PGN Nov. 27 - Dec. 3, 2015 by The Philadelphia Gay News

Family Portrait: Nathan Townsend has music to heal PAGE 41

PPD says hatecrime report is accurate PAGE 2

The Mormons are back in town PAGE 37

Diving icon Greg Louganis to receive Lifetime Achievement Award PAGE 5 Nov. 27 - Dec. 3, 2015

Since 1976

PGN Philadelphia Gay News HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

Vol. 39 No. 48

Antigay tweets to be included in gay-bashing trial By Paige Cooperstein paige@epgn.com

STUFFING THEIR PLATES: About 100 youth celebrated Thanksgiving early with The Attic Youth Center’s annual Thanksgiving gathering Nov. 24 at the center. The vast spread, provided by The Dow Chemical Company and Harrah’s of Chester, was served by staff from The Attic and volunteers from Gays, Lesbians and Allies at Dow, the company’s LGBT resource group. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Four tweets that the prosecution characterizes as antigay will be admitted as evidence during the trial of Kathryn Knott for her alleged role in last year’s attack of a gay couple in Center City, Judge Roxanne Covington ruled at a motions hearing Tuesday. “Those tweets may or may not be interpreted as anti-homosexual,” she said. “I will leave those arguments to be made for the jury.” Jury selection takes place Dec. 9, with the trial expected to begin later in the month. Knott faces charges of aggravated assault, simple assault and conspiracy in the Sept. 11, 2014, attack of Zachary Hesse and

Nutter signs bathroom bill into law

Appellate court upholds landmark surrogacy ruling

By Paige Cooperstein paige@epgn.com Transgender activist Dawn Munro pointed out her regular seat at Fergie’s Pub; it was two from the end that’s closest to the bathrooms. “One of the things that happens when you get to beer number three, at least for an old fart like me, is of course you need to visit the restroom,” Munro told a crowd of over 50 gathered at the Center City Irish bar Nov. 19 to witness Mayor Michael Nutter sign the single-use, gender-neutral bathroom bill into law. It will take effect Jan. 20. “It’s really important to me that I can do so in safety,” Munro said. “There are bars in this city that I could be taking my life in my hands if I went to the restroom. But there are two things you may do in there and that’s about it. Then you come back out and you order more beer.” Munro, a resident of the John C. Anderson Apartments, spoke alongside Nutter; Nellie Fitzpatrick, director of the city Office of LGBT Affairs; Rue Landau, executive director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations; and Mayor-elect Jim PAGE 24 Kenney.

Andrew Haught on Chancellor Street. Knott remains free after posting part of her $50,000 bail, and attended the Nov. 24 hearing at the Criminal Justice Center with her parents. Earlier this month, Knott’s co-defendants, Kevin Harrigan and Philip Williams, accepted plea deals from the District Attorney’s office that included probation and community service at an LGBT organization, but no jail time. Knott refused a similar agreement. In court Tuesday, PAGE 19

By Jen Colletta Jen@epgn.com

Plan underway to name street after Gloria Casarez A resolution to name the 200 block of South 12th Street “Gloria Casarez Way” was introduced in Philadelphia City Council Nov. 19. Councilman Mark Squilla, who represents the First District including the Gayborhood, sponsored it. That section of 12th Street was chosen because it runs past the mural on 12th St. Gym that was painted in honor of Casarez, the inaugural director of the city Office of LGBT Affairs who died last year of breast cancer. Council will hold a final vote on the resolution during its Dec. 3 meeting, said Rue Landau, executive director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. Landau said she expects a naming ceremony to take place before the end of the year. n

The Superior Court of Pennsylvania this week bolstered the validity of gestational-surrogacy contracts, a boon for many same-sex parents. The appellate court on Monday upheld a lower-court ruling that found that such agreements are enforceable. This is the first appellate decision in Pennsylvania to support such a finding, which is especially important as the state lacks any statutes governing assisted-reproductive rights. “The only law we really have that gives lawyers guidance on this issue is case law,” said Tiffany Palmer, partner at Jerner & Palmer, P.C., who represented the father in the case, Lamar Sally. “And up until this point, there was very little case law at all on the issue of surrogacy.” Sally is the ex-husband of actor and former talk-show personality Sherri Shepard. The two wed in 2011 and, when they learned Shepard’s eggs were not viable for pregnancy, decided to go the route of surrogacy, using Sally’s sperm PAGE 19

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

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locations in Pennsylvania Allentown • Allentown Brew Works, 812 Hamilton St. • Candida, 247 N. 12th St. • Stonewall, 28-30 N. 10th St. • Annville • Lebanon Valley College, Sheridan Ave. • Ardmore • Ardmore Station, Anderson Ave. near Coulter Ave. • Bethlehem • LGBTQ Services Lehigh U, 25 Trembley Dr. • Bloomsberg • Bloomsberg University LGBTA Center, 400 E. Second St. • Bristol • Bristol News World, 576B Bristol Pike • Bryn Mawr • Bryn Mawr College, Canaday Library • Bryn Mawr Station, Morris Ave. near Bryn Mawr Ave. • Fox & Roach Realty, 763 Lancaster Ave. • Chester • AIDS Care Group, 2304 Edgemont Ave. • Harrah’s Chester Casino, 777 Harrah’s Blvd. • Widener University, 1 University Place • Collegeville • Adult World, 3975 Ridge Pike • Doylestown • Darkanyu, 504 Eagle Lane • Doylestown Bookshop, 16 S. Main St. • Siren Records, 25 E. State St. • East Stroudsburg • Rainbow Mountain Resort, 210 Mt. Nebo Road • Easton • Lafayette College, 101 Hogg Hall • La Pazza, 1251 Ferry St. • Gibson • Hillside Campground, 1 Creek Road • Glen Mills • Imago Dei MCC, 1223 Middletown Road • Glenside • Keswick Cycle, 408 N. Easton Road • Hanover Township • Venture Lounge, 1266 San Souci Parkway • Harrisburg • 704 Strawberry Cafe, 704 N. Third St. • AIDS Community Alliance, 100 N. Cameron St. • Brownstone Lounge, 412 Forster St. • MCC of the Spirit, 2973 Jefferson St. • Stallions, 706 N. Third St. • Haverford • Haverford Station, Haverford Station Road near Lancaster Ave. • Huntingdon • Huntingdon Valley Library, 625 Red Lion Rd. • Kutztown • Kutztown University, 15200 Main St. • Lancaster • Downtown Books, 227 N. Prince St. • Sundown Lounge, 429 N. Mulberry St. • Tally Ho Tavern, 201 W. Orange St. • Lansdale • Gwynedd Vet Hospital, 1615 W. Pointe Pike • Lehighton • Cristalees Restaurant, 130 S. 1st St. • Woods Campground, 845 Vaughn Acres Road • Levittown • Levitt Books, 7406 Bristol Pike • Malvern • Malvern Station, King St. & Warren Ave. • Media • Media Theater, 104 E. State St. • Penn State Brandywine, 25 Yearsley Mill Road, Suite 115 • Unitarian Universalist Church, 145 W. Rose Tree Road • Narberth • Narberth Station, Haverford & Narberth avenues • Newport • My Buddie’s Place, 2380 Susquehanna Trail •New Hope • Cornerstone Gym, 419 York Road • Eagle Diner, 6522 York Road • Havana, 105 S. Main St. • John & Peters Place, 96 S. Main St. • Karla’s Restaurant, 5 W. Mechanic St. • La Chateau Exotique, 31A W. Mechanic St.• Raven, 385 W. Bridge St. • Triumph Brewing Co., 400 Union Square Drive • Wishing Well B&B, 114 Old York Rd. • New Milford • Oneida Campground, 2580 E. Lake Road • Newtown • Bucks Co. Community College, 275 Swamp Road • Norristown • Revelations, 1832 Markley St. • North Wales • Adult World, 608 Upper State Road • Old Forge • Twelve Penny Saloon, 535 Hickory St. • Paoli • Paoli Station, North Valley Road & Lincoln Highway • Penns Park • United Methodist Church, 2394 Second St. Pike • Phoenixville • Artisans Gallery and Cafe, 234 Bridge St. • Steel City, 203 Bridge St. • Quakertown • Adult World, 880 S. West End Blvd. • Reading • Berks Aid Network, 429 Walnut St. • Reading Adult Center, 316 Penn St. • Rosemont • Rosemont Station, Airdale Road & Montrose Ave. • Sharon Hill • Sharon Hill Medical, 907 Chester Pike • Spring Grove • Atland’s Ranch, RR6, Box 6543 • Swarthmore • Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Parrish Hall • Temple • Naughty But Nice, 4502 N. Fifth St. • Upper Darby • Honor Box, 69th Street Station • Villanova • Villanova Station, Spring Mill Road near County Line Road • Warminster • Planned Parenthood of Bucks Co., 610 Louis Dr. • Wayne • Central Baptist Church, 106 W. Lancaster Ave. • Stafford Station, Old Eagle School & Crestline roads • Wayne Station, N. Wayne & West Ave. • West Chester • Chester County Books, 975 Paoli Pike • Wilkes Barre • Heat, 69-71 N. Main St. • Willow Grove • Barnes & Noble, 102 Park Ave. • Wynnwood • Wynnwood Station, Wynnewood & Penn roads •

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Police: No deficiencies in hate-crimes reporting By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Philadelphia police say there’s no need for them to receive additional training in identifying and reporting anti-LGBT hate crimes. “There isn’t any deficiency in our reporting of hate crimes,” said police spokesperson Lt. John Stanford last week. Under state law, Philadelphia police are required to report all hate crimes in the city to the Pennsylvania State Police. But concerns that Philadelphia police under-report anti-LGBT hate crimes resurfaced last month, when they said Kiesha Jenkins’ homicide isn’t a hate crime. The trans woman was brutally beaten — then shot twice in her back — by a group of men in the Hunting Park section. Police ruled out the possibility that Jenkins was targeted due to her gender identity, claiming the sole motivation was robbery. But some LGBT advocates say police acted prematurely, since Jenkins’ shooter hasn’t been arrested yet. Moreover, police didn’t report the Sept. 11, 2014, attack on a gay couple as a hate crime — though it was widely perceived to be one. Nor did police report as a hate crime the grisly stabbing death of trans woman Diamond Williams, yet her killer, Charles Sargent, filed an “affidavit of truth” indicating an intense disapproval of trans people. In 2013 and 2014, Philadelphia police didn’t report any hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity. So far this year, Philadelphia police have reported two

hate crimes based on sexual orientation and one hate crime based on gender identity. Stanford said Philadelphia police report all hate crimes prosecuted as such by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. He also said police receive ongoing training in a variety of areas, and if new laws concerning hate crimes are enacted, additional training would be welcomed. State police spokesperson Trooper Adam Reed was asked if it’s necessary for Philadelphia police to receive additional hate-crimes training. “We do not hold a position [on that issue],” Reed said in an email. “The Philadelphia Police Department would have to make that determination.” Reed added: “We would be happy to provide additional training and information on uniform-crime reporting to the Philadelphia Police Department, if they felt it necessary.” The Pennsylvania State Police doesn’t have an LGBT advisory panel, but it has a strong equal-employment opportunity unit, Reed added. “The Pennsylvania State Police is committed to increasing the employment and advancement opportunities of traditionally marginalized groups that are underutilized as compared to their relevant labor force levels,” Reed said. “Additionally, the department is committed to creating a work force that reflects the commonwealth’s diversity. This is facilitated through the EEO Office. The office facilitates better understanding and fosters an atmosphere free of discrimination based on sexual preference and gender identity. This applies to activities within the department, and to the service we provide to the public.” n

Gay man’s killer back in federal court By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Richard R. Laird, the killer of gay artist Anthony Milano, is back in federal court, reiterating his claim that he’s not guilty of first-degree murder. In 1987, Laird and Frank R. Chester escorted Milano out of a Tullytown tavern and kidnapped him to a wooded area, where his throat was hacked out with a box cutter. A Bucks County jury convicted Laird and Chester of first-degree murder and sentenced them to death in 1988. But Laird claims he isn’t guilty of first-degree murder because he was extremely intoxicated when he stabbed Milano, and couldn’t form a specific intent to kill. In 2001, U.S. District Judge Jan E. Dubois found numerous errors in Laird’s 1988 trial, and voided Laird’s first-degree murder conviction. But Laird had a second trial in 2007, and another Bucks County jury reinstated his first-degree murder conviction and re-sentenced him to death. For the past eight years, Laird has asked various state courts to void his first-degree murder conviction — to no avail.

Now Laird is back in federal court, hoping DuBois will find errors in his 2007 retrial and void his first-degree murder conviction once again. In a court filing, Laird’s attorneys said jurors in 2007 weren’t given adequate information about mitigating factors that support Laird’s request to have his first-degree murder conviction voided. “There is no other capital case in Pennsylvania where so little aggravation and so much mitigation resulted in a death sentence,” according to the filing. In a recent order, Dubois said Laird’s attorneys have until Jan. 13 to submit a legal brief detailing the reasons why Laird’s first-degree murder conviction should be voided. Dubois said prosecutors have until March 14 to reply to Laird’s legal brief. Neither side had a comment for this story. Laird, 52, remains on death row at a state prison in Franklin Township. Chester, 47, remains on death row at a state prison in Graterford. His first-degree murder conviction also was voided, and prosecutors must decide whether to re-try him. n

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

Philadelphia FIGHT 25th Anniversary Gala • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015 • LOEWS PHILADELPHIA HOTEL 1200 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107

FEATURING Lifetime Achievement Honoree GREG LOUGANIS

PLEASE JOIN US! 6 – 7 PM VIP Cocktail Reception with Greg Louganis 7 – 10 PM Cocktails, Dinner, Dancing, Silent Auction and Award Ceremony General Tickets: $175 VIP: $250 / Includes VIP cocktail reception with Greg Louganis

To purchase tickets online, please visit: www.FIGHT.org/gala 25 & Still FIGHTing! Philadelphia FIGHT is a comprehensive health services organization providing state-of-the-art HIV primary medical care, consumer education, advocacy, social services, outreach to people living with HIV and to those who are at high risk, and access to the most advanced clinical research. Our goal and hope is to end the AIDS epidemic within the lifetime of those currently living with HIV.

www.fight.org

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

PGN

Weekly features

News&Opinion 7 — News Briefing 10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Mark My Words Street Talk Transmissions 12 — Crime Watch 20 — International News 33 —Media Trail

Someone’s in the kitchen at MANNA and they’re keeping an eye on the pie.

21 COMMUNITY CREATION: The William Way LGBT Community Centered opened the doors to its “Trans|Post” exhibit Nov. 19. The display features postcards submitted by people across the country who identify as transgender, nonconforming, gender-variant, intersex or gender-gifted. The fourth-annual exhibit highlights the work of local artist Linus Curci, who was on hand for the opening reception. “Trans|Post” runs through Dec. 31. Photo: Scott A. Drake

41 43 45 46 48

C o l u m n s

— — — — —

Family Portrait Scene in Philly Comics Out & About Q Puzzle

16 — On Being Well: Overcoming holiday stress 17 — Mombian: Time for thanks 45 — Dining Out: Feeling Felici

Classifieds 52 — Real Estate 54 — Personals 55 — Bulletin Board

This week in PGN The hip-hop culture of shunning gays is changing and out artist Milan Christopher is on the front lines.

6 — HIV and aging series begins in Germantown 8 — Calcutta House residents get a soft gift of love 9 — Holiday drives and fundraisers abound

37 — Arts & Culture cover story: “The Book of Mormon” books a theater 46 — Gangsters on film 47 — “Matilda” drops in for a song

“You can’t just take it when you think about it or when you think you need to. You have to take it every day. There should be more education with the distribution of PrEP because it’s not a silver bullet.”

Local authors pen a new perspective of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park.

~ Greg Louganis, page 7 PGN 505 S. Fourth St. Philadelphia, PA 19147-1506

Next week

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Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 1976-2015 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155 Writer-at-Large Office Manager/ Copyright © 1976 - 2015 Copyright(s) in all materials in these pages are either Timothy Cwiek (ext. 208) Classifieds owned or licensed by Masco Communications Inc. or its subsidiaries or affiliate timothy@epgn.com Executive Assistant/ Don Pignolet (ext. 200) companies (Philadelphia Gay News, PGN, and it’s WWW sites.) All other reproBilling Manager don@epgn.com duction, distribution, retransmission, modification, public display, and public perCarol Giunta (ext. 202) formance of our materials is prohibited without the prior written consent of Masco Communications. To obtain such consent, email pgn@epgn.com carol@epgn.com The views of PGN are expressed only in the unsigned “Editorial” column. Opinions expressed in bylined columns, stories and letters to the editor are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of PGN. The appearance of names or pictorial representations in PGN does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that named or pictured person or persons.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

FIGHT to honor diving and HIV champion Greg Louganis By Scott A. Drake scott@epgn.com The first thing you realize when you talk to Greg Louganis is he’s just a regular guy ... a regular guy who happens to be inarguably the best male diver in history. Louganis won five Olympic medals — four gold and one silver, including gold in both the 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform, the first male diver to do so in back-to-back Olympics. He also has a record 47 national titles, six Pan-Am Games gold medals, five world championships, five FINA Cup medals and three NCAA championships. At the 1982 World Championships, he became the first diver to receive perfect 10s in international competition. But Louganis’ selection to be Philadelphia FIGHT’s Lifetime Achievement honoree at its 25th-anniversary gala goes way beyond the pool. After all, he accomplished all of that by 1989, when he officially retired from competitions at the age of 29. Now, at 55, he is mentoring and advising a new generation of divers, as well as speaking on HIV/

AIDS, dyslexia — which he struggled with throughout his younger years — and other issues close to his heart. Louganis survived periods of emotional, sexual and substance abuses and a broken leg that ended his initial dream of being an Olympic gymnast — which drove a suicide attempt. But the confluence of several events in the late 1980s changed everything. The head injury during preliminary dives at World Games in 1988, as excruciating as it was to see, became a hot point the following year when he revealed he was gay and HIVpositive. Sponsors dropped him like hot potatoes; only Speedo remained unswerving. Ironically, his biography, “Breaking the Surface,” changed his life. Released in 1995, it again made him a hero. For his book-signing at Giovanni’s Room here that year, the line went from the store at 12th and Pine streets to the corner of 11th and Spruce. There were reportedly 1,100 people. No other author there ever came close. Across the country, men of all ages were telling him, “You saved my life.” His openness about everything

in the book, from being bullied at school to his coming out and his diagnosis, meant not just a new chapter in his life, but a rebirth of it. He became a symbol of vitality and openness during a time when people were losing friends every few weeks. He was many a gay man’s hero. But one thing that didn’t change was the AIDS stigma. “I remember reading the newspaper classifieds back then and seeing HIV-UB2,” said Louganis during our phone interview. The stigma now is also learned from others, like parents or misinformed teachers, he said. “People don’t realize they are missing out on great guys when they limit themselves, when they exclude HIV-positive guys. I was lucky.” Lucky, Louganis was referring to, as in his marriage to L.A. paralegal Johnny Chaillot in 2013 in Malibu. Chaillot was then and remains HIV-negative. The differences in their HIV statuses was never a problem from the start, he said. But the AIDS stigma, irrational or uneducated, prevails with many people. And with the approval and use of PrEP, the antiretro-

JOHNNY CHAILLOT (LEFT), LOUGANIS AND DOBBY

viral pre-exposure prophylaxis, Louganis says he is happy that the spread of HIV can be reigned in, but he also has concerns. “It’s not a silver bullet,” he said. “It’s each person’s own decision to take it or not. You can’t just

take it when you think about it or when you think you need to. You have to take it every day. There should be more education with the distribution of PrEP.” These days he’s in demand as PAGE 7 a speaker on

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LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

Series on HIV and aging kicks off in Germantown Princeton’s Tony® Award-Winning Theater

NY Sensation!

TAYLOR MAC

Internationally award-winning playwright, actor, cabaret performer, and singer/ songwriter will present Whitman vs. Foster: Songs Popular Near the Breaking Point, a showdown between Walt Whitman, the Bard of Democracy, and Stephen Foster, the father of American music.

DECEMBER 15 – 7:30pm DECEMBER 16 – 7:30pm

609-258-2787 www.mccarter.org

By Paige Cooperstein paige@epgn.com Older adults in the LGBT community who have HIV live in all parts of Philadelphia. That was the impetus behind hosting a series of events on HIV and aging in various locations across the city, said David Griffith, director of programs and outreach for the LGBT Elder Initiative. The first event takes place from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Center in the Park, 5818 Germantown Ave. It’s free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. LGBTEI will host four other events over the next six months at different locations that are still being determined. Griffith said the organization used to only host one Conversation a year on the topic, on HIV and Aging Awareness Day in September, but wanted to come up with a more comprehensive way to deliver information. At the December event, a doctor from Penn Medicine will discuss co-morbidity and side effects of long-term usage of medicines used to treat HIV. A pharmacist from Penn Medicine will cover medicine safety and adherence to taking medication. A representative from Mazzoni Center will also talk about how people can have more open communication and build trust with their doctors. “We’re still coming up with content for the rest of the series,” Griffith said. “We’re looking at mental and emotional resources and the effects of status disclosure in the emotional and legal senses.” People who attend the first event can leave feedback for LGBT Elder Initiative officials about what other topics they would like to cover. Griffith said they plan to focus on information for people who have had the disease for decades and are dealing with long-term issues, as well as older adults who have been recently diagnosed and need to navigate access to resources. Recently, people over 50 have become a big part of new infections, Griffith said. To register, contact the LGBT Elder Initiative at 215-720-9415 or info@lgbtei. org. n

BURNING BRIGHT: Deja Lynn Alvarez lit a candle in honor of the lives lost to anti-transgender violence at a Transgender Day of Remembrance event Nov. 20 at William Way LGBT Community Center. About 125 people turned out for the occasion, which featured a reading of the names of local transgender victims, and also a celebration of the trans community’s progress. The event included remarks from local trans and ally leaders, including Office of LGBT Affairs director Nellie Fitzpatrick. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Investigator in Morris case resigns Edward F. McCann Jr., a local prosecutor who supervised a controversial investigation of the Nizah Morris incident, has resigned. On Nov. 23, McCann resigned as first assistant district attorney at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, after working there for 26 years. He couldn’t be reached for comment. Morris was a transgender woman found with a fatal head wound in 2002, shortly after a “courtesy ride” from Philadelphia police. Her homicide remains unsolved. In response to public concerns about Morris’ death, McCann supervised an investigation at the D.A.’s Office in 2003. The probe cleared police of any criminal wrongdoing in the Morris incident. McCann claimed the probe was thorough, but it was blasted by the city’s Police Advisory Commission as “appalling.” Over the years, McCann has consistently opposed transparency in the Morris case. In 2010, in an open-records case filed

by PGN, McCann submitted a five-page affidavit, arguing against the release of 911 recordings pertaining to the Morris incident. In announcing McCann’s resignation, D.A. Seth Williams praised his contributions. “Ed was instrumental in helping the office institute many of the reforms of which we are all proud of and spent 26 years in this office as a trusted advisor and terrific prosecutor,” Williams said in a press release. “The City of Philadelphia is a safer place because of the extraordinary service, hard work and commitment of Ed McCann.” McCann will be replaced by George D. Mosee Jr., the head of the office’s juvenile division. According to published reports, McCann was among the city’s highest-paid workers, receiving an annual salary of $173,561. n — Timothy Cwiek

Princeton, NJ

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News Briefing

were evident in the three men’s unethical behavior,” she said. “[Williams] hasn’t had a dialogue with people harmed by these men’s behavior before deciding on a course of action.” Philadelphia City Council is expected to approve a resolution urging the dismissal of Fina, Costanzo and Blessington Dec. 3.

D.A. employees receive sensitivity training

Settlement conference set in rape case

Three prosecutors under fire at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office for participating in a pornographic email ring received sensitivity training last week. Assistant District Attorneys Frank G. Fina, E. Marc Costanzo and Patrick J. Blessington received the training Nov. 20, along with other staffers at the D.A.’s Office. While working at the state Attorney General’s Office, the men sent and/or received racist, sexist and homophobic emails. In a press release, D.A. Seth Williams said: “The training was excellent and I know our entire office benefited from the instruction that was provided. Influencing culture in our office starts at the top and I plan to continue this type of training in the future. As it relates to Frank Fina, Mark Costanzo and Patrick Blessington, I know that they found this training seminar as instructional and helpful as I did. Frank, Mark and Patrick are great prosecutors who clearly made a big mistake. They have learned from their mistakes.” Dr. Nina Ahmad, president of the local chapter of the National Organization for Women, called the training “woefully inadequate.” “We cannot have people with such compromised ethical behavior in office,” Ahmad told PGN. Ahmad explained why NOW members haven’t met with Williams, though Williams has offered to meet with them. “NOW hasn’t met with Mr. Williams because he hasn’t shown a willingness to really address the deep-rooted biases that

A settlement conference is scheduled for May 2 in the case of a former University of Pennsylvania student who says his roommate raped him. Reginald Stewart contends Charles Gibson raped him almost three years ago after they attended a frat party. Stewart also claims the Pennsylvania Iota Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity contributed to the assault by serving excessive amounts of alcohol at the January 2013 party. In January, Stewart filed suit against Gibson and the fraternity, seeking $450,000 in damages. In court papers, Gibson acknowledged consuming alcohol at the frat party, but said his subsequent sexual activities with Stewart were consensual. A settlement conference has been set for 9 a.m. May 2 in Room 483 of City Hall. Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge John M. Younge is scheduled to preside. Neither side had a comment for this update.

LOUGANIS from page 5

3-meter 2014 USA Diving Junior National Championships. Windle was born in Cambodia and adopted at 18 months by

many other issues than his diving record. Besides speaking out online and at engagements, the U.S. Olympic hall-of-famer is also a Hollywood go-to guy for comment when the media is looking for reaction to an HIV news event. His celebrity brings its own entourage. He’s also back in the pool, mentoring young divers who are Olympic hopefuls. “It’s great working with them,” he said. “There’s as much mentoring going on out of the pool as there is in. You have to have something to do after the years of competing stops and that’s usually at a young age. So we help them learn other skills like physical therapy or being a trainer, things that can be a career after the competitions.” His tutorage includes 12-year-old Jordan Windle, winner of the 1- and

Mediation fails in bullying case A mediation session held earlier this month to resolve the federal lawsuit of a gay man who alleges anti-LGBT bullying at a Pennsauken public school was unsuccessful. Thomas Vandergrift claims his autistic nephew suffered anti-LGBT bullying while a student at a Pennsauken, N.J., public school. He also contends school officials wrongfully accused him of child molesta-

“Philadelphia FIGHT is so pleased to be recognizing Greg, who is not only a five-time Olympic diving champion, but also one of the world’s outstanding champions for people living with HIV and for those in the LGBT community.” two men and lives in North Carolina. Louganis wrote the forward to Windle’s

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

tion after he advocated for a proper education for his nephew. Vandergrift filed suit in 2012, seeking an unspecified amount in damages and policy changes within the district. On Nov. 13, former magistrate judge Joel B. Rosen tried to help mediate the dispute, but his efforts were unavailing. “We are disappointed that we were not able to settle this case,” Vandergrift told PGN. “Our family remains determined to seek and receive justice, so we will move forward as directed by the court.” A deposition of Vandergrift’s nephew is set for Dec. 21. Vandergrift said he and his parents will attend the deposition to ensure the questioning is appropriate.

Benefits case moves forward in Orphans’ Court The official court record in the case of a gay man who seeks the death benefits of his deceased partner was delivered to Philadelphia Orphans’ Court this month. Joseph A. Hallman seeks about $450,000 in death benefits allegedly left to him by his deceased partner, Stephen T. Gallagher. Hallman and Gallagher were domestic partners for about four years, before parting ways in 2009. Gallagher, who was employed at the University of Pennsylvania as a computer specialist, died in May 2011 after a lengthy illness. His mother, Joann P. Gallagher, contends she’s entitled to her son’s death benefits. Last year, Orphans’ Court Judge John W. Herron ruled against Hallman, stating he failed to prove he was the designated beneficiary for Gallagher’s life-insurance policies. As a result, the proceeds should go to Joann Gallagher as the default beneficiary, according to Herron’s ruling. Hallman appealed in state Superior Court, and in July the court remanded the case to Herron for further consideration. On Nov. 13, the official court record was delivered to Orphans’ Court, so a judge can decide who should receive the benefits.

Town hall to address racism Philadelphia Black Pride invites community members to its second town hall to discuss racism and inclusion. The free event takes place from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 2 in the ballroom of the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. Attendees will develop a strategy to decrease discriminatory incidents and create inclusive spaces for diverse communities of color within the LGBT community. The first town hall took place in October. People shared their experiences with racism, micro-aggressive communication and segregated organizing in the LGBT community. Notes from the meeting can be found at https://goo.gl/Wa3BPj and will be used to create the plan at the December meeting.

PGMC to perform free concert for students LGBT and all students are invited to attend a free concert of the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus. The chorus’ first show of the 201516 season takes place 8 p.m. Dec. 3 at Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, 2110 Chestnut St. For anyone who can’t make it that day, there will also be a free show for students at 2 p.m. Dec. 5 in the same place. There will be a mixer with pizza after the Dec. 5 show. Chorus members will perform classic holiday carols like “Carol of the Bells” and “Little Drummer Boy,” but with a modern twist. For more information, visit www.pgmc. org/holiday/index.htm. To attend, email Thomas Wolfinger, outreach chair with the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus, at outreach@pgmc.org. Send the name of the school or student group along with the names of the students and date of the show they plan to attend. n — Paige Cooperstein

— Timothy Cwiek co-authored children’s book, “An Orphan No More … the True Story of a Boy.” Chaillot said about his husband: “To me Louganis means ‘angel masquerading as a person here on earth.’ Greg is authentic, sweet, kind, compassionate ... the nicest guy.” Chaillot also described their relationship as a perfect fit, as Chaillot prefers to stay out of the limelight. “I do help keep him organized and I pack his suitcase,” he said. And laughing, “By the way, he has a great tux and he looks good in it.” When confronted with all of the obstacles Louganis surpassed the first half of his life — bullying, dyslexia, abuse, coming out, testing positive, a suicide attempt — it is no wonder he believes in bringing everything out and speaking honestly. In his words, he wants to help everyone he

encounters think that “if Greg can do it, I can do it.” And then get busy with living. Philadelphia FIGHT executive director Jane Shull summed up Louganis this way: “Philadelphia FIGHT is so pleased to be recognizing Greg, who is not only a fivetime Olympic diving champion, but also one of the world’s outstanding champions for people living with HIV and for those in the LGBT community. His passion to overcome odds and to fight for equality is what makes him a true role model.” Amen to that. n Tickets for the 25th-anniversary gala are available at FIGHT.org. Scott A. Drake is the PGN art director and photographer and hopes to finally get Greg Louganis’ signature at PAT @ Giovanni’s Room only 20 years late.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

LOCAL PGN

Calcutta House residents receive handmade pillows for the holidays By Paige Cooperstein paige@epgn.com When Lowell Felder walked into the main room of Calcutta House on a recent Thursday evening, he made a beeline for a red-and-brown plaid pillow. “It’s wide and I like the color,” said Felder, a resident of the HIV hospice in Northern Liberties. “I’ve got gratitude today. Nobody ever really gave me anything that’s handmade. People took their time to make this pillow and I appreciate that.” Other Calcutta residents sought out purple pillows because of the royal hue or something with a leaf pattern for the fall. The pillows were made of second-hand materials, including from Philly AIDS Thrift. A favorite pillow featured mirrors and puka shells from a skirt donated by the thrift store. Twelve people from Siloam, an HIV organization in Spring Garden, started making quilted pillows in August. As part of the group’s Gratitude Pillow Project, they distributed 34 pillows to Calcutta House residents on Nov. 19. David Moore, who founded the project last year, gave out pillows alongside

people who helped make them: Darlene King, Charlotte Dye and Jeanette Murdock. Alberta Bertolino, the acting director of Siloam, was also on hand. “HIV is relentless,” Moore said. “It doesn’t give up. You can’t take a vacation from it. As the holidays come around, people need to know that someone cares about them.” Moore said HIV organizations in the city can become isolated from each other. He said the Gratitude Pillow Project provides an opportunity to continue fostering community. King agreed that the project generated fellowship among the Siloam volunteers and those living with or affected by HIV. “The joy comes from the fact that someone’s going to receive this pillow and feel that love and joy we had while making it,” she said. Kim McGrory, director of Calcutta House, thanked the volunteers for taking their time with the project. “We depend on volunteers to make the holidays warm for our residents,” McGrory said. “So many times our residents feel isolated or ostracized from their families. We’re all about gratitude and empowerment here.” n

PIE DAY: Volunteers for Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutritional Alliance put the finishing touches last Saturday on apple-crumb pies. The desserts were set to be delivered to MANNA clients for Thanksgiving. The agency supplies nutritional meals for people with illness, including HIV/AIDS. MANNA just wrapped up its Pie in the Sky initiative, a holiday pie sale with proceeds benefiting the organization’s mission. Photo: Scott A. Drake

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Holiday fundraiser to benefit LGBTs and allies By Paige Cooperstein paige@epgn.com The ninth-annual TOY holiday party promotes giving all around, said Samantha Giusti, executive director of the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund, the party’s host and a fundraiser for local LGBT causes. The party takes place from 7-10 p.m. Dec. 5 at Fire & Ice, 312 Market St. Tickets cost $75 and about 90 percent of that goes toward DVLF’s mission of supporting local LGBT causes, Giusti said. Members of the Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League will serve as bartenders and the money they make will benefit their organization. “It’s really become the LGBT holiday party,” Giusti said. “I can come out one time to see all my favorite people in the

Philadelphia FIGHT 25th Anniversary Gala

community in one place.” “It’s a win-win,” she added. “The money goes to a good cause and it brings the community together.” Guests are also asked to bring new, unwrapped toys, which will be donated to patients at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Giusti reminded people not to forget about the older kids. Gifts for young children often are the most popular donations. But, Giusti said, iTunes gift cards or headphones are good gift ideas for teens. Several-hundred people usually attend TOY each year. Giusti described the event as a cocktail party that turns into a dance party. Fire & Ice is the premiere sponsor of the event. PNC, Joshua’s Catering and West Laurel Hill Cemetery also serve as sponsors. n

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FEATURING Lifetime Achievement Honoree GREG LOUGANIS

Get in the gay-gifting spirit Cradles to Crayons Friendsgiving 7 p.m. Nov. 30 William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. Free William Way is hosting a holiday mixer with coffee and hot chocolate. Beer and wine will be available with proceeds going to the center. Attendees are asked to bring a donation for the nonprofit Cradles to Crayons, which aids children from low-income households. Requested items include new and gently used children’s winter clothing, coats, hats and gloves. People can also bring new toys for children aged 4-12. To RSVP, visit http://ow.ly/ UQxfx. Valley Youth House Gift Drive Gifts can be donated during normal business hours through Dec. 4 at 1500 Sansom St. or the Lehigh Valley office, 829 West Linden St., Allentown. Valley Youth House matches donors with one or more young person, so they can provide a gift directly from that person’s wish list. Amazon wish lists are available at http://ow.ly/UQuMm.

Valley Youth House also hosts a holiday party for the youth it serves and is taking donations of food or drink. For more information, visit www.valleyyouthhouse.org/events/ holiday-gift-drive.

toy or children’s book in its original package. Supporters can also leave toys at the prison without taking the tour. According to organizers, one in 28 children in the country has a parent in jail.

Jingle Bell BINGO 6-9:30 p.m. Dec. 9 New Hope Eagle Volunteer Fire Company, 46 N. Sugan Road, New Hope $20, benefiting Fighting AIDS Continuously Together

The Attic Youth Center’s Winter Clothing Drive Items will be accepted through Dec. 21 at the center, 255 S. 16th St.

Attendees receive a traditional holiday dinner, entertainment and BINGO games. Guests are invited to wear ugly Christmas sweaters. There will be a prize for the “most hideous” sweater. For more information, visit www. factbuckscounty.org. Toy drive benefiting children with incarcerated parents Eastern State Penitentiary and Philadelphia FIGHT’s Institute for Community Justice will collect toys from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 1-14 at the penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Ave. Visitors will receive one free admission pass to the historic prison when they pay for one admission and donate an unwrapped

The Attic is collecting new hats, scarves and gloves for LGBT young adults who participate in the center’s programming. Adult sizes are requested for people aged 14-23. For more information, contact Alyssa Mutryn at Alyssa@atticyouthcenter. org. Y-HEP Winter Clothing Drive Youth Health Empowerment Project, part of Philadelphia FIGHT, is accepting items through the end of December at the Y-HEP office, 1417 Locust St. Y-HEP requests new or gently used long-sleeve shirts, sweaters, pants, boots and thermal underwear for infants through 5-year-olds and also for people aged 13-24. For more information, visit www.y-hep.org. n

PLEASE JOIN US! VIP Cocktail Reception with Greg Louganis Cocktails, Dinner, Dancing, Silent Auction and Award Ceremony General Tickets: $175 VIP: $250 / Includes VIP cocktail reception with Greg Louganis For advertising and sponsorship information contact Chip Alfred at: 215.525.8628 or calfred@fight.org

www.fight.org

Holiday shopping in the ’Hood The holiday-shopping frenzy is now upon us, and several local organizations are offering buying options that stretch your dollar for good. Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St., is offering 25-percent off all merchandise on Nov. 28 to celebrate Small Business Saturday. The post-Black Friday shopping occasion is meant to encourage shoppers to make their holiday purchases in locally owned shops instead of large chains or online retailers. The day before, the PAT flagship store at 710 S. Fifth St. is offering 50-percent off the entire store from 7 a.m.-11 a.m.; proceeds from sales at both PAT and the Giovanni’s Room outpost benefit local HIV/AIDS causes. Shoppers can also spend their holiday dollars at William Way LGBT Community Center’s Big Queer Book Sale, 1-4 p.m. Nov. 27 and 28. More than 1,000 books will be available for sale, as well as several-dozen free of charge. Shoppers can bring their own bag, fill it up and offer a donation; all proceeds will benefit the organization’s John J. Wilcox, Jr., Library. Keep your LGBT dollars in the local LGBT community this holiday season! n

— Jen Colletta

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Kevin Swanson

Editorial

What are you thankful for this year? Carol: I’m very thankful for having a great husband who puts up with me. Also for a son that I’m very proud of. Family is an important part of my life, therefore I’m thankful for all of them. Don: I am personally thankful that my health has returned to normal and allowed me to have a very good year. Greg: I’m grateful for the continued health and well being of my family, friends and coworkers, coffee and basketball season. Jen: I’m thankful to have achieved several personal milestones this year, including getting married. I’m also grateful for a job that has allowed me to witness, from a unique vantage point, the milestones our community and country have seen this year, including nationwide marriage equality. Jen J.: I’m thankful for my family, great friends (old and new) and my cat. Larry: I’m thankful for the love and support of my friends and family, as well as the quiet relative calm of a suburban life. Oh, and red wine or sangria. Mark: This year so much: the incredible, award-winning staff of PGN, the election of Jim Kenney as mayor, my memoir becoming a best-seller … but most important of all, my first full year of marriage to Jason. He makes it all worthwhile. Paige: My dad, my sister and I are the

three musketeers. I’m thankful that this year has seen major career successes for all of us. My dad got a promotion that will take advantage of his technical skills; my sister switched career tracks and now makes a living in the video-game industry, a lifelong dream for her; and, last but not least, I joined Philadelphia Gay News. I love working with everyone who has shared their time and stories with me. Also, we have one of the coolest offices around. Prab: I’m thankful for having Greg Dennis in my life. He’s been my rock and my inspiration. Sandy: I’m thankful for continued existence — of my life, of my loved ones’ lives, of my cats’ lives, of the world — despite the forces that try to drag us down. Scott: I am thankful that Micheal and I have our health, a home, friends and food every day. Not everyone does. Remember that, when you think life isn’t fair. It isn’t — and you are definitely better off than many others. Be thankful. Sean: I’m thankful for my family and for the ability to occasionally discover totally new things, like a set of bass strings that doesn’t give me blisters on my fingertips. Tim: I’m grateful for having good people in my life and a job that affords the opportunity of contributing to positive change in the world. n

There are those who are your run-ofthe-mill anti-LGBT folks, and then there are the foaming-at-the-mouth, screamin’to-the-heavens, shoutin’-at-the-devil antiLGBT folks like Colorado pastor Kevin Swanson. At the National Religious Liberties Conference earlier this month, homosexuality came up a lot. And Swanson, the conference’s host, made his position graphically clear when he warned the audience about “the sin of homosexuality.” “Paul affirms that this particular sin is worthy of death in Romans Chapter 1,” he says. “So, granted there are varying levels of clarity/relevance relating to ethics, but still the Old Testament and New Testament, I believe, both speak with authority and we ought to receive it.” It’s cute that he points out the “varying levels of clarity/relevance relating to ethics.” In other words, “We can’t just start executing gays because that would be logistically difficult and would upset some people.” But he’s basically saying we “ought to.” Because the Bible says so. So you can only imagine what he thinks of marriage equality. “There are families, we’re talking Christian families, pastors’ families, elders’ families from good, godly churches,” he says, “[and] their sons are rebelling, hanging out with homosexuals and getting married and the parents are invited. What would you do if that was the case?” Um, I’d go? And since I’m the parent in this hypothetical situation, I’d support my child in his quest for love and happiness in his life. Swanson has a different, grosser, idea. (Don’t read on if you’re eating.) “Here is what I would do: sackcloth and ashes at the entrance to the church and I’d sit in cow manure and I’d spread it all over my body,” he says. “That is what I would do and I’m not kidding, I’m not laughing.” Woah. Sackcloth and ashes is definitely not appropriate wedding attire. It’s an Old Testament thing where people wear super-uncomfortable shirts made from, like, goat hair or burlap or something, and rub ashes all over themselves to show repentance or grief. But Swanson is all, “Nah, ashes are too tame for me,” and takes it to the next level. The poop level. But wait, in his effort to win the Crazy Olympics, he levels up to the pus level.

And let me clarify before you read this that “pussy” means “full of pus” and is pronounced as such. He is not talking about cats or vaginas. “I’m grieving, I’m mourning, I’m pointing out the problem! It’s not a gay time,” he says, shouting and near tears. “These are the people with the sores, the gaping sores! The sores that are pussy, and gross and people are coming in and carving happy faces on the sores. That’s not a nice thing to do. Don’t you dare carve happy faces on open, pussy sores. Don’t you ever do that. Don’t you ever do that. I tell you don’t do it!” It sounds to me like Swanson is confusing a same-sex wedding with a “Walking Dead” wedding. He has a really sick imagination. “Sackcloth and ashes,” Swanson continues. “This is what America needs. America needs to hear the message. We are messed up.” Speak for yourself, Swanson. You’re the one having fever dreams about carving pus-filled smiley faces, which is one of the most messed-up things I’ve ever heard. Thankfully, nobody would ever take this guy seriously. Unless you’re Republican presidential hopefuls Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal and Ted Cruz. Then you attend Swanson’s hatefest. Because you want to be publicly associated with a man who wants to smear shit all over himself and thinks gays should be killed. To borrow a phrase from Swanson’s own rant: “That’s not a nice thing to do.” n

“Here is what I would do: sackcloth and ashes at the entrance to the church and I’d sit in cow manure and I’d spread it all over my body. That is what I would do and I’m not kidding, I’m not laughing.”

D’Anne Witkowski has been gay for pay since 2003. She’s a freelance writer and poet (believe it!). When she’s not taking on the creeps of the world, she reviews rock and roll shows in Detroit with her twin sister and teaches writing at the University of Michigan.

OP-ED PGN

Holiday mishaps and memories This Thanksgiving is special for me and ered it into the mix. All of a sudden, potaJason. It will be the first time his parents toes were flying all over the kitchen: on the have come to our house for the holiday, walls, ceilings ... milk and cream dripping and we’re excited about it. They’ve been to on the cabinets. And family and friends our house before but not for this holiday; aughing until they almost fell over. No one Thanksgiving has always been one of my told me you had to boil the potatoes first. favorite holidays. Turkey is a And so over the years, the top meal on my charts, but it’s dinner has become special for also a time to have people over friends and family. And I’ve and just relax around the table even specialized in my own and chat. stuffing recipe. We all know the stereotype For those of you who don’t about feeding a family at the have family or would rather not holidays, but that has never be with them, why not enjoy been an issue at our house. We your community? Almost all all work together to get the LGBT community centers meal finished, which at times have Thanksgiving dinners for has been sort of a joke, our first just that purpose. And think, Thanksgiving together in parmaybe you’ll meet someone at ticular. that dinner and create your own I had decided to cook the Thanksgiving tradition next dinner myself, and you have year. to understand ... I can’t cook. Mark Segal Happy Turkey day, all! n So, of course, asking friends Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the for instructions was a must. We all like nation’s most-award-winning commenmashed potatoes and it was the last dish to tator in LGBT media. You can follow be made. My instructions were to peal the potatoes and put milk, cream or sour cream him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ MarkSegalPGN or Twitter at https://twitter. into the mixing bowl with butter. Doing as com/PhilaGayNews. instructed, I turned on the mixer and low-

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Street Talk What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving? "My sobriety. I've been clean and sober for two years and 47 days. I was an outof-control heroin addict. I'm so Emily Azbell appreciative student that my life West Philadelphia is being put back together. The support of family and peers has been a true blessing in my life."

"That Hillary Clinton is doing so well in the [presidential] campaign. She held up extremely well during 10 hours of Jesse Foster harassment political consultant by the Overbrook Republicans during the Benghazi hearings. I can't wait until we have our first female president. It's long overdue."

"That I still have my voice. I love to sing. But I've been smoking cigarettes for the past 29 years. I'm very grateful Eric Graham my voice is substance-abuse holding up counselor Nicetown quite well. I plan to sing 'Amazing Grace' for my family before Thanksgiving dinner."

"That I'll be spending time with my family of choice. I have a wonderful biological family, but this Thanksgiving Kris Zwack I'll be with sales clerk dear friends. West Philadelphia They're having a veggie pot-luck dinner. I'm a contented carnivore. Good vegetarian cooking will be a delicious treat!"

The next day On Nov. 20, Transgender Day of Remembrance is marked with events, marches, letters from dignitaries and so on. Die-ins are held, walkways are chalked and, in at least one location, City Hall is awash in the colors of the transgender flag. As its founder, I’m always surprised and humbled to see the reaction to TDOR every year. Then it is Nov. 21. The lights change, the sidewalks are trod upon and power-washed and life continues. We are next on a quest for turkeys and cranberries, or Black Friday deals, as we careen headlong into a holiday-season haze. I will often close my remarks on Transgender Day of Remembrance with a variant of a rather well-known quote from Mother Jones. I’ll say something like, “Today, the 20th of November we mourn the dead. Tomorrow and every day, we fight for the living.”

You see, there’s one thing I’ve never talked much about regarding Transgender Day of Remembrance. When it started, I had a hope to see it help foster a culture of compassion within the trans community. I’ve hoped that, by seeing so many murdered at the hands of anti-transgender violence, we’d see just how valuable and precious all of our lives are. Some days I am unsure if that message is out there. At the TDOR event that I spoke at, two of the speakers felt it necessary to remind those in attendance to treat their siblings in the community with respect. In between this, one of the main speakers took the opportunity to call out at least one attendee, while also speaking against Caitlyn Jenner. Jenner has not just been the fodder of speeches, having been discussed negatively within a number of transgender articles and throughout social media. I’ve seen others have to defend her, or at least her gender identity. Jenner is also not alone when it

comes to being denigrated within the very community she very visibly joined in 2015. I think it is fair to note that Jenner’s life is a fairly charmed one. She does not have to deal with all I’ve faced, let alone what everyone named on Transgender Day of Remembrance faced. Yet, we have a number of ways we can react, and a number of options for addressing what she and others may or may not be doing. In the 1990s, the Transsexual Menace was a direct-action group formed on the East Coast. Even with its provocative and sometimes-controversial work on behalf of the nascent transgender community, I still think of one of its slogans: Confront with love. In the 20 or so years since this group’s members roamed the earth, I feel that we have forgotten how to do such. So many of us were killed this year, and many others took their own lives. Depression and anxiety run rife in our community, not only fueled by gender

dysphoria, but by the harsh realities of life as trans or gender-nonconforming people in 2015. We may have greater visibility and greater rights, but there’s still plenty of hate, violence and discrimination dished out to each of us. We should be trying to keep our own community spaces safe, and offering support to all within our ranks. Again, this is not to say that people should be above reproach simply for being trans. It does mean that we should all consider carefully if we are calling out a person for his or her actions or opinions, or if we are simply using the same tools as those used against us, and trying to tear down others in our midst to raise ourselves up. With us moving into the holiday season — which is itself a very hard time for those of us who have been disowned by family or friends — we should be especially vigilant about those within our community. This is a time to put our hand out, and grasp the palms of those in our PAGE 19

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The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between Nov. 9-15. Information is courtesy of Sixth District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. To report crime tips, visit www. phillypolice.com or call 215-686-TIPS. INCIDENTS — At 2:53 a.m. Nov. 9, a man attempted to lift a window to an apartment in the 900 block of Clinton Street but fled when the resident yelled. The resident could not provide a description of the suspect except that he was a black man. Sixth District Officer McCauley lifted fingerprints. — At 5:10 a.m. Nov. 9, a man was captured on surveillance video entering the Cinnabon at 1101 Market St. and stealing money from the safe. The suspect was described as black and wearing a brown jacket, a hoodie and gray pants. — At 5 p.m. Nov. 9, a man followed a patron out of a check-cashing store and pulled a knife in the 1000 block Market Street, stealing cash from the victim. The suspect was described as black, in his 30s, 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds, with an African accent and wearing a gray hoodie and black pants. — At 3 p.m. Nov. 11, an individual was walking outside 231 N. Broad St. and reported being pushed by a man who stated, “Get out of my way.” There were no injuries reported. At 3:30 p.m. a woman was walking outside 211 S. Broad St. and reported that a man punched her in the face for no reason. The suspect was described in each incident as a 35-year-old black man, 5-foot-10, thin, with a light complexion and some facial hair, wearing a dark coat and a wool hat. — Between 8:45-9 p.m. Nov. 11, someone damaged a window screen to an apartment in the 1100 block Spruce Street and stole a tab-

let and a cup of change. Sixth District Officer Corrado attempted to lift fingerprints. — Between 7:45 p.m. Nov. 13 and 11:45 a.m. Nov. 14, someone smashed a window to an apartment in the 1300 block of Spruce Street and stole liquor and a wallet. Sixth District Officer Corrado lifted fingerprints. — There were two thefts from parked vehicles reported Nov. 9-15: outside 1000 Sansom St. and 1208 Spruce St. — Three bicycle thefts were reported Nov. 9-15: outside 101 S. Juniper St., 407 S. 12th St. and 333 S. Broad St. NON-SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 1:20 p.m. Nov. 9, Center City District offices arrested a man inside 1201 Chestnut St. who was wanted on a warrant for failure to appear for court. The 56-year-old suspect with a homeless-shelter address was charged with contempt of court. — At 1:25 p.m. Nov. 9, a man handed a demand note to a teller inside TD Bank, 111 S. 11th St. The teller stalled and the man fled empty-handed. The same man then went to the PNC Bank at 1111 Market St. and obtained cash from a teller after passing a demand note. Police apprehended the suspect in a taxi in the 700 block of Race Street and recovered the money. The 55-year-old suspect with a Logan address was charged with two counts of bank robbery and related offenses. SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 3:45 a.m. Nov. 9, Sixth District officers issued a citation for a summary offense outside 1211 Chestnut St. — At 11:25 p.m. Nov. 13, Sixth District officers issued a citation for a summary offense outside 1200 Chestnut St. — On Nov. 14, Sixth District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 1 a.m. outside 254 S. 12th St. and 2:20 a.m. outside 1100 Ludlow St. n

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

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Brief Summary of Patient Information about GENVOYA GENVOYA (jen-VOY-uh) (elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide) tablets Important: Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with GENVOYA. There may be new information about GENVOYA. This information is only a summary and does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment.

What is the most important information I should know about GENVOYA? GENVOYA can cause serious side effects, including: • Build-up of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). Lactic acidosis may happen in some people who take GENVOYA. Lactic acidosis is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Lactic acidosis can be hard to identify early, because the symptoms could seem like symptoms of other health problems. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms, which could be signs of lactic acidosis: • • • • • • •

feel very weak or tired have unusual (not normal) muscle pain have trouble breathing have stomach pain with nausea or vomiting feel cold, especially in your arms and legs feel dizzy or lightheaded have a fast or irregular heartbeat

• Severe liver problems. Severe liver problems may happen in people who take GENVOYA. In some cases, these liver problems can lead to death. Your liver may become large and you may develop fat in your liver. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms of liver problems: • your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice) • dark “tea-colored” urine • light-colored bowel movements (stools) • loss of appetite for several days or longer • nausea • stomach pain • You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking GENVOYA for a long time. • Worsening of Hepatitis B infection. GENVOYA is not for use to treat chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV). If you have HBV infection and take GENVOYA, your HBV may get worse (flareup) if you stop taking GENVOYA. A “flare-up” is when your HBV infection suddenly returns in a worse way than before. • Do not run out of GENVOYA. Refill your prescription or talk to your healthcare provider before your GENVOYA is all gone. • Do not stop taking GENVOYA without first talking to your healthcare provider. • If you stop taking GENVOYA, your healthcare provider will need to check your health often and do blood tests regularly for several months to check your HBV infection. Tell your healthcare provider about any new or unusual symptoms you may have after you stop taking GENVOYA.

GENC0006_PhilaGayNews_10.125x11.35_Single.indd 2-3

What is GENVOYA? GENVOYA is a prescription medicine that is used without other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years of age and older: • who have not received HIV-1 medicines in the past or • to replace their current HIV-1 medicines in people who have been on the same HIV-1 medicines for at least 6 months, have an amount of HIV-1 in their blood (“viral load”) that is less than 50 copies/mL, and have never failed past HIV-1 treatment HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. GENVOYA contains the prescription medicines elvitegravir (VITEKTA®), cobicistat (TYBOST®), emtricitabine (EMTRIVA®) and tenofovir alafenamide. It is not known if GENVOYA is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age. When used to treat HIV-1 infection, GENVOYA may: • Reduce the amount of HIV-1 in your blood. This is called “viral load”. • Increase the number of CD4+ (T) cells in your blood that help fight off other infections. Reducing the amount of HIV-1 and increasing the CD4+ (T) cells in your blood may help improve your immune system. This may reduce your risk of death or getting infections that can happen when your immune system is weak (opportunistic infections). GENVOYA does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. You must stay on continuous HIV-1 therapy to control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses. Avoid doing things that can spread HIV-1 infection to others: • Do not share or re-use needles or other injection equipment. • Do not share personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them, like toothbrushes and razor blades. • Do not have any kind of sex without protection. Always practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to lower the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to other people.

Who should not take GENVOYA? Do not take GENVOYA if you also take a medicine that contains: • alfuzosin hydrochloride (Uroxatral®) • carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro®, Tegretol®, Tegretol-XR®, Teril®) • cisapride (Propulsid®, Propulsid Quicksolv®) • ergot-containing medicines, including: dihydroergotamine mesylate (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal®), ergotamine tartrate (Cafergot®, Migergot®, Ergostat®, Medihaler Ergotamine®, Wigraine®, Wigrettes®), and methylergonovine maleate (Ergotrate®, Methergine®) • lovastatin (Advicor®, Altoprev®, Mevacor®) • midazolam, when taken by mouth • phenobarbital (Luminal®) • phenytoin (Dilantin®, Phenytek®) • pimozide (Orap®) • rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifamate®, Rifater®, Rimactane®) • sildenafil (Revatio®), when used for treating lung problems • simvastatin (Simcor®, Vytorin®, Zocor®) • triazolam (Halcion®) • the herb St. John’s wort or a product that contains St. John’s wort

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What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking GENVOYA? Before taking GENVOYA, tell your healthcare provider if you: • have liver problems including hepatitis B infection • have kidney or bone problems • have any other medical conditions • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if GENVOYA can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking GENVOYA. Pregnancy registry: there is a pregnancy registry for women who take HIV-1 medicines during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry. • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take GENVOYA. – You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. – At least one of the medicines in GENVOYA can pass to your baby in your breast milk. It is not known if the other medicines in GENVOYA can pass into your breast milk. – Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Other medicines may affect how GENVOYA works. Some medicines may interact with GENVOYA. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. • You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with GENVOYA. • Do not start a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take GENVOYA with other medicines.

How should I take GENVOYA?

• Take GENVOYA exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. GENVOYA is taken by itself (not with other HIV-1 medicines) to treat HIV-1 infection.

• GENVOYA is usually taken 1 time each day. • Take GENVOYA with food. • If you need to take a medicine for indigestion (antacid) that contains aluminum and • • • •

magnesium hydroxide or calcium carbonate during treatment with GENVOYA, take it at least 2 hours before or after you take GENVOYA. Do not change your dose or stop taking GENVOYA without first talking with your healthcare provider. Stay under a healthcare provider’s care when taking GENVOYA. Do not miss a dose of GENVOYA. If you take too much GENVOYA, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away. When your GENVOYA supply starts to run low, get more from your healthcare provider or pharmacy. This is very important because the amount of virus in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped for even a short time. The virus may develop resistance to GENVOYA and become harder to treat.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

What are the possible side effects of GENVOYA? GENVOYA may cause serious side effects, including: • See “What is the most important information I should know about GENVOYA?” • Changes in body fat can happen in people who take HIV-1 medicine. These changes may include increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), breast, and around the middle of your body (trunk). Loss of fat from the legs, arms and face may also happen. The exact cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known. • Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start having any new symptoms after starting your HIV-1 medicine. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys before you start and while you are taking GENVOYA. Your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking GENVOYA if you develop new or worse kidney problems. • Bone problems can happen in some people who take GENVOYA. Bone problems may include bone pain, softening or thinning (which may lead to fractures). Your healthcare provider may need to do tests to check your bones. The most common side effect of GENVOYA is nausea. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. • These are not all the possible side effects of GENVOYA. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. • Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. General information about the safe and effective use of GENVOYA. Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use GENVOYA for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give GENVOYA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. This Brief Summary summarizes the most important information about GENVOYA. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about GENVOYA that is written for health professionals. For more information, call 1-800-445-3235 or go to www.GENVOYA.com. Keep GENVOYA and all medicines out of reach of children. Issued: November 2015

EMTRIVA, GENVOYA, the GENVOYA Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, GSI, TYBOST, and VITEKA are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. © 2015 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. GENC0006 11/15

11/19/15 11:28 AM

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

PGN HEALTH

Your mental health: surviving the holidays No matter who you are or how you identify, the holiday season can often produce anxiety and other uncomfortable feelings. For many LGBTQ folks, the holidays are especially hard: facing families who haven’t accepted you, rehashing political or religious differences and perhaps doing so while still managing confusion about your sexuality and gender expressions. I hope that the following advice can help get you through some of these difficult moments.

not welcoming of your new partner(s), it may be best to limit the length of the visit, or plan some time apart if you’ll be staying several days. You may want to cancel the visit all together if you feel it is simply too unbearable for your own mental health or safety. Especially for a person of trans experience, the holidays may send you reeling as you field questions from a family that is used to addressing you differently. If you are a person with a family that understands your gender Family matters expression or identity, keep conversations fresh and keep Family can bring up a wide topics fluent. For those of trans range of emotions, from good experience without supportive vibes to teeth-clenching disfamily at the proverbial table, comfort. If you’re heading mis-gendering and misconhome, plan ahead and consider ceptions about sexuality and the people and specific triggers gender are likely to immediyou might want to minimize or ately send your stress levels avoid all together. If this holiinto high gear. Remember that Tee Goerlach not everyone is well-educated day season is the first time you will be bringing a partner or on these matters, and converpartners home, have that discussion with sations about your lived experience may your family prior to showing up. Also, have surprising results. Give family memconsider whether the holidays are the best bers a chance to understand who you are. time to introduce a new partner. If you If it simply feels too triggering to decide to, you may need to be prepared engage on these topics, or come out for uneasy conversation and set limits for to everyone, keep your visit short. yourself. For instance, if your family is Remember, self-care is of utmost impor-

On Being Well

Public Hearing Notice City of Philadelphia The Committee on Public Safety of the Council of the City of Philadelphia will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, December 2, 2015, at 3:30 PM, in Room 400, City Hall, to hear testimony on the following item:

150815 An Ordinance amending Chapter 9-3500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Fair Criminal Records Screening Standards,” by amending certain definitions and adding certain additional requirements with respect to screening job applicants and license applicants for criminal history; all under certain terms and conditions. Copies of the foregoing item are available in the Office of the Chief Clerk of the Council, Room 402, City Hall. Immediately following the public hearing, a meeting of the Committee on Public Safety, open to the public, will be held to consider the action to be taken on the above listed item. Michael Decker Chief Clerk

tance. If that means having dinner and promptly leaving to surround yourself with a chosen family who understands, then make plans to do so. Try not to let family impact your holiday too greatly. Your parents and extended biological family may need some time to adjust to changes. Many of us have gone through some challenges in finding our identities and sexualities; remember that the process can be similarly confusing for them. Try and be gentle with pronoun “slips,” if possible. Let people know you understand how hard it is, and be appreciative of those who make an effort. Coming out as trans, gay, lesbian, bisexual, genderqueer, pansexual and/or other identities is challenging and deserves to be talked about. If you feel that your family will not hold that space for you, plan to spend time with friends or visit a community center where you can enjoy your own holiday celebration. Be prepared with resources to offer those with little knowledge of gender expressions or LGBTQ experiences. Check the PFLAG website, community. pflag.org, or Mazzoni’s website, mazzonicenter.org, for help. Try not to project the worst-case scenario before revealing any new information to your family. Some people are pleasantly surprised with the acceptance they find. Again, if this isn’t the case, rely on your supports and know that your family may need time to digest. No matter what the outcome, enjoy yourself and be you. Don’t let anyone rain on your parade, or your happiness. There are plenty of people just waiting to meet you in your future. It’s also good to consider your underlying reasons for coming out, and whether this particular timing is ideal. It may depend on how often you see your family and other practicalities but, upon reflection, you might consider not coming out on or over the holidays. Consider that the holidays can often feel stressful and uncomfortable to begin with, and that extra “weight” might simply add to your anxiety. Although I would encourage you to be true to what feels best for you and your happiness, remember that you have the option to do so before or after the holidays, too. This gives you the ability to

distance yourself from being in an uncomfortable or unsafe situation. Recovery If you are in any form of recovery program or journey, stick to your bottom lines. If you find being at a party too tempting, leave and call your supports. Hit a meeting if that’s part of your recovery process and, most importantly, reach out to your support network, whether in person or online. As a person in long-term recovery, I realize that holiday emotions are some of the most triggering of all. But don’t let that become an excuse for retracting your recovery process. Stay strong, keep your phone handy and remember your own personal recovery comes first. Top-10 tips • Keep expectations realistic. • Don’t over-exert yourself. Limit shopping, remember your budget and limit your top stressors. • Don’t read the comments (really). Try to avoid already existing triggers before heading home. • Spend time with your support systems. If you are traveling, call them, Skype them and/or text them. • Don’t abandon healthy habits, like therapy, exercise and writing. In fact, you may want to dedicate more time to these habits. • Attend community events that are supportive to your identity. • Volunteer and help others. • Remember that the holidays, like negative feelings, don’t last forever. • Supply yourself with an exit system. A pre-arranged fake “emergency” phone call or a walk somewhere to clear your mind could be the perfect way to excuse yourself. • Enjoy yourself! Try to enjoy the simple things and block out all of the other distractions. Remember that the holidays are stressful for everyone — and they will pass before you know it. Be prepared, have supports ready and be smart about your decisions. Happy holidays, everyone! n Tee Goerlach is a Certified Recovery Specialist at Mazzoni Center.

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PARENTING PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

A time to be thankful Thanksgiving is around the corner, and mom, who was raised a Mormon, is also I’m thinking about what we as an LGBTQ leaving. She wrote in a Washington Post community have to be thankful for lately. piece that while “spiritually and emotionRecent news has been rather sobering. ally, I left the church I grew up in decades News broke recently of a new policy of ago,” she remained on its rolls until now. the Mormon Church (the Church of Jesus “It was the gratuitously cruel and stigmaChrist of Latter-Day Saints), which states tizing treatment of children that pushed me that the children of same-sex parents may to disavow the church of my childhood.” not be baptized or serve a mission until Thousands like her, who had remained part they are 18, and then only if of the LDS Church although not they move out of their parents’ necessarily active, also formally home and “specifically [discut ties with it on Saturday. avow] the practice of same-genThe Mormon policy wasn’t der cohabitation and marriage.” the only bad news out of Utah Being in a same-sex relationship of late, however. Juvenile Court is also now considered apostasy Judge Scott Johansen ordered a and can lead to being ousted foster child removed from the from the church. That is perhaps home of a married two-mom not surprising from a church that couple in Carbon County, solely has institutionally long opposed because he said research indiLGBTQ equality — but the cated children are better off requirement that children conwith heterosexual parents. (He demn their parents’ identities should perhaps read the U.S. and reject the family structure Court’s Obergefell Dana Rudolph Supreme that raised them seems a new decision on marriage, which low. cited overwhelming evidence to Francisco Negron, a 17-year-old who the contrary.) The women, April Hoagland was planning to serve a Mormon mission and Beckie Peirce, had been approved after high school, has now decided it would as foster parents, and are already raising be “hypocritical” to do so, since he has a Pierce’s 12- and 14-year-old children. They gay dad, reported KIVI-TV. He says he will told KUTV that the foster child’s biological leave the church. mother and state-appointed attorney supKate Kendell, executive director of the port them. Under pressure from LGBTQ National Center for Lesbian Rights and a advocates, Johansen later reversed his deci-

Mombian

sion, although a final hearing isn’t until December. In a small bit of good news out of the Beehive State, however, a lesbian couple was awarded more than $24,000 in court fees after Utah initially refused to put both their names on their baby’s birth certificate unless they did a costly and intrusive stepchild adoption. In a similar vein, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has updated its policy so that both samesex spouses will be named on their children’s birth certificates. But the Wisconsin state Court of Appeals has just ruled that a married lesbian couple cannot put both their names on their child’s birth certificate, despite the fact that married different-sex couples can do so. The court said the couple improperly presented their case as an adoption petition in order to avoid filing fees and the requirement to notify the then-attorney general, who was known to be antigay. One of the plaintiffs, in an email to family and friends that she shared with me, explained that they only brought their case as an adoption action because there was no other category into which it fit, “since it is a right that is automatically granted to opposite-sex married couples without them having to file any forms in court.” A federal case in Wisconsin on the matter (with different plaintiffs) is still pending.

Other news reinforces the sense that a backlash against LGBTQ equality is gaining steam. Voters in Houston, Texas, have also just defeated an equal-rights ordinance that would have banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodation. Opponents successfully tried to scare voters with images of men in women’s restrooms (apparently not realizing that that’s what they’ll get if transgender men aren’t allowed to use the restroom of their identity). A week later, however, the Dallas City Council voted unanimously to clarify a city ordinance to explicitly ban discrimination based on gender identity. And the Union for Reform Judaism, the largest Jewish movement in North America, issued a resolution at its recent biennial conference affirming the full inclusion of transgender people in Jewish life. They are not the first Jewish denomination to affirm transgender rights (the smaller Reconstructionist movement was), and several Christian denominations have done so as well. The Reform resolution, calling for training and advocacy, as well as gender-neutral bathrooms and language, is more “comprehensive” than the others, however, according to Michael Toumayan, manager of HRC’s Religion and Faith Program, in the New York Times. PAGE 20 Are the wins enough

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Assistant District Attorney Mike Barry highlighted tweets Knott made prior to the incident that said, “The ppl we were just dancing with just turned and made out with each other #gay #ew” and “Jazz flute is for little fairy boys.” “Ms. Knott has demonstrated a dislike of gay people,” Barry said. “It’s so tied up in the motive and story of the case. I have every right to prove she does not like gay people and that was what caused this fight.” Louis R. Busico, Knott’s lawyer, called the prosecution’s request to admit the tweets “a smear tactic.” In the first tweet, he noted the gender of the people who kissed is not mentioned and it might have been “just two goofy people” of opposite sex. “You can interpret the word ‘gay’ in several different ways,” he said of the hashtag. Busico said the tweet that references “fairy boys” is a line from the Will Ferrell movie “Anchorman” and doesn’t necessarily reflect Knott’s personal views. He added most of the tweets the prosecution wants to admit come from 2010 and 2011.

“She is not entitled to have the record sanitized of relevant facts.” “I guess if we scrutinized everyone’s social media over a 48-month time period, I tend to think we’d all have things that maybe didn’t sound the best,” he said. Covington ruled that about 20 other tweets from Knott would be excluded from trial. They pertained to bias against minorities and confrontations that arose after drinking alcohol. Covington said she would wait to see if the issue arises at trial before deciding whether to admit some tweets that the prosecution says would refute any claims from character witnesses that Knott is lawful and truthful. One tweet claimed Knott’s father, Karl Knott, chief of the Chalfont Borough Police Department in Bucks County, allowed her to kick down a door during a raid. “We’re not seeking to get every tweet in that makes Ms. Knott look like a bad person, only what’s relevant,” Barry said. “She is not entitled to have the record sanitized of relevant facts.” Busico also requested that the prosecution not be allowed to argue that the incident was a hate crime, because there is no protection for LGBT people in state hate-crime law. Covington denied the request. “This court is aware that the legislature has failed to include sexual preference in the hate-crime statute,” she said. “However, that which our legislature has overlooked does not prohibit the commonwealth from categorizing the behavior, even if it is not charged as that type of crime.” n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

SURROGACY from page 1

TRANSMISSIONS from page 11

and a donor egg. The couple entered into a gestational-carrier contract with a Pennsylvania woman. Such agreements typically address who the intended parents are, the surrogate’s payment and health-insurance costs and any contingency plans if issues arise. However, six months into the woman’s pregnancy, Shepard told Sally she wanted a divorce. According to court papers, she initially told him she intended for them to co-parent but ultimately refused to sign the court papers that would list her as the mother on the child’s birth certificate. By default, the surrogate was listed as the mother. When Sally enrolled in public assistance in California to get the baby health insurance, the state sought reimbursement from the other parent, which, because of the birth certificate, was the surrogate, herself a single mother. In the summer of 2014, Shepard moved to nullify the gestational-surrogacy contract, arguing that the surrogate is the mother. In May of this year, however, Montgomery County Orphans’ Court Judge Stanley Ott ruled that the contract Shepard signed is enforceable, and that she, not the surrogate, is the child’s mother. At that time, Shepard’s name was added to the child’s birth certificate, and she became responsible for child-support payments. She appealed the ruling to the Superior Court, a three-judge panel of which unanimously upheld Ott’s decision this week. Palmer noted that the ruling is especially integral as many couples, including samesex male couples, choose Pennsylvania surrogates, as surrogacy is illegal in New York and Washington, D.C., and against public policy in New Jersey. “Up until now, attorneys in Pennsylvania doing assisted-reproductive law had been operating without guidance by a statute and under the assumption that gestational-carrier contracts should be enforced and could be interpreted to be enforceable, but there was no direct court opinion stating that,” she said. “We kind of had to draw analogies between other types of cases; sperm-donor contracts have been found to be enforceable so, therefore, gestational-carrier contracts should be enforceable. But we now have a case that directly answers that question. We represent a lot of same-sex couples who do surrogacy in Pennsylvania, and I think that they can now have peace of mind that the contracts they’re entering into will be enforced if something goes wrong. They didn’t have that before.” Shepard could ask the state Supreme Court to consider the case, but the court must agree to hear an appeal; Palmer noted that the top court is less likely to accept appellate-court cases where the decisions were unanimous. “After numerous court battles over the past two years, I am glad the higher court ruled in my favor,” Sally said in a statement. “Now I can fully focus on raising my son.” n

numbers in need. I recently heard of an initiative from the author of the book “Brave In Ribbons,” Holly Maholm. She has started her own program called “Adopt-a-Transgender” for the Christmas season. In short, she is offering herself up as a “Transgender Adoptive Parent” to three random transgender folks who reply to her website at http://www. hollymaholm.com. I’ll admit, I first felt very unsure of it, but I wish I saw more similar actions. She may save three lives by doing this. How many lives get saved when we speak ill of each other? When you focus your energies in tearing down others, particularly those who are within your own community or who may be well-meaning but problematic allies, how do they tend to react? Do they change, or do they “double down,” fighting you and others, or leaving entirely because of how they were treated? How does this build

a coalition, and how does this make our community stronger? Also, how does that make people react to you? I’m not saying the world is a popularity contest, but do you really want to be the person people walk on eggshells around — or outright avoid — based on how you tend to treat others within the community? Bottom line: We’re not all perfect — I certainly am not — but I think we all want to do right. Unless someone is an absolute bigot and is unwilling to change, then we should welcome the opportunity to reach out, to teach, and to make things better. Yelling at people, calling them names, or slapping their hands away when what they offer isn’t enough for you is not always the best approach. We need to be that culture of compassion, and confront with love. n Gwen Smith is not calling people out for calling people out. You can find her on Twitter at @ gwenners.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

International Ugandan gays hope the pope will speak out on their behalf Gay activists are hoping Pope Francis will preach tolerance toward LGBTs and condemn violent attacks against the community during his upcoming visit to Uganda. Church leaders, however, are praying he’ll avoid the issue. The divergent expectations underscore the acrimonious state of the LGBT-rights debate on a continent where homosexuality remains taboo. In Uganda, where homosexuality is illegal and where attacks against gays have forced many to seek refuge abroad or lead secret lives at home, gay leaders nevertheless hope Francis will weigh in with a firm message of tolerance during his visit. “I see this particular pope as more proMOMBIAN from page 17

for us to be thankful in the face of continuing bias and discrimination? Yes — for even most of the losses are starting from a point of accepting (however grudgingly) same-sex couples’ right to

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gressive but I wouldn’t call him an ally like [President] Obama,” said Frank Mugisha, a prominent gay leader. “I would like to see his position very clearly because what he said came as a by-the-way when he said he can’t judge.” Francis, who will be visiting Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic from Nov. 25-30, famously said, “Who am I to judge?” in referring to a purportedly gay priest. He has called for a church that is more tolerant and welcoming for those on the margins, including gays. But he has also denounced what he calls the “ideological colonization” of the developing world, a reference to the way wealthy countries and nongovernmental organizations condition development aid on Western ideas about contraception and human rights. In Africa, that can boil down to the loss of international funding for school or health programs unless they promote condom use. Some European countries such as Sweden and Norway cut funding to Uganda’s government when it passed an antigay bill, which had widespread support in Uganda even as the international community condemned it as draconian. The bill was signed into law last year

before a court nullified it on a technicality; an earlier version had prescribed the death penalty for some homosexual acts. Homosexuality is still criminalized under a colonial-era law banning sex acts against the order of nature.

pregnancy and waived mandatory counseling before the procedure is carried out.

Portugal allows same-sex adoption

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has mocked a Russian daily that has accused Washington of conspiring to brand some Russian officials as gays, by correcting mistakes in a fake letter the newspaper mentioned as proof. The Kremlin-friendly Izvestia paper has referred to a letter purportedly written by a senior U.S. diplomat to a Russian gayrights activist, Nikolai Alexeyev. The paper said the letter posted by hackers reflected a U.S. attempt to use gay activists to describe top Russian officials as gays. The U.S. has accused Russia of infringing on gays’ rights. The embassy responded on Twitter, correcting a couple of dozen grammatical and punctuation mistakes, and adding: “Dear Izvestia, next time you will publish fake letters, please send them to us. We will be glad to help correct mistakes.” n

Portugal’s Parliament has approved laws allowing same-sex couples to legally adopt children and permitting lesbians to obtain medically assisted fertilization. Left-of-center parties used their majority to ensure the bills passed on Nov. 20. The Socialist Party, Communist Party and Left Bloc had promised those measures during their campaigns for last month’s general election. Parliament in 2013 approved a law allowing gay married couples to adopt their partners’ children but rejected legislation granting gay couples the same adoption rights as heterosexuals. Reversing legislation enacted by the outgoing center-right government, Parliament also removed hospital charges for voluntary abortions through the 10th week of

marry, and acknowledging transgender people’s existence in our communities. We are fighting these battles because we have won others. We are fighting them because we have children and we want to continue making the world better for

them. Even in the midst of a backlash, then, we should be thankful — thankful, but not complacent. We should use the power of that gratitude to continue making progress towards equality and justice in our homes, our communities and

U.S. Embassy mocks Russian paper

— compiled by Larry Nichols around the world. n Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher of Mombian (mombian.com), a GLAAD Media Award-winning blog and resource directory for LGBTQ parents.

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Rapper Milan Christopher: Hip-hop culture is changing for gay people By Paige Cooperstein paige@epgn.com Milan Christopher made history when he joined “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood” for its second season, which premiered in September. The rapper and producer from Chicago is the first openly gay man in the “Love & Hip Hop” franchise. The Hollywood iteration features eight main cast members, including Ray J, Brandy’s little brother and sex-tape partner with Kim Kardashian; Omarion from the early-aughts boy-band B2K; and Soulja Boy. It airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on VH1. Christopher’s relationship with fellow season-two castmate Miles “Siir Brock” Brock put a gay couple front and center in the hiphop world. Although the show stressed the relationship, and the couple has since separated, Christopher credits “Love & Hip Hop” with opening doors in his music career. His debut EP, tentatively titled “Final Fantasy,” will drop in January. Christopher visited PGN’s office this month to talk reality TV, music and being labeled “the gay rapper.”

show, I would’ve never found out. I probably would’ve married him. We’re done filming now. At the reunion, I kind of addressed some of the things [we had problems with]. PGN: There are rumors you’re dating Jussie Smollett, who plays one of the sons on “Empire.” Any truth to them? MC: No, Jussie Smollet and me are not dating. I think what happened was we ended up at several parties around the Halloween weekend when I was in New York. We’re both gay men and we were ending up in the same places because we have a limited amount of things that we can go to during that time. We hung out in the same space. If it was VIP, we would both be in VIP. I think that’s where [the rumors] came from. We’re not dating. I’m single.

PGN: What can people expect from the EP you’re releasing in January? MC: The album is going to be five songs that you haven’t heard. It’s going to encompass a lot of things. It won’t necessarily be like “Fuq Iz Yu Thinkin’,” a hard-core song, but it won’t necessarily be like “When I Go” either. It’ll be a mixture of both. It’ll be an infused sound. PGN: What got you into music? MC: After my little brother passed away [from a gun accident at a friend’s home], I wanted to get involved in stuff that was not negative. I lived on the South Side of Chicago, and we had a lot of gangs around. I joined this group called the Chicago Children’s Choir, which sang opera music. One of my friends in the choir was also in this more hood-dance group.

PGN: Is the hip-hop culture changing for LGBT people? MC: I think the climate is changing. With shows like “Empire,” and people like Caitlyn Jenner and Michael Sam exposing our lives to the public, it’s giving people who wouldn’t normally have this conversation the opportunity to formulate a different opinion, rather than what they’re force-fed or what they heard.

PGN: Was filming a reality show the experience you expected? MC: When I was shooting it, it was cool. But right now, based on how things have turned in my relationship, it’s not what I thought it was going to be. I thought I was going to be married by now. PGN: How did the show affect your relationship with Miles? MC: The majority of the people who knew me and Miles thought we were just friends. The show was able to expose our relationship to the world. Then we became these public gay guys in hip-hop. I think that’s where our relationship went downhill. He lied about so much about who he was, like about the fact that he was on the down-low and I was the first guy that he ever messed around with. He also lied about his best friend being his ex-girlfriend. I had just been bamboozled by this person who was creating a more masculine figure for me to like him. In the meantime, I’m working hard and because of me, we get put on the show. It was very shocking to find out that everything about him was false. But it was also a good thing. I think, without the

is even rumored to be gay, people stop buying their albums or they get dropped from labels. I’ve always wanted to rap. I’ve always wanted to produce more hard-core sounds. But because of my sexuality, my first manager wanted me to just do pop music because he felt like I would be more accepted. I have been forced into that pop and dance box based off of my sexuality. I’m trying to force myself outside of that box. I don’t feel like my sexuality should even be talked about. I should just be an artist. They don’t say, “the straight rapper.” Why do I have to be “the gay rapper”? Why is that part of my introduction? I definitely think that my sexuality has made people treat me differently or make people think I should do things differently as far as music is concerned. Because I’m gay, people feel like I’m only supposed to rap a certain type of way. There are gay people in all facets of life and we’re not just pushovers because we’re gay.

PGN: What went into writing your latest single, “When I Go”? MC: “When I Go” is a song about breaking up and being able to move forward. Before you go, you’re going to take every emotion that you brought to this relationship. A lot of times, we go into relationships and if it doesn’t work out, we let people keep parts of us and we start all over. That’s not where I’m at. I’m not leaving all of my stuff with someone who doesn’t deserve it. It’s one of those things where I’m moving on, I’m taking all my stuff and I’m going to be just as strong as I was when I met you. I’m going to be even stronger now. It’s one of those life lessons.

This is going to sound bad, but with the choir I felt I could be gay and more effeminate, and with the dance group I could be a little bit more macho, but still be gay. I was able to find myself and be everything that a gay man is: masculine and feminine. I’ve always loved hip-hop music. When I was dancing, we would only dance to hip-hop music. When Kanye West came from Chicago, I loved everything about him. Kanye made me want to do what I do now because he was so dope. PGN: How do you think hip-hop relates to gay men? MC: Right now, it’s not something that is accepted when people find out. In the hip-hop culture, especially, if someone

PGN: You appeared on “Out in Hip Hop,” another VH1 show. What was that discussion like? MC: My favorite part of the discussion was when the pastor came on. He was Skyped-in. He was basically talking about how he offers counseling to gay men and gay women as if it was some sort of sickness. Karamo Brown [who appeared on “The Real World: Philadelphia,” the first season of the MTV show to feature two openly gay cast members] and I addressed him and let him know we’re not sick. This is who I am. This is the way I was born. I don’t need you to counsel me out of a mind frame. That was important to me because people really look at homosexuals as if they are some weirdos who need treatment. Especially in the black community, they really think the person needs counseling or they had to be molested or something had

to happen to make this person a gay guy. PGN: How is it different to be a black gay man versus a white gay man? MC: It’s hard enough to be a black man, honestly. Being a black man, in general, you have all these forces putting you in a certain box. As a black gay man, now the black men in that box are putting you in another box, so it’s a lot. But I feel like you have to live your truth and be honest with yourself and everybody around you. The white gay culture has been moving and shaking for years, since the ’60s in San Francisco and New York and different places. During those times, racism was prevalent. Of course, the black gay people couldn’t do the same things that the white gay people were doing. First of all, they were black, so they weren’t even respected at all. The movements all happened at different times. In the black community and in hip-hop culture, [being gay] is still not respected. We’re just starting the conversation. We have a lot to get past before we get to the same level. Eventually, we’ll catch up. PGN: What are you hoping to accomplish in the next few years? MC: I want to be on a mainstream level like my Caucasian counterpart Sam Smith, who’s an openly gay man and uber-successful. In the next years, I want to give the LGBT community and kids a blueprint of someone they can look up to who looks like them and acts like them. Television likes to only put a certain type of black gay man on television. They’re very flamboyant like the Derek J’s, the [Miss] Lawrences and the RuPauls. They very rarely show someone like me. But the majority of the gay guys I know who are out, they look and act like me. PGN: Will you be on season three of “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood”? MC: If it’s worth my while, I’ll be back. In general, the platform has definitely opened doors for people. It’s an amazing platform for the next couple who may be LGBT and want to come on a reality TV show, not just “Love & Hip Hop.” I think it was a good move, but it’s very stressful, to say the least. n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

National Praise For MARK SEGAL’s Best Selling Memoir

AND THEN I DANCED TRAVELING THE ROAD TO LGBT EQUALITY

“Mark Segal’s work for LGBT equality is historic and significant. The fact that he is still connecting our community is a testament to the passion which he shares in this memoir.” --Billie Jean King “Mark Segal is a beloved and respected activist for the LGBT movement, and he’s a pivotal voice to tell our story,” --The Advocate “Mark Segal made national news on December 11, 1973 when he interrupted a live broadcast of the CBS Evening News by yelling ‘Gays protest CBS prejudice!’ at none other than Walter Cronkite. He was wrestled to the floor on live national television, an incident often credited as the beginning of the end of LGBTQ invisibility. In his new memoir, Segal looks back on that defining moment in history, as well as the many battles that followed.” --Queerty “If it happened in the gay rights movement, Mark Segal was probably there.” --ABC-TV “Mark Segal is one of the major actors in the struggle for LGBT equality in the U.S....A life as eventful as Segal’s demands that a book be written about it.” --South Florida Gay News “Segal’s And Then I Danced harkens back to the glory days of the gay liberation era. Current activists could learn a lot of useful lessons from reading this memoir, and any American who reads it will learn about some interesting chapters in our nation’s ongoing struggle to form a more perfect union.” --David Carter, Author of Stonewall, The Riots that Sparked the Gay Revolution “Because of activists like Mark Segal, whose life work is dramatically detailed in this poignant and important memoir, today there are openly LGBT people working in the White House and throughout corporate America.” --Philly Chit Chat “Read Mark Segal’s memoir and you’ll get the inside story of how and why he interrupted a live broadcast of The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite. What happened afterward will surprise you. It’s one of many surprises in this must-read first-person account of LGBT history as it unfolded after Stonewall. Segal was a witness to that history, and he made some of it happen, changing our country and our lives for the better.” —Louis Wiley, Jr., executive editor, Frontline (PBS)

“I have read about Segal in other places but nothing is like reading about it as he tells it....Because of Segal and others we have openly LGBT people working in the White House and throughout corporate America. He has helped make it possible for an entire community of gay world citizens to finding the voice that they need to become visible.” --Reviews by Amos Lassen “Segal’s writing style is engrossing and never ponderous....And Then I Danced is highly recommended for all LGBT history collections and especially for readers with interest in Pennsylvania/Philadelphia politics.” --American Library Association’s GLBT Round Table “And Then I Danced is a fascinating page-turner that prompted my tears, laughter, envy, and astonishment--but most of all left me feeling very proud of what our community has accomplished and grateful to Mark for sharing his intimate memoir. While there are many who have witnessed the extraordinary history of the LGBT community, few have played as major a role in creating it as has Mark. It is no exaggeration to say that there is no person alive today who has been a more central participant in as much of the contemporary LGBT rights struggle than Mark Segal.” --Sean Strub, author of Body Counts: A Memoir of Politics, Sex, AIDS, and Survival “Mark Segal has for decades been a pathfinder for LGBT journalists of all stripes. We’re indebted to him for his years of radical activism, helping to foster a movement for change that has had a dramatic and positive impact for millions.” --Michelangelo Signorile, author of It’s Not Over: Getting Beyond Tolerance, Defeating Homophobia, and Winning True Equality “Real change never comes without real guts and real vision and real leaders. Mark Segal is the real deal.” --Robert Moore, cofounder of Dallas Voice “Mark Segal’s ideas run from the alpha to the omega. Sometimes I think there’s got to be more than one Mark Segal: he has done way too much for one lifetime. I highly recommend this book. If you can’t get to meet Mark in person, this is the next best thing!” --Michael Luongo, author of Gay Travels in the Muslim World “Before there was Ellen, Will, Grace, Rosie, Andy, and Anderson, Mark Segal was the squeaky gay wheel of American television, pulling stunts that forced the medium to open its closet door. If Walter Cronkite were still alive, he’d say: Not HIM again! And that’s the way it is. And was. Read all about it.” --Bruce Vilanch, Six-Time Emmy Award Winner “Mark Segal has taken the LGBT aging world by storm, and in the process has made a remarkable difference for our community’s courageous pioneers. We’ve all learned so much from him.” --Michael Adams, executive director, Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders “With gentle humor and the slightest touch of sardonicism….Segal lets readers into his personal life: his loves, losses, and (spoiler alert!) a very happy ending. “Drama seems to follow me,” he writes, and readers will be glad for it.” --Washington Blade

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

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RESTROOM from page 1

Other officials in attendance included members of the Gay Officer Action League; Sgt. Robert Ryan from the Philadelphia Police Recruiting Unit; Officer Ryan Rodriquez, a 20-year veteran of the department and member of the transgender community; and two representatives from the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office. Fitzpatrick encouraged the officials to take advantage of the opportunity to get to know the transgender individuals in the crowd. “We have a very diverse group of transgender members from our transgender communities here today,” she said. “That’s important to begin to understand that there is not one trans narrative.” Following the bill signing, Fergus Carey, owner of Fergie’s, changed the signs that mark his establishment’s two bathrooms so that they simply say “Bathroom,” instead of designating the spaces for men and women. Each bathroom at the pub is a single-use space, meaning it contains only one toilet and sink. “Something so simple as changing the signage on the bathroom to make it gender-neutral will actually make a huge impact on the lives of so many Philadelphians,” Nutter said. “It will alleviate the stress and fear that many members of our transgender community feel when they need to use the restroom.” “Our goal is for Philadelphia to be the most LGBT-friendly city in the world and a leader on equality issues,” he said. “This bill is a significant step toward meeting those goals.” The bathroom bill, introduced in September by Councilman Mark Squilla, requires retail establishments, city-owned buildings and any entity that owns or leases a structure open to the public to mark all single-use bathrooms with signs that do not specify gender. The legislation does not impact bathrooms with multiple stalls. In addition to making it easier for transgender and gender-nonconforming people to access a public restroom, supporters also expect it to help caretakers with opposite-sex charges and parents with children. Fitzpatrick said many existing single-use, gender-neutral bathrooms in Philadelphia are marked with “W.C.” for water closet. A map of gender-neutral bathrooms in the city, created by the Office of LGBT Affairs, is available here: http://ow.ly/S39EM. The Department of Licenses and Inspections will enforce the new bill, Nutter said. People can contact Philadelphia 311 at 215686-2463 to report an establishment that has not put gender-neutral signs outside its single-use bathrooms after the bill’s Jan. 20 effective date. They can also tweet @Philly311 with the hashtag #FreetoPHL. Gender identity was included as a protected class in the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance in 2002, said Landau. She added that her office handles discrimination cases in employment, housing and public accommodations. Bathroom issues came up far too frequently in the commission’s employment and public-accommodations cases, Landau said, noting it was about time for Philadelphia to embrace single-use, gender-neutral bathrooms. She said the Commission on Human Relations would continue to advocate for transgender people through Kenney’s administration. “What we should be about as a government is to be fair to people, to treat people with dignity, treat people with respect and understand that all of us, regardless of our station, are human beings,” Kenney said. n

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DEC. 1, 2015

WORLD AIDS DAY SUPPLEMENT • A JOINT PROJECT OF ACTIONAIDS AND PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 25

Changes today mean progress tomorrow The Philadelphia Linkage Program: A success story By David Webber Among the outstanding medical-case management programs at ActionAIDS is the Prison Linkage Program. This program serves individuals living with HIV while incarcerated and through release from the Philadelphia Prison System. The Philadelphia prison population has a disproportionately high HIV-prevalence rate. At the same time, this population of individuals with HIV who are formerly incarcerated has significant barriers to health care, resulting from poverty and homelessness/transience, recidivism and parole/probation issues, drug use, active mental-health issues and other factors. ActionAlDS originally initiated a prison program in 1991, but during the past three years we have implemented an innovative “Care Coach” intensive medical-case management approach, which uses an assessment tool — our “Acuity Vulnerability Screening” (AVS) — that we developed specifically for this program to identify clients most at risk for falling out of care. Our results with this highly challenged population far exceed levels of general population health as set forth in the National HIV-Care Continuum. PLP establishes seamless systems to link people to care immediately after diagnosis, and supports retention in care to achieve viral suppression that can maximize the benefits of early treatment and reduce transmission risk. The problem As an urban area with a significant high-poverty population, Philadelphia has a high HIV-prevalence rate. In a recent study that correlated socio-economic factors and HIV prevalence in Philadelphia, the Public Health Management Corporation concluded that prevalence of HIV is likely to be highest in specific census tracts where Philadelphia residents experience low socio-economic status; high concentrations of African-American residents; high death rates from homicide, AIDS, septicemia or other illnesses; high birth risk; high neighborhood instability; and high crime rates, especially crimes related to drugs and/or sex. The residents of these high-crime neighborhoods have a high rate of incarceration. Thus, by focusing PLP on clients who are incarcerated and preparing for release, we address the HIV epidemic with the highest-risk clients in jail and, when released, who are from the areas of the city most affected by it. The Philadelphia Prison System currently houses approximately 8,000 inmates on any given day. On a per-capita basis, Philadelphia’s rate

of incarceration is disproportionately high, with Philadelphia ranking fourth among the 50 jurisdictions in the United States with the largest prison populations in 2010. The impact of HIV in our society also involves a significant racial disparity that our program addresses. Blacks/AfricanAmericans continue to experience the most severe burden of HIV compared with other races and ethnicities. Blacks represent approximately 12 percent of the U.S. population, but accounted for an estimated 44 percent of new HIV infections in 2010. They also accounted for 41 percent of people living with HIV infection in 2011. Who are our PLP clients? • African-Americans, 61 percent • White (including Hispanic), 33 percent • More than one race, 4 percent • Asian, 1 percent • No race specified, 1 percent • Males, 64 percent • Females, 30 percent • Transgender females, 6 percent • Ages 30-49, 69 percent • Heterosexual, 80 percent • Bisexual, 10 percent • Gay/lesbian, 2 percent • No sexual orientation reported, 7 percent • Clients are universally low-income. • About 1 percent has stable/permanent housing. • Forty-five percent are co-infected with Hepatitis C. • A majority needs behavioral-health services. Viewing our client statistics, we see that this remarkable program is reaching a population of mostly African-American males, aged 30-49, who identify as heterosexual, with injection-drug use as the primary HIV risk factor (48 percent) and heterosexual contact as a secondary factor (34 percent). To our knowledge, our program is unique in having this population focus. PLP is also highly successful — with a rate of 85 percent — in linking clients to health care upon the most challenging transition: from the jail to the community. By ensuring this continuity of medical care, we also reduce the development of drug-resistant HIV, decrease sexual-risk behaviors and, as our clients in treatment maintain low or non-detectible viral loads, we reduce or eliminate the risk of HIV transmission to others. Indeed, this is demonstrated by the 85 percent of our Care Coach clients who have been in the PLP program for two years and who have achieved viral-load suppression. Through this program, and many others at ActionAIDS, we are creating the first AIDSfree generation. n

ON THEIR MARK: More than 180 supporters of ActionAIDS formed the organization’s team at this year’s AIDS Walk. The group raised more than $20,000 for event organizer AIDS Fund, which supports HIV/AIDS causes throughout the region.

Day in the Life of: a prison case manager By Marilyn Pultro PLP Case Manager, ActionAIDS The variety of challenges and responsibilities of being a jail case manager with the Philadelphia Linkage Program make it difficult to describe a “typical day.” Our days change with the needs of our assigned clients, their level of engagement in care services, release dates from jail and all other current circumstances of their daily lives. 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The day begins with checking voicemail and email. Calls and emails may have come in from clients who were released from jail overnight or within the past few days, seeking appointments and access to resources within the community, such as shelters, food resources, Social Security and trans-

portation assistance. The case manager may also receive returned calls from various organizations such as infectious-disease doctors in the community confirming client medical appointments, drug and alcohol programs, probation officers, pharmacies to confirm prescriptions or mental-health providers to schedule clients’ new intake for services. As much as we try to schedule our client meetings, jail can be a revolving door for many, so we never truly know when someone may be released. Frequently, we will receive a call from the front desk that a new client has arrived, and has come to the office unannounced, as they were newly released from jail. All PLP case managers welcome walk-ins, since most PLP clients have no access to phones and they arrive to our office after reporting to their probation officer a few blocks away. The case manager will meet PAGE 2

Inside • Housing barriers after incarceration: page 2 • Post-incarceration case management, Glass half-full: page 3 • World AIDS Day events: page 4 • Dining Out For Life: page 5 • HIV is not a crime, Client spotlights: page 6 • Resources, testing sites and puzzle: page 8

PAGE 26

WORLD AIDS DAY SUPPLEMENT • A JOINT PROJECT OF ACTIONAIDS AND PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

DEC. 1, 2015

Overcoming housing barriers after incarceration Dorsche Pinsky Senior Care Coach, Philadelphia Linkage Program, ActionAIDS and Odessa Summers Senior Prison Case Manager, Philadelphia Linkage Program, ActionAIDS Returning citizens face many barriers when they are released from jail. Many did not have a stable source of income when they were arrested and, if they did, most have lost employment by the time that they are released. The vast majority does not have savings with which to procure stable housing upon discharge from a correctional facility. Because of this, when a person is released from jail, he or she is often homeless. A barrier that case managers face when working with incarcerated and formally incarcerated individuals is that, when a person is incarcerated, he or she is not consid-

ered homeless under the definition set forth by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The HUD definition states that a person is considered homeless if he or she is “living in a place not meant for human habitation, in an emergency shelter, in transitional housing or are exiting an institution where they temporarily resided.” Previously, “temporarily resided” was defined as 30 days but that definition was recently changed to 90 days. An important caveat is that the person had to be in a shelter or a place not meant for human habitation immediately prior to entering that institution. Many previously incarcerated individuals report that shelters are a mirror of the correctional institution and crimes, including theft and violence, occur in these facilities. Because of a history of trauma and abuse, many returning citizens forsake the shelter system and choose to be street-homeless, where they fly under

the radar and are not in touch with homeless-outreach workers. Thus, many previously incarcerated individuals are not placed on homeless lists because they are not in the shelter and not documented as living in places “not meant for human habitation.” This makes locating housing options for previously incarcerated individuals very difficult as a HUD definition of homelessness is required for many affordable-housing programs. To overcome this housing obstacle, PLP case managers work with clients during incarceration and upon discharge. PLP case managers provide medical-case management “behind the walls” and, as a result, can prepare a client for what he or she needs to do to become documented as homeless upon discharge. PLP case managers discuss the pros and cons of accessing the shelter system at release with clients. If a client chooses to access the shelter system, PLP case

managers continue to work with clients in an attempt to decrease barriers and keep them in the shelter. PLP case managers link clients with day programs because clients are often forced to leave shelters early in the morning during all months of the year. PLP case managers provide clients with transportation assistance (tokens), shelter essentials (pad lock, shower shoes) and hygiene items (shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, soap, etc.), as many previously incarcerated individuals’ only source of income is food stamps, and none of these items may be purchased with food stamps. Case managers also work with clients to link them to vocation services or Supplemental Security Income for disabled clients. By providing this service, the ultimate goal is to see clients permanently housed, whether renting an apartment of their own or in subsidized housing. Once clients are housed, their likelihood of going back to jail is greatly reduced. n

DAY from page 1

and file all required documents and request the client’s medical records from Corizon at Philadelphia Prison System.

with clients to assess immediate needs and congratulate them on their release. We want to remind them that we are here to support them in their re-integration to society and that we are invested in their well-being. Most clients are released from jail with a three-day supply of emergency HIV medications. If they are released directly from court, it is typical that they will not be provided with any medications. The case manager will immediately request the client’s jail discharge summary, a prescription for HIV meds from Corizon Medical and Employment Assessment Forms to expedite client’s medical benefits. The case manager assesses clients for drug and alcohol recovery and mental-health needs and coordinates appointments to help them access appropriate treatments. The case manager facilitates the first medical appointment in the community and assesses if the client needs emergency food or clothing. The case manager verifies all contact information and probation details, assesses residential needs, as well as any other urgent or immediate needs. An appointment is scheduled for a follow-up within two weeks. PLP provides personal-hygiene products and referrals for Philadelphia AIDS Thrift vouchers, tokens for all upcoming medical and case-management appointments and condoms, if the person is sexually active. The case manager will introduce the client to his or her care-outreach specialist to begin ongoing services supporting their re-entry needs. Paperwork is an important aspect of case management, as careful note-taking and documentation are necessary so we can provide the best services to our clients. Following the initial meeting with our newly released client, the case manager will prepare and fax voucher letters for emergency HIV medications, update all client information in our data-entry system, type up the day’s notes, print

1:30- 5 p.m. On this day, the case manager received a new referral from the PLP coordinator and proceeds to prepare for a site visit to the jails on State Road. The case manager checked Municipal Court Docket for several clients’ legal status and locations, and then prepared a PLP intake package for the new client. Entering the jail, the case manager is greeted by a correctional officer and completes an official visit slip, requesting to see the specified client. The wait time for the client to be brought down into the visiting area varies in each jail and with each day. This will depend on if the client is in protective custody, with medical staff, at lunch, in the yard on break or meeting with an attorney, if it is between shift changes or if the client refuses an official visit. The case manager meets with the new client, introducing themselves and explaining the PLP program and how we may be of support to them. We remind them that the medical provider at Corizon referred them to our program for case management. Should the client agree to accept services, the case manager conducts an intake/psychosocial assessment and, if newly diagnosed, HIV education. The client reviews and signs all required releases and agreements to ensure privacy and allow for the provision of case-management services. The case manager evaluates the client’s level of need for appropriate assignment and informs the client they will be meeting with them on a monthly basis during incarceration. Time permitting, the case manager then travels to another jail on campus to meet with other clients and monitor their medical care. n

DEC. 1, 2015

WORLD AIDS DAY SUPPLEMENT • A JOINT PROJECT OF ACTIONAIDS AND PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

Case management as a bridge from incarceration to the community By Dr. Bruce Herdman Chief of Medical Operations, Philadelphia Prison System The Philadelphia Linkage Program is a foundation element of what has been built over a number of years between the Philadelphia Prison System and social-service providers in the community. It has been called a “best practice” in correctional-medicine care for HIV-positive patients. As background, following CDC “opt-out” testing recommendations, the Philadelphia Prison System increased testing of citizens incarcerated at PPS from 6-95 percent. PPS will treat nearly 1,000 individuals for HIV this year. The majority of HIV-positive inmates arrive with controlled viral loads, i.e., had been receiving appropriate care in the community prior to incarceration. At the time of release from PPS, these patients are referred back to their community providers, and these providers are sent detailed discharge summaries, if the patient permits. However, one-third of HIV-positive patients at the PPS report not having seen an HIV provider routinely in the community, or not having one at all. Here is where

linkage services make a big difference. ActionAIDS has been in the Philadelphia county jails since 1991, when there was one case manager to help clients navigate myriad challenges awaiting them upon release from jail. Over the years, other community providers such as Philadelphia FIGHT have joined efforts to continue the continuity of care for clients while incarcerated and prepare them for discharge. Linkage staff visits these patients at PPS — given the patient’s permission — regularly until release, and makes arrangements for care after release. Issues such as continuity of medical care, housing, drug and alcohol and mental-health treatment are explored. More than 80 percent of these patients make it to their first linkage appointments after release, which is a commendable rate of continuity of care. Linkage services and PPS continue to work to shorten the time between diagnosis and initial linkage staff visits with patients on campus. AIDS Activities Coordinating Office, ActionAIDS, Philadelphia FIGHT and other advocacy groups have been wonderfully supportive of PPS to assure timely testing, treatment and continuity of care upon release. ✮

Glass half-full By Dr. James Peightel Psychiatrist, collaborating partner at ActionAIDS and AIDS United My work with individuals who are impacted with HIV has spanned many years. In the early 1990s, at the beginning of my career as a community psychiatrist, I worked at Betak, a nursing home/hospice for people with AIDS that was in Northwest Center’s catchment area. It was a sad, sobering experience orienting me to the epidemic. The science, stigma and survival have come a long way since then. In the early 2000s, I joined ActionAIDS in developing a small, specialized mental-health clinic, responding to the unique, unmet needs of clients who were misunderstood, mistreated or denied care. Over time, as education and advocacy efforts positively impacted mainstream mental-health care, the need for this effort waned. In 2012, ActionAIDS partnered with Pathways to Housing PA to provide 20 housing and service slots as part of their “Housing First” program for folks with psychiatric disorders, chronic homelessness and HIV. An interesting finding is that, for these 20 individuals, the complicated issues of homelessness, poverty, substance use and mental illness usually trumped issues related to their HIV status. Most had a long-standing stable and valued rapport with their HIV-health provider that was an anchor of support. This successful partnership continues today. In 2013, ActionAIDS reached out to

Pathways to take part in an initiative focused on providing intensive case-management services to clients while they are incarcerated and upon discharge from Philadelphia county jails. The focus of the project, funded by AIDS United, is to identify and engage the most vulnerable clients who are at highest risk of being lost to care upon release from jail. Linking the clients to medical care, mental-health and drug and alcohol services, as well as having more frequent contact between the client and case manager, have enhanced this part of the Philadelphia Linkage Program by matching the complex needs of the clients with more effective and flexible services. As I reflect on my involvement in working with individuals with HIV and mental-health issues compounded by having a history of incarceration, I have the optimistic sense that the glass may just be more than half-full. The glass isn’t full, especially with lots of barriers to adequate housing, complex and cumbersome rules for accessing substance-use treatment, and an over-burdened criminal-justice system. But even here, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. There are clearly changing public and political opinions about our culture of incarceration and retreat from the “War on Drugs.” The ActionAIDS Prison Linkage Program has built a solid working relationship with Philadelphia prison staff. And on the global and local levels, there is reason for optimism in controlling the spread of HIV. n

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WORLD AIDS DAY SUPPLEMENT • A JOINT PROJECT OF ACTIONAIDS AND PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

DEC. 1, 2015

World AIDS Day 2015 events AIDS Memorial Quilt displays Sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display at various locations throughout the city with descriptions of the meanings of the panels: 8-11:30 p.m. Oct.. 30-Dec. 13 at Prevention Point, 2913 Kensington Ave. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec. 7 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec. 7 at Siloam, 1133 Spring Garden St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec. 4 at the Dorrance H. Hamilton Building, 1001 Locust St. Around the clock Nov. 30-Dec. 3 at Einstein Hospital, 5501 Old York Road, first floor 7 p.m. Dec. 5 during GayBINGO at Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St.

Jefferson World AIDS Day

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 30 Scott Memorial Library, 1020 Locust St. The timeline of HIV/AIDS treatment will be on display, along with other activities.

World AIDS Day Prayer Breakfast

8:30-10:30 a.m. Dec. 1 DoubleTree by Hilton, 237 S. Broad St. Philadelphia FIGHT’s seventh-annual breakfast brings together leaders of all traditions to address the faith response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The Rev. Dr. Wayne Croft, Sr. will deliver a keynote address. RSVP to Eddie Davis at edavis@fight.org or 215-985-4448, ext. 435.

Mobile Testing Unit

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 1 University of Pennsylvania Law School, 35th and Sansom streets Mazzoni Center’s traveling testing center will offer free, rapid HIV testing outside the school in observance of World AIDS Day. Mazzoni Center’s Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St., will also offer testing that day 9 a.m.-noon and again 6-9 p.m.

Penn World AIDS Day 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 1-4 University of Pennsylvania’s Locust Walk, on Locust Street between 34th and 38th streets The timeline of HIV/AIDS treatment will be on display.

Mütter Museum World AIDS Day 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 1 Mütter Museum, 19 S. 22nd St. The AIDS Memorial Quilt and timeline will be on display. ActionAIDS will provide free HIV, Hepatitis and STD testing. Information tables will be staffed from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Poet Gweny Love will lead a performance at 4 p.m. by teens from across the city.

Red Ribbon Awards 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 1 Conversation Hall in City Hall, 1401 JFK Blvd. The University of Pennsylvania’s Center for AIDS Research will honor a policy maker, researcher, community member and young person who have made a contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

My December Song

6 p.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 1 Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St In this free event, performer Nathan Townsend shares readings from his upcoming book “My December Song,” as well as music from his new CD, “This is My Life.” Proceeds from in-store sales and digital downloads will benefit PAT @ Giovanni’s Room, which supports local HIV/AIDS organizations.

Workshop to Create AIDS Quilt Panel 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 2 Siloam, 1133 Spring Garden St. Instructors will lead attendees in a workshop called “Where Do I Start? Creating a Panel for the AIDS Memorial Quilt.”

Code Red 8-11:30 p.m. Dec. 11 Voyeur, 1221 St. James St. Tickets start at $15 for a night of entertainment, with proceeds benefitting local AIDS organizations. The AIDS Memorial Quilt will also be on display.

Baptist World AIDS Day 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 12 Bright Hope Baptist Church, 1601 N. 12th St. The timeline of HIV/AIDS treatment will be on display. n

DEC. 1, 2015

WORLD AIDS DAY SUPPLEMENT • A JOINT PROJECT OF ACTIONAIDS AND PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 29

Dining Out for Life 2016

ActionAIDS thankS all participating restaurants and diners. Adobe Cafe Adobe Cafe Manayunk Alma de Cuba Amada Amis Audrey Claire August Bacio Bank and Bourbon Barbuzzo Barclay Prime Barra Rosa Beau Monde Bellini Grill Bing Bing Dim Sum Bistro Romano Bistrot La Minette Bourbon and Branch Buddakan Butcher and Singer Caribou Cafe Cedar Point Bar & Kitchen Cheu Noodle Bar The Cow and the Curd Cochon Continental Midtown Continental Restaurant Copabanana Cupcake Carnivale The Dandelion Day by Day DiNardo’s Famous Seafood Distrito

Harvest Seasonal Grill Il Pittore IndeBlue Indian Cuisine The Industry Jack’s Firehouse Jamonera JG Domestic Johnny Bravo Johnny Brenda’s Jones Kildare’s Irish Pub Knock Las Bugambilias Le Virtu Lemon Grass Thai Lolita London Grill M Restaurant at The Morris House Mac Mart Marlene Mangia bene

Downington Poco’s Restaurant Pod Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti Race Street Cafe Red Owl Tavern Redwood Restaurant Rembrandt’s Rick’s Restaurant Ristorante Panorama Roberto’s Trattoria Rose Tattoo Cafe Route 6 Sampan Seafood Unlimited Silk City Diner Singapore Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant South Philly Tap Room Southwark Spasso Spot Burger Dining Spring Mill Cafe Out for Life Square 1682 Tabu returns Talula’s Garden April 14, Tashan 2016 Tavern On the Hill terra Matyson The Prime Rib McCrossen’s Tavern The Raven Mercato The Restaurant School at Meritage Walnut Hill College More Than Just Ice The Sunflower Truck Doc Magrogan’s Oyster Cream Time House Morimoto Tinto El Poquito My Thai Trax Restaurant and Cafe El Rey New Harmony Vegetarian Tre Famiglia El Vez Restaurant Tria Rittenhouse The Farm & Fisherman Nineteen Tria Wash West The Farm Truck North 3rd Restaurant Trolley Car Cafe Fette Sau Opa Twenty Manning Fond Oyster House Ulivo Foo Truck Paloma Mexican Haute Valanni Fork Cuisine Varalli Frankford Hall Paradiso Varga Bar Franky Bradley’s Parc Vedge Friday, Saturday, Sunday Pennsylvania 6 Venture Inn Garces Trading Company Perch Pub Vernalicious Gigi’s & Big R Percy Street Barbecue Villa Di Roma Giorgio on the Pine Philly Delicias Village Whiskey The Gold Standard Cafe Pizzeria Stella Vintage Wine Bar & Good Dog PJ Whelihans Pub Bistro

MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER (LEFT) AND ACTIONAIDS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KEVIN BURNS WELCOMED GUESTS TO THE 2015 DINING OUT FOR LIFE.

BANNER YEAR: A banner on Broad Street promoted the 25th-annual Dining Out For Life, held April 20. The ActionAIDS-organized event encourages local dining establishments to donate a portion of their proceeds to HIV/AIDS causes. Dining Out For Life returns April 14. Photo: David Webber

If you would like to learn more about Dining Out for Life head over to www.diningoutforlife.com/philadelphia

Dining Out for Life 2015 Participating Restaurants

GLAMMED OUT: Guests struck a pose at Glamsino Royale, Havana Nights before trying their hands at the table games. The annual fundraiser, held in February, raises funds for ActionAIDS. This year’s event is scheduled for Feb. 18.

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WORLD AIDS DAY SUPPLEMENT • A JOINT PROJECT OF ACTIONAIDS AND PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

HIV is not a crime

Client Spotlights

By Adrian M. Lowe, Esq Staff Attorney, AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania and Ronda Goldfein, Esq. Executive Director, AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania

In the more than 30 years since the first report of HIV, medical treatment has transformed the disease, enabling people with HIV to live healthy and productive lives. Regrettably, the stigma and hysteria around HIV have remained the same, and in some instances, have gotten worse. Somewhere along the line, HIV has been recast from a public-health problem to a criminal-justice issue. HIV criminalization — the alarming trend of criminally charging an HIV-positive person for conduct that, if done by an HIV-negative person would not be considered a crime — is a clear example of stigma and hysteria overriding medical science. Criminalizing HIV is not an effective approach to HIV prevention. Public-health efforts to reduce HIV transmissions advocate for “safe sex” and emphasize mutual responsibility and communication between partners. In sharp contrast, HIV criminalization removes all responsibility for transmission risk from the HIV-negative partner, while categorizing the HIV-positive partner as a criminal. Public-health efforts are aided by increasing public awareness of the limited routes of HIV transmission. These efforts are undermined when misconceptions about HIV transmission are reinforced by a criminal legal system that doesn’t distinguish actual risk from unsupported fears about exposure. HIV criminalization dehumanizes already-marginalized communities that are both disproportionately affected by HIV and disproportionately targeted by the criminal-legal system — sex workers, drug users, people of color, transgender women, gay men and poor people. Criminalization creates another basis for their arrest and imprisonment, and reinforces stereotypes that define their sexuality as inherently dangerous or predatory. The Pennsylvania Crimes Code’s only HIV-specific sections relate to prison and sex work. An incarcerated person with HIV who spits at a corrections officer could face an additional sentence of up to 10 years for the crime of assault by prisoner, despite the fact that spitting does not transmit HIV. Adult prostitution is a misdemeanor in Pennsylvania, unless one of the parties knows, or should have known, that he or she is HIVpositive. An HIV-positive sex worker can be charged and convicted of a felony, even if HIV transmission could not occur because of the nature of the sex act. General criminal laws have also been used to prosecute people with HIV based on their status in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvanians with HIV have been charged with attempted murder, reckless endangerment and sexual assault for failing to disclose their status to consensual sexual partners, regardless of whether there was a transmission risk. HIV-positive Pennsylvanians have also been convicted of aggravated assault for incidents involving biting and spitting. The HIV status of the defendants “aggravated” the assault, despite the fact that HIV cannot be transmitted by biting and spitting. Current medical treatment effectively reduces transmission risk. Singling out people with HIV for prosecution and punishment based on their status, regardless of their intent, the risk to others or actual transmission is unjust. We urge policymakers to modernize existing criminalization laws and to direct resources to evidenced-based prevention interventions. n

DEC. 1, 2015

Katherine: From a dark beginning, a brighter future awaits By David Webber

M. and her new boyfriend usually used condoms. After a condom broke, M. disclosed she has HIV. There was no transmission of HIV, nor was there any meaningful risk of transmission, because M.’s viral load was undetectable. After they broke up, her ex had M. charged with several felonies, including aggravated assault and sexual assault. A. was caught engaging in prostitution by an undercover vice officer. While he was being transported to jail, he was asked about his medications and he disclosed his HIV status. Even though the sex they had agreed on does not carry a risk for HIV transmission — A. was going to perform oral sex on the officer with a condom — A. was charged with felony prostitution because of his HIV status.

For many people with HIV, their story of dealing with the disease goes back many years to their early childhood, perhaps even to the previous generation. “Katherine” is one such client. HIV has been a part of her entire life. Her mother was living with HIV at the time of her pregnancy with Katherine. Katherine then was infected during pregnancy and/or childbirth. Her infancy and toddler years with her birth parents were traumatic, and by her adolescence, Katherine was being bounced among foster-care and group homes. In 2014, at age 21, she was briefly jailed because of a minor probation violation. As an inmate living with HIV, she was referred to a Prison Linkage Program (PLP) medical-case manager from ActionAIDS. Although meeting PLP staff was probably one of the best things that could have happened for Katherine while she was in jail, at first she was fearful of her PLP case manager. Nevertheless, over time, and thanks to the case manager’s persistence, Katherine and her case manager developed a relationship based on trust. Katherine was then able to open up. She shared that she was concerned about her ability to make sound decisions and,

worse yet, didn’t know where she could live upon release from jail. She also didn’t know where or how to access health care as an adult, as she had previously received her health care as a teen. Katherine worked with her medical-case manager to have a plan in place that would address these questions. She was able to identify an appropriate community-medical provider, and was able to get an appointment with them right away. She also receives behavioral health services and attends a daily counseling group as part of that program. She and her medical-case manager submitted an application for Social Security benefits, and she is awaiting receipt of income. She is on a waiting list at this time for a transitional housing program for young adults. But the most inspiring positive development in her life is that she successfully applied for admission to Community College of Philadelphia and completed her first classes over the summer. Looking to the future in another way, Katherine is proactive in her medical care and sticks with her medication treatment schedule. Her HIV viral load is undetectable. Yet again, with the support of medical-case management services from ActionAIDS, another person with HIV in the Philadelphia area is helping to create the first AIDS-free generation. n

Keith: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” R. broke his girlfriend’s heart when he got back together with his ex. The brokenhearted woman told the police R. hadn’t told her he has HIV. His viral load is undetectable and they used condoms. There was no transmission of HIV. R. was charged with multiple counts of reckless endangerment — one for each time she alleges they had sex.

The police were called to the scene of a domestic dispute between G. and her ex-husband. G. had spit in her ex’s face when he was trying to choke her. Even though the routes of HIV transmission are well-understood and spitting is definitely not one of them, G. was charged with aggravated assault because of her HIV.

By David Webber Fear of disclosing HIV status is one of the primary barriers for our clients in obtaining health care. Not surprisingly, such fears are quite common. Widespread discriminatory attitudes and hostility to people living with HIV provokes such fear. Discrimination and social ostracism often occur — but don’t need to — when people tell family, friends or acquaintances that they are living with HIV. One of our clients — “Keith” — is a good example of how our Philadelphia Linkage Program (PLP) medical-case-management services successfully address such fears. Keith, a 35-year-old AfricanAmerican man, was referred to the PLP when he tested positive for HIV while in the Philadelphia Prison System in 2014. A PLP case manager began working with Keith while he was still in jail. When the time came for Keith’s release from jail, his case manager continued to work with him, smoothing his re-entry to the community. Keith had a difficult time accepting and understanding his HIV diagnosis. Many people living with HIV go through similar periods of denial. In Keith’s case, he was also afraid he’d lose his connection to those

in his life. In a one-on-one discussion, Keith and his case manager addressed and expanded his comfort level when thinking about means of HIV prevention, medication-adherence techniques and secondary prevention strategies, to assist Keith in better managing his health care. Through this ongoing relationship and continuous communication with his case manager, Keith overcame his fear, and realized the benefit of being open about his HIV status with those in his life. He‘s now told his family, who have accepted him, resulting in a profound sense of liberation from the stigma of HIV. At the same time Keith was overcoming his fear of letting people in his life know his HIV status, he continued to be actively involved in his health care, including HIV care. He’s continued this care to this day. He persuaded his partner to get involved in prevention services. Keith and his partner are now being counseled on HIV prevention and have begun PreExposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). Because of his success in working with the PLP case manager, Keith now works with a long-term medical-case management with ActionAIDS. ✮

DEC. 1, 2015

WORLD AIDS DAY SUPPLEMENT • A JOINT PROJECT OF ACTIONAIDS AND PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

ActionAIDS/Health Annex

Primary Care Clinic Healthcare from providers you trust in a safe & familiar setting *ask your case manager today

A safe and familiar clinic located within our West Philadelphia office

A joint venture of ActionAIDS and RHD’s Family Practice and Counseling Network

• uninsured welcome • no wait time • lab services on-site • committed to quality and safety

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WORLD AIDS DAY SUPPLEMENT • A JOINT PROJECT OF ACTIONAIDS AND PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

HIV/AIDS Crossword Puzzle

RESOURCES HIV EDUCATION/ OUTREACH

ActionAIDS

GALAEI (Gay and Lesbian Latino/a AIDS Education Initiative)

215-981-0088 www.actionaids.org

267-457-3912 www.galaei.org

AIDS Fact Line

Mazzoni Center

(Pennsylvania) 1-800-662-6080

215-563-0652 www.mazzonicenter.org

CHOICE

Philadelphia FIGHT

215-985-3300 www.choice-phila.org

COLOURS Organization, Inc.

215-851-1975 www.coloursorganization. org

Philadelphia FIGHT 215-985-4448 www.fight.org

Project Safe

866-509-SAFE www.safephila.org

HIV CASE MANAGEMENT ActionAIDS

215-981-0088 www.actionaids.org

BEBASHI

215-769-3561 www.bebashi.org

Esfuerzo (Congreso HIV Program)

DEC. 1, 2015

LEGAL RESOURCES

AIDS Library 215-985-4851 aidslibrary.org

AIDS Law Project 215-587-9377 aidslawpa.org

Mazzoni Center Legal Services Department

215-985-4448 www.fight.org

1-866-LGBT-LAW mazzonicenter.org/ legal-services

YOUTH AND FAMILY

The Attic Youth Center 215-545-4331 www.atticyouthcenter.org

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia 215-590-1000 www.chop.edu

St. Christopher’s Pediatric AIDS Program

215-427-5284 www.stchristophershospital.com

Valley Youth House

215-925-3180 www.valleyyouthhouse.org

Youth Health Empowerment Project 215-564-6388 www.y-hep.org

215-763-8870 www.congreso.net/programs/h3.php

CENTER CITY ActionAIDS 1026 Arch St. 267-940-5515 Mon.: 11a.m.-1 p.m. Tues.: 10 a.m.-noon Wed.: 1-4 p.m. Thurs.: noon-2 p.m. The Attic Youth Center 55 S. 16th St. 215-545-4331 COLOURS Organization, Inc. 1207 Chestnut St. fourth floor 215-851-1975 Mon. and Tues: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Wed. and Thurs.: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

GALAEI 149 W. Susquehanna Ave. 267-457-3912 Mon.-Fri.: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Philadelphia testing sites

Mazzoni Center and GALAEI’s Washington West Project 1201 Locust St. Mon.-Thurs.: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat.: 1 p.m.-5 p.m. 215-985-9206 Philadelphia AIDS Thrift 710 S. Fifth St. 215-922-3186 Second Fri: noon-4 p.m. Fourth Fri: noon-4 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Sat: noon-4 p.m. Second and fourth Sun: noon-4 p.m.

Planned Parenthood Elizabeth Blackwell Office 1211 Chestnut St. Suite 405 215-496-9696 Mon.-Wed.: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Thurs.: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri.: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Planned Parenthood Locust Office 1144 Locust St. 215-351-5560 Mon.: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues. & Thurs.: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Wed.: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri.: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. William Way LGBT Community Center 1315 Spruce St. 215-732-2220 Mon.: 4-7 p.m.

Youth Health Empowerment Project 1417 Locust St. third floor 215-564-6388

SOUTH/WEST PHILADELPHIA ActionAIDS West Office 3901 Filbert St. 215-243-2800 Fri.: 1-4 p.m. CHOP 3550 Market St. fourth floor 215-590-3537 Health Center #3 555 S. 43rd St. 215-685-7504

Health Center #4 4400 Haverford Ave. 215-685-7601/7654

Urban Solutions 1408 S. Broad St. first floor 215-755-6462

NORTH PHILADELPHIA Congreso 216 W. Somerset St. 215-763-8870 Walk-in hours Wednesday and Thursday Covenant House Health Services 251 E. Bringhurst St. 215-884-1020

Maria de los Santos Health Center 425 W. Allegheny Ave. 215-291-2500 PHMC Health Connection 1035 W. Berks St. 215-765-6690 Planned Parenthood Far Northeast 2751 Comly Road 215-464-2225 Mon.: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tues.: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed. and Fri.: noon-3 p.m. Sat.: noon-2 p.m. St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children 3601 A St. 215-427-5000

PGN

Family Foundation executive director Kent Ostrander said gay-rights activists have failed to demonstrate the need for a statewide law. Similar bills have died for years in the legislature.

Media Trail

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

HEALTH AND WELLNESS DIRECTORY

University to rebrand restrooms Utah man sues over marriage discrimination Twin Fall Times and News reports a Utah man says the college where he worked discriminated against him because he was in a same-sex marriage, denying his husband benefits and forcing him out of a job. Dustin Kennedy said in a new lawsuit that an administrator at the Salt Lake City-based Eagle Gate College acknowledged that the couple could have gotten benefits if they were heterosexual. Eagle Gate lawyer Christopher Snow says the school’s insurance company barred it from offering benefits to the couple because gay marriage wasn’t legal when Kennedy worked there between 2007-11. Kennedy said he has also filed a complaint against the for-profit college alleging gender discrimination. Utah has a new law barring discrimination based on sexual orientation, and officials say they’ve had three complaints since it went into effect in May.

Business coalition in Kentucky backs gay-rights bill WKYT reports gay-rights advocates in Kentucky are recruiting business support for statewide legislation aimed at protecting gays and bisexuals from discrimination in the workplace, in public places and housing. The advocates said Nov. 19 that nearly 200 businesses have joined the Kentucky Competitive Workforce Coalition in support of legislation being prepared for the 2016 General Assembly session. The announcement was made at the Louisville headquarters of spirits maker Brown-Forman Corp., one of Kentucky’s best-known companies. Democratic Sen. Morgan McGarvey said policies promoting inclusion would help recruit workers to Kentucky. McGarvey said the legislation would protect people from being fired simply “because of who you love.”

According to the Indianapolis Star, officials at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis have announced a plan to re-label 14 restrooms across campus as “All Gender.” The university announced the plan in a faculty newsletter Nov. 17. The school also plans a new center at Taylor Hall for LGBT students. Karen Dace is vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion. She saID the new restroom signs are in response to student feedback. The restrooms are single-occupancy and are similar to family restrooms found in some public facilities. The plan for the all-gender restrooms comes as Indiana lawmakers prepare to consider extending civil-rights protections to LGBT people while also carving out broad exemptions for religious institutions and some small businesses that object to working with gay people.

Salt Lake City elects first openly gay mayor CBS News reports former Utah lawmaker Jackie Biskupski has become the first openly gay mayor of Salt Lake City. Official election results released Nov. 17 show the 49-year-old Biskupski defeated two-term incumbent Ralph Becker. Her win marks a milestone for the LGBT community in the conservative state, even as the Mormon Church and a small-town judge delivered setbacks. A judge in Central Utah recently ordered a foster child to be removed from a lesbian couple and placed with a heterosexual couple, citing the well-being of the child. He later reversed his decision. Days earlier, the Mormon Church issued a new policy that bans baptisms for children of gay parents until the kids turn 18 and disavow same-sex relationships. Biskupski is not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and said she hopes the faith reconsiders the policy. n — compiled by Larry Nichols

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Off the Book

Irreverent musical comedy returns to Philly By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com “The Book of Mormon” is returning to town on its mission to have audiences rolling in the aisles through Dec. 27 at The Forrest Theatre. The satirical and often-profane musical comedy, written by “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, tells the story of two young Mormon missionaries who venture to a remote village in Uganda to spread the word. When the harsh reality of life in the war-torn country makes their mission difficult, the missionaries start making thing up as they go along to win over the locals. Out longtime ensemble cast member Eric Huffman said the show is especially pop-

ular during the holidays, noting it stands out among the many sentimental theatrical productions being staged this time of year. “For all those nice, wholesome family shows out there, there’s always that other family that doesn’t want to see your typical ‘White Christmas’-type musical,” he said. “There are groups that want to laugh and be raucous and have fun. It surprises me every year that the holiday crowds tend to be our best crowds because they are always in a better mood and they are wanting to see entertainment stuff and it’s not the typical work week for them. It’s holiday time.” If you’ve ever seen an episode of “South Park,” you know that Parker and Stone pull no punches when it comes to humor and satire. So it was no surprise, then, that when “The Book of Mormon” debuted on

Broadway in 2011 and toured the country the next year, some in the Mormon Church weren’t too pleased with the show. Huffman said that, over time, the controversy surrounding the show faded considerably. “I would say it’s dissipated, as much has changed over time,” Huffman said. “A lot of the initial people that didn’t like the show have kind of disappeared because they either were being ignored and realized no one was paying attention to them, or they saw the show and realized it’s not as bad as they thought it was. At the end of the day, the show is not anti-Mormon or anti-religion, as people were making it out to be. And once people started realizing that, it got a lot better. The Mormon Church is supportive of the show and the

people that don’t like the show now are people who don’t like the profanity aspect, and there will always be people who don’t like that.” It helped that the show focused on a religion that isn’t as mainstream in the United States as others, he added. If Parker and Stone had set their sights on a more popular faith, things would have been different. “I think it would be a lot more offensive to a lot more people,” Huffman said. “We had that discussion at rehearsal quite a bit. They could have picked any mainstream religion, like Judaism or Catholicism. Every religion has their own strange aspect to it that people just don’t think about because they are used to seeing it every day. With Mormonism, it is something that a lot of people don’t see, PAGE 38

FEATURE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

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so when you make fun of it or point out the odd stuff in it, it’s funny. If the show were about a more mainstream religion, the show wouldn’t be that different, but it would affect a lot more people.” Huffman said that despite any controversy the show might attract, being part of a wildly successful production like “The Book of Mormon” is a dream come true for any stage actor. “It’s fun to do a big upbeat show like this,” he said. “The audience likes it. I feel like I’m going to a rock concert when I go to work every day. We get ‘South Park’ fans nightly. That’s always fun because, for most of them, it’s their first musical-theater experience. But the humor is so geared towards them that it is perfect.” Huffman added the show is also attracting fans that are returning multiple times. “We have our fan groups that come to see the show 20 times,” he said. “It kind of baffles me. There are so many people who are normal people who don’t usually go see musicals. We’ll see them at the stage door and they’ll say it’s their second or third time [seeing the show]. Even that surprises me, that they’ll come and see a musical twice.” Usually popular musicals attract the same type of audience around the country, but Hoffman said the audience for “The Book of Mormon” changes drastically from city to city. “We learn a lot about different cities’ personalities just by the audiences’ reactions,” he said. “We can always tell within

the first three minutes of the show what kind it’s going to be. Sometimes they are really smart audiences and they get the deeper humor and the deeper meaning of stuff. Sometimes they just like the slapstick comedy. If it’s that kind of audience, we’ll play that stuff up that night.” One of the characters in the show that resonates with gay audience members is Elder McKinley, one of the church elders, who tries to deny his homosexuality in

order to conform to the church’s teachings. Huffman said gay Mormons relate to the show and that character in particular. “He’s a little bit too high-strung to be sympathetic but he’s a nice guy underneath,” Huffman said. “We’ve had multiple ex-Mormons in different cities come up and talk to us about leaving the church because of being gay and how watching the show really helps them and made them feel something good. It happens a lot.” n “The Book of Mormon” runs through Dec. 27 at Kimmel’s Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St. For more information or tickets, call 215-923-1515 or visit www.kimmelcenter.org.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

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PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

Suzi Nash

Nathan Townsend: Seasonal music for the season of giving December 1 is World AIDS Day. To commemorate the event, singer, songwriter, fashionista, survivor and activist Nathan Townsend is having a CD release party for his debut CD “My December Song” to benefit Philadelphia AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room. PGN: Where do your musical roots come from? NT: From my family. Everyone in my family sings and plays an instrument; I play piano. I have an amazing uncle, Steven Lumpkin, who can play every instrument. He’s the person I would call my mentor. I actually just took a picture of him playing his saxophone in the park last month. He’s like 80 years old and he’s still doing it. He plays jazz and everyone else in my family does gospel. I’ve been in the church all my life. Always in the choir and doing solos, [laughs] and the one to call if you needed someone to sing for a funeral or a wedding. PGN: Do you remember your first time performing in public? NT: Well, I know it was in church. I always knew I wanted to sing. I did that for many years culminating in this CD that I’m releasing Dec. 1. PGN: Tell me about the family make-up. NT: I had four sisters but one recently died from kidney cancer. She was my hero, she was the one who was there for me when I got sick. She’s proof that you don’t always know how the story is written. I’m the one who thought I’d been given a death sentence and yet three years ago she felt a mass in her back, went to get it checked and was told it was cancer. She had her kidney removed in September, died in May, just like that [snaps fingers], leaving three daughters. You just never know. PGN: Sheesh. Other than music, what traits have you inherited from your mother or father? NT: So I’ve been a fashion model, designer and writer. My father was very dapper; he wore silk suits and had a variety of stylish hats and ties, so I guess my fondness for haberdashery came from him. We look exactly alike. He was a chef and I grew up in the kitchen with him and my grandmother. I ran a catering business for several years so that came from him too. My mother didn’t know how to cook; my father had to teach her. But my mother is where I got my emotional side. This kind of stuff [holds up a $20 bill that he’s waiting to give to a client in need], she’d give her last dime to a stranger, always loving until it hurts. My father was an alcoholic and a womanizer but she stayed with him until he died from cirrhosis of the liver when I was 17. She taught me about

unconditional love, she took seriously her vows and stood through sickness ’til death did they part. She taught me how to love. PGN: What was a favorite family tradition? NT: They called my grandmother’s house The Big House and every Sunday she’d be in the kitchen cooking for whoever came over. We’d have the choir there, family, friends, you name it. She did that until she died in her 90s. We’re very family-centric and accepting. I love that about us. One Thanksgiving my younger cousin said, “Mom I have something to tell you ... I’m gay.” And she responded, “OK, now pass the greens.” We love unconditionally. PGN: I think the black community gets a rap for being LGBT intolerant but I think often when it comes to our own, we’re pretty accepting. NT: You read my mind! For instance, they’ll defend me to the death, but I’ve heard them make comments about other people. I’ve even heard my mother gossip about someone with AIDS ... “Yeah, I heard he got that thing ... ” [Laughs] And I’m like, “Mom! I got that thing.” PGN: Where did you grow up? NT: At 31st and Berks. I went to Olney High and then went to La Salle on a full pre-med scholarship. The summer after my first year was when my father died. I’d been working at the post office while I was in school and they offered me a higher position but it was during school hours. I ended up having to leave school my junior year to work full-time to support the family. PGN: When did you start doing fashion? NT: I started out as a model in runway competitions and started designing clothes for me to wear. Then I started giving shows and did the first fashion show for the city, which preceded Philadelphia Dresses the World. I also joined the International Men’s Fashion Association and my clothes were shown worldwide. PGN: Tell me about when you first came out. NT: I was 21 when I first went out to clubs but I’ve always been a same-gender-loving person. My boyfriends would stay at my house and it was never really talked about but it was never questioned. I remember one time I spent the night out and when I came home my mother said, “Stanley just called, I told him you were in the bathtub!” That’s how I knew she knew. She was trying to cover for me! PGN: [Laughs] That’s great. NT: I know, I was like daaaamn! OK, Mom! I wasn’t in the closet, but I was

very guarded about my sexuality. It wasn’t until my diagnosis that I was fully open, that I said the words. In some ways, having the disease has been very liberating. It reminds me that tomorrow is not promised, so whatever mark you’re going to make, make it now. PGN: Take me through what it was like back then getting the news. NT: It was 1984 and I was 34 years old. Back then the prognosis wasn’t good; there wasn’t a lot of information or medication. I was asymptomatic for 20 years, then in 2008 it made up for lost time; I got neutropenia and my whole immune system collapsed and I was told to get my affairs in order because there was nothing they could do. I was in the hospital for 40 days through the month of December — hence the name of my book, “My December Song.” Then I moved to New Hope to hide and to die. But guess what? Somehow I survived and thrived and reinvented myself. I realized

PGN: And the day you were told you were positive? NT: I was someone who was always in a relationship and I was in one at the time. I was living in South Philadelphia and as a couple having unprotected sex we thought we’d do the right thing and get tested. I was fully expecting a negative result and they came in and told my partner that he was negative but told me that they needed to talk to me. I was like, “Really? What do you need to talk to me about?” And then they told me I was positive. At that time we were right in the middle of all the hysteria, all the panic and angst. They weren’t even using the term AIDS; it was still referred to as ARC, AIDS-related complex, but I had to find out what it meant for me. I just remember thinking, OK, I came into this building and got a test and a result, but I don’t feel any different than this morning. Why should I act any different? That’s how I coped. What did affect me were the medicines, which caused projectile vomiting and diarrhea and other horrendous side effects ... having to crush medicine up at work and sneak it into my orange juice, hiding it like I was some kind of addict. In 1999, I went on disability from the post office and sold my life insurance because I thought I was dying. I saw people who looked healthier than me just disappearing. It was a sad time. The vanity in me said that if I got visibly sick, I’d move away but when I did get really sick, suddenly none of that mattered. All my ego went out the window and all I wanted to do was be around loved ones. I became a new person.

PGN: And you lived in Bucks County at the facility you now manage. NT: Yes, Bucks Villa. It’s a home for people with HIV/ AIDS. They were a life saver. One year after moving in there I gave a speech Photo: Suzi Nash that all of those superficial things that for World AIDS Day and I was searching for didn’t mean anyit changed my life, gave thing. Because I was always searching for me a whole new career as a motivational something bigger, something better; no speaker. Now I teach ad-hoc classes on matter what I accomplished I wasn’t sathuman sexuality and embracing who you isfied. I catered for the mayor, I catered are at Bucks County Community College. for Arlen Specter, I designed clothes for One of the things that concerns me is figRandall Cunningham and actor Mario uring out what is gay these days, what Van Peebles and each time I did someis our culture, where is our community? thing big I felt nothing. It wasn’t until I We’re more than pomp and circumstance started affecting other people’s lives did I and pageantry, and we need to develop and realize what my true value was. discover who we are PAGE 50

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

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

U Bar 1220 Locust St. 215.546.6660

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

ICandy

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

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PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

PGN

CHRISTMAS DEC 4-22, 2015 VERIZON HALL • THE KIMMEL CENTER It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Experience the true magic of the season with Philadelphia’s most treasured holiday musical tradition. Join internationally celebrated conductor David Charles Abell, back by popular demand for the third year, as he leads you through an all-new program of Christmas classics. This spectacular lineup of exciting musical arrangements features guest vocalist Lisa Vroman, renowned for her role as Christine in Broadway’s Phantom, over 300 remarkable musicians and choir members, including The Philly POPS Festival Chorus, and the ever-popular audience sing-along — as well as some surprises your whole family will enjoy! David Charles Abell, guest conductor

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

Local writers explore Fairmount Fired Park in new book

up for Felici

By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com

The long and fascinating history of Fairmount Park is hitting bookshelves with “City in a Park.” Written by freelance writer James McClelland and Temple University professor and author Lynn Miller, the book features more than 150 photos chronicling the 200-year-old network of parks that originated in the 19th century as a civic effort to provide a clean water supply to Philadelphia. “We’ve both been Philadelphians for a long time, more than half a century,” Miller said of his and McClelland’s reasons for wanting to write the book. “Naturally, we know something about the parks. We’re fascinated with what we did know. James proposed the idea of the book about four years ago to me and at first I was cool to the idea. But when we talked about it, I realized it was a really rich subject and I would get a good deal of pleasure learning more about it.” McClelland and Miller said the book is a great opportunity for Philadelphians to see the park’s evolution over the years and discover some of its more unique qualities. “Most people think of Fairmount Park just as that patch of land along the Schuylkill,” McClelland said. “In fact, it has grown to 11,000 acres today and also includes a lot of community parks. There’s a lot to discover in the parks.”

“The Water Works is like nothing else in the country, still preserved and restored,” Miller added. “The park houses, strictly by coincidence, were built a century before the park was started and no other park in the country has this kind of collection of wonderful 18th-century country houses. And we have more public art in Philadelphia than any other city in the country.” Besides inspiring readers to discover more about the parks, McClelland and Miller hope the book will inspire people to push for increased funding for the city’s parks. “Philadelphia was low on the totem pole,” McClelland said about Philadelphia’s park funding compared to other major cities. “And that has changed dramatically. The parks get far more money than they used to get. It’s a great opportunity to keep supporting the park, even with small amounts of money.” “The last chapters of the book were in some respects the biggest pleasure to write because that is where we really discovered the parks are far from dying out,” Miller added. “They are, in fact, being renewed in spite of the fact that there are always funding problems. We now have long-term goals like we haven’t had before, the city does, and we give Mayor Nutter considerable credit for his attention to the parks.” n James McClelland and Lynn Miller host a signing for “City in a Park” 5 p.m. Dec. 1 at Barnes & Noble, Rittenhouse Square, 1805 Walnut St. For more information, call 215665-0716.

With Thanksgiving weekend upon us, and the Christmas/Hanukkah/ Kwanza season pretty much in full swing, you’ll probably soon be so over the foods associated with the holidays (turkey, stuffing, gravy, leftovers, etc.). So what better time to discover a new pizza place? After making a name for themselves in the city with their excellent Mexican Feliz restaurants (Cantina Feliz, La Calaca Feliz and Taqueria Feliz), Tim Spinner and Brian Sirhal are venturing out into the bustling northern suburbs and exploring Italian fare with Pizzeria Felici, 303 Horsham Road, a modern and casual space specializing in wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza. Felici also offers pasta and small plates to round out the menu. The antipasti menu has some brilliant dishes like the fried gnoccheti ($7.95), a fried ball of pasta, sun-dried tomatoes and fontina served up with pesto aoli. Crispy on the outside, the dish has a creamy and flavorful refined mac-and-cheese consistency on the inside. The wood-roasted octopus ($12.95) had the perfect sear, leaving it tender on the inside. The addition of fried gnocchi and blood-orange marmalade gives the dish some bright flavors and textures to compliment the octopus. The Tuscan kale salad ($7.95) was hearty, with the black-pepper yogurt dressing spicing it up and roasted apples balancing it out with a light sweetness. But it’s the pizza that brings people to the doors of Pizzeria Felici, and with good reasons. Their pizzas strike a balance

between traditional flavors and some inventive combinations. For more traditional tastes, Felici offers Margherita ($11.95), pepperoni ($13.95) and meatball ($14.95). But for something a bit more complex, there is the Njuda pizza ($13.95), with red onion and spicy salami, a more aggressive take on a pepperoni pizza. Then there is the excellent San Jose ($14.95) pizza, with fried chicken skin, kale and smoked mozzarella. We don’t know why we didn’t consider putting fried chicken skin on a pizza before, but now we’re thinking how we can include it in future pizza ideas. It also must be noted that customers can add more traditional toppings to Felici pizzas like anchovies, mushrooms, Italian sausage and extra cheese, upon request. Pizzeria Felici is an excellent addition to the Feliz family of restaurants. We can’t wait to see where they go and what they do next. n

If you go: Pizzeria Felici 303 Horsham Road Horsham, PA 19044 215-323-4530

Sun.-Thurs.: 4-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.: 4-11 p.m. www.pizzeriafelici.com

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN

Tom Hardy brings twin gangsters back to life By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor “Everyone has a story about the Krays,” says Frances Shea (Emily Browning), who narrates “Legend,” a stylish, violent and at times drolly funny film about the blood-thirsty twin “gangster princes” of 1960s London. The film opened at the Ritz Theater this week. Writer/director Brian Helgeland (“L.A. Confidential”) puts Tom Hardy in the double role of the Krays — Ronnie the gay one and Reggie the straight one — and the actor is distinctive in both parts. Reggie is a handsome charmer who effortlessly impresses Frances, while running London’s underworld with an iron fist. Ronnie is more high-strung, and with fewer social skills; he speaks bluntly and acts violently, without care for consequences. As the film shows, he has been sprung from a mental institution (after putting fear into the doctor who declares him sound) and exhibits conditions including paranoia and schizophrenia. “Legend” recounts the Krays’ criminal mischief, which includes ear-biting and hammer-wielding fights with rival gangsters, as well as a prison stint for Reggie, which puts a strain on his relationship with Frances. The twins also wage an elaborate extortion campaign involving both parties in Parliament being photographed at an orgy Ronnie hosted. The result, which freed the brothers from a possible prison sentence, made them “untouchable.” Helgeland presents these events with brio, making this an entertaining film but not an especially deep one. The psychological insight seems especially slight. When Ronnie meets Frances for the first time, he tells her he is a homosexual, and “a giver,” adding, “You shouldn’t hide what you are.” And the hotheaded Ron doesn’t, wrecking havoc in a bar when a rival gangster calls him a “poof,” or shocking Philadelphia gangster Angelo Bruno (Chazz Palminteri) by expressing his tastes in various men. However, it is disappointing that Ronnie’s sexual relationship with Mad Teddy Smith (Taron Egerton) is relegated to a line of dialogue or two. Ronnie’s loose-cannon nature is part of what makes him so vicious, and a subplot involving a private war Ronnie wages against Leslie Payne (David Thewlis), a financial manager for the Krays, shows the lengths he will go to wield his control. But where the Krays’ twin powers of intelligence and intimidation come from is not clearly addressed in the film, which is a distinct drawback. “Legend” mostly focuses on Ronnie and Frances’ co-dependence on the loyal Reggie, and how it affects each of them. Had the film been told from the twins’ alternating points of view, it might have been stronger. Instead, by having an outsider, Frances, provide the voice-over, it emphasizes Reggie trying to please his girlfriend/wife by promising (and

repeatedly failing) to go straight and be free and above board, while Ronnie wants Reggie to get back into the gangster-twin mode. This push-pull dynamic does not generate sufficient dramatic tension in the film, and makes the film lopsided. Therefore, Reggie’s character is defined by moments such as an intense scene where he acts sexually violent towards Frances; a knock-down, drag-out fight with his brother when Reggie returns from a prison stint; and denying Bruno’s request to get Reggie to work with him alone. Perhaps Reggie’s character is most distinctive when he admits he has to kill someone because he can’t kill his brother. But putting Reggie at the apex of this “love triangle” dilutes the power of the double-barreled story. Regardless, the film has some strong moments. A key episode has Ronnie murdering an underworld rival, George Cornell (Shane Attwooll), in cold blood at a bar, and then going home to mom (Jane Wood) for tea. Reggie soon turns up and cleans up the mess. He is loyal to his brother, even though he frustrates him. Moreover, the Cornell murder reinvigorates Scotland Yard and Detective “Nipper” Read (Christopher Eccleston) to resume pursuit of the Krays, who strike fear in the hearts of everyone they meet — such as a barmaid who witnesses Ronnie committing the murder. These scenes crackle, even if the film fails to capture the tension of the noose tightening around the brothers’ necks as they make a series of increasingly bad moves. “Legend” often sacrifices substance for style, as Hegleland recreates 1960s London with verve, but not heart. The scenes set in the various nightclubs and bars transport viewers, but the film itself never quite engages emotionally. It becomes hard to care about the twins succeeding as they repeatedly harm folks physically or psychologically along the way. Nevertheless, Hardy gives a bravura performance as Ronnie and Reggie, alternating between playing love-struck and hyper-violent. The actor strikes just the right note of menace in both Kray characters, and excels at showing Ronnie’s tender side. Hardy also has a great chemistry with Browning, who makes Frances’ emotional pain palpable. She also looks fabulous in the vintage clothes and hair. “Legend” is not the definitive film about the gangsters — Peter Medak’s 1990 film “The Krays” is stronger — but this story is worthwhile despite its flaws. n

FRESH JAMS: WDAS gets the holidays rolling in grand fashion when it hosts its Holiday Jam concert, featuring an impressive line of R&B superstars, including Jill Scott, New Edition (pictured), SWV and Tyrese, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 28 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-389-9543.

Theater & Arts Audubon to Warhol: The Art of American Still Life Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a survey of American still life in three decades through Jan. 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery A comedy-thriller based on the classic sleuth, Nov. 27-Dec. 27 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215985-0420. Billy Elliot Media Theatre presents the story of one boy’s passion for ballet over the boxing ring through Jan. 3, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-8910100. The Book of Mormon The blockbuster musical comedy about the misadventures of a pair of missionaries sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word, through Dec. 27 at Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St.; 215-923-1515.

A Christmas Story, The Musical The holiday musical comedy tells the beloved story of a boy and his quest for a BB gun through Jan. 10 at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.; 215-5743550.

Genghis Khan: Bring the Legend to Life The Franklin Institute presents the story of one of the world’s greatest leaders through Jan. 3, 20th Street and the Parkway; www. fi.edu.

The Complete Firebird The Philadelphia Orchestra performs French compositions Dec. 3-5 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-7905800.

I’ll Be Home for Christmas Spectacular The Philly Pops perform an evening of Christmas classics, Dec. 4-22 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies The Philly Pops perform the scores from popular Disney films 3 p.m. Nov. 28 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Judah Friedlander The comedian performs Dec. 2-5 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.

Dom Irrera The comedian performs Nov. 27-28 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.

Matilda: The Musical The musical based on the beloved novel, through Nov. 29 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

A Drag Queen with a Very Large … Vocabulary The Kimmel Center presents Martha Graham Cracker performing theatrical songs 8 p.m. Dec. 4 at SEI Innovation Studio, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Multitude, Solitude: The Photographs of Dave Heath Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of the acclaimed photographer’s black-andwhite pictures of the

1950s and 1960s through Feb. 21, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. PGMC Concert: Bells, Brass and the Boys The holiday concert showcases traditional holiday music Dec. 3-5 at Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, 2111 Sansom St.; 215567-3668. Rachmaninoff’s Paganini Rhapsody The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Nov. 27-28 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Side Show Penn Players presents Bill Russel and Henry Kreiger’s story about performing conjoined twins with opposing dreams for their lives, Dec. 3-5 at Harold Prince Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215898-3900. This Is The Week That Was 1812 Productions brings back the city’s hottest political comedy Nov. 27-Dec. 31 at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; 215-592-9560.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

‘Matilda’ waltzes into Philly

ALL HAIL THE DRAG QUEEN: The Kimmel Center presents “A Drag Queen with a Very Large ... Vocabulary,” an evening of theater songs performed by Philly drag superstar Martha Graham Cracker, 8 p.m. Dec. 4 at SEI Innovation Studio, 260 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-790-5800.

Work on What You Love: Bruce Mau Rethinking Design Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of designs by the acclaimed commercial artist through April 3, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. The Wrath of the Gods: Masterpieces by Rubens, Michelangelo, and Titian Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring paintings and the creative processes of some of art history’s most important figures through Jan. 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Music August Burns Red The metal band performs 6:30 p.m. Nov. 27 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215922-1011. Jill Hennessy The singer-songwriter performs

8 p.m. Dec. 2 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. The Sword The hard-rock band performs 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888.

Nightlife ChariTdance Presents: BLACKLIGHT The underground EDM and house dance party starts at 9 p.m. Nov. 27 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675. Shea Butter Brunch: Soul Sistahs “Drag Wars” cycle 6 winner VinChelle (aka Shea Butter Werk) hosts the festivities 11 a.m. Nov. 29 at Smokin’ Betty’s, 116 S. 11th St.; 215-9226500. Mr. Everything Season 3: OPENING NIGHT! Sixteen male-identified performers will battle it out 9 p.m. Dec. 2 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675.

Outta Town Earth, Wind & Fire The R&B group performs 8 p.m. Nov. 27-28 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. The Machine The Pink Floyd tribute band performs 8 p.m. Nov. 27 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650. The Fantastic Mr. Fox The animated film is screened 2 p.m. Nov. 28 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-1228. Almost Queen The Queen tribute band performs 8 p.m. Nov. 28 at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple

Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5858. Iron Butterfly The classic-rock band performs 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5858. Doctor Zhivago The classic film is screened 2 p.m. Nov. 29 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-1228. 1964 … The Tribute The Beatles tribute band performs 8 p.m. Dec. 4 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650. Rare Exports The dark fantasy-holiday film is screened 9:45 p.m. Dec. 4 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228. n

Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Out & About Listings, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 fax: 215-925-6437; or e-mail: listings@epgn.com. Notices cannot be taken over the phone.

Photos: Joan Marcus

By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Being naughty is nice this holiday season when “Matilda: The Musical” comes to town, through Nov. 29 at the Academy of Music. Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, who also wrote the kids’ classic “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Matilda” tells the story of the titular character, a brilliant 5-year-old girl who has to overcome obstacles both at school and at home to find happiness. Out actor Jaquez Andre Sims plays the role of Rudolpho in the production, a friend of Matilda’s neglectful and self-absorbed mother. “He is Mrs. Wormwood’s dance instructor,” Sims said. “Rudolpho has a self-affirmed, overly self-confident image and he really prides himself on his image and being that macho-male salsa dancer. And he also gets his confidence by putting down others.” Sims said the Tony Award-winning play is attracting fans of the classic book as well as the 1996 film adaption of the novel. “I’m finding there are a lot of people connected to the film, which is inspired by the book,” he said. “It definitely has a cross-generational appeal. There are a lot of children in the cast but, unlike most musicals with lots of children in the cast, it takes a darker approach. So there’s something for everyone. There’s great fun and upbeat numbers. There’s also people with a dark edge that kind of scares some of the children who come to see the show but entertain a lot of the adults. So it’s a great show for a broad section of people.” Sims said Matilda’s unflappable spirit and self-determination make the show resonate with audiences around the world. “A lot of people feel kind of helpless about what is going on and feel like there are things that they can’t really change,” he

said about current events. “There’s a saying in the show, ‘Even if you are little, you can go a lot.’ And that holds true throughout the show. Matilda is a young girl coming up from a family who does not want their child. But she makes so much change in her school and her life just by being strong and

forthcoming with her ideas and embracing her differences.” Sims added that Matilda can also be seen as an inspiration to the LGBT community. “She’s faced with so much adversity from birth,” he said. “Her family sees her genius as something negative and something they need to change. I feel like we in the LGBT community face inherent adversity, which is definitely systematic. Matilda’s story affirms that being different is strength and not a weakness.” n Broadway Philadelphia presents “Matilda: The Musical” through Nov. 29 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

PORTRAIT from page 41

in 2015. We have gay marriage and antidiscrimination laws, but who are we? And how do we help those coming up behind us with their identities as LGBT people? That’s what my work in the future is going to focus on. PGN: I read that they helped you overcome your fear of asking for help. NT: Yes, when I was in the hospital I was the HR manager for a big company. After I got out of the hospital, I lost my job and benefits. I started selling my stuff to buy my medicine; I sold my suits, my furniture, my artwork, everything. My mother kept saying, “Go to welfare and get some help.” But that wasn’t me. I went through my 401k, all of it until I ran out and hit rock bottom. Then I realized that that’s what those programs are there for. I never did welfare, but I applied for Social Security benefits and got them without a problem; [laughs] they probably thought I’d only live to cash a couple of checks! And now I manage the place where I moved to die. Being at the Villa for so long helps the new people coming in who have been just diagnosed and have the same fatal mentality that I did. They’re scared and feeling all doom and gloom but can point to me and say, OK, there is hope. PGN: You mentioned that you were asymptomatic; what were the pros and cons of that? NT: The pros are that you can blend and hide. The cons are ... that you can blend and hide. By hiding your status you’re not being respectful of other people. You’re not necessarily sharing your status and giving back or making a contribution because you’re blending and hiding. It was unspoken that if someone didn’t ask your status, then they were too. There was a denial and a lack of responsibility. Eventually coming to grips with it made me a better person. Sometimes you need a broken you to become a better you. Now I concern myself with everything I do and how it affects people. PGN: And what do you do now? NT: I’m a speaker with Merck Pharmaceuticals; they contract me to present their programs. I manage the Villa, I commentate on fashion shows, I do motiva-

tional speaking and I have this great CD and show coming up on Dec. 1. It’s all songs about love, coming from the perspective of loving a same-gendered person. By the way, I’m donating every digital download to Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room, so if 1,000 people download the songs, all that money goes to them. If a million people download, it will still go to them. PGN: I understand that a lot of the songs are about loneliness? NT: Yes, I’ve had four major lovers in my life and all four have died, the last one about 10 years ago. The last 10 years have been the loneliest in my life. I’d been working so much that I didn’t even realize that it was taking up so much of my life that when I stopped doing so many speaking engagements, meeting with people to drive them to the doctor or like the young man today giving them money for the bus, taking suicide calls, there was nothing left. Age and HIV both also play a big part in that loneliness. I never thought I’d live long, so I never prepared to be old. I’ll be 62 in a few months and I didn’t prepare for this part of my life. I didn’t strive for that white picket fence and a dog because I wasn’t supposed to be here. I believed what they said. PGN: Then why are you grinning? NT: Because I met someone! He’s 27 and beautiful [jumps up and does a happy dance]. It happened out of nowhere last summer. You want to hear something sad, though? I apologetically prayed to God for a lover. Most people would just pray, “Dear God, please send me somebody to love.” But even after all these years, I was questioning asking him, for love because it was a man. Still! But he answered my prayers. He was on my Facebook and his birthday is the same as my sister who died, so I sent him a happy birthday message. He got in contact and I thought maybe he was after something, and he said that he was ... he was after what I could teach him. He’s also HIV-positive and open about it, which was a fear of mine: that I’d find someone who didn’t want me to be so vocal about my status for fear they’d be guilty by association. But he’s just ... gosh, is it hot in

PGN

here? [Laughs] I’m getting the vapors just talking about him. PGN: You’re funny. Let’s do some random questions. Someone you miss from childhood? NT: My grandmother. She was all that. She also taught me how to love and how special I was. It saddens me that every family is not like ours, where everyone is loved and supported. It’s why I try to give back as much as I can. The young man who came by is a former health-department client who is a sex worker and he talks to me because he knows I will listen. When he’s in trouble, locked up or gets an STD, he calls me. I sometimes get tired of it but if I don’t help, who will? I gave him $20; it’s not a fortune but he asked for cash to get to an appointment and I gave him a little more. It’s important to care when it’s not cute, when it’s not pretty. We need to care when things get ugly. That’s what I do: I’m there when it gets ugly. PGN: What was the most unusual speaking engagement? NT: I’ll tell you the hardest. When I got started I was in Bucks County and it was for mostly white audiences, people I didn’t know, and I was the darling. Then one day I was asked to speak in Philadelphia and I panicked. I thought, Oh no, I might know somebody there. But then I realized, This is what you do, how dare you insulate yourself like that? They’d asked me to sing too and when I got to the place, the guy who was MC’ing saw that the audience was filled with people from my church. He told me I could skip the speech and just sing but I said no, that it was time to tell my truth. It was the first time people who knew me, who knew me from a “better” life, would hear of my brokenness. I sang “My Soul Has Been Anchored in the Lord,” and people were crying and they all came and hugged me and loved me. PGN: Motto? NT: Never confuse your adversity with your identity. Your adversity is only for a season and you are not what you’ve been through or what you are going through. n To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.

Q Puzzle Patrician literature Across

1. “Funny Girl”’s Fanny 6. Soccer legend 10. Initiated phone sex 14. “Hot dog!” 15. Russian sea 16. Spread out on the breakfast table 17. Part of a “Tommy” lyric 18. Blaringly colorful 19. Jazz singer Anita 20. With 48-Across, she has the title role in “Carol” 21. Portrayer of Therese Belivet in “Carol” 23. Like a muscle Mary’s waist 25. Hit the books hard 26. Patricia, who wrote the novel of this puzzle 30. Sail supports 34. Gide’s soul 35. Caesar’s post-orgasm cry? 36. Canvas covering 37. Fourth of

the Stooges’ threesome 39. Auberjonois on “Deep Space Nine” 41. Liza’s ex Allen 42. Needle dropper 43. Part of San Francisco’s BART 45. Pinch opening? 46. Dandy’s footwear 48. See 20-Across 50. Arthur of the AIDS Quilt 52. Ballet dancer’s skirt 53. With 57-Across, novel on which “Carol” is based 57. See 53-Across 61. “Uh-huh” 62. Othello was one 63. “Boys Don’t Cry” actress Sevigny 64. Coin for Kahlo 65. Prefix with science 66. “Amadeus” star 67. Baltic Sea tributary 68. “___ Horny” (2 Live Crew hit) 69. Race site in Britten’s land

Down

1. Fruit with a peel 2. Carla portrayer on “Cheers” 3. Sceptic’s response 4. O’Neill’s “The Iceman ___” 5. “Queer ___ for the Straight Guy” 6. Golden stallion 7. Suffix with smack 8. Send toward Uranus 9. Old-timer 10. Rose to Dorothy, on “Golden Girls” 11. Gallo portrayer in “And the Band Played On” 12. Songwriter Holly 13. Maja

painter 21. What a hoar! 22. Tasty tuber 24. Say whether or not you’re coming 26. Door attachments 27. Bottom line? 28. Susan’s partner in “Thelma and Louise” 29. Like some pools 31. Debussy contemporary Erik 32. A Lott of Mississippi 33. Jack, who licked it clean 38. “All the world’s a stage,” for example. 40. “I Am Harvey Milk,” for one

41. Warsaw agreement 44. “No mo’!” to Gomer 47. Cold War abbreviation 48. Turn into 49. Stonewall it 51. Words mouthed to a camera 53. “Equal justice under law,” to a gay basher 54. What you pay to a master 55. Make less difficult to bear 56. Years on end 58. Start of a Shakespearean title 59. Nuts 60. Overflow 63. “Evita” role for Antonio or Mandy

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

Classifieds All real-estate advertising is subject to Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended. Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability). PGN will not knowingly accept any realestate advertising that is in violation of any applicable law.

PGN does not accept advertising that is unlawful, false, misleading, harmful, threatening, abusive, invasive of another’s privacy, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, hateful or racially or otherwise objectionable, including without limitation material of any kind or nature that encourages conduct that could constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any applicable local, state, provincial, national or international law or regulation, or encourage the use of controlled substances.

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© MMVI Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Les Bords de l’Epte a Giverny, used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated, Except Offices Owned And Operated By NRT Incorporated.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

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WEEKLY SPECIALS:

SUNDAY RELIEF

Half Price Rooms & Lockers (6am Sunday till 8am Monday) ROOMS: Members: $12.50 and Non-Members: $22.50 LOCKERS: Members: $9.00 and Non-Members: $19.00

MONDAY thru FRIDAY: (8am to 4pm) Business Mans Locker Special 4 hour lockers Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00 TUESDAYS

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Thursday, November 26th, 2015 Close: 9am Re-Open: 12 Midnight

Half Price Rooms (6am till 12 Midnight) Members: $12.50 and Non-Members: $22.50

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY NIGHT CRUISE $12 Flat Rate for Locker Admission & Clothing Optional (4pm-12 Midnight)

SATURDAY AFTERNOON DELIGHT 4 Hour Lockers (8am - 4pm) Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00

Check out our website for our WEEKLY SPECIALS & JOIN OUR e-mail List to get the latest information on upcoming events....

www.sansomstreetgym.com

BIGGER, BETTER & MORE ENTERTAINING EVENTS...

PGN

Activism/Politics

ACT-UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) meets 6-9 p.m. Mondays at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; 215-386-1981, www.actupphilly.org. Delaware Valley Chapter, Americans United for Separation of Church and State seeks activists and supporters of church-state separation. Holds monthly meetings and events; www.dvau.org. Equality Pennsylvania holds a volunteer night 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month, 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 605; 215-731-1447, www.equalitypa.org. Green Party of Philadelphia holds general meetings 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month, except August and December; 215-243-7103, www.gpop.org. Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club meets seasonally; www.libertycity.org.

Arts

Library Book Club meets to discuss a new book 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at William Way. Men On Tap, an LGBT group that performs with choirs, organizations and at the Fringe Festival, rehearses 8 p.m. Mondays at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.; dale@ magicalfantasies.com. Philadelphia Freedom Band, an audition-free LGBT band that does concerts and parades, rehearses 7-9:30 p.m. Mondays; philadelphiafreedomband.com. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus rehearses 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays; 215-731-9230, auditions@pgmc.org. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Opera Club meets to share and listen to recordings 6:30 p.m. the last Saturday of the month; 215-732-7898. Philadelphia Voices of Pride, Philadelphia’s first mixed LGBT chorus, rehearses 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at William Way; www.pvop.org. Queer Writer’s Collective workshop and discussion group meets 3-5 p.m. the fourth Saturday of the month at William Way. Reading Queerly, open to all women and genderqueer/ trans people, meets 6:45 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.

Recreation

Gay Bridge Club non-beginners group meets Monday 2-5 p.m. at William Way; reservations required. Call 215732-2220. Gay-friendly Scrabble Club meets 5:30-10:30 p.m. at Abner’s Steaks, 38th and Chester streets; 215-382-0789. Humboldt Society: Lesbian and Gay Naturalists meets 7:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at William Way; 215-985-1456, www.humboldtsociety.org. Independence Squares LGBT square-dance club, modern Western square dancing hosts an open house and Tuesday classes in the fall at Lutheran Church, 2111 Sansom St.; philadances@gmail.com, www.independencesquares.org. Male Oenophile Group forming to discuss, appreciate and taste various wines. Will meet once a month to investigate the nuances and glories of the fermented grape; 267-2306750. Mornings OUT LGBT Senior Social activities for senior gay men are held 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays at William Way. PhilaVentures, Philadelphia’s LGBT outdoor group, meets for hikes in Wissahickon Valley and Valley Forge Park; philaventures.org.

Sports

Brandywine Women’s Rugby Club meets for practice at p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Greenfield Park, West Chester; www.brandywinerugby.org. City of Brotherly Love Softball League serves the Philadelphia metropolitan area with games on Sundays, beginning in April, at the Dairy and Edgeley Fields in Fairmount Park; www.cblsl.org. Frontrunners running club meets 9:30 a.m. Saturdays for a run and brunch at Lloyd Hall, No. 1 Boathouse Row; www.philadelphiafrontrunners.org. Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club, open to LGBT and allies, practices 8-10 p.m. Mondays and 2-4 p.m. Saturdays; www.falcons-soccer.org. Philadelphia Fins Swim Team, open to male and female swimmers, meets 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Friends Select School and 10:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays; www.philadelphia-fins.org. Philadelphia Gay Bowling League meets 8 p.m. Wednesdays September-April at South Bowl, 19 E. Oregon

Ave.; 856-889-1434, philagaybowling@yahoo.com. Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League plays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays at FDR Park; www.phillyflagfootball.com Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Football Club, open to players of all skill levels, meets 7:45 p.m. Thursdays at Columbus Square Park, 1200 Wharton St.; 215-913-7531, philadelphiagryphons.org, becomeagryphon@gmail.com. Philadelphia Liberty Belles women’s semi-pro full-tackle football league holds fall tryouts; phillybelles.com. Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association plays yearround, all skill levels welcome; philadelphialibertytennis. com. Philadelphia Firebirds women’s football team seeks players; www.philadelphiafirebirds.com. Philadelphia Women’s Baseball League seeks players, all skill levels and ages. Practice is 7 p.m. Thursdays at Marian Anderson Recreation Center, 17th and Fitzwater streets, with games at 2:30 p.m. Sundays; 215-991-5995 (day), 301-919-1194 (evening), phillywomensbaseball. com. Philly Gay Hockey Association Philadelphia Phury seeks players; 917-656-1936, phury@gayhockey.org. Philly QCycle LGBT bicycling club promotes organized recreational riding for all levels in the Greater Philadelphia region; contact the organization via Facebook. Rainbow Riders of the Delaware Valley motorcycle club meets regularly; 215-836-0440, www.groups.yahoo.com/ group/rainbowridersdv/. Rainbow Rollers gay and lesbian bowling league meets 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays at Boulevard Lanes in Northeast Philadelphia; rainbowrollers.com. Spartan Wrestling Club gay wrestling team meets 6:30-9 p.m. Mondays at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.; 215-732-4545, www.phillyspartans.com.

Etc.

AIDS Law Project provides free legal assistance to people with HIV/AIDS and sponsors free monthly seminars on work and housing at 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 600; 215587-9377, www.aidslawpa.org. BiUnity, Philadelphia-area social and support network for bisexuals, their family members and friends; http://biunity. org. Delaware Valley Pink Pistols, for LGBT people dedicated to legal, safe and responsible use of firearms for self-defense, meets 1 p.m. the third Sunday of the month at The Gun Range, 542 N. Percy St.; 610-879-2364; www.pinkpistolsdelval.org. Delaware Pride holds planning meetings 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the United Church of Christ, 300 Main St., Newark; 302-265-3020, delawarepride.org. Haverford College’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance holds open meetings 10-11 p.m. Mondays during the school year in the lounge in Jones Basement at Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave.; 610-896-4938. Men and Women for Human Excellence support group meets from noon-2 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of the month at 26th Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue; 267-2733513, cmoore8300@yahoo.com. Long Yang Club Philadelphia, social organization for gay Asians and their friends, holds monthly socials; www. longyangclub.org/philadelphia. Our Night Out, a casual social networking party of LGBT professionals, friends and colleagues, meets in a different Philadelphia hot spot each month. To receive monthly event invitations, email OurNightOutPhilly@gmail.com; more information on Facebook. Philadelphia Bar Association Legal Advice offered 5-8 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month; 215-238-6333. Philadelphia Prime Timers club for mature gay and bisexual men and their admirers meets regularly; primetimersofphiladelphia@yahoo.com. Philadelphians MC Club, for leather men and women, meets 7:30 p.m. the first and third Monday of the month at The Pit at The Bike Stop, 201 S. Quince St.; philadelphiansmc.org. Rainbow Amateur Radio Association ARRL-affiliated, weekly HF nets, quarterly newsletter; www.rara.org. Silver Foxes, a social and educational group for gays and lesbians 50 and older, meets 3-5 p.m. the fourth Sunday of the month at William Way; 215-732-2220. SNJ Queers meets monthly for queer/queer-friendly folks in South Jersey to mix and mingle; 856-375-3708, wmf69@comast.net.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

Community Bulletin Board Community centers

■ The Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 4-8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-Friday. ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St., 215-898-5044, center@dolphin. upenn.edu. Regular hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. MondayThursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

■ ActionAIDS: 215-981-0088

■ Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. Activities held 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays.

■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220, www.waygay.org. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday Library: noon-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Volunteers: New Orientation, first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

Key numbers

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

■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org

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

■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 n The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 215-496-0330

■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK ■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBT-LAW; Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658 ■ Office of LGBT Affairs — Director Nellie Fitzpatrick: 215-6860330; helen.fitzpatrick@phila.gov

■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel: 215-6863318 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-760-3686 (Rick Lombardo); ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833 ■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: 215-686-4670

Health

Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 216 W. Somerset St.; 215-763-8870. ActionAIDS Provides a range of programs for people affected by HIV/ AIDS, including case management, prevention, testing and education services at 1216 Arch St.; 215-981-0088, www. actionaids.org. GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; 215-851-1822 or 866-222-3871, www.galaei.org. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays (walk-in) and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays (by appointment) at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215685-1821. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite

■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia Board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; free referral service at 215-6279090, www.galloplaw.org. ■ Independence Business Alliance Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, providing networking, business development, marketing, educational and advocacy opportunities for LGBT and LGBT-friendly busi-

108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Mazzoni Center LGBTQ counseling and behavioral health services, HIV/ AIDS care and services, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652, www. mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronic-disease management, including comprehensive HIV care, as well as youth drop-in (ages 14-24) 5-7p.m. Wednesdays; 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Philadelphia FIGHT Comprehensive AIDS service organization providing primary care, consumer education, advocacy and research on potential treatments and vaccines; 1233 Locust St.; 215985-4448; www.fight.org. Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center Free, rapid HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 pm. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

Professional groups nesses and professionals; 215557-0190, www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com. ■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and students, meets for social and networking events; www.nlgja.org/ philly; philly@nlgja.org.

■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus Regional organization dedicated to promoting LGBT tourism to the Greater Philadelphia region, meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; 215-8402039, www.philadelphiagaytourism.com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2015

PGN

WE FOCUS ON HIV TO HELP YOU FOCUS ON

TODAY

Ask your doctor if a medicine made by Gilead is right for you.

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