PGN Dec. 28. 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013 by The Philadelphia Gay News

Leading the charge on stage in the 25th anniversary of “Les Misérables”

Family Portrait: Ricardo Bostic

Health and fitness going into 2013

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PAGES 20, 21

Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

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Vol. 36 No. 52

No progress in Top stories in 2012: A year of history-makers S. Philly murder By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com After six months, investigators still have no leads in the murder of a South Philadelphia gay man. Michael J. Fox, 30, was found in his apartment in the early-morning hours of June 22 in a pool of blood. Fox, who was pronounced dead at the scene, died of bluntforce trauma to the head, according to an autopsy. Fox’s apartment was at Eighth and Christian streets. He was last seen June 20. According to Philadelphia Police Detective Jim Burns, investigators have not made any arrests or identified a suspect or person of interest in the case. “Right now, we just have that the suspect was someone who [Fox] would have known and was in his apartment with him during the course of this. We don’t know who that person is at this point,” Burns said. “It appears that it was someone he was in the company of, and it just turned deadly.” He said detectives working the case have interviewed a number of people with whom Fox was affiliated. “We have talked to different people who we believe were in his company but nothing yielded any results,” he said. Franny Price, chair of the LGBT Police Liaison Committee, said community members should continue to follow up on MICHAEL J. the case. “I think if people were FOX asking about updates all the time, maybe there would be more progress,” she said. Price said the committee plans to bring up the case at the next meeting. “We never received an update on his case, but I guess because of the amount of crimes that have happened in our community, it has been overwhelming,” she said. Signs of struggle in the victim’s apartment were apparent, including a knocked-over television, blood on the wall and misarranged furniture. Fox was a former barback at Woody’s and was an artistic roller skater who aspired to be a hair stylist. ■

GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE LGBT SENIOR CENTER

By Angela Thomas and Jen Colletta angela@epgn.com jen@epgn.com This year marked a sea of highs and lows for the local and national LGBT communities. Locally, Philadelphia saw the fruition of the long-awaited LGBT senior-housing complex, was recognized nationally for its municipal LGBT policies and saw the victory of the first out candidate for the state legislature. However, the local community also grappled with the murder of one of its own, with funding struggles and legal squabbles. Nationally, this year marked a tidal wave of marriage-equality progress, including the president’s evolution on

the issue and several new states sanctioning same-sex marriage. But at the same time, the fight for equal rights and treatment has continued in the courtrooms and in the court of public opinion. While 2012 will soon be over, it will certainly be one for the LGBT history books. LOCAL Senior-housing facility moves forward Ground was finally broken this fall for the long-awaited LGBT senior-housing complex. The facility, slated to open in late 2013, was revealed as the John C. Anderson Apartments at the Nov. 9 groundbreaking ceremony. The project is spearheaded by the Dr. Magnus

Hirschfeld Fund. The complex, at 249-257 S. 13th St., will cost about $19 million. Backers secured $6 million in state funding through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program and $2 million from the city’s Office of House and Community Development. On April 12, the final funding piece was put in place as the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency awarded low-incomehousing tax credits expected to generate about $11 million. Wells Fargo Bank subsequently purchased the credits. The complex will be six stories and include 56 one-bedroom units for those ages 62 and older. The groundbreaking was originally set for late October but was postponed because of Hurricane Sandy. Funding changes impact HIV/AIDS orgs A number of HIV/AIDS organizations scrambled to reassess their financial situations early this year. At the end of 2011, the AIDS Activities Coordinating Office announced the local recipients of the Centers for Disease Control’s High-Impact HIVPrevention Services awards. Among the casualties were ActionAIDS and The Colours

PA Republican signs on to UAFA By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com A R e p u b l i c a n L e h i g h Va l l e y Congressman signed on last week to a bill that will help binational LGBT couples stay together. U.S. Congressman Charlie Dent (15th Dist.) is cosponsoring the Uniting American Families Act that seeks to equalize immigration laws for same-sex couples. The bill would allow an American citizen who marries a same-sex foreign national to sponsor him or her for permanent residency.

Dent joins just three Republicans who have cosponsored the bill, along with 140 Democrats. Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-New York) introduced the measure in April 2011 and it has been stalled in committee since. Dent is a moderate Republican and has voted for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and to extend the federal hate-crimes law to include members of the LGBT community. Dent has also voted for the Employment Nondiscrimination Act to PAGE 26

Organization, who were zerofunded, after having received $233,000 and $190,000, respectively, the previous year. Shortly after, the city announced that Colours would receive $135,000, funding that was put on hold in light of the sudden death of the agency’s director. ActionAIDS laid off three staffers to contend with the cut. The city received $577,000 less from CDC than in the previous year, as the agency restructured the program to focus on testing among the hardest-hit populations. In keeping with that format, the city allocated the funding to 22 agencies, compared with 15 in the previous cycle, lessening many organizations’ cut. Nutter joins marriage-equality coalition More than 100 mayors from across the nation came together this year to rally for marriage equality, including MAYOR P h i l a d e l p h i a ’ s NUTTER Mayor Michael Nutter. Nutter and about a dozen other mayPAGE 2

Other yearend moments Favorite photos

pages 8-9

Anniversaries

page 22

Comings and goings

page 22

In memoriam

page 24

Staff resolutions

page 10

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

TOP STORIES from page 17

LGBT history. For the first time ever, the issue of marriage equality passed a voter referendum — in not just one, but four, states. In Maryland, Washington and Maine, voters approved their states’ pending marriageequality laws, bringing the total number of states that will soon sanction same-sex marriage to nine, plus Washington, D.C. Voters in Minnesota also successfully beat back a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. Equality Maryland executive director Carrie Evans said the day after the election that it marked a major turning point for marriage equality. “It was really affirming that we truly are a social-change movement, and that came together for all of us last night,” she said. Previously, each time an amendment to limit marriage had been placed on the ballot — more than 30 times — it succeeded, and each time a pro-marriage-equality law made it to voters, it failed. It was estimated that 90 percent of LGBTs who voted in the election went for Obama. The president’s victory was clearcut in Philadelphia, where he captured 85 percent of the vote, and closer, yet still successful, statewide, with Obama ultimately

receiving 52 percent of Pennsylvania’s vote, over Republican challenger Mitt Romney. EEOC issues landmark trans ruling In a breakthrough decision in the spring, the federal agency that oversees employment-discrimination complaints determined that transgender workers are protected under a national law. The Equality Employment Opportunity Commission found in April that discrimination on the basis of sex in Title VII of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 extends to issues involving trans discrimination. The ruling is binding for all federal agencies and must be followed by all local EEOC chapters. The commission noted that sex discrimination should be interpreted widely, as “the term ‘gender’ encompasses not only a person’s biological sex but also the cultural and social aspects associated with masculinity and femininity.” The decision came in the legal dispute between Mia Macy, a transgender woman, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which denied her an offer of employment after she disclosed her transgender status. ■

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PGN HEALTH

Breaking down the stigma of HPV Nobody likes to talk about, or they had sex. Even individuals even think about, genital warts ... with only one lifetime sex partner Yuck! When I see patients with can get HPV. warts, they are usually embarSo there it is: HPV is common. What can be done about it? rassed and think they must be the Treatments are available for only one who has them. However, both warts and cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (aka HPV. There are even screening HPV or the “wart” virus) is the tests for certain types of HPVmost common sexually transmitted infection around, related cancers, like with about six-million cervical and anal pap new cases reported in smears, but the excitthe United States each ing news is that there year. It’s estimated that is a vaccine avail74 percent of infections able to prevent infecoccur in those ages 15tion in the first place. 24. The vaccine protects The good news is we against the four most common strains of now have a way to preHPV that lead to both vent most HPV infections. More on that in a warts and cancers. minute. You may have read or heard about the HPV will affect an estimated 75-80 campaign to get adopercent of men and Dr. Robert Winn lescent girls vaccinated women in their lifetime against HPV, which — and in most cases, has received a good the body’s immune system clears deal of publicity — and no small HPV naturally within two years, share of controversy — in the so they never develop symptoms past few years. However, there’s or health problems from it; they been very little discussion of makdon’t even know they have it! But, ing the HPV vaccine available to young men, although it is both for others who don’t clear certain types of HPV, it can cause signifi- recommended and, more imporcant consequences. Some types of tantly, covered by insurance comHPV can lead to cervical, vaginal, panies. But from my perspective, this is an important conversation vulvar, anal, penile and even oral to have with your clinician. cancer, while other types cause HPV is of particular concern genital warts in all genders. for gay and bisexual men, because And there’s no way to predict who will or won’t clear the men who have sex with men are virus. Anyone who has sex is at about 17 times more likely to risk. Condoms are only partially develop anal cancer than men who protective against transmission only have sex with women. Men because the virus can live on so with weakened immune systems, many body parts. including those who have HIV, HPV is passed between people are more than twice as likely than through genital contact, most other men to develop anal canoften during vaginal and anal cer. Men with HIV are also more sex. However, HPV may also be likely to get severe cases of genital warts that are harder to treat. passed on during oral sex. Since HPV usually does not cause The Centers for Disease Control symptoms, most people can get recommends the HPV vaccine for HPV — and pass it on — without all children ages 11 or 12. This realizing it. People can have HPV time frame hopefully catches people before they engage in sexual even if years have passed since

On Being Well

activity for the first time. In addition, younger patients develop a better immune response than older patients, so getting it early is more effective. The vaccine is also recommended for all people between the ages of 13-27 (up until your 27th birthday), if they have not received the vaccine as a child. The vaccine is specifically recommended by the CDC for gay and bisexual men (or any man who has sex with men) and men with compromised immune systems (including HIV) through age 27, if they did not get fully vaccinated when they were younger. This vaccine, called Gardasil, has been shown to be extremely safe and very effective at preventing HPV infection and the health outcomes that follow infection. Again, Gardasil is covered by most insurance plans for patients of the right age. If you are not insured, the city’s Health Department and Mazzoni Center offer the vaccine at no cost. Merck, the maker of Gardasil, is also researching a new vaccine that protects against nine of the most common strains of HPV, including the four that are in their current product. A study is being conducted at Thomas Jefferson University to learn more about this new vaccine. They are specifically recruiting men who have sex with men to be in this trial. If you are the right age and have not been vaccinated, you have three options. Contact your primary-care provider to get vaccinated in their office or call Mazzoni Center to ask about our free vaccination program or to be screened for enrollment in the new Merck trial. Our number is 215-563-0658. Get vaccinated! ■ Dr. Robert Winn is medical director at Mazzoni Center, the region’s only LGBT-specific health center.

Philadelphia Gay News

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Gay is our middle name.

FITNESS PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

Beware the New Year’s resolution! Make fitness a year-long commitment New Year’s resolutions are relatively easy to make but can be difficult to put into practice. This may be due to people not thinking a resolution through and placing too little thought into creating a strategy, focus and end goals. Making and staying true to a New Year’s resolution to start exercising or maintain fitness involves a variety of processes that should be carefully considered for optimal benefits.

obtainable within a reasonable time period. For example, a person who is 20 pounds overweight should not expect to drop that weight in a week or two, but plan for a 1- to 2-pound drop every week, setting weightloss goals at 12-week increments, suggests Fit Watch, an online exercise and weightloss resource. Be specific As you toast in your New Year, you want to toast out your mid-section. New Year’s resolutions don’t, of themselves, do anything — they are not magic bullets that can get rid of your “gut,” Kaplan eliminate 15 pounds, give you huge biceps or improve your cardio health. Write down exactly what you are ready to get done — not what you want to do. Losing 2 pounds a week is a more realistic goal than trying to lose 5 pounds a week. Working out

Work It Out

Be reasonable A person who has never exercised and who makes Rina a New Year’s resolution to exercise for an hour every day may be setting him or herself up for failure, according to Workouts for You, a website dedicated to personalized fitness training. Instead, set goals that are

with a smart training plan twice a week is far more effective than saying: “I’m going to the gym every day in 2013!” Be purposeful In the first week of January many people will do crunches, crunches and more crunches, skip breakfast or work out furiously until they are sore and miserable. This is not what really works. You need a personal commitment to goal achievement, and then remember: It has to be a plan of action, not a wish list. At the end of every day, every week and every month, what really works is a combination of diet, cardio and weight and core training. Diet 1. Reduce alcohol. Hard bodies and alcohol do not mix. Alcohol has seven calories per gram. 2. Refrain from white flour and sugar. 3. Watch your calories. An extra 3,500 calories equals 1 pound of weight gain. 4. Eat small portions.

5. Eat fresh vegetables. 6. Eat 25 grams of protein per day. Cardio 1. Increase intensity! Intensity is everything. 2. Do interval training — a five-minute warm-up, one minute of high intensity, one minute of recovery, for 30 minutes with a five-minute cool-down. Weight training 1. Lift to get muscles. An increase in muscle mass will increase your resting metabolism. 2. Lift to failure. In a rational, non-risky way, work out hard until you can’t do any more reps. Most importantly, always think about being healthy from the inside out. ■ Rina Kaplan is a registered Personal Trainer at 12th Street Gym. To learn more about Rina and more than 30 other top trainers at 12th Street, visit www.12streetgym.com.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

YEAR IN REVIEW PGN

COMINGS AND GOINGS Nellie Fitzpatrick, D.A.’s Office: The District Attorney’s Office brought on its first LGBT liaison, Helen “Nellie” Fitzpatrick, at the beginning of the year. Fitzpatrick is a prosecutor who has worked in the city’s Municipal Court division and its Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit. She was tasked with opening up lines of communication between the D.A.’s Office and the LGBT community.

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and receive free admission to Woody’s dance ﬂoor, a free slice of pizza from 13th Street Gourmet Pizza, and a chance to win great prizes.

Ralph Godbolt, The Colours Organization: In the spring, the organization named Ralph Godbolt, a professor at Cheyney University, as its new executive director, following last year’s sudden death of director Robert Burns. Godbolt, an ally, teaches in a master’s of public-administration program and has a background in nonprofit management.

Alston stepped down as president of PBGP after the agency’s June event, and Jeremy Taylor took over the post. Alston helmed the organization for six years, and Taylor began volunteering with PBGP in 2009 and joined the board the following year. Dr. Marla Gold, Drexel University: Dr. Marla Gold, dean of the Drexel University School of Public Health, announced in the summer that she would leave her post in 2013. Gold, the only out dean at a public-health school in the nation, took on the position in 2002, as the fledgling school was in a tough financial spot, and went on to lead it to become a fully accredited, internationally recognized entity. She plans to spend more time with her wife and kids and will remain on Drexel’s teaching staff.

become the chief of police in Coatesville. Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel, a 26year veteran and head of the force’s Patrol Operations, volunteered to take over the LGBT liaison role. Rick Piper and Frank B a e r, 1 2 t h Street Gym: Longtime 12th Street Gym owner Rick Piper announced in the spring that he was selling the business to general manager Frank Baer, effective by the end of the year. Piper bought the gym in 1995 and undertook major renovations through the years and, during his tenure, membership nearly tripled. Baer has managed the venue for 14 years. John Moeller and Samantha Giusti, Delaware Valley Legacy Fund:

Deputy Commissioners Stephen Johnson and Kevin Bethel, police LGBT liaison:

Chris Alston and Jeremy Taylor, Philadelphia Black Gay Pride: Chris

Deputy Commissioner Stephen Johnson, who served as the police department’s LGBT liaison for about two years, announced his retirement from the force in November after a more-than 35-year career. He went on to

At its annual TOY celebration in December, LGBT grantmaking agency Delaware Valley Legacy Fund announced that Samantha Giusti, former manager of nonprofit Women’s Way, would be its new executive director. Former DVLF director John Moeller stepped down in June, and Mark Dann was brought on as interim executive director. ■

ANNIVERSARIES ABOUND

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Second-parent adoption: Pennsylvania saw 10 years of legal protections for samesex parents this year. On Aug. 20, 2002, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that samesex couples could not be barred from petitioning for second-parent adoptions, which allow the biological or legal parent to incorporate a joint parent with equal rights. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus: The chorus marked its 30th anniversary year with a number of performances to pay tribute to the milestone. It opened the anniversary season with holiday caroling late last year — how it got its start — and undertook the final chapter of a trilogy piece in March and an anniversary concert in June, during which it performed a specially commissioned anniversary work. Equality Forum: The multi-day LGBT

education and awareness-raising festival marked its 20th year in 2012. This year’s gala dinner moved to the American Museum of Jewish History and included appearances

by out MSNBC anchor Thomas Robert and Houston mayor Annise Parker. The celebration included a profile of Israel, which drew international guests and dignitaries, but also some local protestors.

Gay Community Night at the Phillies:

Even though the Phillies didn’t have a winning season, the team’s 10th annual Gay Community Night was a success. Several-hundred LGBT guests attended the Aug. 28 game against the New York Mets, which was kicked off by a performance from the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus and a first pitch from event founder Larry Felzer. The Phillies ultimately lost, bringing its Gay Community Night to a dismal 1-9.

Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus:

The organization that works to promote Philadelphia as an LGBT travel destination marked a decade in operation this year. The group was founded in 2002 by a number of local community figures and with the backing

of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation. PGTC held a 10th-anniversary party in November to mark its accomplishments and preview its upcoming agenda.

AIDS Library: Philadelphia FIGHT’s AIDS Library celebrated 25 years of innovative education in 2012. Founded in 1987 by John Cunningham and Heshie Zinman, the library is the only HIV/AIDS lending library in the nation. Supporters gathered to pay tribute to the library and its founders, staff and volunteers at a reception in September. Penn LGBT Center: The University of Pennsylvania’s hub of LGBT activity marked 30 years this fall. The LGBT Center was founded by current director Bob Schoenberg in 1982, partly in response to safety concerns for LGBT students, and has since become the focal point of Penn’s active LGBT community. The center also marked 10 years in its current location. A reception was held for the campus community and allies in October. ■

Liberty City Press DEC. 23-30, 2012

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point

Getting It Hite The tough business of closing schools

n 1988, Congress created the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) as a way to confront the political problem of how to close outdated military installations in the face of political opposition that such closings routinely spawned. The key element of the law chartering the commission was that only Congress would be able to accept or reject all the recommendations; in this way, no individual congressman facing a base closure would have enough political clout to scuttle all the closures. But in ceding the power of individual members, Congress made sure that the commission would predicate its determinations upon extensive public input, through a series of regional hearings and installation site visits by commissioners and staff. The lesson of BRAC is clear: When closing institutions upon which local communities rely, take the politics out and bring the community in. Getting the closing process right is as important as getting the closings right. Philadelphia school superintendent William Hite would be wise to take the BRAC lesson to heart as he attempts to take the bold step of reshaping our schools. And make no mistake, his plan to close 37 school buildings—one that affects 17,000 students and 2,000 teachers—is nothing if not bold. Hite said the right things in announcing the plan: �� use our resources wisely to provide students with quality academic programs, increased access to opportunities and more chances to learn and thrive in safe, modernized schools.” But Hite blew the closing process and in so doing threatens to undermine the very goals his plan attempts to achieve. The main focus of the attack on Hite and the plan concerns the process by which schools were selected for closing. Newsworks reported on the response to the release of the closings plan last week: “An al-

liance of labor and community groups known as Philadelphia Coalition Advocating for Public Schools rallied on the steps outside District headquarters, chanting ‘Save our schools’ and decrying the lack of public input in the development of the recommendations.” Lisa Jackson,

High School confronting Hite, was quoted in the Philadelphia Inquirer saying, “You need to go into the community and give us answers. This process is a fraud.” By presenting a plan of this magnitude as a fait accompli and then attempting to explain it through a series of public forums, Hite falls into the same trap that his counterparts in the Catholic school system fell into just a year ago. In November 2011, a 16-member study commission came from behind closed doors (it was so secret that incoming Arch-

“In this harsh ﬁnancial climate, we must use our resources wisely to provide students with quality academic programs, increased access to opportunities and more chances to learn and thrive in safe, modernized schools.” - William Hite, superintendent the mother of a ninth-grader at Lankenau High, said, “The pow�� piece by piece.” Philadelphia Inquirer quotes Venard Johnson, an education consultant who among the 400 concerned citizens at South Philadelphia

bishop Chaput did not know of its existence) proposing the closing of 45 grammar schools and four high schools in Philadelphia. The closings created such an uproar within the archdiocese that Chaput created an appeals process; if a school community could prove

that the commission’s decision was based on faulty data, the archbishop would consider reversing that decision. This appeals process led to a reversal on all of the high schools and 18 of the grammar schools. And it took six weeks. The appeals process did more than create an opportunity for public input, it galvanized parishes across the archdiocese. It forced Catholic families to confront the very real economic crisis that their archdiocese faced. The experience of Archbishop Chaput should point Superintendent Hite to the way out of his problem. The School Reform Commission, which must approve the school district’s plan, is expected to do so in March. That gives Hite two months. Go ahead with your four public meetings, Hite. Then come back in January with an appeals process that allows local �� schools. Establish the grounds of appeal narrowly, as Chaput did, as you give parents and schoolchildren a sense that they can control their destiny. Learn the lessons of BRAC and the archdiocese, Hite, and you will have not simply stopped kicking the can down the road, you will have changed the very direction of the road itself. DEC. 23-30, 2012

Liberty City Press is a collaborative publication effort of the Philadelphia Multicultural Media Network.

People

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Hakeem Baxter of PET was named the game MVP in the Sneaker Villa Philly vs. New York Classic on Dec. 15. Sarah J. Glover/Photographer

Philly Succeeds

Continued from page 12

It opened my kids’ eyes. We had a very tough start to the season, so we had to win this game. It was a must win and we came through. But we are still not playing as well as we are capable of.” Lewis said the combination �� Williams and Hakeem Baxter makes his team a formidable foe in the Philadelphia Public League. “This is a totally different team than we have had in the ��

Bad News

Continued from page 12

the coach there in 2010. “We have to step up as a Strawberry Mansion family and community,” Johnson said. “Ben Franklin is a tough commute for our children in the community, and we are just about the newest facility on the list to be closing. Our school building is in good shape and should not be closing. Our alumni need to stand up and

another ball handler, defensiveminded guard and play maker and scorer. We need that.” Lewis was aware that his team was playing in a special event. “It’s great for PET Charter to represent Philly in the Classic. When you are representing Philly, it’s huge. You have guys like Earl ‘the Pearl’ Monroe, Wilt Chamberlain, Fred Stokes, Pooh Richardson, Hank Gathers, Doug Overton, Randy Woods, Lionel Simmons and Rasheed Wallace who played in this city. These guys made Philly basketball what it is today.” speak up.” Mansion is one of many former dominant sports programs that have taken a back seat to the emerging charter schools in recent years. But that doesn’t mean anything to Johnson. “This is a sad thing,” he said. “We need to save this school and others. I do not believe this is a good decision. Sending our kids through three to four neighborhoods to get to school might not be the solution to closing an underpopulated landmark of the community.” JT

Sponsors and supporters of the Soul Train Line world record title gathered to toast their success: (front row, from left) Denise Clay, Chris Murray, Dyana Williams, Sheila Simmons, Phoebe Coles, Vincent Thompson; (back, from left) Manwell Glenn, Deborah Ganney. Martin Regusters/Photographer

Philly Shows its Soul

City dances way to Guinness World Record

by Sheila Simmons

n January 2, �� from Guinness World Records for the Largest Soul Train Line is scheduled to be presented to Mayor Michael Nutter for the people of Philadelphia. Call it a holiday gift for a city that is battered but still standing. �� the record was set Feb. 13 beside the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art—one day after the death of Whitney Houston, 12 days after the death of “Soul Train” creator Don Cornelius (whose passing led to the idea). Feb. 13 was also a winter Monday. “You’ll be lucky to get

200 people,” one friend told me (I led up the group of organizers). More than 2,000 Philadelphians showed up outside the art museum that day. And by the time darkness brought an end to the effort, 291 dancers had made it through the line per Guinness Records standards. They were black, white, Asian, old, young. One was wrapped in a cashmere scarf. Another rode a motorized wheelchair down �� neck to the rhythm. A duo from Switzerland, who happened to be in town and withstood their two-hour wait to get into the Soul Train line, reminisced on their experiences watching “Soul Train.” The television show may

have been a musical and cultural force to black Americans, but on this day, we were in this together. We all had our reasons for sticking it out and pulling to�� submission—memories, togetherness, a statement about Philadelphia’s musical history (the “Soul Train” theme song was penned by Philadelphia’s legendary writing duo Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff) or a seeing one’s name in a records book. As Mayor Nutter led the �� the way—one person kissed the top of his head. The next day, Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Annette John-Hall perfectly explained the outpouring: “Philly needed a day to exhale.” In the weeks preceding the effort, headlines of yet another local shooting greeted Philadelphians. But after the Soul Train Line, an editorial cartoon ran in the Philadelphia Daily News depicting the Soul Train Line as a valentine of love for the region. The success of the event kicked off a media sensation. An Associated Press story was picked up by nearly 100 news outlets and websites—in Texas, Alabama and West Virginia, and ��Washington Post and MSN Canada. So when some media source proclaims that Philadelphia is the trashiest of the country’s major cities, that it’s a hostile and crime-ridden place, that our football team sucks, just tell them, “But, man, do we have soul—and the record to prove it!”

DEC. 23-30, 2012

Liberty City Press is a collaborative publication effort of the Philadelphia Multicultural Media Network.

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Best Behavior

Schools’ mental health programs get attention by Dana Ricci The recent tragedy in Connecticut has put the issue of the accessibility of mental and behavioral health services to young people in the spotlight. According to the National Association of School Psychologists, there is an increasing need for mental health

services for school-aged children, and a growing understanding of the role mental health plays in a child’s development. Further, taking a public health approach to mental health issues and working towards early detection is believed to be extremely important.

For many children, the only place they will receive behavioral health services is in school, which is why there has been a movement since the 1990s to place these programs in schools. However, behavioral health issues still go under-diagnosed, says Roxy Woloszyn, health policy associate for Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY), a regional child advocacy group. In Philadelphia, the main network that serves just over 100 schools—public and some charters—is School-Based Behavioral

Health Services (SBBHS). It is funded by Community Behavioral Health (CBH) and engages the School District, city government, behavioral health providers and parents in the services given to 5,000 children in the school district. In 2011, Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) issued a report analyzing the ser�� the report was that there needs to be a better way of analyzing the services’ results—of making sure �� students as much as possible.

Pulse

“Nationally, people haven’t really pinpointed what is needed for children with behavioral health issues,” says Woloszyn. �� of SBBHS, Woloszyn says that anecdotally, there are signs of success in the stories from parents and others involved in the students’ progress about how the services have helped. Woloszyn says that the programs can be enhanced by increasing communication between the school district and CBH.

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Liberty City Press is a collaborative publication effort of the Philadelphia Multicultural Media Network.

Pulse

\\\ Liberty City Press

Mike Smaltz is the director of operations at Platoon Fitness. Photo courtesy of Platoon Fitness

Work Out Right Avoid common exercise mistakes by Dana Ricci

etting to the gym can �� enough on its own. However, once you get there—or wherever you happen to be exercising—a new problem arises: how to get the most out of your workout. It may seem simple, but some common workout mistakes can lead people to do more harm than good. “One of the most common

mistakes I see is people always thinking more is better,” says Mike Smaltz, director of operations at Platoon Fitness in Bryn Mawr. This makes sense; people who are trying to reach a certain goal may think that the longer they spend at the gym, the better the results will be. However, Smaltz says that this may cause �� toward their goals or to fail to reach them when it takes much

longer than they think it should. In fact, studies have shown that less exercise may be more effective. A study released this summer from the University of Copenhagen found that exercise contributes to weight loss as long as the amount of exercise is not too little or, surprisingly, too much. The study assigned three groups of overweight, sedentary men in their twenties and early thirties to 13 weeks of either no exercise, daily moderate workouts (of about 30 minutes or until they burned 300 calories), or more strenuous, hourlong workouts in which participants burned 600 calories. The men were asked to not change their diets, but they kept food diaries. On some days during the study, participants wore motion sensors to measure how active they were before and after the workouts. Interestingly, while the control group that did not exercise saw no weight loss, the men who did the 30-minute workouts lost more weight than those assigned to more strenuous workouts. While it’s not entirely clear why this could be, the researchers looked at the food diaries of the men and saw that those doing the 60-minute workouts ate more. The motion sensors showed that these men were also less active and spent a lot of time sitting when they weren’t working out, while the men who did the shorter workouts were more active generally. Researchers speculated that the participants who were assigned the more strenuous exercise regimen may have been fatigued. Thus, these long workouts could be more physically draining and cause an increase in ap-

petite. If weight loss is your goal, you may want to keep this in mind the next time you’re clocking hours on the treadmill. And while running and other cardiovascular exercises are great, there is such a thing as too much cardio. “Many people tend to grind out hours of cardio constantly trying to lose weight �� they will rarely work at an intensity level that will attain them any results, and their only results are overuse injuries.” Cardio is a tool in the grand scheme of get�� along with strength training and other forms of exercise. Sometimes people begin exercising in hopes of seeing results in one problem area—tight abs, lean thighs, toned arms and the like. However, the body does not have the ability to spot-reduce fat, Smaltz says. “You can work a problem area if the goal is to work one of the three components to movement: stability, �� continues. “This can be done using various modalities of training ��ment pattern being performed.” Also, men and women tend �� takes. “Women make the mistake of steering away from strength training because of the myth that lifting weights makes one bigger,” Smaltz says. “And men tend to steer away from �� only on strength, not taking into �� cle tissue is 17 percent stronger and much more likely to not to get injured during movement.” Going back to the study from

Copenhagen, both under- and

�� lead to problems. Smaltz says that listening to your body is the key

�� either. If you experience a lack of

motivation to train, constant acute injuries, lack of results, and/or are

overly tired and run down, you may be over-training. If you no-

tice that you are not reaching your

�� -

ommends reevaluating your approach and recommitting to mak-

ing the effort to reach your goals.

Also, start a workout log. “It is

very hard to gauge progress unless you record progress,” he says.

The good news is all of these

�� -

ness issues, it is very important to be educated. And you don’t have to be a doctor or a personal trainer

to learn how our bodies work best. “We know how to program

the most complex of TV remotes, drive newest technologically ad-

vanced automobile or work on the newest piece of information tech-

nology,” Smaltz says. “But the

one machine most people don’t

know anything about is the only machine we need to be successful

in living a long and healthy life: our own bodies.”

Whether it’s your New Year’s

resolution to start getting in shape ��-

ber that doing a little research and listening to your body can have a great impact on your results.

DEC. 23-30, 2012

Liberty City Press is a collaborative publication effort of the Philadelphia Multicultural Media Network.

Liberty City Press \\\

Pulse

Neff Turns Twenty-Five �� by HughE Dillon Nearly 250 friends, clients and family came out to celebrate Philadelphia advertising and marketing ﬁrm Neff Associates’ 25th anniversary at Del Frisco’s Steakhouse. 1. Rich Furino, regional manager at Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group, and David Neff, president of Neff Associates 2. From left: Arthur Etchells, editor of Foobooz; Michelle Cassidy; and Adam and Amanda Schmidt. Adam and Amanda said that their favorite holiday drink this season is Bierstube’s “Apple Pie in a Jar,” made with apple cider, grain alcohol and a cinnamon stick and served warm. 3. Joe Weiss, Electronic Ink chairman, and Sharon Pinkenson, executive director of the Philadelphia Film Ofﬁce. 4. From left: Fox 29’s Mike Jerrick; Stu Bykofsky, Philadelphia Daily News columnist and Marc Summers, a television personality, comedian and producer. HughE Dillon/Photographer

DEC. 23-30, 2012

Liberty City Press is a collaborative publication effort of the Philadelphia Multicultural Media Network.

play

\\\ Liberty City Press

Imhotep Wins Panthers defeat a tough New York contender

Left: Philadelphia Electrical and Technology Charter High School boys’ basketball team won their game versus Thomas Jefferson High School at the Sneaker Villa Philly vs. New York Classic held at Arcadia University. Right: Hakeem Baxter of PET lays up two points to extend the lead against Thomas Jefferson. PET won, 80-74. Sarah J. Glover/Photographer

Philly Succeeds in Local Event

P 12

DEC. 23-30, 2012

Well-known high schools like Robert Vaux, Strawberry Mansion, Bok Tech, and University City appear to be closing. Last week, new school superintendent William Hite announced closings, relocations and realigning of more than 30 schools. Not surprisingly, many teachers, administrators, students and coaches are upset. Matt Johnson was a standout player at Strawberry Mansion, the school that produced NBA player Ronald “Flip” Murray and the city’s top all-time scorer, Maureece Rice. Johnson became Continued on page 2

A promising basketball season for Math, Civics and Sciences

by Jeremy Treatman injury. And St. Benedict’s has more talented players than perhaps any school in the country, including point guard Tyler Ennis, who has committed to play at Syracuse next season. Very few schools around here could have done better. In fact, Haverford School lost 71-24 to St. Benedict’s the next day. Fast forward to Dec. 15 at Arcadia University. PET had a chance for redemption against highly

School closings upset local coaches and players

The Real Deal

City’s legacy as a place for hoops stars continues hiladelphia Electrical and Technology Charter High School (PET) didn’t just lose to nationally ranked St. Benedict’s Prep in its basketball season opener Dec. 8. It was annihilated. Mauled. How else do you describe an 82-33 defeat? But it wasn’t a surprise. PET was playing without one of their three main players, ��

The Imhotep Charter Panthers had the most daunting task of the Sneaker Villa Event, hosting Lincoln (5-2), traditionally a top team among all New York public and private schools. Lincoln under legendary coach Dwayne “Tiny” Morton has won six city titles and this year has three high major Division I players on its team. Imhotep (5-0), fresh off a win last week over St. Joseph’s Prep, used its size and quickness to offset Lincoln’s size in a 70-61 win. “They are big and physical,” Imhotep Charter coach Andre Noble said. “But on good and bad offensive days, we defend. And that’s what led us to the win.” JT

Bad News for City Schools

touted Thomas Jefferson High School from New York as part of the Sneaker Villa Philly vs. New York Classic. PET came through with an 80-74 win. Coach James Lewis said the victory would not have happened without the blowout loss to St. Benedict’s. “They are on a different level than us and most teams,” he said. “That game gave us a chance to see what we had to work on to play with an elite team. Continued on page 2

The Mathematics, Civics and Sciences (MCS) Mighty Elephants �� playing within the team concept and how to channel his emotions when �� recent years, it got spread around with so many new schools popping up. �� JT

Liberty City Press is a collaborative publication effort of the Philadelphia Multicultural Media Network.

PARENTING PGN

In the wake of tragedy This was going to be a very different column. Then 20 children died in Connecticut. A gunman opened fire in Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., Dec. 14, leaving 20 children and seven adults (including the shooter) dead. As the mother of an elementary-school student, school shootings were already one of my nightmares. Having grown up and gone to school in Connecticut myself, though — and now having a son in elementary school just one state over — the nightmare seems more real than ever. I cannot imagine what it is like for the parents, families and friends of the victims. My heart goes out to them. It is hard to find words in the wake of such a tragedy. Words will not suffice to convey the horror, or to comfort the surviving families and friends. But we Dana can use words to help us take action, and to find in that action some sense that the deaths have at least helped move our society towards a place where such tragedies never happen again. There have been 31 school shootings since the one in Columbine, Colo., in 1999, according to ABC News. One was too many. Thirty-one is unconscionable. Many are seeing the shooting as one more reason to call for more stringent guncontrol laws. I would agree. They are long overdue. But gun control is only part of the solution. I believe mental-health care and education are the other two main components of what has to be a multi-pronged approach to the problem. Anyone who commits such a senseless act as did the gunman has clear mentalhealth issues. Mental health remains a little-understood and still-stigmatized area of an already-shaky health-care system. We need to do more to help people identify when they or others need mental-health assistance, to destigmatize getting such assistance and to provide the financial resources so those who need it get appropriate care. We must also educate our children — future adults — to respect each other and to handle anger, frustration and loss in ways that don’t involve lashing out at others. We have made great strides in recent years in addressing bullying and violence, but we need to do even more to show children how to respect themselves and others and to solve problems in constructive, not destructive, ways. Yes, we need to teach our children to read, write and do arithmetic, but we also need to make sure they have social and emotional skills for life. These are not “luxury” subjects. They

are not dealt with solely in a once-a-year anti-bullying or anti-violence workshop or through posters on the wall. They are critical lessons that should be woven into the fabric of school life, whether it be in working together over a science project, learning about different perspectives through a book during a language class or learning to share at recess. Schools cannot alone obviate mental-health issues, but they can create supportive environments to encourage emotional well-being. Education begins at home, however, and we as parents must set good examples of respect and nonviolent problem-solving. We must monitor the media our children consume and talk with them when they encounter images of violence that could cause them Rudolph concern or misunderstanding. We must also not be afraid to seek help when our own or our children’s emotional needs require it. Out of tragedy often comes heroes. I think today of Judy Shepard, whose son Matthew was murdered in an antigay hate crime, and who has dedicated her life to “replace hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance” through a foundation in his honor. I wonder sometimes if I could be that brave and selfless in the face of personal tragedy. I hope I never have to find out. We cannot, however, leave it to those who were directly affected by a tragedy to take action on our behalf. It is up to all of us, as parents and people, to make sure tragedies like this never happen again. We cannot each do everything, though. We must each pick an aspect or aspects of the problem that we feel most strongly about, or where we feel we can have the most impact — gun control, mental health, education — and do what we can, as often as we can, in our homes, schools, communities and nation. As a society, we give much lip service to doing things “in the best interests of the children.” But if we as a society do not do what it takes to protect children’s lives, even in areas like gun control and mental health that aren’t traditionally associated with “children’s issues,” then we have failed, and our society is the poorer for it. In fact, if we don’t protect our children, we have no future as a society. Hug your kids. Then go work for their future. ■

Mombian

Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher of Mombian (www.mombian.com), an award-winning blog and resource directory for LGBT parents. She speaks here for herself, not her employer.

www.epgn.com

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

YEAR PGN IN REVIEW

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

In memoriam Angelo Becker, 46, died March 30 of skin cancer. Becker was a bartender at Uncles and 12th Air Command and most recently worked as a server at Chops, a Main Line restaurant.

John Bell, 64, died Sept 12. Bell was a longtime HIV activist and prison advocate and helped create Philadelphia FIGHT’s TEACH Outside initiative. He was also an activist with the local chapter of ACT UP. Dr. Charles Bergengren,

64, died July 16 of unknown causes. Bergengren taught art history at Cleveland Institute of Art for more than 20 years and was a member of the American Folklore Society, Vernacular Architecture Forum and the American Gravestone Society.

Aaron Bradley, 28, died March 2 of an infection related to kidney failure. Bradley was a senior at Rutgers University and a former member of the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus.

Catherine Burgi-Rios, 55, died Sept. 21 of leukemia. BurgiRios was an advocate for LGBT rights and worked for 11 years as an operating-room nurse at Lehigh Valley Hospital. Martin Donohue, 49, died Aug. 24 of unknown causes. Donohue was a longtime UPS driver who brought the case that resulted in the first conviction for sex abuse of an Archdiocesan priest. Ray Duval, 74, died Oct. 14

of a heart attack. The former house manager of the Prince Music Theater was an activist for underprivileged communi-

ties and theater expert.

Michael J. Fox, 30, died

of blunt-force trauma after a June 22 robbery in his South Philadelphia home. Fox formerly worked at Woody’s as a barback and aspired to be a hair stylist.

Kathryn Furano, 47, died in February of ovarian cancer. Furano was former co-chair of the Philadelphia LGBT Task Force and was involved in the organization throughout the 1990s before moving to California.

died Nov. 9 of a heart attack. McGonigle was a film lecturer at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, previously worked for Theatre N in Wilmington, Del., and volunteered for QFest.

James Moritz, 74, died Oct. 12 of unknown causes. Moritz was a former music teacher and served as choir director for Philadelphia’s Friends Select School until 2000.

Eddie Long, 44, died Nov.

Harry Nixon, 68, died in March from a short illness. Nixon was a bartender who worked at Key West until 2009 and, prior to that, The Westbury and Tavern on Camac.

Michael McGonigle, 53,

Joseph Reale, 57, died Jan. 17 of a heart attack. Reale was a manager for the Lancôme counter at the Moorestown Macy’s store, where he worked for more than two decades.

14 of unknown causes. The Norristown native was a founder of the Keystone Boys of Leather and worked as a technician for ElectroScience Labs.

Dennis Rubini, 72, was

Dr. Phillip Reeves, 52, died March 17 of complications from a stomach ulcer. Reeves was a Center City psychiatrist and a musician who served as Frank Sinatra’s lead string player.

Kenneth Sipos, 72, died July 28 of cancer. Sipos, a member of the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus and volunteer for QFest, Gay BINGO and AIDS Services in Asian Communities, held a number of positions in the city’s real-estate department.

Ed Schwartz, 69, died Nov. 29, likely of a heart attack. Schwartz was a former member of Philadelphia City Council and the husband of Philadelphia FIGHT executive director Jane Shull. He founded the Institute for the Study of Civic Values in 1973.

found in his apartment March 23, having died of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Rubini taught history at Temple University from 1969-99.

Dr. Mark Ratkus, 65, died Feb. 14 of complications from a stroke. Ratkus was an economics professor at La Salle University since 1973. Ratkus, a longtime member of LGBT Catholic group Dignity, formerly served as faculty advisor for a student group that raised awareness of gender and sexuality issues.

Arlen Specter, 82, died Oct. 14 of complications from nonHodgkin’s lymphoma. Specter was Pennsylvania’s longestserving U.S. senator and a longtime ally of the LGBT community. ■ — Compiled by Angela Thomas

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REGIONAL PGN

News Briefing

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

��

Smithson hearing postponed An evidentiary hearing for William F. Smithson has been postponed until May so that his new court-appointed attorney can become more familiar with the case. In 2008, Smithson was convicted of murdering coworker Jason Shephard and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. But Smithson maintains his innocence and claims he was denied the opportunity to confront several key witnesses in the case. He also contends that police failed to properly investigate F. Bruce Covington, who was also inside Smithson’s home at the time of Shephard’s death. Additionally, Smithson contends that his trial attorney, G. Guy Smith, served ineffectively during his murder trial. Smithson’s new attorney, Henry DiBenedetto-Forrest, couldn’t be reached for comment. In an August court proceeding, Delaware County Common Pleas Judge Barry C. Dozor said an evidentiary hearing was necessary before he decides whether Smithson should have a new trial. Dozor scheduled the hearing for Jan. 14-15, 2013. The new hearing date is 9:30 a.m. May 8-9 at the Delaware County Courthouse, 201 W. Front Street in Media, in a courtroom to be announced. According to the prosecution, Smithson lured Shephard into his home, slipped him the “daterape” drug gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), then strangled him to death in the course of trying to rape him. But Smithson contends that Shephard willingly came to his home on Sept. 18, 2006, partly for the purpose of having sex, which he said the two men had also engaged in the day before. Smithson’s previous courtappointed attorney was removed after he stated publicly that Smithson’s appeal lacks merit. Smithson, 47, remains incarcerated at a state prison in Huntingdon. ■

— Timothy Cwiek

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� � � � � � ��

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

NEWS PGN UAFA from page 1

prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Adrian Shanker, president of Equality Pennsylvania, thanked Dent and said his cosponsorship is an acknowledgment of the inequality the LGBT community faces from the federal government. “He recognized that our families don’t have equality in the eyes of the federal government,” Shanker said. “The only way we are going to win LGBT equality is if we have bipartisan support. It opens the door for more Republican support.” Dent said the reaction to his cosponsorship has been favorable. He said he has personally seen the effects of the inequality in immigration laws in his own community. “I have received a great deal of input from individuals in the private sectors and businesses also expressed to me that they were losing some of their talented workers,” he said. Dent cited a same-sex couple in Allentown who had to move back to England because of immigration rules and noted that even his former colleague, Republican Congressman Jim Kolbe from Arizona, was personally affected by the immigration laws. “It struck me that the current situation is very unfair and the U.S. is losing talented citizens to other countries because of this current problem,” Dent said. Dent spearheaded a bill that would allow green-card-holding military members to gain easier access to citizenship. He said he was fortunate to have that measure passed so quickly. Although he is not sure of the timeline for the UAFA, he envisions a challenge getting it passed. Shanker, however, believes that as long as the bill has bipartisan support, it stands a fighting chance. “If members of Congress from both parties take a look at the bill, they would agree that there is no reason to not support it,” he said. “This bill will positively affect the LGBT, business and immigration community.” Shanker said the public support for LGBT equality is at an all-time high and the community is gaining support from different sectors than in the past. “The LGBT-equality movement is seeing more support in every which way. I think in Pennsylvania, a lot of these issues are seen as common sense and I think that is the message Congressman Dent’s colleagues in the Republican caucus need to see.” Shanker said he was not surprised to hear the news of Dent’s cosponsorship. “It is not a departure from his core beliefs, and I think he is interested in looking at pieces of legislation that are common sense,” he said. Shanker encouraged the LGBT community to support Dent. “I think it is important that the LGBT community thank our members of Congress for doing something, whether they are Democrats or Republicans,” he said. “All they need to do is call Dent’s office and thank him.” ■

A C ul t ure Hearing the people sing rts

FEATURE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

PAGE 37

Dining Out Family Portrait Get Out and Play Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly Worth Watching

Page Page Page Page Page Page Page

32 29 35 38 34 31 40

Out cast member reflects on 25 years of ‘Les Mis’ By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com The acclaimed and wildly popular musical “Les Misérables” will be omnipresent in Philadelphia in the first few weeks of 2013, owing to the 25thanniversary production coming through town and the big-screen adaptation of the beloved story hitting m o v i e theaters across the country. “Les Misérables” is the world’s longest-running musical, with productions traveling the globe and being seen by millions of people.

Set in 19th-century France, a nation in the grip of revolution, the story follows Jean Valjean on the run, hunted relentlessly by the policeman Javert for breaking his parole. Valjean tries to leave his past behind and keep his vow to raise the young orphaned Cosette. But with revolution afoot and Javert hell-bent on throwing him back in jail, Valjean has no choice but to fight for his life and sacrifice everything to protect the people he loves. Jason Forbach, an out actor and singer from Kansas, plays Enjolras, the charismatic leader of the student revolutionaries in the play. Having been with the U.S. touring cast since the 25th anniversary show launched, Forbach has performed almost 1,000 shows and said landing the role was something he has always dreamed of. “This is a role I always loved growing up as a child seeing the show,” he said. “I was so overwhelmed by his power and he has so much strength in his music and his conviction. It’s an incredibly passionate PAGE 28

ONE DAY MORE: JASON FORBACH (HOLDING MUSKET) LEADING THE CAST OF “LES MISERABLES.” Photos: Deen van Meer

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

FEATURE PGN

Forbach from page 27

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character that I find a pleasure to play and wrap my mind around. He lives and dies for a cause and what he believes in. He’s so passionate about his beliefs that he rallies these people to join him. It’s interesting in these times watching him fight for equality, rights and to strengthen a weakened middle class. These are issues that are affecting all of us still, which makes this story so real for people.” When asked about how the movie, which opened Christmas Day, might affect attendance for the upcoming live musical, Forbach said he wasn’t concerned. “It’s always hard to predict but I think that ‘Les Mis’ mania will just explode,” he said. “We saw the movie last week and the whole company went. We were all so blown away by how epic the movie was and how beautiful it was. We really felt like, even though we are singing it every night, we could be objective audience members and shed a tear and get involved in the story. It’s really presented so thoughtfully and so lovely and it takes into consideration all the years of ‘Les Mis’ history. It also takes into consideration a lot of elements in the novel that aren’t able to fit into the stage show. So for ‘Les Mis’ fans of the novel and the musical, it is something that appeals across the board.” As for why audiences loved “Les Mis” for a quarter-century, Forbach said ot’s the universal nature of the stories. “I feel like if an audience member comes up to us after a show, they have young girls that identify with Éponine and you have older people that identify with Jean Valjean, and his story is one of redemption and Éponine’s story is of unrequited love,” he said. “No matter what period you are in in your life, there is a character with which you can identify and these stories were still as real then as they are now. These people are willing to sacrifice everything for love.” Those stories in “Les Mis” also resonate with the times in which we live, Forbach added. “It’s still connecting with audiences and was a worldwide hit, so I feel like these are different times but with the world financial situation, it is interesting. I feel like history has a way of repeating itself. The pendulum swings back in the other direction. When we were rehearsing for the beginning of the tour, we couldn’t help but see in the news all these revolutionaries rising up in places like Libya and people willing to fight and die for what they believe in. I think no matter what the times, there will be people that will fight and die for their causes. The core of this storyline is a ubiquitous feeling and no matter what the age, I think people will connect with those emotions in that story.” While competing for “Les Mis” audiences who have the option of the seeing A-list Hollywood talent play the beloved characters is something the stage production will have to contend with, Forbach noted the stage show has elements theatergoers will find stunning. “What you’ll get is passionate performances, incredible voices and you will see this re-envisioned concept which appears nowhere else in the States,” he said. “It’s

completely reconceived by our two directors, and the centerpiece of that design is they use these almost-3D-like digital projections which are fashioned after Victor Hugo’s paintings. It looks like you are literally going into the sewers of Paris. You’re looking out into a cityscape or the factory and they are really quite beautiful. What you see on stage is the new conceptual idea, and the film’s director saw our show when we began our tour in Chicago and he took a cue from this new version. I don’t think one will take away from the other. I think we’ll both enhance one another.” Aside from touring with the U.S. company of “Les Misérables,” Forbach is also making a name for himself in the world of music, having recently completed his first self-produced solo album, “A New Leading Man,” and a holiday EP, “Remembering to Dream,” which he composed with writing partner and jazz pianist Joey Singer. Forbach said he wanted his music to be an extension of his love of modern musical theater and jazz. “I wanted it to be an introduction of myself and my voice and what I had to say artistically to the public. I call it ‘A New Leading Man’ because I wanted to show unconventional leading men in modern musical theater. These are male characters that aren’t just heroes on a white horse or villains, but like all of us are somewhere in between. That’s the theme of all the songs.”

FORBACH AND SOME OF THE STRIKING STAGE DESIGN He said he hopes to strike a balance between his musical pursuits and his theatrical work. “I love doing them both equally. I definitely have the bug of being in the recording studio but I love being on stage. If I can keep striking a balance between them, I’ll do that.” ■ The Kimmel Center presents “Les Misérables” Jan. 2-13 at the Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-790-5847. For more information on Jason Forbach, visit www. jasonforbach.com.

PORTRAIT PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

Suzi Nash

Ricardo Bostic: Longtime union organizer with a longtime relationship “Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” — James A. Baldwin

PGN: Speaking of groups, what was the Wet Set? RB: Oh, how do you know about that now?

At 68 years young, Ricardo Bostic has not quite hit elder status—but as someone who has been out, loud and proud for close to a half-century, he’s certainly worth emulating. He’s also a longtime union member and organizer, on the board of the local NAACP and a member of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, the first black Episcopal church in the United States.

PGN: [Laughs.] I do my research! RB: Well, there were 13 of them, only one original member is left; he’s 84 years old and I just talked to him this morning. It was a club of guys all from West Philly. They would have these big affairs, but they weren’t considered gay affairs even though all the guys were gay. This was back in the 1950s and all the gay people would go, but there were also a lot of straights there. Gay people wouldn’t dance together at these affairs either, though we would have private parties of our own, but everybody wanted to be invited to the affairs; they were the place to be. There was another club that was all-male called Just Us and a group that I joined called the Philadelphia Friendship Reunion. Later on, the affairs became more openly gay. Eventually the groups broke up but then we formed a group called the Social Solutions, which I’m still part of. We do occasional events but we’re all getting old now, so it’s mostly around the holidays. The friends that Le-Mont and I have now are friends that we’ve had from 50 years ago. And what’s nice is that they’re real friends, not just people who you interact with but are never really close to.

PGN: Tell me a little about yourself. RB: I, uh, oh boy, I hate talking about myself. I’m originally from North Philadelphia, born and raised around the Temple area. PGN: Are you an only child? RB: No, there were six of us, five boys and one girl. Two of the brothers are now deceased. Mom’s deceased, pop’s deceased. My mom worked for the University of Penn and Pop was a musician and for a day job worked at Frankford Arsenal. I had a pretty great childhood. After high school I went to work and eventually got a job at the University of Penn as a lab technician and then got a job at Temple, where I stayed for the next 35 years until it was time to retire in 2007. PGN: What was a favorite thing to do as a kid? RB: I had a little group of friends that I met in the seventh grade. We were all from the same neighborhood and we had a little club. They were all straight guys and I always knew I was different, but it was never a problem. When I really started exploring where I was coming from, in terms of sexuality, I moved away from the gang a little, but even now, some of us still keep in touch. PGN: Nowadays, most kids coming out use the Internet to find resources on coming out. How did you do it? RB: You didn’t really come out. Since I was 5 I knew I had a certain attraction, but you didn’t act on it. But as I got older I got tired of that. I knew I was gay and started meeting people and dating and soon my mom and dad fell into the flow of things. At first, she didn’t particularly like it, partly because she didn’t like [my partner] Le-Mont at first, but she grew to love him and both of our families became close. We shared our holidays with both families together, which was nice. We had a great support group, which I know was rare at the time.

ing about privatizing the lottery. That’s AFSCME’s union. So many people would be out of work, but they have him in court about it so hopefully they’ll stop it. I don’t know why you would attack teachers, law enforcement, firemen, I just don’t understand what’s going on with that. Why wouldn’t they want people to make a decent wage? I guess it’s all about control. I hope this anti-union trend goes away and quickly. PGN: I think they need to find a middle point because both sides go to extremes. I remember working on a TV show and since we were non-union, I made more driving a horse and carriage on the weekends than I did as the star of a show that was on five days a week. On the other hand, I’d go to a union set and I remember walking on with an armful of props and I wasn’t allowed to carry them on set, so I handed them to the union guy, we stepped over the threshold and instead of taking them to the table for me, he handed them

PGN: I think those kinds of social clubs are a part of the black community that I think a lot of folks don’t know about even now, like the Jack & Jill clubs. RB: Yes, Jack & Jill, the LINKS, Sundowners, there are a lot of them.

PGN: What do you think of the current attacks against unions, like in Michigan? RB: Oh God, it’s terrible, just terrible. I just read today that Gov. Corbett is talk-

PGN: How did you two meet? RB: It was at a Penn Relay party! We started talking and he said, “Hey, can I call you some time?” So we exchanged numbers and I didn’t call until my roommate asked, “Did you ever call that nice-looking guy who gave you his number?” I said, “No, do you think I should? He is handsome, but I don’t know ... ” He said, “Why not? I would!” so I called him up and he cut me off saying he was eating dinner and would call me back. At first I was put off but he called me right back and explained that he was living at home and they were in the middle of dinner. His mom was real strict so no calls during dinner. The rest is history. We do everything together. He’s a nice guy. I think we have a pretty good relationship. PGN: I’d guess so after 49 years. What does he do? RB: He’s retired also, he used to work at the University of Penn. He’ll be 75 in April but we still go out dancing and have fun. PGN: What was a fun adventure together? RB: We went to Toronto together. I’d never been on a plane before so that was a real memorable experience. We had a good time. It was during the Vietnam War so there were a lot of American draft dodgers everywhere and they were real friendly, hanging out the windows yelling to everyone.

PGN: How did you find out about gay things back then? RB: It was mainly word of mouth. In the black gay community, we didn’t really have any bars except for SK. Mostly people had house parties, a lot of house parties where you got to know people. The best parties were around Penn Relay time and guys would come in from all over the place for them, and if you were in the clique you were invited. The first time Le-Mont took me to SK, it was like, Wow, look at all these men!

PGN: And you’re a union guy too ... RB: Yes. I was the cofounder of the first union at Temple, Local 1723, along with my friend Gary Kapanowski. It was a very successful union, and I’m proud that it enabled people to earn a decent wage and a good pension.

RB: I met him when I was 20, that was 48 years ago and we’re still together.

right back. Because technically he’d carried my props, he told me the contract didn’t say he had to put them down. RB: Yeah, all things in moderation, but all in all it’s good to have a union to fight for you when you need it. As a gay person especially, a union will make sure my partner has benefits, even when my employee might not. PGN: So how long have you and Le-Mont been together?

PGN: Were you ever in the military? RB: No. I tried to enlist after high school but there was a problem with my eyesight. Le-Mont was, though; he was in the Navy for 12 years. When I met Photo: Suzi Nash him he’d just gotten out and separated from his wife. Years later he went into the Reserves and stayed in until he retired. PGN: I was watching openly gay actor Ian McKellen on “The Colbert Report” yesterday and at the end of the show, Ian took Steven’s hand and kissed it, so Steven kissed his hand in return. It was a small gesture, but it reminded me of how far we’ve come in many ways. PAGE 34

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

PGN

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

DINING PGNOUT

The raw truth about Oyster House By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com

Dahling, I can’t bear another year of watching that damn ball drop...

If you haven’t been to Oyster House, 1516 Sansom St., in a while, you’ll be pleased to find out that the owners have snazzed up the place a bit. Its brighter and more-modern décor is great for knocking back a few of their wonderful mixed drinks and sublime selection of oysters. The shrimp cocktail ($13) is the kind you hope is served in the afterlife. We adore their aggressively spicy cocktail sauce. Dessert was special too, courtesy of their banana layer cake and seasonal fruit crumbles. Here’s the rub. In between all that greatness, we had some issues. The biggest one was this: How does a seafood place not even come close to doing an amazing New England clam chowder? We’ve all had New England clam chowder. We know the approximate look and feel. When done right— hell, when you open the right can—it is a warm, liquid, physical and mental blanket that greets you after a cold day of backbreaking maritime work, sailing the wild seas to haul home bounty that will enable you to feed your family. Or maybe you’re just watching a marathon of “Deadliest Catch.” The point is, there is a pretty universal blueprint for New England clam chowder, and what we got at Oyster House was stupefying in its inability to hit any of the sweet spots we have come to expect from this soup. The white, thick, velvety, piping-hot potion we envision in our dreams was unimpressed by the sickly grey, thin, somewhat tepid and under-seasoned concoction that they wanted us to call New England clam chowder.

One New England staple that Oyster House did nail the taste and feel of was the lobster roll ($26). No problems there. The grilled octopus ($13) was fine, except that it should be called grilled potatoes because the garnish outnumbered the protein on the plate. The Fried oysters ($10; $13 with chicken salad) were perfect and another excuse for us to indulge in their awesome cocktail sauce. We heard that most people order the oysters with the chicken salad, but we found it to be an unnecessary distraction. The Oh Burger ($14), the sole refuge for red-meat enthusiasts, has a strong flavor thanks to being topped with blue cheese and fried oysters. Adventurous diners will

FISHERMAN’S STEW love it, but it might be a slight turn-off to anyone looking for a simple burger. The best-cooked dish we had by far was the Fisherman’s Stew ($21), a steaming treasure trove of fish and seafood bathing in a spicy broth and saffron rouille. It was pure perfection that made us let go of any grudge we had about the clam chowder. Despite a couple of bumps in the road, we still love Oyster House to pieces. Next payday, we’ll happily go back and gorge on raw and chilled seafood and drinks. ■

If you go Oyster House 1516 Sansom St. Mon.-Thu.: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. 215-567-7683 www.oysterhousephilly.com

LOCATED ON THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF 6TH & BAINBRIDGE STS. 215-592-0656

www.creperie-beaumonde.com

DINING ROOM Photos: Scott A. Drake

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

What was your most memorable New Year’s Eve? New Year’s Eve is notorious for generating some wild and wacky stories. PGN took a poll of its staff to find out some of their most memorable times ringing in the New Year and found that some stories were funny, some were poignant and some were downright strange. Here’s to hoping this New Year’s Eve tops ’em all! Angela: My New Year’s Eves are always a little low-key, but I would have to say that one of my favorites happened this year when I spent time with three of my best friends. It was like a lesbian reality show without the glamour but with the alcohol, good times and laughs, and was a great way to start off my last (finally!) year of college. Brooke: Without question ... It was an intimate yet intense Brand New concert at the House of Blues. We drank, danced, indulged in other unmentionables and weirded ourselves out well into 2012. Carol: My most memorable New Year’s Eve is when my husband asked me to marry him. Corny, right? Dan: My most memorable New Year’s Eve would be my first with my partner, Kasey. It was only our third date and we shared a magical kiss on a friend’s roof deck at midnight watching the fireworks. On our train ride home, Kasey (who rarely drinks) barfed on the train on the people seated in front of us. Due to the pizza we had eaten earlier, when I looked up, I saw little pieces of pepperoni in the woman’s hair in front of him. Very gross for her, but definitely a memorable New Year’s Eve! Don: While I have had several really memorable New Year’s Eves, all from the ’70s and early ’80s, none is anywhere near PG-13! Greg: I showed up after midnight to my girlfriend’s and she broke up with me for being late (Jan. 1, 1998). Jen: New Year’s Eve always stresses me out because there’s so much pressure to do something fun and it often falls short of expectations. But last year’s was pretty awesome, seeing Brand New in Atlantic City and ringing in midnight with a balloon drop at the concert. But, the night nosedived when our car decided not to turn on at 3 a.m. in the parking garage. Thankfully, strangers took pity on us after about an hour and gave us a jump — it was a long night, but a memorable one! Larry: I’m a comedian and there’s a gig that I’ve done a few times that is the kind of gig you do for New Year’s when nothing else pans out. In my case it’s called Downtown Countdown in Washington, D.C., which is basically a huge hotel complex with different party zones, including a comedy room that usually features five or six comedians, each doing 10-minute sets every so often.

It’s a weird gig for a number of reasons. The comedy room is usually so close to the livemusic venue that we have to compete with the noise blasting from that room. Also, the comedy room usually becomes the place where weary partiers go to either eat or sit down because they are tipsy, tired or their stripper-heel pumps are killing their feet. Last year, my expectations were low, but they moved the party to a better hotel, and the comedy room was huge and far-removed from the live-music room, where the bigtime act of the evening was Third Eye Blind. Still, the vibe amongst my fellow comics wasn’t too festive. A particularly witty comic with a passion for trading barbs with unruly drink crowds took a bullet for us and did the after-midnight set, which none of us wanted because that is easily the most depressing set to do, performing for the very drunk and exhausted. The rest of decided to have some fun with the gig for a change and while the last comic was performing to a small crowd of stragglers, we ran around grabbing every party favor, balloon and decoration from around the room and chucking them onto the stage while he performed. We figured, if the room had to get cleaned up, they were going to earn their pay. Five minutes into the show he was performing surrounded by a forest of silver metallic balloons. Then we put tables and chairs behind him on stage and sat a couple there like it was some kind of VIP seating. The part of the evening I was dreading became fun somehow. Then they paid us, and we got the hell out of there faster than you could blow a party horn.

Mark: The most memorable New Year’s Eve was Jason and I standing on our roof holding each other in the freezing cold and watching the New Year’s Eve fireworks at midnight. Prab: New Year’s Eve 2009: Took a late

flight from New York and got to see fireworks from up above the clouds. Then awoke at dawn to a spectacular view from the sky of Paris covered in snow. The cheerful flight staff welcomed us with champagne. Alas, instead of being on a romantic getaway, I was on my way to attend a funeral! C’est la vie.

Sandy: My favorite New Year’s Eve celebrations were those of my early youth, circa 1973-’76. My parents would host the parties at our then-teeny rowhome on a small South Philly street, and it would spilleth over with relatives, friends and neighbors — most of whom, even before the inebriation set in, were lined up as my partying pop did that ’70s dance craze, The Bump ... bumping them, one by one, out the front door. Scott: I don’t have a particularly memorable New Year’s Eve. It’s just a night, and another year starts. Big deal. I do, however, have a tradition of making a pot of chili every year that afternoon or night, depending on what I’m doing. One year I had friends over for games and drinks; for another, it was fireworks on Penn’s Landing; and another, it was fireworks (illegal ones) in South Philly. I have also

celebrated on the Art Museum steps with champagne, in numerous bars, in the madness of the Magic Kingdom and the madness at Epcot. Once, I rang it in with some good friends on a beach. I’ve watched the ball drop in Times Square on television, I’ve marked midnight by myself in the peace of Fairmount Park and in Rittenhouse Square with the sounds of celebration filtering through the streets. This year, chili, movies and hanging out on the couch with my favorite guy. Sean: For some reason, the New Year’s

Eve that sticks with me the most was a party before the second Gulf War where, right before the count down, somebody shouted for “a toast for peace in the New Year.” It totally changed the whole mood of the party with everyone waiting for the countdown. When we got to zero, instead of the usual “Happy New Year’s!” every-

body raised their glass and shouted, “To peace!” Of course, it didn’t do anything to change the course of world events, but it did give the usual New Year’s party a different, more somber note.

Tim: My most memorable New Year’s Eve was as a high-school senior, when I had my first drink of alcohol. My best friend and I were working as busboys at a nearby country club. There was a festive New Year’s Eve party at the club. We decided to finish off the leftover wine in the pitchers that we cleared from tables. Soon, we were plastered. Our boss pulled us off the floor and demoted us to dishwashers. We didn’t fit in there, either, and somehow managed to jam the dishwashing machine. Then, our boss sent us home. Fortunately, we lived close by. So we just staggered home. Needless to say, my foray into drinking didn’t last very long. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

FUN & PGN GAMES

Q Puzzle Giant Star Across

1. With 54-Across, movie of 38Across 6. With 9-Across, costar in this puzzle’s movie 9. See 6-Across 14. “Scary Movie” Cheri 15. “Double Fantasy” artist 16. Fred’s first partner 17. Empathetic phrase 18. “___ DeLovely” 19. Triangle sign 20. Costar in this puzzle’s movie 23. Pal around 25. Mary Cassatt, for one 28. Zoo barrier 29. Hotel quote 33. Burn the surface of 34. Sticker datum, for short 35. Sonny and Cher, to Chaz 37. “Crying”

singer Orbison 38. Gay icon of the ’50s 40. Samantha of “The Collector” 43. It comes after kick or kiss 44. Dances in a grass skirt 48. Bones that are the farthest up 50. Muslim palace areas 51. Giant killed by David 53. Tennis great Navratilova 54. See 1-Across 56. Like autoeroticism 57. Loaded 58. Trojan Horse, e.g. 60. Glenn Burke, formerly 61. Metaphysical poet John 62. Buffalo’s lake 63. Lines from Lesbos 64. Golf great Sam 65. Stud poker demand

PORTRAIT from page 29

RB: Oh yes, we’ve come a long way. I really admire the young kids and how open they are. It used to be that the black community was much more underground, and the whites were more out there, I guess because we had racism and so much other stuff to deal with, but even that’s changing. You see a lot of out and proud young black kids. It’s great because when people see you being yourself, they ultimately have more respect for you and realize, Oh, they’re just like us with the same problems and accomplishments. PGN: What’s the biggest surprise? RB: I’d say the whole gay-marriage thing, how quickly people have come to accept the idea of it and have it be part of the everyday conversation. We’re not there yet, but just the fact that the Supreme Court is ready to take a look at it is surprising. I thought it would take a lot longer. Even our president has come out for it, which didn’t surprise me because I read his book and I remember when he lived in Indonesia his stepfather had a male nanny who cooked for them and he was openly gay. He was a drag queen who was with a group called the “Fantastic Dolls.” Barack really liked

Down

1. Colette’s king 2. Truncation abbreviation 3. Chair style named for Baseballer Billy? 4. Like a “Man of la Mancha” knight 5. Try to deceive 6. Erosion loss 7. Start to climax 8. Blow, as a game 9. George Moscone, for one 10. Real jerk-offs 11. More like Albert in “The Birdcage” 12. Cockney’s place of torment? 13. Brit. word ref 21. Genesis patriarch 22. Piss away 23. “Let’s see ...” 24. Comic caveman Alley ___ 26. Saint, in Rio 27. Take a shot at 30. Perimeter contents 31. Gay wedding guide author Ayers

32. Targets of men who make passes 35. Persona non grata 36. 1943 Bogart film 38. Cleaning agents 39. Like gay teens with supportive moms and dads 40. Heart exam 41. What Dorian Gray didn’t do 42. Ancient Roman province 45. Suit type 46. Result of a lick on the head, perhaps 47. FICA funds it 49. Likely to butt heads 50. Did a circumcision roughly? 52. Iroquoian language 53. Unexpected help 55. Dancer Tommy 56. Cone starter 59. Sushi selection PAGE 27

and respected him and I just read that the guy got in touch with him recently over some issues he was having. So Obama’s saying he’s evolving, but I think he was always there; he just needed to time it right. PGN: What was the best Christmas you remember? RB: We lived in North Philly and I was the one who would meet my mother at the corner when she came home from work and carry her packages. This one time she refused to let me carry them. When we got home she sent me away which was odd, so I peeked back into the kitchen and she was standing on a ladder putting the bags way up high. When she left, I got the ladder out and peeked into one of the packages. I saw there were toys inside and said to myself, “Wait a minute, she’s buying the toys. There is no Santa Claus!” Of course I acted surprised when I opened the presents Christmas morning, but I told my brothers and sister that there was no Santa. PGN: [Laughs.] How was that a good Christmas? RB: I just remember feeling smug that I knew something only adults were supposed to know. My brothers and I chuckled all

night about it, though I probably shouldn’t have told my sister, she wasn’t too happy about it. But it was fun being in the know. PGN: What’s the oldest piece of clothing you still own and wear? RB: An old pair of sneakers I jog in. They were some cheap little sneakers but I’ve had them forever! Much better than the new stuff out there. PGN: Best concert you ever saw? RB: Shirley Bassey at the Academy of Music. She was incredible. That or Lena Horne and Tony Bennett. PGN: What was the first car you owned? RB: A 1976 tan and brown Buick. PGN: Celebrity encounter? RB: We met Mary Wilson of The Supremes at an NAACP event and Sheryl Lee Ralph who starred in “Dream Girls” at a different event. They were both really nice. PGN: Any phobias? RB: Elevators, I’m not an elevator person. PGN: Would you describe yourself as an RV, a sports car, an SUV, or a bicycle?

RB: Bicycle. I try to be calm and down to earth. PGN: The feature I get the most compliments on is ... RB: Hmmm. It used to be my legs! PGN: Have you ever done drag with such good legs? RB: No. I’m not opposed to it, just never have. PGN: What was the biggest bump in the road? RB: Le-Mont used to like to party a lot. [Laughs.] I had to go get him a few times and say, “OK, it’s time to bring it in, buddy! Time to go home.” PGN: What’s the secret to a longlasting relationship? RB: Being compatible and understanding. There’s always one who has to give in a little more than the other, and I think it’s me. But it’s all good. At the end of the day, we just like to be with each other. ■ To suggest a community member for “Family Portrait,” write to portraits05@aol.com.

SPORTS PGN

Get Out and Play

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

Scott A. Drake

A new year to get out and play If anyone out there trends toward bad eating and fewer workouts like I do in the craziness we call the holiday season, then talk of resolutions would probably sound like the teacher in a Charlie Brown special. I’m not really a New Year’s resolution guy, but I will offer a challenge for sports enthusiasts in the gay community this coming year: Join me in trying at least one sport in 2013 that you do not currently participate in. Do you play tennis, but haven’t played in a number of years? You can jump into that immediately. Same thing with bowling, soccer, swimming or wrestling. You can even do a Saturday-morning run with the Frontrunners all winter. (Meet them at Lloyd Hall at 10:15 a.m. any given Saturday.) Interested in grabbing a bat,

being in a scrum or grabbing some flags? You can get involved with softball, rugby or flag football in the spring. Pledge with me to try at least one sport in 2013 if you are not currently participating in one or, if you are, trying an additional new sport. Information on local LGBT sports options can be found in many of my previous columns, or you can look inside the back cover of PGN on the fourth week of the month. Easier still, go online to www. epgn.com/pages/bulletin_board. Big Game Event III This annual party presented by the Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League is quickly becoming the best post-holiday season event and not only raises money for Action AIDS, but it’s also a damn fun time.

Two years in University City saw good turnouts and, now that the party is moving to The Painted Bride Arts Center, 230 Vine St., it should escalate quickly into a huge event. Mark your calendars for Feb. 3 for a super evening of football, food, an open bar, silent auction, raffles and general gaiety. General admission is $40 in advance or $50 at the door, and VIP tickets for the pre-party at 5 p.m. are $65. Host committee tickets are $125, which includes two tickets to the VIP reception and main event, listing on materials and free gifts from our sponsors. Full-time college students also receive a discount. For contact information for sponsorships or general information on GPFFL and the Big Game Event III, visit phillyflagfootball. com.

Short stops • Thank you, everyone, for making Get Out and Play a success in 2012. I will continue to support all of our sports organizations to the best of my ability. Please keep those comments and likes coming on epgn.com! • Sports and recreation contacts and website information is included in the PGN Community Bulletin Board every fourth Friday of the month (this week) on the inside back cover and can also be accessed at epgn.com. ■ Countdown to Gay Games IX: 588 days. If you have any sports-related events happening over the holidays or in January, or Gay Games questions, email scott@epgn.com.

Who will be PGN’s Person of the Year? 2012 Person of the Year - Coming Jan. 4

MOVIES PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

ON SALE NOW!

The highs and lows of 2012’s LGBT cinema By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor This year in queer film was certainly peculiar, with stunning dramas about addiction and adoption to a dazzling nonfiction film about the mobilization efforts of ACT UP. Oddly, there were fewer “coming-out” films and many edgier teen films than in recent years. While filmmakers often took chances — some of which did not pay off — there were quite a few gems when you look back on 50-plus films with LGBT content that received theatrical release. Here’s a rundown:

THE MUSICAL LEGEND ��

�� kimmelcenter.org/broadway Presented by

Kimmel Center for the performing arts

215.731.3333

Queer Film of the Year Both “Any Day Now,” about a gay couple adopting a teen with Down syndrome, and “Keep the Lights On,” about two codependent lovers, one of whom spirals into addiction, told gritty gay stories with tremendous grace. Gay youth was represented by the sexually active high-school teens in “Perks of Being a Wallflower,” starring out actor Ezra Miller, while the post-college crew in Patrik-Ian Polk’s “The Skinny” educated audiences about AfricanAmerican history and how to properly prepare for anal sex. But perhaps the Queer Film of the Year is the ambitious “Cloud Atlas.” The film featured some gay characters, various crossdressing and gender-bending, and one of the three directors of this big-budget spectacle is transgender Lana Wachowski.

was superb in Ira Sachs’ elegiac “Keep the Lights On.” But the best performance by a straight actor in a gay role this year was Jack Black’s Oscar-worthy turn as the title character in the killer film “Bernie.” Queer Twists There were all kinds of queer encounters on cinema screens this year. “The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye” vividly documented the gender-bending musicians. “Farewell, My Queen” re-imagined Marie Antoinette in Sapphic splendor and “Unforgivable” followed four lovers/friends who tested their sexual permutations. But perhaps the oddest film of 2012 was the one first made in 1971. Ted Kotcheff’s “Wake in Fright,” featuring out actor Gary Bond getting into trouble in the outback, was the wildest, weirdest and most wonderful queer thriller of 2012. Gay Director of the Year Gay filmmakers produced a handful of good films that did not necessarily feature queer characters. Terence Davies’

Doc of the Year JIM BROADBENT (LEFT) AND BEN WHISHAW “United in Anger” chronIN “CLOUD ATLAS” icled the work of ACT UP, but it was not nearly as strong or powerful as one of the year’s best “The Deep Blue Sea” was a beautifully made drama about heartbreak, while Todd films, the remarkable “How to Survive Graff’s “Joyful Noise” was a tuneful cela Plague,” which deftly illustrated how ebration featuring queer icons Queen ACT UP mobilized itself and made critiLatifah and Dolly Parton. There was also cal changes in the care of HIV-positive some fun to be had in the smutty comedy individuals. And a dishonorable mention “For a Good Time, Call ... ” which had to “Bully,” a nonfiction film that missed Justin Long playing the gay BFF who an important opportunity to address this hooks up the two female phone-sex worknationwide problem, focusing only briefly ers. But the naughty “Hysteria,” directed on one lesbian student who was abused by by out filmmaker Tanya Wexler and starher peers. ring openly gay Rupert Everett, was a stimulating sex comedy about vibrators — Gay-for-Pay Performance Many straight actors played gay and this from a story by the Daily News’ Howard Gensler — set in the Victorian era. year was a bumper crop of great performances. Javier Bardem was sexy and sinWorst Queer Film of the Year ister as the villain in “Skyfall” and Haley There were a handful of truly offenJoel Osment displayed his comic talents in sive films in 2012. The gay character in hot pants in “Sassy Pants.” Even Matthew “Beloved” leads a woman on, and even has McConaughey had a memorable gay supsex with her, after confessing he is HIVporting role — and not just because he positive. In “Little White Lies,” a man conappeared naked and hogtied — in “The fesses his attraction to his longtime friend, Paperboy.” Danish actor Thure Lindhardt

PGN MOVIES

only to face repeated episodes of homophobia from him. Lesbians were cast in a bad light in “Your Sister’s Sister,” where a woman fresh out of a seven-year same-sex relationship poked holes in a condom to get pregnant by her sister’s best friend, whom she sleeps with one night. But the truly worst queer film this year was “Jack and Diane,” an unwatchable romantic drama that featured strange monsters, stranger characters and other horrors too numerous to mention. Avoid at all costs. Philly Missed Several films about characters exploring their sexual identities missed Philadelphia, but viewers should seek out these titles on DVD or VOD. Two of the best are the subtle coming-of-age dramas “Mosquita y Mari,” about two Latina-high schoolers, and the smart adaptation of Peter Cameron’s novel “Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You.” “Sexual Chronicles of a French Family” chronicles, well, the erotic experiences of members of a French family, including a son’s threesomes. And while James Franco’s Hart Crane film, “Broken Tower,” failed under the weight of its pretensions, arguably the best queer film that missed Philly was “Klown,” a Danish comedy about two men and a preteen boy on a sex vacation. The film’s scandalous penis jokes alone are unspeakably funny. MATT BOMER IN So, too, is the film.

“MAGIC MIKE”

The (Rear) End Ending the year in queer on perhaps a prurient note, the beaucoup nudity, particularly by the hot hunky cop (Guillaume Gioux), in “Nobody Else But You” certainly added some extra thrills to this amazing French thriller, arguably the best and most fun mystery this year. There were also some noticeable scenes fetishizing skivviesclad Zac Efron dancing in the rain in “The Paperboy.” But perhaps the most delicious, most decadent moments on screens had the buff cast of “Magic Mike” dancing in the buff. Actor Matt Bomer came out this year, and, boy, did he ever fill out his g-string. Give Bomer this year’s best butt award. ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

form 8 p.m. at North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St.; 215-787-0488.

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 12/28

Sat. 12/29

Chaka Kahn The R&B singer performs 8 p.m. at Harrah’s Casino Hotel, 777 Harrah’s Blvd., Atlantic City; 609-4415000.

Sing-a-Long: The Sound of Music Audience members participate in this screening of the beloved musical, 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.

David Guetta The electronicdance music star performs 8 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Live Wire The AC/DC tribute group performs 8 p.m. at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5858.

The Roots The hip-hop band performs 9 p.m. at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-343-4000. Naughty List 2 — Electric Boogaloo DJ Cool Hand Luke and TVC 15, a David Bowie tribute band, per-

BOYLESQUE, DRAG and BURLYQ! Burlesque Showcase presents drag queen Tammy Famous, drag king Nino, Brettzo, Melissa Bang Bang and Timaree of the Sisters Sirens, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at Sisters, 1320 Chancellor St.; 215-735-0735. Sat. 12/29 Sing-a-Long: The Sound of Music Audiences sing along to the classic film at noon and 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Beatlemania Now! The Beatles tribute

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

group performs at 3 and 8 p.m. at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5858. Mike Doughty The singer-songwriter from Soul Coughing performs 7:30 p.m. at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; 215928-0770. Dark Star Orchestra The Grateful Dead tribute band performs 8:30 p.m. at Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.

Sun. 12/30 The Starting Line The Philadelphia pop-punk band performs 8 p.m. at Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.

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.

DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE: “Grindhouse” wasn’t the big hit people expected it to be, but a double feature of horror and action Bmovies “Planet Terror” (pictured), featuring Rose McGowan as a stripper with a machine gun for a prosthetic leg, and “Death Proof” are an entertaining experience. The fake movie trailers in between are even better. Load up on popcorn for this marathon screening, 9:45 p.m. Jan. 4 at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville. For more information, call 610-917-0223.

G. Love & Special Sauce The alternative-rock band performs 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Backstreet Boys The boy band performs 9 p.m. at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-343-4000.

Mon. 12/31 Dr. K’s Motown Revue The Motown tribute group performs at 7 and 10:30 p.m. at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5858. Bill Gardell The comedian and actor performs 10 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Village People The iconic pop/

disco group performs 9:30 p.m. at Tropicana Showroom, 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 800-843-8767. Jane’s Addiction The rock band performs 10 p.m. at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-343-4000.

Thu. 01/03

Fri. 01/04

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

Grindhouse The modern pulp double feature is screened 9:45 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

Tue. 01/01 New Year’s Day at Sisters Hair of the dog, noon-2 a.m. at Sisters, 1320 Chancellor St.; 215-735-0735.

Wed. 01/02 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. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 The 1986 slasher film is screened 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.

GOING SOUL-O: Soul Coughing frontman and singer-songwriter Mike Doughty comes to town, performing 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St. For more information or tickets, call 215-928-0770.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

Jekyll & Hyde The Kimmel Center presents the classic tale of good and evil through Dec. 30 at Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St.; 215-923-1515.

Opening Les Misérables The 25th-anniversary production of the classic musical Jan. 2-13 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215790-5847.

Kanye West The rapper performs Dec. 30 at Ovation Hall, 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 855-348-0500.

Orny Adams The comedian performs Jan. 2-5 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-4969001.

Continuing Cinderella Adren Children’s Theatre presents a new version of the classic tale through Jan. 27, 40 N. Second St.; 215-922-1122. 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. Cy Twombly: Sculptures Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works from the Swiss sculptor, through March, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Double Portrait Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works from designer Paula Scher and illustrator Seymour Chwast,

RETURN TO THE STRAWBERRY FIELD: The tribute band Beatlemania Now! performs at 3 and 8 p.m. Dec. 29 at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville. For more information, call 215-257-5858.

Dr. Doolittle Media Theater presents the story of a veterinarian who can talk to animals, through Jan. 27, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-8910100. The Female Gaze: Women Artists Making Their World Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts presents more than 150 works from the Linda Lee Alter Collection of Art by Women, through April 7, 128 N. Broad St.; www. pafa.org. 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

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.

Closing Cirque Éloize The urban modern circus performs through Dec. 30 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. Dave & Aaron Go To Work Plays & Players Theatre presents the wordless comedy with music through Dec. 31, 1714 Delancey St.; 215-592-9560.

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. 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-’60s through Dec. 30 at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.; 215574-3550. 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. ■

EXPERIENCE THE NEW RESORTS CASINO HOTEL WELCOME ‘BACK’: Platinumselling boyband Backstreet Boys help fans relive their teenage glory days with their pop hits 9 p.m. Dec. 30 at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J. For more information or tickets, call 609-343-4000.

through April 14, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

between images and sounds, through Feb. 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100.

SOLUTION from page 34

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

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.

ResortsAC.com/lgbt Facebook.com/ProBarAC 1133 Boardwalk | Atlantic City, NJ | 08401 | 1.800.772.9000

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

PGN TELEVISION FUN & GAMES

Worth Watching KATHY NEW YEAR: Our favorite celebrity dish queen is back at it with her new special “Kathy Griffin: Kennedie Center On-Hers,” airing 10 p.m. Jan. 3 on Bravo. Photo: Bravo/Craig

TAKE ME TO THE RIVERS: Watch comedic icon Joan Rivers in her comedy special “Before Melissa Pulls the Plug,” 10 p.m. Dec. 31 on Logo.

Lassig

DICKLESS: It’s a bittersweet New Year’s Eve as Ryan Seacrest, Fergie and Jenny McCarthy host the first “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” since the passing of Dick Clark. But the party must go on, live from Times Square, 10 p.m. Dec. 31 on ABC. Photo: Bob D’Amico

HERE’S CARSON: NBC rings in 2013 with “NBC’s New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly,” 10 p.m. Dec. 31 on NBC. Photo: Chris Haston

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10% most hardcovers, over 5 million books and 3 million eBooks available at queerbooks.com email: giovannis_room@verizon.net 345 S. 12th St. Philadelphia, Pa 19107 215-923-2960 Mon-Sat 11:30 - 7, Sun 1 - 7

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

Classifieds Real Estate Sale

Real Estate Sale

Help Wanted

Friends Men

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 VACANCIES History and Social Sciences (9-12), Special Education General Curriculum (5-8), Physical Science (8th Grade), Biology/Physics (9-12), Occupational Therapist - Prince Edward Schools, Farmville, VA- (434)315-2100. www. pecps.k12.va.us Closing Date: Until ﬁlled. EOE. ________________________________________36-52 Driver - $0.03 enhanced quarterly bonus. Get paid for any portion you qualify for: safety, production, MPG. CDL-A, 3 months current OTR exp. 800-414-9569 www. driveknight.com ________________________________________36-52 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 ________________________________________36-52 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. ________________________________________36-52 Exp. Reefer Drivers: GREAT PAY /Freight lanes from Presque Isle, ME, Boston-Lehigh, PA. 800-277-0212 or primeinc.com ________________________________________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. ________________________________________36-52 Pyle Transport (A Division of A. Duie Pyle) Needs Owner Operators. 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 ________________________________________36-52 DRIVERS REGIONAL FLATBED HOME Every Weekend, 40-45 CPM. Class A CDL Required. Flatbed Load Training Available. 1st Seat Sign On Bonus. 1-800-992-7863 ext. 160 www.mcelroytrucklines.com ________________________________________36-52

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. ________________________________________36-52 BM, 60 looking for British gent, 35-45 for intimate encounters. 215-763-3391, 6PM-Midnight. ________________________________________36-52 I’m looking for a very well end. top (8 or more) who can appreciate a very nice white butt. 8-11 PM, 215-732-2108. ________________________________________37-01 Attractive GWM, 37, friendly, sweet, caring, funny, naughtyboy, brutally attacked in prison. Every guy I ever loved has abandoned me. I’m so very lonely. ISO guys to write to me. I will reply to all. Kenneth Houck #06743-015, Federal Medical Center, PO Box 1600, Butner NC 27509. ________________________________________36-52 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________37-02

Massage Massage on the Mainline. Affordable, professional. $60 per hour. Treat yourself! Appointments: 610-710-6213. ________________________________________36-51 David, 63, 6’, 200 lbs., educated. 215-569-4949. ________________________________________37-13 BLACK JOCK Black jock. $75, muslc, hot, 5’7””,175#, Mark 610-9310485. ________________________________________37-51

Business Opportunity

Real Estate Sale

Travel & Resorts

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. ________________________________________36-52 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

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

Real Estate Sale take Viagra and have some fun but always celebrate with LOVE CAKE > a delicious, almost 1 0 0 % O R G A N I C I TA L I A N A P P L E C A K E . Taste our delicious apple/cinnamon, belgium chocolate, bitchin’ hot Italian pepper. Free del in CC. Order now > 16 slices/cake brooks.N’.mia’s bakery 215-887-3159 ________________________________________36-52

Services EXP RELIABLE HOUSECLEANER Let me free up your valuable time by cleaning your house or apt. Weekly biweekly monthly. I have 10+ years exp. FREE estimates. Call Wayne 215-422-2654. Ref’s upon request. ________________________________________37-01 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 ________________________________________36-52 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 ________________________________________36-52

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.

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Call 215-432-6030 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.

B-7

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

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NEW BEGININGS Saturday, January 12th, 2013 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…

P.A.N.G. (Philadelphia Area Nudist Group) Saturday, January 13th, 2013 Time: 3pm-6pm Boys will Be Boys- Awaken Your Spirit Join P.A.N.G. for: * An Afternoon of Naked Socializing * Complimentary Food & Beverages and Much More... For More Information On Group:www.phillynakedguys.com/

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

Activism/Politics

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

Arts

Library Book Club meets to discuss a new book 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at the William Way Center. Philadelphia Freedom Band, an audition-free LGBT band that does concerts and parades, rehearses Mondays 7-9:30 p.m.; philadelphiafreedomband.com. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus rehearses 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays; 215-731-9230; auditions@pgmc.org. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Opera Club meets to share and listen to recordings 6:30 p.m. the last Saturday of the month; 215-732-7898. Philadelphia Voices of Pride, Philadelphia’s first mixed GLBT chorus, rehearses 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the William Way Center; www.pvop.org. Queer Writer’s Collective workshop and discussion group meets 4-6 p.m. the fourth Saturday of the month at the William Way Center. Reading Queerly, open to all women and genderqueer/ trans people, meets 6:45 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.

Recreation

Diversity Dancers ballroom dancers meet the first Sunday of the month for tea and lessons. Other events scheduled throughout the year; 215-922-2129; DiversityDancers@aol. com. Gay Bridge Club non-beginners group meets Monday 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the William Way Center; reservations required. Call 215-732-2220. Gay-friendly Scrabble Club meets 6-11 p.m. in the P.I.C. Building, 42nd and Locust streets; 215-382-0789. Gay Opera Guys of Philly, a new group for opera appreciation, meets the last Sunday of the month at 2:30 p.m. in Roxborough/Andorra area; 215-483-1032. Humboldt Society: Lesbian and Gay Naturalists meets the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the William Way Center; 215-985-1456; www.humboldtsociety.org. Independence Squares LGBT square-dance club, modern Western square dancing. Monthly open house. Tuesday classes in the fall; Lutheran Church, 2111 Sansom St.; philadances@gmail.com; www.independencesquares.org. Male Oenophile Group forming to discuss, appreciate and taste various wines. Will meet once a month to investigate the nuances and glories of the fermented grape. Call 267230-6750 for more information. Mornings OUT LGBT Senior Social activities for senior gay men are held every Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the William Way Center. PhilaVentures, Philadelphia’s LGBT outdoor group, meets for hikes in Wissahickon Valley and Valley Forge Park; philaventures.org.

Sports

Brandywine Women’s Rugby Club meets for Tuesday and Thursday practice at 8 p.m. Greenfield Park, West Chester; www.brandywinerugby.org. City of Brotherly Love Softball League serves the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Games are played Sundays, beginning in April, in Fairmount Park; www.cblsl.org. Frontrunners running club meets 9:30 a.m. Saturdays for a run and brunch. Lloyd Hall, No. 1 Boathouse Row; www. philadelphiafrontrunners.org. Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club LGBT and allies; plays 6 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. Saturdays at Edgely Fields in Fairmount Park; www.falcons-soccer.org. Philadelphia Fins Swim Team, male and female swimmers, meets 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Friends Select School and 10:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Kelly Pool in Fairmount Park; www.philadelphia-fins.org. Philadelphia Gay Bowling League meets 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays September-April at Brunswick Zone, 1328 Delsea Drive, Deptford, N.J.; 856-889-1434; www.philagaybowling.com. Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League games

played Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at Columbus Square Park, 1200 Wharton St.; phillyflagfootball.com. Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Football Club seeks players, all skill levels welcome; meets 7:45 p.m. Thursdays at Columbus Square Park, 1200 Wharton St.; 215-913-7531; philadelphiagryphons.org; becomeagryphon@gmail.com. Philadelphia Liberty Belles women’s semi-pro full-tackle football league holds fall tryouts; phillybelles.com. Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association plays yearround, all skill levels welcome; philadelphialibertytennis. com. Philadelphia Firebirds women’s football team seeks players; www.philadelphiafirebirds.com. Philadelphia Women’s Baseball League seeks players, all skill levels and ages welcome. Practice is Thursdays, 7 p.m. at Marian Anderson Recreation Center, 17th and Fitzwater streets, with games on Sundays 2:30 p.m.; phillywomensbaseball.com; contact Narda Quigley, (day) 215991-5995 or (evening) 301-919-1194. Philly Gay Hockey Association Philadelphia Phury seeks players; 917-656-1936; phury@gayhockey.org. Philly QCycle LGBT bicycling club promotes organized recreational riding for all levels in the Greater Philadelphia region. Contact the organization via Facebook. Rainbow Riders of the Delaware Valley motorcycle club meets regularly; 215-836-0440; www.groups.yahoo.com/ group/rainbowridersdv/. Rainbow Rollers gay and lesbian bowling league meets 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays at Boulevard Lanes in Northeast Philadelphia; rainbowrollers.com. Spartan Wrestling Club, the gay wresting team, meets 6:30-9 p.m. Mondays (no August practice) at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.; 215-732-4545; www. phillyspartans.com. Suburban Gay Bowling League bowls at 8 p.m. Thursdays from August-April at Facenda-Whitaker Lanes, 2912 Swede Road, Norristown; sgblbowl@gmail.com. Team Philadelphia, the umbrella group for gay and lesbian sports teams, and individual athletes in the Delaware Valley come together to provide a healthy outlet for all members of the community; teamphiladelphia.org.

Etc.

AIDS Law Project provides free legal assistance to people with HIV/AIDS and sponsors free monthly seminars on work and housing; 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 600; 215-5879377; www.aidslawpa.org. BiUnity, Philadelphia-area social and support network for bisexuals, their family members and friends meets the second Friday of every other month at the William Way Center; www.biunity.org. Delaware Valley Pink Pistols for LGBT people dedicated to legal, safe and responsible use of firearms for selfdefense; meets 2 p.m. the third Saturday of the month at Classic Indoor Range, 1310 Industrial Blvd., Southampton; 610-879-2364; www.pinkpistols.org. Delaware Pride holds planning meetings 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the United Church of Christ, 300 Main St., Newark; 302-265-3020; delawarepride.org. Haverford College’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance holds open meetings 10-11 p.m. Mondays during the school year in the lounge in Jones Basement at Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave.; 610-896-4938. Long Yang Club Philadelphia social organization for gay Asians and their friends holds monthly socials; www. longyangclub.org/philadelphia. Our Night Out, a casual social networking party of LGBT professionals, friends and colleagues, meets in a different Philadelphia hot spot each month. To receive monthly event invitations, email OurNightOutPhilly@gmail.com; more information on Facebook. Philadelphia Bar Association Legal Advice offered 5-8 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month; 215-238-6333. Philadelphia Prime Timers club for mature gay and bisexual men and their admirers meets regularly; primetim ersofphiladelphia@yahoo.com. Philadelphians MC Club for leather men and women meets 7:30 p.m. the first and third Monday of the month at The Pit at The Bike Stop, 201 S. Quince St.; philadelphiansmc.org. Rainbow Amateur Radio Association ARRL-affiliated, weekly HF nets, quarterly newsletter; www.rara.org. Rock ’n’ Roll Queer Bar Party for gay and lesbian rockers with host Psydde Delicious starts 10 p.m. every first Sunday at Fluid, 613 S. Fourth St.; www. RocknRollQueerBar.com. Silver Foxes, a social and educational group for gays and lesbians 50 and older, meets 3-5 p.m. the fourth Sunday of the month at the William Way Center. SNJ Queers meets monthly for queer/queer-friendly folks in South Jersey to mix and mingle. Search for SNJ Queers on Facebook; contact Wendy at 856-375-3708 or wmf69@comast.net.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

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; 126 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 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; 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.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 28, 2012 - Jan. 3, 2013

PGN