PGN Aug. 8-14, 2014 by The Philadelphia Gay News

Here we Indigo again PAGE 35

Mother sues Scouts over son’s death Conversion-therapy case dismissed

Family Portrait: Rich Rubin throws a big gay festival PAGE 41

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Aug. 8-14, 2014

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Vol. 38 No. 32

IBA named top LGBT chamber in country

By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com The Independence Business Alliance, Philadelphia’s LGBT chamber of commerce, last week received the 2014 Chamber of the Year Award from the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. IBA was presented the award July 31 during the NGLCC’s National Business & Leadership Conference in Las Vegas. IBA board president Rich Horrow and executive administrator Tom Cavanaugh accepted the award. Cavanaugh said IBA applied for the award in April and found out it won a week before the conference. Cavanaugh said board leadership was instrumental in the application process. “Rich Horrow and our vice president Jade Gasper were the ones who put this in front of us and said this was something we needed to do,” he said. “They were the driving force behind us applying, getting all of our data organized and everything else that needed to be done in order for us to present a stellar application.” Cavanaugh said IBA was collectively humbled to receive the award, especially in light of the caliber of their colleagues in other cities. “There are 54 affiliate chambers around PAGE 27 the country that are eli-

Plans finally moving at The Lincoln By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com After eight years of blighting the Gayborhood, the Lincoln Apartments is finally about to see a new day. Construction crews are readying to renovate the property at 1222 Locust St., rehabbing it into a high-end apartment complex. Fire gutted the Lincoln in July 2006, and it went on to become an empty eyesore that often attracted a criminal element. Developer and Philadelphia Residential Development Corporation president David Perlman recently purchased the 4.6719 in building at sheriff’s sale for more than $2 million. The property will be converted into 44 apartments, as well as one or two penthouses. The apartments will include studios, one and two bedrooms, with rent ranging from about $1,600-$3,000 monthly. Joe Zajaczkowski, project manager, estimated that the project, being spearheaded by Venco Building Group, could take between 14-16 months to complete. Structural engineer Malcolm Bland, of the The Harman Group, whom Zajaczkowski noted has been involved in

“We’re waiting for him to bless this area, bless that area,” Zajaczkowski said, noting that the construction could get off to a slow start, depending on the structural review. “We have to consider what’s happened to the building in the last one or two years since engineers were last in there. So if they come back and say we have to install bracing, take this or that down, these first few months could be slowgoing.” The team is also working with architectural company Cecil Baker & Partners, which also has been involved in previous efforts to rehab the building. Zajaczkowski said his team has started cleaning out a “huge amount of debris” occupying the alleyway between the property and the neighboring Little Nonna’s. The sidewalk in front of the building is currently blocked off. PRDC chief operating officer Jon Thomas said the move was made to ensure the safety of passersby. “The property is in dire need of repair so that’s for safety for the demolition,” Thomas said. “It’s our intention to open LINCOLN APARTMENTS FACING it up as soon as we can without affectLOCUST STREET Photo: Scott A. Drake ing getting the complex done in a timely fashion.” the project since the fire, began his inspecZajaczkowski said tion of the property last week. PAGE 32

Law firm mum on returning county payment By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com A law firm that prides itself on giving back to the community had no comment this week about returning a controversial payment for work performed in opposition to marriage equality. In April, the law firm of Begley Carlin & Mandio received $14,780 from Bucks County for services rendered while defending Register of Wills Donald Petrille Jr. in the Whitewood lawsuit. Whitewood was filed last year by numerous same-sex couples who sought marriage

Summer Wedding Issue

equality and/or marriage recognition in Pennsylvania. Petrille was sued in his official capacity, after declining to issue a marriage-license application to a same-sex couple. In May, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones 3d ruled in favor of Whitewood plaintiffs, resulting in marriage equality throughout the state. Begley filed a brief last year that was widely skewered in news accounts for being a full-scale defense attack, replete with dismissive comments about LGBT parenting. Bucks County Commissioner Diane Marseglia opposed any county payments

Wedding announcements Planner gets ‘Groomed’ Marriage law Q&A Locals toast to marriage

Page 21 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25

going to Begley. She called the legal brief “mean-spirited” and said Begley’s services, in her opinion, bordered on malpractice. She also expressed a desire for Begley to return the $14,780 payment. “I have maintained, all along, that we did not give permission for this kind of a defense and I am personally opposed to such a defense,” Marseglia said in a recent email. The two other county commissioners, Republicans Robert G. Loughery and Charles H. Martin, approved the payment to Begley, and haven’t called for its return. PAGE 2 A spokesperson for

Small wedding, big meaning Wedding expo returns to Bucks Picking the photogs Spotlight: BG Productions

Page 26 Page 30 Page 31 Page 31

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

LOCAL PGN

Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between July 21-27. Information is courtesy of Sixth District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice. com or call 215-686-TIPS (8477). Follow the Sixth District on Twitter @PPDBrianKorn. INCIDENTS — At 8:55 a.m. July 21, someone stole a briefcase from an office in the 1300 block of Sansom Street. Security video shows the culprit to be a black male in his 30s, 5foot-9, with a heavy build and light beard, wearing a black shirt and jeans. — Between 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. July 23 (reported July 26), items were stolen from a guest’s room in the Marriott Hotel, 1201 Market St. The room was entered without force, as the door had not been closed all the way. — At 11:30 a.m. July 24, Sixth

District officers responded to a burglar alarm in an apartment in the 1100 block of Spruce Street and found the door had been forced open. The resident was away. A key holder arrived and a walk-through was conducted, where the key holder discovered items had been moved; it was unknown if anything was missing, but the alarm box had been damaged. Sixth District Officer Chim lifted fingerprints. — At 3:45 a.m. July 26, during an argument outside 1309 Locust St., a man bit, punched and kicked another person. He fled the scene before police arrived and has been identified by name to Central Detective Division. Another victim was also assaulted by several people. One of the perpetrators was a black male, 5-foot-8, 150 pounds, with a dark complexion, wearing a black dress. There was no description of the other culprits. — There were seven recent thefts of bicycles: outside 1100 Market St., 270 S. Ninth St., 1300 Walnut St., 1122 Pine St., 135 S. 13th St., 337 S. Broad St. and 221 S. 11th St. — There was one theft from a

parked vehicle reported during this week, outside 1200 Clover St. NON-SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 11:25 p.m. July 21, a man visited a friend’s apartment in the 1200 block of Spruce Street and got into an argument with another guest, who allegedly stabbed him in the leg with a knife and fled. The following day, Sixth District Officer Keller saw a male fitting the suspect’s description inside the Parker-Spruce Hotel. The male, who was also wanted for burglary, was taken into custody and subsequently identified for the assault. The 40-year-old suspect with a South Philadelphia address was charged with aggravated assault and related offenses. — At 10:10 p.m. July 22, members of the Citywide Vice Unit made an arrest for prostitution outside 200 S. 13th St. — At 8:50 p.m. July 25, Sixth District Officers Ferrero and Grant arrested a male outside Juniper and Spruce streets who was wanted on a warrant for a probation violation. The 33-year-old suspect with a West Poplar address was charged with escape. ■

BUCKS from page 1

Begley didn’t return calls and emails from PGN asking if Begley will return the payment. According to Begley’s website, “One of the hallmarks of our firm is our passion to give back to our communities. Bucks County is our home and we feel a strong and enthusiastic commitment to help our neighbors prosper and enjoy the civic, cultural and athletic pursuits this county has to offer.” Whitewood plaintiffs are seeking more than $1 million in legal fees and costs from state and county officials. While the bulk of any legal fees and costs received by the plaintiffs is expected to come from the state, Bucks County also may be responsible for some. Petrille, who selected Begley, didn’t respond to PGN’s question about whether he’ll ask Begley to return the $14,780 payment. But Petrille issued this statement: “When the ACLU dragged Bucks County into the socially divisive issue of same-sex marriage, our office took what we believed were the minimum steps to insulate the county from the damaging provisions of fed-

eral law, which shift legal fees onto county governments. This exposure could have been in the millions of dollars. [Begley] submitted bills outlining its charges and the time it spent. The bills were approved at the department level and forwarded to the controller’s office for payment in accordance with county procedures. At all times, our office followed our understanding of Pennsylvania law, and since Judge Jones’ decision, we have been complying with his order, as scores of people seeking marriage licenses have seen.” In a joint news release issued last year, all three commissioners vowed to “carefully scrutinize” county payments to Begley. But during an April meeting of the Bucks County commissioners, Petrille underestimated by $1,230 the payment requested by Begley. Petrille also gave an incorrect month for Begley’s withdrawal from the Whitewood case. Petrille’s statements weren’t corrected at subsequent commissioners meetings. Asked by PGN about these discrepancies, Petrille declined to comment, pointing instead to his statement. ■

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

Weekly features

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

Some photos from back-to-back LGBT baseball nights in Reading and Philly. Two games, two wins.

41 49 37 46 44 46

C o l u m n s

— — — — — —

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

12 — Out Money: Health care for a small business 13 — Thinking Queerly: Parenting for the modern family 40 — Get Out and Play: Temple men’s gymnastics fundraiser

Classifieds 51 — Real Estate 52 — Personals 55 — Bulletin Board

Next week Gettin’ On Paw Prints

Two weeks Dining Out On Being Well Work it Out

WEEKEND WRAP-UP: Boys of Summer weekend ended with a Sunday Funday Picnic Aug. 3 at ICandy. While the weather was less-than stellar, that didn’t stop the partiers from diving into the barbecue food and frozen drinks on the deck of the club. Earlier in the weekend, Boys of Summer staged a pool party, block party and a swimsuit dance party. Photo: Scott A. Drake

This week in PGN Professional wedding planner Jason Mitchell pens a guide for gay grooms

7 — Philly athletes head to Gay Games 9 8 — Law firm launches LGBT practice group 21 — Wedding announcements

35 — Arts & Culture cover story: Indigo Girls bring music, mission to area 38 — Jade Starling flies solo with latest music 43 — Dining Out on the (Gunner’s) Run

“I’m hoping everyone can be married soon but if you live in one of those states where you can’t, you can still have a wedding now and get a marriage certificate later on.” ~ Jason Mitchell, author of ‘Getting Groomed: The Ultimate Wedding Planner for Gay Grooms’, page 23

PGN 505 S. Fourth St. Philadelphia, PA 19147-1506 Phone: 215-625-8501 Fax: 215-925-6437 E-mail: pgn@epgn.com Web: www.epgn.com

Publisher Mark Segal (ext. 204) mark@epgn.com Executive Assistant/ Billing Manager Carol Giunta (ext. 202) carol@epgn.com

Editor

Jen Colletta (ext. 206) jen@epgn.com

Advertising Manager Greg Dennis (ext. 201) greg@epgn.com

Staff Writers Larry Nichols (ext. 213) larry@epgn.com

Advertising Sales Representative Prab Sandhu (ext. 212) prab@epgn.com

Angela Thomas (ext. 215) angela@epgn.com

Office Manager/ Classifieds Don Pignolet (ext. 200) don@epgn.com

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

Purple Rain turns 30 this year and a screening of Prince’s triumphant film is being held at Trocadero.

Art Director/ Photographer

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

National Advertising Rivendell Media: 212-242-6863 Philadelphia Gay News is a member of: The Associated Press Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Suburban Newspapers of America

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

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

Mother sues Scouts over son’s death By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com The mother of a man who committed suicide after allegedly being molested by a Boy Scout leader has filed suit in Philadelphia. Patricia A. Evasew says her son Thomas J. Evasew was so distraught after being repeatedly molested by former Scoutmaster Charles “Chris” Morris that he shot and killed himself. At the time of the alleged molestation, Morris was Scoutmaster for BSA Troop 67 of the Chester County Council. Thomas was an Eagle Scout and was 38 when he died. His mother’s complaint was filed last month in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, seeking an unspecified amount in monetary damages. It alleges that Morris performed oral sex on Thomas, fondled his genitals and digitally penetrated his anus over the course of several years in the 1980s. Morris also allegedly asked Thomas to perform anal sex on him, which Thomas declined to do. At the time of the alleged abuse, Thomas was between the ages of 11-15, according to the lawsuit. On Feb. 1, 2012, Thomas shot himself in the lower face in a parking lot of a building

where Troop 67 held its meetings. The location sent a “loud, clear and unmistakable message” that the young man’s suicide was related to the sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of Morris, according to the lawsuit. “My client’s motivation for filing the lawsuit is to make sure Mr. Morris doesn’t repeat his behavior on anyone else in the community,” said Kenneth M . R o t h w e i l e r, a n attorney for Patricia Evasew. “Thomas went through decades of alcohol abuse and he just couldn’t handle the shame, so he committed suicide.” In addition to Morris, named defendants include the BSA Chester County Council and the national BSA organization. The complaint alleges that BSA officials failed to properly screen their Scout leaders, contributing to an environment that was conducive to “thousands” of pedophiles molesting boys. “Without the active participation of [BSA officials], Morris could not have committed his crimes and inflicted profound psychological injuries against then

N.J. judge dismisses conversion-therapy suit By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com One year after New Jersey passed a law banning antigay conversion therapy, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging the ban. On July 31, U.S. District Court Judge Freda Wolfson dismissed a challenge to New Jersey’s conversion-therapy bill that had been filed by a South Jersey teen and his parents, who claimed the bill hinders their son’s “right to selfdetermination” and their parenting abilities. The plaintiffs also argued that it interferes with their freedom of religion. Wolfson wrote that the bill “does not suppress, target or single out the practice of any religion because of religious conduct.” The law prevents licensed therapists, psychologists, social workers and counselors from administering therapies that seek to change one’s sexual orientation. It does not extend to clergy. Wolfson also noted that the bill does not interfere with the plaintiffs’ ability to parent their child.

“Surely, the fundamental rights of parents do not include the right to choose a specific medical or mental-health treatment that the state has reasonably deemed harmful or ineffective,” she wrote. The New Jersey legislature passed t h e b i l l t wo w e e k s a f t e r E x o d u s International, a Christian ministry dedicated to conversion therapy, closed. The following week, Republican Gov. Chris Christie signed the bill into law, making New Jersey the second state in the country to ban conversion therapy. Last fall, Wolfson dismissed a challenge to the law from two New Jersey therapists, the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality and the American Association of C h r i s t i a n C o u n s e l o r s . T h e p l a i ntiffs argued that the bill violated their freedom of religion and right to free speech. In that case, Wolfson noted that the argument for free speech was “largely irrelevant” and said the law does not prevent practicing professionals from preaching the value of sexual orientation-change efforts. ■

minor Thomas Evasew,” the complaint states. The complaint contends that even though Morris was removed as a Scoutmaster in the 1990s, BSA officials didn’t inform the public of his alleged abusive behavior. The complaint also faults BSA officials for failing to promptly inform the public of its extensive files on pedophiles within the organization. Patricia Evasew also said she confronted Morris after her son died and he admitted sexually abusing Thomas. Additionally, Morris’ daughter sent a letter to Patricia Evasew, indicating that her father acknowledged sexually abusing Thomas, according to the complaint. Morris, of Paoli, couldn’t be reached for comment. He’s never been criminally prosecuted for his alleged acts of abuse, according to court records. The case has a projected jury-trial date of Sept. 8, 2015, in Courtroom 246 of City Hall. “This is a tragic situation, and the public needs to know when these things happen, so people who are abused can get help so they don’t commit suicide like Thomas

did,” Rothweiler concluded. The BSA issued this statement about Patricia Evasew’s complaint: “While we can’t comment on pending or active litigation, the behavior included in these allegations runs counter to everything for which the Boy Scouts of America stands. Although it is difficult to understand or explain individuals’ actions from decades ago, nothing is more important to Scouting than the safety of our youth members. We fully recognize the responsibility we have when parents entrust the development and safety of their children to Scouting, which is why BSA policies have consistently evolved along with increased knowledge and best practices, and the BSA is committed to ongoing enhancement. “These allegations remind us of the importance to be ever-vigilant when it comes to the safety of our youth. The BSA seeks to prevent child abuse through a comprehensive program of education on the subject, the chartered organization leader-selection process, criminal background and other checks, policies and procedures to serve as barriers to abuse and the prompt mandatory reporting of any allegation or suspicion of abuse.” The statement added that Morris was banned from Scouting immediately upon notification of his suspected abuse. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

REGIONAL PGN

TWIN WINS: Back-to-back LGBT nights Aug. 4-5 with the Reading Fighhtin’ Phils and the Philadelphia Phillies netted a pair of victories for the home teams. On Monday, volunteers with Reading Pride, including president Richard Spangler (above, from left), Ben Renkus, Kimberly Kalbach, Richard Wagner, David Ramos and Ian Rhile cheered on the minor-league club as it toppled the Harrisburg Senators 5-1 in the second-annual LGBT event. The following night, about 300 LGBTs and allies turned out to Citizens Bank Park (right) for the 12th-annual LGBT night. Although ticket sales weren’t high enough to garner a community first pitch, Tuesday’s marathon game — which went to 15 innings — did improve the Phils’ LGBT night record, bringing it to 2-10. Photos: Scott A. Drake

We put our energy into celebrating pride. At PECO, we’re proud to support the LGBT community. So much so that the Exelon family of companies was recently recognized with the “2014 Corporate Equality Index Best Place to Work for LGBT Employees” award. Not to mention, PECO received the “Best Business” award at the Pride Day LGBT Parade and Festival for the second year in a row. We’re committed to LGBT inclusion and equality because we believe that working with individuals with different perspectives and backgrounds drive some of the most powerful outcomes. It’s what makes us proud to be a part of Exelon and happy to celebrate the power of diversity.

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www.peco.com

7/21/14 4:53 PM

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

Local athletes head to Ohio for Gay Games By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com More than 50 Philadelphia-area athletes are competing on behalf of the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection at the ninth Gay Games. The Gay Games, held through Aug. 16 in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, is the world’s largest cultural and sporting event for the LGBT community. Athletes can compete in 36 sports, such as soccer, softball, swimming, track and field, volleyball and basketball. The Gay Games were founded in 1982 and first held in San Francisco. Team Philadelphia, which helped organize local participation in the Games, is an official delegate to the Federation of the Gay Games, which also includes cities like New York City, San Francisco and London. Team Philadelphia members will sport a new logo, designed by members of The Attic Youth Center’s Attic Graffix club. Shirts with the new logo were distributed to players at William Way LGBT Community Center Aug. 6. Local participants range from their early 20s to the late 70s and represent an array of identities and sporting abilities.

Team Philadelphia marketing director Bob Szwajkos said the contingent brought two full teams for softball, as well as teams in soccer and track and field. Locals will also be competing in tennis, rodeo, swimming, golf, table tennis, ice skating and flag football.

While competing in different sports throughout the Gay Games, the local athletes are presenting a united front during the Aug. 9 opening ceremonies. “The teams or individuals who have determined that they want to attend the

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

Gay Games will march into the arena under Team Philadelphia and all of those athletes will have come from our city or the region,” he said. “You walk into the stadium in the opening ceremony under your banner and you have teams from all around the world surrounding you. They are playing music and everyone is singing songs. What an absolutely amazing experience; it is indescribable. And at the end of the week, the teams don’t march together, everyone is mixed together.” GO!Athletes executive director Anna Aagenes said the advocacy organization for LGBT athletes will have members competing in the games, but that the organization will not host any formal events at the Gay Games. “We have folks coming from all over this year,” she said. “We will mostly be there to compete or show support.” Aagenes, who will compete in track and field, said this will be her first Gay Games. Szwajkos, who won a silver medal in 2010 in track and field, said that, regardless of the medals the locals bring home, the Gay Games are a place for LGBT athletes and supporters to socialize and come together. “The Gay Games brings people from all around the world together to participate

in sports and demonstrate unity,” he said. “Winning is being there.” This year’s Gay Games are reported to be the biggest the federation has staged yet. Szwajkos said the Games, held every four years, have helped fuel interest in LGBT sports in the local community. “The Gay Games are older than any league in our city and they have brought sports to our community,” he said. “We have seen an explosion in our own sports, with over 1,200 people participating in our programs. Our groups collectively are the largest adult athletic recreation programs in the region. Our leagues have made sports the backbone of our community.” Aagenes added that the Gay Games are a great way to provide visibility for athletes who may not have a community to come home to. “It is so rare that you have people who identify as competitive athletes and LGBT all in one place,” she said. “Just in my experience, young people sometimes don’t have a network of people who are like them. It is an amazing opportunity because we are so spread out most of the time. Events like these are important for visibility and giving a sense of community.” For more information on the Gay Games, visit http://www.gg9cle.com. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

REGIONAL PGN

PRIDE, DELAWARE-STYLE: Tyree Hill (left) and Brian Wherry join the crowd dancing to “Wobble” Aug. 2 during a break in performances at the Delaware Pride festival, held in front of Legislative Hall in Dover. About 1,000 people attended the festival throughout the day, which featured drag entertainers, vendors and food trucks. The festival returned this year after a cancellation last year. Photo: Scott A. Drake

At TD Bank, we like to Bank Human. And we’re proud to celebrate the LGBT community.

Lehigh Valley law firm launches LGBT practice group By Matty Bennett PGN Contributor Gross McGinley, LLP, in Allentown recently launched an LGBT practice group to better serve the area’s LGBT community. The formation of Gross McGinley’s LGBT practice group has been months in the making, even before marriage equality was legalized in Pennsylvania. The practice group offers a wide range of legal services, from adoption to real estate to divorce and more. “We have 31 attorneys at our firm, and we have eight attorneys in this practice group,” said firm business development and marketing manager Madlen Miller. “We tried to get a nice sampling of areas where the LGBT community has really specific needs in the legal realm: That includes real estate, domestic relations, family law, custody, divorce, prenuptials and more. We tried to get a nice, wide sample of backgrounds and expertise in the group.” Mal Gross, a member of the LGBT practice group and a founding partner of the firm, said the company is enthusiastically prepared to help meet the community’s specialized legal needs. “Most areas in the law are settled, and what you do as a practitioner is execute and follow up with techniques you already know,” Gross said. “This area is in flux, and it’s challenging and important. While this is a cutting-edge and gray area in some respects, we feel this is an area where we could help a lot of people who now have rights to confirm and smooth them out.” Gross McGinley has a history of LGBT activism. Several years ago, Gross represented the city of Allentown in a significant case that expanded the city’s nondiscrimination legislation. While some local zealots challenged that, Gross worked pro bono as

the local counsel on the case, which led to the city banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Miller noted that Gross McGinley is sponsoring a local event in Allentown called Pride in the Park, Aug. 17 at Theatre Beach, where the firm will have a booth with mini-seminars that are free for anyone attending the event. Miller said the event will be educational both for the firm and the public. “We’re not sure what kinds of cases we are going to pick up,” Miller said. “We’re just trying to make sure we have our bases covered. These mini-seminars will help us gauge where the interest is. Maybe there’s something we haven’t addressed yet that we need to. Either way, we will do our best to serve the LGBT community, paying special attention to the specific needs that are going to be different from people not in the community.” Gross expressed the passion and dedication the lawyers in the LGBT practice group have for issues specific to the community. “The people in this practice group really care about the issues,” Gross said. “If you’re just doing it because you have to, or for an economical benefit, you’re not going to be effective. You have to care about what you’re doing. Clients would find our lawyers to be enthusiastic and that they care about the issues.” Gross said that while the LGBT community has been underserved by the legal profession in the past, he hopes that Gross McGinley can help rectify that by providing assistance with the changing LGBT legal landscape. “We’re proud of our law firm,” Gross said. “We’ve got a deep bench and a depth of knowledge that would be advantageous to anyone who has a question or is in need of our services.” For more information, visit www.grossmcginley.com. ■

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Michele Bachmann

Editorial

State by state On Wednesday, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on six separate challenges to marriage-equality bans in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. Courts in all four states have overturned their respective bans in recent months, but those decisions are delayed pending the appeal process. The joint nature of Wednesday’s proceeding raises some interesting questions about the pace of the marriage-equality movement. It’s commonly believed that the U.S. Supreme Court could settle the question of marriage equality nationwide with finality by next summer. While the sooner that all same-sex couples have access to the rights and benefits afforded by legal marriage the better, envisioning a sweeping and swift end to this leg of the LGBT-rights movement is somewhat bittersweet. While equality eluded same-sex couples in Pennsylvania for far too long, most can agree that the momentum leading up to the ruling that granted marriage equality in the Keystone State was thrilling. Each step of the last year since the federal ban on same-sex marriage fell — D. Bruce Hanes’ historic issuing of marriage licenses, the filing of lawsuit after lawsuit, dates scheduled for rulings — rallied the community and its allies, both old and new. The notion that it was finally time for Pennsylvania was thrilling and, when the May 20 ruling came down, locals were able to finally take pride in their state, and the many local people who made that day possible. But, the victories are coming so swiftly that not every state may be able to have a similar experience. The movement has taken off and its pace is unstoppable: Just since last summer, 19 federal courts — 16 district and three appellate — as of presstime had found marriage-equality bans to be unconstitutional. The marriage-equality landscape of today is wholly different than it was one year ago, and it will likely be wholly different one year from now. If the nation’s top court rules in favor of equality, the domino effect could be immediate. The overnight changes may leave some missing their chance to follow their local fight through to fruition, and could necessitate revamped public-awareness work to ensure the public falls in line with the laws — but still, each day equality is denied is one day too long. The path to marriage equality has been different already — some states saw legislation, some saw litigation — across the country. Nationwide, the path and pace we take to get there isn’t nearly as important as reaching our final destination. ■

OK folks, let’s get a couple of things out of the way here. First, Michele Bachmann (R- Minn.) is still a member of the United States House of Representatives no matter how many times I close my eyes and wish she would go away. Second, she did not say that immigrant children should be forced into work camps. It’s a story that originated on a poorly done satire website, and progressive sites such as Think Progress got a little too excited and published it as fact. In their defense, however, Bachmann says a lot of crazy shit. And the tenor of the Republican immigration debate is perfectly suited to include an argument that we should round these kids up and make ’em work to teach them “about the American way of life.” So sorry, not sorry, Michele Bachmann. Especially since Bachmann really did say some incredibly awful things during a July 23 appearance on the “Faith and Liberty” radio show. Bachmann and host Dave Garrison were having a sad discussion about how mean gays are to people “with a Christian worldview” and how gays want “to punish people who don’t agree with [their] viewpoint.” Because of how Christians are a persecuted minority in “God we trust” America. “This is their ultimate goal, is to not allow for diversity of opinion on this issue, because they don’t want to be celebrated, they want to force everyone to not only agree with them but also have to finance their agenda,” Bachmann wailed. First of all, it’s cute that Bachmann thinks that gays agree with each other about everything. Because, you know, homos aren’t individual people with unique points of views and life experiences or anything. Nope. Just a bunch of dyke clones on motorcycles and identical muscled guys wearing thongs on a rainbow parade float forcing everyone to worship their cocks. After all, if you don’t eat your meat, you can’t have any pudding.

Sorry, I think I was just channeling a Marcus Bachmann fever dream ... My point is ... As for financing the gay agenda, well, she’s right about that. For example, my gay agenda currently is to buy a house and I need a mortgage. Voilà, my gay agenda is being financed. Of course, right-wing loons like Bachmann prefer to make up totally crazy shit that they claim is the “gay agenda.” “I believe that we’re going to see coming an effort for, uh, multiples in marriage, not just two, but multiples in marriage,” she says. “I think they wanna legalize that. I think also they want to abolish ageof-consent laws, which means children, uh, we will do away with statutory-rape laws so that adults will be able to freely prey on little children sexually. That’s the deviance that we’re seeing embraced in our culture today.” Uh, no. There is not a cultural embrace of polygamy or kid fucking and anyone who claims such a thing is an idiot. “We need to stand up and as believers not be afraid to speak the truth,” she says to her fellow antigay Christians. “Don’t be intimidated, there’s no reason to be.” Unfortunately, Bachmann’s relationship to “truth” and facts is pretty rocky. But that’s never stopped her before. Which is why so many people believed it when they read that Bachmann favored Americanization labor camps for immigrant kids. Because she’s a fountain of bad, hateful and stupid ideas. ■

As for financing the gay agenda, well, she’s right about that. For example, my gay agenda currently is to buy a house and I need a mortgage. Voilà, my gay agenda is being financed.

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

Tell us what you think Send letters and opinion column submissions to: pgn@epgn.com; PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147; fax: 215-925-6437.

Please include a daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, style and space considerations.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

LGBT history, LGBT hypocrisy How do you feel about an LGBT permovement, we began to look at the ways son who supports an organization whose in which the LGBT community was co-founder has described gay people as oppressed. Those discussions reached being “a minority of perverts and the a fevered pitch during the time of Gay mentally and morally sick”? Does that Liberation Front in New York City from sound religiously inspired? Of 1969-71. As a part of those course it is, and when Maggie discussions, I can tell you that about the only one item — and Gallagher, Michael Marcavage, at times those discussions were Pat Robertson or Jerry Falwell heated — that everyone in the make a similar statement, we label them homophobic. room(s) could agree upon is So why are some in our comthat the very root of all oppresmunity suggesting we support sion came from religion. And an organization with that idea fighting that oppression and the at its core? The organization organizations and individuals who preach it has been what this is Hamas, whose co-founder, community has done. With variMahmoud al-Zahar, made that statement about LGBT people. ous religions willing to modernSome members of our comize their oppressive ways, we munity want to support Hamas have move towards equality. and boycott Israel since they One can easily condemn the Mark Segal bloodbath in Gaza, but you wish to show solidarity with the Palestinians — and they did so don’t have to go so far as to long before this current conflict between support Hamas’ existence as a legal govIsrael and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. ernment. If you do, you are supporting a While anyone who has a centrality of regime that uses the same words as are humanity cares about the horrific bloodused in Uganda today. ■ shed in this current conflict, especially Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the among civilians, the issue for us in this nation’s most-award-winning commencommunity to remember is history. And I’m not saying that to be flippant, espetator in LGBT media. You can follow cially as our work on our turf is not yet him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ completed. MarkSegalPGN or Twitter at https://twitter. But about that history ... Early in this com/PhilaGayNews.

Mark My Words

UPCOMING SPECIAL ISSUES Youth Quarterly Supplement - Aug. 29

Street Talk What should be next on President Obama’s LGBT list? “More support for LGBT youth centers. And bullying remains a big problem; it can be damaging and kill Lea Allen people. student President Northeast Philadelphia Obama should do more to support anti-bullying campaigns. He should be out there, speaking loudly about the problem. Bullying is not OK.”

“He needs to appoint an openly LGBT cabinet member. That would send a powerful message. He’s a minority president. Mae Larrimore He should bartender show that he Queen Village has empathy for the struggles of other minorities. [An openly LGBT cabinet member] would also show the country that the LGBT voice matters.”

“Obama should speak out about anti-LGBT persecution in other countries and consider cutting aid or otherwise Elias Morris imposing artist sanctions Swedesboro on countries that persecute LGBT folks. It’s a human-rights issue. Our president should use his political muscle to push that along.”

“I’d like to see President Obama advocate for marriage equality in all of his speeches. I support Taliah Smith marriage homemaker equality. It’s North Philadelphia good for the country. It helps people express themselves. If they can’t do that, it just makes more problems for the country.”

LGBT History Month Special Coverage - Oct. 3, Letters and Feedback 10, 17, 24, 31 Sports Issue - Oct. 3 OutFest Issue - Oct. 10

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Voting open from Sept. 18 - Oct. 19. Winners announced Nov. 7

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To the editor: A big thank you to the William Way LGBT Community Center for its bold step in assuming the responsibility to take the next steps in bringing together the sports organizations — which over the past four years have begun to recognize the “value added” in working together to make sports and recreation the social opportunity for the community to realize its potential in countless ways. With Sports Street at OutFest, the news sports area at Pride, sports cover-

age in PGN, monthly events for all teams, an annual health fair and other intersports activities, the sports community has experienced large growth in membership and new sports (kickball) into the programs, as well as bringing the national women’s softball tournament to Philadelphia and, this October, the flag football national tournament to Philadelphia. This week, athletes from numerous sports will unite as Team Philadelphia to compete at the Gay Games in Cleveland under a new logo, designed by Attic Graffix

at The Attic Youth Center. Then, the Gryphons Rugby Club will compete in the Bingham Cup in Australia. From the first summit meeting of all sports organizations in 2010 organized by Team Philadelphia, the leaders of the sports organizations have been energized to work hard and are now formalizing their unity in Out Philadelphia Athletic League. Wow, we have accomplished so much in so short a time. — Bob Szwajkos Team Philadelphia, marketing director

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

FINANCES PGN

Health care in the small-biz world Q: I own a small business in South Jersey and provide full health benefits for my employees. I’m concerned about my ability to keep doing so going forward with the rising costs of health care. Any suggestions for a small business?

to help reduce your business’s health-care expenses. High-deductible plans and HSAs

High-deductible health plans (HDHPs) are designed to drive down health-care costs by A: It’s always encouraging to hear from busi- placing more of the responsibility and cost burden on consumers, in effect, forcing them ness owners who provide such strong beneto be more cost-conscious when fits to their employees. Although I deciding on medical care. Like understand it’s becoming increastraditional health-care plans, ingly challenging to continue to HDHPs usually cover a wide offer this benefit, here are a few range of medical and prescripoptions you can consider. tion costs — but only after a steep annual deductible has been Managing health-care costs: paid. Such deductibles generally Tips for small businesses run from as low as $1,000 for individual coverage to upwards Employer-sponsored health of $7,500 for family coverage, insurance is considered by busidepending upon the plan. ness owners and employees alike HDHPs are often used to be one of the most important with health savings accounts benefits available in the workJeremy (HSAs) — tax-preferred savplace today. Yet skyrocketing accounts that are used to costs are making it more difficult Gussick ings fund qualified medical expenses. for small businesses to attract and Workers or their employers make retain skilled workers with the tax-free contributions to an HSA, then the promise of health insurance. employees use the funds to purchase medical As a result, there is a growing sense of care until they reach their deductibles. urgency among many small-business owners to find ways to reduce health-care costs HSAs and employee eligibility while meeting the mandates set forth in the Affordable Care Act. With that in mind, here Your employees are eligible for an HSA if are some strategies you may want to consider

Out Money

they meet four qualifying criteria: 1. They are enrolled in a qualified HDHP. 2. They are not covered by another disqualifying health plan. 3. They are not eligible for Medicare benefits. 4. They are not a dependent of another person for tax purposes. The maximum contribution to an HSA for 2014 is $3,300 for employees with single coverage or $6,550 for those with family coverage. Workers over age 55 can contribute an additional $1,000 in 2014 regardless of whether they have single or family coverage. Such contributions are made on a pre-tax basis, meaning they reduce taxable income. Note that, unlike IRAs and certain other taxdeferred investment vehicles, no income limits apply to HSAs. A health-reimbursement account (HRA), on the other hand, must be funded only by an employer — not by a contribution of employee income. Employees with HRAs then receive tax-free reimbursement for qualified medical expenses up to a maximum amount. Shifting costs and cutting benefits Employers who want to continue providing health-care benefits within the same general framework of their existing, traditional

health-insurance programs often face the prospect of reducing their costs by sharing expenses with employees and/or reducing available benefits. For example, employers may opt to raise employee premiums, raise deductibles or place a limit on certain types of benefits, such as coverage for routine doctors’ appointments. However, employee backlash could be significant, so it’s important to explain that the changes are necessary to maintain the overall fiscal well-being of the company. You may also want to consider offering other benefits designed to make up for the implementation of a less-generous health-insurance policy. For example, if reducing your contribution to health-insurance premiums, you may want to consider enhancing long-term care and disability benefits to compensate. In some cases, small-business owners may even offer to help bridge the gap between the old health-care benefits package and the new one. For example, an employer who raises the deductible for inpatient hospital care may offer to pay the difference in the event an employee is actually hospitalized. Wellness programs According to research conducted by the RAND Corporation, approximately half of U.S. employers with 50 or more employees offer wellness-promotion activities, with PAGE 33 larger employers more

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Modern-family parenting Have you ever noticed that kids raised ness to discuss and resolve challenging by two mommies or two daddies tend to subjects with a greater level of resilience. be especially wonderful? Sensitive, empaAnother difference between kids of thetic, nonjudgmental, socially competent same- and opposite-sex parents is the and creative are some qualities that come unfortunate fact that the former are susceptible to being bullied for having two momto mind. Unfortunately, most Americans mies or two daddies. Additional are not aware of that array of challenges may include lack of favorable attributes and instead acceptance by extended family, fear same-sex couples will raise neighbors and parents of other children who, at best, grow up children. Other complicating with social and emotional deficits and, at worst, turn out gay factors may exist due to many themselves (God forbid, right?). same-sex couples raising children in blended families and, Studies estimate that between 1 million-9 million children therefore, facing custody battles, among other issues, from in the United States have at least one LGBTQ parent, and a third parent outside of the approximately a quarter of all primary household. Of course, there is also the issue of marsame-sex couples are currently riage equality. raising children. There is not a Marriage provides an array “usual” gay family. Some sameof obvious legal benefits that sex couples may decide to have a child within their relationship, Kristina Furia protect families, without which while others may bring children children will likely sense the from previous heterosexual or same-sex lack of security, as well as of society’s unions. Although most children of samerefusal to acknowledge the love and commitment of their parents. It is because of sex couples are biological children of one this psychological and emotional harm that of the parents, a growing number are the the American Psychological Association, result of donor insemination, surrogacy, American Psychiatric Association, foster care and adoption. In fact, LGBTQ National Association of Social Workers, individuals are six times more likely to American Psychoanalytic Association and adopt, and four times more likely to adopt American Academy of Pediatrics expressed from foster care, than their heterosexual counterparts. their support for same-sex couples’ right to But, there are still at least four states — marry in publications and by filing amicus Alabama, Michigan, Mississippi and North briefs in support of Edith Windsor in the Carolina — that do not allow same-sex case that led to the fall of Section III of the couples to adopt (several others have laws Defense Of Marriage Act. that are unclear). Opponents believe sameChildren raised by gay or lesbian parents should have access to a variety of sex couples will raise gay children and argue same-sex parents fail to provide kids social supports: counselors, empathetic with appropriate role models of the gender teachers and, depending on circumstances, psychotherapists or psychologists. In absent in the home. In reality, same-sex Philadelphia, one example of such supports couples are no more likely to raise a child is Philadelphia Family Pride, which hosts who turns out LGBT than any straight the Family Matters Conference, potlucks couple. Most research has shown that children raised by same-sex parents differ very and picnics and other meet-ups for parents and kids. Another community support is little, if at all, with regard to performance Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, in school, including grades and behavior, emotional functioning, social skills and which hosts weekly support meetings, in likelihood for mental illness. A recent addition to education and advocacy. study from the University of Melbourne Despite the challenges that children found that, of 300 same-sex parents surraised by same-sex couples experience, veyed, their children actually scored higher as our country evolves, kids raised by in general health and family cohesiveness LGBTQ parents will have even more of an than children of their heterosexual counter- opportunity to thrive while experiencing parts; a Williams Institute report found that less and less adversity. In the meantime, children of lesbians have lower behavioral kids of same-sex couples will continue problems and higher self-esteem. to prove day after day that they are intelligent, open-minded, psychologically While children with gay or lesbian parents may contemplate their sexual orievolved and, perhaps most importantly of entation and gender identity in a more all, that they love, respect and admire their concerted way and at a younger age than parents regardless of anything else. ■ their peers with heterosexual parents, Kristina Furia is a psychotherapist spethere has been no evidence to reveal any cializing in issues and concerns of the marked difference in gender-role behavior or expression of gender identity and sexual LGBTQ community in addition to depression, anxiety, substance abuse and other orientation. While some cite this as a point mental illnesses. Her private practice, of contention, there’s little footing for this Philadelphia LGBTQ Counseling, offers argument as same-sex parents generally both individual and couples sessions raise children to have more of a willing-

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

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Weddings Sue Gildea and Alison Coia By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com For 30 years, Sue Gildea’s family has spent a week each summer vacationing in Sea Isle City — and this year’s trip offered much more than leisure time on the beach. Gildea and partner Allison Coia married on the beach July 27, surrounded by about 70 family members and friends. The Delaware County natives and Aston residents met about 25 years ago through the Overbrook Women’s Softball League. Gildea, 47, a graduate of St. Joseph’s University, is a manager of customer operations and training, while Coia, 50, a former travel agent, is a personal chef and owner of Cook-ADoodle-Doo. Gildea said the couple’s relationship is grounded in the trust they have for one another and in their strong support system of family and friends, which has helped them face obstacles such as Coia’s diagnosis with MS. “It’s about having fun and about enjoying life; that’s so important,” she said about the foundation of their relationship. “Sometimes people don’t realize that, hey, life has bumps, and some big potholes seem insurmountable and that they can’t be fixed, but working together and relying on a support group of friends and family can you get through anything and show you that it’s really not that bad.” And, when conflicts arise, Coia said, they learn to pick their battles by focusing on what really matters. “I think it’s understanding each other, and knowing each other so well that you know sometimes what arguments to get into and what battles you don’t want to,” she said. The couple had long joked that they would wait to get married until all same-sex couples could. “Sort of like Brad and Angelina,” laughed Gildea. So when the federal Defense of Marriage Act fell last summer, Gildea began covertly ring shopping, with the help of one of Coia’s best friends. Both women are members of City of Brotherly Love Softball League’s Stogie Joe’s team

“We came over the dunes and saw the people on the beach and it was literally breathtaking; it took my breath away,” Gildea said. “It was such a large group and that just was that first moment of really feeling overwhelmed that goes with becoming married.” Hearing cheering and clapping from vacationers at nearby houses, Coia added, was also heartening. “To have the support of all ALLISON COIA (LEFT) AND those people, who didn’t know SUE GILDEA Photo: Daniel us, and to hear them cheering Campione for us, that just emotionally got and Gildea, CBLSL secretary, me.” planned the proposal for the Once friend and fellow Stogie league’s 30th-anniversary ban- Joe’s player Sean Joyce proquet at Citizens Bank Park last nounced the couple married, the summer. guests tossed miniature beach “I contacted the Phillies and balls, instead of rice, a surprise said I wanted to do this pro- set up by their good friends, posal at the banquet because Dan and Dan, who coordinated Citizens Bank Park is kind of a the wedding planning. home away from home for the The couple and their guests league,” she said. “I worked returned to their house for a celewith the team and we got a tour bration, complete with music by of the clubhouse, the locker Seamus Kelleher, a former guirooms and the dugout, and we tarist for Irish band Blackthorn were with our team and our who, in the process of booking, friends, which was great. My Gildea learned has a lesbian daughter, Caitlyn, was there and sister. She set up the musician knew about it. I proposed when as a surprise for Coia and their we got to the batting circle.” many Irish relatives, including Gildea pulled off the surprise. Gildea’s dad, a big Blackthorn “I was shocked,” Coia said. fan for whom this year’s wed“We got to the batting circle ding trip was especially meanand somebody said, ‘OK, let’s ingful, as he missed last year’s take a picture,’ so I was looking vacation after a fall. around trying to make sure the Coincidentally, Coia had also logo was in the background and reached out to Blackthorn to play I turned around and she was on but hadn’t gotten a response. one knee. My mouth dropped. After the wedding celebraBut it was so cool to be able to tion, the couple spent the week share that with our friends who at the shore for a “family honeywere there, and not everyone moon.” knew about it. On the video, you The reality of being legally can hear people saying, ‘Is this married hadn’t yet sunk in. for real?’” “We were on vacation and Wedding planning became still with everybody and haven’t real quickly, the couple said, as gotten back into the swing of New Jersey legalized same-sex things,” Coia said. “Right after marriage just a few weeks after the shore, we went to a family the proposal. party and then to Eagles practice Because of their annual vaca- and have been running around. tion tradition, they decided to So reality might set in today.” pick Sea Isle City as the wedThey’re planning a large ding destination. reception for Nov. 1, where Their guests filled three vaca- they’re looking to follow the tion homes and they said a num- laidback, celebratory nature of ber of their “crafty and creative” their beach wedding by encourfriends pitched in to help them aging guests to dress up in create the perfect beach wed- Halloween costumes. ding. “It’s all about having fun, celThe couple stayed in a house ebrating life and love and I think on the beach and walked together we truly did that,” Gildea said. over the dunes to the ceremony. ■

Bill Wood and Lee Mallon By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com Knock Restaurant and Bar coowner and Woody’s founder Bill Wood married partner Lee Mallon last month after almost four decades together. Wood, 67, and Mallon, 58, married July 11 at their Philadelphia home. Wood has co-owned Knock since 2007 and Mallon is a registered nurse at Bryn Mawr Hospital. Wood and Mallon met 39 years ago at The Allegro, a now-defunct LGBT bar that was located on Spruce Street. “A friend had introduced us and we seemed to hit it off when we first met,” Wood said. “Things were simpler in those days; when you met someone back then, you actually had to speak with them.” Throughout the years, Wood said, he and Mallon, both Philly natives, have often found themselves on opposite schedules because of their work commitments. But they have found harmony within their relationship. Compromise has been integral, he noted. “It isn’t always easy but we both have been pretty good as far as compromising goes,” he said. “My work habits are different than most people. We had to adjust work hours and usually I am coming home when he is waking up but we still get quality time together.” They had discussed marriage, and would have tied the knot on a river cruise in France last year, but were stopped by a technicality.

“We pretty much decided together to get married,” Wood said. “We almost did it last year in France but we couldn’t because captains aren’t allowed to marry you on the river, just at sea.” But, when a federal judge overturned Pennsylvania’s ban on samesex marriage this past spring, they abandoned plans to get married elsewhere. “We were looking into doing it in New Jersey or Delaware and when things happened in Pennsylvania, we agreed to get married in our home state,” he said. Wood and Mallon received a marriage license in June from Montgomery County Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes, who made headlines last year when he issued licenses to same-sex couples. “We waited and I am glad we did because we could get married at home,” Wood said. The couple was married in their garden by a longtime friend, surrounded by friends and family. “We had waited 39 years; people thought it was pretty much time for us to get married,” Wood said. “Everyone was very happy for us.” Wood said the marriage still feels new to the couple. “This week we are buying a home in Florida and now on the papers, we can check married instead of any other labels.” Wood said he and his now-husband still enjoy one another’s company as much as they did 39 years ago. “We both make each other laugh after all these years and, as long as we can do that, we are in great shape.” ■

LEGAL AT LAST: James Macleod, 72, and Henry “Chuck” Weitz, 82, were finally married May 25 in Rose Tree Park in Media. Officiating was the Rev. Janice Bowker of Imago Dei Metropolitan Community Church. The couple was joined by joyous friends and there were many happy tears at the ceremony, which celebrated their 35 years of love together in Delaware County. Cards may be sent to Imago Dei MCC, 1223 Middletown Road, Glen Mills, PA 19342. They will read them ALL.

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Out wedding planner pens guide for gay grooms By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Marriage equality is the new reality in states across the country, including here in Pennsylvania — but how does reality coalesce with tradition? That’s the answer that wedding planner Jason Mitchell sought to explore in his new book, “Getting Groomed.” Mitchell, a New York City-based wedding planner at Shiraz Events, which also has offices in Los Angeles, Miami and London, said the concept for the book grew out of his experience planning his own wedding. “I was looking through all these handy books that have calendars and checklists to make sure you don’t miss anything and I was getting frustrated that there wasn’t anything on the market for same-sex couples,” Mitchell said. “Everything was focused on brides, so that’s where this idea was born.” “Getting Groomed” is focused on a double-groom wedding, but offers tips that could be applicable to lesbian and heterosexual weddings. Chapters are organized according to different aspects of the weddingplanning process — entertainment, fashion, budget, photography, with handy checklists and worksheets — with advice geared toward overcoming the obstacles that come with being a nontraditional couple traversing an industry so steeped in tradition. “When you start planning as a same-sex couple, up until now, there wasn’t much of a guidebook; you had to rely on instinct. The hardest thing for my fiancé at the time and me was trying to picture how all of this would come together,” Mitchell said. “Then families come in with questions and they don’t know how they fit into a gay wedding. And it’s all figuring it out as you go.” In the book, and his work with Shiraz, Mitchell advises couples, both sameand opposite-sex, to make their wedding uniquely their own. That’s a mantra to keep in mind when couples are trying to walk the balance between traditional and nontraditional, he said. “The joy of creating a wedding is it’s a custom event that fits the couple,” he said. “There may be some traditions that come with a wedding, religious or cultural, that a couple feels a connection to and wants to observe but, if not, they have to think about what they would modify, what they would create instead. That’s what makes the wedding really special and personal, but you have to make incredibly conscious decisions throughout the process.” Adding individualized touches like a specialty signature cocktail is another way to customize the event. “Everyone loves cocktail hour and serv-

ing specialty cocktails is one thing that’s really popular right now,” Mitchell said. “St-Germain is a really great option to be used in serving at weddings; you can have a great cocktail with the sparkling wine, club soda and the French liqueur that’s refreshing, not too much alcohol and looks beautiful in the glass. It’s a real crowed-pleaser. Those great little details are really important.” The topics covered in “Getting Groomed” aren’t solely for couples tying the knot in states where it’s legal. Mitchell said he’s been planning events for same-sex couples long before the recent spate of marriage-equality victories. “The whole idea of having a wedding is different than a legal marriage. If you’re at the time in your life where you want to celebrate your love with your chosen partner and declare that love in front of your friends and family, I don’t think you have to wait for your state to legalize it. It can be a wedding even if it’s not legally recognized by the state,” he said. “I’m hoping everyone can be married soon but if you live in one of those states where you can’t, you can still have a wedding now and get a marriage certificate later on. Some people feel differently but for me, I’ve been working on weddings before they were legal, when people felt they were at the time in their life where they needed to celebrate.” Mitchell and his now-husband got engaged shortly before New York legalized same-sex marriage, and booked their venue just hours after the law was passed. As state after state now joins the marriage-equality list, Mitchell noted that it’s important for couples to research wedding vendors to ensure they’re working with professionals who are truly LGBT-friendly. “It’s best to get resources from people who’ve worked with them before. Word of mouth is the most powerful tool.” Regardless of the size or scope, legality or non-legality of your event, Mitchell said his number-one wedding-planning tip is that couples should always keep in mind the reason behind their big day. “The whole idea of putting on a wedding should be on your terms. There are often too many other opinions in the way and it’s very easy to get distracted and overwhelmed. So it should be a constant conversation between the two people who are getting married about creating a day that is about the two of you, and staying present through that process. You want to lay the groundwork, set the budget, make smart decisions but at the same time, you should enjoy the process. It’s wonderful to be engaged and to plan your wedding but you can’t ever lose sight of what the point was of getting engaged to begin with.” For more information, visit www.gettinggroomed.com. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

On the brink of marriage equality By Matty Bennett PGN Contributor With more than 75 active lawsuits involving the freedom to marry currently at the state and federal levels, exploring the state of marriage equality in the United States can quickly become a confusing, headacheinducing endeavor. Here are the answers to some questions you might have about what we can expect next in the marriage-equality movement.

married, so state legislatures cannot simply change marriage law. In the remaining three states — Wyoming, Indiana and West Virginia — it is highly unlikely that their state legislatures would pass a bill allowing marriage equality. Thus, there has been an enormous boom of marriage-equality lawsuits all throughout the country, mainly because it’s the only way to legalize samesex marriage in their respective states, or legislation and ballot initiatives are not viable options due to the political climate.

Why all the court cases?

What court cases are up next?

Currently, 19 states and the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage. In the past year, there has been an explosion of court cases dealing with marriage equality in states all throughout the country, yet the majority of the jurisdictions where it’s legal garnered the freedom to marry through state legislation or popular vote, not litigation. In 28 out of the remaining 31 states that do not have marriage equality, there are constitutional amendments in place that exclude same-sex couples from getting

Aug. 6: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit held oral arguments for six different marriage-equality cases. The court has jurisdiction over Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. In each of these states, federal judges have ruled in favor of marriage for same-sex couples. One or more of these cases could ultimately go before the United States Supreme Court. Aug. 26: Oral arguments for two separate cases from Indiana and Wisconsin will be heard by the Seventh Circuit Court of

Appeals, which covers those two states and Illinois. Sept. 8: Oral arguments will be heard by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. The two specific cases — Sevcik v. Sandoval and Latta v. Otter — come from Nevada and Idaho, respectively. A ruling in favor of marriage equality out of one of the states would be binding to each of the states within the circuit. When might a U.S. Supreme Court case happen? James Esseks, director of the LGBT Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, told PGN he’s optimistic about the U.S. Supreme Court hearing a marriageequality case by June. He said the nation’s top court could hear one of the cases from Utah, Oklahoma or Virginia. “These particular cases all say that there is a fundamental right to marry, which includes same-sex couples,” Esseks said. “The next step for those three cases is that

the losers are going to ask the Supreme Court to review the ruling — I would guess very soon. I think the chances that the U.S. Supreme Court takes that decision potentially by next June is very high because this is an issue of serious importance for the country.” Asked why a case hasn’t been taken to the Supreme Court yet, Esseks said SCOTUS waits for more cases from the lower courts, which is why marriage-equality wins at the various circuit courts of appeals are so important. “The Supreme Court is typically cautious and wants there to be a rough consensus among the lower courts before hearing any cases,” Esseks said. “The Supreme Court may wait a little bit to see what other decisions come out; they’re going to have a menu of at least three cases, maybe even up to six, to choose from, and then it will at least choose [whether or not] to grant review. We may know that early in the fall, or we may know that in December or January.” How was the PA decision different? In Pennsylvania, Republican Gov. Tom

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Corbett decided not to appeal the U.S. District Court decision in favor of marriage equality, saving the state from an appeal and potential delay of the ruling’s implementation. Esseks hopes to see the same from other Republican governors in the future. “It was an incredible act of leadership on Corbett’s part to say, ‘I’m not going to waste any time on this any more,’” Esseks said. “I hope that other Republican governors will follow his lead by looking around and saying, ‘Look, we can see where this issue is going with the courts, with the people at large and this is an issue we shouldn’t be fighting over.’” ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

TOAST OF THE TOWN: Local couples showed off their best wedding smiles for photographer Jose A. Guzman Colon at a fundraiser for Freedom to Marry Aug. 2 at Woody’s. The event was staged by Skyy Vodka’s Toast to Marriage initiative, which has held similar events at cities throughout the country this summer. In addition to raising money for the national marriage-equality organization, the effort seeks to raise awareness about marriage equality by capturing photos of supporters. For more information, visit www.toasttomarriage.com or search social media for #toasttomarriage. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Wedding Services Directory

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

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A small wedding with a big meaning By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor The moment the federal court decision allowed same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania, Michael, my partner of 17 years, proposed. We had talked about eloping in Elkton, Md., in the past, but decided to be wed only when the state where we lived would recognize our marriage. As such, on May 20, 2014, we were engaged. Mike and I then looked at the calendar and decided to get married on June 14. We wanted to make it legal at first opportunity, and that date was best for our family members, the rabbi who would officiate and our guests — 30 people in all. Planning a wedding in three weeks requires some quick decisions, which also means some sacrifices and flexibility. Because we kept our plans modest, we had few critical decisions to make. Our wedding was not going to be a big, lavish black-tie affair at a fancy hotel. We were not planning a reception with an open bar, seven-piece band and seating for 200. We love to attend weddings like those, but we’re much more low-key when it comes to celebrating our love. For the dress code, Mike and I decided to get married in suits, not tuxedos. This was not a $10,000 wedding that required black tie, but a casually elegant affair that required

a suit for the grooms and appropriate attire for the guests. We bought new matching French cuff shirts, and our close friend Dan, in the United Kingdom, sent us penguin and goat cufflinks for the shirts as wedding gifts. (He was with us in spirit, if not in person,) On my mother’s sage advice, I bought a snazzy bowtie “to have a special look on a special day.” We did not need music and dancing; the only music we played was k.d. lang’s “Simple” to signal the start of the ceremony. We opted not to walk down an aisle, as we had no need to have a traditional procession. And this is what is so great about samesex weddings: You can tailor them to suit your needs. “Queering” the traditional ceremony and rituals is not disrespectful. Rather, we planned to do what felt right for us and what would make our guests comfortable. For most of them, this would be their first same-sex wedding. We didn’t have time for engagement cards or engraved invitations. But thanks to www.postmark.com, it cost us $12 for 50 evites. Because we wanted an intimate ceremony, we chose not to book a rental hall, hotel or synagogue, but held the wedding in our apartment. The small space also allowed us to incorporate our guests easily, and having them take part in the ceremony was

important to us. We asked two friends who were photographers to take photos of the ceremony and the guests. We did not need to hire a photographer or videographer; we preferred candid photos that captured the moment. While I do subscribe to the advice that it is unwise to ask friends or family members for favors to save money, the exception to the rule is that if your friends or relatives actually are photographers, caterers or calligraphers who would be happy to help, you do not necessarily have to hire professionals. Yes, there is the risk of damaging a relationship, but given the small scale of our ceremony, asking and incorporating these talented individuals to provide their services made our day special. Although we considered serving a catered buffet, we opted to have a price-fix, threecourse dinner with wine after the ceremony in a private room at a favorite nearby restaurant. My sister-in-law, who does calligraphy, agreed to make name cards for the tables. We decided against having a wedding cake, because it was unnecessary for us. Dare I suggest, in a moment of romantic sappiness, that getting married made our life sweet enough? Because our dinner was in a private, candlelit room at a restaurant, we did not need to get centerpieces or have flowers on every

GARY KRAMER (LEFT) AND MIKE MILLER Photo: Bob Pisani

table. We did not need to hire a florist, but we did splurge on getting boutonnières with irises, our favorite flower, for us grooms, as well as my twin, who was my best man, and our friend Jennifer, who was Mike’s best person. We ordered an additional bouquet of irises for a vase at our ceremony to provide a splash of color, and a guest of ours unexpectedly sent a celebratory arrangement of flowers, which brightened up the room. These personal touches made our wedding all the more meaningful to us. It was a fabulous celebration, with a champagne toast in lieu of a cocktail hour. With a little thought and some careful planning, you can pull together a quick and reasonably priced wedding. Our efforts allowed us to truly enjoy the day with our friends and family. We are still smiling. ■

Locations in Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia Allentown • Allentown Brew Works, 812 Hamilton St. • Candida, 247 N. 12th St. • Stonewall, 28-30 N. 10th St. • Annville • Lebanon Valley College, Sheridan Ave. • Ardmore • Ardmore Station, Anderson Ave. near Coulter Ave. • Bethlehem • LGBTQ Services Lehigh U, 25 Trembley Dr. • Bloomsberg • Bloomsberg University LGBTA Center, 400 E. Second St. • Bristol • Bristol News World, 576B Bristol Pike • Freddie’s Bar, Pond St. • Bryn Mawr • Bryn Mawr College, Canaday Library • Bryn Mawr Station, Morris Ave. near Bryn Mawr Ave. • Fox & Roach Realty, 763 Lancaster Ave. • Chester • Harrah’s Chester Casino, 777 Harrah’s Blvd. • Widener University, 1 University Place • Collegeville • Adult World, 3975 Ridge Pike • Devon • Devon Station, Devon State Road & Lancaster Pike • Doylestown • Darkanyu, 504 Eagle Lane • Doylestown Bookshop, 16 S. Main St. • Siren Records, 25 E. State St. • East Stroudsburg • Rainbow Mountain Resort, 210 Mt. Nebo Road • Easton • Lafayette College, 101 Hogg Hall • La Pazza, 1251 Ferry St. • Gibson • Hillside Campground, 1 Creek Road • Glen Mills • Imago Dei MCC, 1223 Middletown Road • Glenside • Keswick Cycle, 408 N. Easton Road • Hanover Township • Venture Lounge, 1266 San Souci Parkway • Harrisburg • AIDS Community Alliance, 100 N. Cameron St. • Brownstone Lounge, 412 Forster St. • MCC of the Spirit, 2973 Jefferson St. • Stallions, 706 N. Third St. • Haverford • Haverford Station, Haverford Station Road near Lancaster Ave. • Hulmeville • Hulmeville Inn, Trenton and Hulmeville Road. • Huntington • Huntingdon Valley Library, 625 Red Lion Rd. • Kutztown • Kutztown University, 15200 Main St. • Lancaster • Downtown Books, 227 N. Prince St. • Sundown Lounge, 429 N. Mulberry St. • Tally Ho Tavern, 201 W. Orange St. • Lansdale • Gwynedd Vet Hospital, 1615 W. Pointe Pike • Lehighton • Woods Campground, 845 Vaughn Acres Road • Levittown • Diamond Check Cashing, 5 Points• Hurricane Jack’s, 7759 New Falls Rd. • Levitt Books, 7406 Bristol Pike • Levittown Gas, Green Lane and Mill Creek Road • Mailbox Unlimited, 922 S. Woodbourne Rd. • Malvern • Malvern Station, King St. & Warren Ave. • Media • Unitarian Universalist Church, 145 W. Rose Tree Road • The Media Theater, 104 E. State St. • LGBT Alliance Group, Delaware Co. Campus, Penn State Univ., 901 Media Line Road • Moosic • 12 Penny Saloon, 3501 Birney Ave. • Narberth • Narberth Station, Haverford & Narberth avenues • New Hope • Bowman’s Tavern, 1600 River Rd. • Cornerstone Gym, 419 York Road • Eagle Diner, 6522 York Road • John & Peters, 96 S. Main St. • Karla’s Restaurant, 5 W. Mechanic St. • La Chateau Exotique, 31A W. Mechanic St.• The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St. • Sandbar, 90 S. Main St. • Triumph Brewing Co., 400 Union Square Drive • Wishing Well Giuest House, 114 Old York Rd. • New Milford • Oneida Campground, 2580 E. Lake Road • Newportville • Road House Inn, 220 New Falls Rd. • Newtown • Bucks Co. Community College, 275 Swamp Road • Norristown • Beagle Tavern, 1003 E. Main St. • North Wales • Adult World, 608 Upper State Road • Paoli • Paoli Station, North Valley Road & Lincoln Highway • Penndel • Selecto Food Market, Route 413 • Penns Park • United Methodist Church, 2394 Second St. Pike • Plains Township • Twist Bar, Fox Ridge Plaza, Rte. 315 • Quakertown • Adult World, 880 S. West End Blvd. • Reading • Berks Aid Network, 429 Walnut St. • Reading Adult Center, 316 Penn St. • Rosemont • Rosemont Station, Airdale Road & Montrose Ave. • Spring Grove • Atland’s Ranch, RR6, Box 6543 • Swarthmore • Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Parrish Hall • Temple • Naughty But Nice, 4502 N. Fifth St. • Upper Darby • Honor Box, 69th Street Station • Villanova • Villanova Station, Spring Mill Road near County Line Road • Warminster • Darkanyu, Bux Mont Unitarian Church, Street Road at Rt. 611 • Planned Parenthood of Bucks Co., 610 Louis Dr. • Wayne • Central Baptist Church, 106 W. Lancaster Ave. • Stafford Station, Old Eagle School & Crestline roads • Wayne Station, N. Wayne & West Ave. • West Chester • Chester County Books, 975 Paoli Pike • Williamsport • Peachies, 144 E. Fourth St. • Willow Grove • Barnes & Noble, 102 Park Ave. • Wynnwood • Wynnwood Station, Wynnewood & Penn roads •

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WEDDING PGN ISSUE IBA from page 1

gible and can apply for this award,” he said. “Some chambers have been around for more than 30 years and have a membership of more than 1,100 people, so to go up against those chambers that have been around for a while is an honor.” IBA was founded in 2006 and has more than 200 members. Cavanaugh said it is the members who have made the IBA award-winning. “We are overjoyed because ultimately it is because of our members and because of their engagement and what they bring to the chamber that makes us a great team,” he said. “A lot of people have worked hard to bring us to this point.” The NGLCC acknowledged the IBA’s successful monthly networking events, its ConnX and Women in Business programs, as well as corporate partnerships, noting IBA can be a model for other LGBT chambers of commerce across the country. Cavanaugh said he is proud of IBA’s ability to be inclusive while providing real networking opportunities for its members. The Philadelphia Business Journal this year named IBA one of the top-25 chambers in the region and last year one of the top-25 networking organizations. “A lot of people who join IBA and are a part of other organizations or chambers very often say that we are very engaged with our board and members,” he said. “Our members often say how other chambers can be cliquey. Our board is very engaged with the membership and they go up to people and ask them who they need to meet or talk to help them with their business. We’ll make those connections for them on a personal level. If you come to our events, we’ll open doors for you.” Cavanaugh said that, during the conference, IBA members attended several sessions about best practices and shared what has worked well for the IBA. He noted IBA is particularly proud of the four new corporate partners they have brought on: Flaster/Greenburg, Comcast NBC Universal, Elsevier and AstraZeneca. “To be able to put our corporate partners’ logos on our website and have them recognized as our corporate partners gives us leverage,” he said. “However, our members really make IBA what it is today. Our membership has grown so much since last year. They are the reason why we are here.” IBA will combine the ConnX and Women In Business events for a celebration 5:307:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac St. For more information, visit www.independencebusinessalliance.com. ■

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Wedding Services Directory

Wedding expo makes return engagement By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com

Wedding Services Directory Ads in PGN. For Wedding Services designed with you in mind.

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For the first time, the Rainbow Wedding Network will host two LGBT wedding expos in Pennsylvania in one year. The organization, spearheaded by partners Cindy Sproul and Marianne Puechl, will present the Gay & Lesbian Wedding Expo 12:30-3:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Sheraton Bucks County, 400 N. Oxford Valley Road in Langhorne. Sproul and Puechl, who staged an expo at the location in March, decided to bring it back for a second time this year largely because of the May ruling that allowed same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania. “The show in March was well-received with over 300-350 in attendance, so once marriage equality was passed, so many couples contacted us to see if we were coming back,” Sproul said. Sproul said the Sheraton Bucks County was gracious and excited to host the return event. So far, 25 vendors have signed up, and the pair is expecting about 35; exhibitor space is still available for interested vendors. Out attorney Angela Giampolo will present at the exhibition and Sproul said she is also looking to get Equality Pennsylvania and William Way LGBT Community Center on board for presentations. “We are expecting a really nice crowd and a lot of couples are really excited that they can now seriously plan to get married in Pennsylvania,” Sproul said. “And some already have their dates set so it is the perfect opportunity for businesses to reach out.” Sproul said Rainbow Wedding Network is also planning a second expo in Oregon, which legalized marriage equality the day before Pennsylvania and right after the pair hosted an exhibit there. While Sproul noted all of their events are highenergy, regardless of the laws of the respective states, this expo will be especially celebratory. “Marriage equality is now a reality for LGBT couples in Pennsylvania. It is really important if couples are planning a wedding [to attend] because we won’t be back in the state for a while and we will have all these wonderful LGBT-friendly wedding and travel professionals that can assist them in planning their special day.” Despite the marriage-equality win, not all vendors, or other wedding expos, are LGBT-friendly, Sproul said. “The thing we do so well is that couples even in wonderful areas like Philadelphia are still nervous going to straight bridal fairs,” she said. “They walk in and if it is two women, sometimes vendors assume or ask which one is the bride,” she said. “Ten years from now we will still be a necessity, even in progressive areas. We want to give that sense of walking into a room filled with businesses that are excited for them.” RSVPs are requested. For more information, visit www.SameLoveSameRights.com or www. RainbowWeddingNetwork.com. ■

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Before the Bells

Jen Colletta

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

Spotlight on: BG Productions

Choosing who and how to capture your wedding After the vows have been said, the rings exchanged, the toasts made and the unruly relative escorted off the dance floor, what will always last from a wedding are the photos. Figuring out how to best preserve the memories from your big day is one of the most important decisions in the wedding-planning process; with all the time, energy and often money that couples put into their wedding, they should be able to revisit those special moments for years to come. Before embarking on your photo-planning journey, you should know about how much you want to spend on photos; going into meetings with photographers and being overwhelmed by the price tag is another added stress you don’t need. Photography and videography are typically in the top-tier of most expensive wedding aspects, but where they fall in the list of expenses is up to the couple’s priorities. Like with most steps in the planning process, independent research should come first: Rely on personal referrals and lists of LGBT-friendly photographers to pull together names of vendors you might want to meet with. Make sure to check out their work online before setting up an inperson; wedding photography style really can run the gamut — some focus on the formal and traditional, while others tend towards the candid and alternative — so it’s important to know a bit about your photographer before you meet. Almost as important as the quality of the work is your connection with the photographer. Having someone behind the lens who is impersonal or with whom you don’t “click” could pose a problem; they’ll likely be there throughout the duration of your wedding day, so having someone with whom you have a good rapport is essential. Along that vein, some couples may want to ask a friend or family member who has some photographic experience to document the day; while that might appeal to your wallet, enlisting loved ones as vendors can bring its own boatload of headaches. Google if you want to hear some horror stories ... When you do decide on your photographer, like most other aspects, don’t be afraid to ask if they’re willing to customize a package if you’re trying to cut some costs; because of the wealth of options that usually go into wedding photography packages (really, there are a lot), many wedding photogs seem willing to be flexible with taking away certain aspects or adding others, depending on the taste and preference of the couple.

Speaking of the options ... One of the first questions will be whether you want video along with your photos. Some companies offer the two together, while other photographers work alone and can recommend good videographers. The choice always comes down to personal preference, but the wealth of online testimonials from brides and grooms lamenting their decision to not have a videographer was enough to convince this couple! If you do choose to have video, there’s then the question of which style — documentary versus cinematic versus a fusion — as well as the extent of editing and the final video products offered. On the photo side, couples may have to consider questions such as the number of photogs they want present (having an assistant to the main photographer means they can catch a number of perspectives) and the number of hours they’ll work, as most offer a set number of hours in varying packages with an additional fee per hour. There’s also the question of the number of edited and raw photos couples want, as well as preferences of print versus digital. Many companies offer samplings of both; while nearly everything is trending towards online, having professionally printed wedding photographs is a time-honored tradition that many are not yet willing to set aside. Photo products — prints, frames, canvases, “parent” albums — are commonly included in wedding packages. While some couples may forego ordering these products from their photographer and opt instead to make their own utilizing online photo sites, the quality of the finished product should be a consideration. Some companies offer engagement sessions as part of a package or as an add-on. While such an option may seem superfluous for longtime couples now legally tying the knot, it could be helpful to have a practice session with your photographers, to get used to their style behind the camera and to become more comfortable in front of the camera. Plus, professional prewedding shots are great to incorporate into save-the-dates and invites (not to mention birthday and Christmas gifts). While anyone with an iPhone nowadays seems to style him or herself an amateur photographer, top-quality wedding photography can’t be delivered by just anyone who can point and click. To find the right team, educate yourself about the industry and come up with what you think may be a longer-than-necessary list of questions. The more you learn about your photographer’s vision and offerings, the better equipped you’ll be to pick the right person. ■

Photo: BG Productions

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

genuine LGBT-friendliness, their work, which they describe as having a photojournalistic style, really caught our attenOur search for the right wedding photog- tion. Their body of wedding work isn’t just raphers came to a quick end as soon as we posed photo after posed photo; while the duo takes the requisite formal family shots, met with BG Productions. The BG team — consisting of husband/ they try to catch the couple and their guests wife duo Al Green and Cathie Berrey-Green as candidly and creatively as possible, and (the latter of whom is a former employee of that sometimes means one of them is standThe Attic Youth Center) — pride themselves ing on a chair or laying on the floor to get on producing work that truly embodies the the perfect moment from the perfect angle. individual spirit of each of their subjects, (At our engagement shoot, they traversed while producing meaningful relationships the rocky riverside and sprawled across a gravel bridge to catch the best shots.) with those clients to further that aim. When it came to picking products, BG The couple married in 2007 and three months later joined their talents to form offers custom-built packages. We were initially a bit overwhelmed BG, incorporating in 2009. by the number of choices Cathie is usually behind that can go into creating a the camera lens while Al wedding photo package, takes the video, and their but Cathie and Al worked business runs the gamut with us to explain all the from weddings to lifepros and cons of each style events, such as famdecision and to help us ily shoots or pet portraits, make choices based solely as well as corporate photo on our own tastes. and video. What really solidified My partner and I hapour choice, however, was pened upon them through a the fact that the BG ownlist of local LGBT-friendly wedding photographers AL GREEN, CATHIE BERREY- ers develop more than just and were immediately GREEN AND DOG, BELLA a professional relationship with their clients. For taken by their values, stated our initial meeting, they plainly in their online company bio: “We strongly believe in being as hosted us in their home and got to know green and socially responsible as possible us as a couple, not just as potential clients. and take steps daily to continue that pro- When we signed on as clients, they sent us cess. We also do not discriminate against a beautifully crafted (and very green) welany couple wishing to be married; this is a come package. They host an annual openright all folks should have. Love is a basic house client-appreciation party for all their clients, and keep up with former clients human right!” Their support isn’t just in word only: The throughout their life events. Taking the added step to get to truly know couple declines to work with any business or individual that discriminates against LGBT their clients helps their couples feel at ease people, regularly blogs about marriage- when the camera’s on and allows BG to get equality developments, have photographed the most natural shots. With a wedding day a wealth of same-sex unions, were on hand being so hectic, we’re looking forward to to celebrate Pennsylvania’s marriage-equal- working with a duo whose talents we know ity ruling at Philadelphia City Hall and sup- we can trust. For more information, visit www. port local LGBT groups like The Attic. While we were initially hooked by BG’s bgproonline.com. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

PGN LINCOLN from page 1

project organizers are planning to meet with local neighbors regarding the sidewalk closure and will take suggestions from the public and from Bland about potentially amending the closure site. “We want to keep it as safe as possible but are open to suggestions. But we need the elbow room for when we put in Dumpsters and to keep the area safe also. Cranes will be involved later on as we progress, and there will be lumber deliveries. We have a limited space to work with.” Compounding the issue is the fact that closure signage at 12th and 13th streets keeps being stolen, Zajaczkowski said. “That’s frustrating,” he said. “We’re putting up signage and it’s getting scrapped. We’ve put $3,000 into the signage, and we just put in another order to make sure people know they need to cross.” Wa s h i n g t o n S q u a r e We s t C iv i c Association member Judy Applebaum noted that, while the sidewalk closure isn’t the “ideal situation,” she’s eagerly welcoming the renovation. “We’re thrilled that something’s finally happening,” Applebaum said. After the fire, she said, New York-baesd owner Jacob Ungar said renovations were being held up by the delayed resolution of an insurance settlement. “We kept pushing it, saying, ‘How long should an insurance settlement really take?’ And then we tried to force him to do some security at the building — board up doors and windows — and he was uncooperative. Honestly, some blame could put on the city too because I feel they should’ve stepped forward.” There had long been concerns about portions of the building potentially collapsing, and there was also a suspicion, Applebaum said, that squatters were gaining access to the building, which prompted further worries about criminal activity, fires and rodents. “It’s been a real blight on the community,” she said. The insurance-settlement issue led to a debate over who truly owned the building: Ungar or another company, also based in New York. After a series of court actions, the case was forwarded to a Jewish court to determine the rightful owner. “It’s really been a soap opera,” Applebaum said. “I think I’ve been to court six times just in the last two years over this building. Finally it went to sheriff’s sale and there was this deal.” Thomas confirmed that Perlman has the deed to the building in his possession. When the project is completed, Thomas said, it will attract a much different element than it has in the past eight years. He likened the feel of the building to a project the company just completed at 1211 Sansom St. “We were able to give that a young, entrepreneurial spirit, a New York style with a Philly twist,” Thomas said. “This will be super high-end and modern. It won’t be loft style — usually lofts have bare concrete floors and we won’t be doing that — but it’ll be luxury, modern apartments.” ■

PGN MONEY from page 12

likely to have more complex programs. Most employers (72 percent of those offering a wellness program) characterize their program as a combination of screening activities and interventions.1 While the goal of a wellness program is admirable — to reduce health-care costs by fostering healthier lifestyles among employees — the programs aren’t without their potential drawbacks. For example, a wellness program that rewards (or penalizes) workers based on arbitrary health benchmarks may be deemed discriminatory. A program that emphasizes education is likely to be less controversial than one that seems to single out individual workers for praise or admonishment. ■ Jeremy R. Gussick is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional with LPL Financial, the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer.* Gussick specializes in the financial-planning needs of the LGBT community and was recently named a 2013 FIVE STAR Wealth Manager by Philadelphia Magazine.** He is active with several LGBT organizations in the Philadelphia region, including the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund and the Independence Business Alliance, the Philadelphia region’s LGBT chamber of commerce. OutMoney appears monthly. If you have a question for Gussick, email Jeremy.gussick@lpl.com. LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. 1 Source: The RAND Corporation, “Workplace Wellness Programs Study,” sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2013. This article was prepared with the assistance of Wealth Management Systems Inc. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. We suggest that you discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor. Please consult me if you have any questions. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by Wealth Management Systems Inc., or its sources, neither Wealth Management Systems Inc., nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall Wealth Management Systems Inc. be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscribers’ or others’ use of the content. Wealth Management Systems, Inc. and LPL Financial are not affiliated entities. *As reported by Financial Planning magazine, 1996-2014, based on total revenues. **Award based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of year 2012 and 2013 Five Star Wealth Managers.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

PAGE 38

Dining Out Family Portrait Get Out and Play Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly Worth Watching

Page Page Page Page Page Page Page

43 41 40 46 44 37 49

Indigo Girls roll through region on summer tour By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com The Indigo Girls are winding down a summer tour coming through our area Aug. 11-13 before they head home to record a new album. The out Grammy-winning folkrock duo comprised of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers hasn’t done an album of new music since 2011’s “Beauty Queen Sister” but, after years of touring, side projects and pursuing interests outside of music, the two are ready to make another record. “We just got really busy,” Saliers said about the long stretch between studio albums. “We did a lot of symphony shows in addition to the other touring and we also toured a bit in Canada. Amy has a daughter now and I have a daughter. We’ve written most of the songs for the record and we’re going to start recording it this fall. We’re really excited.” The pair is working with producer Jordan Hamlin. “She’s really into creating unusual sounds through interesting combinations of sounds,” Saliers said about Hamlin. “There’s a certain dreaminess to it. You may hear something you really love but you can’t figure out quite what it is. So that’s a clue. It’s a little more of a landscape that’s a bit dreamy compared to other Indigo records.” Saliers said that being able to perform concerts with just the two of them on stage, as well as with a band and sometimes symphonies backing them up, keeps things fresh and fun. “There are times when fans prefer to hear us stripped-down as a duo and other times where it’s fun to work with a band. People know what to expect with the symphony shows. For us it’s great because we can always be a duo if we want to, but we can also get to flesh out the sounds and make them sound more like the records. We can plug in and rock out and change it up to keep

it interesting — not just for me and Amy, but also the fans.” The Indigo Girls also have the artistic freedom to do what they want on their records because, for the last seven years, they have been putting out albums as independent artists — after spending almost 20 years on a major label. Saliers said that they eventually outgrew the need for a big label to get things done as musicians. “We started independent and as a bar band way, way back,” she said. “Then we got signed and we had a long run with them. By the time we became independent, we were ready. There wasn’t anything a major label could do for us. We’d just been around long enough to have all the relationships [with agents, promoters and managers], so we really didn’t need a record label. We are able to make our own decisions more quickly and don’t have to go through any middle people to make decisions. So it’s been prolific in terms of that. We really love it. It’s our natural state of being. We make recordings on our own. We wouldn’t have it any other way. We love it now. When we were signed to Epic Records they really helped. They got us on the radio and helped set up incredible tours and promotions. Those were different days for us. Now we’re quite settled into a steady following.” Between the last few Indigo Girls albums, Ray has recorded her own solo albums and toured behind them. So, naturally, fans are wondering if Saliers, who has performed outside of the Indigo Girls on occasion, is going to do the same. “I am going to do a solo record,” she said. “I’m either going to start late this fall or January. I’ve got stuff written for that but I’m definitely working on a solo record that is going to come out in 2015.” It’s not like Saliers doesn’t keep herself busy between records and tours. She has authored a book about her father and opened a few restaurants near PAGE 36

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

INDIGO from page 35

her home in Atlanta. Saliers said she got into the restaurant business because of her love for food. “I’ve been a foodie since I was born. The other day I was talking about chocolate chip cookies with someone and I got goosebumps on my arms. I don’t know where it came from but ever since I was a little kid, I’ve loved all different kinds of foods from all over the world. And I love the way food brings people together. So when we had some time off, my girlfriend at the time and some friend decided we wanted to open a restaurant. I have a huge love for community, mom-and-pop restaurants and I’m a supporter of organic food and using local ingredients. It’s just another form of expression, bringing food to the table for people to share.” The Indigo Girls love bringing together people with their music, but last year circumstances divided some of their fans. In 2013, their transgender fans were at

PGN FEATURE

odds with the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, which instituted a “womyn born womyn” policy that ex c l u d e d t r a n s g e n d e r attendees and participants. Saliers said that, while the Indigo Girls had positive experiences with the festival in the past and they were tapped to perform that year, they struggled with what to do. “It was a painful time because Amy and I believe in complete inclusiveness,” she said. “In Michigan, there were people who had a history with the festival that provided a place for women back at a AMY RAY (LEFT) AND EMILY SALIERS OF INDIGO GIRLS time when it was really met with the head of the festival and they new, and it added a lot of beauty to our lives over the years. We were very upset about where we stood.

We played our concert and said we can’t come back to Michigan until that changes because we have deep concerns and love for our trans community. We’re all part of a queer movement and none of us should be left out. It’s wrong and it’s painful. We thanked Michigan for all they have given to us and, from this point moving forward, we hope that they are going to come together and make it inclusive, and until that day comes, we said, We’ll leave the festival to you. It was an easy decision to make in the sense of, yeah, we’re queer and we believe in inclusiveness. There’s no doubt about that. At the end of the day, there’s no reason to exclude anyone and we support 100-percent our trans fans.” ■ The Indigo Girls perform Aug. 11 at Ocean City Music Pier in Ocean City, N.J.; Aug. 12 at Sun Center in Aston; and Aug. 13 at the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg. For more information or tickets, visit www.indigogirls.com.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

MUSIC PGN

Jade Starling to release solo album By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Philly based dance/ pop singer and longtime LGBT ally and advocate Jade Starling is releasing her first solo album Aug. 12. Starling rose to fame in the late 1980s fronting Philly dance-pop group Pretty Poison, which was known for the hit “Catch Me I’m Falling,” among others. Pretty Poison may have faded from the pop charts but Starling, with support from her loyal LGBT fans, has remained a fixture on the international dance-club scene and has been headlining Pride festivals for more than two decades. Starling said her first full album in her own name means a lot to her as an artist. “The title ‘Captive’ is significant because I

felt captive to my own ambitions to the writing process of this album,” she said. “Now that it is about to be released, I w a n t t o c a p t iva t e the audience with this record.” Starling said she has many favorite songs on the record beyond the club hits that the album has already generated. “I love all the songs on the record. They all have great meaning to me. ‘Think About You’ is the latest single. It’s no. 2 on the Billboard Dance Chart. This is my second single from the album. The first, ‘Insomniac,’ was top-40 on the dance chart. So I’m releasing an album that already has two dance hits on it. I really like ‘Love of a Lifetime’ because I think a lot of people with loved ones in the military who are gone for years at a time

Photo: Gretchen Johnson

will be able to relate. It pulls at your heartstrings. It’s a beautiful song. Another one of my favorites is ‘Place in the Sun.’ We had a wickedly cold winter and spent a lot of time in the studio, day and night. It’s about getting away. As people, we generally work too hard and don’t get a chance to play. That song is about getting away.” Starling will be getting away soon enough, as she has plans to tour internationally for the record. She said fans of her Pretty Poison days should enjoy her new songs, as she stays true to the cutting-edge dance music she has always written and performed. “[Guitarist and key boardist] Whey Cooler from Pretty Poison produced my record, along with Lee Dagger from

Bimbo Jones, DJ Lazslo a n d F r a n c k D o n a ,” Starling said. “So I have quite a European-sounding record right now. Lee is from England, Lazslo is from Hungary and Franck is from France. Getting to do collaborations with these DJs and producers was just the icing on the cake. This album is very contemporary-sounding and very relevant for today. We’ve been doing electronic-dance music since day one. Now it just has a title: EDM.” ■ “Captive” will be available Aug. 12. Jade Starling performs at a CD release performance as part of DJ Expo, 8 p.m. Aug. 11 at Black Box Cabaret at Scores A t l a n t i c C i t y, 1 0 0 0 B o a rd w a l k , A t l a n t i c C i t y, N . J. Fo r m o re information, visit www. jadestarling.com.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

SPORTS PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

Get Out and Play

Scott A. Drake

World’s gayest athletes meet in Cleveland The opening ceremonies for Gay Games 9 in Cleveland Aug. 9. I was supposed to be there. I was going to cover the Philadelphia athletes participating in tennis, track, swimming, bowling and a few other sports, and report back with some photos and a daily tweet on progress from our locals. The difficulty became tracking down people to find out ahead of time what event they were competing in. Out of the estimated 50 people attending to represent Philadelphia, exactly one got back to me to let me know which specific event in his sport he is competing in. One. I surmise that social media is going to provide us with updates and an occasional nonblurry image, but that doesn’t reflect the fact that while there is some coverage by the athletes, partners and friends, I can’t adequately collect all of

these accomplishments one by one and record them for posterity. So to all of the athletes who are representing Philadelphia the second week in August, our best wishes for you — and send me your photos and notes after you get out and play!

an hour-long VIP reception followed by the comedian sharing jokes and stories. If you want to support the gymnastics program and really want to see Mr. Cosby in person, here’s your chance to do both. Go to eventbrite.com for tickets. Prices start at $175.

Temple gymnastics getting the last laugh

Short stops • Gay Games 9 in Cleveland is underway. Check out our Philly representatives’ successes at gg9cle.com. • CBLSL Fall Ball softball registration opened Aug. 1. Play is once again in FDR Park and runs Sept. 7-Oct. 19; cblsl.org. • Don’t forget to participate in the worldwide research going on regarding homophobia in sports at outonthefields.com. This survey is for everyone: athletes, non-athletes, gay or nongay. Pass it on! ■

Temple University students are so determined to continue the gymnastics program that the team has announced it will function as a club. Of course, this means they must generate their own funding for expenses. Enter Bill Cosby. Temple’s most famous alum will be in Philadelphia for a one-night-only fundraiser, 7:30-11 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Independence Visitor Center. Billed as a concert to benefit the Temple men’s gymnastics program, the evening starts with

Got something sporty to share? Email scott@epgn.com.

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

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

READY TO FLY: Joey Chieco runs a practice catch during the Philadelphia Gryphons RFC boot camp Aug. 2 at Pepper Middle School. The camp was held for new players and to hone skills for the fall season. Chieco his twin brother Anthony, and several other players are heading to the Bingham Cup Aug. 24-31 in Sydney, Australia. The cup was named for openly gay San Francisco Fog player Mark Bingham, who was one of the passengers who fought back on Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Ever wonder how other LGBT people spend their 9-5? From bankers to bartenders, educators to entrepreneurs, our community is represented in all workforces — and here’s your chance to get on-the-job look at a day in their lives.

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Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

Suzi Nash

Rich Rubin: All the world’s a stage Right about now, many of us are mourning QFest, which, due to various circumstances (“Circumstance” happens to be the name of one of my favorite QFest movies, but I digress), did not go off this year. But have no fear, you can still get your gay entertainment groove on! Instead of actors on a faraway screen, this time they’ll be right up close, in the flesh, at GayFest!, the LGBT theater festival happening at several venues in the city through Aug. 23. That’s more than two weeks of tantalizing, thought-provoking and knee-slapping theater. Bringing all that fun to the stage is Rich Rubin, a man rich in experience and talent. In addition to his role as a playwright and director, Rubin is truly a man about many towns, having worked as a travel writer for more than 20 years. His stories have appeared in Saveur, Caribbean Travel & Life, Bride’s, Modern Bride, Travel & Leisure and other publications. He is currently a regular correspondent for Man about World and the food and wine editor for Passport magazine. When not traveling, Rubin is the producing artistic director of Quince Productions, which produces GayFest!. He also serves on the board of the Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus. PGN: So where did your story begin? RR: I’m originally from St. Louis. I got to Philadelphia through a fairly circuitous route: born in Missouri, went to college outside of L.A., went to grad school and lived in Seattle for eight years and then moved to New York, as most people involved in theater eventually do. One week shy of my 20-year anniversary in New York, I moved to Philadelphia. This month I celebrated 10 years here. PGN: Were you a theater major? RR: No, I was actually an English major, with a concentration in playwriting. PGN: Life in St. Louis was ... RR: Not as nice then as I believe it is now. It’s really come along; they have a good dining scene and they’ve developed things to do. Of course, being a kid stuck in the Midwest during the ’60s and ’70s, I’m not sure how much I would’ve liked it whatever they did. PGN: Family? RR: I’m the middle child with two brothers: one two years older, one two years younger. I think I may be the only one of my generation who has two parents still with us, so I’m grateful for that. My parents are ... Not only do I think they’re the best — so does everybody else. It was great being the kid whose house everyone wanted to come to. My dad’s an accountant. He founded his own accounting firm. He’s about to celebrate his 90th birthday

and he still goes to work there every day. My mother was always and is a housewife. PGN: Where do you think you got your artistic gene? RR: My great-great-grandfather was a singer, and my other great-grandfather was a journalist, which is my other line of work. So I guess the artsy side skipped a few generations, although I certainly didn’t inherit the singing gene. PGN: Do you remember the first play you ever saw? RR: When I was a kid, there wasn’t much in St. Louis. It wasn’t until I was in high school and a teacher took us abroad. One of our stops was in London and we saw a play called, “Hadrian the Seventh.” I don’t remember much about it other than it was a period piece and extremely theatrical. Seeing other eras presented on stage grabbed me immediately. PGN: How great! I also got to travel to Europe when I was in high school and it changes your outlook on the world. What a great teacher to give you that experience. RR: Yes, we studied for four weeks in Salzburg and then took side trips to Rome, London and Paris. It’s a shame more students don’t have the chance to do something like that. These days, most high schools don’t even require a foreign language. I think we were encouraged to have a broader outlook than kids are today.

the Chicago Tribune and the second was accepted by Condé Nast Traveler. It was a great start with those two on a résumé. It built very quickly from there and within a year or two I was doing it to support myself. For a long time, it was the most wonderful job in the world. I was earning a good living but it was work — something my friends failed to realize — but the best work possible. And the best part was that I was doing features, not reviews, so I didn’t have to worry about getting anyone angry writing a bad review! PGN: What was a crazy travel adventure? RR: I stayed at the Ice Hotel in the north of Sweden. It was incredibly beautiful and they set up a dogsled trip through the woods for me. Since I was a journalist, the man who handled the dogs set up my own team for me to drive so I could have the full experience. So there I was flying across frozen tundra, and the dogs, sensing I didn’t know what I was doing, pulled every type of mischief they could

PGN: And you get a taste of so many different careers: dogsled operator, scientist ... RR: Yes. I remember on the 100th anniversary of the Nobel Prize, I was doing a story on the banquet. As I was speaking to one of the chefs I caught a glance of myself in the mirror and realized, Oh my God, I’m backstage at the Nobel Prize ceremony. What a truly amazing life I live. PGN: Were you always writing as a kid? RR: Yes I was. I kept masses and masses of journals, which my mother begs me to throw out all the time and I keep saying no. PGN: What’s the main difference between being a playwright and the director? RR: I feel more in control as a director. As a playwright, I’m giving them the raw materials but it’s ultimately not me shaping the final product. But in the past 20 years I’ve worked more as a director than a playwright. PGN: How did GayFest! come about? RR: About four years ago I heard that the Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Theater Festival wasn’t going to be happening anymore. Quince Productions had already been established and always done LGBT works, but not exclusively. I thought that Philadelphia really needed an LGBT theater fest so we took up the mantle in 2011.

PGN: That was your first, but not your last, trip out of the country. RR: Definitely not. I’ve always loved to travel. When I got to college, I did a semester abroad in London and it was great because I got to devise an independent-study course. One of my courses was in modern theater and the other was in Shakespeare so I basically got college credit for going to see a lot of plays in London! I got to see John Gielgud playing Prospero and a young up-and-coming actress named Helen Mirren doing the Duchess of Malfi. It was an amazing time to be there. PGN: Now you do a lot of travel writing. How did that come about? RR: I was approaching a major birthday — I think it was 40 — and had been working as a playwright in New York and was experiencing the usual frustrations of someone in that line of work. I knew too many people who were 60 and 70 and still waiting for that big break. I decided I needed to do something with my writing or just give it up and go sell insurance. So I thought, I’ve always like to travel, let me do some writing about it and see what happens. So I sent out some stuff and the first piece I sent out was accepted by

think of. My other wild adventure was on the opposite end of the weather spectrum, on a little island in the Caribbean. I had a chance to join a team of scientists on a turtle watch. During my assignment, I was asked to watch for any turtles laying eggs. Sure enough, I saw one and as I was lying in the sand counting close to 100 turtle eggs I thought to myself, I may not have the pension plan that some of my friends do, but who else gets to do stuff like this?

Photo: Suzi Nash

PGN: It seems odd that there are so many LGBT people in the theater and yet not a whole lot of theater addressing LGBT subject matter. Why do you think that is? RR: Well, there aren’t too many mainstream theaters that are willing to take a chance; they think there will be a limited audience if they do a LGBT production. The only one I can think of that steadily does gay plays is the Wilma Theater.

PGN: It seems like the theater needs to catch up to television and films, where there seem to be more gay content and straight actors who are willing to do gay-themed productions — whether it be “Brokeback Mountain” or the Liberace story. RR: It’s slowly changing. As far as the actors go, we have a rather small community here in PAGE 44

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

Gunner’s gives it a good shot By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com We get the feeling that the upwardly mobile and somewhat hipster vibe to the neighborhood surrounding Gunner’s Run, 1001 N. Second St., is responsible for the noticeably substantial amount of vegan and vegetarian dishes available at the sports bar and gastropub — which is situated in a happening corner of The Piazza at Schmidt’s. And their interesting takes of vegan dishes tip the scales in their favor. The seitan vegan wings ($10) are available in a number of flavors, such as hot, spicy BBQ, teriyaki and Jamaican jerk. You can consider them wings in spirit. Don’t get us wrong, they are tasty, but they have more of a passing resemblance to steak in appearance and texture than wings. The heartiness, texture and crunch definitely will scratch the wing itch for most vegans — but if you order them with the hot sauce, know that their definition of “hot” is geared towards the soft-candied palettes of the upwardly mobile. If

you want something close to a respectable level of buffalo-wing spicy, ask for your wings to be “Nashville hot.” For fans of spicy foods, this will be spicy enough for you not to be angry at them for calling the wings hot. Back in carnivore country, the deviled eggs ($8) were of the highest backyard-barbeque quality, and the chef rightfully styled them as the best of the best of comfort food instead of overthinking them as something fancy. The Southern fried chicken and waffles ($14) can be ordered with either syrup or gravy. The syrup might seem like the obvious choice because of the waffle, but believe us when we tell you that their gravy is magical. The waffles and the chicken by themselves were OK enough in their natural state and with the syrup, but the gravy

dish was the meatloaf sandwich ($12), juicy with a demi-glaze, gouda and caramelized shallots. Dessert was a nice surprise. The flourless peanut butter torte topped with toffee ($6) was smooth, rich and decadent, which is saying something considering how much toffee and flourless anything usually scares us away from the average dessert. But here, all the elements came together in fine fashion and won us over. If you are within strolling distance of The Piazza and in a mood to grub, graze, guzzle or just gab, Gunner’s will give you a good “run” for your money. ■

PEANUT BUTTER TORTE Photo: Dallyn Dish/Dish Public Relations

elevated them both way more than anyone could reasonably expect. We actually wanted a lot more of the gravy to baptize the living daylights out of everything on the plate, and some biscuits to sop up whatever was left. Another solid comfort

If you go Gunner’s Run

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

PORTRAIT from page 41

Philadelphia, but most of the straight actors I know have no compunctions about playing a gay role or kissing another person of the same gender. We have an incredibly strong turnout for auditions for GayFest!, which is exciting, because there was a day when a straight actor wouldn’t be caught dead doing a gay role. PGN: So what are some of the things people can look forward to this year? RR: Well, we are known for offering Philadelphia or world premieres of new shows, but this year we have something a little different. We are doing the 50th-anniversary production of “The Haunted Host,” which is generally considered to be the first full-length gay play. For the fourth year in a row we’re doing a play by Daniel Talbott and it’s fascinating and mysterious and dark and funny all at the same time. I think he’s about the most important young writer out there. Our lesbian play is by Kathleen Warnock called, “Some Are People,” a play on summer people. She’s one of the leading lesbian playwrights of our time. It’s about a lesbian and her best friend, a drag queen named Miss Fitt. It’s a lesbian love story with drag-queen karaoke, which is not something you see every day. There are a lot of great productions this year. I’m really excited for it. PGN: I understand you’re having several one-night stands. RR: [Laughs] Well, not me personally! We have a lot of single-night performances, including the fundraiser “Standing on Ceremony.” The first One Night Stand is “The Homo Poe Show,” a gay spin on Edgar Allan Poe stories. We also have Rachel Tension, a wonderful young performer doing a night of tarot cards and hip-hop, and the fabulous R. Eric Thomas is doing a show called, “Always the Bridesmaid.” I could go on and on, there are so many incredible performances. PGN: I read that you make a point of trying to draw in people who would not necessarily be considered your audience. RR: Yes, and that includes both heterosexuals as well as the people who may not normally be theatergoers. People have told me, “Don’t bother with the bars. Those people just go there to drink.” I believe it is

possible to both drink and enjoy the theater. I think we’ve done a pretty good job of attracting a wide audience. PGN: I didn’t ask about your coming out. RR: We were raised — and this may be a little unusual for the Midwest — totally without biases or prejudices. My grandparents had run a business that dealt with a variety of people, so they’d always been pretty open-minded. I first came out to my mother when I was about 19 or 20 and watched as she became “super mother of a homosexual.” She read about every gayrights ordinance out there. I waited two years to tell my dad and when I did, he was furious that I had waited to tell him. His response was, “What? You didn’t think I was sophisticated enough to handle it?” So the worst response that I got was that I hadn’t done it sooner. PGN: What was your grandparents’ business? RR: My grandfather ran a tavern. There was a little boot-legging and gangstering along the way, running rum from Canada to New York during Prohibition. In fact, you’ll find my Uncle Max inside the encyclopedia of crime! PGN: What’s something that has inspired you to do the festival? RR: It’s important for us to see our own lives on stage. I remember one young man, African-American, about 20 years, old who came up to me after seeing R. Eric Thomas’ “One Night Stand” and he said to me, “Nobody ever put my life on stage. Thank you for doing that.” It’s so important that we see each other’s lives. I remember one gay man who’d seen three out of four of the mainstage plays. I told him, “You only have one left!” He said, “I’m not going to see that, that’s a lesbian play. It’s not about me.” I said, “Neither are 1,000 plays about heterosexuals that you go to see.” So he went and afterwards he thanked me for badgering him to go. Moments like that make all the hard work worth every minute. ■ For more information about GayFest!, ending Aug. 23, visit www.quinceproductions. com. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.

Q Puzzle (Ahem ...) a Hem Across

1. His grandmother had a Woody 5. Labium 9. NCAA home of the Bruins 13. Casino call 14. Gay-friendly Barrett 15. Coward of “Private Lives” 16. Series ender 17. Broadway lyricist Gershwin and others 18. Pig food 19. Togs traditionally for females 22. “Diana” singer 23. Roller coaster maneuver 24. Bones in the back 27. Take a chair 30. Loads

31. Not nuts 32. Charlotte of “Facts of Life” 33. Kid of jazz 34. With 46-Across, drag queen, with respect to 19Across? 36. Some dam govt. project 37. Simpson trial judge Lance 38. Singer/actor Ives 39. One who gazes at crystal balls 40. Unit of electric charge 42. Women who date men who date men 44. Janet or niece Hunter 45. Piece of leg 46. See 34-Across 51. Hollinghurst’s “The Folding ____” 52. As to 53. It comes in cakes 54. Bad habit

55. Suckers 56. Humorist Bombeck 57. Visitor at lesbianation.com 58. Boob, to a Brit 59. McKellen’s Magneto movie

Down

1. From the top 2. Old photo print 3. Neeson of “Kinsey” 4. What Joan of Arc was maid of 5. Feels up for a rod? 6. Lover of Dali, perhaps 7. Sex type 8. Director of “Salo” 9. Barefoot 10. Kevin Kline, in “De-Lovely” 11. Signs of “The Lion King”? 12. “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” mountain 20. SSW’s opposite 21. Type of pole

24. One who grins and bears it 25. ___ Novo (Benin’s capital) 26. Like the money shot in a porn film? 27. Canadian comedian Mort 28. Did a hand job? 29. Comes up on 31. Balkan native 34. Butcher’s cut 35. Margaret Cho, for one 39. Making love on a strongbox? 41. Newsman Jim 42. Most minimal 43. Spreading tree 45. Traditionally limp joints 46. Elevator pioneer Elisha 47. Eat beaver-style 48. Something to deviate from 49. Unlikely to bite 50. Nine inches 51. Sex Crimes division, to B.D. Wong

UPCOMING SPECIAL ISSUES Youth Quarterly Supplement - Aug. 29

��

Voting open from Sept. 18 - Oct. 19. Winners announced Nov. 7

LGBT History Month Special Coverage - Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Pre-Election Issue - Oct. 31

��

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 08/08

Sat. 08/09

Get the Led Out The Led Zeppelin tribute band performs 7:30 p.m. at Sun Center Studios, 250 N. Commerce Drive, Aston; 610- 4927600.

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory The classic children’s film is screened 1 p.m. at Sellersville Theater 1984, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5808.

The Mumbles The New Orleans jazz/funk/soul group performs 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400. Passenger The U.K. folkrock singer performs 8 p.m. at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800745-3000. Regina Sayles The singer-songwriter performs 9 p.m. at Rainbow Mountain Resort, 210 Mount Nebo Road, East Stroudsburg; www.rainbowmountain.com.

Panic at the Disco The rock band performs 7:30 p.m. at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, 201 S. Columbus Blvd.; 215-928-1234.

Sun. 08/10 Wings The 1927 war film, which was the first to receive the Academy Award for Best Picture, is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-0223.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS PGN

Animus: Philly Belly Dance Spectacular The dance group performs 7:30 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Indigo Girls The out acoustic duo performs 7:30 p.m. at Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk, Ocean City, N.J.; 609-3996111.

Tori Amos The singer-songwriter performs 7:30 p.m. at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.

Wet Hot American Summer The comedy film is screened 7:30 p.m. at Sellersville Theater 1984, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5808.

The Presidents of the United States of America The alt-rock singersongwriter performs 9 p.m. at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.

Mon. 08/11 Buddy Guy The blues guitarist and singer performs 7:30 p.m. at Sun Center Studios, 250 N. Commerce Drive, Aston; 610492-7600. First Person StorySlam Local spoken-word artists perform 7:30 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Extreme Midget Wrestling A little pick-me-up, 8 p.m. at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-9221011 The Moody Blues The classic-rock band performs 8 p.m. at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-7905847. Purple Rain The musical film starring Prince is screened 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888. Lipstick Mondays A weekly drag show

ALT-ROCK TRIPLEHEADER: The Carnivores Tour comes to town featuring modernrock superstars 30 Seconds to Mars, Linkin Park and AFI, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J. For more information or tickets, call 856365-1300.

featuring a changing roster of queens takes the stage 9 p.m. at The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 215862-2081.

Wed. 08/13

Tue. 08/12

One Direction The boy band performs 7 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field, 1020 Pattison Ave.; 267570-4000.

Indigo Girls The out acoustic duo performs 7:30 p.m. at Sun Center Studios, 250 N. Commerce Drive, Aston; 610-4927600.

Beach Boys The classic-rock band performs 7:30 p.m. at Sun Center Studios, 250 N. Commerce Drive, Aston; 610-4927600.

King’s X The rock band with the openly gay bass player and singer performs 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.

Thu. 08/14 Toga! For Manna A toga party to benefit MANNA 5-9 p.m. at Tabu Lounge, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-9649675. One Direction The boy band performs 7 p.m. at Lincoln Financial

Field, 1020 Pattison Ave.; 267570-4000. The Burlesque Show The naughty fun begins 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Bob and Barbara’s Drag Show The outrageousness begins 11 p.m. at Bob and Barbara’s, 1509 South St.; 215545-4511.

Fri. 08/15 30 Seconds to Mars, Linkin Park and AFI The alt-rock bands perform 6:30 p.m. at Susquehanna

Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856365-1300. Matt Nathanson and Gavin DeGraw The hit singersongwriters perform 7 p.m. at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 800745-3000. Bret Michaels The rock singer performs 8 p.m. at Reverb, 1402 N. Ninth St., Reading; 610-743-3069. MST3K: Bride of the Monster The B-movie is screened 9:45 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

ROCKING OUT: Rock band King’s X, featuring out singer/bass player Doug Pinnick, comes to town to entertain their faithful fans 8 p.m. Aug. 12 at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del. For more information or tickets, call 302-994-1400.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Opening Randy Roberts The female impersonator performs Aug. 15-16 at the Rrazz Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-596-1027.

Continuing Artificial Light: Flash Photography in the 20th Century Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of diverse examples of flash photography, which gained widespread use in the 1920s with the invention of the mass-produced flashbulb, through Aug. 3, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

of LGBT-themed productions, plays and shows in various locations, Aug. 523; www.quinceproductions.com. In Dialogue: Wolfgang Tillmans Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of images by the European photographer through Oct. 26, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100. Jonathan Cohn Glass: Window Aquarium Installation Graver’s Lane Gallery presents an exhibition of one-of-a-kind handblown glass pieces of high quality and creative design through Aug. 18, 8405 Germantown Road; 215-247-1603. The Main Dish Philadelphia Museum of Art presents

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

Oblivious Muse Gallery presents an exhibition of paintings by Carolyn Cohen through Aug. 31, 52 N. Second St.; 215-627-5310. Patrick Kelly: Runway of Love Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition highlighting the works of the famed fashion designer through Nov. 30, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Picasso Prints: Myths, Minotaurs and Muses Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of Pablo Picasso’s response to the world of classical antiquity in nearly 50 prints from four critical decades of his career through Aug. 3, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. That’s So Gay: Outing Early America The Library Company of Philadelphia presents the exhibition exploring gay culture through Oct. 17, 1314 Locust St.; 215546-3181.

Closing Franc D’Ambrosio and Glory Crampton The cabaret performers serenade the audience through Aug. 10 at the Rrazz Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-596-1027. ■

DEARLY BELOVED ... WE ARE GATHERED HERE TODAY TO GET THROUGH THIS THING CALLED LIFE: This year marks the 30th anniversary of “Purple Rain,” the musical drama that launched Prince into superstardom and introduced us the Sapphic musical duo of Wendy and Lisa, who at the time were girlfriends and part of Prince’s backing band The Revolution. Watch all the 1980s sound and fury when the ﬁlm is screened 8 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St. For more information, call 215-922-6888.

The Book of Mormon The Tony Award-winning musical comedy by the creator of “South Park” runs through Sept. 19 at Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St.; 215-9231515. GayFest! Quince Productions presents a festival

an exhibition exploring how modern and contemporary kitchenware reflects attributes of the model homemaker through Sept. 28, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Making a Classic Modern: Frank Gehry’s Master Plan for the Philadelphia Museum of Art The Museum presents an exhibition on the comprehensive design for its renewal and expansion by the internationally celebrated architect through Sept. 1, 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.

TWO SIDES TO EVERY ‘TORI’: Classically inﬂuenced alternative rock singer and pianist Tori Amos comes to town, touring behind her latest album “Unrepentant Geraldines,” and performing 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-7905847.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

Classifieds

Worth Watching OFF KILT-ER: Based on the popular book, the new series “Outlander” follows a 1940s nurse who accidentally travels back in time to 18th-century Scotland, where she falls in love with a young Scotsman, 9 p.m. Aug. 9 on Starz.

Real Estate Sale

Help Wanted

VENTNOR, NJ House for sale in Ventnor NJ. 2 story 5 bedroom house, needs some repairs. Priced right. Call 215 468 9166. ________________________________________38-35

Want A Career Operating Heavy Equipment? Bulldozers, Backhoes, Excavators. “Hands On Training” & Certifications Offered. National Average 18-22 Hourly! Lifetime Job Placement Assistance. VA Benefits Eligible! 1-866-362-6497. ________________________________________38-32 HVAC Technicians. 4 Week Accelerated Hands On Training Program. We Offer 6 National Certifications And Lifetime Job Placement Assistance. VA Benefits Eligible! 1-877-994-9904. ________________________________________38-32 WEEKLY HOME TIME AND EXPERIENCE BASED PAY! $1000 Sign On Bonus for Exp Drivers! Call 877-457-1313 for more details or visit SuperServiceLLC.com ________________________________________38-32

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800638-2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com ________________________________________38-32 Rooms for men. oceanhouseatlanticcity.com ________________________________________38-34

Adoption A childless successful woman seeks to adopt. Will be hands-on mom with large extended family/friends. Financial security. Expenses paid. Habla Español. Juana & Adam. 1-800-790-5260. ________________________________________38-32

Personals Personal care assistant available in Lower Bucks Co. area for mature gay gentleman. Call Peter at 215-322-9589. ________________________________________39-32

Wash West Beauty!

1229 Pine St.

All New Top to Bottom!

Open House - 8/10 1:00-3:00pm

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: The Philadelphia Eagles play in Chicago against the Bears in an exhibition game 8 p.m. Aug. 8 on ABC.

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT: Actor Tyler Posey (“Teen Wolf”) hosts “Teen Choice 2014,” honoring achievements in entertainment, sports, fashion and the Internet, 8 p.m. Aug. 10 on Fox. Photo: Fox.

First comes Love, Then comes Marriage, Then comes A

3 Bedroom , 2 1/2 Bath, 25’ Garden & Deck

NEW HOME!

Now $574,000

Suzanne E. Petruzel Sales Associate Cell 619-659-8030

Fox & Roach REALTORS®

210 W. Rittenhouse Sq. Phila, PA 19103 Dir. 215-790-5671 Fax 215-546-3415 Ofﬁce 215-546-0550 suzanne.petruzel@foxroach.com

SHE’LL CUT A ... : Uma Thurman cuts a bloody path of retribution when she stars as an assassin who seeks revenge on those who left her for dead in “Kill Bill Vol. 1,” 8 p.m. Aug. 12 on IFC.

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

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

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

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PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

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

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

Real Estate Sale

Audubon, New Jersey Location, location, location. Large neat and clean condo. Beautifully maintained with 2 large bedrooms with each having it’s own full bath. Washer and dryer on the second ﬂoor too!! Newer carpets. Large living room and dining area w ceiling fan and half bath. Nice size bright and airy eat-in-kitchen with lots of cabinets and counter space and newer appliances. Full ﬁnished walkout basement with new carpet and more storage. Patio that is very private all tucked in an area that has access to every major highway and both bridges. Landlord says cats ok. $1,595 a month rent

Services

Friends Men

MEDICAL BILLING TRAINEES NEEDED! Become a Medical Ofﬁce Assistant now! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Online training gets you ready! HS Diploma/GED & PC/Internet needed! 1-888-424-9412. ________________________________________38-32 AIRLINE CAREERS begin here - Get FAA approved Aviation Technician training. Financial Aid for qualiﬁed students. Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 1888-834-9715. ________________________________________38-32 SOCIAL WORKER ASSISTANT TRAINING! Candidates needed for Career Training at Orleans Tech! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Training program completed in NE Philadelphia. CALL FOR DETAILS! HS Diploma/GED required.1-888-407-6008. ________________________________________38-32

LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. ________________________________________38-39 Philly boy looking for mail correspondence with guys in Philly while I ﬁnish my incarceration. 6’3”, blond hair, hazel eyes. Lots to discuss. Will reply to every letter. Give this a try, I guarantee you’ll have fun. Kenneth Houck, #06743-015, Englewood FCE, 9595 W. Quincy Ave., Littleton CO 80123. ________________________________________38-39 BM with big tool wans to nail a bottom to the ﬂoor. BM has equipment to make a bottom wish he wants more. I’m 6 ft and 198 lbs. and have 8.5 inches and 1.25 girth and know how to use it. Call anytime 215-763-3391. All replies answered. ________________________________________38-39 York, PA GWM, 55 looking for a GWM or BGM, 40-55 y.o. I am a top and bottom and also into W/S. I like it all ways. I am 8.5 inches. I love all guys and am looking for a boyfriend. Call 717-825-3371. ________________________________________38-32 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________38-33

Lynda Stephano - Cell - 609-670-8251

Gay is our middle name.

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

Friends Men

Placing Classiﬁeds Liner Ads In Person: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, By Phone or on the Web: 24 Hours, 7 Days

Deadline for Line Advertising is Friday at 3 p.m. for the following Friday’s issue. You may place your ad via our secure voicemail system, fax or e-mail at any time, or on our Web site. Please have the following information ready to place your ad:

YOUR AD COPY • YOUR NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER • CREDIT CARD INFORMATION PHONE: 215-625-8501 ext. 200 OR 215-451-6182 (DIRECT) • FAX: 215-925-6437 • E-MAIL: don@epgn.com

GENERAL INFORMATION

All classified advertising must be in our office by 3 p.m. Friday for the next Friday’s paper. Ads arriving after that time will be held for the next available issue. PGN reserves the right to edit or rewrite ads as needed, to refuse any ad for any reason and to determine the final classification. Ads determined to be in bad taste, directed to or from persons under the legal age of consent or containing racially or sexually discriminatory language will be refused. We need your full name, mailing address and daytime phone number on the insertion order form for you ad. This information is confidential and will not appear in the paper. Any ads received without full information will be destroyed. Sexually explicit language will be edited or refused at the discretion of the management.

PAYMENT AND PLACEMENT

Classified ads may be placed online or by mail, fax, e-mail or in person at the PGN offices at 505 S. Fourth St., Phila. Phone, fax and e-mail orders are accepted with credit/debit cards only. A $10 minimum applies to all charges. If you are paying in person with cash, please have the exact change as we cannot make change at the office. All ads must be prepaid for their entire run. NO EXCEPTIONS! DO NOT SEND CASH THROUGH THE MAIL; IT’S NOT SAFE AND CANNOT BE GUARANTEED.

TERM DISCOUNTS - BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ISSUES PREPAID 4 weeks, 5% • 8 weeks, 10% • 16 weeks, 15% • 26 weeks, 20%

CANCELLATION POLICY

All PGN Classified ads are cancelable and refundable except for “FRIENDS” ads. Deadline for cancellation is 3 p.m. Friday. The balance will be credited to your credit/debit card. Checks take two weeks to process. The date of the first issue the ad appeared in, along with the classification, your name, address and daytime phone number is required to cancel your ad.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

RIGHT�ON�THE�RIVER� RIGHT�ON�THE� MONEY�

All�homeowners�enjoy: � Gym� Fitness�center� � � 4� 7�Concierge� � Heated�indoor�pool� � Indoor�parking� � Private�shuttle Other�homes�available: � �BRs�from�the�upper� � � � � s � �BRs�from�the�low� � 4� � s � �BRs�from�the�low � � 8� � s

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

ADONIS CINEMA

“THE ONLY ALL MALE ADULT THEATER IN THE CITY”

Hot ’n horny hookups�

2026 Sansom St

Join for FREE

(located 3 doors up from Sansom St Gym)

Get 5 Days

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

HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday - Thursday

7am-6am

Unlimited access

LAPT LAPTOP LAPTO PTO P TO T OP P OR O R MOB OBI O BILE MOBILE

WE’RE W WERE E’R RE VERSATILE V ERSA AT TILE

(closed an hour for cleaning)

Friday- Sunday:

Open 24hrs

ADMISSION: $12.00

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

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

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

END OF SUMMERTIME BASH

WEEKLY SPECIALS: LATE NIGHT CREEP

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

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

SUNDAY RELIEF

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

MONDAY thru FRIDAY:

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

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

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

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

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY NIGHT CRUISE

- ROOMS GO QUICKLY SO CHECK IN EARLY -

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

TUESDAYS

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

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

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Religion/Spirituality

Arch Street United Methodist Church Services 8:30 and 11 a.m. at 55 N. Broad St.; youth/adult Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.; 5:30 p.m. prayer service; 215-5686250. Bethlehem-Judah Ministries Open and affirming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 5091 N. Dupont Hwy., Suite D, Dover, Del.; 302-750-4045. BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Church Services 10:15 a.m. at 2040 Street Road, Warrington; 215-3430406. Calvary United Methodist Church Reconciling, welcoming and affirming church holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 801 S. 48th St.; 215-724-1702. Central Baptist Church Welcoming and affirming church holds services at 10:45 a.m. Sundays, summer services 9:30 a.m, at 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; 610-688-0664. Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church Services 11 a.m. and Spirit at Play, an arts-based Sunday school for children, 9:30 a.m. at 8812 Germantown Ave.; 215-242-9321. Church of the Crucifixion Inclusive Episcopal community holds services 10 a.m. Sundays and 6 p.m. Fridays at 620 S. Eighth St.; 215-922-1128. Church of the Holy Trinity Inclusive church holds services 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sundays at 1904 Walnut St.; 215-567-1267. Congregation Rodeph Shalom Shabbat services every Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 10:45 a.m. at 615 N. Broad St. ; 215-627-6747. Dignity Jersey Shore An organization for sexual-minority Catholics meets the first Saturday of the month in Asbury Park; 732-502-0305. Dignity Metro NJ An organization for sexual-minority Catholics meets 4 p.m. the first and third Sundays of the month at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 550 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood; 973-509-0118. Dignity Philadelphia Holds Mass 7 p.m. Sundays at 330 S. 13th St.; 215-546-2093, dignityphila@aol.com. Drexel Hill Baptist Church Nonjudgmental Christian congregation affiliated with American Baptist Churches of the USA holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 4400 State Road, Drexel Hill; 610-259-2356, www.dhbaptist. com. Emanuel Lutheran Church Reconciling in Christ congregation meets at 10:30 a.m. Sundays, summer services 9:30 a.m., New and Kirkpatrick streets, New Brunswick, N.J.; 732-545-2673; www.emmanuelnb.org. Evangelicals Concerned Lesbian and gay Christian counseling; 215-860-7445. First Baptist Church Welcoming and affirming church holds prayer services 10:30 a.m. Sundays and community worship 11:30 a.m. at 123 S. 17th St.; 215-563-3853. First Baptist Church of Moorestown Welcoming and affirming congregation holds Bible study and discussion at 9 a.m. Sundays and worship services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 19 W. Main St., Moorestown, N.J.; 856-235-1180; www.fbcmoorestown.org; info@fbcmoorestown.org. First Presbyterian Church of Lansdowne Welcoming church holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 140 N. Lansdowne Ave.; 610-622-0800; www.lansdownepresbyterianchurch.com. First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia A liberal, welcoming and diverse congregation that affirms the dignity of all. Sunday services at 10 a.m., 2125 Chestnut St.; 215-563-3980, www.firstuu-philly.org. The First United Methodist Church of Germantown A sexual-minority-affirming congregation holds services at 10 a.m., summer services 11 a.m., Sundays, with lunch to follow, at 6001 Germantown Ave.; 215-438-3077, www.fumcog.org. Grace Epiphany Church A welcoming and diverse Episcopal congregation in Mt. Airy with services 9:30 a.m. Sundays at 224 E. Gowen Ave.; 215-2482950, www.grace-epi.org. Holy Communion Lutheran Church ELCA Reconciling in Christ congregation worships 9 a.m. Sundays at 2111 Sansom St. and 11 a.m. at 2110 Chestnut St. in the main sanctuary; 215-567-3668, www.lc-hc.org. Imago Dei Metropolitan Community Church Sexual-minority congregation worships at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 1223 Middletown Road (Route 352), Glen Mills; 610-358-1716, www.ImagoDeiMCC.org. Living Water United Church of Christ An open and affirming congregation that meets for worship 11 a.m. on Sundays at 6250 Loretto Ave.; 267-388-6081, www. lwucc.org. Kol Tzedek Reconstructionist synagogue committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community meets at Calvary Center, 801 S. 48th St.; 215-764-6364, www.kol-tzedek.org. Mainline Unitarian Church Holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 816 S. Valley Forge Road, Devon; 610-688-8332, www.mluc.org. Maple Shade Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ Affirming congregation open to all sexual orientations and gender identities holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 45 N. Forklanding Road, Maple Shade, N.J.; 856-779-7739, mapleshadeucc.org. Metropolitan Community Church of Christ the

Liberator Holds services 10:45 a.m. Sundays at the Pride Center of New Jersey; 732-823-2193, mccctl.com. Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia Services 1 p.m. Sundays at the University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, 3637 Chestnut St.; 215-294-2020, www. mccphiladelphia.com. Old First Reformed Church Open and affirming United Church worships at 11 a.m., summer services at 10 a.m, at 151 N. Fourth St.; 215-922-4566, www. oldfirstucc.org. Penns Park United Methodist Church Welcoming and affirming church holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park; 215-598-7601. Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral Progressive and affirming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays with Holy Eucharist at 3723 Chestnut St.; 215-3860234, www.philadelphiacathedral.org. Rainbow Buddhist Meditation Group Meets 5 p.m. Sundays at William Way. Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting worships 11 a.m., summer services 10 a.m, Sundays at 1515 Cherry St.; 215-2417000, cpmm@afsc.org. Resurrection Lutheran Church Services 10 a.m. Sundays at 620 Welsh Road, Horsham; 215646-2597. Silverside Church Services 10 a.m. Sundays followed by a group discussion at 2800 Silverside Road, Wilmington, Del.; 302-478-5921, silversidechurch.org. St. Asaph’s Church Inclusive and progressive Episcopal church holds services 8 and 10 a.m. Sundays, summer services 9:15 a.m., at 27 Conshohocken State Road, Bala Cynwyd; 610-664-0966, www. saintasaphs.org. St. John’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) Reconciling in Christ congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 24 N. Ridge Ave., Ambler; 215-646-2451, www. stjohnsambler.org. St. Luke and The Epiphany Church Open and welcoming church holds fall liturgy 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays, summer sevices 10 a.m., at 330 S. 13th St.; 215-7321918, stlukeandtheepiphany.org. St. Mary of Grace Parish Inclusive church in the Catholic tradition celebrates Mass 6 p.m. Sundays in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media; 610-566-1393, www. inclusivecatholics.org. St. Mary’s Church Diverse and inclusive Episcopal church celebrates the Eucharist 11 a.m. Sundays at 3916 Locust Walk; 215-386-3916; www. stmarysatpenn.org. St. Paul Episcopal Church Welcoming and inclusive church holds services 9:30 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Tuesdays at 89 Pinewood Drive, Levittown; 215-688-1796, www.stpaullevittown.org. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Welcoming and diverse congregation with numerous outreach and fellowship groups holds services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday at Third and Pine streets; 215-925-5968; www. stpetersphila.org. Tabernacle United Church Open and affirming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 3700 Chestnut St.; 215-386-4100, tabunited.org. Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church Sunday worship with nursery care, 10:30 a.m. and fourth Thursday of the month contemporary worship with Communion at 7 p.m. at 2212 Spruce St.; 215-732-2515, trinityphiladelphia. org. Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County Welcoming congregation holds services 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. Sundays, summer services 10:30 a.m., at 145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media. Interweave, a group for LGBT parishioners and allies, meets noon the first Sunday of the month; 610-566-4853. www.uucdc.org. Unitarian Society of Germantown Welcoming congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 6511 Lincoln Drive; 215-844-1157, www.usguu.org. Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill Services 10:15 a.m. Interweave, a group of LGBT Unitarians and their allies, meets at 401 N. Kings Highway, Cherry Hill, N.J.; 856-667-3618, uucch.org. Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration Welcoming congregation holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 6900 Stenton Ave.; 215-247-2561, www.uurestoration.us. Unitarian Universalist Congregation, South Jersey Shore Services 10 a.m. Sundays in Galloway Township; 609-965-9400, www.uucsjs.org. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Pottstown Services 10:30 a.m. at 1565 S. Keim St.; 610-327-2662, www. uupottstown.org. United Christian Church Open, affirming and welcoming congregation holds services 10:15 a.m. Sundays, summer services 9:15 a.m., at 8525 New Falls Road, Levittown; 215-946-6800. Unity Fellowship Church of Philadelphia Diverse, affirming LGBT congregation holds services 2 p.m. Sundays at 55 N. Broad St.; 215-240-6106. University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation Welcoming congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 3637 Chestnut St. preceded by “Adult Forum: Sundays” at 9:30 a.m.; 215-387-2885, www.uniphila.org.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

Community Bulletin Board Community centers

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

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

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

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

Key numbers

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

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

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

■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

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

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

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

■ Parents, Families and Friends

Health

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

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

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

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

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

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 8-14, 2014

PGN