PGN Aug. 4-10, 2017 by The Philadelphia Gay News

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

Vol. 41 No. 31 Aug. 4-10, 2017

Family Portrait: Dr. David Williams heals people both physically and spiritually PAGE 25

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

A glitter and glam Rebel

LGBT civil rights under attack by Dept. of Justice PAGE 2

New Hope Celebrates expands board

PAGE 19

PAGE 5

Local vet speaks out about trans military ban By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Joanne Carroll thought the president, to whom Carroll does not refer by name, was “ridiculous” after he tweeted a plan to ban transgender people from serving in the military. “I guess I like to take people at their word and when somebody says that they’re going to be my friend, I kind of assume that’s true,” the transgender woman said of President Donald Trump’s former statements of support for the LGBT community. “And then all of a sudden

when they start doing everything possible to deny that process, I say, ‘Wait a minute. You’re not my friend. If that’s what a friend looks like, I really shudder to think what an enemy might be like.’” Carroll is a retired Master Sergeant who served in the Air Force from 1959-80. While the Central Pennsylvania resident did not come out as trans until 2001, she noted how her identity impacted her during her service. “I did everything I could to disprove what I felt inside because if I did anything but live like a macho little poop, people would catch on and give me trouble,” she said. “I got bullied a lot when I was younger and it wasn’t until I decided that I was going to be the most macho thing on two legs that I was able to save myself from get-

ting further injured.” Trump announced the plan in a tweet last week that some military leaders said caught them by surprise. A previous ban on active trans service members was lifted last year and an Obama-era policy to allow enlistment by new trans recruits was set to go into effect July 1; the Pentagon delayed that deadline by six months for further study. As of presstime, no official changes to military policy regarding service by trans members had been announced. Some supporters of the trans ban are saying it’s cost-effective, so the military would not have to pay for transition-related care. However, Carroll noted the military pays more for Viagra and other erecPAGE 7 tile-dysfunction

Another man claims antigay bias at Hershey School By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Marcous Marchese, a 2011 graduate of Milton Hershey School, recently spoke publicly about being pressured into viewing a religiously oriented antigay video at the school seven years ago. Funded by the late chocolate magnate Milton S. Hershey, the school serves 2,000 underprivileged youth from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. Students live on campus in cottages with assigned house parents. In 2010, two of the school’s house parents allegedly pressured Marchese into viewing an antigay video while other students were present, according to published reports. “I was a wreck. I closed [the laptop] and got the heck out of there,” Marchese told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“You should not have people make you feel like you are the scum of the earth.” Marchese, 24, currently lives in Vermont and said he plans to marry his male partner. The school is embroiled in contentious litigation with Adam Dobson, another former Hershey student who claims he was pressured into viewing an antigay video by a house parent. Dobson, 22, filed suit last year, seeking an unspecified amount in damages and remedial measures at the school. Dobson was enrolled in the school for several years prior to his expulsion in 2013. Dobson alleges that school officials discriminated against him because of his depression — a condition that was exacerbated due to pressure from a house parent to change his sexual orientation. “The Marchese incident is disPAGE 15

STADIUM SOLIDARITY: First Energy Stadium went rainbow July 26 for the Philadelphia Union’s first-ever LGBT Night. On their way into the soccer game, fans were encouraged to leave their handprints in rainbow colors on a Union banner, which was unfurled on the sidelines, beneath a large rainbow “You Can Play” sign. The event also featured a focus on Valley Youth House’s #CouchesDontCount initiative to raise awareness about youth homelessness, which disproportionately impacts LGBT young people. The Union ultimately bested the Columbus Crew 3-0. Photo: Scott A. Drake

School district acknowledges free-speech violation in abortion flap By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com School-district officials in Downingtown recently acknowledged wrongdoing by Zachary Ruff, a former administrator who had a heated exchange with anti-abortion protesters outside S.T.E.M. Academy. Ruff’s interactions with Lauren and Conner Haines on April 21 were caught on video and quickly went viral. On the video, Ruff can be heard chastising the siblings while singing and dancing — apparently to drown out their

anti-abortion message. To avoid litigation, school-district officials sent a July 7 letter to the Haines siblings, acknowledging wrongdoing by Huff and promising to train district personnel on the First-Amendment rights of protesters. “You had every right under our constitution’s First Amendment to speak and display signs like you did, and that right was violated by Dr. Ruff,” the letter states. The letter adds: “We are committed to preventing incidents like this from happening in the future and will instruct school employees not to violate anyone’s free-

speech rights on public sidewalks outside our schools again.” The Downingtown-area school district covers 16 schools. Ruff, who is gay, tendered his resignation May 11, a week after attending a disciplinary hearing. He served as an assistant principal at S.T.E.M. Academy, which specializes in science, technology, engineering and math. Ruff holds a doctoral degree in educational leadership. At the time of his resignation, his annual salary was $97,000. He couldn’t be reached for comment. n

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 4-10, 2017

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

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

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

Community centers • The Attic Youth Center; 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. • LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania; 3907 Spruce

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

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

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

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

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

• AIDS Library:

1233 Locust St.; aidslibrary.org/

• AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800-6626080

• COLOURS: coloursorganization.org, 215832-0100

• Congreso de Latinos Unidos;

• Philadelphia FIGHT: 1233 Locust

• GALAEI: 215-851-

• Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center:

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

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

• Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad

St.; 215-685-1821

• Mazzoni Center:

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

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

1201 Locust St.; 215985-9206

• Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-7321207

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

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

Trial scheduled in Bangor school-abuse case By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Jury selection has been tentatively scheduled for June 2018 in the case of Tammy and Russell Bittenbender, who claim their daughter suffered extensive abuse while she was a public-school student in Bangor, Pa., because she was perceived to be a lesbian. Bangor is in Northampton County, about 32 miles north of Allentown. The Bittenbenders’ lawsuit, filed in 2015, contends that eight students constantly harassed and abused their daughter, “S.B.,” for about five years. S.B. allegedly was called “lesbian,” “gay,” “whore,” “slut” and “fag” by her harassers. Complaints about the alleged abuse were made to appropriate authorities to no avail, according to the suit. The Bittenbenders allege Bangor school-district officials violated Title IX, a federal law banning sex discrimination in education. They seek more than $150,000 in damages, noting their daughter suffered severe emotional distress due to the alleged abuse. Eventually, S.B. transferred to a school in New Jersey, where she reportedly is doing better. In defense filings, attorneys for the school district requested that the case be dismissed. They referred to the alleged verbal abuse as “stray remarks” that didn’t establish severe and pervasive harassment, even if some of the remarks had a sexual connotation. “[R]elevant case law overwhelmingly supports the supposition that schoolyard bullying

does not become actionable under Title IX just because of the use of sexualized language,” defense attorneys wrote in a filing. But earlier this year, U.S. District Judge Lawrence F. Stengel declined to dismiss the case. In a nine-page ruling, Stengel said S.B. allegedly suffered pervasive and lengthy school-based abuse. The judge also noted that complaints allegedly were made to appropriate authorities to no avail. Jury selection is tentatively set for 9:30 a.m. June 4 at the U.S. Court House, 601 Market St. in Philadelphia. A trial will be held in Courtroom A of the U.S. Court House in Allentown before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry S. Perkin. Neither side had a comment for this story. Justin F. Robinette, a local civil-rights attorney, expressed optimism that S.B. would have her day in court. “If the allegations are proven to be true, the young lady deserves compensation for being denied equal educational opportunity and for emotional distress,” Robinette told PGN. “LGBT gender-stereotyping claims have been more successful when the harassment occurs at school, rather than at work. It’s well-settled under Title IX.” Stengel found the student’s claims plausible, thus the case could move forward, Robinette added. “The court disagreed with the school’s arguments that the alleged harassment was not ‘severe or pervasive’ and that the alleged victim didn’t report the alleged harassment properly. Ultimately, the judge gave S.B. an opportunity to prove her case, and she is one step closer to trial.” n

DOJ argues against LGBT inclusion in federal civil-rights law By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com The same day President Donald Trump tweeted his intent to ban trans military members, his administration declared a second rollback of LGBT rights. The Department of Justice argued July 26 that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not provide protections based on sexual orientation. The law currently protects individuals based on “race, color, religion, sex or national origin.” In a federal amicus brief, DOJ lawyers contended the law should not be interpreted to include lesbian or gay people. “The sole question here is whether, as a matter of law, Title VII reaches sexual-orientation discrimination,” the DOJ said in the brief. “It does not, as has been settled for decades. Any efforts to amend Title VII’s scope should be directed to Congress rather than the courts.” The department filed the brief in the case of Donald Zarda, a skydiving instructor who said his former employer, Altitude Express, fired him after he disclosed his sexual orientation to a customer. Zarda died in a skydiving accident before

the case went to trial but executors of his estate continued the lawsuit on his behalf. “In one fell swoop, Trump’s DOJ provided a roadmap for dismantling years of federal protections and declared that [LGB] people may no longer be protected by landmark civil-rights laws such as the Fair Housing Act, Title IX or Title VII,” Human Rights Campaign Legal Director Sarah Warbelow said in a statement. “For over a decade, courts have determined that discrimination on the basis of LGBTQ status is unlawful under federal law.” James Esseks, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s LGBT & HIV Project, said last Wednesday “will go down in history as Anti-LGBT Day” and the administration is “working to expose people to discrimination.” However, Esseks noted the final word on Title VII will come from the judiciary branch, not Trump officials. “Fortunately, courts will decide whether the Civil Rights Act protects LGBT people, not an Attorney General and a White House that are hell-bent on playing politics with people’s lives,” Esseks said in a statement. “We are confident that the courts will side with equality and the people.” n

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BIENVENUE!: Boxers opened its doors to organizers of and competitors in the 2018 Gay Games last week. The July 27 event featured information on the international LGBT sporting competition set for August 2018 in Paris and remarks from officials. There are 36 sports in next year’s event, as well as 14 cultural events. For more information, visit https://www.paris2018.com/en/. Photo: Scott A. Drake

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Creep of the Week: John K. Bush, for a long history of anti-LGBT ranting and raving

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~ Hareena Houston, on overcoming personal obstacles and working towards inclusion, page 8

— Feature: From boy band to pop glam — Scene in Philly — Out & About — Family Portrait — Q Puzzle — Comic

Pet losses bring together two community members to raise money for animal causes.

“I was like, ‘Hey, I don’t want to just be defined by my mental illnesses. I want to help other people who don’t want to be defined just by one thing.’”

Patti Harrison says, “See you later, alligator” to Jimmy Fallon and comes to Philadelphia.

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Television-series bromance evolves as it adopts a “Stray.”

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

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

LOCAL PGN

A NOVEL IDEA: Author Tom Mendicino read excerpts from his new book, “Stealing Home,” July 29 at Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room. It was a full house for the book reading and signing, for which Mendicino was joined by Joe Okonkwo, who shared from novel “Jazz Moon,” and Kathy Anderson, who read excerpts from Michael Thomas Ford’s “Lily.” Photo: Scott A. Drake

New Hope Celebrates expands board By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com A Pennsylvania town’s LGBT organization last month announced six new board-member positions and plans for future programming. New Hope Celebrates will now include an events coordinator, director of leadership development, restaurant/bars liaison, volunteer coordinator, director of business and community development and director of public and government outreach. Additionally, it will include an advisory board that will consist of at least four members at first but could expand over time. Past board members will comprise the advisory board and will be appointed by current members, said New Hope Celebrates President Matt Hanson. “What that board will do is advise the organization on some different ideas, thoughts in the community we may not be aware of and give us some guidelines,” Hanson said. “We really want to make sure we have the right input from all parties and that we’re all doing the best for the community.” Hanson noted the new positions will allow the board to focus on programming other than Pride, the organization’s primary event held in May.

“We are a yearlong organization and we want to operate as one,” Hanson said. “We think it’s important we keep in touch with our sponsors, our volunteers [and] our community throughout the year because we want to be here all year for them and increase the diversity in the town for New Hope.” Hanson said New Hope Celebrates will also seek to expand the Retroscope, an archive project showcasing the town’s LGBT history, and its “i am new hope” storytelling venture. Hanson noted the organization hopes to launch the latter project on a national level, beginning with a booth at the Original LGBT Expo in New York City next month. Hanson looked toward the future with this expanded board, which he said will not change New Hope Celebrates’ overall mission. “We will continue what we’ve done in the past and that is always to keep inclusivity and diversity of New Hope and promoting LGBT awareness and tolerance,” he said. “We will also do our Pride as we always have done. It’s our 15th anniversary this coming year so we are very excited about that.” n Visit www.newhopecelebrates.com for more information.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 4-10, 2017

LOCAL PGN

After losses, community members host pet fundraiser By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com

If you live in south Philly or you’re hanging out on Passyunk Ave., you can ﬁnd a copy of PGN at these convenient locations: Bethel Community Home, 933-935 S. Third St. • Black N Brew, 1523 E. Passyunk Ave. • Essene, 719 S. Fourth St. • Famous 4th St. Deli, Fourth & Bainbridge sts. • Fuel, 1917 E. Passyunk Ave. • Jackson Place, 501 Jackson St. • Philly Bagels, 613 S. Third St. • Rockerhead Salon, 607 S. Third St. • Tiffin Restaurant, 1100 Federal St. • Wedge Medical Center, 1939 S. Juniper St. •

Or from a news box at one of these convenient spots: 4th & Bainbridge sts. • 9th & Passyunk sts. • Broad & Ellsworth sts. • Broad & McKean sts. • Broad & Morris sts. • Broad & South sts. • Passyunk Ave & 10th & Reed sts. • epgn.com

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You can also ﬁnd copies at the local library branches.

Local community members will channel their grief from their pets’ recent deaths into a fundraiser for a veterinary clinic and two pet rescues. Rylin and Luxxie’s Lavish Fundraiser of Love is named in honor of Ian Morrison’s Shepherd/Bernese Mountain dog Rylin, and Angela Giampolo and Kristina Furia’s Chihuahua Luxxie. The Aug. 9 event will be held at Tavern on Camac and will include a drag show, silent auction, cocktails and an after-party. DJ Carl Michaels and DJ Cleff will spin tunes throughout the night. Giampolo, whose dog died July 1, heard about Rylin’s July 4 death and reached out to Morrison in solidarity. “I sent him a Facebook message and basically [said] ‘I know what you’re going through. We don’t know each other that well but I’m giving you a hug and sending you all of the positive energy I have,’” said Giampolo, who works as an attorney and is also PGN’s legal columnist. “And he contacted me right away and he was like, ‘I would love to meet up to process it.’” The two of them met at Tabu and exchanged stories about their pets. Morrison noted that he became connected with other friends who have lost pets, which inspired him and Giampolo to team up for this fundraiser. The event will raise money for Emancipet Philadelphia, a nonprofit lowcost veterinary clinic, and two rescue organizations — Renee’s Rescues and Peace, Love & Doggie Paws. Giampolo said Peace, Love & Doggie Paws rescued Luxxie and she noted Emancipet’s impact. “If there were more organizations like Emancipet providing low-cost veterinary care for low-income individuals, then maybe Luxxie would never have needed to be saved to begin with,” she said. Giampolo added that Luxxie was a senior dog found on the side of a road. Owners will often abandon senior pets due to their expensive medical needs, she said. Morrison said he personally knew the owner of Renee’s Rescues and applauded the organization’s work. “They will negotiate with puppy mills to rescue the animals that these puppy mills would normally put to sleep once they’re done breeding. And by ‘put to sleep,’ I mean ‘take them out back and shoot them’ because they are no longer of use to them,” Morrison said. “They will do everything in their power to even help those that don’t want to surrender dogs. So if there are dogs that are chained up outside, [Renee] will try to negotiate to at least supply a dog house or provide it with proper food. She is the full-on greatest person I know when it comes to animal rescue.” Morrison, who performs in drag as Brittany Lynn, and other drag performers

will showcase their talents on stage during the fundraiser. During the grand finale, Morrison will perform “He Lives in You” from the stage-musical version of “The Lion King,” which he and Giampolo said will have “surprises” for the audience. Morrison noted the motivation behind

ANGELA GIAMPOLO WITH LUXXIE (TOP) AND IAN MORRISON AND RYLIN

putting the event together. “It’s a little strange to not have [Rylin] here but I think this energy and what I have going on here right now needs to be put toward something, so this is our way of dealing with our sadness and our loss,” he said. Giampolo said that while the event began because of their love for their personal pets, “anyone who loves animals or has ever [loved a] pet or companion knows how important these organizations are for all of the animals who don’t necessarily have a forever home.” “There aren’t any unwanted animals,” Giampolo said. “There are just unfound homes. And these three organizations help in very different capacities to make that a reality.” n Rylin and Luxxie’s Lavish Fundraiser of Love will be held 6 p.m. Aug. 9 at Tavern on Camac, 243 South Camac St. Visit http://bit. ly/2u5oaw6 to purchase tickets.

LOCAL PGN TROOPS from page 1

News Briefing TMAN explores masculinity An organization dedicated to empowering people of color who are on the trans-masculine spectrum is hosting a community conversation about masculinity this weekend. “What is Healthy Masculinity?” will take place from 1-3:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at GALAEI, 149 W. Susquehanna Ave. The discussion will center on how traditional conceptions of masculinity are built and how the trans community can break those molds. Refreshments will be served and SEPTA tokens will be available to those who join the Trans-Health Information Project.

Fall Ball registration opens Registration for the fall season of the City of Brotherly Love Softball League opened last week. The slow-pitch LGBT softball league begins its Fall Ball games Sept. 10, with games on the successive five Sundays. Registration is $35 and includes a T-shirt. For more information, visit www.cblsl. org. n — Jen Colletta

drugs than it would for health care for transgender troops. According to the Rand Corporation’s study, “Assessing the Implications of Allowing Transgender Personnel to Serve Openly,” there are an estimated 2,450 active transgender personnel out of 1.3-million servicemembers; other studies have put the number as high as 15,000. Rand estimates that between 29-129 servicemembers in the active component would seek transition-related care, which could cost between $2.4$8.4 million. Meanwhile, the Defense Health Agency reported in 2014 that it spent $84.24 million on Viagra and other erectile-dysfunction prescriptions. “I guess erections are way more important than authentic lives,” Carroll joked. While Carroll knows the president’s tweets alone are not legally enforceable, she still encouraged others to remain vocal about any potential changes to the military regulations. “What he says in his tweets and what really happens sometimes are 180 degrees apart,” she said. “So I think we have to wait and see. In the meantime, we keep up the pressure on the people that we know. Keep the focus on the issue. The ground-swell in the country seems to support the idea that they don’t like what he did and I think that’s encouraging.” Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and Director of the Office of LGBT Affairs Amber Hikes were among those who voiced support for transgender troops. Kenney noted the announcement violates the civil rights of transgender troops currently serving. “This is about much more than military service,” Kenney said. “It is a discriminatory attack on trans individuals, which serves to promote a hateful agenda and deny people of their humanity.” Hikes added that the city “will continue to fight back to ensure people of trans experience have every possible right and protection under the law.” “To our transgender community members — we see you, we love you and we are here for you,” Hikes said. “We are strong, and as a community, we will continue to resist hatred and discrimination of any kind.” n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 4-10, 2017

PGN seeks complete case file in Morris open-records request By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com PGN this week asked a state agency to add four documents to the case file relating to the paper’s open-records request for Nizah Morris 911 recordings from the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. Between January-April, the state Office of Open Records handled PGN’s request for Morris 911 recordings. On April 12, the paper filed an appeal for the recordings in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court. On July 18, Common Pleas Judge Abbe F. Fletman ordered OOR to submit a compilation of filings that were generated when OOR handled the case — known as a “certified record.” On July 31, OOR submitted a certified record to Fletman, but omitted two of PGN’s filings. The omitted PGN filings were submitted to OOR on Feb. 23 and April 10. The Feb. 23 filing objected to an allegation by the D.A.’s Office that PGN engaged in “abuse” during OORsponsored mediation. The April 10 filing reiterated PGN’s concern that the D.A.’s Office didn’t conduct a “full and accurate” open-records search for Morris 911 recordings. Two filings from the D.A.’s Office also were omitted from OOR’s certified record. They were submitted to OOR on Feb. 23 and April 7. PGN

asked OOR to include those filings in the certified record. Justin F. Robinette, an attorney for PGN, expressed hope that OOR responds favorably to PGN’s request. “We believe it’s important to have a full and complete record containing all prior filings with the OOR, because the judge is entitled to look at all of the evidence again on appeal when making a decision,” Robinette said. “The D.A.’s Office has threatened to seek legal fees and costs from PGN,” Robinette added. “So we want to make sure nothing is taken out of context.” As of presstime, OOR hadn’t responded to PGN’s request. Morris was an African-American trans woman found with a fatal head wound in December 2002, shortly after a police “courtesy ride” in the Gayborhood. Her homicide remains unsolved, and the D.A.’s Office says it has an “open” investigation. In the past, the D.A.’s Office indicated it doesn’t have any Morris 911 recordings in its “possession, custody or control,” which is a legal phrase to denote an agency’s records. But in 2016, the OOR determined a ninepage transcript of Morris 911 recordings created by PGN is in the D.A.’s “possession, custody or control.” PGN made the transcript based on Morris 911 recordings received from a private citizen — and shared the transcript with the D.A.’s Office in 2009. n

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LOCAL PGN

Delaware student overcomes obstacles to encourage acceptance By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com

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Wilmington Friends School is all about acceptance, said Hareena Houston. However, the 17-year-old wanted to show LGBT students outside of her Delawarebased Quaker school that same acceptance. “I know a lot of students from a lot of high schools around Wilmington and I recently found out that they can’t bring same-sex people as their dates to their proms,” Houston said. “I was like, ‘It’s 2017. Why not?’” Houston, along with co-chair Evie Kortanek, organized a county-wide LGBTinclusive dance for students in May. This effort included coordinating fundraisers, contacting sponsors and reaching out to other schools in the area. “It was their first time at a dance where they could bring somebody without feeling uncomfortable, which is exactly what we wanted it to do,” Houston said, noting that more than 60 students attended. “They were very happy.” Director of College Guidance Kathleen Martin is the advisor for the school’s Gender Sexuality Alliance, where Houston will serve as clerk in the fall. Martin received notice about the TD Bank Young Heroes Award and nominated Houston for the honor due to her ability to “overcome tremendous obstacles and yet still [make] our world such an amazingly better place.” Martin said she was thrilled to find out that Houston will be among 21 students, chosen among 74 national nominees, receiving the award Aug. 10. Martin noted Houston’s growth despite challenges. This included living with abusive, drug-addicted parents and homelessness through age 5, when her grandparents sued for custody of Houston and her siblings. “She has grown tremendously in strength,” Martin said. “There was a time when she was really depressed and it was a little hard and life wasn’t looking so cheery. She got beyond that to not only succeed and be a happy person, but to help others.” While Houston said she is not legally allowed to see her father until she turns 18, she currently has a good relationship with her mother and is very proud of her. She recalled her grandparents’ impact on her, noting that her grandmother was a teacher for inner-city students and that her grandfather had an accepting personality while working in the military. “We grew up in a very kind environment,” Houston said. Despite this, Houston still navigated PTSD and depression. She noted her twoweek treatment at a mental-health facility last year where she met a number of highly supportive people. “I got to see them and I got to see myself

learn and over the year, I was like, ‘Hey, I don’t want to just be defined by my mental illnesses. I want to help other people who don’t want to be defined just by one thing,’” she said. “I think as I grew up, I also got a sense of humanity in everybody because I did grow up with a violent childhood,” Houston said. “I had to understand that everyone was human. I think that also really helped with me being able to identify with people who might not be treated as such.” In addition to organizing the dance and leading the Gender Sexuality Alliance, Houston participates in other activities encouraging diversity. These include Amnesty International, Delaware’s Ulster Project, Diversity Club and the feminist organization Half the Sky. While she said it feels “really cool” to be recognized for her work with the TD Bank Young Heroes Award, Houston is mostly hoping it will bring attention to the LGBT dance. Additionally, she said she is looking forward to possible collaborations with the other winners. “I’m really excited to meet the other people who were nominated because they have obviously done something absolutely amazing and I want to see what we can do together,” she said. “Two people is way better than just one person.” Looking further into the future, Houston said she wants to be a defense lawyer for prisoners on death row. She noted how visiting her mother in prison helped shape her views. “I grew up in a different type of household so I got a whole other perspective on some people who have been in jail and I know that they are way more than just an inmate,” Houston said. “Some of the people on death row shouldn’t be there because they either were kids when [their crime] happened; they were kids with a mental illness that wasn’t brought up in court; [or] they were wrongly convicted because of their race.” Martin described her own vision for Houston. “She has a huge heart,” she said. “She wants to make the world a better place and she might actually do it because not only does she have a huge heart, she’s indomitable. She will not be stopped. She is a little relentless in the best way. [When] somebody tells her ‘No,’ she just keeps asking. I think we need more young activists like that.” n

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 4-10, 2017

The importance of LGBT employee-resource groups If it makes dollars, it makes sense — the workers, but also the companies that and it’s no secret that diversity in the employ them. According to the Level workplace is good for business. Playing Field Institute, more than 2-milStudies have shown that a diverse, lion professionals and managers quit welcoming environment results in better their jobs every year due to unfairness, a teamwork, greater innovation and more $64-billion cost to U.S. employers annuresourceful problem-solving thanks to the ally. About 27 percent said such concerns variety of experiences employees bring to led them to refrain from recommending the table. In today’s economy, diversity is their workplace to potential employees and an ace up the sleeve in the race to be com- 13 percent admitted to not recommendpetitive and pioneering, no mating their employer’s product ter the industry. or services. This does not even This is possible in large part include the costs of potential because of employee resource discrimination and harassment groups (ERGs) at individual lawsuits or the real result of companies, and such groups missing out on talented LGBT are more important now than employees who find another ever before. In 2015, after the employer due to stress and Supreme Court granted maroverall dissatisfaction with their riage equality in all 50 states, workplace environment. there was a lot of talk about LGBT-based ERGs have where advocacy and resource the potential to mitigate such groups should focus next, given costs and help increase workthat the marriage battle had place inclusion and acceptance, been the one everyone first conAngela and there’s plenty for ERGs sidered in terms of lobbying. to do. Once established, they Giampolo can work with top executives People quickly realized that in 28 states, it is still legal to fire to craft nondiscriminatory polsomeone based on their sexual orientation icies making clear that harassment and or gender identity and expression. In the discrimination against LGBT employees months that followed marriage equality, will not be tolerated. They can run sensiwe saw more than 200 anti-LGBT orditivity training sessions to help non-LGBT nances passed, the most well-known being employees understand their colleagues the so-called “bathroom bills,” which cost and what is acceptable office behavior or North Carolina millions in revenue from workplace events for LGBT people across cancelled sporting events, concerts and larger organizations to meet each other corporate meetings. Religious-freedom and establish relationships across departlawsuits and legislation took an upturn in ments that could benefit working relationfrequency as states scrambled to define ships in the future. They can work toward what protected classes mean, and whether health-care benefits that include transition sexual orientation and gender identity were resources for transgender employees, as among them. Just last week, President well as specify exact policies regarding the Trump tweeted that transgender individuuse of bathrooms based on gender identity. als would no longer be permitted to serve ERGs also work to provide resources for in the military, while the Department of LGBT-friendly mental-health professionals Justice argued the same day in a major to ensure if an employee is facing trouble federal lawsuit that a 1964 civil-rights law, concerning discrimination — whether proTitle VII, which bans sex discrimination, fessional or personal — they have somedoesn’t cover sexual orientation. one to talk to for help. Another area ERGs With a diverse workforce comes a need could potentially benefit a workforce is to understand more about colleagues and through charitable events to bring issues employees, and adapt to a changing office facing LGBT people in the community to culture. Recent years have seen workplace the forefront, extending goodwill and makequality improve by leaps and bounds, led ing a difference in the lives of those who by the Human Rights Campaign. This past need it the most, such as community seryear, HRC rated 515 businesses a score vice with an HIV/AIDS organization. of 100 on their Corporate Equality Index, ERGs can and do establish comfort levwhen in 2002 — the CEI’s inception year els in the workplace where LGBT employ— only 13 businesses were rated 100. In ees find it easier to be themselves, with addition, this year saw the biggest leap in no need to lie about their personal lives or number of businesses offering transgenmislead coworkers as to who they really der-inclusive health-care coverage, from are. In a more casual setting, such as cor511 last year to 647 today. porate-sponsored employee-appreciation Despite the progress, the LGBT-equality days, LGBT employees would be encoursocial climate has been volatile to say aged to bring their partners without fear the least, and the workplace is the most of having to explain themselves to those harmful battleground. It costs not only with whom they work PAGE 15

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EDITORIAL PGN EDITORIAL

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

John K. Bush

Editorial

Bully pulpit It’s easy to view President Donald Trump as a clownish caricature; however, no matter his level of blustering buffoonery, we can’t discount the effect his rhetoric is and will have on the country, and our community in particular. Just last week, Trump proclaimed he was single-handedly banning all transgender-identifying Americans from serving in the country’s armed forces. It was a stunning pronouncement, one whose parameters are still being sorted out. But the power of Trump’s claim reverberates far beyond the military. Just days later, radio program “Breakfast Club” featured a comedian who remarked that if he unwittingly slept with a transgender woman, he would kill her. The comedian later claimed the comment was a “joke” but he and the show’s hosts have come under intense fire for promoting violence against trans women. The impact of such statements was starkly illustrated with the murder of Tee Tee Dangerfield, a trans woman of color gunned down in suburban Atlanta Monday morning. Police have not released a motive for her killing but said they are considering anti-trans bias. The epidemic of violence toward trans women, particularly women of color, was surely existent prior to Trump arriving in the Oval Office. But his “leadership” has certainly done little to quell the simmering hate that makes such a trend possible and instead has fanned the flames. When the leader of the nation states that an entire class of people would be a “distraction” and “burden” to one of our nation’s institutions, that sends myriad messages. To trans Americans, it’s an affirmation of the exclusionary attitudes so many have sought to overcome, internally and externally, for years. To those who do not know trans Americans, it’s a validation of fear of the unknown, a rubber stamp to hate. With waves of violence claiming trans lives, a real leader should be striving to root out the causes of bias and prejudice, not strengthening them. Most in our community have long accepted that Trump is anything but a leader. But, unfortunately, he has the bully pulpit of one — meaning his ignorance has the ability to be amplified and the LGBT and ally community needs to use its own collective voice to drown out his hate. n

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When America wakes up from the night- less inexcusable. mare of the Donald Trump presidency Bush, whom the — assuming we survive it, of course — Senate voted along we will be left with a country severely party lines to condamaged by a president and a party who firm to a lifetime have no respect for democratic norms or appointment on American ideals. the Sixth Circuit There are many villains in this plot: Court of Appeals, Trump, Mike Pence, Mitch McConnell, is a longtime foe of Paul Ryan, Jeff Sessions, Tom Price, Betsy LGBT people. DeVos. The list goes on and on. But even And yet during when most of these people are but hideous his Senate hearing, Bush claimed that, footnotes, Trump will have long-lasting gee, he hadn’t given much thought to destructive power remaining in the courts. Obergefell v. Hodges, the case that made While Trump and the Republicans like marriage equality the law of the land. “I to call Democrats “obstructionists,” there’s have not had occasion to study this decireally no comparison when it comes to the sion of the Supreme Court in light of any Republicans during Obama’s presidency. methodology of constitutional interpretaMcConnell is the greatest obstructionist tion,” he said. in history. After all, he stole a Supreme Sure. I mean, Bush freaked out when the Court seat from Obama. This, of course, State Department under Hillary Clinton revised passport applications to include allowed Trump to appoint the right-wing Parent 1 and Parent 2 instead of just Neil Gorsuch to the highest court in the Mother and Father (because, you know, land. And Supreme Court appointments same-sex couples who have children are are a lifetime gig. That means you get to a real thing) by bemoaning “the nanny be a Supreme Court judge until you die or state — more precisely, a retire, whichever comes nanny Secretary of State.” first. Gorsuch is only Bush, whom the But I’m sure the mar49. He’ll likely spend Senate voted along riage-equality decision decades on the bench. Of course, Supreme party lines to confirm wasn’t even on his radar. Court appointments told the Senate that to a lifetime appoint- of He aren’t the only lifetime course he’d uphold ment on the Sixth gigs Trump gets to hand Obergefell, just like he’d out. Due to McConnell’s Circuit Court of uphold Roe v. Wade, even unprecedented obstructhough he has compared Appeals, is a longtionism, Obama wasn’t abortion to slavery. Twenty-seven LGBTable to fill many federal time foe of LGBT rights groups wrote a judge vacancies. More people. letter to senators askthan 100 empty seats ing them not to confirm awaited Trump when he Bush, stating: “Mr. Bush’s disparagement took office. And Trump is wasting no time of decisions protecting the right of indiappointing right-wing conservatives to viduals to make highly personal decisions those seats. According to Kyle Barry of the NAACP, — including the right to engage in private, the appointments “foretell a Trump-stacked consensual adult relationships and the right judiciary that would clear the way for to procreative freedom — reveals a hostilconstitutionally suspect executive actions, ity to well-established fundamental rights shield corporate wrongdoers from account- of liberty, privacy, autonomy and self-deability and imperil the civil rights of all termination that have been the lynchpin of Americans.” legal progress for LGBT people.” It’s no surprise that Trump, unqualified And yet, Bush now has a lifetime and incompetent, would appoint judges appointment. Elections have far-reaching who are completely unfit for the bench. consequences. Next year is crucial. Vote. n Which makes the appointment of John D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian Bush, a Kentucky lawyer and blogger living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been whom Think Progress called “the Donald writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow Trump of judges,” understandable, but no her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.

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Conversion therapy is child torture To the entire LGBT community: psychiatry put its hand in with aversion Let’s begin as a community to state the therapy, which uses the Pavlovian dog-like truth without putting lipstick on a pig. training to force us to be heterosexual with Personally, it sickens me when I see somea handful of horrific tortures. There’s the one from GLAAD or HRC on television electric-shock system, some connected to calling conversion therapy genetics, water treatment — “praying the gay away.” That hey, they had it before President is downright as truthful as a Bush — and then there were Donald Trump tweet, and might drugs of various types, some show how we attempt to soften of which stopped people from our message for consumption breathing before an antidote by the mainstream. Or, it might was administered. They lost a hide something very sad: our few on that one, but hey, better own attempt to not accept what dead than a fag. has been done to us as a collec Now comes conversion tive community for years — and therapy. But this one targets that, my friends, is torture. mostly children whose parents We use terms like hate are now trying to “save” them. crimes, pray away the gay … Almost all the types of torture but much that has been done to I’ve listed above have been “cure” LGBT is sheer torture. used in some of these converMark Segal sion camps … and others. ABC And yes, I’m even talking about the water torture. So once again, News investigative reporter let’s go back in recent history to make the Brian Roberts did one of the best onepoints and hopefully get us back on the hour reports on this practice on “20/20.” right track, as we are literally fighting to It showed corporal punishment, imprisonsave children’s lives. ment and lots more. For years, going back even before there I think you get the idea. It’s time to were lobotomies — oh yes, many lobotspeak out strongly. Say it loud, say it omies were performed on LGBT peoclearly: Conversion therapy is child torture. ple — society attempted to try and find n a way to “change” us, making us holy Mark Segal is the nation’s most-award-winning comheterosexuals. When threat of religion mentator in LGBT media. His memoir, “And Then and criminal justice began to fail, medical I Danced,” is available on Amazon.com, Barnes & science showed up with lobotomies. Then, Noble or at your favorite bookseller.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 4-10, 2017

Street Talk What foreign land would you like to visit this summer? "Calcutta, India. There's such an amazing culture of spirituality there. I would find that very inspirational. The symbols Ennis Carter and art that executive director I would see Gayborhood in that city would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

"Morocco. It's so rich with history, and I'm a history buff. North Africa has been a hub for world history for a long time. Kitty Heite And I love project organizer MediterranWest Philadelphia ean food."

"Maldives. It's a little island off the coast of Indonesia. Surfing is great there. I love to surf. It's spiritually Benjamin Russell healing. photographer Surfing calms Old City my head down. I can't think of a better place to do it than Maldives."

"The Amalfi Coast in Italy. It's gorgeous. The scenery takes your breath away. There's nothing not to love about it. And it would Amanda Zullo be a relaxing attorney break from Queen Village my two toddlers and our recent Disney cruise in Alaska."

Transition the battlefield No matter how I put this, it feels like an understatement: We are living in increasingly frightening and dangerous times. This is especially true for those of us who are transgender. Sitting in a subcommittee right now in our House of Representatives is HR 2796, aka the Civil Rights Uniformity Act of 2017. I’ve written about this before. It would do nothing less than void protections for transgender people under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”), the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act and “any federal civil-rights law, and of any related ruling, regulation, guidance or interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the United States.” Not apparently interested in waiting for HR 2796 to pass or fail, the Department of Justice — under “beleaguered” Attorney General Jeff Sessions — has filed a legal brief in Zarda v. Altitude Express claiming that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 doesn’t cover sexual orientation. While the brief doesn’t mention gender identity specifically, we can guess where Sessions’ DOJ might side. Oddly enough,

the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed its own brief, disagreeing with the DOJ. Meanwhile, a move by Congressmember Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) to ban health care for transgender military personnel and their families failed to pass in the House of Representatives, in spite of a pair of odd speeches in support by Congressmembers Steve King (R-Iowa) and Louie Gohmert (R-Texas). King conflated transgender troops to slaves forcibly conscripted and castrated in the Ottoman Empire and suggested that trans folks would join to somehow “game the system” for surgical care. Gohmert tried to draw a comparison between money spent for transgender care and that used to defeat “radical Islam,” as if one would take away from the other. While the Hartzler amendment failed, it apparently was not unnoticed by President Donald Trump, who took to Twitter for one of his now-infamous tweetstorm-cum-policy statements. “After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to

serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military,” Trump wrote. “Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.” This is all nonsense. Military leaders responded with surprise, having apparently not been consulted on this policy. What’s more, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Joseph Dunford has stood in opposition, stating in a memo that there are “no modifications to the current policy until the president’s direction has been received by the Secretary of Defense and the secretary has issued implementation guidelines.” To date, no such implementation guidelines have arrived. Trump seems somehow unaware that there are already transgender troops in our military. While reported numbers have varied from as little as 250 to as many as 50,000, a study by the Rand Corporation in June 2016 estimated somewhere between 1,320 to 6,630 active-duty trans service members out of a total pool of 1.3-million service members. What’s more, this same

study noted that trans-related health care for these troops would cost somewhere between $2.4-$8.4 million per year. This is a drop in the bucket compared to current military spending. It is also a fifth of spending that the military currently doles out for erectile dysfunction medications to all troops, trans or otherwise. So we have a scattershot policy, dictated via social media without adequate consultation and not tethered in fact. Transgender troops are in no way bankrupting our armed forces, nor is there any evidence of them disrupting the service. Now, plenty have said that Trump’s tweets were nothing more than a distraction, something to steal the spotlight from news of the health-care bill and its failure, the increasingly dysfunctional administration or the continuing Russia probe. Maybe there is some truth to that, but I find myself considering that a distraction ceases to be a distraction when it is harming people. Trump’s insistence on attacking transgender soldiers, while his Department of PAGE 15 Justice and others attack

PGN HERSHEY from page 1

turbing in its own right, and yet the school uses it to attack Mr. Dobson,” said John W. Schmehl, an attorney for Dobson. “Until the school faces the truth and takes responsibility for pushing this harmful video on our client, we will explore in discovery how far this practice stretched and what the administration knew about it. Mr. Marchese’s experience at the school just adds to the credibility of our allegations.” Lisa Scullin, a spokesperson for the school, issued this statement: “These irresponsible descriptions of the experience of Mr. Marchese and Mr. Dobson are being used to create a sideshow to derail the case that is right now before the court. Sexuality was not a central part of the [Dobson] complaint. It is barely referenced in a 239-paragraph complaint against the school. Sexuality is a personal and powerful issue, and the current story infuses it into this case and distracts people from the facts at hand. The goal here is to manipulate and inflame — so the facts, being presented right now by both sides in the lawsuit, get glossed over. We try to instill all [of our] students with the school’s ‘Sacred Values.’ One of them is mutual respect. It guides our students and alumni to celebrate their uniqueness OUT LAW from page 9

closely. Even the freedom to put a picture of a partner on one’s desk helps LGBT employees feel as included as their other coworkers. This forms deeper relationships and breaks down barriers to understanding. Being open in the workplace makes employees more productive, less stressed and more willing to share their ideas without worry of rejection based on their orientation or gender identity, which leads to better collaboration all around. LGBT-focused employee-resource groups have a lot of potential to impact their workplace environments in a positive way. While nationally we have made progress in recent years, it’s at the local level where we see firsthand how that progress impacts real people. Businesses TRANSMISSIONS from page 11

transgender rights and protections at the federal level, is causing real harm. It is seeking to establish a second- — or even third- — class status for transgender people in America, barring us from rights and protections throughout our federal government. These are policies that could prevent our employment, our ability to find and retain housing, to gain adequate health care and an education, in addition to halting those willing to kill people in the name of our country. These send a message that transgender people are simply unwelcome, and no longer a part of American society. Of course, that also simply lumps us in with every other “undesirable” group that has already been singled out: immigrants, people of color and others are certainly no strangers to the machinations of this

while always searching for ways we are similar to one another — not for ways to divide. For that reason, [the school] will continue to focus on defending the support it provides for children with mental-health needs. We spend over $15 million [annually] on health care alone, for children who would otherwise need to rely on government services. Our case is strong, and we are hopeful the media sideshow will not jeopardize it, as intended. Student confidentiality and the trust our families and alumni place in us to honor their privacy limits what we can say, and the other side knows that. It has always been — and remains — the policy of [the school] that no houseparent administers therapy of any kind to any student. Our highly credentialed psychologists are accredited by the American Psychological Association, and would never condone any form of ‘gay conversion therapy.’” Scullin also released statements from several former students praising the school and refuting claims that students were pressured into watching antigay videos. Jury selection in Dobson’s case is tentatively set for 9:30 a.m. April 2 at the Ronald Reagan Court House, 228 Walnut St. in Harrisburg, with U.S. District Judge Christopher C. Conner presiding. n both big and small would do well to show their employees they’re on the right side of history, and ERGs are one of the most strategic and beneficial ways to do that. If your company doesn’t already have one you can join, talk to your HR representative and see if there’s room in your organization for such a group. We spend a lot of time at work, so why not make it a place where we continue the fight for LGBTQ equality? n Angela D. Giampolo, principal of Giampolo Law Group, maintains offices in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and specializes in LGBT law, family law, business law, real-estate law and civil rights. Her website is www.giampololaw.com, and she maintains a blog at www.phillygaylawyer.com. Reach out to Angela with your legal questions at 215-645-2415 or angela@giampololaw.com.

administration. There is a bright spot in all this, however. While Trump and his administration — and, of course, those who seem hellbent on following him no matter what — are willing to demonize trans people, a growing coalition of others isn’t. A Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll from last month found that 58 percent of Americans felt that transgender people should be allowed to serve in the military, compared to only 27 percent who said no. Even among Republicans only, only 49 percent weren’t willing to support transgender people in the armed forces. These are dark times, and I fear they will grow grimmer, but we have one thing on our side: Public support for transgender people is growing as the dinosaurs fade. In that, we can find hope. n Gwen Smith has never wished to serve in the military. You’ll find her at www.gwensmith.com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 4-10, 2017

Controlling an aging metabolism Why is it common to hear, “Enjoy eathigher blood sugar and low energy. ing all that food now because when you get older, it’ll catch up to you”? 2. Make sure you’re eating enough food. As you’ve gotten older, maybe your Remember, depending on your age, your pants are starting to get a bit tight or you calorie intake can reduce significantly. For don’t feel as good as you did 10 years ago. example, a 60-year-old man may need to Unfortunately, as we age it is common to reduce his calories by 350. Now, keep in see increases in undesirable mind that if you aren’t eating weight. enough, your body will hold on Having control over your to weight because it will think weight begins with understandyou are in a deficit. ing how your metabolism works and why you are more likely to 3. Drink plenty of water. Not gain weight as you age. It will only can dehydration mask also help you understand why itself as hunger, sttudies from it can be difficult to lose the the University of Utah have weight compared to how you shown that dehydration can did it in your younger years. cause you to burn up to 2-per Your mid-20s are when your cent fewer calories. body begins to slow down and keep more fat on than off, Add plenty of protein to Megan Niño 4. which is caused by your BMR all your meals. Foods that are (Basal Metabolic Rate). Your protein sources are chicken, BMR is the number of calories you burn fish, beans/lentils, beef, peas, etc. Protein daily to fuel involuntary body functions, is important to keeping your metabolism which include the functions of your heart, healthy. It will also keep you feeling full. brain and digestive tract. It is also dependent on your body type. The more mus5. Exercise. Whether you work out at a gym, your home or a local park, exercising cle you have, the more calories you burn daily and vice versa. Because your muscle is just as important as your diet. Working out will keep your metabolism boosted mass begins to decrease in your mid-20s, throughout the day. Also, if you focus on so does your BMR. By the time you are building some muscle, muscle can burn up 60, you will need fewer calories than you to six calories a day. Begin with once per did in your teens and 20s. For women, an week and once you’ve got that down, build added factor to weight gain is menopause; up to two to three workouts per week. the ovaries eventually stop producing Endurance activities such as biking and estrogen, which also diminishes muscle strength-building activities such as bodymass, lowering your BMR. This is why weight exercises will get you on track. If some women wonder why they can’t lose you do not know how to work out, that is weight even though they’ve maintained or OK! Everyone needs to start somewhere. lowered their calorie count. The big question is: How do I maintain Ask a fitness professional for advice or or improve my metabolism? for some training. If you cannot afford a trainer, ask them if they can train you and 1. Eat breakfast and reduce your grainy a couple of friends, which will reduce the food intake by the evening time. When cost significantly, or just ask a friend who you eat breakfast, your body jumpstarts goes to the gym regularly. and you begin to fuel yourself from your Controlling your weight can be chalnight’s fast. When you are hungry, that means your metabolism has slowed down; lenging, but it’s not impossible. Don’t let age be an excuse. n however, this doesn’t mean to eat every time you feel hungry. By the evening time, Megan Niño is a kinesiologist and personal trainer who make sure you’ve reduced your carbs sigtrains out of 12th Street Gym. She is an energetic and nificantly. Sleeping after eating a high-gly- positive person, who prides herself on teaching others cemic meal can result in weight gain, to find empowerment in their lives through fitness.

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Media Trail S.C. court hits pause on same-sex domestic-violence ruling The Washington Post reports South Carolina’s highest court is delaying implementation of a ruling involving domestic-violence protections for same-sex couples amid criticism from both sides that the decision actually leaves all unmarried couples less protected. The state Supreme Court on July 28 issued a stay in its decision from earlier in the week. As written, the ruling issued July 26 could prevent all unmarried partners from being charged with domestic violence. Attorney General Alan Wilson joined with a gay woman who successfully sued the state to ask the justices to rewrite their ruling.

International Varadkar: Trans people will never be banned from Irish Defense Forces Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar said that he would never consider introducing a ban on transgender people serving in the Irish Defense Forces. Varadkar made the comment after the recent announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump that transgender people will no longer be allowed to serve in the U.S. military. In a series of tweets, Trump said he had made the decision after consultation with his generals and military experts. He said the military cannot be “burdened with tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.” When asked about his views on the ban at a press briefing, Varadkar said: “It is not something I would ever consider introducing to Ireland.” It is unclear how many transgender people currently serve in the Defense Forces in Ireland. A statement from the Defense Forces said that it is “committed to the principle of equal opportunity in all its employment

Bakari Sellers, the woman’s lawyer, says he and Wilson want justices to tell lower courts to apply the law to all unmarried couples, rather than depend on a conservative legislature to change a badly worded law.

Arkansas asks that city’s LGBT-rights ordinance be blocked According to Arkansas Online, the state is asking a judge to block enforcement of a city ordinance banning discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, months after the state’s highest court ruled the measure violated a law aimed at prohibiting local LGBT protections. Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and a group opposed to the Fayetteville antidiscrimination ordinance asked a Washington County judge July 28 to issue a preliminary injunction blocking the measure’s enforcement. The state Supreme Court in February reversed a ruling that the ordinance didn’t violate a state law prohibiting cities from enacting protections not covered by state law. Justices in that ruling didn’t say whether the state policies.” The Defense Forces welcome applications from all members of Irish society, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender. The Defense Forces launched its own LGBT network, Defend With Pride, in October. It aims to provide “support, information and guidance for LGBT personnel and allies who wish to support colleagues, friends and family.”

Trans Chinese man says he’s won job-bias lawsuit A Chinese court has ruled that a transgender man was unjustly dismissed by a former employer, the plaintiff said July 27, in the country’s first such discrimination lawsuit. The 29-year-old man, who identifies himself only as “Mr. C” to protect his parents’ privacy, said the verdict by a district court in the southwestern city of Guiyang ruled his employment rights were violated. It ordered his previous employer, Ciming Checkup, pay him the equivalent of $297. The court said no one was available to speak about the case. Ciming did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The man filed the lawsuit after an arbitration council last year ruled against his claim that he had been unfairly fired by a medical testing center. In a May interview, Mr. C said he decided to sue the company because many people were unwilling to speak up about their employment rights. The court ruled in December that he was improperly dismissed but found no

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 4-10, 2017

law was constitutional. Fayetteville is one of several cities that approved local protections for LGBT people in response to the 2015 law.

Suspect in July arson at Phoenix youth center arrested ABC News reports that a suspect in an arson that damaged a Phoenix LGBT youth center has been arrested. Phoenix police say 26-year-old Darren Beach Jr. was booked into jail July 28 on suspicion of arson of an occupied structure. It’s unclear if Beach had a lawyer yet. The Phoenix Fire Department on July 26 issued a video showing a man pouring liquid on the floor of the one.n.ten center on July 12 and then stepping outside just before a room goes up in flames. Youth center officials say Beach was a participant in their program, but aged out of eligibility when he turned 25. The one.n.ten center serves LGBT youth ages 14-24. It lost electronic equipment, food, camping equipment and other items in the fire. n — compiled by Larry Nichols evidence that he was discriminated against because he was transgender. Mr. C pressed on, and experts on labor and gender issues testified on his behalf. While still conservative, Chinese society has become more accepting of LGBT people in recent years.

At least 41 gay men arrested in Nigeria At least 41 men suspected of harboring homosexuality acts were arrested at a hotel in Nigeria. The suspects were rounded up on July 29 at Weigh Bridge Hotel in the Owode Onirin area of Lagos State. Police spokesperson Olarinde FamousCole confirmed the arrest, adding that the suspects were soon going to appear in court. In April, 53 young men who celebrating a gay wedding in the west country’s northern city of Zaria were arrested and charged with “belonging to a gang of unlawful society.” The young men were arrested while attending a party organized for two men who got married. It has been illegal to be gay in Nigeria for a long time, but a 2013 law increased penalties and included same-sex unions as well as gay sex in what is criminalized. Under the law, people who enter any form of same-sex union are liable for 14 years’ imprisonment, while people who “witness, abet and aid the solemnization of a same-sex marriage or civil union” can face up to 10 years in jail. n — compiled by Larry Nichols

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Family Portrait Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly

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Ricky Rebel to rock anti-bullying pop tour By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Out glam rocker Ricky Rebel will strut his fashionable stuff in Philly this weekend as part of the Summer Nights Tour, an annual gathering of diverse pop artists performing live in concert. Rebel, who is know for his hits “Stars” and “Boys and Sometimes Girls,” said he was drawn to the tour because it promotes a strong anti-bullying message. The diversity of the artists and their music is also impressive, he said. “There are artists from different genres. There’s a YouTube star, Adam Saleh. There’s another pop singer, Jax, and then there’s another performer, TreTrax, I believe he’s a rapper. It’s a great mix of different styles,” Rebel said. “I’m more glam-pop. I produce all my own music. I dubbed it ‘glam-pop’ because it’s a throwback to David Bowie’s time, and pop because it incorporates things that are popular right now: dance, EDM, etc.” Rebel didn’t start his career as a glam rocker. He first entered the music business in 1997 as the lead singer of boy band No Authority, which was signed by Michael Jackson to his MJJ Music label

and later to Madonna’s Maverick label. The group had modest success, including a Top-40 single and stints touring with 98 Degrees, Destiny’s Child and Britney Spears. No Authority broke up in 2004 and Rebel went on to become the lead vocalist for the band Harlow and do voice-over work in films before reinventing himself as openly gay glam rocker Ricky Rebel. Even though he rubbed elbows with industry movers and shakers, and shared stages with big-name pop stars while he was in No Authority, the performer said he largely had to start over when he became Ricky Rebel. “There were some people who stayed with me through my transition from boy band to pop singer,” he said. “My attorney believed in me from the beginning. Other people, labels that I used to work with, they would shut their doors in my face. So I had to develop new friendships and relationships. Back in the day, I was just a teenager so I didn’t keep track of all the people I met along the way. I always thought the boy band was going to make it and I would use that as a stepping stone for what I really wanted to do, which is be a solo pop singer, and I’m going to be OK. Now I realize if I had just remembered that names of some of the people I met along the way and kept my relationships with them, things maybe could have been a little bit easier for me in that transition.” He added that he’s surprised when fans of his boyband days surface at his performances. “A lot of No Authority fans don’t even know really who I am because I am so different from who I was,” he said. “It’s funny because I’ll get letters every now and then saying, ‘Oh my God! I had no idea that Ricky Rebel was the same Ricky [from] No Authority’ because I’ve evolved so much and changed. It kind of shocks me because I promoted the fact that I’m proud of my past and what I did in the group. It’s not a big secret of mine. But every now and then, I’ll get a [No Authority] fan that just discovered that I’m Ricky Rebel. And then I think there are a lot of people that haven’t heard of either and just knew me from being Ricky Rebel. I like that because that’s more who I am.” Rebel said his reinvention as a glam rocker was his first time performing as an artist who is open about his sexuality, something he was constantly advised against. “That’s what I was rebelling against, the idea that I PAGE 20

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could not be openly gay and a pop star at the same time,” he said. “A lot of producers and managers in the industry told me I was not going to be able to make it if I was open about that. And it really pissed me off. I put my middle finger up to them and said, ‘I’m going to do it and prove that I can be open about who I am.’ Not only be open about it, because I think a lot of artists are open about being gay but they don’t celebrate it. They are not necessarily sexual either. It’s really important that, not only was I gay and open about it, but I was sexual and honest about that.” Rebel added that the success and visibility of openly LGBT singers doesn’t necessarily mean those artists have the same level of artistic freedom as their straight peers. “People are OK if you’re Adam Lambert and you’re just singing songs and it’s not hypersexual,” he said. “We saw what happened when he kissed that boy. Utter destruction happened. Everything blew up. He was a gay guy but he happened to express his sexuality in public and people lost their minds. Then he stopped doing that. He stopped being overtly sexual with other men. I wanted be rebellious and say, ‘I like boys and sometimes girls. I love to have sex. I love to express myself with my body. I’m a very physical person and I’m not ashamed.’ That’s why I decided to come out when Rebel was born around 2010.”

After he wraps up the Summer Nights Tour, Rebel plans to get back to work prepping a new album, which he hopes to release later this year. “It’s called ‘The New Alpha’ and I’m exploring what it means to be a man,” he said. “On the record, I talk about gender versus sex and biology versus social constructs. I don’t vilify the fact that I’m a male or think that being a male is somehow poisonous. I love being a man. I love my dick. And I also love playing with

gender, putting on makeup and wearing high heels if I want to. There’s a difference between gender and sex. I think that I want to end some confusion about those two things. So I tackle those subjects on my new record. But I talk about more frivolous things like fashion and makeup. The record is about becoming tough and strong and celebrating that.” n Ricky Rebel performs as part of the Sumer Nights Tour 1 p.m. Aug. 5 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, visit www. summernightstours.com or http://rickyrebelrocks.com.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Timely lessons in ‘Angels in America’ By Ray Simon PGN Contributor Theatergoers who can’t travel to London for the National Theatre’s 25th-anniversary revival of Tony Kushner’s award-winning drama “Angels in America” are in luck: The Bryn Mawr Film Institute, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., will screen broadcasts of the two-part play recorded live on successive weekends. “Part One: Millennium Approaches” will be shown Aug. 5-6. And on Aug. 12-13, audiences can see “Part Two: Perestroika.” Tickets for each show are $20. “Angels in America” is noteworthy for being one of the first serious dramas to address the AIDS crisis. It is set in the mid1980s, when a diagnosis of HIV meant certain death. It’s an ambitious, sprawling play that mixes reality and fantasy, fictional characters and historical figures. Poignant scenes between struggling couples alternate with philosophical discourses and flights of fancy. Two couples are central to the play. First, there is Louis, a bookish man working as a word processor, and his lover, Prior, who is diagnosed with AIDS. Their relationship runs parallel to that of Joe, a closeted Mormon lawyer, and his long-suffering wife, Harper. Other significant parts include Belize, a former drag queen now working as a nurse; Roy Cohn, the infamous New York power broker; and the Angel. When “Angels in America” was first staged, it offered a stark contrast to shows like “Cats,” which dominated Broadway during the 1980s. The play examined AIDS, death, love, politics and our obligations to one another. It also required serious sitzfleisch — both halves of the play last roughly four hours. Both audiences and critics recognized that they were witnessing something special. “Millennium Approaches” won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and both parts were awarded a Tony for Best Play. The current revival celebrates the 25th anniversary of the National Theatre’s 1992 production of “Millennium Approaches.” That show’s success paved the way for the play’s 1993 opening in New York. Principal cast members include Andrew Garfield of “Spider-Man” fame as Prior and James McArdle from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” as Louis. The juiciest role undoubtedly belongs to Nathan Lane, who portrays Roy Cohn. Kushner based the character on an actual person. Cohn first garnered notoriety for his role in the Army-McCarthy hearings. In the play, he’s a self-loathing Jew and closeted gay man who’s ruthless in his pursuit of power. In an interview with National Theatre, Lane said Cohn is “someone who did a lot of horrible things, and he was a hypocrite and a bully and a liar and a cheat. But quite brilliant.” At first glance, the character is an odd fit for the comedian. Cohn’s vitriol and spluttering rage were a natural fit for actors Ron Leibman and Al Pacino, who played the part earlier. Still, Lane was drawn to the role. “It’s one of those incredible parts,” he said. “I just

felt I had to be a part of it.” An example of Cohn’s demeanor occurs early on, during an argument with his doctor, Henry. When Henry tells Cohn that he has AIDS, the lawyer explodes. “Roy Cohn is not a homosexual,” Cohn says. “Roy Cohn is a heterosexual man, Henry, who fucks around with guys.” “AIDS,” he continues, “is what homosexuals have. I have liver cancer.” Cohn is clearly a despicable character, but he’s not the only one in “Angels in America” whose words and behavior hurt others ter-

NATHAN LANE (LEFT) AND NATHAN STEWART-JARRETT IN “ANGELS IN AMERICA” Photo: Helen Maybanks ribly. Precisely when Prior needs Louis the most, Louis abandons him. Similarly, Joe’s duplicity about his marriage and his true sexuality pushes his wife to the brink of insanity. Such flawed, contradictory characters present a significant challenge: Do we sympathize with them or revile them? Their shortcomings will also prod audiences to wonder how we would act in similar circumstances. Much has changed since “Angels in America” was originally staged. Drug cocktails developed by the mid-1990s transformed HIV from a death sentence into a manageable chronic condition. So why, other than the anniversary, revive “Angels in America” now? Interestingly, Roy Cohn may provide an answer: In real life, he was Donald Trump’s lawyer and mentor. Kushner’s play unfolds against the backdrop of the Reagan administration, which was largely indifferent to the AIDS crisis. Today, a new administration, headed by a man with direct ties to Cohn and backed by a loose coalition of evangelical Christians, free-market zealots and right-wing Republicans, is placing vulnerable people in a precarious position. The rights and well-being of immigrants, the infirm, women and transgender individuals as well as gay men and lesbian women are being threatened. How will we, as Americans, handle the current crisis? As Belize tells Louis, “Justice is simple. Democracy is simple. Those things are unambivalent. But love is very hard. And it goes bad for you if you violate the hard law of love.” What we must now avoid, once again, is violating love’s law. n For more information, visit www.BrynMawrFilm. org.

Theater & Arts Around the World in 80 Days Hedgerow Theatre presents the global adventure story through Aug. 13, 64 Rose Valley Road, Media; 610-5654211. Gina Yashere The comedian performs Aug. 1012 at Punch Line Philly, 33 E. Laurel St.; 215-606-6555. Guys and Dolls Bucks County Playhouse presents the legendary musical through Aug. 12, 70 S. Main St., New Hope; 215-8622121. Hear Me War at Philadelphia Women’s Theatre Festival The production follows an army of feminists who fear for their lives in today’s dysfunctional political climate and march to Washington, D.C., to fight their ultimate battle — dismantling the patriarchy — 8 p.m. Aug. 4 at Caplan Studio Theater, 211 S. Broad St.; 215-7176310. The Hunchback of Notre Dame The Upper Darby Performing Arts Center presents the stage-musical adaptation of the Disney animated classic through Aug. 5, 601 N. Lansdowne Ave.; 610-622-1189. Jon Lovitz The comedian seen on “Saturday Night Live” performs Aug. 10-12 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.

WATERS RUNS DEEP: Pink Floyd mastermind and progrock pioneer Roger Waters comes to our area with his “Us + Them” tour — which directs a considerable amount of its message and imagery into criticizing the homophobic, corrupt and disingenuous orange narcissist some people consider the president. So take another trip to the dark side of the moon and rock out 8 p.m. Aug. 8-11 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-389-9543.

Ted Alexandro The comedian seen on Comedy Central performs Aug. 4-5 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. Transparency The LGBT glassart exhibition runs through Aug. 6 at National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut St.; 215925-2800. Wicked The Broadway musical based on the popular book set in the land of Oz is here through Aug. 27 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. Wild: Michael Nichols Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the work of the legendary photographer, artist, technical innovator and ardent advocate for preserving natural habitats through Sept. 17, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100.

Witness: Reality and Imagination in the Prints of Francisco Goya Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works by the artist who witnessed decades of political turmoil and social upheaval as court painter to four successive rulers of Spain through Sept. 6, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. The Woodmere Annual: 76th Juried Exhibition An exhibition featuring works in a wide variety of media from regional artists through Sept. 4 at the Woodmere Art Museum, 9201 Germantown Ave.; 215-247-0476.

Music Nickelback The rock band performs 6 p.m. Aug. 4 at BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 609-3651300.

Poptone The rock band featuring members of Bauhaus, Tones on Tail and Love and Rockets performs songs from all of those groups 8 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888. Social Distortion The punk-rock band performs 8 p.m. Aug. 4 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-6253681. The Melvins The alternativerock band performs 8:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215232-2100. Lifehouse and Switchfoot The alt-rock bands perform 7 p.m. Aug. 6 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-6253681. Michelle Branch The singersongwriter

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 4-10, 2017

Hot off ‘Jimmy Fallon,’ Patti Harrison heads to Philly By A.D. Amorosi PGN Contributor Patti Harrison has been in the comedy game for the better part of the decade, but she made a sensational splash just last week when the trans comedian appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and took on Trump for his non-trans military rule. This weekend, Harrison is on the Wonderful News bill at Good Good Comedy with Ana Fabrega (from “Portlandia”), Lorelei Ramirez (featured at “VICE”) and Amy Zimmer (a writer for The New Yorker).

OVER A DECADE OF DIVA-DOM: Philadelphia cabaret star Martha Graham Cracker, the entertaining alter ego of Dito van Reigersberg, celebrates her 12year anniversary with a party that includes performances by Christeene and music by DJ Robert Drake 8:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at The Trocadero Theater, 1003 Arch St. For more information or tickets, call 215-922-6888.

performs 8 p.m. Aug. 6 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011. Neurosis and Converge The experimental hard-rock bands perform 8 p.m. Aug. 7 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-2322100. Die Antwoord The electronic hip-hop duo performs 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 215-6271332. Yes The classic-rock band performs 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at Tower Theater, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-3522887. Dashboard Confessional The rock band performs 7 p.m. Aug. 9 at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, 601 N. Columbus Blvd.; 215-922-1011.

Nightlife Vibe: An LGBTQ+ Dance Party A dance party and safe, enjoyable space for folks of all gender presentations and sexual orientations, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Aug. 5 at William Street Common, 3900 Chestnut St.; 215-3974693. PGMC Auditions Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus holds auditions for its 2017-18 concert season 6-8 p.m. Aug. 9 at Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, 2111 Sansom St.; dance@pgmc.org.

Outta Town Theatre Arts Center’s School House Rock Live, Jr. The Emmy Award-winning Saturday-

morning educational cartoon series and pop-culture phenomenon hits the stage through Aug. 4 at Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe St.; 215-785-0100. Karen Akers The Broadway/ cabaret singer performs 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888-596-1027. Jim Norton The comedian performs 9 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-3171000.

Stars of Nashville Country artists Claire Bowen, Jonathan Jackson, Chris Carmack and more perform 8 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Retro Futura Tour Howard Jones, Paul Young, English Beat, Men Without Hats, Katrina and Modern English perform on this classic ’80s alternative-pop concert 8 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-3171000. n

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with just my beak. Now that I have feathers, I think they are more comfortable with me being an enormous predatory flightless bird. PGN: Was your stand-up always political, or do you feel as if the last year and a half pushed you toward such? PH: Never on-the-nose political, per se, but intrinsically political because my creative brain is filtered through the lens of being a part of a marginalized/underrepresented/disenfranchised community.

PGN: Do you get along with the women that you’re doing the show with in Philly, or did it just happen to be that you could share a ride? PH: I love them all very much. Even though some days we do not agree on everything, our time together is beautiful and pure. PGN: Everyone is hot on you now because of the Trump bit on Fallon, but you’ve been at this for a minute. And yet, all I really know about you is that you kind of come from Ohio. Do you mind if I ask when you knew that you had to/were ready for transitioning? And was comedy a thing for you before that? PH: One day I was in my backyard, staring into my reflection in the water of our creek. Through the surface of the water poked a small salamander. “It’s time to transition!” it shrieked. That’s when I knew it was time to start doing comedy. PGN: Who in the arts or entertainment industry did you identify with growing up? PH: I always admired Margaret Cho, Kristin Wiig, Anna Faris, Fiona Apple, Annie Lennox. I guess offbeat women with very distinct points of view. And also Jackie Chan. PGN: When you started comedy, was it live or filmed, improv sketch or stand-up? PH: I started doing long-form improv in college and that was really exciting. Someone suggested I audition. Before that, I never really thought I’d do comedy. And I never imagined I’d be doing solo stuff. PGN: What was your initial comic voice like? PH: I used to exclusively joke about basketball. PGN: How do you believe that voice changed or blossomed with the transition? PH: I now joke exclusively about nail polish. PGN: When you moved to the NYC/ Brooklyn area, were crowds there immediately open to the “you” you were becoming? PH: Crowds were hesitant at first. They were uncomfortable when they first saw me

PGN: Do you recall the first real socio-political joke you did? PH: I used to do a bit where I pretend to talk about coming out/my transition that is really about me finding out my parents are addicted to improv. It was a joke commenting on how often I’m asked as a trans person to talk about my transition. It went well! I did it a bunch more times but I don’t really do it anymore because it hinges on being a surprise, and if you’ve seen it once it doesn’t really land again as hard. PGN: As you tour, how are people reacting to you — the whole package, who you are, what you’re saying? PH: I think people react better to me than they would have even two years ago. Perceptions have changed a lot. Perceptions, of course, of big flightless predatory birds. PGN: You have won some big notice with the Fallon thing. How did you get it? PH: Jimmy called me himself, believe it or not. He calls me and he says, “Patti, I saw you on the street and you are a huge flightless bird, correct?” And I said, “Yes, queen!” And then he air-lifted me to his studio, which a lot of people believe is in New York but is actually located inside the great pyramids! And the rest is he/history. PGN: What is the personal motto? PH: I sincerely believe in the golden rule: Treat others how you want to be treated. It’s really simple but it truly has had a positive effect on my life. I also live by, “Don’t eat ricin. Ricin is poison.” n Patti Harrison performs 8:30 p.m. Aug. 5 at Good Good Comedy, 215 N. 11th St. Tickets are $10; www. goodgoodcomedy.com

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 4-10, 2017

Suzi Nash

Dr. David Williams: Hope and healing, from the operating room to the pulpit Dr. David Williams is a man of many skills. In addition to being the interim pastor at Metropolitan Community Church-Christ the Liberator in Hamilton, N.J., he is a trauma surgeon and an engineer. Since there’s so much to tell, let’s get right to it. PGN: Where are you from? DW: I was born in Jamaica: English mother from Jamaican extraction and my father was American, also from Jamaican extraction. I went to elementary and high school in Jamaica. PGN: My grandfather is from Jamaica, and apparently the men in our family have distinctive features. When my older brother visited, people asked if he was a Nash. DW: Interesting, when I saw your name I immediately thought of my childhood pediatrician, Phillip Nash. The motto of Jamaica is “Out of many, one people.” We’re a big melting pot. My mother’s father was an Irishman, Graham. My father’s father was Indian. I went to high school with white and Chinese friends who had stronger Jamaican accents than I do. PGN: Cool. Describe the neighborhood you grew up in. DW: So, it wasn’t a typical childhood; I grew up in different places — partly in Kingston, partly in London but the majority of my time was in St. Mary with my paternal grandmother. It was a very rural area with a lot of cousins around. PGN: Siblings? DW: I have a sister who’s eight years younger than me. PGN: What did the folks do? DW: My mom was a nurse and a midwife. My dad was an engineer-turned-accountant. PGN: And now you’re in medicine and engineering. Which came first? DW: I studied engineering, biochemical engineering and then medicine. PGN: What was one of the hardest parts of all that schooling? DW: Well, my senior thesis was on anti-retroviral therapy. I hated it for one major reason. We’d just started using computers back then and I wrote it in Word Perfect. I remember the sheer pain of it; if you made one mistake, you had to start all over again. We had a dot matrix printer in the computer lab and it took me eight hours to print out 40 pages! PGN: Where did you go to school? DW: I went to Seton Hall for undergrad, then Columbia University. PGN: Who was an influential teacher? DW: [Laughs] Mrs. Brody. It’s funny-looking back, I was a bright kid but always opted do to the absolute least amount of work possible. As

long as I wasn’t dead last in class rankings, if I had one person worse than me, I was happy. I was one of her favorites despite, but one day she just got fed up with me. She took out the strap and I got two across the back and that turned me around real quick. I went from last to first in a day. Different times … PGN: When did you come to the States? DW: Right after sixth form. PGN: When’s that? DW: At about 13 years old. In the Jamaican and British schools, we had to take what’s called “The Common Entrance Exam” between 10 and 12 years old. You sat down with every other child that age on the island for an exam that lasted about eight-10 hours and tested everything from English composition to arithmetic to mental ability. It happened on the last Friday in January and the results were printed in the newspaper “The Gleaner” in June telling you which kids scored high enough to advance to high school. About 75,000 kids take the test but they only had room for 5,000 to go to high school, so it was very competitive. [At this point, he tells me about the class load and other testing to advance to the next form, etc. It puts the U.S. to shame …] PGN: Wow! So it must have been a shock to get here, where they advance kids who can’t even read functionally. DW: Yes, it made college easy for me initially. Most of my credits were accepted, so I was a 16-year-old in class with 19- and 20-year-olds. It was an adjustment, especially without my mates around. PGN: What was a favorite subject? DW: [Chuckles] None of them! I was involved in student government and the international students association but apart from that I just wanted to get in and get out. PGN: What did you enjoy doing as a kid? DW: I ran track and I was part of what was called the School Challenge. Jamaica at the time had one television station, the JBC, which operated from 4 p.m.-midnight. Each high school selected a team of four to compete against the other schools. It was basically a quiz format, knock-out matches until you were the last team standing. PGN: What was your best moment, when you knew an answer no one else did? DW: I answered a math question that up to this day I’m still trying to figure out how the hell I knew! My job on the team was to cover biology, chemistry, general knowledge, history, literature and math. We had a speed round and the host asked us to solve an equation. As soon as it was out of his mouth, I knew the answer. I didn’t write it down or anything, I just knew. I still remember it to this day, the answer was 0.2 but I still don’t know where it came from.

PGN: Tell me what you do now and how you got there. DW: I’m the interim pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church in New Jersey. MCC has about 240 churches and 30-40 countries and I serve as the global program officer for health and wellness and HIV/AIDS. I also served on the board of the New Jersey AIDS Partnership. And I still work from time to time in the medical field. PGN: You were a trauma surgeon. What was the craziest thing you’ve seen? DW: [Laughs] Oh boy. I worked in grad school as a paramedic in New York. Let’s just say one incident involved a woman and a Coke bottle that had to be removed surgically. I received a lot of sexual education that year. Another case involved two men who came into the ER. They insisted on a male doctor before they would say what was wrong and then gave me the third degree asking if I had any issues with gay men or if I’d ever been with a man. It was none of their business but to put them at

PGN: I was in New Hope last week and we wandered into a fetish shop. I saw a rod kit in the display case and had a guess that’s what it was used for, but didn’t know the name. DW: Ha. Over the years I’ve learned not to ask questions I don’t need explanations for. Because if you do, you have to put it on the official record for the insurance company. “How did that man’s hand get up that guy’s anus?” “I don’t know, maybe the first guy was on a ladder painting and as he was falling his friend tried to catch him … ”

PGN: When did you know you were gay? DW: I always knew but growing up in a country like Jamaica, there’s a term for it that you may have heard of, Batty Man. Being openly gay was at the peril of your health and your life. So I never experienced “gay life” in Jamaica but teenage boys experiment no matter what they claim. When I was a teen, I had crushes on girls but never felt compelled to go anywhere with it like my friends did. My family on my dad’s side were Pentecostal Christians, as I like to say, “Saved, sanctified, Holy Ghosters, water-baptized, Jesus-saved, Halleluiah, Amen!” So it was not the best environment to come out in as a teen. Even as an adult, I’m the only out family member and it’s still whispered about to this day by my extended family. I fortunately was blessed with a wonderful immediate family. The first person I told was my sister. Her exact words were, “Great! Finally something interesting in this boring-ass family!” My father’s reaction was, “OK, are you the same person as before?” I said yes, and he said, “Well, I don’t understand it, but I do love you and that’s that.” I was thinking, Who are you and what have you done with my father? I expected this whole, “Get out of my house, I have no son” tirade and it was nothing like that. My mom sussed it out when I came home on vacation. I had this whole fake story about a girlfriend and when Photo: Suzi Nash ease I answered truthfully. Turns out they I left my mother interrogated had been experimenting with sounding; my sister, asking her, “This that’s a practice where a stainless-steel rod ‘girlfriend’ of David’s is not a girl is it?” She is inserted into the urethra to enhance sexsaid, “Uh, why don’t you ask him yourself?” ual pleasure. To each his own, but these two instead of saying, “What are you talking numb nuts decided to try it without having about, Mom? You’ve got it all wrong.” I said, the proper equipment so they used one of “Dummy! That’s about as close to an admisthose little cocktail swords that you get in sion as can be!” My sister said that my mom your drink with an olive or cherry speared cried for three days about the loss of grandkids onto it. He was fine and it was one of the and weddings and that sort of thing and on few times that I had to bite my lip to keep the third day she called me and asked if I was from laughing. gay. I hesitated and she PAGE 26

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 4-10, 2017

PORTRAIT from page 25

snapped, “Boy, don’t you think about it! It’s a yes or no question!” I said yes and she said OK and moved on to another subject. She was supportive from that moment on, they all were. PGN: Nice. Have you been back to Jamaica? DW: Yes, every few years to visit my sister but when I go back I’m the straightest guy around. A lot of people know, but as I mentioned, it’s a safety thing so I keep to myself and family. I hang around with a lot of Jamaican folks here but they’re all educated people. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people at home who are not educated and the church latches onto them and beats them over the head with homophobia, preaching chosen portions from the Bible while ignoring others. At MCC, we refer to it as spiritual violence. A lot of it is left over from Victorian laws brought to the island along with the hyper-masculinity that pervades the culture. PGN: I’m sure being colonized and enslaved, emasculated and castrated for so long contributed to that. DW: Yes, you just know there were slave masters going to the auctions thinking, Oh yeah, I want him … The men were just as vulnerable as the women in that situation but you don’t hear about it. PGN: How did you get involved with the church? DW: It’s an interesting spiritual journey. I was baptized Anglican, aka Episcopal, then went to Catholic boys’ school for two years. Because of my rambunctious actions and refusal to conform, I didn’t fare well. The final straw was when they put me on Ajax duty, which was supposed to entail me coming in on a Saturday to scrub toilets. My mother was not having it so Nurse Graham — make that Sister Graham — drove to school in all her regalia, cape and all, and told the priest that no way in hell was her son scrubbing anybody’s toilet and it was because of priests like him that we had the Spanish Inquisition. PGN: Mom is the bomb! DW: Yes, though getting that same priest drunk during Friday Mass didn’t help. I was caned for it but it was worth it! After that she said, “I don’t think David is adjusting well here, I think he needs to be transferred.” PGN: You have a wild side. DW: [Smiles] I prefer to call it mischievous. I have since tamped it down a bit. So my paternal grandmother was full-blown Pentecostal, which meant getting up on Sunday mornings. People would come from far away to gather at her house and stay until Monday morning. I still have memories of being woken by the choir singing “Hallelujah.” I really admire that woman; she had two kids of her own — my father and uncle — but raised 16 kids: cousins, children that had nowhere else to go. She was religious but practical. I remember one of the church sisters getting pregnant and everyone wanting to shun her and she said no, this is the time when she needs us most. The horse is already out of the barn, so there’s no need for outrage, it’s time for compassion. She always challenged the hypocritical side of the church. Somehow I got out of going to all the sermons and also got away with not having to do any of the farm chores. When I started college, my dad and stepmom were heavily into the Baptist

PGN

Church and as the child of one of the church leaders, they made it clear that I was to attend and to comport myself properly. After that, I went away from the church but always had a strong sense of faith. I went to one of those mega churches but there you’re just a number and I was completely lost. You’d just have a guy up there pacing back and forth, sweating and preaching but saying absolutely nothing. I became a C&E Christian. PGN: C&E? DW: Christmas and Easter. I’ve never been in one place for long, I’ve always traveled the world on different assignments. But in 2008, I was living in Jersey and decided to Google “gay church” and Christ the Liberator popped up. I went to a service and I haven’t left since. It was like coming home. I joined the board and began doing public speaking for them. I sometimes joke that it’s like a cult: They grab onto you and show you the gifts that you didn’t know you had. I love the work that I’m doing, especially as a gay man of color. There’s such a disproportionate number of us being affected by it. It’s even worse if you’re transgender. I was just in Baton Rouge, La., and the epidemic there is out of hand and there are no resources. So we try to do what we can to reverse the tide. PGN: What’s causing it? Just lack of knowledge? DW: There are what I call barriers to care. The stigma is a big part still and the churches contribute to that. Preaching that [being gay is] an abomination and sick silences people. When people are afraid to get tested, it just perpetuates the situation. Also when people are poor and marginalized, they often take to drugs or alcohol to numb the pain, which makes them more vulnerable for HIV/ AIDS. And on top of that, you have a government slashing money for treatment. It’s the perfect storm. PGN: A favorite Christmas past? DW: We decided we wanted a Christmas tree for my grandma’s house in Jamaica so my cousins and I scoured the area until we found one of the few evergreens on the island and cut the top. We made the decorations out of cartoon strips. There was no Elmer’s Glue so we made paste out of flour and water. We cut aluminum foil to make tinsel and found candles to light the tree since we didn’t have string lights. Five minutes after lighting it, the whole thing was ablaze. Thankfully my grandmother had the forethought to have buckets of water on standby. Looking back, it was hilarious. PGN: Where do you get your sermon topics? DW: I usually go by the lectionary, but at times I stray. I once did a lecture on hospitality inspired by the gospel comedian Pat G’Orge Walker. She’s the author of “Sister Betty! God’s Calling You, Again!” and writes fun characters like Sister Ima Hellraiser, Lyon Lipps and Deacon Laid Handz from the Ain’t Nobody Else Right But Us — All Others Goin’ to Hell Church. Recently I did a sermon titled “Desperate times call for desperate measures: WTF.” It stands for “Where’s the Faith?” n For more information on Metropolitan Community Church-Christ the Liberator, visit http://www.mccctl.com. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.

Q Puzzle A-maize-ing Marlon Across

1. Superman portrayer Dean 5. “___ On Down the Road” 9. Lickety-split 13. Poet Seward 14. Like the menagerie of Tennessee 16. “What ___ thinking?” 17. Say “So Long, Farewell” 18. Place for a G-string 19. If not 20. Start of a quote about Marlon growing maize? 23. Foaming at the mouth 24. It tops a queen 25. Diva’s problem 27. Hans Christian of fairy tales 31. Just the same 32. Beckett no-show 34. Jockey’s handful 35. Movie of this puzzle’s quote 41. Place for pansies 42. Simple kind of question 43. Like a careless man’s con-

dom 46. Top athletes 51. Fruitcake 53. Position, in religion 54. Collection suffix 55. End of the quote 59. Crack the whip at, e.g. 61. Poet Dickinson 62. Mapplethorpe model, often 63. City near Tulsa 64. Prepare to get plucked 65. “The Unicorn” author Murdoch 66. Fairy particles 67. Feel (for) 68. Match parts, to Navratilova

Down

1. Heads, to Caesar 2. Prop for “I have a headache tonight ...” 3. Serious encroachment 4. Temperament 5. “How queer!” 6. “Summer and Smoke” heroine 7. Car from Sweden 8. Name on

a drag queen’s compact 9. Shock’s partner 10. “Giant” actor 11. Margaret Cho show 12. Eastern U.S. region 15. Drawn-out assault 21. Frequent online claim 22. Mo. to elect pro-gay pols 26. Oooookla., once 28. Spill one’s seed 29. Singer Anita 30. Short messages 33. HIV exam, e.g. 35. Prepared to become a breeder 36. Mork’s signoff

37. Seismic sea waves 38. “For ___ jolly good ...” 39. Gene’s makeup 40. Loud, to Copland 44. JFK posting 45. Tool for cutting carrots 47. Mauresmo’s game 48. Bear 49. Go over again 50. Burnout cause 52. Lily Tomlin, for one 56. Talk show cohost 57. Glenn Burke, formerly 58. Daly of “Judging Amy” 60. Summer hours in N.Y.C.

PGN TV

‘Bro-mantic’ comedy debuts on Dekkoo By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com The new series “Stray” is giving audiences on the LGBT streaming service Dekkoo a fresh take on the buddy comedy formula (aka, the bromance). “Stray,” which premiered last month, centers on buddies Jay, a brash gay dude, and Rich, a nerdy straight guy, who talk sex and relationships while reconnecting in New York City years after college. Pablo Andreu, a straight New York writer who is new to filmmaking, plunged into the unfamiliar territory of screenwriting for the series. He said he created “Stray” because he didn’t see anything out there that represented the dynamic he and his close friend have, where sexual orientation is both topical and incidental to the friendship. “This is changing somewhat, but you have shows that very explicitly cater to an LGBT audience,” he said. “Then you have ‘mainstream’ shows that have LGBT characters but a lot times the way that that is treated is like tokenism. I hadn’t seen anything that reflected my experience with a good friend of mine where there’s that guy posturing, bantering and teasing — and they happen to be a different sexual orientation — and there’s that bravado and one-upmanship. I don’t think I’ve seen anything exactly like that. That was the idea. I wanted to see something that reflected my experiences of that dynamic.” Andreu said the fledgling streaming service Dekkoo has given him an ideal place to find his voice as well as opportunities both as a screenwriter and filmmaker. “I didn’t know Dekkoo or much about indie films or web series beforehand,” he said. “So I was pretty much a layman in that

respect. But I delved into it. Now I watch a ton of series. I started writing a column about my misadventures in creating a web series with no experience. It’s through that that I’ve gotten some opportunities. A production company out west reached out to me. That column has made some interesting connections.” Andreu said that he is already plotting out the futures of Jay and Rich and his plans for future seasons of “Stray.” “Season two is written out and I see it beyond that,” he said. “Ultimately, I’d like more space to be able to tell the story.

We’re introducing new characters in season two and it’s going to be less issues-oriented. A lot of how season one ended up was because of budget constraints. If we can’t nab a location somewhere, a bar or somewhere outside, the easiest thing to do is to just shoot it at an apartment somewhere, which is what we ended up doing. The problem with that is it ended up being, ‘This is what we’re talking about.’ In season two they’re going to be out and about doing more things. There’s going to be more plot than just straight dialogue. It’ll change a little bit because there’s going to be more of a narrative arc than there was in the first season.” n “Stray” is available to stream now on Dekkoo. For more information, visit https://dekkoo.vhx.tv/stray.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 4-10, 2017

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you run for a minimum of 8 weeks.

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

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8200 Ridge Ave PhilAdelPhiA PA 19128

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 4-10, 2017

PGN

Expires August 31, 2017.