PGN Oct. 10-16, 2014

Marriage equality hurtles forward

Family Portrait: Dirk Allen is forever young

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National LGBT History Month Project

PAGES 39, 41

Bill T. Jones puts dance between the covers PAGE 59

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Since 1976

PGN Philadelphia Gay News HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

Vol. 38 No. 41

Mazzoni CFO fired after five DUI arrests

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

FLYING HIGH: Mayor Michael Nutter was among the hosts of the fifth-annual rainbow flag-raising ceremony Oct. 2 at City Hall, kicking off LGBT History Month.

During the ceremony, organizers honored four organizations celebrating anniversary milestones this year: GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization, Mazzoni Center, Philadelphia Black Gay Pride and Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League.

The flag will fly outside the building through the end of the month. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Gay man arrested for murder

By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com A gay man was arrested last week for the murder of a Roxborough man who had once opened his house to him.

On Sept. 30, police found Ronald Fischman lying unreOF sponsive on the floor of his home on the 200 block of Ellena Street. He had been stabbed multiple times in the neck, shoulder and leg. After being transported to Einstein Hospital, Fischman, 54, was pronounced dead

shortly after midnight Oct. 1.

Police later arrested Jonathan Williams, aka William James. James, 33, was most recently registered as living on the 300 block of Upsal Street but, according to police, is most likely homeless.

James has been charged with murder, burglary, criminal trespass and related offenses.

Police responded to Fischman’s house for a report of a breaking-and-entering. While police were investigating the scene, additional witnesses described a man they saw fleeing the victim’s home.

Police stopped James and noticed a laceration on his right hand. After being treated and released from Einstein Hospital, he was transported to the homicide unit for questioning and later PAGE 2

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Mazzoni Center has fired its chief financial officer after he was arrested multiple times in the last 10 months on DUI and drug charges.

Nicholas Chaban, CFO of the LGBT health facility for nine years, was arrested five times in Montgomery County since December, including two consecutive days in July. After the fifth arrest last month, a judge revoked bail on his previous cases, and he has been in Montgomery County Prison since Sept. 24.

A court source said Chaban, of Roxborough, asked that he delay reporting to prison until Oct. 6 because of work obligations, but the judge denied that request.

Mazzoni Center executive director Nurit Shein confirmed Chaban was recently terminated, but declined to say when or provide any specifics, citing personnel policies.

“It is the policy of Mazzoni Center that we do not discuss personnel issues,” she said.

A job opening for CFO was posted Sept.

30. She said interviews start next week of both internal and external candidates, and she is “very confident that by the end of October we’ll have a new CFO.”

According to Mazzoni’s website, which last week still listed Chaban as CFO, he oversaw “all finance, organization operations and human resources” for the agency.

A website posting from 2010 listed him as an employee of the agency for 18 years. Shein said that, prior to 2005, Chaban worked on the organization’s finances in a contract position.

Shein said a routine annual financial audit was completed last month and the books are in order.

“This had no bearing on the financial situation of Mazzoni Center,” she said. “We had a clean audit, with no findings. No harm was ever done by the CFO to the financial situation of this organization.”

Chaban has a history of DUI arrests in Montgomery County dating back to 1984.

He pleaded guilty in 2003 and 1990, and was sentenced to fines and up to one year in prison for the 2003 arrest and up to 23 months for the 1990 case; it is unclear if he served prison time. He was arrested in 1999 for DUI and related charges, but that case was dismissed.

PAGE 47

Grisly new details of trans slaying revealed

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Chilling details of the murder of transwoman Diamond Williams were released this week during a preliminary hearing of her accused killer.

Charles N. Sargent, 45, told police he killed Williams in self-defense, after she demanded a prearranged payment of $40 for performing oral sex on him.

Sargent claims he declined to pay because he didn’t realize Williams had male anatomy when she “sucked me off.”

When Williams continued to push the issue and threatened him with a knife, he grabbed it from her and killed her, Sargent claims.

Sargent, gaunt in a brown suit, didn’t testify during his Oct. 8 preliminary hearing.

But an 18-page statement containing those details that he PAGE 46

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Entertainment, nightlife, people, VoteDetails on community and food & drink page 45.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

PGN NEWS

House committee approves hate-crimes bill

By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com For the first time in five years, a bill to add LGBT protections to the state’s hatecrimes law moved forward in the state legislature.

The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee brought House Bill 177 to a successful vote Monday morning.

The committee voted 19-4 in favor of passing the bill. The affirmative votes included both Democrats and Republicans, while the four “nays” were all Republicans: Reps. Bryan Culter (100th Dist.), Brian Ellis (11th Dist.), Rick Saccone (39th Dist.) and Todd Rock (90th Dist.).

As of presstime, the legislation had not been scheduled for a full House vote.

The legislation, proposed by Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-170th Dist.), would expand the state’s current ethnic-intimidation law to include crimes based on actual or perceive sexual orientation or gender identity, as well as mental and physical disability; all classes were previously included but repealed on a technicality.

The effort to pass the measure has gained significant momentum since last month’s gay-bashing in Center City.

“Today’s passage of my legislation expanding Pennsylvania’s hate-crimes definition to include sexual orientation

marks a historic turn in our commonwealth’s policies,” Boyle said after the vote. “The willingness of both Democratic and Republican leadership to come together in the wake of the tragic beatings in Philadelphia has pushed this important legislation a significant step closer to passage before session ends this year. We must now bring HB 177 up for a vote of the full membership and once and for all expand our hate-crimes law to ensure that all Pennsylvanians are afforded dignity, peace and security — regardless of race, sex, creed or sexual orientation.”

Rep. Dan Frankel (D-23rd Dist.) praised the committee’s decision.

“This is a positive first step in restoring protections for LGBT people, as well as people targeted because of their gender, ancestry or mental or physical disability,” he said. “I am pleased that the committee vote was so bipartisan, and I believe the bill would receive similar wide, bipartisan support if there is a vote in the full House, as there should be.”

Rep. Brian Sims (D-182nd Dist.) encouraged constituents to call for a vote in the House.

“Calls, emails, letters and visits from constituents to their state legislators have been crucial in helping this bill advance this far,” he said. “I thank urban, suburban and rural Pennsylvanians for making a difference by speaking up. Now let’s push

for a vote by the full House.”

The bill is now clear to move to the House, where majority leader Rep. Mike Turzai (R-28th Dist.) will decide whether or not it is called up for a vote.

Currently, Senate Bill 42, the Senate version of the legislation — introduced by state Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-38th Dist.) — has yet to be called to vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, state Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-12th Dist.).

Greenleaf has also not scheduled any Senate Judiciary meetings from now until the end of session.

State Sen. Daylin Leach (D-17th Dist.), minority chair of the committee and a sponsor of SB 42, said Greenleaf has complete control of when the committee meets.

“If the House is able to send the bill over to the Senate, there’s a chance we could rally and get it through. But with the number of session days remaining, the prospects are limited,” Leach said.

If the bill is unable to pass this session, Leach still has hope that it will move forward next session.

“It absolutely can pass next session. All the people that said ‘no’ to it this session will be held accountable.”

The House and Senate will be in session for a total of three more (non-consecutive) days in 2014, with the last on Nov. 12. n

MURDER from page 1

charged.

Investigators believe Fischman had opened up his home to both James and James’ boyfriend, both of whom they say were homeless. It is unclear how Fischman knew James and his boyfriend.

The couple lived with Fischman in his home until Fischman, who believed James was stealing from him, asked James to move out, but allowed his boyfriend to stay.

On the day of the incident, police say, James broke into the house and an argument ensued with Fischman over the alleged theft of Fischman’s belongings, leading to the OF stabbing.

James will face a preliminary hearing Oct. 22.

Fischman was a cantor at Mishkan Shalom synagogue in Roxborough and a former teacher who most recently worked as an editor at a publishing company. n

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March 1, 2014–January 4, 2015 • Winterthur Museum View exquisite costumes and accessories worn upstairs and downstairs on the period drama television series that has taken America by storm! For more information, please call 800.448.3883 or visit winterthur.org/downtonabbey. Included with admission. Members free.

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Weekly features

News&Opinion 10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Mark My Words Street Talk 22 — News Briefing 28 — Crime Watch 42 — Media Trail 43 — International News

AC &

63 65 68 70 75 76

— — — — — —

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

29 — Thinking

C Queerly: Gay and o bashing OutFest l — Out Money: u 30 Staying on the m savings path n — Before the s 31 Bells: Music makers Classifieds 80 — Real Estate 85 — Personals 87 — Bulletin Board

Police and family members are asking for help in trying to find Thomas Cerveny, missing since Oct. 3.

UNREELING THE DISCUSSION: Gender Reel co-chair Tammyrae Barr (left) and volunteer Liza Linder welcomed guests to The Rotunda on University of Pennsylvania’s campus Oct. 5. The two-day film festival featured 29 works, ranging from short programs to one-hour films to full-length features, all exploring topics relating to gender identity and expression. Now in its fourth year, Gender Reel — which has expanded to several other cities — also featured community discussions and panel talks with filmmakers and community leaders. Photo: Scott A. Drake

7

This week in PGN 6 — Catholics pen letter to pope 8 — State orders D.A. to release Morris records 16 — Blahnik case stalls, eyewitness needed 21 — PGMC prepares for Fall Ball

Dems sit down for discussion and testimony on hate-crimes legislation.

59 — Arts & Culture cover story: Out choreographer pens a book on life and dance 62 — Author writes new book about LGBT steelworkers 77 — “Lilting” translates into a moving love story “Restoring sexual orientation and gender identity to the crime of ethnic intimidation would restore an important tool to all prosecutors across the commonwealth. It would send the clear message that attacking someone for his or her sexual orientation is unacceptable and will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

67

“Pride” — the movie — comes to Philadelphia

~ Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams, page 7

Next week Gettin’ On Outward Bound Paw Prints

Two weeks Mombian On Being Well Work It Out

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LADIES IN WAITING: Contestants in the amateur drag competition at the fifth-annual Beauty Ball geared up for the contest Oct. 4 at Woody’s. This year’s show brought together 25 competitors, with Kung Fu (back center, with pink hair) was ultimately crowned the winner. The party, emceed by last year’s winner, Bev, and organized by Rick Naughton and Josh Schonewolf (right), raised $2,000 for Mazzoni Center. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Marriage equality sees major gains

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com In a surprise move, the nation’s top court this week declined to review any of the marriage-equality appeals before it — likely bringing marriage equality to 11 more states.

The Supreme Court declined to hear appeals on lower-court rulings that overturned five state marriage-equality bans — in Virginia, Oklahoma, Utah, Wisconsin and Indiana — and marriage licenses in some of the states began being issued Monday.

The move made marriage equality legal in 24 states and Washington, D.C. The cases before SCOTUS included findings from the other three appellate courts that found marriage-equality bans unconstitutional — Fourth, Seventh and Tenth Circuit Courts — meaning that the decision to let them stand will also likely extend marriage equality to an additional six states in those circuits — North and South Carolina, West Virginia, Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming.

Summary judgment will be needed in each of those states before marriages take place.

And, on Tuesday, the Ninth Circuit Court struck down marriage bans in Idaho and Nevada, becoming the fourth federal appellate court to do so. Depending on how it plays out, the ruling could also bring marriage equality shortly to the other states in the Ninth Circuit: Montana, Alaska and Arizona.

The following day Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy issued a stay that delayed marriage equality in Idaho, as the state plans to appeal. It was originally thought Kennedy’s order applied to Nevada as well but he later clarified it was specific to Idaho.

As of presstime, marriages were set to begin summarily in Nevada.

Also late Wednesday, a judge in Kansas began issuing marriage licenses to samesex couples, and a probate in South Carolina accepted an application from a same-sex couple.

Once all is said and done, Monday and Tuesday’s decisions will likely up the number of marriage-equality states to at least 35.

The SCOTUS move came among speculation over whether the court would finally weigh in on whether same-sex couples have a fundamental right to marriage, which could bring marriage equality to the entire nation.

While the court did not take up that question at this time, many pundits expect the justices will consider another marriage-equality case in the coming year or two.

“We need a national solution so that, no matter where they live, same-sex couples can have access to the dignity and respect that only marriage can provide,” said Jon W. Davison, legal director for Lambda Legal, which spearheaded the Virginia and Indiana cases.

Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin said the SCOTUS decision could have an even-wider impact than in the 11 affected states.

“There is no reason under the sun for federal courts not to fast-track all pending marriage cases,” Griffin said. “Every argument has been made, every legal dispute has been heard, time and time again — the only thing left is the continued suffering of committed and loving gay and lesbian couples from Mississippi to Montana who are still waiting for justice. They cannot wait any more, and they shouldn’t have to.”

James Esseks, director of the American Civil Liberties Union LGBT Project, called Monday a “watershed moment for the entire country.” n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

PGN LOCAL

Gay man missing Police in New Jersey are enlisting the public’s help in finding a gay man who has not been seen since last week.

Thomas Cerveny, 31, is a resident of Maple Shade, N.J., who was last seen around 5:30 a.m. Oct. 3 in his town. His family said he did not show up for work that day.

Cerveny is 5-foot-9 and 155 pounds with sandy-blond hair and blue eyes. Police believe he may have been driving a blue 2000 Ford Explorer, with New Jersey tags and license-plate number A69ELU. Anyone with information about Cerveny’s whereabouts is asked to call 911 or Maple Shade Police at 856-234-8300. n — Jen Colletta

PA Catholics pen letter to pope

By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com

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In anticipation of Pope Francis’ potential visit to Philadelphia next year, a group of Pennsylvania Catholics has written the pontiff, urging him to create a more-inclusive church for the LGBT community.

In September, Philadelphia will host the 2015 World Meeting of Families, the largest Catholic gathering in the world.

The agenda of the meeting will be of great debate and speculation over the coming year.

Keystone Catholics, a progressive advocacy group comprised of Catholics from across the state, wrote a letter on behalf of 35 Pennsylvanian Catholic leaders urging the pope to make the pastoral care of LGBT Catholics an agenda priority for the upcoming World Meeting of Families.

The letter comes on the heels of the pope’s Extraordinary Synod of the Family — happening through Oct. 19 in Rome — in which he is expected to discuss issues surrounding the modern Catholic family, such as divorce, same-sex OF marriage, parenting and non-married couples.

Keystone Catholics pointed out in its letter that many LGBT Catholics face discrimination in their faith communities.

According to their letter, there have been 33 recorded instances of antigay dis-

Since 1976

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crimination within the American Catholic Church since Pope Francis ascended to the position in March 2013.

James Salt, executive director of Catholics United, called for an end to antigay discrimination in the church.

“If the Catholic Church wants to move forward as a voice of moral authority in the United States, it must end any antigay discrimination within its faith communities,” Salt said. “No Catholic should be barred from participating in the life of the faith because of their sexual orientation.”

To shed light on the issue, Human Rights Campaign Religion & Faith Program will host a vigil at sundown Oct. 17 at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at Logan Square.

Organizers of the local vigil said they hope it sheds light on the continued homophobia and transphobia proclaimed

by Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput.

“They are calling for him to return to the roots of the Gospel, the basis of the Catholic faith and recognize their humanity and their right to seek civil recognition of their relationships and their families,” organizers said.

To learn more about Keystone Catholics, visit www.keystonecatholics.org. For more information on the HRC’s faith initiatives, visit www.hrc.org/synod. n

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

House Dems hear hate-crimes testimony

By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com

Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Sims gathered many of his colleagues from the House Democratic Policy Committee last week to listen to testimony on hate crimes, in the wake of last month’s gay-bashing in Center City.

The committee met at the Kimmel Center Oct. 2 and heard from many prominent members of the local LGBT community.

Among the committeemembers in attendance were Reps. Mike Sturla (D-96th Dist.), Mary Jo Daley (148th Dist.), Joseph Markosek (25th Dist.), Pamela DeLissio (194th Dist.), Kevin Boyle (172nd Dist.), Dan Frankel (23rd Dist.), Dom Costa (21st Dist.), Mark Longietti (Seventh Dist.), Madeleine Dean (153rd Dist.), Stephen Kinsey (201st Dist.), Ronald Waters (191st Dist.) and Maria Donatucci (185th Dist.).

The committee heard testimony from four panels.

Maureen Rush, vice president for public safety and superintendent of the University of Pennsylvania Police Department and Elicia Gonzales, executive director of GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization, spoke first.

Rush shared statistics that revealed how significant an issue sexual orientation-based hate crimes is across the country.

“In 2012, the FBI cited 1,135 hate crimes

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in which the perpetrators’ bias motivation was sexual orientation. This bias motivation is second only to race,” Rush said.

As a member of the curriculum development group for police-officer training across the state in the 1990s, Rush stressed the deterring effect hate-crimes legislation has.

“Perpetrators know that society cares about protecting people who are the object of other people’s hatred because of their race, color, religion, gender, etc. All of these are things people can’t change or don’t wish to change. Would-be offenders become aware through the media and the courts that when you attack people in any of these categories, you will receive a greater sentence.

It tells hate-filled criminals that such actions are not tolerated by our society,” Rush said.

The second panel was comprised of District Attorney Seth Williams and Nellie Fitzpatrick, assistant district attorney and the department’s LGBT liaison.

Williams reiterated how he was not able to charge the assailants in the recent gay-bashing incident with ethnic intimidation, but restoring hate-crimes law to include LGBT protections could empower prosecutors and send a message to potential offenders.

“Restoring sexual orientation and gender identity to the crime of ethnic intimidation would restore an important tool to all prosecutors across the commonwealth,” Williams said. “It would send the clear message that attacking someone for his or her sexual

Page 7

Photo: Scott A. Drake

orientation is unacceptable and will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

The law was amended in 2002 to include sexual orientation, gender identity and disability but a suit from Repent America’s Michael Marcavage led to these classes being repealed on a technicality.

He also said the proposed legislation has support from prosecutors from all over the state.

“I am also pleased to report that restoring our ethnic-intimidation law to its pre-Marcavage status has the support of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, of which I am the legislative chair.”

The committee also heard from Temple

University law professor Leonore Carpenter, Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations chair Thomas Earle, community organization and consultant Sharron Cooks of Making Our Lives Easier LLC and Caryn Kunkle, friend and spokesperson of the victims of the recent gay-bashing.

The House bill that would amend the state hate-crimes law moved out of the house Judiciary Committee on Monday. It now awaits a vote on the House floor.

The Senate has yet to be scheduled for a committee vote.

Both legislatures are scheduled to be in session for only three more (non-consecutive) days. n

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

PGN REGIONAL

State agency orders D.A. to release Morris records

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com

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The state Office of Open Records last week ordered the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office to release dispatch records in the Nizah Morris case.

In June, PGN filed an open-records request, seeking all complete dispatch records in the D.A.’s possession for a vehicle stop

by Officer Elizabeth Skala during the early-morning hours of Dec. 22, 2002.

Shortly before the vehicle stop, Skala gave Morris a Center City “courtesy ride.”

Minutes after the ride, the transwoman was found with blunt-force trauma to her head.

She died two days later, and her homicide remains unsolved.

The D.A.’s Office says it’s actively investigating the Morris case. But advocates for Morris say the agency is engaged in a cover-up. They want state Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane to investigate. But so far, Kane hasn’t agreed to do so.

Skala’s vehicle stop took place while she was still assigned to handle Morris, who was extremely inebriated.

Skala ticketed a motorist at 13th and Filbert streets rather than responding to Morris, who was critically injured at 16th and Walnut streets.

It’s believed that complete dispatch records for Skala’s vehicle stop could help explain why Morris wasn’t promptly transported to a hospital.

By the time she was taken to a hospital — an hour after the first 91l call — Morris was brain dead.

The D.A.’s Office indicated to the open-records office that a document provided to PGN by the city’s Police Advisory Commission is a complete dispatch record for Skala’s vehicle stop.

But PGN argued that the PAC document is clearly redacted and missing several entries. Additionally, the D.A.’s Office hasn’t explicitly stated that the document pertains to Skala’s vehicle stop.

On Oct. 1, the open-records office ordered the D.A.’s Office to release the document by Oct. 31.

As of presstime, the agency hadn’t released the PAC document.

The PAC document actually contains three separate dispatch records, none of which appears to be a complete dispatch record for Skala’s vehicle stop.

Melissa B. Melewsky, media-law counsel for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, said the D.A.’s Office should clarify which record in the document is a complete dispatch record for Skala’s vehicle stop.

“The Right-to-Know Law is intended to allow citizens to understand and scrutinize government actions via public records,” Melewsky told PGN. “Agencies must provide public records in accordance with the letter and spirit of the law. If an agency doesn’t provide or identify responsive records, the intent of the law is frustrated because the public cannot determine which records contain relevant information. Providing unidentified or non-specific records does not allow meaningful review or accountability.”

Last year, the PAC recommended state and federal probes of the Morris case, citing an “appalling” local investigation.

The next Justice for Nizah (J4N) meeting will be held 6 p.m. Oct. 20 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. n

Theft case proceeds against out former Harrisburg, EQPA official

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Former Harrisburg treasurer John Campbell last week waived his preliminary hearing on the charges he is facing relating to his alleged theft from two organizations with which he was involved.

Campbell, 26, was arrested in August on theft and unfair or deceptive acts charges stemming from $8,500 that was missing from Lighten Up Harrisburg. Campbell reportedly admitted to writing checks to himself from the organization’s account to cover personal expenses such as medical bills and tuition. The following month, another theft charge was added after it

was discovered that he allegedly stole $2,750 from Capital Regional Stonewall Democrats, an LGBT political-action committee. The money amounted to almost half the group’s annual budget.

Campbell worked as development director of Equality Pennsylvania from AprilAugust, at which time he was suspended.

He later resigned as treasurer of Harrisburg.

He resigned from the board of the Capital Regional Stonewall Democrats this past summer.

A review of Harrisburg city financials was conducted after Campbell’s arrest and no abnormalities were discovered.

Campbell was elected in 2011 and took office January 2012, at age 23. n

PGN LOCAL

Community gears up for OutFest

By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com The 24th annual OutFest celebration will fill the streets of the Gayborhood for the not-to-be-missed block party of the fall.

The festivities begin noon Oct. 12 and stretch 10 square blocks, from 11th-13th streets and Spruce-Walnut streets.

Approximately 40,000 people attend this free daylong celebration of National Coming Out Day, the largest NCOD festivity in the world.

The event will feature entertainment showcasing local talent, booths from all your favorite LGBT-friendly bars, restaurants and businesses, a massive flea market, carnival attractions and more.

There will be a few locations changes this year: The youth dance party is back and will be located at 12th and Spruce streets, and the flea market has moved to 13th Street between Spruce and Camac.

More than 160 groups are expected to participate in OutFest.

Entertainment includes a pet-show contest, performances from The Attic Youth Center and drag performances. Mazzoni Center’s The Real Impact Project will stage Reb*el, led by Legendary Icon Ebony

Fierce, a preview of its Oct. 15 event at Milkboy, Mimi ImFurst, Miss Philly Gay Pride 2014, will also perform; the Miss Philly Gay Pride 2015 pageant will take place 10 p.m. Oct. 10 at Voyeur, and the winner will be crowned on Sunday to conclude the festivities.

Franny Price, organizer for OutFest, spoke to what the event really means.

“Towards the end of the day we start an applause wave that goes through all of the streets. We’re applauding all the young people that show up and have come out,” she said. “It’s a really positive force for them to do that, and we want them to know we support them — we’re there for them.”

OutFest will also honor several outstanding individuals at an awards ceremony, taking place at the main stage at 13th and Locust streets at 2:05 p.m.

In 1990, Philadelphia was one of the first cities to organize around NCOD on a large scale and create a block party to showcase the many facets of the LGBT community.

The first OutFest took place at 12th and Pine streets, but has since been held in the center of the Gayborhood.

For more information, visit www. phillygaypride.org. n

Out & About OutFest weekend “Speaking Out: Queer Youth in Focus Book Release Party” 6-9 p.m. Oct. 10 William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. Out photographer Rachelle Lee Smith and local LGBT groups celebrate the launch of the photobook focused on LGBT youth; free Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus & Bearded Ladies 6-8 p.m. Oct. 10 The Porch at 30th Street Station The performance groups celebrate the work of Édith Piaf Free Coco Peru 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 10 Voyeur Nightclub, 204 S. Camac St. The popular drag star stages the Philadelphia premiere of “Miss Coco Peru: Have You Heard?”; $20 cover Gay Bowl Bar Crawl 8 p.m. Oct. 10 Starting at Tabu, Gay Bowl participants and fans will hit Tavern on Camac, UBar, ICandy and Woody’s Philly Trans* March 3-6 p.m. Oct. 11 Love Park The fourth-annual rally kicks off at 3 p.m. and marchers set off from the park at 4; free

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

HHHHH YEAR S BEST

“

Outfest Noon-6 p.m. Oct. 12 Gayborhood The world’s largest National Coming Out Day celebration takes over the Gayborhood with live entertainment, contests, vendors, games and food and drink.

Women’s Queer Block Party Noon-5 p.m. Oct. 12 13th and Chancellor streets The Stimulus-sponsored event takes over the block with beer pong, flip cup and more The Ultimate OutFest parties Pulse Events:4-9 p.m. Oct. 12 at Voyeur Back 2 Basics: 5-9 p.m. Oct. 12 at Tabu The two parties feature drink specials, food, DJs and more; $10 cover gets you into both parties.

Gay Bowl Closing Party 7 p.m. Oct. 12 Fire & Ice, 312 Market St. Say farewell to old and new football friends. n

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Peter LaBarbera

Editorial

Outward, onward National Coming Out Day is this weekend — and we have a lot to celebrate.

And a lot to do.

With this week’s momentous marriage-equality ruling, the number of marriage-equality states is likely to soon reach almost three-dozen, triple the number we were at just one year ago. The decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit Court Monday and Tuesday, respectively, granted thousands of Americans the right to marry their partner with government backing — and government, rights, benefits and responsibilities. While Pennsylvania gaining marriage equality five months ago was momentous, this was a sea of states experiencing that same energy in just two days. The pace of the marriage-equality movement is literally almost too fast to keep up with. The marriage fight is certainly not over, but its nationwide inevitably is speeding closer with each day.

So that leads to the question of, What now? The LGBT community’s focus on marriage equality in the last few years has been a topic of debate within LGBT circles but, undeniably, this has been the fight that has most mobilized our community and allies. But, if marriage laws are soon-to-be rightfully revised, where should the energy that has helped move this effort forward be directed?

Many states, like Pennsylvania, still lack LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination and hate-crimes laws. While winning marriage equality in Pennsylvania is a major victory, not having these baseline equal-rights protections devalues any LGBT victory, and puts our community at significant risk. These issues need attention, and fast. There are also ongoing rights issues involving adoption and parenting, HIV/AIDS causes, health-care coverage for transgender individuals, LGBT inclusion in anti-bullying efforts, homelessness, inclusion of LGBT people in mainstream activities like blood donation and parity of funding for LGBT causes, especially those affecting underrepresented communities like youth and the elderly. Then there are internal community movements, such as the need for unity across racial, gender and age lines. The LGBT community is not defined by marriage, and the fight for equality should not stop there.

As we stand at a momentous turning point in the LGBT-rights movement, perhaps the biggest task ahead of us, and a key to propelling all of our varied community goals forward, is a commitment to being out. The work of the community as a whole is vast, but victories are won each time an individual member of the community owns his or her identity. By being true to ourselves, embracing outness in whatever manner fits with our lives, we can put a public face to what it means to be LGBT. And, as more and more people see that face, the denial of rights becomes less and less justifiable.

Each of us plays an important role in the future of the LGBT-rights movement: Let’s get out there and own it. n

Gay people. They’re just like Nazis, amirite?

What with their Pride parades and their drag queens and their wanting to get married and their Broadway musicals and their rainbow stickers plastered across their Subaru bumpers.

I mean if that doesn’t say “Heil Hitler,” I don’t know what does! At least that’s what Peter LaBarbera of Americans For “Truth” About Homosexuality thinks.

LaBarbera was a guest on the “Janet Mefferd Show” (a right-wing radio show, obviously) on Sept. 26 to discuss the Human Rights Campaign’s new report titled “Export of Hate,” a veritable who’s who of antigay extremists who have taken their hate abroad.

LaBarbera was featured in the report for “work” he’s done in Jamaica where he “urged Jamaican Christian conservatives not to repeal the country’s anti-sodomy law and told them that homosexuality is a choice and is associated with pedophilia.”

When asked by Mefferd if he’s received any pushback since the release of the HRC report, LaBarbera said, “It’s constant with us.” (Cue sad trombone.)

Huh. Go figure. I can’t understand why a group dedicated to portraying gay and lesbian people as subhuman perverts would receive any objection at all!

Maybe if LaBarbera claims that those subhuman perverts are also Nazis, people will stop complaining. Because who could possibly defend Nazis?

“We have to trust in God to protect us” from homos, LaBarbera tells Mefford. “But I do think they’re doing to us what the Nazis did to the Jews. You know, they’re intentionally demonizing.”

Huh. LaBarbera and I must have read very different books about the Nazis and the Holocaust. Because I am having a lot of trouble with this comparison. Sure, you could argue that HRC and other critics (why, hello there!) are “demonizing” LaBarbera and his antigay friends. I think he’s wrong, and I think he’s a creep.

But I’m not putting him on a train car to Bergen-Belsen except, perhaps, in a sick oppression fantasy in his head.

“This is all about demonizing because they know that it works,” he adds. “This demonization is just — it’s what’s been done to minorities in the past and, like I

said, it’s what the Jews did to um, what the Nazis did to the Jews.”

Not only is his analogy offensive to both gays and to all of the other people who were oppressed and executed by the millions, but it is illogical. LaBarbera is a white male who identifies as heterosexual and Christian. He is hardly a minority. He’s basically won the identity lottery in America. So for LaBarbera to cry that he’s being “Holocausted” just because the rights of the LGBT minority are advancing despite his opposition is a really desperate attempt to play the victim here.

LaBarbera claims he is upholding “historic JudeoChristian sexual morality.”

He tells Mefferd, “The Bible calls homosexual behavior an abomination, so I suppose that means that God is the biggest hateful homophobic bigot of all. According to their ideology.”

Let me play devil’s advocate here. Just kidding, I don’t believe in the devil, and I don’t believe in God. So, instead, let me just answer this in response to LaBarbera’s assertion above: “Yup.” If you use a sky god of your own invention, tailored to hate all of the same things you hate, and hide behind said god in order to justify saying things like, “[Gays are] doing to us what the Nazis did to the Jews,” then, yes: God is “the biggest hateful homophobic bigot of them all.”

Because God is really just the you that you couldn’t possibly justify being if you didn’t have God to use as an excuse.

If I did believe in God, I bet that such shenanigans would make Him puke. n

For LaBarbera to cry that he’s being ‘Holocausted’ just because the rights of the LGBT minority are advancing despite his opposition is a really desperate attempt to play the victim here.

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 and roll shows in Detroit with her twin sister and teaches writing at the University of Michigan.

PGN OP-ED

Advocating for the first out generation has happened to that first out LGBT gen I was considering giving my views on eration? the race for governor of Pennsylvania in this week’s column, but as you’ve noted Well, in New York City it seems they are by this edition of PGN, it’s a special about to be tossed out on their assess by issue — one of our largest ever to celthe LGBT community center, a building ebrate OutFest. It’s also been a historic that has the word “community” in it. Are week with the Supreme Court’s LGBT seniors not a part of the action (or non-action, as it community? Let alone the genwere) on marriage equality, and eration that made the building hate-crimes legislation moving possible. forward in Pennsylvania So, my My friend and fellow GLF views on the governor’s race member Jerry Hoose, who has can wait a week or two. championed this issue, is about We need to stop for an to undertake life-threatening instant, take a breath and take surgery and thus is unable to stock of the community we’ve fight the good fight. So this is built. There is no better way my effort to help. If you need to do that than to welcome more details on this issue, National Coming Out Day this another friend, Andy Humm, weekend, which has become a has done an incredible journalnational day to urge our fellow istic job of chronicling this sitcommunity members to come uation in New York’s Gay City Mark Segal News. His article can be seen out, if they can. There’s a reaat http://gaycitynews.nyc/gayson we do that and it goes back seniors-win-fight-keep-room-center/. to 1969.

The first official NCOD was orga To the center: Our seniors, nized in 1988, but it is based on a slogan part of the first OUT generation, sacriand policy developed in 1969 by Gay ficed their lives for the freedoms you have Liberation Front. We (yes, I am a proud today. It is time for our community to member of that revolutionary organizashow them the respect that other commution) were the first LGBT organization to nities show their seniors. It’s beyond age suggest that “if every LGBT person came discrimination; it’s about visibility and out there would be no need for a gayrespect. Please do the right thing. n rights movement.” That was the line. The point is that we were the first OUT genMark Segal, PGN publisher, is the eration. Not taking anything from people nation’s most-award-winning commenlike Barbara Gittings and Frank Kameny tator in LGBT media. You can follow who are also true pioneers, but they had a him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ different agenda; ours was making people MarkSegalPGN or Twitter at https://twitfeel comfortable with being out. So what ter.com/PhilaGayNews.

Mark My Words

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Street Talk What LGBT figure in history would you like to have been?

"James Baldwin. He was a prolific writer. He was very enlightened about racism, sexism and sexuality.

Even today, Shameika Black we can learn AIDS educator so much from West Philadelphia him."

"Freddie Mercury.

His stage persona was bar none. His voice was even better.

His beautiful voice brought happiness into the lives of so many people."

"Eleanor Roosevelt.

She was a huge role model, a very strong woman. She took a lot of abuse, but rose above Barbarann it. I love her Lathrop quote, 'No hair stylist one can make Fishtown you feel inferior without your consent.'"

"Liberace. I'd like to have his glamor and glitter.

He was the center of attention all the time. It would be cool to experience DeMario Thomas service manager that Mount Airy lifestyle."

Evon Burton communications associate Mount Airy

PGN through 2014 We want to know!

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

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

Please include a daytime phone number.

Letters may be edited for clarity, style and space con­sid­er­ations.

Page 11

LGBT History Month through end of October Oct. 31: Election Issue and Fall LGBTQ Youth Supplement Nov. 7: Best of LGBT Philly Nov. 21: Pet Issue Nov. 28: World AIDS Day Dec. 5: Gift Guide Dec. 26: 2014 Top Stories

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Page 13

NEXT WEEK!

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

PGN LOCAL

Blahnik case stalled, four years later

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Four years have passed since the murder of local transwoman Stacey Blahnik, and an investigator working the case said an eyewitness is needed to move forward.

Blahnik, 31, was strangled in her home on the 1800 block of Manton Street on Oct. 11, 2010. She was a popular community leader and house mother for House of Blahnik.

Lieutenant Norman Davenport told PGN last week that investigators exhausted their list of potential suspects.

“The detectives did develop a potential suspect but the alibi panned out so that person was cleared.

And there were other potential suspects who have all been cleared as well,” Davenport said. “So we need help from the public, anyone who may have seen anything.”

Davenport said Blahnik frequently had visitors to the house, which she shared with her boyfriend Malik Moorer. A witness who may have seen someone coming or going from the house that day, Davenport said, could provide the needed break in the case.

“If a witness could identify someone entering or leaving the residence on the day of the murder, that’s what we need,” he said. “Sometimes in these cases, someone might have seen something and just missed it or thought it was insignificant. But if we

had someone who said, ‘I saw a man leaving the property at noon, driving a yellow Toyota,’ that could be what we need to crack this. Any information that could help us move it forward would be appreciated.”

Moorer, who moved to Atlanta earlier this year, said he’s working to move on. But, the anniversary always brings the incident back.

“Sometimes when I think about it, it seems like just yesterday and other times it seems like a lot of time between now and then,” he said.

Moorer said an arrest would mean justice both for Blahnik and for himself; he said he was the subject of many rumors after the murder, although he was cleared by investigators.

“Until they catch the person, I won’t be able to get any real rest. It hurts me that I could meet someone here in Atlanta, and they could think I still had something to do with this. I want justice for Stacey. And I want to clear my name,” he said. “I’m still hearing things said about me, and it hurts.

This changed my life. It destroyed my life in many ways. I suffered enough, and it’s painful on top of that to be associated in any way with this.”

Moorer noted that the four-year anniversary this year coincides with Philly Trans* March, and with National Coming Out Day, and he encouraged the trans community and allies to participate.

“It’s ironic that it’s on that day. I really hope people go out and support it.” n

FEST BEFORE THE FEST: The Midtown Village Fall Festival took over the Gayborhood Oct. 4 with food, drinks, vendors, games and big crowds. The neighborhood celebration is traditionally held the week before the annual OutFest, which celebrates the LGBT community in the same area. Photo: Scott A. Drake

PGN LOCAL

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Philly Trans* March hits streets again

By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com Hundreds will gather to support and raise awareness for transgender issues at the fourth-annual Philly Trans* March.

The event starts at Love Park at 3 p.m.

Oct. 11, with a keynote speaker presentation and awards ceremony. The march commences at approximately 4 p.m.

Andrew Spiers, co-coordinator for GALAEI’s Trans-Health Information Project (TIP), spoke of the march’s origins.

“The march was created upon the death of Stacey Blahnik, a Philadelphia transwoman of color who was murdered in 2010, and whose killer remains unidentified,” Spears said.

The march this year coincides with the fourth anniversary of Blahnik’s murder.

The event seeks to spotlight many of the issues the trans community faces, such as inequality, hate and social injustice. It

will also recognize all the community has achieved this past year.

“It is important that our community not only be aware of such issues, but that they feel compelled to act, and to show that we won’t stand for such injustices in our city,” Spiers said.

Naiymah Sanchez, co-coordinator of TIP and march organizer, added that “the purpose of this year’s march is to draw attention to the many accomplishments and challenges that trans youth face in their day-to-day struggles against discrimination, homelessness, bullying, body-image issues and other injustices.”

Trans-sensitive and trans-affirming services and resources, as well as trans-identified individuals for peer support, will also be available to attendees.

The march will start at Love Park, move to the southeast corner of City Hall and loop through the Gayborhood before finishing back at the park. n

Same-sex wedding show comes to Philly

By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com Bouché Productions will launch its first same-sex wedding expo this weekend in Philadelphia.

The expo will take place at noon Oct. 12 at Tavern 17 in the Radisson Blu Warwick Hotel, 220 S. 17th St. The show — geared specifically for couples from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware — will feature about 50 wedding-related vendors. It will cater to weddings of all sizes and include a fashion show for both men and women.

Carol Bouché Dunkin, owner and executive producer of Bouché Bridal, wanted to create a supportive environment for samesex couples.

“This is the first focused event just for the LGBT community. We’ve had a lot of LGBT couples come out to our other

shows and they’ve felt good — no issues at all,” she said. “But we decided to create something especially for the gay market because we wanted to make sure they were extremely comfortable, and that the vendors were pre-screened to make sure they were fully supportive and knowledgeable on gay-specific wedding issues.”

Presented in partnership with Wired 96.5 FM Philly, attendees can enjoy food, free cocktails and signature drinks, wedding cake tastings, swag bags, legal advice and a panel of experts sharing tips, advice and pointers.

A Caribbean vacation, luggage set, Williams Sonoma gift package and more will be given away at the event.

The first 150 couples to purchase tickets will receive $500 in Bouché Wedding Bucks to use like cash with the vendors.

To register for the expo or for more information, visit www.bridalevent.com. n

LGBT Dems endorse local candidates

By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com The Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club held its fall endorsement meeting last week to pick which candidates it will back in next month’s election.

After hearing from four candidates, the club voted to endorse all: Kimberly Rose for the Sixth District in the Pennsylvania Senate, Josh Maxwell for the 74th District in the Pennsylvania House and Mary Ellen Balchunis and Kevin Strouse for the Seventh and Eighth Congressional districts, respectively.

Tony Campisi, co-chair of Liberty City, said he was impressed by the regions the candidates are hoping to represent.

“All of the candidates were very support-

ive of LGBT issues. What surprised me the most was the fact that all them were coming from the suburbs outside Philly,” he said. “I think it shows that LGBT issues are important to people outside the urban center as well.”

The club also made several calls to action following the recent gay-bashing incident in Philadelphia.

They urged Senate Judiciary Committee chair Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-12th Dist.) and House Judiciary Committee chair Rep. Ron Marsico (R-105th Dist.) to move the LGBT-inclusive hate-crimes bills onto the floor for a vote. The House committee this week voted in favor of HB 177.

They also called for the Philadelphia-area representatives who have yet to sponsor the legislation to do so. n

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

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Page 19

October is LGBT History Month.

Catch the Spirit.

Exclusive LGBT History coverage throughout the month.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

LOCAL PGN

New photo book turns focus on LGBT youth

By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com Photographer Rachelle Lee Smith will celebrate the release of her photo-essay book, “Speaking OUT: Queer Youth in Focus!”

Oct. 10 at William Way LGBT Community Center.

“Speaking OUT” chronicles the life experiences of a diverse group of young LGBTQ people, ages 14-24, who are photographed against a stark white backdrop; the subjects were then asked to handwrite their stories onto the final print.

The book features more than 65 portraits Smith collected over a 10-year span beginning in 2001.

The project’s origins began when Smith was in college.

“It was kind of a culmination of hearing my friend’s story. I very specifically remember a call from a friend who had been chased down the street by frat boys, and she was crying,” Smith said. “Her name is Beth but she identifies as Maddie now — she is in the book. They chased her and called her gay slurs. I heard this story

and was really affected. I asked myself, What can I do to get these stories out there?”

Smith’s inclination for activism bloomed around the same time she began attending gay-rights rallies in D.C. “I heard about the marches in D.C. It allowed me access to issues I would not otherwise be comfortable jumping into.

The LGBT community kind of launched the activism part of me.

So I kind of travelled with this group of people. And from there I learned more about politics. So my love for finding out info got me into it,” Smith said.

She began “Speaking OUT” by photographing her friends, and it grew from there.

“It started with friends and friends of friends. I wanted to see how comfortable people were with it. There was a lot of word of mouth. I also worked with The Attic Youth Center. It became a cathartic process for these people.

I would set up a booth at LGBT events too,” Smith said.

The photographer noted some of the changes that took place

over the project’s decade-long life span.

“The themes over the course of the project, they are consistent, but there is more pride and acceptance and less fear and less labeling now than when I first started,”

for years in a variety of venues.

But putting the photo essay in book form helped her reach a wider audience.

“To me this made the most sense. When I was shopping around for publishers, they would

she said. “People are still saying the same things, but there is less fear and shame.”

Smith has exhibited the project

say, ‘Oh , this should be an interactive website or comic or coloring book of sorts.’ But over the past decade I have had a bunch of

shows at libraries, youth centers, churches and World Pride. For a long time this has only been an exhibition. Book form makes it more accessible. That’s the goal, to get it seen by as many people as possible.”

Smith has mixed feeling about this latest phase of the project.

“It’s definitely bittersweet. Not in the fact that this is it and I can never do another photo essay again — I will continue to show this as an exhibition. I initially thought when the book comes out, this is it. But I have a number of events coming in 2015. The book launch is really close and personal, the Philly kick-off. There’s all these events. It’s really exciting, kind of a new life.”

The free book-release party will run from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 10 at the center, 1315 Spruce St. Smith will sign copies of the book and members of The Attic Youth Center will perform. Smith will also be showcasing the new book at a table Oct. 12 during OutFest.

For more information, visit http://rachelleleesmith.com/ speaking-out/. n

Locations outside of Pennsylvania DELAWARE

Wilmington • AIDS Delaware, 100 W. 10th St. • Crimson Moon, 1909 S. Sixth St. • Rehoboth Beach • Canal Side Inn, 34 Sixth St. • Proud Bookstore, 149 Rehoboth Ave. • Rams Head Inn, 35006 Warrington Ave. • Rigby’s Bar & Grill, 404 Rehoboth Ave. • Shore Inn, 37239 Rehoboth Ave. •

NEW JERSEY

Asbury Park • Georgie’s, 812 Fifth Ave. • Paradise, 101 Asbury Ave. • Atlantic City • Oasis, 32 S. Tennessee Ave. • Ocean House, 127 S. Ocean Ave. • Ritz Condo lobby, 2715 Boardwalk • Rainbow Room, 56 S. Bellevue Ave.• Bordentown • Shoppe 202, 202 Farnsworth Ave. • Camden • Honor Box, PATCO Ferry Ave. Station • Cape May • Sunshine News, 7 Gurney St. • Cherry Hill • Unitarian Church, 400 N. Kings Hwy. • Collingswood • Honor Box, PATCO Collingswood Station • Honor Box, PATCO Ferry Ave. Station • Egg Harbour City • Red Barn Books, 1204 White Horse Pike • Galloway • Pride Alliance Stockton College, 101 Vera King Farris Dr. suite 240 • Gloucester City • Red Barn Books, 600 Rt. 130 South • Haddonfield • Honor Box, PATCO Haddonfield Station, PATCO Westmont Station, PATCO Woodcrest Station • Hammonton Club Revolution, 19 N. Egg Harbor Rd. • Highland Park • Pride Center of NJ, 85 Raritan Ave. • Lebanon • GLBT of Hunterdon Co., 126 Petticoat Lane • Lindenwold • Honor Box, PATCO Lindenwold Station East • Honor Box, PATCO Lindenwold Station West • Morristown • Gay Activist Alliance, Unitarian Church, 29 Normandy Heights Road • Oaklyn • Sacred Green Earth, 511 Whitehorse Pike • Princeton • LGBT Center, Princeton University, 246 First Campus Center • Somerset • The Den, 700 Hamilton Ave. • Stratford • White Horse Books, 906 White Horse Pike • Vineland • J&J News, 729 N. Main St. • West Berlin • Red Barn Books, 597 Route 73 North • Williamstown • Book Bin, 3852 S. Black Horse Pike • Atlanticare, 6550 Delilah Road • Buck’s Ice Cream, 25 Bridge St.

NEW YORK

Blooming Grove • Help Inc., 48 Sylvan Trail • New York City • Lesbian and Gay Services Center, 208 W. 13th St.

All of these locations are now visible on a zoomable Google Map at

http://www.epgn.com/pages/where_to_find IS YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION ON THIS LIST? Contact Don at don@epgn.com or 215-451-6182 ext. 200 to arrange for delivery of complimentary copies.

PGN LOCAL

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Page 21

Chorus gears up for masked night of music, fundraising

By Ryan Kasley ryan@epgn.com The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus is preparing for its third annual Fall Ball masquerade fundraiser.

Miss Richfield 1981 will host the black-tie-optional event at 8 p.m. Oct. 25 in the Liberty Ballroom of the Marriott, 1201 Market St. The soirée will include live and silent auctions, an open bar, butlered hors d’oeuvres, desserts, performances by PGMC’s select ensemble, Brotherly Love, dancing and more.

Paul Fontaine, vice president of PGMC and co-chair of the Fall Ball, said this year’s auction items are particularly exciting.

“This year is great. We have a couple amazing vacation packages — a trip to Bali and an African safari adventure for four,” he said.

Daniel Palmieri, PGMC marketing chair, said the event is a great way to kick off your fall festivities.

“This year the ball is the weekend before Halloween.

What better way to start your celebration than with a masquerade party, surrounded by amazing auction items and great entertainment?”

The Fall Ball is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year.

“We raise the majority of our funding each year from this event,” Fontaine said. “People don’t realize how expensive it is to run the chorus. Renting space and equipment is extremely expensive, and we put on a lot of performances. Renting the risers we stand on costs thousands of dollars. But more importantly the money enables us to continue and expand our outreach programs in the community.”

PGMC also plans to use the funding to create original music this year.

“We are really looking forward to commissioning new music for us to sing. Andrea Clearfield is going to be creating a piece about gay families. We will then take that piece and others we have like it — ones that have a really

positive, inspiring message — to high school and college students,” Palmieri said.

According to Fontaine, youth outreach is a big focus of the chorus right now.

“We hope that these young people come to our concerts and see 110 openly gay men up on stage — out and unafraid — and feel like it’s OK for them to be gay and open,” he said. “We’ve reached thousands so far, but we want to reach more.”

The chorus practices Wednesday evenings on non-concert weeks and has two rehearsals the week of a concert. Also, each section within the chorus has additional rehearsals during a concert week.

PGMC follows up the Fall Ball with the “It Gets Better” production at Kimmel Center in November, a performance in the Thanksgiving Day Parade and holiday concerts before its ever-popular bachelor auction fundraiser in February.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the Fall Ball, visit www.pgmc.org. n

Locations in Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia Allentown • Allentown Brew Works, 812 Hamilton St. • Candida, 247 N. 12th St. • Stonewall, 28-30 N. 10th St. • Annville • Lebanon Valley College, Sheridan Ave. • Ardmore • Ardmore Station, Anderson Ave. near Coulter Ave. • Bethlehem • LGBTQ Services Lehigh U, 25 Trembley Dr. • Bloomsberg • Bloomsberg University LGBTA Center, 400 E. Second St. • Bristol • Bristol News World, 576B Bristol Pike • Freddie’s Bar, Pond St. • Bryn Mawr • Bryn Mawr College, Canaday Library • Bryn Mawr Station, Morris Ave. near Bryn Mawr Ave. • Fox & Roach Realty, 763 Lancaster Ave. • Chester • Harrah’s Chester Casino, 777 Harrah’s Blvd. • Widener University, 1 University Place • Collegeville • Adult World, 3975 Ridge Pike • Devon • Devon Station, Devon State Road & Lancaster Pike • Doylestown • Darkanyu, 504 Eagle Lane • Doylestown Bookshop, 16 S. Main St. • Siren Records, 25 E. State St. • East Stroudsburg • Rainbow Mountain Resort, 210 Mt. Nebo Road • Easton • Lafayette College, 101 Hogg Hall • La Pazza, 1251 Ferry St. • Gibson • Hillside Campground, 1 Creek Road • Glen Mills • Imago Dei MCC, 1223 Middletown Road • Glenside • Keswick Cycle, 408 N. Easton Road • Hanover Township • Venture Lounge, 1266 San Souci Parkway • Harrisburg • AIDS Community Alliance, 100 N. Cameron St. • Brownstone Lounge, 412 Forster St. • MCC of the Spirit, 2973 Jefferson St. • Stallions, 706 N. Third St. • Haverford • Haverford Station, Haverford Station Road near Lancaster Ave. • Hulmeville • Hulmeville Inn, Trenton and Hulmeville Road. • Huntington • Huntingdon Valley Library, 625 Red Lion Rd. • Kutztown • Kutztown University, 15200 Main St. • Lancaster • Downtown Books, 227 N. Prince St. • Sundown Lounge, 429 N. Mulberry St. • Tally Ho Tavern, 201 W. Orange St. • Lansdale • Gwynedd Vet Hospital, 1615 W. Pointe Pike • Lehighton • Woods Campground, 845 Vaughn Acres Road • Levittown • Diamond Check Cashing, 5 Points• Hurricane Jack’s, 7759 New Falls Rd. • Levitt Books, 7406 Bristol Pike • Levittown Gas, Green Lane and Mill Creek Road • Mailbox Unlimited, 922 S. Woodbourne Rd. • Malvern • Malvern Station, King St. & Warren Ave. • Media • Unitarian Universalist Church, 145 W. Rose Tree Road • The Media Theater, 104 E. State St. • LGBT Alliance Group, Delaware Co. Campus, Penn State Univ., 901 Media Line Road • Moosic • 12 Penny Saloon, 3501 Birney Ave. • Narberth • Narberth Station, Haverford & Narberth avenues • New Hope • Bowman’s Tavern, 1600 River Rd. • Cornerstone Gym, 419 York Road • Eagle Diner, 6522 York Road • John & Peters, 96 S. Main St. • Karla’s Restaurant, 5 W. Mechanic St. • La Chateau Exotique, 31A W. Mechanic St.• The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St. • Sandbar, 90 S. Main St. • Triumph Brewing Co., 400 Union Square Drive • Wishing Well Giuest House, 114 Old York Rd. • New Milford • Oneida Campground, 2580 E. Lake Road • Newportville • Road House Inn, 220 New Falls Rd. • Newtown • Bucks Co. Community College, 275 Swamp Road • Norristown • Beagle Tavern, 1003 E. Main St. • North Wales • Adult World, 608 Upper State Road • Paoli • Paoli Station, North Valley Road & Lincoln Highway • Penndel • Selecto Food Market, Route 413 • Penns Park • United Methodist Church, 2394 Second St. Pike • Plains Township • Twist Bar, Fox Ridge Plaza, Rte. 315 • Quakertown • Adult World, 880 S. West End Blvd. • Reading • Berks Aid Network, 429 Walnut St. • Reading Adult Center, 316 Penn St. • Rosemont • Rosemont Station, Airdale Road & Montrose Ave. • Spring Grove • Atland’s Ranch, RR6, Box 6543 • Swarthmore • Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Parrish Hall • Temple • Naughty But Nice, 4502 N. Fifth St. • Upper Darby • Honor Box, 69th Street Station • Villanova • Villanova Station, Spring Mill Road near County Line Road • Warminster • Darkanyu, Bux Mont Unitarian Church, Street Road at Rt. 611 • Planned Parenthood of Bucks Co., 610 Louis Dr. • Wayne • Central Baptist Church, 106 W. Lancaster Ave. • Stafford Station, Old Eagle School & Crestline roads • Wayne Station, N. Wayne & West Ave. • West Chester • Chester County Books, 975 Paoli Pike • Williamsport • Peachies, 144 E. Fourth St. • Willow Grove • Barnes & Noble, 102 Park Ave. • Wynnwood • Wynnwood Station, Wynnewood & Penn roads •

All of these locations are now visible on a zoomable Google Map at

http://www.epgn.com/pages/where_to_find IS YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION ON THIS LIST? Contact Don at don@epgn.com or 215-451-6182 ext. 200 to arrange for delivery of complimentary copies.

Page 22

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

News Briefing Methodist dispute settled Bishop Peggy A. Johnson of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church has announced that 36 pastors who officiated at a same-sex wedding in Philadelphia last year won’t be disciplined.

Several complaints were filed against the pastors, who officiated at the wedding to show their support for the Rev. Frank Schaefer.

Schaefer is facing discipline for officiating at his son’s same-sex wedding in 2006.

In a statement released last week, Johnson said she was “pleased” that both sides have agreed to settle their differences through private discussions. But she also warned that similar acts in the future could bring “swift” discipline.

Schaefer is ministering to a university community in California as his case winds through the Methodist Church’s internal discipline system.

Judge allows same-sex bens case to continue On Sept. 18, Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Robert J. Colville ruled that a gay man may continue to seek damages from his employer for allegedly refusing to provide workplace benefits to his same-sex partner.

Bradley A. Ankney says the Allegheny Intermediate Unit violated civil-rights laws when it refused to provide health-care coverage to his male partner for about two

NEWS PGN

years prior to their marriage.

AIU is an educational-services provider located near Pittsburgh, and Ankney works there as a math teacher.

In August, AIU asked Colville to dismiss Ankney’s lawsuit as moot, because Ankney’s partner currently receives healthcare coverage and other benefits from AIU. But in his Sept. 18 ruling, Colville said Ankney may continue to seek damages for the time period prior to July 2014 — when AIU began recognizing the couple’s union.

Samuel J. Cordes, an attorney for Ankney, expressed satisfaction with Colville’s ruling.

“AIU is on the wrong side of history, and it’s on the wrong side of the law,” Cordes told PGN. “We’re going to start doing discovery and get cued up for trial.”

Linda B. Hippert, AIU’s executive director, declined to comment.

Ankney is seeking more than $35,000 in damages from AIU, according to court records.

Hearing set in bullying case A hearing has been set in the case of Thomas Vandergrift, a Philadelphia gay man who claims his nephew was subjected to extensive anti-LGBT bullying while a student at the Pennsauken School District in New Jersey.

Vandergrift also contends that Pennsauken school-district officials falsely accused him of child molestation.

His suit, filed in December 2012, remains pending in federal court in Camden.

Recently, Pennsauken school-district officials asked for Vandergrift’s mental-health records.

Vandergrift’s attorneys objected to the request, stating that Vandergrift’s mental-health records are irrelevant to the case.

But if his mental-health records must be released, Vandergrift’s attorneys requested that safeguards be implemented to ensure

his privacy.

A hearing on the dispute has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Oct. 30 in Courtroom 3C of the U.S. Courthouse in Camden.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel Schneider is scheduled to preside.

Brief due this month in Milano case The state Supreme Court has extended the deadline for Bucks County prosecutors to file a brief in opposition to a new trial for Richard R. Laird, who was convicted of murdering Anthony Milano.

In 1988, Laird and Frank R. Chester were convicted of first-degree murder in the grisly slashing death of Milano, who was gay.

Shortly before Milano was killed, he was seen exiting a Bristol Township tavern with Laird and Chester.

Laird has had two jury trials in the case, and both times he’s been sentenced to death.

He’s seeking a third trial, partly on the basis that his father sexually molested him and that he suffered traumatic brain injuries as a youth. Laird also claims he was improperly represented in his previous trial.

On Sept. 16, the court said prosecutors will have until Oct. 24 to file their brief in opposition to a new trial for Laird.

Meanwhile, Chester and Laird remain on death row in Pennsylvania state prisons.

Chester’s request for a new trial remains pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

— Timothy Cwiek

City Council committee to look at hate-crimes bill Legislation expanding the punishment

for hate crimes in Philadelphia has been referred to the Committee on Public Safety, which will meet to discuss the bill later this month.

The bill was introduced Sept. 25 by Councilmembers Blondell Reynolds Brown and Jim Kenney in response to the recent gay-bashing incident in Philly.

Under the proposed legislation, the punishment for hate crimes against LGBT individuals would be set at a maximum of 90 days in jail and up to a $2,000 fine.

Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., chair of the committee, has scheduled the body to meet at 1 p.m. Oct. 29.

Fundraiser for animal shelter The Camden County Animal Shelter will host its first annual Pledge-a-Paw dog walk and event from noon-4 p.m.

Oct. 12 at Camden County College in Blackwood, N.J. The event seeks to raise $60,000 to benefit its work on behalf of the cats and dogs CCAS cares for every day.

Participants can pledge a 1-mile dog walk to help raise funds and awareness for the organization.

Pledge-a-Paw is presented by the Camden County Board of Freeholders and will include food, music, canine-agility demonstrations, pet games and contests.

Local businesses and area shelters will also be attending.

To register, visit www.ccasnj.org or call Monica Municiello at 856-401-1300 ext. 104.

CCAS is an open-admissions shelter that has been fighting to reduce the stray/unwanted animal population within Camden County. n — Ryan Kasley

Scott A. Drake Photography

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PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Page 23

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

mad for plaid

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Hats H tees H sHirts gadgets H bags outerwear footwear militaria denim

FROM HOUDINI TO HUGO THE ART OF BRIAN SELZNICK OCTOBER 18, 2014 – JANUARY 11, 2015 This exciting exhibition presents over 100 paintings and drawings by award-winning children’s author and illustrator Brian Selznick. His rich and imaginative illustrations were the inspiration for the film Hugo (2011).

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Page 28

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

LOCAL 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. 22-28. Information is courtesy of Sixth 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 215-686TIPS (8477).

Follow the Sixth District on Twitter: @PPDBrianKorn.

INCIDENTS — At 1 p.m. Sept. 26, a shopper set down a backpack inside Kinko’s, 1201 Market St., and it was stolen. The suspect was described as a black male in his mid-30s, 5-foot-11, wearing a long-sleeved button-down white shirt and jeans.

— The owner of a 2010 Acura reported Sept.

26 that the car was stolen between 9-11 p.m.

Sept. 15, when it was parked in the 1100 block of Sansom Street.

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Library Company of Philadelphia 1314 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 librarycompany.org

— There were five thefts of bicycles: outside 1300 Chestnut St., 1300 Market St., 1222 Walnut St., 1300 Walnut St. and 404 S. Ninth St.

NON-SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 2:45 a.m. Sept. 24, a man was punched and had his iPhone stolen by a man he knew outside Juniper and Locust streets. The suspect was identified to Central Detectives and an arrest warrant charging robbery was issued.

At 4:20 a.m. Sept. 29, Sixth District Officers Macchione and Cifelli arrested the 23-yearold Camden man outside 13th and Lombard streets.

— At 4:25 p.m. Sept. 25, members of Philadelphia Police Major Crimes Unit and federal agents served a search warrant on the iMobile kiosk inside the Gallery, 1001 Market St. As a result, more than $14,000 in counterfeit Apple and Samsung items were confiscated. The owner and three employees were arrested and charged with trademark counterfeiting and related offenses.

District Officers Loggia and Henik arrested a suspect outside 1300 Locust St. The 48-yearold man with a West Philadelphia address was charged with robbery and related offenses.

SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 10:35 p.m. Sept. 22, SEPTA Police issued a citation for a summary offense outside 1100 Market St. — On Sept. 23, Sixth District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 2:10 a.m. outside 200 S. Camac St. — On Sept. 24, Center City District officers issued a citation for a summary offense at 12:50 p.m. outside 123 S. Broad St., and Sixth District officers issued two citations for summary offenses at 11:45 p.m. outside 1300 Locust St.

— At 2:10 a.m. Sept. 26, a patron refused to pay his bill at McGillan’s, 1310 Drury St. Sixth District officers responded and the 41-year-old Roxborough man was charged with theft of services.

— On Sept. 26, Center City District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 11:40 a.m. outside 101 S. Broad St., 11:50 a.m. outside 123 S. Broad St. and 11:55 a.m. outside 131 S. Broad St.

— At 1:35 a.m. Sept. 27, a man left Woody’s and lost his way back to his hotel. A strange male began walking with him and led him down the 1300 block of Manning Street, where he then frisked him and stole his wallet and keys. The victim alerted police and Sixth

— On Sept. 27, Sixth District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 6:15 a.m. outside 1100 Locust St., 8:15 p.m. outside 1201 Chestnut St. and 11:45 p.m. outside 1211 Walnut St. n

locations in Philadelphia in Center City PHILADELPHIA — AROuND THE GAYBORHOOD

12th Street Gym, 204 S. 12th St. • 13th Street Gourmet Pizza, 209 S. 13th St. • AACO, 1101 Market St., 9th floor • Action AIDS, 1216 Arch St. • Apt. & Townhouse Rentals, 304 S. 12th St. • ASIAC, 1711 S. Broad St. • The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. • Bioscript Pharmacy, 1227 Locust St. • Cafe Twelve, 212 S. 12th St. • Charlie Salon, 203 S. 12th St. • City Hall NE Entrance • Club Body Center, 1220 Chancellor St. • Com-Har Living Room, 101 S. Broad St., 14th floor • Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. • Cut Salon, 204 S. 13th St. • Danny’s Bookstore 133 S. 13th St. • Dignity/ St. Lukes, 330 S. 13th St. • Dirty Frank’s Bar, 13th & Pine sts. • The Foodery, 10th & Pine sts. • Fusion Gym, 105 S. 12th St., 2nd floor • Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. • I Goldberg, 1300 Chestnut St. • ICandy, 254 S. 12th St. • Independent Hotel, 13th & Locust sts. • John C. Anderson Apts., 249 S. 13th St. • Mazzoni Clinic, 809 Locust St. • Midtown II, 122 S. 11th St. • More Than Just Ice Cream, 1119 Locust St. • Pa. AIDS Law Project, 1211 Chestnut St., 12th floor • Paolo Pizzeria, 1336 Pine St. • Parker Hotel Lobby, 261 S. 13th St. • Phila. FIGHT/Aids Library, 1233 Locust St., 5th floor • Phila. Family Planning Commission, 260 S. Broad St., 10th floor • Planned Parenthood, 1144 Locust St. • Sansom Cinema, 120 S. 13th St., basement • Santa Fe Burrito, 212 S. 11th St. • Scorpio Books, 202 S. Juniper St. • Sisters, 1320 Chancellor St. • Spruce Street Video, 252 S. 12th St. • Packard Apartments, 317 N. Broad St. • Safeguards lobby, 1211 Chestnut St. #610 • Salon K, 1216 Locust St. • Sante Fe Burrito, 212 S. 11th St. • Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. • Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac St. • Toast, 12th & Spruce sts. • Triangle Medicine, 253 S. 10th St., 1st floor • U Bar, 1220 Locust St. • Valanni, 1229 Spruce St. • Venture Inn, 255 S. Camac St. • Westbury, 261 S. 13th St. • William Way LGBT Community Center, 1325 Spruce St.

PHILADELPHIA — C.C. EAST OF BROAD

Bean Café, 615 South St. • Best Western Independence Park Hotel lobby, 215 Chestnut St. • Cedrone’s Flowers, 800 Lombard St. • Chocolate Works Condo lobby, 321 N. Third St. • Copabanana, 342 South St. • Dane Décor, 315 Arch St. • Famous 4th St. Deli, Fourth & Bainbridge sts. • Hopkinson House, 604 S. Washington Sq. • Hyatt Regency Hotel lobby, 201 S. Columbus Blvd. • Independence Place Condos, 241 S. Sixth St., lobby in both towers • Independence Visitors Center, Sixth & Market sts. • Old City Ironworks Gym, 141 N. Second St. • Nationality Service Center, 1216 Arch St. • Packard Apts., 317 N. Broad St. • PGN offices, 505 S. Fourth St. • Philadelphia Java Co., 518 S. Fourth St. • Reading Terminal Market, 12th & Filbert sts. • Strands Salon, 25 N. Third St.

PHILADELPHIA — C.C. WEST OF BROAD

Adonis Cinema, 2026 Sansom St. • Art Institute, 2300 Market St. • The Attic Youth Center, 255 S. 16th St. • Bob & Barbara’s, 1509 South St. • Book Bin, 22nd & Market sts. • Dan Tobey R/E, 1401 Walnut St., 8th floor • Dr. Wakefield’s Office, 255 S. 17th St., Suite 2306 • Drexel Partnership, 1427 Vine St., 3rd floor • Latimer Deli, 255 S. 15th St. • L-2 Restaurant, 22nd & South sts. • MANNA, 12 S. 23rd St. • Marine Club Condos lobby, Broad St. & Washington Ave. • Metropolitan, 115 N. 15th St. • Safeguards Lobby, 1700 Market St., 18th floor • Sansom St. Gym, 2020 Sansom St. • South Square Market, 2221 South St. • Titan Room, 22nd & Market sts. • Touraine Building lobby, 1520 Spruce St. • U Do It Laundry, 15th & Spruce sts. • Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel, 17th & Race sts. •

all of these locations are now visible on a zoomable google Map at

http://www.epgn.com/pages/where_to_find IS YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION ON THIS LIST? Contact Don at don@epgn.com or 215-451-6182 ext. 200 to arrange for delivery of complimentary copies.

PGN MENTAL HEALTH

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Page 29

The dark side of group mentality: Gay-bashing 101 OutFest is an opportunity for members these last weeks about how such an ugly of our community to come together, to crime could possibly happen during the celebrate each other and to show pride height of the gay civil-rights movement in our LGBTQ identities. Coincidentally and in Philadelphia, the most LGBTenough, this year’s OutFest also marks friendly city in the country according to the anniversary of two gay men havthe Human Rights Campaign. Well, the ing been physically assaulted truth is, violent crimes are and subsequently arrested by committed against LGBTQ Philadelphia police officers individuals daily. So what’s for disorderly conduct and different about what happened conspiracy, charges that they last month? were later cleared of. Many First, the attackers were of you may remember this young, white and middle-class, incident, as it made headlines a population few people would in our city; however, police consider “likely” to commit roughing up and accusing a this sort of heinous crime; a young gay couple of a crime sad yet true point of reflecthey did not commit did not tion of where our country make national news, nor did stands with regard to race relait stimulate any major discustions. Furthermore, the attack sion around the need for more involved as many as 15 people; inclusive hate-crime legislation this was a group crime and in Pennsylvania. Why? For that Kristina Furia there’s something inherently matter, why have none of the frightening about so many other crimes committed against LGBTQ people willing to engage in, or condone, individuals, especially transgender people, that kind of violence and hatred towards in our city become a cause for change? other human beings. How is it possible that a group of 15 or so friends in their On Sept. 11, 2014, a gay couple was brutally attacked and gay-bashed. As our 20s could all be homophobic, violent and community, and eventually the entire full of hate to this extent? Well, chances country, learned of this news, people are they aren’t. The attackers’ success in became outraged, baffled and frightened. injuring the victims and belittling their Many questions have been asked over identities to the severe extent that they did

Thinking Queerly

hinged largely on the mob mentality in play, which can also be called groupthink.

While I would not imply that Philip Williams, Kathryn Knott, Kevin Harrigan and the others involved that night are proponents of LGBTQ rights and accepting of human differences, what I am comfortable stating is that because of groupthink mentality, coupled with the sheer size of the group that evening, the situation escalated much further than it otherwise would have. As part of a group, people often experience what’s called deindividuation, or a loss of self-identity and awareness. There’s also an idea among each individual that they won’t be held responsible for any wrongdoing because it is the group’s wrongdoing, not their own; this leads to a major decline in inhibitions. As a result of this deindividuation, Williams, Knott and Harrigan, who seem to have acted as the leaders of the group, were able to get their friends on board with violently gay-bashing an innocent couple.

Each individual involved who yelled “faggot,” threw a punch or simply did nothing to help the victims likely abandoned some of their own values and beliefs to align with the norms of the group that night.

People most often conform to groupthink and deindividuate because of the sense of excitement that occurs when a group is united in a common task. This

can happen in positive ways; for example, OutFest. Many of us will sing and dance alongside one other as various drag queens and kings and other performers take the stage; we will feed off of one another’s energy and experience a natural high as a result. It is, however, very unlikely that any one of us would be singing and dancing to those very same performances if we were by ourselves watching the show. This is a form of completely harmless deindividuation: Our own inhibitions and code of conduct shift to become in alignment with the dynamic crowd we are among.

So this bodes the question: If the attackers consisted of only one, three or five people, would the attack have happened at all? We’ll never know, but chances are that Williams, Knott and Harrigan would have been less likely to strike if their egos weren’t getting a serious feeding as the architects of this disgusting crime. n Kristina Furia is a psychotherapist specializing in issues and concerns of the LGBTQ community in addition to depression, anxiety, substance abuse and other mental illnesses. Her private practice, Philadelphia LGBTQ Counseling, offers both individual and couples sessions (www.lgbtphillytherapy.com).

locations in Philadelphia outside Center City PHILADELPHIA — NORTH OF C.C.

1 Shot Coffee, 1040 N. Second St. • 2601 Parkway Condos lobby, 2601 Pennsylvania Ave. • Bebashi, 1217 Spring Garden St. • Beehive Hair Salon, 2319 Fairmount Ave. • Beth Ahavah, 615 N. Broad St. • Bridgeview Place Condo lobby, 315 New St. • Colonnade Condos lobby, 1601 Spring Garden St. • Community College CCP Lambda, 1700 Spring Garden St. • Congresso de Latinos, American St. & Lehigh Ave. • Crooked Frame Café, 2545 Brown St. • Darling’s Diner, 1033 N. Second St. • Filter Coffee House, 331 Race St. • Girard Vet, 28th St. & Girard Ave. • HIV Early Intervention Clinic, St. Joseph’s Hospital, 16th St. & Girard Ave. • Logan View Apts. lobby, 17th & Callowhill sts. • Northern Liberties Iron Works, 821 N. Second St. • One Day At A Time, 2532 N. Broad St. • Philadelphian Condos lobby, 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. • PYT Restaurant, 1050 N. Hancock St., at the Piazza • Sammy’s Place, 1449 N. Fifth St., 1st floor • SILOAM Ministries, 1133 Spring Garden St. • Temple University Student Activity Center, 1755 N. 12th St. • Welker Real Estate, 2311 Fairmount Ave. • Whole Foods Market, 2001 Pennsylvania Ave.

PHILADELPHIA — SOuth of C.C.

Bethel Community Home, 933-935 S. Third St. • Black N Brew, 1523 E. Passyunk Ave. • Class Act Auto Repair, 2042 S. Bancroft St. • Equal, 1516 Snyder Ave. • Essene, 719 S. Fourth St. • Expressive Hand, 622 S. Ninth St. • Fuel, 1917 E. Passyunk Ave. • Hideaway, Days Inn, 2015 Penrose Ave. • Jackson Place, 501 Jackson St. • Rockerhead Salon, 607 S. Third St. • South Philly Bagels, 613 S. Third St. • Ultimo Coffee, 1900 S. 15th St. •

PHILADELPHIA — UNIVERSITY CITY

Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St. • Bucks County Coffee, 3430 Sansom St. • Bucks County Coffee, 30 S. 33rd St., Rom. 113 • Drexel University, 4001 Walnut St. • Fresh Grocer, 4001 Walnut St. • Goodman Hall, 710 S. 42nd St. • International House, 3701 Chestnut St. • LGBT Center at Penn, 3907 Spruce St. • Old Quaker Condos lobby, 3514 Lancaster Ave. • Oslo Hall, 510 S. 42nd St. • Penn Bookstore, 3610 Walnut St. • Sheraton Hotel, 36th & Chestnut sts. • St. Mary’s Church, 3916 Locust Walk • University of the Sciences England Library, 4200 Woodland Ave. • University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St. • Wilson Hall, 708 S. 42nd St. • World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.

PHILADELPHIA NEIGHBORHOODS — OTHER

Almost Paradise, 742 Frankford Ave. • Coffee Junction, 7210 Cresheim Road • Elfant Wissahickon Realty, 8962 Ridge Ave. • Fantasy Island Books, 7363 State Road • GWHS Beacon Center, 10175 Bustleton Ave. • Harry’s Natural Foods, 1805 Cottman Ave. • Infusion Salon, 7133 Germantown Ave. • Morris House, 5537 Woodland Ave. • One Day At A Time, 2532 N. Broad St. • Philadelphia University KANBAR Center, 4201 Henry Ave. • Prevention Point, 166 W. Lehigh Ave. • Today’s Videos, 9255 Roosevelt Blvd. • Touch of Class Books, 3342 Kensington Ave. • WCAU TV lobby, City Line Ave. & Monument Road • Weaver’s Way, 559 Carpenter Lane • Welker Real Estate, 2311 Fairmount Ave. • WPVI TV lobby, City Line Ave. & Monument Road •

All of these locations are now visible on a zoomable Google Map at

http://www.epgn.com/pages/where_to_find IS YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION ON THIS LIST? Contact Don at don@epgn.com or 215-451-6182 ext. 200 to arrange for delivery of complimentary copies.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

FINANCES PGN

Inflation happens: Don’t let it derail your long-term plans Q: I’m a gay man in my 20s and just starting to save for retirement. I’m worried about the stock market, so I put my retirement savings each month into a money-market account in my 401K plan. Am I being too conservative with my retirement funds?

A: First, I think it’s terrific that you’re starting to save for your retirement at such a young age! However, being too conservative at your age can create some longer-term challenges if your money-market rate doesn’t keep pace with inflation. Here are some thoughts: A penny saved is a penny earned, right? Not necessarily. Thanks to inflation, over time that penny could be worth less than when it was first dropped into the piggy bank. That’s why, if you’re investing — especially for major goals years away, such as retirement — you can’t afford to ignore the corrosive effect rising prices can have on the value of your assets.

What it means to your wallet In today’s economy, it is easy to overlook inflation when preparing for your financial future. An inflation rate of 4 percent, for instance, might not seem to be worth a second thought — until you consider the impact it can have on the purchasing power of your money over the long term. For example, in just 20 years, 4-percent inflation annually would drive the value of a dollar down to 44 cents.

Or look at it another way: If the price of a $1,000 refrigerator rises by 4 percent over 20 years, it will more than double to almost $2,200. A larger-ticket item, such as a $23,000 automobile, would soar to more than $50,000 given the same inflation rate and time period.

Inflation also works against your investments.

When you calculate the Jeremy return on an investment, you to consider not just the Gussick need interest rate you receive but also the real rate of return, which is determined by factoring in the effects of inflation. Your financial advisor can help you calculate your real rate of return.

Clearly, if you plan to achieve longterm financial goals — from college savings for your children to your own retirement — you will need to create a portfolio of investments that will provide sufficient “inflation-adjusted” returns.

Out Money

Inflation under the microscope Just what is inflation, this ravenous beast that eats away at the value of every dollar you earn? It is essentially the increase in the price of goods or services. The most commonly referenced measure of that increase is the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is based on a monthly survey by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI compares current and past prices of a sample “market basket” of goods from a variety of categories, including housing, food, transportation and apparel. The CPI does have shortcomings, according to economists: It does not take taxes into account or consider that, as the price of one product rises, consumers may react by purchasing a cheaper substitute (name brand vs. generic, for example). Nonetheless, it is widely considered a useful way to measure prices over time.

Inflation has been a very consistent fact of life in the U.S. economy. Dating back to 1945, the purchasing power of the dollar has declined in value every year but two — 1949 and 1954. Still, inflation rates were generally considered moderate until the 1970s. The average annual rate from 1900-70 was approximately 2.5 percent. From 197090, however, the average rate increased to around 6 percent, hitting a high of 13.3 percent in 1979.1 Recently, rates have been closer to the 1-3-percent range; the inflation rate has been 2.06 percent thus far in 2014.

Investing to beat inflation Insulating your portfolio against the threat of inflation might begin with a review of the investments most likely to provide returns that outpace inflation.

Over the long run — 10, 20, 30 years or more — stocks may provide the best potential for returns that exceed inflation.2 While past performance is no guarantee of future results, stocks have historically provided higher returns than other asset classes.

Consider these findings from a study of Standard & Poor’s data: An analysis of holding periods between 1926 and Dec. 31, 2013, found that the annualized return for a portfolio composed exclusively of stocks in the Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 Stocks was 10.14 percent — well above the average inflation rate of 2.96 percent for the same period. The annualized return for long-term government bonds, on the other hand, was only 5.52 percent.3 In addition, the study found that the stock portfolio did not suffer a loss

in 817 separate 20-year holding periods. In every period, the annual rate of return for the stock portfolio was greater than the inflation rate. The bond portfolio outpaced inflation in only 447 of the 817 20-year holding periods — by a much lower margin.4 A balancing act Keep in mind that stocks do involve greater risk of short-term fluctuations than other asset classes. Unlike a bond, which offers a fixed return if you hold it until maturity, a stock can rise or fall in value based on daily events in the stock market, trends in the economy or problems at the issuing company. But if you have a long investment time frame and are willing to hold your ground during short-term ups and downs, you may find that stocks offer greater potential to beat inflation.

The key is to consider your time frame, your anticipated income needs and how much volatility you are willing to accept, and then construct a portfolio with the mix of stocks and other investments with which you are comfortable. For instance, if you have just embarked on your career and have 30 or 40 years until you plan to retire, a mix of 70-percent stocks and 30-percent bonds might be suitable.5 But even if you are approaching retirement, you may still need to maintain some growth-oriented investments as a hedge against inflation. After all, your retirement assets may need to last for 30 years or more, and inflation will continue to work against you throughout.

Take steps to tame inflation Whatever your investor profile — from first-time investor to experienced retiree — you need to keep inflation in your sights. Stocks may be your best weapon, and there are many ways to include them. Consult your financial planner to discuss your specific needs and options. n Jeremy R. Gussick is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with LPL Financial, the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer.* Jeremy specializes in the financial-planning needs of the LGBT community and was recently named a 2013 FIVE STAR Wealth Manager by Philadelphia Magazine.** He is active with several LGBT organizations in the Philadelphia region, including the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund and the Independence Business Alliance, the Philadelphia region’s LGBT chamber of commerce. OutMoney appears monthly.

If you have a question for Jeremy, email him at jeremy.gussick@lpl.com. LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC.

1Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

2Source: Investing in stocks involves risks, including loss of principal.

3Source: Government bonds and Treasury bills are guaranteed by the U.S. government as to the timely payment of principal and interest, and, if held to maturity, offer a fixed rate of return and fixed principal value.

4Source: Standard & Poor’s. Stocks are represented by the S&P 500, an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Bonds are represented by a composite of returns derived from yields on long-term government bonds, published by the Federal Reserve, and the Barclays Long-Term Government Bond index.

Inflation is represented by the change in the Consumer Price Index. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

5These allocations are presented only as examples and are not intended as investment advice. Please consult a financial advisor if you have questions about these examples and how they relate to your own financial situation. The investor profile is hypothetical.

This communication is not intended to be tax or legal advice and should not be treated as such. Each individual’s situation is different. You should contact your tax and/or legal professional to discuss your personal situation.

This article was prepared with the assistance of Wealth Management Systems Inc. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. We suggest that you discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor.

Please consult me if you have any questions.

Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by Wealth Management Systems Inc., or its sources, neither Wealth Management Systems Inc., nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information.

In no event shall Wealth Management Systems Inc. be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscribers’ or others’ use of the content.

Wealth Management Systems, Inc. and LPL Financial are not affiliated entities. *As reported by Financial Planning magazine, 1996-2014, based on total revenues. **Award based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of year 2012 and 2013 Five Star Wealth Managers.

weddings PGN

Before the Bells

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Page 31

Jen Colletta

Bringing music out of the background I’m admittedly not a music person.

And my partner’s music stylings range from Britney Spears to Britney Spears.

So, when it came time for us to decide on entertainment for our wedding reception, we had more questions than we did for most other parts of the planning process.

One of the first decisions we found we had to make was the type of music we wanted — a DJ, live band or some quirky alternative. Advice is far flung, but from what we found, most couples suggest taking time to weigh the pros and cons of the various entertainment options, figuring out what are your main music priorities and doing your homework on the possibilities.

In thinking about what mattered most to us, we knew we wanted an option that would get, and keep, our guests out on the dance floor, and decided a DJ would do the trick.

But, DJing isn’t as simple as hitting the play button. A wedding DJ needs to have a full and comprehensive knowledge of music — from current hits to classics to the oddball song choices you or your guests may ask for — equipment to ensure the tunes keep coming seamlessly and a verve that makes people want to get out of their seats. We’ve all been to weddings

with those awkward moments of an empty dance floor, so having a DJ who’s energetic, passionate and has experience filling the floor is integral.

Like with all wedding vendors, it’s important to vet your DJ before selecting him/her. Find out about their experience, number of weddings they’ve DJed, the type of equipment they would bring to the reception, if they work alone or with partners, if they have a backup plan for technical malfunction (which amazingly hadn’t occurred to us until our DJ mentioned it!) and if they would require dinner during the event (different vendors have different approaches to meals during the reception, but it’s important to note ahead of time for crowd-count purposes). And, if you really want to get a good sense of whether your DJ is a good fit for you, ask to come see him/her DJ an event in advance.

Learning about a wedding DJ’s approach to music selection is also important in the process. We chatted with one DJ who told us the company advised couples to design their music selection based primarily on what the guests would like, as opposed to what the couple would like, a notion that didn’t quite sit right with us. While playing a variety to appeal to

the masses is certainly needed, we were instead drawn to a DJ who advocated for couples making their music selections based on their own tastes, with a few picks for different crowds mixed in.

At weddings we’ve been to, we never gave much thought to what went into the music selection but quickly saw that it is a much more deliberative process than we realized. The process varies from DJ to DJ, but many will give the couple the option to submit a “Must Play” list, as well as a “Do Not Play” list. Even if your DJ likes more independence in creating the set list and doesn’t offer to go off your lists, if you have strong feelings one way or the other on certain songs, make sure they’re voiced ahead of time. Along the same lines, couples have to decide whether or not they want their DJ to take requests; some may wish their guests to have a voice in the music that’s played, but there’s also the risk that too many requests can overtake the couple’s song tastes. An interesting approach to this is to send a request card with your invites and have your guests write a song they’d like to hear, and take those suggestions into consideration when working with your DJ on the set list.

Both my partner and I tend to do things almost obnoxiously early, but our DJ rightly advised us not to start thinking about songs we definitely want and don’t want played until two-three months prior to the wedding, as new music will come out and our ideas, and subsequent lists, will likely change tenfold in that amount of time.

The DJ can also play an important role in helping you craft the music that will be used at special moments throughout your big day. Since our ceremony is outdoors and not in a church, we’re able to have our ceremony music come from our DJ. While we’re retaining a number of traditions throughout the ceremony and reception, neither of us was into the traditional pomp-and-circumstance wedding-ceremony music, so we’re going to instead pick more modern songs that have meaning to us as a couple to use throughout the ceremony.

Throughout each step of this process, we’ve seen that there are ample opportunities for couples to make small modifications to the traditional wedding model that can go a long way in making the wedding your own, and music is no exception. n

Spotlight on: Michelle Lee Entertainment We met Michelle Lee at an LGBT wedding expo — a big A-plus in our book — but, among the myriad entertainment professionals who set up shop there, Lee and her company stood out for a number of reasons.

Lee clearly knew her stuff. Just in our first few minutes chatting about our wedding with her, my partner and I were impressed by the information she offered, tipping us off to a wealth of questions we should have kept in mind that we hadn’t even thought of. Lee is at the helm of Michelle Lee Entertainment, which centers its operations around a threepronged mission: being modern, exciting and different. In business for 15 years, the full-service event company itself is different in that it is owned by one of the few female DJs on the East Coast. Lee, who goes by the name DJ Shelly, has a staff of 10, who work to bring a unique spin to each event they cover.

“We understand every client has different needs, and every event should be unique,” Lee said.

The company provides everything from DJs and MCs to greeters, characters and entertainers, photography and videography to event-planning. They handle weddings, birthday parties, bar and bat mitz-

vahs and everything in between.

When it comes to wedding DJing, Lee said her team tries to make each event stand out.

“We DJ all types of weddings,” she said. “Our mission is to make every event spectacular and create experiences that your guests will continue to talk about for

years.”

Part of that process is getting to know the couple and their goals and working with them to create an entertainment package fitting them and their wedding needs.

Having a rapport with your wedding DJ, we found, is tremendously helpful; for folks like us who aren’t wholly knowl-

edgeable about music, it was important that we were able to trust our DJ, based on her experience and ideas.

But, that foundation was furthered by Lee going the extra mile to ensure the process is fully inclusive: She will meet with us a few months before the wedding to go over our song do’s and don’ts, and invited us to keep in touch before then with questions, ideas and calls for advice. Lee inquired about our wedding theme and is working with us to build in songs that support the theme — offering suggestions and ideas based off of her vast music knowledge and also-vast DJ experience that we never would have conceived of. Having that personalized attention is invaluable.

Speaking of value, Lee offers packages and prices to fit budgets of all sizes. And, in celebration of marriage equality in Pennsylvania, she’s currently running a special to attract same-sex couples, offering up to a $300 discount — $100 off each for DJ services, photography and videography for contracts signed by Nov. 30.

For more information on Michelle Lee Entertainment, visit www.michelleleeentertainment.com. n — Jen Colletta

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

PGN

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

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Page 34

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

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Page 36

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

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HISTORY PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Page 39

PRIDE Institute paved way for LGBT substance-abuse treatment

By Jason Parsley South Florida Gay News When the PRIDE Institute in Minnesota opened in 1986, it was a novel idea — a substance-abuse treatment center catering to the gay and lesbian community.

But within three months of opening, every bed was filled, proving there was a need.

“Back then we dealt with a lot of homophobia — internal and external,” said co-founder Ellen Ratner of PRIDE. “I think what made a difference is that we dealt with internalized homophobia.”

The idea for PRIDE started with an LGBT specialty track at a treatment center in New Hampshire run by Lawrence E. Bienemann.

“In the last year, we started to do specialized treatment and we were successful initially with Ellen’s patients,” he said. “Our gay and lesbian track was the first in the nation.”

And that track inspired Bienemann to lay the groundwork for a full-fledged treatment center for gays and lesbians, which would become the first in the world.

“Specialized treatment just made sense,” he said. “We also had specialized treatment facilities for PTSD and a track for cocaine abuse.”

Bienemann approached a group of investors and quickly raised almost $1 million. He hired Ratner to put the program together.

“PRIDE was an example of people working together.

We became well-known very quickly,” Bienemann said. “It was bad enough to be an addict, but to be gay or lesbian on top of that, that was two strikes against you.”

Founding board member Mel Pohl agreed.

“The shame that’s associated with addiction is magnified by sexual identification,” he said.

“Because of the shame of being gay or lesbian, compounded with the disease of addiction, it really impacts people’s ability to get well.”

Pohl said he was excited to join an elite group of professionals Ratner had recruited to advise the new facility and serve on the board.

“It was a fairly prestigious group of gay and lesbian activists and addiction specialists,” he said. “To have an opportunity to work with a high-level clinical

staff committed to this mission was really inspiring.”

Pohl would later serve as the chief of clinical services for PRIDE for three years.

Minneapolis was chosen because the corporation that started PRIDE owned several other facilities in and around the city. There were talks of later moving the institute to a more gay-centric location such as New York City, San Francisco or Washington, D.C., but those plans never panned out, Pohl said.

Pohl admitted the founders didn’t have a blueprint for success and adapted as they went along.

“At PRIDE we normalized being gay,” he said. “And that was the key issue, to have a normalization of being gay. Addiction is a disease where you feel uniquely better or uniquely worse. To sit in a group and not be able to come out safely almost destined that person to fail.”

Ultimately, Pohl said, it came down to safety.

“The biggest impact of PRIDE in the community for those who had an addiction is that now they had somewhere they could be safe,” he said.

But something else that separated PRIDE from other treatment centers was its approach to HIV. “The other thing we had to address was HIV,” Bienemann said. “Normally a treatment center, at that time, wouldn’t treat that or deal with it. But we did.”

And that was one of the reasons Pohl wanted to join PRIDE. On top of being gay and being an addict, “the stigma of having HIV added another factor to the mix,” he said. “To have a safe place for people who were HIVpositive was really intriguing.”

Ratner is especially proud of the work she did at PRIDE in those first few years. She believes the facility really made a difference in a lot of people’s lives.

“We did outpatient surveys and found that we had a higher

success rate than other places,” Ratner said. “Our patients did better.”

Twenty-eight years later, PRIDE is still going strong despite the advances of gay rights and mainstream acceptance of the LGBT community.

Pohl isn’t surprised at its longevity.

“The complexion has changed perhaps because of HIV and marriage, and participation in mainstream culture,” he said.

“But there is still a lot of shame involved in sexual identity.”

Pohl said that even in today’s society, being gay-friendly is largely dependent on the staff.

“You have to rely on the integrity of a staff,” he said.

“Homophobia is alive and well in our society.”

Molly Gilbert, the current director of business development at PRIDE, added: “There are a lot of places that are LGBT-friendly, or have an LGBT wing. But here is a place where LGBT people will receive trauma-informed care and find a staff that is experienced in dealing with the LGBT community. This is a place where people can say, ‘I’m finally in the majority for the first time in my life, and I don’t have to explain myself.’”

It’s been decades since Ratner has had any involvement with PRIDE as well. She left the corporation in 1990 and is now working as a journalist.

She attributes the early success of PRIDE to the fact that they dealt with all of the major issues gays and lesbians faced, such as the internal and external homophobia mentioned above.

“The ways gays and lesbians met back then were known as the three Bs — bars, baths and bushes,” Ratner said, explaining that gays and lesbians faced a lot of difficulties just being themselves. “We speculated at the time

that there was a [direct correlation] between being out to your family and sobriety.”

So family became a core component of their program.

“We also had a family program that sometimes included their partners or straight families. They would really learn to give support to their family member,” she said.

“Who would have thought a gay person’s lover or family would come? That was just radical back then.”

But Ratner wanted to not only help her patients become comfortable with their own sexuality — she wanted them to feel comfortable in the “straight” world as well.

“We used to take patients to straight and gay AA meetings so they could be comfortable at both,” she said.

Ratner, herself openly gay back then, had also been a gay-rights activist for years.

PRIDE was founded under the now-defunct Addiction Recovery Corporation, where Bienemann was president. He recruited the 35-year-old Ratner to put together a manual for the family program, and then to do research and service training. In order to fulfill that responsibility, she put

together a team of professionals in the substance-abuse field from all over the nation, including Pohl.

“I had already been working in the gay and lesbian community in addictions,” she said.

Bienemann told the Boston Globe in a 1987 article “any inpatient drug and alcohol treatment center has a difficult time meeting all patients’ needs. In the chemical-dependence field, there is general insensitivity to issues specific to the lesbian and gay population. At ARC, it’s only recently that we have begun to train staff to guard against homophobia.”

Bienemann also said he wanted

to address the statistics that were showing one-third of gays and lesbians were chemically dependent.

“That’s three times the national average,” Bienemann said in 1987. “Given those statistics, there’s a real need for a separate treatment center.”

And the current statistics aren’t much better now than they were then.

Studies are scarce in the area of LGBT substance abuse but, according to one report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 20-30 percent of the LGBT community abuses substances, while only 9 percent of the general population does. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also states that LGBT individuals are more likely to use alcohol and drugs; have higher rates of substance abuse; are less likely to abstain from alcohol and drug use; and are more likely to continue heavy drinking into later life.

In the early years of PRIDE, alcohol was the most prevalent drug of choice, followed by cocaine, Ratner said. Today it’s crystal meth, said Todd Connaughty, the current director of clinical services.

Over the years, the treatment center has changed hands several times. Today it’s owned by Universal Health Services, a company that owns hospitals and behavioral-care centers around the country. They also own other PRIDE Institutes, but those facilities only share the same name and owner and are in no other way connected to PRIDE in Minnesota, said Gilbert.

Looking back at those years, Ratner does have a couple of regrets.

“I wish we had done more research. And published that paper that was done and ready to go. The world should have known what we learned there.

One of the things we found was that if you drank two or more drinks, you would not have safer sex. Back then, that was a lifeand-death issue. There was no cocktail; when you got AIDS, you were dead.”

For more information, visit www.pride-institute.com. n Jason Parsley is the associate publisher of the South Florida Gay News. He lives in Boynton Beach, Fla., with his fiancé.

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Tenderloin’s LGBT story survives

By Seth Hemmelgarn Bay Area Reporter San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood has a colorful history and was once the center of gay life in San Francisco. Grittier than the Castro, which in the late 1970s overtook “The Loin,” as it’s sometimes called, as the city’s gay hub, the neighborhood just blocks away from City Hall also has a well-worn reputation for drug dealing, robbery and other crimes. It’s home to some of the city’s poorest residents, many of whom are living with HIV and stay in the district’s single-room occupancy hotels.

The neighborhood is bounded by the historic Beaux-Arts City Hall on one side and Union Square’s upscale hotels and shops on the other. Most of the gay bars, theaters and bookstores that once filled the Tenderloin are gone, but a handful have survived, and many LGBTs still express fondness for the area.

One business that’s held on since the 1970s is the Tea Room Theatre, 145 Eddy St. The tiny lobby has pictures of movies with titles like “Cum Smack 2,” and a sign warns, “J/O [jacking off] only is allowed in the theater.”

Inside the small, dark auditorium on a recent Friday afternoon, it would have been impossible to see without the light from the porn being projected onto the screen.

In a couple of seats at the front, one man on either side of the aisle was giving head to his seatmate, disobeying the sign in the lobby.

During an interview in which he spent the first several minutes standing behind the metal gate that separates his office from the lobby, Steve Angeles, 50, praised the Tenderloin, the neighborhood he calls home. The area is “very friendly,” he said, and it’s “the real San Francisco.”

Angeles, who’s worked at the theater for five years, said, “I really don’t know” why the business has survived, but it’s “probably” because it’s a short walk from two BART transit stations.

Plus, “we show all the brand-new movies every week, and we are friendly,” he said.

Business appears to be brisk.

Customers include men from out of town and regulars from the neighborhood.

“When they retire, they have nothing to do, just relax,” Angeles

said of patrons. “People feel at home here.”

At 35, Marc Woodworth is likely one of the Tea Room’s younger fans. Woodworth, who lives in Europe but is in San Francisco six months at a time, comes to the theater once or twice a month. There’s “no other place to go” in San Francisco, he said.

Aja Monet has lived in the Tenderloin for several years.

Angeles, who doesn’t identify with a specific orientation but said, “They call me Mama Steve,” noted the current lease is up in 2015.

“Hopefully,” he said, the building’s owners will give the theater “another few years.”

About a block from the Tea Room, soul music played inside Aunt Charlie’s Lounge, 133 Turk St., as Louie Lopez, 74, and Paul Lee, 73, stood outside.

The gay men listed the bars that used to be nearby, like the Blue and Gold and the Landmark, and the people they used to see there.

“There was always something going on,” said Lopez, who lives in the neighborhood and started coming to Aunt Charlie’s almost 30 years ago when it was still Queen Mary’s Pub. Lee said the neighborhood “was like a candy store” when he first came in 1976. “It was so much fun.”

However, he noted, “there was a lot of prejudice against people from the Tenderloin,” and there still is.

“If you just tell someone you used to hang out here, they say, ‘But you don’t go there anymore, do you?’” Lee said.

Inside Aunt Charlie’s, the narrow walkway between the bar and some tables and benches fre-

quently doubles as a runway for drag performers as they lip-sync to songs and collect tips.

Joe Mattheisen, 65, a gay Tenderloin resident, has worked at the bar for about 16 years.

Mattheisen said one reason the business has outlived many others is that it’s not “the sole source of income” for its owner, unlike other establishments. Over the years, the bar has also added drag shows and DJs.

quell a disturbance. The exact date of the riot has been lost to history.

A ceremony in June 2006 featured the unveiling of a commemorative sidewalk plaque at the former Compton’s location, which was timed with the 40th anniversary of the riots, which predated by three years the more-famous Stonewall Inn rebellion in New York City.

The Compton riot is widely viewed as the beginning of the LGBT-rights movement in San Francisco, but Elizondo said that at the time, it didn’t have a noticeable impact.

“Everything went back to the same old way,” she said.

Almost 50 years later, though, some things have changed.

In the lobby of the Tenderloin police station, about a block away from the Compton’s site, a sign assures visitors that the space is an “LGBT safe zone.”

Captain Jason Cherniss, 44,

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biggest public-safety concern in the Tenderloin is drug dealing.

Anyone who’s walked through the neighborhood probably has stories of being approached by dealers, and the station’s newsletter regularly lists incidents for sales of cocaine, heroin and other drugs.

As for what to do about it, Cherniss said, “we’re not going to be able to arrest our way out” of the problem, but he keeps officers “visible” and encourages propQueens and hustlers erty owners not to leave locations “blighted.”

The block where Aunt Charlie’s In his September newsletter, sits was recently named Vicki Cherniss featured gay Tenderloin resident Aja Monet, 44, as the Mar Lane, after Vicki Marlane, Citizen of the Month. a transgender woman who per Among other activities, Monet, formed there for years before she who is HIV-negative, sits on died in 2011 at age 76 of AIDSrelated complications. the HIV Prevention Planning Felicia Elizondo, 68, a close Council, an advisory group to friend of Marlane, first visited the city’s health department that the Tenderloin in the early 1960s, sets priorities for HIV prevention. and said she hasn’t noticed much He’s also hoping to have an LGBT change in the neighborhood since Pride event in the Tenderloin next then. year.

Elizondo, a transgen Monet, who came to der woman who lives San Francisco in 1988, in another neighborsaid that he used to hood now, recalled the smoke crack and worked area being packed with as a prostitute “off and “queens” and “hustlers.” on.”

People made money by Now, he’s been off “selling drugs and selldrugs for five years and ing themselves,” she said, he works on graffiti and the district was “very removal and other issues dangerous.” (Elizondo in the area. The neighsaid she didn’t deal drugs borhood hasn’t been but she did work as a as impacted by develprostitute.) opment as the Market Someone could Street corridor just a get “thrown in jail for few blocks away, but obstructing the sidehe thinks more develwalk” and people would opment is coming to the get “beat, murdered or Tenderloin. raped” by “tricks or peo “They’re running out ple that just didn’t like of places to build,” he gay people,” she said. said.

Elizondo remembered Monet didn’t show a woman named Rhonda any interest in leaving who died after “one of the district, and he said her tricks cut her breast he feels “very safe” out.” She didn’t know Paul Lee (left) and Louie Lopez stand there.

Rhonda’s last name. outside Aunt Charlie’s Lounge, one of “I think somebody “When you came to the last gay bars in the Tenderloin. called me a motherfuckSan Francisco, you came Photos: Seth Hemmelgarn ing faggot” a few months to San Francisco to start a ago, but “that was somenew life,” she said. “You weren’t who’s straight and heads the sta- one that didn’t know me,” he said. nosey. Most people wanted to for- tion, wasn’t familiar with the “People in the neighborhood ... get the past.” details of the Compton’s riot, they don’t talk like that.” n

Elizondo also recalled but he expressed support for the Compton’s Cafeteria.

The LGBT community and enthu- Seth Hemmelgarn is an assistant 24-hour cafe at the corner of Turk siastically spoke of how, when editor at the Bay Area Reporter. and Taylor streets was the site of he was in college, he examined He can be reached at s.hemmelan August 1966 riot where trans- the Castro’s evolution as a gay garn@ebar.com. gender patrons stood up against mecca. police, who had been called to The San Francisco native’s

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Media Trail ‘Milk’ postponed at Catholic University The Washington Post reports a Catholic University student group postponed a screening of a movie about gay-rights pioneer Harvey Milk after school officials raised questions about a flier linking the event to LGBT Awareness Month.

A chapter of the College Democrats planned to screen “Milk” on the Northeast Washington campus.

A rainbow-covered flier promoting the event urges students to “kick off LGBT Awareness Month” by attending the screening.

The morning of the event, a Catholic student-affairs official who had seen the flier called to ask the group to postpone it.

A university spokesman said Oct. 2 that the reference to LGBT Awareness Month took officials by surprise. He questioned whether the event had turned from education to advocacy.

Mormon leader reiterates marriage opposition According to the Oregonian, a high-ranking Mormon leader reiterated the church’s opposition to gay marriage, but urged members to be gracious toward those who believe differently.

Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of the Twelve said Oct. 4 during the church’s biannual conference that legalizing same-sex marriage is among current world values that challenge Mormon beliefs.

But Oaks said that, while Latter-day Saints may disagree with others, they should not be disagreeable or come off as contentious in explaining their beliefs.

The church’s stance on homosexuality has softened in recent years, but this is the third consecutive conference in which leaders have said marriage should be limited to a man and a woman, as God created.

Last October, Oaks said human laws cannot “make moral what God has declared immoral.”

Kristi House to expand services to boys, gay youth The Miami Herald reports a Miami organization that helps victims of sex trafficking is one of four nationwide to receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Kristi House will receive $450,000 over three years to add a community-mentoring

program and expand services to boys, transgender and questioning youth.

Kristi House operates a drop-in center where children receive services to help them escape sexual exploitation. Services include support groups, education, therapy and recreational programs to help exploited girls.

Under the new DOJ grant, the organization will recruit and train community mentors and provide an array of support services to empower girls, boys and LGBTQ youth to move past their experiences with victimization.

Lincoln schools’ trans training causes worry The Lincoln Journal Star reports at least one parent is protesting steps public schools in Lincoln, Neb., have taken to address transgender issues.

Rachel Terry has children at Lincoln Southeast High School and Irving Middle School, and she’s sent emails to other parents asking them to join her at an October school board meeting.

“By sidelining academic teacher training and replacing it with social re-engineering, the LPS administration has placed a higher priority on social reformation than on education,’’ Terry said.

During administrative training days before the school year began, district officials spoke with school leaders to help them better understand issues transgender students face.

Handouts were given to teachers on suggestions to make students feel comfortable.

One was titled “12 easy steps on the way to gender-inclusiveness,” that among other recommendations, advised avoiding “gendered’’ expressions, such as “boys and girls.”

The handout said teachers could opt for more specific terms, such as “calling all readers,” or “hey, campers.”

Brenda Leggiardo, the district’s coordinator of social workers and counselors, said the district has trained staff on social issues for many years, but this is the first year they’ve specifically discussed transgender issues.

“The agenda we’re promoting is to help all kids succeed,” Leggiardo said. “We have kids who come to us with a whole variety of circumstances, and we need to equitably serve all kids.”

Leggiardo said the handouts also stressed the impact words can have on others.

Irving Principal Susette Taylor said she held a staff session that included speakers from the earlier administrative session, because she thought they were effective. The handouts, she said, weren’t intended as rules staff must follow, but as suggestions to make students feel at ease in school.

Student Services Director Ross Uhing said it’s important for all students to feel welcomed and comfortable at school, particularly for LGBT students. They are at a higher risk of being bullied, having mental-health issues and committing suicide, he said. n — compiled by Larry Nichols

PGN NEWS

International Taiwan: Thousands campaign for same-sex marriage A coalition of more than 120 gay-rights groups campaigned outside the Taiwanese parliament in Taipei Oct. 5 for the legalization of same-sex marriage.

Organized by the Marriage Equality Revolution Front, the gathering drew an estimated 20,000 people outside the Legislative Yuan, although some media reports put the number between 2,0004,000.

As part of the demonstration, activists attached 112 padlocks with the names of each legislator to the parliament gates.

They had sent keys for each padlock to a corresponding legislator last month, inviting them to unlock the padlocks at the rally.

Hsiao-Fong, coordinator of the NTU Student Association Gender Studio, said: “The marriage-equality bill is a key to real equality. We demand that all legislators, who have not expressed their opinions on the bill, should take over 50 percent of public opinion [for] marriage equality seriously and publicize their support accordingly. Otherwise, your silence will be equal to homophobia.”

The bill, proposed by DPP lawmakers, has been stalled by the Parliament’s judiciary committee since last October.

Last month, six same-sex couples in Taiwan had their marriages rejected after attempting to register en masse.

Former U.K. leader: Gay adoption is ‘child trafficking’ As tens of thousands of antigay French protesters took to the streets of Paris and Bordeaux Oct. 5, British ex-councilor Alan Craig stood to condemn IVF and surrogacy for gays as “child trafficking.”

The former leader of the Christian Peoples Alliance warned protesters gathered in Paris that gay-rights causes like marriage equality have caused a shutdown of freedom of speech in the United Kingdom.

He said: “We allow conscientious objectors even in time of war but teachers and marriage registrars — even van drivers — can lose their jobs in the U.K. if they express traditional or religious views about marriage and sexual relationships.”

Craig also condemned IVF and surrogacy as “child trafficking.”

“All children have an inalienable human right to their birth mother and father,” he said.

The adamantly antigay Manif Pour Tous (Protest for All) organized the demonstrations.

The campaign claims surrogacy and IVF are anti-family, and some equated surrogate mothers to slaves. Others said the next step would be commercially producing babies, to allow gay and lesbian couples to take their pick.

Craig, an ex-councilor for the London Borough of Newham, was nominated for Stonewall’s Bigot of the Year Award in 2012.

The year before, he caused outrage by comparing gay-equality advocates to the invading forces of Nazi Germany, dubbing them the “Gaystapo.”

Amnesty calls for release of jailed Brit Amnesty International has called for the immediate release of Ray Cole, who has been jailed for “homosexual acts” in Morocco.

Cole, 69, a retired magazine publisher from Deal in Kent, was arrested last month during a holiday to Marrakesh to visit a Moroccan man, Jamal Jam Wald Nass.

On Oct. 2, he was found guilty of “homosexual acts” and sentenced to four months behind bars, alongside Jam Wald Nass.

Kate Allen, the director of Amnesty U.K., said: “Ray Cole should be released immediately. Homosexuality is not a crime. This is not the first time this year we have seen people in Morocco jailed purely on the basis of their sexuality. The fact that this case involves a British man throws an international spotlight on Morocco’s unacceptable penal code, which criminalizes homosexuality, as well as sex outside of marriage.”

Charlie Elphicke, the Conservative member for Dover, cautioned travel to Morocco.

“I urge people not to visit Morocco,” he said. “If you go there you are at serious risk of facing trumped-up charges for medieval crimes. The message is clear.

Morocco is not safe for British tourists.”

Out Tory MP Nigel Evans has said he will take the case up with Moroccan ambassador Princess Lalla Joumala Alaoui — the cousin of the country’s monarch, King Mohammed VI. Labour LGBT envoy Michael Cashman has also condemned Morocco, telling PinkNews: “This man should be released immediately. If not, then the Moroccans must face the economic and diplomatic consequences that will follow.”

Mike Freer, Conservative Party Vice Chair and MP for Finchley and Golders Green, added: “Morocco needs to decide if it wants to be a modern, tolerant tourist-welcoming country or not.” n — compiled by Larry Nichols

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

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We put our thoughts in PGN each week, and now it’s your turn to add your voice to the mix. Best of LGBT Philly gives our readers the chance to tell us who you think are our community standouts. From the people to the places to the parties, if you love it, tell us!

There are two ways to vote — online for you ’Net-savvy folks and in a good old-fashioned paper ballot for our print-loyal readers. Vote in every category, or just in the ones you care about. And if you think you, your organization or your business should be among the winners, make sure to tell your friends, family and friends of family to vote.

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Mail paper ballots to 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147, or fax them to 215-9256437.To vote, visit surveymonkey.com/s/BOLGBT2014, or pick your favorites on this form and mail it or drop it off to 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147, or fax it to 215-9256437.

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allegedly gave to police shortly after his arrest was entered into evidence.

Sargent told Detective Paul Guercio he met Williams during the early-morning hours of July 13, 2013, on Old York Road near Erie Avenue after an evening of consuming alcohol and cocaine.

Sargent said he invited Williams to his Strawberry Mansion residence, and she agreed to go.

In the statement, both Sargent and Guercio continually refer to Williams as a male. “[After oral sex] we started groping and I felt something,” Sargent told Guercio. “I said, ‘You gotta get the fuck out.’ He [sic] said, ‘You better pay me my money.’ I said ‘no.’ And then we started tussling. I was trying to push him [sic] out of the house. He [sic] pulled out a razor knife and started slashing at me.

I grabbed his [sic] hand and put him [sic] in a hand-bar lock.

When I did that, I think the knife cut him [sic] on his neck. When I tried to pull the knife out of his [sic] hand, he [sic] fell down on the ground. I was able to get the knife out of his [sic] hand.

He [sic] was on the ground and I kicked him [sic] a couple of times out of anger. I didn’t realize he was cut.”

Next, Sargent said he went down to the basement to get a screwdriver.

“I thought he [sic] was going to get up. I ran downstairs and grabbed a screwdriver. When I went back upstairs, he [sic] was trying to get up. I think I stabbed him [sic]. I stood back and made sure he [sic] really wasn’t getting up.”

Then, Sargent said, he wrapped Williams’ body in sheets.

“I was scared and paranoid and I was wondering what I was going to do with it,” Sargent said.

So he dragged Williams’ body down to the basement, and “chopped it up,” Sargent said.

Sargent used a knife and a hatchet to dismember Williams’ body, before placing her body parts in six to eight heavy-duty trash bags.

Two days later, he made several trips on foot to a nearby vacant lot, where he cut open the bags and deposited Williams’ body parts, he said.

Also during the hearing, Sargent’s then-fiance, Veronica Johnson, testified that she returned home from work around 8 a.m. July 13, 2013, and noticed that Sargent was acting strangely.

He was nude, had blood on him, and appeared to be “agi-

tated,” she said.

She said Sargent pulled something wrapped in sheets from the second floor down to the basement door. Later she heard “bangs” emanating from the basement.

It remains unclear why Johnson didn’t immediately call police.

Instead, Sargent wasn’t arrested until six days later, when Johnson’s son, Lamar, called police.

Assistant District Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur said Johnson has cooperated with authorities and hasn’t been charged with any criminal wrongdoing.

Sargent told Guercio that Johnson wasn’t involved in Williams’ death.

DIamond was a good girl. She had her faults, like everyone else. But there’s no excuse for [Sargent’s] behavior. I want him to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

“She was more afraid of me, of what I could possibly do to her. I regret what I did that day. I had to defend myself. But I made some bad decisions after that. I felt my life was in danger when he [sic] pulled out that blade and cut my arm. I felt that it was do or die.”

Defense attorney J. Michael Farrell argued that Sargent doesn’t appear to be mentally competent to stand trial.

But Municipal Judge David C. Shuter held Sargent on all charges: first-degree murder, possessing an instrument of crime and abuse of corpse.

Sargent’s arraignment is scheduled for 11 a.m. Oct. 29 in Courtroom 1104 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert Street.

Several LGBTs attended the hearing to show support for Williams, who was 30 when she was killed.

“Diamond was a good girl,” said Naiymah Sanchez, a friend.

“She had her faults, like everyone else. But there’s no excuse for [Sargent’s] behavior. I want him to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. What happened is inexcusable.” n

NEWS PGN MAZZONI from page 1

In the recent series, the first arrest was Dec. 1, 2013, in Whitemarsh Township, where Chaban was charged with DUI, disorderly conduct, drug possession, careless driving and related traffic violations. His blood-alcohol level was .162, about twice the legal limit.

On May 18, he was arrested in Conshohocken for drug possession, possession of paraphernalia, public drunkenness, defiant trespass, disorderly conduct and use of obscene language. In that case, according to Assistant District Attorney Brad Richman, captain of the DA’s DUI Unit, the owners of a Conshohocken bar ejected Chaban for being too intoxicated but he refused to leave and, upon his arrest, police discovered five blue pills that were found to be diazepam, an anti-anxiety medication.

On July 8, he was again arrested in Conshohocken and charged with DUI, public drunkenness, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and nearly 40 counts of drug possession. He was parked in front of a fire hydrant and when police asked him to move, he was visibility intoxicated and attempted to flee on foot. According to Richman, Chaban admitted to the arresting officer he had been drinking and police found 39 blue pills that Chaban told police were Valium, a brand name of diazepam. The pills have not yet been tested, Richman said.

The following day, Chaban was arrested for DUI after getting into a car accident.

His final DUI arrest came after an incident last month, in which he allegedly was the driver in a hit-and-run accident Sept. 12 on Stenton Avenue at Butler Pike. His black Chevy Corvette struck the rear of a stopped Ford150 truck and he drove off, but was then involved in a second crash. He refused to consent to a blood test so it is unclear if he was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

Bail in each case ranged from $5,000$15,000.

Richman noted that at the beginning of this year, the county started a DUI Court, to streamline the hearing of DUI cases, and the corresponding DUI Unit, comprised of Richman and three ADAs. “When we see multiple arrests like this, we file a bail revocation, usually even when there’s a second arrest. This one slipped through for whatever reason, but the district judge set additional bail with each arrest, the last one even being unsecured,” Richman explained. “But, this man is a perfect case in point — he was out continuing to drive, continuing to get into accidents and he could end up killing someone. So we filed the motion to revoke bail. This guy needs to be in custody, needs to start drying out, detoxing and go right into rehab. He can’t be out on the street continuing to operate a motor vehicle and putting himself and others at risk.”

According to financial records, Chaban’s salary at the end of 2012 was $121,448, an $11,000 increase over the previous year. The organization reported income of $10.2 million in 2012, with net assets of $3.2 million. n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

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Honorable Honorable Mention, Mention, Sports Sports Photo: Photo: Spartans Spartans tournament tournament

Enterprise Reporting

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Jewish

The LGBT Jewish Initiative of Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia invites you to join us for

SukkOUT: A Celebration of Sukkot coinciding with Philadelphia Outfest Community members will gather in the beautiful courtyard of the Anderson Apartments to celebrate the holiday with wine and light fare (vegetarian). Please bring non-perishable food items for Federation’s Mitzvah Food Project and The Mazzoni Center Food Bank.

Special Guest: Elinor Sidi of The Jerusalem Open House for Pride and Tolerance

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2014 | 6 - 7:30 PM JOHN C. ANDERSON APARTMENTS 251 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia Couvert • $18 There will be no solicitation of funds at this event

To RSVP by October 7, or for more information, contact Jay W. Steinberg: 215.832.0888 or jsteinberg@jfgp.org HONORARY CHAIRS

HOST COMMITTEE

Chris Bartlett Mark Segal

Craig Blackman Gary Bramnick David Gold

Malcolm Lazin Lee Rosenfield Joan A. Levin Lynn Zeitlin Michael Palumbaro Heshie Zinman

PGN

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Page 55

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

PGN

We put our energy into celebrating pride.

At PECO, we’re proud to support the LGBT community. So much so that the Exelon family of companies was recently recognized with the “2014 Corporate Equality Index Best Place to Work for LGBT Employees” award. Not to mention, PECO received the “Best Business” award at the Pride Day LGBT Parade and Festival for the second year in a row.

We’re committed to LGBT inclusion and equality because we believe that working with individuals with different perspectives and backgrounds drive some of the most powerful outcomes. It’s what makes us proud to be a part of Exelon and happy to celebrate the power of diversity.

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www.peco.com

4/29/14 12:05 PM

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Phila Gay News2_10.125x11_Press.pdf

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AC ul t ure rts

PGN FEATURE

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

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

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Bill T. Jones: Remembering the Time

Acclaimed choreographer brings new book to Philly

By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Acclaimed out choreographer and dancer Bill T. Jones takes fans on a journey through one of his pivotal works, and the performers and times that inspired it, with his new book, “Story/Time: The Life of an Idea.”

Part-autobiography, part-career reassessment, the book delves into details about Jones’ view on the artist/audience interaction and the ideas of indeterminacy, a concept created and championed by writer, composer and artist John Cage.

Jones himself continues to be a driving force in the world of choreography, having co-founded the legendary Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company with then-life-partner Zane.

The company, which joined up with Dance Theater Workshop to become New York Live Arts in 2011, is acclaimed for its performances all over the world. Jones has also made his mark on Broadway, having written and choreographed the hit

musical “Fela!” which eared him a Tony and a Drama Desk Award for best choreography.

In “Story/Time,” Jones describes the genesis of the recent dance work of the same name produced by his company, and inspired by the modernist composer Cage.

The book, like the performance, features a series of minute-long stories about Jones’ childhood as part of a Southern family that migrated to upstate New York, his struggles to find a place for himself in a white-dominated dance world and about his encounters with artists and musicians. One of those artists, C a g e , intrigued h i m with an idea of avantgarde m o d ernism and disregard for audience response that became

known as indeterminacy.

Jones described his experience of seeing Cage’s work for the first time in 1972, when he was a student at SUNY Binghamton, as bewildering and boring, but it stayed with him long after.

“It was a comfort and a provocation, and he remains that,” he said of Cage. “It’s become an even-stronger idea as time has gone on. Do I like everything that he came up with?

I’m not that type of audience member. I don’t immediately decide that I like something. [I ask] was it interesting? Was it something that I can use?

Because I’m very interested in art making an impact in the world of ideas. So John Cage to me will always remain a banquet of ideas. My own personal tastes, what I listen to for pleasure; I wake up listening to Luther Vandross. Today I was listening to Gillian Welch. That’s all music for my pleasure. When I go looking for discourse and meaning, I find the music and works of John Cage essential.”

Bewildering and boring usually aren’t two emotional states that go together, but even Jones himself described this book and the works it is based upon as “conflicted.” He noted the feelings of anger that came from the growing realization that he has never had an intellectual home.

“It’s very much something I’ve

been dealing with,” Jones said. “Persons like myself who are involved in the world of ideas might be inclined to feel that way when they realize that ideas are in some ways like a mirage. You are on your own here.

You have to figure it out and make up things as you go. I think what you have in front of you are the choices made by the speaker.

They are indeterminant. John Cage felt that indeterminacy was a tool, a way to get to an end.”

The one-minute stories Jones wrote for the performances of “Story/Time” are included in the book, transcribed down to the second at which each word in the story is spoken when performed. The stories are also numbered in the order they are written, which is not the order in which they are performed.

We wondered if stories, presented in such detail and removed from the context of a live performance, were supposed to allow the audience to focus more on them.

That may or may not have been the idea, Jones said.

“It’s another experience,” he added. “It provides another avenue of looking at something, which is what I mean by the discourse. Turn it around and look at it that way. The idea has no destination. It’s something for people to wrap their minds around. What’s the message? Where are you going? What does it mean?”

Eager to keep the liberal-arts beach ball of thought in the air, we asked if we could take the stories out of the show’s order and rearrange them chronologically.

“It would certainly change something about the experience,” Jones said. “I don’t know if it would PAGE 60

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FEATURE PGN in my life. I don’t have other ideas like that.

I’m constantly going back and cannibalizing, taking ideas and context out of there.

There are some works that I fantasize about going back to because of their ideas. Would I remake them or try to take another swipe at them? There’s a series of dances that I made in the early 2000s and I feel the musical scores are so rich that I could revisit those pieces, just to see if I could go deeper into it. Indeterminacy and ‘Story/Time’ are someone else’s idea that seemed to be infinitely flexible. Therefore, it resulted in this series of lectures and this book.” n

JONES from page 59

make it better or worse.

I ordered them because, myself, I wanted to be aware of how they grew. Indeterminacy tells us there are many ways they can be ordered. I know for a fact that John Cage has a novel of indeterminant stories. He has various systems of stories that he has cut up. They can be read with other organizing principles.

Some could be read in a chronological order.

I think that is what is so much fun about it.

Right now, in the performances we are doing as a company in New York City, I have been doing three or four new versions of ‘Story/Time.’

One of them is the classic one. The other is called ‘History,’ where I have gone through all my stories looking for those that talk about the early days of Arnie [Zane] and my working together.”

With so many acclaimed performance pieces to his credits, we asked Jones if he plans to detail any of his other shows in

print like he has with “Story/Time.” He said this book isn’t so much a retrospective as it is the exploration of another artist’s concept and what Jones did with it.

“I wanted to talk about how one idea that

“Story/Time: The Life of an Idea” is available Photo: Abbey Braden in stores now. Bill T. Jones will be participating in a live Q&A a person might have can stay with someone their whole life and evolve,” he said. “None with Tamala Edwards of 6ABC Action News has been more durable than the idea that 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Central Library, 1901 John Cage had about chance and indetermi- Vine St. For more information, call 215nacy. It’s been there for many, many years 567-4341 or visit www.billtjones.org.

I now pronounce you husband and husband ...

PGN is happy to publish your wedding/civil union/commitment ceremony announcement. E-mail information to editor@epgn.com or fax us at (215) 925-6437.

12200 - DAS 2014 Phila Gay News Outfest October 12, 2014_Layout 1 9/30/14 1:53 PM Page 1 PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

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YOU RECOGNIZE A CLASSIC WHEN YOU SEE IT One of the nation’s most highly acclaimed antiques shows presents a spectacular showcase of art, antiques, and design! Featuring the finest offerings from more than 60 distinguished dealers, the Delaware Antiques Show highlights the best of American antiques and decorative arts.

Join us for a full schedule of exciting show features sure to captivate the sophisticated and new collector alike.

November 7–9, 2014 Chase Center on the Riverfront Wilmington, Delaware Benefits Educational Programming at Winterthur

OPENING NIGHT PARTY

Thursday, November 6 • 5:00–9:00 pm Celebrate the opening of the show with cocktails and exclusive early shopping!

Opening Night Party made possible by

For tickets to the show or party or for more information, please call 800.448.3883 or visit winterthur.org/das.

Exhibitors

A Bird in Hand Antiques Mark and Marjorie Allen Artemis Gallery Diana H. Bittel Antiques Philip H. Bradley Co. Joan R. Brownstein Marcy Burns American Indian Arts, LLC HL Chalfant Fine Art and Antiques John Chaski Antiques Dixon-Hall Fine Art Colette Donovan Peter H. Eaton The Federalist Antiques, Inc. M. Finkel & Daughter Garthoeffner Gallery Antiques Georgian Manor Antiques

James & Nancy Glazer Antiques Samuel Herrup Antiques Ita J. Howe Stephen and Carol Huber Barbara Israel Garden Antiques Jewett-Berdan Antiques Johanna Antiques Christopher H. Jones Arthur Guy Kaplan James M. Kilvington, Inc. Joe Kindig Antiques Kelly Kinzle Antiques Greg K. Kramer & Co. William R. and Teresa F. Kurau James M. Labaugh Antiques Polly Latham Asian Art

Leatherwood Antiques Bernard and S. Dean Levy, Inc. Nathan Liverant and Son Antiques Malcolm Magruder Mellin’s Antiques Newsom & Berdan Antiques Olde Hope Antiques, Inc. Oriental Rugs, Ltd. Janice Paull The Philadelphia Print Shop, Ltd. James L. Price Antiques Sumpter Priddy III, Inc. Christopher T. Rebollo Antiques Stella Rubin Russack & Loto Books, LLC Schoonover Studios, Ltd.

Schwarz Gallery Stephen Score, Inc. Elle Shushan Somerville Manning Gallery Spencer Marks, Ltd. Stephen-Douglas Antiques Steven F. Still Antiques Gary R. Sullivan Antiques, Inc. Jeffrey Tillou Antiques Jonathan Trace Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge Maria & Peter Warren Antiques Bette & Melvyn Wolf, Inc. RM Worth Antiques Show managed by Diana Bittel

BOOKS PGN

PGN Guide to the Gayborhood

The Philadelphia Gayborhood is roughly centered at 12th and Camac streets. Look for the rainbow street signs at intersections and remember to be aware of your surroundings wherever you go.

Rosewood

1302 Walnut St. 215.336.1335 rosewood-bar.com Cozy, elegantly-appointed bar with high-end specialty cocktails

Voyeur

Woody’s

❍ ❍

<—

❍

Tabu

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

202 S. 13th St. 215.545.1893 woodysbar.com Bar complex with American-style bar food and large dance floor

200 S. 12th St. 215.964.9675 tabuphilly.com Sports bar serving bar food with frequent special events on second floor

The Bike Stop

Four-level leather bar; basement enforces a dress code; secondfloor pool table and big-screen sports action

Walnut St. Chancellor St.

❍

❍

St. James St.

❍ Locust St.

❍

❒

❍

❍ Manning St.

❍

11th St.

<—

Latimer St.

Quince St.

While marriage-equality wins sweep the nation — minutes before PGN’s interview with author Anne Balay, the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for same-sex marriage in nearly a dozen more states — the notion that being LGBT is becoming more accepted is also gaining traction.

But, there remain wide swatches of the LGBT community who still routinely face discrimPhoto: Anne Balay ination and harassment.

“There’s a sense in our culture that it’s becoming increasingly easy to be gay,” Balay said. “Marriage legislation is all over TV and especially a lot of young people are coming up thinking, What’s the big deal?

But that’s so not their experience.”

The “their” Balay is referring to is the dozens of LGBT steelworkers she interviewed for her new book, “Steel Closets: Voices of Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Steelworkers.” Balay and one of the subjects she interviewed — a trans steelworker from Pennsylvania — will be in town next week for a book-reading event at Blue Big Marble Bookstore.

“Steel Closets” is rooted in Balay’s interest — and experience — in blue-collar communities. The Connecticut native moved to Chicago for college and went on to earn her Ph.D — before switching gears and becoming a car mechanic.

“There aren’t a lot of jobs for English Ph.Ds, and I’ve always been interested in blue-collar work, especially queer people in blue-collar work, so I thought the best way to look into it would be by personally doing it,” she said, noting that she faced much more pushback in her job for being a woman than for being queer. “No one really gave a crap about me being gay, but they did about me being female.”

Balay worked at the car shop for about six years before returning to teaching. After moving to Gary, Ind. — which was founded by a steel company — she said she was prompted to research the conditions for LGBT steelworkers.

“Steelworkers have a really unique life.

You’re isolated from your community, the work is really dangerous, and I was curious what it’s like to be gay out there,” she said.

“I went to look into it and there was just nothing, no published research of any kind.

So based on the weird uniqueness of my own experience, I thought I could possibly get access to people in this community to figure out what life was like for them.”

She was able to attain that access by establishing trust within LGBT circles.

“At the beginning I went to the local gay bars. I went often and got to be a familiar

face and, when people got comfortable, I started talking about what I was looking for, how I wanted to do research,” Balay said. “These people were very hidden so I had to talk to them about the stories and keep everything secret, assure them they couldn’t be discovered. But even though they’re hidden, they also know that their stories are important.”

Those stories were often hard to hear.

There was one period in which three subjects in a row recounted their rape.

“These are people with hard lives. After the third person talked about their rape, I had to take a break for a bit,” she said. “But one of the coolest things about these people is their ability to describe their experiences but also their ability to go on having meaningful lives. It was so hard for them to describe the rape, but it didn’t break them.

They had these experiences and they didn’t let them stop them or immobilize them or shape how they reacted to other people.”

The subject joining Balay in Philadelphia began working at the steel mill about two decades ago, identifying as a butch lesbian, and transitioned on the job.

“Most gay people in the mills survive by hiding. There’s a huge amount of harassment and hatred directed toward gay people, but if you can’t figure out who they are, you can’t harass them. But, when someone changes their gender, you can’t hide that; all that anger is going to be directed at that person,” Balay said. “The amount of harassment and violence experienced by trans people in the steel mills is really horrifying. But this is someone who survived years, didn’t quit, wouldn’t back down.”

He was later laid off from his position, and is pursuing a law degree.

One woman Balay interviewed was nearing the end of her battle with leukemia and other illnesses contracted from a life in the steel mills. But she didn’t blame the work.

“It didn’t make her hate it. She still felt happy to have a meaningful job, even though she’s dying from it; there’s so much irony to that,” Balay said. “I wanted to condemn what has been done to these people but they didn’t let me; they’d say, ‘No, it’s more complicated than that.’ They have handled some of the hardest things I’ve ever heard of, but they’re still generous and not blaming a world that has been hard on them. It gave me a new understanding of what it means to be a hero, a survivor.”

One of the goals of the workers in “Steel Closets,” Balay said, is to paint a more realistic picture of the LGBT community.

“The media presents one image of what it means to be gay or queer — a white, male middle-class architect — but that’s only one side of what it means to be queer. To be responsible, social-justice-minded queer people, we have to help these stories be told.” n Anne Balay will read from “Steel Closets” 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane. For more information, visit www.annebalay.com.

Since 1976

12th St.

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

The

Camac St.

Author breaks open ‘steel closets’

13th St.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Juniper St.

Page 62

❍ Spruce St.

William Way LGBT Community Center

1315 Spruce St. 215.732.2220 waygay.org

A resource for all things LGBT

Westbury

261 S. 13th St. 215.546.5170 thewestburybar.net The original Philly sports bar/restaurant with 20 craft beers on tap and game-day specials

U Bar 1220 Locust St. 215.546.6660

Relaxing corner bar, easy-going crowd, popular for happy hour and window watching

Tavern on Camac West of Broad Street Stir Lounge

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

The Attic Youth Center

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

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

Knock 225 S. 12th St. 215.925.1166 knockphilly.com Fine -dining restaurant and bar with outdoor seating (weather permitting)

ICandy

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

Venture Inn 255 S. Camac St. 215.545.8731 Bar and restaurant with frequent entertainment

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

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Page 63

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

CONNECTING. COMMUNITY.

PGN

PGN PROFILE

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Page 65

Suzi Nash

Dirk Allen: Flying to 50, forever young “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”

— Mark Twain This week’s profile, Dirk Allen, doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, he’s inviting the whole community to come celebrate his birthday this weekend at The Ascend Lounge at Tavern on Camac. An original founder of the Blue Redo fundraisers that ran in conjunction with Blue Ball weekend, Dirk (aka Azure), along with his partner Glenn (aka Perriwinkle) and friend David (aka Cobalt), has decided to do one last Redo-type event, a fun fundraiser and tea dance to raise money for the LGBT Elder Initiative. Fittingly named “Forever Young,” the bash is being held Oct. 12.

PGN: Tell me a little about yourself and familia.

DA: I come from a sports family. I have what I call good jock stock. My dad, John “Johnny” Allen, played center for the Redskins for four years. It was kind of cool growing up in D.C. and having your dad be a former Redskins player. A lot of people mistakenly thought I was the son of Ray Allen, who was the coach as I was growing up, but we’re not related. My mom taught swimming year-round for 55 years and she taught several future Olympians how to swim. My sister was a good athlete as well but it was before Title IX, so she didn’t have as many opportunities as girls do today.

Now two of my three nieces play Division I lacrosse in college. And my brother also played football at Boston College. I was a cheerleader in college and got a varsity letter for it. It was nice because my dad and brother were both as proud as could be about it. My dad stayed involved with Redskins alumni for a long time and I got an internship at one point with the NFL Players Association while I was in college.

I actually thought that was going to be a career path for a while. I didn’t have the athletic ability of my dad or my brother but I thought I would go into some sort of sports management. They never pushed me necessarily into sports but I truly enjoy them, though I have to say it’s difficult living in Philadelphia being a Redskins fan.

Especially now with the name controversy.

PGN: Speaking of name controversy … is Dirk Allen your real name and, if so, were your parents hoping for a porn star?

DA: [Laughs] Yes, they were very forward-thinking! Actually it’s a funny story.

My sister’s name is Vicki and my brother is Vinny and I was slated to be Vernon.

Thankfully, my Uncle Tom interceded at the 11th hour and persuaded my mom to rethink it. At the last minute, she came up with Dirk. My dad thought she’d said Kirk — named after Kirk Douglas — so for the first week of my life, my dad was calling me by the wrong name!

PGN: That’s hysterical!

DA: Everyone always thinks it’s short for something or somehow manage to mangle the name. In grade school my classmates called me Derek and I was too shy to correct them. Or if they got it right, they would twist it to make a joke out of it. Kids can be cruel so I would get called Dirt or Dick or Dork. I like to think it toughened me up.

PGN: What sort of things were you involved with as a kid?

DA: A lot of sports — football in the fall, basketball in the winter, baseball in the spring and swimming in the summer. I was a lifeguard for six years. I was shy but energetic. I was involved in a lot of scholastic stuff, the vice president of my senior class, etc. The president was a friend who came out shortly after I did. We still get together with a small group of other friends for a “Big Chill” weekend about once a year.

PGN: When was it that you came out?

DA: It was in stages. I was a curious lad, born in the district, then my family moved to Maryland when I was little. We were close to the University of Maryland and I had my first gay sexual experience there on the campus. I was 15 and discovered a few cruisey areas where I was able to connect with people. I was still in high school and dating girls but had my secret life.

decided to stay in California with family members and see how I liked it out there. I thought it would be easier to come out and be out in California than it was in D.C. My family was somewhat prominent and there was always a fear that someone would recognize me in a gay bar. I was always looking over my shoulder. Even in college, instead of going to the bars near me in D.C., I would drive to Baltimore. So after a month-and-ahalf I came back East to pack my things and move to San Diego. I was living at home during the interim and, as I was packing, my mother stuck her head in the door and said, “If you have a minute, I’d like to talk with you.” Now I have a wonderful family but we were never the type to display much emotion or reflection or have heavy conversations, so I knew it was something major.

We were in the kitchen and she prefaced the conversation by letting me know that she and my father loved me very much and that they didn’t want me to move 3,000 miles away because of something I didn’t think they could handle. She said it was regard-

PGN: Wow! You might have gotten someone arrested!

DA: I know! I look back at it and think, Oh boy, the things I did then! Ironically, my parents were the first people to officially know, when in my mind they were going to be the last to know.

PGN: Why was that?

DA: They are both from a small town and always espoused conservative values. My dad was a wonderful man but would occasionally crack gay jokes at the dinner table.

I just didn’t think they would be very receptive or welcoming to a gay son. But to my surprise, my mother asked me when I was least expecting it. I went to the University of Maryland and was living in a fraternity house. I would go home about every other weekend to do laundry and visit the folks.

I had girlfriends but didn’t parade them around like my brother, who had lots of great-looking girlfriends. Growing up, we never really traveled much — the annual Easter car trip to visit my grandparents in Ohio and that was about it. It wasn’t until I became a cheerleader that I got to travel to different cities for games. We were on our way to a game in Detroit and the pilots let us into the cockpit — probably because they wanted to see the female cheerleaders — but it made me think this would be a cool job once I graduate. I got flown out to California to interview with Western Airlines and I

ing my sexuality. Can you say “gulp?”

Growing up I had never heard the words “I love you.” I knew I was loved; they came to every sporting event and anything I was ever involved in, but it was just never spoken. To hear those words was powerful and a relief to know that they cared so much about my happiness. I played it off by saying, “Well, I like women and I like men.” Then she said, “I’m going to have to tell your father about this.” I got down on my knees and pleaded with her not to tell him. I didn’t think the

old man could actually handle hearing it confirmed. They went out to dinner the next night and I was in the living room pretending to watch TV when I heard them come in.

I was steeling myself for a negative response from my father. I felt his presence behind me and when I turned around he was standing in the doorway and he … [There’s a long pause as Allen’s eyes fill with tears.]

PGN: Do you need some water?

DA: No. [Smiles] I still have a hard time getting through this without getting emotional. He just came up to me and gave me a big bear hug and told me he loved me. He pretty much reiterated what my mother said: “I just want you to be happy and healthy and I don’t care if you’re gay.” It was one of the bigger moments in my life. I realized I didn’t give them enough credit for who they were. And it actually brought the whole family together even more; now we never end a phone call without saying I love you. My dad passed away four years ago and, though it was sad, I was able to celebrate the fact that we had such a rich life together. Both of my parents took advantage of my job and we did a lot of traveling. My dad and I especially had some really fun trips together: Often times we would just fly off to see a Redskins game in Arizona or Dallas, just because we could. We’d fly to Chicago or St. Louis or Pittsburgh for a baseball weekend. I was very lucky to share those times with him.

PGN: What was your scariest moment as a flight attendant?

DA: It was about 15 years ago. We were taking off from Portland, Maine. It was a bright September afternoon.

At that airport you take off going straight towards the ocean. We were about halffull, maybe 70 passengers, and as we were taxiing there was a huge boom and a fire flash and the plane began to shudder violently as an acrid Photo: Suzi Nash smell filled the air. My colleague grabbed my arm so hard that I had a bruise for two weeks. We coasted up into the air for about a minute and then the pilot dumped fuel as he turned the plane around for an emergency landing.

We were the lead story on all the Portland news channels that night. It turns out birds had flown into one of the engines and blown it out. The captain was so calm about it, I didn’t realize how precarious a situation it was until the next PAGE 68

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PGN

FILM PGN

Mining valuable lessons from ‘Pride’

By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor A feel-good film, “Pride” chronicles the efforts of an LBGT group in 1984 to raise money to support striking Welsh miners.

This rousing period drama, based on a true story, shows the power of activism and how the LGBT community found solidarity with, and rallied to support, another oppressed group in Thatcher’s England.

The film, directed by Matthew Warchus and written by Stephen Beresford, introduces its queer characters first. Joe (George MacKay) is a closeted 20-year-old student who, at a gay Pride march on June 30, 1984, is unexpectedly asked by Mike (Joseph Gilgun) to help hold a banner.

He soon finds a makeshift family in Mark (Ben Schnetzer), the group’s leader, and Steph (Faye Marsay), the lesbian member, as well as Jonathan (Dominic West) and his lover Gethin (Andrew Scott), a Welsh man who owns the “Gay’s the Word” bookstore, where the group meets.

On Mark’s direction, this ragtag group of queer activists creates “Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners” (LGSM), donating funds they raise to the Dulais Valley miners in South Wales. This prompts Dai (Paddy Considine) to pay the LGSM group a visit. However, when the LGSM visits the miners’ welfare club, Mark’s speech falls on deaf ears. While there are members of the community, including Hefina (Imelda Staunton), Cliff (Bill Nighy) and Sian (Jessica Gunning), who appreciate the LGSM efforts, union leader Maureen (Lisa Palfrey, in a one-note role) strongly objects to the queer group’s support.

“Pride” shows, in slick, inspirational-movie fashion, how the LGSM educated the miners and their wives, bonding with the very-different community. Sian helps the striking miners get released from prison based on the LGSM’s knowledge of the law. On the social front, Jonathan’s dance moves in the welfare club prompt more than one straight miner for a lesson.

Meanwhile, the queer contingent finds a

sense of self-worth in return. Joe becomes emboldened, and Gethin is sparked to make amends with his mother, whom he has not seen in 16 years.

If many of the exchanges in the film play on stereotypes, what is important is that the different groups find common ground against a shared enemy. The lessons of unity are heartfelt. When Mark inspires a woman at a meeting to perform a stirring rendition of “Bread and Roses,” it emphasizes how morale is as important as money.

Such messages may be preachy, but they go down smoothly.

“Pride” also strives for easy laughs when Hefina stays at Gethin and Jonathan’s and finds a dildo and dirty magazines, or when several of the elderly Welsh ladies visit a gay London S&M bar. What makes these pandering scenes work is that the characters are all accepting — even curious about each other — and all want respect. They are all tired for feeling shame or being betrayed by their community. Herein lies the strength of their bond, which never feels false or forced.

Viewers may find themselves fighting tears during “Pride,” which gets increasingly emotional as it marches to its climactic Pride parade. Although the film is quite sentimental and there are few dramatic surprises, there is still something undeniably endearing about this story and these people becoming empowered.

Viewers will be hard-pressed not to be roused by a Welsh woman unexpectedly planting a kiss on Steph or when Sian is inspired to go back to school. Likewise, after a newspaper report, spearheaded by (boo-hiss) Maureen, tags the LGSM as “Pits and Perverts,” Mark takes the epithet and owns it, creating a fundraiser headlined by queer band Bronski Beat, raising thousands. The film soundtrack, as one might expect, features a fabulous collection of ’80s new-wave pop hits.

“Pride” may offer familiar messages of tolerance and dignity, but they ring out loud and clear, and never hurt to be heard. n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

FUN & PGN GAMES

Q Puzzle The gay Jersey Boy Across

1. Where to wallow 5. Branches of a family tree 10. The Phantom of the Opera’s name 14. Etcher’s fluid 15. Islamic deity 16. Moliere’s mommy 17. 1962 hit that Bob Crewe co-wrote for The Four Seasons 20. Ten-inchers, for example 21. Beginning of a hickey?

22. Tin Man’s

request 23. Former NFL player Tuaolo 24. BB propellant 26. Sad piece 28. Jan. 1 until now 29. Batman’s alter ego Bruce 31. Parts of floats 32. “That was good, honey!”

33. Use your tongue 35. Licks, for example 36. 1974 hit that Bob Crewe co-wrote for Patti Labelle 40. Philbin cohost 41. Childcare writer LeShan 42. Place for

Hamburger Mary’s meat 43. “___ roll!” (winner’s cry) 45. Went down on eagerly 47. Vegas opening 50. Cuban coins 51. Hanging spot 52. That is, to Cicero 54. Throw in the towel, with “out” 55. QB’s misfire 57. Freaked out 59. 1967 hit that Bob Crewe co-wrote for The Tremeloes 62. Kind of idol 63. Hot blood 64. Nuts

PORTRAIT from page 65

day, when he told me that if we’d had a full flight, he wouldn’t have been able to lift the plane and we would have probably gone into the ocean. After seeing “the miracle on the Hudson,” I realized the magnitude of what had happened. But in 27 years, that was it.

Normally if you’re on a flight with me you know it’s going to be smooth sailing. I’m fortunate through my job and its perks to be able to have seen a lot of this big wide world. I just got back last Tuesday from a great week-long trip to Ecuador. That was my 94th country. They’ve all been good to great, with varying degrees. New experiences, new things to see and do, new foods to try — it has become a passion of mine, and one that I plan to continue for the next 50 years.

PGN: What was a best experience?

DA: I finally completed my 50th and final state this past spring. I had been in a holding pattern for almost 15 years, stuck at 49 states. With my approaching 50th birthday, Glenn suggested we try to finish off the list.

He had four states to go to and one of those four was my last one. So on a sunny April day we flew from Philadelphia to Oklahoma City. That was in one of his states. Then we proceeded to rent a car and drive through Kansas (state 48 for him), parts of Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa (repeats for us) and onward to South Dakota (49). Then together we crossed into our 50th and final state, and that would be the Peace Garden State of North Dakota. Which incidentally turns out to be the least-visited of the 50 states. When we went by the Visitor Center in Fargo, they asked us what brought us to North Dakota.

When we told them that it was the last of our states to visit, it was as if we said the secret word. Practically balloons and confetti rained from above. We were given an official Last State certificate, got to sign the logbook stating that it was our last of the 50 states, given bunches of mementos such as a refrigerator magnet, which stated “North

65. Gas brand in Canada 66. In concert 67. Aardvark entrees

Down

1. Moms of comedy 2. Most like a polar bear 3. Fixed, but not repaired 4. It can cut leaves of grass 5. Ass attachment?

6. “Damn straight!”

7. Bibliophile’s deg.

8. Unpleasant experience in bed 9. “Beat it!”

10. Mouth-tomouth pro

11. Emulated Lance Bass 12. Make moist, and then some 13. Type of car entry 18. Sorta 19. Moves the head 25. Thankless one 27. Early caucus participant 30. Words of woe, to the Bard 32. Hersey’s “A Bell For ___” 34. “Seinfeld” character from Pakistan 36. Green fruit desserts 37. Peter and Paul, but not Mary

Dakota: Saving the Best for Last.” In addition, we got to take a picture with the actual wood chipper from the movie “Fargo,” fake leg with sock in the chipper and all. So even simple road trips turn out to be great trips in my eyes.

PGN: Jumping ahead, how did you end up in Philadelphia?

DA: Well, I didn’t move to California. Just days after having that conversation with my parents, I interviewed for a job with U.S. Air in Maryland. They hired me and I figured I would do it for two years — travel and see the world and then get a “real job.”

In another pivotal moment, my mother was smart enough to suggest that, instead of quitting, I take an educational leave of absence.

So I went to Northwestern in Chicago for grad school and that’s where Glenn and I met, in the campus gym. I thought perhaps I go back and get into management with the airlines but at that time there was a recession, the Persian Gulf War was raging and job opportunities were limited. Because I’d accrued seniority while I was in school, I was actually making as much as a flight attendant than I would have in management so I stayed with it. Glenn was originally from this area and we both wanted to move back. He worked with Citibank and managed to get a transfer to Newark, Del., so he moved to Philly and I moved back to D.C. and we saw each other on weekends. I really grew to like Philadelphia: the friendliness, the affordability, the culture. Plus, D.C. was going downhill. The final straw for me was when Marion Barry got reelected.

I thought, Do I really want to live in a town who would reelect this guy as mayor? On the flipside, Rendell was the mayor here and there was a very progressive energy in the city. So I transferred here in the spring of ’94. And now Glenn lives in London so we have an even longer commute! Thank goodness for the wonders of telecommunication, FaceTime, etc. Between that and my job we’re able to see each other pretty regularly.

38. Some work AC/DC 39. “High Sierra” star Ida 40. Dorothy Parker delivery 44. Q ___ queen 46. Prods 47. Seduce 48. Apperance 49. Pool parties?

53. Secretary of Perry 56. Trojans’ org.

58. Shrek, for one 60. Brian who collaborated with Bowie 61. Same-sex vow

PGN: How did you get involved with Blue Ball?

DA: So when Glenn and I first moved here, we didn’t really know anybody. We’d worked on an event in Chicago that was a successful fundraiser. It was similar to the Blue Ball event here in Philadelphia. Two of the first people we met when we moved here were Dave Rumsey and Heshie Zinman, who helped us get involved.

There were about 10 of us who worked tirelessly to pull it off each year. Dave, Glenn and I decided to do a welcoming party in our house, called the Blue Redo.

It got so big that the second year we had to move it to Fluid and then later to the Trocadero. I like to think we put the fun in fundraising. And we did some good: On our best year we raised $150,000 for AIDS Information Network. This birthday party is in the same vein and will be the last Blue Redo of them all, with benefits going to the LGBT Elder Initiative. It’s more of a friend-raiser than a fundraiser, to make people aware of them. We have a great DJ, Brian Norwood, Brian Gannon is helping us with a video and Keith Fledderman has been invaluable. It’s going to be an intimate and fun tea dance.

PGN: Best celebrity encounters?

DA: In D.C. we had a lot of politicians, including David Mixner, who tried to hit on me; that was unpleasant because we were stuck on the runway for about six hours, so there was nowhere for me to hide. Ronald Reagan’s advisor and ambassador, Jean Kirkpatrick, who was nice enough but left a mess on the floor, and Olympia Snow who was a very classy woman. Celebrities? Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who was a real sweetheart; Toni Collette, who was completely unrecognizable; Monique, who was a scream; and Kim Kardashian was on my flight about a yearand-a-half ago but she had a blanket over her head the whole flight. She’s about 4-foot-2.

PGN: In this era of terrorists and shoe bombs and Ebola, does your family worry about you flying … Do you?

DA: No, not really. The only time my mother asked me not to fly was when I was going to Israel about 10 years ago.

Ironically, flying El Al is probably one of the safest airlines to fly.

PGN: So why is Dirk Allen so loved?

DA: I think I’m a good person, a kind person. I try to treat people as I wish to be treated. A friend once called me “pathologically social” and I take that as a compliment. I’m truly interested in learning about other people and listening to them. I enjoy meeting new people and having different experiences with friends. And I get back a lot of what I give, so I’m very blessed in a lot of ways. I have an exceptional family, an exceptional partner and exceptional friends. I’m a lucky guy. n Forever Young will be held 4 p.m. at Ascend Lounge at Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac St. For more information, visit http://foreveryoungdjnorwood.wordpress. com.

To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.

PGN

S K N S K O A I C T E W UES NLO S. Q O U ER T NSW A

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

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DINING PGNOUT

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

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By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com With all the new restaurants — and their grand openings and grand closings in Center City with the speed and frequency of a revolving door — it’s nice to visit a place like McGillin’s Olde Ale House, 1310 Drury St., that has been around for quite a long time. The Irish pub has been dated to 1860, back when the Philadelphia Parking Authority was slapping tickets and boots on horses.

Wow, that is olde.

If you are looking for the newest, edgiest American fusion dishes, you probably haven’t wrapped your head around how a pub stays open for more than 150 years.

How? It’s by offering classic pub fare and Irish comfort dishes designed to soak up copious amounts of beer in the gullets of happy sports barflies and the front line of downtown Philly’s happy-hour crowd.

The most modern things on their menu are coconut-dipped fried shrimp ($10.99) and the hummus platter ($6.99). Did we mention there is plenty of booze on hand to temporarily pacify your vegan friends, who get huffy when there’s an eight-page menu and only three or four things on it they can eat?

But you really, really, really need to make a beeline to their wings ($7.49 for 10; $14.99 for 25; or $26.49 for 50), which are available in buffalo, Thai and BBQ style. The buffalo wings are perfect. No one is trying to reinvent the wing or invent

new ways to test your tolerance for intense spiciness. They are just the perfect size, perfectly fried with the flawless, classic buffalo-wing flavor.

Sticking with classic pub fare is the way to go here. Oktoberfest might be over on the streets but the German sausage platter ($9.99) keeps the party going on your plate.

Much like our livers, the knockwurst and bratwurst, marinated in beer, making them plump and tasty with onions and pickled cabbage.

You might be tempted to go with the shepherd’s pie ($9.99), but we were drawn to the mile-high meatloaf ($8.99). With the exception of the massive onion ring clinging to the top of the latter like a mountain goat on Matterhorn, the two dishes are homey and inviting stacks of meat, potatoes, gravy and veggies, and either one will leave you stuffed like a winter Sunday dinner.

McGillin’s has a formula that has stood the test of time and we can see why. We love the adventurousness of the newer Gayborhood restaurants but McGillin’s will probably outlive us all. Cheers! n

If you go McGillin’s Olde Ale House 1310 Drury St. 215-735-5562 www.mcgillins.com Mon.-Sun.: 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Page 71

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Page 72

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

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Page 73

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Page 74

PGN FILM

Film fest scores big with LGBT flicks

By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor The 23rd Philadelphia Film Festival, which screens Oct. 16-26 at area theaters, offers several international films featuring LGBT characters.

The festival offers the first chance for Philadelphia-area moviegoers to see

some keen observations about growing up and about girlfriends — both the sexual and platonic kind. While there are some obvious jokes about lesbians dating their friends’ exes, the film emphasizes how people have to change themselves, not each other. Meester and Jacobs are terrific together and it is the credibility of their friendship that makes “Life Partners” so

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KOSTAS NIKOULI AS DANNY AND NIKOS GELIA AS ODY IN “XENIA”

“The Imitation Game” (8 p.m. Oct. 18 at Prince Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.), about the life of that gay man with that great mind, Alan Turing (an Oscar-worthy Benedict Cumberbatch). Turing had few social skills; he alienated his colleagues at Bletchley Park, where he was hired to help break the Nazi Enigma machine.

(His interview scene is fantastic.) The film toggles back and forth in time, revealing young Alan being bullied at school and developing his love for a male classmate, as well as scenes of Turing being investigated by the police for “gross indecency.”

In between, the film crackles with the code-breaking drama and Turing’s friendship with Joan Clarke (a superb Keira Knightley). Although a bit slick and manipulative, and less focused on Turing’s sexuality than his mental abilities, “The Imitation Game” is still a highly satisfying crowd-pleaser.

“Life Partners” (7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 and noon Oct. 22 at Ritz East, 125 S. Second St.) is a bright, genial comedy (cowritten by openly gay Joni Lefkowitz) about the bond between 20-somethings Sasha (Leighton Meester), a lesbian, and her straight best friend, Paige (Gillian Jacobs).

Their close friendship, which includes fake fights, TV nights and sleepovers, changes when Paige falls for Tim (Adam Brody).

Sasha’s dating, however, is much less successful (and more amusing). Sasha clings to wanting to maintain the good old times with Paige, even though her bestie is moving ahead with her life. “Life Partners” has

engaging.

Brazil’s Oscar entry, “The Way He Looks” (2:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Ritz Bourse, 400 Ranstead St.; 6:40 p.m. Oct. 26 at Ritz East), is a real charmer about Leo (Ghilherme Lobo), a blind teenager, developing an attraction to his new classmate Gabriel (Fabio Audi), which causes Leo’s best friend Giovana (Tess Amorim) to become jealous. Out writer/director Daniel Ribeiro infuses moments such as Leo hugging Gabriel on the bicycle they share, or Gabriel guiding Leo to dance to music, with a tender sexual tension. They show how these two teenagers fall in love.

Ribeiro’s warm approach to telling the story prompts viewers to want the boys to couple up. Of course there are subplots that try to keep the guys apart, but they never feel forced. “The Way He Looks” is sure to leave a smile in viewers’ hearts.

Another film featuring a gay teen is “Xenia” (2:45 p.m. Oct. 21 and 9 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Ritz East), from Greece. When queer teen Danny’s (Kostas Nikouli) mother dies, he leaves Crete for Athens to reconnect with his older brother, Odysseas (Nikos Gelia). The Albanian siblings hatch a plan to go to Thessaloniki. They hope to find their long-lost Greek father — and shake him down for money and citizenship — and enter Odysseas in the Greek Star singing contest (think “American Idol”).

“Xenia” has moments of magical realism, from a talking rabbit to a wonderful visual of Danny lying in a field of grass that transforms into a large hairy torso.

PGN FILM

And there is also a harsh reality. When the brothers encounter xenophobia, Danny engages in some gunplay that forces them to go on the lam. While the road movie plot is as old as “Ulysses,” and writer/ director Panos H. Koutras strains credibility as the narrative plots climax, the leads are compelling, and a scene of the brothers dancing in their underwear is irresistible.

“52 Tuesdays” (7:25 p.m. Oct. 20 at Ritz Bourse; 6:10 p.m. Oct. 23 at Roxy, 2023 Sansom St.) is an absorbing Australian drama about Billie (Tilda Cobham-Hervey), who unexpectedly learns that her mother, Jane (Del HerbertJane), has always been very close to gender-transitioning to become James.

Moving in with her dad, Tom (Beau Travis Williams), Billie makes a promise to visit James every Tuesday. Their weekly meetings include activities such as dining, shopping or playing tennis, and their talk consists of James’ progress with testosterone shots or they bond or fight.

Billie also meets up with two classmates, Jasmine (Imogen Archer) and Josh (Sam Althuizen), whom she films and experiments with sexually in an effort to forge her own identity. What emerges from the

weekly episodes, which range from snippets to extended dramatic moments, is how much the characters care about one another, especially when they are angry.

Viewers will care about Billie and James as well, in part because Cobham-Hervey and Herbert-Jane give such emotionally honest performances. “52 Tuesdays” is very much about the need to live an authentic life, and director Sophie Hyde captures this with acuity.

One of the more disappointing films at the festival is “The Overnighters” (4:50 p.m. Oct. 17 at Bourse; 2:45 p.m. Oct. 26 at Roxy), a documentary about Pastor Jay Reinke of Williston, N.D. Reinke has a fascinating story: He lets hundreds of migrants looking for jobs stay in his church or his home. He wants to build community, but the men he helps — sex offenders and drug addicts among them — have made townsfolk fearful.

Director Jesse Moss raises many interesting and important questions about redemption and recovery from economic hardship and addiction, as well as issues about sexual identity, but his film is so unfocused that his observations frustrate rather than resonate. Like Reinke, Moss

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

takes on too much and ends up making a flawed film about a flawed man.

Also of interest — but alas, not available for preview — are two highly anticipated lesbian films: “Girlhood” (4:50 p.m.

Oct. 18 and 12:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at Ritz East) by out filmmaker Céline Sciamma, about a girl gang in France, and “The Duke of Burgundy” (9:30 p.m. Oct. 18 and 7:20 p.m. Oct. 26 at Ritz East) about an erotic, S&M-tinged affair.

In addition, the festival offers the Philadelphia premiere of “Mommy,”

Page 75

(7 p.m. Oct. 17 at Ritz East), the latest film from queer Canadian writer/director Xavier Dolan, about a mother (Anne Dorval) whose son, Steve (Antoine-Olivier Pilon), returns home to live with her. A revival screening of “Capote,” (12:20 p.m.

Oct. 26 at Roxy) invites audiences to see the late Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Oscarwinning turn as Truman Capote on the big screen.

For tickets, showtimes and more information, visit http://filmadelphia.org/festival/. n

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Theater & Arts Always the Bridesmaid The hit romantic comedy returns for an encore 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 at L’Etage, 624 S. Bainbridge St.; 215-592-0626.

Bill Bellamy The comedian performs Oct. 17-19 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.

Bill T. Jones The out choreographer and author of “Story/Time: The Life of an Idea” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215567-4341.

Cornel West The professor, philosopher and author of “Black Prophetic Fire” hosts a read-

ing noon Oct. 17 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215567-4341.

Detroit Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Pulitzer Prizenominated story of the couple who befriends a transient couple, then moves into a vacant house next door, through Nov. 9 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-9850420.

Era of ABBA The Philly Pops perform the music of ABBA Oct. 17-19 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800.

The Events The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the story of a survivor who tries

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Philadelphia presents the exhibition exploring gay culture through Oct. 17, 1314 Locust St.; 215-546-3181.

BOYS TO MEN: Nick & Knight, the duo featuring boy band members Nick Carter (Backstreet Boys) and Jordan Knight (New Kids on the Block), comes to town to make their fans scream and swoon 8 p.m. Oct. 11-12 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St. For more information or tickets, call 215922-6888.

Yannick Conducts Rachmaninoff The Philadelphia Orchestra performs through Oct. 11 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215790-5847.

Music to find the answers to the most difficult question of all through Oct. 19 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.

The Lost Boys The 1980s vampire movie is screened 8 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888.

In Reverse Muse Art Gallery presents an exhibition of works

by Terri Fridkin through Nov. 2, 52 N. Second St.; 215627-5310.

Patrick Kelly: Runway of Love Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition highlighting the works of the famed fashion designer

through Nov. 30, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100.

Press Play: The Directorial Debut of Ángel Corella The Pennsylvania Ballet performs Oct. 16-26 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-7905800.

The Stunning Slavic Mass The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Janacek’s “Glagolitic Mass,” Oct. 16-18 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.

That’s So Gay: Outing Early America The Library Company of

Aiden James The out singer-songwriter performs 9 p.m. Oct. 10 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Betty Who The Australian pop singer performs 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.

Fleetwood Mac The classic-rock band performs 8 p.m. Oct. 15 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.

Nightlife PGMC & Bearded Ladies in No Regrets: A Pilaf Affair The chorus and cabaret troupe celebrate the legendary French diva Édith Piaf 6-8 p.m. at The Porch at 30th Street Station, 2955 Market St.; beardedladiescabaret. com/shows/no-regrets/.

Coco Peru The drag star performs the Philadelphia premiere of her latest show “Have You Heard?” 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 10

PGN ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Page 77

Grief transcends language, sexuality in ‘Lilting’

By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor

TICKLED ON TUESDAY: NPR personality, author and humorist David Sedaris comes to town to tell some hilarious stories and participate in a Q&A session 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-790-5800.

and 11 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St.; 215-7355772.

Game of Thrones: Burlesque is Coming The fantasy-themed burlesque show, 9 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888.

Lil’ Steph presents Rasputin’s Room Philadelphia’s only all-classic burlesque show begins 9 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Ruba Club Studios, 416 Green St.; 215627-9831.

LipSchtick!

Starring Pissi Myles Drag, comedy and burlesque artists perform 8 p.m. Oct. 11 at L’Etage, 624 S. Bainbridge St.; 215-592-0626.

Gear Up. Get Out 2014 The party with a strict military, sport, motocross, skins, uniform, rubber and leather dress code, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 11 at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.;

215-627-1662.

Spartans Fall Wrestling Tournament The wrestling event, 10 p.m. Oct. 11 at First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.; www. phillyspartans.com.

First Person Arts StorySlam Spoken-word performers throw down 8:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Comedian Deconstruction Comedian and improv artists perform 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at L’Etage, 624 S. Bainbridge St.; 215-592-0626.

Bears on the Boardwalk The first-annual event, Oct. 10-13 at Rainbow Room, 55 S. Bellevue Ave., Atlantic City, N.J.; www.bearsontheboardwalk.com.

Exalted Nature: The Real and Fantastic World of Charles Burchfield The Brandywine River Museum of

Art presents an exhibition of visionary landscapes by Burchfield (18931967), featuring more than 50 paintings borrowed from important public and private collections across the United States, through Nov. 16, 1 Hoffman’s Mill Road, Chadds Ford; www.brandywinemuseum.org.

Judas Priest and Steel Panther The leather- and spandex-clad heavymetal bands perform 8 p.m. Oct. 10 at Harrah’s Casino Hotel, 777 Harrah’s Blvd., Atlantic City; 609-441-5501.

“Mann To Man” Frederick Mann White and Michael Ferreri The cabaret singer performs 8 p.m.

Oct. 10 at the Rrazz

Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-596-1027.

Amy Schumer The comedian performs 8 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Kathleen Madigan The comedian performs 8 p.m. Oct. 11 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215572-7650.

The Heat is On A celebration of the life and times of Rita Hayworth 8 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Rrazz Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-596-1027. n

Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Out & About Listings, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 fax: 215-925-6437; or e-mail: listings@epgn.com.

Notices cannot be taken over the phone.

“Lilting,” written and directed by the openly gay Hong Khaou, is a subtle and moving chamber drama about the communication gap between Richard (Ben Whishaw) and Junn (Pei Pei Cheng), both mourning the loss of Kai (Andrew Leung), Junn’s son and — unbeknownst to his mother — Richard’s lover.

But Richard doesn’t speak Mandarin and Junn doesn’t speak English, so Richard hires Vann (Naomi Christie) to help translate and bridge the gulf. Vann also assists Junn with communicating with a British man, Alan (Peter Bowles).

Khaou’s film deftly addresses the loss both mother and lover suffer. The performances by Whishaw and Cheng especially are very affecting, and the film builds to an emotionally powerful climax.

Via Skype from London, where he lives, the Chinese-Cambodian Khaou spoke to PGN about “Lilting.”

“When I wrote ‘Lilting,’ it was a play about a daughter and her husband,” he explained. “There were no gay characters.

It never got staged, but I felt something was missing. So when the opportunity arose to turn it into the film, I changed it to a son who could not be openly gay to his mother. That dynamic echoed onto the rest of the film and how communication and language is critical. My premise was that communication should bridge cultural differences and bring understanding. But it also has conflicts.”

“Lilting” is not an autobiographical work, but it is a personal story.

Khou’s father passed away when he was very young, and the idea of writing about grief involved the filmmaker revisiting those feelings. Like Junn in the film, Khaou’s mother experienced difficulty assimilating in the U.K., where Khaou and his family have lived for 30 years.

“She still doesn’t speak English,” the filmmaker said about his mother. “I took that as a premise and imagined how someone like that would cope if her lifeline to the outside world was taken away.”

While “Lilting” includes a subplot about Kai’s concerns about coming out to Junn, Khaou came out to his mother without incident.

“She was absolutely fine,” he said, noting the process of coming out that is exclusive to LGBT individuals.

“There’s an age-old fear of disappointing our parents, and the shame that goes with it. The act of doing it — it sounds like we’ve done something devious, or deceitful,” Khaou said. “It’s harder in certain cultures, but I wouldn’t know if it’s become easier in Asian culture. I think coming out is hard in all cultures, even in the U.K., where men in their 50s are coming out, or America, where there is the ‘It Gets Better’ campaign.”

While the topic of sexual identity is part

of “Lilting,” much of the film involves Richard using Vann to “talk” to Junn and help her adjust to life without Kai. The film is often talky, with characters translating dialogue back and forth within a single scene, but Khaou wanted to emphasize the time it took to exchange a thought and the frustration Richard and Junn both had trying to converse.

“I think that was always a concern that we were repeating the info in having the translator there, but Vann is an interesting device. She can comment on miscommunication, and the awkwardness of communicating, and how things are lost in translation. There was a concern she might slow the momentum down, but if the scene is engaging, and has strong drama, it works.”

“Lilting” includes what Khaou calls “silent spaces” between the conversations, to balance the drama and give audiences time to absorb all of the exchanges.

Given this approach, the filmmaker needed to hire actors who could embody the complex emotions of the characters.

Khaou specifically wanted Whishaw for Richard because he felt the out actor “carries a sense of truth” in him.

“I needed an actor with vulnerability and strength. He carries so much pain,” Khaou observed. “Without Ben, all of the nuance could get lost, and the dialogue could feel very theatrical. He makes you hang on every word.”

Khaou had similar praise for Cheng.

“She doesn’t have a lot of dialogue, so she need to be very expressive. Pei Pei has been incredibly expressive, even in the kung-fu movies she’s been in.”

It was also important for Khaou to have the two characters portraying grief in different ways. He deliberately eschewed following a conventional narrative formula and insisted on flashing back and forth in time to tell the story.

“The narrative structure came through naturally,” Khaou said. “The repetition of the opening scene was to underscore not just the idea of memory, but memory dealing with grief. It’s odd the way one grieves. You get stuck on a memory and you keep returning to that memory. You know it’s unhealthy, but you keep clinging on to it. I wanted to convey the idea of grief permeating, and the present and past existing on a continuous timeline.”

“Lilting” envelops viewers in Junn and Richard’s grief, but this thoughtful, gentle film is never depressing. In fact, it’s rather life-affirming because of Khaou’s attention to detail. n

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PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Classifieds Real Estate Sale

Real Estate Sale

Real Estate Sale

Real Estate Sale

BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL.....SUPER SLEEK CONTEMPORARY!

New construction one of a kind home in Graduate Hospital.

3/3 plus den, finished basement, patio, deck and low taxes!

Gorgeous details ..... Upgraded materials ! 2700 sq ft 1930 CATHARINE. Offered at $699,000 Suzanne E. Petruzel Sales Associate Cell 619-659-8030

Fox & Roach REALTORS®

210 W. Rittenhouse Sq. Phila, PA 19103 Dir. 215-790-5671 Fax 215-546-3415 Office 215-546-0550 suzanne.petruzel@foxroach.com VENTNOR, NJ House for sale in Ventnor NJ. 2 story 5 bedroom house, needs some repairs. Priced right. Call 215 468 9166. ________________________________________38-49 115 FOURTH AVENUE, WEST CAPE MAY Beautiful modern design LEED Certified home in desirable West Cape May offered for sale. Sustainable, low maintenance, eco-friendly, cost effective, stylish. Offered

by Ellen M. Shaw, GRI, SRES, Chris Clemans Sotheby’s International Realty 609-884-3332 x 105 Cell: 609-4257405. http://www.chrisclemanssir.com/sales/detail/159597/ ________________________________________38-43 BLUE BELL, PA Three story 1790 Stone Colonial for Sale. Fully Restored.

Third Floor Apartment (presently rented out). Asking $635,000. jdolan@wfts.com or 610-513-9044. ________________________________________38-43 WATERFRONT LOTS Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Was $325k, Now From $65,000 -Community Center/Pool, 1 acre+ Lots, Bay & Ocean Access, Great Fishing, Crabbing, Kayaking. Custom Homes. www.oldemillpointe.com 757-824-0808. ________________________________________38-41

For Sale SAWMILLS From only $4397.00-MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N. ________________________________________38-41

Real Estate Rent

Help Wanted

Friends Men

SPRING GARDEN AT 11TH ON BRANDYWINE $1761/mo. 3 or 4 BR, 1 bath. Architectural redesign of 1840’s townhouse. Short walk to Reading Terminal/Chinatown. Ongoing improvements if agreeable.. Must see!

Call 215-849-4049. _____________________________________________38-41

Can You Dig It? Heavy Equipment Operator Training! 3 Week Program. Bulldozers, Backhoes, Excavators. Lifetime Job Placement Assistance with National Certifications. VA Benefits Eligible! (866)757-9439. ________________________________________38-41 CDL-A TRUCK DRIVERS Experienced Solos Earn $0.41/Mile. $0.01/Mile increase each year NO CAP! Extra Pay for Hazmat. $5,500 SignOn Bonus for Teams! 888-928-6011 www.Drive4Total.com ________________________________________38-41 AVERITT EXPRESS New Pay Increase For Regional Drivers! 40 to 46 CPM + Fuel Bonus! Also, Post-Training Pay Increase for Students! (Depending on Domicile) Get Home EVERY Week + Excellent Benefits. CDL-A req. 888-602-7440 Apply @ AverittCareers.com Equal Opportunity Employer- Females, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. ________________________________________38-41

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. ________________________________________38-44 Philly boy looking for mail correspondence with guys in Philly while I finish my incarceration. 6’3”, blond hair, hazel eyes.

Lots to discuss. Will reply to every letter. Give this a try, I guarantee you’ll have fun. Kenneth Houck, #06743-015, Englewood FCE, 9595 W. Quincy Ave., Littleton CO 80123. ________________________________________38-49 BM with big tool wans to nail a bottom to the floor. BM has equipment to make a bottom wish he wants more.

I’m 6 ft and 198 lbs. and have 8.5 inches and 1.25 girth and know how to use it. Call anytime 215-763-3391. All replies answered. ________________________________________38-49 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________38-42 OGWM looking for males 25-50 who want oral service.

Call RJ at 856-287-6995. ________________________________________38-43

Services MEDICAL BILLING TRAINEES NEEDED! Become a Medical Office Assistant now! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Online training gets you ready! HS Diploma/GED & PC/Internet needed! 1-888-424-9412. ________________________________________38-41 AIRLINE CAREERS begin here - Get FAA approved Aviation Technician training. Financial Aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 1-888-834-9715. ________________________________________38-41 HEATING & AC TECHNICIAN TRAINING! Learn to install & service AC & Refrigeration systems! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Call Orleans Tech in NE Philadelphia for Details! 1-888-743-5039 HS Diploma/GED & valid Drivers license required. ________________________________________38-41

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.

Massage David, 64, 6’, 200 lbs., attentive. 215-569-4949. (24/7) ________________________________________38-45 Massage in the burbs. Conv. Main Line location. Call Joseph, professional CMT. 610-710-6213. ________________________________________38-43

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.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

Page 79

More space!

More light!

Photograph by Tommy Leonardi

Amazing limited-time offer.

Select two-bedroom condos from just the low $400s.

Fitness center/gym

Call (215) 925-3000.

Make an appointment.

Change your life.

Indoor parking

24/7 Concierge Heated indoor pool Private shuttle Steps from Penn’s Landing

SALES CENTER: 717 South Christopher Columbus Blvd., in Philadelphia.

Sales Center Open Mon. – Sat. from 10am – 5pm; Sun. 12pm – 5pm. Private Appointments Recommended.

DocksideCondominiums.com | Another Fine Property from The DePaul Group. Broker Cooperation Invited.

Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

Developer represents that room dimensions are approximate. Room dimensions may vary and prices and offers subject to change without notice. See Sales Associate for details.

DOCKSD 14-0077 10.125x11.35 PGN.indd 1

10/8/14 1:24 PM

Page 80

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY Damage to your Home or Business?

Fire, Smoke & Soot Floods

Lightning Vandalism Wind and Rain

Snow and Ice Backups Plumbing Leaks

Theft Collapse and Many More . . .

Call for your FREE inspection and policy analysis.

The experts at Apple will work with your insurance company to negotiate the proper loss settlement.

Call Shawn McKenna 215-913-5197

or visit us at www. applepublicadjusters.com

Alert Roofing All types of roofing: shingles, rubber, coatings, sidings & gutters In business since 1988 All work guaranteed Fully insured

Phone: 215-676-3333 Fax: 215-244-1597 215-869-8840

jschaller39@gmail.com

A.O.K. Autobody Inc. Ar t h u r K u l i s • S t e p e h e n Ku l i s • Ti m K u l i s

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This Fabulous Space Could Be Yours

for only $50 per week when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks.

YOUR AD HERE! LOOKING FOR A NEW WAY TO GET YOUR MESSAGE OUT? This space: only $50 per week when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks.

PGN

We relaunched our website.

Responsive and graphic-driven.

Check out the new and improved version of

epgn.com

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY This Fabulous Space Could Be Yours for only $25 per week when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks.

PGN

Do you have very particular requirements for your dream home?

Giving back to our communities for over 25 years • License PA#009390

Roofing Repairs • Installation & Maintenance Gutters • Siding & Windows • Professional Courteous Staff

Phone (215)752 6145 • Fax (215)702 9376

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A Sp Li en tt d Le

KET A M LO A Spend as little as $50 a week when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks.

Make your voice heard to a target audience with higher than average disposable income.

Give PGN’s Real Estate listings a try.

FOR ADVERTISING INFO CONTACT YOUR PGN AD REP AT (215) 625-8501

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

11:18AM • All AboArd For a Quick Trip To The city!

Rydal Park is a short walk from SEPTA’s Rydal Station, and from there it’s an easy train ride to Center City for all the attractions the city has to offer. Music and theater at The Kimmel Center. Internationally renowned exhibits at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. World class dining…and so much more. At Rydal Park, our accessible location gives you the freedom to go wherever your spirit takes you.

Rydal Park is more than just a place for adults 62+ to dwell…it’s a place for you to really live. To be vibrantly alive. After all, this is your life and we believe it should be all about Spirited Living.

Call 267-396-2025 or visit RydalPark.org to learn more and let your spirit soar.

Nancy – Rydal Park Resident, Chic Shopper

1515 The Fairway Rydal, PA 19046 info@rydalpark.org

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

PGN

Congratulations We want to know!

If you are celebrating an anniversary, engagement, wedding, adoption or other life event, we would be happy to help you announce it to the community.

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

PGN

Conrad Kuhn

Broker/Sales Rep. Since 1987 NJAR Circle of Excellence Sales Award 1991- 2011 Weichert President’s & Ambassador’s Clubs

Office: 856.227.1950 ext. 124 Cell: 609.221.1196 www.conradkuhn.com Realtor856@aol.com Washington Township Office 5070 Route 42 Turnersville, NJ 08012

Gladwyne

$795,000 Contemporary Ranch on .83 acres on Gladwyne’s most sought-after street! Recent renovations, granite kitchen w/stainless appliances, pavered stone patio, in-ground pool.

Janet Rubino Vice President/Associate Broker Call/text 610.348.4138 | 610.225.7400

Janet.Rubino@LNF.com | www.JanetRubino.com

Eating Out Should Be Fun! Read PGN’s food reviews every second and fourth week of the month

- and check out our archive of past reviews on epgn.com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

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PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

ADONIS CINEMA

“THE ONLY ALL MALE ADULT THEATER IN THE CITY”

2026 Sansom St (located 3 doors up from Sansom St Gym)

215-557-9319 4 Small Theaters with Video & Dark Room Area

HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday - Thursday

7am-6am

(closed an hour for cleaning)

Friday- Sunday:

Open 24hrs

ADMISSION: $12.00

THE BIGGER, BETTER & CLEANER CLUB IN THE CITY...

2020 HORROR STORY Saturday, Oct. 11th Time: 11pm-3:30am

WHAT TO EXPECT: • DJ David Dutch • Complimentary Food & Beverages • A Full House of Guys to Choose From & Soo Much More...

FREAK SHOW

WEEKLY SPECIALS: LATE NIGHT CREEP

Half Price Lockers (12 Midnight- 8am/ Monday- Thursday) MEMBERS: $9.00 & NON-MEMBERS: $19.00

SATURDAY AFTERNOON DELIGHT 4 Hour Lockers (8am - 4pm) Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00

SUNDAY RELIEF

Half Price Rooms (6am Sunday till 8am Monday) Members: $12.50 and Non-Members: $22.50

MONDAY thru FRIDAY:

Sunday, Oct. 18th Time: 11pm-3:30am

Business Mans Locker Special (8am to 4pm) Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Half Price Rooms (6am till 12 Midnight) Members: $12.50 and Non-Members: $22.50

• DJ David Dutch • Complimentary Food & Beverages • A Full House of Guys To Choose From & So Much More

- ROOMS GO QUICKLY SO CHECK IN EARLY -

TUESDAYS

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY NIGHT CRUISE $12 Flat Rate for Locker Admission & Clothing Optional (4pm-12 Midnight)

Check out our website for our WEEKLY SPECIALS & JOIN OUR e-mail List to get the latest information on upcoming events....

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

PGN

Religion/Spirituality Arch Street United Methodist Church Services 8:30 and 11 a.m. at 55 N. Broad St.; youth/adult Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.; 5:30 p.m. prayer service; 215-568-6250.

Bethlehem-Judah Ministries Open and affirming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 5091 N. Dupont Hwy., Suite D, Dover, Del.; 302-750-4045.

Metropolitan Community Church of Christ the Liberator Holds services 10:45 a.m. Sundays at the Pride Center of New Jersey; 732-823-2193, mccctl.com.

Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia Services 1 p.m. Sundays at the University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, 3637 Chestnut St.; 215-294-2020, www. mccphiladelphia.com.

BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Church Services 10:15 a.m. at 2040 Street Road, Warrington; 215-343-0406.

Old First Reformed Church Open and affirming United Church worships at 11 a.m., summer services at 10 a.m, at 151 N. Fourth St.; 215-922-4566, www. oldfirstucc.org.

Calvary United Methodist Church Reconciling, welcoming and affirming church holds services 11 a.m.

Sundays at 801 S. 48th St.; 215-724-1702.

Penns Park United Methodist Church Welcoming and affirming church holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park; 215-598-7601.

Central Baptist Church Welcoming and affirming church holds services at 10:45 a.m.

Sundays, summer services 9:30 a.m, at 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; 610-688-0664.

Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral Progressive and affirming congregation holds services 10 a.m.

Sundays with Holy Eucharist at 3723 Chestnut St.; 215-386-0234, www.philadelphiacathedral.org.

Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church Services 11 a.m. and Spirit at Play, an arts-based Sunday school for children, 9:30 a.m. at 8812 Germantown Ave.; 215-242-9321.

Rainbow Buddhist Meditation Group Meets 5 p.m. Sundays at William Way.

Church of the Crucifixion Inclusive Episcopal community holds services 10 a.m. Sundays and 6 p.m. Fridays at 620 S. Eighth St.; 215-922-1128.

Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting worships 11 a.m., summer services 10 a.m, Sundays at 1515 Cherry St.; 215-241-7000, cpmm@ afsc.org.

Church of the Holy Trinity Inclusive church holds services 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sundays at 1904 Walnut St.; 215-567-1267.

Resurrection Lutheran Church Services 10 a.m. Sundays at 620 Welsh Road, Horsham; 215-6462597.

Congregation Rodeph Shalom Shabbat services every Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 10:45 a.m. at 615 N. Broad St. ; 215-627-6747.

Silverside Church Services 10 a.m. Sundays followed by a group discussion at 2800 Silverside Road, Wilmington, Del.; 302-478-5921, silversidechurch. org.

Dignity Jersey Shore An organization for sexual-minority Catholics meets the first Saturday of the month in Asbury Park; 732-502-0305.

Dignity Metro NJ An organization for sexual-minority Catholics meets 4 p.m. the first and third Sundays of the month at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 550 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood; 973-509-0118.

Dignity Philadelphia Holds Mass 7 p.m. Sundays at 330 S. 13th St.; 215-546-2093, dignityphila@aol.com.

Drexel Hill Baptist Church Nonjudgmental Christian congregation affiliated with American Baptist Churches of the USA holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 4400 State Road, Drexel Hill; 610-259-2356, www.dhbaptist.com.

Emanuel Lutheran Church Reconciling in Christ congregation meets at 10:30 a.m. Sundays, summer services 9:30 a.m., New and Kirkpatrick streets, New Brunswick, N.J.; 732-545-2673; www.emmanuelnb.org.

St. Asaph’s Church Inclusive and progressive Episcopal church holds services 8 and 10 a.m. Sundays, summer services 9:15 a.m., at 27 Conshohocken State Road, Bala Cynwyd; 610-664-0966, www.saintasaphs.org.

St. Paul Episcopal Church Welcoming and inclusive church holds services 9:30 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Tuesdays at 89 Pinewood Drive, Levittown; 215-6881796, www.stpaullevittown.org.

First Baptist Church of Moorestown Welcoming and affirming congregation holds Bible study and discussion at 9 a.m. Sundays and worship services at 10 a.m.

Sundays at 19 W. Main St., Moorestown, N.J.; 856-235-1180; www. fbcmoorestown.org; info@fbcmoorestown.org.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Welcoming and diverse congregation with numerous outreach and fellowship groups holds services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday at Third and Pine streets; 215-925-5968; www.stpetersphila.org.

Grace Epiphany Church A welcoming and diverse Episcopal congregation in Mt. Airy with services 9:30 a.m. Sundays at 224 E. Gowen Ave.; 215-248-2950, www.grace-epi.org.

Holy Communion Lutheran Church ELCA Reconciling in Christ congregation worships 9 a.m. Sundays at 2111 Sansom St. and 11 a.m. at 2110 Chestnut St. in the main sanctuary; 215-567-3668, www.lc-hc.org.

Imago Dei Metropolitan Community Church Sexual-minority congregation worships at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 1223 Middletown Road (Route 352), Glen Mills; 610-358-1716, www.ImagoDeiMCC.org.

Living Water United Church of Christ An open and affirming congregation that meets for worship 11 a.m. on Sundays at 6250 Loretto Ave.; 267-388-6081, www.lwucc.org.

Kol Tzedek Reconstructionist synagogue committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community meets at Calvary Center, 801 S. 48th St.; 215764-6364, www.kol-tzedek.org.

Mainline Unitarian Church Holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 816 S. Valley Forge Road, Devon; 610-688-8332, www.mluc.org.

Maple Shade Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ Affirming congregation open to all sexual orientations and gender identities holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 45 N. Forklanding Road, Maple Shade, N.J.; 856-779-7739, mapleshadeucc.org.

■ ActionAIDS: 215-981-0088 ■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: 215-587-9377 ■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: 856-933-9500 ext.

221 ■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851

■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800662-6080

First Baptist Church Welcoming and affirming church holds prayer services 10:30 a.m.

Sundays and community worship 11:30 a.m. at 123 S. 17th St.; 215-563-3853.

The First United Methodist Church of Germantown A sexual-minority-affirming congregation holds services at 10 a.m., summer services 11 a.m., Sundays, with lunch to follow, at 6001 Germantown Ave.; 215-438-3077, www.fumcog.org.

■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St., 215-898-5044; center@dolphin. upenn.edu. Regular hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m.

Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

St. Luke and The Epiphany Church Open and welcoming church holds fall liturgy 9 and 11 a.m.

Sundays, summer sevices 10 a.m., at 330 S. 13th St.; 215-732-1918, stlukeandtheepiphany.org.

Evangelicals Concerned Lesbian and gay Christian counseling; 215-860-7445.

First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia A liberal, welcoming and diverse congregation that affirms the dignity of all. Sunday services at 10 a.m., 2125 Chestnut St.; 215563-3980, www.firstuu-philly.org.

Community centers

■ The Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331; atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 48:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available MondayFriday. See the Youth section for more events.

■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513

St. Mary of Grace Parish Inclusive church in the Catholic tradition celebrates Mass 6 p.m. Sundays in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media; 610-566-1393, www. inclusivecatholics.org.

Tabernacle United Church Open and affirming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 3700 Chestnut St.; 215-386-4100, tabunited.org.

Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church Sunday worship with nursery care, 10:30 a.m. and fourth Thursday of the month contemporary worship with Communion at 7 p.m. at 2212 Spruce St.; 215-732-2515, trinityphiladelphia.org.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County Welcoming congregation holds services 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. Sundays, summer services 10:30 a.m., at 145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media.

Interweave, a group for LGBT parishioners and allies, meets noon the first Sunday of the month; 610-566-4853. www.uucdc.org.

Unitarian Society of Germantown Welcoming congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 6511 Lincoln Drive; 215-844-1157, www.usguu.org.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill Services 10:15 a.m. Interweave, a group of LGBT Unitarians and their allies, meets at 401 N. Kings Highway, Cherry Hill, N.J.; 856667-3618, uucch.org.

Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration Welcoming congregation holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 6900 Stenton Ave.; 215-247-2561, www.uurestoration.us.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation, South Jersey Shore Services 10 a.m. Sundays in Galloway Township; 609-965-9400, www.uucsjs.org.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Pottstown Services 10:30 a.m. at 1565 S. Keim St.; 610-327-2662, www. uupottstown.org.

United Christian Church Open, affirming and welcoming congregation holds services 10:15 a.m. Sundays, summer services 9:15 a.m., at 8525 New Falls Road, Levittown; 215-946-6800.

Unity Fellowship Church of Philadelphia Diverse, affirming LGBT congregation holds services 2 p.m. Sundays at 55 N. Broad St.; 215-240-6106.

University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation Welcoming congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 3637 Chestnut St. preceded by “Adult Forum: Sundays” at 9:30 a.m.; 215-387-2885, www.uniphila.org.

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St. John’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) Reconciling in Christ congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 24 N. Ridge Ave., Ambler; 215-646-2451, www.stjohnsambler.org.

St. Mary’s Church Diverse and inclusive Episcopal church celebrates the Eucharist 11 a.m. Sundays at 3916 Locust Walk; 215-386-3916; www. stmarysatpenn.org.

First Presbyterian Church of Lansdowne Welcoming church holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 140 N. Lansdowne Ave.; 610-622-0800; www.lansdownepresbyterianchurch.com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Oct. 10-16, 2014

■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 n The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 215-496-0330 ■ District Attorney LGBT Liaison: Helen “Nellie” Fitzpatrick, 215-686-

■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065 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: noon-9 p.m.

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

Key numbers 9980, helen.fitzpatrick@phila.gov ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378 ■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK ■ Mayor’s Director of LGBT Affairs: Gloria Casarez, 215-6862194; Gloria.Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: 215-686-2555

■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: 215-686-4670 ■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: 1-877-pride-2000 ■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel: 215-6863318 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-760-3686 (Rick Lombardo); ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288

■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBT-LAW; Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658

■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537

■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833

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

Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

Health

Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 216 W. Somerset St.; 215763-8870.

ActionAIDS Provides a range of programs for people affected by HIV/AIDS, including case management, prevention, testing and education services at 1216 Arch St.; 215-981-0088; www.actionaids.org.

AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 1711 S. Broad St.; 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; noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; 215-851-1822 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 (walk-in) and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays (by appoint-

■ 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; 215-627-9090; www.galloplaw. org.

■ Greater Philadelphia Professional Network Networking group for area business professionals, selfemployed and business owners meets monthly in a different location throughout the city, invites speakers on various topics, partners with other nonprofits and maintains a website where everyone is invited to sign up for email notices for activities and

ment) at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215-685-1821.

HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing available 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077.

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

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

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

Professional groups events; www.gppn.org; 215-9223377.

■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association The Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and students, meets for social and networking events; www. nlgja.org/philly; philly@nlgja.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.

■ 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; 215-840-2039.

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