PGN June 3 - 9, 2016 by The Philadelphia Gay News

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

Vol. 40 No. 23 June 3-9, 2016

Family Portrait: Jaymie Campbell talks trans health

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

Community members sound off on GOAL stepping down as Pride marshal

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Richard Blanco gives a word up for chorus

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Pride grand marshal dustup continues By Paige Cooperstein paige@epgn.com

FIELD OF COURAGE: Hundreds of sports enthusiasts and supporters turned out for the second-annual Courage Game Sunday at Penn Park on the campus of University of Pennsylvania. The all-day lacrosse tournament featured six matchups and included girls’ teams for the first time. The event was conceived of by local youth lacrosse player Braden Lange and his family after Lange faced bullying for coming out. The Langes launched the nonprofit Courage Game to counter homophobia in sports. Photo: Patrick Hagerty

MontCo trans youth granted name change By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com A Montgomery County trans boy last week was granted a legal name change, almost a year after his initial petition was filed in court. The youth, identified as Aidan, was 16 in September when Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge Bernard A. Moore denied the name-change petition, without explanation. Aidan recently filed a new petition under seal. After a brief hearing May 25, Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge Joseph A. Smyth granted the change. Molly Tack-Hooper, an ACLU attorney who represented Aidan, was pleased with the outcome. “It’s a good day at the office,” she said. “I’m sorry Aidan had to go through the disappointment of the first name-change petition. But I hope that trans youth will take heart and see that justice can be done, with allies on their side.” Tack-Hooper spoke with admiration

about her client. “Aidan is a typical high-school boy,” Tack-Hooper noted. “He has plenty on his mind other than legal proceedings. I’m glad he doesn’t have to stress about this issue anymore and get back to just living his life and finishing up high school.” The attorney expressed hope that other trans youth will be inspired by Aidan’s struggle. “Obviously no one is happier about today’s result than Aidan but hopefully it will have a broader impact on other trans youth,” she added. Tack-Hooper represented Aidan and his mother at the May 25 hearing in Norristown, along with Michelin Cahill, another attorney at the ACLU of Pennsylvania. Aidan’s mother, who asked to be identified as Melissa, issued this statement about Smyth’s ruling: “After waiting eight agonizing months for my son to have a name that matches his gender expression, I am absolutely elated! A tremendous weight was lifted from my PAGE 14 Momma Bear shoulders

The Greater Philadelphia Gay Officer Action League, called GOAL, will no longer lead the Pride parade next week. The LGBT law-enforcement officials from the city and suburbs withdrew from the position of grand marshal May 27, after a petition circulated last month calling for the group’s removal. “The community has spoken, and GOAL has listened,” the organization said in a statement. “Therefore, it is with great regret that GOAL declines this honor.” The statement further noted that GOAL is for any LGBTQ-identified criminal justice, corrections, firefighting, EMS and military personnel. Started last year, the group currently includes police, probation and parole officers and sheriff’s deputies from Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery counties. “To represent such a varied and diverse community within the pillars of law enforcement is a monumental task, but one we must accomplish,” the group stated. “In doing so, we have to do it not in opposition to our community, but in concert with it … GOAL will not accept this honor until the community, loudly and proudly, decides we have earned it.”

LGBT employees of the city of Philadelphia will continue to serve as grand marshals. GOAL and city employees were announced as joint parade leaders in April. GOAL members said in the statement they will still attend Pride festivities as community members and would continue working to earn the community’s respect. The statement noted the 20-year history of LGBT law-enforcement officers meeting in Philadelphia before they had the courage to come out in an organized group. At a board meeting May 25 for Philly Pride Presents, the group that organizes Pride, members spent over an hour discussing the petition and their meeting with petitioners earlier that night, said Franny Price, executive director of Philly Pride. But some longtime members could not attend, and the board did not take a vote on whether to rescind GOAL’s invitation. “They did what they felt was right for the community,” Price said of GOAL’s decision. “They were very humble to do this. What they did was really honor what they heard the community wanted.” Price said Pride has historically had a few officers join the latter part of the parade, and GOAL members are welcome to do that this year. “The nature of the parade is always about PAGE 14 visibility,” she said.

Defendant in Jenkins murder to get medical eval The man accused in the murder of transgender woman Keisha Jenkins will be evaluated by a medical expert, according to public defenders on the case. Pedro Redding, 25, has stopped taking medication for an undisclosed ailment during his time in custody at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, the defense said at a pre-trial conference May 31. The next court date is set for July 13. “By that time, I want the report from [the doctor],” said Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Lillian Ransom. The defense also said they were still working on completing discovery of the evidence in the case. Defense attorney Geoffrey Kilroy told Ransom in early May that he was miss-

ing forensic evidence and police paperwork. Redding, of the 4500 block of North 13th Street, is charged with murder, conspiracy and robbery in connection with the Oct. 6 fatal shooting of Jenkins, 22. He was denied bail and has been in custody since his arrest. Jenkins was assaulted by several men in Logan after getting out of a car at 13th and Wingohocking streets around 2:30 a.m. She was shot twice in the back during the attack. Police do not believe Redding was the shooter, and no further arrests have been made. Police said the motive was robbery and there’s no evidence to indicate Jenkins was targeted for being transgender. n — Paige Cooperstein

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

News Briefing Southwest Senior Center hosts Pride To celebrate LGBT older adults during Pride month, the Southwest Senior Center is hosting a celebration at 11 a.m. June 3. The free event takes place at the center, 6916 Elmwood Ave. Terri Clark will lead a workshop called “SEXcessful Aging.” Attendees will also discuss the history of June as Pride month. For more information, call Linda Marucci, social worker at the senior center, at 215-937-1880. — Paige Cooperstein

Mazzoni hires longtime physician Mark Watkins, D.O., of Triangle Medical Inc., will join the clinical staff of Mazzoni Center this summer, the LGBT health facility announced this week. Watkins has practiced family medicine for more than 25 years, with a particular emphasis on LGBT and HIV care. “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Watkins to our staff,” said Mazzoni Center CEO Nurit Shein in a statement. “His excellent reputation and clinical expertise make him an ideal addition to our practice.” “I’ve had the privilege of providing medical care to many patients in Center City, and I believe this move will offer them even greater convenience and access to the many resources within Mazzoni Center’s continuum of care,” Watkins said. He will continue to see patients at Triangle through next summer, when Mazzoni is expected to finalize its move to 13th and Bainbridge streets, where all of its programs will be consolidated. With Watkins’ hiring, Mazzoni Center will now employ six physicians, along with four nurse practitioners, two nurses and a physician assistant. — Jen Colletta

Woody’s must answer complaint Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Mark I. Bernstein recently ruled that Woody’s Bar must file an answer to the complaint of Daniel Callaway. Callaway contends a patron of Woody’s bar, Jamar D. Palmer, contributed to a vehicular accident involving Callaway two years ago. On Dec. 7, 2014, Callaway, a certified EMT and firefighter, suffered extensive injuries while tending to Palmer’s disabled vehicle on I-95 in Tinicum Township+., Delaware County. A vehicle driven by Corrin R. Collier sideswiped Palmer’s vehicle, pushing it into Callaway. Palmer allegedly drank an excessive amount of alcohol at Woody’s, 202 S. 13th St., prior to the accident, according to court records.

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Collier wasn’t charged with any criminal wrongdoing. Callaway is suing Woody’s Bar, Palmer and Collier in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, seeking more than $50,000 in damages. Attorneys for Woody’s sought to have the case dismissed. But on May 24, Bernstein denied the request, and ordered Woody’s to answer Callaway’s complaint by June 13.

Accused killer of trans woman awaits evaluation During a court proceeding last month, it was confirmed that Charles N. Sargent continues to await a mental-competency evaluation, prior to standing trial for the murder of local trans woman Diamond Williams. Sargent allegedly stabbed Williams to death in July 2013 after a sexual encounter in Sargent’s Strawberry Mansion residence. Then, Sargent allegedly dismembered Williams’ body with an ax and deposited her body parts in a nearby vacant lot. Sargent has filed several motions seeking his release. But during a May 19 court proceeding, authorities said Sargent remains incarcerated at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Northeast Philadelphia. The next court proceeding for Sargent is scheduled for 10 a.m. July 15 in Courtroom 807 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1315 Filbert St.

Judge denies request for Archdiocese files Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Mark I. Bernstein last week denied the request of Deborah McIlmail for access to numerous files contained in a “secret archive” at the Archdiocese. McIlmail is suing the archdiocese for allegedly contributing to her son Sean’s death. She wants to buttress her case with records contained in a “secret archive” at the archdiocese. But in a one-page order issued May 24, Bernstein denied her request. Sean McIlmail allegedly was molested by the Rev. Robert L. Brennan between 1998-2001, while Sean was a student at Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic School in Rhawnhurst. Sean died in 2013 at age 26 of a drug overdose. Deborah McIlmail holds Brennan, Brennan’s former supervisor Msgr. William J. Lynn and the archdiocese responsible for Sean’s death, which she said was caused by the trauma he suffered due to the alleged molestation. The secret archive contains sensitive personnel records for local priests involved in various scandals over the past several decades. The archdiocese refused to produce the files sought by McIlmail, citing religious-freedom rights, privacy concerns and other reasons. Brennan was arrested and charged with forcible rape in September 2013, but he was released from jail the following month, after Sean McIlmail died. Brennan, 78, is retired and lives in Perryville, Md. In court papers, he denies molesting Sean. Lynn, 65, is incarcerated at a state prison in Waymart, due to a child-endangerment conviction in a different case. Neither side had a comment for this update. n — Timothy Cwiek

William Way makes Homecoming a brunch By Paige Cooperstein paige@epgn.com The William Way LGBT Community Center is making its annual Pride weekend Homecoming a brunch for the first time instead of an afternoon garden party. “A lot of people who went to the Dyke March couldn’t come because the events overlapped,” explained R. Eric Thomas, program director at William Way. “Now you can go from brunch at the center and then take the streets for the Dyke March.” The brunch is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. June 11 at William Way, 1315 Spruce St. It costs $35-$60, depending on membership status and if the guest would like alcohol. The Philadelphia Dyke March starts at 3 p.m. at Kahn Park, 11th and Pine streets. It’s the fifth year for Homecoming, which raises money to support building maintenance at the center. “No matter how far-flung the LGBT community is in Philadelphia, they always have a place to call home,” Thomas said of the event’s significance. He envisions the brunch as “the

best of all Gayborhood brunches.” It will feature “jazz, cabaret, fabulous food options, burlesque and witty repartee.” John Jarboe, a founder of the Bearded Ladies Cabaret, and Lascivious Jane, a burlesque artist, will perform in William Way’s lobby. V. Shayne Frederick will play the piano and sing in the ballroom during brunch, catered by Joshua’s Catering. Guests can also visit the LGBT center’s art galleries to see two new exhibits: “Treasures Revealed” in the main gallery, which features items from the permanent collection with a Pride theme; and “Shocking and Revealing” in the archives gallery, which includes lesbian and gay pulp fiction from postwar America. “The idea of home is a special concern of mine for our community,” Thomas said, “making sure we have a physical home and also an emotional and spiritual home. I think the center can be all those things.” For more information on Homecoming or to purchase tickets, visit www.waygay40.org. n

40 years ago in PGN ‘Sodomy’ repeal to be delayed Adapted from reporting by Harry Langhorne State Sen. Louis G. Hill was considering delaying the introduction of his bill to repeal what became known as Pennsylvania’s “sodomy” statute because too many legislators considered it “dangerous politically” to support the measure during an election year. More than half of the Senate was up for election. According to an informal poll Hill conducted among his colleagues, six of 22 senators would vote in favor of the repeal. Twentysix votes were needed for it to pass. In the Judiciary Committee, where the repeal would be assigned once introduced, Neeley said five members were in favor of reporting it out with a recommendation to pass it, four were opposed, three were undecided and three did not respond to the informal poll. New owners at Giovanni’s

Adapted from reporting by PGN staff On June 1, the city’s gay-liberation bookstore changed hands. Dyan Dreisbach and Jennifer Turner purchased Giovanni’s Room from Pat Hill, who owned and managed the story for the previous two years. Hill said she wanted to devote more time to her painting. Dreisbach and Turner lived openly as a couple in their dorm at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. Dreisbach was president of the freshman class and previously volunteered at Giovanni’s Room and the Lesbian Coffeehouse. The new owners hired author Dolores Klaitch to take over the day-to-day management of Giovanni’s Room. Klaitch said she hoped to start a series of book-related cultural events. The store stood at the time at 232 South St. Giovanni’s Room now has a building at 345 S. 12th St. n — compiled by Paige Cooperstein

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

Weekly features

News&Opinion 2 — News Briefing 10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Feedback Mark My Words Street Talk 29 — Media Trail International News

Creep of the Week Steve King thinks that President Obama’s action makes bathroom choice a free-for-all.

35 36 37 38 42

C o l u m n s

— — — — —

Family Portrait Comics Scene in Philly Out & About Q Puzzle

20 — Out Law: Certificates of record 41 — Get Out and Play: Bingham Cup

Classifieds 43 — Real Estate 46 — Personals 47 — Bulletin Board

SOCCER STANDOUTS: Participants in the ninth-annual Liberty Bell Classic, hosted by the Philadelphia Falcons, huddled up before their May 28 matchup. The tournament, held at Temple Soccer Fields in Ambler, brought together squads of soccer players from throughout the region, of varying skill levels and representing all genders and sexual orientations. The weekend kicked off with a registration party at Tabu and players headed to dinner at Fado after Saturday’s games, followed by dancing and drinks at Boxers and Woody’s. They finished the weekend with a barbecue Sunday at Hawthorne Park. Photo: Courtesy of Philadelphia Falcons

Next week:

PRIDE ISSUE! “Particularly during Pride weekend, it’s important to create spaces where there’s dyke visibility, we can be heard and support each other.” ~ Arielle Catron, a Dyke March organizer, page 8

Two weeks Look for our photo coverage of Philly Pride!

Philadelphia Gryphons honored the memory of Mark Bingham in Nashville over Memorial Day weekend.

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Bey sets up her “Lemonade” shop at The Linc this weekend.

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TRADING BATS FOR BEERS: The 200 block of Camac Street was packed with softballers Saturday night. The block party capped a day of play at the annual Liberty Bell Classic, hosted by the City of Brotherly Love Softball League. Players from across the country converged for the tournament, with Philly making a strong showing in the winners’ bracket. Winners across divisions included the Philly Outlaws, Mid-Atlantic Thunder, Rhode Island Ego Maniacs, Philly Nick’s Bar & Grille and Philly Bad Reputation. Photo: Patrick Hagerty

Death benefits dispute settled By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com A highly contentious dispute involving the death benefits of a deceased gay man was settled last week. Joseph A. Hallman and Stephen T. Gallagher were domestic partners in Philadelphia for several years before parting ways in 2009. Gallagher died in May 2011 after a protracted illness. Prior to his death, he was employed as an analyst programmer at the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Center for Genetics and Complex Traits, at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. For the past five years, Hallman pursued Gallagher’s life-insurance benefits, totaling about $354,000 plus interest. But Gallagher’s mother, Joann P. Gallagher, contended she’s entitled to the benefits. In 2014, Philadelphia Orphans’ Court Judge John W. Herron ruled that Hallman failed to prove he was the beneficiary for Gallagher’s life-insurance policies. As a result, the proceeds should go to Joann Gallagher as the default beneficiary, according to Herron’s ruling. But Hallman appealed in state Superior Court, and in November the court remanded the case back to Herron for further consideration. There’s no paper copy of a form signed by Gallagher designating Hallman as the beneficiary of his life-insurance policies. At issue was the accuracy of electronic data indicating that such a designation was made by Gallagher. On May 23, after a conference with Herron, the case was settled. The proceeds will be distributed evenly between both sides by Aetna Inc., the insurer. Barry F. Penn, an attorney for Hallman, issued this statement about the settlement: “This is a bittersweet outcome. My client was never in it solely for the money. He pursued his claim because it was the right

thing to do. He’s glad that it’s over. But he doesn’t think justice has been rendered. Neither do I. The reality is, you’ll never convince me Stephen Gallagher didn’t want to leave the money to Joseph Hallman. Stephen made the designation, leaving the money to Joseph. It’s in the computer records. That’s what he wanted and it should have been honored. We’re talking about two simple life-insurance policies that Stephen paid for. Unfortunately, his wishes aren’t being respected.” Gallagher’s brother, Michael J. Gallagher Jr., issued this statement about the settlement: “I am extremely confident my mother would have prevailed had the case gone to trial. However, I am relieved that this is over so she can no longer have to endure the pain this case has caused. My mother and family have been through so much as a result of Joe trying to take this money. My parents cared for my brother for six months and liquidated their retirement savings to do so. They buried their youngest son and, since his death, my father died. Joe had no relationship with Stephen for three years prior to his death and was not the designated beneficiary. My brother wanted for my parents to be taken care of and, as a result of Joe’s attempts, my mother, a 71-year-old widow, alone, on a fixed income, and in poor health, is left to grieve not only the loss of a son and a husband but is also left without the comfort my brother intended. My brother and father would be incredibly disappointed in Joe.” Michael Gallagher said a portion of his mother’s share of the proceeds will be contributed to a foundation established in his brother’s memory. “After expenses, my mother is making a contribution to my brother’s foundation, the Stephen Gallagher Fund. It’s under the auspices of the William Way LGBT Center. Stephen’s final wish, in addition to caring for my parents, was to support a camp for LGBT youth.” n

THE STORY OF OBERGEFELL v. HODGES THURSDAY, JUNE 16 | 6:30 P.M. Only at the National Constitution Center: Join Jim Obergefell of Obergefell v. Hodges and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Debbie Cenziper for an inside look at their new book, Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality. Includes new book and signing. In partnership with

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As the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference puts on its 15th year of programming, organizers decided to take a look back with the theme of “Honoring Our Roots.” They created the Charlene Arcila Pioneer Award, in tribute to the community activist whose work removed gender markers from SEPTA transpasses. Arcila was also an original founder of the TransHealth Conference, which is now a Mazzoni Center program. Nominees for the inaugural award will be announced at a plenary at 1 p.m. June 9 in Room 119A of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St. All conference events from June 9-11 will take place at the Convention Center. It’s free to attend the general conference. Registration fees vary for the professional track. The Arcila award winner will be recognized 1 p.m. June 10 in Room 119A. “Our goal is … to provide a nourishing experience for every attendee to build community, develop better ally-ship skills, create safety and share their insights with others,” conference coordinator Samantha Dato said in a statement. Also new this year: Health-care providers and lawyers can take advantage of an expanded professional track with nearly 50 workshops. The subfields include Trans Behavioral Health Initiative, Trans Clinical Care and Management and Continuing Legal Education. Some workshops already have considerable buzz, like one on the Affordable Care Act and how it impacts treatment for transgender patients, and another in the behavioral health track that covers transference and counter-transference for trans providers working with trans patients. “The professional track of this conference has become a tremendous resource for providers from near and far to access best practices and current information,” Mazzoni CEO Nurit Shein said in a

statement. It’s the fourth year that professional-track workshops have been offered. Doctors and lawyers who volunteered their time had organized them. Nikki Hatza was hired before last year’s conference to manage their continued growth, among other Mazzoni duties. Costs vary from $50 for law students to $275 for medical doctors and doctors of osteopathic medicine. Hatza said organizers wanted to keep the cost for only when low to make the information accessible. a minimu Professionals can walk away with up to 12 continuing-education units, called CEUs. “That’s a lot for a two-day period,” Hatza said. “The professional track, it’s grown in terms of the urgency of the providers who want this information. The professional community not only wants competency, but also there’s a desire to become advocates with the trans community.” Hatza added that there would be a free professional networking mixer from 5-7 p.m. June 10 at The Field House, 1150 Filbert St. “A lot of times, providers can feel siloed or isolated, especially in rural areas,” she said, adding the mixer would be a good opportunity to “build connections with other people you can rely on or call or email if you have questions.” People attending the general conference can look forward to workshops on things like the deaf trans experience; preparing a trans child for college; and the era of medical tourism with a focus on trans rights in Thailand, a common place from which trans people have sought surgeries. More than 4,000 people are expected to attend. There are 230 workshops. “Through the conference, we are proud to provide a space where community members can come together to advocate for their needs and interests, and feel connected and empowered in multiple aspects of their lives,” Shein stated. For more information or to register for the professional track, visit www.mazzonicenter.org/transhealth. n

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Digital-literacy program seeks LGBT youth By Paige Cooperstein paige@epgn.com LGBT youth are invited to participate in free digital-literacy classes this month that will pair them with LGBT professionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, called STEM. The classes run every Monday and Thursday from 3-5 p.m. until June 30. They take place at the Municipal Services Building, 1401 JFK Blvd. Introduction to ComputerMediated Communications will teach attendees to use online tools to enhance their communication skills. Topics include writing for resumes, cover letters and online applications.

“STEM can really be anything,” said LaTierra Piphus, who is managing the LGBT outreach. “It could be positions in health care, pharmacy technology, fashion design or architecture.” The LGBT outreach Piphus designed is called Linking into Impact. It’s a Philadelphiaspecific program that’s part of US2020 PHL, the city’s chapter of a national effort to match 1-million STEM mentors with underserved youth by the year 2020. The national program launched at the 2013 White House Science Fair. Piphus works for AmeriCorps VISTA, a community-service program run by the federal government. She was placed

for a one-year term, ending in July, with US2020 PHL. It is housed in the Mayor’s Office of Education, though it is not a city program. At the end of the digital-literacy classes, students will participate in a graduation, receive a letter of recommendation acknowledging the skills they learned and network with LGBT STEM professionals. “Having something on paper is a huge boon over your peers,” Crystal Sparrow, program specialist at The Attic Youth Center, told the teens while they listened to Piphus explain the classes. “It’s a huge opportunity.” Piphus spent last month recruiting LGBT youth at the Youth-Health Empowerment

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Judge’s jury instructions under scrutiny By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com The jury instructions issued by Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge Barry C. Dozor during the murder trial of William F. Smithson are coming under scrutiny. In 2006, Smithson allegedly strangled coworker Jason P. Shephard after inviting the young man to his residence. Prosecutors claim Smithson strangled Shephard during the course of trying to rape him. In 2008, a Delaware County jury convicted Smithson of first-degree murder, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. But advocates for Smithson say authorities failed to adequately investigate F. Bruce Covington, another man inside Smithson’s home when Shephard died. They insist Covington is the more likely culprit, due to his alleged history of violent and abusive sexual practices. They point out that Smithson had no such history. Smithson contends that Covington injected him with drugs, and he passed out while Shephard was still alive. Covington was convicted of drug-related offenses stemming from the incident. But prosecutors say he didn’t kill Shephard. Due to a series of legal maneuvers, Covington was allowed to invoke the Fifth Amendment. He didn’t take the witness stand in the presence of jurors during Smithson’s 2008 trial. Instead, Covington’s statements to police were read to jurors by a state trooper. A transcript of Smithson’s 2008 murder trial is located at the offices of U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard A. Lloret, who must decide whether to recommend a new trial for Smithson. These were Dozor’s jury instructions regarding Covington: Project at Philadelphia FIGHT, The Attic and DVLF, among other places. She focused on recruiting outside schools. “My particular program is meant to be very intentional with specific outreach and making sure education environments are safe,” she said. “A lot of components add to being pushed out of school. There’s a large group

“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you have heard testimony that Mr. Bruce Covington was or may have been present during the events prior to Mr. Jason Shephard’s death. You must accept my instruction that Mr. Bruce Covington is not available at the present time to testify. You must not guess, speculate or draw any adverse inference as to why neither the commonwealth nor the defense did not call Mr. Covington to the witness stand.” Edward J. Frizell, an advocate for Smithson, faulted Dozor’s instructions for not clarify-

ing that Covington was inside Smithson’s house during and after Shephard’s death, not just prior to his death. “In his eagerness to make sure the jury would convict Bill [of murder], Judge Dozor went outside the law because he wasn’t true to the facts,” Frizell told PGN. “The record shows that Covington was present in the house before, during and after Jason’s death. To say something else is going against the facts. There was a third person in that house at the time of Jason’s death. Judge Dozor should have made that clear to jurors — if he had to comment at all. But he didn’t do that. So I think it’s a

travesty of justice.” Rob Nardello, another advocate for Smithson, echoed Frizell’s concerns. “Bill’s right to a fair trial was violated in so many ways,” Nardello told PGN. “Judge Dozor’s jury instruction regarding Covington is just one example. Judge Dozor confused the jury into thinking they couldn’t speculate about Covington’s role in Jason’s murder. After the trial, a juror told me she didn’t think jurors could consider Covington [as a murder suspect]. After reading Judge Dozor’s instructions, now I see why she was confused.” Through his law clerk, Danielle Mink, Dozor declined to comment for this story. “Judge Dozor appreciates your continued interest in this criminal matter. Unfortunately, as the case is still pending, Judge Dozor is unable to comment at this time,” Mink said in an email. Smithson’s trial attorney, G. Guy Smith, had no comment about Dozor’s jury instructions. But he reiterated his belief that Smithson didn’t kill Shephard. “I’ve litigated 35 or 36 capital-murder cases,” Smith told PGN. “I’ve never been involved in a case in which I’ve seen the commonwealth work harder to hide somebody of importance from a jury as they did with Covington. What happened to the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?” Smith said Smithson was wrongfully convicted of murder. “I’ve been through all kinds of difficult murder cases,” Smith continued. “From all of that experience, I am just as convinced today as I was at the trial that Bill Smithson is not guilty of murder. He did not murder Jason Shephard. Period.” Smithson, 51, remains incarcerated at a state prison in Huntingdon. n

being ignored when we’re just focused on in-school outreach.” Piphus added the US2020 program does not specify how to recruit participants. She championed LGBT outreach in Philadelphia. Piphus has been a longtime LGBT advocate and received encouragement and guidance from Nellie Fitzpatrick, director of the Philadelphia

Office of LGBT Affairs. Piphus added she started her project under former Mayor Michael Nutter. She fine-tuned its goals in the New Year to align with Mayor Jim Kenney’s focus on universal pre-K and career technical education. For more information, visit www.stemcityphl.org/us2020phl. n

“After the trial, a juror told me she didn’t think jurors could consider Covington [as a murder suspect]. After reading Judge Dozor’s instructions, now I see why she was confused.”

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

LOCAL PGN

Asian-American families invited to workshop By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

Jen Colletta, Scott A. Drake, Sean Dorn have been awarded the

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A national tour seeking to offer guidance and support to families of AsianAmerican LGBT people will be stopping in Philadelphia next week. The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance will present the Asian Family Acceptance Workshop from 7-9 p.m. June 11 at Leeway Foundation, 1315 Walnut St., Suite 832. Philadelphia is one of 12 cities on the newly launched tour. “Asian-Americans are the nation’s fastest-growing minority group yet popular media images of the LGBTQ community do not always reflect the racial and gender diversity of the community,” said NQAPIA executive director Glenn Magpantay. “The challenge for LGBTQ Asian-Americans is that people think all gays are white and all Asians are straight; where do we belong?” The organization’s workshop tour seeks to raise awareness at the family level about LGBT acceptance, an effort also pursued in its new advertising campaign, Family is Still Family, a multilingual television and print campaign. “A lot of LGBTQ Asian-Americans suffer in silence,” Magpantay said. “They suffer depression, suicide, being treated as second-class family members. We want to strengthen Asian-American families so parents can fully accept and love their LGBTQ children. We need to do this in Asian languages, like Bengali, Chinese and Vietnamese. We need to do it with

Asian messengers, like parents. And we need to do it in a compassionate and in-person way.” Asian-American parents of LGBT children, as well as LGBT people themselves, will speak at each workshop. In Philadelphia, Clara Yoon, the mother of a transgender bisexual son, and Joanne Lee, the mother of two trans children, one of whom committed suicide, will address the participants. Both women are Korean; Magpantay said organizers are aiming to tailor speakers to reflect the demographics of the city in which they are speaking. The free workshops are geared toward parents, but Magpantay noted that family members, friends and allies of LGBT people, as well as community members themselves, are welcome. Among the takeaways he said organizers are hoping participants get the education that an LGBT identity is “not a Western disease.” “Their kid did not become gay because they moved to the U.S., or didn’t become trans because they have trans friends,” Magpantay said. “They’ll learn that coming out is hard, that there are issues of shame, of disrespecting our ancestors. Many parents of Asian-Americans sacrificed greatly for their kids to give us a better life and we don’t want to dishonor them, but we are who are. And that is natural and wonderful. We’re hoping we can help parents come to an understanding and acceptance of what it means to be LGBTQ.” n

Community gearing up for 19th Philly Dyke March By Paige Cooperstein paige@epgn.com Next week will be busy for those participating in the Philadelphia Dyke March. Before the 19th annual event kicks off June 11, people are invited to three events: • A training event where attendees learn about their rights when interacting with the police. Dyke Marchers walk through the Gayborhood and around Philadelphia City Hall without a permit. They block traffic themselves as they march to upkeep a radical spirit. The training takes place at 7 p.m. June 6 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. It’s free to attend. • The annual craft night, which is alcohol-free and family-friendly. Attendees will make signs and drums to bring to the march. It takes place at 6 p.m. June 7 at William Way. • A karaoke happy hour at Franky Bradley’s, 1320 Chancellor St. There is a sliding cover from $5-$10. The money supports the cost of the park permit and audio-visual equipment.

The Dyke March starts at 3 p.m. June 11 at Kahn Park, 11th and Pine streets. The lineup includes spoken-word poets, singers, dancers, burlesque performers, drummers and a DJ. The stage is a dykes-only space, while the rest of the park and march are open to anyone. The march runs from 4-5 p.m., and performances continue in the park for another hour. Mr. Philadelphia Drag King 2016 Mo’ Betta will have a special set during the event, and will appear on a float during Pride the next day. “Particularly during Pride weekend, it’s important to create spaces where there’s dyke visibility, we can be heard and support each other,” said Arielle Catron, a march organizer. “These spaces are hard to find. “I’m also proud for the march to be trans-inclusive for so long,” Catron added, noting transgender people have participated since the beginning. To sign up for updates, visit bit.ly/ PDMINFO. More information is available at bit.ly/ilikedykes. n

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Steve King

Editorial

Pride and prejudice For those following the ongoing upheaval of this year’s Philadelphia Pride grand marshals, the last week has shown a lot of divisiveness in our community, and in some cases a lot of ugliness. But what it has also evinced is the desperate need for civil, inclusive conversation. Petitioners who prompted the Greater Philadelphia Gay Officers Action League — and assembly of LGBT police officers and first responders — to step down as grand marshals argued that Pride as an institution grew as a response to anti-LGBT police discrimination. They also contended that honoring officers in light of the ongoing national tensions over law-enforcement brutality would be inappropriate. Pride grew from the Stonewall Riots — which united people of all races, genders, ages, classes and beliefs. Together they fought back against injustice. That fight snowballed to fuel the LGBT-rights movement of the last five decades, one that has hinged at every step on the notion of inclusion. It is that work that allowed GOAL to be created. For many years, when PGN would question police-department officials about why there was no such unit, they said they were only waiting for LGBT officers to step up, and out, and form such a group. The tenor in the country — created by that more-than 40-year-old fight propelled by Stonewall — is now such that officers felt comfortable to do so. To exclude them from participating actively in their community is a slap in the face to not only the organization but to all those who have fought for decades to advance LGBT equality. There are indeed real problems with police brutality in this country, as well as with racial perceptions. But that does not mean that all police officers are racist thugs. Our community for years has fought against the injustice that prompted people to label each of us with stereotypes — we should know firsthand the danger of painting a large swath with the same brush. What has shutting GOAL out of the grand marshal position accomplished? A seemingly large number of Pridegoers are disappointed and angry at the critics. GOAL members likely feel marginalized by the community to which they belong. Non-LGBT folks see a community fraught with infighting. The message of inclusion and diversity that our community’s pioneers fought for is lost in the mess. But the petitioners were able to say “success” — is that really a victory? Victory will be when people on all sides of this impassioned issue can come together for real, civil discourse — free of prejudices, egos, biases and personal agendas. We owe that to our community’s pioneers whose unity in the face of injustice made change a reality. n

If you’ve never listened to Caffeinated King says. “There’s Thoughts Radio, let me get you up to a lineup in some speed. It sounds a lot like one of those school right now drive-time morning shows with the chatand no school can tering hosts who think they are hilarious discipline them and laugh at themselves a lot. Except because the federal Caffeinated Thoughts is a right-wing government will Christian show dressed up to seem a little come in with the hipper than most (and there are so many) Justice Department right-wing radio shows. and jerk their No On May 14, hosts Shane Vander Hart Child Left Behind and Brian Myers interviewed Congressman funding and, who Steve King (R-Iowa) about President knows, they might even decide that they’re Obama’s directive that public schools must going to cut the calories and the protein let transgender students use the restroom back in the school lunch program.” that corresponds to their gender identity. Um, yeah. Somehow I doubt this lineup The directive comes on the heels of of “pranksters” exists at all, let alone “all Obama’s Justice Department suing the over America.” Besides, the directive isn’t state of North Carolina over its anti-LGBT about protecting students who are just law. In fact, if you haven’t seen Attorney being little shits and trying to cause trouGeneral Loretta Lynch affirming her supble. But thank you for sharing what you port for trans people and her blistering would do if you were in high school right takedown of the law, you now, Rep. King. But wait, what’s he need to find it on the Interwebs. You can prob- Granted, Obama did saying about the school lunch program? King ably find the video by not just call for a jokes that Obama wants doing a Google search bathroom free for to make students vegan. for “Loretta Lynch (sic) vegpunches N.C. Gov. Pat all. But considering “Transgendered ans would satisfy them,” McCrory in the dick.” King’s masterful Anywho, not everyKing says, cracking up the one is happy about the hosts. understanding of Ha. Get it? Transgender directive and one of those unhappies is King. gender identity, the vegans. Because both vegNever a friend to LGBT ans and transgender peopeople, he has some very president might as ple might as well be space inspired thoughts about aliens to King. well have. Lest his hosts think that providing trans students he’s just kidding, King basic decency. “[Obama has] issued a federal decree adds, “It’s the unhumorous humorous realthat they’re going to come after any school ity of how perverse our society has gotten that doesn’t allow boys in the girls’ room, under Barack Obama.” girls in the boys’ room, anybody to go into The cure for what ails the U.S.? Prayer in schools, which, according to King, the any room that they happen to feel at the Supreme Court had no business eliminatmoment,” laments King, “and genders can switch on the way to the bathroom.” ing back in 1963. Granted, Obama did not just call for I suspect, however, that if anyone has a bathroom free for all. But considering kept prayer in school alive, it has been King’s masterful understanding of gender transgender students who hopefully will no identity, the president might as well have. longer have to spend valuable class time In King’s mind, not only is the girls’ praying that they can manage to either pee room fair game for boys now but, like in peace or hold it until they make it home. n Mike Huckabee before him, King has a weird idea about what presumably cis genD’Anne Witkowski has been gay for pay since der boys with Senioritis are going to do 2003. She’s a freelance writer and poet (believe now. it!). When she’s not taking on the creeps of the “All over America, they’ve got to be world, she reviews rock and roll shows in Detroit lined up right now, the pranksters, going, with her twin sister and teaches writing at the ‘I’m going to go into the girls’ room,’” University of Michigan.

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

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

OP-ED PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

Corporate equality, from Comcast to Charlotte When you’re in the media, you get GLAAD, just as it would be proud to win invited to events where you see other awards from organizations representing the media professionals with whom you work. African-American or Latino communities. So it was no surprise when I showed up at Roberts’ reaction also makes a very clear a press conference last month to preview point: Those who support LGBT equality the Fourth of July Wawa Welcome America are not apologetic. And there’s another celebration that I saw my important issue Roberts raised. friend David L. Cohen, who is When President Obama referComcast’s senior executive vice enced in his second inauguration president and chief diversity speech, “Selma, Seneca Falls, officer. Stonewall,” he made it clear that Diversity is an issue he takes LGBT rights should be put on very seriously. He asked me, the same level as the fight for all “Did you hear what happened human rights. Roberts’ polite at the shareholders’ meeting?” reply made that same point. When I said no, with a smile, I serve on Comcast’s Joint he suggested I look it up. Diversity Council as the LGBT Here’s the gist of what representative. The council happened, according to advises the company on issues the Hollywood Reporter: of diversity. I’ve watched this “Comcast chairman and CEO company excel in diversity: Brian Roberts answered quesaddressing the inclusion of tions about the liberal bent Mark Segal African-Americans, Latinos, of MSNBC and the presence Asian Pacific Islanders, disof company staff at the GLAAD Media abled people, Native Americans, LGBT Awards. Comcast ‘must appeal to all secpeople and many more. Comcast not only tors of the population,’ said one sharemeets the challenges of inclusion, in many holder in a submitted question, arguing it areas it is now a corporate leader; besides shouldn’t take positions on any cultural advancing diversity inside the company, issues that ‘divide’ people. ‘The recent Comcast invites diverse groups, including Xfinity LGBT presence at the GLAAD the LGBT community, to bid for company Awards was “no more neutral than it would business as outside vendors. So let me take it a step further: be for Comcast to hire picketers at an Corporations that step forward are the new abortion [clinic],” the shareholder argued. front in our struggle for equality, and they Xfinity is Comcast’s digital cable service. should be welcomed when they do so in Roberts responded: ‘We are a diverse and meaningful ways, other than those who inclusive company, and we respect all perspectives and points of view’ of employees look at LGBT inclusion as just window dressing — especially in areas where little and customers, he said, adding: ‘Thank or no LGBT rights exist, or the governyou for your point of view.’” If I can be so bold to translate corpoment has taken away LGBT rights, like in rate speak, that was a diplomatic way for North Carolina. While many performers Roberts to say that Comcast Corporation, have boycotted the state, thus far the corthe nation’s largest media company — yes, porations that have major businesses in larger then News Corporation or Disney the state have only just signed on to the — is proud of winning awards from weak Human Rights PAGE 12

Mark My Words

Op-Ed

Street Talk What's your opinion of openly LGBT police officers leading a Pride parade? "The mere fact that you're an openly LGBT police officer doesn't get you to the front of a Pride parade. There Bradford Carter probably retail manager are more Wilkes-Barre deserving individuals who've contributed more to the advancement of our community. I hope that all sensitivities can be taken in account, and that a solution is reached."

"The officers should be treated fairly. Mistreatment of anyone is antithetical to any civilrights movement. My Rebecca suggestion Kinnebrew would be registered-nurse to hold a case manager Huntsville, Ala. communitywide meeting. Try to reach a consensus. The process itself will have a beneficial consciousnessraising effect."

"The police should be involved in the parade. But the extent of their involvement remains to be seen. I'd be Dain Saint disappointed studio owner if they were Queen Village entirely excluded. I understand both sides of the issue. It's an important conversation, and I'm glad people are having it. But it's not my place to say what the outcome should be."

"Leading the parade may be a bit much. But have them march in the body of the parade, as an organized contingent. Clay Williams To deny them hobby-store owner any role in Huntsville, Ala. the parade would be wrong. I think letting them march in the body of the parade would be a good compromise."

Anti-cop sentiment at Pride embarrasses our community

Unite in the face of the fringe that seeks to divide us

Holding police accountable before parade honor

I was appalled and embarrassed to read that activists had bullied our gay and transgender police officers into stepping down from their formal role as grand marshals of Philly Pride. After the Greater Philadelphia Gay Officer Action League was invited to lead the parade, a Change.org petition circulated protesting the “impact” that inviting the group will have on the “accessibility and safety” at Pride — as if the gay and trans cops are going to drop their banners and start

In response to a derisory letter from the board of the Liberty City Democratic Club and a Change.org petition, the Philadelphia chapter of the Gay Officer Action League removed itself from serving as grand marshal of this year’s Pride parade. One of the concerns raised about GOAL’s appointment as grand marshal centered on the tensions between the police and communities of color, and the message that such an appointment would send. These concerns

Pride — light beer, free stuff and a big business at the bars aside — is an annual reminder of the 1969 Stonewall riots, which were a direct response to systemic police abuse at gay bars and in gay communities. Philly Pride Presents should have never extended an offer to an organization of LGBT police, fire and EMS members to serve as grand marshals of the Pride parade without taking the temperature of the LGBT community. Blame should be assigned to Philly Pride

bashing skulls. Because we all know that simply being a police officer means you can never be trusted not to commit arbitrary acts of violence. The Liberty City LGBT Democrats piled on: due to the “important conversation” going on about police violence, “the invitation to GOAL sends the wrong message.” I’m sure Liberty City Democrats did feel quite “important” chiming in on this “conversation,” though it’s clear that they’ve drawn a conclusion on the matter PAGE 12 far and

should not be dismissed. Nevertheless, the approach taken by a few fringe activists was designed only to divide and to exclude. We should condemn the fringe’s rhetoric as much as we should condemn police brutality and discrimination in minority communities. The letter from LCDC was counterproductive. The message is counter to the vision of COLOURS, an organization for LGBT people of color, which is “Enhancing communities, building collaborations, creating PAGE 12

Presents for any embarrassing or awkward situation the members of GOAL were put in that led to their voluntary withdrawal from the parade as marshals. In a year when states are passing “Blue Lives Matter” bills to take away power from Black Lives Matter, inviting a police-affiliated LGBT group to lead the parade in a majority African-American city was tone-deaf, at best. Equally important, the Philadelphia Police Department has not done anyPAGE 12

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

FRINGE from page 11

ACCOUNTABILITY from page 11

away from that of most LGBT people in the city — and probably not even representative of most LGBT Democrats, a group of which I am not a part. With threats of “action” if the protestors’ demands weren’t met, organizers of the parade heard the message loud and clear: Get in line or we’ll shut down your parade, just like we did in Boston and Chicago last year. The members of GOAL acted with total integrity and stepped down from the honor of leading the parade, saying “GOAL will not accept this honor until the community, loudly and proudly, decides we have earned it.” That seems like a call to action if I’ve ever seen one. This round of “activism” should not be viewed as speaking for the majority, or even a plurality of the LGBT community, but rather as an action foisted onto us by a very vocal, very radical minority of fringe activists. I’d wager that the majority of LGBT people have a deep respect for our gay and transgender police officers, who not only risk their lives to protect us on a daily basis, but risk their livelihoods to be out and make change in a historically unfriendly institution. The result of their work for our community speaks for itself: Every police cadet is now subject to LGBT training, including on trans issues. The protestors said it was “privileged and isolated” to invite the cops, but it seems obvious how privileged and isolated it is to spit in the face of people making real change for gay and trans people in our city, all the while loudly proclaiming yourselves the inheritors of Stonewall. That protest, correctly cited as a riot against police, occurred in a completely different paradigm in which gay and trans people could not only not be out, we couldn’t go out in public for fear of legalized retribution. Viewing Stonewall as simply an anti-police protest projects our modern political discourse onto a radically different (and worse) social and legal atmosphere, and it is upon this alter of reimagined history that our gay and trans police officers have now been sacrificed. What our community really needs is hatecrimes legislation, and comprehensive LGBT nondiscrimination at a statewide level. To do so, we’ll need to build and expand on our constituencies. This infighting sends a message that gay and trans rights are only for the radical, anti-police left, and thus does the opposite of getting us towards our goals. The rioters at Stonewall didn’t have the luxury of rejecting allies, because gay and trans people didn’t have allies — not in either political party. Pride is a time to celebrate our community and its accomplishments. In 2016, we’re diverse and we’re mundane; we’re radical and we’re mainstream; and we’re inclusive of all walks of life. From the trans women who set off Stonewall to the conservative lawyer who helped bring about nationwide same-sex marriage, we all have our place in the festivities. May we have courage to come out not only as gay and transgender, but for what’s decent and right. By cowing to fringe groups who want heads to roll, we’ve let down our brave gay and trans police officers. Happy Pride, officers – and, next year may we be better stewards to you who serve and protect us. n

alliances and display[ing] the creativity and beauty of our community.” It is counter to part of GOAL’s mission to, “stand together, with the LGBTQ community to which they belong and love, and represent what it is to wear the badge while being LGBTQ.” And it is counter to what Pride should be about. This misguided effort has placed Philly Pride Presents, COLOURS and GOAL in a unique position to send a powerful message to our community and beyond. Philly Pride Presents could, if both groups agree, name GOAL and COLOURS co-grand marshals of Pride. Imagine the show of unity such a move would make: standing united, rather than caving to divisiveness. We could serve as an example to the country, where tensions between the police and communities of color are both very real and very pervasive. A real alliance and promise to work together is a real message for change. As Ernest Owens argued in his GPhilly opinion piece, “The local black HIV/AIDS advocacy group COLOURS, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, would have been a more deserving recipient [of the position of grand marshal].” Owens is correct that the work of COLOURS does indeed merit the grand-marshal position. As Philly Pride had initially decided, GOAL deserves this position as well. I urge these two groups to come together and demonstrate that the LGBTQ community is too strong to be divided. It is worth examining the positions of the LCDC board in order to demonstrate that they are not serious about uniting us. On the one hand, LCDC’s board contends that their “concern is rooted in making sure that Pride is a place where our entire community feels safe and valued,” yet their letter was penned knowing full well that it would cause members of GOAL to not feel valued. They state that, “Our variety of experiences and perspectives is what has driven our movement from Stonewall all the way to the Supreme Court, and Pride is our time to not only celebrate that, but also take time to focus on the progress we have yet to achieve.” The LCDC board, however, demonstrates an unwillingness to recognize the contributions that GOAL members have added to this fight and they dismiss the progress toward LGBT equality that GOAL members seek to bring to institutions that have historically been unwelcoming to LGBTQ employees. This “progress we have yet to achieve” is apparently not a platform that the LCDC board cares to stand behind or “focus on.” LCDC’s letter states, “We are a diverse community and that diversity is what makes us strong,” but GOAL members, as LGBT citizens and civil servants of varied sexes, races and gender identities, apparently do not contribute to making our community strong and diverse, according to the LCDC board. They contend that “Pride should be a day for our entire community to come together, and to leave out large swaths of LGBT Philadelphia goes against the spirit of what we are celebrating at Pride,” yet their distress over excluding community members apparently does not extend to members of the LGBT community who are also members of GOAL — in fact, they actively advocate exclusions. LCDC suggests, “We believe that in light of the national conversation around state violence aimed at people and communities of color, we must publicly support the members of our community working to create a Philadelphia that is safe for all of its citizens.” Activists working to address state violence in communities of color and to hold police officers responsible for such violence accountable are no doubt involved in important work. Yet, this comment dismisses the equally important work of the police officers who dutifully work in these communities, the majority of whom do so while treating these communities without bias. By taking the positions that they have, the LCDC board paints all police officers as violent and bigoted. Once dissected, it becomes clear that the LCDC board’s positions are flimsy and Janus-faced. The LCDC board’s folly offers an opportunity to draw attention to our Pride celebration not because we are divided, but rather that we seek to unite. We do not need to be divided as the fringe hopes. We are a reasonable community, and we can support our LGBTQ officers while also condemning police brutality and discrimination. I urge Philly Pride Presents to offer the groups co-grand marshal status, and for GOAL and COLOURS to discuss this possibility. n

where near enough to demonstrate change or build trust with LGBT communities. GOAL is a grassroots, member-driven organization. Its existence doesn’t represent real institutional change at the Philadelphia Police Department. Starting with the unsolved homicide of Nizah Morris (for which Seth Williams’ District Attorney’s Office still refuses to release internal records), the PPD has a long way to go in earning LGBT community trust. Until that case is resolved, how can any of us have faith our city’s police actually care about us and are willing to help solve our problems? After addressing Morris’ death, the PPD needs to uncover and own up to all of the other instances of police abuse or neglect of the LGBT community and address them. Maybe then — after these big changes —GOAL should lead the parade. Asking GOAL to serve as the grand marshals of the parade was a bad idea and I am really proud that the GOAL members saw the need to withdraw themselves and I am really proud of Liberty City for leading the charge. n

Albert Eisenberg is the Communications Lead for the Republican Party of Philadelphia, and has worked to bring Republicans onboard with LGBT rights during numerous statewide nondiscrimination campaigns.

Dr. Evan Sorg holds a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Temple University, is a Professor of Law and Justice Studies at Rowan University, a former New York City police officer and a 15-year Philadelphia resident. He is not affiliated with GOAL, COLOURS, LCDC or Philly Pride Presents.

EMBARRASSED from page 11

Ray Murphy is deputy director of Pennsylvania Voice. MARK MY WORDS from page 11

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

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DA commends kids for stopping bullies By Paige Cooperstein paige@epgn.com The Phillie Phanatic welcomed more than 50 city school kids and their families May 31 to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. Blue and gold star balloons and stringed lights festooned the room. It was a celebration for elementary and middle schoolers who had earned “DA Dollars” for stopping a bully or a fight or otherwise being a Good Samaritan. The event represented the culmination of the third year that District Attorney R. Seth Williams has run the Champions of Change Anti-Bullying Campaign. Throughout the year, Williams visits Philadelphia schools to talk about how students can respect their peers. Each event covers a litany of reasons why someone might get bullied and what kids can do if they experience it. “We talk about LGBT students, and sometimes stu-

dents will bring it up themselves,” Williams told PGN before the event got underway. “We talk about respect for people regardless of sexual orientation.” Williams said discussing bullying helps start the conversation about crime prevention. “The number-one thing that people who get arrested in Philadelphia have in common is they dropped out of high school,” he said. To the students, Williams quoted Frederick Douglass: “It is far easier to build strong children, than to repair broken men.” Other public officials addressed the students at the event, including Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross and Philadelphia School District Superintendent Dr. William Hite. Hite praised the students for looking out for each other and working to eliminate bullying at school. “It’s not just an act of kindness,” he said. “It takes courage. It takes persistence. It takes wanting to create a great environment for your schools.” n

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The Pride programs, which have already been printed, will still list GOAL as grand marshals alongside city employees. Philly Pride does not have the $7,000 needed to reprint them, Price said. Some members of GOAL also attended the May 25 meeting with Philly Pride, petitioners and interested community members; as did Nellie Fitzpatrick, director of the Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs, and Brian Sims, the first elected openly gay state lawmaker who represents the Gayborhood and Center City. At least 350 people signed a Change.org petition against GOAL’s participation. At the meeting with Philly Pride, petitioners cited the fact that Pride grew out of the Stonewall riots against police. Several who said they survived police violence in Philadelphia described raids on strip clubs and sexual assaults. They added removing GOAL would be an opportunity for Pride to center on racial justice. The board of the Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club also sent a letter last week urging Philly Pride to reconsider GOAL as grand marshals because “there are still tensions between our community and the police force.” The letter noted Liberty City’s support for GOAL’s mission, but added: “Our nation is in the midst of an important conversation about the use of excessive force by the law-enforcement community. In light of that conversation, we feel the invitation to GOAL sends the wrong message.” Asa Khalif, a member of the group that organized to remove GOAL, said there wasn’t any discussion about calling for the removal of city employees as marshals. “We didn’t have any concerns for that,” he said, adding, “We didn’t want the police, period. That seems to be where we were united.” About 25 people met May 26 to discuss next steps to the petition. Khalif said some action was being planned in the event that GOAL was not removed. “I’m very happy, very pleased with the outcome,” Khalif said of GOAL’s decision. “I appreciate everyone who stood together to say this couldn’t go down.” He added it was about keeping the integrity of the spirit of Stonewall. Some petitioners said COLOURS, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, would be a good Pride grand marshal. Price said the Philly Pride board was considering the LGBT organization for people of color for an honor at OutFest, an October event that draws a larger crowd. Jo Mason, a transgender officer in Germantown and president of GOAL, hoped to improve the community’s understanding of the LGBT law-enforcement organization. “The mission of GOAL is to be the community voice inside law enforcement,” they said at the meeting with petitioners. “I’m an LGBT community member first, and I bring that with me to work every day. Those injustices you stand against, GOAL’s there to stand against those same injustices inside the force.” n NAME CHANGE from page 1

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when I heard Judge Smyth say that Aidan’s petition for a name change was approved. I want to thank Molly from the ACLU for taking on Aidan’s case and working so diligently to get everything in place for this to occur. I pray that future transgender minors do not have the difficulty we faced in Montgomery County.” Aidan issued this statement about Smyth’s ruling: “I was kind of nervous walking into the courtroom, knowing that I was denied before. I was more confident because Molly and Michelin were with my mom and me. Once Judge Smyth started granting other name changes on the spot, I was still nervous because there was still a 50-50 chance of not getting approved. I practiced my testimony with the ACLU [before the hearing]. But I didn’t have to do that in front of the other people in the courtroom, which made me feel relieved. When the judge granted my name change on the spot, I wanted to jump up and shake his hand. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t stop smiling inside!” n

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

PGN LEGAL

Birth certificates should be the next battleground The firestorm of bathroom laws, other Birth-certificate laws are particularly wise known as anti-transgender laws, rests unique because the laws of the state you on one thing: birth certificates. were born in follow you regardless of the Very few people realize the ramificastate you may be living in when you wish tions, consequences and freedoms that to change your birth-certificate gender come with a birth certificate. Let’s say marker. For example, if you were born in for a minute that you are a Pennsylvania but now live in transgender person. You’ve Washington, D.C., whose laws seen a doctor and received horthere are much more favorable mone-replacement therapy, optto transgender people, you are ing out of gender-reassignment still bound by Pennsylvania’s surgery for personal reasons or birth-certificate laws. perhaps, like many transgen In 2013, New Jersey tried der people, you cannot afford to pass a bill requiring the medical treatment nor can you issuance of amended birth ceraccess it. Regardless, you want tificates to transgender indiyour legal documentation to viduals who have received reflect who you are. hormone-replacement therapy Perhaps you hire a lawyer to as opposed to only those who help you navigate the arduous undergone gender-reasAngela have and antiquated laws of legally signment surgery, allowing Giampolo thousands of citizens the ability changing your name or seek out the assistance of a local to correct their birth certificate nonprofit like Mazzoni Center. You get for the first time. This would have put an affidavit from your doctor that conNew Jersey’s process on par with many firms your hormone-replacement therapy, other states and that of the federal governin order to change your records with the ment’s U.S. State Department, Department U.S. State Department. And yet, when it of Veterans Affairs and Social Security comes time to update the ultimate form of Administration. The bill also included identification, your birth certificate, you language that would allow minors to have are unequivocally unable to do so without their birth certificates amended with the undergoing gender-reassignment surgery. consent of their parent or guardian, a huge The birth certificate is where all forms step towards protecting transgender youth of identification originate and it is confrom potential bullying and harassment. sidered to be the gold standard of docuThe legislation was sent to Gov. Chris mentation. Without one, it becomes next Christie to be signed into law twice, once to impossible to obtain a driver’s license, in 2013 and again recently last year, and passport or state-issued identification card. he vetoed it both times. A small but growing number of states, If you are transgender, things quickly along with Washington, D.C., reissue birth become tricky. Additional steps are neccertificates without requiring proof of genessary to prove that you are whom you der-reassignment surgery. A handful of say you are, and with a variety of requirestates, like Tennessee, Idaho, Kansas and ments to update the different documentation, many transgender people are left Ohio, will not adjust birth certificates for transgender people even if they have had in a difficult situation where their various gender-reassignment surgery. forms of identification do not match up.

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Scott A. Drake Photography 267-736-6743

In Pennsylvania, we won’t get favorable legislation, so we’re fighting for that right. Recently, a lawsuit was filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania that could have significant implications not just for the “bathroom bills” but for transgender rights nationwide. The suit was filed on behalf of two anonymous transgender plaintiffs, “John Doe” and “Jane Doe,” who demand that the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records allow them to receive new birth certificates without having to undergo gender-reassignment surgery. The lawsuit alleges that gender dysphoria, a psychiatric diagnosis in the DSM-5 that many transgender people receive, should be considered a “disability” under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and that,

Virtually every major medical professional association has issued statements supporting transgender health care and those statements are being used in a wide array of cases as it relates to the ADA. therefore, requiring surgery before issuing a new birth certificate is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause. Using the ADA as the legal basis for its case is new and inventive and, in my opinion, has substance. The ADA, passed in 1990, explicitly excludes “transsexualism” and “gender identity disorders not resulting from physical impairments” from being treated as disabilities. The ADA currently defines “disability” broadly as a “physical or mental impairment that sub-

stantially limits one or more of the major life activities of [an] individual.” Virtually every major medical professional association has issued statements supporting transgender health care and those statements are being used in a wide array of cases as it relates to the ADA. A case still pending explicitly challenges the constitutionality of the ADA’s transgender exclusions after a transgender person was not accommodated by her employer and then essentially fired for being transgender. At the core of the Pennsylvania birth-certificate case is the argument that gender dysphoria should qualify as a disability in spite of the stated exclusions in the ADA and that, because gender dysphoria causes “emotional and mental distress” and impacts life activities such as “interacting with others, reproducing and social and occupational functioning,” it can be considered a disability. The lawsuit goes on to claim that denying birth-certificate gender changes to transgender people who have not had gender-reassignment surgery would be unlawful discrimination against a subgroup, especially in light of the many obstacles to obtaining the surgery. Litigation like this should be repeated in all states so that transgender citizens have the ability to amend their birth certificate. It may seem like a novel concept, but transgender individuals and youth should be allowed the same protections and freedoms allowed all citizens. n 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.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

City of Philadelphia Public Hearing Notice The Committee on Rules of the Council of the City of Philadelphia will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at 10:00 AM, in Room 400, City Hall, to hear testimony on the following items: 160223

An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Ford Road, Chamounix Drive, Belmont Avenue, and Monument Road.

160272

An Ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by amending Section 14-905, entitled "Non-Accessory Signs", by adding a new subsection to permit one advertising sign with certain conditions within the area bounded by Magee Avenue (extended), the Delaware River, Unruh Avenue, and New State Road.

160275

An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded State Road, the Delaware Expressway (I-95), and Ashburner Street.

160276

An Ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by amending Section 14-905, entitled "Non-Accessory Signs", by adding a new subsection to permit one advertising sign with certain conditions within the area bounded by State Road, the Delaware Expressway (I-95), and Ashburner Street.

160299

An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Ridge Avenue, Hermit Street, Henry Avenue, and Lincoln Drive.

160300

An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Carpenter Street, Broad Street, Washington Avenue, and 15th Street.

160302

An Ordinance amending Section 14-518 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "/WWA, West Washington Avenue Overlay District," by adding additional standards and making related changes, all under certain terms and conditions.

160327

An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Roosevelt Boulevard, Holme Avenue, Fairfield Street, Solly Avenue, Farnsworth Street, Fuller Street, Revere Street, Rhawn Street, Farnsworth Street, Loney Street, Lister Street, Carnwath Street, Revere Street, Ryan Avenue, and Roosevelt Boulevard.

160328

An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Roosevelt Boulevard, North Ferry Road, Kelly Drive, Lincoln Drive, Gypsy Lane, School House Lane, Cresson Street, Indian Queen Lane, and Conrad Street.

City of Philadelphia

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

PGN

City of Philadelphia Public Hearing Notice Committee on Rules

Tuesday, June 07, 2016 at 10:00 AM

160330

An Ordinance amending Section 14-503 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "/NCA, Neighborhood Commercial Area Overlay District," by amending the subsection entitled "East Falls Neighborhood" and making related changes, all under certain terms and conditions.

160335

An Ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by revising Chapter 14-500, entitled "Overlay Zoning Districts," with respect to the North Delaware Avenue Neighborhood Commercial Area Overlay District; and by revising Chapter 14-800, entitled "Parking and Loading," with respect to the Delaware Waterfront are; all under certain terms and conditions.

160336

An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Lehigh Avenue, Trenton Avenue, Norris Street, Front Street, Coral Street, Boston Street, Emerald Street, Hagert Street, and Kensington Avenue.

160369

An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Elkins Street, Olney Avenue, 20th Street, Belfield Avenue, and Wister Street.

160512

An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Sarah Street, Wildey Street, Shackamaxon Street and the Delaware Expressway.

160515

An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Parkside Avenue, Belmont Avenue, Girard Avenue, Merion Avenue, and 52nd Street.

160516

An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Henry Avenue, Coulter Street, School House Lane, Wissahickon Avenue, and Lincoln Drive, and certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Henry Avenue, Warden Drive, Calumet Street, Merrick Street, Gypsy Lane, and School House Lane. Further to adopt the Master Plan for Philadelphia University; and approving various construction projects.

160518

An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Grays Ferry Avenue, Kimball Street, 25th Street and Washington Avenue.

160521

An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Front Street, Coral Street, Boston Street, Emerald Street, Hagert Street, and Kensington Avenue.

City of Philadelphia

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PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

City of Philadelphia Public Hearing Notice Committee on Rules

Tuesday, June 07, 2016 at 10:00 AM

160522

An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by E. Wingohocking Street, Adams Avenue, Bristol Street (extended) and the Frankford Creek.

160525

An Ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by revising requirements for Preliminary Plat approval.

160526

An Ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," including by amending Chapter 14-500, entitled "Overlay Zoning Districts," by modifying the boundaries of the Old City Residential District Area of the Center City Overlay District and by revising parking and loading requirements for the East Callowhill Overlay District; amending Chapter 14-702, entitled "Floor Area and Height Bonuses," by making changes to the subsection entitled "Stormwater Open Space"; and making related changes; all under certain terms and conditions.

Immediately following the public hearing, a meeting of the Committee on Rules, open to the public, will be held to consider the action to be taken on the above listed items. Copies of the foregoing items are available in the Office of the Chief Clerk of the Council, Room 402, City Hall.

Michael Decker Chief Clerk

City of Philadelphia

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International First ‘Miss Trans Israel’ pageant held An Israeli from a Catholic Arab family has been crowned the winner of the country’s first transgender pageant. Talleen Abu Hanna, 21, from the northern city of Nazareth, wore a white bridal dress as she was declared the first “Miss Trans Israel” on May 27 at HaBima, Israel’s national theater, in Tel Aviv. She described her victory as “historic” and said it promotes equality. She will represent Israel at the Miss Trans Star International pageant in Spain in August. Tel Aviv, which has a reputation for

Media Trail UNC system won’t enforce trans bathroom rules According to WLOS.com, the University of North Carolina system said in legal filings that it won’t try to enforce a law requiring transgender students to use bathrooms corresponding to their biological sex. The affidavit by system leader Margaret Spellings was filed May 27 along with a motion asking a federal court to halt civil legal proceedings against the university system while a higher court decides a separate case on transgender rights. Spellings wrote that, pending the case’s outcome: “I have no intent to exercise my authority to promulgate any guidelines or regulations that require transgender stu-

LGBT-friendliness, stands in sharp contrast to many parts of the Middle East, where gay people are often persecuted. But homosexuality is commonly shunned in religiously observant Jewish and Muslim communities.

Police seek trans woman over arson attack Police think a trans woman was responsible for an arson attack at Canada’s primary gender clinic. The only specialist clinic in Canada providing gender services for trans people was targeted by an arsonist early in May. Montréal’s Centre Metropolitain De Chirurgie houses the only surgeon in Canada who performs gender-confirmation surgery, Dr. Pierre Brassard. The clinic was put out of action when a person “burst into” the clinic and attempted to set a fire. Though the fire was eventually put out, the clinic sustained more than $700,000 damage due to smoke, as well as water damage to equipment caused by the sprindents to use the restrooms consistent with their biological sex.” A legal brief by the university system’s lawyers says nothing in the state law keeps students from using bathrooms consistent with their gender identity because it contains no enforcement mechanisms.

Ky. governor to join transgender lawsuit The Lexington Herald Leader reports Kentucky’s Republican governor says he will join a lawsuit challenging a federal directive that public schools allow transgender students to use the bathroom or locker room of their choice. In announcing the move, Gov. Matt Bevin criticized Democratic Attorney General Steve Beshear for not joining the lawsuit sooner, highlighting the growing use of gender identity in partisan politics. Eleven states announced May 26 that they had challenged Obama’s directive in court. Bevin said the next day that the federal government has no authority to dictate local schools’ bathroom and locker-room

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

kler system. Police are now looking for 42-year-old trans woman Jayne Ellen Heideck in connection with the fire. The Kelowna woman is wanted on charges including arson with a disregard for human life, breaking and entering and arson by negligence. The Montréal Journal suggests that Heideck had undergone treatment at the clinic previously, but was upset with staff. All staff members and patients in the building at the time were unharmed.

Nauru legalizes homosexuality The tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru has legalized homosexuality, replacing its century-old criminal code with a new law that also criminalizes slavery and broadens the definition of rape to apply to married and unmarried couples. In addition, the Crimes Act 2016 decriminalizes suicide, which became an issue after refugees deported from Australia to a policies. Beshear noted Bevin announced recently he was researching legal options. He said he was waiting for Bevin to contact his office but never heard from him. Mississippi’s Republican governor has also said he will join the lawsuit over the objections of that state’s Democratic attorney general.

Alabama top court annuls lesbian-adoption ruling ABC News reports the Alabama Supreme Court has voided its earlier decision not to recognize a lesbian couple’s adoption that was carried out in another state. The opinion announced May 27 falls into line with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling issued in March that said the Alabama court erred in declaring the adoption held in Georgia invalid. One woman bore three children, and her partner adopted them, not in Alabama, but in Georgia, where they believed their chances at adoption would be better. Alabama courts got involved when the

controversial Nauru detention center committed or attempted suicide. Nauru announced on May 27 that the Crimes Act 2016 would replace the Nauruan Criminal Code of 1899. The government’s decision to decriminalize homosexuality and suicide — in compliance with obligations under international treaties — showed “progressive leadership,” it said. Edmund Settle, policy advisor for the United Nations Development Programme in Bangkok, praised Nauru for setting “a positive example in the Pacific region.” “The government of Nauru has demonstrated leadership in protecting sexual and gender minorities from violence and discrimination,” Settle said. With a population of about 10,000 living on an 8-square-mile island, around a third the size of Manhattan, Nauru has been in the media spotlight over its agreement with Australia to take in asylum seekers intercepted while trying to reach Australian shores. n — compiled by Larry Nichols couple broke up after roughly 16 years, and the birth mother tried preventing her former partner from having regular visits with the children. The Alabama Supreme Court refused to recognize the other woman as a parent, and ruled the couple’s adoption invalid under Georgia law. Alabama justices ruled that the Georgia adoption law didn’t allow a “non-spouse to adopt a child without first terminating the parental rights of the current parents.” The woman appealed to the nation’s high court. On March 7, U.S. Supreme Court justices said in an unsigned opinion that “the Alabama Supreme Court erred in refusing to grant that judgment full faith and credit.” The case illustrated legal challenges facing gay and lesbian parents even after the Supreme Court issued a ruling last June that effectively legalized same-sex marriages nationwide. Not participating in the court’s decision was Chief Justice Roy Moore, who was suspended while he faces a judicial ethics hearing linked to his public opposition to same-sex marriage. n — compiled by Larry Nichols

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

COMING UP AT

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FRIDAY, JUNE 3

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SATURDAY, JUNE 4 5PM Ragtag Rebels 9:30PM Fish Out of Water 10PM DJ Eric Vanderslice

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FUN IN THE SUN THURSDAYS EVERY THURSDAY IN JUNE 2PM – 10PM

3PM Showcase Sunday

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8 8PM Conklin’s Comedy Night Visit parxcasino.com/calendar for full schedule.

FEATURING JUDY TORRES! THURSDAY, JUNE 9 • 8PM Dance the night away with the “Queen of Freestyle”, Judy Torres! Limited tickets available – purchase now at parxcasino.com/events.

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INDIAN MOTORCYCLE SWEEPSTAKES SUNDAY, JUNE 19 • 3PM – 8PM Earn entries now through Father’s Day for your chance to ride home on a 2016 Indian Scout Sixty!

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

THERE’S MORE SUMMER FUN IN BALTIMORE. Celebrate the history, diversity and unique personality that make Baltimore sizzle like nowhere else.

ALL AMERICAN HOUSE

Carroll Mansion and throughout Baltimore Through July 10, 2016 Baltimore’s unique legacy of industry and design is the central focus of the All American House celebration. See the historic interiors of the Carroll Mansion, reimagined with the contemporary eye of student design teams working directly with American manufacturers.

FIND YOUR PARK

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine and throughout Baltimore Through September 2016 Be a part of the National Park Service’s Centennial Celebration along the scenic byways and historic trails and in Baltimore’s exciting parks. Special events at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine and throughout the city take place all season long.

HONFEST

36th Street in Hampden June 11–12, 2016 Everyone’s a “Hon” at Baltimore’s HONfest, the street party that pays tribute to one of the city’s most beloved personalities. Primp that beehive and squeeze into some leopard-print capri pants for this weekend of outrageous fun—featuring live music, “Bawlmer” delicacies and unique craft vendors.

160438_VISIT_10.125x11.35_PGN.indd 1

AFRICAN AMERICAN FESTIVAL

Camden Yards Sports Complex July 2–3, 2016

Celebrate the Fourth of July weekend at the 40th anniversary of the African American Festival. Bring the entire family to enjoy celebrity entertainment, food and drink, beauty and wellness demonstrations, kids’ games and free concerts featuring an extraordinary roster of musical icons.

BALTIMORE PRIDE

Mt. Vernon and Druid Hill Park July 23–24, 2016 With more than 30,000 people attending each year, Baltimore Pride is the premier LGBT event in Maryland. Historic Mount Vernon hosts the parade and block party, featuring musical performances and entertainment, before moving to Druid Hill Park. Join Baltimore’s LGBT communities in celebrating all weekend long.

Plan your visit today at BALTIMORE.ORG

5/25/16 4:14 PM

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

Breast and Gynecologic Cancer in the LGBT Community LOWERING THE RISK June 16, 2016 • Noon to 2 p.m. Adventure Aquarium 1 Riverside Drive Camden, NJ 08103

Complimentary buffet lunch and free parking at the Adventure Aquarium (ground parking lot).

While the LGBT community has won many hard-fought battles for civil rights and acceptance, gaps still exist — among them are significant health-related issues. Join our experts for a free lunch and lecture program designed to address breast and cervical cancer health concerns facing the LGBT community. Our panel of experts will cover: • The importance of breast and cervical cancer screenings. • How family history can impact cancer risk. • How a healthy lifestyle can reduce cancer risk and improve recovery. • Advances in cancer treatment. A Q&A session with the presenting physicians and a cancer survivor will follow the presentations.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

Family Portrait Get Out and Play Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly

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Preaching to the Choir

Inaugural poet Richard Blanco gets lyrical By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com The Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale is returning to the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts for a concert of new

works, which will include the world premiere of “Genesis” by composer Bob Cohen. The show will feature a perfor-

mance of Gershwin’s “Cuban Overture” with lyrics written by the acclaimed out poet Richard Blanco. Blanco was born to Cuban-exile parents in Madrid before his family settled in Miami soon after he was born. Blanco went on to become a successful engineer but left that career on hold to accept a position at Central Connecticut State University as a professor of creative writing. He then traveled extensively through Spain, Italy, France, Guatemala, Brazil, Cuba and New England before eventually moving to Washington, D.C., where he taught at Georgetown and American universities. President Barack Obama selected Blanco in 2012 to serve as the fifth inaugural poet in U.S. history; he joined the ranks of such luminary poets as Robert Frost and Maya Angelou and made history himself as the first immigrant, first Latino, first openly gay person and youngest person to be a U.S. inaugural poet. Since the inauguration, Blanco has been in high demand as a speaker and writer, and has received honorary doctorates from Macalester College, Colby College and the University of Rhode Island. His 2014 memoir, “The Prince of Los Cocuyos: A Miami Childhood,” detailed his coming-ofage as the child of Cuban immigrants and his attempts to understand his place in America while grappling with his artistic and sexual identities. Blanco’s career was already notable before he was chosen to be the inaugural poet, but he said that honor brought him a level of success and attention that most accolades can’t match. “It’s been incredible,”

he said about the impact of his inaugural-poet title. “The inauguration is one of the most important moments for people in poetry on a scale with nothing else. You win a Pulitzer Prize and pretty much the world goes on. Of course there are your peers and literary people and whatnot. This just really interfaces poetry with the people in an amazing way and I welcome that because that has been my personal philosophy about poetry. Like [Roque] Datlon said: ‘Poetry is like bread; it’s for everyone.’ So yeah, the inauguration has opened up doors with these wonderful projects. It’s been a wonderful thing not only personally but I’m also an ambassador for turning on people to poetry in general and the power of poetry to enrich our lives. This is one more example of how great that can be.” Blanco added that being associated with the presidency hasn’t made him any more political in his writings than he already was. “That is something that I battled with even before the inauguration, having grown up in Miami in the 1970s in the politically charged climate that was always around me,” he said. “My writing has never been overtly political in that sense. I’ve always felt a self-imposed pressure to be more overtly political but in the end I think the bravest political action is compassion, love and trying to build bridges of communication rather than building walls. That’s what I try to do with my poetry: to connect us throughout shared humanity.” Blanco said shifting gears from poetry to writing lyrics for a choir was different for him, but he was up for the challenge to work with choir music director Jeff Smith. “They just gave me a call,” Blanco said about how he ended up working with the Boys Choir. PAGE 34

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

FEATURE PGN BLANCO from page 33

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“It’s a very exciting project and I was very surprised and jumped right on it. They thought it was a good fit and I certainly did. It was a whole new learning experience for me but it was very interesting. I’m learning firsthand the difference between writing lyrics and writing a poem. One of the main things I just realized is that in poetry we have beats but we don’t have time like they do in music. So you can’t hold a note in poetry. But in the oral tradition of poetry, when you read a poem you add music to it with your voice. The voice is an instrument. It was an amazing learning experience working with the lyrics and timing things out. It was very great to see how the roots of poetry itself are so much about songs, which is where it comes from in the beginning.” Blanco added that he immediately fell into a productive creative chemistry with Smith. “There was a Rodgers and Hammerstein thing happening,” he said. “He would play little things out on the piano to see how they would sound or he would sing them out loud. So as we worked on the lyrics, we worked out what would sound good and bright.” Blanco said that adapting his writing to music will probably have some influence on his poetry writing in the future. “It’s been a great learning experience that I will take with me for my poetry on the written page. It was very hard work but it was a lot of fun having this whole world open up and looking at poetry as an ancient root song in the way they come together.” Blanco might not be on hand for the

choir’s concert in Philadelphia, but there are plans for him to accompany the choir when they visit his home country of Cuba for some performances later this year. “I’m hoping to join them in Cuba in August,” he said. “That’s going to be magical as well. I’m just curious to see that cultural bridge and how the people of Cuba respond to that moment. I’ve been to Cuba many times so it’s not a great big surprise to me. Of course I would like to see my family. For the choir itself, to be able to share my heritage and birthright with them, I look forward to that.” n The Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale performs “Genesis” and “Gershwin’s Cuban Overture” 4 p.m. June 4 at Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-670-2300 or visit www. phillyboyschoir.org/VerizonHall.

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PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

Suzi Nash

Jaymie Campbell: The A-Z, focus on T, of the Trans-Health Conference T h e P h i l a d e l p h i a Tr a n s - H e a l t h Conference has always been an informative and powerful event, but I imagine that, with the recent anti-LGBT (especially T) backlash that we’re witnessing around the country, this year might have special urgency. Presented by Mazzoni Center, the mission of the PTHC is to “educate and empower trans individuals on issues of health and well-being; educate and inform allies and health-service providers; and facilitate networking, community-building and systemic change.” The conference spans three days and includes a variety of workshops (I counted more than 75 just the first day), keynote speakers, a drop-in legal clinic, a Shabbat dinner, a pool party, club parties and more. And did I mention that admission is free? Our profile this week is Jaymie Campbell. He helps plan the conference and is responsible for the coordination and implementation of professional-development trainings for medical providers, behavioral-health providers, educators and community organizations. He is the professional-development manager at Mazzoni Center and a fourth-year doctoral candidate in Widener University’s Human Sexuality Studies doctorate program. PGN: Who is Jaymie Campbell? JC: Who is Jaymie Campbell … it’s me. [Laughs] Get ready, it’s going to be one of those interviews … PGN: Hey, I’m not afraid to kick your shins if you get too smart with me! OK, where are you from? JC: I consider myself bicoastal: I was born in Philly and raised in the suburbs but I’ve spent half my life in California. I moved to San Francisco, and that’s when I first found out that I had an accent. I called my mom and said, “Mom, did you know we had an accent?” and she was like, “Get out!” So it’s been nice to be back where everyone talks like me. But it’s funny, a lot of people don’t think I’m from here because I’m a little too laidback and have kind of a hippy-dippy vibe. PGN: I’ve noticed! Tell me a little about the family. JC: My mom worked for the Philadelphia School District for 33 years. She worked in 17 different schools. She did a number of things; she was an English teacher, a counselor and a cluster leader and my father was a doctor. My grandmother was a principal at Rhodes Middle School. PGN: Ah, so that’s why your bio seems like you’re perennially in school. A question I wrote for you was, “Do you just have a thing for homework? Because it seems like your education doesn’t stop.” JC: Yes, yes. Whenever people ask what

degree I’m working on, I always say, “the last one.” I really like creating new information, I really love research, so yeah. PGN: Talk about your educational background. JC: Well, it took me nine years to get my four-year degree. Right out of high school, I started working at Starbucks, which was fun, then went to junior college at UC Santa Cruz and got a bachelor of arts in feminist studies. I loved learning about social justice and different intersections of oppression. I wasn’t just reading about it; we had people like Angela Davis as professors, people who were part of real movements. I started getting involved in the nonprofit world working with homeless African-Americans 40-65 years old, a lot of folks dealing with mental-health issues, addictions and with queer and trans youth. I thought I wanted to be a therapist and got a master of arts in counseling psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco — until I realized doing clinical work that I don’t like to sit and listen to people talk! But I really loved researching the interventions to use in therapy and I love teaching and talking about sexuality, so I got my master’s in education with an emphasis in human sexuality from Widener University, and I’m now pursuing a Ph.D. in human-sexual studies.

PGN: Do you think that inspired you to want to help other people? JC: I don’t know. My mother said that I would get very upset as a kid when I thought things weren’t fair. Having to go to bed at a certain time, I’d complain that it wasn’t fair and my mom would respond, “Life’s not fair.” And that really bothered me. I’ve been a really big Batman fan since I was 9 and part of that was a desire for justice. PGN: What was your coming-out process? JC: My mom at first was really afraid; she’s from a different generation and she’s seen a lot of LGBT black folks who didn’t make it. That’s one of the reasons I moved to California, but I really missed them and Philly these days is not bad for LGBTQ folks so I came back. One of the things that was hard in San Francisco was that there weren’t a lot of people of color. They may be ahead in the LGBT movement but they’re behind in the race conversation. My mom became a fierce ally and helped

PGN: Phew! Any siblings? JC: I’m the youngest of three. We’re spaced apart, with each of us born in a different decade, so my mom likes to say she has three only children. We’re all very unique but very close. PGN: What were you like as a kid? JC: [Laughs] Gosh, I can picture my mom’s face right now saying, “Go on Jaym, tell her.” I was very active, I was in musical theater, I played a lot of sports, I was in honors gym and involved in a lot of clubs. There were also a lot of trips to the ER. I was always climbing trees or falling through the roof trying to get my soccer ball, that sort of thing. I have a niece and my sister’s really good at dealing with her because she has “a black belt in Jaymie.” I broke every bone in my left arm falling out of a tree, but the good news was that I had a cast that was bigger than my body for my yearbook picture. My mom used to come to each game but having to drive from the city, she’d just make it so she’d watch from the car where she could see the field. When I would score, I’d turn and look into the parking lot to make sure she saw it and she’d stick her hand out the window and cheer. PGN: Who was your best friend? JC: We moved around a lot so whoever was nice to me when I was the new kid.

educate other family members. When I came back for holidays the family would be like, “You can bring someone, it’s OK; we just want you around and we’re going to love who you love.” I hate when people talk about black folks not being accepting; my 90-year-old grandmother is single-handedly keeping the Inquirer in business. She reads the paper every day and then cuts out articles she thinks pertain and saves them for me. Don’t get me wrong, I know that it’s a struggle for a

lot of people and there aren’t a lot of out people of color in the public eye. We’re all waiting for people who are rumored to be gay, like Tyler Perry, to come out. PGN: Tell me about your training programs on trans and LGBT issues. JC: I love when I have a group of people of color, especially older, because I tell them, “I know what you’re thinking and where you’re coming from. Let’s have a conversation.” You have to let people go through the process instead of trying to force them to get on board. PGN: Ever face direct confrontation? JC: I did a training and afterwards a man came up and said that he really didn’t like what I had to say, and told me to step outside with him. I experience micro aggressions as a trainer all the time, so I was like, “Yeah, I’m not doing that.” PGN: Explain what you mean by micro aggressions. That’s something that you teach about. JC: Yes, a micro aggression is an everyday act of discrimination that targets a specific individual or group. It’s a micro aggression not because it’s smaller and insignificant but because it’s individual. A macro aggression would be something like segregation in schools or when someone puts “Blacks and Latinos need not apply” on their dating profile. A micro aggression is when people see me as a black man and say things like, “You’re so non-threatening.” Like, wow, what did you expect? Or, “You’re so articulate or attractive for a black person.” It’s personal with an underlying message of oppression. A gender-based example might be when people complain, “It’s just really hard for me to get your pronouns right because you don’t look like a boy (or girl).” So you’re Photo: Suzi Nash saying I don’t deserve respect because I don’t meet your idea of what a boy or girl should look like? Or the questions around body parts: “Did you have the surgery?” There are over 100 different procedures that a trans person can elect to have and it’s incredibly personal. It involves access to money and the ability to take time off and a lot of different things. I tell people that it’s none of your business unless you’re that person’s medical PAGE 42

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

The

Guide to the Gayborhood

The Philadelphia Gayborhood is roughly centered at 12th and Camac streets. Look for the rainbow street signs at intersections and remember to be aware of your surroundings wherever you go. 1330 Walnut St. facebook.com/ boxersphl Sports bar with multiple plasma tvs, pool table, brick oven, more!

<—

Tabu

Woody’s

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200 S. 12th St. 215.964.9675 tabuphilly.com Sports bar / drag shows and bar food

202 S. 13th St. 215.545.1893 woodysbar.com American-style bar food and large dance floor

m m

Chancellor St.

Four-level leather bar; basement enforces a dress code; pool tables pn two floors and big-screen sports action

St. James St.

m Locust St.

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Quince St.

Latimer St.

12th St.

Camac St.

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<—

The Bike Stop

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Voyeur

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

U Bar 1220 Locust St. 215.546.6660

Relaxing corner bar, easy-going crowd, popular for happy hour and window watching

Tavern on Camac West of Broad Street Stir Lounge

1705 Chancellor St. 215.732.2700 stirphilly.com Fun two-bar lounge, DJ in the back, regular poker games and specials

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

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

ICandy

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

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

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 3-9, 2016

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

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Theater & Arts Always ... Patsy Cline Walnut Street Theatre presents the stories of laughter and heartache that brought together a housewife and a legendary country singer through July 3 at Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215574-3550. Balanchine and Beyond The Pennsylvania Ballet performs a ballet inspired by the medieval belief that human beings are made up of four different humors June 9-12 at Merriam Theatre, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

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Breaking Ground: Printmaking in the U.S., 1940– 1960 Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the variety of ways in which artists in the 1940s and ’50s pushed the boundaries of printmaking, through July 24, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Creative Africa Philadelphia Museum of Art presents photography, fashion, sculpture and architecture by African artists through Sept. 25, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Hillary and Clinton Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the humorous political fantasy in a story about gender, power, marriage and possibilities through

LINE UP FOR ‘LEMONADE’: Life gave pop superstar Beyoncé lemons and she’s making “Lemonade,” the muchtalked-about new album behind her “Formation World Tour,” which sets up shop 7:30 p.m. June 5 at Lincoln Financial Field, 1020 Pattison Ave. For more information or tickets, call 215-463-5500.

June 26 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420. Inside Out Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of large-scale, highquality replicas of favorite works from the museum’s collection of local neighborhoods through Nov. 1, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Philadelphia in Style: A Century of Fashion The Michener Art Museum hosts a display of approximately 30 dressed forms and additional accessories spanning a century of high fashion through June 26, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215340-9800. Sister Act Walnut Street Theatre presents the musical comedy based on the hit film, through July 17 at the Mainstage,

825 Walnut St.; 215574-3550. Plays of/for a Respirateur Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an installation by Joseph Kosuth that includes a selection of his work along with a group of seminal works by Marcel Duchamp through the fall, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Steel Magnolias The drama about love and loss among a group of characters in a Louisiana beauty salon, through June 18 at Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St., New Hope; 215-8622121. Urban Scuba: Retro Dive Brian Sanders’ JUNK performs a show based on the theme of dumpster diving through June 5 at JUNK’s studio, 2040 Christian St.; www. briansandersjunk. com/urbanscuba.

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The Old Academy Players present the classic drama June 10-26, 3540 Indian Queen Lane; 215843-1109. Wizard World Comic Con Celebrities and fans celebrate comic books through June 5 at Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101Arch St.; http://wizardworld. com/comiccon/ philadelphia.

Music Anthony Hamilton & Fantasia The R&B singers perform 8 p.m. June 3 at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 215-5467900. Jennifer Nettles The country singer performs 8 p.m. June 3 at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

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ATTACK OF THE ROCK LOBSTERS!: Alt-rock pioneers The B-52’s get the love shack rocking one more time when they perform 8 p.m. June 10 at Harrah’s Atlantic City, 777 Harrah’s Blvd., Atlantic City, N.J. For more information or tickets, call 609-441-5501.

Modern English The band, of “I Melt the World” ’80s fame, performs 8 p.m. June 3 at Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave.; 215-7399684. PGMC Concert: Modern Families Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus performs a concert celebrating LGBT families 8 p.m. June 3-4 at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215569-9700. The Roots Picnic The annual festival features Usher, Roots, Future, Leon Bridges, DMX and more, noon June 4 at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, 601 N. Columbus Blvd.; 215-9221011. Beyoncé The singer performs 7:30 p.m. June 5 at Lincoln Financial Field, 1020 Pattison Ave.; 215-4635500. Lynyrd Skynyrd and Peter Frampton The classic-rock bands perform 6:30 p.m. June 10 at

the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 215-5467900.

fundraiser 6-10 p.m. June 9 at Franky Bradley’s, 1320 Chancellor St.; 215735-0735.

The B-52’s The alt-rock band performs 8 p.m. June 10 at Harrah’s Atlantic City, 777 Harrah’s Blvd., Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-441-5501.

Outta Town

Nightlife Happy Bear: Comic Con The bear-themed happy hour gets super-heroic 5-9 p.m. June 3 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215964-9675. Amateur Drag Night Queens compete for cash and prizes 7 p.m. June 5 at L’Etage, 624 S. Sixth St.; 215-592-0656. FATALITY: Gay Mortal Kombat X Tournament Back by popular demand 8-10 p.m. June 7 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-9649675. Philly Dyke March Karaoke! Kick off Pride weekend with this

Matt Yee The Hawaii-based entertainer and comedian performs 7:30 p.m. June 3 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888596-1027. Chris Hardwick The comedian from “Talking Dead” performs 9 p.m. June 3 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Carrie The classic horror thriller is screened 9:45 p.m. June 3 at The

Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228. Al Pacino The actors hosts a live Q&A 8 p.m. June 4 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Cool Hand Luke The classic Paul Newman film is screened 2 p.m. June 5 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228. Wanda Sykes The out comedian performs 9 p.m. June 10-11 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. 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.

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Get Out and Play

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

Scott A. Drake

International gay rugby tourney draws 1.5K+ to Nashville The Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Football Club went to Nashville the last week of May to compete in the bi-annual Bingham Cup. With them went the Hoagland Cup that they captured in 2014 in Sydney, Australia. And while they came back to Philly this time without a cup or bowl, they returned with plenty of memories. Pool play was tough. The first competition was against the East Coast champion Washington Renegades and resulted in a 17-0 loss. The afternoon game was against the Bingham Cup 2014 second-place team from Sydney, the Brisbane Hustlers. Even though outmatched, the Gryphons played a defensively solid game but again were unable to score. In the end, they were knocked out of contention in the first regular round of play. A win to end pool play put them in contention for the Bingham Shield, but the Gryphons were not able to score a try in their first competition, losing 5-0. Complete scoring and results can be found at thethirdhalfonline.com. But it was not all fun and games. There were also friends and family! Family members from around the country converged on Nashville to see their sons, brothers, uncles and nephews compete internationally. And per custom, Mark Bingham’s mom, Alice Hoagland, was in attendance for the opening ceremonies, the first day of play, a special

FROM DOWN UNDER TO DOWN SOUTH: The Philadelphia Gryphons RFC played their first Bingham Cup game May 27 in Nashville before sharing a photographic moment with Alice Hoagland, Mark Bingham’s mom, holding her own namesake cup. Bingham was one of the passengers who challenged the hijackers of Flight 93 on Sept. 11. The Hoagland Cup was instituted as a separate division within the Bingham Cup tournament for the first time only two years ago in Sydney, Australia, when the most recent tournament was played. This was Hoagland’s first opportunity to see the cup with the first-time winners together. Photos: Scott A. Drake

The walkway leading to the main exhibit chillingly brings to life the power of this exhibit, as it traces the Flight 93 flight path. A timeline along the black jagged wall brings visitors to the moment of impact as you approach the observation deck overlooking the site of the crash. A large boulder marks the lonely spot. The day we were there was emotionally compounded by the gray, overcast skies, light rain and the wind occasionally whistling ONE PART OF THE FLIGHT 93 MEMORIAL IS AN through the silence INTERACTIVE PANEL WHERE VISITORS CAN LEARN MORE as if it could blow ABOUT INDIVIDUAL PASSENGERS AND CREW. away the pain and sadness. screening of “The Rugby Player” and Bids for the 2018 Bingham Cup was generally honored and included in are under way. But wherever it may almost every team’s photo. be played, Shanksville will always be We felt it fitting to pay respects on our nearby. n way to Nashville (via Louisville) for the Bingham Cup so our journey included The life of Mark Bingham — through video a short, moving side trip to Shanksville, clips, photographs and interviews, includabout halfway between Harrisburg and ing a crash-site visit and comments by his Pittsburgh, where Bingham and 39 other mom Alice Hoagland — was chronicled in innocents lost their lives on Sept. 11. The the 2013 documentary “The Rugby Player.” site is now a National Memorial and part of the U.S. National Park Service. The Keep the city up to date! Email scott@ visitor center opened on Sept. 10, 2015. epgn.com.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

PORTRAIT from page 35

provider or on a date with them and then it’s a two-drink-minimum question. PGN: Do you do a lot of work with kids? JC: I used to coordinate the Ally Safe Schools program at Mazzoni. A lot of schools are getting their first transgender students — that they know of because, of course, we know that trans students have been attending schools without disclosing that information for a long time. There’s a lot of fear in the schools — what to do about the bathrooms and gym class, how they can be supportive, etc. — so they bring me in for teacher training and oftentimes they bring me back for student trainings. The kids are a lot more progressive than the adults; they don’t care about bathrooms. PGN: What do people want to know? JC: Why pronouns are so important, and it’s like, “Well, you have the privilege of not worrying about being policed in the bathroom or whether or not your insurance is going to be able to bill for your services, but it’s an issue for many.” PGN: Bill for lecture services or do you mean medical treatment? JC: Medical, like if you’re male and you need a Pap smear or female and have a prostate, how does that get covered? If your provider doesn’t even know how to have a conversation about that or you ask and they’re confused, it presents a problem. PGN: How did the conference get started and why is it so important? JC: The conference was started in 2000 by Charlene Arcila. It started out small and has grown tremendously; we’re expecting more than 4,000 people this year from all over the world. The theme of the 2016 Trans-

Health Conference is “Honoring Our Roots.” We lost her last year so the conference is giving the first Charlene Arcila Pioneer Award in her honor. The needs of the community revolve a lot around safety; we’ve had huge gains like with the Department of Education and people talking about it, but we still have these anti-trans bills being passed and something like 24 trans women were murdered last year. There’s still a lot of hate and violence and a lot of work to be done. PGN: For sure. So what do you do when not battling to change lives? JC: I love riding my bike; I could ride up and down the Schuylkill Trail all day, every day! I do hot yoga to keep me grounded and focused. It also keeps me from getting injured because I like to jump off of things and run really fast. I love Netflix. I think I’m one of 10 people still watching “Grey’s Anatomy.” That’s my jam. Big fan of Shonda Rhimes. PGN: Describe Philly in a tweet. JC: I love Philly so much: It’s not New York, it’s not D.C., it’s better. PGN: A favorite family member? JC: My grandmom, Dr. Dora W. Campbell, she went back to college at 40, took one class at a time at community college, went to Temple for her bachelor’s and then got a doctorate in education at 60-something years old. PGN: The last thing you lost? JC: [Laughs] My mind! We’re a week from the conference! PGN: Who’s your celebrity crush? JC: You know, I still love me some Janet Jackson. I still haven’t gotten down the choreography to “Rhythm Nation,” but I’ll get it.

PGN

PGN: A favorite gift that you gave or got? JC: My best friend of 15 years lives in California and she has two daughters. They’re grown now but I’ve known them since they were kids. They’ve had a big influence on me and I’ve secretly kept a book of things that they’ve said to me or to each other or their mom. My best friend has a terrible memory so I gave it to her as a great keepsake of their stories and memories. I was really proud of that. PGN: Something you really wanted as a kid? JC: I really wanted to see “Cats” on Broadway; we got tickets but for some reason didn’t end up going. Years later, I saw it and couldn’t figure why I wanted to see it in the first place. I didn’t connect with the music at all! PGN: So let’s wrap up back at the conference. What is the name of the workshop you’re presenting? JC: It’s called Foundations for Working With Transgender and GenderNonconforming Populations and we’ll be providing foundational concepts for working with transgender and gender-nonconforming populations. We’ll go through a thorough review of the most current language, practices and resources for working with patients in both medical and behavioral-health settings so it’s a good way to start at the conference. Hope to see everyone there! n For more information about the Philadelphia TransHealth Conference, visit www.mazzonicenter.org/ trans-health. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.

June 10 is PGN’s Pride Issue, our largest issue of the year.

Q Puzzle Transsylvania Across

1. Whack, off, or delight 5. Bit of salt, for Stephen Pyles 9. Rubber-stamp 13. “Hi” to Lorca 14. Man, as a cruising goal 15. “Six Feet Under” box material 16. Gomer’s “anti” 17. Coldcock 18. Barry Humphries’ Dame 19. With 55-Across, upcoming TV movie with Laverne Cox 22. “___ little silhouetto of a man ...” 23. Large phallus painter 27. Isle of exile in Brando’s “Desiree” 30. Quite a bargain 31. Lance in a robe 34. “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina,” e.g. 37. Guy into bottoms? 38. Character played by Laverne Cox 41. Bro of Jacko 42. Pillow covers 43. Queer

44. Train that comes quickly 46. It’s hard and woody 48. Book that mentioned Adam but kept Steve a secret? 51. “Les ___” of Broadway 55. See 19-Across 58. Some eagle feathers 61. Composer Thomas 62. Cub slugger 63. Scat queen Fitzgerald 64. Pal from Down Under 65. Genie portrayer Barbara 66. Bedfellow 67. Creature in a “Star Wars” sequel 68. Comes out with

Down

1. She had her hand up Lamb Chop 2. HRC’s equal sign, and others 3. Gertrude’s partner 4. Doodle in a musical 5. Gossip 6. Memo start 7. Sucking sound 8. Painter Matisse 9. Lily Tomlin’s Ernestine, for one 10. Dan Savage

memoir, with “The” 11. Beebo Brinker creator Bannon 12. Oral vote 20. Where Franklin, Winston, and Josef had a threesome 21. Place for future Lts. 24. ___ music (do Britten’s job) 25. Satisfied fully 26. Words said from one’s knees, perhaps 28. Just says no 29. Ornament in “Cleopatra,” perhaps 31. Where to see Tom, Dick, or Harry 32. Brief moment 33. When to have sex 35. Alice’s insect tour guide in Wonderland 36. “All ___” (1984 Tomlin

film) 39. Be able to say, “I’m not myself”? 40. The way we word 45. “___ was saying ...” 47. Lip service? 49. Start of Caesar’s boast 50. The Scarecrow’s “viscera” 52. Mary’s “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” girlfriend 53. Film director Joseph 54. Lake ballet dancers 56. Gay Talese’s “___ the Sons” 57. Have on too much perfume, e.g. 58. Some like it hot 59. The whole shebang 60. Not in the pink

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

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.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

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Eating Out Should Be Fun! Read PGN’s food reviews every second and fourth week of the month - and check out our archive of past reviews on epgn.com.

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Men

Trans

Delco Dudes A men’s social and support group meets 7-9 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of the month at Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Road in Media; delco. dudes@uucdc.org.

Evolutions A drop-in support group for anyone on the transgender spectrum meets 6 p.m. Thursdays at 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652 ext. 235.

40 Acres of Change Discussion group for teen and young adults meets 6-8 p.m. Thursdays at The COLOURS Organization Inc., 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-851-1975.

Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine Primary health care and specialized transgender services in a safe, professional, nonjudgmental environment, 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658.

GLBT Group of Hunterdon County Social and support groups for youth, teens and young adults, as well as parents and family members, meet at North County Branch Library, 65 Halstead St. in Clinton, N.J.; schedule at www. glbtofhunterdoncountyofnj.com, 908-300-1058.

Gay Married Men’s Association Meets 7-9 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; www.meetup.com/GAMMAGay-Married-Mens-SupportGroup-in-Philadelphia-PA. Men of All Colors Together Meets 7:30 p.m. the third Friday of the month, September through June, at William Way; 610-2776595, www.MACTPhila.org. Men’s Coming Out Group, N.J. Meets 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at The Pride Center of New Jersey; njwarrior@aol.com. Men of Color United A discussion/support group for gay and bisexual men of color meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-496-0330.

Parents/Families Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Bucks County Meets 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at Penns Park United Methodist Church, 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park, and hird Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Warminster UCC, 785 Street Road; 215-348-9976. PFLAG/Chester County Meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at the Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester, 501 S. High St.; 484-354-2448.

T-MAN People-of-color support group for transmen, FTMs, butches, studs, aggressives, bois, genderqueer and all female-born individuals with gender questions meets 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays, 1201 Locust St., second floor; 215632-3028, tmanphilly.com. Transhealth Information Project Sponsors a weekly drop-in center from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; 215-851-1822. Transgender Health Action Coalition Peer trans health-advocacy organization, 1201 Locust St., fourth floor; 215-732-1207. Young, Trans and Unified Support group for transgender and questioning individuals ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center, 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, www. atticyouthcenter.org.

Women Hanging Out With Lesbians A group in Central Pennsylvania that organizes concerts, camping, golf, picnics, hikes, plays and game nights in nonsmoking environments; http://groups. yahoo.com/group/howlofpa/.

PFLAG/Collingswood, N.J. Meets 6:30-9 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month at Collingswood Public Library, 771 Haddon Ave.; 609-202-4622, pflagcollingswood@yahoo.com.

Lesbian Community of Delaware Valley Social group meets monthly for activities for gay women of all ages in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties; http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/LCDV/.

PFLAG/Media Meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month at the Unitarian Universal Church, 145 Rose Tree Rd.; 610-368-2021.

Lesbian Couples Dining Group of Montgomery County Meets monthly; 215-542-2899.

PFLAG/Philadelphia Meets 2-5 p.m. the third Sunday of the month at the LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 3907 Spruce St.; 215-572-1833.

Mt. Airy Lesbian Social Club For lesbians in the Philadelphia area ages 35-plus; www.meetup. com/mtairylesbiansocial/.

PFLAG/Princeton, N.J. Meets 7:30 p.m. the second Monday of the month in the George Thomas Room at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St.; 609-6835155. PFLAG/Wilmington, Del. Meets 7-9 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 W. 13th St.; 302654-2995. Philadelphia Family Pride Advocacy, support and social network for LGBT families offers play groups, monthly kids and teen talk groups, activities and outings. Planning meetings held monthly; 215-600-2864, info@phillyfamilypride.org, www.phillyfamilypride.org.

Queer Connections Social group for women in their 20s meets weekly; http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/ queerconnections/. Sisters United A social/support group for transwomen of color ages 13-24, with weekly social events, open discusson and monthly movie/ discussions meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-496-0330. Women Coming-Out Support Group Women, ages 18 and over, who consider themselves gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning and are at any stage of the coming-out process are welcome to meet 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday and third Thursday of the month at the Pride Center of New Jersey; www.pridecenter.org.

Youth

HAVEN LGBT, intersex, questioning, queer and allied youth ages 14-20 meet 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley, 424 Center St., Bethlehem; 610-868-2153. HiTOPS A safe-space support program for LGBT and questioning youth meets 2:30-4:30 p.m. the first and third Saturdays at 21 Wiggins St., Princeton, N.J.; 609-683-5155, hitops.org. Main Line Youth Alliance Meets from 7-9:30 p.m. Fridays at 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; 610-688-1861, info@myaonline. org. Project Keeping it Safe LGBT youth drop-in center offers meetings, HIV and STD prevention and testing, counseling and other services on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; 856-963-2432, camden-ahec.org/. PRYSM Youth Center Youth ages 14-20 meet 6:30-8:30 p.m Wednesdays at the center, 126 East Baltimore Pike, Media; 610357-9948. Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center Youth ages 14-21 meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks. org. Social X Change Social activity group for LGBT youth of color ages 13-23 meets 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays at 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-8511975. Space to be Proud, Open, and Together Open to all LGBTQ queer youth and allies, ages 14-21, the SPOT meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays at Planned Parenthood of Chester County, 8 S. Wayne St.; 267-6876648. Young, Trans and Unified A support group for transgender and questioning youth ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center; 215-545-4331, www.atticyouthcenter.org. You’re Not Alone Sponsored by AIDS Delaware, the group for gay, lesbian and bisexual youth meets during the school year at 100 W. 10th St., Suite 315, Wilmington, Del; 800-810-6776. Youth Making a Difference A group for LGBTQ AfricanAmerican and Latino youth ages 14-24 meets 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St.; 856-963-2432.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

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.

■ ActionAIDS: 215-981-0088

■ 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

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

■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org

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

■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 n The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 215-496-0330

■ 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 Nellie Fitzpatrick: 215-6860330; helen.fitzpatrick@phila.gov

■ 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 (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833 ■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: 215-686-4670

Health

Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 216 W. Somerset St.; 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.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 3-9, 2016

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