PGN June 2-8, 2017

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

Vol. 41 No. 22 June 2-8, 2017

Family Portrait: Meegan Coll on artistic liberties PAGE 29

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

• Local libraries to show LGBT pride • Flurry of filings in federal trans-student suit • SEPTA: No ‘do-over’ for city in antibias case

Out musician shows Philly some ‘love’ PAGE 2

PAGE 23

First LGBTQ Community Conversation addresses controversies, new initiatives

By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com More than 200 community members were in attendance at the Office of LGBT Affairs’ first LGBTQ Community Conversation last Thursday. The event, held at the William Way LGBT Community Center, included remarks from newly appointed director Amber Hikes, a Q&A session with community members and presentations from the Commission on LGBT Affairs’ eight committees.

“I know the conversations we are going to have tonight are coming from a place of trauma, coming from a place of oppression and they’re coming from pain,” Hikes said.

“I recognize it because I see it. I feel it. I know it deeply. This is our opportunity to come from behind those computer screens, come from behind those picket lines and sit in the room with our community members.”

Hikes also addressed recent controver-

sies that have hit the commission in its first months.

“We were very fortunate to already have a Community Conversation planned and then we had some events and we said, ‘We are going on exactly as intended and we’re going to put ourselves in front of the community in the same way that we will be requiring others to do,’” Hikes added. “It’s time for accountability. It’s time for transparency. We have to do better as a community and it’s going to start tonight.”

On the recent ousting of Sharron Cooks as chair “I never run away from difficult conversations so I’m going to address the elephant in the room,” Hikes said, referring to the recent ousting of Sharron Cooks as chair of the commission.

In a 13-3 vote, the commission removed Cooks from her posiPAGE 18

AMBER HIKES OPENS THE CONVERSATION WITH OVER 200 LGBT ATTENDEES MAY 25 AT WILLIAM WAY LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER Photo: Scott A. Drake

City Council bill would enhance benefits for city workers

LGBT-friendly youth residence hits potential roadblock

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com City Council member Helen Gym last week bill introduced a bill that she says would make available to all city workers in-vitro fertilization coverage, egg-freezing coverage and related infertility treatments.

At presstime, Gym’s office said the bill would make the coverage available to all 23,000 city workers. But a Kenney spokesperson believed the bill only would apply to about 6,000 city workers in a city health plan that’s mainly utilized by non-union workers.

Some unionized city workers already have IVF and related infertility-treatment coverage. But there’s no city law mandating the coverage.

Last year, the Kenney administration discontinued IVF coverage for about 5,000 non-union workers and 1,000 union workPAGE 18 ers, citing financial con-

LAST SUPPER: Despite the dreary day, hundreds came out Tuesday for a block party to mark the closing of Little Pete’s. The longtime diner at 17th and Chancellor streets was a Center City staple, in business for 39 years. Its former incarnation, Dewey’s, was the site of an LGBT-rights sit-in in 1965, one the nation’s earliest LGBT-rights demonstrations. Little Pete’s was packed throughout its closing weekend, with lines stretching down the street, including at Tuesday’s party, where the diner treated customers to souvlaki, hoagies, spinach pie, fries and more, as well as wine and live Greek music. The restaurant’s 2418 Fairmount Ave. location remains open. Photo: Scott A. Drake

The clock is ticking for a project that would create 30 units of LGBT-friendly housing for young adults.

A judge is expected to consider this month whether to allow the sale of several parcels of land currently owned by North Philadelphia Health System to Project HOME. The two parties entered into an agreement of sale in May 2016, but NPHS declared bankruptcy at the end of last year and, in court filings, has sought to halt the sale process as it moves through the Chapter 11 process.

Project HOME and partners announced the project in October. Ground was slated to be broken in April on 1315 N. Eighth St. to develop a four-story building of one-bedroom units, laundry and exercise facilities, a community space and an outdoor courtyard. In a second phase, Project HOME intended to develop 40 units for young adults and adults, not necessarily specific to those who identify as LGBT. Delaying the $1.75-million sale could significantly threaten the future of the project, said Laura Weinbaum, vice president of public affairs and strategic initiatives at Project HOME. Project HOME has lined up millions in PAGE 15

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

PGN LOCAL

Libraries launch LGBT Pride programming Plaintiffs seek to bar trans student’s intervention in Boyertown case

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

Libraries across the city will stage dedicated LGBT Pride events throughout the month of June.

The first-time “Free Library of Pride” features discussions, film screenings, games, socials and more, with offerings for LGBTs and allies across all ages.

Activities will take place at more than twodozen libraries throughout the city.

The library has had a presence at Pride, OutFest and other community events in the past, but this is the first system-wide LGBT initiative.

The effort is the brainchild of several FLP employees, who pitched the idea to officials and worked with individual library representatives to create the programming.

“Librarians across the city — mostly straight allies — said yes, of course, they’d do something for Pride month,” said Marianne Banborn, branch manager for the Independence Branch. “The Free Library has been completely supportive. My library coordinator, Mary Marques, also a straight ally, worked with graphics to get us a logo, an online Free Library presence and a brochure.

We had no budget. We had no committee.

This was a completely grassroots librarian-to-librarian effort.”

Librarians chose the programs, the audi-

ence and the age group, Banborn added.

“Each community library knows its patrons best,” added Sara Palmer, children’s librarian at Ramonita G. de Rodriguez Neighborhood Library in North Philadelphia. “We purposely wanted it to be grassroots-oriented; we didn’t want to go around and assign different activities to different places because each librarian knows the needs of their patrons best.

“We want our programming to lift up the voices of those in the LGBTQ+ community who continue to face daily struggle and discrimination, especially trans folk, LGBTQ+ people of color and youth,” she said. “The programming is

was not welcoming to and inclusive of many members of our LGBTQ+ family,” she said. “Since this was far from what we intended by having a month-long series dedicated to Pride programming, we have renamed the program ‘Free Library of Pride.’ We hope that our communities will all come out and participate and make this a huge success.”

Apart from this month’s programming, supporters also created a broader effort that includes a Facebook page that Palmer said will keep followers up to date on FLP and community news.

Banborn said organizers hope to streamline the planning process for next year’s Pride activities. Plans are in the works for an LGBTQ+ Youth Advisory Group to offer organizers input on the programming, as well as an advisory group at Blackwell Regional Library. An event was also added to the Free Library of Pride to encourage community feedback and suggestions on programming.

“I hope we’ll have a committee to work on Pride month programming next year,” she said. “We did the best we could but of course with more experience and feedback we can do better. I hope that everyone will feel welcomed by their public library.”

For more information, visit https:// libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/tag/30days-of-gay. n

“We want our programming to lift up the voices of those in the LGBTQ+ community who continue to face daily struggle and discrimination, especially trans folk, LGBTQ+ people of color and youth.” diverse because our community is diverse, and we celebrate that.”

The programming was initially titled “30 Days of Gay,” which Banborn said was “our way to take back the word ‘gay’ and use it with pride.” Organizers reworked the name after concerns about the wording not being inclusive.

“As we launched our programming under that title, we have heard that this

SEPTA urges high court to uphold antibias ruling

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com SEPTA came out swinging last week, urging the state Supreme Court to uphold its ruling that SEPTA isn’t bound by the city’s LGBT-inclusive antibias law.

SEPTA is the region’s mass-transit system, serving more than 650,000 riders daily in Philadelphia, four surrounding counties and parts of New Jersey and Delaware. It maintains that, as a state agency, it’s not governed by the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance. But the city opposes SEPTA’s position. The protracted litigation has ensued for almost 10 years.

In a 4-3 ruling in April, the high court sided with SEPTA, noting the transit agency has “sovereign immunity” from complaints such as those handled by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, which enforces the Fair Practices Ordinance.

On May 10, city attorneys asked the court to reconsider its decision, arguing that SEPTA isn’t immunized from all types of antibias complaints handled by the PCHR. On May 23, SEPTA filed an 11-page rebuttal, urging the court to reject the city’s petition as meritless.

“The city’s application for reargument fails to present any compelling circumstances justifying reargument,” SEPTA stated in its rebuttal. “Instead, the city simply seeks a ‘do over’ because it is unhappy with the court’s decision in this case. Because that is not the standard for granting reargument under [the law], the city’s application must be denied.”

Justin F. Robinette, a local civil-rights attorney, criticized both sides for failing to acknowledge the anti-LGBT nature of the court’s ruling.

“The city’s petition is unlikely to be granted unless the court is convinced about a very important or overriding reason to further consider the issue,” Robinette said in an email. “One of the specific grounds for reconsideration is ‘where the issues have potential for a significant impact upon developing law or public policy.’ That’s really the only ground that might conceivably work here.

Reading the city’s petition and SEPTA’s response, one would never know that an important LGBT issue is at stake. This was the perfect opportunity to raise the LGBT community’s concerns regarding the court’s anti-LGBT ruling.”

Robinette noted that, in its petition, the city emphasized the need for mari-

tal-status protections and protection for domestic-violence victims, categories not covered by state law. State law, however, also does not protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“Once again, the LGBT community has been relegated to the status of an invisible minority,” Robinette said. “The city should be ashamed of itself.”

Ajeenah Amir, a spokesperson for Mayor Jim Kenney, defended the city’s handling of the case.

“As you know, the city is fully supportive of the principles of nondiscrimination with respect to LGBT individuals,” Amir said in an email. “That’s one of the main reasons why we feel it is important that all employers and public accommodations in the city comply with the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance. While we continue to advocate for those rights publicly as an administration, it is the responsibility of the Law Department to make the strongest possible legal argument, and that’s what we feel they’ve done in this case. The city utilizes other avenues such as the Office of LGBT Affairs and the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations to advocate for public policy.” n

By Jeremy Rodriguez and Timothy Cwiek

jeremy@epgn.com and timothy@epgn.com Plaintiffs in a case involving public-accommodations access for transgender students in a Pennsylvania school district are seeking to block the involvement of a student in the case, as he is a graduating senior.

A student in the Boyertown Area School District and his parents, identified anonymously in court documents, alleged that the school district violated his rights in an incident occurring on or about Oct. 31. The student allegedly began changing in the locker room for gym class and realized there was another student wearing shorts and a bra.

He is now seeking a jury trial, with support from three other students.

The school upheld the rights of transgender students to use accommodations in accordance with their gender identity.

Attorneys for the students requested a preliminary injunction to prevent them from using school facilities with trans students as the case proceeds. Arguments on that matter are scheduled for Aug. 11.

Aidan DeStefano, a transgender student at Boyertown Area Senior High School, is one of the students who could be affected by the lawsuit. However, the complainant and his parents objected to DeStefano’s involvement on the grounds that he will graduate from Boyertown Area Senior High School (BASH) in June.

In court records, DeStefano said he will still continue to use the school’s facilities at events where alumni and community members are invited to attend.

“My younger sister will be a senior at BASH next year and I will come back to campus for her graduation and perhaps other events where it is appropriate for family to cheer and support their seniors,” DeStefano said in a supplemental declaration. “In addition, I have close friends who will be seniors on the basketball team next year. I have attended their games in the past and want to continue attending next year to cheer them in their final year. I may want to come back to campus for other events where alumni and visitors are welcome, as I will be attending college in the area and will have many friends still attending BASH.” DeStefano addressed the emotional toll of being barred from the appropriate facilities at his soon-to-be alma mater.

“If the plaintiff prevails and I can no longer use the facilities that match my gender when I return to BASH for my sister’s graduation, basketball games and other events — and instead, have to use different facilities than the other visiting alumni, family and friends — I will be devastated.” n

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

News & Opinion

10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Positive Thoughts

Mark My Words

Street Talk 19 — News Briefing

Columns

15 — Out Law: An LGBT

military evolution 17 — Body U: Is gluten free for you?

Arts & Culture 23

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— Feature: Showing Philly some love — Scene in Philly — Out & About — Family Portrait — Q Puzzle — Comics

COOKIE COLLECTIVE: Black & Brown Workers Collective sold everything from cupcakes to cookies in the lobby of the William Way LGBT Community Center May 26. The “Sweet Liberation” was a fundraiser for the organization, which advocate for racial- and social-justice issues. The baked goods were provided

by Fikira Bakery and community volunteers. Photo: Scott A. Drake

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Jason Landau Goodman talked alked about violence against trans women of color at the United Nations.

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~ Cleve Jones, recipient of the Kiyoshi Kuromiya Award at the kickoff to AIDS Education Month, on surviving AIDS, page 6

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Kayleb Rae Candrilli is one of the recipients of a spring Leeway Foundation grant.

Editor

“I am very grateful to be alive and I am alive primarily because of organizations like Philadelphia FIGHT, their counterparts across the country, the people in ACT UP and all of the people who fought so hard and so long to get the government to respond, fund research and get the treatments available to people.”

Creep of the Week: Donald Trump — need we say more?

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Scott A. Drake (ext. 210) scott@epgn.com 267-736-6743 Graphic Artist Sean Dorn (ext. 211) sean@epgn.com

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Life is a cabaret — even when singing the political blues.

Copyright © 1976 - 2017 Copyright(s) in all materials in these pages are either owned or licensed by Masco Communications Inc. or its subsidiaries or affiliate companies (Philadelphia Gay News, PGN, and it’s WWW sites.) All other reproduction, distribution, retransmission, modification, public display, and public performance of our materials is prohibited without the prior written consent of Masco Communications. To obtain such consent, email pgn@epgn.com Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 1976-2017 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155

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LOCAL PGN

DelCo church takes steps to affirm LGBT community members

By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Finding a path of self-acceptance has not always been easy for Lou Madonna.

However, when he joined the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County (UUCDC), the 67-year-old harnessed the strength to live more openly as a gay man.

“The church has been helpful in that it is a supportive community that let me network and connect with people with similar ways of thinking, similar ways of viewing the world and who I knew, gradually, that I could come out to,” Madonna said. “They supported me and affirmed me.”

The UUCDC marked its dedication to Madonna and other LGBT church members with a rededication ceremony of its metal rainbow flag. The May 21 ceremony marked 10 years since the flag’s installation on April 29, 2007.

This metal flag, which members of the church recently repainted, replaced two separate cloth rainbow flags hung on the church’s sign. Someone stole the flag in 2005 and the church replaced it with a second flag. However, this flag went missing on Nov. 10, 2006, two weeks after the church hung it. The flag was returned the next night, burned and partially shredded.

“The story of these flags echoes this church’s growth and determination over the years to remain true to its commitment to welcome and affirm LGBTQ people,” Madonna said during his speech at the rededication ceremony. “As a gay man who has attended this church for 36 years, I have seen it grow and struggle in its attempts to fully understand LGBTQ issues and instill a true culture of inclu-

sion.”

Throughout the years, UUCDC has taken several steps to champion LGBT rights, such as performing civil unions and, later, same-sex marriages. Additionally, it appoints LGBT intern ministers, hosts LGBT support groups, advocates for LGBT-nondiscrimination laws and participates in Philly Pride.

“In rededicating this metal rainbow flag with its recently brightened colors, with a resolve that is as true as steel, this church demonstrates with this powerful symbol its perpetual commitment to refreshing, renewing and remaining contemporary in its understanding and advocacy of LGBTQ issues and its welcoming of the full integration of this population within the congregation and the community at large,” Madonna concluded in his address.

Madonna told PGN he appreciates UUCDC’s ability to accept all, no matter where they are on their spiritual journeys.

“Whenever I attend or come to the church, I feel that I am at home,” Madonna said. “I come into that community as a full person. There are no conflicts. I’m not hiding anything. I’m not compartmentalizing anything. When I am there, I feel that I am home. I feel that I am welcome.

“I’m at home as a spiritual humanist and as a gay man,” Madonna added. “I am greatly empowered in knowing that my personal and spiritual journey is understood, honored and celebrated, and that I am not alone.”

Visit www.uucdc.org for more information on the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County. Summer services are at 10 a.m., with a two-service schedule resuming in September. n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

LOCAL PGN

LGBT activist Cleve Jones talks about how to be a ‘unifier’

By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Cleve Jones, founder of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt and author of the memoir “When We Rise: My Life in the Movement,” accepted an award Thursday to kick off Philadelphia FIGHT’s AIDS Education Month.

“It’s very kind for them to do this and I appreciate it,” the 62-yearold told PGN about the Kiyoshi Kuromiya Award for Prevention, Treatment and Justice. “I never imagined I would survive AIDS. I am very grateful to be alive and I am alive primarily because of organizations like Philadelphia FIGHT, their counterparts across the country, the people in ACT UP and all of the people who fought so hard and so long to get the government to respond, fund research and get the treatments available to people.”

The gay human-rights activist said he was looking forward to coming to Philadelphia, where the quilt has long seen support. Jones conceived of the idea for the quilt during an annual candlelight

march in 1985 honoring those who died of AIDS. He asked marchers to write the names of loved ones they lost to the disease on placards and taped them to the wall of the San Francisco Federal Building, forming a patchwork quilt pattern. Now, more than 14-million people visit the quilt on displays worldwide, resulting in more than $3 million raised for AIDS-service organizations in North America.

Additionally, Jones led the 2009 National March for Equality in Washington, D.C., and served on a board challenging Proposition 8 in the U.S. Supreme Court.

The San Francisco activist spoke to PGN prior to the awards ceremony about the need to continue talking about HIV/ AIDS in the community, his memoir and how activists can find inspiration from his story.

Despite advances, Jones noted that infection rates among gay and bisexual men of color are “simply unacceptable.”

“We still don’t have a cure and we still don’t have a vaccine but what we do have is the ability to eliminate HIV by using treatment,” Jones said. “Treatment is prevention.

“We still have a long way to go” when it comes to educating people about prevention, he added.

“We need to educate people about PrEP. We need to make sure that everyone who

can benefit from PrEP has access to it and the ability to pay for it. It’s not just enough to have these medications. We have to make sure they’re available to everybody.”

When it comes to feedback on his memoir and the resulting ABC miniseries that aired earlier this year, Jones said he is “very happy that the book has been so well-received.” Additionally, he said he is “especially happy” that young people enjoyed his story.

“I like that a lot,” Jones said. “It means a lot to me.”

He noted that he met many people through his work in the gay-liberation movement and he loves what he does.

“I hope that everyone can find a way to contribute to the effort in a way that brings them joy and satisfaction,” Jones said.

“That certainly has been my experience through the movement.”

When it comes to continuing the fight, Jones said the community needs to be “strong, strategic and smart.” He said his story shows how he has “endured.”

“The damage done in this last election will not be undone in months or even years,” Jones said. “This is going to take a long time.”

He added it’s important to listen respectfully to each other while being aware of one’s own prejudices and differences.

“People are very good at creating barriers between each other. Try not to be one of those people,” Jones said. “Try to be a unifier. Try to reach out to people who look differently than you, speak differently and maybe think differently.

I think social media has really worsened that reality; more and more folks only talk to people who think exactly like them.

That’s not how we win. We win by changing hearts and minds. Part of that process involves listening carefully.”

Jones noted that the climate has evolved due to the work of other LGBT activists.

“I think it’s kind of astonishing how much the world has changed just in my lifetime,” he said. “I’ve seen some remarkable changes especially in the lives of the people we now call ‘LGBTQ.’ My life is kind of a reminder that people really can change the world. I’ve seen the world change and it’s because my friends and I fought very hard and the generations that have followed us have continued that fight. It’s never won permanently. I think that’s another important thing to remember. Just because we win a battle here and there, it doesn’t mean we won the war.

Right now, people need to be very vigilant and defend the advances that we won.” n For more information on Cleve Jones or to purchase his memoir, visit www.clevejones.com.

PGN just received seven Keystone SPJ Spotlight awards from the Society of Professional Journalists.

Best Overall Newspaper PGN Staff First place, Editorial Jen Colletta Third place, Commentary Mark Segal First place, Spot News Story - “PGN at the DNC” Jen Colletta, Paige Cooperstein, Larry Nichols, Scott A. Drake, Mark Segal Second place, Spot News Story - “Philly, nation respond to Orlando massacre” Jen Colletta, Paige Cooperstein First place, Tabloid Page Design - “PGN 40th Anniversary” Sean Dorn, Scott A. Drake First place, Online Breaking News - “PGN at the DNC” PGN Staff

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

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PA activist speaks on U.S. LGBT issues at United Nations event

By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Jason Landau Goodman last month met with LGBT activists from around the world.

The out 28-year-old, who serves as executive director of LGBT youth-advocacy organization Pennsylvania Youth Congress, noted the “horrific circumstances in Chechnya and other places around the world.”

“To put that in context, we have very upsetting situations and we have violence and discrimination [in the United States] but having your own country systematically and openly criminalize and kill LGBT people — [it’s] horrifying to know that happens in today’s world,” he said.

The Human Rights Watch selected Goodman to participate in the United Nations’ LGBT Core Group’s “Standing Up For LGBTI Youth.” During the panel,

held May 17 at U.N. headquarters in New York City, Goodman and other activists discussed ways to create safe environments for the LGBT-youth community.

“We needed a great deal more time,” Goodman said, noting the activists on the panel had a variety of issues to discuss.

Goodman represented the United States and primarily talked about violence against trans women of color, how trans women of color should be centered in those conversations and school discrimination. Additionally, he discussed the Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs’ and the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s support for the community.

However, the conversations did not end there. Goodman and other panelists met the next day at the U.N. Youth Envoy’s office, where he said they “had a very powerful discussion about what [the Youth Envoy’s] office does, what the U.N. does in terms of

responding to youth and where LGBT youth voices fit into the larger U.N. community.”

Goodman said he saw the potential for international engagement through the conversations.

“I think the LGBT movement in the United States has been very inward-facing,” he said. “We have not been engaging adequately at all with the global conversation. I think LGBT activists in the United States have a lot to learn from LGBT activists from around the world who are already using the international community to move forward in LGBT rights successfully.”

Goodman said the overall experience was “humbling” and he was “honored” to serve as a voice for the United States.

“I feel incredibly lucky to have had this experience, to continue having these relationships around the world and passing on that torch to the next generation,” Goodman said. n

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LOCAL PGN

Trans, queer projects get boost with Leeway funding

By Ray Simon PGN Contributor The Leeway Foundation, a Philadelphia nonprofit supporting women and trans artists, recently awarded $47,500 to 22 local artists.

The recipients are the latest group of artists to receive Leeway’s Art and Change Grant, which is awarded twice a year, in the spring and again in the fall.

According to Denise Beek, Leeway’s communications director, the Art and Change Grant is “a project-based grant up to $2,500 to women and trans artists who have an idea for a project that intersects with art, culture and social justice within 11 Social Change Intents.”

The Leeway Foundation was begun in 1993. Its original purpose was to support women artists working in the greater Philadelphia region. In 2007, the nonprofit broadened its mission in two significant ways. First, it placed a greater emphasis on social change; second, it began making its resources available to trans artists.

Leeway defines trans in the broadest possible sense, Beek explained. “We actually make a point to not say transgender, because we feel like the term trans should be an inclusive word to mean if you identify as transsexual or transgender or genderqueer or two-spirit people.”

The recipients of this spring’s Art and Change Grant are working in a wide range of disciplines, including music, performance and visual arts. Carman Spoto, a queer trans woman from Downingtown, will use her grant to make a feature-length film about queer and trans youth. And Alex Barrett and Kris Moore of University City will be working on a book about gender-nonconformity for youngsters, along with an accompanying curriculum guide for parents and teachers.

A significant aspect of Leeway’s Art and Change Grant is what it refers to as Social Change Intents. All applicants are asked to select three from a list of 11 possibilities.

“What we mean by that is basically focuses, ranging from cultural preservation to environmental justice to displacement and immigration issues to transgender justice and gender self-determination,” Beek said.

Before this year, Beek noted, Leeway categorized LGBTQI social movements and transgender justice and gender self-determination under one rubric. This spring, however, it was agreed that they should be two separate Social Change Intents.

That was partly due to Leeway’s longstanding recognition of the importance of gender self-determination. But it was also a response to societal threats to the trans community, from so-called bathroom bills to outright violence against trans women.

“We thought that was a very important

change to make to the application,” said Beek, who pointed out that six current grantees selected transgender justice and gender self-determination.

Kayleb Rae Candrilli is one of them.

Candrilli, whose preferred pronoun is they, is a trans, gender-nonconforming poet living and working in the Point Breeze neighborhood of South Philadelphia.

“My poetry is pretty much directly in conversation with trans rights and trans joy,” they said when asked to describe their work.

“So it’s what I do and it’s my personal poliLEEWAY ART tics.”

AND CHANGE Candrilli applied GRANTEE for Leeway’s Art and KAYLEB RAE Change Grant to work CANDRILLI on a book of poems in dialogue with the paintings of Hernan Bas. They described Bas as a wonderful painter whose work celebrates queer bodies.

“I wanted to write an entire collection that was focused on the queer body and the trans body as one of joy,” Candrilli said. “I think too often trans people are reduced to their trauma, and I didn’t want to write that book.”

The Art and Change Grant is a boon to Candrilli, giving them time to work on the book, a chance to visit a current Bas exhibit and a financial cushion as they look for a publisher. Overall, their experience with Leeway has been so good that they wholeheartedly recommend it to others.

“I would really like to encourage female-bodied and trans artists to apply to this, pretty much no matter what,” Candrilli said. “I think that writing about your work and applying to something, even if you don’t get it, teaches you a lot about who you are as an artist and what your intentions are.”

That’s timely advice. The deadline for Leeway’s fall Art and Change Grant is Aug. 1. Beek urges artists from Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs to give it a shot.

There will even be an applicant-support session on July 19 at Historic Germantown, 5501 Germantown Ave. It is open to anyone, whether they’re in the process or filling out an application for the Art and Change Grant or still just considering the idea. It makes no difference, Beek said; Leeway staff will be there for advice, feedback and help.

“You do not need an appointment, you don’t need to necessarily say that you’re coming, you can just pop in, talk to somebody,” she said. n To learn more about the Leeway Foundation and the fall 2017 Art and Change Grant, visit www.leeway.org.

T:10.125”

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

EDITORIAL PGN EDITORIAL

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Donald Trump, again

Editorial

Critical conversations Both the expectations and tensions were high going into last week’s inaugural Community Conversation, held by the Mayor’s Office of LGBT Affairs.

It was the office’s first-ever community forum, and the formal introduction to the community of new director Amber Hikes, who replaced former head Nellie Fitzpatrick in a shake-up earlier this spring. It was also an opportunity for the community to get to know and learn about the work of the new Mayor’s Commission on LGBT Affairs, which went through its own recent shake-up with the ouster of chair Sharron Cooks. Needless to say, there was a lot to be discussed.

And the meeting held true to its title.

The community came prepared with tough questions and comments — from demanding representation of all facets of the community in the commission to urging transparency in the office’s work. And Hikes and commission members came prepared with answers, and commendably did not skirt or dismiss challenging issues.

The local LGBT community is in the midst of some important transitions, and those are processes in which the Mayor’s Office on LGBT Affairs and the LGBT commission has the

potential to play important roles. If last week’s meeting is an indication, both are positioned to help the community navigate those shifts — though, importantly, not to dominate them.

The office and commission are community-oriented entities and, as such, rightfully have a duty to represent the full breadth and depth of the local LGBT community. They will be hosting Community Conversations for at least the next two months, at which community members are invited to actively interface with the city leaders.

These are opportunities for the community to air both their grievances and their praise, their ideas and their issues.

Just as it is incumbent on the commission and office to seek input from the community, it is the duty of the community to engage in that process.

Social media has undoubtedly played an important role in mobilizing community engagement, but in other ways the medium has been isolating — creating rifts and infighting and inviting personal disagreements into community conversations.

Last week’s event established a faceto-face, two-way street for productive dialogue in and about our local LGBT community. Now the work of getting and staying on that path begins. n

Tell us what you think

As I write this, I’m taking in the news of the bombing at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. Twenty-two confirmed dead so far. At least 59 injured.

Truth be told, I don’t know much about Ariana Grande. I know she’s a pop star. I can’t name any of her songs though I’m sure I’ve heard some. What I do know is that she has a gay brother and has been very vocal about her support of LGBT rights. Her fan base is largely young women and gay men, and some of those fans are dead now at the hands of a suicide bomber — a person whose life was so worthless they were willing to throw it away just to hurt and kill others.

It’s only a matter of time before this tragedy will be blamed on “the gays.”

In fact, a supposed Trump supporter on Twitter wrote, “God is speaking to [Grande] for being promiscuous and promoting homosexuals. When HE speaks you must listen, friends!”

Now, this Tweet is likely from a troll account, not a real person, but that doesn’t change the fact that there are people who actually believe this stuff.

Look, I don’t believe in God, but even if I did, I sure as hell wouldn’t be praising a god who wants children blown up at a pop concert to teach the queers a lesson.

Obviously, the man responsible for this bombing is the biggest creep this week.

But we don’t know if he worked alone yet or with a network. And so, Donald Trump gets to be Creep of the Week yet again.

In case you’re wondering what, exactly, Trump has to do with all of this, the answer is everything and nothing.

When terrifying events happen anywhere in the world, the American people should have a leader they can look toward who offers competence, clarity and control. Trump lacks all of those qualities. We have a president who is continuously fucking up like it’s his job (Note: It is literally the OPPOSITE of his job). He’s an International Man of Blustery. There’s nothing he can say that will offer any assurances at home or

abroad because nothing he says can be believed.

He’s a pathological liar. He uses language in a way that is both thoughtless and reckless and will further embolden our enemies.

In Trump’s first public remarks about the bombing, he called the terrorists “losers.”

“So many young, beautiful, innocent people living and enjoying their lives murdered by evil losers in life,” Trump said. “I won’t call them monsters because they would like that term. They would think that’s a great name. I will call them from now on losers because that’s what they are. They’re losers. And we’ll have more of them, but they’re losers, just remember that.”

It’s possibly the first thing Trump has said that I agree with. But let’s dispense with the “and that’s the moment he became president” crap. He’s publicly called Rosie O’Donnell a loser, too, so that word out of Trump’s mouth has no power.

The sad fact is, Trump has no coherent plan or policy ideas. His approach to combating terrorism is talking tough about ISIS and banning Muslims from entering the country. His attorney general, Jeff Sessions, is focused on locking more potheads up and filling for-profit prisons with non-violent offenders because priorities. Trump and his administration have no credibility internationally and there’s no reason to believe that their hate-motivated agenda will keep us safe.

After the bombing, Ariana Grande tweeted, “I don’t have words.” Well, Trump does. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have much else. n

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

Please include a daytime phone number.

Letters may be edited for clarity, style and space con­sid­er­ations.

I will call them from now on losers because that’s what they are.

They’re losers. And we’ll have more of them, but they’re losers, just remember that.

D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian living in Michigan with her wife and son.

She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow her on Twitter @ MamaDWitkowski.

OP-ED PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

A not-so-national march Heads up, LGBT America. Did you know attend and had heard from 40-50 participants. that there is about to be a a national Equality “I’m sure some others are just going on March for Unity and Pride in Washington, their own, but some of those [the store owner] D.C., on June 11? Chances are you may not, spoke to didn’t have plane tickets yet. To since the people/group “organizing” it seem compare, for the 1993 march we had more to have forgotten a simple rule when putting than 1,000 who marched together. We know together a public demonstration: that number because of the numInvite the public and then comber of Dallas signs we made up municate the facts so people will for that march — 500. We gave know the importance of the event, one to every two people and ran support its goals and know where, out.” when and what to expect.

Tracy Bain of Chicago’s Windy The group organizing this has City Times voiced what many of failed, but local individuals and us in the media feel: “I don’t have groups have come to the rescue; a sense it will be massive, but I bravo to them. Here are some know a few folks who may go.” facts to consider. This march grew A Philly group is renting a bus out of the LGBT outrage and under the moniker “Drag Me to resistance to President Donald the March,” with a drag show feaTrump. That’s admirable, but tured on the bus. taking on a national task with lit The publisher of New York’s tle experience takes a lot of time GayCityNews tells me no activist and work. It also takes incredible Mark Segal group there he knows is engaged. knowledge, and in that regard, And if you look on the official we appreciate the organizers’ commitment, website or Facebook page, you’ll be treated but there comes a time when you’re in over to little information, with the exception of a your head and you need to request the assislist of cities that have notified organizers they tance of those most affected by your event. In have buses going to the march — 15, to be this case, that would be the city that you’ve exact — and most unfilled. announced is hosting the event, and the entire But then there’s another page that lists “solidarity” events happening the same day national LGBT community, which could in cities around the world — and here lies in part be reached by outreach to national the silver lining, and an answer: Most of the media. cities listed on this page have local people So I decided to call around to my friends involved in organizing local events, and as in D.C. and those in LGBT media and see what’s up with the national march slated for a the saying goes, “All politics are local.” This is the success of the not-so-national march, little over a week from now. since it will continue the enthusiasm on a Most editors I contacted around the country hadn’t received as much as a press release local level and actually create change.

For those of you who make it to D.C., about the event. Meaning, to write about the organizers recently released a list of speakers, march, they had to hunt down organizers. but most of us in media didn’t get it. In fact, From a source, I discovered that the organizpress releases just went up on the website ers had just sent out a request for corporate May 26. On the other hand, the local groups sponsors. Getting a corporation to react in as well as the LGBT-organized structures three weeks is a tough haul. Those funds of D.C. are doing outreach and will be the would be used for the rally after a march heroes of June 11. n starting at the White House. But what I discovered most was a lack of interest.

Mark Segal is the nation’s most-award-winning com Here’s an example from Dallas Voice staff mentator in LGBT media. His memoir, “And Then writer David Taffet, who said a local store I Danced,” is available on Amazon.com, Barnes & owner in Texas was organizing a group to Noble or at your favorite bookseller.

Mark My Words

Positive Thoughts

11

Street Talk Would you walk out if Vice President Pence was a speaker at your college graduation?

"Yes. I wouldn't waste my time with him. I graduated from Temple.

It would be outrageous if Temple Bridget Friend ever invited social worker him. When Chinatown walking out, I'd give Pence a dirty look but I'm too soft-spoken to yell out anything."

"No. I would have more respect for the office he holds. I don't like being rude to people. I tend to be more respectful.

Jessica I may not Hawthorne agree with secretary him but I Mayfair don't like to hurt people's feelings."

Yes, absolutely.

He's a pretty awful person whose ideals aren't anything close to mine.

He probably wouldn't care what I do.

But it would be my way of saying 'F U' to him."

"Yes. He's close to the opposite of everything I stand for.

I find him repugnant. To stay [during his speech] would imply T.C. Shillingford that I support chef him. And I Port Richmond don't."

Stephen Shillingford chef Bryn Mawr

We want to know!

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

Desireé Guerrero

From darkness to hope: Growing up in the AIDS generation I don’t exactly remember when I first heard the word “AIDS.” I know it was at some point during my childhood, in the mid1980s, when the epidemic first hit the world with full force. I remember hearing about it often on the news. I remember when Rock Hudson (one of my mother’s favorite film stars) passed away from its complications.

I remember Elizabeth Taylor becoming an activist for it. But what I remember most was the first time HIV touched my young life — and how it would continue to do so.

It was 1988. I was 11 years old. I was visiting my best friend Cindy* at her grandpar-

ents’ house, as I often did after school. They lived across the street and she would go there until her parents got home from work. Cindy had a handsome young uncle, James, an artist who lived there as well. A young artist myself, I was very interested in him and his art (and I also thought he was very cute). Any chance I could, I would try to worm my way in to see him and talk to him when I was visiting Cindy.

It had been a while since I had seen James.

I was just getting over a cold, and after hearing me cough, I heard James yell frantically from the other room, “Who’s coughing?

Get her out of here!” Cindy’s grandmother quickly entered the living room and politely ushered me out, telling me that James was ill and couldn’t be exposed to germs.

I remember being very hurt and confused to be sent home. Had I done something wrong? Was I dirty and germy? Most of all, I was devastated at being rejected and kicked out by my girlhood crush. The next day, when Cindy and I were walking home from school, I asked her what kind of illness James had. Without nervousness or hesitation, she said, “Oh, he has AIDS.” Needless to say, I was heartbroken. I was

young, but I knew enough to know that this was (at the time) a deadly condition. I could not believe this beautiful and talented young man could be dying, which by that point, he was. Sadly, I never saw James again. He passed away soon after, and all that remained were his paintings that hung on the walls of his parents’ home, now serving as silent memorials.

Fast-forward one decade, to the mid1990s. My family receives the news that a very dear relative, Uncle Felipe, was in the hospital and was not expected to make it.

What happened? Was it an PAGE 19

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

15

Ongoing LGBT evolution in the U.S. military their partner before the remainder of the For 17 years, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” sailors disembark. It seems as the culture forcibly closeted tens of thousands of military servicemen and women. Originally shifts in the United States, one of the last designed as a compromise between lawbastions of tradition and toughness is learnmakers and military personnel who wanted ing acceptance, where the harassers and the ban on LGBTQ servicemembullies within are the outliers, bers lifted and those who didn’t, not the norm. the reality of DADT encouraged Such acceptance has been an environment in which dishard-won, with servicemembers crimination and prejudice fesrecounting pre-DADT stories of tered, and those most hurt by it jokes at the expense of LGBTQ had no recourse because they people, including one involvfaced dishonorable discharge. ing a single bullet and a choice Over the lifespan of DADT, between shooting the enemy more than 14,000 servicememand shooting a gay wingman. bers were given discharges due Hint: The punchline didn’t favor to their sexual orientation. The so well for the wingman. The 2011 repeal of DADT, howimportance of trust in a serviceever, lifted that albatross from colleagues cannot be Angela member’s the necks of our LGBTQ seroverstated — they’re expected Giampolo to put their lives in the hands vicemembers, allowing them to live authentically both in and of their unit. To have that trust, out of uniform. Now we have a military you have to know your unit on a deeper that accepts any qualified person willing to level, something that wasn’t possible under serve — and with the daily reminder of the DADT. dangers at our country’s doorstep, better Now, those who tell or laugh at those late than never. jokes and spit out the slurs are the ones dis So what has the military been like since ciplined. Even after the repeal of DADT, the repeal of DADT for servicemen and the Equal Opportunity Office didn’t include sexual orientation as one of the protected women? There are many, many stories classes. In fact, it wasn’t until Oct. 30, online of LGBTQ military personnel and the hoops they jumped through to remain in 2015, that there was an official procedure the military despite their orientation or gen- or guidance to instruct the chain of command on how to handle a harassment comder identity: allowing their colleagues and plaint. superiors to believe their significant others were roommates; couples who weren’t able So how does our military compare to to speak with each other across deployother countries? Look no further than to ments as frequently or as fearlessly as their our northern neighbors to see a drastic heterosexual counterparts for fear of being comparison: Canada has allowed open sercorrectly identified by nearby unit memvice by LGBTQ members, including trans bers; fears of a deployed soldier about ben- soldiers, since 1992. With the 2003 pasefits for their significant others and children sage of marriage equality, Canadian Forces should their service conclude in the ultiimmediately recognized all same-sex marmate sacrifice; being forced to lead a douriages and civil unions, affording them the ble life just to have both career and love. same benefits they provide their heterosexNow, however, LGBTQ members can ual counterparts. serve openly and honestly, not hiding their Meanwhile, in the United States, open partner’s identity behind the clever merrytransgender servicemembers were banned go-round of the pronoun game, and even until June 2016. While transgender soldiers going so far as to win the Navy’s lottery for are not allowed Real Life Experience — ceremonial “first-kiss” honors, a tradition the Army’s term to describe social transiin which one servicemember aboard a ship tion — until their gender marker is changed returning to port is chosen to plant one on in the official Army personnel record, trans-

gender soldiers are protected from harassment and discrimination under the Equal Opportunity Office’s policies.

Transitioning officially begins when the soldier initiates the process by telling their superior and their unit they are transgender and are seeking to transition. Their unit commander is responsible for supporting the soldier, including, but not limited to, approving a medical-treatment plan and a gender-marker change when the time is right. When the military medical providers sign off that the transition is medically necessary — generally beginning with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria — they set up a personalized medical-treatment plan, which can, but does not necessarily, include sex-reassignment surgery. Once a soldier starts to transition, they are also granted protection should they choose to live socially as their preferred identity while off-duty and off-base. The handbook specifically states that it is against regulations for anyone to out a transgender soldier should they see them off-base dressed as their true identity rather than their gender assigned at birth. Not only that, but soldiers are encouraged to intervene against harassment or bullying of the transitioning soldier.

As the transition progresses, the guidelines specify how to handle the changes in the soldier’s body with regards to physical training. They are to be held to the standards consistent with their gender marker listed in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), and if the transition process includes cross-sex hormones that change a member’s capabilities, commanders are to consult with medical personnel as they would for any medical condition that alters a soldier’s performance. Finally, once the medical team confirms the soldier’s individual transition is complete, the soldier’s gender marker is changed in DEERS and they are then expected to change to the barracks, bathroom and showers corresponding with that marker’s gender identity, with specific guidelines included for modesty and respect common to all soldiers in such living situations.

Considering this is the start of the policy,

there are problems with it. First and foremost, not every transgender person experiences body dysmorphia and therefore some soldiers cannot start their transition. Also, restricting a transgender soldier’s social transition on base keeps those who live in military housing, but not in a barracks, from being their authentic selves even in their own homes. It would be wrong for me to not mention the unequal treatment of the transgender families: the health-care and safety benefits provided for transgender individuals do not extend to military families, but only to the personnel themselves.

There’s some concern that the current White House administration could roll back the progress made for current LGBTQ military personnel. Defense Secretary James Mattis — who replaced the first openly gay Defense Secretary Eric Fanning — refused to say in his confirmation hearings whether or not he thought LGBTQ people should be able to serve in the military. Trump recently nominated one of the most antiLGBTQ politicians in the country as Army Secretary — Mark Green, a senator from Tennessee who later withdrew his nomination.

LGBTQ servicemen and women have had six years serving openly to prove their orientation does not affect their qualifications to serve. What’s more, being open about who they are extends more trust between colleagues than ever before, a necessary factor in a strong and unified military. With North Korea launching eight missiles already in 2017, the ongoing fight against ISIS and terrorist attacks becoming all too common, we should be welcoming everyone and anyone who wants to serve.

Progress may be slow in the mightiest military on the planet, but it’s gaining ground, and every day we should be thankful for our active-duty LGBTQ military personnel.

Their bravery cannot be measured. n

ing the lot for hiring environmental consultants, engineers, architects and attorneys.

Since there is federal buy-in for the project, the changing budget landscape could mean this is the only opportunity to get the project off the ground, Weinbaum noted.

“The federal government’s budget picture looks dismal so there may not be any second chance. We may not be able to resurrect this project if this goes by the wayside.”

The impact of that reality on local LGBT youth would be devastating, Weinbaum said.

About 40 percent of young adults who experience homelessness identify as LGBT. “We wanted to build something to meet

“The federal government’s budget picture looks dismal so there may not be any second chance.

We may not be able to resurrect this project if this goes by the wayside.”

Project HOME incorporated eight LGBT-friendly young-adult units in its Jon Bon Jovi Soul Homes and 12 in its Francis House of Peace. It is in the midst of creating 20 LGBT-friendly young-adult units at its new residence at 2415 N. Broad St. “We’re really hopeful we’ll be able to build this building to meet some really urgent needs for young people,” Weinbaum said about the NPHS lot. “We played by the rules. We had it legitimately appraised for the actual market value, made an offer that was fair and, at least on its surface, accepted. We signed the agreement well before the bankruptcy. It’s all very aboveboard from our perspective.” n

Out Law

YOUTH HOUSE from page 1

city and state grants, tax credits and bond financing; the sale needs to be completed

by August for that funding to remain viable.

“The way the financing works, we really need to secure control of the land in time for about early July in order to still put the transaction together successfully,” Weinbaum said. “If we can’t close in August, then our other funding commitments and investors and all of that will be at risk. We need to know where we stand at this point. Time is absolutely of the essence.”

Weinbaum noted that backers have already sunk about $700,000 into develop-

the needs that are out there,” she said.

“Certainly those needs are way greater than 30 units but we felt that was what we could do as a first project to exclusively serve that population.”

Angela D. Giampolo, principal of Giampolo Law Group, maintains offices in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and specializes in LGBT law, family law, business law, real-estate law and civil rights. Her website is www.giampololaw.com, and she maintains a blog at www.phillygaylawyer.com. Reach out to Angela with your legal questions at 215-645-2415 or angela@giampololaw.com.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

PGN

FITNESS PGN

Is gluten-free for me?

Within the last few years, “gluten-free” diagnosed with celiac disease “feel better” labels have been frequently appearing on without gluten. According to research done various product labels, from breads to at the Monash University in Australia in meats. The big question that most people 2014, non-celiac/gluten-sensitive patients are afraid to ask: Is gluten-free for me? who received the same diet in the base It is important to identify what gluten line and during treatments (meaning both is in the first place. Gluten is a naturally meals were low in gluten) still experienced occurring protein found in a grain’s endoa worsening in symptoms. What is often sperm, which is a type of tissue produced overlooked is that many people who are on in seeds that are ground to gluten-free diets eat fewer carbs make flour. Wheat, barley and overall, which also affects how rye are examples of grains that people feel. contain gluten. The gluten-free Researchers at Harvard and label is important for people Columbia recently concluded with gluten intolerance/allerthat “people without celiac disgies, such as celiac disease, ease should not be encouraged non-celiac gluten sensitivity, to adopt gluten-free diets.” gluten intolerance, “the gluten Although whole grains are rash,” gluten ataxia and wheat healthier than white-flour prodallergies. Two of these condiucts, blindly avoiding gluten tions are auto-immune diseases. can increase your risk of heart For example, celiac disease is disease, the researchers deterwhen your immune system is mined. triggered by gluten to attack the Megan Niño While research about gluten-free diets is still ongoing, lining of your small intestine, which eventually leads to the atrophy of it is important that people consult with their doctor or accredited dietitian before the lining in your small intestine. About 1 pursuing any diets; unless, of course, you percent of Americans have celiac disease, have been diagnosed with a gluten intolaccording to the University of Chicago erance. Gluten-free diets can be beneficial Celiac Disease Center.

If a gluten-free diet is required for peoin that they help you control your carb and ple with the conditions stated above, why processed-food intake, but that can also be is it often recommended for those without done by developing balanced eating habthese conditions? And why have people its! If you are already on a gluten-free diet, taken it upon themselves to become glukeep track of your Vitamin B and iron levten-free? According to Joseph Murray of els. n the Mayo Clinic, before 2009, celiac-disease rates steadily climbed as medical pro- Megan Niño is a kinesiologist and personal trainer fessionals became more aware of the conwho trains at 12th Street Gym. She is an energetic and dition itself; however, most professionals positive person, who prides herself on teaching others to find empowerment in their lives through fitness. are unsure why many people who aren’t

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

COMMISSION from page 1

tion after she posted online attacks about another commissioner.

Hikes said Cooks was “not just a commissioner” and referred to her as a “colleague” and a “friend.”

“The decision the commission had to make last week was not one that was taken lightly. It was not work that was done hastily. It was done with so much pain and so much hurt and I want to be clear about that.”

She said that while commissioners asked Cooks to step down from her leadership role, it was never the intention for her to no longer serve on the commission as a general member.

“We are heartbroken but we are prepared to move forward,” Hikes said. “We are prepared to get to the work of this community.

It’s very important. I will answer your questions openly and honestly. I promise that. I will not ever speak ill of another community member. I will not speak disparagingly about another community member and I sure as hell will not do it of a black woman.”

Naiymah Sanchez, transgender-advocacy coordinator for the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, kicked off the Q&A portion. Sanchez asked if a black trans woman will fill the seat vacated by Cooks.

“Without a doubt, 100 percent,” Hikes said, also noting the commission aims to have more trans women of color.

Commissioner Raquel Saraswati recognized Cooks during a presentation by the Race Relations committee.

“We started this committee with Sharron Cooks as the leader of our committee and she is someone who actually pushed me to COVERAGE from page 1

straints.

Fertilization normally occurs within a fallopian tube, which transports a fertilized egg to the uterus for implantation. In-vitro fertilization involves combining a sperm and an egg in a laboratory, rather than inside a uterus. A woman may opt to freeze her eggs for a future pregnancy. Women choose IVF for a variety of reasons, including because they’re in a same-sex relationship, are single or have experienced medical complications.

“The choice to have children is a deeply personal one, and the freedom to build a family, in whatever ways we choose, is at the center of what it means to be human,” Gym said in an email. “For many of us, though, this choice isn’t simple — and isn’t free. That’s why I introduced legislation to mandate that all city health-insurance plans cover medically assisted pregnancy care, including egg freezing and in-vitro fertilization. This is particularly important for our LGBT families, single women and those facing infertility.”

Gym expressed pride in helping to set a standard of care that other communities can emulate.

“I am incredibly proud to be part of a city that is setting a standard of care that should be the model for the nation — particularly for our LGB and trans communities. We

PGN

take a leadership position in this community,” Saraswati said. “ I want to thank you.”

Cooks, who was in attendance, stood up in the audience and turned around to take a bow in response to applause.

Future collaborations, hotlines and support for sex workers During the Q&A portion, Hikes answered questions from several community members. She noted that there were Spanishlanguage interpreters in attendance that night, who will continue to attend future

“I will answer your questions openly and honestly. I promise that.

I will not ever speak ill of another community member. I will not speak disparagingly about another community member and I sure as hell will not do it of a black woman.” meetings. Additionally, she noted a collaboration with the Office of Disability Services and the planning phases of a hotline for LGBT communities of color. For the latter, communities will be able to report anonydo this because we believe in the right of each one of us to assert our fullest humanity.

That’s why we cover transitioning and paid sick leave — and that’s why IVF and other medically assisted pregnancy procedures must be included in city insurance plans.

These are treatments for which all people should have coverage, and it’s important to note that we’re not alone in expanding access. Fifteen states offer infertility treatment as part of their insurance coverage, and eight states, including New Jersey, mandate IVF coverage across all insurance plans.

Increasingly, we’re understanding that the right to have a family includes the responsibility to cover the medical costs associated with it.”

Jane Slusser, Mayor Kenney’s chief of staff, explained the administration’s decision to discontinue IVF coverage in a city health plan mainly utilized by non-union city workers.

“We were unfortunately unable to continue this [IVF] coverage in 2017 due to other rising health-care costs,” Slusser said in an email. “We’ve been able to avoid employee-contribution increases for the past four years and wanted to continue doing so.”

Asked whether Kenney supports Gym’s bill, Slusser said: “It was a difficult decision to remove this coverage. So we’re certainly

mously about crimes affecting LGBT people of color.

When one community member addressed seeing sex work taking place in the streets, some audience members murmured in disapproval.

“I want to make sure we are not speaking disparagingly about sex work,” Hikes said, drawing applause. “I do understand what you were saying but I want to make sure we are honoring all members of this community — again, safe space. And I understand that you are speaking from your experience but understanding that we have all people represented in this room. Sex work is a reality for folks. We don’t look down on people who participate in sex work and, in fact, we empower sex work.

“I see you hearing it, taking it in and responding in that way because this is how it happens,” Hikes continued, addressing the audience member. “This is how change happens.”

What’s next?

Hikes said community conversations will take place again in June and July, urging the audience to keep an eye on the office’s social-media accounts for more information.

Another first-time event Hikes noted was a Pride Month kickoff in City Hall June 8.

She said the event will include performers, speakers and remarks from Mayor Jim Kenney.

“What’s also exciting is that we’re going to be unveiling a new flag,” Hikes said. “I can’t get into it but it’s going to be a gamechanger — a game-changer in this commusupportive of improving health-care coverage for our employees. We had recently expressed to various Council members that we would be reevaluating our options when reviewing our plans for next year. We look forward to further conversations with Councilwoman Gym and her colleagues.

It’s simply been a matter of costs and budgetary constraints.”

Slusser added: “The legislation, and

“The choice to have children is a deeply personal one, and the freedom to build a family, in whatever ways we choose, is at the center of what it means to be human. For many of us, though, this choice isn’t simple — and isn’t free.” my answers, apply only to those employees (about 6,000) covered by the City Administered Health Plan (CAP). This

nity. I’m incredibly excited about it.”

Additionally, Hikes said the office is developing leadership trainings. This includes a workshop series that readies participants to join the boards of nonprofit organizations. Hikes said the office will work with Independence Business Alliance, William Way LGBT Community Center and Independence Blue Cross. The series will place an emphasis on trans people and people of color. ”It hasn’t been done before,” Hikes said of the workshop series. “It needs to be done and it needs to start here.”

Hikes said the office will also offer trainings in LGBT competency, specifically addressing racism, discrimination and anti-oppression.

“Our community needs it desperately and it’s often difficult to get those trainings for free,” she said. “It’s difficult to access them after you’ve left an educational system. I don’t see them often in the community for people who want to show up and get educated about issues they may not have been educated about before. We are going to provide opportunities for that to happen.”

Hikes noted there is no “blueprint” for the Office of LGBT Affairs.

“We always start the conversation,” Hikes said of Philadelphia. “But understand it’s history in the making and the shockwaves from the city are going to reverberate throughout this country. People are watching us do this. Our youth here are watching us do this. So let’s do it right.

Let’s do it with compassion for our fellow community members. Let’s do it with care.

Let’s do it with love but let’s do it right.” n includes about 1,000 members of District Council 33 [city blue-collar workers] who opted into CAP.” Slusser also said it might have been possible to resolve the matter without legislation.

“We had recently indicated to interested Council members that we would be reevaluating options for next year’s health-care insurance options. We are able to make changes to our health-care coverage each year as we finalize the city-administered plan. We have had ongoing discussions about this matter with Council members, and look forward to further discussions.

I would note that Council could have requested additional funding for this in the fiscal-year 2018 budget process, but did not.”

Gym’s bill, introduced May 25, has 11 cosponsors.

Council member Bill Greenlee is a cosponsor.

“We should provide any reproductive-health coverage necessary to our valued employees,” Greenlee told PGN. “From a budgeting standpoint, providing this treatment will minimally impact our fund costs while enabling our colleagues to use an important benefit to help them start or expand their families.”

A public hearing on the proposal hadn’t been scheduled by presstime. n

PGN POSITIVE THOUGHTS from page 11

accident? Cancer?

“No,” my mother explained, “he has AIDS.” Fear ran through me like a cold, nauseating shiver. There was that word again, that word that had taken Cindy’s Uncle James over 10 years before.

Uncle Felipe was just about the kindest, sweetest, funniest person you would ever want to know. He was always smiling, bearing gifts and telling entertaining stories. You couldn’t help but feel happier and lighter when he was around. Felipe passed away two weeks after we found out he was ill, and per his request, we were not allowed to see him in the end. He did not want us to remember him being sick, wasting away to nothing in a hospital bed, but rather to remember him as the happy, healthy, charming man he always was.

For the second time in my life, I saw this virus take away someone dear to me, quickly and without mercy. But as time marched on, so did advancements in treatment. As we rolled into the 2000s, I began to hear the term “HIV-positive” more and more, and the term “AIDS” less and less — which gave me hope, since I only knew the latter to equate to death.

Celebrities who opened up about being poz, like Magic Johnson and Greg Louganis, also served as inspiration, as we saw them continue to live and be healthy — something we didn’t see much back in the ’80s.

It was around 2009 when I discovered a very close friend of mine was HIV-positive. I had met Sergio when we had worked together in an office building nearly two decades ago.

He was funny, fashionable and strange — just like me — and we became instant friends. I figured that Sergio was gay, but he insisted he was not, and I never pressed the subject. We kept in touch over the years, and we finally decided to get together and have dinner and drinks and catch up. Before we met up, he had

told me over the phone, “A lot has changed. I have so much to tell you.”

I assumed that what had changed was that he was out of the closet, so I wasn’t surprised when he told me he that was gay. I was surprised, however, when he then told me he was HIV-positive. But this time, hearing the news was very different than my previous experiences. This time, it was my dear friend, my contemporary, my peer. This time, I was being told by the person themselves, not hearing about it only as they were dying. And this time, I saw the same healthy young man in front of me whom I had always known.

Although I was obviously concerned about his health and emotional state, that shiver of fear did not run through me like with Uncle Felipe. This time, I immediately thought about antiretroviral treatment and asked him if he was on it (he was). This time, I thought, We’ve got this; I’m not letting this take you away.

You’re going to be OK. Today, Sergio is still doing fine — dating, traveling and living his life. In fact, the latest research shows that the life expectancy of those living with HIV today, if on proper treatment, is almost on par with the general population. We’ve come a long way since losing all those beautiful souls back in the ’80s and ’90s, and we have long-term survivors to thank for persevering through it. I have seen this virus go from a death sentence to being a treatable, chronic condition, which gives me great hope we will see its elimination in my lifetime. n *Name changed Desireé Guerrero is the associate editor of Plus magazine. This column is a project of Plus, Positively Aware, POZ, The Body and Q Syndicate, the LGBT wire service. Visit their websites — http://hivplusmag.com, http://positivelyaware.com, http://poz.com and http:// thebody.com — for the latest updates on HIV/AIDS.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

News Briefing MTV star to headline Chester County event Chester County Pride Weekend will conclude with an evening of entertainment this weekend. Gay comedian Matteo Lane, a cast member on MTV’s “Girl Code” and MTV2’s “Guy Code” and “Joking Off,” will provide stand-up comedy at the third-annual Pride Gala June 4.

Transgender youth advocate Ari Bowman will also be on hand to speak.

A cocktail hour at the event will include a cash bar, three-course dinner, silent auction, raffle prizes, dancing and music.

The Pride Gala will be held 4-9 p.m.

June 4 at the Desmond Hotel, 1 Liberty Blvd. in Malvern. Visit www.lgbteachesco. org/chester-county-pride/gala-tickets/ to purchase tickets.

Stratus Lounge to fundraise for LGBT-friendly youth homeless shelter A local bar will host a fundraising event for a homeless youth shelter next week.

The Stratus Lounge will stage “A Time to Give Back” June 9, with 10 percent of proceeds benefitting Valley Youth House,

which offers housing programs for LGBT youth.

The fundraiser will take place 6-10 p.m.

June 9 at 433 Chestnut St. For more information, visit www.stratuslounge.com/ events.

IBA accepting applications for Business Integrity Award The greater Philadelphia’s LGBT chamber of commerce is accepting applications for its second-annual award celebrating inclusivity and diversity within businesses.

With the Business Integrity Award, the Independence Business Alliance will provide a member business in the 11-county Delaware Valley area with two complimentary registrations to the 2017 National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s International Business & Leadership Conference in Las Vegas Aug. 1-4. IBA and representatives from Integrity Staffing Solutions will select the winner based on their policies and practices toward LGBT customers, employees and other members of the business community.

Visit www.thinkiba.com/programs/ business-integrity-award/ to download an application, which is due June 19.

IBA will present the award at its annual meeting 5:30-8 p.m. June 26 at the Philadelphia Downtown Marriott, 1201 Market St. Visit https://www.thinkiba. com/event/annual-meeting-june-connx/ to register. n — Jeremy Rodriguez

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WhenComes She Around

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

Family Portrait Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly

Page Page Page Page

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PAGE 27

Jennifer Knapp to show Philly some ‘Love’

By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com

Out singer-songwriter Jennifer Knapp has a new album, “Love Comes Around,” coming out June 23 — but she isn’t waiting for it to drop before she hits the road for a string of dates that includes a June 4 performance at World

Cafe Live.

Knapp started her career in music 20 years ago, gaining a considerable following and critical acclaim as a Christianmusic artist. But she took a hiatus from music in the early 2000s, during which time she relocated to Australia. She came out as a lesbian in 2010 and left the Christian music industry. Since then, she has released two albums Knapp said getting back into recording and performing after a long absence wasn’t necessarily a return to square one, though it did feel like starting over at times.

“I haven’t had to start from scratch,” she said. “The fan base that I have is a

very educated fan base. A lot of those guys have hung with me even through a long break.

They were really patient in trying to see what I was going to do after I left the Christian-music industry and if my art would still translate for them. And they’re still here.

So that is super great.

“But at the same time it is like starting over,” Knapp continued.

“I’ve had to reacquaint myself with the fans who are familiar with me and at the same time get to know some entirely new people and play some places I’ve never played before. I appreciate having to earn my keep. I always tend to say that every artist is at the mercy of people who want to listen to them.

Whatever I write today has to still resonate with the people that are finding it no matter how long they have known

you.”

Knapp currently lives in Australia and said she enjoys the less-constricting and accepting social atmosphere of the land down under, compared to the U.S. “I’m a dual citizen in the U.S. and Australia,” she said. “The biggest thing about my Australian experience is culturally you can pretty much be whoever and whatever you are. Most PAGE 24

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PGN FEATURE

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

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KNAPP from page 23

Aussies will take you at your word but they just want you to be able to give an account of yourself. Australians want to you to be able to explain what it is that you are all about. In America, it’s all about the label and everybody judges you and assumes what that [label] means. In Australia, when I said I’m a Christian, they would ask me to fill in the blanks of what that meant. The same thing goes with any label you choose in Australia.”

Speaking of labels and filling in the blanks, Knapp said that leaving the Christian-music industry was as much an artistic decision as it was a necessary one, as there aren’t any openly gay artists on Christianmusic labels.

“I’m not interested in propagating Christianity,” she said.

“It’s part of my life and part of my story and I don’t deny it. As a musician I found that it was something that wasn’t part of my long-term trajectory. I wanted to be able to write the music without an ulterior motive as trying to make sure somebody believes in Christianity when they are done listening to my record. That doesn’t interest me at all. What does interest me is how people approach their spiritual selves and their psychological and emotional lives. I think that has served the course of my music.

Fortunately I’ve been able to move on from that genre and not have to be handcuffed by it.”

Knapp’s new album, “Love Comes Around,” is a folk- and blues-influenced acoustic-rock record named after a song on the album.

“True to all my records at this point, it’s named after one of the songs on the record,” she said. “I felt like that was the one song that really encapsulated where this record is

headed. I spent the bulk of the time thinking about love and all of its forms, and how it requires patience and kindness and generosity and forgiveness. It’s not just writing about love from a romantic sense, although I think it is romantic on this record. I’m trying to get to the nitty gritty of why love is so important and valuable.”

The first song streaming off the album, “New Day,” has a rawer and rockier sound than the last album.

But Knapp said the album itself has everything her fans have come to expect sonically.

“I keep trying to figure out what this record sounds like,” she said. “It’s one of the most lush and beautiful records that I’ve had. If you hear ‘New Day’ by itself, it’s a really slow and patient song, but it’s actually extremely aggressive at the same time. Yet, ironically, it fits in with some of the more lush songs that are on the record. When you piece the entire 10 songs together, there is something that is extremely familiar to the singer-songwriter pop style I’ve had in the past. I don’t think it alienates those who are familiar with the aggressiveness that I brought with some of that music being on the edge of rock. At the same time, it’s so folky with the lyrical content but it sounds new and refreshing at the same time. I don’t quite know what additional adjectives to put on it. At some point and time, folk is the consistent adjective that I’ve used traveling around for the last 15 years but at the same time it hasn’t quite really fit. If anyone comes up with some suggestion, I’d like to hear them.” n “Love Comes Around” will be available June 23.

Jennifer Knapp perform 8 p.m. June 4 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. For more information or tickets, call 215-222-1400 or visit www.jenniferknapp.com.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

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Theater & Arts Another Way of Telling: Women Photographers from the Collection Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition featuring exceptional and rare photographs by women exploring identity in and out of the studio through July 16, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Broadway Up Close: Chita Rivera The award-winning Broadway legend sits down for a live Q&A 8 p.m. June 3 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story The story of the early rock ’n’ roll icon comes to the stage through June 17 at Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St., New Hope; 215-862-2121.

Channeling Nature by Design Philadelphia Museum of Art examines how designers of handmade and industrial objects — including furniture, pottery, kitchenware and even a 3-D printed neckpiece — have responded to the beauty and fragility of the natural world through July 16, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100.

Group Exhibition Snyderman-Works Galleries presents a selection of works from several artists from their history through June 17, 303 Cherry St.; 215238-9576.

RIPPING AT THE RRAZZ ROOM: Out comedian Vickie Shaw brings her show, “Platinum is the New Blonde,” to New Hope — where she’ll riff on her wife, family and parents to the delight of audiences — 7:30 p.m. June 3 at The Rrazz Room, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope. For more information or tickets, call 888-596-1027.

HIR Simpatico Theatre presents the story of a mother’s journey to support her transitioning son through June 25 at the Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks St.; www. simpaticotheatre.org.

Jerry’s Girls Walnut Street Theatre presents Broadway’s electrifying tribute to the all-American master of song, Jerry Herman, through July 2 at Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.

Latino Film Festival The festival features films with a tradition of bringing different perspectives to the screen June 2-4 at various locations; www.phlaff.org.

Lino Tagliapietra: Painting in Glass Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition showcasing the artist’s complex glass vessels through July 16, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Motown: The Musical Broadway Philadelphia presents the musical about the legendary record label through June 11 at Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

Phulkari: The Embroidered Textiles of Punjab Philadelphia Museum of Art explores the beauty and cultural significance of phulkari, ornately embroidered textiles from Punjab, a region straddling Pakistan and India, through July 9, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100.

Pulp Fiction The noir film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino is screened 8 p.m. June 5 at The Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.

Resilience An exhibition by out photographer MaryAnn Vitiello about the LGBTQ community over the last 20 years, through June 17 at Exhibit No. 9,

550-102 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, N.J.; www.vitiellophotography.com.

Saturday Night Fever Walnut Street Theatre presents the stage-musical adaptation of the hit disco-era film featuring songs by the Bee Gees through July 16, 825 Walnut St.; 215-5743550.

West Side Story Media Music Theatre presents the classic Leonard Bernstein/ Stephen Sondheim collaboration based on “Romeo and Juliet” through June 11, 104 E. State St.; 610-891-0100.

Music Gene Simmons The KISS bassist performs with his solo band 8 p.m.

June 2 at The Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888.

The Robert Cray Band The blues/rock band performs 8 p.m.

June 2 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

27

Cabaret group to ‘resist’ with new show

DRAG-TASIA: Surrealist and mind-bending drag performer Nina Bo’Nina Brown brings her outrageous style to Philly as part of an evening of show-stopping drag performances, along with Mimi Imfurst, Ron Binary, Vinchelle, Iris Spectre, Champagne and more, 8-11 p.m. June 3 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St. For more information, call 215-735-5772.

Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-5727650.

Banks The alt-pop/R&B singer performs 8:30 p.m. June 2 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 215627-1332.

Roots Picnic The Roots, Solange, Pharrell, Lil’ Wayne and more perform at the annual festival, noon June 3 at Festival Pier, 601 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd.; 215-922-1011.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds The alt-rock singer performs 8 p.m. June 5 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 215627-1332.

Jurassic 5 The hip-hop group performs 8 p.m. June 8 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.

Nightlife PGMC One Hit Wonders Sing-ALong Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus performs the final

concert of its 35th anniversary season 8 p.m. June 2 at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215569-9700.

Human Pup Photo Exhibition A selection of photographic works on human pups and the pup play community 6-9 p.m. June 2 at Kink Shoppe, 126 Market St.; 267-908-5465.

Nina Bo’Nina Brown The “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestant performs along with Mimi Imfurst, Ron Binary, Vinchelle, Iris Spectre, Champagne and more 8-11 p.m.

June 3 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St.; 215-7355772.

Hard Candy Bash Big Freedia hosts and performs at this celebration of community-building and unity 9 p.m.

June 3 at The Ugly American, 1100 S. Front St.; 267-2528690.

Cabaret Vérité V: LAUGH and RESIST The cabaret show

benefitting ACLU of Pennsylvania, 2-3:30 p.m. June 4 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220.

Mr. Everything 5 The popular male-identified competition debuts for its fifth season 9 p.m. June 7 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675.

Outta Town Pet Sematary The horror film based on the novel

by Stephen King is screened 9:45 p.m. June 2 at the Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228.

Chris Rock The comedian performs 7 and 10 p.m. June 3 at the Borgata

Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Vickie Shaw The comedian performs 7:30 p.m. June 3 at The Rrazz Room, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888596-1027.

Pride Bingo with OUT at Borgata Sandy Beach hosts the event benefitting the Miss’d America organization, with music by DJ KC and special drag performances by former Miss’d America contestants Jenna Tall and Morgan Wells, 8 p.m. June 3 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-3171000. n

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.

TOM WILSON WEINBERG, SÉAMUS TYLER, MR MARYRUTH STINE, RONNI RONNI, SIMONE ALLENDER AND TYLER HOUCHINS Photo: LJ

By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Cabaret Vérité is back with “Laugh and Resist,” the fifth in Tom Wilson Weinberg’s series in which local performers fight the power through politically charged songs, skits and humor. The latest incarnation will run June 3-4 at William Way LGBT Community Center.

Weinberg, Cabaret Vérité’s guiding force, said that for the latest edition of the series, the performers are taking on the bright orange elephant in the room that is America.

“We always merge politics with — we hope — good humor and fun, and get people thinking,” he said. “Two shows ago was during the pope’s visit. We invited the pope. We had a seat for him. He didn’t attend; he was busy otherwise. The next one was just before the election in late October. We took on the system. It wasn’t a show to promote Hillary’s candidacy but anybody could tell we were hoping she would be the president. This show is about the mess that has been made in Washington these first four months. We poke fun at this administration. Trump has been satirized so much that we’re not going to try to go right there where one can see it on television every night. But we are certainly angry and upset and confused by this presidency. We’ll zing it with music and sketches.”

Given the copious amount of gaffes, scandals and indiscretions this administration is generating at a daily — if not hourly — clip, as well as the number of professional comedians and satirists commenting on them, it’s getting increasingly difficult to find an angle to the socio-po-

litical chaos that hasn’t be commented on to death.

But Weinberg said that the good people of Cabaret Vérité are up to the challenge.

“I have a terrific group working with me this time around,” he said. “Everybody has brought their own ideas to the table.

I’m pretty excited about some of the things that people have suggested. A lot of the material is my own. Half the songs are mine. So the cast sings some of my material but they also bring their own ideas to the show. We set the songs up on a few occasions with quotes from that guy in the Oval Office or his leading henchmen, and then we respond in song.

We do impersonate a few people and we pick things from the repertoire to comment on about the issues like the wall and his horrible xenophobia. We take on all those issues but we come at it from our point of view.”

We asked Weinberg what he thinks the world will look like for a sixth installment of Cabaret Vérité.

While he isn’t thinking that far ahead, he does have a political figure on whom he’d love to focus the group’s talents.

“What would be next? I was thinking about focusing on [Sen. Pat] Toomey. I did a show about Rick Santorum a few years ago. We had a bunch of performances and then we revived it six months later. I could see doing something like that with Toomey, but he’s not quite as colorful as Santorum was. But he’s in my sights at the moment.” n “Cabaret Vérité V: Laugh and Resist” will be held 8 p.m. June 3 and 2 p.m. June 4 at 1315 Spruce St. For more information or tickets, visit www.cabaretverite.brownpapertickets.com or www.tomwilsonweinberg.com.

28

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

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Family Portrait

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29

Suzi Nash

Meegan Coll: Using art to explore the fragility of freedom There’s a hidden gem right in Old City.

The National Liberty Museum may sound like a place where you can learn about the trials and tribulations of our founding fathers — especially since it’s located a stone’s throw from Independence Hall — but, in actuality, it’s a beautiful museum dedicated to teaching a different perspective on liberty and equality. Here, visitors can learn about a heroes like Jackie Robinson, Nelson Mandela, Harvey Milk and young (s)hero Malala Yousafzai through interactive exhibits, contemporary works of art and illustrated stories.

One of NLM’s most memorable exhibits is the Jelly Bean Children, a life-sized display of children at play that’s made entirely of multicolored jelly beans. The lesson is that, like people, though the jelly beans are all different colors on the outside, they are made of the same thing inside. It poses the question of what a boring world it would be if they were all the same color. The museum houses eight galleries, featuring more than 179 works of contemporary art and the stories of 2,000 heroes from around the globe.

The primary art form at the museum is glass: A 21-foot glass sculpture, “Flame of Liberty” by Dale Chihuly, draws in visitors with its message that freedom can start with just a little spark and spread to a movement.

For the month of June, NLM is presenting “Transparency,” the nation’s first museum exhibit of studio glass works produced exclusively by artists of the LGBT community. Our interview this week is with Meegan Coll, director of glass for the museum.

PGN: Your museum highlights the stories of people around the world. Where are you from?

MC: Right here in Philadelphia, born and raised with the accent to prove it.

PGN: What’s the origin of the name Coll?

Tell me a little about the family.

MC: It’s Irish. I’m an only child of hippie parents; they were their own trailblazers. I’m 51 and my parents are, like, 68.

My mother still lives in my great-grandmother’s house. She was what I’d call a passive activist; she believed in equal rights and had a feminist viewpoint. She’s very artistic and also a poet. She took me to a lot of plays and art fairs. Back then, there was Shakespeare in the Park and various artsy things to do in the communities around Philly with all different kinds of people.

PGN: What’s a story your mom would tell about you as a kid?

MC: She always said that I was a bit of a troublemaker, always running off to do my own thing. I liked to draw and play outside.

I won’t say that I was a tomboy, but I’d hang out with anyone. I always preferred to play without any supervision.

PGN: What did the folks do?

MC: My mother worked for family court in Philadelphia for many years. They divorced when I was about 7 and [my father] moved to New England and opened his own business.

PGN: What kinds of things were you involved with?

MC: I went to 12 years of Catholic school.

First the all-girls Merion Mercy Academy, where I was one of the few people interested in the arts, punk music and other counter-culture stuff. [Laughs] The motto of the school was “Girls will be girls, but Merion girls will be ladies.” One of my classmates was filmmaker Cheryl Dunye and she and I were kind of the outsiders there. Then I went to live with my father in New England and transferred to the Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, where I was the only art major.

PGN: Where did you go to college?

MC: Community College of Philadelphia and then Tyler School of Art at Temple.

PGN: How did you end up at the National Liberty Museum?

MC: I’ve always wanted to work in a museum. I’d been working in retail doing merchandising, resetting stores, etc., and I saw there was a part-time position for the front desk at the museum. That was in 2002.

I took the job and then started working my way up. I worked as the glass coordinator, the logistical person at the back of the house, and now as director I work curating artists as well as getting pieces for our glass auction and gala, which is our biggest fundraiser of the year. I’m also working on new exhibits that are a little more in line with our mission.

PGN: What is that mission?

MC: Our mission is to promote leadership and good character, diversity and inclusion, peaceful conflict resolution and civic engagement. We are dedicated to freedom and liberty and self-expression. We do a lot of work with the kids that come through here, teaching them not just history but helping them uncover their own stories and teaching them how they can be heroes no matter who they are or where they come from. We also have a great program that goes out to schools, the Young Heroes Outreach Program (YHOP). The program empowers students in the areas of leadership, civic engagement and social justice through critical thinking, inquiry and project-based learning. We talk about diversity and inclusion, how to be a better person in society. The students complete a 10-lesson curriculum and execute a Community Action Project, which fosters long-lasting change in their school or community. The goal of YHOP is to inspire students to become young heroes.

PGN: One of my favorite exhibits is “The Shredder,” an anti-bullying exhibit where kids write down mean things that people have said to them, and maybe even more importantly, mean things they have said to others, and then they shred them to let go of the negativity.

MC: Yes, it’s very powerful. Words can have such a big impact and here’s a place to acknowledge it and then destroy it and let it go.

PGN: Describe glass art and why it’s such an integral part of the museum.

MC: Glass art is somewhat of a new medium.

Glass is, of course, utilitarian; we use it to drink out of and eat off of, frame things with.

But about 50 years ago, the studio-glass movement began and it became more of a fine-art medium. Glass artists began to blow their glass outside of factories, often in their own studios and using a variety of techniques from kiln-casting, fusing, flame-working, hot-sculpting and cold-working, which

be. But I’m always conscious that each piece represents hours and hours of an artist’s work. I’ve broken a piece and it feels awful, like losing a friend. Fortunately, that was a rare occurrence. We take great care with each piece.

PGN: You’re certainly not afraid to take on controversial subjects. I was reading about a recent exhibit …

MC: The bongs! [Laughs] Yeah, that was a great show. We did a whole exhibit on the artistry of glass bongs and pipes. They’ve been a point of contention for years within the glassblowing community and their makers have been excluded from shows — and even from being called artists — by their fellow craftsmen. Yet a lot of them are so beautiful and intricate that you might look at them and admire the artistry without even knowing they had a functional purpose. We felt that they were worthy of being in a museum and that we were the perfect place for it because that’s what we’re all about: freedom of expression and creativity.

PGN: And now you have a new exhibit coming in.

MC: Yup. Surprisingly, this is the first museum exhibit ever of exclusively LGBT glass artists. They’re all very excited to be a part of it, especially during Pride month. We have everything from emerging to very-established artists, some of whom have shown in some of the biggest museums in the country. They love the idea that they can be open and “Transparent” about who they are as openly LGBTQ artists — which is not to say that all the subject matter is necessarily about that, but it’s wonderful to have all these artists in one place. It’s very moving.

PGN: What other programming are you doing during Pride month?

MC: Opening night is June 9 and the reception is free, Photo: Thom Carroll though there’s a $10 suggested donation. You can includes traditional methods like meet some of the artists, view the gallery, stained glass. It’s an integral part of the enjoy free refreshments and enter a glass-art museum because we believe that glass can raffle. The Human Rights Campaign is partbe strong, much like our liberty, but once it’s nering with us for the night and the exhibit broken it’s hard to put back together. will be open through Aug. 6. Throughout the month, we’re doing a blog and encouraging PGN: How nerve-wracking is it handling people to share their stories. Once we get a glass artwork? Ever afraid you’re going to good pool of stories, whether they be coming trip? out or just life stories in general, we’ll have MC: Yes. Though after being around glass copies available at the for so long, I’m not as nervous as I used to PAGE 30

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

PORTRAIT from page 29

opening and throughout the month so people can take them if they want. There’s also a Pride at Work exhibit with over 20 LGBT heroes throughout history that’s now part of our permanent exhibit. It’s nice because when we have a broader audience and when they see the “Heroes” exhibit, they’ll be exposed to LGBT heroes as well. We’re also having a free screening of the film “Real Boy” on June 8. It’s about a young musician and his struggles to transition, female-to-male, as he seeks the help of the transgender folk singer Joe Stevens. It’s a documentary and we’re having a reception and panel discussion with the screening.

PGN: I’ve seen it, good film. That’s great that the LGBT heroes are part of the larger program.

MC: Yes, we’re all about exposure. We have people from every spectrum and all over the world come here. Kind of like the “Pipe” exhibit, people might see a beautiful bong in a head-shop window and be uncomfortable going in, but here, exhibited as a piece of art, it opens a new window and they have a chance to check out work they might not have seen before. Same thing with the LGBT glass show; people might not ever go to the Gayborhood to see something like this, but here in a “safe” place when they come here for the rest of the exhibits, they have a chance to be exposed to things they might not normally be aware of. We celebrate people of all kinds, people with disabilities, of different cultures and backgrounds — everyone.

PGN: With the name of the place, do you get many tourists here expecting something different?

MC: I think the name might cause some to think this is a typical history museum, so we encourage people to spread the word.

Most people who wander in expecting something different are usually pleasantly surprised.

PGN: So more about you … I read that you’re a bit of an early riser.

MC: You could say that. I’m a competitive dragon-boat racer so I’m usually on the water every morning around 5:30 a.m. practicing with my team or on my own boat. I belong to the Philadelphia Flying Phoenix team. We’ve done dragon-boat races all around the world and I’ve competed on the national team. We’re going to be competing in Ottawa at the end of June.

PGN

MC: In October there’s a community dragon-boat race that’s open to just about anyone who puts a team together. My Aunt Marguerite really wanted to participate but you need 20 people to enter. So she asked me and other family members. I was not an athlete so I balked at first but did it and once I did it, I was hooked. There are a great group of women involved in the sport.

PGN: Best moment on the water?

MC: There was one competition when I was the captain and we weren’t doing well.

We lost several heats and I had to do a rally to try to get the team together and we somehow pulled through and won the gold medal! It was one of those magical “Bad News Bears” moments. Getting on the national team was pretty special too!

PGN: Random-question time. What’s an art piece you’d love to own?

MC: Actually it’s in the upcoming exhibit.

One of the artists, Joseph Cavalieri, has a piece called “Cloud of Agnes” and it’s a stained-glass piece with several pictures of Agnes Moorehead from “Bewitched.” It’s really cool and reminds me of my childhood. It just brings up a lot of happy memories. And my mother’s maiden name is Moorehead!

PGN: First R-rated movie?

MC: I don’t know but I was just talking to my mother because we want to see the new “Alien” movie. I remember my mother taking me to see it when the first one came out and feeling some sort of way about Sigourney Weaver. A powerful woman running big machines.

PGN: I read that you once worked at Macy’s. I think it’s almost required in Pennsylvania. I worked at the Macy’s in King of Prussia and so did my mother and my brother.

MC: I worked in K of P too! In the bridal registry, how funny is that? Especially back then.

PGN: Before we could marry.

MC: Yes, and now I’m happily married.

Who knew?

PGN: I saw your registry page and it was really beautiful.

MC: Thanks, it was a great event. We had it at the Oak Cloister in Philadelphia and it was beautiful. We set three goals for ourselves as a couple and we accomplished them all.

PGN: Cool. Or should I say cold at that hour of the morning? You must love it.

MC: Yes. It’s where I met my wife, Emilia.

She’s a P.E. teacher with the school district and she developed a program called “Healthy Dragons” where she works with kids from inner-city schools. They form teams and compete in a June race. It’s a great way for the kids to learn teamwork.

The families get involved and they love it.

“Transparency: An LGBTQ+ Glass Art Exhibition” runs June 2-Aug. 6 at National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut St. An opening reception will be held 5:30-9 p.m. June 9. For more information, visit www.libertymuseum.org/ event/transparency-lgbtq-glass-art-exhibition/.

PGN: How did you get involved in the sport?

To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.

PGN: What were they?

MC: Get married, don’t tip over and finish the race. n

Q Puzzle Kama Fault Across

1. Fairy tales and such 5. Alpert of “Mame” fame 9. Larry Kramer’s alma mater 13. Liberace’s style, for example 14. Skin softener 15. Estimating words 16. They call it the ___ 19. “The Iceman Cometh” writer Eugene 20. They may lie on the bed together 21. On bended knees perhaps 24. ...because it asserts positions ___ (with 42-Across) 26. BenGay target 28. Eye problem 29. “You’ve Got Mail” female 32. It’s human 34. King in _Jesus Christ Superstar_ 35. Marilyn Monroe’s two big ones 36. Pack up 41. Little bit 42. See 24-Across 45. Gallo portrayer in “And the Band Played On” 46. Emulate

Bonheur 49. “Good grief!”

53. ...and when I look at it, my face ___ 58. “Lawrence of Arabia” director David 59. Material for a drag queen 60. Coloratura Gluck 61. Giant table 62. Oral votes 63. Dated, with “out”

Down

1. Linking toy 2. Buck heroine 3. Martha, who was married to Mark Harris 4. Translate into code 5. Small towns, to Shakespeare?

6. It spreads its limbs 7. Rimbaud’s king 8. Direct path to a queen 9. Kid 10. Opening amount 11. Sad ending for love 12. Stats from “A League of Their Own” 17. Heterogeneous mixture 18. ___ Fein 22. Thespians do it

23. Frequent Rock Hudson co-star Doris 24. Not that, and more 25. Rich cake with nuts 26. Went down on 27. Honey holder 30. Yellow-brick way 31. Write further 33. George Babbitt’s field 34. Olympic skater Eric 37. Vardalos of “Connie & Carla” 38. Anderson Cooper’s network 39. Two-time link 40. Mineo of movies

43. Tomorrow, to Frida 44. Pesters 46. Miami branch location 47. Position at sea 48. Queen’s “___ Born to Love You” 50. Folk singer Guthrie 51. Tammy Baldwin, in brief 52. Neighbor of Neb. 54. Like a cunning linguist 55. Word before kwon do 56. Thurman of “Kill Bill” 57. Second pitches for Copland

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

The

Guide to the Gayborhood

The Philadelphia Gayborhood is roughly centered at Locust 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 a dozen huge TVs, pool table, brick pizza oven, sports teams specials

Toasted Walnut

Tabu

Woody’s

1316 Walnut St. 215.546.8888 Festively lit women-owned bar complete with a “beer” pong table

202 S. 13th St. 215.545.1893 woodysbar.com Includes attached Walnut Street bars Rosewood and GloBar

m

m <— Juniper St.

Chancellor St.

m

m

St. James St.

m Locust St.

LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

Manning St.

m

Quince St.

m

11th St.

r

Latimer St.

12th St.

13th St.

<—

pgn Philadelphia Gay News

Camac St.

m

r

206 S Quince St. 215.627.1662 Old-school men’s bar; pool tables, big-screen sports action; basement has enforced dress code Walnut St.

m

m

The Bike Stop

200 S. 12th St. 215.964.9675 tabuphilly.com Sports bar with light fare and shows upstairs

Spruce St.

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

m

Cypress St.

William Way LGBT Community Writer’s Block Rehab Center 1342 Cypress St. 267.603.6960 A cozy, comfortable bar and lounge perfect for escaping the norm

1315 Spruce St. 215.732.2220 waygay.org A resource for all things LGBT

<— <— 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

Voyeur

Knock

U Bar

ICandy

1221 St. James St. 215.735.5772 voyeurnightclub.com After-hours private club; membership required

1220 Locust St. 215.546.6660 Relaxing corner bar, easy-going crowd, popular for happy hour and window watching

225 S. 12th St. 215.925.1166 knockphilly.com Fine-dining restaurant and bar, outdoor seating (weather permitting), piano in back room

254 S. 12th St. 267.324.3500 clubicandy.com Three floors with a total of six bars; dance floor, lounge and rootop deck.

Tavern on Camac 255 S. Camac St. 215.545.8731 Piano lounge with upstairs dance floor; Tavern restaurant below is open late.

Pa. bars close at 2 a.m. unless they have a private-club license. Please drink responsibly.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

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.

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 VENTNOR, NJ House for sale in Ventnor NJ. 2 story 5 bedroom house, needs some repairs. Priced right. Call 215 468 9166. ________________________________________42-29

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HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

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An estimated one-third of LGBTs in Philadelphia have children. Every month, Dana Rudolph dissects parenting from our perspective, from watching your children grow up to teaching them how to deal with bullies, to interviews with authors and filmmakers.

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33

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34

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

PGN

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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 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 p.m.

Wednesdays September-April at South Bowl, 19 E. Oregon Ave.; 856-889-1434, philagaybowling@yahoo.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 1 p.m. the third Sunday of the month at The Gun Range, 542 N. Percy St.; 610-879-2364; www.pinkpistolsdelval.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 June 2-8, 2017

35

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 4-8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-Friday.

■ 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. MondayThursday; 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.

■ Action Wellness: 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

■ Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext.

9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. Activities held 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays.

■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220, www.waygay.org.

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m.

Monday-Friday Library: noon-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Volunteers: New Orientation, first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

Key numbers n The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 215-496-0330 ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378 ■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK ■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBT-LAW; Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658 ■ Office of LGBT Affairs — Director Amber Hikes: 215-686-0330; amber.hikes@phila.gov

phia): 215-572-1833 ■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: 215-686-4670 ■ 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 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m.

Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadel-

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.; 215-763-8870.

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.

GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; noon-6 p.m.

Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; 215-851-1822 or 866-222-3871, www.galaei.org.

Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays (walk-in) and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays (by appointment) at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215685-1821.

HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite

■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia Board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; free referral service at 215-6279090, www.galloplaw.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 busi-

108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077.

Mazzoni Center LGBTQ counseling and behavioral health services, HIV/ AIDS care and services, 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 chronic-disease management, including comprehensive HIV care, as well as youth drop-in (ages 14-24) 5-7p.m. Wednesdays; 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658.

Philadelphia FIGHT Comprehensive AIDS service organization providing primary care, consumer education, advocacy and research on potential treatments and vaccines; 1233 Locust St.; 215985-4448; www.fight.org.

Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center Free, rapid HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 pm.

Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sunday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

Professional groups nesses and professionals; 215557-0190, www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com.

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

■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus Regional organization dedicated to promoting LGBT tourism to the Greater Philadelphia region, meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; 215-8402039, www.philadelphiagaytourism.com.

36

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 2-8, 2017

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