Philadelphia Gay News Vol. 34 No. 25
Honesty Integrity Professionalism
June 18 - 24, 2010
Pride sees soggy success Justice pending in
Scouts eviction trial By Timothy Cwiek PGN Writer-at-Large
The long-awaited Boy Scouts trial is finally underway, with the fate of the local Cradle of Liberty Council ultimately in the hands of eight federal jurors. The jury panel — composed of six women and two men — must decide whether the Scouts’ right to exclude gays trumps the city’s right to prevent anti-gay bias within city-owned buildings. The Scouts occupy a city-owned building at 231-251 N. 22nd St., but refuse to permit openly gay participants or pay fair-market rent. The city’s Fair Practices Ordinance, along with other municipal codes, specifically bans antigay bias within city-owned buildings. RAINBOW WITH A SILVER LINING: The LGBT community showed Philadelphia all The Scouts want the jury to grant them of its colors last weekend with days of Pride events, culminating in the 22nd annual the right to remain in the building permaparade and festival Sunday. More than 8,500 people headed to Penn’s Landing for the nently, without paying any rent. The council festival, strolling the record number of vendor booths and soaking up the entertainment also seeks $860,000 from the city in legal by such performers as headliner Jennifer Coolidge. Throughout the weekend, the LGBT fees and costs. and ally community also took part in such events as a sing-along screening of “Mamma The city wants the jury to grant it the right Mia” at Penn’s Landing and the annual Philadelphia Dyke March. Photo: Scott A. Drake to evict the Scouts and to collect $333,000 By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Although it wasn’t always sunny in Philly last weekend, as this year’s Pride theme suggested, the rain wasn’t able to keep away the thousands of LGBTs and allies who converged at Penn’s Landing to show their pride. The skies opened up Sunday around 2 p.m., near the end of the parade, but cleared within the hour, and the heaviest rain didn’t start until shortly after 6 p.m., as the festival ended. Franny Price, executive director of Philly Pride Presents, said the estimated crowd of 8,500 wasn’t too fazed by the downpours.
Additional photos
Pages 6-8
“Our theme was ‘It’s Always Sunny in Gay Philadelphia,’ and I actually think that during the rain, we proved that,” Price said. “It didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. Very few people left, and so many people just kept coming in. Everything just went on, and I think some people actually enjoyed the rain because it was so hot.” The rain didn’t clear the crowd from the steps in front of the stage as people packed in to see performances by community See PRIDE, Page 6
in back rent. On June 15, during opening arguments, Scouts attorney Jason P. Gosselin told jurors that city officials are trying to “coerce” the local council into making statements about the rights of homosexuals that the council doesn’t wish to make. “The city cannot force Cradle of Liberty to say something that Cradle of Liberty doesn’t have to say,” Gosselin told jurors. But David Smith, an attorney for the city, told jurors the city isn’t trying to force the Scouts to do anything. He said there is no need for the Scouts to make any public comments about homosexuals or homosexuality. However, Smith said, the Scouts must abide by the city’s anti-bias policies if they wish to remain inside a city-owned facility — or at least pay fair-market rent so the city isn’t subsidizing the Scouts’ discrimination. Smith also told jurors the national Boy Scouts of America organization is the one “coercing” the Scouts into making stateSee SCOUTS, Page 24
Dem. Lt. Gov. nominee backs LGBT rights By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer
The race for the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor was too close to call for more than a week, but when former Philadelphia City Controller Jonathan Saidel officially conceded late last month, state STATE REP. Rep. Scott Conklin SCOTT (D-77th Dist.) was CONKLIN declared the winner. Conklin, on the ticket with Democratic candidate for governor Dan Onorato, will face off with Bucks County commissioner Jim Cawley and Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett — Republican lieutenant governor and governor
candidates, respectively — in the Nov. 2 election. Conklin defeated Republican incumbent Barbara Spencer to represent Centre County in 2006. Prior to becoming a state legislator, he served for seven years as a Centre County Commissioner and, as chair of the board of commissioners in 2001, oversaw the implementation of the county’s nondiscrimination policy that was inclusive of sexual orientation. He said he has several close friends who are openly gay and nearly 30 percent of his campaign staff are members of the LGBT community. “I’m someone who grew up with individuals who were gay, so it’s never been anything new or different to me, but just part of life,” he said. Conklin’s district encompasses See CONKLIN, Page 24
STOPPING TO LISTEN: About 100 people turned out June 12 for “The World Stopped to Listen,” a concert by the Anna Crusis Women’s Choir at Arch Street United Methodist Church. The choir, now celebrating its 35th anniversary, took a retrospective look at the music it’s performed throughout its tenure and was joined by guest conductors Cathy Roma, who founded the choir, and Jane Hulting, the longtime artistic director. The following day, the choir presented its annual Themis Award to Doris Polsky, who also accepted on behalf of her late twin sister Shirley Melvin; together, they worked for the racial integration of the Mt. Airy section of the city. Photo: Scott A. Drake
PAGE 2
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 3
PHILADELPHIA GAY GAY NEWS PHILADELPHIA NEWS
PAGE 4
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
News
PGN
10 7 5 7 5 11
Editorial Media Trail News Briefing National News Regional News Street Talk
505 S. Fourth St. Philadelphia, PA 19147-1506
A mother with a story to tell
Phone: (215) 625-8501 Fax: (215) 925-6437 E-mail: pgn@epgn.com Web: www.epgn.com
LGBT students honored with Point scholarships
Publisher
This is the first year that a scholarship named for Rand Skolnick, the late out New Hope businessman, was awarded.
Judy Shepard will read from her family’s memoir at the University of Pennsylvania bookstore next week. Page 9
Page 21
Detour
Mark Segal (ext. 204) mark@epgn.com
Editor Sarah Blazucki (ext. 206) sarah@epgn.com Art Director Scott A. Drake (ext. 210) scott@epgn.com Staff Writers Jen Colletta (ext. 215) jen@epgn.com
Comics 72 78 Diversions 80 Meeting Place Portraits 72 73 Q Puzzle Pride Scene In Philly 71 Worth Watching 75
Larry Nichols (ext. 213) larry@epgn.com Writer-at-Large Timothy Cwiek (ext. 208)
Life is but a dream for “Dreamgirls” actress Syesha Mercado, who is performing in Philadelphia.
SAX APPEAL: Dave Koz brings his talents to the Kimmel — with beat backup from Sheila E.
Family Portraits: Sam Van
Page 68
Page 72
Page 79
Graphic Artist Sean Dorn (ext. 211) sean@epgn.com Advertising Director Tami Sortman (ext. 218) tami@epgn.com
Columns
Advertising Manager Greg Dennis (ext. 201) greg@epgn.com
Creep of the Week 10 Green Outlook 11 Leather Lookout 76
Advertising Sales Representatives David Augustine (ext. 219) david@epgn.com
Classifieds Directories
Diversions
Worth Watching
Music
Street Talk
Leather Lookout
Cutting-edge art
Bubblegum in the U.K.
The Good Witch
Weight and sexual orientation
Pimping their ride
Page 11
Page 76
81 83 Page 78
Page 75
emails
Poll results from our online survey as of June 16: How do you feel about Elton John performing for Rush Limbaugh’s wedding?
Events: diversions@epgn.com
26% “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” 12% “The Bitch is Back” 7% “Hakuna Matada” 21% “I Don’t Wanna Go On With You Like That” 19% “I Don’t Care” 16% “Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word”
News/story ideas: editor@epgn.com Letters/opinions: editor@epgn.com Distribution: don@epgn.com
Page 77
Hawaii civil unions in balance
Page 31
Go to www.epgn.com to weigh in on this week’s question:
How many jobs do you have this summer?
National Advertising Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Office Manager/Classifieds Don Pignolet (ext. 200) don@epgn.com Executive Assistant Credit/Billing Manager Carol Giunta (ext. 202) carol@epgn.com Philadelphia Gay News is a member of: The Associated Press National Gay Newspaper Guild Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 2010 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155
The views of PGN are expressed only in the unsigned “Editorial” column. Opinions expressed in bylined columns, stories and letters to the editor are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of PGN. The appearance of names or pictorial representations in PGN does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that named or pictured person or persons.
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 5
News Briefing
Regional
Gay wrestling tourney The Spartans Wrestling Club will host its fourth annual wrestling tournament from noon-4 p.m. June 19 at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St. Wrestlers pay a $20 entrance fee, while spectators will be admitted for $10. Weigh-ins start at noon, and spectators can begin arriving at 12:30 p.m. The tournament will begin at 1 p.m. Participants can register up until the day of the event but must be members of the Amateur Athletic Union of the U.S. Inc. AAU memberships can be obtained at www.aausports.org. Fo r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , c o n t a c t Ed Wengryn at (908) 568-4939 or ed32164@comcast.net.
FESTIVALE FESTIVITIES: Last week’s second-annual LGBT arts festival, Festivale!, featured an array of musical, spoken-word and theatrical performances, such as the staged reading of “The Women” June 11 at Arts Bank. The production, directed by Mark A. Dahl, included performances by local drag celeb Sandy Beach and community leader Thom Cardwell, who made his drag debut in the show. Photo: Scott A. Drake
Gay blood ban continues, for now By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer A committee of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services last week decided to keep in place the policy banning gay and bisexual men from donating blood. The HHS Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability voted 9-6 June 12 not to recommend that the ban be lifted. The committee did, however, vote unanimously to recommend that the ban be labeled “suboptimal” and advised HHS to determine the difference between high- and low-risk gay donors. The Food and Drug Administration instituted the ban in 1985, permanently prohibiting any men who have had sex with men (MSM) since 1977 from donating, in an effort to curb the spread of HIV, hepatitis or other diseases for which MSM are considered at high risk. In addition to MSM, sex workers and intravenous-drug users are also permanently banned from giving blood, while those who have solicited sex workers or had sex with an HIV-positive person are subject to a oneyear deferral — a policy the American Red Cross and other medical organizations have recommended be extended to the MSM community. U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) noted this discrepancy in his testimony in favor of lifting the ban during the committee’s twoday hearing on the policy last week. “People who pay heterosexual prostitutes for sex are deferred for one year following
the incident, yet a gay man is deferred for life for even a single sexual encounter dating as far back as 1977, as if he may not yet be aware that he carries this disease 33 years later,” Kerry said. Kerry and dozens of other lawmakers, including Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), submitted a letter to HHS last week in support of lifting the ban, which Kerry said was created when little was known about HIV/AIDS. “It was a time when HIV/AIDS was still believed by many to be a gay disease, when the science of contraction was not fully understood and before highly accurate and duplicative tests were conducted on all of the donated blood across the nation. It was in fact a time when highly accurate detection tests were yet to even exist,” he said. “It is crystal clear that we have come a long, long way over the last three decades in our understanding of HIV/AIDS. The science regarding contraction of this disease has advanced dramatically, the detection methods have become more and more perfected and our understanding of what constitutes high-risk behavior has grown far beyond the ignorant idea that sexual orientation is an indicator in itself.” Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) did not sign on to support the letter. The American Civil Liberties Union submitted written testimony for the hearing in which the organization said the policy is not only discriminatory, but also sends the wrong message about HIV. “By categorically barring all gay and bisexual men from donating blood, the cur-
rent policy wrongly signals that — regardless of whether condoms are used consistently, regardless of the number of sexual partners and regardless of the kind of sexual activity engaged in — the mere fact of sexual activity with another man poses a risk of HIV transmission. This message is stigmatizing, runs contrary to effective HIV-prevention education and may in fact contribute to an increase in higher-risk behavior, as it fails to distinguish between high-risk and safersex practices.” Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, blasted the committee’s decision. “We expect more out of this advisory committee and this administration than to uphold an unnecessarily discriminatory policy from another era,” Carey said. “The most critical issue is to ensure that the blood supply is safe and abundant, and this means maximizing the potential donor pool and making sure all donors are screened appropriately and assessed based on actual behavioral risk independent of their sexual orientation.” The Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at the UCLA School of Law has estimated that changing the ban to a one-year deferral could result in an additional 90,000 pints of donated blood annually, and completely lifting the policy could generate 219,000 pints annually. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.
B-I-N-G-O for C-B-L-S-L The City of Brotherly Love Softball League will host its annual bingo game to raise funds for the LGBT softball club from 6-11 p.m. June 26 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. The event will also feature a 50/50 raffle, gift baskets and other prizes. Tickets are $20 at the door or $15 in advance. To make a reservation, contact Daniel Loranca at joincblsl@aol.com.
Dinner to benefit AIDS org. AIDS Services in Asian Communities will host its Eating for ASIAC, a monthly fundraiser to benefit the HIV/AIDS service organization, from 5-10 p.m. June 24 at Kingdom of Vegetarians, 129 N. 11th St. The restaurant, which is a BYOB, will donate 20 percent of the night’s proceeds to ASIAC. Reservations are recommended but not required. For more information, call (215) 6292300 ext. 123. — Jen Colletta
Gay businessowners plan cafe job fair The proprietors of a gay-owned coffee shop are seeking employers to participate in a job fair in July. Doug Kovacs, co-owner of Mug & Muffin, 210 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown, N.J., is planning to host a job fair at the shop in July. Businessowners interested in participating can contact him at mugnmuffin@gmail.com. ■ — Larry Nichols
PAGE 6
PRIDE From Page 1 groups like The Attic Youth Center and Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative, as well as the day’s headlining performers. “This year our entertainment was the best ever. People sat in the rain and watched and just went nuts over everybody,” Price said. “We had a really good lineup.” The audience gave an enthusiastic welcome to Prince impersonator Frank Moore Jr. and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contender Raven, as well as to comedic actress and headliner Jennifer Coolidge. “She was wonderful on stage and after the performance she came out and spent about an hourand-a-half letting people get their pictures taken with her. The crowd just loved her,” Price said. Although the stage lights were blazing, the rainbow lights that were expected to be lit on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge Saturday and Sunday were dark. Delaware River Port Authority spokesperson Danelle Hunter said the lack of lighting was due to a transformer malfunction. “We had a power outage at the Ben Franklin Bridge that affected our bridge lighting, as well as our EZ pass toll-collection system,” Hunter said. “Power was not restored until Monday evening.” Although the rainbow lights were supposed to be a big first for the festival, this year’s event still boasted a record number of vendors, with every spot taken, and also featured at least a dozen more contingents in the parade than last year. During the parade, this year’s grand marshals, Dr. Robert Winn, medical director at Mazzoni Center’s Family & Community Medicine, and Dr. Marla Gold, dean of Drexel University’s School of Public Health, gave new meaning to their duties as marshals. As the grand-marshal float was heading down Market Street at 11th, a woman crossing the parade route collapsed and began having a seizure, and Winn and Gold jumped down to tend to her. “It was a miracle for that woman that their float just happened to be right there at the time,” Price said. “They jumped off the float with no ladders or anything and ran up to her. No one’s ever seen anything like that. I think that’s the incredible story of the day. Someone could’ve died, so I’m so thankful they were our marshals.” ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 7
Media Trail Marines arrested in antigay assault
Photos: Scott A. Drake
According to Savannahnow.com, two Marines were arrested June 12 on misdemeanor battery charges for allegedly beating a gay man in Savannah, Ga. Keil Joseph Cronauer, 22, and Christopher Charles Stanzel, 23, both stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, S.C., told police they were being harassed by 26year-old Kieran Daly, and that they were trying to get away from him. Witnesses said Cronauer and Stanzel thought Daly was winking at them, so one of the men knocked Daly unconscious. Daly was found lying on the ground, with friends administering CPR. He was sent to Memorial University Medical Center and diagnosed with bruises on his brain. While in the hospital, Daly said, “The guy thought I was winking at him. I told him, ‘I was squinting, man ... I’m tired.’” Cronauer and Stanzel were later released to Marine police.
Ill. treasurer expands DP benefits Advocate.com reports Illinois state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias signed an executive order June 13 that will give gay and lesbian employees of his office the same domesticpartner benefits as married employees. Those benefits include family and medical leave, the ability to take time off to have or adopt children and bereavement time on par with married workers, in addition to health-care benefits that same-sex partners already receive. The office, which employees about 180 people, is the first Illinois state agency to adopt such a policy. Giannoulias is also a candidate for President Obama’s former Senate seat, but said politics didn’t motivate the decision.
See PARADE WINNERS, Page 8
School crowns gay prom king and queen Fox News reports two gay friends were voted prom king and queen by such a wide margin at a Hudson high school that the school didn’t bother choosing runners-up. Seniors Charlie Ferrusi and Timmy Howard won their respective crown and tiara by a landslide June 5. They started thinking about running a month earlier and ran the idea past advisers and the principal, who gave their blessing. The boys said one of the hardest parts of the experience was deciding who would be king and who would be queen. ■ — Larry Nichols
PAGE 8
Pride parade winners: Best Bar: Woody’s/Voyeur Best Nonprofit: The Attic Youth Center Best Business: U.S. Airways Best Float: Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Best Car/Truck/SUV: Woodbury Heights Fire Department Best Female Impersonator: Sandy Beach, Venture Inn Best Individual: Congressman Joe Sestak Best Theme: Philadelphia Fins
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
Best Performance: Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia Best Public Statement: Veterans for Peace Best Marching with Music: Philadelphia Freedom Band Best Marching without Music: Cheer New York Best Bar not from the Gayborhood: House of Blaze/ Albert’s 2nd Story Best Nonprofit not from the Gayborhood: Main Line Youth Alliance Gayest: Flaggots Grand Prize “Fruit Bowl”: The Attic Youth Center
SHOWING SOME LOVE IN THE GARDEN: Philadelphia AIDS Thrift held its Summer of Love fundraiser June 12 at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South St. PAT board president Mike Wilson (from left), Brooks Banker (aka Golden Delicious) and volunteer coordinator Christina Kallas-Saritsoglou were among the 200 attendees at the event, which raised an estimated $10,000 for the nonprofit organization. Photo: Scott A. Drake
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 9
Murder victim’s mom to read from memoir By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The name Matthew Shepard means something different to people throughout the world. But, to the mother of the slain college student, the name represents a son who, although his life was cut short, continues to live on through the light his murder shed on the LGBT community. Judy Shepard, who has become one of the most iconic figures in the modern LGBT-rights movement, will appear at the University of Pennsylvania Bookstore June 22 to read from and sign copies of her book, “The Meaning of Matthew: My Son’s Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed.” Shepard’s life has transformed drastically since Oct. 7, 1998 — when Matthew, a gay 21-yearold student at the University of Wyoming, was beaten, pistolwhipped and left tied to a fence near Laramie. He died from his injuries five days later. At the time, Shepard was a stayat-home mom living with her husband, Dennis, and son, Logan, in Saudi Arabia, where they had moved five years earlier with Matthew for Dennis’ job. Since getting the call in the early hours of Oct. 8 from the hospital where Matthew was taken, Shepard has gone from being a mother, wife and substitute socialstudies teacher to an LGBT activist who travels throughout the world to share her son’s story and raise awareness about biasmotivated crime and the need for acceptance, especially among youth audiences. Instead of harboring her own hatred toward her son’s killers — Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney, who alleged a “gaypanic defense” but are believed to have targeted Matthew because of his orientation, and now are serving two consecutive life sentences — Shepard decided to invest her emotions in the LGBT-rights movement to honor her son’s memory. “I think this is what happens when you piss off somebody’s mom. You try to make it right for your child, for their friends and their community. I knew that I couldn’t help Matt, but I thought that maybe I’d have the opportunity to help his community.” Among their LGBT activism, the Shepards created the Matthew Shepard Foundation, a national
JUDY SHEPARD Photo: Katy Tartakoff
education and outreach agency that seeks to “replace hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance,” and had been tireless advocates for a federal bill to extend hate-crimes protections to the LGBT community. The bill — known as the Matthew Shepard Act — was approved last year, and Shepard stood next to President Obama as he signed it into law. “I was overwhelmed and overjoyed,” she said. “This final step was finally taking place after so many close calls throughout the years. I think we know that laws don’t always prevent crimes, but this shows a level of respect from the government to the gay community. They’re officially recognizing this community, and I think it’s a great building block for, in the future, the government granting the community all the rights it deserves.” Shepard’s outspoken support of the LGBT community has made her a target of protests by anti-LGBT groups, such as the Westboro Baptist Church. The Kansas-based fringe group first garnered international attention when its members picketed Matthew’s funeral, but Shepard said she doesn’t let the group’s messages affect her. “I don’t pay them any mind. I think they’re ridiculous, and I just don’t pay them any attention. I actually feel sorry that their whole life is immersed in hate.” The Westboro protests were included in “Laramie Project,” a documentary theatrical production that details the murder and its ensuing impact on the town. Shepard said the play has helped to educate countless audience members about the potential consequences of homophobia, especially those who were too young to see them firsthand in news
reports of the murder. “Especially now, when I go to speak at colleges, I see freshmen who were too young to be aware of what happened unless they’d actually seen or been involved in ‘Laramie Project’ or have a loved one in the gay community,” she said. “When all is said and done years from now, ‘Laramie Project’ will be the one true thing that’s left that survives. It’s 100-percent honest, and it’s never changed. It keeps Matt’s story alive. It’s transformative.” Her son’s story is also retold in her own book, which came out last fall. Shepard said she initially considered publishing a book of some
of the innumerable letters of support her family received after the murder, but decided instead to pursue a memoir, partially to allow her family to revisit 1998 together — a time she said had become so ingrained in their daily lives, the details were murky. “We were forgetting things. We hadn’t been back to those memories in eight or nine years, so we thought it was time to finally go back there,” she said, noting the book, which took about two years to complete, was a collaborative effort. “I had to gather a lot of people together to be part of it. I had been getting the timeline wrong from what happened at the hospital to the police at the beginning because we hadn’t been back to those memories in years and years.” Shepard noted that while it was difficult to put the tragedy to paper and reflect on the moment she learned of the attack and the prolonged courtroom experience, it gave her family the opportunity to look back on the minutiae that made her son who he was, and to define him by that instead of only by his murder. “We remembered all these cool things about Matt, things we loved and things that annoyed us,” said his mother. “Most people never
knew Matt. They knew the icon Matt, but not our Matt.” The book doesn’t just portray Matthew as the heroic figure he’s come to be, but also explores his struggles and faults, which Shepard said can be learning experiences for other young people who may think they are alone. “Life’s not defined by your mistakes; that’s how we learn. You just have to know not to make them again.” Shepard said that in writing “The Meaning of Matthew,” she was exploring what her son meant to her personally, but came to see that one of the most significant results of Matthew’s death was the way in which it united and inspired LGBT individuals and allies to fight for tangible change for their community. “I think what this made me realize that I hadn’t thought about was that one of Matt’s legacies is the generation of activists that was created after his death. And I think that’s going to be one of Matt’s greatest legacies.” ■ Judy Shepard’s free reading will begin at 6:30 p.m. June 22 at the Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St. Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
PAGE 10
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
Editorial Reflections on Pride
Perhaps this column should have come out before the Pride parade and festival, but sometimes it’s hard to be reflective while tackling PGN’s biggest issue of the year, both in size and importance. Pride is the one time of year when the LGBT community takes time to make some noise, to remind the mainstream community that we are here, we’re not going anywhere and they really do know a queer or two. It’s the one time of year when, regardless of who you are and what you do, you can be true to yourself. You don’t have to worry about acting “too gay” at work or letting it slip that your “roommate” is really your girlfriend. You don’t need to worry that your family isn’t ready to accept your partner. You don’t have to defend your attractions — be they to men, women or both — and your romantic choices. What you do have to do is own it. You owe it to yourself and your partners, friends and loved ones to be honest about your happiness, your attractions, your needs. As a community, we owe it to our forebears, those who have challenged homophobia and stood up for gay rights, we owe it to them to be honest about who we love and why. Without their struggle, we wouldn’t be able to march down Market Street as gay as we please, or even just holding another woman’s hand. Without a doubt, this is the one time of year when it is a political act to be out. (OK, we can count National Coming Out Day too.) But Pride is also about our diversity — and our strength. Because sexual orientation isn’t relegated to any particular race, class or socioeconomic background, members of the LGBT community cover the spectrum of races, classes and backgrounds. We’ve got “family” everywhere, and we need to remember that. Having connections through various communities — not isolating ourselves — will only help us achieve equal rights. Each June, the LGBT community has the opportunity to be more visible. We need to make sure we take that opportunity, both on a personal level and as a community. We need to be out and proud for ourselves and for our LGBT brothers and sisters — and for the generation who will inevitably follow us. We need to make sure their road is easier than ours, that their struggle is not as hard, that their truth is easier to speak. ■
WARMING UP FOR THE PARADE Photo: Scott A. Drake
Creep of the Week
D’Anne Witkowski
Pastor Martin Ssempa There are a lot of arguments against gay rights out there, some crazier than others. But pastor Martin Ssempa, the chairman of the National Task Force Against Homosexuality in Uganda and a preacher with celebrity status, has taken being antigay to a whole new batshit-crazy level. Or should I say a “gay poo-poo”-crazy level. The May 25 episode of Vanguard features a press conference where the pastor, who strongly supports a bill in Uganda that would put homosexuals in prison for life or kill them, graphically describes how he believes gay men have sex. Wearing a button that says, “Uganda Stands Against Sodomy,” Ssempa said, “I’ve taken time to do a little research to know what homosexuals do in the privacy of their bedroom. One of the things they do is called anal licking where a man’s anus is licked like this by the other person,” he said, demonstrating by placing his lips on his closed fist and making a kissing sound. “Like ice cream. And then what happens, even poo-poo comes out. The other one poo-poos out and then they eat the poo-poo.” Whoa, Professor Fecal Matter. You
weren’t kidding when you said that you did “a little” research if you think gay sex is all about eating poo like ice cream. I think you have to get pretty far into the search results before that kind of shit comes up. Forgive me, but I don’t remember the poo-poo tent at Pride this year. And then, then he says that any children present should leave because things are about to get graphic. Holding a laptop computer and pointing to the screen, he said, “You can see a man here having sucked the other person’s rectum and the other person is poo-pooing and this one is eating the poo-poo all over the place.” He then excitedly shoves the laptop in the faces of the religious leaders sitting next to him like a worm-toting 7-year-old trying to gross out the girl he has a crush on. “Tell me, when you have a law against homosexuality, do you say, ‘Except eating the poo-poo?’” he asked. “We do not want this sickness. This is sick and it’s therefore deviant. We do not want it.” He then calls a woman up to the front to tell her story about how older lesbians seduced her into homosexu-
ality when she was 16 by giving her a laptop and an iPod. Because that’s totally how sexual orientation works. Genitals to the highest bidder. Are there gay men who eat poo? Sure, probably. Straight men who do the same? Yep. I’d bet my life on it. But poo-eaters are certainly in the minority of sex-havers. But when you actually want to see gays killed, like Ssempa does, you want to make them seem as inhuman and savage as possible. So saying that they’re preying on kids and focusing on something that’s really going to gross people out is the way to go. Now, I don’t know what Ssempa’s sex life is like, but he doesn’t seem to understand that there really isn’t any sex act gay people do that straight people can’t — and don’t — also do. Well, maybe penis docking, which I won’t explain to you. Google it. Just don’t do it at the library. ■ D’Anne Witkowski has been gay for pay since 2003. She’s a freelance writer and poet (believe it!). When she’s not taking on the creeps of the world, she reviews rock ’n’ roll shows in Detroit with her twin sister.
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Green Outlook Sharon Guynup and Glenn Scherer Swimming our dirty waters With the swimming beaches of four Gulf states — Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida — fouled for the foreseeable future by the BP oil spill, many American families are likely to be re-evaluating their summer vacation plans. Unfortunately, many other U.S. beaches that are touted as clean also are polluted, and could threaten your health. “It’s a chronic condition of coastal life,” says Dr. Mark Rennaker, a California doctor who regularly treats swimmers and surfers for sinus, lung, eye and ear infections, among other waterborne ailments. Health advisories and beach closings for U.S. oceans, bays and the Great Lakes topped 20,000 for the fourth year running, reports the Natural Resource Defense Council in its most recent annual report on vacation beach-water quality. (www.nrdc.org/water/ oceans/ttw/titinx.asp) Add to that a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that one in eight U.S. public swimming pools were shut down temporarily because of dirty water or other problems, including missing safety equipment. Kiddie pools were the germiest, often improperly chlorinated and laden with fecal matter. Our public waters grow ever dirtier. Infections resulting from a day at the beach have increased steadily for decades — even though such illnesses are seriously underreported because people rarely associate a swim with sickness that appears days or weeks later. Data also shows that up to 10 percent of people who jump into the Great Lakes this year will likely end up in bed or the emergency room. Swimming in bacteria, parasite or virus-laden water can transmit anything from pink eye to dysentery and respiratory infections to hepatitis or meningitis. Stormwater was the culprit in most swimmingrelated disease incidents that could be linked to a pollution source, says NRDC, highlighting poor management of both human and animal waste in communities across the nation. Summer thunderstorms flush huge amounts of feces and bacteria into waterways. That’s because runoff and sewage are often routed through the same pipes in many U.S. cities. These “combined sewers” work fine in dry weather when sewage treatment plants can handle the load. But with a hard downpour, runoff and sewage bypass treatment plants and gush into rivers and oceans. Beach closings result, though not as often as they should. In cities with aging sewage treatment systems — places such as New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle and Chicago — nearly every rainfall overwhelms the system. “After a hard rain, the human excrement of roughly 40-million Americans in 772 communities in 31 states flows untreated straight out the pipe into America’s rivers, lakes and bays,”
writes Andrew Willner, former director of NY/NJ Baykeeper. Here’s another troubling wrinkle: 13,000 annual beach closings were attributed to “unknown sources of pollution.” That’s because stormwater holds more than sewage. It’s a soup of trash, oil, asbestos, lead, cadmium and other heavy metals coming from roofs, streets and industrial sites, as well as pesticides from industrial farms and backyards. What these waterborne toxins do to swimmers, especially vulnerable children, is unknown. Clearly water quality is in crisis: A 2002 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report found that 45 percent of our waterways are too polluted for swimming or fishing. Federal public-health standards and most state laws regarding swimmable waters urgently need to be updated. Unfortunately, notes Dr. Rennaker, our antiquated water-testing policies are fixated on “fear of feces.” Testing should now be expanded to address a wide range of waterborne illnesses, including disease-causing microbes, toxic chemicals and redtide outbreaks that sicken people and kill sea life. One place to start cleanup is with factory farms that produce as much sewage as small cities, but are currently exempt from serious federal regulation. Urban sewage systems must also be upgraded and the combined-sewer problem solved. The Senate should pass the Clean Coastal Environment and Public Health Act, providing funds to track down polluters. (The House has already approved the bill.) EPA must step up enforcement, and the corrupt U.S. Minerals Management Service — with its record of handing out oil-drilling permits without environmental oversight — must be reformed. Offshore oil-drilling regulations, especially for deepwater rigs, must be upgraded. Even rising economic powers like Brazil require emergency remote-control shutoff switches on drilling rigs — a $500,000 device not required by law in the United States that would have likely prevented the BP disaster. America’s polluted waters aren’t just a problem in the highly visible Gulf. They are a nationwide disgrace demanding a comprehensive solution, one that involves all levels of government and that places public health above corporate interests. There’s no reason why you or your kids should be sickened by a day at the beach. ■ © 2010 www.blueridgepress.com Sharon Guynup’s writing has been published by The New York Times Syndicate, Popular Science, nationalgeographic.com, The Boston Globe and other publications. (Publisher Mark Segal’s column will return next week.)
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.
PAGE 11
Street Talk Is there a correlation between weight and sexual orientation?
Jessica Farmer telemarketer Washington Square West
Erin O’Connor artist Washington Square West
“Yes, but it’s not genetic or hereditary. It’s a cultural thing. There’s more societal pressure for straight women and gay men to be thin. Lesbian women don’t place that pressure [to be thin] on other women.”
“Now that you mention it, all the gay guys that I know are fit and fabulous. They’re all in shape. I can’t say the same thing about the lesbians that I know. So maybe there is a correlation. But it has nothing to do with having a gay or lesbian gene. It’s just societal conditioning.”
Eric Stahl restaurant manager Graduate Hospital area
Jason Wasko hair stylist West Mount Airy
“No, I think that’s a stereotype. But there’s a grain of truth to it. A lot of gay men are fashionable and bodyconscious. A lot of lesbians are feminists, and not necessarily into starving themselves to impress men.”
“In my case, the answer is yes. I’m gay, and I’m 10-15 pounds underweight. There’s little I can do about it. So there could be a genetic correlation. Also, I’ve noticed gay men being thinner and lesbians being heavier. But that’s fine. To each their own.”
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 12
Triangle Medical General Practice Progressive HIV Care MARK T. WATKINS, DO JOHN DEL ROSSI, PA-C
(215) 829-0170 253 S. 10th St. First Floor Philadelphia
PGN:
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
Amended party-promoter bill advances By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The City Council bill that c r e a t e d a bu z z a m o n g t h e Philadelphia nightlife crowd was voted out of a council committee last week, although the measure looks much different than the original. The Committee on Licenses and Inspections approved the socalled “promoter bill” in a unanimous vote June 9. A full council vote was expected June 17. More than 10,000 people signed on to a petition against the original measure, introduced by Councilmen-at-Large Bill Greenlee and Darrell Clarke in April and which would have required event promoters to receive approval by city police a month prior to each event. The amended bill will now require promoters to register with the city for a fee of $40, but not to receive prior approval for each event. Greenlee said that while the intent of the measure is the same as when he introduced it — ensuring that events are safe and disturbance-free — it needed to be amended in order to be effective. “What we did is we narrowed the focus of it a little bit because we realized the original bill was probably casting too wide of a net and affecting people who didn’t need to be affected,” Greenlee said. The bill now mandates that promoters complete a one-time
Pick us up every week.
registration form, which will be available online, detailing their contact information and business-privilege license number, and that permanent registrations will be issued by the Managing Director’s office. The measure stipulates that venues with a special-assembly occupancy license — which the city already requires for restaurants, bars and other locales with a lawful occupancy of more than 50 people — must notify their local police department two weeks in advance of an event organized by an outside promoter. On the notification form, which will be available online, the venue must include the promoter’s name and contact information, businessprivilege license number, the lawful occupancy of the venue and the anticipated number of event guests. While the original bill would have required promoters to submit a security plan to police, the current measure allows for venues to state on their notification forms whether or not private security will be in place and, if so, to provide contact information for the individual in charge of security. Although the legislation says police must be notified at least two weeks in advance, venues can submit the forms after that time if they can demonstrate “good cause” for the late notice. Local out promoter Dan Contarino, who said he’s “pleased with the changes” to the bill, said one of his main points of contention with the original measure was that it would have given police the authority to cancel an event. “It gave police control to cancel something even 10 days prior, when there’s already been a lot of investment, both financially and promotionally, which could have destroyed a promoter’s business,” Contarino said. “There are promoters out there that have done damage and that led to the creation of this bill to begin with and, unfortunately, this would have been a situation that would also hurt the more-established promoters.” The bill amends the current law so that the promoter will also be held liable, alongside the specialassembly occupancy licensee, for any costs incurred by the dispatch of police or fire departments for any disturbances at the events. During the committee hearing last week, only one promoter,
Patrick Rodgers of Dancing Ferret Productions, testified, and he was in favor of the new bill. “The bill was not so much changed as it was completely overhauled,” Rodgers said. “The initial draft, which did not have the benefit of input from those within the entertainment industry, was overly broad and would have had many unintended consequences.” Greenlee said he worked closely with Rodgers and other promoters to amend the bill, and that his legislative director, Noelle Marconi, had at least 40 meetings with local promoters about the measure, which he said helped to turn the tide. “If you’d told me even a few days before the hearing that we’d have no opposition at all at the hearing, I would have wondered what you were imbibing. At first, the blogs were pretty bad. But nobody appeared against it, and I really have to give credit to the promoters that we worked with for that.” Rodgers anticipates the new measure will be 90-percent acceptable to 90 percent of the people it would affect. “Promoters must now provide the city with their basic contact information, but the inconvenience of this one-time registration is not unreasonable given that public safety is an important element of our industry,” he said. “Promoters bring people, and thereby revenue, to the city. I was pleased with how consistently every branch of Philadelphia government recognized that fact and collaborated in removing the bill’s onerous requirements for bona-fide promoters while keeping the bill tough on those who produce unsafe events.” Greenlee said the conversations he’s had with local promoters helped to educate him about the city’s nightlife environment. “I kidded before that I’m not really on top of today’s music scene. I’m still a Motown guy who listens to The Temptations, so I have learned some stuff through this, too. As it was originally written, it was affecting a lot of people needlessly, but now it’s going to be able to capture the folks that we need to try to deal with who could be a potential problem.” ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 13
Study finds hospital discrimination policies lacking Local hospitals more likely to protect sexual orientation than gender identity, says HRC. By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer According to a report issued this week from the Human Rights Campaign, a vast majority of American hospitals don’t have regulations in place to provide LGBT patients with equal rights, although far-reaching changes are on the way. HRC’s 2010 Health Equality Index, released last week, found that 93 percent of the nation’s largest hospitals do not have patient nondiscrimination policies inclusive of gender identity, while 42 percent don’t include sexual orientation. In April, President Obama issued a memorandum mandating that all hospitals receiving Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements — the majority of American health facilities — must treat same-sex partners of patients who have power of attorney or another legal designation as immediate family members, granting them equal visitation privileges as heterosexual spouses and participation in healthcare decision-making. The new rules also stipulate that hospitals cannot deny visitation based on sexual orientation or gender identity. In addition to Obama’s directive — which gave the Department of Health and Human Services six months to make recommendations about the implementation of the rules — the Joint Commission, the nation’s largest hospitalaccreditation agency, recently announced new LGBT-inclusive regulations for accreditation. The commission convened an expert panel to analyze its policies and which produced new standards that include a stipulation that accredited hospitals must prohibit patient discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. “The Joint Commission’s vision is that all people always experience the safest, highest-quality, best-value healthcare across all settings,” the commission said in a statement. “These standards are an important step toward meeting our mission to continuously improve health care for all.” The HEI study looked at a representative sample of 200 of the nation’s largest health care facilities to analyze the protections in place for LGBT patients. Eight Pennsylvania facili-
ties were included on the list, all of which had policies inclusive of sexual orientation but not gender identity. They include Philadelphia’s Albert Einstein Medical Center, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, Lancaster General Hospital, Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown and UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. In addition, the report evaluated 178 hospitals that voluntarily completed surveys about their LGBT policies. Tom Sullivan, deputy director of the HRC Foundation Family Project, noted that, since the sur-
vey was voluntary, most of the facilities included had policies that were more inclusive than some of those in the representative sample. Nearly 94 percent have employment policies that ban sexual-orientation discrimination, while 52 percent also prohibit genderidentity discrimination. About 84 percent reference sexual orientation in their patients’ rights statements, and about 30 percent also extend protections to patients based on gender identity. Just over half of the hospitals have LGBT cultural competency training for employees, and about a third of the respondents have policies to provide equal visitation access for same-sex couples and samesex parents.
Two local hospitals — Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania — responded to the survey, although neither was among the 42 facilities rated as a “Top Performer.” Both CHOP and Penn include sexual orientation in their patient nondiscrimination policies. CHOP offers LGBT staff training and has an employment nondiscrimination policy inclusive of sexual orientation, while Penn’s employment nondiscrimination statement includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. Sullivan said the policy changes are especially momentous when considering the results of the HEI. He said that, although some
hospitals attempt to provide fair and equal treatment to LGBT patients, without specific stipulations on the books and training in place, their efforts are often unsuccessful. “There are constant reports of people with bad experiences in emergency rooms and many times they’ll be in places where hospitals are known to be good to the LGBT community,” Sullivan said. “Without the language, there is some gray area. When a hospital says they treat everyone the same, they may be well-intentioned, but the gold standard has to be explicit and include language.” ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
PAGE 14
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 15
PAGE 16
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 17
PAGE 18
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 19
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 20
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
�����������������������������������
Celebrating Philadelphia’s “Gayborhood” July 10 through 24, 2010
Mark your calendar for these not-to-be-missed events: Southwest Airlines’ “Grand Reopening” Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Saturday, July 10, 4:00 p.m. ������������ ��������������������
Wachovia’s “Gayborhood” Block Party Sunday, July 11, 12:00 noon-6:00 p.m. 13 th Street between Locust & Walnut Streets and Camac Street between Locust & Spruce Streets
For more information about the “Gayborhood” celebration and the Rainbow Discount Pass, visit facebook.com/visitgayphilly and visitphilly.com. �������������������
Philadelphia QFEST July 8-19, 2010
���������
���������������
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 21
National student group honors LGBT leaders By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Among the year’s winners of a national LGBT scholarship program are three students with ties to this region. Out of a pool of more than 1,600 applicants, the Point Foundation selected 25 scholars who will attend undergraduate and graduate programs throughout the nation this fall and who were recognized for their academic achievements, leadership abilities and involvement in the LGBT community, among other criteria. This year marks the first in which the Rand Skolnick Point Scholarship was awarded, a scholarship named for the out New Hope businessman who died in 2008. The first recipient, Derek Blechinger, will use the award to pursue his medical degree at the University of Washington School of Medicine. A native of rural Minnesota, Blechinger came out during high school in an environment that was not very supportive, and he encountered many who attempted to “cure” him. However, once in college, Blechinger was able to fully embrace his identity, cochairing his school’s LGBT student group and establishing a gay-straight alliance at a high school in his area. Blechinger began his work in the HIV/AIDS field at the Minnesota AIDS Project and later the Red Door Clinic, the state’s largest HIV clinic, where he provided HIV testing and counseling — experiences that solidified his desire to pursue his doctorate in medicine and eventually launch his own LGBT health center. “For years, I worked in gay/ bi men’s health doing HIV/STD testing and counseling, with an increased focus on the dramatic rise in HIV in young gay/bi men,” Blechinger said. “As a doctor, I will be able to do so much more for LGBTQ individuals. As a medical director of an LGBTQ public-health clinic, I will be able to better serve the community. And as a Point scholar, I will be able to increase the scope of my advo-
PGN:
DEREK BLECHINGER (FROM LEFT), NATALIE BRILMYER AND DEREK LIVERMONT
cacy and make a real impact.” Also hailing from a small town is Derek Livermont, a native of Montana, who will be heading east this fall to attend the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. Livermont, who was outed in his freshman year of high school, went on to take several leadership positions in his high school and with national student organization Business Professionals of America, where he has served as both an elected state and national representative of the agency. When he begins at Penn, Livermont will serve as the national vice president of the agency, in addition to juggling his coursework in his dual major of business and political science. Livermont, who hopes to one day run for public office, said the support he’s seen from the Point Foundation has already been inspiring. “The Point family has limitless opportunity because it brings people together from so many backgrounds and unites them under one cause — compassion,” he said. “If there is one true way that I can make a difference with Point, it is by showing other people the compassion that I’ve found with this family.” In addition to the financial assistance, the Point Foundation also matches each scholar with a mentor to guide the completion of the required one community-service
project a year and also provides career guidance. “When they become scholars, they’re brought into this network, this family of mentors and of alumni,” Valencia said. “We have conferences where they’re able to speak to great people in our community, like David Mixner or Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, and they have their own opportunities to speak in public, which we train them to do. Once they leave as a scholar, we have an alumni association that they join because we have a commitment to having them be part of this Point family forever.” Many of the students come from situations where they have faced adversity from their own families, which Valencia noted makes the Point Foundation even more integral to their development. Natalie Brilmyer, a native of suburban Pittsburgh who will use her scholarship to continue her education as a fashion-design major at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, came out at age 15 and her family’s negative response precipitated her living on her own since that time. Despite that challenge, however, she went on to found her high school’s first gay-straight alliance, served as a member of the board of directors of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network and volunteered at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Pittsburgh.
Pick us up every week.
At the Art Institute, Brilmyer runs the university’s Queers & Allies Club and has also created an online business selling LGBTpositive clothing. All scholars had to have achieved a 3.3 grade-point average — a level they must maintain to retain their scholarship award. Jorge Valencia, CEO and executive director of the Point Foundation, said the scholars are just as devoted to community work as they are to their studies, noting that this year’s class of scholars has already logged more
than 5,000 hours of community service. “They all possess a commitment not only to the LGBT community, in terms of their volunteerism or activism, but also to society as a whole,” he said. “They’re not just focused on LGBT issues, but they’re also interested in issues like the environment or immigration and are contributing on a multitude of levels.” Valencia said situations like Brilmyer’s shed light on the obstacles many LGBT youth are faced with, and the strength it takes to overcome them. “When you look at the statistics and how horrible they are — LGBT youth are four-and-ahalf times more likely than their non-gay peers to drop out of high school — the simple fact that these students were able to get through school, even with the harassment they might have faced not only from their peers but also from their home lives as well, shows the resilience that they have and that commitment to do more with their lives,” he said. For more information on the Point Foundation, visit www. pointfoundation.org. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
High quality dental treatment and preventive care
• Cosmetic dentistry • Veneers • Crowns • Whitening • Implants
Craig T. Wakefield, DDS Proudly serving the LGBT community and PWA for over 20 years. Medical Towers Building • Suite 2306 255 S. 17th St. Philadelphia, Pa 19103 (215) 732-8080 Evening hours available.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 22
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
Passport gender policy eased www.dignityphila.org Facebook – Dignity Philadelphia Join us at St. Luke & the Epiphany Church 330 S. 13th Street, between Spruce and Pine streets, Philadelphia, PA
Sunday Mass at 7:00 p.m.
Communion in the form of Consecrated bread, wine and grape juice. Gluten-free communion available upon request.
First Bap tist Ch u r c h SERVICES: Wednesdays Noon time Sundays 11a.m.
Rev. Dr. Peter C. Wool 17TH & SANSOM STREETS PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 www.fbcphila1698.org
215.563.3853
Ira Sheres, DMD ~ Now Accepting New Patients ~
• General and Specialized Dentistry • Cosmetic Dentistry • Early Morning and Evening Hours • Education
Cornell University, B.S., 1986 U of P School of Dental Medicine, DMD, 1990 Temple University, Residency in Prosthodontics, 1992
WE HAVE MOVED!
Dr. Ira Sheres (center) with his life partner and their children
248 S. 21st Street • Phila, PA 19103 Call 215-546-6111
By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The U.S. Department of State last week issued new regulations that would make it easier for transgender individuals to change the sex designation on their passports. The policy change, announced June 9, lifts the provision that an individual must have completed sexual-reassignment surgery before a passport can reflect his or her desired sex. Individuals looking to change the sex on their passport must now submit a certification from a physician confirming the person has undergone “appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition.” The regulation also applies to changing a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, the equivalent of a birth certificate for U.S. citizens born outside the country. Individuals just beginning transition are eligible for temporary two-year passports. The policy only requires a healthcare provider’s certification and no information on the actual treatments. The validating doctor must be familiar with the individual’s tran-
PGN:
sition process and can be an internist, psychiatrist, endocrinologist, urologist or gynecologist. Michael Silverman, executive director of the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, hailed the policy change, noting it adds a needed layer of protection for transgender Americans who often face safety issues when traveling in countries that are hostile to the transgender community. “Adoption of this safety-focused policy is a giant step forward in protecting transgender Americans abroad and in fulfilling the State Department’s commitment to protect all Americans when they travel, work or live overseas,” Silverman said. Kathy Padilla, a local transgender activist, said the new regulation will have a considerable impact on the transgender community. “I think this is a very significant policy change that’s going to affect a lot of people’s lives positively,” she said. “It’s going to ensure that people can travel safely and can also help people in finding employment because they won’t be outed during hiring decisions when they use a passport as identification.”
Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, applauded the Obama administration and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton “for understanding the need for this change and then responding to make travel safer for transgender people.” “This shows how changes in government policy directly impact people’s lives, in this case, for the better,” she said. The NCTE acknowledged several individuals it said worked for years to bring about such a policy change, including U.S. Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies, Council for Global Equality, The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal, Transgender Law Center and the Human Rights Campaign. NCTE also noted that the American Medical Association and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health were influential in the institution of the policy. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
Gay is our middle name.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
Obituary
PAGE 23
Philly’s New Resource for HIV/AIDs and Hormonal Therapies
Ebony Beard, dental assistant, 34 By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer E b o n y Beard, a dental assistant and mother of two, was killed in an automobile accident May 21. She was 34. Beard is a native of Philadelphia who was most recently living in Delaware County. She graduated from University City High School in the mid-’90s and went on to study dental assisting at Harcum College. Cass Williams, her partner of more than seven years, said Beard was always drawn to the dental field. “She loved the profession of teeth, don’t ask me why,” Williams laughed. “Most people hate going to the dentist, but she just loved that profession. And I think she really enjoyed all of the people she got to work with.” Shortly after Beard graduated from college, her mother saw an
ad for a cleaning position in a dental office. Williams said Beard got the job and was able to get her foot in the door, later working as a dental assistant at several dental offices, most recently in Chadds Ford. Outside of work, Beard was a motorcycle enthusiast who owned her own bike, which Williams said she loved to ride. A high-school basketball player, Beard was also an avid fan of the sport and followed the WNBA. Much of her time was devoted to her 13-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son, who Williams said were “the light of her world.” “Anything and everything she could do for them she would. It was not impossible,” Williams wrote in an obituary. Williams said the love Beard showed her children also permeated her other relationships. “She was always giving, sometimes even too giving. But she wanted to make people smile, and she always had the ability to do that.” Besides Williams and her children, Beard is survived by her parents and many other relatives and friends.
Consumer Research Council’s top dentist 2007, 2008, and 2009. Rainbow Award best dentist who contributes to his community 2007 and 2008.
Medical Arts Bldg. 1601 Walnut St. , Suite 1302 Phila. PA 19102
215-568-6222
www.philadelphiadentist.com
A memorial service was held May 27 at the Townsend Funeral Home. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.
MARRIAGE MADE EASY IN D.C. Same-Sex marriage is now legal in Washington, D.C. Let me do the initial legwork for you. As your officiant, I can file your marriage application - it will be ready when you get here. No three - day wait! Spiritual and Civil Ceremonies Offered
Rev. Bonnie J. Berger
HIV/AIDS Drugs Hepatitis B/C Anxiety / Depression Cancer Sterile Compounding of:
Sensitive to Needs of the LGBT Community
• Hormonal Therapies • Chemotherapy • Palliative Care Drugs
We Can Bill for SPBP Medications Discounts, Coupons & Rebates You Are Not Alone Available We’ll work directly with Lowest Prices for Un-insured your Clinic or MD Delivery Available
210 Market St., Philadelphia PA 19106 • (215) 625-6668
www.epgn.com
Interfaith Minister www.ringinlove.com
301-270-4089
Hook up with us online.
18th Street
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 24
Apothecary We are a full service pharmacy Proudly serving the Philadelphia community
Free Delivery! 113 S. 18th Street Philadelphia PA 19103 215-564-0900 Get the attention you deserve from your pharmacy, call us today! • We can bill for all SPBP medications • All insurances accepted • No insurance? You’ll be surprised by our prices • Fast friendly service • Easy prescription transfers • Complete medication therapy for: • HIV/AIDS • Diabetes • Pain Mgmt
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
CONKLIN From Page 1 Penn State University, which he said has a large LGBT community that he advocates for. “One of the largest gay communities in Pennsylvania is in my district, which is something people don’t realize,” he said. “When you think of rural Pennsylvania, it’s different from Philadelphia or from Pittsburgh, but this is actually a very progressive district that’s in the middle of Central Pennsylvania, so it’s kind of deceptive in nature. So as a representative — just like the Babettes [Josephs (D-182nd Dist.)] and the Dan Frankels [D-23rd Dist.], my district has a very large community, and I work to represent all of the people in my district.” Conklin was endorsed by the Capital Region Stonewall Democrats, although Philadelphia’s Liberty City Democratic Club endorsed Saidel. Conklin favors civil unions for same-sex couples but is not an advocate of full marriage equality. He said, however, that he opposes efforts to ban same-sex marriage in the state constitution, the latest of which was defeated in a state Senate committee earlier this year. “Gay marriage is not recognized in the state of Pennsylvania but I would never vote to ban it. I would never allow that to happen,” he said. “I am in favor of gay couples having the same rights as any other couples.” Conklin is also supportive of efforts to include sexual orientation and gender identity into the state hate-crimes law and to ban LGBT discrimination.
SCOUTS From Page 1 ments about homosexuality — not city officials. Gosselin also told the jurors that, although the Scouts have the right to discriminate against gays, the local Council never practices such bias because it disagrees with the ban. Smith told jurors about a shortlived anti-bias policy covering sexual orientation that was temporarily enacted by the Cradle of Liberty Council in 2003. Smith said the council rescinded the policy after the national Boy Scouts of
There are currently bills in the House that address civil unions, hate crimes and nondiscrimination and, although Conklin said he would vote for such measures, he is not currently a cosponsor of them, which he said is on par with his typical approach. “I’m not trying to slight the community in any way,” he said. “I personally don’t cosponsor a lot of bills. Bills can be changed and morphed, and I’ve been burnt a few times on bills that I’ve cosponsored and then have been amended drastically, so I’m always leery about it. I just don’t cosponsor many bills but that doesn’t mean I don’t support them.” Conklin said he’d also support efforts to mandate equal hospitalvisitation rights for same-sex couples and the inclusion of LGBT protections in the state anti-bullying law. The House recently passed a measure Conklin introduced earlier this year that seeks to combat teen-dating violence. The bill — named after Demi Brae Cuccia, a 16-year-old from Monroeville who was killed by her boyfriend in 2007 — defines dating partners as those in intimate relationships, regardless of gender. Conklin said he plans to expand his outreach to Philadelphia in the next few months and is eager to meet members of the local LGBT community. “I’m going to be doing a lot of work in Philadelphia, and I’m looking forward to coming down to functions that the community has if I’m able to be there. That’s definitely something I want to do.” ■
Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com. America organization threatened to revoke the council’s charter. He also told jurors the local council follows orders from the national office, as it did when it expelled openly gay Scout Greg Lattera in 2003. Smith said the local council’s frequent assertions of its right to discriminate has “chased away” many gays. Moreover, he said, the local council uses a job application form stating that no gays can be hired. U.S. District Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter is presiding over the trial, which is expected to wrap up this week. ■
PGN: Pick us up every week.
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 25
PAGE 26
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 27
PAGE 28
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 29
EWS
PAGE 30
PAGE 15
By Larry O’Dell The Associated Press
g
14 that uropean be held
mprised , the in and ll meet st event
of the ople In ess for vealed, 2,000
sgender sgender he city arty for
ched at
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
Va. court sides with Episcopal Church in dispute
Russia cent of ry. o yet m the
national such as mnesty o attend eriences hts and
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Spring Cleaning and Maintenance Find help in the Home PGN Improvement Directory
“Our” Family Plumber for 30 Years
(215) 467-3335
Craig T. Wakefield DDS
Pa HIC #026545 Phila. Lic. #17895
A committed and caring dentist who has built his practice on referrals from patients. CONGREGATION BETH AHAVAH at Rodeph Shalom A GLBT synagogue welcoming people of all gender and sexual identities since 1975
JOIN US MONTHLY FOR SHABBAT SERVICES AT 8:00 PM
High Quality Dental Treatment Winner of the 2009 Paddy and Barry Epstein Communicate! Award Coffee, cake & conversation at the oneg following services
for innovative programming in a small congregation
Cosmetic Dentistry Wednesday, June 16 7:00 PM. Annual Congregational Meeting. Veneers(NEW DATE!) Light dinner served as we elect the Board Crownsof Directors Whitening for 2010-11. Members only. Friday, June 25, 8:00 PM. BA Shabbat Services. PleaseImplants join us for a Beth Ahavah service to welcome the Sabbath. An oneg (social hour) will follow services. Evenings Hours Preventive Care PWA’sforWelcome Visit www.bethahavah.org additional information, programming and directions 615 North Broad Street, Phila., PA 19123-2495 Phone: 215.923.2003 E-mail: BethAhavah@rodephshalom.org
Medical Towers Building • Suite 2306 255 South17th Street • Philadelphia, PA 19103
Free secure parking: Cross Spring Garden at 13th St., left at next light, Mt. Vernon St. Parking lot entrance on left.
215
732-8080
RICHMOND, VA. — The Virginia Supreme Court overturned a judge’s decision allowing breakaway Episcopal Church congregations to keep church property last Thursday, but the battle isn’t over. The justices unanimously ruled that the 1867 statute on which the judge based his decision did not apply. They sent the case back to Fairfax County Circuit Court to determine ownership based on real-estate and contract law. The ruling was a blow to nine northern Virginia congregations that split from the Episcopal Church in a disagreement over acceptance of gays, the ordination of women and other theological issues. They aligned with the more conservative Convocation of Anglicans in North America, a mission of the Church of Nigeria. The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia said it was gratified by the Supreme Court’s ruling. “This decision brings us one important step closer to return-
ing loyal Episcopalians, who have been extraordinarily faithful in disheartening and difficult circumstances, to their church homes,” said the Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston, bishop of Virginia. “We are extremely grateful for this opportunity to correct a grievous harm.” The chairman of the Anglican District of Virginia, which consists of the breakaway congregations, said he was disappointed with the decision but confident about the district’s remaining legal arguments. “The court’s ruling simply involved one of our statutory defenses, and these properties are titled in the name of the congregations’ trustees, not in the name of the Diocese or the Episcopal Church,” said district chairman Jim Oakes. The district includes two prominent congregations that trace their histories to George Washington — Truro Church in Fairfax and The Falls Church in Falls Church, where Washington served in the vestry. The properties at issue in the dispute are worth an estimated
$30 million to $40 million. The case centered on a 143year-old law unique to Virginia that says when a division occurs within a denomination, a congregation can vote to decide with which branch it wishes to affiliate. The justices rejected the Episcopal Church’s claim that a division can occur only with approval of the denomination. However, the court said the Convocation of Anglicans in North America — a mission of the Church of Nigeria — is not a “branch” of the Episcopal Church, despite its congregations’ historical ties to the denomination. The statute “requires that each branch proceed from the same polity, and not merely a shared tradition of faith,” Justice Lawrence L. Koontz Jr. wrote. The Episcopal Church also appealed Fairfax Circuit Judge Randy Bellows’ ruling that the statute is constitutional. The Supreme Court’s ruling that the law did not apply in this case meant it did not have to decide the constitutional question. ■
Puerto Rico panel to investigate hate crimes The Associated Press SAN JUAN, P.R. — A special committee to investigate hate crimes has been created in Puerto Rico, where advocates say gay and transgender people are the victims of an “epidemic” of violence. The announcement by the attorney general was cheered last Saturday by activists who complain the government has yet to invoke 2002 legislation establishing harsher penalties for crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity. “I think this is a step in the right direction to start to collect statistics that are vital to curb the crisis of violence against the gay community in Puerto Rico,” said Pedro
Julio Serrano, a native of the U.S. territory and spokesperson for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Serrano said 25 slayings of gay and transgender people in the past eight years may have been motivated by bias — including the decapitation in November of gay teen Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, whose killing inspired vigils as far away as New York and Chicago. The new government committee involves agencies including the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Juan, police officials and the island’s civil-rights commission, according to a statement released June 11 by the attorney general. “With the creation of this committee, we will document
the extent of hate crimes,” said Attorney General Guillermo Somoza Colombani, who added that the data will help develop policies to attend to the victims. Puerto Rico is known as a welcoming place for gays, particularly in comparison with more socially conservative Caribbean islands where sexual minorities often live in hiding. A recent string of high-profile slayings, however, has put pressure on the government. Some of the cases have received broad local news media coverage, including the April killing of a 31-year-old transgender beauty salon owner. “It’s sort of an epidemic,” Serrano said. “It’s too much to be ignored.” ■
PGN wishes everyone a happy Pride Month!
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 31
Hawaii guv consults rabbis on civil unions
Located Near Rittenhouse Square General & Aesthetic Dentistry Now Accepting New Patients Early Morning Appointments Available 248 South 21st St., Phila, PA 19103
By Herbert A. Sample The Associated Press HONOLULU — Rabbis Itchel Krasnjansky and Peter Schaktman hail from different branches of Judaism and hold starkly contrasting views on whether samesex couples should be permitted to form civil unions in Hawaii. What they have in common is the ear of Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, who has until June 21 to announce whether she may veto the only pending civil-unions legislation in the nation. Lingle, in the final months of her second and last term, faces a momentous decision that carries political and legal implications. For the rabbis, with whom the governor has consulted on the issue, her choice is about much more. Krasnjansky, who heads the Orthodox community group Chabad of Hawaii, said the Torah teaches that homosexuality, and by extension same-sex marriage, “is not something that should be condoned or should be legalized.” But Schaktman, who leads the Reform Temple Emanu-El, insists Judaism teaches that all people, regardless of sexual orientation, are and should be treated as “children of God,” and thus should not face discrimination. “Civil unions are a legal arrangement,” he said. “Therefore, anyone who uses religion to oppose civil unions is purely using religion to further homophobia.” Lingle is Jewish, but has rarely — if ever — publicly discussed her faith in considering an issue. Lingle’s office did not respond to phone or e-mail questions about her religious affiliation. The debate between Krasnjansky and Schaktman mirrors that of Hawaii’s Christians. Catholic, evangelical and conservative pastors have waged a months-long effort to prod the Legislature and now Lingle to block the measure, HB 444. Mainline Protestant and more liberal preachers have worked to get the bill signed. The bill would allow gay and straight couples to establish government-recognized relationships with the same legal rights and responsibilities as married couples. Civil unions and same-sex marriage have roiled Hawaii since the
215.732.3350
www.yourphillydentist.com Anthony Petchalonis, D.M.D
Featuring One Hour Teeth Whitening
PHILLIP R. REEVES, MD PSYCHIATRY FOR LGBT COMMUNITY PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND PSYCH0THERAPY DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, HIV, CHRONIC PAIN OFFICES AT 1601 Walnut St., Suite 1128 AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
RECONCILING RELIGION: Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, seen here at a National Republican Committee luncheon Jan. 28 in Honolulu, is considering whether to sign or veto a bill granting civil unions to gays — and getting an earful from her rabbis. AP File Photo: Eugene Tanner
1990s, generating some of the largest rallies at the state Capitol. The state Supreme Court in 1993 ruled that the state could not discriminate against gay couples who wanted to marry. Five years later, voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment authorizing the Legislature to ban same-sex marriages, which it did soon after. Proposals to permit civil unions never gained much traction. But in January, the state Senate passed a bill that had stalled last year. It stalled again in the House, but on April 30, the final day of the legislative session, the House revived, passed and sent the measure to Lingle. The governor met with both sides before leaving June 4 for a two-week trip to Asia. She is due back June 19, and by June 21, she is required by law to identify the bills still on her desk that she might veto. By July 6, she must sign or veto those measures, or allow them to become law without her signature. Earlier this month, she described how divided Hawaii and its small Jewish community are on the issue, citing as an example the two rabbis she knows personally. In interviews, Schaktman and Krasnjansky said they got little sense which way the governor was leaning during several conversations with her in recent months. Krasnjansky said he addressed religion with Lingle, whom he describes as a personal friend. He contends that the Torah, in the
Book of Leviticus, clearly deems homosexuality a sin. “The question is, whether the Torah’s teachings are eternal and binding, or not,” he said. He also worries that civil unions will legitimize homosexuality in the eyes of young people, and steer them away from heterosexual relationships that have formed the bedrock of Jewish survival for centuries. If people are drawn to civil unions, he said, “then they wouldn’t recognize the blessings of marriage, of family.” “The governor is very interested in her Jewish heritage and ... the Together traditionsWe andCan, the teaching of a discussion group forKrasnjansky people dealing Judaism,” added.with “I emotional, andmyaddictive tried to sharemental with her underproblems,of will meet at 7 p.m. at The standing the Jewish view on this matter.” The kind Trans-Health That of talkInformation rankles Project will hold drop-in Schaktman, whoa said nocenter one for all trans persons from 7-11 p.m. branch of Judaism can claim ownership of Jewish teachings.oor; Lingle’s suggestion that the The Humboldt Society, a gay and Jewish community is torn over HB lesbian naturalist club, will meet 444 also Schaktman. at 7:30 troubled p.m. at the William Way “I think it was misleading for her Ties to imply in That that Bindthere’s Us, a split 12-step the Jewish community,” he said. “It’s fair to say the majority are in favor of it.” Schaktman, who noted that Lingle attends Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services at his temple, said he shied from using his view of Judaism’s teachings to advocate for civil unions. Rather, he stressed that civil unions would not impact any religion, nor would it validate homosexuality. ■
EVENING HOURS AVAILABLE
(215) 740-4311
PGN We love to get picked up! Look Better NAKED! Move Forward Fitness
13 Week Fitness Program! • Lose Fat! • Gain Muscle! • Speed Metabolism!
GUARANTEED RESULTS! 215-399-3541 • MoveForwardFitness.com Call Today! ����������������������������������������������������
������������ � ��������������������
����������
�������� ����������������� ��������� ������������� ���� ��������������� ����������������������� ��������� ����������������� ������������ ��������� ���
������������������������������������
Philadelphia Gas Heating & Air Conditioning
A/C Sale Starting at
$1695
HEATER SALE
$1195
A/C check-up $80.00
Call Now 215.456.1300 FAST EMERGENCY SERVICE
PAGE 32
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 33
PAGE 34
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 35
PAGE 36
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 37
PAGE 38
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 39
PAGE 40
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 41
PAGE 42
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 43
PAGE 44
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 45
PAGE 46
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 47
PAGE 48
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 49
PAGE 50
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 51
PAGE 52
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 53
PAGE 54
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 55
PAGE 56
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 57
PAGE 58
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 59
PAGE 60
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 61
PAGE 62
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 63
PAGE 64
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 65
PAGE 66
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 67
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 68
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
Living the Dream By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer
Everybody knows “Dreamgirls” is the story of Diana Ross and the Supremes, but in this post-“Behind the Music” world, it could be about so many artists. The story of a photogenic group member getting pushed to the forefront while more or equally talented members get edged out is a timeworn story. Think New Edition, Destiny’s Child, N’Sync, or any number of pop groups of the last 30 years. And, like a reinvented pop star, the Tony Award-winning blockbuster musical is back, and in Philadelphia June 22-27 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music. When the musical, about the rise of a 1960s girl group, debuted in 1981, it was a runaway success and a starmaking vehicle, especially for Jennifer Holliday, who played Effie White, and Sheryl Lee Ralph, who played Deena. After several attempts, starting in the late ’80s, at making a film adaptation of the musical dating back to the late 1980s, “Dreamgirls” finally hit the big screen in 2006 and was met with rave reviews, especially for Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé and Eddie Murphy, who played Effie, Deena and James “Thunder” Early, respectively. The new stageshow features singer and actress Syesha Mercado as Deena. Born in 1987, Mercado said her familiarity with “Dreamgirls” goes beyond the movie. “I had heard stories about ‘Dreamgirls’ when I was younger because my mom had auditioned for the original production when it was on Broadway. She told me her stories about the audition process. She almost made it. I found her libretto in the closet and I remember asking her, ‘What is this music?’ She was telling me it was ‘Dreamgirls.’ I was in elementary school. Throughout high school, I did a lot of the music from the production. The first time I ever saw ‘Dreamgirls’ was the movie.” Robert Longbottom, the show’s openly gay director, said the film version is the main point of reference for most of his cast. “With the exception of one person, I don’t think anyone in our cast could have seen the original cast on Broadway,” he said. “Milton Craig Nealy, who plays Marty, Jimmy Early’s manager, was in the original. He was a swing dancer and worked his way up through the chorus and understudied many of the leading parts. But
MARGARET HOFFMAN (MICHELLE), ADRIENNE WARREN (LORRELL), SYESHA MERCADO (DEENA) AND THE COMPANY OF “DREAMGIRLS” Photo: Joan Marcus
most definitely the point of reference was the movie.” Longbottom added he was fortunate enough to be exposed to “Dreamgirls” before it opened to the public. “I had a roommate in 1980 who was in the original production. So I was getting daily reports about how rehearsals were going. I was lucky enough to see the show in previews a couple of times before it opened and it was just remarkable. I hadn’t seen Barbara Streisand ever on stage, so I imagine that seeing Jennifer Holliday was that watershed moment in my life.” And, as much as he professes to love the movie, Longbottom said there’s no substitution for the original musical. “I think anything on stage that grabs you like that would have more of an impact. But the movie was terrific and opened up the story in ways you couldn’t do on stage. I think that the time between the show opening on Broadway and Bill Condon’s movie was a healthy amount of time, because so much changed in the cul-
etour
A departure from the ordinary
ture so far as the fame machine of making stars. It only helped tell the story with the predominance of closeups, ‘American Idol’ and our fascination of watching underdogs take that trip.” That trip is a familiar one for Mercado, who was the second runner-up on the seventh season of “American Idol.” She said her experiences on the televised reality competition helped her relate to the character of Deena. “I’ve always imagined that type of world and what it would be like. I’ve always heard stories. But I think I can relate to it a little better having gone through it. ‘American Idol’ did help me to relate to the story more.” The role of Deena — which made a star of Sheryl Lee Ralph in the early 1980s — was played by superstar Beyoncé in the 2006 film. Mercado admitted to feeling intimidated about stepping into a role with such a high level of expectations. “At first it was a little scary because Beyoncé and
“Hit musical hits Philly” LARRY NICHOLS, Philadelphia Gay News
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
Sheryl Lee Ralph were so amazing in the role and they put their stamp on the parts that they played. But once rehearsals started and I understood my character, it just became less intimidating. I tried to focus on just being in the moment every night. It became natural and the intimidation factor went by the wayside.” What might this role mean for her career? Mercado said she’s keeping her current success in perspective. “‘American Idol’ has definitely opened up doors. It’s given me exposure. When I went back home for top three, I realized how much of an impact I had made on my community back home. When I left the show, so many people were asking me to do shows. But at the same time, just because you go on ‘American Idol,’ it doesn’t mean that something is going to be handed to you. You still have to work extremely hard to get whatever you want in life. Now, I’m still working very hard on everything that I want to accomplish in life.” Whether the audience hails from the era depicted in “Dreamgirls” or is of the “American Idol” generation, it won’t matter, said Mercado: The show transcends the times. “People can still relate to a lot of the topics it deals with. You don’t necessarily have to be in the music industry in order to relate to the struggles that these characters go through. There are moments in the show where it is like a concert. It’s designed to be a live performance. There’s audience interaction. It’s a show within a show.” Given the movie’s success, it’s not surprising that this incarnation of “Dreamgirls” contains elements of the film. In fact, one of the hit songs written specifically for the film has been incorporated into the production.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
“We did put the song ‘Listen’ in,” Longbottom said. “Originally, it was Beyoncé’s song and the creators and I always felt that the second act was lacking a second-act 11 o’clock number. The reunion and forgiveness number between Deena and Effie was never really there. I suggested to our composer, what about the idea of this being a duet that they sing together, both from their own point of view?” Longbottom said he enjoyed the challenge of using moving panels and LED lights to update the look of the production while still paying homage to original director Michael Bennett’s staging. “It had such an effect on me as a young man when I saw it,” he said. “It’s been a dream to be handling this material and have to come up with something new. It’s daunting. These are very big shoes to step into. Michael Bennett’s sensibility is all over this show. He helped create it and put it together. That’s nothing you want to even attempt to try to remove because it’s part of what made it great. If it works at all today, it’s because of the input of the original creators.” Like Mercado, Longbottom believes the show transcends any generation gaps in the audience, calling it “one of the definitive backstage musicals of my generation.” “I think the reason the show is popular is because it transcends the AfricanAmerican, Motown and veiled Supremes experiences and is really about a universal condition, about forgiving, the importance of family and the friends you make when you are a young person,” he said. “You don’t tend to make those long-lasting friends as you get older. There’s something important about maintaining and fixing those relationships. It’s a profound musical in that sense.” Longbottom also explained the enduring
TREVON DAVIS (C.C.), CHAZ LAMAR SHEPHERS (CURTIS), CHAUNCEY JENKINS (WAYNE) AND CHESTER GREGORY (JAMES EARLY) Photo: Joan Marcus
PAGE 69
MARGARET HOFFMAN (MICHELLE), SYESHA MERCADO (DEENA) AND ADRIENNE WARREN (LORRELL) Photo: Joan Marcus
appeal of “Dreamgirls” to gay audiences, especially when it comes to the character of Effie White. “There is no question that she is the voice and the one that should be recognized,” he said. “But as things go in this society, they wanted something that could pass. That’s something a lot of gay men, especially in the early 1960s and 1970s, had to contend with. How do I strike this balance of wanting to be true to myself as a gay man and also find my way in a straight world, especially if that straight world happened to be show business? At that time, there was no choice but for you to subvert yourself. Effie tries to do it. She tries to become that backup girl and is whitewashed, if you will. Curtis Taylor, Jr. takes an eraser to the group and tries to shave off the hard edges that people might
find too black or R&B and make it more palatable for a white FM audience.” Longbottom noted another, less esoteric reason gay audiences have a lot of love for “Dreamgirls.” “If you like costumes, hair and a sense of fashion history, there’s nothing else like it,” he said. “There’s 19 costume, wig and shoe changes for these girls and, because the show moves so quickly, the wardrobe tells the story of what decade we’re in where the girls are. It delivers a showbusiness punch in a glamorous way.” “Dreamgirls” runs June 22-27 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call (215) 893-1999. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
DIRECTOR ROBERT LONGBOTTOM (LEFT) AND SYESHA MERCADO (DEENA)
PAGE 70
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
Photography by Scott A. Drake
• Portraits • Events • Advertising • Fine Art 267.736.6743 scottdrakephotos@gmail.com
75TH ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF LIVE MUSIC IN THE PARK
Julio
Iglesias JULY 15 | 8 PM
Hear emblematic songs of Julio Iglesias’ 42 year career.
215/893.1999 OR VISIT MANNCENTER.ORG PECO Pops @ The Mann
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 71
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 72
Family Portraits You wouldn’t think Sam Van would have any trouble getting a date. He’s smart, fit and cute. (Heck, he’s the kind of guy I’d like if I went for that XY-chromosome type.) But after meeting guys online who were apparently turned off once they saw his picture, Van started a dating site for gay Asian men, www.loveGAM. com. PGN caught up with him as he was waiting for a tennis date. PGN: Are you a Philly guy? SV: No, I’m from originally from North Vietnam: We were one of those families that came to the states in the late ’70s, early ’80s as refugees from the war. I was about 5 at the time. We went first to Los Angeles and lived there for several years. And though I was born in Vietnam, my parents are Chinese, so I am ethnically Chinese, but nationality-wise I’m Vietnamese. PGN: What brought your family to Philly? SV: After living in L.A. for 10 years and going through eight earthquakes, they decided it was time to leave. Also, the cost of living was a factor — Philadelphia was a lot cheaper than L.A. PGN: Have you ever gone back to Vietnam or to China? SV: I have not. I’m planning on going this year. I was hoping to visit my grandfather on my dad’s side who returned back to China 10 years ago, but he just passed away four days ago. He was 94. PGN: I’m sorry to hear that. Tell me about the family. SV: My dad was a chef for the longest time and my mother was a homemaker at first, and then, when we moved to Philadelphia, she became a gardener. Very humble, very modest careers that they both had. They’re retired now. I have four siblings. I’m right in the middle with two older
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
Suzi Nash and two younger siblings. My older sister and her family are still in L.A. and my older brother and his wife and two kids, as well as my younger siblings all live with me. We’re very close and get along very well. My dad especially wanted all the kids to be together, so we are. PGN: Jock or bookworm? SV: I was pretty balanced: I loved basketball and played a lot with my friends and I was pretty good academically. I went to a magnet school that was more challenging than the public school most others went to. I had a lot of Asian friends, but they all spoke different Asian languages! PGN: When did you move here? SV: When I was about 16. I went to Kensington High and it was the first time I was exposed to so many different cultures. Where I lived in California, it was all Asian and Mexican. I didn’t really know anyone African American or Caucasian until I went to school here. It’s interesting: Most of the Asian kids here were Amerasian children produced by American soldiers in the Vietnam War. Under the Vietnamese Amerasian Homecoming Act, approximately 25,000 Amerasians were brought to the U.S. Most of them were my age and looked black or white, but didn’t speak any English. I don’t speak Vietnamese — I speak Cantonese Chinese — so I couldn’t communicate well, but the teachers would put me with them to act like a mentor. PGN: What was it like experiencing snow for the first time? SV: I was so excited to see it. I have to say that when I first came to Philadelphia, we were in a very blue-collar, dirty area. I hated the infrastructure of the houses and buildings around me. Everything seemed old and ugly and squashed together. In L.A.,
even in the bad sections, homes had white picket fences with grass in front and everything was newer. When the first snow came down here, it made everything look beautiful for the first time. It was gorgeous and different. I’d never felt snow before. PGN: So, other than the architecture, what did you think of Philly? SV: [Laughs.] Oh, I hated it! I thought it was such a small town and I missed my friends in L.A. PGN: What was a favorite pastime growing up? SV: I loved lunch! I was always scrawny but my God, I could eat — nonstop. We were very poor and my mother was always concerned about how much it took to feed me. She would hide food away from me and, at dinner, she would have to divide up the portions ahead of time so that I wouldn’t eat more than my share. PGN: A family memory? SV: Well, it’s kind of sad, but my older brother had some problems growing up. There’s a stereotype that Asian people are academically gifted or that we all know kung fu or are computer nerds and he wasn’t any of those. Instead he got involved with an Asian street gang for a while and it really caused a rift with the family. My father is the type that worked 365 days a year from 10 a.m.-midnight without taking a day off to take care of his family. When my brother got in trouble, he had to leave work to bail him out. Because my dad didn’t speak any English, he would have to take me out of school to translate for him at the courthouse. I hated it. I had always looked up to him before that and I resented him for taking the wrong path. Fortunately he straightened out and has a family now — we live in the same house — but that was a rough patch.
SAM VAN Photo: Suzi Nash
PGN: What was your favorite book? SV: It was called “A Separate Peace” by John Knowles. It was about two best friends and the intense competition between them. PGN: Where did you go to college? SV: I went to St. Joseph’s University, where I studied first accounting, then sociology and human resources. PGN: What do you do now? SV: I started my own company, Van Group Recruitment, about five years ago. I specialize in staffing dental offices. PGN: How did you end up doing that? SV: I always wanted to combine business with sociology, so most of my jobs before that were in human resources. This is a nice combination of interacting with people on a humanistic level while in a business setting. I worked at other staffing companies for about 10 years before opening my company. PGN: What do you do for fun when you’re not matching people up with jobs? SV: I’m matching people up for love! I started an Internet dating site called LoveGAM.com. It’s fun and, in addition to the match info, we also have a news feed, a message board, events page and our bachelor of the month. We also started featuring a Power GAM of the month. I created
the site to broaden the visibility of gay Asian men in the LGBT community. I was having real bad luck with online dating sites, so I decided to start my own. PGN: What happened? SV: Well, I would get a lot of response to my postings, lots of e-mail, and people would seem really interested until they saw my picture and then I’d suddenly get a lukewarm response or never hear from them again. I never knew I was that ugly! PGN: You’re such a cutie! I’m guessing there was a little racism at play. SV: [Laughs.] Aw, thanks. I guess so; I just know I decided to start a site that would serve gay Asian men in a positive way and so far it’s done well. I have guys from Wisconsin to L.A., from Australia to the U.K. It’s great. PGN: When did you come out? SV: It was the summer of 1992, the end of my freshman year in college. I was close to my highschool friends and I told them that I was going to be absent most of the summer so I could do some soul searching. They were like, “What the heck does that mean?” What it meant to me was beginning to explore the LGBT community. I’d heard that the area around 12th and Locust was called the “Gayborhood” and I’d heard about The Attic Youth Group and started hanging around. I was one of the first Attic kids. From there, I developed great friendships there and
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
I got involved with the gay youth group at St. Joe’s. People think that because it was a Catholic University, it would be repressive, but the Jesuits are really liberal: The administration and the staff supported us. They did not tolerate any homophobia. PGN: How did you realize that you were different? SV: When I was 8 or 9, I remember looking at my sister’s magazines and getting a tingly feeling from the guys in her big glossy magazines. When I learned what gay was, I was saddened by it. I was like, “Oh my God, I’m gay! I can’t get married, I won’t have kids ... I’m going to disappoint my parents.” It wasn’t a happy moment until I realized that being gay was just like anyone else. We wake up in the morning and get dressed the same way. We brush our teeth and start our day the same way. Once I realized that, I was OK. PGN: And how did your family receive it? SV: My mom was like any caring mother: She was upset because she was concerned that I was going to be treated badly by society if people knew that I was gay. And of course the other component was that, being a traditional Asian, she believed that the ultimate model of happiness was a straight guy and a straight girl having kids who then would take care of them when they got older. She was afraid that being gay meant being lonely.
Q Puzzle Special Time Across
1. “Love Songs” poet Teasdale 5. “Many ___ Day” (“Oklahoma!” song) 9. You might get dates from it, or use it if you don’t have a date 13. Tinted 14. Lois portrayer of “Lois and Clark” 15. Positions for Patty Sheehan 16. Alice’s Restaurant patron 17. Serve some whoppers 19. Special time in June 21. Queer mannerisms 22. Homeland of Bonheur 26. Sticky stuff 29. Map line 30. Some opera queens 31. Drops on blades 32. La leader 33. June event of 1969 37. Short report
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PGN: Has she come around? SV: Yeah, both of them have. From the beginning, my dad seemed to be more understanding than my mom, but neither of them did any of the horrible things you hear, like threatening to kick me out or saying creepy things about me being gay. They’ve met some of my gay friends and they see how normal we are and I think they respect me for always speaking my own voice. PGN: Time for random questions. If you had a magic wand, what would you do? SV: This is going to sound silly, but I always dreamt of being a millionaire! I would be so content and happy. You hear the stories of people hitting the lottery and being miserable, but not me. I would do so many great things with the money. If I hit the jackpot, the first thing I would do is heal my mother, who is not doing so well right now: she has progressive diabetes and I would give all the money in the world to make her well and happy. PGN: What’s a favorite family tradition? SV: It would have to be the Lunar Chinese New Year. It’s such a big religious and traditional holiday for us. It’s a 10-day celebration. My dad would come to my house and cook from early morning into the night and we would feast. It’s just a very happy holiday for all of us. All of the kids get together, but there’s a house 38. Areas for Dr. Callie Torres 39. Photographer Leibovitz 40. Explorer Leif 43. Calculator figure 44. Disney duck 45. “Aida” solo 46. President who declared June a special month 51. Single stone 54. Explorer Vasco da ___ 55. Second word of a fairy tale 56. “No” in Nuremberg 57. Come out 58. Part of YMCA 59. Aerosmith’s “___ (Looks Like a Lady)” 60. Bar mitzvah or baptism
Down
1. Have sex on a carpet? 2. Star quality 3. Count (on) 4. Process for many gay parents 5. Top floors 6. Has an opening for 7. Gardner of mystery 8. Goose or duck 9. Dabble in 10. Feel out of sorts 11. Jason of “Chasing Amy”
rule that there’s no screaming or yelling or bad tempers in the house. So everyone is either having a great time or faking it, but mostly having a great time! It’s the time when my mom is the most happy, which makes us happy. PGN: What are the red envelopes for? SV: If you’re not married, you get red envelopes from my parents containing paper money. They could have anywhere from $5 to $1,000. PGN: Wait, so it doesn’t matter how old you are: as long as you’re not married, you get an envelope? SV: That’s right. Me and my nieces and nephews all get envelopes each year. PGN: Who knew there was an upside to not having legal gay marriages! SV: [Laughs.] Yeah, the way it’s going I’ll probably get envelopes for the rest of my life. We also pray to our ancestors. The religion that I grew up with is called ancestral worship. It’s not so much a religion but a practice. There’s not a church you go to sing and clap and pray together; it’s more of a family thing, a private thing. It’s based on the belief that our ancestors are still with us and have the ability to influence our world. I have a shrine in my house that we pray on to honor the deeds and memories of our ancestors. On New Year’s, my dad says a prayer 12. Copies of a feminist mag. 18. Mountain lake 20. Step in the salon 23. Nary a soul 24. Jane of “Coneheads” 25. Removed a slip 26. Sounded like Har vey Fierstein 27. City of southwest California 28. Drop by 29. Disney pictures 31. “Nuts!” 34. Forest 35. Forearm bones 36. At risk 41. Log homes, to Abe Lincoln 42. Narrow opening 43. Art historian Raven 45. Bitterly pungent 47. Stead 48. Jodie Foster’s “ ___ Driver” 49. Cut 50. Lead character on “Six Feet Under” 51. Russell Crowe’s “The ___ of Us” 52. Unlock, to Byron 53. Chilling Chaney See solution, page 79
PAGE 73
and we “wake up” the ancestors and offer them food and whatnot and give them blessings for the New Year and, in return, they give us good health. We were physically created by our parents and ancestors, and they continue to look after our physical well being after death. PGN: What’s your most unusual possession? SV: Have you ever had pho? It’s a Vietnamese soup with noodles, very cheap, $5 or $6. It’s a very long process to make. You have to cook beef for about four or five hours until it’s falling off the bone. Anyway, I have this one bone that was left after the soup was finished and it’s this perfect-looking bone. I keep it under my bed for no apparent reason except that it’s pretty and reminds me of good food and how much I like to eat! PGN: The worst date? SV: Oh man, I’m going to get in trouble. Not too long ago, I was out with this guy and we got into a big discussion on politics. I am a big activist, working especially with gay Asian groups on various Asian issues and whatnot, and this guy was saying insulting things without knowing how racist he was being. He brought up the subject of a protest from a Pan-Asian group that was in the news and was railing against them. I tried to enlighten him and said that whether you agree or disagree, you ought to be more sensitive to who you’re talking to: I’m sitting across
from you with this Asian face and of course I’m going to be offended by what you’re saying. Needless to say, there was no second date. PGN: What was the first R-rated movie you ever saw? SV: “The Accused” with Jodie Foster. PGN: Wow, that’s a heavy one. Most kids sneak into R films to see action, adventure or comedy. I guess sneaking in to see Jodie Foster was an early sign you were gay. SV: [Laughs.] Yeah, I was about 13. It was a great movie, though. PGN: What song are you embarrassed to admit you like? SV: That song from the Disney movie “Pocahontas,” “Colors of the Wind.” I love the lyrics and the message and the sound of the song. And I’m not embarrassed to admit it. PGN: Favorite teacher? SV: Dr. Julie McDonald at St. Joseph’s. She was my professor of philosophy and she really was the first one to stress that I should celebrate my Asian diversity and embrace being gay and use them as a platform instead of letting them make me invisible. She was very empowering. I carry it with me to this day. ■ To suggest a community member for “Family Portraits,” write to: Family Portraits, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 or portraits05@aol.com.
PAGE 74
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
Food & Drink
SUNDAY, JUNE 20TH JOIN US FOR BRUNCH AND STAY FOR “TEA”...
Ala Carte brunch by Chef Tommy D 11a-3pm Victor on the piano! Our 1st Tea Dance! Drink specials - Awesome Door prizes - Special Guest Appearance Check out the deck! 4pm-9pm Find us on facebook ; BeagleTavern Plymouth The Beagle Tavern 1003 E. Main Street Norristown PA, 19401 (On the Plymouth/Norristown border) 610.272.3133
THE ABBAYE PROUDLY SUPPORTS GAY PRIDE EXCELLENT BELGIAN AND MICROBREW SELECTIONS HAPPY HOUR
Mon.-Fri. 4-6 pm All drafts $2 off!
QUIZZO
Every Thursday 10 pm
BRUNCH
Sat. & Sun. 10 am-1 pm
KARAOKE
Every Sunday 10 pm Check out our daily menu specials
637 NORTH THIRD STREET PHILADELPHIA TEL: 215.627.6711 FAX: 215.627.6167 WWW.THEABBAYE.NET
Happy Hour Mon-Fri 5:30-7:30 $2.50 Domestics $3.50 Imports $3.50 Well Drinks $2.50 PBR and Miller High Life bottles all day every day
Rainbow Award Best Bar and Bartender 2008, 2009 Fox Philly Best Gay and Lesbian Bar 2008, 2009
DINNER SERVED NIGHTLY 255 S. Camac St., Philadelphia, Pa. (215) 545-8731
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
worth watching: FRIDAY Party Down Megan Mullally (“Will & Grace”) stars in this comedy series about Hollywood caterers with dreams of making it big. 10 p.m. on Starz. The Jaquie Brown Diaries The new comedy about a TV journalist trying to claw her way to fame. 10:30 p.m. on Logo. TOP OF THE POPS: If you can’t wait for her new CD, catch platinum-selling pop princess Miley Cyrus in her one-hour special, “Miley Cyrus in London: Live at the O2,” filmed during her sold-out world tour, 8 p.m. June 18 on ABC. Photo: Sam Emerson
SATURDAY She’s the Man A teenage girl pretends to be her brother in order to play soccer in this comedy. 8 p.m. on ABC. Eye Candy: The Crazy World of David LaChapelle The out photographer is profiled. 9 p.m. on Logo. The Beautiful People The comedy series based on the writings of out fashion critic Simon Doonan. This week, Simon and Kylie form a pop band. 10 p.m. on Logo.
SUNDAY Drop Dead Diva Comedian Margaret Cho costars in this dramedy. 9 p.m. on Lifetime. Hedwig And The Angry Inch The musical about a transsexual rock singer. 10 p.m. on Logo. MONDAY Behind the Music Courtney Love is profiled. 8 p.m. on VH1. How I Met Your Mother Out actor Neil Patrick Harris stars in this repeat. 8 p.m. on CBS. RuPaul’s Drag Race The queens give a group of guys drag makeovers. 9 p.m. on Logo. TUESDAY America’s Got Talent The auditions continue. 9 p.m. on NBC. My Life on the D-List Comedian Kathy Griffin judges a toddler pageant. 9 p.m. on Bravo.
Canal & Sixth St. Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 866.412.2625 / 302.226.2006
WEDNESDAY America’s Next Top Model Repeats of the previous season featuring out fashion experts Miss J. Alexander and Jay Hernandez. 8 and 9 p.m. on CW. So You Think You Can Dance The top nine dancers compete. 8 p.m. on Fox. Modern Family Look for out characters Mitchell and Cameron in this repeat. 9 p.m. on ABC. Top Chef: Washington, D.C. Chefs compete in this cooking competition. 9 p.m. on Bravo. THURSDAY So You Think You Can Dance The next elimination round. 9 p.m. on Fox.
Queer TV you can always see:
Hot in Cleveland The new comedy starring Betty White and Valerie Bertinelli premieres. 9:30 p.m. on Logo.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Saturday Night Live A repeat of the episode hosted by Betty White. 11:30 p.m. on NBC.
The Big Gay Sketch Show The gay and irreverent comedy series. 10 p.m. on Logo.
The Rachel Maddow Show
Rehoboth Beach
A casual and contemporary pet friendly boutique style inn.
Losing It With Jillian Michaels The bisexual personal trainer from “The Biggest Loser” gets her own series. 10 p.m. on NBC.
The Wanda Sykes Show A repeat of the weekly talk show. 11 p.m. on Fox.
COLOR
w w w. c a na l s i d e - i n n - r e h o b o t h . c o m
PAGE 75
..WHERE BOYS WILL BE BOYS... A tradition in Rehoboth Beach for more than 20 years, The Shore Inn is now under new ownership. Call today for some (clothing optional) fun in the sun.
(302)227-8487
www.shoreinn.com
Monday-Friday, 3 p.m. on NBC. Monday-Friday, 9 p.m. on MSNBC.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 76
SEE DADDY NAKED Sun., June 20, 2010 3 PM until 6 PM Guys of all ages (21 and over), sizes, shapes, ethnic backgrounds, etc., are very welcome
Sansom Street Gym 2020 Sansom Street PANG Box 42691, Philadelphia, PA 19101 215-978-PANG • www.PhillyNakedGuys.org
Next party: July 18, 2010 Dance Or Just Meet New Guys & Chat This is a MALE-ONLY Nude Event
Philadelphia Gay News
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
Leather Lookout Jim Kiley-Zufelt Looks like we made it Gather round the fire, kids, and let me tell you a story. It’s a tragic tale about how the Philadelphians MC truck died a strange and horrible death in the middle of the Philly Pride Parade on a hot day in June way back in 2009. It was right there at the intersection of Eighth and Market streets, and you can still see evidence of the horror if you know where to look. A pitted scar and a dark stain on the pavement marks the spot where a hose splintered and cracked and dumped an entire load of transmission fluid on the street. It was terrible. But if you listen closely and if you imagine real hard — I mean really hard — you can almost hear ghostly echoes from the anguished cries of the club members, mingled with their laughter at their misfortune ... and their stupidity. Well, not this year, bitches! Instead of a 20-year-old Ford Ranger salvaged from underneath a dying willow tree on the shore of a South Jersey lake, the club loaded its sound system and camo netting onto a shiny Ford F-150 that had no trouble making it to the reviewing stand! The truck escorted over a dozen members of Philadelphians MC and the Keystone boys of Leather and their friends. The heat, humidity, sudden downpour and subsequent steam bath couldn’t put a damper on what turned out to be a truly excellent day for all. IML 2010 International Mr. Leather 32 was held over Memorial Day weekend in Chicago and, without a doubt, this year’s winner will go down in history. New Mexico’s Tyler McCormick became the first winner of the contest who uses a wheelchair and who is FTM transgender. Response to McCormick’s crowning as IML 32 has sparked widespread discussion. Many people see it as evidence the leather community is becoming more inclusive. Others see it as evidence the IML contest has strayed from the “old school”
PHILADELPHIANS PRESENTING CHECKS: John (from left), Mike, Joe, George, Richard, William Way LGBT Community Center interim executive director Laurie Ward, Jim, the Rev. Rodger Broadley from St. Luke’s Church, Dennis, Victor, Chris, Rick, Chris, Harley, Jeff, Frank, Frank, and Ryan down in front. Photo: Mike Viola
leather ideal on which it was founded (see www.instigatormagazine.com for that publication’s take on it). McCormick is far from the first FTM to compete at IML. That particular trail was blazed in 1998 by current IML judge co-coordinator Billy Lane. He placed in the top 20 at IML XX and since then has continued to be a prominent member of the community and a longtime IML volunteer. So an FTM “Mr. Leather” is nothing new, but an FTM IML is. IML attendance was noticeably down this year, as were booth rentals in the Vendor Mart. Surely that’s due in part to the economy, but I wish I could figure out a way to measure how much is a result of IML’s 2009 pronouncement against barebacking and companies promoting it. As I suspected, porn companies like Colt, Titan, Raging Stallion and Treasure Island Media were absent from the Vendor Mart, but old favorites Bijou Video and Fort Troff were there. I guess barebacking is in the eye of the beholder: You say potato and I say po-tah-to, you say barebacking and I say pre-condom classic. Philadelphians MC gives back On June 7, Philadelphians MC presented two local organizations with proceeds from recent fundraisers at its June meeting. Last New Year’s, Philadelphians MC produced Tri-Cen 19, raising $2,000, which was donated to the Hospitality Center at The Church of St. Luke and The Epiphany on 13th Street.
The center, run by the Rev. Mike Haines, supports people affected by HIV/AIDS. Last April’s Kinky Carnival at The Bike Stop raised $670, which was donated to the William Way LGBT Community Center. Thanks to an anonymous donor, the funds were matched one-fortwo, for a total of $1,005. The Philadelphians were honored to have the Rev. Rodger Broadley, rector of St. Luke’s, and Laurie Ward, interim executive director of William Way, on hand to receive the donations. Keystone boys of Leather turn 2 The Keystone boys of Leather marked their second anniversary last weekend with a Pride Saturday bar crawl and a post-parade Sunday cookout at WOOF. There’s nothing worse (better?) than a boy in his terrible twos, right? The boys have some great new members and awesome stuff planned, like the next BootLust and a superhero-themed event in the fall. It should be a great year! UPCOMING EVENTS: WOOF! PHILLY: Every Sunday at 5 p.m., 1416 Chancellor St. See www.woofphilly.com for DJ and dancer schedules. LIBERTY BEARS SOCIAL: Balls, Butts ‘N Suds, 1:30 p.m. July 10 at The Woods Campground. See www.libertybears.net or Facebook for information. ■ Questions? Comments? Thoughts about IML? Contact Jim at LeatherLookout@gmail.com.
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 77
Stage, ‘Glee’ star sings with Phila. Orchestra By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer Idina Menzel probably doesn’t have any problem commanding an audience. But when she performs June 24 at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, the backdrop will be a little different for her. The actress, singer and songwriter, best known for originating the roles of Maureen in “Rent” and Elphaba in “Wicked,” will perform songs from both musicals, other theater favorites and songs from her solo albums at the show — and she’ll be backed only by the Philadelphia Orchestra. Considering Menzel has, more often than not, performed in elaborate stage productions and/or been covered head to toe in green makeup, this show will be a rather stripped-down affair. “It keeps me hopping and it’s a nice balance to change it up,” she said of her upcoming performance. “It’s so exhilarating to stand in front of this whole symphony and sing these songs. And yet, there’s not as much rehearsal, so I’m going to have to be on my toes. This is one of those opportunities where I get to relate to the audience as myself and share a lot of stories with them. I do different interpretations of songs that they know. For me, it’s a lot of fun.” There’s the added bonus that Menzel helped develop the characters and songs that theatergoers have grown to love — a process she prefers over trying to leave her mark on more established roles. “I enjoy the process of developing musicals so, so much,” she said. “I love being involved for years in advance, and reading Act I when the composer and the writer are just starting to develop their ideas. For me, it’s such a rewarding process. I’ve been lucky enough that those kinds of shows have come to fruition but, even when they don’t, it’s still a really nice process. I love it and I feel it’s important to keep making original musicals.” Menzel’s upcoming concerts, as well as her recent appearances on the TV show “Glee,” find the 39year-old performer, who is married to actor Taye Diggs, back in the spotlight after taking time off to have a baby. “I’m so much in mommy mode right now,” she said. “I have a 9month-old baby. I was out of the loop for a while because I was
IDINA MENZEL
pregnant and having him. At this point in my career, I was just happy to get my toe back into the water and come back with an opportunity like ‘Glee.’ When you’re out of the loop, you wonder if you’re ever going to work again. I’m also conflicted because I love being a mother and I don’t want to miss a single moment of my son’s life. So that’s all sort of an interesting balance that I’m trying to find.” When it comes to her own studio albums, such as 2008’s “I Stand,” her third and most recent, Menzel doesn’t consciously stick to her theatrical roots when it comes to writing. “If I’m writing music, I just write music,” she said. “I try to work with producers that are good mentors and guides because they can help me keep in mind my audience. But I just write from my heart lyrically and melodically. Then I let them instrumentally shift it in a direction that will be received in the best way. But that’s always been a struggle for me, because I’ve done theater but I’ve always sung with rock bands when I was younger and wedding bands before that. My demographic is quite a spectrum. It’s lots of young girls, older theatergoers and ‘Wicked’ fans. So there are people that like all different types of music. So I feel like as long as I stay true to myself and write with my heart, then they will support me with whatever I’m doing.” Menzel performs at 8 p.m. June 24 at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave. For more information or tickets, visit www.idinamenzel.com or call (215) 893-1999. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
Philadelphia Gay News Winner of four Keystone Press and four Suburban Newspaper Association awards
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 78
Diversions
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
Your guide to arts and entertainment
Theater
Avenue Q The Tony Award-winning hit featuring people, puppets and irreverent songs runs through June 20 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 893-1999. Black Pearl Sings! InterAct Theatre Company presents Frank Higgins’ musical drama set in the Depression as two women struggle for acceptance in society, through June 27 at The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St.; (215) 5688079. Dreamgirls The hit musical about an up-and-coming girl group in the 1960s runs June 2227 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 893-1999. Fiddler on the Roof Walnut Street Theatre presents the award-winning musical, through July 18, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 5743550. The Musical of Musicals: The Musical Independence Studio on 3 presents a pastiche of elements from big-name musicals, through June 27, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 5743550. The Next Reunion Society Hill Playhouse presents the story of friends who crash a 10-year highschool reunion after their own turns out to be a bust, through June 20, 508 S. Eighth St.; (215) 923-0210. RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles The multimedia show takes the audience on a trip through the career of the Fab Four, through June 20 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; (215) 893-1999.
Respect: A Musical Journey of Women Society Hill Playhouse presents an exuberant musical that recounts the journey of women in the 20th century with popular music, through June 27, 507 S. Eighth St.; (215) 923-0210.
PGN
Pick
Sunday in the Park with George Arden Theatre Company presents Stephen Sondheim’s Pulitzer Prizewinning musical, through July 4, 40 N. Second St.; (215) 922-1122.
Dave Koz & Sheila E. The out saxophonist and the hit-making percussionist perform at 8 p.m. June 18 at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City; (609) 3458652.
Danzig The hard-rock band performs at 7:30 p.m. June 19 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-6888. Maxwell and Jill Scott The R&B singers perform at 8 p.m. June 19 at the Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; (215) 336-3600. Yes and Peter Frampton The classic rockers perform at 8 p.m. June 19 at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City; (609) 3171000.
Send notices at least one week in advance to: Diversions, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147; fax them to (215) 925-6437; or e-mail them to diversions@epgn. com. Notices cannot be taken over the phone.
at 8 p.m. June 22 at the Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; (215) 6271332.
Music
Evelyn Evelyn The duo featuring bisexual singer-songwriter Amanda Palmer performs at 8 p.m. June 18 at TLA, 334 South St.; (215) 922-1011.
Notices
Project Pitchfork The electronic group performs at 9 p.m. June 23 at Shampoo, 417 N. Eighth St.; (215) 922-7500.
Exhibits
Out saxophonist Dave Koz hits the area with special guest, pop-singer and all-around bad-ass drummer Sheila E., 8 p.m. June 18 at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City. Koz may be the draw of the show, but if Sheila breaks out “Glamorous Life” (and really, she’d be a fool not to), expect wall-to-wall pandemonium. For more information or tickets, call (609) 345-8652.
The singer-songwriter, who has penned hits for Emmylou Harris, Bette Midler, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Roberta Flack and Olivia Newton-John, performs at 8 p.m. June 20 at World Cafe Live 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 2221400.
Cinderella The ’80s hard-rock band performs at 8 p.m. June 23 at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City; Beth Nielsen Chapman (609) 345-8652.
Katie Sawicki The out singer-songwriter performs at 8:30 p.m. June 23 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; (215) 9280770. Phil Collins The hit singer performs Motown hits and tells stories at 8 p.m. June 20-21 at the Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; (215) 6271332. Hole The alt-rock band performs
All My Little Friends ArtStar Gallery presents an exhibition of works from Ashley G and Drew, through June 13, 623 N. Second St.; (215) 2381557. Ancient Rome & America The National Constitution Center presents an exhibition of rare artifacts from Italy and the United States, including excavated remains from Pompeii and Roman busts of Julius Caesar and Cicero, through Aug. 1, 525 Arch St.; (215) 409-6600. Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt The Franklin Institute presents an exhibition of 150 artifacts from Egypt, through Jan. 2, 20th Street and the Parkway; (215) 448-1200.
East Meets West AxD Gallery presents an exhibition of works inspired by the culture of Japan, through July 3, 265 S. 10th St.; (215) 627-6250. For Ruthie: Ruth Krauss, Maurice Sendak and Their Young Philosophers The Rosenbach Museum presents an exhibition exploring the working relationship between the two authors, through June 21, 2008-2010 Delancey Place; (215) 732-1600. Mimesis The Clay Studio presents an exhibition of works by Molly Hatch, through June 27, 139 N. Second St.; (215) 9253453. Ni Una Mas (Not One More) The Leonard Westphal College presents an exhibition addressing the global issue of femicide — targeted violence against women—through July 16, 3401 Filbert St.; (215) 8952548. Queer Voices The Institute of Contemporary Art presents a group exhibition of queer art, through Aug. 1, 118 S. 36th St.; (215) 898-7108. Smooth Cartographies The Phillip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College presents an exhibition of work from digital media artist Greg Scranton using locative technologies, through Aug. 1, 601 E. Main St.; Collegeville; (610) 409-3500. Thomas Hucker & Thomas Huang Wexler Gallery presents an exhibition of works by the two furniture artists, through June 26, 201 N. Third St.; (215) 923-7030.
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
Opera
Orphée and Eurydice The Opera Company of Philadelphia performs the mythical tale, through June 25 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
Film
The Secret of the Kells The 2009 Oscar-nominated animated film is screened, through June 24 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223. Back to the Future Marathon All three films in the trilogy are screened beginning at noon June 19 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid The classic 1969 Western is screened at 2 p.m. June 20 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223. Matted Rainbow Eye hosts a screening of the film about a high-school student struggling with genderidentity issues, 6 p.m. June 22, 1449 N. Fifth St.; (215) 769-1701. Youth in Revolt The recent comedy film is screened at 8 p.m. June 22 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-6888.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Books
Transfags Taking Over: A Seductively Smooth Night of Genderfuct Poetry Moonstone Arts Center hosts an evening of gender play through poetry and performance, 8 p.m. June 18, 110A S. 13th St.; (215) 735-9598. Samantha Bee “The Daily Show” correspondent and author of “I Know I Am, But What Are You?” hosts a reading at 2 p.m. June 19 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322. Philip Gambone The author of “Travels in a Gay Nation: Portraits of LGBTQ Americans” hosts a reading at 5:30 p.m. June 19 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960. Jerome L. Whitehead The author of “Bruthas” hosts a reading at 5:30 p.m. June 20 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960. Judy Shepard The activist and cofounder of the Matthew Shepard Foundation discusses her book, “The Meaning of Matthew: My Son’s Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed,” from 6:30-7:30 p.m. June 22 at Penn
Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St.; (215) 898-7595. Robert K. Wittman The founder of the FBI’s National Art Crime Team and author of “Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures” hosts a discussion at 7:30 p.m. June 22 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322.
Cabaret
Black Pearl Cabaret InterAct hosts a benefit show from 5:30-10 p.m. June 21 at the African American Museum, 701 Arch St.; (215) 568-8077. Cabaret of the Exiled Theatre Exile presents an evening of singing, dancing and cavorting, 8 p.m. June 23 at Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St.; (215) 218-4022. Red Light Cabaret The light turns on at 8 p.m. June 24 at L’Etage, 624 S. Sixth St.; (215) 592-0656.
Etc.
Fun and “Gay”mes Weekend Trump Taj Mahal hosts gay bingo and dancing, 8 p.m.-midnight June 19, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City; (609) 449-1000.
Sabotage Bryn Mawr Film Institute hosts a screening of the early Hitchcock thriller, 7 p.m. June 23, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 527-9898. Lesbian-Themed Short Film Program The New Hope Film Festival hosts this showcase of short films at 7:45 p.m. June 24 at New Hope Arts Center, 2 Stockton Ave., New Hope; (215) 862-9606. SOLUTION
KONICHIWA PHLLY: The Autumn Society of Philadelphia explores the impact of Japanese pop culture on contemporary American culture with “East Meets West,” an exhibition of works by 10 different artist-illustrators who delight in appropriation and reinvention of pop culture, such as this untitled work by Raymond Chase, through July 3 at AxD Gallery, 265 S. 10th St. For more information, visit theautumnsociety.com or call (215) 627-6250.
PAGE 79
Summer Solstice Celebration The Kimmel Center hosts an all-day and all-night celebration showcasing music, dance, performance and activities for all ages and musical tastes, from 3 p.m. June 19 to 6 a.m. June 20 at the center’s Commonwealth Plaza, 260 S. Broad St.; (215) 893-1999. A Penny for Your Thoughts The William Way LGBT Community Center hosts a guided discussion on issues impacting lesbian, bisexual and questioning women, 4-7 p.m. June 19, 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 732-2220. Live Nude SMod! SModcast Live (Nudity Not Included) featuring Kevin Smith The filmmaker and his long-time producer partner Scott Mosier discuss current events and other non-sequitur topics, 8 p.m. June 21 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400. ■
Lots of new fiction. Lots of new movies.
This week!
(Every week!) MON. - SAT. 11:30 - 7p.m. SUNDAY 1:00 - 7p.m. email: giovannis_room@verizon.net
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 80
Meeting Place A community bulletin board of activities, facilities and organizations
Community centers ■ The Attic Youth Center: For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday through Friday. See the Youth section for more events. 255 S. 16th St.; (215) 545-4331 ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St.; (215) 898-5044; center@dolphin.upenn.edu, Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. ■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; (215) 348-0558 ext. 65; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. ■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center: 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 732-2220; www.waygay.org. Peer counseling: Monday through Friday, 6-9 p.m. Library hours: Mondays 3-9 p.m., Tuesdays 3-6 p.m., Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., Thursdays 3-9 p.m., Fridays 3-9 p.m., Saturdays noon-6 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.; Volunteer Velada, third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Health Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 166 W. Lehigh Ave.; (215) 763-8870 ext. 6000. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., suite 205; (2215) 536-2424. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; (215) 851-1822 or (866) 222-3871. Spanish/English. HIV testing Free, anonymous testing and counseling is offered from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment at AIDS Resource, 520 W. Fourth St., suite 2A, Williamsport; (570) 322-8448.
Key numbers
HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; (215) 685-1803. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications, confidential HIV testing available at 17 MacDade Blvd., suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; (610) 586-9077. Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 1201 Chestnut St.; (215) 563-0652. www. mazzonicenter.org. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; (215) 985-9206.
Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: (215) 686-2555
Men
Boys Night Out A social gathering for gay men, meets at 7 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday at Iron Hill Brewery, 30 E. State St., Media; BurbBoysNiteOut@aol.com. Delaware Valley 40-plus Club for Men Social group meets every other month; (215) 587-9933. Gay Married Men’s Association Meets at 8 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays at the William Way Center; (215) 483-1032. Men of All Colors Together Meets at 7:30 p.m. third Friday of the month September through June at the William Way Center; (610) 277-6595; www.MACTPhila.org. Men’s Coming Out Group, N.J. Meets at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at The Pride Center of New Jersey. Men’s Coming Out Group Meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; (215) 563-0652 ext. 219. Men of Color United A discussion/support group for gay and bisexual men of color meets from 6-8 p.m. every Wednesday at 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 496-0330. Men of Standard Provides a place for gay men of color 21 and older to share issues of concern. Meets 7-9 p.m. every Thursday at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; (856) 963-2432 ext. 211; ruberte_ j@camden_ahec.org. Philly DADS An association of gay and bisexual fathers supporting each other meets at 7:30 p.m. fourth Friday of the month at the William Way Center; (215) 668-5239.
Parents/Families
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Bucks County Meets at 7:30 p.m. third Thursday of the month at Penns Park United Methodist Church, 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park; (215) 598-8005. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Cape May, N.J. Meets at 2 p.m. third Sunday of the month in the Maruchi Room of Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital, 2 Stone Harbor Blvd.; (609) 861-1848. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Chester County Meets at 7 p.m. first Tuesday of the month at the Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester, 501 S. High St., West Chester; (484) 354-2448. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Collingswood, N.J. Meets from 6-8:30 p.m. fourth Monday of the month at the Collingswood Public Library, 771 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, N.J.; (856)345-9112; pflagcollingswood@yahoo.com. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Philadelphia Meets from 2-5 p.m. third Sunday of the month at the LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 3907 Spruce St.; (215) 572-1833. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Princeton, N.J. Meets at 7:30 p.m. second Monday of the month in the George Thomas Room at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St.; (609) 683-5155.
■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: (215) 587-9377
■ Mazzoni Center: (215) 563-0652; www. mazzonicenter.org
■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: (856) 933-9500 ext. 221
■ Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine: (215) 563-0658
■ AIDS Library: (215) 985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: (215) 592-1513
■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): (215) 572-1833
■ AIDS Treatment hot line: (215) 5452212
■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: (215) 686-4670
■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: (215) 685-1633
■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: (215) 772-2000
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 are held monthly; (215) 844-3360; www. phillyfamilypride.org.
■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Chief Inspector James Tiano: (215) 685-3655
Gender Rights Advocacy Association of
■ The COLOURS Organization Inc. 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 4960330.
■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: (215) 600-0627; ppd.lgbt@gmail.com
■ Equality Advocates Pennsylvania: (215) 731-1447; (866) LGBTLAW
■ Philly Pride Presents: (215) 875-9288
■ Equality Forum: (215) 732-3378
■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: (717) 920-9537
■ Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Peer Counseling Services: (215) 732-TALK ■ Mayor’s liaison to LGBT communities: Gloria Casarez, (215) 686-2194; Gloria.
■ 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/Wilmington, Del. Meets at 7 p.m. second Thursday of the month at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 13th and Rodney streets; (302) 654-2995.
Trans
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010 New Jersey A transgender civil-rights group meets first Sunday of the month at 1 p.m. at The Pride Center of New Jersey.
Queer Connections Social group for women in their 20s meets weekly; (215) 468-1352; queerconnect@yahoo. com.
Interweave New Jersey An organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Unitarian and their allies meets every third Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 401 N. Kings Highway, Cherry Hill, N.J.; (856) 667-3618.
Republican Lesbians Meetings held at 7:30 p.m. on first Monday of the month at The Pride Center of New Jersey.
Oasis Meets 7-8 p.m. Wednesdays at 1201 Chestnut St.; (215) 563-0652 ext. 509. Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine Primary healthcare and specialized transgender services in a safe, professional, non-judgemental environment, 809 Locust St.; (215) 563-0658. Renaissance Transgender Assoc. Meets at 8 p.m. third Saturday of the month at Into the Woods office complex in King of Prussia; (610) 975-9119 box 5; and 7:30 p.m. first Thursday of the month at the William Way Center; www.ren.org. T-MAN People of color support group for transmen, FTMs, butches, studs, agressives, bois, genderqueer and all female-born individuals with gender questions meets 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays, second floor, 1201 Locust St.; (215) 834-9063; tman215@aol.com. Transhealth Programming Committee Meetings are at 5 p.m. second and last Sundays of the month at the William Way Center. Transhealth Information Project Sponsors a weekly drop-in center from 7-11 p.m. Tuesdays at 1201 Locust St.; (267) 549-6497. Transgender Health Action Coalition Peer trans health-advocacy organization meets at 5 p.m. second and last Sundays of the month at the William Way Center; (215) 732-1207; www. critpath.org/thac. WeXist FTM support group meets from 6-8 p.m. second Friday of the month at the William Way Center; first hour is open; second hour is for people assigned female at birth who have gender issues; (267) 2501548; www.wexist.org. Young, Trans, and Unified! Support group for transgender and questioning individuals ages 13-23 meets from 7-8:30 p.m. every Thursday at The Attic Youth Center; (215) 545-4331 ext. 24.
Women
African Asian Latina Lesbians United Social-issues discussion group meets fourth Thursday of the month at The Pride Center of New Jersey. Bucks County Lesbian Alliance Meets monthly for social events; http://buckscountylesbianalliance.org. Expressions Women’s Space Lesbian singles, family and coming-out groups meet at 1538 Church St.; (215) 535-3600. Lesbians and BiWomen in Heterosexual Marriages A support group meets at 7:30 p.m. on third Wednesday of the month at The Pride Center of New Jersey. Lesbian Community of Delaware Valley Social group holds monthly meetings and activities for gay women of all ages in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties; P.O. Box 962, Phoenixville, PA 19460; http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/LCDV/; marichikogirl@yahoo.com. Lesbian Couples Dining Group of Montgomery County Meets monthly; (215) 542-2899. Lesbian Social Network of South Jersey 1,000-member social group for lesbians holds monthly activities in South Jersey and surrounding area; www.LSNSJ.com. Lesbians with Breast Cancer A support group meets from 6:30-8:30 on second Wednesday of the month at Gilda Club Delaware Valley, 200 Kirk Road, Warminster; (215) 4413290.
South Jersey Lesbians of Color Meetings are the first and third Fridays at 7:30 p.m. at The Starting Point, 215 Highland Ave., Suite C, Westmont, N.J.; (856) 824-0881; e-mail: SJLOC-owner@yahoogroups.com. Women’s Coffee House for Lesbians A group for lesbian and bisexual women meets on first Saturday of the month at 7 p.m. at The Pride Center of New Jersey. The Womyn’s Village The first womyn-owned and operated thinktank targeting black African, Asian, Latina and Native American LBT and two-spirited womyn. Meets at 5 p.m. on third Thursday of the month at COLOURS Organization, 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 765-0121; the_womyns. village@yahoo.com.
Youth
40 Acres of Change Discussion group for teen and young adults meets from 6-8 p.m. Thursdays at The COLOURS Organization Inc., 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 496-0330. Drop-in Group For gay, lesbian and bisexual youth; meets at 11 a.m. Saturdays at AIDS Delaware, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 315, Wilmington, Del.; (302) 652-6776. HAVEN For GLBT, intersex, questioning, queer and allied youth ages 14-20; meets from 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 gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, will meet from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at 21 Wiggins St., Princeton, N.J.; (609) 683-5155. Main Line Youth Alliance Meets from 7-9:30 p.m. Fridays at 109 Lancaster Ave., Wayne; (610) 688-1861; info@myaonline. org. Mountain Meadow For youth with GLBTQ parents. Monthly programs for ages 8-16, family programs and parent coffee groups. Residential program offered in August; 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 7721107; inquiries@mountainmeadow.org. Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center For ages 14-21; meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; (215) 348-0558 ext. 65; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. Social X Change Social activity group for LGBT youth of color ages 13-23 meets from 6-8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 496-0330. Space to be Proud, Open, and Together Open to all LGBTQ queer youth and allies, ages 14-21, the SPOT meets Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Planned Parenthood of Chester County’s West Chester office, 8 S. Wayne St., West Chester; (610) 692-1770 ext. 108 or thespot@ppccpa.org. Teen Support Group Drop-in group for teens and adolescents meets Thursdays from 4:30-6 p.m. at 1201 Chestnut St.; (215) 563-0658 ext. 319. Youth in Transition A support group for transgender and questioning youth ages 12-23 meets from 7:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays at the The Attic Youth Center. Youth Making a Difference For GLBTQ African-American and Latino youth ages 13-24. Meets from 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; (856) 963-2432 ext. 205; gibbs_ d@camden-ahec.org.
Send submissions to pgn@epgn.com or fax (215) 925-6437 PGN Meeting Place, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147
Meeting Place is a public service. Submissions must include a phone number for publication. Complete Meeting Place listings of all Parent/Family, Professional, Recovery, Recreation, Religion, Sports, Men, Women, Trans, Youth groups can be found online @ www.phliagaynews.com and www.epgn.com
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 81
Classifieds
With Real Estate, Help Wanted, Services and Personals
May foreclosure rate steadies as banks hold back By Alan Zibel The Associated Press
The foreclosure crisis appears to be leveling off. The number of people facing foreclosure is nearly flat from a year ago, according to the latest report from a private foreclosurelisting service. A third fewer people are receiving legal warnings that they could lose their homes. And foreclosures are receding in some of the hardest-hit cities. Still, the number of foreclosures remains extraordinarily high. Experts caution that a big reason for the stabilization is that banks are letting delinquent borrowers stay longer in their homes rather than adding to the glut of foreclosed properties on the market. New consumer-protection laws, which vary by state, have also meant borrowers can spend more time in their homes. A new wave of foreclosures
could be coming in the second half of the year, especially if the unemployment rate remains high, mortgage-assistance programs fail and the economy doesn’t improve fast enough to lift home sales. “It’s not anything like a recovery yet,” said Rick Sharga, a senior vice president at RealtyTrac Inc., a foreclosure-listing service. RealtyTrac reported last Thursday that nearly 323,000 households, or one in every 400 homes, received a foreclosure-related notice in May. That was up 0.5 percent from a year earlier but down 3 percent from April. The report tracks notices for defaults, scheduled home auctions and home repossessions. But in a sign that the crisis is far from over, the number of homeowners who lost their homes to foreclosure hit a record of nearly 94,000 in May. That number may finally peak next year, as lenders try to work their way through millions of delinquent loans.
Economic woes, such as unemployment or reduced income, are the main catalysts for foreclosures this year. Initially, lax lending standards were the culprit. Now, homeowners with good credit who took out conventional, fixed-rate loans are the fastest-growing group of foreclosures. A record high of more than 10 percent of homeowners with a mortgage had missed at least one payment as of the end of March, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. But the number of homeowners just starting to show trouble is trending downward as the economy improves. “That’s a very good thing,” said Thomas Lawler, an independent housing economist in Virginia. But he noted that, even with that positive trend, “you are highly likely to see an acceleration in the number of actual completed foreclosures.” Lenders are offering to help some homeowners modify their loans.
But many borrowers can’t qualify or are falling back into default. The Obama administration’s $75-billion foreclosure-prevention effort has made only a small dent in the problem. About 25 percent of the 1.2-million homeowners who started the program over the past year had received permanent loan modifications as of April. About 23 percent of those enrolled dropped out during a trial phase that lasts at least three months. Many more are in limbo. Among states, Nevada posted the highest foreclosure rate in May. One in every 79 households there received a foreclosure notice. However, foreclosures there are down 16 percent from a year earlier. Arizona, Florida, California and Michigan were next among states with the highest foreclosure rates. Rounding out the top 10 were Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Utah and
Maryland. Las Vegas continued to be the city with the nation’s highest foreclosure rate, but activity there was down 18 percent from a year earlier. And nine out of the top 10 cities with the highest foreclosure rates posted annual declines. The exception was the Vallejo-Fairfield area in California, where foreclosures were up 1 percent from a year ago. Foreclosed homes are typically sold at steep discounts, lowering the value of surrounding properties. That’s a concern for local communities, and a drag on the economic recovery. In recent months, home prices have started to sink again after stabilizing last summer. Economists at Goldman Sachs predicted in a report last week that prices will fall about 3 percent nationally over the next year, with the largest declines in cities where mortgage defaults are rising. ■
Location! Location! Location! This week’s featured property
224 N. Providence Road, Wallingford
Beds: 6 Baths: 3.5 Cost: $765,000 Garage: 3.5 car Realtor: Teresa Pointer Real-estate co.: Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Phone: (610) 892-8300 Direct: (610) 550-9473 Website: www.teampointer.com
Check your ad
PLACING ADS Using voicemail? Please be sure to have the following information ready when you call: • Your ad copy • The type of style you want • Desired abbreviations • American Express,Discover, MasterCard or VISA information • Your name and mailing address
Master suite has two walk-in closets! Custom millwork throughout and three wood-burning fireplaces. This home has a 1,000-square-foot wraparound porch with upgraded kitchen and breakfast room added!
• Daytime telephone number Having all this information ready will speed your order and help to avoid errors. Phone calls can only be returned during business hours. For more information, see the coupon page in this section.
Philadelphia Gay News assumes responsibility for errors in classified ads only when notified by noon the Tuesday after the ad first appears. To receive credit for errors, please notify PGN by then. Credit only will be extended in the form of additional advertising space. Any cash refunds, for any reason, are subject to a $10 service charge. PGN will publish no classified ad — in any category — that contains sexually explicit language. Obviously excluded are traditional four-letter words that relate to sexual activity. Other words may be excluded at the discretion of the publisher, who reserves the right to edit or rewrite any ad that, in his opinion, violates this policy or its intent.
EWS
�����
PAGE 82
PAGE 47
�
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
Real Estate
��������
�����
���������
REAL ESTATE
SALE
REAL ESTATE
���������
����� �����
��������� �����
����
� �
������
m
�
st City �����
rden
����.
ondo lding.
oors. ��
h ews. �
��
��������� ��������������� ����������������� �������������������������
������������
������������������������ ������������������� ���������������������������� �������������������
SALE
REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATE
YOUR REAL ESTATE PRO IN S. JERSEY Gay Realtor in SJ to serve all of your buying and selling needs. My team and I have just one priority...YOURS Scott Merkle - Realtor Century 21 Rauh & Johns / TEAM CRUGNALE 1-302858-8549 / C21teamcrugnale@aol.com _______________________________34-26 FUTURE SHOWCASE HOME \Your designer touches will make this wonderfully maintained 100+ year home a masterpiece. Lge rooms, high ceilings, orig HW floors, French doors & built-ins. Elec, Furnace, AC, windows & siding all newer. All on .71 acres in welcoming Cinnamonson, NJ. Asking $375,000. Contact: Robin Thomas @ LONG & FOSTER REAL ESTATE, Inc, 856-795-6966 (O) or 856-261-5978 (C). _______________________________34-26
VENTNOR, NJ, FACING THE BAY House and Adjacent Lot (inground swimming pool). 1st floor 3 bedrooms, bath, living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room and deck. 2nd floor 2 bedrooms, bath, efficiency kitchen, living room, dining area and deck. Central Air. Corner Property. Call 215-468-9166 evenings only. $675,000.00. Also property for rent1500.00 month plus utilities. _______________________________34-29 ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITY (55 plus) in Beautiful, Historic Smyrna,Delaware. New Single-Home Development near beaches & bay areas. Purchase prices from $99,900. CALL 302-659-5800. Visit www.bonayrehomes.com _______________________________34-24
FORECLOSED HOME AUCTION 520+ NE Homes / Auction: 6/24. Open House: June 12, 13 & 19. REDC / View Full Listings: www.Auction.com RE Brkr SB065259. _______________________________34-25 Central Adirondack Lake 47 Acres w/1000’ Frontage, Fully Approved & buildable. Gorgeous setting. List Price was: $229,995. REDUCED TO: $149,995! Call 800-229-7843 www.landandcamps.com _______________________________34-25 Potter County- 11 acres bordering State Forest, Electric, Perc, Wooded, Gently Rolling. Perfect for cabin or camper. $51,500. Owner financing to qualified buyers. 800-668-8679 _______________________________34-25 Great Land & Spectacular Oceanfront- Surf & turf, the best of all worlds at OCEANVIEW on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Spectacular 1 to 4 acre lots, many with deepwater frontage on the mainland overlooking pristine oceanfront island less than 2 miles away. Each lot includes deeded ownership in private oceanfront parcel with crashing surf. Sun, sail, swim, fish, clam, and play on your private island during the days and dine at nearby quaint restaurants at night. May remind you of the Jersey shore many years ago. Unique opportunity makes these lots available at prices last seen in 1986! Waterfront lots $100,000, pond lots $65,000 and view lots at $40,000. Every lot has DIRECT Ocean Views. Owner (757)665-4410, email: oceanlandtrust@yahoo.com or http://Wibiti. com/4XRV _______________________________34-25
SALE
SALE
SALE
ROOMMATES PGN WILL NOT PUBLISH RACIAL DISTINCTIONS IN ROOMMATE ADS. SUCH NOTATIONS WILL BE EDITED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. ___________________________________ GREATER NE PHILA. Have your own bedroom in a beautiful split level home with 2 gay men. House is 4 BR, 2 full baths, W/D, upper and lower decks, use of kitchen. Property is by Welsh & the Boulevard, 1 min. to 58 bus. We ask only that you be at least reasonably neat and employed. Rent is $600 + 1/3 utils. Contact Dave at 215-698-0215. _______________________________34-29 COLLINGSWOOD CLOSE TO SPEEDLINE Neat professional man looking to share house. $775 incl. utils. No pets. W/D, LR, DR, kitchen. Call 856-240-1563. _______________________________34-25 WANTED, FURNISHED ROOM In Center City by Sr. GM starting in June. Call Jay at 386-846-1230. _______________________________34-26 51ST & CITY AVE. VICINITY Quiet neighborhood, N/S male, full time grad. or international student pref. Kit/laundry priv. Utils incl. Furnished. $375/mo. (Also room w/half bath, $395.) Call 215-878-5182. _______________________________34-25 HOUSE TO SHARE IN BLACKWOOD Single man looking to share my home in Blackwood, Conveniently located. $600 per month utilities included. Smokers preferred. Call Matt (856) 228-6162. _______________________________34-26
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY
REAL ESTATE
RENT
12TH & DICKINSON AREA Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms , bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (negotiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. _______________________________34-29 RITTENHOUSE SQUARE AREA Studios & 1 Bedrooms - Call for Availability (215) 735-8050. _______________________________34-31 GAYBORHOOD ONE BEDROOM Beautiful One bedroom in Washington Square West (heart of Gayborhood) with carpet, bathroom, laundry in basement. Available June 1st, pets okay with deposit, all utilities extra. Call Leah Franqui at 215 564 7656 ext 23. _______________________________34-30 OLDE CITY 1BR, 1.5 BA Lg Priv. Deck, wall to wall carpeting 2nd between Race & Arch $900 monthly rent Call Ashley, 610-647-1776. eadeh.com _______________________________34-26 NEW HOPE APT. FOR RENT Pvt. quiet central location. One bedroom apt. near New Hope. Garage, deck, pool, jacuzzi, direct tv, laundry room.dlh07@verizon.net _______________________________34-26 QUEEN VILLAGE 2 BR, ultra modern, brand new, granite and total stainless steel kitchen, tile bath, C/A, W/D, G/D, hdwd flrs, architecht’s dream! $1250/mo. Call 215-336-4629, cell: 215-687-8461. _______________________________34-26 MODERN STUDIO FOR RENT 480 s.f. Studio, W/D, D/W, G/D, C/A, Ceramic Tile Bath, Lots of Closet Space. Prof. Fitness Center, Pet Friendly, & Close to C.C. Marine Club at Broad St. & Washington Ave. Credit Check req. Call Owner to see: 215292-4205. _______________________________34-26 COLLINGSWOOD HOME FOR RENT 3 bed, 1 bath, Walking distance to PATCO, close to parks, shops, restaurants. $1350/ month plus utilities. Pet OK with pet deposit. Pictures available. Call Main Street Realty for more info 856-547-5678. _______________________________34-25
REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATE
SALE
SALE
729 S 2nd Street, Queen Village
$519,900
This is a beautiful 3 bed/1.5 bath townhouse condo with garage parking and incredible roofdeck! Other wonderful features include: high ceilings, a CLASSIFIEDS wood-burning fireplace, exposed brick, built-in shelving and wide open living spaces. The fabulous roofdeck features its own kitchenette with granite counter, stainless steel wine cooler, dishwasher, $519,900 grill and a 3 person hot tub! Call Mike McCann “The Real Estate Man”
Direct: 215-440-8345 Office: 215-627-6005
mccann@mccannteam.com
James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant
REAL ESTATE
SALE
PAGE 83
REAL ESTATE
SALE
Open Houses - Sunday June 20, 2010 Noon - 1:00 PM
927 Spruce St. “Shippen House Condo”. Unit 1R 1bd / 1badeluxe kitchen, update bath, wood floors, low taxes and condo fees. One block from Jefferson and Penn. Hospitals. .. ..................................................................................$185,000 APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008 1109 Spruce St. Units 2R and 3R. Best condo deal in Washington Sq. West. ) 1 bd/1ba. Low taxes and condo fees. Close to Jefferson and Penn. Hospital ....................................... ......................................................$180,000 and $225,000 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM 1109 Spruce St. Unit #1R. bi-level 2 bed. 2 ba. Lowest priced 2/2 in Wash. Sq. West. Newly renovated with S/S and Granite Kit. Lovely reargarden. ........................only $299,900 927 Spruce St. Unit 2R. Very large Jr. 1 bed, totally updated with deluxe kit and bath. Wood floors and built-in queen size Murphy Bed. Low fees and taxes. ...........reduced $215,000
Search all Philadelphia area listings @ www.thephillyrealtors.com Dan Tobey
The Curtis Center 170 W. Independence Mall , Suite L-44 Philadelphia, PA 19106
215.546.2700 Business • 267.238.1061 Direct 215.432.7151 Cell • 215.546.7728 Fax dtobey@cbpref.com
Social Security Disability Claims Appeals
Support the advertisers who support our community. PGN 215-629-0585
SERVICES DIRECTORY ����������������
Suite 202 Oxford Valley Rd. Fairless Hills, PA 19030
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-8501 Today!
RC, CVE
bility
PAGE PAGE 84 110
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS CLASSIFIEDS
LEGALHEALTH & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY DIRECTORY
AMY F. STEERMAN Attorney at Law
Concentrating in Planning for Lesbian and Gay Couples • Probate • Wills • Living Wills • Powers of Attorney
215-735-1006
1900 Spruce Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 www.amysteerman.com
William A. Torchia, Esquire ESTATE & TAX PLANNING GENERAL PRACTICE williamatorchiaesquire.vpweb.com 118 South 21st Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: 215-546-1950 Fax: 215-546-8801
HOME VISITS
James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant
Social Security Disability Claims Appeals
215-629-0585 Suite 202 Oxford Valley Rd. Fairless Hills, PA 19030
18 - 1, 24,2008 2010 APRIL JUNE 25 - MAY
HELP WANTED SECURITY For Atlantic City gentleman’s club. Requirements: must be 6’, with build type of athletic or bodybuilder. 484-239-6666. _______________________________34-27 RECEPTIONIST Salon coordinater needed part-time for upscale center city salon. please email your resume to salonthalia@aol.com or fax it to 215-625-3707. _______________________________34-25 LIGNE ROSET FURNITURE SALES/DESIGN CONSULTANT Full-time. Passion for modern interior design. 3 years sales experience w/ proven sales record. Able to work weekends. Contact Simone@rosetphilly.com. _______________________________34-25 BOOKKEEPER ONLINE We are seeking for Intelligent / Dependable PT Personal Assistant. Seekers must be willing to learn, hard-working, computer literate, shopping & errand. Email: employment20001@gmail.com _______________________________34-25 PERSONAL ASSISTANT The very busy CEO of a global company is seeking an assistant to provide administrative, personal, and business support. This senior position involves managing the personal and social affairs of the CEO with residences in both Singapore and the U.S., and thus travels frequently. The ideal candidate will have at least 5-7 years of administrative experience managing busy business and social calendars and coordinating complex international travel. Strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work independently are critical. A BS or BA is required for this position. Applications must be submitted online at: www.synygy.com _______________________________34-25 REGIONAL DRIVERS NEEDED! MORE HOMETIME! TOP PAY! Up to $.43/mile company drivers! 12 months OTR required. HEARTLAND EXPRESS 1-800441-4953 www.heartlandexpress.com _______________________________34-25 There Are Many Reasons To Join Boyd Bros. Third Pay Raise in Place! Sign-On Bonus! Stay Loaded! Lease-Purchase Program. Hiring Company, Owner/Ops, Students. 800543-8923. _______________________________34-25 COMPANY Experienced OTR drivers and Teams. Consistent Miles, Excellent Health Benefits. 6 mo. OTR exp. & current CDL 888-463-3962 www. usatruck.jobs EOE M/F/H/V. _______________________________34-25 $1,000 sign on bonus! Great regional driving opportunities available now! 99% no-touch freight, late-model equipment, and competitive home time! McLeod Express. 866-379-8377. _______________________________34-25 CDL-A Drivers: Our Freight Needs You! Over The Road Flatbed & Dry Van. Professional Equipment. High Miles. Good Driving Record Required. We accept your long form and medical card. Western Express. Call Nancy: 888-801-5295. _______________________________34-25 OTR DRIVERS NEEDED Reefer, Tanker and Flatbed Positions. CDL Training Available! Incredible Freight Network & Plenty of Miles! All levels of experience welcome. 1-800-277-0212 www.primeinc.com _______________________________34-25
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-
Charles S. Frazier, Esq. Attorney at Law
• General Practice • Wills and Trusts • Living Wills • Powers of Attorney • Probate
Wayne, PA (610) 687-4077 cstar1@verizon.net
BUSINESS
OPPORTUNITIES ALL CASH VENDING! Do you earn $800 in a day? Your own local candy route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy All for $9,995. 1-800-460-4027. _______________________________34-25
VACATION
RENT
OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800-638-2102 Online reservations www.holidayoc.com _______________________________34-25
Reach Readers Over 40,000 Readers Weekly As Little As $25.00 Week. ach Over 40,000 Weekly For As Little For As $25.00 A Week. Call A 215-625-8501 Today!
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
PAGE 106
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 85
SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY this space: only $25 per week*
James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant
Your ad dollars go further when you target your audience
Social Security Disability Claims Appeals
215-629-0585 Suite 202 Oxford Valley Rd. Fairless Hills, PA 19030
*when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks
DOUGLAS CONSTRUCTION • Complete Home Remodeling • Interior Design • Kitchen & Bath Specialists • Custom Interior renovations PAGE 106
Free Estimates Licensed & Insured
Douglas Morgan 215-462-1066
WINDOW TREATMENTS buy direct from manufacturer
WOODBLINDS • CELLULAR SHADES • SHUTTERS WOVEN WOODS • ROMAN SHADES VERTICALS FREE SHOP AT HOME SERVICE Residential Commercial
Highest Quality • Lowest Prices Guaranteed
1016-1018 S. Front Street
Expert Installation Philadelphia, PA 19147
Window Blind Factory (215) 755-4340 Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-8501 Today!
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS ADULT PERSONALS
PAGE 86
FOR SALE ETERNAL APARTMENT FOR SALE MAUSOLEUM FOR SALE GEORGE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL PARK. INSIDE MAUSOLEUM IN MAIN CHAPEL. ROOM FOR TIER 3 ROW TT ASKING $13,500 OBO. 215-718-8711 OR 610-278-5141, ASK FOR JOHN. _______________________________34-24
SERVICES ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE From Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Computers, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 866-858-2121 www.CenturaOnline.com _______________________________34-25 AIRLINES ARE HIRING Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified -Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888)349-5387. _______________________________34-25 HERNIA REPAIR? DID YOU RECEIVE A COMPOSIX KUGEL MESH PATCH BETWEEN 1999-2008? If the Kugel patch was removed due to complications of bowel perforation, abdominal wall tears, puncture of abdominal organs or intestinal fistulae, you may be entitled to compensation. Attorney Charles Johnson 1-800-535-5727. _______________________________34-25
Want to let mom, dad and all of your exs know you’re tying the knot?
ADOPTION ADOPT The stork didn’t call. We hope you will! Happily married, educated, loving couple wishes to adopt newborn. Expenses paid. Robin & Neil 1-866-303-0668 www.robinandneil.info _______________________________34-24 ADOPT A nurturing, loving teacher hopes to adopt newborn. Financial security, unconditional love, extended family for your baby. Expenses paid. Denise @ 1-877-309-5298. _______________________________34-25 Adoption: Loving parents and their 9 year old adopted daughter would love a baby brother or sister. Stay at home mom, professional dad. Expenses paid. Please call Becky/Mike 800-472-1835. _______________________________34-25
FINANCIAL
SERVICES
ASH NOW! Get cash for your structured settlement or annuity payments. High payouts. Call J.G. Wentworth. 1-866-SETTLEMENT (1-866738-8536). Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau. _______________________________34-25
NOTICES
E-mail information to editor@epgn.com or fax us at (215) 925-6437.
Adult/Personals FRIENDS
MEN
FRIENDS
MEN
FRIENDS
MEN
LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. _______________________________34-29
Erotic Dungeon Master
6’, 165 lbs., 60 year old Master, greek active, french passive requires obedient slave for training, S&M, B/D, W/S, etc. Limits respected and expanded. Assistant Master wanted. Call Dave at 215-729-6670, day or evening. _______________________________34-34 609-345-8203 oceanhouseatlanticcity.com _______________________________34-39 RELATIONSHIP WANTED GBM, 39, 5’10”, top, 160 lbs. with an athletic build. Looking for a passive, kind, serious bottom to share my life with. Only serious need to apply. Call before 10pm-215-765-7774. _______________________________34-27 Athletic older BJ expert to real men in PrincetonTrenton areas will take your load! No eves & no wknds. Lv msg 609-213-5013. _______________________________34-28 Attractive she-male looking for gay men or other she-males. Contact 484-636-6696. _______________________________34-29 Senior WM ISO WM wanting to receive oral pleasure. Call me at 856-672-0282, Walt. _______________________________34-28 WM, 61, nice looking in NE Philly seeks caring 60 to 70 yr old greek active tops only for discreet relationship. Leave message 215264-1068, Zack. _______________________________34-27 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. _______________________________34-27 Gay man seeking funds from wealthy bisexual and queer businesswoman for me, Crystal Moyer Alaya to have female breast implant surgery in Reading, PA and will do anything they ask me to do for them and whatever they desire in return for writing me such funds for female breast implant surgery. Contact Miss Crystal Moyer Alaya at 484-269-2247 or leave name and phone number in a voice mail if too busy to talk to me in person. _______________________________34-26 GWM, 40’s looking for gay/bi males, 25-30, smooth, semi muscular for summer fun, possibly more down at the shore. Wildwood area. Call 732-850-6180. _______________________________34-29
h er
t
Pennsylvania’s Largest Lost and Found: Last year, the Pennsylvania Treasury returned over $100 Million Dollars of uncliamed property. Search www.patreasury.org or call 1-800-2222046 to see if we have money for you. Each year, Treasury receives millions of dollars in unclaimed property-things like: *abandoned bank accounts *forgotten stocks *uncashed checks *certificates of deposit *life insurance policies *safe deposit box contents *recovered stolen property. At Treasury, we work hard to find the rightful owners of this unclaimed property. But even if we can’t find you, you can find your property. If you see your name, visit www.patreasury.org to make a claim. We are only required to publish the names of owners of property worth more than $250 one time-so even if you don’t see your name here this year, you may have something. It’s worth a search of our website. Visit us NOW and claim what’s YOURS! _______________________________34-25
Send us your wedding/civil union/ commitment ceremony announcement and we’ll share it with the City of Brotherly Love.
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010
like e’s no place
e ho m
...
e ent Hom rovem Imp ecor y Dir
1 on 1 and group sex. Stockings, pantyhose, etc. Starts 9 PM Sat. Call Sat. 7-8 PM 856910-8303, ask for Mark. _______________________________33-24 JUNE 18 - 24, 2010 GWM, Italian, top or bottom, 7” cut. Also into assplay, toys & water sports. Bi, straight, out of towners welcome. Day or night. Call Jeff at MODELS 215-850-7900. _______________________________33-18
ESCORTS
Adult
�
Massage & More
Books
ADULT PERSONALS PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
���������������������������� MASSAGE MASSAGE
MODELS
CERTIFIED
����� Man for Man Massage ���������������������� Tall, attractive, muscular Sensual/Erotic Massage ����������������������������� I will tailor your massage ��������������������������������� to suit your needs... Incall/Outcall ������������������������ �������������������������������������
Let my strong hands ESCORTS release all your tensions.
FULLBODY • SENSUAL • EROTIC “Ask about my specials” Have car and will travel City/Suburbs/Jersey Shore/Hotels
(215)465-2427
���������������
WWW.EPGN.COM
• Full Body • Deep Tissue
Call 215-432-6030
• Sensual
• Erotic
���
MEN
����������������
Hot, Muscular, Defined, Smooth, Solid Pecs and Abs, with a Great, Warm and Friendly Personality. Offering a Deep Tissue, Erotic, and ����������������������������� Swedish Style Massages.
���������������������������������
B-7
Gay is our middle name. FRIENDS
������������ ������������
You Deserve It!
B-2
FRIENDS
��������������������������������
��������������������������������������� FULL BODY
6’, 195 lbs, Muscle Gives Sensual / Therapeutic Massage
PGN Gay is our MEN middle name.
MASSAGE MASSAGE BY HOT JOCK
PLAYGIRL Centerfold is Back!
����������������� ������������� ������������������
215-313-1010 Online. Anytime.
Handsome Certified Therapist
���
G-02
�������� ���������
Convenient to Lower Bucks, NE Phila. 15 mins from CC & S.Jersey Available to any Phila area Hotel G12
PAGE 87
Electronic PGN: MODELS ESCORTS www.epgn.com
FRIENDS
MEN
������������������������
Available NOW.
Call or text Dale: ������������������������������ 267-972-5804 D96
��������������������������
��������������������������� FRIENDS FRIENDS
������������������������������������� MEN MEN
Advertising works.
���
��������
C91
PAGE 88
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
JUNE 18 - 24, 2010