Pgn071913 by The Philadelphia Gay News

Revel in the new all-male burlesque in Atlantic City

Mother of Flight 93 hero visits Philly for QFest’s “The Rugby Player”

Family Portrait: Shanel Sherese

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July 19-25, 2013

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Vol. 37 No. 29

Gay basher gets reduced prison sentence By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com

CURTAINS UP: Brittany Lynn (second from left) and her Drag Mafia, along with the Liberty City Kings Drag and Burlesque, got the crowd revved up at the opening of “G.B.F.” July 11 at Ritz East. The QFest opening-night film centers on a high-school setting, prompting the evening’s theme of “Prom Night Gone Wild.” An after-party was held at Lit Ultra Bar. QFest runs through July 22, with a closing-night party 9:30 p.m. July 21 at Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St. Photo: Scott A. Drake

A federal judge has accepted a plea-bargained sentence for a brutal gay basher that’s three years less than federal guidelines recommend. On July 17, U.S. District Judge William H. Yohn Jr. sentenced Kevin V. Hannig to 41 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The federal guidelines recommend a prison sentence of 77-96 months. On Nov. 10, 2011, Hannig and Justin O’Brien assaulted openly gay inmate Kenneth J. Houck Jr. at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia. Houck was reading a gay novel in his cell when the men pulled him from his bunk, kicked and stomped on him, and beat him with a chair. His leg was broken during the assault,

PA Voter ID trial starts

Local health-care groups among LGBT ‘leaders’

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The Human Rights Campaign’s index of health-care facilities that are excelling at LGBT inclusion grew by a huge margin this year — including the addition of a number of facilities in the Philadelphia region. The annual report rated 464 health-care entities as “Leaders in LGBT Health-care Equality,” compared with just 234 last year. A total of 718 facilities were surveyed across the nation. The report evaluated facilities based on four main criteria — patient and employment nondiscrimination policies inclusive of both sexual orientation and gender identity, a visitation policy that explicitly states that LGBT patients have equal rights and LGBT-specific training for key staff members — with participants that meet all four being named as Leaders. PAGE 18 Pennsylvania had eight

and he’s undergone numerous surgeries to prevent its amputation. Houck expects to walk with a permanent limp, he told PGN. With credit for time served and “good conduct,” Hannig, 35, could be released in just over two years. During a prior hearing, Yohn questioned why the government recommended a 96month sentence for O’Brien and a 41-month sentence for Hannig. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neuman Leverett 3d replied that Hannig was the “lesser actor” in Houck’s assault. “Mr. O’Brien was more violent,” Leverett told Yohn. In a letter given to PGN, Houck said the men were equally violent during his assault. “[O’Brien] backed up to the door [of my cell] to see who was around,” Houck wrote. “He spotted [Hannig] and PAGE 8

END OF AN ERA: About 50 supporters, volunteers and staff of ASIAC, including most recent executive director Kevin Huang (third from right), gathered for a bittersweet celebration of the agency’s legacy July 12 at Tabu. The agency, formerly known as AIDS Services in Asian Communities, shut its doors June 30 after nearly 20 years of providing HIV/AIDS services to Asian and Pacific Islander communities and encouraging linguistic access and cultural competency among other HIV/AIDS agencies and governmental bodies. Much of ASIAC’s programmatic activities are being continued by The Philadelphia AIDS Consortium, which can be reached at 215988-9970 or www.tpaconline.org. Photo: Scott A. Drake

A trial that will determine the future of Pennsylvania’s hotly debated Voter ID law opened in Harrisburg this week. The trial started Monday with testimony from several witnesses who offered personal accounts of the detrimental effect of the 2012 law. The measure, spearheaded and supported by state Republicans, requires voters to produce valid, government-issued identification to gain access to the voting booth. Among the complaints against the measure are that it disenfranchises poor, minority and elderly voters, who are more likely than other populations to not have government-issued ID. It could also impact transgender and gender-nonconforming voters whose physical presentation does not match the photo on their ID cards. Some Democrats contend the measure was an effort to keep Democratic voters PAGE 15 from the polls.

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

Judge orders mental exam for trans litigant

News Briefing Stabbing in Gayborhood An argument between a man and a woman resulted in a stabbing last week in the Gayborhood. The incident occurred the morning of July 12 in the 1200 block of Locust Street. According to Philadelphia Police Public Affairs Officer Jillian Russell, a 47-yearold female, Tamya Davis, from the 1400 block of Chadwick Street, got into an argument with a 42-year-old man. Davis then allegedly stabbed the male once in the right arm. She was arrested on the scene and charged with aggravated assault and related charges. The man was treated at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and was reported to be in stable condition. Officer Christine O’Brien said police were unsure what the two were arguing about. — Angela Thomas

A federal judge has ordered a mental exam for transgender litigant Bobbie Burnett, who is suing the city for employment discrimination. On July 12, U.S. District Judge C. Darnell Jones 2d issued the one-page order. “By seeking damages for ‘intense’ and ‘severe’ emotional distress, as well as ‘ongoing psychological and psychiatric treatment’ for depression due to [the city’s] actions, and bringing a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress, [Burnett] has effectively put her mental state ‘in controversy’ such that [city officials] are entitled to compel her mental examination,” Jones stated. Burnett, a city library assistant, filed suit against the city in 2009. She alleges employment discrimination dating back to 2001, shortly after she transitioned to the opposite gender. The city requested a mental examination of Burnett to help determine the extent of her alleged psychological difficulties. But Burnett’s attorneys opposed the mental exam, noting that Burnett’s full medical and counseling files have already been supplied to the city. Both sides declined to comment for this story. Burnett’s lawsuit alleges constitutional violations of right to due process, equal pro-

tection under the law, freedom of expression and other rights. She’s also suing under Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for alleged discrimination on account of her sex. Additionally, Burnett alleges that four of her coworkers intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon her, which is prohibited under state law. Efforts to settle the case have been unsuccessful, and a jury trial is expected early next year.

ankle,” the attorney said. “His injuries are substantial. He’s having problems standing, and damages could exceed $50,000.” Kevin L. Connors, an attorney for Woody’s, declined to comment for this story. Common Pleas Judge Ellen Ceisler hadn’t ruled on the jury-trial request by presstime. If she denies the request, an arbitration hearing will be held, tentatively scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Sept. 18 at 1800 JFK Blvd., fifth floor.

— Timothy Cwiek Plaintiff in Woody’s case seeks jury trial Rebel for equality, EQPA Tyree Lawson, who claims he was injured during a fracas at Woody’s Bar, is seeking a jury trial in the matter. Lawson contends he was assaulted by an unidentified bouncer at the bar in July 2012 during a melee on the second floor. The popular LGBT-oriented bar is located at 202 S. 13th St. Lawson sustained a broken tooth and injuries to his face, leg and ankle due to the alleged assault, according to court records. Lawson’s attorney, William E. Averona, said damages could exceed $50,000, so a jury trial is necessary. The alternative of having an arbitration hearing is undesirable because city arbitration panels cannot award damages in excess of $50,000, Averona said. “My client has a permanent injury to his

LGBTs and allies looking to proclaim their support for LGBT equality can now do so in support of a statewide LGBT-rights organization. Limelight Shirts has launched a line of tees emblazoned with the slogan: “I’m a rebel. #OpenRebellion For Equality.” The shirts are $15 and $5 of each purchase will be donated to Equality Pennsylvania. The slogan is derived from antigay Rep. Daryl Metcalfe’s comments that Rep. Brian Sims was in “open rebellion against God’s law” when the latter attempted to speak on the House floor in support of the Supreme Court rulings on marriage equality. For more information or to purchase a shirt, visit www.limelightshirts.com. ■ — Jen Colletta

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�� locations outside of Pennsylvania DELAWARE

Wilmington • AIDS Delaware, 100 W. 10th St. • Crimson Moon, 1909 S. Sixth St. • Rehoboth Beach • Canal Side Inn, 34 Sixth St. • Double L Bar, 622 Rehoboth Ave. • Proud Bookstore, 149 Rehoboth Ave. • Rams Head Inn, 35006 Warrington Ave. • Rigby’s Bar & Grill, 404 Rehoboth Ave. • Shore Inn, 37239 Rehoboth Ave. •

NEW JERSEY

Asbury Park • Georgie’s, 812 Fifth Ave. • Paradise, 101 Asbury Ave. • Atlantic City • Oasis, 32 S. Tennessee Ave. • Ocean House, 127 S. Ocean Ave. • Pro Bar, Resorts Casino, 1133 Boardwalk, 13th floor • Ritz Condo lobby, 2715 Boardwalk • Bordentown • Shoppe 202, 202 Farnsworth Ave. • Camden • Honor Box, PATCO Ferry Ave. Station • Cherry Hill • Unitarian Church, 400 N. Kings Hwy. • Andriotti’s Viennese Café, 1442 E. Route 70 • Collingswood • Honor Box, PATCO Collingswood Station • Honor Box, PATCO Ferry Ave. Station • Egg Harbour City • Red Barn Books, 1204 White Horse Pike • Galloway • Pride Alliance Stockton College, 101 Vera King Farris Dr. suite 240 • Gloucester City • Red Barn Books, 600 Rt. 130 South • Haddonfield • Honor Box, PATCO Haddonfield Station, PATCO Westmont Station, PATCO Woodcrest Station • Highland Park • Pride Center of NJ, 85 Raritan Ave. • Lambertville• Body Tech, 80 Lambert Lane • Lebanon • GLBT of Hunterdon Co., 126 Petticoat Lane • Lindenwold • Honor Box, PATCO Lindenwold Station East • Honor Box, PATCO Lindenwold Station West • Morristown • Gay Activist Alliance, Unitarian Church, 29 Normandy Heights Road • Oaklyn • Sacred Green Earth, 511 Whitehorse Pike • Princeton • LGBT Center, Princeton University, 246 First Campus Center • Somerset • The Den, 700 Hamilton Ave. • Stratford • White Horse Books, 906 White Horse Pike • Vineland • J&J News, 729 N. Main St. • West Berlin • Red Barn Books, 597 Route 73 North • Williamstown • Book Bin, 3852 S. Black Horse Pike •

NEW YORK Blooming Grove • Help Inc., 48 Sylvan Trail • New York City • Lesbian and Gay Services Center, 208 W. 13th St.

All of these locations are now visible on a zoomable Google Map at

http://www.epgn.com/pages/where_to_find WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION ON THIS LIST? Contact Don at don@epgn.com or 215-625-8501 ext. 200 to arrange for delivery of complimentary copies.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

PGN

HOME FOR HAPPY HOUR: Out Maryland State Delegate Dr. Mary Washington was the guest of honor at a happy-hour reception July 12 at Open City Healing Arts in Center City. The Philadelphia native is the second lesbian African-American elected to a statewide office in the country and was integral in helping Maryland achieve its recent marriage-equality victory. She networked with about two-dozen local LGBT supporters and celebrated marriage equality in Maryland, and the recent developments nationwide and in Pennsylvania, with a wedding cake. Photo: Scott A. Drake NEWS

Gettin’ On Local News Briefing Paw Prints Regional

13 2 2 15 12

Contents

EDITORIAL/OP-ED

Creep of the Week Editorial Mark My Words Street Talk Thinking Out Loud

10 10 11 11 11

Are you going to any QFest movies this year? Poll results from our online survey as of July 17:

31% 16% 0% 22% 31%

A couple Probably about 10 I have an all-access pass Not this year Never been

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

Which state will get marriage equality next? PGN 505 S. Fourth St. Philadelphia, PA 19147-1506

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Editor

Jen Colletta (ext. 206) jen@epgn.com Staff Writers Angela Thomas (ext. 215) angela@epgn.com Larry Nichols (ext. 213) larry@epgn.com Writer-at-Large Timothy Cwiek (ext. 208) timothy@epgn.com

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Philadelphia Gay News is a member of: The Associated Press Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Suburban Newspapers of America Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 2013 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155

The views of PGN are expressed only in the unsigned “Editorial” column. Opinions expressed in bylined columns, stories and letters to the editor are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of PGN. The appearance of names or pictorial representations in PGN does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that named or pictured person or persons.

LOCAL PGN

LGBT business group elects new board By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com The Independence Business Alliance recently elected its leaders, which included new officers and new members, who hope to expand the outreach and continued success of the LGBT chamber of commerce. On June 26, IBA elected Rich Horrow as president, Tom Streeper as secretary, Mark Bradford as treasurer, Heidi Gonzalez and Jeremy Gussick as executive committee members and Deaglan Daugherty and Rebecca Levin as new board members. The governance and nominations committees began the application process for board members in March. “We look at resumes that are submitted to get a feel for what people’s interests are, then interviews are conducted and we personally interview every single candidate,” Gussick said. “I was very impressed with the quality and excitement and passion this year. This year it was challenging because we had so many good people apply.” Gussick, a financial advisor, said the nominations committee reviews all applicants and then the current board votes in new members. IBA’s board typically ranges between 11-21 members and currently the board is at 17 after the election. The board will now be helmed by Horrow, an original member of the steering committee that launched IBA in 2007. “I just knew that we were doing something special in creating an organization that could foster and grow the LGBT business committee,” he said. Horrow, an attorney and informal legal advisor for Mazzoni Center, said he was motivated to run for president because of his experience with the organization and his passion to see it move forward. “I have watched the organization grow and each year we fostered new initiatives, elected new board members, and it is an exciting time to watch IBA grow,” he said. IBA executive administrator Tom Cavanaugh said Horrow’s knowledge of the organization and its members, as well as his leadership skills, will be beneficial to his tenure. “He is a collaborative personality,” Cavanaugh said. “He will work together with the rest of the board and committee chairs to bring about economic and policy change. He is a strong leader and the type of person that will work with others and be open to new ideas and new energy.” Horrow hopes to garner new interest from potential members and supporters outside the Center City area. “We are a regional organization and I want to make us more regional with greater outreach in the suburbs,” he said. “There are a ton of LGBT professionals and businesses out there, and we want to become a central hub for the LGBT business community.” For treasurer Bradford, an accounting

manager, the decision to get involved with IBA leadership came after attending IBA events for a number of years. “I have been going to events since 2008. I do a lot of networking and marketing in Center City and I was getting to know the group fairly well and always talked about joining,” he said. Newly elected secretary Streeper served on the board for the past year and has been a member of IBA for two years. “It’s been a great organization and has grown so much since it started. Becoming secretary immediately puts me on the executive committee, which helps me form strategic plans for the organization for coming years, and I thought it would be exciting for me to take it to the next level in its organizational history,” he said. Streeper, a client-engagement manager at a management firm, said he is particularly interested in developing new connections with the legal community. “I want to introduce many of the law firms in the Delaware Valley to IBA to help them expand their diversity initiatives and utilize LGBT companies for some of their needs,” he said. Gussick added that he would like to see IBA target student populations and more diverse communities as well. Cavanaugh noted that Gonzales, a nonprofit assistant director, “is passionate about diversity within the IBA membership and the board itself and about working with and involving community partners.” The new board members are also eager to promote IBA’s work and mission. Daugherty, the inclusion supervisor for Philadelphia FIGHT’s Critical Path program, joined IBA earlier this year. “A former board member and colleague of mine introduced me to the great work and community of the IBA,” he said. “Engagement is important for everyone to be able to participate in our economy and pursue a better quality of life. The IBA is an important body for inclusion of LGBT individuals and allies,” she said. Daugherty will co-chair the newly formed Diversity & Community Outreach Committee and plans to focus on reaching all facets of the LGBT community. “I am working with a team to attract more women, people of color, people with disabilities, transgender individuals as well as better representation from other counties in the Greater Philadelphia region to our membership and our board,” she said. Levin, an attorney, said she hopes to create a more welcoming environment for women to get involved with the IBA. “I want to expand programming for women and also programming in other areas. I met members in South Jersey and hope to expand programming there,” she said. “I think IBA already has good support. I have been impressed with different industries that people come from.” For more information, visit www.independencebusinessalliance.com. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

LOCAL PGN

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This is a solicitation of insurance for policy form series 7052. Policy form number may be followed by the state’s two letter abbreviation, for example, 7052DE, 7052GA, 7052ID, 7052NC, 7052OK, 7052OR, 7052SC, 7052TN, 7052WA, 7052WY. In PA, 7042PA Rev, 7044PA Rev or 7052PA. In VT, 7042VT Rev 2010 and 7044VT Rev 2010. Not all policies are available in all states. Details about the costs, beneﬁts, limitations and exclusions will be provided to you by a licensed insurance agent/producer. By responding, an insurance agent/producer will contact you.

Underwritten by Genworth Life Insurance Company, Richmond, VA 120404p 09/01/11

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

Mother of 9/11 hero to visit Philly for film fest By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Americans of all ages likely remember where they were when they learned of the 9/11 attacks. Alice Hoagland was woken by a series of phone calls while staying at her brother’s. “I heard the phone ring around 6:30 in the morning and thought, I hope somebody gets that. It stopped, then there was another series of rings. I heard a family friend answer it and pad down the hall and knock on my brother’s door, and I heard his wife Cathy bound out of bed. I thought, something’s up. I came out in my pajamas and I heard her say, ‘We love you too, Mark. Let me get your mom.’ And she said, ‘Alice, come talk to Mark, he’s been hijacked.’ I certainly wasn’t ready for that.” What followed has gone down in history as one of the first fights against terrorism as the passengers onboard United Flight 93, led in part by Hoagland’s son, Mark Bingham, sought to overtake terrorists who planned to crash the plane in Washington, D.C. The effort ended in a crash in Western Pennsylvania that killed all on board but saved an untold number of lives. Amid the stories of heroism that emerged from that day, Bingham’s became a rallying point for the LGBT community. When media calls started coming in to Hoagland, she was faced with a choice: whether to tell the world her son was gay. “He wasn’t fully out to everyone in his large circle of friends on 9/11,” Hoagland said. “But that afternoon, the San Francisco Chronicle called me and said, ‘We’re doing a story about Mark, we understand he was on the crew of guys who resisted the terrorists, but we heard he was gay. Was he gay?’ Here they are calling his mom and asking this. I had to swallow hard because I didn’t know if Mark wanted me to tell the world, but I knew it was a great thing for them to know, so I said, ‘Yes, he’s gay.’” Bingham, 31, was a 6-foot-4 rugby player, hardly fitting the gay stereotype, Hoagland said. Bingham found his affinity for rugby in high school in California, where Hoagland raised him as a single mother. “He came home one afternoon and said, ‘Mom, I found a sport I want to play,’ and I waited, and he said, ‘Rugby,’ and I think my life flashed before me,” Hoagland said. “My idea of rugby was a bunch of crazed, heavy dudes going at each other fullblast without pads and just lots of pain.” She warmed to the sport after seeing how Bingham benefitted from the teamwork. He continued rugby in college, at the University of California. It was during his time at UCal that Bingham came out to his mother. “It was the afternoon of Aug. 27, 1991. We had a great mother-son day and we were driving back to Berkeley,” Hoagland said. “And he started squirming in his seat; we had such a wonderful day, I didn’t know what was going on. And he said, ‘Mom,

ALICE HOAGLAND AND MARK BINGHAM

I’ve got to tell you something that I promised myself I’d tell you before the sun went down today.’ And the sun was literally straight ahead of us ready to hit the western horizon. He launched into this big discussion of his life up to that point and how wonderful it’d been and in the middle he said two words — ‘I’m gay’ — and then there was another big flood of words. I guess he was trying to subliminally cover that in the middle of the conversation.” Hoagland didn’t react well at first. “He invited himself down the next couple days and I was at that stage where I was just crying all the time about it and wasn’t very receptive. I kept telling him, ‘If you keep telling people you’re gay everybody will know.’ It was totally nuts. Now I look back on it and, oh brother, how silly,” Hoagland said. “But he was patient with me. He knew I’d come around; Mark came of age and pulled me along with him. And now I’m so grateful for having a son who had enough confidence and love for me to tell me this.” Bingham went on to launch his own public-relations business. On 9/11, he was on his way home to San Francisco after a trip to New York City. When he called his mom from the Airphone, he identified himself by his full first and last name — which 9/11 conspiracy theorists latched onto but what Hoagland said was a result of nerves. “He said, ‘Mom, this is Mark Bingham. I just want to tell you I love you and I’m on a flight from Newark and there’s three guys on board’ — it turned out to be four — ‘who took over the plane.’ And he said, ‘You believe me Mom, don’t you?’ So I said, ‘Yeah, Mark, I believe you.’” Bingham then became distracted, as though he was talking to other passengers, she said, and the phone lost connection. Hoagland, then a United flight attendant who has since retired, called her crew desk and the FBI. After learning about the series of attacks that day, Hoagland called her son back on his cell phone and left him two voicemails informing him that the plane was going to be used as a weapon and that he needed to try to overtake the terrorists. “He didn’t need to hear this from his mother,” Hoagland said. Fellow passenger Jeremy Glick told his

wife during a phone call while onboard that he and three other guys who were around his height — 6-foot-3 — were formulating a plan to storm the cockpit. While it can’t be ascertained exactly who the four were who led that effort, it has been largely assumed that Glick was joined by Bingham, Todd Beamer and Tom Burnett. Hoagland said she had hoped for the best until she saw news footage of the crash site near Shanksville and knew intuitively that it was her son’s flight. Hoagland said she has taken solace from the example Bingham set as a gay man. “He was able to show people that a gay man can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with three straight guys. Nobody was asking who was gay or straight at that point. They just put a plan together and made a run on the cockpit,” she said. “He became what he said the world needed: a role model for young, gay people. He’s a guy who’s gay and who’s strong and willing to finish a fight that somebody else started. I want to tell bigots and people who misunderstand the LGBT community, ‘Look at the life of Mark Bingham and see that the LGBT community is a force to be reckoned with.’” Hoagland has become an active LGBT ally, telling her son’s story to everyone from PFLAG members to talk-show hosts. She is an ardent supporter of the gayrugby sphere, even electing to skip an invite

to the 2006 Cannes Film Festival for the screening of “United 93” because she was attending the Mark Bingham Cup, an international LGBT rugby tournament. “Mark’s rugby friends started it and they’ve been doing it since 2002 and I’ve been to every Cup. I had to tell Cannes, ‘I can’t go because I’m going to play rugby!’ It’s a wonderful time.” Bingham’s rugby roots are central to “The Rugby Player,” a documentary fusing Bingham’s own photos and video with interviews, highlighting the unique bond between Bingham and Hoagland. Hoagland said the film keeps Bingham’s memory alive, and at an opportune time. “This community is at the threshhold of a marvelous new age and I wish Mark was here for this because he brought me to this place,” she said. “When I think about how ungracious and confused I was when Mark came out, I have to laugh at myself. It’s a real pleasure speaking to the gay community and speaking for the gay community. He wasn’t completely out when he died, but his mom finished the job for him. In many ways, Mark taught me how to live my life. From the moment he was conceived until present day, I’m still all about my son.” ■ Alice Hoagland will be in Philadelphia for the screening of the film at QFest, 5 p.m. July 20 at Ritz East, 125 S. Second St.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

NEWS PGN SENTENCE from page 1

called out, ‘Come on, we’re gonna smash this pussy.’ They both re-entered, closed my cell door and berated me with names and insults as they ran to grab at my ankles. I did my best to kick and keep them away but when each was able to grab my jumper and an ankle they regained control over me. With a huge yank they tore me from the top bunk. I fell at least 5 feet down on cement with no footing. I’m not sure if it was the fall or the barrage of punches, kicks and the chair being used to beat me or them stomping on me that ended up breaking my leg. When this seemed to never end, I lifted both arms and both legs up to defend against the beating. When I did, I saw my foot literally looking like a wilted flower. Under the knee my leg flopped over. It was clearly broken. This is when they both left.” Houck said the men hurled anti-LGBT slurs at him during the incident, including “faggot” and “pussy.” However, Leverett said, the FBI determined there was no evidence of a hate crime. Yohn said he accepted the FBI’s determination. Yohn also ordered Hannig to pay a $500 fine to the government. Additionally, the judge ordered Hannig to pay restitution to Houck, if Houck incurs any medical expenses stemming from the assault after his release. In a related matter, Houck is seeking a reduction in his 96-month sentence for transporting child pornography — because he assisted with the prosecution of O’Brien and Hannig. Federal rules permit a sentence reduction if the inmate assists with the prosecution of another person or persons. But prosecutors must request the reduction, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware, where Houck was prosecuted, has declined to do so. Charles M. Oberly 3d, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, couldn’t be reached for comment. Houck, 38, continues to recover from his injuries at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. His projected release date is April 1, 2018, if he doesn’t commit any infractions while in custody. In May, U.S. District Judge Jan E. Dubois sentenced O’Brien to 74 months’ imprisonment for Houck’s assault, to be served concurrently with a 96-month sentence for robbing three banks. O’Brien, 26, is serving his sentence at a federal prison in Canaan Township. His projected release date is May 20, 2018. ■

Philadelphia Gay News

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Greg Quinlan

Editorial

Kane v. Corbett While the rest of the state has been buzzing about movement on marriage equality in Pennsylvania, the one man who has a tremendous stake in the conversation — and who will be a key player as it moves forward — has been remarkably silent. Gov. Tom Corbett’s office issued PGN a trite statement that the governor was aware of the legal challenge filed last week by the American Civil Liberties Union, but provided no further clarification — nor were they seemingly forthcoming with other media outlets. Since Attorney General Kathleen Kane declined last week to defend against the lawsuit, as she said she found the state’s ban on marriage equality to be “wholly unconstitutional,” the issue will now be punted to Corbett’s attorneys. While at an event in Northeastern Pennsylvania on Monday, Corbett told a reporter for WNEP 16 who questioned him about Kane’s decision: “We have a difference of opinion as to the role of Attorney General in something like this. We are taking a look at what we need to do and we’ll let you know what we’re going to do in this issue.” We already know that Corbett is anti-marriage equality, and we know he’s not done much since taking the helm of the state to advance equality for LGBT people. So it’s not a stretch to assume that his office will summarily take up the defense of the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. But, his roundabout response is Exhibit A as to why this governor needs to hit the road. Perhaps the guv recognizes the losing battle he will be tasked with leading, especially coming up to election season, but his distancing himself from an issue that his office will play a central role in demonstrates the lack of leadership and action that Pennsylvanians are coming to expect from Corbett. His silence is in stark contrast to Kane’s buoyant pronouncement that she refused to back the ban at the National Constitution Center. Kane deserves massive props for, first, staying true to her campaign pledges of supporting the LGBT community and not being swayed by potential fallout. And once she did decide to stand with the community and the Constitution, she could have made the move in a press release or taken another low-key tactic to minimize publicity for a decision that would clearly not be welcomed by all Pennsylvanians. But, she chose to come out in front of the issue and address it loudly and publicly. And that’s how this conversation needs to be had. ■

Have you been feeling a little less gay than usual this month? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Ever since the Family Research Council declared July “Ex-Gay Pride Month,” it’s just so damn hard to stay gay these days. This exciting month of denial and despair will culminate with a July 31 dinner in Washington, D.C., that will definitely be the place to see and be seen if you hate your gay self and/or other gays. For the low, low price of $150, you can be treated to the silver-tongued insanity of speakers like Greg Quinlan, the president of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays. Wayne Besen, founder of Truth Wins Out, which has been ferreting out “exgay” bullshit for years, described Quinlan in 2008 as “one of the most insufferable, dishonest and phony antigay zealots in the nation.” Now that’s a ringing endorsement! But that was years ago! Perhaps Quinlan has become an ex-phony anti-gay guy (a.k.a. “X-PhAG”). Ha ha. Nope. On July 2, Quinlan took to right-wing radio to declare that the Supreme Court justices who overturned the Defense of Marriage Act were “five black-robed Nazis.” He then “outted” Justices Anthony Kennedy and Elena Kagan as gay and said that they ruled on the case in order to satisfy “their own lusts.” No word on the secret-homo status of Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor, who also voted against DOMA. Quinlan then called President Barack Obama “a down-low president,” because obviously you can’t be in favor of civil rights for LGBT people unless you are one of them. This is not the first time a right-wing flapping mouth has claimed that Obama is a gay. Evangelical pastor Scott Lively has done plenty of research on this issue and has a photo of Obama sitting next to a guy on the couch so, BAM! Proof.

So now that the Gay Gestapo has taken over the White House and the Supreme Court, what’s next? Oh, you know, just the destruction of both church and state. “What’s in the way of us having sex with who you want to have it, no matter how old they are, any way we want to have it? It’s the church,” Quinlan says. “The Constitution of the United States is a Christian document,” Quinlan continues, “so what stands in the way? It’s the Constitution of the United States.” Got it? So gays must get rid of both religion and law in order to keep the sex party going. Because there ain’t no party like a gay sex party because a gay sex party don’t stop. Unless, of course, Jesus and that cartoon version of the Constitution from School House Rock are being cock-blockers. “And in order to change ... the mightiest government that ever existed because it’s founded on God Almighty’s truth and principles,” Quinlan continues, “is to destroy it so they can do what they want to do, have sex the way they want to have it and the only way they can do that is to shut us up.” And that, Quinlan concludes, leads us to Nazi Germany and pedophilia because, duh. You can’t make shit like this up. The $150 price is starting to seem like a bargain for this caliber of entertainment. Then again, maybe Quinlan should do himself and the rest of the world a favor and, well, shut up. ■

Because there ain’t no party like a gay sex party because a gay sex party don’t stop. Unless, of course, Jesus and that cartoon version of the Constitution from School House Rock are being cock-blockers.

D’Anne Witkowski has been gay for pay since 2003. She’s a freelance writer and poet (believe it!). When she’s not taking on the creeps of the world, she reviews rock ’n’ roll shows in Detroit with her twin sister.

Correction

We want to know!

In the July 12-18 edition of Mark My Words, PGN incorrectly listed a ﬁlm titled “The Chalk Garden.” The ﬁlm was called “The Children’s Hour.”

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

OP-ED PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

Buried treasure

For all of us, there is a precious item that tape, you had to buy it from the producbrings back pleasant memories. Just the tion company. The price was $100, and thought of it brings joy. For me there is an since gay activists did not earn any living object, but surprisingly, I’ve never seen it. in those days, I couldn’t afford it. There From 1973-75, yours truly was most was no Internet or YouTube in those days. likely the nation’s most well-known gaySo I never got that tape, and now with my rights activist. Coming off of family all gone, it’s the one item that is the golden grail of treamy disruptions of countless live sures for me. TV shows, a series of reports on police departments and When I ran across Phil Donahue a while back, he told elected officials and my work me that many of his tapes of with Gov. Milton Shapp, I was that time were lost in a fire. I’ve on almost every TV talk show at the time. searched television museums But one show stands out and private collectors, but it and that’s “The Phil Donahue remains elusive. Show.” Not any Donahue show, I was telling this story to a since I did do three of them. few of my friends at the last No, this is the one that was Comcast Joint Diversity Council taped in February 1973 and, not meeting when some of the only was I the guest, but my Comcast staff agreed to see if, whole family appeared as well. through their connections, they That made us one of the first Mark Segal could see if it exists. families of an out gay person For weeks, I searched through on TV, preceded only by “An American boxes of memorabilia and finally found the Family” on PBS a year-and-a-half earlier. official letters from Donahue, and even the Phil wanted to show a typical gay family TV release forms signed by my mother and and have his audience exchange with them. father. The search is now on, but I have a So there was my father, mother and Phillip, sinking feeling that it is one of those items my partner at the time, along with me for that will only live in my memory. But to an hour of fun. Yes, fun. Every other time see my friends at Comcast so taken by the I did the Donahue show it was work, and story and the adventure of the search now lots of heated Bible thumpers, but this time adds a delightful end to the search regardwith my family I actually enjoyed it, and it less of its outcome. ■ brings back fond memories ... from what I can remember, since I don’t have a copy of Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the the tape. nation’s most-award-winning commentaSee, at that time there were no home tor in LGBT media. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com. video recorders so, to get a copy of the

Mark My Words

Thinking Out Loud

Abby Dees

Street Talk Should Congress ban the “gay-panic" and “trans-panic” defenses? “Yes. Those defenses are absurd. You can’t hurt other people because of your ignorance. That’s totally unacceptable. Congress should step up to the plate and ban

Matthew Steinberg real-estate mapper Wynnewood

“Yes. It’s a totally outrageous defense. I can’t see it being appropriate in any situation. Alexis Gessner I’d feel very marketing specialist comfortable Lancaster if Congress bans it tomorrow.”

those defenses.”

“Yes. It strikes me as very prejudiced against the LGBT community. In this day and age, we shouldn’t Shaina Krick be allowing administrative such open assistant Lancaster prejudice in a courtroom. It would be no different than people using blatant racial prejudice as a defense.”

“Yes, Congress should prevent that. It’s ridiculous. That kind of panic shouldn’t be good enough Samantha to be used as Belgiorno a defense. If pet groomer Bellmawr, N.J. people are panicked about someone, they can simply walk away. You don’t have to assault the person.”

DOMA’s still here The Supreme Court’s ruling on DOMA last month was incredible — a turning point, a tipping point, a critical mass and everything else we say when we’re trying to figure out where we are in the great span of LGBT history. But we know the court stopped short of recognizing full equality for gays and lesbians and that half of us live where same-sex marriage is as likely as Michelle Bachmann joining PFLAG to, you know, support Marcus. Anybody who professes to understand definitively what it all means for our future is probably doing it with a Magic 8 ball. Bear with me, then, while I complicate things a bit more. The court didn’t strike down DOMA, no matter what CNN said repeatedly. Only Section 3 was nixed, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman. But Section 2, absolving states from having to recognize same-sex marriages from other states, is alive and well, for now. Back in 1996, it was this provision that everybody talked about. And Section 2 is still significant because, historically, states have almost always recognized marriages that

are legal in other states regardless of differing marriage laws in those states. For example, if you married your 15-year-old cousin in State X and then moved to State Y, which doesn’t do that sort of thing, State Y would still treat you as married. By contrast, at this moment, DOMA allows non-equality states to ignore legal samesex marriages performed in places like California (yay!), Iowa or Maine. Yet, the media and even the court acted as if DOMA was over. I can think of two reasons for the double-talk. Technically speaking, Section 2 was redundant. States always had the right to ignore marriages performed elsewhere, despite long tradition. Even in ’96, this part of DOMA struck me as more of a statement of back-assward principle than real law. Remember there were no gay marriages back then, but Congress, seeing a fight ahead, passed DOMA anyway. It served to let states off the moral hook for discriminating against gay people if ever they had to choose. Seventeen years later, in Windsor v.

United States, the court called this thinking out for exactly what it was: “DOMA’s principal effect is to identify a subset of state-sanctioned marriages and make them unequal,” which is bad. Period. Oh, and by the way, DOMA is still law. Wait ... what? This leads me to the second reason everyone’s acting like DOMA is gone, gone, gone. To be fair, I can’t blame the court for its schizoid half-ruling, as Edie Windsor didn’t bring suit about Section 2. Given this limitation, the court intentionally went as far as it possibly could without engaging in legal overreach (though conservatives are still squawking about overreach). But it will come as no surprise to anyone, least of all Justice Kennedy, who penned the opinion, that the language the court uses for striking Section 3 will be used, very persuasively, to challenge Section 2 and every other state-level mini DOMA that comes before the courts. Even archconservative Justice Scalia agrees, and this is my favorite Supreme Court bonus factoid ever. Given the combination of hysteria and defeatism

in his dissenting opinion, it’s not hard to imagine him jumping off the roof of the Supreme Court building as a final declaration. Notwithstanding his misery, Scalia has probably figured out what comes next better than any pundit has, with more convincing logic than even within the majority opinion. Our victory is “inevitable,” he proclaims, and is as easy as substituting “DOMA” with any kind of marriage ban and applying the court’s same reasoning: “Henceforth those challengers will lead with this court’s declaration that there is ‘no legitimate purpose’ served by such a law, and will claim that the traditional definition has ‘the purpose and effect to disparage and to injure’ the ‘personhood and dignity’ of same-sex couples.” Exactly. Thank you, Justice, for mapping out our road ahead so clearly. ■ Abby Dees is a civil-rights attorneyturned-author who has been in the LGBTrights trenches for 25-plus years. She can be reached at queerquestionsstraighttalk. com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

REGIONAL PGN

Pride parade returns to Newark By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com Newark Pride kicked off its annual Pride week July 16 and, after a hiatus, the event is this year bringing back its parade to North Jersey. The multi-day celebration, which usually draws up to 2,000 people each year, will run until July 21 with a diverse schedule of events, culminating in the parade and festival July 21. The parade will start at 1 p.m. at Raymond and Park Place and head towards the festival in Washington Park. Newark Pride Committee co-chair Perris Straughter said the parade has been

a feature of the festivities since 2008 but, due to a change of festival location, had not been feasible for several years. Straughter said although the parade is usually on the smaller scale, it will be twice as big as it was before. After the parade, the festival will feature live entertainment, food and vendors offering both information and merchandise. “We have a couple-dozen vendors including nonprofit organizations, some local and some regional, and some are LGBT-affiliated and some are from government organizations,” Straughter said. “We will also have vendors selling wares such as clothing and jewelry, as well as

food.” Before Sunday’s celebration, supporters will mark the seventh-annual Pride flag-raising at 5:30 p.m. July 18 at the City Hall Rotunda. “It is always well-attended and a time when our politicians can see our community and see that we are strong and have a vote,” Straughter said. From 4-10 p.m. July 19, guests will have a chance to celebrate Pride on one of Newark’s most LGBT-friendly streets. “Out & About” on Halsey Street will allow attendees the chance to eat, drink and shop with other LGBTs and allies. At 7 p.m. July 20, the organization will stage the Newark Proud! Awards Gala at

Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art, 591 Broad St. Tickets are $40 for individuals and $60 for couples. Straughter said although Newark Pride is not as big as some other Pride events in the region, it packs a unique lineup of events for both Newark residents and visitors to enjoy. “It is very community-oriented, and all of our events are. Our events and festival have music and performances and it is much less of a party and more of an opportunity in this city for LGBT people to have a safe space to feel completely open,” he said. For more information on Newark Pride, visit www.newarkgaypride.org. ■

Asbury to host LGBT beach party By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com

Freelance Photography Scott A. Drake 267-736-6743

Asbury Park is gearing up for a party that is sure to be a blast. The annual LGBT beach party Sand Blast will take place July 19-21 and returns with several new events, including new after-parties. Executive producer Brad Hurtado said the inspiration to add more after-parties to this year’s already-packed event came from the success of such parties last year. “Last year we added two Saturday parties and both were incredibly popular,” Hurtado said. “We only did daytime parties before and there was interest in more nighttime events as part of the weekend, so last year we added a dance party and an afterparty and both were successful beyond our wildest dreams.” The kick-off party, Lost At Sea, beings at 8 p.m. July 19 at Convention Hall, overlooking the beach, with DJs Corey Craig and Susan Levine. With over 1,200 expected, Hurtado said this party is for everyone. “It is one of our biggest events of the weekend,” he said. “It is for men, for women — young and old.” Undertow, a new men’s party, will start at midnight July 19 and end at 4 a.m. at The Berkeley Hotel. Hurtado said Undertow will be one of the most unique parties because it will include a live-stage art display. “We are using Joe Oppedisano and he is a fashion photographer and he does a lot of fetish photography and does hyper-masculine photographs that people love. He will be doing live photo shoots on stage of porn stars The Maverick Men, Titanmen and Jessie Jackman.” The main event of the weekend, the Saturday beach party, will run from noon-7 p.m. at the beach outside Convention Hall. DJs Hector Fonseca and Tony Moran will spin beats for the party that usually draws

more than 2,000 revelers. The new Sunset at the Pool party, 6-10 p.m. July 20 at Berkeley, will feature some Southern-style hospitality with celebrity guest Kenya Moore from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” Guests will have a chance to meet Moore as well as other celebrity guests including The Maverick Men, Jackman and DJ Nina Flowers. Deep Blue, the official Sand Blast Saturday night dance party, will include two world-famous DJs, Flowers and Phil B. “Nina Flowers is known to people because she is a drag queen who has been on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ and is one of the more popular drag queens on the show,” Hurtado said. “She is a phenomenal DJ as well and she will be doing the first set for Deep Blue. Phil B, who will be doing the second set, is from San Francisco and is well known in that circuit.” Saturday night will also play host to another famous DJ, as DJ Grind provides the beats for Urge Underwear Party from 1-5 a.m., with The Maverick Men joining in on the fun. “DJ Grind has become incredibly popular and his Podcasts are well known with 1-million downloads,” Hurtado said. While events like Undertow and Urge are male-focused, there are also plenty of options for women, such as Wet: The AllGirl Party at the Ocean, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. July 20 at Convention Hall or Sirens of the Sea: The Women’s Pool Party, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 20 at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel Pool. Sand Blast will close with Tea Dance, 4 p.m. July 21 at Berkeley, with a performance by Moore. In addition to the plethora of parties, Sand Blast will pack on more events including beach volleyball, drag competitions, a cycling tour, shopping excursions, yoga, surfing lessons and much more. For more information, visit www.sandblastweekend. com. ■

PGN AGING

How will you die? None of us knows when or how we will die and most take it for granted that we have no say in the matter. But some of us who may suffer a long illness can control how long we will live and under what conditions. Cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, AIDS, diabetes — eventually they may be the enemy. Regardless of our age and present health condition, it is important to let your partner, close friends, family, health-care provider and lawyer know your wishes with regard to endof-life matters and “dying with dignity.” Ed This conversation, as difficult and painful as it may be, must begin now. Forethought and planning may assure that you will be surrounded by loved ones, in your own bed, pain-free and comforted. Some may even be able to determine the time and manner of their passing. When these decisions are made while you are still in good mental and physical health, steps must be taken to assure that those wishes and decisions are fulfilled. Legal documents, including a will, living will, health-care power of attorney, financial power of attorney and disposition of remains, must be completed. So many in the LGBT community have been caregivers and have experienced these difficult situations. We have rushed to emergency rooms, sat at bedsides and said our goodbyes at a hospice. The number of these experiences will multiply as we, our friends and families of choice, age. With age comes knowledge and experience, and sometimes the weight of that information bears heavily on us. We have

seen loved ones pass away in different circumstances and from different causes. Some have passed with full knowledge and understanding of their situation, others with no time to think or plan. Medical science has proven that it can keep us alive beyond expectations. One of the questions becomes, how long is long enough? When is it no longer worth the pain, the burden on loved ones, the money? Who is allowed to choose your quality of life? According to medical ethicist Bomba and author Dr. Frank Barham, “patients’ wishes should trump everything, and they should be voiced and legally documented.” There are no easy answers. So many unknowns, such difficult decisions. Have you ever hoped that someone would die more quickly so that their pain would end? Have you asked yourself, Is it worth a day or a month to simply lie unaware of your situation or surroundings, or in pain, bedridden and waiting for the end? What is the threshold quality of life that would make you decide it is time? Barham recommends, “Ask the patient, or yourself, in advance about threshold circumstances. Ask hard questions and seek concrete answers.” In some cases, terminally ill patients may be able to determine the time and manner of their passing. A conversation has restarted about the taboo topic that Dr. Jack Kevorkian brought to light decades ago: assisted suicide. Some European countries permit some form of assisted suicide, as do four states: Washington, Oregon,

Gettin’ On

New Hampshire and Vermont. New Jersey is contemplating “Death with Dignity” legislation that would permit people to make their own choices, with many restrictions. To help inform your conversations about end-of-life planning, visit Compassion & Choices at www.compassionandchoices. org or call 856-366-6385. Seek the support of a geriatrician, geriatric social worker, elder-law attorney or other professional with experience navigating end-of-life decision-making. Some additional resources are the Alzheimer’s Association at 800-272-3900, the SeniorLAW Center at 877727-7529 and the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania at 215587-9377. Finally, if you are considering suicide because you are depressed or for a reason other than dealing with a fatal or painful and debilitating illness, please seek help from your health-care provider, faith representative or trusted friend. Some hotlines that you can access are: VET2VET, a veteran’s crisis hotline, at 877-838-2838; or www.suicidepreventionlifeline. org/National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or 800-784-2433. For Spanish language, call 888-628-9454. ■ Ed Bomba is communications chair of the LGBT Elder Initiative. The LGBTEI, headquartered in Philadelphia, fosters and advocates for services, resources and institutions that are competent, culturally sensitive, inclusive and responsive to the needs of LGBT elders in the Delaware Valley and beyond. To comment on this article, suggest topics for future articles or for more information, visit www. lgbtei.org or call the LGBTEI at 267-546-3448 and watch for “Gettin’ On” each month in PGN.

Philadelphia Gay News

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

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Gay is our middle name.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

BOR_24187_NgtlfLstg_PGN_AD.indd 1

PGN

7/15/13 3:06 PM

PGN PETS

The season of fun and fitness a scale of 1-9 with 4-5 being ideal. Based on this assessment, you will is upon us. As we start to get out know what you need to strive for and get moving, it is a good time to obtain a healthy weight for your to think about healthy weight for not only ourselves, but also for our companion. And your veterinarian canine and feline friends. is there to help you determine how Just as in our human population, this can be done. The keys for mainexcessive body weight taining a healthy is an extremely common health problem in weight in our pets are our companion animals. the same as they are for us — monitorAdditionally, obesity is the most common ing caloric intake and nutritional disorder in exercise. Based on current weight and dogs and cats, affecting nearly 30 percent. ideal weight, we can calculate the recomMaintaining a healthy weight can go a long mended caloric intake way in helping to mainfor your pet. Armed with this information, tain a healthy pet, and you can get your pet on in extending the amount of quality time we have Dr. Nicholle R. a diet. However, caloric restriction is not usuto share with them. As Hommel,VMD ally enough. We also pets age, obesity can predispose them to recommend encouragnumerous other health problems, ing exercise as much as possible. such as diabetes and painful arthri- This means nice long walks for our canine patients, ideally 45-60 mintis, and can put excessive strain on utes a day if possible. Remember the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. to take walks during the cooler One reason we see such a high times of the day in the hot summer number of our pets become overmonths, such as at dawn or dusk, to weight or obese is simply a lack of avoid overheating. knowledge. We recommend havIt can be a little more difficult to ing your pet (and their waist line) get our feline patients moving. You evaluated by their veterinarian at can use a laser pointer, peacock least once every six months at their feather or other feline-specific toy wellness checkup. Early detection to try to actively get them to play of a non-ideal body condition is every day. You can also use one of key in getting it under control. many special feeders designed to Your veterinarian should assign make cats work to get their meal. your pet a “body-condition score.” One cheap and easy way to do this This is a system by which we is to take an empty plastic soda can quantify how overweight, or bottle and cut a few holes in it that underweight, your pet may be. are just large enough for the kibble This body-condition score can be to come out of. Your kitty will either on a scale of 1-5, with 1 need to bat it around for a while in order to get to their dinner! being extremely underweight, 3 being ideal and 5 being obese, or Cutting out excessive treats can

Paw Prints

VOTER ID from page 1

Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson blocked the law from going into effect in October but left the door open for it to be enforced in 2013, and did not rule on the broader question of the law’s constitutionality. Plaintiffs, including the NAACP, the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters and the Homeless Advocacy Project, argue it would violate voters’ rights to equal protection. The Department of State created a free voter ID card for those lacking proper ID, and did agree to leave gender markers off, making the cards the first state-issued ID to do so. However, Michael Rubin, attorney for the plaintiffs, said in his opening arguments before Commonwealth Court Judge Bernard McGinley on Monday that

also help. We understand that giving your pet a treat is part of maintaining the special bond between you. However, that treat does not need to be something that is calorically rich. You can use a low-cal treat, such as baby carrots, broccoli or green beans. Or even take a handful of their kibble from their morning meal and use this handful, one kibble at a time, as treats throughout the day. If you have a question about what treats are safe to give, make sure to ask your veterinarian. If you find it impossible to get your pet’s weight down, your veterinarian is there to help. It may be necessary to rule out underlying health issues, such as Cushing’s disease, diabetes or hypothyroidism. If everything checks out OK, a prescription reduced-calorie diet or a diet that promotes a healthy metabolism may be recommended. For all of the things that may come up throughout your pet’s lifetime that are unavoidable, an unhealthy weight is something that we should be able to prevent, or, at the very least, recognize and reverse. It is also something that we can do together — a nice long walk in the park, a run along the river or a dip in the pool are all things that we can do with our pets to encourage a healthy weight. Get out there and have fun with your four-legged friend! It can do wonders for the emotional bond we share, as well as our waistlines. ■ Dr. Nicholle R. Hommel is an associate veterinarian at Society Hill Veterinary Hospital. For more information, call 215-627-5955 or visit www.societyhillvets.com.

imposing this new regulation is burdensome for Pennsylvania voters and could disenfranchise up to 900,000 people. Rubin noted that PennDOT does not have offices, where the new voter IDs are issued, in nine counties in the state. Senior Deputy Attorney General Tim Keating, however, contended the law doesn’t pose a “sufficient burden” but rather a potential “inconvenience.” Reading resident Marion Baker offered videotaped testimony Monday describing how she missed her first election in more than 50 years because of the confusion over the law. Her driver’s license recently expired and she said a medical condition would prevent her from getting to PennDOT and waiting in line for a new voter ID. The trial is expected to last into next week. ■

�� AMY F. STEERMAN Attorney at Law

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Concentrating in Planning for Lesbian and Gay Couples • Probate • Wills • Living Wills • Powers of Attorney

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1900 Spruce Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 www.amysteerman.com

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215-735-1006

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Weight management in companion animals

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

PGN

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

PGN NEWS HEALTH from page 1

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such designees: Mazzoni Center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Veterans Health Administration facilities in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Wilkes Barre, Butler, Altoona and Erie. New Jersey had five Leaders: AtlantiCare Regional Medical C e n t e r i n A t l a n t i c C i t y, Reproductive MedicineAssociates of New Jersey in Basking Ride, Morristown Medical Center, Shore Medical Center in Somers Point and the Veterans Administration New Jersey Health-care System in East Orange. Both Mazzoni and AtlantiCare were named Leaders last year as well. “We are honored to be recognized for a second year as a leader in health-care equality for the LGBT population,” said Richard Gulite, co-chair of AtlantiCare’s LGBT employee resource group. ERG co-chair Alison Maxfield added that it is “important for health care to be accessible to and supportive of all community members, and I am proud to work for an organization that embraces diversity and offers equitable treatment to all populations.” In 2012, the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey participated but did not achieve full marks and did not participate this year. In Pennsylvania, Abington Memorial Hospital participated last year but not in 2013. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia participated both years but does not have a patient nondiscrimination policy inclusive of gender identity. Overall, 93 percent of participants have a patient nondiscrimination inclusive of sexual orientation, and 87 percent have a policy that extends to gender identity. Ninety percent include a visitation policy with stated rights for same-sex couples and parents. Nearly 5,000 health-care professionals nationwide were trained on LGBT issues as part of the HEI. The 2013 report marks the first time that health-care facilities in all 50 states participated, and this year also saw a marked increase in VHA participation: Just one VHA center participated last year, compared with 121 of the nation’s 151 VHA facilities in 2013. Of the VHA participants, nearly 80 percent achieved Leader status. “We were pleased to have this opportunity to foster a more inclusive environment for our LGBT veterans and their families,” said VHA principal deputy under secretary for health Dr. Robert L. Jesse. ■

A C ul t ure �� rts

PGN FEATURE

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

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Barcrawlr Family Portrait Outward Bound Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly Worth Watching

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All-male burlesque show opens in A.C. By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Entertainment in Atlantic City just got significantly gayer. Nightlife impresario Ivan Kane is using his Royal Jelly Burlesque Nightclub at Revel to launch a weekly all-male revue, “Ivan Kane’s Le Male Burlesque.” Kane has launched a number of burlesque clubs across the country and Le Male is his third show aimed at a gay audience. “I’ve done this show twice before very successfully at both of my original burlesque clubs,” Kane said. “The first was in L.A. and that’s when I brought burlesque back into the pop mainstream. Then eventually it was obvious that I needed to do a hot male burlesque show. So I launched it in Hollywood the first time. I worked with people from the gay community to develop it and promote. I then launched it in Las Vegas. When I came to Revel, they wanted me to brand something specific to Revel so I did, and I changed the concept a little bit. But so far, as the male burlesque show in Vegas, it was very successful. We had a long, long run with packed houses. With Atlantic City, I wanted to take everything I learned from doing the show in Hollywood and Vegas and make it a midweek destination for the gay community.” To that end, Le Male Burlesque will feature professional dancers and choreography

talents from Broadway and pop music, with wild costuming and elaborate staging. Kane said the scale and scope of the show is what will distinguish it from the average exoticdancer show. “It boils down to production value and choreography,” Kane said. “I worked with the same choreographer that I’ve worked with for years, Tovaris Wilson. He’s worked with Janet Jackson ad Britney Spears. He’s a very sought-after choreographer. So right there, his level of excellence and my level of excellence elevates the show. We have go-go dancers dancing in the VIP section, on the casino bar stage and on the elevated catwalk. I’ve found that what we do is very, very elegant because of the level of dancers on stage. We hold many auditions in New York. We have the crème de la crème of the New York dance scene. If they aren’t dancing here for me, they are on stage on Broadway or behind every major recording artist. I think with the combination of Tovaris, the level of the dancers and myself, the proof is in the making. We have rotating dancers and rotating costumes. We’re taking it above what is commonly found in most gay clubs.” The show’s choreographer, Wilson, agreed that its production values are going to take the show over the top with audiences. “The level of production that Ivan always puts into the shows is top-notch,” Wilson said. “I feel like for a club show, you don’t normally get that. He inspired me to approach

that from my side. I don’t want it to be just any other show you can see. I want you to experience a show that could be on Broadway or TV that breaks the bounds of the normal club or bar show. For me, it was a lot of fun to create because I got to do what I always fantasized about: doing a show for the gay community and making it super fun, and I didn’t have any restrictions. It was fun to create all the movements and all the music we got to use.” Having choreographed for Broadway shows and big-name pop stars, Wilson is accustomed to some of the biggest stages in the business as the setting for the shows he helps to create. But working with the smaller stage and the moving platforms of Le Male Burlesque was a challenge he enjoyed taking on. “It’s difficult because there is not a lot of space to work with,” Wilson said. “But on the other hand, because I have all these different contraptions that I can use, so many different possibilities open up to me that I wouldn’t be able to do in a normal show. So it’s challenging but it’s different. I get to be a lot more creative than I would be normally using a floor on an open stage. I get to have people swinging from the rafters or coming down on a catwalk. It felt like a playground for me.” The VIP invite-only debut of Le Male Burlesque July 10 drew equal amounts of gay men and straight women. And while the show can appeal to straight women (and the go-go boys prowling the room didn’t seem

to have any problems working both sides of the fence), Kane and Wilson said the show is designed to appeal to a gay audience. “We’re not going to turn women away at the door but if past history has been any indication, we’ll skew about 80-percent LGBT and maybe 20 percent women,” Kane said. “It is a show geared towards the LGBT community. It’s a different kind of show than Chippendales or a Thunder From Down Under, which is geared towards a bachelorette party crowd. That’s not what we’re doing. This is a show geared for the LGBT community. It will be predominantly gay.” “I wanted to be really conscious about the music that I chose,” Wilson added. “I wanted to do something that I know the gay community would be excited to hear when it came on. I use that as a jumping-off point, the music in the gay community that we all love. I wanted to be inspired by the iconic gay movies like ‘Paris is Burning.’ I wanted to bring that feeling into it. I wanted to cater towards the community and not have guys just up there dancing randomly. I wanted to come from a real place and real experiences that we’ve encountered.” ■ Ivan Kane’s Royal Jelly Burlesque Nightclub hosts Le Male Burlesque Wednesdays at Revel Casino Hotel, 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City. For more information, call 855-348-0500 or visit RoyalJellyBurlesque.com.

NIGHTLIFE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

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Some of my favorite childhood memosion with your ticket stub or VIP access badge. ries are of going to summer blockbustClosing Night Party: 9:30 p.m. July 21 ers with my friends. We’d save up for the at Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., $2.50 matinee tickets (yep, no kidding) with special guests from closing-night film and then spend weeks afterwards run“Hot Guys with Guns” and performances ning around outside reenacting scenes by Brittany Lynn and the Drag Mafia and from “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Clash the Philadelphia Freedom Band. Admission of the Titans,” “Dragonslayer,” “E.T.” and is $40 for film and party, $35 for film and “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” While Hollywood plays it safer than ever party for PCA members, $25 party only, $15 film only, $10 parking. Film and party this summer with sequels, prequels and other franchise tent poles, Philly are free if you have an all-access celebrates independent filmmakVIP badge. Party is 21-and-over. ers and risk-takers at the 19th SandBlast annual QFest. Sadly the festival Escape to the Jersey Shore is almost over, but you still have from July 19-21 for one hot a chance to see some great films and meet some of the brilliant weekend with thousands of sexy artists from behind the scenes at men and hot women in Asbury Q&A sessions and after-parties Park. You name it, they’ve all around town. got it at SandBlast: volleyball tournaments, porn-star parties, For complete information pool parties, a drag race and a about films, parties and of handbag toss on the beach, an course tickets, check out www. art show, a burlesque show, lateqfest.com. Then clip and save Jim Kiley- night underwear parties, yoga this handy guide to special events during the last weekend the beach, surfing lessons, Zufelt on all-night dance parties, celebrity of the festival: DJs, a tea dance, a morning bike “I Am Divine” Drag Extravaganza: ride, shopping excursions, brunch parties, 11:30 p.m. July 19 at Tavern on Camac, 243 more pool parties, more porn-star parties, S. Camac St., featuring documentary promore volleyball — and did I mention thouducer Lottie Phariss Knowles and a Divine sands of hot men and sexy women? For (or other John Waters characters) look-alike more details plus information on tickets contest hosted by Brittany Lynn and the and hotel reservations, visit www.sandDrag Mafia. No cover charge. blastweekend.com. Queeradelphia Splash Party: 10 p.m. Ladies 2000 in New Hope July 19 at North Shore Beach Club, 1031 Escape to the countryside with hundreds Germantown Ave., a late-night pool party of beautiful ladies from 4-9 p.m. July 21 presented by Stimulus and featuring some at Havana, 105 S. Main St. in New Hope. of Philly’s finest local filmmakers from the DJ Steve Singer will keep you moving and Queeradelphia shorts. Cover charge is only $10. the $3 Skyy Vodka specials will keep you Jim McGreevey Benefit: 4-6 p.m. July grooving into the night. Grab your friends, 20 at Sofitel Hotel, 120 S. 17th St., a recep- get a room and make it a sleepover! tion featuring former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey, subject of the documentary Drag yourself to the pageant “Fall to Grace.” Donation is $25 per person Don’t miss the Miss Fire & Ice Pageant and includes appetizers and drink specials from 7-10 p.m. July 21 at Fire & Ice at a cash bar. And don’t fret — the benefit is Restaurant, Bar and Lounge, 312 Market for the Philadelphia Cinema Alliance, proSt. The winner gets a spot in the 2014 ducers of QFest, not for McGreevey. Mummers Parade! Cover is only $2 and “The Rugby Player”: 5 p.m. July 20 they’ll have drink specials all night long at Ritz East, 125 S. Second St., featuring to help ensure you’re late for work on a Q&A session with film director Scott Monday morning. This is an all-ages event, children. Gracheff and film subject Alice Hoagland, mother of United Flight 93 passenger and Blend queer coffee and games gay rugby player Mark Bingham. Event Attention hard-core board gamers! Put co-sponsored by the Philadelphia Cinema your skills to the test from 7-10 p.m. July Alliance, Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby 26 at Chapterhouse Café, 620 S. Ninth St. Club and Team Philadelphia. Roadstripping with the CockyBoys: 10 Grab your coffee and head downstairs, p.m. July 20 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. where you can chill out to the music and James St., featuring porn stars and directors make new friends during a good old-fashfrom the CockyBoys crew, hot off the world ioned game night. No cheating! ■ premier of “RoadStrip.” Admission is $10 Questions, comments? Frankly my dear, I for Voyeur members, $15 for guests. “Chastity Bites”: 11 p.m. July 20 at don’t give a damn. Just kidding! Contact Sisters Nightclub, 1320 Chancellor St., feaJim at barcrawlr@gmail.com or follow him turing the writer and the director of this hot on Facebook for links to back articles and lesbian vampire fantasy film. Free admistotally bitchin’ music videos!

Barcrawlr

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

Food & Drink

PGN ONSTAGE

Bearded Ladies launch new gay cabaret By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com The Wilma Theater is hosting the latest show from the critically acclaimed Bearded Ladies Cabaret, “My Dinner with Dito: A How to be Gay Cabaret,” through July 27. The show stars Bearded Ladies member John Jarboe and features guest performers Dito Van Reigersberg, also known as drag personality Martha Graham Cracker, and acclaimed Philadelphia actor Mary Martello. Jarboe said the show harkens back to the early days of the Bearded Ladies Cabaret. “Dito and I were in the first Bearded Ladies show, ‘Back in the Army,’ and we knew that we wanted to work together this summer and create a piece,” he said. “Specifically, I wanted to work with him.” In the new show, the performers explore gay male iconography and stereotypes of what it means to be gay. “As with every Bearded Ladies show, we ask hard questions,” Jarboe said. “This show is about exploring the culture of gayness and queerness. There’s a book that recently came out called ‘How to be Gay’ by David Halpern and it talks about the difference between political gay identity and cultural gay identity. This show is about an exploration of the culture that develops when gays were invisible and how does that culture change when it becomes politically visible. Every audience member gets a little bento box with different courses in it. Each course in the cabaret is designed

DITO VAN REIGERSBERG (LEFT) AND JOHN JARBOE to correlate to a different stage in gay development. What we’re saying is, by the end of the hour, you should be gay or closer to it.” The Bearded Ladies started writing the show before the Supreme Court overturned the Defense of Marriage Act and, in light of that historic decision about LGBT rights, Jarboe said the new cabaret takes on an added significance. “We weren’t really sure what we were making when we first started,” Jarboe said. “Dito and I originally wanted to do a Judy Garland show. And then we thought we couldn’t do that because it was so gay. It was the most obvious gay thing that we could do. We kind of engaged with that feeling of shame or embarrassment. Then we read ‘How to be Gay,’ and it was exploring some of those issues about what happens when we

define ourselves as, ‘Oh we’re just like straight people except we sleep with other men.’ What is the other side of that? We’re not. We’re actually different. We were forged under particular conditions. I think DOMA being repealed is an amazing historic event, but this piece has really fueled that question for us. What does this mean for us? By no means is the fight over but we are seeing the political climate change. We’re starting to become more and more visible but what does that mean? What are the consequences of that culturally?” ■ The Bearded Ladies present “My Dinner With Dito: A How to be Gay Cabaret” through July 27 at The Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-546-7824 or visit www.wilmatheater.org.

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Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

Suzi Nash

Shanel Sherese: From drag stage to big screen Ah, QFest. One of my favorite times of the year! It’s when people from all over the world come to Philadelphia to share stories, laughs, tears and joy. We’re more than halfway through the festival but this weekend is packed with some great films: documentaries like “Born This Way,” about the courageous activists fighting in Cameroon, where homosexuality is illegal; and “The Rugby Player,” about our own Mark Bingham, who helped storm the cockpit of United Airlines Flight 93 on 9/11. There are dramedies like “Big Gay Love” and “It Had to Be You,” thrillers like “Chastity Bites” and the closing film “Hot Guys With Guns,” and the always-popular local filmmakers’ shorts program “Queeradelphia.” This week we spoke to Shanel Sherese who is starring in not one, but two of the films being shown July 19. PGN: So, West Philadelphia, born and raised. Is the playground where you spent all of your days? SS: [Laughs.] Yes, in the Wynnefield part of the city. It’s a great section of town. PGN: Any siblings? SS: No, I’m an only child. PGN: Really? You don’t seem to have only- child syndrome. SS: Ha, normally I hear the opposite! PGN: [Laughs.] I guess I don’t know you well enough yet. So what do the folks do? SS: My mother works in administration for a health-care company and my father is an electrical contractor and has his own business. PGN: So what would they say if I asked what kind of kid you were? SS: Definitely talkative. And I always had some kind of random injury occurring. I was very active but clumsy and would come home with bruises from running into doors and poles and tripping over things. PGN: [Laughs.] Were your parents afraid of a visit from child services? “We swear, she really did walk into a door!” SS: Yes! When I was a baby, not even walking yet, I fell off a bed when my aunt was watching me and fractured my arm. As soon as I started walking, I ran into a door and from then on had random injuries and stories to go with them. My poor mother actually did have to talk to a social worker about it! PGN: Were you a hyper kid? SS: Yes. I was very active. Every year I had something else that I did. Whether it was learning Tai Kwan Do or playing the piano or clarinet or violin or playing volleyball, I was a jack of all trades when I was younger. My mom was a single mom

until I was about 7 (the man that I call Dad is actually my stepfather). She had me when she was just 16, still in high school, and so we had a lot of help and support from my great-great-grandmother Edna, who I called Granny. I had a nice solid baseline with them and they always made sure that I had a lot to do that would open up my world. I did a lot of dancing and took classes at Philadanco for years — ballet, jazz, tap and acrobatics. She wanted to make sure I had everything she didn’t, including the chance to go to college. PGN: What was a fun adventure from childhood? SS: My grandmother had a timeshare in Florida and every year we would go down. It was Florida in June/July where it rained every day at noon and dried up by 12:30. The best time ever was when I was in eighth grade. Usually, as an only child, I’d hang out with just my family. They would do the rides and all, but in eighth grade I got to bring my best friend and my cousin. It was my first taste of independence, doing Disney World and Universal on our own. It was my year of emancipation! Except that we were on Cinderella time. PGN: What was Cinderella time? Was that like gay or CP time? SS: [Laughs.] No, no! It just meant that we had to be home by midnight. PGN: In addition to dance, I understand you also played volleyball? SS: Yes, I played in high school and in college. PGN: Where did you go to college? SS: I went to Ursinus in Collegeville. PGN: So you were active as a kid: What extracurricular things do you do now? SS: I’m a drag-king performer and that takes up the majority of my time right now. I perform with Liberty City Kings, aka LiCK, under the name Rough RydeHer. I started at the Philly Drag King event in 2011 where I came in second. Last year, I won the title of Mr. Philly Drag King and I’ve been performing with LiCK at various places, from college campuses to fundraisers and clubs. I haven’t written in a while but I do write short stories and I’ve really gotten into photography. My partner, Tara Lessard, is a photographer and she bought me a camera for Christmas. Ever since then, I’ve been bitten by the photography bug. This year we started a company called Freedom G. Photography and we’ve been shooting everything from social events to weddings and it’s been a great experience and something new to add to the list. PGN: Along with acting. How did that happen?

SS: Danielle Erwin put out a casting call for a three-part series of short films she was doing called, “Crazy, Sexy, Cool.” I thought, I’ve been doing this dragking thing for a while, maybe it’s time to expand. I auditioned for a role as the friend of someone involved in an abusive relationship. It went well and the director asked me to stay and audition for a role in the second film. I ended up getting both parts, which was thrilling as they’re both pretty substantial parts. PGN: Including a love scene. That must be interesting for a first-time actor. SS: Yes, I play one of a couple trying to work out some intimacy problems. It was interesting. Originally I was very nonchalant, “nothin’ about it, nothin’ of it,” but then I started working with the other actor in the scene, Nateshe Williams, and she kept busting my balls. We’d have a real intimate scene and then she’d look at me and say, “Wait a minute! Did you eat garlic today?” [Laughs.] She was totally bust-

at every event that she attended I’d find a way to tease her. Someone told me it’s a Capricorn kind of thing — that we punch you in the arm and then run away when we like you. I’d see her at an event, she’d come in with a big bag and ask, “Is it OK if I leave my stuff here?” and I’d say, “No, absolutely not. You cannot leave your stuff here, you have to put everything on your back and walk around like that the whole night.” [Laughs.] She’d just stare and wait for a second and then say, “OK, I’m going to put my stuff here anyway.” So that year we were hanging out together a bit more and I was kind of watching her out of the corner of my eye, trying to be cool and nonchalant about everything. We finally got together when Stimulus Productions screened “Girl Rising” at William Way. I’m kind of weird and awkward around women, especially women I like. Anyway, we were having a conversation about going out to eat — “I think you’re cool ... Me too ... Let’s have dinner somewhere where we can talk” — that sort of thing. So through the whole movie, in my head I was thinking, I think she just means let’s go out to dinner sometime, she didn’t mean tonight. Or did she? No, she didn’t mean tonight, that would be weird, did she? I was confused. So when the movie was over I grabbed my jacket and bolted. I was headed to the car and having a full-fledged dialogue again with myself. Wait, maybe she did mean tonight? Maybe this is the night! So I made a bargain with myself: I decided if I went back to the car and there was still time on my meter, I’d go back and check.

PGN: So your relationship was hinging on PPA? SS: [Laughs.] I guess so! I had time left so I went back and she was standing there waiting for me going, “Uh, I thought we were going out to eat?” I tried to play it off Photo: Tara Lessard saying, “Of course, yeah, ing my balls and it would throw me I just needed to check my completely off. I’d burst out laughing. meter.” Later on I told her the truth and she Well, no, originally I wasn’t laughing. I was like, “But, I thought we’d had a whole got really self-conscious until I realized conversation about it!” I said, “I know we she was joking. It was good to work with did, but I get nervous around women I like someone who’d acted before who kept me and I hear a whole different conversation from being so serious. in my head, usually that they think that I’m corny, awkward and uncool.” So we went PGN: How did you and Tara meet? to Silk City where she ordered beet salad. I SS: We met at PDK in 2011. I was perhate beets so I had more anxious moments forming and she was photographing. We trying to explain were friends and I’m a ball buster too so PAGE 28

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

PGN

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Philadelphia Gay News

Gay is our middle name.

RECREATION PGN

Outward Bound

Jeff Guaracino

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

Worth Watching

Trips to get excited about — so plan now!

It’s time to stop complaining about the hassle of travel and start traveling with pride. Security is never going to get easier (should it, really?). Travel is an investment in you and not something that should always be bought with a coupon or discount code. That is not to say that you shouldn’t travel smartly to maximize your enjoyment. Fans of this column will find many tips to make your travel more fabulous at a great value. I am all about saving for retirement but, as my Aunt Theresa always told me, “These are the golden years! So let’s go!” Here are a few of my upcoming trips that I am excited about. Where are you going? Or why are you staying home? Asbury Park, N.J. Let’s go now. This weekend is Sand Blast in Asbury Park. What is great about this weekend is that you can find something that will suit every interest. Great music by world-class DJs. Check. Women’s events. Check. Drag events. Check. Art crawl. Check. Burlesque. Check. Yoga on the beach. Check. Easier to get to than Rehoboth Beach and Fire Island. Check and check! Hotel rooms and events might have limited availability or be sold out, so it is best to check www.sandblastweekend.com for more information.

Gay camping Travel is about trying something new. Gay camping at Pennsylvania’s Hillside Campgrounds is my no-frills, back-tonature trip of the year. I have dreams of luxury camping but I am told that this campground comes with, well, a tent. Now, when I think of a tent, I am thinking of the Oberoi Hotel and Resorts “tents” in India. They come with LCD television, DVD player, satellite television, wireless broadband Internet, and personal bar. (Writer’s note: Words cannot justify these tents, so check out www.oberoihotels.com to better understand.)

I am told that my tent will be much simpler than the Oberoi tents and that I will be expected to literally pitch a tent. Where is a Boy Scout, or better yet a Girl Scout, when you need her? Hilliside is a 235-acre, clothing-optional campground. There are a series of themed weekends, and reservations are a must. Check out www.hillsidecampgrounds.com. Luxury Hawaii For those with a little time to plan and with money to invest in themselves, I say book Hawaii now. And go off-season to get the best deals. There is nothing like a little Hawaiian tan right before the holidays to make you look refreshed and ready for the New Year. Starwood Hawaii has been celebrating all things LGBT for some time now. (Check out my Hawaii Picture-Perfect Honeymoon column from two years ago on epgn.com.) This year, Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa is celebrating the resort’s 50th anniversary. After a $6.8-million renovation, the secluded luxury resort is still the best place to swim, with sea turtles right on Ka’anapali Beach. Want to establish good karma for 2014? Try a leap off the famous Black Rock before sunset. To celebrate the resort’s 50th anniversary, on Aug. 11, there will be a classic-car show with gems from the ’60s, a performing trio who are descendants of a famous performing trio who used to play in the famed Discovery Room restaurant and Lounge — Danny Kapoi Trio at the Sheraton Maui. In December, there will be a ceremony to seal a time capsule. (We need a rainbow flag in it, don’t you think?) Past guests are invited to mail photos, postcards and their stories about what Sheraton Maui has meant to them. ■

WHAT’S COOKING?: Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” returns for a fifth season with 13 new award-winning chefs ready to compete for bragging rights, the title of “Top Chef Master” and $100,000 for their charity. Celebrity chef Curtis Stone is back as series host alongside new head critic Gail Simmons. Watch the premier at 10 p.m. July 24 on Bravo. Photo: Bravo/Isabella Vosmikova

CITY LIFE: A bunch of 30something friends takes viewers on a high-class journey through their fast-paced New York City lives on the new series “City Girl Diaries,” 9 p.m. July 21 on the Style Network.

A ROCK-Y ROAD: Actor and pro wrestler The Rock plays Joe Kingman, known as one of the toughest players to ever take the field but who has to unexpectedly take on a fatherly role to an 8-year-old girl in the comedy “The Game Plan,” 9 p.m. July 20 on ABC. Photo: Disney/

Jeff Guaracino is the author of “Gay and Lesbian Tourism: The Essential Guide for Marketing.”

Ron Phillips

CLIFF DIVE BAR AT KA’ANAPALI BEACH IN HAWAII

SUPER MARKETING: The new series “Supermarket Superstar” follows three home chefs as they pitch their product concepts to titans of the food world for the opportunity to have their creation launched nationally. Chef, vintner, TV host and specialty-foods pioneer Michael Chiarello, cookie mogul Debbi Fields of Mrs. Fields Cookies and branding expert and food-product visionary Chris Cornyn serve as the series’ mentors, 10 p.m. July 22 on the Lifetime Network.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 07/19 Rock Star Energy Drink Mayhem Festival Rob Zombie, Five Finger Death Punch, Mastodon, Machine Head and more get extremely loud 1 p.m. at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-365-1300. Taylor Swift The country/rock singer performs at 6:30 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field, 1020 Pattison Ave.; 267-5704000. Fun. and Tegan and Sara The rock groups perform 8 p.m. at the Mann Center for the Performing

Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 215-5467900 Bob Saget The comedian performs 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

Sat. 07/20 Lil’ Wayne and T.I. The hip-hop stars perform 6 p.m. at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-365-1300.

TGT (Tank/ Ginuwine/ Tyrese) The R&B singers perform 9 p.m. at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-343-4000.

A Midsummer’s Night with the Monkees The original Monkees — Mike Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork — perform 8 p.m. at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 215-546-7900.

“Valley Girl” and “Summer School” Double Feature The 1980s summer films are screened 9:45 p.m.

Alice Cooper The rock singer performs 9 p.m. at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-343-4000.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Sun. 07/21 How To Stuff a Wild Bikini The 1965 beachparty film is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223. Women’s Way Benefit Concert Christine Havrilla and Gypsy Fuzz, Adrien Reju, Barnaby Bright and the Wounded Healers perform 6 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400. P.O.D. and Flyleaf The rock bands perform 7 p.m. at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011. A Philly Tribute to George Harrison The music of the

TEENAGE WASTELAND: Pop group The Jonas Bothers hit Atlantic City 8 p.m. July 26 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way. For more information or tickets, call 609-3171000.

legendary guitarist and songwriter is celebrated 7:30 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Mon. 07/22 Free Quizzo and 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. 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; 215862-2081.

Tue. 07/23 Disney’s Fantasia: Live in Concert The Philadelphia Orchestra performs the score to the animated classic 8 p.m. at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 215-546-7900.

Train The rock band performs 7 p.m. at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-365-1300. Symphonic Sports-Tacular with Fireworks The Philadelphia Orchestra performs 8 p.m. at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 215-546-7900.

Thu. 07/25 Beyonce The pop singer performs 8 p.m. at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.

Fri. 07/26 The Package Tour featuring New Kids on the Block, 98 Degrees and Boyz II Men The boy bands perform 7:30 p.m. at Mark G. Etess Arena, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-449-5150. Dark Star Orchestra The Grateful Dead Tribute band performs 8 p.m. at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk,

Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-343-4000. The Jonas Bothers The pop group performs 8 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. New Order The synth-pop group performs 8 p.m. at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 215-5467900.

The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses The Philadelphia Orchestra performs 8 p.m. at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 215-546-7900.

Wed. 07/24

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.

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.

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

WELCOME BACK (MRS.) CARTER: Mega pop diva Beyonce swings her world tour through town, performing 8 p.m. July 25 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-389-9543.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Opening Natasha Leggero The comedian seen on “Chelsea Lately” performs July 25-27 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.

Continuing All Dressed Up: Fashions for Children and Their Families Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of clothing from the late18th 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. Avenue Q The hit musical adult comedy with politically incorrect puppets returns through July 27 at Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St.; 267-559-9602. Candy Coated Wonderland Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition by Philadelphia-based multimedia artist Candy Coated (formerly Candy Depew) reinterpreting

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; 215-763-8100. The Importance of Being Ernest The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival presents the comedy satire, through

Aug. 4 at Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley; 610.282.9455 My Dinner With Dito: A How to be Gay Cabaret The Bearded Ladies present a new show featuring John Jarboe and Dito Van Reigersberg, directed by Elizabeth Stevens, through July 27 at Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St.; 215-5467824. 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, 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.

POP MUSIC: Classic new-wave synth-pop group New Order is on the road in support of new album “Lost Sirens,” performing 8 p.m. July 26 at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave. For more information or tickets, call 215-5467900

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 MAGIC OF DISNEY: Enjoy classic animation with a live score as the Philadelphia Orchestra performs “Disney’s Fantasia: Live in Concert” featuring songs and scenes from the original 1940 classic and “Fantasia 2000,” 8 p.m. July 23 at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave. For more information, call 215-546-7900

children’s fancy dress costumes from the museum’s collection, through Nov. 17, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

SPY: The Secret World of Espionage The Franklin Institute presents an exhibition of historical artifacts from the intelligence community, through Oct. 6, 20th Street and the parkway; 215-4481200.

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.

Blobfest A weekend of “Blob”-related films

and events through July 14 at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-0223. Really Rosie The musical with lyrics by Maurice Sendak and music by Carole King, through July 21 at Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St., New Hope; 215-862-2121. Philadelphia QFest The LGBT film festival hosts screenings of feature-length and short films at various theaters through July 22; http://www. qfest.com. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

FUN PGN & GAMES

Q Puzzle Radical Radcliffe Across

1. It may bite your shorts 5. Be intense like a queen 10. Not straight 14. “Take ___ leave it!” 15. Caesar, for one 16. Queens stadium 17. Start of a quote from Daniel Radcliffe 20. ___ Sec. 21. Ballet follower 22. Shed tears 23. With tuttifrutti, e.g. 25. Pairs of grooms walk them 27. “___ Be” 28. River rapids 31. “We ___ Family” 32. Org. for narcs 34. Saint, in Rio 35. The A in GLARP 36. More of the quote

39. Some hosp. workers 41. Born, in gay Paree 42. Letters in some church names 43. Ice in Ulm 44. Factions that sound like fornication? 46. Spin doctor 50. Lesbian couple on a cake 52. In favor of Chaz? 54. “The African Queen” author 55. Deli subs 57. Theology subj. 58. End of the quote 61. Subway Series team 62. Trump of old 63. Early AIDS play 64. Oral attention getter 65. Think fit 66. What a small shooter shoots off

Down

1. Prayer book,

PORTRAIT from page 23

why I didn’t want to try her beets. I started talking too much and the whole thing was embarrassing. But we ended up having a great conversation and scheduled a date for the Art Museum. PGN: Sheesh, that wasn’t even the first date? SS: No, and on the first date she got a flat tire! PGN: What was your biggest mishap on stage as Rough RydeHer? SS: I was doing a song called “Crystal Vases” by the Last Royals. The way I interpreted the song, the guy lost his girlfriend and is getting dirty and nasty. So I had a full beard and I was crying and sobbing and smoking cigarettes. In the number I’m wearing boxers and as I was moving around, I started to feel my packer sliding on me. So I had to do a full-bore hand-in-the-briefs move trying to pull the dick back in. It wasn’t happening so now it was hanging down about mid-thigh and I knew everyone can see it. And it’s hard — no pun intended — to find a chocolate packer! There are plenty of light fleshcolored ones but you have to pay extra to get a large chocolate one, so mine was caramel coffee-colored; it matched the color of the bottom of my feet but that was it. So it’s hanging out but I’m just hoping I can get off the stage without it falling to the ground. I finished the number and was headed to the side when our DJ, Rudy — the Notorious OMG — called me back on stage. Of course he started teasing me and asking how long my shortcomings were. I

to Father Mychal Judge 2. Peter who played Lawrence 3. Rum Tum Tugger, for one 4. Bygone Eur. realm 5. Austrian analyst 6. Unties 7. REM gear 8. International ___ 9. Uey from WSW 10. Grate stuff 11. Rear-ender injury 12. Many summer residents of Fire Island 13. Use your mouth 18. For now 19. Boob, to a Brit 24. King with the golden touch 25. It comes with a lei 26. D. Feinstein title 29. To date, but not to go out with 30. Car assemblers’ org. 33. Endora por-

trayer 35. Like sourballs 36. Perceptions 37. NRC forerunner 38. Make obligatory 39. Neighbor of Isr. 40. Jolly Roger fliers 44. James Baldwin’s “The Evidence of Things Not ___” 45. Popped (up) 47. Having been dumped, e.g. 48. Lack of zip 49. As a surprising fact 51. Franklin, religiously 53. “Laugh-In” cohost 55. Sweet spot 56. Morales of “Resurrection Blvd.” 58. Shakespeare’s Puck, e.g. 59. Tease 60. Type of sucker PAGE 27

responded in Rough’s voice, “Six-and-a-half ... soft.” The whole crowd laughed. PGN: So it seems as if your timidity leaves when you’re on stage. SS: As shy as I am as me, my awkwardness totally disappears when I’m Rough. I get to project a character and remove myself all together. It’s so much fun! PGN: I forgot to ask, what’s your day job? SS: I’m a health-care recuiter. I get to travel to conventions and college fairs to recruit physical therapists. If you post something on Career Builder or Monster, I’m one of the admins who would look at it and call you about work. PGN: So you like to travel? SS: I do, and when I go to a new city I always try to explore the Gayborhood. I just came back from Salt Lake City and it’s a very interesting city that I hope to never go back to. There was a lesbian bar called Paper Moon and the people there were really warm and friendly and gave me the lowdown on life in Utah. They weren’t Mormons but they told me that even though the Mormons insist they don’t run the state, they actually do. PGN: Random questions. RV, sports car, SUV or bicycle? SS: RV, you can go anywhere and park and see the country. PGN: Is there a story behind your name? SS: Shanel for Coco Chanel, my mom just changed the spelling, and Sherese is actually a middle name that I’ve adopted as a last name.

PGN: Who would you want on your dream volleyball team? SS: Hmmn, Lisa Leslie, she’s a professional basketball player from the L.A. Sparks, so I’d love to have her height. There was a TV show called “Out of this World” and the girl’s dad was half-alien so she had all these random powers. She was kind of nerdy and weird but still cool and someone I would have wanted to hang out with, so I’d put her on my team. And Gabrielle Reese. I met her and she is a beast! Tall and built and beautiful and cool. I’m actually trying to get a team together now to go to the Gay Games in 2014. PGN: I forgot to ask what are your movies tonight about? SS: “Sexy” is about intimacy problems and “Cool” is about domestic abuse. PGN: One of the things I love about the festival is that so many varied subjects are put in the spotlight. SS: Yes, I don’t know if it’s my bias because now I’ve been in an independent film, but there’s something special when you can get the voice of Philadelphia out. I mean, I know it’s an international film festival, but they definitely make room for the Philly voices within it. This city is close to my heart and I love showing different perspectives that mainstream films and mainstream movie fests ignore or don’t hear — those small voices and small ideas that often get passed over. Small moreso in the money given to create them than in the ideas they put forth. As a minority, an LGBT person, you do have

to get your own voice out there because if you look at Hollywood, they never tell the right story. So I look to film festivals like QFest where you can meet people like you who are active in the festival who you can talk to. A place where you can meet other filmmakers and film lovers and say, “Hey, I have an idea for a film. Can I talk to you about it?” You have a chance to bounce ideas around and be with likeminded people. And being international, you interact with people from around the world you wouldn’t normally get to meet. Because it’s a minority film festival, you are one in a crowd of community that’s there to support you, not just there looking for the next big film, just one that tells a good story. ■ “Sexy” and “Cool” screen as part of “Queeradelphia” at 7:30 p.m. July 19 at Ritz East, 125 S. Second St. For more information, visit www.qfest.com.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

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PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

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Don’t forget to visit the Adonis Cinema right next door!! 2026 Sansom St/ PH: 215-557-9319

PGN

12-step programs and support groups Al-Anon

■

Pennsylvania Al-Anon Alateen Family Groups: Events, meeting times and locations at pa-al-anon.org

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

■ Acceptance meets 7:30 p.m. on Fridays at

Episcopal Church, 22nd and Spruce streets.

■ Community meets 8 p.m. on Thursdays at

Holy Communion Church, 2111 Sansom St. Gay and lesbian, but all are welcome. ■ Early Night Out meets 5:30 p.m. daily at Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St., second ﬂoor; 215-985-9206. ■ GLBT Alcoholics Anonymous meets 7 p.m. on Sundays and 8 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 100 W. Windsor St., Reading; 484-529-9504. ■ Living Sober meets 8:30 p.m. Saturdays at the William Way Center. ■ No Other Way Out meets 11 a.m. Sundays at the William Way Center. ■ Night Owl meets 11:30 p.m. daily at the William Way Center. ■ Stepping Stone meets 2:30 p.m. Mondays at the William Way Center. ■ Sober and Gay meets 8:30 p.m. Sunday-Friday at the William Way Center. ■ Young People’s meets 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Mark’s Church, 1625 Locust St.

Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA)

■ Meets 7 p.m. on Sunday, Tuesday,

Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the William Way Center.

Emotional Support

■ Pink and Blues, a free peer-run mental-health

support group for LGBT people, meets 7 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; 215-627-0424. ■ Survivors of Suicide Inc. meets 7:30 p.m. on ﬁrst Tuesday of the month at 3535 Market St., Room 2037; 215-545-2242; www.phillysos. tripod.com. ■ Survivors of Suicide Inc., Chester County, meets 7:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at Paoli Memorial Hospital, Willistown Room, Medical Ofﬁce Building; 215-545-2242; phillysos.tripod.com.

HIV/AIDS

■ Strength In Numbers

Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ SINPhiladelphia.

Mondays: ■ Positive Brothers, a support group for men of color living with HIV/AIDS, meets 6 p.m. at 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; 215-496-0330. Tuesdays: ■ A support group for HIV-positive men and women meets 1:30-3 p.m. at BEBASHI — Transition to Hope, 1217 Spring Garden St., first floor; 215-769-3561; bebashi.org. ■ “Pozitive Light HIV/AIDS Support Ministry,” presented by Unity Fellowship of Christ Church Philadelphia HIV/AIDS Ministry and Girard Avenue Pharmacy, meets 5-7 p.m. at 112 N. Broad St., first-floor group room; 267481-5085; blaclikme@comcast.net. ■ Encuentros, a group for HIV-negative Latino men who have sex with men, meets 6 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of the month at 1201 Locust St. ■ “Feast Incarnate,” a weekly ministry for people affected by HIV/AIDS, meets 5 p.m. at University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St. Bible study follows at 6 p.m.; 215-387-2885. ■ A support group for people recently diagnosed with HIV/AIDS meets 6:30-8 p.m. at Mazzoni

Center; 215-563-0652 ext. 235.

■ Youth Outreach Adolescent Community

Awareness Program’s Voice It Sistah, a support group for HIV-positive women, meets 11 a.m. ﬁrst and third Tuesday at YOACAP, 1207 Chestnut St., Suite 315; 215-851-1898.

Wednesdays: ■ AIDS Services in Asian Communities’ weekly volunteer work group meets 6-8 p.m. at 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; 215-629-2300. ■ Project Teach, a peer-education and empowerment program for people living with HIV/AIDS, meets at Philadelphia Fight, 1233 Locust St.; ﬁght.org. ■ Positive Effect, for HIV-positive people 18 and over, meets 5-7 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; 856-963-2432. Thursdays: ■ A support group for HIV-positive men and women meets 6-8 p.m. at BEBASHI — Transition to Hope, 1217 Spring Garden St.; 215-769-3561. ■ Diversity, an HIV/AIDS support group for all infected or affected, meets from 7-9 p.m. at Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad St.; call Zak, 215-848-4380; azaklad@craftech.com. Saturdays: ■ AIDS Delaware’s You’re Not Alone youth support group meets during the school year. Call 800-810-6776 for location and time.

Debtors Anonymous

■ Meets 7-8 p.m. Monday and Thursday at the

William Way Center.

Overeaters Anonymous (OA)

■ Open meeting, Tuesdays, 5:45 p.m., and

7 p.m. Fridays, at Hahnemann University Hospital, 245 N. 15th St.; call Troy for ﬂoor/ room number, 215-514-3065; www.oa.org. ■ Meets 11 a.m.-noon at the William Way Center.

S.A.R.A.

■ Substance Abuse – Risk Assessment; day and

evening hours; 215-563-0663 ext. 282.

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous

■ Meets 7:30 p.m.Thursdays at All Saints

Church, 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.; 302-542-3279.

SEPCADD

■ Safe space to meet and discuss substance

abuse problems at the William Way Center.

Health

Alder Health Services provides LGBT health services on a sliding-fee scale; 100 N. Cameron St., Ste. 301 East, Harrisburg; 717-233-7190 or 800-867-1550; www.alderhealth.org. Anonymous, free HIV testing with Spanish/ English counselors, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. MondayFriday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 3439 N. Hutchinson St.; 215-763-8870 ext. 6000. HIV treatment: Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents available 9 a.m.-noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215685-1803. HIV health insurance help: Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing available at 17 MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Philadelphia FIGHT provides HIV primary care, on-site lab services, clinical trials, case management, mental-health services and support groups for people living with HIV regardless of insurance status or ability to pay; 1233 Locust St., fifth floor; 215-985-4448; www.fight.org.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 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.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 19-25, 2013

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