PGN March 27 - June 2nd by The Philadelphia Gay News

The return of a not-to-be-missed “Saigon”

Professional Portrait: Rick Piper

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Philadelphia FIGHT expands AIDS Education Month activities.

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May 27 - June 2, 2011

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Vol. 35 No. 21

Glassman resigns as PHRC head The highest-ranking openly gay state official announced this week that he is stepping down to take a CEO position at a nonprofit in Pittsburgh. By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Stephen Glassman, chair of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, handed in his resignation letter Monday. Glassman has accepted a position as the president and CEO of Community Design Center of Pittsburgh starting June 13, but will maintain his home in Philadelphia. The CDCP is a nonprofit agency that offers design assistance through funding, technical assistance and education. Glassman will be leaving the PHRC after eight years at the helm, but will remain a commissioner. “I felt that I had accomplished a great deal of my original intentions and that, after almost nine years. It was time to move on to another challenge and offer this opportunity to someone who might be more effective at working with a Republican governor and Republican legislature,” he said, noting the CDCP position is an “ideal marriage” of his architecture skills and public policy work. Former Gov. Mark Schweiker appointed Glassman to the commission in 2002, and he was unanimously confirmed by the Senate, making him the first out individual in the state to receive a Senate-approved gubernatorial appointment. One year after his confirmation, then-Gov. Ed Rendell appointed Glassman as commission chair. In addition to overseeing the agency’s investigation into discrimination complaints, Glassman has been a strong advocate for the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity into both state and local laws, testifying at hearings across the state for municipal LGBT ordinances, as well as backing efforts to expand the state’s Human Relations Act to make it LGBT-inclusive. Glassman, a graduate of Brown and Yale universities and Harvard University’s JFK School of Government program for senior executives, owned an architectural firm for 25 years prior to coming to PHRC. Glassman has accrued a litany of awards, including the Humanitarian Award from Shomrim of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley, the local Jewish police association, which will be handed down June 1. ■

THE DOCTOR’S IN: Sex guru Dr. Ruth Westheimer was the guest of honor at Mazzoni Center’s Elixir May 20. The annual gala, held at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, drew a crowd of about 150, who listened to the famed Dr. Ruth take on the audience’s tough sex questions. Mazzoni also honored state Sen. Vincent Hughes and his wife Sheryl Lee Ralph, along with The Trevor Project, with the night raising more than $60,000 to support Mazzoni’s programming. Photo: Scott A. Drake

AN APPLE A DAY: Guests at the Pennsylvania Ballet’s “Shut Up & Dance” benefit for the Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutritional Alliance May 21 donated to the agency through apples emblazoned with different monetary values, like those held by Don D’Orazio (from left), Karen Dieterie, MANNA executive chef Keith Lucas, MANNA volunteer services and community outreach manager Rob Saxon, Walter Williams and MANNA executive director Richard Keaveney. The annual fundraising performance drew a crowd of 1,000, who together brought in $80,000 for MANNA, which provides nutritional meals to those with life-threatening illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Not-guilty plea in Clementi case Tyler Clementi’s former Rutgers University roommate pleaded not guilty this week to charges he faces in connection with the webcam scandal that may have led to the gay teen’s suicide last fall. Dharun Ravi was in a New Jersey courtroom Monday for an arraignment in which he pleaded not guilty to invasion-of-privacy, bias and evidence-tampering charges. Ravi allegedly tapped into his webcam in his dormroom in September and broadcast Clementi’s sexual encounter with a man. A few days afterward, Clementi jumped from the George Washington Bridge. A grand jury last month handed down a 15-count indictment against Ravi, including second- and third-degree bias intimidation.

In a statement, Clementi’s father, Joseph, said Monday the family is “eager to see the criminal-justice process move forward.” Ravi is free on $25,000 bail. A pre-trial hearing will be held July 25; a trial date has not been set. Ravi’s attorney noted during the arraignment that prosecutors have amassed 1,600 pages of evidence and lined up 125 individuals to testify. Former Rutgers student Molly Wei, who investigators say allowed Ravi to use her computer, reached a deal with the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office that will clear her of invasion-of-privacy charges if she completes a community-service program and testifies against Ravi. ■ — Jen Colletta

Gay Men’s Chorus gets $35K grant By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus’ 30th-anniversary season got a big boost this month, with the awarding of its largest grant ever. The chorus was one of 26 agencies throughout the region selected to benefit from the PNC Arts Alive Initiative, a $5million five-year proPAGE 17

Trans-Health Conference marks 10th year By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com A record number of attendees are expected to turn out for the milestone 10th anniversary of the Philadelphia TransHealth Conference next week. The conference, themed “Looking Back, Looking Forward” in honor of the anniversary, will run June 2-4 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 13th and Arch streets. While the event has PAGE 7

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FIGHT promotes education, discussion in June By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Prevention, treatment and justice will be at the core of Philadelphia FIGHT’s AIDS Education Month activities this June. The 17th-annual affair will feature community discussions, socials and summits meant to target populations hardest hit, and those least informed, about HIV/AIDS. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the start of the AIDS epidemic, and FIGHT director of education Juliet Fink said recent studies on treatment will be the topic of conversation at many of the forums. “It’s an incredibly interesting time right now in the AIDS world because research has shown that there are ways that we really could end this epidemic, and the focus right now is putting resources toward that goal,” she said. The 2011 AIDS Education Month reflects the significant growth the event has seen since its inception, said Fink, who predicted at least 5,000 people will be reached by the month’s events. Because of increased support from corporate sponsors, FIGHT has also been able to ramp up its marketing presence, said director of development and communications Mark Seaman, adding AEM is being promoted through bus-shelter signs in Center City, on SEPTA buses and subways, through radio public-service announcements and

with a PSA on NBC New to the sumthat includes Mayor mit lineup is the Nutter. Faith Leaders and The 12th annual Community event “Beyond the Walls” June 11. The initiasummit on prison tion-only event will healthcare and reenallow religious leadtry, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ers from the region June 21, will be held to share best pracat the Pennsylvania tices for confrontConvention Center, ing HIV/AIDS with as it outgrew its fortheir congregations. mer venue at Temple “Every year FIGHT DIRECTOR JANE SHULL (LEFT) University. we’ve had a number AND GLORIA CASAREZ AT THE 2010 An ending plenary of events targeting KIYOSHI KUROMIYA AWARDS session on “educafaith-based leaderPGN file photo tion not incarceraship and we decided tion” will close the summit, which Fink to bring all of those events into one day this noted “is timely considering the budget year,” Fink said. “We know that there are cuts to education and the increase being put people living with HIV that we can provide toward building jails.” support and treatment for, but we can’t proTwo other public summits will be held vide them with spiritual healing, and that’s during the month — the fifth-annual Youth what many people are seeking.” Outreach, Education and Empowerment This year, FIGHT will also take a new Summit, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. June 4 at approach to community-education events. Gershman Hall, 320 S. Broad St.; and the Each year FIGHT staffers conduct edu12th-annual HIV Prevention and Outreach cational events at sites throughout the city Summit, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. June 15 at the — including rec centers, churches, rehabilConvention Center, 13th and Arch streets. itation facilities and other institutions that The youth summit will be followed by may not have HIV-specific programs, but the Crystal Ball, put on by The Colours often serve clients who could benefit from Organization and FIGHT, which will proper HIV/AIDS education. “Our goal is to provide basic information encourage HIV testing in the ballroom that can dispel myths about HIV. Last year, community.

we reached about 2,300 people with these community presentations,” she said. “And this year we’re bringing out a mobile lab with us to several locations and focusing on how to tell myth from fact as it relates to online information. It’s still HIV 101 but as we enter this digital world, we want to make sure people are getting accurate information from the Web.” FIGHT will also be working directly in local communities to promote HIV testing, with a goal of at least 1,200 tests in June. The month’s events will kick off with an opening reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. June 1 at Independence Visitor Center, Sixth and Market streets. During the reception, FIGHT will present the annual Kiyoshi Kuromiya Awards, in honor of FIGHT’s founder, to Jay Blahnik, Dr. Debra D’Aquilante and Gloria Casarez. “This year’s awardees are an eclectic group but I think they all really uphold Kiyoshi’s legacy,” Fink said. “Jay Blahnik started the House of Blahnik, which is the first ballroom house to be devoted to HIV prevention. Dr. D, as she’s known, is the HIV doc in the jails and is really a lifeline for many people there. And Gloria,” the mayor’s director of LGBTQ affairs, “has really been a huge support for the community. So we’re really excited about this year’s awardees.” For more information and a full listing of AEM events, visit www.fight.org. ■

Memorial Day Weekend Dance Lessons and Country Dancing Join more than 400 cowboys and cowgirls May 27 and 28. Loews Philadelphia Hotel Open dancing Friday and Saturday nights.

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Bal imore welcomes your family wi h pride.

There are so many surprises for families in Baltimore, even the most energetic kids have a hard time keeping up. You can take them to the dolphin show and the new jellyﬁsh exhibit at the National Aquarium. Then explore dinosaurs at the Maryland Science Center. If they’re not too tuckered out, they can meet the polar bears at the Maryland Zoo, climb a three-story tree house at Port Discovery Children’s Museum,

DOCKED ON THE DELAWARE: The Gayborhood moved eastward Sunday night for the Big Gay Boat Party, thrown by PhillyGayCalendar and Sisters Nightclub. About 150 guests danced and drank on the Delaware River despite the chilly temps and drizzle. The party, held on the 100-year-old Moshulu, will continue monthly throughout the summer. Photo: Scott A. Drake NEWS

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get up close and personal with pop culture icons at Geppi’s Entertainment Museum or ride the rails at the B&O Railroad Museum.

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Atheist poised to challenge Scouts deal By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Margaret A. Downey never has been afraid to challenge authority, and now she’s setting her sights on the Scouts deal. “I’m known for being a peaceful, kind and loving person,” she said recently. “But I have absolutely no tolerance for wrongful discrimination. I have a deep-seated passion to right wrongs.” Downey is president of The Freethought Society, a nonprofit based in Pocopson with about 1,000 members, many of whom live in Philadelphia. She said the group wants to challenge a city plan to sell 231-251 N. 22nd St. to the Boy Scouts Cradle of Liberty Council at a discounted price to settle a federal lawsuit. “We’re exploring all of our options, and we’re open to any legal advice,” Downey said. To avoid public bidding, Mayor Nutter plans to use an intermediary to sell the property to the council. But under a 1974 city law, a deed restriction is required that prohibits discrimination on the basis of several categories — including “creed” — if the intermediary is used. The law also requires that the property be sold at fair-market value. This week, Kera Armstrong, a spokesperson for the Cradle of Liberty Council,

declined to comment on whether the council would abide by a deed restriction prohibiting discrimination on the basis of creed at the property. Downey said the Scouts have a long history of discrimiMARGARET nation on the basis DOWNEY, of creed by excludPRESIDENT OF ing atheists and THE FREETHOUGHT agnostics, so she’s SOCIETY eager to oppose the land sale in court, if it gets to that point. “That [1974] law was put in place for a reason,” Downey said. “We can’t take it lightly. To ignore it would be taking a giant step backward — to the ’60s when discrimination was even more rampant. We honor the people who created that law, because of their great foresight into the harm of discrimination.” Challenging the Scouts is nothing new to Downey. She said she’s been on the cutting edge of social change for most of her life. Fifty years ago, as a 10-year-old living in Los Angeles, she scaled a fence to play in a playground adjacent to her home that was controlled by the BSA Los Angeles Area

LGBT Muslims to converge on area By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Memorial Day Weekend will bring together dozens of LGBTs of the Muslim faith for a getaway to build community and examine the intersection of their faith and sexuality. More than 70 Muslims from across the nation and three other countries will join together for a retreat May 27-31 in suburban Philadelphia. Volunteer organizer Siraj Kugle explained that LGBT Muslims used to gather annually for a national conference of Al-Satiha, but that organization has become inactive in the past few years. “There were a number of us who still kept in touch from our work with the foundation, and we felt that there was a real lack and a need for us to all get together again and keep discussing the issues affecting us,” he said. “But it’s not a conference; we used to have it at a major hotel with workshops and speakers and film screenings, and we wanted to make this more of a spiritual, social retreat.” Throughout the weekend, participants will examine an array of topics regarding sexual orientation and gender identity through the lens of the Muslim faith. Traditional Muslim prayers will be held

each day for those who wish to participate, followed by group discussions and teambuilding activities. The weekend’s opening plenary is titled “Our Personal Journeys” and will allow participants to share their own experiences with being gay and Muslim, two identities Kugle said often are difficult to fuse together. “Our central hope is for people to make new connections and build a sense of togetherness, community and belonging,” he said. “Many people feel very isolated because of their Muslim families or backgrounds and may have some major reservations about coming out and taking advantage of resources. And often, gay and lesbian folks from Muslim backgrounds may not identify with more mainstream gay and lesbian organizations and venues whether because of race, ethnicity, religion or cultural values. So there are a lot of obstacles this community faces and we wanted people to have a place to get together with likeminded people where those obstacles could be lifted.” Kugle said participants are expected to address the future of their community and whether to rejuvenate Al-Satiha or start a new organization. He said the retreat may become an annual event, adding it will likely move to different regions each year to ensure maximum participation. ■

Council. The L.A. council refused to let her play there because of her gender, she said. “Actually, the Scouts hired me to serve food and wash dishes at special events,” she recalled. ”If I could do that, why couldn’t I play in their playground? So I’d wait until closing time, then scale the fence and play until dusk. It became clear to me way back then that the Scouts were discriminating for no good reason.” About the same time, she became an atheist. “My creed is a philosophical conclusion that there is no deity,” Downey said. “To do good is my religion.” In 1992, Downey filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission after she and her son were denied participation in the BSA Chester County Council because of their status as nonbelievers, she said. Seven years later, in an 8-2 vote (with one abstention) the PHRC dismissed Downey’s complaint on the basis that the Chester County Council was “distinctly private,” thus the PHRC lacked jurisdiction. “It was very disappointing,” she said. “But my complaint clearly established that the Scouts want to be considered a private organization. So that being the case, in Philadelphia they need to get out of a public building on public property.” Shannon Powers, a spokesperson for the

PHRC, said it was unusual for a complaint to last for seven years, only to be dismissed by the PHRC due to lack of jurisdiction. Powers noted the “patience and tenacity” of Downey through the complaint process. “Ms. Downey felt strongly about her cause, and was willing to stick with it through a lengthy legal process,” Powers added. “Many people aren’t willing or able to do that.” In Downey’s opinion, the city should appeal last year’s federal-jury verdict that the city violated the Cradle of Liberty Council’s constitutional rights when it cited the council’s antigay policy as a reason for the eviction. “The city should take it all the way to the Supreme Court,” Downey said. “It’s that important of an issue. We shouldn’t be giving sweetheart deals to discriminators. That sets a horrible precedent.” Downey said she’s received death threats because of her activism. “I get more hate mail and death threats from Eagle Scouts than any other citizens,” she said. “Where do they learn that hate? When BSA does nothing about teaching acceptance, it endangers children.” Downey said she’s contacted the office of Mayor Nutter to discuss the Scouts deal, but at press time, Mark McDonald, a spokesperson for Nutter, had no comment on whether Nutter would meet with Downey. ■

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6 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

Timing Is Everything!

SEEING GREEN: The Tabu Trojans shared a bottle of bubbly from their championship trophy May 21 at Columbus Field to celebrate their undefeated run in the Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League’s spring season. The Trojans won the championship title after besting Say Uncles 41-0 in last Saturday’s game. The GPFFL’s spring season saw nearly 60 members on the four teams, the highest participation yet. Photo: Scott A. Drake

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The Tabu Trojans took the top prize last weekend at the championship matchup of the Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League’s spring season. The Trojans beat out Say Uncles 410 Saturday at Columbus Field, with the ICandy Jawbreakers dominating the Tavern Barbacks in the consolation game. In the semifinal games played earlier in the day, the Trojans bested the Barbacks in a 41-7 win. The four teams began play in early April, with the undefeated Trojans boasting the best record of the season with nine wins, one tied game and no losses. The Trojans were led in the championship game by quarterback and league MVP Andre Dionne, who threw five passing touchdowns, one rush touchdown and just one interception. The Trojans were also home to the league’s touchdown leader, Paul Glaser, along with longtime players Mike Gagliardi and Matt Pitucco, who led the team in interceptions and tackles, respectively, and receiver Marlow Hicks, who was named the Trojans’ Top Rookie at an awards ceremony at ICandy last weekend. Other awards included league Rookie of the Year Rob Miller of the Jawbreakers, Say Uncles MVP David Clarke and Top Rookie Adam Telem, Trojans MVP Dionne, Jawbreakers MVP Morgan Sampson, Top Rookie Miller and Barbacks MVP Zeke Joubert. The spring season included 56 players on the roster — its largest yet and a far cry from the 11 players who turned out for the league’s first meeting three years ago.

League assistant commissioner Justin Dolci noted that in past years, the spring season brought a decline of 10-15 players from the fall, which didn’t hold true this year. “This year we increased our numbers from the fall by nearly 15 members,” Dolci said. “Our new members jumped right in and became an integral part of what we are growing here.” GPFFL commissioner Wayne Knaub said this season bucked the trend other LGBT football leagues have seen. “From the leagues I’ve spoken with in a lot of the other cities, the spring season typically is smaller and more people come out in the fall, but we actually had more people this spring season than we did in the fall, because we’re still in major growth mode,” he said. “We had four teams this season but there were people who couldn’t play due to work or other commitments, so we anticipate we should have at least six teams in the fall. So I think we’re definitely going to continue to grow.” This spring, the league launched its firstever Friday Night Lights league games at Columbus Square Park, and also participated in many off-the-field events like its Jocks parties the third Friday of every month at Tabu, which last month celebrated the launch of the book “It Gets Better,” which includes Knaub’s coming-out story from GPFFL’s popular “It Gets Better” video. The league’s competitive arm, the Revolution, will next head to Chicago to compete in a Pride Tournament June 2426, while GPFFL will participate in Philly’s Pride parade and festival June 12 and recruit new players for its fall season, which starts in September. For more information, visit www.phillyflagfootball.com. ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

‘Come out’ this weekend for trans arts festival By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Later this year, Philadelphia will host a pioneering multimedia festival focusing on the transgender and gender nonconforming communities, the first of its kind on the East Coast. Organizers for Gender Reel, which will be held in September, will host a kick-off fundraising party, “Come Out,” at 9:30 p.m. June 2 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. The event, which coincides with the opening night of the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference, will feature performances from musicians, spoken-word artists, drag queens and other entertainers. The night will offer a preview of the talent that will be on display at Gender Reel, which will feature films, photography, artwork and other pieces that challenge conceptions of gender. Gender Reel chair Joe Ippolito said the festival grew out of a consensus among members of the gender nonconforming community that their perspectives were not adequately addressed through other arts events. “It was a reaction to the lack of transgender representation in more mainstream from page 1

grown exponentially in size — going from a one-day conference the first year to a now three-day event that, last year, drew more than 1,400 guests — Nurit Shein, executive director of the Mazzoni Center, which incorporated the conference as a program several years ago, said its core mission has never wavered. “Since it was established 10 years ago, the vision of the Philadelphia TransHealth Conference has been to address body, mind, spirit, community and wellbeing,” Shein said. “We are proud to mark this milestone anniversary and to note that while the conference has experienced remarkable growth and development over the years, it remains true to these original principles and to the grassroots spirit from which it was born.” The three days will be packed full of activities, with about 200 panel discussions, workshops and lectures on everything and anything trans — the largest number of events ever. Registration for the workshops is free, and topics range from aging to youth, from surgery to safety and from homelessness to healthcare. The conference will kick off with its opening plenary at 8:45 a.m. June 2 featuring trans pioneers Jamison Green and Earline Budd, who will be honored that night at the opening reception, 7:30 p.m. at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. Conference organizer Chris Paige said Green and Budd will lead several events throughout the weekend, working directly with conference participants to embody the mission of the conference theme,

GLBT film festivals throughout the country. That’s not saying that they’re not doing a good job, it was just more that there were not a lot of images that we wanted to see, so we thought we’d start something of our own.” There are a handful of trans-specific film festivals in other parts of the country, like in Seattle and San Francisco, but Ippolito said organizers chose to expand the scope to include an array of artforms. Organizer Jess Kalup said the concept is an innovative, and much needed, one. “It’s very unique,” she said. “There’s definitely a need for it. In the major gay and lesbian film festivals, trans folks and issues are often swept under the carpet, and Gender Reel is a perfect way to satiate that need.” The response has already been impressive, Ippolito said. Organizers have a wealth of submissions from all corners of the nation, and the festival has also gone international, with submissions from Australia, Latin America and Japan. Ippolito said organizers will be making final decisions on the selections in the next few weeks, and the lineup is anticipated to be diverse — with film submissions ranging “Looking Back, Looking Forward.” “Instead of focusing on just one keynote speaker, we wanted to get a little creative with the 10th anniversary because we’re looking at our past, present and future,” Paige said. “So Jamison and Earline will be speaking together on Thursday, then they’re going to do a community conversation Friday and then there will be three concurrent plenaries on Saturday. So instead of elevating just one person as our expert keynote, we wanted to say that there are different ways of thinking about community and different ways we can share insight and inspiration.” Also on Friday, the conference will welcome author Chaz Bono, who will read from and sign copies of his new book, “Transition: The Story of How I Became a Man,” at 11:45 a.m. Following Friday’s workshops, guests are invited to the Fallen Angels Ball, held from 7-11 p.m. at the Convention Center in collaboration with the House of Blahnik. The conference’s first-ever Book Expo will round out the weekend’s activities on Saturday, featuring transgender authors who will participate in book signings, followed by the annual Blender, from 8 p.m.2 a.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., a full-length cabaret show featuring myriad entertainers to honor the conference’s 10 successful years. When not attending sessions, guests can view an archival exhibition on the conference’s history at the William Way LGBT Community Center, through June 5. For more information about the conference or to pre-register, visit www.transhealth.org. ■

from hour-long narratives to half-hour documentaries to films that last only a few minutes. The day-and-a-half festival, held Sept. 910 at 320 S. Broad St., is expected to showcase eight to 12 films, in addition to the gallery of artwork. Ippolito noted submissions — which are due June 15, although Ippolito said exceptions can be made — do not need to be created by or focus on transgender individuals. “Our mission is really broader than the transgender community; we’re looking at anything that’s gender nonconforming,” he said. “We got a submission from a gay man who does a webisode about a group of gay men who are pushing against the binary gender ideas of what it means to be a gay man: They talk about how they’re effeminate and not buying into the stereotypical masculinity forced upon gay men. So it doesn’t matter how people identify personally: As long as the submission is about pushing against stereotypes of gender presentation, it meets the mission of the festival.” Clips from some of the films expected to be added to the Gender Reel lineup will be shown during “Come Out,” which will also feature the premiere of a trailer for Gender

Reel, which includes footage from an organizers’ retreat, planning meetings and Sunday OUT! Kalup said the party is a good opportunity for the entire LGBT community to learn about the strengths and talents of its transgender and gender nonconforming members. “It’s a great space and a good chance for people to see trans folks in their element, where they can focus more on their art and less on their gender,” she said. The party will center on the theme of classic films, with decorations of movie posters that challenged gender stereotypes like “Some Like It Hot” and “popcorn girls” (as opposed to cigarette girls) trolling the club. “The whole thing’s going to be a little campy, but it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Ippolito said. “This is our way to come out to the community and let them know who we are, what we’ve been doing and what our goals are.” The cover is $5-$10, and proceeds benefit Gender Reel as well as the Jim Collins Surgery Fund, which funds surgery for transgender individuals. For more information, visit www.genderreelfest.com. ■

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Noah fined $50,000 for antigay remark to fan Yahoo News reports Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah was fined $50,000 on May 23 for directing an antigay slur at a fan during game three of the Eastern Conference finals, and vowed to learn from the incident. The NBA released its decision hours after speaking with Noah, saying the fine was “for using a derogatory and offensive term from the bench.” Noah and NBA officials met May 23. Noah said he emerged from that talk prepared to “pay the price” for what happened in the first quarter of the May 22 game against the Miami Heat.

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Advocate.com reports Tennessee has passed a bill that abolishes antidiscrimination ordinances passed by cities and counties, effectively leaving LGBT people susceptible to bias in everything from housing to employment. Republican Gov. Bill Haslam signed the bill into law May 23, after it was passed by the legislature earlier in the month. The legislation came in response to Nashville’s recent ordinance requiring city contractors to avoid discrimination against LGBT people in their business dealings. The new bill reverses city- and county-enacted discrimination bans and prevents them from being passed in the future. While Tennessee protects certain minorities from discrimination, LGBT people are not included in that list. The legislation sailed through the Republican-controlled legislature but there was hope that Haslam would veto it after the urging of several corporations, includ615 North Broad Street, Phila., PA 19123-2495 Phone: 215.923.2003 E-mail: BethAhavah @rodephshalom.org

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Transgender marriage likely to be voided The Houston Chronicle reports a judge is expected to void the marriage between a transgender widow and her firefighter husband who died battling a blaze, and will rule in favor of the man’s mother instead. The suit was brought by the mother of firefighter Thomas Araguz III and argued that his widow, Nikki Araguz, should not receive any death benefits. The lawsuit claimed their marriage wasn’t legal because Nikki Araguz was born a man and Texas does not recognize same-sex marriage. The firefighter’s ex-wife, Heather Delgado, joined the lawsuit. She and the firefighter’s mom were seeking control over death benefits and assets totaling $600,000. Nikki Araguz argued in court that she had done everything medically and legally possible to show she is female and was legally married under Texas law, and thus entitled to widow’s benefits.

Gay L.A. officer awarded $1M CBS News reports an openly gay police sergeant who said he was subjected to derogatory remarks by his supervisor was awarded $1.1 million by a jury May 19. Sgt. Ronald Crump worked for the Los Angeles Police Department’s media relations section in 2008-09. While there, he said his supervisor, Lt. John Romero, made remarks about his sexuality. Crump said that after he complained about the remarks through formal channels, his concerns were deemed to be unfounded. He ultimately was transferred, a move he said was punitive and cost him future opportunities for promotion. ■ — Larry Nichols

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

DOUBLE OR NOTHING: Yul Giraldo (from left), Jeff Shabin and Jim Cranely were among the 75 guests who tried their luck at Sapphire Fund’s Casino Brunch May 22 at the William Way LGBT Community Center. At the annual fundraiser for the grantmaking agency, participants enjoyed food, music and a silent auction and played casino games. The proceeds from the event will benefit Sapphire Fund’s three 2011 beneficiaries The Attic Youth Center, Mazzoni Center and the William Way Center. Photo: Scott A. Drake

News Briefing Eagle Scout indicted for assault A grand jury in New Jersey handed down a 50-count indictment this week, accusing an Eagle Scout of sexually assaulting at least five boys in the past decade. The Atlantic County grand jury indicted 38-year-old Brian Killion Tuesday for an array of charges, including child endangerment, aggravated sexual assault and possession of child porn. Killion, who lives in Absecon, remains in custody in Burlington County after failing to post $250,000 bail. Prosecutors say Killion assaulted the boys at his home, as well as on camping trips and at one of the boys’ homes. One of the alleged victims filed a federal criminal complaint against Killion in April.

Hoedown in Philly Up to 500 cowboys and cowgirls are expected to be in Philadelphia this weekend for the annual convention of the International Association of Gay/Lesbian Country Western Dance Clubs. Country-western clubs from around the U.S. will participate May 26-30, with most events at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. Participants will take part in workshops with dance experts through the weekend and face off in the annual Championship Dance Competition May 28 beginning at 1 p.m., followed by the Hoedown Ball at 7.

Half of the proceeds from the weekend will benefit the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, with the other half going to The Attic Youth Center and William Way LGBT Community Center. For more information, visit www.iaglcwdc.org.

Bethlehem advances LGBT bill The Bethlehem Council last week approved a bill to extend nondiscrimination protections to the LGBT community. The vote was the council’s first reading, and it will need to be approved again in a final vote June 7. The measure would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, employment and public accommodations. It would also create a Human Relations Commission to investigate discrimination complaints. Bethlehem is currently the largest city in the state without LGBT protections.

Drexel hosts ‘two-spirit’ event Drexel University will host a free forum that celebrates Native American LGBT culture from 5-7 p.m. June 1 at the Intercultural Center, 33rd and Chestnut streets. The NorthEast Two-Spirit Society will deliver a presentation on the history and traditions of the Two-Spirit population, the Native American concept of LGBTs. Harlan Pruden, council member and cofounder of the society, will present findings of the first-ever needs assessment of the Two-Spirit people and conduct a discussion on ways to best serve this community. ■ — Jen Colletta

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EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Stacey Campfield

Editorial

Tennessee, or why we need ENDA This week, the governor of Tennessee signed into law a bill barring municipalities from passing local nondiscrimination measures that supercede state law. The bill sailed through both chambers of the state legislature and, less than a week later, Republican Gov. Bill Haslam signed it. The measure was introduced after Nashville passed an antidiscrimination law that barred the city from doing business with companies that discriminated based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean signed the extended protections into law on April 8. In response, Republicans introduced and passed with a two-thirds margin the Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act, effectively overturning the local ordinance. The state bill originally had the backing of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, which reversed its support mere moments before Haslam signed it. After gay-rights activists began to decry the bill and target the members of the chamber — many of whom are large corporations who already offer protections for LGBT individuals — the chamber reversed its position and came out in opposition to the bill, too late to effectively lobby for a veto. For its part, the chamber stated it supports “a standard regulatory environment at the state level as opposed to potentially conflicting local regulations covering employment practices.” Which translates to, we don’t want to have to deal with differing laws and regulations in different cities, townships and counties.

As Haslam put it, the new law will cut down on paperwork for businesses by making antidiscrimination policies uniform across the state. “We just don’t think local governments should set HR policies for businesses,” he said. Really? Local governments, for many years now, have enacted laws that provide additional protections and/or rights than what the state or federal government provides for individuals, including setting higher minimum wages, extending protections based on marital status or sexual orientation in employment, housing and accommodations and enacting tougher safety laws. While this is, at some level, a dispute over local rights vs. state rights, it’s rather transparent that this state law was targeted to the LGBT community. Which drives home the need for federal-level protections for sexual orientation and gender identity in employment — and housing and accommodations. With a patchwork of laws at the local, state and federal level, sexual and gender minorities don’t have uniform protections. If states decide municipalities don’t have the right to determine their own business practices and protect their own citizens as they see fit, it will seriously undermine local efforts to pass nondiscrimination laws — a strategy activists in Pennsylvania are using to create a groundswell of support to prove the viability of a statewide nondiscrimination law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. ■

Ah, yes. The joys of sex education. I think all of us have fond memories of that day in fifth or sixth grade when the boys got shuffled into one room, the girls in another. Filmstrips were watched and everyone got a little pamphlet called “Your Changing Body,” or something like that. Then the teacher asks how many students are thinking about becoming gay and passes out, “So You Think You’re Gay or Want to Be: Choosing Your Sexual Orientation,” a step-by-step guide to becoming a fabulous member of the homosexual cabal. As any gay person can attest, if it weren’t for that pamphlet, everyone would be heterosexual. Sadly, there’s a legislator in Tennessee who wants to do away with this timehonored tradition. Stacey Campfield, a Republican senator from Knoxville, is the sponsor of a bill that seeks to essentially ban sex-ed teachers from discussing homosexuality in elementary and middle school. Dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay Bill,” it passed the Senate on May 20 and is headed to the House. The bill limits instruction “exclusively to age-appropriate natural human reproduction science.” And since gays can’t reproduce and sure as hell aren’t natural, no gays. End of story. Case closed. Problem solved. Amen. According to the New York Daily News, the language of the bill was changed to make it a little less blatantly homophobic. The bill originally read that teachers couldn’t “provide any instruction or material that discusses sexual orientation other than heterosexuality.” The bill that passed mandates that “any instruction or materials made available or provided at or to a public elementary or middle school shall be limited exclusively to natural human reproduction science.” The language change didn’t bother Campfield, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. “There’s more than one way to skin a cat. This skins the cat,

but doesn’t scare them [other legislators] so much,” Campfield said. “I got what I wanted.” And just what does he want? Well, basically what Campfield will accomplish should this bill pass the House is a total eradication of homosexual Tennesseans in the generations to come, right? No, of course not. What he aims to do is essentially write institutionalized homophobia into the state’s sex-ed curriculum. “It means [teachers] can’t talk about gay issues or sexuality even with students who may be gay or have [a] gay family,” said Tennessee Equality Project’s Ben Byers. Yep. That sounds about right. Campfield wants Tennessee’s kids to learn that homosexuality is such an awful, terrible thing that their teachers aren’t even allowed to talk about it. Gay kids, gay parents, gay family members be damned. The odd thing about this bill is how unnecessary it is. I mean, it’s not like Tennessee is ground zero for Homo 101. The state already has an abstinence-only curriculum and it’s a misdemeanor to deviate from that script. I suppose I don’t even need to tell you that abstinence-only programs usually aren’t exactly pro-gay. It’s also interesting to note that Campfield tried to get this bill passed when he was a member of the House. He failed. But he kept trying. For six years. Looks like someone’s a little preoccupied with skinning gay cats. ■

Campfield wants Tennessee’s kids to learn that homosexuality is such an awful, terrible thing that their teachers aren’t even allowed to talk about it.

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.

Send your engagement, wedding, anniversary or other life milestone announcement information to: editor@epgn.com.

OP-ED PGN

Cabletown is LGBT comcastic This month, 42 years ago, saw me in And to make the point, Comcast had New York City beginning to fight the battle most of its top executives fly in from Los for equality. At that time, just 18 — and Angeles or come down from “30 Rock” in when just being gay could mean the loss of New York City. Every division of the comeverything: your job, your home, your fam- pany was represented. One of my favorite ily and friends, your house of moments was meeting the legworship — never did I expect endary Paula Madison, a pioneer that, 42 years later, I’d be sitin diversity in media who was ting in a room with the CEOs VP of NBC/Universal. Upon our of TV networks, movie studios introduction, she looked me in and cable companies promisthe eye and said, “We have this ing their commitment of inclufilm we got from Sundance that sion of the LGBT community you must see.” We later talked in their diversity program. about the marketing of the film, And, indeed, that happened last “Pariah.” Set to be released in week. the fall, the film was written and Last week, I attended the inidirected by Dee Rees. It was a tial Comcast NBC/Universal standout at this year’s Sundance. Joint Diversity Council meetOver at NBC, we were talking about LGBT characters in ing. The board was created programming, then in the news when Comcast merged with NBC-TV and its subsidiary, Mark Segal division about the way the LGBT community is portrayed. Universal Studios. The 37 of NBC is a news leader with us spent a Thursday and Friday learning the ins and outs of the giant that “Today Show” in the morning, top-rated now is Comcast and its divisions. I learned “NBC Nightly News” with Brian Williams and, for politics, MSNBC. that Focus Features, which distributed In 1972, I began the nation’s first cam“Milk” and “Brokeback Mountain,” is a paign to end our invisibility on network part of the company. So are Bravo, USA TV. This board proves not only how far and SyFi networks, to name a few. And we have come as a community, but also on LGBT content, Comcast cable delivers the commitment of Comcast to assure that Logo and Here to more viewers than any other source. not only is the company inclusive but also So, I guess the question is how serious supportive of its LGBT workforce. This is does Comcast believe in diversity? The simple, but what a delightful and exciting project. ■ answer: very much. As part of the merger, there were many groups mentioned in the Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the diversity program. Comcast noticed the nation’s most-award-winning commentaabsence of those four little letters, LGBT, tor in LGBT media. He can be reached at and on their own, above the agreements, added our community to the list. mark@epgn.com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

Street Talk What are your plans for Memorial Day? “Visiting my mother in Las Vegas. It will be fun. We’ll barbecue seafood and mixed vegetables. Then, we’ll go boating and waterskiing in Lake Meade.”

George Bertges flight attendant Washington Square West

Mark My Words

PGN welcomes new ad director PGN brought on a new director of marketing and advertising this month, who brings a diverse background in sales, marketing and leadership positions. Dan Calhoun will lead PGN’s marketing DAN CALHOUN and advertising efforts, fresh off his position as an account executive at Aging Well Magazine. Calhoun has also served as the senior director of marketing and membership at the YMCA, worked in government and community relations at Comcast, served as the VIP Hospitality and Sales Specialist at Susquehanna Bank Center and was the Diversity Champion and Strategic Planning Champion for the YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity Association.

A native of Northeast Philadelphia, Calhoun earned his master’s in business administration from Arcadia University and his bachelor’s in corporate communication from Penn State University, which awarded him its prestigious Diversity Award. He has also served on numerous boards and committees, including the Fatherhood Initiative, the Community and Police Interracial Task Force, the HELLP Syndrome Society and the Arcadia Alumni Association, and has worked closely with the Somerton and Millbrook Civic Associations. An active member of the local LGBT community, Calhoun plays for the City of Brotherly Love Softball League. “It is an honor to work for the PGN,” he said. “The Philadelphia Gay News has a 35-year history of being a pillar in the gay community, and I am eager to use my experience and education to ensure continued success and growth as the PGN evolves into the future and continues to be a voice and resource for the gay community in Philadelphia and its suburbs.” ■ — Jen Colletta

“Going to the boardwalk in New Jersey. I love the ocean. I’ll play some miniature golf and eat an iceKim Robertella cream cone. sustainability Drinking a consultant Queen Village virgin piña colada is a must. It’s nostalgic, because I always drank one with my father as a child.”

“Well, I wanted to have a barbecue. But my girlfriend is Jewish veggie who can’t eat any bacon. But I Samuel Kennerly love bacon. graduate student So I’ll deepAntiques Row fry some tofu and pour mirin on top. It has a savory taste that reminds me of bacon. That will be our compromise.” “Visiting the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum. It has lots of peculiar things that make your eyes pop out — things that Tara Tagliaferro actor you would Washington Square see in the West Guinness Book of World Records. The world’s tallest man and the man without a backbone are two of my favorites.”

Letters and Feedback In response to “Primary analysis,” May 20-26: Sherrie [Cohen] will win in 2015. In 2015, some City Council-at-Large members may resign to run for mayor (Green, Goode, Kenney), leaving one or more openings for aspiring Council candidates. This will attract a large field. Sherrie will be among them with even greater support and more resources. — Tim Kearney

Agreed! Sherri surprised many with a strong showing — kudos. — Phillyboy Both lost ’cause they are not attractive candidates — regardless of their sexual orientation. I’m proud to be gay, but I found both candidates completely awful. I won’t support either of them in further races either. — JimmySlut

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.

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Transgender health concerns As human beings, we have many ways in which to identify or define ourselves. We may identify ourselves by our sexual orientation or our racial, ethnic or cultural heritage. And for most, as early as we can remember, we have identified ourselves — or been identified by others — in regard to our gender. What happens, though, when the gender identity that has been “assigned” to us at birth based solely on our genitalia does not match our true gender identity — our sense of being male, female or another identity along the gender spectrum? How does this play into our overall physical and emotional health and well-being?

to those of cisgender women. (Cisgender refers to individuals whose assigned sex at birth and gender identity is the same.) Likewise, the general-health concerns of transgender women (individuals whose assigned sex at birth is male but their gender identity is female) are similar to those of cisgender men. It is often incorrectly assumed that gender transition involves surgical procedures to remove or alter body parts. Given that gender is defined by more than one’s genitalia, many transgender individuals do not choose surgery, and for those that would, the costs and accessibility of gender-affirming surgery may be prohibitive. Therefore, transgender men could need the same preventative healthcare (pap smears, clinical breast exams and mammograms, etc.) as cisgender women, and transgender women may need the same preventative healthRon Powers care (prostate exams, testicular and Amelia exams, etc.) as cisgender men.

Access to healthcare Health risks for transgender people are often increased because these individuals may hide their gender identity from their healthcare provider or avoid healthcare altogether due to fear of discrimination. Although they are competent clinicians, Ruggieri Unique health concerns many healthcare providers may lack the basic understanding of Many transgender individuals transgender health needs or cultural compe- undergo hormonal transition or cross-gentency to work effectively with transgender der hormone therapy to develop secondary individuals. Seeking out healthcare from a sex characteristics associated with their medical provider who has experience with preferred gender. The use of hormones transgender health can be a challenge, but should be monitored by both the individual in Philadelphia, as with most major citand an experienced medical provider. Some ies, the resources for transgender health transgender individuals obtain hormones are greater. Mazzoni Center provides comby indirect means, bypassing the healthcare prehensive care including medical care, system. Taking hormones without medical behavioral health and case management for monitoring can result in doses that are too transgender individuals and can provide high or too low, with undesired results. additional information on trans-friendly serWhile beginning hormone therapy is an vices in the area (www.mazzonicenter.org). exciting time for many trans people, there are health concerns that all trans people Routine health screenings and their providers should be aware of. If we view gender strictly in terms of According to the Gay and Lesbian Medical one’s body parts and the health issues assoAssociation, hormone therapy gives desirciated with them, then the general health able feminizing or masculinizing effects, concerns of transgender men (individuals but carries its own unique risks. Estrogen whose assigned sex at birth is female, but has the potential to increase the risk of their gender identity is male) are similar blood clots, high blood pressure, elevated

On Being Well

from page1

gram run by the PNC Foundation to fuel engagement in the arts. PGMC will use the $35,000 grant for its March production of “Metamorphosis,” specifically allowing for hundreds of free and discounted tickets for area youth, as well as a post-production talkback with the performers. The show is part of a series of choral works the group has taken on to coincide with an anniversary — with “Naked Man” and “Exile” produced for PGMC’s 20th and 25th milestones, respectively. “Metamorphosis” is a 45-minute commentary on “self-acceptance and membership in the [LGBT] community,” said

PGMC artistic director Joseph Buches. “The whole works together are about the coming-out of a gay man and all the different things gay people are exposed to over the course of their lifetime, coming to terms with who they are,” he said. “It’s a powerful piece for the audience, as well as for the chorus and myself. I’ve been with the chorus for seven years so I was able to work on the second and now third portions of this piece, and we have chorus members who will have experienced all three of them, which is very powerful.” The production will include 20 musicians and will feature a dance component, a collaboration with the Smoke, Lilies and Jade Arts Initiative. ■

blood sugar and water retention. Antiandrogens such as spironolactone can produce dehydration, low blood pressure and electrolyte disturbances. Testosterone, especially when given orally or in high does, carries a risk of liver damage. Some studies have shown that transgender individuals on hormone therapy may be at higher risk for breast cancer. When receiving cross-gender hormone therapy, individuals should be conscious of their use of alcohol and tobacco, which is higher among trans communities compared to the general population. Alcohol in combination with hormones may increase the risk of liver damage. The use of tobacco and hormones may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. Mental health The personal and social stressors that

go with gender transition, exacerbated by societal ignorance of gender identity, may make transgender people more prone to depression and anxiety; rates of suicide are disturbingly high among trans communities. Building a strong support network of peers and allies, as well as help from a professional therapist who is knowledgeable about gender transition, is recommended. ■

Mazzoni Center is sponsoring the 10th annual Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference, June 2-4, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The conference is free and all are welcome. More information is available at www.trans-health.org. Ron Powers is Mazzoni Center director of programs. Amelia Ruggieri is an LGBT case manager and trans-care specialist.

18 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

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1. “Fat free” means fat free Don’t assume the label “fat free” gives you a license to eat as much as you want of your favorite snack without gaining weight. The label “nonfat” means a product has less than half a gram of fat per serving than the full-fat version, but usually will contain high amounts of sugar to make up for taste and texture, so you are usually consuming empty calories without nutrients. Beware of over-indulging in fat-free cakes, cookies and ice cream or you may wind up with a bigger gut. Treat yourself once a week to a portion-controlled serving of the real thing at an ice cream shop or bakery and satisfy your craving.

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ries. Look for foods with lower calories from fat. Also, eating highfiber foods will discourage your body from storing fat. The size, frequency and timing of meals are also important. Large, infrequent meals promote fat storage while small, frequent meals increase metabolism, maintain higher energy levels and promote better nutrient absorption. Instead of one or two large meals a day, try several smaller meals throughout the day to combat weight gain. 5. Eggs will give you high cholesterol Eggs are back! They are truly a low-cost wonder food. A large egg has 70 calories, 6 grams of protein and 4 grams of healthy fat. They contain all the B vitamins and choline, a nutrient your body uses to prevent fat deposits in the liver. As for cholesterol, the liver pumps cholesterol out regardless of the amount consumed, so the amount that comes from food doesn’t matter as much. 6. Pasta and potatoes make you fat Did someone say low-carb diet? These food staples have fallen victim to the false premise that carbohydrate consumption equals weight gain. Slumping sales of flourbased products such as bread and pasta and the decline of potato and orange juice sales have forced these industries to hold emergency meetings to come up with ways to convince the public that these products aren’t bad for you. Like anything else, portion control is the key. Most restaurant-sized portions of pastas and baked or mashed potatoes are three to four times larger than a normal serving — and they are usually served up with high doses of cream, cheese and butter. It’s no wonder people get fat from them! Eat one cup of cooked pasta tossed with lots of fresh vegetables and tomato sauce. Eat a small baked potato and, instead of butter, use nonfat sour cream or salsa.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

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Saigon

Out actor reprises role in classic musical By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com

Walnut Street Theatre is producing an up-to-date version of the classic musical “Miss Saigon” through July 17, featuring many familiar faces. “Miss Saigon” debuted in London in 1989, telling the tragic story of an American soldier and a Vietnamese girl who fall in love during the turmoil of the Vietnam War, only to be torn apart after the fall of Saigon. It went on to become a worldwide smash in one of the longestrunning Broadway musicals. The cast features Melinda Chua and Eric Kunze starring as the story’s main love interests, Kim and Chris. Both actors performed in “Miss Saigon” during its Broadway run. Out actor Bobby Martino was in the original London production in 1989, cast as a Vietnamese customer at Dreamland, and at a Vietnamese bar where Kim and Chris meet. Martino had a tertiary character role at the time of the original production but he said had his eye on the role of the Engineer, the sleazy owner of Dreamland, originally played by Jonathan Pryce. And he eventually worked his way into that role.

“I’m proud that this role was started by Jonathan Pryce,” Martino said. “[I’m proud] to play The Engineer as a Filipino man. It’s been a journey, but it’s been 22 years. When it was given to me I was very young. I played the Engineer when I was 26. Jonathan had left already, but Jonathan was 56. The understudy was 47. Me just

having the audacity to say, ‘You only have one understudy. Can I just be a standby in case something happens?’ After two performances with our ﬁrst understudy, he lost his voice and I was on with no company or orchestra rehearsal.” Martino is back on board as the Engineer and said the story of love and loss at the

WHERE DOES HE BUY HIS SPORT COATS? Out actor Bobby Martino plays the ever-enterprising “Engineer” in “Miss Saigon.”

core of “Miss Saigon” is probably more relevant today than when it debuted. “God created the world in seven days. We recreated the show in eight days,” Martino said. “It’s amazing. A lot of us have done this journey before — me, more than anyone else because I was in the original company when it opened in London. We all decided that all our games are out and we are going to recreate everything so that we can rediscover our love for the show and the truth of the show. With all the wars going on, our story is no longer fictional. It’s not fictional to start with. It has to be real because some of the people are going to watch you as if you are their sons and their fathers going through the war and we’ll tell them the story of what it is to be in the war. Now that we have more wars, more than any other time in the world, this is more real. It’s paying tribute to all the soldiers who believed in the war. But for the younger side, I’m giving tribute to those who got victimized by the war.” He added that the new production allowed him to re-examine the nature of the Engineer, who can be a hard character to like at times. “I came back to the heart of it,” he said. “I need to find the humanity of the Engineer, why he did it. I will not reveal

28 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

it to you in the ﬁrst act. But before that curtain comes down, you will know exactly why he became like that and why he did that. He’s a survivalist and opportunist. If you have nothing, you try and create something that becomes your world. For him to start as early as 7, and his job was to pimp his own mother? My lord! That’s the last number of the show where he reveals everything.” Having performed as the Engineer internationally, Martino said there is something special about being able to perform that role in the United States. “It became even deeper because of the American dream of coming to New York and realizing we don’t have colorblindness here,” he said. “I will be cast because I look — I play — Puerto Rican. I don’t even pass as Latino or Chinese. It’s crazy. Where in London, it’s all about talent. You can play Judas. You’re Judas in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar.’ Period. I played Magua in ‘Last of the Mohicans,’ because I understand the humanity, which I’m bringing now. I’m not the Engineer because I am Vietnamese; I’m the Engineer because I understand this Engineer, the humanity of it. The journey

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that I put him in is you hate him, you love him, you hate him, you hate him, you love him, you hate him.” Martino added that performing in Philadelphia will be extra special for him because of familial ties to the area. “This is almost my Philadelphia debut,” he said. “This is the town my mother moved to after she emigrated to L.A. from the Philippines. She decided we don’t belong [in L.A.]. For some reason she chose Philadelphia. My mom and my four sisters lived here for 20 years. I only migrated to America 10 years ago. I’d lived in the Philippines trying to have a pop career. Then the ﬁrst musical came into my life. Everything happened to me so quickly. I became a scholar. I became the lead of the ﬁrst Filipino musical. Then I went to ‘Miss Saigon.’ My journey hasn’t stopped. [‘Miss Saigon’] touches the human heart. I have uncles and parents and cousins that I left behind. I don’t know what happened to them. I don’t know if they’re alive. Just watching this musical pays tribute to my dead relatives. It’s so heavy. When we

started, we had the responsibility of paying tribute to those who were victimized by war. We always think it’s a documentary musical more than anything else. We were so scared to open in Broadway because Americans failed in the Vietnam War.” Martino is as passionate about LGBT issues as he is about his role in “Miss Saigon.” He recently ﬁlmed a message for the It Gets Better Project, which works to counteract antigay bullying and discrimination. Martino said, for him, it was important to tell people how important it is to know someone accepts you for who you are. “I come from a family that accepted me because I was mentored by my own grandmother,” he said. “I loved singing Shirley Bassey songs and I would use blankets to recreate the gowns and then I would use the cord of the ironing machine as a microphone. My grandmother would give me her hair clips to keep the gowns from falling off. We would just play for hours. She would say, ‘You’re really great, but don’t show this to your dad.’

I never understood because there was no definition for me that ‘Bobby, you’re gay.’ It was just like you love doing that. That is you. “I never believed that people should suffer because of a label. Labels are a human preconditioning. I hate that we have to be called gay. What is gay? Did we just undersell ourselves? They’re straight and we’re gay. It’s like saying, ‘Hi, I’m crooked.’ Even now, I can’t find the word. I know who I am but even my identification with the word makes me cringe because you labeled me with that cringe-able name. If I can recreate all of this, I would not call myself gay. I would call myself divine. I would call myself. I’m the one who knows who I am. I am the one who wanted something creative. I am the one who’s original. There was something that was allowed, even at a young age by my grandmother, to be an original.” Walnut Street Theatre presents Miss Saigon through July 17, 825 Walnut St. For more information or tickets, call 215574-3550. ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

30 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

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Sunshine in the shade I’m so disappointed that whole rapMemorial Day Weekend ture thing didn’t work out last weekend. A lot of people think there’s nothSeriously! ing going on in the Gayborhood over I mean, obviously the chances of it hapMemorial Day weekend. They think pening were pretty slim, but you never the city empties out as people flock to know, right? So just in case, my husband the shore, the mountains and big parties and I decided to hedge our bets and spend like IML in Chicago, Sizzle in Miami or our last day together on earth at Pride in Pensacola. the shore. From a certain point We had a great time. The temof view, you could say perature was perfect, there was they’re right. A lot of peojust the right amount of clouds ple do hit the road for the and just enough breeze. The holiday weekend. But the only bummer, aside from the Gayborhood is anything but rapture being a washout, was a ghost town over Memorial this lousy sunburn I got on my Day. ass. You see, we didn’t just go to Saturday: G2 at Tabu the shore. We went to the nude G2 takes over Tabu, 200 beach at Sandy Hook. S. 12th St., from 9 p.m.-2 Because I figured if I was a.m. every fourth Saturday, Jim Kiley- and this month that falls on going to have to spend all eternity with the types of people 28 during Memorial Zufelt May who believed the world was Day weekend. Join guest actually going to end last bartender Shannon Kennedy Saturday, then I wanted them to have to plus DJ Klem and DJ BeFree for all spend all eternity with a naked homo (with your hip-hop, electro, punk and ’80sa bright red sunburned ass as a bonus). ’90s favorites while raising money for So the rapture didn’t happen, obviously, a great cause. Your $5 cover gets you but I still got to hang out naked on the a free drink ticket and part of the proceeds will benefit The Mudhatters, a beach all day with my husband. That may team competing in the MS Mud Run on not be what the Bible was talking about, June 11. but it sure felt like rapture to me.

Barcrawlr

The MS Mud Run is sponsored by the National MS Society and raises money for the more than 400,000 families affected by multiple sclerosis in the United States. This 10K (6.2 mile) run will take place in multiple stages over two days (June 11-12) in Newtown Square. The course can only handle a limited number of runners at a time, because it has over 25 natural and manmade obstacles, all of which are surrounded by or covered in mud. That’s right, mud. Taking a cue from the muddy bootcamp obstacle course made famous by the Marines at Camp Pendleton (you’ve seen those online pictures of the grunts getting hosed down in their boxers after the race, right?), this is only the second year for the Philadelphia MS Mud Run, but it’s getting bigger every year. Hosted by WYSP’s Danny Bonaduce, the run will feature music, live entertainment, vendors and a fun run for the kids. If you can’t make it to the run itself, then at least come out and support the Mudhatters as they prepare to get dirty for a good cause! Sounds like a hell of a lot more fun than a read-a-thon, if you ask me. For more information, see www. tabuphilly.com and www.theoriginalmudrun.com/mud-run-philadelphia.

Sunday: WOOF! Philly Philadelphia’s only weekly bear party is still going strong and packing them in at the Gold Club, 1416 Chancellor St. Now in its fourth year, Barney and his band of cubs have kept the party going week after week, from 5 p.m. to close. What better way to spend your Sunday on a holiday weekend than surrounded by a bunch of sweaty dancing bears? For more information, see www.woofphilly.com. Monday: Wind down your weekend On Monday night, ease your way back into the work week by chilling out on the roof deck at ICandy. It’s one of the few gay bars in town with outdoor space, and with a restaurant downstairs you can order up some munchies and make a relaxing evening of it. And if that doesn’t do the trick, then after the sun goes down head over to The Bike Stop and strip down for Jock Strap Night! ICandy is at 254 S. 12th St., and The Bike Stop is at 206 S. Quince St. For more information, see www.clubicandy. com or www.thebikestop.com. ■ Questions, comments or news about upcoming events? Contact Jim at barcrawlr@gmail.com.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

New doc reveals Yves St. Laurent, partner’s life An intimate look at the life — and the collections of houses, paintings and objets d’art — Yves Saint Laurent shared with his partner Pierre Bergé, the documentary “L’Amour Fou” is sure to please fashionistas, interior decorators and art aficionados. This film, opening today at the Ritz, chronicles the designer’s career and the couple’s relationship over the decades. Director Pierre Thoretton’s narrative approach uses the deaccessioning of the couple’s homes to provide a look back on the significant times in their lives. “L’Amour Fou” has a deliberate air of nostalgia about it — and this is not just because there are wonderful archive clips and photographs of Saint Laurent and/or Bergé with the likes of Andy Warhol, Mick Jagger and Jean Cocteau. This love story has Bergé recounting how he and Saint Laurent met and moved in together a few months later. There are anecdotes about their brief separation during the 1970s, when the designer abused alcohol and drugs. And there are observations about how the men were a “power couple” in the 1980s; their love had what was deemed “emblematic value” during the AIDS crisis. Bergé also eloquently discusses topics such as Saint Laurent’s depression, and the way his fame and jet-set lifestyle took its toll on him. He became more isolated and less social as he grew older. These accounts have a particular resonance because it is Saint Laurent’s partner, a man who loved him and knew him best of all, who tells them. When the designer’s friends and colleagues, like Betty Catroux, discuss the crutch drugs and alcohol provided him, “L’Amour Fou” is far less interesting. Bergé’s wry observations extend to his

loving descripgreatest power. tions of Saint A sequence of Laurent whiling paintings being away an aftertaken off the walls noon at one of is quite moving, their houses, or and a lengthy reflecting on discussion about what his parta Brancusi sculpner enjoyed ture is fascinating. about their Likewise, there are library. Such lovely moments scenes illustrate of Bergé describthe warmth of ing Saint Laurent’s their relation1965 collection of “Mondrian” ship and how dresses, which Saint Laurent’s leads to him lover appreciadmitting that he ated what they never dreamed built as a couple. he might one day It’s charming own a Mondrian when Bergé talks about getpainting. ting his pilot’s The various license so he can clips of YSL fashfly Saint Laurent ion shows are to their house in another highlight Normandy for of the film. One YVES SAINT LAURENT (LEFT) AND PIERRE sequence, set in a the weekend. BERGE stadium and feaThe theme of escape is rather turing 300 models prominent in from five continents, is particularly stunning. “L’Amour Fou.” The idea goes a long way But for all the beautiful people and to explaining why Bergé and Saint Laurent created such an extraordinary home in Morocco (and elsewhere as well), to combat the stress of creating a collection every season. Bergé’s candor is what makes “L’Amour Fou” so rewarding. His melancholy makes the tearing down of the houses sad, but he has a positive attitude. He hopes that the items in their collection will “fly” into the hands of others who will enjoy them as much as he and his partner did. Oddly, it is the artwork being removed and sold off that provides the film with its

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clothes and art, “L’Amour Fou” can get both superficial and tedious at times. The filmmaker’s efforts to trace the political and social changes over the decades does not always work. An interesting controversy over Saint Laurent’s perfume Opium provides an excuse to run an amusing advertisement, and a clip of why Asians were so incensed by it. Although the ugly episode may have contributed to the designer’s depression, it feels tacked on here — less relevant to the couple’s relationship. In addition, the acknowledgement of Mitterand’s election, or a scene of the Village People singing “Y.M.C.A.” — seem to gloss over larger points about the changing social world that work against the more personal nature of the film. Thoretton’s weakness as a filmmaker is not tightening his focus on his subject(s). His macro approach to a micro topic is an error in judgment. This may also be why the auction scene that ends the film is not as strong as it might have been. While viewers have an appreciation of the fate of the Brancusi statue, there is an overall lack of emotional pull in this finale because of how it unfolds. Instead, an intriguing final shot of Bergé staring back at the camera speaks volumes about what has already been so elegantly and eloquently said. ■

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32 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

Rouge: red with flavor By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com GQ Magazine declared the burger at Rouge, 205 S. 18th St., one of the top 20 hamburgers you must eat before you die. That’s the sound of a gauntlet being thrown down if we’ve ever heard one. Usually, the more an upscale eatery hypes its burger, the more likely it is we wish we had taken our money to the local Five Guys and got down on some serious American red meat. Luckily, this wasn’t the case with Rouge. Rogue’s burger ($16) definitely hit all the right notes: thick, juicy (almost to a fault; napkin, please!), perfectly cooked and topped with a tasty accompaniment of gruyère cheese and caramelized onions. You can believe us or the 20 other people we saw wolfing down one of these burgers the night we went, but it is a damn fine burger by anyone’s standards. Even if Rouge didn’t have the burger to

brag about, there’s so much more it can hang a hat on. The location, street-level right next to Rittenhouse Square, make for some great scenery and people-watching on a pleasant early evening when the weather is nice. Rogue also does a great job with lighter fare. The raw oysters ($18) were exceptional on their own, but the presence of Rouge’s champagne mignonette really made them irresistible. The tuna tartare ($18) was textbook in its composition and execution, well-composed but not truly exciting ... until you factor in the soy wasabi, which, while welcome and silky smooth, was very powerful and required gentle application. The steak tartare ($13), on the other hand, was a better-balanced dish with a smokier flavor and a bettermanaged level of spice. The oyster salad ($13), which was more oyster than salad (what can we say, we love oysters), was also a winner, with perfectly fried oysters playing well against a

If you go Rouge 205 S. 18th St. Open for lunch and dinner daily 215-732-6622 www.rouge98.com

Photo courtesy Rouge

bed of fresh corn, red peppers and spicy aioli. If all of the aforementioned excellence and near-excellence wasn’t enough, Rouge dished out one of the best desserts we have had in recent memory, probably because we’ve become very jaded about all things chocolate, thanks to past adventures in

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dessert land. Which is why Rouge’s strawberry buttermilk panna cotta knocked it out of the park. If they just stopped at the panna cotta, that would have been enough. But the addition of an excellent strawberry sorbet and fresh-sliced strawberry really delivered a bounty of flavor and textures. Rouge makes us blush. ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

Go play: Family destinations for summer By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Summer is rapidly approaching. It seems like just yesterday we were complaining about the excessive amount of snow clogging the streets. And if you have a family, right about now you are freaking out about what you can do to keep your brood entertained and engaged until school starts up again. Lucky for you, we’ve assembled a quickand-dirty list of places you and the family can visit to keep everyone (including yourself) amused and excited during those three long, hot months. For some good family-oriented artistic SESAME PLACE fun, the Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St., starts its annual Summer Solstice parents. The site is launching a free series celebration at noon June 22 with a giant of downloadable books designed to ﬁght drum circle followed by an afternoon of bullying and promote acceptance. Each kid-friendly activities and classical, jazz book tells a story about a child with LGBT and dance performances. If you want to parents, and gives parents and teachers come back without them later that evening tools for talking about family diversity. If you’re seeking out a great camp for (and why wouldn’t you), the party really kicks into high gear with indie bands, children of LGBT families, don’t forget singer-songwriters, club dancing and a drag show. All of which last so far into the evening that you’ll Mon- Fri 5:30-7:30pm probably need to stash the $2.50 Domestic Beer kids with a grandparent to $3.50 Import Beer take everything in. $3.75 Well Drinks If you want to wear your kids out hard and fast without $4.75 Well Martinis any shred of culture or $2.50 Pabst & Highlife Bottles Everyday education, salvation is close at hand thanks to nearby let us surpise you ... theme parks like Sesame Place (www.sesameplace. Dinner served nightly Rainbow Award com) and Hershey Park Best Bar and Bartender Hours: Sunday-Thursday (www.hersheypark.com). 5-10 pm 2008, 2009, 2010 If all the physical activity Friday - Saturday 255 Camac St., combined with the late-day 5-12 pm Philadelphia sugar crash doesn’t have Fox Philly everybody under age 14 Best Gay and Lesbian Bar 215.545.8731 passed out in the backseat 2008, 2009, 2010 www.VIphilly.com on the ride home, you did something wrong. If the amusement parks don’t provide enough Muppet/puppet action for the family this summer, EXCELLENT BELGIAN AND check out “X•tink•shun: MICROBREW SELECTIONS a wild puppet x perience” HAPPY HOUR Mon.-Fri. 4-6 pm ( w w w. x t i n k s h u n . o r g ) , $2 off all Drafts $5 glass of wine a multimedia puppet $2 select daily show presented by The $3 Well Drinks domestic bottle Philadelphia Zoo and the New Happy Menu - Nothing over $5 Jim Henson Company, DAILY LUNCH SPECIAL telling the stories of Mon-Fri. 11:30 -2:30pm endangered and threatened $2 off all Sandwiches species through Oct. 31. $1 off all Entrees (Eat-in Only) For some LGBT-themed BRUNCH - Sat. & Sun. 10 am-3 pm reading for the young ones QUIZZO - Every Thursday 10 pm this summer, check out KARAOKE - Every Sunday 10 pm Rainbow Rumpus (www. rainbowrumpus.org), the 637 NORTH THIRD STREET PHILADELPHIA online magazine for kids TEL: 215.627.6711 FAX: 215.627.6167 and teens with LGBT WWW.THEABBAYE.NET

the good people of Mountain Meadow (www.mountainmeadow.org), which runs Aug. 13-22 this summer. Space is limited so register soon. If you can’t wait until Halloween to spook the family, you can explore Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Ave.; the abandoned prison is open until 8 p.m. Fridays June through August. To sweeten the deal, Eastern State is partnering with local businesses to offer “Fridays in Fairmount,” a series of special neighborhood offerings in conjunction with the tours, pairing dinner or happy hour with a twilight tour of the prison. If time-travel tourism is your cup of tea, you can take the little ones on a tour of a time when speakeasies, gangsters and the Charleston were hot, aboard the Roaring ’20s Trolley Tour in Atlantic City, N.J. This fully guided, three-and-a-half-hour

tour takes place aboard a Victorian-style trolley every Thursday from June 2 through the fall, traveling the length of entire city and treating passengers to the colorful history and stories from the time. If the gangsters and bathtub gin turn you off, try the Gingerbread Tour of Cape May, a six-and-a-half-hour tour of the National Historic Landmark. This tour includes a wine tasting at the Cape May Winery and Vineyard followed by time on your own to stroll through Cape May’s Washington Street Mall. Reservations are required for all tours. For more information, call 609884-7392 or visit www.gatrolley.com. If you really want to impress the family this summer, take to the seas with Pride Family Cruises (www.pridefamilycruises. com), which offers family-friendly LGBT cruises to the Caribbean. Send us a postcard. ■

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34 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

Interacting with LGBT parents: 10 do’s and don’ts

Worth Watching LADY OF THE MORNING: Pop superstar Lady Gaga, pictured with “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts, kicks off the show’s Summer Concert Series with a performance from 7-9 a.m. May 27 in Central Park in New York City. The show is free to the public but, if you don’t feel like spending the night in the park with tens of thousands of your closest friends to get close to the stage, you can watch it on ABC. Photo: ABC/Donna Svennevik

TEMPLE OF DAMN!: Cate Blanchett is the Russian shewolf nemesis in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” and one of the few bright spots in the film. Catch it at 8:30 p.m. May 29 on USA.

TALENT SHOWS: Celebrity judges Piers Morgan (from left), host and actor/producer/comedian Nick Cannon, Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel (“Deal or No Deal”) are back for a new season of “America’s Got Talent,” where hopefuls compete for a chance to win fame and $1 million, 8 p.m. May 31 on NBC. Photo: NBC/Trae Patton

THIS DEFINITELY ISN’T BED BATH & BEYOND TERRITORY: Bravo gives viewers a look into the affluent world of high-end interior designers in the new “Million Dollar Decorators,” a reality series that follows five of the most sought-after interior decorators — Mary McDonald (from left), Jeffery Alan Marks, Nathan Turner, Kathryn Ireland and Martyn Lawrence Bullard — as they navigate the high-pressure design industry for their wealthy, famous and extremely demanding clients, 10 p.m. May 31 on Bravo. Photo: Bravo/Joe Pugliese

ABC News’ “What Would You Do?” child in her womb. Maybe we used a surseries recently set up several actors in a rogate. Maybe we adopted the child. Maybe café near Dallas to test patrons’ responses one of us donated an egg that the other one to harassment of same-sex parents and their carried. It doesn’t matter. Both of us are raising the child and committed to her or his children. An actor playing a homophobic well-being. That makes us both real parents. waitress harangued the parents (first two Similarly, don’t ask a female couple moms, then two dads) about how they were “Who’s the father?” or a male couple “bad for the kids” and told them to leave the restaurant. “Who’s the mother?” Maybe there is a In the end, over half the patrons spoke up genetic parent whom we wish to acknowledge, and maybe there isn’t. and told the waitress her behavior was inappropriate. Don’t assume, either way. 4. Don’t euphemize. Nothing That’s encouraging news for conveys discomfort like using the society. I’d like to believe the terms “your lifestyle,” “people number of people who’d harass us outright is shrinking and the like you” or similar. Say “lesnumber who’d stand up for us is bian,” “gay,” “bisexual” or “transgender” if there’s a need for these growing. terms in conversation. Even among those who 5. Don’t assume that if one would stand up for us, however (whether in person or through member of a couple looks more voting habits), there may still be feminine and one more massome who do not feel entirely culine, we fall into traditional comfortable interacting with mother-father roles. You may Dana Rudolph just find out the more masculineLGBT parents and our children. Much of this may be because looking mom carried the child, of a fear of saying the wrong thing or being and the more feminine one is teaching him to unsure of the terminology to use. play baseball. 6. Do refer to a same-sex couple (espeHere are five “don’ts” and five “do’s” that cially one committed enough to have kids) I’ve developed to help potential allies when as “partners,” if you don’t know oththey first encounter LGBT families. (Those erwise. They may prefer another term — with existing LGBT friends should use their spouses, wives, husbands, and will likely tell better judgment about the friends’ sensitivities when it comes to discussing their famiyou if so — but “partners” won’t offend anylies.) Many of these tips may be obvious to one. Under no circumstances use “friends,” readers here — but I hope that by compiling which trivializes the relationship. 7. Do ask what the children call their them, I’ve given you an easy way to share them in your communities. parent(s), but only if there’s a need. If you 1. Don’t assume that just because we’re are a teacher, coach, neighbor or someone LGBT, we’re completely different from else who has a need to know because you other parents. We change diapers. We fix will be interacting with us, then this question is fine to ask of parents or children. scraped knees. We worry when our teens Otherwise, it seems nosy. start to drive. We comfort, we care, we dis8. Do comment about something your cipline. We make mistakes like anyone else. family has in common with ours. Does We try to learn from them. Above all, we your son also like Legos? Did your daughter love our children. 2. Don’t assume that just because we’re also love to dip her French fries in chocolate LGBT, we’re exactly the same as other milk when she was the same age as ours? Let parents. We often went through a differus know. We’d much prefer to talk about our similarities. ent, costly process to have our children and 9. Do tell us how cute our kids are. Yeah, secure our legal relationships to them. We we’re suckers for that, too. may face greater bias in employment and 10. Do remember that no two LGBT housing. Same-sex couples face additional parents are exactly alike, and may financial burdens opposite-sex married couples do not (paying taxes on employer-based approach discussing their families in difmedical insurance for a stay-at-home partner, ferent ways. On a separate note, please join me on June for example). And the simple act of our children addressing us in public by our parental 1 for the sixth-annual Blogging for LGBT titles — “Mommy” and “Mama” or “Daddy” Families Day, a time for LGBT bloggers, and “Papa” — can bring unwanted stares. our families and allies to write in support of 3. Don’t ask questions about how we LGBT families. Post on your own blog if created our families if you don’t know us. you have one, then stop by Mombian (momMany of us are happy to discuss these details bian.com) to submit the link. Or just come once we know you (and may bend your ear if by to browse the complete list of posts and you catch us in the mood), but are not always leave a comment. ■ so willing with strangers. Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher “Which of you is the real mom/dad?” is of Mombian (www.mombian.com), a blog probably the most egregious question of this and resource directory for LGBT parents. type. We both are. Maybe one of us bore the

Mombian

PROFILE PGN

Professional Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

Suzi Nash

Rick Piper: Facilitator of fitness and well-being A favorite institution in Philadelphia is celebrating a birthday May 27. The 12th Street Gym has been a place where people from all walks of life, gay and straight, have gone to transform their lives and bodies, meet friends old and new. Not just a gym, it is part of the Camac Center, which boasts a hair salon, holistic services, massage (our favorite) and the children’s gym, where you can send the little ones before, after and during school hours. They even have a psychic reader. For the 25th anniversary, we spoke with owner Rick Piper. PGN: Where are you originally from? RP: I’m a born-and-raised Trentonian. When I grew up, the big city for people in my area was New York. We rarely went to Philadelphia except to go to the Franklin Institute to see the giant heart. Then I went to Georgetown for college and fell in love with a wonderful man from Philadelphia. I would come here to visit him and I fell in love again, this time with the city of Philadelphia. It’s roughly 40 years later and I’m still in love with this city. PGN: Tell me about your family. RP: My dad worked for the Chrysler Corp., so we moved to Detroit for a while, until my mother contracted leukemia. Back in the ’50s, it was a quick and certain death sentence and she died six weeks after her diagnosis. So we moved to Brooklyn to be with my maternal grandparents. My grandfather, Frank Schroth, was a famous journalist who owned a newspaper called the Brooklyn Eagle. Eventually we moved in with my father’s sister in Trenton. Her husband was a pilot for Eastern Airlines and, one day, when his family was at the airport to meet him coming in, the plane crashed. They were without a father and I was without a mother, so the families combined. PGN: What was your grandfather like? RP: He was a sardonic, very serious journalist who used to hang with the likes of Winston Churchill. He won a Pulitzer Prize and, shortly after that, went blind, which was a terrible thing for someone whose whole life was reading. As a child, it was ritual that when we visited his farm in Brooklyn, I would take him his newspaper. In those days the ink would rub off so he kept a towel in his lap to keep from getting stained. PGN: What were you like as a kid? RP: Probably because of my mother’s death, I was always a little behind socially. I ran through two prep schools, one in Devon and one in Bristol, until they found one that fit, at a local Catholic high school in Trenton. I caught up with my peers and even became a bit of a hellraiser and the belle of the ball, so to speak.

PGN: How old were you when your mom died? RP: I was about 5. I was at her side when she died. PGN: How did that affect you as a person? RP: Oh, I spent many years in therapy trying to figure that out. I always said it had no effect and my brother, who is a therapist, tried to tell me that it had a profound effect on all of us. I now know he was right. Anyone who knows me will tell you I’m a perfectionist and a striver, ambitious. I want to do things the right way and I hope that reflects in the way I’ve run the gym. Perhaps I felt a bit left out, not having a mom. My aunt and stepmother — my father remarried in 1958 — stepped up and took great care of me, but mom is mom and you can never replace it, so perhaps I filled the void by trying hard to be the best at everything: the best kid, the best corporate citizen, hopefully the best gym owner. I work very hard to do things well and, at times, I’ve sacrificed other things to do that. Sometimes I can be a little obsessive about it.

ness administration, so I took it. It turned out my dorm room was the room where they filmed “The Exorcist.” Remember the scene where the priest is thrown down the steps? That was my room at the top of the steps. When I got there, I stood outside and said to myself, “You can be a screw-up academically or you can buckle down and do well.” I graduated top of my class. PGN: When did you come out? RP: While I was in school, I realized that it was for real and not just recreational sex in the woods. That’s when I found my identity as a gay man. PGN: And when did you come to Philly? RP: I had a job doing what you would now call personal resources at a bank in Trenton. But I always had the goal of working in Philadelphia, and managed to get a job here. I eventually bought a house in the Wash West area.

PGN: Who became your nurturer? RP: My aunt. She was affluent, highly educated, cultured — a grande dame with great style. She was the Mary Astor of Trenton and, since her children were older, she took me under her wing. I was like Patrick Dennis in Auntie Mame: She’d rent a limousine and we’d go to fine restaurants in New York and to the theater. She was very influential. She would make me learn one new word a day and I’m so grateful for everything she did. To this day, eating well and being involved in the arts, especially theater, are important parts of my life. PGN: Do you have any siblings? RP: My older sister passed away from cancer about eight years ago; she was a Sacred Heart nun. And I have a brother who is three years younger and also gay. PGN: Coming forward a little, where did you go to college? RP: I studied management and economic theory at Georgetown. PGN: What made you pick that? RP: Well, I was a very, very smart kid, but I was not a very good student. So I had good SAT and IQ scores, but terrible grades. Before she married my father, my stepmom — I call her my second mom — used to go to church every day at a little parish outside of Trenton. The priest there went on to become the president of Georgetown University. I’d been rejected by 19 colleges so she put in a call to him and asked him to help out. The only opening spot he had was in the school of busi-

PGN: And who was that first love? RP: His name was Larry Crowell and he was the head designer for Dorothy Lerner, who had a famous home-goods shop at 17th and Walnut. I was 18 and he was 28 and I was completely smitten with him. I couldn’t move left or right without him. I was probably trying to replace my distant father, but I think to him I was just a cute young boy up for the weekends. I later met David, who was my partner

for many years, at Judy Garland Park [Schuylkill River Park]. We just casually fooled around until one night, and I can’t explain what happened, but we looked at each other and fell in love. We were in love in every way, yet total opposites. He was very artistic and laidback, the type to never make plans; I was very corporate driven and ambitious, up at the crack of dawn with a 10-year plan to succeed. One summer. he had a little shop in Maine and I would go up on weekends to see him. Until the night when we were out at the movie theater, I’ll never forget it, seeing “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” at the only theater in town, and he told me he wasn’t feeling well. I told him he was probably coming down with a cold. We went to the doctor and, 72 hours later, we were on a plane back to Philly because he’d been diagnosed with advanced AIDS. We went to a doctor in Philadelphia and the doctor asked if he was a homosexual. It was a different time, so David asked me what he should say and I responded, “The truth would be good right now.” He said yes, and I told the doctor that I was his lover, which was the term you used in those days. He lasted another two years. Lost his eyesight, lost one eye ... it was terrible. I was at his bedside when he died in October 1990. And that’s that ... I still miss him. [Tears up.] I’m sorry.

PGN: Not at all; it’s important for people to know the impact that AIDS had — and still has — on us. RP: Yes, it was a true epidemic. And we had no support. Our president was saying it wasn’t a problem while I was burying a friend a week. Every week, we lost someone or braced to find out that someone else was infected, and never sure if it was going to be me or a good friend. By shear luck, I remained negative. It was Photo: Suzi Nash a seminal time for us: The positive that came out of it was that it took the issue of gay rights to a new level. It was like on “Star Trek,” when they go to warp speed. When your partner is dying, you don’t have time for any more euphemisms — he’s my “friend” or “roommate.” You don’t have time or energy for hiding, you just say, “That’s my lover and I need him taken care of, if you won’t put the IV in, I’ll do it.” And I did, I learned to do PAGE 36

36 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

all that, I changed his diapers, changed his IV, anything that needed to be done. I was no longer interested in doing anything other than being true to myself and honest about who I was. I was gay and my partner was dying; if you didn’t like it, tough shit. We were in Maine when he died and I brought that imprint back with me. When I returned to Philadelphia, I was a very different person. I couldn’t be bought off anymore, meaning, if someone told me, you can have a great corporate job, but you’re going to have to change pronouns when you speak, my answer was, “Fuck you.” And you can print that. I had a different ... I won’t say attitude, it was more than that, it was a changed belief system that I had every right to be who I was. That was shortly before I came to the gym. PGN: And how did you end up here? RP: I lived in an apartment building that had a free membership included with our rent. I was here on opening day and I remember it was exciting: The staff were

PROFILE PGN

all in tuxedos and they had a band. In about 1995, I was working doing freelance corporate recruiting and staffing, and the gym owners asked if I would help them find a new manager. I found someone they liked and they asked if I would help at the gym. I was openly gay and they wanted help marketing to the gay community. I was asked to get more involved in the gym and agreed only if I could get equity in the gym to work toward ownership. At the time, the place was a mess: When they first opened, they were the only game in town. There were no other facilities like this. Just a few Ys and what we call meathead gyms. There was a big gay clientele, but a lot of straight people too because there was no place else that was comparable for working out. They took it for granted and hadn’t done any improvements for years. But now we had competition from Ballys and the Sporting Club, etc., so my mission was to bring us back up to speed. They’d also taken the gay community for granted and I didn’t stand for that. So I put a lot of

money that was going out back into the gym. We got new equipment, carpeting, got uniforms with name tags, improved the service, trained the trainers and got the gym competitive again. As you may know, we had some controversy here in about 2006, but what people don’t know was that I was given a pretty free rein. They would say, we have a large gay clientele already, why would we need to advertise in a gay paper, and I’d say, to send a message that we’re honoring that community. Show your commitment to the community by taking an ad in the PGN and sponsoring a whole range of gay charities. I was still raw from my experience with David, so I was pretty adamant about it. We went from 1,400 members to 4,300. PGN: What was your biggest blunder? RP: It’s funny for me to say this. People think I’m tough. I am demanding, but my biggest mistake is keeping people here too long. I tend to reward loyalty and that has resulted in me letting people stay when I should have cut them right away. Believe it or not — and you can print that — I’m sometimes too patient with my people: Once someone’s here, it’s hard for me to not give them a second and third chance. Which is not to say that I’m not demanding, but I can get caught up in the minutia instead of the bigger things. PGN: I noticed that your staff seemed to know everyone’s names. You must get close to people. RP: Oh yeah, for some people, it’s just a place where they come and go. But for a lot of people, this is a very important place. It’s not just another gym; it’s a part of their lives. We purposely get ourselves very involved in the community. We are involved with practically every major theater in the city. Every single Broadway show that has been here in the last two years has used our gym to work out. We work with a lot of charities, from gay and progressive groups to organizations like the Morris Animal shelter, where I met the other love of my life, my cat Bailey. Speaking of blunders, I accidentally put him in the dryer this morning. Thankfully, it only spun twice before I noticed him and he was fine. The William Way [LGBT Community] Center is also a place very important to us. I helped Mark Segal find the building where it is now. I played a small role, but I’m very proud of being involved. PGN: Who was one client that moved you? RP: We had a transgender member who joined the gym. The gym is such a bodyoriented environment, it took great courage to do that. Gay people are not always welcoming to “different” people. Just because we’re under the same acronym doesn’t always mean that we’re tolerant. It was a person transitioning from female to male and he was so courageous and

dedicated to doing what he needed to do, it was inspiring. We did everything we could to be supportive and make things easier and of course follow the law. When I first took over, I created a membership contract; the basics of it are specified by law, but I can go beyond the basics so I added certain things about conduct. No verbal insults about race or sexual orientation, etc. I’ve had straight men complain that someone gay was looking at them and I usually respond, “You should be flattered. If you don’t like it, don’t come lifting weights in shorts.” If I hear the f-word used against gay men, I’ll throw someone out and when I’ve heard gay men use the n-word, I’ve kicked people out for that as well. I have zero tolerance for that kind of ugliness. I’ve had a few trans people come to the gym and on occasion someone will complain, “Don’t you have a private room that can be used?” and I’ve said, “Yes, I do and if you want to use it, feel free, but that person is using the locker room of their choice.” PGN: That’s great. What’s your favorite celebrity encounter? RP: Well, I have to say that we’ve been truly honored to have Mayor Nutter and his family use the gym. In fact, he’s going to be doing a special unveiling for our anniversary. We’ve had a number of celebrities, including Kathleen Turner, who was here just a few months ago, but my favorite is an actress named Christine Andreas. She’s a dear woman with a magical voice. She was here in the production of “Pal Joey” about seven or eight years ago. She’s currently on Broadway with Harvey Fierstein in “La Cage aux Folles.” The staff got a kick out of the professional wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper: They swore he was a distant cousin of mine. PGN: Final thoughts about your big anniversary? RP: I never talk or reflect about this, but you have me thinking maybe I should more often. This is a dream come true for me. I think maybe people look at me, or someone in my position, and think, he’s living it up, an openly gay owner of a successful business. But I actually lead a pretty quiet life — well, other than putting my cat in the dryer. But when I step back and look at everything, to be able to make a buck while doing something that I think is important to the gay community and the straight community is amazing. It’s a great accomplishment, to have people of all walks of life, together here at the gym for 25 years. The world has changed and hopefully we were a little part of it. Not that there aren’t still fights to fight and discrimination on many fronts, but we’ve come a long way. It’s great to have a successful business, but I hope — I really hope — that this place has had a social impact on people as well. ■ To suggest a community member for “Professional Portrait,” write to portraits05@aol.com.

PGN

Q Puzzle Getting in Gear for Dick Across

1. “You are all a ___ generation” (Stein) 5. Family name of Boy George 10. Online auction site 14. Piece of Aaron Copland 15. Sal of “Rebel Without a Cause” 16. High flat area 17. Cole Porter’s Indiana hometown 18. “You can’t teach ___ dog ...” 19. Like a squid’s defense 20. Start of a quote from Cam on “Modern Family”

23. Big diamond 25. Mouth-open-wide sound 26. 1 of 100 in DC 27. Short one for Morse 30. Ferries, for example 32. Total agreement 34. More of the quote 40. Miss Lane of The Planet 41. Poet Lorde 42. Pink Triangle Press publication 43. Conversational hesitations 44. More of the quote 46. Magneto portrayer McKellen 47. Butterfly catcher 48. Hrs. in Key West 49. Snake’s warning 50. Mel of Giants fame 51. Ford lemon that was not fruitful 53. The sounds of music 55. End of the quote 61. Roman deity identified with Diana 64. Butler’s burden on the stairway 65. Ginsberg’s “Gotcha” 69. Ever so slightly 70. Vidal’s “ ___ to a Small Planet” 71. Baja abode 72. Calendar boxes 73. Nice buns, for example 74. Frequent award for Neil Patrick Harris

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

Down

1. Be a branch manager? 2. Uncork, to Shakespeare 3. Some contemporaries of Lorca 4. Poet Kitty 5. Marlon Brando’s hometown 6. Shore of Palm Springs 7. “You want the light ___ off?” 8. Joins with a torch 9. Artful move, in “Oliver!” 10. Islamic leader 11. Prayer at Metropolitan Community Church 12. “Don’t ___ me!” 13. “Huzzah!” 21. Item on a docket 22. “No mo’!” to Gomer 23. Chisholm Trail town 24. In pink, for example 28. Keep saying 29. Rulers like Caligula 31. USA alternative 33. Give a thumbs-down to 35. Retreat for D.H. Lawrence 36. Linda of “The Year of Living Dangerously” 37. August hrs. in Augusta 38. Heavenly balls 39. Some escorts want them up front 44. Cut 45. Movie dog 52. “Great Caesar’s ghost!” 54. Not straight up? 56. Blazing star

57. Anything but that 58. Cumming in drag? 59. Great Lakes city 60. Damon of “The Bourne Identity” 61. “When I was a ___ ...”

62. 63. 66. 67. 68.

Actress Hagen Anti’s answer Beaver job Homoerotic tail? “... pretty, witty and ___”

The nation’s oldest, continuously operating LGBT bookstore.

Diaspora Reading Group 6/01/2011 7:00 pm discusses

We Think the World of You, by J.R. Ackerley.

TransHealth Conference 6/02/2011- 06/04/2011 8:00 am-12:00 pm

www.queerbooks.com email: giovannis_room@verizon.net 345 S. 12th St. Philadelphia, Pa 19107 215-923-2960 Mon-Sat 11:30 - 7, Sun 1 - 7

PGN

38 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead 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; 215862-5225. 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. Michelle Shocked The singer-songwriter performs at 8:30 p.m. at Steel City Coffee House, 239 Woburn St., Phoenixville; 610933-4043 Tribute Night featuring Psychedelphia with Yellow Dubmarine & Box of Rain The cover bands perform at 9 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

12th Street Gym 25th Anniversary Celebration Mayor Michael Nutter opens the month-long anniversary celebration when he unveils a portrait of the gym 9-9:30 a.m., 204 S. 12th St.; 215-9854092. Snoop Dogg The rapper performs at 9 p.m. at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-343-4000. 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.

Sat. 05/28 21st International Black Doll Show and Sale Philadelphia Doll Museum at Temple University presents the largest showcase and sale of black dolls in the

nation, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Mitten Hall, 1913 N. Broad St.; 215-787-0220. John Oates The hit songwriter performs at 7:30 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400. Eddie Griffin The comedian performs at 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-5727650. Mean Lady The trip-hop/world music group performs at 9 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400. Randy Roberts The multimedia drag performer takes the stage at 8:30 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215862-5225. John Pinette The comedian performs at 9 and 11:30 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box,

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

HALL PASS: John Oates takes a break from the hit-making duo Hall & Oates to perform solo at 7:30 p.m. May 28 at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del. For more information, call 215-222-1400.

Scene: Rehoboth The monthly LGBTQ dance party sets up shop on the shore 8 p.m.1 a.m. at Frogg Pond, 3 S. First St., Rehoboth Beach, Del.; www.facebook.com/tlbtbproductions. Sugartown The monthly night of lady rockers and DJs hosts a benefit for Japan featuring Janet Bressler Band, Prima Donna, Christie Lenee, Krista Parrish Trio and Bern & the Brights and Inky Glass, 9 p.m. at Tritone, 1508 South St.; 215–545–0475.

Sun. 05/29 Cheaper By the Dozen The 1950 family film is screened at 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-0223. Tony Enos The out singer performs at 5:30 p.m. at Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia,

University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, 3637 Chestnut St.; www. tonyenos.com. Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad The reggae band performs at 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. John Pinette The comedian performs at 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Grilled Cheese & Craft Beer Tasting The noshing and sloshing begins 5 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Steve Aoki The electro/house artist performs at 10 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Mixx club, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Mon. 05/30 Memorial Day Mayhem Niko & the Lions Paw, Shakey, Josh Matthews and The McChords perform 9 p.m. at Tritone, 1508 South St.; 215-545-0475.

Tue. 05/31 Diego Garcia The singer-songwriter performs at 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Wed. 06/01 Diaspora Reading Group The group discusses “We Think the World of You” by J.R. Ackerley at 5:30 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960. The SongCircle Local singer-songwriters perform in the round 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215-862-5225. GenderReel Come Out Party Tabu Lounge & Sports Bar hosts a night of gender nonconforming performances, dancing and trailer watching, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675. Bob & Barbara’s Drag Show The outrageousness begins at 11 p.m. at Bob & Barbara’s, 1509 South St.; 215-545-4511.

Fri. 06/03 Ann Hampton Callaway The cabaret singer performs at 8:30 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215862-5225. Jeffrey Ross and J.B. Smoove The comedian performs at 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. ■

Chris Pureka The out singersongwriter performs at 8 p.m. at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; 215928-0770.

Thu. 06/02 Michael Furman The photographer talks about his new book, “The Art of the Automobile,” 7:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341. Variety Showcase Singers and musicians perform a showcase at 8 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New

CHRIS (AT THE) ANGEL: Out singer-songwriter Chris Pureka continues to perform in support of her new album, “How I Learned To See In The Dark,” when she pulls into town 8 p.m. June 1 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St. For more information, visit www.chrispureka. com or call 215-928-0770.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Opening Die Fledermaus Center City Opera Theater presents the comedic tale of promiscuity, imprisonment, infidelity and vengeance set in 1890s Vienna, May 28-29 at The Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square; 215-806-0194. The Great American Trailer Park Musical 11th Hour Theatre Company presents a new musical about agoraphobia, adultery, ’80s nostalgia, spray cheese, road kill, hysterical pregnancy, a broken electric chair, kleptomania, strippers and disco, June 3-19 at The Arden Theatre’s Arcadia Stage, 40 N. Second St.; 215-922-8900. La Fille mal gardée by Sir Frederick Ashton The Pennsylvania Ballet performs Ashton’s touching tale of two determined lovers and their quest to marry, June 2-11 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-7905800. Phaedra The Opera Company of Philadelphia performs the classic Greek myth of

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; 610-644-3500. Miss Saigon Walnut Street Theatre presents the popular musical epic love story, through July 17, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. 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 presents an exhibition, drawn from the museum’s collection of Western fashion, examining 300 years of men’s sartorial display, through June, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. The Philadelphia Hoedown International Association of Gay/ Lesbian Country Western Dance Clubs comes to town for its annual convention through May 30 at Loews Philadelphia

DIVA JOURNEY: Randy Roberts returns with his newest show, in which he impersonates stars ranging from Carol Channing and Cher to Lady Gaga, at 8:30 p.m. May 28 at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope. For more information, call 215862-5225.

Phaedra, wife of Theseus, the Athenian king who vanquished the dreaded minotaur, June 3-12 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. The Sound of Music The Centre Theater presents the musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein based on the memoir by Maria von Trappe, June 3-28, 208 DeKalb St.; 610-279-1013.

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.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

tailoring industry, featuring clothing designed by Francis Toscani (1915-73), through summer, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. 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 presents an exhibition of works by nine artists who used photography to address some of the most controversial political and social issues of the late 1970s through the early ’90s, including feminism, racism, the AIDS crisis and gay activism, through summer, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Closing 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. 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. Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America The National Constitution Center hosts the exhibition created by the International Spy Museum featuring artifacts, multimedia elements, immersive environments and stories of espionage, treason and deception in the United States, through May 30, 525 Arch St.; 215-409-6600. ■

SHORE-FIRE LAUGHS: The comedian and sometimes “Hairspray” cast member John Pinette performs at 9 and 11:30 p.m. May 28 and 9 p.m. May 29 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J. For more information, call 609-317-1000 or visit www.johnpinette.com.

Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Out & About Listings, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 fax: 215-925-6437; or email: listings@epgn.com Notices cannot be taken over the phone.

Hotel, 1200 Market St.; www.outhoedown.com. 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. Ruined Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama set in war-torn Congo, through June 12 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420. Tailoring Philadelphia: Tradition and Innovation in Menswear Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition focusing on Philadelphia’s

Scott A. Drake Photography

267-736-6743

scottdrakephotos@gmail.com

COMMUNITY PGN

40 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 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 Law Project of Southern New Jersey: 856-933-9500 ext. 221

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

■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851

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

■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment hot line: 215545-2212 ■ 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-

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.

Activism/Politics

ACT-UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) Meets at 6 p.m. every Monday at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; 215-386-1981; www.critpath.org/actup. Delaware Valley Chapter, Americans United for Separation of Church and State Seeks activists and supporters of church-state separation. Holds monthly meetings and events; 856-863-3061; www.dvau.org. Equality Philadelphia Holds a volunteer night the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m., 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 605; 215-731-1447; www.equalitypa.org. Green Party of Philadelphia Holds general meetings the fourth Thursday of the month except April at 6:30 p.m., 4134 Lancaster Ave.; 215-243-7103; www.gpop.org. Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club Meets seasonally; 215-760-7184; www.libertycity.org.

Arts

Gay Men’s Book Discussion Group Meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at the Independence Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, 18 S. Seventh St.; 215-6851633. Library Book Club Meets to discuss a new book at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at the William Way Center. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus Chorus rehearses from 7-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 215-731-9230; auditions@pgmc.org. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Opera Club Meets to share and listen to recordings at 6:30 p.m. the last Saturday of the month; 215-224-6995. Philadelphia Voices of Pride Philadelphia’s first mixed GLBT chorus rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the William Way Center; 888-505-7464; www.pvop.org. Queer Writer’s Collective Workshop and discussion group meets 4-6 p.m. the fourth Saturday of the month at the William Way Center. Women’s Book Group Meets the first Thursday of the month at 6:45 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; brassygrrl@hotmail.com.

Recreation

Diversity Dancers Ballroom dancers meet the first Sunday of the month for tea dance and lessons. Other events scheduled throughout the year; 215-922-2129; DiversityDancers@aol.com. Gay Bridge Club Non-beginners group meets Monday afternoons at the William Way Center; 215-985-4835. Gay-friendly Scrabble Club Meets from 6-11 p.m. in the P.I.C. Building, 42nd and Locust streets; 215-382-0789. Gay and Lesbian Scrabble Players in the tri-state area gather for socializing and friendly/competitive games; ScrabbleGroup@excite.com. Gay Opera Guys of Philly New group for opera appreciation meets the last Sunday of the month at 2:30 p.m. in Roxborough/Andorra area; 215-483-1032. Humboldt Society: Lesbian and Gay Naturalists Meets the second Thursday of the month at the William Way Center; 215985-1456; www.humboldtsociety.org. Independence Squares GLBT square dance club, modern Western square dancing. Monthly open house. Tuesday classes in the fall; Lutheran Church, 2111 Sansom St.; philadances@gmail.com; www.independencesquares.org. Male Oenophile Group Male group forming to discuss, appreciate and taste various wines. Will meet once a month to investigate the nuances and glories of the fermented grape. Call 267-230-6750 for more information. Mornings OUT LGBT Senior Social Activities for sexual-minority seniors are held every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the William Way Center. PhilaVentures Philadelphia’s GLBT outdoor group meets for a hike in Wissahickon Valley Park on Sundays at 2 p.m. at Borders Books, Music and Café, 8701 Germantown Ave.; 215-271-8822. Rainbow Bridge Group Congenial group meets for supper and to play bridge monthly on a Monday at 6:30 p.m. Members rotate serving as host. New players welcome. For information, call Gerry at 215-592-1174. Rainbow Room A meeting/activity night held for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth and their friends Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Rainbow Room of Planned Parenthood in Doylestown; 215-348-0558.

Sports

Brandywine Women’s Rugby Club Meets for Tuesday and Thursday practice at 1st West Chester Fire Co., 70 S. Bradford Ave., West Chester; www.brandywinerugby.org. City of Brotherly Love Softball League GLBT softball league serves the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Games are played Sundays, beginning in April, in Fairmount Park; 215-462-2575; www.cblsl.org. Frontrunners Running club meets Saturday mornings at 9:30 for a run and brunch. Lloyd Hall, No. 1 Boathouse Row; www.philadelphiafrontrunners.org; philadelphiafrontrunners@gmail.com. Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club GLBT and allied soccer club; practices Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon and Wednesdays 6-8 p.m. at Edgeley Fields in Fairmount Park; www.falconssoccer.org. Philadelphia Fins Swim Team Male and female swimmers meet at 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays in Center City; 610-5646661; www.philadelphia-fins.org. Philadelphia Gay Bowling League Bowls at 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays from September-April at Pinsetter Bar & Bowl, 7111 Maple Ave., Pennsauken, N.J.; philagaybowling@yahoo.com. Philadelphia Gay Flag Football Contact Jered at gayflagfootball@gmail.com or 214-770-5373. Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Football Club Team seeks players; all skill levels welcome; 215-913-7531; info@phillygryphons.org. Philadelphia Liberty Belles Women’s semi-pro full-tackle football league holds fall tryouts; phillybelles.com. Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association Plays year-round, all skill levels welcome. www.plta.us. Philadelphia Firebirds Women’s football team seeks players; 484-682-4238; www.philadelphiafirebirds.com.

Philly Gay Hockey Association Philadelphia Phury seeks players; 917-656-1936; phury@gayhockey. org. Rainbow Riders of the Delaware Valley Motorcycle club meets regularly; 215-836-0440; www.groups.yahoo. com/group/rainbowridersdv/. Rainbow Rollers Gay and lesbian bowling league meets 8 p.m. on Tuesdays from September-April at AMF Boulevard Lanes, 8011 Roosevelt Blvd.; www. rainbowrollers.com. Spartan Wrestling Club The gay wresting team meets 7-9 p.m. Mondays at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.; 215-732-4545; www.phillyspartans.com. Suburban Gay Bowling League Bowls at 8 p.m. Tuesdays from August-April at Facenda-Whitaker Lanes, 2912 Swede Road, Norristown; sgblbowl@gmail.com.

Etc.

AIDS Law Project Provides free legal assistance to people with HIV/AIDS and sponsors free monthly seminars on work and housing; 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 600; 215-587-9377; www.aidslawpa.org. BiUnity Philadelphia area social and support network for bisexuals, their family members and friends meets 7 p.m. the second Friday of the month at the William Way Center; www.biunity.org. Global A political, community and social group that also works to promote Bordentown as a gay-friendly community meets the first Saturday of the month at Firehouse Gallery, 8 Walnut St., Bordentown, N.J.; jerseyglobal@yahoo.com. Delaware Valley Pink Pistols For LGBT people dedicated to legal, safe and responsible use of firearms for self-defense; meets 2 p.m. the third Saturday of the month at Classic Indoor Range, 1310 Industrial Blvd., Southhampton; 267-3868907; www.pinkpistols.org. Friday Feast and Fun Dinner hosted by St. John’s Lutheran Church at 6:30 p.m. the second Friday of the month, 24 N. Ridge Ave., Ambler; 215-576-8008. Haverford College’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance Open meetings 10-11 p.m. Mondays in the lounge in Jones Basement at Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave.; 610-896-4938. Latina/o Virtual Community Local listserv offers various information and resources; 215-808-2493; Zorros_mail@yahoo.com; LatinPhillyLGBT@yahoogroups.com. LGBTQ and Friends Activity Group Meets 7 p.m. the third Friday of the month to plan outings and potlucks at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County. Long Yang Club Philadelphia Social organization for gay Asians and their friends holds monthly socials; P.O. Box 401, Philadelphia, PA, 19105; www.longyangclub. org/philadelphia. Our Night Out A casual social networking party of LGBT professionals, allied communities, friends and colleagues meets in a different Philadelphia hot spot each month. To receive monthly event invitations, send e-mail to OurNightOutPhilly@gmail.com; PhillyGayCalendar.com/org/ OurNightOut. Philadelphia Bar Association Legal Advice Offered from 5-8 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month; 215-238-6333. Philadelphia Prime Timers Club for mature gay and bisexual men and their admirers meets regularly; 610-344-0853; www.primetimersphiladelphia.org. Philadelphians MC Club for leather men and women meets 7:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month at The Pit at The Bike Stop, 201 S. Quince St.; 215-627-1662. Philly Paw Pals Gay and lesbian dog owners and their dogs meet the first Saturday of the month at a dog park; 215-618-5290; PhillyPawPals@aol.com. Rainbow Amateur Radio Association ARRL affiliated; private; weekly HF nets, monthly newsletter, e-mail server; 302-539-2392; www.rara.org. Rock ’n’ Roll Queer Bar Party A party for gay and lesbian rockers with host Psydde Delicious starts at 10 p.m. every first Sunday at Fluid, 613 S. Fourth St.; www. RocknRollQueerBar.com. Silver Foxes Social and educational group for gays and lesbians 50 and older meets 3-5 p.m. the fourth Sunday of the month at the William Way Center. Stonewall Model Railroad Club Meets monthly; 215-769-4230; k3k@yahoo.com. Thirsty Third Tuesdays Collingswood Out in the Neighborhood meets 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month for coffee, dessert and conversation at Three Beans, 40 N. Haddon Ave., Haddonfield, N.J.; 215-439-8337.

Health

Alder Health Services Provides LGBT health services on a sliding fee scale. 100 N. Cameron St., Ste. 301 East, Harrisburg; 717-233-7190 or 800-867-1550; www. ACA-PA.com. Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 166 W. Lehigh Ave.; 215-763-8870 ext. 6000. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; 215-536-2424. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; 215-851-1822 or 866-222-3871. Spanish/English. HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents 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.; 215-563-0652; www. mazzonicenter.org. Philadelphia FIGHT Provides HIV primary care, on-site lab services, clinical trials, case management, mental health services and support groups for people living with HIV regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. 1233 Locust St., fifth floor; 215-790-1788; www.fight.org. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-9859206.

EWS

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REAL PGN ESTATE

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

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

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PAGE 54 42 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

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HELP WANTED International Cultural Exchange Representative: Earn supplemental income placing and supervising high school exchange students. Volunteer host families also needed. Promote world peace! 1-866-GO-AFICE or www. afice.org _______________________________35-21 Drivers- 10 Owner Operators Needed ASAP! HOME EVERY WEEKEND! Average $1.70/ Mile. Steady, Year-Round Work. Requires CDL-A, 2 Years Experience. Truckload Regional Operations. 888-301-5855. www. aduiepyle.com _______________________________35-21 Driver- ARRIVING NOW 2012 Volvos and Internationals. Plenty of miles! LOCAL Orientation. DAILY or WEEKLY Pay! CDL-A, 3 months current OTR experience. 800-414-9569. www. driveknight.com _______________________________35-21 Earn up to $2.00/mi! Save up to $.32/gal with our Fuel Discount Network! Small Fleet Owners or Owner Operators needed for OTR Flatbed. 866-970-2778. _______________________________35-21 Drivers - Tanker Owner Operator Average $1.23/mile (+fuel surcharge) Paid CDL Training Available & Benefits! Call Prime Inc. Today! 800-277-0212 www.primeinc.com _______________________________35-21 Driver - Experienced OTR Drivers. Up to $3000 BONUS. Call for Details. Up to $.50 Per Mile. Regional Lanes/ Home Weekly 888-463-3962. NO EXPERIENCE? Call 866-753-6417. 6 mo. OTR exp. & current CDL www.usatruck.jobs eoe m/f/h/v. _______________________________35-21 Earn The Paycheck You Deserve with our High Miles and Outstanding Starting Pay! 2-day orientation. Excellent benefits & equipment. $500 Sign-On for Flatbed. CDL-A, 6 mo. OTR. 888-801-5295. _______________________________35-21 DON’T MISS A PAYCHECK! FLATBED. $750 P/WK GUARANTEED 1st 2 Wks. Employed! 1 Yr. OTR & Class A CDL Reqd. Excellent Compensation. 888.476.4578 or www.chiefind.com _______________________________35-21 CDL-A DRIVERS NEEDED! OTR, Regional & Dedicated Runs. Up to $.50 per mile! Class A-CDL & Hazmat Req’d. 800942-2104 Ext. 238 or 243 www.totalms.com _______________________________35-21 SHAFFER TRUCKING PAY INCREASE! .42-.45/mile Starting Driver Pay! Dedicated Opportunities, Home Weekly Fleets. Top CSA Scores. CALL 800-669-0322 Or Apply Online at www.ShafferJobs.com _______________________________35-21 Drivers - NE Regional Runs! .35-.52cpm, Steady Work, Quality Home Time, Great Equipment, Excellent Benefits. CDL-A, 6Months Experience Required. 888.445.1886 www.mtrk.com _______________________________35-2

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LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. �� I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive,�caring with a fun personality. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. �� _______________________________35-29 Attractive sensitive, 48 WM, NE GWM, Phila. warm, If you’re lookingcaring, for hot y.o. withcall a smooth gymnast build lookingafter for action, 215-934-5309. No calls other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. 11 PM. I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are _______________________________35-22 also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If SEEKING this sounds to youmen, feel free to call WM in 50’s interesting seeks younger Latinos & me, David,a215-698-0215. Mexicans +, for friendship & fun. Enjoy _______________________________33-28 arts, travel & outdoors. 856-547-4163. No calls after 11. _______________________________35-21 Hookup at www.oceanhouseatlanticcity.com _______________________________35-21 6’, 165 lbs., 60 year old Master, greek active, french passive requires obedient slave for training, S&M, B/D, W/S, etc. Limits respected and expanded. Assistant Master wanted. Call Dave at 215-729-6670, day or evening. _______________________________33-48 Xdress sex party. CD house orgy every Sat. nite. GWM couple ISO GWMs 18-40 yrs. for 1 on 1 and group sex. Stockings, pantyhose, etc. Starts 9 PM Sat. Call Sat. 7-8 PM 856910-8303, ask for Mark. _______________________________33-24 GWM, Italian, top or bottom, 7” cut. Also into assplay, toys & water sports. Bi, straight, out of towners welcome. Day or night. Call Jeff at 215-850-7900. _______________________________33-18

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

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44 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 27 - June 2, 2011

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