PGN Aug. 3 -9, 2018 by The Philadelphia Gay News

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

Vol. 42 No. 31 Aug. 3-9, 2018

Family Portrait: Deborah Cox PAGE 23

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

Men of All Colors Together looks to rebrand PAGE 5

Look to the ladies for summer CDs

The COLOURS organization opens North Philly testing site

PAGE 22

PAGE 7

Delaware law bans Appeals court denies CSS request for conversion therapy ongoing foster referral for minors CSS asked the Third Circuit to Services, came to the public’s By Timothy Cwiek By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com LGBT advocates in Delaware are praising last week’s passage of a bill that penalizes clinical professionals who practice conversion therapy on minors within the state. SB 65 was signed into law by Delaware Gov. John Carney on July 23. It calls for revoking the license of any mental-health, social-work or medical professional who practices conversion therapy on a child, and prohibits the referral of a child to another state for conversion therapy. Numerous LGBT advocates attended the bill-signing ceremony in Wilmington. Carney gave the pens used during the ceremony to Delaware Equality, a statewide LGBT group that lobbied for the measure, and Joseph F. Cozza, one of the LGBT advocates who spearheaded the initiative. Lisa Goodman, president of Delaware Equality, praised state officials for enacting the law. “The Delaware General Assembly has once again stood up and said the LGBT citizens of Delaware are entitled to the same legal protections — be it from discrimination or harmful medical practices — as any other Delawarean,” Goodman told PGN. “It was a great occasion to have all the advocates who had worked on that bill come together to celebrate an important step forward for protecting LGBT youth,” she added. Cozza, a former aide to state Sen. Harris B. McDowell, said Delaware is the 14th state, along with the District of Columbia, to ban conversion therapy for minors through the legislative process. New York banned conversion therapy for minors through a gubernatorial executive order, he said. SB 65 passed the Delaware Senate in May 2017 in a 12-3 vote and the House of Representatives in June in a 24-14 vote. There were two public hearings, during which opponents claimed the bill would infringe upon parental rights. Delaware state Rep. Richard G. Collins (R-Millsboro), an outspoken opponent of the measure, blasted the bill as “meddling” into private matters. PAGE 12 In a statement, Collins

timothy@epgn.com

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has denied an emergency request by Catholic Social Services for the immediate resumption of foster-child referrals to the agency while it appeals an unfavorable lower-court ruling. CSS provides foster-care services for about 100 children in city custody. But in March, the city stopped referring additional children to CSS after learning the agency won’t certify same-sex couples as foster parents. CSS claims its foster-care program will be phased out within the next few months if it doesn’t receive additional referrals from the city. On July 13, in a 64-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Petrese B. Tucker declined to issue an injunction requiring the city to resume its referrals to CSS. Three days later,

order the immediate resumption of foster-child referrals. But on July 27, Third Circuit Judges Michael A. Chagares, Julio M. Fuentes and Joseph A. Greenaway Jr. denied CSS’ emergency request. Their onepage ruling wasn’t accompanied by an explanatory opinion. In response to the judges’ denial, attorneys for CSS requested an expedited appellate process. “On a traditional appellate schedule, it is likely that [CSS] will have no choice but to close its doors before this court can even decide [CSS’] appeal,” the July 27 request states. “Such dire consequences make this an ‘exceptional’ case.” As of presstime, the court hadn’t responded to CSS’ most recent request. A standard appellate process could stretch out for several months. The controversy involving CSS and another foster-care provider, Bethany Christian

attention in March, after the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Bethany turned away a lesbian couple who wanted to be foster parents. The news coverage prompted an investigation by city officials, resulting in a freeze on foster-care child referrals to Bethany and CSS. In court papers, attorneys for CSS maintain that the city is violating its free-speech and religious-freedom rights. But city officials say they’re simply asking CSS to comply with the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance, which bans LGBT bias in the provision of city services. “The city is in a strong position and I hope it prevails,” said local civil-rights attorney Justin F. Robinette. “I have great respect for CSS and the work it does. But for too long, discriminators have used religious-freedom and free-speech arguments to justify their behavior. A victory

for the city in this case will be a victory for the LGBT community.” Even if the Third Circuit approves an expedited-briefing schedule, Robinette said he’s still confident the city will prevail. “Judge Tucker issued a very well-reasoned opinion and I don’t see the Third Circuit overturning it,” he said. The city resumed referring foster-care children to Bethany in June after the agency adopted an antibias policy that covers the LGBT PAGE 12 community.

Pop-up market makes veganism local, accessible to all By Adriana Fraser adriana@epgn.com A local vegan market is highlighting the “different faces of veganism” with monthly pop-up events, including an upcoming one featuring LGBTQ vegan-business owners. Philly Vegan Pop Flea hosts more than 30 local vegan and vegetable-friendly businesses. The market’s organizers set up one-day-only pop-up markets in locations throughout the city. In an effort to uplift marginalized communities, the events have recently featured vendors of color, women and, on Aug. 11, Philly Vegan will host its first Queerly Vegan Market at Repair the World in West Philadelphia. “We wanted to home in our focus and

shine some light on marginalized communities in the vegan world,” said Carlo Giardina, co-organizer of Philly Vegan. “Veganism isn’t just about saving the animals. It’s about the people too, especially the people who many wouldn’t even consider to be a part of our community.” The market is changing the way people see and think about veganism, he said. “The faces of veganism are changing. We come in all different colors, shapes and sizes — from different walks of life and orientations.” Giardina, who will open a vegan convenience store called V Marks the Shop in South Philadelphia next month, has been a vegan for eight years. In college, he became a vegetarian after seeing a poster explaining the contents of a hot dog. He explored veganism after revert-

ing to an omnivorous diet. He said he realized his own misconceptions of what veganism was after reading books on the topic. “Most people think that vegans are these really skinny salad-eaters who are only concerned about saving the animals. That may be true in some instances, but that’s not always the case. I’m far from that. I’m a bigger guy who doesn’t look at all like the ‘typical’ vegan,” Giardina said. “Those misconceptions are the reasons why the marketplace exists. Everyone is coming together to recognize that veganism isn’t some one-note way of life for a select, privileged few.” Giardina and his co-organizer, Carmella Lanni-Giardina, launched the pop-up PAGE 12 markets in 2016,

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

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

Summer means dining al fresco

• 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

• Bebashi-Transition to Hope: 1235 Spring Garden St.; 215769-3561; bebashi.org

• COLOURS: coloursorganization.org, 215832-0100 • Congreso de Latinos Unidos;

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

• GALAEI: 149 W. Susquehanna Ave.; 267-457-3912, 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

• Philadelphia FIGHT: 1233 Locust St.; 215-985-4448, fight.org

• Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center:

1201 Locust St.; 215985-9206

• Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207

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

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

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

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

Wedding Issue Aug. 10

News & Opinion

10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Mark My Words Street Talk Transmissions

Columns

13 — Out Law: Trans gender teens under fire 14 — Body U: Medical marijuana

Arts & Culture

19 — Feature: Singer Shea Diamond 21 — Scene in Philly 23 — Family Portrait 26 — Out & About 24 — Q Puzzle

Those other Phils will host their sixth annual Pride Night at FirstEnergy Stadium.

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Writer-at-Large Timothy Cwiek (ext. 208) timothy@epgn.com

~ Mary Ann Hood, of the Philadelphia Federal Reserve, page 8

Creep of the Week: Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette wants his state’s Civil Rights Commission gutted.

Kristen Demilio (ext. 215) kristen@epgn.com

“What we don’t want is to force-fit any kind of group here just for the sake of doing that, so we actually wait for people to stand up for their own groups.”

“Night Comes On” chronicles the intense journey of an AfricanAmerican lesbian teen.

Art Director/ Photographer

Scott A. Drake (ext. 210) scott@epgn.com 267-736-6743 Graphic Artist Sean Dorn (ext. 211) sean@epgn.com

Philadelphia Gay News is a member of: The Associated Press Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Suburban Newspapers of America

“Love, Cecil” tells the story of author, photographer, scrapbooker and painter Sir Cecil Beaton.

Copyright © 1976 - 2018 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. © 1976-2018 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155

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Racial-equality group set to make a comeback By Adriana Fraser adriana@epgn.com Men of All Colors Together-Philadelphia is returning to its roots of social justice to challenge the current political climate threatening LGBTQ equality. The grassroots organization is reintroducing itself to the community after leaning more toward social events and away from political activity for nearly a decade, said Gary Hines, MACT-Philadelphia’s membership development chair. “What’s happening around the country under the Trump administration, and even what’s going on in our own backyard in the Gayborhood, reenergized me and our other members to become more politically involved,” Hines said. “We’re refocusing our mission and our vision to become more active within the community again. We’re needed now more than ever.” MACT-Philadelphia was established in 1981 as one of 10 national chapters of the San Francisco-based National Association of Black and White Men Together, which advocates for diversity, equality and justice in LGBTQ+ communities. NABWMT also developed as a support group for gay men in interracial relationships. Each local chapter of the nonprofit organization edu-

“One of our goals right now is to express the importance of teaching each other about our own individual experiences and seeing the world through each other’s experiences.” cates the community on racism, homophobia and HIV/AIDS through a series of workshops and public forums. MACT-Philadelphia stood in solidarity with the trans community after the Trump administration’s initial attempt to ban transgender people from serving in the military. Kyle Robin, a MACT-Philadelphia member, said the group will focus on voter registration as a way to reenergize its political involvement. “Our voices matter. We’re starting in the streets and making sure that folks are reg-

istered to vote. If we want to see any real change happen, it starts with the local government. We have the power to put those in office that have our best interests in mind,” Robin said. “The first step is making sure that people are exercising their right to vote.” The group was called to action in 2016 after ICandy owner Darryl DePiano was entangled in controversy following a video that surfaced of the nightclub owner repeatedly using a racial slur. Hines acted as opening speaker at the city’s townhall hosted by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations in response to the incident. “When I joined MACT in the early 2000s, it troubled me to see how racially divided the community was. Things haven’t changed much since I’ve moved back into the area two years ago,” Robin said. “One of our goals right now is to express the importance of teaching each other about our own individual experiences and seeing the world through each other’s experiences.” MACT-Philadelphia currently has close to 30 active members from New Jersey, Maryland and other areas outside the city. The group is looking to expand its reach to include younger gay men, trans men, nonbinary-identified people and women, Hines added. “We’re broadening the spectrum of our membership to include all members of the community. Most of our members have been around since the organization’s inception. With an aging membership, a lot of our members aren’t able to be as active as they would like to be. Our first goal is getting more millennials interested in being involved,” Hines said. Would the group change its name to be more inclusive? It’s a possibility, Hines said. In 1992, Black and White Men Together Philadelphia underwent a name change to Men of All Colors Together. Hines attributed the change to the growing diversity within the group. Similarly, the NABWMT chapter in Cleveland changed its name to People of All Colors Together. MACT-Philadelphia will host a fall membership drive Sept. 21 at William Way LGBT Community Center. Amber Hikes, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBT Affairs, will be the guest speaker. n Please contact Gary Hines at 215-3973669 or by email: MACTphilly@gmal.com.

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Minor-league baseball team celebrates LGBT game night By Adriana Fraser adriana@epgn.com The Reading Fightin Phils — described by a team representative as “the most LGBTQ-friendly baseball team in the minor leagues” — are gearing up for their sixth annual LGBTQ game night. “We’ve never been a team to sit still and go with the flow of what everyone is doing,” said Anthony Pignetti, Fightin Phils’ director of business development. “We’re accepting of everyone, so it was a no-brainer to do this type of night.” The Fightin Phils will host the Hartford Yard Goats 7:15 p.m. Aug. 15 at FirstEnergy Stadium, the team’s home stadium. The event is a celebration of the LGBTQ community and a collaboration with Reading Pride, and will feature informational tables from LGBTQ groups such as LGBT Equality Alliance and ally organizations in the area like Kutztown University. The team was motivated to launch the event after seeing the success of simi-

lar initiatives, such as the Phillies’ Gay Community Night that launched in 2003. “Our inclusion of every member of our community has always been a major priority for the Fightin Phils. We never wanted to keep anyone from having a night at the

ballpark,” Pignetti said. FirstEnergy Stadium is one of the few minor-league baseball venues to be a TAGapproved designation. TAG, or Travel Advocacy Group, approves hotels, resorts and attractions based on how welcoming

they are to the LGBTQ community. The establishments must pass six best-practice qualifications to be TAG-approved, which includes having a nondiscrimination policy, equal administration of personnel benefits and diversity and sensitivity training for employees. The stadium is on the list of more than 150 entities in Reading, including hotels, restaurants, museums and attractions that display a “Greater Reading” rainbow sticker. The sticker signals to patrons that the establishment is LGBTQ-friendly. Lisa Haggerty, the marketing manager of the area’s tourism agency, Pennsylvania Americana Region, said the stadium’s policy of inclusiveness makes it easier to attract LGBT tourists. “The team has always been in support of the LGBTQ community. The Pride night event attracts more people every year to Reading. We have a very active LGBT community and we invite many others throughout the state to see what we have to offer,” she said. n

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New North Philly site offers free HIV testing those cases. “HIV is affecting our community in disproportionate numbers, and the areas that are most affected are low-income, high-crime communities like Strawberry Mansion,” Crosby said. The Strawberry Mansion resident saw that the neighborhood needed more medical services. The area has a community-health center but many people don’t go, he added. COLOURS partnered with the Strawberry Mansion Neighborhood Action Center and hosted its first testing event earlier this month. The center provides assistance with housing, job opportunities, counseling and other community-related services. Tonnetta Graham, president of the Strawberry Mansion Neighborhood Action Center, said the high HIV rates in the neighborhood could be a direct result of the lack of resources there. “The neighborhood often gets overlooked because of the issues that surround us. We need more services and resources that focus on the health and wellness of those who live here,” she said. A free HIV-testing event will take place at the new Strawberry Mansion site Aug. 25 from noon-4 p.m. Participants are encouraged to donate back-to-school supplies for local students in need. n

PGN earned top honors in Division V for weekly publications with over 10,000 circulation in the categories of editorial, column, news photo and photo essay OP-ED PGN

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

Conversion therapy is child torture

Mark My Words

Transmissions

Street Talk

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 collecNow 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.

Gwendolyn Ann Smith

First place

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."

Mark Segal

Column: “Mark My Words: Obama made us cool; Conversion therapy is child torture; Glass half full of progress”

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

Creep of the Week

First place Jen Colletta

LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

Vol. 41 No. 8

PAGE 9

Morris dispute gets a call for a public hearing

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

Tim Cain reopens the “Boys’ Entrance” with latest album

PAGE 2

Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St. • Drexel University, 4001 Walnut St. • Fresh Grocer, 4001 Walnut St. • Goodman Hall, 710 S. 42nd St. • International House, 3701 Chestnut St. • LGBT Center at Penn, 3907 Spruce St. • Metropolitan Community Church, 3637 Chestnut St. • Old Quaker Condos lobby, 3514 Lancaster Ave. • Oslo Hall, 510 S. 42nd St. • Penn Bookstore, 3610 Walnut St. • Saturn Club, 3430 Sansom St. • Saxby’s Coffee, 40th & Locust sts. • Sheraton Hotel, 36th & Chestnut sts. • St. Mary’s Church, 3916 Locust Walk • University of the Sciences England Library, 4200 Woodland Ave. • Wilson Hall, 708 S. 42nd St. • World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. •

By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com

Photo Story/Essay: “2017 Philadelphia Women’s March”

NOT THEIR PRESIDENT: Hundreds protested in Center City Monday against restrictive policies and positions coming from the new Trump administration. The “Not My Presidents’ Day” march and rally, planned to coincide with the annual federal holiday celebrating American presidents, included remarks from speakers about LGBT rights, health care, immigration, racial justice, women’s rights and more. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Philly Pride Presents confirmed to PGN the organization will reschedule its annual Pride Parade and Festival for the first time in its 29 years. Pride will now be held June 18 at Penn’s Landing so it does not conflict with the Washington D.C. National Pride March on June 11, the local event’s original date. “It’s a decision that had to be made because even some people who work with us are going to go to D.C.,” said the organization’s executive director, Franny Price. “It was a decision that we never wanted to make but it was a decision to save the Philadelphia Pride Parade and Festival and OutFest. We did not want to cause a conflict [with] the community [members] who would want to go to the march.” The National Pride March began as a Facebook event that grew to more than 31,000 confirmed guests and more than 109,000 guests designated as “interested.” Price said out of the previous 28 Philadelphia Pride PAGE 13 events, 25 have been held during

News Photo: “Not their president”

Philly gears up for LGBT conferences

Second place By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com

Two LGBT organizations planning conventions in Philadelphia were represented at a local business luncheon Tuesday. PHL Diversity hosted its 11th-annual Business Opportunity Luncheon for professionals to network and learn about new business initiatives for the city. Kim Reed of Reed Development Group moderated a panel with representatives from Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality, formerly known as the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA), and the True Colors Fund. GLMA Executive Director Hector Vargas and True Colors Fund Executive Director Gregory Lewis answered questions from Reed about their organizations. GLMA will bring its 35th Annual Conference on LGBT Health Sept. 13-16 to the Doubletree Philadelphia City Center, 237 S. Broad St. During this conference,

Jeremy Rodriguez

GLMA will educate health providers and others on the health needs of LGBT people and their families. Additionally, GLMA will report the latest research impacting LGBT health. Vargas noted this is the first time the organization will host its conference here. “Philadelphia is a great place for us,” he said. “There’s a very vibrant LGBT community here. There’s a health center that focuses on LGBT health — Mazzoni. There’s a lot going on in the political and advocacy sphere around LGBT health both in Philadelphia and in Pennsylvania.” Meanwhile, the True Colors Fund will bring its 40 to None Summit to the city in October. No location or exact dates had been finalized by presstime. During this two-day event, individuals addressing LGBT-youth homelessness across the country will meet up for sessions, performances, action-planning breakouts and networking opportunities. PAGE 13 “For us at the True

Investigative Reporting: “Exclusive: Brian Sims target of state ethics investigation” OP-ED PGN

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 collecNow 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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as record numbers of trans women of color become victims of violence. And LGBT rights flourish under a progressive president only to be quickly yanked back by his successor. Freedom is a contextual concept, one that evolves with our progress and our pitfalls. In times of community successes, freedom may seem to be a finite, attainable goal, while in times of extreme crisis, the freedoms we once coveted may seem luxurious. What that dichotomy shows is that, while little is out of reach, little should be taken for granted. Our country and community are at interesting pinnacles right now; we’ve experienced tremendous gains but also seen the work that has fallen by the wayside. As a country, we’ve rebounded from a crippling recession but many blue-collar workers are suffering the impacts of globalization. As a community, we’ve won marriage equality and many other rights, but our most marginalized — trans individuals, elders, youth — continue to face serious hardships. Embracing our potential should be tempered by acknowledging the many gaps that need to be bridged — and the many more that need to be traversed as the concept of freedom continues its evolution. n

First place

NORTHERN NETWORKING: City Fitness hosted ConnX Feb. 21 at WeWork at Schmidt’s Commons. The traveling monthly social brings together members and supporters of the Independence Business Alliance, the region’s LGBT chamber of commerce. Guests enjoyed beer and wine and food from SNAP Kitchen while they networked and explored the co-working space at WeWork. Photo: Courtesy of

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As Pride Month comes to a close and Independence Day approaches, freedom has been a hot topic. While the word itself often signifies a fundamental, innate tenet upon which this nation was born, recent times have shown just how fluid of a concept freedom is. Two years ago, the LGBT community was celebrating marriage equality becoming the law of the land. Freedom to many at that time meant the ability to finally wed their partners, to join their names on legal documents, to create a family with fewer burdens. But just one year later, 49 people were gunned down at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando. The LGBT community was forced to re-examine the basic freedoms the incident threatened: the ability to be oneself, and associate as a community, without fear of violence or death. Weddings and legal paperwork took an immediate backseat. That back-and-forth seems to have been a recurring theme throughout LGBT history; when one hard-fought victory is won, another can cripple the community. Harvey Milk was elected in a historic move for LGBT representation in government, only to be gunned down. AIDS funding would be boosted in one part of the country and lost in another. A trans woman of color would grace the cover of a national magazine

If you’re a school administrator, teacher was doing? Well, or even a whole school district and you under Obama, want to assert your right to discrimithe Education nate against some of your students FOR Department took REASONS, you’re in luck! The Education students’ comDepartment under Betsy DeVos ain’t plaints about gonna stop you. (Unless you’re against serious issues, white Christians probably.) well, seriously, This is especially true if you want to dis- and investigated criminate against transgender students. The whether such Education Department recently dropped complaints were cases in Ohio and elsewhere involving “symptomatic of transgender students being harassed and a broader problem, in part by examining at denied bathroom access, basically saying, least three years of past complaint data.” “This isn’t our problem.” In other words, if a student complains You’ll recall that under Obama, the that he or she was sexually assaulted at Education Department issued guidelines to school, the Education Department felt like schools about how to handle transgender they should probably find out if this was students so that their dignity is respected an isolated incident or a pattern of wider and their right to an education is not tramabuse. pled. But under Trump and DeVos, the Under DeVos’ leadership, however, Education Department ain’t care. they’re so busy trying to find ways to make Needless to say, those who support trans education into a for-profit enterprise that students are alarmed by the department’s they can’t be bothered with systemic civshrugging off the issue. Shannon Minter of il-rights abuses at school. Ugh. Civil rights the National Center for Lesbian Rights told don’t make anybody rich. the Washington Post, “They have just sent Of course, the department claims that a message to schools that it’s open season this whole “don’t-look-into-civil-rightson transgender students.” complaints-too-deeply” policy is to alleIn other words, it’s a pretty clear signal viate a troublesome backlog of cases. And that the Trump administration has zero while it’s true that a backlog of cases is a interest in hearing problem, their solusome transgender tion isn’t to hire the But it’s not just trans kid bitching about personnel needed having to pee in a to get these cases students DeVos wants bucket in the janiexamined. Their tor’s closet or some- to abandon. Civil rights solution is to simply thing. Suck it up, are such a drag, after all. stopIn looking. buttercup, as Trump a press release, supporters like to What do they do besides Sherrilyn Ifill, pressay right before they ident of the NAACP get in the way of privatiz- Legal Defense and head out to protest against Shakespeare. ing America’s education Educational Fund, But it’s not just said the Education trans students system so that rich ass- Department was DeVos wants to abdicating its holes can get richer? abandon. Civil “responsibility to rights are such a protect the rights drag, after all. What do they do besides get and dignity of our nation’s vulnerable chilin the way of privatizing America’s edudren during the most crucial years of their cation system so that rich assholes can get lives, threatening not only to stall progress richer? The Education Department’s Office on racial, gender and sexual-orientation of Civil Rights is so over crybaby civequality in schools, but to undo it altoil-rights wanters. gether.” According to the Washington Post, the As is the plan, of course. MAGA ’til you head of the civil-rights office “has directed puke. n lawyers to narrow the scope of investigations into sexual assault and discriminatory D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian school-discipline policies.” living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow What does this mean and how does it differ from what the Obama administration her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.

In light of National March, organizers reschedule Philly Pride

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com

A jury trial for the alleged murderer of trans woman Diamond Williams has been postponed until December. Charles N. Sargent stands accused of stabbing Williams to death with a screwdriver, then dismembering her with an ax, depositing her body parts in a vacant lot in Strawberry Mansion in July 2013. Sargent told police he acted in self-defense after Williams became violent during a sexual encounter. Advocates for Williams dispute that claim. Sargent’s trial was scheduled to begin Feb. 27, but his standby attorney, J. Michael Farrell, recently was convicted of multiPAGE 13 ple felonies in

Guilty plea in Maya Young murder

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Trial for alleged murderer of trans woman postponed until December

epgn.com

Editorial

Fluidity of freedom

Feb. 24 - March 2, 2017

Day in the Life of: digital agency executives CJ and Jolin Bachmann

D’Anne Witkowski

Betsy DeVos

Editorial: “Yes we can; Fluidity of freedom; pgn Philadelphia Gay News One year later, what have we learned?”

If you live in west Philadelphia or you’re hanging out there, you can ﬁnd a copy of PGN at these convenient locations:

EDITORIAL PGN EDITORIAL

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 30-July 6, 2017

Transmissions

Gwendolyn Ann Smith

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

Vol. 41 No. 18 May 5-11, 2017 Family Portrait: Spotlight on Samy el-Noury

PA Supreme Court says SEPTA not bound by Philly antidiscrimination laws

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HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM Celebrations of Philly Black Pride

Fellowship awarded to GALAEI youth-program leader PAGE 8

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State agency: We’ll accept LGBT antibias complaints

Exclusive: Brian Sims target of state ethics investigation By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Under proposed guidance posted on its website April 28, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission will investigate LGBTQ-related antibias complaints, despite the lack of an LGBTQ-inclusive statewide antibias law. The guidance notes that Pennsylvania’s antibias law covers sex discrimination, and multiple courts have ruled that anti-LGBTQ discrimination is a form of sex discrimination. However, neither the U.S. Supreme Court nor the Pennsylvania Supreme PAGE 28

FINAL BOW: At the April 29 “Shut Up & Dance” performance, longtime producing director Ian Hussey announced he was passing the baton for next year’s show to Alexandra Hughes. The annual Pennsylvania Ballet production raised more than $161,000 for MANNA, which provides nutritional meals to the ill. Nearly 1,400 people packed Forrest Theatre for the 25th-anniversary performance. Photo: Scott A. Drake

D.A. candidates address crime, corruption, community By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com The race for Philadelphia’s next district attorney is wide open. Seven Democratic contenders will vie for the nomination May 16, with one Republican running unopposed. The primary comes just weeks after current District Attorney Seth Williams was federally indicted on corruption and bribery charges. PGN spoke with all of the candidates about their vision for the District Attorney’s Office, and how the local LGBT community can be incorporated into those plans.

Larry Krasner Throughout his candidacy for district attorney, Larry Krasner has spoken about resisting the Trump administration, ending mass incarceration and standing up for civil-rights. During his 30 years as an attorney, he stood up for organizations such as ACT UP, Black Lives Matter and other organizations relating to LGBT rights, disabled people and immigrants.

PGN: There have already been nine transgender women of color murdered across the nation this year. If elected, what will your office do to combat violence against transgender individuals in Philadelphia, specifically women of color? LK: If and when there are incidents, I will have my supervisors and my prosecutors take those charges incredibly seriously. When I see violence involving a trans victim, to me, a red flag goes up immediately to see if this is a hate crime. I have been there when this Philadelphia Police Department wouldn’t take hate crimes seriously and, to me, that’s unacceptable. You have to have a police department that treats everybody equally and cares about everybody’s issues and that doesn’t consider certain people to be less than human. I think by using the office as a bully pulpit, being as serious as possible about properly prosecuting these cases, working with the police commissioner to

According to documents PGN exclusively obtained, a state commission is investigating Rep. Brian Sims following scrutiny about his travel reimbursements and speaking fees. PGN obtained a copy of an Ethics Complaint Form from a source whose identity we are withholding. The individual filed the complaint with the State Ethics Commission, contending Sims, the first LGBT person elected to the state legislature, violated the state Ethics Act. According to the Ethics Act, “No public official or public employee shall accept an honorarium.” A March 31 letter from the Ethics Commission, signed by Executive Director Robert P. Caruso, that was given to PGN states: “The Investigative Division of the State Ethics Commission has initiated a full investigation in relation to the complaint” that the individual filed. Caruso told PGN he was not permitted to comment on the investigation or the complaint. PAGE 28

do police trainings around this issue or to make sure the trainings are adequate, I believe we could make a difference and make the situation better for trans people.

Endorsements

District Attorney: Larry Krasner City Controller: Alan Butkovitz

PGN: If elected, will you assist PGN in our ongoing efforts to settle all open-records litigation for access to Nizah Morris records? LK: The short answer is yes. I am a great believer in providing information to the press. However, when you ask a candidate what will you do when you are in office and that candidate doesn’t have all of the information, you’re basically inviting a candidate to make promises that may or may not be appropriate. Every bit of my instincts favors transparency but if I were to find something in the file that the mother or the father of Nizah Morris didn’t want revealed, then that is something I would have to look at. Assuming that the family of Nizah Morris wanted the information revealed and assuming the law permitted it, I would like there to be the maximum amount of transparency and I would like to assist in getting all information out PAGE 19 about that incident.

Superior Court Maria McLaughlin Carolyn Nichols H. Geoffrey Moulton, Jr. Commonwealth Court Ellen Ceisler Todd Eagan Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Lucretia Clemons Mark Cohen Leon Goodman Shanese Johnson Vikki Kristiansson Zac Shaffer Henry Sias Dan Sulman Stella Tsai Philadelphia Municipal Court Marissa Brumbach George Twardy

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."

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

The COLOURS organization has opened a new testing site in North Philadelphia, which has one of the highest HIV rates in the city. The new location, at 2829 Diamond Street in the Strawberry Mansion section, is the only one of its kind in the area to provide free HIV testing. “I was shocked to learn that no one is servicing an area that has one of the highest rates of HIV,” said Juaraz Crosby, COLOURS’ prevention-navigation assistant. “We’re stepping out of Center City and taking our services to the areas that need it the most. Since we’ve stepped in, more people have become motivated to learn their status and are even seeking out our services beyond our testing days.” The LGBTQ health-services organization targeting people of color is looking to counter the high HIV rates in Strawberry Mansion, east of Fairmount Park. According to AIDSvu.org, which maps HIV-prevalence rates across the United States, Strawberry Mansion is among five areas in the city with the highest rate of HIV. AIDSVu reported in 2016 that almost 19,000 people were living with HIV in Philadelphia, with AfricanAmericans comprising nearly 64 percent of

The Philadelphia Gay News won seven Keystone Press Awards this year, an honor that not only recognizes professional excellence, but journalism that “consistently provides relevance, integrity and initiative in serving readers, and faithfully fulﬁlls its First Amendment rights/responsibilities.” The Keystone Press Awards are sponsored by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association.

Second place Jen Colletta

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Vol. 41 No. 18 May 5-11, 2017 Family Portrait: Spotlight on Samy el-Noury

PA Supreme Court says SEPTA not bound by Philly antidiscrimination laws

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Honorable Mention Jeremy Rodriguez

General News/Weeklies: “City releases Gayborhood racism ﬁndings, recommends training”

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM Celebrations of Philly Black Pride

Fellowship awarded to GALAEI youth-program leader PAGE 8

PAGE 13

State agency: We’ll accept LGBT antibias complaints

Exclusive: Brian Sims target of state ethics investigation By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com

do police trainings around this issue or to make sure the trainings are adequate, I believe we could make a difference and make the situation better for trans people. PGN: If elected, will you assist PGN in our ongoing efforts to settle all open-records litigation for access to Nizah Morris records? LK: The short answer is yes. I am a great believer in providing information to the press. However, when you ask a candidate what will you do when you are in office and that candidate doesn’t have all of the information, you’re basically inviting a candidate to make promises that may or may not be appropriate. Every bit of my instincts favors transparency but if I were to find something in the file that the mother or the father of Nizah Morris didn’t want revealed, then that is something I would have to look at. Assuming that the family of Nizah Morris wanted the information revealed and assuming the law permitted it, I would like there to be the maximum amount of transparency and I would like to assist in getting all information out PAGE 19 about that incident.

By Adriana Fraser adriana@epgn.com

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

Endorsements

District Attorney: Larry Krasner City Controller: Alan Butkovitz Superior Court Maria McLaughlin Carolyn Nichols H. Geoffrey Moulton, Jr. Commonwealth Court Ellen Ceisler Todd Eagan

Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Lucretia Clemons Mark Cohen Leon Goodman Shanese Johnson Vikki Kristiansson Zac Shaffer Henry Sias Dan Sulman Stella Tsai Philadelphia Municipal Court Marissa Brumbach George Twardy

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Fed loud and proud: ‘We welcome everyone’ By Kristen Demilio editor@epgn.com LGBTQ employees at Philadelphia’s Federal Reserve Bank are gaining a higher profile because of a professional environment that welcomes diversity, in addition to the efforts of one leader who was inspired to use his voice. The bank’s more-than 900 employees are encouraged to organize into what are called resource groups based on shared ethnicities and identities that are open to all, said Mary Ann Hood, senior vice president for human resources. The groups support members and their particular needs in the workplace, but it has to be organic, Hood said. “What we don’t want is to force-fit any kind of group here just for the sake of doing that, so we actually wait for people to stand up for their own groups,” Hood said during a recent roundtable interview with PGN at the Philadelphia bank’s headquarters

at Sixth and Arch streets. Last February, Stephen Pipito, manager of administration and support for the bank’s Consumer Finance Institute (and a relative of a PGN employee), decided it was time to form an LGBTQ resource group, so he and a colleague approached Hood with the idea. “There was a need for a voice here at the Fed, I believe,” Pipito said. “About six months before that, there was the [Pulse nightclub] shooting in Orlando and I felt really inspired to have a voice because I felt like so many people died in vain.” Hood’s reaction to the resourcegroup proposal was, “Sure — why not?” The bank’s leadership hadn’t thought about it before, she said. “It’s very important because you have a different perspective,” she said, addressing Pipito. “I might have a different perspective from a managerial and leadership perspective versus what you’re experiencing.”

The resulting group, FREEDOM Philadelphia has eight members, and aims to bring in more LGBTQ employees to expand the base of support, Pipito said. FP organizes guest speakers, such as Evan Wolfson, the attorney who is the founder and president of Freedom to Marry, and also works with the HRC on its annual Corporate Equality Index. The Fed’s Philadelphia branch scored a 90 on the most recent survey, which sets a national benchmark for corporate policies and standards towards LGBTQ employees. The Philadelphia bank signed on to participate in the HRC survey after seeing the involvement of the New York and Richmond branches. “We’re a competitive organization,” she said, adding that the Philadelphia branch is aiming for a perfect score. One way to do that is to develop policies to support transgender employees and those who are transitioning, Hood said, and so the bank is currently

STEPHEN PIPITO (CENTER) AND FREEDOM PHILADELPHIA MEMBERS. Photo courtesy of Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

looking at options. The bank’s commitment to inclusion makes good business sense, Hood said. “We need to have the best thinkers around us; we need to have the

best skillset around us. The only way you can do that is to create an environment where people feel comfortable and give us their best. We want top talent and you have to open it up to everybody.” n

T:10.125”

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

EDITORIAL PGN EDITORIAL

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Bill Schuette

Editorial

Tyranny of the minority We in Philadelphia live in a relatively progressive bubble compared with what’s happening in the vast majority of the country, where LGBTQ Americans are not protected from discrimination. To be clear, antidiscrimination laws don’t prevent LGBTQ people from experiencing hardship in employment, the provision of public services or securing housing. The legislation simply ensures that recourse exists to rectify the discrimination. Outside Philadelphia, our country is one that includes an attorney general easily imaginable in the role of a plantation owner, cracking the cat o’ nine tails as slaves fail to pick cotton fast enough. But it’s not 1830 — it’s 2018. And yet, when Jeff Sessions made an off-script remark in February in an address to the National Sheriffs Association — “The office of sheriff is a critical part of the Anglo-American heritage of law enforcement” — it might as well be 1830. The repercussions were probably about the same. This week, Sessions announced a “religious liberty task force,” as if the legislative and executive branches currently under the control of mostly older, white male Republicans didn’t already ensure their purely self-interested agenda is moving forward. The task force is ordered to lean toward the broadest possible definition of religious freedom when interpreting federal laws. With LGBTQ people remaining outside the federal protections afforded to religion and other categories, this task force threatens to trample rights that, for example, currently prevent city funds going to religious institutions that discriminate against LGBTQ people. People of color have known since the founding of this country how dangerous white supremacy is. They know it is the true foundation of this republic. Why haven’t we listened? Now, we have leadership that does not represent the majority of Americans. It’s de Toqueville in reverse: We are living in the tyranny of the minority, not the majority. To wit, from “Democracy in America: Vol. 2”: “So in the United States the majority has an immense power in fact and a power of opinion almost as great; and once the majority has formed on a question, there is, so to speak, no obstacle that can, I will not say stop, but even slow its course and leave time for the majority to hear the cries of those whom it crushes as it goes.” The majority of Americans believe in the following: marriage equality, gun reform, a radical change in the healthcare system, Social Security and better infrastructure, all of which are being dismantled by the current administration. We live under the tyrannical rule of the minority, and with roughly 100 days to the midterms, it’s time to wake up. n

A couple of columns ago, I wrote about sitting in a chemo ward getting poison pumped into my body, worried that my insurance was about to run out. My wife’s insurance was not available to me since our marriage wasn’t recognized in Michigan. And while there were many people who contributed to this injustice, I hold one person in particular especially at fault: Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette (rhymes with “booty”). You see, he fought against marriage equality at every turn — all the way to the Supreme Court, in fact. Where he lost. And I won what should have been mine all along. Now Schuette is spending his last year as AG running for governor. But he’s still finding time to continue his attack on LGBTQ people in Michigan. You see, in May, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission decided that the ElliottLarsen Civil Rights Act, Michigan’s civil-rights law, protects LGBTQ people from discrimination. This was a huge win for equality in Michigan, as adding sexual orientation and gender identity to Elliott-Larsen has been a goal for decades. Because up until May 22, LGBTQ people had no legal recourse when it came to discrimination in Michigan. That means it was perfectly legal to fire someone for being gay, or refuse to rent to someone who is trans, for example. So of course, this made Schuette very unhappy. And so, at the request of Republicans in the legislature, on July 20, Schuette issued a formal option stating that Elliott-Larsen does not, in fact, protect LGBTQ people and that the MCRC overstepped its authority. “Michigan’s constitution entrusts the legislature, and not executive agencies or commissions, with the authority to change, extend, or narrow statutes,” Schuette wrote in his opinion. In a perfect world, we would have a legislature in Michigan that would, in fact, act to broaden protections. But we do not have that here. Instead, we have a heavily gerrymandered state heavily in favor of Republicans, which means the most extreme Republicans are often the ones who win elections. The people of Michigan do not have a representative democracy. We have a rigged system. Which means the legislature has refused to act over and over again because it is packed with people who don’t think LGBTQ people are fully human. Now, you could say that Schuette only issued this ruling to throw meat to his base right before the Aug. 7 primary election, where he is the frontrunner for governor. But one could also say that telling LGBTQ people they aren’t fully human is very on-brand

for Schuette because he is awful. Also — both things are true. The scary thing is, Schuette isn’t even the most extreme candidate vying for governor on the Republican ticket. That’s how crazily right-wing the GOP is in Michigan. But make no mistake: Just because there’s someone worse, that doesn’t make Schuette better. It’s like being offered the choice of either having an arm or a leg broken. Choosing between bad options is no choice at all. But here’s the good news: The Michigan Civil Rights Commission received Schuette’s opinion, read it, and told him to pound sand. They will keep investigating discrimination complaints based on sexual orientation and gender identity, thank you very much. “The Michigan Civil Rights Commission is an independent, constitutionally created and established body,” MCRC Director Agustin Arbulu said in a statement. “The commission is not bound by the opinion of the attorney general. The only recourse is for the courts to determine if issuing the interpretive statement was within the scope of the commission’s authority, and that is the appropriate venue for resolving this issue.” In other words, the MCRC told Schuette, “You’re not the boss of us,” while at the same time acknowledging that this issue will wind up in court, and welcoming that challenge. Meanwhile, conservatives are calling for all the members of the MCRC to be removed by Gov. Rick Snyder, a man who poisoned an entire city and yet somehow still has his job. The most obvious solution to the problem of anti-LGBTQ leadership in Michigan is to get rid of it. We must elect a Democratic governor and Dana Nessel as attorney general in November. Nessel was the attorney behind the case challenging Michigan’s ban on adoption and marriage by same-sex couples. That case went all the way to the Supreme Court, where equality won. Having Nessel as Michigan’s next AG would be the most beautiful karmic justice in the world and would make me, a two-time cancer survivor, very happy. Check her out at dana2018.com. n

It’s like being offered the choice of either having an arm or a leg broken. Choosing between bad options is no choice at all.

D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.

OP-ED PGN

Moving the needle CORRECTION: In the July 20-26 ediize payments that would allow the church to tion of my weekly column, the statement lobby for discrimination, and have your tax “Catholic Social Services … refused to condollars go to those who offer conversion thersider a gay couple for fostering, turning them apy, and possibly go to churches that share away simply for their sexuality” is inaccurate. employees’ salaries with churches that are No known complaints to this effect have been being sued for child abuse, thereby lowering filed against CSS. The religious organization the cost of employees who do the grunt work was Bethany Christian Services. However, on these cases. CSS policy discourages any Once again, it is time to same-sex couple from applying to emphasize that our priorities be foster parents as well. must be to get Congress to pass Since the column dealt with an Equality Act to make us a your tax dollars that the state, protected class, like religion, sex, city and federal governments race and national origin. Without were giving to those religious that protection, all that I’ve writorganizations and what they ten above is possible, and more. were spending them on, many We all know there’s a people wrote to me and asked Republican Congress in why I hadn’t used the statement, Washington that doesn’t favor “Congress shall make no law the Equality Act before it, but respecting an establishment of most government bodies weren’t religion, or prohibiting the free during 1970 through 2000, when exercise thereof ... ” as mentioned most nondiscrimination laws in in the Constitution, which we the nation were passed, and those Mark Segal early activists who pushed their understand as the concept of separation of church and state. cities and states to pass nondisAnd, as we all know, the government is crimination legislation would not say no. represented by the attorney general and his/ That is why you now have the limited rights her understanding of that document. The you have today. attorney general should run his/her office So it is up to those activists of today to accordingly, along with any changes or find ways and be as creative as our pioneers direction of legislation from Congress and to get this job done. Rather than talk, we recent signing orders, legislation or directives need action — civil disobedience and lobfrom the president. bying campaigns. And if the Democrats take All of this takes on a more serious note Congress, demand it be a priority. If our piothis week with U.S. Attorney General Jeff neers could move the needle, shouldn’t we Sessions’ announcement that he is forming expect the same from those who claim to be a “religious liberty task force.” This was folleaders today? n lowed by State Department officials applaudMark Segal, PGN publisher, is the nation’s mosting the Supreme Court’s recent decision in award-winning commentator in LGBT media. You the so-called wedding-cake case. can follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ It would come as no surprise if the State MarkSegalPGN or Twitter at https://twitter.com/ Department would attempt to institutionalPhilaGayNews.

Mark My Words

Transmissions

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

Street Talk Should Center City's rainbow crosswalk be repainted to include brown and black stripes? "I'd like to see a community event to repaint the stripes, but leave the colors the same. As a black Stanley Breeland American, healthcare consultant I'm not North Philadelphia offended by the [current] colors. There are bigger battles to fight, considering the challenges we face."

“Well, the stripes definitely need to be repainted. They’re very faded. But I don’t agree with including brown and Michael Devine black stripes. insurance-claims The rainbow adjuster represents Gayborhood everyone. People are getting too carried away with being politically correct.”

"No. What's next? Black and brown Skittles? People with common sense should know the rainbow represents Daron Lewis everyone. cook It's being too South Philadelphia petty and trifling to expect brown and black stripes. That's just nitpicking."

"Yes. It would be a nice gesture. Adding the stripes shows respect for everyone. All people deserve to be acknowlPaul Skinner edged. We truck driver need to be South Philadelphia unified, considering the divisive times we live in."

Gwendolyn Ann Smith

Our story to tell When I was a kid, there was precious little out in pop culture about trans issues. Sure, there were movies like “The Christine Jorgensen Story,” where an actor named John Hansen played the title character, or “Dog Day Afternoon,” where Al Pacino’s character staged a robbery to pay for the surgery of his lover, portrayed by male actor Chris Sarandon. There are scores of other examples of men playing trans women in movies. You can go back to Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in “Some Like It Hot,” through John Lithgow in “The World According to Garp” and Dustin Hoffman in “Tootsie,” and all the way up to more-recent fare like Jared Leto in “Dallas Buyer’s Club” and Jeffrey Tambor in “Transparent.” It’s a lot less common to see a story of a transgender man on film, but these roles

are also often given to women to portray. You might see the typical farce, such as Joyce Hyser as Terry Griffith in the 1980s teen comedy “Just One of the Guys,” or a far more somber epic like “Boys Don’t Cry,” in which Hilary Swank won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Brandon Teena. Rarer still, of course, is when a female actor plays a trans woman, or a male actor plays a trans man. Felicity Huffman, for one, played the lead role in the comedy-drama “Transamerica” in 2005. I actually can’t think of any of the latter off the top of the head. Of course, I bring all these up thanks to Scarlet Johansson. It was just last year that Johansson starred in “Ghost in the Shell,” a whitewashed retelling of an anime. Apparently

not learning her lesson, she took the role of Dante “Tex” Gill in an upcoming story of his life, titled “Rub and Tug.” Gill was a larger-than-life character, a mod type who ran massage parlors. He was also a trans man. When Johansson was announced as the star of the movie, there was an outcry. Aside from the fact that she looked nothing like Gill, here was yet another example of someone of the assigned-at-birth gender of a trans person performing our lives on the screen. It didn’t help her case when she — via her publicist — defended her decision to play Gill. “Tell them that they can be directed to Jeffrey Tambor, Jared Leto and Felicity Huffman’s reps for comment,” read part of the statement, dismissing critics by naming three other stars who portrayed

trans people to popular acclaim — and criticism from transgender people. It’s a vastly tone-deaf statement, seemingly ignoring everything that people are trying to tell her, while noting that these other celebs gained success by playing transgender people. The thing is, Johansson is coming into this at a time when the landscape is shifting. We are now seeing transgender people getting roles in TV and movies in trans roles. Laverne Cox has been a hot commodity for years now, with a role in “Orange is the New Black,” among other appearances. Candis Cayne, Chaz Bono, Alexis Arquette, Trace Lysette, Jamie Clayton and others are appearing more frequently as well, delivering great and authentic performances PAGE 12

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

VEGAN from page 1

describing them as a celebration of vegan living that features plant-based food and crafts such as jewelry, soaps and clothing by home-based artisans. The businesses range from online shops to local vendors, such as Philly Vegan vendor Shante Nicole, who owns Aubrey’s Adornments. Nicole said she uses social-media platforms such as Instagram to sell her products. “I haven’t had many opportunities to sell my products in physical stores, but the market is a great opportunity to get my products offline and into a space where people can feel and see them in person,” she said. And that’s part of what the organizers had in mind. “We wanted to help small-business owners who don’t have storefronts established to get their names

out there and promote themselves,” Giardina said. In March, Philly Vegan hosted the Womxn-Made Market, an event exclusively featuring women-owned vegan businesses. On July 28, the pop–up market featured vegan business owners of color at the Power of Color Market, which drew more than 1,000 shoppers. Laquan Harvey Davis, owner of vegan-dessert company How Delish, sold her products at the Power of Color Market. It was “refreshing” to see faces of color at a vegan event, she said. “There aren’t a lot of spaces that celebrate the different faces of veganism. I think that some people have a certain idea of what a vegan chef looks like. They don’t picture someone like me. I’m glad that this marketplace is changing people’s minds about that,” Davis said. n

PGN DELAWARE from page 1

said the bill “will prevent clinical professionals from having open dialogues with their patients. This is another case of the state interfering in the relationship between parent and child concerning the sensitive subject of sexuality.” It’s wrong for the state “to insert itself between patients and their counselors to bias people wrestling with the issue of transitioning to a new sexual orientation or gender identity,” he added. Collins declined to be interviewed by PGN. He offered an amendment to SB 65 that would have allowed conversion therapy for minors in Delaware with parental consent. His amendment was defeated 24-15

“We can’t ban [conversion therapy] for adults because you just can’t. If a person is an adult and wants to find someone to do this, we can’t stop them. But at least we protect children from this false science.”

CSS from page 1

But some LGBT advocates say Bethany’s policy isn’t adequate because it doesn’t specify the categories that are protected, including sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status and religion. The city has multiple contracts with CSS to provide a variety of services for children and adults apart from foster-care services. On July 5, PGN filed a state Right-to-Know Law request for the total amount of funds CSS received from the city between July 2017 and June 2018.

If you live in Bucks County or maybe just out doing things, you can ﬁnd a copy of PGN at these convenient locations: Bristol • Bristol News World, 576B Bristol Pike • Doylestown • Doylestown Bookshop, 16 S. Main St. • Siren Records, 25 E. State St. Levittown • Levitt Books, 7406 Bristol Pike • New Hope • Cornerstone Gym, 322 W. Bridge St. • Havana, 105 S. Main St. • John & Peters Place, 96 S. Main St. • Karla’s Restaurant, 5 W. Mechanic St. • La Chateau Exotique, 31A W. Mechanic St.• New Hope Lodge, 400 W. Bridge St. • Raven, 385 W. Bridge St. • St. Philips Church, 10 Chapel Road • Triumph Brewing Co., 400 Union Square Drive • Wishing Well B&B, 114 Old York Road •Newtown • Bucks Co. Community College, 275 Swamp Road • Quakertown • Adult World, 880 S. West End Blvd. • Warminster • Planned Parenthood of Bucks Co., 610 Louis Dr Would you like to be on our distribution list?

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in a June 7 vote. Delaware state Rep. Debra Heffernan (D-Bellafonte) said it wasn’t feasible to ban conversion therapy for adults in Delaware. “We can’t ban it for adults because you just can’t,” Heffernan told PGN. “If a person is an adult and wants to find someone to do this, we can’t stop them. But at least we protect children from this false science.” Heffernan disagreed with opponents who say the bill infringes on parental rights. “A parent might also believe it’s OK for their child to play with guns, but of course we can’t allow that.” n

TRANSMISSIONS from page 11

as transgender people — and that’s a key point. When Jared Leto portrayed Rayon in “Dallas Buyer’s Club,” he wasn’t playing a woman. He also wasn’t playing a trans woman. He was playing a man playing a woman. He was missing the portrayal in two key ways, and you got a performance that was in no way authentic to the lives of transgender people. This is what Hollywood seems to want in these roles. They don’t actually want an accurate trans portrayal. They want a man playing a woman, or, in the case of Johansson, a woman playing a man. They’re not making a film for transgender people to see a reflection of their own story, but for nontransgender people to feel some sort of strange sympathy for transgender people through their own lens. Johansson, I should add, has since dropped the role amid the backlash over her casting and her response. Those attempting to defend her have been vocal in their displeasure, telling trans protesters that they have shot themselves in the foot by demanding her removal. They argue that by not letting that A-list celeb be in the film, people will not turn out to see the movie or learn

As of presstime, the request was pending. According to court testimony, CSS also won’t certify unmarried opposite-sex couples as foster parents, even though the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance also bans discrimination based on marital status. This week, Kenneth A. Gavin, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, once again had no comment regarding whether CSS would adopt a comprehensive antibias policy covering sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status and religion. n “awareness” of trans issues. This is nonsense. Right now on FX is a series called “Pose.” It focuses on trans lives in the 1980s and features transgender people on both sides of the screen. The stories are authentic and true, and speak to the trans experience in ways you will never see Leto, or Tambor, or Huffman, in their respective roles. These are stories that speak to transgender people, yet also speak to those beyond the community itself. They provide nuance that hasn’t been seen in all the stories that have come before. It has also been popular enough to be renewed for a second season, just a handful of episodes into its first. In short, Johannson — and I hope, by extension, Hollywood — are learning an important lesson: Trans stories do have merit. What’s more, they don’t need a big non-transgender name in order to slap a veneer of popular acceptance. That is the direction our stories need to go now, not remain in a mold cast by the exploitative movies of years past. It’s time for our stories to truly be ours to tell. n Gwen Smith wants to see a rich future of trans cinema. You can find her at www.gwensmith.com.

LEGAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

Targeting transgender teens Ohio’s House of Representatives is consid- the age of 24. The Human Rights Campaign ering legislation that forces educators, thersaid in its 2018 LGBTQ Youth Report that apists and social workers to out transgender because LGBTQ youth spend the majority of minors to their parents or face fourth-degree their time in school, their experiences in classfelony charges. For those who display charac- rooms, halls, lunchrooms and extracurricular teristics in opposition to their assigned gender activities shape who they are. For transgender at birth, or who openly question their gender, students, sometimes their teachers or therathe stakes are nothing short of life and death. pists are the only people with whom they’re Ohio House Bill 658 mandates comfortable exploring their gencertain state workers and therader identity. Forcing those adults pists to report a minor’s gender to choose between being charged identity or the questioning of their with a felony or betraying the gender identity to the parents. trans students’ trust is no choice Introduced by Reps. Thomas at all. Brinkman and Paul Zeltwanger, Leelah Alcorn, a transgender the bill also gives parents the girl born and raised in Ohio, right to “withhold consent for became one of the most internagender-dysphoria treatment or tionally recognized transgender activities that are designed and youth when she posted a suicide intended to form a child’s concepnote on her Tumblr site before tion of sex and gender.” her death in 2014. She expressed Ohio legislators want the decithat her suicide would result Angela hope sion to transition out of the hands in a dialogue about discriminaof transgender people if they Giampolo tion, abuse and lack of support are under 18, giving sole power for transgender people. When of treatment decisions to the parents who she came out to her parents at age 14, they must both consent. For teens with parents refused to accept her gender identity, insistunwilling to support them at a time when the ing she remain the boy she was born as. At effects of gender dysphoria lead to a host of 16, when she requested to transition as a mental anguish and suicidal thoughts, this treatment for her gender dysphoria, her parcould be a death sentence. ents not only denied treatment, but they sent In a statement, Equality Ohio said that her to Christian-based conversion therapy in “in targeting transgender children, the bill’s an attempt to force her to accept her gender authors create ridiculous and unenforceassigned at birth. Unable to connect with able requirements — requirements that out friends thanks to her parents removing her transgender students and create a significant from school and shutting down her access to threat of bullying and reduced access to social media, Leelah blamed them for isosocial-support systems. This unnecessary and lating her and exacerbating her feelings of discriminatory bill does nothing to support alienation, directly correlating her parents’ youth and families. In lack of support with her According to data from decision to end her life. fact, it puts the livelihoods of some of our If HB 658 passes and the National Center for eventually most vulnerable youth becomes law, — transgender youth — Transgender Equality, transgender teens will further at risk with bul- nearly 37 percent of have nowhere left to lying and discrimination turn for help. A signifitransgender people by potentially forcing cant portion of insurers teachers to out them.” pay for medical attempt suicide before won’t Not only is the bill treatment without a particularly odious in its the age of 24. diagnosis of gender dysintended purpose to out phoria. For many transtransgender teens, it also requires the withgender teens, receiving hormone blockers at holding of treatment without the “written, the onset of puberty and hormone replaceinformed consent of each of the child’s parment therapy to put them on the path toward ents and the child’s guardian or custodian, as aligning their physical body with their required in section 2131.144 of the Revised mental identity are life-saving treatments, Code.” Simply put, if one parent is aware improving their mental health and stability. and agrees to the child’s treatment for gender If teachers, guidance counselors, therapists dysphoria but the other parent isn’t aware and social workers are unable to help them or their whereabouts are unknown, the teen without mandatory disclosure, there’s a very will not be able to seek treatment for gender real possibility these teens will turn to much dysphoria. less healthy options to cope, or decide to end The measure also protects parents or their pain all together. n guardians by forbidding those who reject Angela D. Giampolo, principal of Giampolo treatment options for their transgender child from having their decision used against them Law Group, maintains offices in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and specializes in LGBT law, family in custody cases or complaints of abuse and law, business law, real-estate law and civil rights. Her neglect. website is www.giampololaw.com, and she maintains According to data from the National Center a blog at www.phillygaylawyer.com. Reach out to for Transgender Equality, nearly 37 percent Angela with your legal questions at 215-645-2415 or angela@giampololaw.com. of transgender people attempt suicide before

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WELLNESS PGN

Cannabis as medicine? The THC-to-CBD ratio varies between As states legalize marijuana, the debate the different strains and types. CBD is a continues as to whether or not cannabis chemical in marijuana that provides signifshould be legalized on a national level. icant medical benefits and does not get the In May 2016, the Pennsylvania Medical user high. It can be found in the cannabis Marijuana Act went into effect. This law flower, oils, topicals, edibles allows marijuana to be given to and some hemp products. In people with terminal illness or fact, the human body produces with at least one of 17 medical naturally occurring cannabiconditions. As of May 2018, noids with sufficient amounts anyone in opioid-withdrawal of omega-3. treatment qualifies for state-regTHC is the chemical in marulated cannabis use. A patient ijuana that acts on the central must be under the ongoing care nervous system, which alters of a physician licensed to certhe senses, changes a person’s tify that he/she will benefit from mood and can help reduce pain. cannabis use. CBD helps with inflammation, Recent studies show that seizures, pain and relaxation. cannabis has a multitude of Although CBD and THC have benefits that can help treat many illnesses and conditions, Megan Niño individual benefits, they work together as a unit. For example, including chronic pain, cancer, along with THC, CBD can reduce some Alzheimer’s disease, depression/anxiety, of the anxiety that THC causes, as well as irritable bowel disease and diabetes. provide relief for different types of pain Marijuana is a psychotropic drug that can be consumed in pill form, by smoking, than THC can. Each strain has different variations of CBD and THC. More medical vaping or through edible consumption. research will determine which strains work There are over a thousand strains that are better for specific conditions. separated into three categories: indicas, In Philadelphia, Jefferson University sativas and hybrids. Hospital recently opened The Lambert An indica strain causes amplification of Center, making it the first major health-sciphysical sensations. Indicas are typically ence university to research cannabis and used for overall relaxation. They contain hemp in medicine. Other schools may folmore cannabinoids (CBD) than THC. low their lead. With time, growing research Sativas, on the other hand, tend to give a can lead to understanding the benefits of more energized experience and contain cannabis use in various populations. n more THC than CBD. Hybrids can give you the effects of both, depending on what Megan Niño is a kinesiologist and personal trainer is more dominant. Indicas can help allevithrough her business, Vigor Vida Fitness & Wellness. ate symptoms of chronic pain, depression/ She is an energetic and positive person who prides herself on teaching others to find empowerment in anxiety, arthritis, etc., while sativas can their lives through fitness. She trains her clients out help alleviate chronic pain, nausea, headof Optimal Sports Club and offers in-home training in aches and migraines. Philadelphia and on the Main Line.

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FEATURE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

Family Portrait Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly

Page Page Page Page

23 26 24 21

PAGE 25

Trans singer shines like a Diamond By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com

Seeing how trans actors and performers are finally starting to get their due on the big and small screens, can a breakthrough be on the horizon for an outspoken new trans R&B artist? It doesn’t matter, because singer and activist Shea Diamond is doing it anyway with her debut EP, “I Am Her,” which draws upon her experiences as a trans woman of color fighting to find her place in the world. Her strong, bold voice translates into slow-burning, bluesy soul numbers like the title track, as well as celebratory funky anthems like “Keisha Complexion.” “The EP is an introduction to who Shea is,” Diamond said of her debut release. “We’re going through this struggle, but I want people to be encouraged by this fight. Out there in the streets are people fighting HIV and AIDS. They’re fighting for immigration and all these good causes that we stand for. I want them to have something to be motivated and to get inspired by. I believe this music is supposed to be impactful and should uplift.” With TV shows such as “POSE” featuring trans actors generating positive critical

buzz, Diamond hopes for more opportunities for trans performers in other art forms to join the mainstream. “It’s overdue,” she said. “Now we see that society is ready for it. We’re trying to get the doors to open up just a little bit more to give a girl another opportunity. People think that because they discover one trans artist, performer or actress, that there’s only room for that one artist. That leaves an unsafe environment where people are fighting over the spotlight when we all are talented and brilliant and able to execute like everybody else.” A seat at the table isn’t enough when it comes to films and TV, Diamond said, adding that she’d like to see more realism when it comes to trans representation in the media. “When you see trans people in the movies, they don’t look realistic,” she said. “Where is the trans woman and all her gay friends? Where are the trans women who all go to the movies and go out to eat and laugh? Where is that? That is reality — and when you don’t see that in movies, it just looks artificial. People are afraid of what they don’t understand, and they hate what they fear, so they’ve been programmed to hate us. We keep finding other platforms. It’s important now not just to be visible, but to also have cultural visibility.” n Shea Diamond’s “I Am Her” is available now. For more information, visit www.iamsheadiamond.com.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

MUSIC PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

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Indigo Girls Live with the University of Colorado Symphony Orchestra Rounder It’s hard to imagine even the most ardent folk purists objecting to this iconic out acoustic Grammy-winning duo with an orchestra backing them live in front of a packed house. This new double-live album by the Indigo Girls is a delightful sonic chapter to add to an already-impressive career. The idea for these performances, recorded in 2017 in front of a sold-out show, originated in 2012 when the Girls melded their folk sound with grand classical instrumentation and arrangements for a series of special shows across the country. Now with 50 of these performances under their belts over the last six years, fans who couldn’t make it to those symphonic shows can finally hear the results. It’s no surprise that the Indigo Girls’ catalog, for the most part, adapts well to grand symphonic interpretation, especially on their more-somber and low-key tunes where lush strings arrangements lend songs like “Virginia Woolf,” “Sugar Tongue” and “Love of Our Lives” new levels of gravitas and depth. The orchestration especially gives a heightened sense of drama and complexity to some of the more-epic songs such as “Chickenman” and “Ghost.” By the time you get to closing songs “Go” and “Closer to Fine,” you’re either in love with the added bombast the orchestra brings or numbed by the enthusiastic embellishments that a horn section brings to the party. Either way, this recording should be a welcome addition to any Indigo Girls fan’s collection. Shea Diamond Seen It All Asylum Records Transgender singer-songwriter Diamond pulls out all the stylistic stops on her debut EP, a confident and soulful collection blending R&B, folk and rock music. With influences ranging from Diana

Ross and Tina Turner to Dolly Parton, Diamond has a remarkable and versatile voice. The short blast of songs on the release does a fantastic job of covering an impressive emotional spectrum, ranging from the slow burn of the neo-soul inspired “American Pie” to the folksy electric blues of “Good Pressure.” But Diamond also knows how to turn it up with the playfully funky and infectious “Keisha Complexion.” If you can find a better sweaty rump-shaker of a song, buy it. If you ever wonder what a collaboration of Lenny Kravitz and Angie Stone would sound like, Diamond is the answer. If she can do this much with a handful of songs, we’d love to see what she does with a full-length album. Bebe Rexha Expectations Warner Bros. Having penned hits for the likes of Rihanna, Eminem, Nick Jonas, Iggy Azalea and Selena Gomez, as well as a couple of solo EPs under her belt, this pop artist and singer-songwriter obviously has enough juice and talent to warrant her own full-length debut album. Overflowing with the predictable catchy beats and synth melodies, this album lays the foundation for her highly processed, ethereal, siren-like vocals. It’s mostly formulaic and comes across as a high-end knock-off of Shakira or Katy Perry at times, but one thing that does help this album stand out is a healthy infusion of real flesh-and-blood instrumentation, mostly acoustic and electric guitars, that inject some muchneeded soul and backbone into tracks like “Ferrari,” “I’m A Mess” and the standout track, “Don’t Get Any Closer.” “Grace” and “Pillow” are also winning songs on an album relying more on piano and strings than drum machines. Guest stars show up to give the album some crossover potential, with Florida Georgia Line giving pop-country flavor to “Meant to Be” and Tory Lanez keeping one foot planted in hip-hop on the laconic, syrupy, trap-music-drenched track “Steady.” “Expectations” is an aptly titled album that rarely strays from the sound that is selling like hotcakes if you are a young, attractive singer competing for fleeting attention in 2018. It’ll be interesting to see whether Rexha has the will and the skills to separate herself from the crowded pop pack on future releases. n

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

Suzi Nash

Deborah Cox: Authentic ally I’m not a big drinker and never have been, but I vaguely remember a few tipsy nights with friends in the late ’90s with all of us drunkenly singing at the top of our lungs, “How did you get in? Nobody’s supposed to be here! I’ve tried that love thing for the last tiiiiime!” If you don’t recognize those lyrics, they’re from the chart-topping song “Nobody’s Supposed to be Here” from R&B diva Deborah Cox. It previously held the record for longest-running number-one single on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart for 14 weeks. Thirteen number-one Billboard’s Hot Dance Club hits later, Ms. Cox is still going strong. In addition to her amazing vocal talents, she has carved out a career as an actor, making her Broadway debut in the Elton John-Tim Rice musical “Aida.” She has recorded songs for the soundtracks of “Dr. Dolittle,” “Hotel Rwanda,” “Akeelah and the Bee” and many more. She has recorded an acclaimed jazz album based on the songs of Dinah Washington. Most recently, she has been touring with the stage version of “The Bodyguard,” playing the role made famous by her friend Whitney Houston. (Side note: Cox provided vocals for the 2015 Whitney Houston biopic “Whitney,” directed by Angela Bassett.) In addition to recording the hit song “Same Script, Different Cast” with Houston, Cox has collaborated with such artists as Andrea Bocelli, David Foster, Josh Groban, The Isley Brothers, Cyndi Lauper and Sarah McLachlan. Cox has been honored with too many awards to count, including an American Music Award nomination, three Juno Awards (the Canadian version of the Grammys) and her own star on Toronto’s Walk of Fame. Most of us in the LGBTQ community will recognize Cox for her unfailing support of our community, and for the powerful club anthem, “Absolutely Not.” You know how it goes: “Told myself I won’t complain, but some things have got to change. Not gon’ be a victim of, all your social push and shove. Right or wrong, you judge the same, my picture never fit your frame. What you thought, you’ll never know, you can’t see me with your mind closed.” With a spirit as beautiful as her voice, Cox is also the recipient of numerous awards for her humanitarian work. She was honored by the Harvey Milk Foundation’s 2015 Diversity Honors gala for her efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Cox also received the Out Music Pillar Award in 2015 for her longstanding commitment to various social issues in the LGBTQ community. In Philadelphia, she was honored by Mayor James Kenney two years ago to kick off Pride Day. We had a chance to speak to Cox ahead of her performance Aug. 4 at the Distrkt C party in Rehoboth Beach.

PGN: I’m thrilled to speak with you and really excited that you’re going to be performing in our area again. DC: Yeah, it’s one of those parties that I’ve heard about for years but the timing was never right for me to do it, so I’m excited to finally be able to make it. PGN: You live in Florida now, but you’re originally from Canada, correct? DC: Yes, I was born and raised in Toronto. I’ve been singing since I was 3. When I was about 11, I started singing jingles on TV ads and entering talent shows. I went to the performing-arts high school and played in local bands and performed in nightclubs when I was still a teenager — the club owners would have to get a signed release from my parents so I could perform. But my first major gig was singing background for Celine Dion. That got my feet wet in the music industry. It was while I was on tour with her that I landed my first recording deal. PGN: Tell me a little about the family. DC: I grew up in a very multicultural neighborhood in Scarborough. My parents are both from Guyana, South America. They split up when I was about 9 months old and my father had to return to Guyana for health reasons. I was raised by my mother and stepfather. My stepfather was great; very family-oriented, so he’d do all sorts of trips to the beach and amusement parks with me and my two sisters.

PGN: And how did you get started on your solo career? DC: [Music mogul] Clive Davis heard me and I guess he saw something he liked. He was willing to get behind me and invest in me. Because of his belief in me, it really gave me the opportunity to start recording and touring on my own. PGN: What was a first big moment? DC: Just being in a multi-million-dollar recording studio, recording with Babyface and songwriters like Diane Warren and David Foster. I mean, my first album was pretty lit with all these major producers. There have been many highlights since then, but to be in a room of hitmakers that first time was pretty incredible. PGN: One of the things I was surprised to read was the long struggle you had with self-esteem. DC: Yes, always wanting people to like me, always wanting to please people, to be wanted and accepted — and it’s something

PGN: What is a Guyanese tradition or food that your mother introduced you to? DC: There’s a dish called roti — I don’t know how to describe it, like a naan bread? And it’s stuffed with a curried chicken or shrimp or vegetable. That was my favorite thing growing up. It still is. PGN: Though you grew up in a multicultural neighborhood, I understand that you went to a predominantly white school and faced some difficulty there. DC: Yes, I was one of two black girls at my Catholic school and I was picked on a lot. I started developing a complex about the way I looked. In addition to being black, I was teased for being skinny. I started wearing two pairs of pants just to try to look “shapely.” PGN: Do you think that experience helped you be more sympathetic to the gay community? DC: Yes, but also, I was always the one in my social circles everyone told their secrets to. Part of that was because of me being “other,” but also, outside of school, Toronto was a real melting pot, so you had to grow up respecting different cultures.

that carried over into my adulthood. This business is one where you’re always being judged and reviewed or criticized. It took me a long time to get a handle on it. People often try to take advantage of you if you have a good heart. I was constantly pulled in different directions. I’m in a much better place now, but the fact that it took me this long is crazy. [Laughing] You know? I had to realize that I had my own voice and my own opinions and it was OK if others don’t agree. I had to learn to be the CEO of my own life.

PGN: I read that it was Whitney Houston who encouraged you to start a family. DC: I was working on my third album and I was in a place where I was struggling to find direction. I was in my 30s, trying to figure out if I should start a family and when I should start a family, because they’re always telling you, especially in this business, that you can’t take time off. And Whitney just said to me, “Don’t let the business dictate. Don’t put the important stuff on hold. This business is not all that it’s cracked up to be. Have your family.” It was great sisterly advice. PGN: How did you get so involved in the LGBT community? DC: I’ve been doing late-night circuit parties, gay cruises and Pride events for a long time. Right from the very beginning, people would come backstage crying and telling me that I helped liberate them through my music. I’m a very spiritual person and my spirituality doesn’t come from a place of judgment. I just leaned where the spirit led me to go, and it led me to a place where people felt comfortable sharing their stories. It felt like I was fulfilling a purpose. PGN: It seems like a full-circle moment as someone who struggled for acceptance. You were able to turn around and say, “I love you and accept you” to a community who didn’t get that often at the time. DC: There are so many parallels. We often think we’re so different, but there are so many more similarities, which became very apparent to me early on. I didn’t set out to be an activist, but being in the trenches has given me a chance to really hear and understand the stories of people who have told me that I helped them to come out or played a pivotal role in their lives. It happened organically and I thank Photo: Suzi Nash God that it did. Being involved with the community has helped me to be my authentic self as well. And that’s why I’ve continued on this path. If my gift inspires people to be who they’ve been created to be, then I’ve done my job. n For more information on Deborah Cox’s Rehoboth Beach concert, visit http://www.distrktc.com. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

PGN

PGN was recently honored with eight journalism awards from the National Newspaper Association.

General Excellence

among all dailies and non-dailies, of all circulations, across the nation

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(“Exclusive: Brian Sims target of state ethics investigation”: Jeremy Rodriguez)

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Q Puzzle Paramount Importance Across

1 “The Queen of Mean” Helmsley 6 They aren’t straight 10 In the sack 14 Come to mind 15 Penetrate the cracks 16 Jethrene Bodine portrayer Max 17 As a companion 18 Enjoy a bear market 19 French existentialist’s word 20 1958 film of 33-Down 23 Contraction in a gay apparel carol 24 Brosnan TV role 25 Brian Epstein managed them 27 Fashionably nostalgic 30 Cook in the microwave 31 Brand name for a drag queen, perhaps 34 Minor bones to pick 36 Gets ready to shoot off 39 Nutty-fruitcake filler 40 Quinto, who is developing a biopic about 33-Down for Paramount 42 Norma, in a Field film 43 Persian Gulf port

45 “___ Lady” (cross-dressers’ show of old) 46 Memory unit 47 Rose fruit 49 Sometime label of Dusty Springfield 51 Evans of “Bewitched” 54 Two threesomes in bed? 58 The O of BYOB 59 Partner of 33-Down 62 Sib of David “Six Feet Under” 64 “The Lion King” sound 65 End of a farewell from Frida 66 Just makes, with “out” 67 “Tickle-me” doll 68 It puts people out 69 Maryland athlete 70 Sound like Harvey Fierstein 71 “Growing Up Gay in the South” author James

Down

1 Male deliveries? 2 Ostentatious display 3 Beginning of a carol about orgasm? 4 Hamlet told Ophelia to go there 5 Diamond design 6 The A in GLARP (abbr.) 7 Smell awful 8 “Advocate” cover, often

9 Baudelaire collection, “Paris ___” 10 Vigoda of sitcoms 11 1955 film of 33-Down 12 Bone-chilling 13 Drag queen’s garment 21 Prudential rival 22 Smart-mouthed 26 Boxing ref’s end to a butt-whipping 28 “If I Were a ___ Man” 29 Colette’s “The ___ One” 31 Guy who cheats on his boyfriend, e.g. 32 Big Columbus sch. 33 Gay icon who died July 8, 2018 35 Merit badge site for the “morally straight” 37 “Cabaret’s” Kit-

___ Klub 38 “Got it?” 40 “Button your lip!” or “Check your fly!” 41 Erect 44 Earhart milieu 46 Windy-day toy 48 Wicks making a basket, e.g. 50 Case of the jitters 51 Contemporary of Bonheur 52 Back from dreamland 53 ___ Gay 55 Campbell of “Martin” 56 Penetrate 57 Peter the Great, and more 60 Tasty tubers 61 Broadway stage piece 63 Sixth sense

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

The view from up here By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Everybody who knows me knows that I am more than a little enamored with our upstairs geographic neighbor. Being a comedian, I get to spend a considerable amount of time in Canada every year. If you’ve never been there, I suggest you visit, you know … before these ham-fisted Trump tariffs mess it up for everybody. In 2016, a lot of people were saying that if Trump got elected, they were moving to Canada. I was not one of them. I wanted to move to Canada long before then. Yeah, even when Obama was president. Not that I’m being unpatriotic. I just really want and need to psychologically fornicate with other countries for the sake of our relationship. I’m a firm believer that if you’re a flag-waving patriot who proclaims that America is the greatest country on earth, and yet you don’t have a passport and have never visited another country or two or five, then you are just taking that whole “Greatest Country in the World” thing on faith and propaganda, huh? Because I’ve been to Mexico, Canada and around the United States, I can tell you with complete and total honesty that America is definitely and solidly in my top two. And if I ever get to Europe, South America, Africa or Australia, there’s a good chance that’s probably going to change. But today I’m talking about Canada. I’m not trying to tell anybody to move to Canada, mostly because I think a massive influx of Americans would ruin the vibe that makes Canada so cool. Plus, a lot of you, even if you were inclined to do so, can’t or won’t be able to do it. I could probably make that move but I really don’t have the resources in place to make it work. But we can all dream, can’t we? Most Americans know squat about Canada, like the really important fact that if you have a DUI on your record, they will not let you enter. You’d be surprised at the number of Americans who don’t figure this out before they

CANADIAN PRIDE Photo: Larry Nichols

get to the border and try to push their way into Canada despite a rap sheet. Yeah, Canadians aren’t having any of Ωit. On the other hand, canadians tend to be more informed about the world around them and, as a result, tend to be a more-welcoming and less-arrogant society. I was performing in Toronto the week Trump got elected. It was surreal. The atmosphere in the clubs went from happy hour to funeral wake in the span of 24 hours. Suddenly Canada’s downstairs neighbors didn’t seem so much fun to watch from so close a distance anymore. Our devotion to gunfire, institutional racism and overpriced healthcare was one thing, but the ascendency of Trump to the White House was a lot like knowing your crazy-ass neighbors were hell-bent on deep frying a turkey in their garage for Thanksgiving and they’re probably going to end up burning down a sizable chunk of the neighborhood in the process. There’s a clip on YouTube from the night after the election of me on stage telling the audience, “You’re freaked out? I have to go back to that dumpster fire on Monday!” Being an American hanging out in Canada for weeks at a time, I notice a lot of the subtle and not-so-subtle differences between my home country and the country with which I’d love to cheat on it. The audiences and the comedians I see in the major Canadian cities are far more diverse than what I see here in the States. And that makes for a better experience, for me and for the audience. One time I was in Toronto and within 36 hours of arriving, I had seen more Asian comedians on stage than I had seen in the previous three years in the U.S. Also, there are far more Muslim comedians up there than you will ever see in the States. The gay and lesbian comedians you see in Canada are performing in the mainstream clubs and not sequestering themselves to gay events or venues. When I stand on stage in cities such as Toronto and Ottawa, I see people in the audiences in numbers that are rarely or ever seen in comedy clubs in the United States (with the possible exception of New York City): Sikhs, Muslims, Indians, gay couples, Asians, Native Americans, Europeans — all hanging out together and having a good time. I have a theory about why that is: Comedians up there don’t target those demographics like they do in the States. If you go to any comedy club in the States and there are turbans visible in the audience, your average straight male comedian will go after them with some stereotypical hack humor just

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for being there and visible. The same would also happen for gay and lesbian couples. In Canada, it’s not their get-down to pick on a minority from a position of power. Watch Canadian television and you’ll see that the casting is far more diverse and less stereotypical than what you see in the States. There is more room made for different ethnicities in the fabric of their media. Then there’s Canadian socialized healthcare. I have no first-hand knowledge of the system, but a comedian I know suffered a heart attack while visiting Canada and spent at least a week in the hospital. And because they weren’t a Canadian citizen, they were on the hook for the medical bill, which ended up being in the neighborhood of 5,000 Canadian dollars. Is there anywhere in the USA where you could walk out of a hospital after a week’s stay, uninsured, for anything less than five or six figures? I doubt it. I’m not saying Canada is perfect. It has some faults. Their treatment of their native indigenous populations throughout their history has been atrocious. But here’s the thing: Their current prime minister, Justin Trudeau, has apologized for the injustice and it seems to be something that Canada wants to rectify. Oh, and their winters can be unforgivingly brutal. I’m not going to pretend that there isn’t racism, crime or gun violence in Canada either, but it’s not the frothing, rabid, confrontational, daily, reflexive, epidemic-level kind we have in the States. Here’s the really important part: Canadians as a whole seem genuinely embarrassed and ashamed of the relatively scant few mass murderers, Nazis and simmering bigots they do have running loose up there. But the USA has its finer points too, even from a Canadian perspective. For example, my Canadian friends are genuinely amazed and awestruck by the amount of relatively cheap and massively portioned food and booze we are able to shovel and pour into our eager gullets. So yeah, there’s that. The USA: all you can eat. n

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Philly film chronicles African-American lesbian teen’s intense journey By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor

these kids coming out of foster care — with all the stigma, obstacles and trauma and zero safety nets — managing? We don’t really get to see this story and the messy, complicated side of those feelings of trying to find love, beauty, self-respect and purpose when you feel you have no support.” “Night Comes On” also benefits from its Philadelphia and South Jersey settings. Spiro got the idea to shoot in Philly from local filmmaker Jeremiah Zagar. She recounted

Director-cowriter Jordana Spiro makes an impressive feature debut with her gritty, captivating drama, “Night Comes On.” The film, which opens Aug. 3 at the Prince Theater Black Box and on VOD, drops viewers into the life of Angel (Dominique Fishback, in a breakthrough performance). Two days before she turns 18, Angel is released from a juvenile detention center onto the streets of Philadelphia. She hopes to stay with her girlfriend, Maya (Cymbal Byrd), but that plan quickly hits a snag. She also reconnects with her younger sister, Abby (Tatum Marilyn Hall), who is living in a foster home. Angel wants Abby to help her locate their father (John Jenks) for reasons that soon become clear. ANGEL (DOMINIQUE FISHBACK) AND ABBY (TATUM As Angel navigates the MARILYN HALL) IN “NIGHT COMES ON” obstacles and emotional Photo: Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films triggers that arise over 48 hours, this observant drama taking a road trip here and having the story generates considerable tension. “I really, truly wanted to give viewers “come alive” en route. The scenery provided the experience of being strapped to Angel’s “sensorial landscapes” that informed how back,” Spiro said in a recent phone interview the characters were feeling. Key scenes about her deliberately subjective point of in the film take place at the Strawberry view. “I wanted to show the humanity, beauty Mansion Bridge in Fairmount Park as well and despair of the characters. That was the as the beaches of South Jersey. The bus shelstarting point — to be with Angel moment ters, public bathrooms and even the lobby of to moment, and be with a character we a building where Angel sleeps one night are often push away, cast aside or marginalize. I freighted with symbolic meaning. wanted to capture the poetry of her thinking, Spiro explained her affinity for the film’s the burden of responsibility and her grasping atmospheric locations: “I was interested in at a sense of purpose when she is told she is setting scenes in transitory spaces — where most people walk through to get to where worthless by a million different forces.” Spiro’s film, which won the NEXT they were going. Angel lives her life in pubInnovator Award at this year’s Sundance Film lic and isn’t afforded the luxury of a private space. Buses and doorways were important.” Festival, succeeds admirably. Spiro, who is white and heterosexual, What these spaces also do is help chose to tell a story about an African- Angel find herself. “Night Comes On” American lesbian teenager because few unfolds as a series of vignettes in which films feature characters such as Angel and Angel recalibrates her thinking with her every interaction. Abby and their inner lives. “Buy my husband a drink and he’ll tell you “Angel’s scene with Maya shows that about my panic attacks around telling this she is actually desperate for love,” Spiro explaine. “Viewers feel how much they care story,” she said. But “Night Comes On” is emotionally for each other — and therein lies hopefulness for Angel. Abby represents life.” honest, and that’s why it resonates. The director co-wrote the film with One of the most striking images in the film Angelica Nwandu, whom she met volunteer- — and it is seen a few times — has Angel ing for Peace4Kids, an LA-based program brandishing a gun. It’s a potent visual that Spiro had several concerns about including. for youth in foster care. Spiro was at a point in her own life where “I was wondering to what degree I was she was lost and searching for meaning and playing on blaxploitation films, Pam Grier, a sense of purpose. She started wondering and this iconic imagery which is exploitative and powerful,” said Spiro. “I wanted to play about self-destructive behavior. “I’m struggling with feeling so totally lost, a little with that, but mostly it was important and yet I have safety nets around me in all to touch on violence because to pretend it sorts of social and familial ways. So how are doesn’t exist is untruthful.” n

SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK AND GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN: The pairing of rock icon Rod Stewart and pop icon Cyndi Lauper was such a success with concertgoers last summer that they’ve decided to hit the road together again. Catch this dynamic duo 7:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at Boardwalk Hall, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J. For more information or tickets, call 609-3487000.

Theater & Arts Agnes Martin: The Untroubled Mind/Works from the Daniel W. Dietrich II Collection Philadelphia Museum of Art presents paintings and drawings exploring the ideas that shaped Martin’s minimalist art, through Oct. 14, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100. Biting Wit and Brazen Folly: British Satirical Prints, 1780s–1830s Philadelphia Museum of Art’s display on the appeal of caricature in Georgian England and the ways in which those images teased and provoked audiences, through Aug. 22, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Cirque du Soleil’s VOLTA The new Big Top production by the international acrobatic circus-arts

company performs through Aug. 5 at Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Ave., Oaks; 484-754-3976. Design in Revolution: A 1960s Odyssey Philadelphia Museum of Art’s exhibition of pop art and psychedelia from the civilrights and anti-war movements through Sept. 9, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Experiments in Motion: Photographs from the Collection Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a photographic exhibition where artists stop, extend and rearrange time for their own creative ends, through Aug. 19, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100. Face to Face: Art by Women The William Way LGBT Community Center hosts an exhibition on works by queer female artists living

in Philadelphia, through Aug. 31, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220. Face to Face: Portraits of Artists Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring how photographers helped craft the public personas of their creative subjects in this stunning collection of rare photographs from the museum’s collection, through Oct. 14, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. IN THE PUBLIC EYE: Philadelphia’s LGBTQ Community and the Media William Way LGBT Community Center hosts an archival

and photographic exhibition examining the relationship between the mainstream press and the community, through Aug. 31 in the John J. Wilcox Jr. exhibit space, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220. Kevin Nealon The former SNL cast member performs Aug. 9-11 p.m. at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. Modern Times: American Art 1910–1950 Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of American art epitomizing the early 20th century, through Sept. 3, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

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

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Suites New Hope, 6426 Lower York Rd.; 888-596-1027. Yanni The composer and singer performs 8 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. PARTY LIKE A SHOCK STAR: Horror-movie filmmaker and heavy-metal master Rob Zombie is once again teaming up with ghoulish shock rocker Marilyn Manson to make the evening extra dark and scary for their faithful fans, 7 p.m. Aug. 9 at BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J. For more information or tickets, call 609-365-1300.

Rachel Rose: Wil-o-Wisp/The Future Fields Commission Philadelphia Museum of Art presents contemporary video installations that ruminate on our image-saturated culture and histories of the past, through Aug. 19, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Music Keith Urban The country singer performs 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 609-365-1300. Strangelove The Depeche Mode tribute band performs 8 p.m. Aug. 3 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.

BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 609365-1300.

Aug. 4 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St.; 215735-5772.

Phish The rock band performs Aug. 7-8 at BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 609365-1300.

Mimi Imfurst Presents Drag Diva Brunch Mimi Imfurst, Bev, Vinchelle, Sutton Fearce and special guests perform 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 4 at Punch Line Philly, 33 E. Laurel St.; 215-606-6555.

311 & The Offspring: NeverEnding Summer Tour The alt-rock bands perform 7 p.m. Aug. 10 at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, 601 N. Columbus Blvd.; 215-922-1011. Dead Letter Office: A Tribute to R.E.M. The tribute band performs 8:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400.

Nightlife

Rise Against & AFI The alt-rock bands perform 7 p.m. Aug. 4 at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, 601 N. Columbus Blvd.; 215-922-1011.

Bearlesque The bear-themed cabaret show kicks off 9 p.m. Aug. 3 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675.

Jeff Beck, Paul Rodgers & Ann Wilson of Heart The rock icons team up for a concert 7 p.m. Aug. 4 at

FREAQ — A Boys of Summer Adventure The fetish-themed dance party heats up 10 p.m.-3 a.m.

Amateur Drag Aspiring drag performers put on a show 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at L’Etage, Sixth and Bainbridge streets; 215-592-0656. Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret Philly’s Cabaret star is back in town and ready to entertain 9 p.m. Aug. 9 at L’Etage, Sixth and Bainbridge streets; 215-592-0656. Happy Bear The bear happy hour kicks off 5-9 p.m. Aug. 10 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675.

Outta Town Julie Goldman The out comedian performs 8 p.m. Aug. 3 at The Rrazz Room at the Clarion Inn &

Craig Shoemaker The comedian performs 9 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Shivers The horror thriller is screened 9:45 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228. Jim Gaffigan The comedian performs 7 and 10 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Kings of Leon The rock band performs 8 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Thunderball The classic James Bond film is screened Aug. 5-6 at the Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-1228. Chaslyn Sweetwood The cabaret singer performs 8 p.m. Aug. 10 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888596-1027. n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

Fabulous doc showcases life and work of gay photographer By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor

“I like to do a character study — analyze the subject and break them down. You start to inhabit the lives of the characters you portray. I love arts and culture, and characters who reinvent themselves. Beaton had a tough side, and his insecurities reared up their ugly head,” she said. One of Beaton’s greatest struggles, which is palpable in the film, was with his homosexuality. Vreeland said that being gay wasn’t something Beaton could be open about. “When he was young and was putting on makeup at his mother’s dressing table, he knew it was taboo. Beaton wasn’t able to [be out]. He didn’t want anything to threaten his desire to be on the rise in society. A [samesex] relationship would.” Beaton grappled with being an outsider,

“Love, Cecil” opening Aug. 3 at the Ritz at the Bourse, is director Lisa Immordino Vreeland’s documentary about Sir Cecil Beaton, best known for his stunning photographs and dazzling, Oscar-winning set designs and costumes for “My Fair Lady.” But Beaton was also an author, scrapbooker and painter. His career stretched from the 1920s through the mid-1970s, and he is famous for photographing everyone from Edith Sitwell to Queen Elizabeth to Mick Jagger. Vreeland adeptly captures the spirit of Beaton through more than 1,300 photographs and audio and video clips, plus writings and interviews. In a recent phone interview, Vreeland explained that she got the idea for the film when she was making “Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel,” her 2011 documentary about her grandmother-in-law. “There was a scene from the [1971] documentary ‘Beaton by Bailey’ that was so great that I thought, [Cecil] could be a really good character.” Vreeland’s instincts told her that Beaton, who died in 1980 at age 76, would be a worthy documentary subject because he was such a flawed CECIL BEATON, NEW YORK 1930S Photo: man — brilliant but also self-deCourtesy of Zeitgeist Films structive. “You don’t want to put the [subject] on a pedestal, but you want to give Vreeland said. “He never felt quite good enough. That’s a lot of the reason behind people a taste of the times.” She transports audiences to Beaton’s heady him writing what he did in Vogue. [Hint: A remark he put in print got him fired.] He world through the use of archival images. “I negotiate and work with archives to get talked about that and was introspective in his rare footage and be authentic as I can. The diary about not feeling adequate enough.” archives often dictate where the film is going. Beaton was also seen as a snob, which We had an obscene amount of beautiful mate- Vreeland believes was a manifestation of rial. It became a challenge to edit it, and to his insecurity. Ultimately, Vreeland wants viewers to show images he’s not as well-known for.” “Love, Cecil” envelops viewers in images leave the theater feeling inspired by the creof the Bright Young Things of the 1930s, ative genius that was Beaton. through his photojournalism during the war “It’s purposeful to pull at the heartstrings years, as well as his work in Hollywood. His — not hard to do with Beaton, he was alone in life; he sacrificed everything for creativity creativity knew no bounds. As Vreeland observed, “For him, life was — but I want people to feel they can go and about creativity. He had to create — and he achieve things. I want people to have guests had to create on so many different fronts. trace their hands on the walls of their bathHe was not only photographing important rooms,” referencing something creative that people and [moments in] history, but he had Beaton did. a voice in the dialogue about what was going As for the Beaton photographs that most inspired Vreeland, the filmmaker offered the on in the 20th century. He was a visionary.” The filmmaker was creative in how she World War II images. presented the copious material. “Love, Cecil” “I see something in the quality of this features more than 700 photos by Beaton — work. There’s a technical diligence. The including many selfies. Vreeland gives them square photo format and the messages — emotion by washing them with color. She homoerotic images of soldiers dealing also animates pages from his scrapbook. Out with the day-to-day issues of war; laungay actor Rupert Everett narrates the film dry drying on the line in Africa; turbaned heads of soldiers in India — I love the using Beaton’s journal entries. Both Vreeland’s visual and narrative different subject matter and the realness approaches express the “idea” of Beaton, not he gave to it. It was less fantasy and more reportage.” n just the person.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

Helping you make your Home Dreams come true in Pennsylvania Buying or Selling Rentals Investments Chuck Snyder REALTOR®

The Condello Team

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

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

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Notices Pursuant to §128.85 of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Title 7 regulations, GROWMARK FS, LLC. hereby gives notice of ground application of “Restricted Use Pesticides” for the protection of agricultural crops in municipalities in Pennsylvania during the next 45 days. Residents of contiguous property to our application sites should contact your local GROWMARK FS, LLC. facility for additional information. Concerned Citizens should contact: Michael Layton, MGR. Safety & Environment, mlayton@ growmarkfs.com GROWMARK FS, LLC. 308 N.E. Front Street, Milford, DE 19963. Call 302-422-3002. ________________________________________42-31

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Friends Men WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________42-31 GWM looking for other GWM. 55, 5’8”, 184 lbs., looking for 40-60 years old for friendship, Merrill, 609-880-4865. ________________________________________42-32

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FALL ARTS PREVIEW ISSUE Coming 8/24

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

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Fall Arts Preview DEADLINE TO ADVERTISE: August 14 215-625-8501

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 3-9, 2018

PGN

Live your best (low maintenance) life! Located at the heart of charming, coastal Lewes, DE, Governors offers the best of both worlds – an incredible location paired with low maintenance townhomes that affords you with all the time you need to enjoy that coveted coastal lifestyle. This is a community that offers something for everyone in a location that truly cannot be beat. Peddle or stroll the Junction & Breakwater Trail for a quick and scenic commute to downtown Lewes. Explore all that downtown has to offer, from award-winning, locally-owned eateries to quaint shops and antique stores. Or stay even closer to home and enjoy drinks with the neighbors at the 5 O’Clock Island Bar community amenity. At Governors, you really can have it all! Your vacation home is waiting. Take advantage of LIMITED-TIME introductory incentives and new townhomes starting at $339,900 - priced almost $100,000 below area resales.

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