day Weekend brings the City of Brotherly Love Softball League’s Liberty Bell Classic back in diamonds. The Sunday block party on Camac Street is one of the highlights. The tournament is May 27-28. For information and registration, go to libertybellclassic. org/. • If you’re looking for the Falcons soccer club’s Liberty Bell Classic over that same weekend, pause and wait. The annual tournament has been moved to OutFest weekend, Oct. 13-15. Until then, the outdoor pickup game schedule continues Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Info at falcons-soccer.org/. • Tennis, anyone? After years playing in FDR Park, the Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association is finalizing arrangements to use the outdoor Hamlin Tennis Center on University of Pennsylvania’s campus. The league is hoping to have play May 22-Oct. 1. There is still time to vote for your most agreeable days and times at facebook.com/PLTATennis/?hc_ ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf. • Stonewall Philadelphia holds its spring 2017 charity bar crawl “Legends of the Hidden Temple” May 20 at various location in the Gayborhood. The group is also beginning registration for the JulyAugust and the volleyball league, which will again play at Drexel University. Check out stonewallphilly.leagueapps. com/ for details. Scott A. Drake is the 2017 Professional Keystone Press Awards winner for best sports column in a weekly paper. If you have a person or event you think should be highlighted, email scott@epgn.com.
PROFILE PGN
Family Portrait
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
33
Suzi Nash
Chuck Watkins: Driving donations to advocate against abuse April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It’s unthinkable that we even need to have an officially designated month for something so heinous, but sadly there are more than 3-million cases of child abuse each year in the United States alone (and that’s just those that are reported). One in 10 children will be sexually abused before they turn 18; that’s 400,000 kids every year. Luckily, there is one organization that focuses on cutting those numbers yearround: Mission Kids. An advocacy center for kids in Montgomery County, its mission is to help achieve healing and justice for victims of child abuse. Our profile this week is new Mission Kids Development Director Chuck Watkins. PGN: So where are you originally from? CW: Pittsburgh. I grew up about 7 miles from downtown and stayed there to attend the University of Pittsburgh. I was just back there for my sister’s birthday. Pittsburgh is going through a renaissance right now; they’re starting to be called the new Portland. There’s a lot of big tech industry buying in; Google has a big presence there, Apple has offices, Uber has been doing tests there with the self-driving cars. There’s a lot of innovation going on. It was pretty cool to see. PGN: An ex-girlfriend of mine started buying some investment property there a while back and she liked it so much she moved there for a while. CW: Yes, the cost of living is very doable and there are a lot of little hot areas being gentrified. There’s one section called East Liberty that used to be really nice, then went downhill and now they’re going through a new renaissance. Good and bad sides to that of course. PGN: Tell me a little about your family. CW: I had a pretty typical middle-class upbringing. My mom passed away about nine years ago, my dad is sort of seeing someone else, nothing special. I have an older brother and younger sister who both still live in Pittsburgh. I’m kind of like Jan Brady, the neglected middle child. PGN: I’m the middle child too! What was a favorite family outing? CW: My grandparents had a cabin in upstate New York that we would always go to and it was fun just hanging out with the family and going down to the creek and just being able to relax with everybody. Another good memory is going down to Ocean City and Wildwood as a kid. We were able to go to the beach, which was great because there isn’t a lot of beachfront in Pittsburgh! It’s much more accessible here in Philadelphia than
it was for me as a kid. So that was always fun, walking on the boardwalk and playing on the beach. PGN: The funniest person in the family? CW: Hmmm, it depends on who you ask but I think that it would probably be me. I have a little bit of a sarcastic bent, but my sister is pretty close. PGN: What was a favorite game as a kid? CW: I remember playing cards with my grandmother. And I remember playing badminton at my aunt and uncle’s house, which was a lot of fun too. PGN: What was your first job? CW: Wow, that’s going back quite some time. My first job was a paper route. My brother did a different route than me so we would go out together, side by side, and deliver the papers. I don’t know if that job even exists anymore. PGN: I always wanted to do that but my family was not exactly morning people. My friends used to tease me because we’d roll out of bed at 11 a.m. for brunch when they’d been up for hours. CW: We weren’t really either. The paper route was in the afternoon after school. The only morning route was on Sundays and my dad was a trooper; he’d get up and drive us around. It was fun.
CW: Yes, that was a great event. We had over 200 people attend. We honored Attorney General Josh Shapiro and raised a lot of money for a good cause. PGN: Explain what the organization does, and what the need is. CW: Mission Kids is a child-advocacy center. Our mission is to provide hope and healing to survivors of child abuse in Montgomery County. Oftentimes when child abuse is reported, the child involved is required to participate in multiple interviews, in sterile or scary places like police departments or child-welfare offices or courtrooms. Each time, they’re forced to relive the horrors of the abuse as they have to tell their story again and again to different authorities. The process can be very drawn out and traumatic to many children and by the time they go to court they’ve had enough; they don’t have the strength or desire to continue and the abuser gets off because the child has been
PGN: Was it lucrative? CW: I’d say so. We made about $100 a week, which was pretty good for a kid. My parents liked it because we never had to bug them for money, we had our own. PGN: Wow! I missed out. So what did you study in college? CW: I was an English major at the University of Pittsburgh but I ended up getting a job in banking with PNC Bank. I had some friends who lived here in Philly and came to visit quite a few times. I liked it so much I got transferred to a branch in Philly. From there, I went to Citizens Bank and then a different bank. But they had me doing sales and it really wasn’t what I wanted to do. I was under a lot of pressure to open up new accounts for people who didn’t necessarily need them, à la Wells Fargo, and I wasn’t comfortable with it. So I went back to Pittsburgh and got a job at a small liberal-arts school, Point Park University, where I got my start in development and earned an MBA. Eventually, I got a job at Chestnut Hill College here in Philadelphia and now I’m with Mission Kids. PGN: Where I heard a lot about your first big event — a fundraiser at the Franklin Institute that was apparently very successful.
through too much to testify. What we do is work with law enforcement and a team of experts. We bring the child into the center — which is a warm, child-friendly environment — and they are interviewed by a specially trained, legally sound forensic interviewer. Representatives of the D.A.’s Office, law enforcement and social services work together as a multidisciplinary team and they can observe — but don’t participate in – the interview as it takes place. They ask any questions they
have through the Mission Kids advocate so there’s only one person that the kid has to talk to. The interviews are taped so the different parties that need it have access without the child having to retell the story over and over. We had a mother and child here recently and as they walked out, the child turned to her and said, “Now everything starts new for me, my life can begin again,” and that shows me how worthwhile the work is. It’s an honor to be a part of it. PGN: That’s great, and smart. CW: Yes, and that person becomes their advocate from the first day through the trial or court process, and the entire healing process to provide support, information, referral services, victim’s-compensation assistance, court support and other assistance. They work with both the victims and their non-offending caregivers. We also do a lot of proactive work to educate people about the signs of child abuse and how to protect children. We have a program called Darkness to Light that can be taught to professionals who work with children and a general public-awareness presentation that we can provide free of cost to any community organization, business or corporate group that would like to learn more about child sexual abuse and Mission Kids. PGN: How big is the problem there? Can you share some statistics? CW: Sure. In 2016, Mission Kids served over 520 children in Montgomery County, which goes from more urban areas like Norristown to rural areas like Bluebell and Pottstown. Sixty-seven percent were females, 32 percent were males. Twenty-one percent were 2-6 years old, 35 percent were 7-12 years old and 44 percent were 13-17 years old. PGN: Sheesh. We always warn kids about stranger danger but I’ve read that most cases are perpetrated by people who are known to the victims: teachers, preachers, coaches. CW: Yes, 83 percent of the alleged offenders were known to the child. So often they’re people who ingratiate themselves into the kids’ PAGE 34
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PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
PORTRAIT from page 33
lives and are purported to be pillars of society. But also horrific is that 46 percent of the offenders were family members, including parents, stepparents, grandparents, siblings or other extended family members. Only 2 percent were strangers or unknown persons. PGN: Well, I’m glad you guys are on the case. Changing the tone here, how do you put the fun in fundraising? CW: We had a great time at the Franklin Institute and for the next event we are thinking about a SoulCycle ride where people can get friends and family to sponsor them and can ride to raise money to fight child abuse. I think it’ll be a lot of fun. We’re lucky that we have a lot of very-involved board members who do third-party events for us. One of them recently hosted a clothing trunk sale and we got a portion of the proceeds. We’re open to all ideas that help us raise money to help the kids. PGN: What do you like to do in your spare time? CW: I like to run, walk around Center City to see what new things are happening. I like trying different restaurants, I like movies and I love to travel.
were like me. It was great, I started hanging out with a new group of friends instead of staying home by myself as usual. PGN: Who was your first love? CW: My first love was Chris Dixon; I was 20 years old. He was a great guy, beautiful but with a bevy of personal demons. He unfortunately committed suicide. I still remember going to the morgue to retrieve a note he left for me. Seems like forever ago. Very sad. PGN: That is sad. When did you come out to the family? CW: I can still remember sitting in a chair while my mother was ironing and telling her that the new friends I’d been hanging out with were gay. She said, “OK, are you gay?” I said yes, and that was pretty much the extent of my coming out. There was never an issue. PGN: Feature you get the most compliments on? CW: My legs. I am tall and I run so I guess they are appealing to people! I do enjoy wearing shorts in the summer so I guess that says something.
PGN: What’s a favorite new restaurant? CW: I just went to a place called Mission Taqueria, which is right above the Oyster House.
PGN: Who would you choose as your partner on “The Amazing Race”? CW: Is that show still on? I would choose Rafa Nadal. I think he’d be fun; he certainly can be quick and, well, he’s just completely handsome.
PGN: Worst movie of all time? CW: Hmmm, so many. The one that comes to mind is “Maid in Manhattan” with Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes. My friend and I walked out, we both thought so poorly of it.
PGN: They couldn’t pay me enough to be … CW: A window washer. I see these guys coming down skyscrapers and I simply don’t know how they do it! I would be frozen in fear. No, thank you!
PGN: What was an early sign you were gay? CW: I think I always knew I was a little different. Most of my friends were girls and … oh, this is going to sound so stereotypical but I used to do my sister’s hair. I also remember being in elementary school and a male teacher leaning in close to me to show me something and feeling little butterflies. Nothing happened, it was just that little feeling that my feelings were different. I didn’t act on anything until I was in my teenage years when I found other kids who
PGN: Last person you talked to? CW: Last person I talked to in person was my Uber driver from last night. I live alone and haven’t spoken to anyone in person today. But I did speak to you on the phone! PGN: And I thank you for it!
n
For more information about Mission Kids, visit http://missionkidscac.org. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol. com.
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1. What hibernating bears do 6. Name on a column 10. Michelangelo’s “David,” once 14. It goes on a queen’s head 15. Crossdresser in a Kinks song 16. Series of concerts for Etheridge 17. In motion 18. Benefit 19. Paintings and such, to da Vinci 20. She played Jeff Sessions on “SNL” 23. A bitch might try to catch it in her teeth 26. Most queer 27. Dancer Reagan’s father 28. Top choice, slangily 30. Material for nice stones 31. Garr of “Tootsie”
32. Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, and others 36. She played Sean Spicer on “SNL” 39. Gardner of mystery 40. Hulce and others 41. One that bends over in an arbor? 42. Standout facial feature 43. Outing in Africa 44. Licketysplit 48. Tanning places 49. She recently told “The Hollywood Reporter” that she’d like to play Donald Trump 52. Gay video directory name 53. La Douce part for Shirley 54. Cardio med 58. A little behind 59. Beats, barely 60. Sexual favors obtained while surfing?
61. Wilbur’s stallion 62. Vagina, in slang 63. Where priests come together
Down
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ox 23. Body build 24. Paul Monette’s partner Horwitz 25. As a whole 28. Amelie Mauresmo’s woman 29. Rainbow shapes 31. Retreat for D.H. Lawrence 32. Using the Divine Miss M’s name in vain? 33. Fighting hard 34. 1920 Colette novel 35. Lebanon neighbor 37. Bending over 38. Mother-ofpearl sources 42. Math degree
43. Signal that goes either way 44. Sacred song 45. Traffic cop’s tool 46. Use a gifted tongue 47. “A Streetcar ___ Desire” 48. Cut 50. Sills’ solo 51. Dave Pallone and others 55. Provincetown project 56. Carnaval town 57. Bette Davis’ “___ Acquaintance”
DINING PGN OUT
Cinder fires up in Rittenhouse By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com The recently opened Cinder, 1500 Locust St., with it’ prime location, has the makings of a winning hangout spot. Conceptualized as a cider/sour bar and artisan pizza kitchen, Cinder embodies a spare industrial, utilitarian aesthetic, allowing patrons to take in the view of the bustling foot traffic along Locust Street through the floor-to-ceiling windows, which will be wide open in the nice weather. The bar is stocked with a wellthought-out variety of craft beers and ciders that change with the seasons. The menu is relatively simple and efficient compared to the number of libations they offer, and features a small-plates selection of “flora” and “fauna” choices, depending on how responsible you want to be on a dietary level. There’s also a seasonal menu of charcuterie and mussels. From the appetizer menu, we opted for the more adventurous fauna side with the Cinder Fries ($9). The namesake appetizer, a take on loaded fries, is definitely colorful in its presentation. The fries themselves and the pepper-jack cheese sauce are typical at best but it’s the triple pork onslaught of guanciale, bacon and chorizo that add a spicy smokiness to the dish and send it over the top. The cherry tomatoes garnishing the dish give it some much-needed brightness and textural contrast. For something a bit more refined, the Mojo shrimp and octopus ($15) is more artfully executed. While
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
Food and Drink Directory
CHEESEBURGER PIZZA Photo: Larry Nichols described as a salad, the dish is a showcase for the octopus and the shrimp, which are cooked to perfection, marinated in farmhouse cider and dressed with a nice citrus glaze. Since Cinder has focused a considerable amount of its culinary talent on pizza, we though we’d venture in that direction. Selections run the gamut from the more traditional marinara ($11) and margherita ($13) to prosciutto with pesto ($17) and lamb sausage ($17). We opted for the most out-of-place option, the cheeseburger pizza ($17). Not that cheeseburger pizzas aren’t commonplace everywhere but Cinder isn’t content to throw ground beef, cheese and onions on a pizza and call it a night. No, they really want you to feel like you are eating a cheeseburger, top-
ping the pie with romaine lettuce, pickles and mustard (which you have the option to leave off if the idea gives you pause), the latter of which really takes over the direction of the slices and make you feel like you are eating an unapologetic cheeseburger. With its bustling upwardly-mobile location and a tightly focused menu, Cinder really knows when and where to pour on the charm. So this cider house rules. n
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Wake up and smell the coffee, Francine. PGN directory ads are terrific way to get your message out. Email prab@epgn.com or call 215-625-8501 ext. 212 for more info.
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PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
ADONIS CINEMA “THE ONLY ALL MALE ADULT THEATER IN THE CITY”
2026 Sansom St (located 3 doors up from Sansom St Gym)
215-557-9319 4 Small Theaters with Video & Dark Room Area
HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday - Thursday
7am-6am
(closed an hour for cleaning)
Friday- Sunday:
Open 24hrs
ADMISSION: $12.00
We now accept all major credit cards.
Plenty of New Things Happening at 2020...... JUST OPENED, “THE SUITES” • 8 NEW Deluxe Rooms “EVERYTHING is LARGER” • New sound system • New custom Slings • A New Video Room with 6 video booths AND A SURPRISE NEW FEATURE ABOUT TO BE INSTALLED SOON LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE... Come check us out there’s a different vibe going on in every section you walk THRU
ALSO DO NOT FORGET P.A.N.G. (Philadelphia Area Nudist Group)
Sunday, April 23rd, May 21st Time: 3pm- 6pm For More Information On Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/pang
WEEKLY SPECIALS:
TUESDAYS & SUNDAYS
Half Price Rooms & Lockers (6am Sunday till 8am Monday, 12am Tuesday till 8am Wednesday) ROOMS: Members: $12.50 and Non-Members: $22.50 LOCKERS: Members: $9.00 and Non-Members: $19.00
MONDAY thru FRIDAY: (8am to 4pm) Business Mans Locker Special 4 hour lockers Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00 WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY NIGHT CRUISE $12 Flat Rate for Locker Admission & Clothing Optional (4pm-12 Midnight)
SATURDAY AFTERNOON DELIGHT 4 Hour Lockers (8am - 4pm) Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00
Check out our website for our WEEKLY SPECIALS & JOIN OUR e-mail List to get the latest information on upcoming events....
www.sansomstreetgym.com
BIGGER, BETTER & MORE ENTERTAINING EVENTS...
PGN
Activism/Politics
ACT-UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) meets 6-9 p.m. Mondays at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; 215-386-1981, www.actupphilly.org. Delaware Valley Chapter, Americans United for Separation of Church and State seeks activists and supporters of church-state separation. Holds monthly meetings and events; www.dvau.org. Equality Pennsylvania holds a volunteer night 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month, 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 605; 215-731-1447, www.equalitypa.org. Green Party of Philadelphia holds general meetings 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month, except August and December; 215-243-7103, www.gpop.org. Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club meets seasonally; www.libertycity.org.
Arts
Library Book Club meets to discuss a new book 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at William Way. Men On Tap, an LGBT group that performs with choirs, organizations and at the Fringe Festival, rehearses 8 p.m. Mondays at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.; dale@ magicalfantasies.com. Philadelphia Freedom Band, an audition-free LGBT band that does concerts and parades, rehearses 7-9:30 p.m. Mondays; philadelphiafreedomband.com. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus rehearses 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays; 215-731-9230, auditions@pgmc.org. Philadelphia Voices of Pride, Philadelphia’s first mixed LGBT chorus, rehearses 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at William Way; www.pvop.org. Queer Writer’s Collective workshop and discussion group meets 3-5 p.m. the fourth Saturday of the month at William Way. Reading Queerly, open to all women and genderqueer/ trans people, meets 6:45 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.
Recreation
Gay Bridge Club non-beginners group meets Monday 2-5 p.m. at William Way; reservations required. Call 215732-2220. Gay-friendly Scrabble Club meets 5:30-10:30 p.m. at Abner’s Steaks, 38th and Chester streets; 215-382-0789. Humboldt Society: Lesbian and Gay Naturalists meets 7:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at William Way; 215-985-1456, www.humboldtsociety.org. Independence Squares LGBT square-dance club, modern Western square dancing hosts an open house and Tuesday classes in the fall at Lutheran Church, 2111 Sansom St.; philadances@gmail.com, www.independencesquares.org. Male Oenophile Group forming to discuss, appreciate and taste various wines. Will meet once a month to investigate the nuances and glories of the fermented grape; 267-2306750. Mornings OUT LGBT Senior Social activities for senior gay men are held 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays at William Way. PhilaVentures, Philadelphia’s LGBT outdoor group, meets for hikes in Wissahickon Valley and Valley Forge Park; philaventures.org.
Sports
Brandywine Women’s Rugby Club meets for practice at p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Greenfield Park, West Chester; www.brandywinerugby.org. City of Brotherly Love Softball League serves the Philadelphia metropolitan area with games on Sundays, beginning in April, at the Dairy and Edgeley Fields in Fairmount Park; www.cblsl.org. Frontrunners running club meets 9:30 a.m. Saturdays for a run and brunch at Lloyd Hall, No. 1 Boathouse Row; www.philadelphiafrontrunners.org. Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club, open to LGBT and allies, practices 8-10 p.m. Mondays and 2-4 p.m. Saturdays; www.falcons-soccer.org. Philadelphia Fins Swim Team, open to male and female swimmers, meets 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Friends Select School and 10:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays; www.philadelphia-fins.org. Philadelphia Gay Bowling League meets 8 p.m. Wednesdays September-April at South Bowl, 19 E. Oregon Ave.; 856-889-1434, philagaybowling@yahoo.com. Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League plays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays at FDR Park; www.phillyflagfootball.com
Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Football Club, open to players of all skill levels, meets 7:45 p.m. Thursdays at Columbus Square Park, 1200 Wharton St.; 215-913-7531, philadelphiagryphons.org, becomeagryphon@gmail.com. Philadelphia Liberty Belles women’s semi-pro full-tackle football league holds fall tryouts; phillybelles.com. Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association plays yearround, all skill levels welcome; philadelphialibertytennis. com. Philadelphia Firebirds women’s football team seeks players; www.philadelphiafirebirds.com. Philadelphia Women’s Baseball League seeks players, all skill levels and ages. Practice is 7 p.m. Thursdays at Marian Anderson Recreation Center, 17th and Fitzwater streets, with games at 2:30 p.m. Sundays; 215-991-5995 (day), 301-919-1194 (evening), phillywomensbaseball. com. Philly Gay Hockey Association Philadelphia Phury seeks players; 917-656-1936, phury@gayhockey.org. Philly QCycle LGBT bicycling club promotes organized recreational riding for all levels in the Greater Philadelphia region; contact the organization via Facebook. Rainbow Riders of the Delaware Valley motorcycle club meets regularly; 215-836-0440, www.groups.yahoo.com/ group/rainbowridersdv/. Rainbow Rollers gay and lesbian bowling league meets 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays at Boulevard Lanes in Northeast Philadelphia; rainbowrollers.com. Spartan Wrestling Club gay wrestling team meets 6:30-9 p.m. Mondays at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.; 215-732-4545, www.phillyspartans.com.
Etc.
AIDS Law Project provides free legal assistance to people with HIV/AIDS and sponsors free monthly seminars on work and housing at 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 600; 215587-9377, www.aidslawpa.org. BiUnity, Philadelphia-area social and support network for bisexuals, their family members and friends; http://biunity. org. Delaware Valley Pink Pistols, for LGBT people dedicated to legal, safe and responsible use of firearms for self-defense, meets 1 p.m. the third Sunday of the month at The Gun Range, 542 N. Percy St.; 610-879-2364; www.pinkpistolsdelval.org. Delaware Pride holds planning meetings 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the United Church of Christ, 300 Main St., Newark; 302-265-3020, delawarepride.org. Haverford College’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance holds open meetings 10-11 p.m. Mondays during the school year in the lounge in Jones Basement at Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave.; 610-896-4938. Men and Women for Human Excellence support group meets from noon-2 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of the month at 26th Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue; 267-2733513, cmoore8300@yahoo.com. Long Yang Club Philadelphia, social organization for gay Asians and their friends, holds monthly socials; www. longyangclub.org/philadelphia. Our Night Out, a casual social networking party of LGBT professionals, friends and colleagues, meets in a different Philadelphia hot spot each month. To receive monthly event invitations, email OurNightOutPhilly@gmail.com; more information on Facebook. Philadelphia Bar Association Legal Advice offered 5-8 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month; 215-238-6333. Philadelphia Prime Timers club for mature gay and bisexual men and their admirers meets regularly; primetimersofphiladelphia@yahoo.com. Philadelphians MC Club, for leather men and women, meets 7:30 p.m. the first and third Monday of the month at The Pit at The Bike Stop, 201 S. Quince St.; philadelphiansmc.org. Rainbow Amateur Radio Association ARRL-affiliated, weekly HF nets, quarterly newsletter; www.rara.org. Silver Foxes, a social and educational group for gays and lesbians 50 and older, meets 3-5 p.m. the fourth Sunday of the month at William Way; 215-732-2220. SNJ Queers meets monthly for queer/queer-friendly folks in South Jersey to mix and mingle; 856-375-3708, wmf69@comast.net.
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
39
Community Bulletin Board Community centers
■ The Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 4-8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-Friday. ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St., 215-898-5044, center@dolphin. upenn.edu. Regular hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. MondayThursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
■ Action Wellness: 215-981-0088 ■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: 215-587-9377 ■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: 856-933-9500 ext. 221 ■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633
■ Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. Activities held 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays.
■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220, www.waygay.org. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday Library: noon-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Volunteers: New Orientation, first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.
Key numbers n The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 215-496-0330 ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378 ■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK ■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBT-LAW; Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658 ■ Office of LGBT Affairs — Director Amber Hikes: 215-686-0330; amber.hikes@phila.gov
phia): 215-572-1833 ■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: 215-686-4670 ■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel: 215-6863318 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-760-3686 (Rick Lombardo); ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadel-
Health
Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 216 W. Somerset St.; 215-763-8870. ActionAIDS Provides a range of programs for people affected by HIV/ AIDS, including case management, prevention, testing and education services at 1216 Arch St.; 215-981-0088, www. actionaids.org. GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; 215-851-1822 or 866-222-3871, www.galaei.org. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays (walk-in) and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays (by appointment) at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215685-1821. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite
■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia Board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; free referral service at 215-6279090, www.galloplaw.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 busi-
108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Mazzoni Center LGBTQ counseling and behavioral health services, HIV/ AIDS care and services, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652, www. mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronic-disease management, including comprehensive HIV care, as well as youth drop-in (ages 14-24) 5-7p.m. Wednesdays; 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Philadelphia FIGHT Comprehensive AIDS service organization providing primary care, consumer education, advocacy and research on potential treatments and vaccines; 1233 Locust St.; 215985-4448; www.fight.org. Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center Free, rapid HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 pm. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.
Professional groups nesses and professionals; 215557-0190, www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com. ■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and students, meets for social and networking events; www.nlgja.org/ philly; philly@nlgja.org.
■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus Regional organization dedicated to promoting LGBT tourism to the Greater Philadelphia region, meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; 215-8402039, www.philadelphiagaytourism.com.
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com April 28-May 4, 2017
PGN
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4/21/17 9:33 AM