PGN Aug. 1 - 7, 2014 by The Philadelphia Gay News

Ferras scores new music with the assist going to Katy Perry PAGE 23

Former manager fundraising for a new space PAGE 7

Family Portrait: Marcos Matos is abuzz about hair PAGE 31

Gay Community Night with the Phillies to make it an even dozen

PAGE 12

Aug. 1-7, 2014

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Vol. 38 No. 31

SEPTA worker speaks out

Center launches sports org. By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com A new LGBT sports presence is coming to town. The board of the William Way LGBT Community Center last week voted in favor of the creation of the Out Philadelphia Athletic League. The league is a program of William Way and aims to unite the myriad LGBT sports entities throughout the area. Among its areas of focus is providing assistance to LGBT sports organizations in attaining facilities and permits and in attending regional, national and international sports tournaments. OPAL may also spearhead the creation of new intramural sports clubs, as well as stage cross-sporting events. “This grew out of conversations with different teams, groups and leagues about the need to have a bigger sense of community on a more consistent basis,” said OPAL executive committee president Jeff Sotland, the former commissioner of the City of Brotherly Love Softball League. “All the teams have historically come together pretty well every four years for the Gay Games but we have never really had a cohesive, strong relationship amongst all the sports.” Local participation in the Gay Games has been organized by Team Philadelphia, whose marketing director, Bob Szwajkos, welcomed the launch of OPAL. “I’ve been a supporter of this from day one,” he said. “This provides us with the next steps we want to take. Bringing the teams together through the center provides substantial resources that were previously unavailable collectively.” Szwajkos said Team Philadelphia will continue to function alongside OPAL. “William Way can be a jumping-off point for where we’re going to go next,” he said. “I don’t know exactly where that’s going to be, but it PAGE 14

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com

GOGO GIVING: Partiers from all corners of the community came together July 26 at Underground Arts for IndiGoGo, a fundraiser for William Way LGBT Community Center. The event was staged by a coalition of local party promoters and drew more than 700 guests, who together raised $8,670 for the center. This marked the first year that the party was held separately from the October Indigo Ball. “IndiGoGo was a total hit,” said Kate Hinchey, William Way development coordinator. “The new structure of the event and the diversity of the promoters gave the center access to a wider and younger audience who might not normally be able to afford Indigo Ball.” Photo: Scott A. Drake

Giovanni’s Room sale still pending By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com Plans are still pending on the fate of the nation’s oldest LGBT bookstore, Giovanni’s Room. Various media outlets have reported that the sale of Giovanni’s Room would be finalized by Aug. 1; however, owner Ed Hermance said such information is inaccurate and premature. “The reporter who I talked to agreed she would not post anything until something is signed,” he told PGN. Hermance announced last year that he planned to retire and sell the business and buildings, at 12th and Spruce streets. Unable to finalize a sale agree-

ment, he closed this past spring but later announced he was in talks to sell the business to an LGBT-related organization, which he has declined to publicly identify. Hermance told PGN this week that the sale could be finalized by September pending the potential buyer’s plans. He is still in talks with the organization to smooth out the terms of the agreement. Hermance added that his lawyer is also on vacation for two weeks, which is further delaying efforts to reopen the store. The LGBT bookstore was founded in 1973 and carried more than 48,000 titles. Giovanni’s Room remains closed until a decision is reached. ■

A longtime SEPTA employee says she’s determined to have her same-sex marriage recognized by the transit agency, no matter how long she must fight. “I feel like I’m in a war,” she told PGN. Due to an impasse with union representatives, SEPTA’s management only recognizes the same-sex marriages of its non-union workers for the purpose of workplace benefits. SEPTA’s workplace benefits include health-care coverage, pension and death benefits and family-leave/bereavementleave privileges. The worker interviewed by PGN is a member of Transport Workers Union Local 234. Its labor contract expired in March and talks are underway for a new contract. She agreed to be interviewed on condition of anonymity, citing concerns of retaliation by management. She’s been coupled with her lesbian spouse for more than 20 years. “My spouse has no health-care [coverage],” the worker said. “If I die tomorrow, she wouldn’t get my pension. If she gets sick, I can’t take off work and be assured that I have a job waiting for me when I return.” The worker pays $13 weekly in union dues and $37 weekly towards her pension. Overall, she said, she’s satisfied with her union. But she hopes it will advocate for marriage recognition with a sense of urgency. Asked if she’s considering her legal options, she replied: “I’d be silly if I didn’t.” This week, SEPTA spokesperson Jerri Williams said the agency is committed to honoring all legal marriages among its workers. “It’s our intention, as soon as we can, to PAGE 14 make sure the workplace

Next week in our Aug. 8 issue:

Wedding 101: Tips, trends and traditions

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

Center reviews grants, donors at meeting By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com T h e Wi l l i a m Wa y L G B T Community Center’s board held its third public meeting of the year July 22 at 1315 Spruce St. All the board members were in attendance as well as executive director Chris Bartlett. Director of center services Candice Thompson reported that the center received a substantial grant from the William Penn Foundation, which is being used to renovate the center’s archive space. The organization is currently with architects and engineers regarding plans for expanding the archive. The center is also looking to hire a part-time archivist. Development director Michael Pomante said the center received 43 new sustainers — people who give to the center on a monthly basis — since April, and that so far sustainers have contributed $12,920 in additional funds to the center over the course of the year. It was also reported that on July 2, the center submitted a proposal to the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund for a $10,000 foundation grant to be used for an anti-violence campaign. Upcoming events include the OutBeat Jazz Festival, Sept. 18-21, and the Indigo Ball on Oct. 25, for which 25 of 35 tables are already

reserved. Liquor and spirits donations have already been acquired. Board co-chair Jeff Sotland reported that the center has also already secured the National Constitution Center for the Oct. 10, 2015, edition of the ball, which will mark the center’s 40th anniversary. Board treasurer Kim Keegan said the center reported a total income of $78,515.04 for the month of June, surpassing the projected income of $71,373. An increase in individual giving was credited for the surplus. Building and grant income were slightly above expectations as well. Total expenses for the center for the month of June were reported at $61,398, with expected expenses at $58,125. The overage in budgeted expenses was attributed to higherthan-expected general operating and personnel expenses. Board member Jocelyn Block reported the board will meet in September to address nominations for new board members. Sotland added that the center is always looking for individuals who are interested in joining. Board member Rudy Flesher reported that the center’s programming committee is seeking probono consulting to evaluate the center’s programs. For more information, visit www.waygay.org. ■

LOCAL PGN

News Briefing Appeal filed in Schaefer case An appeal has been filed pertaining to last month’s reinstatement of the Rev. Frank Schaefer. Schaefer broke United Methodist Church rules in 2007 by officiating his son’s same-sex wedding. He was defrocked in December after refusing to promise not to perform another same-sex marriage, but in June was reinstated by an appellate panel, which noted it was unjust to punish him for potential future action. But earlier this month, Schaefer’s local prosecutor, the Rev. Christopher Fisher, filed an appeal with the church’s Judicial Council. The Judicial Council, the church’s highest judicial body, is expected to consider the case in October. Bishop Peggy Johnson of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church issued this statement: “I am not allowed to interfere with Dr. Fisher’s decision to appeal. I continue to call urgently for collective prayer that the church might show wisdom and Christ-like compassion for all. I pray God may show mercy on us all, as we seek in our

different ways to know and to do God’s will in a resolute spirit of love — both a love for God’s law and a love for one another, as Jesus Christ commands us.” Schaefer expressed disappointment with Fisher’s decision to appeal but said, “it does not come as a surprise given the fact that my case has been highly politicized within the United Methodist Church.” “Should the Judicial Council decide to pursue the appeal,” he added, “I sincerely hope and pray the council will keep our church’s diversity in mind — especially our LGBTQ community and their relatives and friends — as they deliberate.” Schaefer is ministering in Santa Barbara, Calif.

LGBTEI backs Nizah probe The LGBT Elder Initiative, a local advocacy, information, education and referral group, recently endorsed a state probe of the Nizah Morris case. Morris, a transgender woman, became a homicide victim in 2002, shortly after entering a police vehicle for a courtesy ride. Citing an “appalling” investigation, the city’s Police Advisory Commission recommended state and federal probes. “Despite the progress we have made, the long and shameful epidemic of violence against members of the LGBT communities continues to grow,” said EI chair Heshie

Zinman. “The lack of justice in so many cases, the unanswered questions, the seeming lack of concern on the part of authorities, fuels the epidemic. That is why the LGBT Elder Initiative has joined the chorus of voices asking Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane to open an investigation to find the answers in the case of the death of Nizah Morris. The violence will only end when the authorities take action and justice is served.”

Deadline set in Milano case Bucks County prosecutors will have until Sept. 5 to reply to an 88-page brief that seeks freedom for Frank R. Chester, convicted of killing gay artist Anthony Milano. Prosecutors were supposed to reply to Chester’s brief by Aug. 6 but requested the extension due to a heavy work schedule and other commitments. Their request was granted by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals on July 17. In 1988, Chester and Richard R. Laird were convicted of killing Milano in a wooded area in Tullytown, after meeting at a nearby tavern. But Chester claims his trial attorney was so dysfunctional, he had legal representation in name only. He wants all of his convictions voided in the grisly slaying. Both Laird and Chester are on death row. ■ — Timothy Cwiek

locations in Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA — AROUND THE GAYBORHOOD

12th Street Gym, 204 S. 12th St. • 13th Street Gourmet Pizza, 209 S. 13th St. • AACO, 1101 Market St., 9th floor • Action AIDS, 1216 Arch St. • Apt. & Townhouse Rentals, 304 S. 12th St. • ASIAC, 1711 S. Broad St. • The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. • Bioscript Pharmacy, 1227 Locust St. • Cafe Twelve, 212 S. 12th St. • Charlie Salon, 203 S. 12th St. • City Hall NE Entrance • Club Body Center, 1220 Chancellor St. • Com-Har Living Room, 101 S. Broad St., 14th floor • Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. • Cut Salon, 204 S. 13th St. • Danny’s Bookstore 133 S. 13th St. • Dignity/St. Lukes, 330 S. 13th St. • Dirty Frank’s Bar, 13th & Pine sts. • The Foodery, 10th & Pine sts. • Fusion Gym, 105 S. 12th St., 2nd floor • Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. • I Goldberg, 1300 Chestnut St. • ICandy, 254 S. 12th St. • Independent Hotel, 13th & Locust sts. • John C. Anderson Apts., 249 S. 13th St. • Mazzoni Clinic, 809 Locust St. • Midtown II, 122 S. 11th St. • More Than Just Ice Cream, 1119 Locust St. • Pa. AIDS Law Project, 1211 Chestnut St., 12th floor • Paolo Pizzeria, 1336 Pine St. • Parker Hotel Lobby, 261 S. 13th St. • Phila. FIGHT/Aids Library, 1233 Locust St., 5th floor • Phila. Family Planning Commission, 260 S. Broad St., 10th floor • Planned Parenthood, 1144 Locust St. • Sansom Cinema, 120 S. 13th St., basement • Santa Fe Burrito, 212 S. 11th St. • Scorpio Books, 202 S. Juniper St. • Sisters, 1320 Chancellor St. • Spruce Street Video, 252 S. 12th St. • Packard Apartments, 317 N. Broad St. • Safeguards lobby, 1211 Chestnut St. #610 • Salon K, 1216 Locust St. • Sante Fe Burrito, 212 S. 11th St. • Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. • Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac St. • Toast, 12th & Spruce sts. • Triangle Medicine, 253 S. 10th St., 1st floor • U Bar, 1220 Locust St. • Valanni, 1229 Spruce St. • Venture Inn, 255 S. Camac St. • Westbury, 261 S. 13th St. • William Way LGBT Community Center, 1325 Spruce St.

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

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

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

Weekly features

News&Opinion 2 — News Briefing 10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Mark My Words Street Talk 22 — Crime Watch

Former Sisters manager has the spot, needs the cash to reopen a women’s club.

AC &

25 29 30 31 32 36

C o l u m n s

— — — — — —

Scene in Philly Comics Worth Watching Family Portrait Out & About Q Puzzle

17 — Out Law: Transitioning rights

Classifieds 37 — Real Estate 38 — Personals 39 — Bulletin Board

13 BUSINESS CASUAL: About 75 business folks headed from the office to the Independence Business Alliance ConnX mixer July 29 on top of 12th Street Gym for a deck party and networking. The social is one of several such events held during the year where members and guests can exchange business cards and promote their businesses. The gym provided light bites and Tabu Lounge and Sports Bar provided refreshments. This was the first time the event was held on the deck and the nearperfect weather made it a shoe-in for a repeat gathering next summer. One of the giveaways during the event was a free one-month membership to 12 Fit Spa & Gym at the Loews Hotel, courtesy of owner Frank Baer. Photo: Scott A. Drake

This week in PGN

Openly gay attorney Dan Clifford recently finished his yearlong term as chair of the Family Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

6 — Lesbian widow seeks to change tax law 8 — DVLF issues grants for emerging issues 12 — Gay Community Night at Citizens Bank Park

23 — Arts & Culture cover story: Ferras talks about his rediscovery 29 — This festival is ‘Phreak N’ Queer’ 30 — New Hope to screen new trans youth doc

“It is a fun evening so even if you don’t like baseball, you can hang with friends and family. Citizens Bank Park is a fun place to spend the evening. And hopefully we win.” ~ Larry Felzer, on the upcoming Gay Community Night with the Phillies, page 12

Next week OutMoney Before the Bells Thinking Queerly

Two weeks Gettin’ On Paw Prints

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Moor Mother Goddess is just one of the many performers at the Phreak N’ Queer Music and Arts Festival.

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Scott A. Drake (ext. 210) scott@epgn.com Graphic Artist Sean Dorn (ext. 211) sean@epgn.com

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

REGIONAL PGN

Trans leader takes over N.J. LGBT group By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com This week, Garden State Equality welcomes one of the first transgender executive directors to head a statewide organization. Andrea “Andy” Bowen will take the helm of the New Jersey statewide LGBT organization Aug. 1. Bowen, 28, currently lives in Brooklyn but spent the last five years in Washington, D.C. She served as a former policy associate for the National Center for Transgender Equality and as a social policy organizer at the D.C. Trans Coalition. Bowen received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland at College Park in 2008 and just recently received her master’s in social work from Catholic University of America. After attaining her master’s, Bowen moved up north in search of jobs. She said she wanted to bring her years of experience engineering significant policy victories in D.C. into a new position. Bowen describes herself as someone who has done “a wide variety of different things” throughout her career so far; for instance, she was an instrumental organizer in the Iron Workers Union and was influential in pushing for D.C.’s comprehensive birth certificate and name-change bill. “For six years now, I have been taking on this role of a person who absorbs info and figures out what to do,” she said, noting that she’ll bring her background as a policy advocate to GSE. “I learned groundwork quickly and I have a quick mind for policy detail. I helped put together NTCE’s 10th anniversary event, gathered donations and helped with the donor list for the event. I worked operations for them and got to see up close and personal how an organization grows and sustains itself in a short period of time.” The position at GSE continues that work, she added. “I wanted to be able to make serious change for as many people as possible,” she said. “This position at Garden State Equality opened up and New Jersey is a state that in many ways resembles Washington, D.C., where you have this very progressive community and large LGBT community that has gotten a lot of policy groundwork in place, but the question I was seeing in D.C. that I saw in New Jersey was to what extent is this all being implemented correctly.” Bowen noted that Garden State Equality

has made significant strides in garnering public support for pro-LGBT efforts, an aspect to which she was particularly attracted. “I want to make sure policy is being used as fully as it can,” she said. “Garden State Equality is an organization that has worked hard to form personal connections with people and, coming from an organizational and social-work background, that is the thing that attracted me to this position. People have such a warm association to volunteering with the organization, so being able to connect with all of those people is something I wanted to pursue.” She said ensuring laws and policies are being fully and uniformly enforced across the state is key. “New Jersey has great laws so we need to make sure they are being used. That means you need to know the experiences of the people in Cherry Hill and Camden and all over the state and we need to have a big organizing push to make sure we are in intimate contact with people across the state — talking with them on how they are being treated in homeless shelters, schools, senior homes. So that will be my first main focus.” Bowen said she also wants to bring more public attention to other LGBT issues besides marriage equality throughout the state. “The story across the country is that as different states win marriage equality, a lot of people go, ‘We won and we are done,’ and that is not the case,” she said. “I understand why people think it is the case; they are not immersed in LGBT issues. This is the hard part now, making sure all LGBT laws are implemented and figuring out the nitty gritty of it all.” Bowen will join former Equality Michigan executive director Denise Brogan-Kator as being among the first transgender individuals to take the helm of a statewide LGBT organization. “I had a chat with Denise and I asked her — because there was some confusion on who was the first trans leader of a statewide LGBT organization — and I asked her if I was the first and she said, ‘No you are not, but I am glad I wasn’t the last.’ I am in the middle of the line and there are people who came before me who brought prominence to trans issues and LGBT issues more broadly. I may not be the first, but it is amazing to be one of a group of people that can lead social-justice efforts where they need to be. I am so blessed to be where I am.” ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

AIDS Walk to shorten By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com A big change is coming to the AIDS Walk Philly this fall. The event, traditionally a 12K (8-mile) walk, will now be cut shorter to a 5K (3mile) walk. Robb Reichard, executive director of AIDS Fund, the event host, said the organization had been looking into shortening the walk for some time, based on comments from participants. “It has been something we have been chatting about for a while,” he said. “Based on feedback from walkers over the years, the number-one thing is that the walk is too long, so we wanted to take that feedback, look at it and consider it carefully.” The walk last year raised about $300,000, which AIDS Fund uses to dis-

tribute to dozens of HIV/AIDS research and prevention causes in the Delaware Valley. Reichard said he does not think the shortening of the walk will have a negative effect on fundraising or participation. Instead, he said, it could be a boon. “We are hoping that people who felt it was too long or couldn’t do it will now feel like they will come out and participate. That would be my hope,” he said. Reichard said the running portion of the event will continue as a 3-mile course and will start before the walk. Although the organization is still in the planning process for the Philly AIDS Walk, Reichard does not expect any other major changes this year. This year’s AIDS Walk Philly will be held Oct. 19. For more information, visit www.aidswalkphilly.org. ■

Lesbian widow seeks tax-law language change By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com

Eating Out Should Be Fun! Read PGN’s food reviews every second and fourth week of the month

- and check out our archive of past reviews on epgn.com.

While she is no longer being forced to pay a discriminatory tax, a lesbian widow from Pennsylvania was allowed last week to continue with her case against the tax law. Last fall, Bethlehem resident Barbara Baus appealed to Orphans’ Court of Northampton County after she was asked to pay more than $10,000 in inheritance tax on the estate of her late wife, Cathy Burgi-Rios, who died in 2012 from complications of leukemia. At the time, heterosexual married couples were exempt from paying a tax on property inherited from a late spouse, but same-sex married couples were treated as strangers and forced to pay a 15-percent tax. In January, the Department of Revenue filed preliminary objections, contending Baus failed to make a valid claim. In May, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones 3d legalized same-sex marriage and, one month later, the department sought to dismiss Baus’ appeal, stating that the case was made moot because of the marriage-equality ruling. On July 24, Northampton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Craig A. Dally issued an order refusing to dismiss the appeal filed by Baus. Baus’ attorney, Benjamin Jerner of Jerner and Palmer, P.C., said Baus has been informed she does not have to pay the inheritance tax, but that the Inheritance and Estate Tax Act, which was challenged as part of Baus’ initial filing, still contains language that discriminates against same-sex couples.

In his finding, Dally noted that the continued application of that section “as written is clearly unconstitutional.” “So long as the statute remains, it leaves open the possibility that [Baus], if she were to remarry, or other same-sex spouses, could be subject to discrimination under the notwithstanding pronouncement of [marriageequality case] Whitewood,” Dally wrote. Jerner said it is imperative to change the language regarding transfers between “husband and wife.” “The problem is that those are not automatically meant to mean everybody, so in this particular case this statute deals with whether or not certain properties are exempt from taxation,” he said. “Right now, there is a zero-percent rate for spouses in Pennsylvania but they can change those tax rates at any time, so that is why this is important. It might seem minor until it happens to someone else.” Ultimately, Jerner said he hopes the case leads to that section of the statute being repealed, amended or found unconstitutional. “I think it is pretty clear that [it is unconstitutional] and that other statutes that are on the books in Pennsylvania where samesex couples are excluded will fall, whether that will happen one by one or through court challenges or the good folks in Harrisburg, I don’t know,” Jerner said. “Marriage equality is excellent, and now we get into the nitty gritty. I think Pennsylvania still has work to do to bring the laws in Pennsylvania up to speed with the Whitewood decision.” ■

Philadelphia Gay News We love to get picked up.

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

Former Sisters manager looks to open new women’s space By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com Almost one year after Philadelphia’s longest-standing lesbian bar closed down, its former manager is fundraising for a new space for LGBT women. Denise Cohen, who managed Sisters Bar & Nightclub for its 17-year run, launched an online fundraising campaign July 24 to generate funds for a down-payment for the rental of a new space. For years, Sisters, the longest-running lesbian bar in the city, occupied the building at 1320 Chancellor St., but abruptly closed its doors last August, reportedly for financial reasons. LGBT philanthropist Mel Heifetz owned the building and Jim Ross owned the business. Cohen, owner of LGBT party-promotion company Groove Philly, said she was asked innumerable times during events when she could resurrect the club. “My answer is always, ‘It is easier said than done,’” she said. “It takes money and a location — and you can have the money but not the location or the location but not the money. We have the location but just not the funds. We don’t want to lose this location because we have limited time.” Since Sisters’ shuttering, Cohen said she and supporters have kept an eye out for potential locations to launch a new club,

and she learned of the space in question — which she declined to disclose, other than to say it was in a “good location” — “through the grapevine.” Cohen said she was encouraged to launch the Indiegogo fundraiser after seeing other successful online campaigns by local bars. The campaign has a goal of $50,000, which would go towards the down payment, liquor license, cost of business, changes to the venue itself and general operating costs,

She has not yet determined a potential name and said she may run a contest so the community can name the venue. If the venue is secured, the business would be open seven days a week in the evening with dancing, entertainment and a full kitchen. Cohen has not decided if the venue would be open for lunch. In addition to generating funds, she said the campaign can show potential investors the community’s support for such a ven-

Cohen said. But she hopes the venture can net closer to $250,000, which would support payroll, legal fees, utilities and inventory. Within one day, the effort generated about $3,000. As of presstime, the page reported $3,690 in donations, with 24 days left for the campaign. Cohen said she plans to be involved in the ownership of the business and will also be involved in management.

ture. “Banks may shy away from helping businesses, especially with LGBT clientele, and investors are wary with the history of Sisters closing, so showing that support from the community will be essential,” she said. Cohen said the deadline to secure the space is sooner rather than later. “We need the money as soon as possible — the sooner I secure the location, the better.”

The Indiegogo campaign will last 30 days; but, if this location falls through, Cohen said, there is the potential that the fundraising could be used to secure a new location. Cohen said since she launched the campaign, the community has helped spread the word. “It has been very positive through Facebook; people are sharing on social media,” she said. “Overall it has been really positive. A number of people have donated. However, it is only a concept right now and, when the funding comes in, it can be a reality.” That reality, Cohen said, would fill a gap for the city, which lacks a dedicated club for LGBT women. “We have always welcomed men and of course they will be welcomed into the new facility and men will work there as well,” she said. “But women would like their own space they can go to to mix and mingle with other lesbians. The music, the entertainment will be directed towards them and that is the same thing that the boys get. They have six or seven bars in the city so why can’t the women have the same?” Donors who support the campaign can access a number of rewards depending on their donation level. For more information, visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/lesbianand-gay-bar-philadelphia. ■

Marriage equality is now legal in Pennsylvania! To celebrate, PGN is running a special Wedding Issue Aug. 8, where same-sex couples can ﬁnd information on wedding planning and trends and check out the best of the best of LGBTfriendly wedding vendors. PGN is happy to publish your wedding announcement. E-mail information to editor@epgn.com or fax us at (215) 925-6437.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

LOCAL PGN

DVLF works to meet needs of LGBT community through grants By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com The Delaware Valley Legacy Fund has announced its 2014 Emerging Needs Grantees. The LGBT grantmaking agency selected the eight organizations out of a pool of 23 applicants through an extensive application process. DVLF executive director Samantha Giusti said the organization tries to take a community-centered approach when selecting the grantees. “Each grantmaking cycle we convene a panel of community members who have diverse experiences in an array of areas,” she said. “We look at the criteria and it is always tremendously difficult to make a decision every year. We always have more proposals than we do funding.” The Emerging Needs program provides funding for organizations that are working to meet growing needs within the LGBT community. This year DVLF awarded $32,000 total, with grants going to the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania’s LGBT Equality and African-American Community Project; The Attic Youth Center’s Mental Health Program for LGBT Youth and Their Families; College of Physicians of Philadelphia’s Out4Stem Program; Go!Athletes Strategic Plan for

Pilot Mentorship Program; Kimmel Center, Inc.’s It Gets Better Project; the LGBT Elder Initiative’s LGBTEI Conversation Series; Mazzoni Center’s Sisterly L.O.V.E.; and Valley Youth House’s Pride Housing. ACLU received $5,000 and is a first-time DVLF grantee. “We try to create a culture here at DVLF to improve cultural competency and promote equity and inclusion in grantmaking so we asked ourselves, are we funding lowincome populations, communities of color and marginalized communities, so these are some of the things that DVLF looks at,” Giusti said. “The win for marriage equality is exciting but we all know there is still a lot of work to get done.” Another first-time grantee is the College of Physicians of Philadelphia’s Out4Stem program, a pilot program launched this year to provide resources such as mentorship, college-prep workshops, tutoring and academic and career support for college-bound LGBTQ youth. The program received $6,000. Also a new grantee is LGBT sports organization Go!Athletes, which received $2,000. Giusti said its Strategic Plan for Pilot Mentorship program will work

towards providing a supportive place for LGBT athletes in the Philadelphia area. The Kimmel Center’s pioneering partnership with national LGBT anti-bullying campaign It Gets Better was also recognized. The It Gets Better Project, supported by a $4,000 DVLF grant, will be a one-week residency program with panels on bullying, self-image and performance. Giusti said DVLF does not always fund arts and culture programs but found this project to be especially important for LGBT youth. DVLF also granted $3,000 to Mazzoni C e n t e r ’s S i s t e r l y L.O.V.E. program, which offers development, training, resources and education to local transwomen. “They are able to best meet the unique and evolving needs of the community, and Sisterly L.O.V.E. is for the community led by the community,” Giusti said. “It is a place where transgender women can mobilize on issues affecting their community and build a strong coalition.” The Valley Youth House Pride Housing, which caters to LGBT homeless youth, will receive $4,000. Giusti said this is the second time Valley Youth House is receiving a DVLF grant.

“The win for marriage equality is exciting but we all know there is still a lot of work to get done.”

Also youth-focused was the $4,000 grant to The Attic Youth Center for its program that enhances access to mental-health services for LGBT youth and their families. “In recent years The Attic has found that by opening up to families, they can create more of a supportive foundation for the youth they serve by involving their families,” she said. “We appreciate the ways they look at the issues that LGBT youth are facing and how, with a supportive family structure, they are able to minimize the negative outcomes that LGBT youth can often face.” DVLF is also supporting another age demographic, with a $4,000 grant to the LGBT Elder Initiative to support its Conversations Series, which examines and educates the LGBT older-adult community through panel and workshop discussions. “The LGBT community has an aging population just like every other community,” Giusti said. “LGBT adults haven’t been given the opportunity to age successfully because of a lot of discrimination, and these are our pioneers of the movement.” Giusti said the committee was especially impressed by LGBTEI’s work to build bridges between the community and service providers, while also providing trainings, referrals, education and advocacy. There will be a check-presentation ceremony in September. For more information, visit www.dvlf.org. ■

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EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

D.J. Dolce

Editorial

Summer respite The summer is traditionally the slowest news season for PGN. With legislative bodies on break, the political scene dies down for a bit, and with many locals flocking out of town for vacations, the local events scene also wanes. But, if the past few weeks are any indication, we should enjoy these slower days of summer while we can. On the legislative front, the latter half of this year will likely bring us a new push on the proposed LGBT nondiscrimination bill in Pennsylvania. Equality Pennsylvania recently launched a six-week tour to garner support for the legislation from all corners of the state, and that fight will likely ramp back up in the legislature once the summer recess wraps up. Marriage equality gains new momentum almost daily and, as marriage bans continue to fall state by state, the overarching issue of the inherent right of same-sex couples to marry could make it to the U.S. Supreme Court in the coming year. Now that marriage equality is a must in Pennsylvania, the need for this legislation is further illuminated. Speaking of marriage equality, while the court ruling stands, the language of our laws needs some updating; to ensure that the letter of the law respects same-sex couples’ marriages, there needs to be a complete overhaul and update of legislation that extends in some way to marriage, such as is being advocated for by a local widow pressing for language changes to the inheritance-tax law. Politically, this fall brings an important gubernatorial election. While Gov. Corbett did the right thing in not appealing the ruling that granted same-sex couples marriage rights, his dismal pro-equality record should factor into decisions at the polls — and could spell big changes for Pennsylvania’s leadership. On the community level, there were two big initiatives announced in just the last week: a new comprehensive sports program and the potential for a new womenfocused bar. The William Way LGBT Community Center is launching a program to unite LGBT sports groups throughout the region in an effort to increase membership, facilitate organizational logistics and enhance a sense of sports community. The group will be taking off in the coming months and is expected to breathe new life into the city’s already-vibrant LGBT sports community. The bar scene could have a new addition, in the form of a project from former Sisters manager Denise Cohen. She took to the ’Net last week to launch a fundraising initiative for a new women-focused space. After Sisters’ shuttering last summer, the city has, for the first time in decades, been without a dedicated space for LGBT women. While no firm plans have been announced, Cohen said she has secured a potential property and is now just looking for the financial backing. So we at PGN plan to enjoy these final weeks of summer — and gear up for what is expected to be a momentous second half of 2014. ■

Did you hear the news? Just over 2 percent told the Centers for Disease Control that they’re gay, lesbian or bisexual. And people are freaking out. Some people are arguing that the number is too low. After all, if we want to get technical about it, the survey really found that 2.3 percent of the people they surveyed were cool with coming out to a stranger doing a survey. Other people might argue that the number is too high because gays could just pray the gay away if they loved Jesus enough. And some are arguing that the number is just right and proves that LGB people have too much power and are actually insignificant and we should just stop acting like they deserve equal rights or something. That’s essentially the argument in D.J. Dolce’s July 21 segment of “News! News!”, World Net Daily TV’s attempt at humor. The video is titled, “Huh? ‘Gays’ Only 2 Percent of U.S. Population” and subtitled, “D.J. Dolce reveals why homosexuals get all the attention.” The video segment features Dolce in the foreground standing behind a microphone like a stand-up comic, her image pixilated like she’s just walked out of a comic strip. Her delivery is also supposed to sound off the cuff and is paired with an obviously canned laugh track just in case you didn’t get the whole “this is supposed to be funny” message. And you wouldn’t, because it isn’t. “Despite prior projections, the total homosexual population in the U.S. is a paltry 2 percent,” she informs us. She continues in mock outrage, “Two percent? But liberals told us that it was more like 15-20 percent.” For the record, the number I’ve most heard thrown around is the Kinsey estimate of 10 percent. But whatever. She continues, “Two percent? That’s like the same as Armenian-Americans.” Cue big laugh track as the background picture changes into what looks like children in traditional Armenian costumes dancing. Why is this funny? I do not know. Actually, I should be clear that it isn’t.

“And that makes me wonder,” she says: “Why aren’t Armenians in the news as much as the gay community?” Her face is the face of someone trying very hard to convey humor where there is no humor, all exaggerated sass with pouty lips and a scolding finger. I have to remind myself not to feel embarrassed for her because she’s doing this to herself. She asks, “Why don’t Armenians get shout-outs from every other musician when they receive awards? Why don’t Armenians get billions and billions of dollars from Washington, D.C., to set up Armenianappreciation centers on campuses nationwide?” I was unaware that “I’d like to thank the gays” was a trend at music award shows, but I haven’t watched the Grammys in years. And I have doubts that “billions and billions” of dollars have been funneled from D.C. to LGBT centers on college campuses. But I don’t have a built-in laugh track, so what do I know? Dolce answers her own hypothetical question with the following: “Oh, I know why! Armenians are Christian, and Christians are the enemy!” Ha ha ha? That’s probably the worst punch line in history. It is also a stupid argument. Christians aren’t the enemy and sure as hell aren’t a persecuted minority in the United States. The fact is, this isn’t a numbers game. Just because heteros outnumber gays doesn’t mean it’s OK to deny gays civil rights. You can’t tell me that my family doesn’t matter because we haven’t met some make-believe significance quota. This isn’t a joke; it’s my life. But hey, maybe I just don’t have a good sense of humor. ■

The fact is, this isn’t a numbers game. Just because heteros outnumber gays doesn’t mean it’s OK to deny gays civil rights. You can’t tell me that my family doesn’t matter because we haven’t met some make-believe significance quota.

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

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From paper to practice Who would have thought that a broken Then Jason made it even more apparent arm would lead anyone to appreciate marto me when he insisted that he was taking riage equality? me to the procedure, and taking off work About a month ago, my partner of to care for me. It was his duty and I should 10 years, Jason, and I were married. At just expect it. the time, like many longtime partners But the best was when I was taken we thought — more likely I back to be prepped for surgery. thought — it’s just a piece of At first I was led alone, then paper. We’ll get married and go when the nurse became aware on living like before. that Jason was my spouse — I Then, while on a motor really like this — she said, “Oh, scooter — something that Jason he’s family.” Then in a loud advised me against — I was in voice, “your husband.” Then an accident that broke my arm she explained that family was and required surgery. allowed to be in the prep room. She went out and grabbed First up was the police report. Jason and proudly stated, as she Was I married? Then the ambulance medical team and their marched him back to my tempaperwork. Then the numerous porary room, “He’s his husband, doctors and clinics I had to go and family is allowed here in to to be cleared for surgery. The prep.” She went on to tell us EKG, lab workup and physiabout her 90-year-old gay uncle cal — all of which had forms Mark Segal ... and all of which had that box to So, marriage is more than a check: married. piece of paper and I’m learning that each But it was the day of the surgery that it day. And this is one lesson that is one of really became apparent. Doing the paperthe most joyous I’ve ever had. By the way, work I again checked married, and then please don’t give me a pop quiz just yet added next of kin and who was responsible — I’m still learning. ■ for my medical decisions during the procedure if needed, which made me aware of Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the how oppressive the refusal of marriage rec- nation’s most-award-winning commenognition really is. tator in LGBT media. You can follow Since there was no expectation of a long- him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ time marriage with its legal hold, many of MarkSegalPGN or Twitter at https://twitter. us had always listed our friends in that box. com/PhilaGayNews.

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Street Talk Would you be more likely to purchase a product that’s packaged as LGBT-friendly? “No, it’s all about the product, not whether it has LGBTfriendly packaging. If it’s a hamburger I’m thinking Eric Barnes about buying, truck driver I just care if Quinton, N.J. it will taste good in my mouth. Whether or not it has LGBT-friendly packaging wouldn’t be the deciding factor.”

“If it’s just a marketing ploy, that would be immoral and a turn-off for me. I’d want to know that the company is good, not only on LGBT Ashley Carrega issues, but all sculptor Ross Township, Pa. human-rights issues. I’d look into the subject, especially if I were investing large sums of money in the company.”

“Yes. I would be drawn to LGBT-friendly packaging. If the company is liberal enough to do something like that, that’s good Devin Christopher enough for grad student me. The Washington Square West company is taking a risk. I would support them for taking the risk.”

“Yes. I like my money going to a company that operates ethically and has politics that I agree with. So chances Gabrielle Duncan are, I’d buy retail buyer a product West Philadelphia that has a rainbow wrapper, a rainbow flag or any symbolism that embodies LGBT rights.”

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Hoping for a win for 12th LGBT Phils night By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com LGBTs and allies will head out to the ballpark next week for the 12th annual Gay Community Night at the Phillies. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. Aug. 5 at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies will take on the Houston Astros. The event is organized by Philly Gay Days and sponsored by the Philadelphia chapter of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association and the Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia. Tickets are going for $26 in sections 201206 and $17 for sections 301-305. A portion of every ticket sold will benefit the Sean Halpin Memorial Scholarship Fund, a scholarship in honor of the former litigation partner of Reed Smith LLP and member of GALLOP. The scholarship supports an LGBT student attending law school in the greater Philadelphia region. Philly Gay Days coordinator Larry Felzer said a scholarship in honor of Halpin, who died 10 years ago, continues the work he did in his profession and at GALLOP. “He was one of the first out partners in one of the city’s largest law firms,” Felzer said. “It seemed fitting to set up a scholarship in his memory for LGBT students.” Phillies guests are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:40 p.m. to see someone from

the LGBT community throw the first pitch — as long as Gay Community Night generates 500 tickets, which, after the mark was missed last year, Felzer is hopeful will be accomplished this time. “It is a fun evening so even if you don’t like baseball, you can hang with friends and family. Citizens Bank Park is a fun place to spend the evening. And hopefully we win.” Philly Gay Days has been involved with the recent OUT with the Philadelphia Soul event, and also helped organize a contingent of fans to welcome out NBA player Jason Collins to Philadelphia when the Nets took on the 76ers. Felzer said he’s interested in expanding such events. “If there is interest, we absolutely plan on having more events,” he said. “It all depends on ticket availability and logistics. Group tickets are not available for Eagles games, so that is not an option, but we are already talking with the 76ers about doing an event with them next season and we have done an event with the Flyers, so there is a possibility of working with them again.” Felzer said he is excited to see major league teams embracing LGBT athletes and audiences. “It is pretty huge because it is one of the last uncharted territories for LGBT people.” To order tickets, visit www.phillygaydays. com or call Colleen at 215-463-5000. ■

Judge: D.A. can remain in sexual-assault case By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com A Philadelphia judge has ruled that the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office can defend the conviction of sex offender Jeffrey J. Marsalis, even though one of his alleged victims was employed by the D.A.’s Office during his 2007 trial. Marsalis, 41, stands convicted of sexually assaulting two local women, then raping a lesbian in Idaho. He’s appealing his local convictions in state Superior Court and seeks the disqualification of the D.A.’s Office, alleging a conflict of interest. But in a recent opinion, Common Pleas Judge Steven R. Geroff said Marsalis failed to demonstrate the existence of a conflict of interest on the part of the D.A.’s Office. In 2007, Marsalis stood trial for raping seven local women — including a law student who went on to become an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia. She’s identified in court papers as M.S., an assistant district attorney during Marsalis’ trial, though she wasn’t his prosecutor. Marsalis met M.S. through Match.com and, in December 2004, they spent the night together in his Center City apartment, where he allegedly drugged and raped her. A Philadelphia jury acquitted Marsalis of raping M.S. and four other alleged victims. But the jury convicted him of sexually assaulting two women. In October 2007, Geroff sentenced

Marsalis to 10-and-a-half to 21 years in state prison for his local crimes. But Marsalis claims another agency should have handled his prosecution. “It would take no stretch of the imagination to conclude that there exists a very real possibility that the intent of the D.A.’s Office is not that justice be done and the truth prevail, but to further the personal interest of one of their own, seeing that justice is done for [M.S.],” Marsalis said. Geroff, however, noted that Marsalis was “acquitted of sexually assaulting M.S., and he cannot show any prejudice.” The judge also denied Marsalis’ request for an evidentiary hearing. Marsalis says he was on a flight to Idaho on the day one of his local victims, identified as A.A., claims he raped her. But Geroff denied Marsalis’ request for an evidentiary hearing. If A.A. was mistaken about the date, Geroff said, it would be understandable, since she didn’t report it until two years later. “Even if A.A. was mistaken about the exact date of the second sexual assault, [Marsalis] fails to demonstrate that the result of his trial would have been different since has has no alibi for the first sexual assault,” Geroff said. Marsalis remains incarcerated at a state prison in Marienville. His scheduled release date is Jan. 17, 2017. Then, he must begin serving a 14year sentence in Idaho for raping a lesbian in that state, according to court records. ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

Out attorney wraps up term at helm of PBA section By Matty Bennett PGN Contributor Openly gay attorney Dan Clifford recently finished up his yearlong term as chair of the Family Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, highlighted by numerous contributions to family-court reform and the LGBT community. Clifford began his career as a lawyer in York. When he first started practicing, he realized that very few attorneys wanted to do family law because of the intensity involved. “You tend to develop very strong client relationships in family law,” Clifford said. “You sort of become an extended family member; it’s such a close and intense relationship. The people you’re dealing with are going through some of the most personal struggles of their lives.”

Clifford now has more than 25 years of family-law experience and is a partner at Weber Gallagher. The PBA is comprised of 26,000 lawyers throughout the state, and every county has an individual bar as well. The Family Law Section of the PBA is a deliberative council that consists of 1,400 members statewide, and they consider providing input on proposed legislation. As chair of the Family Law Section, Clifford presided over the preparation and execution of two major statewide conferences dealing with various initiatives to improve the family court system in Pennsylvania. One initiative involved creating a video demonstrating how

to interview children during custody proceedings. Clifford said this was an extremely important effort because interviewing children in court cases is a very intense, emotional process that needs to be improved and discussed more. Clifford said it has been a phenomenal year for the LGBT community, and that he was honored to have represented the community to the PBA. “I thought it was a wonderful platform to provide improvements to the family court system and to pursue them in a leadership position,” Clifford said. “As the first openly gay chair of the Family Law Section, it gave me an opportunity to be a visible leader and get more support for marriage equality.” One of the major initiatives Clifford spent time working toward as chair was to formally resolve the PBA’s stance on marriage equality. Clifford said the organization had been working toward

approving marriage equality for about a year, and they eventually took a formal stance in favor shortly before marriage equality was approved in Pennsylvania. “It’s not easy to get things through the system because of all the different levels of government,” Clifford said. “We weren’t really thinking the marriageequality case would turn out so quickly, but it was important for us to take a specific position on that.” As Clifford looks toward the future, he plans to run for an open judicial position in Montgomery County in 2015. He ran for the position once before, and he said that it was an excellent opportunity for him to discuss family-court reform. “No openly gay person has won outside of Philadelphia in a county race,” Clifford said. “It’s a completely different political landscape. It would be great to break that firewall and actually win a countywide race.” ■

Former Mazzoni legal director honored by national org. By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com The National LGBT Bar Association will honor a late local community leader at its annual conference later this month. David Rosenblum, 47, helmed Mazzoni Center’s Legal Services from 2011 until his death this past spring from a heart attack. The national group will present an award in his memory at its Lavender Law Conference Awards Brunch, Aug. 22 in New York City. Rosenblum’s mother and his husband,

A portion of every ticket sold will beneﬁt the Sean Halpin Memorial Scholarship Fund

Stephan Stoeckl, will accept the award. Before he joined the team at Mazzoni, Rosenblum served as New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, and also as the state’s deputy attorney general and a trial attorney for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Rosenblum also spearheaded Lavender Law’s Career Fair. Bar association executive director D’Arcy Kemnitz said the career fair is “a signature

component of the bar’s work to connect LGBT law students with meaningful careers in the legal field. David left behind a legacy of opportunity that is reflected both in his distinguished legal career and in the vibrant, and growing, career fair he created and loved.” Mazzoni Center executive director Nurit Shein said the award represents the depth and breadth of Rosenblum’s work. “It is very fitting, as he was one of the founders of the career fair at this annual conference, which remained important to him,” she said. “This award reminds us of the tre-

Take us OUT to the ballgame! 12th Annual Gay Community Night at Phillies Phillies vs. Astros — Citizens Bank Park Tuesday Aug. 5th @ 7:05 p.m. — be in your seats by 6:40 p.m. to see a local LGBT leader throw out the ceremonial ﬁrst pitch (if we sell 500 tickets) Tickets - $26 (200 level) or $17 (300 level) Order online: phillygaydays.com or by phone: 215-463-5000 If you need handicap-accessible seating, please order your tickets by telephone.

We go to ballgames every night, but on this one night we get to sit together.

mendous impact David had on the field of LGBT law and civil rights, and of the incredibly high esteem in which he was held by his professional colleagues. He would be deeply touched at the recognition by those he worked with and admired.” “I think it is great that he is being recognized, as he was somebody that worked directly for the community,” added Stoeckl. “Mazzoni Center was something he was very proud of. Having that part of his work recognized in this fashion is something he would have been very happy with.” ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

PGN SEPTA from page 1

benefits are accessible to all our married couples, regardless of gender,” Williams said. “We’re in discussion with the union and our legal team to get it done immediately.” She added: “We must make sure we are not violating the status-quo period of contract negotiations. To provide these benefits at the present time may or may not be considered imposing a change in the terms and conditions of employment. We must make sure we have an understanding with the union before proceeding.” Williams expressed optimism that benefits for married same-sex couples would be accessible to union workers shortly. “It’s obvious that both SEPTA management and the union want the same thing. So I’m optimistic it will happen sooner rather than later.” The worker scoffed at management’s position that an agreement with TWU Local 234 is needed. “This has nothing to do with the union,” she said. “It’s about following the law. I’m legally married in Pennsylvania. I want all of my just due, as a married spouse.” She said the law is clearly on her side, and time is of the essence. “Justice delayed is justice denied.” She said SEPTA officials were dismissive when she displayed her marriage license and requested workplace benefits for her wife. “They told me to go see my union,” she said. “It was like being told to go see my father.” She takes her marriage very seriously, and wants it respected by SEPTA. “I definitely feel SEPTA is treating me like a second-class citizen,” she said. ■ SPORTS from page 1

can only be better working with William Way.” Sotland said the executive committee has garnered interest from the LGBT softball, soccer, swim, kickball, bowling, rugby and tennis groups. The football club, he noted, is focused on staging the Gay Bowl this fall, but organizers plan to meet with club leaders after that event. With the interested clubs, said executive committee vice president Perry Monastero, OPAL’s reach would extend to about 1,500 athletes. Sotland said that, during initial discussions, planners learned that the leagues often grappled with organizational challenges, which could be facilitated by having a large, established entity like William Way as a partner. “It’s about leveraging our size in dealing with the city,” he said. “Once we got the discussion going, we learned that facilities issues are one of the biggest problems. They either didn’t have the bargaining power or didn’t have the resources or know-how to work with the city or public or Catholic schools for facilities.” “When groups have coalesced in other cities, they had stronger, louder voices with City Council, recreation departments, the people in charge of facilities at schools and

PGN

universities,” Monastero added. “That was one of the top things groups were having issues with: Where do we do this? Where do we play kickball? Where do we swim? Where do we play volleyball? Volleyball couldn’t meet for a while because of that. There’s been a basketball group trying to get started, and they need facilities. The idea is to create more solid opportunities in terms of locations.” In addition to OPAL serving as a liaison with potential facilities, it can also be essential in helping the groups secure funding and sponsorships. “It adds more credibility and credence to an organization when it’s supported by a fiscal conduit,” Monastero said. “And it adds a sense of transparency too.” The organization itself will not need a vast amount of funding to function, Sotland said. Operations will be supported by membership fees — which have not yet been determined but are expected to be nominal — plus fundraising events and potential grants. “It’s not really designed to be about the money aspect of it because how much would we have to spend money on, since we’re here to support leagues that already exist?” Sotland posited, noting the agency will not impede upon league sponsors. “We don’t want to pull money away from the people we’re supposed to be supporting. For instance, Miller Lite is a big sponsor of CBLSL and said they might be interested in working with us, and we would and will, but we told them not if it’s at the risk of the softball league losing any sponsorships. That’s 100-percent not our goal; we’re not going to be a drain on resources but rather add to people’s resources.” OPAL will not need to apply for its own 501(C)(3) status, as it will be an official program of William Way, which has its own tax-exempt nonprofit status. Sotland said OPAL will function financially independently from William Way but its funding will be organized under the center, which, through its executive director and the executive committee, will have oversight over the entity. “It’s financially neutral to both [OPAL and William Way]. Money, for the most part, will never transfer from one to the other; whatever money is raised will stay within this organization,” Sotland said. “However, if you want money from this organization, the check will come from an account under the name of William Way, and there will be a signatory from the sports committee and from William Way on the check to make sure everything is above board.” OPAL will stage events throughout the year to cater to athletes across all demographics, which organizers hope will assist with recruitment. Sotland said that, once the organization’s website and socialmedia presence is established in the coming months, events will be announced. Besides Sotland and Monastero, OPAL’s executive committee includes sports chair Kurt Douglass, social chair Robert Lenahan, treasurer Brian Wentz and secretary Adam Beck. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

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Transitioning the gay-rights movement We just marked the anniversary of Nondiscrimination Act in the hopes that the Stonewall Riots, which sparked would help it pass. That’s when I started the modern gay-rights movement, with calling ENDA “SPLENDA” — light on Pride events in New York City and San protections for our entire community. Francisco. The events featured transgender What so many people don’t realize celebrities Laverne Cox and Janet Mock is that discrimination takes place in the as grand marshals; the symlives of transgender people in bolic inclusion was an attempt a range of contexts, including by Pride organizers to signal in employment, health care, education, housing and public trans-inclusion. Unfortunately, accommodations, such as pubStonewall is also the starting point of the tensions between lic transit and retail establishthe LGB part of the community ments. Here is just one example and its transgender counterparts. of what occurs to trans people Nowadays, we know that two on a daily basis. On April 18, 2011, in Baltimore, a transtransgender women of color, gender woman named Chrissy Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, were among some of Lee Polis went to the women’s the first people to fight back at restroom in McDonald’s. When Stonewall and therefore basicame out, two teenage girls Angela she grabbed her and spat in her cally gave birth to the entire movement. However, what’s Giampolo face. As customers watched, the two girls threw her to the rarely discussed is the degree to which transgender people continue to ground and began kicking her repeatedly be marginalized within the LGBT-rights in the head. Polis kept trying to stand up struggle. More recently, transgender probut the girls had her by the hair and were tections have been pushed aside so that dragging her across the restaurant floor. LGB rights will be seen as more acceptShortly thereafter, Polis suffered a seizure and the last thing she remembers is spitting able to mainstream society. In 2007, blood on the restaurant floor. The incident Barney Frank, the most well-known and made national news — but not because of respected openly gay member of the U.S. the reason you would think: not because Congress, removed transgender protections from the proposed Employment McDonald’s was outraged by the random,

Out Law

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

arbitrary and brutal violence that Polis endured, but rather because a McDonald’s employee (one of the people standing by doing nothing) happened to record the beating on his cell phone and it went viral on YouTube. Studies show that anywhere from 15-43 percent of LGB people have experienced some form of discrimination and harassment at work. Moreover, a staggering 90 percent of transgender workers report harassment on the job. Workplace mistreatment poses a real threat to the economic security and overall psychological wellbeing of transgender workers. Transgender people are regularly mistreated by police and profiled for unfair arrest simply because of their gender identity/expression. According to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, 22 percent of transgender people who interacted with police reported harassment and 6 percent reported physical assault. Moreover, health care is a crucial issue from several angles. First, discrimination takes place in medical settings, which leads to poor health outcomes for many people, and close to 20 percent of transgender people report being refused medical care all together. Discrimination in the healthcare realm leads many transgender people to avoid seeking medical care all together even when it’s absolutely necessary.

A sad and stark fact: Just a few weeks ago, Massachusetts became only the third state in the United States to cover transgender health care under Medicaid. As such, transgender people are often denied access to transition-related care by insurance companies, limiting the accessibility of often-life-saving forms of care. Identity documents are essential to the basic social and economic operations in our country. You name it and you need an identity document to access it: employment, housing, health care, travel — even to get into a bar! Our everyday life hinges on having appropriate and consistent documents. Yet, for many transgender people, obtaining identity documents that match their name and gender is a major hurdle. While half of states now make it relatively easy to update the gender on a driver’s license, efforts are under way to ease the basic step of legally changing names and the often-more-difficult step of updating one’s birth certificate. This year, Oregon and the District of Columbia joined at least three other states in guaranteeing that individuals won’t be required to show proof of surgery to update their birth certificates. Washington, D.C. also joined the ranks of the nearly half of states that have eliminated requirements that name changes be published in the PAGE 19

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newspaper, an expensive and intimidating step for many trans people that is still required in Pennsylvania. Similar legislation has been proposed in California and Hawaii. There is little discussion in mainstream media about what’s at stake in the fight for basic transgender rights, which is that trans people are dying at alarming rates, both at their own and others’ hands, all because of transphobia. Transgender murders in North and South America occur at a rate almost 50-percent higher than that of gays and lesbians, according to a new study, and 41 percent of transgender people have attempted suicide — a staggering 26 times the rate of the general population. A truly inclusive LGBTQ movement will require a shift in the hearts and minds of the LGB population, one that requires us to accept transgender individuals as equals, and not just in name. If we’re going to use “LGBTQ” as an acronym to define our community, then we can no longer ignore the urgent health, psychological and social needs of our transgender family members. While we’ve had significant gains in recent years, we must continue to fight until we secure protections under federal, state and local laws for everyone under the LGBTQ umbrella. ■ Angela D. Giampolo, principal of Giampolo Law Group, maintains offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and specializes in LGBT law, business law, real-estate law and civil rights. Her website is www.giampololaw.com and she maintains two blogs, www.phillygaylawyer.com and www.lifeinhouse.com. Send Angela your legal questions at angela@giampololaw.com.

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The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between July 14-20. Information is courtesy of Sixth District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice. com or call 215-686-TIPS (8477). Follow the Sixth District on Twitter @PPDBrianKorn. INCIDENTS — At 9:45 p.m. July 16, a patron’s phone was stolen from the bar at 1229 Spruce St. by a black male, who was 5-foot-6, 200 pounds, wearing a white shirt, tan pants and white shoes and carrying a green bag. NON-SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 12:05 p.m. July 15, officers assigned to the Sixth District Narcotics Enforcement Team observed a narcotics transaction outside 901 Market St. A 44-year-old suspect with a Northeast Philadelphia address was charged with illegal narcotics sales, while a 51-year-old suspect with a homeless-shelter address was charged with possession of narcotics. A quantity of narcotics pills and cash were recovered. — At 12:40 p.m. July 16, officers assigned to the Sixth District Narcotics Enforcement Team observed a narcotics transaction inside McDonalds, 942 Market St. A 50-year-old suspect with a Southwest Philadelphia address was charged with illegal narcotics sales. A quantity of narcotic pills and cash were recovered. — At 4:15 p.m. July 16, SEPTA Police arrested a male outside 1100 Market St. who was wanted for failure to appear for court. The 58year-old suspect with a Germantown address was charged with contempt of court. SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 12:15 p.m. July 15, Center City District officers issued a citation for a summary offense outside 35 S. 13th St. — At 10:50 a.m. July 18, Center City District officers issued two citations for summary offenses outside 100 S. Juniper St. — On July 19, Sixth District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 12:50 a.m. outside 300 S. 11th St. and at 2:30 a.m. outside 1300 Locust St. ■

AC ul t ure rts

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Out pop singer gets a boost from Katy Perry By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com It’s been a whirlwind summer for out singer-songwriter Ferras. Superstar Katy Perry picked him to be the first artist she signed to her record label, Metamorphosis Music, and quickly released his self-titled EP in time for him to join her as the opening act for her Prismatic Tour. It’s quite the rebound for Ferras, who released his debut album, “Aliens & Rainbows,” on Capitol Records in 2008. It wasn’t the out-of-the-box success that label-mate Perry’s “One of the Boys” was,

which was released the same year, and Ferras said he soon fell off Capitol’s radar. He then spent the next few years as an independent artist and a songwriter for other singers like Adam Lambert and Ricky Martin. “After my contract fizzled with Capitol in 2008, there was a change of hands at the label and I got lost in the shuffle,” he said. “I did go into the studio to start working

on my own stuff independently because I felt like I needed to do something on my own and express myself without having to answer to anyone. To start making money for myself and live and support myself, I ended up writing for other artists. During that time I never really gave up on the idea of doing this again but you kind of go where opportunity is. When Katy came to me with the offer to be

her first signing to her new label, it was a no-brainer for me because it was an amazing opportunity and it was something I still wanted to do. So here I am.” Having one of pop music’s biggest stars take you under her wing in a major label deal has some advantages, Ferras said, but at the end of the day it’s still a business and he’s expected to live up to its expectations. “It’s certainly friendlier but I don’t think that takes any responsibility away from myself in terms of having to perform and to keep myself where I’m at,” he said. “It kind of sucks but when you are signed to a major label, if you PAGE 24

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

FEATURE PGN

FERRAS from page 23

are not connecting and there isn’t something happening around your project, then people aren’t going to spend money on it to keep it alive. It’s still a machine essentially and it takes a lot to run that machine regardless of who that is. It still is pressure but I can handle it. I’m in a good space and I have a lot of people rooting for me.” Ferras’ self-titled EP finds him creating more lush and orchestrated soulful pop songs than what was heard on his debut album, showcasing his growth as an artist. “It’s a different side of me,” he said. “This is more real to who I am now. People change and in 2008 I was much younger and it was a producer-driven record. With this record, it’s more me. I’m at the helm of it, directing things and making sure things are happening the way I want them to. I feel creatively connected to it.” Ferras added that he put out an EP instead of a full-length album mostly because there wasn’t enough time before he had to hit the road to open for Perry. “Aside from EPs being the new thing, in a way it was a taste of what I am going for right now,” he said. “It was a timing thing as well. From the time I got signed with Katy to the time of the tour, there wasn’t very

much time. In all honesty, I didn’t want to rush a full-length and have it not be the best it could be. I wanted to take five songs that I thought were strong and put those out. I wanted to make the tour. I just wanted to have something out so I can go on tour and not feel too rushed about it.” Ferras said he will likely jump into recording a full-length album once the tour wraps up this fall. “I’m going to go into the studio and get a head start because after the tour is over for me, I go back into the studio to finish up the

record,” he said. “I definitely want to finish the album before I go back out on the road. There will be a few of the songs from the EP and a whole lot of new ones as well. I definitely have a lot more that I want to say now. After having had a month and a half away from writing and recording and wracking my brain, now I actually feel like I can get some inspiration. I’m not in my head anymore and there are definitely some things I want to say.” Even though his own career has been reignited, Ferras said he would still write

for other artists should the opportunity arise. “Sometimes I’ll write a song and I’ll feel not connected to it for myself and I’ll know it is for somebody else,” he said. “I will continue to do that as well.” In the meantime, he has a few months of performing for thousands of eager concertgoers to keep him busy. “The tour is amazing,” he said. “It’s such an incredible opportunity to be able to go out in front of that many people every night and feel the energy of the crowd. I remember sitting in my parents’ house with my hairbrush as a microphone and dreaming that I was surrounded by thousands of people. I’m kind of doing that now. To be able to actually live your dream is an amazing thing. Katy’s fans have been very kind to me and have been very welcoming and embraced me. It feels good to know that they are into the music as well and not just responding to me because I have something to do with Katy. To know they are responding to the music and the lyrics is amazing.” ■ Ferras opens for Katy Perry 7 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St. For more information, visit www.ohferras.com.

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Local performers to ‘Phreak’ out By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com The Phreak N’ Queer Music and Arts Festival returns for another weekend of musicians and visual artists showcasing their talents at venues throughout Philadelphia. The fourth-annual event brings together a wide range of performers with the idea that visibility is necessary to create social change. The festival is the perfect fit for drag performer, spoken-word artist and rapper Icon Ebony Fierce, who has performed at the festival in previous years. “Phreak N’ Queer represents true performance art in the queer form and showcasing queer artists, performers and drag queens in

all forms,” Ebony Fierce said. “We have a yoga event. We have a drag brunch. We have different bands from all over. It’s a nice variety of things going on throughout the weekend. It’s not specifically for drag or burlesque performers. It’s for all forms of expression. It’s different drag than the mainstream drag performances.” Fellow hip-hop and spoken-word artist Moor Mother Goddess, also known as Camae Defstar, also sang the praises of the festival as an opportunity for like-minded performers to come together. “I’m really all about community and one of the organizers who is a friend of mine reached out to me,” she said about joining the festival. “If they need me to perform, then I am there. I’m really into support-

ing community organizers. I like collective line-ups, anything that makes things comfortable. It’s great to perform with people you organize with and play music with in other projects. There are really important bands as far as the trans community out here in Philadelphia so I’ll do things like that.” Defstar’s prolific output of hip-hop will grace the stage at Phreak N’ Queer and attendees might get a preview of the EP she plans to release later this summer. “I wanted to just showcase that I can rap,” Defstar said about her upcoming EP. “Sometimes the hip-hop I do is too weird and experimental to see that I can ICON EBONY FIERCE (TOP) AND MOOR MOTHER actually do the classical form of GODDESS (CAMAE DEFSTAR) hip-hop and keep things simple. This year’s Phreak N’ Queer Festival will So this is me showcasing that I also see the debut performance of “Brave,” can do that even though it’s an industrial a new musical collaboration between hip-hop album.” Andrew Marsh and Mark McCloughan, who both perform in two vastly different local groups. “This is the first project we’ve done together,” McCloughan said. “Andrew plays with a group of classical musicians [Murmuration Improv]; they do improvised chamber music. This project is more electronic. We use synthesizers and samples. As for me, I play in a band, Totally SuperPregnant, and we do electronic-pop music. It’s a new experience for me working in a collaborative-songwriting structure.” Like the other performers involved in the festival, McCloughan said he and Marsh were attracted to the intent and the supportive environment. “I like the mission statement and it feels like a very positively charged environment,” he said. “It’s not competitive. It’s about supporting the artists involved in the community and coming together and sharing that.” ■ Phreak N’ Queer Music and Arts Festival runs through Aug. 3 at various locations in Philadelphia. For more information and a detailed list of performers and events, visit http://phreaknqueerfestival.wordpress. com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

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Trans youth documentary debuts in New Hope

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to under 20 minutes — necessary for acceptance into certain film festivals. “A main challenge making the film was “Passing Ellenville” is a documen- taking this broad theme of what it’s like to tary about two transgender youth, James be transgender in a small town and makand Ashlee, living in the small town of ing it into a short piece,” Centore said. “We Ellenville, N.Y. The film, from co-directors need to let the viewer experience their space Gene Fischer and Sam Centore, made its and just observe them, but we don’t have a East Coast premiere at the New Hope Film lot of time to tell everything we want to.” Even with the short amount of time allotFestival July 31. “Passing Ellenville” opens with shots of ted to present Ashlee and James’ stories, the New York countryside: rolling green “Passing Ellenville” presents the cruel realihills titivate the landscape behind boarded- ties of transgender life in the United States. up shops and graffitied brick walls of aban- Both directors felt these stories do not get doned buildings. The film delves into the enough attention and are often overshadstruggles of James and Ashlee with their owed by the celebration of various transfamilies, personal relationships, health-care gender celebrities. “I had people come up to me after issues and Ellenville community members. The documentary started out as a still Laverne Cox was on the cover of Time photo-essay project from Fischer, which magazine, and I think people see that kind he worked on for about a year. The photos of stuff in the media and think, Oh, things chronicled three transgender youth, but one are great — but I think it creates a false young person had to decline participation in complacency,” Fischer said. “If you interthe documentary because his family did not view James and Ashlee, they wouldn’t be so quick to say things are positive. They met support him. Fischer met Centore, a graduate of the when they were at the same teen shelter, and they still struggle with acceptance in their own families. So, you might see these nice things in the media, but it’s not really like that.” Centore echoed his co-director’s sentiments, commenting on why he thinks the media tends to focus only on the positive ‘PASSING ELLENVILLE’ CO-DIRECTORS GENE FISCHER when it comes to (FROM RIGHT) AND SAM CENTORE WITH DOCUMENTARY transgender issues. SUBJECT JAMES “I think it has something to do film program at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, with people’s willingness to skip ahead,” through a mutual friend, and the two decided Centore said. “We’re still discussing gay to start filming because they felt the stories marriage, but then people want to say that were so riveting. Fischer said he had a good everyone accepts transgender people. I don’t working rapport with Centore and they think that’s necessarily true, but I think we accept it in a very superficial way.” shared a similar vision for the project. As the co-directors look to the future of “Our primary goal is awareness,” Fischer said. “It’s to make people see what they “Passing Ellenville,” they hope to find more don’t see in the media. All you see in the funding for a longer version of the film. national media are these really positive sto- Fischer said they have talked to one cable ries. This piece shows what people don’t network so far, and the main goal will be see — the in-between. What it’s like when taking it to the next level of awareness. Fischer and Centore also have another you’re queer and transgender in small, economically depressed towns. I think project in the works, “All About Amy.” Ellenville can represent much of America.” Amy is a 53-year-old transgender woman In terms of the actual production of the who helped James and Ashlee through their documentary, Fischer and Centore were struggles in Ellenville. “Passing Ellenville” will be shown at film grateful for their Kickstarter contributions, which helped to fund the film. Beyond festivals throughout the next year, including the struggles of funding the project, the the Rhode Island International Film Festival co-directors described the difficulties of Aug. 6. For more information, visit www.facetriaging the large amount of scenes and storylines they filmed to keep the documentary book.com/passingellenville. ■

DEVIL IN A CRUEL DRESS: Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway star in “The Devil Wears Prada,” about a bookish Northwestern grad who becomes an icy fashion magazine editor’s newest lackey, 8 p.m. Aug. 2 on Bravo. MUTATED, BUT NEVER FADED: It’s a meeting of the monsters when a shark-octopus hybrid confronts a beast that’s half-pterodactyl, halfbarracuda in the eloquently titled “Sharktopus vs. Pteracuda,” premiering 9 p.m. Aug. 2 on SyFy.

BODIES OF (YOU BETTER) WORK: RuPaul and Rebecca Romijn are among the judges on “Skin Wars,” a new eightepisode, hour-long competition series to find the most talented and versatile body painters in the country, premiering 9 p.m. Aug. 6 on the Game Show Network.

THROWING UP TWANG-SIGNS: Former Hootie and the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker is one of the many country stars, including Charlie Daniels Band, Sara Evans and Travis Tritt, set to perform on “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock,” 8 p.m. Aug. 5 on ABC.

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Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

Suzi Nash

Marcos Matos: A cut above the rest “I think that the most important thing a woman can have — next to talent, of course — is her hairdresser.” — Joan Crawford I’m trying to grow out my hair so I can donate it this fall. I stopped in to Rapunzel’s for a talk and trim with stylist extraordinaire Marcos Matos and we dished on life, love and longevity. PGN: So tell me about the marvelous Marcos Matos. That sounds like a boxer’s name. MM: [Laughs] I was born in Puerto Rico, but I came to Philly when I was about 10 years old. My mom wanted a better future for us than she thought we could have staying in Puerto Rico. We came from very poor circumstances plus she wanted us to speak two languages. I lived here until I was about 16 and then I moved back to Puerto Rico. [Laughs] I was a mama’s boy and I was so spoiled/protected by my mom that when I started to realize that I was gay, I moved back to Puerto Rico to escape her and figure things out. PGN: Who did you stay with? MM: My dad. I knew that he was, like, more open-minded than my mom. Six months before I decided to move back, I told my mom I was gay, and all she did was sob, “Why, why? What did I do wrong?” The usual. After that I was like, I need to leave. I need to go find myself. I got there and my dad was like, “What are you doing here?” I said, “I need to find myself!” He was like, “You’re 16. What’s there to find?” He lived upstairs in his house and there was a rental space downstairs, which was empty at the time I moved back. He said, “OK, this will be your home. You’re going to pay me rent and you’ll find yourself all right.” I was like, Holy crap! I knew I needed to finish high school and I needed to find a job. I found two, McDonald’s and Burger King. I worked at McDonald’s from 6 a.m.-noon, then from 1-6 p.m. I worked at Burger King and at 6:30 I went to night school. It was an accelerated program so you could finish two-three years in one year. I worked like a slave. Cramming all that schoolwork in really made me appreciate education and I decided I wanted to be a teacher. I just love kids and I wanted to be a first-grade or kindergarten teacher, so I began to attend college in Puerto Rico. PGN: How did you go from that to becoming a hairdresser? MM: Well, I was so exhausted from working and going to school that I quit my job at Burger King. I was telling a friend that I needed a new job and she told me that the guy who lived upstairs from her was a hairdresser and was looking for an assistant. I didn’t know anything about it

but my mom had been a hairdresser for a short period of time and I figured I knew at least a little. I went upstairs, met the owner, who was about 30 and of course I fell in love with him. He fell in love with me too and gave me the job. I told him that I was 19! We were dating and I was working for him and one day I asked him if I could do a haircut. He of course said, “No, you have to go to school for that.” I kept bugging him until he finally let me try and it came out really good. He asked me how I learned to cut hair and I said “From watching you all this time.” He wanted to send me to beauty school and I said, “Hell no! Then everyone will know I’m gay.” [Laughs] That was my big worry! He offered to pay for it and eventually talked me into going to beauty school. I did and became a hairdresser. One of my first jobs was doing hair for a soap opera called “Three Destinies (Tres Destinos).” It was a great experience — really, really cool. I dated him for about six years until I caught him cheating on me and I decided to come back to Philly. That was in 1995.

and Cambria and it was like, “Oh, no, this is not going to work.” We were only there for a few months. PGN: That makes me think of all the kids trying to cross the border right now to get a better life. Of course Puerto Rico is already part of the states, but it’s the idea that being in the continental United States would offer a better life. MM: Yes, it’s not always great here but it’s certainly way better than what they had. It’s amazing the way people are getting worked up. I mean, we’re all immigrants. We all came from other countries. But now that they’re here, folks are saying, “Oh no! Keep them out!” It would’ve been nice if the Indians said the same thing to them when they were trying to come to this country. And these people aren’t saying, “We’ll all go and overpopulate the country,” they’re just trying to save their kids. It’s everybody’s dream to come here and do better for their children, just like my mother did.

headache. But it turned out her head had been bleeding internally for a week. The doctors at Hahnemann Hospital were our saviors. We probably would have lost her that first time if it hadn’t been for them. We were able to have her for another five years. But she was only 58 when she died. I have a little shrine for her in my house. PGN: How did you end up at Rapunzel’s, the salon where you are now? MM: Well, when I came back to Philly in ’95, escaping — here I go again running, this time from my ex-boyfriend — I thought I was just going to be here part-time. I wanted to give him time to get over me. I kept extending my stay here so I decided to get a job. I went to a lot of different salons in Philadelphia but no one would hire me because I didn’t have a license in Pennsylvania. So I went to the good old Chop Shop on South Street: They hired me and never asked about a license so I never told. I became the manager after two years and stayed on for another eight.

PGN: Wow. So let’s backtrack a bit ... Tell me more about your family. MM: I have an older sister who moved to the states right about the time I was going back to Puerto Rico, and an older brother who is gay too. PGN: Who came out first? MM: It’s funny. I did not know that my brother was gay and vice-versa. We both had suspicions about each other but never spoke about it. It wasn’t until I started working as a hairdresser and dating that guy that he finally said, “Aha! I always thought you were gay!” I said, “Then why didn’t you say something?” We were never really very close. I used to follow him around and he would throw rocks at me and told me to go away. Looking back, I guess it was because he was gay and didn’t want me tagging so close behind in case I found out. My older sister was always the nurturing one; she was like a mother figure. PGN: You mentioned that your mother came here for a better life. What were some of the things she was trying to get away from? MM: The bad neighborhood and bad influence of other kids, drugs, poverty. She didn’t realize that stuff was here too. She was really strict, though, and it was to her favor that we didn’t speak English. It allowed her to make us a little bit afraid of the streets. We literally moved every year because she was always looking for a better neighborhood. Because she didn’t know the areas, it was hit and miss. I remember one time we moved to Fifth

PGN: I keep thinking if we stopped putting money into all these ridiculous wars we could feed and house all those children and perhaps make a priority of educating our own. Your mother sounds like a special lady. MM: Yes, she just passed away about three years ago. She died of an aneurysm; she actually had three of them, it was bad. But she was a survivor. She didn’t even want to go to the hospital with the first one, she just thought it was a bad

Photo: Suzi Nash

PGN: As manager, did you write yourself up for not having a license? MM: [Laughs] No! Shortly after working there I did go and get that stupid license. Before that if the state inspectors ever came in, I would run out the back door leaving my client in the chair! It’s like a $500 fine or something if you get caught. Eventually, I bought a building at Second and Bainbridge and was planning to open my own salon. Then, the economy tanked and all my budget plans went down the drain. Maggie Phun was one of my coworkers at Chop Shop and had already opened her own salon. She invited me to work with her, so I sold my building and I’ve been here at Rapunzel’s beauty salon for nine years.

PGN: What’s the craziest request you’ve heard? MM: I had a woman who wanted me to dye her vagina purple. PGN: I’m assuming you mean pubic hairs? MM: Yes, yes. She started to pick up her skirt to show me what she wanted me to do and I yelled, “Stop!” That was not in my repertoire. PAGE 36

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 08/01 Rockstar Energy Drink Festival Hard-rock bands Avenged Sevenfold, Korn, Asking Alexandria, Trivium and more perform 1 p.m. at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-3651300. Hedda Lettuce Movie Classics’ Interactive “Mommie Dearest” The drag personality performs and hosts a screening of the film 8 p.m. at the Rrazz Room, in the Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-5961027.

Keyshia Cole The R&B singer performs 8 p.m. at TLA, 334 South St.; 215922-1011. Bearlesque A bear-themed burlesque show, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at Tabu Lounge, 200 S. 12th St.; 215964-9675. Sammy Hagar The rock singer performs 8 p.m. at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-3171000. Shaun of the Dead The horror comedy is screened 9:45 p.m. at

Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-0223.

Sat. 08/02 The Offspring, Pennywise and The Vandals The punk-rock band performs an all-ages show 6 p.m. at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000. John Legend The R&B singer performs 7 p.m. at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, West Fairmount Park, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 800-7453000. Kiss and Def Leppard The rock bands perform 7 p.m. at Boardwalk Hall, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-348-7000.

Miley Cyrus The pop singer performs 7:30 p.m. at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215389-9543. Billy Joel The singer performs 8 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way; 215218-5100. Christine Andreas and Martin Silvestri at the Piano The cabaret musicians perform 8 p.m. at the Rrazz Room, in the Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-5961027. Lil’ Steph Presents Glitter Mania! The burlesque show runs 9 p.m.midnight at RubaClub Studios, 416

IN ROARING COLOR: Pop superstar Katy Perry brings her Prismatic Tour to Philadelphia 7 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-389-9543.

Green St.; 215627-9831.

Sun. 08/03 All Quiet on the Western Front The 1929 war film is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223. Reggae in the Park The premiere Philadelphia reggae festival, 2 p.m. at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, West Fairmount Park, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 800-745-3000. Kiss and Def Leppard The rock bands perform 7 p.m. at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-365-1300.

Mon. 08/04 Hedwig & The Angry Inch The gender-bending rock musical is screened 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888. Lipstick Mondays A weekly drag show featuring a changing roster of queens takes the stage 9 p.m. at The Raven, 385 W.

Bridge St., New Hope; 215-8622081.

Tue. 08/05 12th Annual Gay Community Night at the Phillies The annual night for LGBT fans, 7:05 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way; 215-2185100.

Wed. 08/06 Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus Auditions Sign up at auditions@pgmc. org to audition for the chorus from 6-8 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, 2111 Sansom St.; 215731-9230; www. pgmc.org.

Thu. 08/07 The Burlesque Show The naughty fun begins 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Bob and Barbara’s Drag Show The outrageousness begins 11 p.m. at Bob and Barbara’s, 1509

South St.; 215545-4511.

Fri. 08/08 The Mumbles The New Orleans jazz/funk/soul group performs 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Passenger The U.K. folk-rock singer performs 8 p.m. at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.

4W5 Blues Jam Local musicians get down, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. Marc Peters of The Alarm The rock singer celebrates the 30th anniversary of “The Declaration,” performing the album in its entirety 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

CHOICE CUTS: Catch the wildly fun gender-bending rock musical “Hedwig & The Angry Inch” when it is screened 8 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St. For more information call 215-922-6888.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Opening Franc D’Ambrosio and Glory Crampton The cabaret performers serenade the audience Aug. 7-10 at the Rrazz Room, in the Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-596-1027. GayFest! Quince Productions presents a festival of LGBT-themed plays and shows in various locations Aug. 5-23; www. quinceproductions.com. Katy Perry The pop singer performs 7 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543. Lewis Black The comedian performs Aug. 1-2 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Continuing The Book of Mormon The Tony Award-wining musical comedy by the creator of “South Park” runs

Germantown Road; 215-247-1603. The Main Dish Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring how modern and contemporary kitchenware reflects attributes of the model homemaker through Sept. 28, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Making a Classic Modern: Frank Gehry’s Master Plan for the Philadelphia Museum of Art Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition about the comprehensive design for the renewal and expansion of the museum by the internationally celebrated architect through Sept. 1, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Oblivious Muse Gallery presents an exhibition of paintings by Carolyn Cohen through Aug. 31, 52 N. Second St.; 215-6275310. Patrick Kelly: Runway of Love Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition highlighting the works of the famed fashion designer through Nov. 30, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

culture through Oct. 17, 1314 Locust St.; 215-546-3181.

Closing Artificial Light: Flash Photography in the 20th Century Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of diverse examples of flash photography, which gained widespread use in the 1920s with the invention of the mass-produced flashbulb, through Aug. 3, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Christopher Titus The comedian seen on “Titus” performs Aug. 2 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. Cooking with the Calamari Sisters Bristol Riverside Theatre presents the popular comedy show about life and food through Aug. 3, 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol; 215-785-0100. Picasso Prints: Myths, Minotaurs and Muses Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of Pablo Picasso’s response to the world of classical antiquity in nearly 50 prints from four critical decades of his career through Aug. 3, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100. ■

CHILDREN’S TELEVISION TWERKSHOP: Former Disney Channel star and pop singer Miley Cyrus will have tongues wagging when she brings her Bangerz Tour to town 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-389-9543.

Get your tickets: tinyurl.com/gaybowl ATLANTIC (ROCK) CITY: Rock titans Kiss and Def Leppard have teamed up for a tour that is hitting the area twice this weekend: 7 p.m. Aug. 2 at Boardwalk Hall, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J., and 7 p.m. Aug. 3 at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J. For more information, visit www. deﬂeppard.com/tours/summer-tour-w-kiss-2014.

through Sept. 19 at Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St.; 215-923-1515. In Dialogue: Wolfgang Tillmans Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of images by the European photographer through Oct. 26, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100. Jonathan Cohn Glass: Window Aquarium Installation Graver’s Lane Gallery presents an exhibition of one-of-a-kind handblown glass pieces of high quality and creative design through Aug. 18, 8405

That’s So Gay: Outing Early America The Library Company of Philadelphia presents the exhibition exploring gay

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.

Boys of Summer 2014 August 1 - 3, 2014

Friday - Pool party Saturday - dance party free block party - check us out! sunday - bbq www.GayBowl2014.com

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

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Thinking it’s about time for some professional help with the home repairs? PGN’s Services and Home Improvement Directory is a great place to get started when looking for contractors that know and proudly serve our community.

FUN & PGN GAMES

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

Q Puzzle One hell of a supporter Across

1. What a computer may spit out 5. Glory hole locale 10. Problem for one’s bitch 14. “Excuse me!” 15. Vietnam capital 16. Cruise obnoxiously 17. “Death in Venice” author Thomas 18. Hard woody nut 19. Role for Bela 20. Archbishop who said “I’d rather go to hell than worship a (39-Across)” 23. Inventor Otis 25. Opera tenor Caruso 28. Sparing the rod 30. Moorish palace 31. No longer jail bait 32. Heavenly body 34. You might pick one up in an alley 35. Thespians do it

36. B. D. Wong, for one 38. Month in Madrid 39. False deity of prejudiced people 44. Touchy 45. It goes on a queen’s head 48. Combined 52. Like some foreign movies 55. Word game involving a stick figure 57. Prejudice against LGBT people, per 20Across 59. One that attacks the fly with a long tongue 60. In-your-face 61. Queer ice house? 62. Words with shame or boy 63. “Endymion” writer 64. Letter enc.

Down

1. Beaver job 2. You might say it when you get it

PORTRAIT from page 31

PGN: What services do you do? Will you do a bikini wax? MM: We offer quite a lot: color, cut and style of course, make-up and bridal services, retexturing and waxing — bikini and anal. The only thing I personally don’t like to do is manicures and pedicures. PGN: [Laughs] Wait, you’ll do anal waxing but not a mani-pedi? MM: The waxing is quick, just one, two, three, rip! The manicures are too much intense work. I don’t have the patience for it. PGN: Any hobbies outside of the salon? MM: I love to people watch. I’m always wondering what’s going on inside someone’s mind. What happened to them today, or this year? That’s why I don’t judge people, because you never know what might be going on in someone’s life. PGN: Tell me about your partner, Gatto. MM: I met him six months after I came back to Philly. It was Latin night at the 2/4 Club. Remember that? I was wearing a kilt, which was popular in Puerto Rico but hadn’t quite hit the states yet. He’s from Ecuador and I know he was wondering what was going on with me. But we danced that first night, then had our first date the next day. We went to two movies, then Woody’s and then stayed up all night talking. At about 6 a.m. he said, “If you’re tired, you can stay over.” I told him as long as there was no funny business because we’d just met and he said, “No, of course not.” Two weeks later we moved in together and 18 years later we’re still together. The next step is to adopt a kid.

3. Taking care of 4. Result of a lick on the head, perhaps 5. Medicine man 6. Folded fast food 7. At once, to Byron 8. Alfred Douglas’ title 9. Door frame part 10. Guy’s zip, when he gets caught in it? 11. John of “To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar” 12. Antidiscrimination letters 13. JFK posting 21. Author/illustrator Silverstein 22. Dad’s bros 23. Scat queen 24. Bloodsucker 26. Felt (for) 27. Crude material 29. Big Lovely band singer 30. Addis ___, Ethiopia 33. Historic Stonewall event

36. Lending letters 37. Fine point of writing 40. Moon of Uranus 41. Use a gifted tongue 42. Dirty Harry portrayer 43. Start of an Asian warrior title 45. For all, in music 46. ___ water (imperiled at the bathhouse?) 47. Fields of interest 49. Last letter for Socrates 50. Conquers, sexually 51. Provide 53. Creature in a “Star Wars” sequel 54. Presidential title role for Kevin Kline 55. “The Bridge” poet Crane 56. They’re performing, in “Fame” 58. “Once Upon a Mattress” legume

PGN: That’s amazing. Changing topics, is there a lot of color consciousness in the Latino community like there is in the states and in the African-American community? MM: Not really, most Puerto Ricans are a combination of Spanish, Indian and African descent. One thing about Puerto Ricans, when it comes to color there’s not a distinction between lighter and darker Puerto Ricans. Before I came to the states I didn’t know what racism was. If you’re walking down a dark street and a black person is coming towards you there’s no, “Oh my God, I better cross the street!” reaction like there is here. It’s just another person. Here, especially in the media, it’s always, “Black man kills someone, Latino man robs a store.” And they never distinguish who that Latino is, he could be Columbian or Venezuelan or Spanish, yet most people will just assume they mean Puerto Rican or Mexican. PGN: Unless you’re speaking, I would think many people would assume you’re black. Have you faced racism because of it? MM: All the time. People always think I’m black. It’s fine with me. I wish everybody would think like they do in Spain, though — it’s not about your color it’s about your actions. Are you kind, are you good or are you rude and obnoxious? That’s all that matters. PGN: Who’s the funniest person you know? MM: Nobody beats Noel Zayas. And the funniest part is that he’s not usually trying to be funny.

PGN: Very true! And he’s got an infectious laugh! What’s a song that always makes you happy when you hear it? MM: I’m such a romantic I love really sad songs. There are a few Latin artists I listen to that you don’t even need to know Spanish to understand what they’re saying. They are so depressing and I love it! There’s another song ... who’s that black singer from the ’90s? She’s a woman and she sings ... Ooh, what’s that song? “I drive so fast ...” PGN: Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car”? MM: Yes! That’s it. That song is sad, but it makes me happy! PGN: If you could have any elective surgery done with no risk, what would you do? MM: Electric surgery? PGN: [Laughs] No, that would be shock therapy. Elective! As in cosmetic ...

MM: Ha! I already did it. I used to have very sleepy, droopy eyes to the point that I had trouble seeing. I hated it because people always thought that I was high or drunk. It really bothered me. So I had three eyelid procedures to correct it. PGN: You do a lot of hair for wedding parties. Any bridezillas? MM: Plenty! I’m not the kind of guy who will lie to you and tell you you look good when you don’t. I had one client who wanted me to put her hair up in this hideous hairstyle on the center of her head and top it off with a crown. She was kind of round to start with and it didn’t look good on her. I said, “I want you to have what you want, but I won’t be able to do

it.” She was shocked but I’ve worked very hard to put my name where it is and at the end of the day, when someone looks at her pictures and says, “Who did your hair?” I don’t want them mentioning me. Because it won’t be followed with, “But that’s what the bride wanted.” They’ll just associate my name with that terrible hairdo. PGN: So, Romeo, what was your most romantic gesture? MM: I took Gatto to the Cayman Islands and when we were enjoying drinks on our deck as the sun was setting, I got down on one knee and gave him a ring. It wasn’t exactly a marriage proposal but I asked him if he would like to be with me forever and he said yes. ■ For more information, visit www.rapunzelsbeautysalon.com To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol. com.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

Classifieds Real Estate Sale

Help Wanted

VENTNOR, NJ House for sale in Ventnor NJ. 2 story 5 bedroom house, needs some repairs. Priced right. Call 215 468 9166. ________________________________________38-35 PENNSAUKEN, 3 BED, $165,000 Many upgrades to include kitchen, bath & more. Sunrm., din.rm., bsmt. & garage. Enjoy the amenities of nearby Collinswood. Karen: 856 979-3342. Weichert, Realtors. ________________________________________39-31 WATERFRONT LOTS Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Was $325k, Now From $65,000 -Community Center/Pool, 1 acre+ Lots, Bay & Ocean Access, Great Fishing, Crabbing, Kayaking. Custom Homes. www.oldemillpointe.com 757-824-0808. ________________________________________38-31 HANDYMAN’S BARN W/ 5 ACRES $29,995. 35 X 40’ Solid Storage Barn on Beautiful Agricultural Meadows, Wild Apple Orchards, Stone Walls & Hardwoods. State Road Front & Snowmobile Access. Call Christmas & Associates: 800-229-7843. Or Visit: landandcamps.com Owner / Broker. ________________________________________38-30

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Vacation/Seasonal Rentals OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800638-2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com ________________________________________38-30 Rooms for men. oceanhouseatlanticcity.com ________________________________________38-34

Roommates EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP Looking to Share beautiful Rancher. You will have your own Bedroom and Bathroom. Beautifully furnished with a lovely patio out back to enjoy the summer evenings. $800.00 Monthly-609-226-0800 or hrdwkpaysoff@aol.com ________________________________________39-31

For Sale Need immediate access to PA Newspapers and their key personnel? The 2014 PA NEWS MEDIA Directory is available online: annual fee of $100 plus tax - or hard copy: $50 plus tax & shipping. Contact: KristinB@pa-news.org or call 717-703-3069. ________________________________________38-31

Business Opportunities OWN YOUR OWN Medical Alert Company. Be the 1st and Only Distributor in your area! Unlimited $ return. Small investment required. Call toll free 1-844-225-1200. ________________________________________38-31

Adoption Adopt: Devoted loving couple wishes to adopt newborn into secure home ﬁlled with care, love & happiness. Expenses Paid. Anthony/Tim, call 855.975.4792, text 917.991.0612, www.anthonyandtim.com ________________________________________38-31

Notices Pursuant to §128.85 of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Title 7 regulations, GROWMARK FS, LLC. hereby gives notice of ground application of “Restricted Use Pesticides” for the protection of agricultural crops in municipalities in Pennsylvania during the next 45 days. Residents of contiguous property to our application sites should contact your local GROWMARK FS, LLC. facility for additional information. Concerned Citizens should contact: Michael Layton, MGR. Safety & Environment, mlayton@growmarkfs.com GROWMARK FS, LLC. 308 N.E. Front Street, Milford, DE 19963. Call 302-422-3002 . ________________________________________38-31

Personals Personal care assistant available in Lower Bucks Co. area for mature gay gentleman. Call Peter at 215-322-9589. _______________________________________39-32

Real Estate Sale

3 Taunton Road, Medford, NJ 08055 $439,000

4/5 Bedrooms, 3 Full Baths, 1 Half Bath. 2,800 SF. Waterfront!

Old meets new! This home, built in 1900, has been completely renovated by its current owner. An idyllic setting on Oliphant’s Mill Pond, the home has both first and second floor decks looking out on the lake. Perfect for entertaining - down by the lake is a separate outdoor bar room attached to the garage complete with a full bar, half bathroom, and a dock. The detached garage has one easily accessible bay from the driveway for parking your car, and another facing the lake for boat/equipment storage. The renovated home features a kitchen with new stainless steel appliances, trend-glass countertops, a huge pantry, and newer tile flooring. New windows, a double sided stone fireplace. An office is on the first floor, could be converted to a first floor bedroom. Upstairs 4 nicely sized bedrooms and a huge laundry room. Master bedroom has double glass doors leading out to a second floor deck overlooking the lake. The master bathroom includes whirlpool tub, large custom tiled shower, and private commode room.

Paul Canton III LEED AP Long & Foster Real Estate

243 West Main Street, Moorestown, NJ 08057

609-230-8017 • pcanton@hotmail.com

Services MEDICAL BILLING TRAINEES NEEDED! Become a Medical Ofﬁce Assistant now! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Online training gets you ready! HS Diploma/GED & PC/Internet needed! 1-888-424-9412. ________________________________________38-31 AIRLINE CAREERS begin here - Get FAA approved Aviation Technician training. Financial Aid for qualiﬁed students. Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 1888-834-9715. ________________________________________38-31 HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA FROM HOME 6-8 weeks. ACCREDITED. Get a Diploma! Get A Job! No Computer Needed. FREE Brochure. 1-800-264-8330. Benjamin Franklin HS www.diplomafromhome.com ________________________________________38-31 SOCIAL WORKER ASSISTANT TRAINING! Candidates needed for Career Training at Orleans Tech! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Training program completed in NE Philadelphia. CALL FOR DETAILS! HS Diploma/GED required.1-888-407-6008. ________________________________________38-31

Legal Notices Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia, June Term, 2014, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on July 16, 2014, the petition of Donald Wes Burton was filed, praying for a decree to change her name to Porsha Brandy-Lee Burton. The Court has fixed August 27, 2014 at 11:00 A.M., in Room No. 691, in Philadelphia City Hall for hearing. All persons interested may appear and show cause if they have, why the prayer of the said petitioner should not be granted. ________________________________________38-31 Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia, June Term, 2014, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on July 16, 2014, the petition of John Christopher Gambino was filed, praying for a decree to change her name to Isabella Nicole Gambino. The Court has fixed August 27, 2014 at 11:00 A.M., in Room No. 691, in Philadelphia City Hall for hearing. All persons interested may appear and show cause if they have, why the prayer of the said petitioner should not be granted. ________________________________________38-31 Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia, June Term, 2014, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on July 7, 2014, the petition of Carolyn Marie DeChants was filed, praying for a decree to change his name to Jonah Peter DeChants. The Court has fixed August 27, 2014 at 11:00 A.M., in Room No. 691, in Philadelphia City Hall for hearing. All persons interested may appear and show cause if they have, why the prayer of the said petitioner should not be granted. ________________________________________38-31

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.

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

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

ADONIS CINEMA

“THE ONLY ALL MALE ADULT THEATER IN THE CITY”

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:

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. ________________________________________38-39 Philly boy looking for mail correspondence with guys in Philly while I ﬁnish my incarceration. 6’3”, blond hair, hazel eyes. Lots to discuss. Will reply to every letter. Give this a try, I guarantee you’ll have fun. Kenneth Houck, #06743-015, Englewood FCE, 9595 W. Quincy Ave., Littleton CO 80123. ________________________________________38-39 BM with big tool wans to nail a bottom to the ﬂoor. BM has equipment to make a bottom wish he wants more. I’m 6 ft and 198 lbs. and have 8.5 inches and 1.25 girth and know how to use it. Call anytime 215-763-3391. All replies answered. ________________________________________38-39 York, PA GWM, 55 looking for a GWM or BGM, 40-55 y.o. I am a top and bottom and also into W/S. I like it all ways. I am 8.5 inches. I love all guys and am looking for a boyfriend. Call 717-825-3371. ________________________________________38-32 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________38-33

Massage David, 64, 6’, 200 lbs., attentive. 215-569-4949. (24/7) ________________________________________38-45

Open 24hrs

ADMISSION: $12.00

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THE BIGGER, BETTER & CLEANER CLUB IN THE CITY...

SUMMERTIME SADNESS Saturday, August 9th Time: 11pm-3:30am WHAT TO EXPECT:

• DJ David Dutch • Complimentary Food & Beverages • A Full House of Guys To Choose From & So Much More

END OF SUMMERTIME BASH

WEEKLY SPECIALS: LATE NIGHT CREEP

Half Price Lockers (12 Midnight- 8am/ Monday- Thursday) MEMBERS: $9.00 & NON-MEMBERS: $19.00

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

SUNDAY RELIEF

Half Price Rooms (6am Sunday till 8am Monday) Members: $12.50 and Non-Members: $22.50

MONDAY thru FRIDAY:

Saturday, August 16th Time: 11pm-3:30am

Business Mans Locker Special (8am to 4pm) Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00

WHAT TO EXPECT: •* DJ David Dutch * Complimentary Food & Beverages * A Full House of Guys to Choose From & Soo Much More...

Half Price Rooms (6am till 12 Midnight) Members: $12.50 and Non-Members: $22.50

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY NIGHT CRUISE

- ROOMS GO QUICKLY SO CHECK IN EARLY -

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

TUESDAYS

$12 Flat Rate for Locker Admission & Clothing Optional (4pm-12 Midnight)

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

PGN

Activism/Politics

ACT-UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) meets 6-9 p.m. Mondays at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; 215-386-1981, www.actupphilly.org. Delaware Valley Chapter, Americans United for Separation of Church and State seeks activists and supporters of church-state separation. Holds monthly meetings and events; www.dvau.org. Equality Pennsylvania holds a volunteer night 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month, 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 605; 215-731-1447, www.equalitypa.org. Green Party of Philadelphia holds general meetings 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month, except August and December; 215-243-7103, www.gpop.org. Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club meets seasonally; www.libertycity.org.

Arts

Library Book Club meets to discuss a new book 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at William Way. Men On Tap, an LGBT group that performs with choirs, organizations and at the Fringe Festival, rehearses 8 p.m. Mondays at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.; dale@magicalfantasies.com. Philadelphia Freedom Band, an audition-free LGBT band that does concerts and parades, rehearses 7-9:30 p.m. Mondays; philadelphiafreedomband.com. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus rehearses 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays; 215-731-9230, auditions@pgmc.org. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Opera Club meets to share and listen to recordings 6:30 p.m. the last Saturday of the month; 215-732-7898. Philadelphia Voices of Pride, Philadelphia’s first mixed LGBT chorus, rehearses 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at William Way; www.pvop.org. Queer Writer’s Collective workshop and discussion group meets 3-5 p.m. the fourth Saturday of the month at William Way. Reading Queerly, open to all women and genderqueer/ trans people, meets 6:45 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.

Recreation

Gay Bridge Club non-beginners group meets Monday 2-5 p.m. at William Way; reservations required. Call 215732-2220. Gay-friendly Scrabble Club meets 5:30-10:30 p.m. at Abner’s Steaks, 38th and Chester streets; 215-382-0789. Humboldt Society: Lesbian and Gay Naturalists meets 7:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at William Way; 215-985-1456, www.humboldtsociety.org. Independence Squares LGBT square-dance club, modern Western square dancing hosts an open house and Tuesday classes in the fall at Lutheran Church, 2111 Sansom St.; philadances@gmail.com, www.independencesquares. org. Male Oenophile Group forming to discuss, appreciate and taste various wines. Will meet once a month to investigate the nuances and glories of the fermented grape; 267-230-6750. Mornings OUT LGBT Senior Social activities for senior gay men are held 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays at William Way. PhilaVentures, Philadelphia’s LGBT outdoor group, meets for hikes in Wissahickon Valley and Valley Forge Park; philaventures.org.

Sports

Brandywine Women’s Rugby Club meets for practice at p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Greenfield Park, West Chester; www.brandywinerugby.org. City of Brotherly Love Softball League serves the Philadelphia metropolitan area with games on Sundays, beginning in April, at the Dairy and Edgeley Fields in Fairmount Park; www.cblsl.org. Frontrunners running club meets 9:30 a.m. Saturdays for a run and brunch at Lloyd Hall, No. 1 Boathouse Row; www.philadelphiafrontrunners.org. Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club, open to LGBT and allies, practices 8-10 p.m. Mondays and 2-4 p.m. Saturdays; www.falcons-soccer.org. Philadelphia Fins Swim Team, open to male and female swimmers, meets 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Friends Select School and 10:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays; www.philadelphia-fins.org. Philadelphia Gay Bowling League meets 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays September-April at Brunswick Zone, 1328 Delsea Drive, Deptford, N.J.; 856-889-1434, www.philagaybowling.com.

Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League plays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays at FDR Park; www.phillyflagfootball.com Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Football Club, open to players of all skill levels, meets 7:45 p.m. Thursdays at Columbus Square Park, 1200 Wharton St.; 215-913-7531, philadelphiagryphons.org, becomeagryphon@gmail.com. Philadelphia Liberty Belles women’s semi-pro full-tackle football league holds fall tryouts; phillybelles.com. Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association plays yearround, all skill levels welcome; philadelphialibertytennis. com. Philadelphia Firebirds women’s football team seeks players; www.philadelphiafirebirds.com. Philadelphia Women’s Baseball League seeks players, all skill levels and ages. Practice is 7 p.m. Thursdays at Marian Anderson Recreation Center, 17th and Fitzwater streets, with games at 2:30 p.m. Sundays; 215-991-5995 (day), 301-919-1194 (evening), phillywomensbaseball. com. Philly Gay Hockey Association Philadelphia Phury seeks players; 917-656-1936, phury@gayhockey.org. Philly QCycle LGBT bicycling club promotes organized recreational riding for all levels in the Greater Philadelphia region; contact the organization via Facebook. Rainbow Riders of the Delaware Valley motorcycle club meets regularly; 215-836-0440, www.groups.yahoo.com/ group/rainbowridersdv/. Rainbow Rollers gay and lesbian bowling league meets 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays at Boulevard Lanes in Northeast Philadelphia; rainbowrollers.com. Spartan Wrestling Club gay wrestling team meets 6:30-9 p.m. Mondays at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.; 215-732-4545, www.phillyspartans.com.

Etc.

AIDS Law Project provides free legal assistance to people with HIV/AIDS and sponsors free monthly seminars on work and housing at 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 600; 215587-9377, www.aidslawpa.org. BiUnity, Philadelphia-area social and support network for bisexuals, their family members and friends; http://biunity. org. Delaware Valley Pink Pistols, for LGBT people dedicated to legal, safe and responsible use of firearms for selfdefense, meets 2 p.m. the third Saturday of the month at Classic Indoor Range, 1310 Industrial Blvd., Southampton; 610-879-2364; www.pinkpistols.org. Delaware Pride holds planning meetings 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the United Church of Christ, 300 Main St., Newark; 302-265-3020, delawarepride.org. Haverford College’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance holds open meetings 10-11 p.m. Mondays during the school year in the lounge in Jones Basement at Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave.; 610-896-4938. Men and Women for Human Excellence support group meets from noon-2 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of the month at 26th Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue; 267-2733513, cmoore8300@yahoo.com. Long Yang Club Philadelphia, social organization for gay Asians and their friends, holds monthly socials; www. longyangclub.org/philadelphia. Our Night Out, a casual social networking party of LGBT professionals, friends and colleagues, meets in a different Philadelphia hot spot each month. To receive monthly event invitations, email OurNightOutPhilly@gmail.com; more information on Facebook. Philadelphia Bar Association Legal Advice offered 5-8 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month; 215-238-6333. Philadelphia Prime Timers club for mature gay and bisexual men and their admirers meets regularly; primetim ersofphiladelphia@yahoo.com. Philadelphians MC Club, for leather men and women, meets 7:30 p.m. the first and third Monday of the month at The Pit at The Bike Stop, 201 S. Quince St.; philadelphiansmc.org. Rainbow Amateur Radio Association ARRL-affiliated, weekly HF nets, quarterly newsletter; www.rara.org. Silver Foxes, a social and educational group for gays and lesbians 50 and older, meets 3-5 p.m. the fourth Sunday of the month at William Way; 215-732-2220. SNJ Queers meets monthly for queer/queer-friendly folks in South Jersey to mix and mingle; 856-375-3708, wmf69@comast.net.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

Community Bulletin Board Community centers

■ The Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 4-8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-Friday. ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St., 215-898-5044, center@dolphin. upenn.edu. Regular hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. MondayThursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

■ ActionAIDS: 215-981-0088 ■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: 215-587-9377 ■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: 856-933-9500 ext. 221 ■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 ■ The COLOURS Organization, Inc.: 215-496-0330 ■ District Attorney LGBT Liaison: Helen “Nellie” Fitzpatrick, 215-6869980, helen.fitzpatrick@phila.gov

■ Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. Activities held 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays.

■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220, www.waygay.org. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday Library: noon-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Volunteers: New Orientation, first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

Key numbers

of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833

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

■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: 215-686-4670

■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

■ Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel: 215-686-3318

■ GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization: 215-8511822 ■ LGBT Elder Initiative: 267-5463448; info@LGBTEI.org ■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK ■ Mayor’s Director of LGBT Affairs: Gloria Casarez, 215-6862194; Gloria.Casarez@phila.gov; ■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBT-LAW; Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658

■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-760-3686 (Rick Lombardo); ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

■ Parents, Families and Friends

Health

Anonymous, free, conﬁdential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 216 W. Somerset St.; 215-763-8870. ActionAIDS Provides a range of programs for people affected by HIV/AIDS, including case management, prevention, testing and education services at 1216 Arch St.; 215981-0088, www.actionaids.org. GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; 215-851-1822 or 866-222-3871, www. galaei.org. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.noon Mondays (walk-in) and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays (by appointment) at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215-685-1821.

■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia Board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; free referral service at 215-627-9090, www. galloplaw.org. ■ Independence Business Alliance Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, providing networking, business development, marketing, educational and advocacy opportunities for LGBT and

HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Mazzoni Center LGBTQ counseling and behavioral health services, HIV/AIDS care and services, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-5630652, www.mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronic-disease management, including comprehensive HIV care, as well as youth drop-in (ages 14-24) 5-7p.m. Wednesdays; 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.9 pm. Monday-Friday, 1-5 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

Professional groups LGBT-friendly businesses and professionals; 215-557-0190, www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com. ■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and students, meets for social and networking events; www.nlgja. org/philly; philly@nlgja.org.

■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus Regional organization dedicated to promoting LGBT tourism to the Greater Philadelphia region, meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; 215-840-2039, www. philadelphiagaytourism.com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 1-7, 2014

PGN