Vol. 34 No. 41
Honesty Integrity Professionalism
Oct. 8 - 14, 2010
Rainbow flag flies above City Hall By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer After several days of rain, a rainbow emerged in the Center City sky Wednesday, as Philadelphia celebrated its inaugural Rainbow Flag Raising Ceremony. More than 400 people gathered outside City Hall for the ceremony, which marked the first time a rainbow flag was raised next to the country’s flag at any city municipal building. City director of LGBT affairs Gloria Casarez said the flag-raising was meant as a way for the city to recognize its LGBT community during LGBT History Month. “I had been thinking about a way that the city could acknowledge LGBT History Month for some time, and I read that a few other cities do these flag-raising ceremonies, although they’re usually around Pride month,” she said. “But I really liked the idea of doing something in October, especially because everyone’s pulled in a million different directions in June.” Casarez said October also seemed like the most appropriate time to fly the flag
because of what the city is hoping to accomplish with the effort. “LGBT History Month actually traces its roots back to GLSEN [Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network]. It was started by a teacher, and we’re really trying to put the emphasis on education here. That fits with the goals that we had for this.” After remarks by Casarez and the Rev. Jeffrey Jordan of Metropolitan Community Church, the Philadelphia Voices of Pride performed at the ceremony. Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations executive director Rue Landau discussed the city’s pro-LGBT efforts before representatives from several LGBT events and initiatives this month — the LGBTQ Womyn of Color Conference, GLBT History Month Icons Project, the LGBT Elder Summit, OutFest and the LGBT History Month series — took the mic to talk about their efforts. Mayor Nutter also addressed the crowd before the flag was raised to a musical backdrop of the national anthem, performed by the Philadelphia Gay Men’s See RAINBOW FLAG, Page 19
Rutgers death draws attention to gay suicide By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Vigils were held throughout the region in the past week following the suicide of an 18year-old gay Rutgers University student and several other teens who recently took their lives after facing anti-gay bullying. Students, faculty and staff at Rutgers gathered on the New Brunswick, N.J., campus Sunday night — as did LGBTs and allies in Kahn Park in Philadelphia and Greenwich Village in New York City — to pay tribute to freshman Tyler Clementi, who jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge Sept. 22, several days after his roommate broadcast his sexual encounter with a man live on the Internet. See SUICIDES, Page 25
SOMBER SUNDAY: About two-dozen LGBTs and allies gathered in Kahn Park Oct. 3 for a candlelight vigil to remember the number of gay teens who recently committed suicide. The event was organized after Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi took his own life after his roommate allegedly videotaped him having a sexual encounter with another man. Another vigil will be held at 8 p.m. Oct. 9 outside of Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. Photo: Scott A. Drake
th on e M rag y or ve e 13 st o ag Hi C s: P y ial Gilli Ga ec ly Mc Sp Kel
Philadelphia Gay News State approves $7M for senior center By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer
The state legislature approved a $7-million allocation this week for a proposed LGBT senior housing project. The state House and Senate both signed off on the Capital Budget Project Itemization Act of 2010/11 on Oct. 4, and the measure now awaits the expected signature of Gov. Rendell. The spending bill includes the appropriation for “acquisition, construction, infraRAINBOW RECOGNITION AT CITY HALL FOR structure, redevelopment and other related LGBT HISTORY MONTH Photo: Scott A. Drake costs for the William Way Senior Housing Project.” The proposed senior residences would be situated in a building attached to the William Way LGBT Community Center on Spruce Street. The project, spearheaded by the Dr. Magnus Hirschfield Fund, would include 40-70 affordable-housing units for lowincome seniors and would also include renovations to the current community center. The initiative is predicted to cost about $20 By Larry Nichols million and will be undertaken by Pennrose PGN Staff Writer Properties. Mark Segal, president of the Hirschfield This year’s OutFest, Philly Pride Presents’ See CENTER, Page 19 annual Coming Out Day celebration, takes over the Gayborhood Oct. 10 on 12th and 13th streets and Locust and Spruce. Attractions and performances this year include Brittany Lynn’s Drag Mafia, Cher impersonator Steve Andrade, Miss Philly Gay Pride 2010 Alexis Cartier, Chad D, Juan Lord, Skyanna Blue, Finesse Ross, Mrs. Pinklewinkle, The Anti-Grag, Ariel Aparico and Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars. The event also features perennial favorites like the high-heel race, a mechanical bull and the penis-shaped bagel-eating contest. New this year will be an outdoor women’s party in front of Sisters on Chancellor Street. Youth at the event will be invited on stage at 4 p.m. Sunday as the crowd pays tribute by applauding — a unique response to the recent
OutFest goers to tackle antigay bullying
See OUTFEST, Page 8
ARTIST RENDERING OF PROPOSED WILLIAM WAY LGBT SENIOR CENTER