PGN Aug. 26 - Sept. 8 2011 edition

Our fall preview of song, dance, comedy and theatrics in the region

Family Portrait: Dashiell Sears

PAGE 23

Don Lemon and Daniel Baer to visit Philadelphia during NLGJA convention

PAGE 29

PAGES 5, 8

Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011

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Vol. 35 No. 34

Trans youth settles complaint with DHS

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com A transgender youth who alleged pervasive discrimination and harassment in a local youth-detention center settled her complaint last week.

The settlement in the case, which was filed in 2009 with the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations against the Youth Study Center and the city’s Department of Human Services, among other parties, will result in a number of policy changes at YSC to protect trans youth.

PLAY BALL: Softball players from around the country began arriving in Philadelphia “I am happy that the case is settled,” said last weekend for the Amateur Sports Alliance of North America’s world series. The L.P., the complainant, who is now 18. “I women and their supporters kicked off the series with Ladies 2000 at ICandy hope that these changes will ensure that Sunday night, beginning several days of festivities leading up to the start of the no other young transgender person experigames Wednesday. The series, which is bringing in more than 50 teams and ences the physical and emotional abuse that 1,500 people from throughout the United States, will wrap up with a street festival I experienced.” in the Gayborhood Aug. 27. Photo: Scott A. Drake Per the settlement, YSC will broaden its nondiscrimination statements to include protections for gender identity and will perfrom New Jersey, where she lives, and mit trans youth to live in single rooms in

By Jen Colletta have a wedding ceremony next summer in units that correspond to their gender idenjen@epgn.com New York, where same-sex marriage was tity. YSC staff will be required to use correct pronouns and chosen names for trans youth, A bridal shop in New Jersey has come recently legalized.

Genter did not respond to a request for under fire after refusing to sell a dress to a bride-to-be, reportedly because her spouse comment from PGN. According to the Inquirer, Genter and will be a woman.

Alix Genter told the Philadelphia Inquirer several members of her family visited the last week that the manager of Here Comes shop earlier this month and Genter found a the Bride, in Somers Point, N.J., espoused dress she liked but was waiting to purchase numerous antigay sentiments and said she until the store manager, Donna Saber, found did not want her store to participate in an out if it came in a different fabric.

By Jen Colletta However, Genter said Saber called her “illegal action.” jen@epgn.com PAGE 22 Genter plans to obtain a civil union a few days later after

Lesbian bride turned away from NJ shop

regardless of whether the name change has become legal, and will also provide clothing and grooming options that correspond to the youth’s gender identity.

The agreement also stipulates that the decision to allow transgender teens to undergo hormone therapy will reside solely with the youth’s health-care providers and not YSC or DHS staff, an issue that arose during L.P.’s stay at the center.

In foster care since age 11, L.P. resided at YSC from November 2007-February 2009.

In 2008, L.P. was evaluated by an adolescent specialist at Mazzoni Center, who determined she met the criteria for genderidentity disorder, and a family-court judge later ordered DHS to provide her with medical treatment for GID, including hormone therapy, and to respect her gender identity.

However, the teen was denied GID treatment by YSC staff, who would not acknowledge that she identified as female.

“She was depressed and felt isolated most of the time,” said Flor Bermudez, Lambda Legal’s Youth in Out-of-Home Care staff attorney. “She felt a sense of hopelessPAGE 22 ness because she tried

Transwoman transferred after abuse complaint

Legal director change-up at Mazzoni

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Mazzoni Center next week will welcome a new head of its legal department who has extensive LGBTrights experience on both sides of the Delaware.

Daniel Rosenblum will begin as Mazzoni’s director of legal services Aug. 29,

following his role as Equal Employment Opportunity Officer in New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Rosenblum will take over for current director Amara Chaudhry, who will leave her post to become the staff attorney and civil-rights director at the local chapter of the Council on AmericanIslamic Relations.

Chaudhry served on the Council’s board several years ago and was contacted by earlier this year once it acquired the resources to launch a legal practice, she said.

Chaudhry started as the director of Mazzoni’s legal department in 2008 when it was housed under Equality Advocates and successfully transiPAGE 22

A transgender woman was transferred to a male prison this week after spending more than a year in the city’s only all-female prison.

Jovanie Saldana, 23, has been incarcerated at Riverside Correctional Facility since July 2010, when she was arrested for armed robbery and other offenses.

During that time, prison officials were apparently unaware that Saldana is transgender, a revelation that came to light recently after Saldana lodged a complaint of sexual abuse against a correctional officer.

Saldana accused the officer of forcing PAGE 22 her to perform oral sex

SAFETY, SUPPORT: About 100 youth turned out Aug. 20 for The Q Spot’s Ball 4 A Cause at Broad Street Ministries.

Themed “I Pledge to Live Safe,” the ball sought to encourage healthy living among LGBT youth. The Q Spot offers a safe space for LGBT youth the first and third Saturday night of each month, with educational and job resources, housing referrals, counseling and other services. Photo: Scott A. Drake

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

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DA’s records could answer key questions in Morris case

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com When members of the city’s Police Advisory Commission visit the District Attorney’s office to review the Nizah Morris case records shortly, they don’t expect to find a “smoking gun,” but they hope to address key aspects of the case that police haven’t explained.

Morris was a transwoman found with a fatal head wound on Dec. 22, 2002, shortly after receiving a courtesy ride from police.

She died two days later from complications due to a fractured skull.

Police and the D.A. continue to investigate the homicide.

The PAC is trying to determine whether police violated any departmental regulations when handling the Morris matter.

Gender conflict in police report Earlier this year, it was disclosed that the official police report for the Morris incident was redacted, either by the police or the D.A.’s office.

Two male references to Morris were deleted from the copy of the report given to the PAC eight years ago. The investigationcontrol number also was deleted.

An earlier PAC concluded that 9th District Officer Thomas Berry wrote the report at 16th and Walnut streets, where he spotted Morris, bleeding and unconscious.

Berry told the 911 call center that Morris was an intoxicated female who needed to go to the hospital, not an automobile-accident or crime victim.

Berry’s redacted report contains four female references to Morris and no male

references.

Authorities refuse to comment on the redactions.

But an analysis of Morris records released so far indicates that Berry wrote the report after going to Jefferson University Hospital and learning that Morris had male sex organs.

Under police policy, sex organs define a person’s gender. Thus, Berry had an obligation to describe Morris as a male in his report.

But the situation was complicated because two 6th District officers were handling the investigation at Jefferson, Elizabeth Skala and Kenneth Novak.

They were dispatched to investigate Morris at Key West Bar, on the 200 block of South Juniper Street, earlier that morning. Skala got there first and gave the ride.

The duo continued their Morris investigation at Jefferson. But since they hadn’t gone to the injury scene, Berry was asked to write a report based mainly on information he gathered there.

The result was an incident report with conflicting references to Morris’ gender — four female and two male.

Berry apparently felt the need for most of the references to be female, because that’s what he believed Morris to be at 16th and Walnut.

But he also included two male references, evidently in light of the information he received at Jefferson.

Novak and Skala didn’t write reports.

Instead, they used Berry’s report as a basis for their Morris patrol-log entries, all of which depicted Morris as a founded hospital case, with no reference to gender.

Questions linger over whether confusion about Morris’ gender identity contributed to the convoluted nature of the officers’ paperwork.

Additionally, the PAC has cited Berry’s redacted report as a reason to develop a comprehensive redaction policy, in conjunction with the police and D.A.’s office.

911 identity blunder?

In 2006, authorities released computerized dispatch records for the 911 call placed at Key West Bar, where Morris was staggering out front, severely inebriated.

The records state that Skala told a dispatcher at 4:02 a.m. Dec. 22, 2002, that the Key West assignment was “unfounded.”

That was 45 minutes after the courtesy ride, and four minutes before medics began transporting Morris from Walnut Street to Jefferson.

Unfounded designations are for assignments that lack an actual 911 target at a location when police arrive.

Since Morris clearly was outside Key West when Skala got there, the unfounded designation remains puzzling.

But newly released documents may provide an answer.

They suggest that Skala deemed the Key West call unfounded because it was for a female who couldn’t walk, and Skala believed Morris to be an ambulatory male with no medical needs.

One document in particular, a 2003 interview with Berry, indicates that Skala thought she had an ambulatory male inside her patrol car during the courtesy ride.

In the interview, Berry described seeing Morris inside Skala’s car toward the ride’s

end.

“It was in the 1400 block of Walnut Street,” Berry said. “The officer [Skala] was parked in the right running lane about half way down the block, and she had the rear door open and this male [Morris] was getting out. I asked [Skala] if she needed any help, and she said no, thanks anyway, she was just dropping him off. I just left after that.”

A 911-target blunder also would explain the lack of documentation for the ride, since officers aren’t required to document every ride they give — though they must document rides for 911 targets.

Supervision of officers A 2006 internal PAC staff report posited that Skala violated two departmental regulations in the Morris case — one for full cooperation during an official investigation, and one for forbidding false statements during an official investigation.

Both alleged violations could have resulted in Skala’s termination from the force, if acted upon by police authorities.

The staff report also suggested that Skala be viewed as a suspect in the homicide.

But an earlier PAC disregarded the staff report. Instead, it issued an opinion calling for additional training for Skala, and an overall police policy on courtesy rides.

Neither recommendation has been implemented by police.

The staff report also cited “negligence” on the part of Berry, who didn’t take steps to preserve the Walnut Street crime scene, nor did he call for a supervisor to help assess the situation there.

PAGE 5 During the 2006 PAC

Are you a community leader?

Mark Mitchell, board president, Delaware Valley Legacy Fund Amber Hikes, co-founder, Stimulus Drew Becher, president, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Alison Lin, co-founder, HotPot! Zane Booker, founder and artistic director, Smoke, Lilies and Jade Arts Initiative Wayne Knaub, commissioner, Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League

These people made the grade and were covered in PGN’s “Professional Portraits” column by Suzi Nash.

Every week, Suzi talks to people making a difference in Philadelphia. Has she talked to you yet?

4

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

PGN

PARTY IN THE PARK: Organizers of an LGBT community cookout in Fairmount Park got the grills fired up before the deluge of rain hit on Sunday. The event, sponsored by The Colours Organization Inc. and Philadelphia Black Gay Pride, featured food, games and music for about 75 guests as a way for the organizations to thank their volunteers and supporters. Photo: Scott A. Drake NEWS

Crime Watch Local News Briefing

17 3 6

Contents Work It Out On Being Well

EDITORIAL/OP-ED

12 13

Creep of the Week Editorial Letters/Feedback Mark My Words Street Talk

10 10 11 11 11

How many ballgames do you go to besides Gay Day at the Phillies?

Poll results from our online survey as of Aug. 24:

17% One or two 14% Three to six 12% Six or more 25% None 29% I don’t even go to Gay Day 3% I have season tickets Go to www.epgn.com to weigh in on this week’s question:

What are you doing Labor Day weekend?

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011

Indigo Ball returns with formal dinner, new party

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com This fall’s Indigo Ball will fuse the new with the old — with a change of location, the return of a previous format and a new afterparty — to make the William Way LGBT Community Center’s annual fundraiser the largest yet.

Indigo Ball, Oct. 1 at the Arts Bank — as opposed to last year’s event at the DoubleTree — will bring back the former sit-down-dinner format.

This year, however, the formal affair will be followed by a new dance party, “Indi GOGO,” from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St. “Until last year, the ball had been a formal black-tie event, but last year we wanted to open it up to a new audience that might not have been able to afford the dinner,” explained center executive director Chris Bartlett. “So last year, we did a buffet dinner with a dance element. But this year we decided to have a formal dinner first for the folks who enjoy that and then a communityoriented dance afterward. So it’s the best of both worlds.”

Bartlett said he expects a sell-out crowd of 225 for the formal dinner portion, which runs from 6-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $175 per person, and the evening will be catered by Stephen Starr Events.

After the dinner, revelers can head to The Troc, where Bartlett said up to 800 partiers are expected to turn out for “Indi GO-GO.” Tickets are expected to cost $15-$25.

The center is looking for the whole evening to net up to $60,000, Bartlett said.

Heshie Zinman, one of the organizers of the party, said he was encouraged to help spearhead “Indi GO-GO” after the success of last year’s Indigo Ball.

“Last year, it was a Mardi Gras theme from page 1

hearings, Skala testified that supervisors are supposed to spot-check officers’ patrol logs mid-point during their shift, by visiting them while on patrol.

Skala also testified that, at times, she didn’t fill in her patrol-log entries until the end of her shift.

Sgt. Michael Dougherty, who was the supervisor of Skala and Novak, didn’t spotcheck their logs on the morning of Morris’ injury.

Instead, Dougherty reviewed the logs at the end of their shift.

The recently appointed PAC members may consider recommending that supervi-

with a lot of dancing, and there were a lot of new folks who came out for it,” he said.

“And this year they’re returning to the sitdown dinner theme, which is great because they’ll certainly reach large donors and cornerstone members that way, but I thought that since everyone had so much fun last year as well that we should try to organize something along those lines.”

Among the many people collaborating on the event, organizers enlisted the help of two women with experience hosting LGBT events — Amber Hikes and Morgan Levine, who stage the Stimulus and Arouse parties — in planning “Indi GO-GO.” Zinman said he expects “Indo GO-GO,” which is a 21-and-over event, to attract a wide range of partiers.

“We anticipate that it’ll be a very agediverse, very gender-diverse, very racially and ethnically diverse crowd,” Zinman said.

Zinman said he’s eager for the party to be a yearly addition to Indigo Ball, and encouraged all LGBTs and allies to turn out in full force to ensure that can happen.

“We think this is going to be a really great party for all members of the community.

We’re so excited about the direction William Way’s going in,” Zinman said. “Chris has done an incredible job as executive director, the board has been doing a really impressive job, and they’ve got so many more volunteers and folks who are getting involved in William Way. So the more people who come out to make this event a success and help us raise funds and bring in new members, the greater chance we have of making this an annual event.”

Those interested in volunteering for the events or assisting with planning can contact development director Michael Pomante at 215-732-2220 or mpomante@waygay. org. ■ sors fulfill their spot-checking responsibilities on a routine basis.

Additionally, PAC members may consider recommending that officers fill in their patrol-log entries in a timely manner, so that spot-checking is meaningful.

In a related matter, sources say that Skala told the D.A.’s office that she called Dougherty on her cell phone and informed him of the ride, shortly before giving it to Morris.

The purported D.A.’s interview with Skala wasn’t released to the public, and it remains to be seen whether it will be made available to PAC members during their upcoming visit to the D.A.’s office. ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

News Briefing Siloam lists entire property for sale Siloam, the AIDS-services agency trying to demolish an old Catholic church it owns, recently placed all of its real-estate holdings for sale.

Siloam wants to sell not only the Church of the Assumption, which was abandoned about 15 years ago, but also a rectory, convent and parking lot purchased from the Archdiocese in 2006.

The asking price is $1,725,000.

The property is located on the 1100 block of Spring Garden Street.

At the rectory, Siloam offers yoga, tai chi, massage therapy, reflexology, support groups, individual counseling and spiritual retreats to people infected with — and affected by — HIV/AIDS. “The sale of our property will allow us to continue on with that work,” said Sister Cathy Maguire, Siloam’s interim director.

“We didn’t want to get to this point. But we had no other choice.”

In 2009, Siloam had an annual budget

of about $700,000 and a five-person staff, according to IRS records.

Maguire declined to comment on Siloam’s current budget and staff. But she noted that the agency has experienced severe financial difficulties in the past two years, when the building dispute intensified.

Maguire said Siloam hopes to move to a new location when the property is sold, but an alternate site hasn’t been determined.

Meanwhile, Siloam continues to serve hundreds of clients, mainly through the assistance of volunteers, she said.

“This sale will help Siloam move forward,” Maguire said. “We’ve really been stressed with the building dispute. We’re not out to get a bundle of money. But we hope to get enough for programs to continue in a seamless flow.”

Last year, Siloam received permission from the city’s Historical Commission to demolish the church, due to the hardship of maintaining the dilapidated structure.

But the Callowhill Neighborhood Association appealed that decision to the city’s License and Inspection Review Board. In May, the board voted unanimously to block the demolition.

Siloam is appealing the board’s decision in Common Pleas Court, Maguire said.

“I don’t know what will happen to that church,” she said.

Andrew R. Palewski, a CNA member, expressed mixed feelings about the pending sale.

“Listing all of the parcels collectively has the potential to attract a different kind of

City of Philadelphia Special Public Hearing Notice

The Committee of the Whole of the Council of the City of Philadelphia will hold a Special Public Hearing on Wednesday, August 31, 2011, at 5:00 PM, in the Esperanza Academy Charter High School located at 301 West Hunting Park Avenue (3rd & Hunting Park), to hear testimony concerning Councilmanic redistricting – the redrawing of Council District boundaries to incorporate the results of the 2010 U.S. Census.

Michael A. Decker Chief Clerk

LOCAL PGN

buyer,” he said “But it’s important to understand that Siloam’s motivation to demolish the church continues nevertheless.”

— Timothy Cwiek

Gay council prez resigns The out president of the Coatesville City Council announced last week he was resigning from his post.

In a statement, Karl Marking said that while he accomplished all of his goals in the past year, he felt he “could no longer be effective” in his position, largely because other councilmembers and some in city government were uncooperative in his efforts to hold city leaders accountable.

Marking said the “last straw” was a “blatant disregard” by a city official for his contractual obligation to live within Coatesville’s city limits.

“I believe I have done all I can do with what I have to work with, and at this juncture I would either have to be silent, thereby becoming a part of the problem, or move on and let someone else have an opportunity to make a change,” Marking said.

Newtown to consider LGBT bill Newtown Borough could become the next Pennsylvania municipality to adopt an LGBT nondiscrimination ordinance.

At its Aug. 16 meeting, the borough council voted to allow its solicitor to draft legislation that would make it illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity within the borough.

Four councilmembers voted to proceed with the creation of the measure, one opposed it and one abstained from voting.

The council will take at least one month to talk to constituents about the measure before taking further action.

If approved, Newtown Borough would become the 22nd municipality in the state to ban LGBT discrimination.

Celebrate Pride in the Garden State The fourth annual Southern New Jersey GLBT Pride Festival will bring together LGBTs and allies from throughout the Jersey and Philadelphia areas next month.

The festival will be held from noon-3 p.m.

Sept. 11 at Cooper River Park, North Route 130 and South Park Drive in Collingswood, featuring vendors, food and live performances from acts like male illusionist Stefon Royce Iman and Miss Southern New Jersey Gay Pride Alicia Lamour.

On Sept. 9, Pride will kick off with a meetand-greet reception in Camden. To RSVP for the reception or for more information on the festival, visit www.snjgaypride.org. ■

“I lingered in the shadows of my mind to hide from forces I believed would conjure greater torrents of pathos in my life, as if my fate was to live in perpetual sorrow, and barebacking indiscriminately would keep fate at bay.”

— Jen Colletta

Millennial Poz Aaron Stella

After 30 years of HIV/AIDS, the epidemic is impacting the next generation: the Millennials.

Written by Aaron Stella, Millennial Poz gives a new voice to people with HIV/AIDS. Online and in print every second Friday.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011

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Out State Dept. official brings policy work to Philly

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Daniel Baer, an openly gay official with the U.S. Department of State, has spent the last two years working on human-rights cases throughout the globe — an arena he said is becoming increasingly more focused on LGBT-rights work, in part due to the United States’ lead.

Baer will be a keynote speaker at the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association’s convention this weekend in Philadelphia, where he will address the recent international LGBT triumphs and setbacks and discuss the role American media can play in shining a light on LGBT-rights struggles.

Baer was appointed in November 2009 as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, where he oversees such units as the Offices of East Asian Pacific Affairs, African Affairs and Multilateral and Global Affairs.

As an openly gay federal employee, Baer said he’s found the environment to be welcoming to LGBT staffers.

“I can’t speak for the whole federal government, but I think the president has made policy changes that signal to everyone in federal government that he’s committed to an open atmosphere,” he said. “But also within the State Department, the secretary has made it clear on numerous occasions that

she’s making LGBT human rights a central plank of foreign policy and internally has made a commitment to LGBT equality.”

Baer said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with whom he has direct contact every few weeks, has attended Pride events within the department and met with LGBT employee group Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies, in addition to overseeing the implementation of policy changes like last year’s expansion of benefits for same-sex domestic partners of LGBT State Department employees.

That commitment to LGBT equality has also been reflected in such efforts as the United States’ strong backing of this summer’s United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on LGBT rights, the first ever of its kind.

Baer was in the room when the council approved the measure and said he was impressed by the emotional nature of the occasion.

“It was more moving than I had expected.

I was actually surprised at myself,” he said.

“There are a lot of times where things the UN does can seem disconnected from our day-to-day, but this really was a moment where the voice of the international community was speaking out for the first time ever about LGBT human rights. Those of us who work on these issues every day have to remind ourselves how quickly progress can be made and how quickly it is being

made, and this was one of those moments where you had to stop and say, ‘Wow, this is really outstanding.’”

While the United States has been working to engage policymakers and civilians abroad to alleviate LGBT-rights violaDEPUTY tions, it is often tasked ASSISTANT with doing so in counSECRETARY tries where homophoDANIEL BAER bia may be deeply ingrained.

“It is challenging, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t or don’t do the work that needs to be done. You don’t sign up for any aspect of foreign-policy work because you want something easy; the challenge is part of what’s rewarding,” he said. “You just have to think tactically about what the most productive way to engage is and then pave the groundwork for respectful conversations that will lead to progress in the long run.”

Since Clinton came into office, Baer said, she’s done an effective job of making sure those initial conversations are taking place.

“She’s making it clear to ambassadors that this is part of our human-rights policy and having these conversations on LGBT issues is part of their jobs. The first conversation is always challenging, but it makes the second

and third ones easier.”

While momentum has been building around international LGBT-rights issues in recent years, Baer said American journalists can also play a role in furthering those discussions.

By examining the conditions faced by LGBTs outside of the American borders, Baer said the media can raise awareness that can be integral to stemming rights violations.

“Human-rights policy is best when it starts with the facts, and I think journalists can play a critical role in helping to shape those policies by creating a record of facts.

One of the things that perhaps gets underrecognized is how important it is that when we don’t know the stories about the people whose rights are being violated, it’s difficult to protect them and build the political coalitions it takes to make changes to policies or laws,” Baer said. “Throughout the history of our foreign policy, public opinion has had, as it should, an effect on government priorities and actions so journalists can play a role in marshaling facts and disseminating them to the public, so citizens can make inquiries and demands of the legislators and so that the executive branch can pay attention to issues and make progress. The media plays a role in marshaling public opinion not only within the United State but around the world and can help spotlight urgent human-rights issues.” ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

NATIONAL PGN

CNN anchor returns to Philly with new outlook

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com A decade after CNN anchor Don Lemon left Philadelphia’s NBC 10, he’s returning to his old stomping grounds this weekend to share the journey he undertook in the intervening years that led to his being one of the nation’s most visible out journalists.

Lemon will serve as a keynote speaker for the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association’s convention, a few months after his public coming-out this spring.

Lemon, 45, first began his coming-out process about 15 years ago while living in New York City.

“When I moved to New York, I was surrounded by people who were gay and nobody cared,” he said. “Everybody was just who they were and it made me comfortable to be who I was.”

While Lemon shared his orientation with his family, friends and some colleagues, he never disclosed it to the public as he built his career at stations in New York, Birmingham, Ala., St. Louis and Philadelphia.

“I was worried that people would shun me or ostracize me or wouldn’t accept me,” he said. “I was worried I wouldn’t have a job and that people wouldn’t want to hire me because I’d be known as the gay anchor or newsperson. That fear was extremely real.”

He confronted those concerns head-on this past spring with his memoir “Transparent.”

While Lemon discusses being gay in the book, his orientation wasn’t meant to be the focus, although that was the portion that produced the largest tidal wave of response.

“Being gay doesn’t define who I am but it’s a big part of me and it would have been hypocritical not to include it. But to me it wasn’t a coming-out novel, just a book about my life,” he said. “But, in hindsight, I would have written more about being gay and how you can still have the ability to be successful by being who you are because that’s something that people really grabbed onto.”

Part of the reason his announcement resonated so much, he suspected, was because of the dearth of openly LGBT reporters and anchors.

Since Lemon has now lived his public career both in and out of the closet, he said he can understand why some in his field may be hesitant to come out, although he noted that step is liberating both individually and for the community.

“It’s a personal choice for each person.

And anyone dealing with coming out and being LGBT or questioning should know how difficult it is. But then having come out, I think it’s important that as many highprofile people do come out because that can

OPENLY GAY CNN ANCHOR DON LEMON

make the situation easier for everyone else.

And I can only say that because I’ve done it. I understand the criticism [of closeted public figures] somewhat, but I think we need to allow people their own time and pace to do it.”

Lemon’s personal life was also opened up to his viewers when, last year, he divulged on air that he was a victim of sexual abuse.

The acknowledgement came during his coverage of the Bishop Eddie Long scandal, in which the megachurch leader was accused by a number of young men of sexual abuse. While Lemon said he wasn’t planning on bringing his own experience to the story, he noted the conversation merited his admission.

“I didn’t really think about it until I had members of his church on the air and they were the young people who were really naïve about what an abuser looked like or acted like or sounded like. So I said, ‘Look, you can’t be that naïve’ and then I just said it.”

Covering the Long story wasn’t particularly difficult, though, Lemon said, as he’s trained to remain unbiased and impartial.

While some critics have suggested that openly gay journalists cannot adequately distance themselves from LGBT-focused stories, Lemon said such an idea is inaccurate. ”Everybody has a personal connection to some sort of story,” he said. “If you own a home and have a mortgage, you can still report on the housing market. If you have investments and 401K plans, you can still watch the stock markets. If not, we wouldn’t have any reporters. So I think that’s ridiculous: My sexuality has nothing to do with my objectivity.”

That idea holds true even when Lemon talks to anti-LGBT politicians such as Rick Santorum and Michelle Bachmann.

“I really don’t even think about it when I’m interviewing them. I treat every person

the same and if they say something that is an outright misstatement of the facts, I’ll tell them. I’ll call out anybody. And I’ll give anybody praise if they’re right.”

That attitude has contributed to Lemon’s reputation as a nononsense interviewer looking for answers free of political spin.

Most recently, he said Sarah Palin and Ron Paul have stood out for their forthrightness — both conservatives, as Lemon noted no Democrats, aside from President Obama, have declared yet that they’re running for the White House.

“Many politicians don’t know how to answer direct questions anymore. They’re so used to these talking points and partisan language that they don’t even realize they’re not answering questions.”

Lemon’s questions got him into a bit of a scrape with Bachmann’s campaign during this month’s Iowa State Fair.

While Lemon declined to comment on the incident — in which he was reported to have been asking the candidate basic questions about the Iowa Straw Poll when her husband appeared to shove Lemon into a golf cart — he did say that “the campaign called and acknowledged they had an issue and they apologized. Apology accepted.”

Lemon noted that the LGBT community is at times not as forgiving as it should be when it comes to the media.

As LGBT issues become more commonplace in mainstream news, he suggested the community reserve its criticism for outlets truly damaging LGBT progress.

“The media is such an easy punching bag. If someone is blatantly wrong, then of course we have to tell them, but I don’t think we can continue to harp on the media, especially when they’re on our side, if they’re trying to be open-minded and hear our issues but may not get the language exactly right. It makes people in the media hesitant to talk about issues to do with gays and lesbians at all.”

The intersection of the LGBT and media communities will be the topic of conversation at this weekend’s NLGJA conference, and Lemon said his own struggle to reconcile those two identities will allow him to share sage career advice with the guests.

“You have to walk in truth. You have to walk in your own truth and don’t be afraid to hold people accountable. You don’t have to be antagonistic, but a true journalist.

This country and this world are just eager for real, true journalists these days and if you can fill that void, you can be successful.” ■

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Michele Bachmann

Editorial

Post-gay?

This week, the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection is host to two significant LGBT events: the Amateur Sports Alliance of North America softball world series and the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association annual convention.

Recently, some gay softball leagues have drawn scrutiny for policies on non-gay players — no more than two per team — which, apparently, includes bisexuals. Earlier this year, a U.S. District Court judge ruled that leagues could limit the number of non-gay players, but they needed to have better methods of determining sexual orientation.

In media, and communications in general, there are ongoing questions about the relevance of an organization such as NLGJA, in a time when there is greater openness in newsrooms. There are both more openly LGBT journalists and LGBT topics are covered more frequently.

These two seemingly disparate questions beg a broader one: Is it necessary to have separate organizations for LGBTs, or should sexual and gender minorities integrate into mainstream organizations?

In short, yes, it’s still beneficial to have separate organizations, if not truly necessary.

Certainly, there is no end-all, be-all answer to this question; there’s no “the community has achieved full equality and can move along with progress now” answer.

For one, the community has not yet reached that point. While some cities and states offer protections based on

sexual orientation and gender identity, there are no federal-level protections. As such, crossing municipal boundaries or state lines changes what rights and protections one has as an LGBT person. For instance, in Pennsylvania there are protections in various cities and townships, Philadelphia included, but no state-level protections.

Beyond antidiscrimination protections, full equality is still on the horizon — even if it’s now closer on the horizon.

The repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will take effect next month, and six states and the District of Columbia now recognize same-sex marriage. Progress — or at least discussion — has begun in immigration, workplace protections and relationship recognition.

Second, as is apparent by recent comments by politicians Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum and would-be candidates such as Christine O’Donnell, even when LGBTs achieve equality under the law, there will still be foes fighting to limit, overturn or restrict those rights.

While having a primarily LGBT space isn’t necessary in sports or professional organizations per se, they are both still areas in which individuals are not necessarily comfortable being openly gay — as evidenced by the lack of out players in professional sports and reporters and editors, both on air and in newsrooms.

Until the decision to disclose one’s sexual orientation is no longer a weighty and carefully considered risk, primarily LGBT space and organizations will still be vital. ■

My dear Gaymericans, it has come to my tion in their life, and sexual-identity disorattention that there is some concern about ders.” a woman named Michele Bachmann. The But, I mean, so what? That was then and scuttlebutt is that she’s antigay and posthis is now. She’s not judging gays now, sibly insane and that, should the End of end of story. Well, I mean, there is that Days occur and she become President of whole issue of Bachmann’s staunch supthe United States, LGBT people would be port of the antigay marriage amendment to in very serious trouble. the Constitution. And the weird thing about her husband running a mental-health clinic I’m here today to assure you that Bachmann does not judge. She said so her- that tries to “cure” gays with prayer. self on “Meet the Press.” She said it right And then there’s that “Marriage Vow” to David Gregory’s face. And you can’t she signed in Iowa that, among many other lie to a man with a face like that. I mean, things, affirms her “vigorous opposition look at him. He looks like a silver-haired to any redefinition of the Institution of Labrador retriever puppy in a necktie. Not Marriage — faithful monogamy between even Michele Bachmann would lie to a dog one man and one woman — through statuwearing a tie. tory-, bureaucratic- or court-imposed recognition of intimate But she might evade “We need to have prounions which are bigahis questions. Which she did, though her mous, polygamous, found compassion for unwillingness to stand polyandrous, sameby her past comments people who are dealing sex, etc.” about lesbian and gay example, with the very real issue can weFor really hold it people only proves against her that her how nonjudgmenof sexual dysfunction tal she truly is in her win in Iowa in their life, and sexual- straw-poll heart and her soul. is largely credited to “I am running for “Christian” GOP orgaidentity disorders.” nizer Peter Waldron, the presidency of the United States. I who happens to have am not running to — Michele Bachmann ties to Bishop Martin Ssempa, who happens be anyone’s judge,” Bachmann told to be one of the main Gregory. “I ascribe honor and dignity to proponents of the “kill the gays bill,” a every person no matter what their backmeasure that seeks to make homosexuality ground. [Gays and lesbians] have honor punishable by death in Uganda? and they have dignity.”

But hey, we’re talking about a woman who considers John See? Homos have honor and dignity. So kind of her to notice. But for some reaEidsmoe, her professor at Oral Roberts son, Gregory just wouldn’t let the whole University, a mentor. Eidsmoe’s views “you’ve said super-shitty things about gay about homosexuality are extreme, to say people in the past” thing go. He dragged the least. As Right Wing Watch points out, out comments she made in 2004, like when this guy is a big believer in ex-gay therapy she called being gay “a very sad life” that’s and thinks that gays are out to destroy society and “will recruit our children into “part of Satan.” homosexuality, voluntarily or involunShe also said, “It leads to the personal tarily.” enslavement of individuals. Because if This is, of course, utter bullshit, as any you’re involved in the gay and lesbian lifestyle, it’s bondage. It is personal bondage, sensible person knows. But we’re not talkpersonal despair and personal enslavement. ing about a sensible person here. We’re talking about Michele Bachmann, so it’s And that’s why this is so dangerous.” only fair that the standard not be so high. ■ Um, OK. I can see how she might think that bondage is dangerous, though it might just be that her only experience with bond- D’Anne Witkowski has been gay for pay age is that scene from “Pulp Fiction.” Still, since 2003. She’s a freelance writer and enough with the bondage talk, lady. poet (believe it!). When she’s not taking Oh, and, “we need to have profound on the creeps of the world, she reviews compassion for people who are dealing rock ’n’ roll shows in Detroit with her twin with the very real issue of sexual dysfuncsister.

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.

OP-ED PGN

Putting Philly’s LGBT community on the map This week, our community is hosting not The convention is so high-level and proone but two national LGBT conventions/ filed that the keynote speakers are NBC events. It’s a tribute to our community, and “Today Show” host Ann Curry, CNN’s especially our LGBT tourism caucus, that Don Lemon and Dr. Daniel Baer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and worked diligently to have Philly chosen among the numerous the highest-ranking openly gay other choice cities. employee in the department.

Philly was chosen because it On the other side of the spectrum, we have the Amateur is one of the most gay-friendly Sports Alliance of North cities in the nation and offers America in town. They are holdmany amenities that others ing the women’s softball world cannot. We have a very lively series in the City of Brotherly and organized gay community Love and Sisterly Affection, and a nightlife of which many bringing with them about 1,500 cities would be envious. This teammates, friends and family. seems to be recognized more by outsiders than by residents. So Later this year, we’ll host to all you naysayers out there, other national conferences. give it a break and realize that Why? Because Philadelphia is a major LGBT destination and you live in a very special place.

Mark Segal meeting city. And the reason for Rather than complain, why that is we realized early that to not make it a point to get out host the world, you had to create a firstthere this weekend and welcome our class LGBT community. And I personguests? There are many public events you ally thank each of you who have helped can participate in, or just walk over to a put Philly on the map. Take Pride Philly, group that you note is from out of town and say, “Welcome, we’re glad to have you you’re one of the best! ■ here.”

Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the One of the visiting groups should bring nation’s most-award-winning commentaa lot of news about us to the nation, since that group comprises the National Lesbian tor in LGBT media. He can be reached at and Gay Journalists Association. These are mark@epgn.com. the LGBT writers, editors, producers, etc., working in mainstream and LGBT media.

Mark My Words

Letters and Feedback In response to “Defendant seeks dismissal in Clementi case,” Aug. 19-25:

In response to “Gayborhood Crime Watch,” Aug. 19-25:

If one of [Dharun Ravi’s] closest friends is gay, why would he do such an ignorant thing to another gay person? I hope his gay friend isn’t subject to this type of behavior by [him].

What are summary offenses? Smoking pot? Pissing in the gutter? Being a black pedestrian in Center City? Give me a fucking break.

— Glenda Davis In response to “Q Lounge closes,” June 17-23:

Great project! And the news on William Way [LGBT Community Center] reminds us of the enormous need for such vision ...

I walked by this dump this past weekend and was thrilled to see it shuttered up — it was the worst place by far and made 12th Air seem like the Ritz-Carlton. The bartenders were the rudest ever ... The patrons of the place had this attitude like they were somehow considered “hot” because they were standing in the dump of a bar. So as I walked by with my BF, we both said: “Oh, it looks like Bump, Globar, whatever the hell it was called is closed, yeah I hated that place, me too.”

In response to “Gene Cavanaugh, 63, cabaret performer,” Aug. 19-25: Condolences to Gene’s family. He was truly a wonderful human being and did have a great sense of humor.

— anonymous

Street Talk What’s your favorite thing to do with an out-of-town visitor?

“Go to the Italian Market. It has a great community feel. You can get good deals —much less expensive Vanessa Banegas than a student grocery store. Bella Vista I like the experience of interacting with the outdoor environment. And there are good restaurants right in the vicinity.”

“The National Constitution Center. It has an awesome view of history, explained in a very underIfetayo Gillison standable personal-care way. From attendant there, I’d Germantown visit the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and other nearby attractions.

Your whole day could be spent that way.”

“Isaiah Zagar’s Magic Garden on South Street.

It’s the most beautiful mosaic I’ve ever seen. A wonderland of creative Amanda Keyser artistry. A bartender lot of people Queen Village don’t know about it — a hidden jewel in the city. I’d recommend this to everyone.”

“Tiberino Museum in West Philadelphia.

The museum features a family of artists who created Thomas Sprott amazing photographer sculptures Center City and paintings. You can be inspired by the depth and intricacy of the artwork. You can visit there for a small donation.”

— Scott Lewis

In response to “Life after 55: It does get better,” Aug. 19-25:

— Bongiova

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011 11

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

Work It Out

Gina John

Reiki healing and health The nation’s oldest, continuously operating LGBT bookstore.

Sir, Yes Sir

A Reading with Mike Warren Aug. 26, 5:30 pm ($15, Published: Life Changing Books)

Frontreaders Aug. 31, 7:00 pm

The Temple

By Stephen Spender ($12, Published: Grove Press)

3 million eBooks available at www.queerbooks.com email: giovannis_room@verizon.net 345 S. 12th St. Philadelphia, Pa 19107 215-923-2960 Mon-Sat 11:30 - 7, Sun 1 - 7

Well-being refers not only to physical health, but also emotional, mental and spiritual health. It has long been accepted that physical health is directly influenced by emotional, mental and spiritual states.

If there is a sense of turmoil in those areas, physical health begins to suffer. Just as a physician is often required to heal physical ailments, a spiritual healer may be required to restore spiritual health.

Unfortunately, the pragmatic “Western” mind tends to view alternative methods of healing arts as at least exotic, and often frivolous. But thousands of years of cultural and medical history suggest some techniques offer effective and immediate benefits.

There are many different forms of holistic and spiritual healing including crystals, meditation, chakra and aura balancing and alignment, chakra and aura cleansing, color therapy, Feng Shui, herbal therapy, healing touch, Puja, regression therapy, hands-on healing and clairvoyant healing.

Preeminent among those who blend mind and body conventions is Reiki healing. Our high-speed, intense lives in a wired world often leave little room or resources for personal/emotional healing and health. Reiki healing allows periodic improvement of both emotional and physi-

City of Philadelphia

cal health using centuries-old techniques.

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen “life-force energy” flows through us and causes us to be alive. If one’s lifeforce energy is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress and, if high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

In a typical whole-body Reiki treatment, the practitioner instructs the recipient to lie down, usually on a massage table, and relax. Loose, comfortable clothing is worn during the treatment. The practitioner might take a few moments to enter a calm, meditative state of mind and mentally prepare for the treatment, and it is usually carried out without any unnecessary talking.

The treatment generally progresses with the practitioner placing the hands on the recipient in various positions. However, practitioners may use a non-touching technique, where the hands are held a few centimeters away from the recipient’s body for some or all of the positions. The hands are usually kept in a position for three to five minutes before moving to the next position. Overall, the hand positions usually give a general coverage of the head, the front and back of the torso, the knees and feet. Between 12 and 20 positions are used, with the whole treatment lasting anywhere from 45-90 minutes.

It is reported that the recipient often feels warmth or tingling in the area being treated, even when a non-touching approach is used. A state of deep relaxation, combined with a general feeling of well-being, is usually the most noticeable immediate effect of the treatment, although emotional releases can also occur. As the Reiki treatment is said to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes, instantaneous “cures” of specific health problems are not normally observed. A series of three or more treatments, typically at intervals of one to seven days, is usually recommended to address a chronic condition, and regular treatments on an ongoing basis can be used with the aim of maintaining well-being. The interval between such treatments is typically one to four weeks.

Many practitioners and recipients of Reiki treatment report improvement in creativity and spiritual well-being, as well reduction in pain symptoms, faster healing of injuries and decreased disease symptoms and progression. Reiki has no side effects and is completely non-invasive and natural. ■ To learn more about alternative treatments such as Reiki and other nontraditional methods for health and emotional/spiritual healing, contact Gina John, a specialist in emotional and spiritual healing with offices in the 12th Street Gym’s Camac Center, at 610-633-8646 or visit her website, YourPsychicAdvisor.net.

Special Public Hearing Notice

The Committee of the Whole of the Council of the City of Philadelphia will hold a Special Public Hearing on Tuesday, September 6, 2011, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, in the Einstein Medical Center (Gouley Auditorium) located at 5501 Old York Road (near Broad & Olney transit center), to hear testimony concerning Councilmanic redistricting – the redrawing of Council District boundaries to incorporate the results of the 2010 U.S. Census.

Michael A. Decker Chief Clerk

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PGN

Prostate cancer awareness September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Many people don’t know that prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in men, causing more than 300,000 deaths each year (only lung cancer claims more lives). Approximately one in six men will develop invasive prostate cancer in his lifetime. Men (and transwomen) who have anal sex have a greater likelihood of encountering prostate problems — whether theirs, their partner’s or both — at some point. But until very recently, the issue of prostate cancer and gay/bisexual men or transwomen has not received much attention from medical researchers.

One of the key reasons for this is the historical lack of research and data collection on gay/bisexual men and transgender women. Another major barrier is the difficulty many people have in discussing sexual orientation or behavior with their health providers. Gay and bisexual men are often not out Dr. to their primary-care providers — and when you look at the statistics on men of color, or men in older age brackets, the likelihood of being closeted is dramatically higher.

In the case of prostate cancer we’re often dealing with two stigmas: the historical discomfort in talking about this form of cancer, and the stigma that continues to surround homosexuality/bisexuality and gender identity.

As with most health concerns, doctorpatient communication is critical when it comes to preventing and dealing with prostate cancer. Among the most common, life-altering effects of treating prostate cancer are changes in sexual functioning — which could impact gay or bisexual and heterosexual men in very different ways.

Yet too few health-care providers ask about their patients’ sexual practices, or have the answers when asked about the effect of prostate cancer on gay men’s sexuality, for example. For many gay/bisexual men and particularly transwomen, finding culturally competent support on issues of sex, intimacy and relationships is difficult.

for prostate cancer before you have any symptoms. During an office visit, you’ll be asked about your personal and family medical history, and you’ll undergo a physical exam, which may include a digital rectal exam in which your physician or provider inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum and feels your prostate through the rectal wall, checking for hard or lumpy areas and assessing the size of the prostate.

You may also get a blood test for what’s called prostate specific antigen (PSA). This is a protein made by the prostate gland and found in the blood.

PSA blood levels may be higher than normal in patients who have prostate cancer, but can also be seen in other non-cancer diagnoses like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or infection or inflammation of the prostate gland. It’s important to note that while the digital rectal exam and PSA test can detect a problem in the prostate, they can’t Robert show whether the problem is cancer or a less serious condiWinn tion. So if you have abnormal test results, your doctor may suggest further tests to determine the cause.

Risk and detection Age is the main risk factor for prostate cancer. The chance of getting prostate cancer increases as you get older. Most prostate cancer occurs in patients older than 50.

(In the United States, most patients with prostate cancer are over 65). This disease is rare in patients under 45. Race seems to play a role, as African Americans are more likely than white patients to develop prostate cancer. Having one or more close relatives (father, brother or son) with prostate cancer also increases one’s risk, as does eating a lot of red meat or high-fat dairy products.

Your health-care provider can check

The good news Prostate cancer survivors maintain high health-related quality of life, with a return to baseline and comparability to national norms of non-cancer comparison groups within six months to a year after treatment.

The only exceptions to high quality of life are related to sexual dysfunction and, to a lesser degree, urinary incontinence and bowel problems caused by treatment; percentages of long-term effects vary by major treatment choices. It’s important to ask your provider about how your treatment may affect anal sex, both in the short and long term. Thankfully, most men live cancer free after primary PAGE 15

On Being Well

Treatment There are a variety of treatment options available for prostate cancer, ranging from active surveillance (also known as “watchful waiting”) to surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and/or chemotherapy.

What works for one person may not be best for another, and in some cases providers will recommend a combination of treatments. The treatment (or combination of treatments) that’s right for you will depend on your age, the grade of the tumor, the number of biopsy tissue samples that contain cancer cells, the stage of the cancer, your symptoms and your general health.

Your provider can explain your treatment options and the expected results of each, as well as any possible side effects.

Together with your provider, you can work to develop a treatment plan that fits your medical and personal needs.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011 13

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

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PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011 15

Networking 101 (for those who hate networking)

By Kevin A. Barry PGN Contributor Philadelphia is fast becoming a hot destination for conventions and conferences.

Most conventions are actually more about networking and less about programming: For many industries, you can figure out trends through trade publications. While intimidating to some, networking is easier than you might think. Here is some advice on how to navigate a convention without coming off as smarmy.

Business is all about relationships No matter your industry, business is all about relationships. Networking isn’t about the number of people you meet or how many business cards you collect, but on making real connections. Look people in the eye and focus on being genuine and authentic. Try to build trust and relationships by finding ways you can help others.

Volunteer your time Every organization needs volunteers, especially during an annual meeting or convention. Review the marketing materials for any event and visit the organization’s website to find the main contact and e-mail them a few months in advance.

Thank them for putting the conference together and explain that you are interested in helping make this the best year ever! from page 13

treatment or, if not, live for long periods of survivorship with the disease.

The best defense with prostate cancer, as with most forms of cancer, is early detection. Your doctor should talk to you about the PSA blood test and rectal exam every year starting when you are 50. Talk about the benefits and limitations of testing so that you can make an informed decision.

If you are African American or have close relatives who have had prostate cancer, you should begin having these discussions when you are 40.

Clearly, more research specific to the GBT community is needed to better understand how prostate cancer impacts our communities. In the meantime, the best thing you can do is talk candidly with your provider. Be aware of your risks and be sure you get screened on time and with the appropriate frequency. Prostate cancer can be a treatable disease when detected in time. ■ Further resources: American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www. cdc.gov); Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (www.glma.org); National LGBT Cancer Network (www.cancer-network.org).

Dr. Robert Winn is medical director at Mazzoni Center, the region’s only LGBTspecific health center.

Be strategic This is a tough thing to learn, yet it is crucial to successful networking.

Conventions and professional-development workshops are a great way to gain access to thought leaders and power players in your industry. Convention programs often provide a list of names and contact information for guests and most professional organizations distribute a membership directory once a year. Review the directories and organization’s programming calendar to decide whom you’d like to meet and why. If they are speaking or presenting at an event, attend it and arrive early. Prepare open-ended questions for the Q&A. Frame your questions so that the speaker’s answer tells you “who, what, where, when and how” rather than a simple yes or no response. Approach the speaker(s) after the program to thank him or her and convey what you liked or found interesting about the session. This is also a great chance to ask for more information about a topic over coffee or lunch.

people who annoy because they network ineffectively. We have all encountered them — the wallflower, the celebrity hound, the card whore and the Saran Wrap.

Wallflowers sit in a far corner of the room because they are too afraid to mix and mingle. They typically have a weak handshake, come across as insecure and often end up being ignored. Celebrity hounds stalk the most important person at the convention for a handshake or Facebook photo. Saying that you met someone is frivolous at best; instead focus on having something useful to say. Card whores pass out business cards like they’re the cure for cancer. They gloat over the quantity of people they meet, not the quality of the relationships. Like the Plastics from “Mean Girls,” Saran Wraps cling to you as soon as you meet and assume that you are automatically BFFs (best friends forever). They don’t leave your side for the entire conference. You can avoid being “that guy or gal” by actively listening to what people have to say, looking people in the eye when you speak with them and only giving out your card to those people with whom you plan to follow up. Follow Hillary Clinton’s lead. If you only have 30 seconds with someone, make it 30 seconds of warmth and sincerity.

Don’t be that guy or gal At every convention there are those

Become a resource for others Come prepared. Review business pub-

Offer your time, expertise, creativity or connections to help improve the event. If you are uneasy about meeting new people, this is a great way to stay visible and give back to groups that have helped you.

lications and industry trades. Be able to offer your opinions on industry trends and ask others their thoughts on the topic at scheduled networking events. If you know the area well, offer your recommendations on restaurants and other local points of interest. This does not end with the convention. When you are known as a strong resource, people remember to turn to you for suggestions, ideas, names of other people, etc. This keeps you visible to them.

Follow up, follow up, follow up This cannot be stressed enough. The most essential part of continuing a relationship is following up with the people you meet quickly and efficiently. There are many different ways of doing this. Some people prefer handwritten notes, some prefer e-mails, others call. Find what works best for you and follow up within a week.

It will help build these new relationships and demonstrate that you are responsible.

Lastly, see and be seen. It will get you further than you think. ■ Kevin A. Barry is a fundraiser at the University of Pennsylvania and sits on the board of directors for the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association. His significant experience in fundraising and public relations his made him an expert in the art of professional networking. He can be reached at kevinabarry@gmail.com.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011 17

Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the 6th Police District between Aug. 12-16.

Information is courtesy of 6th 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).

INCIDENTS — Between 9-11:45 a.m. Aug. 12, someone stole a tire from a secured bicycle outside 333 S. Broad St. — At 2:15 a.m. Aug. 13, a man was shoved to the ground and ordered to surrender his cell phone at 1300 Locust St. by a black male, 20-25 years old, 6-foot, 150 pounds, with a medium complexion

and wearing a blue top. A second male acted as a lookout. The males fled into the PATCO subway.

— Between 5-8:30 a.m. Aug. 13, a secured bicycle was stolen from outside 318 S. Fawn St. ARRESTS — At 12:35 p.m. Aug. 12, 6th District Officers Fererro and Seifert conducted an investigation of two males in the parking lot at 13th and Locust streets. A 37-year-old with a South Philadelphia address was found to be in wanted status as a probation violator and was charged with contempt of court. A 25-year-old with a North Philadelphia address was charged with possession of cocaine.

— At 5:05 p.m. Aug. 12, 6th District officers issued a citation to a male inside the DoubleTree Hotel, 237 S. Broad St., who had been asked to leave several

times by hotel staff. The 33-year-old male with a homeless-shelter address was allegedly roaming the halls and knocking on doors, and was cited for defiant trespassing.

— At 4:55 a.m. Aug. 13, 6th District O ffi c e r s M a c c h i o n e a n d C i f e l l i responded to a burglar alarm at Paul Morelli Studio, 1118 Walnut St. The officers observed a male exiting the rear alley with a briefcase. The male was detained; officers found a secondfloor window had been broken. Security video was reviewed with the resident and the male was clearly seen entering the second-floor balcony and later exiting with a briefcase. The 42-year-old suspect with a Southwest Philadelphia address was charged with burglary and related offenses.

— At 8:50 a.m. Aug. 13, 6th District officers arrested a male for a summary

offense outside 1222 Locust St. — At 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13, 6th District officers arrested a male for a summary offense outside 1200 Locust St. — At 7:55 p.m. Aug. 14, 6th District Officer Phillips was flagged down by an employee of Caribou Cafe, 1126 Walnut St., who pointed out a male who left without paying for his meal. The 34-year-old suspect with a Bethlehem address was arrested and charged with theft of services.

— UPDATE: On Aug. 16, police charged a male already in custody for a burglary inside Jefferson University Hospital with a second burglary, committed at 4:47 p.m. July 28 at Pennsylvania Hospital, 801 Spruce St., in which a man took computer equipment from the ninth floor. The 45-year-old homeless suspect was charged with burglary and related offenses. ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011 19

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20

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

PGN

You’ve seen the Lambda Awards.

You’ve seen the Pink Penny Awards.

On September 30, PGN brings you the

Best of Gay Philadelphia

Here’s a preview of categories:

Best bar staff Best bar theme night Best drag king Best drag queen Best sports league Best live music venue plus many more ...

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011 21

����� ��� ��

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We know you love your town. Here’s your chance to let everyone know what you think. Nominate your favorites in the city, then see who tops the list.

Entertainment, eats, nightlife, people, shopping and community The nomination period will be open from Sept. 2-19.

Nomination forms will be in PGN and online at

www.epgn.com

Once the nominations close, we’ll print the top five vote-getters in each category ...

Then, on Sept. 30, we’ll announce the winners.

22

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

MAZZONI from page 1

tioned it over to Mazzoni the following year, an effort she said impressed the council.

“They thought I would be a good candidate to start up their legal department and, while in some ways I started the legal practice at Mazzoni, this would be starting something really from scratch, which I thought would be a new and different challenge,” she said.

During her tenure, Chaudhry said, she’s particularly proud of the successful resolution of such cases as that of the Penn State professor who was denied tenure after speaking out on LGBT issues, as well as the public hearings held by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations — the first in a number of years — on the employment-discrimination complaint filed by her client, a transgender city employee.

When Chaudhry came on board she was the only staff attorney, but Mazzoni has since hired a second, Adam Williams, earlier this year and is about to bring on a third attorney, Benjamin Salvina, who will work alongside Rosenblum, with the help of a team of legal interns, on the up-to 100 active docketed cases the department handles.

Mazzoni Center executive director Nurit Shein said Rosenblum’s “considerable professional experience and commitment to the cause of equal rights” will make him an ideal fit for the agency.

Prior to his most recent post, where he oversaw employment-discrimination complaints for the department, Rosenblum

served as the state’s d e p u t y a t t o r n ey general and also as a trial attorney at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

He was a founding board member of the former Center for Lesbian and Gay Rights, the predeCHAUDHRY cessor to Equality Pennsylvania, and was a co-founder and cochair of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Committee on the Legal Rights of Lesbians and Gay Men. Rosenblum also started a similar group, the New Jersey State Bar Association’s LGBT Committee, and co-founded and co-chaired New Jersey’s first LGBT state employee group, Proud2WorkNJ. He has additionally served as chair of the Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia, which in 2000 presented him with its Michael M. Greenberg Award for “leadership, activism and advocacy.”

“I am thrilled to be joining the staff at Mazzoni Center,” Rosenblum said. “I have devoted my entire professional career to ensuring that equal-opportunity principles are integrated into all aspects of the workforce, and in my new role I look forward to continuing that pursuit and ensuring that the LGBT community has a voice in the legal system.” ■

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DHS from page 1

to access help and, even though she had a court order, the staff was still not complying and respecting her gender identity.”

According to L.P., staff members referred to her by her male name and male pronouns, and would not permit her to wear female undergarments or have her hair relaxed, allowances made for other female residents.

L.P. was required to use male restroom facilities and sleep in quarters with male residents.

She said she was ridiculed by the other residents on a daily basis for her gender identity, called “faggot” and a “wannabe girl,” abuse that at times became physical.

She contends that the staff did nothing to prevent the attacks and did not reprimand the offenders, and that one staffer even told PRISON from page 1

on him, and during the investigation of this complaint, prison officials reportedly heard Saldana discussing her gender identity on the phone with family members.

“During the investigation, Saldana was overheard making references that he was a male,” said prison spokesperson Shawn Hawes.

Saldana reportedly presented as a female, with long hair and breasts, but has not had sexual-reassignment surgery.

According to the prison system’s policy, inmates are assigned to male or female housing units based on their external genitalia and recommendations from medical personnel, who base their opinions on a physical and psychological evaluation and the inmate’s medical history.

Inmates arrested on felony charges, as Saldana was, are supposed to undergo strip and cavity searches upon arrival at a city prison, but it is unclear if that procedure was followed for Saldana.

Hawes said an investigation is underway to determine if there were protocol violations that led to Saldana’s assignment to Riverside for the past year.

According to Hawes, Saldana did not selfidentify as transgender during the intake process, thus medical intake staff did not conduct an interview at that time. Following the discovery, Hawes told PGN Saldana was evaluated, interviewed and counseled.

BRIDE from page 1

noticing Genter had crossed out the word “groom” on papers she filled out and replaced it with the word “partner” and her fiancée’s name.

According to the Inquirer, Saber told her it was a “shame” she was gay and that her relationship was “wrong.” Saber had reportedly expressed an interest in meeting with Genter’s parents to discuss the situation.

It is not clear if Genter plans to take any legal action against the shop.

New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination prohibits discrimination in public accommodations based on sexual orientation, among other characteristics.

The incident has taken a toll on Here Comes the Bride’s public image: After the news of Genter’s situation became public, online review sites like Yelp have been

her she was not a female and would continue to be treated like a male until she had sexual-reassignment surgery.

As part of the settlement, DHS will provide LGBT sensitivity training to all YSC staff, and L.P. will also receive an undisclosed cash settlement from the city.

Bermudez said her client was satisfied with the settlement, the provisions of which she noted could serve as a model for other youth-serving agencies.

“The policy is quite comprehensive — it covers the issues of sleeping placement to language and preferred pronouns and allows for decisions on hormone treatment to fall completely in the hands of medical professionals, which is where it should be.

It’s a big step in recognizing the rights of transgender young people.” ■ As for Saldana’s charge of sex abuse, the accused officer has been reassigned, and Hawes said the complaint is under investigation by both the prison system and Philadelphia Police Department.

Hawes said the system does attempt to offer protections for inmates who could face added challenges in prison, such as those who are transgender.

“They’re not just thrown into the population and left to fend on their own,” she said.

When intake officers observe an inmate who could potentially be transgender, he or she, along with others who display special needs, are placed in a single holding cell.

Throughout the intake process, staff evaluates inmates before a private health screening is conducted. In the case of transgender inmates, the medical-service provider will “determine anatomical gender” of the inmate and evaluate if the individual has documentation or a medical referral to support his or her transgender status.

The provider will then determine whether the inmate’s transgender status is “confirmed” or “unsubstantiated” and work with the Classification Unit to assign a housing unit. Those whose status has been “confirmed” will be treated according to their “adopted” gender, with an emphasis on protective custody or transitional housing, options provided “as needed” to those whose status is unsubstantiated. ■ inundated by negative reviews of the shop.

Steven Goldstein, chair of Garden State Equality, said Saber’s reaction exemplifies the real-life ramifications of civil-union versus marriage-equality laws.

“There could not be a stronger example of the failure of the civil-union law in New Jersey than this one. Three-and-ahalf years after New Jersey’s civil-union law took effect, here we have a shop owner who actually thought it was illegal to sell a dress to a lesbian for a wedding ceremony because New Jersey does not have real marriage equality,” Goldstein said. “Nothing demonstrates more effectively, and more tragically, how civil unions are disrespected and just don’t work in the real world. Once again, we have proof: Marriage is the only currency of commitment the real world consistently accepts.” ■

AC ul t ure &

rts

FEATURE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011 23

PAGE 34

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

Page Page Page Page Page Page

36 29 34 31 27 30

FALL PREVIEW 2011

Yes! Summer is almost over. Soon we will see the tapering off of school-age children running amok and untethered through the city (at least during daylight hours), people with unattractive feet wearing flipflops, scorching-hot weather, really awfully bad reality television and horrendous traffic going in the direction of any place with a beach.

Plus we get to look forward to our favorite holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving, whatever end-of-year religious blowout you subscribe to and New Year’s Eve. There’s also tons of entertainment to be had between now and the end of the holiday season, so we’ve compiled a massive list of events competing for your attention until the dawn of 2012.

Traces by 7 Fingers The Montreal-based acrobatic circusarts company performs Sept. 15-18 at Merriam Theatre, 250 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800.

Chicago Media Theater presents the popular musical set in the prohibition era, Sept.

28-Nov. 6, 104 E. State St., Media; 610891-0100.

Chita Rivera: My Broadway Bristol Riverside Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning singer and actress performing songs from her Broadway career, Sept. 23-25, 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol; 215-785-0100.

August: Osage County Arden Theatre Company presents the Tony Award-winning comedy Sept. 29-Oct.30 at F. Otto Hass Stage, 40 N. Second St.; 215-922-1122.

Why Do Good Girls Like Bad Boyz The gospel musical runs Sept. 27-Oct. 2 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Carmen The Opera Company of Philadelphia performs the classic Sept. 30-Oct. 14 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

THEATER The Arsonists Walnut Street Theatre presents the story of an unemployed circus wrestler and his pyromaniac partner, Aug. 31-Sept. 18 at Studio 5, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.

Red Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the 2010 Tony Award winner Oct. 14Nov. 6 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420.

Rock of Ages The Tony Award-winning rock musical runs Oct. 18-23 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Drumline Live The percussive musical hits town Oct. 25-26 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

The Whipping Man Arden Theatre Company presents the post-Civil War drama Sept. 29-Oct.30 at Arcadia Stage, 40 N. Second St.; 215922-1122.

How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found Luna Theater Company presents the story of a young executive who reaches his breaking point and decides to disappear, Sept. 1-18 at Adrienne Theater’s Main Stage, 2030 Sansom St.; 215-568-8079.

Motherhood: The Musical Society Hill Playhouse presents the musical comedy from the creators of “Menopause: The Musical,” Oct. 6-Nov. 13, 507 S. Eighth St.; 215-923-0211.

Aspects of Love Walnut Street Theatre presents the romantic musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sept.

6-Oct. 23, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.

The King and I Walnut Street Theatre presents the musical by Rodgers & Hammerstein, Nov. 8-Jan. 8, 825 Walnut St.; 215-5743550.

The Aliens Theatre Exile presents the humorous slacker story Sept. 7-18 at Studio X, 1340 S. 13th St.; 215-218-4022.

Cirque Du Soleil: Quidam The newest show from the colorful and acrobatic performance company comes to town Nov. 10-13 at The Liacouras Center, 1776 N. Broad St.; 215-2042400.

Burt & Me Society Hill Playhouse presents the romantic musical comedy featuring the music of Burt Bacharach, Sept. 7-18, 507 S. Eighth St.; 215-923-0211.

Tongue & Groove The comedic troupe performs Sept. 9-16 at The Adrienne Theater Main Stage, 2030 Sansom St.; 215-413-1318.

Our Class The Wilma Theater presents the U.S. premiere of the play chronicling the lives of 10 classmates from their childhood in the 1920s to the beginning of the new millennium, Oct. 12-Nov. 13, 265 S. Broad St.; 215-546-7824.

“ROCK OF AGES” (TOP LEFT), CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: QUIDAM AND DRUMLINE LIVE

Gruesome Playground Injuries Theatre Exile presents a different kind of love story Nov. 10-Dec. 4 at Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater, 2111 Sansom St.; 215-218-4022.

24

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

FEATURE PGN

“BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL” (TOP, FROM LEFT), WIZARD OF OZ, ERASURE, ERIN MCKEOWN, DEADMAU5, CYNDI LAUPER AND DURAN DURAN

Billy Elliot: The Musical The musical about a small-town boy who wants to buck tradition to be a dancer, Nov. 16-27 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Sound of Music Media Theater presents the musical Nov. 22-Jan. 15, 104 E. State St., Media; 610891-0100.

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins The award-winning children’s book comes to life Dec. 20-31 at Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St.; 215-925-9914.

Wizard of Oz The classic story hits the stage Dec. 27-28 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

MUSIC Journey The rock band performs 8 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Erasure The synthpop group performs 8 p.m. Sept.

8 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.

Antigone Rising The all-female rock band performs 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at Tin Angel, 20 N. Second

St.; 215-928-0770.

Rick Springfield The rock guitarist performs 9 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Melissa Ferrick The out singer-songwriter performs 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Blondie The new-wave group performs 9 p.m. Sept.

16 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Erin McKeown The out singer-songwriter performs 9 p.m.

Sept. 16 at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215222-1400.

Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance The rock bands perform 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-365-1300.

Roger Daltry The singer performs “Tommy” and other Who classics 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 215-546-7900.

FEATURE PGN

The Human League and Men Without Hats The new-wave groups perform 8 p.m.

Sept 21 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.

Duran Duran The pop-rock band performs 8 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011 25

Trans-Siberian Orchestra The holiday-themed hard-rock band performs 8 p.m. Nov. 19 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-3363600.

O.M.D. The 1980s synthpop group performs 8 p.m.

Sept. 22 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.

Tori Amos The singer and pianist performs 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 1 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

VNV Nation The electronic group performs 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 10 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.

Enrique Iglesias The Latin pop superstar performs 8 p.m.

Sept. 23 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-3363600.

Deadmau5 The techno artist performs 10 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. k.d. lang and The Siss Boom Bang The out country singer performs 8 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.

Michael Monroe of Hanoi Rocks The gram-rock singer performs 9 p.m.

Sept. 30 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.

Spin Doctors The alt-rock band performs 8 p.m. Oct. 14 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400.

Duran Duran The pop group performs 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887.

Hanson The pop-rock group performs 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.

Howard Jones The new-wave singer performs 8 p.m.

Oct. 20 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.

Cyndi Lauper The pop star sings the blues 8 p.m. Oct. 21 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.

The Black Cat Cabaret featuring Karen Gross The singer performs 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Tin Angel, 20 N. Second St.; 215-9280770.

Still Black, Still Proud: An African Tribute to James Brown International talent celebrates the lasting legacy of the “Godfather of Soul,” 7 p.m. Nov. 20 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.

DANCE Russian Suite The Pennsylvania Ballet performs the North American premiere of “Jeu de Cartes” by Alexei Ratmansky, Oct. 20-23 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

PHILADANCO The celebrated dance troupe performs Nov. 4-6 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.

RASPUTINA (LEFT), TORI AMOS (TOP), TONY BENNETT AND PHILADANCO

Girlyman The folk group featuring out members performs 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Jay-Z and Kayne West The hip-hop superstars perform 8 p.m.

Nov. 2 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-336-3600.

Rasputina The cello-driven band performs 8 p.m.

Nov. 2 at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400.

Tony Bennett The singer performs 8 p.m. Nov. 4 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Shelby Lynne The country singer performs 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 5-6 at Tin Angel, 20 N. Second St.; 215-928-0770.

Chris Brown, Kelly Rowland and TPain The R&B and hip-hop artists perform 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-336-3600.

Foo Fighters The rock band performs 8 p.m. Nov. 10 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-336-3600.

Joan Baez The folk singer performs 8 p.m. Nov. 12 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.

Catie Curtis The out singer-songwriter performs at 8 p.m. Nov. 19 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Chunky Move The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the Australian dance company that thrives on theatrical invention and high-tech special effects, Nov. 17-19 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215898-3900.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

PROFILE PGN

Michael Musto redo

By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com

“We should do this every year,” Michael Musto told us.

Huzzah! He likes talking to us.

The openly gay gossip columnist spoke to us last year about the then-impending release of “Fork on the Left, Knife in the Back,” a collection of columns from his 27-year career at The Village Voice, where he reports on New York nightlife and pop culture.

But “Fork” never made it to the bookshelves, stuck in literary limbo until now, with a new release date of Sept. 1 We’d happily talk to Musto even without an impending book, as five minutes on the phone with him is more illuminating than watching two hours of TMZ. PGN: What delayed the release of the book?

MM: It was on Alyson Books, which came to a standstill. So I managed to get the manuscript back a get it over to Vantage Point Press. Now everything is back on track.

PGN: Did you add to the book?

MM: It’s been spruced up since, but it’s still the same concept. I added a few more columns and just jazzed it up a bit.

PGN: Are you throwing a party to celebrate the release of the book?

MM: Yes. We have a big party Sept. 19 at the Copa Cabana Club in New York and it’s hosted by Countess LuAnn from “Real Housewives of New York” and Lisa Lampanelli, the comedian. It’ll be a big cornucopia of downtown craziness and reality-show lunatics.

PGN: When looking for your favorite articles for the book, did you know exactly the ones you were looking for or did you have to rediscover some of them?

MM: I’ve written so many columns when you consider I’m coming up on my 27th anniversary at The Voice. You multiply that by 50 ... I used to be good at math ... it’s like 1,300 columns. It’s staggering what I’ve lived through and what I’ve reported on. So as I’m going through these, it really jogs the memory. Sometimes a column you thought was a big throwaway nothing now stands out as something more profound and the opposite. Sometimes you thought you wrote something trendsetting and amazing and you read it and it was really lame.

PGN: Is being Michael Musto a 24/7 job or is it something you can step away from for a week and not miss a beat?

MM: It’s 24/7. It never lets up. It’s sucking out my soul but I don’t have one so it’s OK. It’s a good thing because I like being Michael Musto and it’s a fun person to be.

But there’s no let up. Yeah, if I go away, let’s say for a week in Fire Island, I’m basically there to write about it. So my work is interconnected with my life. I don’t have a

life outside of my work. I don’t come home to a boyfriend and pet or even a potted plant. There’s probably something poignant about that but at least everything I’m running toward is glittering, exciting and keeps me stimulated.

PGN: Do you even envision the day when you will retire and, if so, could anyone you know of take your place?

MM: No and no. I hate downtime. I don’t want to be able to sit and relax. Relaxation is not relaxing to me. I dread the day when I would have to step down and read old Jane Austin novels. I did that already in college.

Not to pat myself on the hunchback, but I don’t think anybody else can do what I do, which is a combination of old-school journalism and column writing, along with the new up-to-the-minute stuff — blogging, tweeting and Facebooking. And do it with a combination of humor, self-deprecation and some kind of awareness. God, I’m fabulous.

But you might want to get a second opinion.

PGN: Do you think when people such as Tracy Morgan make public apologies for saying something antigay that it is sincere?

MM: No. I don’t think any apology of any kind is sincere. People only apologize when they get caught. And it’s not just gay issues.

It’s any kind of indiscretion. Once the word is out and they’re busted, then they’re deeply apologetic. But, whatever. We have to allow for some redemption and education on the part of these people, so I’ll definitely give him the benefit of the doubt. And most people say he’s not a horribly hateful person. I just think it was a lapse in judgment.

PGN: What other projects do you have going on right now?

MM: I have a cameo in the “Smurfs 3D” movie, which is very bizarre to see my head that large and in 3D. PGN: When someone of Neil Patrick Harris’ caliber does a movie like “The Smurfs,” do you think he believes in the project or is he in it for the paycheck?

MM: I can’t read his mind but I think part of it is saying how great that an openly gay person is starring in a children’s movie based on a famous franchise. Neil Patrick has broken all the rules. People said you can’t come out on TV and you can’t be an out actor in the movies. And he did. I can’t think of any other out male actor who’s had a lead in a movie. Why didn’t people throw a parade and commemorate what a historic occasion this is? This is something everyone said could never happen. And they just green-lighted a sequel. It’s a hit and nobody had an openly gay man in a children’s movie and he plays a man married to a woman with a baby. This is an amazing breakthrough. Whatever reason he did it, it was a great move. And it also involves me in a cameo and Alan Cumming does a voice and Tim Gunn has a part. I mean, this is the gayest movie since “Priscilla.” ■ “Fork on the Left, Knife in the Back” will be out Sept. 1. For more information, visit blogs.villagevoice.com/dailymusto.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011 27

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

FALL ARTS from page 25 National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China Witness mind-boggling acts of contortion 3 p.m. Nov. 20 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Compagnie Marie Chouinard The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the acclaimed dance company Dec. 8-10 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.

Champions of Dance The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents worldrenowned dancers from “Dancing with the Stars” Dec. 15-18 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.

FEATURE PGN

John Lithgow The actor and author of “Drama: An Actor’s Education” hosts a reading at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.

Chuck Palahniuk The out author hosts a reading of his new book “The Damned,” 2 p.m. Oct. 29 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-5674341.

Anita Hill The author of “Reimagining Equality: Stories of Gender, Race and Finding

Age, through Oct. 30, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Blowing on a Hairy Shoulder/Grief Hunters The Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania presents an exhibition of works by 20 artists from Israel, Greece, Germany, Belgium, Britain and America that examines the relationships between originality and origin with video, photography, drawing and sculpture, Sept.

7-Dec. 4, 118 S. 36th St.; 215-8987108.

Sinbad The comedian performs 8 p.m. Sept. 24 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.

Salsa Caliente! 2.0 The cabaret dance-party series featuring Latin big bands makes it hot 8 p.m. Oct. 8 at The Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St.; 215-925-9914.

The 2011 Philly Zombie Prom The dead rise and dance, 8 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.

BOOKS Justin Vivian Bond The author of “Tango: My Childhood, Backwards and in High Heels” hosts a reading 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960.

Wanda Sykes The out comedian performs 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 9 at Keswick Theater, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.

Justin Torres The author of “We the Animals” hosts a reading 5:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960.

Tom Mendicino, Frank Anthony Polito and Michael Salvatore The authors of the three novellas that comprise “Remembering Christmas” host a reading at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-5674341.

Lewis Black The comedian performs 9 p.m. Sept. 34 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

The Philadelphia Collection The fashion and style event runs Sept.

12-22; www.thephiladelphiacollection. org.

Peek-A-Boo Revue Philadelphia’s neo-burlesque troupe performs 8 p.m. Sept. 23 at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400.

Jim Leher The author of “Tension City: Inside the Presidential Debates, from KennedyNixon to Obama-McCain,” hosts a reading at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.

ETC. Chris Tucker The actor and comedian performs at 8 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Gender Reel Festival The East Coast’s only multi-media festival dedicated to enhancing the visibility of gender nonconforming, gender-variant, transgender and transsexual experiences and identities is held Sept. 9-10 at University of the Arts Dorrance Hamilton Hall, 320 S. Broad St.; 267-974-4259.

CABARET Darren Williams in a Tribute to Peter Allen The singer performs 8:30 p.m. Sept. 1617 at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215-862-5225.

Hanne Blank The author of “Big Big Love: A Sex and Relationship Guide for People of Size” hosts a reading 5:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215923-2960.

Molly Landreth/Aiden Simon The William Way LGBT Community Center hosts an exhibition of the photographers’ work Nov. 7-Dec. 31 at the center, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220.

David Sedaris The out humorist performs Oct. 15 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800.

NATIONAL ACROBATS OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT), BRIAN POSEHN, DAVID SEDARIS, CHUCK PALAHNIUK AND JUSTIN BOND

Home” hosts a reading at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 7 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.

Tom Brokaw The TV-news personality and author of “The Time of Our Lives: Past, Present, Promise” hosts a reading at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 8 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.

EXHIBITIONS Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus Philadelphia Museum of Art presents the U.S. debut of an exhibition of works by the great painter, draftsman and printmaker of the Dutch Golden

Men Unwrapped An exhibition of photographer Joe Bowman’s work is on display Sept. 8-Oct. 28 at The William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220.

Here and Now: Prints, Drawings and Photographs by 10 Philadelphia Artists Philadelphia Museum of Art presents the exhibition Sept. 10-Dec. 4, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Tristin Lowe: Under the Influence Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition debuting works from the Philadelphia artist, Oct. 22-Jan. 29, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Brian Posehn The comedian performs 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.

David Sedaris The out humorist performs Oct. 15 at Merriam Theater 250 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800.

Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert The two culinary stars dish on the food industry 8 p.m. Nov. 2 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Bill O’Reilly and Dennis Miller Want to see a room full of conservatives who have no idea what fun is? Join in 8 p.m. Nov. 26 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. ■

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011 29

Suzi Nash

Dashiell Sears: Gymnast, Mr. Gay Philadelphia, Smurf The tagline for the Hanover Area Historic Society Newsletter reads “Pride in the Past — Faith in the Future.”

It has nothing to do with being gay, but it kind of sums up how I’m feeling after speaking with this week’s profile, a dynamic young man determined to make a difference in the world. In explaining why Dashiell Sears was the recipient of a scholarship award, HAHS stated, “Sears was very active in student council, chairing and organizing annual blood drives, homecoming and Halloween parties. He was a writer for the student newspaper, The Chariot, and this past year he was a member of the first BrainBusters Quiz Bowl team from Hanover.” Now a Temple student, Sears has gone from Brain Busters to becoming this year’s Mr. Gay Philadelphia, wowing the judges in the talent portion of the competition with his gymnastic skills.

Sears, a sophomore political science major and member of Temple’s men’s gymnastics team, will represent Philadelphia in the Mr. Gay USA pageant in November.

PGN: You’re just a small-town boy ...

DS: Yes, I was born in Waynesboro, just north of the Mason-Dixon Line and grew up in Hanover. I came to Philadelphia to go to Temple but it wasn’t my first choice. I was on the waiting list for William and Mary but decided I wasn’t a waiting-list kind of guy. Turns out choosing Philadelphia was the best decision I could have made. As a political-science major and a gay person, Philadelphia was perfect. I didn’t grow up in or near a gay community, so coming here was eyeopening. My first night, the first time I went out ... everything. It was amazing. I wouldn’t have had the same experience in Williamsburg [Va.]!

PGN: How did you first know you were gay?

DS: I think I knew at about 12. I knew I had a secret, but couldn’t quite put a finger on it or why it should be kept secret. Once I identified what it was, I said, “Nope, nope, I’m just going to ignore it.” I was afraid of what would happen if I told anyone. I assumed it would be only bad things.

PGN: You’re Mr. Gay Philadelphia, so I guess you told someone!

DS: [Laughs.] Yeah, when I got here, I met two teammates who were openly gay and had been for a while and I thought, “Wow, they’re just so happy and joyful and nobody seems to care that they’re gay.”

Seeing that, I realized there was no need to stay in the closet. We had a competition in Annapolis on my 20th birthday, so after it was over, we all went out to celebrate, my parents, my teammates, everyone. With everyone gathered at the table, I made the

big announcement that I was gay!

PGN: What was the reaction?

DS: Everyone was great. My parents were really supportive. My mom had a gay best friend in high school. They did theater together — she was Peter Pan to his Captain Hook. When he went to college in D.C., she’d go visit him all the time. He died of AIDS and she always missed having a gay best friend. Now she has one in her son and she loves it!

PGN: I read you have siblings with special challenges and that was one reason you didn’t come out earlier.

DS: Yes, my older brother was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome when he was a child, my younger brother has Down syndrome and he’s autistic and my sister is bipolar and has an auditory disorder, where she can’t hear and process things that are recorded mechanically. Like, dolls that talk or video games. She has trouble understanding people on the phone too. They already got teased enough going to school; the last thing I wanted them to have to deal with was people saying, “Your brother’s a faggot!” Especially my older brother who is autistic. People thought it was so funny to try to get him riled up. When he got mad or upset, he might do things like hitting himself or do repetitive motions or say things that would make them laugh or get him in trouble. I didn’t want to cause any more stress for them.

same time. My mom was hanging out with everyone and they were buying her drinks and she kept introducing me to everyone — it was funny.

PGN: Most embarrassing moment?

DS: My last nationals. I knew the coach from Temple was going to be there and I had to do high bar, which is not my best skill. My specialty is the rings. I got on the high bar and just kept falling off, my shoulders tightened up and then I had to go to pommel horse and fell off of that. It was terrible. I don’t do pommel anymore!

PGN: You’re a lifeguard ... so Speedos or board shorts?

DS: Board shorts! I work at a kid’s camp.

Now as Mr. Gay Philadelphia, that’s another story ...

about the out members of the Temple gymnastics team — Evan Burke, John Gaffney and me.

PGN: Why do you feel it’s important to be out?

DS: In a team dynamic you have to be who you are. Gymnastics is about 90-percent mental and if you’re not happy with yourself, you’re not going to perform at your best. The team doesn’t care about anything as long as it doesn’t affect your gymnastics. We’ve had gay alumni who have gone on to Cirque du Soleil and made a living at the sport. People respect what you do, not who you sleep with.

PGN: What do you say to people who say, “You’re a gymnast, why do you need to speak about your sexuality?”

DS: Because that’s who I am. In our sport, if there’s something outside of gymnastics blocking you, not associated with the sport, the gym or your teammates, it will show up in your performance. Your teammates will be like, “OK, what’s going on, is there something you need to tell us?”

It could be I failed a test or my girlfriend left me, whatever; the team needs your complete focus. Being closeted takes a lot of energy. It’s 24 hours a day; it’s fear seven days a week.

It’s never a good day. But when you realize how much happier you are being open, it makes a world of difference on and off the rings or the floor. You see life in a different way and you want to throw 100 percent into it.

And as a result the team is happy for you. It’s a morale thing.

PGN: You were featured in Instinct magazine.

DS: Yes, It wasn’t about the title though.

Gary Kramer wrote a web exclusive

PGN: Other than sports, what was a favorite class?

DS: I liked history and economics. I actually didn’t like P.E. at all. Gymnastics was my physical ed, and I liked it because it was solitary. I trained three-and-ahalf hours a day in the gym to go to the Junior Olympics and didn’t want to risk getting hurt in gym class because some Neanderthal wanted to show how hard he could tackle. For me, I didn’t need to ram somebody into a wall or hit them in the face with a ball to be an athlete. I never felt the need for that kind of physical roughness toward another person. You don’t need to push someone out of the way to get on a high bar. It’s a very controlled personal sport.

PGN: What was a favorite gymnastics experience?

DS: When I was 12, I went to my first Junior Olympics in Houston. My mom came with me and after the competition we went to the beach with some teammates and then came back to the hotel.

Lo and behold, the hotel was hosting “Houston Splash,” which was a huge black and Latino gay Pride event! I was just starting to realize that I was gay so I was a little freaked out and enthralled at the

tive.

PGN: It’s bringing the whole package of who you are.

DS: Yes, being gay is not an aside. It’s who I am and being gay, especially if you are immersed in the lifestyle, is profoundly special and different. It’s community, it’s fashion for some people, it’s a lot of things, and being open brings a Photo: Suzi Nash certain level of expectation of what you need and what you want and don’t want!

PGN: Do you feel like a role model now?

DS: Oh boy, to say that you’re a role model implies that you’ve done something.

It’s also not a title you can give yourself.

For me, Brian Sims is an amazing role model. He was openly gay and the captain of his college football team. But to some people, he might not be. It’s very subjec-

PGN: You have cool names in your family; any story behind that?

DS: My mother was into literature and loved books like “The Maltese Falcon” and “The Thin Man” so she named me after Dashiell Hammett. My brother is Xavier Kipling, named after Rudyard.

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TV PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

Worth Watching • Cosmetic dentistry • Veneers • Crowns • Whitening • Implants

High quality dental treatment and preventive care

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SUPER-VISION: Three TV and music stars from the ’80s attempt to revive their superstardom from yesteryear with the help of the drag professors and under the auspices of RuPaul and guest star Wonder Woman diva Lynda Carter on “Drag U,” 9 p.m.

Aug. 29 on Logo.

Medical Towers Building • Suite 2306 255 S. 17th St., Philadelphia, Pa 19103 (215) 732-8080 Evening hours available.

MISTER ANDERSON: Catch Anderson Cooper as he keeps his finger on the pulse of all that is newsworthy on his news show “Anderson Cooper 360,” weeknights at 8 on CNN.

VMAS KISSERS: Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj and Ke$ha are all scheduled to perform a tribute set in honor of Britney Spears at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, 9 p.m.

Aug. 28 on MTV. Madonna is rumored to be showing up. Yeah, Gaga and Madonna bowing down to Britney? Hopefully they will all sing live so Britney can learn how.

SATURDAY ‘KNIGHT’ LIVE: Beatle and all-around rock royalty Sir Paul McCartney performs on a repeat of Saturday Night Live, 11:30 p.m. Aug. 26 on NBC. Photo: NBC/Dana Edelson

PGN

Q Puzzle Urban Legend Across

1. Forgo swallowing 5. Piece by Bette Midler 10. Lively dances 14. Alec of “Desperate Housewives” 15. Top 16. Kind of jacket 17. Range dividing Europe and Asia 18. ___ Hall University 19. Cry before claiming immortality 20. Actor Auberjonois 21. Larry Kramer’s “Just ___ ” 22. Problem for one’s bitch 23. Sitcom with

John Mahoney 25. Kahlo output 27. Where to get off in gay Paree 28. “Starting Over” bisexual 29. Faux pas 32. Peachy, but not fruity 36. Games figures 39. Woody source 41. Cartoonist Alison 42. Society crasher 43. Art Deco design name 44. Shopping aids 46. Soviet leader Andropov 47. Prepare for printing 49. City of “The Bird Cage” 53. 23rd Greek letter 54. “Riverfinger Women” writer Dykewomon

59. “Urban legend” of this puzzle 62. Explodes, with “off” 63. Ready to shoot off 64. Cold-cock 65. Roadside stops 66. Internet surfers 67. Former lovers

Down

1. Shirtless guy in hot pants 2. Fruit peeler 3. Bucky Beaver’s toothpaste 4. With 7-Down, serial novel by an “urban legend” 5. Bowl or boat 6. Fabled cow owner 7. See 4-Down 8. Not like the sound of music, traditionally 9. Poe poem

10. Librettist for a musical adaptation of 4/7-Down 11. Prefix for Michelangelo’s land 12. Marine role of Jim Nabors 13. Pussyfoot 24. Literate boast?

26. Aquarium structures 29. Kaplan of Kotter fame 30. Spit it out confidently 31. It may be cold and hard 33. Herr’s honey 34. HI, once 35. Abominable snowman 37. Bank (on) 38. Glass footwear in a fairy tale 39. Not one of the gang 40. Vaulted church area

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011 31

45. Part of Ali Babi’s opening 47. Seventh notes 48. Beverage with scones 49. Three guys who went to see Mary 50. What muscle Marys pump 51. Sherman Hemsley religious sitcom 52. Piggy’s title 55. Jelly not for bread 56. Very top 57. Cairo river 58. Queen’s “subjects” 60. Greek T 61. L. Cruz and C. Torres, on “Grey’s Anatomy”

���� � � ��� PAGE 35

���� � � ��� from page 29

PGN: What’s your middle name?

DS: Quinton.

PGN: Your mother sounds interesting.

DS: She works as a pharmacy technician but before that she was a history teacher.

That’s where I get my love of the subject; she used to quiz me all the time. She’s very smart and the kind of person who loves to learn things. She wanted to know why we’re having such monetary problems in the country, so she read everything she could find about the Federal Reserve and how it works. How many people do that?

She also has an amazing singing voice.

She could have been on “American Idol.”

My father works for Complete Aquatics and he builds ponds.

PGN: Did you have a pond?

DS: Yes, in every home we’ve had. It’s beautiful and good for the environment. It brings in birds and wildlife that you may not normally see and helps with water runoff. He does it all with real elements, real rocks, etc.

PGN: What’s the best thing that happened to you this summer?

DS: I spent three months in the middle of nowhere! I was a lifeguard at a sports camp in Woodward, and it allowed me to

get a lot of training done, meet new people and save money.

PGN: Worst injury?

DS: At camp, I was training for a skill where I had to do a double backflip over the bar. I didn’t have the right timing and let go early. My face hit the bar and it wasn’t pretty. There was blood everywhere. The first thing I did was to make sure all my teeth were still in place and then try to stop the bleeding. Not a lot of fun, but they have good trainers and staff there, so I was fine. Just a small concussion!

PGN: If you were a Smurf, what would your name be?

DS: I’m short and I turn blue when I get cold. I am a Smurf!

PGN: What did you like best about your hometown?

DS: The fact that I was able to get out!

Other than family and gymnastics, there wasn’t much. If you weren’t rich enough to be a part of the country-club set, it was bleak. There wasn’t anything gay about it: My favorite thing was going to the movies or going home.

PGN: Not Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels?

DS: Oh, God. My father did pond work

���� � � ���

���� � � ���

for them and they were part of that country-club set. Nice, but in that “better than thou” kind of smug way. They reminded me of old Southern plantation owners.

Friendly, but kind of, “Thanks for building our pond, but please don’t bring your dirty pond clothes anywhere near us.”

PGN: Did she get a lot of flack for being gay?

DS: Some, but she got more grief for the way she dressed and carried herself. She was from Baltimore and going from that environment to a little town like Hanover was difficult. She hated it.

PGN: What celebrity would you want to date?

DS: I don’t know. I’m not really into having a relationship right now. I’m 20 and I’m young and stupid and willing to acknowledge that. Right now, I’m going to be the stupidest I’ll ever be when it comes to relationships. And I’ve learned that if I’m really stupid at something, I should probably stay away from it. On top of that, I have gymnastics, school and work to think about. If I could snap my fingers and date Hugh Jackman, why not, or if I wanted to make my mom happy, I’d date Lawrence O’Donnell from MSNBC. She’d like to date him, so having him as a son-inlaw would be the next best thing.

PGN: What are some thoughts for the future?

DS: I want to help people as much as I can, especially doing something to work with children and disabilities. I want to work with people who are economically deprived and have family members who have mental challenges. I want to work with gay families with disabled kids. I’d love to work with the Special Olympics.

If helping people makes me a role model, so be it if it inspires people to do the same.

Or even better, if it inspired someone to go beyond what I could do. ■

PGN: What was in your high-school locker?

DS: Books, no posters, a picture of my little brother and one of my best friend, Kayla, who killed herself in our senior year. She came out as bisexual and was dating a girl from our school.

To suggest a community member for “Family Portrait,” write to portraits05@aol.com.

32

FOOD PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

Food & Drink

Southern-inspired eatery should have tails wagging

By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com

C 15 M 87 Y 90 K 75

With a vibe somewhere between a chic bourbon house and a laid-back blues bar, the newly opened Twisted Tail, 509 S. Second St., is a welcome addition to the cluster of restaurants that bookend South Street.

The loose and somewhat austere vibe of the places lends itself well to a night of casual dining, drinking and conversation, even after the musicians show up nightly to crank out the blues upstairs.

The Southern-inspired menu is both upscale and down-home, giving familiar dishes a fresh perspective. Oftentimes the results are stellar.

Twisted Tails’ brightest moment came in the form of the primal chili ($7), a hearty, spicy and somewhat sweet concoction with a menagerie of farm meats (duck, beef and pork) giving wonderful texture and flavor to the accompanying white beans and chocolate sea salt. We would have gladly taken on a bowl five times bigger than the one they brought to the table.

The crawfish mac and cheese ($12) was also thoroughly enjoyable, without the many cheeses over-

PMS 876 (gold foil)

whelming the flavors of the crawfish. The primal oysters ($12) exceeded expectations too, served slightly roasted with a refreshing watermelon chow chow relish.

The dueling ribs ($12) were an interesting concept featuring pork, beef and Pacu fish ribs. Kudos to Twisted Tail for trying to invite fish enthusiasts to the rib table, but pork and beef won this duel hands down.

Both land-walking varieties of ribs played it safe with the spicing but had enough smoky goodness to hold their own against the best backyard-barbecue-ribs you can find. The fish was a valiant effort, but running side by side with beef and pork didn’t do it any favors: The fish (perfectly cooked, by the way) didn’t take to the sauces with the same abandon as its rib brothers on the plate.

The Twisted Tail really turned on the Southern charm with its entrées. The kettle-chip-crusted crab cakes ($23) were brilliant.

The chips gave the cakes a crunchy crust without having to fry the living daylights out of the cake, leaving the center pleasantly warm, moist and fluffy. The cakes rested on a bed of corn and bacon ragout with tomato

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Photo: Scott A. Drake

jam added a fresh dimension of flavor to the dish.

The Jersey blue fish ($21) was nicely seasoned, resting on a bed of vegetables with the unexpected topping of crispy clams, whose impressive size and looming fried presence gave the dish a decadent and welcome slant.

But if there’s one dish that unapologetically screams Southern decadence, it’s the dry-aged cowboy steak ($29), a slab of aggressively seasoned meat that formed the foundation for a massive pile of giant onion rings, all sitting

next to an equally impressive pile of roasted mushrooms. The whole dish was a worthwhile explosion of flavor and Southern overkill.

After the onslaught of the entrées, the restraint showed with dessert was a relief. The Key lime ricotta pie ($7) took mercy on us, imparting the key lime flavor we so craved without the overwhelming heaviness and sweetness that usually rides shotgun with a treat.

It’s safe to say the Tail will soon have diners twisted around its finger. ■

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011 33

My very gay straight cruise I’d only ever done gay cruising before.

Parade.

No, not that kind of cruising — I mean Two nights later, however, the perforthe floating around on a big ship kind. My mance — a revue of 20th-century rock in-laws recently took my spouse, our son ’n’ roll — was even more full of queerand me, plus my spouse’s two siblings and ness. There were Elton John, Boy George their spouses and children, on a cruise to and Joan Jett covers — but the song that Mexico as a way of getting the garnered the most audience family together. I wasn’t new to participation was “YMCA,” performed by four of the danccruises, having done two with ers in full Village People garb. my spouse via Olivia, the lesbian travel company, and one The show then closed with with R Family Vacations, which two covers of Queen and their caters to LGBT families and bisexual/gay lead singer Freddy allies.

Mercury: “We Will Rock You” But it struck me that being on and “We Are the Champions.” a boat of predominantly nonWhich begs the question: LGBT people would be a sigWith this much queer on a mainstream cruise, is there still nificantly different experience a need for LGBT cruises? Or than being on one with severalhave we reached a post-queer thousand queer folk. It’s not Dana Rudolph era where such separation is no as if I live my life in isolation longer necessary? from non-LGBT families, but I think that as long as there are queer the thought of being one of the few queer people crammed on a boat with them for a people, there will be a need for queer gathweek made me understand how anthropolerings — not to ghettoize us, but to celebrate our shared heritage. Sometimes these ogist Jane Goodall must have felt before gatherings will subdivide even further into going to live among the chimps. the different components of L, G, B and T, I feared the worst when, during our and that is fine as well. It doesn’t mean we first-day safety drill, the safety officer can’t also participate more openly in mainannounced there was — even in this day stream culture, nor that mainstream culture and age — a “women and children first” policy for the lifeboats. I’d never heard that can’t celebrate LGBT contributions to it.

And the more we raise awareness of aboard any of our previous cruises, where the very suggestion might have gotten the officer thrown overboard by a bunch of burly lesbians.

It turned out, however, that other parts of our recent cruise were very gay indeed.

The wallpaper lining the corridors to the staterooms had images evocative of the early 20th century — the golden age of steamship travel — several of which showed two women or two men gazing at each other in a way that, while not explicitly gay, was certainly open to happy interpretation. In the hallway outside our door, two swimsuit-clad women cast glances at each other over martinis. A decorative tile in our cabin bathroom showed a young man in a dapper suit smiling at a similarly attired gentleman.

More explicit was the nightly LGBT gathering advertised in the schedule of cruise events that the crew slipped under the door of each cabin every day. Yes, even on a non-LGBT-specific cruise, there were still enough of us to throw a party.

The party was titled “Friends of Dorothy: GLBT,” referring to an old term indicating gay men, not really the LGBT world at large — but it was a start.

Then came showtime one evening, when the ship’s resident troupe of singers and dancers performed a “Fiesta Latina.” It was more Vegas than Latin America, but still a decent musical spectacle. When the female dancers appeared for the finale holding large feather fans in rainbow colors, and the men appeared in sequined, midriff-baring tops, I realized I hadn’t seen anything that gay since the San Francisco Pride

those contributions, and the more musicians and other celebrities come out as LGBT, the better we will all be — as evidenced by another incident on the cruise.

One night at dinner, our waiter, who hailed from the Philippines — a largely Catholic country and not the most LGBTfriendly of nations — was trying to figure out the relationships among our large group of relatives. When he got to my spouse and me, we explained that we were, well, spouses.

“Oh,” he said. “Just like Ellen DeGeneres.” With a smile, he then seated us, adding, “As long as you are happy, that’s the most important thing.”

I won’t give up my gay cruising, but the mainstream ones, I think, are sailing into favorable winds as well. ■

Mombian

CORRIDOR WALLPAPER ON “STRAIGHT” CRUISE SHIP Photo: Dana Rudolph

Dana Rudolph is founder and publisher of Mombian (www.mombian.com), a blog and resource directory for LGBT parents.

For Better Oral HEALTH City Paper and Rainbow Awards

BEST DENTIST Medical Arts Bldg.

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Scott A. Drake Photography scottdrakephotos@gmail.com 267-736-6743

34

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 08/26 Uproar Festival Metal and hardrock bands such as Avenged Sevenfold, Sevendust and more perform starting 2 p.m. at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-3651300.

Mike Warren The author of “Sir, Yes Sir” hosts a reading 5:30 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960.

Ninth Annual Gay Community Night at Phillies The Phillies host their annual gay community night 6 p.m. Aug. 26,

Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way; www. phillygaydays. com.

Holler!

The open-mic night starts 7 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960.

Kevin Eubanks The band leader performs 7:30 p.m. at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, 121 N. Columbus Blvd.; 215-5699400.

Lisa Bodnar The singer performs 8:30 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215-8625225

Sat. 08/27 Donny Osmond The singer performs 8 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Grease: Rockin’ Rydell Sing-along 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Who’s Next: A Tribute to The Who The rock band performs 8 p.m. at Sellersville Theater 1984, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5808.

Steven Brinberg is “Simply Barbra” The next best thing to Babs, 8:30 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215-862-5225.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Sugartown The monthly night of lady rockers and DJs, 9 p.m. Aug. 27 at Tritone Bar, 1508 South St.; 215-5450475.

The Scene The monthly LGBTQIA dance party, 10 p.m.-3:30 a.m. Aug. 27 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St.; www.facebook.com/TLBTB Productions.

Comedian Roque Wilson The laughs begin 10:30 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215862-5225.

Sun. 08/28 Father of the Bride The 1950 film is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St.,

Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

Lynyrd Skynyrd The rock band performs 8 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Mon. 08/29 Groove Night Local musicians join forces to bring the R&B, soul, jazz and funk, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400.

Wizard of Oz The classic film is screened 7:30 p.m. at Sellersville Theater 1984, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5808.

Secretary The BDSM-themed drama is screened 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888.

MAKE A WISH: The out singer-songwriter Aiden James takes a break from recording his new album and celebrates his birthday with a performance 8 p.m. Aug. 30 at Tin Angel, 20 N. Second St. For more information, visit www.aidenjamesmusic.com or call 215-928-0770.

Tue. 08/30 Unlabeled: the Acoustic/ Electric Open Mic for Up and Comers 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St.,

Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400.

Aiden James The out singersongwriter performs 8 p.m. at Tin Angel, 20 N. Second St.; 215928-0770.

Wed. 08/31 Steven Page The singer formerly of Barenaked Ladies performs 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400.

All That You Can Imagine 2037 Walnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19103

215-561-1071

Frontreaders The gay men’s reading group will discuss “The Temple” by Stephen Spender, 7 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960.

Mon. - Fri. 10:30 - 9 Sat. 10:30 - 8 • Sun 12 - 5

Philadelphia’s Premier Head Shop Established 1974.

Home of the city’s largest selection of smoking accessories, specializing in high quality glass.

Thu. 09/01 HER MAN: Cabaret singer Steven Brinberg channels the almighty Babs for his “Simply Barbra” performance, 8:30 p.m. Aug. 27 at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope. For more information, call 215-862-5225.

Tom Choila The singer performs 8 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215862-5225.

Bob & Barbara’s Drag Show The outrageousness begins 11 p.m. at Bob & Barbara’s, 1509 South St.; 215545-4511.

Fri. 09/02 Chris Tucker The comedian and movie star performs 8 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Sarah Rice: “Screen Gems!

The Songs of Old Hollywood” The singer performs 8:30 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 215-862-5225.

Pieces The 1982 gory slasher film is screened 9:45 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Opening The Arsonists Walnut Street Theatre presents the story of an unemployed circus wrestler and his pyromaniac partner, Aug. 31-Sept.

18 at Studio 5, 825 Walnut St.; 215-5743550.

How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found Luna Theater Company presents the story of a young executive who reaches his breaking point and decides to disappear, Sept. 1-18 at Adrienne Theater’s Main Stage, 2030 Sansom St.; 215-5688079.

the inks used in most color printing, through Sept. 3, 265 S. 10th St.; 215627-6250.

Porcelain for the Emperor Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of Chinese ceramics through Sept. 5, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Romancing the West: Alfred Jacob Miller Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works from one of the first American artists to paint the Far West, through Sept. 18, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Beware the Lily Law Eastern State Penitentiary hosts a video installation on the experiences of trans prisoners, through November, 2027 Fairmount Ave.; 215-236-5111.

Tailoring Philadelphia: Tradition and Innovation in Menswear Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition focusing on Philadelphia’s tailoring industry, featuring clothing designed by Francis Toscani (1915-73), through Sept. 25, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

CMYK AxD Gallery hosts an exhibition of 12 professional illustrators from The Autumn Society of Philadelphia, reinterpreting the four colors familiar to graphic artists and illustrators as

Transmutation and Metamorphosis Michener Art Museum presents an exhibition of collages by Ann Irwin, through Oct. 16, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-340-9800.

Continuing

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011 35

Unsettled: Photography and Politics in Contemporary Art Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works by nine artists who used photography to address some of the most controversial political and social issues of the late 1970s through the early ’90s, including feminism, racism, the AIDS crisis and gay activism, through Sept. 19, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Closing Angels in America: Part One: Millennium Approaches Ritz Theatre Company presents the awardwinning play set in the 1980s against a backdrop of greed, sexual politics and the discovery of a new disease: AIDS, through Aug. 28, 915 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn, N.J.; 856-858-5230.

GayFest!

Quince Productions presents a new festival of gay and lesbian theater through Aug. 28 at Shubin Theatre, 407 Bainbridge St.; 215-627-1088.

The William Way Sixth Annual Juried Art Prize Show The William Way GLBT Community Center presents the work of Stephen Bundrick, Kathy McLean and Tom Rooney, prize winners from William Way’s Annual Juried Art Competition, through Aug. 31, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220. ■

HERE’S DONNY: We were all set to go to the Donny Osmond concert until someone told us he wasn’t the guy that sang “Come On Get Happy” and “I Think I Love You.” It also means there’s no chance of spotting Danny Bonaduce in the audience.

But you all can still go. Don’t let us stop you, 8 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J. For more information, call 609317-1000.

Get out of town.

No, really, we mean it.

BACK TO HIS ROOTS: We doubt he’ll be wearing anything as flashy as his getup in “The Fifth Element” but movie star Chris Tucker is coming back to his standup comedy roots with a performance 8 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J. For more information, call 609-317-1000.

Q PUZZLE, from page 31

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.

Find deals both near and far, along with travel tips from Philly’s own Jeff Guaracino.

Outward Bound Jeff Guaracino

Online and in print every third Friday of the month.

Only in

36

COMMUNITY PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

Community Bulletin Board Community centers

■ The Attic Youth Center: For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-8 p.m. MondayFriday; case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-Friday. See the Youth section for more events.

255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331 ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St.; 215-898-5044; center@dolphin.upenn.edu, Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday.

and Allies Youth Center: 6-8 p.m.

Wednesdays: Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org

■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center: 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220; www.waygay.org.

Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays. Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m.

Monday through Friday Library hours: 12-9 p.m.

Monday-Thursday; 12-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Friday; 126 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning

■ 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: 1800-662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 ■ The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 112 N. Broad St., third floor; 215-496-0330 ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

Key numbers ■ Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK

■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Stephen Johnson: 215-683-2840

■ Mayor’s Director of LGBT Affairs: Gloria Casarez, 215-6862194; Gloria.Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: 215-686-2555

■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 267-216-6606; ppd. lgbt@gmail.com

■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; www.mazzonicenter.org. Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBTLAW; legalservices@mazzonicenter. org ■ Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658 ■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833

Health

AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; 215-629-2300. www.asiac.org Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; 12-6 p.m.

Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St. 215851-1822 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 and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215-685-1803.

HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing

■ Greater Philadelphia Professional Network Networking group for area business professionals, self-employed and business owners meets monthly in a different location throughout the city, invites speakers on various topics, partners with other nonprofits and maintains a Web site where everyone is invited to sign up for e-mail notices for activities and events.; www.gppn.org.

■ 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)

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

Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 3439 N. Hutchinson St..; 215-763-8870 ext. 6000.

■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia GALLOP holds board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; GALLOP also provides a free referral service; (215) 6279090; www.galloplaw.org.

■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: 215-772-2000

available by appointment at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-5869077.

Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652. 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; 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658.

Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Monday-Friday except for 12-1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. and 1-5 p.m.

Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

Professional groups ■ Independence Business Alliance Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, providing networking, business development, marketing, educational and advocacy opportunities for LGBT and LGBT-friendly businesses and professionals. Visit www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com for information about events, programs and membership; (215) 557-0190; 1717 Arch St., Suite 3370.

■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association The Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals

and students, meets for social and networking events; www.nlgjaphiladephia.org.

■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus A regional organization dedicated to promoting gay and lesbian tourism to the Greater Philadelphia Region, holds meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; P.O. Box 58143, Philadelphia, PA 19102; www.philadelphiagaytourism.com.

■ Philly OutGoing Professionals Social group for gay, lesbian and bisexual professionals meets for social and cultural activities; (856) 857-9283; popnews19@yahoo. com.

Activism/Politics

ACT-UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) meets 6-9 p.m. every Monday at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; 215386-1981; www.actupphilly.org.

Delaware Valley Chapter, Americans United for Separation of Church and State seeks activists and supporters of church-state separation. Holds monthly meetings and events; www.dvau.org.

Equality Philadelphia holds a volunteer night the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m., 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 605; 215-731-1447; www.equalitypa.org.

Green Party of Philadelphia holds general meetings the fourth Thursday of the month except December, 7 p.m.; 215-243-7103; www. gpop.org.

Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club meets seasonally; www. libertycity.org.

Arts Library Book Club meets to discuss a new book 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at the William Way Center.

Open-mic night and amateur poetry, music and storytelling event sponsored by the Pride Center of New Jersey meets 8 p.m. every third Friday at Stage Stars, 13 S. 3rd Ave., Highland Park; 732-718-0134.

Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus rehearses 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays; 215-731-9230; auditions@pgmc.org.

Philadelphia Gay Men’s Opera Club meets to share and listen to recordings 6:30 p.m. the last Saturday of the month; 215-732-7898.

Philadelphia Voices of Pride, Philadelphia’s first mixed GLBT chorus, rehearses 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the William Way Center; www.pvop.org.

Queer Writer’s Collective workshop and discussion group meets 4-6 p.m. the fourth Saturday of the month at the William Way Center.

Reading Queerly, a group open to all women and genderqueer/trans people, meets 6:45 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.

Recreation

Diversity Dancers ballroom dancers meet the first Sunday of the month for tea and lessons. Other events scheduled throughout the year; 215-922-2129; DiversityDancers@aol.com.

Gay Bridge Club non-beginners group meets Monday afternoons at the William Way Center; reservations required. Call Ellis at 215732-2220.

Gay-friendly Scrabble Club meets 6-11 p.m. in the P.I.C. Building, 42nd and Locust streets; 215-382-0789.

Gay Opera Guys of Philly, a new group for opera appreciation, meets the last Sunday of the month at 2:30 p.m. in Roxborough/Andorra area; 215-483-1032.

Humboldt Society: Lesbian and Gay Naturalists meets the second Thursday of the month at the William Way Center; 215-985-1456; www.humboldtsociety.org.

Independence Squares LGBT square-dance club, modern Western square dancing. Monthly open house. Tuesday classes in the fall; Lutheran Church, 2111 Sansom St.; philadances@gmail.com; www. independencesquares.org.

Male Oenophile Group forming to discuss, appreciate and taste various wines. Will meet once a month to investigate the nuances and glories of the fermented grape. Call 267-230-6750 for more information.

Mornings OUT LGBT Senior Social activities for senior gay men are held every Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the William Way Center.

PhilaVentures, Philadelphia’s LGBT outdoor group, meets for a hike in Wissahickon Valley Park on Sundays at 2 p.m. at 8701 Germantown Ave.; to RSVP, e-mail the hike leader at ABK121@hotmail.com.

Rainbow Bridge Group congenial group meets for supper and to play bridge monthly on a Monday at 6:30 p.m. Members rotate as host.

New players welcome. For information, call Gerry at 215-592-1174.

Sports

Brandywine Women’s Rugby Club meets for Tuesday and Thursday practice at Greene Field, Howell Street and Moore Road, West Chester; www.brandywinerugby.org.

City of Brotherly Love Softball League serves the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Games are played Sundays, beginning in April, in Fairmount Park; 215-462-2575; www.cblsl.org.

Frontrunners running club meets 9:30 a.m. Saturdays for a run and brunch. Lloyd Hall, No. 1 Boathouse Row; www.philadelphiafrontrunners.org.

Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club GLBT and allied; practices Mondays and Thursdays at Cruz Recreation Center (Fifth and Jefferson streets), 6 p.m., and Saturdays, 10:30 a.m., at Edgeley Fields in Fairmount Park; www.falcons-soccer.org.

Philadelphia Fins Swim Team, male and female swimmers meets 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Friends Select School or Kelly Pool in Fairmount Park; 610-564-6661; www.philadelphia-fins.org.

Philadelphia Gay Bowling League meets 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays September-April at Brunswick Zone, 1328 Delsea Drive, Deptford, N.J.; 856-889-1434; www.philagaybowling.com.

Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League seeks players; games played Saturdays, 10 a.m., at Columbus Square Park, 12th and Wharton streets; phillyflagfootball.com.

Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Football Club seeks players, all skill levels welcome; meets 6 p.m. Tuesdays at Columbus Field,12th and Wharton streets, and 7 p.m. Thursdays at George Pepper Middle School, 2901 S. 84th St.; 215-913-7531; phillygryphons.org; info@phillygryphons.org.

Philadelphia Liberty Belles women’s semi-pro full-tackle football league holds fall tryouts; phillybelles.com.

Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association plays year-round, all skill levels welcome; philadelphialibertytennis.com.

Philadelphia Firebirds women’s football team seeks players; www. philadelphiafirebirds.com.

Philadelphia Women’s Baseball League seeks players, all skill levels and ages welcome. Practice is Thursdays, 7:30-9:30p.m., at Marian Anderson Recreation Center, 17th and Fitzwater streets, with games on Sundays; phillywomensbaseball.com; contact Narda Quigley, (day) 215-991-5995 or (evening) 301-919-1194.

Philly Gay Hockey Association Philadelphia Phury seeks players; 917-656-1936; phury@gayhockey.org.

Philly QCycle LGBT bicycling club promotes organized recreational riding for all levels in the Greater Philadelphia region.

Contact the organization via Facebook.

Rainbow Riders of the Delaware Valley motorcycle club meets regularly; 215-836-0440; www.groups.yahoo.com/group/rainbowridersdv/.

Rainbow Rollers gay and lesbian bowling league meets 7:45 p.m.

Tuesdays at Boulevard Lanes in Northeast Philadelphia; rainbowrollers.com.

South Jersey Gay Bowling League gay and lesbian bowling league meets 7 p.m. Fridays September-April at Laurel Lanes, 2825 Rte. 73 South, Maple Shade; 856-778-7467.

Spartan Wrestling Club, the gay wresting team, meets 7-9 p.m.

Mondays, 6:30-9 p.m. Mondays and 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturdays at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.; 215-732-4545; www.phillyspartans.com.

Suburban Gay Bowling League bowls at 8 p.m. Tuesdays from August-April at Facenda-Whitaker Lanes, 2912 Swede Road, Norristown; sgblbowl@gmail.com.

Team Philadelphia, the umbrella group under which the various gay and lesbian sports teams and individual athletes in the Delaware Valley come together to provide a healthy outlet for all members of the community; teamphiladelphia.org.

Etc.

AIDS Law Project provides free legal assistance to people with HIV/AIDS and sponsors free monthly seminars on work and housing; 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 600; 215-587-9377; www. aidslawpa.org.

Bisexual Social Support Group open to all bisexual, bi-curious and bi-friendly people, meets 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the Pride Center of New Jersey.

BiUnity, Philadelphia-area social and support network for bisexuals, their family members and friends, meets the second Friday of every other month at the William Way Center; www.biunity.org.

Delaware Valley Pink Pistols for LGBT people dedicated to legal, safe and responsible use of firearms for self-defense; meets 2 p.m. the third Saturday of the month at Classic Indoor Range, 1310 Industrial Blvd., Southhampton; 610-879-2364; www. pinkpistols.org.

Delaware Pride holds planning meetings 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the United Church of Christ, 300 Main St., Newark; 302-265-3020; delawarepride.org.

Haverford College’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance holds open meetings 10-11 p.m. Mondays during the school year in the lounge in Jones Basement at Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave.; 610-896-4938.

Long Yang Club Philadelphia social organization for gay Asians and their friends holds monthly socials; www.longyangclub. org/philadelphia.

Our Night Out, a casual social networking party of LGBT professionals, allied communities, friends and colleagues, meets in a different Philadelphia hot spot each month. To receive monthly event invitations, send e-mail to OurNightOutPhilly@gmail.com; more information on Facebook.

Philadelphia Bar Association Legal Advice offered 5-8 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month; 215-238-6333.

Philadelphia Prime Timers Club for mature gay and bisexual men and their admirers meets regularly; primetimersofphiladelph ia@yahoo.com Philadelphians MC Club for leather men and women meets 7:30 p.m. first and third Monday of the month at The Pit at The Bike Stop, 201 S. Quince St.; philadelphiansmc.org.

Rainbow Amateur Radio Association ARRL affiliated, private, weekly HF nets, monthly newsletter, e-mail server; 302-539-2392; www.rara.org.

Rock ’n’ Roll Queer Bar Party for gay and lesbian rockers with host Psydde Delicious starts 10 p.m. every first Sunday at Fluid, 613 S. Fourth St.; www.RocknRollQueerBar.com.

Silver Foxes social and educational group for gays and lesbians 50 and older meets 3-5 p.m. fourth Sunday of the month at the William Way Center.

Health

Alder Health Services provides LGBT health services on a sliding-fee scale; 100 N. Cameron St., Ste. 301 East, Harrisburg; 717-233-7190 or 800-867-1550; www.alderhealth.org.

Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing with Spanish/English counselors 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 3439 N. Hutchinson St.; 215-763-8870 ext. 6000.

AIDS Services In Asian Communities provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; 215-536-2424. www.asiac.org.

Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative provides free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; and noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; 215-851-1822 or 866222-3871; www.galaei.org. Spanish/English.

HIV treatment: Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents available 9 a.m.-noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215685-1803.

HIV health insurance help: Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing available at 17 MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077.

Mazzoni Center: Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St.; 215-563-0652; www.mazzonicenter.org.

Philadelphia FIGHT provides HIV primary care, on-site lab services, clinical trials, case management, mental-health services and support groups for people living with HIV regardless of insurance status or ability to pay; 1233 Locust St., fifth floor; 215-985-4448; www.fight.org.

Washington West Project offers free, anonymous HIV testing.

Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday except for noon1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m., and 1-5 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.;

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REALPGN ESTATE

Classifieds 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.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011 37

Home of the Week

Featured property:

Snowden Residences 1812 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA $395,000 ����� Fabulous new condo conversions PAGE 47 in the heart of Rittenhouse Square. Magnificent ceiling and molding details. Deeded parking available. Low fees and taxes.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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 Realtor: Karen Chin under the age of 18), and handicap (disability). PGN ��������������������������������������� ��������������������������� Coldwell Banker Company: will not knowingly accept any real-estate advertising �������� ������������������ that is in violation of any applicable law.

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��� ������������������������������ ����������� ���������������������. Furness Flats. Large 2 bed, 1 bath. last unit left in this highly desirable building. Close to all Center City Hospitals. Low fees and taxes ................................������������� ������������������������ “George T. Sale Condo” Unique Garden level 1 bd, 1 ba. unit w/ private entrance.. Low fees & Tax Abatement. Lowest price 1 bd. in area ........................��������. ����������� ����������������������. New open style 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo with low taxes and condo fees. Great small pet friendly building. .........................................................................�������� ������������������� Old Swedes Court. New Listing Large 3 Bedroom 2.5 Bath with Garage, roof deck and hardwood floors.

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Preferred

Direct: (267) 238-1080

Website: www.phillyrealestateagents.com

Fax: (215) 558-1020

Email: kchin@cbpref.com

REAL ESTATE

SALE

REAL ESTATE

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SALE

REAL ESTATE

SALE

WATERFRONT CONDO LIQUIDATION! SW Florida Coast! Brand new, upscale 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,675 sf condo. Only $179,900! (Similar unit sold for $399,900) Prime downtown location on the water! Call now 877-888-7571, x30. _______________________________35-34 FORECLOSED!!! NEW FLORIDA CONDO! Only $179,900! Similar unit sold for $477K Luxurious, new 1,700 sf 2BR, 2BA condo w/ study in St. Augustine. Walk to clubhouse, 18- hole golf course, swim & fitness center, lighted tennis courts, 10- acre athletic park, underground parking garage, more. Must see!

Call now 1-866-952-5346 x 82. _______________________________35-34 Cozy Cabin on 5 Acres $19,995. Beautiful woodlands. Our best deal ever! Call 800-2297843 or visit www.landandcamps.com _______________________________35-34 FREE LIST Of hunting land bargains in West Virginia. 100 acres & up. Loaded with wildlife. Lots of timber.

Great investment. www.timerbargains.com _______________________________35-34

ROOMMATES PGN WILL NOT PUBLISH RACIAL DISTINCTIONS IN ROOMMATE ADS. SUCH NOTATIONS WILL BE EDITED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. ___________________________________ GREATER NE PHILA. Have your own bedroom in a beautiful split level home with 2 gay men. House is 4 BR, 2 full baths, W/D, upper and lower decks, use of kitchen. Property is by Welsh & the Boulevard, 1 min. to 58 bus. We ask only that you be at least reasonably neat and employed. Rent is $600 + 1/3 utils. Contact Dave at 215-698-0215. _______________________________35-39 Roommate to share large new house in Graduate Hospital area. $800 includes all utilities. Available 9/1. Please email to sport99s@comcast.net _______________________________35-34 LEVITTOWN Room with bath for rent in private home. Furnished. $125/wk. Close to all major highways, Phila., New Hope, Trenton. 215-943-7203. _______________________________35-34 WASHINGTON SQUARE Independence place, 19th fl. Looking to share with prof. GM. 1 br, furn. condo. Cable, W/D, A/C, all utils. incl. Use of entire condo. Must be exceptionally clean, organized. 1 year lease. $900. No smoking/drugs.Call 267-519-0091. _______________________________35-36

38

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

SALE

SALE

Open Houses Sunday August 28, 2011 NOON - 2:30 PM 1812 Spruce St. “Snowden Residence Condo” Brand new Rittenhouse Square condo conversion. Unit #2R Grand Scale 1 bd. 1.5 bath w/ office area.

Magnificent ceiling molding details, Marble spa like bath. Huge South facing Terrace. Deluxe Kitchen. Parking available. Low taxes / fees................$450,000 1833 -A Christian St. Brand new 2 bedroom, 2 bath two level townhouse. Open concept floor plan. Deluxe kitchen, S/S, Quartz counter tops. Hardwood floors. Large rear garden. Glass tiles Spa-like master bath. Large family room in lower level. Tax abatement. ..........................................priced at only $274,900 1812 Spruce St. 3F. Large Bi-level townhouse style condo. Over 2,200 Square feet on two levels. 3 large bedrooms & 3 Marble baths.Deluxe Kitchen, S/S, walnut cabinets, Quartz counters. Wood floors. Deeded parking available. Low taxes / fees..........................................................Pre-construction price $775,000 1:30-2:30 PM 540 Cypress St. New Listing. Charming, totally restored Historic Colonial in Society Hill. 2 large bedroom, 1 1/2 baths. 2 fireplaces, wood floors, a/c, exposed brick walls etc..........................................................................$399,900 1812 Spruce St. Unit #3R. Best value 2 bedroom, 1 bath in Rittenhouse Square.

Fabulous new condo conversion 1 block off Rittenhouse Square. Marble bath, deluxe kitchen, huge terrace. A/C. Large attic. Low fees / taxes..........$395,000 1812 Spruce St. Unit 2F. Very large condo. Great space, in Rittenhouse Square, 1 bed, 1 bath. High ceilings with great architectural details. Deluxe kitchen.

Deeded parking available.......................................................................$425,000

Search all Philadelphia area listings @ www.thephillyrealtors.com Dan Tobey

The Curtis Center 1401 Walnut St. 8th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19102

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

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WANTED MALE HOUSEKEEPER UPPER BUCKS Well to do Gentleman Farmer seeking live in male housekeeper. Room & board provided + salary. Must like animals & rural life. Serious job opportunity, serious inquires only.

Email references, resume, & picture to: peter37@verizon.net _______________________________35-36 DRIVERS- WEEKLY HOMETIME For most lanes. Up to 42cpm! Daily or weekly pay. No forced dispatch to NYC or Canada.

CDL-A, 3 months recent experience. 800-4149569. www.driveknight.com _______________________________35-34 Opportunities for Reefer/Flatbed drivers now open! Plenty of freight & miles, top pay, excellent equipment, paid training & much more!

1-800-277-0212 or www.primeinc.com _______________________________35-34 Looking for Miles? We’ve Got ‘Em! Great Runs With Great Equipment. Competitive Pay & Benefits. Van & Flatbed Divisions. $500 Sign-On for Flatbed. CDL-A,6 mo.OTR. 888-801-5295. _______________________________35-34 Driver-CDL-A: Experienced OTR Drivers.

Regional Lanes. HOME MOST WEEKENDS! Up to $3000 BONUS. Up to $.50 Per Mile.

888-463-3962. 6mo.OTR exp. & CDL Req’d. www.usatruck.jobs _______________________________35-34 Top Pay On Excellent Runs! Marten Just Raised Pay/Rates! Regional Runs, Steady Miles, Frequent Hometime, New Equipment.

CDL-A, 6mo. Experience required. EEOE/AAP 866-322-4039 www.Drive4Marten.com _______________________________35-34

Drivers- NEW PAY INCREASE FOR TANK DRIVERS. Lots of Freight, Great Miles, 3 Weeks Paid Vacation, Incentives, Insurance & 401(k). Food Grade Products. CDL-A & 1 Year OTR Experience Required. Call 877-882-6537. www.OakleyTransport.com _______________________________35-34 Owner Operators & Small Fleets: Earn over $2.00/mi! Up to $1000 Sign on Bonus! Average Fuel Network PAGE 54 savings of $.43/gal. 877-2778756 www.JoinMalone.com _______________________________35-34

CLASS A DRIVERS NEEDED Regional or OTR Great Pay, Paid Orientation, 401K, Health Coverage, $1500 SIGNON BONUS THROUGH 9/30/11. ONLINE TRANSPORT 877-997-8999 Apply at www. onlinetransport.com _______________________________35-34 DRIVERS WANTED $7500 Sign-On Teams, 51.3 per mile. $2000 Sign-On Driver, 43.7 Per Mile. CDL-A HazMat. 1-877-628-3748; www.driveNCTrans.com _______________________________35-34

FOR SALE ANTIQUE LOVERS TAKE NOTE BRIMFIELD, MA 5,000 Dealers of Antiques & Collectibles. Visit: www.brimfield.com For info on 20 individual show openings. Sept.

6-11, 2011. _______________________________35-34 SAWMILLS From only $3997-MAKE MONEY & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill-Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE info& DVD:www.NorwoodSawmills.com/300N 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N. _______________________________35-34

SERVICES

215.546.2700 Business • 267.238.1061 Direct 215.432.7151 Cell • 215.546.7728 Fax dtobey@cbpref.com • www.cbpref.com

REAL ESTATE

PGN

VACATION

RENT

RENTAL

12TH & DICKINSON AREA Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms , bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (negotiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. _______________________________35-39 $1250.00 COLLINGSWOOD, NJ A cute 2nd floor, newly renov. 2 BR, 1 BA apt.

The location is one block from Haddon Ave., 2 1⁄2 blocks from Cooper River, 7 blocks from downtown and two minutes from the PATCO High-Speed Lines’s Ferry Station. Freshly painted, newly carpeted, with new kitchen cabinets, and garbage disposal. The main entrance opens to a kitchen which includes a stack washer/dryer full size), stove and refrigerator. There are 2 bedrooms, one bathroom, LR, DR, charming porch/balcony in a very quiet residential neighborhood. In addition, there is a very large attic for an amazing amount of storage. Rent will include: heat, and a newly installed alarm system. Call 609-226-4457 to make an appt. _______________________________35-35 13XX PORTER ST. 2nd fl., large1 BR, W/D, C/A, D/W, ceiling fans in every room, pvt. ent. Close to trans, stores, park. NS pref. $900/mo. 1st, last, 1 mo. sec.

Credit check & refs. 215-301-5544. _______________________________35-34

OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily.

Holiday Real Estate. 1-800-638-2102 Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com _______________________________35-34

ADOPTIONS UNIQUE ADOPTIONS Let us help! Personalized Adoption Plans.

Financial assistance, housing relocation and more. Giving the gift of life? You deserve the best. Call us first! 1-888-637-8200 24-hours hotline. _______________________________35-34

AUTOS AAAA** Donation. Donate Your Car, Boat, or Real Eastate. IRS Tax Deductible. Free Pikc-Up/Tow. Any Model/Condition. Help Under Privileged Children Outreach Center.

1-800-597-8311. _______________________________35-34

AIRLINES ARE HIRING Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified - Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888)834-9715. _______________________________35-34 ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE From Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Computers, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 888-220-3984. www.

CenturaOnline.com _______________________________35-34 “Can You Dig It?” Heavy Equipment School.

3 wk training program. Backhoes, Bulldozers, Trackhoes. Local job placement asst. Start digging dirt Now! 866-362-6497. _______________________________35-34

EUGENE’S TAILOR SHOP Custom Design & Tailoring for Men & Women Alterations Eugene Naroditsky Natalie Naroditsky

(215) 923 - 8081 Monday - Friday 10 - 6 Saturday 10 - 5

242 South 17th Street Philadelphia PA 19103 www.eugenestailorshop.com eugenestailorshop@gmail.com

PHIL

������

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE / PAYROLL / BOOKKEEPER

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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. _______________________________33-28

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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. _______________________________35-39 Inexperienced WM ISO WM that would like to receive oral pleasure. Call Bill at 856761-7616. _______________________________35-36 I’m looking for a big, hefty, chunky WM, 2150. I’m a WM, 6’1”, 210, 61. 215-732-2108 8-11 PM. _______________________________35-36 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. _______________________________35-37

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2011 39

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EVOLUTION: A MID SUMMER NIGHTS DREAM Saturday, August 27th, 2011 TIME: 11pm-3:30am WHAT TO EXPECT: * DJ Dutch * A Full House of * Food Catered Guys To Choose

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5 HOT PARTIES COMING UP IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER...

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2020 Sansom Street• 267-330-0151 • www.sansomstreetgym.com Don’t forget to visit the Adonis Cinema right next door!! 2026 Sansom Street/PH:215-557-9319 10 South Mt. Vernon Avenue- Atlantic City, NJ 08401.

OPEN DAILY at 2pm!

Great Happy Hour Specials and Special Performances Every Weekend!

B-7

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 26 -Sept. 1, 2011

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