PGN May 9 - 15, 2014 by The Philadelphia Gay News

World Cafe Live to host Uh Huh Her

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane talks about LGBT lawsuits and constitutional rights in a PGN exclusive. PAGE 6

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Family Portrait: Danielle Erwin, behind the camera

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May 9-15, 2014

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Vol. 38 No. 19

Details announced for nation’s first LGBT jazz fest

Philly man murdered after alleged Grindr hookup By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com

A 25-year-old Philadelphia man was brutally murdered last week in Chester, and police believe the victim may have met his killer on a dating app frequently used by gay men. Dino Dizdarevic was scheduled to arrive in his native Kentucky May 1 but never boarded his plane. His body was discovered early the next morning in an alley behind the 900 block of Packer Street in Chester. Police say he was PHILADELPHIA JAZZ PROJECT DIRECTOR HOMER JACKSON AT THE OUTBEAT partially clothed and had been beaten and PRESS GATHERING MAY 7 AT CITY HALL Photo: Scott A.Drake strangled. By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Organizers of the nation’s first LGBT jazz festival, to be held later this year in Philadelphia, unveiled plans for the inaugural event this week. At a press conference Wednesday at City Hall, it was announced that OutBeat: America’s First Queer Jazz Festival will be held Sept. 18-21. Headliners will include Grammy-winning pianist Fred Hersch, Andy Bey, Patricia Barber Quartet and Bill Stewart.

The event is being staged by William Way LGBT Community Center, with backing by the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. “Philadelphia has enjoyed a legacy of being a great music city. We’re also a city that affirms the lives of LGBT people,” said Mayor Michael Nutter. “Hosting the first LGBT jazz festival in North America provides an opportunity to showcase the rich and vibrant culture of our city.” Events will be held across the city, including at the center, Painted Bride

Art Center and Chris’ Jazz Café. Union Transfer will host a daylong closing event, with Spring Garden Street closed down for vendors, musicians, food carts and artisans. William Way executive director Chris Bartlett said it was an honor to host the “historic occasion.” “We are thankful that the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage embraced this visionary initiative that we can now share with the world,” Bartlett added. For more information, visit OutBeatJazzFest.com. ■

Endorsement: Rob McCord for governor PGN is endorsing state treasurer Rob McCord for governor. We reached out to all candidates running for governor in the May 20 primary and conducted interviews on their positions on LGBT issues. Incumbent Gov. Tom Corbett did not respond to PGN’s requests for an interview. Rob McCord (D) State treasurer Rob McCord r e c e n t l y fi l e d a

friend-of-the-court brief in support of marriage equality in the Keystone State. And as governor, McCord said he would advance a wealth of LGBT rights. McCord, 55, has held the position of treasurer since 2008. McCord said he understands the fight for marriage equality, drawing experience from his own interracial marriage. “When I am talking about marriage equality with a conservative legislator, I will point to my wife and my marriage and say that it was illegal once. It is about building that personal relationship,” he said. “I’ve heard my PAGE 19

Several media outlets have reported authorities believe Dizdarevic met his killer through Grindr, a phone app frequently used by gay and bisexual men to meet other men. Multiple calls to Chester Police to confirm this information were not returned by presstime. A suspect had not yet been publicly identified. Police are in possession of Dizdarevic’s cell phone. His car was parked at his home, and it is unclear how he got to Chester. Dizdarevic was originally from Bosnia. His family fled to Kentucky as war refugees in 1993. PAGE 18 He moved to Philadelphia

Community hit hard by loss of David Rosenblum By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The LGBT community continues to grapple with the sudden death of a local leader last week. David Rosenblum, the director of Mazzoni Center’s legal-services department, died May 2, two days after suffering a heart attack. A memorial is expected to be held later this month. Rosenblum, 47, helmed Mazzoni’s legal unit since August 2011. He was also an adjunct professor at Temple University Beasley School of Law in its sexual orientation and gender-identity law program. Prior to joining the Mazzoni team, Rosenblum served as the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer in New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development. He also served as the state’s deputy attorney general and as a trial attorney at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He was co-founder and co-chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Committee on the Legal Rights of Lesbians and Gay Men. He sat on the board of Gay and Lesbian

Lawyers of Philadelphia from 1994-2002, chairing the board from 1995-98. Rosenblum chaired the National LGBT Bar Association’s Lavender Law conference when it was in Philly in 2002 and was a cofounder of its career fair. Association executive director D’Arcy Kemnitz said Rosenblum’s leadership in launching the career fair “led to countless young LGBT legal professionals finding their calling and their careers in our profession.” Kemnitz called Rosenblum “a true champion of LGBT equality and opportunity.” Mike Viola, a member of Mazzoni’s legal advisory board and one of his fellow PBA LGBT committee members, said Rosenblum was the “institutional memory” of a number of community entities due to his longstanding involvement here and in New Jersey, where he lived with his husband, Stephan Stoeckl. “David’s always been very active and involved, on both sides of the river,” Viola said. “He was such a source of information and always the person people went to when they had a question about PAGE 22

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

News Briefing Black Madam trial rescheduled Jury selection was slated to begin this week in the murder trial of a transgender woman who allegedly gave illegal silicone injections, but the trial has been postponed. Padge Windslowe faces third-degree murder charges in the 2012 death of a 23year-old British woman, who police say died after receiving a steroid injection in her buttocks from Windslowe, who calls herself the Black Madam. Jury selection was scheduled for May 5, but was delayed because the defense attorney is on trial in another case. The trial has been rescheduled for Feb. 17. Windslowe remains incarcerated at Riverside Correctional Facility.

Whitewood plaintiffs respond The plaintiffs in a marriage-equality challenge this week filed their response to

LOCAL PGN

the state’s request for summary judgment. In a May 5 filing, the plaintiffs in Whitewood v. Wolf argued that the state has relied on “stale precedents” and outdated rationales to support their notion that the state’s ban on marriage equality remain in place. A judge is expected to rule in the coming weeks. The plaintiffs argued that they suffered profound cognizable harm because of the law, and that the state has not demonstrated that the law can withstand even a rationalbasis challenge, the least stringent of constitutionality tests. All filings in Whitewood are due by May 12, and the judge can rule any time after that. The case was filed last summer by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a group of same-sex couples.

LGBT faith exhibit opens The First United Methodist Church of Germantown will host the traveling Shower of Stoles Project through May 18, displaying more than 1,000 liturgical stoles and sacred items representing LGBT people of faith across three continents. The Rev. Lorelei Toombs, FUMCOG pastor, said the project is a “very moving and beautiful way to raise awareness, honoring the many contributions and gifts that LGBTQ persons have offered to the greater church and faith community.” The exhibit, at 6001 Germantown Ave.,

is open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 11 and 18 and by appointment during the week. For more information, call 215-438-3677. — Jen Colletta

Schneller blocked from future filings A federal judge has prevented anti-LGBT activist James D. Schneller from filing additional legal papers in the Whitewood case. Schneller has attempted to intervene in the case on three separate occasions. After his most recent attempt, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones 3d not only denied the request, but he instructed the court clerk to return any future filings by Schneller relating to the case. “The clerk is directed to return any future filings by Mr. Schneller to him upon receipt,” Jones stated in an April 24 order. In an email to PGN, Schneller said he plans to seek Jones’ recusal from the case due to “bias and partiality.”

Gay cop seeks records Lawyers for openly gay police officer N. Melville Jones plan to subpoena the state Attorney General’s Office for LGBTrelated antibias records pertaining to the Philadelphia Police Department that have been generated since 2006. The lawyers want all such “findings,

investigative documents, recommendations and/or determinations” in the agency’s possession, according to an April 23 filing. The city has until May 13 to object to the subpoena. Jones is suing the city for pervasive anti-LGBT workplace bias. His attorneys already have given notice that they intend to seek similar records from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. A non-jury trial is expected in October. Neither side had a comment. — Timothy Cwiek

AIDS Fund hosts book event The Kevin O’Brien Studio, 1412 S. Broad St., will host Art & Sole, a book signing and shopping event to benefit AIDS Fund, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. May 14. The event will include a signing and discussion with author Jane Gershon Weitzman. Attendees will receive a copy of her book, “Art & Sole,” and a gift bag with a Kevin O’Brien Studio scarf, as well as a guided tour of the studio and a peek at a private sample sale. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. For tickets and more information, visit www.aidsfundphilly.org. ■ — Angela Thomas

locations in Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA — NORTH OF C.C.

1 Shot Coffee, 1040 N. Second St. • 2601 Parkway Condos lobby, 2601 Pennsylvania Ave. • Bebashi, 1217 Spring Garden St. • Beehive Hair Salon, 2319 Fairmount Ave. • Beth Ahavah, 615 N. Broad St. • Bridgeview Place Condo lobby, 315 New St. • Colonnade Condos lobby, 1601 Spring Garden St. • Community College CCP Lambda, 1700 Spring Garden St. • Congresso de Latinos, American St. & Lehigh Ave. • Crooked Frame Café, 2545 Brown St. • Darling’s Diner, 1033 N. Second St. • Filter Coffee House, 331 Race St. • Girard Vet, 28th St. & Girard Ave. • HIV Early Intervention Clinic, St. Joseph’s Hospital, 16th St. & Girard Ave. • Logan View Apts. lobby, 17th & Callowhill sts. • Northern Liberties Iron Works, 821 N. Second St. • One Day At A Time, 2532 N. Broad St. • Philadelphian Condos lobby, 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. • PYT Restaurant, 1050 N. Hancock St., at the Piazza • Sammy’s Place, 1449 N. Fifth St., 1st ﬂoor • SILOAM Ministries, 1133 Spring Garden St. • Temple University Student Activity Center, 1755 N. 12th St. • Welker Real Estate, 2311 Fairmount Ave. • Whole Foods Market, 2001 Pennsylvania Ave. •

PHILADELPHIA — SOUTH OF C.C.

Bethel Community Home, 933-935 S. Third St. • Black N Brew, 1523 E. Passyunk Ave. • Class Act Auto Repair, 2042 S. Bancroft St. • Equal, 1516 Snyder Ave. • Essene, 719 S. Fourth St. • Expressive Hand, 622 S. Ninth St. • Fuel, 1917 E. Passyunk Ave. • Hideaway, Days Inn, 2015 Penrose Ave. • Jackson Place, 501 Jackson St. • Rockerhead Salon, 607 S. Third St. • South Philly Bagels, 613 S. Third St. • Ultimo Coffee, 1900 S. 15th St. •

PHILADELPHIA — UNIVERSITY CITY

Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St. • Bucks County Coffee, 3430 Sansom St. • Bucks County Coffee, 30 S. 33rd St., Rom. 113 • Drexel University, 4001 Walnut St. • Fresh Grocer, 4001 Walnut St. • Goodman Hall, 710 S. 42nd St. • International House, 3701 Chestnut St. • LGBT Center at Penn, 3907 Spruce St. • Old Quaker Condos lobby, 3514 Lancaster Ave. • Oslo Hall, 510 S. 42nd St. • Penn Bookstore, 3610 Walnut St. • Sheraton Hotel, 36th & Chestnut sts. • St. Mary’s Church, 3916 Locust Walk • University of the Sciences England Library, 4200 Woodland Ave. • University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St. • Wilson Hall, 708 S. 42nd St. • World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. •

PHILADELPHIA NEIGHBORHOODS — OTHER

Almost Paradise, 742 Frankford Ave. • Coffee Junction, 7210 Cresheim Road • Elfant Wissahickon Realty, 8962 Ridge Ave. • Fantasy Island Books, 7363 State Road • GWHS Beacon Center, 10175 Bustleton Ave. • Harry’s Natural Foods, 1805 Cottman Ave. • Infusion Salon, 7133 Germantown Ave. • Morris House, 5537 Woodland Ave. • One Day At A Time, 2532 N. Broad St. • Philadelphia University KANBAR Center, 4201 Henry Ave. • Prevention Point, 166 W. Lehigh Ave. • Today’s Videos, 9255 Roosevelt Blvd. • Touch of Class Books, 3342 Kensington Ave. • WCAU TV lobby, City Line Ave. & Monument Road • Weaver’s Way, 559 Carpenter Lane • Welker Real Estate, 2311 Fairmount Ave. • WPVI TV lobby, City Line Ave. & Monument Road •

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 SEE YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION ON THIS LIST? Contact Don at don@epgn.com or 215-625-8501 ext. 200 to arrange for delivery of complimentary copies.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

Weekly features

News&Opinion 2 — News Briefing 10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Letters/Feeback Mark My Words Street Talk 14 — Crime Watch

AC &

31 35 39 40 38 44

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

C o l 34 — Barcrawlr: u Out for spring m n s

15 — Out Money: Investment changes when life changes

Classifieds 44 — Real Estate 46 — Personals 47 — Bulletin Board

GALAEI honors two individuals and one organization at the fifth annual David Acosta Revolutionary Leader Awards.

SUNDAY OUCH: Whether it was the off-and-on rain, wind and peeks of sun

or another factor, turnout at the annual SundayOUT! was spotty compared to previous years. The event, May 4 at the Piazza at Schmidt’s in Northern Liberties, capped several days of Equality Forum programming, including panel discussions on politics, legal issues, workplace equality, religion and the featured nation, Canada. Equality Forum staged the annual International Equality Dinner Saturday night at the National Museum of American Jewish History, a sold-out affair that honored Attorney General Kathleen Kane, TD Bank, the National Hockey League and the Burke family. Photo: Scott A. Drake

This week in PGN

Samuel Richman is prepping to run 30 miles to raise money for a national transgender-equality organization.

6 — PA AG Kathleen Kane on LGBT equality 7 — IBA to announce $5,000 business awardee 9 — Giovanni’s Room to host Lambda finalists 29 — Arts & Culture cover story: Uh Huh Her goes on tour 32 — The latest film from out French filmmaker is just ‘Beautiful’ 40 — Lady Gaga back in town

“Once you say, ‘Well, one group is not equal to the next,’ that affects our freedom. We are not truly a free nation then because inequality does not allow you the full protections the constitution guarantees. If something takes that away from certain people, that must fail. ” ~ Kathleen Kane, page 6

Next week Bucks County issue

Two weeks Summer Reading Issue

Three weeks LGBTQ Youth Supplement

PGN 505 S. Fourth St. Philadelphia, PA 19147-1506 Phone: 215-625-8501 Fax: 215-925-6437 E-mail: pgn@epgn.com Web: www.epgn.com

Publisher Mark Segal (ext. 204) mark@epgn.com Executive Assistant/ Billing Manager Carol Giunta (ext. 202) carol@epgn.com

Editor

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

Advertising Manager Greg Dennis (ext. 201) greg@epgn.com Advertising Sales Representatives Prab Sandhu (ext. 212) prab@epgn.com National Advertising Rivendell Media: 212-2426863 Office Manager/ Classifieds Don Pignolet (ext. 200) don@epgn.com

Get salvation when “Altar Boyz” comes to Philadelphia for a limited engagement.

Art Director/ Photographer

Scott A. Drake (ext. 210) scott@epgn.com

Philadelphia Gay News is a member of: The Associated Press Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Suburban Newspapers of America

Graphic Artist Sean Dorn (ext. 211) sean@epgn.com

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

LOCAL PGN

OUT IN BLOOM: Malcolm Pettiford (left) and Ashlie Pollard were among

The Attic Youth Center supporters on hand for the start of the Rittenhouse Flower Market May 7. The Attic is one of the beneficiaries of this year’s market, which was on display Wednesday and Thursday in Rittenhouse Square. Guests perused the extensive selection of flowering plants and herbs, as well as tote bags and T-shirts designed by The Attic youth. Photo: Scott A.

Drake

D.A.’s Office files brief in Morris case By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office filed a legal brief this week in response to PGN’s request for an unredacted dispatch record relating to the Nizah Morris case. The brief was accompanied by an attestation of non-existence, which inaccurately describes the record requested by PGN as a computer-assisted dispatch “report.” The paper hasn’t requested a dispatch “report,” but rather a contemporaneous record that was generated at the 911 call center. Use of the inaccurate descriptor leaves open the possibility that the D.A.’s Office does have the requested dispatch record. The attestation acknowledges the D.A.’s Office possesses a redacted copy of the requested “report,” but it doesn’t divulge the source of the redaction. The only document the attestation clearly denies locating is a copy of the dispatch record provided by PGN. Morris was a transgender woman who became a homicide victim in 2002, shortly after entering a police vehicle for a Center City “courtesy ride.” The case remains unsolved, and Morris’ advocates are calling for a state probe. In 2008, the city’s Police Advisory Commission gave PGN a redacted computer-assisted dispatch record relating to the Morris case. It’s believed the unredacted record could help explain why Morris’ initial set of police-tracking numbers were permanently voided at the 911 call center. Once those numbers were voided, responding officers

had no obligation to document the courtesy ride. Detectives didn’t learn about it until several days after Morris was declared a homicide victim on Dec. 25, 2002. Computer-assisted dispatch records, also known as time-response logs, are public records under the state’s Right-to-Know Law. Last year, PGN gave the D.A.’s Office a copy of the dispatch record it received from the PAC, and requested a copy of an unredacted dispatch record. The six-page brief filed by the D.A.’s Office on May 5 contends the agency “acted in accordance with its obligations under the law” when denying the request. PGN disputes that contention, noting the agency failed to cite legal authority for denying the request — even though the RTKL requires that it do so. Additionally, it remains unclear whether the D.A.’s Office searched for the requested record in the appropriate file. Homicide records are routinely filed under the victim’s legal name, and Morris’ legal name was Robert G. Morris. But the attestation gives no indication that a search was done under that name. In 2009, the D.A.’s Office claimed the requested dispatch record, if it were located, would be exempt from disclosure because it’s related to an ongoing homicide investigation. In the current litigation, the agency hasn’t stated whether it continues to hold that position. The matter remains pending before Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Nina Wright Padilla. Oral arguments are scheduled for 9 a.m. June 2 in City Hall Courtroom 426. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

AG Kathleen Kane addresses the marriage-equality movement By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane was the recipient of Equality Forum’s Distinguished Equality Award, presented Saturday at the organization’s International Equality Dinner. Prior to accepting the award, Kane, who last summer announced she would not defend the state’s ban on marriage equality — and who was the subject of an impeachment hearing this week in part for that action — sat down with PGN to discuss Pennsylvania’s LGBT-rights progress.

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PGN: Prior to your election, did you anticipate that marriage equality would become the issue that it currently is in Pennsylvania? KK: Yes, because I knew the Windsor decision was out there and eventually it would fall during my administration. Quite frankly, I’m happy that it did because then it gave me the opportunity to shape the policy that our office had going into the aftermath in Pennsylvania from the Windsor decision. PGN: Can you talk about the conversations that took place prior to your announcement that you would not defend the state’s ban on marriage equality in Whitewood? KK: We knew that eventually Windsor would be coming down and we went through all the different scenarios of what the Supreme Court could and could not do and then how it affected Pennsylvania law. We have a great civil division and they deal with constitutional issues all the time, although we haven’t seen this magnitude in Pennsylvania in a very long time. So we went through with them for weeks and weeks — “If this is the decision, then how does that affect Pennsylvania?” — and we went through all the different scenarios and how then we would react as an office. We also then went to our own legal decision of what was happening and we all determined the law to be wholly unconstitutional. According to the Pennsylvania Constitution and the Supreme Court decision, this law could not be upheld. I was hired as the commonwealth’s lawyer, and as a lawyer, I have to follow the rules of professional conduct. In deciding that we felt that DOMA was unconstitutional in Pennsylvania, we had to then turn to the rules of professional conduct. What do we do in this situation because we are charged with representing the governor but also charged with protecting, obeying, defending the constitution? When those two clash, what do you do then? So the rules of professional conduct very clearly laid out that if you have a material difference with your client — and in this case, that was the essence of the case:

unconstitutional versus constitutional — you cannot take it. We delegate cases all the time back and forth, between the governor’s office and our office. They have 400 lawyers, we have 200 lawyers. It’s a daily occurrence. So the rules dictated we had to give that case to them and say, “We cannot defend this according to the rules, you need to find your own representation.” After that, I lost track, but I was sued six or seven times. We were let out of every single case because the court ruled we didn’t actually enforce the marriage statute in Pennsylvania. But we are still in one case. And in Whitewood, we’re going to be asking the court for leave to submit an amicus brief. That’ll be our contribution to the issue of constitutionality.

PGN: Did you ever see the impeachment effort led by state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe to be serious? KK: Here’s my problem with this. Any time you waste taxpayer time and money putting forward a personal or political agenda in the capitol, on our time, that is a serious issue to me. They’re wasting time and money. The legislator who brought the impeachment resolution forth does not understand the law. He does not understand what was actually done. The basis of the impeachment is that I’m insubordinate. First of all, I’m an independent agency so that falls. But he just doesn’t understand the law. He’s wasting time and money. We have so much to do. We have child predators, we have drug cartels, everywhere we have things to do but now he’s making

PA ATTORNEY GENERAL KATHLEEN KANE (LEFT) WITH PGN EDITOR JEN COLLETTA Photo: Scott A. Drake

PGN: What were the subsequent days like for you and your office in terms of public feedback about your decision? Best and worst? KK: The best was the people. The best was the tremendous outpouring from not just the LGBT community but people whose neighbor or cousin or son happens to be in a same-sex relationship. You wouldn’t believe the scope this has reached — not just this community but all those who love them. Their outpouring has been unbelievable. They made T-shirts that say “Team Kathleen”; I have it in my office. And they come up to me at stores everywhere I go and thank me for stepping out. My response is, “That’s my job, I just did my job.” And their response is, “Somebody in your position didn’t have to do it that way, you could’ve done it quietly but you took a stance.” On the other hand, my impeachment hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, 9 a.m.

us go and defend a legal opinion. So it’s annoying to me. And I hope it doesn’t go anywhere because I think for the most part the legislature understands that the law is the law and we in Pennsylvania have to follow it. PGN: Do you have any inkling as to which of the current marriage-equality challenges stands the best chance of bringing marriage equality to the state? KK: I don’t. I do leave that up to the court. As advocates, we can argue our position and the other side argues theirs, and then it’s up to the court. So no, I’m not sure where they’re going to go. My personal feeling is I feel a wave of people understanding we cannot accept inequality in any form. It’s always failed, in Pennsylvania and in this nation. It’s failed in gender — you and I would not be here today — it failed in race, religious beliefs and hopefully it will PAGE 16

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

Community to explore Gayborhood violence By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com In response to recent violence in the Gayborhood, the William Way LGBT Community Center will host a community forum to address the ongoing issues. A town-hall meeting will be held 6:30-8 p.m. May 28 at the center, 1315 Spruce St. Gayborhood shops Spruce Street Video, Danny’s and Scorpio Adult Boutique have fallen victim to armed robberies in recent weeks, and two individuals were also robbed at knife point earlier this year. Also this spring, a Canadian tourist was raped, beaten and robbed by a man he met on gay dating app GrindR. In the fall, another man was attacked in the Gayborhood, allegedly by a Voyeur staffer and patron, while a woman was raped at almost the same spot. Director of center services Candice Thompson said the community forum will help build discussions on how to keep the

LGBT community safe. “There have been a rash of high-profile incidents in the community over the past several months,” she said. “All of that is on top of the ongoing racism, transphobia and institutional violence some queer people experience day in and day out. It’s really obvious that the center has a role to play in helping LGBTQ individuals create strategies around staying safe.” Thompson said the meeting will include a panel discussion with a question-andanswer session. “The meeting is town-hall style so we expect to hear from the audience to be able to engage in dialogue with community members around this important topic,” she said. Thompson said the center did host community forum-type events in 2012 but hasn’t since hosted a town hall meeting. To R S V P f o r t h e ev e n t , e m a i l cthompson@waygay.org. ■

IBA gears up to announce business awardee By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com The Independence Business Alliance will next week host its fourth annual Business Leader Luncheon to honor the city’s LGBT business community. At the event, the LGBT chamber of commerce will present its fourth PNC Bank LGBT Business Awardee. IBA executive administrator Tom Cavanaugh said the winner, whose business will receive a $5,000 grant, has been identified and won’t be revealed until the luncheon. The luncheon, which is IBA’s signature event, is presented by the West Laurel Hill Cemetery and Funeral Home May 12 at Sofitel Hotel, 120 S. 17th St. Registration and networking begin at 11 a.m., and the lunch program follows at noon. Mayor Michael Nutter will give opening remarks, and Comcast vice president of government affairs Klayton Fennell will

deliver the keynote speech. Cavanaugh said the luncheon continues to get larger each year. “This year, the luncheon will gather between 150-200 LGBT business owners, allies and civic leaders,” he said. “It has grown every year. When it first started, there were probably 125 people in attendance. Last year, we maxed out the ballroom.” Cavanaugh said the networking opportunities are a big draw for the guests. “This is probably the most diverse event of the year and we gather civic leaders, business owners and corporate partners,” he said. “It is a high-profile event and it is a great networking opportunity to make those connections that are vital to their business and be connected to people and businesses they wouldn’t otherwise be connected to.” Tickets are $70 for IBA members and $80 for non-members and guests. For more information on the luncheon, visit http:// independencebusinessalliance.com. ■

PGN Gay is our middle name

recently won six awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association. PGN is the most award-winning LGBT newspaper in the country.

Angela Thomas

Honorable Honorable Mention, Mention, General General News: News: LGBT LGBT equality equality bill bill

Angela Thomas

Second Second Place, Place, Ongoing Ongoing News News Coverage: Coverage: Russian Russian sister sister city city

Jen Colletta

Second Second Place, Place, Editorial Editorial

Victoria Brownworth

Second Second Place, Place, Series: Series: Trans Trans sex sex workers workers

Scott Drake

Second Second Place, Place, News News Photo: Photo: Exposed Exposed to to the the elements elements

Scott Drake

Honorable Honorable Mention, Mention, Sports Sports Photo: Photo: Spartans Spartans tournament tournament

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

GALAEI honors youth-oriented leaders and organizations By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com

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GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization will pay homage to two dedicated community leaders and one organization with the fifth annual David Acosta Revolutionary Leader Award. This is the first year GALAEI will present three DARLA awards. During the May 9 event at William Way LGBT Community Center, the organization will honor former GALAEI youth program coordinator Louis Ortiz with the DARLA, University of Pennsylvania student Diana Estefania Estrada Alamo with the Youth DARLA and The Philadelphia Foundation with the Organization DARLA. GALAEI executive director Elicia Gonzales said the decision to honor three recipients seemed natural, to coincide with the organization’s 25th-anniversary year. “We felt that, since it was a big year for us, giving away three was in order,” she said. The DARLA honors those who have shown leadership in conjunction with GALEI’s mission. Ortiz is someone who fit that bill, Gonzales said. “He is a prime example of a revolutionary leader in all aspects of his life,” she said. “As an advocate, poet, public-health service provider and also a parent, he is able to be a revolutionary leader and visionary and makes things happen.” Ortiz was 17 when he started at GALAEI, then under Acosta’s leadership, and stayed with the organization for seven years. “He dropped out of school and, when he applied to the job at GALAEI, David Acosta said he would hire him if he would get his GED. Louie went on to do that and now cut to him being a remarkable force within our community doing remarkable things that go way beyond,” Gonzales said. Ortiz currently works as Mazzoni Center’s education director and will celebrate three years with the organization in July. Gonzales said Ortiz was responsible for breathing life into the organization’s RAVE program (Reaching Adolescents Via Education) and helped educate youth on HIV prevention, leadership and self-esteem through hip-hop music and poetry. “He basically took what he saw in himself and put it into paper,” she said. Ortiz said he was humbled by the award. “I started my career because of David Acosta. He gave me my first job and guided my development and it means a lot that the award is in his honor,” he said. Ortiz added that GALAEI helped him develop into the person he is today.

“It was a constant learning and development environment,” he said. “It saved my life as a young person. It was there that I became comfortable with my voice and understood how to use my voice.” Gonzales said through Ortiz’s work, GALAEI has continued to grow its youth programming. She said recognizing youth such as Alamo was important to GALAEI. Alamo, 21, is a mentor for GALAEI’s B Seen! B Heard Mentorship Program. The University of Pennsylvania anthropology and health and sciences major is also a

LOUIS ORTIZ

member of Queer People of Color at Penn. Gonzales met Alamo at a Penn queer Latinos event that Alamo helped organize. “I immediately was impressed by her,” Gonzales said. “She is a force to be reckoned with. It is in her blood.” Gonzales said funding for youth programming has been hard to come by, but organizations like The Philadelphia Foundation understand the need for such backing. “If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have youth programming anymore,” she said. “All of the shifts in HIV funding resulted in programs being cut. They helped sustain youth programming at GALAEI. And we are the only organization who is supporting queer Latino youth.” Foundation president R. Andrew Swinney said the organization values the honor. “The Latin LGBT community contributes significantly to our region,” he said. “Going back to 1986 — when we were the area’s primary funder of AIDS programs — to today, when we have more than 20 component funds whose purpose is to support the LGBT community, we’ve been committed to serving the LGBT population.” Since 1996, The Philadelphia Foundation has provided GALAEI with almost $285,000. The awards will be presented at GALAEI’s 25th-anniversary celebration, 6-9 p.m. May 9 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. Tickets are $75 for general admission and $25 for students or those under 25. For more information, visit www.galaei.org. ■

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

Giovanni’s Room to host finalists for top literary awards By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com In one of its final public gatherings before its May 17 closing, LGBT bookstore Giovanni’s Room will host a reading with finalists for the 26th annual Lambda Literary Awards. The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. May 15 at 345 S. 12th St. Participating authors include Larry Benjamin, Phil Tiemeyer, Brian Teare, L.C. Chase and Michael Klein. Larry Benjamin Benjamin has lived in Philadelphia for 26 years, the last 17 of them with his patner. The University of Pennsylvania graduate was born and raised in the Bronx, N.Y. His book “Unbroken” is a finalist in Lambda Literary’s gay romance category. For Benjamin, the book was a way to relay his coming-out experience. “Two years ago, a gay group from New Zealand posted a Tweet and basically asked, ‘When did you first know you were gay?’” he said. “For me, I was in the fourth grade and this kid named Jose walked into

the music room and the minute I saw him, I knew. That changed my whole life.” Benjamin responded to the organization, and was then inspired to write a blog post about his coming-out experience. “I had written that post and my editor and publisher read the post and said it should be part of a larger story,” he said. “When I sat down to write the book, I wanted to take somebody by the hand and step them through my life — what it looks like to be gay at 6 or 12 years of age,” he said. Benjamin took the character of Jose and created a story based on a fictional relationship with him. “I took the idea of Jose and brought the story out of that one particular moment,” he said, noting that he has since reconnected with Jose on social media. “As I was writing the book I found him on Facebook. It was interesting trying to explain to him the effect he had on me. The book takes that interaction and builds a relationship out of it. It talks so much about the effect and what love for me looked like at that age.” Benjamin said writing has always been a passion but it wasn’t until both he and his partner were laid off at the same time during the economic downturn that he turned to it for income. “I thought about what I was going to do, so I pulled out a former manuscript, fixed it up and sent it off. For me the whole eco-

nomic crisis was a blessing — it forced me to do this.” His other works include his first novel, “What Binds Us,” and a short-story collection, “Damaged Angels.” Benjamin said he was very humbled by the Lambda Literary nomination. “I sat down for two weeks waiting for them to say it was mistake,” he said. “There are people with masters’ in fine arts programs from prestigious schools and then there is me. My publisher is a small independent publisher, no one has ever heard of me, so someone appreciated the novel on merit alone.” Michael Klein Queer poet Klein, 59, hails from New York City and is nominated for his book of poetry, “The Talking Day.” Klein came out at a young age and considers himself a “lucky queer” for his experience in discovering his sexuality. “It was not traumatic and everybody knew,” he said. “I grew up in New York and was surrounded by queers and artists. It was not a big deal at all. I never consid-

ered my coming-out experience; I simply got older.” Klein said he used books and writing to escape from a troubled family. “I started reading poetry from a very young age,” he said. “I was enamored by the idea of beauty in the world because it was hard to find. “ He has since found inspiration in writers such as Louise Glück, Richard Siken and Frank Bidart. He said he was honored to be named a finalist among his fellow nominees. “In my category of poetry, the finalists are by far the most competitive ever,” he said. “Every one of those finalists are amazing. They are without a doubt the best gay poets in America.” Phil Tiemeyer Philadelphia University assistant professor of history Tiemeyer is a finalist in the LGBT nonfiction division for his “Plane Queer: Labor, Sexuality and AIDS in the History of Male Flight Attendants.” The book started as Tiemeyer’s graduate school dissertation and ultimately turned PAGE 15 into a 10-year project.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Idaho Division of Veterans Services

Editorial

A governor we can count on PGN this week endorsed state treasurer Rob McCord for governor. All of the Democratic gubernatorial candidates are with us on our issues — nondiscrimination, marriage equality, anti-bullying and hate crimes, among them — which itself is a testament to the burgeoning awareness, both personally and politically, of the need for LGBT rights in the Keystone State. As they are all on point on our issues, other factors to consider include how strongly that support has translated into leadership, their likelihood of being able to unseat our current governor and if we can expect LGBT issues to not just be a part of, but rather a priority of, their administration. After considering all of those questions, PGN identified McCord as the strongest candidate. McCord has demonstrated that he is willing to not just back LGBT equality, but to emerge as a leader for our community. Earlier this year, McCord became the first state official in Pennsylvania to formally enter, on the side of the community, one of the several pending challenges to the state’s marriage-equality ban. In submitting his friend-of-the-court brief in Whitewood v. Wolf, McCord is believed to be the first state treasurer in the nation to take such an action. But his brief wasn’t simply a political gesture; he argued clearly and concisely the practical implications the state’s ban on marriage equality has on his department and our state’s LGBT citizens, in arguments the judge agreed had not yet been so clearly delineated in the case. Leadership is taking on a fight that you don’t need to, but because it’s the right thing to do, which McCord’s involvement demonstrated. His leadership on LGBT issues is not new. In the past several years, he pressed for state Democratic Party support on marriage equality and sought to educate both the public and the legislature on issues like marriage equality and LGBT nondiscrimination. McCord’s history illustrates that LGBT support is important to him, and would continue to be if he were elected governor. Getting to the governor’s office, though, requires first getting past Gov. Tom Corbett this fall. McCord has developed a strong record of going against Corbett. He has spent the past several years as treasurer during an administration with which he frequently butted heads — not just on civil-rights issues, but topics like liquor and lottery privatization — and McCord fervently countered the governor’s position without pause. We need someone who knows how to take on Corbett. With the dismal LGBT record of our current governor, it would be a breath of fresh air to have any leader in that office who embraces LGBT equality — but McCord stands out as the leader who will be best able to bring LGBT equality to fruition. ■

Imagine that your spouse is dead. You spent 17 years of your lives together, caring for and loving each other. Now her ashes are in a box in your closet. It is your wish that when you die, her ashes will be interred alongside you in your state’s veterans cemetery because you are a veteran and she is your spouse. Sounds like pretty standard end-of-life planning, doesn’t it? Ah, yes. But there’s a catch. The thing is, you are a woman. And that complicates things. This is, unfortunately, the situation 74year-old Madelynn Taylor finds herself in after the Idaho Division of Veterans Services refused her request to be buried with her late spouse, Jean Mixner, because Idaho doesn’t recognize their marriage. In 2006, Idaho voters passed Amendment 2, which reads, “A marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state.” And thank heavens voters added that to the state’s constitution, otherwise Idaho’s dead veterans might have to face the injustice of two dead lesbians fouling up their cemetery. Granted, Taylor could just go be buried someplace else. It’s not like the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery is her only option. Except for the fact that Taylor is an Idaho veteran who wants to be buried there. “I just feel that it’s the right place for me. You know, I’m a veteran. So they should let me,” Taylor told KTVB. “In fact, they would let me alone, be in that crypt ... But I don’t want to be alone. I want Jean with me.” (I’ll pause here so you can get some tissues.) To add insult to injury, Taylor served in the Navy from 1958-64. Coming as she does from a military family (“It’s what we did. When we were 18, you picked a

service and joined,” she told KTVB), she likely would have served for longer had they not kicked her out for — you guessed it — being gay. Taylor told KBOI that she wasn’t surprised by the state’s refusal. “I’ve been discriminated against for 70 years, and they might as well discriminate against me in death as well as life.” Make no mistake, she doesn’t really mean the “might as well” part. Despite her friendly disposition in her TV news interviews, she’s fighting back. She’s joined the Add the Words campaign, which seeks to get “sexual orientation and gender identity” added to Idaho’s nondiscrimination law. Hopefully, too, Idaho’s anti-gay marriage amendment will be overturned like so many others across the country have been. What Taylor is asking for is hardly extravagant. Her partner was cremated. She wants to be cremated. Which means that burying them together is logistically very easy. It’s not like the cemetery has to dig two 6-foot holes in the ground. All they have to do is put two containers in one drawer. Something they do for opposite-sex spouses all the time. “It’s not taking up any more space to have both of us in there,” she told KBOI. “And I don’t see where the ashes of a couple old lesbians is going to hurt anybody.” According to news reports, Taylor, who has health problems and worries she might die before this injustice is righted, plans to have someone hang on to both her and her wife’s ashes until they can rest, together, in peace. ■

And thank heavens voters added that to the state’s constitution, otherwise Idaho’s dead veterans might have to face the injustice of two dead lesbians fouling up their cemetery.

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

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

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

OP-ED PGN

McCord for governor In this issue of PGN, we endorse Rob party demand that at the national convenMcCord for governor. If you want to tion, we stand with other states demanding a national Democratic marriage know the factual reasons, please read equality plank. our editorial, but in this space let me tell He did this at a time when he was planyou why this columnist personally feels ning to run for governor. While the other strongly about Rob. candidates were spending time It should first be pointed gathering future support, Rob out that this column was the was standing at the podium first in the commonwealth to fighting for equality. point-by-point show the many As treasurer, he had his staff reasons that Allyson Schwartz research the state’s marriage could prove to be a real contender when other politicos laws and discovered that many across the state scoffed at that of the provisions affected by idea. Well, I guess that colthe law go through his office. As soon as he learned this, he umn has now been proven asked his staff to draw up a correct, but at the same time legal brief supporting marriage Schwartz’s campaign has equality and requesting the seen better days. As for Wolf, court give him standing to file I’ve not met the man but his an amicus brief, which it did. résumé to be governor is a But more importantly is how little skimpy. Rob and his wife Leigh speak But this column is not just Mark Segal on the subject. To them marabout facts, it’s about personal riage equality is personal. You feelings. After 45 years as a see, in 1967, the marriage laws would gay activist, I can sense how strong a have prevented them from marrying since politician is on our issues within minutes they’re an interracial couple. of meeting him or her. Rob has been a stellar state treasurer. It happens seldom, but with Rob it was He’s right on all the issues, but what sets instantaneous. Three quick points make him apart is that, for him, our issues are that clear. personal. In 2012 at the Pennsylvania State I’m proud and honored to call him my Democratic Convention, it was Rob McCord who led the fight to include mar- friend, and I’ll vote for him for governor with pride. ■ riage equality into the state party’s official platform. Aside from LGBT people, Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the Rob was one of the few elected officials nation’s most-award-winning commentato speak in favor. And he even did so tor in LGBT media. He can be reached at more passionately than the LGBT speakmark@epgn.com. ers. He also demanded that we as a state

Mark My Words

Transmissions

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

Street Talk Should Chelsea Manning be an honorary grand marshal of a Pride celebration? “Yes. She’s standing up for something she believes in. That’s very admirable. It’s especially impressive that she Libby Rice stood by her pharmacist convictions, Society Hill even though it meant experiencing a great personal sacrifice. I think it’s appropriate to honor her.”

“Yes. She did her job as a citizen and a whistleblower. She should not have been imprisoned. To the contrary, she should be honored. She did the right thing.”

“Absolutely. Chelsea Manning performed a wonderful service for the country. She exposed horrible war Collin Woolcock crimes and restaurant manager massacres. Fairmount She’s in a position where she can use all the support she can get. I hope she feels comfort knowing that our community backs her.”

“No. Someone less controversial would be better. There are so many worthy people out there who aren’t Brandon Gushue in prison. office manager At Pride North Philadelphia events, we’re supposed to be presenting a good public image. We’re not supposed to be showing off the criminals. She has enough going on in her life. She doesn’t need the extra media attention.”

their own counter offensive. Logo, as well as “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” have finally offered up an apology and struck the words in question from their lexicon, but RuPaul took to Twitter to quietly compare the kerfuffle to George Orwell’s book “Animal Farm.” Then Alaska Thunderfuck 5000, a drag artist, released a video called “RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 76.” In it, a mustachioed and blue-haired “Twitter Account Owner” named “Joy Less” complains about the language of the show, initially getting some of it changed. After further complaint, Alaska mimics firing a hairdryer like a pistol, gunshots are heard and “Joy Less” is seen with a bullet hole between her eyes. This was unacceptable on all levels. I tend to be a firm believer in keeping one’s eyes on the prize. Infighting only emboldens those who would seek to tear us down, and does little to move us forward. At the same time, I know that these have been issues simmering for a very long time.

In their own ways, RuPaul and Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 have simply moved a heated topic from the back burner to the front. “Season 76” aside, I find it disturbing to read about the supposed “policing of language” from the use of “shemale” and “tranny” on “RuPauls’s Drag Race” and others. I’m of the opinion that if someone — or, in this case, several someones — come to you to explain why this choice of language is hurtful, then perhaps it is. As transgender author and GLAAD board member Jennifer Boylan put it on her personal Twitter account, “Do you have the right to use language I find insulting? Why, of course you do. But tell me: Why would you WANT to hurt my feelings?” While I have used “tranny” in the past to refer to myself in a self-deprecating fashion, I have grown to understand that perhaps it’s best to set that term aside. I do not feel “policed” into doing so — I do it out of love for my comPAGE 18

Gwendolyn Ann Smith

Kristopher Barillas hair stylist Graduate Hospital area

Discord and distraction In Connecticut, a 16-year-old transwoman of color is being held in an adult prison — with no charges filed against her. According to a lawsuit brought forth by Lambda Legal, a doctor in Urbana, Ill., told a trans woman that she “did not have to treat people like you.” Assuming this is true, it is in violation of the Affordable Care Act. Transgender actor and advocate Laverne Cox, in spite of a vast outpouring of votes for her inclusion, was snubbed by Time magazine, and will not appear as one of their 100 most influential people of the year. Transgender activists protested outside of the Smith College admission office to oppose their policies against admitting transgender women. The school does not allow students who are born male if their applications identify them as such, regardless of their gender identity or expression. Longtime transgender writer and performer Kate Bornstein is struggling for her

life in the face of cancer, and once again the community is mobilizing to help cover her rather expensive medical costs. Transgender people are being murdered, are committing suicide in staggering numbers and are being discriminated against in countless ways every second of the day. The transgender community, however, is instead tightly focused right now on the divisions between itself and the drag community. Fighting continues over “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and its season-opening segment called “Female or Shemale.” The issues surrounding this have spread further, encompassing RuPaul’s use of both “shemale” and “tranny” on the show. It has spilled out onto other issues, and people on all sides of the debate have taken up virtual arms against each other. Open letters have been flung against a pair of longtime transgender activists who have opted to side with “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” while the duo has fought back with

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

Gayborhood Crime Watch Local transman runs for

The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the 6th Police District between April 21-27. Information is courtesy of 6th District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice.com or call 215-686-TIPS (8477). Follow the Sixth District on Twitter @PPDBrianKorn. INCIDENTS

— Between midnight-10 a.m. April 21, someone stole three secured bicycles from the rear of 1105 Waverly St. — Between 10-11:30 a.m. April 22, someone stole a secured bicycle from outside 1101 Market St. — Between 7:45 a.m.-6:15 p.m. April 22 (reported on April 24), someone entered an apartment in the 300 block of South 13th Street without force and stole a camera, glasses and a SEPTA transpass. Sixth District Officer Chim was unable to lift fingerprints. — Between 6:30-7:15 a.m. April 23, someone stole a secured bicycle from outside 262 S. 12th St. — At 3:35 a.m. April 24, a woman was in Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St., when a female poured a drink on her. The woman went outside where she says the female punched her, knocked her down, stole her purse and fled in a vehicle. The woman was described as a 5-foot-7 black female with a heavy build. — At 5:40 a.m. April 27 (reported at 7:10 p.m.), a man saw a male in his residence in the 1200 block of Pine Street and chased the intruder outside, where he recovered his laptop, phone and wallet. Later that day, the victim discovered another laptop, XBox and PlayStation were missing and

contacted police. The suspect entered via an unlocked door and was described as a black male in his mid-20s, 5-foot-8, with curly hair, wearing a burgundy hoodie. NON-SUMMARY ARRESTS

— At 10:40 a.m. April 23, a man was in the subway concourse at Broad and Walnut streets when three males attempted to snatch his backpack. The victim fled and alerted police. A Highway Patrol unit apprehended three suspects at 15th and Market streets. Two were from Kensington and one was from Germantown; all three were 18. They were charged with robbery. SUMMARY ARRESTS — On April 22, Sixth District officers issued a citation for a summary offense at 1:25 a.m. outside 1221 Pine St. and at 10:25 p.m. outside 261 S. 13th St. — On April 23, Sixth District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 12:55 a.m. outside 137 S. 13th St., at 8:45 a.m. outside 1300 Walnut St., at 11:30 a.m. outside 101 S. Broad St. and at 10:40 p.m. outside 1227 Walnut St. — On April 24, Sixth District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 12:15 a.m. outside 205 S. Juniper St. and at 12:30 p.m. outside 100 S. 13th St. — On April 25, Sixth District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 9:30 p.m. outside 200 S. 12th St. and at 9:40 p.m. outside 214 S. 12th St. — On April 26, Sixth District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 1:55 a.m. outside 207 S. 13th St., at 2 p.m. outside 1200 S. 1200 Latimer St. and at 9:40 p.m. outside 200 S. Ninth St. — On April 27, Sixth District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 2:10 a.m. outside 1200 Chancellor St. and at 8 p.m. on South 13th Street. ■

City of Philadelphia

Public Hearing Notice The Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities of the Council of the City of Philadelphia will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, May 12, 2014, at 2:00 PM, in Room 400, City Hall, to hear testimony on the following item: 140027

Resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to hold hearings to examine the status of the claims filed as a result of the July 22nd, 2012 water main break at 21st and Bainbridge and to investigate possible measures to ensure that victims of this instance, and of future water main breaks, are fully compensated for their losses.

Immediately following the public hearing, a meeting of the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities, open to the public, will be held to consider the action to be taken on the above listed item. Copies of the foregoing item are available in the Office of the Chief Clerk of the Council, Room 402, City Hall.

Michael Decker Chief Clerk

trans equality By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com

A local transgender man is gearing up to run more than 30 miles for a cause close to his heart. Samuel Richman, 32, will run a 50K race at the Dirty German Endurance Fest May 18 at Pennypack Park. Richman’s Team Trans*: Run for Equality will raise money for the National Center for Transgender Equality. Richman is from Philadelphia and currently lives in Plymouth Meeting. He’s a Temple University graduate with a bachelor’s in English and currently works as a project manager and administrative assistant for a company that provides customprinted apparel. Richman came out as transgender in 2008 at age 27. He said although he was initially hesitant to tell friends and family, the reactions have been nothing but amicable. “My closest friends expressed only love and acceptance upon hearing this news, and a few were even excited for me,” he said. “Some had trouble learning to use the correct pronouns, but I attribute this to habit rather than malice or disrespect.” Richman said his transition has taught him to be patient with others’ perception of him as well as with his own insight on his identity. “[It’s taught me to] understand that my identity is my own regardless of what others say,” he said. “A couple of people in my life were concerned about how I would choose to alter my body, and whether such changes would be irreversible or otherwise dangerous for my health; fortunately, they have been there for me regardless, and have grown more supportive over time, having witnessed my progress.” Richman has been training for his 50K race since January and has been running since August 2011. He is no stranger to long-distance running, having competed in the 2012 Philadelphia Marathon and several other races since that time. Richman said running has helped him meditate and unwind. “Because I find it simultaneously relaxing and energizing, I run as often as my schedule and circumstances will allow,” he said, noting that while training has been a

SAMUEL RICHMAN

challenge, it’s one he’s eager to face. “My training runs have neither been as frequent nor as lengthy as I would like, but all in all I think that I am capable of successfully completing this run. I’ve wanted to participate in an ultra marathon for several years now — ever since I started running regularly — so my current state of fitness results from that effort and intention.” Richman has so far raised $400 for NCTE but said he would be happy with at least $500 to help raise awareness of the organization. In addition to fundraising, Richman said he wants to use his participation in the race to educate the public on NCTE’s work. “The NCTE serves to educate members of Congress on transgender issues, and keeps us informed about any federal activity that is relevant,” he said. “They’ve advocated for us with regard to antidiscrimination laws, hate-crime laws, fair housing, health care, privacy concerns and other matters essential to our safety and our quality of life.” To donate to Richman’s race, visit http:// www.razoo.com/story/Team-Trans-50. To learn more about the Dirty German Endurance Fest, visit http://www.uberendurancesports.com/Dirtygerman. For more information on NCTE, visit transequality. org. ■

PGN We love to get picked up.

FINANCE PGN LAMBDA from page 9

Tiemeyer, 43, hails from the suburbs of St. Louis and has lived in Philadelphia since 2007. He received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and attended the University of Chicago for his master’s and the University of Texas for his Ph.D. Tiemeyer said he came out a little later in life due to his conservative upbringing. “I grew up in a fairly conservative place and went to a Catholic boys’ school where human sexuality was barely discussed,” he said. “I felt that it was not the right thing for me to be gay, so it took me until I was 27-28 to develop a little more courage and self-confidence to come out.” Tiemeyer said his love for writing correlated with his coming-out experience. “I was trying to find an intellectual space in my own life to say it is OK to be gay and that led me to pursue LGBT history as the area I decided to focus on,” he said. Having the book recognized after 10 years of work is particularly rewarding. “This has been part of my life for the last decade so to realize that not only did I like it but also the larger queer community also found value in it, and for it to be read and be promoted, means a lot to me.” Amber Dawn A m b e r D a w n ’s “How Poetry Saved My Life” is a finalist in the lesbian memoir/ biography category. Dawn hails from Vancouver and said her upbringing allowed for a lot of acceptance for her queer identity. “I grew up in a household that didn’t assume heteronormative was going to be the way for me or anyone else in my family,” she said. “I didn’t have much of a process; it was just a matter of making choices that were all pretty quickly adopted by my blood and chosen family.” Dawn said she draws inspiration from her fellow finalists and particularly enjoys science-fiction and fantasy novels, including works by Octavia Butler. Dawn’s book tells her story of sex work, queer identity and survivor pride in prose and poetry. She said she was surprised by the overwhelmingly positive reception. “It has been one year since my book came out in May of last year, and the big thing in my book is sex work and I was waiting for antagonistic reviews. But I received nothing but good reviews,” she said. “I am so glad I put it out. Everything I was nervous about proved to be nonexistent.” Dawn said the Lambda Literary nomination is an added honor. “Lambda Literary highlights what’s happening and what is relevant in queer literature,” she said. “The memoir category is competitive and it is humbling to be recognized in that category. I feel very grateful.” ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

Investing through life’s stages Q: My partner and I are both in our late 20s and were recently married in New York. We’re thinking about buying a home in the next year or so and then adopting a child. How should we be allocating our savings for these expenses yet still focus on saving for retirement? A: Congratulations on your marriage! Many LGBT investors will experience some common life events — getting married/partnered, buying a first home, starting a family, becoming an empty-nester and retiring — that will require them to reassess their investment situation and make adjustments as needed. Here’s a quick guide to help you through each phase.

investment, such as saving to buy a house, you may want to take on less risk and have more liquidity in your investments. Investing: A lifelong journey Although everyone’s attitude toward investing and money is different, most investors share some common situations throughout their lives. The following are some major life events and some investment decisions that you may want to consider:

Out Money

Getting started The first part of a lifelong investment strategy is establishing disciplined savings habits. Regardless of whether you are saving for retirement, a new house or just that extravagant dining-room set, you will need to develop strict budgetary practices. Regular contributions to savings or investment accounts are often the most productive; and if you can automate them, even better. Universal factors that affect your investment decisions Once you begin saving on a regular basis, you will soon have to decide how to invest the money you are saving. Regardless of what financial stage of life you are in, you will have to determine what your needs are and how comfortable you are with risk.

Investment objectives. What do you need the money for? The answer to this question will help determine whether you want to put your savings into investment products that produce income for you or that concentrate on growing the value of your investment. For instance, a retirement fund does not need to produce income until you retire, so your investing strategy should focus on growth until you are close to retirement. After you retire, you’ll want to draw income from your investment while keeping your principal intact to the extent possible. Time and risk tolerance. All investing involves a certain amount of risk. How well you tolerate price fluctuations in your investments will need to be balanced against your required rate of return in determining the amount of risk your investments should carry. An offsetting factor to risk is time. If you plan to hold an investment for a long time, you will probably tolerate more risk because you have the time to make up any losses you may experience early on. For a shorter-term

When you get your first “real” job: • Start a savings account to build a cash reserve. • Start a retirement fund and make regular monthly contributions, no matter how small.

Jeremy Gussick

When you get a raise: • Increase your contribution to your company-sponsored retirement plan. • Increase your cash reserves. When you get married/partnered: Determine your new investment contributions and allocations, taking into account your combined income and expenses. When you want to buy your first house: Invest some of your nonretirement savings in a short-term investment specifically for funding your down payment, closing and moving costs. When you have a baby: • Increase your cash reserves. • Increase your life insurance. • Start a college fund. When you change jobs: • Review your investment strategy and asset allocation to accommodate a new salary and a different benefits package. • Consider your distribution options for your company’s retirement savings or pension plan. Discuss with an advisor if a rollover into a new plan or IRA is appropriate. When your children have moved out of the house: Boost your retirement savings contributions. When you reach age 55: • Review your retirement fund asset allocation to accommodate the shorter timeframe for your investments. • Continue saving for retirement. When you retire: • Carefully study the options you may have for taking money from your company retirement plan. Discuss your alternatives with your financial advisor. • Review your combined potential income after retirement. Reallocate your invest-

ments to provide the income you need while still providing for some growth in capital to help beat inflation and fund your later years. Discipline and a financial advisor can help One of the hardest things about investing is disciplining yourself to save an appropriate portion of your income regularly so that you work towards your investment goals. And if you’re not fascinated with investing (how can anyone not be fascinated with investing?), it may be hard to force yourself to review your financial situation and investment strategy on a regular basis. Establishing a relationship with a trusted financial advisor can go a long way toward helping you practice smart money management over your entire lifetime. ■ Jeremy R. Gussick is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, the nation’s largest independent brokerdealer.* Jeremy specializes in the financial planning needs of the LGBT community and was recently named a 2013 FIVE STAR Wealth Manager by Philadelphia Magazine.** He is active with several LGBT organizations in the Philadelphia region, including the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund and the Independence Business Alliance, the Philadelphia region’s LGBT chamber of commerce. OutMoney appears monthly. If you have a question for Jeremy, you can contact him at jeremy.gussick@lpl.com. LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. This article was prepared with the assistance of Wealth Management Systems Inc. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. We suggest that you discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor. Please consult me if you have any questions. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by Wealth Management Systems Inc., or its sources, neither Wealth Management Systems Inc., nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall Wealth Management Systems Inc. be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscribers’ or others’ use of the content. There is no assurance that the strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. The purchase of certain securities may be required to effect some of the strategies. Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. Asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss. *As reported by Financial Planning magazine, 19962013, based on total revenues. **Award based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of year 2012 and 2013 Five Star Wealth Managers. Wealth Management Systems, Inc. and LPL Financial are not affiliated entities.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

NEWS PGN KANE from page 6

then fail in sexual orientation. Once you say, “Well, one group is not equal to the next,” that affects our freedom. We are not truly a free nation then because inequality does not allow you the full protections the constitution guarantees. If something takes that away from certain people, that must fail. I don’t care what the issue is. Substitute gender, substitute religion, substitute sexual orientation. It must always fail. PGN: If the court legalizes same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania, how do we make sure the public and the legislature ultimately get on board? KK: That’s a great question. Equality PA has been going to the hearts and minds of people and letting them know there is nothing to be afraid of. These people are good neighbors, business people, doctors, they’ve raised great children. They’re changing hearts and minds. But we also need to pass House Bill 300, the nondiscrimination bill. It is appalling that you can lose your job or home because of who you like or love. Appalling. The legislature has work to do. The governor has work to do. Our office will safeguard the constitution every chance we get. And there are great organizations invested in LGBT rights and equality, civil rights, who will go out and educate the public. PGN: There is an effort right now to have state and federal probes into the death of local transwoman Nizah Morris. If DA Seth Williams refuses to meet with Morris advocates, would you consider meeting with them to hear their concerns? KK: They have written us two letters. Our authority comes from the Commonwealth Attorneys Act. We cannot look at that case, we cannot investigate, we cannot prosecute, because we do not have original jurisdiction over that case. And unless and until a DA of any county refers it to our office, either on conflict of interest or lack of resources, we can’t take the case. And we did let them know that. PGN: You spoke earlier about gender inequality. Has it been challenging or empowering for you that you are the state’s first elected female attorney general? KK: I think it’s been both. There are people out there who are not ready to have a female in the position I’m in. But the voters spoke and I am the dually elected attorney general. I have to go forth and do the best job I can. I love the law. I love justice. But it is empowering because it’s incredible the amount of women who come and say, “You’re an inspiration. If you can do it, I can do it.” We need more of that. We need more women in government. And I am hopeful that I can be the sickle that clears the path a little bit for them because it’s time. ■

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

GRINDR from page 1

last summer to take a job as a chemical engineer at the Stepan Company in New Jersey. Dizdarevic had been living in the Spring Garden section with his boyfriend of two years. He had been scheduled for a trip home to meet up with family and friends for the Kentucky Derby. Close friend Drew Owen said Dizdarevic was looking forward to the trip. “This was an important trip for him because he was coming back to see all of his old friends and his family,” he told PGN. “He didn’t really know anyone in the Philadelphia area.” Owen met Dizdarevic in 2007 when they both attended University of Louisville. Dizdarevic is a 2011 graduate. “We immediately became best friends and I had been right by his side ever since,” he said. “He just seemed to stick out. He was so smart

and the kind of guy that would walk into a place and everyone would notice him. He would become friends with everyone and was the life of the party.” Investigators have reportedly said Dizdarevic didn’t return home after a night out with friends. His family in Kentucky was contacted and a missing-person report was filed prior to the discovery of his body Friday. D i z d a r e v i c ’ s m u rder comes weeks after a Canadian tourist was allegedly raped, beaten and robbed after inviting a man he met on Grindr to his Center City hotel room. A suspect in that case, 26year-old Douglas Spady, was identified but not yet apprehended. On May 2, 34-year-old Daniel Simmons, the deputy attorney general of Delaware’s Department of Justice, was arrested and accused of raping a minor he met on Grindr. ■

PGN TRANSMISSIONS from page 11

munity. I acknowledge the use of the terms “shemale” and “tranny” within the drag community, and that these have been used there as a sort of endearment. I also know that those terms are terms used to objectify transgender people at best, and are used to harm at worst. They may be some of the last words some transgender people may ever hear. Perhaps some day we shall reclaim those terms, but today does not seem to be that day. There are many in the wake of this controversy, particularly after the “Season 76” video, who have opted to demonize drag overall. That is wrong. Is what Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 created horrible, hurtful and unnecessary? You bet it is — but let’s not demonize countless drag performers who may or may not agree with what she posted. Part of the fallout has been to decouple drag from the transgender umbrella. I don’t think this is necessary, or even know

how one might do this in the first place. Transgender identity and expression is a huge, broad thing encompassing a lot of gender presentations. If one considers him or herself to be transgender, then by all means they are. Yet I doubt that RuPaul or Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 identify as transgender. I’ve never heard them use the term to identify themselves. Still, regardless of their identity, let’s not forget that some who opt to perform in drag may well identify as transgender. Many other transwomen may have come out of the drag world, including at least a couple former “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestants. Meanwhile, I want to see the amount of attention and zeal that is being paid to this sort of infighting get applied to even one of the issues I addressed at the top of this column. I want us to fight the good fights and continue to move forward. ■ Gwen Smith thinks it’s going to be a long, hot summer. You’ll find her at www.gwensmith.com.

Escape the ’Hood with Pride Visit Bucks County Special Issue May 16

ELECTION PGN ENDORSEMENT from page 1

share of racist and anti-Semitic remarks and I’ve had experience pulling people up a personal learning curve.” McCord said he makes diversity in hiring a priority in both his offices. “Thirty-three percent of the people I have hired have been African-American, 53 percent of our workforce is women and there are four openly gay staffers,” he said. “It is easy for me to do.” McCord said he is hopeful that House Bill 300, the LGBT nondiscrimination ordinance, passes before the election but that he’d otherwise make its adoption a priority as governor. “I think we are getting there. I would make sure that transgender folks are still covered in that law because people are sometimes more comfortable with one step less than full justice and I think we need to get full justice,” he said. McCord is supportive of the PASS Act and an LGBT-inclusive hate-crimes bill. He said he has the conviction and the innovative approach to create change in the commonwealth. “The LGBT communities have felt like an extension of my family,” he said. “I have both the personality and personal history and governing experience to be able to build a consensus around the conversations we need to improve these civil-rights laws in Pennsylvania.” THE OTHER GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D) C o n g r e s sw o m a n A l l y s o n Schwartz has served the 13th Congressional district since 2005. Schwartz, 65, has been advocating for LGBT rights since 1996, when, as a state senator, she voted against the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. “I have the experience working with the LGBT community and advocates,” she said. “As a candidate for governor, I will continue to stand up for equal rights and, as governor, do all I can as an executive to make sure an LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination act is put in place.” Schwartz said she has experience in reaching across the aisle to gain support. “I am the only candidate in this race that has introduced legislation and has gotten it passed working with both Republicans and Democrats,” she said. “I will look for fellow advocates and stand up with

them. I want to make it clear as governor that Pennsylvania should embrace all citizens.” Schwartz said she supports LGBTinclusive anti-bullying measure the PASS Act and LGBT-inclusive hatecrimes legislation. “I have always stood up for and with the LGBT community,” she said. “Anyone can say they will be supportive on the issues, but the fact is I have stood to fight for fairness and tolerance and equality and have done so publicly. I will go to Harrisburg and be an advocate to get things done and shake things up.” Katie McGinty (D) F o r m e r secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Katie McGinty said she would be out front on LGBT issues if elected governor. “I would not just passively sign legislation granting marriage equality but it would be a priority for me,” she said. “I would proudly lead the efforts to enable all citizens of Pennsylvania to be respected especially in celebration and respect for the commitment of loving couples.” McGinty, 50, said she has long been an advocate for LGBT nondiscrimination measure House Bill 300. “As governor I want Pennsylvania to have national distinction. We are a state alive with cultural diversity but we are the last state in the region to convey basic rights,” she said. McGinty said her support for bills like an LGBT-inclusive hate crimes measure and anti-bullying legislation is personal. “I have three little girls in public school and middle school and I am sensitive to bullying, to humiliation, to the bars that come in the direction of kids — certainly anyone who is a little bit different,” she said. “I would fight hard not just as a governor but also as a mother whose heart breaks at the notion of any person being bullied or demeaned or feeling badly about themselves on something that should be celebrated.” McGinty said her experience bringing bipartisan support on a myriad of issues would put Pennsylvania on the right path. “I have a proven track record of being able to reach across the aisle,” she said. “I was able to get a Republican legislature to pass bills in renewable energy and worked with them to secure approval of new money to support local watershed and environmental groups that are vital and active in keeping rivers and streams healthy.”

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

Tom Wolf (D) York native and former secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Tom Wolf is hoping to contribute his experience as a businessman to bring economic growth to Pennsylvania. Wolf is the chairman of his family-owned business, The Wolf Organization Inc., and through his company, has provided protections for LGBT employees. Wolf said from his business standpoint, nondiscrimination and marriage equality are two smart bills for the state to adopt. “I’d be a strong advocate for marriage equality and nondiscrimination bills in the Senate and House,” he said. “Through the experience at my business, I understand the value of marriage equality. I give domestic-partner benefits and I understand the disadvantage of both partners and companies who have to put up with the lack of marriage equality in the state.” Wolf is a supporter of LGBT-inclusive hate-crimes and anti-bullying legislation. He said Pennsylvania should be a state where residents and visitors of all identities should feel welcomed. “This commonwealth was founded by somebody who put the welcome mat to everyone regardless of religious beliefs,” he said. “We need to make sure the welcome mat stays out for everybody.” Ken Krawchuk (L) Ken Krawchuk, a Libertarian candidate for governor, was born and raised in Philadelphia and is the founder and president of Ken Krawchuk & Associates Ltd., an informationtechnology consulting firm. Krawchuk, 61, has served as secretary for the Montgomery County Libertarian Party since 2008. Krawchuk said he has a diverse workforce at his business and, as governor, would ensure hiring decisions were motivated by a candidate’s skill set. “I’ve run my company since the late 1980s and I’ve had such a variety of people work for me,” he said. “I would obviously hire the best person for the job.” Although Krawchuk is a supporter of

marriage equality, he said he stays true to his Libertarian views and hopes to get government out of the marriage business. “I want government to get out of that entirely. But me as governor, who am I to stand in the way of true love?” he said. Krawchuk said he believes any legal rights given to heterosexual couples should be extended to same-sex couples. Krawchuk said he does not believe the constitution allows for House Bill 300, Pennsylvania’s pending LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination measure. “If this bill dictates to a company how they run their internal policies, I would be against that,” he said. Krawchuk said he doesn’t believe hate crimes and bullying are measurable so he doesn’t think legislation is feasible. He added that his belief in respecting others’ lives makes him a unique candidate. “I am going to respect your life your way,” he said. “The LGBT community is finally at a point where they can live their life their way.” Paul Glover (G) Green Party candidate Paul Glover is the founder of 18 organizations, including GreenPlanner, a consulting business for communitybased green jobs creation and finance. G l o v e r, a 2003 candidate for mayor of Ithaca, N.Y., was a supporter of same-sex marriage before it became legal in that state. He said the position of governor creates a platform for advocacy, which he would use to move bills such as the LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination measure. “I would use the forum as governor to encourage the passage of House Bill 300 to happen,” he said. “The governor can take the lead by advocating to the public directly and encouraging the public to encourage legislation to pass this.” Glover said he would strongly advocate for an LGBT-inclusive hate-crimes bill. “I say yes readily to this issue — it is not a political answer but this has been my life,” he said. He noted that, although the tide is changing in regard to LGBT acceptance, there is still more that can be done to encourage changing minds. “The broad culture of acceptance is changing but must change far more before people of all backgrounds can feel comfortable and safe in our state.” ■ PGN will release additional endorsements and feature candidate write-ups in next week’s edition.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

PGN

Endorsed by Representative Brian Sims Liberty City Democratic Club Equality Pennsylvania The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund To Support Joshua Young For State Representative Go To www.joshuayoung.org

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NEWS PGN

Media Trail First out Episcopal bishop divorces Yahoo News reports the first openly gay bishop in the Anglican Church has announced he is divorcing his husband. Retired Bishop Gene Robinson announced that he is divorcing Mark Andrew in a recent email to the Diocese of New Hampshire. The couple entered into a civil union in 2008 that converted to a marriage when New Hampshire legalized same-sex marriage in 2010. His election in 2003 as the first openly gay bishop in the Anglican Church created an international uproar and led conservative Episcopalians to break away from the main church in the United States. He writes that details of his divorce are private and that he can’t repay the debt he owes Andrew “for his standing by me through the challenges of the last decade.”

S.D. lawmaker calls homosexuality a health issue According to the Rapid City Journal, South Dakota Rep. Steve Hickey is facing a flood of backlash for calling gay sex a moral and health issue. Hickey says he’s received comments and threats since posting his thoughts recently. He believes people are tired of hearing the religious argument against homosexuality and wants medical professionals to come forward to explain the health risks of homosexual activity. The South Dakota Democratic Party has criticized Hickey’s remarks, calling them “reprehensible.” Hickey’s comments come after the South Dakota group governing high-school activities discussed a policy accommodating transgender students. And a lesbian couple from Sioux Falls recently announced plans to marry in Minnesota and challenge the South Dakota ban on gay marriage. Hickey said no other legislators have spoken up, because “the intimidation factor is so great.”

Judge orders treatment for Ohio trans inmate According to ABC News, a federal judge has ordered the permanent restoration of hormone treatments for a transgender Ohio prison inmate who complained about facialhair growth without them. Inmate Whitney Lee says she suffered a medical setback and depression when the treatments stopped.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

Lee had undergone continuous hormone therapy since 1999 until the corrections department abruptly halted the treatments in February 2012. Her legal name is still Antione Lee. Judge Algenon Marbley ordered the state on May 2 to permanently continue the treatments following his order last month that they be temporarily continued until a hearing. The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction says a psychiatrist has determined Lee lacks the criteria for gender-identity disorder and the therapy can’t be justified. The 36-year-old Lee is housed with men at Mansfield Correctional Institution.

Judge approves Boise woman’s adoption The Idaho Statesman reports a judge has approved a Boise woman’s adoption of two sons. Darcy Simpson won an Idaho Supreme Court decision in February that said secondparent adoptions by gay couples are legal despite the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. Simpson’s partner, Rene, is the birth mother of one boy and the original adoptive parent of the second. The couple married in California last year. The boys told Ada County Magistrate Judge Cathleen MacGregor Irby on May 2 that they consented to the adoption by Darcy Simpson. MacGregor Irby ruled last year that the couple had to be in a union legally recognized in Idaho for Darcy Simpson to adopt, but the Supreme Court said “any person”’ may adopt, establishing precedent.

Man pleads guilty in Seattle gay club fire The Seattle Times reports a man who set fire to a crowded Seattle nightclub just after midnight on New Year’s Eve has pleaded guilty to a federal arson charge. U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan says 30-yearold Musab Mohammed Masmari put more than 700 people at risk when he poured gasoline in a stairwell at Neighbors, a gay nightclub, and lit it. Masmari, formerly of Bellevue, was identified through surveillance video and was arrested a month after the arson as he prepared to leave the country. He was originally charged in state court, but federal prosecutors took the case because he faces a minimum of five years, more than double what he faced under state law. Federal prosecutors haven’t discussed a potential motive for the arson, but Masmari drew police attention several times over the past year for erratic behavior, including assaults and refusing to stop painting a railing at his apartment building. He is due to be sentenced in July. ■ — compiled by Larry Nichols

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ROSENBLUM from page 1

the law.” “David was such an integral part of the LGBT legal community for so long,” added Temple law professor and Mazzoni legal advisory board member Lee Carpenter. Rosenblum was a founding board member of the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights, which became Equality Pennsylvania, whose legal department was transferred to Mazzoni Center. “He actually started the entity that became the Mazzoni legal department that he ultimately ran,” Carpenter said. Mazzoni Center executive director Nurit Shein said she was impressed by Rosenblum’s authenticity, and his experience, when he interviewed for the position. “I thought, This guy is so at ease in his own skin. He knows Philadelphia, he knows the people in Philadelphia and he knows legal issues. He didn’t try to impress us and just said, ‘This is who I am. You’re going to

LOCAL PGN

get the flamboyance with the heart and the knowledge.’ And that was so true,” she said. “You’d think he could just burst into song at any given moment, into song and dance, yet when he talked about legal issues there was a level of professional knowledge and expertise that was totally amazing.” Shein said his skill for networking made him a natural fit. “We needed to build the consciousness of the legal community and David was the perfect, perfect person to do that,” she said. “David’s strength was bringing people together,” said Mary Catherine Roper, staff attorney at American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, noting he knew how to communicate effectively. “He was good at sorting out what matters, what doesn’t matter and bringing people together to work on things in a way that changed people’s lives.” At Mazzoni, Rosenblum oversaw staff attorney Barrett Marshall, as well as a team

of interns, fellows and pro-bono attorneys state,” Marshall said. — numbering up to 20 people. He also spearheaded Mazzoni Center’s “There was very little he wasn’t respon- advocacy for a number of ongoing LGBTsible for. He was the one with the larger rights issues in the state. In 2012, Rosenblum vision, and our r e s i d e n t ex p e r t ,” “I’ve never known someone co-authored a letter to the state secretary Marshall said. “I never felt like I was who could make others at on the controversial being supervised ease with so much grace. He voter-ID legislation, because I felt sup- really was able to make peo- prompting the state to drop gender markported by him at all ple feel comfortable. He was ers on its voter ID times.” M a r s h a l l s a i d so, so smart but he never felt cards, the first time Pennsylvania issued Rosenblum was ID without gender responsible for a inaccessible to people.” signifiers. Also that number of groundbreaking legal fil— Barrett Marshall year, Rosenblum was involved in submitings, including a ting a friend-of-therecent case with the court brief supporting the eviction of the EEOC on behalf of a transgender woman. “He was doing the really cutting-edge local Boy Scouts chapter because of its disdiscrimination work, filing cases that were criminatory policies. He recently helped organize and lead a the first of their kind in the district and the

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training on transgender issues for judicial string quartet playing and the big wedding employees. Another training was sched- cake. It was important to him to say, ‘This uled for this week but has been postponed is the new normal. This is what we want to because of Rosenblum’s passing. portray. We’re a couple like any couple.’” Marshall said Rosenblum took every They were joined on the ballroom’s opportunity to raise awareness about LGBT stage, a tribute to their first meeting in 2000 issues, and Mazzoni’s work. as members of theater troupe The Savoy “He moved through the world educat- Company. ing people — and not just the students Rosenblum was a choir member at the we work with or our volunteers, but other time and Stoeckl worked on set construcprofessionals he came into contact with,” tion; they struck up a friendship as board Marshall said. “It meant a lot to him that he members and began dating a year later. got [EEOC commissioner] Chai Feldblum Theater was one of his primary passions. to speak [at Mazzoni’s recent Justice in “He was such a theater queen,” Stoeckl Action fundraiser]. He made this place said. “He could quote practically any visible to attorneys and to so many people Sondheim musical from front to finish and who were impressed back again. He had with his work. Some “What drove his work was this huge repertoire of that recognition he wanted people to be of lyrics and would was something he passionately read all was accustomed to respected, to have a seat about Broadway and because he was so at the table, and to help get read biographies of accomplished, but he folks their due, regardless Gilbert and Sullivan. brought Mazzoni’s It was just a large part legal department into of where they came from or of how he wanted to his own glow.” interact with people who they are.” Rosenblum was and what he found a panelist at a cominteresting.” — Stephan Stoeckl R o s e n b l u m , munity forum the day after last sumwho was adopted mer’s seminal U.S. Supreme Court ruling and grew up in King of Prussia, discovon marriage equality. Viola attended the ered musical theater as a child. He was in oral arguments in the Windsor case with Upper Merion High School’s production Rosenblum. of “Oliver!” and went on to serve as musi“It was something where we knew we cal director for productions at Brandeis were witnessing history,” Viola said. University and with Villanova University Rosenblum himself got married last year School of Law’s Court Jesters. in New York to Stoeckl. The pair, residents Stoeckl said what drew Rosenblum to the of Collingswood, N.J., were joined in a civil theater also inspired his professional work. union in the Garden State in 2005. “He was kind of an outsider as a kid and “We had a big event in Collingswood and that’s in part why theater was important to rented out the Collingswood Ballroom. We him; it gave him a safe haven in high school. had over 100 people,” Stoeckl said. “We had So he had a really deep compassion for outthe rings and the flower girls and the four- siders and people who were excluded from

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

mainstream or not respected. The respect thing was huge for him,” Stoeckl said. “What drove his work was he wanted people to be respected, to have a seat at the table, and to help get folks their due, regardless of where they came from or who they are.” That passion for connecting with people permeated his work, Marshall said. “I’ve never known someone who could

Photos: Tara Beth Photography

make others at ease with so much grace,” Marshall said. “He really was able to make people feel comfortable. He was so, so smart but he never felt inaccessible to people.” Viola agreed, noting Rosenblum’s rich sense of humor was always present. “He was never pretentious, always quick with a joke,” Viola said. “He was both knowledgeable and funny. He made people feel comfortable being who they are because he was comfortable with himself.” “He did everything with a joy that you don’t experience in many people, certainly not in every lawyer,” Carpenter added. That joy followed him home from the office, Stoeckl said. While on a weight-loss regimen,

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Rosenblum’s preferred exercise was playing “Dance, Dance Revolution.” He unwound playing video games on their computer and liked to follow a Sunday morning routine of watching news shows and yelling loudly at the television, Stoeckl laughed. And he found pleasure in simple things. “He took a lot of pride in things like paying bills. He just liked to get things done,” Stoeckl said. “He tried to make sure we would make time for friends and have a rich social life with a lot of people around us. He just really enjoyed life.” In addition to Stoeckl, Rosenblum is survived by his parents, Ruth and Howard; brother Darren and sister-in-law Dana; sister Dawn and brother-in-law Pierre; nieces Rachael, Rebecca and Lauren; and nephews Kyle and Ryan. The family is asking for memorial donations to Mazzoni’s legal-services department in his honor. Shein said Rosenblum’s absence is already being felt. “The movement, the LGBT community, lost a great advocate, a wonderful teacher and larger-than-life person,” she said. Marshall noted the Mazzoni family has banded together in the past few days. “He was such a big, visible presence and leader in our organization. But,we are an organization of helpers so when something like this happens, there’s not much better of a place to be but in a building of folks who want to better the community and support people. It’s a horrible, horrible tragedy but this organization is committed to supporting everyone through this,” Marshall said. “The saddest thing is we won’t know all of what he would’ve accomplished. He was very, very young for something like this to happen. It’s a shame we won’t all get the benefit of what he would’ve gone on to accomplish.” ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

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International French lesbian couple banned from adoption A lesbian couple in France has been barred from adopting a child despite one of them being his birth mother. Judges in Versailles refused a request recently by a lesbian woman to adopt the child, who was conceived in Belgium by her partner through medically assisted procreation. The landmark decision is the first of its kind since France legalized same-sex marriage and adoption rights for gay couples last year. Currently in France, methods of medically assisted procreation like IVF are reserved only for heterosexual couples. But the lesbian couple assumed France’s reforms protected the rights of children conceived abroad using medically assisted procreation. It turns out the law was not as clear-cut as the couple believed, and it was left up to judges to decide their case.

In a major blow to LGBT rights, judges in Versailles turned down the couple’s request and said going abroad for assisted reproduction before seeking to adopt in France was a violation and “fraud of the law.” The couple, along with LGBT-rights campaigners, are horrified at the decision. “I pulled the baby out of my partner’s womb. I cut the cord. I take him to school,” the aggrieved member of the couple said. “Children of LGBT families are the new bastards of the Republic,” the group InterLGBT added. The Association of Gay Parents went even further, calling the court “homophobic.” The couple has vowed to appeal and say they will continue with plans to have a second child through medically assisted procreation abroad. In February, French President Francois Hollande was accused of caving in to homophobes after shelving legislation that would have legalized medically assisted procreation for lesbian couples. The government said the bill had not been dropped but only postponed until 2015 in the hope the atmosphere by then would be “more calm.” Organizers of the homophobic protest group Manif pour Tous (Demo for All), which brought more than 100,000 people onto city streets days before in defense of what it described as the traditional family, claimed a victory after the announcement.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

Richard Branson announces boycott

Brunei is one of eight countries in the world that maintains the death penalty for homosexuality.

Sir Richard Branson has announced a boycott at his company of a Brunei-owned hotel chain over the country’s new antigay law. The law, which is being phased in as of last May 1, replaces the maximum 10-year prison sentence for homosexuality with death by stoning in the Islamic state. Celebrities including Stephen Fry, Ellen DeGeneres and Sharon Osbourne have urged companies to boycott the Dorchester Collection luxury hotel chain, owned by the Sultan of Brunei. Branson has now added his voice to the calls, announcing a boycott across his Virgin Group of the luxury hotel chain, which will take effect across his business empire. He said: “No Virgin employee, nor our family, will stay at Dorchester Hotels until the sultan abides by basic human rights.” Earlier this year, the Virgin boss lobbied with business leaders against Uganda and Nigeria over antigay laws, and he also backed the Out4Marriage campaign in 2012. The president of the Human Rights Campaign wrote to every group that is due to hold an event at the Dorchester Collection’s Los Angeles hotels, Hotel Bel-Air and the Beverly Hills Hotel, encouraging them to take their business elsewhere.

Brazil activists honor Pride Gay-rights advocates called for a Brazilian law against discrimination as they gathered by the hundreds of thousands in Sâo Paulo for one of the world’s largest gay Pride parades. The city blocked its main central avenue May 3 to allow room for colorful floats and exuberant crowds of people dressed as drag queens with stilettos and wigs, the Statue of Liberty, flamenco or cabaret dancers. Organizers say they also want to see Brazil pass a gender-identity law like that in neighboring Argentina, where people can legally change their gender without needing a surgery or a judge’s approval. ■ — compiled by Larry Nichols

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Uh Huh Her celebrates independence on new tour By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Los Angeles-based synthpop/rock duo Uh Huh Her will stop in Philadelphia as part of its U.S. tour for the excellent new album “Future Souls.” It’s been a while since we’ve seen a fulllength album from the out duo, Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey. Hailey said the long break between 2011’s “Nocturnes” and this year’s album was necessary because they are navigating the nuances of being independent artists. “After we got dropped from our label, we had to figure out how to become indie artists and it was a hard transition for us,” Hailey said. “We had to find a rehearsal space, get our own equipment and figure out how to release albums, and that is no small task. That’s taken us the last four years to finally get to a place where we have a small business. We feel like we have our team in place that we need. We hire people out when we need them, like a publicist or marketing help or socialmedia help. So basically we have to spend a lot of time doing logistical work instead of what we want to be doing, which is concentrating on the creative aspect. But if you don’t do the business side, it’s all kind of pointless.”

It certainly helped that Uh Huh Her benefited from the fans already being familiar with Hailey from her role portraying the character of “Alice” on TV show “The L Word.” Hailey said that level of exposure was a boon for the duo when they first started out. “I had always done music but it was

very different to be on the show and people were coming because ... they didn’t even know I had done music when they watched the show,” she said. “They had learned that side of me through the show, which is weird. It was a weird combo of fans of the show and people that were there to see the music. At this point, it’s

CAMILA GREY (LEFT) AND LEISHA HAILEY

weeded out the audience so that it’s all people who are there for the music. But it was also a blessing because it would have taken us years to get an audience that size. We were playing our first show ever in front of a sold-out crowd.” When asked about being more in control of the group’s artistic and business affairs, Hailey said it has its ups and downs. “There are things that have been great about it,” she said. “We’ve learned so much as artists because when you put effort into art you just made and you hand it over to someone, you have to let go and trust that they will do the right thing with it and market it the right way. But I think when you do that, a lot of different people put in a lot of different opinions and things can change because of that. Whereas when Cam and I do it ourselves now, we have complete control over the image, the feeling and the sounds, all the things that matter to us as artists. That’s been really empowering, as well as learning the business side of things. You can get really ripped off when it comes to labels. They basically take most of your money. You don’t really see any money. You work really hard and you don’t see the return unless you’re a huge artist like Katy Perry or Justin Bieber. So people at our level work a lot with- PAGE 30

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

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recently won seven awards from the SPJ Keystone Chapter. PGN is the most award-winning LGBT newspaper in the country.

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UH HUH HER from page 29

out seeing any financial gain. Not that it’s about money, but if you want to survive this way you have to think about things like that — what we’re spending our money on and what we’re going to get back.” Keeping a sharper eye on the business side of things was one of the reasons the duo decided to self-produce their new album, and record it mostly in their home studio. Hailey said recording at home let them be more creative and spontaneous with songwriting. “We did the drums at a real studio because we didn’t have the ability to do that,” Hailey said. “It was very different because you don’t have the time constraints and you don’t have to pay the exorbitant amount of money to rent out a real recording studio. We basically over the past couple of years have been collecting equipment in order to have a home studio. Since we’re electronically based, we can do most of our production here. Cam would work late or I would get up really early and do drum loops. We could go in and out of the room when we felt like it or work on it together. We brought people in to collaborate. So it’s really different when you have a studio at home.” Uh Huh Her did find time in the flurry of activity between albums to release an EP. “EP3” features reworked, stripped-down acoustic versions of songs from the duo’s earlier albums.

UH HUH HER IN CONCERT Hailey said that while those versions of their songs were fun to do, they’ll be sticking to the original versions of those songs when they perform live. “We’re going to do everything in its original form when we play live,” she said. “That’s just really what our show is like. I think the fans loved it. We did it for them because they’ve always requested that we do that. Cam is classically trained and there is nothing better than when she just sits down and plays with just her vocal and a piano. I’ve always wanted that personally as well. That EP was released to keep feeding people content between albums because we have these long breaks between albums. It was just a nice way to give them what they wanted.” Hailey and Grey both enjoy creating music in the studio but Hailey said the creative process of writing the songs doesn’t compare to the thrill of performing them live for their fans. “For me, there’s nothing better than a live show,” she said. “I love the audience. I love the energy a show has. In the studio you can get lost in a void of laboring over something over and over. Live, the pressure is on and I like that.” ■ Uh Huh Her performs 8 p.m. May 18 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. For more information or tickets, call 215222-1400 or visit www.uhhuhher.com.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

FILM PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

Spying on the ‘young and beautiful’ By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor

LGBT Older Women’s

Sexual Health

A free workshop on the importance of sexual health for LGBT older women-identified individuals

1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Join us for a lively and informative discussion about the emotional, physical, spiritual, and pleasure aspects of sex, sexuality and sexual health for LGBT older women-identified individuals. This LGBTEI Conversation is free and will be presented at the. William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce Street in Philadelphia, PA. Lunch will be provided. To register or receive more information, please contact the LGBT Elder Initiative at 267-546-3448 or at info@lgbtei.org.

“Young & Beautiful,” the latest film from prolific gay writer/director François Ozon, opens at Ritz Theaters May 9. The film is an exquisitely made drama that chronicles a year in the life of 17-year-old Isabelle (Marine Vacth). After she loses her virginity at the beach in the summer, Isabelle returns to Paris and secretly works as a prostitute after school. When one of her clients dies, Isabelle’s activities are brought to the attention of her mother, Sylvie (Géraldine Pailhas), who is shocked by her daughter’s behavior. Ozon told PGN he wanted to show “the mystery of who was behind the girl. I wanted to film without easy explanations, to be a voyeur.” His detached approach has Isabelle spied on through binoculars while sunbathing on the beach, and often through car windows and hotel-room mirrors. The deflowering scene includes a moment as the teen literally steps outside the situation and “watches herself.” Ozon indicated that his mise en scène was “to discover who she is.” “She is changing. She has new desires. She is no longer a child, but not yet an adult. It’s a transformation. Adolescence is finding a place and taking freedom from your parents. It’s having a double life. I think adolescents need to separate from family — hide a part of their life — to find intimacy.” The story of a teenage girl keeping her sexual activities a secret from her parents parallels gay youth hiding their desires. Ozon initially conceived the film as a teenage boy discovering his sexuality, but noted “if he was a prostitute, we would have gay themes and I felt that was too heavy. I wanted to make something light, sweet and girly. My last film, ‘In the House,’ was about a boy and I wanted a change. It is no problem for me to identify with a female character. For me, it’s clearer. It was not a direct reflection of me.” Ozon candidly revealed a bit about what he discovered about himself at 17. “I knew I had the power to seduce. I used that, but not in the same way as Isabelle. I didn’t become a prostitute, but I felt the sexuality of adult women and men. It was real power — they were older, and because I was young and beautiful, I could use that.” The director, who has two sisters, often explores family dynamics in his films, treating family with tenderness in his latest. “I wanted to understand each point of view, from the complaining mother to the macho stepfather. There is a violence for parents; the mother feels guilty. She educates and loves her daughter, and she feels Isabelle’s actions are because of her.”

Ozon observed that parents regularly have to deal with facts that might make them uncomfortable, such as their son being gay, or their daughter having sex with a family friend. How Sylvie handles her daughter’s choosing to be a sex worker is what makes the film’s second act so compelling. The director researched the character of Isabelle by meeting with psychoanalysts and police who worked with teen prosti-

MARINE VACTH AND FRANÇOIS OZON

tutes. “Young & Beautiful” makes it clear that Isabelle’s prostitution is a form of control; she is not doing it for the money. This makes it a feminist film in Ozon’s eyes. He added that he does not see Isabelle’s losing her virginity as a key to her behavior. “Isabelle just wants to turn the page. I don’t know anyone for whom losing their virginity is such a great moment. It’s a disaster. You choose someone and you have to do it. There’s too much pressure.” Ozon worked closely with Vacth, who was 21 when “Young & Beautiful” was shot. The young actor gives an incredibly assured performance, and her body language is particularly terrific. He explained about their collaboration, “I’m honest with actors. I do not manipulate them. I tell them everything, what I want [and] what I don’t. I explain what to do before the sex and nude scenes.” He even counseled his leading lady by telling her, “This is a film that will follow you all your life. People will confuse the character and the actress.” Ozon created a trust with Vacth, and likened Isabelle to Catherine Deneuve’s prostitute in “Belle de Jour” or Charlotte Rampling’s role in “The Night Porter.” Rampling has an important cameo in “Young & Beautiful” and Ozon admitted that he deliberately gave her the role because “Isabelle is mysterious, and [Vacth] is the same kind of actress as Rampling. I wanted to create a transmission from the old woman to the young girl — a mature actress and a new actress at the beginning of her career, so what you feel is a passing of the baton.” This critical scene provides a climax of sorts for this hypnotic film. “Young & Beautiful” confirms Ozon’s mastery at penetrating the mysteries of human sexuality and identity. ■

STAGE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

Hit boy-band musical comedy to rock Philly By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com The choir is about to get poppy as well as preachy when 11th Hour Theatre Company presents the musical hit “Altar Boyz.” The comedy follows a fictitious Christian boy band on the last night of its national tour. Nicolas Park, who plays Mark, said that while the titular group is Christian, the show harkens back to the boy-band gold rush of the mid to late 1990s. “It was suggested that we look up modern-day groups, which I’ve personally been doing and looking into what the Christian music scene is,” he said. “But we’re definitely pulling a lot more from the 1990s inspiration of pop music: ‘N Sync and the Backstreet Boys. I was so excited to join this team because I listen to this music still anyway. It was really nice to be doing a show where they wanted us to listen to those groups and watch those music videos. They were a little more wholesome

do and having grown up for almost 28 years as a Catholic, I can look at that and appreciate that hidden humor. From that ’90s boy band thing, we have the sensitive one, the leader, the bad boy, the outsider — the pieces you need for the group. And you can find humor in that. You take those characters and make them 10 times bigger and push those differences. As an audience you think to yourself, How did this group come together? There’s a lot of humor in the over-the-top comedy that you find.” Park plays the “sensitive” member of the Altar Boyz. You know, the Jonathan Knight or Lance Bass of the group. Yeah, that guy. But Park said that his character, Mark’s “sensitivity” is not an issue with the group’s fans or his fellow band members. “I am an out and proud gay man myself,” Park said. “I grew up in that environment of being in the closet and wondering how my religion would view me. The way we’re going to play it is that Mark is not out and proud. He is who he is. Never in the show

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THE CAST OF ALTAR BOYZ

than the modern-day boy bands are, like One Direction. They don’t have the cool dance moves. We’re going back to the wholesome team of five.” Park said that, while all audiences will find the show immensely funny, there are some bits of humor that Catholics can particularly latch on to. “Having grown up Catholic myself, there is a lot of humor in the lyrics,” he said. “It’s a very smart show and it’s written in a way that makes light of the religious traditions while still taking themselves very seriously. They point out what Catholics

does it say he’s gay. He’s the sensitive one and we let the audience come to that conclusion on their own. So in the group, there’s no question if he’s gay or not. He’s Mark and they love Mark for exactly who he is. The show is written in a way that the audience can come to that conclusion of their own.” ■ 11th Hour Theatre Company presents “Altar Boyz” May 15-June 1 at The Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 267-987-9865 or visit 11thhourtheatrecompany.org.

Two women who know just how to push each other's buttons. Watch the sparks fly. Based on actual letters written by real daughters to their mothers Inside the

Indepepndence Seaport Museum

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

NIGHTLIFE PGN

The Cantina theme recently recentlywon wonsix sixawards awardsfrom from the Local Media Association the Local Media Association2013 2013 Editorial Contest Editorial Contest PGN PGNis isthe themost mostaward-winning award-winningLGBT LGBT newspaper in the country. newspaper in the country.

Best Special Section, Honorable Mention Staff, World AIDS Day Supplement

Best Entertainment Section, Honorable Mention Staff, Arts & Culture

Best Editorial Writing, Second Place Jen Colletta, Editorial

Best Continuing Coverage, Second Place

Jen Colletta, Coverage of PA’s marriage-equality progress

Best Breaking News Story, Second Place

Jen Colletta, Philly’s only lesbian bar shuts down

Best Arts and Entertainment Writing, Third Place Larry Nichols, Artist features trans portraits in new exhibition

A belated Happy May the Fourth to everybody! As in, “May the Fourth be with you!” Yes, big time “Star Wars” nerd here. Always have been, always will be. May comes with a big dose of melancholy this year, though. Sure, it’s exciting as hell to know that a new “Star Wars” movie is in the works, but it was heartbreaking to learn that two iconic Philadelphia gay bookstores are closing. First it was Giovanni’s Room going out of business, and then the Tom Cat Bookstore and Sansom Cinema being evicted for non-payment of rent. Both provided so much joy to so many gay men over the years, albeit in different ways, but sadly I think only the former will get the honorable sendoff that I think they both so richly deserve. Jim Let’s face it, not too long ago the Gayborhood was an absolute shithole — a “wretched hive of scum and villainy,” to quote my favorite movie — and we all loved it for that. There were bars, bathhouses and bookstores practically everywhere. It certainly wasn’t the safest place to be in Philly after dark. Now the neighborhood has really cleaned itself up, and in some ways that’s a great thing but in other ways maybe not so much. Some of what made the Gayborhood unique and fun and what made it a home away from home for so many of us were those rough, gritty edges. Like it or not, those rougher elements are part of our history and part of our culture, but now they’ve been almost entirely scrubbed away. Change is inevitable. Change is good. But change can leave you feeling a little sad sometimes. Realistically, there’s no other choice but to embrace the change and live in the now. Celebrate the fact that even though we’re losing some of the things that make our community unique, there’s a lot of stuff we get to do now that was literally unthinkable just a few short years ago. Like this event, for example ...

to support this and I hope it’s a huge success! OurNightOut Happy Hour Meet up with the ONO crowd from 6-8 p.m. May 15 at Stratus Lounge in the Hotel Monaco, 433 Chestnut St. Be dazzled by the views from the rooftop bar as you enjoy drink specials and light munchies while networking with some of the area’s best and brightest.

Barcrawlr

Philadelphia Soul LGBT Night Be part of LGBT Night at the Philadelphia Soul game from 6-10 p.m. May 10 at Wells Fargo Center, 3600 S. Broad St. When I was growing up, Bon Jovi fans were pretty much the ones most likely to beat the crap out of you every day after school. Now Jon Bon Jovi’s Arena Football League team is hosting the very first professional football LGBT night ever to be held in the United States. It truly boggles my mind. I cannot wait

KileyZufelt

PGMC presents The Music of Cole Porter Enjoy the wonderful music of legendary gay composer Cole Porter as only the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus (and dancers!) can perform it. Shows are from 8-10 p.m. at the Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., May 15-17, with a special matinee performance at 2 p.m. May 17. Tickets are $30-$55 and are available in advance either online at www.pgmc.org or at the box office, and also at the door.

The Chocolate Mixer Oh my God, it’s back! Celebrate spring with the return of the Chocolate Mixer at 9 p.m. May 15 at Ladder 15, 1528 Sansom St. Enjoy a late-night happy hour for professional men of color and all those who love them. Dress will be chic but casual, and the night will be fun and electric. Say hello to old friends or make a whole bunch of new ones! Cover charge is only $5 before 11 p.m. Real Pride Join Ms. NJ Leather Nikki at 8 p.m. at Georgies, 810 Fifth Ave. in Asbury Park, N.J. She’s hosting a one-night-only fundraiser for Project REAL and Jersey Pride. Special guests will include Lascivious Jane of the Liberty City Kings, plus more drag kings, drag queens and burlesque performers than you can shake a stick at. Suggested donation of $5 at the door. Drink or Swim And so it begins! Grab your bikini, grab your Speedo, grab your friends and get yourself to the best pool party in town at 8 p.m. May 19 at North Shore Beach Club, 1031 Germantown Ave. That night and every Monday night until fall, you can beat the heat by lounging at the pool. The location is great, the music will be hot and the surprise performers will be ... surprising! So drink or swim, or both! But not at the same time, please. Nobody wants chlorine in their cocktail. ■ Questions, comments, suggestions or requests? Contact Jim at barcrawlr@gmail.com.

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

Suzi Nash

Danielle Erwin: Planting the seed of positivity in production “Crazy, Sexy, Cool” is the name of the second album from uber-sexy girl group TLC. It’s also the name of a new LGBT web series being produced right here in Philadelphia. We took a moment to speak to writer, director and producer Danielle Erwin. PGN: You are a Philadelphia native. From what part of the city do you hail? DE: Yes, I am a Philly girl through and through. I originally started out in Mt. Airy and then we moved around from there. The place that I feel most grounded to is North Philadelphia, the Nicetown area, which is where I live now. PGN: Tell me about the family. DE: I grew up in a single-parent family. My mother worked for the Internal Revenue Service. I’m the youngest of three — an older brother and an older sister who functioned as a mommy/sister since my mom worked a lot. PGN: [Laughs.] So do you get your taxes done for free? DE: Oh, no. Not at all! Actually, my mother is retired. She lives down in Georgia and is enjoying her life, so I respect that. I have someone else who does my taxes for me. PGN: What were you like as a kid? DE: Wow, I was just that bubbly kid who always wanted to be in front of the camera. I was always singing and dancing, I would read a book and start singing the lines out loud. I always wanted to be a part of everything. I was in school plays and musicals, I loved to play outside with my friends. I was a tomboy at heart, still am! PGN: What was the first play you did? DE: I don’t remember the name of the play, but it had to do with kids doing drugs and drinking — an anti-alcohol story. I had to play the alcoholic, so I remember going to the store before school and buying a bottle of clear cream soda. I figured I could use that as a liquor bottle, so during the show I chugged that on stage and fell onto the ground and did my best drunk. It was a lot of fun.

PGN: Who was your favorite teacher? DE: I would have to say Miss Green. She was so stern, very old-school. She instilled fear in the kids but it was a good fear because she helped us learn. She was tough but you could tell she loved her job.

up in an urban environment; it’s all a part of me that I want to share with people. Even if it doesn’t touch the next lesbian woman, it may touch that black little girl who might say, “Hey, if she is able to do that, so can I.”

PGN: I understand you are back in school. DE: Yes, I’m taking digital video-production courses at Community College of Philadelphia. I love it there. My first teacher was Mr. Spielberg. He says he’s the cousin of Steven Spielberg but I don’t know whether or not to believe him. He’s a great teacher though. He saw the experience I had and that I was ready and passionate to learn. One day he couldn’t make it to class so he emailed me and asked if I would lead the class for him. It was a nice experience and an honor to be asked.

PGN: Your series is going to be on the web. Do you think the Internet has helped in getting our stories out? DE: Without a doubt. The mainstream film and media outlets are not known for telling our stories authentically. The Internet allows us inexpensively to tell our own stories. Anyone with a camera phone or camcorder can make a film and upload it onto the Internet. And if you make something that’s truly great, there’s always the chance that someone mainstream will see it and want to be a part of it, and then that’s when you may get your chance to let them be a part of it. But do your own thing first. Don’t conform or let them influence you or bend your story into something you don’t recognize. It happens far too often.

PGN: You were a good person to pick. You’ve also taught classes for the kids at The Attic Youth Center, haven’t you? DE: Yes, I’ve taught video production to a number of kids in CAG, the Creative Active Groups. I just love Carrie Jacobs, the executive director. She brought me on for a one-time program and then liked what I did and brought me back for the summer course in 2011. It was lovely. In the summer you had kids who were actually getting paid to be there and there was a wide variety of kids. You had straight kids, you had gay kids and in the beginning there was a lot of bickering amongst them, but by the end they had all become friends and everyone was loving each other. No one cared who was gay or not. A couple of them came out and they really bonded. It was very touching. PGN: What kinds of things did they do? DE: A little bit of everything. I assigned them all different roles. Sometimes they got to direct, sometimes they were behind the camera, sometimes they were grips; we mixed it up so everyone had a chance to experience all the different titles involved in making a film. They completed two projects.

PGN: You weren’t afraid of burping onstage after all that cream soda? DE: I was too into character, I wasn’t worried about that. No burping.

PGN: It sounds like you’ve gone from in front of the camera to behind the scenes. DE: Actually I still do both. In my film “Cool,” I played the store attendant in order for me to get the character that I wanted. In the new web series I’m also acting. In fact, we just finished doing my scenes yesterday. I enjoy being versatile.

PGN: Good to hear. DE: I was also very into dancing. We performed for a lot of Kwanzaa celebrations. It was intense because we had a very strict dance teacher. She would always pound the floor — “Get it right, get it right!” It was strenuous but enjoyable.

PGN: That’s great, we need more people of color behind the scenes. DE: Oh, yes. We have so many different stories to tell that need to be heard. That’s part of the reason I started my company, 7th Seed Productions. I’m a black person, I am a female, I’m a gay woman who grew

PGN: Don’t I know it. I did a pilot for E! Channel with Biz Markie. It was great fun and we were all set to go until the studio execs called and asked us to add footage of him drinking and cursing and acting a fool. Fortunately, the woman producing it was of good conscience and refused to bend to their desires. She chose to dismantle the project rather then stoop to stereotypes. DE: It’s definitely a struggle with politics that go on in mainstream film and televi-

sion. That’s why it’s great that a lot of independent filmmakers are getting new exposure using the Internet as a forum. PGN: Which brings us to your films ... DE: Yes, I made three short films: “Crazy,” which had to do with revenge; “Sexy,” which was about committing to a new relationship without the baggage of the past; and “Cool,” which was about domestic abuse. I had a great cast: the comedian Di, Alice Wills and Shanel Sherese. The chemistry was really great between the three and the rest of the cast. After I screened the film, people were like, “We want more, we want more!” So I said, “OK, I’ll give you more.” And that’s when I decided to do a six-episode web series. We are currently filming every weekend. The series follows the five women who were in the original short films. There’s a lot going on in the series. [Laughs.] That revenge that went on in the first film? A lot of that stuff comes back to bite people in the butt. We also touch on religion because I know it plays a big part in a lot of our lives. We just filmed a part last Saturday where Dekon, one of the main characters, is dealing with her mother who is very religious and sees everything in black and white. She uses the Bible to attack Dekon, who pulls some biblical quotes of her own to fight back. I also touch on PTSD. I have a friend who was in Afghanistan. He’s a young man and hearing his story about how people look at him differently now that he’s back and how it affects him really moved me. It’s been heartbreaking for him so I wanted to shed some light on that issue too. PGN: Domestic violence is not something that’s spoken about a lot in the LGBT community. What prompted you to make that a key part of one of the stories? DE: True. It was actually a small part of a relationPhoto: Suzi Nash ship that I was in. Not at all how you saw it in the film, but I was in a relationship that became verbally and physically abusive for both of us. There was an incident where she spat in my face. I’d never had anything like that happen before in any relationship. I was saying the other day that I had allowed her to take me there when in truth I allowed myself to be taken there. I had to get a grip on who I really was, which was not that person. I spent nights PAGE 38

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

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Volver finds Garces at the top of his game By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com If there is a more adventurously satisfying and refined roller-coaster ride of a dining experience to be had in Philadelphia than what we witnessed at Volver, we haven’t seen it. We’re not kidding. We can’t think of a better meal we have had in the city. Located in a picturesque corner of The Kimmel Center, Volver takes diners on a culinary tasting journey featuring ideas amassed by the Iron Chef Jose Garces during his world travels. You have two choices: the pre-theater tasting or performance tasting, the price of which depends on what night of the week you buy tickets for the meal, usually ranging from $75-$175 per person. Wine pairings are available for an additional cost. We had the pre-theater tasting on our visit, starting off with a snack tasting of Siberian sturgeon caviar, a delightfully pork-infused and crunchy carnitas popcorn and wonderful duck mousse deviled egg. It quickly became apparent that the service was going to be every bit as meticulous and painstaking as the dishes the dedicated wait staff were bringing to the table, all of which arrived with fresh utensils and an elaborate backstory of how Chef Garces was inspired to create that particu-

lar dish. of pickled mustard seeds and green apple Also, it must be noted that, given the snow. The “milk and cereal” was white detail-oriented nature of the food and the asparagus milk presented in a glass shaped service, you have to buy tickets in advance like an open milk carton. Poured over rice for dinner there — no walk-ins — and serflakes, a quail egg, bacon, chicken oysvice is limited to a maximum party size of ters and truffle marshmallows, the texture six. Anything more requires multiple tables evoked the feel of cereal while also deliveror buying out the restaurant for the eveing a complex and comforting savory range ning. of flavors. The inventiveness and creativity never The From The Garden Plate might at once waned or failed to dazzle and impress first glance appear to have more style than throughout the course of substance, it being a sparse the tasting. All of the dishes but colorful arrangement were highlights in some of vegetables and crumbles way, shape or form but made to resemble soil, but Volver some of the standouts were there is a powerfully floral 300 S. Broad St. Tsukui Market Fish, which and delicious punch hid215-670-2303 melded a fresh daily selecing in that garden that will www.volverrestaurant.com tion of fish with the cool make you wish that it was Wed.-Sun.: 5-11 p.m. and contrasting textures more abundant in size. The

If you go

Beef on Embers was meat elevated to high art. The perfect cube of Wagyu was cooked with the focus of a surgeon over a wood fire and the pepper puree, beet root crema, salsa, polenta and potatoes were applied to the plate with a stunning level of artistic flare and grace. The dessert courses were equally inspired. The best of them was the Blossoms and Berries, a heavenly (and woefully undersized ... not really, but we really would have happily eaten a lot more) elderberry panna cotta topped with a luscious layer of whipped blackberries. The Chocolate in Textures proved that science can make anything better, with liquid gold and Venezuelan chocolate topping a white chocolate mousse. A colorful and diverse choice of petit fours closed the tasting with some surprisingly bold flavors. The performance tasting gives diners twice as many tastes to sample. And if the pre-theater tasting was any indication, it’s worth every penny, no matter what they are charging for it. Save up if you have to, but this is a culinary experience one has to have at least once in their lifetime. For us, hopefully it’ll be twice at some point. Volver is Spanish for “return,” and we can’t imagine anyone not wanting to return after a visit to Volver. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

Q Puzzle Chaz I Was Saying Across

1. Tutti-frutti ingredient 5. Lammies, e.g. 11. Peggy of Split Bitches 15. River of Memphis 16. Woman of La Mancha 17. Look intently 18. Start to climax 19. You wear it with a thong down low 20. Movie about a CIA rescue mission 21. Start of a Chaz Bono quote 24. For each one 25. Porn-watcher’s comment? 26. “Notes on Camp” author Susan 27. Areas around holes 29. Homer’s fam 31. Uninvited pool

guests? 32. Ben Stiller’s mother Anne 34. More of the quote 40. Sticks one’s proboscis in 41. Stage show 43. Pool tool 48. Feeds a crowd 49. Lash out at 50. What you may do to your lover’s back 52. Workers under Dr. Torres 53. End of the quote 57. Out and then some 58. David Hyde ___ 59. Brisk pace 61. Minstrel’s instrument 62. Patty Sheehan’s position 63. Sightseeing journey 64. Vehicle for a snow queen? 65. Response of privates 66. Out of whack, off, etc.

PORTRAIT from page 35

on my mother’s couch because I didn’t want to be involved in that type of situation any more. It’s something that happens in the LGBT community even though you don’t see it much. And there aren’t many laws to protect us. When the cops came to our place after one situation, I saw the way they looked at us. Their mannerisms and the way they talked to us ... One cop kept saying, “You people.” His partner said, “He didn’t mean it like that.” But I could see how it was. I wanted to shed light on that situation in the film. People need to see exactly what to do to get out. If one person sees the film and says, “Hey, I’m in the same situation. I need to get out,” it was worth it. PGN: So what do you like to do outside of the film world? DE: I love children, so whenever I get a free moment I’m with my goddaughters, Journey, who’s 11, and Jordan, who’s 2. Between my day job, school and filming the series, I don’t have a lot of free time but when I do I like to hang out with them. PGN: And what is your day job? DE: Oh man, it’s something that I hate but it pays the bills: collections. I’m one of those people who calls you and says, “You haven’t paid your bill.” PGN: Should I leave out the part about you hating your job in case anyone from work reads this? DE: Oh, you can print that! I do hate it and they know it, but I love the people I work with. I work with some real characters;

Down

1. Writer Castillo 2. How Rogers walked in “The Gay Divorcee” 3. Clark Kent, to Superman 4. Jockey strap? 5. Take stock of 6. “___ Family” 7. Lennox, once of the Eurythmics 8. Members at a sex club? 9. Military color 10. Pitching pro 11. Gives rise to 12. ___ stay (like a long-term partner) 13. Mediterranean arm 14. Unjust acts 22. Kevin Bacon movie of the ‘80s 23. Lover with a penetrating glance? 24. Org. that uses ball-washers 28. La mer, to Debussy 29. Letter enc. 30. Gershwin and Levin 32. “South

FUN & PGN GAMES Park” composer Shaiman 33. Debussy contemporary Satie 35. Julius Caesar suffered from it 36. Talk like Gomer 37. Mauresmo’s court divider 38. What a bush that needs trimming may do 39. Become buttermilk 42. Tricky turn 43. Conspiracies that require balls? 44. Beneficial 45. Heirs split it 46. Got angry 47. Butch lesbian’s fashion accessory 48. Life’s work 50. Woes of toes 51. Soap star Susan 54. “Nick at ___” 55. Oral votes 56. Jazz singer James 60. Take a crackat PAGE 40

some of them are actually inspiration for a future project I have in mind.

people that I love — though I could tell she didn’t like a couple of them.

PGN: What’s a fun family memory? DE: My brother was in the military. When I was about 8, he called to say he was coming home and asked me what I wanted for my birthday. He figured I would want a doll but I was such a tomboy I asked him for a Transformers figure — the one that turned into a jet. When he came home, he gave me my present and sure enough it was exactly what I wanted. I was a happy camper that summer.

PGN: Has she seen your films? DE: She hasn’t seen “Crazy. Sexy. Cool.” because she lives in Georgia now but she and the whole family came to the premiere of “Honor and Pride,” a short film I did in 2011 about bullying in the black gay community. My mom even shed a tear or two.

PGN: What was the first film you ever saw in a movie theater? DE: The first film I ever saw was “Star Wars.” It was amazing. I sat there with my mouth open and was like, “Yes, I want to be part of making something like that.” PGN: What lesbian film would you put in a time capsule? DE: [Laughs.] Other than mine? I would have to say “Pariah.” It showed the struggle that life can be for a teenager between the life that you want to live and the life that your parents want for you. People don’t understand how difficult that can be, and how it can lead a child to consider suicide or estrangement from the family. PGN: How was coming out? DE: It was easier than I thought. When I had my first girlfriend, my mom said, “What makes you gay?” I said, “Being happy.” She told me not to be such a smart ass. My mother loves me regardless of who I am and who I love. She accepts the

PGN: Let’s go for some random questions. If I could switch places with one person for a day, it would be ... DE: Ellen DeGeneres. I love the show, I love to dance just like her. I love kids just like her and I love to be happy just like her. I wouldn’t mind having that beautiful wife either. PGN: The best thing I own is ... DE: My filming equipment. It allows me to get my vision out there and it helps me help other people fulfill their visions. There have been several times when people have come to me because they didn’t have equipment and I’ve been able to help them out. PGN: Would you like to travel to the future or go back in time? DE: I would like to go back in time. I never really got a chance to know my grandparents. I would especially like to speak to my grandmother, Blanche. I’m told I look just like her and we have similar mannerisms. PGN: If you weren’t working in the arts, what profession would you pursue?

DE: I would be a social worker. I love talking to people, hearing their issues and helping to come up with solutions. PGN: Last time you cried? DE: Watching “12 Years a Slave.” Having a chance to get a glimpse of what slavery was like from a real person’s personal account was something else. There was one scene where the director, Mr. McQueen, really drew the scene out for a long time. As a filmmaker, I understand why he did it. He wanted you to really feel the moment, to take you there to understand how it actually felt for that character. I cried like a baby. Now that’s a good film. PGN: Why 7th Seed Productions? DE: I’m a very spiritual person and the number seven is a divine number with so much meaning. My birthday is 6/7/1976. My mother is one of seven children, and I am the 17th grandchild. This is where the number seven stems from. The word “seed” represents life. You must plant a seed in order for life to flourish within any living organism. My company is based on producing positive and unbiased media. The mission of 7th Seed Productions is to plant a positive seed within each viewer and allow that seed to blossom into a better understanding of the LGBT community and the world around us. ■ For more information, visit www.7thseedproductions.com. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol. com.

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A MARRIAGE OF INCONVENIENCE: Eli (played by out actor Alan Cumming) learns the truth about Alicia and Peter’s relationship on a new episode of “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m. May 11 on CBS. Photo: CBS/JoJo Whilden

NBC CRIBS: Based on the 1967 best-selling suspense novel by Ira Levin, “Rosemary’s Baby” is a new psychological-thriller mini-series adaptation centering on a young married couple who escapes New York and moves to Paris with hopes of leaving their sad past behind. Starring Zoe Saldana (“Avatar,” “Star Trek Into Darkness”) and Patrick J. Adams (“Suits”), it premieres 9 p.m. May 11 and 15 on NBC.

COMEDIC CHAOS: “Riot,” a new reality-competition series, features the nation’s funniest celebrities and comedians facing unpredictable song, dance and sketch challenges. Premieres 9 p.m. May 13 on Fox. Photo: Fox/Ray Mickshaw

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 05/09 Alice in Chains The rock group performs 8 p.m. at Revel’s Ovation Hall, 500 Boardwalk; 855348-0500. VNV Nation The electro/EDM group performs

8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888. Dave Attel The comedian performs 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Sat. 05/10 WMMR BBQ Hard-rock bands Rob Zombie, Volbeat, Fuel and more perform starting 1 p.m. at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-365-1300. Philadelphia Soul LGBT Awareness Night The first-ever

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS PGN

pro-football team LGBT night, 610 p.m. at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.

Sun. 05/11 The French Lieutenant’s Women The film starring Meryl Streep is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

LANA-PALOOZA: Sultry pop singer Lana Del Rey serenades Philadelphia 7:30 p.m. May 11 at The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Ave. For more information or tickets, call 215-546-7900.

Radio 104.5 Seventh Annual Birthday Show Foster The People, Third Eye Blind, Bastille and more perform starting at 2 p.m. at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-365-1300. Colin Blunstone of The Zombies The rock singer performs 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.

Mon. 05/12 Free Quizzo & Board Game Night Roll the dice, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. Ghostbusters The supernatural comedy film is screened 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888. Of Montreal The rock band performs 8 p.m. at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100. Lipstick Mondays A weekly drag show featuring a changing roster of queens takes the stage 9 p.m. at The

Raven, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 215-8622081.

Tue. 05/13 The L.O.X. The hip-hop group performs 9 p.m. at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.

Wed. 05/14 4W5 Blues Jam Local musicians get down, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. Chromeo The Canadian electro-dance duo performs 8 p.m. at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215232-2100. Crosses The electronic-rock band performs 8 p.m. at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-9221011.

The Burlesque Show The naughty fun begins 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Bob and Barbara’s Drag Show The outrageousness begins 11 p.m. at Bob and Barbara’s, 1509 South St.; 215545-4511.

Fri. 05/16 Vickie Shaw The comedian performs 6:15 p.m. at Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St., New Hope; 215-3157788. Brad Paisley The country singer performs 7 p.m. at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-365-1300.

Neon Trees The alt-rock band performs 8 p.m. at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ; 609-343-4000. Tokyo Police Club The punk-rock band performs 8 p.m. at TLA, 334 South St.; 215922-1011. Jo Koy The comedian performs 9 p.m. at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-3171000. MST3K: Boggy Creek 2 The horror film is lampooned and screened 9:45 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

Miss Everything The 10-week drag competition kicks off tonight, 9 p.m.2 a.m. at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215964-9675.

Thu. 05/15 Ghost B.C. The gothic-metal group performs 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888. SOLUTION from page 38

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HAVING A ‘BALL’: After having to cancel her Philadelphia stop on her last tour because of injury, global mega-pop diva Lady Gaga returns to make it up to us on her “ArtRave: The Artpop Ball Tour,” 8:30 p.m. May 15 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-3899543.

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Opening Altar Boyz The musical comedy about a Christian boy band May 15-June 1 at Arts Bank at University of the Arts, 601 S. Broad St.; 215-545-1664. How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying Walnut Street Theatre presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical about a lowly window washer climbing the corporate ladder May 13-July 13, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. Let’s Do It: The Music of Cole Porter Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus performs a concert devoted to the gay composer May 15-17 at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215-5699700. Sixties Hits Featuring The Midtown Men The Philly Pops perform May 16-18 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Continuing I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change Walnut Street Theatre presents the hilarious revue about love and relationships through June 29 at Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.

Paul Evans: Crossing Boundaries and Crafting Modernism The James A. Michener Art Museum hosts

an exhibition of works from the designer and craftsman through June 1, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-340-9800. Patrick Kelly: Runway of Love Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition highlighting the works of the famed fashion designer through Nov. 30, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Sunset Blvd. Media Theatre presents the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical based on the 1950 film about a faded silent movie star through May 18, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-8910100. That’s So Gay: Outing Early America The Library Company of Philadelphia presents the exhibition exploring gay culture through Oct. 17, 1314 Locust St.; 215-5463181. This Is The Week That Is Plays and Players Theater presents the news-oriented comedy production through June 1, 1714 Delancey St.; 866-811-4111. Treasures from Korea: Arts and Culture of the Joseon Dynasty, 13921910 Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition devoted to art of the celebrated Joseon dynasty through May 26, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Where Children Sleep The James A. Michener Art Museum hosts an exhibition of photographs by James Mollison through June 29, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-340-9800. POP IT LIKE IT’S HOT: Alt-rock group Neon Trees, featuring out singer Tyler Glen, hits the road in support of its newly released album “Pop Psychology” 8 p.m. May 16 at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J. For more information or tickets, call 609343-4000.

Oedipussy Curio Theatre Company presents the North American premiere of the R-rated comedic take on Greek tragedy May 24 at Calvary Center for Culture and Community, 4740 Baltimore Ave.; 215-525-1350.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

SERIOUSLY FUNNY: Comedian and “Queer As Folk” actor Hal Sparks brings the laughs to town when he performs through May 10 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St. For more information or tickets, call 215-496-9001.

Closing Invented Surface A new exhibition of works by Natalie Hope McDonald through May 15 at Bluestone Fine Art Gallery, 142 N. Second St.; 856-979-7588. Hal Sparks The comedian and actor seen on “Queer

As Folk” performs through May 10 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. Momix The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the dance-performance company through May 10 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900. ■

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Collingswood

Notices Pursuant to §128.85 of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Title 7 regulations, GROWMARK FS, LLC. hereby gives notice of ground application of “Restricted Use Pesticides” for the protection of agricultural crops in municipalities in Pennsylvania during the next 45 days. Residents of contiguous property to our application sites should contact your local GROWMARK FS, LLC. facility for additional information. Concerned Citizens should contact: Michael Layton, MGR. Safety & Environment, mlayton@growmarkfs.com GROWMARK FS, LLC. 308 N.E. Front Street, Milford, DE 19963. Call 302-422-3002 . ________________________________________38-19

Open Houses - Sunday May 11, 2014 12:00-1:30 PM 1021 S. 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 New condos in Graduate Hospital from $269,900 2051 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA 19146 Large Graduate Hospital Victorian 3BR/2BA home $424,900 Search all Philadelphia area listings @ www.phillyrealestateagents.com Dan Tobey

1401 Walnut St. • 8th Floor • Philadelphia, PA 19102

215.546.2700 Business • 267.238.1061 Direct 215.432.7151 Cell • 215.558.1063 Fax dtobey@cbpref.com • www.cbpref.com

Situated on Knight Park, 6 bedrooms, 41⁄2 bath Colonial Revival Mansion (c. 1915) was home to Bishop Bartholomew J. Eustace. Wrap porch with massive columns, center hall staircase. Spacious rooms, high ceilings, hardwood floors, archways, crown, marble... LR with fireplace, huge kitchen/family room with island. Master bedroom with luxury bath. $579,900

Collingswood

This 6 Bed, 2.5 bath Colonial/Victorian Home with Arts and Crafts overtones, is situated on a spacious lot, close to downtown shops and PATCO. First floor has beautiful Foyer, large living and dining rooms, newer kitchen, mudroom, pantry and new powder room. Kitchen has 42” maple cabinets, ceramic tile floor and back splash, recessed lighting, granite counters and all newer appliances. 2nd floor has four large bedrooms, one room is used as a “TV” room with sliders to a second floor deck. 3rd floor has two bedrooms and a full Bath with Jacuzzi tub. Special features include high ceilings, great woodwork, built in shelving, pocket door, split staircase and wood floors throughout. $324,900

Collingswood

Beautiful 4 Bed, 2 Bath Victorian Home with detached garage, centrally located between Haddon Ave and Newton Creek, a few blocks to PATCO, two blocks to Zane North Elementary. This home has been lovingly restored over the past ten years. First floor has charming Sunroom with wood floors and beautiful windows, large LR with fireplace, formal Dining Rm, new Bathroom, Family Room with new berber carpeting and Gourmet Kitchen. Kitchen has custom cabinets, stainless steel appliances (inc two ovens), all granite countertops and 60’x40” peninsula. Other special features include, transom windows, stained glass, hardwood floors, 2 zone ductless a/c(2008), newer roof (2003), rewired house, no knob & tube wiring (2009) and rebuilt front porch and stairs with composite decking materials (2007). $389,900

Main Street Realty

730 Haddon Avenue • Collingswood, NJ

856-858-2200 www.MainStRealty.com

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

ADONIS CINEMA

Friends Men

Open 24hrs

LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. ________________________________________38-20 Philly boy looking for mail correspondence with guys in Philly while I ﬁnish my incarceration. 6’3”, blond hair, hazel eyes. Lots to discuss. Will reply to every letter. Give this a try, I guarantee you’ll have fun. Kenneth Houck, #06743-015, Englewood FCE, 9595 W. Quincy Ave., Littleton CO 80123. ________________________________________38-20 SOUTH OF THE BORDER GWM seeking men south of the border: Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, South Americans, also Asians for friendship and more. Social drinker, no drugs and pefer non smoker. Ole! 856-547-4163. ________________________________________38-21 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________38-19 IN SEARCH OF SOMEONE To share my love and life. Intelligent, older WM looking for a special guy. Take a chance! Call Alan at 215-677-5610. ________________________________________38-26 BM with big tool wans to nail a bottom to the ﬂoor. BM has equipment to make a bottom wish he wants more. I’m 6 ft and 198 lbs. and have 8.5 inches and 1.25 girth and know how to use it. Call anytime 215-763-3391. All replies answered. ________________________________________38-23 ORAL PLEASURE BM, late 60’s Busy but compassionate seeks to physically and orally pleasure uncut Hispanics and Caucasians over 25 with skin. 609-332-5808 text or call. ________________________________________38-20

ADMISSION:

Massage

“THE ONLY ALL MALE ADULT THEATER IN THE CITY”

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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:

$12.00

David, 64, 6’, 200 lbs., attentive. 215-569-4949. (24/7) ________________________________________38-28 Peter: 6’, 200 lbs., Northern Italian. Call 908-630-0400. ________________________________________38-24

THE BIGGER, BETTER & CLEANER CLUB IN THE CITY...

FIESTA HOMBRES

Sunday, May 10th • Time: 11pm-3:30am WHAT TO EXPECT: • DJ David Dutch • Complimentary Food & Beverages • A Full House of Guys To Choose From & So Much More

LIVE FOR THE NIGHT

Saturday, May 17th • Time: 11pm-3:30am WHAT TO EXPECT: • DJ David Dutch • Complimentary Food & Beverages • A Full House of Guys To Choose From & So Much More ROOMS: Members: $25.00 & Non-Members: $35.00 LOCKERS: Members: $18.00 & Non-Members: $28.00 - ROOMS GO QUICKLY SO CHECK IN EARLY -

BUSY TIMES FOR US:

These our are most popular days when people come-

SATURDAY AFTERNOON DELIGHT 4 Hour Lockers (8am - 4pm) Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00

SUNDAY RELIEF

Half Price Rooms (6am Sunday till 8am Monday) Members: $12.50 and Non-Members: $22.50

MONDAY thru FRIDAY:

Business Mans Locker Special (8am to 4pm) Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00

TUESDAYS

Half Price Rooms (6am till 12 Midnight) Members: $12.50 and Non-Members: $22.50

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY NIGHT CRUISE

$12 Flat Rate for Locker Admission & Clothing Optional (4pm-12 Midnight) Check out our website for our WEEKLY SPECIALS & JOIN OUR e-mail List to get the latest information on upcoming events....

Don’t forget to visit the Adonis Cinema right next door!! 2026 Sansom St/ PH: 215-557-9319

PGN

Religion/Spirituality Arch Street United Methodist Church Services 8:30 and 11 a.m. at 55 N. Broad St.; youth/adult Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.; 5:30 p.m. prayer service; 215-568-6250. Bethlehem-Judah Ministries Open and affirming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 5091 N. Dupont Hwy., Suite D, Dover, Del.; 302-750-4045. BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Church Services 10:15 a.m. at 2040 Street Road, Warrington; 215-3430406. Calvary United Methodist Church Reconciling, welcoming and affirming church holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 801 S. 48th St.; 215-724-1702. Central Baptist Church Welcoming and affirming church holds services at 10:45 a.m. Sundays, summer services 9:30 a.m, at 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; 610-688-0664. Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church Services 11 a.m. and Spirit at Play, an arts-based Sunday school for children, 9:30 a.m. at 8812 Germantown Ave.; 215-242-9321. Church of the Crucifixion Inclusive Episcopal community holds services 10 a.m. Sundays and 6 p.m. Fridays at 620 S. Eighth St.; 215-922-1128. Church of the Holy Trinity Inclusive church holds services 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sundays at 1904 Walnut St.; 215-567-1267. Dignity Jersey Shore An organization for sexual-minority Catholics meets the first Saturday of the month in Asbury Park; 732-502-0305. Dignity Metro NJ An organization for sexual-minority Catholics meets 4 p.m. the first and third Sundays of the month at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 550 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood; 973-509-0118. Dignity Philadelphia Holds Mass 7 p.m. Sundays at 330 S. 13th St.; 215-546-2093, dignityphila@aol.com. Drexel Hill Baptist Church Nonjudgmental Christian congregation affiliated with American Baptist Churches of the USA holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 4400 State Road, Drexel Hill; 610-259-2356, www.dhbaptist.com. Emanuel Lutheran Church Reconciling in Christ congregation meets at 10:30 a.m. Sundays, summer services 9:30 a.m., New and Kirkpatrick streets, New Brunswick, N.J.; 732-545-2673; www.emmanuelnb.org.

Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia Services 1 p.m. Sundays at the University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, 3637 Chestnut St.; 215-294-2020, www. mccphiladelphia.com. Old First Reformed Church Open and affirming United Church worships at 11 a.m., summer services at 10 a.m, at 151 N. Fourth St.; 215-922-4566, www. oldfirstucc.org. Penns Park United Methodist Church Welcoming and affirming church holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park; 215-598-7601. Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral Progressive and affirming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays with Holy Eucharist at 3723 Chestnut St.; 215-386-0234, www.philadelphiacathedral.org. Rainbow Buddhist Meditation Group Meets 5 p.m. Sundays at William Way. Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting worships 11 a.m., summer services 10 a.m, Sundays at 1515 Cherry St.; 215-241-7000, cpmm@afsc.org. Resurrection Lutheran Church Services 10 a.m. Sundays at 620 Welsh Road, Horsham; 215-6462597. Silverside Church Services 10 a.m. Sundays followed by a group discussion at 2800 Silverside Road, Wilmington, Del.; 302-478-5921, silversidechurch.org.

St. Mary of Grace Parish Inclusive church in the Catholic tradition celebrates Mass 6 p.m. Sundays in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media; 610-566-1393, www. inclusivecatholics.org.

St. Paul Episcopal Church Welcoming and inclusive church holds services 9:30 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Tuesdays at 89 Pinewood Drive, Levittown; 215-6881796, www.stpaullevittown.org.

First Presbyterian Church of Lansdowne Welcoming church holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 140 N. Lansdowne Ave.; 610-622-0800; www.lansdownepresbyterianchurch.com.

Tabernacle United Church Open and afﬁrming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 3700 Chestnut St.; 215-386-4100, tabunited.org. Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church Sunday worship with nursery care, 10:30 a.m. and fourth Thursday of the month contemporary worship with Communion at 7 p.m. at 2212 Spruce St.; 215-732-2515, trinityphiladelphia.org. Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County Welcoming congregation holds services 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. Sundays, summer services 10:30 a.m., at 145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media. Interweave, a group for LGBT parishioners and allies, meets noon the ﬁrst Sunday of the month; 610-566-4853. www. uucdc.org. Unitarian Society of Germantown Welcoming congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 6511 Lincoln Drive; 215-844-1157, www.usguu.org.

Holy Communion Lutheran Church ELCA Reconciling in Christ congregation worships 9 a.m. Sundays at 2111 Sansom St. and 11 a.m. at 2110 Chestnut St. in the main sanctuary; 215-567-3668, www.lc-hc.org.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill Services 10:15 a.m. Interweave, a group of LGBT Unitarians and their allies, meets at 401 N. Kings Highway, Cherry Hill, N.J.; 856-667-3618, uucch.org.

Imago Dei Metropolitan Community Church Sexual-minority congregation worships at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 1223 Middletown Road (Route 352), Glen Mills; 610-358-1716, www.ImagoDeiMCC.org.

Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration Welcoming congregation holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 6900 Stenton Ave.; 215-247-2561, www.uurestoration.us.

Living Water United Church of Christ An open and afﬁrming congregation that meets for worship 11 a.m. on Sundays at 6250 Loretto Ave.; 267-388-6081, www.lwucc.org.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation, South Jersey Shore Services 10 a.m. Sundays in Galloway Township; 609-965-9400, www.uucsjs.org.

Kol Tzedek Reconstructionist synagogue committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community meets at Calvary Center, 801 S. 48th St.; 215-764-6364, www.kol-tzedek.org.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Pottstown Services 10:30 a.m. at 1565 S. Keim St.; 610-327-2662, www. uupottstown.org.

Mainline Unitarian Church Holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 816 S. Valley Forge Road, Devon; 610-688-8332, www.mluc.org.

United Christian Church Open, afﬁrming and welcoming congregation holds services 10:15 a.m. Sundays, summer services 9:15 a.m., at 8525 New Falls Road, Levittown; 215-946-6800.

Maple Shade Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ Afﬁrming congregation open to all sexual orientations and gender identities holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 45 N. Forklanding Road, Maple Shade, N.J.; 856-779-7739, mapleshadeucc.org. Metropolitan Community Church of Christ the Liberator Holds services 10:45 a.m. Sundays at the Pride Center of New Jersey; 732-823-2193, mccctl.com.

■ ActionAIDS: 215-981-0088 ■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: 215-587-9377

■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851

First Baptist Church Welcoming and afﬁrming church holds prayer services 10:30 a.m. Sundays and community worship 11:30 a.m. at 123 S. 17th St.; 215-563-3853.

Grace Epiphany Church A welcoming and diverse Episcopal congregation in Mt. Airy with services 9:30 a.m. Sundays at 224 E. Gowen Ave.; 215-248-2950, www.grace-epi.org.

■ 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. Monday through Thursday; 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.

St. John’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) Reconciling in Christ congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 24 N. Ridge Ave., Ambler; 215-646-2451, www. stjohnsambler.org.

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

The First United Methodist Church of Germantown A sexual-minority-afﬁrming congregation holds services at 10 a.m., summer services 11 a.m., Sundays, with lunch to follow, at 6001 Germantown Ave.; 215-438-3077, www.fumcog.org.

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 48:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available MondayFriday. See the Youth section for more events.

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

St. Luke and The Epiphany Church Open and welcoming church holds fall liturgy 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays, summer sevices 10 a.m., at 330 S. 13th St.; 215-7321918, stlukeandtheepiphany.org.

Unity Fellowship Church of Philadelphia Diverse, afﬁrming LGBT congregation holds services 2 p.m. Sundays at 55 N. Broad St.; 215-240-6106. University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation Welcoming congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 3637 Chestnut St. preceded by “Adult Forum: Sundays” at 9:30 a.m.; 215-387-2885, www.uniphila.org.

Community Bulletin Board

St. Asaph’s Church Inclusive and progressive Episcopal church holds services 8 and 10 a.m. Sundays, summer services 9:15 a.m., at 27 Conshohocken State Road, Bala Cynwyd; 610-664-0966, www.saintasaphs.org.

St. Mary’s Church Diverse and inclusive Episcopal church celebrates the Eucharist 11 a.m. Sundays at 3916 Locust Walk; 215-386-3916; www. stmarysatpenn.org.

First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia A liberal, welcoming and diverse congregation that afﬁrms the dignity of all. Sunday services at 10 a.m., 2125 Chestnut St.; 215563-3980, www.ﬁrstuu-philly.org.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

■ 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 ■ The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 215-496-0330 ■ District Attorney LGBT Liaison: Helen “Nellie” Fitzpatrick, 215-686-

■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065 rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. ■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220; www.waygay.org. Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday Library hours: noon-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

Key numbers 9980, helen.fitzpatrick@phila.gov ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378 ■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK ■ Mayor’s Director of LGBT Affairs: Gloria Casarez, 215-6862194; Gloria.Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: 215-686-2555

■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: 215-686-4670 ■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: 1-877-pride-2000 ■ 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

■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBT-LAW; Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658

■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537

■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833

■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

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.; 215763-8870. 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. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 1711 S. Broad St.; 215-629-2300; www.asiac.org. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; 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 appoint-

■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia GALLOP holds board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; GALLOP also provides a free referral service; 215-627-9090; www.galloplaw. org. ■ Greater Philadelphia Professional Network Networking group for area business professionals, selfemployed and business owners meets monthly in a different location throughout the city, invites speakers on various topics, partners with other nonprofits and maintains a website where everyone is invited to sign up for email notices for activities and

ment) at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215-685-1821. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing available 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652; www.mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronicdisease management, including comprehensive HIV care, 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-noon Friday; 1-5 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

Professional groups events; www.gppn.org; 215-9223377.

■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association The Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and students, meets for social and networking events; www. nlgja.org/philly; philly@nlgja.org.

■ Independence Business Alliance Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, providing networking, business development, marketing, educational and advocacy opportunities for LGBT and LGBT-friendly businesses and professionals. Visit www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com for information about events, programs and membership; 215-557-0190; 1717 Arch St., Suite 3370.

■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus A regional organization dedicated to promoting gay and lesbian tourism to the Greater Philadelphia region holds meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; P.O. Box 58143, Philadelphia, PA 19102; www. philadelphiagaytourism.com; 215-840-2039.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 9-15, 2014

PGN