PGN Sept. 8-14, 2017 by The Philadelphia Gay News

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

Vol. 41 No. 36 Sept. 8-14, 2017

Family Portrait: Bastion Carboni: Agitating, educating with art

PAGE 23

Trial date set for lawsuit against N.J. school district PAGE 2

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

Trans comedian releases first CD

Penn LGBT Center director named

PAGE 21

PAGE 5

Five years pass since murder of Kyra Cordova

New documents detail Internet postings in Knott federal case By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

Attorneys for a woman suing convicted gay basher Kathryn Knott recently submitted hundreds of Internet posts made under the pseudonym “Knotty is a Tramp.” The filing came July 31 in a federal suit filed by Norristown resident Kathleen O’Donnell, who claims she was unjustly terminated from her job for posting online comments using the moniker. Knott, along with Philip Williams and Kevin Harrigan, was arrested in 2014 in connection to a physical and verbal attack on a gay couple. She rejected a plea deal and was found guilty of four misdemeanors, serving five months in prison. O’Donnell created the account on Disqus.com, an online-commenting tool, and posted under it, using a photo of Knott from her social-media profile, on local news sites. According to court filings, Knott was notified of the account and reported it to Bucks County Police; d e t e c t ive s c a m e t o O’Donnell’s workplace to investigate the report, and she was terminated shortly after. O’Donnell filed suit in April 2016, alleging her free-speech rights were violated by Knott, her father — a former Bucks County police officer — Bucks County, its district attorney and two detectives. She is seeking punitive damages of at least $5 million, as well as compensatory damages of at least $150,000. On July 25, Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg ordered O’Donnell to submit all of the comments she made under the “Knotty is a Tramp” account. In a 54-page exhibit, O’Donnell’s attorney, Sean Ruppert, submitted more than 400 comments she posted between PAGE 15 September 2014 and

“Sometimes it seems like yesterday, and sometimes it seems like forever ago,” Dawn Maher said about Sept. 3, 2012. It was early in the morning that Labor Day holiday that her daughter, Kyra Cordova, was gunned down execution-style. Her body was found later that day in a wooded area off the 1100 block of Adams Avenue. Maher marked the fifth anniversary with a visit to the area where her daughter was killed, continuing to tack up posters seeking information about her killer. There have been few breaks in the case in the last five years. Shortly a f t e r t h e 2 7 - y e a rold trans woman was killed, investigators said they had a person of interest in their sights but no arrest was ever made. “They said her case is not a cold case because they do have a person of interest in mind; they say they’re waiting for someone to slip up or tell on them,” Maher said. Philadelphia Police did not respond to PGN’s request for an update on the investigation. Maher said she plans to also send another round of letters, with Cordova’s photo included, to law-enforcement and elected officials, urging renewed activity on the investigation. “At year three, I sent a letter to the detective, the police commissioner, the mayor and got calls [from them]. It’s upsetting to just get no calls, no answers. I still want to hear something.” Without an arrest, Maher said she takes solace in her hope that justice has been served another way. “I like to believe in karma,” she said. Maher also continues to go to counseling once a month. PAGE 20 “My counselor keeps

LOCKS OF LOVE: Locals flocked to André Richard Salon last week to help raise funds for victims of Hurricane Harvey. Owner Drea Richard (left) donated all proceeds from hair services last Thursday afternoon to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, as well as all sales from hair products over the weekend, netting $1,650 for the effort. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Norristown man seeks pro-LGBT appellate ruling By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com A Norristown gay man hopes his lawsuit against a Whitemarsh nursing home will result in federal antibias protections for LGBT workers in the region. “Frank Doe,” a former activities director at Meadowview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, hopes to persuade the Third Circuit Court of Appeals that antiLGBT workplace bias always is a form of sex discrimination. But first, Doe needs permission from a federal judge to present his arguments for such a pro-LGBT ruling in the Third Circuit. The circuit’s jurisdiction covers Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and the Virgin Islands. For more than 40 years, the circuit has held that anti-LGBT bias isn’t a form of sex discrimination banned by Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act

of 1964. Other jurisdictions across the country have taken a different stance, ruling that anti-LGBT workplace bias inherently is a form of sex discrimination and banned by Title 7. In those jurisdictions, LGBT plaintiffs are allowed to pursue their workplace antibias claims with the full force and effect of Title 7 on their side. Doe is embroiled in contentious litigation with Meadowview, where he worked for about 16 months before being fired in September 2016. Doe filed a federal lawsuit in May, alleging anti-LGBT workplace bias at Meadowview and seeking an unspecified amount in damages. But on Aug. 7, U.S. District Judge Thomas N. O’Neill Jr. ruled that Title 7 doesn’t provide Doe with specific antiLGBT-bias protections, thus severely PAGE 20 hampering his case.

Welcome to Philadelphia, conventioneers and conference attendees!

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 8-14, 2017

Resource listings

News Briefing

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.

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;

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

• GALAEI: 149 W. Susquehanna Ave.; 267-457-3912, www. galaei.org. Spanish/ English

• Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad

St.; 215-685-1821

• Mazzoni Center:

1348 Bainbridge St.; 215-563-0652, mazzon-

Pride returns to South Jersey

Local chefs cook up fundraising for PAWS The city’s best restaurants and bars will come together to support a local animal-welfare agency next month. The annual Chefs Night for Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society takes place from 6-10 p.m. Oct. 2 at Skybox, 2424 E. York St. Guests can sample bites and drinks from dozens of local eateries and watering holes, with proceeds benefitting PAWS’ rescue work. Participating venues will be grouped according to neighborhood to give guests a taste of the many different areas of the city. Featured neighborhoods include Midtown Village, Rittenhouse, Passyunk Square and Old City. Tickets are $175 or $250 for VIP admission, which includes access to a preview hour, butlered food and the opportunity to mix and mingle with local chefs. For more information or tickets, visit https://secure.phillypaws.org/events/-/ e137363. n

icenter.org

• Philadelphia FIGHT: 1233 Locust

Gay man gets December jury-trial date

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

• Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center:

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

A local anti-bullying nonprofit this month will host its annual fundraising gala. Fifty Shades of Purple Against Bullying will present Arts Against Bullying 2-4:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Ibrahim Theater, 3701 Chestnut St. The program will include a brief youth ballet performance from the Philadelphia Dance Academy with music from Debra Lynn Cotterall and Opera Soprano. Mixedmedia artist Chris Klapper and her husband, Patrick Gallagher, will also present a TEDx-style talk entitled “Symphony in D Minor.” Proceeds from the event will go toward anti-bullying campaigns. Visit http://www. fspagainstbullying.org/events.html for more information and to purchase tickets.

— Jeremy Rodriguez

Southern New Jersey LGBTQA Pride this weekend will once again stage its annual festival. Pride in the Park will take place noon-6 p.m. Sept. 10 at Cooper River Park, 7000 N. Park Drive in Pennsauken.

Health and HIV testing • Action Wellness:

Anti-bullying nonprofit hosts annual fundraising gala

Local performer Josh Schonewolf will headline the free event, which will also include performances from Queen Mother Carl Max as Whitney Houston, Queen Robert Ginger Alley Loser, King Daddy “O” Rasta Boi Punany, King Mr. T and the cast of LesBe Real Radio Talk. For more information, visit https://www. snjgaypride.org/.

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Thomas Vandergrift has been on a sixyear quest for justice, ever since Pennsauken school-district officials reported him to New Jersey authorities as a suspected child molester. The suspected-molester reports subsequently were determined to be unfounded. But Vandergrift reportedly has suffered greatly due to the ordeal, and has been unable to hold a job. In 2012, Vandergrift filed suit against the Pennsauken school district and various school officials, seeking an unspecified amount in damages and corrective measures within the district. Last month, Vandergrift moved a step closer to his day in court when U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel Schneider announced a Dec. 4 jury-trial date, barring unforeseen circumstances. In August 2011, Vandergrift informed school officials that he advised his nephew on proper bathing, after officials complained of body odor emanating from the child. District officials promptly contacted the New Jersey’s Division of Youth and Family

— Jen Colletta

Services and reported that Vandergrift may have inappropriately touched his nephew, according to court papers. Vandergrift contends the suspected-molester reports were retaliatory in nature, because he’s gay and advocated for a proper education for his nephew, who has autism. Neither side had a comment for this story. But in court papers, district officials deny any wrongdoing and continue to seek dismissal of Vandergrift’s case. In a deposition, Vandergrift blasted school officials for not questioning his nephew before reporting Vandergrift as a suspected child molester. “The only reason you called [DYFS] is because I’m gay and advocating for [my nephew’s] proper education,” Vandergrift said. “If I wasn’t being a pain in the rear, trying to get him the right education, you wouldn’t have called. If I was straight, you wouldn’t have called. Don’t you see that? There was no reasonable belief [of inappropriate touching].” Vandergrift added: “No one from your district even had the balls to ask [my nephew] if [his] uncle touched him. Instead you ran and called DYFS PAGE 7

T:10.125”

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 8-14, 2017

T:11.35”

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 8-14, 2017

News & Opinion

2 — News Briefing 10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Letters/Feedback Mark My Words Street Talk

“Like the fights for LGBT, women’s, racial and other rights, this is an issue that affects all of us.”

Columns

20 — Out Money: A month-by-month playbook 24 — Dining Out: Little Lion tames the tummy growl

~ Editorial on the elimination of DACA, page 10

Arts & Culture 21 23 25 26 28

POP-UP PERFORMANCE: Longtime Tavern on Camac songstress Ghosha D’Aguanno lent her talents to the Filbert Street Orchards Sept. 1 for a concert and sing-along. The University City pop-up beer garden, organized by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, is open through mid-October. Photo: Scott A. Drake

— Feature: Changing the face of comedy — Family Portrait — Scene in Philly — Out & About — Comics Q Puzzle

C I T Y An open letter from the Office of LGBT Affairs to the attendees of this week’s conventions.

Office of LGBT Affairs 115 City Hall Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 686-0330

PGN 505 S. Fourth St. Philadelphia, PA 19147-1506

Editor

O F

P H I L A D E L P H I A

Creep of the Week: Donald Trump, who is likely to be the first member of the Creep Hall of Fame at this rate.

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

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

Kyle Lamb (ext. 201) Phone: 215-625-8501 Dear Friends: Staff Writers kyle@epgn.com Fax: 215-925-6437 Jeremy Rodriguez (ext. 215) E-mail: pgn@epgn.com jeremy@epgn.com Office Manager/ Web: www.epgn.com Classifieds As the Executive Director of LGBT Larry Nichols (ext. 213)of the Office Don Pignolet (ext. 200) larry@epgn.com Publisher extend my best wishes as thousandsdon@epgn.com gather in our

Fringe continues with paths that intersect glam with grand.

AMBER

“Beach Rats” is raw, moody, sensual compelling — all pulled together J.and HIKES into one film.

Executive Director

Art Director/ Photographer

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

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

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. Affairs sean@epgn.com for the City of Philadelphia, it is my pleasure to ISSN-0742-5155 greatNational city this month for the Association of LGBTQ Advertising Mark Segal (ext. 204) Writer-at-Large Rivendell Media: Journalists Convention (NLGJA), Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference, and Gay and Lesbian Medical mark@epgn.com Timothy Cwiek (ext. 208) 212-242-6863 Association Convention. timothy@epgn.comOn behalf of the City of Philadelphia, we are delighted that you chose our city as the venue for these exciting conferences.

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.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 8-14, 2017

Penn appoints new LGBT Center director By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com After more than 19 years working at a local university’s LGBT center, Dr. Erin Cross will take the reins of the organization next week. Cross will assume the role of director at the University of Pennsylvania’s LGBT Center Sept. 13 upon the retirement of inaugural director Bob Schoenberg, who served in the position since 1982. Throughout her work as associate director and later senior associate director, Cross introduced several initiatives to the center. Among those was lobbying to add the “T” to the center’s name. It was initially called the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Center until spring 1999, when “Transgender” was added to the name. Cross noted that upon her hiring, the center’s leadership asked her what she was passionate about. “I said ‘trans issues’ because I had a very close friend who transitioned and I saw the struggles that person had,” Cross said. “From there, I spearheaded getting gender identity added into the nondiscrimination policy at Penn in 2003. And I worked on trans-health benefits for students, staff, faculty, what they call gender-neutral housing here as well as single-use restrooms.” Additionally, Cross created mentorship programs, training initiatives and worked with faculty on introducing more LGBT issues into their coursework. Penn was recently recognized on Campus Pride’s 2017 Best of the Best Top-25 LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges & Universities list. While Cross said the LGBT center’s current efforts and this particular recognition were “amazing,”

the work to move forward isn’t finished. “It’s always great to be recognized for the work we have done, but also [we should] not rest on our laurels and realize there is more work to be done,” Cross said. “We want to make sure Penn is a wonderful place for people of all gender identities and all sexual orientations.” Cross said she has loved working with students and student groups on campus during her tenure. “That’s what keeps me here and keeps me motivated — just how wonderful they are and how much I learn from them,” Cross said. When asked what she has learned from students in the past, Cross said, “I can’t put my finger on one thing. I’ve learned more about myself and having conversations as I listen and hear their experiences. I’ve learned more about intersectional identities and the joys and the struggles that

come from those who have different identities than I have. I’ve learned about language; students teach me so much about language and about the world as they see it. They also just teach me to be a better human on a daily basis and they keep me up to date and current. Also, I encourage them to really call me on things. If I’m not woke to things, please call me on it. Let’s have these discussions. It’s really important.” Upon her promotion, Cross will have more responsibilities relating to the center’s budget and will be held more accountable to higher-ups. She said she is most looking forward to continue working with the community. “In the end, I am most happy to continue my work with students and really broaden the portfolio of the students we work with, and I’m looking forward also to make more bridges to the Philadelphia community.” Cross also noted the work of her soon-to-be predecessor, Schoenberg. “He has built this strong foundation that has really built respect for the LGBTQ community on campus and I want to continue that respect and broaden the relationships I built, as well as the ones he built, across campus to make sure we’re reaching students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members,” Cross said. “I only can go up because Bob has built such a good foundation.” Schoenberg said the LGBT Center is in good hands. “I’m very optimistic that Erin will do an amazing job as the director of the LGBT Center,” he said. “She has demonstrated her considerable abilities for nearly 20 years in the associate director then senior associate director positions. I know she has great ideas and some aspirations that she will be able to implement in her new position.” n

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Annual conference on LGBT health comes to Philadelphia By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com The current political climate will be a topic of discussion next week at a conference dedicated to LGBT health issues. GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality, formerly known as the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association, will host its 35th Annual Conference on LGBT Health at the DoubleTree Philadelphia Center City. The Sept. 13-16 conference will explore the theme “From Resistance to Resilience: Filling the Gaps in LGBT Health Care and Research.” GLMA Executive Director Hector Vargas said the organization developed this theme following last year’s presidential election. “I think it was important for us to adopt that theme given the uncertainty that we were seeing back in November,” Vargas

said. “Now I think having selected that theme, we can see that there is pretty much a full-on assault on LGBT health concerns by the Trump administration.” Vargas noted the administration’s attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, rescinding of the measure’s nondiscrimination aspects and the repeal of the policy allowing transgender people to serve in the military. “All of these things have an impact on our community and have definite health implications for LGBT people, so those are some of the things we are going to try to address in our conference,” Vargas said. More than 400 people from around the world are expected to attend the annual traveling conference. Participants will represent a range of health disciplines such as physicians, nurses and social workers. Vargas said this is the first time the conference will be held in Philadelphia.

“Well over half of medical students and residents in the U.S. make their way through Philadelphia at some point of their medical training,” Vargas said. “There’s definitely a huge attraction and affinity for many of our members who did some sort of training with a medical school in Philadelphia. And clearly, you have a very vibrant LGBT community and LGBT neighborhood. Obviously, things like the William Way LGBT Community Center and Mazzoni Center, that have been around for many years, serve as a good base for us in terms of getting people to attend our conference who are interested in learning more about LGBT health.” Dr. Rachel Levine, the state’s acting secretary of health and physician general, will provide keynote welcome remarks Sept. 13 and will be honored at the GLMA Achievement Awards Gala Sept. 16. The transgender woman spearheaded efforts of a statewide standing order for naloxone, a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Additionally, she led a workgroup for the governor’s office to create LGBT-inclusive programs and processes. Vargas said the GLMA board was honored to select Levine, who was not immediately available for comment, as one of the award recipients. “I think she serves as an outstanding

role model for not just physicians, but for all LGBT health-care professionals,” Vargas said. “We were very excited to be in Pennsylvania to have the opportunity to hear from her and the welcome remarks that she is going to provide. She has used her training and her influence that she has had to improve the health and well-being of LGBT people.” While GLMA is celebrating its 35th anniversary as an organization, one of its programs will also celebrate a milestone. The Lesbian Health Fund will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a dance party and charity auction 6-8:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Doubletree. The annual event will raise funds for research and grants to improve the health and well-being of lesbians and sexual-minority women. “Since its founding, we have been able to provide over $900,000 worth of research to fund roughly 120 research studies,” Vargas said. “It has moved the needle in issues related to health, not only of lesbians but of the entire LGBT community.” Overall, Vargas said the conference is the “premier scientific gathering devoted to discussion of LGBT health.” “If you’re interested in any aspect of health and health care for LGBT people, the GLMA Annual Conference on LGBT Health is the place to come for that information,” Vargas said. n

In town for GLMA? Check out these sites: The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association’s 35th Annual Conference on LGBT Health comes to Philadelphia Sept. 13-16 at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 237 S. Broad St. This medical event brings together physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, health specialists, social workers, dentists, pharmacists and a wide range of other health-care professionals who are interested in improving health for LGBT individuals. If you are attending the conference and your fascination with all things medical knows no bounds, definitely check out the Mütter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 19 S. 22nd St. Open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., it is widely regarded as America’s finest museum of medical history, displaying its preserved collections of anatomical specimens, models and medical instruments in a 19th-century setting. With exhibitions titled “Innovations in Spinal Surgery,” “Hyrtl Skull Collection” and “Injury, Death and Healing in Civil War Philadelphia,” we’re guessing there’s enough to keep your attention at the very least on an academic level, if not morbid curiosity. For a more in-depth look into Philadelphia’s history of medicine, take the Hammer To The Head Tour, a three-hour walking tour for small groups that explores the evolution of modern medicine in America, from the colonial period through the 19th century. It includes stops at Christ Church Burial Ground, Physick House, Pennsylvania Hospital and the aforementioned Mütter Museum. Tours are available Sept. 13 and 14. For more information or to make reservations, visit www.contexttravel.com/cities/philadelphia/tours/hammer-to-thehead-tour?ref=travelblonde. n — Larry Nichols

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 8-14, 2017

LGBT and ally journalists to convene in Philly Out & About at the NLGJA Convention The National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association’s National Convention is returning to Philadelphia, bringing together more than 350 journalists, news executives, educators and communications professionals, Sept. 7-10 at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market St. This year, NLGJA is welcoming podcasters to its Authors’ Café, at which attendees can hear from LGBT podcasters and authors sharing their latest insights and engage in intimate Q&A sessions 2:15 p.m. Sept. 8 at Loews Philadelphia Hotel’s Regency C. If you find time to break away from the conference, take a stroll through the historic parts of the city, making sure you stop at the Arch Street Meeting House, 320 Arch St. In February 1979, the historic home of a 300-year-old Quaker Friends congregation hosted 300 LGBT activists to plan the Philadelphia Conference, the first national demonstration of lesbian and gay rights in Washington, D.C. That march would attract 100,000 demonstrators in October of that same year and defined a national civil-rights movement. Another piece of Philadelphia history you might want to visit is Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St., the longest-running LGBT bookstore in the country and the unofficial community and cultural center of LGBT Philadelphia. It almost closed for good in 2014 but was kept open with the help of new owner Philly AIDS Thrift, which donates proceeds to local HIV/AIDS causes. Browsing the shelves of the historic location is a good way to spend an afternoon and support a good cause. If you are looking for a timely piece of theater to compliment the conference, Fringe Festival and DBAD Productions present “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui” 7 p.m. Sept. 7 and 5 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Shambles, 200 Pine St. Bertolt Brecht wrote the play in 1933 after fleeing Germany in 1933. With American audiences in mind, the production is about a Hitler-like character rising to power in gangster-run Chicago, a vision that became all too real in November. n — Larry Nichols

By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com More than 350 LGBT and ally journalists will convene in Philadelphia this weekend. NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists will host its annual National Convention at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel through Sept. 10. NLGJA previously hosted the conference in the city in 2002 and 2011. “We have had some really great success [in Philadelphia] before since it’s a major market itself, and since it’s so close to other major markets,” said NLGJA President Jen Christensen. “We love the spirit of the city. It has always been so welcoming to us in terms of the community, and in terms of us as an association as well. We’ve really been lucky to feel so welcome there so it’s always been very good for us.” Several local journalists will participate in workshops, panel discussions and plenaries. Meteorologist Adam Joseph of 6ABC participated in the convention’s opening reception Thursday along with three other meteorologists: NBC New York’s Steve Sosna, KARE 11’s Sven Sundgaard and ABC 7’s Drew

Tuma. Sam Champion of “Good Morning America” moderated the panel. Christensen said she was pleased to hear someone from Philadelphia talk about his job. “He’s a great guy on air and he seems very interesting, personally,” Christensen said of Joseph. “We have been following his career for a while. Maybe nationally everyone doesn’t know who he is, but they should know who he is. “Every time you can have professionals talking about what it is they do, it’s such an interesting conversation,” she added. “It’s a little bit different than what you would get to hear in another setting.” Another session Christensen noted was “A Breath of Fresh Air with Terry Gross and Ari Shapiro.” Shapiro, the host of NPR’s “All Things Considered,” will interview WHYY’s Gross about her career as host of “Fresh Air” during Saturday’s plenary. “We are so excited about Terry Gross,” Christensen said. “We’ve had her there once before but during that time, she did a speech. This time, Ari Shapiro is going to interview her, so I’m excited to see how that works because usually you don’t get to

Five Gayborhood Eats By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com If you find time to visit the Gayborhood this week and are feeling puckish, “hangry” or downright ravenous, you’re in luck: This part of town has some amazing restaurants that are more than capable of satisfying most appetites. With so many options though, it’s hard to choose. Here’s a list of some of our favorite places in which to refuel in the Gayborhood. Double Knot 120 S. 13th St. www.doubleknotphilly.com With a coffee shop and café on the street level and stunning sushi and Asianfusion restaurant downstairs, this is easily one of the most exotic-looking and tasting restaurants in the Gayborhood. If you don’t instantly fall in love with the menu and the décor, we don’t know if we can hang out with you. Green Eggs Café 212 S. 13th St. www.greeneggscafe.com Even picky Dr. Seuss characters instantly fall in love with this popular breakfast, lunch and brunch spot, which serves up fare ranging from the simple to the sinful. Be prepared to wade through a lot of faithful customers in order to feast, but it’s worth the wait.

Knock 225 S. 12th St. www.knockphilly.com This longtime Gayborhood favorite is known for its upscale feel, comfortable atmosphere and solid New American menu. The enduring popularity of its piano lounge and its reputation as a go-to late-night destination don’t hurt either. Lolita 106 S. 13th St. www.lolitaphilly.com Prominent Gayborhood restaurateurs Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran have fashioned a cozy and casual restaurant with a deceptively efficient but wildly imaginative menu of Mexican favorites, including tacos, house-made guacamole and Mexican street corn. Vedge 1221 Locust St. www.vedgerestaurant.com When you manage to win over meat-eating carnivores with a vegetable-only menu, you know you’ve got something special. Without the benefits (or drawbacks, depending on your palette) of animal products, Vedge has won awards, as well as the hearts of many a vegan looking for colorful and inspiring fare in the city. And their meat-eating friends don’t seem to mind getting dragged along for the ride. n

hear the other side of the question. She has always been a real good supporter of the organization and Ari is a great interviewer. So, I think that’s going to be really interesting.” A highlight of the convention each year is the Career & Community Expo, where professionals from broadcast, print and online journalism fields interview job-seekers. Christensen noted that longtime E! News reporter Marc Malkin, who won NLGJA’s 2017 Lisa Ben Award for Achievement in Features Coverage, got his start at one of the NLGJA conventions. “[He] told us that he got his first newspaper job at an NLGJA conference, which we didn’t even know, so it was exciting when he accepted this award for his amazing work,” she said. The convention will conclude Saturday evening with The Philadelphia Freedom: Find Your Oasis Party, where attendees can dance, bid on auction items and enjoy an awards presentation. NLGJA will present four awards, including the NLGJA Journalist of the Year, Sarah Pettit Memorial Award for LGBTQ Journalist of the Year and NLGJA LGBTQ Journalist Hall of Fame. Overall, Christensen said this year’s convention is a “really strong program.” “We have some great speakers and some really big names. People [who] need to go back to their newsrooms and say, ‘Here are the three things that I learned,’ they’re going to have more than three things.” The NLGJA National Convention 2018 is set to take place in Palm Springs, Calif. n Visit www.nlgja.org/2017/registration to register for the remainder of the conference and to view a full schedule. VANDERGRIFT from page 2

because I was gay and advocating.” At the time of the allegations, Vandergrift was employed as a teacher, but no longer wishes to hold that profession. “I can’t wait to go to law school, because I’m going to come back and make sure every single kid in that district is being served properly,” Vandergrift said in his deposition. “I’m not going to go back as a teacher because I can’t be around kids because [school district officials] fucked me up in the head.” Vandergrift’s mother and nephew also gave depositions in his support. Vandergrift’s mother noted that her son merely instructed his nephew on how to bathe properly, after school officials complained of body odor from the child. “You have a little boy who’s 9 years old who doesn’t know anything and it’s not that you’re touching them. You just say, ‘You’ve got to wash down there in your man parts.’ Yes, I think it’s OK. Because if no one else can do it, how’s he going to learn anything?” she testified. n

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 8-14, 2017

Trans Health Conference returns with new initiatives, future goals By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com More than 4,000 people are expected to attend Mazzoni Center’s Philadelphia Trans Health Conference this weekend. The 16th-annual event, which will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, will operate under the theme, “Perseverance. Strength. Power.” Mazzoni Communication Coordinator Sean Laughlin described how the theme came about. “There has been a lot of strife in the overall community between different internal and external reasons,” Laughlin said. “Even with all of that happening, people are still maintaining their individuality and strength in their identities. It was a way to honor the community who continues to overcome obstacles everyday, between people in their community being murdered all the way up to Trump banning trans people from the military.” New initiatives In addition to the theme, the Trans Health Conference will also introduce new initiatives such as the Contemplation Space, an app and a revamped Youth Space. The Contemplation Space will be open every morning before the first workshop

in room 126B. Participants can use this space for art, meditation, prayer and other mindfulness exercises. “This year we decided to have a more comprehensive space for people who wanted to recognize their faith,” Laughlin said, adding the hope is to include this room at future conferences. Conference attendees can also utilize the TransPHL app, where they can view the agenda, lineups and topics. Users will also be able to provide feedback

on workshops and connect with other attendees by syncing their Facebook and LinkedIn profiles. Laughlin said at least 500 people had signed up for the app as of Tuesday. General Conference Coordinator Ashley Coleman, who was not immediately available for comment on this story, told PGN in March that her goal was to revamp the Youth Space portion of the conference. Laughlin said she succeeded by including dance parties and

film screenings in addition to the usual games and interactive sessions. Workshop changes and controversies This year’s workshops also saw some changes. As part of a mentorship program, previous presenters offered guidance to first-time presenters on how to form a workshop. “We got a lot more confident workshop submissions this year,” Laughlin said. “[The program] helped PAGE 16

Mix and mingle at Trans Health Conference The 16th Annual Trans Health Conference comes to town Sept. 7-9 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 129 N. Broad St. The mission of the conference is to educate and empower trans individuals, allies and health-care providers on issues of health and well being, as well as facilitate networking and community building. Besides educational seminars and workshops, there are also opportunities to network and socialize outside of the conferences. Attendees can get settled and acquainted at the Opening Reception and partake in refreshments 6:30-10 p.m. Sept. 7 at The African American Museum, 701 Arch St. Guests will also have the opportunity

to mix, mingle and network with other professionals in the trans and gender-expansive communities at a Professional Networking Mixer 6-8 p.m. Sept. 8 at Field House sports bar, 1150 Filbert St. That same night you can also join a free Shabbat Dinner and Kabbalat Shabbat Service 7 p.m. Sept. 8 at John C. Anderson Apartments. 251 S. 13th St. Transkids Purple Rainbow Foundation invites parents of transgender/gender-queer individuals and their children to its Annual Meet & Greet and Kids’ Pool Party 6-10 p.m. Sept. 8 at Hampton Inn, 1301 Race St. Attendees looking to take in some sights outside of the conference can check out Philly Fringe Festival’s “Pride Parade!” an interactive walking tour hosted by

writer and historian Wesley Flash. The venture features historic hot spots in Center City, setting off from Rittenhouse Square 4 p.m. Sept. 8 and 2 p.m. Sept. 9. Flash takes you on a storytelling adventure that honors and celebrates the out and proud ancestors who marched before our time. Meet Flash inside the park at 18th and Chancellor streets. Look for the rainbow umbrella. If you’re looking to get your party on, check out the Back2Basics Throwback Party: Trans Health After Party 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Sept. 9 at CiBo, 1227 Walnut St. DJ Deluxx will spin throwback tunes all night, with a $5 cover before midnight and $10 after. n — Larry Nichols

3(56(9(5$1&( 675(1*7+ 32:(5

September 7-9 2017

Pennsylvania Convention Center Broad and Arch Streets Register today at trans-health.org

trans-health.org Art by Devon Reiffer, Cover Art Winner

PhillyTHC

TransHealthConf

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 8-14, 2017

The P H I L A D E L P H I A

I would like to acknowledge the planning committees of these monumental conventions for their tireless efforts in continuing to create affirming spaces for education, support, and community, especially during this challenging political climate. While the LGBTQ community has made extraordinary progress in recent years, we are constantly reminded of how fragile those gains are. That’s why the work of the NLGJA, Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference, and Gay and Lesbian Medical Association Convention are so essential. Our visibility and tenacity are more important now than ever before. This week, September 7-10, we welcome the Association of LGBTQ Journalists as more than 350 journalists, news executives, communications professionals and educators host their National Convention here in Philadelphia. The convention features sessions focused on covering LGBTQ issues in the current political climate, including a session called New Ways, about how to better server viewers by surfacing the untold stories of HIV and AIDS – especially those of people of color and trans women. Also this week, September 7-9, Philadelphia hosts the 16th Annual Trans-Health Conference, the largest free conference in the world focusing on serving the needs of trans communities and allies. This year’s theme is Perseverance, Strength, and Power – a poignant celebration of the trans community. It is a steady reminder of our community’s resilience, and invites us all to re-envision what health means for trans people. To mark the opening of the conference, we’ll be hosting a flag raising at City Hall on Thursday at 1pm. Philadelphia is the largest city in the United States to wave the trans flag at a municipal government building and we wave our flag proudly in solidarity with our trans sisters, brothers, and gender nonconforming siblings. Finally, September 13-16, the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association brings its annual conference on LGBT Health to Philadelphia. This conference is the premier, interdisciplinary LGBT health conference and the world’s largest scientific gathering devoted to LGBT health issues and concerns. We welcome over 400 participants from various health professions including physicians, nurses, mental and behavioral health specialists, social workers, and pharmacists. This year’s theme, From Resistance to Resilience: Filling Gaps LGBT Healthcare and Research, highlights the significant gapsof inLGBT LGBTpatients healthcare and willthe focus oninresearch and innovations that improve the health and well-being and their families. What an exciting time to be in Philadelphia! While you are here, I encourage you to experience all that our city has to offer – day and night. Philadelphians are proud of our city of firsts. In addition to being the birthplace of our Nation, our city is also the site of the first LGBTQ civil rights protests– be sure to visit the LGBT historic marker at 6th and Chestnut Streets. Enjoy the many LGBT friendly bars, restaurants, and boutiques a short distance from the Convention Center – and you’ll know you’re in our “Gayborhood” when you see our rainbow street signs. Of course, these Conventions wouldn’t be possible without the support of sponsors, employees, volunteers, and participants. Thank you to all who have worked diligently to ensure that each conference and convention is productive, inspiring, and fun.

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

m <—

Chancellor St.

St. James St.

m Locust St.

m <—

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

Latimer St.

m Manning St.

11th St.

As the Executive Director of the Office of LGBT Affairs for the City of Philadelphia, it is my pleasure to extend my best wishes as thousands gather in our great city this month for the Association of LGBTQ Journalists Convention (NLGJA), Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference, and Gay and Lesbian Medical Association Convention. On behalf of the City of Philadelphia, we are delighted that you chose our city as the venue for these exciting conferences.

Quince St.

Dear Friends:

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.

12th St.

AMBER J. HIKES

Executive Director

Camac St.

Office of LGBT Affairs 115 City Hall Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 686-0330

13th St.

O F

Juniper St.

C I T Y

Guide to the Gayborhood

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

Voyeur

Knock

U Bar

ICandy

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

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

We welcome you to Philadelphia and your extended LGBTQ family wishes you a Phabulous time! Sincerely,

<— <— West of Broad Street

Amber Hikes

Stir Lounge

Amber Hikes, MSW Executive Director, Office of LGBT Affairs City of Philadelphia

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

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

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.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 8-14, 2017

EDITORIAL PGN EDITORIAL

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Donald Trump (surprise)

Editorial

Protecting the dream If there’s one lesson that emerged in the last nine months of political turmoil, it’s the importance of recognizing intersectionality. LGBT issues impact women’s issues. Women’s issues impact racial-justice issues. Racial-justice issues impact immigration issues. All of these movements are intertwined, and all of them are being threatened. As such, all of them must work together. When the Affordable Care Act was on the chopping block, it wasn’t just those who have insurance because of the program who spoke out and lobbied their lawmakers; family, friends and neighbors who knew a loved one could be devastated by the gutting of the plan rallied against the move. White allies raised their voices in chorus with black and brown people who decried the racism abounding in debates over Confederate statues. When the administration sanctioned discrimination against trans students, LGB and heterosexual students, teachers and more blasted the decision. Now, it’s young immigrants whose lives the Trump administration is looking to disrupt. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced this week that the administration is ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — which protects young adults who were brought to this country illegally as children and who have been hardworking, law-abiding residents. Apart from ceasing to process any new DACA applications, the move puts nearly 800,000 DREAMers, those who have already enrolled in the program, in jeopardy, many of whom fear deportation from the only country they’ve ever known. As part of the DACA program, participants cannot have a criminal record. The vast majority of the young adults enrolled are pursuing higher education, have successful careers, are contributing to their communities; they’re the type of people who make America “great.” Except for one thing: They don’t fit the white-male mold that is of the utmost importance to the Trump administration. The rollback of DACA is rooted in racism, plain and simple. Trump is playing to the worst of his base, whose attention he successfully captivated during the campaign with pledges to build a wall to keep out Mexicans and to round up and register Muslims. Like the fights for LGBT, women’s, racial and other rights, this is an issue that affects all of us. Broad federal policies that originate in hatred are not part of the America most of us have ever known, or could ever want. Make calls to lawmakers, organize or attend rallies, share articles based in truth. Even if you don’t know a DREAMer, or even an undocumented immigrant, their story is your — and our — story. n

Houston’s under water right now, but ison to Trump that don’t worry, Donald Trump is feverishly someone like Ohio working to ferret out transgender service Gov. John Kasich, members. radically extreme I’m going to guess that when National when it comes to Guard members arrive to rescue people limiting reproducfrom flooded homes, nobody cares about tive rights, can whether or not their rescuer is trans. And cast himself as yet Trump, who has never served in the a moderate. We military, has the audacity to tell people must remember willing to give their lives for this country, that being sane “We don’t want you because your health isn’t the same as care is too expensive. At least that’s what being moderate, or even good. I’ve been told, because I don’t know a Yeah, Kasich probably won’t tweet us damn thing about health care or health-care into a nuclear war, but this is the same guy costs. MAGA!” who refused to recognize an Ohio gay cou Trump is an unequivocal failure. He can- ple’s marriage while one of those men was not perform the most basic functions of his dying and still refused even after the man’s job and doesn’t seem at all interested in death. So let’s not get too carried away the wellbeing of the country. All he cares with the Kasich 2020 stuff. about is himself and his base, literally the I’m sickened by what Trump and his worst people in America. People who think deplorables are doing to this country. And taking aim at Black Lives Matter transgender service is a terrorist orgaAll he cares about is his members, yanknization and the ing back the gains outcome of the Civil himself and his base, litthey made under War is up for debate. erally the worst people in President Obama, is People who think that two men marAmerica. People who think disgraceful. Remember, rying causes hurriBlack Lives Matter is a ter- though, the ban canes. People who Trump’s parade through the rorist organization and the wasn’t idea. This is somestreets in Nazi regaoutcome of the Civil War thing the right wing lia. All of the uglihas been pushing for ness in American is up for debate. years. Trans panic is history is not only all the rage, after all. amplified under Pence supports this ban. Kasich likely Trump, it’s condoned and pardoned. We handed our country to a man who would, too. In fact, the ban would probatold us he would do it harm. “But he’s a bly happen if any of the candidates on that businessman,” people said. “We need an crowded GOP primary stage had won the outsider.” presidency. The only difference is that it Yet no company would hire a CEO would’ve been wrapped in a “compassionwho said at the interview, “I know nothate conservative” veneer instead of being ing about business, I care nothing about rage-tweeted by a narcissistic moron. Remember, Republicans gave us Trump, business and, in fact, I want to get rid of but they’ve also given us decades of antias much business as possible!” But that’s LGBT policy and rhetoric. They own this. exactly what we did with our country, electing a man so woefully unqualified and Don’t be fooled into thinking they will get hostile to democracy that literally anybody us out of this mess. They ARE this mess. And if you meet a trans service member, looks better by comparison. We must be careful, however, to rememplease thank them. And apologize. And ber that Trump is not the standard to which vote. n Republicans should be compared. He is an outlier. Extreme and incompetent beyond D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian measure. So much so that people who are living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow also extremist, though not insane, seem like great choices. But it is only in compar- her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.

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

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

OP-ED PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 8-14, 2017

Applaud journalism

Street Talk

This weekend, NLGJA: The Association their profession. of LGBT Journalists has its annual con And if you ever wonder how important vention, held this year in Philadelphia. The that is, here’s a way to look at it. In just the organization and its membership may not last nine months, we in the media have had be what you expect. For the most part, the to report on the president’s ban on transfocus is not on LGBT media, but rather gender people in the military, the annithe organization serves as a versary of the Pulse Nightclub place for LGBT journalists who tragedy, the fight against conmostly work in mainstream version therapy, the onslaught media, in places like CNN, of bathroom legislation aimed MSNBC and news divisions at our trans sisters and brothers, of the three major networks — efforts to have us as a commuNBC, ABC and CBS — as well nity wiped off the 2020 census, as print media like New York the “compromised” legislation Times, Washington Post and, of on HB 2 in North Carolina, course, Philadelphia Inquirer. the murder of LGBT people in NLGJA is a place for those Chechnya, the anti-Semitism at in media to network and disthe Chicago Dyke March and the racism in our community … cover how they can bring their and those are just a few of the identities and their communistories. ty’s voice into the newsroom. And when a story breaks with Aside from breaking news, an LGBT angle, NLGJA helps Mark Segal NLGJA members help produce, guide them on how they can be write or host many of the news the person in that newsroom to point out shows you watch. So each time you see a the importance and particulars of that story. news item about our community, thank the For any of us who grew up in a time when members of NLGJA for doing their part in the battle for equality. n our community was literally invisible in the newsroom, and on TV, radio or even in newspapers, we know how important these Mark Segal is the nation’s most-award-winning compeople are, and how hard it was for them to mentator in LGBT media. His memoir, “And Then I Danced,” is available on Amazon.com, Barnes & be out and fighting for our community in Noble or at your favorite bookseller.

Mark My Words

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.

Should President Trump have attended Heather Heyer's funeral? "No, because clearly the family did not want him there. I don't believe he has sympathy for the young lady. His presence would have been phony and diminished the "Yes. It would have been a nice gesture on his part. President Trump carries so much clout. I think it would have been somewhat soothing to the family. It's didn't attend."

Jonathan Burton executive director Washington Square West

"No. It would have been like rubbing salt in the wounds. The family needed their own space to grieve as they wished." Claire Cos

sales manager South Philadelphia

occasion."

Anthony Delcorio barber San Francisco

a shame he

"No. I'm glad he stayed away. When he opens his mouth, he makes everything worse. The family didn't invite him. John O’Boyle If President student Trump was a Spring Garden compassionate person, it would be a different situation."

Letters and Feedback Editor: Move the [Frank Rizzo] statue to a less prominent location? But still on public property? It is 10-feet tall. It would dominate its surrounds unless we put it in one of the cemeteries, though I don’t think that would satisfy Rizzo’s admirers. We should put the statue up for sale. The starting bid must meet its value as scrap metal. The buyer would be responsible for finding a place to put it, knowing that a lot of Philadelphians won’t want to see it. Thanks for your consideration. — Ed Hermance Philadelphia

In response to “Trans woman appointed to In response to “New app to connect LGBT police oversight commission,” Sept. 1-7: patients, health providers,” Aug. 25-31: Congratulations to my beautiful and no-nonsense niece Ariana Sanchez. If Philadelphians needed representation and a voice, Mayor Kenney made the right choice. She is dedicated to her calling, and boy, she is a dictionary in resources, civil rights and law. She doesn’t kindly take no for an answer. She is amazing, a problem solver and nourishing to the LGBTQ community, especially for trans women of color. Everyone up here in the barrios of Kensington and beyond are ecstatic about this wonderful news. She will do a great job with no prejudices.

This is good news. Hopefully it also means we are closer to the very-important step of all med schools incorporating/ mandating LGBTQ cultural competency into the curriculum so that LGBTQ folks don’t have to worry about finding a “friendly” doctor, even if it is made slightly easier with an app. — AcAnastasi In response to “Second defendant pleads guilty in murder of trans woman,” Aug. 25-31:

Honestly when are these murderers — Love June Harry going to start get life sentences or the death penalty? An example must be set.

Trans women are being murdered and these criminals are getting slaps on their wrists. — Love June Harry In response to Mazzoni staffers speak out at community forum, Aug. 18-24: AIDS-service and LGBT-service organizations are always talking to their clients and customers about the importance of coming out and helping to end stigma and discrimination. What better way to model this for the world than for the staffers themselves to organize for a real voice in organizational governance? Power to the people — power to the workers. It all fits. n — John Mehring

PGN

Embattled attorney seeks reinstatement in Pennsylvania By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Robert P. Tuerk, an openly gay attorney, seeks reinstatement to practice law in Pennsylvania but faces an uphill battle because of his recent disbarment in Florida. In October 2015, Tuerk’s law license was suspended in Pennsylvania for a year and a day, after he failed to inform federal-court officials of a 1985 arrest on an LGBT-related morals charge. Tuerk’s law license also was suspended in Florida due to the oversight. But his problems were compounded when he allegedly failed to file a timely affidavit relating to his Florida suspension. In legal documents, Tuerk maintains he filed the affidavit as soon as he realized he was required to do so. But in July, the Florida Supreme Court disbarred Tuerk,

after bar officials claimed Tuerk should have filed the affidavit sooner. They noted that Tuerk signed for a certified letter notifying him of the requirement in July 2016. Citing the lack of a hearing, Tuerk is appealing his Florida disbarment. Meanwhile, his request for reinstatement in Pennsylvania remains pending. Tuerk, 54, is a longtime advocate for the LGBT community. Prior to his suspension, he was a member of Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia and the Police Liaison Committee. Additionally, he provided probono legal assistance for numerous people. Tuerk was never convicted of a crime anywhere, according to court records. Tuerk’s 230-page petition for reinstatement in Pennsylvania states: “I have accepted the error of my ways that have caused

KNOTT from page 1

June 2015. The posts were made from two separate IP addresses, which, according to court filings, were O’Donnell’s home and work computers. Comments were posted to a number of 6ABC stories, including about local crime news and national politics. O’Donnell’s posts included remarks seemingly written from the point of view of Knott, such as: “… my chief of police father” “I brutally beat up two guys with my mob of 12.” “I don’t know what drove me to my crimes except a good life and plenty of alcohol.” “You’re a bigot and so am I.” “Yeah that’s why I’m in trouble. Didn’t look like what you call the usual suspect, but video and my postings on Twitter got me caught.”

“I’m an entitled princess who does not deserve to be charged with the beatdown of some gay guys.” “Didn’t you see my mugshot in Philadelphia. I look good in my pink hoodie. So not looking forward to wearing orange.” “I’m an entitled princess who does not deserve to be charged with the beatdown of some gay guys.” An accompanying exhibit contains the transcript of a January 2016 appeal hearing after O’Donnell was denied unemployment compensation following her termination. In the transcript, O’Donnell contended she created the account to bring light to the gay-bashing case.

my suspension and I take full responsibility for the same. I look forward to being reinstated so that I may continue to excel in the legal field, and to continue to assist the under-represented. I’m also interested in getting involved in the area of ethics.” Tuerk’s petition also confirms that he recently completed 36 hours of legal-education classes, with at least 12 hours devoted to the area of ethics. A recent document filed in Florida on behalf of Tuerk states: “[Tuerk] supports his community through volunteer activities such as landscaping for a historic church, delivering meals to the sick and performing paralegal work for an innocence non-profit. To disbar him would be ruinous to his life and detrimental to society.” Neither side had a comment for this story. n

“People were saying that [Knott] was … OK in beating them up. And I was basically communicating that that wasn’t right,” she said. She went on to note the account “was a … parody of her. I wasn’t trying to post as her.” However, Jim Pudleiner, vice president and managing principal at Walker Parking, O’Donnell’s former employer, characterized O’Donnell’s posts as harassment. “I have a hard time understanding how harassing someone online, using a work computer, does not fall under being discharged for the result of non-work-related conduct and/or suspension of work for willful misconduct,” Pudleiner said. “I’m disappointed as a taxpayer in the state of Pennsylvania, as well as an employer, that this has even gotten this far, and the irresponsible use of resource to allow it to get this far.” During the hearing, O’Donnell noted any online commenting done during work was on lunch or other breaks; however, Pudleiner contended the timeframe was irrelevant, “if she was using a Walker computer to send out harassing posts.” According to the unemployment-hearing transcript, Detective Mark Zielinski said he and Detective Martin McDonough visited Walker Aug. 6, 2015. Zielinski said they met with Pudleiner privately and then asked O’Donnell to join the meeting in Walker’s conference room. He recalled O’Donnell said she would stop using the account and told Pudleiner, “If you want me to leave, I’ll pack my staff right now.” According to Zielinski, Pudleiner said he needed time to consider the situation. She was terminated shortly after. O’Donnell is seeking a jury trial. Knott, Williams and Harrigan also face a civil suit from the gay-bashing victims, Andrew Haught and Zachary Hesse. A settlement conference in that case is scheduled for Sept. 13; a jury trial is tentatively scheduled for December. n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 8-14, 2017

HEALTH AND WELLNESS DIRECTORY

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 8-14, 2017

TRANS CONFERENCE from page 8

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tremendously with a lot of people who have never submitted a workshop in their life to know how the workshop is going to go.” For the first time, the conference will also offer professional-development credits for educators. “We always believed that teachers are as important as anyone else to be able to speak out about trans issues and to help trans-identified people get through many parts of their life,” Laughlin said. “Education is a huge part of that.” However, two of the conference’s workshops were the subject of controversy. “Alternate ways of working with gender dysphoria” and “Detransition: A panel discussion” became topics of discussion on Reddit with some users saying the presenters, Carey Callahan and Elan Lepovic, practiced trans-exclusionary radical feminism and associated with transphobic individuals. Laughlin said that while these topics are important to discuss, the workshop-planning committee came to the conclusion that these presenters were not the right fit to speak on them. He added that Mazzoni plans to revisit the topics at future conferences. “It’s a difficult topic for people to talk about but if we can find the right people to handle the topic correctly and aren’t influenced by other outside sources that are anti-trans, then we will be happy to have them here,” Laughlin said. Looking to the future Next year’s conference will bear a new name: The Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference. “We are changing the name because we believe that the conference is more than just health now,” Laughlin said. “It’s on a larger scale, [and has topics related to] trans identity and trans wellness. This conference is more than just about health, it’s about a lot of other community issues.” The conference is set for Aug. 2-4, 2018, a month earlier than this year’s conference. Laughlin said the plan is to move it back one month each year until it returns to June, when the conference had traditionally been held. As for this year, Laughlin said nontrans people also should attend to learn about the experiences of trans people. “The only way we are going to move forward as people is to be able to understand each other and the only way we are going to understand each other is by attending these types of events, by being able to come together and learn from each other.” n The 16th Philadelphia Tran Health Conference will be held through Sept. 9 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St. Visit www.mazzonicenter.org/trans-health for more information and to register.

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Your financial life: A month-by-month guide Q: As the summer draws to an end, I feel like I’ve lost sight of some of my financial good intentions from earlier in the year. Do you have any tips for how I can stay on better track the rest of this year and next? A: Yes, it’s hard to believe it is September already! Every year, millions of Americans resolve to get their financial house in order. Then as the year slips away, so do some good intentions. But please don’t give up hope … maybe you just need a different approach.

advance of the April deadline can mean an earlier refund. • March — This might be a good time to check your retirement and other investment portfolios and compare their performance with a benchmark index. And if your asset allocation has changed, rebalancing can bring it back to its original mix.1 Spring ahead

• April — Federal income-tax returns are due on or around April 15. If you are expecting a tax refund, consider directing Jeremy the extra money toward your This month-by-month financial checklist focuses on speGussick retirement. Every little bit can cific financial tasks. If you add up. Remember, you have manage to accomplish just a until the tax-filing deadline few of them, you should be in better shape to contribute to an individual retirement financially and have more control a year account (IRA) for the prior year. from now. • May — Consider designating May as “check your credit report” month. You’re The winter months entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit report• January — Reviewing and updating ing agencies: TransUnion, Experian and your budget at the beginning of the New Equifax. Check all three reports at the Year can get you off to a good start. same time or at different times throughout Evaluate last year’s income and expenses the year. Log onto AnnualCreditReport. and adjust your plan accordingly. Try to com to stay on top of changes or suspirevisit your budget throughout the year cious activity. to see how much progress you’re making • June — In June, review your estate plan, beneficiary designations and the individuor to identify areas where you need to als you’ve named as executor and guardian improve. for your minor children, if any. Changes in • February — By February, you should your family situation might require adjusthave your Form W-2 from your employments to your plan. er(s). Gather the rest of your tax documents — property-tax receipts, mortgage The good old summertime interest, donation receipts, etc. — so you’re ready to meet with your tax advisor • July — July is a good time to schedule as soon as you have all your information. an appointment with your financial profesIf you’re getting money back, filing in

LAWSUIT from page 1

On Aug. 28, Doe asked O’Neill for permission to take an immediate appeal with the Third Circuit and to argue that anti-LGBT workplace bias always is a form of sex discrimination. If Doe can obtain a favorable ruling from the appeals court, he’ll have have a stronger case against Meadowview as his antibias case moves forward. “Judge O’Neill’s ruling, if left undisturbed, essentially would eviscerate our sexual-orientation-discrimination case,” explained Doe’s attorney, Justin F. Robinette. O’Neill permitted Doe to pursue some secondary claims against Meadowview. “But the heart of our case

Out Money

anti-LGBT bias involves my client experienced at Meadowview,” Robinette said. “There’s no reason my client shouldn’t have the full and equal protection of the law. To render him a second-class citizen simply because of his LGBT status is completely unacceptable.” Robinette added: “We really need this issue resolved by the Third Circuit as soon as possible, so we can move forward with the litigation.” Doe also seeks a Third Circuit ruling that anti-LGBT workplace bias is banned by Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Act because the act bans sex discrimination. As of presstime, O’Neill hadn’t ruled on Doe’s requests. “We hope the Meadowview case ultimately will send a clear

sional to check that you’re on track with pursuing your goals. Summer is also a good time to start teaching your children (or financially challenged spouse/partner) valuable lessons about money. Help them establish a savings account at your local bank and encourage them to set aside money each month for wish-list purchases. • August — Make sure your summer fun didn’t upend your budget with a review of your credit-card accounts and personal loans. If you’re not making progress with reducing your debt, come up with a plan to pay down your balances faster. • September — September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, so review your coverage to make sure it’s adequate for your family’s needs. Check your disability coverage as well, and consider the need to supplement any employer-provided coverage you may have. Fall into good year-end habits • October — October is generally the time for reviewing employee benefits and making choices for the coming year. Contributing to a health savings account (HSA) or flexible-spending account for health and/or dependent care can potentially lower your tax bill. • November — Begin year-end tax planning by November to take advantage of strategies that may help minimize your income-tax obligation. Waiting too long can deprive you of opportunities. As part of your assessment, consider your investments. Holding on to investments in a taxable account for more than one year will typically qualify you for a lower tax rate when assets are sold. • December — Consider donating to charitable organizations before year-end. Contributions charged to a credit card or

message that all antigay workplace bias and harassment is illegal,” Robinette continued. He added that a favorable ruling from O’Neill — and subsequent favorable rulings from the Third Circuit — “are a matter of great importance to the LGBT community.” “It’s a matter of fundamental justice for everyone, regardless of LGBT status,” Robinette said. “I’m astonished we’re even having this conversation in 2017. We fervently hope Judge O’Neill will grant our request and allow the Third Circuit to consider giving LGBT people full civil rights in the workplace.” Attorneys for Meadowview declined to comment for this story. n

paid by check by Dec. 31 may be deductible on this year’s tax return. n Jeremy R. Gussick is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional affiliated with LPL Financial, the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer.* Jeremy specializes in the financial planning and retirement income needs of the LGBT community and was recently named a 2017 FIVE STAR Wealth Manager as mentioned in Philadelphia Magazine.** He is active with several LGBT organizations in the Philadelphia region, including DVLF and the Independence Business Alliance, the Philadelphia region’s LGBT chamber of commerce. OutMoney appears monthly. If you have a question for Jeremy, you can contact him via email at jeremy. gussick@lpl.com. 1Asset allocation does not assure a profit or protect against a loss. Rebalancing a portfolio may create a taxable event if done outside a retirement account. This article was prepared with the assistance of DST Systems Inc. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. We suggest that you discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor. Please consult me if you have any questions. LPL Financial Representatives offer access to Trust Services through The Private Trust Company N.A., an affiliate of LPL Financial. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by DST Systems Inc. or its sources, neither Wealth Management Systems Inc. nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall DST Systems Inc. be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscribers’ or others’ use of the content. Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. *As reported by Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2017, based on total revenues. **Award based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of 2016 Five Star Wealth Managers

KYRA from page 1

trying to kick me out,” Maher laughed, “but then this time of year comes around and she says, ‘Never mind, you need this, come on in.’ “Someone at work the other day said, ‘I don’t know how you manage to function,’” Maher added, “and I said, ‘Well, you just kind of coast.’ Some days are better, some days are not. I just have to take each day as it comes.” Educating others about trans equality is also a cathartic experience. Maher participated in several years of the Philly Trans March, bringing a number of family and friends with her, and plans to return to the Oct. 7 event. Last year, she counseled a friend whose son came out as trans; it’s those youth who are being affected by anti-trans rhetoric, she said, including from the federal administration. “When it comes to the military, there have been gay and trans people in the military in some aspects for centuries. Anybody who is willing to go out and defend me, you let them do it. What difference does it make?” she said about the recent reversal of trans military inclusion. “Instead of trying to help people and encourage oneness and inclusion, they’re wanting to separate people. We need to be helping young trans people to succeed down the road, and that’s not the way to do it.” n

AC ul t ure rts

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 8-14, 2017

Dining Out Family Portrait Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly

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America’s Sweetheart

Trans comedian releases first live CD By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Out comedian, writer and motivational speaker Julia Scotti is releasing her first live comedy CD this month. Recorded in Seattle and titled “Hello Boys … I’m Back,” the album is a sly reference to Scotti’s return to standup comedy after her transition, as well as the struggles the trans community has faced in recent years. “I’ve been so fired up about the bathroom issues all over the country, not just North Carolina, and it seemed like a good way to make a statement to poke them in the side and let them know that I’m here,” she said. “And it has a double meaning because I’m back after being away for so many years. I actually was really happy with this one. I’m getting excited now that it’s becoming a reality.” Originally from Fairview, N.J., Scotti spent the the first 48 years of her life

known as comedian Rick Scotti, touring and performing in venues all over the United States and Canada, as well as opening for artists like Lou Rawls, Chicago and Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. In 2000, she left comedy to begin her transition and her new career as a teacher, where she remained for seven years. But everybody knows you can’t keep a good woman or a good comedian down. So after a 10-year hiatus, Scotti couldn’t ignore her calling for delivering outrageous humor and returned to the stage as ferocious and fearless as ever. She also channeled her talents for public speaking and teaching into lecturing on the subject of bullying and transgender youth. Scotti went on to be named as one of the Top Five Transgender Comedians in the country by Advocate in 2013. She was

also the first transgeer women to enter and become a finalist in the Ladies in Laughter competition. But her biggest break came when she became a quarter-finalist and fan favorite on season 11 of “America’s Got Talent.” Scotti said that level of national exposure has had a major effect on her career as well as her life, taking her from c o m e d y clubs and

bar to theaters and casinos across the

country. “It’s changed my life, hopefully forever, for the good,” she said. “When [‘America’s Got Talent’] first aired, I was getting recognized on the street a lot. That has sort of subsided. In terms of building and developing an audience, I got a CD out of it and signed to a record company. I’m performing in bigger and different places. We’re starting to see people coming out to see the show specifically. It’s been big stuff and little stuff.” Scotti added that “AGT” has increased her popularity among comPAGE 22

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SCOTTI from page 21

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edy audiences and helped solidify the demographic of her fans. “My demographic, you would think, would be nothing but old people, but it’s not,” she said. “The mean age is people in their 30s. Before the show, the demographic was a crapshoot. Now I’m seeing a demographic settle into place. Some people come back two, three or four times to see that show, which puts a lot of pressure on you to write new material. Now with the CD coming out, there’s more pressure.” Scotti was a comedian long before she transitioned and, while she touches on that aspect of her life in her comedy, more often than not — especially in front of your average beer drinking, straight-identified, mainstream audience — that isn’t the basis for the majority of her material. “After ‘America’s Got Talent,’ I felt a lot freer to talk about it because it was no longer a secret,” she said. “I do talk about it, but it’s not the bulk of my act because people would get tired of hearing that too. I may talk some more about it in the new hour that I’m writing. I’m going to set aside some time to deal with that too. It’s not all of what I do. It’s a really small part actually.” She added that while the size of her following has increased dramatically since being on “America’s Got Talent,” her LGBT fanbase hasn’t grown at the same rate. “I know this sounds silly but I don’t get a lot of LGBT folks coming to my shows and I don’t know if it’s because it’s in a mainstream venue,” she said. “And almost no trans people ever come out to my shows and I don’t know why that is either. I would love for more to come out and join in the fun. I have noticed an uptick in speaking events and performing for strictly LGBT venues, but those two world never collide for some reason.”

Scotti’s higher profile has also attracted the attention of filmmakers who are currently finishing up a documentary about her life and career. “It’s in editing right now,” she said about the film. “They’re doing post-pro-

duction work right now. We did the final shoot at the Friar’s Club in New York. They would let me see it; it’s a very hush-hush thing. But it’s focusing on my life, including comedy.” As for her future plans, Scotti plans to spend as much time on stage as possible while also pursuing any other opportunities that might arise. “I would love to do another CD next year,” she said. “I’m working on a new hour now. I would love to get hooked into a regular [gig], like a TV series. You want to be out in front of an audience every week to build your name and reputation. I love doing standup. I’ll never stop doing standup. I like to do bigger venues in different cities. Whatever comes my way I’d be excited to do.” n Julia Scotti’s new CD, “Hello Boys … I’m Back,” is slated for release Sept. 8 via Uproar Entertainment. For more information, visit www.juliascotti.com.

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Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 8-14, 2017

Suzi Nash

Bastion Carboni: Agitating, educating with art Ah, Fringe is back and all of my favorites are once again ready to thrill, chill, entertain and educate. The always-exciting Brian Sanders’ JUNK presents “Strand,” while Tangle Movement Arts soars high above with the vertical drama “Life Lines.” Drag songstress Cookie Diorio uses her 6.5-inch platforms for some philanthropic frivolity in “Art of the Heel” and the ever-dynamic Gunnar Montana takes us into the “Kink Haüs.” In fact, there is a whole page of LGBT-identified shows and performers this year. The list includes former Portraits Timaree Schmit and Tiel Guarino and a host of other folks you know who will be participating in the SEXxy “List of Common Misconceptions.” This week’s Portrait, Bastion Carboni, has been making a mark on the Philadelphia theater, drag and burlesque scenes. In addition to several acclaimed Fringe shows, Carboni (as his alter ego Pilar Salt) has joined forces with HoneyTree EvilEye (Schmit) to create the monthly event “Agitated! Performance with a Point.” At this year’s Fringe he’ll present “Scattershot,” a dark comedy about hierarchy, inevitability and animal instinct. PGN: Isn’t the motto from your neck of the woods “Keep Austin Weird”? BC: Yes, but it hasn’t been relevant for years. It’s been very corporate and tech-bro for the past 10 years. It’s had its soul sucked out of it. All the people who are on the “weird” side can’t afford to live there anymore. I know a lot of Philadelphia is getting gentrified and I really hope it doesn’t go the way of Austin because I really love this city. PGN: Are you from Austin proper or nearby? BC: I was actually born Mesquite, Texas, the rodeo capital of the world. It’s a suburb of Dallas. I dropped out of college and moved to Austin when I was 20. I wanted to expand my theater work and self produce my own shit. PGN: What were you like as a kid? BC: My dad says I was really somber, very morose with a dark sense of humor, which is what happens when you’re the only openly gay person in a small Texas city. I knew that I was gay when I was 6. I told Daniel Beavers on the playground in first grade — and yes, that was his real name — and from that day on I was called faggot on a daily basis. I went to school with the same kids for 12 years and the whole time I was “the school faggot.” So I didn’t have a lot of friends, I read a lot and consumed a lot of art. A good indication of my state of mind: When I read “Carrie” the first time, I cried because I empathized with her deeply.

PGN: Was there anyone who showed you empathy? BC: I remember when 9/11 happened, they were showing the news in my science class as it was unfolding. People were in the halls singing, “It’s the End of the World as We Know It” by REM and I just fucking broke down. I was sobbing and this girl — who I later found out had defended me when my name had come up, which it did a lot because I was “the faggot” — came up to me and just hugged me. I also had an English teacher … isn’t it always the English teachers who come to the rescue? Her name was Ms. Dersham and she was amazing. Do you know that famous Japanese print with the tiny boat, I think it’s called “The Great Wave”? You’ve seen it a million times, probably on a placemat at Kohl’s. There’s a rectangle on the print with some Japanese writing. I knew she’d studied Japanese in college and I’d asked her what it meant. The day after 9/11 I was really devastated by what had happened to all those people. I was sitting in the front row, despondent, and she put her hand on my shoulder — something that’s probably illegal now — and she slid a piece of paper to me with the translated caption, “In the crest of the wave off the coast of Kanagawa.” It was one of the most wonderful, deeply human interactions I’ve had with an educator. PGN: What was one of the craziest moments? BC: I was accused of making bomb threats. I was in high school during Columbine and I was a gay teenager in Texas writing emotional, dark poetry. The first alert came when they found a list of names of kids in the school that I had labeled my “To-do” list. [Laughs] It was actually a list of people I wanted to have sex with! It was all the popular kids that I hated but secretly wanted to do. I never found out who accused me of the second one, but it never amounted to anything. PGN: Tell me about the family. BC: My dad is a machinist and my mom is a nurse, so I grew up watching surgery videos while eating Sunday dinner. Mashed potatoes and open-heart surgery were often on the menu, so to this day I can watch gross things and it doesn’t bother me. I have one brother, Greg, and he’s a construction worker. PGN: What did you want to be when you grew up? BC: What didn’t I want? Let’s see, I wanted to be a cop, a primatologist, an ornithologist, a herpetologist … I wasn’t good at science but I read a lot of comics and somehow thought I would have a squadron of animals to defend me and do my every waking bidding. I’ve done

some phenomenally stupid shit in my lifetime! One time I tried training an army of bees by trying to control the general bee. Well, that asshole committed insurrection and would not cooperate at all. [Laughs] I never seem to get in trouble for real stuff, it’s always dumb things like getting arrested in New York for smoking on the subway. They ran my ID and found that there was a seven-year-old warrant out on me for peeing in public and they put me in jail! The funny thing is that my parents seemed to think I was a wild child, out sucking dick, drinking Boone’s Farm wine and stabbing hobos, but actually I just had a bad habit of losing my keys so I had to break back into the house at all hours and they assumed I’d been up to something crazy. PGN: What did you study at college? BC: I went to UNT [University of North Texas] for two years, studying English and Italian and theater, until I decided to drop out and pursue theater, but then I became

BC: Yes! That’s one of the reasons I love the burlesque community. Now there’s a group that reveres their history and they support and teach each other. They have a sense of their own trajectory in the art form. PGN: How did you end up in Philly? BC: Well, I was doing a show at the Fringe Festival in Austin. I found this woman to do a monologue in my show and she was a Jersey nightmare, fur coat and skintight Juicy couture jeans with heels. Perfect for the part. Her boyfriend invited me to come to New York and let me crash at his place in exchange for paying the electric bill, so I dropped everything and went. I lived there for most of 2005 and then one night I was drinking gin, smoking a rolled cigarette with three weeks of rent left in my bank account and I was trying to write a play and it wasn’t coming out. A voice in my head said, “Go back to Austin” so I silently screamed at the universe while throwing shit into my suitcase and I returned to Texas the next day with $10 to my name. Back in Austin, I produced another show but after a while I felt that I’d done all I could in Texas. I’d been keeping an eye on some theater companies in Philly and liked the scene here, so I said, “Fuck it,” found a place on Craigslist and moved to Philly. The worst year of my life. PGN: Oh no! BC: Yes, it was awful. I was living in a shitty situation, had no money, no friends, it was terrible. I became suicidal but having made it through, I learned a lot of valuable lessons. I came to realize that when I’m not making art I want to die.

PGN: What turned it around? BC: I was approached to do a theater piece with Olivia Jorgensen of Pig Iron Theater. I met a lot of peoPhoto: Suzi Nash very self-conscious that I didn’t have a ple through that and in fact degree. So to educate myself over the we cast a lot of people from next few years, I read 650 American plays Pig Iron in “Agitated.” They’re all such and a lot about the theater before productalented and incredible people. I also coming my own show. I’m dismayed at how peted in Miss Everything, where I solidmany directors these days don’t bother to ified my character Pilar Salt and realized learn the history of theater. You have to that there was an audience for something know where we’ve been in order to know other than lip-synching, which I appreciwhere to go! ate, it’s just not for me. But as Pilar Salt, I could do theatrical monologues in drag. PGN: And you have to know the rules to I met HoneyTree EvilEye, who took a break them. chance on me and we PAGE 30

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 8-14, 2017

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Little Lion: New Southern charm in Old City By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Even though we’re way up north, Little Lion, 243 Chestnut St., a new casual eatery, is here to inject a little bit of Southern comfort food into the Philly scene — with a couple of twists. The modern two-story space is comfortable and lends itself equally to a casual night out or a formal dinner. The staff is attentive and friendly as well. The usual suspects are represented on the menu, with a lot of seafood and fried offerings. The fried green tomatoes ($8) hit some decadent notes thanks in large part to garnishes of rich and flavorful pimento cheese and a robust bacon and tomato jam. Little Lion’s menu offers a nice variety of oysters on their menu. The fried oysters ($9) are crusted in cornmeal and tossed in an excellently spicy buffalo sauce that Little Lion should seriously consider bottling. We’d happily buy a few for the house. On the most refined side of the oyster menu is the chargrilled oyster ($11), a nicely done Rockerfeller-inspired dish with a generous

layer of breadcrumbs, shallots, Parmesan, lemon and garlic. The roasted heritage carrot salad ($9) radiates a simple charm with its delicate and elegant aesthetic. The carrots have a light sweetness that plays well with the strong flavors of the excellent goat cheese croquettes, which are the star of the plate. A lot of restaurants in town offer shrimp and grits, but Little Lion’s take on the Sothern staple ($21) really stands out. The grits themselves are pleasantly dense and hearty, bolstered with cheddar cheese and corn. The shrimp were plump and perfectly steamed as well. But what really distinguished this dish is the Tasso ham gravy that tops it, adding a nice smoky and spicy depth to the comfort dish. Desserts are a must with any Southern menu, and Little Lion doesn’t disappoint on that front. Their lemon crème brule ($8) throws a pleasant curve with just a hint of espresso adding some interesting flavor notes to the familiar dish. If you happen to be in Old City and looking for some inspired downhome eats in a relaxed and classy environment, stop by and sit for a spell at Little Lion. n

If you go Little Lion 243 Chestnut St. 267-273-0688 www.thelittlelionphilly.com Sun.-Thurs.: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.: 8 a.m.-11 p.m. FRIED GREEN TOMATO, GRIDDLE GRIT CAKE, SMOKED BACON & TOMATO JAM, PIMENTO CHEESE, BUTTERMILK VINAIGRETTE

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 8-14, 2017

PGN ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS

Fringe: From glam to great again By A.D. Amorosi PGN Contributor

PGN: Whether you’re painting portraits of melancholy or cheer, exploded reality or fiction, is it fair to say that you always use a surrealistic method to go with the madness? HS: The idea of my work is to switch the literary placement of realism with surrealism and symbolism. The idea is that audiences should be aware of the symbolic value first, then understand the realis-

There’s something cozy about the “curated” part of the upcoming Fringe Festival, with its rich dedication to the concept of home and its direct auxiliary conceits of proximity, family, comfort and closeness. That’s what you’ll see in Geoff Sobelle’s athletic “HOME,” Thaddeus Phillips and Steven Dufala’s kid-friendly “Billion Nights on Earth,” Pig Iron Theatre’s existentialist “Period of Animate Existence” and Michael Kiley’s spirited “Close Music for Bodies.” Yet, when it comes to the Neighborhood Fringe — the artists’ independent wing of the Fringe — subjects switch and veer a bit in that LGBT show runners and subject matter move toward a mix of big glam Jesse Bradley (Tom, from left), to the “great again” goofiness of Donald Jenna McLaughlin (Daisy), Lamar Trump’s rhetoric. Bumbrey (Gatsby), Jonny Long (Nick) and The original bisexual rock god David Julie Stackhouse(Jordan) in “GATZ” Bowie and his spirit guide’s influence Photo: Laura Lee Lenhoff on an artist’s sensibility is the musical topic of Mary Monahan and Ego Actus’ “Moonage Daydream”(named from the “Ziggy tic qualities underneath. The idea of this Stardust and the Spiders from Mars” hit) at post-modernist parody is not to pull away the Philadelphia Art Alliance. Moving from from the original work but to give it a new bisexuality to poly-sexuality (and with glam dimension. in its very name) Polyglamorous Productions and SEXx Interactive team up to present “A PGN: You identify as LGBT, yes? How List of Common Misconceptions,” a catalogue does that play into your work? of sexual errors and wonders lampooned as a HS: I identify as gender-nonconforming, Schoolhouse Rocks-ish after-school special, but I do not believe in labels. I have a done up in drag and burlesque — and at Adobe romantic interest in men, but as far as sex Café on East Passyunk Avenue yet. For the with men, I am asexual. Love and attraction sake of good old androgyny, there’s Greenfield can be superstar things. My LGBTQ show, Collective’s “Tilda Swinton Adopt Me Please” “Sword of the Unicorn,” states, “I’m gray. at Asian Arts Initiative. Directed by Maura That’s who I am; that is what everyone is Krause, this twisted Tilda tale looks at art and on some level.” I personally think being gender identification through the lens of the true to your identity is awesome. Nick show’s hero. For the sake of drag-kitch or Ryan Carraway is portrayed in “GATZ” as a closMurphy-based camp, there’s JCProductions’ eted homosexual, constantly belittled and “Joan Crawford in Her Own Words” with Eric being forced into a relationship he doesn’t Singel as the drunk and divine Joan. Now at want to be a part of. It is tragic whenever Tabu Lounge, this one-woman show actually someone feels restricted. Also there’re hints debuted at the old 2-4-7 in 1993. of him being in love with Gatsby. Where the current, scorched-earth (and flooded-out) political landscape is concerned, PGN: Why this story for 2017? “Great Again and The Passion of Kellyanne” HS: It started as a joke with my mother and is for you. With Cary Curran as the belea- became the play it is now. The apocalyptic guered Conway, written and directed by Andi theme reflects so well the feelings of those Stover and with a cast of female performers who lived through the Great War. Entire (Madeleine Mfuru and Leanne Velednitsky), communities were wiped out. The newer the LiveFeedNYC company and Mascher generation has trouble relating to things Space Co-Op tell a tale of two Kellyannes — that, to them, seem as though they are in the liar and the patriot. the long-distant past. The symbolic over One man who seems to want to tackle the haul of this piece will put the themes into a glittering, gilded age (the Roaring ’20s) and the more relatable prospective. It will also cross Apocalyptic Trump-ian Now is multi-hyphen- the gap of isolation for more experienced ate Harrison Stengle and his “GATZ,” which audience members. Audiences of all ages takes place at the Philadelphia Shakespeare can enjoy this show. When I discovered Theatre. A Fringe Fest veteran from 2015’s the racial themes of “The Great Gatsby,” “Cult Classic” and last year’s “Sword of the I knew I had to do this show. It became a Unicorn” (the latter of which tackles false social-justice project. It wasn’t my original narratives about the coming-out experience), intention to have Gatsby played by a black Stengle approaches Fitzgerald-ian decadence man, but now I can’t see doing it any other with his tongue in his cheek, his weirdness way. n set to “stun” and his first in the air. I spoke with Stengle in the middle of rehearsals for Visit www.fringearts.com for times and ticket prices. “GATZ.”

Theater & Arts A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum Walnut Street Theatre presents Stephen Sondheim’s classic Tony Awardwinning musical through Oct. 22, 825 Walnut St.; 215574-3550 Dita Von Teese’s “The Art of the Teese” Burlesque Revue The burlesque star performs her latest show 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-6253681. 2017 Fringe Festival The 17-day, citywide celebration of innovation and creativity in contemporary performance runs through Sept. 23 at various venues; http://fringearts. com. James Veitch: Dot Con The British comedian, musician and writer performs 8 p.m. Sept. 12 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. John Witherspoon The comedian seen in “Friday” and “The Boondocks” performs through Sept. 9 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215496-9001. Kink Haüs Gunnar Montana returns with a new show based on the theme of a brutal underground nightclub through Sept. 24 at The Latvian Society of Philadelphia, 531 N. Seventh St.; www. gunnarmontana.com.

GOING UP SWINGING: Catch queer-focused Tangle Movement Arts’ all-new performance of aerial dance and vertical drama “Life Lines,” in which the acrobats in the nine-woman cast and Philly-based acoustic trio Guide Birds collaborate to tell three women’s stories of rebuilding after sudden changes through Sept. 9 at Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St. For more information, call 215-2666215 or visit www.tangle-arts.com. Photo: Michael Ermilio

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 off zombies and bigots through Sept. 25 at Fringe Arts, 140 N. Columbus Blvd.; 215-413-9006. Tim Meadows The comedian seen on “Saturday Night Live” performs Sept. 14-16 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. Wayne’s World The comedy film based on the popular “Saturday Night Live” characters is screened 8 p.m. Sept. 11 at The Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888. Wild: Michael Nichols Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the work of the legendary photographer, artist,

technical innovator and ardent advocate for preserving natural habitats through Sept. 17, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100.

Music Danzig and Corrosion of Conformity The hard-rock bands perform 7:30 Sept. 8 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 215-627-1332. Patty Larkin The out singersongwriter performs 8 p.m. Sept. 8 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Janet Gardner The rock singer and Vixen front woman performs 8 p.m. Sept. 9 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5808. UB40 The reggae band performs 9 p.m. Sept. 9 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 215-627-1332. Lady Gaga The pop singer performs 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10-11 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215389-9543.

Nicole Atkins The singersongwriter performs 8:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at The Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St.; 267-639-4528.

Dead Cross The hard-rock band featuring members of Faith No More and Slayer performs 8 p.m. Sept. 10 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.

Billy Joel The classic-rock singer performs 8 p.m. Sept. 9 Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way, 800-9229999.

2 Chainz The rapper performs 8p.m. Sept. 10 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-6253681.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 8-14, 2017

‘Beach Rats’: Raw, real coming-of-age story By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor

REVOLUTION ROCK: Hard-hitting rap/rock supergroup Prophets of Rage, featuring members of Rage Against the Machine, Public Enemy and Cypress Hill, aren’t pulling any punches with their fiery message of resisting injustice and the current administration. They come roaring through Philly to perform 8 p.m. Sept. 10 at TLA, 334 South St. For more information or tickets, 215-922-1011.

Swervedriver The English alternative-rock band performs 8:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100. Crystal Bowersox The out singersongwriter and “American Idol” alum performs 8 p.m. Sept. 12 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. The Afghan Whigs The alternativerock band performs 8:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100. 2CELLOS The classical and pop-music duo performs 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 215546-7900. Ms. Lauryn Hill and Nas The hip-hop icons perform 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 609-365-1300.

The Offspring and Sublime with Rome The rock bands perform 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, 601 N. Columbus Blvd.; 215-922-1011.

Nightlife TRANSITIONS: Becoming a Trans-Affirming Birth Worker A unique training workshop, presented by “Brotha Doula” (aka Christian A’Xavier Lovehall), which provides the necessary guidance to birth workers on the most affirming practices for care of trans and nonbinary pregnant individuals, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 9 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; 215732-2220. Fuck Clothes Go Naked A private, allmale, all-nude,

social event celebrating the message of body positivity for all men, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Sept 9 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-9649675. Liberty’s Belles The Liberty Belles Burlesque Revue comes to Philly 9 p.m. Sept. 10 at Punchline Philly, 33 E. Laurel St.; 215-606-6555. Festival Get Pegged with John Jarboe and Dieter Rita Scholl The Fringe Festival presents a cabaret show 10:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at FringeArts, 140 N. Columbus Blvd.; 215-4131318.

Outta Town Suede The comedian seen opening for Joan Rivers performs 8 p.m. Sept. 9 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888596-1027. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy The neo-swing band performs 9 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Attack the Block The sci-fi action film is screened 9:45 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228. n

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.

Frankie (Harris Dickinson), the main character in writer/director Eliza Hittman’s phenomenal drama “Beach Rats,” opening Sept. 8 at Ritz theatres, doesn’t think of himself as gay, but he regularly cruises gay Brooklyn chat rooms. He cloaks himself in darkness on his webcam and is often prompted by guys to show more of his face and body. When Frankie asks a guy he meets online to expose himself, he is embarrassed by (or ashamed of) his desires to articulate what he knows he wants — but he eventually relents. His conflicted nature forms much of this absorbing character study. Hittman portrays a critical period of Frankie’s life with tremendous intimacy and a total lack of judgment. She seems less interested in telling a coming-out story, and more keen on exploring the Janusfaced nature of a guy who is bored, broke and horny. Frankie may enjoy the public homo-social environment of hanging out with his handball buddies Jesse (Anton Selyaninov), Nick (Frank Hakaj) and Alexei (David Ivanov), but he also craves privately exploring his same-sex passions. Of course, those two worlds will collide. The filmmaker coaxes an exceptional performance by Dickinson, who is on screen in just about every scene. The British actor, who has a commanding screen presence, is truly convincing as a working-class Brooklynite. Dickinson is sexy and moody, and able to communicate Frankie’s thoughts and emotions through the blankest of expressions. His vacant stares palpably suggest his anxiety and internal conflict. “Beach Rats” is focused more on mood than plot, which works in its favor. The film is full of textures, from the shirtless boys and their buff bodies to the plumes of smoke that are exhaled in a vape shop the characters frequent to Frankie sitting in the rain at a particularly downbeat time in his life. Hittman also captures the rhythm of Coney Island and the boardwalk’s tactile sensations with noticeable aplomb. From the noise of arcade games to the smell of hotdogs or the feel of the waves when Frankie and his pals jump around in the ocean in their underwear, there is an incredible authenticity. The environments, from Frankie’s claustrophobic house to the seedy motel or dark beach dunes at night where Frankie has his assignations, also inform much about the characters, whose lives are very much on the margins. The story has Frankie meeting Simone (Madeline Weinstein) under the Coney Island fireworks and taking her home, where she makes it clear she wants to have sex. He doesn’t and takes an easy way out, saying he is too wasted when she strips off his shorts and sees his limp dick. While she is angry with him — Frankie mocks her, rudely — he later apologizes and takes her out on a real date. Nevertheless, Frankie still cruises

for guys online, meeting various men for sex. Despite his macho swagger, Frankie is passive when it comes to gay sex, and active when it comes to oral sex. Suffice it to say, his relationship with Simone soon suffers as his interests lie elsewhere. Frankie’s dating Simone is certainly a cover for his queer desires, and yet his reluctance to come out stems from an insecurity that is alluded to throughout the film. While Frankie may come off as being a bit

cocky, it’s likely a façade; he is scared and unmoored; he is out of school, without a job or any money, and with no real thoughts about the future. Frankie should have his whole life in front of him, and yet, all he wants to do is get high and escape from whom he is. “Beach Rats” also features a subplot involving Frankie’s family that reveals some of the pressures in his life. His father (Neal Huff) is dying from cancer, and he frequently steals his dad’s medication to remain comfortably numb. Frankie’s mother, Donna (Kate Hodge), may or may not be fully aware of her son’s drug use, but she does express concern for Frankie when he comes home early in the morning, high as a kite. Their relationship has moments of mutual concern, but she starts to ride him harder once she sees how aimless and self-destructive Frankie is. Hittman’s strength as a filmmaker is her absolutely relentless depiction of Frankie’s life. (This is a supreme compliment). She and Dickinson so fully realize the extent of his internal conflict that it becomes extremely difficult to watch as he makes bad decisions as he feels boxed in a corner by his family, by Simone, by his buddies (who want him to score them drugs) and by his same-sex assignations. Viewers will feel for Frankie, who is sympathetic because his despair is so transparent. When he does have a breakdown of sorts on a party boat one night, the sequence of events is so intense that viewers, like Frankie, will be craving relief. Such is the unshakable power of Hittman’s film and Dickinson’s unforgettable performance. “Beach Rats” may traverse familiar coming-of-age territory; Hittman also brilliantly explored a teenage girl’s sexual maturation in her fantastic debut feature, “It Felt Like Love.” But the realism of the atmosphere and the rawness of the emotion make “Beach Rats” feel fresh and exciting. Don’t miss it. n

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 8-14, 2017

Q Puzzle Alec and Leslie Across

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

1. Like “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” 8. Sondheim’s Todd 15. “Lisa Ben” to “lesbian” 16. S&M activity 17. “To sum up ... “ 18. Send to the bottom 19. Change in form 20. Clumsy circumciser? 21. Sheer material for a drag queen 22. Popular vote winner, initially 25. Put out 26. Ani DiFranco’s “Letting the ___ Ring” 29. CEO’s degree 32. Anal stimulation 33. Sign of a Broadway hit 36. It needs oxygen 38. Hole revealed when you moon someone? 40. Regulars at a gay bar 42. Comportment of hairy gay guys? 43. With 49-Across, movie with Leslie Jordan and Alec 44. Sleep (with), to Shakespeare

46. Alec’s character 47. Beloved princess 49. See 43-Across 57. “___ to Watch Over Me” 58. Tinkerbell and others 60. Lou Grant on MTM’s show 61. Gets fired up like lesbians 62. Just Plains folks 63. Prick stimulators

Down 1. Hurt, like a Broadway Auntie? 2. Caligula’s year 3. Social group 4. All shook up 5. Stage name for Leslie’s character 6. Way to have one’s meat 7. Mouth-to-mouth pro 8. Lander at JFK, once 9. “___ Afraid of Virginia Woolf” 10. Leslie’s character 11. Gore Vidal novel 12. Dorothy, to Em 13. Pulled the plug on 14. Role for Bela 22. Bottom line 23. Letters on an LP

24. Bears’ home, briefly 27. Property claim 28. Fairy tale start 29. Alec of this puzzle’s theme 30. Theodore Cleaver, to Wally 31. Michelangelo’s painting and sculpture 33. Direction from Stephen Pyles 34. Diggs play about leased digs 35. Blowout 37. Bruin Bobby 39. Parseghian of Notre Dame fame 41. Some pitches, in Billy Bean’s sport 42. Work perk 45. Swerve, at sea

47. Kevin Bacon movie of the ‘80s 48. “Lesbians ignite!” e.g. 49. Ingredient in highballs 50. Sharif “Funny Girl” 51. Silence for Bernstein 52. “She ___ Him Wrong” (Mae West film) 53. Emily in “Butterfield 8” 54. “The Bell” author Murdoch 55. “Nick at ___” 56. Will of “The Waltons” 57. Debussy’s dry 59. ’60s draft org

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PORTRAIT from page 23

created “Agitated.” It’s been amazing. If you told me three years ago that my artistic work would be as some mouthy blonde I wouldn’t have believed you. PGN: And what is “Scattershot”? BC: I was trying to figure out what to do for Fringe and I wrote to my friend Tiel Guarino, who’s doing a show at Fringe with HoneyTree EvilEye called “List of Common Misconceptions.” I sent her a copy of a script I had in mind and she said, “That’s the one. Do it.” It was perfect because it captures as best I can the anger, paranoia and anxiety of the moment, the dread we’re all feeling in 2017. The play’s about four femme assassins in a waiting room. As a gay man, I wanted to write a play with femme-identified people that makes no mention of maleness, and where they don’t have to play “women.” I didn’t want to make a “Steel Magnolias.” They’re just people first and I have some badass humans playing the roles. PGN: Anything else on the horizon? BC: Yes, we’re doing a series at Tabu called “Collision,” me and HoneyTree, Tiel, my performance husband Paul Severe and the fabulous Brittany Lynn. The theme of the first show is “My First Album.” PGN: OK, time for some arbitrary questions. Best birthday? BC: For years in Austin I had a party each year. My friends were all performers so they’d bring a short piece or song to perform. It was the best! That and my 10th birthday when I got a Mega Man IV and an Ace of Base cassette. PGN: Tell me about coming out to the family. BC: Well, when I was 7 I told my mother that I had AIDS. I’d been fooling around with another boy named Max before swim class and soon after that experience I was in my grandmother’s trailer watching the

AC ul t ure rts

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news and there was a story about gay men and AIDS. I freaked out and told my mom and she said, “You can’t have AIDS.” and I said, “But I’m a lesbian!” I thought it sounded more grown-up than gay. I told her about fooling around with Max and she said, “You’re fine … just don’t tell your father.” But then when I was 16 they found gay porn on the computer and it was a disaster. It took a while and a lot of angst but now they’re fine with it. I finally had to give them an ultimatum, “Do you want one child? Or two and one of them is ‘a gay’? Also, please have something other than Moscato in the fridge when I come over. That stuff is just gross.”

Classifieds

PGN: First album you bought? BC: Well, I was a part of BMG music club. PGN: Oh my God, I’d forgotten all about that. BC: Yup. I had an Edie Murphy album, which my mom heard and threw away because of all the cursing. And “Bibbidi, Bobbidi, Bach,” classical music for kids. But of course like any teenage queer in the ’90s, Alanis Morrissette’s “Jagged Little Pill” was defining. I even have an Alanis tattoo for God’s sake! PGN: Three foods you want banished? BC: Creamed spinach, creamed any vegetable really. Scrapple — though I do appreciate the idea of not letting any parts go to waste — trash-in-food form. And oh God, those horrible old-ass peanut-shaped candies that come individually wrapped in orange or black cellophane and they’re all gritty in the middle! Those can go! PGN: Describe Philly in a Tweet. BC: A place where people think it’s acceptable to wear sweatpants in public. But the arts are great. n For more information about “Scattershot,” visit http://fringearts.com/event/scattershot/. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.

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Legal Notices Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia, August Term, 2017, No. 1543. Notice is hereby given that on August 18, 2017, the petition of Kevin Convers aka by common usage “Kevin Castro-Convers” was filed, praying for a decree to change petitioner’s name to Adriana Carmen Castro- Convers. The Court has fixed October 6, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in Room 691, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA for hearing. All persons interested may appear and show cause if any they have, why the prayer of the said petition should not be granted. ________________________________________41-36 Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia, August Term, 2017, No. 0776. Notice is hereby given that on August 11, 2017, the petition of Jonathan Patrick Eskow was filed, praying for a decree to change petitioner’s name to Jessica Petra Eskow. The Court has fixed October 6, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in Room 691, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA for hearing. All persons interested may appear and show cause if any they have, why the prayer of the said petition should not be granted. ________________________________________41-36

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No Job Too Small

Carpentry - Kitchen/Bathroom Hardwood Flooring - Windows Doors - Sheetrock - Plumbing Electrical - Cement - Stucco - Painting

email info@summersquality.com

FLORIO HOME REMODELING Creating Fabulous Homes for Over 25 Years Remodeling Professionals

We’ll Beat Any Written Estimate Financing Options Available

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

%15 Off when this ad is presented at time of estimate, and always for seniors, military and local or state police and fire employees

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

NJ office: 8569528197 Philly office: 2157833844

10% OFF

Financing Options Available

with this ad

Call/Email John Florio:

267-972-5928

FlorioHomeRemodelingLLC@gmail.com family

OwnED — an d — OpERaTED No Salespeople So ® No Commissions out of Your Pocket!

— —

GS Works Construction Inc.

General Contractors

LanDScaping - DemOLiTiOn - BuiLDing

• Tree ServiceS • Lawn care • cLean OuTS • excavaTiOnS • Brick/DirT HauLing • new & recOnSTrucTiOnS • remODeLing • aDDiTiOnS • cuSTOm FiniSHing

267-916-6592 Free Estimates Licensed & Insured

seal roofing complete roofing service ®

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

SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT

Send your contact information and a brief description of the event to editor@epgn.com.

Over 20 Years Experience - Owner Operated

• Rubber Roofs • Shingles • Sliding • Gutters

• Spouts • Coatings • Repairs • Skylights

Insured and License # 46941

215-888-2963

VETERAN’S DISCOUNT

POLICE & FIRE DISCOUNT

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.

R. RHOADS & SONS ROOFING INC.

F R E E E S T I M AT E S

Filippone Electrical FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL NEEDS

Peter the handyman • Ceiling Fans / Lighting / Dimmers • Window Treatments • Floor Coverings • Furniture Assembly & Repair • Closet Organizers • Displays / Bookcases • Finish Carpentry • Ebay Sales • Large Jobs or Small Fully Insure d

2I5.462.0446

Phone : emAIl : Peter@PeterThehandyman.com

www.PeterThehandyman.com

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

Spring Special

20% off with this ad Some Assembly Required? Call Peter!

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

(must be presented at time of estimate)

215-783-3844 LICENSED AND INSURED Philly Lic #18313 • PA. Lic #053919 www.filipponeelectric.com

www.sealroofing.net

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 8-14, 2017

PGN