PGN May 18-24, 2012 by The Philadelphia Gay News

Bebe Neuwirth brings song and story to Prince Music Theater

Family Portrait: Michael Gardner

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Weigh It Forward participants hit the home stretch

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May 18-24, 2012

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Vol. 36 No. 20

Obama evolution symbolic for PA gays

Black Madam ordered to stand trial By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com A judge this week ordered a transgender woman accused of illegally performing silicone injections to stand trial. At a preliminary hearing Wednesday, the Court of Common Pleas judge heard testimony in the case against Padge Victoria Windslowe, who labels herself the “Black Madam.” Windslowe, 42, is charged with assault and related offenses in PAGE 25

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

A VOICE FOR RUSTIN: LGBT choir A Voice 4 All People took the stage following the screening of “Brother Outsider” May 11 at the African American Museum in Philadelphia. The film profiles the life and work of LGBT and civil-rights activist Bayard Rustin, who would have turned 100 this year. The event, which drew about 80 people, was co-sponsored by the William Way LGBT Community Center, which hosted a non-violent direct-action training the following day to arm LGBTs and allies with demonstration techniques Rustin embraced. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Protest to welcome ‘ex-gay’ group N O T E WO R T H Y : T h e P h i l a d e l p h i a Freedom Band regaled guests at the Arch Street United Methodist Church with tunes at a May 11 fundraiser for the predominantly LGBT band. About 125 people turned out and raised $1,100 for the group through efforts such as a raffle. The funds will go toward the purchase of new music. Photo: Scott A. Drake

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com “Take the risk, accept the challenge, experience the triumph!” That’s the appeal a group that operates conversion therapy for gays and lesbians is using to entice people to participate in a sports-themed weekend this month in the Philadelphia area — which local LGBTs

and allies will meet with their own challenge. Courage International, which offers services it says can help people overcome attraction to the same sex, will host its 13th annual Sports Camp May 2427 at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood. “For many men with same-sex attractions, childhood memPAGE 20

President Obama’s long-awaited evolution on marriage equality drew wide applause from local LGBTs, although advocates don’t expect wedding bells to be ringing for same-sex couples in Pennsylvania any time soon. Obama announced last Wednesday that, after a personal journey, he had come to the conclusion that same-sex marriage was just, following years of pressure from LGBT advocates to back marriage equality. While many LGBTs and allies welcomed the news, some criticized how long it took for the president to reach his decision. “I share people’s impatience with the evolving process but in the end I don’t think it’ll make a difference whether he did it now or three months ago,” said state Sen. Daylin Leach (D-17th Dist.), who is spearheading the state’s marriage-equality bill. “The most important thing is that he did it.” Lee Carson, co-chair of the Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club, also said the timing should not be tantamount. Carson noted that the marriage-equality backing rounds out PAGE 24

WE TRAVEL WITH YOU EVERY DAY SEPTA, DRPA, PATCO and New Jersey Transit police are working together with federal, state and local security professionals to make your daily commute safe from crime and terrorism. For more information, please visit StayAlertNow.com.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

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Philadelphia Gay News locations (outside of Philadelphia) ALLENTOWN • Stonewall, 28-30 N. 10th St. • Candida, 247 N. 12th St. • ARDMORE • Honor Box, R5 SEPTA Station, Anderson Avenue near Coulter • BRISTOL • Bristol News World, 576B Bristol Pike • BRYN MAWR • TLA Video, 761 Lancaster Ave. • Fox & Roach Realty, 763 Lancaster Ave. • Bryn Mawr College, Canaday Library and on campus • Honor Box, R5 SEPTA Station, Morris Avenue near Bryn Mawr Avenue • CHALFONT • Dr. Annette Lee, 700 Horizon Circle, Suite 202 • CHESTER • Harrah’s Chester Casino, 777 Harrah’s Blvd. • DOYLESTOWN • Siren Records, 25 E. State St. • Doylestown Bookshop, 16 S. Main St. • Planned Parenthood of Bucks Co., 301 S. Main St. • EAST STROUDSBURG • Rainbow Mountain Resort, 210 Mt. Nebo Road • GIBSON • Hillside Campground, 1 Creek Road • GLENSIDE • Keswick Cycle, 408 N. Easton Road • GLEN MILLS • Imago Deo MCC, 1223 Middletown Road • HARRISBURG • LGBT Community Center, 221 N. Front St., third floor • Neptune Lounge, 268 North St. • The Brownstone Lounge, 412 Forster St. • 704 Strawberry Café, 704 N. Third St. • Liquid 891, 891 Eisenhauer Blvd. • MCC of the Spirit, 2973 Jefferson St. • HAVERFORD • R5 SEPTA Station, Haverford Station Road near Lancaster Avenue • LANCASTER • Rainbow Pet Creations, 305 N. Queen St. • Sundown Lounge, 429 N. Mulberry St. • Tally Ho Tavern, 201 W. Orange St. • LEHIGHTON • Woods Campground, 845 Vaughn Acres Road • Club Z, 321 Pine St. • MCC Lehigh Valley, 930 N. Fourth St., first floor • MALVERN • Honor Box, SEPTA R5 Station, King Street & Warren Avenue • MEDIA • Unitarian Church, 145 W. Rose Tree Road • The Media Theater, 104 E. State St. • LGBT Alliance Group, Delaware Co. Campus, Penn State Univ., 901 Media Line Road • NARBERTH • Mood Swings, 2 Station Circle • Honor Box, R5 SEPTA Station, Haverford & Narberth avenues NEW HOPE • Karla’s Restaurant, 5 W. Mechanic St. Suite A • Wildflowers, 8 W. Mechanic St. • La Chateau Exotique, 31A W. Mechanic St. •

Cornerstone Gym, 419 York Rd. • Sandbar, 90 S. Main St. • Café Europa, 11 Market Place • John & Peters, 96 S. Main St. • Havana Bar & Grill, 105 S. Main St. • Triumph Brewing Co., 400 Union Square Drive • Eagle Diner, 6522 York Road • The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St. •

NEW MILFORD • Oneida Campground, 132 E. Lake Road • NORRISTOWN • Beagle Tavern, 1003 E. Main St. • La Mina Nightclub, 428 Arch St. • PAOLI • Honor Box, SEPTA R5 Station, North Valley Road & Lincoln Highway • ROSEMONT • Honor Box, R5 SEPTA Station, Airdale Road & Montrose Avenue • UPPER DARBY • Honor Box, 69th Street Station • VILLANOVA • R5 SEPTA Station, Spring Mill Road near County Line • WAYNE • Central Baptist Church, 106 W. Lancaster Ave. • Honor Box, SEPTA R5 Stafford Station, Old Eagle School & Crestline roads • WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON AREA • Outrageous Gifts, 515 Center St., Scranton • Twelve Penny Saloon, 3501 Birney Ave., Moosic • Michael’s Lounge, 429-433 Main St., Kingston • Twist Bar, Fox Ridge Plaza, 1170 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre • WILLIAMSPORT • Peachies, 144 E. Fourth St. • WILLOW GROVE • Barnes & Noble, 102 Park Ave. • WYNNEWOOD • Honor Box, SEPTA R5 Station, Wynnewood & Penn roads • YORK AREA • Cupid’s Connextion, 244 N. George St. • Club XS, 36 W. 11th St. • Atland’s Ranch, 8505 Orchard Road Spring Grove •

DELAWARE

WILMINGTON • AIDS Delaware, 100 W. 10th St. • Borders Books, 4221 Concord Pike • Crimson Moon, 1909 S. Sixth St. • REHOBOTH BEACH • Canal Side Inn, 34 Sixth St. • Double L Bar, 622 Rehoboth Ave. • Proud Bookstore, 149 Rehoboth Ave. • Shore Inn, 37239 Rehoboth Ave. • Rams Head Inn, 35006 Warrington Ave.

NEW JERSEY

ASBURY PARK • Paradise, in Empress Hotel, 101 Asbury Ave. • Georgie’s, 812 Fifth Ave. • ATLANTIC CITY • Brass Rail, 15 S. MLK Drive • Ocean House, 127 S. Ocean Ave. • Oasis, South Jersey AIDS Alliance, 32 S. Tennessee Ave. • Prohibition, 1133 Boardwalk, 13th ﬂoor • Ritz Condo lobby, 2715 Boardwalk • BORDENTOWN • Shoppe 202, 202 Farnsworth Ave. • CHERRY HILL • Unitarian Church, 400 N. Kings Highway • Andriotti’s Viennese Café, 1442 E. Route 70 • COLLINGSWOOD • Honor Box, PATCO Collingswood Station • CAMDEN • Honor Box, PATCO Ferry Avenue Station • EGG HARBOR CITY • Red Barn Books, 1204 White Horse Pike • Club In or Out, 5018 Moss Mill Road • GALLOWAY • Pride Alliance Stockton College, 101 Vera King Farris Dr. Ste 240 • GLOUCESTER CITY • Red Barn Books, 600 Rt 130 South • HIGHLAND PARK • Pride Center of NJ, 85 Raritan Ave. • LAMBERTVILLE • Body Tech, 8 Mt. Hope St. • LEBANON • GLBT of Hunterdon Co., 126 Petticoat Lane • LINDENWOLD • Honor Box, PATCO Lindenwold Station East • Honor Box, PATCO Lindenwold Station West •MORRISTOWN • Gay Activist Alliance, Unitarian Church, 29 Normandy Heights Road • MOUNTAINSIDE • Rivendell Media • OAKLYN • Sacred Green Earth, 511 Whitehorse Pike • PRINCETON • LGBT Center, Princeton Univ., 246 First Campus Center • SOMERSET • The Den, 700 Hamilton Ave. • STRATFORD • White Horse Books, 906 White Horse Pike • VINELAND • J&J News, 729 N. Main St. • WEST BERLIN • Red Barn Books, 597 Rt. 73 North • WEST CAPE MAY • Gables of Cape May, Southwest Gecko Gifts, 600 Park Blvd., #36 •

NEW YORK CITY

Lesbian and Gay Services Center, 208 W. 13th St.

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MAKING MUSIC: Chamber music emanated throughout William Way LGBT Community Center May 14 with the East Coast debut of Ensemble M, which included selections from Bach by viola player Judy Geist and pianist Chris Bartlett, William Way executive director. The consortium, which is also home to members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, explores music, art and androgyny. About 50 people turned out for the performance. Photo: Scott A. Drake NEWS

Crime Watch Gettin’ On International Local News Briefing

19 16 25 5 8

Contents

EDITORIAL/OP-ED

Creep of the Week Editorial Letters/Feedback Mark My Words Street Talk

10 10 11 11 11

Do you think crystal meth use is prevalent in the gay community? Poll results from our online survey as of May 16:

59% Yes, more than average 15% About the same as any other group 5% No 21% I don’t know Go to www.epgn.com to weigh in on this week’s question:

What is your favorite Pride celebration besides Philadelphia or New York?

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

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

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

Advertising Director Dan Calhoun (ext. 218) dan@epgn.com

Publisher

Mark Segal (ext. 204) mark@epgn.com Editor

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

Advertising Manager Greg Dennis greg@epgn.com Advertising Sales Representatives Prab Sandhu prab@epgn.com National Advertising Rivendell Media: 212-242-6863 Office Manager/ Classifieds Don Pignolet (ext. 200) don@epgn.com

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

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

Weigh It Forward Participant: Franny Price, executive director, Philadelphia Pride Presents; owner, Spruce Street Video Age: 59 Starting weight: 264 Height: 5-foot-3 Weight lost to date: 55 pounds

FRANNY PRICE Photos: Scott A. Drake

PGN: Why did you decide to do Weigh It Forward? FP: A lot of people were worried about my weight — about me having a heart attack and flopping over. I thought the same people would pledge money per pound I lost. So, I would be raising money and, at the same time, it would be encouragement and a support mechanism because you are being watched. PGN: What are you hoping to achieve? FP: I feel like I already achieved a lot of it. I’ve already changed my lifestyle, the way I eat and exercise. I have some personal goals: I’m going to have my first walk from my house to town. That will be my “Rocky” moment. It’s about 2.5 miles. And I’m going to go to Disney World and fit on The Mummy ride — I plan to do that this summer. I couldn’t fit in that seat before, three years ago. PGN: What’s been your biggest struggle with your weight? FP: The inconveniences of being fat. One, when you go into a diner, and you look to see which side is bigger. Two, when you go on an airplane and have to ask for the extension. Three, I didn’t want to walk anywhere,

I wanted to drive. Now I can just go out the door. PGN: What’s been the hardest so far? FP: The only hard thing — and it’s not really hard; it’s because of my life — I can’t be consistent when I go to the gym. Sometimes I go in the morning, the afternoon or at night. I would really like to be in a routine. And sometimes working with the trainer is hard, but very educational. PGN: The easiest? FP: Believe it or not, the food. Changing the way I eat hasn’t been as hard. Even though I just tried my first cleanse and this is day three. I’m on my third juice and I have three more to go. I’m not hungry, I just don’t like the taste of all of them. PGN: Has anything surprised you? FP: How out of shape I really was. I didn’t realize I had no balance. Simple little things that are really important in everyday life. Knowing I wasn’t walking up the steps right. I have to learn to do everything all over again, including walking. PGN: Tell me about your workout plan. FP: Cardio, a lot of cardio. I do all the cardio equipment, and do the ab machine and then whatever my trainer Jo-Ellen has me do, I try to do that two-three times a week. I go to the gym five-six days a week, never less than five. I try to change it up every week. This week, I’ve been going on the elliptical, then go over to the bike, then do the machines. Then the next day, do the treds and the bike. I do at least an hour of cardio, medium intensity. PGN: And food? FP: I’m on a low-carb diet: I count my calories every day, and I’m eating less than 1,200. For sugars, I keep them at 28 grams per day. I put everything I eat into My Fitness Pal [mobile phone app], and it really does help. I’m also using Diet To Go:

Start: Jan. 10

Weigh-in 1: Feb. 10

It was a big help in the first three-and-a-half months. It’s easy — the food is done for you. I was doing that for three meals a day, seven days a week. PGN: Is this something you can sustain? FP: I know I’m going to sustain this. I already achieved my lifestyle changes. I’m going to be eating like this for the rest of my life and going to the gym so I can maintain it. PGN: What do you think will be the hardest part to sustain afterward? FP: To me, June 10 is just the end of the fundraising: Everything is going to be the same as it is today, forever. I do want to thank everyone who participated. I’m really proud of the “Fat Pack.” We bonded another way: We can just share things with each other that we can’t share with everyone. It’s really even fun — hard work, but fun. Jo-Ellen Marks, director of special projects and program development, Optimal Sport Health Clubs, 601 Walnut St.; www.optimalsporthealthclubs.com

JO-ELLEN MARKS

PGN: What has your plan for Franny been? JM: The biggest priority has to be the function of the body, the way her body works. I know she has a large weight-loss goal. But for long term, I want her to move more and function properly. Daily tasks, such as climbing stairs, was not easy for her. I focus on daily tasks and then get her heart rate up. I got her to work with her body weight, which improves function in her spine. PGN: Tell me more about the exercise. JM: We use battling ropes, TRX, kettle bells to keep her body in motion. In addition to that, we increase her heart rate and burn more calories. She does one day a week with

PGN: Tell me more about the food plan. JM: For food, Franny has been doing Diet To Go. They deliver two times a week. It’s a caloric restriction, freshly prepared foods. They have needed components for people to be healthy, high-quality carbohydrates. [Dietian] Colleen [DeCesare] went to work on her attitude about food, why you eat certain things, the psychosocial, emotional components. For lifelong change for health and fitness, people won’t be successful if they never work on why they do things. For Franny, it was really about getting honest, getting responsible about the amount of time she moved every week. She went all out — no excuses. PGN: What results are you looking for short-term? JM: No. 1 is increasing frequency of exercise and get her into a regular fitness program. Second, to improve her behavior. Third, to lose weight. She set a goal of 50 pounds, she already passed that. Now, she wants to lose 60 pounds [by June 10]. PGN: And long-term? JM: Lifestyle behavior modification. If anybody has a fitness goal, if it’s not sustainable, you are setting them up to fail. If you don’t set someone up with realistic goals, you are doing them an injustice. You have to make small changes and keep making improvements on this. When she hits 70 pounds, 80, 90, then 100 — that’s her goal. I want her to maintain her health for the rest of her life. My commitment to her is that she gets a lifelong fitness and nutrition program that works for her and keeps her healthy. ■

Weigh It Forward Dan Calhoun 32 lbs., $46.50/lb.

IGH IT

WA D R

Debbie Spadafora 56 lbs., $58.60/lb. Micah Mahjoubian 45 lbs., $114.50/lb.

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

Franny Price 55 lbs., $54.50/lb.

Graphic: Sean Dorn and Scott A. Drake

Weigh-in 2: March 10

Weigh-in 3: April 10

Weigh-in 4: May 10

me for an hour, then four-five additional days a week on cardio and weight-bearing cardio. What Franny is working on now is improving her speed and distance. She’ll walk a mile, get on the bike, go up and down the stairs. If she did five times last week, she’ll do six times this week.

FOR

In January, Dan Calhoun, Debbie Spadafora, Franny Price and Micah Mahjoubian agreed to Weigh It Forward — for every pound they lost between Jan. 10 and PrideDay, June 10, they would collect pledges to be donated to three nonprofit organizations. The proceeds will be evenly distributed among The Attic Youth Center, Philly Pride Presents and the William Way LGBT Community Center. In addition to the per-pound donations, the four have raised $2,993.51 in flat pledges, bringing the amount raised to date to $15,913.11. To pledge support for a participant, visit www. epgn.com and click “Weigh It Forward” to download a pledge form, send a pledge via PayPal to weighitforwardphilly@gmail.com or visit Spruce Street Video, 252 S. 12th St. The final weigh-in will be June 10, Pride Day, on stage at Penn’s Landing. Pledges will be due June10-18. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

Spotlight on Franny Price and Jo-Ellen Marks

LOCAL PGN

Finish line: Pride, June 10

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

N. Philly school elects out prom king By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Many LGBTs look back on their senior prom with disdain, as they struggled to fit into the heterosexual norms of the traditional affair. But one openly gay North Philadelphia teenager will remember his prom night with gratitude and pride. The senior class of Thomas Edison High School elected Geraldo Oyola as its prom king earlier this month. Oyola, 18, who has been out since his freshman year, was elected by popular vote of his classmates, securing the title over four other competitors. Oyola said he first realized he was gay in sixth grade and began his coming-out process when he reached high school. He said opening up to his mother was difficult, but turned out positively. “I knew I had to tell her because I just wouldn’t have felt right if I didn’t,” Oyola said. “I was really jumpy, my hands were shaking and I just said, ‘Mom, what if I told you I was bi?’ And she didn’t give me a direct answer, just said, ‘We’ll talk about it later,’ and we never sat and had a specific talk about it but she’s very supportive. She says, ‘I know you’re gay, I’m proud of you for who you are no matter

what.’” my own being,” Reactions he said. “That’s among his classwhat kept the mates weren’t bu l l y i n g a n d initially as posithe suffering tive, however. away: I felt free As a freshand was able to man, Oyola said look at all this he faced bullynegativity and ing because he m a ke i t i n t o was out. something posi“It was hard tive so it didn’t in the beginhurt me.” ning,” he said. Edison is “There was a home to a gaylot of harassstraight alliance ment and bullythat was formed ing and it would in honor of an get worse every openly gay studay.” dent who comHe sought mitted suicide assistance from in 2007, and an after-school which Oyola program and said has assisted said a mentor in quelling there encourhomophobic PROM KING GERALDO OYOLA (LEFT) AND attitudes at the aged him to CLASSMATE SHIRLEY RODRIGUEZ school. embrace his “ We h a v e own identity to many, many openly gay students now,” gain confidence. “She taught me so many things, and I Oyola said. “Everyone’s fine with it. I’m took what she said and used it to create nice to everyone and everyone knows I’m

gay, so people have gotten really much more comfortable with it.” When the prom-king election process began earlier this year, Oyola decided to throw his hat in the ring. He and the other candidates wrote an essay about why they wanted to become prom king and submitted three teacher recommendations, and then voting was opened up to the senior class. Oyola attended the prom, held May 4 at the Sheridan in Center City, with two close friends and said that, when it came time for the king crowning, he was nervous but confident. He said his election proved to both himself and underclassmen that a student’s orientation shouldn’t play a role in achieving one’s goals. “I hope this shows the lowerclassmen that they should take risks,” he said. “Becoming king was great for me, but it was more about making younger kids feel more welcome and showing them that they can do whatever it is they want to.” Once he graduates next month, Oyola will be working in an after-school program with Congreso de Latino Unidos and attending Community College of Philadelphia. He plans to pursue a career in computer technology. ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

News Briefing Judge hears arguments in Siloam dispute Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Idee C. Fox heard arguments May 10 in the dispute involving an AIDS organization that wants to demolish an old Catholic church. Siloam, an organization that provides holistic health care to people impacted by HIV/AIDS, wants to demolish the former Church of the Assumption, 1133 Spring Garden St. Siloam contends it cannot afford to repair and stabilize the dilapidated church, which would allegedly cost about $6 million. The organization purchased the church from the Archdiocese about six years ago, as part of a package deal that also included a rectory, convent, storefront and three parking lots. As a newborn, St. Katharine Drexel was baptized in the church in 1858, according to court papers. Members of the Callowhill Neighborhood Association say Siloam should keep trying to sell the property, because the area is experiencing an economic rebirth.

LOCAL PGN

“Sooner or later, that property is going to get sold — with or without a church on it,” said Andrew R. Palewski, a neighborhood activist. “The era of decline is over in this neighborhood. Demolishing the church would be moving in a direction that’s opposite the direction the neighborhood is moving in.” The church, built in 1848, was designated a historic resource by the Philadelphia Historical Commission in May 2009. But in September 2010, the commission cleared the way for its demolition because it allegedly poses a financial hardship to Siloam. In May 2011, the city’s Board of License and Inspection Review blocked the demolition, agreeing with neighbors that more time is needed to sell the property. Now Siloam is asking Fox to reverse the review-board’s decision — and to clear the way for the demolition without further delay. Samuel C. Stretton, an attorney for CNA, told the judge that Siloam should have marketed all of its property — including a rectory and convent — before claiming financial hardship. Marissa R. Parker, an attorney for Siloam, said Siloam fulfilled all of its legal obligations before claiming financial hardship. “Siloam has worked very hard to follow the rules and regulations that the city has set forth to establish financial hardship,” Parker said. “Nobody relishes tearing down a church. Unfortunately, there’s

a real hardship here.” Fox said she will take the arguments under advisement before rendering a decision. — Timothy Cwiek

Get out for FIGHT This month’s Queers on the Avenue LGBT social will raise funds for local HIV/ AIDS service organization Philadelphia FIGHT. Partygoers are invited to Le Virtù, 1927 E. Passyunk Ave., from 6-9 p.m. May 23. The event will feature discounted cocktails, light fare and ample networking opportunities, with a portion of the proceeds going to FIGHT.

Walk against hate The Anti-Defamation League will host its second-annual Philadelphia Walk Against Hate from 2-4:30 p.m. May 20. The 5K walk will take place on Martin Luther King Drive, adjacent to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The walk seeks to raise awareness about the impact of prejudice and the value of embracing diversity. The kid-friendly event is $10 for adults and $5 for youth. Funds will benefit ADL programming such as No Place for Hate, which provides anti-bullying training and certification for

schools. For more information or to register, visit www.walkagainsthate.org.

Fellowship offered for ACLU leader The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania is offering a fellowship for law students and recent graduates to help the agency carry on the work of a late LGBT advocate. ACLU is accepting applications for its 2012-13 Larry Frankel Legislative Fellowship. The selected fellow will assist in state lobbying, research and outreach and education efforts, among other tasks. The position is named after the local ACLU chapter’s openly gay former executive director and longtime legislative director. Frankel died in 2009. Candidates must be law or graduate students or recent graduates of a law or graduate school. The fellowship is unpaid but ACLU will work with programs that offer compensation or course credit. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, résumé and writing samples to hbginfo@aclupa.org or to ACLU of Pennsylvania, P.O. Box 11761, Harrisburg, PA 171018, to the attention of Andy Hoover, legislative director. ■ — Jen Colletta

NATIONAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

Senate panel passes DP bens bill By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com A committee of the U.S. Senate this week approved a bill that would grant same-sex partners of federal employees benefits and rights equal to those of heterosexual married spouses. The Senate’s Homeland Security and Government Affairs committee approved the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act on May 16. The measure, offered by Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), would open up programs such as health and life insurance, pension and retirement, and family and medical-leave to the committed same-sex partners of all federal employees. The same committee approved the bill last session but it failed to make it to the Senate floor for a vote. The companion piece has not yet made it out of House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections. The Senate bill has 23 cosponsors, including Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey (D). The legislation has the backing of the Obama administration, although it would need to clear the Republican-controlled

House to make it to the president’s desk. Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese said that the measure is “about the basic concept of fairness in the workplace.” According to HRC, about 60 percent of Fortune 500 companies offer domesticpartner employees. “The federal government would be wise to follow the private sector in offering equal pay for equal work,” he said. “America’s major corporations have discovered that equality is not only the right thing to do, but good for business. Equal workplace policies, like those DPBO would enact, will help attract and retain the best and brightest talent, which is exactly what our federal workforce needs.” Domestic-partner programs are also in place in 24 states, Washington, D.C., and more than 100 municipalities. Philadelphia adopted a domestic-partner program in 1998. Four other Pennsylvania municipalities have since instated domestic-partner benefits for city employees. Pennsylvania extended benefits to samesex partners of state employees in 2009, a policy change enacted by the Pennsylvania Employees Benefit Trust Fund, which oversees state employee benefit programs. ■

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House strips anti-violence measure of LGBT protections By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

The U.S. House of Representatives rejected efforts to make federal anti-violence legislation LGBT-inclusive, which passed the House Wednesday 222-205. A number of amendments to the Violence Against Women Act were defeated by the Republican majority in the House Judiciary Committee May 10, and were not included in the final Republican-backed House version. The House approved the reauthorization of the legislation for the next five years. VAWA was first approved in 1994 to provide funding for anti-domestic-violence efforts. This week’s reauthorization provides more than $650 million per year to agencies fighting domestic violence. The Senate last month passed a version of the VAWA reauthorization that was LGBTinclusive; the two bodies must now reconcile the different versions in conference committee. During the House committee markup, three amendments were offered that would have created LGBT-specific regulations found in the Senate version. Out Rep. Jared Polis (D-Col.) offered a provision that would disallow funding to any organization that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. The measure currently includes nondiscrimination protections on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex and dis-

ability. “All victims of domestic violence require our care, support and understanding,” Polis said in a statement. “On a bipartisan basis, we should be able to include these basic protections for LGBT Americans — as the Senate did — and ensure that the critical services supported by VAWA are available to all. No one should be denied any service based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.” Polis’ amendment was defeated 18-14. The reauthorization bill establishes a new funding stream for organizations that work with “underserved populations,” and Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) proposed an amendment that would include LGBTs as one of those groups. “Field experts agree that current protections aren’t enough, and that we need to protect our LGBT community from violence,” Quigley said. “We have a responsibility to provide equal protection for all Americans, and my amendment [would] ensure that LGBT individuals receive the vital care they desperately need and absolutely deserve.” Quigley’s measure was defeated 16-13. A third LGBT amendment was offered by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.). Nadler sought to make LGBTs part of the STOP program — which provides directed funding to agencies that work with law enforcement to combat domestic violence — an amendment that was defeated 15-12. ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Mitt Romney

Editorial

Gay rights on the move Sexual minorities have been a hot topic recently, with politicians, Congress and celebrities coming down on one side or the other of LGBT equality. The ball started rolling with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Vice President Joe Biden’s statements backing same-sex marriage. Then President Obama and Jay-Z came out in favor of it. (The former carries rather more weight than the latter.) Obama’s announcement has brought kudos and criticism, generally along party lines. It remains to be seen what impact his position will have on the November election, or on various elements of his base, including African Americans, LGBTs and progressives. Predictions include energizing the gay community and progressives, but not losing any African-American supporters, who aren’t likely to support presumed Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. In response to Obama’s support, Romney reiterated that he believed marriage should be between one man and one woman (no polygamy for this Mormon). After his not-surprising revelation, accounts surfaced of Romney’s school “pranks,” which included holding down a classmate and cutting his hair because he was different. The student, who died in 2004, was thought to be gay was reportedly effeminate. While the others involved in the incident said they regretted it — some apologized and called it “vicious” — Romney has claimed to have no memory of it. For it to have had a lasting effect on the others involved and Romney to have forgotten it, he’s either lying or he has no concept of how his actions impact other people. Either prospect is not a desirable trait for a leader of the country. In Congress, a Senate hearing was scheduled for the long-dormant Employment Non-Discrimination Act for June and a Senate committee voted in favor of extending domestic-partner benefits to federal employees. The domestic-partner bill now moves to the Senate floor. In another piece of legislation, the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, the LGBT community is being used as political football. The law, originally passed in 1994 and which expired last year, provides protections for victims of domestic violence. The Senate passed its version with provisions to protect immigrants, women on tribal lands and LGBTs. The House version, up for debate on Wednesday, had stripped these, then added all but the LGBT protections back to the bill. The president had threatened to veto the legislation if it proceeded to his desk without the protections included in the Senate version. Another House bill drew threat of a presidential veto — the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2013, which covers the military budget. Among the items the president took issue with was a section that would provide military chaplains and troops “conscience protections” for those who oppose homosexuality and a section that would bar same-sex weddings on military bases. Now that Obama has made clear his position on LGBT equality — and is continuing to defend sexual and gender minorities — the LGBT community needs to both keep the pressure on and appreciate that he’s standing with us. ■

As you surely already know, President Obama came out of the closet last week as totally gay — for gay marriage, anyway. Obama’s support for marriage equality had been, let’s face it, an open secret of sorts. I mean, everybody knew that he supported it, but he pretended to be all conflicted about the issue, going so far as to say he believed marriage was a one-man, onewoman operation. This, in spite of the fact that back in 1996 he told Outlines, a gay newspaper, “I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages.” Needless to say, Obama’s painfully slow “evolution” on the issue was a sore spot for many lesbian and gay folks. Hell, even after he said publicly and on purpose into a TV camera that marriage equality is cool with him, it’s still a sore spot for some. The Log Cabin Republicans were quick to piss all over the announcement and the Internet was atwitter with grumblings about the whole thing being too little, too late. But I say, screw all that. The bottom line is, for the first time in history, we have a sitting president who acknowledges that our families not only exist, but they are valid and should be afforded equal treatment enshrined in law. And this is huge. Oh, but that Newsweek cover with the neon rainbow halo over Obama’s head with the headline, “The First Gay President”? That shit is crazy. Obama is no more gay than Bill Clinton is black. Still, with Obama giving the thumbsup to marriage equality and talking about repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, the choice between him and Mitt Romney is starker than ever. After Obama’s pro-gay-marriage announcement, Romney told the audience during a commencement address at Liberty University, “Culture matters. As fundamental as these principles are, they may become topics of democratic debate. So it is today with the enduring institution of marriage. Marriage is a relationship between one man and one woman.” On May 10 Romney said, “And if two people of the same gender want to live together, want to have a loving relationship or even to adopt a child — in my state, individuals of the same sex were able to adopt children. In my view, that’s something that people have a right to do. But to call that marriage is something that in my

view is a departure from the real meaning of that word.” The very next day Romney backpedaled, saying that he was just saying that samesex couples adopting kids together was something that does happen, not something that should. And then there’s that horrifying Washington Post report about Romney bullying a kid everybody thought was gay in high school, complete with an episode recalled by “five students, who gave their accounts independently of one another.” Evoking that terrifying scene from “Mommie Dearest,” Romney hacked the kid’s hair off with scissors while Romney’s friends held him down. Oh, and don’t forget that Romney’s foreign policy advisor, Richard Grenell, was given the ol’ heave ho after right-wing conservatives pitched a fit because Grenell is a homo. It’s no wonder that Bill White, a “wellknown, openly gay supporter of Mitt Romney,” according to CNN, switched teams. White, who now supports Obama, even demanded Romney refund his big campaign contribution. Ouch. My guess is that White isn’t the only LGBT defector. And with good reason. Even this early in the 2012 election, it’s pretty clear that any LGBT person who votes Romney might as well beat themselves with a wire hanger. ■ 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.

We want to know! If you are celebrating an anniversary, engagement, wedding, adoption or other life event, we would be happy to help you announce it to the community. Send your contact information and a brief description of the event to editor@epgn.com.

OP-ED PGN

That human journalistic flaw Vice President Biden’s comments about ing was with MSNBC pundit/personality marriage equality were no surprise to me. Chris Mathews, who was considering a run Why? The night before the president’s against Sen. Arlen Specter, and that conversation was reported in the LGBT press. statement on same-sex marriage, I was Here is the exchange: honored to be the keynote speaker at MS: You’re running for Senate in Drexel University’s gay pride celebration. Pennsylvania. As you know, After my talk, someone asked whether I thought President there are some very important Obama would support gay marissues going on. We have a riage. My response was, “He’s Republican in that seat, Specter, evolving on the issue and I who voted two ways on the expect that evolution to be comDefense of Marriage Act. So plete by the end of November.” what would you be doing? CM: Well, first I’m not going It got the expected laugh. Less to answer it that way. I always than 24 hours later, the evolution was complete, six months start with freedom. That’s where ahead of schedule. I start on every issue, whether That announcement put it’s reproductive rights or it’s LGBT equality front and cencrime. There’s a constitutional ter in the presidential race and, right that starts with freedom thus far, no political pundit and inherent rights, exclusive rights to the Constitution. But I worth his or her weight can make an intelligent guess if this Mark Segal really do believe that we always as Americans start with that. will help, hurt or not even matter in the November election. Then we work our way through But one point is clear: Republicans are still things. Do you understand? It’s very uncomfortable with the subject, using Rick important. Individual freedom has always Santorum as an example. This was the last been the way we start. First governments, year that Republicans could attempt to sequestered governments like in England, scare voters with the LGBT card. It’s over always start with state power. This country and they know it. Don’t take my word; take has always started with individual freedom Karl Rove’s, who said the following after as the basis to work at what you allow Obama announced his support for marthe state to do. But obviously, this is an riage equality: “He’s just using it for politi- evolving thing; my thinking now is differcal purposes.” You remember Karl. He’s ent from what it was 10 years ago. [For] the guy who, along with the now-out Ken a lot of people it’s been evolving, and for Mehlman, used anti-gay-marriage amenda lot of gay people it’s been evolving. A ments across the country to win George lot of gay people didn’t think marriage Bush a second term. was going to be the issue. A lot of friends So how far and fast has this issue of mine didn’t think it was going to be an changed with Americans? Let me give you issue, because it was too far out. A lot of people are changing on these issues. I think an example from just four years ago from a lot of people are going to work our way the Democratic Convention. The morning after Joe Biden was nominated as Obama’s through these things. V.P., his first speaking engagement was MS: Well, where are you on the issue? with the Pennsylvania Delegation. I CM: I have an open heart. I’ll have to live reported on one conversation at that meetwith it. ing but this is the first time I’m reporting the second, which was with Jill Biden, the MS: In other words, you won’t answer the vice-presidential nominee’s wife. question. After making a triumphant entrance, CM: I can answer it the way I have, which V.P. nominee Biden made his way to the is any fucking way I want. I can answer in platform to deliver a few remarks to what my way even if it isn’t your way. is almost his hometown crowd. Jill Biden was standing on the side and we spoke for What’s interesting here is the irritation a while. She knew I was from PGN and I Mathews had with the question. I’d like to asked her a few questions. Then I asked believe he was in that “evolution” mode. about gay marriage. She thought and then Again, no regrets. Watching Matthews said, “Of course I support it.” Full disclosure, Jill Biden is so delightful, personshow his support of marriage equality now sometimes amazes me. He completely gets able and brilliant that I didn’t do my job as a journalist and instead dispensed some it and could give other pundits lessons in advice: “Since Joe is the [V.P.] nomithe proper journalistic use of words and nee, the two of you might want to mirror terms to describe marriage equality. He has become passionate on the issue, something Obama’s position.” It was her first day on only someone who supports civil rights the job and I didn’t want to be the one to could do. ■ spoil it. I didn’t ask the vice presidential nominee that question. Was that a missed Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the nation’s opportunity? I’m happy to say I have no most-award-winning commentator in LGBT regrets. media. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com. The second conversation that morn-

Mark My Words

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

Street Talk Does President Obama’s backing of gay marriage affect his re-election bid? “A lot of people will swing against him, especially in the Southern states. It will probably cost him the election. I’m Peter Conches glad he came store supervisor out with it. South Philadelphia But he was trying to grab votes. And it will backfire. He just lost the South and Midwest.” “It will help him. A lot of the younger generation will be mobilized to vote for Obama, who otherwise Justin Imler wouldn’t customer-service rephave voted. resentative The people Center City against gay marriage wouldn’t have voted for him anyway. So it won’t hurt him in that sense.”

Letters and Feedback Has Sen. Casey evolved? I am a proud member of the chorus of those singing President Obama and Vice President Biden’s praises following their courageous endorsement of marriage equality, but I am left wondering where Sen. Casey is in his evolution on this issue. Six years ago, when Casey ran against Rick Santorum, it was enough to simply support civil unions. But in 2012, when 22 other Senate Democrats, the president and vice president of the United States and at least eight Pennsylvania mayors have endorsed marriage equality, supporting separate-butequal politics of the past just doesn’t fly. Equality Pennsylvania, and our friends at Freedom to Marry, the Courage Campaign and Pennsylvania Diversity Network, have sent literally thousands of letters to the senator’s office encouraging him to endorse marriage equality. But that hasn’t been enough. LGBT voters need to make it clear to Sen. Casey’s office that we need his lead-

“It will hurt Obama. I’d estimate about 60 percent of the country opposes gay marriage. They don’t want it to happen. Obama might Leo Levitt get some votes student from people South Philadelphia who admire his courage, but overall, he’s putting Romney in a better position to defeat him.” “It will bring Obama more support. People are more openminded than they let on. In the privacy of the voting Trish Sanzone booth, they’ll sales representative vote for Fairfield, Conn. Obama. Today, everyone knows a lesbian or gay man. The opponents [of same-sex marriage] are a vocal minority. For every one of them, there are 20 who are for gay marriage.” ership in Washington on this crucial issue affecting our lives and our families. — Adrian Shanker President, Equality Pennsylvania In reference to “Man sues 12th St. Gym,” May 11-17: The 12th Street Gym offered to call an ambulance for Mr. [Joseph] Montgomery but he declined this help. He was escorted to the emergency room by other members and trainers. The 12th Street Gym offered to have staff escort him after he refused ambulance service, but he declined this help. Our general manager followed up promptly with Mr. Montgomery and was told by Mr. Montgomery that he was “fine”; additional calls to Mr. Montgomery were not returned. His injuries were only reported to our business as serious once Mr. Montgomery retained an attorney. The 12th Street Gym takes its responsibilities to its 6,000 customers very seriously. In those rare instances where an injury concurs, our business extends every available resource to assure timely, effective care to the injured party. ■ — Rick Piper Owner, 12th Street Gym

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

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HIV-RELATED EXCESS BELLY FAT. In two separate clinical trials of HIV-infected people with lipodystrophy, each lasting 6 months, EGRIFTA® (tesamorelin for injection) reduced HIV-related excess belly fat by an average of 18% in the first trial, and 14% in the second trial. �� EGRIFTA®��

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

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Consumer Brief Summary for EGRIFTA® (tesamorelin for injection) EGRIFTA® (eh-GRIF-tuh) (tesamorelin for injection) for subcutaneous use Read the Patient Information that comes with EGRIFTA® before you start to take it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This leaflet does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or your treatment. What is EGRIFTA®? � EGRIFTA® is an injectable prescription medicine to reduce the excess in abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. EGRIFTA® contains a growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) ��The impact and safety of EGRIFTA® on cardiovascular health has not been studied ��EGRIFTA® is not indicated for weight-loss management ��It is not known whether taking EGRIFTA® helps improve compliance with antiretroviral medications � It is not known if EGRIFTA® is safe and effective in children. EGRIFTA® is not recommended to be used in children

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What should I tell my healthcare provider before using EGRIFTA®? Before using EGRIFTA®, tell your healthcare provider if you: � have or have had cancer � have diabetes � are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if EGRIFTA® passes into your breast milk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that HIV-infected mothers not breastfeed to avoid the risk of passing HIV infection to your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking EGRIFTA® � have kidney or liver problems � have any other medical condition Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. EGRIFTA® may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how EGRIFTA® works. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list with you to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

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Confronting the issues

America was introduced to the issue of removed. Medicare initially approved surgender identity and to Christine Jorgensen, gery, but when they realized that she was a male-to-female transsexual, in a sensaa transwoman, they denied payment. She tional article in the New York Daily News. fought a year-long legal battle, and won.” That was 60 years ago. Jorgensen’s story Insurance coverage and competent made the journey possible for many other health-care providers are important issues, people who have transitioned from their but there is an even more disturbing realbirth gender. Many of those people are now ity for many people who are transgender. in, or approaching, their senior years. Lifetimes of discrimination and stigma in Despite the coverage sureducation, employment, housing rounding Jorgensen and other and in social and family settings transgender people, little attenoften combine to create an ecotion has been paid to the issues nomic wall that many trans folk cannot surmount. Fifteen percent facing transgender people as of transgender people report they age. Stigma, discrimination, transphobia and lack of incomes of $10,000 or less, research and understanding according to a 2009 study by the leave people who are transgenNational Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay der facing many challenges in their older years. and Lesbian Task Force. Many questions about health The little research that has been done suggests that, within face trans folk, most with few the trans community, the most answers. The effect of longEd Bomba vulnerable population is that of term use of hormone therapy trans people of color. Not only has not been conclusively studied. Hormone therapy may increase risk do people face transphobia, but also racism and ageism. Although looking for of cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and liver work, volunteering and serving as a comand cardiovascular disease. Sexual-reassignment surgery can lead to other health munity activist, Jaci Adams, 54, is unemployed and living below the poverty line in issues. There are more questions than answers for people who are trans and aging Philadelphia. Adams said, “I am fearful as when it comes to their health. I get older. What will happen to me?” She The stress associated with transitioning, worries, “If I got sick and could not take coming out, transphobia, homophobia and care of myself, where could I go? Who discrimination takes an enormous emocould I trust to have my best interests at tional toll. Depression, drug and alcohol heart?” abuse, isolation and suicide are issues These and other issues will be explored found at higher rates in the transgender at this year’s Trans Health Conference community than among other populations. in Philadelphia. The conference, which Finding qualified care providers is a begins on May 31, is free and open to the challenge. Christine Macready, a 59-yearpublic. “It is a great place for anyone to old transwoman from Lancaster, said, “I learn about these issues,” said Ippolito, one love my doctor, but I had to help educate of the conference presenters. A program her about my health-care issues.” of the Mazzoni Center, the conference has Whether it is a doctor, social worker, workshops for consumers, providers and dentist or lawyer, trans folk face a lifetime allies. “It is an opportunity for my gay brothers and sisters to learn about the trans of having to educate their service providers, friends and families. Think of your experience,” said Ippolito. “Trans people own experience educating people about cannot do this on our own. We need our your unique medical history. Now magnify allies to help us to ensure that our lives are safe and that we are not discriminated that experience in an emergency room, against.” trying to make an admissions clerk understand why the name on your Medicare card For more information about the Trans Health Conference, call 215-563-0652 or does not match your gender identity. Or visit www.trans-health.org. ■ explaining to an ER nurse which hormone therapy you are taking. Ed Bomba is communications chair of the Insurance coverage issues present LGBT Elder Initiative. The LGBTEI, headanother obstacle to care. Joe Ippolito, a quartered in Philadelphia, is dedicated to suppsychologist practicing in the Philadelphia porting and sustaining the lives of LGBT older area, cites the case of a transwoman in her adults. To comment on this column, suggest toplate 60s. “As a result of using estrogen for ics for future columns or for more information, many years, she began suffering severe visit www.lgbtei.org and watch for “Gettin’ On” pain in her testicles, which had never been each month in PGN.

Gettin’ On

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

ENDA gets committee hearing By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The long-stalled Employment NonDiscrimination Act will see a modicum of progress next month. ENDA, which would prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity nationally, will come up for a hearing before the Senate Health Education, Labor and Pensions Committee June 12. The hearing was announced a day after a push from a bipartisan group of senators that included Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Bob Casey. Casey, along with Sens. Jeff Merkley (DOre.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), issued a letter May 9 to the committee, calling for a hearing. “Employment discrimination has profound effects on the wages, job opportunities, productivity and health of LGBT workers,” they wrote. “ENDA takes a balanced approach to ending workplace discrimination against the LGBT community.” Merkley introduced the legislation last April, which now has 41 cosponsors. A House companion bill spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) has not moved out of committee. Some version of ENDA has been introduced in Congress in every session since 1994 except one. The House approved a version that did not include protections for

transgender individuals in 2007 but it failed to move forward in the Senate. If approved, ENDA would prohibit all employers with 15 or more staffers from discriminating against LGBTs in hiring, firing and promotion, although religious organizations are exempted. The Casey coalition noted that “while some states prohibit public and private employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, recent studies have found evidence of continued widespread employment discrimination against LGBT people. Sadly, it is still legal for businesses in many states to fire someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.” Pennsylvania is one of the states that permits LGBT employment discrimination, as an effort to instate a statewide ENDA has failed to advance for a number of years. In announcing the hearing, HELP committee chair Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) said that “every American deserves an equal opportunity to earn a good living, judged by their talent, ability and qualifications, free from discrimination. Workplace discrimination based on an employee’s sexual orientation or gender identity is reprehensible and has no place in our nation.” A witness list for the hearing has not yet been announced. The committee held a hearing on the bill in 2009 but took no action on the measure. ■

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Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the 6th Police District between April 29-May 13. 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). INCIDENTS — Between 9:30 p.m. April 29 and 9:30 a.m. April 30, someone entered a 2008 Jeep parked in the 800 block of Pine Street without any force and took a purse with cash. This report was received by the DPR Unit via phone, thus police were not dispatched. — Between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. May 3, someone entered a 2010 Mazda parked in the 1200 block of Sansom Street in an unknown manner and �� stole a laptop. This report was received by the DPR Unit via phone, thus police were not dispatched. — At 10:05 p.m. May 3, a man was seated outside Mercado Restaurant, 1216 Spruce St., when a male ran past and grabbed his iPhone from the table and fled south on Camac Street. The suspect was described as a black male, 27 years old, 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, with short hair and wearing a blue/green shirt and checkered backpack. — Between 4-10:30 a.m. May 4, someone smashed the window of a 1996 Honda parked in the 1200 block of Pine Street and stole cash and an iPhone. This report was received by the DPR Unit via phone, thus police were not dispatched. — At 6:45 p.m. May 5 (reported 7:20 p.m. to SEPTA police), a woman was in the SEPTA concourse, 1300 Market St., when a male ordered her to give him her money; she complied. The suspect was described as a black male, 22-25 years old, 5-foot-8, with a thin build and wearing a white T-shirt and black hoodie. — At 1:20 a.m. May 7, a security officer making rounds found a door to an office inside 1315 Walnut St. kicked in; nothing was reported missing. Central Detective Division checked the scene for evidence. — Between 6-10 p.m. May 7, a secured bicycle was stolen from outside 263 S. Ninth St. — At 1:15 p.m. May 9, a woman’s handbag was snatched while she was walking in the 400 block of South Eighth Street. The suspect fled east on Clinton and was described as a black male in his late 30s, 5foot-7, 200 pounds, with facial stubble and wearing a blue hoodie and black jeans. — Between 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. May 12, someone entered an unlocked dormitory room of the Art Institute, 1346 Chestnut St., forced open a bedroom door and stole two laptops. Sixth District Officer Maiorano attempted to lift fingerprints. — At 3:20 a.m. May 13, a woman was at the pay station inside the parking garage at 1201 Walnut St. when a male snatched money from her hand and fled. The suspect was described as a black male, 5-foot10 to 6-foot, with a medium build and light complexion and wearing a red Phillies cap and a Phillies jersey. NON-SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 1:30 p.m. May 1, members of the City Wide Vice Unit arrested a female inside the massage parlor at 202 S. Quince St. for prostitution. — At 11 p.m. May 2, a man’s laptop was taken while he was sitting at a bar at 1100 Sansom St. At 2:35 p.m. May 3, police stopped a male in the 300 block of South Broad Street when he contacted the complainant and attempted to sell back the laptop. The 38-year-old suspect with a local homeless-shelter address was charged with theft and related offenses. — At 9:40 p.m. May 5, 6th District bike patrol Officers DeLuca and Keenan were called to a disturbance inside a room at the Parker Spruce Hotel, 261 S. 13th St. Inside, they encountered a male who was found to be in possession of over 150 prescription narcotic pills. The 23-yearold suspect with a South Philadelphia address was charged with possession with intent to distribute narcotics. — At 10:55 a.m. May 7, a man was in the 900 block of Walnut Street when he was attacked by a demented male with a stick. The victim suffered minor injuries and the male was apprehended by 6th District Officers Grier and Sweeney. The 51-year-old homeless PAGE 20

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

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suspect was charged with aggravated assault and related offenses. — At 9:40 p.m. May 8, 6th District Officer Cary responded to a call in the 1300 block of Walnut Street, where a woman with a bloodied face was encountered. The victim reported that her boyfriend bit her face during an argument. The 49-year-old suspect with an Overbrook address was charged with domestic assault. — At 11:35 p.m. May 8, 6th District Officers Butler and Burrell arrested a male wanted on a bench warrant for failure to appear for court, outside 1300 Locust St. The 46-year-old suspect with a local homeless-shelter address was charged with contempt of court. — At 2:25 a.m. May 9, 6th District Officers McCauley and Haberle responded to a call at 1001 Sansom St. Two occupants of a parked vehicle were investigated and a vial of marijuana was found in a female’s possession. The 24-year-old suspect with a North Philadelphia address was charged with possession of marijuana. — On May 9, to address iPhone and laptop thefts in the area, 6th District plainclothes Officers Ferrero and Blackburn set up a surveillance at 1211 Walnut St. At 3:45 p.m., a male took a laptop and iPhone from the outdoor table and started to walk away. The 32-year-old suspect with a Northeast Philadelphia address was charged with theft. — At 12:35 p.m. May 12, 6th District Sergeant Dandridge arrested a male wanted on a bench warrant for failure to appear for court outside 1001 Market St. The 34-year-old suspect with a Northeast Philadelphia address was charged with contempt of court. — At 1:30 p.m. May 12, 6th District Officer Sweeney arrested a male wanted on a bench warrant for failure to appear for court, outside 1216 Chestnut St. The 66-year-old suspect with a local homeless-shelter address was charged with contempt of court. ■ PROTEST from page 1

ories of sports competition can be sparse or worse, filled with shame and trauma,” Courage International’s website describes, terming those feelings the “Sports Wound.” The weekend will offer sports such as softball, football, basketball and soccer for an “exhilarating, experiential weekend for men desiring to learn how to play team sports with encouragement, coaching and an abundance of Christian fellowship,” allowing participants to ”physically compete on the field while enriching their souls through a daily regimen of prayer, confessions, Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours.” Activists from Peace Advocacy Network, however, are crying foul. “The American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association and many other professional mental-health organizations have said not only that conversion therapy doesn’t work but that it can be psychologically damaging,” said Ed Coffin, PAN outreach coordinator. “When you’re trying to convert something that can’t be converted, it’s going to have consequences. They’re working to make people feel shameful about what they call a ‘gay lifestyle’ and it’s something that we know can’t be changed.” PAN issued an open letter to Courage last week, referencing statistics on the effects of conversion therapy and the misinformation disseminated on the

organization’s website — such as assertions that same-sex sexual encounters can lead to “fatal” injuries and decades-old data on HIV/AIDS. The agency had not responded to the letter as of presstime. PAN, a Philadelphia-based agency that promotes peace through advocacy on a variety of issues, including LGBT rights, pledged in its letter to Courage executive director Rev. Paul Check, to have its own presence at the Sports Camp. Protestors will be on hand from 4-6 p.m. May 24 at the corner of Wynnewood and City avenues. While Coffin said he doesn’t expect the demonstration to change the direction of Courage International, he hopes it can enhance the pushback from LGBTs and allies against conversion-therapy efforts. “We want to make ourselves really visible,” he said. “It’s the Thursday before Memorial Day at rush hour at a really big intersection, so at the very least we’ll have thousands of people driving by who’ll see what we’re protesting and realize that something wrong is going on here. Overall we want people to see that this isn’t something that just happens in the South or the Midwest, but that it’s going on right here in Philadelphia.” For more information or to participate in the protest, email ed@peaceadvocacynetwork.org or visit tiny.url.com/couragesucks for more information. ■

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Bal imore welcomes your family wi h pride. There are so many surprises for families in Baltimore, even the most energetic kids have a hard time keeping up. You can take them to the dolphin show and the new jellyfish exhibit at the National Aquarium. Then explore dinosaurs at the Maryland Science Center. If they’re not too tuckered out, they can meet the polar bears at the Maryland Zoo, climb a three-story tree house at Port Discovery Children’s Museum, get up close and personal with pop culture icons at Geppi’s Entertainment Museum or ride the rails at the B&O Railroad Museum. To receive your free Baltimore LGBT Visitor Guide call 1-877-Bal imore or visit Bal imore.org /lgb .

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

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the president’s successful LGBT record, which includes the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and an array of federal LGBT policy changes. “He’s done more for the LGBT community than any other president has done, so I think people need to stop worrying about if he should have done this sooner,” Carson said. “He’s done so much for our community on top of having to deal with the economy, which is the biggest issue that the majority of Americans care about. He has a lot of major issues to be dealing with, so I’m fine with the timing of this.” Issues such as the economy may alleviate any potential negative impact the president’s support could have on conservative Pennsylvania voters, said Equality PA executive director Ted Martin. “This isn’t the only issue Pennsylvania voters are going to vote on,” Martin said. “If anything, this may just make a close election a little closer.” Obama supporters are hoping to counter any loss of votes with a renewed vigor among LGBTs and allies. Carson said he’s eager for the announcement to sway apathetic leftleaning voters to the polls for Obama in November. “I hope that people who were on the fence about him, particularly LGBT communities, will be energized,” he said. “No matter how you feel about President Obama, what’s the alternative, Mitt Romney? It’s not necessarily a matter of people voting for Romney, but rather the fear that people just won’t vote at all. With the new voter-ID law going into effect, the president can’t afford to have eligible voters sit out.” Obama’s announcement was met with a tempered response from many Republican leaders, such as presumptive Republican presidential nominee Romney, who reaffirmed that he was opposed to same-sex marriage but called the issue “a very tender and sensitive topic.” Jim Burn, chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, said in a statement to PGN that Obama’s decision highlights the antigay record of Romney — who opposes marriage equality and civil unions and is in favor of a federal constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. “Americans who are in loving, committed relationships should be treated equally under the law,” Burn said. “While the president is standing up for the rights of Americans, Mitt Romney would roll back important protections for Americans. The positions of the president and Mitt Romney stand in stark contrast: The president wants to treat all Americans equally; Mitt Romney wants to deny equal rights for Americans.” Martin said he hopes the president’s support will help “drag Pennsylvania’s Republican Party more toward the middle.” “He is the president of the United States, so regardless of your party, this has to make people who oppose marriage equality stop and think,” Martin said. David Freed, Republican nominee for Pennsylvania Attorney General, said last week when asked by a reporter about a potential constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in the state, that the Attorney General should not be involved in “policy debates,” but said he would instead evaluate the constitutionality of whatever measure the legislature passes. Conversely, the state’s Democratic nominee for Attorney General, Kathleen Kane, issued a statement applauding the president for his “strong stand on marriage equality for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation,” pledging to “vigilantly protect the rights of all Pennsylvania citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation.” Leach acknowledged that the president’s support will not be an immediate impetus for the approval of his marriage bill. “It’s going to take a while,” he said. “Pennsylvania is an outlier in terms of social issues. If you look at the rest of the Northeast — in terms of not just marriage equality, but antidiscrimination, hate-crimes protections — we are really out of step with the rest of the region. I hope we’re now one day closer to bringing basic human-rights protections to every citizen, but Pennsylvania will not be an easy nut to crack and I think we are going to be lagging a bit longer.” While tangible LGBT progress may still elude Pennsylvania, Martin said that last week’s development was effective in opening dialogue about both marriage equality and the other rights denied to LGBT Pennsylvanians. “In all of the conversations I’ve had in the last week about this, I have been able to highlight just how badly Pennsylvania protects its LGBT citizens,” he said. “People will ask me about marriage, and I have to remind them that you can still be fired or evicted in Pennsylvania for being gay and that we have no hate-crimes protections.” ■

NEWS PGN

International Castro’s daughter leads gay-rights march The daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro said during a rousing gay-rights march May 12 that her father advocated eliminating sexual discrimination, and reiterated her own hope that the country would soon legalize same-sex marriage. Mariela Castro, a noted gay-rights advocate and head of Cuba’s National Center for Sex Education, also repeated her praise for U.S. President Barack Obama’s public remarks in favor of same-sex marriage, saying the American leader’s words “have great value because of the influence they might have” on others. Still, she said Obama needed to back his words with action. While the U.S. president voiced support for same-sex marriage, there were no plans in the U.S. to get behind federal legislation to mandate states to recognize such unions. Castro’s comments came during a colorful march by 400 advocates through the sweltering streets of the capital. The event is linked to the International Day Against Homophobia on May 17. Participants, MADAM from page 1

connection with the injection of silicone into the buttocks of a 23-year-old woman earlier this year. The woman was later hospitalized with respiratory difficulty. The woman, who works as an exotic dancer, was among witnesses who testified Wednesday, telling the court that she paid Windslowe $1,000 for an injection of silicone. Windslowe kept the material in a water bottle and closed the injection site with Krazy Glue, the woman testified. The woman’s doctor also took the stand this week to testify that he found traces of silicone in his patient’s lungs. She was hos-

including transgender people, sang and danced in a conga line. Castro has predicted for years that Cuba’s parliament was on the verge of legalizing gay marriage, but it has yet to happen. She said she hoped legislators would finally follow through when they next meet in July. Castro said her father had voiced support for the measure privately several times, and indicated he was working behind the scenes in support of a reform of the island’s family law. In the early years after Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution, homosexuality was considered highly suspect, along with other “alternative” forms of expression. Many gays were fired from government jobs, jailed, sent to work camps or left for exile. Fidel Castro later apologized for the discrimination, saying his past views on homosexuality were wrong, and a product of the times.

Costa Rican VPs endorse equal rights The vice presidents of Costa Rica, Alfio Piva and Luis Liberman, said in an interview that gay couples deserve the same rights as heterosexuals, though they stopped short of endorsing marriage equality. The two men also opposed adoption rights, but said gay people should have the same rights on inheritance, social security and loan applications. President Laura Chinchilla has not commented on the issue, merely saying that it wasn’t a priority for pitalized for several weeks after the incident. Police believe Windslowe is also responsible for the buttocks injection of a 20year-old British woman who died after her procedure last year. No charges have been filed yet in that case. Windslowe is suspected of performing at least a dozen other similar procedures in recent months. She has been in custody since March. She was originally held on $10 million bail but that was lowered to $750,000 last month. She has not yet been able to post the bail. A trial date was not immediately set. ■

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the government. However, a gay- and trans-rights group, Centre for Research and Promotion of Human Rights in Central America, has introduced a constitutional motion to bring forth marriage equality, as Article 14 of the Family Code forbids it. Two years ago, the country’s constitutional court blocked a referendum that would have allowed voters to decide on civil partnerships for gay couples. This contrasts with countries like Uruguay and Colombia, where civil unions are legal. Costa Rica has marked International Day Against Homophobia on May 17 since 2008.

Argentinia leads with new gender ID law Activists say Argentina now leads the world in transgender rights after giving people the freedom to change their legal and physical gender identity simply because they want to, without having to undergo judicial, psychiatric and medical procedures beforehand. The gender-identity law that won congressional approval with a 55-0 Senate vote May 9 is the latest in a growing list of bold moves on social issues by the Argentine government, which also legalized gay marriage two years ago. These changes primarily affect minority groups, but they are fundamental, President Cristina Fernandez has said, for a democratic society still shak-

ing off the human-rights violations of the 1976-83 dictatorship and the paternalism of the Roman Catholic Church. Activists and academics who have tracked gender-identity laws and customs worldwide said May 10 that no other country has gone so far to embrace gender selfdetermination. In the United States and Europe, transgender people must submit to physical and mental-health exams and get past a series of other hurdles before getting sex-change treatments. Argentina’s law also is the first to give citizens the right to change their legal gender without first changing their bodies, said Justus Eisfeld, co-director of Global Action for Trans Equality in New York. “The fact that there are no medical requirements at all — no surgery, no hormone treatment and no diagnosis — is a real game changer and completely unique in the world. It is light years ahead of the vast majority of countries, including the U.S., and significantly ahead of even the most advanced countries,” said Eisfeld, who researched the laws of the 47 countries for the Council of Europe’s human-rights commission.

After killing, Chile OKs hate-crime law In the wake of a national outcry over the homophobic killing of a young man, the Chilean Congress has approved an antidisPAGE 26 crimination bill that out-

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

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laws discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, gender and/or sexual orientation. The bill had languished in Congress for over seven years, but was finally fast-tracked to approval by President Sebastian Pinera, and it cleared its final hurdle with a 25-3 vote in the Senate. The killing of a gay man, Daniel Zamudio, earlier this year by a neo-Nazi group provoked a national soul-searching in Chile, where the antidiscrimination bill had previously been prevented from being passed by religious groups who contended that it would constitute the first step toward “gay marriage.” Sen. Alberto Espina said in a statement: “It’s an enormous culture change for our country ... Chile is a country that discriminates a lot for being [indigenous] Mapuche, for being gay, for your nationality, for having disabilities. We have to acknowledge this and not sweep it under the carpet.” Zamudio was attacked on March 3, and sustained severe head injuries and a broken leg. His body was covered in cigarette burns and in-carved Swastika symbols. He died after being in a coma for three weeks, and thousands attended his funeral in Santiago. FourAttorney-at-Law men have been arrested and prosecutors reportedly will press for murder�� charges.

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�� The gay partner of a deceased Catholic priest has been told he is allowed to have his lover’s pension, despite the cleric’s vow of�� chas�� tity. The Constitutional Court of Colombia found in favor of the partner, who lived with the priest for 28 years before his death in 2009, in a landmark ruling, unprecedented in the history of Colombia and possibly Latin America. The ruling ordering the Colombian Institute of Social Security to award pension rights is particularly significant given that the majority of the country still identifies as Catholic. The Constitutional Court dismissed the first two rulings, which accepted the argument of the ISS that the deceased was a sworn Catholic priest who took a vow of chastity and therefore benefits should be denied, as he broke this vow. Instead the court ruled that for all legal intent and purposes, samesex couples constitute a family. It also stated that Colombia is a secular state and civil servants (including the ISS and judges) must exercise the principle of “religious neutrality” in their judgments. It is understood that the ruling would have applied equally regardless of whether the priest’s partner had been male or female.

Gay men to be hanged in Iran �� Four men have been sentenced to death for sodomy in the Iranian �� town of Choram, in the relatively remote and undeveloped Kohgiluyeh �� and Boyer-Ahmad Province. Saadat Arefi, Vahid Akbari, Javid Akbari and Houshmand Akbari �� are due to be executed soon, according to a report from the Human �� Rights Activist News Agency in Iran. ��

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The men will be hanged for sodomy according to strict interpretation of Sharia law. The location of the trial and the speed with which the punishment is expected to be meted out reportedly makes it unlikely that international organizations will be able to intervene on the men’s behalf. A gay activist based in Iran said that “being gay is not a crime based on Iranian criminal law, but this is the most clear statement against same-sex acts in past months.” Mehri Jafari, a London-based Iranian human-rights lawyer, said he was “horrified and saddened to have heard the news about these four men. Not only with regard to the execution, which is about to take place, but the fact that is beyond our control.” Activists in Iran say that at least five other men have been hanged for homosexuality this year in the country, though the reason for the punishment of some men was not identified to international humanrights watchers. ■ — compiled by Larry Nichols

AC ul t ure rts

PGN FEATURE

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

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Bulletin Board Family Portrait Get Out and Play Out & About Outward Bound Scene in Philly Q Puzzle Worth Watching

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Stage and television star to perform in Philadelphia By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Bebe Neuwirth’s impact on the stage and on television is undeniable: The award-winning actor and dancer has left her mark on iconic TV roles on “Cheers” and “Frasier” as well as blockbuster Broadway stage productions “Chicago,” “A Chorus Line” and “The Addams Family.” Fans of her work are about to witness an upclose and personal side of Neuwirth when she takes the stage for her first-ever solo appearance in Philadelphia, May 23 at the Prince Music Theater. Backed by a piano player, Neuwirth will perform songs by Stephen Sondheim, Edith Piaf, Tom Waits, Irving Berlin and Kander & Ebb. Neuwirth spoke to PGN about her remarkable and multifaceted career and what it’s like to perform without the usual large cast of characters surrounding her. PGN: When you’re accustomed to being part of a big production, whether on TV or on stage, is it less pressure for you as a performer to do these more-intimate cabaret shows? BN: It’s very different from being in a show with a bunch of other people and a costume and a story to tell. It’s a very different performance experience. It’s a different pressure. I don’t know if it’s more or less. It’s just two of us on the stage. That’s kind of strange and I am used to dancing in a group or being with a lot of people so it feels very different. I don’t want to say it’s more pressure because I’ll

get nervous. It’s just different. PGN: When selecting the songs, do you like to stay closer to a repertoire that your fans would expect from you or do you like to surprise them with songs they aren’t expecting? BN: Well, I don’t know what the fans expect. So I find the best thing to do is, with my music partner, Scott Cady, create the show that we are interested in doing and feel that we want to do. Our show is called “Stories with Piano #3.” Almost all the songs are story songs. It’s really what is right for the show and like I said I don’t know what people are expecting. I can’t second-guess them. PGN: Who are some of your favorite singers and/ or songwriters? BN: Songwriters are Kurt Weill, Tom Waits, John Kander and Fred Ebb. And I do a lot of their songs. I used to do symphony shows that were just Kurt Weill and Kander and Ebb. In this piano show, we’ve incorporated a lot of their songs. Personally I listen to rock ’n’ roll. But to perform, I love to perform Weill, Kander and Ebb and Waits. PGN: Do you think the influence of rock music is growing in the world of theater? BN: I think it’s always been there. There’s always been at least one show every season for as long as I remember that has something from popular music. Like “Smokey Joe’s” or “Jersey Boys,” there’s always something that comes from that world. Not so much from the music that I listen to. I listen to classic rock ’n’ roll.

FEATURE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

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PGN: So, will you be breaking out some Led Zeppelin at your show? BN: No. I’m not going to sing Led Zeppelin or Jethro Tull. I used to sing some Beatles. No, I’m not going to do that because I’m not really good at that. Not Led Zeppelin. I would love to be able to sing like that. I am on Dee Snider’s new album, “Dee Does Broadway,” and I do a duet with him. He’s taken all these Broadway songs and put rock orchestration and arrangements on them.

how come he offered me that part and he said, “Well, I saw you on ‘Cheers.’” And I said, “But this part is nothing like that part.” He said, “I know but I saw that you were funny and that you were a good actress.” So there were directors out there who could see my work and say she’s good at what she does. But there were some roles that came my way just because, “Oh, she does that. Let’s get her to do that.” There were many parts that I turned down like that.

PGN: The roles you have played have run the gamut from comedy and musicals to drama. Is there a specific kind of role that you prefer over the others? BN: No, I don’t think so. I like a role that when I read it and play there’s something that tickles me or moves me on a deep level. And I’ve had the good fortune to play a lot of those. They make me laugh, like that person just cracks me up, or I am moved by the passage that that person goes through in their life. Good writing is really what I’m attracted to.

PGN: Who has been your favorite character to play? BN: Oh, I can’t answer that. I’ve gotten to play so many great parts. Can I give you five? Velma [Kelly in “Chicago”], Anita in “West Side Story,” Sheila in “A Chorus Line,” Cassie in “A Chorus Line” and right now Titania in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Oh, and then I have to say Katherina in “The Taming of the Shrew” also.

PGN: Has your work on TV had a huge impact on your stage career? BN: Well, there’s no secret that it’s a helpful thing. Working in theater now is to be recognized in another medium that gets a bigger audience. You could do a show on Broadway for a year and the number of people that will see you is fractional compared to the number of people who will see you in one episode of a television show. The trend, and it’s been going on for a couple of decades now, is to bring people from larger-audience media to the stage. At the box office people go, “Oh, I know that person from that show. Let’s go see that.” I was doing Broadway shows. I had done “Sweet Charity” before I did any television. When the opportunity to do it came, television was not something that I had thought about and all of a sudden I had to think about it when the opportunity to do “Cheers” came. I thought, It seems like that’s what’s happening now and this is the best show on television and this is a spectacular part. So, OK I’ll do it. That was the decision process for taking the role of Lilith and I am sure that that’s made things easier for me when I came back to Broadway. I’m sure that that was helpful. PGN: Are there any drawbacks from being so famous for the work you do on television? BN: None that I can think of. There were a lot of roles that I turned down during and after “Cheers” — film parts mostly because I didn’t want to get stereotyped into the person that only does that kind of part. Of course no one has ever written a role exactly like Lilith but there were a lot of parts that I could see that I was being offered because of the work on “Cheers” — just roles that I thought aren’t going to help me be seen as someone who can do anything. But then I got a part in a movie that Barry Levinson directed and I asked him

PGN: Do you ever see yourself working more behind the scenes, writing and producing shows? BN: Not writing or producing but I’m very interested in directing. I find that I see things and I’m interested in coaching. The step beyond coaching is directing. I do see myself starting to think in those terms as a director. That’s in the future. PGN: Beyond these cabaret performances, what other projects and productions are in your future? BN: I have my first solo CD out, “Porcelain,” and I’d like to do more of those. That album has a lot of the songs I do in “Stories with Piano” plus others. I’d like to do some more Shakespeare. But my plans so far are I have a few more concerts, then I’m going to see my nephew’s bar mitzvah. PGN: Do you think the success of TV shows such as “Glee” and “Smash” are getting more people interested in theater and/or Broadway? BN: I think it will bring more people to actual theaters. I think that is a very exciting prospect. Without the audience, we’re just rehearsing. The audience is the other part of the show. They are the other element. They are a collaborator. If people are enjoying these television shows, once they get inside a theater they will find a much more visceral experience of that. The experience they have watching television will now be enhanced because they will actually be part of the event and I’m very excited for them for that prospect. As to how these television shows happened or what generated that, I have no idea. That is something that happened in the world of television. ■ Bebe Neuwirth performs to benefit The Gershman Y, 8 p.m. May 23 at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St. For more information or tickets, visit www.gershmanY.org.

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

Suzi Nash

Michael Gardner: (Miss) Pumpkin, peacocks and Pride Sometimes it’s easy to forget how close New Hope is and what a wonderful mini vacation it can be. Set along the banks of the scenic Delaware River, progressive New Hope offers unique shopping, delightful restaurants, great music, quaint houses, a contemporary art scene and thriving nightlife. The New Hope Borough Council is also recognized as among the earliest municipalities in the state to pass an antidiscrimination law, as well as a resolution in favor of same-sex marriages. Each year, New Hope Celebrates reminds me what a treasure we have just up the road. Michael Gardner, aka Miss Pumpkin, has become synonymous with New Hope. A staff member at The Raven, Gardner is especially known for his charity work as Miss Pumpkin on behalf of groups as wideranging as the New Orleans’ Belle Reve residential treatment center for victims of AIDS, the New Hope Library, the New Hope-Solebury High School’s Diversity Committee, LifeTies and, of course, New Hope Celebrates. PGN: You do so much for the area; are you from here? MG: Yes, I was born and raised in Bucks County, just north of New Hope. PGN: An only child? MG: No, I have twin sisters and a stepbrother and two stepsisters, so we were kind of like the Brady Bunch from hell. At least that’s what we called ourselves. PGN: What twin tricks did your sisters pull? MG: Ha! They were constantly doing things. My mother dressed them alike except for different-color barrettes. So anytime there was any kind of giveaway, they would switch their barrettes and pretend they were the other twin to hit up the person again for money, gifts, whatever. PGN: So what was growing up like? MG: We had a beautiful farm so it was a great place to grow up. We had horses and a whole bunch of animals. Luckily a lot of our neighbors were interesting enough that we didn’t get bored even though it was rural. Our neighbors were in the theater and in the fashion industry, so they were cool people to have around us. PGN: Who was a favorite character in the neighborhood? MG: Oh gosh, so many. Well, one couple who were like our surrogate parents ran Elite modeling agency in New York, so they always had fun people around. I was good friends with a lot of supermodels in the ’80s. One of them, Kelly Emberg, was dating Rod Stewart at the time, so I got to hang around them and go to his concerts for free, which was wonderful.

PGN: What did the parents do? MG: My father was career Air Force and my mother was a homemaker/artist. PGN: What did you want to be when you grew up? MG: An actor ... hence Miss Pumpkin. She’s my outlet. PGN: What was life like on the farm? MG: It was great. We had a little vineyard and an apple orchard and a chestnut grove, we had pet horses, chickens, sheep, goats, a pet peacock. The peacock was hysterical because he didn’t have a mate, so he’d always try to hump the chickens! PGN: What’s a beautiful childhood memory? MG: Summers with my grandparents. We’d either go crabbing at the Jersey shore or spend time with my other grandparents on the Delaware River along the canal going boating and stuff. PGN: Where did you go to school? MG: I went to a local community college and through that went into restaurant management and got a chef apprenticeship, which allowed me to travel to England and France for six months. That was an amazing experience. And I’m still working in the restaurant business today. PGN: What is your current job? MG: I’ve worked at The Raven as a waiter and bartender for the last 23 years. I sometimes come up with the specials too. PGN: I bet you’ve seen a lot of interesting people over the years. MG: Oh, yes. Two of my favorites were [Academy Award-winners] Patricia Neal and Celeste Holm. They stayed at the B&B next door so I got to cook breakfast for them and they hung out in the Oak Room and sang songs around the piano. They were two interesting ladies. PGN: What makes New Hope so special? MG: The area was originally settled by Quakers and I think their “Live and let live” mindset still echoes in the hearts of everyone who lives here. You know, people don’t care what color your skin is or who you sleep with or what church you go to. It’s more, Are you interesting and what can you bring to the table? People will bring their children to our drag shows, and our Pride parade is not just about gay pride: It’s community pride and everyone gets involved. I have as many straight people helping me build our float as I do gay people. Everyone pitches in and everyone watches out for each other. It’s wonderful. The minute someone is in need, there’s a benefit being organized. PGN: When I looked up your name,

almost every reference was attached to some sort of fundraiser. MG: [Laughs.] Oh yeah, they call me the queen of the benefits. PGN: Any personal hobbies? MG: I faux paint, I garden, I love to cook. I got the artistic gene from my mother. PGN: Tell me about your home. MG: I live in a very cute place. It was built as a girls’ school back in the 1800s. It’s a stone building right on Bridge Street. I just moved there a year ago, so I’m working on making the backyard look pretty. PGN: What’s your most unusual item? MG: Oh God, I have an “I Dream of Jeannie” bottle on my nightstand! Exactly like the one Barbara Eden used in the show. PGN: What’s a favorite outfit of yours? MG: Ah, Miss Pumpkin. This last Halloween I did a circus theme. I came as

1900s. He had a dog and pony act in the Paw-Paw circus, which was purchased by Ringling Brothers. He toured nationally for many years. I have a lot of circus memorabilia. PGN: It sounds like a fun family. MG: It sure is. There are a lot of us and last year we celebrated our centennial family reunion. Our first ancestors landed in the area in the 1750s. We’ve had continuous reunions for over 100 years. We even got a citation from the White House. PGN: So, when did you come out? MG: Well, growing up, I tried the dating scene with women and it just didn’t quite work out. I knew I was always attracted to guys, but wasn’t sure. I guess I was a late bloomer. I didn’t come out until college. Growing up, in the New Hope area, it was always around, and eventually after hanging out you’d find yourself at The Raven or the Cartwheel or the Prelude and finally say, “OK, this is where I belong.” PGN: How did Miss Pumpkin come about? MG: Monday nights at the Cartwheel were always the big night out. The drag shows looked like so much fun and the people out that night were the most fun people I’d ever seen. I got friendly with some of them and, one year at Mardi Gras, someone lent me a wig and a dress. And so Ms. Pumpkin was born. She’s a Mardi Gras baby. Now I do a Mardi Gras show each year and donate the proceeds to an AIDS hospice in New Orleans.

PGN: A favorite Miss P moment? MG: One time we were in New Orleans at a bar and they played the “Xanadu” video. All the bartenders jumped on the bar wearing roller skates and twirled their napkins in the air. It was hysterical, it was Photo: Ryan Fuller a whole three-ring circus. We built a bedlam and all my friends giant tent with my head sticking out of were like, “Oh my God, the top of the tent. And I once dressed as a you have to do this number” and I said, giant pumpkin. The bodice was green with “Oh no, I can’t roller skate,” which they a giant orange hoop skirt lit from beneath decided would make it even funnier. So so I looked like a giant jack-o-lantern. it’s now my signature number. And I still can’t roller skate so when I come out the PGN: Fun! I used to be the co-host on announcer says, “Ladies and gentlemen, “The Bozo Show,” so the circus is near and assume the crash position. Here she comes. dear to me. Remember, if she falls, just pick her back MG: Really? That’s cool. My great-greatup.” Last time I did it I came in so fast I crashed and landed grandfather had a circus act in the early PAGE 34

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

Celebrating and honoring individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the LGBTI community.

Date: Sunday, June 3, 2012 Time: Noon-3pm Location: 120 South 17th Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

To purchase sponsorships, tickets, or for more information visit www.dvlf.org or call 215.563.6417, ext. 117 The Delaware Valley Legacy Fund strives to increase philanthropy & grantmaking to support the community needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex (LGBTI) and straight-allied communities. DVLF advances philanthropy for the LGBTI community through endowment building, fundraising, community outreach and education.

presents

N.Y. Export: Opus Jazz West Side Story choreographer Jerome Robbins’ “ballet in sneakers” with Barber Violin Concerto & Beside them, they dwell W O R L D P R E M I E R E B Y M AT T H E W N E E N A N

Soloist Jermel Johnson | Photo: Dom Savini

May 31–June 3 Merriam Theater

The nation’s oldest, continuously operating LGBT bookstore.

A Reading from DIVINING DIVAS May 20 at 5:30 p.m. Hear Divining Divas contributors read about their Divas: CA Conrad (Emily Dickinson), Paul Lisicky (Joni Mitchell), Brian Teare (Virginia Woolf), Jeffery Conway (Mary J. Blige), Joel Allegretti (The Beales of Grey Gardens), Dean Kostos (Miss Havisham), Mike Albo (Natalie Merchant) and editor Michael Montlack (Stevie Nicks).

Divining Divas: 100 Gay Poets on the Women Who Inspire Them By Michael Montlack ($25.00, Published: Lethe Press, 4/2012)

3 million eBooks available at www.queerbooks.com

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TRAVEL PGN

Outward Bound

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

Jeff Guaracino

Great deals for summer adventures Have you made your summer travel plans yet? Here are my favorite deals in some of the most popular summer travel destinations.

10. The weekend’s activities include a Summer Camp Underwear Party at Twist, a School’s Out T-Dance at Palace and free admission with a drink at Score. The fashionable hotel on Collins Avenue is a quick walk to the gay beach and these gay bars. For more information and to book your package, visit www.lordsouthbeach.com.

The OUT NYC The new luxurious OUT NYC is the Big Apple’s newest hotel built for our community. This Hell’s Kitchen hotel and resort is a great value, super stylish and has among the friendliest staff in Manhattan. The rooms are comfortable with either a quiet courtyard or city view. Each room is equipped with the latest in-room entertainment system that makes surfing the web, watching movies and ordering room service easy. An on-site restaurant will open soon. There are a few greatvalue hotel packages that will save you lots of money. The “Play and Stay” hotel package is for one or more nights and includes VIP access to XL Nightclub, two drinks at XL (a good value because even beers are expensive), complimentary breakfast for two and free Wi-Fi. Once you make the reservation, it’s non-refundable and taxes and tips are not included. To book, go to www.theoutnyc.com. Another hotel package is “Served With Pride.” Available year round, this package for our armed forces debuts at OUT NYC during New York’s famed Fleet Week, May 23-30. If you have military ID, you get 30 percent off the best available rate (that’s huge!) and a “Served With Pride” tank top or T-shirt. For information on events during Fleet Week New York, visit www.fleetweeknewyork.com. Located on the first floor of the hotel is the XL Nightclub, Cabaret and Lounge (www.xlnightclub.com). XL has nightly entertainment (except Tuesdays). Bunny and Bianca’s “Hot Mess” drag show is a Wednesday-night must-do, while weekends are dedicated to some of the world’s best DJs.

(www.grandviewinn.com). The name says it all. The views from this historic property are amazing. This B&B is perfect for a group of friends who don’t want to rent a house but prefer to stay together. There are great gathering spaces in this B&B, from the sundeck to the living room. Even in summer, the daily rates are well under $200 per night. Of note, only one room offers a private bath; all other rooms have a shared bath. ■

Lords South Beach, Miami South Beach is a great value off-season. The Lords South Beach Hotel is celebrating the end of the college season with a School’s Out College Weekend June 8-

Jeff Guaracino is the vice-chair of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association and author of “Gay and Lesbian Tourism: The Essential Guide for Marketing.”

Grand View Inn, Provincetown Romantic P-Town, Mass., is a perfect getaway in June. The season really kicks off July 4th weekend, but the weekends in June are busy and yet not packed. The restaurants are full but it’s not impossible to get a reservation and there are great deals still to be found at the B&Bs. One great find is the Grand View Inn, Provincetown

GRAND VIEW INN, PROVINCETOWN

OUT NYC

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News M A K E S

H I S T O R Y

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

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

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

• • •

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

• •

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

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

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

Q Puzzle Circular Thinking Across

1. Greek triangle 6. Hotel in “Bobby” 16. Farewell to fifty million Frenchmen 17. Problem for a fluffer? 18. Center 19. Cries over spilt milk, so to speak 20. Trattoria topping 21. Just out 22. The whole shebang 23. Went down, on the beach 25. Part of RSVP 26. Writer’s deg. 29. Reef buildup 31. Brainiac 33. “Atlas Shrugged” author Rand 34. Newsman

Greeley 37. They may be split 38. Locale of the event that appears in the circles 42. Get in the sack 43. Lisa’s “Friends” role 44. “Beauty and the Beast” film frame 45. Service volunteer 48. Plumed bird 50. Tchaikovsky’s fifth 51. Big load 52 Uninvited pool guests? 54. Rep. foe 55. Carnaval locale 56. Peter the Great, and more 60. Some telescopes 64. Master’s demand for oral sex 65. “La Dolce Vita” actress

66. Tickle pink 67. Rural holdings 68. Hardtop Down 1. Showing excitement 2. Falco of “Nurse Jackie” 3. Jar tops 4. It takes testees to do his job 5. Austrian expressway 6. How two hearts may beat 7. Used a U-Haul 8. Suds 9. Atmospheric prefix 10. Muscle problem 11. South Beach souvenirs 12. Asian inland sea 13. “The Times of Harvey Milk,” for

short 14. Morsel for a mare 15. ACLU concerns 24. Pleasure orally 25. Holey utensil 26. One ready to shoot off a gun, e.g. 27. Act guilty, perhaps 28. Gay porn director Rainier 29. He loved Roxane 30. “At Swim, Two Boys” writer Jamie 31. Rubber stamp 32. Business card no. 33. Endora portrayer 35. What fruits do while preparing to get plucked 36. BenGay target 39. Giant ball-handler Manning 40. Panhandler’s

confession? 41. Will subjects 46. Big pieces of meat 47. Alley prowler 49. Used car transaction 52. “Will & Grace” first did this in 1998 53. Goes down in defeat 54. Beat the skins 55. Caesar’s city 57. Slightly 58. ___ Mae Brown 59. Tommy’s gun 60. British flyers 61. Old Spanish queen 62. Pro 63. Fashion accessory for a butch lesbian PAGE 37

Gay is our middle name. PORTRAIT from page 29

on my tailbone. Luckily, I landed right in front of my chiropractor, who leaned down and said, “I can see you tomorrow at 11.” He forbade me from wearing roller skates again, so we might have to switch to a Segway. PGN: Tell me a little about Michael. MG: I love my charity work. It gives me great pleasure. A friend of mine runs LifeTies, which is an organization that runs Rainbow House, a home for children with HIV/AIDS. I’ve volunteered with them for about 15 years. Every Christmas, I get a wish list and make sure that Santa gets the kids what they want. A few years ago they opened Triad House, the only group home in New Jersey for homeless LGBT youth, and I got a bunch of designer friends to each design a room for them. A few weeks ago I got a citation from Mercer County for my charity work. It was really nice. PGN: What differences have you noticed over the years in the community? MG: Well, kids are coming out so much younger now. They’re so much more comfortable. We had to wait until we were out of the house, in our own place, working

or at college. You didn’t come out when you were still at home. Now they have gay proms. It’s a wonderful thing. And kids have more visible gay people to identify with, so they know that they’re not the only ones. All we had was Uncle Arthur from “Bewitched”! PGN: What’s the first thing you look for in a man? MG: A pulse! ... and he has to have a sense of humor. If you can’t laugh, you can’t live. And a nice set of eyes. PGN: Who’s your favorite singer? MG: Cyndi Lauper. I actually met her a few years ago and she’s a great girl. PGN: Something people would be surprised to know about you? MG: As Michael, I’m pretty shy. Pumpkin is much more outgoing. PGN: Others are embarrassed when you ... MG: Oh, that could be anything. I love to make people laugh. If there’s a situation where everyone’s thinking something but afraid to say it, I’ll say it. If someone has toilet paper on their shoe, I’ll point it out. And I won’t be discreet about it! And I’m

the first to make fun of myself as well. PGN: Worst clothing disaster? MG: That would be any time you see Miss Pumpkin without a girdle! PGN: Three people you’d like to see in drag? MG: Michael Weatherly from “NCIS,” Mayor Nutter and Mitt Romney as Marie Osmond. PGN: Any paranormal experiences? MG: Growing up we had a ghost at our house. It was a little girl and the weird thing was whenever we saw her, we’d find one of her toys shortly after the sighting. She’d appear and the next day, you’d be playing in the garden and find an antique doll head or marbles, maybe a figurine. It was like maybe she was looking for her toys. Kind of creepy. I’ve always wanted to research the history of the farmhouse and the family that built it and see if I could figure out who she was. PGN: What was your most unusual job? MG: My friends are going to laugh. I worked the night shift at a gas station. It was horrifying! PGN: Motto?

MG: First you learn to laugh at yourself and then you can laugh at everybody else. PGN: So what’s happening this weekend for New Hope Celebrates? MG: Well, tonight we’re having Miss Pumpkin’s Friday Night Follies! I don’t know if you heard, but the Bucks County Theater is reopening, so we’re doing a tribute to Broadway with all your favorite hits. It’s at The Raven and tickets are only $5. There’s also the Pride Train Ride, a two-hour ride through the countryside with a vintage dining car, music and light appetizers and top-shelf booze. There will be fireworks tonight, a dance party at The Raven and a Girls Night Out party at Triumph. Tomorrow is the vendor fair and the annual Pride Parade as well as film screenings, softball and more parties. Sunday is our biggest tea dance of the year, the Rainbow T-Dance, hosted by Miss Pumpkin with special guests Poppy Champlin and Adam Sank; then there’s the Ladies 2000 party and much, much more. It’s all on the website at www.newhopecelebrates.com. ■ To suggest a community member for “Family Portrait,” write to portraits05@aol.com.

PGN TV

Worth Watching

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

Philadelphia Gay News Our largest issue of the year is coming for

NOT SO SUPER: “Spider-Man 3” should have been ... well, amazing ... but I wasn’t. Ugh! As superhero blockbusters go, it’s half-assed. If you have nothing better to do on Saturday, it on TV, 8 p.m. May 19 on ABC. Photo:

Philadelphia Gay Pride

Columbia Pictures

Issue date: June 8 Art deadline: June 1

DRAWN THIS WAY: Pop superstar Lady Gaga makes a guest appearance as her animated self on the season finale of “The Simpsons,” where she shows up to help Lisa with her selfesteem, 8 p.m. May 20 on Fox.

BABY BUMP IN THE ROAD: Gay couple Mitch (Jessie Tyler Ferguson, center) and Cam (Eric Stonestreet) might reach the end of their quest to adopt another child but this time they need to bring Gloria (Sophia Vergara) along as a translator on the season finale of “Modern Family,” 9 p.m. May 23 on ABC.

Show your support for the gay community in our largest issue of the year, celebrating and one of city’s largest festivals:

Photo: Peter “Hopper” Stone

CLEANING “HOUSE”: Olivia Wilde reprises her role as bisexual character Thirteen on the series finale of “House,” 8 p.m. May 21 on Fox.

• Highest level of disposable income of any niche market • Highly educated and highly afﬂuent audience • Readership of 50,000, plus an additional 8,000 bonus distribution at Philly Gay Pride June 10 at Penn’s Landing • 70% of gay and lesbian adults would pay premium for a product from a company that supports the LGBT community

To reserve your space today, email dan@epgn.com or call 215-625-8501 ext. 218

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 05/18 Toni Morrison The renowned author of “Beloved” hosts a reading of her latest novel, “Home,” 7:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215567-4341. Chickenfoot The rock band performs 8 p.m. at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-3434000. Holler! An openmic night is held 8 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215923-2960.

Leann Rimes The country singer performs 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650. Several Species: The Pink Floyd Experience The Pink Floyd tribute band performs 9 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-9941400. Stimulus The monthly women’s party celebrates with an old-school hip-hop and pop theme, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at Shampoo, 417 N. Eighth St.; 215-922-7500.

Sat. 05/19 A Reading from “Divining Divas” Contributors Michael Montlack, CAConrad, Brian Teare, Paul Lisicky, Jeffery Conway, Mike Albo, Dean Kosto and Joel Allegretti host a reading 5:30 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960. The Beach Boys The legendary rock band performs 8 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Reggie Watts The freestyle comedian performs 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888. Tracy Morgan The controversial comedian performs

Get the scoop on Philly’s LGBT nightlife in Barcrawlr, PGN’s biweekly take on not-to-miss events

8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215572-7650. Joan Rivers The comedian performs 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Sun. 05/20 WMMR BBQ Godsmack, Shinedown, Slash, Halestorm and Steel Panther perform with other rock bands starting at noon at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-365-1300. To Sir with Love The 1967 film starring Sidney Poitier is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

I Medici Amici Opera Company presents Leoncavallo’s opera for its first staging in the U.S., 6 p.m. at Holmesburg United Methodist Church, 8118 Frankford Ave. at Welsh; 215-2240257.

Mon. 05/21 Groove Night Local musicians join forces to bring the R&B, soul, jazz and funk, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. Eddie Murphy: Raw The 1987 comedy concert film is screened 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.

Barcrawlr Jim KileyZufelt

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

Only in

RECYCLED: Alt-rock band Garbage is back with a new album, “Not Your Kind of People,” and a new tour through the area 8 p.m. May 25 at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J. For more information or tickets, call 609-343-4000.

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. 05/22 Unlabeled: The Acoustic/ Electric Open Mic for Up and Comers Sign up and play, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St.,

Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. TuesGAY Nights Lyrics Lounge and DJ June Rodrigues host a weekly night of music and performers for the LGBT community, 8 p.m., 6527 Roosevelt Blvd.; 215-533-5888.

Wed. 05/23 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. Literary Death Match The spoken-word performance event takes place 8:15 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

302-994-1400. Martha Graham Cracker (Undressed) The drag performer takes the stage 8 p.m. at Sofitel Philadelphia, 120 S. 17th St.; 267-9093309. Garbage The alt-rock band performs 8 p.m. at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-343-4000.

Fri. 05/25 Jaguar Wright The R&B singer performs 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Nikka Costa The R&B singer performs 8 p.m. at

Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5808. Peek-a-boo Revue Philly’s burlesque troupe takes over Wilmington 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. Pit Bull The rapper performs 8 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. The Polyphonic Spree The symphonic choral rock band performs 8 p.m. at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.

Thu. 05/24 Colin Powell The general, former Secretary of State and author of “It Worked For Me: In Life and Leadership” hosts a reading 12:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215567-4341. Actual Reality: A Rent Movie Singalong to benefit AIDS Delaware Get your singing voices ready, 7:30 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.;

HERE COMES THE FUZZ: Out singer-songwriter and Philadelphia native Christine Havrilla performs with her band Gypsy Fuzz, 7 p.m. May 20 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. For more information, visit www.christinehavrilla.com or call 215-222-1400.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS PGN

Opening Bully The documentary about school bullying is screened May 18-24 at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-9170223.

Continuing Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story Walnut Street Theater presents the story of the early rock ’n’ roll star through July 15, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. A Grand Night for Singing Walnut Street Theater presents Broadway’s tribute to the genius of Rodgers & Hammerstein, through July 1 at Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. Collab: Four Decades of Giving Modern and Contemporary Design Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition that includes some of the finest examples of European, American and

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen The National Constitution Center presents an exhibition looking at The Boss’ entire career, with numerous items never before seen by the public, through Sept. 3, 525 Arch St., Independence Mall; 215409-6895.

POLY-AMOROUS: They may look like a hippie cult and we don’t know how they intend to ﬁt all those people on stage, but the symphonic choral rock band The Polyphonic Spree is bringing its unique brand of feel-good music to town 8 p.m. May 25 at TLA, 334 South St. For more information or tickets, call 215922-1011.

Rent Bristol Riverside Theater presents the Tony Award-winning musical about a generation coming of age in New York City during the dawn of AIDS, through June 3, 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol; 215785-6664. Secret Garden Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition uniting works in fiber by Ted Hallman, Sheila Hicks and Jim Hodges, through July, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Closing Celebrating Dutoit The Philadelphia Orchestra performs

MOMIX The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the illusionist dance company through May 20 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900. Spring Awakening Nineteenth-Century German students explore their lives and loves, through May 20 at Media Theatre, 104 E. State St.; 610891-0100. Titus Andronicus The Philadelphia Shakespeare Company presents Shakespeare’s violent and rarely performed masterpiece, through May 19,

MOVING IN TO BRISTOL: Bristol Riverside Theater presents the Tony Awardwinning musical “Rent,” the story of a group of struggling artists coming of age in New York City during the dawn of AIDS, through June 3, 120 Radcliffe St. For more information or tickets, call 215-785-6664 or visit www.brtstage. org. Photo: Bristol Riverside Theater

Japanese design, through fall, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

from page 34

2111 Sansom St.; 215-496-9722. Twelfth Night The Philadelphia Shakespeare Company presents The Bard’s meditation on romantic delusion involving a woman disguised as a man, through May 20, 2111 Sansom St.; 215-496-9722. A Wrinkle in Time People’s Light and Theatre Company presents an adaptation of the beloved novel by Madeleine L’Engle, an adventure through space and time with three children, each with a special gift, through May 20, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern; 610-644-3500. ■

winning Grammy Award- nd ge le op country-p rand G e Th to s rn tu re

through May 19 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

TUESDAY, JUNE 5 | 8PM | $51-$71

Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Out & About Listings, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 fax: 215-925-6437; or e-mail: listings@epgn.com.

GRAND

Notices cannot be taken over the phone.

TicketsAtTheGrand.org | 302.652.5577 | 800.37.GRAND 818 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

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All tickets subject to box ofﬁce service charges. Artists, dates, times and programs are subject to change. THIS PROGRAM IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY GRANTS FROM THE DELAWARE DIVISION OF THE ARTS. A STATE AGENCY DEDICATED TO NURTURING AND SUPPORTING THE ARTS IN DELAWARE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.

SPORTS PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

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The unofficial first weekend of summer is approaching and, while some may choose to spend hours in a car driving 50 miles, only to spend most of the weekend waiting in lines at the shore, there are many reasons to stick around Philadelphia over Memorial Day weekend. Two tournaments and a half-marathon top the list, and we’re just getting started. Memorial Day weekend brings the first round of summer tournaments and offers great recreational opportunities in Fairmount Park — as a participant or a spectator. Either way, these events are nicely complemented by a cooler of food and drink. Check the league or team websites for times, locations and map links. For kicks The Philadelphia Falcons host the fifthannual Liberty Bell Classic Memorial Day weekend tournament this year. This is a friendly coed tournament that has players of all ages, skill levels and sexual orientations, so don’t be intimidated if you want to play. Squads are set based on skills, so grab your water, sunscreen and cleats (if you have them) for some fun in the sun. (Or rain, if it so happens.) Registration is from 7-9 p.m. May 25 at Stir. Games are Saturday and Sunday at Pennypack Park. There will be food and fun on Saturday and the awards will be given out on the fields Sunday starting at 3

p.m. As an added incentive to sign up to play or even just hang out and make new friends, some Falcons players are going to see the U.S. Women’s National Team take on China on May 27 at PPL Park in Chester. For more information on that game, check out www.philadelphiaunion. com/ppl-park. Street ball The City of Brotherly Love Softball League hosts teams from around the country at its annual Memorial weekend tournament, also called the Liberty Bell Classic. Divisions play at either Edgly or Dairy Fields in Fairmount Park or at Stauffer Fields in Deptford, N.J. So far, there are 32 teams signed up and Philly teams are well represented across the divisions. On Saturday night, you’ll probably find some soccer players among the softball players at the Camac Street Block Party, between Locust and Spruce, reliving the glory of the games (or commiserating, depending). The CBLSL annual street party is 7-11 p.m. May 26 and hundreds usually turn out for the event. If you don’t feel like playing (or watching) softball or soccer, come hang out afterward with players and supporters. Opening-night party and registration for the softball tournament this year will be held May 25 at ICandy and the closing

SPORTS PGN

party and awards ceremonies are May 27 at Fox & Hound, 1501 Spruce St. For details, go to www.libertybellclassic. org.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

Food & Drink

Fun(ny) run As if two tournaments aren’t enough, Frontrunners have a group running in the annual ODDessy Half Marathon in Fairmount Park. The race begins at 7 a.m. (eek!) May 26 at Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park, but for athletic supporters like myself, music and fun on the sidelines is good enough and a later arrival is fine. The beer garden opens at 8 a.m. and there’s music and other diversions. Of course one of the highlights of the day is the costume contest, so stick around for that! For more information on the race and to register, go to www.oddysseyhalfmarathon.com. To be part of Team Philadelphia’s running party, contact Bob Szwajkos at rszrun2@aol.com. Season finale Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League crossed off its semi- and quarter-final games on May 12 and, in the last game of the day, Gangrene knocked Aquamarines off a season-long second-place perch in overtime, sealing the Grene’s spot in the championship game. All teams play one final game beginning with the seventh- and eighth-place battle at 8:45 a.m. May 19 at Columbus Playground, 12th and Wharton streets. Playing for the 2012 spring season bragging rights at 11:45 a.m. are Blue Diamond Phillips (13-1) and Gangrene (10-31). It’s your last chance to see the players flag it out on the field until this fall, so get out there for a game. Go to phillyflagfootball.com for complete details of the season and to keep updated on what’s going on this summer. Kudos, also, to GPFFL on its nomination for the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund’s Nonprofit Organization Hero Award. No sports organization has received this before. Good luck, and keep up the great fundraising events!

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GANGRENE PLAYER ANDY GASPARI STRETCHES FOR THE GOAL LINE DURING OVERTIME IN THE QUARTERFINALS MAY 12. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Short stops • The Gyphons’ spring season is over, but you can still get your rugby fix in June. The 2012 USA 7’s Collegiate Rugby Championship is June 2-3 at PPL Park. Information is at www.philadelphiaunion.com/ppl-park. • The Philadelphia Spartans Wrestling Club is preparing for its annual tournament coming up June 9. More on that next time, and you can go to www.phillyspartans.com for details. All of these organizations welcome visitors, fans and cheerleaders. Get out of the house, out of your routine and go to a game. Better yet, get out and play! ■ To submit information for Get Out and Play, email scott@epgn.com.

REALPGN ESTATE

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

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

REAL ESTATE

SALE

Home of the Week

Featured property: 2462 Emerald St, Philadelphia, PA 19125

New totally renovated 2BR/ 1BA Certiﬁed Energy Efﬁcient home. Large, bright rooms, rear patio, convenient to all!and Center City. REDUCED! Now $184,900 Beds: 2 Baths: 2 Price: $184,900 Real Estate Company: Coldwell Banker

REAL ESTATE

SALE

Realtor: Dan Tobey Phone: 215.546.2700 Direct: 267.238.1061

E-mail: dtobey@cbpref.com Web: www.cbpref.com

REAL ESTATE

2445 RIVER ROAD, NEW HOPE OPEN HOUSE 5/20, 1-4 Secluded Country retreat in the heart of New Hope, Rabbit Run is a living work of art. Main home plus two designer decorated cottages that evoke a small botique hotel in St. Tropez. Large, inviting pool with sculptures, spectacular mature gardens and stunning architecture combines for a unique Bucks County property. Zoned for a B&B and walking distance to Lambertville and New Hope Boro. Stunning river views and canal front, this unique property is proudly offered for $1,395,000. Please join us for Open House. MLS#6050541. From New Hope, North on River Road. Property is on left. Jack Lacey - Prudential Fox & Roach Newtown. 215-579-0212. _______________________________36-20 FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT STYLED HOME On 2 acres in Bucks County. Beautiful home in

Upper Southampton. Wake up to birds singing and sheep in the back yard. Enjoy the peaceful setting as you sit on your back porch. House backs up to 6 acres of woods that will remain undeveloped forever. Quiet Quaker founded community, ideal for both adults & families with children. Close to center city via I-95 or 10 mins. to SEPTA train station. 3 bedrooms,1.5 baths,office and huge LR/DR combination with 3 sided fireplace. Offered at $329,500. Will email pictures upon request, newhew@aol. com or 215-357-2528. _______________________________36-20 SPECTACULAR COUNTRY LOFT Custom open loft on over 2 acres in Willistown Twp. PA. This home is a self-contained retreat designed to encourage reflection and inspiration. Crafted of the finest materials, this bespoke house offers luxurious finishes in a turn-key environment. Natural light fills the home during

the day. Perfect retreat or work and live space. Contact Robin Pew, Prudential Fox and Roach Realtors. 610.420.2900. $549.000. _______________________________36-22 Virginia Seaside Lots: Spectacular 3+ acre estate lots in exclusive development on the seaside (the mainland) overlooking Chincoteague Bay, islands and ocean beyond. Gated entrance, caretaker, private paved roads, community pier, pool and club house which includes 2-bedroom guest suites for property owners. Great climate, ﬁshing, clamming and National Seashore beaches nearby. Just 30 miles south of Ocean City, Md. Absolute buy of a lifetime, recent bank sale makes these lots available at 1/3 original price! Priced at only $49,000 to $65,000. For info call (757)824-5284 Email: oceanlandtrust@yahoo.com, pictures on website: www.corbinhall.com _______________________________36-20

SALE

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REAL ESTATE

SERVICES

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EARN COLLEGE DEGREE ONLINE *Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV Certified. Call 888-220-3984. www.CenturaOnline.com _______________________________36-20 AIRLINE CAREERS Begin here-Become an Aviation Maintenance Tech. FAA approved training. Financial aid if qualified-Housing available. Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 888-834-9715 _______________________________36-20

PGN WILL NOT PUBLISH RACIAL DISTINCTIONS IN ROOMMATE ADS. SUCH NOTATIONS WILL BE EDITED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. ___________________________________ GREATER NE PHILA. Have your own bedroom in a beautiful split level home with 2 gay men. House is 4 BR, 2 full baths, W/D, upper and lower decks, use of kitchen. Property is by Welsh & the Boulevard, 1 min. to 58 bus. We ask only that you be at least reasonably neat and employed. Rent is $600 + 1/3 utils. Contact Dave at 215-698-0215. _______________________________36-22 COLLEGEVILLE, PA, $680 Seeking male for private room and bath. 2 males seeking a third to share expenses in a 3200 sq. ft. 2 story home. Utils. incl. Beautiful home in a great neighborhood. Full house priv. Beautiful landscaping, prvt. back yard w/inground pool & Jacuzzi. A must see property. Call 484-635-7588 for more info. _______________________________36-20

SALE

Upstate NY Land Sale “Sportsman Bargain” 3 acres w/ cozy cabin, Close access to Oneida Lake -$17,995. “Large River” -over 900 ft. 18 acres along ﬁshing/swimming river -$49,995. “Timberland Investment” -90 acres deer sanctuary, beautiful timber studs, small creek -$99,995. Over 100 new properties. Call 800229-7843 Or visit landandcamps.com _______________________________36-20

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

Melissa Young

428 West Browning St Prudential Fox Roach Collingswood NJ 1 West Main St, 08057 Ofﬁce: 856 234 0011 Cell: 267 259 2432

Open House Sunday May 20, 2012 Noon-2:30PM 2462 Emerald St, Philadelphia, PA 1912 New totally renovated 2BR/1BA Certiﬁed Energy Efﬁcient home. Large, bright rooms, rear patio, convenient to all! REDUCED! Now $184,900 www.2462emeraldstreet.com

VACATION

RENTAL OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800-638-2102 Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com _______________________________36-20

REAL ESTATE

RENT

HELP WANTED

EARN $1000 - $3200 a month to drive our new cars with ads. www.PaidDriver.com _______________________________36-20 CDL-A DRIVERS NEEDED! Up to $3,000 Sign-On Bonus for Qualiﬁed Drivers! 6 mo OTR exp. req’d. CALL OR APPLY ONLINE 877-521-5775 www.USATRUCK.jobs _______________________________36-20

Drivers - Flexible hometime, Full or Part-time. Modern Trucks. Local Orientation. Quarterly Safety Bonus. Single Source Dispatch. Requires 3 months recent experience. 800-4149569 www.driveknight.com _______________________________36-20 NEW TO TRUCKING? Your new career starts now! *$0 Tuition Cost *No Credit Check *Great Pay & Benefits. Short employment commitment required. Call: (866)447-0377 www.joinCRST.com _______________________________36-20 AVERITT Has Great Opportunity for CDL-A Drivers! 42.5 cpm w/1+ Year’s Experience (Depends on Location). Weekly Hometime/Full Benefits! Paid Refresher Course Available. 888-362-8608 AVERITTcareers.com EOE. _______________________________36-20 Class-A Team Drivers- Dedicated runs to Morton, IL. $1,000/week. $500 Sign On Bonus. Home Weekly. Consistent Miles/Freight. Day one medical. 866-331-3335. www.drivecrst. com _______________________________36-20 Exp. Reefer Drivers: GREAT PAY /Freight lanes from Presque Isle, ME, Boston-Lehigh, PA. 800-277-0212 or primeinc.com _______________________________36-20 FOREMEN To lead utility field crews. Outdoor physical work, many positions, paid training, $17/hr. plus weekly performance bonuses after promotion, living allowance when traveling, company truck and benefits. Must have strong leadership skills, good driving history, and able to travel in Pennsylvania and nearby States. Email resume to Recruiter3@osmose.com or apply online at www.OsmoseUtilities.com EOE M/F/D/V. _______________________________36-20 Drivers: Sign On Bonus $2000 - $7500. Solo & Teams. 1 year OTR. CDL-A-Hazmat Up to .513 877-628-3748 www.driveNCTrans.com _______________________________36-20 CDL-A TEAM With TOTAL! *MILES *EQUIPMENT *BENEFITS $.50/mile for Hazmat Teams. Solo drivers also needed! 800-942-2104 Ext. 7307 or 7308 www.Drive4Total.com _______________________________36-20

REAL ESTATE

RENT

RITTENHOUSE SQUARE AREA Studios & 1 Bedrooms - Call for Availability (215) 735-8050 _______________________________36-30

12TH & DICKINSON AREA Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms, bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (negotiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. _______________________________36-25 6XX CARPENTER ST. RENTAL 4 BR, loft, laundry, deck, large yard, full size ﬁn. bsmt., 1 full bath, 4 powder rms. MLS# 5992714. 215-468-7468, _______________________________36-20 2 BEDROOM CC APT. Juniper and Spruce - 2 bedroom/2 bathroom apt for rent in mid-May. D/W, washer dryer, new carpets. Spacious apartment, balcony, city view in great doorman building. $1,895 mo + security deposit. 267-262-1789. _______________________________36-20

Rental

Converted Bucks County Barn

1007 S Fairhill Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 Brand new construction 3BR/2.5BA townhouse in the Queen Village area $400,000

FOR SALE SAWMILLS From only $3997-MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N. _______________________________36-20

The Lenox Condominiums 250 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 Condos from $175,000 Rentals from $1,800/mo 540 Cypress St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 2BR/1.5BA house Quaint, completely upgraded home on cobblestone street in the heart of Society Hill. $374,900

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

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

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

WANTED

TO BUY This is a guest house set on a 100 acre estate. 2 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths. Great Room/kitchen area with stone ﬁreplace. 1 yr min req. One pet is allowed. $3100/mo plus utilities. Comes furnished (never used). First/last and one month’s security req. Tenant also has use of the pool/grounds.

Call Art Mazzei at Addison Wolfe Real Estate

at 610-428-4885.

WANTED UNEXPIRED DIABETIC TEST STRIPS Up to $26.00/Box. PRE-PAID SHIPPING LABELS. Hablamo Espanol. 1-800-266-0702 www.selldiabeticstrips.com _______________________________36-20

ADOPTION Are you pregnant? Considering adoption? A childless married couple seeks to ADOPT. Financial security. Expenses paid. Let’s help each other. Call Christine & Adam. 1-800790-5260. _______________________________36-20

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

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WEEKLY SPECIALS

Barrons Urban Warehouse Friday, May 19th, 2012 • TIME: 10pm-6am - Always Bringing In The Sexy Black & Latin Men for The Evening* MUST BE ON GUEST LIST TO GAIN ENTRANCE TO BARRONS URBAN WAREHOUSE PARTIES. (PRIVATE EVENT: For More Information & to be put onto guest list email: badboi215@gmail.com)

P.A.N.G. (Philadelphia Nudist Group) Sunday, May 20th, 2012 • TIME: 3pm-6pm Boys Will Be Boys! Awaken Your Spirt with an Afternoon of Naked Socializing & Fun!

BUSINESS MANS 4HR LOCKER SPECIAL Mon. thru Friday (8am-4pm) Members: $5.00 & Non-Members: $15.00 $12 Locker Wed. & Thurs., 4pm-12 Midnight LATE NIGHT CREEP Monday - Thursday (12 Midnight - 8am) Members: $9.00 & Non-Members: $19.00 HALF PRICE ROOMS Tuesday ( 6am- 12 Midnight) Members: $12.50 & Non-Members: $22.50 $12 FLAT RATE LOCKERS 4pm -12 Midnight, Wednesday &Thursday Check out our website for our HOT NEW 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

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PGN

Community Bulletin Board Community centers

■ The Attic Youth Center: For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-8 p.m. MondayFriday; case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-Friday. See the Youth section for more events. 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331 ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St.; 215-898-5044; center@dolphin.upenn.edu, Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday

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

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

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

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

Key numbers

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

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

■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851

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

■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 1800-662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 ■ The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 112 N. Broad St., third floor; 215-496-0330 ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

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

Health

AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; 215-629-2300. www.asiac.org Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; 12-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St. 215851-1822 or 866-222-3871. www.galaei.org. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215-685-1803. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing

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

■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Stephen Johnson: 215-683-2840 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-760-3686; ppd. lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

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

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

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

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

Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronic-disease management, including comprehensive HIV care; 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday except for 12-1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association The Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals

Al-Anon

■

Pennsylvania Al-Anon Alateen Family Groups: Events, meeting times and locations at pa-al-anon.org.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

■ Acceptance meets 7:30 p.m. on Fridays at

Episcopal Church, 22nd and Spruce streets.

■ Meets daily 8:30-9:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m-

midnight and 11 a.m.-noon at the William Way Center. ■ Community meets 8 p.m. on Thursdays at Holy Communion Church, 2111 Sansom St. Gay and lesbian but all are welcome. ■ GLBT Alcoholics Anonymous meets 7 p.m. on Sundays and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 100 W. Windsor St., Reading; 484-529-9504. ■ Living In Sobriety meets 11 a.m. Sundays at the William Way Center. ■ Night Owl meets 11:30 p.m. Sunday through Saturday at the William Way Center. ■ Stepping Stone meets 2:30 p.m. Mondays at the William Way Center. ■ Meets 5:30-6:30 p.m. daily at Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St; 215-985-9206. ■ Ties That Bind Us, a 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous meeting for BDSM, leather and alternative sexuality community, meets 7:30-9 p.m. in South Philadelphia. For location, call 800-581-7883.

Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA)

■ Meets 7 p.m. on Sunday, Tuesday,

Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at the William Way Center.

Emotional Support

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.

■ 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.

12-step programs and support groups

■ Pink and Blues, a free peer-run mental health

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

Professional groups

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

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

support group for LGBT people, meets 7 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; 215-627-0424. ■ Survivors of Suicide Inc. meets 7:30 p.m. on ﬁrst Tuesday of the month at 3535 Market St., Room 2037; 215-545-2242; www.phillysos. tripod.com. ■ Survivors of Suicide Inc., Chester County meets 7:30 p.m. on second Wednesday of the month at Paoli Memorial Hospital, Willistown Room, Medical Ofﬁce Building; 215-5452242; phillysos.tripod.com.

HIV/AIDS

■ Strength In Numbers

Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ SINPhiladelphia.

Mondays: ■ Positive Brothers, a support group for men of color living with HIV/AIDS, meets 6-8 p.m. at 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; 215-496-0330. Tuesdays: ■ A support group for HIV-positive men and women meets 1:30-3 p.m. at BEBASHI — Transition to Hope, 1217 Spring Garden St., first floor; 215- 769-3561. bebashi.org ■ Encuentros Positivos, a group for HIVpositive Latino men who have sex with men, meets on first and third Tuesday of the month at 1205 Chestnut St. ■ “Feast Incarnate,” a weekly ministry for people affected by HIV/AIDS, meets 5 p.m. at University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St. Bible study follows at 6 p.m.; 215-3872885. ■ A support group for people recently diagnosed with HIV/AIDS meets 6:30-8 p.m. at the Mazzoni Center; 215-563-0652 x 235. ■ Youth Outreach Adolescent Community Awareness Program’s Voice It Sistah, a support group for HIV-positive women, meets 11 a.m. every first and third Tuesday at

YOACAP, 1207 Chestnut St., Suite 315; 215851-1898. Wednesdays: ■ AIDS Services in Asian Communities’ weekly volunteer work group meets 6-8 p.m. at 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; 215-629-2300. ■ Project Teach, a peer-education and empowerment program for people living with HIV/AIDS, meets at Philadelphia Fight, 1233 Locust St. ﬁght.org. ■ Positive Effect, for HIV-positive people 18 and over, meets 5-7 p.m. second and fourth Wednesdays at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; 856-963-2432. Thursdays: ■ A support group for HIV-positive men and women meets 6-8 p.m. at BEBASHI — Transition to Hope, 1217 Spring Garden St.; 215-769-3561. ■ Diversity, an HIV/AIDS support group for all infected or affected, meets from 7-9 p.m. at Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55. N. Broad St.; call Zak, 215-848-4380; azaklad@craftech.com. Saturdays: n AIDS Delaware’s You’re Not Alone youth support group meets during the school year. Call 1-800-810-6776 for meeting location and time.

Debtors Anonymous

■ Meets 7-8 p.m. Monday and Thursday at the

William Way Center.

Overeaters Anonymous (OA)

■ Open meeting, Tuesdays, 5:45 p.m., and

7 p.m. Friday, at Hahnemann University Hospital, 245 N. 15th St.; call Troy for ﬂoor/ room number, 215-514-3065; www.oa.org. ■ Meets at 11 a.m.-noon at the William Way Center.

S.A.R.A.

■ Substance Abuse – Risk Assessment; day and

evening hours; 215-563-0663 ext. 282.

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous

■ Meets 7:30 p.m.Thursdays at All Saints

Church, 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.; 302-542-3279.

SEPCADD

■ Safe space to meet and discuss substance

abuse problems at the William Way Center.

Health

Alder Health Services provides LGBT health services on a sliding-fee scale; 100 N. Cameron St., Ste. 301 East, Harrisburg; 717-233-7190 or 800-867-1550; www.alderhealth.org. Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing with Spanish/English counselors 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 3439 N. Hutchinson St.; 215-763-8870 ext. 6000. HIV treatment: Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents available 9 a.m.-noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215685-1803. HIV health insurance help: Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing available at 17 MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610586-9077. Philadelphia FIGHT provides HIV primary care, on-site lab services, clinical trials, case management, mental-health services and support groups for people living with HIV regardless of insurance status or ability to pay; 1233 Locust St., fifth floor; 215-985-4448; www. fight.org.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 18-24, 2012

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