PGN Sept. 1-7, 2017 by The Philadelphia Gay News

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

Vol. 41 No. 44 Sept. 1-7, 2017

Family Portrait: Dr. Sheena Howard: See you in the funny papers! PAGE 23

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

‘Fringe’ on the edge PAGE 21

Class-action suit against Aetna alleges HIVprivacy breaches

Court allows trans-inclusive policies to remain at PA district By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com

A federal judge ruled last week that a Berks County school district can continue to protect transgender students. The Boyertown Area School District became the target of a lawsuit when four cisgender students claimed their privacy was being violated while sharing facilities with trans students. However, Judge Edward G. Smith of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania denied a preliminary injunction from the Alliance Defending Freedom and Independence Law Center, organizations representing the cis students, that had requested the district’s policy be suspended as the suit proceeds. Pennsylvania Youth Congress Executive Director Jason Landau Goodman said in a statement that the organization is “thrilled” with the decision. PYC represents Boyertown’s Gay-Straight Alliance and intervened in the lawsuit. “Trans students must be ensured basic dignity in school in order to learn,” Landau Goodman said. “This court has allowed the school to continue to ensure that trans students are free from discrimination at Boyertown. “Schools across Pennsylvania should support trans inclusion because it is absolutely the right thing to do,” he added. Landau Goodman also thanked the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, which represented them in the intervention. “The district is doing its best to provide an atmosphere that is conducive to learning, for all students, regardless of their gender identity,” Reggie Shuford, executive director of the ACLU PA, said in a statement. “Transgender students should have the opportunity to learn in an environment where they feel safe. We are grateful that the court agreed that the plaintiffs’ desire to stop what the district is doing had no grounding in legal principles.” Mary Catherine Roper, deputy legal PAGE 19 director of the ACLU

A federal class-action lawsuit was filed in Philadelphia this week on behalf of thousands of Aetna customers whose HIVprivacy rights allegedly were violated by the health-insurance company. The Aug. 28 suit seeks more than $5 million in damages and corrective measures at Aetna, which is one of the nation’s largest health insurers. On July 28, Aetna sponsored a mailing to about 12,000 customers, explaining how to obtain their HIV-related medications. Envelopes with large transparent windows were used in the mailing, rendering the recipients’ HIV-related information visible to the public. So far, Aetna refuses to publicly identify the third-party vendor that handled the mass mailing, according to the 22-page suit. Aetna’s alleged privacy breach affected customers in at least 25 states, according to the suit. Ethan Slavin, an Aetna spokesperson, declined to comment about the suit. But Slavin issued this statement: “We sincerely apologize to those affected by a mailing issue that inadvertently exposed the personal health information of some Aetna members. This type of mistake is unacceptable, and we are undertaking a full review of our processes to ensure something like this never happens again. We’re in the process of fulfilling our regulatory obligations by notifying applicable state regulatory agencies and the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights.” The plaintiff in the suit is a 52-year-old Bucks County man, identified under the pseudonym “Andrew Beckett.” He was taking a medication to help prevent him from becoming HIV-positive. Aetna’s privacy breach “caused him to feel embarrassed and exposed. [Beckett] has suffered from increased stress and anxiety as a result of [Aetna’s] reckless conduct. The increased stress has exacerbated [Beckett’s] pre-existing medical PAGE 19

NEW HOPE NIGHTS: More than 100 people turned out for Raven 38 Trans*perience Weekend in New Hope last weekend. Hosted by Mid-Atlantic Transperience Community, the event featured social gatherings at The Clarion New Hope (pictured), shopping in New Hope and parties at The Raven and New Hope Lodge. Entertainer Carl Max performed at a poolside party and red-carpet event, and organizers raffled off a makeover and wig, as well as hosted a 50/50 drawing. Proceeds benefitted MATC, an Allentown-based transgender organization that stages events in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. Photo: Selma Edwards

Trans woman appointed to police oversight commission By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Longtime trans advocate Naiymah A. Sanchez will serve on the city’s revived Police Advisory Commission, a civilian watchdog agency that investigates complaints of police misconduct. Sanchez’ appointment, effective Oct. 16, was announced last week by Mayor Kenney’s press office. The 13-member commission was without a trans commissioner for more than a decade, after the departure of trans woman Kathleen R. Padilla. “I am privileged to be selected by the mayor to be a PAC commissioner,” Sanchez told PGN. “It is an honor not just for myself and my family but for the community to have a Latina trans woman on the commission — to make sure all of our voices are heard.” Sanchez, a North Philadelphia resident, expressed a desire for improved police-community relations. “A lot of communities don’t feel safe with the police,” she noted. “That’s to be understood. I’m hoping to improve that relationship. Being a minority, I feel that I bring an important perspective to the table — not only the perspective of the LGBTQ community but the Latina community.” Sanchez also said she’ll try to help with transparency in the Nizah Morris case. Morris was a trans woman found with a fatal head wound in 2002, shortly after a police PAGE 19 “courtesy ride.”

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 1-7, 2017

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• AIDS Library:

1233 Locust St.; aidslibrary.org/

• AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800-6626080

• COLOURS: coloursorganization.org, 215832-0100

• Congreso de Latinos Unidos;

• Philadelphia FIGHT: 1233 Locust

• GALAEI: 215-851-

• Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center:

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

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

• Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad

St.; 215-685-1821

• Mazzoni Center:

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

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

City seeks public comments on Rizzo statue The city’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy is seeking public comments on the future of the Frank Rizzo statue. Locals can contribute their thoughts to an online forum, which allows individuals to submit their contact information, a 500-word response about the statue’s future and optional PDFs. The Mayor’s Office will specifically consider feasibility and potential costs of the ideas. Representatives from the city’s Office of Arts Culture and the Creative Economy, Department of Public Property, Managing Director’s Office, Department of Parks and Recreation and the Mayor’s Office will review the submissions. The administration will then decide in late September if it will follow the city’s policy regarding “Removal, Relocation and Deaccession of Publicly Displayed Artwork.” Under this policy, the administration must give the artist 30 days to respond to the proposed removal. The Art Commission will then offer the public an opportunity to provide public testimonials at a hearing, which will call for a final vote on the statue. Efforts to remove the statue gained traction last month after a nationwide push by some to dismantle Confederate monuments. That effort grew after a woman was killed in Virginia during a counter-protest to a white supremacist rally, whose participants were purportedly demonstrating against the removal of a Confederate statue. Rizzo is a former Philadelphia mayor and police chief whose policies and positions were deemed by many to be racist and homophobic. Individuals can submit their thoughts through 5 p.m. Sept. 15 online at http://bit.ly/2vjB76P or in person and by mail to: Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy Ideas for Rizzo’s Future City of Philadelphia 116 City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107 — Jeremy Rodriguez

LGBT employees are everywhere — and we want to help tell their stories.

1201 Locust St.; 215985-9206

• Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-7321207

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

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

Nominate yourself or someone else for Day in the Life Of to have one of our reporters spend a day on the job with you, and write about the experience. Email editor@epgn.com with your name, occupation, employer and work schedule for consideration.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 1-7, 2017

In adults with HIV on ART who have diarrhea not caused by an infection IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION This is only a summary. See complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or by calling 1-844-722-8256. This does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment.

What Is Mytesi? Mytesi is a prescription medicine used to improve symptoms of noninfectious diarrhea (diarrhea not caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on ART. Do Not Take Mytesi if you have diarrhea caused by an infection. Before you start Mytesi, your doctor and you should make sure your diarrhea is not caused by an infection (such as bacteria, virus, or parasite).

Possible Side Effects of Mytesi Include:

Tired of planning your life around diarrhea?

Enough is Enough Get relief. Pure and simple. Ask your doctor about Mytesi.

Mytesi (crofelemer): • Is the only medicine FDA-approved to relieve diarrhea in people with HIV • Treats diarrhea differently by normalizing the flow of water in the GI tract • Has the same or fewer side effects as placebo in clinical studies • Comes from a tree sustainably harvested in the Amazon Rainforest What is Mytesi? Mytesi is a prescription medicine that helps relieve symptoms of diarrhea not caused by an infection (noninfectious) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Important Safety Information Mytesi is not approved to treat infectious diarrhea (diarrhea caused by bacteria, a virus, or a parasite). Before starting you on Mytesi, your healthcare provider will first be sure that you do not have infectious diarrhea. Otherwise, there is a risk you would not receive the right medicine and your infection could get worse. In clinical studies, the most common side effects that occurred more often than with placebo were upper respiratory tract (sinus, nose, and throat) infection (5.7%), bronchitis (3.9%), cough (3.5%), flatulence (3.1%), and increased bilirubin (3.1%).

Should I Take Mytesi If I Am: Pregnant or Planning to Become Pregnant? • Studies in animals show that Mytesi could harm an unborn baby or affect the ability to become pregnant • There are no studies in pregnant women taking Mytesi • This drug should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed A Nursing Mother? • It is not known whether Mytesi is passed through human breast milk • If you are nursing, you should tell your doctor before starting Mytesi • Your doctor will help you to decide whether to stop nursing or to stop taking Mytesi Under 18 or Over 65 Years of Age? • Mytesi has not been studied in children under 18 years of age • Mytesi studies did not include many people over the age of 65. So it is not clear if this age group will respond differently. Talk to your doctor to find out if Mytesi is right for you

What Should I Know About Taking Mytesi With Other Medicines? If you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicine, herbal supplements, or vitamins, tell your doctor before starting Mytesi.

What If I Have More Questions About Mytesi? For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or speak to your doctor or pharmacist. To report side effects or make a product complaint or for additional information, call 1-844-722-8256.

For Copay Savings Card and Patient Assistance, see Mytesi.com

Mytesi comes from the Croton lechleri tree harvested in South America.

Please see complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com. NP-390-18

• Upper respiratory tract infection (sinus, nose, and throat infection) • Bronchitis (swelling in the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs) • Cough • Flatulence (gas) • Increased bilirubin (a waste product when red blood cells break down) For a full list of side effects, please talk to your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

RELIEF, PURE AND SIMPLE

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 1-7, 2017

News & Opinion

Coming this month:

6 — Wedding 10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Transmissions Mark My Words Street Talk 15 — International News Media Trail

Sept. 8: Welcome to Philadelphia! Sept. 15: Our first Family Issue

Columns

8 — Body U: Do what you can do 9 — Out Law: LGBT businesses further equality

Sept. 29: Fall Youth Supplement

“Everyone truly has been here and experienced the tranquility of New Hope and the history that goes with that. It shows in the photographs. What we want to continue to do is spread this message.” ~ Gordon Pulaski, on the new ‘i am new hope’ campaign, page 7

Arts & Culture 21 23 25 26 28 30

— Feature: Fringe is on the edge — Family Portrait — Scene in Philly — Out & About — Comics — Q Puzzle

Creep of the Week: Sam Clovis thinks that protections for LGBTs will lead to protections for pedophiles.

“i am new hope” aims to inspire.

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

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Editor

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

Staff Writers Jeremy Rodriguez (ext. 215) jeremy@epgn.com

Kyle Lamb (ext. 201) kyle@epgn.com

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

Larry Nichols (ext. 213) larry@epgn.com Writer-at-Large Timothy Cwiek (ext. 208) timothy@epgn.com

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

Gunnar Montana is taking his growing reputation as an artist and choreographer with a healthy measure of realism

Art Director/ Photographer

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

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

Mexican comedy “Hazlo Como Hombre” (“Do It Like a Man”) has been breaking box-office records in its home country this summer.

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

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

LOCAL PGN

HARING IN FOCUS: Thanks to the recent removal of a tree, passersby in the Graduate Hospital area can now more fully appreciate Keith Haring’s “We the Youth” mural. The work, created in the late gay artist’s iconic style, adorns the side of a building at 22nd and Ellsworth streets. The mural, restored four years ago by the Keith Haring Foundation and Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program, was painted in 1987 and remains the only collaborative mural that remains intact at its original location. Photo: Scott A. Drake

N.J. college hosts free series on sex By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com A New Jersey community college will host a lecture series later this month exploring gender, sexuality and biological sex. “Sex, Gender and Sexuality: Navigating a Shifting Landscape” will consist of six free events at Camden County College’s Blackwood campus beginning Sept. 18. Ellen Hernandez began serving as the associate director of the college’s Center for Civic Leadership and Responsibility (CCLR), which is hosting this series, in January. Hernandez said she recently read the “Gender Revolution” issue of National Geographic and watched a documentary on transgender children. “I decided my first project as associate director of the center should be to create a lecture series to make sure everyone is informed about sex, gender, gender identity, expression and sexuality,” she said. Hernandez said she took the lead from CCLR Director John L. Pesda and used the information she gathered from articles and online research to find experts on areas related to LGBT issues. Presenters will include artists, educators, faith leaders and therapists. Dr. Jacqui Bowman and Quincy Greene of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia will present “The Science behind Biological Sex” Sept. 28, in which they will explain biological processes and complexities for sex assignment and sex determination. Additionally, Danna Bodenheimer of Walnut Psychotherapy Center and local nephrologist Dr. Thomas

Delgiorno will participate in “Talking about Gender Change,” an Oct. 12 panel. Hernandez said registered participants can receive professional-development credits if interested. However, she said the course will also help people become more informed citizens, and CCLR will encourage audience participation. “You’re getting information that you may not have, which I think is vitally important at this time,” Hernandez said. “It gives us a chance to ask the questions that need to be asked so that people have accurate information; there is so much information out there through social media that is inaccurate, that is misguided, that is frankly discriminatory in its nature. We have to make sure people really know the facts.” Hernandez said “people are dying over ignorance,” noting the 22 trans people killed in 2016 and 17 in 2017. “The current president and his administration have proposed policies that exclude and discriminate against LGBTQ people and are going to set back the progress that’s been made,” Hernandez said. “I think we owe it to ourselves to become armed with information and to support and protect one another.” n “Sex, Gender and Sexuality: Navigating a Shifting Landscape” will kick off 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at Camden County College’s Blackwood campus, 200 College Drive, Blackwood, N.J. Subsequent sessions will be held on Thursdays through the end of October at the same time and location. Contact CCLR Project Coordinator Valerie Concordia at vconcordia@camdencc.edu for more information. Visit http://bit.ly/2ixKePh for a brochure.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 1-7, 2017

LOCAL PGN

Wedding Kim Kepple and Holly Zipperer By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com “Wherever is your heart, I call home.” Kim Kepple, 39, and Holly Zipperer, 47, found that “home” with each other initially as members of a Brandi Carlile fan club. The two now sport matching tattoos, depicting a small heart within a house shape, to signify the singer-songwriter’s 2015 song, “Wherever is Your Heart.” Kepple and Zipperer were pronounced married as their favorite song began playing July 30 in a surprise backyard ceremony. Zipperer, who proposed to Kepple Jan. 13, made sure to get her future wife out of the house that afternoon so friends and family could set up. She did not tell Kepple they were getting married until 30 minutes before Photo: Jessie Watford the ceremony. “It felt right to do it in our backyard,” — but that it wasn’t the first time her wife Zipperer said. “We have a third of an acre gave her a surprise. right in the borough of Phoenixville and it’s “Holly is full of surprises, and they’re usupretty much an oasis for us. We spend a lot ally not bad surprises,” Kepple chuckled. of time in our yard. I thought that would “That’s good to hear,” Zipperer added with be a good place because I feel like that was a laugh. where Kim would be the most comfortable The women became Facebook friends in and we togetherAdvertising could be the most comfortContest2010 but they were both with other partners able. It was just really cool and relaxed and at the time. Their conversations consisted Award-winning Newspaper laidback.” solely of Carlile and her upcoming shows. Kepple said she didn’t expect the wedding After breaking up with their partners in 2015,

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they connected more online and supported each other through their breakups, “with the thread of music being the foundation,” Zipperer said. Kepple was expecting Zipperer to come to her house on New Year’s Day in 2016, where the couple would meet for the first time in person. However, Zipperer had other ideas. She drove home from Georgia on New Year’s Eve and decided to surprise Kepple. “We spoke on the phone much of that drive but she had no idea that I was coming to see her until I was about 100 yards from her house and we were still on the phone,” Zipperer said. “I was like, ‘Hey, guess what?’ That was obviously a big risk. I went with my gut and I’m very grateful that I did and we spent that long weekend together. We haven’t been apart much more than probably four days at a time since 2015, [on] Dec. 31.” Kepple, who works as a nurse, noted that she was not expecting Zipperer. “I was wearing scrubs and had just gotten

We want to know! If you are celebrating an anniversary, engagement, wedding, adoption or other life event, we would be happy to help you announce it to the community. Send your contact information and a brief description of the event to editor@epgn.com.

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Editorial Contest

Award-winning Newspaper

PGN was recently honored with seven journalism awards from the National Newspaper Association. Best Localized National Story

(“Philly, nation respond to Orlando massacre”: Jen Colletta, Paige Cooperstein, Scott A. Drake) — among all dailies and non-dailies, of all circulations, across the nation

Best Social Media Journalism Special Section (40th Anniversary Issue) — among dailies and non-dailies in our circulation class

Best Serious Column (“Mark My Words”: Mark Segal) Best Feature Story (“Day in the Life of”: Jeremy Rodriguez) Best Feature Story (“Project Teach 20th anniversary”: Jeremy Rodriguez) — among non-dailies in our

circulation class

Best Breaking News Story (“Philly, nation respond to Orlando massacre”: Jen Colletta, Paige Cooperstein, Scott A. Drake)

off work for the day after a 12-hour shift. It was kind of, ‘Take me as I am or not at all,’” Kepple joked. The two shared a midnight kiss that evening. “I feel like it was a combination of ‘Oh my God’ and ‘completely natural,’” Kepple said. “It just kind of felt like we’ve known each other forever.” Nearly two years later, the wives share a craftsman-style bungalow in Phoenixville with two mutts named Alabama and Kirby, a cat named Darby, a foster kitten named Vespa and three chickens named Gypsy Rose Lee, Florence Nightingale and Goldie Hen. Kepple also has two children from her previous marriage — Liam, 20, and Carlyn, 16 — who live with them part-time. The women said it was true love even before they met, but that first in-person meeting solidified it. “There was definitely a connection beyond anything I have experienced in my 40-plus years,” Zipperer said. n

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PA town showcases pride with ‘i am new hope’ By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com A Pennsylvania-based LGBT Pride organization plans to showcase its town on a national level in a new awareness-raising campaign. New Hope Celebrates launched “i am new hope” in the aftermath of the 2016 pres-

idential election. Roger Green, the organization’s vice president, said board members voiced concerns at a meeting following the election about President Donald Trump’s upcoming leadership. “We sought a way to do something that was unifying and positive, and express the idea that this might be a dark moment,” Green said. “If everybody stays connected and stays positive and

increases engagement, all of the positivity will return.” The campaign includes T-shirts and social-media efforts that display the message “i am new hope.” New Hope Celebrates founder Daniel Brooks noted the unique styling of the campaign phrase. “If you put it in capital letters, ‘New Hope’ talks specifically

about the town itself, and what its meaning is [as well as] the diversity and history,” Brooks said. “And if you look at it the other way without the capital letters, which is the way that our T-shirts read, the people are wearing it as symbols of their ‘new hope’ for the future, which, at this time, is something that everyone can use an injection of and an infusion of.”

Brooks, who also created the organization’s LGBT digital history archive Retro-Scope, noted how the town of New Hope began. Benjamin Parry came to New Hope, which was called Coryell’s Ferry at the time, in the early 1780s and purchased the Hope Flour Mill; the Bucks County Playhouse now occupies this space. A fire eventually destroyed the mill in 1790 but Parry rebuilt it within a year and named it the New Hope Flour Mill. The town changed its name shortly after that. According to Brooks, this sense of “new hope” the town provides continues into the present day. “People have often said that when they come here, they come to the town for a renewal,” he said. “People come up from Philadelphia [and] people come from New York City because they want to get away from problems. Go for a relaxing, upbeat visit and they always leave feeling kind of renewed and refreshed and with new hope.” New Hope Celebrates Creative Director Gordon Pulaski said he wanted to launch i am new hope both as a fundraiser for New Hope Celebrates and as a way to get out the message the town promotes. “New Hope has a history of the arts and acceptance, going way back to the [1930s] and possibly before that,” Pulaski said. “There’s a place to gather and be yourself. I think this message really starts to resonate.”

The group shot photos of individuals holding “i am new hope” signs during New Hope Celebrates’ Pride Parade, which can be viewed on the campaign’s website. “People from all walks of life — black, white, gay, straight, etc. — really embraced the message,” Pulaski said. “Everyone truly has been here and experienced the tranquility of New Hope and the history that goes with that. It shows in the photographs. What we want to continue to do is spread this message.” The group plans to expand this effort by presenting i am new hope at two upcoming conferences. First up is the Original LGBT Expo Sept. 9-10 at the Javitz Center in New York City. The organization will also participate in Interpride’s Annual General Meeting and World Conference in Indianapolis Oct. 5-8. Green said New Hope is a “magical place” and New Hope Celebrates hopes to showcase that beyond the town’s lines. “What makes this place so special is the exceptional tolerance of diversity,” Green said. “People can be who they are. They can be one thing by day and another by night but the acceptance and the appreciation of individuals makes this a really spectacular place.” n

Out Money Jeremy Gussick

From budgets to wills to taxes, financial expert Jeremy Gussick gives us all the info we need — in a way we can understand. OutMoney runs monthly to help readers find answers to all their money questions.

For more information, visit iamnewhope.com.

MontCo biz group announces first-time board By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com The Montgomery County LGBT Business Council announced its first-time board members last month, as part of an ongoing effort to expand the organization’s reach. Board members include Ricky Buttacavoli as president, Hank Sharkey as vice president and chair, Kevin McPoyle as treasurer and Teresa Parris as secretary. John Walko is assisting the council with legal paperwork. “I’m really proud of the group that we have,” Buttacavoli said. Jim McDevitt, one of the group’s founding members, created the council as a resource for LGBT professionals in Montgomery County. He said the group is working with municipalities to ensure businesses are following Gov. Tom Wolf’s executive order, which expanded nondiscrimination protections for individuals based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender

expression. “We hope to change policies,” McDevitt said. “We’re going to stress to them that they should have a corporate sponsorship policy, an investment policy, and outline exactly what’s acceptable and what’s not.” Buttacavoli noted that while other areas in Pennsylvania have LGBT business councils, specifically the Independence Business Alliance and the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Montgomery County has “a long way to go.” “There’s that hole that needs to be filled here in Montgomery County so we’re just trying to fill that and work with those other groups to make sure [LGBT] employees are protected,” Buttacavoli said. The council has already hosted business-card exchanges and other social events. Buttacavoli said they will continue those efforts with another business-card exchange in October and a holiday party in December. The group currently has a Facebook page

for outreach but Buttacavoli said members are planning to also launch a more formal website. Additionally, they intend to have a physical office space and would like to work with businesses to create LGBTinclusive training sessions. “We’re looking for leaders in Montgomery County to step up and take on greater roles to promote diversity,” Buttacavoli added. “A lot of businesses want to market to the LGBT community and I don’t think they know how to reach us in in Montgomery County. So having a website up, it can market. Our website and our organization will serve as a platform to reach out to businesses as well as for people who want to support LGBT-friendly businesses and LGBT ally businesses. We’re excited about that, particularly in today’s environment.” n For more information on the Montgomery County LGBT Business Council and upcoming events, visit https://www.facebook.com/mlgbtbc/ or email President Ricky Buttacavoli at rpropshop@gmail.com.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 1-7, 2017

FITNESS PGN

What to do when you can’t do it all You wake up in the morning and read “getting ready” routine. It all comes the paper or browse your Facebook down to using your time more effecfeed, eat breakfast, head tively. Many of us spend to work and come home to minutes doing mindless sometimes do more work. activities. According to Or maybe you come home the New York Times, most in time to eat dinner and Americans spend an average you only have enough time of 50 minutes a day on social to watch your favorite show media. The U.S. Bureau of followed by getting ready Labor Statistics reported for bed. It is fair to say that that Americans watched an we are all busy and it can be average of three hours of difficult to balance our lives TV per day and spent about enough to include our loved 30 minutes on weekdays ones, work and play — let socializing, and 60 minutes alone trying to maintain good on weekends. Imagine incorhealth overall. at least 30 of those Megan Niño porating As a trainer, I commonly minutes for your health. hear that people just don’t If you have a hefty work have the time to work out. However, if schedule, try taking your calls while having better health crosses your mind, you are on a walk or stand at your then it is probably something you need desk. Take a deeper look into how you to address. are using your lunch break. Do you First and foremost, if you have time have time to be active during your to stop by the bar or time to particilunch? Can you use your longer break pate in any social activities, you have to be active and your shorter breaks the time to walk a mile or to at least to eat, or vice versa? Can you stretch do 15 minutes of strength training. during your shorter breaks? For those Add some physical activities into your of you who travel regularly, team up

Body U

with a trainer to write a program that you can do on the road or find the nearest workout facility, even if it’s your bedroom. Short increments of physical activity throughout the day can curb your sleepiness, increase awareness and will increase your energy levels. Long term, you may notice that your mood will be better, as well as your physical health. Now that you’ve made time at least twice per week to include physical activity and exercise in your day, what workouts or activities should you do? Aside from the suggestions listed above, keep it simple. You can do squats, push-ups, pull-ups, lunges, etc. Make a social activity out of hiking, swimming, sports and so on. Don’t let your “lack of time” be an excuse to not include some physical activity in your life. Get moving, reap the benefits of being active and soak up the remainder of these beautiful summer sunrays! n Megan Niño is a kinesiologist and personal trainer who trains out of 12th Street Gym. She is an energetic and positive person, who prides herself on teaching others to find empowerment in their lives through fitness.

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How LGBTQ-owned businesses further equality In recent years, when the terms LGBTQ business owners, as there are “LGBTQ” and “small business” are with women and people of color. discussed in the media, it’s usually in The progress in LGBTQ equality in the response to a small but vocal last decade has been remarkminority demanding religious able, and while social opinion freedom to refuse service to concerning LGBTQ people members of the LGBTQ comis improving at greater speed munity, and the legal battles than ever before, there are still that follow. However, perhaps hurdles we face. Forty percent there are more important disof lesbian, gay and bisexual cussions revolving around people and nearly 90 percent business and the LGBTQ comof transgender people still munity — the power LGBTQexperience employment disowned businesses have in furcrimination or harassment in thering equality. the workplace. The implemenThe National Gay and tation of discrimination protecLesbian Chamber of tions and inclusion policies for Angela LGBTQ employees could save Commerce reported recently that LGBTQ-owned businesses U.S. economy more than Giampolo the contribute a whopping $1.7 $9 billion, resulting in lower trillion to the U.S. economy, turnover rates, reduced workand businesses certified by the NGLCC place-discrimination lawsuits and higher account for more than 33,000 jobs a year. productivity levels for employees who Certification by the NGLCC helps ensure feel safer and more valued in their jobs. small business owners in the LGBTQ The numbers don’t lie: LGBTQ-friendly community can compete for contracts workplaces help the economy thrive. with the federal government in a more In terms of diversity, LGBTQ-owned meaningful way, opening doors to those companies are more likely to employ who would otherwise not get a seat at the people from a variety of backgrounds and table. socio-economic statuses, which enables This is critical given that there are no those businesses to think outside the box, laws regulating the percentage of business understand a wide range of client needs the federal government conducts with and expectations and provide innovative

Out Law

solutions their competition may not even think of. In a study conducted by Harvard Business Review of 1,800 professionals, 40 case studies and numerous surveys and interviews, they learned that companies with diverse employees are 45-percent more likely to report growth over the prior year’s market share, and are 70-percent more likely to have captured a new market demographic for their products or services. The reason for this is that diverse employees are more likely to have a larger set of experiences on which to rely for creativity and problem-solving, and they’re also more open to trying new solutions to fulfill client needs. As a result, diverse businesses out-perform their competitors consistently, which translates to economic growth. There’ve been a lot of questions since the SCOTUS marriage ruling in 2015 about where LGBTQ advocates go next in the equality conversation. Many looked to workplace and housing discrimination as the next step, but perhaps we’re overlooking economic and political empowerment through business as a key factor in the fight for equality. It’s not just about how LGBTQ people are treated in the workplace. Fostering a good workplace for others through business ownership gives people who’ve been discriminated against a safe, nurturing environment

in which to thrive, earn an income and create personal stability. Currently, gay men earn less than straight men, but that is less likely to happen in an LGBTQowned business. Younger generations are beginning to overtake older ones in the workforce, and with the increase in their earnings potential, young workers are looking for investing opportunities that not only promise financial gain, but social and environmental as well. LGBTQ-owned companies are more attuned to social progress and equal treatment, and it’s more than PR spin. LGBTQ business owners have lived with inequality, not knowing if and when they should come out to their employees and financial backers. Staying in the closet because it could affect business is never ideal, and out business owners have, in the past, faced the loss of essential funding for their ventures because investors have seen them as more of a risk. The more out business owners there are, the more such things become part of society’s norm, and in an ideal business world, their orientation wouldn’t matter in terms of risk or potential return on investment. There’s also a surprising misconception that LGBTQ business owners are wealthy, which isn’t always the case. The NGLCC certification helps, empowering PAGE 19 those business owners

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EDITORIAL PGN EDITORIAL

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Sam Clovis

Editorial

Let’s not lower the bar It seems that every single time President Donald Trump has the opportunity to act “presidential,” he summarily mucks it up. Post-inauguration, when the country could have benefitted from genuine calls for unity? Trump was focused on the (dismal) size of his inauguration crowd. When terrorists attacked and murdered people in the streets of London? Trump tried to pick a Twitter fight with the mayor of London. When white supremacists marched on a Virginia city, killing a counter-protester? Trump equated the two groups of demonstrators in a staggering, seeming-defense of neo-Nazism. And now, as Hurricane Harvey continues to pound the Gulf Coast, leaving an untold number of Americans dead and displacing thousands in what could shape up to be the worst natural disaster in American history? Trump’s back again on his crowd size. During a visit to Texas Tuesday, the president took the mic and remarked, “What a crowd, what a turnout” to the first responders and others affected by the disaster who had assembled. As the city was consumed by tragedy, the president was predictably again obsessed with his top priority: himself. His nearly laughable responses to every important moment of the last nine months have led to some of us just begging for a solitary moment of sanity from the president. All he had to do in Texas was offer (even seemingly) genuine concern, give out hugs to victims, listen to their stories; instead he came off as cold, callous and unbelievably out of touch. The danger could be when he does finally meet that low standard of human empathy; in a country so starved for actual leadership, any successful attempt to bring a basic level of humanity to the office may be celebrated far more than it should. We shouldn’t be looking for just some hugs and kind words from our president. Every time Trump fails to fulfill the most foundational expectations of the presidency, he should be held to an even higher standard at the next opportunity, tasked with digging himself out of the hole he made. His outrageous antics are causing many to lower the bar in an effort that one day, maybe, he’ll hit it. But let’s resist calling for just basic civility and decency from our president. Americans deserve more. n

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.

If you’re a bigoted jerk in America, you campaign stop for a campaign he ultican trust that the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect sees you and isn’t afraid mately lost (but, to call you out by name. you know, Trump On Aug. 21, Anne Frank Center doesn’t like losers). tweeted, “To hell — and he can’t get there “So we’re being fast enough — with Sam Clovis, POTUS asked to provide nominee at USDA who equates LGBT Constitutional with pedophilia. Senate, vote no!” protections for In case you don’t know who Clovis behavior, a choice is — and why should you? When’s the in behavior as last time you knew U.S. Department of opposed to a priAgriculture nominees by name? — know mary characteristic.” this: He’s in no way qualified to work in Never mind the fact that a “primary any capacity as a scientist. characteristic,” like race for example, is Yet, he’s been tapped to be the underhardly as clearly defined as Clovis seems secretary of agriculture for research, to believe. (A recent rash of stories about education and economics. He’s taught white supremacists finding out via DNA economics before and has a degree in pub- testing that they aren’t genealogically lic policy, but that’s not the same as being “pure” comes to mind. “Their reactions someone who understands and believes in range from challenging the basic math science. behind the tests to accusing Jewish con Trump was supposed to pick from a spirators of sabotage,” PBS reported.) pool of “distinguished scientists with spe I, for one, don’t feel a need to provide cialized training or significant experience genetic proof that I deserve civil rights. in agricultural research, education, and Anyway, Clovis argued that protecting economics.” Instead, he picked Clovis, a lesbians and gays (or, as I guess he’d put conservative radio it, lesbian and gay host who supported “If we protect LGBT behav- behavior-choosers) Trump during the would open the 2016 campaign. door to, well, anyior, what other behaviors Clovis doesn’t thing. are we going to protect?” believe in climate “If we protect change. “I have he asked. “Are we going to LGBT behavior, enough of a sciwhat other behavprotect pedophilia?” ence background iors are we going to to know when I’m protect?” he asked. being boofed,” he told Iowa Public Radio “Are we going to protect pedophilia?” about the overwhelming scientific evi Reducing LGBT people solely to sex dence that climate change is real. acts and comparing them to pedophiles Thankfully, the USDA has nothing to is, of course, a favorite way to dehumando with agriculture, and agriculture has ize. And once a group is seen as less-than nothing to do with climate. Because it’d human, vilifying them and denying them be a bummer if growing crops was tied to, rights is much easier. like, weather and stuff. Clovis continued down his slippery There’s another science-y issue that slope, arguing that LGBT rights are basiClovis also struggles with: the homo. cally a gateway drug: “What’s the logical According to CNN, between 2012-14 extension of this? It can’t be that we’re (aka very recent history), Clovis expressed going to protect LGBT and then we’ll pull some really gross views on homosexualup the ladder.” ity. Never mind the fact that the sky hasn’t Writing for The Iowa Republican fallen since marriage equality became (which touts itself as “News for the law of the land. Remember we were Republicans, by Republicans”) in 2013, warned that people would be marrying Clovis argued that homos didn’t deserve goats and toasters? Hasn’t happened. protection under the 14th Amendment Clovis went on to say, “We’re not thinkunless homosexuality was genetic — ing the consequences of these decisions which, he argued, it isn’t. Therefore, those through,” which is actually the perfect arguing for equal rights were actually ask- motto for the Trump administration. So ing for special protections for the “homomaybe he does belong there — keeping in sexual acts” they, of course, chose to do. mind, however, that Trump and his entire “Someone who engages in LGBT administration don’t belong in power. n behavior — I don’t know what the science D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian is on this, I think it’s still out — but as far living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been as we know, LGBT behavior is a choice writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow they make,” Clovis said later during a her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.

OP-ED PGN

Rizzo, PGN and the BBC The British Broadcasting Company ing headlines. His statue, which sits in (BBC) is the world’s largest broadcaster. It front of a government building, is being began in 1922 and has a stellar record for compared to all those confederate statits journalism, both news and its fascinatues, including Robert E. Lee, a traitor to ing documentaries, which at times seem to the United States. Even though Rizzo was be pigeonholed to the most under-looked controversial, and even news organizaparts of humanity. tions likethe BBC knew that, Many years ago, a news he didn’t betray his country like staffer at PGN, Shilpa Mehta, Lee did. He was a Nixonian came into my office and asked law-and-order kind of guy. if it was OK that she was filmed So here’s my suggestion on in the office for a documenwhat to do with Rizzo. Keeping tary for BBC. I asked what his statue where it currently sits the subject matter was and seems impractical and wrong. she responded something to Do other mayors have such a the effect of: “They’re doing prominent, visible place in the a film on women from India city? No. But hey, to be fair, who grew up in Great Britain if you wish to keep him there, who are now lesbians living in put a statue of former Mayor the United States.” I approved, Wilson Goode or John Street but it sounded oh-so specifialongside him. cally British and amusing to me The reality is that the statue that I quickly forgot about it. Mark Segal should be moved to a place Years later, while traveling in that’s appropriate and where Thailand, I turned on the TV in my hotel it would be appreciated. Outside the new room and saw something very strange: My police headquarters? South Philly? The office on the screen. There was Shilpa and point is that Philadelphians need to sit that documentary. That was my first expedown and talk and reach a mutual underrience with the BBC. standing. It’s really not that difficult. We’re On a trip to London in 1991, I arrived in not going to destroy the statue since that’s my hotel and decided to put on BBC News destroying history. It’s better to explain and heard the following: “Flamboyant and history than destroy it. There are other controversial American Mayor Frank Rizzo more current issues on our agenda now so I has died during his campaign to return to suggest that both sides do this as quickly as office.” At the end of the story was the line, possible. We need to concentrate on more “A local reporter once asked him what his pressing, present dangers. Let the past live enemies would want on his grave stone, in BBC documentaries and move on to and Rizzo replied, ‘He’s dead, he’s really tackle current dangers. n dead.’” That piqued my interest, since Mark Segal is the nation’s most-award-winning comI was that very reporter and that quoted mentator in LGBT media. His memoir, “And Then interview was for PGN. I Danced,” is available on Amazon.com, Barnes & I knew Rizzo, and once again he is mak- Noble or at your favorite bookseller.

Mark My Words

Transmissions

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 1-7, 2017

Street Talk

Will Trump serve out his full four-year term as president? "Trump is the worst human being I've ever seen. But unfortunately our country won't impeach him, and he's too Madi Hunt prideful to server resign. So Port Richmond we're stuck with him. I just wish this nightmare would end."

"He's doing a lot of stupid stuff. I really think he'll be impeached within the next year or so. And good riddance! He won't be missed. He's a boil on the ass of humanity."

"Yes, but he won't get a second term. America is catching on to his shit. He's all talk, no action. And his talk is Marcello insane. Just Montagnaro look how he chef Port Richmond flip-flopped on trans rights. Bottom line: He's underqualified to be president."

"I'd like to see him go. He's an awful president. But he'll serve his full term. Nobody is going to stop him from being president. He's too powerful of a person, and supporters."

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The memo Late on a Friday, as Texas prepared for what may turn out to be one of the worst natural disasters our country may have ever seen, President Trump dropped a memo. This was one of several actions taken before he headed out of the White House for yet another weekend away from the Resolute Desk. At roughly the same time, Trump also announced the pardoning of Joe Arpaio, a move that pushed the anger toward this memo off to the side, even as the pardon was shoved aside for hurricane news. The memo, of course, was about the president’s ban of transgender service members. Now, it was no surprise that this was coming. Trump had telegraphed it for a month or so, ever since a number of tweets in which he falsely claimed he spoke with his “generals and military experts” about disallowing transgender service members. Still, the memorandum released Aug. 25 made this far more real and much more dangerous.

The directive is but two scant pages, and much of it is spent on background, noting that transgender people were prohibited from the military until President Obama’s administration worked to change this policy. It then goes on to state: “In my judgment, the previous administration failed to identify a sufficient basis to conclude that terminating the departments’ longstanding policy and practice would not hinder military effectiveness and lethality, disrupt unit cohesion or tax military resources, and there remain meaningful concerns that further study is needed to ensure that continued implementation of last year’s policy change would not have those negative effects.” The rest of the memo lays out the plan to roll back transgender military service through both the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security, because the United States Coast Guard is managed separately. It will continue to dis-

allow transgender service and cut off any resources to fund “sex-reassignment surgical procedures” except as deemed necessary and for a service member who has already begun treatment. All of this is set to begin Jan. 1, with additional steps in February and March. Oh, and it can all be resolved if the DoD and DHS provide a recommendation that President Trump deems “convincing.” I’ve talked about this question of “military effectiveness,” “unit cohesion” and “military resources” before. These are all red herrings. First thing’s first: There are already transgender service members, many of whom are in active duty. Depending on the source, there are anywhere from 6,00015,000 transgender people in the military right now. Our “unit cohesion” and “military effectiveness” seem to be just fine, thank you. As to cost, it will cost upwards of $960 million to enact this ban, according to a

study by the Palm Center. Compare this to the $8.4 million the Rand Corporation claimed it costs to take care of existing transgender troops. That $8.4 million, by the way, is a relatively small part of the $824.6 billion we will spent on the military this year. It’s also dwarfed by the $84 million the military spends on erectile-dysfunction medications in an average year, according to Military Times. No, this policy from the Trump administration isn’t about such lofty obfuscations as “military effectiveness and lethality,” but pure bigotry. And, for that matter, it’s not even Trump’s own bigotry that is on display here, but that of Vice President Mike Pence and his cronies. I mention this because many like to doom-say about Pence, and how an impeachment of President Trump will cause a Pence presidency. While that is factually correct, it makes it seem that Pence has PAGE 19 been doing nothing for

PGN

International UAE imprisons transgender Singaporean, friend Friends and family say a transgender Singaporean and her friend have been sentenced to a year in prison in the capital of the United Arab Emirates for dressing in a feminine way. Nur Qistina Fitriah Ibrahim, a transgender woman, and her friend, freelance fashion photographer Muhammad Fadli Bin Abdul Rahman, were arrested in Abu Dhabi on Aug. 9. Friends and an advocacy group called Detained in Dubai say police stopped the two at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Mall as they tried to eat at a food court. Abu Dhabi police did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The arrests and quick sentencing show the danger that the LGBT community can face in the Mideast nation, home to Dubai’s famous nightclub scene.

Finnish government opts to keep trans-sterilization law for ID change The government of Finland has decided to keep rules that force the sterilization of trans people who wish to change their legal gender. In a blow to trans activists, the Finnish government decided on Aug. 25 to not implement the recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which had recommended amending the “Trans Act,” which requires sterilization prior to changing a legal gender. The act also forces the classification of transgender people as suffering from “transsexualism.” These recommendations were praised by human-rights group Amnesty International, which ran a campaign asking Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipilä to support the amendments. The European Court of Human Rights also ruled in April that requiring sterilization for gender recognition was a humanrights violation. The Finnish government has given no reason for rejecting these recommendations, only stating: ”The abolition of the infertility requirement is not included in the current government’s legislative plan.” A petition by Amnesty International had

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 1-7, 2017

garnered nearly 16,000 signatures. Amnesty International has said in response: “Your support hasn’t gone unnoticed — particularly by those within the government that are in favor of these reforms. The fight for trans rights in Finland is far from over.”

U.K. promises to prosecute online hate crimes vigorously British prosecutors have promised to vigorously prosecute hate crimes committed on social media. The new guidelines issued Aug. 21 outline a tough stance on cyber hate attacks on the basis of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity. Alison Saunders, director of public prosecutions, said hate crime “has a corrosive effect on our society and that is why it is a priority area.” She added, “The Internet and social media in particular have provided new platforms” for bad behavior. Community groups monitoring anti-Semitic and Islamophobic abuse have reported that a significant proportion of incidents involve the Internet. There was also a surge in reports following the European Union referendum in June 2016, in which Britons chose to leave the bloc.

Canada soon to allow gender-neutral passports Canadian citizens who do not identify as male or female will soon be able to mark “X” on their passports and other identity documents, the government said Aug. 24. Starting Aug. 31, citizens will be able to add an “observation” to their passports stating their sex should be “identified as ‘X,’ indicating it is unspecified,” the government said in a statement. The move will help Canadians have documents that “better reflect their gender identity,” it said. These interim measures will be in force until authorities are able to print an “X” on passports and other documents. “By introducing an ‘X’ gender designation in our government-issued documents, we are taking an important step towards advancing equality for all Canadians regardless of gender identity or expression,” said Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Ahmed Hussen. In June, Canada passed a law adding “gender identity and expression” alongside race, religion, age, sex and sexual orientation among prohibited grounds of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act. n

pgn Philadelphia Gay News

LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

Media Trail Gov OKs bill easing gender-ID change for trans people WIFR.com reports Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed a plan making it easier for transgender people to change the gender listed on their birth certificates. The Republican signed the measure into law Aug. 25 without offering comment. The new law allows transgender individuals to change their gender designation with authorization from a medical professional confirming they have undergone medically appropriate treatment. Current law requires proof of a surgical operation. Proponents say the change uses the same standards used for driver’s licenses, passports and in several other states. Advocates have also argued the updated rules help protect transgender people who don’t want or cannot afford surgery from discrimination.

— compiled by Larry Nichols

However, some Republicans argued the current law permitting a change following surgery goes far enough.

HONESTY its• arts INTEGRITY • coverage. PROFESSIONALISM and culture The Village Voice stops print Like other newspapers, though, it has faced a challenging financial environment edition, goes digital only

Transgender prison guard sues California for discrimination

According to ABC News, The Village Voice, the alternative weekly newspaper that has been a mainstay on New York City street corners for decades, is going digital-only. Owner Peter Barbey announced the change on Aug. 22. He said the newspaper, founded in 1955 by a group of writers including novelist Norman Mailer, “has been a beacon for progress and a literal voice for thousands of people whose identities, opinions and ideas might otherwise have been unheard.” Barbey said he expects that to continue, with reporting and stories posted on the Voice website. The Village Voice was the country’s first alternative newsweekly. In its prime, it was both popular, with a free circulation of 250,000, and groundbreaking. It covered the gay-rights movement from its earliest moments. It was a fertile outlet for some of the city’s better investigative journalists. Its staffers have won three Pulitzer Prizes: awards for editorial cartooning and feature writing in the 1980s and an award for international reporting in 2000 for a series on AIDS in Africa. It has been celebrated for

The Sacramento Bee reports a transgender prison guard is suing California, saying prison officials discriminated against her and subjected her to a hostile work environment ever since she transitioned. Meghan Frederick filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The 53-year-old correctional officer at a Sacramento prison joined the corrections department in 2002. She said she informed the prison administration that she identified as a transgender woman in 2012 and, within days, colleagues began insulting her. She said five years later her colleagues are still rejecting her identity as a transgender woman. Frederick wrote in her lawsuit that prison officials discriminated against her, retaliated against her when she filed internal complaints and subjected her to a hostile work environment.

as traditional print ads, especially classifieds, migrated to the Internet. It became a free newspaper in 1996 in an attempt to stem circulation losses.

Texas men plead guilty to antigay hate crimes According to U.S. News, two men have pleaded guilty to assaulting men because of their victims’ sexual orientation. Nigel Garrett and Cameron Ajiduah pleaded guilty before a federal magistrate in Plano, Texas, on Aug. 22 to crimes under the federal hate-crimes statute. Garrett and Ajiduah admit that they, Anthony Shelton and Chancler Encalade used a dating website for gay men to arrange to meet in victims’ homes. Once there, they’d bind their victim with tape, physically assault him and verbally abuse the man for being gay, then steal items from his home. The men could be sentenced to up to life in prison and fined up to $250,000. Shelton and Encalade still await trial. n — compiled by Larry Nichols

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the last several months. This memo should make it clear that this isn’t at all the case. So-called Christian leaders such as Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council have been pushing for this very action for some time, and with the same talking points in hand. He was also pushing heavily to cut medical costs for transgender care, including helping to push a failed Congressional move to do just that introduced by Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.). For months, Pence has been working on transgender military policies, with Perkins as a willing supporter of the vice president. That this memo sounds far more polished and prepared than the typical Trump tweet — and is perfectly aligned with Perkins’ and Pence’s work against transgender service members — reveals their involvement. Both are also Trump allies, and hold plenty of sway over our easily swayable president. Likewise, this does not seem like a final step, but a first. By including the United States Coast Guard, the door is open to remove transgender people from employment elsewhere in our government, and bar medical care elsewhere. It’s a very real and very likely example of a “slippery slope.” Meanwhile, many in the military, including DoD Secretary James Mattis, seem less enthused about this — but will they be able to come up with a “convincing” argument for a president eager to shore up his base and provide a “win” for his friends? I suspect not. I don’t have a lot to say that is positive on this, but I will leave you with one statement from Mattis, speaking to troops stationed in Jordan: “Hold the line until our country gets back to understanding and respecting each other and showing it.” This won’t be the first memo from this president. This won’t be our first fight. Just like our soldiers, it is up to us to hold the line against discrimination and fight once more for our rights. n

“I will raise my voice and see what we can do,” Sanchez said. “That’s true with any police-involved incidents and shootings.” Padilla praised Sanchez’s appointment. “I congratulate Ms. Sanchez and thank her for stepping up to provide her leadership. This commission is particularly in need of this voice. I also would like to thank Mayor Kenney for recognizing this need and always standing with transgender people.” Sanchez will serve on a volunteer basis. She’s employed full-time as a trans-education coordinator for the ACLU of Pennsylvania. In addition to Sanchez, eight others were

Gwen Smith would rather be a lover than a fighter. You’ll find her at www.gwensmith.com. OUT LAW from page 9

to compete for government contracts, thereby increasing potential earnings which benefit the economy as a whole. But not all LGBTQ business owners have seed money to begin new ventures, particularly if they’ve lost a job due to their orientation (such discrimination is still legal in more than half the states in the U.S.) or have strained familial ties where they weren’t given opportunities for higher education because they were ostracized by their parents. Owning a business seems out of reach for many LGBTQ people who’ve not had the privileges their straight counterparts have enjoyed, so to work for an LGBTQowned business can be an empowerment all on its own. Visibility and diversity are not just talking points for LGBTQ entrepreneurs. They’ve lived it, and they know how important it is to provide equal opportu-

“We’re optimistic that the hiring of the new executive director and the appointment of a full complement of commissioners will enable the PAC to do its important work.” appointed by Kenney as new PAC commissioners: Shawn Aleong, a social-justice advocate; Erica D. Atwood, PAC’s interim director; Marvin R. Lazenbury, a human-services manager; Michael Rahming, an anti-violence advocate; George D. Mosee, former first-assistant district attorney; Bilal Abdul Qayyum, BOYERSTOWN from page 1

of PA, said the organization is “hopeful that this sends another signal to schools in Pennsylvania and around the country that they need to implement policies that respect students’ gender identity.” “Policies and practices that support transgender students are absolutely crucial to promote the best outcomes for children,” Roper added. In a statement, Alliance Defending nities for their employees. They’ve often had to be creative for the same chances their straight counterparts have, and because of this, they’re more innovative, more adaptable to changing times and social climes and, overall, more inclusive toward a variety of customers and employees. Small businesses are the lifeblood of the U.S. economy, and with more progress needed in the LGBTQ civil-rights movement, LGBTQ entrepreneurs are poised to bring even more equality to our ever-changing political, economic and social landscape. n Angela D. Giampolo, principal of Giampolo Law Group, maintains offices in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and specializes in LGBT law, family law, business law, real-estate law and civil rights. Her website is www.giampololaw.com, and she maintains a blog at www.phillygaylawyer.com. Reach out to Angela with your legal questions at 215-645-2415 or angela@giampololaw.com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 1-7, 2017

an anti-gun violence advocate; Sonia E. Velazquez, a retired police inspector; and Sarah Yeung, director of planning at Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation. They’ll join four current PAC commissioners who’ve been reappointed: Mujeeb Chaudhary, a pharmacist and youth advocate; Benjamin D. Geffen, a civil-rights attorney; Ronda B. Goldfein, a legal advocate for people with HIV/ AIDS; and Michael M. Wehrman, a community-police relations specialist. In a related development, New York victim-rights advocate Hans Menos recently was hired to serve as PAC’s executive director, effective Oct. 2. “We’re optimistic that the hiring of the new executive director and the appointment of a full complement of commissioners will enable the PAC to do its important work,” said Goldfein, who serves as PAC’s chair. The PAC, established in 1994, has a six-member staff and an annual budget of about $200,000. In an Aug. 16 tweet, Kenney pledged to increase PAC’s budget and staff. Menos, 34, currently works in New York City for Safe Horizon, which provides services to crime victims. His annual salary as PAC’s executive director will be $120,000. On Feb. 3, then-PAC executive director Kelvyn Anderson resigned under a cloud, after allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a woman who visited the PAC office for assistance. n Freedom legal counsel Christiana Holcomb said the organization is consulting with its clients and plans to appeal the decision. “This is important not only for our clients, but for all students within the Boyertown Area School District, as every student deserves to have their privacy and dignity respected by school officials,” she said. Independence Law Center legal counsel Jeremy Samek, who argued before the court in an Aug. 11 hearing, said the dis-

AETNA from page 1

conditions and altered his relationships with his family,” attorneys wrote in the suit. They added: “Class members all across the country similarly had their private health information revealed, and have [suffered] — and will continue to suffer — the real consequences associated with these unauthorized disclosures that resulted directly from [Aetna’s] negligent and reckless actions.” The suit contains seven counts against Aetna including violation of Pennsylvania’s HIV-privacy law, negligence, breach of contract, invasion of privacy, unfair trade practices and unjust enrichment. A jury trial has been requested. Three law firms filed the lawsuit: AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania, based in Philadelphia; Legal Action Center, based in New York City; and the Center City law firm of Berger & Montague. “We filed this suit because it was important that we immediately put Aetna and anyone else holding sensitive information on notice that they have to protect it,” said Ronda B. Goldfein, executive director of the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania. “We also wanted to alert people that they can contact us to share their story with us. This is the kind of work the AIDS Law Project has been doing for almost 30 years. And we will continue doing it, as long as necessary.” Goldfein said attorneys will seek permission from a federal judge to represent the entire class of people allegedly harmed by Aetna. As of presstime, a judge hadn’t been assigned to the case. n trict’s policy “permits a student to unilaterally eliminate the privacy rights of other students based simply on that student’s beliefs about gender.” “A person’s privacy rights are theirs and theirs alone,” he added. “Beliefs about gender shouldn’t be a license to violate privacy inside boys’ or girls’ locker rooms and restrooms. That defeats the very purpose of sex-separated facilities.” n

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PAGE 28

Queer performers in the spotlight at performance-arts festival By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com

Fringe Arts Philadelphia is yet again giving performers of all kinds a time and a place to express themselves to the fullest with the return of its annual Fringe Festival. The 17-day celebration of the arts, running at venues across the city Sept. 17-24, features more than 1,000 curated and independently produced shows. On The Rocks is closing out the horror trilogy it rolled out at the previous two Fringe Festivals with “The Groom’s a Fag; The Bride’s a Cunt; The Best Man’s a Whore; and the Maiden of Honor (Just) Hung Herself in the Closet,” Sept. 7-24 at The Beard Cave at St. Mary’s Church, 3916 Locust Walk. Playwright-producer Haygen-Brice Walker said

the collaborative shows he created with director-producer Elaina Di Monaco are a product of his lifelong obsession with horror movies. “I got ‘Scream’ for a birthday present when I was 6 years old and I’ve been obsessed with horror movies ever since,” Walker said. Walker added that audiences don’t have to have seen the previous two shows to enjoy this year’s final installment — but those who have are going to experience a different tone than in previous years. “This year it’s a lot more about sex than it has been in the other years,” he said. “It’s about sex and sexuality and orientation, much more than the other two have been. Each year we take a different genre of horror and we deconstruct it. The first year we did slasher movies. Last year we did possession movies and this year we’re doing haunting and ghost stories.

Gunnar Montana: Going beyond shock value By Gary L. Day PGN Contributor Gunnar Montana feels he is on the cusp of some major changes in his life as he proceeds with pulling together his sixth Fringe Festival show, “Kink Haüs,” opening Sept. 5. He will turn 30 soon. He is celebrating almost a year of sobriety. Additionally, his arts venture recently got its 501(C)3 status as a nonprofit. “I’ve got this new nonprofit status. I have this great following, and I feel heard as an artist. I feel kind of euphoric,” Montana said. But with these developments come new concerns, such as a board of directors that worries “Kink Haüs” might be too gay. Montana takes those concerns in stride. “This show is definitely more gay-specific than previous shows. I’m working with two new guys on this show. Usually it’s just me and another guy (in addition to the usual strong female presence), but this year I’ve got this extra guy, so it gets gayer. The board doesn’t want

me to scare away my straight audience — and I’m like, if they’re scared away, they’re scared away. I think the show has enough depth to it to feel universal.” Montana is taking his growing reputation as an artist and choreographer with a healthy measure of realism. He has a clear idea of what he wants to do — and of where he can do

it best. For instance, he said he has no desire to go off to New York City and be a star. “I’ve no intentions of getting bigger,” he said. “I just want to be heard, and to be able to make work. “Fringe is a great umbrella to work under,” Montana added. “It’s getting weirder PAGE 22

The characters are unrelated [to the characters from the other shows], so it’s more like the shows are thematically linked. So, it’s definitely different. We’re doing a lot of movement and dance this year, which we haven’t explored before. My boyfriend is choreographing it, which has been interesting. It’s turning out good.” Walker said that trying to pull off the thrills and chills of a horror story in a live setting is more challenging than on screen. “We’re producing it in the basement of a church in West Philly, so we don’t have traditional theatrical elements. We don’t have a lot of lighting or sound. I think when you are doing it on screen it’s easier to get those jump scares. What we’re doing is much more scrappy but there is an element of seeing live people experiencing something that will end up making it as scary as seeing a movie on screen.” Drag performer and songstress Cookie Diorio is returning to Fringe this year to raise funds and awareness for local nonprofits with her show “Fire In My Bones: A Gospel Jubilee” and a new giving project “Art of the Heel.” Diorio is the alter ego of Cory O’Niell Walker, who said that Cookie’s show this year, and the nonprofits it will support, is going to be focused on addressing the social climate in the country. “I was inspired to begin the ‘Art of Heel’ project on what I was feeling after November 2016,” he said. “I really just wanted to do whatever I could do to help. What I do is I sing and I am a drag performer, so I wanted to lend my voice to the conversation and bring people together and start conversations. I wanted to support organizations that I thought were important and vital in our community, and are being threatened. However, I would like to find a way to present the point of views and information in a way that is entertaining, fun and both serious and light-hearted at the same time.” Walker said that Cookie’s shows feature styles of music that PAGE 22 people don’t normally

AVI WOLFE (FROM TOP), LAYNE MARIE WILLIAMS, GATZ, MEGHANN WILLIAMS AND PETER VARGA, COOKIE DIORIO

PGN FEATURE

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associate with a drag performance. “I am an opera singer,” he said. “However, I like to sing whatever inspires me. If it’s opera, blues, pop, jazz or gospel, if I can sing it and it moves me, then I want to sing it. I do a range of musical genres for the shows. I’ll do pop and musical theater and some opera as well. Certainly I’ll do some gospel. I do think that sets me apart as a drag performer; here in the United States anyway, you don’t see many drag performers singing classical music or anything outside of pop and musical theater so much. The format [for the Fringe performances] is different than what I normally do but you will get all of the characteristic of a Cookie Diorio show that one comes to expect; all of the great music and personal anecdotes.” Walker added that he intends to keep raising funds and awareness for local nonprofits after the Fringe Festival ends. “I am hoping that it will continue beyond the Fringe Festival and Philadelphia,” he said. “I have planned already for November a benefit for the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger.” Cookie Diorio performs 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at William Way LGBT Community Center and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 and 23 at First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St. Another drag-oriented show at this year’s Fringe Festival is for children as well as adults. ReNew Theatre Company’s “Aunty Ben” playfully explores gender issues, acceptance and diversity as it follows the story of 9-year-old Tracy and her relationship with her favorite uncle, who happens to be a drag queen. ReNew founder Chad Parsons said he was inspired to bring the show to Philly for its U.S. premiere after seeing it in the U.K. “It spoke to me because I have a lot of friends who are drag queens and a lot of friends who have told me personal stories about what it was like coming out to their families and being a drag queen and having awesome nieces and nephews,” he said. “Sometimes, unfortunately, there’s not a lot of places for the queer community in the family structure. So that’s what we’re trying to facilitate, to let them know that there is a place for queer community in the family structure.” While the show is aimed at a younger audience, older viewers can also benefit from its message. “We did a read-through with a small focus group of kids and their families,” Parsons said. “One of the things that we found is a lot of the kids are super-accepting. It’s the parents that the show is geared toward. I think their parents will enjoy it as well. Age-wise, it goes from 8-99.” ReNew Theatre Company presents “Aunty Ben” Sept. 15-18 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. n

and weirder every year, me included. It’s hard for me because, in Fringe, I feel like you have to push the bounds. You really have to stretch it to shock people these days.” But Montana wants to make it clear that, as he has grown and evolved as an artist over the years, his work has likewise grown beyond pure shock value. In fact, his own definition of his art is evolving. “I define myself as a visually physical artist, in the sense that my work is based on visual art. My sets are immersive, my experiences are immersive, my shows are immersive. I’m using dance as a medium, and the physicality of the body as a medium. I’m straying further from ‘choreographer’ because I don’t feel like a choreographer. It’s not one of my fortes — but it’s a good way for me to communicate with people.” But with experience and increased sophistication comes complication, particularly when dealing with the politics of the LGBT community. “I do a new show every year, and it’s basically inspired by things that I’ve been through,” Montana said. “This year is the first one I’ve done being sober, and there’s a lot of deep, underlying stuff in it about how out of contact I feel with the gay community now, being sober.” How is he handling that, given that our community sometimes has a thin skin about being criticized? “I’m struggling with that,” Montana admitted. “But there’s a lot I’m doing in the show that isn’t about critiquing the community as much as critiquing myself. I’m looking back and critiquing myself for taking part in all that nonsense. “For example, the opening number is a sort of satire on gay youth, and how superficial I was at 20, what my thought process was like at 20, talking about how wonderful it is to be young,” Montana said. “Truth in jest.” As his reputation grows, does Montana feel any pressure to give the audience what it wants, as opposed to focusing entirely on saying what he wants to say, however he wants to say it? “Well, of course as a producer you’d be stupid not to care,” he said, “because at the end of the day you need to satisfy people in some way, shape or form in order to have your career continue, right? In terms of emotions, though, I don’t care as much about [the audience]. I think it’s my job to test you and to do that in a way that you feel safe and comfortable being tested. And to do that in a way that you can go home and think about things. “But it’s something I think about a lot, about what people take away from it. I want people to have an immersive artistic experience.” n

For more information about this year’s Fringe Festival or for tickets, visit www.fringearts.com.

FringeArts presents “Kink Haüs” by Gunnar Montana Sept. 5-24 at the Latvian Society, 531 N. Seventh St. For more information or tickets, visit gunnermontana.com or fringearts.com.

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 1-7, 2017

Suzi Nash

Dr. Sheena Howard: Turning the page for cartoonists of color Like my favorite fictional hero Xena, Dr. Sheena Howard has many skills: teacher, author, filmmaker, activist, mother, wife and now comic-book creator. Howard was the first black female to win an Eisner, which in the comic world is like an Oscar. She won the award for her groundbreaking book “Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation.” Howard is also the author of “Black Queer Identity Matrix” and “Critical Articulations of Race, Gender and Sexual Orientation.” She has appeared on National Public Radio, The Washington Post, ABC and Philadelphia Weekly, as well as other networks and documentaries as an expert on popular culture, race, politics and sexual-identity negotiation. She also writes for The Huffington Post, which garnered her death threats for one contentious column. In addition, Howard is the producer, director and author of the documentary film “Remixing Colorblind.” On Sept. 19, she will launch her latest endeavor, “Encyclopedia of Black Comics.” The book features a foreword written by historian, professor and host of the PBS series “Finding Your Roots” Henry Louis (Skip) Gates, and an afterword written by legendary comic writer and singer-songwriter Chris Priest. The book contains more than 100 entries featuring comics from various aspects of the industry and, for you comic aficionados, many of those featured in the book as well as those who contributed to it will be in attendance and available to speak to fans at the launch event, which takes place 6-8 p.m. at Amalgam Comics, 2578 Frankford Ave. (By the way, Amalgam is the first comic-book store in America owned by a black woman!) We snagged Ms. Howard for a minute between feeding her ever-so-cute newborn son. PGN: Tell me a little about yourself. SH: I am from Southwest Philadelphia, Penrose area. Just one brother but lots of extended family nearby. Both sets of grandparents lived in West Philly, which is how my parents met; they lived right across from each other and grew up together on Sansom Street. My aunt lived on the corner of the same block. PGN: Who was the main figure in the family? SH: My dad’s mother. She’s the person I spent the most time with. I have great memories of being at her house. She always had a little play area for us in her kitchen and all of my toys would be there waiting. As a kid, it was nice knowing I had my own little spot at Nana’s place. She always had sweet tea in the refrigerator for me and Häagen-Dazs ice cream for my brother. PGN: What were you like as a kid?

SH: I was very athletic. My first sport was soccer but once I discovered basketball it was a wrap. There were two parks in the neighborhood and they both had courts, so there was always somewhere for me to go and something to do. I ended up getting a basketball scholarship to West Catholic High School. I also received an academic scholarship and I was able to use both.

Armstrong, the black cartoonist from Philly? SH: I wrote about him in my first book, “Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation”! That book was about the history of black comic strips, especially in the 1950s where they had an impact on the civil-rights movement. He’s also in the encyclopedia I’m launching on the 19th.

PGN: It seems like multi-tasking in different fields has always been part of your life. SH: [Laughs] Yes! In addition to my academics, I was a five-sport athlete in school: track, cross-country, volleyball, basketball and soccer. I could have gotten my college scholarship for basketball, soccer or cross-country.

PGN: Who’s a favorite comic writer you discovered? SH: Brumsic Brandon, Jr., was from the ’70s and he wrote a lot about race and politics. He’s cool, he let his daughter help him with his comics in exchange for allowance and she went on to become the first (and only) nationally syndicated black female cartoonist, Barbara Brandon-Croft.

PGN: Nice. What was your most spectacular sports moment? SH: Once I scored 32 points in a basketball game, but of course I was mad that I didn’t score 42. That’s just my personality. PGN: What was your favorite academic course? SH: Oh, how can I have just one? I love learning! I liked school [laughs], which I guess is why I stayed there so long.

PGN: It seems like comic strips, then and now, are a potent way to get a message across using humor to make the point, much like programs like “The Daily Show.”

PGN: What did you study? SH: In undergrad, I majored in business administration with a concentration in marketing. I got my master’s in graphic design and my Ph.D. is in intercultural rhetorical communication. As you can tell, I enjoy being in school. I like to read too, but I prefer being in a classroom and being able to ask an expert my questions.

PGN: But as for “Boondocks,” unfortunately, as much as I liked the comic strip, I dislike the animated cartoon that was based on it. SH: I know, me too. The TV show wasn’t as witty or smart; it was very stark and also misogynist and homophobic. I also don’t like the excessive use of the n-word. If it’s well placed or integral to the story, fine. But to toss it around just for shock value or whatever, it’s not the kind of media I want to consume. It’s just not my thing. PGN: So when did you realize that boys just weren’t your thing either? SH: [Laughs] That’s funny. Well, at first I thought maybe I just hadn’t met the right guy. I gave it multiple tries and then about the time I was pursuing my master’s I realized it wasn’t for me. PGN: All those years in sports and you never connected with any lesbians? SH: Oh, I did. I had a few flings, but I still thought that I was supposed to like men because that’s what society was telling me.

PGN: What is your main job now? SH: I’m an associate professor of communications at Rider University. PGN: What are some of the classes you teach? SH: I teach social media and social change, interpersonal communication, intercultural communications, pretty much anything that you could add communications to, I can teach. PGN: You’ve received many awards. What is the one you’re most proud of? SH: My Ph.D.! The whole process is really tough, especially defending your dissertation. The full title was “The African American Communication Dynamics in Black Comic Strips.” I did a 160-page paper that focused on the cartoon strip “Boondocks” and the cultural elements in the strip and how it crossed over to a more mainstream audience, the aesthetics of the characters and the gender dynamics at play. It was rigorous but in the end, it set me up for a career that I really love. PGN: [Laughs] Nothing about Robb

PGN: True, though I was thinking more about content than distribution. Someone like Trevor Noah or Samantha Bee can get away with more than a regular journalist. In print, most people respond to a visual comic easier than reading an article on the subject matter. SH: Right, and despite the messaging, comics are entertainment, and the humor and reality found in them helps us get through the tough times.

SH: I’ve been trying to get on there! And yes, people read newspapers more back then and it was an important voice. Though for African-Americans, they generally could only get printed in local papers that were geared specifically towards a black population. There weren’t many nationally syndicated comics and certainly not in the mainstream publications. There were a lot of cultural gatekeepers and barriers to face for black writers then and now.

PGN: What was the first gay club you went into? SH: It had to be in college as an undergrad. There was a whole crew of us who found each other. We’d go to a lesbian club called Heaven and have a ball! There was another one called Lovergirl and on occasion we’d go to Henrietta Hudson’s. PGN: The first club I went to was in Boston. After getting a lot of attention from guys over the years (probably spurred on by the fact that I wasn’t interested), I glammed up and went to the club thinking … SH: The girls are going to love me! PGN: Yup! And people were like, “Why is this straight girl PAGE 24

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 1-7, 2017

PORTRAIT from page 23

here?” [Laughs] It was not the reception I was hoping for, especially since I liked feminine women. Folks just weren’t having it. SH: Yeah, that stud/femme dynamic. I wrote about that in my book “Black Queer Identity Matrix.” It’s interesting, when I first started to accept who I was, I was more femme-presenting and I also was attracted to feminine women. But that was taboo, especially in the black community. Stud on stud or femme on femme was not really an option, so I found myself changing my persona to be more masculine. It really takes away your freedom of expression because of that pressure to conform to set rules. Those roles are not as rigid in the white community and I think some of it comes from black women not being as included in the feminist movement as white lesbians. As a result, we didn’t experience that whole freedom of sexuality in the same way and tended to stay within the heteronormative boundaries of male and female/ butch and femme relationships. I did a cultural and analytical breakdown of why we present in certain ways and what it means. We think we’re challenging the status quo and the matrix around us when actually we’re quite influenced by it.

people have been trying to penetrate the market but the only way they were able to, especially for female writers, is by self-publishing. Even though I have a monthly comic, which is pretty radical, it’s still hard to navigate this male-dominated arena, to be heard and to find my voice in the room. When I wrote the first book, I got turned down by several publishers with some interesting critiques telling me why I shouldn’t be doing what I was doing. PGN: Where did the death threats come in? SH: That was from a piece that I did for The Huffington Post. It was about the TV show “Empire” and the fuss that some in the black community, especially pundit Boyce Watkins, was making about the one gay character, saying that the show was pushing a “gay agenda” and other negative things, asserting that the black family was one man, one woman and kids. I called him out on his homophobia. The piece went viral and I got a lot of positive response but I also got a lot of really, really awful backlash from his goons and followers, death threats and all sorts of vile things. It was crazy but it made me stand even taller and refuse to be put in my place.

PGN: What was your worst job? SH: I worked at an indoor puttputt golf course. I quit after a week when they asked me to clean the toilets. I said, “Nooo, I can’t do that” and left. It worked out; I got a job with a marketing research firm instead.

PGN: In your new comic book, “Superb,” one of the characters has Down Syndrome. Was that challenging to write? SH: When you’re writing a character that’s underrepresented in the media, there’s a lot of pressure to get it right. I don’t have anyone in the family with Down Syndrome, so I really wanted to make sure I did my research. I’ve worked with kids with disabilities in the past and lived with special-needs kids for a year so I drew on that to create Jonah. And I spoke to friends who had kids with it and asked them for their experiences and what they wanted to see.

PGN: I know the gaming world is notorious for its sexism, with female gamers receiving death threats, etc. Have you encountered much sexism and racism in the comics community? They seem to be worlds that intersect. SH: Uh-huh. The comic-book world is one that has been predominantly controlled by white men. If you go to a comic shop, it’s not kids in there; it’s grownups, usually white, males. Black

PGN: That’s great. SH: Yes, the motto of the publisher, Lion Forge, is comics for everyone. There are two main characters, Jonah and Kayla. She’s a black female lead with super strength and he has the ability to silence people through a sort of telekinesis. It’s a coming-of-age story about the two of them. PGN: How do you keep it topical?

PGN: Very true. What was your first job? SH: My first job was babysitting a kid across the street. Then I was a camp counselor as a teen, but my first commercial job was at Curves Fitness for Women; they loved me.

PGN

SH: There are a lot of subtle references that play off of reallife events, subjects like how the news is used in nefarious ways, and the “fake news” nonsense. We’ll also tap into the power of mega companies taking over schools and communities — things that aren’t blatantly political, because it’s still entertainment, but little nuggets for astute readers. PGN: Why do you think comics and superheroes are doing so well right now? You can’t turn on the TV without finding a Marvel character. SH: I think one of the reasons is the diversity we’re seeing on the screen. Women and people of color have fought really hard to show the big comic companies that we are here and that there’s a fan base just waiting for representation. We’re finally seeing characters like Jessica Jones and Luke Cage, Supergirl and Black Panther coming out in 2018. New fans are coming in because they are listening. Look at “Wonder Woman” — it’s made over $800 million to date.

LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

AMY F. STEERMAN Attorney at Law

Concentrating in Planning for Lesbian and Gay Couples • Probate • Wills • Living Wills • Powers of Attorney

215-735-1006

1900 Spruce Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 www.amysteerman.com

PARTNERS IN LAW PARTNERS IN LIFE

When It Comes To Your Money… Experience Counts Serving our LGBT Community for over a decade. • Retirement Income Planning • Investment Management • Estate Planning • Insurance and Annuities

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PGN: True. What was your favorite cartoon as a kid? SH: I wasn’t a TV watcher. I was too busy outside playing sports.

Award details at www.fivestarprofessional.com

Jeremy R. Gussick, MBA Certified Financial Planner™

856-354-3200 x203 jeremy.gussick@lpl.com

PGN: Worst fashion faux pas? SH: I used to do the mismatched socks, a different color on each foot. Oh, and I used to have finger waves as my hairstyle. PGN: Best and worst Halloween costume? SH: Best: firefighter. [Laughs] I looked hot! Worst: As a kid, I went out as a man with a fake little mustache, not my best choice. PGN: Three people for your book club? SH: Audrey Lourde, Barack Obama and Viola Davis. PGN: What’s the best part of being a mommy? SH: Everything. When I wake up in the morning, he’s always so happy to see me. He smiles and it lights my world. n For more information on Dr. Sheena Howard, visit http:// sheenachoward.com. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.

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Angela Giampolo

Only in Online and in print every first Friday.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 1-7, 2017

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS PGN

HEALTH AND WELLNESS DIRECTORY

Theater & Arts A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum Walnut Street Theatre presents Stephen Sondheim’s classic Tony Awardwinning musical Sept. 5-Oct. 22, 825 Walnut St.; 215574-3550. 2017 Fringe Festival The 17-day, citywide celebration of innovation and creativity in contemporary performance, Sept. 7-23 at various venues; http:// fringearts.com. Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin Hate Everyone But You The comedy duo and YouTube stars perform 7 p.m. Sept. 5 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400.

Vybe Urgent Care offers quick accident care for minor injuries at one of our four convenient locations. Feel better as soon as you walk in! open 7 days a week no appointments necessary Center City | South Philly | Roxborough | Port Richmond

Havana Nights A monthly Cuban music and food series, featuring authentic Cuban cuisine, cocktails and music courtesy of Cuban band Conjunto, 8 p.m. Sept. 1 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400. John Witherspoon The comedian seen in “Friday” and “The Boondocks” performs Sept. 7-9 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. Kink Haus Gunnar Montana returns with a new show based on a brutal underground nightclub Sept. 5-24 at The Latvian Society of Philadelphia, 531 N. Seventh

St.; www.gunnarmontana.com. Life Lines FringeArts presents Tangle Movement Arts’ all-new performance of aerial dance and vertical drama that unspools three women’s stories of rebuilding after sudden changes Sept. 6-9 at Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St.; 215922-1695. Other Desert Cities Bucks County Playhouse presents the award-winning play by Pulitzer nominee Jon Robin Baitz about Brooke Wyeth, who is returning to her parents’ Palm Springs home toting an explosive, about-tobe-published, tellall memoir, through Sept. 2, 70 S. Main St., New Hope; 215-862-2121. PGMC Dancer Auditions The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus holds dance auditions for its 201718 concert season 6-7 p.m. Sept. 6 at Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, 2111 Sansom St.; dance@pgmc.org. Queers of the Western Zombie Apocalypse The Fringe Festival presents a show about what happens when the world ends and a ragtag group of LGBT survivors bands together to fight

SIX-STRING SIREN: The out singersongwriter and multi-instrumentalist Patty Larkin brings her haunting and fearless folk-rock sounds back to Philadelphia when she performs 8 p.m. Sept. 8 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. For more information or tickets, call 215-222-1400.

off zombies and bigots Sept. 7-25 at FringeArts, 140 N. Columbus Blvd.; 215-413-9006. The Scott Brothers’ House Party HGTV personalities and twin brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott from the show “Property Brothers” host a live event 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. Wild: Michael Nichols Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the work of the legendary photographer, artist, tech-

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.

nical innovator and ardent advocate for preserving natural habitats through Sept. 17, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Witness: Reality and Imagination in the Prints of Francisco Goya Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works by the artist who witnessed decades of political turmoil and social upheaval as court painter to four successive rulers of Spain through Sept. 6, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100. The Woodmere Annual: 76th Juried Exhibition An exhibition featuring works in a wide variety of media from regional artists, through Sept. 4 at the Woodmere Art Museum, 9201 Germantown Ave.; 215-247-0476.

PGN ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 1-7, 2017

JEFFREY E. GOLDMAN, ATTORNEY AT LAW SPECIALIZING IN PARTNERSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT LAW Proven track record of recovering millions of dollars for wrongfully treated employees!* Experience litigating: • Partnership & business disputes • Non-competes • Executive compensation • Employment discrimination • Real Estate Litigation Jeffrey E. Goldman, Esq. 100 S. Broad St. Suite 1330 Philadelphia, PA 19110

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EVERY LITTLE THING HE DOES IS MAGIC: Award-winning singer, songwriter and Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee Sting is rocking again on his latest album, “57th and 9th,” and will perform his latest and greatest hits, as well as some Police songs, 8 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J. For more information or tickets, call 609-317-1000.

Music I Love the ’90s: The Party Continues Tour TLC, Naughty By Nature, Montell Jordan, C+C Music Factory and Snap perform 6 p.m. Sept. 1 at BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 609-365-1300. Made in America Festival Jay-Z headlines the outdoor festival featuring The Chainsmokers, Solange, Kaskade, J. Cole and more Sept. 2-3 along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway; www. madeinamericafest.com. Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley The reggae artist and youngest son of Bob Marley performs 8 p.m. Sept. 5 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011. Queens of the Stone Age The rock band per-

forms 8 p.m. Sept. 7 at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, 601 N. Columbus Blvd.; 215-922-1011. Danzig and Corrosion of Conformity The hard-rock bands perform 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 215-627-1332. Patty Larkin The out singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. Sept. 8 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Nicole Atkins The singer-songwriter performs 8:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at The Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St.; 267-639-4528.

Nightlife The Funny Gals Philadelphia’s funniest queens, including Astala Vista, Sutton Fearce and VinChelle, perform in a show hosted by Bev 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5 at Tattooed

Mom, 530 South St.; 215-238-9880. Joan Crawford in Her Own Words Eric Singel performs as the much-maligned star of decades of Hollywood films who returns to defend herself from the sensational untruths 7 p.m. Sept. 7 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675. Pop A Pastie! A talent/variety show based on the old-school style of “The Gong Show” mixed with “The Voice” and judged by a panel of three burlesque stars from The PeekA-Boo Revue, 9 p.m.-midnight Sept. 7 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675.

Outta Town Gabriel Iglesias The comedian performs 8 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center,

1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Girls Night Out: The Ultimate Experience (All Welcome) The multimedia all-male revue, 7 p.m. Sept. 2 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888596-1027.

Repairs, Renovations and Remodeling

Italian All Night Splatterfest 6 A marathon of five outlandish and over-the-top Italian horror films are screened 7 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228.

(215) 467-3335 Pa. HIC #026545 Phila. Lic. #17895

“Our” Family Plumber for over 30 years We’re all getting older. For LGBT seniors, being out in the golden years can pose a whole new set of challenges. Each month, Gettin’ On brings you insights on aging, from legal issues to sexual health.

Sting The iconic singer performs 8 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. n

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Online and in print every third Friday of the month.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 1-7, 2017

PGN FILM

Mexican ‘bromance’ comedy brings laughs, lessons By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor Feel-good Mexican comedy “Hazlo Como Hombre” (“Do It Like a Man”) — about Santi (Alfonso Dosal) coming out to his best friends, Raúl (Mauricio Ochmann) and Eduardo (Humberto Busto) — has been breaking box-office records in its home country this summer. Now, American audiences can see the film, opening Sept. 1 in area theaters, and laugh along as machismo is skewered. The film introduces Raúl as the alpha dog among the three male friends. Cocky and competitive by nature, he acts like a teenage boy even though he’s twice that age. But he needs to grow up; after all, his wife, Luciana (Ignacia Allamund), is pregnant. Raúl’s comfortability, however, crumbles when best friend Santi announces he is gay and breaks off his engagement to Raúl’s sister, Nati (Aislinn Derbez). That this declaration takes place in the shower at the gym where the three guys play soccer makes it a bit more awkward. While Eduardo congratulates Santi for his courage and is supportive of his friend, Raúl’s response is far harsher. He feels he needs to “cure” Santi, and reads books and searches the Internet for ways of “fixing” this problem. Luciana, a voice of reason, says Santi’s sexual orientation is not a problem, and that it would be good for Raúl to have a gay friend. Still, Raúl consults a therapist to figure out how to deal with his conflicted emotions. “Hazlo Como Hombre” wisely focuses more on Raúl’s reaction than Santi’s sexuality, which may be why the film has been so successful. It uses broad humor to teach tolerance and change minds. Yes, there are “drop the soap” in the shower jokes, and Raúl has ridiculous fears of rape, but these exaggerated comic bits that reinforce homophobia and gay stereotypes are deflected and dissolve over the course of the film. While Santi’s sexuality is more the pivot for the plot than its focus, there is considerable comic discussion of gay sex and sexuality. Director Nicolás López, who cowrote the film with Guillermo Amoedo, has the male and female characters talk about rimjobs, blowjobs and anal sex. The guys often kiss, touch or interact in ways that are highly homoerotic. One female character even sports a strap-on in one comic scene, hoping she can change a man’s mind about anal sex. The emphasis on all this sexuality is the film’s clever way of diffusing the fears and anxieties around gay sex and sexuality. The characters all joke about being gay or talk about ass play, which is funny to them — until they realize how insensitive they are. This is clearest in a silly episode in which Raúl tries to trick Santi into undergoing equine therapy to kill his “SSAS” (same-sex attraction syndrome). “Hazlo Como Hombre” eventually introduces Santi’s boyfriend, Julian (Ariel Levy), a celebrity chef. The lov-

gn Philadelphia Gay News SINCE 1976

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

We like to get picked up.

MAURICIO OCHMANN AS RAÚL, HUMBERTO BUSTO AS EDUARDO AND ALFONSO DOSAL AS SANTIAGO IN “HAZLO COMO HOMBRE” Photo: Courtesy of Pantelion Films

ers’ affections at the guys’ weekly soccer game causes some comic trouble, but Julian’s presence also reveals what is really going on with Raúl: He is jealous of the guy who is stealing away his best friend. More bad macho behavior on Raúl’s part follows, most notably at a book/ pool party Julian throws. Viewers can laugh as Raúl embarrasses himself in every social situation, but beyond the cringe-inducing behavior, Raúl cries real tears that stem from his own anger and shame. The film’s strength — and why it succeeds as a crossover comedy — is that it gives gay and straight viewers sympathy for both the homosexual and the homophobe. The film’s lessons are delivered in a way that never makes Raúl’s deserved come-uppance seem anything other than of his own making. Even when he has relationship issues with Luciana, it is because of his stupidity. Santi also has a relationship issue arise when Julian

plans to move to Miami. It is to the film’s credit that the queer characters are portrayed as three-dimensional, relatable characters who make adult decisions, while some of the straight characters are buffoons. In addition to Raúl, Nati is particularly shrill and infantile until she starts to think more clearly about things. Nevertheless, she is the butt of a running joke about her hair, which several characters think looks like a wig after she has it dyed blonde. “Hazlo Como Hombre” benefits from the entire ensemble cast playing up (or down) to the material. Ochmann may amplify his facial expressions and body language, but he generates laughs when he says or does the most inappropriate things. In support, Dosal is genial as the newly out Santi, and Busto is amusing as Edo, who, although underused, gets a few great scenes. “Hazlo Como Hombre” is a sweet bromantic comedy about (in)sensitivity. What’s more, it ends with a terrific punchline that is sure to leave viewers smiling. n

PGN

The

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 1-7, 2017

Food and Drink Directory

Guide to the Gayborhood

The Philadelphia Gayborhood is roughly centered at Locust and Camac streets. Look for the rainbow street signs at intersections and remember to be aware of your surroundings wherever you go. Boxers

1330 Walnut St. facebook.com/ boxersphl Sports bar with a dozen huge TVs, pool table, brick pizza oven, sports teams specials

Toasted Walnut

Tabu

Woody’s

1316 Walnut St. 215.546.8888 Festively lit women-owned bar complete with a “beer” pong table

202 S. 13th St. 215.545.1893 woodysbar.com Includes attached Walnut Street bars Rosewood and GloBar

❍

❍ <— Juniper St.

Chancellor St.

❍

1846 South 12th Street at the Corner of 12th & Mifﬂin

(215) 551-7111

Catering Available - Delivery All Night Long

www.KeyPizzaOnline.com “Serving your Philadelphia neighborhood a variety of fresh quality food since 1989”

❍

St. James St.

❍ Locust St.

Manning St.

❍

11th St.

❒

❍

Quince St.

<—

Latimer St.

12th St.

13th St.

Camac St.

❍

❒

206 S Quince St. 215.627.1662 Old-school men’s bar; pool tables, big-screen sports action; basement has enforced dress code Walnut St.

❍

The Bike Stop

200 S. 12th St. 215.964.9675 tabuphilly.com Sports bar with light fare and shows upstairs

Spruce St.

❍

Cypress St.

William Way LGBT Community Writer’s Block Rehab Center 1342 Cypress St. 267.603.6960 A cozy, comfortable bar and lounge perfect for escaping the norm

1315 Spruce St. 215.732.2220 waygay.org A resource for all things LGBT

<— <— West of Broad Street Stir Lounge

1705 Chancellor St. 215.732.2700 stirphilly.com Fun two-bar lounge, DJ in the back, regular poker games and specials

The Attic Youth Center

255 S. 16th St. 215.545.4331 atticyouthcenter.org Safe space and programs for LGBTs age 16-23 weekday afternoons and evenings

Voyeur

1221 St. James St. 215.735.5772 voyeurnightclub.com After-hours private club; membership required

U Bar

1220 Locust St. 215.546.6660 Relaxing corner bar, easy-going crowd, popular for happy hour and window watching

Knock

225 S. 12th St. 215.925.1166 knockphilly.com Fine-dining restaurant and bar, outdoor seating (weather permitting), piano in back room

ICandy

254 S. 12th St. 267.324.3500 clubicandy.com Three floors with a total of six bars; dance floor, lounge and rootop deck.

Tavern on Camac 255 S. Camac St. 215.545.8731 Piano lounge with upstairs dance floor; Tavern restaurant below is open late.

Pa. bars close at 2 a.m. unless they have a private-club license. Please drink responsibly.

The Center City IHOP located at 1320 Walnut St. is now open 24 Hrs on FRIDAY and SATURDAY

THANKS FOR MAKING IT A IHOP DAY

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 1-7, 2017

PGN

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

Q Puzzle Oscar Saw Across 1. Fig part over a private part 5. Porter’s fuel? 9. Smart-ass output 13. Scat queen Fitzgerald 14. Parrot in “Aladdin” 15. “Is so!” rebuttal 16. Apple Store buy 17. Moby Dick chaser 18. Examine anally, perhaps 19. Start of a saw by Oscar 22. Use a pattern 24. Oscar of this puzzle’s quote 27. Denial to a dominatrix 29. Poe poem 30. Drop from a duct 31. “At Swim, Two Boys” is set in this land 34. “Hollaback Girl” singer Stefani 35. Takes away 38. Where to look for the “gay gene” 41. Cannot bear 42. Writer’s deg. 45. More of the Oscar saw 48. Holes entered by Minutemen 49. Wife and wife, for example 50. End of the

Oscar saw 55. “Aren’t ___ lucky one?” 56. Don’t go straight 57. Sea eagles 59. Panic place for Jodie 60. Man, as a cruising goal 61. Baldwin’s “The Evidence of Things Not ___” 62. Surrealist Jean 63. Like Scar in “The Lion King” 64. High-speed connection

Down 1. Bloomers worn around the neck 2. Tree on a shady street 3. Jim Nabors’ home state 4. Queen, for example 5. “See you later” 6. Island of Diamond Head Beach 7. It makes gelatin get hard 8. High tennis shots from Mauresmo 9. Young ones in an orchard 10. Concern for 39-Down 11. Winter product prefix, in ads 12. Rubber avoidance danger 20. Voice vote option

21. Mary’s little lamb, perhaps 22. USA rival 23. Kind of deer 25. Anal insertion procedure (abbr.) 26. Fabric name ending 28. “Let’s make it a threesome!” 29. “Milk,” when it plays in Mexico? 32. Nation on the Persian Gulf 33. Rex Reed does this to movies 36. Meredith’s “Family Ties” role 37. Hopkins of “Bosom Buddies” 38. Amazon,for short 39. Amelia Earhart, for example 40. Tim Roth in “Four Rooms”

42. Like most cabs 43. Ralph of “Shakespeare in Love” 44. Buffoon 46. “Air Music” composer Ned 47. “For heaven’s ___!” 51. Word on a map of Israel 52. Lover of Lucille Ball’s 53. “Lesbians ignite!” e.g. 54. Family diagram 55. “I Got Rhythm” writer Gershwin 58. Trump-mocking comedy

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.

Real Estate Sale

Rentals Vaca/Seasonal

VENTNOR, NJ House for sale in Ventnor NJ. 2 story 5 bedroom house, needs some repairs. Priced right. Call 215 468 9166. ________________________________________41-39 RENOV. S PHILLY TOWNHOUSES SALE BY OWNER 2@ Dorfor St. off 3rd; 1@ 4th & Wolf; 1@ Darien off Moyamensing. $199,900 each. Also twin off Lancaster Ave. in Haverford, PA, $379,900 & $399,900. 215-849-4049. _____________________________________________41-36

Tropical oasis in Fort Lauderdale with Pool!! Please refer to VRBO LISTING #1126422 for pictures and booking information. Fun, safe and friendly ! Close to Wilton Manors, Ft. Lauderdale Beach, shopping & many fabulous dining establishments. Further questions- please call Mike- 267-303-4608. ________________________________________41-38 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Resort Services. 1-800-638-2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc. com. 5% base rent discount – use code NYPS17-2. Ends Oct-01-2017. ________________________________________41-34

Real Estate Rent 24XX S CAMAC ST 2 BR home, new kitchen & bath, hdwd floors in living room/dining room, W/D, refrigerator included. Small yard & basement. Call 610-825-0644. _____________________________________________41-34

Services

Classic Cars Wanted!! 1950-1970 Cadillacs, Buicks, Chevrolets, Pontiacs, Etc. Any Condition, Especially 1959’s, Convertibles. Other Makes, Years Considered. Call/Text Steve @ 315-863-1600. Email: eldo1959@live.com ________________________________________41-35

AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINING Get FAA certification to fix planes. Approved for military benefits. Financial Aid if qualified. Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 877-207-0345. ________________________________________41-35 If you or a loved one were diagnosed with ovarian cancer after use of talc products such as Baby Powder or Shower to Shower, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Charles H. Johnson 1-800-535-5727. ________________________________________41-35

For Sale

Friends Men

Wanted to Buy

SAWMILLS from only $4397.00 – MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill – Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N. ________________________________________41-35 “One Hundred Things To Do In The Nude”. A humorous look at daily life in the nude via ebook or paperback for $10.00 on Amazon.com ________________________________________41-38 Dish Network-Satellite Television Services. Now Over 190 channels for ONLY $49.99/mo! HBO-FREE for one year, FREE Installation, FREE Streaming, FREE HD. Add internet for $14.95 a month. 1-800-758-5070. ________________________________________41-35 ANTIQUE LOVERS TAKE NOTE BRIMFIELD’S Famous Outdoor Antique/ Collectibles Show 5,000 Dealers Starts Tuesday September 5th. Info on 20 Individual Show Openings – www.brimfield.com September 5th-10th 2017. ________________________________________41-35

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. ________________________________________41-40 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________41-37 IN A LES BM Dr in 73 yr anal study. Your apt for nude pic of W, L & uncut B, 20+ with inserts. ID text/call Pete, 856-5719821, 24/7. _____________________________________________41-34 Senior WM ISO someone that would like to receive oral relief. No recip required. Call Walt 856-625-9195. _____________________________________________41-36 Philip C., Bruce A., and Michael S. “I love you to the moon and back”. Please text Theodore Michael Gagnon @ 267966-5469. 202 Roberts Road. Love Teddy Boy. _____________________________________________41-38

PGN

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 1-7, 2017

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Remodeling Professionals

Customizable Kitchens and Bathrooms, Specialize in all Crown Molding, Install Windows and Hardwood Floors, Demolition and Home Clean Out Assistance Doors, Sheetrock, Electric & Plumbing

No Job Too Small - Free Estimates - Our Prices Will Not Be Beat

CERTIFIED In all TypEs OF ROOFIng flat rubber roofs • coatings • shingles/metal roofs

If you are celebrating an anniversary, engagement, wedding, adoption or other life event, we would be happy to help you announce it to the community. Send your contact information and a brief description of the event to editor@epgn.com.

Payment Plan:

1/2 Down after completed, Balance due after first rain. anufacturers Warranties *M & Residential * CWommercial hite Energy Efficient Coatings * Downspouts & Gutters * Roof Inspections * * Leak Repairs * Sidings

I5% OFF

any new roof installation upto $300 | must present ad | cannot be combined

IO% OFF

any roof/GUtter rePair upto $300 | must present ad | cannot be combined

licensed & insured / / 24-hr. emergency service / / Payment Plans available

2i5.533.4066 www.sealroofing.net

10% OFF with this ad

Financing Options Available

Call/Email John Florio:

267-972-5928

FlorioHomeRemodelingLLC@gmail.com

Directories every week: • Home Improvement • Health and Services • Legal and Professional

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 1-7, 2017

PGN

Friday, 9.1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Monday, 9.4 Celebrate #LDW17

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