PGN May 20-35, 2011 by The Philadelphia Gay News

Season prologue: The 5th annual PGN Summer Reading Guide

Family Portrait: Trevor Powell

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New Hope (p. 5) and Atlantic City (p. 6, 23) draw us out of the Philadelphia closet.

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May 20-26, 2011

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Vol. 35 No. 20

Primary races see gay wins, slim losses Two out Council candidates narrowly lost their races in this week’s primary election, although LGBTs did make gains in judicial contests. Council will welcome six new members in the fall, including Mark Squilla, who will represent the district that includes the Gayborhood. By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Primary Day brought both victories and losses to LGBT candidates in the area. Sherrie Cohen and Malcolm Lazin, both seeking to become the first openly LGBT members of Philadelphia City Council, placed sixth in the Democratic and Republican Council-at-Large contests, respectively, narrowly missing the coveted top-five spots. Cohen captured 9.3 percent of the vote, bringing in 43,690 votes, putting her less than 2,000 votes behind fifth-place incumbent Jim Kenney. “I think this reflected the power of unity among LGBT people, laborers, progressives — all the people who want a city with more economic and social justice,” Cohen said Wednesday. “The fact that we came so close to winning shows that even without the backing of the Democratic Party, we can unite so many segments of our citywide community and achieve victory in the near future.” Cohen, who said she would consider another run for Council in the future, added the close call should encourage LGBT voters to enhance their support for out candidates in future races. “I think next time people should just realize they need to do one extra thing, one extra step to help a candidate win,” she said. “We need everyone to jump into these campaigns and feel like it’s their campaign. I ran on behalf and for our community, and I think we need people to realize that’s in their best interests to do everything they can to have a COHEN (TOP) seat at the table and repAND LAZIN

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Night court to launch in June By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

CANDIDATE CRAWL: Political hopefuls trolled the Gayborhood Friday night urging LGBTs to get out the vote for this week’s primary election. Led by former Gov. Ed Rendell, candidates such as First District hopeful Joe Grace courted LGBT voters at ICandy, also hitting nightspots like Q Lounge and Sisters, explaining their positions on LGBT issues and urging the community to turn out in full force at the polls Tuesday. Photo: Scott A. Drake

An innovative program kicks off next week in the 6th District to bring swift, pragmatic justice to petty criminals. Out Common Pleas Court Judge Dan Anders will preside over the district’s first night court, held in two sessions June 3 at district headquarters, 235 N. 11th St. The district includes the Gayborhood, Old City and Chinatown. The first session, at 7 p.m., will address those accused of summary offenses in the district the prior week. Once those cases are heard, Anders will return at 1 a.m. to hear cases of individuals cited that Friday night. Summary offenses include such transgressions as loitering, vandalism, disorderly conPAGE 14 duct or public urination.

Judge grants leniency to gay basher By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com A man who evaded justice for more than a decade in connection with a local gay bashing finally had his day in court this week. Patrick Groce, 36, came before Common Pleas Court Judge Harold Kane Monday, who sentenced him to 11-23 months in prison for the June 1994 beating of Alan Yollin. Groce was eligible for up to four years in prison for aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment and conspiracy charges. The sentence included work-release,

allowing him to leave the prison during the day to continue his car-detailing career. His sentence will be followed by seven years of probation. Groce and accomplice Thomas Grafton, now 35, attacked Yollin as he was walking near 13th and Lombard streets. The pair yelled antigay slurs at Yollin as they drove near the intersection and then parked the car and punched and kicked him, leaving him with bruised ribs and facial lacerations. Both were arrested shortly after the incident, but Groce, free on bail after his conviction, failed to show up for his sentencing proceeding. PAGE 16

DIVINE INTERVENTION: Radio celeb Pierre Robert welcomed guests to the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania’s “One Divine Night” fundraiser May 12. The event featured performances by the Captivating Queens of Illusion and drew more than 100 guests. AIDS Law Project executive director Ronda Goldfein said the festivity brought in about $35,000 for the agency. Photo: Scott A. Drake

2 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

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Curtains up for ‘Shut Up’ this weekend By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

Dancers from the area will take to the stage this weekend for a fundraising performance that has fused creativity with charity for nearly two decades, with a renewed vigor expected this year. The Pennsylvania Ballet will perform “Shut Up & Dance” at 8 p.m. May 21 at The Forrest Theater, its annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Neighborhood Nutritional Alliance, which provides nutritional meals to those with lifethreatening illnesses such as HIV/AIDS. MANNA executive director Richard Keaveney said the agency is hoping to raise at least $100,000 from the event, a figure that would cover the cost of food and packaging for about 64,000 of the 80,000 meals it delivers in one month. Keaveney said fundraising is especially vital this year, as the organization is poised to lose about $500,000 in state funding. “We’re losing the state support because of the change in administration and legislative positions, but thankfully we have seen an increase in individual gifts and the corporate and foundation communities are picking up steam again,” he said. “But it makes us work as hard as possible to get as many people as we can in The Forrest Theater for what always proves to be an exciting event.” This year’s show will have a decidedly

more upbeat feel, said producing director Jonathan Stiles, in part because of the shift of performance date from March to May, necessitated by scheduling conflicts. “The rehearsal process is different every year, and I’ve come to see that the process really does affect the show,” Stiles said, noting that dancers this year held more daytime rehearsals than in the past and, on account of Daylight Saving Time, were also able to conduct nighttime rehearsals before the sun went down. “In others years, it’s been dark out and colder but this year, since it’s later in the year, I think it’s helped us to have more fun with the pieces and resulted in a more lighthearted, springor summertime program.” Stiles, who has been involved with the show for 12 years and this year will perform in addition to his directing duties, said the pieces range from contemporary ballet to hip-hop inspired, with music from Chopin to Serge Gainsbourg to Björk. “There’s really a lot of diversity this year,” Stiles said, adding that the show will also feature contributions from those who’ve been a part of each “Shut Up & Dance” performance, as well as some who are participating in their first. Keaveney said the enduring enthusiasm among the dancers has been a defining characteristic of “Shut Up & Dance.” “One of the things we’ve been really happy about is that the torch keeps being

passed down to the younger dancers,” he said. “When this started, HIV was just exploding in the city and there were a lot of dancers from the ballet who were dying. So in the past few years, we weren’t sure what was going to happen when the people who started this back then retired from the 2010 SHUT UP & DANCE CURTAIN CALL Photo: Scott A. Drake ballet, but we have year. When you’re staying late after a long been so fortunate that the younger members of the ballet have day of work and doing so much extra work, embraced MANNA. They seem to really be it’s easy to get tired, but all we think about is how great that night always is and the excited to bring this into its third decade.” Twenty-five company members, as well energy that we get at the end of the show as some from the junior company, will par- and at the after-party, where we can celeticipate in the show — more than half of all brate with the community. That’s always a great payoff.” of the organization’s members. Tickets to “Shut Up & Dance” start at Stiles said that while the dancers do invest a great deal of time and energy into $50 and can be purchased at www.mannap. the show on top of their normal schedules, org/mannaevents/sud. An after-party will be held at Woody’s following the perforthe effort is always rewarded. “We’re fortunate in that we get to do mance. For more information about “Shut Up & something we enjoy doing. It’s a lot of hard work but we get to dance and perform Dance,” visit www.facebook.com/pages/ and do what we all love to do. The reaction Shut-Up-Dance/240553091087?ref=nf or we get from the audience at the end of follow the event on Twitter at @shutup_ the show always energizes us for the next anddance. ■

4 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

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SEX-POSITIVE: About 30 community members turned out last Friday for a film screening staged by Pleasure Rush, a new sex-ed program by the Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative. Following the screening of “What If, Encounter 1,” GALAEI program director Norman Medina (standing) led a discussion on sexpositive sex ed. The following night, GALAEI hosted a women-focused Pleasure Rush event, with a sex-toy party and masturbation class. Photo: Scott A. Drake NEWS

Crime Watch Local Media Trail News Briefing Regional

15 3 7 12 6

Contents

EDITORIAL/OP-ED

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

10 10 11 11 11

What event are you attending May 21? Poll results from our online survey as of May 18:

17% MANNA Shut Up & Dance 14% Gay BINGO 11% Dragapalooza 58% None of the above Go to www.epgn.com to weigh in on this week’s question:

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

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HOPE FOR PRIDE: About 5,000 people lined the streets of New Hope on May 15 for the town’s eighth-annual Pride parade. The event, which organizer Daniel Brooks said was the largest New Hope parade on record, drew participation from entertainers, community groups and politicians such as former Congressman Patrick Murphy. The parade capped off a week of Pride festivities, which Brooks said saw a marked increase — 75 percent — in participation from LGBT families. “Every event had its own merit, whether large or small, and they were all part of making this a very diverse Pride festival,” Brooks said. Photos: Scott A. Drake

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First casino gay club launched in AC By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Prohibition came to Atlantic City earlier this month, but that didn’t stop the drinks from flowing. The gambling mecca’s first LGBT casino nightclub, Prohibition, opened its doors May 5. The club is situated on the 13th floor of the Resorts Casino Hotel and is open from 6 p.m.-3 a.m. Thursday-Sunday. Joel Ballesteros, Resorts’ director of LGBT marketing, said the venue was one of the new ideas circulated by Resorts owner and CEO Dennis Gomes after he purchased the casino and hotel last summer. Ballesteros, who also serves as the vice president of the Atlantic City GLBT Alliance, said the LGBT market has recently come to the forefront in Atlantic City’s tourism efforts, and Resorts was eager to fill a gap that existed in LGBTspecific entertainment venues. “The LGBT community has been a part of the history of Atlantic City going back to the 1920s. It’s come and gone, and now we’re trying to bring it back,” he said. “In the past few years, different properties have been holding [LGBT] events on weekends or having one-night events, and

PROHIBITED: Atlantic City’s newest gay hotspot celebrated its grand opening last weekend with dance, drinks and a performance by “American Idol’s” Erika Schiff. Prohibition, located in the Resorts Casino Hotel, is the city’s first gay casino bar. For more photos, see page 23. Photo: Scott A. Drake

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the market we needed to have something that’s more of a permanent fixture.”

As its name suggests, Prohibition employs a “roaring-’20s” theme, grabbing onto the success of HBO’s A.C.based “Boardwalk Empire.” The club features a lounge and dance floor, a food menu, DJs, dancers and regular entertainment, like former “American Idol” contestant Erika Schiff, who stopped by for a performance last Saturday. Ballesteros said the club isn’t catering to a specific LGBT demographic, evidenced by the crowd that has packed Prohibition in its two weeks in business. Guests came from New York City to Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., and all areas in between. “One of the great and beautiful things about the club is that we’ve seen an incredible mix of people. They’ve been gay, gay-supportive, young, old — it’s just been a real wonderful mixture.” The fledgling success already seen by Prohibition should encourage other casinos in Atlantic City to take note of the possibilities the LGBT market could afford, Ballesteros said. “I’m hoping that other properties will follow suit and also do this. Our whole goal here is to show people that Atlantic City is a gay-friendly destination. We want to be the catalyst for making that happen.” ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

Presbyterians OK gay pastors By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com After a years-long debate, gays and lesbians in same-sex relationships are now eligible to become ministers in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). A Minnesota presbytery last week became the 87th in the nation to approve the removal of the Presbyterian Church’s policy that barred non-celibate gays and lesbians in same-sex relationships from ordination. The national governing body of the church last summer approved Amendment 10-A, which would lift the policy, but it required an affirmative vote from a majority of its 173 presbyteries. In March, the Presbytery of Philadelphia approved the amendment 182-108. The final presbytery will cast its vote June 28. Michael Adee, executive director of More Light Presbyterians, which has been working for the passage of Amendment 10-A, welcomed the news last week after the Twin Cities Presbytery voted in favor of the measure 205-56. “It is necessary and absolutely OK to cel-

Media Trail Navy: Lawmakers didn’t stop gay wedding policy The Washington Examiner reports Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has denied that lawmaker pressure helped reverse a policy allowing chaplains to perform same-sex unions when the Pentagon recognizes openly gay military servicemembers. Mabus said that policymakers must first address more issues besides just rules on who can get married in military chapels. Mabus said the country “is ready” for gays in the military. Under pressure from more than fivedozen House lawmakers, the Navy on May 10 abruptly reversed its decision on chaplains performing same-sex unions. Chaplains would only have performed the ceremonies in states where gay marriage is legal.

Lawyers: Gay judge fit to rule on gay marriage Sign On San Diego reports lawyers are aggressively contesting claims that the federal judge who overturned California’s gay-marriage ban was biased because he is gay.

ebrate this moment in the life and witness of our Church, the end of categorical discrimination against God’s LGBT children, which was wrong in the first place,” Adee said. “What a journey this work for justice and equality has been. The thousands of prayers, faithful conversations, sharing of hopes and dreams are all part of building a church that reflects God’s heart and a world that respects all persons.” The previous language required that those called to ordination must “live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness.” The new measure replaces that stipulation with one that describes that ordination is contingent upon one’s “ability and commitment” to fulfill ministerial responsibilities, with no reference to martial status. The change will officially go into effect July 10. The policy change was put to a vote in 2008-09 but failed. This latest vote resulted in 20 presbyteries changing from “no” to “yes” votes, including the Presbytery of Donegal, which includes York, Lancaster and Chester counties. ■ The lawyers, who represent two gay couples who sued to end the ban, filed legal papers May 13 arguing that “factually groundless” speculation that now-retired Judge Vaughn Walker wants to marry his partner and therefore would benefit from his own ruling is insufficient evidence to vacate the decision. The religious coalition that sponsored a law banning gay marriage has asked Walker’s successor as trial judge in San Francisco to rule that he should have recused himself from considering the case or at least disclosed his same-sex relationship. Judge James Ware scheduled a June 13 hearing on the request.

Suit filed against Ill. transgender policy The Chicago Tribune reports the American Civil Liberties Union has sued the Illinois Department of Public Health, challenging the rules it follows to change the gender on a birth certificate. The suit is on behalf of Lauren Grey, who said she began sex-reassignment treatment in 2001. Her driver’s license and Social Security card list her gender as female, but her birth certificate states she is male. John Knight of the ACLU’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Project says for years the state would change people’s gender on birth certificates even if they had not had any form of genital surgery, but now they are requiring genital surgery. Health Department spokesperson Kelly Jakubek said the department won’t comment because of the ongoing litigation. ■ — Larry Nichols

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8 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

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A reluctant hero accepts award in Philly By Sarah Blazucki sarah@epgn.com The LGBT community needs more role models like Daniel Hernandez. The openly gay intern is widely credited with saving Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ life on Jan. 8, when a shooter killed six people and injured another 13 at a constituent event in Tucson, Ariz. Hernandez, now 21, is also poised and articulate, easily more polished than politicians twice his age. The political-science major at the University of Arizona was honored at Equality Forum’s International Equality Dinner on April 30 at the National Constitution Center, where he took time to speak with PGN. PGN: Do you consider yourself a hero? DH: I didn’t on Jan. 8, and I still don’t. I think one of the things I’ve been very hesitant about is the title of “hero.” I understand why people use it. I still don’t agree with them, and it’s always hard to disagree with the president, but I’m going to keep doing it. I think one of the things I said at the memorial is still true: The people who are the real heroes are the people like Congresswoman Giffords; people like Gabe Zimmerman, who lost his life; people that are working for nonprofits, people that are doctors and nurses — people that have dedicated their lives to actually try-

ing to help others as opposed to someone who did something as a one-off. As great of a story as it is to have a one-off, what really is heroic is someone who actually gives up their entire life to try to help others. PGN: What do you think of the attention you have received in the wake of the Jan. 8 shooting? DH: I think for me it’s very strange to have all this attention because I’m so used to just working in the background. Because of that, I think I’m using the attention that I am getting to really talk about issues that I’ve cared about for years and years and worked on for years — talking about the importance of education, the importance of becoming civically engaged, the importance of LGBT issues. So for me, I’m using the attention I’m receiving to shine a spotlight on things that I’ve cared about for a long time, so I’m not kind of jumping on the bandwagon after something’s already happened, but I’m doing the same things I was doing before, except for now I am able to shine a little light on some of the issues that I’ve been working on. PGN: Do you think your actions that day have had any bearing on how the LGBT community is perceived?

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DH: I think one of the things we were able to see right after Jan. 8 is really how anyone can step up and be someone who does something that’s out of the ordinary. And I think that’s one of the reasons why I was so excited when I was able to work with the American Red Cross to have something called Save a Life Saturday, where across the nation we had 48 states [and] two territories, 110 sites that we had people trained in First Aid, CPR, basic wound care and treatment of shock. In one afternoon, we had thousands of people who came out to this free event. So now we have more people who are trained in the very basics that they can actually use in case they ever have to use skills like that. PGN: You had just started interning with the Congresswoman. Were you out at that time there? DH: I’ve known Congresswoman Giffords for years. I actually started [working for her] when I was in her congressional campaign in 2008 as an intern. So I’ve known her for years and, even though I had only been working for five days as a congressional intern, it had been a relationship that I had for years with the congresswoman, and I considered her a personal friend because we had spent so much time [together] over the years. Actually, I don’t think [my sexual orientation] was one of the things that we actually ever really talked about because it wasn’t something that was all that important. It was just a part of who I was. I was an intern, and I didn’t talk about it during my interview. So it wasn’t something that we had talked about beforehand, but it wasn’t something we hadn’t not talked about on purpose. I was an intern, I was there to do work of a congressional intern, and it wasn’t really anything that had any standing on whether

PGN: What’s your perspective on the immigration debate in Arizona? DH: I think in Arizona the debate that’s happening is really starting more of a national debate. I think one of the things we’re realizing very quickly is that we can’t have 50 states that have their own individual laws regarding immigration. So if nothing else, I think it’s starting a conversation, which needed to happen a long time ago at the federal level. So all of the immigration reform that needs to be done should be done at the federal level, which is where it belongs. But I think having laws enacted in places like Arizona and other places around the country really starts off that conversation. So I think, if nothing else, it’s good because it’s getting that conversation started for the future so when we are talking about comprehensive immigration reform or any kind of immigration reform, it’s actually happening, as opposed to it just being passed down the line. PGN: Were your parents immigrants, or where is your family from? DH: My dad is from California. He’s from Van Nuys. And my mom is from Mexico. PGN: What are your plans when you graduate? DH: I have a year left at the University of Arizona, and I’m really excited to be able to do some traveling around the country and come to events like this, like Equality Forum. It’s really exciting for me to have this opportunity. That being said, I’m like most 21-year-olds who don’t really know exactly what he wants to do when he’s done. I have plenty of time to think about what I want to do — whether I want to go to grad school or whether I want to get right to work — I still have time. It sounds like a cop-out answer, but I’m like most 21-year-olds who don’t actually know exactly what is coming next. PGN: Have you thought about public service? DH: I’ve thought about public service. I don’t know which way that would actually manifest. I’ve always been interested in working on the Hill, which is one of the things I wanted to do this summer, intern for Congresswoman Giffords in her D.C. office. I kind of know what I could do and what the options are that are out there, I just haven’t really had to think about it. And this kind of delayed everything because I’m in this weird place where I’m getting the opportunity to come to places like Philadelphia and just be a little bit more out there about things that I’ve cared about for years — so, things like higher education and LGBT issues. ■

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

Drexel shows its LGBT pride By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Three rainbow flags soared into the air last week as Drexel University gave a very visible nod to the university’s LGBT Pride celebration. Drexel officials and students participated in flag-raising ceremonies at the college’s University City campus, Center City venue and Queen Lane location May 13, in advance of Drexel’s Pride Days May 1621. The Center City flag stands atop the 13story Bellet Building, at 15th and Race streets, home to the university’s Program for LGBT Health, and all three flags will remain in place until May 22. Julia Perch, a Drexel senior and president of the Foundation of Undergraduates for Sexual Equality, credited former FUSE president Andrew Damron for the idea. She began working with administrators on the effort after she assumed the presidency last year. Perch first sought assistance from Joan McDonald, vice president of Drexel’s enrollment management and an out lesbian, and it just “took off” from there, with enrollment management and university relations jumping on board. Perch said she had originally assumed the school would affix one flag in a non-assum-

ing position on campus and was pleasantly surprised by the administration’s willingness to make it a broader, campus-wide effort. “It’s amazing beyond anything I had imagined,” Perch said. Crowds gathered at each flag-raising site, many of whom were taking photos and videos, and Perch said she’s seen nothing but positive reactions to the flags. Perch, an English major, said that while she’s always considered the university to be inclusive, she couldn’t imagine on her first day on campus four years ago that the school would be so visibly embracing its LGBT community just before her graduation. “The flag was raised alongside the American flag and the Pennsylvania state flag, which was just unbelievable,” she said. “It was really one of the most incredible things of my undergraduate career here.” In addition to FUSE, Drexel is also home to an LGBT faculty group, a recently launched organization for LGBT graduate students and its Program for LGBT Health, which launched in 2009 within the School of Public Health, which is headed by out dean Dr. Marla Gold. Perch said the ceremony, which she anticipates could become an annual event, is reflective of the university’s building commitment to being branded an LGBT-

FLYING HIGH: Drexel University faculty, staff and students gathered at three separate rainbow flag-raisings May 13 to mark the start of the college’s Pride Days. Guests at the Center City ceremony included Drexel assistant vice president of equality and diversity Michele Rovinsky (from left), assistant dean for student affairs in the School of Public Health Warren Hilton, Drexel graduate student Anthony Pennant, out dean of the School of Public Health Dr. Marla Gold, Drexel doctoral student Venkat Kalyana Sundaram, PGN publisher Mark Segal and associate director of Visit Experience in the Office of Enrollment Management Michael Davis. Photo: Scott A. Drake

friendly institution. “I think this is helping people become aware that Drexel is striving to become more LGBTQ-inclusive. The flag is raised right in the middle of campus and it shows

that Drexel is going in this direction and realizing how important this is. I’m hoping this will really have a lasting impact, but it’s definitely a really amazing place to start.” ■

10 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Dwight Probasco

Editorial

Coming out in the public eye This week, two prominent individuals came out: CNN anchor Don Lemon and Phoenix Suns president and chief executive Rick Welts. For Lemon, who served as a weekend anchor in Philadelphia earlier in his career, the announcement came via his new book, “Transparent,” and TV appearances. Welts opted to come out in a New York Times story on Sunday. Both men have had successful careers in their respective industries, both of which can be oppressive for LGBTs: Lemon is the first news anchor to come out while still on air; Welts is the highest-level sports executive to come out. Certainly, neither man came to this decision easily. For Lemon, his public acknowledgement comes after years of quiet speculation — after his announcement, some Philadelphians asked, “Wasn’t he out already?” In Welts’ case, the New York Times reported that the sports executive had shared his sexual orientation with a few colleagues. For the most part, it seems the NBA operated under a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” atmosphere. In Lemon’s case, as a journalist, it’s still difficult to be openly gay in mainstream media outlets. As a journalist, one is supposed to be impartial and unbiased in reporting. The (flawed) argument goes, if a journalist comes out, she or he has a bias, and couldn’t cover gay issues without including that bias. For example, some newsrooms don’t allow LGBT people to cover gay-marriage debates. The trouble with this argument is this: Would you bar a black person from covering stories about racial integration or “Loving v. Virginia”? Absolutely not. Indeed, a black person is likely to have a more comprehensive understanding of the issues and their impact and better access to the community affected by these debates. While some newsrooms have updated their policies and perspective, not all have. Another challenge many journalists face is the concept of reporting on the news vs. making the news. As a journalist, one is supposed to report on what happens, not influence it or be involved in any way. While noble in theory, practical application is sometimes impossible. But it may explain why some journalists haven’t discussed their sexual orientation: It’s not germane to the stories they are telling. In Welts’ case, men’s professional sports are often seen as one of the last closets. There are no current professional male athletes who are openly gay. There are openly lesbian players — Martina Navratilova and Cheryl Swoopes come to mind easily — and there are players who came out after retiring — Billy Bean, John Amaechi and Esera Tuaolo. Likely, the courageous decisions of Lemon and Welts will have ripple effects and will hopefully inspire others to have the strength to join them. ■

When Wasilla High School principal Dwight Probasco told the jazz choir they could not perform Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” at graduation, the kids in the choir got kind of pissed off. After all, they’d been working on the song all year. But a parent had complained, after all, and everyone knows that parental complaints are always based in sound reasoning and must be taken seriously and acted upon. See, this particular parent apparently didn’t think the kids should be singing a Queen song since Freddie Mercury was a big homo and all. So Probasco did what any reasonable guy would do: He pulled the plug on the performance. I mean what else was he supposed to do? Let the “jazz choir” sing something “gay?” But his mandate didn’t go over well with members of the WHS student body. In fact, junior Casey Hight, a member of the jazz choir, went so far as to call up the folks at a big-city (OK, Anchorage) gay organization. They told her to go to the ACLU. Oh, snap! “I felt like the school was discriminating for sexual orientation and I felt it was wrong,” Hight told The Frontiersman. “It’s so stupid because there’s nothing sexual in the song. There aren’t even any cuss words.” True. Though to be fair, no one really knows what the song’s about. Mercury was pretty tight lipped about the whole thing. I mean, unless you’re doing, like, a graduate-school level close reading in the Queer Theory school of literary criticism (and something tells me that’s not something the WHS English department spends much time on), the song is pretty tame sexually. It does have murder in it, though. Still, it’s not as if the song hasn’t ever been played at the school. “They’d played the song on the school intercom and we played it at prom. It’s a great song and the choir was really excited to be singing it. And the senior class felt like it defined them,” senior Rachel Clark told The Frontiersman. “The whole attitude of the song just seems to fit our class.” She’s right, it is a great song! And the choir is excited to sing it! And it defines

the senior class! Wait, it defines the senior class? OK, that part is a little weird. I mean, have you listened to the song’s lyrics? There’s a lot of confusion (“Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?”), fatalism (“Caught in a landslide. No escape from reality”), depression (“I sometimes wish I’d never been born at all”), self-pity (“I’m just a poor boy nobody loves me”), defiance (“So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye?”), and indifference (“Nothing really matters to me. Any way the wind blows”). Huh. I guess that does perfectly encapsulate high school? Never mind. Not wanting to tangle with the ACLU, principal Probasco relented and the show will go on. The only concession is that the lyrics about shooting a man in the head need to be omitted. Fair enough. Clark, the senior who claims that “Bohemian Rhapsody” speaks for her class, also told The Frontiersman, “We were joking about singing Elton John’s ‘Candle in the Wind’ instead.” Those Wasilla kids are pretty funny, I must say, especially since, as Gawker pointed out, Probasco looks a lot like Elton John. Actually, Gawker calls him “a dead ringer for Elton John,” which I think is a bit of a stretch. Probasco looks more like John’s weathered older brother. Rumor on the Internet is that Probasco really isn’t a bad guy. But giving in to antigay parental pressure is decidedly uncool. Especially when some graduating seniors just want to get their “Rhapsody” on. ■

Giving in to antigay parental pressure is decidedly uncool. Especially when some graduating seniors just want to get their “Rhapsody” on.

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.

OP-ED PGN

Primary analysis Here’s the inside scoop on the LGBT needed 7,000 votes to win. Lazin came Philly primary, the races of two City in short by about 230 votes, also coming in sixth. This is a rather weak showCouncil-at-Large candidates, Democrat ing after almost compete support from Sherrie Cohen and Republican Malcolm the Republican Party and endorsements Lazin. What do the results mean to the from both the Daily News and Inquirer. future of the LGBT voting power? With his ballot position, Lazin Both LGBT Council candidates in both parties were should have just sailed in like lucky enough to get great balthe number-one person on the lot positions: Cohen was No. ballot, Michael Untermeyer, 5 and Lazin was No. 2. Cohen who placed fifth and was also had almost no Democratic not endorsed by the party. The Party support, while Lazin was difference is that it seemed endorsed by the Republican Lazin made a point of putting Party. In a low-turnout election, himself out there as the fiscally responsible candidate and races are won by how many ballots you appear on throughran away from his base in the out the wards in the city. Lazin, LGBT community. His camwith party support, appeared paign website doesn’t mention on almost all. Cohen, on the “gay” — though it state he is other hand, appeared on very founder and executive director few. Turnout also plays a part. of “Equality Forum, a national In a low-turnout race, usually Mark Segal and international nonprofit the party-endorsed candidates organization” — but promiwin and win big — with the exception of a nently has pictures of him with George H. candidate who tries to be high-profile or is Bush and Nancy Reagan. At the tail end involved in some sort of scandal. of the campaign, it became apparent that Add to that the LGBT element. In the Lazin’s past financial issues were in stark Republican at-large race, Lazin almost contrast to the fiscally responsible profile ran away from the LGBT community, he put out there. Republican voters literally skipped over Lazin — the No. 2 balangering many. While Cohen embraced lot position — to vote for someone else. her LGBT roots, Lazin rarely mentioned Could this be tied to homophobia on the it — but these are Republican voters. part of Republicans? No, all the other winHe had overwhelming support from the ning candidates for at-large had pro-gay Republican elite. So how did that playbook work for each? positions. Was Lazin a casualty of the civil Cohen came within a whisper of winwar in the Republican Party? No, both ning an at-large nomination with little sides supported him. Lazin lost because of party support in a party election. Her supLazin. He miscalculated his community. port came from a host of reform groups Making himself the center of attention did and the LGBT community, which she not help. It just made voters look deeper. embraced. In the Democratic race, where So what are the lessons learned in this the winning candidates received around primary? It doesn’t matter if you are gay; 45,000 votes, she came in sixth and lost by it matters if you are embraced by your only 1,600 votes. This is a huge surprise own base — that base raising the needed funds and an outreach to the political and wake-up call to the Democratic Party. party. The future is bright for LGBT canFour years from now, an LGBT candidate didates. ■ supported by a united LGBT community should easily win a council seat. Cohen Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the made that point clear in this election. nation’s most-award-winning commentaThanks to Cohen, the party is on notice. tor in LGBT media. He can be reached at Cohen should be that candidate in 2015. In the Republican at-large race, you only mark@epgn.com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

Street Talk Is a gay-panic defense valid in a criminal trial? “No. It’s stupid. I don’t think gay panic should ever be used as an excuse. That doesn’t justify a crime. It shouldn’t be Shelvy Arata brought up as nanny an issue.” Washington Square

“No, I don’t think somebody should be allowed to use homophobia as a defense. It stigmatizes Allie Hauptman gays. If educator a threat South Philadelphia took place, that [threat] can be used as evidence — without going into the sexual orientation of the person who allegedly made the threat.”

“No. It makes no sense. You’re allowed to hit on people without worrying about being murdered. It’s a bullshit defense that doesn’t merit spending any time or money

“No. You can’t use the victim’s status as an excuse for your crime. To allow that in a courtroom would dignify Aliza Nahama candy-shop owner hate. If you’re Society Hill able to use that defense, then anything could be used — no matter how frivolous. That’s going down a slippery slope.”

West

Mark My Words

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on.”

Letters and Feedback In response to “Endorsements,” May 1319: Very disappointed Marge Tartaglione is being endorsed, despite her willingness to take DROP payment, “retire” for one day and come back to her job and her unwillingness to discuss this or other issues about her office (they do not post election results on their website) with the press. — phillyccgwm In response to “Judge weighs gay-panic defense,” May 13-19:

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

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

I like the gay-panic defense. In fact I support it. After all, if straights can claim to panic at a gay advance, then can’t gays claim to panic from the advances of a straight? Lesbian kills male and claims she “pan-

icked” when the man asked her for her phone number. — Siobhra In response to “Talk about it: the best HIV prevention and treatment,” May 13-19: “There are no debating schools of thought about dialoguing about HIV. It’s the best prevention and treatment plan around and should therefore be applied liberally.” I think this is the most important thing you have said. It is difficult to make lifestyle changes. But it becomes easier when it is out in the open and a topic of conversation. This seems to create a positive momentum facilitating change. — Sylvia Stella

12 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

News Briefing

AIDS agency blocked from razing church In a unanimous vote, the city’s License and Inspection Review Board this week blocked Siloam Ministries from demolishing the old Church of the Assumption. The five-member board didn’t explain the decision, which overrides last year’s decision by the city’s Historical Commission permitting the demolition. The church is located at 1133 Spring Garden St. In a nearby building, Siloam offers alter-

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nate therapies to low-income people with HIV, including Shiatsu massage, stressreduction techniques and nutritional counseling. In March, supporters of Siloam testified that the church’s demolition is necessary for Siloam to survive. They said the decaying structure is a drain on Siloam’s limited resources, and is in danger of collapse. But members of the Callowhill Neighborhood Association testified that the church is a “critical” part of Philadelphia’s history and should be preserved. CNA members also said it’s possible for Siloam to sell or lease the church to an organization for a reasonable profit. Siloam acquired the vacant church five years ago when purchasing other buildings from the Archdiocese in a package deal. The church has historic ties to two local saints, John Neumann and Katharine Drexel. Last September, the Philadelphia Historical Commission agreed with Siloam

that the church posed a financial hardship, and permitted the demolition. But CNA members appealed to the L&I review board. Kevin R. Boyle, an attorney for Siloam, couldn’t be reached for comment about a possible appeal to Philadelphia Common Pleas Court. Siloam has until June 17 to file an appeal. Samuel C. Stretton, an attorney for CNA, also couldn’t be reached for comment. — Timothy Cwiek

Spoken-word event launches “OUTspoken,” a spoken-word performance created by and for LGBTs, will kick off at 9 p.m. May 26 at The Poet Art Gallery, 4510 Walnut St. The new open-mic event is meant to offer community members an affirming, welcoming atmosphere that provides an alternative to the nightclub scene. Original artwork and photography will also be on sale at “OUTspoken,” which is anticipated to become a regular community

event. There is a $5 admission charge, or $10 to drink.

LGBT activist to be honored Research and policy-development institute Keystone Research Center will recognize Lancaster LGBT activist Adanjesus Marin at its annual dinner next month. The event will be held at 5:30 p.m. June 9 at the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg-Hershey, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass in Camp Hill. In addition to Marin, the agency will honor former labor-union leaders Edward Keller and Wendell Young. Marin, a health-care organizer and chair of the Lancaster City Human Relations Commission, was one of the key backers of the effort to retain the Lancaster County Human Relations Commission, which eventually disbanded earlier this year, and broaden its scope to include LGBT discrimination. Tickets are $125 and can be purchased at www.keystoneresearch.org. ■ — Jen Colletta

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The accused will be given the option to plead guilty, with those choosing not guilty having their cases held for trial. Individuals who plead guilty will be sentenced to community-service hours to be served directly in the 6th District. Sixth District Officer Joe Ferrero explained the details at the Police Liaison Committee’s monthly meeting last Thursday at the William Way LGBT Community Center, noting the program will help communicate the message that the 6th District won’t tolerate quality-oflife crimes. “If people want to come in here and raise hell, then they can come in and help clean it up,” he said. Ferrero has been working to gather a list of nonprofits in the district in need of volunteers and thus far has garnered cooperation from six, including Philly Pride Presents and the William Way LGBT Community Center. Agencies interested in participating must be present for the June 3 sessions in order to sign up the new volunteers, and interested organizations can contact Ferrero at 215375-0932. Anders, who also volunteers at a 17th District night court, plans to hold the 6th District proceeding every three months, and police are also in discussions with another judicial official to participate. One ongoing trend in the district that could be addressed through night court is the large crowd gatherings, such as several in the past few weeks in the Gayborhood that escalated into violence on 13th Street. Deputy Commissioner Stephen Johnson, liaison to the LGBT community, said police are taking a hardline approach for disorderly groups that congregate outdoors; once the individuals refuse police orders to move, the officers will bring in a police van and arrest individuals. Johnson stressed that this issue is plaguing the entire district, not just the Gayborhood, and will be addressed throughout the area. “If it wasn’t a community concern, then we wouldn’t be using our resources to address it, but this is something that’s important to the community,” he said. Committeemembers also raised the issue of slow response time to 911 calls. Johnson explained that calls are filtered by 911 dispatchers, who prioritize the incidents according to the descriptions provided by callers. He said callers need to be very specific in the call — not fabricating elements, but including all pertinent information about an escalating incident. He suggested that numerous individuals placing calls about the same incident will focus more attention on it, although he noted police must still respond first to more serious situations, such as a report of a person with a weapon over a fistfight. However, callers can also ask for a radioroom supervisor and then a patrol supervisor if still unsatisfied with the police response, Johnson said. The committemembers were also briefed on the proposal to install surveillance cameras at 13th and Locust streets, a plan that is awaiting city approval. ■

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Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between May 2-14. 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 6:45-10 p.m. May 2, two lockers inside Broad Street Fitness, 1315 Walnut St., had locks removed and items stolen. — Between 7:45-7:50 a.m. May 3, complainant left her residence (door unlocked) in the 1200 block of Panama Street for a few minutes to walk the dog; she returned to find her laptop had been taken from the couch. Sixth District Officer Corrado attempted to lift fingerprints with negative results. — Between 12:15-5:30 p.m. May 3, complainant’s secured bicycle was stolen from outside 315 S. Broad St. — At 5 a.m. May 4, complainant had a leather biker jacket and a cell phone taken from him by two males and a female at 1100 Locust St. The offenders were described as black and in their 20s. One male was 5-foot-10, 160 pounds with a light complexion and wearing light clothing. The second male was 6foot, 150 pounds with a dark complexion and wearing dark jeans. The female was 5-foot-2 and 140 pounds with red hair and wearing a green track suit; she drove a silver Mitsubishi west on Market Street from 11th. — Between 10 p.m. May 3 and 12:30 p.m. May 4, complainant’s secured bicycle was stolen from outside 1005 Waverly St. — At 12:30 a.m. May 1 (reported May 5), complainant reported he was assaulted by a group of 15 males and females while walking at 12th and Walnut streets and was hit over the eye with a high-heeled shoe, causing a laceration. The only offender description provided was of one black female, 5-foot-8 with a heavy build, and a second black female dressed as a male. — At 9:50 p.m. May 5, an employee of Danny’s Book Store, 133 S. 13th St., observed a female take items and attempt to leave without paying. The employee grabbed the female and she knocked over a DVD display while

fleeing the store. The offender was described as a black female with short hair and dressed as a male, wearing gray baseball jacket and blue jeans. — Between 3:30-7:50 p.m. May 8, out-of-town complainant’s 2003 Pontiac, parked in the 1300 block of Spruce Street, was stolen. — At 1 p.m. May 9, complainant was approached by two males pretending to be from Africa and requesting to use his cell phone. He declined and walked away, then used an ATM at 11th and Locust streets. The males followed him and snatched his ATM cards after having learned his PIN. Several charges and withdrawls were made. The offenders were described as black males, both in their 30s. One was tall and wearing a gray T-shirt and black cap; the second was 5-foot-10 with a heavy build and wearing a black shirt. — Between 9 p.m. May 1 and 1:30 p.m. May 2 (reported on May 9), complainant’s laptop was taken from his dormitory room in the 1200 block of Spruce Street. There was no forced entry into the property; a roommate was not on scene. — Between 10 a.m. May 1 and 6:40 p.m. May 9, someone stole the license plate from complainant’s 2008 motor scooter, parked in the 400 block of South Watts Street. — Between 3:45 p.m. May 11 and 1:50 p.m. May 12, complainant’s 2003 Ford, parked in the 200 block of South 11th Street, was stolen. — Between 7 a.m. May 8 and 8 p.m. May 13, out-of-town complainant’s 1999 Toyota, parked in the paid garage at 1201 Walnut St., had a door pried open and a GPS and change taken. District Officer Thornton attempted to lift fingerprints. — At 8:10 p.m. May 14, complainant was at the bus stop at Eighth and Lombard streets when a male snatched his iPhone and ran. Complainant chased and fought with the male, who got into a gold Jeep Liberty and fled west on Lombard. The offender was described as a black male, 19 years old, 5-foot-9, 150 pounds, clean-shaven and wearing blue jeans and a dark blue jacket. ARRESTS — At 4:30 p.m. May 3, district officers arrested a male for a summary offense outside 1222 Locust

St. — At 8:30 a.m. May 4, district officers arrested a male for a summary offense outside 1311 Spruce St. — At 6:20 p.m. May 5, district officers arrested two males for summary offenses outside 1201 Walnut St. — At 7:30 p.m. May 5, Central Service Detail Officers arrested a male for a summary offense outside 900 Spruce St. — On May 5, plainclothes officers arrested three males for prostitution between 10:50 p.m.12:15 a.m. at the following locations: 200 S. Juniper St., 261 S. 13th St., and 1300 Spruce St. — At 8:30 p.m. May 6, district officers arrested a male as a fugitive from justice from another jurisdiction in the 300 block of South Fawn Street. — At 12:40 p.m. May 7, an employee of the Parker-Spruce Hotel, 261 S. 13th St., observed a male on the eighth floor attempting to jump out a window. The employee stopped the male, who then set a small fire in the eighth-floor hallway. The fire was quickly extinguished. The male was taken into custody. The Fire Marshall investigated and charged the 63-year-old man, a resident of the building, with arson and related offenses. — At 12:15 a.m. May 8, district officers arrested two males for summary offenses outside 331 S. 13th St. — At 7:30 a.m. May 10, 6th District Bike Patrol Officer McQue conducted an investigation of a male drinking liquor on the highway in the 1200 block of Chancellor Street and found him to be in wanted status as a probation violator. The 48-year-old suspect with a homeless shelter address was charged with contempt of court. — At 7:15 p.m. May 11, district officers arrested a male for a summary offense outside 1200 Locust Street. — Between 9:45-10 p.m. May 12, district officers arrested two males for summary offenses outside 1334 Walnut St. and 1200 Locust St. — At 2:05 a.m. May 14, district officers arrested a male for a summary offense outside 1300 Chancellor St. — Between 4:10-6:15 p.m. May 14, district officers arrested four males for summary offenses at 300 S. 13th St. and 1206 Spruce St. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

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resentation. We can build political power as a movement by getting openly LGBT people elected.” On the Republican ticket, Lazin was just 200 votes behind Michael Untermeyer, with Lazin garnering 11.6 percent, or 6,773 votes. “It was a close vote, but I’m certainly very grateful for the support I received,” Lazin said, adding he doubted he would run again in the future. “This was a unique opportunity to serve Philadelphia at a really critical juncture.” Despite the Council losses, openly lesbian attorney Barbara McDermott was victorious, placing sixth out of 10 possible openings for Democratic Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, garnering 4.7 percent of the vote, or almost 36,000 votes. McDermott said the win was especially meaningful, as she ran 10 years ago and lost, which she said signifies the growing acceptance of out candidates among voters. “People were willing to look at my entire picture and get a sense of who I was, what I stand for and the work I’ve done. Things

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Grafton was sentenced to four-and-a-half to nine years. Groce was finally captured after being arrested for driving under the influence in Delaware County, where he was living, earlier this year. Since going on the lam, Groce got married, had three kids and kept up a job, and

have changed a lot in didates, with 3 percent, the past 10 years and or 22,584 votes, while this was just an opportuKing came in 29th, with nity for me to say this is 1.3 percent, or 9,457 it, this is who I am, and votes. I didn’t get one negaAlso unsuccessful tive comment about my was out attorney Robert sexuality, which surTuerk, who lost his bid prised me,” she said. “I for Philadelphia Traffic Court. didn’t plaster it everywhere, but people cerMayor Michael Nutter MCDERMOTT (LEFT) tainly knew I was out, AND CLIFFORD soundly defeated challenger T. Milton Street and knew who the gay for the Democratic maycandidates were. When there are numerous out candidates, it’s a lot oral nomination, while the Republican race was extremely tight, with Karen Brown harder to just dismiss them.” Also successful was out attorney Dan leading John Featherman by just 60 votes Clifford, who won the Republican nomi- as of presstime, with 96.4 percent of prenation for Montgomery County Court of cincts counted. In the Democratic City Council-at-Large Common Pleas, capturing 41.4 percent of the vote, defeating two other candidates, race, five incumbents were victorious with, in order, Blondell Reynolds Brown, Bill the nearest by just 300 votes. Judicial races were unsuccessful for Green, Bill Greenlee, Wilson Goode Jr. and openly gay attorneys and Democratic Kenney, earning the top-five spots. On the Republican side, David Oh led Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas candidates Christopher Mallios and Leon the pack, followed by Denny O’Brien, Joe King. McColgan, Al Taubenberger and Michael Mallios placed 15th out of the 34 can- Untermeyer. Notably, incumbent at-Large

Councilman Frank Rizzo was shut out of the race. The 10 at-Large candidates will vie for the seven open seats in November, with no more than five allowed to go to one political party, which, because of the strong Democratic majority in the city, typically leaves two seats for Republicans. Rizzo was the target of sharp criticism for his participation in the Deferred Retirement Option Plan, similar to longtime City Commissioner Marge Tartaglione, who lost her bid to Stephanie Singer. In the Council district races, Mark Squilla was victorious in the race to represent the First District, which includes the Gayborhood, topping candidates Joe Grace, Jeff Hornstein and Vern Anastasio. Incumbent Democrats Darrell Clarke (5th Dist.), Maria Quinones-Sanchez (7th Dist.) and Marian Tasco (10th Dist.) retained their seats, while the three races without an incumbent were 6th Dist. candidate Bobby Henon and 8th Dist. candidate Cindy Bass. In the 2nd Dist., state Rep. Kenyatta Johnson had 7,435 votes to Barbara Capozzi’s 7,363 at press time. ■

Kane told him he did not want his family to lose their house. The charges against Groce could have resulted in a maximum 18-32 years in prison, but the sentencing guidelines for this case stood between two and four years. Assistant District Attorney Vincent Regan argued for the four-year sentence

According to a victim-impact statement that Regan read for the court Monday, Yollin has since moved to Arizona, primarily because of the beating and the fact that one of his attackers was still at large. Hate-crimes charges were not an option, as the state’s hate-crimes law does not extend to sexual orientation or gender identity. ■

and said he was “disappointed” by the judge’s ruling. “I think in this case, a stronger sentence would have sent out a message to people that fleeing instead of facing up to their sentencing is not the way to go,” he said. “I didn’t think this sentence was appropriate. The defendant was rewarded for fleeing.”

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Future of Uganda’s antigay bill in limbo By Maggie Fick The Associated Press KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s parliament adjourned without acting on a criticized antigay bill that would mandate the death sentence in some cases, drawing praise from an advocacy group that said parliament’s failure to act was a “victory for all Ugandans.” Speaker of Parliament Edward Ssekandi Kiwanuk said last Friday there is no time to take up the bill this session, which ended Wednesday, leaving the bill’s future uncertain. Kiwanuk adjourned the parliament May 13 and set no date for the body to return. The bill has drawn criticism from U.S. leaders and human-rights groups. The U.S. State Department spokesperson on May

11 called the bill “odious” and said no changes to the bill’s wording would justify its passage. Avaaz, an Internet group that champions action on issues like poverty and climate change, called it a “victory for all Ugandans and people across the world who value human rights” that parliament did not take action last week. “This vile bill is a matter of life and death for gay Ugandans, and would have seen the execution, imprisonment and persecution of friends of Avaaz, and thousands of others who have committed no crime at all. We must now ensure this heinous bill can never return to Parliament again,” said Alice Jay, the group’s campaign director. David Bahati, who authored the bill, has said that if the antigay bill was not voted on this session, he would try to move the

legislation forward next session. Helen Kawesa, spokesperson for parliament, said the antigay bill could come back up for debate in the next parliament but that it would likely take time to get back to the floor. Kakoba Onyango, a member of parliament, said the antigay bill has taken so long to be acted on because President Yoweri Museveni did not back it and because of the criticism of human-rights groups. Gay-rights groups say the harassment of gays has increased in Uganda since the introduction of the bill in October 2009. Last year, a tabloid newspaper in Uganda published the names and photos of men it alleged were gay. One cover included the words “Hang Them.” Shortly afterward, a prominent gay-rights activist whose picture was published was bludgeoned to death,

though authorities claim David Kato’s sexual orientation had nothing to do with the killing. Bahati’s original bill would mandate a death sentence for active homosexuals living with HIV or in cases of same-sex rape. “Serial offenders” also would face capital punishment. Anyone convicted of a homosexual act would face life imprisonment. Anyone who “aids, abets, counsels or procures another to engage of acts of homosexuality” would face seven years in prison. Landlords who rent rooms or homes to homosexuals also could get seven years. Homosexuality is highly unpopular in Uganda, and pastors in this Christian country speak out loudly against it. Bahati has said he thinks the bill would become law if voted on. ■

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5th annual Summer Reading Guide by PGN Staff

Once again, PGN has scoured the shelves, sifted through the galleys and reviewed the press releases until we came upon books that we hoped would be of interest to you, dear reader. (Or, at the very least, of interest to us.) This year there were some great reads; others were a challenge to make it through the introduction. We read fiction, romance, memoirs, children’s books and etiquette guides. Without a doubt, the book industry has changed. On one hand, self-publishing is more accessible for new writers; on the other, self-publishing is more accessible for new writers. And it’s still not clear how e-readers will affect the publishing industry. Maybe next year they’ll send us review copies via Kindle. Grab a book — or an e-reader. Aging with HIV, A Gay Man’s Guide By James Masten, Ph.D, LCSW Medical Self-Help From summer 2004 through spring 2006, Masten had conversations with 15 gay men who were surviving HIV into mid-life. “Aging with HIV” is a product of those interviews. Masten has crafted a book that informs longtime survivors of HIV on how gay men are coping with a disease that, frankly, many did not expect to survive long. Peppered with quotes,

fast facts, research review points and reflections, this guide covers many aspects of the physical, emotional, spiritual and sexual lives these men have — and continue — to face. There are also sections where the author presents some of the various responses to questions, such as “How did you recognize your middle age?” and “What is dating like?” This guide may be of interest to gay men with HIV of any age, though it’s targeted to the mid-lifer. It would also be useful to partners and perhaps family members who take an active role in any HIV-positive man’s life, and would certainly make an excellent base for a group study and support group.

— Scott A. Drake Angels and Manners By Cynn Chadwick Fiction The bumpy road to selfempowerment comes to life in Chadwick’s humorously relevant “Angels and

Manners.” Former housewife Jen Manners finds herself the newest, and most unlikely, resident in a North Carolina Section 8 complex, where she strikes a surprising bond with roughand-tumble carpentry apprentice Carrie Angel. The two women initially take comfort in their shared hatred for their ex-husbands but gradually draw strength from one another to embrace their latent aspi-

rations and desires. “Angels and Manners” confronts the reality of the recession — the emotional toll that job losses, food stamps, welfare checks and child support have on mothers and children. While the topic may seem, and is at times, heavy, the novel is not one of doom and gloom; the author frames these issues within the family dynamic, allowing for the vitality of the characters’ intertwined relationships to champion their strapped finances. The coming-out process of one of the mothers, as well as one of their children, is handled well, as Chadwick demonstrates the gradual and self-fulfilling nature of the journey in a subtle, unapologetic way that allows the reader to see the parallels among selfacceptance of all forms. “Angels and Manners” is a no-holds-barred commentary on loss, love and learning to make not just a living, but a life.

— Jen Colletta Benedetto Casanova: The Memoirs By Marten Weber Historical Romance Written as a translation of a long-lost memoir, “Benedetto Casanova” is the fictitious story of Casanova’s lesser-known gay brother, and the writing style conveys the period without the distraction of historicalstyle accuracy as it pulls the reader pleasantly into the 18th century.

Weber has created Benedetto as an engaging character who has the charm and wiles to seduce (or allow himself to be seduced by) nearly every man he encounters, regardless of their age, nationality, marriage status, race, religion or station in life. They include painters, soldiers, servants, noblemen, teachers and merchants. There are also as many different venues: Milan, Paris, Verona, Rome, workshops, bathhouses, bedrooms, studios, shops and table tops. Benedetto is many gay men’s fantasy to be able to have whomever, whenever, wherever, and Weber makes the journey very entertaining. Alternately a story of love, espionage, travel and a diary of sexual encounters, “Benedetto Casanova” will keep the reader entertained and engaged with this “Age of Enlightenment” story.

— S.A.D. Celluloid Activist: The Life and Times of Vito Russo By Michael Schiavi Biography Vito Russo is probably best-known for his landmark book, “The Celluloid Closet,” which provided an encyclopedic account of LGBT films, filmmakers and characters throughout cinema. While this deserving author/activist receives his own encyclopedic account of his life here, that is not necessar-

ily a good thing. Schiavi so painstakingly researched Russo’s life that the book he produced is exhausting and frustrating to read. He includes details such as a list of films on theatrical release the moment Russo was born, and the year Russo’s high school in Lodi, N.J., was founded (along with a description of the building’s architectural details). There is even a complete menu of what Russo’s father served at summer barbeques. Buried under all these unnecessary — not to mention uninteresting — details are important points about Russo’s involvement in the Gay Liberation Front and Gay Activists Alliance, which strengthened his personal politics. A later chapter describes Russo’s work on his landmark book. But anyone seriously interested in Russo’s life and work would become bored hunting for valuable nuggets among the minutia.

— Gary M. Kramer Chelsea Boy By Craig Moreau Poetry By the author’s own admission, the term “Chelsea Boy” has become more a description of where someone lives and what gender he is instead of the longtime descriptor of the partying, sex-driven boys of days past in New York City. Moreau shines brightest in his “Chelsea Boy Survival Guide” pieces and

especially in “Lesson #3: How to do a Bender.” He shares the emotions that prey on the circuit partier who has been up for two days, how his language is impacted and the thought process is altered throughout the course of an event. Many of Moreau’s other poems have a more subtle, thoughtful emotional bent. His location poems such as “Ode to 8th Avenue” and “Sitting at a Hotel in Le Claire, Iowa” are wistful, while “Rawhide, 21st Street” is light and funny. A struggle in his poetry occurs when Moreau works within the serious and darker sides of emotions — something that should become richer once this young, first-time-published poet has a broader volume of life experiences. This 70-page first volume of poems is easily toted to the shore, in a backpack or with your laptop. It is serious poetry, but with a sense of fun and adventure to which many readers will respond.

— S.A.D. Complete Gay & Lesbian Manners: The Definitive Guide to LGBT Life By Steven Petrow with Sally Chew Nonfiction We’ve got to hand it to Petrow for being so very thorough with this guide, which effectively covers every aspect of LGBT life, from coming out and sex to marriage and funerals.

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20 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

For under $18, you get over 400 pages that cover all the bases, almost to a fault. While the writing and advice is pretty straightforward and easy to read, there’s a lot that comes off as just plain common sense and decency. Petrow issues information under the assumption the reader has zero amount of home training or survival instincts to begin with, and goes from there. Granted, there probably are some people out there that need oral-sex etiquette to be spelled out for them (how people with a lack of hygiene and respect continue to get oral is beyond us), but those individuals usually resolve those issues pretty quickly with the help of the Internet or some immediate Pavlovian conditioning, or are too clueless to seek out this book. Still, the guide is overflowing with nuggets of wisdom and advice anyone can use, like how to host a wedding where children aren’t invited. Yes! That alone is worth the price. — Larry Nichols Donovan’s Big Day By Lesléa Newman Children’s Fiction More than 20 years after her groundbreaking “Heather Has Two Mommies,” Newman’s latest book tells the story of young Donovan

on his big day — the wedding of his moms. Newman’s book approaches same-sex marriage from a child’s perspective, going through a day in the life of Donovan — except that this day is very important. Newman saves the samesex wedding aspect of the book until the very end, taking the reader through all of Donovan’s important tasks for the day: feeding the dog, cleaning himself, getting dressed, holding the rings, getting kissed by grown-ups and walking down the aisle. “Donovan’s Big Day” gives gay families an opportunity to see themselves in a traditional wedding, giving children a role — and a stake — in the festivities. — Sarah Blazucki Don’t Tell By K.A. Kron Lesbian Romance Set in the Army before the first Gulf War, Kron crafts a love story under the military’s pre- and post-“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban on openly gay servicemembers. Gray Edwards and Annie Randall hadn’t planned to fall in love in basic training. But navigating that challenge proves easier than maintaining a long-term, long-distance relationship in the military, facing geographically separated training and assignments and having to keep their rela-

tionship under wraps. Gray becomes a pilot, Annie a doctor, and the two manage to maintain their connection and a semblance of closeted happiness. Until Gray is deployed to the combat zone. And Annie volunteers for an assignment — without telling Gray. Giving a glimpse of military life, the impact the ban had on gay and lesbian lives and, later, combat, “Don’t Tell” is insightful and engaging, though it doesn’t resonate with the emotional weight that it ought to have had. — S.B. The Fire in Moonlight: Stories from the Radical Faeries Edited by Mark Thompson LGBT History Reference Thirty-five years after Harry Hay and the founding of the Radical Faeries comes this part-history, part-anthology collection of stories by current and past members of the group. With homage to Walt Whitman and his Calamus poems, the history part of the book is interesting and gives multiple perspectives of the rocky road to its current incarnation. The personal stories include first-time gathering experiences, sexual encounters, participating in the heart circle and mysticism of finding one’s self. Philadelphia’s own Chris Bartlett (The Lady Bartlett) writes

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an insightful short regarding the difference between joining and belonging in the Radical Faeries. Other contributors engage the reader with poetry, historic personal narratives, humorous incidents and tales of unrequited love. “The Fire in Moonlight” is an excellent reference for anyone who has little or no knowledge of the faerie background and will delight anyone familiar with the group or a current participant. But don’t expect the book to give you insight into who the members of the Radical Faeries are, what the collective consciousness means to them or any member’s reason for belonging; that answer lies within the individual and must be found through the experience. — S.A.D. Games Frat Boys Play By Todd Gregory Erotica/Mystery Jordy Valentine spent his youth being lonely and miserable in a Swiss boarding school as his self-made millionaire parents globe-hopped. When he finally gets his say regarding college, Jordy chooses to go to CSU-Polk, join a fraternity and tries his best to make real friends. His first crush is on his rush chairman, drop-dead gorgeous Chad York, who rejects him, and Jordy never forgets, nor forgives him.

The Jack Bank By Glen Retief Memoir Retief’s memoir recounts his apartheid-era childhood in South Africa, giving a moving account of both his coming to terms with his sexual orientation and the oppression and unrest of the country. The book reveals the cultural, racial and religious conflicts of South Africa with a literary account. Retief’s father worked on a game preserve, providing

— S.B. My Soul’s Been Psychelicized: Electric Factory — Four Decades in Posters and Photographs By Larry Magid with Robert Huber Nonfiction Music buff and music historian alike will find a lot to be intrigued about with the coffee-table book dedicated to one of Philadelphia’s premier music

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both a symbolic and literal haven for him. Both he and his family knew he was different from the other boys: Much of his childhood is spent trying to fit in and come to terms with it when it doesn’t always work. His efforts to be more masculine are successful at turns, though he’s torn between trying to gain the favor of the racist Afrikaners and his parents’ negative views on segregation, between pranks and boarding-school hazing that cross into abuse and not wanting to be seen as a momma’s boy. Both he and others suffer abuse, and it’s difficult for him to separate his samesex attraction from what he endured. Interestingly, Retief acknowledges gaps in his memory, and draws conclusions from them about what must have happened, sometimes with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight.

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The book opens, however, with a police officer (who is struggling to be professional and not engage in sex with him) questioning Jordy in the recent death of Chad. Jordy denies involvement even though he was seen running from the scene of the crime immediately after Chad’s plummet from the frat house window. In flashback, Jordy recounts the gym workouts and trysts, frat brother hookups and hazing rituals both usual and unusual to the officer. Jordy tries ever harder to gain the normal life of every other student there while making himself more and more desirable and managing to engage in more than his fair share of sexual encounters. “Games Frat Boys Play” is Gregory’s second book set in a fraternity.

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venues and the concert promotion company that shares its name. From the flower-power era of the late 1960s through today, the Electric Factory and many other venues in the city have seen all kinds of performers come to town: This gorgeous, colorful and glossy book is chock full of concert posters, live photos and stories about some of the more legendary shows through the years. While this book makes a great addition to any music lover’s library, its overall scope a lot of times feels too safe. Granted, it is wonderful to read about and see pictures of the first time Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Elton John and Pink Floyd played the modest-sized club/theater in Philadelphia on the way to super-stardom. It’s cool to read how Philadelphia was one of first places that Bruce Springsteen was popular enough to fill an arena. But the book spends a lot of its pages on subjects well-documented elsewhere. Live Aid and Live 8, as well as stadium tour stops by The Who and The Rolling Stones, were given a lot of face time that could have been better spent on lesser-talkedabout performances of the era. But it’s still an entertaining read and a nice slab of visual music history. — L.N.

Normal Gets You Nowhere By Kelly Cutrone with Meredith Bryan Nonfiction If you’re a fan of fashion industry and PR badass Kelly Cutrone, go ahead and buy this

book. If you’ve never read a book of mantras, life lessons and assorted stories of misadventures and struggles hammered out by someone who is kind of famous, you also might want to give this book a gander. If you’ve read a book like this written by anyone else, you might want to save your money. Don’t get us wrong, there is a lot to learn about life, love, sex, money and the fashion industry from the successful Cutrone. She’s seen and done a lot over the course of her career. But the pearls of wisdom she’s dropping aren’t exactly rare or unique to her experience. We read “Follow the Model: Miss J’s Guide to Unleashing Presence, Poise and Power” by Miss J. Alexander last year. It’s the same message: stay committed to your individuality, be fabulous, work hard, my life kicks ass, yours can too, repeat.

If you’re a follower in search of a guru (and you don’t see the irony of purchasing this book to fulfill that goal), go for it. — L.N. A Passionate Engagement By Ken Harvey Memoir In midMay 2004, publications across the globe carried photos of same-sex couples embracing on the steps of Massachusetts city halls as the state became the first to sanction samesex marriage. What the cameras didn’t capture, however, was what writer Harvey did — the anxietyfilled roller-coaster ride that same-sex couples in the state were thrust onto. From first date to honeymoon, the memoir details the stages of Harvey’s relationship with his partner, which, unlike a typical love story, is colored by politics. While the story takes readers to marriage-equality protests in Boston, it also brings them home with the couple, as they move to a new house, plan their wedding and deal with the day-today work and family balance, brought together through a seamless fusion

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

of the politics and the personal. While depictions of married same-sex couples have become more common since Massachusetts took its groundbreaking step, “A Passionate Engagement” goes a long way to demonstrate the simple, subtle challenges same-sex couples are still confronted with — like the search for LGBT-affirming florists and caterers — that even a state-issued marriage license can’t always surmount. However, Harvey’s memoir demonstrates that a bond between two people — regardless of sex — has the power to overcome any odds. — J.C. Persistence: All Ways Butch and Femme Edited by Ivan E. Coyote and Zena Sharman Anthology This new anthology of butch/ femme essays is a sequel/ homage to the 1992 “The Persistent Desire: A FemmeButch Reader,” edited by Joan Nestle. Her pioneering work gave historical context through real women’s voices on gender, sexual orientation and roles. Coyote and Sharman’s

new anthology gives this gender discourse a new setting, grounding it with new and known voices, including S. Bear Bergman, Jewelle Gomez, Victoria A. Brownworth and Belinda Carroll. The pieces are funny, erotic and thought-provoking, providing new discourse on butch, femme, lesbian sexuality, gender and sex roles. Jewell Gomez’s “Femme Butch Feminist” uses Cheryl Clarke’s poem “Of Althea and Flaxie” to deconstruct femme and butch identities and sexuality. In Amber Dawn’s “To All the Butches I Loved Between 1995-2005,” the author works to reconcile how her decade of sex work impacted her butch lovers. Dawn is honest in her self-assessment, owning how her work complicated and undermined her relationships. Belinda Carroll’s “A Guide to Getting Laid by a Girl in Lipstick and High Heels” is a wry look at how femme lesbians can pass as straight, even in a gay bar trying to pick up women. — S.B. Rainy Day Recess: The Complete Steven’s Comics By David Kelly Comics Like sex-advice columnist Dan Savage says in

the forward, this collection of comic strips that could be found in gay publications throughout the mid- to late 1990s captures what it was like growing up a “sensitive” (read: gay) child in the 1970s. There were no antibullying rules or law in the ’70s and society was less enlightened about LGBT issues, but through the eyes of a kid those days it was all about school and being shuttled around from one divorced and dysfunctional parent to another, plus a few grandparents and cool aunts. But Steven could always fall back onto his first crush, friends, his idolization of Wonder Woman, creating his own super-heroine (Star Woman), the Muppets, “Star Wars” and other things that would be magical to a child of the 1970s to get him through. Bonus: The book includes new artwork and strips published for the first time. Whether you are new to “Steven’s Comics” or a longtime fan, this book is a treasure.

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22 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

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Remembrance of Things I Forgot By Bob Smith Fiction Gay comedian Bob Smith blends comedy, science fiction and social commentary to make a good comedic romp his latest novel. “Remembrance” follows John, a comic-book dealer in 2006 who decides to break up with his boyfriend on the same day said boyfriend finishes inventing a time machine for the government. John decides to use the time machine to travel back to 1986, where he encounters his younger self with the express purpose of fixing the issues that wreck his relationship in the future, preventing tragedies that happened to his family and preventing George W. Bush from becoming president. (Personally, we would have loaded up on Microsoft and Apple stocks and gone to a bunch of Prince concerts, but this isn’t our book.) Now, anyone who has ever seen or read a story where time travel is involved knows that things never, ever go as planned when you time travel. So it’s no surprise when John’s plans don’t go as smoothly as he envisioned them. Thankfully this is comedy, so John’s misadventures with his younger self are quite entertaining, especially when his younger self laments his future self’s lack of hair — but then immediately rejoices when he realizes his future self won’t have AIDS. This is definitely a fun read. — L.N. A Saving Remnant: The Radical Lives of Barbara Deming and David McReynolds Martin Duberman Biography Duberman originally intended to write about a half-dozen or so gay people who had served as a “saving remnant” — a small number of people who were neither

indoctrinated nor frightened into accepting oppressive social conditions. Instead, he ended up focusing on just two: Deming and McReynolds. A lesbian and a gay man, the two were left-wing radicals in the 1960s and ’70s who maintained a respectful friendship through their disagreements. Duberman’s thoroughly researched tome is saturated with details — making it a meticulous read. The subjects led amazing activist lives: Deming ended up living in a lesbian commune and McReynolds ran on the Socialist ticket as the first openly gay presidential candidate. “A Saving Remnant” is a significant, historical account of a turbulent time in the gayand civil-rights movements. Shine Lauren Myracle Fiction Myracle’s “Shine” looks at homophobia and hatred through a small-town lens. When gay teen Patrick is brutally attacked in an apparent antigay hate crime, his estranged friend Cat embarks on her own Nancy Drew-like mission to seek justice. She finds resistance, however, from a town whose residents are largely unwilling to acknowledge the underlying tensions that may have led to Patrick’s attack and, in the process, Cat herself is forced to recognize the truths in her own life. “Shine” is a suspenseful, gripping tale that will have the reader guessing up until the last page. With each chapter, a new piece of the puzzle is revealed, and it isn’t until the end that the pieces finally come together flawlessly. The book is an excellent commentary on the rampant homophobia that is allowed to take root in many rural areas. Yet it also puts forth the idea that, just as all gay

people should not be blanketed by the same stereotype, neither should all small-town folks. “Shine” illustrates that, in order to uncover the origin of hatred of any form, one must be prepared to also courageously take an unabashed look at his or her own fears. — J.C. “Slaves to the Rhythm: A Love Story” By Terry Connell Memoir Philadelphiaarea native Connell’s cathartic self-published memoir alternates between diary entries that chronicle the last year in the life of his AIDS-stricken lover Stephan with chapters recounting Connell’s growing up and coming out/to terms with his sexuality. The revelations here are nothing new, but they nicely capture the rhythms of life — be it caring for others or accepting oneself. From crying jags (Connell has plenty) to hospital visits to descriptions of Stephan’s body “betraying” him, this story will ring true for those who know the anger, fear, guilt and pain of living with and caring for a dying loved one. “Slaves to the Rhythm” will also resonate with those readers who grew up gay in a religious household where, as Connell emphasizes, “faith trumps family.” Connell’s fear and repression of his sexuality causes him shame and insecurity, which prompts him to (ab)use alcohol and drugs. Yet what ultimately emerges — and what makes “Slaves to the Rhythm” worthwhile — are the observations about the power of love, what love means and what we do for (the ones we) love. Connell’s book is certainly therapeutic for him, and it will provide a sense of comfort and reassurance for others going through similar experiences — something Connell probably needed during the painful years described in his book. — G.M.K.

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24 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

Outward Bound

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Jeff Guaracino

Game on! Borgata trumps but can resorts revel? Like you, Atlantic City casinos bet to win — only now, they are attempting to win over the lucrative gay and lesbian traveler, and their bets change as quickly as the roll of the dice. Last April, I wrote about Trump Taj Mahal wooing our community with a series of well-organized and even better-advertised “Fun and ‘Gay’mes Weekends.” Earlier this year, Atlantic City once again hosted the Miss’d America Pageant, sponsored by Resorts, Tropicana, Harrah’s and Trump. And a possible game changer just arrived: Prohibition at Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City’s first gay casino nightclub. This summer, Borgata is trying a game of its own down the shore. The Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa is placing its bets on the LGBT traveler who wants a mix of luxury, fun and sophistication. The strategy appears to focus on weekends with big-name entertainers who have large followings in our community. Kicking off this season in April was Ricky Martin, followed by gay icon Kathy Griffin and Wanda Sykes on tap in June.

The Water Club tower rooms and suites feature rain showers and a fully stocked mini-bar — a rarity in give-away-theroom-obsessed Atlantic City. Borgata passes the “how do you really know if your hotel is really gay-friendly test:” It offers (for a fee) adult in-room entertainment of

interest to gay men, aka gay porn. (You’d be surprised how many so-called gayfriendly hotels don’t do this.) Of course, a weekend overnight stay at the Borgata doesn’t come cheap, but you can find deals midweek all summer long starting around $150. Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa takes its pools and spa seriously. The property has three pools — two outdoors and one indoor. The hotel is on the marina and the beach is a short drive away. Those looking

for a perfect first date or a special-occasion weekend should check in and visit the spa! The men’s massage was a perfect beginning, followed by a soak in the communal hot tub and swim in the top-floor lap pool. Dining is an art here. The sushi and sake at Izakaya are among the very best. Smart travelers will find that reward programs can be, well, rewarding. It is easy to sign up at many hotels such as the Borgata. It takes less than a minute to sign up when you visit www.myborgata.com. You can redeem comps for food, rooms and other perks. How to get there — it can be confusing! Driving is definitely the quickest and easiest way to get from Philly to Atlantic City. Finding the Borgata can be tricky from the Atlantic City Expressway: Be sure to take Exit 1. You can valet park, but if you are like me and take your ZipCar, you will have to self-park, which will cost you $5. Taking New Jersey Transit from 30th Street Station is an inexpensive way to make the hour-and-a-half trip. A warning: Cabs in Atlantic City seem crazy expensive to me, but shouldn’t be over $13 to go anywhere. Opt for the Jitney when you can. Next for Atlantic City? Atlantic City should have a gay beach! Perhaps we should “get our history straight” and return to the original Poodle Beach in A.C. Our community also needs a collective welcome from the many resorts and casinos all year long to build loyalty and repeat visits. With the long-awaited Revel casino coming in 2012, maybe we can reclaim our Playboy days at the many Resorts that Caesar himself would say is a Golden Nugget of an opportunity that is just about ready to shine as bright as

Harrah’s “welcome” signs to our community. Local gay trips Don’t forget you can vacation close to home. We are lucky to live in a gorgeous area of the country with so much to do. Spend a weekend in Bucks, Delaware, Chester or Montgomery counties. Remember, travel is an opportunity you’ve earned. ■ Jeff Guaracino is a vice president for the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation and author of “Gay and Lesbian Tourism: The Essential Guide for Marketing.” He has learned how to find the best deals and travel resources for the LGBT community. When traveling locally, check out visitphilly.com/gay and friend visitgayphilly.com/facebook.

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Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

Suzi Nash

Trevor Powell: Inspiring the next generation These days, with TV shows like “Jersey Shore,” “Girls Gone Wild” videos and young “role models” like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, it’s easy to be concerned about the next generation. Fortunately, plenty of young people are interested in more than just drinking and sexting. There are whole flocks of them flying under the radar, trying to make a difference in the world and concerned about the state of politics today. This week, we spoke to Trevor Powell, a 22-yearold volunteer with Americans United for Separation of Church and State, whose mission is “dedicated to preserving the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure religious freedom for all Americans.” PGN: Where are you from? TP: I was born in a little town in South Jersey and I currently live in Voorhees. PGN: What did your parents do? TP: My dad worked at Temple’s radio station and my mom was a manager at The Home Depot. PGN: Did they swap gender roles? TP: They’re divorced now — she’s in Florida and I live here with my dad — but yes, my mother did most of the typical “man’s work” around the house. [Laughs.] She wore the pants in the family! PGN: Any siblings? TP: Yes, I have an identical twin brother who is a straight ally and an older sister who is in Paris right now for grad school and two older half-siblings. PGN: Did they dress you alike when you were kids? TP: Oh yes, my mother loved to dress us up with matching clothes, little sailor suits, etc. We’re totally different now, I’m more conservative-looking and he has a much more radical look with his hair grown out and a number of tattoos and piercings, the whole 9 yards. PGN: Did you have any weird twin phenomenon? TP: Absolutely, we read each other’s thoughts and we used to have the same dreams. I’d wake up and say, “Wow, I dreamt about such and such,” and he’d say, “I had the very same dream.” PGN: What were you like as a kid? TP: I was a bookworm. I was really into history and spent a lot of time at the library. I still am a history buff: I have a dual major, political science and history. PGN: Tell me about coming out. TP: I’ve probably known that I was gay since the onset of puberty, but didn’t really

come out until about three years ago. I was working for a small restaurant in my hometown and the family that owned it was conservative Christian. They were Southern Baptist and I used to go to church with them on occasion. One night, the pastor started making really homophobic remarks; it really upset me, kind of sent me over the edge. I walked out of the church and had a small breakdown: I went home and came out to my dad. I don’t know where I got the courage, but I was so disturbed by the comments I heard, I had to talk to someone. Fortunately my parents were very supportive. PGN: And your twin? TP: He was too, I think he already knew. PGN: So did your experience with that church get you involved with Americans United? TP: Partly. I was working for Garden State Equality for a year-and-a-half and at one of the events I met a woman who worked with AU. She invited me to one of the meetings and I was interested in what they had to say. I’m not anti-religion, I’ll go to services at Christmas with my mother and I go to a Unitarian church just for the spiritual element, but I don’t agree when religious organizations try to impose their view on others, especially in government or school settings. PGN: What are some of the problems with blurring the lines between church and state? TP: Well, for LGBT people, it can be frightening. The religious right and groups like the Traditional Values Coalition and the Family Research Council are very antigay. The Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson once said that being gay is “a sickness, and it needs to be treated” and that “many of those people involved with Adolf Hitler were satanists, many of them were homosexuals. The two things seem to go together.” We don’t want these people involved in government and school decision-making. I was disturbed at all the testimony given during Prop. 8 from “religious leaders” speaking about homosexuality being a sin. That’s a religious concept that has no place in government. It’s a violation of the wall of separation between church and state. There was a lot of money behind repealing the rights of LGBT people to marry in California that came from religious organizations. And a lot of the money they make comes from our tax dollars being paid to them for the new “faith-based initiatives.” During the Bush administration, Pat Robertson received $1.5 million in federal faith-based subsidies. And being religious organizations, many of them are exempt from nondiscrimination policies. It’s twisted.

PGN: Like what we’re going through now with the Boy Scouts, Cradle of Liberty Council. They don’t accept gay Scouts or leaders but want to use government property for their headquarters. TP: Yes, it’s crazy, and there are a ton of real cases where these religious groups taking taxpayer money are allowed to make their own rules. In Kentucky, there was a lesbian who had excellent performance reviews and yet got fired from a Baptist-run publicly funded home for troubled youth after she was seen taking part in an AIDS walk. In Minnesota, a taxpayer-funded social-service program run by a Lutheran church refused to help a transsexual, saying it conflicted with church doctrine. They are free to do and think what they want, but not with our tax dollars. Another problem is the censorship campaigns that they’ve been doing in schools. A national organization called Family Friendly Libraries lobbies to have books about LGBT topics removed from public libraries or placed in restricted

upset at atheist organizations that are just as extreme as the right. I don’t have a problem with people wishing me Merry Christmas or celebrating Passover with friends. If people are using religion for good purposes, I don’t have a problem with it. TP: I agree: AU is not anti-religious. We just believe that people should be able to worship who they want, if they want and that government should not be involved. It’s a benefit for smaller religions in this country as well, whether it be Judaism or Buddhism or some other group: Some of them get just as pushed around by some of the big religious entities that want to make everyone toe their line. The executive director of our organization is an ordained minister for the United Church of Christ, the Rev. Barry Lynn. In his book, “Piety & Politics: The Right-Wing Assault On Religious Freedom,” he writes about the agenda proposed by the religious right and shows that they are not really pro-freedom at all. They want to control what everyone does and they are more than willing to influence the government to further their own agenda. Part of what we do is to defend the freedom of all religions as protected by the Constitution and we oppose any effort to use government power to force anyone to support, take part in or fund any religion. We also oppose efforts by the religious right to impose its theological views on the public by governmental action. According to Rev. Lynn, the religious right’s attempt to force all Americans to accept its religious doctrines as law is one of the greatest threats to religious freedom today.

PGN: So back to you ... you’re a political-science major: Will we ever see you in office? TP: I don’t know. After working for Garden State Equality, I think I’d be good as a lobbyist for LGBT Photo: Suzi Nash causes. I spent last fall access areas. Just a few months ago, in Bowling Green, Ohio, a little girl was denied admission to a working on nondiscrimination issues in Catholic school because they found out her employment and housing. We got two ordiparents were lesbian. How sick is that to discriminate against a child because of who nances passed — it was exciting! her parents are? With the new conservative governors in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, PGN: OK, since your other major is history, what’s an era you’d like to go back to? we really have to be aware of what’s going TP: Probably the Renaissance era. There on before they start blurring the lines even were so many new ideas and innovations more. — new belief systems being formed — it would have been amazing to be a part of it. PGN: I’m an agnostic. I do, however, get

PGN

26 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

from page 22

Torn Apart Judy Rickard Nonfiction In light of the recent debate on the Obama administration’s refusal to defend the federal ban on same-sex marriage, Rickard’s “Torn Apart” couldn’t be more relevant. The book details the personal impact that the nation’s immigration law — which, because of the Defense of Marriage Act, prevents binational samesex couples from sponsoring a partner for citizenship — has had on Rickard’s own relationship with her British-born partner. The book goes on to provide an array of personal accounts of other couples whose lives have been turned upside-down because of the immigration law. The couples tell of the months, and even years, they’ve been forced to live literally half a world apart, and the unshakable fear they face each time they

proceed toward the immigration desk at an American airport. Although no two stories are alike — with partners hailing from different countries, having experienced varying levels of difficulty with the law and choosing different paths to confront it— taken as a whole, they put a public face to what may be an intangible law for many. “Torn Apart” is a moving and informative look at the life-changing effect of the nation’s immigration law — one that should be circulated throughout Capitol Hill for lawmakers to remember when it comes time to consider the Uniting American Families Act. — J.C. An Unconventional Life Jonathan Clift Fiction Clift’s “An Unconventional Life” follows one man whose life is marred by many tragedies — as well as many lovers.

from page 25

PGN: Ever have a near-death experience? TP: I don’t know about near-death but I injured my skull when I was young. We were at a shore house and I was on a bunk bed. My twin was on the bottom and he called me for something, I poked my head out to see what he was saying. There was a ceiling fan going full tilt and as I leaned out, it took off the top of my scalp. I had to have surgery at the nearest hospital. PGN: Ouch! Let’s go to something tamer. What book would I find on your nightstand? TP: “A People’s History of the United States” by Howard Zinn. PGN: Hobbies? TP: I love to draw and do artwork and I run about 6 miles a day. PGN: What sports have you played and what was your best moment? TP: I did cross-country track and soccer in high school. Best moment was in fourth grade when I scored the tie-breaking goal that won us the championship in soccer. PGN: You’re in college: What food are you surviving on?

The novel centers on Jonathan, a British country boy struggling with his sexual orientation in the 1950s, a feat that becomes even more complicated when he enters the military. Once he breaks free of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”-like confines of the military, Jonathan comes to embrace his own sexuality and embarks on a series of relationships, each of which adds a new element to his own development. While the book doesn’t provide an overwhelming depth to the characters, their stories are nonetheless engaging. The novel also provides an interesting look at gay culture, as it follows Jonathan’s and the gay community’s maturity and growth through the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. From British pubs filled with closeted military members to lavish British theater parties to a drug-filled binge in an L.A. mansion, the changing settings of Clift’s book will have resonance with readers of numerous generations and geographies. Although “An Unconventional Life” traces Jonathan’s myriad ups and downs from his teen years through adulthood, it does

TP: [Laughs.] Ramen noodles and microwave pizza! It’s a very, very unhealthy diet! PGN: A favorite cartoon? TP: I’d have to go with a classic: “Peanuts” with Charlie Brown and Lucy and Linus. PGN: What’s your sign? TP: Taurus. I just had a birthday in April. PGN: You engage in the two subjects that you’re never supposed to discuss, politics and religion. What subject puts you to sleep? TP: Oh God, math. Definitely, definitely. PGN: If you had to describe your personality as an animal, what would you choose? TP: Maybe a racehorse. Last semester, I was taking 15 credits — five classes — while working 40 hours a week, and I had to get straight A’s so I could transfer to Temple. PGN: How would someone romance you? TP: Talk about something in politics or history that I could get into or would agree with! That’s my version of foreplay. PGN: Yeah, I don’t get the James CarvilleMary Matalin, Maria Shriver-Arnold Schwarzenegger thing. I couldn’t be with someone whose core values were so far

so with a quick, fluid pace — allowing most readers to get from cover to cover during a day at the beach. — J.C. Where’s My Wand: One Boy’s Magical Triumph over Alienation and Shag Carpeting By Eric Poole Memoir As a young boy, Poole thinks magic — and channeling Endora from “Bewitched” — will help him through the rougher parts of life. As a queer boy with a domineering mother and bullies for schoolmates, he often drapes himself with a caftan and prays to God for things to go well — or at least not so badly. Of course, he just needs to believe in himself. The episodic — and fitfully amusing — “Where’s My Wand” includes moments, such as his mother defending her son against his father’s drunken boss, where Poole finds some measure of selfworth. But most of these

stories, such as ill-fated camping trip with his aunt or his efforts to thwart a neighborhood animal killer, seem to be merely excuses to hang clever one-liners, or to put down anyone intellectually or otherwise inferior. Poole’s humor is surely a defense mechanism for his own insecurity, and he can produce some laugh-out-loud funny lines, but “Where’s My Wand” is best when his personal stories are universal. A chapter about befriending an armless young girl or awkwardly trying to seduce another boy are far more interesting than his very special life lessons about death, growing up and developing self-esteem. — G.M.K. Willy By Robert Dunbar Suspense The only really queer thing in Dunbar’s “Willy” is the odd sense that something is not quite right with the main char-

from mine. [Editor’s note: Shriver and Schwarzenegger announced their separation earlier this month.] TP: I know. I used to model for Abercrombie and Fitch and I dated one of the other models. He was a conservative, evangelical Republican and it was the most awkward, awkward, awkward relationship you could imagine. PGN: A model, activist, waiter, student ... you’ve done a lot in just over 21 years! Anything else? TP: I don’t want to sound like a boring person, but I don’t think I’ve really done that much. I had an internship with a congressman last summer, Robert Andrews, which was cool, and I currently work as a salesperson in a liquor store. Can I tell you something I am proud of? PGN: Of course. TP: One of the things that got me involved with Americans United was a course I was taking as a history major at Camden County College. The professor was about 80 years old and he was an extreme right-wing, homophobic, anti-Islam, anti-Muslim, anti-feministtype guy. He was always ranting about homosexuality being wrong and a sin and gay marriage not being a civil right,

acter of this novel, set in a school for emotionally disturbed boys. Unfolding in an undated diary format, “Willy” has the unnamed narrator explain his lack of familiarity with certain words, games and expressions. While Dunbar has audiences encounter things as the narrator does, the story does not get interesting until the title character appears. When the narrator becomes infatuated by and fascinated with his roommate Willy, the book comes to life. A scene of the two boys in the school’s infirmary is intimate, and shows their symbiotic relationship. Likewise, the secret bond between them crackles with illicitness. But when Willy the character is not around, “Willy” the book is less interesting — even when incidents occur that require the police. Dunbar addresses issues of power, identity and thinking for oneself here, but his writing — and the book’s deliberate typesetting — alternates between obfuscating and being too precious. “Willy” may appeal to genre fans, but anyone expecting a sexy suspense tale will be disappointed. ■ — G.M.K.

and would make comments that women were inferior and Islam was the religion of evil and it caused 9/11. He was rabidly anti-Obama and very vocal about his religious views. I went to the dean’s office to complain and see what could be done about him. I told them as a high-end honors student, I was offended by his hateful statements. The school wouldn’t get rid of him, saying that he had freedom of speech to say what he wanted. I got in touch with AU and was eventually able to have him removed. PGN: How did AU help you? TP: I got tips from some of the members on ways to start the process. I began taping his classes and the awful things he would say and keep a record of when and what he did, like the fact that if you didn’t agree with him, he would give you a lower grade. I submitted the stuff every week to the administration. In the end, that’s what got him removed. PGN: That is something to be proud of. Forget the soccer championship, I’d say that was your biggest win! ■ To suggest a community member for “Family Portrait,” write to portraits05@aol.com.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

The Sporting Life City of Brotherly Love Softball League scores from May 15: BikeStop Fury ICandy WolvesC Maniaxxx Maniaxxx iCandy Sluggers Westbury Valanni Shots Shots Uncles TOC TOC Sluggers Saving2B Hangover Hangover Institute 369ers BucketBuds BucketBuds Institute 5 O’Clock 5 O’Clock Sisters Martinis Martinis Monkeys Monkeys

8 17 19 9 8 8 9 10 19 16 8 10 1 7 15 5 0 11 6 3 4 3 3 9 9 12 0 9 8 12 3

WolvesC Bikestop Fury TriplePlay TriplePlay Outlaws Outlaws Westbury Valanni Wolves Storm Uncles Storm Wolves Homewreckers Homewreckers GLU Tailgaters Dynasty 369ers Uglies Uglies Foulplay Foulplay Sisters Ninjas Ninjas HolySmoke GLU Dynasty Tailgaters

20 16 4 10 10 30 11 22 14 13 15 23 20 22 11 26 7 12 14 8 5 12 16 10 2 3 10 6 1 11 4

Men’s Competitive Team TriplePlay BikeStop Fury Maniaxxx Outlaws ICandy WolvesC

W 5 0 1 2 5 3 5

L 1 6 5 4 1 3 1

T 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

DIRTY MARTINIS PLAYER MOLLY SIMKISS Photo: Brandi Fitzgerald

Women Team 369ers 5 O’Clock BucketBuds Dynasty FoulPlay FPWSL GLU Hangover HolySmoke Institute Martinis Monkeys Ninjas Saving2B Sisters Tailgaters Uglies

W 3 6 0 4 5 1 5 2 2 1 5 2 3 0 1 2 3

L 2 0 5 2 0 0 1 4 3 4 1 4 3 5 5 4 2

T 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Co-Ed Recreation Team Shots Storm Westbury Wolves Sluggers TOC Uncles Homewreckers Valanni

W 2 2 4 3 3 3 1 3 2

L 4 3 1 2 2 2 4 2 3

T 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

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28 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

PGN

COMMUNITY PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

30 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 05/20 Elixir: the Cure for the Common Gala Dr. Ruth Westheimer is honored along with Pennsylvania state Sen. Vincent Hughes, his wife Sheryl Lee Ralph and The Trevor Project, 6-10 p.m. May 20 at Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Millennium Hall, 1201 Market St.; mazzonicenter.org/ events/elixir. The Losers Lounge Presents: A Tribute To Queen! The cover band pays homage to Queen at 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.;

215-222-1400. Weird Al Yankovic The comedy singer performs at 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-5727650. MST3K: Final Justice Robots talk smack about a bad film, 9:45 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223. Stimulus Two-Year Anniversary: The 2nd Annual AllWhite Affair The LGBTQ dance party celebrates its second anniversary 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at TLA, 334 South

St.; www.stimulusphilly.com.

Sat. 05/21 WMMR BBQ 3 Doors Down, Papa Roach, Seether and more perform starting at noon at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-365-1300. Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School Philly The cabaret troupe performs at 3 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Dragapalooza: Broadway Divas The drag variety show kicks off at 8 p.m. at Voyeur, 1221 St. James St.; 215-735-5772. James Taylor The singer-songwriter performs at 8 p.m. at the Borgata

Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Life’s Melodies Anna Crusis Women’s Choir performs its spring concert at 8 p.m. at Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad St.; 215-568-6250. Uptown Express The band performs a benefit for Planned Parenthood at 8:30 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215862-5225.

Sun. 05/22 The Bachelor and the BobbySoxer The 1947 film starring Shirley Temple and Cary Grant is screened at 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre,

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WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME ‘LATELY’?: Comedian Chelsea Handler takes a break from her hit nighttime talk show “Chelsea Lately” to perform 8 p.m. May 20 at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby. For more information or tickets, call 610-352-2887.

227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223. Life’s Melodies Anna Crusis Women’s Choir performs its spring concert at 4 p.m. at Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad St.; 215-568-6250. Katie Eagleson and the Lenny Pierro Trio The two cabaret acts perform at 7:30 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215-8625225. Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars The world-music group performs at 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400.

Mon. 05/23 Sixteen Candles The teen comedy film is screened at 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888.

Tue. 05/24 Gender EDGE The “punk-rooted/ DIY/fiery gendervariant/transgender activist artists” perform at 5:30 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.;

215-923-2960. Geraldine Brooks The Pulitzer Prizewinning author hosts a reading of her new book, “Caleb’s Crossing,” 7:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.

Wed. 05/25 Rad Bromance The all-male Lady Gaga cover band performs at 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. The Wailers Uprising Tour 2011 The reggae group performs at 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400.

Singers and musicians perform a showcase at 8 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215-862-5225.

Thu. 05/26 Bob & Barbara’s Drag Show The outrageousness begins at 11 p.m. at Bob & Barbara’s, 1509 South St.; 215-545-4511.

Fri. 05/27 Paula Johns The cabaret singer performs at 8:30 p.m. at Bob Egan’s

New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215-8625225. Daryl Hall The singer performs at 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Weezer The rock band performs at 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. ■

Australia’s Thunder from Down Under The all-male dance troupe performs at 8 p.m. at Sellersville Theater, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5808. Marc Silver & the Stonethrowers The out singersongwriter and his band perform at 8 p.m. at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; 215-928-0770. Variety Showcase

WORLD CAFE GETS SKETCHY: Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School Philly, the arty cabaret troupe, brings a day of music, booze, competitions, sexy dames and debauchery, 3 p.m. May 21 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. For more information, visit www. drsketchy.com or call 215-2221400. Photo: Maria Mack

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Opening Berlioz Damnation of Faust The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Berlioz’s masterpiece through May 28 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Danza Contemporánea de Cuba The Cuban dance troupe performs May 2425 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Miss Saigon Walnut Street Theatre presents the popular musical epic love story, May 25-July 17, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.

Continuing Beware the Lily Law Eastern State Penitentiary hosts a video installation on the experiences of trans prisoners, through November, 2027 Fairmount Ave.; 215-236-5111. The Bridge Club Society Hill Playhouse presents a play set on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge as two characters contemplate ending their lives, through May 29, 507 S. Eighth St.; 215-923-0211. Dividing the Estate People’s Light & Theatre Company presents this drama set in Texas in the late 1980s during the oil recession, through June 5, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern; 610644-3500. Little Women Bristol Riverside Theatre presents the Broadway musical based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, through May 22, 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol; 215-785-0100. My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra Walnut Street Theatre’s Independence

Studio on 3 hosts a salute to Ol’ Blue Eyes, through June 26, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. The Peacock Male: Exuberance and Extremes in Masculine Dress Philadelphia Museum of Art, through June, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Roberto Capucci: Art into Fashion Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works by Italian fashion designer and artist Roberto Capucci, through June 5, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America The National Constitution Center, through May 30, 525 Arch St.; 215-409-6600. Tailoring Philadelphia: Tradition and Innovation in Menswear Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition focusing on Philadelphia’s tailoring industry, featuring clothing designed by Francis Toscani (1915-73), through summer, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100. To Love, Honor and Obey? Stories of Italian Renaissance Marriage Chests Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of the commemorative works of art, through July, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Unsettled: Photography and Politics in Contemporary Art Philadelphia Museum of Art, through summer, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100.

Closing Beethoven Symphony No. 9 The Philadelphia Orchestra performs the symphonic classic through May 24 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800. Big Numbers Peter Nero and the Philly Pops play their most requested songs through May 21 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800.

GUIDED BY VOICES: Philadelphia Voices of Pride, the region’s only mixed-voice gay and lesbian chorus, celebrates its ﬁfth anniversary with “Oh, The Places We Have Been! A Fifth Anniversary Celebration,” a concert featuring highlights spanning its half-decade career, 8-10 p.m. at The Church of St. Luke and The Epiphany, 330 S. 13th St. For more information or tickets, visit www.pvop.org.

The Cripple of Inishmaan The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the dark comedy depicting the impact that

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

a Hollywood film crew has over the local residents in a rural Irish town, through May 22 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900. The Great American Songbook Jazz pianist and producer Andy Kahn performs standards and jazz songs through May 22 at Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Road, Media; 610-565-4211. Loving Him is Killing Me Angie Stone, NeNe Leakes and Tyson Beckford star in this dramatic production, through May 22 at Kimmel’s Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. The Shadow Box Center City Theatre Works presents the drama about three terminally ill characters — one of whom is gay — being interviewed about death and dying, through May 21 at Upstairs at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St.; www.centercitytheatreworks. org or 215-546-6718. String of Pearls Allens Lane Theater and Art Center presents a story about a family’s search for a string of pearls handed down from generation to generation, through May 21, 601 W. Allens Lane; 215-248-0546. Tommy Media Theater presents the classic-rock opera through May 22, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100. ■

CUBAN RHYTHMS: The Cuban dance company Danza Contemporánea de Cuba combines classical European ballet with Spanish and AfroCaribbean styles for its debut U.S. tour May 24-25 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-790-5800.

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

PGN

32 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

Worth Watching SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER: “Saturday Night Live” is going out with a bang for its season finale with pop superstar Justin Timberlake hosting and Lady Gaga as the musical guest, 11:30 p.m. May 21 on NBC. Photo: NBC

MUSIC’S HIGHS & LOs: Speaking of pop stars ... Jennifer Lopez, Cee Lo Green and Nicki Minaj perform at “The 2011 Billboard Music Awards” from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, 8 p.m. May 22 on ABC.

... SOMETHING BLUE: A sudden invitation to the wedding of an old friend, a notorious slacker, brings unexpected consequences for Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) and gay friend Max (Adam Pally) on “Happy Endings,” 10:30 p.m. May 25 on ABC. Photo:

‘FAMILY’ GATHERING: Gay couple Cameron and Mitchell deal with all of the drama and misadventures that come with celebrating Jay’s (Mitchell’s father) birthday on the season finale of “Modern Family,” 9 p.m. May 25 on ABC. Photo: ABC/Colleen Hayes

ABC/Mitch Haddad

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Q Puzzle Chung Chung Across

1. Class for future AZT makers 5. Of an appendage in your face 10. Unkissed prince? 14. “Desert of the Heart” novelist Jane 15. ___ Gay 16. NG: Racing sled 17. NG: Pancake topping 18. Glory hole locale 19. NG: Northern metropolis 20. Actor who plays Jack McCoy on 52Across 23. Title for Elton 24. NG: Sea shell seller 25. Chef Traci ___ Jardins 26. Mimicking a

Roddy McDowall role? 28. NG: Hit one not far from home 30. With 44-Across, what 20-Across recently came out in favor of 33. NG: Choir section 34. Whitman’s dooryard bloomers 35. Sound like Harvey Fierstein 36. NG: They help Tarzan become a swinger 37. Shakespearean soliloquy starter 41. A dick investigates them 43. Speechless Disney dwarf 44. See 30-Across 47. Gay ___ 48. NG: Kinte of “Roots” 49. NG: A, as in Augsburg 50. NG: Fine point of

writing 51. Bend over 52. TV series with the “chung chung” sound between segments 57. The Phantom of the Opera’s name 59. Genre for Marvin Gaye 60. He did Moor good, then harm 61. Trojan Horse, e.g. 62. NG: World-weariness 63. One way to cook fruit 64. NG: Some feds 65. Use someone else’s sperm? 66. NG: Joggers may wear them out

Down

1. Tavern for male and female impersonators? 2. “South Pacific” dance

3. NG: Lead and gold 4. Sneaky Pie cry 5. Placed one inside another 6. NG: Starts the pot 7. Fly like an eagle 8. NG: “___ fair in love ...” 9. NG: Composer Edouard 10. “Alice” waitress 11. Nureyev’s homeland 12. NG: Gawking at 13. Takei of “Star Trek” 21. Fruity drinks 22. NG: Drug cop 27. NG: Hot symbol 29. Musical featuring “Cheek to Cheek” 30. Gay, in slang 31. NG: Inn inventory 32. NG: Dorm VIPs 34. Santa’s got a long one 36. Caesar’s lucky

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

number? 38. When the New York Liberty doesn’t play, e.g. 39. NG: Assailed on all sides 40. Gay parents sometimes raise them 42. NG: Carrier to Tel Aviv 43. Paul of “Little Miss Sunshine” 44. Anita of “La Dolce Vita” 45. Three for a threesome, e.g.? 46. NG: Ill-advised 47. Ted Casablanca item 49. Come out in the long run 53. NG: Environs 54. Fairy godmother’s stick 55. Word used in dating 56. NG: Take a chance 58. Boy toy?

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34 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

Community Bulletin Board Community centers

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

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

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

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

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

Key numbers

■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851

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

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

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

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

■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays, and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

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

Anonymous, free, conﬁdential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 166 W. Lehigh Ave.; 215-763-8870 ext. 6000.

Health

AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; 215-629-2300. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; 215-851-1822 or 866-2223871. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215-685-1803.

HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and conﬁdential HIV testing available at 17 MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Ofﬁce Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077.

Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth ﬂoor; 215-563-0652. www.mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronicdisease management, including comprehensive HIV care; 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

Professional groups

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

■ Greater Philadelphia Professional Network Networking group for area business professionals, self-employed and business owners meets monthly in a different location throughout the city, invites speakers on various topics, partners with other nonprofits and maintains a Web site where everyone is invited to sign up for e-mail notices for activities and events; www.gppn.org. ■ Independence Business Alliance Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, providing networking, business development, marketing, educational and advocacy opportunities for LGBT and LGBT-friendly businesses and professionals. Visit www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com for informa-

at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the William Way Center. ■ Rainbow Adult Children of Alcoholics and Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 7 p.m. Saturdays at Limestone Presbyterian Church, 3201 Limestone Road, Wilmington, Del.; (302) 456-9129.

Al-Anon

■ Gay

Al-Anon meets at 8 p.m. Fridays at St. Andrew’s Church, 50 York St., Lambertville, N.J.; (215) 986-1029.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

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

■ AIDS Treatment hot line: 215545-2212

Adult Children of Alcoholics

■ Meets

■ Acceptance

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

■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513

12-step programs and support groups

tion about events, programs and membership; 215-557-0190; 1717 Arch St., Suite 3370.

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

■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus A regional organization dedicated to promoting gay and lesbian tourism to the Greater Philadelphia Region, holds meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; P.O. Box 58143, Philadelphia, PA 19102; www.philadelphiagaytourism.com. ■ Philly OutGoing Professionals Social group for gay, lesbian and bisexual professionals meets for social and cultural activities; 856-8579283; popnews19@yahoo.com.

meets at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays at Episcopal Church, 22nd and Spruce streets. ■ Beginnings meets at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at 1201 Locust St.; (215) 563-0663 ext. 282. ■ Community meets at 8 p.m. on Thursdays at Holy Communion Church, 2111 Sansom St. Gay and lesbian but all are welcome. ■ GLBT Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. on Sundays and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 100 W. Windsor St., Reading; (484) 529-9504. ■ Living In Sobriety meets at 10 a.m. Mondays through Fridays and 11 a.m. Sundays at the William Way Center. ■ Night Owl meets at 11:30 p.m. Sunday through Saturday at the William Way Center. ■ Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Beginners meets at 7:30 p.m. Mondays at Trinity Episcopal Church, 2212 Spruce St. ■ Sober and Gay meets at 8:30 p.m. Sunday through Friday at the William Way Center. ■ Stepping Stone meets at 2:30 p.m. Mondays at the Mazzoni Center. ■ Ties That Bind Us is a12-step Alcoholics Anonymous meeting for the BDSM, leather and alternative sexuality community. Meetings are held from 7:30-9 p.m. in South Philadelphia. For location, call (800) 581-7883. ■ Way Gay Young Peoples meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the William Way Center.

Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA)

■ Meets

at 7 p.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the William Way Center.

■ Healing

Emotional Support

After Loss has monthly activities in South Jersey and surrounding area; www.lsn.southjersey. com.

■ NJ

LGBT Cancer Support Group

Discussion/support group for LGBT cancer survivors, patients and caregivers meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Friday of every month at the Pride Center, 85 Raritan Avenue, Room 3, Highland Park, N.J.; (609) 217-8697; njlgbtcsg@me.com. ■ Pink and Blues is a free depression and bipolar support group for sexual minorities and meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; (215) 627-0424. ■ Pink and Blues Main Line, a peer-run mental health support group, meets 6 p.m. Thursdays at Bryn Mawr Consumer Center, 1001 W. Lancaster Ave.; (610) 527-1511. ■ Survivors of Suicide Inc. meets at 7:30 p.m. on ﬁrst Tuesday of the month at 3535 Market St., Room 2037; (215) 545-2242; www.phillysos.tripod.com. ■ Survivors of Suicide Inc., Chester County meets at 7:30 p.m. on second Wednesday of the month at Paoli Memorial Hospital, Willistown Room, Medical Ofﬁce Building; (215) 545-2242; www. phillysos.tripod.com. ■ Strength

HIV/AIDS

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

Mondays: ■ Positive

Brothers, a support group for men of color living with HIV/AIDS, meets from 6-8 p.m. at 112 N. Broad St., 11th ﬂoor; (215) 496-0330.

Tuesdays: ■

AIDS Services in Asian Community offers safer-

sex and HIV/AIDS information at 10 a.m. on second Tuesday of the month at the Independence Branch of the the Free Library, 18 S. Seventh St.; (215) 685-1633. ■ A support group for HIV-positive men and women meets from 1:30-3 p.m. at BEBASHI — Transition to Hope, 1217 Spring Garden St., first floor; (215) 769-3561. ■ Encuentros Positivos, a group for HIV-positive Latino men who have sex with men, meets on first and third Tuesday of the month at 1205 Chestnut St.; (215) 985-3382. ■ “Feast Incarnate,” a weekly ministry for people affected by HIV/AIDS, begins at 5 p.m. at University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St. Bible study follows at 6 p.m.; (215) 387-2885. ■ A support group for people recently diagnosed with HIV/AIDS will meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Mazzoni Center. ■ Youth Outreach Adolescent Community Awareness Program’s Voice It Sistah, a support group for HIV-positive women, meets at 11 a.m. every first and third Tuesday at YOACAP, 1207 Chestnut St., Suite 315; (215) 851-1898.

Wednesdays: ■A

support group for HIV-positive women will meet from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad St.; (215) 387-6055. ■ AIDS Services in Asian Communities’ weekly volunteer work group will meet from 6-8 p.m. at 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; (215) 563-2424. ■ Project Teach, a peer-education and empowerment program for people living with HIV/AIDS, will meet from 3-5 p.m. at Philadelphia Fight, 1233 Locust St. ■ Positive Effect, for HIV-positive people 18 and over, meets from 5-7 p.m. at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; (856) 963-2432.

Thursdays: ■A

support group for HIV-positive men and women will meet from 6-8 p.m. at BEBASHI — Transition to Hope, 1217 Spring Garden St.; (215) 769-3561. ■ Diversity, an HIV/AIDS support group for all infected or affected, meets from 7-9 p.m. at Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55. N. Broad St.; call Zak, (215) 848-4380, or Paul, (215) 307-0347.

Saturdays: ■ AIDS

Delaware’s You’re Not Alone youth support group meets at 11 a.m. at AIDS Delaware, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 315, Wilmington; a social session will follow at 12:30 p.m.; (302) 652-6776.

Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

■ Meetings

are at 2 p.m. Sunday through Saturday and at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the William Way Center.

Overeaters Anonymous (OA)

■ Open

meeting, Tuesdays, beginners meet at 5:30 p.m., regular meeting at 6 p.m., and 6 p.m. Friday, at Hahnemann University Hospital, 245 N. 15th St., third ﬂoor; call Troy, (215) 514-3065.

S.A.R.A.

■ Substance

Abuse – Risk Assessment; day and evening hours; (215) 563-0663 ext. 282.

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous

■ Mondays, ■ Mondays,

7 p.m. at the William Way Center. 7:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 20 N. Route 9, Marmora, N.J.; (609) 6751998. ■ Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. at All Saints Church, 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.; (302) 542-3279. ■ Fridays, 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean View Lodge, Metropolitan Community Church, 521 Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, Del.; (302) 945-5982. ■ Saturdays, 8:30 p.m. at the William Way Center.

SEPCADD

■ Safe

space to meet and discuss substance abuse problems with ofﬁce in William Way Center; (215) 340-9995.

Smoking Cessation

■ FreshOUT!,

Mazzoni Center’s free quitsmoking program, hosts individual sessions, classes and support groups and offers Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patches, gum and lozenges); (215) 563-0652 ext. 228 or e-mail quitsmoking@mazzonienter.org.

�

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

Home of the Week

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ROOMMATES PGN WILL NOT PUBLISH RACIAL DISTINCTIONS IN ROOMMATE ADS. SUCH NOTATIONS WILL BE EDITED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. ___________________________________ GREATER NE PHILA. Have your own bedroom in a beautiful split level home with 2 gay men. House is 4 BR, 2 full baths, W/D, upper and lower decks, use of kitchen. Property is by Welsh & the Boulevard, 1 min. to 58 bus. We ask only that you be at least reasonably neat and employed. Rent is $600 + 1/3 utils. Contact Dave at 215-698-0215. _______________________________35-29

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TO BUY CASH BUYER Pre-1980 Comic Books, Toys, Sports, ANYTHING. I travel to you and Buy EVERYTHING YOU have. Call Brian at 1-800-473-2407. _______________________________35-20

36 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

38 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

40 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

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42 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 20-26, 2011

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HELP WANTED

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