PGN July 29 -Aug. 3, 2-17 by The Philadelphia Gay News

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

Vol. 41 No. 30 July 28 - Aug. 3, 2017

Family Portrait: Tony Lantz takes us around the world and home to U Bar PAGE 29

The battle of being gay and Republican

PAGE 5

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

Three PA students awarded LGBT scholarships

PAGE 8

Trump suggests ban on trans military members

Former administrator at vets’ home claims antigay bias

By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Michael J. Semian, a former top administrator at the Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center in Scranton, recently filed a federal antibias lawsuit, claiming that homophobia contributed to his firing. The center, which encompasses four city blocks in downtown Scranton, houses about 196 veterans and their eligible spouses. Scranton is in northeastern Pennsylvania, about 125 miles north of Philadelphia. From June 2010 to October 2015, Semian served as “commandant” of the Merli Center. His employer was the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, which is a named defendant. According to Semian’s lawsuit, he was a “scapegoat” for the center’s negative evaluations by state health authorities. During Semian’s tenure, the center was repeatedly cited for health and safety violations, including deficient patient care and inadequate record keeping. However, Semian asserts in his suit that problems at the center were due to staffing shortages and other challenges that he reported to his superiors, to no avail. In 2014, according to Semian’s suit, he proposed a new nursing organizational structure, but his superiors failed to act on his proposal. In addition to sexual-orientation discrimination, Semian’s suit alleges a violation of the state Whistleblower’s Law. He’s seeking an unspecified amount in PAGE 17 compensatory

LGBT-friendly youthhousing facility in limbo PAGE 9

THE RESISTANCE: Several-dozen activists blocked traffic on Chestnut Street July 21 to protest a visit to Philadelphia by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who was in town to speak with law-enforcement officials at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Sessions focused his address on the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and decried sanctuary cities, like Philadelphia. Protestors outside blasted Sessions and the Trump administration on issues including immigration, mass incarceration and police brutality. Photo: Scott A. Drake

N.J. Gov. Christie signs two trans-inclusive bills By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed two trans-inclusive bills last week, which would develop guidelines for transgender students and prevent medical providers from discriminating based on gender identity. Due to travel arrangements, Christie was not immediately available for comment. SB 3067 “requires the Commissioner of Education to develop guidelines for school districts regarding transgender students.” The guidelines will provide methods to address the needs of transgender students while ensuring a nondiscriminatory environment in schools. The commissioner would be required to provide guidance and information on aspects such as confidenti-

ality, proper pronoun usage, school records, restroom and locker room use, the formation of LGBT-affirming programs and clubs and other transgender-specific guidelines. Additionally, the bill directs the commissioner to update the guidelines as needed and to provide programs and training for school officials on LGBT issues. “This is a huge victory for equality in New Jersey, and we want to send a big thank you to Gov. Christie for standing on the right side of history on this one,” said Garden State Equality Executive Director Christian Fuscarino in a statement. “As he did with the conversion-therapy ban, Gov. Christie took a stand for LGBT youth in New Jersey by signing this important legislation, and he deserves our thanks.”

The second measure, A4568, “prohibits health insurers, [State Health Benefit Program], [School Employees’ Health Benefits Program], certain health-care providers and Medicaid from discriminating in providing coverage and services based on gender identity.” It would prevent health-insurance companies from charging higher premiums, referring to trans identities as a “pre-existing condition” and from covering transition-related care. In a separate statement, Fuscarino thanked Christie and said the bill signing was a “tremendous victory.” However, he noted one shortcoming. “Unfortunately, this will not affect the self-funded marketplace,” Fuscarino said. “So there is still work to be done.” n

President Donald Trump issued a series of tweets Wednesday suggesting a ban on transgender people serving in the military. “After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military,” he tweeted. “Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender [sic] in the military would entail. Thank you.” Joshua Block, senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union’s LGBT & HIV Project, noted in a statement that “there are no cost or military readiness drawbacks associated with allowing trans people to fight for their country.” Block said ACLU is looking at ways to combat efforts to roll back a policy that went into effect last year allowing open service by trans military members. Earlier this summer, the Pentagon delayed a rule allowing enlistments by trans military members, which was set to go into effect July 1. “Transgender people have been serving openly and equally in the U.S. military for over a year,” noted University of Pennsylvania law professor Tobias Wolf. “They served in silence for decades before that. They are as patriotic, dedicated and capable as any member of the Armed Forces. They have suffered, bled and died for this country. And now they are the latest targets of a flailing and failed president who uses Twitter to make policy based on his last conversation and uses insults to bully senators from his own party and humiliate his own Attorney General. This is not governance. This is cynicism, ugliness and chaos. Enough.” Joanne Carroll, a transgender Pennsylvania woman who served 20 years in the Air Force, retiring as a master sergeant, added that Trump pledged to be a “friend” to the LGBT community, yet “day in and day out he has systematically done everything he can to disprove that. Just when transgender people were starting to PAGE 16

PGN LOCAL

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

Resource listings Legal resources • ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215-592-1513; aclupa.org • AIDS Law Project of PA: 215-587-9377; aidslawpa.org • AIDS Law Project of South Jersey: 856-784-8532; aidslawsnj.org/ • Equality PA: equalitypa. org; 215-731-1447

• Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations — Rue Landau: 215-686-4670 • Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-7603686; ppd.lgbt@gmail.com • SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-920-9537

• Office of LGBT Affairs — Amber Hikes: 215-686-0330; amber.hikes@phila.gov

Community centers • The Attic Youth Center; 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, atticyouth-

Allentown bans conversion therapy A bill to ban conversion therapy for minors unanimously passed Allentown City Council last Wednesday and was signed into law the following day. The legislation was introduced last month and unanimously advanced out of committee July 12 before coming before the full council. Allentown is the second Pennsylvania city to ban sexual-orientation-change efforts for minors; Pittsburgh became the first last year, and a bill recently adopted in Philadelphia awaits the mayor’s signature. The Allentown legislation was drafted by National Center for Lesbian Rights and Jerner & Palmer P.C., who told PGN last month that they envisioned the bill as a model for other smaller cities. The legislation prohibits licensed mental-health providers in Allentown from administering efforts to change a minor’s sexual orientation. Those found to be in violation of the ordinance would have their

business licenses revoked. The measure also establishes a board to consider appeals from providers whose licenses were revoked. The legislation was proposed by BradburySullivan LGBT Community Center. “Today is a proud day for Allentown’s LGBT community to be able to witness the final passage, with unanimous support from City Council and the mayor, of this important legislation that protects LGBT youth from so-called ‘conversion therapy,’” said Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center Executive Director Adrian Shanker in a statement last Wednesday night. “LGBT youth are fine just the way they are. Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center is committed to seeing an end to conversion therapy in the Lehigh Valley to ensure that LGBT youth receive high-quality health care, not junk science, from mental-health professionals in Allentown.” n — Jen Colletta

center.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies.

• LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania; 3907 Spruce

St.; 215-898-5044, center@dolphin.upenn.edu.

• Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center

Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks.org.

• William Way LGBT Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220, www.waygay.org.

Health and HIV testing • Action Wellness: 1216 Arch St.; 215981-0088, actionwellness.org

• AIDS Library:

1233 Locust St.; aidslibrary.org/

• AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800-6626080

• COLOURS: colour-

sorganization.org, 215832-0100

• Congreso de Latinos Unidos;

• Philadelphia FIGHT: 1233 Locust

• GALAEI: 215-851-

• Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center:

216 W. Somerset St.; 215-763-8870

1822 or 866-222-3871, www.galaei.org. Spanish/English

• Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad

St.; 215-685-1821

• Mazzoni Center:

1348 Bainbridge St.; 215-563-0652, mazzonicenter.org

St.; 215-985-4448, www.fight.org

1201 Locust St.; 215985-9206

• Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-7321207

Other • Independence Branch Library Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection: 215-685-1633 • Independence Business Alliance; 215-557-0190, IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com

• LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK • PFLAG: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833 • Philly Pride Presents: 215-875-9288

ADRIAN SHANKER ADDRESSES THE ALLENTOWN CITY COUNCIL JULY 19. Photo: Courtesy of Adrian Shanker

Next Community Conversation to focus on Mazzoni Center The Office of LGBT Affairs and the Mayor’s Commission on LGBT Affairs next month will host their second Community Conversation. During the conversation, current and former Mazzoni Center staff and clients will speak on their experiences at the LGBT health and wellness organization. The Office of LGBT Affairs will coordinate remarks before the event and requests must be emailed to LGBTInfo@phila.gov by 5 p.m. Aug. 3. Mazzoni went through several leadership shakeups in April. Former CEO Shein was under scrutiny for her alleged handling of former Medical Director Dr. Robert Winn’s alleged sexual impropriety with patients. After Winn’s resignation, more than 60 Mazzoni staff members participated in a walkout requesting Shein’s resignation. The organization announced her departure days later. “We invite all community members together as we hold space for those involved and work to reach a place of collective understanding and healing while forging a path forward together,” the event’s description states. The Community Conversation will be held 6-9 p.m. Aug. 10 at Broad Street Ministry, 315 S. Broad St. n — Jeremy Rodriguez

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

News & Opinion

10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Letters/Feedback Mark My Words Street Talk 15 — International News 17 — Media Trail

Columns

12 — Mombian: LGBT parent guide 14 — On Being Well: Steps for recovery 32 — Dining Out: Taste

“Civil disobedience drives up the cost of social injustice.” ~ Jose DeMarco, on ACT-UP protests and being arrested, page 7

Arts & Culture 23 25 26 28 29 30

TRUMPOCALYPSE: Though a few months earlier than Halloween, Center City was crawling with zombies last Friday night. The protest effort was staged in response to the resurrection of the fourth incarnation of the Republican-sponsored “Trumpcare” bill. Protestors donned zombie costumes to signify the loss of life they say will result from the Republicanled repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Demonstrators marched from the Gayborhood to Sen. Pat Toomey’s office, where they staged an “undead die-in” to urge him to vote against the measure. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Retiring long-time Penn LGBT advocate to be honored with center renaming.

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— Feature: Talent agent Linda Lewis — Scene in Philly — Out & About — Comics — Family Portrait — Q Puzzle

Creep of the Week: Jeff Sessions returns to top creep spot after claiming “Christians” are under attack by the LGBT community.

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

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

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PA LGBT Republicans speak out on intersecting identities By Timothy Roberts PGN Contributor Gary Klinger is a man without a country. He is a Lancaster County Republican, and he is gay. Being a Republican in a red county works well, but being gay in the Republican Party, not so much. “I don’t hide that I’m gay, but I don’t advertise it,” he said. With the burst of protests against the Trump administration following the 2016 election and the strong political element in gay Pride celebrations this year, one might be forgiven for thinking that to be gay is to be a Democrat. Not so fast. There are gay Republicans who help to make red states crimson. Some of them supported Donald Trump and are likely to do so again. According to exit polling reported by NBC News, 14 percent of self-identified gay voters cast a vote for the New York real-estate developer who had been endorsed by the Ku Klux Klan. The percentage was down from 2008, the year that Barack GARY KLINGER Obama was elected, Photo: Timothy when 27 percent Roberts voted for Republican John McCain. According to the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay political organization, the gay Republican vote peaked in the midterm elections in 2010 when 31 percent of gay voters chose Republican candidates. “This is not an insignificant number,” said Gregory T. Angelo, president of the Log Cabin Republicans. “We are more diverse in our political leanings than other groups underrepresented in GOP politics.” It should be noted that the Log Cabin Republicans withheld their presidential endorsement last year because Trump was such an unknown on political matters. Since then, Angelo has been trying to work with the administration on a number of issues. “I’m optimistically cautious that closer to 2018 and 2020, LGBT people who looked at [Trump] with suspicion might reconsider,” he said. It has been 40 years since Log Cabin was founded by people who had come together to fight the Briggs Initiative in California, which would have banned gay and lesbian teachers. The Log Cabin Republicans went on to be a voice for gay marriage at a time when the left opposed the idea as heterosexual assimilation. It was a voice for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” filing a lawsuit against the government demanding the end of the policy that let gay people serve in the armed forces only if they hid their sexual identity.

But the Log Cabin Republicans also have become the object of scorn by those who see gay Republicans today as masochistic dupes in a party that has fought the advancement of gay rights. Barney Frank has called them “Uncle Toms.” Angelo says Democrats try to shame gay Republicans. But clearly there is tension over LGBT issues in the Republican party. The long view suggests that the disputes at issue today may be gone in another generation, says Matthew Levendusky, associate professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania. Gay people can struggle within the Republican Party, keeping the flame alive — but, said Levendusky, “I think what’s more likely to change the Republican party is generational replacement.” Within both major parties, older people tend to be less supportive than younger people of same-sex marriage and other types of same-sex equality, he said. Of course, young Democrats are more supportive of same-sex equality than young Republicans. “If you look at younger people in both parties, I suspect that within 30 years a lot of these issues will be non-issues,” Levendusky said. There is a historical parallel in the fight to end racial segregation. “Someone who envisions a long career [in politics] is gong to understand that [opposition to same-sex equality] is not going to be a long-term viable position,” and would be the equivalent, he said, of saying, “Segregation today, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever,” as Alabama Gov. George Wallace did in 1963 at the Alabama State Capitol. Gay people like Klinger struggle with conflicting identities — a partisan identity vs. a sexual one. “One way of dealing with that incongruity is that you try to separate out the two identities,” Levendusky said. “You say, ‘Well, I don’t like the Republican positions on issues related to sexual minorities, but I like their positions on taxes, on foreign policy, or abortion or a number of other issues that lead me to maintain these two identities.” Many Roman-Catholic believers face a similar challenge. They may favor the Democrats on immigration, health care and aid to the poor, while also holding to the church’s stance against abortion. “For gay Republicans, I suspect it’s a similar process,” Levendusky noted. “You see there are things that you like and things you dislike about the party but because you value that partisan attachment, you don’t necessarily get rid of it even though you might disagree with them on this very salient issue.” That doesn’t make it easy. Barry Loveland, chair of the LGBT Center of Central Pennsylvania’s History Project, says gay PAGE 18

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

LOCAL PGN

Penn’s LGBT Center to be renamed in honor of retiring director

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cific demographic groups such as Queer Muslims and Allies at Penn (QMAP) and Queer People of Color (QPoC). “There’s hardly anybody who has only The LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania will bear a new name this one identity and it’s very important to recfall upon the retirement of its longtime ognize that people belong to multiple comdirector. On Oct. 14, the university will munities, want to feel comfortable in all honor Bob Schoenberg for his 35 years communities that they belong to and not be helming the center and rededicate the 3907 forced to choose between going to, say, the African-American Resource Center and the Spruce St. locaLGBT Center,” he said. tion as the “Robert Schoenberg said he hopes the center Schoenberg will continue to provide its core services Carriage House.” and programs. Additionally, he would S c h o e n b e r g ’s like to see the center support students in official last day the current political environment that he will be a month noted “has been sometimes quite hostile to earlier, on Sept. 12. LGBTQ people.” “It’s my actual “I think that students here are relatively 35th anniversary sheltered from some of the hostilities in the of the day that I greater community and [the center should] started,” he said. help them deal with some of those negative “It might have factors when they graduate, to understand been more logical how they can be part of the activist commuto make it the 15th of August or the 30th of August or some- nity, whether through being activists themtime before the start of the new academic selves or even providing financial support year [but] being the kind of person I am, to community organizations that do activist I thought, Well let’s just round it off at an work,” Schoenberg said. “We’d really like to see that happen.” exact 35.” After his retirement, Schoenberg plans When he was a doctoral student at Penn back in 1982, Schoenberg began working to continue serving on the advisory boards as an employee who would be dedicated of the LGBT Health Program at Penn to the gay and lesbian community, noting Medicine and the Penn Center for AIDS Research. He also that “bisexual” and plans to participate “transgender” were “I think that students here in stress-reducing not referenced terms at the time. Over are relatively sheltered from activities and traveling, but nothing the next decade, his some of the hostilities in is formally in the position developed works. into a program for the greater community and “I don’t have any LGBT students and [the center should] help big plans,” he said. then into the full them deal with some of “I will be staying center, where he those negative factors when in Philadelphia but served as director. I also have a place Schoenberg said they graduate, to underin the Poconos and his work has always I will be spending been satisfying, stand how they can be part more time up there noting he has done of the activist community than I’ve been able something different whether through being activ- to while I have been every day. “Over 35 years, ists themselves or even pro- working full-time. I want to spend some my responsibilities period of time relaxhave evolved contin- viding financial support to ing, finding out what uously,” he said. “I community organizations it’s like to not get up think that’s a huge at a certain time and plus for this kind of that do activist work.” have a list of things position. If anybody had told me in the 1990s that I was going to do associated with work. Although, I to be the consumer of architecture services, always have lists of things to do. So they that I was going to have a say in the reno- will probably be more personal than profesvations of a 5,500-square-foot building, I sional.” n would’ve said, ‘You’re crazy. Why would I Bob Schoenberg’s 35th-anniversary celebrahave to know about architecture?’” Additionally, Schoenberg noted that the tion will begin with the rededication cerecenter has become more inclusive to work mony at noon Oct. 14 at the LGBT Center, with more than two-dozen LGBT groups. 3907 Spruce St. All are welcome to this event. This includes general groups such as the A party will follow at Houston Hall, 3417 Queer Student Alliance but also more-spe- Spruce St. Visit lgbt35.com to register.

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v Employment Discrimination CITY CONNECTIONS: Several-dozen LGBT and ally city employees gathered July 21 for cocktails and conversation upstairs at Tavern on Camac. The social was part of a larger effort to forge connections and encourage networking among LGBT employees across all city departments. Office of LGBT Affairs Director Amber Hikes was in attendance, as was Sherriff’s Office LGBT Liaison Dante Austin. The group is planning another get-together after Labor Day. Photo: Scott A. Drake

ACT UP member arrested after act of civil disobedience in D.C. By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Jose DeMarco told a group of protesters outside Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey’s office in Washington, D.C., about living with HIV since 1987. After telling the group about the medications that have kept him and many others alive, the queer activist shouted two words: “Mic check.” This code signified he would sit in front of Toomey’s office door until he was arrested. DeMarco was representing ACT UP Philadelphia, an HIV/AIDS-activism organization, at a July 19 demonstration opposing Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. He was among 155 protesters arrested at Senate offices throughout the capital. DeMarco noted he has been arrested at least 13 times for acts of civil disobedience. “I’ve done it so many times. I know the routine. I say, ‘Here we go again, Jose. You’re getting arrested,’” DeMarco said with a laugh. He said he was detained for at least six hours and did not leave the city until after midnight. However, the nine other ACT UP members did not leave him behind. “You don’t leave until everyone is out of jail,” DeMarco noted, as per the group’s policy.

“It’s really good when people you love and respect got your back,” he added. “It’s an amazing feeling of solidarity.” He noted minimal feelings of nervousness but said he felt safe due to the security cameras within the office. “There’s always a little apprehension about what if I get the one police officer that hates people with AIDS or something like that,” DeMarco said. “That goes through your mind. But [since] I’ve done it so many times, I know what to expect. I know how it’s done. But I’m sure [for] a lot of people doing this for the first time, it was really scary.” DeMarco noted his motivation for getting arrested and said he would do it again. “Civil disobedience drives up the cost of social injustice. “The progress we have made fighting HIV and AIDS is really amazing especially coming from a generation that [I] saw,” he added. “People were going to funerals once a week or at least three times a month in Philly and I remember that vividly. Going from that to no medication, no treatment, no hope to actually having medication that prevents HIV — PrEP, one pill a day. It’s amazing. People are actually talking about the end of AIDS. Education is a functional cure. It gave people a lot of hope. We can live now. We’re not going to die. We can end this.” n

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in the next direction pgn Philadelphia Gay News Point-ed National LGBT scholarship group awards three

LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

PA students By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Three Pennsylvania college students will continue their education with the help of the Point Foundation, a national scholarship organization for LGBT students. The recipients were among 52 students selected from more than 2,000 applicants across the country. While they are at different steps in their education journey, all of them have made it a point to protect marginalized voices. Taking that first step

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said her freshman year “transformed” her. During her first six months of being out, the West Nyack, N.Y., native said she wore her gym clothes to school so she would not have to deal with rumors about “checking out” girls in the locker room. However, Weisler also said she became the school’s “token gay kid” and “symbol of diversity.” Now, the 19-year-old said the majority of her friends at Muhlenberg are LGBT. “That was an incredible feeling to be in an academic space where I knew I didn’t have to darken part of myself because the only part that was prominent was my identity,” Weisler said. She noted a similar experience while attending a Point Foundation ceremony with other award recipients. She said it was “gratifying” to look around, knowing that every single person in the room was LGBT. “To feel at home for the first time and to walk into a room and know, I don’t have to come out and I don’t have to be someone’s signature gay person; I get to just be Val, was a really incredible feeling and gave me this rare opportunity to focus on who Val is for the first time,” she said. Weisler runs the Validation Project, an international social-justice organization, and plans to bring the project to the Allentown School District to let students know about opportunities outside of the classroom. “Our main goal is to prove to my generation that they have worth at a time when most people tell them that they don’t have worth,” Weisler said of the organization’s goal. “[I want] to teach them how to use that worth to go out there and solve problems that they’re passionate about.”

Felipe Gomez emigrated from Colombia to the United States with his mother in 2004. While he was still young at the time, the 18-year-old noted that his culture shaped the way his family viewed him. “Growing up feeling different was hard,” said Gomez, who is gay. “Obviously there’s no gay life in Colombia specifically where I’m from. It was hard not knowing that what I was feeling was actually a thing, [that] being attracted to the same sex was not abnormal. When I was growing up, I never had a figure to look at because of my family and their religious tendencies.” Gomez ultimately created a gay-straight alliance at his school in Hialeah, Fla., and graduated in June summa cum laude. He will continue his education at the University of Pennsylvania, which he said has an “amazing” LGBT center. “I visited a lot of schools last fall,” Gomez said. “I visited like six and, by far, the best LGBT center and the most prominent queer society was at Penn, so that definitely drew me in.” Continuing the journey While Gomez isn’t sure what he wants to do as a career, he The Point Foundation scholsaid Penn would allow him to arship will help Adil Mansoor explore his interests. He added FELIPE GOMEZ go back to school to receive his he would ideally like to start a (TOP), VALERIE master in fine arts in directing at nonprofit and has a strong interWEISLER AND Carnegie Mellon University. est in community service. ADIL MANSOOR “I feel like Carnegie Mellon “Where I’m from here is just very critically and intelliin Hialeah, which is close to Miami, there is not a lot of community ser- gently thinking about the future of theater vice particularly serving to LGBT people,” and I feel like the program is aware that Gomez said. “So I really want to dive into many of our current models aren’t workthat in Philly because I really want to sup- ing,” the 31-year-old said. “The current models in theater very much set up barriport that side of me.” ers that prevent marginalized people from being a part of the conversation, be it as Finding validation audience members or as artists.” Mansoor, who identifies as queer, said Valerie Weisler already has one year at PAGE 18 Muhlenberg College under her belt and he grew up in a sin-

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

Hearing scheduled in New Jersey antibias case By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Thomas Vandergrift, a gay man wrongfully suspected as a child molester, is fighting to clear his name. This week, a judge will consider whether Vandergrift may access records that could help him achieve vindication. Vandergrift, of South Philadelphia, claims that homophobia prompted Pennsauken public-school officials to report him as a suspected child molester in August 2011. Vandergrift alleges that district officials violated his civil rights when reporting him to New Jersey child-welfare authorities. He contends the unfounded reports were homophobic and retaliatory in nature, after he advocated for a proper education for his autistic nephew. In 2012, Vandergrift filed a federal antibias suit, seeking an unspecified amount in damages and corrective measures within the district. However, district officials recently asked U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel Schneider to dismiss Vandergrift’s suit as meritless. In response, Vandergrift urged Schneider to grant him access to key documents in the case so that he can adequately respond to the district’s dismissal requests. In a July 10 filing, Vandergrift said he’s being denied access to child-welfare inves-

tigative reports, school-district personnel records and sealed depositions. “Gathering factual information is at the core of our civil discovery system,” Vandergrift said in his filing. “The court has restricted the access of these files.” Vandergrift emphasizes in his filing that he’s at a disadvantage to pursue his case without access to the records. “[I’m] unable to credibly refute the [dismissal requests], as [I’ve] not been entitled to equal access to the facts within many documents,” he added. Vandergrift recently retained an attorney, Matthew B. Weisberg, who told PGN he’ll advocate for access to all relevant records in the case. “I intend to file all necessary motions to do so,” Weisberg said. “I’m optimistic that my client’s rights will be vindicated. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have taken the case.” A hearing on the dispute was scheduled for 2 p.m. July 19 at Courtroom 3C of the U.S Court House in Camden, with Schneider presiding. Additional information was unavailable at presstime. In a prior interview, Vandergrift said the unfounded child-molestation reports hampered his ability to enjoy life and pursue a career. He also expressed hope that his case will prevent similar alleged wrongdoing in the future. n

Sale in jeopardy for LGBTfriendly youth facility A judge last week green-lighted a bidding war for land that had been slated as the site of an LGBT-friendly youth-housing facility. Bids will be offered Aug. 11 for several parcels owned by North Philadelphia Health System. The system had been moving forward with the sale of two pieces of land adjacent to its now-defunct Girard Medical Center to Project HOME. The social-services agency planned to build 30 units of LGBT-friendly housing for young adults at 1315 N. Eighth St. The groundbreaking had been slated for this past spring, but NPHS declared bankruptcy at the end of last year. Project HOME had pushed for the sale to continue, but last week the court gave permission for NPHS to seek higher bids in order to generate as much money as possible for its creditors. A representative from Project HOME

did not respond to a request for comment as of presstime, but a spokesperson for the organization told Philly.com it intended to make a bid at the Aug. 11 bankruptcy auction. Potential buyers will be able to bid on the land that had been intended for the youth-housing building, another parcel that Project HOME was going to develop for adults and youth and the hospital campus. A Project HOME spokesperson told PGN in the spring that the agency had already spent about $700,000 on environmental consultants, engineers, architects and attorneys relating to the project. The organization has also lined up millions in city and state grants, tax credits and bond financing, which will only be viable if the sale is finalized by August. n

Annville • Lebanon Valley College, Sheridan Ave. • Allentown • Allentown Brew Works, 812 Hamilton St. • Bradbury Sullivan Center, 522 w. Maple St. • Candida, 247 N. 12th St. • Stonewall, 28-30 N. 10th St. Bethlehem • LGBTQ Services Lehigh U, 25 Trembley Dr. • NOVUSACS, 1565 Linden St. Center Valley • Penn State Lehigh Valley, 2809 Saucon Valley Rd. Harrisburg • 704 Strawberry Cafe, 704 N. Third St. • AIDS Community Alliance, 100 N. Cameron St. • Brownstone Lounge, 412 Forster St. • MCC of the Spirit, 2973 Jefferson St. • Stallions, 706 N. Third St. • Lancaster • Downtown Books, 227 N. Prince St. • Sundown Lounge, 429 N. Mulberry St. • Tally Ho Tavern, 201 W. Orange St. • Would you like to be on our distribution list?

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

EDITORIAL PGN EDITORIAL

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Jeff Sessions

Editorial

Trans tripping point Wednesday morning’s outrageous announcement that President Donald Trump intends to close the doors of the military to transgender individuals shouldn’t have come as a surprise. This is a man who rolled back protections for transgender children as one of his first acts in office. He referred to members of our community as “the gays” and gleefully posed with an upside-down rainbow flag to court the LGBT vote. He has railed against every issue and ideal that the vast majority of the LGBT community holds close and exhibited a basic lack of understanding and respect for diversity around every corner. Yet still, this week’s move was jarring. This was a developing story as PGN went to press, but by all indications, Trump plans to take action to root out openly transgender individuals currently serving in the military and to disallow any future enlistments by trans people. It’s a plan that not only strips trans Americans of dignity and respect but walks back Trump’s pledge to strengthen our military might. There are more than 15,000 transgender individuals currently serving in our

armed forces. With just 140 characters fired off haphazardly from Trump’s smartphone, every single one of those people have now had their careers, livelihoods and futures upended. And the countless contributions these people have and would have made to protect and fight for our country have been stymied. Trump’s latest atrocity smacks both of bigotry and a handout to his most-conservative, Bible-thumping base. A basic readout of Internet comments on Wednesday’s news shows Trump supporters rejoicing in the oppression of people they find to be less-than, reveling in the marginalization of an entire community of Americans. The hatred and ignorance that Trump has inspired and empowered in segments of this country is dangerous and damaging. Regardless of the feasibility of this week’s announcement, that he so carelessly cast doubt on the worth and value of transgender lives will have ongoing reverberations. However, the dignity of transgender lives is not up for debate — a message that the entire community needs to drive home to our lawmakers, thought leaders and our trans brothers and sisters. n

our nation face When the country’s chief law-enforcement officer meets with a group that toils today concerning daily to hurt LGBT people, that’s deeply our historic Firsttroubling. But when he goes out of his way Amendment right to to praise said anti-LGBT group, LGBT the ‘free exercise’ people have a good reason to be worried. of our faith have Not that Attorney General Jeff Sessions become acute.” has ever inspired confidence in anyone Again, no. who cares about civil rights. Sessions has The only thing a long history of being a racist and, lo acute here is and behold, he doesn’t like LGBT peothe Christianity ple. Funny how those things tend to go Persecution together. Complex on display. On July 11, Sessions spoke at the Sessions did say something I agree with. Alliance Defending Freedom’s Summit on He spoke of the government having a role Religious Liberty. “to provide the great secular structure” that Now, that sounds nice. Who on earth is supposed to protect everybody’s rights. could be against joining together to defend He then undermines this very concept: freedom? And wasn’t this country founded “This Department of Justice will never on religious liberty? allow this secular government of ours to Alas, ADF’s definition of freedom is demand that sincere religious beliefs be limited mainly to white heterosexual abandoned. We will not require American Christians. Ditto to religious freedom, citizens to give intellectual assent to docespecially if that religious freedom is being trines that are contrary to their religious used to deny a couple of homos a wedding beliefs. And they must be allowed to exercake or something. cise those beliefs as the First Amendment Oh, and wouldn’t you know it, ADF is guarantees.” currently representing a baker who refused Now, of course the DOJ shouldn’t to make a cake for a gay wedding — a case restrict religious belief. But Sessions is clearly of the mind on its way to the Anyone who says it’s hard that by enforcing, Supreme Court. No press was say, antidiscrimibeing Christian in America allowed, but nation laws that are doesn’t know what “hard” Sessions’ prepared designed to protect remarks were pubLGBT people is tanmeans and likely doesn’t lished online by The tamount to quashing know what “Christian” Federalist. the free speech of After quotanti-LGBT peomeans, either. ing Washington, ple. Keep in mind Jefferson and Dr. Martin Luther King that “religious freedom” has been used to Jr. (to prove he’s not racist), Sessions defend things like slavery and segregation. Sessions goes on to say, “Under this lamented how hard it is to be Christian in administration, religious Americans will be America. “The cultural climate has become less treated neither as an afterthought nor as a hospitable to people of faith and to reliproblem to be managed.” gious belief,” Sessions said. “And in recent Says the guy who supports a ban on Muslims. years, many Americans have felt that their Sessions has proved time and time again freedom to practice their faith has been under attack.” that he cannot be trusted to enforce this Yes. This checks out. If you are Muslim, country’s civil-rights laws. He has the right that is (or another religion practiced preunder the First Amendment to say otherdominantly by people who aren’t white wise, but Americans have the freedom, for and is thus swept up in anti-Muslim hysnow at least, to call him a liar. n teria). Anyone who says it’s hard being Christian in America doesn’t know what D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian “hard” means and likely doesn’t know living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow what “Christian” means, either. her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski. Sessions continued, “The challenges

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

Behind the scenes of the biz There is a belief in the newspaper biz mainstream topic when I feel I have somethat summer is the time for columnists to thing to add to the conversation. step away from issues of the day and have But all columns have something in coma conversation with their readers. That mon: They are all edited and proofread conversation should take the form of letbefore going to press. When I write someting your readers know more about you thing I feel strongly about, the column is and engaging on why they like full of passion. My fingers fly or dislike the work you put out across the keyboard and I’m not each week. stopping for grammar, spelling Many of you know much or punctuation. It’s the passion about me and my background of that moment and the ideas since you’ve read my memoir that are coming from my heart “And Then I Dance” available or brain. on Amazon.com — yep, that That style was used by Jill was a plug for my best-selling, Johnston in the 1970s in the award-winning book. (By the Village Voice. And, thanks to way, here’s a detail most don’t my editors over the years, that know: During the summer, passion has made this column Amazon discounts many of its the most-awarded and read in books since, like a newspaper, LGBT media. It’s published in it’s a little slow this time of other newspapers and on other year.) websites — thank you, publish Back to the subject. A few Mark Segal ers and editors — and in that weeks ago, I talked about relaway, it becomes a contribution tionships in this column. This one instead to LGBT media, which as you know is also will talk about style — writing style, that a passion for me. is, since I’d never get an award for fashion. So thank you for embracing me, a kid There are various styles of column writing. from public education and not a great stuThere are those who go for creativity, those dent, and for supporting this column over the years. And thanks to my editors who whose works are full of facts and figures help me tackle some of the issues of the and those who use humor to get to a point. day. n You might have guessed by now that, on occasion, I use all of those techniques. Mark Segal is the nation’s most-award-winning com A typical column for me is to give you mentator in LGBT media. His memoir, “And Then my feelings by exploring a subject matter I Danced,” is available on Amazon.com, Barnes & being debated in the community, or one Noble or at your favorite bookseller. affecting our rights, and at time even a

Mark My Words

Letters and Feedback In response to “City asks judge to dismiss Boxers suit,” July 21-27: There are decks on other bars nearby, such as ICandy. In this case the permits were issued, the construction was nearly complete and the bar was a week or two from opening the deck when the permission was revoked. No valid reason for revoking the previously given permission seems to have been given. In this case, what other reasons could L&I possibly have for revoking and withholding permission for a roof deck that backs onto an alley and parking garage? — Paul Marchesano In response to “Exclusive: Former Mazzoni Center CEO Nurit Shein speaks out,” July 21-27: If it is true about Nurit being told many times, why then didn’t her board take action? With over a hundred employees, it was not a secret and others in authority could have spoken up and told her of their concerns. Finding a replacement that has

the many skill sets, beyond the educational level, will be no easy task. It also requires the ability to raise a great deal of funding and have the personality to bring people together. That, Nurit did very well. [Executive] directors are easily found, but not with the ability to raise large sums of money.

Street Talk Will trans military recruits be permitted to serve openly in the Trump administration? "No, because President Trump is close-minded to change. It comes from being oldfashioned. He was raised in a different Britni Nelson time. I sous-chef just hope Old City this issue will inspire a conversation that will bring about a new [presidential] administration."

"No. I don't like Trump. I don't think he'll allow trans recruits to serve openly in the military. I don't feel good about Jessica Rose the way he bartender treats most South Philadelphia people. I'm very concerned that he won't give transgender people a fair shake."

"I'd be very surprised if Trump allows that to happen. The way the man talks about women is horrendous. How he would Taylor Scott talk about the sign maker Bellefonte transgender community, I can only imagine. Trump doesn't seem to believe in equal rights for anyone, except straight white males."

"I highly doubt it. The man is insane. Pence is no better. Pence's mission in life seems to be to destroy the LGBT Nicole Wiegand movement. I store manager wouldn't hold Bella Vista my breath waiting for Trump to be fair to the trans community. It's naïve to think he's even considering this."

pgn Philadelphia Gay News

LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

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— Mel Heifetz Ninety-two percent of their funds comes from fee for services and government grants — so, yes, fundraising is important, but running the business side of the [organization] is nine-tenths of the financial requirements. Not fundraising. And providing the services themselves is 98 percent of the job itself. Clients won’t pay those fees for services that don’t meet their needs. [Government] won’t make grant awards if they don’t meet their requirements. And lord knows why donors would make their generous gifts to a health [organization] if their main skill was fundraising. — Kathy11

News updates more reliable than “a little bird told us”.

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New guide offers advice for and from LGBT parents As an LGBTQ parent, I sometimes feel fostering, sperm banks, surrogacy, known like I’ve had to make things up as I go donors and straight relationships — are along. But “Pride and Joy: A Guide for less about the mechanics and more about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Parents” sharing insights on why people chose that gives queer parents and parents-to-be a option and what it was like for them. handy way to tap into the collective wis Part Two, “Coming Out as a Family,” dom of many who have gone before. The includes choosing names for parents and new book, by Sarah and Rachel donors; telling extended famHagger-Holt, offers stories, ily about your plans to parent advice and insight not only on (and navigating what could be starting a family, but also on varied reactions), responding navigating the years to follow. to questions from medical and The book is not meant to be social-service professionals, as a manual, however, the authors well as from other parents; and tell us, but rather “an invitation being an LGBT family in the to join a conversation.” They school system. (Best section hope that the stories in it “will heading: “We’re here, we’re spark moments of recognition,” queer and we’re on the PTA.”) A third section explores help readers find solutions to “Creating New Forms of their own dilemmas and convey and the importance (or that we’re all part of a commuDana Rudolph Family,” nity. not) of biological connection, The Hagger-Holts are themgender roles and expectations, selves raising two children, ages 6 and 8, being out as a parent and relationships in the U.K. Rachel, a clinical psychologist, with co-parents, donors, birth parents and and Sarah, who works in charity comothers. The final part looks at life changes munications, have already published one that some LGBT families may face, such book together, a guide for living as an out Christian. For their new and nondenomias gender transition, divorce and new national work, they interviewed more than relationships, and then turns to ways of 70 LGBT parents, their grown children, maintaining our own LGBT identities as sperm donors, prospective parents and oth- parents. It wraps up with a chapter about ers across the U.K. and Ireland to provide talking with our children about sometimes a range of perspectives, anecdotes and tough topics like sex and relationships, advice. And despite its British and Irish prejudice, diversity “and what it means for roots, most of the book is broadly applica- them to be part of an LGBT family, helpble to LGBT parents in the U.S., too. ing them to be confident in their own story The first section covers starting a family, and in sharing it with others.” beginning with how people have decided Several “special feature” essays also take in-depth looks at additional topics to do so in the first place. Even the chaplike cross-cultural parenting, seeking asyters about specific options — adoption/

Mombian

lum as an LGBT family, being an ally to LGBT parents and choosing not to parent. The book is consistently encouraging but not saccharine, balancing practical tips with stories that cast light on the emotional aspects of being an LGBT parent. The Haggar-Holts do a good job pulling together the diverse opinions and experiences of their interviewees, but are not afraid to offer their own insights too. In talking with children about LGBT people and relationships, for example, they observe that this isn’t a matter of sex; instead, “We’re telling them a story about how much they are loved, wanted and surrounded by people who care for them.” “Pride and Joy” is a welcome addition to the small canon of guidebooks for LGBT parents, most of which (like Stephanie Brill’s “The New Essential Guide to Lesbian Conception, Pregnancy and Birth,” Rachel Pepper’s “The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians” and Eric Rosswood’s recent “Journey to Same-Sex Parenthood”) focus on starting a family rather than raising one, and do not fully include transgender or bisexual parents. Arlene Istar Lev’s “The Complete Lesbian and Gay Parenting Guide” is probably closest in covering more than just how to start, but like Brill and Pepper’s work,

is now over a decade old. And Michael Shelton’s more-recent “Family Pride: What LGBT Families Should Know about Navigating Home, School and Safety in Their Neighborhoods” feels less like a guidebook and more like a survey of the state of LGBT families in 2013. The Haggar-Holts, in contrast, offer a broader look across the family lifecycle and the spectrum, even including several bisexual parents in different-sex relationships, as well as trans and genderqueer parents. They acknowledge the need for bisexual and transgender people to sometimes find their own spaces. They also wisely include insights from adults with LGBT parents. Some might argue that a cross-spectrum book isn’t necessary, that each part of the spectrum has its own specific concerns on the way to and through parenthood. While that may be true to some extent, a cross-spectrum book also shows that we have many things in common; that some of us sit in multiple or changing places on the spectrum; and that we can learn much from each other to enhance both our own parenting and our ability to support others in their journeys. The book will likely appeal most to new LGBT parents or LGBT people considering parenthood, but even those of us with a few years of experience under our belts will find much of value in this bouquet of stories, tips and reflections about the grand adventure that is being an LGBT parent. n Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher of Mombian (mombian.com), a GLAAD Media Awardwinning blog and resource directory for LGBTQ parents.

Assaulted inmate released to a halfway house By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Kenneth J. Houck Jr., an openly gay federal inmate who was brutally assaulted while detained in Philadelphia, last week was released to a halfway house in New York. Houck’s release to a halfway house comes after a six-year turbulent incarceration in federal prison. On Nov. 10, 2011, Houck was assaulted at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia, while awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to one count of transporting child pornography. Two inmates entered Houck’s cell, pulled him from his bunk and kicked and punched him. Houck’s right leg was fractured in multiple places; he continues to walk with a limp.

A metal rod was installed in Houck’s leg from ankle to knee for stabilization. Houck, 42, said he requested increased security prior to the assault, due to homophobic threats from fellow inmates, but prison authorities allegedly denied his request. Although his assailants were convicted of criminal offenses, they weren’t charged with committing hate crimes. Houck maintained the attack was motivated by anti-LGBT animus, and urged authorities to pursue hate-crimes charges, to no avail. “I want all involved punished for the hate crime — to give them a reason to not let their homophobic aggression be taken out on anyone else ever again,” Houck said at the time. Houck also expressed remorse for his own crime — which

involved downloading child porn, then sharing it with an undercover federal agent through a computer file-sharing network. Houck’s criminal activity took place between November 2010 and February 2011, according to court records. Houck was living in South Philadelphia at the time, and the undercover agent was located in Delaware. Houck said his victimization at the detention center sensitized him to the exploitation and harm caused by the child-porn industry. “My collecting [porn] was showing my support of the industry,” he said. “I’m sorry for the people that are affected by the child porn I collected when they [children] were used in the making of it.” Houck said he was reading an

LGBT novel when his assailants pulled him from his bunk. He fell about 5 feet onto a cement floor, then his assailants beat him. “When they pulled me out of my bunk, I landed on the cement floor,” Houck said in a prior interview. “It was about a 5-foot drop. Then they stomped on me, kicked me and beat me with a chair.” Houck was transported by ambulance to Jefferson University Hospital, where he spent 18 days in its critical-care unit during the initial phase of his recovery. His parents were denied information about Houck’s location and condition for about two months. A prison spokesperson said information about a detainee’s condition and location after an assault is kept confidential for security purposes. Houck is suing the federal

Bureau of Prisons for more than $1 million in damages. He’s also embroiled in a contentious dispute for access to records that could assist him in his litigation. Houck alleges he was denied adequate medical care after his injuries, passed over for suitable employment while incarcerated and denied access to LGBTrelated reading materials through the prison’s interlibrary-loan program. Houck’s projected release date is June 23, 2018. Meanwhile, he’ll reside at Syracuse Pavilion, a halfway house in Syracuse that offers multifaceted services to offenders seeking reentry into society. According to court records, Houck must register as a sex offender in any jurisdiction where he lives, works or goes to school for the remainder of his life. n

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

Living a three-dimensional recovery Something’s missing

Who are we, really?

I was baffled. Was this guy serious? He Finding our authentic selves can be a just asked me if I was “having fun yet” daunting endeavor. But, unless your startnow that I was no longer using drugs or ing point is fixed, setting a course to your alcohol. “Are you kidding me? Absolutely desired destination can be exceedingly difnot,” I said. And, damn, I meant it. ficult. Some have had practice exploring Back in 2003, I had attended what gives their lives meaning a well-known intensive outpaand purpose, while for others tient (IOP) clinic for several it is a journey they are taking months and doing everything for the first time. This is a proeveryone asked of me, and I felt cess of discovery, with breadth … flat. I intensely wanted to and depth, that I whole-heartfeel sufficient and happy. Yet, edly endorse as it has greatly I seemed to be missing someimpacted me and many others. thing important. In essence, what I am advo This experience is hardly cating here is a 3D recovery unique to people recovering — reaching as many aspects of from addiction to drugs or alcoourselves as possible. hol. Many wrestle with such Let me say here that I am questions as, “How do I reclaim not at all dismissing the vital my life’s sense of meaning?” need for the many recovery or “How can progress still feel means (e.g., harm reduction, Kirk Parsons, abstention) and methods (e.g., so empty?” People in recovery SMART Recovery) from substance abuse, passionCRS 12-Step, so many people successfully ate in their desire to live differently, often participate in all employ daily, with life-changmanner of programs, therapies, life-coaching results. However, I have witnessed and have been told how many follow precise ing sessions, peer-counseling visits, group recovery prescriptions and hope to expemeetings, religious services and more. All of these well-known prescriptions have rience the fruit of many promises made the expected effect of leading people to to them and, yet, it doesn’t seem to click. believe that with regular adherence and The sense of fulfillment, direction and attendance, their lives will once again purpose is lacking in realness. It would regain fullness — except there’s one big seem the gears have failed to engage. piece we don’t often discuss: who our true How do we begin to address this challenge? In “The Velvet Rage,” author Dr. selves are and how to begin nurturing perAlan Downs writes that the authentic sonal growth.

On Being Well

self is gradually revealed by “showing yourself — your complete self — to the world around you [so that] the world can respond with validation of what is real about you.” This is a “gradual, organic change,” which “needs no sudden jolt or miraculous event,” Downs states. I, also, have come to realize in my own life (and as I work to support others) that the cultivation of multiple opportunities is best — or, as one person recently expressed to me, “Apply a good formula of doing a range of things, but not too much of any one.” Intentional action As the recovery specialist at Mazzoni Center’s Open Door Program, I am often heard encouraging people I work with to put as many eggs in as many baskets as possible. Take a risk and venture out — with self or others, I suggest. Quest for activities that support your interests and offer personal growth. Consider what is meaningful, enriching and, yes, fun. Go see a play, read an intriguing book at a comfortable, out-of-the-way spot, visit the library or museum, play a sport, sing in the choir, go camping. Cultivate a keen interest in yourself and, hopefully, see that you are fascinating and worth knowing. Author Eva Hoffman writes of the rewards associated with cultivating curiosity in her book, “How to Be Bored.” Applied generally here, Hoffman urges us to “reawaken [our] sense of wonder about the world … [and grow to have] a wider personal lens through which

to view and understand” ourselves. This takes practice and time. Additionally, Dr. Downs encourages everyone on this journey to let go of any rigid expectations and to find joy in the moment while being free to be who you are right now. Reflecting on these thoughts is what has recently brought me to the conclusion that many recovering Mazzoni clients would benefit not only from our regular support groups (held every Monday and Wednesday), but also would find helpful the chance to join an evening social activity gathering. So, we are starting one this month. It is my hope those who attend will find it to be an enjoyable, dedicated period in a safe space to interact with others and participate in recreation. If we begin to intentionally structure our time and obligations with a genuine focus, we will free ourselves from “functioning only on the surfaces of ourselves [where] we lose rich dimensions of experience,” Hoffman writes. So, let’s choose to support ourselves through the full, three-dimensional engagement of authentic activity as we seek to “endow our choices and actions with significance.” Combine these ideas with the fundamental assistance of a vibrant recovery program and, perhaps, the road to a happier, healthier life will become more apparent and rewarding. n Mazzoni Center’s LGBTQ recovery support groups are held every Monday at 2:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. facilitated by Kirk Parsons. No need to register; just drop by the main building at 1348 Bainbridge St.

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White House says it’s upset by Kadyrov’s antigay remarks

International German president OKs gay-marriage law Germany’s president has signed legislation legalizing gay marriage, paving the way for it to take effect this fall. Lawmakers approved the bill June 30 in its last session before Germany’s September election. The move became possible after Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose conservative party had long been reluctant to budge on the issue, said she would allow its lawmakers to vote according to their conscience. The presidential office said July 21 that President Frank-Walter Steinmeier signed the legislation July 20. It will come into force Oct. 1 at the earliest. Germany has allowed same-sex couples to enter civil partnerships since 2001, but until now has not granted them full marital rights, including the possibility of jointly adopting children. The change brings it into line with many other western European countries.

The White House says it was concerned at remarks by the leader of Chechnya, who suggested any gay people in his Russian republic should be shipped to Canada. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has faced international criticism since a Russian newspaper reported this spring that his security forces had detained some 100 gay men, torturing or killing some of them. The Associated Press has spoken to some of the victims. In an interview earlier this month, Kadyrov insisted there are no gay people in Chechnya and added that if “there are any, take them to Canada.” U.S. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters in Washington, D.C., on July 18 that the State Department found these remarks “very concerning and also upsetting.” Nauert said Washington has raised the issue with Russian officials “at the highest levels.”

In first, more than half of people with HIV on meds The United Nations says that for the first time in the AIDS epidemic, more than half of all people with HIV are on drugs to treat the virus.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

AIDS deaths are also now close to half of what they were in 2005, according to the U.N. AIDS agency, although those figures are based on estimates and not actual counts from countries. Experts applauded the progress, but questioned if the billions spent in the past two decades should have brought more impressive results. The U.N. report was released July 20 in Paris, where an AIDS meeting was being held. “When you think about the money that’s been spent on AIDS, it could have been better,” said Sophie Harman, a senior lecturer in global health politics at Queen Mary University in London.

Britain to allow gay men, sex workers to donate blood Britain will allow gay men and sex workers to give blood three months after the last time they had sexual intercourse, the National Health Service announced. Gay men previously had to wait one year since the last time they had sex to donate blood, while sex workers were completely banned. The changes were made as part of a policy shift to be more inclusive of the LGBT community and sex workers after improvements have been made in blood testing. “This government is committed to building an inclusive society that works for everyone, no matter what their gen-

der or sexuality, and today we’re taking the next step forward,” said Education Secretary Justine Greening. “We will build on the significant progress we have made over the past 50 years, tackling some of the historic prejudices that still persist in our laws and giving LGBT people a real say on the issues affecting them.” Ethan Spibey, founder of FreedomToDonate, an organization that advocates for the repeal of restrictions placed on gay and bisexual men to donate blood, said the rule changes marked an advancement for gay rights. “Today’s announcement from the government marks a world-leading blood-donation policy for gay and bisexual men and the other groups previously restricted,” Spibey said. “I’m so proud that the work of FreedomToDonate and our supporters will help ensure more people than ever before are allowed to safely donate blood.” The change comes shortly after Public Health England announced there had been a significant decrease in the number of new HIV cases among gay men. Between October 2015 and September 2016, there had been a 32-percent decrease in HIV cases among gay men compared to the previous year. “What we are seeing is the first downturn of the HIV epidemic in gay men,” said Valerie Delpech, head of HIV surveillance for Public Health England. n — compiled by Larry Nichols

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PGN MILITARY from page 1

feel recognized and safe enough to serve openly, he deflated that hope.” In the same statement, Jennifer Long of Garden State Equality called Trump’s tweets “shocking and disappointing.” The transgender veteran served 30 years in the Army as an infantry soldier, receiving a Bronze star for her service. “Essentially, the president is trying to fire 15,000 service members who serve in all kinds of capacities,” Long said. “Job security is one of the things many service members count on to provide for themselves and their families, so these statements will cause a lot of stress.” Local LGBT health and wellness organization Mazzoni Center noted in a blog post that “threatening to remove [transgender people] from service after they put their lives at risk undermines our military.” “We strongly oppose President Trump’s action,” the organization continued. “We

firmly believe that all Americans have the right to serve our country — straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans — to serve honorably, and to keep our country safe.” OutServe-Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, an LGBT nonprofit for service members and veterans, said it would fight any potential ban in “federal court.” “In his latest example of pseudo-policy-by-Twitter, Donald Trump has shown blatant disregard for transgender service members, who have been serving openly since October 2016,” the organization said. “The disruptive burden to the military comes from indecision in a White House, which itself is not focused on victory if it’s targeting service members. The readiness, effectiveness and lethality of the armed services comes from the commitment of our troops — not the vagaries and bigotry of exclusionary policies.” n

Recently engaged or married? PGN wants to hear from you! Our August 11 Wedding Issue will celebrate local couples who have, or are planning to, put a ring on it. Email editor@epgn.com by August 4th to have your announcement included.

PGN

Tenn. judge: Equal parental rights for gay couples

LAWSUIT from page 1

damages for physical and emotional injuries, humiliation and damage to his professional reputation. To support his sexual-orientation claim, Semian notes in his suit that he was replaced by a heterosexual male. “The [department] terminated [Semian’s] employment because of his sexual orientation and did not terminate the employment of similarly situated heterosexual employees. In fact, [the department] treated similarly situated heterosexual employees more favorably,” his attorneys wrote in the suit. The suit also notes Semian’s many achievements, including increasing revenue to the center by about $350,000 by focusing on skilled-nursing care rather than personal care. The suit, filed July 5, has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Robert D. Mariani. Neither side had a comment for this story. Justin F. Robinette, a local civil-rights attorney, said Semian’s suit appears to contain enough facts to withstand a dismissal request at this stage of the litigation. “An LGBT discrimination case should proceed like any other discrimination case — like a case of discrimination based on race, national origin, age or disability,” Robinette said. “If the plaintiff can show that they are within the protected class, were qualified, terminated and replaced by someone who was not within the protected class, then the plaintiff can make out their prima facie case. Under the law, this is all that is required of a plaintiff at this stage. A discrimination case can — and often does — proceed by circumstantial or indirect evidence like this. Mr. Semian should be treated no differently under the law.” n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

Media Trail Kentucky told to pay attorney fees in same-sex marriage case According to MSN.com, a federal judge has ordered Kentucky taxpayers to pay more than $220,000 in attorneys’ fees in a same-sex couple’s winning fight against a county clerk who refused to issue them a marriage license. But the clerk wasn’t liable for those fees. U.S. District Judge David Bunning said July 21 that Rowan County clerk Kim Davis was acting for the state government when she refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples on the basis of her personal religious beliefs. He ordered the state, instead, to pay $222,695 in attorneys’ fees and another $2,008 in costs. He said the county government and Davis herself are not liable. Davis spent five days in jail for refusing a judge’s order that she issue the licenses to gay couples shortly after a U.S. Supreme Court decision effectively legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Kentucky’s Republican governor signed a law last year that removed the names of clerks from state marriage licenses.

News Channel 5 reports a judge has ruled that same-sex couples in Tennessee have the same rights as heterosexual couples who have children born through artificial insemination. Four lesbian couples sued after the state passed a law that requires using the “natural and ordinary meaning” of words in state law. Gay-rights groups said the requirement was a sneaky way to deny same-sex couples the legal rights and protections granted to a “husband,” a “wife,” a “father” or “mother.” Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle’s ruling July 21 dismissed the couples’ lawsuit, saying they didn’t prove their rights had been violated. The couples’ first child is not expected until September. Still, they heralded the ruling as a victory because it will give them equal parental rights when the children are born.

Ex sailor gets 40 years for killing trans woman CBS News reports a former Navy sailor has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for last year’s stabbing death of a transgender woman in Mississippi. Dwanya Hickerson, 21, pleaded guilty July 20 to murder in the killing of Dee Whigham in a St. Martin hotel room on July 23, 2016. Hickerson will also have to serve 15 years for a robbery charge. He

could have faced the death penalty if he had gone to trial on the original charge of capital murder. Autopsy results show Whigham, 25, was stabbed 119 times. Many of the wounds were to the victim’s face, and her throat was slashed three times. Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy Leo Allen said surveillance video showed Hickerson and Whigham walking together into a Best Western Hotel room around 8:30 p.m. He said Hickerson was seen leaving the room alone about 23 minutes later, his shirt around his neck. Before leaving the room, he took a shower. Hickerson, a New Orleans native, was training at Keesler Air Force Base to be a weather forecaster. Hickerson said in court July 20 that he and Whigham had been chatting online for a couple of months but had never met in person. He said they decided to meet while she was in Biloxi with friends. He said Whigham picked him up at the gate of Keesler and the two went straight to the hotel where Whigham was staying. He said after they had a form of sex at the hotel, she told him she was a transgender woman. “I lost. I lost it,” he said, saying he really didn’t remember much afterward. Whigham’s mother, Vickie Blackney Whigham, criticized Hickerson’s punishment. “I think the plea is a slap in the face,” she said. “He gets a chance to see his family and I don’t have that chance with my child.” n — compiled by Larry Nichols

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GAY REPUBLICANS from page 5

Republicans tend to be a lot more closeted than the Democrats. “They tend not to proclaim their party affiliation and sexuality in the same breath,” he said. Alex Reber, of the Stonewall Democrats of Central Pennsylvania, said, “People I know who are gay Republicans don’t talk about it much.” The Democrats tend to be more open. His husband, Chris Dietz, a Democrat, is the president of Millersburg Borough Council. Their sexuality hasn’t been a political problem, he said. People from both parties think there may be a large number of LGBT voters who would like to vote Republican, if it weren’t for the party’s antigay positions. MATTHEW “A lot of gays in LEVENDUSKY this area might be more happy in the Republican Party … not that I think that’s a wise move,” said Dan Miller, president of accounting firm Miller Dixon Drake P.C. and the elected treasurer of Harrisburg. He’s a Democrat and openly gay, although he was raised in a Republican household and first registered as a Republican. One of the recent cautionary tales for gay Republicans is that of former Republican State Rep. Mike Fleck of Huntingdon. He grew up

in the district. His family had farmed the land for generations. He was a conservative role model with a degree from Liberty University, the college founded by the late right-wing evangelical Jerry Falwell. He had been an Eagle Scout. He was married. He ran unopposed, serving three terms. And then he came out in 2012 and lost in the 2014 primary in a race that was watched nationally. He declined to talk with PGN for this article. It is often said that those who know LGBT people are less likely to be antigay. This may have worked in favor of Mary Beth Minier, the out-lesbian mayor of Dushore, a borough of 608 people in Sullivan County. Minier, 50, grew up in Sullivan County and owns Mary Beth’s Westside Deli, which has been a going concern for 12 years. She has served as mayor for 17 years, and under her leadership the Borough Council has not raised taxes since 2005. She registered to vote as a Republican on her 18th birthday. Her girlfriend is a Democrat. “We all have our point of view,” she said in a telephone interview after a lunch rush. (The special of the day had been the shrimp po-boy.) Many of her lesbian friends are Democrats. She’s not sure about her male friends. Minier is also a Catholic and says she doesn’t have to agree with everything in the platforms of the church or the Republican Party. “Just because you are a Republican doesn’t mean you have to believe in Trump,” she said, admitting that “I probably voted for Hillary Clinton,” mainly because of the way Trump

FALL ARTS

treated women. Sexuality has not been an issue for her in Sullivan County, Minier said. “I know pretty much everyone, and no one has ever said, ‘I won’t vote for you because you are gay.’ We all pretty much get along and try to make our community the best it can be.” Klinger, who was married and has four children, is a Republican in part because of his opposition to abortion. He is a dyedin-the-wool conservative, who is also a Christian evangelical. He graduated from Messiah College, where he was called “Mr. Conservative” because, “I was so darn conservative about everything.” He opposed dancing and non-Christian music on campus. Now his issues are taxes, regulation and immigration. He admits that Trump was “a flawed candidate … but at the end of the day, I saw him as an agent of change.” He says Trump is getting things done, and he will likely vote for him again in 2020. In the meantime, he walks a tightrope. He has to be careful what to reveal to gay friends, church people and politicos. He says he’d like to run for Borough Council someday. The challenge seems most difficult for his personal life. He recently ended a relationship of a year and a half because his boyfriend was “10 steps to the left of Hillary Clinton.” And so what is he to do? “I just have to take it on a day-to-day basis,” Klinger said. “I have to be careful who I talk to about what. And it’s very lonely. It’s very lonely.” n

August 25 Issue

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EDUCATION from page 8

gle-family, low-income home and it prevented him from participating in unpaid internships within the theater realm. He noted that most internships are 40 hours a week and are often required for entry-level positions, closing the doors to marginalized people. As the founder of Hatch Arts Collective, a group creating socially engaged theater, and as the artistic director of LGBT-youth arts group Dreams of Hope, Mansoor is not a stranger to centering the voices of marginalized communities. He said Carnegie Mellon will help him continue this mission. “One of the questions I was asked in my interview at Carnegie was, ‘What is the future of theater and how are you a part of that?’ That department knows that things have to change.” Mansoor said the scholarship will empower him to achieve his goals. “It makes it possible for me to go to school and have a sustainable life and impact the work I am able to do,” he said. “It reduces my student loans. It reduces my dependency on working all the time every minute of my graduate-school experience. It makes it so I get to be an artist, a thinker and a person I want to be.” n

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PGN

PGN is the winner of the 2016 Sigma Delta Chi Award for Deadline Reporting for our coverage of the Pulse tragedy. PGN is the only publication from Pennsylvania, and the only LGBT publication, among the 85 publications honored nationwide. The award is shared by Editor Jen Colletta, Art Director/Photographer Scott A. Drake and former Staff Writer Paige Cooperstein. The Sigma Delta Chi Award is a national honor that dates back to 1932. The awards are among the premiere prizes given for professional journalism.

AC ul t ure rts

FEATURE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

Dining Out Family Portrait Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly PAGE 26

Day in the Life of: a talent agent, Linda Lewis By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Out talent agent Linda Lewis, founder and CEO of Left of Center Productions, is very busy this summer. Lewis put together the roster of entertainment for this year’s Philly Pride, as well as other Pride festivities around the country. We caught her at her office after she got back from Provincetown to accompany some of her clients to performances. “We had Betty Who at an event,” she explained. “It’s the first time she’s ever performed there. It was during the July Fourth weekend. They had so much going on that weekend but she sold out at the Uptown Hall. I keep saying to Franny [Price, Philly Pride Presents executive director] that she should have Betty Who at [Philly Pride] but she never bites.” Whether Lewis is on the road or in her office, she is always on — as doing public relations and bookings for artists and premier LGBT events requires more than your standard office hours. “I’m usually in the office and work very, very long hours seven days a week, just me and my assistant,” she said. “I am currently looking for outside sales people to grow this staff because I’m doing over 200 events yearly. I go to maybe 20 events annually, sometimes more. But normally I try not to if I don’t have to. If it’s a client for the first time and I have maybe three of my artists there, they want me to be there to make sure it runs smoothly. I usually travel with Billy Gilman and I travel with Alex Newell. In P-Town they flew me in and paid for my transportation and put me up at the hotel because they want me to make sure things go smoothly.” Lewis started out working for other agencies before coming to the realization that there is a niche in the market for someone

with her connections to LGBT artists and events. “I’ve always been interested in working with independent artists,” she said. “I was working with an agency that hired me specifically because they wanted to bring me in for independent artists. They had a troupe called Lesbians of Laughter. Since they knew I was a lesbian they thought I was perfect to promote the LGBT clients. That was a niche.” Her work with Philly Pride Presents also played a significant role in steering her into her current direction. “The only Pride event I had done before was Philly and New York City, so I didn’t know anything about it. Franny said that there were 200-300 of those events in the United States and that would be a great start. She was the one who had me thinking outside the box. I had all the time in the world and I was being paid a salary so I had time to build up an LGBT department. What happened is, they were bought out by another company and my position was let go. I was working as a subcontractor with my own company, naming it Left of Center Productions, which fit perfectly. That name always moved me. Obviously doing something outside of the box in the entertainment industry, it was 99.9-percent LGBT but now it’s maybe 97 percent because I’m doing casinos and other venues that aren’t necessarily LGBT but they are LGBTfriendly.” PAGE 24

LEFT OF CENTER: Linda Lewis (clockwise from bottom left) with some talented clients, including Jennifer Holiday, Billy Vegas and Debra Cox

Page Page Page Page Page

32 29 26 30 25

FEATURE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

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Lewis added Left of Center stands out among agencies specializing in LGBT talent, as she focuses on the need of the events for which she’s finding artists. “There’s about 11 or 12 of us established as agents in the LGBT community and most of them are men,” she said. “When I started I worked and played nicely in the sandbox. If somebody in an agency had a roster of seven people, maybe it would be Taylor Dayne and Frenchie Davis. And they would have like seven of them and maybe two of them were their exclusive clients. But even though they weren’t exclusive and I could go directly to them, I would respect that they were working with them and I would go through that agency. What happened was a lot of these Pride events I was contacting, I found out, were very disenchanted because they said ‘Agent A’ only has seven people and they used most of them, and in the Pride events they don’t use them [again] until three to five years later. They’re looking for something else and these agents are pitching the same acts over and over again. I said, ‘Are they calling you and asking you what your needs are?’ ‘Oh, no. They just have their roster and they pitch them and from that roster we select.’ So I thought, Why don’t I find out more about your

particular event? For instance, Grand Rapids, Mich., I found out, has more of a lesbian base that comes out [to Pride events]. It’s 80/20, only 20-percent men. And they’re looking to concentrate on getting more men there. Therefore, you’re you going to try and get a Steve Grand or somebody else. I try to customize to their needs, not what I have on my roster. That’s what made me successful and what made a lot of these Pride events leave these agents and come to me.” Lewis’ sphere of influence is expanding, as Left of Center is attracting artists from outside the community who are looking to make a splash at Pride festivals. “I just picked up Keri Hilson, Macy Gray and Nancy & Beth,” she said. “So I’m doing all their LGBT bookings. And no other agency in the LGBT community did that before. I just put Macy Gray in at Gay Days in Orlando at the Parliament House. And she killed it. They hadn’t had somebody like Macy Gray; they only had people performing to tracks. She brought her whole band and they were very afraid of it, but they trusted me. And they killed it. But we still have to keep out LGBT artists working.” n For more information about Left of Center Productions, visit www.leftofcenterproductions.com.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

‘Funeral Parade’ is cloaked in LGBT nostalgia By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor The Lightbox Film Center is presenting a fabulous new restoration of the late Toshio Matsumoto’s 1969 underground classic, “Funeral Parade of Roses.” Long unseen in the United States, the film will screen in Philadelphia at 7 and 10 p.m. July 29. This film, gorgeously shot in black and white, mixes experimental and documentary film styles and incorporates many visual effects, including speed-up and slow-motion photography, as well as flashback/flash-forward editing to create a literally eye-popping spectacle. (Spoiler alert: The film is a queer reworking of “Oedipus Rex.”) Eddie (the mono-monikered cross-dressing actor Peter, who later appeared in Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran”) dresses up as a woman because, as he explains in a documentary interview, he feels satisfaction “being myself.” Such candor was no doubt rare in Japan back in 1969, and it feels no less revealing today. Eddie is first seen having a tryst with Gonda (Yoshio Tsuchiya), the male owner of Club Genet, where Eddie works. The couple talks flirtatiously after, but later, in a car driving away from their assignation, Eddie swears he has seen Leda (Osamu Ogasawara), a rival drag queen at Club Genet. Eddie fears Leda will get revenge for his stealing Gonda from her. That plot comprises some of “Funeral Parade of Roses,” and the story, which does not follow a linear narrative, comes back to the scene in the car multiple times. In between, there are deliciously bitchy moments between Eddie and Leda, calling each other nasty names before getting into a delirious catfight shot in high speed. Matsumoto employs strong visuals throughout his film, including photo-negative images, extreme close-ups and odd camera angles to create a very avant-garde film. (Stanley Kubrick cited the film as an influence for “A Clockwork Orange.”) The editing in “Funeral Parade of Roses” is also appropriately avant-garde. One sequence has a noodle-carrying bicyclist having an accident, and quick flashes of the noodles on the street perhaps foreshadow guts being spilled. Other quick shots are cut to multiple times. These include a woman recoiling and bleeding from the stomach to seven naked men, seen from behind, one of whom has a flower sticking out of his ass. These

moments may not contribute much to the plot, but sometimes they are explained. Matsumoto includes some scenes that stand alone, but also contribute to the points in the film. A sequence in a gallery showcases images of “masks” as a voiceover discusses masks being a way people hide themselves. The parallel to Eddie and his friend’s dressing in drag are obvious. But scenes of three “gay boys” (as the film calls Eddie and his drag-queen friends) shopping and eating ice cream, or standing in front of urinals in skirts in a men’s room, or even meeting and fighting a trio of “real” women, are fun, diverting moments that don’t demand much scrutiny. Another variation on the “mask” idea involves Eddie having rather intense and erotic (but not explicit) sex, only to reveal the scene is a pornographic movie he is filming. He explains in an interview that he is just doing what the director tells him. Perhaps Matsumoto’s film should also not be taken at face value. “Funeral Parade of Roses” was likely very provocative in its time, and while it is still quite striking, it is perhaps more of a curiosity piece today. The depiction of the “gay boys” is frank and mostly respectful. Even if the characters are engaging in sordid behavior, they come across as real people, not caricatures being ridiculed. Other characters show up in various subplots. One of the most notable is Guevara (Toyosaburo Uchiyama), a Japanese beatnik type who wears a beard like his namesake Che Guevara that he literally sneezes off in one playful scene. He is part of a filmmaking collective that worships Jonas Mekas and other avantgarde directors from the 1960s. They want to take drugs (but don’t have any), though there is a long scene of a joint being passed around. Another extended sequence involves a group of underwear-clad men and women trying to walk a straight line or dance. This episode is revealing simply because it reflects a “wild” scene from a past era with quaint affection. And this kind of nostalgia may be the best lens through which to view “Funeral Parade of Roses.” The film is uneven, with moments that may confound or confuse viewers, but there are many scenes that are compelling. It ends with a shocking and gruesome act that is quite disturbing. As such, it is best for audiences to let “Funeral Parade of Roses” wash over them and enjoy the outrageous ride, connecting the various dots as they see fit. n

Theater & Arts Around the World in 80 Days Hedgerow Theatre presents the global adventure story through Aug. 13, 64 Rose Valley Road, Media; 610565-4211. Chris Franjola The comedian seen on “Chelsea Lately” performs through July 29 at Punch Line Philly, 33 E. Laurel St.; 215-606-6555. Christopher Titus The comedian performs through July 29 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. Guys and Dolls Bucks County Playhouse presents the legendary musical through Aug. 12, 70 S. Main St., New Hope; 215-8622121. Grease Camden County College presents the beloved musical set in the 1950s through July 29 at Dennis Flyer Memorial Theatre, 200 College Drive, Blackwood, N.J.; 855-936-2467. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets The fantasy film is screened with a live score performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra 7:30 p.m. July 28 at The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 215-546-7900. The Hunchback of Notre Dame The Upper Darby Performing Arts Center presents

THEY WILL ROCK YOU: Regal rockers Queen, fronted by out singer Adam Lambert, come storming through Philly, performing their greatest hits, 8 p.m. July 30 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-389-9543.

the stage-musical adaptation of the Disney animated classic through Aug. 5, 601 N. Lansdowne Ave.; 610-622-1189. Philadelphia Assembled Initiated by artist Jeanne van Heeswijk, together with hundreds of collaborators from across the city, the project explores Philadelphia’s changing landscape and tells a story of radical communitybuilding and active resistance, through July 31 at Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Ted Alexandro The comedian seen on Comedy Central performs Aug. 4-5 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215496-9001. Transparency The LGBT glassart exhibition runs through Aug. 6 at National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut St.; 215925-2800.

Wicked The Broadway musical based on the popular book set in the land of Oz returns through Aug. 27 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-8931999. Wild: Michael Nichols Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the work of the legendary photographer, artist, technical innovator and ardent advocate for preserving natural habitats through Sept. 17, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Witness: Reality and Imagination in the Prints of Francisco Goya Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works by the artist who witnessed decades of political turmoil and social upheaval as court painter to four successive rulers of Spain through Sept. 6, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100.

The Woodmere Annual 76th Juried Exhibition An exhibition featuring works in a wide variety of media from regional artists through Sept. 4 at the Woodmere Art Museum, 9201 Germantown Ave.; 215-247-0476.

Music Wilco The jam-rock band performs 6 p.m. July 28 at BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 609-3651300. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and The Pietasters The ska/rock bands perform 8:30 p.m. July 28 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100. Primus and Clutch The hard-rock bands perform 7:30 p.m. July 29 at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, 601 N. Columbus Blvd.; 215-9221011.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

Queer films shine at Black Star Festival By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor

GIRLS REALLY ROCK PHILLY: Punk pioneer Blondie teams up with alternativerock band and style icon Garbage for “The Rage and The Rapture Tour,” which hits Philly 7 p.m. Aug. 2 at The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Ave. For more information or tickets, call 215-546-7900.

Diana Ross The pop/R&B diva performs 8 p.m. July 29 at The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 215546-7900. Queen with Adam Lambert The classic-rock band fronted by the out pop singer performs 8 p.m. July 30 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-3899543. Earth, Wind & Fire and Chic featuring Nile Rodgers The classic funk/R&B groups perform 8 p.m. Aug. 1 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-3899543. Blondie and Garbage The female-fronted bands perform 7 p.m. Aug. 2 at The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 215546-7900. Nickelback The rock band performs 6 p.m. Aug. 4 at BB&T

Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 609-365-1300. Poptone The rock band featuring members of Bauhaus, Tones on Tail and Love and Rockets performs songs from all of those groups 8 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888. Social Distortion The punk-rock band performs 8 p.m. Aug. 4 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-6253681. The Melvins The alternative-rock band performs 8:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.

Nightlife Bears of Summer Happy Bear joins the Boys of Summer swimsuit party 5-9 p.m. July 28 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215964-9675.

Gear of Summer The Boys of Summer hit the leather scene 9 p.m.-2 a.m. July 28 at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.; 215-627-1662.

Hackers The cyber-thriller film is screened 9:45 p.m. July 28 at the Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-1228.

Boys of Summer Main Event The annual swimsuit party comes to town 8 p.m.-1 a.m. July 29 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St.; 215735-5772.

War of the Worlds The classic sci-fi film is screened 2 p.m. July 30 at the Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228.

Outta Town Chely Wright The country-music artist performs 7:30 p.m. July 28 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888-5961027.

Theatre Arts Center’s School House Rock Live, Jr. The Emmy Awardwinning Saturdaymorning educational cartoon series and pop-culture phenomenon hits the stage Aug. 3-4 at Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe St.; 215-785-0100. n

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

The sixth-annual Black Star Film Festival, unspooling at various locations around the city, offers a showcase of Afro-centric films. There are a number of LGBT shorts featured in this year’s program, all of which are worthwhile. Shorts Program 7 (3:50 p.m. Aug. 3) features queer writer/director Carrie Hawks’ fabulous short “black enuf*,” which mixes hand-drawn animation and interviews with friends and family members. Hawks recounts her personal struggle finding irrefutable acceptance in the black community and in the queer community. She details her family’s history and her own genetic make-up, as well as how stereotypes about food, “talking white,” skiing, religion and images from television impact her cultural identification and assimilation. Hawks’ consideration of racism and micro-aggressions that she, her family and friends have experienced, from unspoken school-cafeteria politics to blatant acts of disrespect show how much understanding and consideration is needed to erase hate. But while “black enuf*” is a monologue, it is never preachy; rather, Hawks takes a charming approach, using a disarming voice-over to recount her life story with humor and heart. She describes being an outsider in Japan where she was the only African-American, or her family “passing” because of their light skin color. The anecdotes presented in the short provide a prismatic look at how people define their own racial and sexual identity, as well as how others define them based on look, acts or other factors. One of the most telling moments in the short has college-aged Hawks being discouraged by the few queer folks in the Black Student Union, and the few black folks in the Queer Student Union. Her struggle to fit in is palpable and, as presented in “black enuf*,” also very poignant and moving. Shorts Program 5 (6 p.m. Aug. 4) includes “Walk for Me,” a powerful drama written and directed by Elegance Bratton, about Hassan (Aaliyah King), a young man who goes to a New York City vogue ball to perform as Hanna. He is “mothered” by Paris Continental (Brenda Holder) at the ball until Hanna’s real mother, Andrea (Yolonda Ross), shows up. Bratton’s short captures the energy of the ballroom scene, both on stage and backstage, where the performers help each other and form a makeshift family. The tension between Andrea and Hanna is also well-presented, showing the dif-

ficulties both parents and children have in terms of finding acceptance of themselves, each other and the black and queer communities. This is a quietly powerful short that deserves to be made into a feature. The third program that features LGBT films has three queer shorts. The centerpiece of this anthology is the complete first season of the fun and frisky webseries “195 Lewis” (5:15 p.m. Aug. 6). Five episodes chronicle the trials and tribulations of a handful of African-American lesbians in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn. The main characters are Camille (Sirita Wright), who recently completed her doctorate and is looking for a job, and her wife Yuri (Rae Leone Allen), an artist. The couple is in a polyamorous relationship, which allows Yuri to connect with Harlem (Trae Harris), a woman who catches her fancy. Camille’s butch younger sister, Anne (D. Ajane Carlton), who pro-

“black enuf*” vides the comic relief, often crashes at their home. Enter Kris (Roxie Johnson), a sexy college friend of Yuri’s who arrives unexpectedly in New York and asks to stay for a while. As Kris starts to make a new life for herself, she attends Femme of Color brunches and hopes to escape someone from the past who keeps ringing her phone. Meanwhile, Anne, who is always on the make, gets into a bit of trouble. “195 Lewis” is highly enjoyable as the characters and their situations are introduced. All of the performers are engaging and the drama, about identity and relationship issues, is amusing. Unfortunately, everyone who gets hooked by this series will have to wait for Season 2. Also on the same program are two excellent queer shorts. “A Broken Appointment” is a gorgeously filmed drama that chronicles the relationship between two attractive men — one white, one black and one of them closeted — in under two minutes. The film has no dialogue, only Kei Miller’s eloquent poem “Epilogue” spoken in voice-over on the soundtrack. Nevertheless, the emotions conveyed through the words and images speak volumes. PAGE 28

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

PGN

Kick-ass action in ‘Atomic Blonde’ A rollicking spy vs. spy flick, “Atomic Blonde” has the title character, MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron), arriving in Germany right before the Berlin Wall falls. Lorraine has been sent to meet David Percival (James McAvoy) and secure “the list,” a document detailing agents — one a double — who must not fall into the hands of the KGB, who will kill for it. The characters hopscotch back and forth between East and West Germany. The film also toggles back and forth between Lorraine’s being debriefed by her superior, Eric Gray (Toby Jones), and a CIA representative, Emmett Kurzfeld (John Goodman), and her experiences with David. “Atomic Blonde” is not deep enough to be confusing, though the action scenes are executed at a breakneck pace. Lorraine dispatches a series of men with some very flashy moves — just watch as a lengthy, body-bruising encounter in a stairwell turns into a knock-down, dragout fight that transitions into an exciting car chase. It’s an extended sequence that is bloody, breathtaking and darkly funny. The film also has Lorraine getting intimate — not with David — but with Delphine Lasalle (Sophia Boutella), a possible femme fatale who works for French intelligence. Lorraine allows Delphine to seduce her because the attractive brunette has information that may be useful. Significantly, these women cuddle up a few times after their initial sexual encounter. Boasting a fantastic soundtrack of ’80s hits, some dirty double-crosses and a commanding performance by Theron, “Atomic Blonde” delivers visceral kick-ass action with tremendous panache. n — Gary M. Kramer

“195 LEWIS”

BLACK STAR from page 27

Lastly, “Intersection” by Angela Tucker has Maya (Alexis Clark) going on a road trip with her gay friends, Malcolm (Owen H. Dunne) and Danny (Immanuel Simon). The trio talks about race, sexuality and other matters with candor, and they experience some car trouble on their way to their final destination. Tucker does a marvelous job of developing the characters and drama with just a few lines of dialogue before the nifty payoff. “Intersection” is a very well-made and acted short, and it packs a nice little wallop. n For more information about the Black Star Film Festival, including tickets, venues and showtimes, visit https://www.blackstarfest.org/.

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

Suzi Nash

Tony Lantz: Finding a home in Philly, at U Bar “Fill with mingled cream and amber, I will drain that glass again. Such hilarious visions clamber Through the chamber of my brain — Quaintest thoughts — queerest fancies Come to life and fade away; What care I how time advances? I am drinking ale today.” — Edgar Allen Poe Well, if you are in the mood for the queerest fancies or some cold ale, make your way over to Locust Street and see this week’s Portrait, Tony Lantz. The handsome former military man has been a staple for 15 years at U Bar (originally known as Uncles) and can be found pouring libations Wednesdays through Sundays. PGN: Let’s start with your last name. Where does Lantz come from? TL: It’s German/Irish, from my dad’s side obviously. My mother is from Sattahip, Thailand, which is where I was born. My dad was in the Army and my mom used to clean his bungalow and they fell in love. The result was my sister and then I came a little after. We moved to the States when I was about a year old. We were stationed in Hawaii and I went to school there for a couple of years. PGN: Don’t suppose you had any precocious, also biracial, future presidents in your class, did you? TL: Ha! I don’t know! Maybe. But I actually spent most of my formative years in West Virginia. That’s where my father is from and we moved there when I was about 7. PGN: Have you been back to Hawaii or Thailand? TL: No, but my aunt is planning a trip to Thailand next year and my younger brother is planning a trip to Hawaii the year after that. PGN: [Laughs] You definitely spent your formative years below the Mason-Dixon line; I can hear a little Southern lilt in your voice. TL: I lived in Wheeling, W.V., until I was 17 and then I joined the Navy to get out of there, but yeah, I still have a trace of the accent. PGN: How did you end up here? TL: I was stationed in Philadelphia for two years when the shipyard was still open and I fell in love with the city. I didn’t have a vehicle, so I loved the transportation system and I enjoyed just walking around people watching. I made some good friends too while I was here. PGN: Was there much of a Thai community in Wheeling? TL: A little bit. My mother had a lot of Thai

friends there. She passed away from breast cancer when I was 13, but her friends would all come to the house and I remember them cooking all sorts of traditional meals and playing Thai poker for fun. PGN: What were some of your interests in school? TL: I was active in radio communications. We had our own little station and I would play music and DJ. It was fun. PGN: So Mr. DJ, do you know your song? TL: Of course! “Almost heaven/West Virginia/Blue Ridge Mountains/Shenandoah River … ” John Denver. We had to sing that in grade school and junior high. PGN: And you have two siblings? TL: Yes, they’re both in Ohio now. They went west and I went east. I knew I was gay and wanted to go someplace where I could find other gay folks. For some reason, I thought there were no gay people in West Virginia. PGN: Well, the media portrays big cities as the only place to find us. TL: Yes, and I felt safe in Philadelphia. Even though the Gayborhood, where Uncles was and U Bar is, wasn’t the safest place back then. There used to be a lot of drug dealing and prostitution right out front, people would scream “Faggot!” through the window and throw things at the building. I’ve been there 15 years and it’s totally different now; now everyone wants to come in to the point where you sometimes feel, “Hey, this is our bar!” Before, it was fairly clandestine; you’d come in from the alleyway down Camac. Now we have open windows right out front on Locust Street. PGN: I remember when the clubs used to get raided on a regular basis unless they paid off the police. TL: And now we have LGBT officers coming in with their partners. PGN: Didn’t there used to be an apartment on top of the place? TL: Yes, now it’s a bed and breakfast called The Inn on Camac. PGN: How old were you when you first came out? TL: I was in the Navy from 1987-91and I was stationed here in dry dock for two years. When the ship got fixed, we went to Norfolk for two years and then when my time was up I came back to Philly. PGN: Were you out in the military? TL: No. In fact, I worked shore patrol for a few months and we would catch people and throw them out. It was horrifying. I did hang around with other people I knew were gay but it was unspoken.

PGN: What was the closest you came to being discovered? TL: I was with a friend of mine in a car — we were actually changing our clothes to go out for the night — and a police officer caught us. He said that we were naked in the car and took us back to the ship but the upper command threw it out because he had no proof that anything was going on other than two guys changing for a night out. PGN: Had there been something going on? TL: Of course! We actually were changing our clothes when he saw us because when you leave the ship you are required to wear certain clothing — a collared shirt, dress pants, etc. — and we wanted something more casual. A lot of the servicemen would change in cars or wherever after leaving the ship so it wasn’t a big deal, but in our case we had been kissing shortly before the cop busted us for being undressed. Fortunately, he didn’t see that; he just knew something was up.

Uncles! I didn’t even know he was gay and when I stopped and said, “Uh, is this a gay bar?” he said, “Yes, aren’t you gay?” I of course stammered, “No … ” [Laughs] End of story. We were in a relationship for 10 years. PGN: That’s funny. TL: Yeah, this is actually his sister’s house. I bought it from her, then we broke up and he moved out and now I live here with my partner Doug and we’ve been together for 15 years. He’s the love of my life. PGN: How did you meet and what does he do? TL: [Laughs] My ex and his ex were friends! We knew each other for years before we got together. He works at AutoZone as a manager; he’s very butch! PGN: And have you put a ring on it? TL: No, we will eventually. We have a daughter who’s turning 20 next week. She was 5 when we got together. I want to make sure they’re protected so we’re going to make it legal soon. PGN: Speaking of butch, did you ever face combat? TL: No, I was in service during the Persian Gulf War. When the war broke out, we had to sit in the water for three months, at the ready 24/7, 12 hours on and 12 hours off but we never got called. I would have made a career of it, but I knew I was gay and I didn’t want to have to hide it anymore. I’m glad I didn’t because I never would have found my dream job. I love bartending here.

PGN: What was one of your wackiest moments at the bar? TL: I had this guy come in one day screaming about the alien invasion and telling me that I needed to shut and lock the big windows in front. He was shouting, “They’re coming now! Photo: Suzi Nash Hurry! Close the doors!” We had a full crowd and I was PGN: Were you going to a gay club? trying to get him out and he was running TL: Oh no, we would have been too scared. circles around the bar ripping his shirt off as We didn’t even know where they were. We were just going to hang out on South Street. he warned everyone. We finally got him out but I did go and shut the windows. What if PGN: So when did you officially come out? he was right? TL: I moved back here in 1991. A friend of PGN: Better safe than sorry! What’s the mine in the Navy had a brother who started worst pick-up line someone’s tried on you? hanging out with me when I moved back. TL: I had this guy offer to take me on One day he asked if I wanted to go to a a cruise in the bar with him. I said sure and he took me to PAGE 30

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

PORTRAIT from page 29

Mediterranean. He told me that Carrie Fisher was going to be on the ship and then he said, “and you’d only have to pay half of the costs to go with me!” Not that I would have gone, but if you’re trying to pick someone up by offering to take them on a cruise, you don’t make them pay their way. But then he came back and told me he got to sing karaoke with Carrie Fisher on the ship so maybe I should have! JK! PGN: I understand that you have a large collection of celebrity-encounter photos. How did that come about? TL: When I was in the Navy, I would go to the Bob Hope shows. He used to do those USO shows and when he was in town, he liked to have servicemen come to his shows. I got to meet him once when I was stationed in California and take a picture shaking his hand. Also, working at the bar, people are always giving me tips about who is in town and where. I’m a big Adam Lambert fan, so when he was in town, some of my bar patrons told me that he was in a restaurant down the street, so I ran down and stalked … ahem, I mean, ran into him and said hi. A lot of the people I meet at the bar work at theaters and venues around town and they’ll send me a text: ‘Hey, if you want to meet so and so, they’ll be leaving the theater or hotel at this time,” so I’ll run down and shake their hand or get a picture. It’s fun! PGN: You’ve got the inside scoop! TL: I try! And if that doesn’t work, you can almost always pay for a meet and greet with most celebs. PGN: Who was your favorite? TL: Lady Gaga. She was just starting out and she was really nervous. Her hands were shaking and she said, “Yeah, I have a song called ‘Bad Romance,’ it’s doing really well.” I’m going to meet her in September again. It’s amazing to see how much she’s changed since then, so much more confident. PGN: What was your worst celebrity encounter? TL: The meanest was Cyndi Lauper. She just yelled at everyone backstage and was really impatient, but she put on an amazing show so I forgave her. I still love her. Justin Bieber was the worst. He was hungover and couldn’t be bothered. I took my niece and we were trying to do something fun for the picture since he was just standing there, so we struck a “Charlie’s Angels” pose. The photographer snapped the picture as he was rolling his eyes. It’s actually pretty funny. PGN: Tell me about your daughter. TL: She was going to EMT school but she went to see her first cadaver and that was the end of that. She just moved to Virginia with her girlfriend but I think they’re coming back. She’s a good kid. It’s funny, they’re engaged but we’re not!

PGN

PGN: OK, a few arbitrary questions. “Star Wars” or “Star Trek”? TL: I love “Star Wars.” PGN: Where were you when 9/11 happened? TL: In the Bahamas with Doug. It was surreal because they had it on these jumbo TVs in the resort lobby, so it was everywhere you looked. It was heartbreaking. I went into the reserves after leaving the Navy so I wasn’t sure if I was going to get called back in or not. But it wasn’t likely as I’d been out for some time. As it was, we got stuck on the island for a few extra days because no planes were going to the States. PGN: What was coming out to your military father like? TL: We never really spoke about it, but when I brought Doug home to meet him he said, “Are you going to take good care of my son?” and when Doug said yes, he said, “And that other [expletive] is out of the picture?” and Doug said yes and that’s the only time it was ever mentioned. He passed away about a year later, about 15 years ago. PGN: Which celebrity would be your hall pass? TL: Chris Pratt, I love him. PGN: Which one of the Seven Dwarves describes you best? TL: I feel I am all the Seven Dwarves wrapped up into one! PGN: What is your sign, and what traits of that sign do you have? TL: Scorpio, we love hard and fall hard [laughs] and we dwell where we shouldn’t. PGN: What would be one good thing about being the opposite sex? TL: If I could be the opposite sex I’d enjoy changing my appearance often, hair and clothes and everything. PGN: Best Christmas present ever? TL: The best Christmas gift I ever received was a one-speaker boom box my parents gave me when I was 10, made me fall in love with music. PGN: Have you ever been gaybashed or discriminated against? TL: I always felt like the black sheep of the world until I moved to Philly and realized I wasn’t the only person who was different and that it was OK. Philadelphia saved my life by accepting me with open arms. n For more information on U Bar, visit www.ubarphilly.com. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol. com.

Q Puzzle Six Gay Icons Across

1. “I’m not in the ___!” 5. Left to pirates 9. “Rubyfruit Jungle” writer Rita Mae 14. Shakespeare’s Hathaway 15. US citizen 16. The sound of music? 17. One who does it just for the money 19. “___ and tigers and bears...” 20. MLK associate and LGBT advocate 22. Verdi opera 23. Math degree 24. “Till There ___ You” 27. Work unit 29. Cowboy’s job in “The Boys in the Band” 32. Nine inches 36. “Zami” author 39. Star in

Perseus 41. Leave open-mouthed 42. Sing part of “The Lonely Goatherd” 43. San Francisco activist 46. Daly of “Judging Amy” 47. Time of frigidity 48. Gay rodeo affirmative 50. One who goes after your honey 51. Jude of “The Talented Mr. Ripley” 54. Bit of dental work 59. Stonewall veteran drag queen 62. On the ocean 65. Type of leather from a reptile 66. Lindsay of “Liz & Dick” 67. Inedible Apple 68. It’s a gas on Broadway 69. Former congressman Barney 70. Like young Abe Lincoln 71. Venus de Milo’s lack

Down

1. Latin dance 2. “___ at time!” (serial monogamy motto) 3. Way to serve your meat 4. Kid’s “tattoo,” for example 5. Eve counterpart on Lesbos 6. Nicky, in “Funny Girl” 7. “The Golden Girls” episode 8. No-tell motel meeting 9. Start of a song from “South Pacific” 10. Totally screw 11. Rene Auberjonois role 12. Come out on top 13. Sixty-nine and others (abbr.) 18. Gardner of mystery 21. “Of ___ I Sing” 24. Longwinded 25. Shakespearean forest 26. Ancient erection 28. One of the

Marianas 30. Like a cunning linguist 31. Crotchety sort 32. Sir, in India 33. “Melrose ___” 34. “Hollywood Squares” choice 35. PBS science show 37. Motoristís offense, briefly 38. Trust, with “on” 40. Stocking stuffer? 44. “We’re here! We’re queer!” e.g. 45. “Spartacus” director

49. Nice Nellie 52. To no ___ (in vain) 53. Sprinter Rudolph 55. Trump ex 56. Try to put a restraint on 57. One who handles your horse 58. Picks up 59. Jack portrayer Hayes 60. Tug 61. “Six Feet Under” creator Ball 62. TV character from beyond Uranus 63. Rocky top 64. Singing syllable

PGN

The

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

Guide to the Gayborhood

The Philadelphia Gayborhood is roughly centered at Locust and Camac streets. Look for the rainbow street signs at intersections and remember to be aware of your surroundings wherever you go. Boxers

1330 Walnut St. facebook.com/ boxersphl Sports bar with a dozen huge TVs, pool table, brick pizza oven, sports teams specials

Toasted Walnut

Tabu

Woody’s

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

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

❍

❍ <— Juniper St.

Chancellor St.

❍

Locust St.

❍

11th St.

Manning St.

Quince St.

❍

12th St.

Latimer St.

Spruce St.

❍

Cypress St.

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

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

<— <— West of Broad Street Stir Lounge

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

The Attic Youth Center

255 S. 16th St. 215.545.4331 atticyouthcenter.org Safe space and programs for LGBTs age 16-23 weekday afternoons and evenings

FRI, JAN 19, 2018 — 8 PM

Rufus Wainwright returns to the revered Kimmel Center at Verizon Hall on January 19 in Philadelphia. His concert will contain highlights from his notable career, which have received critical and international acclaim.

St. James St.

Camac St.

13th St.

❒

WAINWRIGHT Featuring The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus

❍

<—

presents

VERIZON HALL, KIMMEL CENTER

❍

❒

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

❍

The Bike Stop

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

Voyeur

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

U Bar

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

Knock

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

ENJOY THE VIP EXPERIENCE PREMIUM SEATING AND POST-SHOW ‘MEET & GREET’ RECEPTION! anticipated rufus wainwright visit to the reception A portion of proceeds will benefit the William Way LGBT Community Center

EXCLUSIVE OFFER

SAVE 20% WITH CODE RUFUSPGN OFFER VALID THROUGH JULY 19TH, 2017 AT MIDNIGHT. SELECT SECTIONS ONLY. NOT VALID ON PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED TICKETS. TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE, OVER THE PHONE, OR AT THE BOX OFFICE.

ICandy

TICKETS AT 215.893.1999 or

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

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

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

PHILLYPOPS.ORG/RUFUS

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

DINING PGNOUT

Taste ‘plants’ itself in Phoenixville By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com With some prime real estate in historic downtown Phoenixville, right across the street from the Colonial Theatre, Taste is sneaking savory vegan fare into the suburbs. And if patrons haven’t found out they are eating vegan fare, mission accomplished. The snack menu at Taste is almost too simple, offering appetizers like crispy chickpeas ($7), seasonal olives ($6), lavender popcorn ($6) and pickled veggies ($6). Yeah, we were thinking the same thing: They aren’t coming out with their culinary guns a-blazing to start things off. But it’s all made in house, lest you think they just opened up a couple of jars and … voila! Never

to Phoenixville for carrot sticks and popcorn?!?” “No, carnie. Vegans are our friends. They love us. They have our backs. Just calm down and wait.” The main menu at Taste is a well-rounded selection of bar LAOS STREET TACOS Photos: Dallyn Pavey/Dish Public Relations entrées made to look like meaty mind the fact that our inner wolf favorites but with no meat in them. pack, razor-toothed carnivore is someSeitan, more times than not, steps where in the back of our collective up to the plate to take the place of psyche fuming. the usual proteins. Having tasted and “You dragged my hungry ass out

Food and Drink Directory

enjoyed seitan on a number of occasions, we have come to discover that it is an excellent meat substitute, especially when shredded and given an opportunity to soak up flavors from being cooked in a sauce or with other ingredients. This is why the Laos street tacos ($18) were superb. Packed with excellent slices of seitan sausage and colorful peppers, sriracha and avocado, the dish pulled no punches in the spice department and delivered bold and bright flavors. At this point, the inner carnivore was more than pleased. The Chick’N BBW ($18) made a valiant attempt at chicken and waffles. The waffle itself was great. with a citrus-tinged syrup that you could drizzle over the dish. The roasted asparagus and finely chopped seitan bacon added nice flavors to the dish as well. The “chick’n” itself did a good-enough job on the skin level but struggled to keep the charade up where the juiciness of the meat would kick in. But like we said earlier, size matters with seitan. Cutting the fried seitan into smaller pieces, instead of trying to pass it off as a breast filet, would be a touch more convincing. But the dish was solid overall. Dessert was another valiant effort. The alpine spice ice cream sundae ($8) visually looked the part: vanilla ice cream topped with cinnamon dust and mint and a poplet of alpine-spice wine that you can drizzle all over to give it that apple-pie taste. And when it first hits your tongue, yes, it does a good job of tasting like ice cream and apple pie. Now, if you are an ice-cream enthusiast, your inner child who used to chase the ice-cream truck down the street might pout just a little when your taste buds come to the realization that this in a non-dairy vanilla ice cream and the sorbet-like texture doesn’t coat the palate in the luxurious way that its full-on dairy cousin does. But for something without dairy, it scratches the itch. Taste has more than enough personality, creativity and charm to win over vegan tastes and carnivore tendencies. If you find yourself out in the rolling hills northwest of the city, swing through Phoenixville and have yourself a taste of Taste. n

1846 South 12th Street at the Corner of 12th & Mifflin

(215) 551-7111

The Center City IHOP located at 1320 Walnut St. is now open 24 Hrs on FRIDAY and SATURDAY

Catering Available - Delivery All Night Long

THANKS FOR MAKING IT A IHOP DAY

“Serving your Philadelphia neighborhood a variety of fresh quality food since 1989”

www.KeyPizzaOnline.com

CHINK’N BBW

Photos: Dallyn Pavey/Dish Public Relations

If you go Taste 236 Bridge St., Phoenixville 484-924-9530 http://sandcastlewinery.com/taste-phoenixville/ Tues.-Thurs.: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri.-Sat.: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

PGN

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

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

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

VENTNOR, NJ House for sale in Ventnor NJ. 2 story 5 bedroom house, needs some repairs. Priced right. Call 215 468 9166. ________________________________________41-39

Out Money

Jeremy Gussick

Real Estate Rent BELLEFONTE, DE 1001 Brandywine Boulevard, Wilmington, DE 19809 3rd floor 1 Bedroom, Den, Livingroom, Dining area, Kitchen w/ dishwasher, bathroom. New Windows, Hardwood Floors. $800 a month, one month security deposit, no pets, Heat and hot water included. Access to large yard, on street parking. Dart Bus stop out front of building. Small Shops and local restaurants nearby. Call or Text Mark at 302-383-1841. ________________________________________41-30

Vacation/Seasonal Rent OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Resort Services. 1-800-638-2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com ________________________________________41-30

Help Wanted Adonis cinema needs cashier/ cleaner. 3rd shift. part time fornow. Call 215-557-9319. ________________________________________41-32

For Sale

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

SAWMILLS from only $4397.00 – MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill – Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N. ________________________________________41-30 Dish Network-Satellite Television Services. Now Over 190 channels for ONLY $49.99/mo! HBO-FREE for one year. FREE Installation, FREE Streaming, FREE HD. Add Internet for $14.95 a month. 1-800-758-5070. ________________________________________41-30 GOT LAND? Our Hunters will Pay Top $$$ To hunt your land. Call for a Free info packet & Quote. 1-866-309-1507 www. BaseCampLeasing.com ________________________________________41-30 “One Hundred Things To Do In The Nude”. A humorous look at daily life in the nude via ebook or paperback for $10.00 on Amazon.com ________________________________________41-38

From budgets to wills to taxes, financial expert Jeremy Gussick gives us all the info we need — in a way we can understand. OutMoney runs monthly to help readers find answers to all their money questions.

Adoption CONSIDERING ADOPTION? A joyful home filled with endless love and secure future awaits your baby. Expenses Paid. Call Diane toll free (855)790-9311. Text (917)727-8813. www.DianeAdopts. com ________________________________________41-30

Friends Men LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. ________________________________________41-40 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________41-3

Only in Online and in print every second Friday.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

ADONIS CINEMA “THE ONLY ALL MALE ADULT THEATER IN THE CITY”

LGBT employees are everywhere — and we want to help tell their stories.

2026 Sansom St (located 3 doors up from Sansom St Gym)

215-557-9319 4 Small Theaters with Video & Dark Room Area

HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday - Thursday

7am-6am

(closed an hour for cleaning)

Friday- Sunday:

Open 24hrs

ADMISSION: $12.00

We now accept all major credit cards.

Plenty of New Things Happening at 2020...... “THE SUITES”

Nominate yourself or someone else for Day in the Life Of to have one of our reporters spend a day on the job with you, and write about the experience. Email editor@epgn.com with your name, occupation, employer and work schedule for consideration.

• 8 NEW Deluxe Rooms “EVERYTHING is LARGER” • New sound system • New custom Slings • A New Video Room with 6 video booths

WEEKLY SPECIALS:

TUESDAYS & SUNDAYS

Half Price Rooms & Lockers (6am Sunday till 8am Monday, 12am Tuesday till 8am Wednesday) ROOMS: Members: $12.50 and Non-Members: $22.50 LOCKERS: Members: $9.00 and Non-Members: $19.00

MONDAY thru FRIDAY: (8am to 4pm) Business Mans Locker Special 4 hour lockers Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00 WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY NIGHT CRUISE $12 Flat Rate for Locker Admission & Clothing Optional (4pm-12 Midnight)

ALSO DO NOT FORGET P.A.N.G. (Philadelphia Area Nudist Group)

Sunday, June 25th • Time: 3pm- 6pm For More Information On Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/pang

SATURDAY AFTERNOON DELIGHT 4 Hour Lockers (8am - 4pm) Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00

Check out our website for our WEEKLY SPECIALS & JOIN OUR e-mail List to get the latest information on upcoming events....

www.sansomstreetgym.com

BIGGER, BETTER & MORE ENTERTAINING EVENTS...

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY Filippone General ConstruCtion

J E S S C O R E N O VAT I O N S

www.summersquality.com

Plumbing • Heating • Air Conditioning • Electrical Contracting •

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215-482-8800

No Job Too Small

email info@summersquality.com

Carpentry - Kitchen/Bathroom Hardwood Flooring - Windows Doors - Sheetrock - Plumbing Electrical - Cement - Stucco - Painting

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• kitchen & bathrooms • custom tiLe work • trim work • drywaLL & spackLe over • painting • finished basements • masonry & cement work. ask for

20 years experience

Your Call for Complete Home Remodeling! John!

Filippone Electrical

We’ll Beat Any Written Estimate Financing Options Available

FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL NEEDS

%15 Off when this ad is presented at time of estimate, and always for seniors, military and local or state police and fire employees

NJ office: 8569528197 Philly office: 2157833844

Spring Special

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KET A M LO A Spend as little as $50 a week when

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you run for a minimum of 8 weeks. Make your voice heard to a target audience with higher than average disposable income.

GS Works Construction Inc.

FLORIO HOME REMODELING Creating Fabulous Homes for Over 25 Years Remodeling Professionals

General Contractors

Customizable Kitchens and Bathrooms, Specialize in all Crown Molding, Install Windows and Hardwood Floors, Demolition and Home Clean Out Assistance Doors, Sheetrock, Electric & Plumbing

• Tree ServiceS • Lawn care • cLean OuTS • excavaTiOnS • Brick/DirT HauLing • new & recOnSTrucTiOnS • remODeLing • aDDiTiOnS • cuSTOm FiniSHing

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R. RHOADS & SONS ROOFING INC. Over 20 Years Experience - Owner Operated

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Psst, want a good deal on advertising? PGN directory ads are terriﬁc way to get your message out. Email prab@epgn.com or call 215-625-8501 ext. 212 for more info.

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licensed & insured / / 24-hr. emergency service / / Payment Plans available

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 28-Aug. 3, 2017

PGN