PGN Dec. 7-13, 2012

Family Portrait: Ian Hussey

Holiday books, music, movies and dance PAGE 23

Sims taps local LGBT community members for staff positions

PAGE 31

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Dec. 7-13, 2012

Vol. 36 No. 49

Central PA Republican comes out, makes local, national history

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

BARBIES AND BEYOND: TOY guests Stephen Campbell-King (left) and Fernando Gonzalez perused some of the donations at Delaware Valley Legacy Fund’s sixth annual toy drive and fundraiser Dec. 1. Held for the first time at Reading Terminal Market, the event drew about 400 people who amassed 500 gifts for the pediatric HIV/AIDS unit at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and about $48,000 in fundraising for the LGBT grantmaking agency, about on par with last year’s event. Samantha Giusti was announced as the organization’s new executive director at the celebration.

More coverage below. Photo: Scott A. Drake

DVLF names new director

By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com Delaware Valley Legacy Fund announced its new executive director at its annual holiday fundraiser last weekend.

Samantha Giusti, 27, took the helm of the LGBT grantmaking agency, effective Dec. 3.

The announcement was made at Saturday’s TOY, which brought together more than 400 people who donated 500 toys to the pediatric HIV/AIDS unit at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and raised $48,000 for DVLF. Giusti, who is a Gloucester County, N.J., native, earned her PAGE 17

Pennsylvania got its first out state lawmaker last weekend — weeks before the swearing-in of Rep.-elect Brian Sims.

Central Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Fleck (81st Dist.), a Republican, made national headlines Dec. 1 when he announced he was gay. With his revelation, Fleck became the first openly LGBT state legislator in Pennsylvania and the first sitting out Republican state lawmaker in the nation.

An out Republican legislator is set to be sworn in next month in Ohio. Sims will be Pennsylvania’s first LGBT lawmaker to be out prior to his election.

Fleck, who through a friend declined to comment at this time to PGN, made the pronouncement in a wide-ranging interview published Saturday in Huntingdon County’s The Daily News. Fleck’s district includes Huntingdon, Blair and

Mifflin counties in Central Pennsylvania, near Altoona.

In the interview, Fleck — who was raised as a Christian, graduated from evangelical Liberty University and s p e n t s eve r a l MIKE FLECK years as an executive with his local Boy Scouts chapter — said he grappled with his sexuality for years and sought therapy from Christian counselors to alter his feelings, to no avail.

Fleck, 39, and his wife of nine years separated last year, and he waited to come out publicly until after the election, he said.

He told the newspaper that his comingout has not changed his religious princi-

ples or his commitment to the Republican Party.

“I’m still the exact same person and I’m still a Republican and, most importantly, I’m still a person of faith trying to live life as a servant of God and the public,” he said.

“The only difference now is I will also be doing so as honestly as I know how.”

Sims said he has had several conservations with Fleck after the announcement, and commended him for his courage.

“We’ve spent the last day-and-a-half getting to know each other and figure out how to navigate this together,” Sims said Monday. “Every one of us who has come out has walked a different path at a different pace. We’re entitled to that. I have zero patience for anyone’s judgment of how and when he chose to come out. It was when it was right for him and right for his family, and I have nothing but respect for that.”

Equality Pennsylvania executive director PAGE 19 Ted Martin exchanged

William Way discusses down funding at last 2012 meeting

By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com T h e Wi l l i a m Wa y L G B T Community Center hosted its last public board meeting Nov. 27 and fundraising was the main topic of the night.

Executive director Chris Bartlett said that Indigo Ball, the center’s largest fundraiser held annually in October, did not meet its fundraising goal: The center hoped to raise $98,000 but instead brought in around $45,000.

Bartlett attributed the gap largely to the loss of several corporate gifts and said the event was still successful.

October’s expenses of $49,791 were covered by the center’s income of $51,510. However, giving is down.

According to board member Brad Richards, individual giving

for the year was off the amount projected in the budget by about 35 percent, with about $15,635 in individual gifts so far, about $10,000 less than was expected.

Additionally, fundraising was off by 16 percent and foundational giving was off by 46 percent.

Bartlett said the shortfall “came about from a challenging economic year that had an impact on the level of gifts of some of our generous donors. This year, we are seeking to broaden our individual donor base further to reach out to the many LGBT and allied fans of the center who don’t yet support us financially, as well as continuing to increase our online giving and support from foundations and corporations.”

Bartlett said the center plans to target more ally companies and work with LGBT employeePAGE 7 resource groups

THE GOOD FIGHT: Philadelphia FIGHT staffers and board members were out in full force at the agency’s annual We Remember gala Nov. 30 at The Racquet Club of Philadelphia. The annual gala drew more than 160 people, who enjoyed dinner, dancing and a silent auction, raising nearly $50,000 for the HIV/AIDS service organization. The evening also marked the progress made in the fight against the epidemic — and the work that remains to be done.

Photo: Scott A. Drake

World AIDS Day photos Page 13

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

PGN LOCAL

City issues demolition permit for church

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com The city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections has issued a permit to demolish an old Catholic church once owned by a local HIV/AIDS agency, even though the dispute remains pending in state Commonwealth Court.

A notice of demolition was posted in front of the Church of the Assumption last week, stating that demolition may begin on Dec. 11.

Built in 1849, the Gothic-style church is located at 1123 Spring Garden St. in the Callowhilll section of the city.

It was owned by the AIDS agency Siloam for several years, but Siloam sold it to MJ Central Investment L.P. in July.

John Wei of MJ Central Investment couldn’t be reached for comment.

The Callowhill Neighborhood Association opposes the demolition, contending the church is a tourist attraction and a stabilizing force in the area.

But last year, Common Pleas Judge Idee C. Fox cleared the way for demolition, ruling that it would be a hardship for Siloam to maintain the dilapidated structure, which has been vacant for about 15 years.

Andrew S. Ross, deputy chief city solicitor, said the judge’s approval of the demolition remains with the property, regardless

of a change in ownership.

“It wouldn’t matter if the new owner were the King of Siam or a next-door neighbor,” Ross said. “The new owner has whatever approvals there were on that property.

That’s my legal assessment of it.”

Ross noted a demolition isn’t automatically blocked when an appeal is filed.

He also said it would be wrong to treat demolition approvals differently than other land-use approvals that remain with a property when it’s sold.

But Samuel C. Stretton, an attorney for CNA, said it would be wrong to demolish the church with an appeal pending.

Stretton noted that CNA appealed Fox’s ruling in state Commonwealth Court, and he plans to seek a stay of the demolition.

“I believe the law is with us,” he said.

Neighborhood activist Andrew R. Palewski said the city’s Board of Licenses and Inspection Review thoroughly investigated the proposed demolition, and properly blocked it in May 2011.

Pawleski said St. Katharine Drexel was baptized in the church, which was designated on the city’s Register of Historic Places in 2009, as an infant in 1858.

He also refuted the judge’s contention that Siloam’s annual budget when it owned the church ranged between $5,000-$7,000, saying the figures are closer to $500,000 and $700,000.

“The Common Pleas ruling was misguided and overlooked the most basic failure of Siloam’s case, which was an inability to meet the three criteria that establish financial hardship,” Palewski said. “According to the rules and regulations of the Historical Commission, the owner is required to make a good-faith effort to sell the property, seek tenants for it and to explore potential reuses for it. Although Siloam made an ostensible effort to sell the property, they made no attempt whatsoever to seek tenants for the property or explore other uses for it.”

Palewski said economic conditions have improved since Siloam sought to demolish the church about four years ago.

“Siloam was awarded hardship under circumstances that were unique to them and to the economic conditions that existed at the time,” Palewski continued. “Even if we were to believe that Siloam made a goodfaith attempt to sell the property, they did so in the midst of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression — a crisis brought about by the collapse of the realestate market. So how is it justifiable that John Wei, a real-estate developer, could now inherit a hardship ruling that is based on the financial straits of an unsustainable non-profit — or a sales process that took place during one of the worst real-estate markets in American history?”

In September 2010, the city’s Historical

Commission approved the church’s demolition, citing the hardship it posed to Siloam.

But Palewski contends the decision was made without all the facts.

“The responsible way to have handled John Wei’s [demolition] permit application would have been to stick it in a file folder at the Historical Commission until the appeals process had run its course,” he said.

Jonathan E. Farnham, executive director of the commission, declined to comment.

“I have nothing to add to the statement made by Mr. Ross,” Farnham said in an email.

Sarah McEneaney, president of the CNA, echoed Palewski’s sentiments.

“We were shocked to learn that L&I has issued a permit to demolish the church,” McEneaney said in an email. “We continue to believe that the Church of the Assumption is historically and architecturally significant and should be preserved.”

Marissa R. Parker, an attorney for Siloam, said she doesn’t expect the agency to be involved in continued litigation regarding the church.

“Siloam no longer owns the building, so I do not expect they will be involved in any litigation going forward,” Parker said.

Siloam rents space from Wei to operate out of an old Catholic rectory near the church while it searches for a new location.

■

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

PGN

FOUNDING, FORWARD : Calcutta House director of development and communications Joseph Tozzi (left) and board chair Joseph Brennan presented the agency’s founding executive director, Sister Joanne Whitaker, with a plaque recognizing her contributions at the organization’s 25th anniversary celebration. Held Nov. 28 at the Hyatt at the Bellevue, the gathering brought together current and former Calcutta staffers, volunteers and clients to pay tribute to the agency’s years of providing housing and resources for people impacted by HIV/AIDS Photo: Scott A. Drake NEWS

Crime Watch Local Media Trail News Briefing Obituary

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

5

Sims appoints out staffers for Philly, Harrisburg offices

By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com With just weeks to go before his swearing-in ceremony, out state Rep.elect Brian Sims (D-182nd Dist.) announced the first members of his new staff late last month.

Sims appointed Anna Aagenes as district office manager and Mason Lane as chief of staff, both of whom are LGBT community members and have been active in local LGBT causes.

ANNA AAGENES Aagenes, 24, who identifies as bisexual, is a researcher a t C h i l d r e n ’s Hospital of Philadelphia and serves as executive director of GO! Athletes, which connects LGBT and ally college athletes and alumni.

She met Sims through his LGBT Athletes and Allies.

“My organization, GO! Athletes,

has a very similar goal of advocating for LGBTQ young athletes as Brian’s work, so we had several opportunities to collaborate. We were also both alumni of the Center for Progressive Leadership, me in 2012, and Brian in 2009,” she said.

Aagenes, who will be stationed at the district office in Philadelphia, will be in charge of managing the office and directing community outreach and engagement. She will also administer constituent services while creating and building relationships with area organizations.

“I hope to create a vibrant Philadelphia office that is responsive to the requests and concerns of our constituents. Through our outreach efforts, we hope to spread awareness about the services our office can provide, as well as serve as a conduit through which constituents and community groups can collaborate and thrive,” she said.

“We have an exciting opportunity to be an office that engages and empowers our constituents to become more involved in their local communities.”

Aagenes, who will continue to promote the efforts of GO! Athletes, will have members of the board of directors step in to assist while she transitions into her new position as district

office manager.

MASON LANE Lane, 27, is juggling both his coursework at Temple Law School and his new position as chief of staff.

He served as Sims’ transition director after his primary election and said he’s getting used to the fast pace of his many responsibilities.

“There’s only so many hours in the day and finding a balance between work, school and my personal life has been and will be a challenge,” he said.

“But whenever someone says I must be pretty busy, I usually reply, ‘the good kind of busy,’ because it really is motivational and not too stressful. Yet.” Lane previously worked with Sims at Equality Pennsylvania — Lane as the Eastern Pennsylvania Field Organizer and Policy Coordinator and Sims as board president.

“There was a period of time in

between executive directors and before Ted Martin came aboard that Brian and I worked very closely,” he said.

Sims nominated Lane for CPL, from which he graduated in 2010.

As chief of staff, Lane will be responsible for developing and applying legislative initiatives, advising Sims on policy matters and managing office operations. He will spend most of his time working in the Harrisburg office.

“Brian, Anna and I have spoken at length about the things we want to accomplish. While pushing a civilrights bill will be a top priority, we are also focused on issues unique to our district and Philadelphia, like public transportation, tax reform and sustainable development, to name just a few,” he said.

Lane said he expects to work closely and collaboratively with both Sims and Aagenes.

“One of the reasons that Brian, Anna and I work well together is that we are very team-oriented and recognize the strengths each of us brings to the table. Anna and I will be very collaborative in our approach to community engagement as well as policy matters,” he said. ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

LOCAL PGN

A first for Old First

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Old First Reformed United Church of Christ has long embraced the LGBT community — and will now be led by a member of the community.

The congregation called the Rev. Michael Caine as its first permanent out pastor Nov. 18.

Caine, 51, has served the church as a covenant minister for the past three years; at the completion of that term, he could have moved on or stayed as a settled pastor, a move the congregation unanimously supported.

He came to Philadelphia from New York City, where he served two UCC congregations and spent eight years as the UCC regional conference minister, where he oversaw more than 100 congregations in the area.

That position, however, didn’t allow him enough one-on-one interaction with congregants, he said.

“It was one of those jobs where you get frustrated because you’re seeing people help other people but they don’t do it like you do it, and you feel it’d be more honest if you just go and try it yourself,” he said. “So I decided it was time to go back to the local church community. I was preaching every Sunday but there were a lot of strangers in

the pews; it’s a different thing when you Affirming congregation for its willingness to welcome all interested members, regardactually can get to know the people.”

His search for a new church community less of factors such as sexual orientation.

Caine grew up in a UCC community in St. led him to Old First, at Fourth and Race streets, where he spent a majority of the last Louis, and said his coming-out process, at three years working to revitalize the church. home and in the church, was seamless.

“We sadly still hear ter“What I did basically was looked at our rible coming-out stories tradition and strengths and but I had one of those figure out very specifically delightful experiences the population groups that where everyone was like, we thought we could evolve ‘You’re gay? OK, great,’” to serve better. They came he said. “My denomination out to be people who’ve had been affirming LGBT been disappointed by the folks since 1982, and my church by experience or family was the same way. perception, families with Growing up in UCC, it just small children living in the wasn’t an issue, and that’s city, LGBT folks and the a different experience than 20-35 age group,” he said. many people have with “Then, once we identified church.” them, we turned around Despite the openness of a n d a s ke d o u r s e l ve s , THE REV. MICHAEL CAINE UCC, Caine said he antici‘What can we do to make pated some resistance when he arrived at ourselves more friendly to these groups?’”

Caine said that strategy was most effective Old First — and was happily surprised that with the LGBT crowd and the young-adult he was wrong.

“Whenever a church has a new leader sector, the largest influx of new members in — the first woman pastor or the first pastor the past few years.

Old First is fully inclusive of LGBT con- who’s ethnically different from the congregregants, offering wedding ceremonies for gation — there’s bound to be someone who same-sex couples, fellowship outlets like freaks out or gets nervous,” he said. “So I meet-up groups for gay men and, in 1995, asked, ‘What’s the pushback going to be?’ became officially designated as an Open and And they just stared at me like I was crazy.

And they turned out to be right. There’d been out gay leadership and a presence in the church since the late ’70s, and this just seemed to everyone like the next logical step.”

Caine said he’s looking forward to continuing to expand the reach of the church into underserved populations.

This will require a good deal of education to undo the damage done to the overall image of Christianity by non-inclusive denominations, he said.

“In the last 15 years, the impressions in the U.S. and abroad are that the church is a fundamentally moralistic, conservative, unwelcoming community. Certainly there are aspects of the church that offer a very narrow road, but there’s others of us that consider ourselves equally ‘church,’ and we’re gracious communities that welcome people where they are. So we want to get the word out that not all Christians are of the conservative right,” he said. “And if you can convince people that first, there are liberal, supportive communities who want you to be a part of them, the second part is beginning to speak to an increasingly secular world about what a religious outlook looks like.

Those of us in our community find it’s not about who’s right and who’s wrong; basically, none of us try to make ourselves the center of the universe. Religion is bigger than all of us.” ■

REGIONAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

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Bucks drag show success, despite negative media

By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com Bucks County Community College hosted its first drag show on Nov. 16 — but the event was met with some negative media reaction, despite that it was hailed as a success by organizers and audience members.

The Open Door Club, Bucks’ LGBT student group, hosted the event, which raised more than $800 for Bucks Villa, a group home for those who are HIV-positive or living with AIDS. Despite the fundraising and turnout of about 120, the event was criticized by Bucks County Courier Times columnist J.D. Mullane and in an editorial in the paper.

Club advisor Professor Max Probst, who teaches sociology at the college, said Mullane also reacted negatively to a sexed event the Open Door Club hosted in the past.

The Open Door Club is 25-members strong and, despite nerves, about 10 students performed on stage at the inaugural event. The show was funded by the club’s own fundraising efforts, such as through its annual LGBT Prom, and the group also receives funding from the Student Government Association.

In the Courier Times’ Nov. 23 editorial, the writer questioned the event’s “approWILLIAM WAY from page 1

at area corporations to build stronger connections. The center is also exploring the option of a letter-writing campaign and phone banking to raise fundraising efforts.

Bartlett said the center recently lost one staff person, the coordinator of its Oral History Project, but that was because the grant funding the position ended. No programs have been cut, but program expenses will be reassessed to manage any losses.

On a positive financial note, $140,000 recently went into the center’s endowment from a major gift left by longtime supporter Ellis Ginsberg, who died last year. The gift puts the endowment at $321,616.

In facilities news, the center is moving forward with plans to renovate its roof and expects to install security cameras by the end of the year.

Bartlett said the center is working to update its technology offerings and is looking at plans to integrate flat-screen TVs in the lobby that will feature slides on the various events going on at William Way. The center hopes to enhance its publicrelations and marketing efforts through a partnership with the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Joan Garry, former head of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and a current Penn professor, offered the

[Mullane] took things that nobody else paid attention to and turned it into this big blow-up,” she said.

Mullane’s column at one point stated that there was a child in the room.

“The show was advertised as ‘Mature Audiences ONLY!’ but this did not stop the geniuses running the gate from permitting three young women from bringing a child, perDRAG SHOW PERFORMERS JILLIAN DIAMONDS (FROM haps 2 years old, into the LEFT), SINNAMON, IVANA PUSSIE, ENIGMA AND TWISTED auditorium. They took TEAZIE. Photo: Jakki Daley front-row seats,” Mullane priateness,” stating that the show was full wrote. of “foul language and sexual references” Hoppe said she did not see any children and that “the festivities would have seemed at the show. more at home in a strip bar.”

“Nobody remembers seeing a child walk Probst said that, although there was mini- in,” she said. mal adult language from the emcee, the Probst said the students were upset by the event was typical of a college drag show. tone and focus of the coverage.

Shay Hoppe, president of The Open Door “They were actually feeling pretty Club, said she was surprised by the Courier defeated in a way because the way they saw Times’ coverage. the event happen was very different than “My reaction when I first read the arti- it was reported. It was just a misrepresencles was that they didn’t even focus on the tation from the media but the students are fact that it was a fundraiser. Everything very strong people,” he said. “They worked was about how inappropriate things were. really hard. They actually began the planassistance of students in her nonprofit marketing-practices class to design messages for center clients and subcommunities the agency is looking to reach, including allies, people of color and women.

Also, the center’s new website is expected to launch by next month.

Social media has been a success for William Way, with its number of Facebook friends going up from 3,981 to 4,020; “likes” from 1,541 to 1,615; and Twitter followers from 659 to 704 in the month of October.

In terms of programs, director of center services Candice Thompson said the recent art exhibit featuring works by Tuesday Smillie drew a crowd of nearly 100 on opening night. Exhibit Trans | Post was also successful, Thompson said, and she hopes to bring it back next year.

Board member Laurie Ward said the board is in talks with a number of board recruits, and three new members will be brought on next month. Stephanie Gross, treasurer Ann Butchart and Ted Greenberg will be rotating off the board.

The board also recognized the passing of the center’s longtime bookkeeper, Tony Pinto, who worked at the organization since 2006.

Board members in attendance included co-chairs Gross and Jeff Sotland, Rudy Flesher, secretary Steve Brando, Amber Hikes, Kathy McLean, Richards, Moira Mulroney Hatch and Ward. ■

ning process in the beginning of the semester. The students who were performing were very nervous but proud of themselves when they were able to get up and do it,” he said.

Hoppe agreed and said the members invested a lot into the production.

“A lot of them had stage fright but they ultimately went up and performed and did what they thought was right,” she said.

Probst said both the article by Mullane and the editorial were the only unsupportive feedback they have received.

According to Probst, the campus community is very accepting when it comes to its LGBT population and The Open Door Club, and many have gone on to defned the club in Courier Times’ online postings.

“We have very supportive staff and administrators on campus. Bucks passed same-sex benefits a year ago,” he said. “Our club is very active and out LGBT faculty and staff come to our events and are very supportive.

Hoppe concurred with that assessment.

“Everybody that we talked to has said it was amazing and a lot of fun. They asked if we were doing it again next year,” she said.

Probst said he will support the students should they want to stage another show — and Hoppe said the articles have not deterred the organization from doing so.

“It made us want to have a bigger and better one next year,” she said. ■

CONGREGATION BETH AHAVAH A GLBT synagogue welcoming people of all gender and sexual identities since 1975 JOIN US MONTHLY FOR SHABBAT SERVICES AT 8:00 PM

Coffee, cake & conversation at the oneg following services

Friday, December 7, 8:00 PM. Beth Ahavah Shabbat Services. Please join us for our monthly BA Shabbat Service followed by a sumptuous oneg (social hour).

Dinner at a local restaurant at 6:00 PM precedes services.

Sunday, December 9 from 10:15 -11:15 AM. Please join us for Sunday Seminar: “Breaking the Glass In More Ways Than One: Marriage Equality & Jewish Traditions” with Nurit Shein, Executive Director of the Mazzoni Center for LGBT Health and BA member. This will be a thought provoking seminar. Participants are encouraged to attend both sessions, if possible, to gain a full perspective.

Visit www.bethahavah.org for additional information, programming and directions 615 North Broad Street, Phila., PA 19123-2495 Phone: 215.923.2003 E-mail: BethAhavah@rodephshalom.org Free secure parking: Cross Spring Garden at 13th St., left at next light, Mt. Vernon St. Parking lot entrance on left.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

PGN REGIONAL

LET FREEDOM RING: The Philadelphia Freedom Band held its annual holiday concert Dec. 1 at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Philadelphia City Councilman Mark Squilla (left) and PGN publisher Mark Segal brought holiday cheer as reindeer, performing alongside the band. In addition to taking in the sights and sounds of the concert, attendees had the chance to bid on band-made gingerbread houses and win raffle prizes. Photo: Scott A. Drake

N.J.-based TD Bank to ‘gross up’ bens

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com TD Bank, based in Cherry Hill, N.J., announced this week that it will begin offsetting the tax burden that its LGBT employees pay for domestic-partner benefits.

The bank said Wednesday that it would begin implementing the new pricing Jan. 1.

TD is the latest in a series of corporations that has moved to “gross up” their domestic-partner benefits. Fewer than 50 companies nationwide offer such a program.

Because of the federal and state Defense of Marriage Act, which prevents recognition of same-sex unions, people who have a same-sex partner on their health-insurance plan must pay additional taxes on the value of the benefits — taxes that married heterosexual couples are not subjected to.

“TD Bank is committed to building an inclusive, barrier-free workplace where every employee feels valued, respected and supported,” said TD Bank head of Commercial Management Administration Robert Pompey, who co-chairs the company’s LGBT and Allies Committee.

“Offsetting these extra taxes for our LGBT employees makes us more competitive in the hunt for great talent, and it’s the right thing to do.”

Employees with a domestic partner on their plans will receive a one-time, yearend payment equivalent to the taxes the employee pays throughout the year because of the discriminatory law.

Pompey said the payment will be dispersed at the end of 2013 or at the end of the staffer’s employment, whichever comes first.

The program will be open to both fulland part-time employees.

The bank employs more than 28,000 people from Maine to Florida, and Pompey

expects the offset program to up the number of those who take advantage of the domestic-partner plan.

“More than 400 employees have a domestic partner enrolled on their plan, but keep in mind that this is before the new policy takes effect,” he said. “The number could very well go up now that we have communicated the policy and informed our employees about it for 2013.”

The bank’s domestic-partner plan has been in place since at least 2008, when TD Banknorth merged with Commerce. The parent company, TD Bank Group, instituted a domestic-partner policy in 1994.

Last month, TD earned a 100 rating from the Human Rights Campaign on the agency’s annual Corporate Equality Index, marking the fourth consecutive year the bank got the top mark.

Pompey said the bank’s customer-service culture, coupled with initiatives like the new offest program, are effective tools to attract and retain the best of the best employees.

“We strongly believe the bank’s new taxequalization policy for our LGBT employees — along with other policies we already have in place — strengthens TD’s position as an employer of choice in all the markets we serve, including in Philadelphia,” he said. “Our entire bank leadership believes we will ensure the TD of tomorrow is even stronger than the TD of today by attracting employees of all backgrounds regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability or religion. People want to work for growing companies that offer a great experience, competitive compensation and benefit packages, opportunities for professional development and companies that have inclusive cultures that welcome people of all backgrounds. TD Bank offers all of this, which we believe strengthens our position to retain and attract the best talent in all the markets we serve.” ■

REGIONAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

9

Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the 6th Police District between Nov. 19-23. Information is courtesy of 6th District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association.

To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice.com or call 215-686-TIPS (8477).

INCIDENTS — At 5:50 p.m. Nov. 20, a man snatched gold chains from a woman’s neck in the 1200 block of Sansom Street. The suspect was described as a black male in his 40s with a thin build and dark complexion, wearing a brown knit cap, black and blue jacket and brown pants.

— At 10:55 a.m. Nov. 21, a man snatched a woman’s iPhone from her hand in the 1300 block of Walnut Street. The suspect ran north on Juniper Street and was described as a black male in his 20s, 5foot-4, 140 pounds.

— At 11:10 a.m. Nov. 22, a man was walking in the 1200 block of Cypress Street when two males approached, one with a handgun, and took his messenger bag, iPhone and camera. The suspects were described as black males in their

early 20s. The first was 5-foot-10, thin with short hair and a light complexion and was wearing a multi-colored sweater and jeans. The second was 5-foot-11 and thin, wearing jeans.

— Between 12:15-8 a.m. Nov. 18, someone attempted to enter a residence in the 200 block of South Sartain Street by removing the window screen and also prying the door near the lock. Entry was not gained and nothing was taken.

— Between 5 p.m. Nov. 23 and 5 p.m.

Nov. 24, someone stole a secured bicycle from outside 1100 Locust St. — At 3 p.m. Nov. 24, a male inside Arts & Crafts, 1122 Walnut St., used the restroom in the rear of the store and took two cell phones that were in the pockets of hanging coats. The suspect was described as a black male, about 50, 5-foot-5, with a medium build and medium complexion, wearing glasses and a black leather jacket.

— At 4:30 p.m. Nov. 24, a man was approached by two males with African accents in the 1100 block of Chestnut Street. One pointed a gun at him and took his iPhone and cash. The man said he looked for the males himself and did not call police, then took a bus home and reported the incident.

— Between 5-8:15 p.m. Nov. 23, someone stole a secured bicycle from outside

Penn State to introduce new LGBT-inclusive housing

By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com Pennsylvania State University is gearing up to launch a new housing option specifically designed for LGBTs and allies.

The college’s main campus, located in Central Pennsylvania, will premier its ALLY House next fall. The special-living option housing will be located in the newly renovated Watts Hall.

The concept was developed with the help of the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equity, the LGBTA Student Resource Center, Residence Life and the Association of Residence Hall Students.

Students who are interested can complete an application through the university’s eLiving portal.

Like other SLOs, the dorm will have an academic focus, specifically for students majoring in gender and sexuality studies.

Students who want to remain multi-year residents of ALLY House will be expected to fulfill a number of requirements laid out by university faculty and staff.

Shane Windemeyer, executive director of LGBT college group CampusPride, said that although this isn’t the first time LGBTinclusive housing has been introduced on a college campus, the university took a large step forward for its LGBT students.

“What Campus Pride has determined is that having housing options like this is to be of best practice,” Windemeyer said. “What Penn State is doing is obviously in line with being an LGBT-friendly campus by providing this type of housing. I think it is a good move and right in line with Penn State being one of the college campuses nationally that has continued that practice.”

Windemeyer said this housing option will be beneficial in continuing to make the campus as safe as possible for LGBT and ally community members.

“Any time you provide an opportunity for students for housing that identifies the students with a specific community, it provides a safe space and family of sort,” he said.

Penn State was included this year among Campus Pride’s list of the top-25 most LGBT-friendly universities in the nation. ■

www.epgn.com

1201 Market St. NON-SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 12:30 a.m. Nov. 19, Central Service Detail officers arrested a man outside 200 S. Juniper St. for failure to appear for court. The 45-year-old homeless suspect was charged with contempt of court.

— At 1:45 p.m. Nov. 19, Center City District Officers Pagan and Moore investigated a man with a knife outside 934 Market St. and found in his possession several vials of marijuana and unprescribed narcotics pills. The 41-year-old suspect with a Spring Garden address was charged with possession of illegal narcotics.

— At 6:35 p.m. Nov. 20, a security guard at Macy’s, 1300 Market St., attempted to stop a man for shoplifting and he became combative, kicking and punching the officer. Center City bike officers observed the incident and apprehended the suspect.

The 38-year-old suspect with a homelessshelter address was charged with robbery and related offenses.

— At 7:25 p.m. Nov. 20, Center City District officers responded to a call for a domestic disturbance at 12th and Locust streets and found that a man had been sprayed with Mace by his companion, who was arrested and charged with

domestic assault.

— At 9:45 p.m. Nov. 21, someone snatched an iPhone from a man’s hand in the 1200 block of Market Street. A Central Division detective stopped a man in the 1500 block of Market Street for another phone snatch that occurred at that location and the man was identified for both incidents. The 17-year-old suspect with a Frankford address was charged with two counts of theft and related offenses.

— At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22, 6th District plainclothes Officers Ferrero and Hill arrested a man outside 261 S. 13th St. for a summary offense and found in his possession a bag of marijuana and eight unprescribed narcotics pills. The 35year-old suspect with a West Philadelphia address was charged with possession of illegal narcotics.

— At 4:15 a.m. Nov. 23, 6th District Officer Rossi arrested a male outside 1300 Walnut St. who was wanted on a bench warrant for failure to appear for court. The 23-year-old suspect with a North Philadelphia address was charged with contempt of court.

— At 7:35 a.m. Nov. 23, Center City District officers arrested a man outside 1200 Locust St. who was wanted on a bench warrant for failure to appear for court. The 20-year-old homeless suspect was charged with contempt of court. ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Robert C. Jones

Editorial

Silent witnesses The New York Post has never been one for tact.

Tuesday’s cover page, however, took its reputation one step closer to the garbage can — and was a blaringly clear reminder of the damage of silently standing by, or exploiting, others’ pain.

The full-page photo depicts a man struggling to climb up from a subway track as a train approaches. It is accompanied by the headline: “Pushed on the subway track, this man is about to die,” with “DOOMED” emblazoned along the bottom.

The man, Ki Suk Han, was fatally struck moments later. Han, a 58-year-old father, attempted to intervene with a man who was harassing other subway riders, and the man subsequently pushed Han. The photo was captured by a freelance Post photog who happened to be waiting for the train.

While only the people on the platform at the time can attest to how quickly the situation happened, one can feasibly question if the photographer — who said he was trying to alert the subway driver with his flash — was able to get his camera out and get a focused shot of Han, why couldn’t he have used those seconds instead to try to pull Han up? And why did no one else try to help him?

While some may argue that passengers didn’t want to lose their own lives to save that of a stranger, the photo shows that Han was standing with his hands on the ledge — all it would have taken would be several people willing to rush to pull him upwards. The issue is further compounded by the fact that the publication chose to exploit the last tragic moments of Han’s life, and his family’s pain, for profit. Surely, the eye-catching photo has tongues wagging around the nation. But at what cost?

This situation is a microcosm for the oft-used arguments utilized when LGBTs and other minorities face harassment. From classrooms to corporate workplaces, bystanders dismiss their passive role in enabling discrimination by saying it wasn’t their place to intervene, they thought someone else would do something or they didn’t want to risk their own reputation or position by getting involved. And when victims become the unwitting targets of people like cyber bullies who pollute online stories of LGBT discrimination with hate speech, or of antigay organizations who use stories of LGBT harassment to rally their troops against so-called religious persecution, their pain is further magnified for others’ gain.

While the New York Post undoubtedly made a giant ethical misstep in its coverage, at least the gratuitous cover showed readers one thing: Standing by and doing nothing does not look good. ■

In the uphill battle for marriage equality, gays and lesbians have had to stare down many a disappointing court decision where bias and homophobia masqueraded as law. Granted, marriage equality received a significant boost across the country from the November election, but just in case we were getting too comfortable with good news, Judge Robert C. Jones comes to the rescue.

Jones, a federal district judge appointed

by George W. Bush, ruled late last month that Nevada keeping same-sex couples from marrying was totally cool with him.

Jones found that the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection of the laws was not intended for homos and that the people of Nevada were right to “[maintain] statutes that reserve the institution of civil marriage to oneman-one-woman relationships.”

His reasoning? Why, to save the human race from destruction, of course.

“The perpetuation of the human race depends upon traditional procreation between men and women,” Jones wrote in his ruling, right after he basically said that adoption is for losers.

Also, according to Jones, gays and lesbians do not face discrimination, which I guess means that discriminating against them when it comes to marriage equality is no big deal? “Homosexuals have not historically been denied the right to vote, the right to serve on juries or the right to own property,” Jones wrote. Because those are the only areas in which discrimination counts, I guess.

Oh, and Jones says, because gays won a couple of ballot measures in the 2012 election, “it simply cannot be seriously maintained, in light of these and other recent democratic victories, that homosexuals do not have the ability to protect themselves from discrimination through democratic processes such that extraordinary protection from majoritarian processes is appropriate.”

In other words, “Grow a pair, gays. You won a couple rounds of marriage-equality poker, now get lost. Never mind the fact that there are a couple of right-wing nuts waiting for you outside with a baseball bat who will gladly relieve you of your winnings. But hey, as long as not everybody wants to smash your heads in, you’ve got nothing to complain about.”

But, of course, Jones was just thinking about “the family.” And by that I mean heterosexuals, obviously. Everybody knows that same-sex couples are just roommates.

Jones wrote in his ruling, “Because the family is the basic societal unit, the state could have validly reasoned that the consequences of altering the traditional definition of civil marriage could be severe.”

Hmm ... the state could have reasoned such a thing, but validly? Me thinks not. I’ll use Massachusetts as Exhibit A: Gay folks getting hitched there has not caused the crumbling of the commonwealth.

But I suspect Jones doesn’t pay much mind to the non-destructive results in liberal cesspools that allow samesex couples to wed. He wrote, “It is conceivable that a meaningful percentage of heterosexual persons would cease to value the civil institution as highly as they previously had and hence enter into it less frequently ... because they no longer wish to be associated with the civil institution as redefined.”

Got that? If gays and lesbians can get married, then heterosexuals will say “fuck it” and just live in sin the rest of their lives. What a wise and sound argument.

You really can’t argue with logic like that.

Because it isn’t logic, it’s lunacy. ■

Jones found that the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection of the laws was not intended for homos and that the people of Nevada were right to “[maintain] statutes that reserve the institution of civil marriage to oneman-one-woman relationships.”

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

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

Please include a daytime phone number.

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

OP-ED PGN

PA’s gay Republican?

A good thing A Republican Christian right-of-center on our rights. state representative from a conservative He’s conservative. Again, so what? In Pennsylvania district has come out — and fact, this is the strongest argument to support him. He may very well be able to some in our community have reacted like reach those we cannot or have not. He the sky has fallen in. This is a good thing! speaks their language. With some luck, Let’s look at the issues one at a time. and after he gets over the spotRep. Mike Fleck is the first light and the problems his cauout Pennsylvania state lawmaker. At the same time, Rep.cus might give him, he may elect Brian Sims is the first very well be able to get us the out person to be elected to the Republican votes we need. state House. He takes office in Full disclosure, I do not know January and, with Fleck, will Rep. Fleck, nor do I believe be the state’s only two out state I’ve met him. In the last few representatives. days, those who do know him He’s a Republican. So what? tell me he’s a decent guy and Have you noticed that we as well-liked in Harrisburg. And if a community are not all the you’ve read the account of his decision to come out, it seems same? Are all Jews the same? to have been a hard, rocky African-Americans? Catholics? road.

There are gay Republicans.

And there is no shame in Rep. Fleck did something embracing our Republican Mark Segal very brave, as all elected offibrothers and sisters, as long cials do when they come out or as they stand for equality. Being a when they run as out candidates. They all Republican is no different than having a need to be embraced. We are a welcoming community and not one with only one different religion. stripe.

So let’s see where he stands on other We also should not be putting any presissues. Since most of our political community is progressive, here is a place sure on this man at this time. After all, where he might differ with many of us, he is a man with much on his plate. He’s but one can agree to disagree and still dealing with his family, friends, coworkers work towards equality. Some attach other and an enormous amount of media attention. Allow him the time to come to terms issues to our own, and that is a decision with all this. that each of us must make, but it’s not While we do not know what or how this always a position of the community at will affect future legislation, we do know large. For instance, I consider myself a that the Republican Party now has one of feminist — should I not work with those who are not? its own to put a face on the LGBT comIf anyone has a problem with his being munity. a Christian, you’re not a good partner And that is a very good thing. in the fight for equality. Now, there are Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the degrees and different kinds of Christians, nation’s most-award-winning commentabut the fact that he has publicly come tor in LGBT media. He can be reached at out makes a statement in itself. We of all mark@epgn.com. people believe in freedom of religion. We also believe that religion should not step

Mark My Words

Thanks PGN for keeping this in the spotlight. A just cause.

— mjstrause In response to “Kenney spearheads sweeping ‘LGBT-reform’ bill,” Nov. 30-Dec. 6: Excellent — but does it remove the

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Street Talk Is opposition to nonconsensual circumcision an LGBT issue?

“No. It’s a matter of religious freedom.

The same reason a child is taken to church, they’re circumcised.

Arturs Bergs It’s a student fundamental Washington Square West right of parents to make that decision. The government shouldn’t be getting involved in raising kids. That just causes more problems.”

“No. You’re less susceptible to yeast infections and urinarytract infections [after circumDavid Goldstein cision]. I accountant realize you South Philadelphia don’t have the same nerve endings after you’re cut. And I get that it’s important to some people [to have the nerve endings]. But I don’t think it’s an issue the government should step into.”

“Yes, it’s a valid issue for the LGBT community.

Some parents want it done to their child as a religious tradition. But the surgical Ryan Harris procedure is photographer unnecessary Washington Square West and dated.

They should wait until the boy reaches his teen years and let him decide for himself.”

“Yes, definitely.

Circumcision is altering an intimate part of someone’s body.

You don’t experience Brian Smalls the same pharmacy technician sensations West Philadelphia once you’ve had it done. A person has a right to bodily integrity. It should be your prerogative, not your parents’.”

We want to know!

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

Letters and Feedback In response to “LGBTs and allies file briefs in support of Cradle’s eviction,” Nov. 30Dec. 6:

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

exclusion on transgender-related care that exists in all city employee health plans?

If it doesn’t, it’s the second LGBT equalbenefits bill that doesn’t touch the most pressing equal-benefits issue for transgender city employees. And, does the tax credit apply to employers who don’t discriminate against trans people in their health-insurance coverage?

If it does, please let people know, and bravo!

— Kathy

Kathy, Thanks for your support. Please contact me at our office, 215-686-3450. We have every intention of righting wrongs and welcome community input.

We look forward to gaining from your expertise.

— Chris Goy Legislative Aide Councilman Jim Kenney

In response to “A first: Mummers invite LGBT drag group to march,” Nov. 30-Dec. 6: This isn’t the first time that the Mummers had drag performers. In the mid-’70s, the late (and delightfully notorious) Valerie Fox performed with the Fabulous Fakes at the Mummers Parade. I think she performed as Cher. Les Harrison might have performed also. There may have been an article in the Inquirer about it.

— Cei Bell

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REGIONAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

Obituary Ed Schwartz, former councilman, 69

By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com Former Philadelphia City Councilman Ed Schwartz died Nov. 29. He was 69. The cause of death is pending but is believed to have been a heart attack.

Schwartz, who was born May 4, 1943, was a civic leader and highly recognized figure in the city.

His wife, Jane Shull, is the longtime executive director for HIV/AIDS agency Philadelphia FIGHT. Schwartz received his bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College and his Ph.D. in political theory from Rutgers University.

Schwartz founded community-building agency Institute for the Study of Civic Values in 1973.

Michael Marsico, Philadelphia FIGHT deputy director, worked at the Institute from 1993-98 and said Schwartz worked with every civic organization possible and was very dedicated to the institute.

“His work ethic was phenomenal and his undying passion and his ability to debate, especially for folks who were underprivileged, was his biggest strength,” Marsico said.

Marsico said Schwartz had an unrelenting care for both Philadelphia and its citizens.

“He always thought about how to effectively help those get out of poverty or lower-

income status,” Marsico said. “When he would go to neighborhoods, it was about helping people get out of their situations by providing them with tools to do so and giving them training.”

Schwartz was married to Shull for 42 years and supported her work at the helm of FIGHT. “Ed was always very supportive and he was also complimentary. In the beginning, when Philadelphia FIGHT was just getting set up, I used to ask him questions and he would give me advice, which usually worked,” she said.

Shull described Schwartz as a “radical egalitarian” and said he focused his life on building communities — with a focus on Philadelphia neighborhoods and a civil-rights agenda.

Schwartz served as an at-large member of Philadelphia City Council from 1984-87 and later as the director of the city’s Office of Housing and Community Development.

“He wanted to create a more just world,” Shull said. “He was absolutely committed to the people of Philadelphia and he worked for those convictions all of his life to make things better for people.”

In addition to Shull, Schwartz is survived by daughter Ruth Schwartz.

A memorial will be held 5 p.m. Dec. 13 at the National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St. Memorial donations can be made to Public Citizens for Children and Youth at www.pccy.org. ■

News Briefing Transwoman’s bank-robbery sentencing scheduled Sabrina Jackson, a transgender woman who pleaded guilty to an unarmed bank robbery in 2010, is scheduled to be sentenced early next year.

She stole approximately $300 from the Sovereign Bank on Haddon Avenue in Westmont, N.J., on July 9, 2010, according to court records.

According to federal-sentencing guidelines, Jackson, 27, faces a prison sentence of between 30-78 months.

She has agreed to pay the bank $300 in restitution, according to court records.

U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez will preside at the sentencing, which is scheduled for 11 a.m. Jan. 7 in Courtroom 5D of the U.S. Courthouse in Camden, N.J. Jackson remains incarcerated at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia pending the outcome of her sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacqueline M. Carle declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.

Christopher H. O’Malley, an attorney for Jackson, also declined to comment.

— Timothy Cwiek

Holiday Bingo

Jingle Bell Bingo at 7:15 p.m. Dec. 12 at New Hope Eagle Volunteer Fire Company, 46 N. Sugan Road in New Hope.

Admission is $20 and includes a buffet, Bingo game cards, 50/50 raffles and door prizes. Attendees must be 21 and holiday wear is encouraged.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and a cash bar is included in the event. All funds will go to support FACT’s work fighting the HIV/ AIDS epidemic in the region.

For reservations, call 215-862-3325.

Drag for a cause Blogger Josh Schonewolf of “Josh Can’t Cook” and host Satine Harlow will stage “Josh’s Drag Ball” at 8 p.m. Dec. 9 at ICandy, 254 S. 12th St. The event will raise funds for The Attic Youth Center.

Milan, a contestant on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season four, will appear, along with Goddess Isis, Brittany Lynn and other area drag performers.

Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. For more information or tickets, visit www.joshcantcook.com.

Toy-drive tradition Bebashi will host its annual holiday toy drive and distribute donations at its holiday party Dec. 19.

Toys will go to children impacted by HIV/ AIDS in the area. Gifts can be dropped off from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Bebashi, 1217 Spring Garden St., first floor. The organization is accepting unused toys for children ages 6 months to 17 years.

For more information, call 215-769-3561.

■

Fighting AIDS Continually Together Bucks County will host its annual Holiday

High quality dental treatment and preventive care

• Cosmetic dentistry • Veneers • Crowns • Whitening • Implants

Craig T. Wakefield, DDS Proudly serving the LGBT community and PWA for over 20 years.

Medical Towers Building • Suite 2306 255 S. 17th St., Philadelphia, Pa 19103 (215) 732-8080 Evening hours available.

Philadelphia Gay News:

Gay is our middle name.

— Angela Thomas

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

World AIDS Day

WORLD OF DIFFERENCE: David Acosta, founder of Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative (top left, clockwise), took the microphone Nov. 30 at a City Hall press conference to discuss the National Latino/Hispanic HIV/AIDS Action Agenda.

GALAEI and other agencies previewed the full week of events they had planned for World AIDS Day, marked Dec. 1. Other city events included the ninth annual Red Ribbon Awards Nov. 30 at City Hall, in which the Community Advisory Board at the Penn Center for AIDS Research honored Jose Benitez, Dr. Amy Nunn, Kevin Burns, Nasima Mannon and the Rev. Arlene Mills. Philadelphia FIGHT board member Bishop Ernest McNear led the annual prayer breakfast Dec. 1, which brought together more than 200 faith and community leaders to the Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel for fellowship and exploration of engaging faith communities in the fight against the epidemic. Photos: Scott A. Drake

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

����������

���

PGN

locations in Pa. outside of Philadelphia

Allentown • Allentown Brew Works, 812 Hamilton St. • Candida, 247 N. 12th St. • MCCLV, 930 N. Fourth St. • Stonewall, 28-30 N. 10th St. • Annville • Lebanon Valley College, Sheridan Ave. • Ardmore • Ardmore Station, Anderson Ave. near Coulter Ave. • Bethel • Adult World, 341 Midway Road • Bethlehem • LGBTQ Services Lehigh U, 25 Trembley Dr. • Bloomsberg • Bloomsberg University LGBTA Center, 400 E. Second St. • Bristol • Bristol News World, 576B Bristol Pike • Fantasy Adult Books, 829 Rt. 413, Veterans Hwy • Bryn Mawr • Bryn Mawr College, Canaday Library • Bryn Mawr Station, Morris Ave. near Bryn Mawr Ave. • Fox & Roach Realty, 763 Lancaster Ave. • TLA Video, 761 Lancaster Ave. • Chester • Harrah’s Chester Casino, 777 Harrah’s Blvd. • Widener University, 1 University Place • Collegeville • Adult World, 3975 Ridge Pike • Devon • Devon Station, Devon State Road & Lancaster Pike • Doylestown • Doylestown Bookshop, 16 S. Main St. • Siren Records, 25 E. State St. • East Stroudsburg • Rainbow Mountain Resort, 210 Mt. Nebo Road • Easton • 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 • Harrisburg • 704 Strawberry Café, 704 N. Third St. • AIDS Community Alliance, 100 N. Cameron St. • Brownstone Lounge, 412 Forster St. • Liquid 891, 891 Eisenhower Blvd. • Midtown Scholar Bookstore, 1302 N. 3rd St. • MCC of the Spirit, 2973 Jefferson St. • Stallions, 706 N. Third St. • Haverford • Haverford Station, Haverford Station Road near Lancaster Ave. • Kutztown • Kutztown University, 15200 Main St. • Lancaster • Downtown Books, 227 N. Prince St. • Sundown Lounge, 429 N. Mulberry St. • Tally Ho Tavern, 201 W. Orange St. • Lansdale • Gwynedd Vet Hospital, 1615 W. Pointe Pike • Lehighton • Woods Campground, 845 Vaughn Acres Road • Levittown • Levitt Books, 7406 Bristol Pike • Malvern • Malvern Station, King St. & Warren Ave. • Media • Unitarian Universalist Church, 145 W. Rose Tree Road • The Media Theater, 104 E. State St. • LGBT Alliance Group, Delaware Co. Campus, Penn State Univ., 901 Media Line Road • Moosic • 12 Penny Saloon, 3501 Birney Ave. • Narberth • Narberth Station, Haverford & Narberth avenues • New Hope • Café Europa, 11 Market Place • Cornerstone Gym, 419 York Road • Eagle Diner, 6522 York Road • Havana, 105 S. Main St. • John & Peters, 96 S. Main St. • Karla’s Restaurant, 5 W. Mechanic St. • La Chateau Exotique, 31A W. Mechanic St. • Havana Bar & Grill, 105 S. Main St. • The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St. • Sandbar, 90 S. Main St. • Triumph Brewing Co., 400 Union Square Drive • Wildflowers, 8 W. Mechanic St. • New Milford • Oneida Campground, 2580 E. Lake Road • Newtown • Bucks Co. Community College, 275 Swamp Road • North Wales • Adult World, 608 Upper State Road• Old Forge • Twelve Penny Saloon, 535 Hickory St. • Paoli • Paoli Station, North Valley Road & Lincoln Highway • Plains Township • Twist Bar, Fox Ridge Plaza, Rte. 315 • Quakertown • Adult World, 880 S. West End Blvd. • Reading • Berls Aid Network, 429 Walnut St. • Reading Adult Center, 316 Penn St. • Rosemont • Rosemont Station, Airdale Road & Montrose Ave. • Spring Grove • Atland’s Ranch, RR6, Box 6543 • Swarthmore • Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Parrish Hall • Temple • Naughty But Nice, 4502 N. Fifth St. • Upper Darby • Honor Box, 69th Street Station • Villanova • Villanova Station, Spring Mill Road near County Line Road • Warminster • Darkanyu, Bux Mont Unitarian Church, Street Road at Rt. 611 • Planned Parenthood of Bucks Co., 610 Louis Dr. • Wayne • Central Baptist Church, 106 W. Lancaster Ave. • Stafford Station, Old Eagle School & Crestline roads • Wayne Station, N. Wayne & West Ave. • West Chester • Chester County Books, 975 Paoli Pike • Williamsport • Peachies, 144 E. Fourth St. • Willow Grove • Barnes & Noble, 102 Park Ave. • Wynnwood • Wynnwood Station, Wynnewood & Penn roads • York • Cupid’s Connextion, 244 N. George St. • ����������

��� locations outside of Pennsylvania DELAWARE

Wilmington • AIDS Delaware, 100 W. 10th St. • Crimson Moon, 1909 S. Sixth St. • Rehoboth Beach • Canal Side Inn, 34 Sixth St. • Double L Bar, 622 Rehoboth Ave. • Proud Bookstore, 149 Rehoboth Ave. • Rams Head Inn, 35006 Warrington Ave. • Rigby’s Bar & Grill, 404 Rehoboth Ave. • Shore Inn, 37239 Rehoboth Ave. •

NEW JERSEY

Asbury Park • Georgie’s, 812 Fifth Ave. • Paradise, 101 Asbury Ave. • Atlantic City • Oasis, 32 S. Tennessee Ave. • Ocean House, 127 S. Ocean Ave. • Pro Bar, Resorts Casino, 1133 Boardwalk, 13th floor • Ritz Condo lobby, 2715 Boardwalk • Bordentown • Shoppe 202, 202 Farnsworth Ave. • Camden • Honor Box, PATCO Ferry Ave. Station • Cherry Hill • Unitarian Church, 400 N. Kings Hwy. • Andriotti’s Viennese Café, 1442 E. Route 70 • Collingswood • Honor Box, PATCO Collingswood Station • Honor Box, PATCO Ferry Ave. Station • Egg Harbour City • Red Barn Books, 1204 White Horse Pike • Galloway • Pride Alliance Stockton College, 101 Vera King Farris Dr. suite 240 • Gloucester City • Red Barn Books, 600 Rt. 130 South • Haddonfield • Honor Box, PATCO Haddonfield Station, PATCO Westmont Station, PATCO Woodcrest Station • Highland Park • Pride Center of NJ, 85 Raritan Ave. • Lambertville• Body Tech, 8 Mt. Hope St. • Lebanon • GLBT of Hunterdon Co., 126 Petticoat Lane • Lindenwold • Honor Box, PATCO Lindenwold Station East • Honor Box, PATCO Lindenwold Station West • Morristown • Gay Activist Alliance, Unitarian Church, 29 Normandy Heights Road • Oaklyn • Sacred Green Earth, 511 Whitehorse Pike • Princeton • LGBT Center, Princeton University, 246 First Campus Center • Somerset • The Den, 700 Hamilton Ave. • Stratford • White Horse Books, 906 White Horse Pike • Vineland • J&J News, 729 N. Main St. • West Berlin • Red Barn Books, 597 Route 73 North • Williamstown • Book Bin, 3852 S. Black Horse Pike •

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

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15

DOMA: Which road will the Supreme Court choose?

November 30 came and went. December and that deciding this through the courts at 3 came and went. The U.S. Supreme the moment could cause upheaval among Court’s next and final conference of the Americans everywhere. If the justices go year to consider the pending Defense this route, the appellate court rulings in Against Marriage Act appeals will take Masschusetts, New York and California place today, Dec. 7. upholding gay marriage will stand. But, There have never been so because there isn’t a split amongst the circuits, there will many equality cases before the Supreme Court at one time — be no national precedent to guide other parts of the counsix total. While there are several try. cases with different fact patterns, they all involve two main In the second scenario, the disputes.

Supreme Court could decide Five of the cases challenge to hear a DOMA case but the 1996 DOMA, which denies take no action vis-à-vis Prop. federal recognition of same8. The legal issues in the two disputes are not entirely the sex marriages. Federal appeals courts in Massachusetts and same and the biggest difference is that the DOMA issue New York struck down the law a states’-rights component. this year, saying it impermissiAngela has bly discriminated against LGBT Even those in favor of strikGiampolo ing down DOMA hold that it individuals. The second dispute asks the Supreme Court to is not Washington’s place to review California’s Proposition 8, passed interfere with a state’s decision to recognize a certain kind of marriage, so a by voters in 2008, which bans same-sex favorable result in this scenario will leave marriage in the state. The 9th Circuit us with federal rights to Social Security Court of Appeals struck down Prop. 8 last survivor payments and tax exemptions but February in a very narrow decision. In a Pennsylvania’s DOMA (and the other 31 2-1 ruling, the appellate panel upheld a state bans) would still be in effect. lower-court decision that Prop. 8 violated In the third scenario, the Supreme Court the constitutional equal-protection guarantee. could take up both DOMA and Prop. 8.

Now, there are three possible scenarThis would pave the way for a potential ios that could play out. In the first, the landmark ruling by June on gay marriage in its entirety. The odds of the jusSupreme Court could decline to hear any tices going this route is slim because of of the marriage-equality cases. Perhaps the sweeping implications, but there is a the court feels that political momentum chance they could choose this path and around the issue is too high on both sides

Out Law

still avoid taking a stand on LGBT individuals’ constitutional right to marry.

Ultimately, I believe the Supreme Court will go with second scenario and hear a DOMA case, but not Prop. 8. As for which of the six cases, Windsor v. U.S. seems like the most cert-worth of all the marriage cases for three very compelling reasons.

Perhaps most notably, Windsor presents the most personal and heart-warming fact pattern. The case tells the discriminatory effects of DOMA on a lesbian couple who had been together for 42 years in a story that eventually became the basis for documentary “Edie and Thea.” In addition to the facts, Windsor is the only case of the 10 federal court rulings that invalidated DOMA where the justices applied “intermediate scrutiny” to the state’s sexual-orientation-based classification. In order to overcome the intermediate-scrutiny test, it must be shown that the law or policy being challenged furthers an important government interest in a way that is substantially related to that interest. If the Supreme Court takes Windsor under consideration, it will have to address the fact that the court heightened the level of scrutiny and agree whether or not LGBT individuals fall within a class that warrants intermediate scrutiny. Finally, the Supreme Court will likely take up the Windsor case because many believe that Justice Elena Kagan will likely recuse herself if the Supreme Court takes the 1st Circuit’s Gill v. OPM case because she had involvement in the case during her service as Solicitor General of the United States.

In 2013, several more states will be added to the list of those that recognize same-sex marriage. The states to watch include Rhode Island and Minnesota, where legislatures picked up numerous marriage-equality supporters. In Colorado, a legislator who blocked civil unions lost his re-election bid. In Illinois and Delaware, bills will be in effect for 2013.

There’s a ballot measure in the works in Ohio and a lawsuit underway in Hawaii.

Closer to home, depending on the outcome of a lawsuit in New Jersey, we may see marriage on the ballot or in the legislature, where it would need enough votes to override Gov. Chris Christie’s veto.

While we sit in this holding pattern waiting for the United States Supreme Court to decide if it will tackle this momentous issue, the prospect of a cert grant in Windsor offers hope that we will have much to look forward to in the coming year. Regardless, as we close out 2012, we would be remiss not to rejoice a year marked by unprecedented accomplishments advancing LGBT equality. We are on the right track and the train is only gaining speed! ■ Angela D. Giampolo, principal of Giampolo Law Group, maintains offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and specializes in LGBT law, business law, real-estate law and civil rights. Her website is www. giampololaw.com and she maintains two blogs, www.phillygaylawyer.com and www. lifeinhouse.com. Send Angela your legal questions at angela@giampololaw.com.

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NEWS PGN DVLF from page 1

bachelor’s in social work and theology from Catholic University of America and her master’s in social work with an emphasis in nonprofit management from University of Pennsylvania.

Most recently, she served as the manager of Women’s Way, the nation’s largest and oldest funding federation for women. She said her time at the organization will help mold her DVLF experience.

“I think it will help my work immensely because at Women’s Way, one of my primary roles was to fundraise and I feel I can help with that, particularly where DVLF is concerned with corporate sponsorships,” she said.

Giusti has been a longtime volunteer for the organization and joked that DVLF had to eventually put her on the payroll. She served on the TOY, Wonder Women and grant and outreach committees and not only gave a lot of time in those capacities, but also served as a donor for the agency.

Giusti is quite busy outside of DVLF — having volunteered as a chaperone for the Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative’s alternative prom and at the William Way LGBT Community Center. She is also one of the Philadelphia Dyke March organizers and has served on the scholarship committee for The Attic Youth Center.

She also managed the door staff at Stimulus events and served as the project manager for Stimulus Gives Back, the LGBT party’s charitable and volunteerism efforts.

Giusti said she was attracted to DVLF by its overarching mission.

“What resonates most with me is the fact that the LGBTQ community looks different now than when

NEW DVLF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAMANTHA GIUSTI AT TOY

DVLF started 20 years ago. The needs for the LGBT community will continue to change,” she said.

“When people invest in the DVLF endowment, they are ensuring that when the LGBT community continues to change, there will still be money there to get grants and help people in the evolving community.”

One of her goals as executive director is to improve the marketing and public-relations efforts. She said she hopes to “piggy-back” off the work of outgoing interim director Mark Dann and previous director John Moeller and focus on strengthening the fund’s brand.

“I don’t know that certain pockets of the community know about DVLF. I have a lot of friends who didn’t know what DVLF does and

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

what it is,” she said.

Giusti hopes to continue to expand the agency’s endowment, which is currently at $1 million.

“My plan is to have people continue to give to us. I want to make sure that there is always a pool of money that organizations can seek funding from. The LGBT community has a foundation that has their best interest at heart and that’s us,” she said.

Giusti said she was excited when the director position arose, adding that her investment in the community, coupled with her passion for volunteering and her educational background, make her the perfect fit for the organization.

“I have the desire to make change and what better way than to make that change than with an organization that I love and a community that I love,” she said.

DVLF board president D. Mark Mitchell said the agency was looking forward to Giusti’s leadership.

“We are very excited to welcome Samantha,” Mitchell said. “DVLF celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and we believe she brings the energy and leadership necessary to propel this organization into the next stage of growth.” ■

Photos: Scott A. Drake

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

NATIONAL PGN

Media Trail West Point chapel hosts first same-sex wedding The Air Force Times reports the landmark church at the center of spiritual life at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point has hosted its first same-sex wedding.

Brides Penelope Gnesin and Brenda Sue Fulton, a West Point graduate, exchanged vows in the church in a Dec. 1 ceremony attended by about 250 guests.

The couple has been together for 17 years.

They had a civil commitment ceremony that didn’t carry any legal force in 1999, and had long hoped to formally tie the knot.

New York legalized same-sex marriage last year, just months before the law prohibiting openly gay people from serving in the military was lifted.

The ceremony is the second same-sex wedding at West Point. Last weekend, two of Fulton’s friends got married in another campus chapel.

Appeal vowed in Nevada same-sex marriage ruling The Las Vegas Sun reports a gay-rights advocacy group is vowing to appeal a federal-court judge’s ruling upholding Nevada’s ban on same-sex marriage.

U.S. District Chief Judge Robert Jones ruled that Nevada has what he calls “a legitimate state interest” in maintaining the traditional institution of marriage between one man and one woman.

Jones said the state has the right to prohibit recognition of marriages from other states.

Lambda Legal attorney Tara Borelli noted Nov. 30 that gay marriage is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, while voters recently approved same-sex marriage in three states and defeated a ban in a fourth.

Borelli called Jones’ ruling out of step with the rest of the country and wrong on the law.

A lawyer for the Coalition for the Protection of Marriage declined to comment.

Michigan teacher says she was suspended over gay song Michigan’s CW 7 reports a Detroit-area middle-school teacher says she’s been suspended for playing a song about being gay during class.

Susan Johnson said she allowed the song “Same Love” to be played during her eighth-grade performing-arts class at

Centennial Middle School in South Lyon at the request of a student.

Johnson said she was told her suspension would last three days and she wouldn’t be paid for two.

In a statement to the Associated Press Nov. 29, South Lyon Community Schools Assistant Superintendent Melissa Baker said Johnson failed to follow district protocol, which requires teachers to preview taped materials and submit a form about them to a building administrator for approval.

NY gays sue NJ therapy group The Wall Street Journal reports four gay men are accusing a New Jersey nonprofit of fraud for selling “conversion therapy” that falsely promised to make them straight.

They said at a news conference that they were subjected to humiliations that included stripping naked and taking a baseball bat to effigies of their mothers.

The four attended sessions at the Jersey City-based Jews Offering New Alternatives to Healing, or JONAH. The men say in a lawsuit that the methods do not work and should not be marketed under New Jersey’s consumer-protection laws.

JONAH did not return calls requesting comment.

The American Psychiatric Association has rejected claims that being gay can be reversed.

CA ‘conversion therapy’ ban put on hold by judge CNN.com reports a federal judge has issued a temporary injunction on California’s ban on “conversion” therapy — a method some say can help turn a gay person straight.

The first of its kind in the United States, the state ban was intended to prevent those under 18 from undergoing the controversial treatment. It would have gone into effect Jan. 1.

U.S. District Judge William Shubb ruled Dec. 3 that the ban Gov. Jerry Brown signed earlier this year could violate the First Amendment rights of therapists to express their opinions about homosexuality. Three plaintiffs filed the suit, arguing that the ban was unconstitutional.

Earlier this year, Brown tweeted about the measure to ban conversion therapy on minors.

“This bill bans non-scientific ‘therapies’ that have driven young people to depression and suicide,” the governor tweeted.

“These practices have no basis in science or medicine.”

Shubb countered in a 38-page ruling that he didn’t believe there was sufficient evidence to support the argument that conversion therapy could prompt patients to commit suicide. ■ — compiled by Larry Nichols

NEWS PGN

speak to conservatives about LGBT rights.

And I think Mike might be the perfect person to do that. He has the right background and the right history in that district. He may be able to become a translator to that part of Pennsylvania that doesn’t necessarily want to hear from you or from me.”

Fleck was first elected in 2006 and reelected three times since, most recently last month, when he ran unopposed.

Fleck has not had the opportunity to vote on any LGBT-specific bills, such as the proposed nondiscrimination or hate-crimes measures, as they have not made it to the House floor for a vote in the past few years.

He has not cosponsored such bills.

Martin said Fleck has not confirmed if he will take a leadership role on the nondiscrimination measure or other LGBT bills, but said that conversation will take place.

“He’s shown a willingness to talk and discuss, and at this stage of the game, that’s pretty good,” Martin said. “I’m pretty happy about that. I want to give him the breathing space everyone should be giving him, and then we can talk about things.”

Fleck has been working with Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition on the LGBTinclusive Pennsylvania Safe Schools Act,

FLECK from page 1

emails and texts with Fleck recently, and said the announcement followed a lengthy personal process.

“He’s been coming to this decision now many months. He’s gone about this thoroughly and thoughtfully, and I think it’s a great thing,” said Martin, a former Central Pennsylvania resident who noted the development could be a valuable learning moment for the conservative Republican district. “Regardless of who you are, your station in life, coming out is a process, and I hope his constituents will give him the breathing room he deserves. And in six weeks, when he starts to deal with budget issues, they need to focus on his votes on taxes, on funding for education, on senior issues. They may look at him a little bit differently now, but I hope they can quickly come to the conclusion that he’s the same guy they’ve been voting for. This is an opportunity for Central Pennsylvania and other conservative parts of the state to look at gay people in a very new way.”

“He’s going to have a tough road to haul, there’s no question about that,” Sims said.

“He’s in a very conservative district. But this is 2013, and I think there’s room to

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

which he is cosponsoring.

PSEC executive director Jason Landau Goodman said the agency “could not be more proud of his courageous decision to be open and affirming of his identity.”

Sims acknowledged that, while he and Fleck disagree on some topics, he anticipates that Fleck could become an important advocate for LGBT rights.

“We differ on some policy issues but I’m hoping LGBT issues will not be one of them,” he said. “I’m hopeful this means we’ll have our first Republican member of the LGBT Caucus and someone to speak to the leadership in the Republican Party about why nondiscrimination is so important. I’m guessing that, after one week as an out gay man, he’ll be able to see and demonstrate why we say that LGBT nondiscrimination is not special rights but basic civil rights.”

Fleck could be integral in bridging the ingrained bridge between the two major parties in the state legislature, Sims said.

“I’m hoping this shows that the Democratic Party doesn’t have a monopoly on equality and that Republicans can support LGBT civil rights and LGBT people.

That’s the future. Everybody, everybody, everybody is frustrated and done with parti-

san politics. The answer to that is not to get angry and blame people but to collaborate, and there’s an opportunity with Mike Fleck to show that we, as Democrats, are supportive of LGBT people, civil rights and supportive of others who support those people and those issues, regardless of their party.

Mike gives us that opportunity.”

Martin agreed that Fleck’s leadership could prove integral to culling new support for LGBT-rights issues.

“He’s a voice inside the Republican caucus, which we’ve never had,” Martin said.

“If Rep. Fleck was renting a house in his district, and his landlord knows that he’s gay and became disgruntled over something, he could evict him. That’s messed up. He can now say to his constituents, ‘Does this make sense to you? It’s me we’re talking about here.’ That can be an opening, and hopefully they’ll see, right, that’s ridiculous. I’m not trying to make him into an instant crusader, but I think we can work to make sure he becomes a strong ally.”

“This is an incredibly interesting moment,” Martin added. “You have to wonder what type of impact this will have on other members who may be in the same situation.” ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

NEWS PGN

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An Iranian news service has said that more than 1,000 Iranians have undergone gender-reassignment surgery in the Islamic state between 2006-10.

Khabar Online reports that 1,366 Iranians acquired permits to receive gender-confirmation surgery. The figures reveal that 56 percent were male-to-female procedures.

Iranians who wish to undergo surgery must apply to the courts for a permit that is signed by the state medical office.

The former leader of the state, Ayatollah Khomeini, made the surgery legal in 1984.

French First Lady waiting to witness gay weddings The First Lady of France says that she has already been invited to several planned weddings of gay couples, pending proposed legislation to legalize marriage equality in France.

Valerie Trierweiler, who is dating French President Francois Hollande, said she has been asked to act as a witness for one couple.

The law is expected to be addressed

by Parliament in the coming session. Thousands took to the streets in November to oppose the law, but opinion polls show that most people agree with extending marriage rights to same-sex couples.

Hollande, who has expressed support for marriage equality, however, recently said the law should allow mayors to refrain from presiding over ceremonies if they do not agree with marriage equality.

Uganda’s antigay bill won’t contain death penalty

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A lawmaker in Uganda says an antigay bill that will be voted on soon will not contain the death penalty.

Krispus Ayena, a member of the committee that has been revising the bill, said Nov. 30 that some members argued very forcefully

NEWS PGN

against the death penalty.

Parliamentarian David Bahati, who wrote the bill, predicted last year that the death-penalty provision would be dropped.

The bill’s original language proposed death for cases where HIVinfected homosexuals had sex, where gay people had sex with minors or the disabled and where gays were discovered having sex for the second time.

The speaker of Uganda’s parliament recently said the bill would be passed before Christmas.

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Singapore couple challenges law on gay sex

A gay couple has filed a constitutional challenge aimed at repealing a Singapore law that criminalizes gay sex.

Activists say the government has become more tolerant recently toward gays and lesbians, but under Singapore law, gay sex is deemed ‘an act of gross indecency,” punishable by up to two years in jail.

Gary Lim and Kenneth Chee filed their challenge Nov. 30.

Chee said they did so because “I know that section 377A labels me a criminal.”

The case comes after a man was arrested in August for having sex with another man in a public restroom.

Polish court approves same-sex couple inheritance Poland’s Supreme Court has said a same-sex partner can inherit the right to a deceased’s rented apartment.

The decision extends a right that so far was granted only to spouses, children or unmarried heterosexual partners of tenants who had died.

The court said Nov. 28 that the right applies to a cohabiting samesex partner if he, or she, had been in an “emotional and physical” relationship with the deceased.

It was a response to the case of a gay man, identified only as Adam K., who sued Warsaw city authorities for denying him the right to stay in the city-owned apartment his partner had rented. A lower court was not sure if the right applied.

Poland does not allow gay marriage. ■ — compiled by Larry Nichols

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

PGN

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FEATURE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

PAGE 32

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

Turning the pages of your holiday wish list

By PGN Staff With the holiday shopping frenzy upon us, you may be racking your brain, and scouring department and big-box stores, for the perfect gift or stocking stuffer for that special someone. Instead of grabbing another mind-numbing romantic comedy or run-of-the-mill candle set, how about expanding the reading horizon for your giftees? PGN got to reading some of the latest works

by LGBT authors and about LGBT topics to give you the best of the best, and occasional not-so best of the best, in holiday gift-worthy books. But remember, shy away from online buying and patronize your local book stores.

“A Slice of Love”

By Andrew Grey Romance The setting is Carlisle, Pa., where Marcus Wilson’s newly opened bakery A Slice of Heaven is exhausting him and causing significant-enough worries that even paying the people who offered to help him get it started isn’t possible after several months. His stepmother comes in to help after a family dinner where Marcus’ father, the general, makes it pretty clear he isn’t as excited about his gay son having a bakery when the rest of the siblings

are all in the military.

Enter Gregory Southland — an accountant who offers to help with the bookkeeping to give Marcus a little more free time, which they end up spending most of together.

A magnetic couple (Gregory is positive, Marcus negative), they work to promote and grow the little shop of baked goods.

They hear of a young boy who has tested HIV-positive and the local school has refused to allow him to attend. (Sound familiar?) Do they help raise money for the legal battle or will the business go under when the label “AIDS Bakery” starts rumoring around? Will the ex, one of those who knows how to show up when Marcus is most vulnerable, mess things up?

Grey gets things hot in the kitchen and the bedroom in this latest of his series. This is a great gift book for that sweetheart in your life.

— Scott A. Drake “Bi-Curious George: An Unauthorized Parody”

By Andrew Simonian Humor From a nostalgia point of view, this gay take of the classic children’s character definitely remains faithful to the aesthetic of the original book.

But, upon further inspection, we can easily see why this version is an unauthorized.

The gay version of the beloved monkey character gets into the kinds of mischief kids might not be ready to understand, which is why the book is meant for adults. Even though nothing too explicit is

described or shown in the illustrations, the implications are easy to see.

This incarnation of the monkey has ditched the Man in the Yellow Hat for the Man in the Sassy Purple Beret and gets into misadventures involving randy sailors, firemen, jail and drug dealers.

Seeing George at times very drunk, vomiting, locked up, trying to avoid prison rape, stealing from a drug dealer and getting very high, all in the pursuit of some hot samesex monkey love, might not send the best of messages.

But is it is damn fun to read about. And if the exploits of a boozed-up, pill-popping, horny monkey is a blueprint for your life, you’re probably having too much fun to care either way.

For adults who want to see a childhood favorite through a decadent gay lens, “Bi-Curious George” is just the ticket.

— Larry Nichols “The Evening Hour”

By Carter Sickels Fiction Trans author Sickels takes on a harrowing task in exploring the impact of envi-

ronmental destruction on an impoverished Appalachian region, and does so brilliantly.

“The Evening Hour” centers on Cole Freeman, a 20-something nursing-home aide in his hometown of Dove Creek, W.Va., a small town where the men skip college for the coal mines and the women are left to tend bar and wait tables. Cole’s dreams of nursing school are foreign to most Dove Creek residents, but he does his part to fit into the fabric of the community with his lucrative side job — selling pills he steals from nursing-home residents and buys from willing seniors in the town’s flourishing drug market.

The depressed region is teetering on the brink of destruction as big-time coal companies strip away the greenery, displacing residents and causing rifts among those who flee and those who seek to preserve the once-vibrant mountainscape. Cole is forced to reconcile his ambition to break out of the town with his allegiance to the land and his steadfast grandmother, all the while haunted by an absent-yet-returned mother and a grandfather whose religious zeal instilled in him a wealth of self-doubt.

“The Evening Hour” boasts a sea of strengths — a good balance of dialogue and prose; a storyline rife with conflicts of all diPAGE 24

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

BOOKS from page 23

mensions; and an unapologetic, realistic take on personal failings in light of societal challenges.

However, the complexity of Sickels’ characters is most impressive. Cole is a benevolent figure but one with a multitude of flaws — traits Sickels effectively roots throughout the book. Each character is an effective blend of good, bad and somewhere in the middle, making for a cast that executes the story — that trends toward uplifting at times and disheartening at others — perfectly.

“The Evening Hour” is an intriguing tale sure to captivate any reader on your holiday-shopping list.

— Jen Colletta

“The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson”

By Michael Bush Nonfiction As a coffeetable book, “The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson” is a must-have for fans of Jackson or his outrageous style. Written by Michael Bush, the longtime costume designer and personal friend of the late King of Pop, “The King of Style” is an art-driven book about the costumes, apparel, shoes and accessories created and worn by Jackson and includes hundreds of lavish photographs and a behind-

FEATURE PGN

the-scenes look into the process of collaborating with the legendary entertainer.

The book includes personal stories from the author and never-before-seen photographs.

One interesting aspect of this book how fine is the line that divides which of Jackson’s clothes seem dated and which outfits still appear very hip by today’s standards. But which is which is in the eye of the beholder. Plus, with the exception of some stage costumes, Jackson never wore the same clothes twice in public, so unless you are some kind of super fan or stalker, you probably will see more than a few clothes

in the book for the first time.

It’s hard to imagine any fan of pop music or overthe-top glitzy style not enjoying this book to some degree.

— L.N. “The Legend of Bold Riley”

By Leia Weathington Fantasy Usually, lesbian characters in fantasy epic graphic novels end up being the personification of straight male erotic fantasies, which is why this graphic novel is a breath of fresh air.

With artistic nods to Indian folklore and Conan the Barbarian, “Bold Riley” keeps the focus on the character development, adventure and story, keeping things interesting visually and character-wise without venturing into gratuitous sex and violence usually associated with books in this genre. The artwork is spectacular, with five different artists lending their talents to different chapters in the book.

While this book might be too adult-oriented for younger readers, late teens and adults alike should enjoy the well-written stories of the titular adventurer as she travels the lands fighting, exploring and romancing whatever she might encounter along the way.

— L.N. “The Man on the Third Floor”

By Anne Bernays Fiction Bernays’ compulsively readable novel concerns

Walter Samson, a Jewish man in the 1950s who encounters a series of moral problems in his otherwise “wrinkle-free life.” For a man to whom success — in the publishing industry — comes easy, Walter not only hides his Judaism in the anti-Semitic postwar era, he also hides his sexuality. He maintains a clandestine extramarital affair with Barry, a handsome man he hires as his family’s driver. Walter even installs Barry on the third floor of his home to keep him nearby for covert meetings.

After Walter’s daughter Kate gets ill, however, she indicates that she knows about her father’s affair.

Shortly thereafter, a member of his staff also makes similar hints, perhaps even blackmailing him. Meanwhile, a famous author Walter discovered gives him an ultimatum — one that reflects how he is handling his own secrets and shame.

“The Man on the Third Floor” is engrossing because Walter is deliberately trapped by his lies, doubts and actions; every dramatic twist prompts him to reevaluate what he has and believes, and readers are caught up in his decisions.

While Barry’s character is something of an enigma, “The Man on the Third Floor” smartly showcases Walter’s personal and professional dilemmas. It is a particularly entertaining short novel.

— Gary M. Kramer “Mom Knows: Reflections on Love, Gay Pride and Taking Action”

By Catherine Tuerk Essay collection “Mom Knows” traces one family’s journey to understand a son’s sexual orientation — from denial to rejection to tolerance to acceptance and finally to celebration, with all the bumps along the way.

Tuerk’s son showed signs of femininity from a young age, which she and her husband attempted to root out with therapy and behavior modification, to no avail.

Once their son came out, the couple was forced to choose whether to continue

denying his identity or ultimately affirm their son, and they thankfully chose the latter.

The collection is comprised of dozens of personal essays Tuerk wrote throughout a several-decade period, reflecting her own “coming-out” process as she becomes a staunch LGBT ally and goes on a crusade to educate family, friends and strangers across the globe about the realities of an LGBT identity. Her writings demonstrate the true power of storytelling — Tuerk is the prototypical proud mother and grandmother and talks about her gay son, his partner and, eventually, their two children, to anyone and everyone who will listen and, in many instances, her ability to put faces to concepts has a transforming impact on many people’s conceptions of the LGBT community.

For LGBTs, the book can offer valuable insight into the personal struggles their parents or other loved ones may have undergone, or are continuing to go through, after their coming-out. And it’s also ideal for families and friends of LGBT people, regardless of which phase they’re in in fully embracing their gay loved one — it’s not preachy, but rather can subtly remind those who are struggling what family truly means.

— J.C. “On Being Different: What It Means to Be a Homosexual”

By Merle Miller Essay One of the defining works of writer-turnedactivist Miller’s careergets brought out of the history books with this new printing.

FEATURE PGN

The seminal “What It Means to Be a Homosexual” was first published in the New York Times Magazine in 1971 and later made into a book. The essay details Miller’s own struggles with his identity and shines a light on the then-growing energy in the LGBT community that was buoying people out of the closet, two years postStonewall.

“I dislike being despised, unless I have done something despicable, realizing that the simple fact of being homosexual is all by itself despicable to many people,” Miller writes.

His original essay shows an optimism that the growing LGBTrights movement would soon see legislative results: “Laws discriminating against homosexuals will almost surely be changed. If not this year, in 1972; if not in 1972, in 1976; if not in 1976 ... ” The changes that have taken place in the past four decades are delineated with the new foreword by Dan Savage and afterword

by Charles Kaiser.

“It has gotten better. Not perfect. Better,” Savage says. The simple manner in which the book opens with details on Savage’s family vacation with his husband and children is a statement in and of itself.

Likewise, Kaiser’s piece was penned as news was breaking, literally, of a California appeals court striking down Proposition 8.

However, the new additions to the piece do a good job showing the wealth of changes that is still needed — and in illustrating that courageous steps like those of Miller are integral in bringing about progress.

— J.C “The Passionate Attention of an Interesting Man”

By Ethan Mordden Fiction/short stories The alluring title and sexy cover suggest that Ethan Mordden’s “The Passionate Attention of an Interesting Man” might be

an erotica collection. But this novella plus four stories offer more substance than sex. Despite some explicit encounters between sensualized men, the theme linking each story/ relationship is how power and control are exercised.

The best stories feature two characters in a pas de deux. “The Flippety Flop” chronicles a dynamic, seductive encounter between two strangers, even if the twist ending is obvious.

The opening novella, “Tom,” also features an intriguing relationship.

Here, two roommates form an unusually close bond.

However, Mordden spends pages with curious supporting characters that detract from, rather than enhance, this story’s central relationship.

Yet this entry does offer some keen observations on human behavior, along with some clever uses of language.

In contrast, the absorbing tale “The Suite” is much more effective in depicting the motivations for and consequences of an intense tryst between two very different roommates.

Mordden offers engaging exchanges through his book, and he makes all the men in his stories fascinating — especially when they are calculating or menacing. But despite these elements, most of the stories, while interesting, are somewhat unsatisfying.

— G.M.K. “Strange Bedfellows” Rob Byrnes Fiction/humor “Strange” is the operative word for this lively, entertaining take on amateur criminals, political plotters, underhanded underlings and a wild and wily blogger whose paths not only intersect, but sometimes crash headlong into each other. The “bedfel-

lows” part refers to the criminals, who met on a B&E; they were both breaking into the same place the same night.

Of course, everyone knows that politics makes strange bedfellows. They are even stranger when the son of one popular older pol and son-in-law of another is expected to hit the campaign trail to fill a vacating seat, but on the trail tweets a penis picture to a non-wife female. The picture could be used for blackmail or for fodder to thwart his election. It might be a money-maker for criminals if they can obtain it from a blogger’s office. As well as her cell phone. And the backups at her home. Or, it could be, and is, all of the above.

The partners in crime and bed, Chase LaMarca and Grant Lambert, surround themselves in the final heist with the unlikeliest combination of scammers, car thieves, point men, drivers and a crazy kid who thinks that being a super-criminal means he gets to wear tights and a cape during the caper.

“Strange Bedfellows” is definitely a delight to read, with chuckles from the first fumble through the final fiasco.

— S.A.D. “These Things Happen”

By Richard Kramer Fiction “These Things Happen,” the debut novel by TV-scribe Kramer (“Tales of the City,” “My SoCalled Life”) would be better-suited for the stage, that it is for the page. The forced dialogue seems particularly scripted, and there are cues for

characters to “enter,” laugh and crack wise. The chapters are even broken out into different characters’ voices, which further emphasizes its theatricality.

The story opens with Theo, a 16-year-old, coming out. His best friend Wesley, who is currently living with his gay father Kenny and Kenny’s partner George, has been asked by Theo to learn “when they knew” they were gay, and if they believe it is a “choice.” The answers, revealed over the course of the book, are perceptive and provide insights about self-discovery and sharing one’s self with others.

However, Kramer buries his important points under bad writing, as when a character claims, “I miss hats and furtiveness,” or when a grievance is described as “a sour smell ... like the inside of sneakers.”

“These Things Happen” also uses a gay-bashing crime to reveal how Wesley’s parents hide aspects of their lives that might make them look bad. But the book is too slight for this to be revelatory.

Alas, Kramer’s selfconscious writing makes “Things” look bad all by itself.

— G.M.K. “Through the Door of Life: A Jewish Journey Between Genders”

By Joy Ladin Autobiography Trans author Ladin retells a story that is both heartbreaking and inspirational.

In her autobiography, Ladin traces her journey as she transitions from male to female. Ladin, who was biologically born a male but felt female all her life, gives a tragic inside look on the struggles that brought her to the point of transi-

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

tion and the impact it had on both her and her family. Ladin, who worked at Yeshiva University, a fairly conservative institute, faced discrimination in academia. She gives the reader an inside look on her new discoveries — everything from clothesshopping to progesterone and estrogen regimens to the painful coming-out to her parents and family.

Ladin’s book is perfect for those who are transitioning or heading in that direction, and for those who enjoy learning about transgender and gendernon-conforming experiences. With its wealth of information, the work could go a long way to educate readers on trans issues and could even save lives.

— A.T. “Trevor: The Story That Inspired The Trevor Project”

By James Lecesne Novella “Trevor” tells the story of a boy who could not find his place in the world.

Lecesne’s main character — previously developed through storytelling and an award-winning film — inspired The Trevor Project, a national organization that provides crisis intervention and services for LGBT youth. The novella tells the story of Trevor, a young boy trying to adapt to his surroundings in middle school. Trevor, who is obsessed with Lady Gaga, theater and his friendship with athlete superstar Pinky Faraday, is discouraged after being taunted and bullied at school.

He slowly spirals downward into thoughts of suicide and death and, because of his parents’ worry over his emerging sexuality and his friends’ disapproval of it, Trevor decides to take his own

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life. The book, however, does not end tragically.

“Trevor” shows the effects of bullying and the stages of depression that a child can go through. It would be perfect for just about any reader, but especially for youth who are struggling with their identities. This gift could go a long way in comforting someone who may feel different.

— A.T. “Victory: The Triumphant Gay Revolution”

By Linda Hirshman Nonfiction Get ready for knowledge overload with Hirshman’s “Victory: The Triumphant Gay Revolution.”

The book traces the history of the LGBTrights movement and its many highs and lows over the past century, a play-byplay of the community’s growth.

“Victory” is not only perfect for those interested in history but for the entire LGBT community. If you go into the book with sparse information on the history of the LGBT movement, you will feel ultimately schooled by the end. This novel gives the reader a front-seat view of what it was like for some of our greatest and most inspiring LGBT pioneers.

The best part is that the work allows you to take a step back and be grateful for the progress the LGBT movement has achieved by 2012. Although the fight for marriage equality is far from over, at least you can’t (legally) be arrested for identifying as gay anymore in this country.

“Victory” is ideal for a history buff or anyone who is eager to learn the history of the LGBT movement.

— A.T. ■

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NIGHTLIFE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

Winter Wonderland I knew Christmastime had arrived Beer and Cupcakes when the pizza place next to my office Don’t miss the third annual Beer & strung some lights from the awning Cupcakes from 7 p.m.-midnight Dec. 7 at over its front window.

The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. If you’ve It was a few days after Thanksgiving, never been to a bake sale in a leather bar Come see what’s new at your which is perfect in my book. Every before, then you don’t know what you’re local, non-corporate, gluten-free missing. holiday deserves its own time in the historic queer bookshop!

Mazzoni Center case sun, thank you very much.

Browse, chat, and support Christmas decorations should managers will sell home-baked the oldest continuously operating not go up around Halloween, goodies, draft beer, Jell-O LGBT book store in the USA! unless you’re making a Tim shots and raffle tickets for great Burton movie. prizes. All proceeds go to their So now that the season is winter coat and holiday toy here, make sure you make drive for children whose lives time for the great attrachave been impacted by HIV/ AIDS. tions in Center City. The Christmas Village in Love PGMC Home for the Park runs daily from 11 a.m.7 p.m. (8 p.m. on Fridays Holidays Concert and Saturdays) through Dec. Enjoy the sounds of the season with the Philadelphia Gay 24. The Holiday Show in the lobby of the Comcast Jim Kiley- Men’s Chorus from 8-10 p.m.

10% most hardcovers, Center starts at the top of the Dec. 7 at the Lutheran Church Zufelt of the Holy Communion, 2111 hour from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. over 5 million books and Sansom St. New Year’s Day. 3 million eBooks available through The program will include both tradiLast but not least, the granddaddy of at queerbooks.com tional and modern selections in a variety all Philadelphia holiday traditions, the of crowd-pleasing styles. Tickets range Wanamaker light show at Macy’s, starts email: giovannis_room@verizon.net from $30-$55. Enter the venue from 2110 at the top of the hour during store hours 345 S. 12th St. Chestnut St. through New Year’s Eve. Philadelphia, Pa 19107 I don’t know about you, but these are 215-923-2960 a few of my favorite things about Philly Whisker Wonderland Mon-Sat 11:30 - 7, Sun 1 - 7 during the holidays!

Looking for a new furry friend to add to your family but Jason Kelce from the Eagles won’t return your phone calls? Same here! Then visit Whisker Wonderland from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 8 at At Pet Health Center, we understand that William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. The great folks from findingshelter.org will be there with dozens of animals looking for foster and forever homes. They’ll also have vets on hand to answer your questions, light refreshments, raffle prizes and even the opportunity to have pet pictures taken with Santa.

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Philadelphians MC Holiday Party Celebrate the holidays with the men of Philadelphians MC at 8 p.m. Dec. 8 in The Pit Stop at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince

St. They’ll have Jell-O shots, great music and, if you’ve been naughty, then maybe that furry red Santa bear of theirs will let you sit on his lap and tell him what you’ve been wishing for.

Philadelphia Freedom Roundup The local LGBT AA community brings the Philadelphia Freedom Roundup back to town Dec. 16-18.

The Roundup is the annual gathering of the LGBT community that celebrates recovery and those interested in what recovery has to offer. Attendees come from across the Delaware Valley and around the country for meetings and workshops where speakers share their personal experiences and tips for sober living.

But the weekend isn’t just about sharing: It also includes entertainment on Friday night and a dance on Saturday night.

All Roundup events will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel, which has discounted rooms available for $109 a night.

Registration is only $55, or get yourself a ticket to just the Saturday-night dance for only $10.

For complete details, including a workshop schedule, links to Roundup registration and discounted hotel reservations, visit www.philadelphiaroundup.org.

Pulse Ugly Sweater Party Whip it out, slap it on and show it off from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 15 at Smokin’ Betty’s, 116 S. 11th St. Whip what out?Your ugly holiday sweater, of course!

Cover is only $5, which gets you some great drink specials and amazing music by DJ Kash, who will be spinning some holiday tunes into her amazing set. Because you need a little Christmas. Right this very minute. And you know you want it! ■ Questions? Comments? Favorite holiday song you want me to drop into my next article? Contact Jim at barcrawlr@gmail. com or follow him on Facebook for links to back articles and bitchin’ old pop-music videos!

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PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

PGN

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

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BROADWAY MUSICAL ® THE TONY AWARD-WINNING

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

MUSIC PGN

Indie and Broadway artists make magic with holiday tunes

By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Holiday albums usually bore us to tears. Sure, we have our go-to picks from the likes of Motown, RuPaul and those awesome punk-rock Christmas compilations, but usually we like to avoid the sappier offerings that sprout up around this time of year.

Thankfully, some new and interesting Christmas music has fallen into our holiday stockings to restore our faith in the genre. Here are a few recent holiday releases that are bringing us comfort and joy.

She & Him “A Very She & Him Christmas” Merge Records She & Him, the indie-folk duo featur-

ing actor and singer Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, does Christmas music well on their holiday-themed album.

The laid-back, retro and sparse renditions of Christmas classics harken back to the ’50s and ’60s early rock of Elvis and Buddy Holly, with their own flair and style. Other songs like “Christmas Wish” get pleasantly ethereal in their sound.

This is the kind of Christmas music that you could put in rotation with unobtrusive holiday albums like “A Charlie Brown Christmas” by Vince Guaraldi Trio. Cool, without being too ironic and hipster-oriented, this album should be a welcome addition to anyone’s Christmas collection.

Various artists “Broadway’s Carols for a Cure Vol. 12” Rock-It Science Records

Tracy Thorn “Tinsel and Lights” Merge Records

Even if it wasn’t for a good cause, with profits benefiting Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS, this album is a huge holiday treat for the theatergoer on your holiday list. This double album features Christmas songs performed by the casts of a broad range of Broadway hits.

We were surprised to see songs from more rock-oriented productions like “American Idiot,” “Addams Family” and “Rock of Ages,” but they fit well alongside contributions from “Jersey Boys,” “Wicked” and “Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles.”

Thorn, singer for Everything But the Girl, delivers a beautifully lush alternative rock/shoegaze collection of Christmas music. The songs here run the gamut of somewhat somber (“Hard Candy Christmas” and “Like A Snowman”) to somewhat fun and playful (“Snow and Sun” and “Maybe This Christmas”).

The cold electronic textures of “Taking Down the Tree” are a highlight, exuding a Eurythmics vibe.

For fans of artists like Everything But the Girl, Mazzy Star and Natalie Merchant, “Lights” is an exceptional album of holiday songs that does a good job of feeling traditional and very fresh at the same time. ■

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

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Suzi Nash

Ian Hussey: Taking athletic abilities to the ballet’s center stage In “Nutcracker: The Motion Picture,” the narrator states: “In the language of this dream, in that palace of delight, we spoke with our whole selves ... And my tall Nutcracker Cavalier had eyes only for me, for at least as long as that dream could be.” Well, this week we only have eyes for Ian Hussey, the principal dancer who plays the Cavalier in the Pennsylvania Ballet’s production of “George Ballanchine’s The Nutcracker.”

PGN: I know you’re used to expressing yourself through dance, but tell us a little about yourself.

IH: Well, I grew up in Westmont, N.J., and I’ve been training in ballet since I was 9 years old. At 16, I trained with the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet in Carlisle, graduated from that high school, joined the Pennsylvania Ballet and have been with them ever since. I’m pretty much a Philly guy. I’ve lived in all areas of the city and even growing up I was always coming into the city for dance.

PGN: Where do you think you got your artistic bent?

IH: I don’t really know. Both of my parents were in business. My mother was a stay-athome mom, now she’s a medical secretary, and my dad worked as a financial advisor.

I think the reason they put me in ballet was because I was really into figure skating.

I wanted to be a skater so bad. I idolized Kristi Yamaguchi and Nancy Kerrigan, Brian Boitano and Scott Hamilton. As it happened, a friend whose father was working on the house of a dancer with the PA Ballet got free Nutcracker tickets and gave them to my mom, who took me to the show. I was enthralled and my mother asked me if I wanted to try ballet. I said sure, started taking classes and the next winter I was onstage at The Academy of Music in the production as one of the party boys.

PGN: That’s amazing! You were clearly talented. Any siblings?

IH: Yes, I have an older brother, Colin, and a twin, Eamonn.

PGN: I’m guessing you’re an Irish boy?

IH: [Laughs.] Oh yes.

PGN: No sister? Though I guess that’s a good thing with your last name!

IH: Yeah, but my mom is a big Hussey!

PGN: [Laughs.] You said it, not me. Is your twin identical or fraternal?

IH: Fraternal, but we could easily be mistaken for identical. It was tough growing up: We were best friends and inseparable, but we also fought like crazy people. They called us the Bicker Brothers because we’d fight so much. We shared everything: a

room, classes, even friends, and it could get to be too much. And we were very competitive; whether it was playing wiffle ball or basketball in the backyard, we’d always have very intense games that ended up in a fight. As we’ve grown older, we’ve each had different personal lives, but we’re still very close. We talk at least every other day.

PGN: So for those people who always think, Man, I wish I had a twin ...

IH: That’s so funny. Someone just said that to me yesterday. I was like, “You know, growing up I didn’t think it was so awesome.” I hated it, but now that I’m older I enjoy it-having that special connection with somebody.

PGN: Is Eamonn heterosexual or homosexual?

IH: He’s heterosexual.

PGN: Any weird twin things?

IH: Not really. I mean, I know him. I know how his brain works because it works exactly like mine. So if my parents were having issues with him and said, “I don’t understand why he’s doing that,” I always knew why he was doing that. I get him.

Totally ... but nothing like being able to feel his pain or anything telepathic.

PGN: What did you like to do other than play wiffle ball?

IH: Lots of sports. We played little league baseball, team soccer, a lot of tennis. My brother and I loved to go to the tennis courts and play, though we’d fight there too. We loved anything having to do with sports. We were into the Phillies, Flyers, Sixers, Eagles ... and we were really into playing video games.

PGN: So you were a jock, Mr. Hussey?

IH: Yeah, I was. It was very difficult because I had to give all that up for dance.

When I was about 13, I had to make the decision as to whether I wanted to stay in regular school and play sports or go to Carlisle and study ballet. I’m glad that I chose dance, though it’s still pretty hard sometimes. I’d love to be able to play in the City of Brotherly Love Softball League or join a recreational tennis league but I just can’t. I’m not willing to risk my job sliding into third base. Maybe when I retire ...

PGN: Do you have to worry about insurance? Getting sick? I’m guessing most dancers freelance.

IH: One thing that is really wonderful about being with the PA Ballet is that we are provided health insurance by the company as part of our contract. Health, dental, it’s all covered, and if we get injured on the job, we can file for workman’s comp, so we’re very well-protected.

PGN: That’s great.

IH: Yes, you’re correct in that a lot of dancers do live and work as freelancers and they constantly have to audition and look for work and worry about things like health insurance. But with PA Ballet, I’m an employee of the company plus we’re also a part of the American Guild of Musical Artists, which is a union that protects us. It covers opera singers and musicians and other types of musical artists.

PGN: I see that in addition to your work as a member of the PA Ballet, you also were a producer of “Shut Up and Dance.”

IH: Yes, I’ve been part of the show for years as a dancer and choreographer and production manager. In 2012, I was the producing director. It was hard and crazy and a lot of work but fun and totally worth it. It was one of the best nights of my year.

The house was packed and I think we raised, if not more money than was raised before, then darn near close to it. I love the cause and it’s great to be a part of the

was raised in a Catholic family but luckily both my parents were very liberal. I knew if I were to ever come out, I wouldn’t be shunned from the family or kicked out of the house, but it was still terrifying. I knew since I was 13, but I fought it.

PGN: You would think being in the world of dance, you’d be exposed to gay culture more.

IH: You know what, I was, but it wasn’t until I got older that my friends started to actually come out. Being in the small school environment in Carlisle didn’t help; everyone knew everyone and all their business, so I didn’t want to come out there.

I had a girlfriend who I’d been dating for a year-and-a-half and I knew I had to tell her. The video was about the tough choice to tell her and begin to live my life freely and openly. Once I did that, there was no turning back. I told my mom and she was very cool about it. [Laughs.] We were fighting that day so things were already emotional but it drew us even closer.

PGN: When did you tell your twin?

IH: On Halloween. I don’t even remember why but we were at a Halloween party and he said something about girls and I wasn’t planning on telling him but it just came out. He was awesome about it. He was more mad at me for making him look silly. Over the years when his friends thought I was gay, he’d always say, “No, he’s a dancer, but he’s not gay.”

[Laughs.] He was mad at me for making him defend me all those years.

PGN: So speaking of your dancing, what are you doing with “The Nutcracker” this year?

IH: I am the Cavalier to the Sugar Plum. It’s the best role for a guy in the show.

The Sugar Plum Fairy is the lead ballerina and I get to dance with her. I’ve been Photo: Alexander Iziliaev dancing in the show since I was a kid and have played pretty much every male role in the show. event. It was an emotional journey and to end it onstage with the dancers behind me PGN: So does “The Nutcracker” conjure and the audience on their feet was aweup the holiday spirit for you? some.

IH: Absolutely, it makes you think of Christmastime and families coming to see PGN: I saw you did a “Tough Choices” the show every year. It’s a grueling show to video on coming out. When did you come do, especially for the girls, but it’s nice to out? be in the theater for such a long period of IH: It was difficult for me, being taught time and to have so by society that being gay was shameful. I PAGE 36

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

TV &PGN MOVIES

Christmas classic with a queer twist hits the big screen

Worth Watching

By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor

GOING POSTAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Guest stars and Muppets abound in “The Muppets: Letter to Santa,” in which Kermit and company try to deliver letters to the man at the North Pole. 9 p.m. Dec. 11 on CW.

KRINGLE CLASSIC: “A Miracle on 34th Street,” about a department store Santa who goes on trial to prove he is the real Mr. Kringle, airs 8 p.m. Dec. 11 on AMC.

WE WANT WANDA!: Actor, comedian and singer Jamie Foxx gets to fall back on his “In Living Color” roots when he hosts Saturday Night Live, 11:30 p.m. Dec. 8 on NBC.

Call it a new holi-gay classic. “Scrooge & Marley” is a queer — and musical — take on Dickens’ perennial favorite, “A Christmas Carol.”

This amusing new film, which plays 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at Ritz East, 125 S. Second St., features out actors in many of the leading roles. David Pevsner is Scrooge, the miserly owner of a nightclub he “stole” years ago from his savior, Fezziwig (Bruce Vilanch).

This action also cost him his relationship with Bill (Christopher Allen). Now, running his club with an iron fist, he fires Randy (Ronnie Kroell) and makes life hell for his manager Bob Cratchit (David Moretti).

With visits from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, will Scrooge come to see the error of his ways?

PGN spoke with “Scrooge & Marley” co-star and co-producer Moretti about his Christmases past, present and future, and whether he has been naughty or nice this year.

PGN: Why make a gay version of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol?”

DM: I feel like we gays needed a Christmas movie to call our own. It was a fun idea to put a rainbow-colored spin on “A Christmas Carol.” Making a Christmas movie has been on my bucket list since seeing “Christmas Vacation” as a kid. And gays love the holidays.

We’re a festive bunch!

PGN: What do you remember from your Christmases pasts?

DM: I got thousands and thousands of presents, either because I’m an only child or because my parents were divorced.

PGN: What were some of your favorites?

DM: I loved building things, like G.I. Joe base stations. I liked puzzles, but I also liked action figures where you had to create things.

THE FINISH LINE: “The Amazing Race” ends another season and there’s a chance that Chippendales team Jaymes (openly gay, left) and James (right) might take home the million-dollar prize. Tune in and find out 8 p.m. Dec. 9 on CBS.

ally go back and forth to Rhode Island and/or Ohio. Ohio is calm — dinner with my mom and lots of mother/son time. If I am at home with Dad, all the Italians live there, so it is one party after another all over the state, which is the size of a city.

Sometimes I stay in Los Angeles and have Christmas with friends.

PGN: What do you hope for Christmases in the future?

DM: In the film, I play Bob Cratchit, a happily married dad with a family of orphans. He’s a pillar of stability. I want that: a family, nice traditional Christmas with kids around. I think I want kids. I want the relationship, the dog, the whitepicket fence in suburbia. Though it’s odd for an actor to say that — but Bob’s life is ideally what I want.

PGN: Bob has a pretty mean boss in Scrooge. What can you say about Scrooge’s situation? How do you relate?

DM: It’s a classic story of redemption.

“SCROOGE & MARLEY”

Scrooge has an unscrupulous demeanor towards life. I don’t relate to Scrooge, but I do relate to Cratchit. The take-home is finding redemption and making amends.

PGN: Speaking of making amends, what did you do this year that was naughty?

DM: [Laughs.] Um, naughty ... I can’t say that.

PGN: What else do you remember about the holidays?

DM: Christmas in my house had lots of loud screaming in Italian. Eighteen parties in a span of three hours. Lots of fish, curse words and praising Jesus.

PGN: Off the record you can ...

DM: I don’t like to think I’ve been naughty. I will confess I’ve had many cheat days. I’ve developed a thing for chocolatecovered pretzels. I cannot walk by them in the supermarket without throwing them in the basket. I live dangerously, what can I say?

PGN: What are your current celebrations like?

DM: It changes every year. I’m not sure what I’m doing yet this year. My whole family is meeting me in Chicago for the premiere of “Scrooge & Marley.” That may be our Christmas this year. I usu-

PGN: OK, smartass, what did you do that was nice?

DM: I attended the gay/lesbian elderly housing benefit in L.A. this year. I plan to get more involved with that. I also started paying one of my mom’s bills just to take a little load off her back and show her how

MOVIES PGN

much I care about her and appreciate all she’s done for me in my life.

PGN: “Scrooge & Marley” is a musical. While you don’t get to sing, are you DAVID MORETTI a caroler?

DM: No! If you read the reviews of [my performance in] “My Big Gay Italian Wedding” in New York, you’d know that. I just started learning to sing better.

PGN: Speaking of song, do you think Christmas is “like a Broadway musical” as one of the songs in “Scrooge & Marley” goes? Do you find the holiday campy, or is it more solemn for you?

DM: Christmas isn’t somber or campy for me, it’s just in the middle: a beautiful holiday to get family and friends together.

I love this whole season. Snuggle weather, a chill in the air, lighting a fire, appreciating everyone. I like what Christmas is all about. Granted, people go overboard with decorations, and that loses sight of the holiday, but I celebrate Christmas telling everyone I appreciate them.

PGN: Do you like to cook a big meal, or just eat?

DM: I am the eater who brings something that comes in a bottle. I can only cook well for me. I’m good at grilling. I’m really good at steaming vegetables. Turkey and sides? I tried one year to make a Greek version of spaghetti squash. My guests tried to eat it and couldn’t.

PGN: Sounds regrettable. The theme of “Scrooge & Marley” is about regrets and change — do you have regrets from how you treated people in the past?

DM: The only regret I have — and I’d like

to say I don’t believe in regret — is from when I first came out. I didn’t acknowledge myself properly. I wasn’t comfortable with myself, so I wasn’t myself. I’d lie to people and deny my identity. I was leading a very superficial life and I created a character I wanted to be and not who I was. A lot of people saw through that, but it’s a process for everyone. I was younger and lost some friends from that, and I regret not having those people in my life. But I’ve done a 180 and I have more friends now.

I’m confident, secure and happy.

PGN: Is there anything you want to change, perhaps in the New Year?

DM: I would give myself more patience, in all aspects of life — but especially in the love department. I can sometimes rush into things as I chase my dream of this über-romantic, perfect, problem-less partnership, and it’s invariably with the wrong guy. Things start out great in the honeymoon phase, but then as I peel the layers of the onion and get to the core, I generally realize I fell for show over substance.

That’s oftentimes the L.A. way, unfortunately. And it’s my fault too. For some reason, I’m attracted to d-bags and push good people away.

PGN: What do you think others might want to change in you?

DM: My mom wishes I was a banker rather than an actor, because she’d prefer not to see me in horror films where my face is eaten off.

PGN: Well “Scrooge & Marley” isn’t a horror film, so she’ll probably enjoy it.

Last question: What do you wish for this Christmas?

DM: I’d like to be on a series. I would love stability in my professional life. When that’s not stable, it becomes your priority, and that’s tough for a relationship. The acting world is a profession where you have to focus your time on yourself. I want an L.A.-based show so I can get the house, the picket fence and the family time. ■

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DANCEPGN & STAGE

Gender-bending ballet troupe brings levity to the holidays

By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com The gender-bending “mallerinas” of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo are coming back to Philadelphia for the holidays with their playful interpretation of classical ballet Dec. 13-15 at the Annenberg Center’s Zellerbach Theatre.

The critically acclaimed all-male company will perform the Philadelphia premieres of “Go for Barocco,” as well as the long-awaited return of “Le Lac Des Cygnes (Swan Lake, Act II).”

Les Ballets dancer Davide Marongiu said he was attracted to the company because there are too few opportunities for male dancers to have the spotlight in traditional ballet companies.

“Boys in ballet, unless you become a star right away, you are bound to support the girl and be in the background all the time,” he said. “I just got a little tired of that.

There’s got to be something more to this. I love the acting part of ballet, not just the simple execution. I heard that Les Ballets Trockadero was in Paris, and thought to myself that I’d give it a shot.

Then this all happened.”

The company was founded, and subsequently started touring internationally, 38 years ago.

Marongiu said the group attracts audiences of both traditional and nontraditionalballet fans.

“We have a really good mix because our show is not just for people who are into ballet. We have a reputation of being very entertaining for people who already know us, and those who don’t know us find themselves involved in a performance that is not conventional. There’s the parody and

there’s the comedy. It turns out that an audience that is not educated about ballet finds ways to relate to the dancers and the performances because it does not take a lot for you to know ‘Swan Lake’ and get the parody of the jokes we put on stage. Our main thing is Russian classical styles from the 19th century. But over the years, we’ve done more modern pieces. We are definitely working on both a lot.”

Marongiu added that even though the company focuses on comedic parodies, the members are very serious about the art form and how they portray it to audiences.

“The comedy is universal because we try to never cross the line between parody and playing a drag s h o w,” h e said. “It is not a drag show.

Of course we are dressed as girls but that’s about it. Our show is a parody and to do parody you have to know very well what you’re making fun of and to be able to celebrate it by making a joke about it. We don’t want to cross the line into slapstick.

We try to be very tasteful, which is very important in ballet. We keep it simple and direct. Everything we do in terms of comedy comes out naturally during the rehearsal process. These are things that can happen to anybody in any company in the world. A ballerina slips and falls.

That’s the most common thing. The more elaborate jokes, those depend on the personality of the dancers that perform them.

We do have a set of rules when it comes to comedy, but it is very free and fresh.” ■ Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo performs Dec. 13-15 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St. For more information or tickets, visit www.trockadero.org or call 215-898-3900.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

FUN & PGN GAMES

Q Puzzle Look Out, Dan White Across 1. It can give a man legs like a lady 5. “My ___ Lady” 9. Farmer’s tool 13. Like Hawaiian shirts 14. Voice in a loft 15. Straddled a stallion 16. Start of a “benefit” of a food company’s demise 19. Tank top 20. As a bottom limit 21. Many a moon 23. Dorm VIPs 24. More of the “benefit”

30. ___ fours (doggy-style) 31. Pet food brand 32. Triangle side 34. Dietary, in ads 35. Bannon and Northrop 36. Fashionable Fla. resort 37. Cold-cocks 38. ___ fu 39. Flip 40. More of the “benefit” 43. Toothpaste box letters 44. Debussy’s daddy 45. What drawers do 49. Able to assume many positions 53. End of the “benefit”

PORTRAIT from page 31

many people come see the show. I’m more of a Thanksgiving guy, because we’re pretty busy doing 11-12 shows a week during the holidays, but it’s always a fun time of the year.

PGN: What’s the feeling of leaping across the stage in front of a theater full of people?

IH: It’s an adrenaline rush. It can be scary, it can be exhilarating, it can be great fun, there’s no one emotion. But for the most part, it’s so much fun, it’s why you do it ... just for the love of dance.

PGN: Biggest ballet blunder?

IH: Oh, that’s easy. It was in “The Nutcracker” a few years ago. I was doing the Candy Cane dance, which is a part in which the guy jumps through a hoop, like a million times. At the very end, there’s a part where you have to jump up and go through the hoop twice and it’s very difficult. You’re tired from the whole dance and then you have to do this stunt. In this one performance, I don’t know if I slipped or had my weight back, but I landed on my butt with my legs in the air just as the music hit its crescendo.

PGN: I see your name connected to Arantxa Ochoa a great deal.

IH: She was someone I danced with for many, many years and someone I idolized growing up. She’s danced with PA Ballet since 1996 and just retired last year. She’s a wonderful person and now she’s going to be the principal instructor of the new school.

55. It crosses Hollywood 56. Romeo or Juliet 57. Breaks for Heather’s mommies 58. “Don’t leave me!”

59. Hit with hand motions 60. Windshield feature

Down 1. Went down (on) 2. Vegetarian’s staple 3. German industrial locale 4. Like Teletubbies 5. Become like a bear 6. Malt drink 7. Words with

shame or boy 8. Oration stations 9. Mychal Judge, e.g.

10. Marlene’s _Blue Angel_ role 11. Sapphic poems 12. “ ___ Side Story” 17. George of “It’s My Party” 18. Labia, e.g.

22. The 411 24. Coffeehouse music 25. Tear producer 26. Dustin in “Midnight Cowboy” 27. Processed with a cash register 28. Political power 29. “That’s disgusting!”

33. Ironically

PGN: Do you watch any of the dance shows on TV? IH: No, not at all! I’m a big “Game of Thrones” fan. But I don’t watch a lot of TV. I don’t even have cable; I watch most shows through the Internet.

PGN: OK, I admit to watching dance shows, but I like that they show the hard work that goes into dancing. Showing football players and Olympic athletes struggling to do lifts, etc., people see that it’s not for wusses.

IH: Oh yeah, ballet is really, really hard.

It takes years and years of hard work and dedication to get to where we are and even then, there are many people who put in the time and still don’t achieve the success we have. It’s a grueling process. It’s hard on your body, it’s hard on you mentally, you’re very self-critical and you’re fighting your body every single day. But that’s also why we love it, for the challenge and chance to push yourself. It’s definitely not for wusses. A lot of people think that because someone does ballet that they’re gay, but we have loads of straight guys who do ballet as well.

PGN: It seems like the tide is turning: It used to be that men were encouraged to dance — Gene Kelly, Fred Astair, Jimmy Cagney — and then for a minute it became unpopular. But now you have guys like Neyo, Usher and shows like “Glee” making it acceptable for boys to dance again.

IH: Yeah, they’re removing the stigma. It’s great.

straight singer Marvin 35. Balls 36. Bargain spot 38. Eastman camera 39. Letter flourish 41. Frank on the House floor 42. One-named Tejano singer 45. Off-rd. travelers 46. Boob, to a Brit 47. Fey of “30 Rock” 48. Abound 50. ___ B’rith 51. Where to see sweaty men 52. Silence for Saint-Saens 54. Last mo.

SOLUTION, PAGE 38

PGN: How about some random questions. The feature I get the most compliments on?

IH: [Feigning a Southern accent] Um, prob’ly mah hair. I have a lot of curly hair that people always comment on. Or wait, my eyelashes. I have very long eyelashes, let’s use that.

PGN: [Laughs.] OK, they both count as hair. The worst pick-up line tried on you?

IH: This guy once said, “You know when I graduate college I’m going to be making over $200,000 starting salary.

As an artist, you’re going to need to be taken care of.”

PGN: Would you rather travel to the future or go back in time?

IH: That’s a hard one, Suzi! I think I’m going to say future. It would be tempting to go back and change things or do things differently. To help my childhood self so he wouldn’t be so damn scared all the time, but I think it would be more helpful to go into the future. It would be fun to see how the world changes.

PGN: The family claim to fame is ... ?

IH: Cooking. Both of my parents are really good cooks.

PGN: I saw that you were reviewed in the New York Times as “the hunky, precise Ian Hussey” and you were voted one of the Daily News’ Sexy Singles of 2011. How cool was that?

IH: Very cool. And flattering. [Laughs.]

Unfortunately, it didn’t help me in the dating department, but it’s always nice to get a good review in any form. And I’m happy with my life just the way it is.

PGN: A fun dancing experience?

IH: I got to be in the film “Black Swan” with Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis.

Most of the dancers in the movie are from PA Ballet. It was an incredible experience. I got to work on a movie set with the stars and Darren Aronofsky, who was one of my favorite directors growing up.

To see him at work was surreal and when [Portman] won the Oscar it was awesome.

It was exciting to be part of an Oscar-winning film.

PGN: A fond moment?

IH: The final scene of “Romeo and Juliet,” dancing with Arantxa. It was one of the most incredible parts I’ve ever had on stage. It was a part where you really had to bare your soul and she’s such an amazing artist, to share that with her and the audience ... to be in that moment was probably one of the best things I’ve ever done. ■ “George Ballanchine’s The Nutracker” runs through Dec. 30 at The Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, visit www.paballet.org/nutcracker.

To suggest a community member for “Family Portrait,” write to portraits05@aol.com.

BOOKS PGN & DVDS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

37

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American deserter/mercenary on the lam in a tortured West African country.

4. “For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Still Not Enough: Coming of Age, Coming Out and Coming Home” by Keith Boykin (Magnus, $15.95 pb). The new book addresses longstanding issues of sexual abuse, suicide, HIV/AIDS, racism and homophobia in the African-American and Latino communities.

5. “The Bible of Gay Sex” by Stephan Niederwieser (Bruno Gmuender, $39.99 hb, less 10 percent in the store). Everything you wanted to know and then some.

6. “New Ways to Kill Your

Mother: Writers and Their Families” by Colm Tóibin (Scribner, $26 hb, less 10 percent in the store). A fascinating exploration of famous writers’ relationships to their families and their work.

7. “God Believes in Love: Straight Talk About Gay Marriage” by Bishop Gene Robinson (Knopf, $24 hb, less 10 percent in the store). Lovingly and persuasively makes the case for same-sex marriage.

Men’s DVDs 1. “The Skinny” directed by Patrik-Ian Polk (2011, $24.95).

A sharply scripted comedy about a group of four young black gay men and their lesbian best friend.

From the director of “Punks” and

“Noah’s Arc.” 2. “Leave It on the Floor” directed by Sheldon Larry (2011, 107 min., $24.95). An ode to the wild, funky and heart-aching life of the “Paris Is Burning” subculture.

3. “Beauty” directed by Oliver Hermanus (2011, $19.99).

Francois is a dutiful husband and father but finds himself going through the motions of a loveless marriage while harboring a lifelong secret.

4. “Weekend” directed by Andrew Haigh (2011, 97 min., $29.95).

A one-night stand that develops into a weekend-long idyll for two very different young men.

5. “Elliot Loves” directed by Terracino (2012, 92 min., $19.95). A wideeyed and gay Elliot, at two different stages in life — an inquisitive 10-year-old boy and an idealistic 21-year-old–searching for love in all the wrong places.

6. “Eating Out 5: The Open Weekend” directed by Allan Brocka (2011, 82 min., $24.95).

Serves up plenty of eye candy and raunchy fun along with the pursuit of finding true love.

7. “The History Boys” directed

by Nicholas Hytner (2006, $19.95). The smartest gay movie in a decade.

Trans & Women’s Books 1. “Ethical Slut” revised edition,

by Dossie Easton and Janet W. Hardy (Celestial Arts, $16.99 pb).

For anyone who has ever dreamed of love, sex and companionship beyond the limits of traditional monogamy.

2. “Why Are Faggots So Afraid of Faggots? Flaming Challenges to Masculinity, Objectification and the Desire to Conform”

by Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore (AK, $17.95 pb, $9.99 Google eBook). An exploration of the perils of assimilation, a call for accountability, a vision for change. A sassy and splintering emergency intervention.

3. “Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?” by Jeanette Winterson (Grove, $25.26 hb, less 10 percent in the store). This memoir is often bleak, but also very funny and as beautifully crafted as any of her fiction.

4. “One in Every Crowd” by Ivan E. Coyote (Arsenal Pulp,

$15.95 pb). Stories aimed at queer youth about being true to oneself.

5. “Tea Leaves” by Janet Mason (Bella, $15.95 pb). A memoir about the author’s factoryworker lives of her mother and grandmother in working-class Philadelphia while she copes with her mother’s final illness.

6. “Beautiful Music for Ugly Children” by Kirstin CronnMills (Flux, $9.99 pb). With his new public-access radio show gaining in popularity, Gabe struggles with romance, friendships and parents while trying to come out as transgender.

7. “Israel/Palestine and the Queer International” by Sarah Schulman (Duke, $22.95 pb).

Activist and novelist Schulman describes her dawning consciousness of the Palestinian liberation struggle.

Trans & Women’s DVDs 1. “Pariah” directed by Dee Reese (2011, 87 min., $19.95).

A 17-year-old African-American butch lesbian torn between the demands of her conservative family and the comfort of community among her friends in the outside world.

2. “The Lovers and Friends Show” season four, directed by Charmain Johnson (2011, 167 min., $19.95). Six minority lesbians navigate their way through life’s challenges with attitude and a fabulous sense of style.

3. “When Night Is Falling” ($19.95). A chance encounter with a beautiful, irresistibly sensuous young female circus performer is about to transform Camille’s predictable life into an electrifyingly erotic adventure.

4. “Off and Running” directed

by Nicole Opper (2010, 76 min., $24.95). With white Jewish lesbians for parents and two adopted brothers, Brooklyn teen Avery, a high-school track star, grew up in a unique and loving household. But Avery is curious about her AfricanAmerican roots.

5. “But I’m a Cheerleader” directed by Jamie Babbit (1999, 90 min., $14.95).

6. “Boys Don’t Cry” directed by Kimberly Pierce (1999, $14.95).

The tremendously powerful portrait of the life and death of Brandon Teena. ■

38

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 12/07 Black Christmas The holidaythemed slasher film is screened 9:45 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

Sat. 12/08 Sarah Schulman in Conversation with Rabbi Linda Holtzman Sarah Schulman is the author of “Israel/Palestine and the Queer International,” 5:30 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960.

Eddie Money Acoustic Christmas Show The rock singer performs a holiday concert 6 and 9 p.m. at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5858.

Gremlins The monster film about cute creatures with the potential for monstrous mayhem is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-0223.

Maxi Priest The reggae singer performs 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-5727650.

Smashing Pumpkins The alternative rock band perform 8 p.m. at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-365-1300.

The Who The classic-rock band performs its holiday concert 8 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-3363600.

Sun. 12/09 Sha Na Na The vocal group and TV personalities perform 3 and 7:30 p.m. at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5858.

Aaron Lewis The rock singer from the band Staind performs a solo acoustic

show, 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888.

Mon. 12/10 Free Quizzo & Board Game Night Roll the dice, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation The comedy film is screened 7:30 p.m. at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5858.

The Dark Knight Rises The 2012 superhero action flick and last film of the recent “Batman” trilogy

goes mobile Now you can read your favorite local LGBT news site on your Android or iPhone/iPad Just go to epgn.com on your mobile device

Also check out our digital “flipbook” of the full print edition at issuu.com/philagaynews with issuu’s Android app.

is screened 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-9226888.

First Person StorySlam Spoken-word artists perform 8:30 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Lipstick Mondays A weekly drag show featuring a changing roster of queens takes the stage 9 p.m. at The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 215-8622081.

Tue. 12/11 Wayne Newton The singer performs 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-5727650.

Open Mic: The Best of What’s Next Sign up and play, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.

Wed. 12/12 4W5 Blues Jam Local musicians get down 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.

NO MIDNIGHT SNACKS FOR YOU: “Gremlins,” the classic film about cute creatures who turn into rampaging and malevolent monsters that wreak havock on the holidays, is back on the big screen 2 p.m. Dec. 8 at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville. For more information or tickets, call 610-917-0223.

Diaspora “Giovanni’s Room”

by James Baldwin is discussed 7 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960.

Richard Marx The rock singer performs a special holiday show 8 p.m. at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5858.

Thu. 12/13 The Killers The modernrock band performs 8 p.m. at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-365-1300.

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

Fri. 12/14 The Polyphonic Spree Holiday Show The psychedelic choral band performs 7 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888.

Sharon Katz & The Peace Train The folk artist and LGBT ally performs 7:30 p.m. at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; 215928-0770.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra The orchestralrock band performs its annual holiday concert 8 p.m. at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-336-3600.

Of Montreal The rock band performs 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888.

SOLUTION from page 36

TAKE A RIDE ON THE BRIGHTSIDE: Glitzy Las Vegas-bred rock band The Killers are rolling into town to dazzle their fans. Catch them 8 p.m. Dec. 13 at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J. For more information or tickets, call 856-3651300.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Opening George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker The Pennsylvania Ballet performs Dec. 8-30 at The Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.

Holiday POPS! Peter Nero and the Philly Pops perform an evening of holiday classics Dec. 7-22 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo The Annenberg Center presents the gender-bending dance company’s laugh-outloud excursion into the world of classical ballet Dec. 13-15 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.

Pete Holmes The comedian from Comedy Central performs Dec. 12-15 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.

Tchaikovsky and a Genius The Philadelphia Orchestra performs the music of the famed composer Dec. 13-15 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.

Cooking With the Calamari Sisters The all-singing, all-dancing, all-cooking hit musical comedy, through Jan. 13 at Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. Eighth St.; 215-923-0210.

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.

39

Cy Twombly: Sculptures Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works from the Swiss sculptor through March, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100.

Dr. Doolittle Media Theater presents the story of a veterinarian who can talk to animals, through Jan. 27, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.

Learning from Frank Furness: Louis Sullivan in 1873 Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of drawings and furniture by the famed architect, through Dec. 30, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Live Cinema/Manon de Boer: Resonating Surfaces — A Trilogy Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of a series of three cinematic portraits defined by narratives of time and memory, and structured around the relation between images and sounds, through Feb. 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

The Music Man Walnut Street Theatre presents the popular Broadway musical through Jan. 6, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.

ALL ABOARD: Out South African singersongwriter and activist Sharon Katz returns to town with her band, The Peace Train, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 14 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St. For more information or tickets, call 215-9280770.

Continuing

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

On My Honor: 100 Years of Girl Scouting The National Constitution Center presents an exhibition highlighting the history, contributions and traditions of Girl Scouts, including entrepreneurship, environmental awareness and civic engagement, through Dec. 31, 525 Arch St.; 215-409-6895.

Plaid Tidings Guy group Forever Plaid performs songs from the 1950s and ’60s through Dec. 30 at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.

Presidential Artifacts The National Constitution Center presents an exhibition of artifacts from collections around the country through Dec. 31, 525 Arch St.; 215-409-6895.

JINGLE BELL ROCK: Bombastic ensemble Trans-Siberian Orchestra is back in town to rock out, performing fiery renditions of holiday classics 8 p.m. Dec. 14 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-336-3600.

Ronaldus Shamask: Form, Fashion, Reflection Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of drawings and sketches by the fashion designer through March 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Shipwreck! Winslow Homer and The Life Line Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of 33 paintings by the American artist through Dec. 16, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Closing PGMC Home for the Holidays Concert Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus performs holiday classics through Dec. 8 at Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, 2111 Sansom St.; 215-567-3668.

Philadanco The dance group performs through Dec. 9 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. ■

40

CLASSIFIEDS PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

Classifieds Real Estate Sale

Real Estate Sale

Real Estate Sale

Real Estate Sale

Open Houses - Sunday December 9, 2012 12:00-2:00 PM 420 S.11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 Totally renovated 4BR/2.5BA home nestled in the Washington Sq West $865,000 The Lenox Condominiums 250 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 Condos from $165,000

12:00-2:30 PM

3031 Cambridge St, Philadelphia, PA 19130 Totally rehabbed 2BR/1.5BA home in Art Museum Area. Perfect for first-time home buyer. $229,900 936 N.30th St, Philadelphia, PA 19130 Just Listed! Beautiful 3BR/2.5BA home in Art Museum Area. $350,000

Search all Philadelphia area listings @ www.phillyrealestateagents.com Potter County: 17 acres adjoining Pennsylvania State Forest. Great hunting area! Electric, perc, gently rolling woodland, Keating Summit area. 814-435-2570. $72,900 owner financing. ________________________________________36-49

Dan Tobey

1401 Walnut St. • 8th Floor • Philadelphia, PA 19102

215.546.2700 Business • 267.238.1061 Direct 215.432.7151 Cell • 215.558.1063 Fax dtobey@cbpref.com • www.cbpref.com

Entertainment

Entertainment

Real Estate Rent 12TH & DICKINSON AREA Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms, bath. Very Unique.

1500. mo plus util. (negotiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. ________________________________________36-49 HADDON TWP, NJ Safe, sunny 2 BR apt. 2nd fl owner occ. duplex. 1000 sq.. ft., A/C, D/W, W/D, new carpet & paint. Pvt. ent. Close to speedline, bus, walk, bike to shops, parks, lakes, library. $850-875/mo + bonus. Call Brian, 12 PM-7 PM, 856-858-8620. ________________________________________37-01 DOYLESTOWN, PA Avail. after Jan. 1. 1 BR apt, great wooded location, convenient to 202 and New Hope. Sep. ent, laundry, basic cable, pool priv., garage and deck. No smoking, no pets. $1000/mo. + utils. dlhumphrey2012@gmail.com ________________________________________36-51 GORGEOUS PASSYUNK SQUARE HOME! 2-story, 800 sq. ft., 2 bdrm; c/a; fab kit w/stainless steel appl, micro; w/d in full bsmt; orig. hdwd flrs; custom inlaid mosaic tiles in foyer and bthrm; custom paint and exp brick throuout; outdoor garden area; 1 blk. from “the fountain,” subways & pub. trans.; pet friendly. $1,700.00/mo w/one year lease Contact Dominic @ 267-315-0239. ________________________________________36-49

Jewelry bought, sold, repairs, estates, custom deisgn, 707 Sansom. 215-925-3822. ________________________________________36-49

Services EARN COLLEGE DEGREE ONLINE *Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified.

SCHEV Certified. Call 888-220-3984. www.CenturaOnline.com ________________________________________36-49 AIRLINE CAREERS Begin here-Become an Aviation Maintenance Tech. FAA approved training. Financial aid if qualified-Housing available. Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 888-834-9715 ________________________________________36-49 MEDICAL-BILLING-TRAINEES NEEDED! Train to become a Medical Office Assistant. NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Online training gets you Job ready ASAP. HS Diploma/GED & PC/Internet needed! 1-888926-7882. ________________________________________36-49

Business Opportunities MASSIVE CASH Returning phone calls, No Selling. TAX FREE, for proof leave message. Great telephone support and training daily.

641-715-3900 Ext 59543# ________________________________________36-49

Roommates

Adoption

Rooms for rent in Salem, NJ. Small $600, MBR $700 and double, $800/mo. Includes utilities. Call 856-275-1001. ________________________________________36-51

Pregnant? Considering adoption? Successful educated woman seeks to adopt & needs your help! Will be a loving FULL-TIME mom. Expenses paid. Lisa. 1-888977-2931. ________________________________________36-49 We promise to give your baby a life filled with love, happiness, & security. Expenses pd. Lori & Art, 1-877292-1755. ________________________________________36-49

Travel & Resorts Men 609-345-8203 oceanhouseAC@yahoo.com ________________________________________37-05

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

Jewelry

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.

CLASSIFIEDS PGN

Real Estate Sale

Help Wanted A customer representative that will work as apart time bookkeeper is urgently needed which will earn $200 per duty. Contact ross.ulisa@yahoo.com if interested. ________________________________________36-49 Driver - $0.01 increase per mile after 6 months and 12 months. Choose your hometime. $0.03 Quarterly Bonus.

Requires 3 months recent experience. 800-414-9569 www. driveknight.com ________________________________________36-49 Drivers: CDL-A STAR OF THE ROAD. Tuition reimbursement up to $5000. New Student Pay & Lease Program.

UP TO $5000 SIGN ON BONUS! 877-521-5775 www.

USATruck.jobs ________________________________________36-49 Drivers: CDL-A NO GIMMICKS! Just great pay, Miles, hometime & benefits. $.50/mile for Hazmat Teams. Solos start at $.36/mile. 1 yr. exp. req’d. 800-942-2104 Ext. 7308 or 7307 www.TotalMS.com ________________________________________36-49 HIRING EXPERIENCED/INEXPERIENCED TANKER DRIVERS! Earn up to $.51/mile! New Fleet Volvo Tractors! 1 Year OTR Exp. Req.- Tanker Training Available. Call Today: 877-882-6537 www.OakleyTransport.com ________________________________________36-49 Exp. Reefer Drivers: GREAT PAY /Freight lanes from Presque Isle, ME, Boston-Lehigh, PA. 800-277-0212 or primeinc.com ________________________________________36-49 PIANIST NEEDED Imago Dei MCC is in need of a pianist to play for Sunday service twice a month. Service begins at 10.30am; please call Marina on 484-885-8842 for further details if you are interested. ________________________________________36-52 CRST offers the Best Lease Purchase Program! SIGN ON BONUS. No Down Payment or Credit Check. Great Pay. Class-A CDL required. Owner Operators Welcome!

Call: 866-403-7044. ________________________________________36-49 Driver:CDL-A Van & Flatbed *New Pay Package! *Very New Trucks *Benefits After 30-Days *Great Miles, Pay *Dependable Hometime *Start Immediately! CDL Graduates Needed! 877-917-2266 drivewithwestern.com ________________________________________36-49 Drivers- Pyle Transport (A Division of A. Duie Pyle) Needs Owner Operators, Sign-on Bonus if you start on or before Dec. 19th! Regional Truckload Operations. HOME EVERY WEEKEND! O/O Average $1.84/Mile. Steady, Year-Round Work. Requires CDL-A, 2 Yrs. Exp. Call Dan: 877-910-7711 www.DriveForPyle.com ________________________________________36-49 Gordon Trucking, Inc.-CDL-A Drivers Needed! ..$1,500 SIGN ON BONUS.. Refrigerated Fleet & Great Miles! Pay incentive & Benefits! Recruiters available 7 days/wk! EOE. TeamGTI.com 866-554-7856. ________________________________________36-49

Real Estate Sale

����������

��� For Sale

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

41

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PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

Friends Men LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive, caring with a fun personality.

If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. ________________________________________36-49 BM, 60 looking for British gent, 35-45 for intimate encounters. 215-763-3391, 6PM-Midnight. ________________________________________36-49 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________36-49

Massage David, 62, 6’, 200 lbs., educated. 215-569-4949. ________________________________________36-49 Massage on the Mainline. Affordable, professional. $60 per hour. Treat yourself! Appointments: 610-710-6213. ________________________________________36-51

Handsome Certified Therapist 6’, 195 lbs, Muscle Gives Sensual / Therapeutic Massage

Call 215-432-6030

B-7

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resOURce COMMUNITY

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Listings for everything you need.

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STAY WARM WITH US!!! DRY SUANA & STEAM ROOM ARE AVAILBLE...

NAUGHTY & NICE Saturday, December 8th, 2012 Time: 11pm-3:30am WHAT TO EXPECT: • DJ David Dutch • Complimentary Food & Beverages • A Full House of Guys To Choose From & Soo Much More..

I SAW A DADDY KISSING SANTA CLAUS Saturday, November 18th, 2012 Time: 11pm-3:30am WHAT TO EXPECT: • DJ David Dutch • Complimentary Food & Beverages • A Full House of Guys To Choose From & Soo Much More..

Rooms go quickly and are on a 1st Come, 1st Served basis. So Check In Early if you want a room…

ROOMS:

Members: $25.00 & Non-Members: $35.00

LOCKERS:

Members: $18.00 & Non-Members: $28.00

BUSY TIMES FOR US:

These our are most popular days when people comeMONDAY thru FRIDAY: Business Mans Locker Special (8am to 4pm)

Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00 (This Special Not Effective During Party Nights)

SATURDAY: AFTERNOON DELIGHT

4 hour Lockers (8am – 4pm) Members/Students: $5.00 & Non-Members: $15.00

SUNDAY RELIEF

Half Price Rooms (6am Sunday till 8am Monday) Members/Students: $12.50 & Non-Members: $22.50

MANIC MONDAY

5 for 5 ($5 Lockers for 5Hrs) Members/Students: $5.00 Non-Members: $15.00 (4pm to 12 )

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

Also, RENOVATIONS are being done, So swing by & Check Out The Transformation!

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

PGN

Men

Delco Dudes A men’s social and support group meets 7-9 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Road in Media; delco.dudes@uucdc.org.

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

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

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

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

Men of Standard Provides a place for gay men of color 21 and older to share issues of concern.

Meets 7-9 p.m. Thursdays at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; 856-963-2432.

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

Parents/Families Parents, Families and Friends

of Lesbians and Gays/Bucks County Meets 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at Penns Park United Methodist Church, 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park; 215-348-9976.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Chester County Meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at the Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester, 501 S. High St.; 484354-2448.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/ Collingswood, N.J. Meets 6:30-9 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month at the Collingswood Public Library, 771 Haddon Ave.; 609202-4622; pflagcollingswood@yahoo. com.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Media Meets 7 p.m. the second tuesday of every month at the Unitarian Universal Church, 145 Rose Tree Rd.; 610-3682121.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Philadelphia Meets 2-5 p.m. the third Sunday of the month at the LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 3907 Spruce St.; 215-572-1833.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Princeton, N.J. Meets 7:30 p.m. the second Monday of the month in the George Thomas Room at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St.; 609-683-5155.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Wilmington, Del. Meets 7-9 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 W. 13th St.; 302-6542995.

Philadelphia Family Pride

Advocacy, support and social network for LGBT families offers play groups, monthly kids and teen talk groups, activities and outings. Planning meetings held monthly; 215-600-2864; www.phillyfamilypride.org.

Trans

Evolutions A drop-in support group for anyone on the transgender spectrum meets 6 p.m.

Thursdays at 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652 ext. 235.

Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine Primary health care and specialized transgender services in a safe, professional, nonjudgmental environment, 809 Locust St.; 215-5630658.

T-MAN People of color support group for transmen, FTMs, butches, studs, aggressives, bois, genderqueer and all female-born individuals with gender questions meets 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Mondays, second floor, 1201 Locust St.; 215-834-9063; tmanphilly.com.

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

Transhealth Information Project Sponsors a weekly drop-in center from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Fridays at 21 S. 12th St., 10th floor; 215-568-2221.

Transgender Health Action Coalition Peer trans health-advocacy organization; 215-732-1207; www.critpath.org/thac.

1201 Locust street 4th floor.

WeXist FTM support group meets 7-9 p.m. the second and fourth Friday of the month at the William Way Center; first hour is open, second hour is for people assigned female at birth who have gender issues; 267-250-1548.

Young, Trans and Unified Support group for transgender and questioning individuals ages 13-23 meets from 7:15 p.m. every Thursday at The Attic Youth Center; 215-545-4331.

Women Hanging Out With Lesbians

discussions, 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, 112 N. Broad St., third floor; 215496-0330.

Women Coming Out Support Group Women who consider themselves gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning and are at any stage of the coming-out process are welcome. Ages 18 and over. Meets 7:30 p.m. first Tuesday and third Thursday of the month at the Pride Center of NJ.

Youth 40 Acres of Change

Discussion group for teen and young adults meets 6-8 p.m. Thursdays at The COLOURS Organization Inc., 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; 215-496-0330.

You’re Not Alone A group for gay, lesbian and bisexual youth that meets during the school year; sponsored by AIDS Delaware, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 315, Wilmington. Call 800-810-6776 for more details.

HAVEN For GLBT, intersex, questioning, queer and allied youth ages 14-20; meets 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley, 424 Center St., Bethlehem; 610-868-2153.

HiTOPS A safe-space support program for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, meets 2:30-4:30 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays at 21 Wiggins St., Princeton, N.J. Call Connie at 609-683-5155 (day); hitops.org.

Main Line Youth Alliance Meets from 7-9:30 p.m. Fridays at 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; 610-6881861; info@myaonline.org.

Mountain Meadow For youth with GLBTQ parents.

Monthly programs for ages 8-16, family programs and parent coffee groups. Residential program offered in August, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-7721107.

PRYSM Youth Center For youth ages 14-20. Meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. at center, 126 East Baltimore Pike, Media; 610-357-9948.

A group based in central Pennsylvania that organizes activities such as concerts, camping, golf, picnics, hikes, plays and game nights in nonsmoking environments; http://groups.yahoo. com/group/howlofpa/.

Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center For ages 14-21; meets 6-8 p.m.

Wednesdays at Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org.

Lesbian Community of Delaware Valley Social group meets monthly for activities for gay women of all ages in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties; http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/LCDV/.

Social X Change Social activity group for LGBT youth of color ages 13-23 meets 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays at 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; 215-496-0330.

Lesbian Couples Dining Group of Montgomery County Meets monthly; 215-542-2899.

Mt. Airy Lesbian Social Club For lesbians in the Philadelphia area ages 35-plus; www.meetup.com/ mtairylesbiansocial/.

Space to be Proud, Open, and Together Open to all LGBTQ queer youth and allies, ages 14-21, the SPOT meets Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Planned Parenthood of Chester County’s West Chester office, 8 S. Wayne St.; 610692-1770.

Queer Connections Social group for women in their 20s meets weekly; http://groups.yahoo. com/group/queerconnections/.

Young, Trans and Unified A support group for transgender and questioning youth ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center.

Sistah 2 Sistah A social/support group for lesbian youth of color, ages 13-24. The group offers weekly social events, open discusson and monthly movie/

Youth Making a Difference For GLBTQ African-American and Latino youth ages 14-24. Meets 5-7 p.m. every Tuesday at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St.; 856-963-2432.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

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Community Bulletin Board Community centers

■ The Attic Youth Center: For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-8 p.m. MondayFriday; case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-Friday. See the Youth section for more events.

255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331.

■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St., 215-898-5044; center@dolphin.upenn.edu. Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday.

and Allies Youth Center: 6-8 p.m.

Wednesdays: Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org

■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center: 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220; www.waygay.org.

Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday Library hours: 12-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 12-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Friday; 12-6 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

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

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

Key numbers

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

221

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

■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851

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

■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 ■ The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 112 N. Broad St., third floor; 215-496-0330 ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

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

Health

AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 1711 South Broad Street; 215-629-2300. www.asiac.org.

Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; noon-6 p.m.

Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St. 215851-1822 or 866-222-3871. www.galaei.org. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215-685-1803.

HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing

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

■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Stephen Johnson: 215-683-2840 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-760-3686; 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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Monday-Friday except for noon-1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m., and 1-5 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

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

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

students, meets for social and networking events; www.nlgjaphiladelphia.org.

■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus A regional organization dedicated to promoting gay and lesbian tourism to the Greater Philadelphia region holds meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; P.O. Box 58143, Philadelphia, PA 19102; www.philadelphiagaytourism.com.

■ Philly OutGoing Professionals Social group for gay, lesbian and bisexual professionals meets for social and cultural activities, 856857-9283; popnews19@yahoo. com.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 7-13, 2012

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