PGN Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011 edition by The Philadelphia Gay News

The buzz in the bars and on Facebook the last 10 days tells us you really, really want to know who won what. So we’re going to tell you ...

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Vol. 35 No. 39

Y-HEP get $1.5 mil to fight HIV The Centers for Disease Control grant will be used to fight HIV among young MSM of color, an effort Congressman Bob Brady says will ‘help save the lives of high-risk teens and young men.’ Brady and Sen. Bob Casey wrote letters to the CDC in support of the proposal. By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

Bookstore marker to be unveiled at OutFest By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com During the annual coming-out festival next weekend, community and city leaders will come together to pay a lasting tribute to a local LGBT icon. A historic marker honoring LGBT bookstore Giovanni’s Room will be erected at the store, 345 S. 12th St., during next Sunday’s OutFest celebration. The marker will read: “Founded in 1973, the bookstore served as a refuge and cultural center at the onset of the modern lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil-rights PAGE 23 movement. The store pro-

Philly couple awaits immigration answers By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com A local same-sex couple immersed in an immigration battle could see either progress or another setback next week in their fight to stay together. Anton Tanumihardja and husband Brian Andersen are scheduled for a visit with the local branch of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Oct. 7, at which time the couple could learn whether the pending deportation order against Tanumihardja will be executed. Tanumihardja, a native of Indonesia, has been living in the United States since 2002. Originally on a tourist visa, Tanumihardja applied unsuccessfully several times for asylum, citing persecution faced by LGBTs in his home country, but was PAGE 23

TESTING AND TALKING: About 60 people turned out Tuesday night to Temple’s Tyler School of Art for a community discussion on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the people-ofcolor community. The forum, organized by The Colours Organization Inc., was held in conjunction with National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and promoted discussion on the alarming uptick in the epidemic among African-American men who have sex with men. Following the event, Colours hosted a mini-ball with prizes for the houses with the most members to receive an HIV or syphilis test. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Flyers player appears to drop antigay slur Another local professional athlete is coming under fire for his purported use of a homophobic slur. Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds is accused of calling New York Ranger Sean Avery a “fucking faggot” during Monday night’s game. The two got into a physical scuffle in the first period of the preseason matchup and continued to spar throughout the game. Game video, which did not have audio, captured Simmonds yelling what appears to be the slur at Avery from the bench as Flyer Claude Giroux attempted to restrain

Simmonds by his jersey. When questioned by reporters after the game, Avery said he did hear Simmonds direct a homophobic slur at him. Simmonds told media following the incident that he and Avery were “going back and forth” during the exchange and that he didn’t recall all that he said. The player met with National Hockey League officials Tuesday, who decided not to take any action against Simmonds, including fines or other penalties. Colin Campbell, NHL senior executive vice president of hockey operations, said Simmonds “expressly denied” using the slur and the league could not substantiate Avery’s assertion. The Flyers have not PAGE 20

A local youth program got a sizable grant this month that it will use to fund an innovative HIV-prevention campaign. Youth-Health Empowerment Program is the beneficiary of a $1.5-million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Y-HEP, a program of Philadelphia FIGHT, was selected for the CDC funding to launch a new prevention campaign targeting young men of color who have sex with men. The organization’s “I AM” project will seek to heighten awareness of the disease and increase testing numbers among men ages 18-29. “The rates of HIV and new transmissions in young MSM of color are really high in Philadelphia, as well as nationally,” said Katie Dunphy, YHEP director. “It was clear to us that this is a challenge and we wanted to respond to develop a program that thinks about the specific needs of this population to reduce the annual number of new HIV infections among young MSM of color.” The project will enlist members of this population to help spread messages about HIV prevention among their peers, reaching the target audience through outlets with which they are familiar, such as social media. “The whole idea is to recruit folks within the community and get them engaged in systems of care,” Dunphy explained. “We want to enroll people who are opinion leaders within their own circles, people who are already leaders. We’ll train them on things like how to reduce risky behaviors and the need for increased HIV testing and work with them to disseminate messages among their social networks. I think the brilliance of this program is that the messages will come from the youth themselves, not from me, not from an organization. But they’ll be working on developing these messages themselves and getting them out to PAGE 21

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CRUISING THE DELAWARE: Members of the Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus hit the Delaware River Sunday for a boat cruise on the Spirit of Philadelphia. About 40 members of the group turned out for the two-hour tour, which included a brunch with everything from salads to salmon to French toast. A portion of the proceeds from the brunch went to support the efforts of the PGTC, which works to promote the city as an LGBT tourist destination. Photo: Scott A. Drake NEWS

Crime Watch Local Media Trail News Briefing

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Contents

EDITORIAL/OP-ED

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

10 10 11 11 11

Which October event is most important for our community? Poll results from our online survey as of Sept. 28:

46% 37% 15% 2%

OutFest AIDS Walk Halloween Indigo Ball

Go to www.epgn.com to weigh in on this week’s question:

How do you enjoy OutFest?

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Philadelphia Gay News is a member of: The Associated Press Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Suburban Newspaper Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 2011 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155 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. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

MCCP celebrates 40 years of service By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

support women in Africa who are HIV-positive. We have a dance ministry, a choir, a drama group, a game and movie night — The Metropolitan Community Church and a lot of that is because we have a place of Philadelphia is preparing to mark four that’s our own now,” Jordan explained. While the church has flourished in recent decades of providing an LGBT-affirming years, it did so in spite of an embezzlement environment for worship and ministry. MCCP will celebrate its 40th anniversary scandal in 2006 in which a former employee with a weekend of events Oct. 14-15 that was accused of stealing tens of thousands of will bring together past, present and future dollars. “We went through all of that and we’re generations of congregants and supporters. The theme — “40 Years of Welcoming alive and well,” Jordan said. “Many orgaWho-So-Ever” — exemplifies the church’s nizations couldn’t lose $60,000 like we did long-held mission, explained the Rev. and still be successful. So that’s something that we’re really proud Jeffrey Jordan, church pasthat we were able to deal tor. with.” “MCC has always been The church’s decades of a church that serves the growth and achievements LGBT community and will be reviewed throughvery much advocates for out its weekend of annithe rights of the LGBT versary celebrations. community,” Jordan said, On Friday, the congrenoting that the denomigation and the public are nation itself was founded invited to a reception with even before Stonewall. MCC founder the Rev. “We’ve always been at the Elder Troy Perry at 6 p.m. forefront of the gay comat City Hall’s Conversation munity.” Hall. Following the recepThe local congregation, guests can head to tion was founded in the the William Way LGBT fall of 1971 by Walter Community Center, 1315 Applebaum, three years after the first MCC congre- The Revs. Arlene Ackerman Spruce St., at 7:30 p.m. gation began in California. (from left), Jeffrey Jordan, for the screening of “Call As the LGBT commu- Daniel Lee and Darlene Garner Me Troy,” about Perry’s nity has changed, how- celebrated the installation of founding of the denominaever, so too has the local Jordan and Lee as co-pastors tion and his LGBT-rights of the Metropolitan Community work, where Perry will be congregation. “I think any church Church of Philadelphia in on hand to answer questions and members of The needs to be able to evolve October 1994. PGN file photo Attic Youth Center will to be successful and to meet the needs of its community,” Jordan perform. The following day, MCCP will host an said. “And while we’ve always been focused on the same basic mission, we have defi- anniversary convocation service at 2 p.m. at First Unitarian — the church’s inaugural nitely evolved.” Jordan became pastor 18 years ago location — with music by the Anna Crusis and, in that time, the church has become Women’s Choir, Voices of Pride, A Voice much more diversified, he said, reaching for All People and Philadelphia Gay Men’s Philadelphians of all races, ages, orienta- Chorus’ ensemble group Brotherly Love, which Jordan said marks the first time the tions and identities. Membership in the church has seen its four groups will join together for a perforups and downs over the years and currently mance. Perry will serve as the keynote speaker averages around 50. The physical location of the church has at the event, and Patrons of Humanity also changed numerous times — starting Awards will be given to Franny Price, Mark out at the First Unitarian Church at 21st and Segal, Lee Carson, Chris Paige, Waheedah Chestnut streets, moving several times and Shabazz-El, Gloria Casarez, Carrie Jacobs spending more than a decade at the William and the Feast Incarnate, the University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation’s Way LGBT Community Center. In 2009, MCCP moved from the center weekly dinner for those affected by HIV/ into the University Lutheran Church of the AIDS. At 6 p.m. Saturday, the congregation and Incarnation, where it has around-the-clock its supporters will gather for a dinner at access to its facility. “We’re now in a place that is all ours Finnegan’s Wake, 537 N. Third St., which — that’s one of our biggest accomplish- will be emceed by Henri David with enterments,” Jordan said, noting that the new tainment by Peterson Toscano and hostesses locale allowed MCCP to expand its offer- Andrea LaMour and La Tina Montgomery. Tickets to the dinner are $50, and tickets ings beyond weekly worship to include to Friday’s reception are $30. The movie other ministries. “We feed the homeless. We have a screening is free. For more information, visit www.mccp40. food-share program where people can buy inexpensive food. We have programs that com. ■

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We Are America . . . October is Gay History Month From the very beginning, the LGBT community was a part of the founding of our country — and were often welcomed in the effort. From Founding Fathers to Revolutionary War Heroes, from Civil War Heroes to the author of “America the Beautiful”

Look for new stories every week in October, in print and online.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

Action AIDS marks silver anniversary By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

were instilled by some of its earliest organizers, Burns said. On Oct. 22, Action AIDS will commemIn the past 25 years, Action AIDS’ client orate its anniversary with a gala — from base has increased from 100 to about 5,000 7-11 p.m. at Arts Ball Room, 1324 Locust — but despite its exponential growth, the St. — during which Friend for Life awards agency has remained committed to the will be presented to founding director Jim principle of providing individualized ser- Littrell, founding board president Bob Schoenberg and the organization’s first vice and care to each client. “When we started, our focus was to employee, Anna Forbes. “Those three folks all volunteered their make sure no one faced AIDS alone and that’s never changed,” said Action AIDS time and their expertise to help get the organization off the ground and running executive director Kevin Burns. When Action AIDS opened its doors in and all continue to be very involved in the 1986, however, the epidemic looked much LGBT community and with HIV/AIDS issues,” Burns said. “Bob and Anna are different than it does today, Burns noted. “In the early days we were helping people social workers and are really responsible die with dignity,” he said. “We would make for building the social-work ethic and morals into the organization, and Jim, as an Episcopal priest, brought a perspective of social justice and of being responsive to the community.” The organization has its roots in the gay community, Burns said, but over the years has continued to be non-population-specific — serving those who are gay, straight, male, female, black, white, elderly and children. In the beginning, the organization’s work was largely fueled by a group of 84 men and women who got behind the fledgling organization to support loved ones struggling with the disease. That initial effort instilled a strong spirit of volunteerism that has persisted, as many of Action AIDS’ clients have gone on to volunteer for the agency, and it continues to operate one of the oldest Volunteer Buddy programs in the country. Burns initially came to LISA SAVAGE (FROM LEFT), ENNES LITTRELL AND BOB SCHOENBERG AT ACTION AIDS’ SECOND- the organization as a volunANNIVERSARY PARTY IN 1988 PGN file photo teer and in 1988 was hired as a case manager, taking sure people had access to care, to services over as director six years ago. In the early days, staff and volunteers as they prepared to die. But, thankfully, a lot has changed, so we’re now helping peo- were largely drawn to the organization because of a personal connection to the ple to live with the HIV disease.” Action AIDS has continued to focus on epidemic, Burns noted, a trend that has issues of access but, as the disease evolved, changed in recent years. “We still see some people coming to us those efforts have transitioned to areas like because they’ve been personally affected, housing and quality-of-life issues. “There are treatments out there right but we have seen a lot who’ve never known now that can make HIV a chronic illness anyone with HIV/AIDS but who are interas opposed to a terminal illness, but access ested in volunteering or working here hasn’t changed,” Burns said. “We’re still because they realize that this is an imporfighting every day for more access and tant cause. And I think they realize the to remove the barriers people with HIV model of care that we have is really on the cutting edge,” Burns said. “I initially only face.” The tenets the organization follows today planned to stay a few years but I quickly

realized that the model we were providing was not something that I, as a social worker, was going to get anywhere else. We now have a lot of young social-work interns and people right out of school who want to be involved in the issues of access to healthcare, social justice and serving marginalized communities — those are values that are central to the field of social work and things that our organization also values.” Those principles have served as the building blocks for some of the agency’s most significant accomplishments in the past 25 years — such as the launch of Case Nueva Vida, its housing facility for those with HIV/AIDS, and its partnership with 37 local healthcare partners where it provides HIV/AIDS case management. Just this month, Action AIDS was awarded an $80,000 Health Care Planning Grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration under the federal Department of Health and Human Services. The grant will allow the organization to undertake a yearlong planning process to examine the current state of access to healthcare for those with HIV/AIDS in the city — and subsequently work to close those gaps. “We’re going to work with the city, with

AACO [AIDS Activities Coordinating Office] and primary-care providers to identify where in the city there is a real lack of access to primary medical care because of not having health centers that focus on HIV as a specialty,” Burns said. “And the result of that process hopefully will be for us applying for additional funding to partner with an existing primary-care center to provide better access for people with HIV or to look at the feasibility of our opening our own primary healthcare facility that would eventually become a Federally Qualified Health Center. So this is a brandnew area for us and we want this process to be open and transparent and we’re really excited to be able to engage people from across the city in this opportunity.” The HHS grant will be one of several topics of discussion at the upcoming anniversary gala, as Action AIDS’ supporters come together to celebrate both the past and the future. “We wanted to hold an event that looks back at our history with pride and looks at how we were formed out of the gay community and have grown from there and are now looking ahead to where we are headed.” Tickets to the event are $150. For more information, visit http://actionaids.org/ events/25th-anniversary-gala. ■

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News Briefing WWCC gets funding gifts The William Way LGBT Community Center announced this week that it will benefit from a total of $350,000 left by the late Jack Wilcox Jr. Center executive director Chris Bartlett explained that the organization received $200,000 from Wilcox’s estate earlier this year and the rest of the funding came through this month. Bartlett said Wilcox’s gift is the largest legacy gift the center has ever received. “Planned giving can be a great resource, especially during difficult economic times like this, and this gift is incredibly huge,” Bartlett said. Additionally, Al Besse and Scott Evers announced a gift of $25,000 to match contributions at this weekend’s Indigo Ball.

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The Easton Area Democratic Committee will honor the work of Equality Pennsylvania board president Adrian Shanker at its inaugural Easton in Blue gala from 6-10 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Bank Street Annex, 316 Northampton St. in Easton. Shanker, who was elected EQPA president last month, will be presented with the Young Democrat Award for his work on Easton’s new domestic-partner law. Shanker will be honored alongside Easton Mayor Sal Santo, the emcee for the evening, and former Easton City Councilmember Josie Smull. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) will serve as the keynote speaker. Tickets are $75. For more information, call 610-253-1068 or e-mail fleckconsulting@gmail.com.

Come out for out candidate LGBTs and allies are invited to attend a fundraising social to support the campaign of out judicial candidate Dan Clifford from 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 3 at Mac’s Tavern, 226 Market St. Clifford is running for judge in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, after defeating two other candidates in the spring primary to capture the Republican nomination. The event is $50 per person. For more information, visit www.danielclifford.com or search for Friends of Dan Clifford for Judge on Facebook.

Allies tackle LGBT issues University of Pennsylvania will host British rugby player Ben Cohen and AllAmerican wrestler Hudson Taylor next week for a discussion of homophobia in sports. The ally athletes will appear from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Hall of Flags at Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce St. Admission to the free event, organized by LGBT athletic organization Our Group and Penn Athletes and Allies Tackling Homophobia, is open to the public. Cohen retired from his rugby career earlier this year to guide the efforts of his own foundation, which works to combat bullying and homophobia in sports, while Taylor founded AthleteAlly.org this year. Cohen and Taylor will take part in a question-and-answer session following their talk, and anonymous questions can be sent in advance to jmagnes@sas.upenn.edu.

Flag to fly at City Hall Mayor Nutter and other city officials will welcome Gay History Month by raising the rainbow flag at City Hall in a 2 p.m. ceremony Oct. 6. The flag, first raised last year, will fly through the end of October. This year’s ceremony will focus on milestones in the local LGBT community, highlighting the 40th anniversary of the Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia, the 20th anniversary of the Colours Organization Inc. and the inaugural Philly Trans* March that weekend.

Family conference coming Philadelphia Family Pride will hold it second annual Family Matters Conference Oct. 15 at Widener University to provide information, resources and networking opportunities for current and prospective LGBT parents. This year’s event will feature 18 workshops covering topics such as the legal issues facing LGBT-headed families, discussing sexuality with children and working effectively with educational institutions to address diversity. Three panels will be specifically geared toward prospective parents — “Babymaking in the 21st Century: Assisted Reproductive Options,” “Adoption Options” and “Dos and Don’ts of Donor Insemination” — and several others will encourage participation from both parents and children. On-site childcare will be provided for children 3 and over for those pre-registering by Oct. 10. Registration for PFP members is $5 and $10 for non-members. Admission for children and students is free. For more information, visit www.phillyfamilypride.org. ■ — Jen Colletta

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Rick Santorum

Editorial

Best of best This week, PGN is presents its inaugural compilation of all things fine in gay Philadelphia. It’s a joint effort: nominations by you dear readers, tiebreaking votes by PGN staff. While this might be the first time that PGN is doing a “best of” in name, this isn’t the first time the community and the paper have honored our favorites. Years ago, PGN held the Lambda Awards, garnering votes from readers. In 2006, PGN started the Pink Penny Awards, in which the editorial staff chose its favorites from the slew of worthy contenders. After five years, frankly, we were bored. We needed something fresh to get us excited about going out in our town again. Pink Penny took a lot out of us. We had to figure out the categories, then have staff submit their picks. Next we compiled submissions and selected the winners. Occasionally, we had to take field trips to sample the wares and make sure we made the right call (Naked Chocolate, where are you?). We often had to argue the finer points of this bar over that one, this restaurant over that one. Then we had to send our photographer to capture our faves and set our crack entertainment writer loose on the winners. It damn near kills them every year. As editor, I tried to make sure we were as fair and balanced in our opinions as we could be. Then, we had to print certificates and distribute them to the winners. Needless to say, at least once or twice, something fell through the cracks. Thus, the Best of Gay Philadelphia was born. This time, we are sharing the workload. For this, we established the categories, then figured out how to get you, dear reader, to nominate your favorites online and on paper. (Thank you!) Next, we compiled the submissions and pulled the top five nominees. We printed these last week, so that readers would know what had made the first cut. After this, PGN staff sat down and reviewed the nominees. Some categories were easy calls, in which there was a clear winner. Others were close, and we had to cast our own votes. Then we sent our crack photographer and entertainment writer to work. What you have before you took months to plan and only a little blood, sweat, heartache and tears. For all the snark and fun that is a part of this, we also want to sincerely acknowledge the people, places and things that comprise our community and make it great. We truly wish that we had more time and space to appreciate and recognize what so many of you do, be it activist, entertainer, entrepreneur or all-around good person. You make Philadelphia the best. Congratulations, Best of Gay Philadelphia. ■

Say what you want about Republicans, but they sure do keep us in suspense about how high the homophobic ceiling is inside of their “big tent.” I once interviewed Dan Savage and asked him if anyone ever reacted negatively when he and his boyfriend were out with their adopted son. Savage kind of dismissed the question, saying you’d have to be a complete asshole to say something antigay to a kid’s dads right in front of him. But that was years ago, and while acceptance of gays and lesbians has grown, the incivility of the antigay right seems to have grown too. It’s no secret that the antigay right is primarily Republican and that the right wing of the party has been steadily taking control of the GOP to the point where they’re less a wing and more the whole bird. And what an angry bird it is. If the GOP debates are any indication, many Republicans are not at all concerned about coming across as complete assholes. In fact, it seems almost like a prerequisite. The Sept. 22 Fox News/YouTube debate is an excellent case in point. As one might expect during a YouTube debate, videos of folks asking the candidates questions was a big part of the questioning. Stephen Hill, a soldier serving in Iraq, was one of those video-question-askers. He said he was gay and wanted to know where the candidates stood on the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal. The audience booed him. And not one of the candidates on the stage seemed to have a problem with this. Well, not at the time, anyway. Rick Santorum has since claimed he didn’t hear the booing and that if he had, he would have totally stood up for that gay soldier. “Had I heard them, I certainly would have commented on them,” Santorum said during an interview with Fox News’ Megyn Kelly. “I condemn the people who booed that gay soldier,” he told Kelly. “That soldier is serving our country. I thank him for his service to our country. I’m sure he’s doing an excellent job; I hope he is safe and I hope he returns safely and does his mission well.” Really? I find this doubtful considering his adamantly antigay response to the question.

“I would say any type of sexual activity has absolutely no place in the military,” he responded. “Removing DADT I think tries to inject social policy into the military. And the military’s job is to do one thing, and that is to defend our country. We need to give the military, which is all volunteer, the ability to do so in a way that is most efficient at protecting our men and women in uniform. And I believe this undermines that ability.” He said DADT repeal meant that gays in the military had “a special privilege” to engage in sexual activity, which is not true. Santorum clearly can’t see past the “sex” in “homosexuality.” The fact that gays are real people, real people who have sacrificed God knows what in order to serve in the military, is lost on him. Kelly then asked him, “So what would you do with soldiers like Stephen Hill? I mean, now he’s out [and] you saw his face on camera. When he first submitted this video to us, it was without his face on camera. Now he’s out. So what would you do as president?” This is an incredibly important detail. That Hill couldn’t even show his face on camera when he first submitted his video and now, just a short time between submitting and having his question used, he can show his face is nothing short of amazing. But that’s also lost on Santorum, who says that although he wouldn’t kick Hill out since that wouldn’t be fair, “we would reinstitute that policy, if Rick Santorum was president, period.” He added, “We would move forward conformity with what was happening in the past, which was, sex is not an issue. It should not be an issue. Leave it alone, keep it to yourself, whether you’re a heterosexual or a homosexual.” Ah, yes. We’d go back to fundamentally flawed and completely ineffective policy that accomplished nothing besides codifying homophobia. And that’s apparently how Santorum says, “Thanks for your service, homo.” ■ D’Anne Witkowski has been gay for pay since 2003. She’s a freelance writer and poet (believe it!). When she’s not taking on the creeps of the world, she reviews rock ’n’ roll shows in Detroit with her twin sister.

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OP-ED PGN

Uncovering America’s gay history Next week’s PGN, along with 28 newsGeorge Washington in all probability papers across the country, will begin to cel- was the first American to offer domesticebrate October as Gay History Month. This partner rights. He gave housing to a known is the largest gay history project of any homosexual couple when housing was a type, anywhere ever: Our combined print premium at Valley Forge. And when faced run alone is over 650,000. The 29 newspawith a homosexual scandal at Valley Forge, he took the least harmful course of action pers and magazines are in every major city and embarrassed the officer in America and, with our web accused of sodomy rather than traffic, the numbers are staggering. Our newspaper has been giving him the death sentence as involved with this project since Thomas Jefferson demanded. the beginning and, each year, I How about the Africansometimes feel that the commuAmerican gay man who led a troop of black men in the nity doesn’t really care. But all Revolution? of a sudden this year, there is Or the women who dressed enthusiasm like I’ve never seen as men to enlist in the Colonial before. And that is borne out Army? After the war, when they with those numbers. And with could have taken off the drag, what the writers discovered. some chose to live out their lives We clearly make the case that as men. historians have hidden — closeted — the LGBT community’s Do you know about the lesbian who wrote one of the contributions to building and Mark Segal country’s most patriotic songs, preserving this country. “America the Beautiful”? This year, there are no living celebrities involved with the project. In You’ll also read about the debate of whether President Lincoln preferred men past years, we’ve had exclusive interviews over women. Many historians have clearly with Sir Elton John, Congressman Barney held a biased view of Lincoln, dismissing Frank, tennis greats Martina Navratilova and Billy Jean King, along with a guy by habits that suggest his true orientation. the name of Barack Obama. And we showcase another gay president This year’s theme is “We are America,” — and his partner. how the LGBT community and its allies And then there’s the gay man who wrote founded a nation. That’s the U.S.A. we’re the drill book and maneuvers that brought talking about. I can bet Rick Perry a $3 order to a rag-tag Revolutionary Army and bill that, after reading this series, you’ll led us to victory. never allow a conservative to say “Our Founding Fathers did not have gay people This project has been a labor of love and in mind when they formed this country.” our writers from across the country deserve The Founding Fathers very much knew of our gratitude. So, next week and all — even recruited — those who pushed the through October, read PGN’s salute to our boundaries of sexual orientation and gencommunity’s history and take pride that der identity/expression. your community was among those who Here are some humorous examples from founded and kept this country together. ■ the series — all true. Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the You’ll discover, starting next week, nation’s most-award-winning commentaBenjamin Franklin was the first U.S. military recruiter who enlisted a gay man into tor in LGBT media. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com. the Revolutionary Army.

Mark My Words

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

Street Talk Should there be a federal antibullying law protecting LGBT students? “Yes, it’s totally appropriate for the federal government to offer assistance. Nobody should be Ashley Earley scared to nurse go to school Washington Square West [because of bullying]. Unfortunately, a lot of school districts are ignoring the issue so the federal government has to step in.”

“No, keep it local. You have more control that way. The locals know the hot spots and where to troubleshoot. Jose Garcia It’s a more retail manager personal South Philadelphia approach. With the federal government, it’s very impersonal. Just a lot of rules and regulations.”

“No. If there’s a problem, have it dealt with by local or state officials. Bullying is a cry for attention: Bullies Mark Kennedy need to be actor dealt with Bella Vista individually. The federal government isn’t capable of that individualized approach.”

“Yes, the problem is so extreme is requires federal intervention. I’m from Boston. I have a lot Donna Rotman of friends personal chef and loved Bella Vista ones who’ve experienced bullying. It angers me and causes me deep concern.”

recognize the Dollhouse Revue in its list of best drag shows in Philadelphia. Not only is the show one of the best-produced shows in town, but also is busier than any of the nominees. This was a clear snub. Shame on PGN.

tion to this list explained that this was a reader’s choice contest? The nominees were picked by the readers, not by PGN. So criticize the readers for not casting enough votes for Dollhouse Revue.

Letters and Feedback In response to “Mazzoni Center gets $80K from fed,” Sept. 23-29: With this new income, Mazzoni could really expand on some ancillary services. I, for one, would like to see scholarships for hair removal for transwomen. — JordanGwendolynDavis In response to “Best of Gay Philadelphia nominees,” Sept. 23-29: Why is there not a category for best LGBT nightlife dancers?? Both Icandy and Sisters have amazing gogo dancers! — gayphilly

Congrats to the whole neighborhood for their nominations. I hope that the PGN can do a story on the resurgence of the neighborhood now that businesses are flourishing again and turning back into the place to be. — YayPhilly

— Drag Fan

Shouldn’t be surprised by the lack of people of color or places/businesses frequented by people of color ... more of the same. Those nominated who have an ounce of humility should decline inclusion in this farce!

I am proud to be nominated as Best Drag, and as a person of color who is a part of a community of every ethnicity in this world, I represent who I am and others who are a part of this community. Thank you for your support.

— POC

— Rasta Boi Punany

I cannot believe that PGN has failed to

Drag fan: Did you notice the introduc-

— crackerj7 In response to “Farewell Party,” Sept. 2329: DADT repeal: Now gay military members can say they’re second-class citizens. No spousal benefits, survivor benefits, superior housing for married couples. It’s a big, delicious nothing-burger. — Arvila Sutliff

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

NEWS PGN

Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between Sept. 12-25. Information is courtesy of 6th District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice.com or call 215-686-TIPS (8477). INCIDENTS — At 5:18 a.m. Sept. 13, a parking lot attendant was sitting in his car next to the attendant’s booth, 1314 Spruce St., when he saw a black female wearing a white shirt and pajama pants enter the unlocked booth and take keys to two of the cars parked in the lot. The female left the scene and the attendant called police. — On Sept. 13, the 3rd District took a report and investigated vandalism at the playground at 1020 Lombard St., where anti-Semitic graffiti was found on two signs near the tennis courts. — Between 6-8 p.m. Sept. 13, someone cut the lock off a locker and stole a wallet that was inside at the 12th Street Gym, 223 S. 12th St. — At 12:35 a.m. Sept. 14, a man delivering a pizza to a residence on the 1000 block of Waverly Street was attacked by a male who attempted to take the pizza box from him. When the deliveryman called for help, the attacker fled east on Pine Street while several residents called police. The suspect was described as a black male, 6-feet, 180 pounds with cornrowed hair and wearing a blue, white and red polo shirt and dark pants. — Between noon-8 p.m. Sept. 15, someone stole a secured bicycle from outside 800 Walnut St. — Between 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 15, someone stole CDs and clothing from a 2006 Nissan parked in the 1200 block of Spruce Street. — At 1:15 a.m. Sept. 17, two males grabbed a cell phone from a female walking in the 300 block of South Eighth Street, knocked her to the ground and fled north on Eighth. The suspects were described as black males, both in their early 20s, 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-10, thin and wearing dark hoodies and jeans. — At 3:35 p.m. Sept. 18, a male snatched an iPhone from complainant’s hand at 12th and Pine streets. The suspect fled west on Pine on a bike and was described as a black male, 16 years old, 5-foot-7 and wearing a white sweater. — Between 1-4:45 p.m. Sept. 20, someone stole a secured bicycle from a rack outside 211 S. Broad St. — Between 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 21, someone stole a secured bicycle from outside 201 S. Hutchinson St. — Between 8 p.m. Sept. 22 and 5:30 a.m. Sept. 23, someone smashed a window of a 2009 Hyundai parked in the

700 block of Manning Street and stole an iPod and a bracelet. — Between 8:30 a.m.-noon Sept. 23, a laptop and TV were taken from an apartment in the 1300 block of Spruce Street. There was no sign of forced entry. Sixth District Officer Kelly attempted to lift fingerprints. — At 1:40 p.m. Sept. 24, two males stole an iPhone from a table outside More Than Just Ice Cream, 1119 Locust St., while the phone’s owner was dining. The offenders were described as black males, 15-16 years old, both 5-foot-9 with thin builds. One was wearing a blue and red shirt; the other was wearing a gray shirt. They fled south on Quince Street. — Between 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 24, someone smashed the window of a 2003 Hyundai parked in the garage at 237 S. Broad St. and stole a GPS and an emergency kit. Sixth District Officer Kennan attempted to lift fingerprints. — Between 11 p.m. Sept. 24 and 4:40 p.m. Sept. 25, someone stole a 1998 Ford parked in the 1200 block of Cypress Street. ARRESTS — At 11:45 p.m. Sept. 12, a male approached another male in the 1200 block of Spruce Street, threatened to cut him (no knife seen) and took his cell phone. The thief fled south on 12th. The victim went to Central Detectives, where he identified a photo of the suspect. This information was given to 6th District Officer Loggia, who apprehended the suspect in the 1200 block of Locust Street. The 39-year-old with a South Philadelphia address was charged with robbery and related offenses. — Between 8-9 p.m. Sept. 13, 6th District officers issued citations to two males for summary offenses outside 261 S. 13th St. and 1300 Locust St. — Between 12:30-6:30 a.m. Sept. 14, 6th District officers issued citations to two males for summary offenses outside 409 S. 13th St. and 400 S. 12th St., and arrested a male for a summary offense outside 1300 Pine St. — At 7:25 p.m. Sept. 14, 6th District plainclothes officers received a business card advertising a dating service. After calling the phone number listed, they were directed to an apartment in the 1300 block of Pine Street. Once inside, two females solicited the officers and were placed under arrest. Found in their possession was crack cocaine. The suspects, ages 32 and 28, were charged with solicitation of prostitution and possession of narcotics. — At 8:30 p.m. Sept. 14, 6th District plainclothes officers arrested a male for obstruction related to prostitution outside 252 S. 12th St. At 9:15 p.m., 6th District officers arrested a male for solicitation of prostitution outside 1300 Locust St. — At 1 a.m. Sept. 15, 6th District

PGN NEWS

plainclothes officers arrested a male for obstruction related to prostitution outside 1201 Lombard St. At 8:30 p.m., 6th District officers issued citations to two males for summary offenses outside Broad and Locust streets. — At 12:55 a.m. Sept. 16, 6th District officers issued citations to two males for summary offenses outside 1301 Lombard St. — At 1:57 a.m. Sept. 17, 6th District Officer Williams responded to a 911 call for a theft in progress at 310 S. 12th St. Upon arrival, she observed a male leaning into a 2001 Cadillac through a smashed window. The male was apprehended and the owner located and notified. The 26-year-old suspect with a South Philadelphia address was charged with attempted theft from motor vehicle. — At 4:15 a.m. Sept. 17, 6th District officers issued a citation to a male for a summary offense outside 1200 Pine St. — Between 7:20-8 p.m. Sept. 20, 6th District officers issued citations to three males for summary offenses outside 200 S. 13th St. and 1300 Locust St. — At 8 p.m. Sept. 20, 6th District officers arrested a male wanted on a bench warrant for failure to appear for court outside 1300 Locust St. The 22-year-old offender with an Upper Darby address was charged with contempt of court. — At 8:15 p.m. Sept. 21, 6th District Officers Fererro and Kovach observed a group of males standing outside the Parker-Spruce Hotel, 261 S. 13th St.,

obstructing the sidewalk. The officers approached to disperse the males and saw that one had a gun in his waistband. The male fled into the hotel with the officers in pursuit. After a struggle, the male was apprehended and a loaded .38 cal revolver, previously reported stolen, was recovered. The 20-year-old suspect with a Pottstown address was charged with receiving stolen property and weapons offenses. — At 11 p.m. Sept. 22, 6th District officers arrested a male wanted on a bench warrant for failure to appear for court outside 200 S. 12th. The 56-year-old suspect with a North Philadelphia address was charged with contempt of court. — Between 9-10:05 p.m. Sept. 23, members of the City Wide Vice Unit arrested three males for prostitution at 1300 Locust St. and 200 S. Juniper St. — At 4:10 a.m. Sept. 23, 6th District officers issued a citation to a male for a summary offense outside 1200 Locust St. — At 8:40 p.m. Sept. 23, 6th District officers issued a citation to a male for a summary offense outside 261 S. 13th St. — At 10:05 a.m. Sept. 24, 6th District officers issued a citation to a male for a summary offense outside 1222 Locust St. — At 2:55 a.m. Sept. 25, 6th District officers arrested a juvenile, age 15, for a curfew violation in the 1300 block of Locust Street. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

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International Gay senator wins nom for Irish presidency Openly gay Irish senator David Norris has secured enough nominations to stand for president. The independent politician won the support of Dublin city council Sept. 27 and will run against six other candidates in October. He said he was “absolutely thrilled” at the news. Norris 67, pulled out of the race in August over controversy surrounding a letter of support he had written for a former partner who was convicted of raping a 15-year-old boy. But earlier this month, he announced he would stand after receiving a “consistent outpouring of public support.” “If I can make this kind of comeback, I hope to God as president I’ll be able to help the country make the kind of comeback that it and its people deserve,” he said. The vote will take place on Oct. 27. If elected, Norris will become the world’s first openly gay head of state.

Crowne-PHILAGAYNEWS-due8-26_typeOutlines.indd 1

500 attend East London Pride Five hundred people joined a Pride march through east London on Sept. 24. The area has had a troubled year. In February, Muslim extremists distributed stickers warning of a gay-free zone, while a Pride march was cancelled after it was revealed that an organizer had links to the English Defense League. The East London Mosque was accused of breaking a promise not to host antigay speakers. The event saw a march through Hackney and Tower hamlets, followed by a festival in Bethnal Green with performers and discussions. Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman spoke on stage with a drag queen and told the crowd he would ensure respect for local LGBT people. “I grew up here, and have seen how things have changed in the last 20 years,” Rahman said. “I want you to be in no doubt I will fight to ensure there is respect for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender culture and rights in the same way I will for all communities. LGBT people are part of the community of Tower Hamlets, and a respected part. I am pleased to be here and to support this event.” Festival organizer Jack Gilbert said: “His words are to be welcomed, as were the discussions in the community marketplace, on LGBT Muslim experience, on the increase

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

in homophobic crime and on LGBT-related material in schools. We look forward to a meeting in the near future to take these forward.”

Ahmadinejad admits possibility of gays in Iran

Blitzer asked. “My position hasn’t changed,” said Ahmadinejad through an interpreter, although his acknowledgment of gay people in Iran presented a new development. “In Iran, homosexuality is looked down upon as an ugly deed,” he said. “Perhaps there are those who engage in such activities and you may be in contact with them and more aware of them. But in Iranian society such activities, thoughts and behaviors are shameful. Therefore, these are not known elements within Iranian society. Rest assured, this is one of the ugliest behaviors in our society. It is against divine will,

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad acknowledged that gay people might exist in his country during a press briefing in which he suggested that perhaps CNN correspondent Wolf Blitzer knows some of them. During the Sept. 22 briefing with reporters in New York City, the site of the United Nations General Assembly, Blitzer asked Ahmadinejad about his controversial statement from 2007 at Columbia University that gay people do not exist in Iran. The statement at the time was in response to questions about the execution of gay people, which reportedly continue despite the country’s IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD (CENTER) insistence to the conWITH HIS SENIOR ADVISOR MOJTABA SAMAREH HASHEMI (RIGHT) AND IRAN’S U.N. AMBASSADOR trary. MOHAMMAD KHAZAEI DURING A SEPT. 22 “Are there homoINTERVIEW IN NEW YORK. s ex u a l s i n I r a n ? ” AP Photo: Bebeto Matthews

8/22/11 11:19 PM

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

PGN

divine teachings of any and every faith, and it is certainly at the detriment of humans and humanity. But, as the government, I cannot go in the street and stop my population and ask them about specific orientation, so my position is clear about that.”

Trans dancer sacked from Chinese talent show

Scotland minister backs gay marriage An openly gay minister in the Church of Scotland has backed calls for marriage equality. The Rev. Scott Rennie, whose 2009 appointment threatened to split the church, said the change should be “celebrated.” The Scottish government is holding a consultation on opening up marriage to gay couples. Rennie said, “Marriage, like most institutions, has been changing. In my own religious tradition, the theme is one of covenant and love and support. The sharing of these things should be greeted and celebrated.” The minister also spoke about his own experiences as a gay clergy member. “There is a huge climate of fear still in the churches about sexuality, about the freedom to be honest,” he said. “I certainly didn’t feel able to talk to anyone within the ministry, which is very sad and not a terribly great thing. You can’t underestimate how difficult it is to be open and honest. A lot of people just don’t feel safe and that’s a terrible, terrible indictment. In 100 years’ time, I would venture a guess that it won’t

THE REV. SCOTT RENNIE

be such a big issue.” Rennie was previously married to a woman but now lives with his same-sex partner. His congregation at Queens Cross Church, Edinburgh, voted overwhelmingly for him to become their next minister but controversy over his appointment led to deep divisions in the church.

A famous Chinese dancer said she was dropped as a judge on a TV talent show because she is transgender. Jin Xing, 44, had sex-reassignment surgery in 1996. She was booked to appear for eight weeks on “Feitong Fanxiang,” a show for professional singers. She said the show’s director, Chao Chitai, called her personally to say that government officials had demanded she be axed from the show. Xing claimed that Chi-tai, quoting from an official document from culture officials in Zhejiang province, said her “transgender identity could have negative effects on society.” The dancer says she is not interested in compensation or an apology. “I’m just angry that the officials used such a lame excuse. It’s a personal attack,” she said. The Zhejiang province culture department has not commented.

Tasmanian parliament votes for gay marriage The Tasmanian parliament’s House of Assembly has backed gay marriage, putting pressure on the federal Labor government

to follow suit. This is the first time a house in any Australian parliament has voted in favor of marriage equality. Tasmania only voted to legalize homosexuality in 1997. Tasmanian Greens Leader Nick McKim said, “Labor and the Greens have come together to advance this cause, in another vindication of the outcomes achievable from collaboration in a power sharing Parliament. It’s time for this debate to now move from Tasmania to the national stage. It’s time for the federal government to change our nation’s laws and provide marriage equality for all Australians, regardless of gender, regardless of sexuality.” Federal Labor will debate the issue of gay marriage at its December conference. Prime Minister Julia Gillard is against gay marriage. The party’s branches in Queensland, Tasmania, West Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory have all passed motions in support of marriage equality. Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson Rodney Croome called on other state parliaments to follow Tasmania’s lead. “If every state and territory parliament were to do what we have seen in Tasmania today, it would be impossible for the federal parliament to continue to resist change,” he said. “If Tasmania can do this, the other states and territories can do it too.” ■ — compiled by Larry Nichols

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

Breast cancer awareness Breast cancer is the uncontrolled growth with how they feel so that you can detect of abnormal breast cells. There are two an abnormality if one should exist. types of breast cancer: non-invasive, which As is the case with transwomen, there does not spread to surrounding tissue, and is a dearth of information available on the invasive, which is more serious and can prevalence of breast/chest cancer among spread to other parts of the body. transmen. Again, this is partly due to low rates of screening and detecThe American Cancer Society tion, and may also be due to estimates that 230,000 new individuals’ gender identity cases of invasive breast cancer not being recorded in many will be detected in U.S. women health databases. We do know this year, and nearly 40,000 people will die from the disthat estrogen is a prime culprit ease. Breast cancer is the most when it comes to breast/chest common cancer among women cancer. We also know that in the United States other than when the body receives too skin cancer, and the secondmuch testosterone that it cannot leading cause of cancer death use, it turns that testosterone in women, after lung cancer. into estrogen. This means that It is the most common cancer transmen on hormones need to be monitored by their medical in African-American women. provider to ensure their testosFortunately, breast-cancer death terone levels are appropriate. It rates have been going down in recent years, which is probDr. Nancy is important to note that, even ably the result of early detection if you have had top surgery, Brisbon some breast tissue may still (through mammograms and self remain and there is still some exams) and improved treatment. risk for developing cancer. Any person with breast tissue — that means all of us — may be susceptible to breast cancer. However, it is important to The Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization has developed a series of recknow that people in lesbian and transgender communities may have unique risk ommendations that they call “Breast factors and health needs that are different Self-Awareness,” based on four key elefrom other communities. ments: If you are a lesbian or bisexual woman, 1. Know your risk. Talk to your family to research shows that you may have an learn about your family health history and increased risk of developing breast cancer talk to your provider about your personal over your lifetime. This is not due to sexual orientation but rather to a higher conrisk of breast cancer. centration of other risk factors present in the community. For instance, higher rates 2. Get screened. Talk with your provider of alcohol and tobacco use, obesity and not about which screening tests are right for having children biologically are some of you if you are at a higher risk; have a clinical breast exam at least every three years the biggest known risk factors for breast starting at age 20, and every year starting cancer. Lesbian and bisexual women are also more likely to neglect breast examina- at age 40; have a mammogram every year tions and mammograms, in part due to fear starting at age 40 if you are at average risk. of discrimination they may face from their health-care providers and/or lack of ade3. Know what is normal for you, and see quate health insurance. While not appliyour health-care provider if you notice any of these breast changes: lump, hard knot cable to all lesbian and bisexual women, or thickening inside the breast or underarm statistically these factors are higher in our communities. area; swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast; change in the size or Little is known about prevalence of shape of the breast; dimpling or puckering breast/chest cancer among transwomen. This is partly due to low rates of screening of the skin; itchy, scaly sore or rash on the and detection due to fear of discriminanipple; pulling in of your nipple or other tion or lack of awareness among both the parts of the breast; nipple discharge that community and medical providers. What starts suddenly; new pain in one spot that we do know is that estrogen and progesdoesn’t go away. tin play a big role in breast/chest cancer. Transwomen on hormones may have an 4. Make healthy lifestyle choices. Maintain increased risk of breast/chest cancer after a healthy weight, add exercise into your five years. This relationship is assumed routine, limit alcohol intake and limit postbased on the increased risk of cancer for menopausal hormone use. non-transwomen who have been on horIn Philadelphia, Mazzoni Center’s outmone-replacement therapy for five or more reach program for the lesbian, bisexual years. Transwomen whose hormone levels are not monitored and regulated by a medi- and transgender communities provides education, direct services and referrals. cal provider may be at particularly high The agency actively collaborates with risk. Also, if you have implants, it is especially important that you become familiar the Jefferson Health System, the Drexel

On Being Well

University College of Medicine Women’s Health Project and individual specialty providers to complete the continuum of care. Mazzoni Center’s breast-health services are housed in two departments: the Prevention Services Department, which delivers community outreach and oneon-one education interventions; and the Medical Practice, located at 809 Locust St., which maintains a patient reminder system, conducts clinical breast exams and facilitates mammogram referrals. Treatment options for those diagnosed with breast cancer have grown more sophisticated in recent years and include targeted therapy, which is aimed at certain aspects of cancer cells; hormone therapy, which is aimed at reducing or stopping estrogen; and radiation and/or chemotherapy, which works to weaken and destroy cancel cells in the body. Other treatment options include lymph node removal, lumpectomy and mastectomy. If diagnosed at an early stage, breast cancer has an encouraging survival rate — up to 97 percent of women diagnosed with localized breast cancer survive. Right now, there are more than 2.5-million breast-cancer survivors in the U.S. The best chance of surviving breast cancer is early detection. Not everyone recommends breast self-exam as a screening tool, however Susan G. Komen for the Cure recom-

mends that you become familiar with the way your breasts normally look and feel. Knowing what is normal for you may help you see or feel changes in your breast, so that you can alert your provider. The best thing for anyone to do is have a discussion with your medical provider about your unique risk factors, including any family history of the disease. This will help to determine an appropriate schedule for clinical breast examinations and annual mammograms, according to your age and individual risk profile. Being familiar with how your own breasts feel, and talking openly with your health-care provider, will help you notice any unusual changes — and stay on top of this important aspect of your health. ■ Additional resources: Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine (www. mazzonicenter.org); Susan G. Komen for the Cure Philadelphia (http://ww5.komen.org); Mautner Project, The National Lesbian Health Organization (www.mautnerproject. org); Gilda’s Club of the Delaware Valley (gildasclubdelval.org) Dr. Nancy Brisbon is a physician at Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine and assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

PGN

Smart strength training: Make your bottom half your better half How many folks have you seen workwide apart, arms extended in front for baling out at the gym and showing off those ance, neutral spine or flat-back posture, huge biceps, big chests and small waists push your hips back and lower your body as comfortably as you feel; go up but wearing long sweatpants and back down the same way. all year? They look outstanding until they strip down in the Be sure that your heels don’t locker room to change and then come off the floor and your knees stay aligned with your ... surprise! They suffer from a popular condition called CLS toes in your down position. — chicken legs syndrome. To target the inner tights, Working out every part of our perform a WIDE STANCE body helps develop flexibility, endurance and performance in SQUAT. Take a wider stance our everyday activities, prevents than a regular squat, toes out muscle imbalance and avoids the just slightly, extend your arms risk of injury. Let’s start working for balance or do a prisonerout our legs, because the only Noe Espinosa squat variation with your hands behind the head, squatting chicken legs you should have are the ones you eat! slowly. Add some weight to your workout Remember, it’s very important to work by holding a dumbbell between your legs out your core before any execise. A strong and squat, dropping the dumbbell as low core makes any exercise easier because it is as you can go. This exercise targets the the center of your body strength. quads, hamstrings, gluteus and lower back. Perform three sets of 10-12 repetitions. SQUATS: Different squat variations tarSPLIT SQUAT: Designed to target the get different muscles. To execute a good thighs and butt, split squats are a great body-weight squat, stand with your feet

Work It Out

workout for those who have one leg weaker than the other. To perform a correct split squat, take a larger-than-normal step with your right leg (not directly underneath your hips), then lift your left heel up and position it on a bench or a step (about 15-16 inches high) or slightly below knee level. Drop your hip down until your knee almost touches the ground, then push the butt up. Body weight is good for beginners, but you can also use dumbbells on each hand or a barbell behind your neck. Perform three sets of 10-12 repetitions.

the ball in a bridge position, pulling your heels toward you once, and raise your hips, tighten up your hamstrings and gluteus and then bring them down. Perform three sets of 10-12 repetitions.

SWISS-BALL HIP RAISE AND LEG CURL: Lie face up on the floor with your legs and heels on a Swiss ball (any small or medium exercise ball will do), push your hips up so your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Without pausing, pull your heels toward you and roll the ball as close as possible to your butt. Pause for two seconds and reverse the motion by rolling the ball back until your body is in a straight line, and lower your hips to the floor. If rolling the ball back and forth becomes difficult, place your legs on

Note: Not all exercises are suitable for everybody; always check with your physician before starting an exercise routine, especially if you have pre-existing injuries. Remember: Listen to your body and let it be your best friend. Don’t let your ego take over; Know your limits. Enjoy your workout! ■

FARMER’S WALK ON TOES: Grab a pair of heavy dumbbells and hold them at your sides at arm’s length. Raise your heels and walk forward for one minute. This exercise works your calves and also improves your cardiovascular fitness. Perform three sets of one minute or longer.

Noe Espinosa is a registered personal trainer at 12th Street Gym. To learn more about Noe and more than 30 other top trainers at 12th Street, visit www.12streetgym.com.

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Media Trail Antigay Md. lawmaker indicted on theft charges Baltimore’s WBAL-TV reports a Maryland state delegate was charged Sept. 23 with using campaign funds to pay for wedding expenses and for the salary of an employee at her law firm. Tiffany Alston, 31, was indicted on charges of felony and misdemeanor theft, misappropriation by a fiduciary and election law offenses. She signed on as a co-sponsor of a bill to give same-sex couples in Maryland the same legal rights as heterosexuals, but wound up voting against the bill in committee, saying she was having trouble balancing her personal views and pressure from constituents. Prosecutors say Alston, a Prince George’s County Democrat who was elected in January and then played a role in the General Assembly’s debate over gay marriage, issued two checks totaling $3,560 from her campaign account to cover her wedding expenses.

Gay, trans inmates allege prison abuse Lancaster Online reports guards at a state prison in western Pennsylvania sexually abused inmates, according to a lawsuit filed Sept. 22 by a former inmate. The civil lawsuit was filed by an inmate at the State Correctional Institution-Pittsburgh who was identified only as John Doe. The inmate was at SCI Pittsburgh from March 2009 through July 2010 for a parole violation, according the complaint. Some officers conspired to sexually, physically and mentally abuse inmates who were homosexual, transgender, or who were convicted of sexual crimes, according to the lawsuit. A spokesperson for the Department of Corrections declined to comment.

Texas mayor faces recall over domestic benefits The Houston Chronicle reports El Paso Mayor John Cook and two members of the City Council are facing a recall election for their role in overturning a voter-approved measure to terminate health benefits for gay and unmarried partners of city employees. The city clerk on Sept. 22 certified 9,556 signatures, about 3,400 more than needed to prompt a May recall election for Cook. The mayor of the West Texas border city of

more than 800,000 residents is challenging the recall in court. Cook broke a 4-4 tie in June, voting to throw out an ordinance passed last November limiting health benefits to legal spouses and dependent children of city employees.

Retrial in gay teen killing poses challenges The L.A. Times reports an Oct. 5 court hearing has been scheduled to discuss new charges in the retrial of a former middleschool student who shot a gay classmate. Prosecutors said they are considering whether to again try Brandon McInerney as an adult for an incident that was tried as a premeditated murder and a hate crime, despite doubts by some jurors who deadlocked in the case. The judge declared a mistrial on Sept. 2. Legal experts believe charging McInerney as an adult made it harder for the prosecution to win a conviction. McInerney, who was 14 at the time of the killing, would face up to life in prison if convicted as an adult. In the juvenile system, even convicted murderers are typically released at 25. “We will consider the fact that this was a very significantly split jury. We will consider everything,” said chief assistant district attorney James Ellison. ■ — compiled by Larry Nichols

FLYERS from page 1

released an official statement on the incident, and a call to the team was not returned by presstime. Mike Thompson, acting president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, said his agency has been in contact with the Flyers and NHL regarding the comments. “The word that Simmonds used is the same word that is hurled at LGBT youth on the playground and in our schools, creating a climate of intolerance and hostility,” Thompson said. “He should not only apologize for this antigay outburst, but the Philadelphia Flyers and the NHL have a responsibility to take action and educate their fans about why this word is unacceptable.” After the game, Avery called the comments “disappointing.” Avery garnered praise from the LGBT community earlier this year after appearing in a video to promote marriage equality in New York. Simmonds’ alleged comments come after Eagles player DeSean Jackson used the same slur on a radio show this past summer. Simmonds himself was the target of an apparent act of racism this month when a spectator threw a banana at him during a game. That perpetrator was arrested Tuesday in Canada, where the incident took place. In May, a petition was started on Change. org to encourage the Flyers to make an “It Gets Better” video, which has garnered some 130 signatures. ■ — Jen Colletta

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Oct. 4th, 8pm General $45, VIP $55

Al Stewart THRIFTY SPENDING: Shoppers last weekend partook in the discounts at Philadelphia AIDS Thrift, which were part of a birthday celebration for the philanthropic store. PAT marked its sixth anniversary with sales, birthday cake and a DJ at its new venue at 710 S. Fifth St. The store, which has now surpassed more than $300,000 in donations to local HIV/AIDS organizations, this month announced it would increase its monthly donation to AIDS Fund from $8,000 to $10,000. Photo: Scott A. Drake Y-HEP from page 1

those in their circles.” The grant will allow for the hiring of six new employees to manage the program. YHEP currently employs 10 people. Y-HEP did receive a similar-sized CDC grant a few years back, but Dunphy said the latest funding is “very significant.” In the next nine months, the organization will begin developing the project’s procedures and policies and start the hiring process.

Garnering input from the young MSM of color community will also be integral to getting the program off the ground, Dunphy said. “With the increase in staff, we’ll really be able to be out there in the community. We’ll be at places where young MSM of color congregate and really plan to hear from the youth with focus groups and develop relationships with a lot of different people and groups in the community to work together to halt the spread of HIV.” ■

w/ Michael Tearson Oct. 2nd, 6 pm General $35, VIP $45

Upcoming Shows: LIBRARY LIBERATION: Booklovers like Noreen Buckley spent last Saturday afternoon perusing the collection of used books for sale at William Way LGBT Community Center. “The Big Gay Book Sale” included hundreds of works by LGBT authors and poets, as well as vintage magazines and other memorabilia, an effort to clear out some of the overflow in the center’s library. Shoppers could fill a bag for just $5 with all the reading material they could fit, with proceeds benefiting the center. Photo: Scott A. Drake

TUSK – October 15th Steve Forbert – October 22nd Graham Parker – October 28th

The New Hope Winery 6123 Lower York Road (Rt.202) New Hope, PA 18938

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vided resources to those working to gain legal rights for LGBT people.” The dedication and unveiling will take place at 2 p.m. at the store, where Mayor Nutter will join a host of community leaders. “I’m really excited, it should be a great day,” said Gloria Casarez, the city’s director of LGBT affairs who helped spearhead the marker application earlier this year. The marker will be the second LGBT-specific one in the state; the first was erected in 2006 in front of Independence Hall to commemorate the LGBT-rights protests of the 1960s. This year the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission approved 13 sites for markers throughout the state out of a pool of more than 50 applications. COUPLE from page 1

ordered to be deported last Valentine’s Day. Just hours before his flight, however, the Department of Homeland Security granted the couple a reprieve pending Tanumihardja’s repeat asylum application to the Board of Immigration Appeals. However, in late May the BIA refused the motion and issued a “final order of removal” that could lead to Tanumihardja’s deportation. Tanumihardja and Andersen, together since the summer of 2010, were wed in June in Washington, D.C. This past summer, Tanumihardja again appealed the BIA decision, citing ineffective legal representation on previous appeals, the media surrounding his case that could further threaten his safety should he be deported, and his recent legal marriage — which, if it were not for

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

his colleagues Giovanni’s Room’s import. “This is really an example of how important it is to have someone at the table,” he said. “No one was familiar with the store besides me so I talked to them about what this bookstore can mean to someone who’s young, struggling with their sexual identity and coming from a small town to the big city, and how much it helped me to establish connections within the community in my own life.” While he says he doesn’t know how much sway his story had on the board, the body subsequently voted unanimously to approve the application. Casarez said the marker has been ordered and the city’s Streets Department has been briefed on its installation. “Everything’s going ahead as planned and all we’re waiting on is for it to arrive,”

she said. Financing for the approximately $1,500 marker was largely covered through community donations, organized by the Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus, at Pride, and a contribution from PGTC events chair Bruce Yelk’s Triumphant Pride party. Casarez said she expects several-hundred festivalgoers to head to the store for the dedication, which she noted was made possible because of vast community support. “The dollars that were raised at Pride to manufacture the marker came from the community at large. So many people offered to give a dollar, and each one of those people helped to make this happen. People have an investment in the meaning behind this, in Giovanni’s Room, so I think of it as a real community effort.” ■

DHS secretary Janet Napolitano, the agency will review pending deportation cases and administratively close those deemed low priority — based on such factors as community ties and familial relationships, which officials have signaled could include same-sex relationships. Andersen said Tanumihardja’s deportation officer conferred with a higher-up after the couple submitted the request and said According to the August TANUMIHARDJA (LEFT) AND officials needed until Oct. 7 to respond. m e m o r a n d u m f r o m ANDERSEN PGN file photo

“It’s such a new policy that they seemed a bit unsure of how to respond to it,” Andersen said. “They basically said there’s a lot to go over, and they didn’t seem negative or positive, just said that it was something they needed to consider.” In the meantime, the couple is urging LGBTs and allies to contact their elected officials, including Sen. Bob Casey (D) and Congressman Bob Brady, to urge the lawmakers to press ICE for the deferred-action ruling. Until next week, the couple will be on edge, Andersen said, waiting for a call that could ease their worries. “It’s very nerve-wracking,” he said. “Every day they could call us so we’re almost literally just sitting by the phone waiting for that to happen.” ■

Tony Brooks, executive director of the Luzerne County Historical Society, sat on the commission’s Historic Marker Review Board. Brooks, a native of Wilkes Barre who moved to Philadelphia in the 1980s to attend the University of Pennsylvania and lived in the city for 11 years, said board members were initially hesitant to approve the Giovanni’s Room application. “The first comments were that this is a commercial establishment, and historic markers aren’t given for commercial enterprises but I said, ‘No, no, this is much more than just a bookstore — in the gay community, a bookstore is really like a community center,’” Brooks said. Brooks was the only openly gay member on the board and said he detailed his own experience with the store to demonstrate to the Defense of Marriage Act, would enable Andersen to sponsor him for citizenship. During a required check-in with ICE late last month, the couple submitted another request — a consideration for “deferred action,” based on new guidelines outlined by DHS this past summer. Deferred action would nullify the order of removal until DHS decides to resume the proceedings.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

��

Our readers spoke, the votes have been tallied, the smoke has cleared and the only ones left standing are the winners of PGN’s first annual Best of Gay Philadelphia, celebrating all things that matter to the LGBT community in the city of brotherly stuff and other stuff. Some of the categories were won by a total landslide victory. Other categories were really tight — fierce battles where every vote mattered. A few categories were so close, our crack PGN staff had to cast tiebreaking votes. There were also some surprises along the way and some moments you didn’t have to own a crystal ball to figure out. So here it is, the list of winners. If you don’t like the results, you really can’t blame us, which is the greatest gift of all ... next to money, a new car, a better career or an iPad. Anyway, we hope to hear even more of your voices next year.

Places

Camping

Adult Store

This gay and lesbian clothing-optional campground in the Poconos dominated the category.

Danny’s, 133 South 13th St.; 215-925-5041 Danny’s slapped handcuffs on the competition, whipped them into submission with a riding crop and made them bow down to lick its boots. Who’s your favorite dildo wall?! Louder! I can’t hear you! Bicycle Shop

Bicycle Therapy, 2211 South St.; 215-7357849 The only silver lining to having our bikes stolen in the city is having an excuse to (ahem) walk to Bicycle Therapy to buy a new one. Because the cops are damn sure not going to break a sweat trying to find your old bike. Really? One hundred parking tickets written on the block in two hours and you didn’t see anyone making off with our bikes? You’re not even going to write this up are you? Oh well, can you give us a ride to Bike Therapy?

The Woods; thewoodscampground.com

Clothing Store

Metro Men’s 1615 E. Passyunk Ave.; www.metromensclothing.com Oh, look who has decent credit! You all are obviously better off than we are in the pockets. Kudos to Metro and its customers. Furniture

Bo Concept; 1719 Chestnut St.; 215-5645656 Glad to see the recession isn’t hitting everybody. Gym

12th Street Gym; 204 S. 12th St.; www.12streetgym.com This well-equipped gym annihilated all others in the category, and deservedly so. If you don’t believe us, believe the sweaty masses crammed into the place to work out. Hair Salon

Salon K, 1216 Locust St.; 215-545-1880 Oddly enough, salons A through J didn’t get a single vote. Breakfast

IHOP, 1320 Walnut St.; 215-732-1726 All the culinary talent floating around the city and you all picked IHOP? We like to nurse our hangovers with stacks of fruity pancakes too, but the illusion of fine dining disappears when we sober up. Sabrina’s Café, 910 Christian St., sabrinascafe.com

AC ul t ure &

rts

Photos: Scott A. Drake

Sabrina’s quickly bounces back from its narrow loss in the breakfast category to IHOP. Still, it has to sting. Dessert

Brown Betty’s, 722 N. Second St. and 1625 Market St.; www.brownbettydesserts.com With an arsenal of various high-quality sweets at its disposal, no other establishment shoots our hours at the gym straight to hell more than Betty’s. Damn! Damn! Damn! We wish we could quit you. Dinner

Valanni, 1229 Spruce St.; 215-790-9494 We agree. Whether you are trying to get full or get just enough food in your system to kick off a night of drinking,

Brunch BICYCLE THERAPY IN ACTION

A TYPICAL WEEKEND MORNING IN FRONT OF SABRINA’S

PAGE 42

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

Page 32 Page Page Page Page Page Page

44 35 42 41 29 40

BEST OF GAY PGN PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

Overall Restaurant

and

Overall Bar

and

Happy Hour

Knock, 225 S. 12th St.; 215-9251166 Wow! You all love you some Knock. Holy crap! Knock, more than any other restaurant and bar, was a strong contender in a lot of restaurant and bar categories on this poll. Hell, Knock almost won best house of worship and best gym. We’re kidding ... But if they ever put an altar and a Bowflex in Knock, watch out!

People Activist TIKI BAR ON THE ROOF OF ICANDY

Valanni definitely does the trick. Wave at us the next time you visit.

powerhouse like Garces calling the shots, why wouldn’t it?

Lunch

iCandy, 254 S. 12th St.; www. clubicandy.com Luckily most of you know a real patio when you see one. For the rest of you, know this: Putting tables, chairs and umbrellas on the sidewalk when the weather is nice does not a patio make.

Garces Trading Company, 1111 Locust St.; 215-574-1099 Also known as “Jose’s” on the streets, the Trading Company and its upscale European-bistro vibe won over the vast majority of you. And with a culinary

Outdoor Patio

Christopher Bartlett We haven’t known Chris to be loud or a rabble-rouser. But he’s got the community at the front of his mind at all times. Now he’s got the community behind him too. Bartender

Kenny at Tabu The tide of votes Kenny got is impressive considering the rumors that he only works Friday-night happy hour.

PERSONAL TRAINER JIM HART (TOP) IN FRONT OF BEST GYM WINNER 12TH STREET GYM, AND BEST BARTENDER KENNY K. AT TABU, WINNER OF BEST SPORTS BAR

is pleased to announce the

LGBT Civil Union / Wedding Issue

October 21, 2011 with bonus distribution at the

Delaware Civil Union Expo - 10/23/11 To advertise in this issue please call 215-625-8501 ext. 218 or e-mail dan@epgn.com Deadline to book advertising 10/14/11

BEST OF GAY PGN PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

Personal Trainer

Jim Hart at 12th Street Gym No contest. Hart won this category by a massive margin. And if we could afford his services, we’d probably know why. We can afford booze or personal training, but we can’t afford both. Server

Liz Smith at Dmitri’s Liz, we’ve got a 45 single of Donna Summer’s “She Works Hard for the Money” with your name on it.

Community LGBT Event

OutFest; phillypride.org No disrespect, but we’d also prefer a block party in the fall over sweating our nether regions into oblivion in the summer too. LGBT Fundraiser

TOY, Delaware Valley Legacy Fund; www.dvlf.org/toy This annual event to provide toys for children from the pediatric HIV/ AIDS unit of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia never fails to warm our cold alcoholic hearts each holiday season. House of Worship

The Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany, 330 S. 13th St.; www. stlukeandtheepiphany.org We agree wholeheartedly. If we ever backslide into liking organized religion again, and Buddhism or Wicca doesn’t work out, you’ll definitely find us keeping a pew warm at St. Luke’s. LGBT Blog/Website

Philadelphia Gay Calendar; phillygaycalendar.com We’d like to thank all of you for not mentioning Perez Hilton in this category. LGBT Nonprofit

Mazzoni Center, 21 S. 12th St.; 215563-0652 Kudos to this staff for its tireless efforts to keep the community healthy. LGBT Networking Event

Our Night Out; www.facebook.com/ pages/Our-Night-Out-Philly Yay! A reason to carry business cards! LGBT Sports League

City of Brother Love Softball; www. cblsl.org Yeah ... This league knocked it out of the park. PAGE 30

is pleased to announce our writers placed in two award categories for the

2010 National Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest, out of some 2,700 U.S. publications. Our congratulations to:

Jen Colletta Second Place, Best Feature Story, Non-daily Division Kelly McGillis talks marriages, divorces and civil union Judge’s comments: “Excellent profile of Kelly McGillis. It can be difficult writing about a celebrity, difficult to get below the rehearsed answers. But this story feels like a real conversation and provides an intelligent look at a complicated life.”

Mark Segal Second Place, Best Serious Column, Non-daily Division Mosque issue is an LGBT issue Judge’s comments: “Terse argument that too few community newspapers offered — that Muslims had a right tobuild a cultural center and threatened no one.”

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

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BEST OF GAY PGN PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

Cozy Bar

from page 27

Stir Lounge, 1705 Chancellor St.; 215-732-2700 It’s like our living room but with better music, lighting, people and furniture. Yet somehow we have more booze at home. Professional help needed desperately ...

Nightlife Bar Food

and

Craft Beer Bar

and

Place to Grab a Beer

Westbury, 261 S. 13th St.; 215-546-5170 Kudos to Westbury for nabbing a trio of awards and nailing the holy trinity of drunken sustenance: fried, grilled and melted, all the food groups that go great with imbibing mass quantities of a tasty and nonpedestrian selection of brews. The no-frills menu and excellent selection of frilly beers (pause for irony) is all we need to keep the good times rolling. Bar/Nightclub Outside Philly

Prohibition Night Club, Resorts International Hotel Casino, 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City; 800-3346378 Atlantic City nightclubs can be frightfully tame and very straight, but fortunately neither of those qualities apply to Prohibition — so far the only casinonightclub dedicated to the LGBT community in the glitzy city by the sea.

Dance Floor

Voyeur, 1221 St. James St.; 215-7355772 Surprise, surprise! We don’t know if you were voting for the “dancing” or the “floor,” but there you have it. Drag Show

Bob & Barbara’s Drag Show, 1509 South St.; 215-545-4511 TAVERN ON CAMAC: BEST PLACE TO MEET MEN AND BEST KARAOKE Place to Meet Women

Stimulus; www.stimulusphilly.com Damn! This monthly party pulled a Rocky Balboa-like victory from the jaws of the juggernaut that is Sisters.

hard to believe the best place to meet men and karaoke can coexist, but that’s probably because when we sing, we can’t get laid to save our lives. Casino

Place to Meet Men and Karaoke

The Borgata, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City; 609-317-1000

Another tight race, but the notorious T.O.C. edged out the stiff competition as the place to meet men. It also narrowly came out in front in the karaoke race. It’s

The Borgata blew away everything in West Chester and downtown Atlantic City, and deservedly so. It has the best concerts and shows in town, great accommodations, top-notch restaurants and the best places to gamble away any money you have left.

Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac St.; 215-545-0900

We love to see drag invade the mainstream at any given opportunity, but we all know that drag is at its best in an environment of a dive bar where feather boas and Pabst Blue Ribbon coexist in grand fashion — which is why B&B’s drag night has been the longest-running drag show in the city. Gay/Gay-Friendly Bar

Woody’s, 202 S. 13th St.; 215-5451893 This was a landslide and a surprise to few. Hats off to Philly’s iconic gay watering hole.

in Philadelphia CENTER CITY PHILADELPHIA

TRIANGLE MEDICINE, 253 S. 10th St. 1st floor • 10TH ST. POUR HOUSE, 252 S. 10th St. • SANTE FE BURRITO, 212 S. 11th St. • BIKE STOP, 206 S. Quince St. MORE THAN JUST ICE CREAM, 1119 Locust St. • MIDTOWN II, 122 S. 11th St. • FUSION GYM, 105 S. 12th St. 2nd floor • 12th & Walnut St. • 13th & Walnut St. DANNY’S BOOKSTORE 133 S. 13th St. • SANSOM CINEMA, 120 S. 13th St. • I GOLDBERG 1300 Chestnut St. • MAZZONI CLINIC LOBBY, 21 S. 12th St. ETTORE SALON IN MARRIOTT, 1201 Market St. • WOMEN’S ANON. TEST SITE LOBBY, 1211 Chestnut St. • SAFEGUARDS LOBBY, 1211 Chestnut St. #610 PA AIDS LAW PROJECT LOBBY, 1211 Chestnut St. 12th fl. • Phila. Family Planning Commission, 260 S. Broad St. 10th fl. • City Hall NE Entrance • SCORPIO BOOKS, 202 S. Juniper St. • SISTERS, 1320 Chancellor St. • Paolo Pizzaria, 1336 Pine St.• DIGNITY/ST. LUKES, 330 S. 13th St. • GIOVANNI’S ROOM, 345 S. 12th St. • FOODERY, 10th & Pine St. • VALANNI RESTAURANT, 1229 Spruce St. • APT. & TOWNHOUSE RENTALS, 304 S. 12th St. • PARKER HOTEL LOBBY, 261 S. 13th St. • WESTBURY BAR, 261 S. 13th St. • BUMP, 13th & Locust Sts. • CLUB BODY CENTER, 1220 Chancellor St. • WOODY’S BAR, 202 S. 13th St. • CUT SALON, 204 S. 13TH ST. • 13TH STREET PIZZA, 209 S. 13th St. • Phila. Fight/Aids Library, 1233 Locust St. 5th floor • BIOSCRIPT PHARMACY, 1227 Locust St. • UNCLES BAR, 1220 Locust St. • SALON K, 1216 Locust St. • TAVERN ON CAMAC, 243 S. Camac St. • VENTURE INN, 255 S. Camac St. • PLANNED PARENTHOOD, 1144 Locust St. • TABU, 200 S. 12th St. • 12TH STREET GYM, 204 S. 12th St. • Charlie Salon, 203 S. 12th St. • Brew Ha Ha Coffee Shop, 212 S. 12th St. • SPRUCE STREET VIDEO, 252 S. 12th St. • I Candy 254 S. 12th St. • WILLIAM WAY CENTER, 1325 Spruce St. • READING TERMINAL MARKET, 12th & Filbert St. • Action AIDS, 1216 Arch St. • ASIAC, 1201 Chestnut St. 5th floor • AACO, 1101 Market St. 9th Floor • Com-Har Living Room, 101 S. Broad St. 14th floor • Mazzoni Clinic, 809 Locust St. • Packard Apartments, 317 N. Broad St. •HONOR BOXES 8th & Walnut St. • 10th & Locust St. • 10th & Spruce Sts. • 11th & Locust St. • 11th & Walnut St. • 13th & Sansom Sts. • 13th & Chestnut St. • Broad & Walnut Sts. • Juniper & Market • Broad & Chestnut St. • Broad & Spruce Sts. • 13th & Pine St. • 11th & Pine St. • 10th & Pine St. • 9th & Pine St. • 12th & Spruce Sts. • 13th & Spruce Sts. • 13th & Locust St. • 12th & Locust Sts. • 12th & Manning St. • 8th & Market St. • 9th & Market St. • 11th & Arch St. •12th & Filbert St. • Broad & Arch Sts.

FREE LIBRARY LOCATIONS

Andorra Branch, 705 E. Cathedral Road • Blanch A. Nixon Branch, 5800 Cobbs Creek Parkway • Bustleton Branch, 10199 Bustleton Ave. • Charles Santore Branch, 932 S. Seventh St. • Donatucci Branch, 1935 Shunk St. • Falls of Schuylkill, 3501 Midvale Ave. • Fishtown, 1217 E. Montgomery Ave. • Frankford, 4634 Frankford Ave. • Independence Branch, 18 S. Seventh St. • Joseph E. Coleman, 68 W. Chelten Ave. • Kingsessing Branch, 1201 S. 51st St. • Lehigh, 601 W. Lehigh Ave. • Logan Branch, 1333 Wagner Ave. • Lovett Branch, 6945 Germantown Ave. • Main Branch, 1901 Vine St. • McPherson Square, 601 E. Indiana Ave. • Northeast Regional, 2228 Cottman Ave. • Oak Lane Branch Library, 6614 N. 12th St. • Olney Branch, 5501 N. Fifth St. • Ogontz Branch, 6017 Ogontz Ave. • Paschalville Branch, 6942 Woodland Ave. • Richmond Branch, 2987 Almond St. • Rodriguez Branch, 600 W. Girard Ave. • Roxborough, 6245 Ridge Ave. • South Phila. Branch, 1700 S. Broad St. • Welsh Road, 9233 Roosevelt Blvd. • West Phila. Branch, 125 S. 52nd St. • Wynneﬁeld Branch, 5325 Overbrook Ave.

PGN BEST OF GAY PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

Time travel in a glass. Beware! Long Island iced-tea goggles are a beast come daylight. Neighborhood Bar

Uncles, 1220 Locust St.; 215-546-6660 It turns out when you, dear readers, want to hit a bar stripped of all the bells and whistles, you make a beeline to the no-nonsense hangout that is Uncles. Place to go after Pride

Triumphant Pride; www.nightlifegay.com/ p/triumphant-pride.html Enough of you wrote “home” to almost make the list. And we can’t blame you. After a long day in the sun (or rain) at Pride, nothing would make us happier than hosing off eight hours worth of sweat, body paint and/or glitter and crashing for the night. But the heartier of you keep going, and most of you opt for Bruce Yelk’s annual post-Pride blowout. VINCE TAPS ONE AT WESTBURY, THE WINNER OF BEST PLACE TO GRAB A BEER, BEST CRAFT BEER AND BEST BAR FOOD Lesbian/Lesbian-Friendly Bar

Sisters Nightclub, 1320 Chancellor St.; 215-735-0735 We’d like to give a shout-out to all the people who answered the question like we were stupid and wrote “Sisters ... duh!” on the ballot. We pretty much figured they had this award locked down before we even called a vote, but we had to ask anyways.

Martini

Chocolate Martini at Valanni, 1229 Spruce St.; 215-790-9494 We can’t argue with being the right drink and the right place at the right time, which is any time this place is open. Mixed Drink

Long Island Iced Tea at Knock, 225 S. 12th St.; 215-925-1166

Sports Bar

Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675 Normally we can’t stand sports bars. Oh, we’ll watch a football or soccer game every now and again, but when it comes to remembering players’ names, memorizing stats, fantasy football, anything having to do with baseball, pretending the UFC fighting isn’t gay porn for straight guys, golf, basketball, etc., we can barely muster up the strength to care. But if we were to set foot in any sports bar, it would be Tabu. An overwhelming majority of you seem to agree.

TWO WORDS: CHOCOLATE MARTINI (AT VALANNI) Theme Night

Jock Strap Night at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.; 215- 627-1662 The Bike Stop’s jock-ular evening beat the pants off the competition. It also must be noted that The Bike Stop was almost in competition with itself: Underwear Night was close to being in the running. PAGE 36

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

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The next couple of weeks are so busy that if I open this week’s column with my usual chitchat about the world we live in and life in general, I won’t have enough room to tell you about all the cool stuff going on around town. And why are things so busy? Because OutFest is right around the corner! It’s my favorite Pride event in Philly because it’s the only block party that still happens in the Gayborhood, right in the middle of all the action. But you don’t have to wait for OutFest weekend for the fun to get started.

The party will feature DJ Chip Dish and performances by the Dumpsta Players and Liberty City Kings. Tickets for IndiGoGo are only $15 in advance or $20 at the door, which includes admission to the after-party at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St. How’s this for a special offer: If you sign up for a $35 annual membership to the center, you’ll receive two free tickets to IndiGoGo! For more information, check out indigogo.waygay.org.

First annual Red Affair OutFest weekend kicks off PYRO: Back 2 School with the First Annual Red Don’t miss the first annual Affair from 8 p.m.-midnight intercollegiate back-to-school Oct. 7 at Voyeur Nightclub, party from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Sept. 1221 St. James St. Tickets are Jim Kiley- $10 in advance or $15 at the 30 at ICandy, 254 S. 12th St. Cover charge is $10, or $5 if Zufelt door and a portion of the proceeds benefit AIDS Fund. The you show up in your school night will feature performances colors (hey, that means more by Navaya Shay, Stefon Royce Iman, money for beer!). Crystal Chethman, Oliver Chris, Tony There will be special guest perforEnos and more. mances, a hot college jock contest with For more information, see www.voyeurcash prizes (more beer money!), drink nightclub.com or www.tonyenos.com. specials and even a sexy college shot boy. Doors are open to anyone 18 and over, but of course you need to be 21 to drink. Don’t Bachelor Auction and Pajama Party The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus forget your ID, kids! will celebrate OutFest weekend with a For more information on this event, pajama dance party and fundraiser bachsponsored by Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition and Philly Gay elor auction from 9 p.m.-midnight Oct. 8 Calendar, check out www.clubicandy.com. at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St. If you play your cards and your bidding Liberty Bears happy hour right, you could win a date with a handThe bears are officially out of hibernasome man that could include a meal at a tion! The turnout at last month’s Liberty local restaurant and theater tickets. Bears happy hour was great, so they’re Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at following it up with an October Fest party the door, and your ticket price includes from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 1 at The Bike Stop, 206 readmission to Voyeur after-hours that S. Quince St. After hanging out and rubnight. All non-bar proceeds benefit the bing bellies with the bears, be sure to join Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus. them in the basement for a club meeting to For more information see www.pgmc. see what else they have in store for you. org.

Barcrawlr

Indigo Ball It’s time once again for the William Way LGBT Community Center’s annual fundraiser. The festivities start with a black-tie gala catered by Stephen Starr Events from 6-9:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Arts Ballroom, 1324 Locust St. Tickets are $175 per plate, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the center. All gala guests receive admittance to the IndiGoGo Dance Party from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.

Philadelphians MC Pre-OutFest Social And last but not least, don’t miss your chance to hang with the leather men of Philadelphians MC at their Pre-OutFest social from 9 p.m.-midnight Oct. 8 at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. For more information, check out www. philadelphiansmc.org. ■ Questions, comments or news about upcoming events? Contact Jim at barcrawlr@gmail.com.

Online. Anytime.

www.epgn.com

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

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Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

Suzi Nash

Monica Bey-Clarke: Entrepreneur, foster parent, aspiring pilot Fairytales can come true ... At least they can if you’re businesswoman and entrepreneur Monica Bey-Clarke. Bey, the founder and managing partner of My Family! and Dodi Press, along with her wife, novelist and playwright Cheril N. Clarke, tied the knot four years ago in a ceremony that’s still getting watched (just Google their names and see for yourself). Recently featured in the “Most Powerful Lesbians” issue of Curve Magazine, the two have coupled their creativity and immense passion for making a difference to build My Family!, a company that creates and retails products for LGBT families. PGN: Where are you from? MBC: I was born in Minneapolis and moved to upstate New York when I was about 10 years old. PGN: What was it like there? Did you have a Mary Tyler Moore beret? MBC: [Laughs.] No, no hat! It was cold in the winter and I mostly remember being bundled up all the time, but the summers were beautiful there. It was a great place to live, very Mary Poppins-ish. PGN: Any siblings? MBC: I have two older sisters. I’m the baby of the bunch. PGN: And what did the parental units do? MBC: My father was a singer and my mother was a model. He was in a group called Mind and Matter, which was Jimmy Jam’s first band. PGN: Jimmy Jam as in producer of Janet Jackson hits and formerly with Morris Day and The Time of “Purple Rain” fame? MBC: Yes, they were in a band together for years. It’s interesting, he started out playing in an R&B band and then as he got older he really got into pop and rock ’n’ roll and, in his 50s, he was playing with a hard-rock band. PGN: Any celebrity encounters? MBC: I met Prince once. My father took me to meet him. I was very young so I don’t remember much except that he was wearing all white and he sat me on his lap. He was very nice. PGN: Your mother modeled; do you have a favorite picture of her? MBC: When she graduated from modeling school, there was a picture of her with long hair that I really love. She was just beautiful. PGN: What’s your ancestry? MBC: Oh, it’s all over the place! On my mother’s side, I think it’s German and French and on my father’s side there’s Trinidadian and Native American and

something else I’m not sure of. A jumble of cultures. PGN: What was a favorite thing to do as a kid? MBC: Believe it or not, I was always shy and liked to be behind the scenes. Still am. PGN: Were your older sisters the more boisterous ones? MBC: Yes, my one sister is shy like me, but she’s a little more outgoing than me; the other sister is just very out there and outgoing. PGN: Do you play any instruments? MBC: I like rock music as well, so I recently took up the electric guitar. I bought it a year-and-a-half ago, but I haven’t exactly mastered it yet. PGN: Ever play any sports? MBC: I used to run track in high school. I was the fastest on my team but I only did that for one year. PGN: And where in upstate New York did you grow up? MBC: A little village in Schenectady County called Scotia, population 8,000. I guess it was an OK place but I didn’t really care for it. It was very racist. As soon as I could, I got out of there. I went to Hofstra University in Long Island and majored in political science. I wanted to be a politician because I’ve always had a desire to try and change the world, but I later realized that politics are not necessarily the best way to make change. It’s more a business of getting reelected. I was still in college and got a job in finance at a debt-buying firm, which I thought was just going to be a short-term thing. Ten years later, I’m still with the company, having worked my way up the ladder. My first promotion came in only eight months and the second was just a month later and now I’m a director. PGN: And how did you meet your Cheril? MBC: I happened to go to the LGBT center in New York with some friends just looking for something to do. By chance, there was an organization for women of color doing an event there, the African Ancestral Lesbians United for Societal Change. We peeked in the room to check it out and there was Cheryl reading poetry. She was collecting email addresses after the event and I put my name down. [Laughs.] I noticed before I walked away that she put a little star next to my name! So I figured I’d hear from her sooner than later and sure enough, a few days later I got a smiley-face email from her. But I ended up having to ask her out on a date. That was in 2003 and the rest is history. PGN: I saw photos of your wedding and

they were spectacular. MBC: Thank you. I love antiques and old things and wanted a very traditional, fairytale wedding. I always wanted to get married in a castle so we went searching and found the perfect one, the Oheka Castle in Long Island. You’d be surprised how many castles there are on the East Coast. It was beautiful. We had amazing flowers and live music and everyone had a fantastic time. We both wore traditional wedding dresses that we donated to charity afterward, which was a nice way to start a life of giving. We spent our honeymoon on an R Family Vacation cruise to the Caribbean. PGN: Were both sides of the family there? MBC: Both sides of the family were represented, but not everyone from both sides attended. My mother wasn’t there and that’s still painful. She and one sister choose not to come for religious reasons. The interesting thing is that half of my family is Muslim and half are Christians.

regrets not coming. PGN: How did you know you were gay? MBC: I think I always knew that I was attracted to girls/women, even when I was too young to know what to call it. PGN: Who did you tell first? MBC: I told my best friend Gemma, who was from the Philippines. She moved here when we were in sixth grade and we became best friends. I didn’t tell her, though, until I’d gone to college! She was at the wedding. PGN: I understand you and Cheril have been foster parents. MBC: Yes, a few years ago Cheril and I decided to get into foster care because we wanted to help children and hopefully make a positive change in someone’s life that would last a lifetime. We applied and were able to sponsor a foster child whom we had for four months. In that short period of time, we were able to improve her self-esteem, her outlook on life and help her feel safe. She is back with her family now, but we still see her often. There’s no obligation to keep in contact after a child is returned to their parents, but we formed a bond that will last a lifetime and still are a part of her life. We take her on fun outings, provide emotional support and she knows she always has someone to talk or turn to when she needs it. She is an amazing person and we love her as our own daughter.

PGN: Were you able to apply as openly gay parents? MBC: Yes. It was slightly surprising but refreshing to us that no one in the whole process seemed to have an issue with it. We went through a rigorous screening and training program in order to become foster parents though. We had to Photo: Suzi Nash Both of my parents used to be Muslim take an eight-week course but my mother and the one sister in what was basically a parconverted to Christianity. So I have one enting class. You’re in there with a number Christian and one Muslim sister. The of other potential parents and they put you Muslim side of the family turned out to through a lot of scenarios of what’s going to really happen to help you understand be far more accepting than the Christian that it’s not going to be all rosy with a side, which I thought was interesting since child who will be happy and that you can’t the stereotype would be the opposite. My Muslim sister not only came and supported fix everything that’s wrong. Instead you may be getting a child who has come from us but she and her husband were both in a bad home and has been through a lot, and the wedding party. My mother has come around a bit and I think at this point she they may have a lot PAGE 38

BEST OF GAY PGN PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

from page 31

Arts & Entertainment Local DJ

DJ Robert Drake; www.myspace.com/djrobertdrake Wow! You all like retro 1980s pop, new-wave and zombie-themed parties just as much as we do. And Drake is seemingly tireless when it comes to bringing it to us. If he’s not working at WXPN or hosting a theme night or dance party (Sex Dwarf, Zombie Prom, etc.) somewhere in the city, he’s opening for the hit bands from the ’80s when they roll through town. Drag King

Rasta Boi Punany; www.facebook. com/pages/Rasta-Boi-Punany You go, boi! Drag Queen

Brittany Lynn; www.facebook.com/pages/BrittanyLynns-Drag-Mafia You go, girl! Festival

Q Fest; www.qfest.com

With mainstream Hollywood film getting increasingly disappointing in quality and scope of diversity, we all look forward to the likes of QFest, where we can see many, many films bringing to life a broad range of LGBT themes. Live Music

World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400 World Cafe is such a wonderful and eclectic music venue that it recently had to open a second location in Wilmington. Have you been to Wilmington? We mean, have you ever stopped in Wilmington instead of driving through it on the way to someplace cool? Yeah, we haven’t done that in a long time. You have to have some serious musical mojo in Philly to make you want to tackle Wilmington. What’s next, Camden? Plus, World Cafe Live gets extra points for not relying on flavor-of-theminute pop, rock and R&B acts. Instead, it favors artists who have built or are building a local following through dedication, artistry and hard work. Musician and Singer

Aiden James; www.aidenjamesmusic.com We really dig James, and the out singersongwriter took both categories handsdown and deserved the win. But come on, people! With all of the talent percolating in Philadelphia, it really should have been

Get the scoop on Philly’s LGBT nightlife in Barcrawlr, PGN’s biweekly take on not-to-miss events

Barcrawlr Jim KileyZufelt

Written by PGN’s intrepid reporter, Jim Kiley-Zufelt Online and in print every other week.

Only in

a tighter race, with more votes cast and more names of local performers and musicians thrown into the ballot box. Drag kings, queens and DJs all had clear top-five contenders, but musicians and singers didn’t. That is downright shameful, especially since a few of you wrote Beyonce and Elton John on your ballots. Yeah, like either one of them would bother to show up at our party. They can’t PARTY PROMOTER BRUCE YELK HARD AT WORK DURING even be bothered to THE RECENT GAYBORHOOD GAMES WITH FAVORITE show up to court to DRAG QUEEN AND GAMES HOST BRITTANY LYNN renew their restraining orders against us. this award because he’s too busy promotThe send their lawyers and poof, “You ing the living daylights out of yet another have to stay 500 feet away! Get out of my one of his fabulous events ... as well as limo!” Dear readers, here’s some homethe before-parties, the after-parties and work due next year: Be able to rattle off the after-after-parties for said events. a half-dozen worthwhile local musicians and/or singers and then get off your asses Theater Group and go see some of them perform live. Maukingbird Theatre Company You’ll thank us. The best and the gayest the city has to Party Promoter offer the world of theater, Maukingbird is Bruce Yelk always up for producing captivating and sometimes-edgy LGBT-themed producBruce Yelk couldn’t be here to accept tions. ■

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

PGN PROFILE

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

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of emotional issues. They may not want to bond with you or act like they care for anything you do, but you have to keep going. We had requested a young child and ended up with a 12-year-old. They’re supposed to stick to the age range you requested, but after hearing her story we couldn’t say no. We were afraid if we didn’t take her in, she may not have found anyone else. She was great and it turned out to be the best match. PGN: Ever plan to have your own? MBC: We’re taking a break to focus on our new business but we’ll probably go back into foster care. [Laughs.] I can see us ending up as 70-year-olds with 20 kids, none of whom we gave birth to! Who knows, but we have so many things we want to give to the world and so many things we want to do, it would be hard to think about being full-time parents. PGN: Speaking of that, how did My Family! come about? MBC: As I mentioned, we were expecting to get a child between the ages of 4-7. While waiting to go through the process of becoming foster parents, we started looking for books that were LGBT-friendly and multicultural and didn’t find much. We decided to create something that would have reoccurring characters that kids could befriend and look up to, who just happen to have two moms or two dads or a gay grandparent. And so the character Keesha was born and we published a book called “Keesha and Her Two Moms Go Swimming.” We created Dodi Press to publish our books and products and My Family! is the subsidiary arm that we use to retail our products. We have a website, www.myfamilyproducts.net, where people can purchase the book as well as products from other artists/authors that we hand select to represent under our roof. PGN: What’s the biggest difficulty in starting a new company? MBC: The time line. We’re so excited about it, we want everything to happen now! So we have to be patient and realize that some things, especially with production, take time. PGN: How do your business skills help out with this venture? MBC: I’m very good at making sure that things are organized. I have over a decade in experience in business strategy and development, which I applied to My Family! to create a really unique and exciting business model. I’m really passionate about it as well. Our goal is to be successful but we also really want to make a difference and do something that will uplift our community. We want this venture to provide material that children of LGBT parents can look up to and to provide both educational and fun resources for both children and their parents alike. I also strive to help change public perception by depicting positive images of LGBT families.

PGN: What kind of books do you like to read? MBC: I read a lot of nonfiction, lots of books on business and books on success and personal development. PGN: Something that scares you? MBC: [Laughs.] Doing this interview! Like I said, I’m really shy, so this is terrifying! PGN: Something people would be surprised to learn about you? MBC: I’m taking flying lessons. I plan on eventually buying an airplane so I can fly my wife wherever she wants to go! PGN: A conversation piece in your house? MBC: I have a lot of antiques that I like to show people when I give them a tour of the house, but I guess a favorite is an antique Bible with beautiful gold leaf and etching. It’s really huge and ornate. I love old leather-bound books and the time people took to really create a work of art. A lot of books these days aren’t beautiful anymore, they just crank them out. I also have a lot of old periodicals from the Philadelphia and Camden areas in the ’60s. There’s a lot of rich history inside and I like to thumb through them from time to time. You really get to see what was important to people at the time. PGN: Are you a religious person? MBC: No, not at all. I’m spiritual in a universal-morality kind of way but don’t follow an organized religion. PGN: What time period would you want to go back to? MBC: Probably the late 1700s or early 1800s. People had time to think and create. There were a lot of new things being invented around that period. I’m a big science nerd too. PGN: Something romantic Cheril has done? MBC: Well, she’s always doing romantic things, but a favorite was when she had “Monica Appreciation Day.” She surprised me and whisked me away to a château somewhere in Pennsylvania. She rented the whole place just for us so there were no other guests. There were several-hundred acres attached and stone statues all over the grounds. The woman who ran it collected antiques from all over the world. It was beautiful and they served us dinner on the patio with antique chairs and a candelabra and even served the food on turn-of-the-century dishes. Cheril knew I would go crazy over it. We had a fivecourse meal and then a woman in a beautiful dress walked up and serenaded me with a guitar. We stayed in the tower suite and the whole thing was magical. Another fairytale moment. ■ To suggest a community member for “Professional Portrait,” write to portraits05@aol.com.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

Worth Watching

COURT JESTER: Comedian and actor Eddie Izzard guest stars as Queen’s Council James Thrush when the legal proceedings are moved to a British court in “The Good Wife” 9 p.m. Oct. 2 on CBS. Photo: CBS/

‘MAID’ WITH HONORS: Fresh off her Emmy win, Melissa McCarthy, who starred in “Bridesmaids” and on the hit sitcom “Mike & Molly,” hosts “Saturday Night Live,” 11:30 p.m. Oct. 1 on NBC.

David M. Russell

NAUGHTY BUNNY: For all the hype and controversy surrounding it, “The Playboy Club” didn’t draw a big audience out of the gate, so catch out actress Amber Heard as Maureen, who’s trying to keep the mob boss she killed on the D.L., on the new drama while you still can, 10 p.m. Oct. 3 on NBC.

BEAR NECESSITIES: Watch Mark Caruso, a gay retired NYPD detective who refers to himself as “Papa Bear,” compete for the big money on “Survivor: South Pacific” 8 p.m. Oct. 5 on CBS. Photo: CBS/Monty Brinton

Photo by: NBC/John Russo

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

These people made the grade and were covered in PGN’s “Professional Portraits” column by Suzi Nash. Every week, Suzi talks to people making a difference in Philadelphia. Has she talked to you yet?

PGN

Q Puzzle Project Mercury Across

1. Sprint at the Gay Games 5. Marlon Brando’s hometown 10. Fruit ___ (gay district) 14. Really a fan of 15. Significant others 16. Cube designer Rubik 17. With 25-Across, Freddie Mercury song 19. Tartan wearer 20. Rita Mae Brown novel 21. Tennis great Ivan 22. Site of Gay Games VI (abbr.)

23. Queens on a chessboard, ironically 24. Shades 25. See 17-Across 28. “She’ll Be ___ ‘Round the Mountain” 31. Like some student bodies 32. Butch lesbian’s fashion accessory 33. “The Wizard ___” 34. With 40-Across, Freddie Mercury song 36. Jamie who cross-dressed on “M*A*S*H” 37. Org. of Bears 38. Place for a wish 39. Endora portrayer 40. See 34-Across 44. Bacon serving 45. “I taught I ___ a puddy tat!” 46. Theater admoni-

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tion 49. Playwright Chekhov 50. “Hollywood Squares” basis 53. Exchange at Metropolitan Community Church 54. Freddie Mercury song 55. Magritte or Russo 56. Like the space around Uranus 57. Hurler Hershiser 58. Traditional apple tree spot 59. Arouses with one’s stick 60. Comes together

Down

1. Knobs, sometimes 2. Piss off 3. Brought up the rear? 4. Sexual attrac-

tion, with “the” 5. Egg concoction 6. Macho service man 7. Lying on 8. Prey for chicken hawks? 9. Org. for bears 10. Ten-incher, for example 11. Sumatra dweller 12. 1955 Rock Hudson film 13. People with opinions 18. Cut off from escape 21. Served up whoppers 24. Pronoun for King James 25. Make an offer 26. Protection for one’s head 27. Hard top? 28. “Au ___!” 29. Unrehearsed 30. Testicle in a

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

large package? 34. Tear’s companion 35. Shade maker 36. 3-pointers to Kopay 38. “Lilacs” preceder in a Whitman title 39 Nobelist Sadat 41. Picked 42. Had a sevenyear problem with Marilyn Monroe? 43. B westerns 46. Barneys, e.g. 47. Dumpy digs 48. Drag queen’s shoes 50. Madonna’s Blonde Ambition, e.g. 51 Leave-Beaver bridge 52. Drain trouble 54. Unruly mane PAGE 43

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 09/30 “So You Think You Can Dance” Dancers from the hit TV show perform 7 p.m. at Mark G. Etess Arena, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-449-5150. George Thorogood and The Destroyers The blues/rock band performs 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650. They Might Be Giants The rock group performs 8 p.m. Sept. 30 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.

Michael Monroe of Hanoi Rocks The gLam-rock singer performs 9 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888. Sugar Town: A Night of Lady Rockers & DJs Death Rattle, Nervous Breakdowns and The Nectarines perform 9 p.m. at Tritone Bar, 1508 South St.; 215-5450475.

Sat. 10/01 Liberty Bears Happy Hour & Meeting The Liberty Bears convene 5-9 p.m. at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.; 215627-1662.

Indigo Ball The William Way LGBT Community Center’s annual black-tie gala will take place 69:30 p.m. at Arts Ballroom, 1324 Locust St.; 215554-6808. Rene Lopez The eclectic Latin soul singer performs 7:30 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Audra McDonald The Tony and Grammy awardwinning singer and actress performs 8 p.m. at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. The Psychedelic Furs and Tom Tom Club The new-wave bands perform 8

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650. HAZY SHADE OF AUTUMN: The 1980s hit-makers The Bangles are set to rock 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at TLA, 334 South St. For more information or tickets, call 215-922-1011.

The Ultimate ’80s Dance Party with DJ Robert Drake The out DJ takes us back 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400. David Anthony The porn star appears as part of Manhunt’s 10thanniversary tour 10 p.m. at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St.; 215735-5772.

Sun. 10/02 The Bad Seed The 1981 horror film is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

Ellen Verenieks and Frank Loman The cabaret singers perform 3 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York, New Hope; 215-7947716. Grey Gardens The documentary about two reclusive socialites, Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale and her daughter Edie, aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, is screened 4:30 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

Mon. 10/03 Monday Jazz Jam at World Cafe Live 5:30-7 p.m. at 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Groove Night Local musicians join forces to bring the R&B, soul, jazz and funk, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400.

Tue. 10/04 Maylyn Murphy The R&B/jazz singer performs 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Wed. 10/05 Grease: Rockin’ Rydell Singalong Shout it out 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. 4W5 Blues Jam Local musicians get down 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400.

Thu. 10/06 2nd Annual City of Philadelphia LGBT History Month Celebration Mayor Michael Nutter, the Office of LGBT Affairs for the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations host a flag-raising ceremony 2-3:30 p.m. at City Hall, Broad and Market streets; 215-6862194.

“Ambientes: New Queer Latino Writing” host a reading 5:30 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960. The Comedians of Chelsea Lately Comedians who are regulars on the talk show perform 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215572-7650. The First Annual Red Affair Tony Enos, Gianna Drama Queen, Stefon Royce Iman and Oliver Chris perform 8 p.m.midnight at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St.; 215-7355772.

Honey Watts The acoustic/ambient project by singer-songwriter Liz Fullerton performs 9 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Whoopi Goldberg The comedian and TV personality performs 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. An American Werewolf in London The 1981 horror film is screened 9:45 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-0223.

Bob & Barbara’s Drag Show The outrageousness begins 11 p.m. at Bob & Barbara’s, 1509 South St.; 215-545-4511.

Fri. 10/07 Lazaro Lima, Emanuel Xavier, Charles RiceGonzalez and Steven Cordova A co-editor and contributors to

SEEING RED: Out singer Tony Enos performs on a bill featuring Gianna Drama Queen, Stefon Royce Iman and Oliver Chris for the ﬁrst annual Red Affair 8 p.m.-midnight at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St. For more information, call 215735-5772.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS PGN

Opening Brotherly Love Olive Dance Theatre presents a show revisiting the moral terrain and various perspectives leading up to the MOVE incident, Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at Painted Bride Arts Center, 230 Vine St.; 215-925-9914. Let Me Tell You About A Dream I Had Philadelphia Art Alliance presents an exhibition by The Miss Rockaway Armada, a collective of artists and teachers, sailors and activists, composers and clowns, Sept. 30-Dec. 30 at the Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251 S. 18th St.; 215- 545-4302. Paul Mooney The comedian seen on “Chappelle’s Show” performs Oct. 5-8 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.

Blowing on a Hairy Shoulder/ Grief Hunters The Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania presents an exhibition of works by 20 artists from Israel, Greece, Germany, Belgium, Britain and America that examine the relationships between originality and origin with video, photography, drawing and sculpture through Dec. 4, 118 S. 36th St.; 215-898-7108. Carmen The Opera Company of Philadelphia performs the classic through Oct. 14 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

bition of collages by Ann Irwin through Oct. 16, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-340-9800.

Chicago Media Theater presents the popular musical set in the prohibition era through Nov. 6, 104 E. State St., Media; 610891-0100.

Closing

THE VIEW FROM ATLANTIC CITY: Comedian and ﬁlm and TV personality Whoopi Goldberg will make audiences learn and laugh when she performs 9 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way. For more information or tickets, call 609-317-1000.

Mistakes Were Made 1812 Productions presents a comedy about a Broadway producer seeking professional and personal redemption, Oct. 6-30 at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; 215-592-9560.

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

Spooky Dog and the Teen-Age Gang Mysteries Allens Lane Theater presents a campy comedy about a dog named Spooky who confront criminals and their sexual desires, Sept. 30-Oct. 15, 601 W. Allens Lane; www.allenslane.org.

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

Continuing

Transmutation and Metamorphosis Michener Art Museum presents an exhiQ PUZZLE, from page 41

Aspects of Love Walnut Street Theatre presents the romantic musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, through Oct. 23, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. August: Osage County Arden Theatre Company presents the Tony Award-winning comedy through Oct. 30 at F. Otto Hass Stage, 40 N. Second St.; 215922-1122. Beware the Lily Law Eastern State Penitentiary hosts a video installation on the experiences of trans prisoners through November, 2027 Fairmount Ave.; 215-236-5111.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

Turnarounds AxD Gallery hosts an exhibition of works by Annette Cords through Oct. 29, 265 S. 10th St.; 215-627-6250. Zaha Hadid: Form in Motion Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of product designs by architect Hadid, who in 2004 became the first female recipient of the renowned Pritzker Architecture Prize, through March 25, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

RAW TRUST Gallery hosts the internationally touring LGBT fine-art photography installation produced in Provincetown, Mass., through Oct. 4, 249 Arch St.; 215-592-8400. Riding the Comet Actors’ Net presents the World War II drama through Oct. 2 at The Heritage Center, 635 N. Delmorr Ave., Morrisville; 215-295-3694. Why Do Good Girls Like Bad Boyz The gospel musical runs through Oct. 2 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. ■

BROADWAY STAR: The Tony and Grammy award-winning singer and actress Audra McDonald performs an evening of new songs and Broadway classics 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St. For more information, call 215790-5800.

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.

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

Millennial Poz Aaron Stella

After 30 years of HIV/AIDS, the epidemic is impacting the next generation: the Millennials. Written by Aaron Stella, Millennial Poz gives a new voice to people with HIV/AIDS. Online and in print every second Friday.

Only in

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

Community Bulletin Board Community centers

■ The Attic Youth Center: For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-8 p.m. MondayFriday; case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-Friday. See the Youth section for more events. 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331 ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St.; 215-898-5044; center@dolphin.upenn.edu, Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday.

and Allies Youth Center: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org

■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center: 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220; www.waygay.org. Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday Library hours: 12-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 12-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Friday; 126 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

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

■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: 215-587-9377

Key numbers

■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: 856-933-9500 ext. 221

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

■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851

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

■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 1800-662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 ■ The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 112 N. Broad St., third floor; 215-496-0330 ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

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

Health

AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; 215-629-2300. www.asiac.org Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; 12-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St. 215851-1822 or 866-222-3871. www.galaei.org. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215-685-1803. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing

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

■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Stephen Johnson: 215-683-2840 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 267-216-6606; ppd. lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288

Men of Color United A discussion/support group for gay and bisexual men of color meets 6-8 p.m. every Wednesday at 112 N. Broad St., 11th ﬂoor; 215-496-0330.

Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday except for 12-1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

and students, meets for social and networking events; www.nlgjaphiladephia.org. ■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus A regional organization dedicated to promoting gay and lesbian tourism to the Greater Philadelphia Region, holds meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; P.O. Box 58143, Philadelphia, PA 19102; www.philadelphiagaytourism.com. ■ Philly OutGoing Professionals Social group for gay, lesbian and bisexual professionals meets for social and cultural activities; (856) 857-9283; popnews19@yahoo. com.

Trans Evolutions A drop-in support group for anyone on the transgender spectrum meets 6-7 p.m. Thursdays at 21 S. 12th St, eighth ﬂoor; 215-563-0652 ext. 235. Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine Primary healthcare and specialized transgender services in a safe, professional, nonjudgemental environment, 809 Locust St.; 215563-0658. T-MAN People of color support group for transmen, FTMs, butches, studs, aggressives, bois, genderqueer and all female-born individuals with gender questions meets 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays, second ﬂoor, 1201 Locust St.; 215-834-9063; tmanphilly.com.

Men of Standard Provides a place for gay men of color 21 and older to share issues of concern. Meets 7-9 p.m. Thursdays at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; 856-963-2432.

Transhealth Programming Committee Meets 5 p.m.the second and last Sundays of the month at the William Way Center.

Philly Dads An association of gay and bisexual fathers supporting each other meets 7:30 p.m. the fourth Friday of the month at the William Way Center; 215-668-5239.

Transhealth Information Project Sponsors a weekly drop-in center from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays at 21 S. 12th St., 10th ﬂoor; 215-568-2221.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Bucks County Meets 7:30 p.m. the ﬁrst Tuesday of the month at Penns Park United Methodist Church, 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park; 215-598-8005.

Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronic-disease management, including comprehensive HIV care; 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658.

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

Men’s Coming Out Group, N.J. Meets 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at The Pride Center of New Jersey; njwarrior@aol.com.

■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

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

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

Men of All Colors Together Meets 7:30 p.m. the third Friday of the month, September through June, at the William Way Center; 610-277-6595; www.MACTPhila.org.

Parents/Families

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

Professional groups

Gay Married Men’s Association Meets 8 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays at the William Way Center; www.gammaphilly.com.

■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537

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

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

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

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

Men

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Chester County Meets 7 p.m. the ﬁrst Tuesday of the month at the Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester, 501 S. High St.; 484354-2448. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/ Collingswood, N.J. Meets 6:30-9 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month at the Collingswood Public Library, 771 Haddon Ave.; 609202-4622; pﬂagcollingswood@yahoo. com. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Philadelphia Meets 2-5 p.m. the third Sunday of the month at the LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 3907 Spruce St.; 215-572-1833. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Princeton, N.J. Meets 7:30 p.m. the second Monday of the month in the George Thomas Room at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St.; 609683-5155. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Wilmington, Del. Meets 7-9 p.m. second Thursday of the month at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 W. 13th St.; 302-6542995. Philadelphia Family Pride Advocacy, support and social network for LGBT families offers play groups, monthly kids and teen talk groups, activities and outings. Planning meetings held monthly; 215-600-2864; www.phillyfamilypride.org.

Transgender Health Action Coalition Peer trans health-advocacy organization; 215-732-1207; www. critpath.org/thac. WeXist FTM support group meets 6-8 p.m. second Friday of the month at the William Way Center; ﬁrst hour is open, second hour is for people assigned female at birth who have gender issues; 267-250-1548. Young, Trans, and Uniﬁed! Support group for transgender and questioning individuals ages 1323 meets from 7-8:30 p.m. every Thursday at The Attic Youth Center; 215-545-4331.

Women Hanging Out With Lesbians A group based in central Pennsylvania that organizes activities such as concerts, camping, golf, picnics, hikes, plays, game nights in nonsmoking environments; http://groups.yahoo. com/group/howlofpa. Lesbian Community of Delaware Valley Social group holds monthly meetings and activities for gay women of all ages in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties; P.O. Box 962, Phoenixville; http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/LCDV/; marichikogirl@yahoo. com. Lesbian Couples Dining Group of Montgomery County Meets monthly; 215-542-2899. Mt. Airy Lesbian Social Club For lesbians in the Philadelphia area ages 35-plus; www.meetup.com/ mtairylesbiansocial/. Queer Connections Social group for women in their 20s meets weekly; queerconnect@yahoo. com. Sistah 2 Sistah A social/support group for lesbian youth of color, ages 13-24. The

group offers weekly social events, open discusson and monthly movie/ discussions, 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, 112 N. Broad St. third ﬂoor; 215-496-0330. Women Coming Out Support Group Women who consider themselves gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning and are at any stage of the coming-out process are welcome. Ages 18 and over. Meets third Thursday of every month, 7:30-9 p.m. at the Pride Center of NJ.

Youth 40 Acres of Change Discussion group for teen and young adults meets 6-8 p.m. Thursdays at The COLOURS Organization Inc., 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; 215-496-0330. You’re Not Alone A group for gay, lesbian and bisexual youth that meets during the school year; sponsored by AIDS Delaware, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 315, Wilmington. Call 800-810-6776 for more details. HAVEN For GLBT, intersex, questioning, queer and allied youth ages 14-20; meets 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley, 424 Center St., Bethlehem; 610-868-2153. HiTOPS A safe-space support program for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, meets 2:30-4:30 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays at 21 Wiggins St., Princeton, N.J.; 609683-5155; hitops.org. Main Line Youth Alliance Meets from 7-9:30 p.m. Fridays at 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; 610-6881861; info@myaonline.org. Mountain Meadow For youth with GLBTQ parents. Monthly programs for ages 8-16, family programs and parent coffee groups. Residential program offered in August, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-7721107. Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center For ages 14-21; meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St.; 215-957-7981; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. Social X Change Social activity group for LGBT youth of color ages 13-23 meets 6-8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; 215-496-0330. Space to be Proud, Open, and Together Open to all LGBTQ queer youth and allies, ages 14-21, the SPOT meets Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Planned Parenthood of Chester County’s West Chester office, 8 S. Wayne St.; 610692-1770. Young, Trans, and Unified A support group for transgender and questioning youth ages 12-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center. Youth Making a Difference For GLBTQ African-American and Latino youth ages 14-24. Meets 5-7 p.m. every Tuesday at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St.; 856-963-2432.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

REALPGN ESTATE

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

Classifieds

Home of the Week

Featured property: 1812 Spruce St 3FPhiladelphia, PA 19103

PGN does not accept advertising that is unlawful, false, misleading, harmful, threatening, abusive, invasive of another’s privacy, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, hateful or racially or otherwise objectionable, including without limitation material of any kind or nature that encourages conduct that could constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any applicable local, state, provincial, national or international law or regulation, or encourage the use of controlled substances. All real-estate advertising is subject to Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended. Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and ﬁnancing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability). PGN will not knowingly accept any real-estate advertising that is in violation of any applicable law.

REAL ESTATE

SALE

$775,000 Excellent opportunity to purchase a large 3BR/3BA bi-level condo at an incredible price in the heart of Rittenhouse Sq. Features include brand-new marble baths, deluxe gourmet kitchen, Central A/C. High ceilings, wood ﬂoors, W/D hook-up, and lovely architectural details. Low monthly fees and utility expenses. Two private outdoor areas for your enjoyment. Parking available (see agent for details). Realtor: Dan Tobey

Direct: 215-432-7151

Website: www.phillyrealestateagents.com

Company: Coldwell Banker Preferred

Fax: (215) 558-1020

Email: dtobey@cbpref.com

REAL ESTATE

SALE

REAL ESTATE

NEW YORK STATE Cozy Cabin on 5 Acres $19,995. Beautiful woodlands. Our best deal ever! Call 800-2297843 or visit www.landandcamps.com _______________________________35-40 CONVENIENT LIVING In beautiful Blue Bell Woods. Unique floor plan in this 4 bedroom townhouse. Two bedrooms and two full bathrooms on second floor. Very large master suite with bedroom and large sitting room. Large master tiled bathroom has whirlpool bath with separate shower. Fully finished walkout basement with bedroom and full bath. 115 Orchard Court, Blue Bell, PA $304,000. Call (215) 542-8998 mls# 5853188 _______________________________35-40

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SALE

ROOMMATES PGN WILL NOT PUBLISH RACIAL DISTINCTIONS IN ROOMMATE ADS. SUCH NOTATIONS WILL BE EDITED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. ___________________________________

ROOMMATES GREATER NE PHILA. Have your own bedroom in a beautiful split level home with 2 gay men. House is 4 BR, 2 full baths, W/D, upper and lower decks, use of kitchen. Property is by Welsh & the Boulevard, 1 min. to 58 bus. We ask only that you be at least reasonably neat and employed. Rent is $600 + 1/3 utils. Contact Dave at 215-698-0215. _______________________________35-49 COLLEGEVILLE, PA Private room, full house privileges. 2 males looking for 3rd to share 3200 sq ft. house in nice neighborhod. Great new interior and beautifully landscaped exterior. Pvt. back yard patio. $650 rent, utils incl. antho092@aol.com _______________________________35-41

��

�� REAL ESTATE �� 2 BR APT. SOUTH PHILLY �� Lovely, in res. area. Mod kit & bath, C/A, hdwd �� ﬂrs, W/D. $1100/mo. + utils. 215-680-0073. �� _______________________________35-40 �� 12TH & DICKINSON AREA �� Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living

REALPGN ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

RENT

��

Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms,

�� bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (nego-

�� tiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 �� 686 3431 daytime. �� _______________________________35-49 �� $1250.00 COLLINGSWOOD, NJ �� Newly renov. 2nd ﬂ. 2 BR, 1 BA apt. New paint, �� carpet, kitch. cab. Lots of storage. Centrally loc. �� Rent incl. heat & alarm. 609-226-4457. �� _______________________________35-45 �� RITTENHOUSE SQUARE AREA �� Studios & 1 Bedrooms - Call for Availability �� (215) 735-8050. �� _______________________________36-03 �� BROAD & ELLSWORTH

SALE

��

�� Modern, large 1 BR, 1.5 bath apt. w/ hard-

wood ﬂoors, ﬁre/burgular alarm, Call 609806-5050. _______________________________36-40

: pgn@epgn.com SERVICES

��

AIRLINES ARE HIRING Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualiﬁed - Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888)834-9715. _______________________________35-40 ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE From Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Computers, *Criminal Justice. Job placement �� assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualiﬁed. Call 888-220-3984. www. ness Flats. Large 2 bed, 1 bath. last CenturaOnline.com sirable building. Close to all Center City _______________________________35-40 HOUSEMAN taxes ................................�� Honest, energetic, insured.Jim267-770-8988 George T._______________________________35-40 Sale Condo” Unique Garden

��

private entrance.. Low fees & Tax e 1 bd. in area ........................��. EUGENE’S TAILOR SHOP Custom Design & Tailoring for Men & Women Alterations

��

ew open style 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo Eugene Naroditsky o fees. Great small pet friendly building. Natalie Naroditsky ..................................��

(215) 923 - 8081

Monday - Friday 10 -36 wedes Court. New Listing Large Saturday 10 - 5 ﬂoors. Garage, roof deck and hardwood 242 South 17th Street Queen Village ....................�� Philadelphia PA 19103

www.eugenestailorshop.com ING. Large update 4 bd. 2 ba. with eugenestailorshop@gmail.com rfully roof deck with city skyline views. ..........................................��

�� FOR SALE

SAWMILLS �� From only $3997-MAKE MONEY & SAVE � MONEY with your own bandmill-Cut lumber �� any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE �� info& DVD:www.NorwoodSawmills.com/300N � 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N. _______________________________35-40 DIRECTV Summer Special! 1 Year Free Showtime! 3mos FREE HBO/Starz/Cinemax! NFL SUNDAY TICKET Free - Choice Ultimate/Premier - Pkgs from $29.99/mo. Call by 9/30! 1-800380-8939. _______________________________35-40

�� BUSINESS

OPPORTUNIITY

THINK CHRISTMAS, START NOW! OWN A RED HOT! DOLLAR, DOLLAR PLUS, MAILBOX OR DISCOUNT PARTY STORE FROM $51,900 WORLDWIDE! 100% TURNKEY. 1-800-518-3064 WWW.DRSS19.COM _______________________________35-40

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

REAL ESTATE

SALE

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

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PAGE 54

� ��

REAL ESTATE

SALE

REAL ESTATE

SALE

REAL ESTATE

SALE

REAL ESTATE

SALE

Open Houses Sunday Oct. 2, 2011

Abington

NOON – 2:30 PM 1812 Spruce St. “Snowden Residence Condo” Brand new condo conversion in the Heart of Rittenhouse Square. Unit #2R Grand Scale 1 bd. 1.5 baths w/ office area. Magnificent ceiling molding details, Marble spa like bath. Walk-out Terrace. Deluxe Gourmet Kitchen. Deeded covered parking available. Low taxes. ...............$450,000 1833 -A Christian St. Brand new 2 bedroom, 2 bath two level townhouse. Open concept floor plan. Deluxe kitchen, S/S, Quartz counter tops. Hardwood floors. Large rear garden. Glass tiles Spa-like master bath. Large family room in lower level. Tax abatement. ...............................................................priced at only $274,900 1812 Spruce St. 3F Large Bi-level townhouse style condo. Over 2,200 Square feet on two levels. 3 large bedrooms & 3 Marble baths. Deluxe Kitchen, S/S, walnut cabinets, Quartz counters. Wood floors. Deeded parking available. Low taxes & fees ..............................................................................Pre-construction price $775,000 1109 Spruce St. Unit 1F Charming 1 bedroom, 1 bath, totally rehab. Condo in Washington Square West. Granite and S/S kitchen, wood floors, high ceilings. Low condo fees and taxes......................................................................................$225,000

Ready for the suburbs, but stay close to city life! Perfect home for you! Single 2 bedroom, 2 bath ranch with large open ﬂoor plan all leading to private yard. Patio and in ground pool. Great for entertaining! Just $269,900. Call today to see!

Mariann Owens ADOPTION UNIQUE ADOPTIONS Let us help! Personalized Adoption Plans. Financial assistance, housing relocation and more. Giving the gift of life? You deserve the best. Call us ﬁrst! 1-888-637-8200 24-hours hotline. _______________________________35-40 PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? FFTA is here to help. We offer counseling, financial assistance, and many different families/ options to consider. Please call Joy: 1-866-922-3678. www.foreverfamiliesthroughadoption.org _______________________________35-40

RELIGIOUS

ORGANIZATIONS GRATITUDE IN THREE MOVEMENTS Forgiveness, Acceptance, and Thanksgiving An Ecumenical Retreat for Gay and Bisexual Christian Men Nov. 10-13, 2011 – Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center (www.kirkridge.org) Featuring Robert V. Taylor (www.robertvtaylor. com), Chris Glaser (www.chrisglaser.com), and Joseph Palacios. _______________________________35-43

2000

215-698-2027 WANTED TO

BUY

BUYING COINS Gold, Silver & ALL Coins, Stamps, Paper Money, Entire Collections worth $5,000 or more. Travel to your home. CASH paid. Call Marc 1-800-488-4175. _______________________________35-40 Cash Paid For Diabetic Test Strips. Up To $10 Per Box. Most Brands. Call Tom Anytime toll-free 1-888-885-5097. _______________________________35-40

1812 Spruce St. Unit #3R Best value 2 bedroom, 1 bath in Rittenhouse Square. Fabulous new condo conversion 1 block off Rittenhouse Square. Marble bath, deluxe kitchen, huge walk-out terrace. A/C. Large attic. ..............................$395,000

�� Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are Driver-CDL-A: Experienced Drivers. also sensitive, caring with a funOTR personality. If Regional Lanes. HOMEtoMOST WEEKENDS! this sounds interesting you feel free to call Up to $3000 BONUS. Up to $.50 Per Mile. me, David, 215-698-0215. 888-463-3962. 6mo.OTR exp. & CDL Req’d. _______________________________33-28 www.usatruck.jobs _______________________________35-40 Top Pay On Excellent Runs! Regional Runs, Steady Miles, Frequent Hometime, New Equipment. Automatic Detention Pay! CDL-A, 6mo. 6’, 165 lbs., 60 year old Master, greek active, Experience required. EEOE/AAP 866-322french passive requires obedient slave for 4039 www.Drive4Marten.com training, S&M, B/D, W/S, etc. Limits respected _______________________________35-40 and Back expanded. Assistant Call Get to Basics. SolidMaster Miles wanted. + Good Pay Dave 215-729-6670, day or evening.Great + Newat Equipment = Your Success! _______________________________33-48 Beneﬁ ts and Hometime. Dry Van & Flatbed. Xdress sex party. CD house orgy every Sat. CDL-A,6mo.OTR. 888-801-5295. nite. GWM couple ISO GWMs 18-40 yrs. for _______________________________35-40 1 on 1 andHIRING group sex. Stockings, DRIVERS NOWpantyhose, etc. Starts 9 PMDriver, Sat. Call PM$7500 856$2000 Sign-On 43.7Sat. per7-8 mile. 910-8303, ask for Mark. Sign-On Teams, 51.3 Per Mile. CDL-A HazMat. _______________________________33-24 1-877-628-3748; www.driveNCTrans.com GWM, Italian, top or bottom, 7” cut. Also into _______________________________35-40 assplay, toys & water sports. Bi, straight, out of towners welcome. Day or night. Call Jeff at 215-850-7900. _______________________________33-18

HELP WANTED

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1812 Spruce St. Unit 2F Very large condo in Rittenhouse Square, 1 bed, 1 bath. High ceilings with great architectural details. Deluxe gourmet kitchen. Marble bath. Wood ﬂoors. Low fees and taxes. Deeded parking available. ................................$425,000

Search all Philadelphia area listings @ www.thephillyrealtors.com

�

Dan Tobey

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

��

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

HELP WANTED

WANTED MALE HOUSEKEEPER UPPER BUCKS Well to do Gentleman Farmer seeking live in male housekeeper. Room & board provided + salary. Must like animals & rural life. Serious job opportunity, serious inquires only. Email references, resume, & picture to: peter37@verizon.net _______________________________35-40

Experienced Tanker/Flatbed Drivers! *Strong Freight Network *Stability *Great Pay. Every Second Counts! Call Today! 800-277-0212 or www.primeinc.com _______________________________35-40 Driver $2000 Sign On Bonus! Start a New Career! 100% Paid CDL Training! No Experience Required. CRST EXPEDITED 800-326-2778 www.joinCRST.com _______________________________35-40

��

Gay Gay is is our our middle middle name. name.

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FRIENDS

MEN

LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. _______________________________35-49 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. _______________________________35-41 GBM, 28, 8 seeks Mexican male 21 to 29 for relationship. Looking for someone to love. 267319-4760. Puerto Ricans welcome also. _______________________________35-41

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

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PRE- OUTFEST BASH! RED LIGHT SPECIAL Saturday, October 8th, 2011 TIME: 11pm-3:30am WHAT TO EXPECT: * DJ Zathan Radix * Food Catered by Tommy D’s * OPEN BAR & Hot Shot Boys * A Full House of Guys To Choose From & Soo Much More...

P.A.N.G. (Philadelphia Area Naturist Guys) Sunday, October 16th, 2011 TIME: 3pm-6pm Boys will Be Boys- Awaken Your Spirit For More Information On Group: www.phillynakedguys.com/

B-7

MEN

EVOLUTION: BLACK OUTARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? Saturday, October 15th, 2011 TIME: 11pm-3:30am WHAT TO EXPECT: * DJ Dutch * Food Catered by Tommy D’s * OPEN BAR & Hot Shot Boys * A Full House of Guys To Choose From & Soo Much More...

Party Nights Rooms go quickly and are on a 1st Come, 1st Served Basis. So Check In Early if you want a room...Check out our website for our HOT WEEKLY SPECIALS & JOIN OUR E-MAIL LIST to get the latest information on up coming events...

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

And if you are in A.C., please check out:

10 South Mt. Vernon Avenue •Atlantic City, NJ 08401

OPEN DAILY! Sunday- Thursday 4pm to 4am Friday & Saturday 4pm to 6am www.brassrailac.com

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2011

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