Summer fun from Aruba to Atlantic City
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Family Portrait: Melanie Rice is shoring up AC PAGE 31
AIDS Education Month events announced PAGE 5 May 29-June 4, 2015
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Vol. 39 No. 22
philly to raise trans flag
Murder victim mourned, remembered
By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com
By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com Londyn Kiki Chanel, a 21-yearold transgender woman, was killed earlier this month in North Philadelphia, and friends are remembering her for her vibrant and positive personality. A memorial was held Wednesday night at William Way LGBT Community Center. Chanel was stabbed several times inside an abandoned home in the 2220 block of Ingersoll Street, allegedy by 31-year-old Raheam Felton. According to police, Chanel and Felton knew one another and were living inside the abandoned home with two other transgender women. The stabbing is believed to have arisen from a domestic dispute. Felton was charged with murder and possessing an instrument of crime after he confessed, according to police. He faces a hearing next week. P G N spoke with a close friend of Chanel who recalled the victim as an outgoing people person. Brandi Mallin, a 23-year-old transgender woman, moved to Philadelphia from Lancaster to find a more accepting community. On her first day in town, she met Chanel at a small party. “I saw a lot of people laughing and dancing and just being happy, and there was Londyn just having a great time,” Mallin said. “I walked up to her and introduced myself and told her how beautiful PAGE 12 she was, and
GUAC GREATS: Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutritional Alliance staged its third-annual Guac-Off May 21 at Morgan’s Pier. The guacamole-tasting competition raised nearly $7,000 for the agency, which provides nutritional meals to people with life-threatening illnesses, including HIV/AIDS. Guerrilla Ultima won the Judge’s Choice Award and Xochitl took home the People’s Choice Award. The event was hosted by Brittany Lynn (right) and featured remarks by MANNA CEO Sue Daugherty. Photo: Scott A. Drake
The City of Philadelphia next week will raise the transgender Pride flag at City Hall. The first-ever ceremony will take place at noon June 4, and the flag will remain raised until June 6, the duration of the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference. “The city says that we’re everything to the LGBT community but far too often the ‘T’ is left far behind or out of sight, and it’s important to visibly make a commitment to the work that we know needs to be done,” said Nellie Fitzpatrick, the city’s director of LGBT Affairs. “I can’t think of anything more visible than putting the trans flag right next to the American flag at City Hall.” Fitzpatrick worked with the organizers of PTHC to organize the initiative. PTHC attendees will process to the ceremony
together and assemble in a designated area. There will be a city representative speaking at the ceremony — either Mayor Nutter, Fitzpatrick or another official — and it will be a short ceremony so that PTHC participants can return to the conference’s afternoon activities. Fitzpatrick said she envisions the flag-raising ceremony becoming an annual effort, along the lines of the rainbow-flag raising initiative that has happened each October since 2010. She noted that this occasion is meant to be celebratory. “We have far too many times where the trans community is mourning, from Trans Day of Remembrance to every time we lose somebody,” Fitzpatrick said. “But instead we should take a moment and revel in the empowerment of where the community is going because that’s incredibly important to celebrate.” n
Local Scouts: We’ll accept City launches ‘safe bathroom’ guide gay adults, if given the option Fitzpatrick noted, the law can’t By Jen Colletta By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com The Boy Scouts of America Cradle of Liberty Council will accept gay adults, if given the option to do so by the national BSA organization. Cradle executive Daniel A. Templar confirmed the potential policy shift to PGN this week. Templar’s statement comes on the heels of BSA president Robert Gates’ recent comments indicating that local BSA councils may soon have the option of accepting gay adults. Currently, gay youth may participate in Scouting, but not gay adults. “[Cradle] has always opposed prejudice, intolerance and unlawful discrimination,” Templar told PGN. “For that reason, we’re very
appreciative of the efforts of Dr. Gates and the national council to revisit the national membership standards for adults.” He added: “If a local option is offered to accept gay adults serving within the group, yes, we will [accept gay adults]. To my knowledge, [Cradle] has never denied membership to anyone based on sexual orientation.” Cradle is headquartered in Treddyfrin Township and serves youth in Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Cradle was formerly headquartered in a city-owned building on the Ben Franklin Parkway. But it vacated the building in 2013, after refusing to sign a lease with comprehensive antibias language. The building has been vacant for almost two years, and Templar didn't know PAGE 12
jen@epgn.com
In what could be the first city-sponsored initiative of its kind in the nation, Philadelphia this month launched an interactive online guide to help trans, gender-nonconforming and others locate gender-neutral restrooms in the region. The Gotta Go Guide was pioneered by Nellie Fitzpatrick, director of the Office of LGBT Affairs. The website and mobile app are powered through Google Maps and will be managed by Fitzpatrick’s office. The map tracks public, commercial and governmental buildings that offer gender-neutral restrooms. It is illegal in Philadelphia to deny access to a sex-segregated restroom that comports with someone’s gender identity but,
always prevent prejudice. “People should be able to access a bathroom that fits their gender identity but there are ongoing issues of harassment, bullying and true danger from other people using these bathrooms with them, customers, security guards, business owners,” she said. “Society as a whole needs to be educated about our laws and the rights people have and people need to stop policing other people’s gender in the restroom.” In 2013, Philadelphia adopted a law mandating all newly constructed or renovated municipal buildings include gender-neutral restrooms. “Although we have this ordinance, a lot of city buildings were built before it was enacted or haven’t been renovated yet, so that leaves us with a lot of spaces in our city that PAGE 2
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http://www.epgn.com/where-to-find-us Would you like to be on our distribution list? Contact: don@epgn.com or 215-451-6182 ext. 200 for delivery of complimentary copies.
Former Wawa employee files discrimination suit By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com A former Wawa employee filed suit against the convenience store mega chain last month, alleging she was wrongfully terminated based on her sexual orientation. Wendy Thomas, who identifies as a lesbian, alleged in the suit that her immediate supervisor took adverse employment action against her after she was encouraged by a Wawa administrator to report an incident that occurred on National Coming Out Day in 2013. On that day, Thomas claimed that the supervisor began loudly mocking the LGBT Pride celebration and made several antagonizing comments. According to the complaint, Thomas discussed the incident two months later at a Gay Straight Alliance meeting and was encouraged by the director of marketing to report the incident. Thomas was also told by the administrator that if she did not file the report, the administrator would. Thomas reported the incident to the com-
pany’s human-resources department but said in the suit that, once the supervisor became aware of the complaint, weekly meetings between the two became “unbearable.” Shortly after, Thomas received her firstever poor annual review. According to the complaint, Thomas had been an exemplary employee at Wawa since 1991. Upon graduating from St. Joseph’s University with her master’s of business administration in 1995, Thomas was promoted to work for Corporate Wawa in training and development. She was again promoted in 2003. In 2012, Thomas was actively involved in creating a GSA at Wawa. According to the complaint, shortly after the GSA creation, the supervisor took away Thomas’ flex benefits, which had allowed her to work in multiple Wawa offices. The removal of the flex benefits forced Thomas to commute an hour and a half each way to work and made attending GSA meetings more difficult. A court date has not been set yet. n
Another court date set in gay-bashing case By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The trio accused of attacking a gay couple in Center City this past fall was back in court last week. Kathryn Knott, Philip Williams and Kevin Harrigan were back in court May 21 for a pre-trial bring back. Such proceedings allow defense attorneys and prosecutors to review evidence being submitted in the case. The three face aggravated assault, simple assault and other charges in connec-
BATHROOMS from page 1
don’t have the facilities we know we need to provide,” Fitzpatrick said. “I know I can’t pick up a sledgehammer and wrench and make these bathrooms myself, but I can provide the city and community with a tool to access the bathrooms that are in existence, beyond government buildings.” Fitzpatrick noted that, in addition to affecting trans and gender-nonconforming individuals, segregated restrooms also impact parents caring for children of the opposite sex. As of presstime, the Gotta Go Guide contained more than 130 locales, from restaurants and bars to libraries and community centers. Proprietors of establishments with a gender-neutral bathroom are invited to submit their property for inclusion, and
tion with the Sept. 11 attack on Zachary Hesse and Andrew Haught. Prosecutors say the defendants verbally and physically attacked the couple, using homophobic language. Haught sustained multiple broken bones and had his jaw wired shut for two months. Last month, Judge Frank Palumbo denied the defendants’ requests to drop the charges against them. Last week, he scheduled another pretrial bring back for 9 a.m. July 9 in Room 905 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. n
are encouraged to provide as much detail as possible about the location of the gender-neutral restroom. “We’re looking to provide more than just, ‘Yes, there is a bathroom here,’ but actually specific information like, ‘Inside to the back-right side of the building, you’ll find two single-occupancy, gender-neutral restrooms.’ That will help alleviate that real and legitimate anxiety of not knowing if there is a space where you can simply use the restroom safely,” Fitzpatrick said. “This is something people can check before they leave the house in the morning. If they’re going to dinner or lunch or working somewhere, they’ll know where they can access safe bathrooms.” To access the guide, visit http://bit. ly/1FD8Rw9. n
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
You Can Play Night at the Philadelphia Soul PRESENTED BY
Support the You Can Play mission to insure the safety and inclusion of all in sports – including LGBT athletes, coaches and fans. All packages below include a donation to You Can Play. Friday, June 26, 2015 @ 7:30 PM Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia Soul vs. Tampa Bay Storm Red - $500 • Twenty (20) Red Level Tickets near the You Can Play seating area to be used or donated • You Can Play / Philadelphia Soul T-Shirts for attendees • In-Game and Event Website Recognition as Game Day Supporter • Donation to You Can Play Orange - $1,000 • Forty (40) Orange Level Tickets near the You Can Play seating area to be used or donated • You Can Play / Philadelphia Soul T-Shirts for attendees • In-Game and Event Website Recognition as Game Day Supporter • Tabling opportunity on the concourse for the Soul game • Donation to You Can Play Green - $2,500 • Fifty (50) Green Level Tickets (Club Box) near the You Can Play seating area to be used or donated • You Can Play / Philadelphia Soul T-Shirt for attendees • In-Game and Event Website Recognition as Game Day Supporter • Tabling opportunity on the concourse for the Soul game • Business Logo on You Can Play / Philadelphia Soul T-Shirts • Invitation to Soul Connect Networking Event with Soul Business Partners & Sponsors • Select number of Post-Game Field Passes to meet the Soul Players & Soulmates • Donation to You Can Play Purple - $5,000 • Seventy-Five (75) Purple Level Tickets near the You Can Play seating area to be used or donated • You Can Play / Philadelphia Soul T-Shirts for attendees • In-Game and Event Website Recognition as Game Day Supporter • Tabling opportunity on the concourse for the Soul game • Business Logo on You Can Play / Philadelphia Soul T-Shirts • Invitation to Soul Connect Networking Event with Soul Business Partners & Sponsors • Special On-field Recognition • One (1) post to the Soul Facebook group (12,000 reach) leading up to the game • Customized Inclusion in one (1) Soul e-Newsletter (~17,000 recipients) leading up to the game • Select number of Post-Game Field Passes to meet the Soul Players & Soulmates • Customized Soul Jersey • Donation to You Can Play
Individual Ticket Packages available for $27 at www.philadelphiasoul.com/youcanplay For questions or to reserve your package, please contact Corinne at 215-253-4900 x 180 or Corinne@PhiladelphiaSoul.com
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Weekly features
News&Opinion 7 — News Briefing 9 — Crime Watch 10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Mark My Words Street Talk Transmissions
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This week in pGN From casinos to cabanas, from concerts to correspondence, PGN covers the classic sights, smells and sounds of summer. Find some new places to visit or return to an old haunt — and find them on our to-do list for summer 2015.
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Scene in Philly Family Portrait Comic Q Puzzle Out & About
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C — Outward o 26 l Bound: u Hola, Mexico! m n s Classifieds 39 — Real Estate 41 — Personals 43 — Bulletin Board
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LONGTIME LEADER: David Fair (third from left), the out deputy chief executive officer of Turning Points for Children, was among the honorees of SeniorLAW Center’s inaugural 6 Over 60 awards. The ceremony was held May 14 at Crystal Tea Room to honor pioneers who are 60-plus and who have made impressive strides for social justice. Fair previously worked at United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania and founded a number of HIV/AIDS and LGBT-focused organizations throughout his career. Fair was joined at the ceremony by Julie Allebach Dees (from left), Cecilia Isaacs-Blundin, Larry Felzer, Reggie Shuford and Thomas Ude. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Consolidated conference tops AEM activities By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com If you haven’t gotten tested for HIV lately, then June is the month to do so. Know your status and have all your questions answered at numerous testing locations and events throughout AIDS Education Month. Presented by Philadelphia FIGHT, this month-long series of events, workshops and conferences will kick off with an opening reception 5:30-7:30 p.m. June 2 at the Independence Visitors Center. A major change to the programming schedule this year is the combination of what would normally be three smaller “summit” workshops into one large End AIDS Conference. The first-of-its-kind event takes place 8 a.m.-6 p.m. June 8 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. “We are really excited about combining our three traditional summits into one big conference,” said Philadelphia FIGHT director of education Juliet Fink Yates. “It’s going to feel like we are bringing an international AIDS conference to Philly.” The one-day conference will now include the prison health-care and reentry summit, the faith leaders and community summit and the HIV-prevention and outreach summit. The event will feature more than 60 workshops, 50 community vendors, a gallery of art, an AIDS timeline and more. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and all events are free. “We have info and events for people regardless of where they come in with their understanding of HIV/AIDS,” Yates said.
“You don’t have to know anything. We have a spectrum of workshops, from 101 to advanced classes for credit for medical professionals.” Throughout the month, other events include a gospel concert featuring J.J. Hairston and Youthful Praise, the Summit Ball, Hip Hop for Philly concert, a community cookout and much more. During the opening reception, longtime LGBT civil-rights advocate Deon Haywood, executive director of Women With a Vision, will be presented with the 2015 Kiyoshi Kuromiya Award — named for the late HIV/AIDS and LGBT-rights pioneer — for her advocacy work in HIV/ AIDS, LGBT rights and reproductive justice. “Deon has been a fierce advocate for LGBT rights and other marginalized groups for a long time,” Yates said. “We know that Kiyoshi would be extremely pleased that she is receiving this award.” Yates said one of the major goals of AEM is to get as many people tested as possible leading up to and culminating in National HIV Testing Day June 27. On average, Yates said, FIGHT tests approximately 1,200 young people ages 13-24 every year. A majority of these numbers are obtained through AEM’s Summit Ball and Hip Hop for Philly concert. “These two events are very popular and draw large crows each year,” said Yates. “We have built in HIV-testing components into the events and are able to test lots of people at once.” PAGE 9
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Trans-Health Conf. organizers expect record attendance By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com The 14th-annual Philadelphia TransHealth Conference will pack the Pennsylvania Convention Center for three full days of educational and empowering trans-focused programming. Presented by the Mazzoni Center, PTHC will run June 4-6 at the Convention Center, 12th and Arch streets. The event is free but registration is required. Schedule highlights include non-traditional classroom-style workshops (in English and Spanish), a Latino resource village and new youth-specific programs. Workshop titles include: Non-Binary Talk: Let’s Make Friends; Empowering Trans Older Adults to Protect their Rights; Safe Schools for Trans Students; PrEP Talk; Changing Your Identity Documents and much more. For a complete schedule, visit www.trans-health.org. This year’s theme, “Cultural Competency/Cultural Humility,” was designed by the planning committee to ensure the event was responsive to the diverse needs of its attendees. “We have a lot of workshops this year that are specifically tailored to the needs of our attendees,” said conference coordi-
nator Samantha Jo Dato. “We also took steps to ensure that our programming was culturally competent and mindful of everyone’s needs and requirements.” Dato said an extensive overhaul was made to the event to make it more handicapped-accessible, ASL-inclusive and as bilingual as possible. Inclusive spaces were also specifically created for people of color and young people. “We really wanted to make the youth feel welcome,” Dato said. “They are the next generation of leaders and we need to give them a platform, and some insight and training into how this all works.” Pennsylvania Youth Congress deputy director Turner Stulting and Harrisburg Area Community College sophomore Peter Fair will both deliver keynote addresses. They will be joined by GLAAD spokesperson Tiq Milan, who will give the opening keynote 1 p.m. June 4, and Navaja Nation tribal member Trude Jackson, who will deliver a keynote at 1 p.m. June 5. Another change is the addition of the opening-night reception, 7:30 p.m. June 4 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. “In our attempt to have a better-quality
BROAD STREET-BOUND: Steve McGinley (from left), Jack Averill, Bobby Ribo and Tim Gindville were among the guests at the Spartans N.Y.B. Clubhouse May 16 for the Miss Fancy Brigade show. The drag show at the South Philly Mummers clubhouse featured performances by several of the queens who have participated in the annual Mummers Day Parade. Photo: Scott A. Drake
schedule, we removed some of the other evening events we’ve had in the past and added the opening-night reception,” Dato said. “We wanted to keep the focus on what we do best, but I think the reception will be fun for everyone.” Dato said that PTHC is expecting approximately 5,000 attendees, which
would make it the largest in the event’s history. “We have already exceeded pre-registration numbers compared to last year,” Dato said. To register for the conference and for more information, visit www.transhealth.org. n
LOCAL pGN
News Briefing PGN seeks certified Morris records Last week, PGN asked the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office for certified copies of dispatch records pertaining to the Nizah Morris case. Morris was a transgender woman who was found with a fatal head wound in 2002, shortly after a courtesy ride from Officer Elizabeth Skala. Her homicide remains unsolved. For reasons not clear in the record, Skala initiated an unrelated vehicle stop while still assigned to handle Morris, who was intoxicated. In October, the D.A.’s Office gave PGN a dispatch record that appears to be related to Skala’s vehicle stop. But the D.A.’s Office hasn’t clarified whether the record is complete, nor whether it’s authentic. PGN hopes those issues will be clarified when it receives certified records from the agency. Complete dispatch records for Skala’s vehicle stop could explain why she didn’t respond to Morris after her head injury, when she urgently needed transportation to a hospital. By presstime, the D.A.’s Office hadn’t responded to PGN’s request.
Gay litigant will cooperate with court order Thomas Vandergrift says he’s doing his best to locate his medical records for the past 18 years, pursuant to a recent court order. On May 14, U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel Schneider ordered Vandergrift to turn over his medical records dating back to 1997 to the Pennsauken school district. Vandergrift, an openly gay teacher, alleges that district officials wrongfully accused him of child molestation after he advocated for a proper education for his autistic nephew. Vandergrift’s lawsuit is in the discovery phase, and district officials requested his medical records for the past 18 years. Vandergrift, 38, said he’s
working to comply with the judge’s order. “Do you remember all the doctors you saw [almost] 20 years ago?” he posed. “I’m not hiding anything. But I honestly can’t remember everything.” Nonetheless, he said he’s working diligently to locate the requested records and facilitate their release. Vandergrift seeks policy changes within the district, and an unspecified amount in damages. So far, he said, he’s incurred more than $100,000 in legal expenses. “There absolutely needs to be policy changes so this can’t happen to another family,” Vandergrift said. “No way in heck should this ever happen to another family in that school district.” District officials couldn’t be reached for this update.
JSPAN supports two trans-rights bills The Jewish Social Policy Action Network, a progressive agency in the Jewish community, has endorsed two transgender-rights bills pending in the state legislature. HB 303 would ensure the rights of transgender students to participate fully in educational programs, sports and other activities. HB 304 would ensure that health-insurance carriers cover treatments for gender-identity disorder and gender dysphoria, including medically necessary office visits, lab tests, prescription drugs, hormone therapy and transitional surgeries. The bills were introduced by state Rep. Mark Cohen (D-Phila.), and have been referred to committees for further study. “Both bills were unanimously supported [by the JSPAN board], after a full discussion,” said Lynn G. Zeitlin, chair of JSPAN’’s Policy Center on LGBTQ Civil Rights. About 20 board members attended JSPAN’s May 18 meeting, when the vote was taken. n — Timothy Cwiek
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
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Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between May 11-17. Information is courtesy of Sixth District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice.com or call 215-686-TIPS. Do you bike in or around Center City? If so, you’ll want to check out www.phillypolicebikeregistry.com. Register your bike, upload a photo and get valuable bicycle-related information. INCIDENTS — At 6:45 p.m. May 12, security video showed a man stealing a woman’s purse from inside Boxers, 1330 Walnut St. He was black, about 50, 5-foot-11, thin, unshaven and wearing a white shirt and khaki pants. — Between 7-8:15 p.m. May 12, someone stole a laptop from a guest room inside the Loews Hotel, 1200 Market St. There was no forced entry. — At 2:05 p.m. May 13, inside Wendy’s, 1101 Walnut St., a woman was distracted by a male pretending to have injured his hand in the door while another male stole a wallet from her handbag. The suspects were described as black, the first about 40 with a dark complexion wearing a white shirt and a dark blazer, and the second wearing a light-colored shirt.
— At 3:10 a.m. May 14, a man was riding his bicycle west in the 1300 block of Walnut Street when a male knocked him from his bike and stole it in addition to cash from his pocket. The victim described the perpetrator as a 6-foot black male, thin, with a dark complexion, wearing a dark blue hoodie and a white hat. — There were three thefts from parked vehicles reported this week: outside 800 Pine St., 1349 Chestnut St. and 100 S. 11th St. NON-SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 2:15 a.m. May 11 while on patrol, Sixth District Officers Cifelli and Macchione observed a male crossing the 1200 block of Spruce Street carrying a big-screen TV. Upon seeing the police, the male discarded a watch and prescription pill bottle. The officers conducted an investigation and found the address on the pill bottle — an apartment on the block — had been entered via a window and the door left open. The owner was located and identified the watch, prescription and TV as coming from his apartment. The 29-year-old suspect with a South Philadelphia address was charged with burglary and related offenses. — At 12:50 a.m. May 13, Sixth District Officer Stone observed a male throw a bucket of paint on the door of Knock, 255 S. 12th St. The 59-year-old suspect with an Overbrook address was charged with criminal mischief. — At 10:20 p.m. May 13, Sixth District plainclothes officers made an arrest for prostitution outside 1300 Locust St.
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
FIGHT from page 5
— On May 15, while conducting surveillance in the area of Juniper and Chancellor streets, Sixth District plainclothes officers observed a female steal an unattended bicycle and start to ride off on it. The 41-year-old suspect with a South Philadelphia address was charged with theft. SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 10:20 a.m. May 11, Sixth District officers issued a citation for a summary offense outside 1233 Locust St. — At 8:50 p.m. May 12, Sixth District officers issued a citation for a summary offense outside 1301 Walnut St. — On May 13, Sixth District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 1:05 a.m. outside 1233 Locust St., 6 p.m. outside 1300 Locust St. and 9:05 p.m. outside 1300 Chestnut St. at 9:05 p.m. — At 11:05 p.m. May 14, Sixth District officers issued a citation for a summary offense outside 1314 Walnut St. — On May 15, Sixth District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 7:25 p.m. outside 201 S. 13th St., 7:55 p.m. outside 1329 Pine St. and 10:35 p.m. outside 1212 Chestnut St. — On May 16, Sixth District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 1:30 a.m. outside 1300 Chancellor St. and 11:50 p.m. outside 13th and St. James streets. — At 11 p.m. May 17, Sixth District officers issued a citation for a summary offense outside 1221 St. James St. ■
For example, admission to the concert, which features recording artist Teyana Taylor, is free in exchange for an HIV test. There are also many events that take place in collaboration with local community and recreation centers throughout the city. “The goal is to get into the communities that don’t have access to this info,” Yates said. “At these smaller events throughout the city, we can give them basic information about safer-sex practices and getting tested that they might not have access to otherwise.” AEM is a part of Philadelphia FIGHT’s vision of a world without AIDS, Yates said — a goal that is getting closer. “I think that over the years we have really seen that there is so much exciting research and treatments that are out there and making a huge impact,” she said. “It’s not some far-away concept — the tools exist.” For more information about AIDS Education Month, including a complete event schedule, visit www.fight.org. ■
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
EDITORIAL PGN
Creep of the Week
D’Anne Witkowski
Health-insurance companies
Editorial
Visibility over violence As our community continues to mourn the loss of yet another transgender victim of violence, Londyn Kiki Chanel, efforts are underway to promote understanding about and visibility of the trans community. While such initiatives may provide little solace to the loved ones of the far-too-many transgender victims of violence in our city and across the country, they are a step in the direction of breaking down systemic prejudice that enables such violence. On June 4, the transgender Pride flag will for the first time be raised outside of Philadelphia City Hall, an effort that is timed to coincide with the 14th-annual Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference. While a city’s acknowledging a community’s emblematic flag shouldn’t itself be big news, that this is points to how far our society still needs to evolve on transgender awareness. And, it illustrates that our city is willing to lead that effort. As much as the flag-raising is meant to communicate to the city at large that Philadelphia supports and values its transgender citizens, it also sends an empowering message to our trans brothers and sisters themselves. It is well beyond time that all trans people are, personally and as a community — one that is disproportionately hit by harassment, discrimination and violence — buoyed by the backing of our city government. Also making news this week was the launch of an online guide, created by the city, to help trans and gender-nonconforming folks, as well as others, locate safe and secure restroom facilities. As much as the flag-raising is a symbolic commentary on trans inclusion, the guide is a practical effort with the same aim. It allows people looking for gender-neutral restrooms — which can also include such folks as parents caring for a child of the opposite sex — to find such facilities without the worry of being harassed, a very real concern for many of our city’s residents. While Philadelphia is certainly far more progressive than many of our neighboring municipalities — and recently passed a law mandating that all new city construction include gender-neutral bathrooms — acceptance is not a guarantee. But, being able to safely access a restroom should be a guarantee. The LGBT-rights movement is in a state of flux and, rightfully so, the needs of the trans community are coming to the forefront, and more visible to the LGB and mainstream communities. The efforts announced this week are valuable building blocks for trans equality — simultaneously symbolic and tangible, they illustrate the systemic barriers that need to be confronted and the steps our entire community can take to do so. n
We all know that men can get breast can- vix. We have people who identify as male cer. It’s more common in women, but it can who have had what is commonly known and does happen. as sex-reassignment surgery. And neither Thankfully, we live in the United States person is less male than the other, unless, of Gender Equality, where everyone is of course, we are sticking to narrow defitotally cool with issues of sex, and gennitions that help no one navigate life as a der identity isn’t some rigid thing no one human being. dare deviate from unless they want to be The thing is, both of these individuridiculed and alienated for the rest of their als need and should have access to prelives. Plus, no one believes that physical ventative care and insurance companies bodies are always either 100-percent male shouldn’t have the power to tell them, or 100-percent female — no variation ever. “You have to choose between insurance So if someone who identifies as male coverage and a gender identity that makes needs to be screened sense for you. You can’t for cervical cancer have both.” And so it was that because he has a cerThankfully the Obama vix, no one would insurance companies administration has dream of denying stepped in to make it have denied coverage clear that everyone gets him that service just because, duh, males preventative care deemed for things like “pap don’t have cervixes/ necessary by a medical smears for dudes” how can that even be professional. No more possible/what? ick/ discrimination against simply because the brain explodes/next, transgender people. patient’s driver’s please? This is a super-import Ha ha. Just kidding. ant thing. license said “male,” America is full of The Human Rights or “prostate exams small-minded, hateful Campaign’s David C. people and our laws spoke to the New for gals” just because Stacy often reflect that fact. York Times about the And so it was that the patient’s driver’s implications of this clariinsurance companies license said “female.” fication. have denied coverage “A transgender man for things like “pap who has a need for smears for dudes” simply because the breast-cancer screening would be assured patient’s driver’s license said “male,” or of getting that screening,” he said. “A per“prostate exams for gals” just because the son who has transitioned from female to patient’s driver’s license said “female.” male may still have a high risk of breast Granted, what it means to be transgencancer.” And it should be doctors who make that der is very unclear to the general public, in part because we “know” what it means determination, not some insurance adjuster to be female or male (or at least we think sitting in an office somewhere checking a we know. We don’t. We just prescribe a box on an insurance-claim form that reads, bunch of sexist expectations about appear“Nope. Die.” ance and behavior and call it a day) and we Now I realize that naming “health-insur“know” that you’re born that way (again, ance companies” as this week’s Creep is really broad. And probably not all compawe don’t know shit, but we believe what we’ve been taught since an either/or binary nies are guilty of this. But enough are. So if you’re an insurance company and I hurt is a lot easier to navigate and understand your feelings, just remember that you make than a fluid continuum). In other words, a lot of Americans under- money off of denying people the basic stand what “transgender” means based on need of health care. So fuck off. n reading headlines about Bruce Jenner on the cover of the National Enquirer in the D’Anne Witkowski has been gay for pay since supermarket checkout. 2003. She’s a freelance writer and poet (believe But that’s not the whole story (duh). it!). When she’s not taking on the creeps of the world, she reviews rock ’n’ roll shows in Detroit We live in a world where people identify with her twin sister. as male, yet still have a vagina and cer-
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Please include a daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, style and space considerations.
Op-Ed PGN
Bringing our youth home Last week, my phone rang and the voice The first thing to do is listen: Allow the on the other end very apprehensively said person to get out what he or she needs to their name and then, “I’m the one who express. Then, assure him or her that there has been in a ‘conversion-therapy’ camp.” is a community of which they can be a Then, they began to cry. Here’s how this part that accepts and cherishes them. Then, saga began: the hard point: putting their lives back on A friend called me saying she had a rela- track, from the derailment caused by their tive whose friend felt their child parents and conversion-therapy wasn’t acting in coordination camp therapists. with their gender. Hoping to The community in “correct” their child, the parents Philadelphia has two nonprofits began looking for resources that sprang into action after my and discovered a “camp” that emails for help. The Attic Youth practices “conversion therapy” Center focuses on programs for out West. So, they escorted youth while Mazzoni Center their child to the airport, put the can offer assistance with trauma child on a plane to be met at and medical needs. Both are the airport on the other side by now working on this one case. a “camp” employee. All this so But there lies the issue: This the child would not escape. The was only one of many cases. child was now in a part of the And here’s the catch: This country and place they had no youth, when back in the area, knowledge of, without knowing will be homeless, since their Mark Segal parents have disowned them. anyone, and without any money — virtually taken prisoner. Help might be on the way. Prison is a place where all of your activSister Mary Scullion (my favorite nun in ities and time are restricted and you live the entire world) of Project HOME — the within the rules of the guards. This had all organization that works to provide housing of those traits but added something that no and other services to disadvantaged groups state prison is allowed to do these days — — is in the early stages of talks with The mental and physical torture. Our LGBT Attic and Mazzoni to create a housing proyouth in conversion therapy are being gram specifically for LGBT youth. As I said as when we were building the treated worse than people convicted of John C. Anderson Apartments, an affordmurder, burglary or violent crimes. Not knowing what the next round of torable LGBT-friendly living facility for ture would be, the child escaped and called seniors, many seniors in our community home to a friend in suburban Philadelphia have been left behind or forgotten. While pleading for help. That call somehow we are building a community, it is importarrived at my desk. ant for us to not leave anyone behind, espe I’m not new to any of this, and neither cially those endangered. This is a project is almost anyone at this newspaper. We’ve that we welcome. n gotten these calls for almost 40 years now since PGN has been in existence and, for Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the nation’s mostme, it’s been a 45-year battle fighting for award-winning commentator in LGBT media. LGBT youth. We in Gay Youth New York You can follow him on Facebook at www.facein 1969-71 dealt with this issue without book.com/MarkSegalPGN or Twitter at https:// the resources our community luckily has twitter.com/PhilaGayNews. today.
Mark My Words
Transmissions
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
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Street Talk Do the election results show that Philadelphia is LGBT-friendly? "No. The city should have LGBT representation on City Council. It's moving in the right direction but it's not quite Christopher Clark there yet. landscaper City Council Valley Township should reflect the diversity of Philly. Then you can say all segments of the population are truly represented."
"Yes, I think so. The city can be LGBTfriendly, even without members of the LGBT community on City Council. It's Maura Elliott important to officer manager have LGBT Sewell, N.J. representation, and I hope it happens. But that doesn't prevent the city from billing itself as LGBTfriendly. There are many allies on City Council, and [mayoral nominee] Jim Kenney is very supportive."
"No. It can't be considered LGBTfriendly until the last obstacle is overcome. There should be LGBT people on Christina Janka City Council. dancer What makes Pitman, N.J. the city so equal if it doesn't treat everyone equally, including on City Council? There were some good results in the election, but not enough."
"Yes. From the little I know about the city, it seems LGBTfriendly to me. I would like to see more diversity on Jay Martin the governing pyrotechnician council, but London, England as long as its members are sensitive to the needs of the LGBT community, the city can be LGBT-friendly."
Gwendolyn Ann Smith
Duggar Skullduggery The notion of antigay lawmakers being self-loathing and closeted is by no means an uncommon thing. Whether it’s Larry Craig and his toe-tapping, wide-stance antics in a Minneapolis airport bathroom, or George Rekers and the rent boy he hired to “lift his luggage” on a two-week European vacation, those who espouse the strongest antigay positions seem to be the largest hypocrites. Last month, when the Grindr profile of Matt Makela — a Michigan-based pastor with a strong antigay history — became public, I viewed the outing as a bit of a yawn. It’s just become so common that I expect a strongly antigay voice in today’s political climate to have a gay double
life. It wasn’t until this last week, in news that overshadowed that of Makela, that I finally discovered the transgender corollary. No, I didn’t assume that those who are strongly anti-transgender are trans, though I suspect we’ll see a few over time. I assumed, rather, that the attacks against transgender people were simply antigay hucksters trying to find a new target in the wake of various LGBT legislative victories. With the long slog towards same-sex-marriage rights appearing to be all but over, surely opponents need a new target to fill their coffers. The anti-transgender “bathroom bills” seem
tailor-made for them. The right has crafted a “bathroom meme” to fight against transgender rights. Their argument is that letting transgender people use public accommodations consistent with our gender identity or expression will allow non-transgender rapists and molesters to gain access to opposite-gender restrooms. That idea has been at the heart of a series of insidious bills introduced in Kentucky, Florida, Texas, Arizona, Nevada and elsewhere. It has been used to stall and prevent rights gains, including a recent loss in Charlotte, N.C., marked by radio ads extolling the “bathroom meme,” as well as a notorious
antigay activist harassing transgender people who used appropriate facilities at the hearing over the bill. There’s one time in particular the “bathroom meme” was used that I want to focus on. In August 2014, the Fayetteville City Council in Arkansas was voting on the repeal of an antidiscrimination bill. The bill in question — Ordinance 119 — protected against discrimination due to sexual orientation and gender identity, among other protected classes. A robocall recorded during the fight to repeal Ordinance 119 evoked the “bathroom meme” “The Fayetteville PAGE 15
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PGN
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SCOUTS from page 1
whether Cradle would try to reoccupy to it in light of the more-inclusive potential. “We have not discussed that yet,” Templar said. “I don't suspect that we will in the near future. So I don’t have an answer for you on that question, unfortunately.” Twelve years ago, Cradle leaders ejected Greg Lattera from Scouting after he came out as a gay Life Scout. It was Lattera’s ejection that sparked a concerted effort by the local LGBT community to remove Cradle from the Parkway building. Lattera, 30, currently works as a firefighter in a suburb of Pittsburgh. He doesn’t hold any hostile feelings against Cradle, he said. “I've never been bitter,” Lattera told PGN. “I've always been hurt that they took [Scouting] away from me. It was a big part of my life. But I'll never be bitter. I'm not going to be a cog in their machine, and let them wear me down.” Lattera said he didn’t push for Cradle’s eviction, but he understands why the club had to leave the Parkway building. Perhaps more than any other individual, LGBT advocate Arthur M. Kaplan worked tirelessly to ensure Cradle’s departure from the Parkway building because it wouldn’t comply with local antibias rules.
Kaplan was sharply rebuked by a federal judge, who’s a former Scouting official. Yet, like Lattera, Kaplan isn’t bitter about his experience. If Cradle will abide by local antibias rules, he wouldn’t oppose its return to the building. “They could have a fair shot to get back into that building,” Kaplan said. “They could have an equal place in line, and compete [for re-entry] along with organizations with longstanding nondiscrimination policies, like the Girl Scouts and Big Brothers Big Sisters.” But before returning to the building, Kaplan said, “[Cradle] would have to sign an unequivocal, comprehensive nondiscrimination policy, just like other groups do that lease Fairmount Park property.” Margaret A. Downey, president of the Freethought Society, said Cradle also should accept atheists and agnostics. “Discrimination is wrong, whether it’s against gays or nontheists,” Downey said. “Over the last 25 years, the nontheist community has advocated for the gay community to be accepted into the Boy Scouts of America’s organization. It is time for the gay community to advocate for inclusion of the nontheist community.” Gates’ comments also give hope to Geoffrey C. McGrath, who was ejected as a
scoutmaster for a BSA troop in Seattle last year after he came out. Then the BSA severed ties with a Methodist church that sponsored McGrath’s troop, after the church expressed support for him. In response, McGrath organized an alternate scouting program for youth, which he currently leads. Last week, McGrath, 50, said he’d like to have the option of rejoining BSA, as an openly gay scoutmaster. He also expressed hope that the local BSA council in Seattle will “extend the hand of reconciliation” and restore ties with the sponsoring church. “Rejoining the BSA would be a decision for the families, the sponsoring organization and the kids themselves,” he told PGN. “We would welcome having an opportunity to consider that option.” Much work needs to be done to ensure the safety of gay youth in Scouting, McGrath added. “For instance, volunteers need to know how best to support youth who may come out — youth who may have dangerous situations at home,” he noted. “A volunteer’s first inclination might be to tell the child’s parent. But that can put youth at risk of abuse, homelessness or worse.” n
CHANEL from page 1
she told me I was as well. We have been inseparable ever since.” Mallin said Chanel was upbeat no matter the situation and took it upon herself to see that other people were happy. “It was a problem for her if you were not happy,” Mallin said. “No matter what, she would make sure there was a smile on your face.” Mallin said Chanel loved to dance, write poetry, listen to music and sometimes rap. “Londyn loved to twerk,” Mallin laughed. “I was just going through some of the videos on my phone and she was twerking in all of them. I will remember to the day I die her trademark quote: ‘Let’s twerk something today.’” Mallin said Chanel had a big heart and was always helping people however she could, including fighting for trans equality. Chanel attended the Philly Trans* March last year. Mallin said Chanel encouraged her to seek housing at Morris Home, a shelter for trans individuals. “I got in almost a month ago now,” Mallin said. “She felt I was supposed to be here, that this was the right place for me.” n
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Pride Guide 2015 Pride season is now upon us, so make sure to fill your calendar with the parties and parades celebrating the LGBT community throughout the region. Jersey Pride Noon-7 p.m. June 7 Asbury Park Live performers, food, vendors and more will be offered at the annual parade, rally and festival; jerseypride.org. Philadelphia Pride 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. June 14 Penn’s Landing Parade sets off from 13th and Locust streets, with gates at Penn’s Landing opening at noon and
parade contingents arriving at 1 p.m. Admission to the festival is $15, with Fran Drescher headlining, along with Alex Newell of “Glee” and Puddles Pity Party; Phillygaypride.org.
Several of the original participants of the 1960s LGBT-rights demonstrations will be on hand to dedicate the city’s new rainbow crosswalks during the street festival.
Lancaster Pride Noon-6 p.m. June 20 Buchanan Park Live entertainment, vendors and more highlight this festival bringing together Central PA’s LGBT and ally communities. Admission is $5; centralpalgbtcenter.org.
Reading Pride Noon-6 p.m. July 19 Centre Park, 733 Centre Ave., Reading Musicians, dancers, drag performers, artisans and vendors will all come together for a day out in the park. Admission is $5, and children 12 and under are free; readingpridecelebration.org.
Annual Reminders Block Party July 5 Philadelphia Gayborhood
Central PA Pride 11 a.m.-6 p.m. July 25
Riverfront Park, Harrisburg Festival features food, vendors, activities, a family zone, drag performances and more; centralpapridefestival.com. Delaware Pride 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 1 Legislative Hall, Dover, Del. Live entertainment, food, vendors and more will be presented at the annual festival; delawarepride.org. Equality Fest York Noon-6 p.m. Aug. 2 Royal Square, York The arts and cultural festival will celebrate LGBT rights and marriage equality; gaynepa.com.
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PGN TRANSMISSIONS from page 11
City Council is voting on an ordinance this Tuesday night that would allow men — yes, I said men — to use women’s and girls’ restrooms, locker rooms, showers, sleeping areas and other areas that are designated for females only,” the call stated. “I don’t believe the citizens of Fayetteville would want males with past child-predator convictions that claim they are female to have a legal right to enter private areas that are reserved for women and girls. I doubt that Fayetteville parents would stand for a law that would endanger their daughters or allow them to be traumatized by a man joining them in their private space. We should never place the preference of an adult over the safety and innocence of a child. Parents, who do you want undressing next to your daughter at the public swimming pool’s private changing area?” The robocall in question was recorded by Michelle Duggar, the wife of Jim Bob Duggar and mother of the “19 Kids and Counting” Duggar clan of the TLC reality show. Jim Bob and Michelle are part of a movement of hard-right evangelicals who focus on female submission and sexual purity while also promoting large family units. Their strong beliefs have been passed onto their kids, including Josh, the oldest of their 19 children. Josh had been a rising star among the right, even being pictured with most of the GOP presidential hopefuls for 2015. Until last week, he was the executive director of FRC Action, the political arm of the Family Research Council, which has also been pushing the “bathroom meme.” I mentioned that Josh is now the former executive director. He stepped down after molestation allegations came out. You see, between March 2002-July 2003, Josh molested several young girls, including his own young sisters. Initially, he snuck up on them as they slept, later assaulting one while she sat on his lap. His parents initially told their pastor, and placed Josh into a “treatment program” that was little more than helping a friend remodel a building. It was a year later that they finally told a police officer. The officer did not arrest him, only offering a “stern talking-to.” That police officer, by the way, is now serving a 56-year sentence for child pornography. Josh, his parents and his wife all want this story to go away, claiming that, while he “made some very bad mistakes,” Josh has found his forgiveness with God. The statute of limitations will keep him from serving time in jail for what he did. So what does this teach us? Next time you see someone who seems to focus just a bit too much on anti-transgender “bathroom bills,” consider that they may be the next Josh Duggar. Perhaps we need laws to protect us from evangelicals in public restrooms. n Gwen Smith always wondered about that family. You can find her on Twitter at @gwenners.
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2015 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS PLEASE JOIN US!
Opening Reception & Award Ceremony Tuesday, June 2 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Independence Visitors Center, 1 North Independence Mall West End AIDS 2015 Conference: One Day, Three Summits Monday, June 8 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM • Beyond the Walls: Prison Healthcare and Reentry Summit • HIV Prevention and Outreach Summit • Faith Leaders and Community Summit Pennsylvania Convention Center, 13th & Arch Streets
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Richard Avedon’s striking photographs helped define America’s perceptions of beauty, politics, and power. Come see more than 70 works by the renowned photographer, including a massive mural of beat poet Allen Ginsberg and his family, a group portrait of Andy Warhol and the Factory, and a series of portraits published by Rolling Stone on the eve of the 1976 presidential election.
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Richard Avedon: Family Affairs is based on a 2014 exhibition organized by the Israel Museum, Jerusalem. Major support for this exhibition has been provided by The David Berg Foundation, The Director’s Fund, and Lynne and Harold Honickman. Additional support has been provided by The Abstraction Fund, Gagosian Gallery, Macy’s, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, Annette Y. and Jack M. Friedland, the Consulate General of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic Region, Gwen and Alan Goodman, and Marsha and Stephen Silberstein. Image: Allen Ginsberg’s Family, Paterson, New Jersey, May 3, 1970. Photograph by Richard Avedon. © Richard Avedon Foundation. Gift of the American Contemporary Art Foundation, Leonard A. Lauder, President, to American Friends of the Israel Museum. Images clockwise from top left: Walter Annenberg, publisher, Radnor, Pennsylvania, May 10, 1976. Katharine Graham, Chairman of the Board, The Washington Post Company, Washington D.C., March 11, 1976. Jerry Brown, Governor of California, Sacramento, California, March 20, 1976. Bella Abzug, U.S. Congresswoman from New York, New York, June 19, 1976. Barbara Jordan, U.S. Congresswoman from Texas, New York, July 14, 1976. George H.W. Bush, Director, CIA, Langley, Virginia, March 2, 1976. Photographs by Richard Avedon. © The Richard Avedon Foundation. From the Collection of the Israel Museum, Jerusalem. Joint gift of Gagosian Gallery and the American Contemporary Art Foundation, Leonard A. Lauder, President, to American Friends of the Israel Museum.
The Summit Ball: Climbing Our Way to the Top Saturday, June 20 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM Hamilton Hall, University of the Arts, 320 South Broad Street Hip Hop for Philly: National HIV Testing Day Saturday, June 27 The Community Cookout Sunday, June 28 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Fairmount Park, Area #2, 33rd & Cecil B. Moore Avenue
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Gettysburg: Bringing history to life By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com From the Liberty Bell to Independence Hall, Philadelphia is known for its historic sites. But, just a few hours away is another locale that also played an integral role in our country’s evolution — and it offers travelers much more than a history lesson. Gettysburg is just about 140 miles from Philly, making it a perfect weekend getaway. For a quick elementary-school refresher, Gettysburg is the site of the seminal 1863 battle that turned the tide of the Civil War, and resulted in the highest number of casualties of the entire war. The town’s place in history is evident today; some houses you can tour still bear damage from the battle, and visitors
featuring traditional colonial fare, and the more casual Springhouse Tavern, on the home’s lower floor. While the latter offers more modern dishes, including deli sandwiches, salads and steaks, the setting transports diners back hundreds of years — fireplaces warm the room, with candles on each heavy wooden table and staffers dressed in period clothes. Reservations are a must for the dining rooms and, while the restaurant’s popularity means there’s often a wait for a table in the tavern, visitors can spend the time in an expansive gift shop or touring an upper floor, where you can peek into the attic space used to hide slaves escaping along the Underground Railroad. For accommodations, check out Country Inn & Suites. A Carlson property, the hotel is in an ideal location — a few-min-
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can walk through the house where Jennie Wade, the only civilian killed during the battle, was shot. The town’s gem is, of course, Gettysburg National Military Park. There are a number of options for touring the battlefields: by bus, foot, horseback, with a licensed guide or in your own vehicle (maps and CDs are available to assist with self-guided tours). Even non-history buffs will likely find the battlefields enthralling: The preserved landscape lends itself well to the imagination, as you can almost envision the charging soldiers around you as you traverse the fields. Markers designate where each sector of troops fought, and monuments pay tribute to the victims. The battlefields provide a must-see glimpse into our country’s past. That past comes alive at the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center, which screens the engaging “A New Birth of Freedom,” narrated by Morgan Freeman about the Battle of Gettysburg’s historic role. Also at the center, visitors can take in the Gettysburg Cyclorama, a fascinating panoramic painting, enhanced with three-dimensional landscapes and sound and lighting effects, that dates to the 1880s and whose creator worked with battle veterans for authenticity. Historical accuracy is also on the menu at Dobbin House Tavern. Built in 1776, the former home of the Rev. Alexander Dobbin now houses two restaurants: the formal Alexander Dobbin Dining Rooms,
utes’ drive from the battlefields and center of town, yet just far enough to be removed from the crowds and congestion (and right next to an outlet mall!). With an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, fitness center and extensive breakfast buffet, Country Inn offers modern luxury while you explore history. While Gettysburg is a big draw for American-history aficionados, Bryan Johnson, the hotel’s openly gay general manager, said the town is also a haven of cultural offerings. “There’s always the history; that’s a big portion of what we do here, but it’s not everything,” he said. “There’s great culinary experiences, festivals, antiques shops and art galleries downtown.” While Central Pennsylvania is not always known for rolling out the LGBT welcome mat, Johnson, a Gettysburg native, noted that the town, long schooled in hospitality, is a welcoming and diverse locale. “We have such a great community here, with the friendliest people,” he said. “As an LGBT person who lives here myself, I’ve had a wonderful, absolutely wonderful, experience. I’ve had several LGBT friends visit and they had that assumption, that it wouldn’t be welcoming because of where we are in the state, and they found it to be completely different, completely welcoming. LGBT travelers often visit big cities, but I think it’s near-sighted to overlook small towns like ours because we really have a lot to offer.” For more information on Gettysburg, visit destinationgettysburg.com. n
Film Reviews, Theater Reviews, Food Reviews, Book Reviews, Music Reviews, Nightlife, Sports and Travel
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Columbus, OH: The new Midwest By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com When I was first asked to attend an LGBT media trip in Columbus, OH, I was skeptical that it would be worth my while. When I thought of places to get away from Philadelphia for a long weekend, the Midwest didn’t exactly jump to mind. In fact, I wasn’t even sure where Columbus was, let alone what there was to do there. Did gay people even live there? But when I saw the trip itinerary and researched the bars and restaurants that we would be attending, my jaw dropped to the floor — there was some seriously good food. That alone was enough to convince me to go. Three full days of amazing eats? Sign me up. And I am so glad that I did. I had an absolute blast. I stayed at The Joseph Hotel (a Le Meridian brand) in the popular Short North arts-district neighborhood. The Joseph is the newest hotel in Columbus. Its modern architecture seemed designed around the incredible modern art collection that it houses. Apparently, the owner of the hotel, the Pizzuti family (also a major developer in the area), has one of the top private art collections in the world. As a guest at The Joseph, I also received special access to the Pizzuti collection gallery that was right across the street. My bedroom was extremely comfortable, smartly furnished, had a beautiful view looking north over High Street and the rest of the Short North neighborhood and was replete with even more great art. Staff and service, from check in to check out, was top notch. We kicked things off with handcrafted cocktails at Curio, a small, moody bar across town in the German Village area. Not quite a speakeasy-style joint, but similarly intimate, we broke the ice with fellow LGBT journalists from across the country and got to know our hosts from Experience Columbus. Dinner was at a German Village establishment, Barcelona, where we had a Midwestern take on tapas. The plates were still small, but the dishes were a little richer and heavier in a comfort-food kind of way. I had the pan-seared scallops in a creamy cremini mushroom sauce with dates and chili flakes over crispy bacon and baby lima beans. Delicious. Post-dinner drinks were had at Club Diversity. “Club” might be an overstatement, but this stand-alone Victorian hometurned-gay bar served generously strong martinis. If it had been a little warmer out, we would have mingled in an enormous backyard/patio area that I’m sure will be packed all summer. Back up in the Short North, we capped the night off with more libations at Union Café. While not exclusively a gay bar, Union dominates the LGBT nightlife scene in the neighborhood. Even on a
Thursday night, it was packed. Friday began with a farm-to-table breakfast at a Columbus institution, Skillet. This hole-in-the-wall doesn’t seat more than 20 people — but that won’t stop throngs of loyal customers from queuing outside for hours. We had the place to ourselves for a special seating before they even opened and were joined by Shannon Hardin, an openly gay black Columbus City Councilmember. Hardin really piqued my interest. I got the sense that, if Columbus was appointing open LGBTs to city government, despite being surrounded by conservative state politics, they were setting the progressive standard for the rest of the state to follow. But I wasn’t ready to pack my bags and move to “C-bus” just yet. However, after a walking tour of the incredibly charming and historic German Village, it was quickly becoming hard to resist. We made stops at a couple points of interest, including an excellent independent bookstore, Book Loft (I found a
COFFEE pREpARATIONS AT FOX IN THE SNOW
coffee-table-grade French cookbook for nothing), and wound up at The Kitchen for lunch. Chefs and co-owners Jen Lindsey and Anne Boninsegna expertly guided us through this cook-it-yourself social kitchen. We broke into small groups and each prepared one of five courses. I helped prepare a strawberry chiffon cake while sipping a crisp pinot gris. The decadent lunch was served family style at a rustically set table that sat all 15 of us. We spent the afternoon wading through the Columbus Museum of Art, which is nearly finished with a massive expansion project. To fend off our food comas, we stopped by Fox in the Snow for locally roasted coffee. After a brief respite, we headed to Seventh Son Brewing Company for a refreshing flight of some of Columbus’ best beer. C-bus takes beer seriously. There are 25 breweries in town that form the popular “Ale Trail.” The five closest to downtown, which included Seventh Son, are known as “Brewer’s Row.” Next to the Short North is the Victorian Village neighborhood, named for its
stately historic homes. Tucked between two of these beautiful buildings is Basi Italia, where we had dinner that night. I had a simple but expertly prepared rigatoni salumeria with sweet sausage, tomato, raisins, fennel and pine nuts. Co-owner and operator Trish Gentile dined with us and led us through a thoughtfully curated wine menu with amazing finds from Napa, France and Italy. Entertainment for the evening was provided by Nina West’s Excellent Adventure Drag Show at Axis, a gay club across the street from Union Café. After Nina, we wandered over to Union for more libations before heading back to Axis after midnight for dancing. Again, both bars were packed. We spent most of Saturday on a food tour of Grandview, a town right next to Columbus. Highlights included Café Brioso (a locally roasted coffee emporium), Spagio (Chef Hubert Seifart used to cook for the royal family of Spain) and Third and Hollywood (think old-world glam meets farm-to-table fresh). Later that afternoon, we strolled along High Street through the Short North and poked around to do a little shopping. Dinner was at The Guild House, which was attached to our hotel. Rustic and sophisticated, the artisan creative American cuisine was the perfect “last supper” in C-bus. Saturday night was absolutely bustling in the Short North. It happened to be a Gallery Hop night, and the streets were flooded with people ambling up and down High Street. Every bar and restaurant was packed. It was buzzing with an energy that I would have never expected. Who knew you could have so much fun in Ohio?
DINNER IS SERVED AT THE GUILD HOUSE Photos: Ryan Kasley
There is so much happening in Columbus right now. It’s a little hard to put a thumb down on its identity. As the youngest big-city in Ohio, C-bus is still coming into its own. It’s youthful, vibrant and immeasurably optimistic about its future. It checks all the boxes as far as the food, drink and arts scene. What more could one ask for from a city? Columbus is redefining Ohio and the Midwest and absolutely deserves a visit. I know I’ll be back again soon. n
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PGN recently won five SPJ Keystone Spotlight Awards. First Place Scott A. Drake Photo-Story – Philly Pride 2014 Jen Colletta, Angela Thomas, Scott Drake and Sean Dorn Spot New Story – Pennsylvania says ‘I do’ Second Place Jen Colletta Editorial Writing Jen Colletta and Sarah Blazucki Spot News Story – City mourns LGBT director Gloria Casarez Third Place Mark Segal Commentary – Mark My Words
PGN is the most award-winning LGBT newspaper in the country.
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SUMMER GUIDE
Gays and gay icons hit the road this summer
Embrace the warm weather with outdoor fun
The summer season is upon us once again and musical performers of every stripe and style of music are gearing up to hit the road to soak in the adoration of the masses. Among the throngs of bands and M&M&NKOTB&M: Morrisey, Madonna, New Kids On p e r f o r m e r s the Block, Bette Midler competing for your concert dollars are a number of queer, queer-ish and queer-friendly artists. With so much talent abounding, we put together a list of shows with LGBT interest, to help you plan your summer concert calendar.
Summer is (almost) upon us, and what better way to enjoy the warm temps than by hitting up some of our region’s outdoor offerings? From the artsy to the boozy to the creative, the events coming down the local pike will have you soaking up the rays while soaking in a bit of culture, community-building and, of course, fun.
By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com
Bette Midler June 16 Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St. 215-3899543 Considering this is the Divine Miss M.’s first tour in a decade, this is sure to be one of the more-anticipated shows of the summer. The iconic diva, actor and performer is on PAGE 25
By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com
Philadelphia Philadelphia’s waterfront is quickly transforming into one of the city’s best summer spots. The wildly popular Spruce Street Harbor Park reopened last weekend for its second season. The food selection at the outdoor refuge is expanding this year; Garces Group ROLLER RINK AND HAMMOCKS AT SPRUCE STREET HARBOR PARK
Turning up the AC
The B-52s June 7 Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave. 215-572-7650 The alt-rock pioneers haven’t released any new music since 2008’s “Funplex,” but their campy and fun brand of high-energy music has always been in demand on the summer-tour circuit. So definitely get yourself a set of keys to the Love Shack and see these Rock Lobsters in action. Morrissey June 20 Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St. 215-893-1999 Morrissey can be a preachy diva more often than not but, truth be told, he can channel longing and melancholy more gracefully and elegantly that most in his solo work, and in the occasional Smiths’ songs that he throws into the mix.
is bringing back a rendition of its shuttered Chifa, which will join newcomers Federal Donuts, Franklin Fountain, Shane
By Scott A. Drake scott@epgn.com
The impression many people have of Atlantic City — that it is already dead and half-buried in the sand — is based upon the scant knowledge provided by mainstream media of the four casino closures last year. But the lights are still on and the boardwalk hasn’t been rolled up and put away just yet. The notion that the bigger they are, the harder they fall, isn’t far from wrong. There are a couple of fine gems in Atlantic City that apparently saw that change was in the cards. Consider Tropicana Casino and Resort and The Claridge Hotel — each smaller than most casino hotels fighting for the same dollars — which are both completing makeovers to all of the rooms and suites, with some nice additional features to draw in the curious. The Claridge has not only restored the original glamour to the property in general, but upped the ante. A second Holtzman Gallery has opened on the first floor, with both lobby and street access. The gallery’s appeal is sure to lure in the people with extra walking-around money. On the sixth floor, The Claridge has created a fantastic dining experience called The Twenties, harkening back to when the hotel originally opened (see page 28). But the big draw for now is Club 11, on the third floor. The newest gay bar, and one of the only, in Atlantic City opened with fanfare over Memorial Day Weekend, and the party has almost never stopped. The space includes ample comfy seating, two bars, a number of hot dancers who aren’t shy and a decent lighting and sound PAGE 28
Confectionery as well as several other Garces outposts. Diners and drinkers enjoying The Oasis — a restaurant and bar surrounded by quirky, colorful gardens and a net lounge — can enjoy expanded seating areas, and more hammocks were also added throughout the park, which was enhanced with a new flower garden. The sights and sounds of the park are supplemented this year with the new Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest. The wintertime ice rink has been repurposed into a roller rink, and the area features a boathouse-style lodge with an array of food and drink options, as well as an arcade and kids’ play area. Both locales are free and open to the public through the fall. The waterfront will also be the focal point of the Tall Ships Challenge, June 25-28. More than a dozen ships will dock at Penn’s Landing and Camden’s waterfront for the festival, which will include historical reenactments, live entertainment, children’s activities PAGE 24
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SUMMER PGN OUTDOORS from page 23
PGN recently won eleven awards from the Local Media Association 2014 Editorial Contest Best Arts & Entertainment Writing, Honorable Mention Runaways Singer To Perform in Philly Community Service Award, Third Place Best Special Section, Second Place World AIDS Day Supplement Best Opinion Column, Second Place Mark My Words Best Breaking News Story, First Place Pennsylvania says ‘I Do’ Best Local Election Coverage, Second Place Phildelphia 2014 Primary Election Best Front Page, Second Place Best Non-Page One Layout, Second Place Arts & Culture Feature Story Best Coverage Life Under 30, First Place LGBTQ Youth Supplement Best Arts & Entertainment Feature Writing, Second Place Meshell Ndegeocello’s New Album Burns Bright Best Breaking News Story, Honarable Mention PA Treasurer Enters Marriage Fray
and more. Further inland is Night Market Philadelphia. Hosted by The Food Trust, the traveling food-truck extravaganza takes dining and drinking al fresco to a whole new level. Night Market packs the streets of its selected neighborhood (Callowhill June 18 and Lancaster Avenue Aug. 6) with some of the area’s best dining establishments (many on wheels), complete with live music and artisans. It outdoor drinking is your cup of tea, you’re in luck. The Beer Garden Series is Visit Philly’s new traveling Friday-evening happy hour, held each week at a different beer garden through Labor Day Weekend. Each event will feature specials on food and local craft beers. The fun kicks off at 4 p.m. June 6 at Morgan’s Pier. More beer-garden festivities can be found at The Oval, the “Park on the Parkway” that opened in 2013 as a playplace for kids of all ages. The space offers everything from arts and culture programming to family-friendly events to health and wellness activities (and, of course, the beer garden!). From May 30-June 6, The Oval will showcase “Future Sensations,” a world-premiere exhibition that fuses science, storytelling and art to showcase global innovations. And what summer outing can be complete without festivals? Pride is right around the corner. The event kicks off with a Gayborhood block party June 12, and the parade steps off at 11:30 a.m. June 14, heading for the Penn’s Landing festival. The next month marks the 50th anniversary of the Annual Reminders, one of the nation’s earliest LGBT-rights demonstrations. From July 2-5, a number of special activities, including discussions, parties, concerts and a Sunday street festival in the Gayborhood, will commemorate the occasion; visit lgbt50.org for the full lineup. Asbury Park, N.J. While the very-LGBT-friendly beach town is always a great space to take in a
show, catch fireworks on the beach or sip cocktails at one of the many outdoor bars, there are also several special events happening to lure you north this summer. The Asbury Park Night Bazaar will be held from 6-11 p.m. every Saturday in June at the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall. Each night features music by different performers, as well as dozens of artisan vendors, food and drink specials and beach games. A party in the sand? We’re there. Tattoo enthusiasts will be crawling the beach and boardwalk July 24-26 for the annual Visionary Tattoo Arts Festival. More than 150 artists will be on hand, and the festival also features parties, contests and other interactive activities. Later this summer, don’t miss the inaugural Asbury Park LOVES Jazz Weekend. Held Aug. 7-9, the festival will feature live jazz events and concerts throughout Asbury. Rehoboth Beach, Del. Another rainbow beach town, Rehoboth, is also offering plenty of summertime fun. Take a break from your beachside tanning to check out the myriad eateries in town at the annual Rehoboth Restaurant Week, June 7-12, when more than 20 restaurants will offer three-course, prixfixe meals — between $25-$45 per person. Several restaurants offer outdoor dining, making the deal even sweeter. Another tastebud teaser is the third-annual VegFest, June 12-14. Special events are held throughout the weekend, the highlight of which is the free festival, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 13 at Epworth United Methodist Church, featuring food samples, cooking demonstrations, exhibitors, speakers, kids’ activities and more. There will also be non-veg options for the carnivores. And, for some family-friendly fun, Dewey Beach offers free movie nights on Mondays and bonfires on Wednesdays at Dagsworthy Street. Movies start at 8:30 p.m. and bonfires at 7:30 p.m. Don’t forget your popcorn and marshmallows! n
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the road in support of her latest cover album of classic girl-group songs, but we’re guessing no one is going to let her leave the house before she belts out all of her classic hits.
Hip-hop’s reigning queen of (b)ass-rattling club anthems rolls her “Pinkprint” tour into town for an evening of booty-shaking moves, colorful costumes and wall-to-wall hits.
Rittenhouse Square Fine Arts Show
New Kids on the Block, TLC and Nelly June 19 Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St. 215-389-9543
Madonna Sept. 24 Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St. 215-389-9543
The oldest outdoor art show of only original artwork in the entire country
CONCERTS from page 23
Sure, the tickets are going to be pricey. Sure, she’s going to insist on doing a bunch of songs from the new album. Sure, the few classic hits she rations out are going to be reworked. But who else is going to give you a big, crazy-ass pop spectacle to top all other pop spectacles this summer? The queen of pop The Killers always stays a June 20 few steps ahead Borgata Festival of whatever else Park, 1 Borgata is going on in the Way, Atlantic City, world of pop tours, N.J. so you are sure 609-317-1000 to get the approamount Singer Brandon COLORFUL BUNCH: Neon Trees, Nicki Minaj, priate of bang for your Flowers takes a Tony Bennett with Lady Gaga, The Killers many, many, many break from supportbucks. n ing his new solo album to help his main synth-drenched rock band break in the newest Borgata venue. Your 1988 self and/or your Y2K self are freaking out right now. The grown-up boy band, with at least one gay member, is headlining The Main Event Tour with groundbreaking girl group TLC and rapper Nelly for what is sure to be an evening of pop hits to keep the crowds dancing and screaming.
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An Outdoor Art Show of Original Artwork
84TH ANNUAL “The Tradition Continues” Rittenhouse Square at 18th and Walnut in Center City Philadelphia
June 5-7, 2015
Friday 11-7 • Saturday 11-7 • Sunday 11-5 For more information call 1-877-689-4112 or visit RittenhouseSquareArt.org
Neon Trees July 21 TLA, 334 South St. 215-922-1011 The new-wave/alt-rock band from Utah with out members keeps rolling on tour in support of its latest album, “Pop Psychology.” Idina Menzel July 10 The Borgata Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J. 609-317-1000 The actor and singer seen in “Wicked” and “Rent” and heard in the blockbuster animated film “Frozen” comes to the area to charm her faithful fans on her latest tour. Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga July 24 The Borgata Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J. 609-317-1000 If you don’t have tickets to this show, we hope you know a good ticket broker. Lady Gaga takes a break from extreme diva-dom and her over-the-top live pop spectacles to get jazzy and croon with the legendary Tony Bennett. What better place to see these two blend their styles than Atlantic City? Nicki Minaj Aug. 6 Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J. 609-365-1300
MELISSA ETHERIDGE THIS IS M.E. SOLO
JUNE 12
Tickets on sale at
.Visit ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-745-3000.
EXCITEMENT AWAITS Scan this QR code with your smartphone to purchase tickets now! Can’t scan? Download free RedLaser App.
Shows subject to change or cancellation. Must be 21 or older to gamble, enter and remain in a New Jersey casino or participate in any Caesars Entertainment promotion. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. ©2015, Caesars License Company, LLC.
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Puerto Vallarta: Si, gracias! Proud recipient of these 2015 PA Newsmedia Association’s Keystone Press Awards Scott A. Drake
2nd place—Sports Photo: “Crash Landing”
Jen Colletta
Honorable mention—Series: “After prison, one-half of ‘gay-porn twins’ speaks out”
Staff
Honorable mention—Special Project: LGBTQ Youth Supplement
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Late May is a great time to visit Puerto Vallarta in Mexico — just in time for its Pride celebration. The high winter season has just ended and locals working in the tourism-dependent port city are ready for a party. In May, the water is warm, travel deals are plenty and there are fewer crowds. The snowbirds have gone home and the LGBT locals are ready to let their hair down during Puerto Vallarta Pride. This year’s Pride — which ended this past Sunday — drew celebrities including designer Andrew Christian, Morganna Love and Viktoria Volkova for a week of parties, including a small, but respectable, Pride parade. There is much to do in Puerto Vallarta, from relaxing on beautiful beaches to swimming with dolphins with Dolphin Discovery or zip-lining with Canopy el Indio. Go Gay can arrange private experiences. There are 14 gay bars, four dance clubs, five gay hotels, three boat cruises and one gay sauna (and plenty of hot, exotic dancers). There are also dozens of massage parlors for about $25. The men-only Wet and Wild Boat Cruise is not to be missed. The all-day adventure booze cruise with a stop at an “anything-goes” private beach encourages boys to be boys. Expect nudity, dirty drinking games and free-flowing libations. Or, the Gay Bar-Hopping Tour is a popular way to meet visitors and locals. Located in the heart of the Zona Romantica (the Gayborhood), MantaMar Beach Club Bar and Grill is the notto-miss daytime beach club — Miamifabulous without the attitude or price tag. During Pride, MantaMar served as the hub for the Andrew Christian Fashion Show, the official press conference, the closing party and other festivities. MantaMar draws everyone, including partiers who docked their yacht right off the beach. Insider’s tip: Call a few days ahead and reserve one of the premier poolside cabanas. They come with a minimal food and beverage guarantee and towel service fee (less than 500 Mexican pesos). CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa is located in the Marina District and is perfect for those seeking the ultimate in Mexican luxury. The IGLTAand TAG-approved hotel is massive, with 400 rooms, most with commanding water views and amenities that would make even the fussiest of American LGBT travelers comfortable. The spa and gym (recently renovated) are considered the best among the resort destinations. You can have breakfasts by the sea, dinners overlooking the lush, landscaped grounds and, if food is your passion, don’t miss the Japanese restaurant Mikado. CasaMagna is located minutes from the airport and a 30-minute cab ride from the
center of the gay scene, and costs about 130 Mexican pesos (or $9). CasaMagna is ideal for mixed travel parties where men, women and families (gay and straight) can feel right at home. Compared to the high sexual temperature of Puerto Vallarta’s gay hotels, this hotel is so low-sexual temperature that you have to BYOP (bring your own porn). For more info, see www.puertovallartamarriott.com. For those looking for luxury in the heart of the “Gayborhood,” explore Villas Enrique in Los Muertos Beach, overlooking Banderas Bay. The private villas are a good choice for a group of men looking for an intimate stay but with the conveniences of a hotel, including daily maid service (except Sundays) and a concierge. You are so close to the gay nightlife that you can stumble home no matter how many shots of tequila you’ve enjoyed at daily happy hour with the go-go boys next door at Blue Chairs Resort By the Sea’s rooftop sunset bar. For those looking for an authentic Mexican experience, a stay at the boutique Rivera Del Rio Hotel is the ultimate choice. Located in the heart of a working-class Mexican neighborhood and convenient to all of the gay bars, clubs and beach, this mansion is the antithesis of the American-style resorts but with service rivaling any five-star hotel concierge. Taxi drivers are hard-pressed to find the hotel but that is what makes this “off-the-beaten-path” getaway so desirable. Among the many services you can enjoy are in-suite massages and private cooking lessons with goods you and your chef purchase at the local food market. This hotel brings a new definition to eating like a local. Local officials say Puerto Vallarta is gaining a reputation for destination weddings. Costa Sur Hotel, gorgeously situated on the mountainside, has hosted 30 same-sex ceremonies and has developed a smart, respectful program catering to LGBT couples. Gay-owned R Salon, located in the heart of the Zona Romantica, specializes in weddings. Alaska Airlines is the official sponsor of Puerto Vallarta Pride, flying in the performers, models and other participants. Getting there from Philly is not easy, but it is worth the trip. You need a valid U.S. passport to travel to Mexico, and no visa is required. Locals say it is best to avoid August and September, since both months bring high humidity and rain, but weather in the winter months is exceptional. For more information, go to Puerto Vallarta’s official tourism website, www. visitpuertovallarta.com. n Jeff Guaracino is the author of “Gay and Lesbian Tourism: The Essential Guide for Marketing.”
PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
COMING UP AT
WITH MARC SUMMERS!
FRIDAY, MAY 29 5PM 9PM 10PM
Shot of Southern Big Romeo DJ Sev One
SATURDAY, MAY 30 5PM 9PM 10PM
Soul Patch Jamison Celtic Rock DJ Eric Vanderslice
SATURDAY, MAY 30 • 3PM
SUNDAY, MAY 31 3PM
Be a contestant in our fun & wild game show! Visit parxcasino.com/ParxChallenge for details & tickets.
Showcase Sunday
FRIDAY, JUNE 5 5PM 9PM 10PM
Go Ham Amish Outlaws DJ Sev One
ED NC ING A V AD AGER 5! W UNE J
SATURDAY, JUNE 6 5PM 9PM 10PM
Monday’s Mistress Goodman Fiske DJ Eric Vanderslice
BELMONT STAKES AT SATURDAY, JUNE 6 GATES OPEN 10AM 1ST POST 12:55PM
Visit parxcasino.com/calendar for full schedule.
Watch American Pharoah attempt Triple Crown History!
HAPPY HOUR
Enjoy food and drink specials & free family fun in the Picnic Grove!
SUNDAY – THURSDAY • 4:30PM – 6:30PM Your favorite appetizers, wine, beer & specialty cocktails – all 50% off!
PARXCASINO.COM • MANAGEMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR CANCEL THESE PROMOTIONS AT ANY TIME. MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN. VISIT XCLUB FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS, RULES AND REGULATIONS. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1.800.GAMBLER
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PGN SUMMER
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
The
AC from page 23
Since 1976
PGN Guide to the Gayborhood
The Philadelphia Gayborhood is roughly centered at 12th and Camac streets. Look for the rainbow street signs at intersections and remember to be aware of your surroundings wherever you go. Boxers
1330 Walnut St. facebook.com/ boxersphl Sports bar with multiple plasma tvs, pool table, brick oven, more!
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<—
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Rosewood
Tabu
Woody’s
1302 Walnut St. 215.336.1335 rosewood-bar.com Cozy, elegantly-appointed bar with high-end cocktails
200 S. 12th St. 215.964.9675 tabuphilly.com Sports bar / drag shows and bar food
202 S. 13th St. 215.545.1893 woodysbar.com American-style bar food and large dance floor
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The Bike Stop
Four-level leather bar; basement enforces a dress code; secondfloor pool table and big-screen sports action
Walnut St. Chancellor St.
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Manning St.
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Quince St.
Latimer St.
12th St.
Camac St.
13th St.
Juniper St.
❒ ❒
11th St.
Locust St.
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<—
❍ Spruce St.
William Way LGBT Community Center
1315 Spruce St. 215.732.2220 waygay.org
A resource for all things LGBT
Voyeur
1221 St. James St. 215.735.5772 voyeurnightclub.com After-hours private club; membership required
U Bar 1220 Locust St. 215.546.6660
Relaxing corner bar, easy-going crowd, popular for happy hour and window watching
Tavern on Camac West of Broad Street Stir Lounge
1705 Chancellor St. 215.732.2700 stirphilly.com Fun two-bar lounge, DJ in the back, regular poker games and specials
The Attic Youth Center
255 S. 16th St. 215.545.4331 atticyouthcenter.org Safe space and programs for LGBTs age 16-23 weekday afternoons and evenings
event is still evolving and expanding. There are weekend discounts to be had before the early-bird deadline of May 30, so get online and get your blaster turned on and tuned up. Some of the participating DJs this year include Philly’s own Barney, New York City’s Aron, Eddie Martinez and Moribito, Kidd Madonny from Miami and others. See sandblastweekend.com/ for all the details you could possibly need. n
Sand castles in the air
St. James St.
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setup for dancing. Check out 11ac.club/ for details. Over at Tropicana Casino and Resort, the improvements and additions continue into the summer, but the room makeovers are splendid. Located at the southern end of the boardwalk, Tropicana can be forgotten or ignored, but the views of the rest of the city from there are spectacular. Included in the changes is the launch of AtlantiCare LifeCenter Fitness Center, a great addition for those who need to hit the gym even when away. Tropicana has also reworked its boardwalk façade, which now includes a 60-foot video screen and several smaller ones to put on a nightly light show on the half-hour starting at 9 p.m. If you go over July Fourth weekend, you’ll also be treated to fireworks. These are just two examples of how reworking a casino hotel to find the broader appeal is working in Atlantic City.
255 S. Camac St. 215.545.8731 Piano lounge with upstairs dance floor; Tavern restaurant below is open late.
Knock 225 S. 12th St. 215.925.1166 knockphilly.com Fine -dining restaurant and bar with outdoor seating (weather permitting)
ICandy
254 S. 12th St. 267.324.3500 clubicandy.com Three floors with a total of six bars; dance floor, lounge and rootop deck.
Venture Inn 255 S. Camac St. 215.545.8731 Bar and restaurant with frequent entertainment
Pa. bars close at 2 a.m. unless they have a private-club license. Please drink responsibly.
The annual Sand Blast party is again in Atlantic City this year, July 17-19, with dual host hotels The Claridge and Borgata Resort Casino and Spa. The former is the on-the-beach hotel for those who prefer fast access in and out, and the latter is considered the luxury hotel for those who prefer the upscale to the summer skinfest. Special rates are available for a very limited time. Sand Blast shuffled to A.C. last year after outgrowing Asbury Park and the
LIGHT SHOW PROMOTION AT THE TROPICANA Photo: Scott A. Drake
A 10 for The Twenties The Twenties’ art-deco décor harkens back to days of bootleggers and prohibition, but fortunately for us neither of those is part of the mix. With a complete makeover late last year, the dining room once again shows the elegance and fine appointments of that era. On top of that, the food is excellent and the views are near-perfect. Appetizers that grabbed us included the calamari fritti, made with cherry pepper slices, caper aioli and putta-
nesca sauce and the pancetta-wrapped shrimp, grilled with risotto Genovese and sun-dried tomato oil. Lighter lunch fare includes classic wedge and grilled romaine Caesar salads and zuppa de pesce — shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels and salmon in a tomato seafood broth. As an entrée or small plate, one of the tastiest pasta dishes we tried was the fettuccine carbonara, with pancetta, cream parmigiano and egg. Other entrée offerings span chicken, beef, veal and seafood. It would be unfair to highlight any one of the plates we sampled in that section, as they were all masterfully prepared and perfectly presented. The Twenties is on the sixth floor in The Claridge, just off the boardwalk and definitively worth the stroll over for a meal at least once, if not twice, in a weekend. n — Scott A. Drake
PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
get married away
inspiring caribbean destinations, stunning venues, romantic honeymoons Our Island-Style Wedding Packages Include* Complimentary 1-Bedroom Suite** On-Island Wedding Coordinator
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aruba • barbados • bonaire • st. maarten * Wedding package is for couple only. Minimum 4 night stay required. Wedding groups and packages are based on a minimum of 10 paid rooms per night. Package is non-transferable and not redeemable for cash. 7-night return stay must be used consecutively, and any unused portion is non-refundable. Blackout dates apply and based on availability. Return stay is available at participating resorts only. **Complimentary studio suite on Bonaire.
PGN
SUMMER PGN
Family Portrait
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
31
Suzi Nash
Melanie Rice: Staging an Atlantic City entertainment renaissance Summer is finally almost here! And that means looking for things to do to get into the sun and also out of the heat. This year, Atlantic City is ramping up the fun for the LGBT community and, with gas prices dropping, it’s a quick and inexpensive mini vacation. This week, we spoke to Greater Atlantic City GLBT Alliance board member Melanie Rice. In addition to her duties as treasurer for the group, Rice is a vocalist and performer who has opened for notable headliners in A.C. and leads her own quartet. She is also the owner of Melanie Rice Entertainment, LLC, a company that provides music and entertainment for social, corporate and casino events in the tristate area, and MRE Talent Management, an artist-management company through which she manages several emerging and established artists in the music, television and film industries. PGN: So, what was the first album you ever bought? MR: It was Barbra Streisand’s “My Name is Barbra.” My parents bought it for me. When I was about 8, they took me to see my first Broadway play, “Funny Girl,” and I was so enamored with her and the show that I asked them to buy me her album. PGN: That’s great that they introduced you to the arts so early. MR: Yeah, my mom loved music so she always had music on and was always singing and dancing around the house. Her two favorites were Streisand and Sinatra. Seeing that show was a pivotal moment for me; it was the moment that I thought, This is what I want to do with the rest of my life. I want to sing. I was hooked. As I got into my teens I expanded from Streisand to groups like Yes and Renaissance, Genesis and Gentle Giant. But the album that I wore out was Carol King’s “Tapestry.” PGN: What was the first instrument you picked up? MR: Well, in fourth grade we were forced to play a flute-a-phone, but the first major instrument that I got as a kid was a saxophone. The thing that I wanted to play was the drums, but it was taboo for girls. So my mom and dad got me this little fake plastic set for Christmas and within 20 minutes I’d busted every head on the set! But I kept the drumsticks and I always played along with music. I have a drum set in my garage and I still play as a hobby, but the instrument I play that’s most efficient for me is the keyboard. I use it mostly for writing. PGN: What other extra-curricular activities did you do as a kid?
MR: I was a very proficient golfer. I started playing golf at 9 years old and became the New Jersey State Girls Champion when I was 17. I thought about pursuing it professionally but I’d been bitten by the music bug and went in that direction instead. [Laughs] Not many people know that about me. PGN: Any siblings? MR: I have one sister; she’s 13 years older than me so I was basically raised as an only child. By the time I was 5 she was already in college. She and I are much closer now, especially since our parents have both passed. That tends to bring family together. PGN: Speaking of the folks, were they involved in the arts? MR: No, my mom was a kindergarten teacher. She played piano for her students, which was actually a requirement of the job in those days. In her heart and soul she wanted to be a dancer but she went into teaching. My dad was a pilot in World War II — he flew wounded soldiers out of battle, mostly in the South Pacific — and when he came back ran the family business, a hardware and appliance store called Rice Hardware in Hammonton, N.J. It’s now a bagel shop.
for a company in Philadelphia called The Entertainment Group as a band leader, doing high-end weddings and events. After a few years, they asked me to start promoting other bands and singers, dancers, etc. And that’s how I got into that end of things. When they closed their doors, I decided to open my own management and talent companies. PGN: Tell me about some of the people you opened for. MR: One of the most exciting and memorable ones was the very first time I opened for a headliner, and that was with Smokey Robinson. He was and is just the sweetest man. He couldn’t have been more kind and generous. It was my first time on a big stage like that in front of 3,000-4,000 people and he was so complimentary and encouraging, just a sweet, sweet man. Then there’s Joan Rivers. I opened for Joan and she as well couldn’t have been more kind. She invited my parents backstage and took pictures with them — another warm,
PGN: So are you a handy person? MR: [Laughs] I guess! I’m a bit of a handy lesbian. I do have a lot of tools in the garage. PGN: Did you study music in school? MR: Yes, I went to the University of Delaware and was enrolled originally as a math major, mostly because my mom wanted me to have some kind of “safe or secure” profession like teaching. Then I took a vocal class and three weeks into the class the professor took me aside and said, “Why are you not a vocal major? You should be in voice.” That’s all I needed to hear to make my pitch to my parents and switch majors. I transferred to Rowan College because they have a great jazz program and got a bachelor’s in music and vocal performance. PGN: And how did you start managing other people? MR: It was kind of a natural transition. Our business is very vain, especially for women. And especially performing in the casinos, once you get past your mid-30s, you start to age out. They tend to gravitate to the 20-somethings to front the bands. I had a lot of good fortune in my career: I was the opening act for a lot of celebrities in Atlantic City and I felt like I had a really good run. I wanted to start mentoring and helping other upcoming singers find their way. I started working
lovely person. Another memorable person was someone most people probably don’t know now, but it was the comedian Shecky Greene. Shecky was from that old-school Don Rickles, Catskill era of comedians. PGN: Didn’t they call them the Borscht Belt comedians? MR: Yes, exactly. He was very funny and he would bring me on stage during his act and do a little “bit” with me. It was a lot of fun.
PGN: What was your craziest moment on stage? MR: Probably the most embarrassing moment for me was back in the ’80s when I was performing at Caesar’s in what was called the Battle of the Bands. The winner would get a gig as an opening act at Caesar’s for a celebrity act. I did my performance with a band that was set up behind me on a rolling platform. I did this big Streisand-y type number and as I did the big finish I started walking backward as they were bringing the curtain down. Unfortunately, I forgot about the platform and tripped over it, doing a head-overheels “woooah” as the curtain was closing. I was horrified but now it’s something I look back and laugh at. PGN: Well, you always want to leave a lasting impression. When did you come out as a person and as a performer? MR: In the ’80s, when I started working in Atlantic City, I was still confused as to my sexuality. I had a boyfriend through all of high school and then in college I had the proverbial first experience and it was my “aha, that’s what it’s supposed to feel like” life-changing moment. But I still remained closeted because I was trying to get a record deal and in those days it was still very taboo. So I kept my relationships hidden, not from close friends but from the public and from my family. But as I got older, into my mid-30s, I got to the point where I didn’t care anymore. I just couldn’t hide it anymore and I was proud of who I was and who I was with. At the time, I was with a woman who I ended up having a 16-year relationship with. I knew from the start that I was there for the long haul and I didn’t want to hide it. PGN: Did you face any discrimination for coming out? MR: I feel very fortunate that I didn’t have any major conflicts. I do feel that there was a certain amount of hiding that I did, fearing that I wouldn’t get singing jobs, that I would be discriminated against. But I have to say that, like with anything, you think that people don’t know your story but they do. So I was very fortunate to be very accepted, in part because people got to know me before knowing my sexuality and, as a result, didn’t have any problem with it or me. One PAGE 38
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
SUMMER PGN
Divi Phoenix: A heavenly honeymoon By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com I’ve been a Philadelphian all my life and am steadfast in my desire to keep my domicile in the City of Brotherly Love. But, as I was packing to leave my honeymoon last month, I truly was convinced that I could — and should — become an Aruban. That’s how at home my new wife and I felt at Divi Phoenix Aruba. Right before check-out, our housekeeper knocked on our door to give us her final parting words of marriage wisdom, ending with a group hug. We bid our new British friends adieu and pledged to find them on Facebook. We visited our favorite beach spot one last time and mournfully boarded our taxi to the airport. For 10 splendid days, we took in the sun and surf at this beachside oasis to celebrate our marriage — a honeymoon spot that was simultaneously relaxing yet exciting, private yet social and, above all else, welcoming. Hospitality above and beyond As a same-sex couple honey-
mooning in a different country, we were somewhat apprehensive about how we would be received. That notion vanished as soon as we set foot in Divi Phoenix’s open-air lobby — with the warm Aruba breeze lazily blowing through that emanates the easygoing feel of the property — and were greeted by congratulations as we checked in. When we opened the door to our suite, we found a bottle of chilled champagne, a Jacuzzi already drawn and a fruit and chocolate tray. Color us impressed! Every day, new rose-petal arrangements were set up on our bed and throughout the suite; several times, the housekeeper stopped us in the hallway to ask if we liked the hearts she had made, and to quip about young love. Our worries about LGBT sentiments melted away quickly. That attitude wasn’t just limited to the maidstaff. When the bartender at the poolside Pure Beach asked what brought us to Aruba, the word “honeymoon” didn’t throw him for any loops, but instead elicited a congrats and cheers. While sitting among a sea of heterosexual
Divi: Variety for all travelers From leisure to luxury, from activities to amenities or from solitude to socializing, travelers want different things out of their vacations. With five properties — the largest collection of resorts on the island of Aruba — Divi Resorts understands that need for diversity. In addition to its all-suite Divi Phoenix property on Palm Beach, Divi offers two all-inclusive properties on Eagle Beach: the beachside Divi Aruba and Tamarjin Aruba. For one set price, travelers can enjoy a vacation of unlimited food and drinks at a wide array of restaurants and bars, in addition to access to the resorts’ pools, beaches, non-motorized water sports and other
couples at the Friday Couples Night at the beachside Pure Ocean, the waitstaff inquired if we were honeymooners, then offered to take our picture as the sun set and even selected us as the lucky couple to be presented with a complimentary dessert, complete with “Happy Honeymoon” written in chocolate, which we indulged in as a violin player serenaded us with “What a Wonderful World.” It was one of the highlights of our trip — and a moment that we joked we’ll likely never again be able to match in romance. Apart from the LGBTwelcoming feel of the resort, the staff was, from morning to night, eager to assist and embodied the laidback, joyful nature that we found to permeate the entire island. And which was infectious. Relaxation, recreation without leaving the resort Divi Phoenix is one of several Divi properties on the island, situated at the start of the high-rise strip, on Palm Beach. Divi Phoenix offers more than 240 suites among its villas, Beach Tower and newest eight-story complex of luxury accommodations, which are connected by breezy, open-air walkways. All suites come with a private deck or balcony — all with ocean views — and fully equipped kitchens. We stayed in a one-bedroom suite in the high-rise, which boasted two expansive bathrooms, a kitchen with breakfast bar, spacious bedroom with closet and drawer space aplenty and cozy living room with a
activities and entertainment. Indulgence by the Sea spa and Alahambra Casino provide added leisure incentive. All-inclusive is an option at the Divi Dutch Village and Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort across the street, which is home to The Links at Divi Aruba, a nine-hole course. After you hit the green, you can unwind at New Image Spa, which offers the full gamut of spa services, from manicures and pedicures to couples massages. For the latter, the trained technicians work in tandem, the soothing music and candles providing a lulling backdrop sure to alleviate stress. Overlooking the golf course is Windows on Aruba, which provides a perfect setting for golfers and non-golfers to relax, with its floor-to-ceiling win-
sliding-glass door that opened on to a balcony that provides a picture-perfect view of the sunset over the Caribbean Sea. Having a kitchen was an excellent addition to our vacation. While there are wonderful restaurants on site (see below!) and a sea of eateries throughout the island, being able to cook your first meal together as a married couple before you’re even back in your own kitchen adds a fun dimension to a honeymoon. And, if you prefer to cook with a view, Divi Phoenix offers two grill areas overlooking the pools and beach — the aroma from which makes dinnertime throughout the resort a mouthwatering occasion. With a supermarket just a quick car or bus ride (or, in our case, a not-so-quick walk) away, you can easily stock your kitchen with snacks and meals. As Divi Phoenix is not an all-inclusive property, it’s free from the overindulgence and rowdiness that often accompany such locales (we’re all for overindulgence and rowdiness but that can get cumbersome if you’re looking for a romantic getaway!). The clientele at Divi Phoenix runs the full gamut of vacationers — couples, families, solo travelers — some of whom return each year with a time share. The diversity in visitors makes for a diverse experience. Visitors of all stripes will surely enjoy the resort’s close proximity to the beach; unlike some other resorts on the island, where you have to cross the main drag to get your toes into
dows that offer unparalleled views of the island. While Windows is known for its steak and fish — and its sumptuous Sunday buffet brunches — we opted to explore some other menu items. The Creamy Parmesan soup, chock full of mushrooms and croutons, was in a bowl so large we doubted we could make a dent, yet it was so decadently delicious we finished every last drop. Mushrooms also made a welcomed appearance atop the balsamic chicken, which was smothered with truffle crème and perfectly roasted vegetables. Though we were fit to burst, we indulged in the apple tart, a crispy apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream — an impeccable ending to the meal.
the sand, Divi Phoenix opens up right onto the white sands. The beaches at some neighboring high-rise spots are expansive — some to the point where you feel like you need to reapply sunscreen before you even hit the water — but the beach at Divi Phoenix is just large enough for sunbathers to all have their own space and just small enough for that space to feel exclusive. Beachgoers should be advised to get out early to claim a lounge chair and palm-tree hut (which all come with their own built-in drink holders!), as competition can be fierce! But late risers can still find a great spot, as the
beach and pool crowds tend to evolve throughout the day. Just steps from the beach are two hot tubs and three luxurious pools. One of each is centered in the midst of the villas, offering a quiet space for relaxation, while two larger pools, plus a children’s pool, anchor the other buildings. Pristinely clean and uniquely curvaceous, the pools are surrounded by palm trees and lounge chairs, where iguanas skitter to and from. (Tip: The
Divi focuses on fresh at all of its restaurants, using locally sourced food. Energy efficiency is also a priority; all Divi resorts employ water-conservation and energy-management programs, as well as staff training on sustainability. Earlier this year, all five Divi properties in Aruba earned Silver certification from the world’s largest certifier of sustainable travel outlets. Divi also has properties on Barbados, Bonaire, St. Maarten and St. Croix. If you’re looking for a practiced and professional brand for your next vacation, with a diversity of options for travelers of all styles, explore all that Divi has to offer. n — Jen Colletta
SUMMER PGN
friendly critters love lettuce.) One pool wraps around Pure Beach Lounge, with stools set around a swim-up bar. Piña coladas are ubiquitous, especially so at happy hour where, from 4-6 p.m. each day, a selection of drinks are two for one. With drink prices already reasonable, and bartenders overwhelmingly generous in their pours, Pure Beach happy hour is not to be missed; the “Where are you from?” question floats around the congenial crowds who gather for pre-dinner drinks and late-afternoon sun, making for a fun and festive atmosphere. If the snacking and drinking starts to weigh you down, you can hit Divi Phoenix’s fitness center, home to an array of cardio and weight equipment. Opening this spring is a new state-of-theart spa, and the resort is also home to a tennis court; we’re not tennis-inclined but tried our hand at it for a fun, and funny, afternoon of exercise. You can book water sports on the property, and the resort offers a daily roster of activities, from water aerobics to dance lessons, movie screenings, family-friendly games and more. Divi Phoenix is centrally located on the island, making for easy-to-access trips off the resort. The resort begins the high-rise section, so within a few minutes’ walk on the main street, or on a beach boardwalk, is a strip of restaurants, shops and bars. In the other direction, you can find Oranjestad, a small town that at once is home to high-end shops and a slice of real-life Aruban culture. The town is walkable from Divi Phoenix but, with temps (in April) hovering at 90 degrees each day, save yourself some sweat and hop the city bus. The $2.25 ride cruises right down the main boulevard, with a stop right outside Divi Phoenix. Beachside, poolside dining When it comes to meals, if you prefer that someone else does the cooking, Divi Phoenix is home to several restaurants, each with its own unique vibe. Pure Deli is set just steps from the pool, and offers a wide array of artisanal, made-on-the-spot sandwiches, as well as soups, snacks and more. It’s a great spot for a quick breakfast on the go, lunch break from the sun or nighttime ice-cream trip. Sandwiched between the pool and beach is Pure Beach Lounge, a low-key setting — replete with cushy couches and frequent live music — and food selections that
are anything but low-key. From apps like coconut shrimp to sandwiches like the Portobello veggie burger and entrees like the rasta chicken pasta, the all-day menu offers options for diners of all tastes. A short trip down a beachside walkway is Pure Ocean, the more formal of the Divi Phoenix eateries. The open-air restaurant offers an extensive breakfast buffet, where you can dive into omelets, waffles, fresh fruit and much more surrounded by palm trees swaying in the morning breeze. At night, Pure Ocean, situated right on the beach, drips with romance; with individually lit tables clustered in the sand, diners have a bird’s eye view of the sunset while they dive into the menu. On the appetizer side, the Pure Potato Stacker is a seemingly endless vat of potato-chip nachos, smothered in garlic, cheese, grilled chicken and jalapeños (you’re on vacation, who cares about dieting?), and the calamari is crisped to perfection. Although not a seafood fan, I was feeling adventurous and ordered the Caribbean Mac & Cheese, and am mighty glad I did. The dish is chock full of lump crab and shrimp and has a plump lobster sitting atop the cheesy pasta. The filet mignon was so tender the knife was barely needed. Needless to say, our plates were cleaned. A honeymoon is an amazing opportunity for a couple to take time away to recharge and refresh before diving into the next phase of their relationship and, at Divi Phoenix Aruba, we were able to do just that. From the diversity of activities and dining options to the beautiful-beyond-words location, each day was a new adventure. And, owing to the stellar — and genuine — hospitality, it was an adventure where we felt welcomed and equal — a phenomenal way to start off our life as a married couple. n
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
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Aruba: One happy island By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Aruba’s moniker is “one happy island” — and the Caribbean island more than lives up to that name. Perhaps it’s the weather, perhaps it’s the setting, but whatever makes the fine people who live on Aruba as good-spirited as they are, we want to import some of it to the East Coast. Small island, big fun In our cab ride from the airport, while our driver excitedly pointed out tourist spots, we asked if the island had a rainy season — and we were met with a hearty chuckle. One of the most striking things about Aruba is its daily picture-perfect weather. As lifelong East Coasters, I thought we might get restless of constantly sunny skies during our 10-day trip, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Aruba, located outside of Hurricane Alley, is generally known to have some of the best weather in the Caribbean. During our late-April trip, the temps hovered at 90 every day, with sunshine in abundance. But there is a steady breeze that keeps it from feeling too hot (and which can also trick sunbathers into not being as generous with the sunscreen as they should!). The island is bordered by rolling white sandy beaches and the bright blue Caribbean that is nearly waveless near the shore. Inland, Aruba is rife with a cactus-dotted desert landscape. Aruba is just about 20 miles long and 6 miles wide — but its small size certainly works in its favor, as it’s an easily navigable island with a lot of activity packed into the tourist areas, but also a wealth of the natural landscape preserved for picturesque sightseeing.
Ample adventure You’re in luck if adventure is on your agenda. Arikok National Park is one of the island’s most popular tourist sites, covering nearly 20 percent of Aruba. Visitors can hop in guide-driven jeeps and ATVs or rent their own off-roading vehicles to traverse the rocky roads of the park. And when I say rocky, I truly mean hold-onto-your-hat-andthe-handle-and-anything-elseyou-can-find rocky. Wild goats roam the park, and you can also spot rare birds and snakes as you traverse the hills, from the tops of which you will find spectacular, panoramic views of the island. The park is home to a number of caves that carry drawings and inscriptions dating back thousands of years. Watch your head when you enter, though, as bats now call the caves home. The Natural Pool at the base of one side is a must-see. Visitors have to descend about 100 steps to reach the entrance to the pool, a near-circular swimming area into which the daring can catapult from the top of the natural rock formations and the less-daring can snorkel for stunningly colorful views of fish and coral. While Arikok has the market on desert adventure, there is also an abundance of water sports along the island. Rentals are set up along the beach near most of the large hotels, and hotel concierges can also book trips with larger excursion companies. Prices for the water sports — from jetskiing to parasailing to tubing — are often reasonable and no experience is necessary, so they’re a great way to see the island and have a fun, active afternoon. Five o’clock somewhere
If you prefer to burn your calories on the dance floor, Aruba offers plenty of nightlife options. The “it’s five o’clock somewhere” slogan is often at play on the island, as nightlife on Aruba isn’t necessarily defined by the sunset. Throughout the day, the sea is chock full of “booze cruises” — sailboats that carry visitors out into the water for an afternoon or evening (or, in our case, morning) of all-you-candrink-and-eat fun in the sun. The Jolly Pirates Cruise was a particularly entertaining trip, complete with several rounds of snorkeling, a plank from which you could dive and a rope swing. Frivolity was had by all. Another boozey adventure was Kookoo Kunoko, a fourstop bar crawl that takes visitors to authentic Aruba watering holes. While it is at first a bit discomfiting to be among the campy, quirky Kookoo enclave — who are all given moroccos to wave as the open-air tour bus wends its way from bar to bar — it was a fun way to see what a Friday night on the island is like for natives, and to mix and mingle with other visitors. Shopping Aruba also provides ample opportunity to lighten your wallet. If you’re looking for some serious retail therapy, Renaissance Mall is a collection of upscale, luxury brands — with names like Gucci and Louis Vuitton — in downtown Oranjestad. More than 60 stores, as well as restaurants and cafés, fill the mall in the heart of the town, directly across from its marina. The shopping mecca is easily accessible to the high-rise hotel section, and makes for a great daytrip when you need a break from the sun. If you’re in the market for more authentic Aruban shopping, stalls line the seaside next to the marina with handmade Aruban goods, a must-stop for souvenirs and trinkets. And make sure to check out the tiny shops and restaurants tucked on the winding streets behind the mall complex for a fun taste of Aruban flavor. n
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
PGN SUMMER
Summer reading for the beach, boat, park or porch By PGN Staff If you’re bumming it on the beach, at the pool or in your nicely air-conditioned apartment this summer, here are some of our picks for reading material with queer twists. “All That’s Left” By Ward Anderson Novel This dramatic novel is the story of straight-laced responsible Steven, who has to travel from his middle-ofthe-road life in the United States to Singapore to retrieve the body of his recently deceased free-spirited brother, Scotty, who lived a wild and hedonistic life. Along the way he encounters his brother’s sexy, smart girlfriend, who might be hiding the truth about his brother’s death. Spoiler alert: Stop reading if you don’t want to know the plot hook to this story. Steven finds out that his brother’s young and pretty girlfriend, with whom he is also infatuated, is transgender. The author, who is straight, handles the story gracefully, without the predictable and sensational “ripped-from-the-headlines” turns one would expect from a writer outside of the community. In the process, he weaves together a believable and enjoyable page-turner that is worth checking out. — Larry Nichols “Bordered Lives: Transgender Portraits from Mexico” By Kike Arnal Photo essay This inspiring photography book presents striking images that portray the transitions of a handful of transgender Latino/as in Mexico. Celebrating, not stereotyping, each subject’s life and experience, Arnal’s photographs depict everything from Genesis getting a haircut to Angie putting on her bra, combing her hair and applying lipstick. One of the most powerful spreads has Jessica waxing her facial hair. A black-and-white shot of her with a beard is then juxtaposed with a color photo of her hairless face.
One of the most pleasing images in “Bordered Lives” is the wedding photo of Mario and Diana, the first transgender couple to marry in Mexico. Other shots, such as Himmel, the transgender Model of the Year, performing her nightclub act, or Oyuki, a transgender sex worker negotiating with clients, reveal telling visual details. A strong introduction by Susan Stryker compliments the photographs and gives the subjects context. — Gary M. Kramer “Gay is Good: The Life and Letters of Gay Rights Pioneer Franklin Kameny” Edited by Michael G. Long Nonfiction Long has compiled a staggering number of letters and documents in this comprehensive compilation and manages to sort through the story threads to bring sense to the era and the movement, as seen through Kameny’s pen. While this book has been out since last fall, its appropriateness going into the 50th anniversary of the Annual Reminder Day marches is obvious. It’s not a light summer read by any stretch, but it contains many fascinating aspects and some still-thought-provoking messages to be echoed. With letters to politicians, psychiatrists, fellow advocates, news personalities and even Ann Landers, it becomes clear that Kameny was not only passionate about his crusade, but also extremely patient and thoughtful. Even when scolding, he presented articulate and intelligent letters that may read accusatory, but remain civilized. Kameny was definitely a clear, insistent voice of the era. While reading his letters — whose recipients included educational, political and scientific figureheads — one might think Kameny was the person instrumental in guiding the country’s leaders on LGBT issues, and influencing those who had the public’s ear — and that’s a fair assessment: Frank Kameny was definitely the father of the LGBT movement in America. — Scott A. Drake “How I Shed My Skin: Unlearning the Racist Lessons of a Southern Childhood” By Jim Grimsley Memoir As we stand at
the cusp of a seminal U.S. Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality, Grimsley’s memoir about his own experience with the effect of another landmark SCOTUS decision, Brown v. Board of Education, provides a timely look at the reality of deconstructing institutionalized prejudice. Grimsley takes readers through his elementary and high-school years, as integration comes to the South. He provides an honest depiction of the evolution of his own attitudes toward race: When three black students join his classroom, he confronts one of them with a racist, sexist comment. Yet, he can’t quite understand his own motivations; no one ever told him he was superior to his black classmates, Grimsley wrote, yet he felt inexplicably as though he needed to assume that position. His understanding of and dissatisfaction with those cultural roles grows and becomes further defined as Grimsley ages, dovetailing nicely with his recognition of his sexual orientation. What makes “How I Shed My Skin” so powerful is that Grimsley is not attempting to apologize for his previous prejudice; but rather, he illustrates the process of becoming enlightened about the root of social structures, and the challenges of overcoming those expectations — a lesson still apt in today’s world. — Jen Colletta “I’m Special And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves” By Ryan O’Connell Memoir O’Connell sets up his wonderful memoir/ self-help book in his fantastic preface. He tells Millennials to wake up, grow up and take responsibility for themselves. In his 10 LOL-funny chapters, O’Connell describes his life as a gay man with cerebral palsy. He drinks too much, takes too many drugs and goes on bad dates. His candor about his sexual initiation is as potent as his advice on building real friendships. O’Connell’s life lessons are valuable, and his tone — which is as smart as it is smartass — is what distinguishes “I’m Special.” His observation that being gay is weird, hard and complicated is endearing. But his most salient point is that, while he acknowledges that he may be treated differently for being different, he is no different or better than anyone else. It is finding one’s own self-worth, not playing the victim, that provides the key to finding personal happiness. — G.M.K.
“Lincoln Avenue: Chicago Stories” By Gregg Shapiro Short stories This slim volume of engaging short stories — several of which have been previously published — is easy to read in one sitting. Set in the pre-Internet age, Shapiro uses pop-culture references and Windy City streets and landmarks to provide atmospheric details. Many of the collection’s best tales depict young gay men experiencing the throb of desire. When characters in the stories “Dirty 30 and Two Dozen,” “The Breakdown Lane” and “Your Mother’s Car” meet a potential new boyfriend, readers will be equally beguiled. Shapiro also nicely portrays the ache of a certain kind of heartbreak in “The Tracks,” his most ambitious story. While the author ably captures the awkward family dynamics between mothers and gay sons in “Rocking Sylvia’s World” and “Marilyn, My Mother, Myself,” the book’s lone non-gay entry, “Like Family,” about an abused child, feels completely out of place. Shapiro’s ability to create a sensation of nostalgia or longing is what makes “Lincoln Avenue” worth reading. — G.M.K. “Second Avenue Caper: When Goodfellas, Divas and Drug Dealers Plotted Against the Plague” By Joyce Brabner, illustrations by Mark Zingarelli Graphic novel This graphic novel is the true story of a group of friends and activists in the early 1980s who took on the emerging AIDS epidemic before it even had a name, using any means necessary. The story follows Raymond, a queer male nurse who dabbles in pot-dealing when the opportunity presents itself. When HIV/AIDS starts emerging in the gay community, the apathy of the medical community and mainstream media motivated Raymond and his circles of friends to take matters into their own hands, using their professional and underground
SUMMER PGN
connections, to purchase and smuggle experimental antiviral meds not yet approved for sale into the country from Mexico. Yes, it sounds like “Dallas Buyer’s Club” East, but Brabner and Zingarelli do a wonderful job expressing and depicting the emotional gravitas of the era, balancing the despair and sorrow of the situation with the hope and determination the community exhibited to figure out how to survive an epidemic that wasn’t clearly defined. — L.N. “The Sell” By Fredrik Eklund with Bruce Littlefield Self-help Porn starturned-wildly successful New York City real-estate broker and Bravo TV celebrity Eklund spills his trade secrets and keys to success in this New York Times best-selling selfhelp book. Eklund, a rags-to-riches success himself, shares some of his personal stories, anecdotes and knowledge he’s gained from years in the biz. At the heart of “The Sell” is the realization that sales is a part of all of our lives, whether we realize or not. And most of us actually have tons of experience selling our most valuable asset: ourselves. Those who are successful have recognized this and use it to their advantage. “The Sell” also includes advice for preparing, persuading and negotiating — crucial elements in any sell — keys to getting what you want out of life, according to Eklund. “The Sell” is a must-read for any entrepreneur or business buff. — Ryan Kasley “The Sex Lives of Siamese Twins” By Irvine Welsh Thriller From the author of the infamous novel-to-movie “Trainspotting” comes a female-driven thriller set in Miami Beach that is equal-parts psycho-sexual mystery and guns-blazing, car-chasing action. Protagonist Lucy Brennan’s life
changes forever when she intervenes in what appears to be a gunman chasing two homeless men along the side of the road one night. The fitness trainer becomes a hero and local celebrity overnight. But her time in the spotlight is up quicker than she would like when she finds out the gunman was actually a victim of child sex abuse and the two homeless men were serial pedophiles. Vulgar, perverse, darkly comical and shocking at every turn, “Twins” is classic Welsh. — R.K. “Some Assembly Required: The NotSo-Secret Life of a Transgender Teen” By Arin Andrews Memoir High-school junior Andrews shares his very personal journey of transitioning from female to male and undergoing gender-reassignment surgery in this touching coming-of-age memoir. “Assembly” captures the pain, joy, ups, downs and everything in between the 17-year-old’s life-changing decision. Relive the challenges that eventually led Andrews to get kicked out of his private school and brought him into a new relationship with another transgender teen. Publishers Weekly called “Assembly” “a brave book that handles complicated and sensitive topics honestly and, at times, with humor.” — R.K. “Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights” By Ann Bausum History Although she has a number of history books under her belt, Bausum admits in “Stonewall” that, when a fan uttered a whispered plea for an LGBTthemed book, she felt, as a straight ally, unqualified; but, the next day, New Jersey student Tyler Clementi committed suicide — an incident that prompted her to put her apprehension aside. As the most recognized event in LGBT history, Stonewall anchors the book, yet Bausum effectively explores the political and cultural context leading up to and fol-
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
lowing the riots. She provides a rich and unbiased retelling, based on first-person accounts, of the riots themselves and later of their wide-ranging impact — so readers can trace the trickle-down effect the incident continues to have through today. “Stonewall” is a quick read, and can be easily understood by readers of all ages — which is perhaps one of its most important aspects. As we become more and more distanced in time from the climate of the early LGBT-rights movement, educating our future generations about their significance becomes increasingly more important. — J.C. “Valley Fever” By Julia Bloch Poetry This slim volume by Bloch, a local queer author, contains brief poems whose short lines call attention to recurring themes and self-conscious syntax. It contains fewer pop-culture references than her first book, “Letters to Kelly Clarkson,” a 2013 Lambda Literary Award finalist, but allusions to artists and poets abound. “Valley Fever” is divided into three interrelated sections, but tracing the connections between them is left to readers. Images and phrases recur throughout, including birds, museums and the weather. Bloch isn’t recycling ideas, though; she’s mulling them over. In “Manhattanic,” for example, we learn that “Anything tipped/in metal must be good,” and a few pages later something — it’s difficult to determine what — is described as “Not precisely tipped in steel.” “Haze,” the book’s central section, is a poetic travelogue of California’s Central Valley. Here Bloch, a Northern
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California native, looks beyond the region’s abundant agriculture, focusing instead on granite slabs and driving along the freeway. Perhaps this sequence is the “Californiad” mentioned in “Harpsdischord,” but if so, “Each exit is a lie/yet you have to exit,” as she writes in “Porterville.” What emerges is an emotional landscape; to map it, one must read closely. — Ray Simon “What Else is in the Teaches of Peaches” By Peaches, photographs by Holger Talinski Photo book Out electro-pop musician Peaches hasn’t toured or recorded extensively in the United States since her tour for 2009’s “I Feel Cream,” but it turns out she hasn’t been dormant during that time. With this coffee-table book, the talented, gender-bending singer takes readers behind the scenes of the last six years of her provocative live performances, DJ sets and performance-art projects around the world with an eye-catching collection of photos, as well as stories and testimonials by Yoko Ono, Ellen Page and Michael Stipe. For fans of Peaches’ music and live shows, this book offers a candid, revealing look into her work you might have missed, because many of these ever-changing performances happened outside of the United States. Whether on stage, backstage, in the studio or at home, Peaches always comes across as the adventurous and daring performer and personality her fans have grown to love. For both casual and hardcore fans of Peaches, this book is a musthave. n — L.N.
Get your lit fix at PAT @ Giovanni’s Room This weekend, Philly AIDS Thrift at Giovanni’s Room will host five LGBT authors with local connections for readings from and discussions about their new works. The event begins 5 p.m. May 31 at the shop, 345 S. 12th St., and will feature authors Dean Kostos, Matthew Hittinger, Paul Lisicky, Kelly McQuain and Jim Provenzano. All of the writers have ties to Philly, such as having written works set in the city or as current or former residents. Each writer will read from his or her latest work and sign copies. Three of the participants — Hittinger, McQuain and Provenzano — are finalists for the 2015 Lambda Literary Awards, which will be held the next day in New York City. For more information about the event, visit http://queerbooks.com/ or call 215-9232960. n — Jen Colletta
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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS
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Theater & Arts Adventures in Photography Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition featuring diverse works, including rare early pictures and examples of the Pictorialist art movement by figures such as Peter Henry Emerson and George Seeley, through Aug. 20, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Brownsville Song (B-Side For Tray) Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the show about a family dealing with the aftermath of a tragic loss from urban violence through May 31 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-9850420.
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The Crow The film about a guitarist who comes back from the dead to avenge his murder is screened May 29-30 at PFS Theater at the Roxy, 2023 Sansom St.; 267-239-2941. Dance: Movement, Rhythm, Spectacle Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of prints, drawings and photographs that celebrate the world of dance through Aug. 2, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Disney’s The Lion King The hit musical based on the classic tale is in town through June 14 at Kimmel’s Academy
GETTING LIT: Out virtuoso guitarist and songwriter Kaki King performs her multi-media solo show “The Neck Is A Bridge To The Body,” featuring an interactive lightshow and projections, 8 p.m. May 30 at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave. For more information or tickets, call 215257-5808.
of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-7905847. Donizetti’s La Favorita Amici Opera Company presents the opera 3 p.m. May 31 at Redeemer U.M.C., 1128 Cottman Ave., Lawndale; 215-2240257. I Love A Piano Walnut Street Theatre presents a production featuring the music of Irving Berlin through June 28 at Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215574-3550. Kate Breakey: Small Deaths An exhibition of hand-colored, oversized images of the birds, flowers, and insects that photographer Breakey has memorialized through her work is on display through July 12 at Michener Art Museum, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215340-9800.
Kingsman: The Secret Service The action film is screened 8 p.m. May 31 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
triumphant showing at the 1900 World’s Fair in Paris to the present day through Oct. 4, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100.
Memphis Walnut Street Theatre presents the Tony Awardwinning Broadway musical about the city with a rich musical history through July 12, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
Passion Arden Theatre Company presents a tale of love and obsession set in 19th-century Italy through June 28, 40 N. Second St.; 215-922-8900.
Northern Lights: Scandinavian Design Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition surveying Scandinavian design from its
Silent Film with Organ: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari The classic silent film is screened with a live organ performance 9 p.m. May 29 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Out & About Listings, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 fax: 215-925-6437; or e-mail: listings@epgn.com. Notices cannot be taken over the phone.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
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KEEPING IT FRESH: It’s that time of year when Philly’s hip-hop house band The Roots host their annual Roots Picnic, which this year features performances by Erykah Badu (pictured), The Weekend, A$AP Rocky, Afrika Bambaataa, Phantogram and many more artists, starting noon May 30 at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, 121 N. Columbus Blvd. For more information or tickets, call 215569-9400.
Music Brett Gleason The out singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. May 29 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; 215-928-0770. Roots Picnic The Roots, Erykah Badu and more perform starting at noon May 30 at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, 121 N. Columbus Blvd.; 215-5699400. Buckcherry The rock band performs 8 p.m. at Xfinity Live!, 1100 Pattison Ave.; 267-4436415. Justine Skye The R&B singer performs 8 p.m. June 3 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888. Michael Franti & Spearhead The alt-rock/neosoul group performs 9 p.m. June 5 at the Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 215627-1332.
Nightlife Happy Bear The bear-themed happy hour, 5-9 p.m. May 29 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675. Weird Beard Revue Presents: That’s Side-showbiz! A sideshow-style showcase, 8 p.m. May 30 at L’Etage, 624 Bainbridge St.; 215-592-0626. A Very Tabu Prom A black-tie affair featuring a band and DJ Javas, 9 p.m. May 30 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675. The Mixx A new Wednesdaynight dance party launches 9 p.m. June 3 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215964-9675. Drag Wars 6: Opening Night Twenty queens compete in an event described as “Drag Race” meets “The Voice,” 9 p.m.-2 a.m. June 4 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221
St. James St.; 215735-5772.
Phoenixville; 610917-1228.
Leading Ladies: Drag Queen Invasion Four drag queens take the stage 9 p.m. June 4 at Tap Room on 19th, 2400 S. 19th St.; 267-687-7817.
Eddie Bruce The singer performs a tribute to great female vocalists 8 p.m. June 4 at the Rrazz Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888596-1027. Sharon Clark The singer performs a salute to great female jazz vocalists 8 p.m. June 5 at the Rrazz Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-5961027.
Outta Town Raymond the Amish Comic The comedian performs 8 p.m. May 29 at the Rrazz Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-5961027. Loni Love The comedian performs 9 p.m. May 29 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Bunny Lake is Missing The classic suspense film is screened 2 p.m. May 31 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St.,
Ex Machina The sci-fi film about artificial intelligence is screened 7 p.m. June 5 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228. The Hills Have Eyes The classic horror film is screened 9:45 p.m. June 5 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228. n
Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony Award-winning musical PLUS! DON’T MISS
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Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM Book by JAMES LAPINE ON STAGE NOW THROUGH JUNE 28 TICKETS:
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PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
Q Puzzle In His Own Words Across
1. Start of a quote from “The Harvey Milk Interviews: In His Own Words” 7. More of the quote 13. As a bottom limit 15. Green fruit 16. Open, to Billie Jean 17. Working stiff 18. Before, to poets 19. Solidly behind 21. Palm Pilot, e.g. 22. “Romeo and Juliet,” e.g. 28. More of the quote 30. Playful talk 32. It may be under the tongue 35. Ref for Woolf 36. Thought origi-
nators 40. Shakespearean prince 41. Editor’s word 43. Opera highlights 44. “Cunt” author Muscio 45. When actors should come 47. More of the quote 48. Poet Dickinson 49. More of the quote 52. Get a load of 53. Queen of the hill 54. Walk like you’re fagged out 57. Best example 61. “I Shot ___ Warhol” 65. Elton John Broadway musical 66. Bottled spirits 67. Diggs of “Rent” 68. Disney duck nephew
69. End of the quote 70. Herbert’s “Fortune and Men’s ___” Down 1. Log Cabin pundits do this to candidates 2. “Take ___ leave it!” 3. Stick together 4. Ship, to seamen 5. Provincetown souvenir 6. U-turn from NNW 7. Gardner of “Show Boat” 8. “Chicago” director Marshall 9. Logical beginning 10. Get bent 11. Pigged out (on) 12. “Brothers & Sisters” mother 14. Laid-back sort
PORTRAIT from page 31
memorable moment outside of the business was when I was at the movie theater. I’d gone to see “Basic Instinct” and was there with the girl I was dating at the time. There was a married couple in front of us. When the two women kissed they very loudly went, “Ewww!” and the two of us were like, “Oh my God. Really?” It was a telling moment for the time that there was still such a stigma attached to it. But I’ve been very lucky that I haven’t experienced any real discrimination. I imagine if I’d been out earlier I would have faced it more. I know many of my friends did … and still do. A gay male friend of mine got beat up at Pride just a few years ago. PGN: Noting how things have changed, you now have openly gay artists on your roster of talent. MR: Yes, I have filmmaker Nicole Conn, who’s know for iconic lesbian films like “Claire of the Moon” and “A Perfect Ending.” She’s working on a new film right now called “Nesting Dolls,” and singer songwriter Laura Cheadle, who you profiled a few years ago. PGN: Yes, Laura actually became my neighbor before moving to New York. When she came to my house to do the interview, she liked my neighborhood so much she rented the house next door to me! So give me an overall picture of what you do. MR: I wear a lot of hats! I’m a singer, I perform mostly in the jazz arena and I have a quartet that I perform with, so it’s still a big part of what I do. I also own a talent agency and book all types of performers — musical talent, novelty acts, bands, DJs
15. Over one’s head 20. Siegfried’s partner 22. Stuff for a blow job? 23. Mapa of “Switched at Birth” 24. What the Greeks plucked 25. Moves with a hum 26. Chaplin widow 27. Sink-trap shape 28. Next up, in Dave Pallone’s sport 29. Like some cuisine 30. It’s a bust 31. Prudential rival 33. Name of many a gay bar 34. “Three Tall Women,” and more 37. Horror writer Michael
38. Precollege ed 39. Churlish chap 42. Mardi Gras, e.g. 44. Flatter, perhaps 46. Summer for Colette 48. Awfully long time 50. Part of a Seven Dwarfs’ song title 51. Bona fide 54. “Poppycock!” 55. Lucy of “Charlie’s Angels” 56. It may be Sapphic 58. Report card blemish 59. “Bambi” doe 60. Earhart’s milieu 62. Nureyev’s nyet 63. Change color 64. “Let’s do it!”
dancers, everything you can imagine entertainment-wise. The bulk of my business is booking for the casino industry and private and social events. I also do event management and planning and a smaller piece of my business is talent management, which I find very rewarding. I also produce shows, one of the largest being the Street Life concert benefiting the Hansen Foundation, and that’s coming up on June 10. It’ll be at Harrah’s and this is going to be our 10th year so we’ll have some special surprises. The other big show I produce is the Miss’d America Contest, which is coming up Sept. 26. It’s a drag pageant that rivals Miss America with competitions in swimsuit, evening gowns and talent. The proceeds go to a number of charities. PGN: What was a favorite Miss’d America talent segment? MR: The contestant who came in first-runner-up last year did a dance performance to Sia’s “Chandelier” and it was so moving it brought the audience to tears. We’ve had some tremendous talent and I’m sure this year will be no exception. PGN: Who would you bring back from the past for one last concert? MR: Gosh, that’s a good one. Billie Holliday, before she was under the unfortunate influence of heroin. What a unique voice. PGN: I feel fiercest when … MR: I’m on stage, singing. PGN: When do you lose your temper? MR: I’m a really even-keeled person. When I lose it is when dealing with severe incompetence.
PGN: Does the casting couch still exist? MR: [Laughs] I wish! No, just kidding. Absolutely not, maybe in Hollywood. You’d have to ask Nicole Conn that question, but not here in A.C. PGN: In another life I was probably … MR: Well, I’ve actually done past-life regression so if it’s true, I can say that in a past life I was a farmer. I have a really strong connection with animals so I’m inclined to believe it. PGN: Any animals now? MR: Yes, stereotypical lesbian, I have three cats: Joey, Frankie and Mary. My ex and I found four kittens in the woods by our house so we named them the Cat Pack. Joey (Bishop) and Frankie (Sinatra), who we kept, and Sammy (Davis Jr.) and Dino (Martin), who my guitar player took in. Mary came later but that’s another story. PGN: As the queen of Atlantic City, why should people head there this summer? MR: The entertainment. Because some of the focus is off of the gaming side of A.C., one of the great things that’s happening is that people are focusing more on the entertainment side of things. I’m booking talent all summer long at Kennedy Plaza, where there will be great free concerts on the boardwalk. A lot of the casinos are also ramping up the talent: Borgata and the Flagship have outdoor concert venues and there’s a lot of excitement around that. For the LGBT community, there are monthly mixers planned by the Greater Atlantic City GLBT Alliance. Our next one is on June 18 and, following that, we’re doing an LGBT cruise on July 16. We have Sandblast July 17-20, which is always a
lot of fun, and of course Miss’d America in September. The Flagship is also hosting an LGBT night every first Thursday of the month. I’ll be performing and bringing Christine Havrilla and Bobby Egan in to perform as well. The Borgata and a number of other venues are planning LGBT events too. PGN: So where’s the “gay” section of the beach? MR: It’s right in front of The Claridge. And they just opened a new gay club called Club 11. There’s a lot going on for LGBT people in A.C. this summer. It’s very exciting and affordable; I hope everyone comes down! n For more information on Melanie Rice, visit www.melanierice.com. For more information on the Greater Atlantic City GLBT Alliance, visit www.acglbt.org. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.
PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY
dunbar painting
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215-756-4456
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This Kitchen Was Renovated By A Retired Kitchen Installer! with 43 years experience.
At A LOW PRICE. Cabinets to appliance included. I have referrals
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Roofing Repairs • Installation & Maintenance Gutters • Siding & Windows • Professional Courteous Staff
Phone (215)752 6145 • Fax (215)702 9376
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39
40
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
PGN
Food and Drink Directory LOVASH INDIAN CUISINE
The Center City IHOP located at 1320 Walnut St. is now open 24 Hrs on FRIDAY and SATURDAY
THANKS FOR MAKING IT A IHOP DAY
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236 South St., Philadelphia â&#x20AC;˘ 215-925-3881 www.lovashrestaurant.com
PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
41
Classifieds 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 realestate advertising that is in violation of any applicable law.
Real Estate Sale
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.
Real Estate Sale
Real Estate Sale
Roommates
VENTNOR, NJ House for sale in Ventnor NJ. 2 story 5 bedroom house, needs some repairs. Priced right. Call 215 468 9166. ________________________________________39-29 CLOUDS FOR SALE: HOUSE INCLUDED Restored 1860’s NE PA farmhouse w/barn on 14 ac. Views, private, quiet, nr. Delaware Rvr. and Elk Mt. 917-828-1774 or Facebook@Clouds for Sale ________________________________________39-23 GAY FRIENDLY HISTORIC BORDENTOWN 5 min. walk Riverline, 1 hr. drive Philadelphia, 1.5 hrs. New York. Near 2 yacht clubs, shore points 45 min. Ca. 1,200 ft.: LR,DR,Kit,1.5 Bath,2BR, big Deck and fab. Private Garden. Move in cond., reasonable $179,000. No Realtors. Stanzi1900@gmail.com 609 291-9187. ________________________________________39-22
SOUTH PHILLY Large BR for rent in South Philly. 1 block from Broad and trans. Mature, employed men only. $450 includes all utils. Call 267-701-7753. ________________________________________39-22
Real Estate Rent BROOKHAVEN, DEL. COUNTY 1 bedroom apartment for rent 800 a month. 660 Sq. ft. Very clean & modern. Private balcony & Deck. No Smoking. Tomstainedglass@gmail.com ________________________________________39-22
Help Wanted
Conrad Kuhn
Broker/Sales Rep. Since 1987 NJAR Circle of Excellence Sales Award 1991- 2011 Weichert President’s & Ambassador’s Clubs
Office: 856.227.1950 ext. 124 Cell: 609.221.1196 www.conradkuhn.com Realtor856@aol.com Washington Township Office 5070 Route 42 Turnersville, NJ 08012
SERVERS & BARTENDERS flexible hours & shifts $12-$13 PER HOUR Working at another job? Going to school? Not a problem, All Star Staffing will work around your schedule. Our busy season has started and we need you! It’s a great way for you to earn some EXTRA CASH!!! AT LEAST 2 years of experience as a banquet server or fine dining server is a MUST (NO EXCEPTIONS)! References will be checked! Call 215-569-4448 for more details or come in today from 8AM-1PM! Please apply in person at: The Land and Title Building (Corner of Broad & Sansom Streets), 100 South Broad Street, Suite 620, Philadelphia, PA 19110. ________________________________________39-22 PHONE DISPATCHER WANTED FOR BUSY ESCORT SERVICE Applicant must have good communication and sales skills, outgoing personality and basic computer skills. A knowledge of the Tri-State area would be helpful. Available days are: Thurs thru Sat. 215 - 733 - 977. ________________________________________39-22 Want A Career Operating Heavy Equipment? Bulldozers, Backhoes, Excavators. Hands On Training! Certifications Offered. National Average 18-22hr. Lifetime Job Placement. VA Benefits Eligible! 1-866-362-6497. ________________________________________39-22 Werner Enterprises is HIRING! Dedicated, Regional, & OTR opportunities! Need your CDL? 4 wk training avail! Don’t wait, call today to get started! 866-494-8633. ________________________________________39-22
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Services SAWMILLS From only $4,397.00 – MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill – Cut lumber any dimension. In Stock, ready to ship! FREE info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com ________________________________________39-22 Attention VIAGRA 100mg, CIALIS 20mg. 40 Pills + 4 FREE for only $99. No Prescription Needed! Discreet Shipping. Save $500.00 Call Now 1-800-491-8196. ________________________________________39-22
Adoption ADOPTION Unplanned Pregnancy? Caring licensed adoption agency provides financial and emotional support. Choose from loving pre-approved families. Call Joy toll free 1-866922-3678 or confidential email: Adopt@ForeverFamiliesThroughAdoption.org ________________________________________39-22 ADOPT Loving family of three seeking baby/toddler to cherish forever. Mom/Dad are teachers. Close extended families. Contact Robin/Neil: 866-303-0668 Text: 646-467-0499 www.rnladopt.info robin.neal.lucy@gmail.com ________________________________________39-22
Friends Men 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. ________________________________________39-30 AGREEMENT U get: BM, over 5’, under 180 lbs., uncut, loves butt, cauc, PR. I get ? 609-727-1619 24 hr. Talk after 6 PM. ____________________________________________39-23 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________39-22
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42
PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
ADONIS CINEMA
Public Hearing Notice City of Philadelphia
“THE ONLY ALL MALE ADULT THEATER IN THE CITY”
2026 Sansom St (located 3 doors up from Sansom St Gym)
215-557-9319 4 Small Theaters with Video & Dark Room Area
HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday - Thursday
7am-6am
(closed an hour for cleaning)
Friday- Sunday:
Open 24hrs
The Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs of the Council of the City of Philadelphia will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, June 4, 2015, at 3:00 PM, in Room 400, City Hall, to hear testimony on the following items:
150052
An Ordinance naming and designating the City of Philadelphia owned playground on the 200 block of East Indiana Avenue, located on the corner of “A” St. and East Indiana Avenue, as “Hope Park.”
150465
An Ordinance authorizing the Parks and Recreation Commissioner to enter into a license agreement with the Zoological Society of Philadelphia to continue licensing to the Zoological Society certain land and improvements known as the 38th Street Lot, Zoological Drive and the Sedgley Drive Parking Area, all under certain terms and conditions.
Copies of the foregoing items are available in the Office of the Chief Clerk of the Council, Room 402, City Hall. Immediately following the public hearing, a meeting of the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, open to the public, will be held to consider the action to be taken on the above listed items.
ADMISSION:
Michael Decker Chief Clerk
$12.00
PRIDE CELEBRATION
WEEKLY SPECIALS:
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Half Price Rooms & Lockers (6am Sunday till 8am Monday) ROOMS: Members: $12.50 and Non-Members: $22.50 LOCKERS: Members: $9.00 and Non-Members: $19.00
Saturday, June 13th Time: 11pm- 3:30am • DJ David Dutch • Complimentary Food & Beverages • A Full House of Guys To Choose From & So Much More
P.A.N.G. (Philadelphia Area Nudist Group) Sunday, June28th Time: 3pm- 6pm
BOYS WILL BE BOYS- AWAKEN YOUR INNER SPIRIT WHAT TO EXPECT:
• An Afternoon of Naked Socializing • Complimentary Food & Beverages • A Full House of Guys To Choose From & So Much More
For More Information On Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/pang
SUNDAY RELIEF
MONDAY thru FRIDAY: (8am to 4pm) Business Mans Locker Special 4 hour lockers Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00 TUESDAYS
Half Price Rooms (6am till 12 Midnight) Members: $12.50 and Non-Members: $22.50
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY NIGHT CRUISE $12 Flat Rate for Locker Admission & Clothing Optional (4pm-12 Midnight)
SATURDAY AFTERNOON DELIGHT 4 Hour Lockers (8am - 4pm) Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00
Check out our website for our WEEKLY SPECIALS & JOIN OUR e-mail List to get the latest information on upcoming events....
www.sansomstreetgym.com
THE BIGGER, BETTER & CLEANER CLUB IN THE CITY...
PGN
Activism/Politics
ACT-UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) meets 6-9 p.m. Mondays at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; 215-386-1981, www.actupphilly.org. Delaware Valley Chapter, Americans United for Separation of Church and State seeks activists and supporters of church-state separation. Holds monthly meetings and events; www.dvau.org. Equality Pennsylvania holds a volunteer night 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month, 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 605; 215-731-1447, www.equalitypa.org. Green Party of Philadelphia holds general meetings 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month, except August and December; 215-243-7103, www.gpop.org. Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club meets seasonally; www.libertycity.org.
Arts
Library Book Club meets to discuss a new book 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at William Way. Men On Tap, an LGBT group that performs with choirs, organizations and at the Fringe Festival, rehearses 8 p.m. Mondays at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.; dale@ magicalfantasies.com. Philadelphia Freedom Band, an audition-free LGBT band that does concerts and parades, rehearses 7-9:30 p.m. Mondays; philadelphiafreedomband.com. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus rehearses 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays; 215-731-9230, auditions@pgmc.org. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Opera Club meets to share and listen to recordings 6:30 p.m. the last Saturday of the month; 215-732-7898. Philadelphia Voices of Pride, Philadelphia’s first mixed LGBT chorus, rehearses 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at William Way; www.pvop.org. Queer Writer’s Collective workshop and discussion group meets 3-5 p.m. the fourth Saturday of the month at William Way. Reading Queerly, open to all women and genderqueer/ trans people, meets 6:45 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.
Recreation
Gay Bridge Club non-beginners group meets Monday 2-5 p.m. at William Way; reservations required. Call 215732-2220. Gay-friendly Scrabble Club meets 5:30-10:30 p.m. at Abner’s Steaks, 38th and Chester streets; 215-382-0789. Humboldt Society: Lesbian and Gay Naturalists meets 7:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at William Way; 215-985-1456, www.humboldtsociety.org. Independence Squares LGBT square-dance club, modern Western square dancing hosts an open house and Tuesday classes in the fall at Lutheran Church, 2111 Sansom St.; philadances@gmail.com, www.independencesquares.org. Male Oenophile Group forming to discuss, appreciate and taste various wines. Will meet once a month to investigate the nuances and glories of the fermented grape; 267-2306750. Mornings OUT LGBT Senior Social activities for senior gay men are held 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays at William Way. PhilaVentures, Philadelphia’s LGBT outdoor group, meets for hikes in Wissahickon Valley and Valley Forge Park; philaventures.org.
Sports
Brandywine Women’s Rugby Club meets for practice at p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Greenfield Park, West Chester; www.brandywinerugby.org. City of Brotherly Love Softball League serves the Philadelphia metropolitan area with games on Sundays, beginning in April, at the Dairy and Edgeley Fields in Fairmount Park; www.cblsl.org. Frontrunners running club meets 9:30 a.m. Saturdays for a run and brunch at Lloyd Hall, No. 1 Boathouse Row; www.philadelphiafrontrunners.org. Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club, open to LGBT and allies, practices 8-10 p.m. Mondays and 2-4 p.m. Saturdays; www.falcons-soccer.org. Philadelphia Fins Swim Team, open to male and female swimmers, meets 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Friends Select School and 10:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays; www.philadelphia-fins.org. Philadelphia Gay Bowling League meets 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays September-April at Brunswick Zone, 1328
Delsea Drive, Deptford, N.J.; 856-889-1434, www. philagaybowling.com. Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League plays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays at FDR Park; www.phillyflagfootball.com Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Football Club, open to players of all skill levels, meets 7:45 p.m. Thursdays at Columbus Square Park, 1200 Wharton St.; 215-913-7531, philadelphiagryphons.org, becomeagryphon@gmail.com. Philadelphia Liberty Belles women’s semi-pro full-tackle football league holds fall tryouts; phillybelles.com. Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association plays yearround, all skill levels welcome; philadelphialibertytennis. com. Philadelphia Firebirds women’s football team seeks players; www.philadelphiafirebirds.com. Philadelphia Women’s Baseball League seeks players, all skill levels and ages. Practice is 7 p.m. Thursdays at Marian Anderson Recreation Center, 17th and Fitzwater streets, with games at 2:30 p.m. Sundays; 215-991-5995 (day), 301-919-1194 (evening), phillywomensbaseball. com. Philly Gay Hockey Association Philadelphia Phury seeks players; 917-656-1936, phury@gayhockey.org. Philly QCycle LGBT bicycling club promotes organized recreational riding for all levels in the Greater Philadelphia region; contact the organization via Facebook. Rainbow Riders of the Delaware Valley motorcycle club meets regularly; 215-836-0440, www.groups.yahoo.com/ group/rainbowridersdv/. Rainbow Rollers gay and lesbian bowling league meets 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays at Boulevard Lanes in Northeast Philadelphia; rainbowrollers.com. Spartan Wrestling Club gay wrestling team meets 6:30-9 p.m. Mondays at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.; 215-732-4545, www.phillyspartans.com.
Etc.
AIDS Law Project provides free legal assistance to people with HIV/AIDS and sponsors free monthly seminars on work and housing at 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 600; 215587-9377, www.aidslawpa.org. BiUnity, Philadelphia-area social and support network for bisexuals, their family members and friends; http://biunity. org. Delaware Valley Pink Pistols, for LGBT people dedicated to legal, safe and responsible use of firearms for self-defense, meets 2 p.m. the third Saturday of the month at Classic Indoor Range, 1310 Industrial Blvd., Southampton; 610-879-2364; www.pinkpistols.org. Delaware Pride holds planning meetings 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the United Church of Christ, 300 Main St., Newark; 302-265-3020, delawarepride.org. Haverford College’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance holds open meetings 10-11 p.m. Mondays during the school year in the lounge in Jones Basement at Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave.; 610-896-4938. Men and Women for Human Excellence support group meets from noon-2 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of the month at 26th Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue; 267-2733513, cmoore8300@yahoo.com. Long Yang Club Philadelphia, social organization for gay Asians and their friends, holds monthly socials; www. longyangclub.org/philadelphia. Our Night Out, a casual social networking party of LGBT professionals, friends and colleagues, meets in a different Philadelphia hot spot each month. To receive monthly event invitations, email OurNightOutPhilly@gmail.com; more information on Facebook. Philadelphia Bar Association Legal Advice offered 5-8 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month; 215-238-6333. Philadelphia Prime Timers club for mature gay and bisexual men and their admirers meets regularly; primetimersofphiladelphia@yahoo.com. Philadelphians MC Club, for leather men and women, meets 7:30 p.m. the first and third Monday of the month at The Pit at The Bike Stop, 201 S. Quince St.; philadelphiansmc.org. Rainbow Amateur Radio Association ARRL-affiliated, weekly HF nets, quarterly newsletter; www.rara.org. Silver Foxes, a social and educational group for gays and lesbians 50 and older, meets 3-5 p.m. the fourth Sunday of the month at William Way; 215-732-2220. SNJ Queers meets monthly for queer/queer-friendly folks in South Jersey to mix and mingle; 856-375-3708, wmf69@comast.net.
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
43
Community Bulletin Board Community centers
■ The Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331; atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 48:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available MondayFriday. See the Youth section for more events.
■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St., 215-898-5044; center@dolphin. upenn.edu. Regular hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
■ ActionAIDS: 215-981-0088 ■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: 215-587-9377 ■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: 856-933-9500 ext. 221 ■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 n The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 215-496-0330
■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065 rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. ■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220; www.waygay.org. Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday Library hours: noon-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.
Key numbers ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378 ■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK ■ Mayor’s Director of LGBT Affairs: Nellie Fitzpatrick, 215-6862194; helen.fitzpatrick@phila.gov; Fax: 215-686-2555
■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: 1-877-pride-2000 ■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel: 215-6863318 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-760-3686 (Rick Lombardo); ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288
■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBT-LAW; Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658
■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537
■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833
■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: 215-686-4670
Health
Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 216 W. Somerset St.; 215763-8870. ActionAIDS Provides a range of programs for people affected by HIV/ AIDS, including case management, prevention, testing and education services at 1216 Arch St.; 215-981-0088; www.actionaids.org. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 1711 S. Broad St.; 215-629-2300; www.asiac.org. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 149 W. Susquehanna Ave.; noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; 215-851-1822 or 866-222-3871; www.galaei.org. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays (walk-in) and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays (by appoint-
■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia GALLOP holds board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; GALLOP also provides a free referral service; 215-627-9090; www.galloplaw. org. ■ Greater Philadelphia Professional Network Networking group for area business professionals, selfemployed and business owners meets monthly in a different location throughout the city, invites speakers on various topics, partners with other nonprofits and maintains a website where everyone is invited to sign up for email notices for activities and
ment) at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215-685-1821. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing available 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652; www.mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronicdisease management, including comprehensive HIV care, 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-noon Friday; 1-5 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.
Professional groups events; www.gppn.org; 215-9223377.
■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association The Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and students, meets for social and networking events; www. nlgja.org/philly; philly@nlgja.org.
■ Independence Business Alliance Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, providing networking, business development, marketing, educational and advocacy opportunities for LGBT and LGBT-friendly businesses and professionals. Visit www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com for information about events, programs and membership; 215-557-0190; 1717 Arch St., Suite 3370.
■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus A regional organization dedicated to promoting gay and lesbian tourism to the Greater Philadelphia region holds meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; P.O. Box 58143, Philadelphia, PA 19102; www. philadelphiagaytourism.com; 215-840-2039.
The Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund 44
PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com May 29-June 4, 2015
dmhFund
The Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund
dmhFund
You know us as the developer of the pride of our community, the John C. Anderson Apartments — an LGBT-friendly affordable senior-living space, which just was awarded the 2015 AIA Housing Award for Architecture… but dmhFund has done so much more. In the last few years, dmhFund has donated more than a quarter of a million dollars to LGBT organizations such as:
The Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund
Mazzoni Center
LGBT Elder Initiative
Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference
The Attic Youth Center
Philadelphia Black Pride
Philadelphia Gay Pride
GALAEI
ActionAIDS
William Way LGBT Community Center
Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus
and many more!
BEBASHi
Including the award-winning, historic JCAA, dmhFund has contributed more than $20 million to our community. And our board does all of this without any full-time staff. We will continue to work hard to help build the most LGBT-friendly city in America! Mark Segal Jeff Guaracino Irene Benedetti
The Hon. Dan Anders Judith Applebaum Rick Lombardo
Larry Felzer Tyrone Smith Micah Mahjoubian (Part-Time Administrative Consultant to Board)