Philadelphia Gay News Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2010
Vol. 34 No. 44
Honesty Integrity Professionalism
Election interviews PGN Staff
PENN PUSHED TO THE POLLS: The University of Pennsylvania played host to the first-ever direct-outreach program for LGBT youth voters in the city Oct. 27. The event, meant to encourage local LGBT young adults to turn out for the Nov. 2 election, featured remarks by LGBT-friendly politicians including state Sen. Daylin Leach (from left); Reps. Babette Josephs and James Roebuck; Susan Clark-Sestak, wife of U.S. Senate candidate U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak; out candidate for state representative Fern Kaufman; and Sherri Cohen, who is looking to become the first lesbian member of Philadelphia City Council. Photo: Scott A. Drake
For the mid-term elections, PGN reached out to candidates for U.S. Senate and House, governor, lieutenant governor and state Senate and House. Of the 49 candidates we attempted to contact, 14 responded, 29 did not respond and six had no contact information. As expected, Democrats were more likely to respond and were better on LGBT issues than Republicans. For this effort, we posed the same set of questions to each candidate in the race, tailoring questions to the state or federal level. We attempted to interview the Congressional and gubernatorial candidates by phone and the rest by questionnaire. For the Congressional interviews, two candidates replied to the questionnaire but were unable (or unwilling) to take us up on our phone interview request — Republicans Pat Toomey and Rick Hellberg.
if he ascends to the Senate. “I believe, like all other communities, the LGBT community is looking for someone who’s willing to be held accountable. People want someone who’s willing to do the right thing and not just trying to be a politician and worry about keeping their job,” Sestak said. “I want to restore principles and even work for principled compromises with the other side. We need people who want principles to triumph over politics and let the chips fall where they may and the consequences be what they may for one’s job, because it’s about doing what’s right for the people.” Pat Toomey
Fo r m e r U . S . Rep. Toomey lost his Senate bid to unseat Arlen Specter four years ago, but is back in Pennsylvania’s Senate race against Sestak. Toomey said he
U.S. SENATE Joe Sestak
Democrat Congressman Sestak is facing off against Republican Pat Toomey in one of the most closely watched Senate races in the nation. Sestak, who defeated longtime incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter in the spring, has supported numerous pieces of LGBT legislation since taking office. He has served as a cosponsor of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Safe Schools Improvement Act, the Respect for Marriage Act — which would repeal the federal ban on same-sex marriage — and the measure to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” “I believe in equality; that’s why I have a 96-percent rating by the Human Rights Campaign. My opponent has a 6-percent rating,” Sestak said. Sestak supports domestic partnerships THE BIG 2-1: SafeGuards LGBT Health Resource Center recognized 21 individuals and civil unions for same-sex couples and and organizations who have been influential in shaping the agency’s growth and development during its 21st-anniversary celebration Oct. 21. Honorees included would also support marriage equality, as Mazzoni Center, the AIDS Library, Philadelphia FIGHT, COLOURS and individuals Chris long as churches are permitted to follow Bartlett (front row, right), the founder and first executive director of the agency, and their own discretion, he said. Safeguards board chairperson Soda Nobuhle (front row, second from left). Photo: He said the issue of HIV/AIDS housScott A. Drake ing needs more attention, adding comprehensive sexual education needs to be encouraged to raise awareness about HIVEndorsment editorial Page 10 prevention efforts. Sestak said he would continue to be a Voting for LGBT allies and friends Page 11 strong advocate for the LGBT community
See CANDIDATES, Page 8
Endorsements U.S. Senate:
Joe Sestak
U.S. House: 2nd District: 6th District: 7th District: 8th District: 13th District:
Chaka Fattah Manan Trivedi Bryan Lentz Patrick Murphy Allyson Schwartz
Governor: Dan Onorato Lieutenant Governor: Scott Conklin Pa. Senate: 2nd District: Christine Tartaglione 8th District: Anthony Williams Pa. House: 26th District: Fern Kaufman 152nd District: Robert McGuckin 175th District: Mike O’Brien 179th District: Tony Payton 182nd District: Babette Josephs 184th District: William Keller 185th District: Robert Donatucci 186th District: Kenyatta Johnson 203rd District: Dwight Evans Philadelphia Charter: Question 3: Yes
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News Editorial 10 International News 38 Letters/Feedback 11 11 Mark My Words 7 Media Trail 5 News Briefing 7 National News 5 Regional News 11 Street Talk
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News Briefing
Regional
Craigslist trial delayed A judge last week approved a continuance in the trial of a man accused of posing as a police officer to defraud gay men. Michael Daniels was scheduled to stand trial Oct. 20, but the proceeding has now been delayed until 10 a.m. Nov. 2 in Courtroom 502 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. Daniels faces a slew of charges stemming from at least four cases, in which he allegedly responded to Craigslist sex ads from local gay men dressed as a police officer and threatened to arrest the men for not verifying that he was of age. At least two of the men paid him hundreds of dollars.
Chefs dish up support PURPLE SPIRIT: Freedom Pages and Tabu organized a “Wear Purple Party” to memorialize at least six LGBT teen suicides from the past month and raise money for The Attic Youth Center. More than 100 people attended the Oct. 20 event, which raised $700 for the center. The “Wear Purple” concept originated on Facebook, in recognition of the stripe in the rainbow flag that symbolizes spirit. Photo: Scott A. Drake
ASIAC appoints interim ED By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer
The board of directors of ASIAC, an HIV/AIDS service organization that focuses on the Asian and PacificIslander community, last week announced the appointment of a temporary leader to guide the agency through its upcoming transition process. Kevin Huang, a former HIV/AIDS worker from New York City, will serve as the interim executive director of the organization, taking over for longtime executive director Ron Sy. Sy announced last spring that he was planning to step down from the position he held for 12 years, but said he would stay on until the board selected a temporary replacement. The organization is accepting applications for the executive-director position until Nov. 12. Huang’s most recent position in the field was as policy and capacity-building specialist for the Asian & Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS in New York. “Kevin’s skills and experience from having worked at APICHA will be very valuable for ASIAC’s executive transition,” said Melissa Frost, co-chair of the ASIAC board of directors. “He has knowledge of the health-care issues that
ASIAC and our clients face, has experience in managing large projects and has many contacts in the health-care field. ASIAC has a transition team that is in the middle of a search for the next executive director, and in the meantime, I am confident that Kevin will be effective and productive as ASIAC’s interim executive director.” ASIAC will hold an open house from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 29 at the agency’s office, 340 N. 12th St., for friends to bid farewell to Sy and thank him for his service. Huang, 41, is a native of Denver, and attained his bachelor’s degree in architecture and master’s in city and regional planning from New York City’s Pratt Institute. His interest in working in the HIV/ AIDS field was captured when, in 1996, he faced his own health crisis and was hospitalized with an HIV-related meningitis infection. Huang said he was lucky to have health insurance at the time, although the scare motivated him to work on behalf of others who may not have full access to health care like he did. “It took several years to recover fully from that,” Huang said. “And during that recovery process I started meeting with people to discuss [HIV/AIDS funding program] Ryan White community planning, and I said, ‘Well, I have some experience in community planning, let me try this.’ And that was really the genesis of my involvement in the HIV field.” Huang left APICHA in 2008 to move to Philadelphia, where he has been focusing
on his art career. He made connections with ASIAC while he was in New York and said when the agency contacted him about the director position, he jumped at the chance. “I love this field. I love working with the Asian community,” he said. “I think as an organization, ASIAC is uniquely situated to really address some of the most complicated health issues that Asians in Philadelphia are facing.” Huang noted that, with the Ryan White Care Act set to expire in 2013 and the recent federal efforts to overhaul the health-care system, HIV/AIDS groups need to prepare for the future. “HIV service organizations are going to have to go through critical changes. ASIAC is situated in that nexus of providing access to people who can’t necessarily communicate the complicated issues they face effectively within the mainstream care community, and I think we can potentially expand that service to provide even better health care for Asians. But we need to keep this focus on the stigmatized problems of HIV and hepatitis B and other things that the Asian community doesn’t often like to talk about. I want to help the organization navigate through what’s going to be a very turbulent period.” For more information about ASIAC, visit www.asiac.org or call (215) 6292300. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.
Local female chefs will don their aprons Nov. 4 for the annual Dish It Up! cooking competition, a fundraiser for Women Against Abuse. The cook-off, which will take place from 5:308 p.m. at Moore College of Art and Design, 20th Street and the Parkway, will feature such competitors as Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney, lesbian partners who own local venues Lolita, Bindi and Barbuzzo. Tickets are $85 and can be purchased at the door or at www.womenagainstabuse.org.
Prayer vigil at NARTH meeting The Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia will host a prayer vigil outside the local conference of the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality, a group that advocates for reparative therapy for LGBT individuals. MCCP’s vigil will take place at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 outside the Renaissance Philadelphia Hotel, 500 Stevens Drive, near the Philadelphia International Airport. Following the vigil, a group of MCCP members will conduct a sit-in protest at the hotel. For more information, contact The Rev. Jeffrey Jordan at (215) 873-5719 or at RevJJordan@aol. com.
Award to recognize college leaders There are only a few weeks left for young leaders to submit applications to a national LGBT college association for consideration in its annual award contest. Campus Pride will accept applications for its Voice & Action National Leadership Award until Nov. 19. The award recognizes undergraduate college students who are working to create positive change for LGBTs and allies on their respective See NEWS BRIEFING, Page 30
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Assault victim sues Woody’s Bar By Timothy Cwiek PGN Writer-at-Large
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A Philadelphia man says he’s permanently disfigured after being assaulted inside Woody’s Bar by an underage patron, and he’s suing for $50,000 in damages. Jeffrey B. Holden alleges that Kenneth B. Shipman smashed a bar glass into his face while both men were inside the bar, causing permanent injuries that necessitate significant compensation. The incident allegedly took place 1:30 a.m. June 29, 2008, at the popular LGBT establishment, 202 S. 13th St. “Suddenly and without warning, plaintiff [Holden] was approached on the second story dance floor of Woody’s by Shipman and/or his companion(s) and was smashed in the face with a glass, shattering the glass and lacerating plaintiff’s face,” the lawsuit states. Shipman was 19 at the time, visibly intoxicated, and “did not possess proper documentation or identification to enter the premises and to purchase and consume alcohol,” the lawsuit states. Proper carding and monitoring could have “prevented persons from taking glass items onto the dance floor,” the lawsuit alleges. Holden specifically accuses bar officials of negligence. “Woody’s conduct in failing to have employees monitoring the front door, the doorways and the bar to ensure that minors and visibly intoxicated persons were not being served is willful, wanton and outrageous and was a cause of the harm inflicted upon plaintiff,” Holden’s suit alleges. Immediately after the assault, Holden went to the hospital and received stitches to close the lacerations, according to court records. In defense papers, attorneys for Woody’s Bar deny wrongdoing. “If the incident alleged in plaintiff’s complaint is proven true and correct at the trial in the matter, then plaintiff’s injuries were caused by individuals or entities over whom [Woody’s] has no control or duty to control and, therefore, no cause of action exists against [Woody’s],” defense papers state. A reply brief filed by Holden maintains the bar’s liability. “Woody’s had dominion and control over and a duty to control its patrons and permitted underage
persons and visibly intoxicated persons to enter, remain, purchase and consume alcoholic beverages inside the premises,” Holden’s reply brief states. Neither Holden nor his attorney, Leanne L. Litwin, could be reached for comment. Holden’s suit, filed in March 2010 in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, is in the discovery phase of litigation. In an August 2009 criminal proceeding for the incident, Shipman pleaded guilty to simple assault and possessing an instrument of crime, and was sentenced to two years of supervised probation. Shipman also was ordered to pay $2,573 for Holden’s medical expenses and $448 for additional out-of-pocket expenses. In July 2010, Common Pleas Judge Allan L. Tereshko permitted Shipman to add Jose Ocampo as a defendant in the civil case. A recent motion filed by Shipman indicates that Ocampo caused Holden’s injuries. “Ocampo negligently, carelessly and recklessly caused and/or contributed to the injuries and damages complained of in plaintiff’s complaint,” Shipman’s motion states. Thus, Shipman is requesting that the court dismiss him as a defendant, according to his motion. “In the event that it is proven at trial that plaintiff has suffered compensable damages, additional defendant Ocampo is solely liable for those damages,” Shipman’s motion contends. A ruling on Shipman’s motion remained pending at press time. Shipman, who currently resides in North Carolina, couldn’t be reached for comment. His attorney, Lee J. Janiczek, declined to comment on the case. Ocampo couldn’t be reached for comment, and no legal representation was listed in the court papers. A jury trial is scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 4, 2011, in Courtroom 243 of City Hall. A presiding judge hasn’t yet been selected. A lawyer for Woody’s, John R. Evans, declined to comment on the pending litigation. In addition to punitive and compensatory damages, Holden is seeking attorney’s fees incurred due to the litigation. ■ Timothy Cwiek can be reached at (215) 625-8501 ext. 208.
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Media Trail NH paper won’t print gay-marriage notices
FRATERNIZING AT THE FEST: About 100 audience members took in the sights and sounds at the Queer Music Fest Oct. 23 at The Rotunda. Seven LGBT-identified musical groups took the stage to raise funds for Giovanni’s Room in an event organized by the University of Pennsylvania’s Pi Lambda Phi-Epsilon Zeta fraternity. The event netted about $500 to help the nation’s oldest LGBT bookstore pay for last year’s construction project on an exterior wall. “It was really amazing,” said store owner Ed Hermance (pictured, left). “For someone my age to imagine a fraternity coming out and raising money for a store like this was just amazing. Times have really changed.” Photo: Scott A. Drake
Ed. Dept. issues bullying guidelines By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The U.S. Department of Education this week issued a letter to school superintendents around the nation to ensure that school leaders are well-versed on current anti-bullying laws. The letter, authored by Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Russlynn Ali and sent Oct. 26 to more than 15,000 school districts, cautions that “by limiting its response to a specific application of its anti-bullying policy, a school may fail to properly consider whether the student misconduct also results in discriminatory harassment.” The guidance outlined several policies the department’s Office for Civil Rights enforces: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits sex discrimination; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, both of which offer protections for discrimination based on disability. Ali wrote that schools can be held liable when harassment that qualifies under one of those laws is “sufficiently serious that it creates a hostile environment and such harassment is encouraged, tolerated, not adequately addressed or ignored by school employees.” Although there are no federal anti-bullying regulations that specifically prohibit harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity, Ali noted that such harassment could be interpreted as a Title IX sex-
discrimination violation. Ali proposed a series of hypothetical bullying situations, one of which described a gay high-school student who faced repeated antigay comments and harassment from his peers for his nonconformity to male stereotypes — effeminate mannerisms, nontraditional apparel and membership in extracurricular activities like the school’s drama club. “Although Title IX does not prohibit discrimination based solely on sexual orientation, Title IX does protect all students, including LGBT students, from sex discrimination,” Ali wrote. “When students are subjected to harassment on the basis of their LGBT status, they may also, as this example illustrates, be subjected to forms of sex discrimination prohibited under Title IX. The fact that the harassment includes anti-LGBT comments or is partly based on the target’s actual or perceived sexual orientation does not relieve a school of its obligation under Title IX to investigate and remedy overlapping sexual harassment or gender-based harassment.” In the hypothetical situation, the accused students were disciplined, but Ali advised that the school should have also undertaken longer-range efforts like schoolwide tolerance training, notification of the harassed student’s teachers and monitoring of the locations where the harassment occurred. In addition to the guidelines, the department also announced that early next year the White House will host an anti-bullying conference aimed at bringing together students, teachers and parents to discuss effective tools to prevent youth bullying.
Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, welcomed the department’s guidance as an “unequivocal reminder that our nation’s schools are already obligated to respond to incidents of bullying on the basis of a young person’s sexual orientation or gender expression. Now more than ever, the president has an opportunity to put a decisive end to the unequal treatment of LGBT students and push Congress to pass landmark legislation.” There are currently two proposed federal measures that seek to explicitly outlaw antiLGBT bullying. The Student Non-Discrimination Act, spearheaded by out Congressman Jared Polis (D-Colo.), is modeled after Title IX and would prohibit discrimination against students based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Safe Schools Improvement Act, introduced by Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey (D), would require schools that receive federal funding to adopt anti-bullying policies that must be, among other stipulations, LGBT-inclusive. “Sen. Casey is dedicated to protecting students from harassment and abuse,” said Education Secretary Arne Duncan in a statement this week. “He has shown tremendous courage and leadership by working in Congress to prevent and end discrimination in our schools. Sen. Casey’s work will be a valuable resource as we move forward in ensuring all students are protected from bullying and harassment.” ■
The Boston Herald reports New Hampshire’s largest newspaper is defending its decision to refuse to publish marriage notices for gay couples. New Hampshire is one of five states to have legalized gay marriage. Two men married Oct. 23 in Portsmouth wanted to publish a marriage notice in the Union Leader of Manchester but were refused. The newspaper said it has a constitutional right to choose what to print. Publisher Joe McQuaid said the paper isn’t antigay but believes marriage is between a man and a woman. Democratic Senate candidate Paul Hodes called on the paper to change its policy and respect the state law.
S.F. Pride head resigns The San Francisco Chronicle reports the head of the nonprofit that runs San Francisco’s Gay Pride Parade has resigned amid criticism that her organization failed to pay groups that helped with the event. San Francisco Pride executive director Amy Andre recently announced she was stepping down. Twenty nonprofits hired to work beverage booths at this year’s event say San Francisco Pride owes them a total of $46,000. Andre, who was working her first pride event, wrongly thought the groups were responsible for certain costs. She has said they will be paid. The accusations come as San Francisco Pride faces a $99,000 operating debt.
Gay student-teacher rehired According to 365gay.com, Seth Stambaugh, a gay graduate student from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Ore., — who was fired Sept. 15 after a parent filed a complaint after the student teacher revealed he was gay to his elementary school class — has been rehired by the school district’s superintendent. According to Stambaugh, he was fired after he was asked by the student about his marital status. Stambaugh stated it would be illegal for him to marry because he would choose to marry a man. Stambaugh’s attorney, Lake Perriguey, said Stambaugh was reinstated Oct. 21. Stambaugh said he was thrilled to have his position back. “This is a huge teachable moment. I’m glad I can be back in the classroom with the students I gained a great rapport with.” ■
Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.
— Larry Nichols
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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CANDIDATES From Page 1 would support the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” if the current Pentagon study of the law finds that “such a move would not undermine our military capabilities.” Toomey is opposed to hate-crimes legislation as a whole and has said such measures are an attempt to “criminalize thought.” Toomey supports the federal Defense of Marriage Act and would oppose efforts to repeal the law. In the past, he has voted for a federal constitutional amendment to define marriage as being between one man and one woman and another measure to prohibit adoption by gay couples in Washington, D.C. As a Congressman, Toomey was one of 12 Republicans who voted for a $75-million increase in funds for the Ryan White Care Act. Toomey said he would support federal efforts to lessen discrimination against vulnerable populations, but did not note if such principles applied to LGBT populations specifically. “Discrimination against the elderly and bullying in school must not be tolerated,” he said. “Where there is a federal nexus, such as with federal funding going to schools and nursing homes, such discrimination and bullying should be stopped where possible.” Toomey said he seeks the most-qualified employees and would “hire the best-qualified men and women, regardless of their
race, ethnicity or sexual orientation.” “I have reached out to many different communities throughout this campaign and believe it is important to have an open conversation with all groups,” he said. “I believe in equality for all citizens and will work to implement that principle.” U.S. HOUSE 2nd District Chaka Fattah
Democratic Congressman Fattah has served in Congress since 1995 and throughout that time has supported numerous pro-LGBT measures. Fattah has cosponsored bills such as the measure to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the Matthew Shepard Act. Fattah is in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage and voted against the Defense of Marriage Act, which Congress passed in 1996. Fattah is not a cosponsor of the Safe Schools Improvement Act but said he does support the measure and thinks anti-bullying efforts need to be inclusive of adults, not just youth. “This is a societal issue,” he said. “Our
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children are acting out on prejudices they learn from their parents, and we need to be very unequivocal about the fact that people have a right to express their sexual preferences. However that’s expressed should not cause people to harass them.” Fattah pledged to continue advocating for the LGBT community in the next Congressional session. “People always vote in their own interests, so my views on the issues and my record on the issues should be considered, and if they represent the interests of the LGBT community, then they should support me.” 2nd District Rick Hellberg
Republican Hellberg, president and CEO of a local financialservices company, is attempting to unseat longtime Congressman Chaka Fattah, and promised to bring far-reaching reform to the dis-
trict. Hellberg is in favor of same-sex marriage, noting that each state should have discretion over its own marriage laws. He said he has not read the entire proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act but said that “if someone is qualified to a job, there should be no discrimination.” Hellberg is also in
favor of repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” “For non-combat units, I don’t know why DADT ever existed,” he said. “If someone wants to wear the uniform of this country and is willing to take on all the duties and responsibilities that uniform requires, I believe they should be allowed to serve.” Hellberg said all forms of bullying should be unacceptable in schools and “consequences must be plainly explained in advance and be of sufficient severity to press the point that bullying will not be tolerated.” Although Hellberg said he is supportive of LGBT issues, he wants to first focus on repairing the country’s financial troubles, an area where he asserted his opponent has made little progress. “My opponent believes that we can borrow our way to prosperity, which has not succeeded in history,” he said. “I stand for cutting federal spending, keeping the federal government from meddling in state and local issues and revamping our tax system to make it more fair and equitable to all citizens.” 6th District Manan Trivedi If elected, Democrat Trivedi would become the first Indian American in Congress, and he said his own diverse history has made him attuned
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to the issues of discrimination the LGBT community faces. Trivedi is attempting to unseat incumbent Republican Jim Gerlach. Trivedi, a physician and Iraq War veteran, is in favor of repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” “That’s especially important to me as a veteran,” he said. “Why deny individuals who want to serve honorably?” He said he is personally in favor of marriage equality, although he believes the issue should be left up to the states. He supports the repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act and the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the Safe Schools Improvement Act. “I think awareness and education are key [to anti-bullying],” he said. “It’s unfortunate that right now we have such reactive policies. We need to be more proactive in recognizing that these issues are real, and we have to be talking about this openly in forums where people feel comfortable and safe.” Trivedi said he would work to better engage the LGBT elderly population in discussions relating to the community. He said he believes minority communities also need to be more effectively targeted in HIV/AIDS-awareness and prevention efforts. “As someone who’s had experience working with HIV/AIDS as a physician, we need to be talking about how very real this threat still is, especially in minority communities,” he said. “There are different cultural norms for all different medical issues, but
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
we need to be thinking about the cultural awareness when considering how best to approach these communities.” Trivedi said his own background will make him an effective leader who can represent the best interests of the LGBT community. “I’m right on the issues and, frankly, my opponent is not,” he said. “But more so, I think I understand the true meaning of equality and can relate to these issues on some level because of being Indian American. I understand the need for diversity and equality in all facets of government, and I pledge to work with the LGBT community hand in hand going forward with all of my policies and plans to make this district better, more open and more fair and equal for everyone.” 7th District Bryan Lentz
State Rep. Lentz (D) is seeking to represent Pennsylvania at the federal level, filling Congressman Sestak’s open seat in the 7th Congressional District. Lentz is a cosponsor of House Bill 300, the statewide LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination bill, and said he would support the federal Employment
Non-Discrimination Act. An Iraq War veteran, Lentz supports the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Lentz, who has a close LGBT family member who is in a longterm relationship, supports repealing the federal Defense of Marriage Act and is in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, although he noted that civil unions may be the first logical step. “I think once people see that civil unions don’t work in order to provide real equality, it will be easier to make the argument that full marriage is necessary,” he said. Lentz has supported the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity into the state’s hate-crimes law and said he would support the LGBT-inclusive federal Safe Schools Improvement Act. “Children can’t learn if they don’t feel safe and, as we’ve unfortunately seen recently in the news, there can be even more tragic consequences,” he said. “Elected officials need to be advocates and push for anti-bullying legislation that sets forth clear criteria and guidelines for both children and teachers on the right way to deal with these situations.” Lentz said he would recruit a diverse LGBT-inclusive staff and would work to ensure that LGBT businesses were properly represented in federal contracts. “I have a proven record of standing up for the LGBT community, and I have a record of being able to actually get things done,” he said. “If you check my record, you’ll want me representing you.”
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8th District Patrick Murphy
Congressman Murphy (D) is defending his Congressional seat against Mike Fitzpatrick, whom he unseated four years ago. Last year, Murphy took over the fight in the U.S. House to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” traveling the country with LGBT and ally servicemembers to heighten awareness about the damaging effects of the law and garner support for his bill to repeal the measure. He secured more cosponsors for the legislation than any similar repeal bill has seen in the past, and the House approved his measure earlier this year. “I have led the fight in the House to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ because I believe in equality and what our Constitution stands for,” said Murphy, an Iraq War vet. “And this is also part of our national security. We’ve let go 14,000 troops since this has been enacted and cost taxpayers $1.3 billion. I believe we will be able to secure the repeal in the Senate when we get back in November.” Murphy voted in favor of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act and is a cosponSee CANDIDATES, Page 31
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
Editorial Endorsements Each election cycle, PGN reaches out to candidates to get their views on the issues relevant to the LGBT community. This year, as in years past, we asked if the candidates supported marriage equality, civil unions, domestic-partner benefits, nondiscrimination and hate-crimes protections, repealing the military ban on openly gay servicemembers and repealing the Defense of Marriage Act. We also asked about support for LGBT youth and seniors, ensuring diversity in hiring and who they go to for advice on LGBT issues. For the LGBT community in Pennsylvania, there are four races that need attention in Tuesday’s election, as the outcomes could have far-reaching, longterm effects. Those races — all hotly contested — are Pennsylvania governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives 8th District and Pennsylvania state House of Representatives 26th District. If there was any doubt this paper would endorse Democrat Dan Onorato for governor, it was eradicated during the gubernatorial debate held here in Philadelphia at the studios of WPVI, when the candidates were asked about bullying. Onorato said strongly that we need to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the hate-crimes law, then went further and said we also need to add those groups to the nondiscrimination laws of Pennsylvania. Tom Corbett, the current attorney general, said he sympathized with bullying victims but they were already protected by law. While there may be some truth to that — if they are bullied based on gender stereotypes — he offered bullying victims not a shred of help. Dan Onorato for governor. Several of the races in this election are no-brainers for the gay community. One such contest is Joe Sestak vs. Pat Toomey for the U.S. Senate seat held by Arlen Specter. Democrat Sestak has what any member of our community would categorize as a stellar record on our issues. His opponent on our issues is, let’s use his own words: “My voting record is almost the same as Sen. Santorum.” He’s a troglodyte. Our strongest endorsement to Joe Sestak for Senate. U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-8th Dist.) is another no-brainer for the LGBT community. The incumbent, an Iraq War veteran, is a longtime supporter of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and took the lead on that legislation in the House, where it passed. He voted in favor of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act and is a co-sponsor of the Employment NonDiscrimination Act and the Safe Schools Improvement Act. Pat Murphy for U.S. House. The last no-brainer decision for the gay community is Fern Kaufman, a Democrat running to unseat incumbent Tim Hennessey (R) in the 26th District. If successful, Kaufman would be the first openly gay or lesbian member of the Pennsylvania Legislature. When she ran against Hennessey in the last election, she lost by 2 percentage points. She’s been attacked by the Republican Party of Pennsylvania as a “left-wing extremist,” and for “boast[ing] about her support from Howard Dean’s PAC in The Philadelphia Gay News” in a direct-mail piece. (At least they spelled our name right.) Fern Kaufman for Pennsylvania House. ■
Creep of the Week
D’Anne Witkowski
Tim Hicks Attention all incestuous Iowans. Your dream is coming true. Soon you’ll be able to marry the object of your incestuous affections. Since that’s how incest works: just two people in love, oppressed by blood. It’s like “Flowers in the Attic” on Broadway, only Broadway is real life. This is all thanks to the Iowa Supreme Court. No, they haven’t legalized incest. But they will. After all, they made it legal for homos to marry each other, so incest is next on the agenda. At least that’s what Tim Hicks promises. And he would know, since he is apparently insane. Hicks is a member of Cornerstone World Outreach in Sioux City, a church facing IRS scrutiny for its rabid campaign to boot three members of the Iowa Supreme Court who are up for reelection. Apparently it’s a violation of federal tax law to mount a political campaign from the pulpit. But hey, it’s not God’s law so they apparently don’t have to follow it. When he’s not blowing his sax for the Cornerstone Praise Team, Hicks apparently likes to make videos under the moniker Creative Media Solutions. One of his latest, which is up on YouTube, features “Mike and Sharron” spoofing an eHarmony ad. “We were made to be together,” Mike says, his arm around Sharron.
“But there was a time when society would not allow us to be married.” He continues, “You have to be friends before you’re lovers.” Sharron chimes in, “That’s definitely true of us.” “And we were definitely friends before we were lovers,” he says. “But more importantly than that,” says Sharron, “before we were friends we were brother and sister.” “If it wasn’t for the Iowa Supreme Court, we wouldn’t be married today,” Mike says. And then, in unison: “Thanks, Iowa Supreme Court!” followed by a clip of the pair kissing. On the lips. Eww! Look, as far as parody videos go, it’s actually pretty good. The production level is pretty high, the actors know how to say their lines (though they could have used a bigger makeup budget. I mean, come on. It’s hot under those lights. A little powder would’ve gone a long way, that’s all I’m saying), and it’s a clever premise. As far as arguments go, well, that’s another story. The whole “slippery slope” argument is a crowd favorite among antigay folks wanting to keep homos from marrying each other. And while it may be fun to imagine the havoc that might wreak on society, it just doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. To quote Andrew Sullivan, “If you
want to argue that a lifetime of loving, faithful commitment between two women is equivalent to incest or child abuse, then please argue it. It would make for fascinating reading. But spare us this bizarre point that no new line can be drawn in access to marriage — or else everything is up for grabs and, before we know where we are, men will be marrying their dogs.” Of course to Hicks, incest and homosexuality are pretty much the same thing in that they’re horrible and disgusting and against God or whatever. But in the reality-based world where rational people live, they are not the same thing at all. But in order to see that, you can’t just dismiss gays and lesbians as a bunch of sex-crazed lunatics hell-bent on destroying marriage. You have to be able to see gays and lesbians as actual human beings capable of love and same-sex couples deserving of the protections that come with a legally recognized marriage. My guess is that Hicks isn’t capable of this. The Iowa Supreme Court is, however, and that’s screwing up the “homos are the worst” narrative. Sadly for Hicks and Co., that’s the only story they know. ■ D’Anne Witkowski is a Detroit-based freelance writer and poet (believe it!).
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
Mark My Words
Street Talk
Mark Segal
Gov. Rendell on LGBT pub crawl On Oct. 30, Gov. Rendell will do an LGBT pub crawl to help get out the LGBT vote for the Nov. 2 election, starting at 10 p.m. at Q Lounge, 1234 Locust St. What’s remarkable about this is that it’s not remarkable for this governor. Ed has been doing gay bar crawls since he first ran for office in the 1980s. And he’s done so in each of his elections and also in those where, like this one, he is not running. He’s a great believer in the LGBT community and its voting numbers. It’s served him well in his political career and he, in return, has supported this community. Thanks to Ed and others in the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Democratic Party, our community is included in what is referred to as the Democratic Coalition. It’s the kind of recognition that I hope someday the Republican Party will give to its LGBT members.
And while we commend Gov. Ed on his outreach, we should be asking why more elected officials don’t do the same. Here in Philly, it’s routine. What about New York City, Los Angeles or Chicago? Philly is light years ahead. Maybe it took a governor who saw the future of civil rights back in the 1980s. When Ed asked me to arrange that first bar tour some 30 years ago, it had never been done before and we wondered what the reaction would be. The LGBT community was, as expected, welcoming. Ed and his staff were delighted with the acceptance and then a TV crew showed up unexpectedly. Ed’s staff wanted to hustle him out of there, but instead Ed decided to speak on camera. That was a defining moment in Pennsylvania politics and civil rights. So if you think a gay pub crawl isn’t important, think again. ■ Mark Segal is PGN publisher. He is the nation’s most-award-winning commentator in LGBT media, having just received the 2010 Columnist of the Year Award from the 2,000-member Suburban Newspapers of America. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com.
Letters and Feedback Voting for LGBT friends and allies Editor: The current political electoral debate calls into question the role of the federal government and the extent of the use of the wealth of the nation through taxes and spending. Expressions of the debate challenge voters to resort to the true meaning of the Constitution and subscription to liberty from government intrusion. The glaring omission from the debate, however, is a review of the Preamble of the Constitution: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” And the ending of the Pledge of Allegiance: “With Liberty and Justice for all.” These words call for action for the common good! The current Congress and administration were confronted with a financial catastrophe comprised of a near-complete failure of the banking system, demise of the domestic automobile industry, overextension of consumer credit and real-estate financing, exorbitant oil prices and two underfunded wars. With a ris-
ing unemployment rate, collapse of consumer confidence and buying power, and a contraction of domestic and foreign trade of goods and services, Congress and the administration acted for the “general welfare” of the nation with a focus on all Americans and not just the privileged few. The federal government enacted an economic-stimulus package that reversed the free-fall of the stock market, provided funding to state and local governments for police and education and provided funding for long-overdue infrastructure rebuilding of the nation’s economic thoroughfares. Legislation was enacted to make college loans more affordable, stimulate purchases of automobiles and durable goods, provide new consumer protections for credit-card users, provide tax credits for first-time homeowners, provide businesses with tax incentives to hire unemployed workers, increase federal regulation of tobacco products, crack down on waste in Pentagon weapons’ acquisition, ma,e attacks based on sexual orientation a federal hate crime, provide remedies for women to challenge pay discrimination, eliminate the costly Medicare donut-hole for seniors, promote scientific research and provide a meaningful healthcare program for all Americans. Congress and the administra-
PAGE 11
tion acted true to the words of the Constitution and the Pledge of Allegiance through action. The consequences of the failure to act would have been staggering. Confronted with a fierce resistance to any action, our government acted to preserve, defend and uphold the Constitution for the betterment of all Americans. Criticism that such action would bring America to bankruptcy is naïve and pandering to the interests of the few. On Nov. 2, let us go to the election polls and decide whether the actions of our government warrant reelection of our representatives to continue the policies of addressing the problems we Americans face together, or whether they should be replaced with others who shout for change, but are afraid of the changes in our policies that seek the common good for all Americans. Robert Szwajkos Newtown Editor: LGBT Democrats cannot afford the danger of suffering from fatigue or malaise in this Congressional election. Many of us think the honeymoon is over with the Obama administration. LGBT activists are See LETTERS, Page 12
What’s the most important race in this election?
Jacqueline Edmond psychotherapist Mt. Airy
Evan Kirkley student West Philadelphia
“The Senate race in Delaware comes to mind, maybe because of all the publicity. I’m interested in seeing the outcome. Christine O’Donnell has made some unusual statements. She doesn’t impress me favorably. And I question her level of experience.”
“Toomey vs. Sestak [in the Pennsylvania Senate race]. I’m a progressive. I’m voting for Sestak. He’s more empathetic to the issues I’m sensitive to. From what little I know about Toomey, I’m totally turned off to him. I don’t care to learn more about him.”
Jolion McGreevy medical student West Philadelphia
Jason Schwalm quality-assurance analyst Manayunk
“Harry Reid’s race against Sharron Angle for the Senate in Nevada. Her platform focuses on immigrants in an angry way. I don’t think ill will toward a particular group is what we need. I hope Reid wins. And I hope the angry dialogue ends, because it’s happening everywhere.”
“The gubernatorial race in New York: It’s important to defeat Carl Paladino. You can look across the country and see the trend is against his kind of ideas. He’s entitled to his opinions, but he’s standing against progress. I hope he loses.”
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 12
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LETTERS From Page 11 questioning whether this change we hear about is sincere. To many, President Obama does not seem to be pursuing the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the Defense of Marriage Act. This has become especially jarring since the Justice Department is appealing federal court rulings that declare DADT and DOMA unconstitutional. The fear is that the administration does not have our best interests at heart. But Joe Sestak has proven his loyalty to the LGBT communities. Joe co-sponsored the Domestic Partnership Benefits Obligations Act that provides federal civilian LGBT employees the same benefits that are currently offered to all spouses of federal employees. Joe co-sponsored the Tax Equity For Health Plan Beneficiaries Act. This ends the discrimination that limits employer-sponsored health coverage for domestic partners and other non-spouse, non-dependent beneficiaries. Joe co-sponsored the Family Medical Leave Inclusion Act that permits an employee to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave from work if his or her domestic partner or same-sex spouse has a serious health condition. Joe is an original co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Very tellingly, Joe is co-sponsor of legislation to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and he supports repeal
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010 of the Defense of Marriage Act. Finally, Joe is co-sponsor of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. This is very important because his opponent, Pat Toomey, wants to appear to be mainstream but is against hatecrimes legislation, a woman’s right to choose and LGBT rights. If in two years Obama has proven to only give lip service to our issues, if it is shown that he is only with us when it is convenient and the weather is fair, we can campaign for another Democratic presidential candidate who will respect us. In the meantime, we should plead our case, petition and demonstrate to make Obama hear us. Perhaps we need only to seriously threaten to support another candidate to get this administration to take us seriously. This is our Democratic Party. It does not belong to one person, not even Barack Obama. We need to protect our presence in the party and the Democratic majority in the Congress. The Supreme Court already tilts to the right. We have to continue to maintain a Democratic Congress and presidency so that in time we can tilt it back. We need to elect Sen. Joe Sestak to do that. It is well known that Joe Sestak is independent of Obama. He did not need the president’s support to win the primary. He will not need his support or approval to repeal DADT or DOMA. Cei Bell Philadelphia
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In response to “Investigation continues in Blahnik murder,” Oct. 22-28: This is in response to the letters to the editor about the tragic death of Stacey Blahnik and the PGN’s use of her birth name. I understand their outrage! The same editorial practice was used in the initial reportage of Nizah Morris’ murder many years ago. As a trans-activist, I contacted PGN at the time to say that their use of Nizah’s birth name and male pronoun was disrespectful. While PGN has ceased using inappropriate gender pronouns, they seem to have not gotten the message about trans-affirming naming. If this is really a matter of journalistic practice, a dubious excuse, then I say turn to the Associated Press Style Manual for the appropriate usage. I quote the AP Style Manual as follows: “Transgender is an overall term for people whose current identity differs from their sex at birth, whether or not they have changed their biological characteristics. Cite a person’s transgender status only when it is pertinent and its pertinence is clear to the reader. Unless a former name is newsworthy or pertinent, use the name and pronouns (he, his, she, her, hers) preferred by the transgender person. If no preference is known, use the pronouns consistent with the way the subject lives publicly.” While this policy is open to interpretation, I contend that it is not “newsworthy or pertinent” to use the birth name of a trans-identified person in any situation. Please, PGN, enter the 21st century and use trans-affirming language. Trans communities have been dealing with PGN and this same issue for several decades; it’s about time for a change! — Ben Singer Editor’s note: In our coverage, PGN used Stacey Blahnik’s legal name in our initial reporting, though not in subsequent coverage. Initially, the police reported this as the murder of a man, also using Blahnik’s legal name. As it is possible — and still unknown at this time — that Blahnik’s killer was motivated by her gender identity, it is important to report that fact. It was also important to make sure the community knew that Blahnik was the person who had been killed, not a second male-identified individual. Moreover, Blahnik, for whatever reason, had not changed her name legally. We must assume — correctly or incorrectly — that she had a valid reason, and we respect that. ■
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
Op-ed
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 13 Thurs. - Sat. 10 - 9:00 pm Sun. 10 - 6:00 pm
The Rev. Dr. Cindi Love
HALLOWEEN SPECIALS!
Faith, science and love counter antigay lies and prejudice On Nov. 5, I will gather with hundreds of human-rights activists at Love Park to send a clear message to LGBTQ young people: Their lives are valued, and the message of hate drummed into their ears all too loudly is a lie. As executive director of Soulforce, the organization sponsoring this “Life Rally,” I understand all too well the urgency of sending this message. Soulforce was founded in 1998 to advocate the use of nonviolent resistance against the forces of religious and political bigotry that oppress LGBTQ people throughout the country. Over the years, we have become a leading voice in the fight to end discrimination against LGBTQ people by groups like the National Organization for Marriage, Focus on the Family, the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality and the Mormon and Catholic churches. Millions of Americans’ thinking about homosexuality has been heavily influenced by these organizations, making it all the more imperative that those who believe in tolerance and inclusion counter their messages of intolerance. We have led acts of civil disobedience at major gatherings of these antigay groups to expose the truth about the torment experienced by youth rejected by their religious institutions and their families — a torment that often leads to depression and suicide. The Life Rally is just one part of what Soulforce is bringing to Philadelphia. On Nov. 6, Soulforce will hold an allday symposium, “The Truth About Faith, Science, Love and Reparative Therapy.” Speakers will debunk the myths that plague our national conversation about homosexuality — both the
notion that homosexuality can be changed and the notion that there is a valid reason why any young person should seek to change it. We had expected mostly LGBT people and allies to attend the symposium, but the tragic loss of young lives over the last several weeks — Asher Brown, Billy Lucas, Tyler Clementi and more — shows how important this event really is to all of us. For too long, vast numbers of LGBTQ youth have been led to believe that their only options are to stay in the closet and lie about who they are, run away from home and live on the streets or die by taking their own lives. It is past time for all fair-minded people to show up and speak up. It is time to send a loud and clear message that both fairminded Americans and good science disagree with the abusive practices of all families, teachers and ministers who require
LGBTQ young people to attend reparative therapy or be rejected or subjected to shame and exclusion. It is time to send a loud and clear message that politicians who choose to speak against LGBTQ people, from Carl Paladino to Ken Buck, will be held accountable for the effect of their hate-filled words on young people. If we don’t gather and speak the truth, we leave unchallenged the message that these abusers send to our young people, who must hear and live with such bigotry every day. It is time to send a different message. It is time to stand up and tell our youth: Your sexuality is not a curse — it is a vital, wonderful part of how you were created. ■
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
Obama appoints record number of gay officials By Sam Hananel The Associated Press Less than halfway through his first term, President Obama has appointed more openly gay officials than any other president in history. Gay activists say the estimate of more than 150 appointments so far — from agency heads and commission members to policy officials and senior staffers — surpasses the previous high of about 140 reached during two full terms under President Bill Clinton. “From everything we hear from inside the administration, they wanted this to be part of their efforts at diversity,” said Denis Dison, spokesperson for the Presidential Appointments Project of the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute. The pace of appointments has helped to ease broader disappointment among gay-rights groups that Obama has not acted more quickly on other fronts, such as ending the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that bans gays from serving openly in the military. In a sign of how times have changed, few of the appointees — about two-dozen required Senate confirmation — have stirred much controversy. It’s a far cry from the 1993 furor surrounding Clinton’s nomination of then-San Francisco Supervisor Roberta Achtenberg as assistant secretary for Housing and Urban Development. Achtenberg was the first openly gay official to serve at such a senior level, and she won confirmation despite contentious hearings and Republican Sen. Jesse Helms, who denounced her as a “militant extremist.” Gay activists, among Obama’s strongest supporters, had hoped he would be the first to appoint an openly gay Cabinet secretary. While that hasn’t happened yet, Obama appointed the highestranking gay official ever when he named John Berry as director of Office of Personnel Management, which oversees the nation’s 1.9million federal workers. Other prominent names include Nancy Sutley, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and Fred Hochberg, chairman of the Export-Import Bank. Obama also named Amanda Simpson, the first openly transgender appointee, as a senior technical adviser in the Commerce
Department. White House spokesperson Shin Inouye confirmed the record number, saying Obama has hired more gay officials than the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations combined. He said Obama “is proud that his appointments reflect the diversity of the American public.” “He is committed to appointing highly qualified individuals for each post,” Inouye said. “We have made a record number of openly LGBT appointments and we are confident that this number will only continue to grow.” Dison’s group lists 124 of the appointees on its website. He said the remainder are not listed because they are lower-level officials not formally announced by the White House. “We learn about a lot of these through informal networks and then work to confirm that they are indeed appointed and that they are openly LGBT,” Dison said. One Obama nominee who met some opposition was Chai Feldblum, a Georgetown University law professor nominated to serve on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Concerned Women for America accused Feldblum of playing “a major role in pushing the homosexual and transsexual agenda on Americans.” Other conservative groups blasted her role in drafting the Employment NonDiscrimination Act, a bill that would ban employers from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, legislation Obama supports. Obama made Feldblum a recess appointment in March after an anonymous hold in the Senate held up her confirmation for months. Another target for conservatives was Kevin Jennings, founder of the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network, who was named to oversee the Education Department’s Office of Safe & Drug Free Schools. More than 50 House Republicans asked Obama to remove Jennings from the post after reports surfaced about advice he gave more than 20 years earlier after learning a gay student had sex with an older man. Jennings conceded he should have consulted medical or legal authorities instead of telling the 15-year-old he hoped he had used a condom. The Obama administration defended Jennings and declined to remove him. ■
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 15
Wedding Ray Murphy and Joel Nichols By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer More than 100 family members and friends will gather in Vermont this weekend to celebrate the wedding of two active Philadelphia LGBT community members. Ray Murphy and Joel Nichols will wed at the Middlebury Town Hall Theater in Middlebury, Vt., Oct. 30. Although Vermont is a marriage-equality state, the pair said their union is not about politics, but rather a way to honor their relationship and future before their loved ones. “We both have reservations about the way that marriage is such a priority in terms of policy,” Murphy said. “So it’s not for the legal aspect, but I knew that I wanted to spend my life with him and when we got engaged, I think that just affirms that.” Murphy proposed to Nichols two days after Christmas in 2008 in Nichols’ mother’s living room in Vermont. “When he asked me to marry him, I said yes, but only if we don’t call it marriage,” he said. “I think that’s something that gay people often do so they behave by the same rules as straight people. For a long time, I was totally against it because I don’t think it should be the foremost right that queer
people should be fighting for. If we lived in Vermont, of course I’d be happy to have the inheritance and pension rights and all that come with marriage, but for us there are a lot of other important political things that we care about too.” Nichols, a native of Vermont, moved to Philadelphia in 2003 to begin a master’s program in creative writing at Temple University. Murphy sent Nichols a message on Friendster and the pair decided to meet up in person at a local bar. “I thought he was really cute,” Murphy said. “I remember thinking his hair was too long: He looked like Tommy in ‘Hedwig [and the Angry Inch].’ But I thought he was out of my league.” That wasn’t the case, however, as Nichols echoed Murphy’s comments word for word. “I thought he was really cute,” Nichols said. “I was brand new to Philly and I was impressed that he showed me all around and showed me what stuff there was to do here. I was trying to feel out the city for myself for a few weeks and then all of a sudden I had this expert leading me around.” When living in Vermont, Nichols worked as a columnist at the state’s only gay newspaper. In 2002, he was selected for a Fulbright fellowship and studied sexol-
ogy and gay literature in Germany. Since moving to Philadelphia, Nichols, 30, has earned a degree from Temple, as well as a master’s degree in library and information science from Drexel University and works as a children’s librarian at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Murphy, 31, is a native of Philadelphia who attained his bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh. He has been active in the local LGBT political scene, serving as a former co-chair of Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club and the founder of Philadelphians Against Santorum, which helped to successfully unseat the antigay former senator. Murphy is currently the director of communications for social-justice foundation Bread & Roses Community Fund. Although they have somewhat different career trajectories, Nichols said he and Murphy realized at the beginning of their relationship just how much they did have in common. “We have shared values for social change,” he said. “We have pretty similar politics and both have a passion for social
MURPHY (LEFT) AND NICHOLS
policy that we connected over the first night we met and I think that’s something we’ve been continuing to develop together.” Murphy noted that the wedding itself will demonstrate a principle he and Nichols support. “I think the ceremony will show the power of community, which is something both of us believe strongly in,” he said. “Communities have the power to change people’s lives and make the world a better place to live. And we’re going to have a community of friends and family around us to help us affirm our relationship, and I think that’s going to give us strength that will help us to get through the good times and the bad times that I’m sure are both ahead.” ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
On Being Well Since the start of the school year, no fewer than six young people have taken their lives after enduring homophobic and transphobic bullying in their schools. A study by the Department of Education finds that one of every three American sixth-10th graders is affected by bullying and harassment. GLSEN’s 2009 National School Climate Survey indicates that over 60 percent of LGBTQ students surveyed felt unsafe in school because of their sexual orientation (probably because, as the survey also finds, about 85 percent of them were verbally harassed at school and 40 percent were physically harassed). Whether because of a single incident of harassment or protracted patterns of it, too many young people are left feeling vulnerable and hopeless. This is as much a public-health crisis as an educational crisis, and must be treated as such. Bullied youth can suffer physical and emotional trauma that echoes well into adulthood. Youth who are bullies tend to be aggressive as adults, experiencing higher-than-average rates of arrests and incarceration. We know, of course, that these most recently publicized suicides were not the first for LGBTQ students who’d been bullied and harassed by peers, but we can strive as a community to ensure that they are the last. To be teased and taunted, outed or threatened with outing, targeted with homophobic and transphobic epithets, assailed both physically and verbally, deliberately excluded and isolated — we call it bullying; we call it harassment. We name the behavior, we define it, and in doing so, we signify that it’s an aberration, something outside of the bounds of acceptable human interaction. But for too many young people, this is just life. For too many young people, being demeaned and tormented by classmates is an everyday occurrence. It’s part of a daily routine so embedded in our culture that it’s widely unquestioned and treated as a rite of passage that must be tolerated until at some vague, distant point in the future it will resolve itself. But patience and passivity will
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Allison Buehler not make our students any safer: There are things we can do now, things that will make a difference. In schools across our region, many students and staff members are working to create safer schools for LGBTQ youth and families. In at least 45 gaystraight alliance groups in Philadelphia, adults and young people are carving out welcoming spaces, educating peers and teachers about the impact of homophobia and transphobia, connecting with the many resources for queer youth in Philadelphia. There are brave young people every day across this country standing up and fighting back, refusing to accept a principal who says they can’t start a GSA at their public school, a school board that says they can’t wear a tux to the prom, a system that doesn’t intervene when they’ve been harassed. This is the next generation, and they are extraordinary. They also need our support. Anyone who is concerned about this issue can contact their representatives in Congress and urge them to support both the Student Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 4530/S. 3390) and the Safe Schools Improvement Act (H.R. 2262/S. 3739). The first bill would ensure that no public schools could exclude students based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The second would amend the Safe and DrugFree Schools and Communities Act to compel all public schools to adopt effective and comprehensive policies to address bullying and harassment. For more information on how youth and adults can help, visit the Make It Better Project at www.makeitbetterproject.org. Sponsored by the GSA Network in California and endorsed locally by Mazzoni Center, this project offers resources on suicide prevention and bullying prevention. It also provides a platform from which young people can share what they’ve been doing to make their schools safer, more welcoming places for LGBTQ students and families. ■ Allison Buehler is education manager at Mazzoni Center, the region’s only LGBT-specific health center. Through the Ally Safe Schools Program, Buehler works with school staff and students to help create safer climates for local LGBTQA youth.
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MARKETPLACE
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EN PHILA. EL MARTES, 2 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2010 ENTRE LAS 7:00 A.M. Y 8:00 P.M. EL 2 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2010 LOS VOTANTES ELEGIRÁN PERSONAS
ELECCIÓN GENERAL Y ESPECIAL - MARTES 2 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2010 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY DEMÓCRATA
CARGO SENADOR DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS (Vote por 1)
Balota Demócrata Consecutiva
JOE SESTAK
REPUBLICANO
1 101
Balota Republicana Consecutiva
PAT TOOMEY
VERDE
2
Balota Verde Consecutiva
LIBERTARIO
3
Balota Libertaria Consecutiva
PARTIDO DEL WARREN BLOOM
4
Balota Partido del Warren Bloom Consecutiva
ELECCIÓN PERSONAL
5
201
Propuesto Alquila Cambio Pregunta 1 (Projecto de la Ley No. 090580 AA) Por escrito
GOBERNADOR Y SUB GOBERNADOR (Vote por los Candidatos para Gobernador y sub-Gobernador de un Partido)
TOM CORBETT Gobernador
DAN ONORATO Gobernador
H SCOTT CONKLIN Sub-Gobernador
102
JIM CAWLEY Sub-Gobernador
202
Por escrito
REPRESENTANTE DEL CONGRESO 2nd Distrito (Vote por 1)
PREGUNTAS
El nombre del candidato El nombre del candidato El nombre del candidato El nombre del candidato El nombre del candidato aparecerá aquí aparecerá aquí aparecerá aquí aparecerá aquí aparecerá aquí
”¿Alquilará el Fletamento de Autonomía de Filadelfia enmendada para ser confirmado el poder del Concilio a (i) required la Ciudad, sus contratistas y recipientes financieros de ayuda a proporciona que fracaso para conformarse con tales requisitos pueden prohibir temporiamente un negocio de recibir contratos de Ciudad o ayuda financiera; y para autorizar el Concilio a designar las agencias de Ciudad existente (incluyendo el Concilio) o para crear nuevas agencias para imponer tales provisiones?” SI
Por escrito
SENADOR EN LA ASAMBLEA GENERAL 4th Distrito (Vote por 1)
REPRESENTANTE EN LA ASAMBLEA GENERAL 200th Distrito (Vote por 1)
El nombre del candidato El nombre del candidato El nombre del candidato El nombre del candidato El nombre del candidato aparecerá aquí aparecerá aquí aparecerá aquí aparecerá aquí aparecerá aquí
Por escrito
El nombre del candidato El nombre del candidato El nombre del candidato El nombre del candidato El nombre del candidato aparecerá aquí aparecerá aquí aparecerá aquí aparecerá aquí aparecerá aquí
Por escrito
INSTRUCCIONES REVISE TODAS SUS SELECCIONES Y ASEGÚRESE DE QUE LA LUZ ROJA ESTÁ ENCENDIDA AL LADO DE CADA CANDIDATO ESCOGIDO POR USTED ANTES DE HACER PRESIÓN SOBRE EL BOTÓN VERDE DE VOTAR ABAJO
EL FONDO DE COMPENSACION DE LOS VETERANOS DEL CONFLICTO DEL GOLFO PERSICO REFERENDUM
VOTE
votación a los votantes, autoriza además al General Adjunto de Pennsylvania a crear reglas y procedimientos para administrar pagos del fondo de Compensación. Si
NO QUIERO VOTAR POR NINGÚN PUESTO, CANDIDATO O PREGUNTA
NINGÚN VOTO
participación de las empresas de negocio en desventaja en ciertos contratos de la Ciudad comparada con el total empresas disponibles de negocios cualificadas como en
NO
Propuesto Alquila Cambio Pregunta 2 (Proyecto de la Ley No. 100334) “¿Alquilará el Fletamento de Autonomía de Filadelfia ser enmiendado para modernizar el proceso de obtención de la Ciudad, incluyendo npara permitir subasta electrónica, remates inversos electrónicos y ejecución electrónica de contratos; para la seguridad apropiada del licitador; y para comprar de cooperativa; todo minimizar el costo a la Ciudad de contratos?” SI NO
Propuesto Alquila Cambio Pregunta 3 (Proyecto de la Ley No. 100335)
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NEWS BRIEFING From Page 5
Cover your walls with 2011 Calendars
(More skin than you can shake a stick at) MON. - SAT. 11:30 - 7p.m. SUNDAY 1:00 - 7p.m. email: giovannis_room@verizon.net
campuses. In addition to selecting the Voice & Action winner, Campus Pride will, for the first time, also select a “Top 12 Leaders in Action” from the pool of candidates. For more information or to apply, visit www.campuspride.org.
Mazzoni launches new recovery group Mazzoni Center and Recovery Empowerment and Community Health are launching a new “Social Sober Space” monthly group meeting to provide men, transmen and transwomen a venue to assist them in their recovery. The first meeting will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St., second floor. “In our work with clients, we have found that there is a real need to provide activities and sober spaces where individuals can come together and socialize with each other without alcohol or other substances being a focus of the interaction,” said REACH project manager John Edwards. To RSVP or for more information, contact Alex Leigh at (215) 563-0652 ext. 521 or e-mail aleigh@mazzonicenter.org. — Jen Colletta
Conviction in Pa. murder upheld A state appellate court has upheld the conviction and life sentence of a Virginia man in the murder of a rival in the gay porn business in northeastern Pennsylvania. Harlow Cuadra, 29, of Virginia Beach, Va., was seeking a new trial, alleging errors by the judge before and during his March 2009 trial in Luzerne County. The Times-Leader of Wilkes-Barre reported last Monday that the Superior Court ruled Oct. 14 that the judge’s rulings were “welldetailed and well-reasoned.” Cuadra was convicted of firstdegree murder and other offenses in the 2007 slaying of 44-year-old Bryan Kocis in his rural Dallas Township home. Investigators said Cuadra and 26-year-old Joseph Kerekes killed Kocis and then set the house on fire. Kerekes pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in December 2008 and was sentenced to life in prison. ■ — The Associated Press
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CANDIDATES From Page 9 sor of other pro-LGBT measures such as the Employment NonDiscrimination Act and the Safe Schools Improvement Act. Murphy noted that anti-LGBT school bullying can be traced all the way up to the federal government, which he said “sets a bad example for LGBT teens when they tell us that people aren’t qualified to serve in our military just because they happen to be gay. We need to make sure that all young people know that they are valued members of our society.” 13th District Allyson Schwartz
D e mocratic C o n gresswoman Schwartz has represented Pennsylvania since 2 0 0 5 after more than a decade in the state Senate, and pledged to continue to support the LGBT community if reelected. Schwartz is a cosponsor of such bills as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act; the measure that seeks to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”; the Uniting American Families Act, which looks to eliminate LGBT immigration discrimination; and the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, a measure that would grant equal benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. She also voted for the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act. She said she would support the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, although she believes the issue of same-sex marriage should be left up to the states. Schwartz has employed a number of openly LGBT individuals and said she has worked with the state and local human-relations commissions to ensure both are “strong watchdogs” for eliminating LGBT discrimination in federally funded small-business opportunities. While she was a state senator, Schwartz was influential in pushing through the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in the state hate-crimes law and received special recognition from Equality Pennsylvania for her efforts. “I have a long history of working
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
closely on issues of nondiscrimination and fairness and equality for the LGBT community here in Philadelphia and now in Washington,” she said. “I welcome the support of the LGBT community, and I look forward to continuing to work together.” PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR Dan Onorato
Gubernatorial candidate Onorato is seeking to continue Pennsylva n i a ’s e i g h t years of Democratic leadership, and said he would make his administration one that is attentive to and inclusive of the LGBT community. As the chief executive of Allegheny County, Onorato signed into law the county’s LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance last year. Onorato does not support samesex marriage but said he would work against any effort to amend the state’s constitution to limit the definition of marriage to one man and one woman. He is in favor of civil unions and domestic-partnerships for same-sex couples. Onorato supports amending the state’s hate-crimes law to include sexual orientation and gender identity and also supports House Bill 300, which would ban LGBT discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations. In addition to enacting HB 300, Onorato said the state needs to raise awareness about LGBT discrimination to protect sexual minorities of all ages. “We need to make a strong statement that we are not going to tolerate discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, from everyone from youth to seniors,” he said. “If we’re serious about it, we need to have both a strong education program and a strong enforcement policy. It’s important that this law has teeth that makes it clear that it’s illegal, but education and outreach are also key.” Onorato said he would recruit LGBTs to serve in his administration and that his commitment to diversity would continue throughout his run as governor. “You have to lead by example See CANDIDATES, Page 36
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$81K in legal fees awarded in lesbian prom case By Holbrook Mohr The Associated Press JACKSON, Miss. — A federal judge has ordered a Mississippi school district to pay $81,665 in legal fees and expenses in a lawsuit filed by a lesbian student whose prom was canceled because she wanted to bring her girlfriend to the dance. Lawyers for the student deemed the ruling a victory, saying Tuesday that it serves as a warning to other school districts that discriminating against gay students can be costly. Constance McMillen and the American Civil Liberties Union sued the Itawamba County School District in March to challenge the ban on same-sex prom dates.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, also challenged a rule that prohibited female students from wearing tuxedos to the prom. The small, rural school district responded to the suit by canceling Itawamba Agricultural High School’s April 2 prom. Parents sponsored another dance, but McMillen claimed she was tricked into going to a “sham prom” and wasn’t invited to the private dance attended by most students. U.S. District Judge Glen H. Davidson had already ruled that McMillen’s rights were violated. He signed an order Monday calling for the district to pay $67,265.50 in attorney’s fees and $14,400 in expenses. “We are very satisfied with the amount,”
ACLU attorney Christine P. Sun said Tuesday in a telephone interview. “This case was not about the money, but hopefully it will send a message to school districts that it’s not only wrong to discriminate against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students, but there are monetary consequences for doing so.” McMillen had already been awarded $35,000 in the case. The school district was forced to implement a nondiscrimination policy dealing with gay students. The legal fees will be split among six lawyers and a paralegal based on the number of hours they worked on the case. The attorneys fees range from $125 to $200 an hour. The paralegal was paid $95 an hour.
The school district’s lawyers had argued in court records that McMillen’s attorneys were seeking excessive fees. The district also asked the court to scrutinize McMillen’s lawyers’ time sheets, alleging they were claiming “excessive, redundant and duplicative hours.” The court reduced the amount of billable hours that the school district was ordered to pay by 10 percent to account for “travel time, redundant work and idle time in the courtroom.” McMillen transferred to another school and graduated. She plans to study psychology at a Tennessee college. She has appeared on television shows and visited the White House as an invited guest after her case received nationwide attention. ■
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Beth Ahavah and Rodeph Shalom are affiliated in spirit and share a sacred home. In July 2007 Beth Ahavah affiliated with Rodeph Shalom. Beth Ahavah retains its congregational status within the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and proudly offers its congregation dual membership at both synagogues Visit www.bethahavah.org for additional information, programming and directions 615 North Broad Street, Phila., PA 19123-2495 Phone: 215.923.2003 E-mail: BethAhavah@rodephshalom.org Free secure parking: Cross Spring Garden at 13th St., left at next light, Mt. Vernon St. Parking lot entrance on left.
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CANDIDATES From Page 31 and, as county executive, I created one of the most diverse workforces in the country. I’m committed to making sure the community has a seat at the table in key levels of state government,” he said. “I’m going to support and push for changes in state law that protect members of the LGBT community, in regards to things like nondiscrimination, hate crimes and anti-bullying, and make sure that we send a very clear signal to the state that discrimination will not be tolerated.” LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Scott Conklin
D e mo c r a t Conklin has represented Centre County in the s t a t e House for the past four years and said he’s an ally to the LGBT community both personally and professionally, a principle he’s hoping to demonstrate if elected as the state’s next lieutenant governor. Conklin supports the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in the state’s hate-crimes and nondiscrimination laws. He supports civil unions and would oppose any measure to amend the state constitution to limit the definition of marriage to one man and one woman. As a Centre County commissioner, in 2001 Conklin voted for and helped implement a countywide LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination measure. Conklin said he believes strongly that youth, LGBTs included, need stronger measures in place and better education to protect them from bullying and violence. “We need to be proactive, not reactive,” Conklin said of the youth-bullying epidemic. “No one should be bullied for any reason or any circumstance. And that needs to start young: Kids need to be taught that it’s not acceptable beginning at an early age.” Conklin recently spearheaded a successful measure that seeks to curb teen-dating violence and which defines a dating partner regardless of gender. Conklin said he did see opposition to the measure because of this component, as
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one lawmaker accused him of trying to advance the “homosexual agenda,” but he said he was adamant that teens in both oppositeand same-sex relationships need protections. Conklin, who employs a number of openly LGBT people on his campaign, said he would search for the best and brightest employees to staff his office, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity — a principle he also said should be followed in state contracting. “We have to make sure that when somebody puts a business plan forward, they’re selected based solely on their ability to do business, create a product and create jobs,” he said. “We have to make sure that all individuals who have good plans have the opportunities to excel.” STATE SENATE 8th District Rhashea Lynn Harmon
H a rmon, a native Philadelphian and an attorney, is hoping to unseat longtime state Sen. Anthony
Williams (D). Harmon, a Republican, said she is not in favor of same-sex marriage but would support civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex couples. She would not support repealing the state’s Defense of Marriage Act but would oppose efforts to amend the state constitution to limit the definition of marriage to one man and one woman. “I believe that we as human beings do not have the right to interfere in the consensual relationships of adults,” she said. “If same-sex couples decide to spend the rest of their lives together, that is their business. I understand if people take issue with calling their bond a marriage; however, there is nothing wrong with allowing them to have a civil union.” Harmon said she would be in favor of the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in the state’s hate-crimes and nondiscrimination laws. Harmon said her broader agenda, if she is elected to office, should resonate with the LGBT community. “What I have planned for the
community as a whole will affect the LGBT community because I am an advocate for reforming education, lowering taxes, increasing jobs, supporting small businesses and reducing crime,” she said. “Because my plan to address these issues will affect the LGBT community, indirectly I am planning to increase the quality of life, safety, education and opportunities of the LGBT community.” STATE HOUSE 152nd District Robert McGuckin McGuckin, an attorney, is looking to turn over control of the 152nd District f r o m Republican to Democrat by unseating Rep. Thomas Murt, who has represented the district for the past four years. McGuckin, a lifelong Montgomery County resident, is in favor of marriage equality, supports repealing the state’s Defense of Marriage Act and would oppose efforts to amend the state constitution to limit the definition of marriage to one man and one woman. He would support including sexual orientation and gender identity in the state hate-crimes and nondiscrimination laws. McGuckin would support funding for LGBT youth programs and said he would be in favor of working with local schools to ensure they are more proactive in handling bullying issues, including LGBT-based youth discrimination. He said he would strive to ensure that LGBT business owners do not face discrimination in the allocation of small-business loans or other funding opportunities. 154th District Tom Bell Republican Bell is looking to unseat state Rep. Lawrence Curry (D) and said he will be an ally to the LGBT community in the 154th District.
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Bell, a Realtor and lifetime resident of Springfield Township, supports domestic partnerships and civil unions for same-sex couples. “I am in favor of couples having the freedom to join together and have all the legal rights of what [Pennsylvania] now considers that of married couples,” he said. A veteran with 24 years of service in the armed forces, Bell is in favor of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Bell said he does not think hate crimes should be given more priority than other similar crimes. He noted that he would not discriminate in hiring practices and would select employees who demonstrate “honorable and loyal service.” “I look for persons of good character and nothing else,” Bell said. He added that measures need to be instituted that place more responsibility for youth bullying on the parents of the perpetrators and would advocate for community education to combat discrimination against the LGBT elderly community. 179th District Tony Payton State Rep. Payton (D) has supported several LGBT-rights measures since taking office in 2007, and said he will continue that record if reelected. Payton is a cosponsor of House Bill 300, which seeks to ban LGBT discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. He is also a cosponsor of the House measure that would reincorporate
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
sexual orientation and gender identity in the state hate-crimes law. Payton said he supports same-sex marriage, as well as civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex couples. Payton also said he believes that to combat LGBT youth bullying, those in positions of authority must be better prepared to handle such issues. “We have to make sure we do a thorough education and training process for all of the administrators and teachers so that they can recognize what this looks like and how to prevent it,” he said. In order to curb the high rates of HIV/ AIDS infection among minority communities in Philadelphia, Payton said he would advocate for programs that allow residents themselves to take a more active role in disseminating prevention information and outreach. “I understand the needs of the LGBT community, and my voting record speaks for itself,” he said. “I have family members in the community, and I represent folks in the community. I keep them in mind when I’m making decisions for my district.” 194th District Pam DeLissio Democrat DeLissio is vying to fill the
open seat left by retiring Rep. Kathy Manderino, who represented the 194th District since 1992. DeLissio supports same-sex marriage, as well as civil unions and domestic partnerships. She said she would be in favor of amending the state hate-crimes and nondiscrimination laws to be LGBT-inclusive. She also said she would support enhanced staff and faculty training at area schools in regard to LGBT-youth bullying and is in favor of funding LGBT-oriented youth programs. As a former advocate for low-income seniors, DeLissio said she is particularly attuned to the needs of the elderly community and would work to ensure that the entire aging population, LGBTs included, is supported. 194th District Hugh Giordano Green Party candidate Giordano, a union organizer for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, said that, if elected, he would ensure LGBTs see progress in Harrisburg. Giordano supports same-sex marriage and said he would work to repeal the state’s Defense of Marriage Act, and would
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oppose any effort to amend the state constitution to limit the definition of marriage to one man and one woman. Giordano said he is “100 percent” behind House Bill 300, the LGBT-inclusive statewide nondiscrimination bill, and is also supportive of including sexual orientation and gender identity in the state hate-crimes law. He said he would lead the effort to ensure that LGBT parents are treated fairly in adoption and foster-care situations and, as a union organizer and strong believer in workers’ rights, noted he would ensure his staff represents all facets of the district, including the LGBT community. “I am running as a Green Party candidate, and the Greens believe in social justice,” Giordano said. “The Democrats and Republicans have been weak on gay rights, and I will have no problem fighting for what is right. Running as a Green allows me to do what I feel is right, and not be controlled by a party. I am in this race because I care about people, and I want to fight for the freedoms and rights of all. A vote for me will be a vote for the voice you have been waiting for.” ■
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International News Ugandan gays outed, attacked Several gays and lesbians in Uganda say they have been attacked after a newspaper published their names, photographs and addresses. After the Rolling Stone newspaper called for them to be hanged, a gay activist in the country says that one woman was almost killed when her neighbors pelted her house with stones. Frank Mugisha of Sexual Minorities Uganda said that most of the people who appeared on the list had been harassed and some had been physically attacked. “We have got people who have been threatened to be thrown out of work, people who have been threatened by their own family
Larry Nichols
members, who want to throw them out of their own houses,” he said. Some of those on the list are thought to have gone into hiding. Police said they had not received any reports of homophobic attacks. Rolling Stone, which is not related to the U.S. magazine, said it would continue to publish information about gay people to protect the “moral fabric of our nation.” Giles Muhame, the managing editor of the newspaper, defended his story, saying it was his duty as a journalist to “expose the evil in our society.” “Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda but nobody is taking action against these people,” he said. “They are recruiting new members among our kids, and destroying the moral fabric of our country.” Last year, Uganda’s attitudes
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to gays and lesbians came under global scrutiny after a legislator introduced a bill to execute or jail for life people convicted of homosexuality. The bill is thought to have been shelved for now.
UK school ends antigay bullying A school in north London says it has virtually eradicated antigay bullying by teaching pupils about gay history. Stoke Newington secondary school was one of the first schools to adopt LGBT History Month five years ago. It is now also a diversity training center, instructing other teachers how they can educate pupils about homosexuality and different families. Pupils learn about Oscar Wilde and Alan Turing, while Andy Warhol and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert also feature in lessons. Elly Barnes, a teacher at the school and the diversity course leader, said that the key was “educating and celebrating.” “My focus is eradicating homophobia from all schools and educational establishments by giving staff the confidence and resources to do it, along with
demonstrating good practices and changing opinions under the banner of ‘educate and celebrate,’” Barnes said. “Many teachers are scared of celebrating LGBT as they are worried pupils will judge them and will assume they are gay. In fact, to them, we are just a blob giving them information. Over the five years, I’ve only had three pupils ask whether I am gay.” Barnes added that a number of pupils had felt comfortable enough to come out. “I used to hear the word gay being used all the time, as a derogatory term. Now we hardly hear that.” Research for U.K. gay charity Stonewall in 2009 found that while the majority of teachers see homophobic bullying among children, only one in 10 said they had received specific guidance on tackling the problem.
Same-sex couple for Israeli ‘Dancing’ Israel’s version of “Dancing with the Stars” will include a same-sex couple for the first time. TV presenter Gili Shem Tov, who is a lesbian, will be paired with professional female dancer Dorit Milman in the new series,
which starts in November. Milman is straight, while Tov has a female partner and family. “I have realized that dance is about coordination and energy between two people, whether female or male, Tov said. “The challenge to dance with a woman in a public contest interested me because it’s unique and has never been done before. Because I share my life with a woman and have a family with her, to me this is the most natural thing to do.” Series producer Asaaf Gil said he was “extremely proud to have a same-sex couple in the new season.”
Pope kiss-in nixed on Facebook Organizers of a same-sex kiss-in planned for when Pope Benedict XVI visits Spain in November claim that Facebook has closed down the page promoting the event. The Queer Kissing Flashmob generated interest among 12,000 Facebook users for its plan to hold the kiss-in in Cathedral Square in Barcelona on Nov. 7. Then Facebook shut the group down, organizers claim. This has added greater fuel to
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the fire, and one of the organizers, Marylène Carole, expressed her “disbelief” that a couple kissing in public could be considered “outrageous” in this day and age.
Calling for gay marriage vote An Australian opinion poll shows increased support for gay marriage and for Prime Minister Julia Gillard to allow a conscience vote on the issue. The Galaxy poll was carried out on behalf of lobby groups Australian Marriage Equality and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. It showed that 62 percent of the 1,005 people surveyed supported allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry, up from 60 percent last year. Meanwhile, 79 percent said that Gillard should allow a conscience vote. The Labor Party does not currently support marriage equality and Gillard has said that policy on the issue will remain the same while she is prime minister. She has also confirmed that this is her personal view. Australian Marriage Equality spokesperson Alex Greenwich said that both major parties should to listen to the Australian people and allow a conscience vote on the issue. “Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott cannot ignore the majority of Australians who believe same-sex couples should be able to marry and the even greater majority who want a conscience vote on the issue,” Greenwich said. Australian federal law prohibits same-sex marriage. Civil partnerships are legal in the Australian Capital Territory, while domestic registers are in place in some states.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
More divorces cite gay husbands In the year since the Delhi High Court passed a landmark judgment overturning a 150-year-old law and legalizing consensual homosexual relationships between adults, more and more women stuck in unhappy marriages have filed for divorce on the grounds that their husbands are homosexual. Most women were once reluctant to speak out against their husbands for such a sexual orientation; many now seem to have overcome that. “It isn’t that such cases have not been filed with the courts earlier. We have had many women who, after a lot of prodding and investigations, spoke up,” said lawyer Shabnam Kazi, who practices in the family court in Bandra. “A change, even though slight, has been seen in the court when women narrate their case. That is a major mind change.” One such woman, a 32-year-old who married a man with a flour-
ishing shipping business after an earlier broken marriage, says the first few months of her marriage were happy even though it was not consummated. When the wait continued, she began to probe what the problem might be. The possibility of impotency crossed her mind initially. “When she discovered her husband was involved sexually with a much younger boy, she confronted him and her parents-in-law. It was a shocking revelation for her when she discovered that his parents were aware of his preference. His marriage was just a counter to the social stigma,” said advocate Audrey D’Mello, who counseled the woman initially. D’Mello, associated with NGO legal aid center Majlis, said at least a dozen women have approached the organization with similar issues. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
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OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
Detour
A departure from the ordinary
Between
Heaven
By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer With the release of his new book, “The Next Queen of Heaven,” author Gregory Maguire takes a break from the fantasy realms that won him fame and acclaim with books “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” and “Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister.” His newest offering is set in a small town in the days leading up to the year 2000. The plot follows the increasingly bizarre and comical behavior of the townsfolk as the then-uncertainty of Y2K creeps up on them. The novel was released last year as a limited run by Concord Free Press, which gave the books away for free with the stipulation that readers would donate money to the charity of their choice and then pass along the book to someone else. Those unlucky enough not to get one of those copies would have to wait another year until Harper Collins released the novel nationally, which finally happened Oct. 8. With his latest book finally in stores for wide public consumption and the continued popularity of his “Wicked” series, Maguire talked to PGN about writing outside of fantasy and the future of his version of Oz. PGN: What inspired you to release “The
Next Queen of Heaven” for free?
GM: I count myself among the few and
lucky writers who actually make a living income selling my work. It’s an increasingly rare breed and may not last forever, but as long as I did have some disposable income, I thought, why not do something
useful with this book, which is in its own way a little bit nervy and off the beaten path from the kind of writing for which I’m more generally known. PGN: Did you keep up with how much was raised by the release of the book? GM: I believe I’m safe in saying the 2,500 copies that were printed about a year ago have generated upwards of $40,000 in charitable giving.
younger readers just in case there were younger readers. Also, if it’s a book about religion, to hear a teenager use the word “cunt” on page 4 could be a little off-putting. So a little yellow cautionary light was only fair.
PGN: So it had nothing to do with you writing a more real-world-based book? GM: No, not at all. Indeed it is a more realworld-based story. It’s set in upstate New York, which PGN: Why is not Oz or did you feel it Narnia. Some necessary to think it is. But apologize to like my other your fans in the work, it draws author’s note? some of its GM: I hoped strength, if it that would has any, from be seen as a the artifice of little bit ironic. an older story. In any rate, In this case, it’s there are a not “The Wizard lot of people of Oz” or the who assume, Grimm fairy because of tails, but actuthe success ally the story of “Wicked,” of the nativity. that my work AUTHOR GREGORY MAGUIRE It’s very deeply is suitable for embedded and teenage readers I doubt many or younger readers. And anybody who readers will see any obvious connecdigs 20 pages into “Wicked” realizes it tions. But in my mind the archetypal was intended entirely for an adult audistructure of the Christmas narrative is ence. Given the cover that “The Next one of the things that informed how Queen of Heaven” was going to have, “The Next Queen of Heaven” would be I wanted to protect the sensitivities of developed as a plot.
PGN: Do you think people today could
view pre-9/11 America as a fantasy world? GM: Yes, indeed. When I first got the idea for “The Next Queen of Heaven” it was around the millennium. It was before 9/11 happened. I had blocked out some of it and had been thinking about the fervor that accompanied Y2K anxiety. Everybody was hoarding lentils and bottled water in their basements thinking the world as we knew it was about to come to an end. Well, it’s funny how the world as we knew it didn’t end on Dec. 31, 1999, but on Sept. 11, a year and nine months later. So that anxiety that we felt back then seems almost quaint and sad compared to what we came to a yearand-a-half later. PGN: Are there any character or thematic
parallels between “The Next Queen of Heaven” and “Wicked”? GM: I suppose “The Next Queen of Heaven” takes one of the themes from the “Wicked” books, which is you can’t know who somebody is or what their potential is merely by looking at the surface. Tabitha, who is the foul-mouthed teenage girl, is the least likely to qualify for a saint just as Elphaba is not easily and quickly identified as the hero. Tabitha, nonetheless, if you believe in the concept of redemption, is as legitimately deserving of the possibilities of redemption as any other human soul. Indeed, redemption was invented for people who needed it, not for those who were going to get off scot-free because they lived blameless lives. So in that way I think there’s a cross-referential link between Tabitha and Elphaba. Tabitha,
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
PAGE 41
and
OZ
the reason I named her that is because it was that name of the daughter of the witch in “Bewitched.” I named her after that child-witch on purpose because she comes from a TV-watching family and those were their points of reference. Not to suggest she’s a witch. She’s similarly sort-of ostracize-able, if you will. PGN: Do you think the overall mes-
sage in the story is more or less obvious because it is set in the real world? GM: I think it’s not more obvious because I like to think I don’t write things that can be boiled down into epigrams or too easily. But I know that many people find the stretch of reading fantasy more than they want to give to a reading experience. So I hope that by setting this story in a contemporary setting without magic involved, it might bring in some readers I wouldn’t otherwise have access to. PGN: Would you say that there is a
greater representation of gay characters in “The Next Queen of Heaven” than there has been in your other novels? GM: I would say yes. They are more overt and easily identified. There are gay and lesbian characters in Oz, but since I tried so hard to make Oz both like our world and not like it, I’ve made the character’s homosexuality less of an issue. It
was more acceptable so it didn’t become a plot point. In our country and our time, it’s always a plot point no matter what advances we are lucky enough to make. PGN: Do you ever feel creatively boxed-
in by the success of “Wicked” and “Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister”? GM: I certainly do. I certainly have. Although I feel like, after 10 years of being boxed-in, I’m beginning to break out a little bit, not just from “The Next Queen of Heaven.” Last year, I did a large-scale, gloriously illustrated, critical appreciation of Maurice Sendak, who is quietly known as a gay man among those who know it and the famous author of “Where the Wild Things Are” and other wonderful works. The fact that Harper Collins would allow me to do this glowing, friendly appreciation of an American genius in full color with beautiful full-cloth boards rather than cardboard covers was a sign that they are willing to open the cage door for me to roam around slightly wider territory. PGN: Now that the cage is open, what is
next for you creatively?
GM: Like any liberated animal, I’ve
rushed back into the cage as fast as I could. I am right now putting the finishing touches on the fourth and last book in “The Wicked Years” sequence. It’s
called “Out of Oz” and it concludes the story that began in “Wicked.” PGN: Given the popularity of the musi-
cal version of “Wicked,” will “Son of a Witch” ever be adapted for the stage? GM: There probably will not be a follow-up to the Broadway musical because the musical makes a correction upon my story. They make Fiyero survive and there’s no mention of Liir. So, Liir being the son of the witch in book two, it would be hard to put him on stage when Elphaba never had a child in the original musical. That said, there’s also a continuing attempt by ABC to turn “Wicked” into a miniseries. If that ever comes to pass, they won’t follow the plot of the musical because that legally belongs to the people that wrote the musical. They’ll go back to my novel and write a new script on the basis of what they see in my novel. If they do a good job and if it’s successful, I could imagine that they could continue with “Son of a Witch” and “A Lion Among Men.” PGN: Do you trust network television to
preserve the darker and more subversive elements of “Wicked” that were whitewashed in the musical? GM: No, I don’t. But I hope that they will go at least a little bit darker. I think
network television can become able to be dark, but ABC is the Disney Network so they shy away from darkness. If it was done by Fox or one of those cable channels, I would be a little more confident that some of the darkness would be maintained. But you never know. PGN: What are your plans beyond the
next “Wicked” novel?
GM: That’s a very good question. I owe
one more adult novel to Harper Collins and I don’t know what that will be yet. After I do that, I’m considering taking a period of quiet and I have long been interested in the possibility of writing a screenplay or for the stage. So I’m going to try and leave the windows open and let the breeze come in and go back to working the way I used to work when I first started writing, which was, what do I feel like doing today? Not, what am I obliged to do because I signed a contract so I can pay for bread and butter for my kids. What gets my juices going this morning? I look forward to that kind of freedom. “The Next Queen of Heaven” is in stores now. For more information, visit gregorymaguire.com. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 42
Family Portraits There is a famous quote attributed to German pastor and theologian Martin Niemöller: “They came first for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for me and by that time no one was left to speak up.” These days, especially with the recent spate of teen suicides, it can seem like no one cares about fellow human beings. Enter Gina Dukes, a heterosexual highschool teenager who has written a play about the plight of lesbian girls halfway across the world. Her play, “God Makes No Mistakes,” was selected from 715 submissions to the 2010 Annual Playwriting Festival. Now in its 23rd year, Philadelphia Young Playwrights’ New Voices: Workshop Productions gives middle and high-school playwrights the opportunity to see their creations presented in a professional workshop. As part of the showcase, the student playwrights are at the center of a two-week rehearsal and production process in which they interact with the director, actors and stage crew, culminating in a staging of their work. PGN spoke to this remarkable student between rehearsals.
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
Suzi Nash PGN: Tell me a little about yourself. GD: I’m a high-school student at Science Leadership Academy. I’m in the 11th grade and I’ve been 17 for almost two weeks now.
PGN: What made you write your current play? GD: I came across an article about the situation that homosexuals face in Nigeria and it really got my attention. I decided to do some research on the subject.
PGN: What sign does that make you? GD: I’m a Libra.
PGN: Are you a member of the LGBT community? GD: I’m not a member, but I am an ally. At my school, we try to stop negative views — well, not views, but homophobic comments. So if someone says something homophobic, we encourage people to step up and say, “Hey, that’s not cool.” I think it’s important to support people who may be different.
PGN: So you’re about balance and fairness: That makes sense. Where are you originally from? GD: I’m from Philadelphia. PGN: Tell me about your family. GD: Most of my family is here in Philadelphia, though I have a history of relatives from the South. I’m the oldest of four, with a little brother and two sisters. My stepdad is an artist and painter and my mom home-schools my little brother. PGN: What were you like as a kid? GD: I was really into books as a young child. I remember always having a passion for writing. I wrote my first book when I was about 5. It was five pages with one sentence on each page. I was really proud of it. PGN: What was it about? GD: The five senses, one page for each sense.
PGN: I think it’s a great thing that someone would step up to defend a cause that’s not necessarily their cause. Especially with the climate in schools right now with bullying being a big issue, what made you decide to focus attention on an LGBT issue? Were you raised to be progressive or did you pick it up in school? GD: I guess it was just me and the things that I believe in. I have very strong values and after reading that article and about what happens to lesbians in Soweto*, I felt it was such an injustice that I wanted to write about it. PGN: At school, are you conscious of any antigay incidents?
GINA DUKES Photo: Suzi Nash
GD: No, at my school we’re really accepting of all types of people. PGN: I expect that you’re aware of the recent suicides from antigay bullying. GD: I heard about the man who killed himself after a video was posted. I thought that situation was just tragic; it’s such a shame that someone would do that to him. PGN: What do you say when you stop someone from making
a homophobic comment and they want to know why you care? GD: I tell them that I care because I don’t think you should treat people differently because they are different from you. Everyone has different beliefs and values and I believe that we should all try to get along. You shouldn’t discriminate against people because they’re different. I’m not a fan of discrimination. PGN: Have you ever faced discrimination? GD: Yes, when I was like, 12, I was really tall — the tallest girl in my class — and that made me feel extremely awkward. Because of my height, I also weighed more than the other girls and that made me even more self-conscious. It was a tough time. PGN: What do you want to be when you grow up? GD: The answer to that question is always changing. I’m really into horticulture right now. I would love to own a tree nursery one day. PGN: What is it that you like about working with trees and plants? GD: I think it’s a really cool process to see something grow from a seed into a beautiful flower. This past summer I was working with University City Green, so I’ve been working with trees every day and watching the leaves grow. I can identify so many species by just the leaves now. I’m a tree nerd. PGN: Tell me about a favorite
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
relative. GD: Hmm, I guess I’ll talk about my little brother. He’s 11 years old and almost as tall as me, and I’m 5-foot-6. He’s so much fun: He comes up to me and tells me cute little stories and jokes. Like the other day, he walked up and said, “Gina, what does a glass say when it’s about to fall from the sky? I’m about to be broke!” It’s just silly and makes me laugh. PGN: Random question: What was your favorite TV show as a kid? GD: Well, my favorite TV show growing up was and still is my favorite show: “Arthur” on Channel 12. He’s a cartoon aardvark who’s really into books and covers a lot of social topics as well. I love that show. PGN: [Laughs.] I’m sorry, I keep asking you to tell me about things from when you were young, but I forget you’re still young! So what’s your favorite class? GD: Right now I’d have to say it’s between English and algebra II. PGN: What’s a song that you’re embarrassed to admit you like? GD: It would probably have to be this song — I don’t know who sang it, but it was in the movie “School Daze” — I think it’s called “That Butt.” PGN: I love that song, it’s actually “Da’Butt” by a group called E.U. — Experience Unlimited. They were a part
Q Puzzle Short Nap Across
1. “Femme’s Guide to the Universe” author Rednour 5. Type of room at a bathhouse 10. “West Side Story” gang 14. Cry of pride 15. The Scales, astrologically 16. Blade name 17. Cross-dressing comedian 19. “Legs” rock trio 20. Added to the scrapbook
21. David Sedaris’ works 23. Family diagram 24. Morales of “Resurrection Blvd.” 25. Some sex-toy batteries 28. Cause of Apr. angst 29. “The Naked Civil Servant” author Crisp 33. “I’m all ears” 35. “Don we now ___ gay apparel ...” 36. Literature Nobelist André 37. Collette of “United States of Tara” 38. “Working Girls” director Borden 40. “Vogue” competitor
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
of that whole “Go-Go Beat” sound from Washington, D.C. See, I’m not that old: I’m up on go-go. GD: [Laughs.] You are! PGN: So what was your first contact with Young Playwrights? GD: A woman named Kate McGrath from Playwrights came to my English class and had us do a writing exercise. Then, every student in the class stood up and we had to act out a scene that we had previously written. We also had to stand like statues and let the other person look at us and we couldn’t move. After that exercise, she talked to us about playwriting and the process and I thought it was really interesting. I also thought, wow, this is going to be hard. PGN: Did you have other ideas for a play that you didn’t choose? GD: Another idea I had was about a couple who was arguing. It was more of a relationship drama about cheating and not getting love. PGN: Being so young, where do you draw your inspiration? GD: I draw my inspiration from a lot of different places: people that I’ve talked to; I like to read a lot of blogs and some of them are really interesting and give me ideas. I don’t watch TV much, so I guess I’d say I draw inspiration from the world around me. PGN: Aside from the situation in your play, what are two subjects you think are 41. Welcome response after a tumble 42. Access ending 43. Cut loose 44. Solo passage, to Copland 46. J. Edgar Hoover’s org. 48. In need of a lube 49. Hammerhead part 50. Rimbaud’s zip 52. Emulate Todd Oldham 55. Hearty hunk of meat 59. Melodious Fitzgerald 60. Gay guy with grayish hair? 62. Full of activity 63. Name of many
a gay bar 64. Without a date 65. Angelina’s tomb-raiding role 66. Chooses not to come 67. “All’s Well That ___ Well”
Down
1. Type of father Robert Reed played 2. “If I Only ___ Brain” 3. Says further 4. Singer Bonnie 5. Pitch that isn’t straight 6. Hissy fits 7. “My People” author Abba 8. JFK info 9. Left no doubt 10. Ethel Waters,
PAGE 43
important? GD: Today in my engineering class I had to do a presentation on the water crisis in the world right now. It’s not something a lot of people take serious because it doesn’t directly affect them, but it’s a really serious issue and I feel people should start to pay attention to it and learn more about it. And there’s also an epidemic of rape going on in the African Congo and I feel there’s not enough attention being put on it. I think people should learn about those two issues. PGN: I just saw a movie called “Tapestries of Hope,” about the work of Betty Makoni and the Girl Child Network. In Zimbabwe, the men believe and often are told by the elder “healers” that sex with a virgin girl will cure them of AIDS. They believe that the blood produced by raping a virgin will cleanse the virus from the infected person’s blood. Even a 2-year-old girl was raped by her father to try to cure him. They are trying to get the word out and convince the healers that it’s just a myth, so these men will stop the practice. Bishop Desmond Tutu, from South Africa, recently spoke out against the same problem in South Africa. GD: I heard about that! It’s horrible. I read one story of a man who had sex with a baby to cure his AIDS. PGN: As a young person who seems interested in more than just the latest video game, what do you think we need for one 11. Katharine’s “Butch Cassidy” role 12. Perry of Metropolitan Community Church 13. Suckers 18. Queer, to straights 22. Writer’s enc. 24. Prefix with lateral 25. Top floor 26. It arouses two body openings 27. Where priests come together 30. Did some floor work 31. One who screws around 32. Hard up 34. Cathedral of
Hope pastor 35. Osbourne of rock 38. Deep throat medications 39. Caspian Sea land 43. Hot-tempered 45. Photog’s original 46. Tightly curled
to do to get younger people involved in the world around them? GD: I think that a lot of kids are interested in what goes on beyond their immediate world, but we need people who will listen, actually listen without judgment. I think they’d find that we do care about a lot of things. Another thing we need are people like my teacher Mr. Brock. He exposes our class to so many different things. It just takes someone to say something interesting and, even if it doesn’t look like the kids are interested, tell them about it anyway because it might open their minds a little. There are some things that we don’t know, a lot of things actually, and I learned so much stuff last year just from him telling us things we hadn’t even heard about. PGN: So you read the article about lesbians in Nigeria and decided to write about it? GD: Yes, it was the inspiration for the script. The characters in my play are Nigerian, so I also had to do research about Nigeria to learn more about the culture and the language. I use some Yoruba words in the script. PGN: I know, I read your play and I actually thought that you were from the country. My first 10 questions I had for you were about life in Nigeria ... GD: [Laughs.] No, I’ve never been there. The Internet is a powerful tool! See PORTRAIT, Page 44 47. Books about the will and grace of God 51. Lord Byron, for one 52. Stud poker demand 53. Napoleon’s exile isle 54. The word “queer,” e.g., before
“Queer Eye” 55. Latvia’s capital 56. Long, long time 57. Material from Sylvia Beach? 58. Quite, to Colette 61. Squealer
See SOLUTION, Page 49
PAGE 44
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
PORTRAIT From Page 43 PGN: Your family must be proud that you were picked as a firstplace winner. GD: Yes, they were surprised and excited. They really didn’t understand it, though: They were like, “Does this mean you’re going to be famous? Are they making it into a movie?” They were really proud though. During the process I didn’t include my mom or anyone at home in what I was doing because I wanted them to be surprised. When I won, she wanted to read it. PGN: Did they have any reaction about the subject matter? GD: Um, it wasn’t a bad reaction, but I did notice that my mom cringed at the part where the two lesbians kiss. PGN: Do you have control over the staging of the play or is that all the director? GD: The director guides us, but I give input and I have final approval. PGN: Do you worry that people might think that you’re gay, having written this show? GD: I never really thought about that, actually. I can see how some members of my family might question me with a side eye. I guess it wouldn’t really bother me. If someone asked me, I’d tell them that I was straight, but it’s not a big deal if they thought I was gay.
“Build On.” We raise money to build schools in other countries. Next year we’re building one in Nepal. We’re doing a fundraiser where the one who raises the most money gets to slime the teacher. We also volunteer with homeless shelters. We colleted money at The Gallery recently to buy cereal for this one shelter that really needed it for their kids. PGN: Who’s someone you admire? GD: I love bell hooks, she’s an author and social activist, and John Bartram, because his garden is just fabulous. PGN: Ever have any paranormal experiences? GD: Quite a few. When I was 7, I woke up in my room and I saw three red things outside my window. I screamed and ran into my mom’s room. She came in to check it out and didn’t see anything. Then she looked at my face and there was dried up blood on my face. I screamed and ran to the bathroom to look. When I came out, I saw the three red things go flying by again and my cat howled and ran into the basement. I didn’t see them after that. PGN: What’s the farthest you’ve traveled? GD: The farthest I’ve ever been was to New York, but I want to go a whole lot farther.
PGN: If you could have lunch with anyone, whom would you pick? GD: Probably my boyfriend Vince. He’s in college out in Kutztown, so I haven’t seen him since my birthday. I miss him.
Philadelphia Young Playwrights and Temple University present 2010 New Voices: Workshop Productions Nov. 4-6 at Tomlinson Theater, 13th and Norris streets. Duke’s play, “God Makes No Mistakes,” will be performed at 8 p.m. Nov 5 and 2 p.m. Nov. 6. Admission is free. ■
PGN: Any famous relatives? GD: I have a distant cousin who is a poet and has published a book. My grandma has it but I haven’t read it yet.
To suggest a community member for “Family Portraits,” write to: Family Portraits, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 or portraits05@aol.com.
PGN: What punctuation mark describes your personality? GD: A tilde, that squiggly line that looks like a wave, because I can be cool and calm and funny at the same time.
[*Editor’s note: According to the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, several prominent black lesbians have been murdered over the last few years in South Africa, including Eudy Simelane, a 31year-old member of the country’s national women’s soccer team. Many more have been subjected to “corrective rape,” the rape of a lesbian by a man to punish her or cure and correct her sexual orientation.]
PGN: Any hobbies? GD: I’m an occasional poet. I’ve done a few poetry slams. I did one at the Free Library and I performed at Barnes and Noble with my poetry club at school. I’m also in a group at school called
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
Offline
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 45
Bruce Yelk
Various haunts for a happy Halloweekend! Gays love to party! From birthdays and anniversaries to New Year’s and religious holidays, we embrace every annual event with our own unique spin. Of all the festive occasions, none brings out more creativity than Halloween. It’s one time of year where the more you stand out, the more you fit in! Philly has lots of Halloween events to celebrate our freaky and fun-loving sides. Halloweekend: Oct. 29-31 at Rainbow Mountain Resort, 210 Mt. Nebo Road, East Stroudsburg If you’re looking for a weekend celebration outside the city, head to Rainbow Mountain Resort. They have a long list of exciting events, including a jack-o-lantern competi-
tion and a costume party/contest. Visit www.rainbowmountain.com for more information. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” midnight Oct. 29 at The First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, 2125 Chestnut St., $10 No Halloween is complete without a viewing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” In addition to the classic film at midnight, there will be a rousing floorshow during the musical numbers. Cover is $10, and proceeds benefit Traverse Arts Project. Visit www. traversetheater.org for more info. Witches of GayBINGO, 6 p.m. Oct. 30,at the Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St,. $20-$25 The AIDS Fund always pulls out the stops for its holiday GayBINGO extravaganzas, and Halloween is no exception. This
year, they’ll celebrate ghosts, ghouls, goblins, witches and guests are encouraged to don their gayest costumes. Go to www.aidswalkphilly.org/gaybingo to get tickets before they sell out. The Little Monster Ball, 9 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Venture Inn, 255 S. Camac St. Several local gay bars are hosting Halloween parties and costume contests. On Mischief Night, the lads at Venture Inn will get their party started at 9, with music by DJ Solomon Tee, the Miss Venture Inn 2011 competition and a costume contest. Visit www.viphilly. com for details. Boo Bash, 9 p.m. Oct. 30 at Sisters Nightclub, 1320 Chancellor St., $6 All the single ladies will dance Saturday night away at the city’s premier lesbian Halloween party. DJ Real Deal will spin “mon-
ster mash-ups” of all your pop favorites, sprinkled with seasonal classics. In addition to a costume contest with $1,000 in cash and prizes, Sisters will offer $2 drinks from 9-11. Visit www.sistersnightclub.com for more information. Woody’s Halloween Party, 9 p.m. Oct. 31 at Woody’s Bar, 202 S. 13th St. Each year, Woody’s hosts a topnotch Halloween event, with a highly competitive — and campy — costume contest. DJ Carl Michaels will spin ’80s hits. Check out www.woodysbar.com for information and photos. In addition to the aforementioned, local icon Henri David
will host his annual Halloween Ball Oct. 31 at the Sheraton City Center Hotel, 17th and Race streets. This is Philly’s biggest Halloween party, and it boasts outrageous costumes and a diverse guest list, including local media personalities, celebrities and fashionistas. The party starts at 9 p.m. with the costume contest at midnight. The cost is $25 for those in costume and $75 if not. Call (215) 731-7711 for more information. Have a safe and happy Halloween. After the weekend, send photos and stories from your favorite events, and I’ll post them at www.nightlifegay.com. Until next time, get offline and see what your community has to offer! ■
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
Flashpoint runs with Philly debut from gay playwright By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer Power struggles often drive the conflict in daily life, at work, at home, in families and in communities. For Flashpoint Theater Company’s latest play, “Run, Mourner, Run,” gay playwright and actor Tarell Alvin McCraney adapted a story about a young man caught in a power struggle between two of the richest men in a small rural town. McCraney adapted the story for its Philadelphia debut from author Randall Kenan’s short-story collection “Let the Dead Bury Their Dead.” “When I was in graduate school,” McCraney said, “I asked him if I could adapt it into a play. He said yes and I was thrilled because his books were one of the first that I read about AfricanAmerican people and homosexuality all in the same story — and not that ohwoe-the-black-man-who’s-gay story. It was just about a community that was trying to survive and move forward with a lot of history that was hard to deal with. That’s what drew me to the setting of Tims Creek, the fictional community in North Carolina.” Like Kenan, McCraney, 29, spent a lot of his youth in the South and uses
it as the setting for many of his works. M c C r a n e y ’s passion for acting landed him in the Yale School of Drama, from which he graduated in 2007. He continues to watch his star rise as his acting and writing talents h av e g a r n e r e d critical acclaim and prestigious gigs in London a n d N ew Yo r k City, as well as all over the U.S. PLAYWRIGHT TARELL ALVIN MCCRANEY McCraney has explored his expein the South and trying to find opporriences as a gay black man in a number tunities out of it,” he said about “Run, of his plays, such as his “Brother/Sister” Mourner, Run.” “It’s always been a trilogy, which was set in a Louisiana beautiful, compelling part of America.” project. But he said he relates more to He added that most people have a prethe settings of the South than to the char- conceived notion about what the South acters who inhabit his stories. is like. “I have an affinity for the story if any“I think the American South has a thing; the entire landscape of the story, lot of myths to dispel everywhere, not which deals with a small community just in the North or overseas, but every-
where, including in the South.” While “Run, Mourner, Run” examines issues of sexuality, race, corruption and power, McCraney said his plays aren’t the place to look for transcendent messages about how to live. “The great thing about the story is that it doesn’t answer any questions, which I find more appealing,” he said. “It brings up more complicated questions. It asks more deeper-nuanced questions and asks the audience to parcel through it. Just to be candid, I hate going to plays and someone being like, ‘And this is what you should think.’ Fuck that. If I wanted to do that, I’d go to a Fox News rally or someplace where Glenn Beck is speaking. I don’t need someone to tell me what to think about. I need them to expose to me the conflict in our community and ask me how I feel about that. Most people in the state, especially in theater, don’t get that chance.” Flashpoint Theatre Company presents “Run, Mourner, Run” through Nov. 20 at Second Stage at The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St. For more information, visit www.flashpointtheatre.org or call (215) 568-8077. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
Gay characters populate ‘office’ production By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer Quince Productions is bringing audiences a comedy-drama that can only come from toiling away in the confines of a cubicle. “Office Politics” consists of four short plays set in offices dealing with issues of love, sex, birth and death in sometimescomedic — and other times poignant — fashion. One of the stories, “Box Office,” a oneperson play by Elinor Jones, centers on the sole inhabitant of an off-Broadway box office named Jerry, who juggles breaking up with his boyfriend and getting his life in order while dealing with his customers’ requests. Stephen Hyams, who plays Jerry, described the play as the first day of the rest of Jerry’s life. “He doesn’t quite know it yet, but he’s slowly realizing that he’s taking control of his life again as the play progresses,” Hyams said. He added that most people, regardless of their sexuality, should be able to sympathize with someone who’s trying to balance life issues while on the clock. “As a straight actor playing a gay character, the one thing you have to realize is that it’s not about the fact that he’s gay,” Hyams said. “He just happens to be gay. It’s easy to relate to because we’ve all had
that job that we don’t really love. We’ve larly in the light of gay teens that have “It’s really tough to be gay in America all been in that relationship that isn’t killed themselves, I thought to myself I today,” he said. “It’s perhaps better than it quite working or isn’t quite the same as believe in a way that the angel has come was when this play premiered in the ’90s. it used to be. We’ve had that moment of down to make the child’s life easier by That’s what I see his character as doing. realization where we have to take control letting his mom know that not only is he So this is a really timely piece.” gay, but also how wonderful it is and how again.” Quince Productions presents “Office Another gay-themed play in “Office important gay people are to our society. I Politics” through Nov. 13 at Walnut Street Politics” is “Annunciation,” which, as thought about how awesome that would Theatre’s Studio 5, 825 Walnut St. The actor Michael Kobel Keutmann described be if it were possible.” Nov. 10 performance benefits the William He compared the gay angel to Dan Way LGBT Community Center. For more it, isn’t your typical office drama. “It’s about a gay angel who comes down Savage’s recently launched “It Gets information, visit www.quinceproducto tell a young woman that her unborn Better” campaign, which he describes as tions.com or call (215) 627-1088. ■ child is going to be gay,” Keutmann said. “folks trying to pave the way for younger “At first, she reacts rather poorly but, in gay people and make their lives easier in Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com. the end, while reflecting on the experi- some way.” ences of a cousin of hers, she comes to acceptance and a place of love for this child.” Keutmann, who plays the angel, said when he first read the play, written by Carl Morse in the early 1990s, he didn’t grasp the significance of the plot. “I was like, What’s the point? So what? But as I reflected upon my MICHAEL KOBEL KEUTMANN (from left) AND CARLA Y. EMANUELE IN “ANNUNCIATION” AND character, particuSTEPHEN HYAMS IN “BOX OFFICE” Photos: John Donges
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
Mombian
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Dana Rudolph
‘Modern Family,’ ‘The L Word’ and telling our stories Gay dads Mitchell and Cameron of ABC’s “Modern Family” were looking for a preschool for their daughter Lily in the Oct. 20 episode of the hit series. Mitchell was worried that a failure to get into the “right” preschool would have a negative impact on Lily’s future. They come to believe, however, that they’ll be a shoe-in for the most prestigious preschool in town. Even though they’re white, they’re a gay couple with an adopted Asian daughter, and schools love to brag about their diversity. Things go awry, of course, when an interracial lesbian couple, one of whom is in a wheelchair, show up with their African-American adopted daughter. Cam and Mitchell have just been out-diversified. Wait. Is there a time warp? I feel like I’ve just been transported back to 2008, when Showtime’s “The L Word” featured moms Tina (white) and Bette (half black and half white) trying to get their daughter Angelica into preschool. Bette was stressing about what not getting into a good preschool would mean for Angelica’s college prospects. They think they’ll have a good shot, though, since Angelica is a “bi-racial daughter of lesbian moms” — but then they meet a white gay male couple trying to get into the same school. One of the men says he thinks their son’s chances of admission are good, explaining, “Ed’s a Christian and I’m Muslim. Lucas is adopted, and he’s half Jewish, a quarter Latino and a quarter Chinese.” Out-diversified again. Sigh. So few shows on television that feature LGBT families, and they can’t even come up with different storylines? This shouldn’t surprise me, of course. I’ve written before about the “wacky antics of lesbians in search of a sperm donor” plot that seems to pervade most shows involving lesbians. Originality doesn’t seem to count for much here. And most LGBT characters on television are white and upper-
middle class. (I use the term “LGBT” cautiously, however, since transgender characters are nearly nonexistent, and bisexual characters only slightly less so.) Prestigious nursery schools go with the white, upper-middle class territory — as do plotlines around them. The reality is somewhat different. Research by Gary Gates of the Williams Institute at UCLA has shown that almost four times as many lesbian couples raising children (and two-and-a-half times as many gay male couples with kids) receive public assistance, compared to opposite-sex married couples with kids. One in five children being raised by a same-sex couple lives in poverty. In terms of race and ethnicity, 72 percent of all same-sex couples identify as white versus 79 percent of opposite-sex married couples — not too different — but only 59 percent of samesex couples with children identify as white versus 73 percent of opposite-sex married parents. What can television networks do, then, to increase the diversity of LGBT characters and families on their shows? Hiring LGBT writers with differing backgrounds may help, but that alone is still likely to provide the perspective of only a limited number of people per show. What writers and producers need to do, I believe — regardless of their own orientation — is tap into the increasingly rich vein of stories LGBT parents and our children are telling. There are essay collections such as “Who’s Your Daddy? And Other Writings on Queer Parenting” (ed. Rachel Epstein) and “And Baby Makes More: Known Donors, Queer Parents, and Our Unexpected SOLUTION From Page 43
Families” (ed. Susan Goldberg and Chloë Brushwood Rose). There are books with insights and stories from teens and adult children of LGBT parents, such as “Families Like Mine: Children of Gay Parents Tell It Like It Is,” by Abigail Garner, and “Let’s Get This Straight: The Ultimate Handbook for Youth with LGBTQ Parents,” by Tina Fakhrid-Deen. There is socialscience research full of anecdotes such as that compiled by Dr. Abbie Goldberg in “Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their Children.” There are also LGBT parenting groups at community centers and elsewhere. While the group members might not want a television writer sitting in on a gathering, they might be willing to speak on an individual basis. Online, there are stories told
daily by LGBT parents and our children in blogs and other forums. (I have listed many of them in the Resource Directory of my own Mombian site.) They chart the pathways of our lives, from the unique and quirky to the mundane. We, the audience, also have to tell the networks when they get it right, when they offend, and when they simply fall into stereotype. Even ostensibly positive stereotypes — like being financially well off — have a downside. They limit people’s perceptions of LGBT families and ignore the fact that we exist throughout the population — whether one looks at geography, race/ethnicity, age or economics. Mostly, though, we need to keep telling our stories, whenever and however we can. Not
because a TV writer is likely to overhear us in the supermarket or stumble upon our blogs, but because as more people in our neighborhoods, schools and workplaces get to know LGBT families, the more they also will realize the narrow lens through which most media portrays us. They are then more likely to consider us based on the individuals we are, not on the labels we may have. If I also never have to watch another same-sex couple on television try to out-diversify another to get their kid into preschool, so much the better. ■ Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher of Mombian (www. mombian.com), a blog and resource directory for LGBT parents.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
Diversions Your guide to arts and entertainment
Theater
Carrie Brat Productions presents out actor Erik Ranson playing the titular role in the stage version of this horror classic, through Nov. 7 at Underground Arts at the Wolf Building, 340 N. 12th St.; (215) 627-2577. Far Away The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the story of a woman searching for human connection as a way to escape an all-consuming war raging throughout the world, through Oct. 30 at Harold Prince Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; (215) 898-3900. Ghost-Writer Arden Theatre Company presents the story of a dead novelist and his secretary, who is still taking dictation from him, through Nov. 7, 40 N. Second St.; (215) 922-
1122. Jersey Boys The Kimmel Center’s Broadway series presents the award-winning musical about Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi, through Dec. 12 at Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St.; (215) 790-5847. Little Shop of Horrors New Candlelight Theatre presents the musical about a large talking plant with the taste for human blood, through Oct. 30, 2208 Millers Road, Ardentown, Del.; (302) 475-2313. Monty Python’s Spamalot PNC Arts Alive presents the popular and zany medieval comedy through Nov. 20, 915 White Horse Pike, Haddon Township, N.J.; (856) 858-5230.
Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom Azuka Theatre presents the story of parents who discover their teenagers are addicted to an online horror video game too realistic for comfort, through Oct. 31, 525 S. Fourth St.; (215) 7330255. Norma Doesmen Society Hill Playhouse presents a gender-bent, comedic take on “Sunset Boulevard,” through Nov. 7, 507 S. Eighth St.; (215) 923-0210. Philly Fan The Kimmel Center presents the one-man show that takes the audience on a journey through Philadelphia sports history of the last 50 years, through Oct. 31 at Innovation Studio, 260 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Silverhill InterAct Theatre Company
presents a new drama about a self-supporting utopian community whose wellbeing is challenged by capitalism, through Nov. 14 on the Mainstage of The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St.; (215) 568-8077.
PGN
Pick
The Threepenny Opera Arden Theatre Company presents the outrageous musical in which whores and thieves prowl the streets of London, through Nov. 7, 40 N. Second St.; (215) 922-1122. Uncle Vanya Lantern Theater Company presents its first-ever production of a full-length Anton Chekhov work, through Nov. 21 at St. Stephen’s Theater, 923 Ludlow St.; (215) 829-0395. Why I’m Scared of Dance 1812 Productions presents a self-effacing comedy
The hottest, craziest and sexiest (and maybe the most dangerous) show to ever come flying over a turnbuckle is back! Lucha Vavoom, the insanely good time that can only be had when you bring together burlesque performers, comedians and Mexican wrestling, gets absolutely loco at 8 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St. For more information, visit luchavavoom.com or call (610) 784-5400 ... if you dare!
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
written and performed by Jen Childs, through Oct. 31 at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; (215) 592-9560.
Music
Joan Baez The Kimmel Center presents the folk-music star, 8 p.m. Oct. 29 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. John Oates Half of Hall & Oates performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 29 at Sellersville Theater, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; (215) 257-5808. Nézet-Séguin: Haydn to Mahler The Philadelphia Orchestra performs with the acclaimed Montréal-born Yannick NézetSéguin as guest musical director, Oct. 29-31 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. Michael Franti The eclectic R&B and rock artist performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; (610) 7845400. Social Distortion The punk-rock band performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at the House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City; (609) 345-8652. The Black Crowes The rock band performs at 9 p.m. Oct. 30 at The Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City; (609) 317-1000. Sugartown Midnight Beat, Death Rattle, Workhorse III, The Tulanes and DJ Nattie Ice take the stage at the monthly show for lady DJs and rockers, 9 p.m. Oct. 30 at Tritone, 1508 South St.; (215) 545-0475.
Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Diversions, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147; fax them to (215) 925-6437; or e-mail them to diversions@epgn.com. Notices cannot be taken over the phone.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars The glammed-out David Bowie tribute act performs at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at Creative Co-op, 535 South St.; (267) 603-3533. Matt Duke presents Peter Gabriel’s “So” The singer-songwriter performs the classic album at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400. Dresden Staatskapelle Orchestra The Kimmel Center presents the acclaimed orchestra, 8 p.m. Nov. 2 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
Exhibits
Andre Gisson BOI’s of New Hope Art Gallery presents an exhibition of works by the French-American impressionist, through Oct. 31, 9 W. Mechanic St., New Hope; (215) 862-8292. Art of the American Soldier The National Constitution Center presents the world-debut exhibition of at least 15,000 paintings and sketches created by 1,300 American soldiers in the line of duty, through Jan. 10, 525 Arch St.; (215) 409-6895. Best of Show University of the Arts hosts an exhibition of The Photo Review 2010 Competition Prize Winners, through Dec. 10 at Gallery 1401, 14th floor of Terra Hall, 211 S. Broad St.; (215) 717-6300. The Big Sea ArtStar Gallery presents an exhibition of works from artist Andrew Zangerle, through Nov. 21, 623 N. Second St.; (215) 2381557. Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt The Franklin Institute presents an exhibition of 150 artifacts from Egypt, through Jan. 2, 20th Street and the Parkway; (215) 448-1200. Desert Jewels: North African Jewelry and Photography from the Xavier Guerrand-Hermes Collection Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of jewelry and historic photographs from Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia, through Dec. 5, 26th Street and the Parkway; (215) 763-8100.
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Eakins on Paper: Drawings and Watercolors from the Collection Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of 10 rarely seen drawings and watercolors that survey the early work of Thomas Eakins, through December, 26th Street and the Parkway; (215) 763-8100. 400 Same-Sex Couples: Facing Inequality Bucks County Community College hosts an exhibition of photos by Liz Bradbury of gay and lesbian couples as a public reminder that same-sex couples in Pennsylvania cannot marry, gain rights through civil unions and have no legal recognition, through Nov. 6 at Hicks Art Center Gallery, 275 Swamp Road, Newtown; (215) 968-8000. A Glimpse of Paradise: Gold in Islamic Art Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the unique status of gold in Islam through a small group of objects drawn from the museum’s collection, through April 2011, 26th Street and the Parkway; (215) 763-8100. Passing Evidence AxD Gallery presents an exhibition of works by Christine Stoughton and Nancy Sophy, through Nov. 6, 265 S. 10th St.; (215) 627-6250. Pleasures and Pastimes in Japanese Art Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of costumes, masks and poetry exploring the ways in which leisure time was interpreted across all social classes in Japanese art, through January, 26th Street and the Parkway; (215) 763-8100. The Visionary State: A Journey Through California’s Spiritual Landscape University of the Arts hosts an exhibition by photographer Michael Rauner taking the viewer on a tour of California’s more eccentric religious movements, through Dec. 10 at Gallery 1401, 15th floor of Terra Hall, 211 S. Broad St.; (215) 717-6300.
Dance
FLY: Five First Ladies of Dance Painted Bride Arts Center presents a performance by
COME ON, GET HAPPY: Happy Ending, the pop songwriting duo featuring Carl Bishop and Mike Goodenow (one is straight, one is gay, one is single, one is married, one is 10 years older than the other ... you get the picture) performs at 11 p.m. Oct. 30 at The Dawson Street Pub, 100 Dawson St. Despite their differences, the two share a passion for writing and performing smart pop songs that anyone can relate to. For more information, visit www. happyendingsongs.com or call (215) 482-5677.
Bebe Miller, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Germaine Acogny, Dianne McIntyre and Carmen de Lavallade, through Oct. 30, 230 Vine St.; (215) 925-9914.
Film
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown The kids’ classic is screened at 2 p.m. Oct. 30 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223. Carnival of Souls The cult horror film is screened at 2 p.m. Oct. 31 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory The classic children’s film is screened at 8 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-6888.
Books
Edwidge Danticat The author of “Create Dangerously: The Immigrant Artist at Work with Linh Dinh” hosts a book event at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322.
Cabaret
Nancy Harms The cabaret singer performs at
8:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Harlans at The Nevermore, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225. Liberty City Drag and Burlesque Four Year Anniversary Show The performers celebrate Halloween with Lance Fennig, Roi Ovarian, Miss Yvette and music by DJ Evil V, at 9 p.m. Oct. 31 at Tritone, 1508 South St.; (215) 545-0475.
Etc.
Witches of GayBINGO Gershman Y hosts a raucous Halloween edition of the event benefiting local HIV/AIDS charities, 6-9:30 p.m. Oct. 30, 401 S. Broad St.; (215) 731-9255. Margaret Cho The comedian performs at 9 p.m. Oct. 30 at Caesars Circus Maximus, 2100 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City; (800) 745-3000. Henri David Halloween 2010 The annual Halloween extravaganza kicks off at 9 p.m. Oct. 31 at Sheraton City Center Hotel, 17th and Race streets; (215) 448-2000. Woody’s Halloween Bash The bar hosts a 1980s-themed Halloween party, 9 p.m. Oct. 31, 202 S. 13th St.; (215) 545-1893. ■
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Meeting Place A community bulletin board of activities, facilities and organizations
Community centers ■ The Attic Youth Center: For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday through Friday. See the Youth section for more events. 255 S. 16th St.; (215) 545-4331 ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St.; (215) 898-5044; center@dolphin.upenn.edu, Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. ■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; (215) 348-0558 ext. 65; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. ■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center: 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 732-2220; www.waygay.org. Peer counseling: Monday through Friday, 6-9 p.m. Library hours: Mondays 3-9 p.m., Tuesdays 3-6 p.m., Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., Thursdays 3-9 p.m., Fridays 3-9 p.m., Saturdays noon-6 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.; Volunteer Velada, third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Health Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 166 W. Lehigh Ave.; (215) 763-8870 ext. 6000. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., suite 205; (2215) 536-2424. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; (215) 851-1822 or (866) 222-3871. Spanish/English. HIV testing Free, anonymous testing and counseling is offered from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment at AIDS Resource, 520 W. Fourth St., suite 2A, Williamsport; (570) 322-8448.
Key numbers
HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; (215) 685-1803. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications, confidential HIV testing available at 17 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; 1201 Chestnut St.; (215) 563-0652. www. mazzonicenter.org. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; (215) 985-9206.
Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: (215) 686-2555 ■ Mazzoni Center: (215) 563-0652; www. mazzonicenter.org
■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: (856) 933-9500 ext. 221
■ Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine: (215) 563-0658
■ AIDS Library: (215) 985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: (215) 592-1513
■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): (215) 572-1833
■ AIDS Treatment hot line: (215) 5452212
■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: (215) 686-4670
■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: (215) 685-1633
■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: (215) 772-2000 ■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Chief Inspector James Tiano: (215) 685-3655 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: (215) 600-0627; ppd.lgbt@gmail.com
■ Equality Advocates Pennsylvania: (215) 731-1447; (866) LGBTLAW
■ Philly Pride Presents: (215) 875-9288
■ Equality Forum: (215) 732-3378
■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: (717) 920-9537
■ Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Peer Counseling Services: (215) 732-TALK ■ Mayor’s liaison to LGBT communities: Gloria Casarez, (215) 686-2194; Gloria.
Arch Street United Methodist Church Services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. at Broad and Arch streets; (215) 568-6250. Bethlehem-Judah Ministries Open and affirming congregation holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 3847 N. Dupont Hwy., Kent Plaza Suite #2, Dover, Del.; (302) 734-9350. BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Church Hold services at 10:15 a.m. at 2040 Street Road, Warrington; (215) 343-0406.
■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: (215) 732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays, and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
Philadelphia Inclusive, welcoming and progressive congregation worships at 11 a.m. Sundays at 6023 Germantown Ave. Lunch follows; childcare is provided; (215) 438-3677. Gay Christian Singles Philly Burbs Provides support and fellowship for GLBT singles through discussion groups and social events; (610) 457-2081; gcsphillyburbs@aol.com. Global Heart Spiritual Center Holds services at 10:30 a.m. at 1812 HaddonfieldBerlin Road, Cherry Hill, N.J.; (609) 868-2372.
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting worships at 11 a.m. Sundays at 1515 Cherry St.; (215) 241-7260; cpmm@afsc.org. Resurrection Lutheran Church Holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 620 Welsh Road, Horsham; (215) 646-2597. Silverside Church Holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays followed by a group discussion at 2800 Silverside Road, Wilmington, Del.; (302) 478-5921.
Grace Epiphany Church A welcoming and diverse Episcopal congregation in Mt. Airy, holds services at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays, at 224 E. Gowen Ave., Mt. Airy; (215) 248-2950; www.grace-epi.org.
St. Asaph’s Church Inclusive and progressive Episcopal Church holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays, with a contemplative communion at 8 a.m. at 27 Conshohocken State Road, Bala Cynwyd; (610) 664-0966; www. saintasaphs.org.
Central Baptist Church Welcoming and affirming church holds services at 10:45 a.m. Sundays at 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; (610) 688-0664.
Holy Communion Lutheran Church (ELCA) Reconciling in Christ congregation worships Sundays at 9 a.m. at 2111 Sansom St. and 11 a.m. at 2110 Chestnut St.; (215) 569-1840; www. centercitylutheran.org.
St. John’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) Reconciling in Christ congregation holds services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 24 N. Ridge Ave., Ambler; (215) 646-2451; www.stjohnsambler.org.
Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church Services at 11 a.m. and Spirit at Play, an arts-based Sunday school for children, at 9:30 a.m. at 8812 Germantown Ave.; (215) 242-9321.
Hope Ministry Family Fellowship Affirming Christ-centered church meets at 11 a.m. Sundays in Allentown; (610) 791-0716; hmff2001@aol.com.
Church of the Crucifixion Inclusive Episcopal community holds services at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sundays at Eighth and Bainbridge streets; (215) 922-1128.
St. Luke and The Epiphany Church Open and welcoming church holds liturgy at 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays fall through winter and “Prayer Around the Cross” at 7 p.m. first Friday of the month at 330 S. 13th St.; (215) 732-1918.
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.
Calvary United Methodist Church Reconciling, welcoming and affirming church holds services at 11 a.m. Sundays at 48th Street and Baltimore Avenue; (215) 724-1702.
Church of the Trinity Lutheran Reconciling in Christ parish holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 18th and Wolf streets; (215) 334-6656. Dignity Jersey Shore An organization for sexual-minority Catholics meets first Saturday of the month in Asbury Park. For time and location, call (732) 502-0305. Dignity Metro NJ An organization for sexual-minority Catholics meets at 4 p.m. Sundays at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 550 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood, N.J.; (973) 857-4040. Dignity Philadelphia Holds Mass at 7 p.m. Sundays at 330 S. 13th St.; (215) 546-2093; dignityphila@aol.com. Drexel Hill Baptist Church Non-judgmental Christian congregation affiliated with American Baptist Churches of the USA holds services at 11 a.m. Sundays at Childs Avenue and State Road, Drexel Hill; (610) 259-2356; www. adhbaptist.com. Emanuel Lutheran Church Reconciling in Christ congregation meets at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at New and Kirkpatrick streets, New Brunswick, N.J.; (732) 545-2673; www. emmanuelnb.org. Episcopal Church of St. Paul Welcoming and inclusive church holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Tuesdays at 89 Pinewood Drive, Levittown; (215) 945-2886; www.saint-paulslevittown.org. Evangelicals Concerned Lesbian and gay Christian group meets at 2 p.m. the second and fourth Sundays of the month; (215) 860-7445.
■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: (215) 587-9377
■ The COLOURS Organization Inc. 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 4960330.
Religion/Spirituality
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
First Baptist Church Welcoming and affirming church holds services at 11 a.m. Sundays at 123 S. 17th St.; (215) 563-3853. First Presbyterian Church of Lansdowne Welcoming church holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 140 N. Lansdowne Ave.; (610) 622-0800; www.lansdownepresbyterian.org. First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia A liberal, welcoming and diverse congregation that affirms the dignity of all. Sunday services at 11 a.m. September-June and 10 a.m. July and August at 2125 Chestnut St.; (215) 563-3980; www.firstuuphilly.org. The First United Church of Germantown A sexual-minority-affirming congregation holds services at 11 a.m. Sundays at 6023 Germantown Ave.; lunch follows; (215) 438-3677. First United Methodist Church of
Interweave Organization of LGBT Unitarians and allies meets monthly at Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill, N.J., 401 N. Kings Highway; (856) 667-3618; www.uucinch.org. LC/NA Delaware Valley chapter A group for Lutherans who are not out in their own congregations meets at 7 p.m. fourth Sunday of the month at University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St.; (215) 387-2885. Kol Tzedek Reconstructionist Synagogue committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community meets at Calvary Center, 801 S. 48th St.; (215) 764-6364; www. kol-tzedek.org. Mainline Unitarian Church Holds services at 9 and 11 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 at 10 a.m. Sundays at 45 N. Forklanding Road, Maple Shade, N.J.; (856) 779-7739; mapleshadeucc.org. Metropolitan Community Church Holds services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays preceded by a 9:30 a.m. Bible study at The Pride Center of New Jersey. Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia Holds services at 11 a.m. Sundays at the William Way Center, 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 735-MCC3; www.mccphiladelphia.com. New Thought Spiritual Community Nondenominational service is offered at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at Cradle of Liberty Council, 1485 Valley Forge Road, Wayne; (610) 962-9923.
St. Mary of Grace Parish Inclusive church in the Catholic tradition celebrates Mass at 6 p.m. Sundays in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media; (610) 566-1393; www. inclusivecatholics.org. St. Mary’s Church Diverse and inclusive Episcopal church, with openly gay rector, celebrates Eucharist at 11 a.m. Sundays; adult forum is held at 9:30 a.m.; and evening prayer is at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at 3916 Locust Walk; (215) 386-3916; www.stmarysatpenn. org. Tabernacle United Church Open and affirming congregation holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 3700 Chestnut St.; (215) 3864100. Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County Welcoming congregation holds services at 10:30 a.m. at 145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media. Children’s program (pre-8th) 10:30 a.m.; youth programming 6 p.m. Sunday; (610) 566-4853; www.uucdc.org. Unitarian Society of Germantown Welcoming congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 6511 Lincoln Drive (West Mt. Airy); (215) 844-1158; www.usguu.org. Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill Holds services at 10:15 a.m. at 401 N. Kings Highway, Cherry Hill, N.J.; (856) 667-3618. Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration, Mt. Airy Welcoming congregation holds services at 11 a.m. Sundays September through June at 6900 Stenton Ave.; (215) 836-1812; www.uurestoration.us. Unitarian Universalist Congregation, South Jersey Shore Holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays in Galloway Township, N.J.; (609) 926-8890; www.uucsjs.org. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Pottstown Holds services at 10 a.m. at 1565 S. Keim St., Pottstown; (610) 327-2662.
Old First Reformed Church Open and affirming United Church worships at 11 a.m. Sundays September through June, and 10 a.m. June through August at 151 N. Fourth St.; (215) 9224566; www.oldfirstucc.org.
United Christian Church Open, affirming and welcoming congregation holds servies at 11 a.m. Sundays at 8525 New Falls Road, Levittown; (215) 946-6800.
Penns Park United Methodist Church Welcoming and affirming church holds services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park; (215) 598-7601.
Unity Fellowship Church of Philadelphia Diverse, affirming GLBT congregation holds services at 2 p.m. Sundays at Broad and Arch streets; (215) 222-3180.
Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral Progressive and affirming congregation holds Sunday services, with Lauds at 9:30 a.m. and Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m. at 3723 Chestnut St.; (215)3860234; www.philadelphiacathedral.org.
University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation Welcoming congregation holds services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 3637 Chestnut St. preceded by “Adult Forum: Sundays” at 9:30 discussing religious alienation and struggles of faith; (215) 387-2885.
Rainbow Buddhist Meditation Group Meets at 5 p.m. Sundays at the William Way Center.
Send submissions to pgn@epgn.com or fax (215) 925-6437 PGN Meeting Place, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147
Meeting Place is a public service. Submissions must include a phone number for publication. Complete Meeting Place listings of all Parent/Family, Professional, Recovery, Recreation, Religion, Sports, Men, Women, Trans, Youth groups can be found online @ www.phliagaynews.com and www.epgn.com
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
PAGE 55
worth watching: The Talk Out actress Sara Gilbert hosts the talk show alongside Sharon Osbourne, Julie Chen, Leah Remeni and Holly Robinson Peete. Monday-Friday, 2 p.m. on CBS. The Ellen DeGeneres Show Monday-Friday, 3 p.m. on NBC. The Rachel Maddow Show Monday-Friday, 9 p.m. on MSNBC. FRIDAY Real Time with Bill Maher The talk show hosted by the outspoken comedian and guest panelists. 10 p.m. on HBO. Fashion Police Joan Rivers discusses the week’s notable fashions. 10:30 p.m. on E! Life is Hot in Cracktown A pre-op transsexual prostitute is just one of the characters in the ensemble drama about how crack
infiltrated the street in urban America. 11 p.m. on Showtime.
that we care about? 8 p.m. on ABC.
SATURDAY Eleven Minutes A “Project Runway” winner (Jay McCarroll) prepares for his debut runway show at New York’s Fashion Week. 8 p.m. on Logo.
The A-List: New York The lives of New York’s gay elite are the center of this new reality series. 10 p.m. on Logo.
SUNDAY Desperate Housewives It’s Halloween on Wisteria Lane. 9 p.m. on ABC. Brothers and Sisters Look for out characters Kevin and Scotty. This week their relationship is rocked by Scotty’s infidelity. 10 p.m. on ABC. MONDAY How I Met Your Mother Out actor Neil Patrick Harris stars as the womanizing Barney. 8 p.m. on CBS.
Thintervention Out fitness guru Jackie Warner weighs her clients one last time. 10 p.m. on Bravo. The Arrangement A reality show about flower arranging. 11 p.m. on Logo. TUESDAY Biggest Loser Look for out trainer Jillian Michaels. 8 p.m. on NBC. Glee Out actress Jane Lynch stars in the acclaimed series. 8 p.m. on Fox.
WEDNESDAY Dancing with the Stars America’s Next Top Model Is there anybody left on the show Look for out fashion experts J.
STAGE-FATHERS: Cameron (Eric Stonestreet, right) gets swept up by all the lights and cameras when he goes behind Mitchell’s (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) back and takes their adopted daughter Lily in to do a commercial, at 9 p.m. Nov. 3 on ABC’s “Modern Family.” Photo: ABC/Mitch Haddad
Alexander and Jay Hernandez in this reality modeling competition. 8 p.m. on CW.
desserts. 10 p.m. on Bravo.
THURSDAY Grey’s Anatomy Modern Family Look for out doctor Callie Torres. Look for gay couple Mitchell and 9 p.m. on ABC. Cameron. 9 p.m. on ABC. Project Runway Top Chef: Just Desserts Openly gay Tim Gunn hosts this There is plenty of gay talent in reality fashion competition. This this spin-off of the cooking com- week is part two of the season petition show, which focuses on finale. 9 p.m. on Lifetime. ■
Philadelphia Gay News MOST HONORED LGBT NEWSPAPER IN THE NATION Honesty Integrity Professionalism
Recently, PGN won two more journalism awards. This year alone, PGN has garnered top honors from almost every major national journalism organization. The recent awards, from the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, are
Excellence in News Writing Award Excellence in Photojournalism Award Other recent honors include:
Best Column Writing Best Feature Photo Health and Medical Writing
Arts & Entertainment Writing — Feature Editorial Writing Commentary
PGN is the most award-winning LGBT publication in the country. Our slogan for nearly 35 years says it all: Honesty, Integrity, Professionalism. Week after week.
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 56
Classifieds
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
With Real Estate, Help Wanted, Services and Personals
Tab for Fannie, Freddie could soar to $259B By Alan Zibel The Associated Press
The government spelled out last Thursday just how much the most expensive rescue of the financial crisis will end up costing taxpayers: as much as $259 billion for mortgage buyers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. That figure would be nearly twice the amount Fannie and Freddie have received so far. To date, the rescue of the two companies has cost taxpayers $135 billion. They have repaid $13 billion to the Treasury Department as dividends. By contrast, the combined bailouts of financial companies and the auto industry have cost taxpayers roughly $50 billion, according to Treasury’s latest projections. And the bailouts of Wall Street banks alone, which sparked public fury, have so far brought taxpayers a $16-billion return. Fannie and Freddie were battered by losses on loans they backed, once the housing bubble burst and foreclosures soared. The two com-
panies buy home loans from lenders, package them into bonds with a guarantee against default and sell them to investors. Last Thursday, the government provided a broad estimate of the costs of bailing out Fannie and Freddie. The final cost will depend on the direction of home values over the next few years. If prices fall sharply, as some analysts forecast, Fannie and Freddie won’t be able to recover as much money on foreclosures. They would require more taxpayer aid. The Fannie-Freddie bailout could end up costing taxpayers between $142 billion and $259 billion through 2013, the Federal Housing Finance Agency projected. The worst-case scenario assumes the economy would fall back into a recession and home prices would sink an additional 24 percent until early 2012. The best-case scenario assumes home prices remain flat for the next two years. “If the economy does unravel in the next couple of quarters, then
the costs will mount very rapidly,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. Last week’s estimate was the first time the housing agency has released a public estimate of the taxpayer tab. The combined bailout of the two mortgage companies is on track to be the largest of the financial crisis. The agency’s figures take into account dividends that the agency estimates Fannie and Freddie will end up repaying. The terms of their rescue require them to pay a 10-percent annual dividend to Treasury. That amount is expected to balloon in coming years. Regulators expect Fannie and Freddie to repay an additional $67 billion to $91 billion in dividends over the next three years. The two mortgage finance companies have been operating under federal control for more than two years. When the government stepped in to take them over in September 2008, their rescue was expected to cost only a combined $200 billion.
Allegations that mortgage lenders nationwide cut corners on foreclosure documents as they moved to seize millions of homes have put Fannie and Freddie under scrutiny. The two companies have used socalled “foreclosure mill” law firms that are accused of processing thousands of files in haste. A deposition released by the Florida attorney general’s office last week revealed that the office manager of the Florida-based Law Offices of David J. Stern, which Fannie and Freddie used, would sign 1,000 files a day without reviewing them. The deposition also said the office manager allowed paralegals to sign her name when she got tired. Fannie and Freddie say they’re suspending use of that firm. Several banks have been accused of similar conduct. If they can’t resolve their foreclosure problems and are barred from seizing many homes, Fannie and Freddie could absorb huge losses on loans they own or guarantee. That’s because they would no longer be able to
recover anything on loans that have gone bad. Delays in foreclosures would hurt Fannie and Freddie in areas of the country where home prices are falling. The longer they wait to sell homes, the less money they stand to recover. But some analysts doubt the document mess will have much impact on Fannie, Freddie or the pace of foreclosures. It’s likely to result in weeks of delays for foreclosures, not months, Zandi said. Fannie and Freddie own or guarantee about half of all U.S. mortgages, or nearly 31-million home loans worth more than $5 trillion. The bill for rescuing Fannie and Freddie has been rising, while the estimates for other rescues have been sinking. What was once the most expensive single bailout — American International Group Inc. — is now projected to cost taxpayers only $5 billion. Even that bailout could turn a profit, Treasury said this month, depending on the price it gets on its future sale of AIG shares. ■
Location! Location! Location! This week’s featured property
Beds: 3 Baths: 2.5 Cost: $459,000 Square footage: 3,835 Age of property: 27 years Realtor: Naoji Moriuchi Real-estate co.: B.T. Edgar & Son Realtors Phone: (856) 235-0101 x. 211 Direct: (609) 781-0080 Website: www.121foxwood.com
An exceptionally gracious end-unit townhome located on a cul-de-sac in desirable Blason Woods. From refinished hardwood floors and crown moulding throughout, to custom built-in cabinetry and beautiful backyard views, this tastefully decorated home offers low-maintenance living with plenty of space.
Check your ad
PLACING ADS Using voicemail? Please be sure to have the following information ready when you call: • Your ad copy • The type of style you want • Desired abbreviations • American Express, Discover, MasterCard or VISA information • Your name and mailing
Moorestown, NJ
address • Daytime telephone number Having all this information ready will speed your order and help to avoid errors. Phone calls can only be returned during business hours. For more information, see the coupon page in this section.
Philadelphia Gay News assumes responsibility for errors in classified ads only when notified by noon the Tuesday after the ad first appears. To receive credit for errors, please notify PGN by then. Credit only will be extended in the form of additional advertising space. Any cash refunds, for any reason, are subject to a $10 service charge. PGN will publish no classified ad — in any category — that contains sexually explicit language. Obviously excluded are traditional four-letter words that relate to sexual activity. Other words may be excluded at the discretion of the publisher, who reserves the right to edit or rewrite any ad that, in his opinion, violates this policy or its intent.
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
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Real Estate �����
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REHOBOTH BEACH 2 bed, 2 bath 1st fl. Captiva Sands condo, walk out back porch. 1 mi. Poodle Beach. W/pool/ tennis. $240K. Call 267-221-8067. FSBO. ��������������������������� _______________________________34-46 �������� SUN. 1-4 OPEN HOUSE ����������������������������������������������������� 1 CAMIEL LANE, AUDUBON, PA ����������� ����������������������������� Great for In-law or AuPair Suite. Upgrades t/o; �������������patio, deck, marble brick walkways, lampposts, ���������������������������������������������������� & h/w flr, new master Ste; custom millwork t/o, �������� ���������������������������������������� 5 BR, 3 Baths, 2nd kit, Methacton Schools, low ������������������ taxes, near Valley Forge Park, Directions: 422 �������������������������������������������������������� Exp., north on Egypt Rd., right onto Pawlings ������������������������� �� Rd. about 1 mile,��������������� left on Camiel Ln. C Moles ������ Realtor 610-275-2050. ���������������������������������������������������� ��������� ��������������������������������������������������� _______________________________34-45 �������������������� VENTNOR, NJ, FACING THE BAY ��������� ��������������� House and Adjacent Lot (inground swimming ���������� ��������������������������������������������������������� pool). 1st floor 3 bedrooms, bath, living room, ����������������������������������������������� dining room, kitchen, laundry room and deck. 2nd floor 2 bedrooms, bath, efficiency kitchen, �������� living room, dining area and deck. Central Air. ����������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������� Corner Property. Call 215-468-9166 evenings ����������������������������������������������������������������� only. $675,000.00. Also property for rent����������������������������������� 1500.00 month plus utilities. ������������������������� _______________________________34-49 ��������������������������������������������
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PAGE 47
REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATE
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IT’S HERE!! NYS FALL LAND SALE Oneida, Oswego, Madison, Chenango, & Lewis Counties. Over 150 Properties! 7 Acres Riverfront- $29,995. Cranberry Lake Woods42 Acres on Water. WAS: $229,995. NOW: $139,995. Adirondack River- 16 Acres on Water. WAS: $129,995. NOW: $79,995. Tug Hill- Montague- Hunting Land 25 Acres w/ Timber: $34,995. Free Closing Costs. Call NOW! 800-229-7843 www.LandandCamps.com _______________________________34-44
Potter County-4 acres, Pine Creek frontage, RT 6 frontage west of Galeton, standard perc, utilities, near hunting land and ski area. $59,900. 800-668-8679. _______________________________34-44 Lake Pennock NY: 6 acres Lakefront $29,900. 7 acres 1000’ Waterfront $39,900. 5 acres Lakeside Log Cabin $99,900. Borders 3,000 acre NYS Forest. Owners-Broker 1-888683-2626. _______________________________34-44
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APARTMENT OVER LOOKING RITTENHOUSE SQUARE! The Plaza 12B - 1901 Walnut St.
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Retail and mini artist lofts for rent
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Suzanne E. Petruzel, GRI Sales Associate Cell 610-859-8030
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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
REAL ESTATE
SALE
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REAL ESTATE
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REAL ESTATE
RENT
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REAL ESTATE
RENT
Open Houses Sunday Oct. 31, 2010 Noon - 1:00 PM 2011 Catharine St. Newly rehabbed with “2 car parking” Very large three bedroom, 3.5 bath traditional style home with all the modern upgrades. Wood floors, deluxe granite, S/S, cherry kitchen. Finished lower level. Spa style master bedroom with a huge bi-level deck with the best views in the area. Tax abatement applied for. .......................................................................................................NEW PRICE $574,500 927 Spruce St. Unit 2R. Deluxe Junior 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath with new kitchen. Unit contains a queens size Murphy bed. (parking available for just $20,000)............$199,900 1109 Spruce St. Unit 1R Deluxe bi-level 2 bedroom, 2 bath with garden and possible parking spot. This unit has been totally rehabbed with wood floors and Granite and S/S kitchen. Located in the heart of Wash. Sq. West with low taxes and condo fees. ................ .............................................................................................................................$299,000 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM 1109 Spruce St. Units 2R and 3R. your choice of two lovely 1 bedroom, 1 bath units. 2R has been totally rehabbed with new deluxe granite and S/S kitchen. 3R has a white modern kitchen, is newly painted and in move-in condition. .................................................................................................$225,000 and $189,000 2155 Montrose St. NEW Construction. Large (2,400 Sq. Ft.) corner home across from park. Open first floor plan with custom granite and S/S gourmet kitchen and rear garden. Bright and light filled finished lower level with 1/2 bath. Second floor has 2 huge bedrooms with large closets and deluxe hall bath. The huge Master Suite and marble spa bath covers the entire third level. All rooms have Dark Oak Bruce hardwood floors. Enjoy 360 degree views of the city from the huge roof deck. 10 year Tax abatement applied for. .......................................................................................................a must see, $425,000 255 S. Hutchinson St. (between 9th and 10th off Spruce St.) NEW LISTING Historic, 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath on charming cobblestone street in heart of Washington Sq. West. ..............................................................................................................................$250,000 1109 Spruce St. Unit #4. NEW LISTING. Totally rehabbed loft style condo. Deluxe granite and S/S kitchen. Wood floors, tile bath, great views. Low condo fees and taxes. ..............................................................................................................................$185,000
Search all Philadelphia area listings @ www.thephillyrealtors.com Dan Tobey
The Curtis Center 1401 Walnut St. 8th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19102
215.546.2700 Business • 267.238.1061 Direct 215.432.7151 Cell • 215.546.7728 Fax dtobey@cbpref.com • www.cbpref.com
12TH & DICKINSON AREA Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms , bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (negotiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. _______________________________34-49 MANAYUNK 2 BR, 1 BA, Heart of Manayunk. W/D, D/W, C/A, microwave, range, large bright windows, small private porch. Rent $1,200/mo. Call Heather, 610-647-1776. eadeh.com _______________________________34-44 MANAYUNK 1 BR, 1 BA, Heart of Manayunk. W/D, D/W, C/A, microwave, range, large bright windows. Rent $1,075/mo. Call Heather, 610-647-1776. eadeh.com _______________________________34-44 RITTENHOUSE SQUARE AREA Studios & 1 Bedrooms - Call for Availability (215)735-8050. _______________________________34-52 5986 HENRY AVE. ROXBOROUGH 1 BR/2 BR apts. Hdwd flrs, EIK, G/D, refrig., micro. Full tile bath. 1 car garage & storage. $850 + G/E. Call 215-919-3459, Judy. _______________________________34-47
VACATION
RENTALS NAPLES, FLORIDA Relax in the sun this winter! Condos from $800/ week- Homes from $1100 ***Monthly Rentals Discounts*** Island Escapes. (239)642-0000 or (800)762-3222. www.IslandEsc.com _______________________________34-44
PGN
ROOMMATES
SERVICES
PGN WILL NOT PUBLISH RACIAL DISTINCTIONS IN ROOMMATE ADS. SUCH NOTATIONS WILL BE EDITED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. ___________________________________ GREATER NE PHILA. Have your own bedroom in a beautiful split level home with 2 gay men. House is 4 BR, 2 full baths, W/D, upper and lower decks, use of kitchen. Property is by Welsh & the Boulevard, 1 min. to 58 bus. We ask only that you be at least reasonably neat and employed. Rent is $600 + 1/3 utils. Contact Dave at 215-698-0215. _______________________________34-49 NORRISTOWN Single Gay Man Has a 2-Story / 3-Bedroom Townhouse To Share With Another Gay Man. Available 10/01/10. $ 600.00 Security Deposit and $ 600.00 Monthly Which Includes Utilities. Call or Text Bill at 610-539-5745 OR email me at brbckbeartopfun@aol.com _______________________________43-44 13TH & LOMBARD HOUSE SHARE Male pref, utilities and laundry incl. $700/month; sec. dep. + 1 month. Proof of employment, no smokers. Contact: wdparrott@hotmail.com _______________________________34-47
THERAPEUTIC/RELAXING/HEALING MASSAGE Intro $45 Serenity Massage & Wellness www. serenitygardens.me Call 1-87-REVIVE-ME Aren’t you Worth it? _______________________________34-44 MASSAGE smooth thin white bottom / Main Line pics Ez2getn2@gmail.com _______________________________34-43 PSYCHOTHERAPY Trauma - Grief - Joy Be free from cycles of destructive behavior. Individual, Family & (affordable) Group Therapy. MARIA PAPACOSTAKI MA, MFT Jungian and Gestalt principals 217-414-0079 _______________________________34-46 AIRLINES ARE HIRING Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified -Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888)349-5387. _______________________________34-44 ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE From Home. *Medical *Business *Paralegal *Computers *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 888-220-3984 www.CenturaOnline.com _______________________________34-44
FINANCIAL
SERVICES
CASH NOW! Get cash for your structured settlement or annuity payments. High payouts. Call J.G. Wentworth. 1-866-SETTLEMENT (1-866738-8536). Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau. _______________________________34-44 Tired of Being In Debt? Decrease Your DebtIncrease Your Income! $10k+ in Credit Card or IRS Debt. New Laws Have Passed to Protect You! Free Consultation 888-456-4551. _______________________________34-44 Need Extra Money? Start by Reducing Your Credit Card Debt! NO Upfront Fees. Settle Your Debt & Increase Your Income! Free Consultation & Info 888-449-7424. _______________________________34-44
AUTOS AAAA** Donation. Donate Your Car, Boat, or Real Estate. IRS Tax Deductible. Free PickUp/Tow. Any Model/Condition. Help Under Privileged Children. Outreachcenter.com 1-800-597-8311. _______________________________34-44
PAGE 60
S
APRIL APRIL 25 25 -- MAY MAY 1, 1, 2008 2008
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008
AMY F. STEERMAN Attorney at Law
Concentrating in Planning for Lesbian and Gay Couples • Probate • Wills • Living Wills • Powers of Attorney PAGE 110
215-735-1006
“Safeguarding the Legal Rights of LGBT Families” CLASSIFIEDS
1900 Spruce Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 www.amysteerman.com
CRC, CRC,CVE CVE A, t CRC, CVE ant
bility bility ssability als
5 85
David C. Berman, a family law attorney, handles LGBT matters including life partnership dissolution, cohabitation agreements, second parent adoption, wills, powers of attorney, medical advanced directives, child support and child custody. Mr. Berman also represents clients in matters of employment discrimination and unemployment compensation. Law Office of David C. Berman
LEGAL SERVICES
APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008
Mark-Allen Taylor, Esq.
Divorce Child Custody Support / Visitation Domestic Partnerships Wills & Powers of Attorney Name Changes and
Technologically-Assisted Reproduction Agreements
Law Offices of Mark-Allen Taylor, LLC 1325 Spruce Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 215-735-2777 mat@mat-law.com
2300 Computer Avenue Willow Grove, PA 19090 215-540-5857 www.dcbermanlaw.com
Free initial consultation
William A. Torchia, Esquire
Charles S. Frazier, Esq.
Looking for a new career? James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Want to be your own boss? Disability Consultant Tired of the insecurity of today’s economic uncertainty? Learn how we’ve Social Security Disability helped 1,000’s Claims Appeals of individuals find a
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ESTATE & TAX PLANNING GENERAL PRACTICE CONCIERGE LEGAL SERVICES watorchia@gmail.com Avenue of the Arts 230 S. Broad St., Suite 400 Philadelphia, PA 19102 Phone: 215-546-1950 Fax: 215-546-8801
Attorney at Law
• General Practice • Wills and Trusts • Living Wills • Powers of Attorney • Probate
Wayne, PA (610) 687-4077 cstar1@verizon.net
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-8501 Today!
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
PAGE 61
SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY Looking to Buy, Sell or Just Clean Your Antiques?
We’ve been in business since 2000. We buy and sell antique’s and fine furniture. But we don’t limit ourselves to just furniture. Liquidate Estates Take Donations Quick Pick-up Buy Vintage Item’s Period Liquidate Small Equipment, and Art Deco Tools Liquidation’s Hosting and Fine Upholstery Cleaning Auction’s Close-Outs And Clean-Outs
JOHN’S FIBER KLEEN
Call 215 726-6828 or 610 757 8207 Philadelphia Pa and Tri-State Area
BOB’S
EXTERMINATING Licensed by Dept. of Agriculture, Health & Safety Division for the past 43 years. We Are State Certified For Bed Bugs. Pet Friendly & Child Safe. Licensed & Insured.
215-465-8023 Lic. # (BU7515)
Philadelphia Gas Heating & Air Conditioning
HEATER SALE
Starting at $1195 Time is running out for the stimulus rebate - get up to $1,500!
A/C SALE $1695
Heater check-up $80.00
Call Now 215.456.1300
FAST EMERGENCY SERVICE
John Cardullo & Sons, Inc. 703 Christian Street • Philadelphia, PA 19147
DOUGLAS CONSTRUCTION • Complete Home Remodeling • Interior Design • Kitchen & Bath Specialists • Custom Interior renovations
215-925-8564 • 215-925-6586 • Fax: 215-925-8856
$
150
00 Service
Contract
For 1 Year • Most Oil Heaters
Present this ad as a coupon for
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Coupon good for cash or credit card purchases only and must be mentioned when order is placed and given to the driver at the time of delivery. Only one coupon per order. Expires 10/30/10
“DON’T CALL AN 800 NUMBER FOR YOUR LOCAL HEATING OIL NEEDS” WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS
Free Estimates Licensed & Insured
Douglas Morgan 215-462-1066 Filippone Electrical
An Eye for Detail!
Our prices won’t shock you! Residential • Commercial Experts Licensed & Insured • FREE ESTIMATES
FALL SPECIAL 10% off with this ad
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We will beat any estimate!
Specializing in Custom Residential & Historical Restorations
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Free Electric Inspections
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Financing Available • Free Estimates • Fully Insured
Roofing Siding & Windows Ask About Our 15 Yr Guarantee
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Emergency Repairs Get the Stimulus Rebate Up to $1,500! WITH COUPON New Roof
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To the point and done so they Yeager Carpentry can get the app in is the point. Custom your version overall is I•think Woodworking more effective for what they • Custom by Cabinetry needed being more concise. Kitchenshow you boiled down I•liked • Baths the points very much, actually.
Susan’s Exterminating Interior and Exterior Treatments Residental and Commercial Eliminaiton of Bed Bugs Termite Control and Certs. Rodents - Roaches Fleas - Bees - Ants
• Smaller Remodelling Projects
Call Susan for more details
Warren Yeager 215-356-9185
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215-743-7145
Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-8501 Today!
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
PAGE 62
HOME
IMPROVEMENT
HELP WANTED
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
SERVICES DIRECTORY
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
CDL-A Drivers: Drive In Style! New 2011 Freightliner Cascadias Plus The Best Miles, Pay & Performance Bonus. $500 Sign-On for Flatbed. CDL-A,6mo.OTR. Western Express. 888-801-5295 _______________________________34-44
CLASS A CDL DRIVERS *Excellent Equipment! *Consistent home time *Great pay/benefits. SMITH TRANSPORT, INC. Call 877-432-0048 www.smithdrivers. com _______________________________34-44
PETS
PETS
Chestnut Hill Cat Clinic
dunbar painting
I Work Alone To Ensure Job Quality!
Cell 215-715-7335 Interior/Exterior Painting • Plaster/Drywall Repair • Wallpaper Removal • Finish Carpentry • Old House Specialist• Excellent References - Photos of Work Available
BUSINESS
OPPORTUNITY Do you earn $800 in a day? Your Own Local Candy Route! 25 Machines and Candy All for $9995. 877-915-8222 All Major Credit Cards Accepted! _______________________________34-44 RESTAURANT IN GAY NEW HOPE FOR SALE/LEASE Turnkey operation. Owners retiring after 27 successful years. Al fresco and indoor dining. Call Bob or Grant at 215-862-2241 or email: grantwaldman@hotmail.com _______________________________34-46 Frac Sand Haulers-Tons of Runs in Texas! Come to where the weather is warm, pay is great and the land is flat. 817-769-7621, 817-769-7713. _______________________________34-44
ADOPTION A committed, financially secure couple seeks to adopt. Warm, caring home. Love to travel. Ready to provide a bright and happy future. Expenses paid. Neil and Doak, 888-492-6273. _______________________________34-44 Adoption: A childless, loving woman wishes to adopt newborn. Financially secure and close extended family. Legal and Confidential. Expenses paid. Please call Lisa at 1-866855-2166. _______________________________34-44 ADOPT A happily married couple have room in our loving hearts and home for your newborn. Expenses paid. Please call Debra & George at (877)732-0291. _______________________________34-44 A truly happy couple with so much love to share hopes to give your precious newborn a lifetime of happiness. Michael and Eileen 1-877-9558355. babyformichaelandeileen@gmail.com _______________________________34-44 ADOPTION Loving couple wants to share our life and love with your newborn. Call Liz & Geoff Toll-Free: 1-866-762-7821; Email: Liz_and_ Geoff@comcast.net _______________________________34-44 Are you pregnant? Andrew & Ariel are financially secure, educated, & seeking to adopt. Will provide loving home/full-time parent. Expenses Paid. Eagerly awaiting your call (ask for michelle/adam). 1-800-790-5260. _______________________________34-44
Bartender Wanted
at the hip new gay bar in Montgomery County. Looking for that special guy bartender with warm personality and winning smile.
Call Billy 610-239-2175
HIRING NOW Experienced banquet or fine dining servers with at least 1 yr experience. We are looking for professional and outgoing individuals! If interested, please call 215-569-4448. _______________________________34-44 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOB ASIAC seeks qualified candidates for a Chief Executive Officer position. ASIAC is a nonprofit CBO dedicated to promoting access for those who face barriers to receiving healthcare, HIV/AIDS, and social services. Qualifications include BA minimum, executive management experience, excellent communication skills and a proven track record for raising funds. Please send cover and resume to: ASIAC Executive Search, PO Box 2772, Framingham, MA 01702. _______________________________34-45 Sales Professionals Wanted: Recession-Proof Medicare Industry, pre-qualified leads helping Seniors. Positive attitude and communication skills required. Excellent Incentives, Growth Potential. $80,000 plus. Call Julie toll-free 1-877-864-9317. _______________________________34-44 Heat & Air JOBS - Ready to work? 3 week accelerated program. Hands on environment. Nationwide certifications and Local Job Placement Assistance! 1-877-994-9904. _______________________________34-44 **ABLE TO TRAVEL** Hiring 6 people, Free to travel all states, resort areas. No experience necessary. Paid Training/Transportation. OVER 18. Start ASAP. 1-866-734-5216. _______________________________34-44 1000 ENVELOPES=$5000 Receive $3-$7 for every envelope processed with our sales material. GUARANTEED! FREE Information, 24 HR recording: 1-800471-9524 _______________________________34-44 ASAP! New Pay Increase! 37-43 cpm. Excellent Benefits. Need CDL-A & 3 mos. recent OTR. 877-258-8782 www.meltontruck.com _______________________________34-44 TRUCK DRIVERS WANTED! SALARY POSITION! $950+ WEEKLY! HOME WEEKENDS! EXCELLENT BENEFITS! NEW EQUIPMENT! HEARTLAND EXPRESS 1-800-441-4953 www.heartlandexpress.com _______________________________34-44
Drivers- $1,000 Sign On Bonus!!! NE REGIONAL and OTR Freight Increase, Great Pay and Benefits! Class A CDL and 1 year experience required 800-677-5627 www. westsidetransport.com _______________________________34-44 Experienced Reefer, Tanker, Flatbed Drivers Needed! Prime’s Incredible Freight network offers you: *Great Pay & Benefits *Steady Freight. Call Prime today! 1-800-249-9591 www.primeinc.com _______________________________34-44
Celebrating 24 years 8220 Germantown Avenue
(215) 247-9560
www.chestnuthillcatclinic.com
PGN
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PAGE 106
• PRESCRIPTION DIET MEDICATION • PROMOTE FAT BURNING • BOOST ENERGY
DR. ROBERT FORTINO
CLASSIFIEDS
1913 S. BROAD STREET, PHILADELPHIA
(215) 336-8000
www.drfortino.com
PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES
Individual, Couples & Family Counseling
Relationship Issues-Addictions-Anxiety Stress Management-Depression-Trauma Most Insurances Accepted
250 South 17th Street Suite 101 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Dr. Marion Rudin Frank, Psychologist
215-545-7800
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OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010
FRIENDS
MEN
nite. GWM couple ISO GWMs 18-40 yrs. for 1 on 1 and group sex. Stockings, pantyhose, etc. Starts 9 PM Sat. Call Sat. 7-8 PM 856910-8303, ask for Mark. _______________________________33-24 GWM, Italian, top or bottom, 7” cut. Also into assplay, toys & water sports. Bi, straight, out of towners welcome. Day or night. Call Jeff at FRIENDS 215-850-7900. _______________________________33-18
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PAGE 63
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PAGE 64
PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2010