Pgn070513 by The Philadelphia Gay News

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QFest kick-off

Family Portrait: Jackie Jennings

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Three Penn students receive Point Foundation scholarships

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July 5-11, 2013

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Vol. 37 No. 27

PA legislators to introduce marriage-equality bill By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com

THERE SHE IS: Edie Windsor (center) waved to onlookers at the New York City Pride parade June 30. This year’s festivity took on special significance as it came days after the Supreme Court paved the way for same-sex marriages to resume in California and overturned a key section of the Defense of Marriage Act, following a suit brought by Windsor, a New York resident and Philadelphia native. The 84-year-old Windsor served as one of three grand marshals for Sunday’s parade. Photo: Patrick Hagerty

Widow continues struggle for deceased wife’s death benefits By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Despite last week’s gains for same-sex marriage, Jennifer Tobits’ quest to receive the death benefits of her deceased wife continues with no end in sight. Tobits married Sarah Ellyn Farley in Canada in 2006. At the time, the women lived in Illinois, where Farley worked as an attorney for the law firm of Cozen O’Connor. About two months after the marriage, Farley was diagnosed with cancer and died in 2010. Tobits sought about $41,000 in death benefits from Cozen, as Farley’s surviving spouse. But Cozen, based in Philadelphia, filed a legal action in federal court here, asking a judge to determine whether Tobits or Farley’s parents get the money. The case remains pending before U.S. District Judge C. Darnell Jones 2d. Christopher F. Stoll, an attor-

ney for Tobits, said the recent Supreme Court decision striking down Section 3 of DOMA bodes well for Tobits. Stoll noted that Cozen cited Section 3 as a reason to deny Tobits the money. “Cozen could have honored Jennifer’s claim in 2010,” Stoll said. “This litigation was absolutely unnecessary. Jennifer deserves to get the benefit she’s entitled to as soon as possible, so she can move on with her life.” But Peter C. Breen, an attorney for Farley’s parents, said his clients have a strong case for the money, regardless of last week’s Supreme Court rulings. He said the Farleys’ legal position doesn’t rely on DOMA but rather on the idea that they’re next of kin. “The Farleys don’t dispute the ladies had a Canadian marriage license,” Breen said. “But American law will govern this case, not Canadian law. We don’t consider them PAGE 16

One day after the Supreme Court ruled to overturn both California’s Proposition 8 case and a key section of the Defense of Marriage Act, two Pennsylvania legislators announced the next step to ensure equality for LGBT Pennsylvanians. On June 27, out state Rep. Brian Sims (182nd Dist.) and Rep. Steve McCarter (D-154th Dist.) said they would introduce a bill to allow Pennsylvania to join the now 13 states and Washington, D.C., that have marriage equality. With the legislature now in recess, Sims and McCarter plan to introduced the bill in early fall. State Sen. Daylin Leach (D17th Dist.) introduced a similar measure in March, which he first submitted in 2009. Former state

Rep. Babette Josephs introduced the first House marriage-equality bill in 2011. Sims said although he was happy with the defeat of DOMA and Prop. 8, plans had already been in the works for the measure before the Supreme Court rulings.

SIMS (LEFT) AND MCCARTER

“Although I was super excited about the decision, what made me to decide to introduce it were my colleagues,” Sims said. “Rep. McCarter has wanted to introduce it for a long time and we both talked at length on introducing it

but ultimately what moves legislators the most is other legislators and they came to us and said now was the time.” McCarter said the Supreme Court decisions provided added momentum. “Brian and I talked about it and we were looking for the right time and place to move this legislation along. Once the DOMA decision came down, it energized everybody and this was a means to keep the energy running to talk about this particular bill,” McCarter said. “We want to move forward with this legislation in Pennsylvania and keep the issue moving.” Both lawmakers said they have seen a good deal of support, including cosponsorship pledges from a dozen lawmakers, including one Republican. “The fact that we already have a dozen indiPAGE 16

Victims of the night: Trans sex workers By Victoria A. Brownworth Special to PGN

Third in a series Aamina Morrison is someone you want to run into in a dark alley. Because Aamina Morrison will help you out of there and into the light. Morrison is a true and passionate believer — in God, in humanity, in her community. As co-coordinator (along with Naiyimah Sanchez) of the Trans-health Information Project at GALAEI, Morrison is driven: She’s ready to save the world, one scared, lonely, isolated, beaten-down transwoman at a time, and says she will keep doing it until “I’ve got my cane and walker and I’m in my Hoveround.” In short, she’ll be doing this work forever. When I called Elicia Gonzales, executive director of GALAEI, the queer Latin@ social justice organization, about this series, she said, “You really want to talk to Aamina. She’s been there from the beginning.” As a transwoman who dealt with PAGE 8

DISSECTING THE DECISION: The day after the landmark Supreme Court ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act came down, several-dozen people turned out to the William Way LGBT Community Center for a town-hall discussion on the decision’s impact. The June 27 event featured remarks from panelists Rebecca Levin, co-chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s LGBT-Rights Committee (from right), PBA Legal Rights of Contemporary Families Committee co-chair Tiffany Palmer, Temple University law professor Lenore Carpenter, Mazzoni Center legal director David Rosenblum and moderator Mike Viola, co-chair of PBA’s LGBT-Rights Committee. Photo: Scott A. Drake

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

Center looks at progress, projections Film festival heats up screens By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com The William Way LGBT Community Center’s board held its third public board meeting of the year June 25 at 1315 Spruce St. All board members were in attendance. Executive director Chris Bartlett, who was on a tour of New England as a guest of the Q Foundation, and facilities coordinator Avis Albaladejo were not present for the meeting. Director of center services Candice Thompson reported that June was a great month for the center’s art gallery. The public response to the “In Visible Skin” exhibition was “phenomenal,” she said, making it one of the gallery’s most popular shows ever. Thompson also reported the center is working to secure funding for its new SAGEWorks program for people 40 and older. The center has no contract for funding yet, just some verbal commitments, she added. Thompson also gave the facilities report in Albaladejo’s absence. She noted that the first-

floor office spaces have been repainted and tenant occupancy is at 93 percent. Board co-chair Laurie Ward reported that turnout for last month’s Homecoming event was good but the center is looking into getting a headlining performer for next year’s event. Michael Pomante delivered the development report, which addressed leaks the building is experiencing. Pomante also reported that the center has applied for a grant for its archives from the William Penn Foundation for the maximum amount of $350,000. Pomante also announced themes for the upcoming monthly Way Gay Power Play fundraising events, which include a flip-cup tournament in July, a drag karaoke event in August, an outdoor cinema event in October and an LGBT wellness festival in November. Kim Keegan reported on the center’s finances. The center reported a total income of $33,352.02 for the month of May, less than the projected income of $38,260.00. Events, fundraisers and program revenue were above

expectations but grants and individual giving were below expectation, leading to the shortfall of $4,907.98 in expected income. From October-May, total income was about $327,785. Total expenses for the center for the month of May were reported at $64,984.73 and expected expenses were reported at $53,079, a difference of about $11,905. The overage in budgeted expenses was attributed to the cost of Philadelphia Foundation fees ($500), and audit ($2,900) and programrelated expenses, which included $5,616.12 in grant-specific costs. Expenses from October-May were $474,393. The center’s current assets stand at $152,822 and, with fixed assets, are $1.16 million. Ward reported on nominations for new board members. Member David Cermak will be leaving the board in December. Ward said there is a possibility that there will be up to three open seats. The board is looking for new members with backgrounds in fundraising and facilities. For more information, visit www.waygay.org. ■

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com About 24,000 people are expected to flood local theaters next week for the 19th annual QFest. The LGBT film festival runs July 11-22 at area theaters. This year, the festival will showcase 124 films, which cover an array of genres and facets of the community. QFest artistic director Ray Murray said festival organizers strive each year to present films that deviate from what you can find in typical LGBT film festivals. “We try to do things that other festivals don’t do. We want to be different,” Murray said. “Our audience seems to enjoy more cutting-edge films. We’re wilder, more unpredictable than other festivals.” The festival will open with “G.B.F.” and close with “Hot Guys with Guns,” both of which are expected to be big draws, Murray said. Also expected to bring in a large crowd is “Fall to Grace,” a documentary on former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevy’s coming out. The film will screen at 2:15 p.m. July 20 at Ritz East, 125 S. Second St., and will be followed by a meet-and-greet

reception with McGreevy at 4 p.m. at Sofitel, 120 S. 17th St., which will raise funds for QFest. This year’s programming is more heavily focused on gay men, rather than lesbians and the trans community, Murray noted. “We usually try to have 33 percent women, and this year it’s closer to 25 percent. Sometimes we have to follow the course of filmmaking and this year it was amazingly difficult to get quality lesbian-themed films,” Murray said. There will be an enhanced AfricanAmerican presence, he noted, as well as a flourishing docket of films focusing on LGBT-headed families. “A lot of the films used to be about coming out; that was probably 50 percent of our themes a few years ago. But that’s changed into all different kinds of stories,” Murray said. “There’s a lot less of the gay angst. It’s almost like post-gay filmmaking, where we have stories about everything from gay killers to marriage to family. We have 10-15 films just about getting married and raising families. They speak to what’s happening today.” For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.qfest.com. ■

locations in Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA — AROUND THE GAYBORHOOD

12th Street Gym, 204 S. 12th St. • 13th Street Gourmet Pizza, 209 S. 13th St. • AACO, 1101 Market St., 9th floor • Action AIDS, 1216 Arch St. • Apt. & Townhouse Rentals, 304 S. 12th St. • ASIAC, 1711 S. Broad St. • The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. • Bioscript Pharmacy, 1227 Locust St. • Cafe Twelve, 212 S. 12th St. • Charlie Salon, 203 S. 12th St. • City Hall NE Entrance • Club Body Center, 1220 Chancellor St. • Com-Har Living Room, 101 S. Broad St., 14th floor • Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. • Cut Salon, 204 S. 13th St. • Danny’s Bookstore 133 S. 13th St. • Dignity/St. Lukes, 330 S. 13th St. • Dirty Frank’s Bar, 13th & Pine sts. • The Foodery, 10th & Pine sts. • Fusion Gym, 105 S. 12th St., 2nd floor • Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. • I Goldberg, 1300 Chestnut St. • ICandy, 254 S. 12th St. • Independent Hotel, 13th & Locust sts. • Mazzoni Clinic, 809 Locust St. • Midtown II, 122 S. 11th St. • More Than Just Ice Cream, 1119 Locust St. • Pa. AIDS Law Project, 1211 Chestnut St., 12th floor • Paolo Pizzeria, 1336 Pine St. • Parker Hotel Lobby, 261 S. 13th St. • Phila. FIGHT/Aids Library, 1233 Locust St., 5th floor • Phila. Family Planning Commission, 260 S. Broad St., 10th floor • Planned Parenthood, 1144 Locust St. • Sansom Cinema, 120 S. 13th St., basement • Santa Fe Burrito, 212 S. 11th St. • Scorpio Books, 202 S. Juniper St. • Sisters, 1320 Chancellor St. • Spruce Street Video, 252 S. 12th St. • Packard Apartments, 317 N. Broad St. • Safeguards lobby, 1211 Chestnut St. #610 • Salon K, 1216 Locust St. • Sansom Cinema, 120 S. 13th St. • Sante Fe Burrito, 212 S. 11th St. • Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. • Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac St. • Triangle Medicine, 253 S. 10th St., 1st floor • Uncles, 1220 Locust St. • Valanni, 1229 Spruce St. • Venture Inn, 255 S. Camac St. • Voyeur, 1220 St. James St. • Westbury, 261 S. 13th St. • William Way LGBT Community Center, 1325 Spruce St. • Woody’s, 202 S. 13th St. •

PHILADELPHIA — C.C. EAST OF BROAD

Bean Café, 615 South St. • Best Western Independence Park Hotel lobby, 215 Chestnut St. • Chocolate Works Condo lobby, 321 N. Third St. • Copabanana, 342 South St. • Dane Décor, 315 Arch St. • Famous 4th St. Deli, Fourth & Bainbridge sts. • Hopkinson House, 604 S. Washington Sq. • Hyatt Regency Hotel lobby, 201 S. Columbus Blvd. • Independence Place Condos, 241 S. Sixth St., lobby in both towers • Independence Visitors Center, Sixth & Market sts. • Old City Ironworks Gym, 141 N. Second St. • Nationality Service Center, 1216 Arch St. • Packard Apts., 317 N. Broad St. • PGN ofﬁces, 505 S. Fourth St. • Philadelphia Java Co., 518 S. Fourth St. • Reading Terminal Market, 12th & Filbert sts. • Strands Salon, 25 N. Third St. •

PHILADELPHIA — C.C. WEST OF BROAD

Adonis Cinema, 2026 Sansom St. • Art Institute, 1610 Chestnut St. • Art Institute, 1622 Chestnut St. • Art Institute, 2300 Market St. • The Attic Youth Center, 255 S. 16th St. • Bob & Barbara’s, 1509 South St. • Book Bin, 22nd & Market sts. • Dan Tobey R/E, 1401 Walnut St., 8th floor • Dr. Wakefield’s Office, 255 S. 17th St., Suite 2306 • Drexel Partnership, 1427 Vine St., 3rd floor • Latimer Deli, 255 S. 15th St. • L-2 Restaurant, 22nd & South sts. • MANNA, 12 S. 23rd St. • Marine Club Condos lobby, Broad St. & Washington Ave. • Metropolitan, 115 N. 15th St. • Safeguards Lobby, 1700 Market St., 18th floor • Sansom St. Gym, 2020 Sansom St. • South Square Market, 2221 South St. • Titan Room, 22nd & Market sts. • Touraine Building lobby, 1520 Spruce St. • U Do It Laundry, 15th & Spruce sts. • Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel, 17th & Race sts. •

REGIONAL PGN

News Briefing

for comment. Notice of the settlement was filed with U.S. District Judge Thomas N. O’Neill Jr. on June 27. Ginther works as an industrial electrician at ArcelorMittal’s steel mill in Conshohocken, according to court records.

Lawsuit against Conshy company settled

Sentencing changed for inmate assault

Bryce Ginther and Kit Kineef have settled their lawsuit against a Conshohocken company that allegedly denied Kineef the health-care coverage he was entitlted to. Ginther and Kineef were married in New York in May 2012, but Ginther’s employer, ArcelorMittal USA, allegedly refused to enroll Kineef in the company’s health plan as Ginther’s spouse. The men filed a federal lawsuit in February, alleging violations of federal law. Tiffany L. Palmer, an attorney for Ginther and Kineef, said both men have voluntarily withdrawn their lawsuit. “All I can say is the case has been resolved,” Palmer told PGN. ArcelorMittal spokesperson Mary Beth Holdford couldn’t be reached

The sentencing of Kevin V. Hannig, who pleaded guilty to assaulting openly gay inmate Kenneth J. Houck Jr., has been moved up a week, from July 18 to July 11. Hannig and Justin O’Brien assaulted Houck at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia in November 2011. Houck was reading a gay novel inside his cell when the men pulled Houck from his bunk and stomped on him, breaking his leg, according to court records. U.S. District Judge William H. Yohn Jr. will impose Hannig’s sentence at 2 p.m. July 11 in Courtroom 14B of the U.S. Court House, 601 Market St. Houck’s projected release date is March 3, 2018, if he doesn’t commit any infractions while in custody.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

Hannig, 35, is awaiting sentencing at the detention center. In May, O’Brien was sentenced to 74 months in prison for Houck’s assault and three unrelated bank roberries. O’Brien, 26, is serving his sentence at a federal prison in Canaan Township. — Timothy Cwiek

Real-estate forum Real-estate professionals and the LGBT community are invited to learn about navigating the real-estate world as an LGBT person from noon-1:30 p.m. July 10 at Burlington Camden County Association of Realtors’ Real Estate Success Institute, 306 Kings Highway South, Cherry Hill, N.J. Attendees will learn about estate planning and mortgaging concerns for LGBT buyers, best ways to source LGBT business, steps that LGBT couples should take to protect themselves when they purchase a home, legal and correct terminology for addressing LGBT individuals and much more. Lunch will be provided. The event is $10 for non-BCCAR members. For more information, call 856428-1013. ■ B:10.125” T:10.125” S:10.125”

PREVENTION AND PARTYING: The Trocadero was packed June 27 for a concert by hip-hop artist Fabolous. The event was staged by Philadelphia FIGHT and the Youth Health Empowerment Project as part of AIDS Education Month. Youth ages 13-24 were offered the opportunity to get a free ticket to the event in exchange for getting an HIV test, and more than 1,200 young people did so. YHEP program director Tiffany Thompson said the concert was a “huge success” that organizers are seeking to make an annual event. “The kids loved it and one of the best parts was that the sexual-health and HIV-prevention messages were just everywhere, in a really positive way.” Photo: Scott A. Drake

— Angela Thomas

We put our energy into celebrating pride. At PECO, we’re proud to support the PrideDay LGBT Parade and Festival. So much so that our ongoing participation at

the annual event earned us the “Best Business” award for

culture, both in and out of the workplace. It’s just another

way we celebrate the power of diversity and inclusion all year round.

www.peco.com

T:5.6”

Our commitment to equality can be seen with our inclusive

S:5.6”

the second year in a row. But our support doesn’t stop there.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

Tired of eating at the same old dives? Thinking about hitting a new hot spot? We’ll tell you what we liked — and didn’t.

Only in Read PGN’s food reviews every second and fourth week of the month

Dining Out

We’re all getting older. For LGBT seniors, being out in the golden years can pose a whole new set of challenges. Each month, Gettin’ On brings you insights on aging, from legal issues to sexual health.

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Gettin’ On

SOFTBALL STARS: Jeff “Trudi” Jurges and Jim “Sugar” Cain were among the recreational division players competing in the City of Brotherly Love Softball League’s AllStar match-ups Sunday in Fairmount Park. Each team in the league was represented in games among recreational, co-ed competitive and women’s divisions. Despite the dreary weather, players and supporters partied at a league barbecue, which also doubled as a 50th birthday party for Jurges, CBLSL publicity chair. Photo: Jack Betzal NEWS

Online and in print every third Friday of the month.

Local News Briefing Regional Out Law

EDITORIAL/OP-ED

Editorial Op-Ed Mark My Words Street Talk

10 10 11 11

Poll results from our online survey as of July 2:

33% Was going to get married anyway 24% It will make me think about it 15% Already married 15% Union is ﬁne, marriage is too religious 9% I’ll never get married 3% Fine the way we are

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Go to www.epgn.com to weigh in on this week’s question:

Online and in print every ﬁrst Friday.

Out Law

Angela Giampolo

Stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Retirement plans, savings plans and college funds. Good debt vs. bad debt. Financial advisor Jeremy Gussick breaks it down every month, interpreting simple and complex ﬁnancial strategies for the LGBT community.

Only in Jeremy Gussick

Contents

Will the overturning of DOMA sway you towards marriage?

What special challenges does the LGBT community face when it comes to the law? Whether it’s adoption, co-habitation agreements or a will, Angela Giampolo shares legal advice for our community each month.

Out Money

2 3 3 14

Online and in print every second Friday.

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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.

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N.J. approves anti-conversion therapy bill By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com Two weeks after the closure of Exodus International, a Christian ministry dedicated to repressing same-sex attraction, the New Jersey legislature passed a bill that would ban conversion therapy for minors. The state Assembly approved the legislation June 24 with an overwhelming 56-14 vote; it previously passed the Senate in a 28-9 vote. The legislation awaits the signature of Gov. Chris Christie. His office did not return a call to PGN about his position on the legislation. California last year became the first and only state in the nation to ban conversion therapy for minors. Out Assemblyman Reed Gusciora said Exodus International’s closing illustrated the primary message of the legislation. “I think it was important to introduce this bill, especially after Exodus closed its doors and realized that they did more damage than good,” Gusciora said. “When the executive director issued a public apology, it showed the falsehood of the therapy and that it gives false hope to a lot of parents when they should be more understanding of their child.” Garden State Equality communications

director TJ Helmstetter said his agency, with the support of prime sponsor Assembly Tim Eustace, helped organize the effort to educate lawmakers and the public about the need for the law. “We organized witnesses, put out the word to partner organizations, compiled research and testimony and lined up witnesses to speak at the public hearing,” Helmstetter said. “We also made sure legislators had the information and knowledge before it advanced out of committee.” Now that the legislation has reached the governor’s desk, it is unclear what its next step will be. Christie has expressed opposition to conversion therapy, but Gusciora noted that he may be influenced by potential presidential aspirations. “He has always given signals that he is concerned about its effect on religious institutions and we made it clear that religious institutions are not affected, but he may use it as an excuse to veto the bill, but that would not be a valid constitutional stand,” he said. “Then we would need to have a veto override and the governor has gone four years without legislators being able to do that, so it will be difficult.” Helmstetter, however, was optimistic. “I think Gov. Christie is a man of his word and has strong convictions and, therefore, I would expect him to sign this bill.” ■

Tourney celebrates 25 years of gay bowling By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com The Liberty Belle Invitational will welcome more than 200 bowlers to celebrate its 25th anniversary over the Fourth of July weekend. The tournament welcomes LGBT bowling leagues from across the country and Canada, with groups and individuals coming from throughout Pennsylvania, New York, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Washington and California. Three Philadelphia-area leagues host the tournament: Philadelphia Gay Bowling League, Rainbow Rollers and Suburban Gay Bowling League. LBI director Ralph Fera said the tournament’s longevity has made it one of the most well-known bowling tourneys in the country. “The fact that we have done this for 25 years and it’s considered as one of the most consistent and better-run tournaments is wonderful,” he said. “We have a pretty large prize fund and we generally give away $15,000-$25,000 in prizes for our bowlers.” Fera, who has helmed LBI for six years, said it has been a challenge to find new participants for the tournament and in the sport. “We want to get young people involved

and be a part of the bowling leagues during the year,” he said. “A lot of us have been doing it for many years and it is a lot of work and we are enthusiastic about it, but we are always looking for new blood.” Registration and eight-pin no-tap play begins 3-10 p.m. July 5 at Laurel Lanes, 2825 Route 73 South, Maple Shade, N.J., and the festivities continue at 9 a.m. the following day with singles and doubles competition. Team competition begins 10:30 a.m. July 7, and the tournament wraps up with a cocktail hour at 5 p.m. and awards banquet at 6 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel Philadelphia, 237 S. Broad St. LBI will also host a fundraiser at Tavern on Camac at 8 p.m. July 6. Cost of the event is $40, which will include dinner and a complimentary Stoli cocktail, with proceeds going to LBI and Mazzoni Center. Fera said the tournament is always held on the Fourth of July weekend, which helps solidify the event’s consistency — and is a great time to visit Philadelphia. “Our goal is to have a tournament people can count on,” Fera said. “We offer a nice free lunch, a banquet and good hotel service. Our goal is to remain consistent, and the Fourth of July is a good weekend because it gives a lot of reasons for people to come to Philly and celebrate our country.” For more information, visit www. lbievents.com or www.libertybelle.org. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

NATIONAL PGN

DOMA Talk at Philly rally Who are you celebrating today? “I am celebrating everybody, but I think now with people who have legal marriage equality in Mike other states, I think it sends a positive message to all the other states to have something to strive for.“

“I am celebrating my son and his partner who live where they have legal same-sex marriage and Barbara civil unions. I am a firm believer that none of us have rights until all of us have rights.”

“I am celebrating my parents’ neighbors and their kids. I am celebrating for my friends, Anj and Sue, who Sarah are married but not legally in the state of Pennsylvania. I am celebrating a lot of other people I know who may someday want to be married.”

“As a minister at an open and affirming church, I am always seeking equality everywhere. One of my B.J. favorite quotes is from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who said, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ So I’m here for the victories that we had today and to let everyone know we will continue until we get full equality across the board for nondiscrimination and marriage equality.”

SCOTUS aftermath continues By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The marriage-equality landscape changed indelibly last Wednesday as the Supreme Court struck Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act and invalidated Proposition 8, and reverberations from those rulings are starting to be felt. Last Friday, a California appellate court lifted the stay on same-sex marriages, and the lead plaintiffs who challenged the ballot initiative were the first to tie the knot that evening in San Francisco. Also that day, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management instructed all federal agencies that same-sex spouses of federal employees are now eligible for the full gamut of healthinsurance benefits. And a Bulgarian man living in Florida, who is legally wed to his partner, was approved for a green card, as the pair became the first same-sex married couple to be allowed a permanent resident visa. Previously, DOMA had prevented samesex binational couples from sponsoring one another for immigration. However, change will not be as swift in other realms, as some federal agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration, define marriage according to the state in which a couple lives. Following last week’s ruling, President Obama instructed the Department of Justice to evaluate how the DOMA ruling can be implemented swiftly. Efforts are also underway for legislation to fully repeal DOMA and establish that all same-sex married couples are entitled to federal benefits, regardless of their state of residence. U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler and Sen. Dianne Feinstein reintroduced companion versions of the Respect for Marriage Act the day of the Supreme Court rulings. Nadler’s bill has 162 cosponsors, including Pennsylvania Congressmembers Bob

Brady (D-First Dist.), Matt Cartwright (D17th Dist.), Mike Doyle (D-14th Dist.), Chaka Fattah (D-Second Dist.) and Allyson Schwartz (D-13th Dist.). Sen. Bob Casey (D) is a cosponsor of the Senate bill. “We have an obligation to ensure every same-sex couple — whether they live in Arkansas or New York, Kansas or California — can share in today’s emotional and deserved victory,” HRC president Chad Griffin said last week. “We have momentum on our side, and it’s only a matter of time until the remaining parts of DOMA are entirely repealed.” H ow eve r, a s m a l l c o n t i n g e n t o f Republicans is working to add extra federal protections against same-sex marriage. Congressman Tim Huelskamp last Friday introduced a bill to instate a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, an effort supported by 28 Republican lawmakers, including Pennsylvania’s Joseph Pitts (16th Dist.) and Bill Shuster (Ninth Dist.). ■

LEADING THE FIGHT: Kris Perry (left) and Sandy Stier greeted suppor ters after their June 28 wedding at City Hall in San Francisco. After last Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling, an appellate court lifted a stay on same-sex marriages in California, and Perry and Stier, one of two plaintiff couples who challenged Prop. 8, became the first same-sex couple to tie the knot in the state since 2008. Photo: Associated Press/Jeff Chiu

Haute Mexican? Haute Mexican! After ten successful years in northeast Philadelphia, Paloma is serving to-die-for French-Mexican cuisine in Bella Vista. ��

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

Point names Penn students as scholars By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com Twenty-six students were awarded scholarships this year from the Point Foundation, an organization that recognizes LGBT students in both the undergraduate and graduate fields. Point’s mission is to empower LGBT students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential, despite the obstacles often put before them. Among the scholars are three University of Pennsylvania students: Mira Patel, Savannah Shange and Saidzhan Abdul. Mira Patel Philadelphia will welcome the former special advisor and policy-planning staffer for Secretary Hilary Clinton next month. The proud Wellesley College graduate will start work on her master of business administration at Penn this fall. Patel, 30, previously worked on defense and finance-policy issues for Clinton when the latter was in the Senate, and she was later asked by Clinton to join the State Department’s policy-planning team. Patel advised Clinton on gender and human rights issues, as well as LGBT issues. Patel helped organize the Global Equality Fund, one of the largest public-private partnerships in the U.S. government to fund LGBT human-rights work. “I worked with a team of individuals and we put it all together and now it has reached $5 million,” she said. “That money has been programmed out, sent through our State Department all around the world to fund local LGBT organizations.” Patel, who currently lives in Washington,

D.C., grew up in Massachusetts and attended Wellesley, where she came out during her first year. “It was the best decision I have ever made. I had a wonderful experience. I played field hockey and lacrosse and had very supportive teammates. My parents are not supportive and I don’t have a relationship with them,” she said. “It was a challenging time but coming out at Wellesley was one of the best things that could have ever happened to me. It created a safe space I never had with my family.” Patel said she’s humbled to be included among the list of Point scholars. “To have my name associated with these amazing people is wonderful. Point has been around for more than a decade now and the number of people it has touched and where they have gone and what they have accomplished has been inspiring.” She’s excited to see what the next phase of her life in Philadelphia has to offer. “I am excited to interact with hundreds of new MBA students that are going to come in with me. Getting to meet them and establishing connections with them will be interesting and they will have fascinating ideas about social justice and improving the world.” Savannah Shange Shange, 32, knew she wanted to help people since middle school, when she walked into HIV/AIDS organization BEBASHI and asked how she could contribute. “My mom was a smoker and inside one of the matchbooks, it said, ‘The average age of sexually active people of color in Philadelphia is 12-13. For more info, call this number,’” Shange said about BEBASHI’s messaging. “I remember thinking that was so young for people to start being sexually active. I wanted to make a difference and not tell people what to do with their lives,

but how to keep people safe. It was the first time any organization didn’t say, ‘Don’t have sex, you’re too young,’ but instead promoted a healthy message.” While volunteering for BEBASHI, she was surrounded by youth from all backgrounds. “I liked connecting with other young people and it was a mixed group, with kids from all over the city. Some were straight or queer and it felt good to have a diverse street-outreach community.” Shange came out at a young age as bisexual, but it wasn’t until she was a young adult that she realized her queer identity. She taught high school for seven years before starting work on her doctorate in education and Africana studies at Penn. The New Orleans resident is working on a dissertation based on an ethnographic study of social-justice education in San Francisco, focusing on how racism and heteronormativity are perpetuated in multiracial progressive movements. Shange expects to complete her doctorate in 2015. “After I complete my doctorate, I hope to become a professor and work at a university that is committed to serving the community it is in,” she said. “I want to support teachers who are teaching marginalized communities and bring an ethnic-studies and queer-theory lens to education.” Saidzhan Abdul For Soviet Republic native Abdul, growing up gay was anything but a positive experience; however, the 22-year-old now has much to celebrate, as the first member of his family to go to college. “One of my biggest accomplishments

was being accepted into university because none of my family ever went,” he said. “My parents worked hard to let me live my dream.” Abdul, who identifies as gay, lives in Bethlehem and was born and raised in the Soviet Union, where he said LGBT identity was not celebrated. “I was born in Soviet Republic where it was bad to be different. Growing up, I heard that being gay was wrong. I felt so much hate and was bullied every day. It came to the point where I had to make the decision between becoming a bully myself or starting my vision of social justice,” he said. He went on to found youth-empowerment agency Youth for Peace Initiative. He said his coming-out experience continues to this day. “I found a friend who I came out to and they supported me. I eventually came out to my dad, and three months ago, I sent coming-out letters to 100 people. Unfortunately, I didn’t come out to my mom, who passed away this year. It is the biggest regret but she always pushed me to embrace myself and I realized that being gay is a blessing.” Abdul is an international transfer student who will join Penn as a junior, studying international relations with hopes of attending Harvard for law school. “I would like to become a champion for human rights,” he said, noting that, after the struggles he’s faced, being named a Point scholar was gratifying. “It felt great and it felt like a celebration of who I am from an organization that told me that it is OK to be who I am and that celebrates diversity and appreciates me for who I am.” ■

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serious struggles in her life, she knows what the transwomen sex workers I have spent the past four months talking with have experienced and what it takes to get them off the streets and safe. The first step, she says, is to bring them to TIP. “You can’t just load them into a caravan,” she says, laughing wryly. “They have to want to come here, they have to make it on their own.” While getting there is a big part of the struggle, once there, Morrison says, “they’ll see there are transwomen who have survived sex work and rape and violence against them and made it out. They’ll see their gender affirmed. They’ll see they can get to the next place, because other people just like them have gotten to that place. They’ll stop looking at it as a disconnect.” TIP is all about getting people to that next place — whatever it is, judgment-free. TIP has been operating since March 2003, originally begun by GALAEI and Prevention Point Philadelphia, where Morrison worked previously. It’s a harm-reduction service that provides all things safe for transpeople and is the only peer-led service of its kind in Philadelphia. Located at 1207 Chestnut St. (fifth floor), TIP is open weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Morrison says they make an effort to “have a presence” at every LGBT event in the city. Morrison says transwomen like Mo’Nique, Tiffani and others need empowerment. “We want them to get their power back,” she says. “Someone told them that all they can do is use their bodies. We know they are more than that.” Morrison’s compassion seems palpable as we talk about women I have met in North Philly, Kensington, Port Fishmond and Center City. “We need people telling their stories,” she says. And the women in this series and their peers need Morrison, Sanchez and TIP. Beyond the health-care services like STD testing, medical monitoring and referrals that TIP provides, either on-site or through other programs like Mazzoni Center, there are the life skills and counseling that at-risk sex workers need to help them find alternatives to the dangerous work they have been forced into. “Some transwomen are OK with doing sex work, but for those who aren’t, we want to show them their options.” As with Women in Transition (see part two of this series), TIP

builds empowerment through education. Women can learn how to prep for a job interview, from how to write a resume to what to wear to how to answer questions. There are literacy classes starting as well, because Morrison knows the hidden shame for 20 percent of America: Reading is a struggle for them, especially if they had to leave school for whatever reasons. She wants to help people build inner strength to fight their own demons. “I have so many heartbreaking stories of people who have ended up in prison for life for defending themselves,” she says. Violence, as the women in this series attest, is a daily experience for many transpeople. “We want to do whatever we can to prevent that from happening.” Morrison, herself AfricanAmerican, says it’s especially hard to get African-American women to come out. “Someone somewhere told us — especially women of color — that you don’t have power. Someone told them, ‘You can’t.’ I want them to know, you can.” Blanca* has always lived between two worlds. The child of a Puerto-Rican mother and a black Dominican father, she was raised by her single mother, but her mixed race often made her feel ostracized in her Latino community. When she began to transition, things only became more difficult for her. She dropped out of school, started taking pills. “All I heard all the time from my abuela was ‘maricon’ and ‘pato,’” she says. Living in the extended family household in Fairhill, one of the city’s poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods, became unbearable for Blanca by the time she was 17. She wanted to leave, but felt she had to stay to help out with her siblings and mother after her grandmother died. As Blanca describes her situation, it reflects the disturbing statistics for Latinos in Philadelphia as described by Congreso de Latinos Unidos: a large family led by a single mother chronically out of work, issues of addiction, no one with even a high-school diploma, family members with criminal backgrounds. And overlaying everything: grinding, unbearable, unending poverty. Blanca is the middle child of five. Her mother is an on-again/ off-again addict, her father, also the father of her two older brothers, is absent. Her younger sister and brother have a different father, also absent. The family lives on welfare, and what her older brothers bring in from vari-

PGN NEWS

ous illegal activities in the neighborhood. While Blanca was still living at home — she moved out a little over a year ago after a fight with one of her brothers that left her with a black eye — there often was not enough food in the house by the end of the month. “When I say we have nothing to eat, I mean nothing,” she says, her voice tinged with anger. “Maybe some pinquitos, some rice, but not enough for all of us to really eat. It’s when I starting going with the men.” Blanca says this matter of factly, as if every 17-year-old in Philadelphia has to turn tricks to help feed her family. She describes an area near the nowclosed St. Bonaventure Catholic Church,where she first started “dating” neighborhood men. It’s impossible to convey the dissonance between the slender, fragile Blanca and the big, ugly neighborhood where she grew up. No one who doesn’t have to be in Fairhill is ever there, especially where she lived, an area also

known as the Badlands or, she says, “El Centro de Oro.” We’re driving near Ninth and Cambria and pass one of those strange city cemeteries, which looks more like a pretty park, then head toward Germantown Avenue. For a few blocks, the storefronts are painted in crayon-bright colors. Later, I discover it’s part of the city’s Mural Arts Program. It’s a grim neighborhood with boarded-up rowhouses and buildings. The places where it’s green are where junk trees and weeds have gone wild in between houses where abandoned buildings were either taken down or fell. It’s there Blanca used to go with the men she met on Germantown Avenue, near Indiana. Just driving through is frightening, and it’s not fully dark yet. I look across the front seat at Blanca. She has medium-brown skin, big eyes outlined with black liner. Her hair is dyed a dark red and cut in a short, stylish, pixie-like look that is hiply asymmetrical. She is small and slight and looks far too fragile

for this neighborhood, where the streets bustle with a lot of men and too many kinds of danger. She points out places she used to frequent, a club painted red and black, a Chinese take-out place. But none of the memories are good. Blanca is 23 now. She’s pretty in a waif-like way that I am afraid probably attracts a certain kind of man, but she looks too tired for someone so young. She tells me she’s “a little addicted” to a combination of drugs that she rotates, depending on what she can get and when and for how much. Mostly pills, but she chips heroin if it’s available. She doesn’t do meth. Meth is what her mother does, she says, bristling. Blanca says she doesn’t really care what she takes, “I just like to stay a little high, you know?” But Blanca is tired of tricking. “I know a lotta girls, they like it. They still like it,” she says, turning to look out the window. “I don’t like it but I need cash. I always need some cash.” She

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

pauses. “And other shit, you know?” I ask her what she means. “I like them to hold me,” she says. “Not all of them, but some of them. I like that. I like that.” We reach Broad and Glenwood. It’s a demarcation line of sorts: On one side is the gentrifying Templetown area; on the other, where we just came from, is close enough to hell. The refurbished North Philadelphia station stands across the street, but catty-corner is a big, empty factory with broken windows. There’s a small strip mall near the train station, with a couple of shops and some fast-food restaurants. I’m not sure what happens next. Maybe Blanca has told me as much as she can — about her family, the fights over her gender, her desire to get out of prostitution and do something else. She tells me she likes to make clothes and for a moment I imagine her on the serene grounds of Philadelphia University, with a group of other young women,

designing. She says she doesn’t want to end up in prison, like a cousin and her older brother have. I pull into the Hess station and ask Blanca if she wants anything from the tiny convenience store, or if she’d rather eat at a nearby restaurant. “I have to go to work soon,” she tells me, as if there’s a boss waiting and a time clock. She looks resigned, her mouth set, her lipstick a little worn. “Let’s feed you first,” I say and turn toward Temple University, away from the Badlands, toward just a little more time before the worst part of her life starts up again. ■ *Name changed to protect her safety. GALAEI and TIP can be reached at 215-851-1822 or 866-2223871. Next week, final installment: Kensington, Center City, more from TIP and with Stacey Blahnik’s partner.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

EDITORIAL PGN

Op-Ed

Editorial

Turning points Pride Month 2013 closed with a bang last week, setting the LGBT-rights movement on a new trajectory. The fall of the Defense of Marriage Act’s Section 3 and California’s ban on same-sex marriage opened a new chapter in the country’s marriage-equality fight. While the Supreme Court rulings did not declare a constitutional right to same-sex marriage or mandate marriage equality in all 50 states, they did pave the way for the largest state in the country to sanction marriage equality — and for the federal government to recognize the validity of same-sex marriages. The latter finding has a sea of both practical and symbolic consequences. Already, binational couples are seeing results, as the end of DOMA’s Section 3 means that Americans are eligible to apply for permanent residency for their same-sex spouses. Couples married and living in states that sanction marriage equality will also soon be able to jointly file taxes and receive Social Security survivor benefits, among the more-than 1,100 other federal marriage rights. Last week’s rulings were the first time that the Supreme Court weighed in on same-sex marriage. The majority of justices agreed that same-sex married couples deserve federal benefits equal to those afforded to heterosexual married couples, a remarkable turning point for this country. While the president, countless lawmakers and the LGBT and ally community at large have been posturing the same position, to have the top legal minds in the nation concur takes the marriage-equality movement to a new

level of validity and respect. Shortly after the decisions, out Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Sims (D-182nd Dist.) announced that he and Rep. Steve McCarter (D-154th Dist.) would soon introduce a marriage-equality bill in the state House, the first time such legislation has surfaced in that chamber. While the state’s current legislative makeup may not be conducive to full advancement of such legislation, it’s an important first step. The debate about same-sex marriage in the Keystone State needs to be a continuous and serious one to lay the groundwork for marriage equality in Pennsylvania transitioning from a far-away, abstract concept to a reality. Marriage equality did become a reality this week in Delaware. Delaware state Sen. Karen Petersen and her longtime partner were the first same-sex couple married under the state’s new law Monday, when it went into effect. Similar laws will go into effect Aug. 1 in Rhode Island and Minnesota. While last week was a momentous one for marriage equality, the work is very far from over. Full federal recognition still eludes same-sex married couples in states without marriage equality, and there’s still a long way to go to bring about state-level marriage equality in 37 states. And in Pennsylvania and more than a dozen other states, we need to prioritize instating a nondiscrimination law inclusive of the LGBT community. There’s a lot of work to do, but Pride Month 2013 showed how sweet success can be. ■

Cei Bell

I have been debating whether I want to step into this (regarding Victoria Brownworth’s series about AfricanAmerican transgender sex workers). I have been stepping away from activism because there are other things I want to do with my life. A part of me is tired of talking about being a transsexual. I have tried not to make the fact that I am a transsexual the most important part of my life. I can go weeks without talking about being a transsexual. Longer. I regard myself as a woman who happens to be transsexual. I don’t wish to be called a tranwoman because that suggests that I am something other than a woman. While I am a feminist, I don’t believe that being transsexual/transgender has anything to do with feminism anymore than being gay/lesbian has anything to do with the devil or automatically making a person more creative or sensitive to the rights of others. Many transsexuals regard transsexuality simply as a medical condition, or an occurrence that happens to a certain percentage of the population. No more, no less. We are just as likely to be good, evil, concerned for others or sociopathic as anyone else. I have known Victoria Brownworth almost forever. We shared a mutual old friend, Stuart Horn. We attended (and danced with him at) a notorious New Year’s Eve party he gave in his Old City loft when only artists went to Old City and lofts weren’t chic. We know each other’s original teenage street names. We know a lot of personal information about each other. This is what the United States and the Soviet Union referred to as mutual assured destruction. Victoria, Mark Segal, Tommi Avicolli Mecca and I have known each other since the early ’70s gay movement in Philadelphia and I think we have an affection for each other despite our differences. Some people have accused me of hating Mark, which isn’t true. I described my feelings about Mark to Tommi as a family member I disagree with. When I was having an issue regarding the reading for the anthology “Smash the Church, Smash the State!” Victoria volunteered to read my chapter about Radical Queens for me. Transgender covers large groups of people with different demographics, identities and issues. At the risk of creating another schism to the LGBTQI communities, there are differences between people who were never able to hide their gender differences and those who could pretend to be straight and cisgender. People who could not hide their gender identity and were obviously

effeminate in school were bullied and frequently forced to drop out of school. These people often wind up on the streets as teenagers and prey to predators. This often happens with masculine women but there is more social acceptance of tomboys. People who could pass as straight masculine men often come out as transgender after living as straight men, finishing college, playing sports, joining the military, having a career, marrying and fathering children. Transgender people who could pass as cisgender men are no less authentically transgender than transgender people who could not pass, but they may have different issues from each other. It might be a stretch to assume that they will automatically understand each other because they are both transgender. I am perturbed by how quickly the discussion turned from African-American transgender teenage girls who are bullied out of school, put out on the streets and forced into prostitution, raped and worse to arguments about the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival. I don’t care about the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival. I would rather see Nancy Wilson at the Kimmel Center. My life is not on the line because of whether or not I can go to MWMF. The fact that transgender teenage girls are forced out of school, beaten, raped, forced into prostitution to survive and often murdered should have the respect of being treated as a single, solitary issue. If it happened to girls in Afghanistan, Asia or a third-world country, it would be a serious issue. The issue here is not MWMF. It is not about whether disadvantaged people with college degrees may be forced into sex work. You should be ashamed of yourselves. If you are not specifically a member of the demographic that Victoria is writing about, then perhaps you are not the injured party here. Victoria and I discussed the Leslie Phillips/Sisterspace incident when it happened. There is a nuance that is overlooked. Victoria was asking specifically why Leslie had to be in a leadership position at Sisterspace as opposed to simply being a member. She was questioning whether the need to be in a leadership position was a result of Leslie’s history of white male privilege. If a transgender person benefited from a successful lifetime of white male privilege, can she suddenly authentically become a feminist woman? Why was it necessary to be in a position of power? I understand the danger the young women Victoria wrote about are living with. I was severely bullied in high school as well as suffered violent child abuse and

Barbara Gittings used to say, “You’ll never have the comfort of our silence again.” I think that the lesbian and gay communities are experiencing that now from the transgender communities.

OP-ED PGN

Back to Christopher Street Each year when I march in the New York That might sound strange to you, but Gay Pride parade — and that has become in 1969, the Mattachine Society, a homosomewhat rare — I always say at the end, phile organization, would not allow anyone “Think this just might be my last one.” I under 18 into their offices, afraid that the said that four years ago, but there we were police would raid them. We organized our youth, welcomed them to our meetings, set this past Sunday once again. But for us, it up a suicide hot line, a speakwas somewhat special. ers bureau that went to schools, You see, the group that I marched with are the ones who and, when the Village Voice created that march. It was our would not publish the word vision. Actually, Gay Pride was “gay,” we marched on them. our idea, and this year we celThe laws were wrong, we were ebrated creating that march 44 not! years ago. We wanted to celebrate We used the march as an Stonewall and our achievements excuse to have a Gay Liberation in June 1970. So we organized Front reunion the night before. what today is known as the Gay Pride parade. Very few know LGBT history, Well, the reality is that doing but GLF NY 1969-71 literally so 44 years ago means that was the foundation that what we many of us are getting up in have today was built on. years. While about 40 came to There were homophile activists before us, but their agenda Mark Segal the Saturday night reunion, only about 14 of us marched. was equality for homosexuals. The crowd roared when they saw these They wanted nondiscrimination. But GLF, 14 old women and men marching with a which was created out of Stonewall, with simple banner that read “Original Marchers many of us partaking in that monumental event itself, saw something different, June 28, 1970.” When we arrived on and here is where we changed the world. Christopher Street, the hub of GLF organizing 44 years ago, it was our street. As Overstatement? I don’t think so, since we we made our way down, the crowd went believed not just in simple equality, but in wild, and then something very touching: an actual gay and lesbian community. The police officer in charge of that area In that first year, we created the first came over to our contingent with his offiorganization to help solve problems of gay cers in toe, stopped, took his cap off and youth. We created the world’s first gay bowed before us, followed by his officers. community center. We issued heath alerts, created community-wide media, issued The crowed erupted ... 44 years ago, these the first gay history book, dealt with sexwere the guys who were fighting us at ism and racism in our community and, Stonewall. ■ way back in 1969, we even had a transgenMark Segal, PGN publisher, is the der arm, called Street Transvestite Action nation’s most-award-winning commentaRevolutionaries. We were LGBT people tor in LGBT media. He can be reached at taking care of our own, and we did all of it mark@epgn.com. openly.

Mark My Words

had to drop out and run away from home. I survived being sexually assaulted, raped several times and repeated murder attempts from men. I knew I couldn’t go to the police. WOAR asked me to leave. The Feminist Therapy Collective refused to counsel me. A counselor at Eromin brought up my depression and suicidal feelings at a political meeting. This left me permanently suspicious of people’s motivations. Another tried to seduce me during a session and acknowledged that he used his counseling to sleep with his black clients. Eventually, I realized that I was going to have to find my way out of that dangerous place by myself. Still, I was lucky. My parents didn’t want me on the street and never told me not to come home. Because my father

owned houses, I was never homeless. I have written about violence and discrimination against minority (and other) transgender women for decades. This was long before anyone was interested in this topic. It has usually been very difficult to get articles published about the murder and abuse of black transsexuals. Most newspapers aren’t interested in the subjects, and it took a lot of patience and persistence to get the articles into print. I am happy that Victoria wrote the series. My concern is that blacks and transsexuals are often hyperssexualized by white cisgender people. Writing about the specific sexual acts that the sex workers perform feeds prurient interests and stereotypes in readers. When I worked at Au Courant, a white

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

Street Talk When will marriage equality be the law of the land? “By 2025. The majority opinion is slowly shifting. True, there are some real hardcore opponents. But most of Matthew Bannon them will die general contractor out within Los Angeles 12 years, or else they’ll become more mellow. They won’t go to the polls to oppose marriage equality. So I think all 50 states will approve it by 2025.”

“The Supreme Court will mandate it everywhere in the country within five years. I see a lot of positive change. It’s Kate Collins awesome. tattoo artist Texas might Austin, TX do it on its own. I’m from Austin. It’s a fairly progressive city, but the court will probably have to intervene in the other Southern states.”

“All 50 states will have it within 10 years, when the courts order it. Meanwhile, you’ll have a lot of states voting for it, Keri Piepgras as the LGBT receptionist movement South Philadelphia gains more momentum. There will be some stragglers and hold-outs, especially in the South and rural areas of the Midwest. But even Mississippi will have marriage equality within 10 years.”

“Sooner rather than later. My guess is within two to three years. I’m an optimist by nature. Things April Thomashave a way Jones of changing agency director for the better. Colwyn I never thought we’d have an AfricanAmerican president, and look what happened. It’s just a matter of time.”

woman decided to write about the African-American ball scene and refused any input from the black people on staff. Her article was insulting to many black gay and transgender people, including the staff. She wrote about a transgender woman who was having sex in alleys and also wanting to work with transgender kids. I don’t know if she realized how damaging that was but for months afterwards, I was harassed about having sex in alleys by white gay men. At the time, gay men were having public sex all over Center City and near the Schuykill River. Another issue is that very often white LG people write things about black LGBT people that aren’t true. Tommi Aviccolli Mecca and I did a speaking engagement about Radical Queens. A gay man

wrote an article that quoted me saying all these sexual things I did not say. I wondered for years why he did that. Then he told me that he had always been sexually interested in me. What happened is instead of listening to me he transferred his thoughts to his article. George Lakey fabricated a conversation with me for the book “No Turning Back: Lesbian and Gay Liberation for the ’80s.” Referring to me as “G,” he wrote about how I gave up transsexuality because I discovered androgyny. This wasn’t true. I took a step back because I survived being raped and murder attempts and needed to collect myself. He was uncomfortable about the subject of transsexuality and instead of interviewing actual black transgender people, he made up a statement from me that supported

his views. Larry Gross gave a glowing recommendation for the book and “No Turning Back” was taught in college classrooms. As a result, I refuse to be quoted or interviewed. Another issue is the treatment of transgender victims versus gay male victims in the media. In the ’80s, Anthony Milano was nearly decapitated and murdered by two straight men in Bucks County. The newspapers and Philadelphia Magazine wrote sensitive articles about the murder and the trial. At about the same time, Tanya Moore and Tina Rodriguez, two minority transsexuals who were alleged to be sex workers, were found murdered, their bodies cut up and set on fire. The newspapers and Philadelphia Magazine ran lurid, sensational articles PAGE 12 about their

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

PGN OP-ED from page 11

depraved lives. They all but suggested that these minority transgender women deserved to die. There was no uproar in the lesbian and gay community. Simply having a transgender writer on the staff will not create change unless the editors and management are on board. I used to write freelance articles for PGN. A former editor at PGN told me transsexuals cannot write about transgender issues because we are not objective. He then said he would let me write a commentary during the first HRCF scandal during the mid-’90s and proceeded to lose the only copy I had of the article. I was not allowed to write about transgender issues at Au Courant. One of the reasons I began publishing articles about transgender issues in mainstream newspapers is because there was little interest in these issues in lesbian and gay publications. Barbara Gittings used to say, “You’ll never have the comfort of our silence again.” I think the lesbian and gay communities are experiencing that now from the transgender communities. As I said, I am very happy that Victoria wrote this series. We need more people to take up this issue. There needs to be outreach and a way out for these children on the streets. They don’t even understand that they are supposed to have rights as citizens. A person can’t lobby for an anti-bullying bill and inclusive ENDA if she doesn’t know where her next meal is coming from and she is trying to keep from being murdered. The fact that transgender people face the highest hate-crime victimization is very well-documented. These people aren’t playing the victim card. They don’t have any cards to play. ■

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Supreme Court makes landmark decisions

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June 26 will be a day we all bestowed upon married people. celebrate for years to come. On However, for the rest of us, it the anniversary of the Lawrence will be tricky. v. Texas case, which struck down There is no uniformity among state anti-sodomy laws as uncon- federal agencies regarding the stitutional, the Supreme Court of definition of marriage for the the United States ruled to strike purposes of bestowing federal down Section 3 of the federal benefits. Some federal agencies Defense of Marriage Act and adhere to what is known as a “place of celebration” standard. California’s Proposition 8 was That means, no matvacated, giving sameter where a couple is sex California couples the right to marry legally married any(again!). where in the world, the union is recogThe majority decision indicated that nized for the purposes DOMA is unconof federal benefits. stitutional because But other agencies, it violates the Fifth including the Internal Amendment and the Revenue Service and the Social Security 14th Amendment’s equal-protection Administration, clause. adhere to a “place of standard. “While the Fifth Angela residence” Amendment itself To illustrate how withdraws from govGiampolo uncoordinated the federal agencies are, ernment the power to the Department of Defense has a degrade or demean in the way “place of celebration” marriage this law does, the equal-protection guarantee of the 14th standard for active-duty military Amendment makes that Fifthbut the Department of Veterans Amendment right all the more Affairs has a “place of residence” standard. specific and all the better understood and preserved,” wrote In sum, Pennsylvanians who were married in a state that recJustice Kennedy in his opinion. ognizes marriage equality will Striking down DOMA based on equal-protection grounds see little impact. They will not is key because it identifies the have access to the major fedLGBT community as a group eral benefits such as Social deliberately picked out and stigSecurity and estate-tax exempmatized, and acknowledges that tion. However, the largest impact it has been done for no particuDOMA’s repeal will have on lar reason or in the name of no Pennsylvanians (and the other states without marriage equalparticular state interest. This will open the door for plainity) will be in connection with immigration. Once the repeal is tiffs nationwide seeking to sue within their home states seekeffective, if a same-sex couple ing the same equal protections. — with one person being a foreign national — gets married in Kennedy mentioned that “the any state where same-sex maravowed purpose and practical riage is legal, the foreign national effect of the law here in question can apply for federal immigraare to impose a disadvantage, a separate status and so a stigma tion benefits, like residency upon all who enter into sameand citizenship, despite being a sex marriages made lawful by Pennsylvania resident. the unquestioned authority of So what now? We bring the the state,” and it would be easy fight home to the Commonwealth to make the same argument for of Pennsylvania — and it has marriage bans implemented at already started. State Rep. Brian Sims (D-182nd Dist.) and State the state level. Rep. Stephen McCarter (D-154th So, what does DOMA being repealed mean for people around Dist.) plan to formally introthe country and for people right duce a bill in August that would here in Pennsylvania? extend marriage rights to sameSame-sex couples who are sex couples in Pennsylvania. legally married, and live in a “This legislation would restate that recognizes marriage define the definition of marriage equality, will have access to as a civil contract between two all of the 1,138 federal rights people who enter into matrimony

Out Law

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Dignity elects new board leaders By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com LGBT Roman Catholic organization Dignity Philadelphia recently elected a new set of leaders. The organization, which is celebrating its 40th year, elected board president Mike Viola, vice president Larry Sutter and treasurer Michael Bradley and re-elected secretary Kevin Davies. All four of the elected officers have an extensive history with the group and have served the agency in a variety of positions. Viola, who replaces president Joanne Collins, has been a member of Dignity Philadelphia for more than 16 years and has previously served as the board’s vice president and assistant treasurer. Viola said he immediately took to the atmosphere at his first Dignity services. “I was invited by a friend of mine to attend services. Once you start to attend more services, you start to know people, you feel comfortable there and that got me going,” he said.

DIGNITY PHILADELPHIA TREASURER MICHAEL BRADLEY (FROM LEFT), SECRETARY KEVIN DAVIES, VICE PRESIDENT LARRY SUTTER AND PRESIDENT MIKE VIOLA

As president, Viola said he hopes to continue Dignity’s outreach and enhance its publicity efforts. “We want to be relevant and let people know we exist and are still serving a purpose in the community,” he said. “We’ve been around for 40 years and religious organizations are becoming more accepting of members of the LGBT community, but it doesn’t eliminate the impact Dignity has.” Sutter has been involved with Dignity for more than 15 years, and this is his first time serving on the board. Sutter said he has been fortunate to have had a positive experience as an LGBT Catholic. “I was raised and am a practicing Roman Catholic,” he said. “I have been lucky in my own churches because I haven’t gone through the experiences with leaders raving against the LGBT community; it was always a non-issue.” His involvement with Dignity has enhanced his religious involvement, as well as allowed him to and eliminate the current prohibition against samesex marriage in our commonwealth,” reads a memo that Sims and McCarter drafted. State Sen. Daylin Leach (D-17th Dist.) introduced a same-sex marriage bill in the Pennsylvania Senate last month and, in April, state Rep. Mark Cohen (D-202nd Dist.) put forth a measure that would allow LGBT couples to enter into civil unions in the commonwealth. Full equality in Pennsylvania is just around the corner and we have the strength we need to go the extra mile. After 17 years, the voices of the millions of LGBT individuals that Congress pushed

build strong ties within the LGBT community. “Dignity has become my religious home and it has become a social factor for me,” Sutter said. “I am not a big bar person and I have my own group of friends but this has become a foundation for greater friends.” Newly elected treasurer Bradley also has been a long-standing member of Dignity Philadelphia, joining 18 years ago. Bradley said when he first came out, he struggled with both his sexuality and spirituality. “I knew a Dignity member who I went to La Salle University with and I was speaking to him about my coming-out process and he mentioned Dignity Philadelphia and told me about it and invited me to attend,” he said. “It has been roughly 18 years and has been a very positive experience.” Bradley said he will be mindful of the organization’s expenses but also envisions the group getting involved with more social activities. “I want to look hard in our expenses and increase revenues but I also want us to have some funds for fun things like participating in GayBINGO, and we sponsored a film for QFest last year, so doing things like that,” he said. “We want get our name out there. We want to remain viable. We’ve been around for 40 years and we hope we are around for much longer.” Bradley said he also wants to see Dignity Philadelphia reach more diverse audiences. “We definitely want to support and have more efforts be more inclusive for women in the Catholic Church. It is a good place for spirituality and refuge, and we also want to engage in more social-justice issues and have more activities where we can engage younger members.” Davies returns to the board in his second term as secretary. He joined the group in 1981 and has filled a number of roles on the board. He will continue to oversee the group’s paperwork and board minutes, and said he wants Dignity to continue to grow in membership and influence. “We have 135 members now and around a stable 40-45 members come to Mass, so we are hoping to increase the number of individuals who attend our services,” he said. “We want to try and make a safe space for LGBT people who want to practice their faith. We accept anyone that wants to come in and sit with us, practice and have Mass with us.” Viola said he is confident in the new board leadership and that all the officers’ experiences will be beneficial for the organization. “We have all been members of Dignity/ Philadelphia for many years, so we bring that experience. And we all experienced working with other organizations, so we bring that as well.” For more information on Dignity Philadelphia, visit www.dignityphila.org. ■ aside could not be silenced; we prevailed. Section 3 of DOMA has been struck down, and our victories with DOMA and Prop. 8 have sparked even greater momentum to continue our efforts for equality. ■ Angela D. Giampolo, principal of Giampolo Law Group, maintains offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and specializes in LGBT law, business law, real-estate law and civil rights. Her website is www.giampololaw.com and she maintains two blogs, www.phillygaylawyer.com and www.lifeinhouse.com. Send Angela your legal questions at angela@giampololaw.com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

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PA MARRIAGE from page 1

viduals ready to support us is a solid sign that legislators are on board,” Sims said. Sims added he’s optimistic the legislation will gain more Republican support, especially after antigay legislator Rep. Daryl Metcalfe sought to silence Sims on the House floor when Sims tried to speak last Wednesday about the Supreme Court decision on DOMA and Prop. 8. Metcalfe said Sims was acting in “open rebellion against what the word of God has said, what God has said, and just open rebellion against God’s law.” Sims said the bipartisan support he saw after that incident was encouraging. “I do believe we will have Republican support and I don’t know if I would have answered that the same a week ago,” he said. “However, a number of Republicans are supportive of [nondiscrimination legislation] HB 300 and after the remarks made by Rep. Metcalfe, many were supportive of me and I was able to realize how many Republicans are supportive of the LGBT community.” Although he plans to move forward with the marriage-equality legislation, Sims said the focus should be on HB 300, which has 89 cosponsors in the House. “HB 300 is my primary focus and I want to make sure all TOBITS from page 1

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married for the purposes of this benefit, because neither the state where Cozen is based nor the state where they resided recognize same-sex marriage.” Breen added: “Even if Pennsylvania and Illinois recognize same-sex marriage tomorrow, it wouldn’t be relevant because the judge has to look at the facts in place at the time of Ellyn’s death. Since Ms. Tobits isn’t the surviving spouse, she doesn’t get the benefit, period.” But Stoll emphasized that Tobits is the surviving spouse, under Cozen’s plan. He said the plan only requires that a couple be married for at least a year and doesn’t specify a couple must be married in the United States, nor in a particular state. “U.S. employers and U.S. laws recognize people who get married in Canada all the time, and this is no different,” Stoll said. Susan K. Hoffman, a local attorney specializing in labor law, said upcoming guidance from the IRS may clarify whether Tobits is entitled to the benefit.

LGBT Pennsylvanians are protected under a nondiscrimination law,” he said. “We can do a lot of work within the LGBT community, but HB 300 has always been a priority for me.” Equality Pennsylvania executive director Ted Martin agreed. “Pennsylvania legislators have to understand the full picture,” Martin said. “Some people want to get married and they should have that right, but everyone deserves to be protected.” McCarter said he remains optimistic that the marriage bill can gain some traction, in light of the patchwork marriage laws currently in place. “If you look at the background of marriage equality in Pennsylvania, it will be difficult but at the same time things are changing very quickly,” he said. “Discussions on who gets federal tax breaks and who doesn’t will cause problems that I think are going to force this issue.” Both legislators encouraged the community to contact their lawmakers to talk about the bill. “Up until I came to Harrisburg, I didn’t know how effective communication to legislators was,” Sims said. “It is very effective to hear from people in my districts on what issues they want me to support. It is a very strong tool that we have. Marriage equality is going to become the law of the land in Pennsylvania.” ■ “If Jennifer Tobits is the surviving spouse, there isn’t a basis to deny her the disputed benefit,” Hoffman said. “Until we see an IRS definition of marriage, I really can’t predict the outcome of this case. If it’s determined that Jennifer is the surviving spouse, federal law mandates that she gets the benefit.” Stoll said Jones can rule in Tobits’ favor without waiting for guidance from the IRS. “The court can resolve this case without waiting for the IRS’ definition of marriage, because the terms of Cozen’s plan make clear that Jennifer is the surviving spouse,” Stoll said. Jones had no comment. Michael J. Heller, Cozen’s CEO, had no comment on whether Cozen would offer both sides $41,000 to settle the contentious litigation. Stoll said Tobits is holding up as well as can be expected. “She’s such a wonderful, strong person,” Stoll added. “She’s coping with everything as well as can be expected.” ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

LOCAL PGN

Gayborhood Crime Watch is the most award-winning LGBT newspaper in the country.

9 Awards First Place - Best Breaking News Story - Jen Colletta - “Penn to offset tax burden for gay employees” Second Place - Community Service Award - Staff - “Weigh It Forward” Second Place - Best Entertainment/Lifestyle Section - Staff - “Arts & Culture” Second Place - Best Arts & Entertainment Criticism - Larry Nichols - “New restaurant sings for your supper” Third Place - Best Continuing Coverage - Tim Cwiek - “Coverage of the Boy Scouts dispute” Third Place - Best Arts & Entertainment Writing - Larry Nichols - “New documentary highlights musicians’ exploration of love and gender” Third Place - Best Breaking News Story - Jen Colletta - “PA legislature gets ﬁrst-ever LGBT caucus” Third Place - Best Feature - Jen Colletta - “‘Berlin Patient’ tells Philadelphia his story” Honorable Mention - Best In-depth Reporting - Jen Colletta - “Funding fallout for HIV/AIDS orgs”

6 Awards Second Place - Editorial Writing - Jen Colletta Third Place - Photo Story - Scott A. Drake - “Philly Pride 2012” Third Place - Spot News - Jen Colletta - “Philly rated top in nation for LGBT equality”” Third Place - Commentary - Mark Segal - “Mark My Words” Third Place - News Photography - Scott A. Drake - “‘Acting to end AIDS” Third Place - Sports Photography - Scott A. Drake - “Taking it to the mats”

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Honorable Mention - Column - Mark Segal - “Mark My Words” Honorable Mention - General News Story - Jen Colletta - “Antigay Incident Sparks Media Controversy” Honorable Mention - Series - Jen Colletta - “Philly Marks 30 Years of Gay-Rights Protection”

The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the 6th Police District between June 17-23. Information is courtesy of 6th District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice.com or call 215-686-TIPS (8477). INCIDENTS — At 3 p.m. June 17, a man discovered a bronze engraved address placard had been stolen from outside his property in the 200 block of South 13th Street. — At 5:30 p.m. June 19, a male was observed via CCTV taking a bronze sign from the front of 1125 Walnut St. The suspect was described as a white male with a beard and thin build, wearing an orange shirt and carrying a green trash can. — On June 23, a complainant was walking from Ninth and South streets, texting, and was grabbed from behind in the 800 block of Addison Street. The assailant stole the complainant’s iPhone. He was described as a black male, about 25, with a dark complexion, 6-feet, 170 pounds, wearing a black T-shirt and jeans. — Between 7:30 p.m.-9:45 p.m. June 17, someone smashed the window of a 2012 Acura that was parked in the paid lot of 1200 Sansom St. and stole a wallet. — At 6:25 a.m. June 23, two males in masks entered the Midtown Diner, 121 S. 11th St., through a rear kitchen door, and one went downstairs. They had long objects wrapped in plastic bags, possibly guns, and demanded money from the kitchen staff. There was no cash in the kitchen area, and the males fled emptyhanded. The one was described as a black male in his early 20s, wearing a gray and white baseball shirt and cut-off jeans, and the other as a Hispanic male in his 20s, wearing a gray and white shirt and jean shorts. NON-SUMMARY ARRESTS — Update: On May 11, a burglary of an apartment was reported in the 300 block of South Juniper Street. During the investigation, it was learned that there were two attempted burglaries of apartments on the same date in the 300 block of Butler Avenue. Fingerprints and security video led authorities to the suspect, who was arrested June 19 in his South Philadelphia residence by Central Detectives, who had a warrant. The 22-year-old male was charged with three counts of burglary. — At 9:45 a.m. June 19, 6th District bike patrol Officers Sprouls and McQue investigated a male in the 800 block of Spruce Street and found that he was wanted on open arrest warrants. The suspect was

found to be in possession of a quantity of narcotics pills without a prescription. The 34-year-old man with a South Philadelphia address was charged with possession of narcotics. — At 12:10 a.m. June 20, a man stopped for a red light at 11th and Market streets while riding his bicycle and a male on the sidewalk started fighting with him, striking the complainant with his own bike chain. A SEPTA police officer witnessed the assault and apprehended a 28-yearold man with a Lawncrest address, who was charged with aggravated assault and related offenses. — At 2:15 p.m. June 20, Center City District Officers Moore and Bates observed an illegal narcotics transaction outside 900 Market St. Both males were arrested and a quantity of heroin was confiscated. A 56-year-old suspect was charged with illegal narcotics sales, and a 35-year-old suspect with a Deptford, N.J., address was charged with possession of illegal narcotics. — At 10:15 p.m. June 20, a woman’s purse was stolen from a table outside Lolita Restaurant, 106 S. 13th St., by a male who fled north on 13th Street. Ninth District plainclothes officers stopped a suspect at Broad and Chestnut streets and he was positively identified. The 18-yearold suspect with a North Philadelphia address was charged with theft. — On June 22, 6th District plainclothes Officers Ferrero and Hill set up surveillance in the area of Juniper and Walnut streets and, at 9:05 p.m., observed a male steal a bicycle from outside 200 S. Juniper St. The 41-year-old suspect with a Cherry Hill address was charged with theft. — At 11:40 p.m. June 22, 6th District plainclothes Officers Ferrero and Hill observed a male outside 211 S. 13th St. holding a glass jar with a green weedy substance, offering to sell passing pedestrians marijuana. The male was stopped and the substance was determined to be marijuana. The 28-year-old suspect with an Upper Darby address was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana. SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 9:45 p.m. June 17, 6th District officers issued a citation for a summary offense outside 13th and Chestnut streets. — At 1:15 a.m. June 19, 6th District officers issued a citation for a summary offense outside 254 S. 12th St. — On June 21, 6th District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 12:30 a.m. outside 1300 Walnut St., at 12:35 a.m. outside 918 Walnut St. and at 4:35 p.m. outside 1220 Chestnut St. — At 11 p.m. June 23, 6th District officers issued a citation for a summary offense outside 1300 Locust St. ■

PGN FEATURE

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

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Barcrawlr Best-sellers Family Portrait Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly Worth Watching

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OUT ON QFEST SCREENS: (from left) “Monster Pies,” “Geography Club,” “Who’s Afraid of Vagina Wolf,” “I Am Divine,” “Before You Know It” and “Interior. Leather Bar.”

Highlights and lowlights of the annual LGBT film fest By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor

QFest is coming! From July 11-22, the city’s cinemas will be projecting hundreds of images of queer life. Here is a rundown of what to see between the fabulous openingnight comedy, “G.B.F,” and the sexy closingnight action-comedy, “Hot Guys with Guns.” “Monster Pies” (7:15 p.m. July 16, Ritz East, 125 S. Second St.; 5 p.m. July 18, East), one of several films about teens, is a sensitive Australian import about two classmates who unexpectedly fall in love. Bullied Mike (Tristan Barr) slowly befriends newcomer Wil (Lucas Linehan), in part because he is crushing on the hunk. Mike impulsively kisses Wil one night, and Wil tells him that he likes it. Thus begins their clandestine romance that ultimately takes a surprising turn. “Monster Pies” is a bit crudely made and clumsily acted, but it is a heartfelt drama about coming out and caring for others. Less successful is “Geography Club” (5 p.m. July 13, East; 7:15 p.m. July 20, East), a disappointing adaptation of Brent Hartinger’s young-adult book about gay teens. This slight film plays like a not-so-special “AfterSchool Special” — one in which audiences are cudgeled by the “be yourself” message. Sure, Russell Middlebrook (the appealing, if too old, Cameron Deane Stewart) is adorable, especially when he is kissing quarterback Kevin (Justin Deeley) in the rain. But while the filmmakers understand issues surrounding peer pressure, taunting and sexual selfexpression, “Geography Club” never makes the characters’ awkward or painful struggles feel authentic, however credible they are. In fact, the film is remarkably underdeveloped and so haphazardly constructed it feels unfinished, in addition to being unsatisfying. Two worthwhile selections at QFest feature Latina lesbians. The terrifically titled

low-budget comedy “Who’s Afraid of Vagina Wolf” (7:15 p.m. July 13, East; 2:30 p.m. July 14, East) chronicles 40-year-old Anna (director Anna Margarita Albelo), who hopes to make a film, get a girlfriend and lose 20, no 10, pounds. She dresses up periodically in a vagina costume and, one night, she catches the eye of Katia (Janina Gavankar), a beautiful, smart and substantial woman. To impress Katia, Anna gives her a role in her all-female remake of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” However, during filming, there is competition for Katia’s affections from Anna’s best friend Penelope (Guinevere Turner, feisty as ever). Although the lesbian romance plays out without much surprise, the improvised black-and-white film-within-a-film scenes are great. And there is a sweet scene between Penelope and Anna, and some nice moments Anna shares with Julia (Agnes Olech), the film’s cinematographer, who has a crush on her. “Who’s Afraid of Vagina Wolf” may be slight, with one-liners serving as character development, but Albelo’s film is a labor of love. “Sexual Tension: Violetas” (7:15 p.m. July 15, Ritz at the Bourse, 400 Ranstead St.) features six tales of seduction that pivot on women using their sexuality to get what they desire. The film opens strongly with a short written and directed by Marco Berger in which a lesbian ogles a lithe young woman checking into a hostel. Before long, she is invited upstairs to the girl’s room. Watching these two women slowly connect on a physical level is incredibly erotic, but it is what happens after their tryst that makes this entry so memorable. Berger’s entry “The Apple” is also a beautiful story about the awakening of same-sex desire, complete with a gorgeous and extended fantasy sequence between a lesbian and the secret object of her affection. Marcelo Monaco offers a diverting tale, “Sweetheart,” in which a young man waits

— and waits — for his girlfriend, who is off experimenting sexually with a café’s comely waitress. Monaco’s “The Other Woman,” a tale of two lifelong friends discussing their relationship status, is also wonderful, a beautifully filmed short featuring real dramatic tension between the two women. It provides an appropriately powerful ending for “Sexual Tension: Violetas.” The two other shorts — one about getting over heartbreak, the other about a man’s fantasy of having two women — are fine entries, but they don’t have the same level of frisson the other four do. QFest is also showcasing two fantastic documentaries about cross-dressers this year. “I Am Divine” (9:45 p.m. July 19, East; 5 p.m. July 21, East) is a fabulous portrait of the plus-sized transvestite who took drag to a level of anarchy. This affectionate film traces Harris Glenn Milstead’s life from childhood to Hollywood. Excellent interviews with friends and costars and video footage chronicle the underground star’s creation, his film work with John Waters and his popular music career. There is also talk of makeup, his issues about weight, eating dog shit and working with Tab Hunter (twice!). Fans will especially enjoy Divine’s mother’s comments and the various clips, as this larger-than-life cult icon gets the biopic s/he deserves. “Before You Know It” (2:30 p.m. July 20, Bourse; 6 p.m. July 22, Bourse) is an inspiring documentary portrait of three very different gay seniors. Dennis is 76, and he likes to go out in public dressed as his alter-ego, Dee; Ty is a 60-something African-American who wants to marry his reluctant partner, Stanton; and Robert is the 73-year-old owner of a drag bar in Galveston. Director PJ Raval intercuts their stories and viewers become completely fascinated by their lives, getting to know these folks as they deal with various trials and tribulations. But the film’s true focus is how these men define themselves

and “home,” as they maintain their place in a world that mostly ignores them. Two explicit sex films at QFest are both quasi-documentaries and should be hot tickets. Arguably better is “The Go Doc Project” (9:15 p.m. July 14, East; 5 p.m. July 16, East). Fixated on his online crush, a New York-based, Iowa-bound college student (Tanner Cohen) writes to a sexy go-go dancer (Matthew Camp) and asks if he could film him. And thus begins “The Go Doc Project,” where “Go” is the charmingly uninhibited object of desire being interviewed by the insecure “Doc.” The film, full of references to Warhol, and explores gay-identity issues, employs split-screen shots and handheld camerawork to create an arty vibe. But it is the “action,” which alternates between Go and Doc being mundane and highly erotic, that makes the drama compelling. Their relationship may be contrived, but the charismatic leads are wonderful, and the film is at its best when Go turns the tables on Doc. “Interior. Leather Bar.” (7 p.m. July 12, East; 12:15 p.m. July 13, East) is an hourlong documentary that probes the blurry line between straight/gay and reality/fiction, as it “re-imagines 40 lost minutes from ‘Cruising,’” yet it is too inconsequential to be an effective or thorough investigation. Co-director James Franco attempts to shatter conditioned (e.g., hetero-normative) responses to sex/sexuality, focusing on the confusion and anxiety his straight friend, Val Lauren, experiences playing the Pacino role. But this is more exasperating than illuminating. There is a smattering of unsimulated gay sex scenes, which balance the straight-guy anxiety, but it fails to function as a storytelling tool. As Lauren says at one point, “I like James’ mission, but I don’t always understand it.” Viewers will undoubtedly concur. ■ For more information, visit www.qfest.com.

QFEST PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

Film undresses the gay side of Israel By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com

Gay porn actor, producer and activist Michael Lucas is hosting a local screening July 14 of his new documentary, “Undressing Israel,” as part of this year’s QFest. The film, through interviews with a range of local men, examines a side of the Holy Land that the world at large often doesn’t get heard about. “There is really no information that is available about Israel, except one aspect, which is the conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors,” Lucas said. “It’s the only aspect that is being reported in the media. Everything else Israel has to offer is overlooked, which is a shame. I have been visiting Israel for so many years and I am very much impressed with their record on gay rights and with many other aspects. I decided to make this movie because Israel is the best vacation spot for gay men. I do travel nonstop. I’ve been through half of the world, so my views are based on what I saw and what I experience, as well as the comparisons I’ve made.” Lucas added that people’s perceptions of Israel are largely shaped by the news reported from that region, which is usually negative. “They think this is a war zone and a reli

MICHAEL LUCAS

gious place,” he said. “That’s Jerusalem. We don’t see Tel Aviv. We don’t see other cities. We only see Jerusalem, where there are religious lunatics from all over the world. The three largest religions are presented, from Christian to Muslim and Jews. The other image of Israel is the Wailing Wall and Christian holy site. That is a small part

of it. The reality is it’s a gorgeous country, a Mediterranean country that has everything including incredible nightlife. It’s incredibly gay, particularly Tel Aviv. They have more gay rights than the United States has. They have amazing restaurants and beautiful people. It’s very friendly. People speak perfect English and there is so much to see. You can go to the beach. The weather is beautiful year-round. You can go to the Dead Sea. It’s a very small country, the size of New Jersey. It’s a great vacation spot. You don’t have to look for the gay bar because everything is very gay in Tell Aviv.” In the film you’ll see lots of nightlife and members of the gay community. But you won’t see lesbians. Lucas said it was his intention to focus on men but, in hindsight, he could have made the documentary more inclusive. “This is something I know better,” he said of his decision to focus on gay males. “There is a big lesbian community. I always pass by two lesbian clubs in Israel.

It’s something I overlooked. I think if I could turn back time, because it’s my first movie, I would include lesbians in the film. But it just didn’t happen. I didn’t make a movie about lesbians. Maybe I should have but I concentrated on gay men. Someone else should do a movie about lesbians.” We also asked Lucas if his work in the adultfilm industry has led to any stakeholder skepticism or resistance to his foray into documentary filmmaking. “Everyone was as supportive as when I was filming the adult film ‘Men of Israel,’” Lucas said. “I’m wellknown in Israel. It was actually very easy to get people to participate in the movie. The casting was the easiest thing to do.” ■ QFest presents “Undressing Israel,” followed by a Q&A with Michael Lucas, 2:15 p.m. July 14 at Ritz at the Bourse, 400 Ranstead St. For more information, visit www.qfest.com or www.undressingisrael-themovie.com.

High-school hijinks at center of opening-night comedy By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor Turning the drama of coming out into high comedy, QFest’s opening-night film, “G.B.F.,” is a bright — and brightly colored — high-energy romp. Tanner (Michael J. Willett, adorable) is a senior inadvertently outed in high school. Rather than becoming a pariah, he is wooed by the school’s three teen clique queens who want him as their “sexless accessory,” even though he wants to maintain a low profile. His newfound status as the Gay Best Friend (G.B.F.) happens at the same time he has a fight with his BFF, Brent (Paul Iacono). Yet bigger problems occur when Tanner is denied the right to take a dude as his date to his prom. Director Darren Stein ably provides the laughs as the characters all get their share of smart and funny jokes and fabulous costumes. PGN recently chatted with Stein about making his feel-good film. PGN: In high school, were you more like Tanner, Brent or the clique queens? DS: [Laughs.] In high school, I was an outsider. I was a combination of Tanner, Brent and a clique queen. I had a bit of Brent’s queeny-ness, Tanner’s introverted qualities and the aspirations of a clique queen [laughs]. I went to an all-boys’ school. It was a harder experience if, like me, you didn’t fly under the radar, and play sports and blend in. I escaped through

movies. The teen movies of John Hughes presented a high-school experience that could have happened — a fantasy world I preferred. PGN: What similarities do you see between being in high school and being in the closet? DS: That’s one of the big themes in the movie. Everyone is in the closet in high school about their insecurity. By exploring the gay closet, we use it as a metaphor for every closet — the science nerd’s, the Mormon slut’s or the kinky girl’s. You live in fear in high school. Everything seems so insurmountable. Once you get out, you can make your own decisions. PGN: The film turns stereotypes on their head, from Tanner’s coming-out being celebrated to queeny Brent butching it up in one sequence. DS: Paul came out two years ago, so it was fun for him to play Brent, who was closer to his truth — especially after he played the straight boy on MTV’s “The Hard Times of RJ Berger.” You have to skewer every stereotype to make it universal. We want teenagers to see “G.B.F.” It is a gateway

movie — one where being gay is not an issue. PGN: Tanner fights to go to his prom. Did you go to your prom? DS: I went with this cherubic redheaded girl who flew in from Gainesville, Fla. It was me and a fellow closeted gay kid and his equally clueless date. My mom did my date’s turquoise eye shadow to go with her frilly dress. The evening was pretty much as tragic as the make-up. I really don’t know why I bothered going, but I guess in high school you want to affect some semblance of fitting in. PGN: What can you say about all the teenspeak and pop-culture references in the film?

DARREN STEIN ON THE SET OF “G.B.F.”

DS: That was the charm of the script. The language was current and funny and out there and absurd. It was like “Heathers” and “Clueless,” where they invent language and words, and those terms sink into pop culture. We live in a culture where kids text and Tweet, so we riffed on acronyms throughout “G.B.F.” Language is metamorphosizing. PGN: “G.B.F.” also looks fabulous, with bright colors and flamboyant costumes. How did you create the film’s look? DS: “G.B.F.” was similar to “Jawbreaker” [Stein’s last feature] in that it’s contemporary, but you don’t have to give it a time or place. You create a style that goes with the language. I like movies where you are immersed in a world, or on another planet. Teen films are a great place to explore fashion. Our fashion designer was from “Project Runway.” She really brought a massive amount of style to the film. The characters had to wear the most outrageous fashions because we were skewering trends, such as a G.B.F. being the musthave accessory. ■ “G.B.F.” screens at 7:15 p.m. July 11 at Ritz East, 125 S. Second St., followed by the opening-night party 9:30 p.m. at Lit Ultra Bar, 460 N. Second St. For more information, visit www.qfest.com.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

PGN

BOOKS PGN

Out author explores Jamaica’s socio-political issues By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Award-winning Jamaican-American author Thomas Glave continues to explore the volatile taboos, politics and social issues of Jamaica with his latest book, “Among the Bloodpeople: Politics and Flesh.” Unlike his previous fiction work, “Among the Bloodpeople,” this is a collection of essays tackling social issues that are prevalent in the country, like antigay bigotry, as well as the risks and seductions of gay sex. Glave, an English professor at the State University of New York at Binghamton, talked to PGN about his new book and the state of LGBT rights in Jamaica and the rest of the world.

PGN: Which essays in “Among The Bloodpeople” do you feel are the most profound and thought-provoking? TG: I’d like to believe that they all are. Each one is thought-provoking and, I hope, profound in distinctly different ways — and writing every single one of them required me to think and reflect on various points and in ways that I might not have done before. Just about all of them, of course, arose out of particular concerns connected with a specific place and time — as would be the case with just about all writing, whether nonfiction or fiction. This is actually the case with all art, in every art form. PGN: How much do you think religion factors into the antigay atmosphere in Jamaica? TG: As in the United States, fundamentalist religious fervor and mania in Jamaica attempt to silence all humanely imaginative discourse, permitting no room for a broader, more compassionate discussion of diverse human sexuality and possibility. In Jamaica’s case, the need for clearer knowledge and analysis demand that one always remember that the problems of Christianity and homophobia are a direct result of British colonialism — a legacy and consequence which many Jamaicans and nonJamaicans alike often never want to think about. Until quite recently, Europeans consistently tore each other’s throats out

in Christian holy wars across Europe, over millennia, and the U.S. is still struggling with its own religious fundamentalism. One of the most difficult ongoing problems in Jamaica is that so many religious leaders are so terrified of what acceptance of homosexuality might ultimately mean for Jamaican society that they absolutely refuse to consider the possibility, and so instead fall back on an uncritically read Bible for their spurious and extremely heavy-handed moral authority. These religious leaders generally take little heed of the grotesque irony that the very Bible and Christian dogma they invoke today were repeatedly used throughout the Atlantic slave trade to justify enslavement, torture, decimation and ultimate control of indigenous peoples as well as Africans imported to the Americas specifically for the slave trade. PGN: Do you feel like your writings can change the status quo for LGBT individuals in Jamaica? TG: I suppose that my writings could do many things, but I don’t want to spend too much time thinking about that. There’s still so much to write and think about across a vast terrain of subjects. And I have no real control over who reads my writing or what they think of it. On the other hand, it certainly is extremely important to me to bear witness, in a sense — to take note of and bring to wider attention — to some of the awful things that are happening and have been going on in Jamaica for some time. I engage in this work partly because Jamaica obviously means so much to me, and because I consider the violence toward and loathing of homosexuals there to be just plain wrong: deplorable, and ultimately morally repugnant. I should stress that such hatred is repugnant wherever one finds it, in whichever country. Some gay men very dear to me, with whom I worked side by side as an activist in Jamaica, were later murdered there. When people close to you are killed, the proximity of the violence does make a difference in how you live every day. If only because of them and not wanting to feel that their deaths have been forgotten, but also for so many other reasons, I’ll want to go on doing this work in whatever way I can, for as long as I can, until the work itself is really no longer necessary. Whatever happens, Jamaica will always be the country that I feel more deeply within myself than any other, on the most primal level, no matter how it feels about me and other queers. So one tries to do one’s small part to help make it a better place for all of us to live in, irrespective of our sexuality, gender, color or social class. PGN: Do you feel like the international community does give the antigay policies and attitudes in Jamaica the same attention that other countries get? PAGE 24

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

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

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Food & Drink

PGN JAMAICA from page 23

TG: What one might call the “international community” seems over the years to have been composed mostly of North American and European countries whose citizens consistently feel that they have the right to dictate to global south countries, like Jamaica, how the global south should “behave,” instead of listening to the experience and recommendations of global south activists, who after all know their own countries better than anyone else. It does anger me especially to observe some less-sophisticatedly analytical sectors of the North American and European LGBT media’s constant insistence on what is “wrong,” homophobia-wise, in a country like Jamaica, when many of those voluble people have never expressed any interest in Jamaica itself except as a sunny “paradise” resort, or as the place where Bob Marley came from, or as a place to score some great marijuana, or as a place — perhaps — to interact sexually with some “taboo” black flesh locally on sale. But someone made a great point recently in a conference discussion: The international LGBT “community,” principally in the West, has recently made a lot of critical noise about, for example, homophobia in Uganda. But why don’t those same queer activists make noises about Ugandan child soldiers, which is a deeply grave problem in the country, and to some extent in the region? And why don’t more “firstworld” LGBT people question their own ignorance about the Caribbean, and change it? Jamaica and Barbados and St. Lucia are not interchangeable, and they are countries with complex government systems and extremely complex cultures. I become extremely irritated whenever I hear people speak blithely about “the islands.” Americans and Canadians are notorious in this regard, and Europeans can be just as offensive. PGN: What can people do to affect change in the attitudes and laws regarding gays and lesbians in Jamaica? TG: People already are working to change the attitudes and laws in Jamaica. The work isn’t, to say the least, easy, and it’s made even more difficult by the Jamaican dollar’s continuing devaluation, which makes Jamaica an extremely expensive place to live and work in. People living outside Jamaica who want to help can consider supporting J-FLAG by making a financial donation, or by offering to donate books to their library. LGBT books and magazines have been very welcomed there in recent years, and obviously are pretty much impossible to find in Jamaica (and books tend to be expensive in Jamaica anyway). Ultimately, the lead for LGBT activism in Jamaica must be taken by those doing the work on the ground there and who have a long-term investment in living in the country. But finally, we should remember that anti-LGBT attitudes in Jamaica — like anti-LGBT attitudes anywhere — don’t exist in isolation. They connect directly to the country’s attitudes, by and large, about women, gender and gender roles. The occasional violence directed toward a queer person there is directly linked to the extremely complex issue of Jamaica’s general violence these days, including an enormous amount of violence against women. But whether in Jamaica, the U.S. or the U.K., negative attitudes have changed and will continue changing. An enormous amount of hard work has made these changes possible. It’s extremely exciting, and also moving, to see Jamaica moving, even if slowly, more toward the greater country it really can become. ■ Thomas Glave hosts a reading from his new book 5:30 p.m. July 8 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. For more information, call 215-923-2960.

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

Suzi Nash

Jackie ‘Ink Bitch’ Jennings: Tattoo artist takes on national TV Confession. I’m so afraid of needles, it took me until I was 25 to get my ears pierced, and even then the ordeal involved a lot of tequila on my part. Not the case for this week’s profile, Jackie “Ink Bitch” Jennings. She got her first tattoo at 13 and is one of the contestants on the upcoming new season of “Ink Master,” premiering July 16 on Spike. PGN: I hear you’re a Jersey girl. JJ: I’m from right outside of Fort Dix in a small town called Pemberton. The whole family’s from there. PGN: The whole family, does that mean a lot of kids? JJ: Yeah, I have six sisters and two brothers. Some are stepsiblings but they’re all a big part of my life. PGN: Yowza! So what was life like growing up in Pemberton? JJ: Uh, it was tough. I had a pretty rough childhood. The area was pretty dicey and my mother struggled raising so many kids. She also had some addiction problems for a short time. It definitely wasn’t the easiest childhood, but as they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. PGN: What was the scariest moment you remember? JJ: I don’t think it was any one scary moment, just seeing my mom go through her trials and tribulations. But in the end, she came out on top, so I don’t necessarily take it as a negative. If my mom could raise six kids on her own, I can accomplish anything. And after watching what my mom went through, as a kid when my friends would experiment with drugs, I always steered clear, so her problems had a positive effect on me. I never had the desire to try anything. PGN: And your siblings? JJ: It’s about half and half. Some took the positive route and used our circumstances as a lesson to do better and some went down the wrong path. I have one sister who’s a nurse practitioner and another who chooses to dwell in the past and blame our parents for everything that’s gone wrong. I keep trying to get her to move on but it doesn’t always take. PGN: What’s a favorite family memory? JJ: Just a feeling of love. No matter what was going on, my mother always let us know we were strongly loved. I’ll always appreciate her for that. PGN: How did you get into drawing? JJ: I never took an art class but I was always doodling and always knew that I could draw anything that you put in front of me. When I got into my 20s, I started taking it more serious and started developing my skills. By

the time I started tattooing, I realized that I could draw anything, even when I couldn’t see it. PGN: Your artwork encompasses so many different types of styles and subject matter; are you a big scholar? JJ: [Laughs.] No, not at all! I’m not a reader or a TV watcher; all I do is work and draw. Some people are very specific, they’ll only do black and gray or certain types of tattoos. Not me, I want to learn every art form I can. My mind wanders to different subject matters and I want to be able to capture that. People wait three months to get in my chair, so if they want something that most tattoo artists don’t like doing, like tribal art, I’m going to honor their wishes. You sought me out and were patient enough to wait for me, so I’m not going to be a snob about it. PGN: Is there anything that you won’t do? What if Fred Phelps wanted a “God hates fags” tattoo? JJ: Oh no, I won’t do something racist or violent, or any kind of ignorant tattoo like a swastika. It’s my prerogative.

PGN: Speaking of shocking, I saw clips from the first episode of “Ink Master” where they took you guys to a prison. JJ: That was definitely tough. The whole thing was a big mental mind fuck. They had us secluded so we didn’t see anyone or anything for four days and then they finally gathered us together at the prison and we had no idea what was going on. It was immediately intense. I think that first episode gives you an idea of what the season will be like. PGN: In the clip, they showed one of the artists having a scary face-off with the prisoner. They were nose to nose screaming at each other. Did you get to pick your inmate? JJ: We basically drew straws. I think a lot of it is how you approach your client, whether it’s a prison inmate or somebody’s grandma. I had the guy feeling like we were best friends by the end of our meeting. PGN: I guess you’ve finished taping a lot of the season already. Are you sworn to

where I was. They wouldn’t even let us tell our families anything. That part was really difficult. PGN: Did you get close to your competitors? I see some reality shows and after 10 hours together people are in tears when someone leaves, “I’m going to miss you so much!” JJ: Yes, we got close fast. I think it’s because they picked some very, very talented artists and we all admired each other’s work. We all fed off of each other’s energy and talent instead of sniping at each other. I think that was a problem for the show this year! PGN: Actually I like that, I’m more inclined to watch when the focus is on the challenges, not trashing the other people. JJ: Me too. That being said, in the interview segments, they really try to provoke you and at first I tried to talk around it, because I believe all art is beautiful, but then you realize that other people are in there talking shit about you so you have to play the game a little.

PGN: What was the first tattoo you ever got? JJ: When I was young, a buddy of mine had a cousin who moved here from North Carolina. He brought some Indian ink, which is what you use for jailhouse tattoos. You wrap a piece of thread around a needle and dip it in the ink. So I did my first tattoo on myself at 13. Who would have thunk that 15 years later I’d be an award-winning tattoo artist?

PGN: In crime shows, they always seem to have experts who can look at a tattoo and know immediately who did it. Is it really that distinguishable? JJ: Yeah, definitely. You have your favorite artists and you know their distinctions. It’s usually in the eyes where you can see a signature style. I never ever sign my name; I want people to know me by looking at the piece.

PGN: What was it? JJ: A heart on my finger. PGN: I’m such a wuss, my stomach just flipped thinking about that. What’s your favorite tat? JJ: It’s funny, I’m covered in tattoos but my favorites are the simplest ones, that first one and one my mom gave me. PGN: Did you just say the one your mom gave you? JJ: [Laughs.] Yes! One day on Mother’s Day I was taking her to the casino to celebrate and on the way we stopped in the shop. I told her I had a gift for her — I was going to get an “I <3 Mommy” tattoo! I’m 35 years old and I still call her Mommy. Then I made her do the tattoo! PGN: Yikes! She actually did it? JJ: Yup. She operated the machine and actually did the tattoo herself. I kind of had to force her at first— she was afraid she was going to hurt me— but then she really dove in. She shocked me! I had to jump back a little because I wasn’t expecting her to take to it so fast, but she really got into it.

PGN: What was the hardest part of the show? JJ: Being gone. My mother’s real sick with stomach cancer and they’ve only given her a few months to live. I hated losing that time with her. It sucked. We filmed back in Easter and thinking I missed my mom’s last Easter was terrible. I felt really guilty. PGN: But I’m sure it made her really proud. Let’s switch gears, do you travel much? JJ: No, the farthest I’ve been was to the Bahamas. I’m not the best on planes.

Photo: Spike TV

secrecy? JJ: Yup. We had a premier party but that’s it until the October finale. PGN: So no celebration or defeat tattoos yet. Is it hard holding it in? JJ: The whole thing is hard because we had to keep everything confidential even before we started shooting. I was gone and I wasn’t allowed to tell clients why I wasn’t there. I just disappeared without anybody knowing

PGN: [Laughs.] So our tough tattooed lady is afraid of flying? JJ: Ha! I’m afraid of a lot more than that! You put a spider in front of me and I’m out. My girlfriend is all little and petite and I’m all the big one but if PAGE 28

PGN NIGHTLIFE

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

State of independence June, the traditional month of Gay Pride Lounge and Sports Bar, 200 S. 12th St. celebrations across the nation, ended on Join MC the Notorious OMG along with one hell of a high note this year: the end of the Liberty City Kings and special guests DOMA and the fall of Prop. 8, both major Icon Ebony Fierce and Saline Storm as advances for our community. I they put their own personal, always believed that I would see perverted, delicious and advances like these in my lifedemented spin on Hollywood. time, but I never dreamed they Doors open at 8 and show would happen so quickly. starts at 9. Cover charge is $10 if in drag, kink or costume, So here it is, July Fourth $12 if not. Proceeds benefit weekend, and the freedom to Philadelphia QFest. marry in the tri-state region is in surprisingly good shape: Gryphons First Saturday There’s a dynamic new state Meet the men of Philly’s legislator, Brian Sims, who’s gay rugby team at 9 p.m. July leading the charge to get the ball 6 on the second floor of The rolling in Pennsylvania; there’s Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. legislative and public support in Jim Kiley- These hot guys will have iceNew Jersey but a roadblock in the governor’s house; and a few Zufelt cold beer on tap and Jell-O shots to help fuel the maydays ago, they started issuing hem. All proceeds benefit the same-sex marriage licenses in Gryphons Bingham Cup Fund to send the Delaware. boys to the 2014 tournament in Sydney, June is not only Pride Month, but it also happens to be the most popular month for Australia. weddings. Coincidence? Not in my book. OurNightOut and Team Philadelphia Give it a year or two and trust my words: Join the folks from ONO and their Same-sex church bells will be ringing like host this month, Team Philadelphia, crazy in the Philadelphia region! from 6-8 p.m. July 9 at the Waterworks, Starstruck 1 Boathouse Row. They’ll have drink Celebrate red-carpet glamour with specials and nibbly bits for you to enjoy a kinky twist at 8 p.m. July 6 at Tabu along with spectacular views of the river.

Barcrawlr

Star Whorez Bored with all the mainstream drag shows in town? Then join the Dumpsta Players at 10 p.m. July 17 at Bob and Barbara’s, 1509 South St. The gang will be presenting a whacked-out spacethemed extravaganza guaranteed to blow your mind. Cover charge is $1.99 for 21 and up only. Proceeds benefit InLiquid, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities and exposure for visual artists in the Philadelphia area. QFest It’s time once again for Philadelphia’s annual gay and lesbian film festival, celebrating its 19th incredible year! This year they have over 150 movies spanning every genre imaginable and dozens of special guests from both in front of and behind the camera, not to mention loads and loads of parties. Opening night is July 11, and the festival runs all the way through July 22. For complete information about films, parties and of course tickets, check out www. qfest.com. And don’t forget to clip and save this handy guide to the parties during the first half of the festival: Opening Night Party: 9:30 p.m. July 11 at Lit Ultrabar, 460 N. 2nd St., with special guests from opening-night film “G.B.F.” and with performances by Brittany Lynn and the Drag Mafia.

“Where I Am” Reception: 9-11 p.m. July 12 at Knock, 225 S. 12th St., featuring documentary subject and Philadelphia author Robert Drake and Butch Cordora. “Who’s Afraid of Vagina Wolf” — The V Party: 10 p.m. July 13 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St., presented by Arouse and featuring the film’s director, Anna Margarita Albelo, who will have some of her vagina costumes from the movie that you can jump into for a photo op! “Romeo Romeo”/“Tumbledown” Joint After Party: 9 p.m. July 18 at Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac St., featuring stars, directors and producers from both films, and performances by hometown favorites, our very own Liberty City Kings. Official bars for the run of the festival are Tavern on Camac, at 243 S. Camac St. in the Gayborhood, and Mac’s Tavern, owned by Rob McElhenny of “It’s Always Sunny,” at 226 Market St. in Old City. Stop in any time and you’re sure to bump into actors, filmmakers and fellow film enthusiasts. ■ Questions, comments, ready for your close up? Contact Jim at barcrawlr@gmail. com or follow him on Facebook for links to back articles and totally bitchin’ music videos!

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PGN TELEVISION

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

Worth Watching BAD NEWS BEAR: On the new reality competition series “Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls,” the worldrenowned survivalist leads an extreme survival journey that tests 10 teams of two beyond their wildest imaginations as they venture into the unforgiving and dramatic landscape of New Zealand’s South Island for a chance to claim a prize of $500,000, 9 p.m. July 8 on NBC. Photo: NBC/Jasin Boland

AND THIS ONE TIME AT CAMP ... : The new onehour dramedy “Camp” takes viewers to the Little Otter Family Camp, where parents decompress over gin and tonics while their kids run wild, and teenage counselors fall in and out of love, 10 p.m. July 10 on NBC. Photo: NBC/John Tsiavis

OPEN HOUSE: “Property Envy” is an all-new 30minute panel talk show hosted by Stephen Collins with openly gay property expert and TV personality Jeff Lewis, interior designer Mary McDonald and Chicago-based realestate guru Brandie Malay breaking down the world of luxury real estate, cuttingedge home technology and trendsetting décor, 10 p.m. July 9 on Bravo. Photo: Evans Vestal Ward/Bravo

THEY’RE NOT DRUNK, THEY’RE JUST HAPPY: Catch the series premiere of “Drunk History,” in which the all-star cast will take on historical events like the Watergate scandal and the famed story of when Elvis (played by Jack Black) met Nixon (Bob Odenkirk), 10 p.m. July 9 on Comedy Central. Photo: Ron Batzdorff

More Than Just News

Film Reviews, Theater Reviews, Food Reviews, Book Reviews, Music Reviews, Sports and Travel

FUN PGN & GAMES

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

Q Puzzle Kinky quote Across

1. Chicago Bears wear them on their knees 5. Dances the horizontal mambo with 10. Lou Grant’s paper 14. “Climb ___ Mountain” 15. Bellybutton type 16. Prefix meaning “half” 17. Close by 18. “The Queen of Mean” Helmsley 19. “How queer!” 20. “Underground” org. 21. Issue supported by Kinky Friedman 23. Bearing 25. Lesbos and more 26. Skater Orser 27. Solving puzzles and such 31. Start of what

21-Across means, from a straight point of view 33. Relieved sighs 34. Plied with pinot, perhaps 35. Thompson of “Angels in America” 39. More of what it means 41. Workplace for Michelangelo 44. Come together 45. Jack of nursery rhymes 46. Sage of the East 47. End of what it means 52. Coop dweller 53. C&W’s McEntire 54. Reacts to a Margaret Cho set 55. Bible bk. at Beth Simchat Torah 56. Steamed up 57. “Ready ___, here I come!” 58. Maneuver slowly 59. Small pooch, briefly

PORTRAIT from page 25

there’s a spider in the bathroom, she’s the one who has to kill it. PGN: I did Angela’s portrait several years ago at Stir. How did you two meet? JJ: I was actually bartending at a place in Jersey and one of our regular customers used to also go to another bar that stayed open later. One night we all went after closing and Angela was there. I was actually straight at the time but I kept going back to see her for some reason. She’d flirt with me a little but finally she asked one of my friends what my deal was, was I straight, bi, what was up? He said that he didn’t know, so she told me she was going to stop playing with me. I was like, “Whoa, whoa, hold on now,” and I started flirting back. Turned on the old charm. I got a bunch of those little heart candies that you get for Valentine’s Day and started writing out sentences for her on her bar. [Laughs.] She fell in love with me! PGN: So you’re a bit of a late bloomer too. I remember Angela didn’t come out until she was about 28. She was a highschool cheerleader before becoming a tattooed mom. JJ: Yeah, the environment I grew up in didn’t make it easy. PGN: How did the family react? JJ: I’m really close to my mom, she knew right away. One of my sisters is also gay so I told them first and they kept it a secret for about a year, not even my friends knew. PGN: And you’ve jumped from there to being out on national TV!

60. Wet spots on a blanket of sand 61. Put the finger on

Down

1. Shadowy area 2. Companion piece to “Like a Virgin”? 3. Come close to your partner, perhaps 4. Neighbor of Leb. 5. Like rays caught at South Beach 6. Nephew of Disney’s Donald Duck 7. “Exotica” director Egoyan 8. Gershon of “Bound” 9. Lightly burn 10. Belief in the Divine Miss M? 11. Show a really good time 12. They may be spitting 13. ___ one’s time (waits)

21. Decent chap 22. Park of Queens 24. Slangy refusals 27. Model’s asset 28. Doubleday of baseball fame 29. Voyeurs, e.g. 30. Cry of pride 32. Boob, to a Brit 35. Salt’s saint 36. Nitwit 37. Female rubber 38. Gave in 39. Pass out 40. Frat hazing sounds 41. Property of one who has balls? 42. “Jeopardy!” host 43. Gay Pride event 45. “Take it off!” 46. Desires, with “after” 48. “Beat it!” 49. Scroll at Beth Chayim Chadashim 50. Holds title to 51. Ice in the sea 55. Nero’s “Of God” PAGE 30

JJ: I know! I love it. I finally feel like me. Everything about me, from the way I dress to my sense of humor, is authentic now. I found me. PGN: Did you have any clue before Angela? JJ: Well, right before I met her I kissed my first girl. [Laughs.] It was actually the girl who introduced me to Angela! She was straight and we weren’t going down that path, it was just for fun. PGN: Who would be your dream person to tattoo? They could be real or fictional. JJ: Um, that’s a hard one. Ellen DeGeneres or Rob Dyrdek. I think they’re both cool people. PGN: I would do a tattoo of Jesus on Jesus. That way he could show it to people and say, “How do you like me now?” JJ: That’s funny. That would be a good one. PGN: What happens in your recurring nightmare or dream? JJ: Right now it’s all about the show. Nightmares about getting negative feedback or waking up and having the whole world hate me! PGN: I don’t think you have to worry about that. Any pets? JJ: Yes, my lovely dog, Radar. We have a cat too but that’s more Angela’s and he’s more mine. He’s tiny with the biggest ears ever. I tell him I love him every single day. PGN: When do you lose your temper? JJ: I’m always a very happy person, but when I do get pissed, I get extremely mad

— for about two seconds — and then I’m back to normal. People know just to leave me be for those few moments.

PGN: Evil! Three foods you wish were banished from the earth? JJ: Beets, liver and raw onions.

PGN: That sounds like a Taurus. What sign are you? JJ: I’m a Pisces.

PGN: I guess since you work in such close proximity to people, onions aren’t a good idea. Do you worry about stuff like that? JJ: Yeah, definitely. I’ve actually worn the same perfume since high school.

PGN: Who was an idol for you when you were young? JJ: My basketball coach, Erika Ryan. My softball coach too. PGN: Were you a jock? JJ: Yeah, I played high school and college sports — softball, basketball, field hockey. I got scholarship offers and everything and chose to go to King University to stay local. Big mistake, I should have picked someplace else. PGN: What was your major? JJ: Elementary and physical education. PGN: It’s July: What do you miss from winter about now? JJ: Nothing! I’d rather it be 110 out than be cold. PGN: I ask about favorite teachers a lot; who was your worst teacher? JJ: Miss Dixon, my sixth-grade teacher. That woman should not have been allowed to teach students, she was so blatantly mean. She knew how to hurt your feelings. I remember I felt so bad for one kid. You know as kids hit puberty, they start to smell, especially boys when they haven’t started using deodorant yet. She took this poor kid and sat him in the middle of the room and made the kids sit in a circle around him. Everybody was teasing him, it was horrible! [Laughs.] She was wicked!

PGN: Something nice Angela’s done for you? JJ: One of the biggest things after I finally chose to come out was a birthday surprise she arranged. It was about a year after we were together and we were planning on going on a skiing trip. Her bar closed at 3 and she gave me a map that she had made. She’s pretty artistic too and it had an oldstyle look with the corners burnt and a long poem that ended with “Let’s trade our skis for sand.” Two hours later, we were on the plane going to the Bahamas! When we got back I couldn’t wait to tell everyone that I was in love with her! PGN: Outside of the tattoo world, what do you like to do? JJ: We’re restaurant hoppers. We like to try new things out. But aside from that, I don’t live a very interesting life, it’s pretty quiet except for work! Art is everything for me, even on my days off. My girlfriend hates it when I wake up in the morning and I’m immediately on the phone talking to people about work. One of my favorite artists, Hannah Atchison, basically says if art doesn’t consume your life, you’re not dedicating yourself enough. ■ Season three of “Ink Master” premieres at 10 p.m. July 16 on Spike.

BOOKSPGN & DVDs

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

Best-sellers Information is courtesy of Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960; www. queerbooks.com. Ten-percent off most hardcover in-store sales.

William Sterling Walker, as well as moving and provocative essays by Peter Knegt and Eddie Sarfaty.

Men’s books

1. “I Want Your Love,” directed by Travis Mathews (71 min., $24.99). One man’s last weekend in the city he loves, San Francisco. 2. “Yossi,” directed by Eytan Fox (2012, 85 min., $27.95). The long-awaited sequel to “Yossi and Jagger,” following Yossi’s life after Jagger’s death. 3. “Mixed Kebab,” directed by Guy Lee Thys (2012, 86 min., $19.95). Happily filled with contradictions, tall, dark and handsome Bram lives a mysterious life in Antwerp that is very different from his conservative religious upbringing. 4. “Sexual Tension:Volatile,” directed by Marcelo Monaco and Marco Berger (2012, 101 min., $19.95). A pulsating, sexually charged thrill ride, weaving six scintillating experiences of men in various forms of male bonding. 5. “Eating Out 4: Drama Camp,” directed by Q. Allen Brocka (2011, 90 min., $24.95). An over-the-top raunchy comedy with the innocence of summer love — as a cast of gay hotties endure a supposedly celibate stint at a theater camp in the woods. This is the complete unedited version they couldn’t show on Logo! 6. “Mulligans,” directed by Chip Hale (2008, 90 min., $14.95). Straight college jock Tyler brings his best friend Chase to his family’s lakeside home for summer vacation. The Davidson family welcomes Chase but as the summer blossoms, unexpected attractions flare. 7. “I Love You, Phillip Morris,” directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (2009, 98 min., $14.95). The improbable but true story of a spectacularly charismatic conman’s journey from small-town businessman to flamboyant white-collar criminal, who repeatedly finds himself in trouble with the law and on the lam, brilliantly escaping from the Texas prison system on four separate occasions — all in the name of (gay) love. 8. “Des/Esperando,” directed by Erick Salas Kirchhausen (2010, 73 min., $24.95). This sizzling romance is about the lust we have and the entrapment of the lives we can’t leave behind. Spanish with subtitles.

1. “An Early Work Late in Life: The Art and Life of Danny Allen” by Bill Whiting (self-published, $29.95 pb). “A series of happenstances led local artist Bill Whiting to put pen to paper to relive and re-experience years of memories about his late lover and his former life. Whiting’s memoir traces his relationship with artist Danny Allen in the late 1960s and early ’70s in Rochester, N.Y., a time rife with free love and cannabis-smoking. The story showcases Allen’s art and writing, which gives deeper insight into the complex and talented artist who readers learn from the beginning took his own life in 1974 at the age of 28.”— Jen Colletta, PGN 2. “Phallos: Enhanced & Revised Edition” by Samuel R. Delany (Wesleyan, $19.95 pb). Taking the form of a gay pornographic novella, with the explicit sex omitted, Phallos is set during the reign of the second-century Roman emperor Hadrian and the historical account of the murder of the emperor’s favorite, Antinous. 3. “Walking on Water and After All This, Second Edition” by Thom Nickels (STARbooks, $16.95 pb). These two short novels are both science fiction. In the first, the protagonist lives in a surreal world where the power of his mind can create alternate universes. In the second, the characters survive a mysterious world event or cosmic event that “flashes” out the lives of everybody but a few. 4. “The Dream of the Celt” by Mario Vargas Llosa (Picador, $16 pb, $9.99 ebook). The Nobel Prize winner chronicles the life of Roger Casement, hanged in 1916 by the British officially for treason, but more probably for his “Black Diary,” which recounted his sexual encounters with the natives in the Congo and Amazonia, who were viciously pressed into slavery by the European rubber barons. 5. “American Savage: Insights, Slights, Fights on Faith, Sex, Love and Politics” by Dan Savage (Dutton, $26.95 hb, $12.99 ebook). On the heels of his Emmy-winning “It Gets Better” campaign, columnist and provocateur Dan Savage weighs in on such diverse issues as health care, gun control and marriage equality with characteristic straight talk and humor. 6. “Best Gay Stories 2013,” edited by Steve Berman (Lethe, $18 pb, $9.99 ebook). The sixth volume of “Best Gay Stories” explores the entirety of the diverse gay literary market. Editor Steve Berman has chosen compelling fiction that ranges from the pragmatic to the surreal, from such acclaimed authors as Mark Ameen, Jameson Currier, Alex Jeffers and

Men’s DVDs

Women’s and trans books 1. “Gender and Sexuality for Beginners” by Jaimee Garbacik (Steerforth, $16.99 pb). Examines the evolution of gender roles and definitions of sexual orientation in American society, illuminating how neither is as objective or “natural” as we are often led to believe.

2. “The Killer Wore Leather” by Laura Antoniou (Cleis, $16.95 pb, $10.59 ebook). A deliciously tongue-in-cheek murder mystery set at a leather convention, allowing readers into this private world of personalities and peccadilloes. 3. “Troubling the Line: Trans and Genderqueer Poetry and Poetics,” edited by TC Tolbert et al. (Nightboat, $27.95 pb). Gathers together a diverse range of 55 poets (including Philadelphian CA Conrad) with varying aesthetics and backgrounds. In addition to generous samples of poetry by each trans writer, the book also includes “poetics statements” — reflections by each poet that provide context for their work covering a range of issues from identification and embodiment to language and activism. 4. “Gender Born, Gender Made: Raising Healthy Gender-Nonconforming Children” by Diane Ehrensaft (Experiment, $16.95 pb, $10.59 ebook). Encourages caregivers to support gender-variant children as they explore their gender identities. 5. “Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society and Neurosexism Create Difference” by Cordelia Fine. Provides us with a much-needed corrective to the belief that men’s and women’s brains are intrinsically different — a belief that, as Fine shows with insight and humor, all too often works to the detriment of ourselves and our society. 6. “Being Emily” by Rachel Gold (Bella, $15.95 pb). Young-adult novel about Emily, who was born Christopher. Women’s and trans DVDs 1. “Trans: The Movie, directed by Chris Arnold (The Film Collaborative, $20). In “Trans,” a moving and exceptionally wellresearched documentary, we meet a remarkable cast of characters from all walks of life who are willing to tell their stories in the hope that they might one day be able to live ordinary lives. 2. “Romeos,” directed by Sabine Bernardi (2011, 94 min., $24.95). As a pre-op transgender person, Lukas is constantly finding himself trapped in uncomfortable, compromising positions. His best friend, Ine, introduces him to the gay scene in Cologne, where he meets the confident and gorgeous Fabio. German with subtitles. 3. “Mosquita y Mari,” directed by Aurora Guerrero (2012, 85 min., $24.95). This exquisitely crafted coming-of-age tale follows a pair of Latina teens who fall gradually in love against the backdrop of Southeast Los Angeles. 4. “Bob’s New Suit,” directed by Alan Howard (97 min., $24.99). The Goodlows are a typical American family. Bob is a landscape gardener and handyman. His dad, Buster, an ex-aerospace worker with a secret past, is now unemployed and suffering from heart failure. Sister Stephanie does the books for her girlfriend Marlena’s hair salon and

holds a secret that’s just bursting to come out. 5. “Sexing the Transman XXX, Vol. 2,” directed by Buck Angel (Buck Angel, $20). This second docu-porn sensation consists of interviews combined with graphic sex and shows a much more diverse group of transmen than Volume 1. 6. “Tomboy,” directed by Celine Sciamma (2011, 84 min., $19.95). Tells the story of 10-year-old Laure (played by the amazing Zoe Heran), who moves to the suburbs and decides to pass as a boy amongst the pack of neighborhood kids. 7. “Big Lesbian Love Collectors Set” (321 min., $34.95). This quartet of top lesbian romances includes a gorgeous pair of Big Apple love stories, “The Four-Faced Liar” and “My Normal,” plus two equally fresh West Coast American indies — the smart and sexy “And Then Came Lola” and the legendary Jamie Babbitt hit “Itty Bitty Titty Committee.” 8. “To Die Like a Man,” directed by Joao Pedro Rodrigues (2010, 133 min., $24.95). Tonia is a larger-than-life drag icon of Lisbon’s nightlife in the late 1980s. At the peak of her career, she meets and falls in love with Rosario, a young soldier who’s gone AWOL. Under pressure from Rosario, Tonia begins a series of operations to become a woman, but the final step proves much harder than she could have guessed ■

Come see what’s new at your local, non-corporate, gluten-free historic queer bookshop! Browse, chat, and support the oldest continuously operating LGBT book store in the USA!

10% most hardcovers, over 5 million books and 3 million eBooks available at queerbooks.com email: giovannis_room@verizon.net 345 S. 12th St. Philadelphia, Pa 19107 215-923-2960 Mon-Sat 11:30 - 7, Sun 1 - 7

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 07/05 Ne-Yo The R&B singer performs 8 p.m. at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-343-4000. The Polyphonic Spree The rock band performs 8 p.m. at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011. The Rubix Cube Eclectic LGBT Live Artist Showcase LGBT artists are featured 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at Milkboy Philadelphia, 1100 Chestnut St.; 215925-6455. The Blob The 1988 monster movie remake

is screened 9:45 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

Sat. 07/06 Cyndi Lauper The pop singer performs her debut album “She’s So Unusual” in its entirety 8 p.m. at Trump Taj Mahal, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City; 609 441-6150. Whitney Cummings The comedian performs 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Amanda Lepore The transgender singer performs 9 p.m. at The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave.; 267-671-9298.

Politics and Flesh” hosts a reading 5:30 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960.

Steve Aoki with Chiddy Bang The electronic dance-music DJ and producer performs 10 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Mixx Nightclub, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Free Quizzo & Board Game Night Roll the dice, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.

Sun. 07/07 Beach Blanket Bingo The 1965 teen summer film is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-0223.

Mon. 07/08 Thomas Glave The author of “Among the Bloodpeople:

First Person StorySlam Local spoken-word artists perform 8:30 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400. Lipstick Mondays A weekly drag show featuring a changing roster of queens takes the stage 9 p.m. at The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 215-8622081.

DIVAS DESCEND UPON PHILLY: Two stellar R&B voices take the stage when the legendary Chaka Kahn (pictured) and the critically acclaimed Ledisi perform 7 p.m. July 11 at Robin Hood Dell East, 1 Strawberry Mansion Bridge Drive. For more information or tickets, call 215685-9560.

Tue. 07/09 Kid Rock The rock singer performs 8 p.m. at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-3651300.

Wed. 07/10 311 with Cypress Hill and G. Love & Special Sauce The rock and hiphop groups perform 6:30 p.m. at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, 201 S. Columbus Blvd.; 215-9281234. Skylar Grey The singer and hiphop artist performs 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400. 4W5 Blues Jam Local musicians get down, 7 p.m.

at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.

Thu. 07/11 Chaka Kahn and Ledisi The R&B singers perform 7 p.m. at Robin Hood Dell East, 1 Strawberry Mansion Bridge Drive, 215-6859560. The Burlesque Show The new event kicks off 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Fri. 07/12 Vans Warped Tour A day of punk rock and skateboard events, noon at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-365-1300. OMD with The Diamond Rings and DJ Robert Drake The new-wave band and the local DJ perform 8 p.m. at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring

Garden St.; 215232-2100. W. Kamau Bell The comedian seen on “Totally Biased” performs 8 p.m. at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215-972-1000. Los Lobos The Latin rock band performs 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-3171000.

Bob and Barbara’s Drag Show The outrageousness begins 11 p.m. at Bob and Barbara’s, 1509 South St.; 215-545-4511.

From page 28

Scott A. Drake Photography 267-736-6743

NIGHTCLUBBING: Transgender model and singer Amanda Lepore comes to town performing 9 p.m. July 6 at The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave. For more information or tickets, call 267-6719298. Photo: Terry Richardson

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Opening Really Rosie The musical with lyrics by Maurice Sendak and music by Carole King, July 521 at Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St., New Hope; 215-862-2121.

Continuing All Dressed Up: Fashions for Children and Their Families Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of clothing from the late-18th through mid-20th centuries, comparing and contrasting adults’ apparel with children’s smaller styles, through Dec. 1, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Philadelphia, which features a glimpse into the John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archival Collection, through Oct. 25 at The Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent, 15 S. Seventh St.; 215-685-4830. Serpentine The Academy of Natural Sciences hosts an exhibition of photography by Mark Laita of the world’s most deadly snakes, through Sept. 22, 19th Street and the Parkway; 215-299-1000. SPY: The Secret World of Espionage The Franklin Institute presents an exhibition of historical artifacts from the intelligence community, through Oct. 6, 20th St. and Benjamin Franklin Pkwy; 215-4481200.

TOTALLY FUNNY: Comedian W. Kamau Bell takes his socially charged brand of comedy seen on his FX TV show “Totally Biased” on the road, performing 8 p.m. July 12 at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St. For more information or tickets, call 215972-1000.

Candy Coated Wonderland Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition by Philadelphia-based multimedia artist Candy Coated (formerly Candy Depew) reinterpreting children’s fancy dress costumes from the museum’s collection, through Nov. 17, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Design for the Modern Child Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition featuring some of the latest furniture, toys, tableware, wallpaper and textiles designed internationally in Australia, Asia, Europe, Great Britain and the United States, along with classics from the museum’s design collection, through Oct. 14, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100. Grease Walnut Street Theatre presents the classic musical through July 14, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. Private Lives/Public Spaces: Bringing Philadelphia’s LGBT History Out in the Open The William Way LGBT Community Center presents the first solo exhibition of LGBT history in a mainstream museum in

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

Circus Week See the Big Top, and circus trains and learn the history of the circus, through July 7 at Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, 100 E. Northwestern Ave.; 215-2475777. Jackson Brown The singer performs through July 6 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Kevin Nealon The “Saturday Night Live” alum and comedian performs through July 6 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. Love, Loss and What I Wore Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the intimate collection of stories by superstar sisters Nora Ephron (“Sleepless in Seattle,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “Heartburn”) and Delia Ephron, through July 7 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420. Warehouse: A New Musical A one-act musical exploring topics such as hope, neglect and the meaning of life, through July 6 at Wedgwood Country Club, 200 Hurffville Road, Sewell, N.J.; 856347-0825. ■

STILL WANNA HAVE FUN?: Iconic pop singer Cyndi Lauper performs her classic debut album “She’s So Unusual” in its entirety on her latest tour, which comes through the area 8 p.m. July 6 at Trump Taj Mahal, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City. For more information or tickets, call 609-441-6150.

Wicked The hit musical about characters from “The Wizard of Oz,” through Aug. 4 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Witness: The Art of Jerry Pinkney Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of drawings and watercolors by Jerry Pinkney, Sept. 22, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Closing The Art of Golf Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of paintings celebrating the sport, through July 7, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

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

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

dmhFund & Pennrose seeks

Building Manager for the historic John C. Anderson Apartments PENNROSE - We Bring It All Together Smart Development. Proven Management. Great Lifestyles.

At Pennrose Management Company, we are pleased to be managing this historic property: It fits in line with our goal of creating exceptional apartment communities. With our superior knowledge and unparalleled dedication, we maximize investments while helping our residents live somewhere truly special. Simply put, we make our communities the bright spots of their neighborhoods. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and 401k along with a quarterly bonus plan.

William’s Way – Residential Property Manager

The Property Manager of this 56 unit, LGBT Friendly senior community located in Downtown Philadelphia will be responsible for providing leadership and direction to associates at assigned properties. Mentors associates and ensures all support corporate mission and understand roles in achieving established goals. Advocates on behalf of associates to enhance individual performance. Provides excellent customer service to residents.

Building Duties:

• Supervises and trains all property associates • Evaluates associates’ performance, including the completion of annual performance reviews. • Counsels underperforming associates and provides critical feedback to improve performance • Assists Regional Property Manager in the selection of property associates. Assumes primary responsibility for preliminary interviewing • Creates positive, welcoming, supportive environment for residents, visitors, and property associates • Be able to work with and have knowledge of community organizations such as the william way LGBT Community Center & Mazzoni Center • Prepares and submits timesheets and payroll adjustments • Maintains vacancy information as required by investors, syndicators, and monitoring agencies • Achieves financial solvency through cost reduction and implementing systems to achieve 0% rent delinquency • Utilizes selection and retention strategies to maintain 100% occupancy level • Participates in the preparation of the annual operating budget, and works with Regional Property Manager to maintain budgetary guidelines • Reviews bids for contract work • Ensures adherence to proper preventive maintenance schedules • Manages health and safety programs, including training in fire safety, general emergency procedures, and in the use of emergency equipment • Executes marketing and advertising campaigns for apartment leasing and coordinating leasing events such as open houses, realtor tours, and resident promotional activities • Assists with the development and implementation of resident services programming • Maintains knowledge and awareness of corporate in/out migration, property competition, and other market conditions affecting leasing and operations • Oversees property’s answering service, ensuring superlative customer service, up-to-date calling sequences, and accurate contact information • Notifies residents of all issues affecting their tenancy • Files court documents for eviction and attends scheduled court hearings as Landlord’s representative • Oversees security deposit administration including inspecting units to determine resident’s balance or refund, preparing disposition letters, and processing security deposit returns • Maintains building security measures, ensuring proper incident documentation and notification to management, owners, and insurance carriers • Maintains familiarity with all procedures and requirements of accounts payable and accounts receivable • Leads tours of property, showing vacant units and marketing property amenities as needed • Screens, reviews, and approves all applications • Leads lease orientations and signings, and submits relevant documentation • Enforces lease requirements • Ensures property’s filing system is maintained and includes tenant, applicant, accounting, and vendor and contract files • Develops and utilizes sound rent collection procedures, including following up with delinquent accounts • Delivers rent deposits to bank and submits all related documentation • Monitors landlord-tenant relations and mediates disputes when necessary • Collaborates with Support Services to provide residents referrals to appropriate agencies • Utilizes maintenance software program to enter in and track work orders, and regularly reviews maintenance reports • Inspects apartments for move-in condition (pre-inspection) and turnover status • Directs administrative and maintenance associates in annual unit inspections and annual recertification of residents • Prepares and submits quarterly competitive marketing analysis • Remains current on and compliant with policies and laws affecting the marketing and leasing of the property, including the Company’s leasing agreement, Landlord Tenant code, Fair Housing laws, and other applicable laws • Submits any and all reports on a timely basis • Establishes and maintains regular daily office hours, ensuring adequate coverage on weekends and holidays

Possible requirements

• Knowledge of the LGBT community and Washington West neighborhood • High School Diploma or equivalent • Certifications in the following: Housing Credit Certified Professional, Certified Occupancy Specialist, Specialist in Housing Credit Management would be a plus • 2 or more years’ experience in multi-family property management, including direct supervision of others • Proven Marketing and Leasing experience • Understanding of Low-Income Tax Credit system • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook • Proficiency in Yardi • Excellent customer service skills • Ability to perform in a busy, changing, multi-tasking work environment • Requires ability to physically inspect property (or properties) and individual units • Requires ability to read, speak, and comprehend the English language • Requires the ability to travel (between properties, on-call emergencies, training, etc.)

Property Characteristics: • Lease-up • Senior

• Tax Credit • 56 units

The ideal candidate has tax-credit experience and will be an advocate for the well-being and acceptance of sexual and gender minorities.

Apply online at www.pennrose.com/careers or email lgiberson@pennrose.com with copy to mark@epgn.com

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

Classifieds Real Estate Sale

Real Estate Sale

Help Wanted

For Sale AWMILLS From only $3997.00- MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1800-578-1363 Ext.300N. ________________________________________37-27

Owner Must Sell! Nicely wooded lot in prime recreational area. Crystal clear mountain lake, ski area & brand new golf course. All within 1 mile of property. Only $79,900. Adjacent lot sold for $249,900. Bank will ﬁnance. Call 1-877-888-7581, x41. ________________________________________37-27 OFFICE SPACE IN HATBORO 3,264 Sq. Ft. Open Floor Plan. Subdividable & Income producing. Close to PA turnpike & Byberry Rd. Owner Financing Available. Off street parking. Under $470,000. Available now. Call 215-674-1180. ________________________________________37-27

PROPERTY MANAGER Apartment Community in Collingswood, NJ. Outgoing, organized, able to work with vendors, strong computer skills to include Excel & Microsoft Word, knowledge working with a budget, preparing weekly reports, coding bills. Must be a goal oriented leader with a strong work ethic. At least 5 years on site experience. Email resume to: careers. inquirty@gmail.com ________________________________________37-28 PROPERTY MANAGER Mid-rise Elevator Apartment Community in West Chester, PA. Local Management Company is seeking an outgoing and organized on site property manager. Must be able to work with vendors, have strong computer skills to include Excel & Microsoft Word, strong knowledge working with a budget, preparing weekly reports, coding bills. Must be a goal oriented leader with a strong work ethic. At least 5 years on site experience. Prefer a manager willing to live on site. Excellent Salary and benefits package. Email resume to: careers.inquirty@gmail.com ________________________________________37-28 29 SERIOUS PEOPLE To Work From Anywhere Using a Computer. Up to $1500$5000 PT/FT www.amazinglifestylefromhome.com ________________________________________37-27 Heavy Equipment Operator Career! 3 Weeks Hands On Training School. Bulldozers, Backhoes, Excavators. National Certifications. Lifetime Job Placement Assistance. VA Benefits Eligible! 1-866-362-6497. ________________________________________37-27 2013-2014 VACANCIES Physics (9-12), Biology (9-12), Biology/Physics (9-12), Earth Science (9-12), Mathematics (8-12), Physical Science (5-8), Special Education General Curriculum (K-4), Special Education Early Childhood- Prince Edward County Public Schools, Farmville, VA- (434)315-2100. www.pecps.k12. va.us Closing Date: Until filled. EOE. ________________________________________37-27 HIRING EXPERIENCED/INEXPERIENCED TANKER DRIVERS! Earn up to $.51 per Mile! New Fleet Volvo Tractors! 1 Year OTR Exp. Req.- Tanker Training Available. Call Today: 877-882-6537 www.OakleyTransport.com ________________________________________37-27 Exp. Reefer Drivers: GREAT PAY /Freight lanes from Presque Isle, ME, Boston-Lehigh, PA. 800-277-0212 or primeinc.com ________________________________________37-27 EARNING BETTER PAY IS ONE STEP AWAY! Averitt offers Experienced CDL-A Drivers Excellent Benefits and Weekly Hometime. 888-362-8608. Recent Grads w/a CDL-A 1-5/wks Paid Training. Apply online at AverittCareers. com Equal Opportunity Employer. ________________________________________37-27 OTR Drivers Needed. No Gimmicks! Solos up to $.38/mile. $.50/mile for Hazmat Teams. 800-942-2104 Ext. 7308 or 7307 www.TotalMS.com ________________________________________37-27 CRST offers the Best Lease Purchase Program! SIGN ON BONUS. No Down Payment or Credit Check. Great Pay. Class-A CDL required. Owner Operators Welcome! Call:866-403-7044. ________________________________________37-27 GORDON TRUCKING, INC. CDL-A Drivers Needed! Up to $3,000 SIGN ON BONUS. Starting Pay UP to .46 cpm. Refrigerated Fleet, Great Miles, Full Benefits, Great Incentives! No Northeast Runs! Call 7 days/wk! TeamGTI.com 866-554-7856. ________________________________________37-27

Real Estate Rent

Adoption

PASSYUNK AVE AT PIERCE 2nd ﬂoor, pvt. entrance, 5 rooms and bath. W/D. $1500 . 215-463-2028 or 215-768-5253. _____________________________________________37-27

ADOPT A happily married couple promises cozy home, secure future, extended family, unconditional love for baby of any race. Expenses paid. Leslie/Daniel TOLL-FREE 1-855-7672444. danielandleslieadopt@gmail.com ________________________________________37-26

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   

    

NE PA LACKAWAXEN Country party house, 4,100 sq. ft. 5 bed. 3.5 bath, Indoor jacuzzi, exercise room and sauna, 1,500 sq ft. deck. 2.5 hrs from Phil. $439,000 Call for slide show. 570 685-4660. ________________________________________37-27 PENN VALLEY $1,165,000 Luxurious Spanish style home, ideal for collectors and entertaining indoors and out. Over 200 trees and shrubs with stone walls and secluded heated pool. Antique artifacts incorporated throughout. Tile and hardwood ﬂoors, upscale kitchen, 4 full baths and 2 PR’s. Five Bedrooms; master suite with 2 baths and French doors to balcony overlooking courtyard. Extensive closet space. Call Carol Aaron for additional information 610-805-1115. ________________________________________37-28 DOWNTOWN REHOBOTH BEACH Lowest priced 2 bedroom condo unit in Rehoboth. Minutes from POODLE BEACH and NORTH BEACH. Within 2 blocks of Boardwalk, Bars, Restaurants and shopping. $340,000 Contact Evan Thomas @302-379-5634 RE/MAX By The Sea. ________________________________________37-27 Our Newest Affordable Acreage Upstate NY/Owner Financing. 60 Acres, Cabin, Stream & Timber: $79,995. 80 Acres, Nice Timber, Stream, ATV trails, Borders Farmlands, Great Hunting: $74,995. 73 Acres, Pine Forest, Road front, Utilities. Minutes to Oneida Lake Boat Launch: $79,995. Small Sportsmen’s Tracts: 3 - 5 Acres Starting at $12,995. Call 1-800-229-7843 or info@landandcamps.com ________________________________________37-27 NY SPORTSMAN’S BEST LAND DEALS 5 Acres w/ Hemlock Lodge: $29,999. 51 Acres, Excellent Hunting: $59,995. 74.73 Acres, Minutes from Salmon River: $99,900. Preseason Sale, Many More Properties 5 to 200 Acres Starting at $12,995. Easy Financing. Call 800-229-7843 or vist www.landandcamps.com ________________________________________37-27

Travel & Resorts OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800638-2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com ________________________________________37-27 609-345-8203. oceanhouseatlanticcity.com ________________________________________37-45 NORTH WILDWOOD, NJ - FLORENTINE FAMILY MOTEL Beach/Boardwalk Block, Heated Pools, Efﬁciency/Motel units refrigerator, elevator. Color Brochure/Specials 609522-4075 Department 104 www.ﬂorentinemotel.com ________________________________________37-27

All real-estate advertising is subject to Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended. Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and ﬁnancing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability). PGN will not knowingly accept any real-estate advertising that is in violation of any applicable law.

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. ________________________________________37-29 BM, 60 looking for British gent, 35-45 for intimate encounters. 215-763-3391, 6PM-Midnight. ________________________________________37-29 Senior GWM ISO male, 40+, all races for platonic relationship. Phila. area only. PO Box 302, Merion Sta., PA 19066. ________________________________________37-28 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________37-27 SEEKS GUYS FOR FRIENDSHIP AND MORE GWM, 50s, 5’7”,145, looks & acts younger seeks younger 18-45. Me: quiet, easygoing, likes music, ﬁlm, theater, cooking, exercise. Leave msg 215-590-1446. ________________________________________37-27

Services EXP RELIABLE HOUSECLEANER Let me free up your valuable time by cleaning your house or apt. Weekly biweekly monthly. I have 10+ years exp. FREE estimates. Call Wayne 215-422-2654. Ref’s upon request. ________________________________________37-27 AIRLINE CAREERS Begin here-Become an Aviation Maintenance Tech. FAA approved training. Financial aid if qualiﬁed-Housing available. Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 888-834-9715 ________________________________________37-27

Massage David, 63, 6’, 200 lbs., educated. 215-569-4949. ________________________________________37-32

PGN does not accept advertising that is unlawful, false, misleading, harmful, threatening, abusive, invasive of another’s privacy, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, hateful or racially or otherwise objectionable, including without limitation material of any kind or nature that encourages conduct that could constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any applicable local, state, provincial, national or international law or regulation, or encourage the use of controlled substances.

NO COLOR PGN

Men Delco Dudes A men’s social and support group meets 7-9 p.m. the ﬁrst Wednesday of the month at Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Road in Media; delco. dudes@uucdc.org. Gay Married Men’s Association Meets 8 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays at the William Way Center; www.gammaphilly.com. Men of All Colors Together Meets 7:30 p.m. the third Friday of the month, September through June, at the William Way Center; 610-2776595; www.MACTPhila.org. Men’s Coming Out Group, N.J. Meets 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at The Pride Center of New Jersey; njwarrior@aol.com. Men of Color United A discussion/support group for gay and bisexual men of color meets 6-8 p.m. every Wednesday at 112 N. Broad St., third 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. Thursdays at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; 856-963-2432. Philly Dads An association of gay and bisexual fathers supporting each other meets 7:30 p.m. the 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 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at Penns Park United Methodist Church, 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park; 215-3489976. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Chester County Meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at the Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester, 501 S. High St.; 484354-2448. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/ Collingswood, N.J. Meets 6:30-9 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month at the Collingswood Public Library, 771 Haddon Ave.; 609-202-4622; pflagcollingswood@yahoo.com. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Media Meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month at the Unitarian Universal Church, 145 Rose Tree Rd.; 610-368-2021. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Philadelphia Meets 2-5 p.m. the third Sunday of the month at the LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 3907 Spruce St.; 215-572-1833. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Princeton, N.J. Meets 7:30 p.m. the second Monday of the month in the George Thomas Room at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St.; 609-683-5155.

play groups, monthly kids and teen talk groups, activities and outings. Planning meetings held monthly; 215-600-2864; www. phillyfamilypride.org.

Trans Evolutions A drop-in support group for anyone on the transgender spectrum meets 6 p.m. Thursdays at 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652 ext. 235. Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine Primary health care and specialized transgender services in a safe, professional, nonjudgmental environment, 809 Locust St.; 215563-0658. T-MAN People of color support group for transmen, FTMs, butches, studs, aggressives, bois, genderqueer and all female-born individuals with gender questions meets 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays, second floor, 1201 Locust St.; 215-834-9063; tmanphilly.com. Transhealth Programming Committee Meets 5 p.m.the second and last Sundays of the month at the William Way Center. Transhealth Information Project Sponsors a weekly drop-in center from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. MondayThursday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays at 21 S. 12th St., 10th floor; 215-568-2221. Transgender Health Action Coalition Peer trans health-advocacy organization; 215-732-1207; www. critpath.org/thac. 1201 Locust street 4th floor. WeXist FTM support group meets 7-9 p.m. the second and fourth 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; 267-250-1548. Young, Trans and Unified Support group for transgender and questioning individuals ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center; 215-545-4331.

Women Hanging Out With Lesbians A group in Central Pennsylvania that organizes activities such as concerts, camping, golf, picnics, hikes, plays and game nights in nonsmoking environments; http://groups.yahoo. com/group/howlofpa/. Lesbian Community of Delaware Valley Social group meets monthly for activities for gay women of all ages in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties; http://groups. yahoo.com/group/LCDV/. Lesbian Couples Dining Group of Montgomery County Meets monthly; 215-542-2899. Mt. Airy Lesbian Social Club For lesbians in the Philadelphia area ages 35-plus; www.meetup.com/ mtairylesbiansocial/. Queer Connections Social group for women in their 20s meets weekly; http://groups.yahoo. com/group/queerconnections/.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Wilmington, Del. Meets 7-9 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 W. 13th St.; 302-654-2995.

Sistah 2 Sistah A social/support group for lesbians of color, ages 13-24, with weekly social events, open discusson and monthly movie/discussions, 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, 112 N. Broad St., third ﬂoor; 215-496-0330.

Philadelphia Family Pride Advocacy, support and social network for LGBT families offers

Women Coming Out Support Group Women who consider themselves

gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning and are at any stage of the comingout process are welcome. Ages 18 and over. Meets 7:30 p.m. ﬁrst Tuesday and third Thursday of the month at the Pride Center of NJ.

Youth 40 Acres of Change Discussion group for teen and young adults meets 6-8 p.m. Thursdays at The COLOURS Organization Inc., 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; 215496-0330. GLBT Group of Hunterdon County Social and support groups for youth, teens and young adults, as well as parents and family members, meets at North County Branch Library, 65 Halstead St. in Clinton, N.J. Schedule at www.glbtofhunterdonco untyofnj.com; 908-300-1058. HAVEN For GLBT, intersex, questioning, queer and allied youth ages 14-20; meets 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, meets 2:30-4:30 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays at 21 Wiggins St., Princeton, N.J. Call Connie at 609683-5155 (day); hitops.org. Main Line Youth Alliance Meets from 7-9:30 p.m. Fridays at 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; 610688-1861; 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.; 215772-1107. PRYSM Youth Center For youth ages 14-20. Meets 6:308:30 p.m Wednesdays at center, 126 East Baltimore Pike, Media; 610357-9948. Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center For ages 14-21; meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. Social X Change Social activity group for LGBT youth of color ages 13-23 meets 6-8 p.m. 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, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Planned Parenthood of Chester County’s West Chester office, 8 S. Wayne St.; 610-692-1770. Young, Trans and Unified A support group for transgender and questioning youth ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center. You’re Not Alone A group for gay, lesbian and bisexual youth that meets during the school year; sponsored by AIDS Delaware, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 315, Wilmington. Call 800-810-6776 for more details. Youth Making a Difference For GLBTQ African-American and Latino youth ages 14-24. Meets 5-7 p.m. every Tuesday at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St.; 856-9632432.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

Community Bulletin Board Community centers

■ The Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331; atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 48:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available MondayFriday. See the Youth section for more events.

■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St., 215-898-5044; center@dolphin. upenn.edu. Regular hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

■ ActionAIDS: 215-981-0088 ■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: 215-587-9377 ■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: 856-933-9500 ext. 221 ■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 ■ The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 215-496-0330 ■ District Attorney LGBT Liaison: Helen “Nellie” Fitzpatrick, 215-686-

■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065 rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. ■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220; www.waygay.org. Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday Library hours: noon-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

Key numbers 9980, helen.fitzpatrick@phila.gov ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378 ■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK ■ Mayor’s Director of LGBT Affairs: Gloria Casarez, 215-6862194; Gloria.Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: 215-686-2555

■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: 215-686-4670 ■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: 1-877-pride-2000 ■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel: 215-6863318 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-760-3686 (Rick Lombardo); ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288

■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBT-LAW; Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658

■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537

■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833

■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

Health

Anonymous, free, conﬁdential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 216 W. Somerset St.; 215763-8870. ActionAIDS Provides a range of programs for people affected by HIV/AIDS, including case management, prevention, testing and education services at 1216 Arch St.; 215-981-0088; www.actionaids.org. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 1711 S. Broad St.; 215-629-2300; www.asiac.org. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; 215-851-1822 or 866-222-3871; www.galaei. org. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays (walk-in) and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays (by appoint-

■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia GALLOP holds board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; GALLOP also provides a free referral service; 215-627-9090; www.galloplaw. org. ■ Greater Philadelphia Professional Network Networking group for area business professionals, selfemployed and business owners meets monthly in a different location throughout the city, invites speakers on various topics, partners with other nonprofits and maintains a website where everyone is invited to sign up for email notices for activities and

ment) at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215-685-1821. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing available 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652; www.mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronicdisease management, including comprehensive HIV care, 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-noon Friday; 1-5 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

Professional groups events; www.gppn.org; 215-9223377.

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

■ Independence Business Alliance Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, providing networking, business development, marketing, educational and advocacy opportunities for LGBT and LGBT-friendly businesses and professionals. Visit www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com for information about events, programs and membership; 215-557-0190; 1717 Arch St., Suite 3370.

■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus A regional organization dedicated to promoting gay and lesbian tourism to the Greater Philadelphia region holds meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; P.O. Box 58143, Philadelphia, PA 19102; www. philadelphiagaytourism.com; 215-840-2039.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 5-11, 2013

FIRST FRIDAY BIRTHDAY BASH

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HAPPY HOUR RACING

FRIDAY, JULY 5 • 2PM – 7PM

Kick off July 4th Weekend with WMGK’s Andre Gardner broadcasting LIVE at Parx Racing!

PARXCASINO.COM •

*50% OF SLOT LOSSES REIMBURSED IN FREE SLOT PLAY, MAX $100. MANAGEMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR CANCEL THESE PROMOTIONS AT ANY TIME. MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN. VISIT XCLUB FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS, RULES AND REGULATIONS. MUST BE 21 OR OLDER TO ENTER PARX CASINO. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1.800.GAMBLER